Opinion Trump threatens to retake control of Panama Canal

[SammyPops]

So Canada becoming 51st state, the need for the US to own greenland, adn now this ... should we be worried of an expansionist POTUS or is he just talking shit?

 

[Satsui Ryu]

But it goes right along the right's grievance politics.

Domestically, hardworking Americans (aka, white guys) are getting ripped off because liberal elites are taxing them and then giving that money to illegals and lazy minorities on welfare.

Internationally, the US is getting ripped off by Panama, Europe, China, all its trading partners, really. They take advantage of the US's good intentions, generosity, naivete, etc.

So the people in control of the most powerful country in the history of the world are actually the victims. Pretty astounding stuff.

It's the old your enemies are weak and strong at the same time. That mentality always seems to go over well.

 

[Jack V Savage]

So Canada becoming 51st state, the need for the US to own greenland, adn now this ... should we be worried of an expansionist POTUS or is he just talking shit?

It's impossible to tell. His stated policy ideas are so dumb and damaging that even his supporters tend to assume he's bullshitting, but you never know. He actually has put forward some stunningly bad job picks already, which is not encouraging.

 

[Islam Imamate]

And invading or occupying Panama's main economic asset would just further Chinese influence. Use your brain dude. The carrot goes a lot farther than the stick in most international situations

Isn't it funny how the isolationists are now suddenly concerned with Chinese influence in the world?

Use your brain. I don’t want to invade Panama

No but you think threatening to do so might lead to a good deal and that the ones being absurd are the ones cautioning against the invasion like @avenue94 and I.

 

[Rob Battisti]

No but you think threatening to do so might lead to a good deal and that the ones being absurd are the ones cautioning against the invasion like @avenue94 and I.

It may. It’s a negotiation tactic. It’s unsavory and unbefitting of the POTUS. It’s a sleazy tactic used by sleazy people.

 

[avenue94]

It may. It’s a negotiation tactic. It’s unsavory and unbefitting of the POTUS. It’s a sleazy tactic used by sleazy people.

So you claim it's an empty threat which means Panama would also interpret that way. So what's their incentive to give the US concessions if it's an empty threat?

 

[Fox by the Sea]

So you claim it's an empty threat which means Panama would also interpret that way. So what's their incentive to give the US concessions if it's an empty threat?

the message isn't - we'll take the canal.
the message is - you gotta give up something.

which i am sure they will.

 

[Jack V Savage]

So you claim it's an empty threat which means Panama would also interpret that way. So what's their incentive to give the US concessions if it's an empty threat?

Also, I know this doesn't matter to hacks, but is there any basis for the idea that the U.S. has a morally legitimate claim to any concessions? Seems like it's just that we're more powerful and therefore we can steal with impunity?

 

[Rob Battisti]

So you claim it's an empty threat which means Panama would also interpret that way. So what's their incentive to give the US concessions if it's an empty threat?

The may not. I didn’t say it WILL work. It’s a classless move that has potential to work. I would give it less than 50% odds.

 

[avenue94]

the message isn't - we'll take the canal.
the message is - you gotta give up something.

which i am sure they will.

But why would they if the threat is empty?

Also, I know this doesn't matter to hacks, but is there any basis for the idea that the U.S. has a morally legitimate claim to any concessions? Seems like it's just that we're more powerful and therefore we can steal with impunity?

Like I said earlier, they're pretty much asking for reparations even though Panama got the shitty end of the stick already historically.

The may not. I didn’t say it WILL work. It’s a classless move that has potential to work. I would give it less than 50% odds.

Why would Panama interpret this bluster differently than you as Trump supporter or almost supporter? Are they dumber? Do they not read English intonation the same? What's the logic?

 

[KnightTemplar]

Also, I know this doesn't matter to hacks, but is there any basis for the idea that the U.S. has a morally legitimate claim to any concessions? Seems like it's just that we're more powerful and therefore we can steal with impunity?

You pretty much just summed up most of human history.

 

[Jack V Savage]

Why would Panama interpret this bluster differently than you as Trump supporter or almost supporter? Are they dumber? Do they not read English intonation the same? What's the logic?

Throughout Trump's whole life, he's always done that kind of thing. It's just like not paying vendors--he'd lose in court, but vendors might decide that it's not worth the trouble to fight and make some kind of deal where they take less. Or filing nuisance lawsuits in hopes that people settle or at least do what he wants. I just can't believe anyone would support such behavior. Rob and the rest of the hack crew here are just absolute garbage human beings.

 

[Rob Battisti]

Why would Panama interpret this bluster differently than you as Trump supporter or almost supporter? Are they dumber? Do they not read English intonation the same? What's the logic?

They may not. Did you not see what I wrote? Please quote exactly where I said this was a good thing, a smart move or logical? In fact, I’ve said the opposite. I can quote that many times.

Just because I said “it may provide concessions” doesn’t mean I think it’s a good idea.

Also, please quote any post where I’ve shown to be a Trump supporter.

 

[Rob Battisti]

You pretty much just summed up most of human history.

Yeah exactly. Nevermind the fact we never should have given it up in the first place or that we built it.

This is the “violence never solved anything” crowd.

 

[Rob Battisti]

Rob and the rest of the hack crew here are just absolute garbage human beings.

Okay.

Please quote where I defended or supported this, you moron.

 

[filthybliss]

You pretty much just summed up most of human history.

We live and we learned hopefully from the Stone Age or atleast we pretend to since some nations are nuclearized now.

 

[KnightTemplar]

We live and we learned hopefully from the Stone Age or atleast we pretend to since some nations are nuclearized now.

 

[Jack V Savage]

Yeah exactly. Nevermind the fact we never should have given it up in the first place or that we built it.

This is the “violence never solved anything” crowd.

Okay.

Please quote where I defended or supported this, you moron.

See above. And throughout this thread. The fact that you're dishonestly denying that you've been supporting it is support for "you're a garbage human being" thesis, no?

Particularly pathetic for someone who talks about what a great Christian he is saying that we should steal because we're powerful enough to get away with it.

 

[Rob Battisti]

We live and we learned hopefully from the Stone Age or atleast we pretend to since some nations are nuclearized now.

Yet here in this thread people get called garbage human beings and misrepresented for simply not towing the line

 

[Rob Battisti]

See above. And throughout this thread. The fact that you're dishonestly denying that you've been supporting it is support for "you're a garbage human being" thesis, no?

Particularly pathetic for someone who talks about what a great Christian he is saying that we should steal because we're powerful enough to get away with it.

Okay so saying we shouldn’t have given it up in the first place is the same as saying we should annex it? You need your meds.

I’ll account bet you that you bring up that I’m a Christian more than 3:1 me bringing it up. You really are obsessed with me.