The Fourth Reich?

[Radiorum]

2 minutes ago, User said:

This is exactly why your arguments here are dishonest. You don't care. You support this madness. 

No, I am being honest with you. What Trump is doing is a show of spectacle and power to keep his followers enthralled while he rapes the country.

[CdnFox]

1 hour ago, Radiorum said:

You gotta be kidding. that's the only explanation I can find for your blindness to what is going on. Or maybe I just gave you more credit than you deserved.

Hi yes, you're usual admission of defeat when you can't make a reasoned argument

But hey, keep going the way you've been going. I'm sure the republicans will love getting another 12 years in office

[robosmith]

On 3/19/2025 at 7:31 AM, Radiorum said:

Well, if Trump said it, it must be true. /s

 

So, you accept him breaking the law? You accept him ignoring a judge's order? You gladly give him dictatorial powers?

These deportees were not given due process. You can be sure some of them were not gang members at all.

DELUGINAL has advocated defying the Constitution MANY TIMES HERE. 🤮

[User]

1 hour ago, Radiorum said:

No, I am being honest with you. What Trump is doing is a show of spectacle and power to keep his followers enthralled while he rapes the country.

You keep talking about what Trump is doing instead of responding to what I am saying. 

The people raping right now are those illegal immigrants you are defending. 

 

[CdnFox]

4 hours ago, robosmith said:

DELUGINAL has advocated defying the Constitution MANY TIMES HERE. 🤮

So have you. You were staunchly behind illegally leaving someone's name off of a Ballot and soiling both the constitution and democracy. That's something you advocated 100%

But when other people do it you think it's bad   If you didn't have two faces you'd have no faces

Edited March 21 by CdnFox

[Aristides]

Quote

I teach both American and international government. For years, I've been going over "case study" states, from mostly democratic (UK) to democratizing-but-corrupt (Mexico, Nigeria) to illiberal-authoritarian (Russia) to theocratic (Iran) to traditional authoritarian (China).

When it comes to the difference between democracy and authoritarianism, one thing Americans need to understand is that there's never one single moment where you become an authoritarian state; no leader will stand up and announce, "I am now a dictator."

Putin is the classic case study for gradual, effective subversion of democracy. Russia had been democratizing for about a decade when he took over in 2000, and now -even though Russia ostensibly still has the appearance of democracy: elections, separation of powers, federalism, and a constitution- none of that matters: Putin is in absolute control. And Putin is, coincidentally (?), the authoritarian most vocally admired by Donald Trump.

But how screwed are we? Well, as any first-year political science student can assert, there are ways -very simple, clear-cut, definitive ways- to tell when your democracy is in danger. Let's go over them, shall we?

1. You know you're drifting towards authoritarianism when...Your Legislative Branch cedes power to your President.

Montesquieu (and later Madison) envisioned the Legislative Branch as the primary work horse of government: It was made -in part- to check the President's excesses. It has far more powers than the President, it's more representative of the people than the President, and it was specifically given the abilities to restrain, overrule, or remove the President. In all of U.S. history, the legislature was never intended to be subservient to executive power. When a President's rule sidesteps legislative functions, and the Congress allows it, the balance of power is subverted.

For the record, Putin's rise initially faced resistance from his own legislative Duma -serving their constitutional function- until he cowed them, forcing out resistors and intimidating dissent, eventually rewriting the rules as to how they were elected to install loyalists exclusively.

Ask yourself: Has the U.S. Congress been ceding power to President Trump, diminishing in importance as the president's role grows?

2. You know you're drifting towards authoritarianism when...Corporatism becomes normalized. Corporatism is a political system whereby for-profit business groups (i.e. mass media and energy) become the most impactful partners in the government's policymaking process.

Authoritarians need industry leaders (and more importantly, their money) in order to spread their influence. Consequently, deals are made and favors traded (tax cuts in exchange for favorable reporting, for instance) that further enhance the power of the oligarchs and President over that of the people.

For the record, Putin allowed profiteering for oligarchs who would help him (the Rotenburgs: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55872249 and Yuri Kovalchuk: https://www.forbes.com/profile/yuri-kovalchuk/...

) and persecuted or jailed those who opposed him (Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky).

Ask yourself: Has President Trump empowered corporations who aided him and diminished those who opposed him in order to gain more power?

3. You know you're drifting towards authoritarianism when...You begin to wonder if your President will obey the Constitution.

Rule of law is considered one of the four pillars of democracy, and the U.S. -despite its foibles- has a strong tradition of adherence to this concept. For many countries, the Constitution is just a piece of paper, altered on the fly when it suits the regime (example: every Chinese president before Xi Xinping had term limits; now -with a wave of the pen- he does not). If obeying the U.S. Constitution becomes a question rather than an expectation, that is not in the American tradition of democracy.

For the record, Putin regularly violates the civil liberties present within the Russian constitution: restricting protests, intimidating (or outright murdering journalists), and jailing political opponents.

Ask yourself: Have President Trump's actions ever threatened constitutional norms or the rule of law in pursuit of personal gain?

4. You know you're drifting towards authoritarianism when...Your President creates enemies for you to turn on, both internally and externally.

This is pretty much textbook fascism, frankly, but I'm shocked at how easily it's getting overlooked. Look, one cannot be a hero without a villain, and who is more easily vanquished than the vulnerable? If you can turn your citizenry onto a witch hunt against its own people, then that is a useful tool for power grabs in the name of "security." And if you can turn them against a foreign adversary, then that's even better: nothing promotes nationalism like warfare...especially easily won warfare.

For the record, in addition to turning the Russian population against their own state of Chechnya, Putin has demonized the LGBT population, recently making even symbolic support of them criminal ( https://www.hrw.org/.../russia-first-convictions-under... ). And of course, there was always the expectation of an easy win against Ukraine, especially after the world just let them seize Crimea in 2014.

Ask yourself: Has President Trump encouraged us to turn on any of our fellow Americans...or created any new foreign enemies out of historic allies?

5. You know you're drifting towards authoritarianism when...Your President elevates loyalty to himself personally over that of the country as the most desirable characteristic of government agents and military personnel.

Consider: Though most cabinet members are rotated out when a new president enters, the vast majority of bureaucrats and soldiers (everyone from staff sergeants to park rangers) stay in place, keeping the machinery of government running, as their oath is to the Constitution, not a specific human being. Authoritarians see that as insufficient, replacing elements of the bureaucracy -especially military and law enforcement- who will criticize implementation -or refuse illegal execution- of presidential will.

For the record, one of Putin's first actions when becoming President was to put the FSB (their version of the FBI) under the direct control of the President (himself). Prior to that, there had been the detachment between law enforcement and political power expected and traditional to western democracies. From May 17, 2000 onward, they became a tool of his will, incrementally expanded in power and wielded against his enemies ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Security_Service ).

Ask yourself: Has President Trump appointed government agents -especially military and law enforcement agents- that have vocalized loyalty to him personally, as well as advocated for vengeance against his political enemies?

Sigh. I'm tired, but I could go on and on. There's a phrase that's been paraded lately: "Democracy dies in darkness." In my experience, that's not necessarily what's happening here. Despite the backslide in democratic qualities we're experiencing lately, the one we have in spades is transparency: Thanks to a vibrant media empire -as well as Trump's narcissistic self-promotion- we are constantly aware of the moves he is making to subvert the norms of our regime.

That said, as democracy dies in America, it won't be in darkness. It will be within our sight and with our permission.’

 

[BeaverFever]

French scientist denied US entry after phone messages critical of Trump found

A French scientist was denied entry to the US this month after immigration officers at an airport searched his phone and found messages in which he had expressed criticism of the Trump administration, said a French minister.

“I learned with concern that a French researcher who was traveling to a conference near Houston was denied entry to the United States before being expelled,” Philippe Baptiste, France’s minister of higher education and research, said in a statement on Monday to Agence France-Presse published by Le Monde.

 

“This measure was apparently taken by the American authorities because the researcher’s phone contained exchanges with colleagues and friends in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration’s research policy,” the minister added.

…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/trump-musk-french-scientist-detained

 

 

[robosmith]

2 hours ago, Aristides said:

 

But Trump did stand up and announce he would be a dictator on day one, and the MAGA CULT either didn't care or thought he was joking, and voted for him anyway.

FOOLS!

Very few give up ANY power once they achieve dictatorship power.

Of course, Vance's mentor Yarvin states outright that America needs to get over it's dictator PHOBIA. 🤮

[robosmith]

27 minutes ago, BeaverFever said:

French scientist denied US entry after phone messages critical of Trump found

 

 

A French scientist was denied entry to the US this month after immigration officers at an airport searched his phone and found messages in which he had expressed criticism of the Trump administration, said a French minister.

“I learned with concern that a French researcher who was traveling to a conference near Houston was denied entry to the United States before being expelled,” Philippe Baptiste, France’s minister of higher education and research, said in a statement on Monday to Agence France-Presse published by Le Monde.

 

“This measure was apparently taken by the American authorities because the researcher’s phone contained exchanges with colleagues and friends in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration’s research policy,” the minister added.

…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/trump-musk-french-scientist-detained

^Typical weak authoritarian paranoia can't stand any possibility of criticism for fear others will see the evil truth.

All part of the consolidation of absolute power. 🤮

[BeaverFever]

8 hours ago, robosmith said:

^Typical weak authoritarian paranoia can't stand any possibility of criticism for fear others will see the evil truth.

All part of the consolidation of absolute power. 🤮

Just proving once again that MAGA is not about ending “canceling culture” or “free speech”

Edited March 21 by BeaverFever

[BeaverFever]

And then there’s this one:  Years ago Mel Gibson lost his right to own a gun due to domestic violence conviction   There is an impartial non-partsan process for citizens to apply to have gun ownership rights reinstated. MAGA appointees in DOJ fired an official for declining Gibson’s request

DoJ official says she was fired after refusing to restore Mel Gibson’s gun rights
 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/11/doj-official-fired-mel-gibson-gun

 

So the people who claim to be crusaders against inappropriate political interference to the extent that Trudeau’s staff are supposedly not allowed to talk to his AG’s staff have no problem when Trump’s people fire bureaucrats for not giving special treatment to their friends  

 

[Deluge]

9 hours ago, BeaverFever said:

French scientist denied US entry after phone messages critical of Trump found

 

 

A French scientist was denied entry to the US this month after immigration officers at an airport searched his phone and found messages in which he had expressed criticism of the Trump administration, said a French minister.

“I learned with concern that a French researcher who was traveling to a conference near Houston was denied entry to the United States before being expelled,” Philippe Baptiste, France’s minister of higher education and research, said in a statement on Monday to Agence France-Presse published by Le Monde.

 

“This measure was apparently taken by the American authorities because the researcher’s phone contained exchanges with colleagues and friends in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration’s research policy,” the minister added.

…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/trump-musk-french-scientist-detained

 

 

Will somebody please get that french a$$hole past security? We need MORE America hating psychopaths here in the US. 

-- The Left

[User]

9 hours ago, BeaverFever said:

 

French scientist denied US entry after phone messages critical of Trump found

 

Stick to Canadian politics. 

You need to do more research before posting the first negative headline you can find.

This scientist was expelled because they had taken sensitive information on their phone.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/world/europe/us-france-scientist-entry-trump.html

 

U.S. Says Decision to Turn Back French Scientist Had Nothing to Do With Trump

The Department of Homeland Security said the academic was denied entry because he had “confidential” data from an American lab, not because of his views on the president’s policies.

[Deluge]

16 hours ago, Radiorum said:

No, I am being honest with you. What Trump is doing is a show of spectacle and power to keep his followers enthralled while he rapes the country.

How will he rape the country? Give some examples with evidence. 

[User]

9 hours ago, robosmith said:

^Typical weak authoritarian paranoia can't stand any possibility of criticism for fear others will see the evil truth.

All part of the consolidation of absolute power. 🤮

Speaking of someone who can't stand... oh, hey, that is you!
 

 

[Nationalist]

10 hours ago, robosmith said:

But Trump did stand up and announce he would be a dictator on day one, and the MAGA CULT either didn't care or thought he was joking, and voted for him anyway.

FOOLS!

Very few give up ANY power once they achieve dictatorship power.

Of course, Vance's mentor Yarvin states outright that America needs to get over it's dictator PHOBIA. 🤮

Lol...what a wet nappy.

[robosmith]

45 minutes ago, Nationalist said:

Lol...what a wet nappy.

What a ^BANKRUPT response, as USUAL. 🤮

[Radiorum]

1 hour ago, Deluge said:

How will he rape the country? Give some examples with evidence. 

I've seen you involved in enough threads with the evidence presented. If you didn't get it the first time, why should I believe you will get it this time?

[CdnFox]

2 hours ago, BeaverFever said:

And then there’s this one:  Years ago Mel Gibson lost his right to own a gun due to domestic violence conviction   There is an impartial non-partsan process for citizens to apply to have gun ownership rights reinstated. MAGA appointees in DOJ fired an official for declining Gibson’s request

 

DoJ official says she was fired after refusing to restore Mel Gibson’s gun rights
 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/11/doj-official-fired-mel-gibson-gun

 

So the people who claim to be crusaders against inappropriate political interference to the extent that Trudeau’s staff are supposedly not allowed to talk to his AG’s staff have no problem when Trump’s people fire bureaucrats for not giving special treatment to their friends  

 

Here's the problem with most of your examples

This person claims she was fired for this reason. It appears that they didn't even ask the department for the real reason she might have been fired. We know with certainty that the vast majority of people who are in these kind of Articles do not tell the whole story yet you would have us believe that her story is 100% accurate with absolutely no evidence or proof or corroborating evidence or even a comment from the Department that fired her

So there's problem number one and this shows up with a whole lot of your examples some of which other posters here have already proven are not accurate

In the same breath you will say there's no evidence or his son ever did anything wrong 🙄

If somebody was fired for this reason it's wrong and they should be held to account for doing so, but other than her obviously bias obviously motivated testimony there is absolutely nothing that supports this. Until you can start presenting things that actually have some validity to them you really cannot present your argument

3 minutes ago, Radiorum said:

I've seen you involved in enough threads with the evidence presented. If you didn't get it the first time, why should I believe you will get it this time?

You're still the one making the assertion now. You do have a duty to at least provide examples or a logical reason for your argument even if you don't provide cites.

Honestly I think trump's term is not going to be a healthy one for America in the end given his start but I'm not sure how he's going to rape anything.

[User]

24 minutes ago, robosmith said:

What a ^BANKRUPT response, as USUAL. 🤮

Stop hiding, own up to your ignorant comments:

 

23 minutes ago, Radiorum said:

I've seen you involved in enough threads with the evidence presented. If you didn't get it the first time, why should I believe you will get it this time?

Is that your excuse for everyone here?

Lets be honest, I have seen enough of your posting to know you make baseless assertions and when challenged to support them with good argument, facts, and reason... you play these games instead. 

 

[Deluge]

1 hour ago, Radiorum said:

I've seen you involved in enough threads with the evidence presented. If you didn't get it the first time, why should I believe you will get it this time?

I get that you pronoun sluts think all you have to do is say it, and it's so, but this is the real world. 

Show me the actual location of the crime and Trump's DNA, so to speak.  

 

[Hodad]

2 hours ago, Nationalist said:

Lol...what a wet nappy.

Is that what you call it when you nod off and leak into your Depends?

[Nationalist]

12 minutes ago, Hodad said:

Is that what you call it when you nod off and leak into your Depends?

No. It's what I call silly whiners...like you for instance.

[Radiorum]

2 hours ago, CdnFox said:

You do have a duty to at least provide examples or a logical reason for your argument even if you don't provide cites.

I already have, with cites.

2 hours ago, CdnFox said:

not sure how he's going to rape anything.

take by corruption and force, degrade and overpower, for his own benefit

[robosmith]

30 minutes ago, Nationalist said:

No. It's what I call silly whiners...like you for instance.

Too bad no one knows what you're talking about; not even you.

Bet you'd just love your liberal PM releasing ALL YOUR PRIVATE DATA like Trump did just THIS WEEK. LMAO