Trump is coming to my NE Ohio town Thursday...

[JohnnyRingo]

...and I don't know why. I mean I know what he plans to do here, I'm just not sure I see the reasoning behind the visit.

Trump will land at Youngstown Warren Regional Airport later this week, apparently on his way home from Florida, to sign an executive order reversing Obama's executive order that has prevented mining companies from dumping waste in America's rivers and steams:

Final Stream Protection Rule. ... The final rule better protects streams, fish, wildlife, and related environmental values from the adverse impacts of surface coal mining operations and provides mine operators with a regulatory framework to avoid water pollution and the long-term costs associated with water treatment.

So.. uh... thank you? Thank you for ridding the working class of that pesky regulation.

Still, I don't understand the dubious honor bestowed upon this union stronghold in Trumbull County Ohio. To begin with, there's no coal mining within nearly 100 miles of here. Youngstown is a steel town amid the Rust Belt and although Trump scored a marginal but historical victory in Trumbull County last fall, he lost the 17th district vote (Tim Ryan D). The local Republican party is in a shambles here with the leader facing impeachment from his party position and weaker than ever, so they had no pull for this visit. Other than November's odd Trump win, the county voted heavily for Democrats as usual.

The airport he's breezing into for this signing and a brief speech is home to the 910 AF Reserve C130 cargo squadron, so security is strong. The airbase entrance itself, where one can access the hanger in which he'll speak, is located on a narrow two lane rural road with no parking along the roadside making visible protest difficult. Typically, limited tickets for such closed GOP events at the base are distributed by the local Republican Party. Ticket holders are loaded on buses elsewhere and brought in though the security checkpoint. So far the party has refused comment on the visit or availability of tickets. (Visiting Democrats usually appear at the city amphitheater downtown.)

I can understand why such a filtered venue where he's assured a small but loyal crowd would be inviting, but I don't know why signing this "poison us" law can't be done in the Oval Office. Why can't he screw us from the warm confines of The White House instead of coming here to bend us over personally? Perhaps it's optics, so when you see him on MSNBC signing this reckless order to pollute our waters and streams amid raucous chants of "USA", remember it's as staged as a Broadway production of Oliver Twist.

"Please sir, may I have some more?".

[guillaumeb]

1. A Potemkin village in action.

The Czar would be so pleased.

[bettyellen]

2. Organize! Make him embarrassed to leave the WH!!

[flygal]

3. Well written and yeah, I think it's about him having an audience so the rubes watching in the rest

of the country think it's a good thing. He'll probably have the reservist as backdrops.

I'm surprised there' s not more rage in the press about this? Fatigue? There's so much to rage about.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. He'll be doing some fundraising. If he combines that with an official act,

he can get the taxpayer to pick up the tab for the trip.

They all do it.

[sarah FAILIN]

5. moon him.

That way he can't delude himself into thinking ya'll are supporters. Trashy, yes, but he will understand it.

[JohnnyRingo]

7. Access is not freely permitted

It's at an Air force base hanger so one must pass a checkpoint to get in. Nearest parking, besides the small lot on the other side of the airport is miles away. Ticketed visitors are bused in and the Republican Party that distributes them is mum at the moment. As usual, when a Republican speaks at the base, there will only be a couple hundred available to party loyals.

Visible protest outside the gate will be limited and possible by only those most determined. No dissent will be in view of the president. I myself am old and not in good enough health to hike to an outside protest in sub-freezing weather. I'm saving what energy i have to take my adult sons and a grandson to the Tesla concert that evening.

[TeamPooka]

6. Applause is a hell of a drug.