President Donald Trump became “visibly enraged” over the weekend when he saw that the Women’s March dwarfed the size of his inauguration crowd, The Washington Post reported.
White House sources told the Post that Trump’s celebratory mood turned to “flashes of anger” less than 24 hours after he took office.
“Trump turned on the television to see a jarring juxtaposition — massive demonstrations around the globe protesting his day-old presidency and footage of the sparser crowd at his inauguration, with large patches of white empty space on the Mall,” the paper reported. “As his press secretary, Sean Spicer, was still unpacking boxes in his spacious new West Wing office, Trump grew increasingly and visibly enraged.”
Yes, Donald. The women’s were bigger than yours.
The jokes, they write themselves.
PsiFighter37
NYT says an executive order coming out tomorrow to start building a wall on the border. Of course, Mexico isn’t going to be paying for it.
5 days in…I don’t think I can stay this angry for however many days constitutes the rest of his term without blowing a blood vessel. What a fucking shithead, and fuck all 63 million of those assholes who voted for this shitstain.
Fuck, fuck, fuck
Trentrunner
He may have small hands, but if anyone’s paying attention, it’s the rest of us who are getting royally fucked right now.
It’s as bad as we thought.
No.
It’s worse.
But I’m super-glad our Dems are thoughtfully, judiciously deciding which of this ludicrous tangerine ballsack’s cabinet appointees to approve rather than RESISTING EVERY GODDAMN THING HE DOES…
Renie
since we knew the gop will do nothing to stop him cuz they love the power, i’m hoping he will get so enraged by the negative press, he will say f$$k it I’m done and quit.
or he may burn the whole place down
the Conster, la Citoyenne
EMAILS THO
West of the Rockies (been a while)
Jeebus, had he said nothing, the comparisons between ’08 & ’17 would already be dead and buried. His bloated, blistering ego is what’s kept the story a story!
beth
How can he build anything with just an executive order? Can Congress do a special appropriation for that much money – it’s going to cost multi-millions.
Major Major Major Major
I’m seeing now that Trump has threatened to “send in the Feds” if Chicago doesn’t fix their “horrible carnage”.
SFAW
25th Amendment Solution, baby.
And take your psychopathic pal Bannon with you
FlyingToaster
@PsiFighter37: Make an appointment and go see your PCP.
I’m not joking. Hypertension can find the one thin spot in an artery and kill you splat!
HerrDoktorToaster (like me five years earlier) was put on meds because his BP started spiking under stress.
This is stress. Don’t let Trump kill you.
Mothra
Trigger phrases for me:
“Why can’t you give him a chance”
and
“No president has ever been treated this badly before”
Montysano
A sane man, a man who is not obviously mentally unstable, i.e. a normal politician, would look at his popular vote loss, his plunging popularity, and the massive demonstrations on Saturday, and realize that perhaps he needs to rethink things. Sadly, he will not.
On the hopeful side: does he have a single ally of any consequence? The man is pure electoral poison. I think Paul Ryan, Lindsay Graham, etc. (who all despise him) will realize this sooner rather than later. Maybe…
Aussiesmurf
@beth: You spelled ‘billions’ wrong.
West of the Rockies (been a while)
Oh, and gads but he’s a homely man! His is the face of rage and arrogance.
Aussiesmurf
@Major Major Major Major: As a smart twitterati said, its even money that he means Federline.
Renie
saw on the old twitter that since he shut down the WH comments line people are calling his hotels instead
hitchhiker
Today was a bad day to be online. I might have to go back to not reading news if this keeps up, b/c I can’t keep up with the rising levels of shit.
trollhattan
I’m awaiting his first signing statement, remember those?”
“This bill is awesome and great America is greater because of my signature! #YouWishYouWhereMe–DJT”
The Thin Black Duke
But remember, Hillary would have been worse. I know this is true because Susan Sarandon said so.
elm
@Major Major Major Major: Day 5: Threaten to invade Chicago.
This is about a show of force, liquidating black human lives, destroying an enemy political stronghold.
Adam L Silverman
@beth: He’s going to redirect already appropriated money. A week ago this would have led Speaker Ryan and Majority Leader McConnell to file a lawsuit to stop the President from doing this. Now its A-Okay!
Jeffro
Hope national Dems are keeping a list, and checking it twice…2018’s gonna be a full-blown referendum on all of this
Major Major Major Major
@elm: kind of my read.
Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (Formerly Mumphrey, et al.)
@PsiFighter37: Keep in mind how unhinged he is after only four days on the job. I don’t think he’s going to make it four years. I don’t think he’ll last a year.
Jeffro
@Renie: OMG that’s genius, I didn’t think of that…that’s excellent!
Omnes Omnibus
I put this in a thread earlier, but it might be better here. The Dutch are sucking up to Trump.
debbie
I hope this eats him alive.
Villago Delenda Est
My Schadenfreude is threatening to go KABOOM!
Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (Formerly Mumphrey, et al.)
@debbie: Oh, it already is.
mai naem mobile
Don’t know if anybody mentioned this yet but somebody on twitter said he’s tweeting from his android phone again. I am assuming that means he’s tweeting from a not secure phone. Guy is nuts.
Major Major Major Major
@debbie: I would prefer one of these unfortunately extinct 100+-pound weasels did it.
Lurking Canadian
The guy is completely fucking batshit. The Senate Democrats should use every minute they’re allowed in debate sessions to shame their colleagues. “How far are you going to let this go, Graham? Have you any patriotism left, McCain? Will none of you do what is right, even at the last extremity?”
I know they are beyond shame, but it’s a message that needs to get into the zeitgeist. He Must Be Stopped.
elm
@Major Major Major Major: He telegraphed his intent with talking about inner-city crime. That provides cover for an armed assault to destroy black people.
The Thin Black Duke
@Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (Formerly Mumphrey, et al.): Yeah, I agree. The nasty old fuck is doing all of this crazy shit because he thinks it will make him popular.
SFAW
@mai naem mobile:
But at least it’s not Hitlary’s private server.
Which as we all know, got hacked something like 3,000,000,000,000,000 … hey, how many zeroes in three skillion?
Adam L Silverman
@Major Major Major Major: As I wrote in comment 77 to the previous thread:
Omnes Omnibus
@Major Major Major Major: Jeebus.
Major Major Major Major
@elm: oh, I was listening to what he said during the campaign. And before, going back decades. He’s not a fan of ‘urban’ ‘criminals’.
biscuits
@Montysano:
Were it so easy. My horror is that the Republicans are happy, no, thrilled, no, gleeful to carry the yam’s torch. They are the problem. If trump falls I want him wrapped around their necks like a burning tire. I hate them.
elm
@The Thin Black Duke: He is nasty, but I don’t read him as “crazy” in the sense of lacking a plan or vision. He’s a fascist seeking to consolidate power.
burnspbesq
@Trentrunner:
Your “Kirsten 2020” bumper sticker should be arriving tomorrow.
SFAW
@elm:
Well, it’s not as if they voted for him, or would ever stay at one of his high-class — the classiest! — hotels or resorts.
Lizzy L
@PsiFighter37: Agree with prior comment. Stress will kill you. Step away from the news, take breaks — I take long walks. Please, find a way to be kind to yourself.
Trentrunner
@The Thin Black Duke: God, fuck her so very, very much. She was on Twitter yesterday encouraging marchers to “resist.” Fuck her forever.
BBA
There’s a great deal of horrible shit that would’ve happened with any Republican in the White House – ACA repeal, block-granting everything, abortion bans, school vouchers, etc., etc. (And not to put too fine a point on it, but we were bound to lose eventually. Nothing lasts forever.) I’ve come to terms with the inevitability of these setbacks.
This level of batshittery, though, I have no way of dealing with.
Another Scott
@Renie: Excellent.
DCist also too:
Given all the police presence and protest signs around the hotel during the Women’s March last Saturday, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the hotel’s best days under Trump are behind it – already.
It’s a growing boat anchor around his neck.
Cheers,
Scott.
burnspbesq
@Mothra:
“No president has deserved this treatment before” is the answer to that canard.
Major Major Major Major
@Adam L Silverman: imagine you are a naïf who doesn’t know that “send in the Feds” could be referring to 10,000 different things. Do you mean starting a nice friendly cash-for-guns ATF program? No. You mean troops.
Adam L Silverman
@elm: Except the reason that Chicago is seeing a spike in the gun homicide and shooting rate is because a lot of those folks are armed. Its tied to a gang and drug problem that has been poorly handled by Chicago’s authorities going back decades. But there’s a reason that even the Chicago PD won’t go into these areas in force.
If the people around him are so stupid as to allow them to do this, he, and the people he sends into harm’s way, are going to learn: “God made man, Samuel Colt made men equal.”
Alternative Fax, a hip hop artist from Idaho
@elm: Bannon’s got the plan. He’s using Putin’s Circus Peanut to implement it.
amk
@Lurking Canadian: Yup. Show some bone for a change.
NotMax
The Not Ready For Prime Time Administration.
Jeffro
@Lizzy L:
Above all, as Sara Benincasa notes, remember it’s a long war and there are a lot of us keeping up the fight – you don’t have to ‘do battle’ 24/7
Adam L Silverman
@Major Major Major Major: As in the ATF is going to give me cash to buy more guns? They’re such thoughtful, helpful folks…//
BBA
@burnspbesq: Andrew Johnson absofuckinglutely did.
p.a.
You know what they say: small hands, small brain…
elm
@Adam L Silverman:
Massive casualties would justify a larger, more brutal invasion. Trump’s voters have wanted a race war for decades.
Jeffro
@Adam L Silverman:
1) It’s probably one of the least of their worries about Trumpov at this point, relatively speaking.
2) Any casualties will just be an excuse to send more Guard in and use more extreme tactics. ETA: ah, I see Elm beat me by a minute…great minds and all that.
JordanRules
@Alternative Fax, a hip hop artist from Idaho: Great way to put it. I can see the comic strip in my head.
The Thin Black Duke
@elm: Thing is, the idea of building a wall is fucking crazy. How is he gonna pay for it? Who’s gonna build it? And what the fuck does he think Mexico is gonna do in the meantime? The doofus ain’t smart enough to be a fascist. Unfortunately, Trump is a damned fool, which is worse. A fool with nukes.
Betty Cracker
So proud to have been part of the demonstration that is driving that malignant narcissist batshit.
Montysano
Shorter Lindsay Graham today: “Umm….he’s fucking insane, OK?”
elm
@The Thin Black Duke: “Build the wall” isn’t about the wall. It’s about “Mexico is dangerous and I will keep you safe”. Think like a fascist for a moment and what you do about a dangerous enemy with whom you share a border.
Lavocat
The key to this man’s undoing is constantly calling him out for the serial liar that he is. Every. Damned. Time. He’s so thin-skinned that he’s destined to make even more ridiculous statements. MAKE THE REPUBLICANS OWN THIS MOTHERFUCKER!
randy khan
@Adam L Silverman:
And O’Reilly is renowned for his accurate information.
For what it’s worth, last year Chicago had 51 homicides in January. So far it has 37. If you assume that total is through yesterday, that’s a pace for just under 50 for the month, so actually slightly behind last year.
Mingobat f/k/a Karen in GA
@Betty Cracker: When people ask what the point of the march was, I just tell them it’s simply to make Trump have a stroke. Because you know at some point he will.
Omnes Omnibus
@Jeffro: Oddly, her essay reminds of something my grandfather once said, “Do something for your house each day.”
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@Montysano: “but when it comes to actual votes, I’m with him a hundred percent!”
McCain’s response was even weaker than I’d expected— I expected at least some gravelly intonations, maybe he’s saving those for Morning Joseph tomorrow.
Speaking of HoJo, their latest promo on MSNBC is a little MAGA giggle fest between Graham and Ted Cruz, though Graham kind of amusingly fake-apologize for calling for Cruz to be assassinated on the Senate floor.
Adam L Silverman
@elm: @Jeffro: The National Guard is not going to turn on Americans. The leadership understands what are lawful orders and what are not.
sukabi
@Major Major Major Major: naw, the not extinct huge alligator roaming golf courses in Florida.
Morzer
@Lavocat:
And laughing at him. Laughter and mockery keep us sane and free, even as they enrage President Pisshair the Little Tyrant That Can’t.
elm
@randy khan: The facts themselves aren’t important to Trump. When you see lies like that, they’re not motivated by lack of information or bad information, they’re trying to justify some action.
What action would they be trying to justify with a lie that Chicago is experiencing horrible carnage?
@Adam L Silverman: Your faith in American institutions exceeds mine, I hope your view is correct. Assume he sent National Guard and/or mercenary troops into Chicago, what rules of engagement would they operate under?
elm
@Adam L Silverman: Your faith in American institutions exceeds mine, I hope your view is correct. Assume he sent National Guard and/or mercenary troops into Chicago, what rules of engagement would they operate under?
Another Scott
@Adam L Silverman:
Not to get into a debate about gun laws, but I believe a strong argument can be made that cities like Chicago (and DC before it) have troubles controlling gun violence (in part) because if they try to have stronger gun laws their either struck down by the right-wing courts, or the very loose laws down-state or in surrounding states make it easy for them to be imported.
Bloomberg on Chicago.
Virginia is in the top 10 of states where its guns are used in crimes in other states.
It’s complicated and a systemic approach is needed (as I think you’d agree).
Cheers,
Scott.
Major Major Major Major
@elm: in Trump’s defense it would be a very small nuke.
Mike in NC
@The Thin Black Duke: My understanding is that most of the land along the US-Mexico border is private property. Even using Eminent Domain to take it over would result in lawsuits that would be tied up in the courts for years to come. Trump is too dumb to understand that simple factoid.
Morzer
@The Thin Black Duke:
He’ll put up some fencing, call it a wall, declare victory and wait for the applause. If he hears laughter and denunciations of his very small no good wall, maybe he’ll stroke out on the spot.
Timurid
@Jeffro:
You think 2016 was dirty? If Trump is still in office by then, the 2018 election is going to be compromised beyond recognition.
The Thin Black Duke
@elm: If I’m thinking like a fascist, I’m not building the wall to keep the enemy from getting in. I’m building the wall to keep my people from getting out.
amk
wonder what will happen if UN security council passes a resolution condemning good ole us of a?
Adam L Silverman
@elm: @elm:
Here’s the fact sheet:
http://www.ngaus.org/sites/default/files/Guard%20Statues.pdf
p.a.
Screenplay idea: malevolent national leader insulated from legal removal ‘eliminated’ by heroic personal chef who uses leader’s love of fast food to cause ischemic stroke.
President’sLeader’s special burger: 1/2lb. ground pork and beef burger topped with gooseliver paté and bacon on a croissant with extra mayo. Duckfat cooked fries with mayo and beef gravy. That’s breakfast.Major Major Major Major
@Mike in NC: I think Trump is more of the “do it anyway and let the lawsuits pile up” type.
The Thin Black Duke
@Mike in NC: As I said: crazy.
Davis X. Machina
@elm:
Create two, three, many Groznys! There’s your rules of engagement.
Or it might start small, and with considerable local support. Like sending the Paras into Derry. That worked a treat.
Stacy
@burnspbesq: I want one too.
BBA
@Morzer: We’re not so lucky. He’ll just have some critical journalists assassinated and brag about it, which the WSJ editorial page will call “gutsy.”
Omnes Omnibus
@elm:
The Guard would operate under the UCMJ and the law of land warfare.
Mike J
@Omnes Omnibus:
Just like at Kent State.
amk
our own rwnj’s are giddy that the dick invited modi for a ‘meet’.
two egotistical megalomaniacs in the same wh room? not gonna cut it. they gotta book MSG.
Another Scott
@elm: But he said he was going to put a big beautiful door in the wall. So he doesn’t think Mexico is dangerous.
Of course, he doesn’t think at all, so there’s that.
But you’re right – it’s just a totem that he pushed incessantly. It doesn’t matter if it’s ever finished. He’ll have his photo-op when they “start” (though parts of it have been there for years). Then he’ll forget about it and all the RWNJs will forget about it too, faster than they dropped Ebola after the 2014 midterms. He’ll have another shiny object to wave around by then.
And a wall won’t solve the problem, anyway. Warning: WashingtonTimes:
Maybe we should just build build big, beautiful walls around each person who enters the USA instead?
:-/
Cheers,
Scott.
mai naem mobile
@p.a.: on a crobust not croissant. Washed down with a super size old fashioned milk shake and some full strength coffee with four shots of espresso and lots of cream and sugar .
Jeffro
@Adam L Silverman:
Adam, I don’t think I implied that the NG would turn on Americans. They will, however, deploy if told to deploy.
Their very presence 1) creates the impression they were needed/that Trump was right, and 2) creates friction in the community, which hopefully would ONLY be ‘friction’ but given today’s media environment and today’s GOP, just a couple rounds loosed at the NG could mean even more heavy-handed tactics. Picture “stop-and-frisk” in most of America’s major cities, and why not, right? Most of them are sanctuary cities as well.
JordanRules
So Rahm went after him yesterday; Bill-O feeds it to the base tonight via Fox and 45 does his Twitter fingers threat.
I can’t even…
Davis X. Machina
@Another Scott: Some one of those 480,000 are going to change my bedpan in 20 years.
Welcome!
sigaba
@Mothra:
I was chatting with an acquaintance* last night and she said she was still “waiting to see what he would do.” Didn’t know exactly where to start, though I mentioned that he’d already done quite a bit.
The only thing that seems to get through to less-engaged people are the tantrums, but when people hear about them they assume they’re silly and of no consequence.
*(OKAY SHE’S MY BARTENDER)
p.a.
@mai naem mobile: crobust? local term? doesn’t google.
Mike in NC
@Another Scott: Back in the 1980’s I lived in Virginia Beach and was told by a gun dealer that simply by presenting my military ID card I could instantly buy a firearm, with no waiting period or background check. Not sure if things have changed any since then.
amk
@Adam L Silverman: Didn’t NG deploy for Ferguson ‘riots’?
Omnes Omnibus
@Mike J: Exactly. Seriously, the point is that the Guard would try to follow the rules. They may fuck it up, but they would try to do it right.
p.a.
@sigaba:
You’re gonna have a close relationship with her for the next 4 years.
Major Major Major Major
@p.a.: maybe cronut?
The Thin Black Duke
@p.a.: And p.a. drops the mic.
Adam L Silverman
@amk: In a non law enforcement, support to Civilian Authority, on the request of/under the control of the state governor, capacity.
Lurking Canadian
@JordanRules: So the threat to invade Chicago came after Rahm went after him?
I never thought I’d be praising Rahm Emmanuel, but, well, to paraphrase a great man, if Trump was threatening to invade Hell, I’d post something positive about Lucifer.
elm
@Omnes Omnibus: I believe that almost all of them would as well, but deploying the NG to a US city to “help” with gang violence is a recipe for escalation and violence that spirals out of control.
p.a.
@Omnes Omnibus: There have been some disturbing examples of complete wingnuts in the upper ranks (god botherers mostly) of the regulars. Any white supremacist infiltration? Guard units? Could, say, Bama guard units be deployed in Chicago?
Davis X. Machina
@elm: In other words, the NG is there as a tripwire.
Omnes Omnibus
@sigaba: You may need a new bar.
Adam L Silverman
@Lurking Canadian: Rahm Emanuel could irritate Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama. And that’s saying something!
Another Scott
@Davis X. Machina: And they’ll do a great job too! :-)
Someone eventually will find a chemical or electro-stimulation treatment that shrinks our lizard brains so that we aren’t so easily riled up by our “leaders” into hating and fearing other people who aren’t in our “tribe”. That person or team (likely to be led and dominated by women, if they can get the funding they need) should be celebrated until the end of time.
(sigh)
In the meantime, we have to fight Trump’s and his minion’s policies!!
Cheers,
Scott.
p.a.
@Major Major Major Major: ah. yep. tks.
elm
@p.a.: I expect you can find National Guard units from rural parts of Illinois that would be more likely to contain white supremacists. I also expect Steve Bannon knows how to get information on exactly which units have been infiltrated.
Schlemazel
@Adam L Silverman:
Please tell those kind Guardsmen at Kent State that, thank-you.
Omnes Omnibus
@p.a.: With respect, you do not understand how the Guard deploys.
pluky
@elm: This is Bannon’s agenda in action.
Schlemazel
@Another Scott:
A huge number of the guns used for crime in Chicago came from one gun store in Wisconsin. The owner was found guilty & I believe they has been shut down. Pretty sure someone will pick up the slack though.
Omnes Omnibus
@elm: Trump can’t deploy the Guard domestically.
ETA: Guard units answer to Govs. Unless nationalized like during WWII and VN.
Mike J
@p.a.:
Goddam that sounds delicious. Except the extra mayo. A little is ok, just not extra.
p.a.
@efgoldman: Yes. I got numerous emails about calling your Senators. Honestly didn’t think I had to. I’m dumb.
p.a.
@Omnes Omnibus: it’s why I asked…
TriassicSands
@SFAW:
You need the unit “killion.” A killion of anything is so big if you look at it you die…instantly!*
* A childhood friend told me that. I wonder if he still thinks it’s true?
elm
@Omnes Omnibus: The fact sheet Adam linked upthread suggests otherwise, but I am absolutely not an expert on this. From my brief reading of it, Title 10 grants the U.S. President authority to deploy them in the US.
I’m not particularly assuming Trump and Bannon would use the National Guard to escalate tensions, it’s possible they have some other group in mind.
I don’t think it pays off to assume any one set of details.
Another Scott
@Schlemazel: When I was in college in Chicago in the early ’80s, the thing kids did was drive up across the Wisconsin line to buy beer. Things change. :-(
Thanks.
I think there was a similar expose’ of some gun shop in Virginia (years ago) that was selling lots of guns that ended up in DC and NYC. These laws that enable easy gun sales in some places have national implications.
Cheers,
Scott.
Peale
@Schlemazel: they have Indiana.
hellslittlestangel
@Adam L Silverman: When did they come to understand that? Some time after May 4, 1970?
Mike J
@Adam L Silverman:
I’ve told several people to go back and rewatch West Wing with the thought in mind that Josh is based on Rahm. And then think about your reactions to everything he does in the series. I know people (ok, person) who found Josh charming but cocky, but rewatching found him very off putting.
Of course Rahm never had Sorkin writing for him.
Mary G
The AltNPS Twitter people are hilarious and also talking about a scientists March on Washington, date TBD.
p.a.
@Omnes Omnibus: Was it Arkansas guard in Little Rock for desegregation? Did Ike nationalize it?
Peale
@Omnes Omnibus: didn’t Obama end up sending the guard as border patrols during the “children migration” of 2014?
Mike J
@p.a.: 101st Airborne
Schlemazel
@Another Scott:
HA! in the 60s Minnesota kids did the same thing. WI was the place to drink . . . still is which explains Walker & a lot of things.
The video of the sting that brought the bastard down showed a black kid, not old enough to buy, picking out the gun & having a white adult buy it. There was no doubt this owner knew what was happening.
Omnes Omnibus
@elm: Golly, I am sorry I said “nationalizes” instead of “federalizes.”
Mike G
His ego won’t let him quit. But a coronary would force him to.
Omnes Omnibus
@p.a.: Yes, he did.
Schlemazel
@Peale:
They can keep it too! Its only use to to buffer the rest of the West from F’ing Ohio.
Peale
First, I thought Trump was going to solve this problem in Chicago by letting a few tough policemen crack some skulls…because one real tough policeman said they know who is behind the crimes. Although reading up on the issue, it appears that the problem is that no one big dude is behind the crimes because the gangs in Chicago aren’t shooting over drugs and they are all very small. Lots of gang members in hundreds of gangs with a few members each. Maybe those tough policemen are just sociable and know a lot of people.
Another Scott
@hellslittlestangel: I think we can all point to examples of the national government calling out the National Guard. Eisenhower did it in Arkansas. But that was to “preserve the peace” to enforce a federal court order.
What federal court order would Trump be enforcing in Chicago?
The National Guard is under the control of the Governor unless there is some extreme circumstance. Donnie getting upset at Rahm over a Tweet doesn’t qualify. A high crime rate doesn’t qualify.
I don’t think that’s what Trump meant anyway, myself. He probably has visions of Elliot Ness and his G-Men showing up and machine-gunning all the “gang bangers” or something out of some old movie. :-/
Cheers,
Scott.
Jordan Rules
@Lurking Canadian: Yup. Lots of folks on the twitter think the dictator was triggered by O’Reilly’s segment tonight on Fox, but I think it was Rahm followed by the lob from Bill-O for the twitter alleyoop. They are essentially acting as state media now anyway.
Adam L Silverman
@p.a.: I know several generals in the NG – former students of mine. And several more senior colonels and lieutenant colonels – also former students of mine (some of whom will, hopefully make it to general). They know their business. They take their oaths very seriously. They are the closest thing we have to an archetype of citizen-soldier these days. Many work in municipal or state government. Their client is the US Constitution and through it the American people. They do not see themselves as here to ensure domestic order, but to protect and defend the Constitution and the people of the US. And to largely do so in an expeditionary manner.
As for who would go: it would be very strange bordering on the unprecedented, to try to nationalize the Alabama Guard and sent it to Chicago. If a massive disaster hit Illinois and the Illinois NG was either deployed forward or just unable to respond adequately, then there would be an attempt to borrow Guard units from other states to assist. In a situation like this, even if the Illinois Governor decided to activate the Guard and provide them in a support capacity to the municipal and state law enforcement, it would be the Illinois Guard.
Do I think the President is erratic enough to invoke martial law? Yes. Do I think its likely? No, especially not for something like this. Do I think if he did that it would hasten the destruction of what little political capital and goodwill he has? Yes it would.
p.a.
@Mike J: Whoooo. Just googled. Faubus used the ArkGuard to prevent deseg. Ike sent in 101st and nationalized the ArkGuard. 101st left its black troops out of the deployment.
elm
@Omnes Omnibus: Pardon? I think you may have meant to reply to p.a.
It seems that the law would permit the US President to deploy National Guard troops into Chicago and there are no insurmountable hurdles in the law that would put a hard stop to it.
I believe that Trump and the White Supremacist right wants a race war in the US and that deploying military personnel to “fix the horrible ‘carnage'” would be a total shitshow that would escalate into widespread violence.
Omnes Omnibus
Okay, the ability of the president to federalize the Guard is broader than I first suggested. I was wrong. But one should understand that there are limits. Trump can’t just send the Alabama Guard to Chicago because he wants to.
Adam L Silverman
@Schlemazel: The National Guard in 2017 is not the National Guard of 1970.
TriassicSands
@Schlemazel:
Call the NRA. They’re always willing to help anyone, anywhere (in the US) get their hands on whatever weapon they desire.
As most of you have probably already seen, the latest bit of NRA insanity is trying to get silencers made readily available. It seems guns are loud and hurt the shooters’ ears. Poor babies — ever hear of ear plugs?
Adam L Silverman
@Schlemazel: They come from Indiana now.
elm
@Another Scott:
This only applies if the rule of law still applies. I don’t think that’s a safe assumption.
Mike J
@Omnes Omnibus: Orval Faubus had sent in the guard in early September. Two weeks later, Ike stepped in. He deployed the 101st, but the already in place National guard troops were federalized until the 101st to get there the next morning.
Adam L Silverman
@elm: Under very specific conditions. Those conditions do not exist anywhere in the US at this time.
Highway Rob
@elm: Illinois Nazis. I hate Illinois Nazis.
Aleta
It’s like they’re applying shock and awe, flash bangs on all sides, against their US opposition. They’re also using the divide and splinter strategy that’s been so effective against Ds in elections.
I hope we can oppose all these attacks (on public lands, science, women’s rights, public education, … ,,, ,,, … … ) and still be aware enough to protect African Americans, Hispanics, Muslims, immigrants and freedom of speech from the further attacks that are coming.
A possibility is that even as he loses support, and as leaks increase about his incompetence, it becomes more likely that he will protect himself by twisting something into a ‘terrorist attack,’ or exaggerating one.
Right after 9-11, people popped up to take advantage of the media attention and give shallow opinions on who the instigators were. I don’t remember them all, but the Libyans were suggested, the Palestinians got blamed, and more. The talkers were mostly just opportunists. But still, even people mistaken for Palestinians or Muslims were beaten. Now because of the election there’s more open agitation toward immigrants and blacks, and I really fear what happens when suggestible people listen to carelessness or worse.
Adam L Silverman
@hellslittlestangel: The National Guard of 2017 is not the National Guard of 1970.
Omnes Omnibus
@elm:
Well, if it doesn’t we should all be buying ammo rather than talking here.
@Mike J: I will defer your knowledge.
TriassicSands
@Omnes Omnibus:
Unless, of course, the Congress gives him that power. After all, Trump is going to need to send in the Guard to take over sanctuary cities. Ryan and McConnell could just assist by giving the president permission to use the Guard when and where he sees fit, um, where national security makes it necessary — at the discretion of the Tantrum-Thrower-in-Chief.
With this Congress and president and the “new” SCOTUS anything is possible. Original intent could suddenly give way to “immediate necessity.”
Another Scott
@elm: If the rule of law no longer applies, then everything is out the window. We’re not that far gone, yet. The 1% doesn’t want that, for one thing.
Look, Trump tweeted something ambiguous. He may even issue some Executive Order about it. But he doesn’t control everything. The National Guard or the 101st Airborne isn’t going to invade Chicago. It just isn’t going to happen. There are too many checks and balances, too many people and institutions with their own agendas and power bases that don’t correspond to Trump’s, and the country wouldn’t stand for it.
Let’s worry about and fight what he’s actually doing and not about maximalist interpretations that sap our energy.
My $0.02.
Cheers,
Scott.
Adam L Silverman
@p.a.: No. Ike thought he had an agreement with Governor Faubus that the AR Guard would be left at the school not to keep the students out, but to maintain order. When Faubus reneged on the deal, Ike Federalized the AR National Guard, ordered them to stand down, and sent in two brigades from the 101st Airborne Division to ensure that the desegregation order was enforced and order maintained. Omnes will have to explain how that last part was legal, but I think it was because the law about where the US military could be used domestically and when was different at that time.
Omnes Omnibus
@TriassicSands: Okay, I give up. Anything could happen and all of it bad.
GregB
Looking forward to the full Supreme Court offering the originalist opinion on the domestic use of nukes.
Omnes Omnibus
@efgoldman: I SAID I WAS SORRY!!!!!ELEVEN1111!!!!!
Adam L Silverman
@efgoldman: Yes. And the law is also different.
Schlemazel
@Adam L Silverman:
I wish I had your faith in humanity.
@Adam L Silverman: That was a joke, sort of like “Take my wife . . . PLEASE!”
Peale
@TriassicSands: o.k as far as I know, McConnell kept enough of the filibuster in place for Democrats to stop that. Honestly, even if every yahoo in West Virginia wanted Trump to have that power, I couldn’t see the most conservative Democratic Senator plus 11 others caving on that one. Even if Trump promised to make West Virginia Coal the national rock and install coal fired steam engines to power on his 500 ship navy….
sigaba
@Omnes Omnibus: It’s in’ my building right under my loft, hard to beat the convenience.
SiubhanDuinne
@Omnes Omnibus:
Yes, but you didn’t pout your lower lip out, hang your head, or scuffle your toe in the dirt. SO IT DOESNT COUNT!!!!!
Omnes Omnibus
@sigaba: That is between you and your conscience. How good are the drinks?
Adam L Silverman
@Schlemazel: I have faith in the people I’ve served with, taught, trained, and/or supervised. I also have faith that the President is erratic and will grow even more so. And I have faith that those around him all have their own agendas and will continue to jockey for position and opportunity and will pull themselves apart. And I have faith that the GOP majorities in Congress will do nothing until doing nothing begins to jeopardize them. I also have faith that the majority of Americans who voted against the President will not tolerate this. As I’ve written here many times in comments: Americans are not joiners. We don’t like being told what to do. And while those that scream Freedom and Liberty the loudest are actually the ones that do like being told, they aren’t a majority. They are just loud, obnoxious, and annoying. And they only win if we let them. If we let them dictate the terms of the contest. If we let them define Americanness and patriotism and liberty and freedom. If we let them out vote the rest of us. If we fail to regularly and firmly point out their hypocrisy and false piety. And if we give in to despair.
Omnes Omnibus
@Adam L Silverman: Well said. Career-wise, you might want to leave it there. Just saying.
Adam L Silverman
@Omnes Omnibus: I’m going to rub doggie bellies, turn on the DVR to see if they’re ever going to find anything on Oak Island, and then go to bed.
And I wish I didn’t have to write any of that. Beyond the first sentence.
Petorado
Trump watches a lot of TV, so this is probably what he has in mind for fixing the Chicago problem.
? Martin
Drone footage of the Santa Ana, CA rally. About 15,000 turnout. Not bad for formerly red Orange County, who this election went for the Democrat.
Omnes Omnibus
@Adam L Silverman: I didn’t disagree with a word you said. I just didn’t want you to hurt yourself by letting a bit of a freak-flag flying here. Off to bed here as well.
dww44
@efgoldman: I’m wondering (especially when hearing about Warren and Brown planning to vote for Carson at HUD?) that maybe there’s deals that just might garner some support to can DeVoss, or Price? If that’s the case, I might be able to handle this outcome.. Anyways my 2 Senators are unreconstructed GOP’ers and the newly minted one ( as of 2 years ago) jumped on the Trump bandwagon from the get go.
fuckwit
@Another Scott: That’s been done. It’s called Marijuana.
fuckwit
@Adam L Silverman: That’s really good, and should be a FP post. Or a rally speech.
Have you, Sir, considered running for office? You’d get my vote.
Villago Delenda Est
@TriassicSands: Donald may not live long enough to regret such a move. I have a feeling that the military will just say “fuck this shit” and start kicking GOP ass and taking GOP names.
Kristine
@Adam L Silverman: After all the shit that went down today, I needed to read this. Thanks.
Mike G
I wonder what kind of epic thefts are happening out the back door while Donny Putinobitch has us all distracted with visions of tanks rolling into Chicago.
sigaba
@Omnes Omnibus: They have an amazing draft list, all Belgian-style, that evening I was enjoying a dark ale. Cocktails? Meh. Any bar that can’t do a Rusty Nail is not a one-star for me.
seaboogie
Welp. Kellyanne Conway is tweeting to Valerie Jarret how much she likes taking over Valerie’s old office, so that’s pretty normal.
sigaba
@seaboogie: I hope Valerie left her an Upper Decker in the executive bathroom.
@Omnes Omnibus: Aren’t you in LA? This spot’s in the Arts District.
Steeplejack (tablet)
@sigaba:
I will answer for Omnes, since he apparently has gone to bed. He is in the People’s Republic of Madison, WI.
Enhanced Voting Techniques
@Jeffro:
While it might satisfy the impuse of the Chief Narcissist to punish someone and that Alt Righters, I have a real hard time seeing an military assault on the poor being popular with the majority. It goes back to, if it didn’t work in the ’50s it certainly isn’t going to work now.
Shana
@Mike in NC: Not to mention all the border area that’s water. How do you build a wall on that? The whole idea is so preposterous.
J R in WV
@TriassicSands:
Actually, at ranges hearing and eye protection is usually required by rule.
When hunting, listening intently is part of the action. It’s really hard to see a deer in the forest, they have evolved to be invisible. Their coat changes color with the seasons, grayer in the fall and winter. But when they move you can hear them and know where to look harder.
I’m personally not interested in carrying a silenced rifle in the woods, or any rifle in the woods, but that’s the point the hunting shooters are ineptly trying to make.
Shana
@Schlemazel: Back in the days before a national drinking age of 21 every state had its own. Where I grew up in western Illinois, we just went across the Mississippi to Iowa where the drinking age was 18 instead of 19. When I went to Champaign/Urbana for college, the state of Illinois was 19 but since the majority of the University was located in Urbana the city had an 18 year old drinking law. They got enough money from the state for the University they could afford to forego the money for signing on to the 19 year law. All the freshmen drank in Urbana. Then, just before I turned 21 they changed to law to 21 so I couldn’t legally drink for about a month.
Rick O'Leary
This was funny!