I don’t think Trump’s plan had anything at all to do with helping America. The tariffs are about wielding power, making threats, creating fear and division, etc.

Trump can pull the tariffs away at a time of his choosing to curry good-favour when he needs it. And since he has that control, and knows the broad effect on stock-prices, he can also use it as a self-enrichment exercise too.

It really is pretty weird. … and interesting. I don’t necessarily think the existence of filibusters is a bad thing, but it definitely a very weird thing.

I’ve wondered about this too.

The USA government has enormous debt, which grows every year due to an enormous deficit. But historically people have been relatively comfortable with just letting that continue to grow, because it is balanced by economic growth and stability (roughly speaking).

But now that the government is somewhat unstable… bad things might happen to the currency. The debt will continue to rise, but the productivity and stability that underpin it are eroding. It may collapse.

I’ve just skimmed over the conversation you’re having here, but I can’t see the personal attacks. Maybe I missed it. Which specific post are you talking about?

I’m not sure what ‘more grace’ you think Zelenskyy could have shown in a situation like that. Trump and Vance are telling him that he’s “gambling with World War III”, and telling him that he needs to say “thank you” - but without letting him finish a sentence. Trump was saying some really harsh stuff, but not allowing Zeleskyy to respond to it. This is the only time Zelenskyy tried to talk over the top of him; and you think it is “super annoying”.

In the earlier parts of the meeting, Trump was not engaged at all. Trump commented that “I wasn’t there then” while Zelenskyy gave context of how Russia has abused trust given to them in diplomacy; apparently Trump thinks nothing matters unless he is personally involved. This is the attitude Trump brought to the meeting, but you think Zelenskyy was “super annoying” and should have handled this senseless berating with more grace. I disagree with you.

The footage of this meeting is truly remarkable and worth watching.

I think it’s important to watch uncut unedited footage of meetings like this from time to time, to see the behaviour of leaders first hand. Otherwise it is too easy to just get swept up in the narrative of whatever social bubble you interact with.

In this meeting Trump demonstrates a total disinterest in any past events or context for current decisions; but he becomes quite animated and angry at the end of the video. Apparently he felt criticised and wanted to hit back. But he didn’t seem to be paying much attention at all to what was being said.

Zelenskyy is calm throughout, but has clear frustration as Vance and Trump speak over the top of him. Trump accuses Zelenskyy of total disrespect, and says he is ‘gambling with World War III’.

Really, it is worth watching. See how leaders of the USA behave.

It seems to me that Bernie is doing his best to create and energize a movement of working-class people in support of a better world. It isn’t trying to hijack an existing movement; because no cohesive movement currently exists. The lack of cohesion is exactly what Bernie is trying to address.

Wikipedia is arguably the best website on all of the internet.

Like, if you wanted one website to survive the apocalypse or whatever, it’s probably Wikipedia.