Fox says MN is a no go zone. Trump agrees. So it must be true.Trump thread continued.

[amispartacus]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2858149-Ami-Making-Mumsnet-great-again-Trump-cont

Continued.

Those town hall meetings are wild right now! This senator is getting questioned by a 7 year old boy...

mobile.twitter.com/abcpolitics/status/834569444517040128

Once the main round of elections is over the EU can emerge stronger or weaker. We'll see.

Yes! This is why I am so worried about France and Germany. They both have far right groups in the running and if recent history has taught us anything it is surely that we can't just assume they don't have a chance because it had all worked out in the past. If Germany and France, or even just one of them, go to a far right party this will completely change the landscape of Europe. If they stay moderate then there is the hope Europe can sideline Trump to a certain extent. Of course, jumping into bed with China and Russia is hardly an enticing prospect either.

Of course, for the UK we are pretty screwed whatever happens. We have unhitched ourselves from Europe only to discover the promised land is overrun by scorpions.

I know, another non-trump story but still. May manages the amazing trick of being an arse about immigrants and kicking the NHS in one move.

New Immigration Rules To Deport Nurses ‘Completely Illogical’ Says Top Nurses’ Union And Will Cost NHS Millions
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/06/22/migrant-nurses-deported_n_7633978.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

Well worth watching this interview of the Kellyanne of Senators on CNN.

He claims Obama was lenient on illegal immigration. Journalist says Obama deported more than W. Long silence... "Say what?" She repeats. Another long silence. "I don't have the numbers" "I'm telling you the numbers." "Well, I feel..."
That's alright then.

Later on: you can ask around the world. No, arsehole, the rest of the world will tell you the US was already one of the most difficult countries to get in!

Sorry, Congressman. I don't want to speak fake news. :)

merrymouse

Those streets should still be looked on for warning as they lead to King Street.

DumdeDum (great name) - you made my point for me. The president and his office desperately wanted to make the change buy because the houses opposed it, nothing was able to happen. The president is touted as the most powerful man on earth but in reality if he is facing opposition in any of the lower houses, he really can't progress his agenda.

Things are different now unfortunately which is why the 2018 midterms are so important for the Democrats. You would hope that moderate Republicans are not going to agree to some of his more hardline stances but to be honest, only DeVos has created enough disharmony to see significant Republican revolt. And even then, not enough to change the outcome.

It's going to be a long two years and if the Democrats don't sort themselves out - and even worse four

So, when we talk about checks and balances on the POTUS, we only mean they are effective if there is a sufficiently powerful opposition in the House of Representatives? And if there isn't, the POTUS can go on his merry way and potentially install himself for as many terms as he fancies, and make the Presidency hereditary if he so wishes? Or would that be just a step too far for the Republicans, and not possible (am looking at Erdogan as a most recent example of a democratically elected President in action here)?
As you may be able to tell, I am depressed.

There's still the Judiciary to provide checks and balances too Dum and as they are life-termers they are (theoretically) less influenced by partisan politics and more likely to adhere to legal standards and the Constitution.

Pretty much on normal stuff.

However, more difficult for Constitutional changes, which require larger majorities. Two thirds in both houses of Congress or in special Assembly, and then it should be ratified by 3/4 of states

Meanwhile, if it goes horribly wrong, maybe we should start planning a Galactica style venture for one of these seven planets. Maybe we'll find the founders of scientology there.

All democracies rely on a strong opposition as the first check of a potential dictator. If that fails you have the judiciary. If that is dismantled than you have the people. It is impossible to create a system that is 100% self checking leaving us all able to sit back and relax. We are responsible for holding our leaders to account and stopping them going off the rails. That is the very foundation of a democracy in fact.

Oh, or a referendum. But we all know how tricky those are.

The number of terms for the President is defined in the 22nd Amendment.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

The clamp down on protests looks like it's starting

"Claiming people are being paid to riot, Republican state senators voted Wednesday to give police new power to arrest anyone who is involved in a peaceful demonstration that may turn bad — even before anything actually happened."

Arizona Senate votes to seize assets of those who plan, participate in protests that turn violent
azcapitoltimes.com/news/2017/02/22/arizona-senate-crackdown-on-protests/

Thank you all for all this information and explanations. I was somewhat thrown by the "so-called judge" thing and the EO on the so-called Muslim ban. My confidence in my understanding of the way things work has been shattered. Also, what is truth? Seems to be a bit Cartesian at the moment: "I think it, therefore it is."
More

If people can be arrested for attending protests then democracy is pretty much over, imo.

Arizona Senate votes to seize assets of those who plan, participate in protests that turn violent

Well, truth a is a funny thing. There is difference in my view between truth a fact. I tend to say there is a single fact but different people will have their own idea of truth. But that is because my academic background is popular culture, so I am possibly looking at specific definitions. So I would say the rate of immigration to a country is a fact. However, some people will say that is a bad thing and others will say it is a good thing. Both those things can be said to be true. A fact is a measurable and demonstrable thing though and is was it is.

I prefer to speak of things being factually correct or incorrect rather than true or not true as there has been a worrying confusion recently between truth and fact. With facts getting talked about as if they are malleable truths and personal truths being treated as concrete facts.

Sorry, I realise that post might sound a bit mad.

I do wonder if other states will start following Arizona's lead if there isn't serious challenge made quickly

The thing about protests is shocking. The next thing will be a Ministry of Truth and arresting people for thoughtcrime.

Bigly, that made perfect sense. And has helped me clarify my woollier thoughts along the same line.

bigly

It makes perfect sense to me too

I have always said that there are at least three truths, my truth, your truth and the truth

Completely understand, and agree, Bigly.

Is Arizona known for this sort of stupidity?

However, some people will say that is a bad thing and others will say it is a good thing. Both those things can be said to be true.

I'd say those were opinions, not truth or lies.

However, regarding immigration for example, some people will highlight things like changing cultures, or pressure on services, and conclude it's a bad thing. Others will highlight that immigrants can bring skills and fulfill empty jobs, and conclude it's a good thing.
Both sides give different weights to facts to conclude different things. Immigration being good or bad may be true individually for each of those people, depending on their experience, I suppose.
Governments have to work on what is best overall for their countries, though.