# 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:** 1975
**Author:** ![margin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@margin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/margin)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39485 "2019-12-19T05:42:35Z")
> [@Tatterdemalion](#): > > May I interject an anecdote from my own military service here? > > When I was in boot camp I got the lecture on not following illegal orders. > > We were marched into a classroom, and stood to attention. The drill instructor called us all to attention, and told us that an officer would be addressing us shortly.The officer entered the classroom and called at ease, and then we sat down and he gave us all the lecture about military law and Nuremburg and we shouldn’t obey illegal orders and stuff with pictures with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one. > > Then the recruit company commander called attention and he left. > > The chief came back into the room and explained what the officer really meant. > > He told us that the officer had to say that, but as (very) junior enlisted types, we wouldn’t actually ever be given any illegal orders, and we should remember that all orders must be obeyed immediately. > > Then we did a whole bunch of push ups, and marched off to the chow hall. > > I got the distinct impression that the military’s commitment to discipline was stronger than it’s commitment to the rule of law. My CO told us to take one more breath, one more second, before taking _that_ shot, and he backed us 100% if—as he said----we were given an illegal order. We had a dipshit pull up close to our vehicles, one day, just like a suicide bomber, and I was the one who had the shit. One breath extra, and it was apparent he wasn’t a bomber, he was just a dumbass. You forget about dumbasses in war.There’s a whole rainbow of stupid between black and white. We had a guy get rolled up for a brutal triple murder early in the war, so his interrogation was approached with some delicacy. As the junior, I went in first, and came out exclaiming, “There’s no fuckin’ way this guy did that!” (My never-fail interrogation technique? “Hey, would you like some Gummi Bears? They’re halal.”) Turns out he only got taken up because the guy we _really_ wanted had promised to take this guy’s wife to the hospital. We all tried different things on this guy, none of them like the shit you see in the movies. We did our reports, stressing the lack of any evidence as to guilt, hammering the considerable evidence of innocence. It didn’t work. He got sent to this prison near Baghdad. Abu Ghraib. It was May: the stories about Abu Ghraib came out in June or July, I think. Saw Lynndie England in the chow hall. Worst thing is, there was no illegal order to resist there. Would have been better, easier, if there were. There’s no dramatic moment. Nothing easy to see. That’s what will happen in some companies if they’re ordered to fire on civilians. “Look at those antifa, attacking your tank with their face!” ---
**Author:** ![margin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@margin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/margin)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39486 "2019-12-19T05:47:22Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I might have to steal this… Not my own, alas. Trained at Bragg next to Airborne and there was a lot of intra-unit joshing. It was a good-humored bunch. Top, at formation first thing in the morning; “Now, the general will be here today, so don’t act stupid.” Voice from the back of the formation: “It’s not an act, 1st. Sgt.” ---
**Author:** ![Strassia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@Strassia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strassia)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39487 "2019-12-19T05:47:47Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > You know, if I remember my history correctly the ‘Tet Offensive’ was a MASSIVE failure, as all of the insurgent traitors identified themselves and were easily dealt with. > > Good Times. That’s actually not far from correct. The Tet offensive was a complete military failure. But it was a major attack that happened after the U.S. government had assured everyone the Viet Cong were finished as a fighting force. That broke civilian support of the war. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk ---
**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:** [December 19, 2019, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39488 "2019-12-19T07:41:22Z")
A second Chinese national was arrested for trespassing at Mar a Lago while carrying electronic equipment, and refusing leave. [https://time.com/5752694/chinese-national-arrested-mar-a-lago/](https://time.com/5752694/chinese-national-arrested-mar-a-lago/) ---
**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:** [December 19, 2019, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39489 "2019-12-19T12:07:59Z")
Fifth pentagon official retires – within a week. > **[Fifth Pentagon official announces resignation in seven days](https://thehill.com/policy/defense/475205-fifth-pentagon-official-announces-resignation-in-seven-days/)** > > The Defense Department’s senior adviser for international cooperation earlier this week left the Pentagon, marking the fifth top official in seven days to leave or announce their departure.Ambassad… ---
**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:** [December 19, 2019, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39490 "2019-12-19T12:47:58Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Fifth pentagon official retires – within a week. > > [https://thehill.com/policy/defense/475205-fifth-pentagon-official-announces-resignation-in-seven-days](https://thehill.com/policy/defense/475205-fifth-pentagon-official-announces-resignation-in-seven-days) I said retires, but meant resigns. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39491 "2019-12-19T13:44:01Z")
> [@mistymage](#): > > … > 2) I’m amazed at how many MAGAts think Libruls don’t have guns. … If they actually follow through on their stupid threats, they’re in for a real rude surprise. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39492 "2019-12-19T14:55:26Z")
Welp, He’s finally done something that Obama couldn’t do. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39493 "2019-12-19T17:45:10Z")
U.S. Government Lists Fictional Nation From Marvel Movie Black Panther as Trade Partner > [@](#): > > The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) listed ‘Wakanda’, the fictional nation of Marvel superhero movie Black Panther, as a free-trade agreement partner in a bureaucratic mishap. > > Until Wednesday afternoon, the fictional east African country was listed on the USDA’s foreign agricultural service’s tariff tracker. A USDA spokesperson said the fictional nation was added to its system by mistake during tests officials were running. > **[U.S. Government Lists Fictional Nation From 'Black Panther' as Trade Partner](https://time.com/5752814/wakanda-black-panther-trade-partner/?amp=true&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_term=u.s._&linkId=79345117&__twitter_impression=true)** > > Until Wednesday afternoon, the fictional country was listed on a tariff tracker ---
**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:** [December 19, 2019, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39494 "2019-12-19T17:54:09Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Welp, He’s finally done something that Obama couldn’t do. Stolen. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39495 "2019-12-19T18:20:38Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > A second Chinese national was arrested for trespassing at Mar a Lago while carrying electronic equipment, and refusing leave. > [https://time.com/5752694/chinese-national-arrested-mar-a-lago/](https://time.com/5752694/chinese-national-arrested-mar-a-lago/) One might note that, in general, the ones who are caught are a percentage of all of those who try. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2019, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39496 "2019-12-19T18:53:09Z")
Putin comes to Individual 1’s defense following impeachment. [https://abcnews.go.com/amp/International/putin-trump-impeached-invented-reasons-remove-office/story](https://abcnews.go.com/amp/International/putin-trump-impeached-invented-reasons-remove-office/story)? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39497 "2019-12-19T20:03:02Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > U.S. Government Lists Fictional Nation From Marvel Movie Black Panther as Trade Partnerhttps://time.com/5752814/wakanda-black-panther-trade-partner/?amp=true&utm\_source=facebook&utm\_medium=social&utm\_campaign=editorial&utm\_term=u.s.\_&linkId=79345117&\_\_twitter\_impression=true I can believe it. Computers don’t make mistakes, but programmers do — frequently. (Source: 40 years in IT.) ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39498 "2019-12-19T20:14:19Z")
More of a prank, hopefully. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39499 "2019-12-19T20:41:12Z")
Another article I read on this said that it was a leftover from testing data that failed to be expunged. Any other administration I’d invoke Hanlon’s Razor because, as **jsc1953** noted, this happens. This administration, malice and stupidity are in lock-step with each other. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39500 "2019-12-19T20:50:28Z")
> [@Toxgoddess](#): > > More of a prank, hopefully. Not even. It sounds like the kind of stuff that’s added to a test data set with the notion of removing it later and then there’s too many cooks for one pot, the person who added that line is shuffled to do something else and nobody remembers to remove that line. Source: I create stuff with names such as MyBluePony, MyPinkPony, MyYellowPony… so far none of them has made it into Production but that’s only because I always follow a create-check-remove routine. ETA: started posting, got interrupted, **D\_Odds** info matches my guess. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39501 "2019-12-19T20:51:30Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > Another article I read on this said that it was a leftover from testing data that failed to be expunged. Any other administration I’d invoke Hanlon’s Razor because, as **jsc1953** noted, this happens. This administration, malice and stupidity are in lock-step with each other. I wouldn’t call this instance ‘malice’ or ‘stupidity’. Fake data is often used for testing. Sometimes someone forgets to take it out. It’s not as if the Administration thought there is a country of Wakanda. It’s just an innocent mistake that got attention because thinking Wakanda actually does exist is something this Administration _would_ think. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39502 "2019-12-19T20:51:39Z")
> [@mistymage](#): > > 1. I’m amazed at how many MAGAts think Libruls don’t have guns. Welp, this liberal household has weapons, and knows how to use them and believes in the [castle doctrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_doctrine). Being physically handicapped, I also have no reasonable expectation of either escape or evasion, and additionally being female have a reasonable expectation of self defense against being sexually abused and I wouldn’t trust most MAGA toting rednecks to not try and get some off oneof those damned librul britches [after all Trump grabs whoever he wants and gets away with it …] > [@elucidator](#): > > Well, if your boots aren’t still on the ground, you should let go of the rope. Good advice. Sort of like an airborn version of a [Nantucket Sleighride](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nantucket_sleighride)? I had great fun with a Trumpanzee in chat … he was bellyaching about how the Salem Witches got a better legal shot than Trump did in his ‘trial’ and I pointed out that firstly, an impeachment was more like a Grand Jury process [not a trial, but sort of tossing a bunch of stuff at a protojury and seeing if enough stuck to make a trial feasable] and secondly, speaking ex cathedra as a descendant of the Royal Governor who sort of green lighted the witch trials that torture was currently illegal in the US [waterboarding nonwithstanding] so our Cheeto in Chief actually got a hell of a better deal than the 20 witches did because they never actually had a chance at a fair trial. If and when a trial does come up, he will get the chance [or his legal defense team actually] will get a chance to confront his accusers. Oddly enough, the guy shut up. I guess getting spelled out in great detail including actual cites and quotes about the whole deal baffled him enough he had to go and have a lie down and a shot of something. [I actually have a doc file now with all sorts of resources so all I need to do is a copy paste into chat =) Who knew paralegal training would come in handy debating these morons …] ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39503 "2019-12-19T21:02:45Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Welp, this liberal household has weapons, and knows how to use them… Yeah, I’m a Liberal, and I probably have more firearms than many Conservatives. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2019, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/39504 "2019-12-19T21:39:14Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Yeah, I’m a Liberal, and I probably have more firearms than many Conservatives. Of course. Many gun owners don’t feel the need to engage in ape-ish dominance displays, like brandishing weapons or boasting about their proficiency with said weapons. It’s the loudest, stupidest voices that get heard, especially online, not the Teddy Roosevelt types. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1974) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1976)