TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

The General US Politics Thread

Go To

Nov 2023 Mod notice:


There may be other, more specific, threads about some aspects of US politics, but this one tends to act as a hub for all sorts of related news and information, so it's usually one of the busiest OTC threads.

If you're new to OTC, it's worth reading the Introduction to On-Topic Conversations and the On-Topic Conversations debate guidelines before posting here.

Rumor-based, fear-mongering and/or inflammatory statements that damage the quality of the thread will be thumped. Off-topic posts will also be thumped. Repeat offenders may be suspended.

If time spent moderating this thread remains a distraction from moderation of the wiki itself, the thread will need to be locked. We want to avoid that, so please follow the forum rules when posting here.


In line with the general forum rules, 'gravedancing' is prohibited here. If you're celebrating someone's death or hoping that they die, your post will get thumped. This rule applies regardless of what the person you're discussing has said or done.

Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#161626: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:25:10 PM

That's the thing, yes.

It may be true that Trump would not have understood a subtler, more veiled threat, but the question is how exactly is he going to respond to said threat?

My gut feeling is that he's not going to take it well. And if they went so far as to have a nuclear weapon as intimidation, I can only imagine that maybe he's not going to settle for tariffs and taxes on their products as retaliation.

edited 11th Dec '16 8:27:21 PM by Draghinazzo

JulianLapostat Since: Feb, 2014
#161627: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:29:05 PM

Well when the Iran Hostage crisis happened, there was nothing America could do anyway, they ended up being humiliated and the kidnappers got the last laugh when they sent the hostages after Carter lost to Reagan, giving St. Ronnie a "victory".

As for the Chinese nuclear plane thing, I just think of it being as the CCP's equivalent of a raised eyebrow and smirking "Bring It" to a man who is by nature a coward.

AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#161628: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:29:50 PM

Honestly I would have expected the Chinese government to approach things in a more Putinesque way. Offer Trump a better contract in secret or something. It's obvious conflicts of interest aren't something he cares about. But it doesn't surprise me, because the Chinese government are also themselves a group of spoiled thugs and bullies.

RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#161629: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:31:18 PM

Again, Trump is as much a thug as he is a coward, if not more so. And it's not just Trump alone. It's the militaristic warhawks and nationalists he's surrounded himself with. Does anybody think that they're going to respond in a mature and diplomatic fashion to an open threat from the Chinese government?

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
PushoverMediaCritic I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out. from the Italy of America Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#161630: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:32:25 PM

I hope Mr. President-elect Donald Trump is sitting in a corner, in the fetal position, rocking back and forth, while sucking his tiny thumb and crying tears of terror at what he just incited.

Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#161631: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:33:31 PM

I don't think they're so stupid as to want to go to nuclear war with China, or at least I would hope they aren't.

There's being a warhawk and then there's being straight up suicidal and putting the whole world at risk because of a petty strongman and jingoism.

edited 11th Dec '16 8:34:57 PM by Draghinazzo

Euodiachloris Since: Oct, 2010
#161632: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:34:58 PM

[up][up]I don't think you get how narcissistic personality disorder with comorbid histrionic personality disorder works...

You want avoidant personality disorder in the next cluster over. -_-

edited 11th Dec '16 8:36:03 PM by Euodiachloris

pwiegle Cape Malleum Majorem from Nowhere Special Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
Cape Malleum Majorem
#161633: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:35:15 PM

As we've all seen before, Trump is a bully. He responds to any perceived insult, no matter how slight, with increasing levels of bluster and bombast. His ego simply won't allow him to be viewed as weak.

All bullies are cowards at heart, but they'll keep right on bullying others until somebody stands up and refuses to take any more shit from them. Trump won't back down unless somebody takes him aside and gives him a very stern dressing-down, as a fed-up parent would do to a bratty child.

So... is there anybody with access to Trump who isn't just another one of his ass-kissers?

This Space Intentionally Left Blank.
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#161634: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:35:17 PM

Again, Trump cannot retaliate in any sort of nuclear fashion. We have nothing to worry about with regards to that.

Oh really when?
Jetyl The Dev Cat from my apartment Since: Jan, 2013 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
The Dev Cat
#161635: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:36:18 PM

I'm honestly feeling like Trup's going to get himself assassinated well before these 4 years are up. pissing everybody off, completely disregarding intelligence briefings, or his security detail. mixed with a lot of people aware of what kind of person he & his kind represent, there is likely a few who are going to be willing to kill to try to do something about it. :/

I'm afraid I can't explain myself, sir. Because I am not myself, you see?
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#161636: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:37:25 PM

[up][up]Sure, but what if China retaliates in any sort of nuclear fashion? I'm not sure they'll even do it mind you, but still.

Mio Since: Jan, 2001
#161637: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:37:35 PM

I would not be surprised if we started seeing things as ridiculous as test firing of Trident missiles in the Sea of Japan or something.

I really don't want to think this is just the tip of the iceberg, but he's not even President yet. I really don't think I'll ever be able to fully forgive the Trump Electorate (not even my parents).

Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#161638: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:37:52 PM

Capsase already brought up the possibility that the CIA is already preparing a noose for his neck. Given the various ways he could yet fuck up AFTER this, I don't think he's exactly wrong about it being possible.

edited 11th Dec '16 8:38:30 PM by Draghinazzo

RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#161639: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:37:58 PM

Re: Trump being assassinated. And if that happens, then all hell will break loose as the bigots and radicals he's placed in power take over, and lynch mobs form in the streets.

edited 11th Dec '16 8:38:11 PM by RBluefish

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#161640: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:38:16 PM

God I hope that doesn't happen. I want him to lose in an utterly humiliating fashion in 2020. Being assassinated makes him a martyr.

FluffyMcChicken My Hair Provides Affordable Healthcare from where the floating lights gleam Since: Jun, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
My Hair Provides Affordable Healthcare
#161641: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:38:56 PM

Trump's uncompromising stance against the PRC is pretty much the only aspect of him that I can tolerate with the skin of my teeth. The exact reason of why the PLAN has been getting away with their island building for so long is because they're counting on the fact that the US and its allies would be unwilling to resort to equally bold measures. Back in The '90s, Bill Clinton ordered a carrier battle group to sail up the Taiwan Strait in response to China firing "warning shot" missiles into the sea.

Honestly speaking, Trump's probably going to see if he can persuade any admirals of drawing up plans for quarantining the PLAN islands a la Cuba.

TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#161642: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:39:21 PM

Even scarier prospect: Let's say that actually all happened and the President is basically tackled to the ground and the command chain is broken and no nukes are launched in the event Trump loses his goddamn mind. This is what it looks like to the other nuclear powers:

- The US nearly launched a nuke

- The US chain of command completely shits the bed during a nuclear launch

- Therefore, the US cannot say with any degree of certainty it could ever actually launch a nuclear missile

The world would learn that the US was so reckless that it came this close to launching a nuclear missile while simultaneously learning that the President's direct orders are really more of a guideline. We'd all be teetering on the brink of a potential pre-emptive strike from another nuclear state (probably whoever we were aiming at or possibly worse) and the delicate balance of understandings and threat of force behind MAD would be annihilated forever.

So, "nobody would let him" is not really a comforting option.

We have to hope his advisors literally, sit Donald down and convince him that nukes are off limits.

Maybe even tell him literally "Your businesses will suffer if you decide to want to turn the key. It's more profitable for us to not use them."

New Survey coming this weekend!
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#161643: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:40:49 PM

@161602 pwiegle: ... Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner? Ivanka sort of got Trump to go from "Global Warming isn't Real" to "No on really knows if Climate Change is Real", if reports I've read are to be believed. And Jared Kushner is basically Trump-lite and his best buddy. If anyone could tell Trump that what he's doing is reckless and pushing for a Nuclear World War 3, it'd have to be them, or no one.

edited 11th Dec '16 8:41:27 PM by DingoWalley1

ViperMagnum357 Since: Mar, 2012
#161644: Dec 11th 2016 at 8:55:55 PM

@ Trump being assassinated-I don't think it would ever happen outside of a lone wolf or "Black Hand" type of deal. If there is a serious, overt move against him, it will come above board from the NSA, since it falls in their purview. Their mandate is so broad it encompasses almost everything in the government, and while their ability to act is very narrow, within that auspice that have a truly frightening amount of authority. Seriously-read their mandate, mission statement and the oath of office. Like all of the military and intelligence agencies, their core oath is to the Constitution, with nary a mention of President or Congress.

AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#161645: Dec 11th 2016 at 9:09:32 PM

As exceptionally horrific as Trump is, the idea in principle of the CIA having politicians murdered because they disagree with them is too fucked to consider. They'd be a real life Jaime Lannister for it, and it'd be a Pyrrhic victory unless they can get some sort of near-unilateral backing which is extremely unlikely.

Although they could somehow wrangle a distant third party to get it to happen, like far rightwinger who kills Trump for not acting or being extreme enough and following up on his promises of bricking all the brown people to death right this moment because Trump was "their hero" and they felt betrayed. That would be the only way I can see his death not becoming some form of martyrhood.

edited 11th Dec '16 9:16:55 PM by AlleyOop

CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#161646: Dec 11th 2016 at 9:19:32 PM

This business with China is exactly what I was afraid of...Trump will reduce tensions with Russia, but escalate matters with China into a new cold war. That's the only way Trump can realistically expect to get the American military establishment on board with a thaw with Russia, in a sort of inversion of Nixon's appeal to China.

TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#161647: Dec 11th 2016 at 9:20:52 PM

Also, what guarantee does a new Cold War with China end when Trump is out of office?

New Survey coming this weekend!
CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#161648: Dec 11th 2016 at 9:26:21 PM

[up] There isn't one. Let's say the European Union collapses in 2017 or 2018, Russia's been relatively quiet, and tensions with China have escalated to a point where there's a renewed arms race. We could see a total reversal of the current geopolitical landscape with the European majors aligned with China against the United States and Russia. Which incidentally sounds almost exactly like the backstory of Fallout.

PushoverMediaCritic I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out. from the Italy of America Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#161649: Dec 11th 2016 at 9:27:07 PM
CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#161650: Dec 11th 2016 at 9:29:08 PM

Jesus Christ, we really are going to end up in a cold war with China, aren't we?


Total posts: 417,856
Top