# How is this going to end? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [February 5, 2025, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914 "2025-02-05T07:59:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/221 "2025-03-10T02:40:04Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > Please show me where, in this thread or anywhere on the whole board, anyone has said this. [This thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527) and [this one](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-us-troops-fire-on-canadian-civilians/1014046) come immediately to mind. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/222 "2025-03-10T02:42:58Z")
I’m not seeing it. Can you please comb through the responses and find it for me? I too want to smirk at anyone who says Trump is harmless. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/223 "2025-03-10T02:46:49Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > I’m not seeing it. Can you please comb through the responses and find it for me? Look at the posts by Smapti in the first thread and by Aeschines in the second, although there’s others. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/224 "2025-03-10T02:47:28Z")
Oh, you got me. I’m not finding anyone using the word “harmless” when talking about DJT. I am seeing several posters claiming he won’t do this or that thing because of the courts, or Congress or the “law” prevents it. Two threads with plenty of examples of that attitude are in the threads linked by Der\_Trihs. Your lack of interest in reading through them is not my problem to address. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/225 "2025-03-10T02:56:25Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Your lack of interest in reading through them is not my problem to address. On this board, proving a claim you make most certainly is your responsibility to address. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/226 "2025-03-10T02:59:14Z")
I’m not sure how much this one will fit what you are looking for but so far I found this comment: > [@The argument that Trump will do whatever he wants and no one can stop him is really fucking boring](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/110): > > It’s quickly becoming clear that he’s not as intimidating as he once was, and he’s looking a lot weaker and less in control of the situation. This isn’t a president who’s going to be able to issue dictatorial edicts and have the other branches of government just go along with it. No, the word “harmless” isn’t used but this is just one example by this poster claiming DJT is weaker and won’t be able to issue “dictatorial edicts”. Plenty of people would disagree with that comment. ETA: It’s a 500+ post thread so it will take some time for me to find more examples. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/227 "2025-03-10T03:10:00Z")
Here’s one claiming what DJT is doing in regard to immigration/ICE is nothing new and just PR with no substance […nothing new and just PR…](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/186) ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/228 "2025-03-10T03:40:17Z")
I know you were just using hyperbole; a lot of us are. Some are Pollyannas, some Debbie Downers. Neither of these extreme outlooks is more realistic or helpful than the other. I guess I don’t see the point in arguing over “who’s the most scared”. We’re all in the same boat and are seeing the same shit and destruction. And, lest you think I’m of the first group, my answer to the OP is “in bloody revolution”. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/229 "2025-03-10T11:05:11Z")
> [@natureboy](#): > > It doesn’t take a majority to destroy a democracy; it only takes a majority not giving a fuck one way or the other. Bingo. The majority sees it as ‘whatever’, I’m to busy watching ‘Three’s Company’ on TV to think about this. It could, oddly be a good thing that they don’t vote though. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/230 "2025-03-10T14:00:01Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > just using hyperbole Ok, here are some examples that aren’t hyperbole: - provision of intelligence data to Russia - cessation of aid to Ukraine - destruction of Canada’s economy (I’m Canadian so this is very real to me) - possible take-over of Canada (not necessarily militarily but, with Trump, who TF knows) - possible disintegration of NATO (this could be catastrophic to the west btw) - the various deportation examples that we’ve seen in this board I genuinely don’t understand how people don’t think that this is bad as many of us say ---
**Author:** ![natureboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@natureboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/natureboy)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/231 "2025-03-12T09:05:14Z")
I, too, ‘get it’. If they can’t count on a party to stop an ethnic cleansing, what else is the party good for? In what other ways will they be let down in the future? Nevertheless, one of the faces of the pro-Palestine movement is now being (in my opinion, illegally) detained and threatened with deportation. There’s that. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/232 "2025-03-12T09:17:21Z")
> [@natureboy](#): > > If they can’t count on a party to stop an ethnic cleansing, what else is the party good for? Thing is, nobody was in a position to do so. Biden was the President of the US, not of Israel. I expect that one reason they got so little response is because the Democrats knew they were demanding the impossible, so there was no point in trying to placate them. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/233 "2025-03-12T10:45:52Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Biden was the President of the US, not of Israel. I expect that one reason they got so little response is because the Democrats knew they were demanding the impossible, so there was no point in trying to placate them. Once again (this is probably the fourth or fifth time of saying this): no, they were not demanding Biden somehow take control over Israel. They were angry about the actual things the administration was doing, like supplying weapons and vetoing any international actions. The fact that people are so sure about this straw man is illustrative of why the palestinian protesters _should_ have been heard out. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/234 "2025-03-12T14:52:06Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > They were angry about the actual things the administration was doing, like supplying weapons and vetoing any international actions. Yet they were too damn lazy to look at the alternative, as well as Trump’s history. I understand their outrage. But it’s not just that cohort. If people can’t see, after watching just a few of his rallies or press conferences, that he is a collosal bullshitter and, as I heard one talking head say, a carnival barker, I don’t have an iota of sympathy or understanding. These are people who truly couldn’t be bothered to think beyond their own street or special interest or anything further into the future than next week. Anyone who either voted for Trump, voted third party, or didn’t vote has fucked the entire west, if not the world. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/235 "2025-03-12T14:58:20Z")
I agree with this post. ‘Biden did things I think were wrong. So, I will not vote for Harris’ would be an acceptable position in a normal election. This was very much not a normal election. Trump has already talked about taking control of Gaza and moving all the residents somewhere else. So. the choices were- do something to stop Trump from commiting evil acts or turning a blind eye while Netanyahu commits them, or sit by and let it happen. Anybody did nothing to stop Trump is just as guilty as he is. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/236 "2025-03-12T15:34:51Z")
I’ve given my reasoning why I don’t think that is the case, but again: Let’s say my #1 voting issue is what happens to my local hospital, and the incumbent is busy demolishing whole sections of it, with no indication it’s going to ever stop and won’t listen to my questions or concerns. But I’m told the other candidate wants to raze it to the ground. In this case, OK, I might well vote for “indefinite demolition” over “probable razing”. But I would absolutely understand someone that either sits it out or votes third party. Let alone saying that someone that picks such an alternate option is _culpable_ for the razing. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/237 "2025-03-12T15:50:44Z")
That has been my position on inaction since I can remember. I am not sure whether I held that view and it was reinforced by a principle in the talmud, or whether the talmud is where I picked it up. The talmud says roughly- if you see somebody doing something wrong, and you can reasonably stop them yet you choose to do nothing, then you are as guilty as they are. As for your analogy, I understand that no analogy is quite perfect. But, this one seems especially flawed. Whether you agreed with him or not, Biden was essentially a decent and reasonable man. Trump is a greedy, hate-filled toddler. If you voted Harris, it is possible that she could be persuaded to change US policies and actions. If you voted Trump, you were either excedingly ignorant of who he was and what he stood for, or you supported saying “Screw you!” to the rest of the world including nearly all our allies. It was extremely predictable that Trump would alwatys give Israel special treatment. Conservative Christian Americans support Israel as part of their desire for the Second Coming. Besides which, they think of Israelis as white. Arabs are brown and thought of, incorrectly, as all Muslim. So the choice was- Vote Harris and things may still be bad or vote Trump and things will be much, much worse. As I have said, unless you tried to stop Trump from becoming President, you not only give up the right to complain about hi- you are guilty. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/238 "2025-03-12T17:29:14Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Once again (this is probably the fourth or fifth time of saying this): no, they were not demanding Biden somehow take control over Israel. They were angry about the actual things the administration was doing, like supplying weapons and vetoing any international actions. Because Biden chose to try to please the one side there _was_ a possibility of making happy. If Biden had chosen to do nothing then the pro-Palestinian side would have still been enraged, because just about everyone consistently treats the US President as if _they_ are in charge of the Middle East and holds them responsibly for not just “fixing it”. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/239 "2025-03-12T18:14:26Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > In this case, OK, I might well vote for “indefinite demolition” over “probable razing”. But I would absolutely understand someone that either sits it out or votes third party. Except for your analogy to be accurate, the other candidate actually wants to raze **all** hospitals ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914/240 "2025-03-12T19:54:16Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Because Biden chose to try to please the one side there _was_ a possibility of making happy. > > If Biden had chosen to do nothing then the pro-Palestinian side would have still been enraged You really believe that? That he had no choice but to aid and abet the bombing campaign and block any international condemnation because, somehow we know he would have been hated anyway? So what’s the complaint about voting, if this was a voting block so immune to actual events? > [@velomont](#): > > Except for your analogy to be accurate, the other candidate actually wants to raze **all** hospitals No, because in that case we’d have to say the incumbent is demolishing all hospitals. So far much more of the extermination happened in the last administration than the current one. Don’t get me wrong, Trump is a much bigger threat but in the context of talking about the devastation and how it related to voting choice, my analogy is apt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-going-to-end/1013914.md?page=13)