Messages to the president...

[John Cuthber]

On 2/19/2025 at 1:42 PM, J.C.MacSwell said:

+1...but do you really expect them to figure it out? What with Biden being at fault for the upcoming inflation?

Can you expand on that?
Is time travel involved?

[exchemist]

46 minutes ago, TheVat said:

A bit OT maybe, but is half of that reserve Lake Superior?  So the US already has access to that.  Trump can send us all up to Duluth and Sault Ste Marie with those plastic straws he's going to bring back.

And is too stupid to grasp that lithium, graphite, titanium, and uranium are none of them rare earths.  He keeps calling them that because no one is going to correct him - sycophants don't do that.

The rest of your post states the worst case scenarios - much of that depends now on swing congressional districts where MAGA policies will be doing the most damage.  I still see some chance that the 2026 midterm elections could end the House majority and toss a big wrench in P2025.   

It's a US territory, like Guam and Samoa.  

Ukraine does have some rare earth deposits, at least according to Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/what-are-ukraines-rare-earths-why-does-trump-want-them-2025-02-05/

though apparently they are not yet being mined. But I’m sure you are right that Trump won’t grasp the distinction between these various minerals.

As for my scenario being worst case, yes it is, but experience of this blitzkrieg approach to date, plus consideration of how previous coups in history have proceeded, convinces me one needs to plan and act on the worst case basis to have any hope of not being taken by surprise by it. I think there’s a good chance the mid term elections will be distorted in various ways. We’ve seen it already in some states. If the courts are ignored, which is an idea they are already testing, who is to stop them?

There are already rumblings about Trump trying for a 3rd term. All this is classic authoritarian stuff. Anyone who still can’t see where this is heading has his head in the sand, in my view.

8 minutes ago, John Cuthber said:

Can you expand on that?
Is time travel involved?

You’d have to ask Trump. He is the one already suggesting it.

Edited February 20 by exchemist

[John Cuthber]

Trump's desire for Greenland, Gaza, Panama, Canada etc isn't some complex political plan.
It's greed.
There's a side order of bullying but the root is just that he wants it because he hasn't got it.

2 minutes ago, exchemist said:

You’d have to ask Trump. He is the one already suggesting it.

Around here, J.C. MacSwell said it, and I'd like him to explain how Biden's causing inflation today.

[studiot]

Just now, exchemist said:

All this is classic authoritarian stuff. anyone who still can’t see where this is heading has his head in the sand.

Would these be the same folks who can't 'see' climate change ?

On 2/16/2025 at 1:35 PM, Sensei said:

..except he was banned from this website in his 1st term..

 

😀

Yay +1

[exchemist]

Just now, studiot said:

Would these be the same folks who can't 'see' climate change ?

Not at all. A lot of well-informed and intelligent Americans have great faith in the robustness of their constitution and its ability to self-correct, given time.
 

But I think this is complacent. These Project 2025 people have worked out how to neuter it. And what they are doing will be extremely hard to reverse, especially the loss of trust among the population in the institutions of the state, including the law. That is a recipe for cynicism, corruption and anarchy.

[studiot]

Just now, exchemist said:

That is a recipe for cynicism, corruption and anarchy.

Just like back home in good old Blighty.

[dimreepr]

 

[dedo]

4 hours ago, exchemist said:

The first step, surely is for independent-minded people and what remains of the independent press to stop being mealy-mouthed and deferential and call it what is it: an authoritarian coup (a "soft coup", because it the army is not participating).

Yes the first step is resistance.  Would add a major effort to research the cause since authoritarianism is rising in many places.  Also add, find a way to get DODGE to add a legit auditor to their investigation since without that cannot believe what they claim.

I don't think you have outlined the "worst case scenario" which is more likely that this admin. encouraged Russian aggression that ignites global war.  Second worst is US goes full on fascist.  Those are hopefully not the most likely but are not insignificant either.  The highest probability is removal by impeachment or elections with other probabilities from WWIII to somehow Maga develops self awareness & does not make things worse (what usually happens).

[dimreepr]

11 minutes ago, dedo said:

Yes the first step is resistance.  Would add a major effort to research the cause since authoritarianism is rising in many places.  Also add, find a way to get DODGE to add a legit auditor to their investigation since without that cannot believe what they claim.

You'd think, but the only lesson we can take from history is, we don't learn much from history...

[toucana]

1 hour ago, exchemist said:

There are already rumblings about Trump trying for a 3rd term. All this is classic authoritarian stuff. Anyone who still can’t see where this is heading has his head in the sand, in my view.

Unfortunately Americans are not very good at writing amendments to the Constitution.

https://cornerstonelaw.us/22nd-amendment-doesnt-say-think-says/

The 12th Amendment ratified in 1804 stated that no one who was “constitutionally ineligible” to *become* president should be elected as a Vice President. It doesn’t however explicitly say that a person who couldn’t lawfully be *elected* to the presidency cannot be elected to the vice-presidency either. (Constitutional eligibility only requires a person to be a natural born citizen and to have attained 35 years of age).

https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S1-C5-1/ALDE_00013692/

The text of the 22nd Amendment ratified in 1951 only bars a termed-out president from becoming president again in one particular way - by a presidential election.  But that is only one of *four* different ways in which a US citizen can become President.

The 25th Amendment ratified in 1967 stated that the Vice President becomes the acting President if the President is unable to continue their duties, resigns, or is removed from office.

Taking all of these together -  the problem is that the texts of the 12th and 22nd Amendments do not preclude the possibility of a person who has already served two terms as a President from becoming a Vice-President; and the 25th Amendment states that the Vice-President automatically becomes the acting president if the incumbent dies, or is removed from office, or is otherwise unable to discharge their duties.

So there is in theory a path whereby one person could serve three terms as POTUS. After first serving two terms, they arrange to get themselves elected as Vice-President to a new POTUS, who then promptly resigns and lawfully hands the Presidency to their VP as a third term.

[dimreepr]

2 minutes ago, toucana said:

Unfortunately Americans are not very good at writing amendments to the Constitution.

Really!!! They've written a few... 🙄

[iNow]

1 hour ago, John Cuthber said:

J.C. MacSwell said it, and I'd like him to explain how Biden's causing inflation today.

That was his point, IINM. It was tongue in cheek. Trump and cronies will simply blame Biden for their own failures even though it's chronologically impossible... and their fans will eat it up without any hint of scrutiny or irony. 

Edited February 20 by iNow

[Phi for All]

3 hours ago, John Cuthber said:

Trump's desire for Greenland, Gaza, Panama, Canada etc isn't some complex political plan.
It's greed.
There's a side order of bullying but the root is just that he wants it because he hasn't got it.

Rattling a NATO member like Denmark, causing them to spend resources to deal with his threats, and sewing discord among other allies seems more likely to me than an actual invasion. I think this issues splits his supporters, and he hasn't done much to sell the concept to anyone. The military certainly isn't keen on invading Greenland. 

[J.C.MacSwell]

5 hours ago, John Cuthber said:

Can you expand on that?
Is time travel involved?

Inflation was one of the things Trump claimed he would fix on day one...

Trump acknowledges ‘inflation is back’ but blames Biden

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/19/economy/trump-inflation-is-back/index.html

 

Sometime in year 4 of his present term I expect he might, possibly, stop blaming Biden...but don't hold your breath...

[CharonY]

19 minutes ago, J.C.MacSwell said:

Inflation was one of the things Trump claimed he would fix on day one...

Trump acknowledges ‘inflation is back’ but blames Biden

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/19/economy/trump-inflation-is-back/index.html

 

Sometime in year 4 of his present term I expect he might, possibly, stop blaming Biden...but don't hold your breath...

Considering he is also still blaming Obama (e.g., recently for the plane crash), one would need a very deep breath indeed.

[dimreepr]

This Putin love in, strikes me as more of an attempt to diminish Chinese influence bc they're the kid we dare not try too bully...

He's late to the plate bc Putin, Knows which side his bread is buttered, IOW he's already their bitch...

My apologies for the mixed metaphor... 🤢

[TheVat]

Looks like Trump's assault on the free press is proceeding nicely.  Jeff Bozos seems to be more firmly pinned under El Douche's thumb.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/feb/26/jeff-bezos-washington-post-opinion

 

[CharonY]

18 minutes ago, TheVat said:

Looks like Trump's assault on the free press is proceeding nicely.  Jeff Bozos seems to be more firmly pinned under El Douche's thumb.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/feb/26/jeff-bezos-washington-post-opinion

 

Not sure whether that is really being under someone's thumb thing or just part of the liberation of the poor multi-billionaire class.

[Externet]

Good morning, mister president.

The old investor visa inflated and renamed;  I would like to know if the new $5M visas have a bean accountant only or there is a background check for the drug lords and other crooks from overseas to migrate to the U.S. on red carpet.

[MSC]

On 2/20/2025 at 10:51 AM, exchemist said:

But I think this is complacent. These Project 2025 people have worked out how to neuter it.

Yup, and that whole line of bs people were spouting off about how "democracies guardrails stood firm against Trump last time, so we'll be fine this time too" is just so monumentally stupid. Can you imagine applying that kind of logic in other situations? "Oh don't worry, that sniper missed the first few shots and has terrible aim, no need to call the cops, zigzag or keep our heads down. Now stand still so he can try again!" 

On 2/20/2025 at 12:13 PM, toucana said:

Unfortunately Americans are not very good at writing amendments to the Constitution.

https://cornerstonelaw.us/22nd-amendment-doesnt-say-think-says/

The 12th Amendment ratified in 1804 stated that no one who was “constitutionally ineligible” to *become* president should be elected as a Vice President. It doesn’t however explicitly say that a person who couldn’t lawfully be *elected* to the presidency cannot be elected to the vice-presidency either. (Constitutional eligibility only requires a person to be a natural born citizen and to have attained 35 years of age).

https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S1-C5-1/ALDE_00013692/

The text of the 22nd Amendment ratified in 1951 only bars a termed-out president from becoming president again in one particular way - by a presidential election.  But that is only one of *four* different ways in which a US citizen can become President.

The 25th Amendment ratified in 1967 stated that the Vice President becomes the acting President if the President is unable to continue their duties, resigns, or is removed from office.

Taking all of these together -  the problem is that the texts of the 12th and 22nd Amendments do not preclude the possibility of a person who has already served two terms as a President from becoming a Vice-President; and the 25th Amendment states that the Vice-President automatically becomes the acting president if the incumbent dies, or is removed from office, or is otherwise unable to discharge their duties.

So there is in theory a path whereby one person could serve three terms as POTUS. After first serving two terms, they arrange to get themselves elected as Vice-President to a new POTUS, who then promptly resigns and lawfully hands the Presidency to their VP as a third term.

12th and 22nd amendments when taken together, would provide a counter to this argument. The term constitutionally ineligible when taken into consideration with the 22nd amendment could be taken to mean that having served two terms as president makes you constitutionally ineligible to serve as VP, because you're ineligible to serve again as president. 

[npts2020]

5 hours ago, Externet said:

The old investor visa inflated and renamed;  I would like to know if the new $5M visas have a bean accountant only or there is a background check for the drug lords and other crooks from overseas to migrate to the U.S. on red carpet.

I heard the President wants to issue a million of these. Just what America needs, a million more robber barons...

[exchemist]

3 hours ago, npts2020 said:

I heard the President wants to issue a million of these. Just what America needs, a million more robber barons...

He will have in mind the oligarchs in Putin’s circle.