Quora as Mythbuster: Hillary's Wall and Trump's Desert Shield Rescue

Quora has been a forum for candidates this cycle. Most days. the Quora digest is filled with questions about IQ, college acceptance, and why Chinese people do or do not (fill in the blank).  Today, though, Quora provided a few items to stick in your back pocket should the subject come up.

There is the wall at Hillary and Bill Clinton's Chappaqua home that some people seem to think Hillary erected for nefarious reasons.

Why did Hillary Clinton construct a huge wall at her home?

 

Richard H. Schwartz, Hillary Clinton volunteer in New Hampshire primary

175.9k Views · Most Viewed Writer in Clinton-Kaine 2016 with 30+ answers

Hillary Clinton shares the home with Bill Clinton. That’s former President Bill Clinton - in case you’ve forgotten. Former President Bill Clinton was under Secret Service protection at the time the Clintons purchased the home, and he still is.

The Secret Service is responsible for the safety and security of all former Presidents and their families, including the Clintons. (See 18 U.S. Code § 3056 - Powers, authorities, and duties of United States Secret Service.) Given the location of the home in a suburban neighborhood, without a large buffer zone with unobstructed views around it, the Secret Service required that a perimeter fence and guard house be installed as part of the protection plan for President and Mrs. (now Secretary) Clinton.

For confirmation, see this news story about neighbors’ concerns - and about the zoning variance hearings at which the Secret Service presented the request for a higher fence than the town ordinarily allowed.

Clarification added 22 August 2016 in response to numerous comments… Congress’ primary intent in passing the law cited above to provide Secret Service protection to former Presidents is to protect the national security of the United States, which would be put at risk if a hostile foreign power were able to kidnap a former President or a close family member. Protection of the life and property of the former President against ordinary risks from criminals, the mentally unstable, revenge-seekers and politically-motivated enemies is merely a byproduct of that necessary protection.

Now for some Trump mythology, and this may be new if you never watch Hannity.

Sean Hannity claimed and the Trump campaign confirmed that Trump rescued stranded US Marines with his jet in operation Desert Shield. Is that true?

“That was not Trump’s private plane at the time.”

Too good to check: Sean Hannity’s tale of a Trump rescue

 

Bill Diamond, Worked on George H.W. Bush's campaign . Ran for Congress once. I'm cured now.

105.8k Views · Bill has 30+ answers in Politics of the United States of America

It’s an exaggeration, and pretty shameful.

At the time this occurred, Trump Air had already filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations.

The liveried aircraft were used under military contract to return military to the US. This was a US Transportion Command operation, part of the United States Air Force at Scott Force Base in Bellville Illinois.

The aircraft were still liveried with the Trump Air brand. This was wholly a military airlift contract operation with leased aircraft.

Hillary Clinton's May 18 Quora Session

Hillary held a Q & A on Quora today.  Here are some of the exchanges.

 

Session with Hillary Clinton

Senator, Secretary of State, 2016 presidential candidate

Finished Session Held on May 18, 2016

Many Americans agree with Trump that America is not doing well & not on the right track. How will your presidency differ from President Obama’s?

 

Hillary Clinton, Senator, Secretary of State, 2016 presidential candidate

I believe President Obama has done a much better job than he’s given credit for. He’s given us 74 straight months of private-sector job growth… 20 million Americans covered under the Affordable Car...

(more)

What is Hillary Clinton’s plan to deal with ISIS?

 

Hillary Clinton, Senator, Secretary of State, 2016 presidential candidate

Defeating ISIS will be one of the most important challenges facing our next Commander-in-Chief. I’ve laid out a three-part plan to take on this urgent threat and keep our families and communities safe:

1. ...

(more)

I am a Bernie Sanders supporter. Why should I vote for Hillary Clinton if she wins the nomination?

 

Hillary Clinton, Senator, Secretary of State, 2016 presidential candidate

I respect Senator Sanders. We were colleagues in the Senate. I’m glad that his campaign has inspired so many people to get involved in the political process. That’s absolutely fantastic for our cou...

(more)

See more, comment and give Hillary upvotes here >>>>

Hillary Clinton Joins Quora ... and Trends!

Hillary joined Quora today.

Hillary just joined @Quora! Check out her answers on health care, Planned Parenthood, and being a grandma: https://t.co/SpMBN6ZA1H

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 1, 2015

And this happened....

Trending on Quora

Special Quora Digest

Why will Hillary's role as a grandmother make her a better president? What specific public policies will this affect? 

Will Hillary advocate for more assistance for single parents, the only group of low-wage workers whose wages are supplemented by streams of unearned income, such as hundreds in food stamps, housing assistance, childcare assistance, energy assistance, cash assistance and lump sum Earned Income Tax Credit checks of between $3,250 - $6,044 to spend on anything they want, not just their kids?

Will Hillary's role as a grandmother make her more sensitive to low income, unsubsidized workers whose $270 tax return checks will be consumed by the Obamacare penalty next year?

Will she advocate for more paid time off for moms in the workplace? How will this help unsubsidized workers who compete with them for jobs? How will this help job growth for those who lack taxpayer subsides?

Does childbirth and grandmotherhood make someone a bigger expert on job creation or other structural, economic issues that affect voters who do not receive taxpayer support due to motherhood?

Hillary's Answer

View 1 Other Answer

 

Hillary Clinton, Senator, Secretary of State, 2016 presidential candidate

56.6k Views • Upvoted by Marc Bodnick, Fmr Stanford PhD student, Political Science

Answer featured in The Huffington Post.

Being a grandmother is the greatest joy and the best job I will ever have. Friends have always told me that would be the case, but I didn’t believe it fully until I experienced it for myself. Bill and I are still in awe of everything Charlotte does—little things like clapping her hands and making sounds that are starting to sound more and more like words.

Being a grandmother also makes you think about the future, and I’m constantly thinking to myself “how can I make sure this precious little girl has every opportunity in the world?” More than anything, I want to make sure she grows up in a country that is peaceful and prosperous—one that gives everyone an opportunity to live up to his or her potential.

I am fighting for the policies that will give every child a chance in life, like access to quality pre-K programs and affordable health care. I want to make sure we’re educating families about the importance of reading and singing to their babies to help them build vocabulary. And we have to make sure that all children—no matter where they live—can grow up safely and free from discrimination. And I want to make sure they can attend college without taking on massive student loan debt. Because you shouldn’t have to be the grandchild of a former president to be successful.

Helping children and families as been the focal point of my whole career, and being a grandmother has really reinforced my sense of purpose in that work—and the notion that public service sometimes means planting trees under whose shade you’ll never sit.

Read more ... much more >>>>

... and follow Hillary on Quora >>>>