[worry]

Hope isn't enough.

[worry]

Here's a rundown on Gorsuch: https://www.themarsh...thout-the-scowl

It seem he has a lot in common with Scalia philosophically -- one might say almost identical views -- but apparently isn't very much like him in terms of temperament. In other words, he'll be more likely to whisper comfortingly to you rather than shout at you while he presses the pillow down over your face.

[worry]

538 actually puts him to the right of Scalia, to the left of Thomas. Not sure why, since they still call him a "clone". https://fivethirtyei...me-court-trump/

Now does any of this matter? Will Democrats show some backbone and resist him forever, or will they remain wholly ineffectual like they did the entire year Merrick Garland was ignored? The safe money is on the latter, but we'll see.

[HoosierDaddy]

So he went to the far right on judicial spectrum. Thomas is by FAR the most conservative, strict constructionist. If he's between Alito and Thomas then Roe v. Wade is going to be back under discussion. Don't think it'll change, but the 4 members will admit a writ of certiorari.

[worry]

Death will be a constant.
http://www.fox2detro...232856168-story

Not ignoring that Obama rained down death daily on foreign countries, and HRC likely wouldn't have curtailed it, but Trump's doing that too. The drone strikes continue. And then of course there was that raid:
http://www.nydailyne...ticle-1.2960256

[worry]

It's not a bad question. The article doesn't break it down into hours, but it does say she died "a day" later. Just from Googling it appears a flight would be ~14 hours, so that looks like plenty of time. I mean his prediction that she would have survived in a US hospital is unknowable, but she wasn't even given a shot.

[Una]

Cheesewiz, on 01 February 2017 - 12:32 AM, said:

Let us hope that neither one of those come to pass and these 4 yrs pass fast. I don't think we ll have to worry about 8 yrs honestly.

This is what I don't understand. You talk as if there is going to be another election in 4 years. All those Republican congressmen and senators trying their darndest to figure out which way the wind is blowing so they can get re-elected, they seem to think there is going to be another election.

My understanding of dictatorships is fairly academic, not personal. I've got high school level history. I've read 1984 and all the rest of it. I've got family in One-Party-Rule China. That's pretty much it, but even I can see the warning signs a mile away and I am alarmed. My significant other grew up in Indonesia under frickin' Suharto. He is very alarmed, and I think he should know.

I sincerely hope I am wrong, but as death rattle says, hope is not enough.

[worry]

A 5-4 right-wing SCOTUS and Jeff Sessions as AG = byebye to what's still left of the Voting Rights Act, even if it's done piecemeal via a bunch of "states' rights" challenges.

[worry]

Chiggers are attracted to hope.

[Garak]

I also hang out at TFN and I haven't seen any bashing or anything. Granted I stick to the Lit. threads.

Getting back on topic, every time I see something news about Trump, I get more and more worried. This guy is dangerous and spews hatred constantly - that' not healthy (also every time a leader started with the hate rhetoric and blaming "others" for the woes of the country, he turned into a bloody dictator).

[Tapper]

Una, on 01 February 2017 - 04:30 AM, said:

Cheesewiz, on 01 February 2017 - 12:32 AM, said:

Let us hope that neither one of those come to pass and these 4 yrs pass fast. I don't think we ll have to worry about 8 yrs honestly.

This is what I don't understand. You talk as if there is going to be another election in 4 years. All those Republican congressmen and senators trying their darndest to figure out which way the wind is blowing so they can get re-elected, they seem to think there is going to be another election.

My understanding of dictatorships is fairly academic, not personal. I've got high school level history. I've read 1984 and all the rest of it. I've got family in One-Party-Rule China. That's pretty much it, but even I can see the warning signs a mile away and I am alarmed. My significant other grew up in Indonesia under frickin' Suharto. He is very alarmed, and I think he should know.

I sincerely hope I am wrong, but as death rattle says, hope is not enough.

Considering Trump already registered for re-election, there will be a new election (if only for the purpose of legitimizing him, if he does establish a dictatorship).
I will not rule out that Trump will try his hardest to be the sole candidate in the race, but there are mid-terms, there is a constitution and there is a Supreme Court. There is also currently a lot of public outrage. If all that fails: the man is in his 70s, not interested in government as a whole, only in status and money. I also do not see who would be the heir apparent: it probably wouldn't be his sons and Ivanka has so far not assumed the FLOTUS-status many expected.

[MTS]

Tapper, on 01 February 2017 - 09:39 AM, said:

Una, on 01 February 2017 - 04:30 AM, said:

Cheesewiz, on 01 February 2017 - 12:32 AM, said:

Let us hope that neither one of those come to pass and these 4 yrs pass fast. I don't think we ll have to worry about 8 yrs honestly.

This is what I don't understand. You talk as if there is going to be another election in 4 years. All those Republican congressmen and senators trying their darndest to figure out which way the wind is blowing so they can get re-elected, they seem to think there is going to be another election.

My understanding of dictatorships is fairly academic, not personal. I've got high school level history. I've read 1984 and all the rest of it. I've got family in One-Party-Rule China. That's pretty much it, but even I can see the warning signs a mile away and I am alarmed. My significant other grew up in Indonesia under frickin' Suharto. He is very alarmed, and I think he should know.

I sincerely hope I am wrong, but as death rattle says, hope is not enough.

Considering Trump already registered for re-election, there will be a new election (if only for the purpose of legitimizing him, if he does establish a dictatorship).
I will not rule out that Trump will try his hardest to be the sole candidate in the race, but there are mid-terms, there is a constitution and there is a Supreme Court. There is also currently a lot of public outrage. If all that fails: the man is in his 70s, not interested in government as a whole, only in status and money. I also do not see who would be the heir apparent: it probably wouldn't be his sons and Ivanka has so far not assumed the FLOTUS-status many expected.

 Sarah-Palin-Steve-Bannon-640x480.jpg (78.89K)
Number of downloads: 0

2020!

[Vengeance]

Cheesewiz, on 01 February 2017 - 04:52 AM, said:

I get what y'all are saying. I read the thread everyday and am more concerned then actually type. I just won't give in to doom n gloom. It helps nothing. Stay positive that we will emerge. 2016 was shit in both choices imo. I don't think HRC woulda made good POTUS. I don't particularly like Trump in the role but realistically it was going to be her or him. I was backing Kasich till he dropped out. Hope is all I have at present but I'm clinging to it.

Well see that is where we disagree. I think that having a person who knows how government is suppose to work. Who also had experience at every high level of government would have made a much better POTUS then the orange monkey who signs things, and doesn't think about how anything will implemented nor who will be impacted.

If you wanted hope you should have voted for HRC. With Trump all we can expect is the absolute worst and pray that the momentuem that is building up against him will carry to 2018.

[QuickTidal]

Serious question, would the general masses ALLOW the US to turn into a Dictatorship?

Also, My PM continues to be awesome...and took on FOX News leaving a spurious and utterly false tweet up about the shooting in Quebec....after being contacted by letter form his office, FOX New balked and deleted the tweet.

[Macros]

Similar thoughts to QT.
In the modern world could the Us turn into a dictatorship as we understand the term?
Realistically I would think I no.
Can they doenough damage to the apparatus that a ensure republican. Hedgemony? Very possibly.
The problem really is, when Trump inevitably fucks up far enough to be removed. Pence steps in

[champ]

As an outside observer, before he got in to power I was of the opinion, yeah he's a dick but let's see how he manages to get on first...

Now though? It really does seem like he is getting lessons from Putin on how to set up a dictatorship...

[QuickTidal]

Here's a memo sent out to Reuters staff about dealing with the Trump Administration. It's a pretty solid read, and speaks to allowing actual Journalism to weed through the nonsense and tactics. We'll see how the carry-through fares.

http://www.reuters.c...p-idUSKBN15F276

[HoosierDaddy]

There will be no dictatorship; US Military wouldn't allow it. Doesn't mean he won't do his best to tilt the playing field alarmingly towards his advantage, though.

[Vengeance]

I think that anyone who has unlimited power and people who are willing to implement his commands over all others and any sworn allegiance can become a dictator. I do not think that it is possible here in the US. The military is sworn to the constitution not to the president. The federal judiciary is also sworn to the constitution. While the President can do a lot of damage to institutions if he actually made completely illegal and unconstitutional actions then he would be opposed. Our institutions are exceptionally strong when it comes to keeping their rights.

[Vengeance]

HoosierDaddy, on 01 February 2017 - 03:22 PM, said:

There will be no dictatorship; US Military wouldn't allow it. Doesn't mean he won't do his best to tilt the playing field alarmingly towards his advantage, though.

Vengeance, on 01 February 2017 - 03:40 PM, said:

I think that anyone who has unlimited power and people who are willing to implement his commands over all others and any sworn allegiance can become a dictator. I do not think that it is possible here in the US. The military is sworn to the constitution not to the president. The federal judiciary is also sworn to the constitution. While the President can do a lot of damage to institutions if he actually made completely illegal and unconstitutional actions then he would be opposed. Our institutions are exceptionally strong when it comes to keeping their rights.

One of us is a lawyer and the other is wordy as fuck... You decide who is who