Trump thread 6

[amispartacus]

And it's only been a day since no 5

Trump has been put in place to crash the financial system, because its fucked and there has to be a reset

And the Attorney General

I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter So help me God.

No mention of the President. Unlike the military.

Very helpful, thanks amispartacus.

But it is not an entrenched office, like being a judge - the President can reshuffle and fire you any time?

In which case it all almost makes sense....

I'm losing track of what's on which thread, but here's a repeat of Sally Yates in her confirmation hearing as Deputy Attorney General being questioned about EXACTLY this issue: her ability to say No if a President who is acting unlawfully.

Ironically, the questioner is Jeff Sessions, who Trump wants as his new Attorney General.

edition.cnn.com/2017/01/31/politics/sally-yates-jeff-sessions-deputy-attorney-general-hearing/

Sessions: "You have to watch out because people will be asking you to do things and you need to say no... But if the views the President wants to execute are unlawful, should the Attorney General or the Deputy Attorney General say no?"

Yates replies: "Senator, I believe the Attorney General or the Deputy Attorney General has an obligation to follow the law and the Constitution and to give their independent legal advice to the President."

Maybe Malthus was right after all. Or rather, at last. And only because we've managed to destroy the Earth. It can no longer sustain the humans so it is going to cull us...

Twitter does show the ignorance of some people. Twiitter user asks someone what they know about terrorism. Jim Gamble replies saying he was head of special branch in Belfast

I've just read a summarised version of the Watergate Special Prosecution Report, released in October 1975. The whole conclusion is particularly relevant but too long to quote here - all about how abuse of power starts and using executive privilege and national security as excuses for unconstitutional decisions.

This part though is especially apposite in view of all the people saying "What has it got to do with us?"

"If Watergate was an insidious climax to recent and hitherto subtle historic trends, the formulation of recommendations must begin with the simple, but basic, observation that democracies do not survive unless elected officials do what they are supposed to and citizens maintain vigilance to see that they do. The public unfolding of Watergate abuses resulted from citizens, press and official actions. Nothing can replace that kind of vigilance; and recommendations for new laws or new institutions are insignificant when compared to the stubborn, plodding, daily work of Americans and their elected representatives in watching over and channeling the power of the national Government, the power of concentrated wealth, the power of officially spoken and written words, and the power of secret bureaucracies."

Everyone needs to keep on with their stubborn, plodding daily work.

Sorry I've been lurking from the beginning - absolutely loving this thread and DH is sick and tired of hearing all of Emperor Trumpetines' latest diktats. But....just thought this might be interesting (pregnancy insomnia so was up a lot of last night getting kicked from the inside out) and I will find the link... Russian petroleum firm Rosneft has a new mysterious 19.5% shareholder - filtered through no less than 15 shell companies - now it's amazingly coincidental that Rosneft shares were proffered at 19% to the Trump dynasty in return for easing of sanctions to Russia. Usually a 5% brokerage fee is added to trade deals like this... It's doubtful that it can be tied directly to Trump but I'm assuming (and it may be a big assumption here) that there will eventually be a trail to the lovely Kushner who already has known links to Russian firms and oligarchs. Of course a conspiracy theory is a conspiracy theory but it's interesting to note, no? And under the terms of constitutional law proceeds from foreign governments can be used as grounds for impeachment. But, you know, proof.

Anyways, absolutely loving this thread and there is a whole lot of crazy out there at the moment so I need more popcorn for the next 3+ years - - not that he'll last that long anyway :)

thank you Pausing Flatly. I understand that a little better now which is cheering.

Off to do some work before the crazy people in the White House wake up again.

Ironically, the questioner is Jeff Sessions, who Trump wants as his new Attorney General

Maybe he should ask himself that question.

Sorry, that was terribly doom-laden. Please accept this picture of my cats by means of apology...

Constitution comes first. If he has broken the constitution then there is a problem.

Personally I think he'll use the police rather than the army. At least at first. In the run up to the election the largest police union supported him. They said they expected to be militarised soon into his Presidency. There is this ongoing issue with the police over race which Trump will exploit.

The big question really is what WILL the army do? Its really not obvious right now. But army have been sidelined, at least for the time being. The Joint Chiefs of Staff removed from the NSC. Trump repeatedly insulted veterans, and his action in banning people from Iraq leaves service personal at risk as the Iraqi parliament has passed an advisory motion that they should respond in kind. These troops are fighting ISIS in Mosul. What happens now with supporting them whilst they are there is an open question. It certainly endangers them. Trump also stood in front of the CIA Memorial Wall and chastised the media which is considered an act of desecration.

Trump's close aid has said its time for Trump to have his own security and intelligence. This is consistent with dictatorships which form parallel security and intelligence to the existing state one. Think Stasi.

Take Trump's thought of sending the National Guard into Chicago as a statement of intent rather than mere musings.

There will come a point where American State opens fire on the American People if things continue in the same direction that they are though.

Here's the link to the deal - - www.4-traders.com/NK-ROSNEFT-PAO-6498688/news/NK-Rosneft-Vladimir-Putin-Held-a-Meeting-with-the-Participants-of-the-Integrated-Transaction-for-23756640/

Signing in for #Trumpwatch

Mais régarde! He has found four women to go with the four men, just in case we get angry.

One of the most surprising things for me over the whole muslim ban debacle is that Trump is pissing off members of the military. I really expected he'd want to keep them on side.

Divisions between communities and police forces will be easily exploited if protestors start to turn violent.

Anyways, absolutely loving this thread and there is a whole lot of crazy out there at the moment so I need more popcorn for the next 3+ years - - not that he'll last that long anyway

I love the faith in which people have that the next election will be free and fair.

Trump has said that he will crack down on non-existent voter fraud.

Sessions is anti-voting rights, and the Republicans already have cross check and have tried to gerrymander voting districts in some areas (this has been stopped in places, but because the US legal system is politically appointed there is no guarantee that this won't happen again. Not to mention Trump has the Supreme Court Appointment at his disposal).

There are already measures in place to try and make it harder in 2018. By 2020 plans will be even more advanced.

This is where you should get very scared, because if Republicans were to secure many more seats they will be able to change the constitution. This will probably be their ultimate goal.

The idea that America will be able to get rid of him in 4 years, is something of a fallacy. He is already installing family into the white house to produce a dynasty too.

The Trump Family is there for longer than 4 years.

As soon as Sessions is appointed its game over. The appointment of the new Supreme Court judge (which the democrats are going to try and filibuster) will merely seal the deal. Sessions is being heard again today. The Supreme Court appointee is being announced later.

Trump might well have it totally sewn up with no chance of impeachment by the end of the day in Washington.

Today is perhaps the last day to stop him.

Twitter is interesting - apparently I am extreme Left and hysterical who should grow up

Delurking as I've just spent the last 30 minutes reading the thread instead of working.

This might be a very naïve question but I've been wondering. Has Trump said things that would genuinely fall foul of our hate crime legislation here in the UK? If so, what implications does it have for his visit?

I think you're right Red

Apparently Betsy DeVos (Trump campaign donator and nominee for Education Sec) is the sister of Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater.

Blackwater (now called Constellis Hokdings) - a private military company who undertook contracts in Iraq (resulting in some very shady goings on including the murder of 17 civilians in Baghdad).

They also supply security guards for the U.S. state department.

Private army in waiting .....?

getting addicted but also agitated so signing out of mumsnet for the time being.

Good luck to us all

Yep, I'm supposed to be working too. Although working at home gives me a bit of freedom.

Twitter does show the ignorance of some people. Twiitter user asks someone what they know about terrorism. Jim Gamble replies saying he was head of special branch in Belfast

What form of -splaining is that? Twatsplaining? Ignorasplaining?

Was thinking about Red's comments about not blaming the system.
I think that in a liberal democracy (or anything even approaching that), the system will always be open to abuse. But if you strengthened the system too much, you would be going against the very values you are trying to protect.
Liberalism and democracies are intrinsically fragile, which is why vigilance is so important, and why the "calm down dear, you're overacting" attitude that is so prevalent needs to be challenged.

Has Trump said things that would genuinely fall foul of our hate crime legislation here in the UK? If so, what implications does it have for his visit

British Muslims are targetted by the Prevent strategy. We teach British Values in our schools. Maybe the PM should refer herself. This man introduced British values