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Trump's Second Term

Resume said:
See post 14,415.

I'm betting NYT will cave as well.

Party of Free Speech.

The U.S. is ◊◊◊◊◊◊. Really, really ◊◊◊◊◊◊.
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Don't worry, those checks and balances will kick in any second now, I'm sure.

I have been told, for some time, that the creators of the US constitution were brilliant men, who foresaw everything and that the document they created was perfect and (practically) holy, and protected the USA from bad actors, dictators, and people who wanted to take away other people's guns.

I'm beginning to get the feeling that just might not have been the case...


Still. Any moment now...






Any moment...
 
3point14 said:
I have been told, for some time, that the creators of the US constitution were brilliant men, who foresaw everything and that the document they created was perfect and (practically) holy, and protected the USA from bad actors, dictators, and people who wanted to take away other people's guns.

I'm beginning to get the feeling that just might not have been the case...
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The presumption among the Framers was that there would be enough institutionalism in the system even in bad times that bad actors would be outnumbered and outgunned by those interested in protecting constitutional norms. They may have contemplated a wholesale descent into despotism, but I imagine their solution to that was another rebellion. Keep in mind that to those people, that wasn't as farfetched as it may seem to us today, far removed from such things.
 
JayUtah said:
The presumption among the Framers was that there would be enough institutionalism in the system even in bad times that bad actors would be outnumbered and outgunned by those interested in protecting constitutional norms. They may have contemplated a wholesale descent into despotism, but I imagine their solution to that was another rebellion. Keep in mind that to those people, that wasn't as farfetched as it may seem to us today, far removed from such things.
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I get that, but that perspective does reveal that the document is not as fit for purpose as some (many) believe it to be. And, by god, some Americans really, really believe in the constitution the way a fundamentalist believes in god.

I suspect that the unwavering belief in the perfection of the document has prevented it being able to move with the times and obviate the issues you mention.
 
It's hard to describe how stupid you have to be to think (or even say) that seizing some fentanyl saved 119 million lives
 
3point14 said:
I get that, but that perspective does reveal that the document is not as fit for purpose as some (many) believe it to be. And, by god, some Americans really, really believe in the constitution the way a fundamentalist believes in god.

I suspect that the unwavering belief in the perfection of the document has prevented it being able to move with the times and obviate the issues you mention.
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All true. The book that makes your argument here is Jonathan Gienapp's Against Constitutional Originalism. It's written densely in law-professor language, but it's quite enlightening.
 
JayUtah said:
All true. The book that makes your argument here is Jonathan Gienapp's Against Constitutional Originalism. It's written densely in law-professor language, but it's quite enlightening.
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Thank you.

Even that title is intimidating :)
 
Trebuchet said:
We're totally ◊◊◊◊◊◊, aren't we?
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Well, considering that Trump has cowed law firms, colleges and universities, media outlets, etc., who's to stop him. As one example, you can bet that by September when RFK's phony autism study gets published, and vaccines definitely cause autism . . . you can bet there will be little to no pushback in the media. That's just one thing. Clearly due process is ◊◊◊◊◊◊, and the environment; as detailed above, scientific research will be set back, and related technology. Climate change? No such thing. Fossil fuels is the bestest, while peer nations will crush us in alternative energy development. We will lead the world in nothing. If the dems don't turn both houses in 2026, I don't think much of the damage Trump is causing can be reversed. Is the media keeping track? Is anyone? Since the rise of Trump, I've gone from an independent voter to a radicalized one. I've got maybe ten years left and will never cast a vote for the republic party again. I will only associate with maga relatives when absolutely necessary.

Donald Trump is a clear and present danger to the future of this nation.
 
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Resume said:
Well, considering that Trump has cowed law firms, colleges and universities, media outlets, etc., who's to stop him. As one example, you can bet that by September when RFK's phony autism study gets published, and vaccines definitely cause autism . . . you can bet there will be little to no pushback in the media. That's just one thing. Clearly due process is ◊◊◊◊◊◊, and the environment; as detailed above, scientific research will be set back, and related technology. Climate change? No such thing. Fossil fuels is the bestest, while peer nations will crush us in alternative energy development. We will lead the world in nothing. If the dems don't turn both houses in 2026, I don't think much of the damage Trump is causing can be reversed. Is the media keeping track? Is anyone? Since the rise of Trump, I've gone from an independent voter to a radicalized one. I've got maybe ten years left and will never cast a vote for the republic party again. I will only associate with maga relatives when absolutely necessary.

Donald Trump is a clear and present danger to the future of this nation.
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Carbon emissions?
 
Trebuchet said:
We're totally ◊◊◊◊◊◊, aren't we?
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Hopelessness can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. US democracy might be screwed, but we won't know that until it's over one way or another. The Dump regime might collapse this year, or the US might be in for decades of dictatorship. Either way, throwing our hands up and declaring that we're screwed doesn't help anyone but the fascists.

And yes, I know this is easy for me to say from where I sit in a fully functioning liberal democracy.
 
Not a cult

Bondi: "President, you first 100 days has far exceeded that of ANY other presidency in this country. Ever. Ever. Never seen anything like it. Thank you."

JD Vance: "You sit in the Oval Office and see these portraits of presidents past. And let's be honest -- most of them have been placeholders. They have been people who have allowed their staff to sign executive orders with an autopen instead of men of action."

Zeldin: "Today is a special day for many reasons. The biggest reason why we're here is that this is the 100th day of the most consequential, historic first 100 days in the history of this country."
 
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