Discussion of Concerns for Trump Presidency

[IGotWorms 4,038]

2 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

Yeah... my point though was that I didn't like the tone of that TimPool post or the comments within it.  The whole "if anyone votes against you i"m going to dox (my words) you" reeks of leftoid fanatacism and i don"t want to be a part of it

It’s funny you think that was just a left wing thing. Now you’re going to find out 

[TimHauck 2,462]

3 minutes ago, IGotWorms said:

It’s funny you think that was just a left wing thing. Now you’re going to find out 

Jerry pretty much just summarized the Libs of TikTok account in one sentence 

[nobody 2,471]

24 minutes ago, IGotWorms said:

 

Oh well. It is what it is. We’re going to find out. I am not optimistic but it’s best for everyone if I’m proven wrong 

Good thing you usually are! 

[Mike Honcho 4,736]

On 11/13/2024 at 8:20 AM, Sean Mooney said:

Some of the appointments over the past two days don't exactly fill with confidence.

Hegseth has a decorated combated history and it's laudable what he does to support veterans but what is his strategic experience when it comes to commanding a military.

Noem- what are her qualifications on handling cyber security or border issues or any of that? 

And Huckabee as ambassador to Israel. If people wanted a two-state solution in the Middle East you can almost kiss that goodbye. 

In the whirlwind of nominations - I think the GC failed as a group to make a bunch of dog/goat killing jokes when Trump announced the nomination.  I bear some of that responsibility. 

[Engorgeous George 1,789]

1 hour ago, Mike Honcho said:

In the whirlwind of nominations - I think the GC failed as a group to make a bunch of dog/goat killing jokes when Trump announced the nomination.  I bear some of that responsibility. 

I want to do things to her.  Sweaty things.  I give her a pass on shooting the dog until such time as she succesfully obtains a restraining order against me.

 

[The Real timschochet 5,232]

Honestly I find some of the nominations amusing (Tulsi, Gaetz, Kennedy, and Hegseth in particular) but none of them really bother me. This is what people voted for. Trump was very clear that he intended to blow things up. So here we are. 
 

Part of the reason I voted for Kamala Harris is because I don’t think it’s wise to blow things up. I believe that for all of its faults, the status quo generally works, and that the chaos created when you set a blowtorch to existing institutions is almost never a good thing. But I was outvoted. 

[Fnord 1,664]

1 hour ago, jerryskids said:

Yeah... my point though was that I didn't like the tone of that TimPool post or the comments within it.  The whole "if anyone votes against you i"m going to dox (my words) you" reeks of leftoid fanatacism and i don"t want to be a part of it

Me either. Tough shlt, we're in it.

[The Real timschochet 5,232]

Regarding Gaetz there’s not going to be any ethics report: 

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/15/politics/johnson-ethics-report-gaetz/index.html

What investigation? It never happened. Watch him sail right through. 

[TimHauck 2,462]

21 minutes ago, The Real timschochet said:

Regarding Gaetz there’s not going to be any ethics report: 

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/15/politics/johnson-ethics-report-gaetz/index.html

What investigation? It never happened. Watch him sail right through. 

Probably doesn’t give much hope that we’ll see the Diddy or Epstein lists either 

[Fnord 1,664]

13 minutes ago, The Real timschochet said:

Regarding Gaetz there’s not going to be any ethics report: 

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/15/politics/johnson-ethics-report-gaetz/index.html

What investigation? It never happened. Watch him sail right through. 

The only question is whether it is done during recess, or the R's acquiesce to his demands. Either way, it's fait accompli. 

We are likely about to see the complete implosion of the DOJ and enter into authoritarianism. Again, I hope I'm wrong.

What worries me even more is how many "patriots" will offer full-throated support of it, without question. We've already seen it play out in microcosm here. Jerry and RLLD are the only hard righties in the forum that I've seen indicate one iota of concern as to how it all plays out. Even guys that I like and seem relatively normal like Volty, Helltoupee, and KD's cousin are all-in. Some of that is probably trolling, but their enthusiasm for Trump is genuine. Nothing left to do but let it play out, hope the institutions hold, and be a part of the peaceful resistance.

[Hardcore troubadour 14,174]

1 minute ago, TimHauck said:

Probably doesn’t give much hope that we’ll see the Diddy or Epstein lists either 

Why doesn’t Biden release them? 

[Hardcore troubadour 14,174]

1 minute ago, Fnord said:

The only question is whether it is done during recess, or the R's acquiesce to his demands. Either way, it's fait accompli. 

We are likely about to see the complete implosion of the DOJ and enter into authoritarianism. Again, I hope I'm wrong.

What worries me even more is how many "patriots" will offer full-throated support of it, without question. We've already seen it play out in microcosm here. Jerry and RLLD are the only hard righties in the forum that I've seen indicate one iota of concern as to how it all plays out. Even guys that I like and seem relatively normal like Volty, Helltoupee, and KD's cousin are all-in. Some of that is probably trolling, but their enthusiasm for Trump is genuine. Nothing left to do but let it play out, hope the institutions hold, and be a part of the peaceful resistance.

What part will you be playing ?

[Fnord 1,664]

4 minutes ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

What part will you be playing ?

An escalating, sharpening pain in your ass. Or Cinderella.

[Hardcore troubadour 14,174]

Just now, Fnord said:

An escalating, sharpening pain in your ass.

That’s very courageous in the face of authoritarianism.  

[Fnord 1,664]

Just now, Hardcore troubadour said:

That’s very courageous in the face of authoritarianism.  

Thanks. I do what I can. 

[Engorgeous George 1,789]

1 hour ago, The Real timschochet said:

Honestly I find some of the nominations amusing (Tulsi, Gaetz, Kennedy, and Hegseth in particular) but none of them really bother me. This is what people voted for. Trump was very clear that he intended to blow things up. So here we are. 
 

Part of the reason I voted for Kamala Harris is because I don’t think it’s wise to blow things up. I believe that for all of its faults, the status quo generally works, and that the chaos created when you set a blowtorch to existing institutions is almost never a good thing. But I was outvoted. 

Is not that the very nature of progressivism?

[Engorgeous George 1,789]

I appreciate not releasing the report if that has been the custom and opractice.  That said, if it is only custom and practice and not the law I note that customs and practices do evolve over time.  I am suspicious when the truth is hidden behind custom and practice.  As Gaetz maintains his innocence (not his innocence until proben guilty status or his status) I would like to see him ask for the relese of the report for full disclosure and transparency and for him to refute any inaccuracies.  I do apreciate also that partisan investigations may not have found the truth, only facts in support of their truth while the objective truth, if such is possible to discern, may be ignored as they seek support of a partisan end. 

 

BTW, when I look at Gaetz I see a smarmy, smug, adolescent abuser.  I see a hebephiliac, not a pedophiliac.

[The Real timschochet 5,232]

11 minutes ago, Engorgeous George said:

Is not that the very nature of progressivism?

No. At least not in my understanding. Progressivism involves changes, most of them gradual. On SOME occasions there is a blowtorch effect (one thinks of Brown vs Board of Education, but even that took over 30 years to enforce.) I don’t believe that sudden change is almost ever good. 

[The Real timschochet 5,232]

Looks like Trump is dead serious about recess appointments. He doesn’t want any hearings at all. Again, I fully expect the Senate to roll over. 

[naomi 356]

Good Tariff discussion on X: https://x.com/RepThomasMassie/status/1857394368094597519

[jerryskids 6,179]

50 minutes ago, naomi said:

Good Tariff discussion on X: https://x.com/RepThomasMassie/status/1857394368094597519

That's fascinating, thanks.  Also welcome back, naomi!  Hope all is well.  What's up with you?

[IGotWorms 4,038]

2 hours ago, The Real timschochet said:

Regarding Gaetz there’s not going to be any ethics report: 

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/15/politics/johnson-ethics-report-gaetz/index.html

What investigation? It never happened. Watch him sail right through. 

And that’s fine. They said he was banging underage girls. If they couldn’t prove it, so be it. We all know he’s a creep and a weirdo, but those aren’t crimes in and of themselves 

[jerryskids 6,179]

3 hours ago, IGotWorms said:

Vietnam is not a “POS country” jer. You should get out a little more  

I'm paraphrasing Thiel, a hyper-intelligent bazillionaire.  So don't blame me, the messenger.  Also:

Quote

The politics of Vietnam is dominated by a single party under an authoritarian system, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Vietnam

Not surprised that you think this is an awesome government.   

You seem to be struggling, Worms.  I know you took a long hiatus last time Trump won.  I admire your willingness to try to stick it out this time around.  Just take it slow, mkay?   

[MDC 6,779]

19 minutes ago, IGotWorms said:

And that’s fine. They said he was banging underage girls. If they couldn’t prove it, so be it. We all know he’s a creep and a weirdo, but those aren’t crimes in and of themselves 

Gaetz has date rape face.  

[Maximum Overkill 1,417]

https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/1857183563281473802

Biden's Tranny says what!  

[Maximum Overkill 1,417]

https://twitter.com/StoicCountryBoy/status/1857185815421436294

 

[jerryskids 6,179]

2 hours ago, The Real timschochet said:

No. At least not in my understanding. Progressivism involves changes, most of them gradual. On SOME occasions there is a blowtorch effect (one thinks of Brown vs Board of Education, but even that took over 30 years to enforce.) I don’t believe that sudden change is almost ever good. 

Cmon Tim, there is nothing gradual about progressivism.  It wants changes, and it wants them now.  Frankly, it doesn't matter what the change is -- progressivism wants change for change's sake, to shake up the status quo.

By this definition, perhaps we can call the vector that Trump is moving towards a similar movement.  Perhaps "regressivism," although that has a negative connotation which I don't think applies here.  I think "anti-progressivism" is more applicable, as it aims to undo all of the bad stuff from recent progressive advances. 

 

[jerryskids 6,179]

I added the bullet at the end as a catch-all for concerns about Trump's appointments so far.  If anyone wants to add specific concerns not listed, reply with those:

Reasonable concerns:

- Tariffs -- If implemented as Trump has stated, would probably cause a mass disruption in our supply chain and prices.

- Mass deportation -- Also a mass disruption, economic issues with losing workers, civil rights concerns.

- Elon streamlining government -- Could introduce a huge number of (former) government employees into the workforce, many of which may not have (government) skills which easily translate to the civilian workplace.

- RFK's influence on health agencies -- Same as above. 

- End of gender affirming care -- I'm not really sure how this would manifest, for adults anyway.  I could see laws against medically transing kids, which I (and most rational people) would view as a good thing, but some like @squistionmight view that as a negative.

- End of naturalized citizenship for Dreamers -- Highly unlikely as it is specifically enumerated in the Constitution.  I might remove this one.

- Environment and climate change efforts -- Trump has vowed to "drill baby drill" which, along with a general disinterest in pursuing green initiatives, makes it likely that we'll invest less in this area.

- Abortion -- Long shot that Congress would propose a ban, Trump would sign it, and SCOTUS would approve it

- SCOTUS -- Trump could potentially set 2 or 3 more conservative justices on the bench, securing a conservative court for decades to come.

- Removal of licenses from media companies -- I don't know much about this, but OK

- Some Trump appointees generate reasonable concerns.  Gaetz for AG in particular is concerning given, if nothing else, his resignation prior to the release of the investigation into his potential inappropriate conduct with a 17 yr old.  RFKJ, while having valid criticisms of the status quo, may go too far as head of HHS.  Tom Homan is, to put it lightly, a no-nonsense border czar who has no qualms about separating families, or shipping out entire families, some of whom may be Dreamers.  

[seafoam1 2,558]

I'm afraid he's going to hurt the liberal's feelers...Oh....too late for that. 

 

[Death 148]

Worst. Cabinet. Ever.

It'll get worse if he picks MTG for something.

Gabard is a tool for Russia.

Gaetz narrowly escaped results of the ethics investigation.

And for Health and Human Services?

A guy with a worm in his brain who is a vaccine denier and sounds like he's gargling sperm every time he speaks.

What a dream team.

[seafoam1 2,558]

3 minutes ago, Death said:

Worst. Cabinet. Ever.

It'll get worse if he picks MTG for something.

Gabard is a tool for Russia.

Gaetz narrowly escaped results of the ethics investigation.

And for Health and Human Services?

A guy with a worm in his brain who is a vaccine denier and sounds like he's gargling sperm every time he speaks.

What a dream team.

It's the great pimpledoosh Charlie Brown! Still being the class clown as always. 

Trump winning is awesome. Seeing you meltdown is just as awesome. 

[jerryskids 6,179]

10 minutes ago, Death said:

Worst. Cabinet. Ever.

It'll get worse if he picks MTG for something.

Gabard is a tool for Russia.

Gaetz narrowly escaped results of the ethics investigation.

And for Health and Human Services?

A guy with a worm in his brain who is a vaccine denier and sounds like he's gargling sperm every time he speaks.

What a dream team.

As a person who speaks with a prosthetic device because of a laryngectomy, I'd like to let you know that I appreciate your honesty in equating a speaking disability with stupidity.  I usually only get people speaking loudly and slowly, as if my speaking issue equates to a hearing issue.  I understand though that human nature is to respond in kind, so I don't take it personally.

You, however, are saying the quiet part out loud, which is that you equate such a disability with cognitive issues.  I try to pretend that people like you don't exist, but back in my mind, I know you do.

Thanks for your honesty, Rusty.   

[jerryskids 6,179]

I'll follow that up to say that while I don't agree with RFKJ on a lot of things, I respect the hell out of his willingness to put himself out into the public spotlight despite his speech issues.  He has given me inspiration to do so in my personal life.   

[Death 148]

1 minute ago, jerryskids said:

As a person who speaks with a prosthetic device because of a laryngectomy, I'd like to let you know that I appreciate your honesty in equating a speaking disability with stupidity.  I usually only get people speaking loudly and slowly, as if my speaking issue equates to a hearing issue.  I understand though that human nature is to respond in kind, so I don't take it personally.

You, however, are saying the quiet part out loud, which is that you equate such a disability with cognitive issues.  I try to pretend that people like you don't exist, but back in my mind, I know you do.

Thanks for your honesty, Rusty.   

https://theconversation.com/robert-f-kennedy-jr-reveals-why-he-has-a-raspy-voice-spasmodic-dysphonia-explained-227500

Quote

A separate study found the measles and mumps vaccines helped protect against developing the condition. 

[Death 148]

2 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

I'll follow that up to say that while I don't agree with RFKJ on a lot of things, I respect the hell out of his willingness to put himself out into the public spotlight despite his speech issues.  He has given me inspiration to do so in my personal life.   

So how did it make you feel when Trump mocked that handicapped person?

 

[lickin_starfish 1,790]

https://media.scored.co/scale/ypt5kk43cx6DIyd1.png

[Engorgeous George 1,789]

37 minutes ago, Death said:

Worst. Cabinet. Ever.

It'll get worse if he picks MTG for something.

Gabard is a tool for Russia.

Gaetz narrowly escaped results of the ethics investigation.

And for Health and Human Services?

A guy with a worm in his brain who is a vaccine denier and sounds like he's gargling sperm every time he speaks.

What a dream team.

When making an analogy it is wise to analogize to experiences common with others, not those unique to yourself. Others cannot relate to this experience

[jerryskids 6,179]

20 minutes ago, Death said:

https://theconversation.com/robert-f-kennedy-jr-reveals-why-he-has-a-raspy-voice-spasmodic-dysphonia-explained-227500

Are you on the spectrum?  What does this have to do with what I posted?

How does it make you feel when people make fun of your son?

18 minutes ago, Death said:

So how did it make you feel when Trump mocked that handicapped person?

 

I didn't like it.

[Death 148]

1 minute ago, jerryskids said:

Are you on the spectrum?  What does this have to do with what I posted?

How does it make you feel when people make fun of your son?

I didn't like it.

You conveniently left out the part that a couple of vaccines can prevent that condition.

I don't know of anyone who makes fun of my son, and it's disturbing that you'd roll that into a discussion about a man who is grossly unqualified for this cabinet position for myriad reasons and the product of cronyism.

I didn't realize RFK Jr. was regarded as a hero in the vocally impaired community, and if he means that much to you in regard, I won't mention his vocal impairment again.

But he's not qualified for this position, nor are most of the Trump nominees for cabinet positions.

[OldMaid 2,108]

3 hours ago, MDC said:

Gaetz has date rape face.  

 Not anymore. Now he has Real Housewives of D.C. face.