as we just saw in korea, instituting martial law can be very tricky because you need to coordinate with lots of other actors, including the military, who may or may not be on board.
I'm not saying he definitely won't try. I'm just saying if he does the outcome is very hard to predict, and won't necessarily be a victory for him (or result in ending elections.)
Decades ago South Korea was run by dictator Park. I think South Koreans remember that and are united in wanting none of it again.
My point is people in the US do not have that shared memory. Additionally, Trump is a professional at splitting.
Also known as divide and conquer, splitting is normal in toddlerhood, when we attempt to make one person good and another person bad and enlist others to agree with us, all to avoid hearing others tell us no.
Fortunately overt memory begins after that so none of us consciously recall splitting.
But splitting Continues to work unconsciously in families, on boards, councils, militaries and especially in politics where telling the truth is hardly valued.
Trump doesn't really know how the government works, and is pretty bad at accomplishing his goals. military takeovers are difficult and dicey, and would lead to significant pushback from a broad range of groups, including many republicans.
again, not saying it can't happen. just, it would be very tricky, and trump's not very talented at getting stuff like this done. he just lost a fight to circumvent the senate on recess appointments—a much easier lift than actual martial law.
I have recently had my own big picture epiphany along these lines. I'm still angry at the election results and hope there is a fight going on behind the scenes to explain the math that doesn't math, but I'm living with what I see on the public facing existence we are living.
Rs haven't stood up to trump in a decade, and the ones that tried got shouted down and shunned. That leaves us in the very precarious position that many are discussing. We need to do what we can to slow the roll of fascism taking hold, but Rs own this timeframe. They control everything with small majorities. They are in the spotlight with each and every decision. If the first decision they make is to enact mass deportations and cut healthcare subsidies, that is quite the opening bid for a circus of clowns. I hate how many people will be hurt in the process and how many are being hurt now.
The only thing I know for sure is that the future is filled with chaos, lots and lots of chaos, and the one insulation I am taking comfort in is that I cannot fathom what will be implemented because the pool is too large to draw from. The best thing I can do is take care of my physical and mental life in order to be prepared for an onslaught of absolutely unbelievable things I couldn't plan for.
Republicans do stand up to trump on occasion. In the Senate, Republicans just defied Trump by picking a majority leader he doesn't like; they nixed the idea of recess appointments; they also torpedoed the Gaetz appointment and looks like they're on their way to blocking the Hegswith one...
they won't defy him on a lot of things, but he's kind of already lost a lot of battles with the gop and he isn't even in office yet.
I’m glad to hear someone finally saying the smart part out loud. We have mere weeks left to prepare for what we know is coming. Biden the gentleman treats the office of the president with dignity, but Trump is a sociopath who actually likes to hurt people and is broadcasting his intention to do exactly that. No guardrails this time, except their incompetence.
So many people still seem to think that if we break a norm to protect the vulnerable, that will “give them the excuse” to do worse. Hey, “centrist” guy in my work chat — they don’t need an excuse!! They were always going to do it anyway.
I swear, both-sidesing is like smoking or something, folks can’t stop doing it even as it’s killing us.
Thank you for stating what needs to be done! I am hopeful the Biden will pardon Peltier and the federal inmates on death row at a minimum. It is a big motivation that Trump is a blood-thirsty fascist who wants to torment and kill people.
This piece makes excellent and comprehensive points, conclusions and recommendations.
The only thing still nagging at me is imagining Trump using martial law to cancel future elections.
Any help with that would be appreciated.
as we just saw in korea, instituting martial law can be very tricky because you need to coordinate with lots of other actors, including the military, who may or may not be on board.
I'm not saying he definitely won't try. I'm just saying if he does the outcome is very hard to predict, and won't necessarily be a victory for him (or result in ending elections.)
Fair enough.
Decades ago South Korea was run by dictator Park. I think South Koreans remember that and are united in wanting none of it again.
My point is people in the US do not have that shared memory. Additionally, Trump is a professional at splitting.
Also known as divide and conquer, splitting is normal in toddlerhood, when we attempt to make one person good and another person bad and enlist others to agree with us, all to avoid hearing others tell us no.
Fortunately overt memory begins after that so none of us consciously recall splitting.
But splitting Continues to work unconsciously in families, on boards, councils, militaries and especially in politics where telling the truth is hardly valued.
Sorry to be a Yes-but.
It’s just my anxiety ruminating.
Trump doesn't really know how the government works, and is pretty bad at accomplishing his goals. military takeovers are difficult and dicey, and would lead to significant pushback from a broad range of groups, including many republicans.
again, not saying it can't happen. just, it would be very tricky, and trump's not very talented at getting stuff like this done. he just lost a fight to circumvent the senate on recess appointments—a much easier lift than actual martial law.
I have recently had my own big picture epiphany along these lines. I'm still angry at the election results and hope there is a fight going on behind the scenes to explain the math that doesn't math, but I'm living with what I see on the public facing existence we are living.
Rs haven't stood up to trump in a decade, and the ones that tried got shouted down and shunned. That leaves us in the very precarious position that many are discussing. We need to do what we can to slow the roll of fascism taking hold, but Rs own this timeframe. They control everything with small majorities. They are in the spotlight with each and every decision. If the first decision they make is to enact mass deportations and cut healthcare subsidies, that is quite the opening bid for a circus of clowns. I hate how many people will be hurt in the process and how many are being hurt now.
The only thing I know for sure is that the future is filled with chaos, lots and lots of chaos, and the one insulation I am taking comfort in is that I cannot fathom what will be implemented because the pool is too large to draw from. The best thing I can do is take care of my physical and mental life in order to be prepared for an onslaught of absolutely unbelievable things I couldn't plan for.
Republicans do stand up to trump on occasion. In the Senate, Republicans just defied Trump by picking a majority leader he doesn't like; they nixed the idea of recess appointments; they also torpedoed the Gaetz appointment and looks like they're on their way to blocking the Hegswith one...
they won't defy him on a lot of things, but he's kind of already lost a lot of battles with the gop and he isn't even in office yet.
And those are absolutely in the pile of things I am happy about! I see all those from the self-preservation packet.
Sounds like now he needs to pre-pardon the Jan 6 committee and witnesses, oof.
I’m glad to hear someone finally saying the smart part out loud. We have mere weeks left to prepare for what we know is coming. Biden the gentleman treats the office of the president with dignity, but Trump is a sociopath who actually likes to hurt people and is broadcasting his intention to do exactly that. No guardrails this time, except their incompetence.
So many people still seem to think that if we break a norm to protect the vulnerable, that will “give them the excuse” to do worse. Hey, “centrist” guy in my work chat — they don’t need an excuse!! They were always going to do it anyway.
I swear, both-sidesing is like smoking or something, folks can’t stop doing it even as it’s killing us.
Thank you for stating what needs to be done! I am hopeful the Biden will pardon Peltier and the federal inmates on death row at a minimum. It is a big motivation that Trump is a blood-thirsty fascist who wants to torment and kill people.
Oh, Thank the Gods!
I was getting really fed up with Liberal mollycoddling of traitors like Donald Trump....