Trump enters the North Korea talks with one foot in a bucket

[Subduction Zone]

In the Trump Administration, Science Is Unwelcome. So Is Advice.

For the first time since 1941 the U.S. is without a science adviser. Perhaps he already knows that there will be no agreement to get rid of nukes. That would make a science adviser largely without purpose in such talks.

 

[Quetzal]

In the Trump Administration, Science Is Unwelcome. So Is Advice.

For the first time since 1941 the U.S. is without a science adviser. Perhaps he already knows that there will be no agreement to get rid of nukes. That would make a science adviser largely without purpose in such talks.

Didn't you hear? Science is a liberal conspiracy.

 

[BSM1]

In the Trump Administration, Science Is Unwelcome. So Is Advice.

For the first time since 1941 the U.S. is without a science adviser. Perhaps he already knows that there will be no agreement to get rid of nukes. That would make a science adviser largely without purpose in such talks.

Just curious, what role would a "science adviser" play in these talks?

 

[Nakosis]

In the Trump Administration, Science Is Unwelcome. So Is Advice.

For the first time since 1941 the U.S. is without a science adviser. Perhaps he already knows that there will be no agreement to get rid of nukes. That would make a science adviser largely without purpose in such talks.

foot in the bucket
To act timidly or cowardly. A batter who steps away from home plate with his leading foot (usually in fear of being struck by a pitched ball) instead of a straight-ahead stride is said to "step in the bucket".

Glossary of English-language idioms derived from baseball - Wikipedia

I don't know if I'd really call him timid about it. I suspect Trump has gotten used to jumping without looking and landing on his feet.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Just curious, what role would a "science adviser" play in these talks?

Seriously? A science adviser would know what sort of steps would be needed to confirm that they had eliminated nuclear weapons. Are you willing to take North Korea at its word?

 

[Subduction Zone]

foot in the bucket
To act timidly or cowardly. A batter who steps away from home plate with his leading foot (usually in fear of being struck by a pitched ball) instead of a straight-ahead stride is said to "step in the bucket".

Glossary of English-language idioms derived from baseball - Wikipedia

I don't know if I'd really call him timid about it. I suspect Trump has gotten used to jumping without looking and landing on his feet.

Did I say "the" bucket? This was not a reference to that rather arcane saying.

He handicaps himself by not taking a much needed adviser for such talks.

 

[BSM1]

Seriously? A science adviser would know what sort of steps would be needed to confirm that they had eliminated nuclear weapons. Are you willing to take North Korea at its word?

I'm sure you mean well but this verification would probably take an on site team consisting of military and civilian specialists. I don't think having a "Science Adviser" in Singapore would add anything to the talks except placing more shrimp cocktails on the public's dime.

 

[Quetzal]

I'm sure you mean well but this verification would probably take an on site team consisting of military and civilian specialists. I don't think having a "Science Adviser" in Singapore would add anything to the talks except placing more shrimp cocktails on the public's dime.

Oh come on. It is important to have subject matter experts who can call bull**** on something the president might not know much about. They play an important role here.

 

[BSM1]

Oh come on. It is important to have subject matter experts who can call bull**** on something the president might not know much about. They play an important role here.

Really? How much "science" do you think will be discussed in Singapore? The only thing that will come out of these talks is an agreement to disarm and a schedule to inspect the NK nuke sites in the future. This does not take a rocket scientist, it takes a deal maker. Think about it.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I'm sure you mean well but this verification would probably take an on site team consisting of military and civilian specialists. I don't think having a "Science Adviser" in Singapore would add anything to the talks except placing more shrimp cocktails on the public's dime.

Wow! This is rather amazing. What do you think that military and civilian specialists use to do their job? I can guarantee you that it is not this:

From the article that I linked and you should read:

"he is doing so without the help of a White House science adviser or senior counselor trained in nuclear physics."

Don't you think it might be a good idea to have someone that understood the topic at the table?

 

[Quetzal]

...on the public's dime.

Also, this crap has to stop. You can't take a statement like this seriously when the current president:

1. Has taken up semi-permanent residence at a country club in Florida.
2. Has housed the first lady in New York instead of the White House.

On the public's dime, give me a break. We have lost more money in these two things alone than a small army of advisers.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Really? How much "science" do you think will be discussed in Singapore? The only thing that will come out of these talks is an agreement to disarm and a schedule to inspect the NK nuke sites in the future. This does not take a rocket scientist, it takes a deal maker. Think about it.

What makes you think that key parts could not be moved about? Site inspections alone are not enough.

 

[Quetzal]

Really? How much "science" do you think will be discussed in Singapore?

US: Can you outline some steps you have taken or are planning to take?
NK: X, Y, and then Z!
US (to an advisor that evening): Is he talkin crap?
Advisor: Yes, according to what we know and what we have seen, You can't do Y before doing A, B, and C. He is taking you for a spin to get something out of you, Mr Prez.

Is this sort of discussion really that hard to imagine?

 

[BSM1]

US: Can you outline some steps you have taken or are planning to take?
NK: X, Y, and then Z!
US (to an advisor that evening): Is he talkin crap?
Advisor: Yes, according to what we know and what we have seen, You can't do Y before doing A, B, and C. He is taking you for a spin to get something out of you, Mr Prez.

Is this sort of discussion really that hard to imagine?

Again it is not brain surgery. in Singapore, NK needs to list the sites, agree to rid them of nukes, and then tell us when we can send in our "Science Advisors" to make sure they have complied. If Kim lies in these talks then all the science advisers in the world would make no difference. I really don't know what you expect.

 

[Nakosis]

Did I say "the" bucket? This was not a reference to that rather arcane saying.

He handicaps himself by not taking a much needed adviser for such talks.

Cool, I was just trying to understand the metaphor.

 

[Nakosis]

Just curious, what role would a "science adviser" play in these talks?

Trump doesn't seem to play well with advisors.

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[esmith]

Oh you mean an adviser like the Obama had when he signed the Iran nuclear agreement...
Obama got taken to the cleaners.

 

[David T]

Oh come on. It is important to have subject matter experts who can call bull**** on something the president might not know much about. They play an important role here.

Well that's everything...

 

[Shushersbedamned]

Just curious, what role would a "science adviser" play in these talks?

Explaining to the whole crowd of politicians the distintive line between sanity and lunacy.

 

[Shushersbedamned]

Hey, are they playing twist?