The problem with the federal takeover of DC -- one of them, anyway -- is how open-ended it is. Conveniently the regime sets no benchmark for what is acceptable progress by the local forces. What if they got the murder rate down to two people per year? Would the federals say, "No good -- we need a totally murder-free city" and stay on an open-ended basis? There is no accountability on their side, so there is no standard that they must live up to. They just do what they feel works for them.
That is not how government by, of, and for the people is supposed to work. But you know that.
trump isn't running the sh*tshow at this point. His cohort of Project 2025 advisors are. If you look at trump's recent performances, he's clearly becoming more incoherent and deranged. He often has the vacant look of those approaching life's finish line--eyes blank, mouth hanging open. Even is he were all there, revenge against big blue cities has been on his bingo card for quite a while now. Vengeance gives trump reason to live.
He's never going to get bored with sending in the troops to harass the libs and "inner-city" types. I expect that over the next few months he'll be using the "high crime" pretext to occupy Chicago or New York, even though there are plenty of red state cities with higher crime rates. Fascism has come to America wrapped in a cloak of reality-TV absurdity but repressive nonetheless.
You’re not just describing Trump; that all fits his supporters too. The daily drama of dismantling our democracy gives them the required dopamine hits. They expect to be entertained, on their way to serfdom.
"Daily dopamine hits". Considering the destruction of our democracy and any rule of law, I'm surprised that we don't see multiple dopamine overdoses every day.
Yes, I agree with that analysis. And it has become my top thought lately when contemplating our global future: the rest of the world was willing to ride out Trump One as a fluke, but Trump winning election a second time is a sign that our population is compromised in a way that will not resolve in 4 years. My conclusion is we are stuck with this situation (and probably worse) for the remainder of my lifetime. Letting go of any shreds of optimism means recalculating how to conduct my remaining years.
So true. Unless the economy depresses to such a point that even the gerrymandered states turn away from Republicans, thats when the real oppression will begin.
Now there’s a thought. It fits. As is frequently said about our Trumpian situation; ‘there is no bottom’.
Under what circumstances would both sides unite against the oppression? In my view, we had a glimmer of it when the CEO of United Healthcare was assassinated; for a period of about 72 hours, MAGAs and lefties both rejoiced Mangione, even knowing that was a transgressive response. Then the gleeful MAGAs were quickly reined in by their media ecosystem.
What's on the menu for tomorrow...and the next day...and the next day...???
Stay tuned to your local Fox Maga network for what will be unlawfully stolen from your own city. The fascist " tanks " are rolling into your town...BOLO !
WE have the power to keep your second concern from becoming true. Keep bringing up his lack of the transparency he promised HIS government would have. Wherever he is, demonstrations with "Where are the Epstein Files?" signs should be displayed if not personally carried. Make him keep mentioning it (actually, that is something the media/press should be doing).
My MAGA friend keeps blurting accusations, and photos of Adam Schiff, that are supposedly in the Files. I just keep reiterating, “So release the Files”. She thinks she’s talking me out of it.
Good for you, Linda. Just keep hounding them, even sarcastically if you think you can get away with it, about "And why isn't your hero releasing the files if there are only things about Democrats in there? Where did you find that photo of Rep. Schiff, by the way?"
I think he would not risk an election for a 3rd term. He will just say the country is in such disarray that we can't change leadership. Who will stop him? Maybe Vance will slip a little arsenic in his soda. But other than that we have no patriotic, American loving people in the Republican Party. Just Trump bitches. And a cadre of multi billionaires who now believe that there truly is no such thing as enough money.
My real concern is that this could lead to Trump calling an emergency right before the election, saying he is afraid that the Blue States are rigging the vote. He will send in troops to monitor the voting, especially in cites. That’s how Putin runs elections.
That’s been my oft-stated scenario since last November. All the political strategizing for 2026 and 2028 is worthless without facing this threat to elections head on.
Yes, Oldandintheway, you're exactly right-- this is setting up the midterms for Trump--he is determined to hold on to the House( and Senate) and as we know, he will do whatever it takes, with his vast Presidential powers, to accomplish that. As you say, ".... this could leads to Trump calling an emergency right before the election saying he is afraid that Blue States are rigging the vote. He will send in troops to monitor the voting, especially in cities. That's how Putin runs elections."
The majority of the Supreme Court were appointed because they hate democracy, hate God and love King Trump. They would give him their own children and thank him for the priveledge.
Why the fork isn't someone in a position of authority in DC filing for an injunction, demanding that he "prove" the emergency that he is saying exists as the basis for his action? The action would be legal in an emergency, so show what it is, don't just open your food hole and spew it out.
He just made the announcement yesterday. As a lawyer with clients who think that complaints and injunctions and briefs just magically appear, it takes some time and thought to do all that. I am confident that we will see lawsuits filed in short order.
Understand completely, but why not indicate that his actions will not be taken lying down? From what I have read, Mayor Bowers(?) seems to be accepting what he has done as something he can do. If I were a DC resident, I would be pounding on her door (figuratively) demanding that she take action on behalf of her constituents.
From my Biglaw days, the application for TRO/PI and accompanying memorandum of law with supporting declarations and exhibits should be in front of a judge ex parte within 48 hours of the action.
I liked the response, not because I know it is correct, but because I want to believe it is accurate and continue to wonder why the F Bowser isn't doing squat, or at least does not appear to be doing anything even close.
The timeline is about right for a serious, capable group of lawyers. Lawyers seeking emergency relief to enjoin an action have to move quickly—or risk undermining their claim of irreparable harm. DC government hasn’t even committed to filing suit yet, so I’d say their chances of successfully asserting irreparable harm aren’t high. In any event, under “the law,” Trump only has 30 days before needing congressional approval. To the extent “the law” matters any more ….
Another scenario we should consider is states run by Republicans but with substantial "blue" metro populations (Texas is the prime example) asking the administration to send in the Guard or troops to monitor / suppress Democratic voting, in order to further tip the balance of power in the House toward Republicans and, for statewide federal electoral counts (Senate and President) further move the voting results in Republicans' favor (to deepen the claim to a "mandate"). (I should note that Republicans have brought up the idea in past sessions regarding a state takeover of the City of Austin, which they have deep, deep animus towards.)
Alternatively, I am also concerned about the risk that the administration or "red" state legislatures / officials will claim that Democrats are supporting disorder / crime and/or posing a national security risk (for example, supporting "criminal" immigrants) that justifies excluding them from ballots.
Texas can show some shockingly low voter participation rates. Some of that may be due to Republican shenanigans, but it's been an unfortunate tradition for the Hispanic / Latino population to have really low participation. Not sure how that maps onto voter party registration.
Stephen Miller's fingerprints are all over this. I wonder if he's ever considered that the system he's creating can be turned against him in the future.
There is a difference. In many of the authoritarian takeovers there were actually problems that made the citizenry susceptible to the takeover. Here, it is apathy and intellectual laziness. People have no interest in accurately assessing what is really happening and are incapable of appreciating how lucky they are to live in a country with vast wealth and opportunity. How, and when, is that going to change?
Probably now. People will suddenly appreciate what they are losing - Joni Mitchell’s Parking Lot song. Or, they will wish for it when the leopards start eating their faces.
250 National Guards still remain, but the Marines are being sent out of LA. Down from 2,000 Guards and 700 Marines. Got to get rid of them now not later.
W or w/o Trump "running" again for prez, Trump & Project 2025 leaders like Roberts & Vought w the willing acquiescence from a Republican Congress and the conservative SCOTUS 6 are doing what they can to smash guardrails, violate laws like the Impoundment Control Act, vitiate the Constitution, redistrict & recensus, demand state voter rolls... all to further the purpose of establishing one party rule, at least at the federal level.
Yeah... I am hopeful that people are learning a real lesson here about "emergency" powers. It's reasonable for there to be such a thing, but clearly everyone who wrote those rules and procedures into law didn't anticipate a situation where a bad actor just says "business as usual is an emergency because I say so"
When you say murder-free, does that include people not being murdered by any cops or National Guard? Because if you use that qualifier, I’m sure DC will never be murder-free.
I wasn't thinking about it too closely, but you are right. The principle remains that no matter how the number is measured or presented, the regime will shift the goalposts at will to favor their own positions and justify whatever actions they want to take.
Traditional police expression: "To Protect and Serve".
DJT: Officers should "do whatever the hell they want."
Under that guideline, what possibly could go wrong?
Some idiot was shooting off fireworks last night in my neighborhood. I don’t know why. I heard them and I thought the new civil war had already started.
Some folks can't seem to remember to turn their calendars from July to August. Others amuse way too easily, such that anything that makes the ground rumble and a lot of noise is instantly amusing and entertaining. I'd rather read a book -- quietly.
The problem with the federal takeover of DC -- one of them, anyway -- is how open-ended it is. Conveniently the regime sets no benchmark for what is acceptable progress by the local forces. What if they got the murder rate down to two people per year? Would the federals say, "No good -- we need a totally murder-free city" and stay on an open-ended basis? There is no accountability on their side, so there is no standard that they must live up to. They just do what they feel works for them.
That is not how government by, of, and for the people is supposed to work. But you know that.
Remember, Trump's presidency is all Reality TV-based.
Every damned day is a new episode and, without clicks, it becomes irrelevant.
Ever notice how Trump flits from self-created crisis to self-created crisis?
How he gets bored with stuff, usually by the end of the week?
And, for all his bluster, how much of what he spews falls off the wall and into a pile on the floor?
Even his goons can't keep up with it.
Time will tell how stuff shakes out in D.C.
It'll start with a bang but, I think, it's gonna go out in a whimper.
People are starting to pay attention, and we know they don't like what they see.
Will the people finally stand up and say enough's enough?
We may finally be reaching that point.
trump isn't running the sh*tshow at this point. His cohort of Project 2025 advisors are. If you look at trump's recent performances, he's clearly becoming more incoherent and deranged. He often has the vacant look of those approaching life's finish line--eyes blank, mouth hanging open. Even is he were all there, revenge against big blue cities has been on his bingo card for quite a while now. Vengeance gives trump reason to live.
He's never going to get bored with sending in the troops to harass the libs and "inner-city" types. I expect that over the next few months he'll be using the "high crime" pretext to occupy Chicago or New York, even though there are plenty of red state cities with higher crime rates. Fascism has come to America wrapped in a cloak of reality-TV absurdity but repressive nonetheless.
You are right there. There is cabal of instigators who don't want you to pay attention to them. So they speak out of Trumpp's big fat, stupid face.
You’re not just describing Trump; that all fits his supporters too. The daily drama of dismantling our democracy gives them the required dopamine hits. They expect to be entertained, on their way to serfdom.
"Daily dopamine hits". Considering the destruction of our democracy and any rule of law, I'm surprised that we don't see multiple dopamine overdoses every day.
I know I don’t care about living to 80 if this is the “shithole country” I have to live in.
Canada, despite their problems (related to Trumponomics in many cases) is still looking better and better al the time.
Every year I hate coming back a little bit more.
Too bad the weather isn't better.
So the government we should compare it to is not NAZI Germany, but the decadent failing Roman Empire. Nero started out popular with the lower classes.
Yes, the Romans. Autocrats seem to exhibit universal truths, not least, absolute power corrupts....!
Yes, I agree with that analysis. And it has become my top thought lately when contemplating our global future: the rest of the world was willing to ride out Trump One as a fluke, but Trump winning election a second time is a sign that our population is compromised in a way that will not resolve in 4 years. My conclusion is we are stuck with this situation (and probably worse) for the remainder of my lifetime. Letting go of any shreds of optimism means recalculating how to conduct my remaining years.
So true. Unless the economy depresses to such a point that even the gerrymandered states turn away from Republicans, thats when the real oppression will begin.
Now there’s a thought. It fits. As is frequently said about our Trumpian situation; ‘there is no bottom’.
Under what circumstances would both sides unite against the oppression? In my view, we had a glimmer of it when the CEO of United Healthcare was assassinated; for a period of about 72 hours, MAGAs and lefties both rejoiced Mangione, even knowing that was a transgressive response. Then the gleeful MAGAs were quickly reined in by their media ecosystem.
Ya gotta have a new dramatic climax every week to keep the viewers engaged.
taco...et al ...and their own " Crisis de Jour."!
What's on the menu for tomorrow...and the next day...and the next day...???
Stay tuned to your local Fox Maga network for what will be unlawfully stolen from your own city. The fascist " tanks " are rolling into your town...BOLO !
Has anyone considered that he may announce his “running for a third term” during this period when he’s in “control” of the DC Police and Guard?????
I am concerned-
This kills two birds with one stone.
1) Accomplishing his goal of a 3rd term and subduing the protests
2) Taking the focus off of Epstein
Thoughts????
WE have the power to keep your second concern from becoming true. Keep bringing up his lack of the transparency he promised HIS government would have. Wherever he is, demonstrations with "Where are the Epstein Files?" signs should be displayed if not personally carried. Make him keep mentioning it (actually, that is something the media/press should be doing).
My MAGA friend keeps blurting accusations, and photos of Adam Schiff, that are supposedly in the Files. I just keep reiterating, “So release the Files”. She thinks she’s talking me out of it.
Good for you, Linda. Just keep hounding them, even sarcastically if you think you can get away with it, about "And why isn't your hero releasing the files if there are only things about Democrats in there? Where did you find that photo of Rep. Schiff, by the way?"
I find anything other than one or two simple, declarative sentences garnishes paragraphs full of rhetorical squirrels in free-association.
I think he would not risk an election for a 3rd term. He will just say the country is in such disarray that we can't change leadership. Who will stop him? Maybe Vance will slip a little arsenic in his soda. But other than that we have no patriotic, American loving people in the Republican Party. Just Trump bitches. And a cadre of multi billionaires who now believe that there truly is no such thing as enough money.
Saying he’s going to Russia (instead of Alaska)!
My real concern is that this could lead to Trump calling an emergency right before the election, saying he is afraid that the Blue States are rigging the vote. He will send in troops to monitor the voting, especially in cites. That’s how Putin runs elections.
That’s been my oft-stated scenario since last November. All the political strategizing for 2026 and 2028 is worthless without facing this threat to elections head on.
Yes, Oldandintheway, you're exactly right-- this is setting up the midterms for Trump--he is determined to hold on to the House( and Senate) and as we know, he will do whatever it takes, with his vast Presidential powers, to accomplish that. As you say, ".... this could leads to Trump calling an emergency right before the election saying he is afraid that Blue States are rigging the vote. He will send in troops to monitor the voting, especially in cities. That's how Putin runs elections."
What is sad to me is that the Supreme Court will stand idly by.
The majority of the Supreme Court were appointed because they hate democracy, hate God and love King Trump. They would give him their own children and thank him for the priveledge.
Why the fork isn't someone in a position of authority in DC filing for an injunction, demanding that he "prove" the emergency that he is saying exists as the basis for his action? The action would be legal in an emergency, so show what it is, don't just open your food hole and spew it out.
He just made the announcement yesterday. As a lawyer with clients who think that complaints and injunctions and briefs just magically appear, it takes some time and thought to do all that. I am confident that we will see lawsuits filed in short order.
Understand completely, but why not indicate that his actions will not be taken lying down? From what I have read, Mayor Bowers(?) seems to be accepting what he has done as something he can do. If I were a DC resident, I would be pounding on her door (figuratively) demanding that she take action on behalf of her constituents.
From my Biglaw days, the application for TRO/PI and accompanying memorandum of law with supporting declarations and exhibits should be in front of a judge ex parte within 48 hours of the action.
I liked the response, not because I know it is correct, but because I want to believe it is accurate and continue to wonder why the F Bowser isn't doing squat, or at least does not appear to be doing anything even close.
The timeline is about right for a serious, capable group of lawyers. Lawyers seeking emergency relief to enjoin an action have to move quickly—or risk undermining their claim of irreparable harm. DC government hasn’t even committed to filing suit yet, so I’d say their chances of successfully asserting irreparable harm aren’t high. In any event, under “the law,” Trump only has 30 days before needing congressional approval. To the extent “the law” matters any more ….
DC leadership, including the mayor, has been disgustingly silent. Shame on them.
Thank you for the concurrence in my point about Mayor Bowser.
Another scenario we should consider is states run by Republicans but with substantial "blue" metro populations (Texas is the prime example) asking the administration to send in the Guard or troops to monitor / suppress Democratic voting, in order to further tip the balance of power in the House toward Republicans and, for statewide federal electoral counts (Senate and President) further move the voting results in Republicans' favor (to deepen the claim to a "mandate"). (I should note that Republicans have brought up the idea in past sessions regarding a state takeover of the City of Austin, which they have deep, deep animus towards.)
Alternatively, I am also concerned about the risk that the administration or "red" state legislatures / officials will claim that Democrats are supporting disorder / crime and/or posing a national security risk (for example, supporting "criminal" immigrants) that justifies excluding them from ballots.
Texas actually has more registered Democrats.
Total Registered Voters: 17,485,702
Democrats: 8,133,683 (46.52%)
Republicans: 6,601,189 (37.75%)
Unaffiliated: 2,750,830 (15.73%)
Problem is a lot don't vote. Or the people in charge of elections are Republicans and they only have maybe 2 polling places in Democratic areas.
Texas can show some shockingly low voter participation rates. Some of that may be due to Republican shenanigans, but it's been an unfortunate tradition for the Hispanic / Latino population to have really low participation. Not sure how that maps onto voter party registration.
Davy Crockett died fighting to keep Texas a slave state. Jermaine Crockett is fight to keep it from happening again.
Jasmine?
I agree! That could be the plan. Trump has undoubtedly been taking notes while watching the master - Putin.
Without a doubt. On the one hand I feel I'm too old to be a partisan fighter, but other hand, what have I got to lose?
Stephen Miller's fingerprints are all over this. I wonder if he's ever considered that the system he's creating can be turned against him in the future.
I’m sure they have considered that, but are planning on a future when that can’t happen.
Which never works, and they never learn. I am sure the Nazi’s and Stalin had similar ideas.
There is a difference. In many of the authoritarian takeovers there were actually problems that made the citizenry susceptible to the takeover. Here, it is apathy and intellectual laziness. People have no interest in accurately assessing what is really happening and are incapable of appreciating how lucky they are to live in a country with vast wealth and opportunity. How, and when, is that going to change?
Probably now. People will suddenly appreciate what they are losing - Joni Mitchell’s Parking Lot song. Or, they will wish for it when the leopards start eating their faces.
I hope you are right. I'm less optimistic.
I'm guessing it goes like the guard in LA. It peters out as we move on to the next squirrel.
The Guard is still in LA. So are the marines.
250 National Guards still remain, but the Marines are being sent out of LA. Down from 2,000 Guards and 700 Marines. Got to get rid of them now not later.
Only about 300 left under Fed control.
https://share.google/4UAWNSQLjAaWC5tZu
Jpg: got there at the same time. Great minds think alike!
I sincerely hope so.
One open-ended end we know a lot abt:
W or w/o Trump "running" again for prez, Trump & Project 2025 leaders like Roberts & Vought w the willing acquiescence from a Republican Congress and the conservative SCOTUS 6 are doing what they can to smash guardrails, violate laws like the Impoundment Control Act, vitiate the Constitution, redistrict & recensus, demand state voter rolls... all to further the purpose of establishing one party rule, at least at the federal level.
Yeah... I am hopeful that people are learning a real lesson here about "emergency" powers. It's reasonable for there to be such a thing, but clearly everyone who wrote those rules and procedures into law didn't anticipate a situation where a bad actor just says "business as usual is an emergency because I say so"
MSOP Management by Seat of The Pants
When you say murder-free, does that include people not being murdered by any cops or National Guard? Because if you use that qualifier, I’m sure DC will never be murder-free.
I wasn't thinking about it too closely, but you are right. The principle remains that no matter how the number is measured or presented, the regime will shift the goalposts at will to favor their own positions and justify whatever actions they want to take.
Traditional police expression: "To Protect and Serve".
DJT: Officers should "do whatever the hell they want."
Under that guideline, what possibly could go wrong?
Some idiot was shooting off fireworks last night in my neighborhood. I don’t know why. I heard them and I thought the new civil war had already started.
Some folks can't seem to remember to turn their calendars from July to August. Others amuse way too easily, such that anything that makes the ground rumble and a lot of noise is instantly amusing and entertaining. I'd rather read a book -- quietly.
Yeah. I feel bad for my granddaughters (3). What a horrible world they were brought into.