A wall only "works" to slow down crossers enough for border control to intervene.

But that's somewhat theoretical as we've seen people get over that wall pretty quickly.  If you actually start deporting everyone instead of "catch and release", then the influx will finally slow, at least.

Trump did have the right idea with engaging Mexico to stop them at their southern border, which would be easier to secure.  But you probably have to write them a check (instead of the other way around, as Trump insisted).  Still, that would probably be much more cost effective when you consider the cost of enforcement combined with the cost incurred to support the migrants.

I'll add I think the main reason crossings slowed under Trump, and have now increased under Biden, is largely due to Covid.

Harvard prez out, but still stays and receives $900k salary.  What a deal.  

And of course, it is all the conservatives fault with their racism and stuff.

The psychosis is real, and incurable.

Gas was $2.55 yesterday. Just curious how the Biden-controls-gas-prices-with-his-magic-lever crowd feels about it. There was a time when those folks were posting gas prices on here everyday and saying Biden was shooting for $5 prices. Haven’t seen any posts on that topic recently.  

Just curious if Biden reversed the magic lever by accident, Trump used mind control on him to make him pull back the magic lever, etc.

As an aside, I highly recommend the book “The Prize” by Daniel Yergen.  It is a very readable yet comprehensive history of the quest for oil.  It is an outstanding tutorial on how oil prices are way beyond any president of the US to really affect even in a minor way.

It costs about $11,000 more to live today, as you lived 3 years ago.  Maybe that's an easier way to understand the family economic destruction. 

posted by QuakerOats

It costs about $11,000 more to live today, as you lived 3 years ago.  Maybe that's an easier way to understand the family economic destruction. 

I was specifically asking about gas prices as that was the metric constantly bantered about here.  It’s crickets now.  What gives?

Most people won't forget the 115% increase they had to endure for 2 1/2 years.  And then there's everything else that will remain highly elevated.

posted by QuakerOats

Most people won't forget the 115% increase they had to endure for 2 1/2 years.  And then there's everything else that will remain highly elevated.

Why’d Biden bring the gas prices back down?  Why not leave them elevated?

I think part of the issue is that in his first days in office Biden summarily undid much if what Trump was doing, in the spite game that almost all the Dems in DC have been humping these past years. 

Anyway, um just now catching up here after spending a week in an overpriced cabin in Montana. Not really overpriced, since seclusion, peace and quiet was what my dude and I wanted. And we got it.

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

Why’d Biden bring the gas prices back down?  Why not leave them elevated?

He'd rather have his second recession of his one-term occupation of the WH.

posted by QuakerOats

He'd rather have his second recession of his one-term occupation of the WH.

Makes sense.

posted by CenterBHSFan

I think part of the issue is that in his first days in office Biden summarily undid much if what Trump was doing, in the spite game that almost all the Dems in DC have been humping these past years. 

Anyway, um just now catching up here after spending a week in an overpriced cabin in Montana. Not really overpriced, since seclusion, peace and quiet was what my dude and I wanted. And we got it.

Uh, wasn't a big part of Trump's 2016 campaigning revolving around undoing things Obama did (ie: Obamacare)? Let's not pretend the spite game only goes one way? It's pretty much the foundation of our current political climate. Attempt to negate anything the other side does and, if that fails, suddenly praise its virtues like they were the ones actually trying to make it happen.

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

Makes sense.

Shit man, when I'm thinking about my place in the history books, the ONLY thing I want is for them to say, "He didn't just fuck up horribly, but then he set things up so he could fuck up horribly again! Just to say he could!"

posted by Heretic

Uh, wasn't a big part of Trump's 2016 campaigning revolving around undoing things Obama did (ie: Obamacare)? Let's not pretend the spite game only goes one way? It's pretty much the foundation of our current political climate. Attempt to negate anything the other side does and, if that fails, suddenly praise its virtues like they were the ones actually trying to make it happen.

Not saying it's a one way street. But it's obvious to most people that the level of spite against Trump has been elevated to new heights. To the point that they're now actively partaking in political persecution. So yeah, the differing levels of reciprocity are not the same.

So, I'm going to go out on a limb and conjecture that this will be used by the Dems as leverage if all else fails. Since, you know, they are already testing the waters to see how far it will float:

posted by CenterBHSFan

So, I'm going to go out on a limb and conjecture that this will be used by the Dems as leverage if all else fails. Since, you know, they are already testing the waters to see how far it will float:

Curious, do you agree with the Trump argument that the President is absolute on their power and what they can do? The only check on them is impeachment and Supreme Court rulings? 

That's the argument his lawyers made yesterday, which led to that question.

The Trump legal answer to that question was, yes. If the act did not lead to an impeachment. 

posted by ptown_trojans_1

Curious, do you agree with the Trump argument that the President is absolute on their power and what they can do? The only check on them is impeachment and Supreme Court rulings? 

That's the argument his lawyers made yesterday, which led to that question.

The Trump legal answer to that question was, yes. If the act did not lead to an impeachment. 

No, I do not agree with that premise.

Why is it that, if anybody should point out that the Dems are out of fucking control that they are somehow in agreeance with shit like that?

And why is it that when also pointing out the obvious we gotta go through the whole assery of the "yeah, but" ?

Is it really so hard to simply say that they are doing wrong?

posted by CenterBHSFan

No, I do not agree with that premise.

Why is it that, if anybody should point out that the Dems are out of fucking control that they are somehow in agreeance with shit like that?

And why is it that when also pointing out the obvious we gotta go through the whole assery of the "yeah, but" ?

Is it really so hard to simply say that they are doing wrong?

As a show of good faith, I will start off:

It was wrong of Hillary Clinton to start questioning Barack Obama's actual nationality.

See how easy that is?

posted by CenterBHSFan

No, I do not agree with that premise.

Why is it that, if anybody should point out that the Dems are out of fucking control that they are somehow in agreeance with shit like that?

And why is it that when also pointing out the obvious we gotta go through the whole assery of the "yeah, but" ?

Is it really so hard to simply say that they are doing wrong?

I'm just going with what was quoted and said in the latest Trump court case. Nothing more, nothing less. 

I provided the context for that quote that is all. 

I think it is a very interesting case on Presidential power. 

I actually think many on this board will be against Trump in this case as he is claiming absolute power. Again, these are his words and his lawyers saying this. 

posted by ptown_trojans_1

I'm just going with what was quoted and said in the latest Trump court case. Nothing more, nothing less. 

I provided the context for that quote that is all. 

I think it is a very interesting case on Presidential power. 

I actually think many on this board will be against Trump in this case as he is claiming absolute power. Again, these are his words and his lawyers saying this. 

Yeah, absolute monarchial power shouldn't even be given a chance, unless it is for me.

posted by CenterBHSFan

Yeah, absolute monarchial power shouldn't even be given a chance, unless it is for me.

Then, you are obviously not voting for Trump then, because Trump is the one arguing he can do whatever he wants with little to no oversight. 

His lawyers and him have been making that argument on the trail and in these court cases. 

Unless, this is another example where people on here just disregard everything that Trump says....

posted by ptown_trojans_1

Then, you are obviously not voting for Trump then, because Trump is the one arguing he can do whatever he wants with little to no oversight. 

His lawyers and him have been making that argument on the trail and in these court cases. 

Unless, this is another example where people on here just disregard everything that Trump says....

Yea I’m just gonna vote for an 80 year old geriatric who stands for nothing I agree with because Trump says stupid shit. I won’t vote for him in the primary, not that it matters.

On a different note, it needs to be a federal crime to block traffic. These pro Hamas brain dead losers continue to do dumb shit and keep getting more aggressive at their protests. Luckily it’s only happening in liberal cities that deserve it, but the two tier justice system is out of control. 

posted by iclfan2

Yea I’m just gonna vote for an 80 year old geriatric who stands for nothing I agree with because Trump says stupid shit. I won’t vote for him in the primary, not that it matters.

Just says or you think he won't do now?

You don't think Trump will actually do the stuff he says? Him saying it is one thing, but his lawyers saying it is another. The guardrails that prevented the worst actions are gone. 

I guess this is the main difference on why I will never vote for him as I see his words and actions as against everything this country has stood for. 

posted by ptown_trojans_1

Unless, this is another example where people on here just disregard everything that Trump says....

I think over half the board votes Libertarian, but you continue to cast that same aspersion that everyone here is MAGA.

As for Trump, he's going to make whatever legal arguments he can to get the case dismissed or acquitted, so I don't get my knickers all in a bunch over that.

The POTUS probably should have near immunity while in office.  The DOJ and courts have always avoided weighing in on that subject for what should be obvious reasons, so congrats Dems.

And, no, I'm not arguing Trump had immunity with the election interference stuff.  Seems clear that was related to actions as a candidate and not official duties, which means he can and should face criminal action when out of office.  That latter part is the sticky one - Congress CAN move very quickly to impeach and remove someone from office.  That is the remedy prescribed in the Constitution, the fact that neither party today is likely to impeach "their guy" for anything is a different matter.   But the POTUS should not have to deal with the distraction of lawsuits while carrying out the duties of the office.  And if you honestly and objectively think about it, that's probably a pretty good idea.