Trump

[Lewkowski]

Ugh I can't believe this fool is getting so much attention. Trump would be terrible for the country. One example why:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/uc/20110422/...pphu-container

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Creators Syndicate – Don't be fooled by The Donald. Take it from one who knows: I'm a South Jersey gal who was raised on the outskirts of Atlantic City in the looming shadow of Trump's towers. All through my childhood, casino developers and government bureaucrats joined hands, raised taxes and made dazzling promises of urban renewal. Then we wised up to the eminent-domain thievery championed by our hometown faux free-marketeers.

America, it's time you wised up to Donald Trump's property redistribution racket, too.

Trump has been wooing conservative activists for months and flirting with a GOP presidential run — first at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington and most recently at a tea party event in South Florida. He touts his business experience, "high aptitude" and "bragadocious" deal-making abilities. But he's no more a standard-bearer of conservative values, limited government and constitutional principles than the cast of "Jersey Shore."

Too many mega-developers like Trump have achieved success by using and abusing the government's ability to commandeer private property for purported "public use." Invoking the Fifth Amendment takings clause, real estate moguls, parking garage builders, mall developers and sports palace architects have colluded with elected officials to pull off legalized theft in the name of reducing "blight." Under eminent domain, the definition of "public purpose" has been stretched like Silly Putty to cover everything from roads and bridges to high-end retail stores, baseball stadiums and casinos.

While casting himself as America's new constitutional savior, Trump has shown reckless disregard for fundamental private property rights. In the 1990s, he waged a notorious war on elderly homeowner Vera Coking, who owned a little home in Atlantic City that stood in the way of Trump's manifest land development. The real estate mogul was determined to expand his Trump Plaza and build a limo parking lot — Coking's private property be damned. The nonprofit Institute for Justice, which successfully saved Coking's home, explained the confiscatory scheme:

"Unlike most developers, Donald Trump doesn't have to negotiate with a private owner when he wants to buy a piece of property, because a governmental agency — the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority or CRDA — will get it for him at a fraction of the market value, even if the current owner refuses to sell. Here is how the process works.

"After a developer identifies the parcels of land he wants to acquire and a city planning board approves a casino project, CRDA attempts to confiscate these properties using a process called 'eminent domain,' which allows the government to condemn properties 'for public use.' Increasingly, though, CRDA and other government entities exercise the power of eminent domain to take property from one private person and give it to another. At the same time, governments give less and less consideration to the necessity of taking property and also ignore the personal loss to the individuals being evicted."

Trump has attempted to use the same tactics in Connecticut and has championed the reviled Kelo vs. City of New London Supreme Court ruling upholding expansive use of eminent domain. He told Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto that he agreed with the ruling "100 percent" and defended the chilling power of government to kick people out of their homes and businesses based on arbitrary determinations:

"The fact is, if you have a person living in an area that's not even necessarily a good area, and government, whether it's local or whatever, government wants to build a tremendous economic development, where a lot of people are going to be put to work and make (an) area that's not good into a good area, and move the person that's living there into a better place — now, I know it might not be their choice — but move the person to a better place and yet create thousands upon thousands of jobs and beautification and lots of other things, I think it happens to be good."

Like most statist promises of bountiful job creation, government-engineered redevelopment math rarely adds up. Trump's corporations have backed casino industry bailouts and wealth-redistributing "tax-increment financing" schemes — the very kind of taxpayer-subsidized interventions we've seen on a grand scale under the Obama administration.

Championing liberty begins at the local level. There is nothing more fundamental than the principle that a man's home is his castle. Donald Trump's career-long willingness to trample this right tells you everything you need to know about his bogus tea party sideshow.

Michelle Malkin is the author of "Culture of Corruption: Obama and his Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks & Cronies" (Regnery 2010). Her e-mail address is malkinblog@gmail.com.

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[LittleFuzzy]

He's getting attention because all the Republicans know they're going to lose and so none of the candidates really feel like being the first to stick their neck out on the chopping block. The media have nothing to talk about for the race and so they're talking about Trump because hey, he makes it easy to write a story.

The GOP candidate is probably going to be Daniels, and if not Daniels it will be Pawlenty. Unless Christie stops steadfastly saying "no." And the only reason any of it matters is for the election's influence on local races and to practice for 2016. It's not going to be any of the Congressmen, it's not going to be Trump, and it's not going to be Palin. And all the other governors have heavier anchors to sink them than the three above do.

[Lewkowski]

He's getting attention because all the Republicans know they're going to lose and so none of the candidates really feel like being the first to stick their neck out on the chopping block.

You think Republicans are going to lose 2012? With high gas prices still high unemployment numbers (will be higher then before the stimulus) I see a Republican victory unless they select a loon like Trump.

[agamemnus]

Lewk, why did you just force people to choose between Michelle Malkin and Donald Trump? But I love them both! Can't we just get along??

Srsly, I don't know about the limo thing, but the Kelo quote is really damning, especially given that the majority of Americans (perhaps the vast majority) are against the Kelo v. New London Supreme Court decision IF I RECALL CORRECTLY.

[Dreadnaught]

Agreed he's a waste of time. Though I'm not as sure that Obama will win as Fuzzy is. That said, the Republican field is definitely missing something. Am curious what a Huntsman campaign would look like.

Though this may be the worst sentence in that piece:

But he's no more a standard-bearer of conservative values, limited government and constitutional principles than the cast of "Jersey Shore."

I've only watched one episode, but I didn't realize Jersey Shore was political.

[LittleFuzzy]

Though I'm not as sure that Obama will win as Fuzzy is.

All those potential Republican nominees are pretty sure. If they weren't, we'd seem them jockeying more aggressively. Still no serious filing or formal announcement of a campaign from anyone on the Republican side.

[Wraith]

Can't some of that be because we've still got more than a year and a half until elections? They need to save what they've got until it's closer to primary time. Nothing they do now will be remembered in a year, and they have to know that.

[Dreadnaught]

Agreed, it makes complete sense to wait. Obama has hurt himself a bit by already being in campaign mode. Having actual, visible Republican candidates allows him to personalize his opposition and combat it from the pulpit of incumbency for a very long time.

[Lewkowski]

All those potential Republican nominees are pretty sure. If they weren't, we'd seem them jockeying more aggressively. Still no serious filing or formal announcement of a campaign from anyone on the Republican side.

You do know the election is not this year right?

[LittleFuzzy]

And what do we normally see by this time before the primaries and caucuses, when there's an incumbent in the Oval Office who will be seeking reelection? What did we see in 2004? In '96?

[Draco]

He's getting attention because all the Republicans know they're going to lose and so none of the candidates really feel like being the first to stick their neck out on the chopping block.

What about Ron Paul? Or isn't he going to run for the 2012 election?

[Wraith]

And what do we normally see by this time before the primaries and caucuses, when there's an incumbent in the Oval Office who will be seeking reelection? What did we see in 2004? In '96?

Nobody running who'll matter in six months? Kerry and Edwards didn't announce their candidacy until September in 2003. Dean did it at the end of June.

[coinich]

What about Ron Paul? Or isn't he going to run for the 2012 election?

It might be Rand Paul, his son, this year. Isn't ol' Ron in his 70s?

[Hazir]

Isn't it about time that somebody tells Trump to shut up with his nonsense about Obama's citizenship? I mean, really, if that asshole would be using the media to cast doubt on my citizenship I'd sue him.

[coinich]

Isn't it about time that somebody tells Trump to shut up with his nonsense about Obama's citizenship? I mean, really, if that asshole would be using the media to cast doubt on my citizenship I'd sue him.

For what? Defamation of character? I doubt that would hold up, and wouldn't Obama have to produce a birth certificate anyways just to prove that the attacks were unjust? It would play into Trump's hands.

Either way, the President's birth certificate has been released. Of course, sadly the truthers now reject such a certificate and are trying to find any reason it would be invalid.

[Illusions]

Isn't it about time that somebody tells Trump to shut up with his nonsense about Obama's citizenship? I mean, really, if that asshole would be using the media to cast doubt on my citizenship I'd sue him.

1. Start rumor that Hazir is a space alien, and occasionally fan the flames.
2. Wait a year or two.
3. Come out stating that Hazir is not a space alien, and that people who believe he is need to step back, look at the facts, and also realize Hazir is not a space alien.
4. Be seen as the voice of reason, because people have short attention spans, and/or poor memories, especially those who would think Hazir is a space alien.


Oh, also, Hazir is a space alien, FYI...

[Hazir]

Consider yourself lucky my brain melting mindrays don't work in the Earth's gravity field.

[Hazir]

For what? Defamation of character? I doubt that would hold up, and wouldn't Obama have to produce a birth certificate anyways just to prove that the attacks were unjust? It would play into Trump's hands.

Either way, the President's birth certificate has been released. Of course, sadly the truthers now reject such a certificate and are trying to find any reason it would be invalid.

Actually the short certificate of life birth would have been enough in court. To continue an obvious lie about a person with intent to damage that person to me seems something not covered by freedom of speech.

[Steely Glint]

The Onion says it best.

[Hazir]

The Onion says it best.

I don't know if they are really right though; at least Obama could produce 2 versions of his birth certificate.

[LittleFuzzy]

Actually the short certificate of life birth would have been enough in court. To continue an obvious lie about a person with intent to damage that person to me seems something not covered by freedom of speech.

It's not, but see the various other threads where we've discussed defamation directed at public figures. There's no point in a legal response and in fact one would be counter-productive.

[coinich]

Actually the short certificate of life birth would have been enough in court. To continue an obvious lie about a person with intent to damage that person to me seems something not covered by freedom of speech.

That would then mean they'd have to prove, in court and legally, that it wasn't a mistake, and that Trump truly didn't believe that Obama was born here. Sounds like a tall order, but I don't really know that much about that aspect of the legal system.

Also, Trump still would've been able to trumpet his "victory" for forcing Obama to produce such a record; failure to do so would damage Obama too much IMO.

EDIT: Fuzzy managed to say it better, no idea why I missed his post.

[Hazir]

It's not, but see the various other threads where we've discussed defamation directed at public figures. There's no point in a legal response and in fact one would be counter-productive.

Even though the 'short' certificate had already been produced ?

[LittleFuzzy]

Even though the 'short' certificate had already been produced ?

What do you think that has to do with it? I don't understand in which way you think it's relevant, there are several possible ways you can think that.

[Dreadnaught]

I guess I'm not the only one who thinks Obama just threw the Republicans a bone.

REVIEW & OUTLOOK APRIL 28, 2011

Born in the U.S.A.
Obama deflates the birther bubble.

Do conspiracy theories ever have anything to recommend them? Well, yes: Sometimes they can separate the rational from the retrograde, and that's certainly the case with the so-called "birther" theory that President Obama was born somewhere other than the U.S.A. and therefore is unqualified to hold office.

Like all such theories, no amount of evidence could disprove it among those who chose to believe, including most prominently Donald Trump, the TV star and real-estate mogul who says he wants to run for President. Mr. Trump's main evidence for his doubts was that Mr. Obama had never released the full birth certificate, only a shorter form ordinarily released by Hawaii officials. The Donald did his credibility no credit by flogging the issue, and yesterday Mr. Obama signed the birther movement's death certificate by releasing his "long-form" birth certificate.

Sure enough, it confirms Mr. Obama was born at the Kapiolani Maternity and Gynecological Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 4, 1961 at 7:24 p.m. The President said he made a special request to obtain the birth record and then release it because Americans don't have "time for this kind of silliness," and that the controversy was becoming a growing distraction from genuinely critical issues and debates facing the country. To say the least.

Mr. Trump quickly took credit for Mr. Obama's release of the birth record—which only proves that this supposed nonpolitician already knows how to spin with the best of them. We now await Candidate Trump's release of his financial records so voters can see if he's really as successful as he says he is—or merely leveraged to the hilt like the U.S. Treasury.

As for Mr. Obama, he easily could have allowed the birther bubble to grow, further tarnishing the mainly right-leaning crowd that either fell for it or, as with Sarah Palin, was willing to give it too much credence. He then could have pricked that bubble by releasing the certificate at a moment of maximum political convenience to his re-election campaign. That the President didn't do so is an act of leadership that deserves a note of appreciation.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...807383246.html

[Hazir]

What do you think that has to do with it? I don't understand in which way you think it's relevant, there are several possible ways you can think that.

1.the short certificate had been published.

2. a reasonable person knows on that basis there can not be doubt about Obama's birth place.

3. Trump expressed in the media that Obama's birth was in question (which it was not, unless you're a nutjob).

4. Obama's birth place being questioned causes real damage to Obama, we're talking about the validity of his presidency.

I understand how you would - for political reasons - not drag your opponent into court, as that might give him the aura of a serious contender, but if that would nog have been the case; didn't Trump go too far when he claimed there was a serious need for research into Obama's birth place? Or maybe I am just to positive when I assume a judge will consider Trump a reasonable person to start with.

[LittleFuzzy]

I don't know Trump's exact word choice when he'd spout this stuff *I'd need to actually pay attention to him for that and really, who wants to do that?* but as long as he was saying the question hadn't been sufficiently answered and/or more research is required, I think he'd still be on the safe side of US slander and libel laws. He'd have to actually make a positive claim like "Obama was born in Kenya" to be liable for defamation.

[Wraith]

I guess I'm not the only one who thinks Obama just threw the Republicans a bone.

It could mean that Obama wants to run against Trump in the generals. Good idea from Obama, if that played into his decision. I don't think Trump stands a chance.

[Dreadnaught]

Wait, you think he could make it past a primary? Trumps finances and business dealings are like buttery popcorn for a political reporter. His antics are all good and well until he actually runs for office.

[NGS]

John King, IMO, did a good job of confronting Trump about the issue. My god, the man is the most completely narcissistic asswipe I've ever seen.