I couldn't either, and it's because temporarily appeasing a madman does nothing to protect you or your people from him. Authoritarians in general - and Donald Trump in painful particular - can never be satisfied that way, it only increases their thirst for demanding more humiliation from you.losthighway wrote: Fri Mar 20, 2026 2:11 pmIt's a funny thing. I can't remember who was last to do this, but there's definitely a Trump training playbook with a certain approach. Show up to the White House. Lie about how amazing you think he is. Walk away free of tariffs or economic reprisals solely because you stroked the idiot's ego.zorg wrote: Fri Mar 20, 2026 10:22 amIt should be noted that she responded "I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, that can achieve peace across the world.” If that was mistranslated in any way please let me know.Gramsci wrote: Fri Mar 20, 2026 5:58 am Sorry for the two in a row but WTAF was that Pearl Harbor joke? The look on the Japanese PM’s face… holy fuck.
I know that Americans take a beating for being dumbasses, but our friends in the land of the rising sun (and the world round) need to lead by example. You don't have to be supplicants to our worst impulses, especially when you are direct victims of our past cruelty. This is not statecraft, it is dishonesty and cowardice.
I don't think I could do it, even if my beloved countrymen were depending on me.
Re: Politics
7872This is what I don't understand. It's like everyone has forgotten how to deal with a bully.kaleb wrote: Fri Mar 20, 2026 3:18 pmI couldn't either, and it's because temporarily appeasing a madman does nothing to protect you or your people from him. Authoritarians in general - and Donald Trump in painful particular - can never be satisfied that way, it only increases their thirst for demanding more humiliation from you.losthighway wrote: Fri Mar 20, 2026 2:11 pmIt's a funny thing. I can't remember who was last to do this, but there's definitely a Trump training playbook with a certain approach. Show up to the White House. Lie about how amazing you think he is. Walk away free of tariffs or economic reprisals solely because you stroked the idiot's ego.zorg wrote: Fri Mar 20, 2026 10:22 am
It should be noted that she responded "I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, that can achieve peace across the world.” If that was mistranslated in any way please let me know.
I know that Americans take a beating for being dumbasses, but our friends in the land of the rising sun (and the world round) need to lead by example. You don't have to be supplicants to our worst impulses, especially when you are direct victims of our past cruelty. This is not statecraft, it is dishonesty and cowardice.
I don't think I could do it, even if my beloved countrymen were depending on me.
Re: Politics
7873Most leaders are complicit in bullying their own people, so to call Trump on it would be to give up the game.enframed wrote: Fri Mar 20, 2026 3:25 pmThis is what I don't understand. It's like everyone has forgotten how to deal with a bully.kaleb wrote: Fri Mar 20, 2026 3:18 pmI couldn't either, and it's because temporarily appeasing a madman does nothing to protect you or your people from him. Authoritarians in general - and Donald Trump in painful particular - can never be satisfied that way, it only increases their thirst for demanding more humiliation from you.losthighway wrote: Fri Mar 20, 2026 2:11 pm
It's a funny thing. I can't remember who was last to do this, but there's definitely a Trump training playbook with a certain approach. Show up to the White House. Lie about how amazing you think he is. Walk away free of tariffs or economic reprisals solely because you stroked the idiot's ego.
I don't think I could do it, even if my beloved countrymen were depending on me.
Re: Politics
7874I think a lot of them are probably holding their breath until the next election. If they think they’re having problems now, there is a lot the US can do to make the rest of their terms even more miserable.
Re: Politics
7875Looks like Trump's getting bored. Yay!
Unfortunately that might mean Cuba is next… boo!
Unfortunately that might mean Cuba is next… boo!
clocker bob may 30, 2006 wrote:I think the possibility of interbreeding between an earthly species and an extraterrestrial species is as believable as any other explanation for the existence of George W. Bush.
Re: Politics
7876“[The UK] confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” the [UK] spokesperson continued.
Defensive?
Defensive?
Re: Politics
7877Yeah, I guess there is a run of imperial media articles positing that Trump is trying to deescalate but that kind of depends on Iran on this point. And it could not be true. I saw a clip of some MAGA airhead appear on Bill Maher and she said they were concerned about… Iran retaliating… which might be subplot from a tv show? Fuck all those people. I feel stupid even looking at any of that shit. No use guessing, just bet on the dumbest option and assume it’s going to ride out for years.
Re: Politics
7878“If the Radical Left Democrats don’t immediately sign an agreement to let our Country, in particular, our Airports, be FREE and SAFE again, I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
I hope he does this. How humiliating would that be for those who signed up to ask people to remove watches, empty pockets, separate laptops, and throw away water bottles for eight hours a day.
I hope he does this. How humiliating would that be for those who signed up to ask people to remove watches, empty pockets, separate laptops, and throw away water bottles for eight hours a day.
Re: Politics
7879He's mentioned both winding it down and sending in ground troops this week. If I didn't know better I'd think our president is somewhat mercurial and impulsive.
Re: Politics
7880Holy shit, it's perfect. We're spending millions on them either way. Better they confiscate my wife's hand lotion than somebody's family member.enframed wrote: Sat Mar 21, 2026 12:24 pm “If the Radical Left Democrats don’t immediately sign an agreement to let our Country, in particular, our Airports, be FREE and SAFE again, I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
I hope he does this. How humiliating would that be for those who signed up to ask people to remove watches, empty pockets, separate laptops, and throw away water bottles for eight hours a day.