4 ms·

Regularly it seems we're reminded that Trump's opponents take him literally, not seriously, and his supporters take him seriously, not literally. "Arrgh, he's

by aksss 2y ago

Regularly it seems we're reminded that Trump's opponents take him literally, not seriously, and his supporters take him seriously, not literally. "Arrgh, he's going to do this thing that's so horrible!" -later- "Ahahaha he didn't do this thing that I thought was going to be so horrible, what a loser!" Trump always high-balls and trolls in his public statements. Neither Trump - nor his supporters for that matter - ever expect the high-ball offer to be the final result. Amidst media whose profit depends on us always being in a state of concern over some issue, and a society where 15-20% of the population is actively medicated for anxiety problems, I would urge patience & calm. As has been said, "Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

duxup 2y ago
Typically politicians are more careful with their statements for all sorts of good reasons, and I suspect more likely to follow through generally. Accordingly someone who is not that careful, for any reason, will get articles written about "what if they do". Those are valid things to discuss even if I think unlikely. Even inside the GOP discussions and public debate went on regarding Trump's H1B visa ideas and differing views within his staff ... it's not like they just ignored it.
- aksss 2y ago
  For sure, nothing is invalid to discuss, but proper framing (e.g. "this is theoretical based on crazy statements that aren't expected to become reality) is often missing. The headline is a good example, even if CTA doc was a bit more sober.
  - AnimalMuppet 2y ago
    Last time around Trump had... let's call them "more seasoned" people around him that kept him from trying to carry out some of his wilder ideas. This time he's made it clear that he's trying as hard as possible to remove as many people as possible who might try to stop him. So I think "crazy statements that aren't expected to become reality" is a bit over-optimistic. Trump expects at least some of his crazy statements to become reality, and he intends to make that happen, and he's going to remove all the restraints within the administration. So it's pretty much Congress or the courts who are going to have to tell him no (or, worse, the military).
    - Terr_ 2y ago
      Also, this time around there's some new stuff like that insane Supreme Court ruling (6-3) saying a President could have political rivals murdered and be functionally-immune from prosecution... Or any lesser crime, provided it had some veneer of officialdom. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c035zqe7lgro https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c035zqe7lgro
      - duxup 2y ago
        SCOTUS is now just a “It’s ok if my guy does it.” Rubber stamp.

by aksss 2y ago

duxup 2y ago

Typically politicians are more careful with their statements for all sorts of good reasons, and I suspect more likely to follow through generally. Accordingly someone who is not that careful, for any reason, will get articles written about "what if they do". Those are valid things to discuss even if I think unlikely. Even inside the GOP discussions and public debate went on regarding Trump's H1B visa ideas and differing views within his staff ... it's not like they just ignored it.

aksss 2y ago
For sure, nothing is invalid to discuss, but proper framing (e.g. "this is theoretical based on crazy statements that aren't expected to become reality) is often missing. The headline is a good example, even if CTA doc was a bit more sober.
- AnimalMuppet 2y ago
  Last time around Trump had... let's call them "more seasoned" people around him that kept him from trying to carry out some of his wilder ideas. This time he's made it clear that he's trying as hard as possible to remove as many people as possible who might try to stop him. So I think "crazy statements that aren't expected to become reality" is a bit over-optimistic. Trump expects at least some of his crazy statements to become reality, and he intends to make that happen, and he's going to remove all the restraints within the administration. So it's pretty much Congress or the courts who are going to have to tell him no (or, worse, the military).
  - Terr_ 2y ago
    Also, this time around there's some new stuff like that insane Supreme Court ruling (6-3) saying a President could have political rivals murdered and be functionally-immune from prosecution... Or any lesser crime, provided it had some veneer of officialdom. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c035zqe7lgro https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c035zqe7lgro
    - duxup 2y ago
      SCOTUS is now just a “It’s ok if my guy does it.” Rubber stamp.