Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Many life forms that would benefit from greater intelligence, sadly, do not have it.

Following reporting rules is only for the little people, apparently.

If you are in line to indict donald trump, stay in line.

But frankly mr. cole, I’ll be happier when you get back to telling us to go fuck ourselves.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

Ah, the different things are different argument.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

Pelosi: “He either is stupid, or he thinks the rest of us are.” Why not both?

A democracy can’t function when people can’t distinguish facts from lies.

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

Historically it was a little unusual for the president to be an incoherent babbling moron.

I like you, you’re my kind of trouble.

Our job is not to persuade republicans but to defeat them.

The fundamental promise of conservatism all over the world is a return to an idealized past that never existed.

We’ll be taking my thoughts and prayers to the ballot box.

Let us savor the impending downfall of lawless scoundrels who richly deserve the trouble barreling their way.

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

Cole, when it comes to calico cats, restraint is overrated.

Accused of treason; bitches about the ratings. I am in awe.

I’d try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

Despite his magical powers, I don’t think Trump is thinking this through, to be honest.

Every reporter and pundit should have to declare if they ever vacationed with a billionaire.

You are here: Home / Politics / An Unexamined Scandal / C.R.E.A.M. Open Thread: Beating Our Plowshares Into Swords

C.R.E.A.M. Open Thread: Beating Our Plowshares Into Swords

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We already know the answer to that one: MONEY!

Sure, it’ll further destabilize the Middle East, not to mention violating American law, but those Arabs have money!!! How is anyone with the kind of ethical code that allows them to work for Donald Trump gonna turn down money?

The Washington Post Editorial Board:

… If the new gift to the crown prince is allowed to stand, Mr. Trump will have established a new precedent: Presidents may sell arms anywhere in the world without congressional review simply by claiming an unspecified emergency. Even supporters of Mr. Trump and of arms sales to Saudi Arabia ought to be troubled by this. Sen. James E. Risch (R-Idaho), the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, is at least thinking about it: In a statement, he said he was “reviewing and analyzing the legal justification for this action and the associated implications.”

Mr. Risch has a ready remedy: He can allow a vote in his committee on legislation to block the sales until the Saudi regime stops bombings in Yemen and meets other basic conditions, including the release of women’s rights activists it has detained and tortured. Congress has an obligation to rein in Mr. Trump’s wanton embrace of the Saudi strongman; it also must defend its basic foreign policy prerogatives. It’s time for Mr. Risch to show whether he is up to that challenge.

Mr. Risch is a Republican. The only ‘challenge’ he can see is whether he’ll fold fast enough & enthusiastically enough to please his Dear Leader…

Reader Interactions

92Comments

  2. 2.

    Cermet

    The orange fart cloud and his enablers had better hope Karma, like all religion, is just myth; otherwise, then maybe we as the nation doing all these terrible things will suffer in return similar horror – I, of course, am rooting for myth..

  3. 3.

    MattF

    It’s not a mystery. I think it’s clear ‘what they see in this guy’. He’s a kindred spirit– maybe, um… a little ‘rough around the edges’… but the sort of guy they understand and like to deal with.

  4. 4.

    JPL

    Some of us actually remember that members of the Saudi Royal family supported some of 9/11 murderers and what does Saudi get from us, a kiss in the butt. We don’t need their oil anymore, so what did he promise trump.

  8. 8.

    JPL

    Mitch’s senate will do nothing to stop the asshole, because they are afraid of the tweet. We have been in uncharted territory for some time.

  11. 11.

    West of the Rockies

    Anyone know what Kushner actually said in response? (I’m sure it was ludicrous.)

  12. 12.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Am I wrong to be pretty much terrified at this point? Jared and his in-laws (WOOPS JUST GOT ANOTHER NSFW POP-UP) and his in-laws’ minions (WOOPS THERE’S ANOTHER) scare the bejesus out of me. Putin, Kim Jong Un, Duterte, Orban, MBS … this is bullshit awful.

  14. 14.

    PeakVT

    Is there any region of the globe where US foreign policy is constructive at this point? Vast areas are subject to benign neglect, sure, but I can’t point any region where the US is clearly helping.

    Happy to be wrong, of course.

  15. 15.

    debbie

    @Cermet:

    I’ve been around long enough to see karma take hold a few times. It is not myth, it is inevitable. No one escapes it.

  18. 18.

    Steve in the ATL

    @Cermet: @debbie: there are many, many days when my belief in karma is the only thing that gets me out of bed.

    Well, that and dogs barking in my face to be fed.

  19. 19.

    Ruckus

    How is anyone with the kind of ethical code that allows them to work for Donald Trump gonna turn down money?

    I see a slight error in your logic.
    If they are willing to work for DT, they have zero ethics and nothing that could in any way be interpreted as an ethics code. Hell they probably can’t even spell ethical, ethics, logical, rational, thought……

  20. 20.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Ruckus: Yeah. Oil and water here, and you can shake the bottle until the cows come home.

    Ethics is an unknown concept to Dump and associates.

  24. 24.

    gene108

    Risch and his fellow Republicans are eagerly taking notes on all the ways they can abuse political power, like Trump does, and get away with it.

    They only raise points against Trump, when they think it will help them politically, but they are his biggest admirers, who want to be even more corrupt and authoritarian.

  25. 25.

    schrodingers_cat

    BJP got 38% nation wide and over 60% of the upper caste vote, and they increased their vote share in every demographic except for Muslims and Dalits (castes considered untouchable)

  27. 27.

    Brachiator

    … If the new gift to the crown prince is allowed to stand, Mr. Trump will have established a new precedent: Presidents may sell arms anywhere in the world without congressional review simply by claiming an unspecified emergency. Even supporters of Mr. Trump and of arms sales to Saudi Arabia ought to be troubled by this.

    Republicans are getting exactly what they asked for. Running the government like a business means that Trump rules like a chief executive. Wherever he can, he flattens out Cabinet offices, installs weak subordinate heads of departments and seeks to operate through executive orders and interpretations of obscure laws that give him more powers.

    It’s slow roll authoritarianism.

  28. 28.

    gene108

    @JPL:

    We don’t need their oil anymore, so what did he promise trump.

    Well Jared got his debts taken care of by a sovereign wealth fund, partially owned by either Qatar or the UAE (forget which it was).

    I am sure the Saudis are lining up ways to line Trump’s pockets besides buying his condos, and renting out his hotels.

  30. 30.

    Brachiator

    @lamh36:

    FUQ’er got close enough to grab her microphone…smh

    Does she have Secret Service protection yet?

  31. 31.

    lamh36

    @lamh36: Even after dude made it to the stage, security was way too slow to come, KJP (the moderator) should have never had to stand between ole dude like she had to

    @Bakari_Sellers
    Follow Follow @Bakari_Sellers
    More Bakari Sellers Retweeted Face The Nation
    Shoutout to @K_JeanPierre for standing between KH and this nut.

    It’s apparent @KamalaHarris needs SS. I hope her campaign asks for it.

    Her campaign is already the most weirdly scrutinized, now this. Another obstacle, but she will persist.

  35. 35.

    lamh36

    @Steve in the ATL: let’s hope…lordt I really do kinda hate man buns

    ETA: The fuq’er tried to follow Senator Harris off stage…security should had him before he even made it to the stage

  36. 36.

    Jay

    @gene108:

    And if Prince Mohammed Bone Saw is to be believed, Jarvanka delivered a US Intel list of his Sawdi opposition, stolen from the Presidential Daily Brief.

  39. 39.

    Cowboy Diva

    Apologies in advance, but can someone tell me what “C.R.E.A.M.” means? I cannot find a definition. Thanks

  41. 41.

    Mike in NC

    There was a full page ad in Friday’s USA Today, placed by Franklin Graham, Ralph Reed, and a bunch of other faux godbotherers, asking that people pray for the Fat Bastard on Sunday. Isn’t worshipping a golden calf considered a sin?

  45. 45.

    Jay

    @Cowboy Diva:

    “”C.R.E.A.M.” (an acronym of “Cash Rules Everything Around Me”) is a song by the American hardcore hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released on January 31, 1994 as the third single from their debut studio album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993).”

  46. 46.

    Duane

    @Baud: It’s a national pray for Trumpov day from the Chirstianist warrior patriots. Pray from the heart he gets raptured.

  48. 48.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Plato: Have you seen the Mythbusters episode where they crash two semis into each other head-on?

  52. 52.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Baud: Yes. The rocket sled episode came to mind first, but only one half of the equation was moving in that.

  56. 56.

    Dan B

    @lamh36: This makes me feel sick. Are the nutcases going to try to stop the election with terrorism?
    It reminds me of JFK, MLK, RFK, and Malcolm X assasinarions. We are so terrified of change, especially when it is inevitable.

  59. 59.

    schrodingers_cat

    @Baud: With its alliance partners it is up to 45%. India’s polity is much more fractured than the United States, there are many regional parties which hold majorities in their respective states.

  60. 60.

    lamh36

    @Dan B: someone said the “protestor” was an animal rights activist or something?

    But yeah…way too close.

    This is actually the 2nd time Harris was confronted by some activist. The last time was in an airport and some woman came up on Harris and did what some of those folks do.

    Harris handled it well, but still, it was way too easy for that woman to approach her and get into her personal space.

    This is worse though…this was a more controlled space than a publc airport…security here should have been more diligent.

    ETA: Here is the man bun guy…ugh
    https://twitter.com/loisbeckett/status/1134967661001969664

  61. 61.

    Cowboy Diva

    @Another Scott:
    okay, so I didn’t look everywhere I should have for that glossary list. Thanks for sharing the resource/knowledge.

    @Jay:
    thanks. In case it wasn’t obvious, I am not a fan of the Wu-Tang Clan.

  62. 62.

    TomatoQueen

    @Cowboy Diva: C.R.E.A.M. – Cash Rules Everything Around Me. From the Wu Tang Clan song. “Cash rules everything around me / CREAM! – Get the money / Dolla dolla bill y’all …

    Quick Links, at the top of the page, used to display fully, but no longer; the balloon juice lexicon, written thoughtfully in English and arranged in alphabetical order, is one of the links contained therein, along with other good stuff. As a suggestion to the Site Magicians, I think it would help a lot to restore the Quick Links feature to full display capacity.

  63. 63.

    schrodingers_cat

    @Plato: If you think only uneducated people voted for BJP you are wrong. Their base is upper caste Hindu voters who are among the most educated people in India. The communists lost in Kerala for being on the right side on the Sabarimala issue, that is pretty disheartening. Congress won there by being BJP-lite. It was good to see voters in Tamil Nadu reject BJP’s alliance partner and the same in Andhra.
    The true divide in India even more than religion is the north-south divide. This has always been the case.

  64. 64.

    Baud

    @schrodingers_cat:

    Lefty people prefer parliamentary systems to ours, and often for legitimate reasons, but I don’t think Americans would ever get used to it.

  67. 67.

    laura

    @lamh36: I’m a let you finish popped into my mind.
    The gall that men have when a women exercises her agency and her power in a public setting. The sense of entitlement. The disregard. The invasion of space. The social injustice. The sudden threat. The lack of preparation by MoveOn or the facilities managers. The misogyny. The privilege. The absence of basic manners. The Man Bun. The effrontery. The grace and poise of Harris. The fierce defences of Ms. Pierre. The sheer brazenly dudebro superiority. The pure embodiment of lefty truck nuts.
    Fuck that guy. Whatever his message, fuck that guy.

  69. 69.

    schrodingers_cat

    @Baud: Also in India’s case, there is no clear alternative like the Ds are here. The opposition has not covered itself in glory whether it be INC or the other left parties. I am writing up a post on INC to give an idea what the choices were. In fact India has given INC and other parties many chances before turning right to BJP.

  72. 72.

    James E Powell

    @Baud:

    Societies always get socially conservative in times of rapid change, it seems.

    Is this a time of rapid change? It seems less rapid than the 90s or the aughts.

  74. 74.

    Baud

    @James E Powell:

    I think it at least feels faster because of how interconnected the world has become in just the last decade. Also, in terms of social change, I think the last decade has been amazingly fast.

  75. 75.

    Dan B

    @Baud: I had no idea if he was a right or left winger. Turns out he’s a lefty nut. The idea that people can get in Kamala’s face may be noticed by some right wing and/or racist nuts.

  77. 77.

    lamh36

    @laura:

    “Cool about it”…

    FUQ u guys Move On Security!

    @ccadelago
    Follow Follow @ccadelago
    More
    The guy who took Kamala Harris’ mic, Aidan Cook, 24 of Oakland, said he’s trying to bring more attention to the mass extinction of animals. He is not being charged with a crime, he told us, adding that the MoveOn security crew was “cool about it.”
    https://twitter.com/ccadelago/status/1134975072194576384

    As someone said,

    @RonMozaic
    5m5 minutes ago
    More
    Replying to @ccadelago @davidsiders
    Love how they’re “cool about” a man interrupting a panel of women about an issue impacting women…because he had bigger ideas. Sheesh.

  78. 78.

    Baud

    @lamh36:

    Interrupting an event usually isn’t criminal, even if it’s scary. (I think there are special laws for sports though).

  79. 79.

    Brachiator

    @Baud:

    Fair, but we’re seeing a resurgent right in lot of places. The right in Australia recently won in an upset too.

    It may not be a coincidence.

    The Economist video asks why the European right all sound alike, but doesn’t answer the question

    https://youtu.be/W5HTIgddH68

  82. 82.

    Baud

    @Plato:

    Maybe because it happens more there and is considered more dangerous when people run on the field.

    But I don’t know for sure. I just can’t recall interrupters being arrested except in the sports context.

  87. 87.

    patrick II

    If Trump can share in a deal to profit from nuclear infrastructure in Iran, this whole Iran having nukes problem will go away.

  88. 88.

    RepubAnon

    @Ruckus: Perhaps Jared is a Vogon: “When he heard the word ‘ethics’, he reached for his dictionary – and when he heard the clink of ready cash he reached for the rule book and threw it away…”
    -Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

  91. 91.

    Ruckus

    @Mike in NC:
    That calf is not gold. On it’s best day that’s gold spray paint. Or semi polished brass. Shit for brains really doesn’t know the difference, if you tell him it’s real gold, he believes you because he’s never actually seen real gold. And really all he cares about is that you think it’s gold. Your impression of him is what is important, not actual wealth. And you are going to tell me that he’s seen real wealth and can tell the difference. That’s as possible as me being movie star and having my star/name on the blvd.

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