# The Trump Administration: A Clusterfuck in the Making Part Deux (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 22, 2020, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083 "2020-06-22T03:36:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 336
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2020, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6720 "2020-11-20T21:38:19Z")
Is there any sort of truth to the Rudy theory that Dominion Voting Systems has anything to do with Hugo Chavez? I don’t see anything in the Wikipedia article about them. He claimed that they sent their data to Smartmatic, which was founded in Venezuela, but I can find no evidence of any such thing. The company was founded in 1997, Chavez didn’t become President of Venezuela until 1999. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2020, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6721 "2020-11-20T21:49:10Z")
The company was also never in Venezuela; it was founded in the US (incorporated in Delaware with HQ in Florida) April 2000. The _founders_ are Venezuelan. And they did do work for Venezuela, back in 2004. > **[Smartmatic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartmatic)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > > Smartmatic (also referred as Smartmatic Corp. or Smartmatic International) or Smartmatic SGO Group is a multinational company that builds and implements electronic voting systems. The company also produces smart cities solutions (including public safety and public transportation), identity management systems for civil registration and authentication products for government applications. > Smartmatic was founded in 1997 by Antonio Mugica, Alfredo... ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2020, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6722 "2020-11-20T22:11:19Z")
MI State Senator Mike Shirkey gets some hard questions about his meeting with Trump and responds by singing a Christian hymn. > ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2020, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6723 "2020-11-20T22:30:37Z")
> [@Mike\_Mabes](#): > > People support Trump because of his positions What? He has no positions. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2020, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6724 "2020-11-20T22:41:53Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > What? He has no positions. He has no principles. He has positions. Pay less taxes No responsibility obstuct Democrats Suck up to Russia and North Korea Blame others for his failures Golf ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2020, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6725 "2020-11-20T23:02:41Z")
Oh. Darn. Tots & Pears: > ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6726 "2020-11-21T00:42:44Z")
85% of the Stanford Faculty Senate, including Condoleeza Rice, condemns Scott Atlas. > **[Faculty Senate condemns COVID-19 actions of Hoover’s Scott Atlas | Stanford News](https://news.stanford.edu/2020/11/20/faculty-senate-condemns-actions-hoover-fellow-scott-atlas/)** > > In its last meeting of the autumn quarter, the Stanford Faculty Senate condemned the COVID-19-related actions of Hoover senior fellow and presidential adviser Scott Atlas. The Faculty Senate also approved a new policy on Open Access to make scholarly... ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6727 "2020-11-21T00:50:16Z")
from that story: > [@](#): > > The senate, however, stopped short of asking university leadership to investigate possible sanctions against Atlas, including dismissal. Concern was expressed that such a request could have a chilling effect not only on freedom of speech and academic freedom but also on the willingness of faculty members to pursue government service. Get your fucking heads out of your asses, people. You started off strong and then got stupid: if Scott Atlas being dismissed stops some other jackass from going off and doing jackass things, that’s a net positive. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6728 "2020-11-21T01:10:17Z")
The Michigan legislators who met with Individual 1 put out a statement where they say they are not interested in interfering with the election, but they do need money for covid relief. > ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6729 "2020-11-21T01:14:35Z")
Sounds like the making of a deal with Donny Two-Scoups. “Got your Covid funds right here” - points to Munchkin who’s busy sucking any unused Federal program funds in for the big finish - “What’s in it for me?” ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6730 "2020-11-21T01:19:22Z")
Looks like my earlier post about Shirkey was presuming that he would cave to the POS POTUS but maybe they didn’t? If so, apologies to Senator Shirkey, perhaps your Christian faith overrode the party over country pressures. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6731 "2020-11-21T01:33:36Z")
I think it’s far more likely that Trump & Co. just don’t know how to properly administer kompromat. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6732 "2020-11-21T01:35:06Z")
Or more likely they can’t. Moscow Mitch has already written Trump off and isn’t going to be approving any money. He’s play acting the election fraud angle for now, but that’s just for the rubes. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6733 "2020-11-21T01:36:08Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Sounds like the making of a deal with Donny Two-Scoups. > > “Got your Covid funds right here” - points to Munchkin who’s busy sucking any unused Federal program funds in for the big finish - “What’s in it for me?” Given that the Michigan legislators managed to make their way from the airport to the White House without drowning in the Potomac or wandering into Beltway traffic, I doubt they would go for a Trump “I will gladly give you coronavirus relief Tuesday for an election rigging today” deal. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6734 "2020-11-21T01:40:21Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > I doubt they would go for a Trump “I will gladly give you coronavirus relief Tuesday for an election rigging today” deal.- …in two weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6735 "2020-11-21T01:54:57Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Or more likely they can’t. Moscow Mitch has already written Trump off and isn’t going to be approving any money. He’s play acting the election fraud angle for now, but that’s just for the rubes. Moscow Mitch will try to keep Donny-Boy from blowing up the Georgia Senate run-offs, and that may mean approving cash payments for…something…so long as Donny gets his rake-off. Might as well be for COVID funding as for anything else! So it’s not yet out of the question that the Michigan officials could claim their trip to see the corrupt clown was fruitful. Mitch _needs_ those Georgia wins. If he loses the Majority Leader position, his life is basically over. So Mitch still needs to keep Donny-boy happy. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6736 "2020-11-21T02:41:59Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/0BAjaPAevzo/hqdefault.jpg "Kayleigh McEnany Claims Trump Didn’t Get Peaceful Transition | NowThis") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BAjaPAevzo) This is pathetic. I did get a chuckle out of the smackdown that takes place in the first :34 but after that it was just pathetic to watch the lying. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Mabes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mike_mabes/32/1782_2.png) [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6737 "2020-11-21T02:45:48Z")
I briefly heard one of The Five Idiots on FOX today saying this. RUSSIA INVESTIGATION! And he said that when he, and others on FOX, talk about a stolen election, people (not most FOX viewers) look at them like they are idiots. A rare moment of unconscious truth-telling ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6738 "2020-11-21T03:08:15Z")
Here’s the thing: Atlas’ statements don’t need to be defended and have nothing to do with chilling free speech. Atlas wasn’t even remotely attempting to make a “Hear me out, let me explain why my position, though controversial, warrants at least some consideration.” He has taken a completely unscientific view and lent his credentials behind policies that are completely counter to public health advice. He is using his credentials and Stanford’s name to inflict damage for some ideological cause that isn’t even remotely connected to his profession. He needs to be shit-canned – and probably sued. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6739 "2020-11-21T03:11:55Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Moscow Mitch will try to keep Donny-Boy from blowing up the Georgia Senate run-offs, > … > snip > … > Mitch _needs_ those Georgia wins. If he loses the Majority Leader position, his life is basically over. > > So Mitch still needs to keep Donny-boy happy. Are the Pubs going to dump Donnie after the Georgia run-offs? What do they need him for after that? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=335) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=337)