Mushtaq

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Not just beg for it, but if they don’t he’ll do it anyway.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

What are they trying to do? Reverse psychology to reduce his voters from the left?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

There would be something of an irony if he ends up dying in Buckingham Palace...

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Because the wider Trump admin policies will have done the job before the AI gets there...

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Nothing stopping the Oklahoma Sec of State deploying the NG themselves, is there?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

‘High rise windows or cups of tea. That is the choice to be made’

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Their pro-gun arguments even fail on their own terms.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

And who claimed Operation Warp Speed as one of his proudest achievements (and even repeated that as recently as last week!)

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

‘I’m very proud of the highest quality completed beautiful “rose garden”… that was done in such a shoddy way that I’m have to redo it all’

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

And of course that’s probably the real reason he increased tariffs on India, and nothing to do with the official reason of buying oil from Russia.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

*“Spanish” flu pandemic.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

More people died in the “Spanish” flu epidemic than the entirety of the First World Wa, a fraction of the death toll of the (significantly mismanaged) COVID pandemic. It is not an exaggeration that RfK “leadership” is seeking a return to things like this.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

*…massively cuts funding for mental health…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Er, popular where? In places completely unaffected by the alleged DC crime problem?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

If millions of people “believe” in the power of prayer then frankly it’s because it’s all they’ve got on the face of Governmental authorities who repeatedly refuse to act in the face of either the interests or expressed views of those that they supposedly represent.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

To be fair, here the incompetence was more in attempting to bring the charge in the first place than failing to secure the indictment once brought! It was hardly a piece of cake!

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Presumably there was a time when an interview prompted by a “nextgen” improvement in public transportation (as per the chyron) would see the Sec of Transportation concentrating on celebrating public transport not (implicitly) denigrating it…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Swings like this could cause extreme GOP gerrymandering to backfire big time.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Ummm. Putin thought he’d take Ukraine in 3 days. 4.5 yrs and millions of Russian lives later…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

And “Warp speed” didn’t exist in a vacuum. It only happened because of the pre-existing MRNA research.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

They might not want to come, but I imagine the Chinese Government will be keen…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Why isn’t this sort of sh*t on national media every day/night and every Govt and/or GOP spokesman/interviewee shown the videos and asked to justify it?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

I’m not sure that directing ridiculous racism accusations at her opponent will do anything other than cost her votes from racists in the GOP/MAGA base…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

The mid-terms will happen. They will not be conducted remotely in a “free and fair” manner. The results (if unfavourable) will be ignored, under a multiplicity of pretexts.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

And when he says “negotiate” he means “capitulate”/accept Russia’s demands in full. Because Russia has shown no signs of interest/intention to negotiate.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Seems unnecessary when Trump claimed last week that he had already ended crime in DC without it.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Er, they shouldn’t or they haven’t?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Their “concession” in a future “peace “ agreement is that they (say that they)will abide by the terms of the peace agreement and won’t seek to invade again? Well whippey-do-da!

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

And with every day the ability of Europe to help and US to hinder grows.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

The women and children have left. The men have been forced to be cannon fodder and died.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

All this transcript does is make MAGA even more angry that the files aren’t being released. Because if Trump is now “exonerated” then what’s the excuse?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

You’d think he would be able to tell the difference when “Liberals” are “getting agitated” by him targeting John effing Bolton!

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Well quite. If you were to somehow believe Maxwell, then what could there possibly be in the files that is in anyway problematic for the Government? Except a wealth of contradicting evidence of course…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Open carry of a weapon.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

He really wants peace. He just can’t stop murdering civilians with drones and missiles for no military purpose.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

lol - “Don’t ever recall”. The MAGA phrase of choice on the off chance they get caught in a provable lie.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

The new satire is going to be to reverse parody stories into straight news

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

He got all that from a logo?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Is “pre-war” like “pre-crime”? He stops wars before they happen?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

One thing -“nobody is above the law” is such a weird thing to say in relation to… John Bolton? Why should he, of all people, be above the law? It’s not like he’s a judge, or a senior police officer, or senior politician.. Unless he means “nobody is above “the law”- even those who have broken no law.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Putin’s version of “peace” doesn’t preclude killing and causing suffering for Ukrainians. Just whether he gets to do it with missiles or via other means.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Of course the additional point is that they reason they’ve objected to seeking/purchasing from alternative sources is that they say it will increase their costs. Absolutely zero acknowledgement that the reason that Russian oil is cheap is because of the price cap linked to the war!

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Er, Jaguar…? That great AMERICAN company?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

It’s his chance to kill somebody on Fifth Avenue and get away with it. With a bit of luck he’ll shoot himself in the foot.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

“We told you that democracy dies in darkness, so goddam stop trying to turn the lights on”

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Of course Newsom is actually in reality almost certainly spending very little time on this. Trump on his social media however…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Feels like the word “exclusive” is being a little bit overplayed here…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

These are the sort of places where it is illegal to keep homeless families accommodated in for more than six weeks.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

The craze that’s, er…sweeping the country?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

I wouldn’t be remotely surprised if he speaks to Putin in secret all the time. Certainly a lot more often than is publicly known.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

All those “tyrannical” Covid lockdowns that happened in 2021. Oh no, that was 2020, silly me. But Biden was President then, right?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

He did once say that by invading he was being “very smart”. So not so much “blame” as acknowledge that he had agency…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Just not US air support. All Trump appears to be “negotiating” is the support of other countries’ armed forces with or without their agreement. It’s increasingly a mystery as to why he thinks he has any real leverage.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

You would think that even these idiots in the US Govt could figure out that there are no circumstances and no pressure that could be applied to Ukraine to convince them to accept any agreement that didn’t include cast iron guarantees on the security of their territory.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

He can’t spare them, what with all the domestic policing they’re required for.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

I can think of a very similar sounding phrase that is more believable...

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

There is an additional irony/benefit i think that if Hungary/Slovakia are completely cut off from Russian oil (and gas?) for the foreseeable future, then that actually makes them more dependent on the EU for support. Which massively reduces their potential as blockers for anti-Russian sanctions.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

To be honest, i think they're actually generally too stupid to do redactions competently. Any doctoring to smear others will be too obvious and attempts to remove references to Trump will still probably retain a mountain of evidence identifying him. And that's without considering DoJ 'saboteurs'.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

To the extent that there have been any "wars" (mostly brief flare ups/skirmishes of historic disputes) that have "ended" under Trump's Presidency, for the most part the "post war" agreements have basically amounted to no more than a ceasefire and return to pre-skirmish status quo.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

"International" media is code for "US media", I think.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

And because it's a leaders exclusive meeting it leaves Trump looking even more exposed not really able to call on anybody for backup.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Gotta love that all the European leaders have, in effect, just commandeered the White House for their own (public) meeting/discussion. And are just really ignoring everything Trump says and ploughing on.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Also, she's most exposed to the smell.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

I guess this is his version of "All Lives Matter"...

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

“States are agents of the Federal Govt” - lol. Federalising elections has been a Democrat objective for as long as anyone can remember, strongly opposed by Republicans…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

"Flaming-O"

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

They also don’t draw the direct link between the two, focussing on and demanding impossible internal solutions to what is a global issue driven by Russia. Russia’s information strategies look to exploit, fuel and amplify issues that will destabilise democracies allowing the growth of fringe parties.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Including several million of their own soldiers.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

But if it’s in “self defence” or to offer assistance to “uphold the rights of Russian speaking people”? Have they conceded that what they have done in Ukraine is an attack on another country/territory and a violation of their sovereignty then? No? Ok then…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Moscow is on the table? Wow! Ukraine’s negotiating position must be stronger than anybody realised!

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Also “bits which are relatively unimportant militarily and could be retaken fairly easily if desired” in return for military fortresses.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Excellent that they’re not allowing Zel to be left alone and isolated. Now hold the line.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Putin told Trump that the Donbas line would collapse as a result of an impending Russian offensive, and any “peace” deal might as well recognise this without further loss of life, and as it suits his purposes for Trump that is now the reality regardless of any (and copious) evidence to contrary.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Ridiculous though it obviously is, you wonder whether the global situation would be improved if they somehow just gave him the damn prize.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

“Case dismissed as moot”.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

“Crime” is the new American euphemism for “black people”.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Why is this nonsense even being given serious consideration? Last week such ideas were reported as Russian wet dream and a total non-starter. Then we had a summit where it was pretty universally agreed nothing had changed. And suddenly the media is universally reporting it as almost a done deal?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

I’m wondering if Texas redistricting, rather than being a direct attempt to rig the midterms, is actually INTENDED to trigger responses like this, so that Trump can declare the House of Reps broken and illegitimate, thereby reinforcing an argument to ignore the outcome of 2026 election completely.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Carjacking people as well no doubt.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Amply demonstrating that Trump’s frequent claims that he is the man to “end killing/conflicts” around the World has absolutely nothing to do with ending suffering and is purely about his fantasy of being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Do you think it is because they had never actually seen Trump “negotiating” before?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

And the reason there would have been no war is because…?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

“Rebuild”? It seems to me that an army that has been repelling the might of the world’s “second strongest army” for 3 and a half years is pretty well “built” already!

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Who exactly is he proposing offers these ‘guarantees’ to Russia?NATOs position has always been that it is no threat to Russia as a defensive alliance. They are welcome to pursue their own ‘guarantees’ from China etc if they so wish…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

What on earth is the point of Zelenskyy going to Washington given that Trump has amply demonstrated that he has no leverage over Putin, no inclination to try and apply any serious pressure to Putin, and has no interest in advancing Ukrainian (and European) interests in any discussions with Putin?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

‘If you have half a brain…’ - I think you’ve pinpointed the source of the confusion!

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

It is fortunate for Ukraine in some ways that Putin doesn’t really seem to give a sh*t about Russia’s economy, rendering Trump’s approach to “ending” the war, even on highly advantageous terms to Russia, essentially worthless.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Trump destroying US trade relationships with the world’s biggest and richest economies and markets, and historic allies, in the pursuit of trade with tiny economic backwater…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Two days after postponing them for another 90days…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Special shout out for “escalation management” as well …

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Not his fault the guy couldn’t catch.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Yeah, no. As part of the agreement it was explicitly confirmed that it was not a ‘ payment’

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

So if Russia agrees to a peace agreement he will stop funding Ukraine and if it doesn’t… he will stop funding Ukraine. And about those security “guarantees” …I guess those are for Russia.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

If you can spare so many military personnel for policing jobs for which they are totally unsuited then I guess the obvious conclusion is that the ‘lot’ you spend on your military is rather too much…

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Also Trump spent virtually his entire Presidency either campaigning or playing golf.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

People who are “able-bodied” and sit around all day watching TV don’t tend to end up requiring a lot of health treatment. So where are the vast majority of”savings” coming from?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

Given an absolute key issue is ongoing security against further Russian aggression it would be good to perhaps somebody who actually understood military strategy…. But I guess Trump’s got that covered himself.

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

And who is representing Alaska?

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

‘It’s the sandwiches, stupid!’

Mushtaq (@mushtaq44.bsky.social) reply parent

How do you “abolish all crime in DC” (Bondi) without working out how to prevent it?