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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM
The right wing media certainly does its part to keep senators in line. Any dissension is immediately punished by Fox and others, so senators will think twice about going against them, because when the right wing media decides you're wrong, that's the end of your career as politician.
Hope shines brightest in the darkest timesThe problem being, of course, that Fox has lost control of its own narrative, as seen by Trump (and more than a few of his followers) lambasting them as "liberal" for doing at least some genuine journalism.
Turns out, ideological purity tests and professional ethical standards don't mix all that well. Sooner or later, one has to give.
Expergiscēre cras, medior quam hodie. (Awaken tomorrow, better than today.)![]()
The effects of that are something I keep on going back and forth on.
It's definitely true to some extent for some Senators - Martha McSally was a moderate in the House before she had to tack hard to the right to beat a primary challenge from Kelli Ward and Joe Arpaio. Lindsey Graham was once seen as a bipartisan lawmaker (worked on immigration reform with Senate Democrats! Only R to vote for Sotomayor!) before he did a complete 180, again, to avoid a primary challenge. Thom Tillis was denounced for deviating slightly from the Trump narrative - he quickly fell back in line.
But I'm a bit wary of the "they were forced to do it" exculpatory narrative (not saying this is what you're saying, just something I've seen floating around.) Look at the Senate Republicans who are retiring. Toomey, Alexander, Roberts, Enzi - all of them are retiring, either this year or in 2022. None of them will ever have to face voters again. Grassley, Shelby, Inhofe? Also probably not running for reelection. Their careers are over.
And yet they haven't become one iota more moderate or caring about the consequences of their actions. None of them have spoken out against what Trump is doing. So maybe this is just a masks-coming-off time for all of them.
Edited by nova92 on Dec 5th 2020 at 1:14:23 AM
Arizona Legislature 'cannot and will not' overturn election, Republican House speaker says – House Speaker Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, gave a forceful rebuke to Republican lawmakers who want the Legislature to give Arizona's electoral votes to Trump
No horrifying news over Orange Lex Luthor's exploits or name-calling today. Maybe he's too dumbstruck and angry to say anything nasty. SAD!
"Wow, no Mega Togekiss in Legends Z-A. Or any non-Froslass new Sinnoh Mega Evolutions. Round of applause, everybody." - Dawn
Because the Antichrist-in-Chief wants to prolong our suffering for his own amusement.
I've always wondered what Trump's favorite horror movies were by the way, considering his blatant sadism and callous disregard for human life. I suspect he might like the Saw films given that the antagonist John Kramer (AKA the Jigsaw Killer) kind of resembles him physically without the yellow wig and spray-tan (even though he couldn't be more different in terms of personal philosophy).
Edited by clemont107 on Dec 5th 2020 at 5:37:44 AM
"Wow, no Mega Togekiss in Legends Z-A. Or any non-Froslass new Sinnoh Mega Evolutions. Round of applause, everybody." - DawnYour going to be waiting as while, where we are at now is as ended as it's ever going to be.
Trump is going to insist he won until the day that he died, he is going to keep up the lawsuits and stuff even after the electoral collage meets
And it will all have the same effectiveness there is nothing he can do either now, nor then, it meeting changes nothing he is a toddler throwing a temper tantrum and always will be.
AFAIK, the only movie that I've ever heard of Trump liking is Citizen Kane; it's his favorite. Of course, he probably likes Home Alone 2, just because he's in it (groans).
It's kind of weird, I guess, that I don't know much about his media habits, besides the obvious that he loves Neo-Nazi Newsmax and Putting the One in 1984 America News. He used to love Fox News, but we all know that affair is long over.
But yeah. He doesn't care about video games, we all know he doesn't read any books besides the one that was ghost written for him (if that), and I have no idea if he listens to any music or watches any scripted TV. Is his life really this bereft?
Do not obey in advance.I'm somewhat skeptical that he has seen Citizen Kane as it's a major case of Mainstream Obscurity and he would totally lie about having seen it. On the other hand, he is a bit old and he has had time, so it is possible. Heck, even both could be true: Trump lied about it, then saw it.
Actually, if he has seen it and likes it that is kind of interesting, given the movie's themes.
Trump doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who likes horror movies, though.
Leviticus 19:34So here's something interesting: The Virginia Republican Party, realizing they will lose more of Virginia if they keep electing nuts State-wide, has changed their selection process for the State-Wide Races
: Instead of the usual Primary system, the Party heads will pick them. However, the current front-runner for the Governorship, Amanda Chase, is threatening to go Independent come '21
which would divide the Republican Vote.
I didn't realize that a Dead Party could get even more Dead, but it appears that their attempts at necromancy are backfiring.
He gave a Shout-Out to the "Bitch, be cool!" dialogue in Pulp Fiction in one of his pre-president tweets, IIRC.
Edited by speedyboris on Dec 5th 2020 at 3:11:46 AM
Among the handful of films reported to have been screened at the Trump White House are Pixar’s “Finding Dory,” the Pentagon Papers drama “The Post,” the P.T. Barnum musical “The Greatest Showman” and the comic book smash “Joker.” (Read into that list what you will.) Donald also has a huge fondness for "Death Wish", "Dirty Harry", and "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly."
But as much as I love to shit on Trump, while he doesn't love to read, he does love classic film. When he talks about Citizen Kane, Sunset Boulevard, and Gone with the wind, he's historically actually had things to say. Indeed, he actually wanted to make a film studio and was commented on having actual passion for the idea unlike virtually all other endeavors.
Mind you, among the many classics he's listed, he also listed "Air Force One" as his all time favorite so who knows.
In a 2002 interview with documentary filmmaker Errol Morris, Trump elaborated on his love for “Citizen Kane” and reflected on what could be learned from Welles’ portrait of publishing tycoon Charles Foster Kane. “ ‘Citizen Kane’ was really about accumulation,” Trump said. “At the end of the accumulation, you see what happens, and it’s not necessarily all positive.”
Edited by CharlesPhipps on Dec 5th 2020 at 3:23:07 AM
Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
I have this sinking suspicion that isn't his own opinion. That's too sophisticated! I'm freaking out!
That is true. I remember watching old videos of him. He was a lot more coherent when he was younger. Still just as slimy.
Edited by jjjj2 on Dec 5th 2020 at 6:50:34 AM
You can only write so much in your forum signature. It's not fair that I want to write a piece of writing yet it will cut me off in the midThat does indeed seem to be the case, I have read about old friends of his saying that he used to be much more eloquent.
And yes, he has seen Citizen Kane and likes it, though of course he rather misses the point of the movie, seeing Kane as something of a tragic hero.
Also, considering his age, Citizen Kane would have been much more prominently known when he was young, especially with the scandal surrounding its parody nature.
Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
Then perhaps he really has been suffering mental degradation the past decade. I can't say for certainty since I'm not a psychologist, but going from eloquent talks to what is now feels like a severe downgrade. It would take an actual psychologist to make that call though.

Besides, Senate could look a lot different then. Comparative "moderates" are getting replaced with fringe partisans. Just in the past 4 years there's been an incredible amount of turnover that's swung the Senate (even more) to the hard right. The caucus might not accept anyone better.