The grown-ups have left the building - Trump thread #136

[Spandauer]

As we descend into 4 years of madness...

(thanks @Jaichangecentfoisdenom and* *@AcrossthePond55 for the suggestions)

Previous thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5200273-hands-across-the-water-trump-thread-135

This will be an interesting week in DC. Wonder if any of the GOP will actually have the balls to vote against confirmation.

Per CNN:

"Senate confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks are set to begin this week. First up on Tuesday will be former Georgia Rep. Douglas Collins, the pick for secretary of Veterans Affairs, who will appear before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, Trump’s controversial choice for secretary of defense. Last month, a group of Democrats on the committee sent a letter to Susie Wiles, Trump’s incoming chief of staff, arguing that allegations related to Hegseth’s workplace behavior and treatment of womenshould disqualify him from leading the Pentagon. Hegseth has denied wrongdoing. Additional hearings later this week will include South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noel as homeland security secretary, Sen Marco Rubio as secretary of state and Pam Bondi as attorney general."

@InMySpareTime is right on the sea water. DH (retired) and DS2 (active) work(ed) in water treatment and have said there is no way to do this without building a completely separate system of pipes, pumps, and lift stations. Running sea water through main pipes that connect to homes would be a major health hazard. And maintenance would be a nightmare.

Seems Vance is the new Pence

Who writes this stuff ??

thanks for the info about the seawater.
if it were easy it probably were a thing already.

You'd be right that seawater can be a good idea, although it needs active planning.

Hong Kong is an island + peninsular with chronic water supply problems. It's had dual plumbing for decades so that toilets are flushed with seawater.

https://cen.acs.org/articles/93/web/2015/11/Flushing-Toilets-Seawater-Protect-Marine.html

also the case in some coastal areas of spain. tap water is filtered seawater.

What do others think of the electoral mess in North Carolina ?
(as covered by HCR last night)
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/january-12-2025

but for Mr. Trump's election and imminent return to the Presidency, the Office assessed that the admissible evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/us/politics/trump-special-counsel-report-election-jan-6.html?unlocked_article_code=1.pE4.ngt1.HtVzss0g7Iw6

I honestly don't feel that I can react anymore. The sheer criminality of it all, the disregard of democracy and above all the disrespect shown to the people of NC who turned up and voted.

Reading what we all knew was true 4 years ago.

Yep

Reading the headline has brought tears of sorrow and anger to my eyes, I find, so I'm not going any further, life is painful enough without my adding to my problems.

ETA: Darn it, I think for the sake of my sanity, I need to come off these threads as I contribute very little and just get depressed reading them.

Keep up the good work, all of you! Here's hoping it's not as bumpy a ride as we're expecting.

I've just watched the film "Civil War".

Unfortunately, its dystopian near future seems all too possible

@Jaichangecentfoisdenom
I keep looking for the points of hilarity - and they will be there
so that I am ready for the popcorn fest that will come with the mid terms.

Being vindicated about Project 2025 gives me no pleasure.

Pray for rain on the 20th 😎

I'm watching housd of cards with my teens.
it almost seems like an instruction book for the orange one and his croonies

@Jaichangecentfoisdenom At times I'm almost at the same point. 💐

I take solace from regularly looking at this screen grab.
(If I apply it to every bad actor in this sorry tale then the bodies will be piled high).

ETA: DH and I are not young but we are determined to outlive the MotherFecker.

There is nothing new under the sun. I read Heather Cox Richardson regularly, and what strikes me is the parallels between Republican corruption today and 100 years ago. It seemed hopeless then, and it feels futile now. However, they were challenged then and will be challenged now. I can't believe a nation like America - especially with so many citizens with first and second-generation memories of repressive regimes - will roll over and let their democracy die.

I do expect them to do a lot of damage in the next four years. And I'm still not convinced Trump will make it to 2029. I'm amazed he made it this far with his health intact. The pressure must be relentless.

HAHAHA!

DH and I are not young either and our catchphrase now is "Scrotus dies first". We've actually taken to daily walks and healthier diets, determined to 'make it so'.

Oh and for those who have MSNBC, Rachel is coming back 5 days a week for the first 100 days of the 'regime'. I'm so glad as she was always able to report and explain on the insanity in a calm yet humorous way that 'dumbed down' complicated political machinations. I'm half hoping she sticks around and half hoping she feels she doesn't need to.

@Jaichangecentfoisdenom

I will never criticize anyone who chooses to leave our threads. One's mental health must take precedence. Just keep praying/thinking good thoughts for the US and come back if and when you can.

@Talkinpeace

Rain? I'm praying for an almighty fucking blizzard!! Bring on the thundersnow! Bring on the power outages!! But only in front of the Capitol and along the parade route.

🌨️🌩️🥶💨🌨️🌩️🥶💨🌨️🌩️🥶💨

Take good care of yourself, @Jaichangecentfoisdenom

I've had many little breaks over the years - some longer than others. We have to look after ourselves.

to take with you for now.

@Jaichangecentfoisdenom For you 💐

It's good to have a break now and then. I've had lots when it's all got too much for lots of reasons. Lurk a bit, regroup, come back if you are able. There's always a welcome here.

I see Dems are laying into Hegseths drinking. Can't help but think of Abraham Lincolns retort when his choice of Grant was questioned over Grants drinking:

“Tell me what brand of whiskey Grant drinks. I would like to send a barrel of it to my other generals.”

Do Americans know their own history ?

You can see why the orange one likes him

"Did you sexually assault a woman?"

Pete Hegseth: "I'm not a perfect person"

God, this hearing is making me want to vomit.

@Jaichangecentfoisdenom

Sending hugs. I understand completely.