I think this is a little too "rosy" of a read on things from someone who has entirely too much faith in his ability to take institutions for granted. What we know about authoritarians is that they...
Exemplary
I think this is a little too "rosy" of a read on things from someone who has entirely too much faith in his ability to take institutions for granted.
What we know about authoritarians is that they do not go gently into that good night. What we know about narcissists is that they cannot permit themselves to "lose" or be "slighted." Both of those mean that a cornered Trump will be more dangerous than ever. We should be fully prepared for increasingly desperate moves from him, and he will be enabled by Republicans who depend on a lot of these habits to stay in power.
The Governor of George Georgia is already planning on cancelling an election and just appointing a judgeship himself. We should not take for granted that Trump will allow a fair election, that these elections will not have the Klan and ICE officers engaging in voter intimidation at polling stations, that ballots won't be stuffed, or that Trump will willingly relinquish power and respect the results of an election if he loses.
We've seen tons of voter suppression so far in the primaries, it's just a small preview of what we'll have in November. Of course, the hours-long lines have gone mostly unremarked on in the effort...
We've seen tons of voter suppression so far in the primaries, it's just a small preview of what we'll have in November. Of course, the hours-long lines have gone mostly unremarked on in the effort to build Biden a winning narrative, which will not serve us well when it's time to defend democracy.
That's been the case for years though. I'm thinking of more egregious suppression efforts, like the voter intimidation and stepping up of the carceral state.
That's been the case for years though. I'm thinking of more egregious suppression efforts, like the voter intimidation and stepping up of the carceral state.
Wouldn't be surprised to see both. Long lines of young and/or POC voters, then white supremacist agitators, followed by the cops coming through and arresting voters who were defending themselves....
Wouldn't be surprised to see both. Long lines of young and/or POC voters, then white supremacist agitators, followed by the cops coming through and arresting voters who were defending themselves. The voter suppression has definitely amped up over the last 10 and especially 3 years because Republicans see the writing on the wall. They've known for a long time they can't win on ideas so they have to choose who can vote instead.
They're already doing it in Georgia. And what's more, poll workers are usually volunteers. And every time I've voted they've been very old. For sure they're staying home if the outbreak is still...
They're already doing it in Georgia.
And what's more, poll workers are usually volunteers. And every time I've voted they've been very old. For sure they're staying home if the outbreak is still going, meaning all poll stations are going to be understaffed unless Bernie Sanders starts telling his goons to get on it.
I agree, and this is why we need someone who can make voters stay in that line if that is how the election turns out to be. Polling doesn't account for lines that are several hours long or...
We should not take for granted that Trump will allow a fair election, that these elections will not have the Klan and ICE officers engaging in voter intimidation at polling stations, that ballots won't be stuffed, or that Trump will willingly relinquish power and respect the results of an election if he loses.
I agree, and this is why we need someone who can make voters stay in that line if that is how the election turns out to be. Polling doesn't account for lines that are several hours long or anything you just said. We need a candidate who makes people be willing to stay in that line at any cost right now, or we must have our own forces to stop something like that. (Something like Antifa perhaps?) If we don't then we will lose.
So right now things are too chaotic for a true narrative to form, but I fully expect them to settle on a scapegoat in short order and the witch burnings will commence. Anti-Asian racism and rumors...
So right now things are too chaotic for a true narrative to form, but I fully expect them to settle on a scapegoat in short order and the witch burnings will commence. Anti-Asian racism and rumors that this is a Chinese bioweapon are already circulating. It's going to get bad.
Oh I've been hearing stories from friends about people responding to their attempts at social distancing by freaking out. In one case someone actually said "Don't bring that Chink virus here."
Oh I've been hearing stories from friends about people responding to their attempts at social distancing by freaking out. In one case someone actually said "Don't bring that Chink virus here."
Thought about putting this is the coronavirus subtopic, but this is more about politics than the virus itself. I'll hold on to hope, but I can't help but think "we've heard this before". That this...
Thought about putting this is the coronavirus subtopic, but this is more about politics than the virus itself.
I'll hold on to hope, but I can't help but think "we've heard this before". That this is the final straw. Surely this example of ineptitude will finally force people to see Trump for what he is. Surely this is to terrible to ignore.
This will depend strongly on how the epidemic ends up in the US. If it's really bad and the mismanagement he did is adequately communicated by the media, I don't think he is reelectable.
This will depend strongly on how the epidemic ends up in the US. If it's really bad and the mismanagement he did is adequately communicated by the media, I don't think he is reelectable.
I think this is a little too "rosy" of a read on things from someone who has entirely too much faith in his ability to take institutions for granted.
What we know about authoritarians is that they do not go gently into that good night. What we know about narcissists is that they cannot permit themselves to "lose" or be "slighted." Both of those mean that a cornered Trump will be more dangerous than ever. We should be fully prepared for increasingly desperate moves from him, and he will be enabled by Republicans who depend on a lot of these habits to stay in power.
The Governor of
GeorgeGeorgia is already planning on cancelling an election and just appointing a judgeship himself. We should not take for granted that Trump will allow a fair election, that these elections will not have the Klan and ICE officers engaging in voter intimidation at polling stations, that ballots won't be stuffed, or that Trump will willingly relinquish power and respect the results of an election if he loses.We've seen tons of voter suppression so far in the primaries, it's just a small preview of what we'll have in November. Of course, the hours-long lines have gone mostly unremarked on in the effort to build Biden a winning narrative, which will not serve us well when it's time to defend democracy.
That's been the case for years though. I'm thinking of more egregious suppression efforts, like the voter intimidation and stepping up of the carceral state.
Wouldn't be surprised to see both. Long lines of young and/or POC voters, then white supremacist agitators, followed by the cops coming through and arresting voters who were defending themselves. The voter suppression has definitely amped up over the last 10 and especially 3 years because Republicans see the writing on the wall. They've known for a long time they can't win on ideas so they have to choose who can vote instead.
Those who make peaceful resistance impossible make violent resistance inevitable.
The sensible thing would be to switch to vote by mail due to coronavirus concerns. I wonder if any states will do the sensible thing?
If you are looking for an excuse to fuck with an election, the CoronaVirus is a fantastic excuse.
They're already doing it in Georgia.
And what's more, poll workers are usually volunteers. And every time I've voted they've been very old. For sure they're staying home if the outbreak is still going, meaning all poll stations are going to be understaffed unless Bernie Sanders starts telling his goons to get on it.
Is that a euphemism or did you mean Georgia?
Autocorrect
I agree, and this is why we need someone who can make voters stay in that line if that is how the election turns out to be. Polling doesn't account for lines that are several hours long or anything you just said. We need a candidate who makes people be willing to stay in that line at any cost right now, or we must have our own forces to stop something like that. (Something like Antifa perhaps?) If we don't then we will lose.
So right now things are too chaotic for a true narrative to form, but I fully expect them to settle on a scapegoat in short order and the witch burnings will commence. Anti-Asian racism and rumors that this is a Chinese bioweapon are already circulating. It's going to get bad.
Oh I've been hearing stories from friends about people responding to their attempts at social distancing by freaking out. In one case someone actually said "Don't bring that Chink virus here."
Thought about putting this is the coronavirus subtopic, but this is more about politics than the virus itself.
I'll hold on to hope, but I can't help but think "we've heard this before". That this is the final straw. Surely this example of ineptitude will finally force people to see Trump for what he is. Surely this is to terrible to ignore.
This will depend strongly on how the epidemic ends up in the US. If it's really bad and the mismanagement he did is adequately communicated by the media, I don't think he is reelectable.
It's a poor headline, but there are links to interesting stories I missed. I will post them separately.