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

Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#165276: Jan 4th 2017 at 9:30:49 PM

It's a little late for this sort of thing.

CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#165277: Jan 4th 2017 at 9:31:22 PM

[up][up][up] The democrats do not have agency over either of them (particularly Russia), and nothing really comes to mind in regards to what could be done differently in the future to prevent this from happening again (in regards to the FBI, it's very likely to be worse next time around given the additional political appointments the GOP will get), so yes, as far as the democrats are concerned they are irrelevant, and simply an excuse to avoid any meaningful changes to the party that will limit the capacity for the insider backscratching that keeps any newcomer without Obama-level charisma shut out of power in favor of the same Clinton-Bush era clique, among other self-destructive practices the democratic party engages in.

edited 4th Jan '17 9:36:33 PM by CaptainCapsase

RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#165278: Jan 4th 2017 at 9:36:41 PM

[up][up][up] Even if it is legit (which is highly questionable), nothing will come of it.

House Posed for Major Attack on Public Safeguards.

WASHINGTON - The Republican-controlled House has approved the Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017, the opening move in a coming massive attack on federal protections that includes the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act (REINS) and the Regulatory Accountability Act (RAA).

The following is a statement by Scott Slesinger, legislative director at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

"This first gambit by the House is a dramatic sign of what's to come: a radical effort to strip away existing public protections and shut down future rulemaking by agencies that exist to serve Americans.

"The Senate and the public should reject this move to cripple key health, environmental, safety, consumer and financial safeguards—just as the American people forced a swift retreat on ethics revisions the day Congress convened."

The Midnight Rules Act would let Congress repeal, in one single package, dozens of public safeguards put in place over the past 12 months. Despite the misleading name, it would apply to rules that have been years in the making, many of which are required by law.

The REINS Act would make it virtually impossible to put in place new public safeguards, by requiring any major rule to be approved by both houses of Congress within a limited period of time in order to take effect.

The RAA would revamp and significantly slow down the process by which rules are promulgated. It would require over 60 new steps in the regulatory process, most of which ignore the benefits of the rules, while exaggerating the costs. Some of its provisions could make it difficult for any new rule to pass judicial review.

The House has also approved the Midnight Rules Relief Act, which as I understand it is mainly just a way of being able to roll back any regulations Obama may impose during his final days as President. In other words, make sure they can still fuck him over even as he's on his way out the door.

People are being asked to do like we did with the ethics changes and blow up our representatives' phone lines about this. I believe both of these still have yet to pass the Senate - so it looks like I'm going to be bothering my Senators some more in the morning.

edited 4th Jan '17 9:36:57 PM by RBluefish

"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.
#165279: Jan 4th 2017 at 9:42:39 PM

Eh, I'm down for seeing about this 'illegal electors' business. If it's true, and follows through, we just dodged a bullet that came close enough to burn the tips of the hairs on our bodies. If not, we lose nothing. Best to plan like it won't lead to anything, either way.

RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#165280: Jan 4th 2017 at 9:43:47 PM

Oh, I'd definitely be up for investigating, and possibly making a big stink. It can't hurt at this point. I just don't think anything will come of it - but like I said before, it's a chance, and we need to grab every chance that comes along.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#165281: Jan 4th 2017 at 10:04:02 PM

I can't believe it's gotten to the point where the American people now need to do everything in their power to prevent the federal government from doing as much as possible.

And to think, the "small government" party is the one pulling all of this crap.

Disgusted, but not surprised
RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#165282: Jan 4th 2017 at 10:06:39 PM

We're basically the only line of defense remaining at this point. Most of our institutions have already betrayed us, and the ones that haven't are under assault.

Ain't no power like the power of the people. Look at what happened with the ethics changes - constituents got pissed, and the House GOP tucked tail.

Assuming the whole thing wasn't just an elaborate plan to make Trump look good...

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#165283: Jan 4th 2017 at 10:07:08 PM

[up][up]Honestly, I don't think "We, the People..." has ever been more relevant than it is now.

edited 4th Jan '17 10:07:19 PM by kkhohoho

Krieger22 Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018 from Malaysia Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: I'm in love with my car
Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018
#165284: Jan 4th 2017 at 10:23:50 PM

How on earth do you wind up with an illegitimate elector anyway?

Alternet: They source their content from many sources of varying quality, so some skepticism is warranted.

I have disagreed with her a lot, but comparing her to republicans and propagandists of dictatorships is really low. - An idiot
RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#165285: Jan 4th 2017 at 10:28:04 PM

According to the very first paragraph of the article, when the electors a) don't live in the congressional districts they supposedly represent, or b) hold elective office in states that ban dual officeholders.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#165286: Jan 4th 2017 at 10:28:46 PM

Would it technically be selfish and hypercritical of me to feel like if the Dems ever gain a legitimate Supermajority in Congress again, and the Presidency who's occupant is full on petty no fucks given mode, do everything in their power to not only reverse the shitstain that Trump's Presidency will be, but do everything in their power to make sure the GOP in its current form go the way of the Wigs?

New Survey coming this weekend!
RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#165287: Jan 4th 2017 at 10:30:19 PM

Trump's presidency will be an existential threat to both the country and the world, and the GOP in their current form are a cancer on civilized society, so I'm on board with that.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#165288: Jan 4th 2017 at 10:31:55 PM
Thumped: This post was thumped by moderation to preserve the dignity of the author.
Disgusted, but not surprised
NickTheSwing Since: Aug, 2009
#165289: Jan 4th 2017 at 10:53:57 PM

This kind of makes the whole Rise of Norman Osborn thing in Dark Reign a lot more believable than it would be otherwise.

Osborn was basically Trump as a supervillain, and had his own would be puppeteers.

GOP, Putin, meet The Cabal.

So this means if parallels hold, if the GOP or Putin try and give him orders he doesn't like, he has a downright nasty surprise waiting for them.

AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#165290: Jan 4th 2017 at 11:06:47 PM

The Whig party fell apart largely due to internal issues, Tactical, particularly regarding what to do about slavery. Anyone would be hard pressed to recreate that scenario. And I very much doubt you care if it's selfish and hypocritical, given that you have frequently talked about how you want everyone to take a harder line against Republicans and apparently those "too far left" or whatever for you (creating a problem that essentially doesn't exist to a significant degree) that anything you post about ending the party is not surprising.

In any case, people have been predicting the downfall of the Republican party for years. They're predicting the downfall of the Democratic party now. But by now both groups have such name recognition that it's unlikely that either will really cease completely; it just may take some time to get back on their feet.

Plus, even if the party stopped calling themselves Republicans, it would be essentially the same people, probably.

Lanceleoghauni Cyborg Helmsman from Z or R Twice Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: In my bunk
#165291: Jan 4th 2017 at 11:40:17 PM

what I'm majorly concerned about is that if people start regularly protesting whatever trumps horrible idea of the day/week is (which they should), what's to prevent Donald "China Had The Right Idea With Tiananmen Square" Trump from attempting to use not just the national guard, but the actual army?

"Coffee! Coffeecoffeecoffee! Coffee! Not as strong as Meth-amphetamine, but it lets you keep your teeth!"
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#165292: Jan 4th 2017 at 11:43:43 PM

Newscorp CEO Rupert Murdoch may have a significant influence in the next four years of American telecom policy. According to a new report from New York Magazine’s Gabriel Sherman, President-elect Trump has asked the conservative Australian broadcast titan to submit names of his preferred candidates for chair of the Federal Communications Commission. Current chairman Tom Wheeler plans to step down when Trump takes office, and the president-elect is expected to nominate a successor in the weeks to come.

There’s no guarantee Trump will follow Murdoch’s recommendations, but the news suggests Murdoch already wields significant influence in the incoming administration. Sherman’s source says Murdoch is also lobbying for further conditions on AT&T’s proposed acquisition of Time Warner, potentially because he sees the new conglomerate as a threat to his holdings.

The FCC advisers on Trump’s transition team have been staunch critics of Wheeler’s work as FCC chair, which included historic new protections for net neutrality. Trump’s incoming chair will likely seek to reverse those protections, although it’s still unclear how difficult that process will be.

http://www.theverge.com/2017/1/4/14167832/donald-trump-rupert-murdoch-fcc-chair-net-neutrality

Welp. Internet is fucked.

New Survey coming this weekend!
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#165293: Jan 4th 2017 at 11:44:17 PM

[up][up] If that happens...screw it, America's done.

[up] The only way things could be worse is if Trump flip-flops again and signs TPP. Or the administration pushes for SOPA again.

edited 4th Jan '17 11:45:37 PM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#165294: Jan 4th 2017 at 11:55:41 PM

So I apologize for my ignorance on this matter, but what would the visible effects of the loss of net neutrality be?

For example, would TV Tropes be in trouble?

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#165295: Jan 4th 2017 at 11:59:37 PM

[up] If someone at Verizon or Comcast doesn't like a certain Trope page or edit, I guess that would mean bad things for Tropers.

Net neutrality basically means IS Ps aren't regulated. Which effectively means that they will be the ones regulating the Internet.

If you thought the Internet was too corporatist before...

In all seriousness, I doubt TV Tropes will be affected too badly — it's small potatoes.

Put it this way — do you hate what gentrification does to communities? Then you'll hate what the end of net neutrality will do to the Internet.

edited 5th Jan '17 12:03:59 AM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#165296: Jan 5th 2017 at 12:04:30 AM

I believe that it is unconstitutional to use the army as police.

If Trump tries that, well... we may finally get a revolution out of all of this political garbage after all

Do not obey in advance.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#165297: Jan 5th 2017 at 12:06:52 AM

[up] If things get really bad, Trump's gonna have to spend a lot of money cleaning off the refuse and graffiti on Trump Tower.

Disgusted, but not surprised
RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#165298: Jan 5th 2017 at 12:08:22 AM

[up][up][up] Well, there is still this: net neutrality isn't going down without a fight. Let's see if we can get a repeat of the ethics bill.

Even if it does die, that's obviously a disaster for any number of reasons - particularly how easily it can then be turned into government censorship of free speech - but at least all those Trump-loving trolls will suddenly find themselves unable to access their beloved anime porn. I have a feeling we'd be seeing a lot more #Trumpgrets all of a sudden.

[up][up] The Constitution is just a piece of paper unless it's enforced. It's obvious at this point that Trump is planning to wipe his ass on the Constitution from day one. I don't think we're at all safe from the possibility of Trump using armed goons to crack down on peaceful protest - I mean, that happens now.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#165299: Jan 5th 2017 at 12:10:24 AM

[up] If net neutrality is gone, the sites that archive Trumpgrets (and any other site remotely critical of our Dear Leader) are gone the moment Trump notices.

edited 5th Jan '17 12:11:13 AM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
Lanceleoghauni Cyborg Helmsman from Z or R Twice Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: In my bunk
#165300: Jan 5th 2017 at 12:12:05 AM

plus the whole "slow blurring of the line between civilian police and military kit". It will never cease to darkly amuse me that the use of Tear Gas against soldiers is a war crime, but against unarmed civilians it's totes cool with the international community.

edited 5th Jan '17 12:12:13 AM by Lanceleoghauni

"Coffee! Coffeecoffeecoffee! Coffee! Not as strong as Meth-amphetamine, but it lets you keep your teeth!"

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