Stephen Hawking Calls Trump A 'Demagogue' Who Appeals 'To The Lowest Common Denominator' (go.com)

An anonymous reader writes: British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking told ITV's morning show that Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican Party candidate for U.S. president, "is a demagogue who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator." He said, "Gone are the days we could stand on our own against the world. We need to be part of a larger group of nations, both for our security and our trade." ABC News writes, "Stephen Hawking understands the workings of the universe -- but says he cannot fathom the popularity of Donald Trump. He went on to say that British voters should keep the United Kingdom in the European Union in a June 23 referendum, saying the EU provides essential support for British scientific research as well as its economy and security.

Comments

Re:Trump appeals to all denominators

[Macdude]

I don't know if my mind is blown but it's certainly confused. Your first question is unclear, do you mean is there anything that he has said that I believe, or do you mean will I believe anything he says regardless of how bat shit crazy it is? And what do you mean by believe? Do I believe he said it? Do I believe he thinks it's true? If it's not an opinion do I think the things he says are objectively true? If it's an opinion do I agree with it? And your final sentence I can't parse at all.

Re:So?

[Pfhorrest]

Because step one of that plan was "take his inheritance", and GP wasn't born into such an inheritance like Trump was.

The Wall

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, I also can't figure out why preventing illegal immigration to save literally billions per year is a good idea.

And that's just for California.

Who'd've thought that people don't want political correctness, extra crime, migrant welfare, and a change of culture?

Re: So?

[Lord Apathy]

Most foreign slashdoters, and even most local, have no clue how the U.S. government works. Most of them think of the President as a king or dictator. His word is law. That isn't the way it is. Outside the scope of his office the president has no more power than a normal citizen of the United States. Granted the power inside his office is vast but it is limited.

When it comes to shaping public policy the president can only really issue decrees called executive orders. Inside the executive branch, the presidents branch, those orders have a lot of weight. But outside they are usually not worth the paper they are printed on. Like the latest executive order stating that transgenders can use any bathroom in they want to in any public school. There are lots of schools setting this order aside. Other than punitive funding actions there is little the president can do to enforce this order. Even those actions can be over ruled by congress that really holds the purse strings.

Also any order that the president gives to the public can be cancelled by the Judiciary or the Legislative branches.

Trump may come in on a wave of fear and flag waving but his power will be limited by his office. I predict that once he is in office he will accomplish little to nothing because the other branches will reign him in. I predict that trump will be a one time president who's term in office will be little more than a foot note on history.

Re: So?

[johanw]

Sanders a hyper-socialist? That's funny, in almost all other countries they would call him moderate-right wing. It just shows that the US political landscape has drifted so far to the right that fascism is the norm now.

Re: So?

[sociocapitalist]

Oddly enough, Trump is the only front-runner clearly and vehemently opposed to the current H1B abuse that's going on right now.

Trump flip flops on every issue out there except for his believe that he is THE BEST.

Here is is flip flopping on H1B
http://uk.businessinsider.com/...

If you think you can believe anything this man says - or count on him to do ANYTHING he says that he's going to do, then you deserve the snake oil you're buying.

As far as Bernie, he's not quite out of the game yet but the more people say things like "doesn't have a real shot' the worse it gets for him. He's an underdog but he's not out of the race.