# The Trump Administration: A Clusterfuck in the Making **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 7, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070 "2016-12-07T00:25:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1652
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33025 "2019-05-29T17:05:01Z")
Well, if its a sparkling trebuchet you want, you should join the Eleventh Legion of Gayus Aurelius! Bold experiments in fabrics and colors! Cutting edge of ballistic design! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33026 "2019-05-29T17:48:55Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > You shouldn’t call it a trebuchet unless it is from the Trebuch region of France. Otherwise it is simply a sparkling catapult. Can we call it a _bayonet_ if it isn’t from Bayonne? “Pointy thing on the end of my gun” doesn’t have the same ring. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33027 "2019-05-29T18:11:16Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > You shouldn’t call it a trebuchet unless it is from the Trebuch region of France. Otherwise it is simply a sparkling catapult. > [@CalMeacham](#): > > Can we call it a _bayonet_ if it isn’t from Bayonne? “Pointy thing on the end of my gun” doesn’t have the same ring. In both cases, similar to champagne, the restriction only holds in France. If you do invade France, make sure your troops are trained in the proper nomenclature, to avoid additional war crime charges if you lose. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33028 "2019-05-29T18:13:57Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > You shouldn’t call it a trebuchet unless it is from the Trebuch region of France. Otherwise it is simply a sparkling catapult. Nah, just pronounce the “t”, and it’s all good. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33029 "2019-05-29T20:19:36Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > I want you to go to your room and think about what you’ve done. You can come out when you’re ready to apologize! What makes you think that I was not already in my room when I made that post? Or, in fact, that I even would want to come out? ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33030 "2019-05-29T21:01:42Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Nah, just pronounce the “t”, and it’s all good. Ahh, then the French will assume it’s a mini-catapult… a “trebuchette”. While they’re snickering, you take them by\* surprise:\* BAM! Chunk that punkin’! ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33031 "2019-05-29T22:46:06Z")
_ **GASP** _ _[DOE Assistant Secretary](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/05/us-department-of-energy-is-now-referring-to-fossil-fuels-as-freedom-gas/) for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg is quoted as saying, "With the US in another year of record-setting natural gas production, I am pleased that the Department of Energy is doing what it can to promote an efficient regulatory system that allows for [color=black]molecules of US freedom to be exported to the world.”_[/COLOR] ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33032 "2019-05-29T23:01:12Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > _ **GASP** _ > > _[DOE Assistant Secretary](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/05/us-department-of-energy-is-now-referring-to-fossil-fuels-as-freedom-gas/) for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg is quoted as saying, "With the US in another year of record-setting natural gas production, I am pleased that the Department of Energy is doing what it can to promote an efficient regulatory system that allows for [color=black]molecules of US freedom to be exported to the world.”_[/COLOR] Just like atoms of liberty and particles of independence. We simply cast them to the winds and let them do their global thing. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33033 "2019-05-29T23:40:06Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > _ **GASP** _ > > [DOE Assistant Secretary](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/05/us-department-of-energy-is-now-referring-to-fossil-fuels-as-freedom-gas/) for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg is quoted as saying, "With the US in another year of record-setting natural gas production, I am pleased that the Department of Energy is doing what it can to promote an efficient regulatory system that allows for molecules of US freedom to be exported to the world.” That’s terrible. Obviously, he should have said: > [@](#): > > "With the US in another year of record-setting natural gas production, I am pleased that the Department of Energy is doing what it can to promote an efficient regulatory system that allows for molecules of US freedom, \*\* created by GOD ALMIGHTY himself \*\*to be exported to the world. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33034 "2019-05-30T00:35:32Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > _ **GASP** _ > > _[DOE Assistant Secretary](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/05/us-department-of-energy-is-now-referring-to-fossil-fuels-as-freedom-gas/) for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg is quoted as saying, "With the US in another year of record-setting natural gas production, I am pleased that the Department of Energy is doing what it can to promote an efficient regulatory system that allows for [color=black]molecules of US freedom to be exported to the world.”_[/COLOR] True story: when I was visiting the US I didn’t bring any toiletries with me but was happy to find my usual brand of deodorant at a CVS. The only difference (aside from no French on the packaging) was that in Canada it’s branded “Fresher than Nature” but in the States, it’s “Fresher than Freedom”. Dafuq? I guess freedom is getting a little stale there but still… ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33035 "2019-05-30T01:26:02Z")
_… “a tarp was hung over the ship’s name ahead of the president’s trip… and sailors were directed to remove any coverings from the ship that bore its name,” the (Wall Street) Journal reports. “After the tarp was taken down, a barge was moved closer to the ship, obscuring its name. Sailors on the ship, who typically wear caps bearing its name, were given the day off during Mr. Trump’s visit, people familiar with the matter said.”_ [what name might that be](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/05/navy-reportedly-tried-hiding-name-of-uss-john-mccain-warship-with-a-tarp-during-trumps-visit.html)? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33036 "2019-05-30T01:29:57Z")
Too soon for an _I like warships that DON’T get damaged in collisions_ joke? Yeah, we all do. Idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33037 "2019-05-30T02:41:38Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Nah, just pronounce the “t”, and it’s all good. When I was in grade school, and my only exposure to trebuchets was D&D manuals, I thought it was pronounced like “tree-bucket”. I think I was in college when a friend who’d studied French gave me all kinds of shit about that. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33038 "2019-05-30T14:10:49Z")
Trump thinks the courts will not allow him to be impeached: > [@](#): > > “There was no high crime. There was no misdemeanor,” Trump said, when asked about impeachment. > > “I don’t see how… I can’t imagine the courts allowing it,” Trump said. “To me, it’s a dirty word, the word ‘impeach.’ It’s a dirty, filthy, disgusting word,” he said. > **[Trump attacks Mueller, calls him 'a true never Trumper'](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-responds-mueller-calls-true-trumper/story?id=63369663)** > > "Mueller should have never been chosen": President Trump responds to Robert Mueller's statement, calls him a "true never Trumper." ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33039 "2019-05-30T14:19:29Z")
That moron must think “high crimes” outrank even felonies. God what a fucking moron. Wait 'til he finds out what the burden of proof for high crimes is. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33040 "2019-05-30T14:30:51Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > When I was in grade school, and my only exposure to trebuchets was D&D manuals, I thought it was pronounced like “tree-bucket”. I think I was in college when a friend who’d studied French gave me all kinds of shit about that. All the cool kids called them ‘trebs’ anyway. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33041 "2019-05-30T15:21:08Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > That moron must think “high crimes” outrank even felonies. God what a fucking moron. Wait 'til he finds out what the burden of proof for high crimes is. Real question: What is the difference between a high crime and a felony? And if misdemeanors are impeachable crimes, can a president be impeached for possessing a joint? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33042 "2019-05-30T15:26:25Z")
I believe that the minimum bar is “Smiling on a cloudy day.” ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33043 "2019-05-30T15:43:59Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Real question: What is the difference between a high crime and a felony? And if misdemeanors are impeachable crimes, can a president be impeached for possessing a joint? Real answer (pulled out of my ass): “high crimes and misdemeanors” are not legal terms found in any code. They may have historical meaning and context, but in practice: they’re whatever the House of Representatives thinks they are. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33044 "2019-05-30T15:44:12Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > When I was in grade school, and my only exposure to trebuchets was D&D manuals, I thought it was pronounced like “tree-bucket”. I think I was in college when a friend who’d studied French gave me all kinds of shit about that. I rather like “tree bucket” and i may just go with that from now on. also a nice nod to “keeping up appearances”; “run! it’s that bucket woman!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1651) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1653)