Post Ak1X23YoEGlu19j2tU by Peternimmo@mastodon.scot
(DIR) More posts by Peternimmo@mastodon.scot
(DIR) Post #Ak1VRjZkxFOPenHj28 by futurebird@sauropods.win
2024-07-17T13:46:23Z
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When I listen to Trump talk about foreign policy it reminds me of the way that old guys in their 60s I know talk about these topics. And that scares me because I think "I can see how people might be attracted to this" -- I couldn't put my finger on why.But I think I figured it out.1/
(DIR) Post #Ak1VcjQRqxBCNQAvD6 by futurebird@sauropods.win
2024-07-17T13:48:23Z
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It's because he doesn't really care about any of it all that much and doesn't really know what he's talking about. He's at the barbershop holding court. "So *I'd* tell Zelensky ... you gotta make a deal."Wow. What an idea. He sounds exactly like the one guy at the barbershop who knows just a little bit more than the others. Enough, to have some strident authoritative things to say. He's showing off how much he knows! 2/
(DIR) Post #Ak1VzsWmB5tRGbAjnk by bitcodavid@hachyderm.io
2024-07-17T13:52:33Z
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@futurebird Close. But having been in many of those barbershop conversations, the guy doing most of the spouting off usually does NOT know even a little more than everyone else. He USUALLY knows less.
(DIR) Post #Ak1W269qTLY27RVNDc by futurebird@sauropods.win
2024-07-17T13:52:40Z
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Listen, I don't know why anyone expects that average people know a great deal about foreign policy. I do not know very much myself. I strive to learn. It's difficult because there is a lot of propaganda. I don't feel comfortable pontificating. But I can recognize someone who doing that and just bluffing. And that's all I hear with Trump. And part of the attraction is how he makes experts bluster "you can't say that!" 3/
(DIR) Post #Ak1WCMm7Xo44YKIvB2 by paninid@mastodon.world
2024-07-17T13:54:48Z
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@futurebird He’s always been Donnie from Queens, a wannabe goombah with Bridge-and-Tunnel inferiority complex.
(DIR) Post #Ak1WFsc3d3XyAFGxl2 by futurebird@sauropods.win
2024-07-17T13:55:26Z
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If he said something that makes the talking heads go "you can't say that!" maybe it's a good point? The fact that it's difficult to understand the shape of these foreign conflicts due to propaganda makes an opening for this little game of outsider. But really I don't think anything Trump says has much to do with what he will do. He's putting on a good show in the barbershop for the boys. He will do what benefits him personally.
(DIR) Post #Ak1WQ1E2Sj4hltsA9A by futurebird@sauropods.win
2024-07-17T13:57:15Z
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Is it possible for a US Presidents to expose this about Trump? Maybe, but it would mean being a lot more honest about why the US does what it does. People might find that honesty refreshing, bracing even. It would also be very ugly in some ways.
(DIR) Post #Ak1Wi4IflkfiWJeAE4 by futurebird@sauropods.win
2024-07-17T14:00:09Z
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@bitcodavid Edit just for you, you are correct.
(DIR) Post #Ak1WpxggEtQmKNdk2K by bitcodavid@hachyderm.io
2024-07-17T14:01:34Z
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@futurebird Aww. 😘
(DIR) Post #Ak1X23YoEGlu19j2tU by Peternimmo@mastodon.scot
2024-07-17T14:04:07Z
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@futurebird as someone with no vote in your election, but who will be affected by the outcome- Trump was bad for US/ Europe relations last time, and I fear will be completely disastrous if he's elected again. Ukraine is fighting a war for survival, and for the freedom of Europe; alas, if they lose, it will not be because Russia has an excellent military (they don't), but because of politicians like Trump and his European wannabes
(DIR) Post #Ak1YC6tUn0X3Csl8oS by BLTpizza@mastodon.social
2024-07-17T14:16:45Z
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@futurebird from the jump trumps rambling nonsense about foreign policy, to me sounded like the loud drunk at the corner bar. He has really strong opinions about everything and will shout down anyone that attempts to correct or even have an intelligent conversation about the topic. He either quickly changes the topic or says "ahhh they're all just corrupt so we should nuke em" . I remind myself to never sit near this blowhard again
(DIR) Post #Ak1cmijhyDeCoVtUR6 by PTR_K@dice.camp
2024-07-17T15:08:36Z
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@futurebird This kind of dovetails with my understanding of Trump as a bullshit artist. Where some folks have defined "bullshit" as, not specifically lying with intent to deceive, but more generally saying anything that comes to mind to appeal to the audience or keep their listeners interest. That whether the message contains truth or not is inconsequential to the speaker.
(DIR) Post #Ak1nw51VZkvO2PsxCC by pamela6591@mastodon.social
2024-07-17T17:13:30Z
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@futurebird One of the reasons I am so enthusiastic about Joe Biden is because he is a foreign affairs savant. Through his work as VP, and in the Senate as Chairman (or Ranking Member) of the Foreign Relations committee, He doesn't just know the history of US foreign policy. He lived the history.
(DIR) Post #Ak1or3XXlNCbwa2PUe by pamela6591@mastodon.social
2024-07-17T17:14:08Z
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@futurebird Biden's approach to foreign affairs is not like Trump's. Trump acts like slumlord of the world in relation to other democracies. Pay up or become homeless.Joe Biden acts with sincere compassion to represent the US as the most powerful member of a family of democracies around the world. He respects each and every "family member" for the unique qualities they bring to the table.
(DIR) Post #Ak1or4cBlaVpHHDdNA by futurebird@sauropods.win
2024-07-17T17:23:50Z
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@pamela6591 I would say he pragmatically aims to preserve US hegemony. Which is kind of his job. And the consequences of this are often destructive, depending on who you are or where you are. Is US power important to "ordinary" Americans? To some extent yes. Could that power be more transformative and moral? Obviously yes. Would it be used in a better way by some other power? Highly doubtful. The losers would just change.
(DIR) Post #Ak1pcSKjOqFwRveB3g by pamela6591@mastodon.social
2024-07-17T17:32:26Z
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@futurebird I'm not sure I agree that he's "aiming" to preserve US hegemony. The US is the wealthiest, most powerful nation on earth. In the global arena, Joe is obliged to wield that power responsibly.Domestically, he's obliged to ensure all Americans have equal access to all the resources necessary to benefit from the wealth and power generated in the US.Right now, tax laws are funneling resources away from ordinary folk
(DIR) Post #Ak2J0cNQbhaTDfmXz6 by john@sauropods.win
2024-07-17T23:01:43Z
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@futurebird The more I've read about foreign policy of modern great powers, the more I’ve come to the opinion that it strongly shaped by nuclear war, and strategic ambiguity is a big part of that. So politicians who understand that won't talk about it.I really hope Trump does understand it and is playing dumb (at least he comes across as strategically ambiguous by being all over the place).