All Hail God-Emperor Trump

[Insomnancer]

The Philippines is surviving Rodrigo Duterte, and that guy is several levels beyond Trump in terms of extremism. While Trump as president deeply bothers me, I have confidence that so long as people pursue issues of importance to them and stay involved, talk to people, try to avoid echo chambers, and press for reason, try to bridge the divide, preparing for the House elections in 2018 (I think it's 2018 that some of them are up for re-election), perhaps even talking about good candidates in 2020 (my personal hope for 2020 is to see the emergence of more moderate liberal viewpoints & a candidate for those views) while navigating and mitigating the problems with this presidency as able, then people will get through this.

I agree that the USA has survived awful things before, and I have confidence it will continue to do so. Fear shouldn't lead to silence and cowing, and more importantly, it should not lead to panic. It should lead to action, but in a positive & constructive way. If I see things on a local level I don't like that I know are influenced by the current political climate in the nation as a whole, I know I can go to City Hall and talk to people or even just talk directly to my town's Mayor (benefits of living in a small town!). Or I can write to Senators or House Reps. I can donate money to causes that matter to me as I'm able--just to name few things I know I'll be doing in the upcoming months.

But yes, overall, in my rambling way, I'm saying I agree with your sentiments.

Ah, I see now. You decided to harass me about an anime avatar because you disagree with me politically. What a stand up guy. What a swell moderation team this site has.

[Blythe]

Ah, I see now. You decided to harass me about an anime avatar because you disagree with me politically. What a stand up guy. What a swell moderation team this site has.

That reply you quoted was in response to Cassandra LeMay, not you.

Moderation decisions aren't personal. Our site image policy specifically states chibi avatars aren't permitted, and your avatar at the time was a chibi image. It has nothing to do with your politics. You are not the only individual that has been asked on this site to change an avatar image; you weren't singled out.

If you disagree with the decision and want to appeal it, PM a G-level moderator (any individual with the Goddess tag) instead of airing your grievances in a thread meant to talk about USA politics.

[Lustful Bride]

Ah, I see now. You decided to harass me about an anime avatar because you disagree with me politically. What a stand up guy. What a swell moderation team this site has.

Ive been told to remove avatars before I ever started posting in this section of the site. If it looks remotely underage the staff tends to smack down it. Its nothing personal. They tend to get to it as soon as they notice it. And even if the staff disagrees with you on politics they've never abused their power to get at anyone. If they started doing that the site would pretty much die and everyone would lose.

[Vekseid]

We have porn stars on this site, as well as others in the adult industry. Two are actually on the cover of magazines.

These women personally asked me to ensure that all major references to children on the site were gone. This meant all images, as well as changing the forum's term 'child board' to 'sub board'.

Why not start a new thread with a better title? How about Trumpelthinskin?

Believe it or not I try to avoid too much in the way of appearing partisan, though I basically am going to have to put up a notice regarding Trump's FCC and Attorney General appointments. Ajit Pai and Jeff Sessions are threats to E's existence.

[Eikichi]

Ajit Pai and Jeff Sessions are threats to E's existence.

I'm familiar with the latter, not the former. Most of what happens the next 4, possibly 2, years is in the hands of well minded-republicans. the problem with that is that there are still plenty of republicans that would be happy to do away with Roe v wade, internet rights and anonymity. So while I expect them to protest against big changes like a wall, deportation, removing sanctions on russia.. I have little faith they'll keep the social liberties that democrats have strived to maintain.

[Cassandra LeMay]

On a different topic, I am seriously getting tired of this thread's title.

I think it fits. It may sound a little bit extreme, but the guy himself is all kinds of extreme, so why not? I also like how it reminds me of Dune, which I find somewhat amusing, given some of the "arab" elements in those novels.

[gaggedLouise]

The current US ambassador to Sweden, Mrs Azita Raji (Trump will appoint a new one soon), is one of those who might get hit by the "seven countries ban". She has an Iranian background and I understand she still holds dual citizenship because Iran doesn't let native people renounce their citizenship - but she has been a U.S. citizen for almost thirty years. In a tweet this weekend she pointed out that if she had gone home now, she would most likely not have been allowed in. That's effing amazing, we're talking about America here! 

[Cassandra LeMay]

The current US ambassador to Sweden, Mrs Azita Raji (Trump will appoint a new one soon), is one of those who might get hit by the "seven countries ban". She has an Iranian background and I understand she still holds dual citizenship because Iran doesn't let native people renounce their citizenship - but she has been a U.S. citizen for almost thirty years. In a tweet this weekend she pointed out that if she had gone home now, she would most likely not have been allowed in. That's effing amazing, we're talking about America here! 

Iran considers everyon an Iranian subject who is born to an Iranian father (among other scenarios that will create Iranian citizenship, like marriage to an Iranian man). Iranian nationality is not easy to renounce, and acquiring another nationality does not mean someone looses their Iranian nationality in turn. Renouncing Iranian citizenship requires government approval, and the process - if it is granted at all - is apparently rather slow. (The relevant provisions of the Iranian Civil Code are 976ff, especially 989)

[Valerian]

All mention of the judicial branch of the U.S. government is gone from the official White House webpage.

It happened shortly after the inauguration.

There's also an interesting piece here that summarizes many of the events over the weekend.

Note also the most frightening escalation last night was that the DHS made it fairly clear that they did not feel bound to obey any court orders. CBP continued to deny all access to counsel, detain people, and deport them in direct contravention to the court’s order, citing “upper management,” and the DHS made a formal (but confusing) statement that they would continue to follow the President’s orders.  Significant in today’s updates is any lack of suggestion that the courts’ authority played a role in the decision.

That is to say, the administration is testing the extent to which the DHS (and other executive agencies) can act and ignore orders from the other branches of government. This is as serious as it can possibly get: all of the arguments about whether order X or Y is unconstitutional mean nothing if elements of the government are executing them and the courts are being ignored.

It is an opinion piece, but well-researched, and it includes several stories that aren't getting much coverage, such as the recent sale of 19.5% of Russia's state-owned oil company Rosneft to a person or persons unknown.  Interestingly, the controversial dossier on Trump's Russian 'activities' also included mention of Putin promising him 19% of Rosneft if he became president and removed the sanctions against Russia.

[Aislinn]

I'm still completely and utterly dumbfounded that we elected Trump. I mean....logically it makes no sense whatsoever. And I honestly can't remember a president in modern time....(last 50 years) that has been so utterly disliked and mocked. Rightfully so in my opinion but still...it's just strange to me. I can't even talk about the things he's doing without foaming at the mouth. People keep saying that we will be fine and that we've weathered bad presidents before but I don't know....I feel like this one is the worst of the worst. He has zero qualifications and seems to be intent on pissing EVERYONE in the world off his first month on the job.

I just....ugh.

[Norwegian One]

All mention of the judicial branch of the U.S. government is gone from the official White House webpage.

It happened shortly after the inauguration.

There's also an interesting piece here that summarizes many of the events over the weekend.

That is scary as all hell. This is how dictatorships are created 

[Trigon]

All mention of the judicial branch of the U.S. government is gone from the official White House webpage.

It happened shortly after the inauguration.

There's also an interesting piece here that summarizes many of the events over the weekend.

It is an opinion piece, but well-researched, and it includes several stories that aren't getting much coverage, such as the recent sale of 19.5% of Russia's state-owned oil company Rosneft to a person or persons unknown.  Interestingly, the controversial dossier on Trump's Russian 'activities' also included mention of Putin promising him 19% of Rosneft if he became president and removed the sanctions against Russia.

You know, I believe I feel a sense of vindication here when I wrote this on another thread.

In particular:

Remember, we've never disagreed on the fundamental point that Trump's presidency is going to be an utter disaster. All your highlighted points are absolutely supportive of that. Where we are clashing is that you attribute his comments (words, not actions as of yet) to malice, whereas I just see simple stupidity/incompetence. You believe he'll spend the next four years somehow singlehandedly transforming America into a fascist dictatorship, whereas I believe he'll blunder and bluster while his cronies run rampant, then be booted out and return to his celebrity existence. The next president, GOP or Democrat, will be left cleaning up his mess.

And I still think that you underestimate the speed at which things can unravel. Its easy to believe in the apparent strength and integrity in our institutions, and democratic norms, right up until they collapse and/or lose all credibility. Which, given Trump's presidential cabinet so far, there is a non-negligible chance of this actually happening.

But, as things currently stand, I concede that there may be no way of proving my assertion until after the fact. So, yes, only time will tell if you are right on this point, or if I am. All I will say is that, once the Electoral College casts its vote, all bets are of...

Don't get me wrong, I take no pleasure in saying "I told you so". But at least I know now that I wasn't crazy.

Let us hope now that the rest of us recognize the new reality, and start deciding which side you want to be on. I can only hope that we can oust Trump and his goons in a peaceful and orderly manner, that we can resist the temptation to blindly follow orders and instead practice civil disobedience, and convince the few remaining sane Republicans to jump ship and join the opposition.

[TheGlyphstone]

Yeah, I'll concede that point now. Outright trying to unperson an entire branch of the government is more than even I expected, but he's giving it a decent effort.

[Verasaille]

All I can do is hope and pray that someone puts a stop to this, before this song becomes even more relevant:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZKB-ZQTkO8

[gaggedLouise]

Another great idea from the Donald: To set any new rule, federal agencies will be required to remove two old rules. That way, much red tape will be cut.

Trump met with a handful of small business owners at the White House prior to signing the order.

He called the executive order “a big one," according to a pool report.

“We want to make ... life easier for small businesses,” he said, adding that it would also benefit large businesses. “There can’t be any discrimination.” /???/

The order requires agencies to control the costs of all new rules within their budget. Agencies are also prohibited from imposing any new costs in finalizing or repealing a rule for the remainder of 2017 unless that cost is offset by the repeal of two existing regulations.

Trump's order does make exceptions for emergencies and national security.

Yes, that's a presidential decree. The best new principles since the invention of gerrymandering. 

[Verasaille]

Just saw this on my FB page and had to share:

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/01/america-you-look-like-an-arab-country-right-now-214678

[Lustful Bride]

Just saw this on my FB page and had to share:

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/01/america-you-look-like-an-arab-country-right-now-214678

Was it meant to come off as insulting and like someone pointing and laughing? Because that's what it made me feel like and now im just pissed off :/

Don't know if that was the intention. I get it though, 'Oh a lot of what happens in Arabic countries is now happening in the US, oh the schadenfreude. Now its not the Arab Spring, its the American spring! Do you guys feel what its like yet?"

Maybe I am just interpreting it wrong. I know the country is really fucked right now and its only the first few months of everything still, so this might not even be the worst of it, and we are no way saints. But this came off a lot more like a moment to laugh at the US and mock it and the events going on rather than really and honestly going 'Don't let this happen to you, protect your freedom, your democracy, be the bastion of freedom and liberty that you always say you are.'

Edit: For sake of clarity, not pointing fingers at Verasaille, but at the author of the article instead.

[Verasaille]

Oh I certainly hope you are not upset at me. I shared because I was flummoxed at the whole thing. Is this what Arab people think of us now? Or was it written purely as satire?

Yes I do see some of them pointing and laughing, and that is not funny to me. It makes me angry as well. But I am not angry at the writer of the article. I am upset that the polititians are making us look like this. Holding this country up for ridicule to the rest of the world and not doing a damn thing to stop this would be emperor in his tracks!! I am talking all of those in office who are doing nothing but stare in shock and unable to even consider what harm Trump is doing.

Yes a few are speaking out. I applaud those who are. Even some Republicans are starting to question him. Please, Dear God, don't let this start another war we don't need!!

[Lustful Bride]

Oh I certainly hope you are not upset at me. I shared because I was flummoxed at the whole thing. Is this what Arab people think of us now? Or was it written purely as satire?

No I am not upset at you, it just feels like this article is flipping a switch in me everytime I read it :/

[gaggedLouise]

The guy in Politico is tetchy and sardonic in his style, but I still feel he's driven by a real wish to illuminate what's going on, and to get people to action - it's not about simple gloating or "Look, how have the mighty US fallen! ha ha ha!". He wants to drive people out of complacency . and it's often easier to feel your country is being badmouthed and laughed at when it's criticized by somebody from abroad about internal policies. I've felt the same about foreign journalists writing about Swedish stuff sometimes, even in cases where I later came around to seeing their critical points as justified.

Spicer and Conway aren't completely Baghdad Bob, but there are some similarities. Their contempt for the press and the news media is amazing and, well, primitive. Kellyanne Conway was saying the other day that some of these guys (the DC journalists) are gonna get fired soon - she implied this would be for their lies and their disloyalty to the people - and so that's what they should worry about, not the honest and hard-working efforts of the Trump bunch and the political measures these latter are busy putting into action. Can it get more fucking entitled and combative - coming from someone who has very little experience of hard news-digging journalism? Before she was recruited by Trump Ms Conway's career has been in pollmaking and tv show/talkshow punditry, so she's mostly been a kind of public lobbyist and propagandist. The kind of commentator who is used to inventing her own facts and narratives to fit the talking points she wants to punch in.

[TheGlyphstone]

For what little it's worth, Whitehouse.gov is now acknowledging that the judicial branch exists again, exactly how it was pre-inauguration.

[Trigon]

Honestly, I've stopped paying attention to the Whitehouse.gov website the moment Trump was inaugurated. There is no point in looking at it anymore...


Now then, I want to revisit some more predictions I made earlier:

I think that's the least of our worries actually. I'm worried about 3 principle things:

1) That he'll actually try to build the wall, and thereby bankrupt the economy.

2) His gutting of the EPA and funding for climate change mitigation (which essentially means that we are certain to return the planet back to the Mesozoic era).

And above all

3) War with China, and possibly also Mexico while we are at it. If it goes nuclear, I predict it would flare up in the Korean Peninsula.


The more I think about it, the more it sinks in just how badly our political system has blundered...

So far, both 1) and 2) are beginning to play out:

The executive order for the border wall: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-border-wall_us_5888a9c3e4b0441a8f71f08e

The gag order for the EPA: http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2017/01/25/trump_issues_gag_orders_on_science_agencies.html

Though, they have recently rescinded the grant freeze. But it is uncertain how long it will last. And, they are still being pressured to remove or downplay climate science data from the website.


We haven't quite reached 3) yet, but China looks to be taking the notion seriously: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/china-donald-trump-war-us-military-official-practical-reality-president-latest-a7550601.html

And: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/china-deploys-long-range-nuclear-cpable-missiles-russian-coast-us-president-donald-trump-a7548296.html

[elone]

Richard Spencer has called for the eventual extermination of all black people. Everywhere.

Breitbart has an article echoing Nazi propaganda that suggests executing scientists.

I can go to various right-wing parts of the Internet and find groups calling for the extermination of all gays.

The extermination of all trans* people.

The extermination of all Hispanics.

And of course, as mentioned, Jews.

Beliefs on Asians are more mixed. Some just say there are 'too many'.

I am curious why you feel people should not be alarmed at these developments, Insomnancer.

Honestly, I don't see much evidence of any left-wing instigators actually inside the United States. The Black Bloc (who also rioted against Obama) is ridiculously tiny in comparison to the overall movement building against Trump. By like, four orders of magnitude. Possibly five if this shit keeps up.



On a different topic, I am seriously getting tired of this thread's title.

All of this bigotry has been around for years, Trump is not the reason, although he may be a new catalyst. Hate and bigotry are evident everywhere on the Internet. That being said, Trump has to be the lowest form of human ever to occupy the White House. I will agree on that.

Agree with the title, I refuse to hail Trump, I don't believe in God, and Emperor is a title above his station. How about ...  Trump eminent or perverse?

[Blythe]

It looks like Neil Gorsuch is going to be Trump's Supreme Court pick to replace Scalia. :/

[Eikichi]

Agree with the title, I refuse to hail Trump, I don't believe in God, and Emperor is a title above his station. How about ...  Trump eminent or perverse?

I'd say we've had some bad presidents before. Just as bigoted and racist. But he's definitely in the top 3.

As for the title. I'm fine with it. Mostly because of the fact some of his supporters actually view him as a God-send. It's a sad take on how partisan our democracy has become.