Schumer's speech

Just for humor, not to offend any specific politician.

 

Of course it's not, Steve. I understand that completely.
After all, Merriam-Webster, on the word "trump" - definition 3: a dependable and exemplary person
Right - like the man himself said - "a very stable genius."

It's all here: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trump#:

 

https://www.timesofisrael.com/pm-tells-blinken-rafah-op-is-inevitable-secretary-warns-him-israel-risks-isolation/

 

Oh. Bibi is well past the "risk" of isolation. Annexing a chunk of the West Bank just now was unbelievably stupid.

 

I don't think Bibi could care less about the damage that he's doing to Israel's reputation. Bibi has only haters except on the far right. He is therefore just pandering to those in the far right. He is just hanging on by his fingertips. If he slips he's off to jail.

 

In any country, I don't think holding elected office should prevent justice - I'd only expect that to work in a very corrupt country, with a very corrupt government, including the country's justice system, . I have never, ever thought of Israel as such a country. Am I wrong?

In the US, should events unfold in their fullest horror and Trump be elected in Nov. - I would certainly hope that his assuming office would not stand in the way of trials, those steadily mounting indictments, suits etc.etc. and appropriate fines levied, jail sentences and damages awarded, in cases where he is found at fault.

 

The Founding Fathers were worried about direct elections and the kind of riff-raff who might be elected from them. In the beginning, only the House had direct voting for representatives. Senators were selected by state legislatures and the president by the Electoral College. The EC, in turn, was designed to be non-partisan and detached from the heat of the populace, where cooler heads would prevail and a rapscallion--or worse--would not be elected.

Now, senators are directly elected and EC voters are pledged to the candidates who won their respective states. So, presidents and senators are directly elected (if not proportionately).

I still find both the Senate and the Electoral College to be horribly flawed and very un-democratic. But I look around us and wonder if the Founding Fathers' instincts were right about the rest of us.

 

Majority of Israelis be it secular, left, right,religious want that mission in Gaza accomplished, they don't want all the sacrifices be lost and Hamas back in control in Gaza.
So the pressure on Bibi is not only religious parties but most of Israelis.
They want to destroy the remaining 4 batalions of Hamas in Rafa.
There are generals who think defence pact with the USA is the right direction and not what they see now.

 

https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/when-lying-is-a-strategy-that-works/?_gl=1*l0ja11*_ga*MTk1MDI4OTM1LjE2OTY3MTYzNjg.*_ga_RJR2XWQR34*MTcxMTQ0MjIyMC44MC4xLjE3MTE0NDI2MzcuMC4wLjA.

 

Hamas is still fighting. A cease fire agreement will require both parties to agree. Hasn’t happened yet as far as I know.

 

You are correct, even if many of it division's are destroyed, there were rockets fired at Ashdod and Sderot.
Even if seriously damaged and as some reports show demoralized, they rejected the latest offers for ceasefire.
They see their success on the international arena and posible rift with US and UK etc. Makes Iran and it proxies continue in their quest for destruction of Israel.

 

Trump would pardon himself immediately upon being elected and installed in office. That would dismiss all federal charges. He would then try to suspend any state charges until after he leaves office. He would then undoubtedly try to stay in office even after his term ends.

Netanyahu is currently on trial.
Trial of Benjamin Netanyahu
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_of_Benjamin_Netanyahu#:~:text=Netanyahu's%20trial%20in%20the%20Jerusalem,the%20trial%20is%20still%20ongoing.

Netanyahu is very unpopular in Israel.
Only 15% of Israelis want Netanyahu to keep job after Gaza war, poll finds
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/only-15-israelis-want-netanyahu-keep-job-after-gaza-war-poll-finds-2024-01-02/#:~:text=Successive%20surveys%20have%20found%20his,day%20in%20Israel's%2075%20years.

 

How democratic.

 

Iran and their proxies are going to continue in their quest for destruction of Israel no matter what. The only way that ever stops is if there were a complete regime change in Iran.

 

It's really an open question at this point whether a self pardon is legal or not. It is less likely that he'd be able to put a hold on state charges, I'll guess.

Can a president pardon himself?
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/can-a-president-pardon-himself/

 

One thing for sure. Trump would not stop to ask himself that, or ask @Bill Huffman or anyone else. He'd just DO it. Or order someone else to do it, spot-quick. And there's always someone who would.

Maybe that would work for B.B. (not the late King of the Blues -- self-made King of Israel) as well.

 

I think your assessment is inaccurate.
B.B was democratically ellected, he had support of his Likud party.
The trial is on going and at some point will conclude.
So he is not convicted or absolved at this time.
And I think Israeli people will not accept any compromise on Gaza, they want to see Hamas military dismantled in Gaza.
I fear Lebanon war will be devastating to all sides and chances of it happening are high. Even if Lebanon economy including Hezbollah is poor.

 

"It's takin' too long. Git th' rope, Clem!"

 

Hard to say. Netanyahu is as much the puppet of the Hard Right as he is its master. Maybe more so.