The Trump Presidency

[Hawk]

Rope her into Amway?

Where has she been directly involved in Amway or any of its operations? I don't think the guilt-by-nominal-association argument holds much water here.

Unconventionally innovative approaches are fine . . . if they hold up to scientific scrutiny. Do you think there's an ethical question if she has an eight-figure investment in the "technology," and it ends up being marketed into public schools?

If your child had ADD/ADHD and you were presented the option of voluntarily sending him/her to a (free) one hour after-school neurotherapy program to see if the issue could be alleviated - either partially or entirely - wouldn't you consider that route before medication? Even if it were experimental?

I see an ethical conflict if the program were to be forced onto schools (with minimal evidence corroborating its putative benefits) at cost, but you're putting the cart well before the horse if you're trying to portray that as any sort of imminent reality.

Largely unregulated, for-profit charter schools? You're free to agree with that as a policy difference, but you can't pretend it's not a valid cause for concern from someone of another stripe.

Who's to say that they would be largely unregulated?

Ditto her support for public funds being used for private/religious schools.

Well, that's the essence of school choice.

These are all valid objections, right? You may not agree with them, but they amount to more than "she's inexperienced."

The only 'valid objections' that you've presented are related to vouchers/school choice. Which, don't get me wrong, are potential policy directives worthy of intense debate ... but this hatred of DeVos goes well beyond that.

Let me turn it around? Why do you think she got the nod?

Probably because she's demonstrated she can get legislation passed and is convicted about her positions.

Would she have been my first choice? No . . . but I'm having a hard time understanding the unrivaled animosity.

[thethe]

He's not an effective debater. He's an effective salesman. The times that I've watched him, he's not come off on a strong debate point, but on strong gotcha/meme points which win lots of points on the internet, but aren't effective debate. He never cites anything, he jsut spews out half truths and lies.

If he does speak in half truths then it should be easy to debate him.

[thethe]

Lot to like about Maher. He hits the problems with the modern left to a tee.

http://ew.com/tv/2017/02/15/bill-mah...oulos-protest/

[Julio3000]

Where has she been directly involved in Amway or any of its operations? I don't think the guilt-by-nominal-association argument holds much water here.

Fair enough. It's an issue of proximity that I don't care for.

If your child had ADD/ADHD and you were presented the option of voluntarily sending him/her to a (free) one hour after-school neurotherapy program to see if the issue could be alleviated - either partially or entirely - wouldn't you consider that route before medication? Even if it were experimental?

Sure (fwiw, I do have a child with an ADHD diagnosis and I've been all over this merry-go-round). I'd want it to have a track record of success.

I see an ethical conflict if the program were to be forced onto schools (with minimal evidence corroborating its putative benefits) at cost, but you're putting the cart well before the horse if you're trying to portray that as any sort of imminent reality.

Fair enough.

Who's to say that they would be largely unregulated?

Because they are in Michigan? Part of the equation is that quacky stuff has been introduced into schools in Michigan, precisely because of that lack of oversight.

Well, that's the essence of school choice.

Sure, and it's massively polarizing.

Probably because she's demonstrated she can get legislation passed and is convicted about her positions.

Yes, by showering the relevant pols with millions of dollars. That won't be part her her brief as SecED...I hope.

Would she have been my first choice? No . . . but I'm having a hard time understanding the unrivaled animus.

Well, my intent isn't really to debate the merits, just to respond to your question about what the objections are. Like Meta, I heard plenty that surpassed "she's inexperienced," although I don't necessarily find that one without merit, either.

[zitothebrave]

If he does speak in half truths then it should be easy to debate him.

I think I've never really see him properly debate someone. Just talk show stuff which is what he specializes at.

[weso1]

I think I've never really see him properly debate someone. Just talk show stuff which is what he specializes at.

He's had some good debates on tv and at colleges before he became what he is now.

[goldfly]

this dumbass can't make up his mind if all of this is "fake news" or if it's a crime to leak intelligence information

it can't be both you stupid ****

[goldfly]

what a clown

[50PoundHead]

Matt Bai's latest. Makes a lot of sense. I'm no Christie fan, but there's no question he knows how to run a railroad and the Trump White House looks like amateur hour right now. Link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/trumps-in...100043322.html

[goldfly]

this press conference. holy ****

a true national embarrassment

someone should also tell him if he wants to keep talking about his pretty low number to win the electoral college, it's 304 instead of 306

[Hawk]

this press conference. holy ****

a true national embarrassment

someone should also tell him if he wants to keep talking about his pretty low number to win the electoral college, it's 304 instead of 306

We already knew he inherited a mess, but drugs that are cheaper than candy bars? Sign me up.

[goldfly]

if he inherited a mess i am curious what 44 inherited then but i digress

btw:

Trump says he had "the biggest electoral college win since Ronald Reagan," which is true if you don't count Obama, Clinton, or Bush Sr.

[Hawk]

i am curious what 44 inherited

A pretty united electorate.

[goldfly]

A pretty united electorate.

and then met a minority party who refused to work with him and blocked everything they could

but that isn't talking about the real messes he had but whatever

[goldfly]

1988 426
1992 370
1996 379
2000 271
2004 286
2008 365
2012 332
2016 306

[Hawk]

and then met a minority party who refused to work with him and blocked everything they could

Well, given that they were a minority, they shouldn't have presented much of an obstacle ... right?

[goldfly]

you would think that but you know, 60 votes and all etc

but that's the past

just laughable to hear him try to paint a picture that he inherited a mess and thinking back to past presidents

[Julio3000]

He was asked "fake news or criminal leaks"?

Answer, paraphrased: The leaks are real. The news is fake, because it's fake.

[Julio3000]

Pointedly did not answer if anyone in his campaign had contact with Russia.

Said "well, I didn't have anything to do with it."

That's not inspiring of confidence.

[Hawk]

you would think that but you know, 60 votes and all etc

but that's the past

just laughable to hear him try to paint a picture that he inherited a mess and thinking back to past presidents

Majority rules though.

Obama did a commendable job with our post-recession economic recovery, but let's not pretend that he didn't essentially stay Bush's recovery plan.

It's funny how no defense of Obama's weak policy record can begin without the caveat, "Well Bush!"

Anyways, I'm sick of talking about Barry. Glad he's gone off to get choked out by Richard Branson.