What is the measure of competence?

[Mac1958]

It feels like that at times but there have been nationwide protests the likes of which have not been seen since the Vietnam war.

There is certainly an opposition, I didn't put that very well. I just don't know what the size is, and there is a pretty significant portion of this country that is just asleep.

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

Gosh, what a week. trump's pick to lead the nation's institutions in charge of public health blew up the CDC. It's not like he hadn't been told RFK isn't of sound mind.

In an attempt to gain control over the Fed, and thus interest rate policy, trump tried to dismiss Fed governor Lisa Cook. Never before has a Fed governor been fired. The SC recently explained the Fed enjoys unique autonomy from interference by the executive branch. Don ignored it.

In a petty act of belligerence he took away Kamala Harris's Secret Service security detail. Not the first time he's done this to a perceived enemy.

Don's friend Vlad gave his official response to the former's efforts with respect his quest for a Nobel peace prize. Apparently, trump thought Putin would stop the war as a personal favor. Reminds me of when Bush said he looked in to Putin's soul and said he trusted him. Ooooops.

2 Weeks After Trump Talks, Russia Bombards Kyiv, Killing at Least 23​

An hourslong barrage of Russian missiles and drones early Thursday killed at least 23 people in Ukraine’s capital, including four children, officials said.

The assault, less than two weeks after President Trump’s summit in Alaska with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, showed how the recent American diplomatic flurry has done little to change the Kremlin’s determination to continue fighting in Ukraine.

Since Mr. Trump pulled Mr. Putin out of Western diplomatic isolation by inviting him to Anchorage, Russia has made no significant concessions on any of the major sticking points between it and Ukraine, leaving the two sides no closer to peace.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/world/europe/ukraine-russia-strikes.html

The premise upon which trump's entire economic vision for the country rests, tariffs, was invalidated by an appeals court. It's not like he hadn't been told they are illegal.

Most Trump tariffs ruled illegal by appeals court, dealing major blow to trade policy​

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/29/trump-trade-tariffs-appeals-court-ieepa.html

Don announced his intention to pass major crime prevention legislation in concert with congressional Repubs. They said they have no idea what he's talking about.

Abrego Garcia, after being illegally sent to be tortured in an El Salvadorian prison, brought back to the US to face charges on human smuggling despite trump claiming he had no power to bring him back (how did they get that wrong), is being threatened with deportation to Uganda. This would be an incredibly damaging scandal for any other presidency. For trump's it's one of many.

Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, who authored a report detailing just how full of hooey trump was when he said Iran's nuclear facilities had been obliterated, was fired. In another act of retribution, 30 FEMA employees were suspended after warning Congress about how the running of the agency was jeopardizing the safety of Americans. Neither the firing nor the suspensions were justified.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................
IMO, a strong case can be made just from the events of one week (I didn't even mention everything cuz wow, there was a lot) that competence is not a strength of this government. Competence being something trump devotees spend a lot of time complaining about when it comes to how the prior admin. conducted itself.

The legality of tariffs is just one of the many dubiously legal matters this government has made claim to. Legal challenges to policy thus far being the hallmark of trump 2.0. Begging the question, are the constant attempts to expand the power of the executive what competency looks like to the supporters of this government? Is competency being equated with the quest for absolute, unchallenged power? Should it be?

Never before has a Fed governor been fired.

Several have resigned, before being fired. She should have resigned.

 

[berg80]

There is certainly an opposition, I didn't put that very well. I just don't know what the size is, and there is a pretty significant portion of this country that is just asleep.

Apathy, ignorance, and frustration are certainly Dotard's friend.

 

[berg80]

I think what he's doing on illegal immigration is good for the country.

Even when it's illegal?

 

[Nostra]

They don't care. The flock will grant him as much power as possible, because they're desperate and miserable and willing to accept anything to get what they want. Much of the rest of the country just doesn't seem to give a shit one way or the other.

Competence, morality, decency, honesty, dignity? Nah. They're at war. Those qualities are weakness in a war. They've even sold out their religion.

Keep fighting for more dead black kids.

 

[TemplarKormac]

Even when it's illegal?

Which do you mean, the illegal immigrant? The act of illegal immigration?

Surely you don't mean the act of deportation, do you?

Let's put it this way: crossing our border without authorization is an illegal act, which you condone. Don't even bother trying to lecture us on the legality of the President's actions on immigration, or anything else for that matter.

 

[Woodznutz]

Here's an example of incompetence.

City, county, and state governments and concerned agencies, the DNR, university science departments, including Limnology, NGO's including many business alliances that 'take a stake", and scientists from around the world that come here to study it are unable to figure out how to clean up the waters of Lake Mendota.

 

[berg80]

Which do you mean

I mean the illegal actions the regime has taken in regard to immigration policy.

 

[TemplarKormac]

I mean the illegal actions the regime has taken in regard to immigration policy.

Which are?

 

[DonGlock26]

Gosh, what a week. trump's pick to lead the nation's institutions in charge of public health blew up the CDC. It's not like he hadn't been told RFK isn't of sound mind.

In an attempt to gain control over the Fed, and thus interest rate policy, trump tried to dismiss Fed governor Lisa Cook. Never before has a Fed governor been fired. The SC recently explained the Fed enjoys unique autonomy from interference by the executive branch. Don ignored it.

In a petty act of belligerence he took away Kamala Harris's Secret Service security detail. Not the first time he's done this to a perceived enemy.

Don's friend Vlad gave his official response to the former's efforts with respect his quest for a Nobel peace prize. Apparently, trump thought Putin would stop the war as a personal favor. Reminds me of when Bush said he looked in to Putin's soul and said he trusted him. Ooooops.

2 Weeks After Trump Talks, Russia Bombards Kyiv, Killing at Least 23​

An hourslong barrage of Russian missiles and drones early Thursday killed at least 23 people in Ukraine’s capital, including four children, officials said.

The assault, less than two weeks after President Trump’s summit in Alaska with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, showed how the recent American diplomatic flurry has done little to change the Kremlin’s determination to continue fighting in Ukraine.

Since Mr. Trump pulled Mr. Putin out of Western diplomatic isolation by inviting him to Anchorage, Russia has made no significant concessions on any of the major sticking points between it and Ukraine, leaving the two sides no closer to peace.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/world/europe/ukraine-russia-strikes.html

The premise upon which trump's entire economic vision for the country rests, tariffs, was invalidated by an appeals court. It's not like he hadn't been told they are illegal.

Most Trump tariffs ruled illegal by appeals court, dealing major blow to trade policy​

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/29/trump-trade-tariffs-appeals-court-ieepa.html

Don announced his intention to pass major crime prevention legislation in concert with congressional Repubs. They said they have no idea what he's talking about.

Abrego Garcia, after being illegally sent to be tortured in an El Salvadorian prison, brought back to the US to face charges on human smuggling despite trump claiming he had no power to bring him back (how did they get that wrong), is being threatened with deportation to Uganda. This would be an incredibly damaging scandal for any other presidency. For trump's it's one of many.

Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, who authored a report detailing just how full of hooey trump was when he said Iran's nuclear facilities had been obliterated, was fired. In another act of retribution, 30 FEMA employees were suspended after warning Congress about how the running of the agency was jeopardizing the safety of Americans. Neither the firing nor the suspensions were justified.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................
IMO, a strong case can be made just from the events of one week (I didn't even mention everything cuz wow, there was a lot) that competence is not a strength of this government. Competence being something trump devotees spend a lot of time complaining about when it comes to how the prior admin. conducted itself.

The legality of tariffs is just one of the many dubiously legal matters this government has made claim to. Legal challenges to policy thus far being the hallmark of trump 2.0. Begging the question, are the constant attempts to expand the power of the executive what competency looks like to the supporters of this government? Is competency being equated with the quest for absolute, unchallenged power? Should it be?

Deep breaths. Touch grass. Buy a kitten.

 

[berg80]

Here's an example of incompetence.

City, county, and state governments and concerned agencies, the DNR, university science departments, including Limnology, NGO's including many business alliances that 'take a stake", and scientists from around the world that come here to study it are unable to figure out how to clean up the waters of Lake Mendota.

What you've given me an example of is the failure of regulatory bodies to prevent chemical pollution of the lake in the first place.

 

[berg80]

Which are?

Use the Google machine.

 

[Woodznutz]

What you've given me an example of is the failure of regulatory bodies to prevent chemical pollution of the lake in the first place.

They can't prevent all pollution as it comes from too many points (called "non-point pollution"). If they would state their goals honestly everyone would understand that they aren't really interested in clean water, instead they pretend that their goal is clean water. In this deception they are very competent.

This should bring a laugh.
The city encourages homeowners to remove grass clippings and fall leaves from the gutters so it doesn't contribute to lake pollution when it rains. Then they tout this as an effective measure that is helping the lakes. The problem is that almost no one removes grass clippings and fall leaves from the streets. When it rains the leaves flow into the lakes or clog up the storm drains.

If they were serious they would blow the leaves onto the terrace with vehicle mounted blowers. No such vehicles exist.

 

[Nostra]

Even when it's illegal?

Link?

 

[berg80]

They can't prevent all pollution as it comes from too many points (called "non-point pollution"). If they would state their goals honestly everyone would understand that they aren't really interested in clean water, instead they pretend that their goal is clean water. In this deception they are very competent.

Your beliefs are too conspiratorial for me.......bordering on delusion. Sorry, not going to waste more time with you on this topic.

 

[Woodznutz]

Your beliefs are too conspiratorial for me.......bordering on delusion. Sorry, not going to waste more time with you on this topic.

Doesn't it sound like a conspiracy, but I guess you have to be here and see it for yourself. While you're here ask the Common Council why no piers or diving boards at the beaches. The city can afford it.

 

[westwall]

I find that hard to believe, as your idiocy is monolithic.

And all encompassing.

 

[my2¢]

What is the measure of competence?

I doubt that Trump can pass a high school civics exam.
Unfortunately, when it comes to common sense however, Biden/Harris set the bar tremendously low.

 

[Woodznutz]

What is the measure of competence?

I doubt that Trump can pass a high school civics exam.
Unfortunately, when it comes to common sense however, Biden/Harris set the bar tremendously low.

Trump should be in prison (or exiled to the Isle of Patmos), but he's not. Whyzat?

 

[TemplarKormac]

Use the Google machine.

That's not an answer. I asked you, not Google.