# Thoughts about the election that don't seem to belong anywhere else **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 14, 2016, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002 "2016-11-14T20:57:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2017, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/401 "2017-01-25T02:10:25Z")
Trump administration orders media blackout at EPA [http://fw.to/AmB85Nb](http://fw.to/AmB85Nb) > [@](#): > > Emails sent to EPA staff since President Trump’s inauguration on Friday and reviewed by the Associated Press detailed the specific prohibitions banning news releases, blog updates or posts to the agency’s social media accounts. I guess this is so the only information that comes out about the EPA or the environment, if any, is from “him.” This worries me. What other information is going to be silenced? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2017, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/402 "2017-01-25T02:40:29Z")
Scrolling further down the page you linked to says: > [@](#): > > It’s customary for incoming administrations to require government agencies to shut down their communication as the new team solidifies its strategy. I don’t know why this would worry you. ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2017, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/403 "2017-01-27T02:01:23Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Scrolling further down the page you linked to says: > > I don’t know why this would worry you. Maybe because “he” appointed someone who hates the EPA to head the EPA. Maybe because he claims global warming is a conspiracy by China. Maybe because he has said “we” have to speak to Bill Gates about “closing that Internet up in some way” and that those who complain about freedom of speech are “foolish people.” > **[Trump administration reviewing EPA website | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/25/politics/trump-epa-lockdowns/)** > > EPA employees have been told not to release press releases, publish blogs posts or post anything on social media. > [@](#): > > Jeremy Symons, a former career employee at the EPA who worked through the transition between President Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, said this sort of information lock down is “unprecedented.” ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2017, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/404 "2017-01-27T02:28:46Z")
> [@Skypist](#): > > Jeremy Symons, a former career employee at the EPA who worked through the transition between President Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, said this sort of information lock down is “unprecedented.” I’ve got a wait and see attitude about this one. We’re in unprecedented territory just based on the range of communications options (twitter, etc.) that has exploded since our last transition. Even if I agree with the content of a tweet, there’s appropriate and inappropriate: tweeting a climate change research result that your agency publishes is appropriate even if it doesn’t toe the party line, but overt political commentary such as re-tweeting inauguration crowd sizes (even if factual) has been forbidden for a long time. There’s a fine line, so it’s sensible to review policies of approval. In the EPA case, I’m more concerned with the stopping of grant work and the screening of scientists speaking at conferences. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2017, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/405 "2017-02-03T01:24:37Z")
This is really a thought about Trump that doesn’t seem to belong anywhere else. “Donald Trump’s Longtime Doctor Says President Takes Hair-Growth Drug” [https://nyti.ms/2jXmwrW](https://nyti.ms/2jXmwrW) > [@](#): > > WASHINGTON — President Trump takes medication for three ailments, including a prostate-related drug to promote hair growth, Mr. Trump’s longtime physician, Dr. Harold N. Bornstein, said in a series of recent interviews… > … > > The disclosure that Mr. Trump uses a prostate-related drug to maintain growth of his scalp hair, which has not been publicly known, appears to solve a riddle of why Mr. Trump has a very low level of prostate specific antigen, or PSA, a marker for prostate cancer. Mr. Trump takes a small dose of the drug, finasteride, which lowers PSA levels. Finasteride is marketed as Propecia to treat male-pattern baldness. > > Dr. Bornstein said he also took finasteride and credited it for helping maintain his own shoulder-length hair and Mr. Trump’s hair. “He has all his hair,” Dr. Bornstein said. “I have all my hair.”… This made me curious about psychological side effects of finasteride. I know this is anecdotal, so don’t give me a hard time about that. Just skip reading. Or do your own research and share. I’m searching for reasons for DJT’s lunacy. [FWIW](http://www.askdocweb.com/propecia86.html) "PROPECIA IS POISON. I am not joking around here. The 2% bullsh_t is the dumbest sh_t I have ever heard. I have only taken the pill for the past three days and I already have the worst “brain fog” imaginable. I have insomnia. I have developed a rash all over my body. I have ED. I am exhausted. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG! Clearly the side effects are more common and from reading people’s comments they can be permanent. " There’s even something called [Post Finasteride Syndrome](http://www.pfsfoundation.org/news/post-finasteride-syndrome-foundation-sponsors-pfs-roundtable-for-medical-researchers-at-international-meeting-on-steroids-and-the-nervous-system/): > [@](#): > > Reported symptoms include loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, penile shrinkage, gynecomastia, muscle atrophy, cognitive impairment, severely dry skin, and depression. The condition often has a life-altering impact on victims and their families, such as job loss and the breakup of marriages and romantic relationships, while also being linked to suicides. Finasteride messes with hormone levels, especially with testosterone, and this can have psychological effects. Hormonal fluctuations are the standard reasons given for why women can’t govern, but men can have them, too. And high testosterone can contribute to aggression, which DJT is exhibiting plenty of these days. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/406 "2017-02-03T01:28:53Z")
I don’t think you can write it off to drugs, unless he’s been taking it for the last 30 years. He’s always been an ignorant, unscrupulous, self-aggrandizing POS. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2017, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/407 "2017-02-03T02:41:10Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > I don’t think you can write it off to drugs, unless he’s been taking it for the last 30 years. He’s always been an ignorant, unscrupulous, self-aggrandizing POS. I’m not “writing it off” to drugs, just speculating. I know he’s always been all those things, but lately he’s been an extreme version of himself. I mean, hanging up on the Australian guy-- c’mon! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/408 "2017-02-03T04:17:03Z")
Thing is, its got testosterone in there. Close to half the human race will testify to the unfortunate effects of testosterone on cognitive function. Besides which, guys with massive testosterone levels grow bald _earlier_ than other guys. Patrick Stewart, Sean Connery. Guys so soaked with the stuff I gotta shave if I watch one of their movies. Not gonna help hair loss any more than homeopathic doses of radium. More testosterone won’t do anything for hair. But maybe it isn’t really about the hair… Look, Donald, its like this. You’re seventy, didn’t take good care of yourself, neglected your green leafy vegetables and marijuana. Not saying you don’t still have a steam-engine love machine, but the pilot light has gone out. Relax. Memory is next, and soon you will forget why you ever cared, ---
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/409 "2017-02-03T14:56:22Z")
I’ve discovered a coping mechanism to help deal with the feelings of anxiety and depression caused by the election of the worst possible candidate for President this country has ever seen… I changed my TV so that it only plays the music from the 1950’s and 1960’s, can’t tune in any of the news channels or shows. I can, if I work at it, get a sports game or two. My state of mind is much improved. Good thing, too. I was considering my chances of getting away with politicide. ---
**Author:** ![soonerblue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soonerblue/32/3302_2.png) [@soonerblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soonerblue)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/410 "2017-02-03T17:55:30Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I’m not “writing it off” to drugs, just speculating. I know he’s always been all those things, but lately he’s been an extreme version of himself. I mean, hanging up on the Australian guy-- c’mon! He never blasted or hung up on Turnbull, he only leaked stories to our press that he did. My Aussie friend sent me this when I apologized: [http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/the-real-reason-donald-trump-was-filthy/news-story/e21ad19d230215fd265b31517fcd16fe](http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/the-real-reason-donald-trump-was-filthy/news-story/e21ad19d230215fd265b31517fcd16fe) "[…] To answer this question, the Roman politician Cicero famously said one only needs to ask “Who benefits?” In this case, the only person who benefits is Trump. But it only really benefits him if he goes ahead with the deal. As noted, if Trump ends up canning it he will look weak and silly for ever agreeing to it in the first place. However the narrative leaking out now is that Trump fought valiantly for his constituents but got screwed over by the establishment – precisely the same narrative that defined Trump’s whole campaign and probably his very psyche. It’s only if you’re going to do something your supporters don’t like that you need to let them know how unhappy you are about it. If you’re not going to do it all you have to do is not do it. In other words, Trump is possibly laying down the political backstory so he can honour the deal but still save face and look like a tough guy. It might just be the most sophisticated PR strategy he’s ever executed.[…]" Yep, those Aussies already have him figured out. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/411 "2017-02-03T18:41:02Z")
Speaking of finance, Wall street people must be doing handsprings: [Trump to take steps rolling back financial regulations](http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/03/politics/trump-financial-executive-actions/) Counting the years until the next major financial crisis that Trump foments. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/412 "2017-02-03T18:52:24Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > Speaking of finance, Wall street people must be doing handsprings: > > [Trump to take steps rolling back financial regulations](http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/03/politics/trump-financial-executive-actions/) > > Counting the years until the next major financial crisis that Trump foments. Which, of course, will be due to Trump following instructions found on some list generated by the Obama Administration. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/413 "2017-02-03T19:58:28Z")
Was anybody else surprised when the Obama admin imposed those rules making it illegal for financial consultants to lie to their customers and steer them into investments that weren’t good for them? I was surprised to hear that it wasn’t _already_ illegal! But, no, it wasn’t! Then it was illegal, all part of that reform effort. No fair cheating old folks out of their pension money! Now the Trump admiin wants to change that. Guess what they want to do! Go ahead, really, guess, 'cause you’ll _never_ believe this shit! ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/414 "2017-02-03T20:08:48Z")
> [@soonerblue](#): > > He never blasted or hung up on Turnbull, he only leaked stories to our press that he did. My Aussie friend sent me this when I apologized: > > [http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/the-real-reason-donald-trump-was-filthy/news-story/e21ad19d230215fd265b31517fcd16fe](http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/the-real-reason-donald-trump-was-filthy/news-story/e21ad19d230215fd265b31517fcd16fe) > > "[…] To answer this question, the Roman politician Cicero famously said one only needs to ask “Who benefits?” > > In this case, the only person who benefits is Trump. But it only really benefits him if he goes ahead with the deal. As noted, if Trump ends up canning it he will look weak and silly for ever agreeing to it in the first place. However the narrative leaking out now is that Trump fought valiantly for his constituents but got screwed over by the establishment – precisely the same narrative that defined Trump’s whole campaign and probably his very psyche. > > It’s only if you’re going to do something your supporters don’t like that you need to let them know how unhappy you are about it. If you’re not going to do it all you have to do is not do it. > > In other words, Trump is possibly laying down the political backstory so he can honour the deal but still save face and look like a tough guy. It might just be the most sophisticated PR strategy he’s ever executed.[…]" > > Yep, those Aussies already have him figured out. Interesting article. It makes a lot of sense. I have just one question: Who’s Larry and why is he so happy? > [@](#): > > But again, the question begs: if Trump wasn’t going to follow through with the deal, why would he be pissed off? The fact that he got upset suggests he felt obliged to follow through with it. Otherwise he would have just ditched it and been happy as Larry. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/415 "2017-02-03T21:28:20Z")
Larry Trump, another brother, along with Curly and Moe. They couldn’t lock him in the attic and feed him fish heads, so they boxed him up and sent him to Australia. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/416 "2017-02-03T22:26:51Z")
Hear, Hear! When the focus is on border security, be it a physical or geopolitical obstruction it’s effectiveness is defined based on whom it lets in, and whom it lets out. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2017, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/417 "2017-02-03T22:49:18Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Was anybody else surprised when the Obama admin imposed those rules making it illegal for financial consultants to lie to their customers and steer them into investments that weren’t good for them? I was surprised to hear that it wasn’t _already_ illegal! But, no, it wasn’t! > > Then it was illegal, all part of that reform effort. No fair cheating old folks out of their pension money! > > Now the Trump admiin wants to change that. Guess what they want to do! Go ahead, really, guess, 'cause you’ll _never_ believe this shit! Americans elected Trump to hold them up by the ankles and grab the contents of their pockets, and YOU AREN’T GOING TO STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING! (A nation of dim-witted masochists. Lovely.) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/418 "2017-02-04T02:31:05Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Americans elected Trump to hold them up by the ankles and grab the contents of their pockets, and YOU AREN’T GOING TO STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING! > > (A nation of dim-witted masochists. Lovely.) I beg to differ. Less than half a nation of dim-witted masochists. But far too many. And far too many of them hateful as well. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/419 "2017-02-04T03:15:00Z")
I think this topic has run its course. Feel free to start other topic specific threads at your discretion. [/moderating] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002.md?page=20)