Donald Trump

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SebastianBlue said:
Yes, it’s part of the slow creep of authoritarianism.

Most aspiring dictators don’t do it intentionally (though, often their advisors are very aware of the tactic and encourage them to do it, which is the case for Trump); it’s just the way they behave. It has allowed them to gain lower levels of power so they continue it as they rise. They chip, chip, chip away at norms and perceptions of acceptability.

Overtime they wittingly or unwittingly normalise behaviour that would have previously been seen as objectionable or abhorrent, eventually working their way to outright illegal, until their supporters are willing to accept anything they say or do as doctrine of the one-man ‘party’. Which is really just a cult, as @FogBlueInSanFran has mentioned once or twice. :-)

It doesn’t happen overnight. But, with the level of media scrutiny available today, we can now see it in fine detail, in real time, over many years, and via comprehensive retrospective analysis.

It’s the same tactic when he makes “jokes” about being president for more than two terms, which he has done many times, as recently as last week (this time in a less jovial tone). It’s not a joke — it’s him telling you what he plans to do, before he tries to do it.

It’s nearly always him telling you what he actually wants to do. Or what he actually wants his ‘supporters’ to do, in this case.

But, as you say — as is the case for Putin and other de facto dictators — he couches his statements so as to maintain deniability. Notice I didn’t say “plausible deniability”, because that is often not the goal. Much of the time the authoritarians want everyone to know they aware their opposition especially can see through it. The fact they can do it, with little-to-no consequence, is part of the exercise. They just want to be able to officially deny later to keep up the pretense of ‘civility’ and ‘responsibility’.

I really do fear for many groups, but journalists are top of the list, as they are usually among the first to be officially silenced as countries shift from democracy to authoritarianism.

That process of course started awhile ago, but it hasn’t quite gotten to open state-sponsored suppression yet. But make not mistake, even with the US’s relatively strong culture of freedom of speech and press, it can be suppressed, especially if Trump gets a second term and declares a mandate for further “reforms”.

Every day he is telling America what his regime is going to do.
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Is that the same as 'progressive' authoritarianism?

Asking for a friend.
 
SWP's back said:
Love Twitter sometimes for its ability to identify wankers.

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This will unfortunately likely be needed in high volume soon depending on the Kentucky AG announcement for the Taylor case. The Louisville Mayor has declared a state of emergency ahead of the AG’s impending announcement, which apparently is to take place by 1:30 PM EDT today.




Oh, and that dangerous moron is now *very* famous.

 
Trevor Morley's Tache said:
Trump retweeting a post about making sure ALL are following the rules for voting by 'becoming an election official'.

I presume by election official he means ensuring your got the regulation firearms and body armour/assault vest combo and that you're up to date with your Proud Boys membership fees?
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Don’t forgot a MAGA red hood... err, I mean hat.
 
mancity2012_eamo said:
Didn’t go unnoticed.
Does it all the time. He’ll rant about something that probably isn’t even true. Incite, incite, incite. Then say something to the effect of Serioulsy though. Or joking aside.

Presidential my arse. I’ve never seen a worse POTUS.
There’s violence coming.
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The place is going to burn on Nov 3 regardless of who wins.
 
I know the military have said they won’t intervene but it has to be a possibility if there is a total breakdown in law and order.

It’s mad to even think that it’s even a possibility that there could be martial law imposed in the USA but I certainly wouldn’t rule it out in the aftermath of the election if Trump declares victory and is backed up by his puppets in the senate and judiciary when it’s very clear the win was fraudulent.
 
west didsblue said:
I know the military have said they won’t intervene but it has to be a possibility if there is a total breakdown in law and order.

It’s mad to even think that it’s even a possibility that there could be martial law imposed in the USA but I certainly wouldn’t rule it out in the aftermath of the election if Trump declares victory and is backed up by his puppets in the senate and judiciary when it’s very clear the win was fraudulent.
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The judiciary won't. USA vs Nixon. Three justices appointed by Nixon voted against him on executive privelege (a much lower stakes case than this might be), and it was an 8-person court on the case because Rehnquist excused himself having worked for the AG. Do not underestimate the court's own self-preservation mode. I can't conceive that the justices will commit suicide.
 
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