Trump Presidency

[Vertigo 7]

But that still requires the people being protested to care. All this is accomplishing is making noise they can and will ignore.

The British didn't surrender when the colonists protested and threw a bunch of tea into the Boston harbor. The confederate states didn't give up their rebellion because some folks in northern states held up signs demanding an end to slavery. The 3rd Reich didn't fall when Jewish people protested their genocide. Protests aren't defending democracy, they're just being laughed at. You're still thinking that this is some political exercise that can be overcome by a clearly broken system. These MAGA freaks aren't going to care until their livelihood is directly threatened.

Those three examples have one thing in common ... they are all way before modern mass media, which greatly strengthens the power of protest. A more modern counter example: The Berlin Wall came down only due to the pressure of public protest, and in a peaceful way. And no matter how far down the road towards a police state the US currently is (and I agree with you that is WAYYYYYYY too far), the US still could take lessons from East Germany. Yet, it did not save the political party in East Germany in the end, who cared even less about what people thought than Republicans do.

I'm not saying things will definitely work out this way, but the world isn't as black and white as you seem to think it is.

I agree with you that modern mass media did not exist back then. But it does today and man what a mess it is. Even if you cut through the noise, you see instances where the sitting president of the united states calls Neo Nazis "very fine people" and labels half the country an enemy of the US. Just today that stupid football coach senator made a twitter post calling the newly elected mayor of NYC "the enemy behind the gate" insinuating he's a Muslim terrorist. Thing is, the media exists for their side too, not that the so-called "liberal media" is on our side.

Even if all of that could be dismissed as rhetoric, other things that absolutely blow my mind is you see stuff like the f'n proud boys hired into ICE. I mean, seriously... the same assholes, known white supremacists and domestic terrorists, that assaulted the US capitol with intent to kill members of congress have been given a badge and a gun by the government.

We've been protesting for what seems like a decade now and nothing is improving. And I'm not saying don't protest. I'm just saying you might as well put out PSAs from the easter bunny and santa clause for all the impact it's having on fixing things. The Trump administration has made it clear that it does not give a damn about our protests. And if all protesting is doing is to make our side feel good about itself, then it's a massive waste of time.

[Usenko]

I think there’s an important piece of the puzzle missing here.

The existence of protests may or may not matter in a political sense. Here in Australia there are groups that have been protesting particular issues for years, sometimes with small semi-permanent camps in various places. Those protests rarely achieve much in practice[1]. The reason is simple: for all their historical importance, they represent only a tiny proportion of the population.

A protest movement that involves a few percent of the population of a country (especially a large country like the USA) is a very different matter.

The White House may say that they don’t care[2]. But that’s actually beside the point. Once a movement reaches a certain scale, its effects extend far beyond whether the government itself responds to it.

You said “if all protesting is doing is to make our side feel good about itself, then it’s a massive waste of time.” Let’s assume, for the sake of argument, that protests have zero direct impact on government decisions. What do they still do? Let’s leave aside the emotional factor and look at practical, measurable effects.

1) They signal to people who previously felt isolated that they are not alone. In a voluntary electoral system like that of the United States (and one using first-past-the-post voting[3]), that signal can matter a great deal. People who believed they were part of a small minority suddenly see that millions of others share their concerns, which makes participation in elections and political action seem viable.

2) They recruit new participants. People who were previously passive see a large and successful movement and become more willing to engage — whether that means voting, volunteering, donating, organising, or campaigning.

3) They influence elites. Even if the government itself ignores a protest, institutions that interact with it — churches, universities, media organisations, businesses, and civil society groups — cannot ignore a visible mass movement. Those groups make their own decisions about how to respond, and those responses can affect the political environment.

4) They send internationally visible signals of public dissent. Foreign governments and institutions also watch these things. Large demonstrations can influence diplomatic pressure and shape how seriously other countries treat a government’s claim to represent the will of its population.

In other words, protests are not mainly about persuading the people currently in power. They are about mobilising society around them. Once mobilisation reaches a large enough scale, the political consequences become difficult for any government to ignore.

You sound discouraged — and that’s understandable. I might well feel the same way if I were living in the United States right now.

The point I’m trying to make is that even in a very dark political moment — and yes, with a government that is moving in an obviously authoritarian direction — there is still reason for hope, and that hope doesn’t have to rely on violent revolution.

If millions of people are willing to publicly oppose a government, that fact alone changes the political landscape. It signals that a large portion of the population is paying attention and prepared to mobilise. It makes it clear (whether government is listening or not!) that should violent uprisings occur, the government is far from guaranteed to prevail.

In other words, participation in mass demonstrations is not pointless. It is one of the key ways societies test whether democratic pressure can still work before things ever reach the point where people begin seriously talking about revolt.

[1] They may be significant for other reasons, of course, but that’s a different discussion.

[2] Politicians often say they don’t care about protests. Saying that publicly can be politically useful. Whether it is true or not is largely irrelevant; the broader effects of large-scale mobilisation occur regardless of how leaders claim to feel about it.

[3] The Australian electoral system, with which I am more familiar, works quite differently — compulsory voting and preferential ballots — so some of these dynamics play out differently here. But they remain very relevant in the United States.

[Vertigo 7]

Well it's easy to sit and judge from a position of privilege. This isn't happening to you. You don't have to watch your fellow countrymen getting dragged out of their homes and vehicles (if they're not being publicly executed) and disappeared to parts unknown just because their skin isn't lily white or they protested (theres some irony for ya) the orange jackass. Sitting around trying to kumbaya this shit isn't getting the job done. If anything, the response from the Black Panthers has been A+ and something everyone should be doing.

[matthewfarmery]

Well, in the words of Monty python’s flying circus, "Always look at the bright side of life"

I bring you this very funny story. You will be in fits of laughter.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWhnI7HDuUx/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1B1wxaaGi4

A golden toilet statue has appeared near Lincoln Memorial in Washington. As Trump has been seen bragging on his new Ballroom, and the golden tiolet that he changed the colour of in the WH itself. As for the ballroom, the design's are totaly rubbish.

But anyway, some people with balls of steel, have made a full model of the golden toilet itself. With words on the side.

I would watch the video, as it I think reads from the plaque on the side.

So a team under the cover of darkness added this there. I hope they do that again in a different fashion. At least someone somewhere has a sense of humour in that depressing time.

[Chips]

Well, in the words of Monty python’s flying circus, "Always look at the bright side of life"

Having looked at the linked Youtube video, here we go...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t16xYMSyMXU

That's a Jimmy Kimmel monologue from 2017; ofc it's inserted for "comic" effect rather than relevance to current ongoings. But... Jimmy isn't "running this down for us" because his run down was 8 years prior. Again, this isn't supporting Trump. It's just pointing out... ah what's the point.

[chew-ie]

Well, in the words of Monty python’s flying circus, "Always look at the bright side of life"

Having looked at the linked Youtube video, here we go...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t16xYMSyMXU

That's a Jimmy Kimmel monologue from 2017; ofc it's inserted for "comic" effect rather than relevance to current ongoings. But... Jimmy isn't "running this down for us" because his run down was 8 years prior. Again, this isn't supporting Trump. It's just pointing out... ah what's the point.

I really like that idea - especially the part about "lock[ing] up the door to that castle"...

A shame it wasn't done back then. I'd vote for another try

---

Hah! US judge orders Trump to halt $400m White House ballroom project @source: theguardian.com

[matthewfarmery]

Well, in the words of Monty python’s flying circus, "Always look at the bright side of life"

Having looked at the linked Youtube video, here we go...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t16xYMSyMXU

That's a Jimmy Kimmel monologue from 2017; ofc it's inserted for "comic" effect rather than relevance to current ongoings. But... Jimmy isn't "running this down for us" because his run down was 8 years prior. Again, this isn't supporting Trump. It's just pointing out... ah what's the point.

The point is, it has nothing to do with Jimmy Kimmel, apart from having a actual golden toilet statue, made by some practical jokers. Because Trump has been pushing buttons about his golden toilet, and his ballroom.

And lets not forgot, I backed up that story with another link. I'm not sure where you think this is about that man, as it has nothing to do with him. Please read what I said. I menetioned the golden toilet statue. and there are plenty of links confirmed this. The reas I said watch the video, was it it had deeper background on why this statue appeared in the first place, and actual footage of it.

I think you should go back to that video, and realise what I said. As you didn't once mention the actual point of the post. And by gum, it made me chuckle.

[clakclak]

Well it's easy to sit and judge from a position of privilege. This isn't happening to you. You don't have to watch your fellow countrymen getting dragged out of their homes and vehicles (if they're not being publicly executed) and disappeared to parts unknown just because their skin isn't lily white or they protested (theres some irony for ya) the orange jackass. Sitting around trying to kumbaya this shit isn't getting the job done. If anything, the response from the Black Panthers has been A+ and something everyone should be doing.

It is a dangerous route to go down Vertigo. You may think all of us here are privileged and in some ways we certainly are, but we all have our own struggles. I do not want to get into to many details, because I might dox myself, but I have experienced people in my close orbit becoming vicitims of political violence, sometimes during events I helped organise. It happens quick, it happens unexpected and there isn't always a good way to deal with it or to react. And even though it may seem like it to you, having people deported back to their death is not a uniquely American phenomenon. Our chancellor just said the other day that he wants to deport 80% of Syrians back to Syria. I know a lot of Syrians, having worked as a language teacher for refugees (or more precisely still working), many of them will be in serious danger once they are deported.

You can go down the road that the Black Panthers walk in America, or here in Germany it would be the Antifa movement, but it may not lead to the outcomes you desire. You may end up like Lina E. or Luigi Mengione, a hero for you political side, sure, but also an ideal target for your opponents to project their rethoric on.

I am not telling you what to do, I am just telling you from experience to be careful you do not loose seight of WHY you are doing something. Anger, even if it is justified, is a bad advisor and there is something like a spiral of violence that once started can hardly be stopped.

[matthewfarmery]

Well, in the words of Monty python’s flying circus, "Always look at the bright side of life"

Having looked at the linked Youtube video, here we go...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t16xYMSyMXU

That's a Jimmy Kimmel monologue from 2017; ofc it's inserted for "comic" effect rather than relevance to current ongoings. But... Jimmy isn't "running this down for us" because his run down was 8 years prior. Again, this isn't supporting Trump. It's just pointing out... ah what's the point.

Have you even heard of Monty python?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_-q9xeOgG4

And before you ask, on time frame.

Dead parrot sketch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vuW6tQ0218

Spanish Inquisition

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psMMKgvpGfg

That is British Humour at its best


Any Brit here who has seen that show can confirm that. As long as they are about 40 years, as it 1970's period. Maybe you should get your time frame straight, as I did say "Monty python flying circus" Where I got that line, then onward to the gold toilet prank.

Now, that I have corrected you again, onward back to Trump.

@Chips

You should hear the song, and why I added that line, basically, says, you HAVE to look at the bright side of life, even when things get dark. So in that respect, you totally missed the point, on why I added that line to begin with. Or another, "

Now for something completely different

"

Google search

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is an iconic song written and performed by Eric Idle for the 1979 film Monty Python's Life of Brian. It plays during the final crucifixion scene, offering a humorous, optimistic take on facing death. The song has become a popular British singalong for funerals and sporting events.

[TSM]

I Stole this hard to beleive this bat crap crazy moron did all this on one month , just to stop people talking about Epstein files , oh and to make money trading oil.

Mar 3: "We won the war."
Mar 7: "We defeated Iran."
Mar 9: "We must attack Iran." "The war is ending almost completely, and very beautifully."
Mar 12: "We did win, but we haven't won completely yet."
Mar 13: "We won the war."
Mar 14: "Please help us."
Mar 15: "If you don't help us, I will certainly remember it."
Mar 16: "Actually, we don't need any help at all." "I was just testing to see who's listening to me." "If NATO doesn't help, they will suffer something very bad."
Mar 17: "We neither need nor want NATO's help." "I don't need Congressional approval to withdraw from NATO."
Mar 18: "Our allies must cooperate in reopening the Strait of Hormuz."
Mar 19: "US allies need to get a grip -step up and help open the Strait of Hormuz"
Mar 20: "NATO are cowards."
Mar 21: "We don't use it, we don't need to open it."
Mar 22: "This is the last time. I will give Iran 48 hours." "Iran is Dead"
Mar 23: "We are giving them more time."
Mar 24: "The war is nearing its end."
Mar 25: "We are still negotiating."
Mar 26: "Iran is begging for peace. They gave us a gift. We will give them more time."
Mar 27: "Talks with iran are going very well"
Mar 28: "War will be over soon"
Mar 29: "Maybe we take Kharg island, maybe we dont"
Mar 30: "Open the Strait or we will obliterate all energy infrastructure and oil wells"
Mar 31: "We dont need the strait, we got plenty of oil. Get it yourself UK."
Apr 1: "Iranian leader asks for cease fire and trump considers leaving NATO"

[matthewfarmery]

Looks like, things are getting suspicious. As new reports are now saying there been some major inside trading from the WH to certain family members and friends.

The Trade: Approximately
million in oil futures changed hands in a single minute on a Monday morning in March 2026, roughly 15 minutes before Trump’s announcement.
The Action: President Trump announced on Truth Social that the U.S. had "productive conversations" with Iran, causing oil prices to fall and the Dow to surge, benefiting those with short positions.
Suspicious Pattern: This is part of a broader, emerging pattern of market moves anticipating administration policy changes.
Accusations: Nobel laureate Paul Krugman described the potential actions as "treason". Senator Chris Murphy and other critics have called for an investigation into whether White House staff or family members profited from nonpublic information.

So, while the world is getting higher prices, people are profiting from this, and making themselves very rich, before this flimsy house of cards come crashing down. Basically, a inside money machine. And with everything I said, and seems to connect the dots, we have a lot of millionaires and billionaires WHO KNEW before hand, what Trump has been saying. The thing is, Trump's phone has been hacked. But I bet people are trying to make a lot of money before the balloon bursts. Which basically means, the oil price all along is the reason for the war. So basically, Another Iraq war. And don't forget that was exactly the same thing.

[Vertigo 7]

It is a dangerous route to go down Vertigo. You may think all of us here are privileged and in some ways we certainly are, but we all have our own struggles. I do not want to get into to many details, because I might dox myself, but I have experienced people in my close orbit becoming vicitims of political violence, sometimes during events I helped organise. It happens quick, it happens unexpected and there isn't always a good way to deal with it or to react. And even though it may seem like it to you, having people deported back to their death is not a uniquely American phenomenon. Our chancellor just said the other day that he wants to deport 80% of Syrians back to Syria. I know a lot of Syrians, having worked as a language teacher for refugees (or more precisely still working), many of them will be in serious danger once they are deported.

You can go down the road that the Black Panthers walk in America, or here in Germany it would be the Antifa movement, but it may not lead to the outcomes you desire. You may end up like Lina E. or Luigi Mengione, a hero for you political side, sure, but also an ideal target for your opponents to project their rethoric on.

I am not telling you what to do, I am just telling you from experience to be careful you do not loose seight of WHY you are doing something. Anger, even if it is justified, is a bad advisor and there is something like a spiral of violence that once started can hardly be stopped.

Of course not. I don't mean to imply people aren't having their own struggles. Certainly, at the moment, we're better off than the people of Ukraine, Iran, Palestine, and Lebanon, to name a few. Regardless, this isn't a competition. We, or anyone else, do not have to tolerate the presence of Nazis. I don't leave my house unarmed since he started sending out his gestapo to terrorize our neighborhoods. and I know I'm not the only one. And if people start putting Nazis in the dirt, where they belong, I'll not be losing any sleep over it.

[matthewfarmery]

Now for something completely different.

Looks like a Judge has FINALLY blocked the construction of that WH ballroom. As the National Trust did an injunction to get it stopped.

https://www.local10.com/video/news/2026 ... m-project/

Now, Trump NEEDS congress approval before work continues.

But knowing Trump, he's going to break the law and this project will find some way to move forward, regardless of what a judge says. Considering, he been bragging about it, and so its probably because, he tired of the war. And this is why, his mind is cracking, and shifting focus every few minutes.

[felter]

Trump attended the SCOTUS today as they heard arguments for Trumps ban on US birthright citizenship challenge he stormed out in a huff before the end of arguments as it was not going his way, I have no idea even why he went there in the first place, he is supposed to be running a country that's at war right now, he shouldn't have time to do this sort of thing, and it would have made zero difference him being there, what a Muppet.

[TSM]

Trump attended the SCOTUS today as they heard arguments for Trumps ban on US birthright citizenship challenge he stormed out in a huff before the end of arguments as it was not going his way, I have no idea even why he went there in the first place, he is supposed to be running a country that's at war right now, he shouldn't have time to do this sort of thing, and it would have made zero difference him being there, what a Muppet.

Some people seem to be infering he was trying to intimidate the Judges.

[Usenko]

Trump attended the SCOTUS today as they heard arguments for Trumps ban on US birthright citizenship challenge he stormed out in a huff before the end of arguments as it was not going his way, I have no idea even why he went there in the first place, he is supposed to be running a country that's at war right now, he shouldn't have time to do this sort of thing, and it would have made zero difference him being there, what a Muppet.

Some people seem to be infering he was trying to intimidate the Judges.

If so, he failed miserably. The judges were taking his lawyers apart.

[TSM]

Trump attended the SCOTUS today as they heard arguments for Trumps ban on US birthright citizenship challenge he stormed out in a huff before the end of arguments as it was not going his way, I have no idea even why he went there in the first place, he is supposed to be running a country that's at war right now, he shouldn't have time to do this sort of thing, and it would have made zero difference him being there, what a Muppet.

Some people seem to be infering he was trying to intimidate the Judges.

If so, he failed miserably. The judges were taking his lawyers apart.

he's about as intimidating as a grape with a pen knife.

[matthewfarmery]

Which begs the question, if Trump is losing control over those corrupt nine. Because Trump has packed the court his way. Then why! did they give him that immunity ruling in the first place? Did he threaten them? or were they already intimidated by a higher unseen power?

This is why, people here don't fully understand, Trump has been controlling these from that point, or maybe before that point (or had hidden help) . His first term, had some sort of checks and balances. But his second term, all that got shredded. All because, he didn't get the ruling that would have ended his term in office, or a chance to come back.

Lets not forget loose judge cannon, Why way she even picked? because she wasn't qualified to start with. But during the time she was probably hand picked for the classified docs case. She was taking longer and longer. And if Jack Smith had his way, he should have had the power to kick her off the case.

But then, the second issue, after the immunity ruling, She basically dropped the case, But then, Trump, while the polls said, that Harris would win. I think there was some rigging. Which means, lets not forget, he had that powerful corrupt Musk. So I think this the point that people have been missing. Trump's raise to power was planned. Same playbook as Hitler.

But all this took planning, and all this took time. And the right court to get Trump off the hook, is the most powerful court in the land. Control that, and Trump would be / is untouchable. But then, the classified docs case, the immunity ruling didn't apply. As that happened while he was out of office. So why did she drop that case? when the immunity ruling couldn't protect him?

So was her pick, planned in advance? I would say so, as she simply wasn't qualified, but she did have murky connections. Which fits a pattern doesn it? All those that have sided with Trump has some sort of dark conspiracy connection.

So Trump's return has been thought out. Let I said before, this took planning.

But now, we are seeing the reverse. Most that sided with Trump are trying to get off the exit ramp. I bet if that citizen birthright case was ruled upon. 3 people for, the rest against. Same pattern, as the others. As they didn't see or weren't told how much of a monster Trump was and is.

But still, all those that sided with Trump were corrupt and rotten to the core. But this is the same pattern with the republicans. Only his die hard supporters are still with him. While many are terrified of what is happening. And as I pointed out, this corruption will have to be exposed.

Otherwise, it will be a major cover-up. not just now, but after. But still. Trump is a monster now. People are slowly starting to realise. But those in power, wants this to remain. Otherwise, it will all come crashing down. See the problem?

[clakclak]

To break up the monotony a bit but still stay on the topic of American politics, or at least how they influence politics in other countries: In today's episode of the far-right backstabbing each other: Elon Musk and Trump's buddies from the German AfD throw them underneath the bus for some easy political points in Germany (as America isn't super popular right now) by calling for US troops to **** off from German soil. They are, of course, not demanding this because of anything to do with Iran. Instead the official reason is that Germany can, according to the AfD only become strong if there are no foreign soldiers on German soil. However the internal political strive in the party already shows the real reason for this as there are two factions that accuse each other of either being the "Nato-Boys" or "Putisten", depending on rather they prefer Putin or Trump as their Lord and Savior. It is the Putin Faction that is now calling for the removal of troops. Interestingly the chinese owned faction around Maximilian Krah is calling for the troops to stay.

[fiksal]

made me smile