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Judi Lynn

(160,555 posts)
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 07:41 PM Mar 2017

Trump Invites Bids to Build Wall, Cites Importance of Aesthetics

Source: ProPublica



It’ll cost $20 billion or more. Mexico will pay for it, or it won’t. Amid uncertainty, Trump clearly seems intent on making the border wall handsome.

by T. Christian Miller
ProPublica, March 8, 2017, 3:19 p.m.


President Donald Trump built his campaign on the promise of a wall across the U.S.-Mexico border. Just a month after his inauguration, the Department of Homeland Security announced plans to begin construction.

And last Friday, the department took a step to make sure it will look good.

In a little-noticed update, the department now says it wants a wall that will be “nominally 30 feet tall,” and, importantly, that bids will be judged on “aesthetics,” as well.

The new language, perhaps coincidental but likely not, appears to be a bureaucratic translation of Trump’s oft-repeated promise to build a “beautiful” wall from 30 to 55 feet high.

Read more: https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-invites-bids-to-build-wall-cites-importance-of-aesthetics

55 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Trump Invites Bids to Build Wall, Cites Importance of Aesthetics (Original Post) Judi Lynn Mar 2017 OP
Just aesthetics on the north side, I'll bet. Towlie Mar 2017 #1
It should be a mirrored wall C_U_L8R Mar 2017 #2
Wait till rump sees what's on the other side of the wall as it gets done. notdarkyet Mar 2017 #3
Yes, its beauty will make all the difference. Turbineguy Mar 2017 #4
Oh right, make it a PRETTY wall! elleng Mar 2017 #5
Is that a paraphrase of Men In Black? Aristus Mar 2017 #7
I doubt it! elleng Mar 2017 #8
It will be covered in gold and smell like fairy dust. Initech Mar 2017 #6
Yeah, 2000 miles is a lot to keep track of. I imagine there will be lots of graffiti. Zing Zing Zingbah Mar 2017 #43
Wasn't the Berlin Wall covered with tons of graffitti? Initech Mar 2017 #47
Apartheid should always be aesthetically pleasing Submariner Mar 2017 #9
maybe make it into a thousand (or whatever) mile amusement park rurallib Mar 2017 #31
We have got to rename this monstrosity... Pharlo Mar 2017 #10
Monstrosity seems like a good word for it. n/t Zing Zing Zingbah Mar 2017 #44
I think that wall will end up having 'fuck Trump' sprayed on it in two languages all the way down luvMIdog Mar 2017 #11
OMG you are right.. pangaia Mar 2017 #18
Has congress appropriated the funds for him to "request bids" for this? KewlKat Mar 2017 #12
They don't even have regular FY17 appropriations BumRushDaShow Mar 2017 #23
I wouldn't waste time... paleotn Mar 2017 #13
Oh god, I can't take it anymore! smirkymonkey Mar 2017 #14
Jesus christ, it's freaking insanity! Someone stop this asshole!!!!! Fast Walker 52 Mar 2017 #28
A Mexican cement company will probably get the bid LeftInTX Mar 2017 #15
Or a Chinese company. tecelote Mar 2017 #25
LOL along with the new patents they gave him today LeftInTX Mar 2017 #26
Mexican cement and labor- Chinese steel TexasProgresive Mar 2017 #41
Russian steel, of course Fast Walker 52 Mar 2017 #29
I wonder if he understands government bidding. yallerdawg Mar 2017 #16
Make hate beautiful again? I suppose they'll have red hats for that too. Solly Mack Mar 2017 #17
The Department of Homeland Security, being now headed by a fascist, is "asking for bids" so that Fred Sanders Mar 2017 #19
There's not enough gold leaf in the world More_Cowbell Mar 2017 #20
Remind me what the alleged purpose was again... MedusaX Mar 2017 #21
Conan in Mexico asking for donations to help build the wall from the Mexican people on the street. IcyPeas Mar 2017 #22
That was so funny :) Zing Zing Zingbah Mar 2017 #46
Not saying I'm hoping for this, but how long before it gets blown to hell? davsand Mar 2017 #24
Yes, by all means, polish that turd... Wounded Bear Mar 2017 #27
I don't even have the words to express how disgusting and insane this is Fast Walker 52 Mar 2017 #30
I haven't heard anything at all about an Environmental Impact Study. Tanuki Mar 2017 #32
Maybe he has been getting Russia's advice on building walls at all those meetings nt doc03 Mar 2017 #33
Biggest scam ever. Liberalagogo Mar 2017 #34
OMG, everything he thinks is beautiful is gaudy, including sinkingfeeling Mar 2017 #35
If Aesthetics are important, I recommend neo-brutalism architecture. nt Xipe Totec Mar 2017 #36
Perhaps also he should find himself a long red robe, a crown and a scepter nolabels Mar 2017 #53
One of Trump's companies could get the contract rickford66 Mar 2017 #37
Trump will sabotage safety for a little illusory safety. Goes like this: Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2017 #38
Perhaps the wall could be decorated with graffiti in the same manner as the Berlin Wall? n/t Little Tich Mar 2017 #39
Oh, please. The jokes write themselves. spiderpig Mar 2017 #40
A new Banksy canvas? EarthFirst Mar 2017 #42
I bet the wall will have gold lion statues every mile. sarcasmo Mar 2017 #45
Real reason for it being judged on "aesthetics" duncang Mar 2017 #48
'A BIG, Beautiful Wall" March 4th Mar 2017 #49
Let me guess . . . gold plated? Vinca Mar 2017 #50
BIGGEST. GRAFFITI-CANVAS. EVER. DetlefK Mar 2017 #51
Love this! janterry Mar 2017 #52
It is, after all, a monument of stupidity. sofa king Mar 2017 #54
It's just so horrible all I can do is laugh at the absurdity Kimchijeon Mar 2017 #55

Initech

(100,086 posts)
6. It will be covered in gold and smell like fairy dust.
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 07:53 PM
Mar 2017

And it will be a target for graffiti on both sides.

Zing Zing Zingbah

(6,496 posts)
43. Yeah, 2000 miles is a lot to keep track of. I imagine there will be lots of graffiti.
Thu Mar 9, 2017, 12:34 AM
Mar 2017

I'm sure a lot of it will be about Trump too.

Submariner

(12,504 posts)
9. Apartheid should always be aesthetically pleasing
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 07:59 PM
Mar 2017

Maybe Trump can get some wall construction tips from Bibi, and also get tips on how to crush protesters standing in front of bulldozers should any Libtards get in the way of construction.

This wall is going to be so much fun. I can just feel it.

rurallib

(62,431 posts)
31. maybe make it into a thousand (or whatever) mile amusement park
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 09:19 PM
Mar 2017

"The Celebrate Hate" Park and national monument.
It could be a national park just like the statue of liberty

Pharlo

(1,817 posts)
10. We have got to rename this monstrosity...
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 08:02 PM
Mar 2017

We need to stop referring to it as 'A Wall' or 'The Wall' and start calling it what it is "TRUMP'S FOLLY".

pangaia

(24,324 posts)
18. OMG you are right..
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 08:25 PM
Mar 2017

I have dear friends who have lived in El Paso for 30 some years. If a wall goes up around there,, there WILL BE 'FUCK TRUMP' on it... I am sure..not them, necessarily, but.... heh, heh....

ON EDIT: Just Google Mapped it.. there is already a fence a gazillion miles long.. oh well...

KewlKat

(5,624 posts)
12. Has congress appropriated the funds for him to "request bids" for this?
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 08:10 PM
Mar 2017

Be interested to see the specs and hope that contracting has it well defined, etc.

BumRushDaShow

(129,165 posts)
23. They don't even have regular FY17 appropriations
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 08:50 PM
Mar 2017

they are still operating under a CR.

This is a joke. It would probably take almost a year before they have something to solicit unless they try to re-purpose previous wall construction contracts to use as a starting point.

paleotn

(17,931 posts)
13. I wouldn't waste time...
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 08:11 PM
Mar 2017

..bidding on a boondoggle that won't actually happen. I bet they'll have a tough time getting serious bids for this job.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
14. Oh god, I can't take it anymore!
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 08:15 PM
Mar 2017

The idea of a stupid fucking wall is bad enough, but a "beautiful" wall? And we all know what his idea of "beautiful" is. It's going to look like a 2,000 mile long low-budget whorehouse.

That is money that could be used to rebuild our nation's infrastructure, and this imbecile wants to spend it on a wall that will be completely ineffective at it's intended purpose. Can we just impeach him already? This is taking way too long.

LeftInTX

(25,414 posts)
26. LOL along with the new patents they gave him today
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 09:07 PM
Mar 2017

Massage and escort service......

I heard the Cemex thing on NPR. It is actually the largest cement company in the world.

yallerdawg

(16,104 posts)
16. I wonder if he understands government bidding.
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 08:16 PM
Mar 2017

This isn't like he picks the most 'beautiful' wall and then 'negotiates' price.

All bids that meet published standards are approved and opened in public - lowest bid wins contract. If over budget, all bids rejected.

This guy is not going to deliver what he promised. Period.

Solly Mack

(90,775 posts)
17. Make hate beautiful again? I suppose they'll have red hats for that too.
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 08:17 PM
Mar 2017

That wall represents hate and fear and ignorance.

Fred Sanders

(23,946 posts)
19. The Department of Homeland Security, being now headed by a fascist, is "asking for bids" so that
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 08:25 PM
Mar 2017

a proposal can be sent to Congress for the fund, probably upwards of 30 billion. It is also being used as a political ploy throwing red meat to the Deporables.

MedusaX

(1,129 posts)
21. Remind me what the alleged purpose was again...
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 08:36 PM
Mar 2017

So, 'Aesthetically pleasing' is now the standard by which all (allegedly necessary) security structures will be judged?

Structural requirements...
•• who cares as long as its at least 30' high
Breach resistant design ...
•• overrated... aesthetic killing regulatory burden

No need for engineers...
Just bring in the custom design team....

$20 billion for a 30' high golden shower curtain.....

IcyPeas

(21,894 posts)
22. Conan in Mexico asking for donations to help build the wall from the Mexican people on the street.
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 08:39 PM
Mar 2017

This is hilarious. Our president is an idiot. The Mexican people are laughing at him and giving him the finger. (if you want to watch each segment click on the circles on top)

http://teamcoco.com/mexico/conan-solicits-border-wall-donations

davsand

(13,421 posts)
24. Not saying I'm hoping for this, but how long before it gets blown to hell?
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 08:54 PM
Mar 2017

The making of explosives is not a completely unknown thing, and certainly, any kind of "bad hombre" that wanted it could most likely buy explosives someplace. I have honestly wondered how long that thing would remain standing. Short of a constant foot patrol I can't imagine it is gonna be safe from damage.

That "purty" wall is not gonna be terribly effective if it is chock full of gaps.




Laura

sinkingfeeling

(51,461 posts)
35. OMG, everything he thinks is beautiful is gaudy, including
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 09:40 PM
Mar 2017

most of his buildings. Hate the ones on Chicago and NYC.

Bernardo de La Paz

(49,013 posts)
38. Trump will sabotage safety for a little illusory safety. Goes like this:
Wed Mar 8, 2017, 09:58 PM
Mar 2017

It is reported that he will steal from the Coast Guard and TSA budgets for funds to build the wall.

Both of those agencies help ensure our safety. The wall will be ineffective of course.

Finally, there is almost never a beautiful wall.

sarcasmo

(23,968 posts)
45. I bet the wall will have gold lion statues every mile.
Thu Mar 9, 2017, 12:42 AM
Mar 2017


Why? Becuase Donnie thinks gold lions are Classy.

duncang

(1,907 posts)
48. Real reason for it being judged on "aesthetics"
Thu Mar 9, 2017, 06:41 AM
Mar 2017

You can turn down bids and give them to your buddies and get a kick back saying the other bidders wall was ugly.

Kimchijeon

(1,606 posts)
55. It's just so horrible all I can do is laugh at the absurdity
Thu Mar 9, 2017, 12:17 PM
Mar 2017

While we die from lack of healthcare an basic first world rights inside, that so much money would go to build a wall?

It's just ludicrous.

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