President Barack Obama - Term 1 and 2 Thread

[Boomchild]

[Monker]

Suck it Hill...

With her campaign sinking in the polls, Hillary Clinton has launched a desperate attack against Trump University to deflect attention away from her deep involvement with a controversial for-profit college that made the Clintons millions, even as the school faced serious legal scrutiny and criminal investigations.

In April 2015, Bill Clinton was forced to abruptly resign from his lucrative perch as honorary chancellor of Laureate Education, a for-profit college company. The reason for Clinton’s immediate departure: Clinton Cash revealed, and Bloomberg confirmed, that Laureate funneled Bill Clinton $16.46 million over five years while Hillary Clinton’s State Dept. pumped at least $55 million to a group run by Laureate’s founder and chairman, Douglas Becker, a man with strong ties to the Clinton Global Initiative. Laureate has donated between $1 million and $5 million (donations are reported in ranges, not exact amounts) to the Clinton Foundation. Progressive billionaire George Soros is also a Laureate financial backer.

As the Washington Post reports, “Laureate has stirred controversy throughout Latin America, where it derives two-thirds of its revenue.” During Bill Clinton’s tenure as Laureate’s chancellor, the school spent over $200 million a year on aggressive telemarketing, flashy Internet banner ads, and billboards designed to lure often unprepared students from impoverished countries to enroll in its for-profit classes.

...

A Bloomberg examination of IYF’s public filings show that in 2009, the year before Bill Clinton joined Laureate, the nonprofit received 11 grants worth $9 million from the State Department or the affiliated USAID. In 2010, the group received 14 grants worth $15.1 million. In 2011, 13 grants added up to $14.6 million. The following year, those numbers jumped: IYF received 21 grants worth $25.5 million, including a direct grant from the State Department.

This whole Trump University is so over hyped. What you have is a bunch of people that did not feel they got what they paid for. Then you have evidence that is not the opinion they voiced when filling out surveys after taking the courses\seminars. I think what you have here is buyer's remorse. It also could be that once they took the course they discovered they did not have the ability to do what was presented in the courses. Keep in mind that this program was basically an infomercial product. A get rich with real estate pitch. The type that has all kinds of disclaimers attached to it that tell you that the examples of successful results is "not typical". I think everyone has seen these types of programs since they are dozens of them that have come and gone. Then you have to question the people who take stock in such things. The real estate business does require business acumen and isn't a "anybody's game".

Also where has the public been all these decades with the other companies pushing the same exact type of program? Where have they been with all the shady Multilevel Marketing companies (i.e. Amway) that have been rampant for decades?

The guy who was originally all over TV selling his get rich with real estate program was convicted of fraud and I think spent time in jail. The reason they come and go is they get shut down for fraud....just as Trump University did. The ONLY reason you are hearing about this now is because he is running for President. Otherwise, he would keep it very low key and out of the public eye.

The surveys are not representative of all of the students. There were only certain people selected to take the survey, and only a fraction of them actually took it.

It wasn't about being a "University". It was about convincing people to max out their credit and give Trump money.

I think you are going to see this issue go all w the way to November. I look for interviews with former "students" being cut into "Swift Boat" type ads by Clinton PAC's. I would also expect "60 Minute" type investigations looking into it. It should be a never ending story for the next few months.

[Monker]

Yeah, tj is right. Pagliano has immunity from the FBI and this Judicial Watch Depo has no bearing on that. Still, he has a hell of a reason to take the 5th in this case which means he might be in a world of trouble either way.

You are an idiot. Any attorney is going to tell his client to not answer JW questions....especially if they already have a immunity deal with the FBI.

[tj]

Yeah, tj is right. Pagliano has immunity from the FBI and this Judicial Watch Depo has no bearing on that. Still, he has a hell of a reason to take the 5th in this case which means he might be in a world of trouble either way.

You are an idiot. Any attorney is going to tell his client to not answer JW questions....especially if they already have a immunity deal with the FBI.

Just because the attorney advises him doesn't mean that he has to do it. It's probably wise to follow the attorney's advice, but plenty of people don't. Regardless, that alone doesn't make FF an idiot.

[Boomchild]

The guy who was originally all over TV selling his get rich with real estate program was convicted of fraud and I think spent time in jail. The reason they come and go is they get shut down for fraud....just as Trump University did. The ONLY reason you are hearing about this now is because he is running for President. Otherwise, he would keep it very low key and out of the public eye.

The surveys are not representative of all of the students. There were only certain people selected to take the survey, and only a fraction of them actually took it.

It wasn't about being a "University". It was about convincing people to max out their credit and give Trump money.

I think you are going to see this issue go all w the way to November. I look for interviews with former "students" being cut into "Swift Boat" type ads by Clinton PAC's. I would also expect "60 Minute" type investigations looking into it. It should be a never ending story for the next few months.

I'm sure that some of these types of "get rich with real estate" have been shut down for fraud. There have been many companies offering infomercials over the years not just the one you are mentioning here. In fact, just the other day I saw one from a guy who is the host of one of those "house flip" programs produced by a major cable network. I do not believe that every single one ends up being charged with fraud. To me this is clearly an attempt to imply guilt by association.

As far as my mention of the surveys, your correct that may not represent everyone that took the course. My understanding is that the surveys that have been mentioned are specific to people that brought the class action law suit and not those just "lumped in".

At any rate, this is putting the cart before the horse. People are trying to produce a verdict before a trial, if there is one, occurs. With all the media focus and hype on this, it could end up only benefiting Trump's defense. One thing that is for sure, is the Clinton's shady involvement with a University is not waiting for a trial. The factual details are already known.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Stupid cartoon. Appeals to the ignorant who think what Bernie's proposing (financial speculation tax, expanded medicare) is somehow unique to Venezuela or some failed tinpot South American state. Take a bow. You've outed yourself as a real dumb fuck.

[tj]

Stupid cartoon. Appeals to the ignorant who think what Bernie's proposing (financial speculation tax, expanded medicare) is somehow unique to Venezuela or some failed tinpot South American state. Take a bow. You've outed yourself as a real dumb fuck.

Many of Bernie's supporters are in favor of the kind of Socialism that has crashed Venezuela. The cartoon depicts them. Not him.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Many of Bernie's supporters are in favor of the kind of Socialism that has crashed Venezuela. The cartoon depicts them. Not him.

Please define "that kind of Socialism." Palin was/is in favor of Alaskans sharing in the wealth of natural resources. Chavez was also in favor of that. By your logic, I guess all Palin supporters are Venezuelan socialists. Why don't you list policies exclusive to Venezuela that Bernie or his supporters are in favor of. You won't be able to, because the programs Bernie is promoting are already the status quo in most of the rest of the civilized world.

[The_Noble_Cause]

One difference is Alaskan People see a check every year, Venezuelan people didn't, unless you count Chavez.
He got a very big one.

Ah, glad to see you support socialism when it works.

[tj]

One difference is Alaskan People see a check every year, Venezuelan people didn't, unless you count Chavez.
He got a very big one.

Ah, glad to see you support socialism when it works.

He didn't say he supported it. He just pointed out that the people - those who vote and actually elect their officials - get something back in the case of Alaska. In Venezuela, they pretty much don't - hence the Soviet style breadlines these days.

I could be wrong, I know you will point it out if I am, but I don't recall the Alaskan government wholly confiscating ownership of privately owned oil rigs. The taking of people's property without just compensation is a hallmark of socialist governments worldwide - all in the name of the "people's interest". That is the concern many people in the US have with socialism, whether Bernie's brand or Chavez's brand or Stalin's. Once given to the government, power rarely is returned to the people - even when the need for government oversight is no longer necessary.

It all comes back to a difference of opinion as to who better manages people's lives (their property, freedom, etc.). Is it the government? Or the people themselves making decisions based on a free market of ideas and wealth. Each has its drawbacks. No system is perfect. Many believe that socialistic policies are better. Many don't.

[The_Noble_Cause]

He didn't say he supported it.

He didn't say he didn't support it either. Why are you defending KC's posts when you can't even defend your own?

He just pointed out that the people - those who vote and actually elect their officials - get something back in the case of Alaska. In Venezuela, they pretty much don't - hence the Soviet style breadlines these days.

Who cares? Both are examples of nationalization. To single Venezuela out as an example of socialism while turning a blind eye to Alaska is typical GOP hypocrisy. Another example is how the GOP runs on gutting entitlements and then turns around to claim Obamacare will hurt Medicare. There is no ideological consistency within the party or its leaders. Trump exploited this because he knows Conservatives are by and large ignorant.

I could be wrong, I know you will point it out if I am, but I don't recall the Alaskan government wholly confiscating ownership of privately owned oil rigs.

I don't recall Venezuela doing that either. I DO remember them being subject to plenty of US-backed coups tho. Gee, I wonder what those were about.

The taking of people's property without just compensation is a hallmark of socialist governments worldwide - all in the name of the "people's interest". That is the concern many people in the US have with socialism, whether Bernie's brand or Chavez's brand or Stalin's.

You say confiscation is "a hallmark of socialist governments worldwide" and yet you only mention two - Stalin and Chavez. How is that indicative of "governments worldwide." Please tell me how the United Kingdom, Norway, France, Sweden, and Canada etc are currently in the business of confiscation.

It all comes back to a difference of opinion as to who better manages people's lives (their property, freedom, etc.). Is it the government? Or the people themselves making decisions based on a free market of ideas and wealth.

That's a false dichotomy. In theory, the people are supposed to BE the government. Here in America, what you actually have is government vs. corporations running roughshod (usually in league with government).

[The_Noble_Cause]

It isn't socialism when the oil company pays people for what they pump out of their property. Far from it.

Umm, that's completely nationalism/socialism. The state makes "socialized" payments to the people because of their "communal ownership" of the natural resources.

[Monker]

Neither pure Capitalism nor pure Socialism works in the end. It doesn't work for the same reason. Some people are greedy bastards who will do whatever they can to cheat the system. So, Capitalism needs regulations to ensure people like Donald Trump do not commit fraud and cheat people out of millions of dollars, or companies do not sell snake oil (for example: Home loans that are obviously not going to be paid...or, Trump Steaks which taste like cow pie). Socialism needs the same oversight to ensure the people in power are in the same economically as the people at the bottom. Capitalism also ignores people in poverty. Socialism with bad politics can ignore everybody except the people in power

[The_Noble_Cause]

Umm, no. The Alaska Fund was a direct example of the citizens of Alaska voting to remove the oil funds from direct political control. Seems the Alaskan politicians back in 1969 had a field day with the first $900 Million when oil rights were first sold. The public then said nah baby nah, and voted for creation of the fund in order to benefit the public more directly.

The entire concept of communal ownership of "the commons" dates back to Thomas Pain, America's first socialist. It's the same line of thinking when modern socialists like Nader claim that the public owns the airwaves. What you wrote above would make Marx very proud.

Sarah Palin had nothing to do with it, except when she was Gov she signed a bill authorizing a one time payout of $1200 to all citizens in 2008.

She supported it. She's a hypocrite, and as evidenced by the post above, so are you.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Venezuela does indeed have ownership of their oil companies.

That wasn't the topic. TJ said that Venezuela confiscated the oil. Confiscated from who? A foreign OPEC company and then nationalized it. Sounds similar to Alaska.

It also isn't the only country where sociaism is failing. Even Denmark is changing and scaling down government programs.

Tell me how Brownback's supply-side, capitalism-on-steroids experiment is working in Kansas and get back to me. Other countries are not getting rid of their government healthcare. Countries we help to subsidize, like Israel, provide socialized medicine for their citizens.

[JBlake]

On my drive into work today I noticed that a guardrail on the highway had been smashed all to hell sometime during the night before. Reading the news today, the democrap liberals consider that guardrail to be racist because a carload of drunk Mexican's crashed into it and all died.

[The_Noble_Cause]

The Alaska Permanent Fund isn’t popularly associated with Communism, and shouldn’t be.

Actually, the fund IS associated with Socialism because that's exactly what it is. Public ownership of private industry.

The Fund was established in 1976, by Republican Governor Jay Hammond. It does at a state level approximately what Myerson suggests the feds should do: A quarter or more of annual oil revenues are put into a state investment account, which is managed by a board of trustees who invest in stocks, bonds, real property and other investment vehicles. The principal $734,000 has blossomed into an amount eclipsing the $40 billion mark. Every year, a dividend check is paid to all residents who have lived in-state for at least one year, based on a five-year average of the fund’s valuation.

Last Tuesday, on Chris Hayes’ MSNBC show, Myerson took his policy proposals about UBI even further by suggesting that priority of payouts could be given, in higher amounts, to those who need it. This was also proposed by former Alaska state senator Joe Josephson during the debate over the dividend payouts, which he thought should be prioritized according to economic necessity. His proposal only received three votes. “Lincoln said that God loved poor people so much — he made so many of them,” Josephson told me back in 2012. “He must not have loved them as much the day I put my idea forward.”

The Supreme Court ultimately killed hopes of any future preferential payout proposals. In Zobel v. Williams, Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger decided that awarding dividend checks according to time of residency was unconstitutional under the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

Under Soviet communism, the state is the sole decider of how much an individual is paid — to each according to his need — which is completely arbitrary. Under the Alaska and the U.S. Constitution, the state is not in charge of such determination. They just manage the account, through a state-owned corporation.

It’s still a sweet deal. But Communism it is not.

Obamacare let the private HMOs remain in charge and posters like yourself declared that to be outright communism. So the idea that the Alaska fund somehow does not qualify because it involves a "state-owned corporation" is ridiculous. Do you know what else is a "state owned" company? The post office. The Bank of North Dakota. The Tennessee Valley Authority. All socialist. Just like the Alaska Permanent Fund.

[Monker]

I think Trump watched too much Twilight Zone as a kid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMAUld-2i48

[The_Noble_Cause]

From Alaskan Dispatch News today....

"I think one of Senator Gravel's most interesting ideas was his notion of all Alaskans owning part of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and sharing in dividends from pipeline profits.

The senator advanced this idea in the late 1970s and succeeded in getting a federal income tax exemption that granted tax-exempt status for dividend income earned by Alaskans.

This idea seemed outlandish, even socialistic, at the time (this was before the Permanent Fund dividend) and Alaskans rejected it."

So Senator Gravel's idea, which pre-dated the Permanent Fund, seemed "socialistic" according to an Alaskan newspaper. FF, you better hurry up and write a letter to the editor and set them straight! Dumbass.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Yes, and the voters rejected it. What's your point?

If having Alasksan residents own the pipeline was/is deemed socialist, what do you think that makes owning the oil fields? Non-socialist?

The voters took the fund out of political hands after 1969, it is now run by a board of financial advisors as basically a trust fund.

You make it sound like it's run by Bain Capital or some private investment firm. It's run by the state. It's socialism (aka market-socialism or sovereign wealth funds).

It is EXPECTED to MAKE MONEY not LOSE MONEY which is what would happen if it was truly socialist.

Then why don't they privatize it and see what happens? Why did Conservative hypocrites fight Obama when he proposed privatizing the similarly socialist TVA? Ever hear of The Texas Permanent School Fund or The Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund? All of these are examples of socialized ownership, not capitalism.

MAKING MONEY AND PAYING DIVIDENDS IS A CAPITALIST DREAM COME TRUE or so I've been told. Keeping politicians out of the money pot prevents socialism.

In a private capitalist company, dividends go to shareholders. Not hillbilly freeloaders like the Palins. You better re-read Adam Smith, as well as Marx.

[Boomchild]

So Trump doesn't think a LaRaza affiliated Judge should hear his court case over Trump University. Trump is now cast nationally as a racist. However when the White House does it...............crickets!


U.S. Government Settles Lawsuit Filed By Iranian-American Judge

November 3, 2015·11:57 PM ET

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/ ... ican-judge


If it wasn't for double standards, liberals would have no standards at all.

I saw an article that was suggesting this judge having links to La Raza. However, when reading it I did not see any details as to the this supposed link. How are they confirming this judges links to La Raza?

[steveo777]

Horrible thing that has happened!

Trump has just won Florida and the presidency. Obama is yacking off about gun control again.

[steveo777]

Horrible thing that has happened!

Trump has just won Florida and the presidency. Obama is yacking off about gun control again.

"Last night, our nation was attacked by a radical Islamic terrorist. It was the worst terrorist attack on our soil since 9/11, and the second of its kind in 6 months. My deepest sympathy and support goes out to the victims, the wounded, and their families.

In his remarks today, President Obama disgracefully refused to even say the words 'Radical Islam'. For that reason alone, he should step down. If Hillary Clinton, after this attack, still cannot say the two words 'Radical Islam' she should get out of this race for the Presidency.

If we do not get tough and smart real fast, we are not going to have a country anymore. Because our leaders are weak, I said this was going to happen – and it is only going to get worse. I am trying to save lives and prevent the next terrorist attack. We can't afford to be politically correct anymore.

The terrorist, Omar Mir Saddique Mateen, is the son of an immigrant from Afghanistan who openly published his support for the Afghanistani Taliban and even tried to run for President of Afghanistan. According to Pew, 99% of people in Afghanistan support oppressive Sharia Law.

We admit more than 100,000 lifetime migrants from the Middle East each year. Since 9/11, hundreds of migrants and their children have been implicated in terrorism in the United States.

Hillary Clinton wants to dramatically increase admissions from the Middle East, bringing in many hundreds of thousands during a first term – and we will have no way to screen them, pay for them, or prevent the second generation from radicalizing.

We need to protect all Americans, of all backgrounds and all beliefs, from Radical Islamic Terrorism - which has no place in an open and tolerant society. Radical Islam advocates hate for women, gays, Jews, Christians and all Americans. I am going to be a President for all Americans, and I am going to protect and defend all Americans. We are going to make America safe again and great again for everyone."

- Donald J. Trump

As usual, the liberals are calling out Trump as a racist and bigot on social media. They're blaming republicans and their love of guns. They are calling citizens who are speaking out against radical Islam racists. Apparently they aren't educated enough to know that Islam is not a race and Trump's words are not bigoted or racist, but they must stay on script, as far as their narrative is concerned. Fucking assholes!

[Boomchild]

Horrible thing that has happened!

Trump has just won Florida and the presidency. Obama is yacking off about gun control again.

Of course he is. Because it fits like a glove to his as well as the anti-gun fanatics agenda. Secretly, they are probably pleased about these opportunities.

[Boomchild]

I just can't believe everything I'm reading today, especially comments to news articles as well as FB posts. These fucking liberals are looking right past the elephant in the living room, radical Muslims hate homosexuals (although rumors abound of their real secret desires), gays are routinely stoned to death, thrown off buildings and whipped brutally if they are caught or maybe even suspected to be homosexual. This guys father said the kid was pissed because he saw 2 dudes kissing in Miami Beach. The FBI knew him and interrogated him twice. Trump is dead right on this issue. Islam is not comparable with American values in anyways shape or form.

It's because they have been programed not to see it. It's not that Islam is not compatible with American values. It's much more then that. It's not compatible with Western culture, values and ideals period. Let's face it, you have people shouting for acceptance and tolerance for a religion and way life that is exactly opposite to what they claim to stand for. It's at the religion's core and not just reserved to those that have been labeled as the extremists.

[JBlake]

I just can't believe everything I'm reading today, especially comments to news articles as well as FB posts. These fucking liberals are looking right past the elephant in the living room, radical Muslims hate homosexuals (although rumors abound of their real secret desires), gays are routinely stoned to death, thrown off buildings and whipped brutally if they are caught or maybe even suspected to be homosexual. This guys father said the kid was pissed because he saw 2 dudes kissing in Miami Beach. The FBI knew him and interrogated him twice. Trump is dead right on this issue. Islam is not comparable with American values in anyways shape or form.

Liberals and most dems are just blaming guns again, not mentioning the many other ways they have been killing people via tall buildings, fire, drowning, beheading, etc. etc. So lets ask Hillary what job she could have given this guy that would have prevented him from shooting up all those in Florida. Tell us Hillary, what job would have stopped that guy from shooting up the place?

[steveo777]

There is only one good thing about this president...................

He's almost gone!!!

[Boomchild]

There is only one good thing about this president...................

He's almost gone!!!

You know what they say, "Don't count your chickens until they are hatched".

[Boomchild]

Man, I'm watching the one speak today and I gotta tell ya, Trump is inside his head bigtime. O is doing the lecturer in chief thingy and it's quite painful to see. Not Presidential at all, totally mad at his detractors, blaming everyone except himself and doing everything he can to prop up Islam and our (in)/tolerance for it, while at the same time not a word about Islam being able to accept and live along side Christianity. He does protest to much about Americans and not enough about our enemies. Dude just doesn't seem to be on our side. YMMV.

It's not just Barry that Trump has got scared. It's the entire political establishment.

[Boomchild]

If this is true our Fed Gov is totally incompetent. Even the Disney Rent a Cops knew something was wrong.

Fucking idiots are gonna get us all killed.



Disney Warned FBI About Omar Mateen Back In April

http://finance.townhall.com/ticker/chri ... l-n2178406

Maybe they are not incompetent at all. Maybe what they are and aren't doing is completely on purpose. When people have feelings of despair, fear and hopelessness they are much easier to manipulate and are more receptive to having a government be more involved in their daily lives. Ponder this, if you wanted to create a situation in which enacting martial law would seem like a prudent and logical response to a national threat, what would you do?