Face, meet leopard. Leopard, meet face.

[JayUtah]

If you try to herd crows, does that make you an accomplice to a murder?

 

[P.J. Denyer]

I think there are several crow farmers around here; I see newly sown fields full of corvids every spring. No idea what the finished product looks like, though

I have a solution-:

101 Uses for a dead Trump

 

[johnny karate]

That seems harsh given there's no mention of him voting for Trump.

Whether or not he's a Trump voter may be unconfirmed, but that bought into Trump propaganda is 100% confirmed.

 

[lobosrul5]

Indeed, the whole leopard-face analogy tells us that a lot of people really got riled up about how great America was going to be once we allowed the oligarchs to make all these drastic, self-serving changes, but then somehow also thought that everything would just sort of stay the same. Sure, Trump fans can regurgitate the talking points about how America has been taken advantage of for decades, but can't seem to go into specifics. When those specifics mean things we actually care about, that's when the leopard turns on us.

On the other hand, a union giving up 900 jobs in order to stick to some larger imagined purpose is not really in keeping with the best traditions of a union. Granted, United Auto Workers has about 300,000 people in it. But when stuff like this makes the news, all those UAW people are going to wonder if they're the next people to be thrown under the bus.


According to Chris Whipple, the author of The Gatekeepers, the White House is pretty much staffed with what Chief of Staff Susie Wiles calls "tariff zealots." Whether they also qualify as morons remains to be seen. But it's quite likely they've been filling Pres. Trump's head with all kinds of nonsense that he just ignorantly repeats. Donald Trump has never convinced anyone he is a master at global trade.

No, we're well beyond the point where its safe to call every single person in Trump's cabinet a complete moron. Or at the very least pretending to be a moron to keep their job.

 

[P.J. Denyer]

No, we're well beyond the point where its safe to call every single person in Trump's cabinet a complete moron. Or at the very least pretending to be a moron to keep their job.

In fairness some of them may be entirely aware of the damage they're doing to the wellbeing and stability of the entire world and the lives their actions may cost or just make substantially worse, but still be all in for personal gain that will make no difference to their standard of living but just be a higher score on their personal balance sheet.

 

[bruto]

In fairness some of them may be entirely aware of the damage they're doing to the wellbeing and stability of the entire world and the lives their actions may cost or just make substantially worse, but still be all in for personal gain that will make no difference to their standard of living but just be a higher score on their personal balance sheet.

Yes indeed, in the traditional conservative dichotomy, it's possible they're not idiots at all, but just opportunistic traitors. Take your pick. Whatever you say they are it will be said they're the other. Of course the possibility exists that they are both, but that is unpalatable to their apologists.

 

[Wudang]

In fairness some of them may be entirely aware of the damage they're doing to the wellbeing and stability of the entire world and the lives their actions may cost or just make substantially worse, but still be all in for personal gain that will make no difference to their standard of living but just be a higher score on their personal balance sheet.

A memory: I watched a couple of episodes of The Apprentice (UK) to see if I'd like it. Spoiler: no. I remember one scene where some guy who'd described himself to Alan Sugar as "a good Jewish boy" was tasked with finding a kosher chicken in a middle eastern town. He ended up totally losing the plot about kosher rules and screaming at some confused Arabic(?) shopkeeper "Just say 'I bless this chicken'".
I wonder if some of Trump's appointees are the same? The shred of self-awareness they still posess quietly sobbing in a corner of their mind, fingers in ears and humming, while the rest of their mind is madly scrambling to DO SOMETHING! DO ANYTHING! DO THAT!

 

[JayUtah]

No, we're well beyond the point where its safe to call every single person in Trump's cabinet a complete moron. Or at the very least pretending to be a moron to keep their job.

Indeed, I guess I meant "moron" in the narrow sense that they lack substantial subject-matter expertise in their cabinet fields. Some like Transportation Secretary Duffy, HHS Secretary Kennedy, and Education Secretary McMahon are not only bereft of expertise in their fields, but they seem to lack much ordinary human intelligence. But then I consider people like Peter Navarro. He's definitely not unintelligent, but he does have some bonkers ideas on tariffs. These are the wormtongues whispering in Pres. Trump's ear.

But if I understand you correctly, it doesn't matter whether Trump's inner circle is composed of genuine clowns or whether some are just sneaky opportunists in clown makeup. I don't necessarily disagree with that.

 

[P.J. Denyer]

Indeed, I guess I meant "moron" in the narrow sense that they lack substantial subject-matter expertise in their cabinet fields. Some like Transportation Secretary Duffy, HHS Secretary Kennedy, and Education Secretary McMahon are not only bereft of expertise in their fields, but they seem to lack much ordinary human intelligence. But then I consider people like Peter Navarro. He's definitely not unintelligent, but he does have some bonkers ideas on tariffs. These are the wormtongues whispering in Pres. Trump's ear.

But if I understand you correctly, it doesn't matter whether Trump's inner circle is composed of genuine clowns or whether some are just sneaky opportunists in clown makeup. I don't necessarily disagree with that.

I think we can say fairly safely that they are all lacking in at least some fundamental atributes that most of us would consider part of being a normal, functioning, human being.

 

[dann]

... But then I consider people like Peter Navarro. He's definitely not unintelligent, but he does have some bonkers ideas on tariffs. ...

Are you sure?
I remember Peter Navarro on MSNBC bragging about the Green Bay Sweep:

Trump's losing streak: Congress holds W.H. vet in contempt after admitting coup plot on live TV (MSNBC, April 7, 2022)
The House has voted to hold former Trump aide Peter Navarro in contempt of Congress for stonewalling the Jan. 6 probe. Navarro has appeared on “The Beat” three times to discuss his so-called “Green Bay Sweep” plan to steal the 2020 presidential election. MSNBC’s Chief Legal Correspondent Ari Melber, The Nation’s Elie Mystal, and former RNC Chairman Michael Steele discuss Navarro’s willingness to appear on television to discuss the failed coup attempt while simultaneously dodging the Jan. 6 committee.

And there's the story about Ron Vara:

Musk calls Trump trade adviser a ‘moron’ as White House divisions burst into public view (MSNBC, April 7, 2025)
This cleared the way for Musk to use his social media platform to write, “Navarro is truly a moron” and “Navarro is dumber than a sack of bricks.”
The billionaire soon after added, “Navarro should ask the fake expert he invented, Ron Vara” — a reference to the unfortunate fact that Navarro invented a fictional expert whom he quoted in his books in support of his ideas. (“Ron Vara” in an anagram for “Navarro.”)

What makes you think he's intelligent?

 

[bruto]

Are you sure?
I remember Peter Navarro on MSNBC bragging about the Green Bay Sweep:


And there's the story about Ron Vara:


What makes you think he's intelligent?

It's a problem we continually run into, as intelligence is not easily defined, and not evenly distributed. If a person designs an intricate, complex and novel bomb using recondite physics and mathematics, and uses it to blow up a city, is he intelligent? It depends a little on how you count it and how far you stand back. The world is full of overeducated fools.

Poor Jenny, bright as a penny.....in 27 languages she couldn't say "no."

 

[Norman Alexander]

But then I consider people like Peter Navarro. He's definitely not unintelligent, but he does have some bonkers ideas on tariffs. These are the wormtongues whispering in Pres. Trump's ear.

Peter Navarro, Roger Stone and Stephen Miller et al represent what a lot of the Trump-whisperers are: Intelligent, but criminally insane. Trump's cabinet and advisers are the ones who need to be removed, not necessarily Trump himself. They are the ones who tell him what to say. Without them, he is nothing but a criminal, rambling, pompous, vulnerable windbag. They know this full well, which is why they don't care what he says and why they protect him: he's the world's greatest lightning-rod and sock-puppet.

 

[The Great Zaganza]

These people truly believe that they can change the world to change it to what they want it to be by pretending it already is.

 

[dann]

Peter Navarro, Roger Stone and Stephen Miller et al represent what a lot of the Trump-whisperers are: Intelligent, but criminally insane. Trump's cabinet and advisers are the ones who need to be removed, not necessarily Trump himself. They are the ones who tell him what to say. Without them, he is nothing but a criminal, rambling, pompous, vulnerable windbag. They know this full well, which is why they don't care what he says and why they protect him: he's the world's greatest lightning-rod and sock-puppet.

Sorry, but I still don't see the signs of intelligence!
Navarro has the fixed idea that China is to blame for everything that he thinks is wrong with the USA. He wrote books about it and invented a sockpuppet to confirm his ideas. He and Steve Bannon came up with the idea to keep Trump in power by overwhelming the electoral system with complaints and false electors and bragged about it to Ari Melber on MSNBC.

Roger Stone is also obviously willing to break any and all written and unwritten laws if it serves his (or his client's) purpose, but what has he done that's intelligent? He's a 'cuckservative', which isn't interesting in the context, but was it a sign of intelligence that he wasn't more discreet about it?

Stephen Miller is a racist. His current argument for deportations is that any attempt to make the administration obey the laws of the country is undemocratic because judges - unlike the president - aren't elected in democratic elections and it would thus be undemocratic to ask the president to obey the laws.
'The Whole Thing Is Just Preposterous': Stephen Miller Slams Controversy Over Judge's Verbal Order (Forbes on YouTube, March 18, 2025 - 3:16 min.)
I see the criminal insanity, but not the intelligence.

 

[shemp]

'It could break us': Valley farmer says Chinese tariffs have crushed the alfalfa export market

Alfalfa hay is mainly used as feed for cattle and is big business in Arizona, with Arizona farms exporting over $100 million of alfalfa overseas a year.

www.abc15.com

In the Harquahala Valley, hay fields stretch as far as the eye can see.

Alfalfa hay is mainly used as feed for cattle and is big business in Arizona, with Arizona farms exporting over $100 million of alfalfa overseas a year.

Shannon Schulz has been farming in the Harquahala Valley for decades.

"There's no better way to raise a family than on the farm," Schulz said.

Schulz is unique in the Valley, as he not only harvests his alfalfa but also is part of the export process overseas. His main customers are countries in the Middle East, and China.

“Usually, this warehouse is full of hay. It’s not right now because business is just slow," Schulz said.

Losing about half of his business overnight has not been easy.

“It could break us," Schulz said. "It could break a lot of farmers.”

Schulz says he voted for President Donald Trump and believes in the goals of his tariff plan, to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and expand exporter access to foreign markets.

It's OK to hurt others, but don't hurt me!

GO. ◊◊◊◊. YOURSELF!

 

[dirtywick]

when he loses his farm he and his whole family can go make nikes in an american factory for $7.50 an hour so nike can make billions and you get nothing. if he believes in that so much that is

 

[Safe-Keeper]

"He isn't hurting the people I want him to be hurting" --Dump voter, 2019.

when he loses his farm he and his whole family can go make nikes in an american factory for $7.50 an hour so nike can make billions and you get nothing. if he believes in that so much that is

He can work for the people who buy his farm. Or in a sweatshop. Or a coal mine. Or in the military, they'll need cannon fodder for the occupation of Canada.

 

[Norman Alexander]

'It could break us': Valley farmer says Chinese tariffs have crushed the alfalfa export market

Alfalfa hay is mainly used as feed for cattle and is big business in Arizona, with Arizona farms exporting over $100 million of alfalfa overseas a year.

www.abc15.com

It's OK to hurt others, but don't hurt me!

GO. ◊◊◊◊. YOURSELF!

From that report:

During the first Trump Administration, financial aid was given to farmers hurt by tariffs. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has said the administration is looking into providing assistance again, but no official plans have been announced.

There should be no handouts. That's the dreaded pinko communist socialism. Also, Trump is driving the USA broke so there's no money to spare for a few hayseeds.

 

[shemp]

Another week, another batch of MAGA faithful finding out the hard way

This is an occasional roundup of people who voted for Donald Trump and are shocked to find out no one is immune from the damage and pain he causes. Many are now grappling with the consequences of ...

www.dailykos.com

1. Truckers.

Truckers love Donald Trump. Per FEC donation data, truck drivers are nearly three-quarters Republican, making it one of the reddest professions. You can imagine why. This group is mostly rural, mostly white and male, and tied to a job that lives and dies by the cost of fossil fuels, particularly diesel—which can account for up to 40% of costs. They also hated environmental mandates to electrify their fleets.

In 2014, truck driver was the most common job title in most American states—and a significant one in pretty much all of them. I wasn’t able to find more recent statistics, but demand for shipping has only intensified in the e-commerce age. Truck driving is one of the last professions that provides a path to financial security without a college degree.

And Trump is single-handedly breaking that path.

“I think they’re all smart enough to know that if you go all in on tariffs, there’s the potential for counter tariffs and inflation as a result,” said the Trump-supporting Chris Spear, who heads the American Trucking Association. “So I don’t think they want to do anything that’s going to have an adverse impact on the economy,” Spear said back in December.

Ha ha! Imagine thinking Trump and his team of degenerate sycophants are “smart.” Now, the full horror of Trump’s tariffs is dawning on the guy.

“The 100,000 full-time hardworking truckers hauling 85% of the surface trade in goods with Mexico and 67% of the goods traded with Canada will bear a direct and disproportionate impact,” Spear whined.

2. Soy Farmers

During the first Trump administration, his tariffs on China cost American soybean growers billions, all to Brazil’s delight. The economic damage was so severe that Trump had to bail out farmers to the tune of $28 billion. So what did these farmers do?

Vote for Trump again, of course!

Trump has now killed what was left of the Chinese market, dramatically increased the cost of fertilizer thanks to his idiotic trade war with Canada, and turned the world against American goods. And these idiot soy farmers are relegated to penning columns like this one: “I’m a Soybean Farmer Who Voted for Trump. I’m Begging the President to End the Trade War.”

“Like many of my fellow farmers, I voted for President Donald Trump in the past three elections,” wrote Kentuckian Caleb Ragland. “The president won me over with his commitment to business-friendly tax cuts as well as his track record of reducing regulation and cutting government spending.”


You see, Farmer Caleb was voting to kill other people’s jobs, not his own!

“I am one of the 500,000 soybean farmers in America who feels the pain,” he wrote. “I rely on my own farm for 100 percent of the income for my family and the families of our three full-time workers. We have 1,500 acres of soybeans on my farm. At $600 an acre, our production costs are $900,000. But in the current climate, an acre brings in only $500 of revenue, which means we’re yielding $750,000—a $150,000 loss.”

Yup, sure sucks. But don’t worry—he blames Biden. Really.

MORONS! IDIOTS! ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊! ◊◊◊◊ EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!!! YOU CAN ALL GO BANKRUPT AND DROP DEAD IN A DITCH!!!

 

[Safe-Keeper]

Those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the leopard are now ending up inside .

Oh, and yes, for the upteenth time, ◊◊◊◊ them sideways.