(08-28-2018 12:57 PM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

(08-28-2018 12:39 PM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  

(08-28-2018 12:23 PM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

(08-28-2018 09:33 AM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  

(08-28-2018 09:13 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Anybody want to talk about the Mexico trade agreement?

I realize that any agreement that will help the US and Mexico and their workers is a bad thing for the Resistance, but hey, live with it. Maybe people with jobs will vote for you anyway.

Just like with NK, let's wait to congratulate Trump until something is signed and actual progress is made. We all know how well things have turned out there, after you and Tanq tried furiously to pat Trump on the back for "progress" that was made.

Right now, Canada is not involved with the current agreement, which is a big deal. It seems to currently be a good deal for auto manufacturers and workers in both the US and Mexico, but I haven't seen specifics of the other trade-issues mentioned (it seems like the auto-angle is what the news orgs are focusing on). That could be because this was a sticking point in the original TPP negotiations.

I'd like to learn more about what's in the deal, how it's changing NAFTA, and the likelihood of it being agreed to by both Mexico and Canada before I go jumping for joy. But just like with NK, it's good that we're at least going through the process.

I will still state categorically that more has been done re: NK under Trump than *any* other administration in my lifetime. is there more to do? Yeppers. Lots.

I will give kudos to Trump for that. If you want to categorize that as 'furiously pat Trump on the back' so be it. Just kind of odd that you categorize an obvious positive step and the act of noting that obvious positive step with such a note of disdain. Actually, come to think of it, let me correct; its not odd at all that you do so....

There has been no positive step - that's the issue. Look at where we are now, back at a stalemate with frayed relations. This is why I waited to pat him on the back for accomplishing anything, because it is impossibly difficult to make any progress with the North Koreans.

Recent reports indicate that NK is back at it. They're building new ballistic missiles, they haven't stopped their nuclear program, etc. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-45067681)

There's also intelligence that says that the detonation of the nuclear test tunnels NK televised was likely nothing more than propaganda, and did not actually stop NK from using the nuclear facilities (https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/01/politics/...dex.html).

I said before, and I'll say it again, it was good that Trump reached out and was trying to have a discourse with NK. Props to him there. But nothing came of it, yet you and others tried to prematurely celebrate these so called "positive steps."

But maybe I'm missing something. What tangible steps (you know, progress) have been made, that remain in place?

Progress -- for starters, what is the rate of missile lobs since the summit?

Funny thing that you dont think that Kim Jong Un being off the overtly provocative track is 'progress', or 'positive', or a 'good thing'. Color me shocked.

His lack of missile testing has been good, I've never stated that. Please let me know where I did.

I don't view that as a TANGIBLE change. There is no agreement binding him to the reduction in tests, nothing to hold the regime to that. And that was my lone criticism during the talks between us and NK, when people were trying to give credit for things that hadn't been solidified yet.

Of course NK being less provocative is good, but there's nothing in place to keep them from starting to be provocative tomorrow, and no agreement from them saying they won't. So, nothing tangible. But nice attempt at projecting there, too bad you had to use a strawman to do it.