Donald Trump and The Trump Network - A Political Ponzi Scheme?

A couple weeks ago, I wrote a post at Alan Colmes Presents Liberaland where I attempted to strongly point out that Donald Trump’s talk of running for Presidency was a ploy and that Trump had no interest in holding any political office, let alone the Presidency.

Nonetheless, the D.C. media is unable to avoid Trump and his increasingly incoherent Birther ramblings. While this unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that Trump is once again showing off his true skill - hyping and promoting himself.

This morning, while being interviewed by MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, a team of anonymous users attacked Twitter with Tweets about “The Trump Network.” A little about The Trump Network from Jonathan Budd:

Everybody, and I do mean everybody, knows the name of Donald Trump. He’s done a lot of amazing things in real estate, and is well-known for his public recovery when he was near bankruptcy. His television program, The Apprentice, keeps him in the public eye – and has made “You’re Fired” a national catchphrase.

And now he’s come out with The Trump Network… a multilevel marketing opportunity for you to market health and wellness products for the usual commissions and downline.

The question on my mind, when I first saw this, was whether Donald has finally just plain lost it. Is this some sort of joke? “The Trump Network MLM Business” just sounds… wrong.

I mean, really, MLM? Donald Trump, the very embodiment of big business, lending his name to a system like this? The entire MLM business is built around a grassroots effort, a small business opportunity, not something you’d expect Donald Trump to get behind.

Mind you, promoting The Trump network is just one of the benefits Trump is receiving from the media attention being poured upon him by the national media. But, much like The Trump Network itself, Donald Trump’s recent foray into politics is smelling a bit like a Pyramid/Ponzi scheme.

Not that I’m accusing Trump of running a giant scam, mind you. I’m just brave enough to ask the question. I think Trump himself can respect that.

Update: A search of “Trump Network” on Google’s Blog Search returns 44,900 hits, including countless mentions in the past 24 hours alone. Maybe someone should ask him about this.

Update 2: Here’s Trump talking about The Trump Network.

-WKW

My Expectations for Libya

While I have more or less been clear about my feelings toward war, I am nonetheless a realist. I understand that the War in Libya is happening and won’t end until all objectives are met.

Thus, when President Barack Obama gave his speech this week explaining the humanitarian reasons for the U.S.-led UN-Approved No-Fly Zone War on Libya, I, like many liberals, stood behind my President 100 percent. And while Obama did not lay out any type of exit strategy, I have my own modest expectations on how this humanitarian war effort will proceed:

Libya Expectation Time line

2011-2012: Birth pangs of democracy felt.

2012-2018: After invasion(s) of Syria, Iran, etc., Libya forgotten and unmentioned by anyone who really matters.

2019: U.S. attacked by Islamic Radicals who hate us for our freedom.

2020-?: Rinse. Repeat. Rely on oil.

Mind you, I’m a “history repeats itself” kinda guy.

-WKW

Feminist or not, Liberal Men must fight against the GOP’s War on Women

I am a feminist. I understand that some may argue with that or claim I am a poor example of a feminist - I am far from perfect in this self-assessment. But I do understand the movement, and at very least work to be a feminist ally.

I have no fear of the term “feminist.” It’s demonization has little to no affect on me. There is not one part of me that is lessened by my feminist beliefs. As much as I can proudly state I am a liberal, I can state that I am a feminist.

And now is the time for more Liberal men to stand with feminists.

Right now in the United States, Conservative men are picking apart the rights of women. Conservative women are either actively involved, or staying out of the debate. Across the nation, this war against women’s rights is accelerating. The web magazine Mother Jones has done an excellent job reporting on these attacks, including stories on:

• Arkansas attempts to restrict abortion access;
• A GOP Bill that would force IRS agents to perform “Abortion audits;”
• A South Dakota bill that would essentially legalize the murder of doctors who perform abortions;
• The GOP’s attempts to defund Planned Parenthood.

Mind you, these are but a scant few of the attacks against women that are happening now at both the state and national level. If anything has taught us that a main part of the Republican agenda is to take away the rights of women, it’s their actions since the November elections. An all-out war against women has been declared.

And it’s going to be a rout if liberal men don’t take up these causes with the same fervor as their feminist allies. Women will lose control of their own bodies.

Whether or not men reading this consider themselves feminist is of no interest to me. But the rights of women should be of great interest to us all. It is time for us to join this fight, because without the help of male allies, Conservative men will have their way, and women will no longer have control of their own bodies.

In the end, all I can do is commit myself to be a greater part of this fight and plead that more men join the cause and stand by women in this war against them. I am a feminist. Whether you are matters not. But if you are a man that consider himself a liberal, this is a fight that must be joined.

 

-WKW

 

Elizabeth Taylor dead at age 79

Good Morning America has reported that actress Elizabeth Taylor has died at the age of 79. The Today Show has also reported the news, which is now being reported by all major news agencies.

Taylor’s death signals the end of Hollywood’s Golden Age, as well as the loss of one of the movie stars who ushered in the Gossip-laden coverage of Hollywood stars. Known as well for movies like “Cleopatra” and “National Velvet” as she was for her repeated marriages - nine in all, including three to actor Richard Burton - Taylor was the model movie star.

Last year, Vanity Fair published an article about Taylor and Burton’s love affair, titled “A Love Too Big To Last.”

Taylor was recently a patient at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for treatment of congenital heart failure. She leaves behind four children, nine grandchildren, as well as a legacy of beauty and fame.

Taylor also leaves behind a legacy as a dogged fundraiser and advocate for AIDS awareness. Rocked by the death of her friend Rock Hudson from the disease, Taylor spent a great deal of time fighting for the well-being of HIV/AIDS patients around the globe. Taylor had a presence on Twitter, with one of her few tweets to her fans from July 22, 2010 reading:

No one is going to play Elizabeth Taylor, but Elizabeth Taylor herself.

Not at least until I’m dead, and at the moment I’m having too much fun being alive…and I plan on staying that way. Happiness to all.

Regardless of one’s opinions of Taylor’s personal life or acting ability, let there be no doubt she was one of the great cultural icons in American history.

According to GMA, a private family funeral for Taylor will be held later this week.

-WKW

Crossposted at Dagblog

Prediction: GOP will destroy Twitter for 2012 Presidential Race

A quick prediction: Twitter will soon become a horrifying mess of political messages from Conservative operatives.

I say this due to the fact I’ve already gotten roughly a dozen followers with usernames like “Kim 4Chrstie12.” It’s not hard to predict that by the time November 2012 rolls around, there will likely be thousands and thousands of these types of political trolls.

We’ll see how Twitter handles it. I just can’t escape the feeling that a big plan for the GOP will be to saturate social media sites and obliterate natural political discourse.

-WKW

GOP: New Anti-Abortion Laws Will Create Jobs

WASHINGTON - Having taken criticism for not attempting any job-related legislation after campaigning on the issue, Speaker of the House John Boehner announced today that Republicans around the nation have been creating jobs with anti-abortion legislation.

“Some say we’re attacking women’s rights, I say we’re creating jobs,” said Boehner. “Right now the Coat Hanger Industry and Back-Alley Abortion Industries are booming. That means jobs. For Americans.”

The Coat Hanger Industry - which spends nearly $10 million a year lobbying congress - has announced that business is up 75 percent in the last few months, as entrepreneurs plan ahead for a day when abortions will be made illegal.

“It’s like we can’t keep a hanger in stock these days,” said Jim Thompson, lead lobbyist with Coat Hanger America Industries. “We just started making the ends pointier and demand went through the roof.”

Speaking for the Back-Alley Abortionist Industry, Michael X (not his real name) said he anticipates a deluge of job openings coming due to the anti-women legislation.

“Women will get abortions,” said X, a scary, shadowy figure. “We’ll take care of it. We need more employees, tho. All you need is some experience with a hanger or a big screwdriver and you’re in.”

Boehner said that aside from the jobs created in the two industries, unemployment will lessen as women are slaughtered in back alleys around the U.S. - especially since the GOP plans to destroy Planned Parenthood.

“Not only are the Coat Hanger and Back-Alley Abortionist Industries creating jobs, they are creating new job openings,” said Boehner. “These industries are truly conservative in that they could care less about women.

“Once women start being slaughtered in back alleys, their jobs will be available,” added Boehner, who admitted that none of the anti-Abortion legislation would affect his family, being that he’s rich. “This is what modern conservatism is all about. Murdering women with rusty coat hangers. And Jesus. Don’t forget Jesus.”

-WKW

Tim Pawlenty announces “Win Free Sex” contest - no one notices

MINNESOTA - Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty - hot off his announcement that he would be forming a presidential exploratory committee - announced on his Facebook page today that he would be holding a “Win Free Sex” contest.

“In this time of economic turmoil and war, I am what America needs,” wrote Pawlenty. “And now, if you join me, you could win free sex.”

Pawlenty left no comments on how he would arrange to get Free Sex for his supporters, but said it would be as thrilling as experience for the winner as his Presidential campaign.

“This campaign will be about disco music, sound effects, fast-action videos and free sex,” wrote Pawlenty. “Pawlenty and free sex. For America.”

Thus far, the contest has received just one comment as people are either unaware who Pawlenty is, or horrified at the possibility of a Conservative setting up a sexual dalliance for them, free or not. The one commenter - Ngubu Forlaka of Nigeria - did not seem to mind.

“Mr. Pawlenty. You do not know me, but I am the son of General Hmaka Forlaka of Nigeria. I need your help,” wrote Forlaka in his comment.

Based on a concept by @asiangrrl

-WKW

Glenn Beck demands end to Rhododendron menace

NEW YORK - On his radio show today, Glenn Beck announced that America is destined to collapse due to an influx of communist Rhododendrons.

“These people, they show up from Rhododen demanding jobs and health care,” said Beck, slowly fondling his nipples to a photo of Sarah Palin. “This communist conspiracy will take down the United States of America.”

After suffering four minor strokelettes, Beck continued.

“Thomas Paine and Martin Luther King would agree with me full about this Rhododendron menace,” said Beck, covered in sweat and spittle. “They knew! They fought against it! They believed we could only be strong as a non-Rhododendron country. They marched. I’ll march. We’ll all march!”

After taking a brief break to explain why minorities are inferior and smell weird, Beck was informed that Rhododendrons were actually just flowers. Beck was nonplussed by the information.

“I don’t care if they are actually flowers,” said Beck, absent-mindedly thumbing through the book “The Turner Diaries.”

“What matters is that this Rhododendron menace will kill the economy, destroy jobs, make men impotent, and cause black holes to simultaneously form,” said Beck. “They must be stopped!!!”

A breathless Beck then stopped and went to a commercial break.

“We’ll be right back after these words from Goldline Weed & Flower Killer,” said Beck, chuckling as he counted his money. “I couldn’t support them more.”

Based on an idea suggested by @KateWarren and @Semishark

-WKW

Americans Disconnected

WKW Note: This was originally posted in Feb. 2010, but with current events in Libya and around the globe, maintains it’s timeliness.
—-

The disconnect never fails to amaze me. Death on a personal level is a heart-wrenching, life-altering affair. The recovery is a long process, filled with grief. Losing a loved one stays with you until you finally join them. But being part of the machine that gives others the same grief on a spectacular level has little to no effect.

I’d like to say I brim with outrage every time I see mention of civilian casualties during war time. I’d like to say I vehemently protest each unmanned drone that takes out a village along with a terrorist, leaving carnage and heartache in its wake.

But I can’t. I’m American. The numbness I feel for the death of the loved ones of others is a void in my humanity. I can create the rage, using logic and compassion to seethe at the ease of which my country brings death to others, but on a day-to-day level, it barely registers. And of this I know I am not alone. I know that even some fervent anti-war Americans struggle with the ability to emotionally comprehend what our government does in the name of national security. Because while there are those that feel the pain and tirelessly fight to end it, the vast majority remain disconnected.

The fervor for war with Iraq went from maelstrom to malaise to mocking in relatively short order, essentially due to illogical nature of it and overt pressure placed upon the American people to support it. But by the time more voices joined the ant-war crusade, the carnage was in full swing.

And it still hasn’t ended. In Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, and who knows where else, our military is bringing death home to countless families. And in return, countless Americans are dealing with the grief of losing their own family members.

But death becomes us. We incinerated Tokyo. We vaporized Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We pulverized Vietnam. And we burned down Dresden. So it goes.

And through it all, we remain the good guys in our hearts. We remain morally superior. We are Americans and we are exceptional. Ask the corpses and broken families.

Because of this unholy disconnect, we will continue to kill. Those who make these types of decisions want nothing more than to unleash our military machine against Iran. With no lessons learned from our forays into the Middle East, and no connection to the dead and grieving, there remains an exceedingly good chance it will happen. It will be for national security. Because two oceans, a chilling nuclear arsenal and the largest military in the history of humankind cannot protect us from two-bit, sabre-rattling dictators. Only raining death upon its innocent citizens can save us now.

We are a nation at war. And we always have been. Let there be no disconnect - as an American, we are warriors. We leave families destroyed and bodies mangled. We take lives, then change the channel. But the outrage will be there and it will grow. If not from Americans who take lives, than from others whose lives we have destroyed.

And that destruction is occurring as you read this. And those of us Americans who have suffered a loss of a loved one need to connect to those who are feeling that same pain. Because those deaths and that suffering are directly connected to each and every one of us.

-WKW

Donald Trump’s clown show

Showing his true colors as a publicity hound, Donald Trump has lately been making noises about running for President. The bankruptcy expert has been tooling about, talking himself up, while even throwing a bone to the Birthers by questioning Obama’s citizenship.

It’s all a ruse, of course.

Read more at Alan Colmes’ Liberaland.

-WKW

With Obama in Brazil, Gaddafi takes over the White House

WASHINGTON - Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi today took over the White House, which had been empty due to President Barack Obama’s trip to Brazil.

“I now am President of America,” said Gaddafi, who sneaked in a back door into the empty White House. “Bow before me, infidels!”

After taking over the Oval Office, Gaddafi’s first order of business was to change the name of the United States to “Libya 2.”

Conservatives around the United States - who had been attacking Obama for being in Brazil when the U.N. began its attacks on Libya - crowed with schadenfreude.

“See!? See!? This is what happens when you leave the White House,” said Ed Morrissey of Hot Air. “Anyone can just take over!”

Political gadfly Sarah Palin added her two cents to the unfolding situation, as well.

“Wait, I could have just walked in and taken over?” wrote Palin on her Facebook page. “WTF??”

Obama has yet to comment on the situation, as he is still in Brazil and unable to get news from America.

While it remains to be seen what will happen with Gaddafi now running the United States, Big Business has come out in support of Gaddafi.

“As long as Gaddafi keeps taxes low and opens up off-shore drilling and ANWR, we don’t see this as a problem,” said BP CEO Robert Dudley. “We feel we’ll have a long and prosperous relationship with the people of Libya 2.”

-WKW

Notes on a Scorecard

• I still am unable to completely grasp all that has happened and is happening in Japan.
• Watching a soccer game (Uberaba vs. Palmeiras, Brazil Cup) played on a drenched field is a treat. No matter how aware the players are, the change in physics is beyond them.
• Uberaba is in Triangulo Mineiro, like me.
• Sarah Palin has perfected the long-practiced Political art of “OMFG YOU’RE VICTIMIZING ME!”
• Wherever she is, whatever she is doing, I guarantee one thing right now - Sarah Palin is offended as fuck about something.
• I’d become an MMA fighter, but I wouldn’t look good with cauliflower ears.
• On a potential NFL lockout, this sounds interesting.
• Looking ahead at the next two years, it’s pretty easy to see why Hillary Clinton will want out.
• Nate Dogg was most definitely in the house.

“Notes on a Scorecard” inspired by Alan Malamud’s sports column in the Los Angeles Herald Examiner.

- WKW

God Smites the Living Hell Out of Fred Phelps, Westboro Baptist Church

HARRISBURG, Pa — After years of fielding complaints that he had not taken a hard enough stance against Westboro Baptist Church and its hate speech, Almighty God today unleashed what onlookers have described as a “shitload of smiting” against the controversial group that just won a Supreme Court case on free speech.

“Guess God don’t much care for Supreme Court cases,” said the onlooker, Jim Thompson of Dubuque, Iowa. “Because God just WENT OFF!”

Going in with a strategy of “Shock and Amen,” God woke up members of the Westboro Cult with a swarm of locusts, then rained frogs on them for an hour. A plague of gnats followed, and soon all members of Westboro had boils appear on their skin.

Then God showed why he was “God” and went modern Biblical on their asses as he turned their coffee into blood and made records of their fetish-video rentals public via Wikileaks. Then, God made it rain failed American Idol candidates and gay porn videos.

Finally, to finish a performance many have already called “inspired,” God went back to his old-school roots and lightning bolted Phelps, his family and all his followers into crispy embers of hate.

While many have looked to analyze why God finally went off on Westboro Baptist – which for years has peddled angry homophobia as some type of religious belief – experts were only left a few words from God as he left the scene of the carnage.

“Love everyone. I don’t make mistakes.”

–WKW

Parents to fix household finances by cutting child’s allowance

DES MOINES – Having declared that their current budgetary path is “unsustainable,” Bob & Peggy Thompson of Des Moines today announced that they will be cutting the $1-a-week allowance they give to their 5-year-old child, Jessica.

“Having gone over our current budget deficit, we have come to the realization that sacrifices will have to be made,” said Bob Thompson, 44. “These cuts may not be popular in the short-term, but are necessary for our household to rein in our spending.”

The Thompson’s currently are running a $1.7 million yearly deficit. No other cuts outside of Jessica’s allowance were announced.

While announcing the cuts to young Jessica’s allowance, the Thompson also unveiled a list of budgetary items that are “untouchable,” including: Jet Skis, maintenance of the family bomb shelter, cell phone, satellite television, gun collection, car collection, baseball card collection, masseuse, house cleaner, or anything that “could negatively affect the emotional or physical state” of the two main employers of the household – Bob and Peggy Thompson.

“What’s important is that Jessica learns to sacrifice for the betterment of the household in general,” said Peggy Thompson, who, like Bob, is a hedge fund manager. “She may not understand now, but it’s for her own good.”

Reached for comment, Jessica Thompson states she felt the cuts were short-sighted and would inhibit growth.

“It’s nawt faaaaiiiwwwwwrrrr,” said Jessica Thompson.

–WKW

Winning and Losing

Spc. Jason M. Weaver will not be appearing on the Howard Stern show.

Insurgents attacked Spc. Jason M. Weaver’s unit in the Kandahar province on March 3. An improvised explosive device killed the 22-year-old, who had been deployed for the first time.

Cpl. Andrew Wilfahrt will not be interviewed on the Today Show.

Cpl. Andrew Wilfahrt, a gay Minnesota man who went back in the closet to join the military, died Sunday while on patrol in Afghanistan when an IED exploded during an attack on his unit. He was 31.

Pfc. David R. Fahey Jr., will not speak with Piers Morgan.

Pfc. David R. Fahey Jr., 23, of Norwalk, Conn., died Feb. 28, in Kandahar Province from wounds suffered when his unit was hit by an improvised explosive device, according to the Defense Department.

Army Specialist Rudolph R. Hizon will not be featured in a segment on 20/20.

Army Specialist Rudolph R. Hizon, 21, of Los Angeles, was killed Monday when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan’s Logar province.

Sgt. Kristopher J. Gould will not be on Dateline NBC

Gould, 25, of Frankenlust Township, died in the Ghazni province of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Daren Hidalgo will not get more than 1 million Twitter followers in 24 hours.

Flags will be flown at half-staff on Wednesday in honor of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Daren Hidalgo, 24, a former Wisconsin resident who was killed in Afghanistan on Feb. 20.

Spc. Brian Tabada will not be a call-in guest on any radio shows.

The U.S. Army says 21-year-old Spc. Brian Tabada of Las Vegas, Nev., died Feb. 27 in Konar province.

None of the dead U.S. soldiers above received a glance from the national media. A national media entranced by a celebrity drug-addict that abuses women. A national media that is stumbling over itself to allow Charlie Sheen to spout any type of trivial nonsense he so pleases to an eager citizenry.

None of the dead soldiers above made a sitcom. All these young men did was give their lives for their country. Which makes Sheen’s new motto of “winning” seem all the more pathetic. And should make all of us feel as though we are losing our soul.

-WKW

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