charvakan
@charvakan.bsky.social
Retired bureaucrat interested in politics, philosophy, and Arsenal football club.
chess
go
backgammon
Stratego
Diplomacy
Risk
Trouble
Scrabble
Monopoly
Mastermind
go
backgammon
Stratego
Diplomacy
Risk
Trouble
Scrabble
Monopoly
Mastermind
November 16, 2025 at 3:40 AM
chess
go
backgammon
Stratego
Diplomacy
Risk
Trouble
Scrabble
Monopoly
Mastermind
go
backgammon
Stratego
Diplomacy
Risk
Trouble
Scrabble
Monopoly
Mastermind
How many of these "deals" Trump makes are actually adhered to? He creates a problem, then makes a showy announcement about some agreement that has been discussed with another nation as though we're better off than before he started screwing things up. In the end, these agreements are worthless.
October 30, 2025 at 9:25 PM
How many of these "deals" Trump makes are actually adhered to? He creates a problem, then makes a showy announcement about some agreement that has been discussed with another nation as though we're better off than before he started screwing things up. In the end, these agreements are worthless.
Some really good ones too, especially from Eze.
September 29, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Some really good ones too, especially from Eze.
This is spooking the markets and some quasirational Republican officeholders. Trump has basically demanded that the labor statistics be what he says they are, data be damned. We're flying blind, and that's never good.
August 2, 2025 at 11:11 PM
This is spooking the markets and some quasirational Republican officeholders. Trump has basically demanded that the labor statistics be what he says they are, data be damned. We're flying blind, and that's never good.
These tariffs are so obviously illegal I don't see how the courts can allow them to stand.
July 31, 2025 at 6:16 PM
These tariffs are so obviously illegal I don't see how the courts can allow them to stand.
More than a half century of careful, slow negotiations resulting in the GATT/WTO regime are screwed up in a couple months, at least temporarily. There will be a lot of disruptions, and they won't end until the toddler shambles off into the sunset, because he changes his mind daily.
July 26, 2025 at 12:51 AM
More than a half century of careful, slow negotiations resulting in the GATT/WTO regime are screwed up in a couple months, at least temporarily. There will be a lot of disruptions, and they won't end until the toddler shambles off into the sunset, because he changes his mind daily.
The MAGA crowd is obsessed with sex, especially with minors. They pretend to care about the victims, but they just like to think about it.
July 17, 2025 at 4:14 PM
The MAGA crowd is obsessed with sex, especially with minors. They pretend to care about the victims, but they just like to think about it.
Yes, the outright bribery and other forms of corruption are staggering. He's raking in tens of millions from crypto bros, Arab monarchies, and other special interests. He's extorting more from law firms and corporations (like Paramount) by misusing his power.
July 17, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Yes, the outright bribery and other forms of corruption are staggering. He's raking in tens of millions from crypto bros, Arab monarchies, and other special interests. He's extorting more from law firms and corporations (like Paramount) by misusing his power.
Iran will be wary of antagonizing other neighboring states. Iraq, Kuwait, etc. could consider ordering the US to leave their territory, for instance. Trump has no idea what he's started.
June 22, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Iran will be wary of antagonizing other neighboring states. Iraq, Kuwait, etc. could consider ordering the US to leave their territory, for instance. Trump has no idea what he's started.
It's a sad day when we have to look to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for the voice of reason. But here we are.
June 22, 2025 at 3:05 AM
It's a sad day when we have to look to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for the voice of reason. But here we are.
Obama had closed off the nuclear option for Iran, but at Netanyahu's behest (and his own sense of inadequacy) DJT pulled out of that agreement. Obviously, peace and security were not high priorities for Israel or Trump's US. It's like Trump wants to help recruit jihadists.
June 22, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Obama had closed off the nuclear option for Iran, but at Netanyahu's behest (and his own sense of inadequacy) DJT pulled out of that agreement. Obviously, peace and security were not high priorities for Israel or Trump's US. It's like Trump wants to help recruit jihadists.
We already greenlighted Israel's unprovoked attacks. We gave them all their equipment and munitions. We helped defend them against Iran's attempts to respond. Now our asshole President is definitely dragging us into another stupid Middle East war we have absolutely no reason to wage.
June 17, 2025 at 6:13 PM
We already greenlighted Israel's unprovoked attacks. We gave them all their equipment and munitions. We helped defend them against Iran's attempts to respond. Now our asshole President is definitely dragging us into another stupid Middle East war we have absolutely no reason to wage.
I think this is more of a PR thing, and they aren't going to go after the agricultural sector the way they were. He just couldn't stand people knowing he'd backed down. I guess we'll see. Hotels won't need as many workers thanks to the fewer visitors we're getting.
June 17, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I think this is more of a PR thing, and they aren't going to go after the agricultural sector the way they were. He just couldn't stand people knowing he'd backed down. I guess we'll see. Hotels won't need as many workers thanks to the fewer visitors we're getting.
There were always politicians on the take, but they usually did it under the table. Trump and his spawn and cronies openly use government to transfer money directly to themselves, use their influence to solicit massive bribes, and start "businesses" like the one in the story you're citing.
June 17, 2025 at 12:46 AM
There were always politicians on the take, but they usually did it under the table. Trump and his spawn and cronies openly use government to transfer money directly to themselves, use their influence to solicit massive bribes, and start "businesses" like the one in the story you're citing.
In Louisiana, they know from tarring and feathering.
June 10, 2025 at 10:56 PM
In Louisiana, they know from tarring and feathering.
Trump has no clue about the situation (any situation, come to think of it) and he doesn't care. He's just saying stuff to make it sound as if he's in control.
June 4, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Trump has no clue about the situation (any situation, come to think of it) and he doesn't care. He's just saying stuff to make it sound as if he's in control.
Typical empty bravado. He'd be 82 if he lives that long, and he's increasingly divorced from reality. It's a distraction from the multiple screwups of his administration.
March 31, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Typical empty bravado. He'd be 82 if he lives that long, and he's increasingly divorced from reality. It's a distraction from the multiple screwups of his administration.
The main problem is that in these standoffs, only the Republicans are willing to shoot the hostages. People we care about are going to be hurt worse by an extended shutdown, and why would you think the Rs would make concessions in a revised CR?
March 14, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The main problem is that in these standoffs, only the Republicans are willing to shoot the hostages. People we care about are going to be hurt worse by an extended shutdown, and why would you think the Rs would make concessions in a revised CR?
We're helpless because we lost too many elections. If the CR is filibustered and there's a shutdown, what's the next step? The Repubs will sit back and let Trump/Musk decide who's an essential employee and who gets sent home, likely without pay this time. The blame game is secondary but relevant.
March 14, 2025 at 4:11 PM
We're helpless because we lost too many elections. If the CR is filibustered and there's a shutdown, what's the next step? The Repubs will sit back and let Trump/Musk decide who's an essential employee and who gets sent home, likely without pay this time. The blame game is secondary but relevant.
The threats themselves cause damage. Manufacturers, farmers, service providers, everyone wants stability in conditions, not this crazy series of dumb threats. The markets don't like Trump's approach to trade and they don't trust him.
March 6, 2025 at 6:26 PM
The threats themselves cause damage. Manufacturers, farmers, service providers, everyone wants stability in conditions, not this crazy series of dumb threats. The markets don't like Trump's approach to trade and they don't trust him.
He handled himself very well. Unfortunately, Trump has decided he's going to carry Putin's water. He's not concerned about the money; he could get all of it and more from the frozen Russian assets here. Trump is anxious to please Putin for some reason.
March 1, 2025 at 4:19 AM
He handled himself very well. Unfortunately, Trump has decided he's going to carry Putin's water. He's not concerned about the money; he could get all of it and more from the frozen Russian assets here. Trump is anxious to please Putin for some reason.
Thanks. Nice overview. I learned a lot, I think.
February 21, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Thanks. Nice overview. I learned a lot, I think.