INAUGURATION DAY

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Lord Jim
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by Lord Jim »

Of course he'll still claim that he had the largest crowd in history, (as he predicted he would) and say the press is lying to cover it up, the photos are fake, his crowd photo was taken at 7AM, etc....

And of course, Trump wasn't the only asshole there:
Donald Trump inauguration: Hundreds arrested as Washington protests turn violent

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Hundreds of protesters have been arrested and six police officers injured as black-clad activists angry about US President Donald Trump's inauguration smashed shop and car windows in Washington DC.

About 500 people, some wearing masks and bandanas over their faces, marched through the city's downtown, breaking the windows of a Bank of America branch, a McDonald's outlet and a Starbucks shop, all symbols of the American capitalist system.

The crowd chanted anti-Trump slogans and carried at least one sign reading "Make racists afraid again", a play on the New York businessman-turned-politician's "make America great again" campaign slogan.

District of Columbia police chief Peter Newsham says 217 people had been arrested and charged with rioting.

The people arrested would be held overnight before making court appearances, Chief Newsham told a news conference.

The protesters also vandalised several cars, including a limousine that was set alight, and hurled rubbish bins and newspaper vending boxes into the streets [and set them on fire too] before being largely dispersed by police about 90 minutes before Mr Trump was sworn in at the Capitol, just over 2 kilometres away.

Sympathy protests were held around the nation and the world, in cities including Los Angeles, Tokyo and London.

But in Moscow, Russians hoping Mr Trump would usher in a new era of detente with their country celebrated his inauguration.

Far-right activist Richard Spencer was punched during an interview with ABC's Washington bureau chief Zoe Daniel.

Mr Spencer, president of the white nationalist National Policy Institute, was responding to protesters' accusations of him being a "neo-Nazi" when he was attacked by a masked assailant.

Mr Spencer has since tweeted saying there was no physical damage as he can "take a punch".

Not far from the White House, protesters scuffled with police, at one point throwing aluminium chairs at an outdoor cafe.

"The message I want to send is that Trump does not represent this country. He represents the corporate interests," said Jessica Reznicek, a 35-year-old Catholic aid worker from Des Moines, Iowa, who was part of the protest but did not participate in the violence.

Two Washington DC police officers were injured in altercations with protesters, a local ABC (America) television affiliate reported.

Police detained about 50 people a few blocks away, as a crowd chanted "let them go".

Earlier, liberal activists with a separate group called Disrupt J20 intermittently blocked multiple security checkpoints leading to the largest public viewing area for the inauguration. Several were led away by police.

Disrupt J20 protest organiser Alli McCracken, 28, of Washington, said the group was voicing its displeasure over Mr Trump's controversial comments about women, illegal immigrants and Muslims.

"We have a lot of people of diverse backgrounds who are against US imperialism and we feel Trump will continue that legacy," Ms McCracken said.

Tensions were high on the streets of Washington ahead of the inauguration, with occasional scuffles breaking out.

Trump supporters Chris and Karen Korthaus, who carried a life-size cardboard cut-out of the former reality TV star, crossed paths with an anti-Trump crowd.

"A protester came over and ripped off the Don's head," Karen Korthaus said as she showed a reporter a video of the incident.

"We ran to a pizza shop and taped his head back on."

Carl Beams, 36, from Howell, New Jersey, stood in line with thousands of other Trump supporters waiting to enter the National Mall to view the inauguration.

While Washington was the focal point of the anti-Trump protests, there were rallies around the nation and world.

Activists in London hung a banner reading "Build bridges not walls" on the city's iconic Tower Bridge, a reference to Mr Trump's campaign promise of building a wall on the US-Mexican border.

By far the largest protest is expected to be Saturday's Women's March on Washington, which some 200,000 people from around the country are expected to attend.

The US Secret Service, Washington police and other law enforcement agencies had about 28,000 officers in place to secure a large part of downtown Washington.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-21/w ... cy/8199916
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Lord Jim
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by Lord Jim »

Some inauguration day tweets...
Mark R. Jacobson Verified account
‏@markondefense

Crabcakes and humor - that's what Maryland does !!
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Kara Calavera
‏@KaraCalavera

Exclusive sneak peek at Trump's inauguration speech!
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Matt Pearce Verified account
‏@mattdpearce

It's like one of those newspapers the main character picks up in sci-fi movies when they realize they're in an alternate timeline
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BoSoxGal
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by BoSoxGal »

I have to admit I chuckled at the video of Spencer being sucker-punched - it's abhorrent unlawful behavior which of course I don't condone, but it couldn't have happened to a more deserving racist puke.
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan

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Lord Jim
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by Lord Jim »

Russians drink champagne to celebrate President Trump’s inauguration

MOSCOW — Champagne corks popped Friday in Moscow as Russians celebrated the start of Donald Trump's presidency, confident of better relations ahead between the two countries.

"It's weird, but it's great, and for the first time ever Russians are applauding the victory of a U.S. presidential candidate," political analyst Stanislav Byshok said.

Trump's promises to fix ravaged relations with Moscow have elated Russia's political elite following spiraling tensions with Washington over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. election.

"We are ready to do our share of the work in order to improve the relationship," Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Facebook.

About 100 Trump sympathizers, nationalists and spin doctors gathered at a trendy loft just a few hundred meters away from the Kremlin to celebrate Friday, with a triptych of Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and French nationalist politician Marine Le Pen in the center of the hall.

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An hour before Trump took the stage in Washington, the sound of opening champagne bottles echoed in the vaulted hall. The party was co-sponsored by the conservative Tsargrad TV channel, which is led by ultra-right ideologue Alexander Dugin.

"Yes, it's a holiday," said a beaming Dmitry Rode, a communications executive with a glass of champagne in his hand. "We all hope that relations between our countries and more importantly between our peoples will help to develop our economies. We're neighbors, we're just 30 miles away from each other."

"I'm happy for all Russian hackers," said 27-year-old IT professional Filip Nikolsky, who wore a sweatshirt with the "You've Been Hacked" slogan.

He said he doesn't know if the hacking allegations are true but "if it's true, why shouldn't we be happy?"
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/r ... -1.2951674
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Burning Petard
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by Burning Petard »

Thanks, BSG, I also take comfort from those images. And comfort as well from Mr. Obama's remarks at his press conference, in particular that he said he has faith in the long term goodness of the American people, all of them.

snailgate

Burning Petard
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by Burning Petard »

But I am appalled at the pix above noted by Lord Jim, purporting to be our president, working on his speech.

The Donald can't find a tailor who will make his suits fit properly across the shoulders when he sits down, even with the jacket unbuttoned?

snailgate
Last edited by Burning Petard on Sat Jan 21, 2017 3:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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RayThom
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INAUGURATION DAY

Post by RayThom »

NWBOXING -- Spencer loses by TKO:

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“In a world whose absurdity appears to be so impenetrable, we simply must reach a greater degree of understanding among us, a greater sincerity.” 

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Bicycle Bill
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by Bicycle Bill »

Burning Petard wrote:But I am appalled at the pix above noted by Lord Jim, purporting to be our president, working on his speech.

The Donald can't find a tailor who will make his suits fit properly across the shoulders when he sits down, even with the jacket unbuttoned?

snailgate
A little bit more about the picture itself.  Trump apparently booted some secretary from her desk at a up-scale Florida auction house to stage the photoshoot with the notepad.

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https://www.palmerreport.com/politics/d ... house/990/
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-"BB"-
Yes, I suppose I could agree with you ... but then we'd both be wrong, wouldn't we?

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Lord Jim
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by Lord Jim »

From Trump's speech yesterday:
"the crime and the gangs and the drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential."

"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now,"
I assume this means that since those words were spoken there has not been one single gang shooting anywhere in America...

Who knew it was so simple?
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Burning Petard
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by Burning Petard »

Past presidents only used the bully pulpit and the power of their pen to sign executive directives. This president knows more--he issues a decree.

snailgate

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RayThom
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UNAUGURATION DAY

Post by RayThom »

Bicycle Bill wrote:... A little bit more about the picture itself.  Trump apparently booted some secretary from her desk at a up-scale Florida auction house to stage the photoshoot with the notepad.
https://www.palmerreport.com/politics/d ... house/990/
FAKE NEWS ALERT:
http://www.snopes.com/trump-staged-spee ... g-picture/
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“In a world whose absurdity appears to be so impenetrable, we simply must reach a greater degree of understanding among us, a greater sincerity.” 

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Bicycle Bill
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Re: UNAUGURATION DAY

Post by Bicycle Bill »


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-"BB"-
Yes, I suppose I could agree with you ... but then we'd both be wrong, wouldn't we?

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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by BoSoxGal »

It's clearly not *his* desk at Mar-a-Lago, though - it was thus entirely staged and weirdly at that.

The decor in that place is clearly every bit as tacky as his Trump Tower residence; he seems to have the tastes of a small child who imagines that wealthy people live like royalty. Reminds me of a story I saw once about Michael Jackson's notorious shopping sprees for gaudy decor.

I really just want to crawl into a cave for 4 years.
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan

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Lord Jim
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by Lord Jim »

RayThom wrote:
Bicycle Bill wrote:... A little bit more about the picture itself. Trump apparently booted some secretary from her desk at a up-scale Florida auction house to stage the photoshoot with the notepad.
https://www.palmerreport.com/politics/d ... house/990/
FAKE NEWS ALERT:
http://www.snopes.com/trump-staged-spee ... g-picture/
Oh, well that means it must be true, since snopes is just a tool of the anti-Trump forces:
wesw wrote:snopes is what you trust? :lol:
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Lord Jim
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

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A critique of Trump's inaugural speech from that well known wild-eyed leftist, George F. Will:
Twenty minutes into his presidency, Donald Trump, who is always claiming to have made, or to be about to make, astonishing history, had done so. Living down to expectations, he had delivered the most dreadful inaugural address in history.

Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s White House counselor, had promised that the speech would be “elegant.” This is not the adjective that came to mind as he described “American carnage.” That was a phrase the likes of which has never hitherto been spoken at an inauguration.

Oblivious to the moment and the setting, the always remarkable Trump proved that something dystopian can be strangely exhilarating: In what should have been a civic liturgy serving national unity and confidence, he vindicated his severest critics by serving up reheated campaign rhetoric about “rusted out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape” and an education system producing students “deprived of all knowledge.” Yes, all.

But cheer up, because the carnage will vanish if we “follow two simple rules: Buy American and hire American.” “Simple” is the right word.

Because in 1981 the inauguration ceremony for a cheerful man from the American West was moved from the Capitol’s East Portico to its West Front, Trump stood facing west, down the Mall with its stately monuments celebrating some of those who made America great — Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln. Looking out toward where the fields of the republic roll on, Trump, a Gatsby-for-our-time, said: “What truly matters is not which party controls our government but whether our government is controlled by the people.” Well.

“A dependence on the people,” James Madison wrote, “is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.” He meant the checks and balances of our constitutional architecture. They are necessary because, as Madison anticipated and as the nation was reminded on Friday, “Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/po ... 24c8d929e5
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Long Run
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by Long Run »

"A Gatsby-for-our-time" -- good description.

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Gob
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by Gob »

“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”

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Long Run
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by Long Run »

Not that it is all that important, but Trump's inauguration numbers are pretty good when you exclude the first Obama ceremony:
Organizers did initially say they expected between 700,000 and 900,000 people.

It’s not immediately clear how many were in Washington on Friday, although journalists and comedians offered their own views. (We'll update this story when we learn more.) Prior estimates give us an idea of how many people showed up for past inaugurations.

Barack Obama, 2013: 1 million

Barack Obama, 2009: 1.8 million (generally considered a record for people on the National Mall)

George W. Bush, 2005: 400,000

George W. Bush, 2001: 300,000

Bill Clinton, 1997: 250,000

Bill Clinton, 1993: 800,000

George H.W. Bush, 1989: 300,000

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Lord Jim
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by Lord Jim »

they expected between 700,000 and 900,000 people.
There's no credible assessment I've seen that indicates that they got anywhere near that number...

Here are two Earthcam shots taken of the National Mall, one taken yesterday at 12:15 PM EST (while Trump was giving his speech) and the second one taken today at the exact same time while the Women's March rally was going on:

Trump:

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Women's March:

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http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/21/politics/ ... ion-sizes/

Forget about the inaugural crowds for Obama or any previous President...

This really compares "like to like" because the Mall conditions are identical (with the white ground covering in the center areas) and similar weather conditions.

Anyone looking at those pictures can clearly see that whatever the crowd number was for the Women's March, the crowd at the climax for Trump's inaugural was no more than maybe 2/3 of that...

(And 2/3 is probably charitable...there's a lot more white space in the Trump photo, and the lanes along the sides of the Mall are clear, whereas they were packed in the Women's March photos)
Last edited by Lord Jim on Sun Jan 22, 2017 2:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Guinevere
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Re: INAUGURATION DAY

Post by Guinevere »

300K for Trump. A million for the women (tons of people on side streets -- as in Chicago and Boston. There wasn't room to actually march much.

The NPS knows the real numbers, as does D.C. Metro. Unfortunately, Trump shut down the NPS twitter account last night, unhappy about its reports of the skimpy Coronauguration crowds.
“I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.” ~ Ruth Bader Ginsburg, paraphrasing Sarah Moore Grimké

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