Hilary Clinton

[SlowComfortableShrew]

I'm terrified that her ill health will mean she loses the presidential race- she's been doing so well! God help us all if trump gets in.

Trump seems fairly keen on Putin, as well. As does Pence.

Is Putin someone we're happy for a potential world leader to model themselves on? I mean, call me crazy if you will, but he doesn't seem like a terribly nice man.

"...by Putin?

Putin does seem awfully fond of Trump, doesn't he?"

no, Putin doesn't control Trump or the US faction that backs him. Putin prefers Trump, but has no real influence.

I think there is a faction of some top military and financial people who are backing Trump. It is not the political class because they are mainly all controlled by the banks and globalists which is why the Republican Establishment was against Trump. Trump is an outsider, backed by a faction outside of the political class, who are all controlled anyway and therefore don't count that much.

So you're cool with Trump openly admiring Putin, then?

' I mean, call me crazy if you will, but he doesn't seem like a terribly nice man.'

Trump doesn't care if he is nice. Trump isn't that nice himself. All Trump cares about is America and as long as Putin doesn't bother Trump or America, they will get along fine.

Trump is ending the Blairite humanitarian wars etc, which Blair just followed from the previous US establishments. Trump is not interested in interfering in other countries' business as long as they don't upset the US. He said the world would have been a much safer place if we had left Gaddafi and Saddam in place. Trump doesn't want to fix every problem all around the world, all he wants to do is fix America.

It is a complete change in foreign policy and it is against globalism and the globalists who exploit countries after they intervene and go to war to exploit their assets. Trump is a non-intervionist, America First which is why Davos and all the rest are worried because if the US doesn't intervene for them then they can't go around the world exploiting everyone.

'So you're cool with Trump openly admiring Putin, then?'

Yes, I agree with Trump. As long as Putin doesn't bother us and accepts a deal that Trump negotiates, it is good for the world if they can work together. Trump says "wouldn't it be nice if we got along with Russia?"

Trump is for business, technology, progress and jobs. If Russia wants to play along, then all the better. There is no need for the warmongering globalist bankers to divide and rule the people and the countries of the world in order to stoke violence with Black Lives Matter or wars between nations in order to proft for themselves if everyone can come to a deal and do business.

See, I wouldn't want my country's leader to be openly praising someone like Putin. That would trouble me quite a bit, that would. What's his style of leadership, who's he modelling himself on? Well, he likes Putin, and... that seems to be it.

Doesn't seem like great judgement, really, does it?

Wait - Black Lives Matter bothers you because it's 'violent', but Putin invading other countries with military force, that's fine?

' I wouldn't want my country's leader to be openly praising someone like Putin.'

Trump is in the tradition of a "strongman" candidate, that is why he like "strongmen" like Putin. He can cut deals with them, he respects them, just as he says that Putin doesn't respect Obama. Trump has said he would talk to Kim Il-Jung (or however you spell it). Trump will talk with anyone and do a deal with anyone and he prefers "strongmen" because he thinks they will deliver the deal. He doesn't care what they do in their country too much. That is how he is. His priority is America, nothing else.

Yes I have issues with the EU moves towards Ukraine. You should read Christopher Meyer on this. Europe bears a good deal of the responsibility.

'Black Lives Matter bothers you because it's 'violent', but Putin invading other countries with military force, that's fine?'

Yes because shouting "pigs in a blanket" etc that they shout about cops which leads to some whackos shooting innocent cops is wrong. Trump has said he might recognise Crimea as being Russian. He doesn't care what they do, and I am not bothered either because I would rather not have a world war over Crimea or Latvia.

Do you think "strongmen" leaders have been good for their countries, historically? I'm thinking Stalin, Mussolini, more recently Erdogan, Assad, Putin... They don't seem like huge friends of democracy, really.

Do you think Trump looking up to authoritarian dictators with a history of anti-democratic human rights abuses is a good thing?

So you'd object to innocent cops in America getting shot, but innocent journalists, opposition politicians, and critics in Russia getting shot is... what, okay? Collateral damage? Probably a series of really unfortunate coincidences?

The world works on power. If a country is not strong then it will get pushed around by the stronger ones e.g. Greece in the EU, Syria by Saudi Arabaia and Turkey etc.

I don't like Erdogan when I understood that he played a huge part in the destruction of Syria and helping Isis and buying their oil etc, but on the whole he has strengthened Turkey and has made it so that no one can push Turkey around.

'Do you think Trump looking up to authoritarian dictators with a history of anti-democratic human rights abuses is a good thing?'

He doesn't look up to them, he is just not bothered about Saddam, Gaddafi or Putin. I think that makes sense because it is realpolitik. There is no point starting fights and going to war with everyone because you don't like the way they run their countries.

Have you ever read much about how Mussolini came to power, Claig? Might interest you.

'So you'd object to innocent cops in America getting shot, but innocent journalists, opposition politicians, and critics in Russia getting shot is'

As Trump said, we don't know that Putin shot them, that is what we are told. Trump doesn't believe it and I have my doubts. We have seen so much spin and propaganda from the political class such as if we vote Brexit it will be "the end of Western Civilization" that I am with Trump and don't believe a lot of what they tell us.

At the most simplistic level, not planning to start any wars is a decent enough platform.

You admire Clinton's achievements?

The US stoked Syria to get rid of Assad in order to square Israel to accepting a deal with Iran. How admirable is that? Leaving Libya a basket case? So much human misery and chaos for some geopolitical ambition that could turn on a sixpence?

Is this what you find admirable?

Dear me I'm talking to 53 - I didn't make that clear.

You admire Clinton's achievements?

I didn't mention Clinton. I was asking about Trump. And Putin. Surely they can stand on their own merits, without "yeah but SHE'S WORSE!" and some conspiracy theory stuff about body doubles?

No you didn't mention Clinton, handily for you but you have vocalised her bizarre campaign smear, so you kind of brought her into the room.

'Have you ever read much about how Mussolini came to power, Claig? Might interest you.'

I read a book on it years ago but I have forgotten the deatils. He marched on Rome and took over and was probably backed by the King and the elite in order to do it. But that has nothing to do with Trump. America is a democracy and Trump is running for election.

But that has nothing to do with Trump.

I'm talking more about Mussolini's approach to power, and how he presented himself - as a man of the people, anti-establishment, joker, doesn't want to get hung up on all these ridiculous laws and parliamentary processes, speaks up for the real folk, etc etc.

Like I said, if you're a fan of Trump, you might find it interesting to read some more about Mussolini.

What is your point? That anyone that presents themselves as anti-establishment is a pro to Mussolini? So that would mean we should always support the establishment, for which, read the elite.

Claig I can't get with you on Trump. He said some crappy things about women.

Mussolini took power in a dictatorship, it is not the same as Trump.

Mussolini was backed by the Establishment, the King in Italy etc and there are also reports that he worked for MI5

"Recruited by MI5: the name's Mussolini. Benito Mussolini"

www.theguardian.com/world/2009/oct/13/benito-mussolini-recruited-mi5-italy

Trump is a different kettle of fish.

'He said some crappy things about women.'

What did he say? He called Rosie O'Donnell a pig, I think. The media blows it out of proportion. He has employed more women in senior positions than any other construction company.