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

kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#162701: Dec 16th 2016 at 7:00:27 AM

[up]Probably. But given recent events, I don't think it's unreasonable to think there could be more to this one either.

ThriceCharming Since: Nov, 2013
#162702: Dec 16th 2016 at 7:23:45 AM

To be clear, the press conference is today, right?

Jesus, I can't believe this, all of this, is happening in real life.

Deadbeatloser22 from Disappeared by Space Magic (Great Old One) Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
Medinoc from France (Before Recorded History)
#162705: Dec 16th 2016 at 7:45:07 AM

[up][up]And less accountability, since they want to get rid of cameras.

"And as long as a sack of shit is not a good thing to be, chivalry will never die."
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#162706: Dec 16th 2016 at 8:45:21 AM

I'm still waiting for 2016's last "Fuck you" to us.

....Fifteen more days....

New Survey coming this weekend!
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#162707: Dec 16th 2016 at 8:46:06 AM

Not sure if you want to have such a last "fuck you"...

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#162708: Dec 16th 2016 at 8:47:44 AM

2017 is going to be worse. So much worse. sad

Disgusted, but not surprised
RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#162709: Dec 16th 2016 at 8:54:54 AM

We're going to have a last 'fuck you' just chronologically. The only question is how bad it is.

Let's not get our hopes up for this press conference.

It's been fun.
Ogodei Fuck you, Fascist sympathizers from The front lines Since: Jan, 2011
Fuck you, Fascist sympathizers
#162710: Dec 16th 2016 at 9:30:27 AM

2017 is when the bad decisions of 2016 meet the reality of public opposition. That's when we'll show the fascists that they're chaff that will be culled by the reaper scythes of history, soon to be mowed down by those they would dare to oppress.

pwiegle Cape Malleum Majorem from Nowhere Special Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
Cape Malleum Majorem
#162711: Dec 16th 2016 at 9:34:36 AM

[up]... which is a more erudite way of saying: "Your ass is grass, and I'm a lawnmower!"

This Space Intentionally Left Blank.
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#162712: Dec 16th 2016 at 9:37:29 AM

[up][up]

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
blkwhtrbbt The Dragon of the Eastern Sea from Doesn't take orders from Vladimir Putin Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me
The Dragon of the Eastern Sea
#162713: Dec 16th 2016 at 9:37:53 AM

Except the fascists practically own the news media. We'll have nothing to reap them with. They'll just misinform and misdirect, and silence the truth as dictators everywhere have. Tyrants don't listen to their people. Tyrants have to be taken down the hard way. We better hope Trump isn't a tryant, or ruled by one.

Say to the others who did not follow through You're still our brothers, and we will fight for you
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#162714: Dec 16th 2016 at 9:38:41 AM

Eh, I suspect that the mainstream media will turn on Trump once he's in office and the effects are being felt by the general public.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#162715: Dec 16th 2016 at 9:39:01 AM

The fascists don't own the news media. Also, even if you are blaming someone else for your problems, you are still expected to fix them.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#162716: Dec 16th 2016 at 9:40:45 AM

[up][up][up] In the US? Not really. Other then 1 or 2 Government run Channels, all News Organizations in the United States are still Independent (and Ratings Focused; whether that's good or not, that's not the debate). Most 'News' Organizations that are Pro-Trump do so out of their Free-Will to do so. Most News Organizations, though, when they see Trump's administration fail, will jump on it and run with it.

edited 16th Dec '16 9:40:56 AM by DingoWalley1

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#162717: Dec 16th 2016 at 9:44:06 AM

And look at Trump's disapproval numbers, there is definitely a market for anti-Trump news.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
blkwhtrbbt The Dragon of the Eastern Sea from Doesn't take orders from Vladimir Putin Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me
The Dragon of the Eastern Sea
#162718: Dec 16th 2016 at 9:51:12 AM

The problem is nobody pays it any attention, because it's constantly at red alert.

Surrounded by wolves, crying wolf.

I don't mean that Trump himself legally controls the media, I mean that most media comes from corporations, or are funded by them, and a goodly number of them are Presi-Don'T's stooges anyway.

edited 16th Dec '16 9:52:20 AM by blkwhtrbbt

Say to the others who did not follow through You're still our brothers, and we will fight for you
unknowing from somewhere.. Since: Mar, 2014
#162719: Dec 16th 2016 at 9:53:18 AM

Also we have to remenber the most important thing here: Trump is really shitty as Tyrant, that would be is undoing

"My Name is Bolt, Bolt Crank and I dont care if you believe or not"
Elle Since: Jan, 2001
#162720: Dec 16th 2016 at 9:54:06 AM

I'm trying to think of what actual realistic actions Obama might call for

  • Calling for the Electoral College to receive security briefings
  • Postponing the EC vote
  • Announcing retaliation on/severing diplomatic ties with Russia.

Incidentaly, if some legal cause should be found to deny Trump the Presidency, here's the 20th Amendment, emphasis mine:

If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.

If Trump isn't overthrown in an EC revolt and can't prove that he isn't in violation of the Enoulments clause (he can't receive foreign income), the 20th amendment could be invoked to make Pence acting President.

One thing is for sure though: Obama's term ends on the 20th no mater what. That's constitutionally mandated and there's no way to overturn it peacefully on short notice.

edited 16th Dec '16 9:54:28 AM by Elle

blkwhtrbbt The Dragon of the Eastern Sea from Doesn't take orders from Vladimir Putin Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me
The Dragon of the Eastern Sea
#162721: Dec 16th 2016 at 9:57:12 AM

Who acts as President if one President's term ends, but the next one fails to take office, due to say, being jailed or something? Vice President? I always assumed that Vice President could only inherit the seat, not take it before the president-elect ever had it

edited 16th Dec '16 9:57:47 AM by blkwhtrbbt

Say to the others who did not follow through You're still our brothers, and we will fight for you
FergardStratoavis A Fluff Ringer from Bellveins (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: A gay little love melody
A Fluff Ringer
#162722: Dec 16th 2016 at 9:59:02 AM

[up][up] ...so just postponing the EC vote until it's Trump's turn to preside, where Pence just quietly takes the seat instead?

Announcing retaliation on/severing diplomatic ties with Russia.

This... doesn't seem like it would be safe.

edited 16th Dec '16 9:59:56 AM by FergardStratoavis

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#162723: Dec 16th 2016 at 10:00:41 AM

[up] Actually, it would be Joe Biden who takes over, then the EC votes, then Trump (or whoever wins the EC) gets the Seat.

Mio Since: Jan, 2001
#162724: Dec 16th 2016 at 10:00:58 AM

[up][up][up]The Vice-President-elect presumably.

I think we will know just how much the US people are willing to tolerate (and there for how successful Trump and the Republicans will be as tyrants) when it comes time for the Republicans to try to cut Social Security and Medicare. If they manage to pass that with major public opposition, then the shy may very well be the limit.

edited 16th Dec '16 10:01:07 AM by Mio

Elle Since: Jan, 2001
#162725: Dec 16th 2016 at 10:03:51 AM

VP takes over in any case where the President is incapacitated in a way to prevent the execution of his duties. It would be the same as if the President was going under anesthesia for surgery, for example (an example that has happened a few times in my lifetime).

[up][up]No, Biden is out on the 20th with Obama. He can't be in the chain of succession.

edited 16th Dec '16 10:05:39 AM by Elle


Total posts: 417,856
Top