Matt
Definitely not voluntarily. I think heavy metal objects will probably fall out of the sky and de-nuc for him(I hope it doesn’t come to that though)
Today, while still a socialist nation, Vietnam and the US have good relations and the people of Vietnam have a very good and growing economy while retaining some distance from the politics of China.
Trump placed the idea that with change, NK could become an economic mecca giving Kim something to think about.
Interesting fact that since Trump has met with Kim, NC has not launched any provocatory missiles or detonated nuclear tests.
Trump thought he could sweet talk a hardened killer?
And this animal had Otto Wamrbier beaten and killed. But trump takes his word that he didn’t mean it or know about it?
That said, it's absolutely reprehensible that he sided with Kim on Otto Wambier. Does nobody here have an issue with his track record of siding with foreign dictators and tyrants over the opinion of American experts because, well, they told him so? To me, it's an absolute embarrassment for our country on the world stage. I don't understand the desire to kowtow to the likes of the tyrants (Putin, Kim, MBS, etc).
As for NK I just don’t see them giving up there nukes. I don’t fault the Trump administration for trying to do it diplomatically but it might take an aggressive approach.
As long as Russia and China are helping NK behind the scenes the sanctions are not going to get us across the finish line either.
But seeing as you completely dodged the point I was making on Trump’s comments on Wambier and his pattern of similar behavior regarding dealing with these dictators, I’ll ask it a different way. If Obama had said the same thing Trump did, how would you feel? It’d still be as equally reprehensible to me.
Art of the deal...
But hey, you know, I could be wrong and maybe they will have a change of heart and change their ways because Trump said he believes them. Doubt it though.
In this case, the carrot is international recognition and the stick is economic pressure and China.
None of us know whether it will work or not. As stated above, at least Trump is working on it.
We should all hope he succeeds, but he may not.
Seeing as there was a joint signing ceremony scheduled that has now been cancelled, I’m gonna day people in the Trump administration thought something was gonna get done. Is scheduling a signing ceremony that you never intend to hold probably is somewhere in one of the chapters in the Art of the Deal?
Stealing from your Facebook News Feed again, I see...
Trump takes Kim at his word
Takes Putin at his word
Takes MBS and Saudis at their word.
But doesn’t believe his own intelligence agencies,and doesn’t believe Obama, a standing President who said he was born in America and showed his birth certificate to prove it .
yet its America First?
Please explain.
I hope Theresa May is taking notes. And also the Chinese trying to negotiate a new trade deal.
Gonna be a long lonely train ride back to the hermit kingdom. Does Kim now escalate or negotiate? We shall see....
That’s what it boils down to. Might be awhile before we see, but I’m going to go with escalate. Time will tell!
Sure, that’s a data point. It’s a valid one too. Personally, I think it’s a reflection of a pause more than a shift towards a denuclearized NK. I don’t disagree that a denuclearized NK is better for the USA and the world...I just don’t see it happening. They put a huge premium on maintaining nuclear capabilities. They view it as a vital part of their place in this world. Again, unless something fundamentally changes with the leadership there, I don’t see their strategy changing IMO. Again, a zebra doesn’t change their stripes. We need a new zebra haha They’ve had similar pauses in the escalation of their military programs in the past. So yeah, while the last year is a data point, so are the entirety of their last 75 years as a country.
Annony Mouse's Link
The big picture is the Trump administration is trying to de-nuke NK so the crazy little dictator doesn't kill hundreds of thousands of Americans, South Koreans or Japanese allies. Good for POTUS that he walked away.
So you think kowtowing to dictators is a good thing?
Still waiting for you to name one oil industry subsidy that isn’t a tax break as well. You tucked your tail and ran on the tariffs thread when everyone called you out for you ignorance and hypocrisy, PD. I’m not giving you a free pass though.
I have no problem with him walking away from a bad deal. Good for him. I said that. That said, being a great dealmaker is about getting good deals done more than it’s saying no to bad deals. You have a lot more confidence than I do that he can deliver the former.
Was Obama kowtowing when he said he had a redline for Assad/Syria chemical weapons and then backed down? While in the same instance, Trump stood strong and launched a counterstrike with 59 missiles. When Putin warned him not to do it again, Trump told him to get ready and fired a second salvo. Trump didn't kowtow to Asaad, and didn't back down to Putin. Obama failed on both counts.
In North Korea, every US president before Trump kowtowed to the NK leaders, talking tough and then predictably backing down. Trump is unpredictable! In the same instance, Trump had our carriers and subs circling NK and sent supersonic B1s on practice bomb runs, and mocked Kims little red nuke button compared to ours. Trump didn't kowtow to Kim, and didn't blink when China tried to meddle. He held his ground and moved the ball forward to some degree.
Don't let the word games fool you. Not Trump's and not CNN's. When actions speak louder than words, Trump's doing more than any predecessor to fix the mess all these so-called statesmen and great speech makers before him left for us. So far so good. In fact, far better than expected.
Even when I agree with you it doesn't change the fact that you are the most abrasive, egotistical poster on this site. You can't disagree with someone or simply post your opinion with out being bombastic and slinging mud. I'll be waiting to hear you attack me and somehow work in your net worth during the process.
bigeasygator's Link
I don’t disagree there (not that trade deficits matter one bit).
“The U.S. trade deficit in goods rose 12.8 percent in December, according to an advanced estimate from the Census Bureau.
December saw a $79.5 billion goods deficit, up 12.8 percent from the $70.5 billion in November. The move came amid a $4 billion decline in exports, to $135.7 billion, and a $5 billion increase in imports, to $215.2 billion“
I think our President should hold autocrats to account for human rights violations, amongst other aggressions and atrocities, especially on American citizens. Acquescing to clear lies and total BS isn’t a quality I admire in a leader, no matter who they are. If the little fat man wants to start a war over it, it’d be the absolute end of him.
bigeasygator's Link
Gotcha. So we should not call out KJU for his lies when it involves human rights violations against US citizens for fear that it’ll trigger a nuclear war, but it was okay a year ago to call Kim a maniac and madman and play a game of who’s got the bigger nuclear button? Question...if the next response happens to be a return to the name calling and posturing that puts the citizens of this country at risk, is that ok? I’m just trying to understand when it’s ok to be firm and call out Kim’s bullshit and when it isn’t. Cause it seems to be not ok to do it when it involves the death of an American citizen but ok to do it when it involves Trump’s bruised ego.
You talking about Trump?
;-)
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It could have been worse. Paraphrasing JTV's post above, DJT could have delivered 6.5 billion worth of untraceable European Cash secretly to NK in the middle of the night, without a congressional vote.
Ah, but the BowLibs were silent when Obummer did that with Iran.
Also, I disagree that Pig Doc is the most abrasive egotistical poster on this site. Putz has him beat by a long shot, then we can talk about KPC. Pig Doc ain't even close.
Sorry, Pig Doc, no abrasive participation trophy for you.
;^)
And I would also say that a nuke in the hands of radical islamists is even more dangerous than that of a typical vicious dictator like Lil' Kim. Religious fanaticism is the most dangerous threat of all, because they don't even fear their own death. Virgins in paradise and all. At least Lil' Kim has a personal desire to stay alive.
Interesting what came from the NK spokesman yesterday. They had offered stopping/dismantling all nuke mat'l production and facilities for relief of only sanctions that would help civilians. They claimed such surprise it was rejected, for only partial sanctions relief. Do they really not know what was missing?
Clearly Trump & Pompeo did, and smartly walked away. NK did not offer even a list of their completed nuke capability, and not a single reduction in weapons inventory. Its not production we care most about....it's current capacity loaded and aimed at the US and our allies. Hopefully Lil' Kim gets to think about this on the long train ride back. Vietnam and S. Korea are great examples of what a peaceful NK can achieve. He just has to want that for his people, and believe the deal will allow his family dynasty to be protected. A solution is possible, but it will take more time and trust. Without any dangerous moves in the wrong direction with nuke tests or missiles that would really undo the recent good will.
I am sure if this is accurate, some will question the reasons for the talks and might conclude it was about feeding his ego.
Lots more work to go. And glad Trump is working on it.
What is it about this particular endeavor that makes people think overnight results are not only expected but acceptable? Like trying to release a pissed off badger from a fishing net. If you're going try to save it, and not get hurt in the process, do it carefully, otherwise, just shoot it in the head and move on.
Habitat for Wildlife's Link
Not on board with racism, gun grabbing, or John McCain type war hawks.
Trump can handle someone so similar to him because he knows how he ticks.
Same reason he and Rodman were Bros
Yup, Pig Doc. It all seems to be working just great. And yeah, us Big Oil “flunkies” (whatever that means) know nothing about negotiating complex financial, commercial, and political deals LOL I’m sure we can learn a ton from the guy who sells nutritional solutions for farm animals.
Yes, like you jumping on the bandwagon over trump's Syria policy, only to remain the quiet serf when he changed it. Keep insulting people Trax, that is all you have. Will's thread went right over your head.
I was just proving the point you could be played just like you said you could do to others a couple of weeks back. Quit being dense. And I don't cherry pick, I call them all exactly as I see them, credit when due, criticism when warranted. You are the trumpette, I am the independent.