anyone see the video of Cohen meeting his friends outside while Cohen was supposed to be inside at his court date? Holy mob ties. Those guys could have walked right off the set of some B movie about organized crime. The boss-looking guy even shooed another guy out of a seat so Cohen could sit down. Who does that? Yo, Vlad, get out of that seat so the man can sit down.

I guess it was a show of solidarity and they were making a point by being there, but holy cow.

I had wondered if he even knew them. It was really weird. His jacket helped set the scene.

Rand Paul never let Don down, per Don.

I guess the mantra is that it would be reckless to oppose the SoS nomination with negotiations under sail.

The Crimson Cyclone wrote:

Trump wrote:“Human trafficking is worse than it’s ever been in the history of the world.”

I guess this is why Roseanne tweeted that he's the best President because he's saved many many children from pimps all around the world. WTF?

I guess if you're friends with Russians, you know where all the kidnapped prostitutes are being kept?

They're probably referring to the liberal cabal that runs a secret pizzagate style child trafficking ring. At least Roseanne is. Fucking nutter.

The Crimson Cyclone wrote:

Trump wrote:“Human trafficking is worse than it’s ever been in the history of the world.”

that is true

If we don't count when it was legal...

nah, it is still true. 46 million in slavery today.

so right now there's more than the 12.5m african slaves??

yes, 46 million

One of the problems is measurement. It is a dangerous discussion in general as what is a credible answer. But discussing it comparatively is unnecessary, and erodes the actual point.

I feel like I could write a novel volume of words primarily based on CNN reporting from a year or two ago which was focused on modern human trafficking. One thing that stuck is that a salve in the late 1800's cost a modern day equivalent of a descent car ($40,000), while average cost of a human today is shockingly less the $100. Unfortunately that is where you can slide off the deep end of crazy talk, and absolutely repugnant talking points about how good African slaves had it because their owner invested in them versus the no less shocking idea that lives today are completely disposable. How can one even argue that either situation is anything but baseline evil?

If there is an upside it is that Trump has clearly heard the message that this continues to be a gigantic problem. Needing to qualify, or quantify it as which ever large size adjective is in play is merely his blind spot on display. While calling attention to this, it is just the unnecessary addition.

dont think saying there are more slaves now/the problem is worse/larger than ever before is saying slavery was good in the 1700s

The bill doesn't seem great and stigmatizes sex workers and could possibly drive them further underground or into more dangerous territory.

CalvinBall wrote:yes, 46 million

This number does include things like forced marriages which I understand could be seen as a form of slavery, especially in the bad cases. Estimates of total slavery range from 21-46 million. Not good.

I'm not saying it's not still a problem, but I'm thinking more misery per capita. 6 billion more people and a general consensus around the world that it's bad. I know you're passionate about the subject. but saying something like that just strikes me as needlessly sensationalist and tone deaf.

JUburton wrote:

CalvinBall wrote:yes, 46 million

This number does include things like forced marriages which I understand could be seen as a form of slavery, especially in the bad cases. Estimates of total slavery range from 21-46 million. Not good.

sure. the us government, corker specifically, cites a different number. i forget where taht comes from. it is like 30 something. idk where you got the 21 from though.

regardless, love the woke libs on twitter saying trump is trying to deny the trans Atlantic slave trade or something. good look.

WheelsFellOff wrote:I'm not saying it's not still a problem, but I'm thinking more misery per capita. 6 billion more people and a general consensus around the world that it's bad. I know you're passionate about the subject. but saying something like that just strikes me as needlessly sensationalist and tone deaf.

sorry that it makes you uncomfortable that millions of people are in slavery i guess.

CalvinBall wrote:dont think saying there are more slaves now/the problem is worse/larger than ever before is saying slavery was good in the 1700s

If that was your take away from my post, I did a shitty job. My comment was that the modern problem, which is all that can be dealt with, needs action no matter what the measure.

WRT "had it good", that was from pundit that should be unemployed. I should have left that out.

Yup. Totally not my point, Cal.