The Imperial Presidency

[Labster]

Of course it’s constitutional, or rather the constitution doesn’t matter in this case. It’s well known that the constitution doesn’t fully apply within 100 miles of the border: the border search exception means that citizens living “near” the border have no need for probable cause to be searched, where near a border covers two-thirds of Americans. Like the entire state of New Jersey, for instance

Sic transit gloria mundi

[Dartz]

Is America Great Yet?

[classicdrogn]

Been a great bigg mess for years, now with etra shit-stirring flavor

[Labster]

I think it’s time that we put aside our differences and unite behind the President. No matter where you’re from, whether it be New Jersey or Texas, Toronto or Nuuk, on the slopes of Mt. McKinley or the shores of the Gulf of America, we are all one nation

[classicdrogn]

Fuck that. He can die in a fire.

[MilkmanConspiracy]

To further bonds with the north, Americans should establish a Bloc Cajun in Louisiana, Maine, and New Hampshire. Make a Cajun option mandatory as a second meal at all schools and federal facilities.

[MilkmanConspiracy]

More seriously, I’m not really sure the individual President matters much in this. Based on reported election results, more Americans than not either chose him or sat the election out in indifference than voted against him. In an elected democracy, leadership is a reflection of the electorate’s will. Of course, not all Americans chose this, and it isn’t as big of a mandate as people seem to suggest given the close race, but it is telling.

In an alternate universe where he did not run in 2024, I’m not sure the results would be too different, but simply performed in a way that was less overt, if more banal. The best case for the Democrat voter interests I could see the Republican Party actually running at this point would be a W. Bush style candidate, and I’m not sure that would actually be much better as far as the rest of the center-right voters and those to the left of them are concerned, just easier to swallow.

[robkelk]

I think it’s time that we put aside our differences and unite behind the President. No matter where you’re from, whether it be New Jersey or Texas, Toronto or Nuuk, on the slopes of Mt. McKinley or the shores of the Gulf of America, we are all one nation

And fuck you too, Brent. Again.

The thing about jokes is that they're funny. Claiming Canada is (or should be) part of the USA isn't a joke, it's an insult.

And I am getting tired of being insulted.

[classicdrogn]

Don't worry Rob, no one could actually mistake Canada for being part of the USA. You still have functional national education and health care systems.

[Jinx999]

Given that his policies are all at least two of:

lawless
bad for the US economy and causing large price increases for ordinary Americans
blatantly unconstitutional
petty spite
an act of war against a country that has been a loyal US ally for decades
heartless cruelty
an attack on science
obvious corruption

with the possible exception of releasing any remaining information on the JFK assassination, which is merely meaningless, pointless and futile.

The only moral or patriotic reason to get behind him is to push him over.

[Labster]

I think it’s time that we put aside our differences and unite behind the President. No matter where you’re from, whether it be New Jersey or Texas, Toronto or Nuuk, on the slopes of Mt. McKinley or the shores of the Gulf of America, we are all one nation

And fuck you too, Brent. Again.

The thing about jokes is that they're funny. Claiming Canada is (or should be) part of the USA isn't a joke, it's an insult.

And I am getting tired of being insulted.

Oh, so you think that was a joke.  It's actually not, and it's not really about what I believe either, there's another reason here.

Let me talk a little bit about compliance.  Authoritarian governments like, more than anything else, the appearance of people complying with the will of the leader.  What people actually do is another thing altogether, as in, say, Soviet Russia, where factories and farms would invent ways of meeting the quotas without actually shipping enough quality product -- the corruption is kind of a feature, though.  In systems like these, if you want to survive, you need to act like you're in compliance with what the leader wants, that as a good patriotic citizen you naturally agree with everything your leader says.  As if any other kind of patriotism was possible, right?

I think it's fair to say that a wave of compliance is sweeping the nation right now, with a lot of support from corporations -- many because they get to do what they always wanted, but many more because they can see which way the wind is blowing.  The richest man in the world giving the "Roman" salute to the President is not an aberration.  It's in the context of corporations across the country eliminating diversity and inclusion programs, halting support for environmental initiatives, and rushing to do business deals with the President's family and close friends.  The time will soon come with others in the business community will raise hands again, along with the Proud Boys who Trump says will have a role in the government.

The fact that Trump won the vote by a small margin is honestly irrelevant now.  If everyone with money and power acts like he won by a lot, that becomes the truth.  A timid president does not begin his terms with pardons, pardons of those who rallied on January 6, even a pardon of the guy who ran the Silk Road online black market.  A timid President doesn't just issue an order that all of the government's DEI employees don't have to come into work, effective tomorrow (now today) -- but every other government employee does have to come into work, butts-in-chairs style (as of next month).

The institutional guard rails that limit a President are largely gone now.  Some were eroded slowly during Trump's first term.  Some more were eroded by Biden, who pardoned his own family and staff.  The first damage was done by perhaps Richard Nixon, but honestly Newt Gingrich has the most blame for creating the current partisan rancor and ending the collegiality on Capitol Hill.  The Supreme Court has largely ruled themselves irrelevant by giving the President a legal shield over all actions while in office.  And most of all, the people would rather have a leader that makes them richer than a leader that follows democratic norms. This is not going to be very much like Trump's first term, because that's what we voted for: strong, decisive leadership that makes a decision and implements it without wasting time consulting people.

History is not a story, stuck in the past, where nothing can hurt you.  History is happening now.  The first big immigrant raids are coming, now directed to search through churches and schools.  Birthright citizenship officially ends in 30 days.  The government now only recognizes biological sex, not gender. People here should seriously think about how to comply with the new world order.  Including those whom our leader thinks would be better off as a part of our glorious empire.

[MilkmanConspiracy]

No good reason to throw in the towel at this point if you disagree with the policies of the Administration. Indeed, capitulation now may well result in a self-fulfilling prophecy. Things are dire, but as long as some semblance of a democratic system remains, peaceful dissent remains a viable option, especially as sweeping new changes will likely greatly impact the broad electorate. There aren’t many perks for obeying in advance either: I frankly don’t see rank and file supporters getting any level of real special treatment, though this is different if you happen to posses notable wealth or other forms of power or influence.

Now is not the era where the opposition can wield much political power beyond preventing supermajorities, but this is still an era where you can speak up and point out where people are being harmed. Even North Korea has elections: by using one’s voice while they still have it, at a minimum they can dispel illusions that they are free and fair among the proletariat if they indeed come to be or have been rigged. The electorate got America into this position, and by their voting power, perhaps they can bring it out. I don’t consider it the most likely outcome, but if you dissent it is better than capitulation. The figurehead at the top matters little if the machine at the bottom pushes for similar things after all. This isn’t an incitement of full resistance, and a leader you disagree with may occasionally do something that helps people. Support fixing of issues, but make it clear that you stand with the people, not the leader. Don’t allow credit to be stolen for issues that were fixed by bipartisan action or by the opposition. Take credit for the good you do and flaunt it.

Always be distrustful of power and wealth, regardless of who holds it. There are plots among the greedy to deprive you of your own rights and wealth, and they will if you let them. Never voluntarily relinquish your freedoms if you are a conservative. Always push for human dignity and rights if you are a leftist. Work with your fellow neighbors to create change on a local level - If not through government then through community organizations. You have more in common with your fellow men than you do with far off elites. Vote to preserve democracy whenever possible. Better to have failed than to never have tried.

[classicdrogn]

History is not a story, stuck in the past, where nothing can hurt you.

Something that both sides should really keep in mind. Alas, the ledties havemade it a point of dultural identity out of pretending that the age of violence as an instrument of political change is ended, despite plentiful evidence to the contrary both in the world at large and directly in our own righties. I won't say it's impossible to reverse course by peaceful, democratic means yet, but it's further away than it was on Nov 4.

As for being on Team Felon In Chief fetting you any special consideration, the idea is laughable. All being part of Trump's "in" group makes you is an easy scapegoat, and even in that group you can't ecpect him to homor any deal or agreementm, just ask the lawyers and contractors he stiffed on paying.

You can't do business with him, you can't even believe a word he says, so any compromise is capitulation - he'll take and take and never live up to the bargain, and the current Republicrim party gleefully follows suite.

[Jinx999]

All surrender does is discourage others from standing up.

[classicdrogn]

See also

Loki vs. Old Man

[Bob Schroeck]

Video unavailable
Playback on other websites has been disabled by the video owner
Watch on YouTube

[classicdrogn]

GRymblemutterfuck

Well, it's just the "there are always men like you" scebne froim Avengers, You probablky alreqady remember it, and if not there's a link.

[Jinx999]

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-new...ationwide/

The Judge isn't mincing his words here.

[robkelk]

TIME: Trump Uses Mass Firing to Remove Independent Inspectors General at Various Agencies

The Trump administration has fired about 17 independent inspectors general at government agencies, a sweeping action to remove oversight of his new administration that some members of Congress are suggesting violated federal oversight laws.

The dismissals began Friday night and were effective immediately, according to two people familiar with the actions. They spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details that have not been made public. Neither confirmed the exact number of firings, but an email sent by one of the fired inspectors general said “roughly 17” inspectors general had been removed.

Congress was not given 30-day notices about the removals –- something that even a top Republican is decrying.

[robkelk]

Re a particular executive order: Quoting comedienne Martha Chavez, "He probably spells it 'Golf of America'."

[robkelk]

'Shock and awe': Trump moves faster than last time to impose agenda

All that expansionist rhetoric is, at this point, only that — rhetoric. The concrete policies Trump has actually executed will only surprise anyone who failed to pay attention over the last two years.

[Norgarth]

Inspired by Trump's 51st state comments, a website where Americans can vote for their state to join Canada

https://joincanada-eh.com/
includes State Voting Leaderboard (currently Michigan is on top)

[robkelk]

"But the president said Friday that there is nothing the Canadian government could do to convince him to reverse course."

So you're getting the tariffs despite all of our work to fend them off. Well, that just shows your neighbours up north care more about you than who you elected does.

[Labster]

Honestly, I can say with full confidence that Trump has done more to America in his first 10 days than any other President has done in the first 100 days, ever.  Like, look at all of these articles:

Trump announces significant new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China -- finally the long tyranny of free trade with Canada is finally over, and America can break free of our shackles of maple syrup.
Trump fires independent inspectors general in Friday night purge -- at long last, the people who kept trying to stop Trump last time are gone, wiped away.
USDA inspector general escorted out of her office after defying White House -- that's what she gets for investigating good Americans like Elon and his brain chips.  No one is going to enforce silly rules like reporting to congress or 30 day deadlines to remove them -- certainly not Congress.
We do not know what exactly Elon Musk is doing to the federal government
Trump administration gives Musk allies access to Treasury payment system -- Only after the lifelong bureaucrat running it resigned.  Our Doge tweeted: “The @DOGE team discovered, among other things, that payment approval officers at Treasury were instructed always to approve payments, even to known fraudulent or terrorist groups"
Trump says airstrikes on ISIS in Somalia killed terrorists without 'harming civilians'
CDC orders mass retraction and revision of submitted research across all science and medicine journals -- all woke language must be removed from papers, including words like "gender" and "LGBT"
Trump's team wants snitches to expose DEI work -- federal employees have a maximum of 10 days to report colleagues surreptitiously working on diversity
Federal agencies ordered to implement transgender bathroom ban -- could you imagine if there were a trans person one stall over?  Not any more you can't.
Trump issues order to push transgender troops out of the military. Identifying people will be complicated
Decision to dump water from Tulare County lakes altered after sending locals into a mad scramble -- The Army Corps of Engineers were ordered to immediately release at full flow a massive amount of water so Trump could fight LA's wildfires.  Unfortunately, gravity had other ideas.
US orders halt to virtually all foreign aid except military aid for Israel and Egypt -- All of the people who voted against Biden's anti-Palestinian policies should be pleased
Department of Education dismisses book ban complaints, ends guidance
Chevron calls Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America in earnings release after Trump executive order -- corporate america is fully on board with the Trump train and the geography renames. 
Google Maps Adopted ‘Gulf of America’ Name, and Now Mexico Has Some Suggestions
Trump’s FCC chair gets to work on punishing TV news stations accused of bias
CBS News to comply with FCC demand for "60 Minutes" full unedited transcript and video -- our American institutions doing their best to support Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against pro-Harris media
Trump suggests Ukraine shouldn't have fought back against Russia -- if only Ukraine had waited 2 years for Trump to make a deal, they wouldn't be in this mess.
Trump puts all US government diversity staff on paid leave 'immediately' -- Johnson era Civil Rights rules have now been repealed and are considered biased by the new admin
US meteorologist fired from TV station after criticizing Elon Musk salute
Michigan priest defrocked after making apparent Nazi salute at anti-abortion summit -- for some reason Anglicans don't think the Roman Salute is a joke?  Includes a great quote at the end from DOGE Elon: “It’s good to be proud of German culture, German values, and not to lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything"
‘I can’t do that’: DC Episcopal bishop says she won’t apologize for upsetting Trump during sermon -- Anglicans just can't seem to get with the Trump program, preaching strange things like love and mercy for outsiders, which are no longer American values
H.Res.59 was introduced in the House of Representatives to condemn her preaching, and there is talk about deporting Rev. Budde
Trump ends birthright citizenship in the U.S. - limited to future births, for now
Trump’s second term will bring a “maximum concentration of power with the president,” Germany’s ambassador to the U.S. warns in confidential document -- this came out two days before the election, showing that Germans seem to understand Trump really well for some reason
Joe Biden was the president who could not choose - left or right, straight or straight, we can all agree that Joe Biden's presidency didn't go that well
How to survive a phone call with Donald Trump -- or, if you're Theresa May, how not to survive.  A good primer for world leaders.

[robkelk]

Trump is starting a trade war. If he wants to absorb Canada, what comes next will be worse

The first shots of the trade war between the United States and Canada have been fired.

Whether it escalates beyond the planned 25 per cent tariff into a wider economic war depends upon how genuinely serious President Donald Trump is about annexation, experts say.

U.S. to increase tariffs if Canada retaliates: sources

You hit first, and if we defend ourselves you'll hit us even harder. You're a bully, and you're doing everything you can to drive us away from you..


With its U.S. alliance under pressure, could Canada join the EU?

Consider that over half of Canadians identify as having European ancestry, and Canada and the EU have more shared values than Canada and the U.S.A. do. On the other hand, there's still a waiting list of countries who have already expressed a desire to join the EU.