Trending threads
BREAKING NEWS -- Trump Secures $100 Billion Win for America Before He Even Takes Office!
- Off Topic
- 16 Replies
Americans must have forgotten what it looks like when one of their elected officials fights for their interests.
Fortunately, President-elect Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 election has produced regular reminders of how it ought to look.
On Monday, Trump welcomed Japanese CEO Masayoshi Son to the president-elect's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, where the billionaire tech investor pledged a $100 billion investment in the United States, double what he pledged on a similar occasion eight years ago but not enough to keep Trump from showing off his legendary negotiating skills.
Son, who founded the tech investing firm Softbank, pledged $50 billion in U.S. investments in 2016, per CNBC.
This time around, Son's investment will create a projected 100,000 U.S. jobs in "artificial intelligence and related infrastructure" by 2029.
Trump, of course, welcomed the news of Son's massive investment.
Moreover, in one of several clips posted to the social media platform X, the president-elect raised expectations by suggesting that the investment would create 100,000 jobs "at a minimum."
Then, in a second clip, Son attributed his optimism to Trump's election.
"My confidence level to the economy of the United States has tremendously increased with his victory," the CEO said.
Finally, in the most remarkable clip of all, Trump publicly asked Son for an additional $100 billion.
"We were discussing, and President Trump said, 'Masa, double that is not enough. Maybe go for more. Right?" the smiling CEO recalled as he turned to the president-elect.
"That's right. I'm gonna ask him right now. Would you make it $200 billion instead of $100 billion?" Trump replied.
Son broke out into laughter, perhaps somewhat nervously, but more likely because he knew that Trump intended a compliment.
"Believe it or not, he can actually afford to do that," the president-elect said.
Trump then never took his eyes off of Son as the investor figured out how to answer.
"I will try to make it happen," Son said.
The billionaire investor then called Trump a "great negotiator" as the latter patted Son on the back and called his Japanese friend "brilliant."
After four years of elected officials prioritizing illegal immigrants and billions of dollars for Ukraine, Americans finally have an advocate.
Indeed, Monday's good-natured exchange with Son provided a perfect illustration of the disposition and skills Trump brings to the presidency -- and not a moment too soon.
Fortunately, President-elect Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 election has produced regular reminders of how it ought to look.
On Monday, Trump welcomed Japanese CEO Masayoshi Son to the president-elect's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, where the billionaire tech investor pledged a $100 billion investment in the United States, double what he pledged on a similar occasion eight years ago but not enough to keep Trump from showing off his legendary negotiating skills.
Son, who founded the tech investing firm Softbank, pledged $50 billion in U.S. investments in 2016, per CNBC.
This time around, Son's investment will create a projected 100,000 U.S. jobs in "artificial intelligence and related infrastructure" by 2029.
Trump, of course, welcomed the news of Son's massive investment.
Moreover, in one of several clips posted to the social media platform X, the president-elect raised expectations by suggesting that the investment would create 100,000 jobs "at a minimum."
Then, in a second clip, Son attributed his optimism to Trump's election.
"My confidence level to the economy of the United States has tremendously increased with his victory," the CEO said.
Finally, in the most remarkable clip of all, Trump publicly asked Son for an additional $100 billion.
"We were discussing, and President Trump said, 'Masa, double that is not enough. Maybe go for more. Right?" the smiling CEO recalled as he turned to the president-elect.
"That's right. I'm gonna ask him right now. Would you make it $200 billion instead of $100 billion?" Trump replied.
Son broke out into laughter, perhaps somewhat nervously, but more likely because he knew that Trump intended a compliment.
"Believe it or not, he can actually afford to do that," the president-elect said.
Trump then never took his eyes off of Son as the investor figured out how to answer.
"I will try to make it happen," Son said.
The billionaire investor then called Trump a "great negotiator" as the latter patted Son on the back and called his Japanese friend "brilliant."
After four years of elected officials prioritizing illegal immigrants and billions of dollars for Ukraine, Americans finally have an advocate.
Indeed, Monday's good-natured exchange with Son provided a perfect illustration of the disposition and skills Trump brings to the presidency -- and not a moment too soon.
Iowa City cancels Riverside Drive Pedestrian Bridge rehabilitation project
- By cigaretteman
- Off Topic
- 2 Replies
Iowa City is canceling a $1.3 million project that would have improved the Riverside Drive pedestrian bridge and spiral ramp at Iowa Avenue after no contractors bid on the project.
Construction on the project was scheduled to start in the spring of 2025 and end later in the summer. The rehabilitation project would have included improvements to the concrete on the bridge and ramp, expansion joint rehabilitation, as well as a new handrail and lighting.
A 2019 report found concrete spalling and exposed reinforcement on the bridge. The proposed project planned to improve the aesthetics of the bridge while also addressing concerns about the state of the concrete.
City Manager Geoff Fruin said the city has no structural concerns with the current bridge and will continue to evaluate the future of the bridge in the coming years while performing ongoing maintenance on the structure.
The deadline to bid on the project was Oct. 4, but the city extended the deadline after no contractors bid on the project. The decision to cancel the project was made earlier this month after the city gathered feedback from project contractors.
“The project schedule and work limitations were quite stringent as the City was aiming to minimize impacts on all modes of travel during construction,” Fruin said.
The pedestrian bridge, which crosses a busy Riverside Road, connecting the University of Iowa medical campus with the main campus, would have been closed for the entirety of the project. Additionally, one lane of traffic would be closed at times during the construction period.
ADVERTISING
“As we explored other approaches to the project, we concluded that in the short-term that changes to the construction approach that could attract more contractors to bid on the project, would have had too significant of impacts on travel in that region,” said Fruin.
The Iowa Department of Transportation, University of Iowa and City of Iowa City share responsibility for the maintenance of the pedestrian bridge.
The DOT is responsible for 50 percent of all maintenance costs associated with the bridge, while the city and university are each responsible for 25 percent.
Iowa City would have spent approximately $325,000 on the pedestrian bridge rehabilitation project.
A similar pedestrian bridge down the road also may undergo future work.
Preliminary work is underway to replace Iowa City’s Burlington Street Bridges, which cross the river east of Riverside Drive, one eastbound and one westbound. A 2021 inspection reported the bridges were in “poor” condition and “structurally deficient.” The cost estimate for the project is $30 million.
A consultant, Cedar Rapids-based HDR, is studying the bridges to offer a preliminary design for their replacement. Iowa City, the University of Iowa and the Iowa DOT are working together on the project.
As part of the study, the spiral pedestrian ramp and bridge at Riverside Drive and Burlington Street also will be examined. The current ramp — whose design is similar to the bridge at Iowa Avenue — is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A preferred design for the Burlington Street Bridges project is expected to be finalized in 2026.
www.thegazette.com
Construction on the project was scheduled to start in the spring of 2025 and end later in the summer. The rehabilitation project would have included improvements to the concrete on the bridge and ramp, expansion joint rehabilitation, as well as a new handrail and lighting.
A 2019 report found concrete spalling and exposed reinforcement on the bridge. The proposed project planned to improve the aesthetics of the bridge while also addressing concerns about the state of the concrete.
City Manager Geoff Fruin said the city has no structural concerns with the current bridge and will continue to evaluate the future of the bridge in the coming years while performing ongoing maintenance on the structure.
Minimizing travel impacts
The deadline to bid on the project was Oct. 4, but the city extended the deadline after no contractors bid on the project. The decision to cancel the project was made earlier this month after the city gathered feedback from project contractors.
“The project schedule and work limitations were quite stringent as the City was aiming to minimize impacts on all modes of travel during construction,” Fruin said.
The pedestrian bridge, which crosses a busy Riverside Road, connecting the University of Iowa medical campus with the main campus, would have been closed for the entirety of the project. Additionally, one lane of traffic would be closed at times during the construction period.
ADVERTISING
“As we explored other approaches to the project, we concluded that in the short-term that changes to the construction approach that could attract more contractors to bid on the project, would have had too significant of impacts on travel in that region,” said Fruin.
Shared maintenance responsibility
The Iowa Department of Transportation, University of Iowa and City of Iowa City share responsibility for the maintenance of the pedestrian bridge.
The DOT is responsible for 50 percent of all maintenance costs associated with the bridge, while the city and university are each responsible for 25 percent.
Iowa City would have spent approximately $325,000 on the pedestrian bridge rehabilitation project.
Other pedestrian bridge will be studied
A similar pedestrian bridge down the road also may undergo future work.
Preliminary work is underway to replace Iowa City’s Burlington Street Bridges, which cross the river east of Riverside Drive, one eastbound and one westbound. A 2021 inspection reported the bridges were in “poor” condition and “structurally deficient.” The cost estimate for the project is $30 million.
A consultant, Cedar Rapids-based HDR, is studying the bridges to offer a preliminary design for their replacement. Iowa City, the University of Iowa and the Iowa DOT are working together on the project.
As part of the study, the spiral pedestrian ramp and bridge at Riverside Drive and Burlington Street also will be examined. The current ramp — whose design is similar to the bridge at Iowa Avenue — is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A preferred design for the Burlington Street Bridges project is expected to be finalized in 2026.
Iowa City cancels Riverside Drive Pedestrian Bridge rehabilitation project
Iowa City is canceling a $1.3 million project that would have improved the Riverside Drive pedestrian bridge and spiral ramp at Iowa Avenue after no contractors bid on the project.
www.thegazette.com
"They're Eating the Pets" earns Lie of the Year Award
- By cigaretteman
- Off Topic
- 17 Replies
Trump's fourth in a row:
www.politifact.com
Lie of the Year: Springfield Haitians are ‘eating the pets’
Donald Trump, JD Vance's false claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating pet cats and dogs is PolitiFact's 2024 Lie of the Year.
www.politifact.com
