Biden won, it's over --- The Election Thread

[dudog]

Slate article with title: How Trump Killed Tens of Thousands of Americans

I can't say that Trump haters will "enjoy" it, it will probably just make you angrier, but it's worth a read.

For Trump lovers, please read it and tell me where the writer has gotten something wrong.

And it's the type of linkage that would probably get you an infraction OY. Though I may do it anyway, for it backs up what it says.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics ... li=BBnb7Kz

Sample paragraph:

"Trump has always been malignant and incompetent. As president, he has coasted on economic growth, narrowly averted crises of his own making, and corrupted the government in ways that many Americans could ignore. But in the pandemic, his vices—venality, dishonesty, self-absorption, dereliction, heedlessness—turned deadly. They produced lies, misjudgments, and destructive interventions that multiplied the carnage. The coronavirus debacle isn’t, as Trump protests, an “artificial problem” that spoiled his presidency. It’s the fulfillment of everything he is."

[hml1959]

"Trump has always been malignant and incompetent. As president, he has coasted on economic growth, narrowly averted crises of his own making, and corrupted the government in ways that many Americans could ignore. But in the pandemic, his vices—venality, dishonesty, self-absorption, dereliction, heedlessness—turned deadly. They produced lies, misjudgments, and destructive interventions that multiplied the carnage. The coronavirus debacle isn’t, as Trump protests, an “artificial problem” that spoiled his presidency. It’s the fulfillment of everything he is."

I read the article. It is indeed damning, and I would also appreciate hearing from any Trump supporters who could rationally explain what the article has gotten wrong. Not holding my breath.

[Wander]

"Trump has always been malignant and incompetent. As president, he has coasted on economic growth, narrowly averted crises of his own making, and corrupted the government in ways that many Americans could ignore. But in the pandemic, his vices—venality, dishonesty, self-absorption, dereliction, heedlessness—turned deadly. They produced lies, misjudgments, and destructive interventions that multiplied the carnage. The coronavirus debacle isn’t, as Trump protests, an “artificial problem” that spoiled his presidency. It’s the fulfillment of everything he is."

I read the article. It is indeed damning, and I would also appreciate hearing from any Trump supporters who could rationally explain what the article has gotten wrong. Not holding my breath.

One doesn't even need to believe the article, the media, other politicians, etc. You just need to listen to Trump himself. He has openly, clearly, and repeatedly admitted to intentionally letting people die in an effort to keep his poll numbers up. When the sycophants who have attached themselves to him desperately countered with a pathetic excuse of "oh, he was only joking", he explicitly replied saying that the sycophants were wrong, and that he meant what he said.

It's a truly bizarre situation we're in.

[Furniture]

"Trump has always been malignant and incompetent. As president, he has coasted on economic growth, narrowly averted crises of his own making, and corrupted the government in ways that many Americans could ignore. But in the pandemic, his vices—venality, dishonesty, self-absorption, dereliction, heedlessness—turned deadly. They produced lies, misjudgments, and destructive interventions that multiplied the carnage. The coronavirus debacle isn’t, as Trump protests, an “artificial problem” that spoiled his presidency. It’s the fulfillment of everything he is."

I read the article. It is indeed damning, and I would also appreciate hearing from any Trump supporters who could rationally explain what the article has gotten wrong. Not holding my breath.

Great article. Absolutely spot on.

[gumbomoop]

”It’s the fulfillment of everything he is."

It's a truly bizarre situation we're in.

Trump’s election was a World Historical Mistake, which was clear by the end of his first year in office. Now, 3 and 1/2 years into his presidency, this World Historical Mistake is conjoined to a World Historical Pandemic.

Although the list below isn’t anywhere near complete, Trump is:

a sociopath
an extreme narcissist
a pathological liar
a sexual predator
a total ignoramus re our Constitution, democratic norms, foreign policy issues
a useful idiot to Putin
an authoritarian
a fascist
a scofflaw, who daily undermines the rule of law, abetted by Attorney General Barr
a cheat
an incompetent, who knows not the first thing about leadership or governance
etc., etc., etc., etc.

Yet a clear majority of Americans know about most of these, any two or three of which would normally result in popular demands for his resignation. There is a single fundamental reason Trump is still President, leading this country toward multiple — repeat, multiple — previously unthinkable catastrophes: the symbiotic relationship between Trump voters and the Republican Party.

Tens of millions (55-60m?) of Americans will vote for Trump a second time. They are either willfully ignorant of Trump’s multiple dangers, or they do not care. Some combination of single-issue focus (abortion, tax cuts, deregulation, anti-immigration), hypocrisy, greed, racism, desperation, anger at political correctness have led millions of Americans to the precipice of willingly voting for a man who will destroy the Constitution, the rule of law, democracy itself.

The vast majority of Republican officeholders at the national and state level have enabled Trump’s sociopathy, authoritarianism, fascism, incompetence, etc. Their cowardice is on display over and over. They excuse, ignore, hide. They are no longer conservative, and profess by their actions that they cower before Trumplandia’s reactionary fervor to return to the 1950s. They care more about reëlection than about their Constitutional oath.

Generally Democrats and political commentators cannot talk about “the people,” who are sacrosanct. So, they have to focus on Trump. They are now willing to fact-check his lies. They are willing to press Republican legislators with obvious, embarrassing questions. But reporters and Democrats understandably have to avert their eyes so as to avoid noticing the herd of elephants thundering through every room in our political house: the dangerous stupidity of tens of millions of voters, their callous disregard of democracy’s existential endangerment in 2020. Almost casually, in a fit of individual and collective madness, they are evidently prepared to double down on the World Historical Mistake.

We the majority are, so far, held hostage to millions of our neighbors who may, surely unwittingly, serve as accomplices to the murder of our constitutional democratic republic.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

”It’s the fulfillment of everything he is."

It's a truly bizarre situation we're in.

Trump’s election was a World Historical Mistake, which was clear by the end of his first year in office. Now, 3 and 1/2 years into his presidency, this World Historical Mistake is conjoined to a World Historical Pandemic.

Although the list below isn’t anywhere near complete, Trump is:

a sociopath
an extreme narcissist
a pathological liar
a sexual predator
a total ignoramus re our Constitution, democratic norms, foreign policy issues
a useful idiot to Putin
an authoritarian
a fascist
a scofflaw, who daily undermines the rule of law, abetted by Attorney General Barr
a cheat
an incompetent, who knows not the first thing about leadership or governance
etc., etc., etc., etc.

Yet a clear majority of Americans know about most of these, any two or three of which would normally result in popular demands for his resignation. There is a single fundamental reason Trump is still President, leading this country toward multiple — repeat, multiple — previously unthinkable catastrophes: the symbiotic relationship between Trump voters and the Republican Party.

Tens of millions (55-60m?) of Americans will vote for Trump a second time. They are either willfully ignorant of Trump’s multiple dangers, or they do not care. Some combination of single-issue focus (abortion, tax cuts, deregulation, anti-immigration), hypocrisy, greed, racism, desperation, anger at political correctness have led millions of Americans to the precipice of willingly voting for a man who will destroy the Constitution, the rule of law, democracy itself.

The vast majority of Republican officeholders at the national and state level have enabled Trump’s sociopathy, authoritarianism, fascism, incompetence, etc. Their cowardice is on display over and over. They excuse, ignore, hide. They are no longer conservative, and profess by their actions that they cower before Trumplandia’s reactionary fervor to return to the 1950s. They care more about reëlection than about their Constitutional oath.

Generally Democrats and political commentators cannot talk about “the people,” who are sacrosanct. So, they have to focus on Trump. They are now willing to fact-check his lies. They are willing to press Republican legislators with obvious, embarrassing questions. But reporters and Democrats understandably have to avert their eyes so as to avoid noticing the herd of elephants thundering through every room in our political house: the dangerous stupidity of tens of millions of voters, their callous disregard of democracy’s existential endangerment in 2020. Almost casually, in a fit of individual and collective madness, they are evidently prepared to double down on the World Historical Mistake.

We the majority are, so far, held hostage to millions of our neighbors who may, surely unwittingly, serve as accomplices to the murder of our constitutional democratic republic.

[ArkieDukie]

I agree with everything gumbomoop said.

Prefacing again with the statement that I grew up in an area of the country that pretty much reveres Trump. Nothing anyone can say will convince them otherwise. Why? A big chunk of the reason is that everything gumbomoop just said (all of it true) is what they believe of Democrats. It is absolutely mind-boggling to watch. Aside from that, the far right wing media has done its job well. Among the things I see posted are, “If Biden wins this will become a Communist (or Socialist) country.” “Biden will take away our guns/freedom of religion.” The biggest, though, is this: “I cannot vote for anyone that believes it’s okay to kill innocent babies.” Yep, abortion. “All the Democrats can talk about is the 150,000+ that died from Covid-19 when (insert big number here) babies are murdered every day.” The other popular meme has the abortion part replaced with a stat about child abduction and human trafficking. Other than that, there’s just so much disinformation that I find myself reporting a lot of posts and/or unfollowing people. In summary, these folks genuinely believe that the Democrats are deeply corrupt and that Donald Trump is fighting the battle of his life to clean it up. It’s like a mass brainwashing. And, you cannot confront with facts and cite sources. That means you’re the one who has been brainwashed.

How the heck do we, as a country, get past the damage that Trump has caused? Is it even possible?

[dudog]

Although the list below isn’t anywhere near complete, Trump is:

a sociopath
an extreme narcissist
a pathological liar
a sexual predator
a total ignoramus re our Constitution, democratic norms, foreign policy issues
a useful idiot to Putin
an authoritarian
a fascist
a scofflaw, who daily undermines the rule of law, abetted by Attorney General Barr
a cheat
an incompetent, who knows not the first thing about leadership or governance
etc., etc., etc., etc.

But tell me how you really feel. ;)

[JWill Stan]

Spork icons wouldn't do this justice - need a "Bravo Button"

Trump’s election was a World Historical Mistake, which was clear by the end of his first year in office. Now, 3 and 1/2 years into his presidency, this World Historical Mistake is conjoined to a World Historical Pandemic

Although the list below isn’t anywhere near complete, Trump is:

a sociopath
an extreme narcissist
a pathological liar
a sexual predator
a total ignoramus re our Constitution, democratic norms, foreign policy issues
a useful idiot to Putin
an authoritarian
a fascist
a scofflaw, who daily undermines the rule of law, abetted by Attorney General Barr
a cheat
an incompetent, who knows not the first thing about leadership or governance
etc., etc., etc., etc.

<span>Yet a clear majority of Americans know about most of these, any two or three of which would normally result in popular demands for his resignation. There is a single fundamental reason <span title="was: &quot;Trump&quot;" class="detrumpified" style="">Lord Dampnut</span> is still President, leading this country toward multiple — repeat, multiple — previously unthinkable catastrophes: the symbiotic relationship between <span title="was: &quot;Trump&quot;" class="detrumpified" style="">Fuckface von Clownstick</span> voters and the Republican Party.</span>

<span>Tens of millions (55-60m?) of Americans will vote for <span title="was: &quot;Trump&quot;" class="detrumpified" style="">Gaseous Pompous Ass</span> a second time. They are either willfully ignorant of <span title="was: &quot;Trump&quot;" class="detrumpified" style="">Fucking Moron</span>’s multiple dangers, or they do not care. Some combination of single-issue focus (abortion, tax cuts, deregulation, anti-immigration), hypocrisy, greed, racism, desperation, anger at political correctness have led millions of Americans to the precipice of willingly voting for a man who will destroy the Constitution, the rule of law, democracy itself.</span>

<span>The vast majority of Republican officeholders at the national and state level have enabled <span title="was: &quot;Trump&quot;" class="detrumpified" style="">America's #2</span>’s sociopathy, authoritarianism, fascism, incompetence, etc. Their cowardice is on display over and over. They excuse, ignore, hide. They are no longer conservative, and profess by their actions that they cower before Trumplandia’s reactionary fervor to return to the 1950s. They care more about reëlection than about their Constitutional oath.</span>

<span>Generally Democrats and political commentators cannot talk about “the people,” who are sacrosanct. So, they have to focus on <span title="was: &quot;Trump&quot;" class="detrumpified" style="">Donald Putinobitch</span>. They are now willing to fact-check his lies. They are willing to press Republican legislators with obvious, embarrassing questions. But reporters and Democrats understandably have to avert their eyes so as to avoid noticing the herd of elephants thundering through every room in our political house: the dangerous stupidity of tens of millions of voters, their callous disregard of democracy’s existential endangerment in 2020. Almost casually, in a fit of individual and collective madness, they are evidently prepared to double down on the World Historical Mistake.</span>

We the majority are, so far, held hostage to millions of our neighbors who may, surely unwittingly, serve as accomplices to the murder of our constitutional democratic republic.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Scroll on my TV says Biden has made his pick and could announce it today.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Kamala Harris.

Good choice.

[Wander]

Kamala was the obvious choice, good job to the Biden team in not overthinking it.

Not to rehash 2016, but IMO, Biden and Kamala are both better candidates than both of the people on the Democratic ticket last time. So I see this as a win.

[Furniture]

Kamala Harris.

Good choice.

Great choice. Let’s go and take the bastards down!

[OPK]

[CameronBornAndBred]

08769221-D6E4-4B6F-8C73-6ECA3D8F3DF0.jpeg

He'll press both buttons at the same time.

[OPK]

[CameronBornAndBred]

52877A0F-ECBB-480B-8B4E-AB67AEDF8EF1.jpeg

[gumbomoop]

In a post two days ago, I referred to American “democracy’s existential endangerment in 2020,” and to “the murder of our constitutional democratic republic.”

I commend to your special attention this open letter, dated yesterday, from 2 retired US Army officers to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley. They present a previously unthinkable but now at least plausible scenario, in which, as they say,”The fate of our Republic may well depend on your adherence to...” the oath “... to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic....”

These men believe, as do I, that Trump is an enemy of the United States, and who, as with authoritarians the world over, may be prepared to use force to stay in power.

https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2020/0 ... ey/167625/

[CameronBornAndBred]

In a post two days ago, I referred to American “democracy’s existential endangerment in 2020,” and to “the murder of our constitutional democratic republic.”

I commend to your special attention this open letter, dated yesterday, from 2 retired US Army officers to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley. They present a previously unthinkable but now at least plausible scenario, in which, as they say,”The fate of our Republic may well depend on your adherence to...” the oath “... to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic....”

These men believe, as do I, that Trump is an enemy of the United States, and who, as with authoritarians the world over, may be prepared to use force to stay in power.

https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2020/0 ... ey/167625/

Scary stuff in there.

[gumbomoop]

As a matter of balance, here’s a rebuttal, published today in the same journal, to the open letter to Gen. Milley that I linked in a post this aft. The rebuttal says we should not want the military involved in removing a recalcitrant Trump, that there are safer and clearly constitutional ways to accomplish Trump’s forced departure.

https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2020/0 ... em/167661/