America. 7/4/1776 to 11/5/2024.

[Icarus]

Trump spent a lot of energy by repeatedly telling his people that the Democrats will destroy America. He, and he alone, could fix it was one of his oft repeated absolutes.

Now that he has been elected, he is busily appointing secretaries for the various national interests, like secretary of defense, secretary of labor, secretary of health, secretary of the treasury, etc. The problem is that he is busily appointing shady characters, conspiracy theorists, and unqualified crackpots.  The reasons for selecting the clown car individuals is that all of them have been obliged to pledge their absolutely unwavering loyalty to the newly elected con man. Several of the selections have gone down in flames because it is clear that the U.S. Senate will not approve some, or most, of the the appointments.

The new boss man is hell bent on extracting revenge for the punishment he has endured for such things as rape, extortion, tax fraud. He has been convicted of 34 counts of illegal business practice along with a few million dollars to a woman who he might have raped. He is pissed about all that justice having been served. He is damned sure going to use his power to punish the dispensers of law and justice who caused him to experience hurt to his enormous ego.

There is no joy in Mudville!

[Dark Lightning]

May he eat a disease-ridden Mikey-D's burger sometime soon.

[Recusant]

We are privileged and cursed to witness a turning point. It seems that close to half of those who bothered to vote in the recent election are in favor of an authoritarian kleptocracy/kakistocracy or are wilfully indifferent to such a potential outcome. The United States has always had some tinges or broad tendencies to authoritarianism, institutionalized greed, and glorified incompetence at various times, but more usually sub-rosa rather than blatant. I believe we are contemplating the distinct possibility of a dismaying new low for the American res publica.

* * *

Veering away from that for a moment to the safer harbor of nostalgia. . . I know at least one former member wouldn't be pleased with my usage of "American" there. Yet the US was the first of the colonized lands in that part of the world to achieve statehood. Its precedence is unquestioned in that regard, for better or worse. Yes there were nations that preceded it but they encountered some unpleasant difficulties--they no longer exist. Indeed those difficulties accompanied and were in many cases imposed by the colonizers. It may be an ongoing transgression for the US to call itself "America" but it's also in keeping with the nature of the nation. Not to excuse but to acknowledge. 

* * *

I recall many years ago when his political career was just beginning to twitch, watching the asinine now once again president-elect blithering about his serious investigation of Obama's birthplace, promising startling revelations soon to come. He had just got off a plane and the wind was toying with his ludicrous hair. I already knew him to be a vile asshat clown and that performance only deepened my disdain. What glories awaited us all, if we only knew. It looks to be a fraught several years ahead. If the fates smile upon us we will survive them.

[Asmodean]

I know at least one former member wouldn't be pleased with my usage of "American" there. Yet the US was the first of the colonized lands in that part of the world to achieve statehood. Its precedence is unquestioned in that regard, for better or worse. Yes there were nations that preceded it but they encountered some unpleasant difficulties--they no longer exist. Indeed those difficulties accompanied and were in many cases imposed by the colonizers. It may be an ongoing transgression for the US to call itself "America" but it's also in keeping with the nature of the nation. Not to excuse but to acknowledge. 

Hmm... Inedeed.

To put it in contemporary Eurpoean terms, which nation is the Crimean peninsula a part of? Is it Ukraine, because The Free World(tm) and Ukraine say so, or is it Russian Federation, because they have the monopoly on force there?

Nations rise and fall, as do empires. Sometimes, following a particularly vicious such cycle, toothless laws that impotently demand mutual respect for international borders rise... Then fall to nations who simply don't care because the meager price is, in their leaders' eyes, worth paying.

If your neighbour is eyeing your front yard while mentally building his new barbecue in it, and you oppose the notion... Buy guns. More and better guns than he has, in fact. Failing that, have reliable friends with said guns. If you do not, your grandchildren may know it as his front yard, and... By then, it just is.

"But muh First Nations..." ...Lost when it mattered. Diplomatically and/or militarilly. Their remnants are a part of something else now. And that's about the end of that.

I recall many years ago when his political career was just beginning to twitch, watching the asinine now once again president-elect blithering about his serious investigation of Obama's birthplace, promising startling revelations soon to come. He had just got off a plane and the wind was toying with his ludicrous hair. I already knew him to be a vile asshat clown and that performance only deepened my disdain. What glories awaited us all, if we only knew. It looks to be a fraught several years ahead. If the fates smile upon us we will survive them.

The United States will survive Trump 2. In fact, I would not be surprised to see it thrive. A leader being an asshole is nothing new - what's new is how overt he is willing to be about it. He may still do OK in keeping his nation out of war, keeping the economy ticking and maintaining an acceptable degree of safety and security for his citizens - all while publicly insulting some other country's prime minister for having mis-matched boobs.

I don't really like to ad-Hitlerum things, but lemme put it this way;

Germany gave us two World Wars, the Holocaust and "all" the great nuclear weapon scientists of the last century. They got bombed to shit and split in half and reunited and now, I eat their sausages, drink their beer and drive their cars, yet here "you" are, "prophecising doom" over a nation with several times the potential of Germany, because the president lies while grabbin' 'em by the pussy. If the US is to fall, it will not be because Donald Trump runs it into the ground - it will be because the American people do.

[Recusant]

Hmm... Indeed.

To put it in contemporary Eurpoean terms, which nation is the Crimean peninsula a part of? Is it Ukraine, because The Free World(tm) and Ukraine say so, or is it Russian Federation, because they have the monopoly on force there?

Nations rise and fall, as do empires. Sometimes, following a particularly vicious such cycle, toothless laws that impotently demand mutual respect for international borders rise... Then fall to nations who simply don't care because the meager price is, in their leaders' eyes, worth paying.

If your neighbour is eyeing your front yard while mentally building his new barbecue in it, and you oppose the notion... Buy guns. More and better guns than he has, in fact. Failing that, have reliable friends with said guns. If you do not, your grandchildren may know it as his front yard, and... By then, it just is.

"But muh First Nations..." ...Lost when it mattered. Diplomatically and/or militarilly. Their remnants are a part of something else now. And that's about the end of that.

Agreeing with all points. Despite efforts to ameliorate mass violence, it's still how our species does things.

To call the USA "America" essentially and inaccurately claims the whole hemisphere. It's a manifestation of the bumptious imperialism underlying the ethos of the country. I understand why people find that repugnant but I consider it a reminder of who you're dealing with.

From its beginning the US has been heavily populated with strivers. Leaving the outright murdering thieves and enslavers aside, it's "What's feasible here doesn't suit me--up stakes and off to the New World." Strivers of that sort inherently include a significant element of "I'm gonna get mine, Jack, even if it's yours at the moment" in their population.

The character traits may not be particularly a product of genetics. Nonetheless they'll be passed down culturally and within families. Children tend to emulate their parents; strivers and opportunists often come from strivers and opportunists. There are clear benefits to this as well as serious costs. I think it doesn't hurt to keep that national trait of bumptiousness I mentioned earlier in mind.       

The United States will survive Trump 2. In fact, I would not be surprised to see it thrive. A leader being an asshole is nothing new - what's new is how overt he is willing to be about it. He may still do OK in keeping his nation out of war, keeping the economy ticking and maintaining an acceptable degree of safety and security for his citizens - all while publicly insulting some other country's prime minister for having mis-matched boobs.

I don't really like to ad-Hitlerum things, but lemme put it this way;

Germany gave us two World Wars, the Holocaust and "all" the great nuclear weapon scientists of the last century. They got bombed to shit and split in half and reunited and now, I eat their sausages, drink their beer and drive their cars, yet here "you" are, "prophecising doom" over a nation with several times the potential of Germany, because the president lies while grabbin' 'em by the pussy. If the US is to fall, it will not be because Donald Trump runs it into the ground - it will be because the American people do.

Depends on what is intended with the word "fall." For example the US could become a thriving quasi-theocracy. That is part of the plan of people Trump is appointing to high positions. If they succeed it's still a world power (unless some zealot starts a nuclear exchange) but will have betrayed its foundations. If you install loons in positions of power the outcome is uncertain at best.

[Icarus]

I grudgingly agree with The Asmo's points of view.  We might be capable of surviving the Bubonic Plague as well.

[Asmodean]

Agreeing with all points. Despite efforts to ameliorate mass violence, it's still how our species does things.

Yeah... Unfortunately, if you account for the world that is, none of the points I've made here are controversial.

To call the USA "America" essentially and inaccurately claims the whole hemisphere. It's a manifestation of the bumptious imperialism underlying the ethos of the country. I understand why people find that repugnant but I consider it a reminder of who you're dealing with.

That may be overthinking it a bit. "America" is shorter and easier to say than "The United States [of America]," and "American" is "way better" than "The United Statesian."

People call the Republic of South Africa "South Africa," despite there being other nations in the geographical area that is the south of the African continent. People call the Russian Federation "Russia," despite it having constituent republics. People call The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland "Britain," forgetting the Irish bit. If you go looking for Imperialism, you will certainly find it. I, however, propose that it's becasue "that's just whatcha' call it."     

Depends on what is intended with the word "fall." For example the US could become a thriving quasi-theocracy. That is part of the plan of people Trump is appointing to high positions. If they succeed it's still a world power (unless some zealot starts a nuclear exchange) but will have betrayed its foundations. If you install loons in positions of power the outcome is uncertain at best.

Uncertain - sure, though I would not call what you describe a "fall," unless it's a pretty severe case of it. Historically speaking, Iran did not fall when the priesthood seized power, Afghanistan did not fall with the return of Taliban, the UK did not fall from Brexit and so forth. They became, or got on their way towards becoming, nations that a large chunk of their population (or the chunk that "mattered") wanted them to be.

I grudgingly agree with The Asmo's points of view.  We might be capable of surviving the Bubonic Plague as well.

Well, "we" made it thought COVID somehow, so maybe there is the tiniest of hopes that we would survive a mere Plague as well.

[The Magic Pudding..]

We are privileged and cursed to witness a turning point. It seems that close to half of those who bothered to vote in the recent election are in favor of an authoritarian kleptocracy/kakistocracy or are wilfully indifferent to such a potential outcome.

Some of them don't think anthropic climate troubles is a thing, why would they think a kakistocracy is a thing?  Even though I would contend it doesn't have a red squiggly, so it must be.

Veering away from that for a moment to the safer harbor of nostalgia. . . I know at least one former member wouldn't be pleased with my usage of "American" there. Yet the US was the first of the colonized lands in that part of the world to achieve statehood. Its precedence is unquestioned in that regard, for better or worse. Yes there were nations that preceded it but they encountered some unpleasant difficulties--they no longer exist. Indeed those difficulties accompanied and were in many cases imposed by the colonizers. It may be an ongoing transgression for the US to call itself "America" but it's also in keeping with the nature of the nation. Not to excuse but to acknowledge. 

So you're acknowledging the "may be" ongoing transgression on behalf of HAF, it's about time, maybe we could have moved on but I'm really getting good at this victim thing, I got an internet degree in it, so you're not going to just squirm out of your role, you and your type are the victimisers, get used to it.

[Asmodean]

you and your type are the victimisers, get used to it.

Ooh! Ooh! The Asmo hereby proclaims Himself-self to be the Divine Victimiser-in-Chief.

I'd like to make a serious point though. Persistent victimhood is not given - it's nourished by the would-be victim and, quite often, their very "support structure." If someone stole ten bucks* from me, there and then, I would be the victim of theft. I would not still be that several life-altering decisions later, however. By then, my life is on me again.

Sure, you could have terrible things happen to you, leading to trauma and disability and whatever else dire straits may be available. You may deal with that. Spite your fate, as it were. You may try and fail and give up trying - then try something else. Or you can curl up and die. Or you may do the current year equivalent of that and make your life all about victimhood points for random bullshit from random people on the Internet, who get off on their own e-virtue.

Don't want to be a victim? Put in some effort. Again and again, until you are not. If nothing else, you will be seen as someone who's trying, and probably even respected for that by "any-one" whose opinion of you is worth taking into account. DO want to be a victim? Expect to be mercilessly trolled for it by many among those very same people.

*This does scale up from my few dollars to somebody violating the sanctity of my bottom or lopping off my left leg. Just trying to be somewhat family-friendly here.

[Dark Lightning]

America, Mexico. Here's an interesting tidbit. I live in the United States of America. Mexicans live in Los Estados Unidos de Mexico- the United States of Mexico. I vote we say "USA" instead of America. It's easier to both say and spell, and leaves little doubt as to what ones means.

[Recusant]

So you're acknowledging the "may be" ongoing transgression on behalf of HAF, it's about time, maybe we could have moved on but I'm really getting good at this victim thing, I got an internet degree in it, so you're not going to just squirm out of your role, you and your type are the victimisers, get used to it.

I can't and don't claim to be writing on behalf of this site, except when using moderator red.   

When I was but a youth my reading of history and knowledge that some of my ancestors came to America in the colonial era lead me to the conclusion that I exist as the beneficiary of fairly efficient victimisers. As such I suppose I can be painted with the same brush; some of my thoughts and actions may echo that heritage. To acknowledge and try to avoid oppressive expressions may not be enough to escape this heritage, and I made my peace with that. 

[Recusant]

America, Mexico. Here's an interesting tidbit. I live in the United States of America. Mexicans live in Los Estados Unidos de Mexico- the United States of Mexico. I vote we say "USA" instead of America. It's easier to both say and spell, and leaves little doubt as to what ones means.

OK, but what demonym to agree with that? In contrast to "American," "USAian" seems clumsy, but I suppose it could serve.

[Dark Lightning]

I'm just tossing it out there. I'm certainly not important enough to dictate even what we're having for dinner today. Though in a sense, I am, since I'll be making it.    "America" is deep enough in common usage that we're pretty much cast in concrete with it.

[Asmodean]

To acknowledge and try to avoid oppressive expressions may not be enough to escape this heritage, and I made my peace with that. 

Words matter as far as their context. without one, they are merely letters on a page or ordered vibrations in the air. I propose that avoiding "oppressive expressions" does nothing to escape that heritage you would see forsaken.

If you use "American" in the sense of "This continent is mine and the only reason I do not invade your so-called nation in order to claim it is because, frankly, it is too much of a shit hole," then maybe don't be a family-friendly euphemism for Richard.

If, however, by "American," you mean "a citizen of the United States of America," and you are being understood as such, then there really is no problem, is there? And even if you are not being understood as such - it took me seconds to type out an explanation. It would take little more to utter it verbally.

[Harmonie]

America the Depraved as I now call it.

The people had one job and failed it miserably.

On my birthday this year, I am distraught, worried about the future. I have no avenue to escape this country, nor do I know if any country is going to be safe. I just have to hope that my state will resist the Christofascists and hold strong.

January 20th I'll be thoroughly distracted with starting a training program and starting physical therapy. But even with those distractions it's going to be rough to keep my mind off of the doom.