This will be a long read, but I will include references where appropriate.

Very often a con man will focus your attention on something so that you do not see what he is really doing. To me, it does not make sense to spend millions of dollars and focus the public's attention on 1% of the population who just want to live in peace. And yet, we see attack after attack on transgender people and the LGBTQ+ community at large.

Why? What is he really up to?

The media has reported several times about Trump's claim to "be a dictator on day one". However, what he said was in response to the question of whether he would be a dictator, to which he replied, "Only on day one".

His first actions as President included a flurry of Executive Orders that rescinded civil rights, declared states of emergency, closed the borders, stopped immigration, and declared his version of biology is the only one to be recognized by the government, so many are wondering if he is indeed becoming a dictator.

Trump's vow to only be a dictator on 'day one' follows growing worry over his authoritarian rhetoric - December 7, 2023
https://apnews.com/article/trump-hannity-dictator-authoritarian-presidential-election-f27e7e9d7c13fabbe3ae7dd7f1235c72

[Congressman Jared] Huffman Decries Trump's Dictatorial Power Grabs - January 28, 2025
https://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/huffman-decries-trumps-dictatorial-power-grabs

So is he becoming a dictator? And how would we know?

"Dictatorships are often characterised by some of the following: suspension of elections and civil liberties; proclamation of a state of emergency; rule by decree; repression of political opponents; not abiding by the procedures of the rule of law; and the existence of a cult of personality centered on the leader. Dictatorships are often one-party or dominant-party states."

"Because of its negative and pejorative connotations, modern authoritarian leaders very rarely (if ever) use the term dictator in their formal titles, instead they most often simply have title of president."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dictator#:~:text=Dictatorships%20are%20often%20characterised%20by,personality%20centered%20on%20the%20leader.

Interesting, no?

What do dictators want? Throughout history, it seems that the ultimate goal is world domination.

This is not always achieved through military force, although that was common too. To be a dominant world power one could capitalize on resources. If you have all the resources, everyone else must come to you and you can charge (money or favors) at whatever rate you decide. If you have all the money (real money not just printed paper notes), others must come to you for trade. Even if you do not have all of these things, but a large supply of them, the same thing applies: others will come to you to get what they want or need.

Trump says he still wants to buy Greenland, suggests Canada could become a U.S. state - January 26, 2025
https://www.npr.org/2025/01/26/nx-s1-5275375/trump-greenland-canada-israel-gaza

Why? What is in Canada?

A very large land mass and a producer of oil. That is a lot of resources, plus it would secure our northern border from invasion. That leaves more military folks to patrol the southern border with Mexico.

But Greenland doesn't produce oil, so why Greenland?

A large land mass that is rich in rare earth minerals and uranium. Uranium for nuclear power and weapons. Rare earth minerals are used in the production of computer chips. Does this tie in with his interest in AI and cryptocurrency, both of which are computer-based?

If you look at this map, notice how much territory is occupied by Greenland, Canada, and the U.S.
https://geology.com/world/north-america-satellite-image.shtml

If America owned all of that, maybe renaming the Gulf would make more sense.

Trump says he will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America.'
January 20, 2025
https://apnews.com/article/trump-gulf-of-mexico-bc438f4feca1234475a1adef99344da7

Interior Department Advances Restoration of Historic Names Honoring American Greatness
01/24/2025
https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-department-advances-restoration-historic-names-honoring-american-greatness

Other than Mexico, this includes all of North America.

Well, almost. There is that pesky little island called "Cuba". We have a military base and prison there called "Guantanamo Bay". Perhaps you have heard of it, or maybe by its nickname "Gitmo". Has Trump shown any interest in Cuba?

Trump quickly puts Cuba back on the list of state sponsors of terrorism - 01/20/2025
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/01/20/donald-trump-inauguration-day-news-updates-analysis/a-quick-reversal-on-cuba-00199531

Marines arrive at Guantanamo Bay as Trump's migrant deportation plan moves ahead at warp speed
Updated: 07:14 EST, 3 February 2025
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14352645/Marines-arrive-Guantanamo-Bay-Trump-migrant-deportation-plan.html

What to know about Guantánamo Bay, the base where Trump will send 'criminal aliens'
Feb 2, 2025
https://ravallirepublic.com/news/nation-world/government-politics/guantanamo-bay-gitmo-trump-immigration-ice/article_d0ac368d-f6e0-5f18-831b-458daee4405d.html

The government of Cuba considers the U.S. military base there "illegal" and "located in illegally occupied Cuba territory."

Then we have Panama in Central America. The Panama Canal is the only east-west passage between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Not only is it a vital shipping lane for passenger and cargo ships, but military traffic also travels through there.

Trump reiterates threat to retake Panama Canal 'or something very powerful' will happen
Updated 11:40 PM EST, Sun February 2, 2025
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/02/americas/panama-china-belt-and-road-initiative-rubio-visits-intl-latam/index.html

Trump refuses to rule out use of military force to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal
Updated 6:11 PM MST, January 7, 2025
https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-offshore-drilling-gulf-of-america-fa66f8d072eb39c00a8128a8941ede75

Look at the map again. Panama is located at the bottom of the map, the south end of Central America. There are two blank spaces to the right (east) of the Panama Canal. The furthest one is Venezuela, the largest oil producer in that part of the world.

Why is this important?

The U.S. imports oil from Venezuela. Lots of it. The only country that buys more Venezuelan oil than the U.S. is China. If the U.S. controlled the Panama Canal, they could shut down access by China, or charge a very high fee. It would be very expensive for China to haul oil around South America from Venezuela to China.

Trump said that the U.S. will be energy-dominant. He issued an Executive Order to declare an Energy National Emergency. Presidents use "national emergencies" to invoke special powers as a way to bypass Congress.

In this case, he can roll back environmental protections to allow oil drilling in areas that previously were off-limits, such as National Wildlife Refuges. Trump has big plans and his plans include making America a manufacturing powerhouse. That requires a lot of energy.

History has shown that economies thrive when manufacturing is prominent in a country. It has also shown us that the fastest way to build up a manufacturing base is through war. War provides jobs and factories to support the war effort. After a war, countries invest in manufacturing to rebuild a war-torn country.

Only Congress has the authority to declare war. Right now, the Republican party controls both houses of Congress, so it is unlikely they will oppose such a proposal from "His Orangeness". Another thing history has taught us is that we can have the war machine active without a declared war. Such actions are called "conflicts" instead of war and can be initiated by the President without approval from Congress. The U.S. has been involved in many "conflicts" from Vietnam to Ukraine.

Just some things to think about.

Cause  disruption and civil unrest so he can declare marshal law?

Quote from: davina61 on February 03, 2025, 04:45:33 PMCause  disruption and civil unrest so he can declare marshal law?

It wouldn't be the first time a dictator did that. 

I think that President Trump is playing out the board game of Risk.  Experienced players know that the player who dominates the whole of North America will almost inevitably win.  Of course, in Risk, the owner of North America easily gets a foothold in Asia, preventing anyone else from winning.  That might not be easy in real life.

Deport all immigrants, fine that will leave the US to the native tribes!! The blokes an idiot ,the US was made from immigrants

Are drugs and illegal immigrants really swarming into the USA from Canada?:

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Imposes Tariffs on Imports from Canada, Mexico and China    February 1, 2025

In one breath President Trump wants the USA and Canada to become one country and in another breath he pauses tariffs in exchange for Canada strengthening the border between the two countries. 

I think that President Trump is really concerned about Americans fleeing from him to Canada for a better life.

Why does he want what he says he wants?  That is a question you would ask of a reasonable person.  Trump is an amoral malignant narcissist.  He doesn't recognize the concepts of right and wrong.  He doesn't want the thing that he wants for any rational purpose.  He wants them because he wants to be in charge.  He wants to be the boss.  That is his bottom line.  He doesn't want to be the boss so that he can accomplish some purpose.  He wants to be the boss in order to be the boss.

It is ironic, therefore, that he follows orders from Elon Musk.  But Musk is not electable, where as Trump (surprisingly) was.  I think they formed a partnership.  Musk, with his stable of hackers, rigged the election, in return for which Trump will do what he is told.  Musk couldn't fire the staff at USAID who tried to defend the data, for example, but a phone call to Trump was enough to get them fired.

I do not think the USA national election was rigged.  I think the majority of voters voted for the winning candidates. 

I am trying to put some trust and faith into our elections and the voting tallying process.

What bothers me is that some places count their votes weeks after the polls close and there are all these different rules and deadlines for early voting, mail in voting, voter identification, and deadlines for registering to vote (same day registrations?  Ridiculous!) across the states.

There should be uniform election rules across the states, with some procedures to follow if there is some very bad weather or an emergency occurring.

Should vote tallying go on for weeks?  Why wait to count the mail in votes until after the polls close?  Just do not announce vote numbers until after all the polls close in that state!

Showing valid ID is reasonable prior to voting!

However, I am not sure of the best process to follow.  We need to work on this though.


Chrissy

Quote from: MaryT on February 04, 2025, 11:40:17 AMIn one breath President Trump wants the USA and Canada to become one country and in another breath he pauses tariffs in exchange for Canada strengthening the border between the two countries. 

The tariffs are a tool. He can't impose sanctions, so he imposes tariffs. If a country has something to offer that Trump wants, he can make a deal. Give me x and I will lower your tariff. Interestingly, China has a lower tariff than Canada or Germany. Perhaps a deal was made.

Quote from: KathyLauren on February 04, 2025, 12:11:02 PMIt is ironic, therefore, that he follows orders from Elon Musk.  But Musk is not electable, where as Trump (surprisingly) was.  I think they formed a partnership.  Musk, with his stable of hackers, rigged the election, in return for which Trump will do what he is told.  Musk couldn't fire the staff at USAID who tried to defend the data, for example, but a phone call to Trump was enough to get them fired.

THIS.

That is why I asked, "Is Anyone Paying Attention?". Tiny details fill in the gaps and let us see the big picture.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 04, 2025, 12:32:11 PMI do not think the USA national election was rigged.  I think the majority of voters voted for the winning candidates. 

I am trying to put some trust and faith into our elections and the voting tallying process.

What bothers me is that some places count their votes weeks after the polls close and there are all these different rules and deadlines for early voting, mail in voting, voter identification, and deadlines for registering to vote (same day registrations?  Ridiculous!) across the states.

There should be uniform election rules across the states, with some procedures to follow if there is some very bad weather or an emergency occurring.

Should vote tallying go on for weeks?  Why wait to count the mail in votes until after the polls close?  Just do not announce vote numbers until after all the polls close in that state!

Showing valid ID is reasonable prior to voting!

However, I am not sure of the best process to follow.  We need to work on this though.


Chrissy

I have seen enough evidence (not on YouTube) of voting fraud that I do not doubt that EVERY election is rigged.

All of the issues that you listed are accurate and they are the loopholes in the system that allow rigging to happen.

Every ballot should be a paper ballot. You cannot hack a paper ballot.

Each ballot must be printed using the same anti-fraud techniques that banks use for checks and bonds to prevent forgery.

Each ballot must have a trackable serial number tied to a single voter. Any duplicates of that ballot will be invalidated immediately. The voter ID record can show that the person is a valid, legal citizen permitted to vote. In some states, felons are not allowed to vote, so the record would invalidate their Voter ID. The serial number record that is tied to the voter must be encrypted using a blockchain or a similar system. That prevents theft of voter ID records and provides a bulletproof record of where that ballot came from in case of an audit. That way we know that John Doe is a citizen, is eligible to vote, and cast that vote for candidate X.

Every ballot must be counted by hand, not by a machine. Yes, it will take time. The news outlets will just have to wait until the count is official and certified. This isn't a horse race where you get to see who is ahead, and then the long shot rides up from the rear and takes the win. Make the certification of the votes in the Senate a real thing and not just a ceremonial gesture.

Make every vote count. Do away with the Electoral College. I voted for a specific person, not for someone to cast my vote for me. Remove the middleman and reduce some of the fraud. Faithless electors can throw an election and suffer no repercussions because it is not a criminal act. Either make it a criminal act or do away with them altogether.

Quote from: Lori Dee on February 03, 2025, 02:52:58 PMWhy? What is he really up to?

To quote The Oracle in the second Matrix Movie: "What do all men with power want? More power."

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 04, 2025, 12:32:11 PMHowever, I am not sure of the best process to follow.  We need to work on this though.

Not to worry.  There probably won't be any more elections, so it's a moot point.

Quote from: KathyLauren on February 04, 2025, 03:13:02 PMNot to worry.  There probably won't be any more elections, so it's a moot point.

That kind of scares me honestly. But I think it scares me more that the majority of US folks are okay with this. Or maybe they didn't know what they were getting themselves into. I know they want to give him a third term. The next step is making the Democrats illegal. It's all happened before.

It would really kind of suck if actual World War 3 was America against everyone else. Because you have this maniac in charge. Literally goes against everything your country is supposed to stand for.

Quote from: Sephirah on February 04, 2025, 03:15:52 PMif actual World War 3 was America against everyone else. Because you have this maniac in charge.

Kind of like... uh... Germany?

Quote from: Lori Dee on February 04, 2025, 03:18:37 PMKind of like... uh... Germany?

Yeah. You don't have to read very far into it to see the similarities, Lori. I know we're on the same page with this. And can see likely outcomes. Only this time it isn't the Jews, it's the Mexicans.

What scares me is that Trump is going to end up alienating the world to the point that everyone is going to suffer... again. Because he literally doesn't care. You're all just cannon fodder to him. And he's going to push things too far. People who used to be side by side end up being enemies because of this narcissistic warmonger. And as the title of your thread alludes to... no one seems to care.

Quote from: Sephirah on February 04, 2025, 03:20:55 PMAnd as the title of your thread alludes to... no one seems to care.

Sometimes I wonder if I should include a lobotomy as part of my transition so I can become an airhead bimbo. Ignorance is bliss.

Until the jackboots kick in your door because they found an old copy of your birth certificate.

Quote from: Lori Dee on February 04, 2025, 03:32:58 PMSometimes I wonder if I should include a lobotomy as part of my transition so I can become an airhead bimbo. Ignorance is bliss.

Until the jackboots kick in your door because they found an old copy of your birth certificate.

I think the problem is more widespread than that, honestly. It's not just the US going through this. Far right wing stuff is happening all over the world. In Europe you have right wing parties vying for governments in many countries. Even in the UK.

I think... and I am loathe to say this. I think it's partly the left's fault. It's like a balancing act. No one wants to be in the middle anymore. It's either one extreme or the other. And.. as much as I want to disagree with this guy, I can't. As the old quote goes: Evil wins when good does nothing. The left did nothing other than to warn people how dangerous the right was. We have the same issue in the UK.

LMAO!

Thought you'd get a kick out of that, Lori