Iraq condemns impromtu Trump visit of US troops, plans vote to expel them

[turok]

"Iraqi lawmakers have demanded US forces leave the country in the wake of a surprise visit by Donald Trump, which politicians denounced as arrogant and a violation of Iraqi sovereignty."

"Politicians from both blocs of Iraq’s divided parliament called for a vote to expel US troops and promised to schedule an extraordinary session to debate the matter."

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/27/iraq-trump-visit-us-troops-lawmakers-demand-leave

While visiting, he repeated falsehoods about troop pay increases, as well as attempting to gin up their support for his blatant attempt at extortion by shutting down government until Congress agrees to fund his slatted wall of deceit.

"President Donald Trump incorrectly told troops in Iraq on Wednesday that he gave them their first pay raise in more than 10 years -- a falsehood he has repeatedly told."

"Speaking to troops at Al Asad Air Base during his surprise visit to Iraq, Trump told troops: "You protect us. We are always going to protect you. And you just saw that, 'cause you just got one of the biggest pay raises you've ever received. ... You haven't gotten one in more than 10 years. More than 10 years. And we got you a big one. I got you a big one. I got you a big one."

~snip~

"They had plenty of people that came up, they said, 'You know, we could make it smaller. We could make it 3%, we could make it 2%, we could make it 4%,'" Trump told the troops about the latest pay raise. "I said, 'No. Make it 10%. Make it more than 10%.'"

'Cause it's been a long time, it's been more than 10 years. Been more than 10 years, that's a long time," Trump said, repeating the false claim."

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/26/politics/trump-misleads-military-pay-raise-again/index.html

Telling a big lie loudly and repeatedly in a deceptive effort to make it become truth, is GOP SOP taking a page straight out of the late Nazi Joseph Goebbel's playbook.

 

[Spartanmack]

At least one of those blocs in Iraq's divided parliament is led by Moqtada Al Sadr, a Shiite cleric (although, not aligned with Iran) who first formed a militia in response to the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. they have already been calling for the expulsion of US troops, but why let little details like that get in the way? It must be Trump's fault. the other, also Shiite is headed by the leader of an Iranian backed Militia. In parliament he leads a bloc of politicians which "favors close ties with Iran and is aligned with Iran on regional political issues" but again, it's Trump's fault they don't want us there.

first the issue was Trump became the first President to not visit the troops around Christmas time since 2002, then when it was shown he in fact did, it's the worst thing ever because, for reasons of his own security, he didn't announce his visit in advance.

Just admit it, you will find a way to find fault with anything Trump does or paint his actions in the worst possible light, even if that means legitimizing supporters of one of the worst and most anti-American regimes on the planet.

 

[turok]

On the contrary, Trump had not as yet paid ANY US troops a visit who were stationed anywhere outside of the US at any time during his nearly two years in office, unlike his predecessors who did so within the first year of holding office. President Obama first visited Iraq in '09 and met with Iraq's leader at that time, his visit was also unannounced for security reasons, but Trump did not meet with any Iraqi official.

The only reason that there were troops in Iraq to begin with, was b/c the Iraq government had requested US troop assistance back in '14, in their efforts to combat ISIS, so that makes Trump's visit that much more egregious and self-serving. The Iraq government is well aware of what Trump is doing in the ME, they aren't fucking stupid and proud of it, like most his worshipful cult of supporters are here in the US.

 

[sggatecl]

In the off chance anyone was curious about military pay raises as well.

2017 2.1% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $62.70

2016 1.3% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $38.40

2015 1.0% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $29.10

2014 1.0% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $28.80

2013 1.7% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $48.30

2012 1.6% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $44.70

2011 1.4% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $38.70

2010 3.4% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $90.90

2009 3.9% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $100.20

2008 3.5% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $87.00

2007, April 1.2% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $28.80

2007, January 2.2% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $52.80

2006 3.1% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $72.30

2005 3.5% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $78.90

2004 4.6% An E-5 member with over 8 years of service would receive a monthly raise of $99.00

 

[Spartanmack]

On the contrary, Trump had not as yet paid ANY US troops a visit who were stationed anywhere outside of the US at any time during his nearly two years in office, unlike his predecessors who did so within the first year of holding office. President Obama first visited Iraq in '09 and met with Iraq's leader at that time, his visit was also unannounced for security reasons, but Trump did not meet with any Iraqi official.

The only reason that there were troops in Iraq to begin with, was b/c the Iraq government had requested US troop assistance back in '14, in their efforts to combat ISIS, so that makes Trump's visit that much more egregious and self-serving. The Iraq government is well aware of what Trump is doing in the ME, they aren't fucking stupid and proud of it, like most his worshipful cult of supporters are here in the US.

not exactly sure what the point of this post is - seems like a bunch of nonsense that doesnt disprove my point in the least. if anything it supports the conclusion I've drawn - you will find a way to twist everything he does to make it seem horrible. he is visiting combat troops in a conflict zone, nothing egregious about that except to people who look for a reason to disapprove of anything he does and how he does it.

Also Trump had a phone conversation with the Iraqi PM from the base during his visit. it was decided they wouldnt meet in person during that call. Stop trying so hard, you look silly.

 

[turok]

not exactly sure what the point of this post is - seems like a bunch of nonsense that doesnt disprove my point in the least. if anything it supports the conclusion I've drawn - you will find a way to twist everything he does to make it seem horrible. he is visiting combat troops in a conflict zone, nothing egregious about that except to people who look for a reason to disapprove of anything he does and how he does it.

Also Trump had a phone conversation with the Iraqi PM from the base during his visit. it was decided they wouldnt meet in person during that call. Stop trying so hard, you look silly.

Yeah, he had a phone conversation which could have been made from almost anywhere, like the Oval Office. Obviously whatever was said had little if any effect, as my OP link indicates. His visit to a "combat zone" was no different than his all too numerous campaign rallies, where everything he says is/was either lies or all about him.

No "twisting" was done, and I could post at least an average of a half dozen new topics per week verbatim w/o comment about his anti-US activities. Shutting down government over the holidays, and holding employees hostage, forcing some to work uncompensated, such as the US Coast Guard and the TSA, in order to force funding of a small percentage of the total cost of building a White Elephant monument to his massive ego, is EXTORTION.

This doesn't take into account the ripple effect that an extended shutdown would cause, such as increases in bankruptcy petitions, foreclosures, evictions, applications for unemployment benefits, SNAP, vehicle repossessions, unpaid alimony and/or child support, spousal separations, and divorce petitions. Federal employees cannot obtain PT or FT or temporary employment in the private sector w/o first being granted approval from their department heads, who are also furloughed. Their credit ratings also are a factor in advancement and maintaining/raising their level of security clearances.

 

[turok]

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Feds, here are sample letters you may use as a guide when working with your creditors during this furlough. If you need legal advice please consult with your personal attorney. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-ove...reditors-mortgage-companies-and-landlords.doc …

7:21 AM - 27 Dec 2018


Yeah, as if they have a "personal attorney" on retainer. :no:

That is like an ER telling an uninsured critically ill patient to see their primary care physician first.

And one of the OPM's "sample letters" involves offering to do chores, for example indoor/outdoor maintenance or painting for their landlords, in lieu of paying monthly rent...lolz.

 

[Polish-Hammer]

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Feds, here are sample letters you may use as a guide when working with your creditors during this furlough. If you need legal advice please consult with your personal attorney. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-ove...reditors-mortgage-companies-and-landlords.doc ?

7:21 AM - 27 Dec 2018


Yeah, as if they have a "personal attorney" on retainer. :no:

That is like an ER telling an uninsured critically ill patient to see their primary care physician first.

And one of the OPM's "sample letters" involves offering to do chores, for example indoor/outdoor maintenance or painting for their landlords, in lieu of paying monthly rent...lolz.

Communists I tell you.

 

[tomdalton22]

Yeah, he had a phone conversation which could have been made from almost anywhere, like the Oval Office. Obviously whatever was said had little if any effect, as my OP link indicates. His visit to a "combat zone" was no different than his all too numerous campaign rallies, where everything he says is/was either lies or all about him.

No "twisting" was done, and I could post at least an average of a half dozen new topics per week verbatim w/o comment about his anti-US activities. Shutting down government over the holidays, and holding employees hostage, forcing some to work uncompensated, such as the US Coast Guard and the TSA, in order to force funding of a small percentage of the total cost of building a White Elephant monument to his massive ego, is EXTORTION.

This doesn't take into account the ripple effect that an extended shutdown would cause, such as increases in bankruptcy petitions, foreclosures, evictions, applications for unemployment benefits, SNAP, vehicle repossessions, unpaid alimony and/or child support, spousal separations, and divorce petitions. Federal employees cannot obtain PT or FT or temporary employment in the private sector w/o first being granted approval from their department heads, who are also furloughed. Their credit ratings also are a factor in advancement and maintaining/raising their level of security clearances.

the 3 longest government shutdowns in US history

21 days Bill Clinton
18 days Jimmy Carter
16 days Obama

 

[turok]

Communists I tell you.

Few landlords would be foolish enough to take on a renter to do any maintenance on their properties w/o them being insured, and in the case of repairs or construction, having experience and references for doing them, else risk being sued from potential injury(s) by the public or another tenant as a result.

 

[tomdalton22]

People in the private sector get laid off, get let go due to downsizing, etc. all of the time.

 

[turok]

the 3 longest government shutdowns in US history

21 days Bill Clinton
18 days Jimmy Carter
16 days Obama

So where are your links as to WHY the government was shutdown under each?

Here is the first under Clinton:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_federal_government_shutdowns_of_1995–1996

Primarily b/c Republicans wanted to cut government spending for social services and programs, not increase or maintain it.

 

[tomdalton22]

So where are your links as to WHY the government was shutdown under each?

Here is the first under Clinton:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_federal_government_shutdowns_of_1995–1996

Primarily b/c Republicans wanted to cut government spending for social services and programs, not increase or maintain it.

You are so concerned about the people impacted by the shutdown, the why shouldn't matter.

You see, you may have been on Clinton's side on that one, but there are a lot of people that would have been on the other side.

 

[turok]

People in the private sector get laid off, get let go due to downsizing, etc. all of the time.

But they can take on other temporary private sector employment, while waiting to return to work, and are not obligated to perform any work while being unpaid. These government employees are not being permanently laid off, or terminated.

 

[TheVictors]

He just makes it up as he goes along ..

It’s when he talks like this that I wonder who in their right mind voted for this guy or can’t see that he’s a fucking imbecile.

“They had plenty of people that came up, they said, 'You know, we could make it smaller. We could make it 3%, we could make it 2%, we could make it 4%,'" Trump told the troops about the latest pay raise. "I said, 'No. Make it 10%. Make it more than 10%.'"

They? Who the fuck is they? Who said 2%...?


Nobody. It’s all a lie.

 

[turok]

You are so concerned about the people impacted by the shutdown, the why shouldn't matter.

You see, you may have been on Clinton's side on that one, but there are a lot of people that would have been on the other side.

IOW, what had occurred under their administrations, had absolutely no economic similarities or bearing on why the government is shutdown now.

 

[tinselwolverine]

But they can take on other temporary private sector employment, while waiting to return to work, and are not obligated to perform any work while being unpaid. These government employees are not being permanently laid off, or terminated.

Unless I heard it wrong, every government employee whose work was suspended in a shutdown ended up being fully remunerated in arrears.

 

[tomdalton22]

But they can take on other temporary private sector employment, while waiting to return to work, and are not obligated to perform any work while being unpaid. These government employees are not being permanently laid off, or terminated.

but they will be paid...

 

[turok]

Unless I heard it wrong, every government employee whose work was suspended in a shutdown ended up being fully remunerated in arrears.

I don't know if they have been or not in the past, but this shutdown will last at least two weeks. The length of time which it takes for them to either resume being paid, or return to work with pay, will likely depend upon if Congress overrides Trump's vetoes by majority vote. This b/c I can't see Trump ever signing off on the budget w/o his wall money being included.

Creditors, landlords, and mortgage holders don't care and won't wait for the shutdown to be resolved. They will begin taking action with the first or second missed debt payment.

 

[tomdalton22]

I don't know if they have been or not in the past, but this shutdown will last at least two weeks. The length of time which it takes for them to either resume being paid, or return to work with pay, will likely depend upon if Congress overrides Trump's vetoes by majority vote. This b/c I can't see Trump ever signing off on the budget w/o his wall money being included.

Creditors, landlords, and mortgage holders don't care and won't wait for the shutdown to be resolved. They will begin taking action with the first or second missed debt payment.

It's called being a responsible adult. Government workers aren't special...they will just have to figure it out like the rest of us do.