Trump's Inauguration: Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2024
Posted on Mon Jan 20, 2025 at 02:49:18 PM EST
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Trump 2 begins today. Elon Musk is so excited. He spoke to Trump supporters about optimism and how much they are going to accomplish.

Melania is hiding her face with a black hat going for a mysterious look. Either that or she's hiding a black eye.

The White House website has already been scrubbed of Biden. It's all Trump now.

Trump seems to have delegated an enormous amount of power in Stephen Miller. Miller moved his family to Florida, got office space and chose his own group of lawyers to vet the Executive Orders he's been salivating for the past four years. He's keeping them tightly under wrap until the moment Trump wants them to drop. [More...]

Ezra Klein in the New York Times reminds us that Trump did not win by a large margin. In fact, he won by 1.5 points in the popular vote. He writes about the "new vibes" Trump is bringing to Washington.

I won’t make any claims about the future, but the present feels decidedly male. Trump’s campaign in 2024 was gaudily masculine. Hulk Hogan and Dana White, the chief executive of U.F.C., spoke on the night of Trump’s speech at the Republican convention. The campaign fanned out to the podcasters young men listened to and embraced crypto culture. It connected to a larger anger building among men — a sense that there was no recognized masculinity aside from toxic masculinity, that there wasn’t much room for them in that female future.

David French in the New York Times writes about the new vibes too, only he begins with this description of Trump:

I’m growing increasingly amused by the overreaction to Donald Trump’s election.

I’m not talking about genuine concerns over Trump’s authoritarianism, incompetence and malice. His conduct during his first term gave Americans ample cause for alarm. He may well be the most unstable and dangerous person our nation has ever elected as president.

I’m talking about something else. As we watch chief executive after chief executive pay homage to Trump and MAGA, with Apple, Meta, Amazon and OpenAI making identical $1 million donations to Trump’s inauguration, either through their chief executives or their corporate accounts, there is a sense that his election signals some sort of sweeping ideological “vibe shift,” a triumph of right-wing populism over all its foes.

I don't have much to say about Trump. I really have excised him from my consciousness. But I do care about policy changes, so I'll be covering those. Especially as applied to Mexico and Latin America. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State is a horrible choice, and Rubio has selected former U.S. Mexican Ambassador (and lawyer) Christopher Landau to be his Deputy Secretary. He was a guest on a Baker Institute podcast last month. Here's a transcript of what he had to say about the outlook for Mexico in 2025.

< Biden Pardons Family Members and Scores of Others | Robert Kennedy Confirmation Hearing >

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Trump's Inauguration: Open Thread | 139 comments (139 topical)

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Hopefully, (5.00 / 2) (#1)
by KeysDan on Mon Jan 20, 2025 at 06:29:54 PM EST

Trump's baleful Inaugural Speech will be a wake-up call for those Democratic leaders "seeking common ground" or looking to "work with" him. Don't know how anything but resistance is possible when dealing with Springtime for Musk and the Oligarchy--including Elon's stiff-armed Heil to the Chief.

Melania (5.00 / 2) (#2)
by desertswine on Mon Jan 20, 2025 at 10:24:03 PM EST

looked like one off those Spy vs. Spy Mad Magazine characters.

I didn't watch. (5.00 / 2) (#3)
by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jan 21, 2025 at 03:09:38 AM EST

We're really going to regret the election of a well-documented liar and convicted felon as president of the United States and while we'll likely survive, we'll emerge on the other side four years hence as a nation very much diminished by the experience.

I wish I had you confidence Donald. (none / 0) (#4)
by Chuck0 on Tue Jan 21, 2025 at 01:28:45 PM EST

But I don't see any emergence from this cr@p. More than ever I am expecting armed rebellion. And I fully support that now. Once the deportation roundup start, I am expecting running gun battles and full on firefights in the streets against federal authorities. If I had nothing to lose or was expecting prison or death by being deported, it is what I would do. I would rather die on feet in the US than on my knees in El Salvador or Guatemala.

He has rescinded the price cap on insulin (something I need to live) and is attempting to end birthright citizenship. He has pardoned people that committed treason and an insurrection. Those things alone should provoke a rebellion. And since the current SCOTUS has zero respect for precedent, I fully expect the m to overturn United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 169 U.S. 649 (1898).

I no longer have any loyalty to the United States. None. This country is headed into chaos and it deserves to burn.


I had not heard about insulin (none / 0) (#9)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 21, 2025 at 05:21:15 PM EST

Remarkable.
But see what I said below.
It's the kind of overreach that's going to sink the buggernaut


: Yes but (none / 0) (#22)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Jan 22, 2025 at 07:17:14 PM EST

Only when meemaw and peepaw go to purchase their insulin. I know some Trumpers on insulin and I am going to be mean and laugh

A month (none / 0) (#23)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Jan 22, 2025 at 07:20:44 PM EST

Or so ago I wouldn't have agreed with you but I do now. We have a president that doesn't have to follow the law so why should the rest of us? If the only way to rid ourselves of this monster is armed rebellion that is what will happen.

Also I am seeing reports of once the tariffs kick in Mexico and Canada will quit sending us food and gas. We need their gas to refine


I am now of the opinion that the US (none / 0) (#45)
by Chuck0 on Sun Jan 26, 2025 at 03:57:28 PM EST

will be at war with NATO by year's end. The orange felon will withdraw from NATO within the next 3 months. He will force their hand by trying to take Greenland. I hope they kick our a$$.

It hasn't even been a week and I already can't take this. I knew things would get bad. But not quite this quickly. It's very bad and going to get much worse. This is the dawn of a new fascist reich.

Can anyone point me to any video or speeches where taking Greenland and Canada was part of the MAGA campaign? Which debate this came this came up? I was pretty tuned in and somehow I missed this stuff.


France and Germany have explicitly warned ... (5.00 / 1) (#57)
by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 30, 2025 at 09:38:13 PM EST

... the Trump administration against any attempt to take Greenland from Denmark, and Paris has even offered to deploy French troops there to discourage any such extra-legal effort. Greenland came up during Trump's first term. In any event, I don't think U.S. public opinion would support unprovoked armed aggression against a friendly power.

Aloha.


I hope not (none / 0) (#46)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 26, 2025 at 05:27:13 PM EST

but ....


My solution us to stop watching. (none / 0) (#47)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 26, 2025 at 05:32:06 PM EST

We can't do anything in the short term.

This is a profound injury to anyone who opposes fascism.
Isolation is justified.

I'm easing back into media. Only progressive media. Trust me, the news is bad enough.

The stuff will kill you.


Really tho (none / 0) (#48)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 26, 2025 at 05:34:28 PM EST

I have not watched more than 10 minutes of news in a stretch since the election.


: I read headlines in the morning (5.00 / 2) (#50)
by Chuck0 on Sun Jan 26, 2025 at 07:27:17 PM EST

and watch the nightly news on ABC. But that's been it. I've stopped MSNBC completely. Used to watch MJ but I'm done with them after they went to Mara Lago to kiss the ring. My wife and I watched Nicole Wallace everyday at 4, but I haven't tuned into that either.

: I'm not familiar with some of these, but Robert (5.00 / 4) (#51)
by desertswine on Sun Jan 26, 2025 at 07:27:22 PM EST

Reich just wrote a column in which he notes some of the news sources that he relies on.
What You Can Do. Ten Ways to Resist Trump

Here are some of the sources I currently rely on for the truth: Democracy Now, Business Insider, The New Yorker, The American Prospect, The Atlantic, Americans for Tax Fairness, Economic Policy Institute, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, The Guardian, ProPublica, Labor Notes, The Lever, Popular Information, Heather Cox Richardson, and, of course, this Substack.
Might be worth a looksee.

I don't think (none / 0) (#49)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 26, 2025 at 05:36:14 PM EST

He will pull out of NATO. But he will threaten it.


RIP Garth Hudson. (5.00 / 3) (#5)
by Chuck0 on Tue Jan 21, 2025 at 01:31:37 PM EST

Multi instrumentalist with The Band. An icon in the music world.

: I saw The Band, quite by surprise, in (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by Peter G on Tue Jan 21, 2025 at 08:45:56 PM EST

early 1968 at the Woody Guthrie memorial concert at Carnegie Hall. Dylan's first public appearance after going into seclusion following his motorcycle accident. It was during that time that he connected with The Band in the basement at Big Pink in Woodstock, NY. Here's a sample of what it sounded like. I will never forget it.

I belong (5.00 / 2) (#25)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Jan 22, 2025 at 07:49:54 PM EST

To the same church as Bishop Budde. Boy has she caused a ruckus but in a good way. It is helping expose the evangelical churches as basically frauds because they are having a meltdown over her preaching the gospel

This makes me very happy (5.00 / 1) (#26)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 23, 2025 at 08:51:29 AM EST

FLOW the movie that won the Globe for animated feature got 2 oscar noms. Animated feature AND foreign film.
So cool

If you haven't seen this you really should. It not like anything you have seen before.

Trivia bit, it's made with software called Blender.
Blender is free open source software available to anyone.

Back when I did this stuff the software was so expensive most individuals couldn't own it. Or even lease it.

Blender is a big change and FYI has nothing to do with AI

Imagine what would happen (5.00 / 1) (#29)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 23, 2025 at 02:58:11 PM EST

if a Democrat neglected to put their hand on the Bible will taking the oath office.

Agreed (5.00 / 1) (#31)
by jmacWA on Thu Jan 23, 2025 at 03:53:51 PM EST

there would be an uproar.

My prediction had been that he would have a stack of bibles and move his hand to a new one after each word (a la signing pens) and then offer them for sale for 25K each.


When I'm unaugurated as president, ... (5.00 / 1) (#41)
by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jan 25, 2025 at 05:47:03 PM EST

I'm asking the chief justice if I can instead raise my left hand because I'm a southpaw. When he tells me no, then I'll raise my right hand and place my left hand on an autographed copy of Harold Robbins' The Carpetbaggers.
;-)


William Burroughs (none / 0) (#43)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 26, 2025 at 07:38:53 AM EST

Queer for me,


: PS (none / 0) (#44)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 26, 2025 at 07:39:38 AM EST

looking forward to seeing that too.
With Daniel Craig.

Marianne Faithful... goodbye (5.00 / 1) (#52)
by desertswine on Thu Jan 30, 2025 at 02:40:35 PM EST

Marianne Faithfull, who went from being a fresh-faced, feather-voiced pop star, as well as muse and girlfriend of Mick Jagger, to a homeless heroin addict, only to re-emerge radically altered in her early 30s as a critically acclaimed cabaret performer singing songs of dark honesty, died on Thursday in London. She was 78.

The roiling dramas in Ms. Faithfull's life, along with the starry circles she moved in during the Swinging Sixties and the unvarnished power of her later music, turned her into a nearly mythic figure -- a symbol of survival and transformation.

--NYT

I had the misfortune to watch... (5.00 / 3) (#53)
by desertswine on Thu Jan 30, 2025 at 05:04:51 PM EST

trump's "press conference" about the recent plane crash. He started out OK as he requested a moment of silence for the victims and their families. Then he afforded the victims and their families his condolences. Still OK. Then he went off the rails.
He blamed Joe Biden and Pete Buddagieg (sp). He blamed them for changing his directives. He blamed diversity and the hiring of people who are mentally deficient. Then he actually blamed Obama. He was ranting and rambling like an obviously demented old man. He is clearly a sick man.

Harry S Truman: (5.00 / 3) (#54)
by Chuck0 on Thu Jan 30, 2025 at 05:49:25 PM EST

"The Buck Stops Here."

Orange felon: "The Bucks Stops in my Pocket."

A completely disgusting and vile excuse of a so-called human being.


The FAA (5.00 / 1) (#55)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 30, 2025 at 06:53:23 PM EST

Said it was because there was one person doing the job of 2 people. So.Trump is to blame. He fired all the.competent people.

One person said.the.press conference was like 3 drunks in a bar


: It was disturbing to watch.. (none / 0) (#56)
by desertswine on Thu Jan 30, 2025 at 09:03:29 PM EST

Hegseth and Duffy squirrel their way up the Giant Maggot's colon. I could not watch any more after that.

If I were the Panamanians... (5.00 / 1) (#60)
by desertswine on Fri Jan 31, 2025 at 09:13:40 PM EST

I would blow that canal up before Donald Dump can send in the Marines.

RIP Marianne Fathfull (5.00 / 2) (#63)
by jondee on Sat Feb 01, 2025 at 06:17:14 PM EST

Granted I have David Lynch on my mind after his passing, but there was something
very Lynchian about Marianne. They both worked from that place of darkness and light and pushing the envelope. Godspeed.

The Art of the Steal (5.00 / 5) (#66)
by KeysDan on Sun Feb 02, 2025 at 10:34:07 AM EST

Musk and his aides, who will only give first names because they fear being doxxed, have gained access to sensitive Treasury Department information involving payments of $6 trillion per year for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits, payments to contractors, grant recipients and many others.

David Lebryk, former Acting Treasury Secretary and long-term career official was fired because he would not give access however, the new Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, was happy to do so.

Americans, save for Trump voters, would probably be more willing to give their Social Security numbers to a "Nigerian Prince" than to the Nazi-saluting Musk. It is ironic that the Musk goons have no problem with Americans being do Ed, but not them. Also, this information can be misused and abused, such as by matching voter registrations, abortion or AIDs care by funded-organizations,

: Let the looting begin... (5.00 / 3) (#67)
by desertswine on Sun Feb 02, 2025 at 04:11:49 PM EST

or should I say continue.

I told myself I wasn't going to watch the new (5.00 / 1) (#68)
by McBain on Tue Feb 04, 2025 at 08:37:20 AM EST

Neflix O.J. Simpson documentary but of course I did. The four part "American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson" had a few things I hadn't seen or read about before. Evidence that wasn't presented, witnesses who didn't testify.

Good interviews with Mark Furman, Chris Darden and Dream Team member Carl Douglas. Even after all this time, I still think the jury made the right decision based on what was presented a the trial.

: I have (5.00 / 1) (#69)
by Ga6thDem on Tue Feb 04, 2025 at 11:08:41 AM EST

seen it promoted but when I see it all I can think of is I lived through it and like yet another Monica Lewinsky documentary I heard everything over and over back in the 90's and not looking to relive any of it.

Ok, so (5.00 / 1) (#70)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 04, 2025 at 07:17:37 PM EST

We are taking over Gaza and turning it into a resort.

I didn't think I could be surprised.
How long can this go on?

The former New York real estate developer later suggested that Gaza eventually could be "the Riviera of the Middle East," where "the world's people" could make their homes.

It's beginning to seem like its all been planned (5.00 / 1) (#72)
by desertswine on Wed Feb 05, 2025 at 09:29:20 AM EST

and is going according to the script.


It might be a plan (5.00 / 1) (#73)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 05, 2025 at 10:39:10 AM EST

I think it's safe to say Gaza will not be turned into a gated resort community for rich people in our lifetime.

But I really really hope he tries. And I hope he announces he plans to invade Panama and Greenland.


Interesting overview and recap of the (5.00 / 1) (#75)
by Peter G on Wed Feb 05, 2025 at 12:55:57 PM EST

"Gaza as Riviera" idea in this piece in the Atlantic (gift link).


Thanks for the link (none / 0) (#78)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 05, 2025 at 03:10:49 PM EST

but I think Lemire is a hack. He is the poster boy for conventional beltway thinking.

After all he's from Republico.
AKA Politico.


: Watching Lemire (none / 0) (#85)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 07:45:42 AM EST

On Morning Joe recently he is trying harder to sound like he is on our side.
Even used the word liar. Shocking.
Maybe VF will be good for him.

None of which (none / 0) (#74)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 05, 2025 at 10:40:37 AM EST

will happen. But it will be entertaining to watch Little Marco rationalize it all.


Well the last Christian enclave in the (5.00 / 1) (#76)
by desertswine on Wed Feb 05, 2025 at 01:00:29 PM EST

"Holy Land" worked out real well. Evangelicals are probably already making their reservations.


Oh (5.00 / 1) (#84)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Feb 06, 2025 at 03:59:47 PM EST

you should actually see what I see on Facebook from evangelicals. They think this is a great idea but not for reservations but that it will bring about the end times and that they think Musk and Trump will rebuild the temple. These people are seriously lost.


He is probably (none / 0) (#79)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 05, 2025 at 04:48:50 PM EST

already selling parcels


: I can't wait to see (none / 0) (#80)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 05, 2025 at 04:51:29 PM EST

the 3d renderings of TRUMP GAZA and the surrounding beachfront,

Can you say 9/11 redux? (none / 0) (#77)
by Chuck0 on Wed Feb 05, 2025 at 02:08:11 PM EST

But on a more frequent basis.


I am not in the least bit surprised. (5.00 / 1) (#71)
by vml68 on Wed Feb 05, 2025 at 08:43:41 AM EST

Jared Kushner says Gaza's `waterfront property could be very valuable'
When this was reported last year. I knew it was only a matter of time before the Felon would bring it up.

: A slightly different choice of words... (none / 0) (#87)
by Jack E Lope on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 11:05:24 AM EST

...might remind people of what Kushner's proposal amounts to. When I heard him say that Israel should remove civilians while it "cleans up" the Strip, my immediate thought was that he meant while Israel cleanses Gaza.
In other word-choice thoughts I have had, you can probably guess what I was thinking when Drumpf was telling us that his 2nd term would usher in a "Golden age".

Watching Little M (5.00 / 1) (#81)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 05, 2025 at 05:30:30 PM EST

explain why they need to ""temporarily" relocate" the Palestinians is great.

Like he thinks construction noise will be something they can deal with.

That they CAN'T (5.00 / 1) (#82)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 05, 2025 at 05:34:15 PM EST

deal with. Like the living in a construction zone would be inconvenient who needs that?


: PFFT... (5.00 / 2) (#83)
by jmacWA on Thu Feb 06, 2025 at 04:40:26 AM EST

They wouldn't even notice... They've been living in a deconstruction zone for over 20 years now.

Watching (5.00 / 2) (#86)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 10:10:30 AM EST

a podcast with George Conway this morning. The idea was posited that the courts tell Trump no and he just continues to commit crimes. So what do we do? Bondi will tell the US Marshals to stand down and not arrest any Trump criminals. He said the only way is mass protests all across the nation about the rule of law.

So Chuck O you may be right. We may need an armed insurrection to get rid of the criminals in government because the GOP is going to do nothing.

So far, at least, the illegal actions (5.00 / 1) (#88)
by Peter G on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 12:18:35 PM EST

that have been taken are not in violation of any criminal law, or at least very few of them. They violate civil and regulatory statutes (and clauses of the Constitution), which can be enjoined or stayed by a federal judge. "Illegal" and "criminal" are two different things; that is, "criminal" is a relatively small subset of the category of "illegal," encompassing only those violations for which someone can be arrested, personally put on trial, and if convicted then punished with a fine and/or imprisonment. And on top of that, there are the things they are doing which are "unlawful," that is, not authorized by any law, even if not in violation of the terms of a written law (which is what "illegal" means). Under the Tenth Amendment, anything which is not affirmatively authorized for the federal government to do (and otherwise constitutional) is prohibited to the feds.


I believe she is talking about (none / 0) (#89)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 12:42:45 PM EST

the new hot topic which is, with all the court cases filed and coming, when will Trump simply ignore the court and do what he wants.

Which the court gave him the ability to do.

I have to agree will the general consensus that it will happen. How could it not.


No, the Supreme Court immunity decision (5.00 / 1) (#90)
by Peter G on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 01:17:31 PM EST

did not give Tr*mp permission to "ignore" court orders or to "do what he wants." It gave him protection from personal criminal prosecution during his time in office. Court orders holding his policies to be illegal are not directed to him personally, and are not criminal in nature. That was the point of my comment. Which I realize sounds a bit (or more than a bit) like a law school lecture, but I strongly believe it does not help to survive this horrible situation to misstate or misunderstand the legal aspects.


So, what'll SCOTUS do ... (5.00 / 1) (#118)
by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Feb 10, 2025 at 02:13:06 AM EST

... when Trump blows off court rulings? Because the odds are better than even that he'll do exactly that. The Supreme Court can't enforce the law on its own. It depends upon the executive branch to do that. Ask the Cherokee how that favorable SCOTUS ruling in Worcester v. Georgia [31 U.S. 515 (1832)], acknowledging their sovereignty as a nation, ultimately worked out for them.

Chief Justice John Roberts is the Roger Taney of our times.


I understand (none / 0) (#91)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 01:21:12 PM EST

that Trump would have used the same words as me.


PBS (none / 0) (#92)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 01:25:05 PM EST

right, that's the question.

Now the question is whether the court rulings are a mere speed bump or an insurmountable roadblock for the Republican president, who is determined to expand the limits of his power -- sometimes by simply ignoring the laws.

: Forgot (none / 0) (#93)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 01:36:46 PM EST

the link PBS

Maybe this (none / 0) (#94)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 01:45:17 PM EST

will make it clearer. A judge rules the Trump administration cannot do X. Person A continues to do X. The judge orders a contempt citation for breaking the order. The marshals are ordered to arrest the person for doing X. Bondi tells the marshals if you obey the judge you will be fired. Also discussed the fact that the minions can break the law and Trump will continue to pardon them after every crime. If they don't obey the judge and the judge issues a contempt citation what then?

I hope I am making sense. Obviously I am just trying to remember what was said.


Ok, yes, that makes procedural sense (5.00 / 1) (#96)
by Peter G on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 04:13:01 PM EST

but I don't foresee it happening. I think they will obey, and then complain and blame, which gets them the political points they want while saving them from having to own the disastrous outcomes of their misbegotten policies.


V.P. Vance is treading carefully there (5.00 / 1) (#114)
by Peter G on Sun Feb 09, 2025 at 02:29:36 PM EST

Trying to make it sound like he supports defiance of court decisions, without actually saying so.


: I saw (none / 0) (#115)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Feb 09, 2025 at 04:16:59 PM EST

that

I foresee it happening (none / 0) (#97)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 04:57:06 PM EST

What you describe I also see happening.

MAGA will expect it. And he will oblige. Probably, at least at first, in some smaller way that's not about invading a country. Something that will let him ignore the courts and get away with it.

He will do it.


Here's the question Peter, (none / 0) (#95)
by Chuck0 on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 03:50:21 PM EST

If a judge tells the Administration not to do something, who is the enforcer of that order? I'm pretty sure it's the same Administration that been enjoined to not do that thing. Rulings by judges and courts have no meaning or rule of law if there's no one to enforce the order. I think that's what GA6 and the Capt are saying.

It is also my belief that this is what is going to happen. The orange felon doesn't need "permission" to ignore court orders, I believe him and his Administration will just do it, ignore the courts. Who is going to stop them? The DOJ? The FBI? Federal Marshals. Those are all now run by toadies. We beyond "rule of law." Just day after day of chaos.

I, for one, am exhausted by the overuse of "unprecedented" and "constitutional crisis." The constitutional crisis began when mealy mouthed Mitch McConnell (yeah, I saw the 60 Minutes interview) refused to convict on impeachment. That was extended when the orange felon was allowed on the ballot. But the GD Democrats had to have "rule of law" and be meek and worthless.

The Democratic Party has proved to be worthless as messaging and actually fighting. Every GD Democrat in DC should have spent the last 4 years bombarding this country on the crimes of Donald tR*mp. Hell, do like the GQP, make stuff up. Message, message, message, every day.


And his motto now is (5.00 / 1) (#98)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 05:00:30 PM EST

I can not be prosecuted for anything. Unless I'm impeached AND removed.

So go ahead find someone to enforce it.


One more thing (5.00 / 3) (#100)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 05:10:44 PM EST

I'm going to defend the Democratic Party a little.
The party was great in the last election. Biden did a historic thing that's barely ever mentioned.

Kamala ran a damn near perfect campaign.

The Party passed a shiteload of very important stuff with the same majorities the right now has.

Want to know who I blame? I blame the 20 mill+ stupid damn closet racist misogynistic Democrats who voted for Biden but stayed home for the most important election of their life.

We have met the enemy. And he is us.

You can't blame anyone for this but the god forsaken voters.


: Well, there's that. (5.00 / 3) (#101)
by Chuck0 on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 08:23:22 PM EST

But also all the idiots who were mad at Biden for his support of Israel in Gaza. Also the Arab American community in Michigan. I get being mad. I wasn't happy with it. But they have to look at the big picture. There is no way that the orange felon was going to be any better.
Oh, look, he turned out to be WAAAY worse. Who saw that coming?

: I (5.00 / 2) (#105)
by FlJoe on Sat Feb 08, 2025 at 08:18:50 AM EST

would also blame the media for perpetuating the stupidity.

btw (none / 0) (#99)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 05:02:46 PM EST

Did you see he announced he wants 60 minutes off the air?


: Update (5.00 / 1) (#110)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Feb 08, 2025 at 01:50:47 PM EST

President Trump filed an amended and expanded complaint in his lawsuit against 60 Minutes last night, so it appears there's no deal to settle the case.

In a classic Nazi move... (5.00 / 3) (#102)
by desertswine on Fri Feb 07, 2025 at 10:08:36 PM EST

The Orange Obscenity has named himself as the nation's chief purveyor of art.

"At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN. I have decided to immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture," Trump wrote on his social media website.

"We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!"

He also indicated that he would be dictating programming at one of the nation's premier cultural institutions.

: Looking forward (5.00 / 2) (#106)
by KeysDan on Sat Feb 08, 2025 at 09:50:45 AM EST

to the Leni Riefenstahl film festivals.

Project 2025 coming book version (5.00 / 1) (#103)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Feb 08, 2025 at 07:21:42 AM EST

from Seth Myers
something the mouth breathers might read.

Filling a need (5.00 / 1) (#104)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Feb 08, 2025 at 07:38:28 AM EST

Here are the stats: Approximately 54% of American adults read at or below the equivalent of a 6th-grade level.

Hmmmm, that reading level has gone (5.00 / 3) (#107)
by leap2 on Sat Feb 08, 2025 at 11:09:43 AM EST

down, then, since I worked for the Forest Service back in the 1990s. Part of my job was working on interpretative signs and brochures. We were told, by the people in charge of these projects, that we had to write text/blurbs at an "eighth-grade level." I found it extremely difficult to do that. It just sounded like talking down to people. "Don't you think we should inform, and encourage people to be more cogent?" OMG, "cogent"???? Needless to say, much of my draft texts were highly edited down. Sixth-grade level. I just can't imagine.


Not really (5.00 / 1) (#108)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Feb 08, 2025 at 11:42:26 AM EST

a surprise. That it has gone down. By the time Trump improves the education system by dying we will probably be 4th or 5th.

The new education secretary is from World Wrestling Federation.

Our country has become a Philip K Dick story.


: That number was from Google AI (none / 0) (#109)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Feb 08, 2025 at 11:43:30 AM EST

I asked because I saw a quote of FB I wanted to check.

If I remember correctly, (none / 0) (#111)
by Chuck0 on Sat Feb 08, 2025 at 04:58:48 PM EST

a 6th grade reading level was the standard to join the Navy in 1976 (when I joined). Training materials, tests, etc. were all written for a 6th grade level.


: That's just so sad. n/t (none / 0) (#112)
by leap2 on Sat Feb 08, 2025 at 06:05:06 PM EST

:(

Interesting (5.00 / 3) (#113)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Feb 09, 2025 at 11:49:34 AM EST

Trump sues sanctuary state in desperate bid to ramp up deportations

Constitutionally, Illinois is on solid ground. In the 2017 case Printz v. United States, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote, "The Federal Government may neither issue directives requiring the States to address particular problems, nor command the States' officers, or those of their political subdivisions, to administer or enforce a federal regulatory program. Such commands are fundamentally incompatible with our constitutional system of dual sovereignty."

: Apparently (none / 0) (#116)
by Ga6thDem on Sun Feb 09, 2025 at 07:59:43 PM EST

They are not getting enough of a show removing people and ICE has screwed up and rounded up Americans. On social media I have seen people claiming they are moving to IL for freedom and safety.
Maga is still getting their concentration camps though

Trump predicted that the (5.00 / 2) (#117)
by MO Blue on Sun Feb 09, 2025 at 10:08:32 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs would win the Super Bowl. That proved to be the kiss of death. The Eagles completely humiliated them. Mahomes was sacked 6 or 7 times.

Since he and their crazy kicked endorsed Trump, can't say I'm sorry with the outcome.

: As we say in the Greater Philadelphia area (5.00 / 2) (#120)
by Peter G on Mon Feb 10, 2025 at 02:26:54 PM EST

GO BIRDS!! A lot of the Eagles would decline an invitation to the White House to be congratulated, so I doubt they will receive an ask.

: Feel (none / 0) (#119)
by Ga6thDem on Mon Feb 10, 2025 at 08:30:52 AM EST

the same way even though I am a Travis Kelce fan. He's a good guy. Mahomes wife is a big Trumper. So I am having a good laugh.

At this point, I can only hope that this is a.. (5.00 / 2) (#132)
by desertswine on Fri Feb 14, 2025 at 05:47:40 PM EST

pronouncement of a curse, like the Pharoah's, upon himself.

Trump signs executive orders on Covid-19 mandates.
Donald Trump has convened the press in the Oval Office to sign an executive order cutting off federal funding for schools and universities that require students be vaccinated against Covid-19 to attend classes.

This is (5.00 / 3) (#139)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Feb 16, 2025 at 04:57:22 PM EST

sort of profound

My news blackout continues (none / 0) (#6)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 21, 2025 at 05:07:59 PM EST

Increased lately.

Optimism seems absurd but all I can say is if this is what the country wants it should gear what it deserves

About the optimism, I can't believe this is going to be popular.

I was just talking to my brother who voted for him last time and didn't vote this time
He thinks the release of the J6 people is outrageous. So whatever. I have stopped watching. Maybe in some quantum way it will just disappear

: His big (5.00 / 1) (#24)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Jan 22, 2025 at 07:44:43 PM EST

Achilles heel is he only listens to the far right. None of their policies are popular and they will produce disaster

The idiot news (none / 0) (#7)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 21, 2025 at 05:11:32 PM EST

is going to coronate him. No surprise.

I will be very surprised if there is not some pretty severe buyers remorse

In time for the election next year. Among other things

And yes, I think there will be an election next year

: PS (none / 0) (#8)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 21, 2025 at 05:14:12 PM EST

an election after that could actually depend on that election 🙂

It's too damn cold here (none / 0) (#10)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 21, 2025 at 05:36:49 PM EST

Today didn't get out of the teens

Hopefully better soon.

not so bad (none / 0) (#11)
by leap2 on Tue Jan 21, 2025 at 06:46:50 PM EST

It was -20°F last night when I was chatting with my brother in Minneapolis. That's dangerous cold. I do believe most the schools were closed today in MSP.


: That was mid afternoon (none / 0) (#20)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 22, 2025 at 04:16:44 PM EST

-teens at night.
It might be over for now.

I Don't Understand Birthright Citizenship EO (none / 0) (#13)
by RickyJim on Tue Jan 21, 2025 at 10:39:19 PM EST

I hope somebody here can explain this to me.

It quotes the 14 Amendment: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

Then it asserts:

Among the categories of individuals born in the United States and not subject to the jurisdiction thereof, the privilege of United States citizenship does not automatically extend to persons born in the United States: (1) when that person's mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person's birth, or (2) when that person's mother's presence in the United States at the time of said person's birth was lawful but temporary (such as, but not limited to, visiting the United States under the auspices of the Visa Waiver Program or visiting on a student, work, or tourist visa) and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person's birth.

I had been under the impression that anybody on US soil, except those who have diplomatic immunity, are subject to the jurisdiction of the US. Why wouldn't a person in (1) and (2) above be subject to US jurisdiction? TIA

It is very easy to explain why (5.00 / 3) (#14)
by Peter G on Wed Jan 22, 2025 at 12:44:16 PM EST

assertions made in a Tr*mp Administration policy proclamation would make no sense to you. It is because they are wrong. They are echoing a handful of right-wing crackpot constitutional "scholars" (like the indicted and disbarred John Eastman, formerly Dean of the Chapman Univ. Law School), not the settled opinion of authentic experts and of the federal courts for over 130 years.


And, (5.00 / 2) (#15)
by KeysDan on Wed Jan 22, 2025 at 02:19:45 PM EST

unilateral abrogation of birth right citizenship by Executive Order is unconstitutional and, in my view, warrants an article of impeachment.


Today, (5.00 / 2) (#27)
by KeysDan on Thu Jan 23, 2025 at 01:06:10 PM EST

Federal District Court Judge John Coughenour(appointed by President Reagan), temporarily blocked Trump's Executive Order ending birthright citizenship. The judge ruled "this is a blatantly unconstitutional order."


On this subject, there is a large home in my (5.00 / 3) (#28)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 23, 2025 at 01:23:49 PM EST

neighborhood, in unincorporated LA County, which is apparently used by pregnant Chinese citizens to live in for a week or two before they give birth in local hospitals, presumably in order to obtain birthright citizenship for the child.

Personally, I don't really care. But it is interesting that this business is right around the corner from me.

PS: For some reason, using the homes on this particular street for unusual businesses is quite popular. On that very same street another home is used as an MJ "grow house." And it absolutely reeks, as you would expect. And yet another house on that street is a drug rehab.

I know two families on this street and they both confirm.

I'm not judging any of this, although I'm relieved that all those years ago we looked at, but did not buy, the house right next to what is now the grow house. PU!


: This should be (none / 0) (#30)
by jmacWA on Thu Jan 23, 2025 at 03:51:57 PM EST

illegal. I lived in Tucson AZ for a bit, and it was not uncommon for Mexican women to come to town just to have their babies get the US citizenship.

The orange felon is so stupid (5.00 / 2) (#16)
by Chuck0 on Wed Jan 22, 2025 at 04:04:07 PM EST

that he keeps repeating that the US is the only country with birthright citizenship. Pretty much the entire western hemisphere has birthright citizenship. As does Australia.


Anyone want to make a guess.. (none / 0) (#17)
by desertswine on Wed Jan 22, 2025 at 04:08:06 PM EST

about what the h. $trump is? Or a coin-meme? Because I sure don't know. All I know is that it's some kind of scam because of Melonhead's involvement.

There will be (none / 0) (#18)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 22, 2025 at 04:13:42 PM EST

songs and stories of the times we live in.

Whatever else this is it will be remembered by the entire world. For as long as there is history.


: And NOT (none / 0) (#19)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 22, 2025 at 04:14:30 PM EST

in a good way.

I recommend escape (none / 0) (#21)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 22, 2025 at 05:40:42 PM EST

One of the best streaming SciFi for a while is

SILO

that link is to a video about the effects. They are very impressive but not the best reason to watch. It's just a great story with great actors.
It's on Apple

Season 2 just ended but more is coming

I just realized they found a way to tell a story about regular (mostly white) future Americans* - who live without the slightest influence of Christianity. None. No religion.

They thank the founders

Anyway, I'm watching the first season again. It's better than I remember.

*Spoiler
We learn in season 2 they are in Georgia

Howdy, I'm thinking of getting a 7 day (none / 0) (#32)
by Chuck0 on Fri Jan 24, 2025 at 03:48:04 PM EST

trial for Apple TV (never have subscribed). What would you recommend to be the best things to binge watch?


Silo (none / 0) (#33)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 24, 2025 at 04:26:33 PM EST

Definitely. Also Severance, and Monarch. Prehistoric Planet is great.
There's a lot of good stuff.
For All Mankind is the story of an alternate space race where Russia beat us to the moon so the race never stopped. So by now we are on Mars.
Haven't seen Masters of the Air but you might like it.
Ted Lasso is very popular but never hooked me.
Same with shrinking. So far.
Invasion might make a longer list.

Oh, Foundation is great.


I would (none / 0) (#34)
by KeysDan on Fri Jan 24, 2025 at 04:59:25 PM EST

add, Slow Horses. An MI5 espionage series with a different twist.


Oh yeah (none / 0) (#36)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 24, 2025 at 05:03:45 PM EST

Great Oldman is a hilariously curmudgeon

Also there is See. About a culture where everyone is blind.

Very interesting battles.


One more thing (none / 0) (#38)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 24, 2025 at 05:34:34 PM EST

About Apple

This summer supposedly the last I heard they have a series coming based on Murderbot Diaries

I have been waiting for this since I read the first book when it came out. It is the best SciFi series I EVER read.

Audiobooks rock.


: It's about (none / 0) (#39)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 24, 2025 at 05:35:36 PM EST

A killer android obsessed with streaming entertainment

I just saw another Oscar (none / 0) (#35)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 24, 2025 at 04:59:59 PM EST

nominate animated feature. Wild Robot. It's on Peacock.

It's not bad, really. It has moments. But if you want to understand the difference between animation by a bunch of people who produce something like Flow that is so clearly a labor of love and the "product" of a huge multi national corporation that makes animation to make money.

See those two movies.

I was talking to some other former employees about how Flow is what Dinosaur could have been and was INTENDED to be. They were never intended to talk than Katzenpud saw the test and said they gotta talk.

Many of us tried to quit but found we had signed contracts that said if we leave we can't work for three years.


: Have you seen "Emilia Perez" yet? (5.00 / 2) (#42)
by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jan 25, 2025 at 06:06:13 PM EST

I really liked it, because I found it to be so uniquely different in its narrative approach to a deadly serious subject - Mexico's narco war - but my wife, who's a Latina from Texas, not so much. For all the hoopla surrounding the film and its 13 Oscar nominations, she concurs with L.A. Times columnist Gustavo Arellano's review as a Mexican-American, who summed up his contrarian take with an acidic ten-word conclusion:
"Poor Mexico: so far from God, so close to Hollywood."
Anyway, I'm interested in hearing your own take on it, whenever you see it.
Aloha.

: Credit where it is due (none / 0) (#37)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 24, 2025 at 05:05:15 PM EST

they did it last year too with The Boy and the Heron

When you resist offers (none / 0) (#40)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 25, 2025 at 04:01:39 PM EST

to milk it with a sequel it shows money is not really the point.

As opposed to Oscar nominee Inside Out 2

Gints Zilbalodis On How `Flow' Has "Activated" Local Film Investment In Latvia & Avoiding Pitches To Produce A Sequel

We're getting hit with a series ... (none / 0) (#58)
by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 30, 2025 at 09:48:40 PM EST

... of fierce mid-Pacific cold fronts, which have sparked thunderstorms and repeated flash flood alerts locally. I'm presently stranded in Honolulu because the airport here is closed and they cancelled my 3:00p HST flight this afternoon, so I'm passing the time at my elder daughter's house. Hopefully, they'll reopen by 10:00p, and I'll get back to Hilo by midnight.

My apolitical sister who has ignored (none / 0) (#59)
by Chuck0 on Fri Jan 31, 2025 at 02:24:10 PM EST

politics and government most of her adult life, messaged me from Kathmandu yesterday saying someone "needs to take tRump out."

She's seen news from his first week, but what tipped her over the line was his remarks after the plane/helicopter crash over DCA.

This is where we are at. The entire world is alarmed at the events that are transpiring on our shores. Americans need to act, and act quickly. Screw all the conversations about "rule of law" and mid-terms and 2028. It's all for naught. We are now in a period of a completely rogue and lawless administration. Our own version of Night of the Long Knives is coming. A complete purging in government of any one who not a toadie or sycophant.

I warned you.

We treat in space (5.00 / 1) (#61)
by jondee on Sat Feb 01, 2025 at 04:57:48 PM EST

but we advance in time. - Mao

And no, I don't go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao.


: That's good, ... (5.00 / 2) (#137)
by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Feb 16, 2025 at 06:36:37 AM EST

... because if you were, you ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow.

: Retreat in space..sheesh (none / 0) (#62)
by jondee on Sat Feb 01, 2025 at 04:58:24 PM EST

I'm exhausted, mentally and emotionally. (5.00 / 2) (#130)
by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Feb 14, 2025 at 03:47:52 PM EST

But every time I think about surrendering, I consider the world I'm passing on to my three grandsons. I can't give up because they don't deserve that. I have to keep fighting for them, for my family. I view that as my duty as an elder, to fight and endure until my last breath.

I've lately been indulging in stories about the generations-long Irish struggle against British dominion:

Tim Pat Coogan's excellent biography Michael Collins: The Man Who Made Ireland, about the young warrior who reorganized the Irish Republican Army in the wake of the failed 1916 Easter Rebellion in Dublin and recast its soldiers as potent adversaries who excelled in the art of assymmetric urban and rural guerrilla warfare, which gained the Irish Free State (today's Republic of Ireland) its independence in Dec. 1921; and
The excellent FX/Hulu TV limited series Say Nothing, which recounts "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland (1969-98) as seen through the eyes of members of the IRA and their families and friends.

And while I neither relate to nor condone the IRA's methodology in the conduct of their struggle, there's no denying that its members had a certain joie de vivre about them as they went about their business. Because there was never really any doubt in their minds that their side would inevitably prevail, even if they as individuals didn't necessarily survive the conflict themselves.

"Tiocfaidh ár lá," they would say to one another. "Our time will come."

I feel the same way. I have to. For those of you who aren't as passionate about history as I am, I recommend that you read (or reacquaint yourselves with) any one or all of Dr. Timothy Snyder's most recent and excellent books: On Tyranny, The Road to Unfreedom and his latest, On Freedom.

It's okay to take a breather from the struggle in order to refresh and recoup. But we can't give in. We've come way too far for that. This is no longer about us, but about our children and grandchildren, the next generations. They're depending on us in this fight, even if they are too young to yet realize it.

Have you seen Vance's speech in .. (none / 0) (#131)
by desertswine on Fri Feb 14, 2025 at 05:26:09 PM EST

Munich? The Russians loved it. Welcome back to the 1930's.


: France's President Macron ... (5.00 / 1) (#136)
by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Feb 16, 2025 at 06:32:14 AM EST

... has called an emergency meeting of the EU next week, and he fired a pointed shot across the bow of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and told him that it is Ukraine's sole decision regarding the prospect and outcome of any peace negotiations with Russia, and not the Trump administration's.
France has already threatened Russia with the prospect of its direct military intervention on Ukraine's behalf. The French are under no illusions about Vladimir Putin's intentions and designs, and view Moscow as an existential threat. They are not about to let Trump hand Ukraine over to Russia.
Aloha.

Donald (none / 0) (#133)
by Chuck0 on Sat Feb 15, 2025 at 01:01:27 PM EST

If you are interested in more reading on the Irish Rebellion and history of Ireland, I highly recommend the series of books by Morgan Llywelyn. These are novels but set in a historic timeline. The first is 1916, then 1921, 1949, 1972 and the last book is 1999.

I've always had an interest in the Irish struggle. I found the book 1921 on a bargain table somewhere and bought. I so thoroughly enjoyed the book that after realizing it was series, I immediately sought out 1916. Then read each book in order from there.


: Thank you for the recommendation. (none / 0) (#135)
by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Feb 16, 2025 at 06:14:38 AM EST

I'll definitely check it out. I've always found Irish history fascinating, because my initial interest in the British Empire. The one overseas possession which perpetually gave the Brits the most trouble was the one that was actually closest to home.

: We have that book, "1916" (none / 0) (#138)
by Peter G on Sun Feb 16, 2025 at 03:49:55 PM EST

My wife is about 25% Irish in ancestry and picked it up as you did. We were in Ireland in 2016 for a 40th wedding anniversary trip, and learned a lot from the the centenary commemorations.

I am the same (none / 0) (#134)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Feb 15, 2025 at 07:59:56 PM EST

I really don't care about myself but the world my children and grandchildren grow up in MATTERS GREATLY to me. I get overwhelmed and avoid the news. Then I come back and start calling my senators. Maybe that is pointless but frankly if we don't call they are never going to know. The lines are always busy so there are a lot of people calling.


Fungus infected zombie spiders (none / 0) (#64)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Feb 01, 2025 at 07:08:46 PM EST

because why not

: Ack! (none / 0) (#65)
by desertswine on Sat Feb 01, 2025 at 09:50:29 PM EST

Muskoil (snakeoil) (none / 0) (#121)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 11, 2025 at 05:21:55 PM EST

We have this unelected, fourth unconstitutional branch of government, which is the bureaucracy, which has, in a lot of ways, currently more power than any elected representative. And this is ... not something that people want. And ... it does not match the will of the people. So it's just something we've got to fix."
-- Elon Musk, quoted by the Washington Post.

I think this is good. They will over reach.
They always over reach but I think this time over reaching is the point.

So let just get to it.

I don't know when I've seen anything.. (5.00 / 2) (#125)
by desertswine on Tue Feb 11, 2025 at 08:30:50 PM EST

as bizzaro as that sh!tshow put on today by Musk and trumpolini in the oval office.


Bureaucracy (none / 0) (#122)
by FlJoe on Tue Feb 11, 2025 at 05:43:07 PM EST

is a necessity in any form of governance, often burdensome but the alternative is chaos.

Musk and Trump are chaos agents, even if their reach is limited it will still be extremely damaging to our institutions.


Musk (none / 0) (#123)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 11, 2025 at 07:38:27 PM EST

is not a bad poster boy for Trump II


I expect he might be (none / 0) (#124)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Feb 11, 2025 at 07:40:31 PM EST

jettisoned soon. For that reason.

Big T has to be the posterboy. And the bride at every wedding. And the corpse at every funeral.


Trump (5.00 / 3) (#126)
by FlJoe on Tue Feb 11, 2025 at 09:14:08 PM EST

looked like he was playing second fiddle today, Elon has some kind of hold over him, ala Putin.

Maybe he is dazzled by his wealth, but strictly ego wise Trump should have turned on him by now.


I think it's the wealth. (5.00 / 1) (#129)
by Chuck0 on Wed Feb 12, 2025 at 03:10:40 PM EST

The orange felon worships money (surprise evangelicals). I believe he thinks having lots of money means you are smarter than everyone else. Look at his history. Everything is a transaction. He views every single thing through the lens of a dollar bill.


I think there is a plan there (none / 0) (#127)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Feb 12, 2025 at 08:33:11 AM EST

let Musk do all this stuff and then blame him when it's massively unpopular.


: Maybe (none / 0) (#128)
by FlJoe on Wed Feb 12, 2025 at 10:42:47 AM EST

but it's hard to picture having a plan, much less one that gives him less than a central part.
No doubt he will throw Elon under the bus if and when he becomes too toxic.
Meanwhile we have some kind of binary narcissist death star burning in the Whitehouse.