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The fallout of the American Presidential election of 2016 continues, and many are concerned about what the eventual consequences will be. One potential member of a Trump administration has many more worried than not. Observe:
As Donald Trump commences his ghastly slouch toward Washington, a coterie of sycophants snatches at his coattails: Newt Gingrich, Rudy Giuliani, Chris Christie—we knew this particular trio would scurry after heightened relevance and authority. Unsurprisingly, all three have slavered their way to the president-elect's transition team, and possibly into the Cabinet. Less expected, perhaps, was billionaire PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel's recent appointment to the same advisory committee. And yet, an alliance between Trump and Thiel, however appalling, seems so fitting that hindsight renders it almost preordained.
One wonders about the temperament of the President-Elect, but even more about the basket of, um, unemployed, that swarm around him seeking positions in the new administration. Peter Thiel is well know for having bankrupted Gawker over the Hulk Hogan affair, but for personal reasons.
But Thiel did not bankroll Hogan's lawsuit in a show of fraternity. He had nurtured a grudge since December 2007, when Gawker published an article entitled, "Peter Thiel is totally gay, people." Thiel condemned Gawker for publicly outing him, though the site contended that he had already disclosed his sexuality to those in his social sphere. Although Thiel referred to Gawker as "a singularly terrible bully," he did not pursue legal action. Instead, his rancor smoldered until, nine years later, he landed a belated—but fatal—blow.
What might such vindictiveness accomplish with more than millions of dollars, but the full faith and credit of the United States, if it sought to silence criticism, whistle-blowing, truth-telling and journalism? Should Soylentils be worried?
(Score: 2) by wisnoskij on Monday November 21 2016, @12:37AM
That Guardian article... It's not an interview, but it appears to be the first and only source for that quote. Everyone else lists it as the source, but all The Guardian says is that he said it as one point. Seems pretty sketchy to me.
(Score: 3, Informative) by n1 on Monday November 21 2016, @01:25AM
Here are some quotes that are from an article he wrote himself [cato-unbound.org] which to me paint a similar picture as the quote from The Guardian.
Make of it what you will, but Thiel is very much his own man with his own agenda, and i'd bet he's a lot smarter than Trump, with more of a vision too. He was working on big data with CIA funding back in 2003 and then helped fund facebook in 2004. He's also on the steering committee and the 'nothing to see here' Bilderberg Group.
He certainly has the capacity to be a great thing for the country if he finds himself in a position of power in government. But I fear that he, the same as trump will enrich themselves first, and just work on that technology to make capitalism free from democracy if they have time.
(Score: 2) by arslan on Monday November 21 2016, @02:44AM
But I fear that he, the same as trump will enrich themselves first, and just work on that technology to make capitalism free from democracy if they have time.
Right... and HRC and all the other career politicos are honest folks that don't/aren't enriching themselves, in some shape or form, first? Just curious, are you really that naive?
For the record, I have no doubt Trump have some very bad characteristic that he brings to the table, a bunch of others that are as bad as other career politicians/HRC, but he also brings something new to it. It remains to be seen how much he can deliver.
And no, I don't believe he is Hitler or will bring on the apocalypse