4 ms·

I recall an aphorism that government is self-governed 90% by norms and 10% by law. I don’t know if American law is being violated but certainly it is alarming t

I recall an aphorism that government is self-governed 90% by norms and 10% by law. I don’t know if American law is being violated but certainly it is alarming to observe from the outside when the norms are totally disregarded. The US looks unstable and untrustworthy.

honroastco 2y ago
[flagged]
- mersenne 2y ago
  [flagged]
- standardUser 2y ago
  What audit? They are mostly just stealing data.
KronisLV 2y ago
Any law is only worth as much as its enforcement. Otherwise, maybe it just serves as a historical record of some intent, nothing more.
Slava_Propanei 2y ago
[dead]
bamboozled 2y ago
What makes me sick is how the word "fraud" is being abused now too. Like those in power in the US are redefining it to mean "things I don't like". It's very dangerous. It's incredibly Orwellian.
- macintux 2y ago
  “Fake news” was deftly repurposed from “whatever crock of lies Trump spouted today” to “unflattering news about Trump”. Whatever his other flaws, the president is a master at demagoguery.
  - bamboozled 2y ago
    He is one of the greatest cult leaders man has known. It’s amazing how people don’t like the VP because “he lies” but the other guy…it doesn’t matter if he lies, it’s fine. That’s crazy.
    - spiderfarmer 2y ago
      No other cult leader in history had the entire power of right media and the support of the country’s most powerful profiteers behind him. Trump himself doesn’t look all that smart, it’s just that everything he says or does goes through their filter and then reeks of roses for his followers.
      - kevinob11 2y ago
        While I generally agree that he doesn't look all that smart in the traditional sense, during the early part of his first election I don't think he had the full power of right wing media behind him. He is _excellent_ at something, and I think demagoguery might be a reasonable term for it. He seems to me to be very good at saying things that make people feel "activated" (to quote dang above). It is almost like the way he speaks is the human manifestation of the engagement algorithm that it took Facebook years and years to develop. It is really quite something.
        johnnyanmac 2y ago
        It's simple: he's famous. He isn't even the first public personality the US voted. The (sadly) most important thing for a campaign is charisma, and people from decades prior (AKA the ones that actually vote) see Trump and think of the times with The Apprentice, or any variety of commercials he's been in, or some talk show he was on. That mixed with an increasing distrust of the establshment and you get Trump 45. Trump 47, similar vibes + the "I was richer under Trump" mentality. These are short-sighted, but common sentiments.
        kevinob11 2y ago

honroastco 2y ago

[flagged]

mersenne 2y ago
[flagged]
standardUser 2y ago
What audit? They are mostly just stealing data.

KronisLV 2y ago

Any law is only worth as much as its enforcement. Otherwise, maybe it just serves as a historical record of some intent, nothing more.

Slava_Propanei 2y ago

[dead]

bamboozled 2y ago

What makes me sick is how the word "fraud" is being abused now too. Like those in power in the US are redefining it to mean "things I don't like". It's very dangerous. It's incredibly Orwellian.

macintux 2y ago
“Fake news” was deftly repurposed from “whatever crock of lies Trump spouted today” to “unflattering news about Trump”. Whatever his other flaws, the president is a master at demagoguery.
- bamboozled 2y ago
  He is one of the greatest cult leaders man has known. It’s amazing how people don’t like the VP because “he lies” but the other guy…it doesn’t matter if he lies, it’s fine. That’s crazy.
  - spiderfarmer 2y ago
    No other cult leader in history had the entire power of right media and the support of the country’s most powerful profiteers behind him. Trump himself doesn’t look all that smart, it’s just that everything he says or does goes through their filter and then reeks of roses for his followers.
    - kevinob11 2y ago
      While I generally agree that he doesn't look all that smart in the traditional sense, during the early part of his first election I don't think he had the full power of right wing media behind him. He is _excellent_ at something, and I think demagoguery might be a reasonable term for it. He seems to me to be very good at saying things that make people feel "activated" (to quote dang above). It is almost like the way he speaks is the human manifestation of the engagement algorithm that it took Facebook years and years to develop. It is really quite something.
      - johnnyanmac 2y ago
        It's simple: he's famous. He isn't even the first public personality the US voted. The (sadly) most important thing for a campaign is charisma, and people from decades prior (AKA the ones that actually vote) see Trump and think of the times with The Apprentice, or any variety of commercials he's been in, or some talk show he was on. That mixed with an increasing distrust of the establshment and you get Trump 45. Trump 47, similar vibes + the "I was richer under Trump" mentality. These are short-sighted, but common sentiments.
        kevinob11 2y ago