United States Politics Thread 47

[zompist]

Thing is, the UN is one of the few issues where I myself kind of, somewhat, agree with right-wingers. Of course it's not a tyrannical one world government or a tool of the Antichrist. But it is a joke, a farce, and a dictators' club. If we would live in a world where the governments of all or almost all countries would be democratic or at least close to democratic, something like the UN might be a good idea. But in our current world, any institution where all the really important decisions are made by a majority of the world's governments is likely to do more harm than good.

I think you're forgetting what the bulk of UN operations are. Maybe the Assembly is not too useful. But do you feel the same about the International Civil Aviation Organization, UNICEF, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization, the International Telecommunication Union, the Universal Postal Union, and the World Meteorological Organization?

[Raphael]

I think you're forgetting what the bulk of UN operations are. Maybe the Assembly is not too useful. But do you feel the same about the International Civil Aviation Organization, UNICEF, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization, the International Telecommunication Union, the Universal Postal Union, and the World Meteorological Organization?

The specialized organizations have their own assemblies, which work the same way as the main one. I'd say that if there's a divide, it's more between the voting institutions and the staffers.

[jcb]

Trump begins to realize that his handlers might be lying to him to manipulate him. (But he still did it anyways.)

Trump questioned perception of Portland before approving military plan: 'Am I watching things on television that are different from what's happening?'

[MacAnDàil]

Thing is, the UN is one of the few issues where I myself kind of, somewhat, agree with right-wingers. Of course it's not a tyrannical one world government or a tool of the Antichrist. But it is a joke, a farce, and a dictators' club. If we would live in a world where the governments of all or almost all countries would be democratic or at least close to democratic, something like the UN might be a good idea. But in our current world, any institution where all the really important decisions are made by a majority of the world's governments is likely to do more harm than good.

I think you're forgetting what the bulk of UN operations are. Maybe the Assembly is not too useful. But do you feel the same about the International Civil Aviation Organization, UNICEF, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization, the International Telecommunication Union, the Universal Postal Union, and the World Meteorological Organization?

Indeed. I also disagree wiht Raphael on this issue because the UN has the declaration of human rights, clearly more in line with democracies. They were among the first to condemn genocide, two decades before the US, despite the supremacy clause Raphael mentioned. Also, they have UNESCO and other such helpful institutions. The UN is not just the sum of its parts, it raises its parts.

[jcb]

The QAnon shaman has sued Donald Trump for $40 trillion in a rambling lawsuit that targets Elon Musk, T-Mobile, and Warner Bros.

Jacob Chansley, infamous for wearing a horned warrior outfit while storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, has claimed that he is the rightful commander-in-chief.

In his 26-page complaint, he has claimed that an elite group has launched a conspiracy to violate the Constitution. The entire complaint, which is more akin to a manifesto than a formal legal document, is presented in a single paragraph.

[...]

The QAnon shaman would also print a one-ounce gold coin, valued at $40 trillion, to pay off the country’s debts.

Bizarrely, one section in the lawsuit suggests that plots for Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight and James Cameron’s Avatar were plagiarized from his own writing.

Also, Chansley has alleged that the National Security Agency catfished him as Michele Rodriguez, to persuade him to use his “shamanic” abilities to deal with “other-worldly matters.”

Minting the trillion dollar coin is the least outlandish thing mentioned here, but it must be platinum, not gold.

According to a 1996 Treasury law, the U.S. Mint may produce platinum bullion coins in any denomination. The law, however, restricts the production of gold or silver coins to denominations between $50 and $1.

[jcb]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGowdLTxOEw

Wouldn't every American getting a "medbed card" from the government to access a medbed be ~*~socialism~*~?

[malloc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGowdLTxOEw

Wouldn't every American getting a "medbed card" from the government to access a medbed be ~*~socialism~*~?

Honestly who can say anymore? American politics has increasingly gone from horrifying to downright surreal (along with still horrifying of course). We started out with Elon Musk establishing a government agency named after a dog from a meme and it's only gotten weirder from there.

[jcb]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGowdLTxOEw

Wouldn't every American getting a "medbed card" from the government to access a medbed be ~*~socialism~*~?

Honestly who can say anymore? American politics has increasingly gone from horrifying to downright surreal (along with still horrifying of course). We started out with Elon Musk establishing a government agency named after a dog from a meme and it's only gotten weirder from there.

And the "doge" word part of the meme is originally from a Homestar Runner episode from 2005:
https://youtu.be/tLSgRzCAtXA?si=ZXJlNLmabf4IXnDi&t=27

[keenir]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGowdLTxOEw

Wouldn't every American getting a "medbed card" from the government to access a medbed be ~*~socialism~*~?

a medbed card or a medbed, either'd be that, methinks.

I wonder if that post of Trump's, with promises of medbeds for all, was taken down because someone told him that the government doesn't actually have any medbeds - and thus none can be handed out.

[Raphael]

The QAnon shaman has sued Donald Trump for $40 trillion in a rambling lawsuit that targets Elon Musk, T-Mobile, and Warner Bros.

Jacob Chansley, infamous for wearing a horned warrior outfit while storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, has claimed that he is the rightful commander-in-chief.

So the guy is really a lot into the Constitution, and also claims to be rightfully in charge of the country, based on, well, which part of the Constitution, exactly?

[rotting bones]

According to Trump's new executive order, the following are now defined as terrorism: anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, anti-Christianity, support for the overthrow of the United States Government, extremism on migration, extremism on race, extremism on gender, hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on religion, and hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on morality.

You'd think some of these apply to the Trump regime itself, but the stock markets keep rising: https://g.co/finance/.INX:INDEXSP?window=6M As we all know in the 21st century, rising stocks mean the people are doing well, right?

[alice]

According to Trump's new executive order, the following are now defined as terrorism: anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, anti-Christianity, support for the overthrow of the United States Government, extremism on migration, extremism on race, extremism on gender, hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on religion, and hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on morality.

At this rate there'll be nothing left which isn't terrorism. Maybe it's a subtle way to keep his subordinates in check.

[rotting bones]

At this rate there'll be nothing left which isn't terrorism. Maybe it's a subtle way to keep his subordinates in check.

If everything is a crime, it's easy to put away inconvenient people.

[Richard W]

According to Trump's new executive order, the following are now defined as terrorism: anti-Americanism,...

Are British spellings still allowed on this board?

[MacAnDàil]

According to Trump's new executive order, the following are now defined as terrorism: anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, anti-Christianity, support for the overthrow of the United States Government, extremism on migration, extremism on race, extremism on gender, hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on religion, and hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on morality.

You'd think some of these apply to the Trump regime itself, but the stock markets keep rising: https://g.co/finance/.INX:INDEXSP?window=6M As we all know in the 21st century, rising stocks mean the people are doing well, right?

There is indication of what "traditional American views on family, religion, and morality" might mean.

It also mentions attacks on ICE have increased a thousandfold. Assuming this is even true, it is without taking into account that attacks *by* ICE have increased.

It also claims that border control is a foundational American principle although I do not recall the Founding Fathers ever mentioning the border.

[keenir]

It also claims that border control is a foundational American principle although I do not recall the Founding Fathers ever mentioning the border.

welllllll they didn't want the Loyalists crossing back into the former Thirteen Colonies...and after that whole incident of failing to capture Quebec...

[Raphael]

It also claims that border control is a foundational American principle although I do not recall the Founding Fathers ever mentioning the border.

welllllll they didn't want the Loyalists crossing back into the former Thirteen Colonies...and after that whole incident of failing to capture Quebec...

Not to mention this, although it was very controversial among the people who had been founders, with some being strongly for it and others being strongly against it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_and_Sedition_Acts

[Richard W]

Seeing film of ICE agents (provocateurs) attempting too foment insurrection, I'm left wondering. Why don't the states use their national guards to help temporarily close down the ICE facilities being used for such purposes and arrest the gang members for conspiracy with President Trump for such crimes or more particular offences? (I'm thinking of artillery support if ICE agents attempt point defence.) The Presidents immunity from prosecution shouldn't protect his co-conspirators, even if it applies to crimes against state law.

[jcb]

Stephen Miller accidentally let the cat out of the bag.
- https://bsky.app/profile/demsec.bsky.so ... mndf2res26

[rotting bones]

Seeing film of ICE agents (provocateurs) attempting too foment insurrection, I'm left wondering. Why don't the states use their national guards to help temporarily close down the ICE facilities being used for such purposes and arrest the gang members for conspiracy with President Trump for such crimes or more particular offences? (I'm thinking of artillery support if ICE agents attempt point defence.) The Presidents immunity from prosecution shouldn't protect his co-conspirators, even if it applies to crimes against state law.

Cowardice or prudence depending on how you look at it?

Stephen Miller accidentally let the cat out of the bag.
- https://bsky.app/profile/demsec.bsky.so ... mndf2res26

This is harmless, right? Trumpers like it. Anti-Trumpers knew it.

I'm surprised no one mentioned this one: https://innersight.news/news-single/nas ... on-mission