The Apprentice Season 2 - The Second Presidency of Donald Trump

[Grifman]

Well, I guess this thread needs to be started, might as well be me . . .

Anyone have a time machine? I'd like to skip the next 4 years of my life.

[Max Peck]

I can't imagine that 4 years would be nearly long enough to skip past what's coming.

[msduncan]

Well, I guess this thread needs to be started, might as well be me . . .

Anyone have a time machine? I'd like to skip the next 4 years of my life.

Nice thread title though.

My girlfriend was anxious and upset last night. She asked if she could come and stay over to help with her nerves no matter the outcome (she's a Democrat). I did my best to distract and make her comfortable. Brought her snacks, made her a drink, and we peeled price tags off some stuff we bought at Goodwill to flip. It helped her. This morning she's way more calm and said "well, at least after this cycle I don't have to worry about him anymore" and I said "absolutely true. And the older you get the faster 4 years goes by. This year has been a blur".

As a libertarian, I hope the House flips so we have divided government. I always vote for divided government. The less either party can get done, the better.

[Skinypupy]

This morning she's way more calm and said "well, at least after this cycle I don't have to worry about him anymore"

Bold of her to assume.

[Blackhawk]

I don't think we're going to have to worry about him for even that long. If this is his last election, and he's handed the GOP the Presidency, Senate, and (likely) the House, then is a dangerously unpredictable and uncontrollable tool really all that useful anymore? I'm guessing that they find an excuse to drop him - medical, mental, whatever - long before four years are up.

[Carpet_pissr]

My girlfriend (she's a Democrat).

[msduncan]

My girlfriend (she's a Democrat).

Surprising I know. But realistically politics really doesn't come up much in day to day life. You just be kind and show each other compassion and love and the rest takes care of itself. She knows I'm a libertarian.

[hepcat]

My girlfriend (she's a Democrat).

Surprising I know. But realistically politics really doesn't come up much in day to day life. You just be kind and show each other compassion and love and the rest takes care of itself. She knows I'm a libertarian.

MSDuncan: Honey, can you hand me <Reaganomics worked!> a dish towel?

Girlfriend: Sure, here it....wait, what?

MSDuncan: Just asking for a dishtowel, sweety <and reminding you that voting republican is the only sane choice in this world>. Thank you, dear.

[msduncan]

My girlfriend (she's a Democrat).

Surprising I know. But realistically politics really doesn't come up much in day to day life. You just be kind and show each other compassion and love and the rest takes care of itself. She knows I'm a libertarian.

MSDuncan: Honey, can you hand me <Reaganomics worked!> a dish towel?

Girlfriend: Sure, here it....wait, what?

MSDuncan: Just asking for a dishtowel, sweety <and reminding you that the GOP is the only sane choice in this world>. Thank you, dear.

Well, just because I'm a Reagan fan and a libertarian, don't assume I voted for Trump. Despite him trying to frame himself as a 'Reagan', he's not. Harris's messaging (despite any policy position differences which are hard to compare because we are in drastically different times than the 1980s) was much more Reagan-like than Trump's.

She's a bit younger than me, so she was surprised when I showed her the electoral map from Reagan's reelection. He won every state except one. She remarked that we probably wouldn't see that again in our lifetimes, and she's right.

Edit to add thoughts about messaging: Reagan was optimism and unity within the country, as was Harris' messaging.

[hepcat]

All in good fun, my man. I'm truly enjoying your life journey these days. I may not agree with your political stance, but I appreciate your sincere attempt to connect with those who don't share it.

[Max Peck]

I don't think we're going to have to worry about him for even that long. If this is his last election, and he's handed the GOP the Presidency, Senate, and (likely) the House, then is a dangerously unpredictable and uncontrollable tool really all that useful anymore? I'm guessing that they find an excuse to drop him - medical, mental, whatever - long before four years are up.

JD Vance and friends are just as bad as Trump, just not (for the most part) as stupid and incompetent. Trump is more of a symptom of the rot in the American body politic than the actual cause.

[Blackhawk]

I don't think we're going to have to worry about him for even that long. If this is his last election, and he's handed the GOP the Presidency, Senate, and (likely) the House, then is a dangerously unpredictable and uncontrollable tool really all that useful anymore? I'm guessing that they find an excuse to drop him - medical, mental, whatever - long before four years are up.

JD Vance and friends are just as bad as Trump, just not (for the most part) as stupid and incompetent. Trump is more of a symptom of the rot in the American body politic than the actual cause.

It's not that he's better or worse. It's more about how willing he is to play ball with the greater GOP. They've backed Trump because they needed Trump. If they don't need him anymore, if his mouth or ego starts interfering with their agenda, and they feel that Vance is more amenable and less unpredictable, they could easily replace him. After the midterms, perhaps?

[msduncan]

I don't think we're going to have to worry about him for even that long. If this is his last election, and he's handed the GOP the Presidency, Senate, and (likely) the House, then is a dangerously unpredictable and uncontrollable tool really all that useful anymore? I'm guessing that they find an excuse to drop him - medical, mental, whatever - long before four years are up.

JD Vance and friends are just as bad as Trump, just not (for the most part) as stupid and incompetent. Trump is more of a symptom of the rot in the American body politic than the actual cause.

It's not that he's better or worse. It's more about how willing he is to play ball with the greater GOP. They've backed Trump because they needed Trump. If they don't need him anymore, if his mouth or ego starts interfering with their agenda, and they feel that Vance is more amenable and less unpredictable, they could easily replace him. After the midterms, perhaps?

Or his health and age may simply move him out early. It's a real possibility.

[msduncan]

All in good fun, my man. I'm truly enjoying your life journey these days. I may not agree with your political stance, but I appreciate your sincere attempt to connect with those who don't share it.

I took it as good natured ribbing. SDI works

[Smoove_B]

Or his health and age may simply move him out early. It's a real possibility.

Nothing is guaranteed, but I can't imagine he's going to last 4 years, no. And while that might normally be a comfort,in this case it provides none because of all the awful people associated with him and what they're still going to be able to do (and will have done) long before he checks out.

What just happened is so much bigger than Trump. He's the focus right now, but our issues as a nation are likely much larger in scope than anyone realizes. Or maybe we're starting to realize it now, catching up with those that already knew it in 2016.

[msduncan]

I just realized that I need to update my signature. I'm missing 3 national titles, SEC titles, and a bunch of all Americans.

[geezer]

I just realized that I need to update my signature. I'm missing 3 national titles, SEC titles, and a bunch of all Americans.

...and a couple losses to Texas, including your OC .

[msduncan]

I just realized that I need to update my signature. I'm missing 3 national titles, SEC titles, and a bunch of all Americans.

...and a couple losses to Texas, including your OC .

I miss that OC.

[geezer]

I just realized that I need to update my signature. I'm missing 3 national titles, SEC titles, and a bunch of all Americans.

...and a couple losses to Texas, including your OC .

I miss that OC.

Check your DMs in a sec..

[$iljanus]

Or his health and age may simply move him out early. It's a real possibility.

Nothing is guaranteed, but I can't imagine he's going to last 4 years, no. And while that might normally be a comfort,in this case it provides none because of all the awful people associated with him and what they're still going to be able to do (and will have done) long before he checks out.

What just happened is so much bigger than Trump. He's the focus right now, but our issues as a nation are likely much larger in scope than anyone realizes. Or maybe we're starting to realize it now, catching up with those that already knew it in 2016.

He doesn't need to last 4 years. I figure with the Supreme Court solidified he can now fill lower court vacancies. Republican control of the Senate will make all his confirmations easier so the executive branch gains power as well. And since his brand of campaigning is a working strategy there's little incentive for a Republican to run as a reasonable person. Also he has a mandate with the popular vote so again, why deviate from the MAGA brand even if the guy who was peddling it is gone?

I'm not saying we roll over and die but at the moment I don't know how to fight so I hope the Democratic Party gets their shit together and lays the groundwork now for the midterm elections.

[LordMortis]

Also he has a mandate with the popular vote so again, why deviate from the MAGA brand even if the guy who was peddling it is gone?

/meme of a celebrity pointing and looking up

[Rumpy]

I worry about what it will mean for Canada. He's shown that he doesn't care for our relations at all, and his rhetoric has directly lead to the encampment in Ottawa funded by people like Musk, that lasted for roughly a month, full of vitriol and violence, in an attempt to overthrow our PM.

[gilraen]

I worry about what it will mean for Canada.

You are not the only one: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/election-analysis-harris-trump-1.7374844

[Rumpy]

Yeah, it feels like most of Canada is in mourning.

[LawBeefaroni]

I don't think we're going to have to worry about him for even that long. If this is his last election, and he's handed the GOP the Presidency, Senate, and (likely) the House, then is a dangerously unpredictable and uncontrollable tool really all that useful anymore? I'm guessing that they find an excuse to drop him - medical, mental, whatever - long before four years are up.

2 years max. And they won't let his death/incapacitation go to waste. I'm assuming it will be a false flag assassination to get the most bang for buck.

[Max Peck]

Yeah, it feels like most of Canada is in mourning.

Except for Alberta, obviously.

[Rumpy]

Yeah, it feels like most of Canada is in mourning.

Except for Alberta, obviously.

Which is why I said most Alberta almost always is the exception, but I don't feel they speak for the most the Country.

[naednek]

can we call it season finale instead. It makes it less scary.

[Alefroth]

Yeah, it feels like most of Canada is in mourning.

I drove into BC for a couple of errands today, and it helped me a little mentally. It reminded me there was still some sanity in the world.

[Alefroth]

can we call it season finale instead. It makes it less scary.

Right. The spinoffs will have their own names.

[Skinypupy]

This. This right here is why I need to quit paying attention and just become blissfully ignorant.

I feel like “we’re fucked” doesn’t even begin to adequately express it.

Two people in the running for CIA director are Ric Grenell and Kash Patel:

[Smoove_B]

This. This right here is why I need to quit paying attention and just become blissfully ignorant.

If you figure out how to stop paying attention and become blissfully ignorant please share. Asking for a friend.

[Holman]

This. This right here is why I need to quit paying attention and just become blissfully ignorant.

Yeah. I spent most of the evening trying to make peace with the idea that there is still a future outside of Trumpworld's influence, and then this kind of news just wrecks it.

[Smoove_B]

Yeah. I spent most of the evening trying to make peace with the idea that there is still a future outside of Trumpworld's influence, and then this kind of news just wrecks it.

This is what has me spiraling:

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida appeared on CNN after the race was called and was asked whether a GOP-led Senate would be comfortable confirming the conspiracy theorist to a powerful federal role.

“Well, I think the Senate is going to give great deference to a president that just won a stunning, what I think is an electoral college landslide, when all is said and done, and a mandate,” Rubio replied. “He’s being given a mandate to govern. And I think presidents given a mandate to govern deserve from the Senate the opportunity to surround themselves with people that are going to help them execute their policies.”

In other words, yes.

[Blackhawk]

This. This right here is why I need to quit paying attention and just become blissfully ignorant.

If you figure out how to stop paying attention and become blissfully ignorant please share. Asking for a friend.

I'm trying to figure it out myself. There is a level of 'aware of what's going on around me' that I don't want to lose, but I'm not going to try and follow the day-to-day drama, the "Trump said...", the what-ifs. How to keep the one and lose the other - that I'm unsure of. Part of it will be reducing the time I spend in threads like this once the new has worn off of the election.

[Holman]

I don't want to be ignorant. I want to be closely connected to others who see how wrong this all is.

That's how we manage and survive and eventually overcome.

[Smoove_B]

My problem is so much of it directly affects my work. If I had a job where I could just fold shirts all day? I feel like I might be able to do it. But needing to be directly connected to the fire hose of insanity again (2016-2020 nearly was too much)....I don't know if I can do this again, especially with everything looming (climate crisis, the next pandemic, etc...) in the background. And yet, I must knowing already that it's unsustainable.

[Blackhawk]

I don't want to be ignorant. I want to be closely connected to others who see how wrong this all is.

That's how we manage and survive and eventually overcome.

I agree and I respect that. Yours is the better position.

I'm just tired. I've been fighting one thing or another that wanted to beat me down since my earliest memories. In the past couple of years I've finally realized that I've hit a point at which I no longer have it in me. I'm just tired of always battling uphill, all the time.

[Grifman]

Yeah. I spent most of the evening trying to make peace with the idea that there is still a future outside of Trumpworld's influence, and then this kind of news just wrecks it.

This is what has me spiraling:

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida appeared on CNN after the race was called and was asked whether a GOP-led Senate would be comfortable confirming the conspiracy theorist to a powerful federal role.

“Well, I think the Senate is going to give great deference to a president that just won a stunning, what I think is an electoral college landslide, when all is said and done, and a mandate,” Rubio replied. “He’s being given a mandate to govern. And I think presidents given a mandate to govern deserve from the Senate the opportunity to surround themselves with people that are going to help them execute their policies.”

In other words, yes.

And to think I used to think Rubio was a serious politician.

[Kurth]

Yeah. I spent most of the evening trying to make peace with the idea that there is still a future outside of Trumpworld's influence, and then this kind of news just wrecks it.

This is what has me spiraling:

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida appeared on CNN after the race was called and was asked whether a GOP-led Senate would be comfortable confirming the conspiracy theorist to a powerful federal role.

“Well, I think the Senate is going to give great deference to a president that just won a stunning, what I think is an electoral college landslide, when all is said and done, and a mandate,” Rubio replied. “He’s being given a mandate to govern. And I think presidents given a mandate to govern deserve from the Senate the opportunity to surround themselves with people that are going to help them execute their policies.”

In other words, yes.

File this away under the heading, “Elections have consequences.”