Progressive Discussion - Monday 4-24-17

Interesting but sad piece on how Trump is HURTING the people in Kentucky who helped put him in office. Well, first of all no coal mines are reopening, but we all knew that.

To add insult to the false promises, defunding the National Endowment of the Arts will jeopardize a small piece of hope and economic improvement. Appalshop

“Can I really go to those folks, look at them in the eye, and say, ‘Look, I want to take money from you and I want to give it to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting?’ That is a really hard sell, and it’s something we don’t think we can defend anymore,” said White House budget director Mick Mulvaney.

This, despite the fact that, altogether, funding for these agencies makes up less than .02 percent of the federal budget.

“To me,” said Smith, “it is, again, really short-sighted and silly.”

So, so refreshing to see President Obama talking with young adults at the college in Chicago. What smart thoughtful young people expressing their thoughts on community organizing & volunteering in their communities. AND to have a President who actually listens & shares his experiences on not just his successes but his failures as well. He shows that humility is a virtue. What a stark contrast in past President to currant Fake one we have now.

Haven't seen the AP interview or the transcript, but will search for it. Linda, like you I don't think we can expect much out of either the Senate, the House, or the FBI when it comes to the Russian interference probe. We need an independent prosecutor tasked with the investigation. Heck! If we could throw away millions of dollars and time unending on Monica's dress, SURELY allegations of Russian interference into our elections should demand at least as much scrutiny. I think we are going to have to pretty much depend on investigative journalists to ever get any real information, and I'm not sure the current crop is actually up to the task. While Tweety won the election because he won the electoral college votes, and I accept that, I strongly believe that there was nevertheless collusion in some shape, form, or fashion between members of Tweety's campaign and Russia. How that went and what exactly it entailed I have no idea, but I do believe it happened. And, if the truth ever comes to light it won't surprise me at all to learn that it went all the way to Tweety.

As for the decrease in funding for public broadcasting, it is a sad day for the country. It allows many, many children and adults who would never otherwise have the opportunity to experience arts, other cultures, science, etc that they would otherwise never be exposed to; and, as NatureLover said it is such a small portion of the budget. Just shows that this administration as well as the Rs have no respect for an educated populace.

Linda, thanks for the link but I had found the transcript so read both the transcript and Huff Post's commentary you provided. You're right. He is so fragmented in his thinking. He just bounces from here to there, and never really follows a thought all the way through. It's like trying to watch a tennis match the way his thoughts keep flying around. He clearly doesn't give any thought before starting an answer, and just whatever rambles off the top of his head which is then contradicted a couple of minutes later. He seems to have no inkling that his words matter.

It really struck me that he said before taking office he had never realized how big the job actually is and that it affects people's LIVES. Yeah, you think?! Duh!!!

Did anyone see the video of Trump congratulating a Purple Heart recipient? What's even worse is that he made it into a photo op. Obama did these behind closed doors. That is nothing to celebrate and definitely not something to exploit for political gain.

I'm surprised Fake Prez didn't ask if "he" could keep the Purple Heart medal. Didn't he take one from another Vet on the campaign trail?