sdw2001

The pace of performance increase is pretty impressive. For example, I have an M2 Max MacBook Pro 2 TB/32 GB. About 18 months later I am replacing it with an M4 max with similar memory specs. Comparing the two chips is pretty unbelievable. In terms of how far they came in like 18 months.   

The level of analysis and discussion by members on this is really disappointing (but not surprising) overall.  We just have more standard ranting against the current administration, name-calling, and purely emotional/simplistic argument.  Not everyone, of course. But that seems to be the overall impression I get.  

Stabitha_Christie said:

sdw2001 said:

Stabitha_Christie said:

sdw2001 said:

Watching the absolute meltdown people are having is really something.  Those who didn’t support Trump to begin with are the loudest. But the center right is up there as well.

I would just say this. I wouldn’t bet against Trump. I don’t know whether or not this tariff strategy will work, but I’d give it better than 50-50 odds. He’s trying to reset the playing field and get countries to renegotiate. If you will look at what he’s doing compared to his past behavior, it’s exactly what he always does. He takes a maximalist position, then is happy when he gets some of what he wants.  There was no way to do this on trade without short-term pain.  We’re certainly seeing that now.   

There is a bigger picture here. It involves lower energy prices, reduced fraud and waste, and lower interest rates. One of the ways of achieving that is to force money into US treasuries, which is exactly what is happening right now. One problem Trump faced upon ansduming office is the stock market was overvalued from a P/E perspective.  It was due for a correction.  I have to wonder if they just decided to take the bath now.   

So we’ll see what happens, as the orange man likes to say.  Contrary to popular belief, he doesn’t have a bunch of idiots around him and isn’t just doing these things willy-nilly.   Hopefully, they work.

You can tell it's a cult because they just make things up to rationalize what is happening. This is just incredibly detached from reality, Trump has said the tariffs are here to stay and aren't part of a negotiating strategy but here we have a cult member insisting that is what they are. But yeah... I guess making things up is just to reassure us how well things are planned? What a bunch of clowns.

You can tell it's TDS, because they just have to engage in ad hominem attacks for no apparent reason.   

"Trump has said the tariffs are here to stay and aren't part of a negotiating strategy."   

I haven't heard him say that, but I don't follow every word, so let's assume it's accurate.  So? The last thing he is going to do is admit it's all a tactic.  Not only does it make sense that he would say this, but he's done exactly this kind of thing his entire career.  It's not about liking the tactic or disliking it....thinking it's right or wrong.  It's about understanding how the man operates.  Do you really disagree with this? 

As for plans, let me get this straight:  You honestly think Trump and his economic team are just pulling this out of their butts? Have you listened to people like Scott Bessant and Howard Lutnick?  Do you know the qualifications these men have?  Now, if you think the plan will fail, or it's not worth the short-term pain, or any other objection...fine.  But to claim there is no plan? That's an unserious as you claim the Trump admin is.  

I’ll take you at your word that you have not heard talk about his reasons for the tariffs. But that is also an admission on your part that you aren’t really informed on the subject.

Anyway, Trump and his team have given multiple conflicting answers for why they are imposing tariffs. In no particular order, they are for national security, a short-term negotiation tactic, not a short-term negotiating tactic but a rebuilding of the world order, addressing trade deficits, and intended to drive domestic manufacturing. That literally cannot give a consistent or coherent answer for their actions. 

I honestly do not believe they know what they are doing. Why? Because there is no evidence to support the claim that they have a plan. They can’t articulate what the plan is. They give contradictory explanations. They say things that are demonstrably false (examples: these aren’t reciprocal tariffs. The other countries don’t pay the tariffs). Heck, you are insisting there is a plan, but you can’t articulate it. All you have managed to do is fawn over Lutnick and Bessent. 

So we are back to this being a cult. Your entire response is devoid of any fact, and by your own admission, you aren’t informed on what Trump has been saying. Your argument is based on your blind faith in Trump and the people around him. You have offered nothing of substance. It’s a cult. 

I didn't say I hadn't heard the reasons.  I said I didn't follow every word.  I follow the admin and politics very closely.  

Anyway, Trump and his team have given multiple conflicting answers for why they are imposing tariffs. In no particular order, they are for national security, a short-term negotiation tactic, not a short-term negotiating tactic but a rebuilding of the world order, addressing trade deficits, and intended to drive domestic manufacturing. That literally cannot give a consistent or coherent answer for their actions. 

What you view as conflicting answers, I view as multiple, interconnected reasons for the actions.  They are trying to reset the game board, one that has been set "against us" for 80 years.  

I honestly do not believe they know what they are doing. Why? Because there is no evidence to support the claim that they have a plan. They can’t articulate what the plan is. They give contradictory explanations. They say things that are demonstrably false (examples: these aren’t reciprocal tariffs. The other countries don’t pay the tariffs). Heck, you are insisting there is a plan, but you can’t articulate it. All you have managed to do is fawn over Lutnick and Bessent. 

So we are back to this being a cult. Your entire response is devoid of any fact, and by your own admission, you aren’t informed on what Trump has been saying. Your argument is based on your blind faith in Trump and the people around him. You have offered nothing of substance. It’s a cult. 

The plan has been discussed in detail, particularly by Bessant.  You can accuse me of "fawning" all you want, but he's gone through it in several interviews.   Lutnick hasn't been quite as detailed.  Put simply, the plan is to use tariffs to negotiate a better trade environment (get other nations to drop their tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers), take in the tariffs that actually are imposed, and re-shore manufacturing.  Secondarily, the idea is to push money into U.S. Treasuries rather than stocks (which were somewhat overvalued from a P/E perspective), lower energy costs, interest rates and deficits.   These are all interconnected parts, obviously.  

As for "blind faith," that is neither true--nor does it make sense.   I already stated I didn't know if it would work in the long term.  I also said that given his track record, I wouldn't bet against him.  Love him or hate him, the man has consistently been underestimated since at least 2015.  Prior to Covid, it's hard to argue his economic policies weren't successful.  Take any measure you want, from real income, to GDP, to unemployment, to inflation.   

So, if noting past success, pointing out what they've explained, stating that I don't know if it will work long term (etc) makes me a cult member, you're welcome to think that.  It's certainly easier than making an actual argument.  

I don’t know a lot of people who are calling for Cook’s ouster. Then again, I’m not emotionally invested in it. I will say that Apple Intelligence is a massive failure so far. Siri has not kept up and it’s still frustrating to use to this day. But there’s no taking away the success Apple has had across the board.  Tim obviously doesn’t have Steve Jobs’ charisma or salesmanship/reality distortion field. But he’s unquestionably a better CEO for most of the skills that are required for that job at this time. Steve Jobs was perfect to come back to the company in 1997 and rescue it from near bankruptcy. Over the next 14 years, he built it into a juggernaut. And now Tim Cook has made Apple essentially the most successful company in the history of the world.  Obviously, he’s not going anywhere. 

Mike Wuerthele said:

Everybody take a deep breath and re-read the commenting guidelines.

As a reminder, this suit started under the previous administration.

As one of the longest tenured members on the site, I fully agree. The level of discussion was really starting to go off the rails. This doesn’t really have anything to do with the orange man, Whether you think “orange man bad” or “orange man good.”  If anything, I think him being an office increases the chance that this goes away at some point.  Watch Apple, pledge to move more production to the United States or whatever and it will—in unrelated news—-be dropped 😆

From what I understand,  I find it extremely difficult to believe Apple will win this. It seems to be more of an intimidation tactic to shut him up. Unless they can prove he knowingly, accessed trade secrets in an unlawful way, they would have a very difficult time at trial, I think. But the point is, they have unlimited resources and he does not.  So he really can’t win.   

So I’m going to buy a $120 head strap for my $3500 Apple Vision Pro? Unreal.

focuspuller said:

mac_128 said:

this guys is dangerous. For those who have forgotten, he essentially committed treason by co-authoring the letter telling Iran that any deal they struck with President would be reversed by congress as soon Obama leaves office.

I have not forgotten. Him and 46 other Republican senators subverting the President while in critical negotiations with a foreign power those senators consider "the enemy." This is what passes for patriotism in the GOP today.

Another idiotic post.  Anyone supporting the Presidents deal is absolute fool.  

The_Martini_Cat said:

Wow, a million dollars per job, that's like 100 grand a year salary for ten years.  I'm not a bit skeptical.

Yes, your sarcasm--and skepticism of politicians is warranted.  But Trump has already shown he's going to do what he says.  He's accomplished more in 1 month as PEOTUS than Obama has in 8 years actually being in office.  Trump's message is that the US is open for business.  He's going to have businesses and capital fighting to get here.  Just watch.  

Watching the absolute meltdown people are having is really something.  Those who didn’t support Trump to begin with are the loudest. But the center right is up there as well.