1 of 1- Goose
- Cogito ergo sum
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Conflict of Interest, Defined
The unique circumstances of this presidency present numerous conflicts of interest.
Here is one:
Turkey has just taken a major step towards authoritarianism.
Thus far, the US Administration has no made no statement supporting democracy, or cautioning the regime about human rights.
One of the most valuable pieces of real estate in Istanbul is the Trump Towers.
Am I being paranoid?
In December 2015, Trump stated in a radio interview that he had a "conflict of interest" in dealing with Turkey because of his property, saying "I have a little conflict of interest, because I have a major, major building in Istanbul ... It’s called Trump Towers. Two towers, instead of one. Not the usual one, it’s two. And I’ve gotten to know Turkey very well."
Note, I am not saying that Trump is evil here. I am pointing out that he has a conflict of interest*. His own property vs the interests of the People of the United States.
This is uncharted territory.
Whether one likes Trump or dislikes him, this is something to think about.
* Conflict of Interest
a situation in which the concerns or aims of two different parties are incompatible.
"the conflict of interest between elected officials and corporate lobbyists"
a situation in which a person is in a position to derive personal benefit from actions or decisions made in their official capacity.
"Watson quit his job after questions about a possible conflict of interest"
Last edited by Goose (4/17/2017 2:19 pm)
We live in a time in which decent and otherwise sensible people are surrendering too easily to the hectoring of morons or extremists.
- tennyson
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Re: Conflict of Interest, Defined
All of this is why total divestment is the only way to remain above the fray.
Trump has already chosen NOT to do this.
"Do not confuse motion and progress, A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress"
- Goose
- Cogito ergo sum
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Re: Conflict of Interest, Defined
And here we go.
Trump congratulates Erdoğan after Turkey vote grants sweeping powers
US president spoke with the Turkish leader Monday following a referendum that has escalated concern over Erdoğan’s increasingly authoritarian grip
Last edited by Goose (4/18/2017 6:45 am)
We live in a time in which decent and otherwise sensible people are surrendering too easily to the hectoring of morons or extremists.
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Thread Starter- Just Fred
- Duke of Cortona
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Re: Conflict of Interest, Defined
Eventually, all authoritarian leaders find a way to piss off eachother. Stay tuned. It's not like there's an "Authoritarian Leaders Club" where they all sit down together and talk about how they could make the world a better place.
- Common Sense
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Re: Conflict of Interest, Defined
Turkey has been a member of NATO since 1952. The NATO alliance with Turkey has been on the decline for years. Erdogan blamed the US for the failed plot to remove him in a coup. The vote I think takes Turkey in the wrong direction. The country seems to be in turmoil today with the internal security of the nation in question.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident,” former vice president Biden said during a campaign event in Texas on Monday. "All men and women created by — you know, you know, the thing.”
- Goose
- Cogito ergo sum
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Re: Conflict of Interest, Defined
Common Sense wrote:
Turkey has been a member of NATO since 1952. The NATO alliance with Turkey has been on the decline for years. Erdogan blamed the US for the failed plot to remove him in a coup. The vote I think takes Turkey in the wrong direction. The country seems to be in turmoil today with the internal security of the nation in question.
True, maybe. But, it does not address the conflict of interest issue, which is, after all, the topic of the thread.
We live in a time in which decent and otherwise sensible people are surrendering too easily to the hectoring of morons or extremists.
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Thread Starter- Common Sense
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Re: Conflict of Interest, Defined
Something to keep in mind from a strictly legal point. Washington is a strange place!
Congress, under Title 18 Section 208 of the U.S. code, did exempt the president and vice president from conflict-of-interest laws on the theory that the presidency has so much power that any possible executive action might pose a potential conflict.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident,” former vice president Biden said during a campaign event in Texas on Monday. "All men and women created by — you know, you know, the thing.”
- Goose
- Cogito ergo sum
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Re: Conflict of Interest, Defined
I understand. However, just because something is legal does not necessarily mean that it is of no concern, or that it is in our best interests.
We live in a time in which decent and otherwise sensible people are surrendering too easily to the hectoring of morons or extremists.
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Thread Starter