True. Didn’t consider that angle.
But as soon as it does happen…
Because the Republic(an)s, at least since the GWBush admin, insist on calling the Democratic party the “Democrat” party.
If the “respond in kind” approach (aka, “there are consequences to your actions” strategy) doesn’t deter them…
…surely the “you shit on the rules, we’ll play by them” approach (aka, “do as you please, no repercussions” strategy) will not succeed.
It’s like a bully is punching you in the face and you’re not supposed to fight back.
Fuck that shit.
This is serious business and we are dealing with people who are not serious.
We are dealing with people who have a very evil intent for the US. We are dealing with a lot of dirty stinky money in our politics.
It has always caused me some real consternation that we have rules for war and yet “they” say that all is fair in love and war.
I’m pretty sure that if I’m fighting for my life or my freedom, I’m not gonna follow any rules.
It’s all very head scratchy.
Because the Republic Party calls the Democratic Party the ‘Democrat Party’.
Two wrongs don’t make a right. But I understand why Durbin and the Dems are doing it, even as I regret yet another chip in the marble column of legislative norms.
Some more good news: US appeals court says Trump must face lawsuits over US Capitol attack
In the ‘Phoney War’ period after Germany invaded Poland and Great Britain and France declared war, Great Britain still tried to come to a diplomatic solution. Sort of ‘Play nice, and they’ll be reasonable.’ It didn’t work. It was only when the Allies roundly whipped Germany’s butt that the war in Europe ended.
The United States tried embargoes an diplomacy to curb Japan’s aggressive ambitions, and were given a surprise attack in return. It wasn’t until the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs that Japan – which had already lost the war – surrendered.
In A Christmas Story, the bully Scut Farkus was only deterred when Ralphie beats the crap out of him.
Using your enemies strengths and tactics against them is not a ‘wrong’; it’s the right way to deal with them.
You wanna know how to get Capone? They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That’s the Chicago way! And that’s how you get Capone.
The Republics are Capone.
“He shoots a dozen of your guys, you nail him for tax evasion. That’s the effective way.”
Its really just the prisoner’s dilemma in action. Its overall better for everyone if the two parties act in good faith. But there is great advantage to one party that reneges while the other party follows the rules.
Studies have shown that a tit-for-tat is one of the best strategies for the iterated prisoner’s dilemma since it punishes reneging but allows for a return to comity. Its now up to the Republicans to demonstrate that they are able to play nice.
Exactly. People will go as far as you let them. If you fight back, you can set limits.
In the article:
Dennis Wilenchik, an attorney representing Crosby, said in a statement that the indictment was “the product of nothing but political partisanship” and that he intends to “vigorously defend” his client.
Wilenchik was the turd of an attorney who was associated a number of times with Maricopa county’s ex-sheriff Joe Arpaio, and billed the county more than $2-million for defending him.
“Well, the former president finally got around to some campaign promises amid lots of cheering as you heard,” said Fox host Arthel Neville. “Many untruths, the 2020 election was not rigged, it was not stolen.” …
In the same tour, Trump claimed that he invented the term “caravan” and unironically claimed that he was God-chosen in the 2020 election.
Is there any level of Trumpy unhinged ranting that will finally move the needle? Like say move his approval rating down 5%?
What if he starts blithering about how elephants are shooting mind control rays at everyone, and we must all go down to the zoo and kill all the elephants?
What if he just starts screaming “PURPLE MONKEY DISHWASHER!” over and over again at his rallies? Will that become the new maga rallying cry?
Just what level of insanity will it take for him to lose a few percentage points?
Nope. At this point, the ones who know he’s spewing bullshit rationalize it away pretty quickly
Lots of different types of rationalization, too. That he doesn’t really mean most of it and is simply pandering to the “real” idiots. That it is more important to beat the Democrats than worry about stuff he won’t or can’t do. That things didn’t go totally off the rails last time so the fears are overblown. At this point, they’re committed. Otherwise, they’d have to gasp maybe vote for a Democrat or stay home. Or even worse - admit they may have been wrong
You could have a million Neo-Nazis marching to the Capitol waving swaztika bearing flags, and these folks can and will find a way to rationalize it. You might have a few of them regret their choice for a week or a month, but then they’ll watch some more Fox News and come back to their “senses” after the immediate shock has worn off. We saw that happen time and time and time again. After Charlottesville, after Jan 6, after every case of him showing the world exactly who he is. They all come crawling back to him sooner rather than later
Letters to the Editor: Yes, Trump voters know they’re supporting a racist autocrat
They think they are getting what they want: an authoritarian leader who is anti-democracy, racist, sexist and vengeful.
I mean, they pretty much already have in almost that exact circumstance.
Exactly!
I want to believe if he sacrificed a baby to Satan live in front of a crowd, that might do it, but I suspect not.
I’m totally serious about that. I think some of them would analogize him to Abraham and others would, after a couple months, get past it once the news cycle passed.
And that terrifies me
My parents, lifelong devout Catholics and decades-long daily communicants until COVID, defended the Church through the sex abuse scandals.
They would absolutely choose Trump over the Pope now. He’s not on the right page for them on immigration, poverty, climate action or even LGBT acceptance.