The inauguration of the 45th President of the United States of America
January 20, 2017 3:01 AM Subscribe
Assuming no last-minute surprises, while the White House transitions the son of a Leòdhas emigrant will take the Oath and become the next POTUS in Washington D.C. today (security gates open at 6am, ceremony begins at 11:30am), as part of the 58th Presidential Inauguration (events began yesterday). Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath; the Lincoln Bible and a family bible will be used. Clarence Thomas will administer the Oath of Office to Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Many Democratic lawmakers are boycotting the inauguration; security is tight, and selfie sticks, drones and drums are not permitted. Some artists are performing at the inauguration and after events. The day after, the Women's March takes place in D.C. and many other cities and towns. Channels showing the inauguration, the 2009 and 2013 ceremonies, and Obama's 2008 victory speech.
We're all counting on you!
posted by chavenet at 3:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [34 favorites]
posted by chavenet at 3:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [34 favorites]
First the came for the vuvuzelas, and I said nothing, for I was more into those rain sticks.
posted by thelonius at 3:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [36 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 3:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [36 favorites]
First the worst, second the be...If only 45th fitted the rhyming scheme.
posted by jaduncan at 3:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by jaduncan at 3:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Today might be the only time I'm ever actually glad I'm going to be stuck in what promises to be an extraordinarily boring training shift at work for most of the day.
posted by The Card Cheat at 3:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 3:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
This must be National Shite Day.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 3:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 3:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
.
posted by Pendragon at 3:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
posted by Pendragon at 3:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
In fact, no. I have nothing good to say. It has come to this, and I feel sad inside. I feel for Hillary, but I feel more for the people who needed her policies. I hope that we're all wrong about Trump, and I hope he succeeds in making America a better version of itself in ways that aren't massively destructive. It's just that today feels like a very dark day indeed, and I don't think the optimistic future is what is going to happen. Let's fight every day for the best version of what will.
posted by jaduncan at 3:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [110 favorites]
posted by jaduncan at 3:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [110 favorites]
.
posted by MtDewd at 3:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by MtDewd at 3:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Have the #BikersforTrump showed up yet? Only I'm a bit worried because there's only like, two photos and three videos of them and they appear to have set off in 2013, so maybe they got lost?
posted by threetwentytwo at 3:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [69 favorites]
posted by threetwentytwo at 3:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [69 favorites]
Oh this thread. Popcorn Time.
(crack open the server repair kit, just to be ready :-)
posted by sammyo at 3:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
(crack open the server repair kit, just to be ready :-)
posted by sammyo at 3:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
America - you're fired.
posted by Segundus at 3:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Segundus at 3:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
America - you're fired.
Exposed to a massive amount of hot air and a severe risk of fracture? Why, it's possible.
posted by jaduncan at 3:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
Exposed to a massive amount of hot air and a severe risk of fracture? Why, it's possible.
posted by jaduncan at 3:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
A Million Right-Wing Inauguration Conspiracies Bloom
> Six of the 10 most popular YouTube videos uploaded in the last week with the keyword “inauguration” are bogus reports and prognostications made by longtime purveyors of fake news and misinformation, a Vocativ analysis found. Drawing on everything from planned protests on the left and celebrity tweets, to recent news stories and liberal boogeymen, these videos all but assure their viewers that the fix is in on Friday, when Trump takes his oath of office. Combined they’ve attracted more than 2.2 million views.posted by Buntix at 3:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
> “They’re getting ready to green light rogue groups arresting him or killing [Trump],” said radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones during a recent broadcast in which he claimed — emphatically — that he had confirmed that the CIA planned to stop Trump from assuming office.
Yes, much love and thanks to mods, Wordshore and all of yous.
posted by threetwentytwo at 3:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
posted by threetwentytwo at 3:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
Maybe, like, he'll ...
Oh fuck, let me just get my seatbelt on - no? we're already ... whoa! Fast! Oh shit!
*screams for foreseeable future*
posted by From Bklyn at 3:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Oh fuck, let me just get my seatbelt on - no? we're already ... whoa! Fast! Oh shit!
*screams for foreseeable future*
posted by From Bklyn at 3:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
I am so, so, genuinely fucking sorry for everyone in the US. This is breaking my heart so I can't even imagine what it's like for people who live there. I just don't understand how this is even happening. I remember being so thrilled watching Obama being sworn in and thinking what that said about how far society had finally progressed and now I just feel sick. The bad guys won. Don't let them keep winning for the next four years.
posted by billiebee at 3:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [131 favorites]
posted by billiebee at 3:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [131 favorites]
Alex Jones during a recent broadcast in which he claimed — emphatically — that he had confirmed that the CIA planned to stop Trump from assuming office.
He's raising our hopes to crush them, I tell you.
posted by jaduncan at 3:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
He's raising our hopes to crush them, I tell you.
posted by jaduncan at 3:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
I don't know where we're going, but we're going ...
posted by josephfor at 3:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by josephfor at 3:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
He's raising our hopes to crush them, I tell you.
It's also worryingly close to incitement given how heavily armed and excitable some of his audience are...
posted by Buntix at 3:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
It's also worryingly close to incitement given how heavily armed and excitable some of his audience are...
posted by Buntix at 3:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
The inauguration of the 45th and last President of the United States of America
posted by adept256 at 3:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by adept256 at 3:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
You know, I grew up knowing astronauts have steak and eggs for breakfast before launch.
Here's hoping the White House cooks serve you the best damned steak and eggs ever Mr. Commander and Chief President Obama.
Thanks for all the hard work.
posted by mikelieman at 3:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [46 favorites]
Here's hoping the White House cooks serve you the best damned steak and eggs ever Mr. Commander and Chief President Obama.
Thanks for all the hard work.
posted by mikelieman at 3:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [46 favorites]
My God, I can't believe we're actually going to do this. It's like I'm watching a horror movie, yelling, "Don't open the door! Don't open the door! He's right outside the Oval Office and he's got a chainsaw!" No one can hear me and nothing can stop it.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 3:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [168 favorites]
posted by Snarl Furillo at 3:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [168 favorites]
It's also worryingly close to incitement given how heavily armed and excitable some of his audience are...
That's pretty much true of every Jones broadcast; to his infinitesimally small credit, at least this one hasn't alleged a secret paedophile ring that's run by the very NWO/UN Secretary General himself yet.
posted by jaduncan at 3:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
That's pretty much true of every Jones broadcast; to his infinitesimally small credit, at least this one hasn't alleged a secret paedophile ring that's run by the very NWO/UN Secretary General himself yet.
posted by jaduncan at 3:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Lots of tweets along the lines of "Mecha Lincoln slowly rising from his stone seat and striding purposefully across the Tidal Basin towards the Inauguration stands..."
Also remember to set your watches back n years
posted by sidereal at 3:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [42 favorites]
Also remember to set your watches back n years
posted by sidereal at 3:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [42 favorites]
Maybe he will make the country great again, and give everyone jobs. Maybe he does have a solution for those people who don't belong.
I mean, no one with such silly hair could really be that evil. He sort of looks like Charlie Chaplin.
The wall comes later.
posted by adept256 at 3:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I mean, no one with such silly hair could really be that evil. He sort of looks like Charlie Chaplin.
The wall comes later.
posted by adept256 at 3:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I don't know where we're going, but we're going ...
Well, we know where we're going.
But we don't know where we've been.
posted by Grangousier at 3:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
Well, we know where we're going.
But we don't know where we've been.
posted by Grangousier at 3:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
I'm glad to be here with you, Samwises Gamgee... here, at the end of all things.
posted by Behemoth at 3:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [92 favorites]
posted by Behemoth at 3:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [92 favorites]
Actually, nope. I'm not doing this. Time for some good pot and an Adventure Time marathon. See you next week mefites.
posted by adept256 at 3:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [67 favorites]
posted by adept256 at 3:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [67 favorites]
(I just put this on Facebook...)
I will not be watching the Inauguration today. Because, at that time, I will be at my job - a low-level, data-entry job at the International Rescue Committee, where I handle the day-to-day processes that go into hiring, transferring, and arranging pay for the nearly 10 thousand men and women working all around the world for the benefit of refugees. I will probably take a couple calls from people asking who to contact about volunteering to assist the refugees we resettle in the United States. I may may process the hire of a nurse in a camp in Libya or a teacher in Serbia, or a leader for the unit here in the US that is working to figure out how to help newly refugees navigate the process of getting a social security number, vaccinations, and certification so that they can become full taxpaying members of society.
In other words - I won't be watching the inauguration because I will be too busy doing the REAL work of making America great again.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [327 favorites]
I will not be watching the Inauguration today. Because, at that time, I will be at my job - a low-level, data-entry job at the International Rescue Committee, where I handle the day-to-day processes that go into hiring, transferring, and arranging pay for the nearly 10 thousand men and women working all around the world for the benefit of refugees. I will probably take a couple calls from people asking who to contact about volunteering to assist the refugees we resettle in the United States. I may may process the hire of a nurse in a camp in Libya or a teacher in Serbia, or a leader for the unit here in the US that is working to figure out how to help newly refugees navigate the process of getting a social security number, vaccinations, and certification so that they can become full taxpaying members of society.
In other words - I won't be watching the inauguration because I will be too busy doing the REAL work of making America great again.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [327 favorites]
If nothing else, I will celebrate the peaceful transition of power. It will be peaceful, right?
posted by AugustWest at 3:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by AugustWest at 3:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I just don't understand how this is even happening.
Figures close to Donald Trump, such as his chief strategist Steve Bannon and the Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, are closely acquainted with cutting-edge data analytics techniques, via companies such as Cambridge Analytica, on whose board Bannon sits. During the presidential election campaign, Cambridge Analytica drew on various data sources to develop psychological profiles of millions of Americans, which it then used to help Trump target voters with tailored messaging.
This ability to develop and refine psychological insights across large populations is one of the most innovative and controversial features of the new data analysis. As techniques of “sentiment analysis”, which detect the mood of large numbers of people by tracking indicators such as word usage on social media, become incorporated into political campaigns, the emotional allure of figures such as Trump will become amenable to scientific scrutiny. In a world where the political feelings of the general public are becoming this traceable, who needs pollsters?
From the Guardian: How statistics lost their power – and why we should fear what comes next
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [62 favorites]
Figures close to Donald Trump, such as his chief strategist Steve Bannon and the Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, are closely acquainted with cutting-edge data analytics techniques, via companies such as Cambridge Analytica, on whose board Bannon sits. During the presidential election campaign, Cambridge Analytica drew on various data sources to develop psychological profiles of millions of Americans, which it then used to help Trump target voters with tailored messaging.
This ability to develop and refine psychological insights across large populations is one of the most innovative and controversial features of the new data analysis. As techniques of “sentiment analysis”, which detect the mood of large numbers of people by tracking indicators such as word usage on social media, become incorporated into political campaigns, the emotional allure of figures such as Trump will become amenable to scientific scrutiny. In a world where the political feelings of the general public are becoming this traceable, who needs pollsters?
From the Guardian: How statistics lost their power – and why we should fear what comes next
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [62 favorites]
I'm not sure what one is supposed to do when the time/space continuum fractures and we find ourselves in a dystopian alternate reality. My secret hope that Iron Man will turn up at the last minute to save us all doesn't really seem that outlandish, on balance.
Never, ever in my life have I had the experience of sounding like an alt-left conspiracy theorist but man, I know I sound like one now. Learn Russian or order tanks of helium? ("Why not both!")
In other news, word broke yesterday that Michael Flatley / Riverdance / Lord of the Dance agreed to do the inauguration and Ireland collectively declared him dead. (That site is satire but the story is real -- Lord of the Dance is jigging in the apocalypse.)
posted by DarlingBri at 3:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
Never, ever in my life have I had the experience of sounding like an alt-left conspiracy theorist but man, I know I sound like one now. Learn Russian or order tanks of helium? ("Why not both!")
In other news, word broke yesterday that Michael Flatley / Riverdance / Lord of the Dance agreed to do the inauguration and Ireland collectively declared him dead. (That site is satire but the story is real -- Lord of the Dance is jigging in the apocalypse.)
posted by DarlingBri at 3:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
If anyone is like me and you feel like the wind gets kicked out of you every five minutes when you realize this is happening..
Breathe.
I'm on a crazy sleep schedule so I hopefully won't wake up to the world destroyed. (Though I did tell my husband to call me ya know, if it seems like something might explode.) I will be donating to Planned Parenthood today. Women's health rights are essential.
I have both more words I want to say, and yet I struggle to find any words.
Dealing with a chronic illness already makes my life feel unreal, and now this, I'm convinced I'm in limbo or something.
posted by Crystalinne at 3:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
Breathe.
I'm on a crazy sleep schedule so I hopefully won't wake up to the world destroyed. (Though I did tell my husband to call me ya know, if it seems like something might explode.) I will be donating to Planned Parenthood today. Women's health rights are essential.
I have both more words I want to say, and yet I struggle to find any words.
Dealing with a chronic illness already makes my life feel unreal, and now this, I'm convinced I'm in limbo or something.
posted by Crystalinne at 3:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
Obama leaving the White House.
posted by get off of my cloud at 4:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
posted by get off of my cloud at 4:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
It feels a little like we've come to that moment in Planet of the Apes when the illusions fall away and Charlton Heston rends his chest and wails as the camera pans back to show the statue of liberty lying in ruins.
posted by saulgoodman at 4:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
posted by saulgoodman at 4:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
What's Next?
Take a break sometime today with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s West Wing Rap! Just a smidge of catharsis.
posted by sammyo at 4:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Take a break sometime today with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s West Wing Rap! Just a smidge of catharsis.
posted by sammyo at 4:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
As someone on Twitter pointed out, Kanye wasn't invited to perform because his performance wouldn't be "traditionally American," but Michael Flatley of Ireland was.
Oyyyy
posted by Yowser at 4:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [84 favorites]
Oyyyy
posted by Yowser at 4:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [84 favorites]
I must stand by the side of the mountain
I must be where I know I must be
When you stand and face the gas masks and truncheons
You must know what it all really means
It is the time of the last persecution
And Caesar shall be raised
He will ask for his feet to be kissed by your sister
And your children will fear at his name
posted by Rust Moranis at 4:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I must be where I know I must be
When you stand and face the gas masks and truncheons
You must know what it all really means
It is the time of the last persecution
And Caesar shall be raised
He will ask for his feet to be kissed by your sister
And your children will fear at his name
posted by Rust Moranis at 4:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Michael Flatley
Born and raised in Chicago.
posted by PenDevil at 4:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
Born and raised in Chicago.
posted by PenDevil at 4:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
I wish they'd stop pushing his Scottish ancestry because, well, Scotland isn't here for that.
posted by kariebookish at 4:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [31 favorites]
posted by kariebookish at 4:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [31 favorites]
I stand corrected, PenDevil.
He sure hides it well.
posted by Yowser at 4:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
He sure hides it well.
posted by Yowser at 4:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Stay strong, American friends. Your country has survived scoundrels before. You can do it again.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 4:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 4:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
Have the #BikersforTrump showed up yet?
The Night Wolves have an American chapter now?
posted by acb at 4:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
The Night Wolves have an American chapter now?
posted by acb at 4:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
At least he's not a competent would-be tyrant. Governing requires some degree of diligence, and I've seen none of that so far.
posted by leotrotsky at 4:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by leotrotsky at 4:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Stay strong, American friends. Your country has survived scoundrels before. You can do it again.
In a gesture of solidarity with the lady behind the counter at the gym y'day, I offered, "Hey we survived Nixon, we'll survive this!". And she pointed out was before her time.
With that said.
At this point we're in an alternative universe. All bets are off. Shit is so fucked up I can't even drink anymore.
posted by mikelieman at 4:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
In a gesture of solidarity with the lady behind the counter at the gym y'day, I offered, "Hey we survived Nixon, we'll survive this!". And she pointed out was before her time.
With that said.
At this point we're in an alternative universe. All bets are off. Shit is so fucked up I can't even drink anymore.
posted by mikelieman at 4:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
More people need to call this what it is: Harding's Second Inaugural. Loudly, in public fora.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 4:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 4:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Instead of continuing my tradition of spending the last two Inauguration Days at home in front of the TV watching all the coverage, eating snacks, and crying happy tears--I will be going to work as usual.
I still can't wrap my head around the fact that this is really happening. I did watch the live coverage of Trump's remarks at a pre-Inaugural dinner last night (in a sort of "can't look away from the train wreck" way) and literally was shaking my head in disbelief at the content and tone of his words--and those were simply relatively meaningless social remarks. I'm just feeling so sad and depleted and worried and embarrassed.
I am going to make extra donations to Planned Parenthood and Habitat for Humanity this morning. I doubt that anyone will bring up the Inauguration in my presence at work today. That's probably a good thing.
Stay safe everybody.
posted by bookmammal at 4:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
I still can't wrap my head around the fact that this is really happening. I did watch the live coverage of Trump's remarks at a pre-Inaugural dinner last night (in a sort of "can't look away from the train wreck" way) and literally was shaking my head in disbelief at the content and tone of his words--and those were simply relatively meaningless social remarks. I'm just feeling so sad and depleted and worried and embarrassed.
I am going to make extra donations to Planned Parenthood and Habitat for Humanity this morning. I doubt that anyone will bring up the Inauguration in my presence at work today. That's probably a good thing.
Stay safe everybody.
posted by bookmammal at 4:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
I love you all and hope in 4 years we are here again, marveling that we got through this and ready to take the country in a better direction. I hope the next four years have enough bright spots to get us through the darkness.
posted by emjaybee at 4:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [72 favorites]
posted by emjaybee at 4:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [72 favorites]
Prison Stocks Have Gone on a Rampage Ahead of Donald Trump's Inauguration
posted by Buntix at 4:32 AM on January 20, 2017 [54 favorites]
Trump is likely to be more private prison-friendly. He expressed his support for such entities in an interview with MSNBC's Chris Matthews in March, and his policies -- specifically those related to immigration -- bode well for the industry."Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" ...they represent a significant incarceration industry investment opportunity.
At an October campaign speech in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Trump proposed a two-year mandatory minimum prison sentence for illegal immigrants reentering the U.S. after deportation and a mandatory five-year minimum for illegal criminal immigrants reentering.
posted by Buntix at 4:32 AM on January 20, 2017 [54 favorites]
My husband and I work in downtown DC so our offices are closed (thank God as I'm sure perpetual disaster WMATA will be even worse than usual today) so we're spending the day taking care of ourselves by playing with our baby and reading her stories and telling her (truthfully) how good and brave and strong she is. I slept terribly last night and I just feel sick now. Please, everyone, take care of yourselves today and this weekend and for as much of a future as we have.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 4:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 4:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
I wish they'd stop pushing his Scottish ancestry because, well, Scotland isn't here for that.
You say that. I can only hope it prompts someone to interview Alex Salmond or Nicola Sturgeon about it.
posted by jaduncan at 4:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
You say that. I can only hope it prompts someone to interview Alex Salmond or Nicola Sturgeon about it.
posted by jaduncan at 4:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
My elder daughter lives in Arlington and has the day off today. She and some friends are going to the Women's March, and we talked last night about whether she wants to go to the Inauguration.
"I've never gotten to see President Obama," she reasoned. I pointed out that he would be living in the area a little while longer and would still be quite visible, not to mention that she would be seeing him on a pretty bad day for him.
She waffled a little more, and I told her that I, an Army veteran who has seen combat, would not want to go. She still wasn't sure, so I made her promise to take her Go Bag, to wear a scarf or something that she can use as a face mask if necessary, and to write ICE phone numbers on her arms in Sharpie. We brainstormed some, and we ran through some ideas on staying out of, defusing, and getting away from problems that might arise.
She's 12. She's a responsible, mature 12, but I have had a fucking tactical discussion with my 12-year-old daughter.
This is not normal. This is not OK. This is not fine.
posted by Etrigan at 4:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [163 favorites]
"I've never gotten to see President Obama," she reasoned. I pointed out that he would be living in the area a little while longer and would still be quite visible, not to mention that she would be seeing him on a pretty bad day for him.
She waffled a little more, and I told her that I, an Army veteran who has seen combat, would not want to go. She still wasn't sure, so I made her promise to take her Go Bag, to wear a scarf or something that she can use as a face mask if necessary, and to write ICE phone numbers on her arms in Sharpie. We brainstormed some, and we ran through some ideas on staying out of, defusing, and getting away from problems that might arise.
She's 12. She's a responsible, mature 12, but I have had a fucking tactical discussion with my 12-year-old daughter.
This is not normal. This is not OK. This is not fine.
posted by Etrigan at 4:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [163 favorites]
thank God as I'm sure perpetual disaster WMATA will be even worse than usual today
OH IF YOU ARE IN DC TO PROTEST, PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU NEED TO SWIPE YOUR SMARTRIP CARD AGAIN TO EXIT THE SYSTEM! YOU CAN'T JUST WALTZ OUT! EVERYTHING WILL TAKE LONGER IF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE GET TO THE EXIT AND FUMBLE IN THEIR POCKETS FOR TWO MINUTES LOOKING FOR THEIR DAMN CARD! STAND ON THE RIGHT WALK ON THE LEFT. WHEN BOARDING, PLEASE MOVE TO THE CENTER OF THE CAR. GIVE SEATS TO PEOPLE WHO MOST NEED THEM. WMATA is definitely going to be overloaded and these are real important things that will help everyone.
If you are here (and even if you're not), please also remember that DC is a progressive, largely-minority city with no congressional representation and high vulnerability to congressional meddling. Some unscrupulous people who claim to believe in "local control" have already indicated that they want to overturn the laws the people and elected representatives of this city have passed, something Congress has the legal ability to do. We are right here and very vulnerable and I am very afraid that this city is going to be punished for being liberal and voting against the incoming administration, one full of petty vindictiveness. They're going to fuck with us because they can, because they're powerful and cruel and we're vulnerable and progressive and right here and defenseless. Please please be kind to our city and its residents and businesses and don't forget us when you're calling to talk to the congressional representatives we don't have.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 4:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [121 favorites]
OH IF YOU ARE IN DC TO PROTEST, PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU NEED TO SWIPE YOUR SMARTRIP CARD AGAIN TO EXIT THE SYSTEM! YOU CAN'T JUST WALTZ OUT! EVERYTHING WILL TAKE LONGER IF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE GET TO THE EXIT AND FUMBLE IN THEIR POCKETS FOR TWO MINUTES LOOKING FOR THEIR DAMN CARD! STAND ON THE RIGHT WALK ON THE LEFT. WHEN BOARDING, PLEASE MOVE TO THE CENTER OF THE CAR. GIVE SEATS TO PEOPLE WHO MOST NEED THEM. WMATA is definitely going to be overloaded and these are real important things that will help everyone.
If you are here (and even if you're not), please also remember that DC is a progressive, largely-minority city with no congressional representation and high vulnerability to congressional meddling. Some unscrupulous people who claim to believe in "local control" have already indicated that they want to overturn the laws the people and elected representatives of this city have passed, something Congress has the legal ability to do. We are right here and very vulnerable and I am very afraid that this city is going to be punished for being liberal and voting against the incoming administration, one full of petty vindictiveness. They're going to fuck with us because they can, because they're powerful and cruel and we're vulnerable and progressive and right here and defenseless. Please please be kind to our city and its residents and businesses and don't forget us when you're calling to talk to the congressional representatives we don't have.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 4:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [121 favorites]
The end of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead has been running through my mind a lot recently. In the film, at least, they are standing, nooses around their necks, and one of them says something along the lines of "There must have been a moment when we could have stopped this. There must have been a moment when we could have said 'no,' but we missed it." Then the floor drops out, and they die.
Some day, when time and distance have allowed historians to truly write the history of this mess, someone will pinpoint the moment in history when someone, somewhere could have said no, or done something. The thing is, it wasn't the election, or the debates, or the conventions, or even Brexit. The nagging voice inside me says that that moment, the one where things could have turned differently, was at least ten years ago, and we missed it, and today, the floor drops out from under us.
posted by Ghidorah at 4:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [183 favorites]
Some day, when time and distance have allowed historians to truly write the history of this mess, someone will pinpoint the moment in history when someone, somewhere could have said no, or done something. The thing is, it wasn't the election, or the debates, or the conventions, or even Brexit. The nagging voice inside me says that that moment, the one where things could have turned differently, was at least ten years ago, and we missed it, and today, the floor drops out from under us.
posted by Ghidorah at 4:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [183 favorites]
I don't know where we're going, but we're going ...
Well, we know where we're going.
But we don't know where we've been.
What have you got to lose? You come from nothing; you go back to nothing! What have you lost? Nothing!
posted by otherchaz at 4:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Well, we know where we're going.
But we don't know where we've been.
What have you got to lose? You come from nothing; you go back to nothing! What have you lost? Nothing!
posted by otherchaz at 4:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Two years until the mid-terms. You know what to do. Grassroots the shit out of every possible district until there are enough decent people in Congress to impeach this fucking clown.
posted by Optamystic at 4:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [45 favorites]
posted by Optamystic at 4:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [45 favorites]
Searching for Time-Travelers on the Eve of the Trump Inauguration: From the National Mall to the DeploraBall, an investigation into whether anyone from the future has come back to prevent what’s about to happen.
posted by zachlipton at 4:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 4:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
I remember the joyful tears I wept when Obama was sworn in, and, until fairly recently, imagined how I would again weep those tears of joy for Hillary...
But we're still here, guys. You know, those people who care about other people? There are millions upon millions of us. Not all is lost. Not by a long shot.
posted by Defying Gravity at 4:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [30 favorites]
But we're still here, guys. You know, those people who care about other people? There are millions upon millions of us. Not all is lost. Not by a long shot.
posted by Defying Gravity at 4:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [30 favorites]
I guess CNN got the memo. Not a thing about Russian intercepts, just inaugural swooning.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 4:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 4:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Just in case you haven't seen this yet #BridgesNotWalls gaining traction on twitter.
posted by melisande at 4:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by melisande at 4:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I'm participating in the Women's March tomorrow but I feel like I'm spitting in the wind. I feel like I have to display my moral outrage at this farce but marching won't change anything. What do we do about an EPA head who doesn't believe in protecting the environment or an Education head who doesn't believe in public education and don't even get me started on healthcare.
This article discussing how the Women's March will be just another Occupy was depressing.
In my opinion, the marches are most popular in areas where Trump didn't win. (I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area and will be marching in Oakland.) We're not changing the hearts and minds of folks in Iowa and Kansas and those are the folks that gave us Trump. Fox News probably won't even show the marches and that's where Trump voters get their news.
posted by shoesietart at 4:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
This article discussing how the Women's March will be just another Occupy was depressing.
In my opinion, the marches are most popular in areas where Trump didn't win. (I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area and will be marching in Oakland.) We're not changing the hearts and minds of folks in Iowa and Kansas and those are the folks that gave us Trump. Fox News probably won't even show the marches and that's where Trump voters get their news.
posted by shoesietart at 4:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Tomorrow is a day many Americans have been eagerly awaiting! Donald Trump will finally be eligible for impeachment.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [78 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [78 favorites]
It's in the high 60s today in Oklahoma.
I'm going to go for a long walk at the lake, do some crochet, read some books, watch some DVDs. I'm hugging my family today.
But the regular coverage can take a hike. This -- stuff -- does not need my participation. Tomorrow is another day.
Psychic hugs to my Mefites today. Do something good for yourself.
posted by TrishaU at 4:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
I'm going to go for a long walk at the lake, do some crochet, read some books, watch some DVDs. I'm hugging my family today.
But the regular coverage can take a hike. This -- stuff -- does not need my participation. Tomorrow is another day.
Psychic hugs to my Mefites today. Do something good for yourself.
posted by TrishaU at 4:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
posted by pangolin party at 5:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [51 favorites]
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
posted by pangolin party at 5:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [51 favorites]
I remember back in October, when I posted in one of these threads idly wondering, "but wait, what if Trump actually wins?" I thought I was just catastrophising, like that time that I read Command and Control.
Those were innocent times...
posted by indubitable at 5:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Those were innocent times...
posted by indubitable at 5:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Born and raised in Chicago
So begins the Michael Flatley Birther Movement.
posted by dr_dank at 5:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
So begins the Michael Flatley Birther Movement.
posted by dr_dank at 5:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
We're not changing the hearts and minds of folks in Iowa and Kansas and those are the folks that gave us Trump
Fuck. Those. People. You don't need to convince them. You need to convince more of your people to actually get out the goddamn vote. And strong showings of solidarity might do that. The "folks in Iowa and Kansas" didn't give you Trump. People staying home in the cities gave you Trump. NPR gave you Trump. The FBI gave you Trump.
Some people, lots of people, are going to pull the lever for an R, any R, every time. Forget about them. Worry about the people who might pull the D lever but didn't.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [93 favorites]
Fuck. Those. People. You don't need to convince them. You need to convince more of your people to actually get out the goddamn vote. And strong showings of solidarity might do that. The "folks in Iowa and Kansas" didn't give you Trump. People staying home in the cities gave you Trump. NPR gave you Trump. The FBI gave you Trump.
Some people, lots of people, are going to pull the lever for an R, any R, every time. Forget about them. Worry about the people who might pull the D lever but didn't.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [93 favorites]
I am avoiding the news today, social media for the most part as well. I don't have to subject myself to bad news if I don't want to.
posted by tommasz at 5:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by tommasz at 5:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I was thinking last night, about Trump et al. and how this got started.
All the craziness from the far right in the US: The Rapture, Creationism, Climate Change Denial, Birtherism, etc., weren't ends in themselves, but just ways to soften up people's minds, to get them used believing insane things that were at direct opposition to the observable reality around them, and to drive a wedge between people who believe these things and those who don't, to make any communication between the two camps impossible, because how do you even start arguing with somebody who believes that they will be taken bodily up to heaven where they can sneer at us for being left behind?
If you already believe 9 crazy things before breakfast, all of them easily refutable by 15 minutes of googleing, what's to stop you from believing Trump could be president?
posted by signal at 5:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [43 favorites]
All the craziness from the far right in the US: The Rapture, Creationism, Climate Change Denial, Birtherism, etc., weren't ends in themselves, but just ways to soften up people's minds, to get them used believing insane things that were at direct opposition to the observable reality around them, and to drive a wedge between people who believe these things and those who don't, to make any communication between the two camps impossible, because how do you even start arguing with somebody who believes that they will be taken bodily up to heaven where they can sneer at us for being left behind?
If you already believe 9 crazy things before breakfast, all of them easily refutable by 15 minutes of googleing, what's to stop you from believing Trump could be president?
posted by signal at 5:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [43 favorites]
Saw a Facebook post encouraging me to tune my television to the food network or weather channel and leave it on all day in order to somehow deprive the inauguration of ratings.
Please don't do this. Wasting electricity helps the enemy.
posted by FeatherWatt at 5:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
Please don't do this. Wasting electricity helps the enemy.
posted by FeatherWatt at 5:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
I have a longer blog post to write about this, but I ended up with 20 ukulele players at my flash mob. We raised $30, which I will be donating to the Massachusetts chapter of the ACLU. I'm hoping to do more actions, but this was a good start.
posted by pxe2000 at 5:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by pxe2000 at 5:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
The big events today on the world stage are, of course, the Eurovision Song Contest qualifying competitions in Georgia and Belarus. #ThingsThatDidNotMakeTheFPPCut
posted by Wordshore at 5:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by Wordshore at 5:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
If nothing else, I will celebrate the peaceful transition of power. It will be peaceful, right?
In Shrek world he would be grabbed by a dragon.
posted by rongorongo at 5:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
In Shrek world he would be grabbed by a dragon.
posted by rongorongo at 5:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
The Donald Trump that conservatives voted for is an entirely fictitious person they invented in their minds.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [90 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [90 favorites]
Man I feel like we could get all philosophical about what could have changed 5 or 10 years ago to prevent this but I just blame every piece of shit house and senate and state and local republican who could have opened their mouths in 2016 and said "do NOT vote for this guy, he is a dangerous fuck who doesn't know what he's doing and will wreck everything. He is a clown, I will not be voting for him and neither should you, fellow republicans" but instead just sat silently and watched this car accident happen in slow motion. Motherfucking fuck them, all of them.
posted by windbox at 5:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
posted by windbox at 5:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
Saw a Facebook post encouraging me to tune my television to the food network or weather channel and leave it on all day in order to somehow deprive the inauguration of ratings.
That so many people still believe that all traditional broadcast or cable TV is somehow tracked for ratings bugs me in a way I hadn't expected.
posted by Servo5678 at 5:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [44 favorites]
That so many people still believe that all traditional broadcast or cable TV is somehow tracked for ratings bugs me in a way I hadn't expected.
posted by Servo5678 at 5:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [44 favorites]
Woke up to NPR swooning over the inauguration. Think I'll listen to Stephanie Miller this morning.
posted by ZeusHumms at 5:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by ZeusHumms at 5:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I just decided that my small, quiet, protest today is going to be posting to FB favorite works by women poets, presented without any other commentary.
posted by Tevin at 5:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by Tevin at 5:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
If you do want to watch TV, animal planet is showing Too Cute all day.
posted by dinty_moore at 5:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by dinty_moore at 5:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
I am so, so, genuinely fucking sorry for everyone in the US. This is breaking my heart so I can't even imagine what it's like for people who live there.
Well, I, for one, woke up to ELO's New World Rising - Ocean Breakup Reprise for the umpteenth morning since after the election, donned a unnamed jersey for a hockey team around here, and am about to head into work.
There's been a lot of should've, could've, would've in my mind, mixed in with the what we knew at the time, and resources I had. My main conclusion is that for the second time in my life (W. Bush, Trump), and 4th for my parents (Nixon, Reagan, et al.), the US has been royally fucked.
Good luck all
posted by JoeXIII007 at 5:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Well, I, for one, woke up to ELO's New World Rising - Ocean Breakup Reprise for the umpteenth morning since after the election, donned a unnamed jersey for a hockey team around here, and am about to head into work.
There's been a lot of should've, could've, would've in my mind, mixed in with the what we knew at the time, and resources I had. My main conclusion is that for the second time in my life (W. Bush, Trump), and 4th for my parents (Nixon, Reagan, et al.), the US has been royally fucked.
Good luck all
posted by JoeXIII007 at 5:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Woke up to NPR swooning over the inauguration
They did have Christopher Buckley on throwing some fine patrician shade, though. Still doesn't make the rest of it particularly palatable.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
They did have Christopher Buckley on throwing some fine patrician shade, though. Still doesn't make the rest of it particularly palatable.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
That so many people still believe that all traditional broadcast or cable TV is somehow tracked for ratings bugs me in a way I hadn't expected.
Not broadcast, but it seems like most people at this point expect their set-top cable and satellite boxes to be phoning home some kind of metrics-- which, increasingly, is probably correct. And even if it's not, it's probably better that consumers assume their data is being collected these days.
It's just that, in this case, the data collected isn't used for the TV ratings we see. Possibly, it has some effect on the viewership numbers that cable/sat cos and networks assert themselves.
But the way to deal with that possibility without wasting electricity is to just TURN THE FUCKER OFF.
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Not broadcast, but it seems like most people at this point expect their set-top cable and satellite boxes to be phoning home some kind of metrics-- which, increasingly, is probably correct. And even if it's not, it's probably better that consumers assume their data is being collected these days.
It's just that, in this case, the data collected isn't used for the TV ratings we see. Possibly, it has some effect on the viewership numbers that cable/sat cos and networks assert themselves.
But the way to deal with that possibility without wasting electricity is to just TURN THE FUCKER OFF.
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Pink Floyd's Animals is my official soundtrack for the day.
posted by He Is Only The Imposter at 5:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
posted by He Is Only The Imposter at 5:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
So I got on the train this morning on a gloomy day with gloomy people because of what's going on today. I open twitter on my phone and searched #inauguration. This was at the top, and while I think the metaphor is accurate, the dark humor kinda restored my faith in the power of satire. My favorite tweet so far on a day of a gazillion tweets
(language may be nsfw, but it sums it up nicely.)
posted by prepmonkey at 5:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
(language may be nsfw, but it sums it up nicely.)
posted by prepmonkey at 5:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
"There must have been a moment when we could have stopped this. There must have been a moment when we could have said 'no,' but we missed it."
There's a good article by Rebecca Solnit in the Grauniad today about pretty much exactly that.
And solidarity in the face of the high-velocity spatter #PuTrump shitstorm bearing down on us...
There's a good article by Rebecca Solnit in the Grauniad today about pretty much exactly that.
And solidarity in the face of the high-velocity spatter #PuTrump shitstorm bearing down on us...
> We need to tell our stories better and learn to influence what stories get told. We need an endless series of reforms, from media and technology to education and healthcare. There’s more than enough work for everyone. There will be too much, and each of us will have to find a piece of the problem where we can be effective and stick to it. We’re going to have to build alliances – that means working alongside people with whom you agree about the big things and not quibbling about the little ones. We’re going to have to remember what kind of power civil society has and how to use it. We’re going to have to be brilliantly organised.posted by Buntix at 5:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
I cried just now, just reading the title. God save us all.
posted by corb at 5:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
posted by corb at 5:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
Looking at the radar, things appear to be quite wet in DC today.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:28 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by Thorzdad at 5:28 AM on January 20, 2017
A friend of mine in DC says all of the sunrise pictures you see on Twitter of the Capitol building this morning are fake. He lives a few blocks away, and said it has been gross and overcast.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
I have never been this unhappy that it's a Friday.
posted by INFJ at 5:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by INFJ at 5:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
We shall fight in the hillsh;
Take lots of heavy warm blankets... to reduce your heat footprint from the attack drones.
posted by sammyo at 5:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Take lots of heavy warm blankets... to reduce your heat footprint from the attack drones.
posted by sammyo at 5:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Take lots of heavy warm blankets... to reduce your heat footprint from the attack drones.
Carry a Roomba - drones won't shoot their own kin.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 5:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [48 favorites]
Carry a Roomba - drones won't shoot their own kin.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 5:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [48 favorites]
> The Donald Trump that conservatives voted for is an entirely fictitious person they invented in their minds.
From the article those quotes are from:
Like most? “I like his straightforwardness. I like that he says it as he feels it.”
Like least? “I wish he would stop and think about what he’s going to say next instead of just saying it.”
Uh huh.
posted by The Card Cheat at 5:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
From the article those quotes are from:
Like most? “I like his straightforwardness. I like that he says it as he feels it.”
Like least? “I wish he would stop and think about what he’s going to say next instead of just saying it.”
Uh huh.
posted by The Card Cheat at 5:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
Carry a Roomba - drones won't shoot their own kin.
Isn't the Roomba made in China?
posted by cardboard at 5:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Isn't the Roomba made in China?
posted by cardboard at 5:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
This is the worst day in American history since Pearl Harbor.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
... is this really worst than 9/11?
I mean ... it's pretty shitty. But it's not 2,753 dead in one day shitty.*
*saying this from the present and allowing for future increases in body account because of Trump
posted by Tevin at 5:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
I mean ... it's pretty shitty. But it's not 2,753 dead in one day shitty.*
*saying this from the present and allowing for future increases in body account because of Trump
posted by Tevin at 5:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Woke up to NPR swooning over the inauguration. Think I'll listen to Stephanie Miller this morning.
Are they going to feel the same warm feelings when he cuts all of their funding?
posted by octothorpe at 5:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Are they going to feel the same warm feelings when he cuts all of their funding?
posted by octothorpe at 5:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
I just decided that my small, quiet, protest today is going to be posting to FB favorite works by women poets, presented without any other commentary.
I just FB posted "Rant" by Diane di Prima, one of my favorite poems ever. I might post some of her "Revolutionary Letters" later.
posted by dnash at 5:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
I just FB posted "Rant" by Diane di Prima, one of my favorite poems ever. I might post some of her "Revolutionary Letters" later.
posted by dnash at 5:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Well. I am spending today having been literally abandoned by Republican family members on the streets of a strange city after a meal in which my grandparents insinuated my job was worthless, vomited some impressively copied and pasted racism, and then decided to dig in further in a vicious screed against immigrants in front of my immigrant partner. No matter how I tried to respond, including attempting to defuse, the anger kept coming. When I finally stood up for myself and my spouse and basic decency, they left the restaurant we had been eating in while we watched.
I have watched the Republican family members who profess to care about me and mine rewrite their opinions of this administration over the last few months, and I am newly and emotionally cynical about NeverTrump and in particular the faction of the party that falls together under McCain, a man my grandfather has known and befriended for fifty years.
We were picked up by a friend's aunts, themselves immigrant women who didn't know us at all before volunteering to take us in based on my friend's request. They did this despite having family coming today that will put them at seven people in a three bed house. And they were not the only people who offered to help; they were just the fastest.
I am therefore spending this inauguration reflecting on the person I would like to be and the people who I would like to support, and figuring out where to stay for the next two nights that might ideally be somewhere on a metro line and have a place for two people to sleep that isn't actually on the floor.
We managed, on some fluke of luck, to secure time pass tickets to the new Smithsonian museum of African American history and culture this afternoon. When we are safe and we know our situation in more detail, I intend to do my best to use them so that I can reflect on the people who built this nation, the methods they used and the nation's shame and pride. We spent much of yesterday at the Museum of the American Indian doing the same thing.
This all feels very, very appropriate. I will, I think, be remembering this inauguration for some time to come.
posted by sciatrix at 5:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [280 favorites]
I have watched the Republican family members who profess to care about me and mine rewrite their opinions of this administration over the last few months, and I am newly and emotionally cynical about NeverTrump and in particular the faction of the party that falls together under McCain, a man my grandfather has known and befriended for fifty years.
We were picked up by a friend's aunts, themselves immigrant women who didn't know us at all before volunteering to take us in based on my friend's request. They did this despite having family coming today that will put them at seven people in a three bed house. And they were not the only people who offered to help; they were just the fastest.
I am therefore spending this inauguration reflecting on the person I would like to be and the people who I would like to support, and figuring out where to stay for the next two nights that might ideally be somewhere on a metro line and have a place for two people to sleep that isn't actually on the floor.
We managed, on some fluke of luck, to secure time pass tickets to the new Smithsonian museum of African American history and culture this afternoon. When we are safe and we know our situation in more detail, I intend to do my best to use them so that I can reflect on the people who built this nation, the methods they used and the nation's shame and pride. We spent much of yesterday at the Museum of the American Indian doing the same thing.
This all feels very, very appropriate. I will, I think, be remembering this inauguration for some time to come.
posted by sciatrix at 5:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [280 favorites]
As a Brit, I've looked on in horror as two slow-motion car crashes have unfolded recently so, should we ever meet in person, I'll make you a promise now: I won't mention Trump if you don't mention Brexit.
Good luck everyone.
posted by faceplantingcheetah at 5:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [30 favorites]
Good luck everyone.
posted by faceplantingcheetah at 5:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [30 favorites]
I'm feeling numb and afraid - I don't even have the energy for anger right now, and we're only just getting started. The one thing that's been helping is continuing to try to find a way to take action - I still haven't found "the" right thing for me but I won't stop trying.
Towards that end, for all you Pittsburghers in the crowd, tonight there's going to be a 'music / food / solidarity march' event at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church (East Liberty & Justice For All - FB link), and tomorrow will be an all-day Summit Against Racism at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (the very seminary attended by Fred Rogers ... I feel like that is very right).
The DingoWife and I will be at both events; maybe drop me a note if you'd like to say hi!
posted by DingoMutt at 5:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Towards that end, for all you Pittsburghers in the crowd, tonight there's going to be a 'music / food / solidarity march' event at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church (East Liberty & Justice For All - FB link), and tomorrow will be an all-day Summit Against Racism at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (the very seminary attended by Fred Rogers ... I feel like that is very right).
The DingoWife and I will be at both events; maybe drop me a note if you'd like to say hi!
posted by DingoMutt at 5:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Like most? “His willingness to avoid political correctness and state the issues the way they should be stated.”
Like least? “His comments about women I found very offensive. And they really bothered me during the campaign.”
Ahahaha.
Fucking hell.
Most of them mention his Twitter as the thing they like least, interestingly.
posted by threetwentytwo at 6:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Like least? “His comments about women I found very offensive. And they really bothered me during the campaign.”
Ahahaha.
Fucking hell.
Most of them mention his Twitter as the thing they like least, interestingly.
posted by threetwentytwo at 6:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
14 poems to read on Inauguration Day. There were several I wasn't familiar with. They were all good.
posted by skycrashesdown at 6:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
posted by skycrashesdown at 6:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
Just popping in to amplify messages of solidarity.
Working in coalition is hard. It is OK to disagree, and to do so without demeaning reasonable dissent as "letting the perfect be the enemy of the good" or "a circular firing squad," though recognizing and distinguishing productive disagreement from unproductive is difficult.
Different people, coming from different positions, will have different priorities and work on addressing them accordingly. Progress has always relied on both radical protests that shock the public mind working alongside pragmatic compromise so small as to go unnoticed by most. As Ernestine Rose said in 1860:
Working in coalition is hard. It is OK to disagree, and to do so without demeaning reasonable dissent as "letting the perfect be the enemy of the good" or "a circular firing squad," though recognizing and distinguishing productive disagreement from unproductive is difficult.
Different people, coming from different positions, will have different priorities and work on addressing them accordingly. Progress has always relied on both radical protests that shock the public mind working alongside pragmatic compromise so small as to go unnoticed by most. As Ernestine Rose said in 1860:
In 1855, while speaking before the Legislature, I told them we claimed perfect equality of rights; we ask for no more, we can be satisfied with no less; we will accept as much as you are prepared to acceede, and then claim the rest; and now, having obtained this much, we can 'wait a little longer' not in silence and inaction, but in the faith which springs from work.posted by audi alteram partem at 6:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
For a little light distraction from all this, I think I will spend the time reading the Malleus Maleficarum. It may also help me understand some of the events which are yet to unfold
posted by Myeral at 6:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Myeral at 6:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
On the bright side, today we either get confirmation that time travel is possible or like a 99% proof that it's not.
posted by signal at 6:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [37 favorites]
posted by signal at 6:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [37 favorites]
Just in case you haven't seen this yet #BridgesNotWalls gaining traction on twitter.
posted by melisande at 8:55 AM on January 20 [+] [!]
This just brought tears to my eyes. Thank you everyone around the world for supporting us.
posted by INFJ at 6:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by melisande at 8:55 AM on January 20 [+] [!]
This just brought tears to my eyes. Thank you everyone around the world for supporting us.
posted by INFJ at 6:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
That kinda sums up how this aging geek feels today.
posted by nubs at 6:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [117 favorites]
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
That kinda sums up how this aging geek feels today.
posted by nubs at 6:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [117 favorites]
Ya'know, he is not necessarily a true GOPer, he's a Donaldian, it's possible he gets in a big fight with some factions and decides to woo some variety of alt-left for 2020. Possibly functional effective activist donalodian strategy: suck up to Ivanka. Keep your options open. Build 30 feet of a wall for photo ops, fill jets with war orphans and get them in front of news cameras. Work the system, the republicans certainly will be.
posted by sammyo at 6:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by sammyo at 6:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I mean ... it's pretty shitty. But it's not 2,753 dead in one day shitty.*
Once healthcare is gone there's going to be a lot more. Not in one day, granted, but there's a lot of people who are going to die unnecessarily.
posted by Talez at 6:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [34 favorites]
Once healthcare is gone there's going to be a lot more. Not in one day, granted, but there's a lot of people who are going to die unnecessarily.
posted by Talez at 6:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [34 favorites]
I was holding it together until I saw this thread had been posted. I guess it was the final signal my psyche needed 'Yes, yes it is happening. We are now in the Trump becomes president thread'.
Metafilter makes it real.
I'm going to town and get some booze. I don't drink much but feel like it today. Just trying to decide what to get.
posted by Jalliah at 6:07 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
I am spending today having been literally abandoned by Republican family members on the streets of a strange city
Oh no! I am so sorry, sciatrix. I was starting to vicariously like your grandmother. I am shocked and angry on your behalf that they actually kicked you out because of your beliefs. That is not good Republican values, or really good any values.
All the people I know that might even possibly have space would only have floor space also, sadly, everyone's packed.
I am so sorry-angry.
posted by corb at 6:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
Oh no! I am so sorry, sciatrix. I was starting to vicariously like your grandmother. I am shocked and angry on your behalf that they actually kicked you out because of your beliefs. That is not good Republican values, or really good any values.
All the people I know that might even possibly have space would only have floor space also, sadly, everyone's packed.
I am so sorry-angry.
posted by corb at 6:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
I looked at the weather in Washington. It says it's raining. Anyone know if it's actually raining? Does it suck?
posted by Jalliah at 6:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Jared Yates Sexton is attending the inaugeration as a student of politics. Here's his Twitter from the last few minutes.
posted by Talez at 6:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [123 favorites]
Jared Yates Sexton @JYSextonThis election was a primal scream from the electorate.
White people. Most celebrating Obama leaving, vocalizing Trump as revenge. They're reveling in sending him as punishment, not governance
This isn't about government. This is about winning.
People are saying, in so many words, that this is about spitting liberals and multiculturalism. They're celebrating it openly.
Two men walk by holding hands, someone yells "it's not your country anymore"
posted by Talez at 6:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [123 favorites]
Most of them mention his Twitter as the thing they like least, interestingly.
Because it's hard to pretend that he's anything other than a petty narcissist if you read his tweets?
posted by Slothrup at 6:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Because it's hard to pretend that he's anything other than a petty narcissist if you read his tweets?
posted by Slothrup at 6:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
sciatrix, as someone with (part of my) family I no longer speak to, I know today must be difficult for you. If it's any help, I've come to view family the same way as nationality. It's something that happens to you before you have any choice in the matter. The beautiful thing is that we are free, as we grow older, to make a new family, one where we choose the members because they are the people near and dear to us. I don't know if that helps, but I hope you find a non-floor place to stay.
posted by Ghidorah at 6:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by Ghidorah at 6:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
This morning in having a true PTSD reaction straight from my childhood.
I have the feeling of waiting for the next thing, quiet breathing my only company.
It's going to be a long day.
posted by AlexiaSky at 6:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
I have the feeling of waiting for the next thing, quiet breathing my only company.
It's going to be a long day.
posted by AlexiaSky at 6:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
>I looked at the weather in Washington. It says it's raining. Anyone know if it's actually raining? Does it suck?
It is raining according to McKay Coppins at least.
posted by Tevin at 6:15 AM on January 20, 2017
It is raining according to McKay Coppins at least.
posted by Tevin at 6:15 AM on January 20, 2017
I looked at the weather in Washington. It says it's raining.
That's just Trump peeing on the nation's leg and saying it's raining.
posted by Strange Interlude at 6:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
That's just Trump peeing on the nation's leg and saying it's raining.
posted by Strange Interlude at 6:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Rained earlier, stopped for now but another big rain band is maybe an hour out. It's nasty and overcast. Any sunny photos of the mall you see are a lie.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
It is raining according to McKay Coppins at least.
It's just a little thing that makes it a tiny bit better. I'm glad he doesn't get glorious sunshine and the petty side of me is glad that all of the people there, especially the ones Jared Yates Sexton tweets posted above have to do it in miserable weather.
Thanks universe.
posted by Jalliah at 6:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's just a little thing that makes it a tiny bit better. I'm glad he doesn't get glorious sunshine and the petty side of me is glad that all of the people there, especially the ones Jared Yates Sexton tweets posted above have to do it in miserable weather.
Thanks universe.
posted by Jalliah at 6:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm going to town and get some booze. I don't drink much but feel like it today. Just trying to decide what to get.
Yeah, I picked the wrong decade to stop drinking
posted by thelonius at 6:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Yeah, I picked the wrong decade to stop drinking
posted by thelonius at 6:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
I'm hiding inside (near downtown dc) so my saint of a boyfriend offered to walk the dog this morning. People are openly wearing swastikas.
(and yes, it is raining)
posted by R a c h e l at 6:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
(and yes, it is raining)
posted by R a c h e l at 6:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
*deep exhale* I just thought we were better than this.
This morning I took the American flag pin off my work ID lanyard and put it back on upside down. It has a little extra point on the pinback so it won't just turn itself rightside up. No idea how long I will have to leave it that way.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
This morning I took the American flag pin off my work ID lanyard and put it back on upside down. It has a little extra point on the pinback so it won't just turn itself rightside up. No idea how long I will have to leave it that way.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Well, what's to say?
It was nice knowing you all.
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
It was nice knowing you all.
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
That so many people still believe that all traditional broadcast or cable TV is somehow tracked for ratings bugs me in a way I hadn't expected.
Broadcast wouldn't be tracked. But anyone with a cable provided DVR is probably tracked. Tivo does the same. And that's been the case, at least with Tivo, for 15 years. Tivo announced Firefly was the most recorded show when Fox was considering cancellation.
Have no idea what percentage of the population has an Internet-connected DVR, but probably enough to make for a good sample to rival Nielsen.
posted by honestcoyote at 6:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Broadcast wouldn't be tracked. But anyone with a cable provided DVR is probably tracked. Tivo does the same. And that's been the case, at least with Tivo, for 15 years. Tivo announced Firefly was the most recorded show when Fox was considering cancellation.
Have no idea what percentage of the population has an Internet-connected DVR, but probably enough to make for a good sample to rival Nielsen.
posted by honestcoyote at 6:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm hiding inside (near downtown dc) so my saint of a boyfriend offered to walk the dog this morning. People are openly wearing swastikas.
I hope people take pictures of this. I assume they are.
It won't make much of difference now but it needs to be recorded for the sake of history.
posted by Jalliah at 6:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
WMATA is throwing metro shade:
As of 8:30, parking available at all stations with lots/garages. All under 50% except E Falls Chrch (65%) & Van Dorn (55%) #wmata #inaug2017
It's literally less full than a normal Wednesday.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [82 favorites]
As of 8:30, parking available at all stations with lots/garages. All under 50% except E Falls Chrch (65%) & Van Dorn (55%) #wmata #inaug2017
It's literally less full than a normal Wednesday.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [82 favorites]
This is the worst day in American history since Pearl Harbor.
Fort Sumter. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the country was unified with a common purpose, suddenly. (Even America Firster Lucky Lindy flew combat missions.)
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 6:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
Fort Sumter. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the country was unified with a common purpose, suddenly. (Even America Firster Lucky Lindy flew combat missions.)
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 6:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
i can't look
posted by murphy slaw at 6:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 6:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
In a weird way, I'm feeling better this morning, because at least we're not waiting anymore. I'm sure I'll feel worse as specific things happen, but the mere fact of the long stretch between the terrible news and the actual terrible event has been, for me, particularly hard to bear.
Also, it seems like Republican disarray and popular pushback are making at least some of the Ryanist agenda harder to implement. If we can get through this without absolutely everything gutted, there's some possibility to rebuild again.
posted by Frowner at 6:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
Also, it seems like Republican disarray and popular pushback are making at least some of the Ryanist agenda harder to implement. If we can get through this without absolutely everything gutted, there's some possibility to rebuild again.
posted by Frowner at 6:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
Neil Macdonald at the CBC is not pulling any punches in this editorial: America descends into brutality as the real-life Archie Bunker is sworn in as president
posted by fimbulvetr at 6:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
posted by fimbulvetr at 6:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
I'm hiding inside (near downtown dc) so my saint of a boyfriend offered to walk the dog this morning. People are openly wearing swastikas.
I hope people take pictures of this. I assume they are.
Wow, this really really needs photos with unambiguous locations and time posted.
posted by sammyo at 6:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
I hope people take pictures of this. I assume they are.
Wow, this really really needs photos with unambiguous locations and time posted.
posted by sammyo at 6:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
... is this really worst than 9/11?
This is something I've been contemplating, because I feel similarly ill this morning to how I felt that day. Right now we are suspended in the moment just before the plane hits. You can plainly see that something horrible is happening, that there is nothing you can do to stop it, but you can't yet imagine the terrible consequences of how it will all play out. IMO this feels worse because it became clear on 9/11 or shortly after that it was foreign terrorists who did it. This? Americans did it to themselves. Russia, yeah... but Americans voted for this person. Everything we've learned since Election Day has only confirmed what was already apparent. This is worse than 9/11 because I have lost faith in my fellow citizens. There will be no pulling together in the wake of this, only ripping the frayed seams apart entirely.
posted by gatorae at 6:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [43 favorites]
This is something I've been contemplating, because I feel similarly ill this morning to how I felt that day. Right now we are suspended in the moment just before the plane hits. You can plainly see that something horrible is happening, that there is nothing you can do to stop it, but you can't yet imagine the terrible consequences of how it will all play out. IMO this feels worse because it became clear on 9/11 or shortly after that it was foreign terrorists who did it. This? Americans did it to themselves. Russia, yeah... but Americans voted for this person. Everything we've learned since Election Day has only confirmed what was already apparent. This is worse than 9/11 because I have lost faith in my fellow citizens. There will be no pulling together in the wake of this, only ripping the frayed seams apart entirely.
posted by gatorae at 6:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [43 favorites]
Sciatrix, I'm so sorry. Your posts have been giving me so much strength and hope these past few weeks, and you deserve so much better. If it's any consolation, I believe strongly that the chosen family you are going to create around you in the long will be vibrant, loving, powerful, and sustaining. You have a great and loving heart, and we are all rooting for you. Don't give up.
posted by pretentious illiterate at 6:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [72 favorites]
posted by pretentious illiterate at 6:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [72 favorites]
This is something I've been contemplating, because I feel similarly ill this morning to how I felt that day. Right now we are suspended in the moment just before the plane hits. You can plainly see that something horrible is happening, that there is nothing you can do to stop it, but you can't yet imagine the terrible consequences of how it will all play out. IMO this feels worse because it became clear on 9/11 or shortly after that it was foreign terrorists who did it. This? Americans did it to themselves. Russia, yeah... but Americans voted for this person. Everything we've learned since Election Day has only confirmed what was already apparent. This is worse than 9/11 because I have lost faith in my fellow citizens. There will be no pulling together in the wake of this, only ripping the frayed seams apart entirely.
I have the same horrified, 'this is going to change everything' feeling of dread that I had on 9/11 immediately after the info came out that it was foreign terrorists. I'll be honest that up until then I was saying 'Please let them be white and American, please let them be white and American' begging it to be so. So bad, but a domestically contained bad.
I suppose there is some irony in that now.
*sigh*
posted by Jalliah at 6:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
I have the same horrified, 'this is going to change everything' feeling of dread that I had on 9/11 immediately after the info came out that it was foreign terrorists. I'll be honest that up until then I was saying 'Please let them be white and American, please let them be white and American' begging it to be so. So bad, but a domestically contained bad.
I suppose there is some irony in that now.
*sigh*
posted by Jalliah at 6:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
How is it possible that this country has willingly elected a President even WORSE than George W. Bush?
How?
posted by darkstar at 6:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
How?
posted by darkstar at 6:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
I stopped in at the post office this morning, and the Obama/Biden pictures are down. Scared to think what's going up, and how it's going to be depressing to go there for some time now
posted by MtDewd at 6:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by MtDewd at 6:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I've been listening to Sleater Kinney's album "One Beat" a lot lately. Much of it was their response to 9/11 and it feels relevant again these days. Here's Combat Rock. Sample lyric: "We'll come out with our fists raised/The good old boys are back on top again/And if we let them lead us blindly/The past becomes the future once again". Worth listening to today I think.
posted by skycrashesdown at 6:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by skycrashesdown at 6:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
Pretty stoked that Putin was so nice as to give Trump the weekend off after starting his new job.
posted by porn in the woods at 6:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by porn in the woods at 6:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Oh god, I've been reading all of the other threads ALL THE TIME but this one I might have to look away from.
posted by armacy at 6:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by armacy at 6:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'm going to start a list of things that are good in a relative sense.
It's raining in Washington.
People are there recording horrible things people there 'celebrating' are saying and doing. You're now part of history folks as the bad guys. Doesn't matter if you see it that way or not. YOU ARE.
All of the protests. Huge numbers of people and huge number of protests. I would be feeling a whole lot more despondent if there wasn't protests.
posted by Jalliah at 6:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
It's raining in Washington.
People are there recording horrible things people there 'celebrating' are saying and doing. You're now part of history folks as the bad guys. Doesn't matter if you see it that way or not. YOU ARE.
All of the protests. Huge numbers of people and huge number of protests. I would be feeling a whole lot more despondent if there wasn't protests.
posted by Jalliah at 6:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
Once healthcare is gone there's going to be a lot more. Not in one day, granted, but there's a lot of people who are going to die unnecessarily.
And there will be the next war, wherever it is.
I am more resigned than angry today. I have pulled an Aslan and moved past Deep Cynicism to a Deeper Cynicism From Beyond the Dawn of Time. Of course, in this nation of relentless media deregulation and 24/7 howling through the wires, Hope would be succeeded by Spite. In a era where one party has gone completely Manichaean, declared the other party illegitimate and denounced cooperation, bipartisanship and compromise as evils, and where the American media has _accepted that_ as a legitimate stance to take, of course they would eventually emerge triumphant on a frightening scale.
Trump is not the disease. Trump is the latest symptom.
How is it possible that this country has willingly elected a President even WORSE than George W. Bush?
Because they did it before, and his name was Ronald Reagan, and he caused more damage to this country's foundations than anyone else before him. And he and Dubya and Trump share a pedigree; they are not Presidents in a normal sense, but distractions sugarcoating what the party and power brokers and super-rich behind them are doing and wrapping it all up in red, white and blue.
So we pick up our guitar and play, just like yesterday, and begin the slow process of survival just as we've done every other time that the beasts have won the day. Not all of us will make it, but we will prop up whoever we can and make sure that when the shit hits the fan, history records who was truly to blame.
posted by delfin at 6:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [48 favorites]
And there will be the next war, wherever it is.
I am more resigned than angry today. I have pulled an Aslan and moved past Deep Cynicism to a Deeper Cynicism From Beyond the Dawn of Time. Of course, in this nation of relentless media deregulation and 24/7 howling through the wires, Hope would be succeeded by Spite. In a era where one party has gone completely Manichaean, declared the other party illegitimate and denounced cooperation, bipartisanship and compromise as evils, and where the American media has _accepted that_ as a legitimate stance to take, of course they would eventually emerge triumphant on a frightening scale.
Trump is not the disease. Trump is the latest symptom.
How is it possible that this country has willingly elected a President even WORSE than George W. Bush?
Because they did it before, and his name was Ronald Reagan, and he caused more damage to this country's foundations than anyone else before him. And he and Dubya and Trump share a pedigree; they are not Presidents in a normal sense, but distractions sugarcoating what the party and power brokers and super-rich behind them are doing and wrapping it all up in red, white and blue.
So we pick up our guitar and play, just like yesterday, and begin the slow process of survival just as we've done every other time that the beasts have won the day. Not all of us will make it, but we will prop up whoever we can and make sure that when the shit hits the fan, history records who was truly to blame.
posted by delfin at 6:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [48 favorites]
Southwest Flight Lights Go Pink for Women's March
A passenger on a flight from Chicago to Baltimore Thursday said the light adjustment was a welcome surprise.
"It was unexpected and unannounced," passenger Jennifer Moran told NBC in an email. "There was no announcement explicitly from the staff and no one screamed this is for the March. Nothing, just spontaneous and everyone knew exactly why they were cheering."
posted by windbox at 6:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [58 favorites]
A passenger on a flight from Chicago to Baltimore Thursday said the light adjustment was a welcome surprise.
"It was unexpected and unannounced," passenger Jennifer Moran told NBC in an email. "There was no announcement explicitly from the staff and no one screamed this is for the March. Nothing, just spontaneous and everyone knew exactly why they were cheering."
posted by windbox at 6:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [58 favorites]
I stopped in at the post office this morning, and the Obama/Biden pictures are down
We went to see a play at my nephews' elementary school last weekend, and Trump's picture was already up. I almost wept.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
We went to see a play at my nephews' elementary school last weekend, and Trump's picture was already up. I almost wept.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
I'll be back at work, in DC, on January 22 (Sunday), and I don't expect anything other than leftover chaos. The Roe v. Wade protesters will be in town on Friday, January 27, since the anniversary of the decision came on a weekend this year--January 22--and they protest only when the Supreme Court is in session). So that's the next storm.
FWIW, I've been at work (Capitol Hill) most years on the march date. I have never seen so many white people in one place. Lots of religious (e.g., monks, nuns, etc.). Lots of teenagers. Lots of signs. And some legendary jaywalking and crowding the sidewalks as they walked after the march was over. My heart goes out to shopkeepers and residents on that day, every year.
posted by datawrangler at 6:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
FWIW, I've been at work (Capitol Hill) most years on the march date. I have never seen so many white people in one place. Lots of religious (e.g., monks, nuns, etc.). Lots of teenagers. Lots of signs. And some legendary jaywalking and crowding the sidewalks as they walked after the march was over. My heart goes out to shopkeepers and residents on that day, every year.
posted by datawrangler at 6:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
The news crew is coming to my house at 10:15 this morning. If y'all want me to post the video afterwards, I am happy to do so. I guess I better get my anti-Trump talking points ready!
posted by Kitteh at 6:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [51 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 6:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [51 favorites]
White people. Most celebrating Obama leaving, vocalizing Trump as revenge. They're reveling in sending him as punishment, not governance
This isn't about government. This is about winning.
People are saying, in so many words, that this is about spitting liberals and multiculturalism. They're celebrating it openly.
Two men walk by holding hands, someone yells "it's not your country anymore"
There's a parade of white (-sounding?) people calling into C-SPAN right now pretty much underscoring these sentiments, with all the attendant clueless soundbitey rah-rah. I've been listening for about 20 minutes and I've heard exactly one person express an anti-Trump sentiment. I've followed the campaigns and the conventions on C-SPAN mostly because I can't stand the networks' coverage—and partly, apparently, because I hate myself enough to subject myself to the unfiltered opinions of Americans thanking Jesus that the end of the republic is finally here.
posted by Rykey at 6:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
This isn't about government. This is about winning.
People are saying, in so many words, that this is about spitting liberals and multiculturalism. They're celebrating it openly.
Two men walk by holding hands, someone yells "it's not your country anymore"
There's a parade of white (-sounding?) people calling into C-SPAN right now pretty much underscoring these sentiments, with all the attendant clueless soundbitey rah-rah. I've been listening for about 20 minutes and I've heard exactly one person express an anti-Trump sentiment. I've followed the campaigns and the conventions on C-SPAN mostly because I can't stand the networks' coverage—and partly, apparently, because I hate myself enough to subject myself to the unfiltered opinions of Americans thanking Jesus that the end of the republic is finally here.
posted by Rykey at 6:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
The news crew is coming to my house at 10:15 this morning. If y'all want me to post the video afterwards, I am happy to do so. I guess I better get my anti-Trump talking points ready!
*squee* What station?
posted by Jalliah at 6:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
*squee* What station?
posted by Jalliah at 6:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Two men walk by holding hands, someone yells "it's not your country anymore"
Whatever. I'm wearing a rainbow beanie at work today.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
Whatever. I'm wearing a rainbow beanie at work today.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
Oh booze store open in 10. Going now. The only annoying thing is I'll get back to a bajillion comments here.
posted by Jalliah at 6:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Sciatrix, I'm not rolling in until pretty late tonight and staying an hour out of the city in Frederick, or I'd be swooping in this second to scoop you and your partner up. I'm holding you both in my heart right now.
BLM is Facebook Living various protests right now. That's the only thing I'll be watching today, when I do watch anything.
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
BLM is Facebook Living various protests right now. That's the only thing I'll be watching today, when I do watch anything.
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
In related portents and signs news - the first sunspot of Solar Cycle 25 has just turned up, meaning we're probably not in for the mini Ice Age that some thought might be on its way.
So that's good.
posted by Devonian at 6:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
So that's good.
posted by Devonian at 6:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
previous thread:
Would they pile into the saucer
Find Orlando's rat and hug it?
Go screaming through the universe
Just to get McNuggets?
...
They're not here, they're not coming
Not in a million years
Turn your hopes back homeward
Hold your children, dry their tears
You may see the heavens flashing
You may hear the cosmos humming
But I promise you, my brother
They're not here, they're not coming
posted by deludingmyself at 6:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I've been ugly sobbing off and on all night while also kinda pleading with the universe to send extraterrestrials now.And now I'm going to have a Don Henley song in my head all day, and I'm not even sad about it.
posted by fluffy battle kitten
Would they pile into the saucer
Find Orlando's rat and hug it?
Go screaming through the universe
Just to get McNuggets?
...
They're not here, they're not coming
Not in a million years
Turn your hopes back homeward
Hold your children, dry their tears
You may see the heavens flashing
You may hear the cosmos humming
But I promise you, my brother
They're not here, they're not coming
posted by deludingmyself at 6:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
sciatrix, I'm so sorry to hear about your experiences in D.C. Be strong.
posted by tofu_crouton at 6:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by tofu_crouton at 6:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Trump's here. We have four years to write a better story
posted by lalochezia at 6:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by lalochezia at 6:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Thank you all non-USAers for your condolences and hopes for us. As an American who travels a lot, it is heartening to be on the receiving end of good wishes.
For those of you feeling despondent (I'm right there with you), channel that in to action.
And this in my inbox this morning from the ACLU (not a plug for them, it's just the first concrete 'within the system' action I've seen and I don't think they will give up easily):
The ACLU is demanding access to key documents concerning Trump’s conflicts of interest. The public has a right to know...
On behalf of the American public, the ACLU filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Office of Government Ethics and three other government offices. FOIA is a crucial tool for ordinary Americans to provide checks and balances on elected officials – this won’t be our last one.
This is just the beginning.
posted by bluesky43 at 6:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
For those of you feeling despondent (I'm right there with you), channel that in to action.
And this in my inbox this morning from the ACLU (not a plug for them, it's just the first concrete 'within the system' action I've seen and I don't think they will give up easily):
The ACLU is demanding access to key documents concerning Trump’s conflicts of interest. The public has a right to know...
On behalf of the American public, the ACLU filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Office of Government Ethics and three other government offices. FOIA is a crucial tool for ordinary Americans to provide checks and balances on elected officials – this won’t be our last one.
This is just the beginning.
posted by bluesky43 at 6:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
*buckles up*
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
*squee* What station?
CKWS, our local news station here in Kingston.
I just called my mom to tell her. My mom, who is Hispanic and voted Hillary, said, "I don't like the man but I'm watching anyway because this is a historic moment." I replied, "Mom, they voted in a racist white dude. That's not a historic moment, that's business as usual."
posted by Kitteh at 6:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [31 favorites]
CKWS, our local news station here in Kingston.
I just called my mom to tell her. My mom, who is Hispanic and voted Hillary, said, "I don't like the man but I'm watching anyway because this is a historic moment." I replied, "Mom, they voted in a racist white dude. That's not a historic moment, that's business as usual."
posted by Kitteh at 6:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [31 favorites]
Hi, I'm MetaFilter's petebest, here to talk to you about the blue that binds us all together. Did you know that these election threads cost actual real, no-foolin' money to make available to you?
Why not spend some of your hard-earned money supporting a mediated discussion you're already a part of? It's easy to do, just scroll down and donate. Consider it an inauguration celebration of your own online haven. A swearin-in of the quidnunc, as it were.
Be nice to yourself and to the great unwashed masses of lurkers, yearning to be reading for free, who depend on at least one site that has its s**t together. And thank you for your support.
*hums MeFi the Beautiful*
posted by petebest at 6:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [53 favorites]
Why not spend some of your hard-earned money supporting a mediated discussion you're already a part of? It's easy to do, just scroll down and donate. Consider it an inauguration celebration of your own online haven. A swearin-in of the quidnunc, as it were.
Be nice to yourself and to the great unwashed masses of lurkers, yearning to be reading for free, who depend on at least one site that has its s**t together. And thank you for your support.
*hums MeFi the Beautiful*
posted by petebest at 6:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [53 favorites]
.
posted by tobascodagama at 6:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by tobascodagama at 6:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
i see npr is already hard at work at normalization this morning
DOESNT MATTER YOU TOADIES HE'S STILL GONNA ELIMINATE PUBLIC BROADCASTING WHY NOT GO DOWN SWINGING FOR A CHANGE
posted by entropicamericana at 6:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [103 favorites]
DOESNT MATTER YOU TOADIES HE'S STILL GONNA ELIMINATE PUBLIC BROADCASTING WHY NOT GO DOWN SWINGING FOR A CHANGE
posted by entropicamericana at 6:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [103 favorites]
Anyone know if it's actually raining? Does it suck?
I don't know if it's actually raining.
But I can promise you: it sucks.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
I don't know if it's actually raining.
But I can promise you: it sucks.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
hippybear: "Biggest crowd ever and best ratings ever. Inauguration truly the greatest. Thank you America for uniting under me to be Great Again!" -@realDonaldTrump, Jan 21, 2017, 6:30am
Real-time revisions to history (or just lying), unless he's changing "any press is good press" to "any crowd is a good crowd" ... but he's still not bringing crowds like Obama in 2009: Obama drew an estimated 1.8 million people to the National Mall eight years ago, according to federal and local agencies. Planners say they are expecting no more than 900,000 people to attend Trump's ceremonies Jan. 20. And most of them will be protesters.
And in other downscaling news, NPR has changed their promotional language - they were previously saying the would be providing live fact-checking to the Inaugural address, but now it's "providing footnotes." Footnotes, to me, imply some elaboration and additional detail, not clarifying how certain statements are just plain incorrect.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Real-time revisions to history (or just lying), unless he's changing "any press is good press" to "any crowd is a good crowd" ... but he's still not bringing crowds like Obama in 2009: Obama drew an estimated 1.8 million people to the National Mall eight years ago, according to federal and local agencies. Planners say they are expecting no more than 900,000 people to attend Trump's ceremonies Jan. 20. And most of them will be protesters.
And in other downscaling news, NPR has changed their promotional language - they were previously saying the would be providing live fact-checking to the Inaugural address, but now it's "providing footnotes." Footnotes, to me, imply some elaboration and additional detail, not clarifying how certain statements are just plain incorrect.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
How is it possible that this country has willingly elected a President even WORSE than George W. Bush?
The voters who helped Trump win the Republican primary, and the voters who helped him win the rust belt states despise GWB with every bone in their body. They hate him more than progressives do. Trump won because the GOP establishment sneered at him, and that was good enough for their angry base, a base so pissed off that hating Democrats wasn't enough anymore. A base finally accepting what liberals had been telling them for years, that Republicans didn't give two shits about them, so they latched on to Trump, and the more he ridiculed Jeb, the more they loved him.
posted by Beholder at 7:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
The voters who helped Trump win the Republican primary, and the voters who helped him win the rust belt states despise GWB with every bone in their body. They hate him more than progressives do. Trump won because the GOP establishment sneered at him, and that was good enough for their angry base, a base so pissed off that hating Democrats wasn't enough anymore. A base finally accepting what liberals had been telling them for years, that Republicans didn't give two shits about them, so they latched on to Trump, and the more he ridiculed Jeb, the more they loved him.
posted by Beholder at 7:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
NPR did make one good point this morning - Trump has been making the same noises about the state of America since the 1980s. Also their funding sources are quite diverse.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
By this time in 2020, my knuckles will be so white they'll glow in the dark.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
5pm here in Beirut. As I watch the NY Times live feed, I feel a sense of unheimlich, an uncanny discomfort that this inauguration both looks and feels like a coup, from Kellyanne Conway's red, white and blue outfit to the all-white sea of people, many of which sport blood red MAGA hats.
posted by standardasparagus at 7:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by standardasparagus at 7:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
And now I'm going to have a Don Henley song, in my head all day, and I'm not even sad about it.
Trump is a walking Don Henley song.
A new age is dawning
On fewer than expected
Business as Usual
That's how the headline read
Some shaky modern saviors
Have now been resurrected
In all this excitement
You may have been misled
People want a miracle
They say Oh Lord, can't you see us?
We're tryin' to make a livin' down here
And keep the children fed
But, from little dark motel rooms
To Six Flags over Jesus
How are the mighty fallen
So the Bible said
You don't have to pray to a little tin god
Step out of the way for a little tin god
You might fear the reaper, fear the rod
But you never have to get down on your knees
You don't have to holler, please, please
No, you never have to get down on your knees
For a little tin god
The cowboy's name was Jingo
And he heard that there was trouble
So in a blaze of glory
He rode out of the west
No one was ever certain
What it was that he was sayin'
But they loved it when he told them
They were better than the rest...
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Trump is a walking Don Henley song.
A new age is dawning
On fewer than expected
Business as Usual
That's how the headline read
Some shaky modern saviors
Have now been resurrected
In all this excitement
You may have been misled
People want a miracle
They say Oh Lord, can't you see us?
We're tryin' to make a livin' down here
And keep the children fed
But, from little dark motel rooms
To Six Flags over Jesus
How are the mighty fallen
So the Bible said
You don't have to pray to a little tin god
Step out of the way for a little tin god
You might fear the reaper, fear the rod
But you never have to get down on your knees
You don't have to holler, please, please
No, you never have to get down on your knees
For a little tin god
The cowboy's name was Jingo
And he heard that there was trouble
So in a blaze of glory
He rode out of the west
No one was ever certain
What it was that he was sayin'
But they loved it when he told them
They were better than the rest...
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
It feels fitting that my monthly therapist appointment is at 11 am.
posted by Kitteh at 7:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 7:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Anyway, I figure now is as good as time as any to borrow a plot device from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Specifically, the Infinite Improbability Drive, because it can cause the most improbable things to happen. And the current situation, unpleasant and undesirable as it is, is not the most improbable situation that could happen now.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
.
posted by photoslob at 7:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by photoslob at 7:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Snarl Furillo: My God, I can't believe we're actually going to do this. It's like I'm watching a horror movie, yelling, "Don't open the door! Don't open the door! He's right outside the Oval Office and he's got a chainsaw!" No one can hear me and nothing can stop it.
It probably doesn't make you feel any better, but you can imagine that instead of watching this horror movie alone, you're in a packed theater where a majority of the audience is screaming in terror, but the other movie patrons are chanting "U-S-A! U-S-A!" as if they expect something wonderful to happen.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
It probably doesn't make you feel any better, but you can imagine that instead of watching this horror movie alone, you're in a packed theater where a majority of the audience is screaming in terror, but the other movie patrons are chanting "U-S-A! U-S-A!" as if they expect something wonderful to happen.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
Specifically, the Infinite Improbability Drive, because it can cause the most improbable things to happen
you've made me think of an innocent creature hurtling towards an uncaring, implacable object, wondering if it will be his friend...
posted by nubs at 7:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
you've made me think of an innocent creature hurtling towards an uncaring, implacable object, wondering if it will be his friend...
posted by nubs at 7:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
You didn't so much lose your family sciatrix, as discover who your real family is. The people who care about and value you are the ones who deserve your time, energy and love and I'm so glad there are people like that in your life.
It's hard to let go of blood family, I've had to do that too, and I'm sorry. I miss what I thought we had as a family. That's a real grief. But I guess it's better to know who they are than to have illusions about them.
Like you, I've got my chosen family who love and support me, and they now get 100% of my time and care. I can't help but feel like that's right and good.
posted by emjaybee at 7:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
It's hard to let go of blood family, I've had to do that too, and I'm sorry. I miss what I thought we had as a family. That's a real grief. But I guess it's better to know who they are than to have illusions about them.
Like you, I've got my chosen family who love and support me, and they now get 100% of my time and care. I can't help but feel like that's right and good.
posted by emjaybee at 7:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
you've made me think of an innocent creature hurtling towards an uncaring, implacable object, wondering if it will be his friend...
Some of us are the whale, some of us are the bowl of petunias. But either way, MAGAthea is getting awfully close.
posted by mushhushshu at 7:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
Some of us are the whale, some of us are the bowl of petunias. But either way, MAGAthea is getting awfully close.
posted by mushhushshu at 7:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
Has Donald had his nuclear briefing yet? Are we already dealing with a weaponized Donald Trump?
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Are we already dealing with a weaponized Donald Trump?
Yes.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Yes.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Joint Chiefs just walked by NBC's cameras, looking slightly green around the gills.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Let us celebrate the peaceful transfer of power to a man who was going to claim the election results were invalid if he lost.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 7:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [68 favorites]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 7:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [68 favorites]
Free joints being handed out en masse at Dupont Circle. Jury's out on whether that's a net plus or minus for these protests.
posted by the sobsister at 7:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by the sobsister at 7:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
Has Donald had his nuclear briefing yet?
The nuclear briefing is famously humbling. I assume it's really, truly horrifying. I would have to be. And yet, I am imagining Trump, phone in hand, distractedly scanning CNN's headlines while graphic images of the effects of nuclear weapons flash on a screen, while he is warned of the awesome power of the arsenal.
The presentation ends, he looks up and says, "Great, great. Say, when do I get the password to the @POTUS account?"
posted by uncleozzy at 7:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
The nuclear briefing is famously humbling. I assume it's really, truly horrifying. I would have to be. And yet, I am imagining Trump, phone in hand, distractedly scanning CNN's headlines while graphic images of the effects of nuclear weapons flash on a screen, while he is warned of the awesome power of the arsenal.
The presentation ends, he looks up and says, "Great, great. Say, when do I get the password to the @POTUS account?"
posted by uncleozzy at 7:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
NBC stream failed.
I will die laughing if Trump's inauguration gets DDOSed.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
I will die laughing if Trump's inauguration gets DDOSed.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
David Frum: The worst human being ever to enter the presidency, and I include all the slaveholders.
posted by gatorae at 7:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [52 favorites]
posted by gatorae at 7:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [52 favorites]
Two men walk by holding hands, someone yells "it's not your country anymore"
And THAT is what this election was all about.
One side says, yes, we are part of a country in which there is room for us all. Whoever you are, whoever you love, however you feel, you are American, you are included. We can believe different things in our private lives but balance our public behavior for the common good.
One side says, no, your tribe and my tribe are permanently at war. Our belief is that your beliefs are illegitimate, and now that we are in control we can exclude you from being heard, exclude you from being full citizens, exclude having to tolerate anyone or anything different.
The mere fact of someone being gay in a public place was a THREAT to that person. Their comfort in holding hands in public was oppressive -- it meant that America wasn't HIS America any more. And now he thinks that it's payback time.
Good luck with that, asshole.
posted by delfin at 7:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [116 favorites]
And THAT is what this election was all about.
One side says, yes, we are part of a country in which there is room for us all. Whoever you are, whoever you love, however you feel, you are American, you are included. We can believe different things in our private lives but balance our public behavior for the common good.
One side says, no, your tribe and my tribe are permanently at war. Our belief is that your beliefs are illegitimate, and now that we are in control we can exclude you from being heard, exclude you from being full citizens, exclude having to tolerate anyone or anything different.
The mere fact of someone being gay in a public place was a THREAT to that person. Their comfort in holding hands in public was oppressive -- it meant that America wasn't HIS America any more. And now he thinks that it's payback time.
Good luck with that, asshole.
posted by delfin at 7:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [116 favorites]
Assuming no last-minute surprises
Come on last-minute surprises....you can do it.....don't fail us now!
Though if you do, it would be awesome if you can make it a literal last minute surprise....60 seconds before the oath is taken Trump and Pence look at their cell-phones and then just shuffle off the stage without explanation....sort of in an "oh crap - someone has video of THAT night - I wonder if I can make it back to the plane before anyone notices I'm gone" sort of way. Queue hilarious slow motion car chase as they try and escape and keep driving down blocked roads, surrounded by media, and end up holed up in a cheap motel, followed by them trying to climb out the back window in makeshift disguises.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 7:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Come on last-minute surprises....you can do it.....don't fail us now!
Though if you do, it would be awesome if you can make it a literal last minute surprise....60 seconds before the oath is taken Trump and Pence look at their cell-phones and then just shuffle off the stage without explanation....sort of in an "oh crap - someone has video of THAT night - I wonder if I can make it back to the plane before anyone notices I'm gone" sort of way. Queue hilarious slow motion car chase as they try and escape and keep driving down blocked roads, surrounded by media, and end up holed up in a cheap motel, followed by them trying to climb out the back window in makeshift disguises.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 7:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
not clarifying how certain statements are just plain i̶n̶c̶o̶r̶r̶e̶c̶t̶ wrong
Fixed that for you.
posted by datawrangler at 7:19 AM on January 20, 2017
Fixed that for you.
posted by datawrangler at 7:19 AM on January 20, 2017
I would not take a joint on my way to a DC protest if someone paid me to. And I love joints!
Anyway, BLM protestcam way better than white supremacist orangecam.
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Anyway, BLM protestcam way better than white supremacist orangecam.
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
I will die laughing if Trump's inauguration gets DDOSed.
It would be fitting if the Russians turned on him the moment he took the reins. They were never going to back you as a state actor, Donnie. They just saw their chance to undermine western democracy, and guess what you're now the face of?
posted by Mayor West at 7:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
It would be fitting if the Russians turned on him the moment he took the reins. They were never going to back you as a state actor, Donnie. They just saw their chance to undermine western democracy, and guess what you're now the face of?
posted by Mayor West at 7:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
how much do you think these poor npr reporters drink at night when they get home from interviewing this redneck ignoramuses? especially those poor bastards on extended "middle america" safaris?
posted by entropicamericana at 7:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by entropicamericana at 7:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Clinton is wearing all white. <3
posted by gatorae at 7:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
posted by gatorae at 7:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
I, also, will be working today..my first client will arrive in 15 minutes. Business here in the clinic will probably boom as more and more folks face the oncoming tidal wave of Bad Things. Depression and anxiety will abound, marital problems will soar... business will be good, lots of need for therapists, until the insurance is gone... then folks will stay home, contemplate suicide, luxuriate in panic attacks, abuse each other, and neglect the kids because "things are so crappy, who the fuck cares"...
posted by HuronBob at 7:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by HuronBob at 7:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Also, the Night Wolves Bikers4Trump made a noisy turn around the circle a while back. To my taste, not even puppies and kittens as riders could mitigate how obnoxious motorcycles can be. Then, when knuckledragging paramilitary "security" yobbos are straddling them...
posted by the sobsister at 7:20 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by the sobsister at 7:20 AM on January 20, 2017
David Frum:
This day is bad enough without bringing David Frum into it.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
This day is bad enough without bringing David Frum into it.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
Two men walk by holding hands, someone yells "it's not your country anymore"
Remember, when you hear this noxious shit, that it is either legally and factually incorrect, or else utterly devoid of meaning. The government is not the country.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Remember, when you hear this noxious shit, that it is either legally and factually incorrect, or else utterly devoid of meaning. The government is not the country.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Come on last-minute surprises....you can do it.....don't fail us now!
where have you gone, giant asteroid?
a hopeful nation turns its eyes to you, ooo ooo ooo
posted by entropicamericana at 7:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [44 favorites]
where have you gone, giant asteroid?
a hopeful nation turns its eyes to you, ooo ooo ooo
posted by entropicamericana at 7:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [44 favorites]
Christ, @POTUS is gonna make me cry.
posted by postcommunism at 7:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by postcommunism at 7:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's raining in D.C.. Even Mother Nature is crying.
My poor son turns 12 today, and he is so bummed that he has to share his day with...THIS.
posted by jenny76 at 7:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
My poor son turns 12 today, and he is so bummed that he has to share his day with...THIS.
posted by jenny76 at 7:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
The future is deplorable.
posted by acb at 7:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by acb at 7:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Kellyanne looks like the Nutcracker soldier.
posted by lazaruslong at 7:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by lazaruslong at 7:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
Remember, when you hear this noxious shit, that it is either legally and factually incorrect, or else utterly devoid of meaning. The government is not the country.
That technicality made fuck all difference to a lot of Germans of Jewish descent in the 1930s.
posted by acb at 7:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
That technicality made fuck all difference to a lot of Germans of Jewish descent in the 1930s.
posted by acb at 7:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
The nuclear briefing is famously humbling. I assume it's really, truly horrifying. I would have to be.
uncleozzy, I get the impression that's not actually how it works. (source: Politico,
Trump’s nuclear wake-up call )
That article paints the picture that it's a sterile, military briefing. This is the phone. these are the codes. you pick a plan. you operate the device. you say this, and that, and we're off to the races. You can't stop it once you start it. Any questions?
So, it would be immensely sobering to a RATIONAL HUMAN BEING that they have the ability to just wipe everything out without any check on their decision. Donald doesn't think like that. He'll shrug his shoulders and declare "Good." and move on.
We're so fucked.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 7:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
uncleozzy, I get the impression that's not actually how it works. (source: Politico,
Trump’s nuclear wake-up call )
That article paints the picture that it's a sterile, military briefing. This is the phone. these are the codes. you pick a plan. you operate the device. you say this, and that, and we're off to the races. You can't stop it once you start it. Any questions?
So, it would be immensely sobering to a RATIONAL HUMAN BEING that they have the ability to just wipe everything out without any check on their decision. Donald doesn't think like that. He'll shrug his shoulders and declare "Good." and move on.
We're so fucked.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 7:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
Holy SHIT Kelly Anne Conway is dressed like a nutcracker. (jinx!)
posted by dis_integration at 7:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by dis_integration at 7:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Anecdote of these political times: a County employee (friend of a friend) was told to watch what he posts on Facebook by his boss. It sounds like the boss was lurking on the person's FB page, not a complaint from the public at large. WTF. (ACLU may be contacted.)
posted by filthy light thief at 7:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by filthy light thief at 7:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
It would be fitting if the Russians turned on him the moment he took the reins.
They first have to fly him to Reykjavík to undo the Reagan-Gorbachev agreement that was signed there by signing Yalta II.
posted by acb at 7:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
They first have to fly him to Reykjavík to undo the Reagan-Gorbachev agreement that was signed there by signing Yalta II.
posted by acb at 7:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountain, like wind in the meadow. The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow. How did it come to this?
posted by blue_beetle at 7:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by blue_beetle at 7:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
the sobsister: "Free joints being handed out en masse at Dupont Circle. Jury's out on whether that's a net plus or minus for these protests."
The Joint Chiefs!
posted by chavenet at 7:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
The Joint Chiefs!
posted by chavenet at 7:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
I think the next time some racist, hateful person starts with the vindictiveness, we shouldn't give them any media attention whatsoever ( or pay attention to any media reports about them). We shouldn't be making them well known.
And props to all the Congress women and men who are boycotting this debacle.
posted by gt2 at 7:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
And props to all the Congress women and men who are boycotting this debacle.
posted by gt2 at 7:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Report from a Canadian booze run:
Most surreal booze run I've ever had.
I am not the only one who was buying sorrow drowning booze as soon as the store opened. There was a couple and another guy there for the same reason. It's not usual to just strike up a convo like we had but it was like we all just knew what was up and booze bonded. Was fine until the woman started to tear up and then I teared up and we just sorta all got quiet, bought our drinks of choice and shuffled off to our respective abodes.
I'm now drinking strawberry wine in a Darth Vader mug. Seemed appropriate.
posted by Jalliah at 7:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [49 favorites]
It turns out Donald Trump is bad guy Prince John from Disney’s Robin Hood
posted by Mayor West at 7:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Mayor West at 7:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Another update from the dog walk: a group of 20-30 people passed, in head-to-toe black (incl. ski masks) and carrying black flags, chanting "Kill Donald Trump! Kill Donald Trump!"
I feel like my home has been invaded (well, I know it has). This is so disturbing.
posted by R a c h e l at 7:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
I feel like my home has been invaded (well, I know it has). This is so disturbing.
posted by R a c h e l at 7:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Let us celebrate the peaceful transfer of power to a man who was going to claim the election results were invalid if he lost.
Ooh! Something I can put on Facebook and claim that I wasn't trying to pick a fight!
In a show of more restraint than the PEOTUS, it may not make the cut for my public Twitter, since our foster care application worker told us to think about what we put on social media. Maybe I can write something about being held to a higher standard than certain elected officials, instead.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 7:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Ooh! Something I can put on Facebook and claim that I wasn't trying to pick a fight!
In a show of more restraint than the PEOTUS, it may not make the cut for my public Twitter, since our foster care application worker told us to think about what we put on social media. Maybe I can write something about being held to a higher standard than certain elected officials, instead.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 7:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I will die laughing if Trump's inauguration gets DDOSed.
It would be fitting if the Russians turned on him the moment he took the reins
More like China. Or even NK, as a deniable proxy. As a way of pantsing Trump (and Giuliani) on their first day, and making their veiled threats about cyber-war in response to trade sanctions more than just spooky talk. That's totally their style.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
It would be fitting if the Russians turned on him the moment he took the reins
More like China. Or even NK, as a deniable proxy. As a way of pantsing Trump (and Giuliani) on their first day, and making their veiled threats about cyber-war in response to trade sanctions more than just spooky talk. That's totally their style.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
At noon EST today I will not be able to watch the inauguration, as I have some work to do.
I will be at a local alternative high school moderating a roundtable with students and local employers about apprenticeships in trades like HVAC and plumbing. Seriously: apprenticeships.
Then I'll return to campus to help our industrial automation program's faculty plan some grant-funded outreach activities for displaced and underemployed adults. Seriously: industrial automation.
Later, I'll read a transcript of Trump's speech. I want to know the lay of the land, but I don't want to hear his voice just yet.
posted by Caxton1476 at 7:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
I will be at a local alternative high school moderating a roundtable with students and local employers about apprenticeships in trades like HVAC and plumbing. Seriously: apprenticeships.
Then I'll return to campus to help our industrial automation program's faculty plan some grant-funded outreach activities for displaced and underemployed adults. Seriously: industrial automation.
Later, I'll read a transcript of Trump's speech. I want to know the lay of the land, but I don't want to hear his voice just yet.
posted by Caxton1476 at 7:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Holy SHIT Kelly Anne Conway is dressed like a nutcracker. (jinx!)
As I said to Mr. Carmicha, "She looks like a fucking majorette!"
posted by carmicha at 7:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
As I said to Mr. Carmicha, "She looks like a fucking majorette!"
posted by carmicha at 7:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Surely "The End of the Innocence" is the Don Henley song for today?
Remember when the days were long
And rolled beneath a deep blue sky
Didn't have a care in the world
With mommy and daddy standing by
When happily ever after fails
And we've been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers dwell on small details
Since daddy had to fly
But I know a place where we can go
Still untouched by man
We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by
And the tall grass wave in the wind
You can lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair fall all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence
O' beautiful, for spacious skies
But now those skies are threatening
They're beating plowshares into swords
For this tired old man that we elected king
Armchair warriors often fail
And we've been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers clean up all details
Since daddy had to lie
But I know a place where we can go
And wash away this sin
We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by
And the tall grass wave in the wind
Just lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair spill all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence
Who knows how long this will last
Now we've come so far, so fast
But, somewhere back there in the dust
That same small town in each of us
I need to remember this
So baby give me just one kiss
And let me take a long last look
Before we say good bye
Just lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair fall all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence
posted by mynameisluka at 7:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Remember when the days were long
And rolled beneath a deep blue sky
Didn't have a care in the world
With mommy and daddy standing by
When happily ever after fails
And we've been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers dwell on small details
Since daddy had to fly
But I know a place where we can go
Still untouched by man
We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by
And the tall grass wave in the wind
You can lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair fall all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence
O' beautiful, for spacious skies
But now those skies are threatening
They're beating plowshares into swords
For this tired old man that we elected king
Armchair warriors often fail
And we've been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers clean up all details
Since daddy had to lie
But I know a place where we can go
And wash away this sin
We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by
And the tall grass wave in the wind
Just lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair spill all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence
Who knows how long this will last
Now we've come so far, so fast
But, somewhere back there in the dust
That same small town in each of us
I need to remember this
So baby give me just one kiss
And let me take a long last look
Before we say good bye
Just lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair fall all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence
posted by mynameisluka at 7:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Guys, you are killing me with all the Mordor posts but I'm trying to internalize Aragorn instead: A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day.
I won't believe this is going to be the end of good things in America. I'm only 40. I'm not going to live in a dystopian horrorshow for the rest of my life. We're not rolling over. We can get through it.
posted by something something at 7:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [62 favorites]
I won't believe this is going to be the end of good things in America. I'm only 40. I'm not going to live in a dystopian horrorshow for the rest of my life. We're not rolling over. We can get through it.
posted by something something at 7:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [62 favorites]
90 minutes until the time travel guys show up, right?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
The Bikers for Trump are pretty disgusting to me. Even if they're not aware of Altamont, where bikers as security was shown to be an incredibly stupid idea, they're definitely using the image of bikers as dangerous, threatening figures to do their best to intimidate people they don't like. And Trump singling them out for praise just made me feel ill, that he was essentially legitimizing their presence and emboldening them. I'm hoping sanity prevails, and people just point and laugh at these old men/little children on their noisey toys trying to get everyone to pay attention to them.
Either way, welcome to Trump's USA, where things that were unthinkable ten minutes ago are totally acceptable ten minutes from now.
posted by Ghidorah at 7:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Either way, welcome to Trump's USA, where things that were unthinkable ten minutes ago are totally acceptable ten minutes from now.
posted by Ghidorah at 7:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
It really feels like a terrible movie. I'm still hopeful that once the worst people have been rounded up for the ceremony, the aliens will drop in and slime them all.
posted by stillmoving at 7:32 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by stillmoving at 7:32 AM on January 20, 2017
My problem is that I mix up David Frum, the Republican asshole, with David Brock, the formerly Republican asshole.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:32 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:32 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
C'mon everyone, the most appropriate LOTR reference is Theoden's speech:
We are the Rohirrim. We ride. Arise, arise Riders of Théoden (Riders of Rohan)! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! Spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride for ruin… and the world’s ending! Death! Death! Forth Eorlingas!
posted by drezdn at 7:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
We are the Rohirrim. We ride. Arise, arise Riders of Théoden (Riders of Rohan)! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! Spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride for ruin… and the world’s ending! Death! Death! Forth Eorlingas!
posted by drezdn at 7:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
90 minutes until the time travel guys show up, right?
Yes, but it'll be old Biff Tannen in a stolen DeLorean here to take the Oath of Office.
posted by Servo5678 at 7:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Yes, but it'll be old Biff Tannen in a stolen DeLorean here to take the Oath of Office.
posted by Servo5678 at 7:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Another update from the dog walk: a group of 20-30 people passed, in head-to-toe black (incl. ski masks) and carrying black flags, chanting "Kill Donald Trump! Kill Donald Trump!"
Well they seem legit and not like plants at all, yessir.
posted by emjaybee at 7:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [46 favorites]
Well they seem legit and not like plants at all, yessir.
posted by emjaybee at 7:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [46 favorites]
> 90 minutes until the time travel guys show up, right?
Our one and only hope!
posted by Tevin at 7:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Our one and only hope!
posted by Tevin at 7:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
i always mix up david frum the asshole with john frum, the cargo-cult diety
then again maybe there isnt that much difference
posted by entropicamericana at 7:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
then again maybe there isnt that much difference
posted by entropicamericana at 7:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Surely "The End of the Innocence" is the Don Henley song for today?
Remember when the days were long
And rolled beneath a deep blue sky
Didn't have a care in the world
With mommy and daddy standing by
Maybe for the Boomers it was written for. I sure as hell don't remember that. I remember the cold war, the AIDS panic, the rule of Wall Street and Reagan.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:34 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
Remember when the days were long
And rolled beneath a deep blue sky
Didn't have a care in the world
With mommy and daddy standing by
Maybe for the Boomers it was written for. I sure as hell don't remember that. I remember the cold war, the AIDS panic, the rule of Wall Street and Reagan.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:34 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
I turned on the TV and somehow figured that watching a Canadian news station would be bearable. But no I just got to hear one of the commentators say that she thought Trump was going to do some really good things and talk about what a good team he's surrounding himself with.
WTF.
posted by Jalliah at 7:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I feel like my home has been invaded (well, I know it has). This is so disturbing.
I'm glad we live across the river and not in DC itself. We're hiding inside all day today. Drinking and playing video games. Hoping tomorrow for the Womens March wont turn violent.
I did get a call this morning from my 86year old stroke-addled grandpa asking if I was going in the city to be there. I told him we're watching on TV. He doesn't read Metafilter.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm glad we live across the river and not in DC itself. We're hiding inside all day today. Drinking and playing video games. Hoping tomorrow for the Womens March wont turn violent.
I did get a call this morning from my 86year old stroke-addled grandpa asking if I was going in the city to be there. I told him we're watching on TV. He doesn't read Metafilter.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Joe Biden is going to end up wandering the desert until he learns how to ride a sandworm.
posted by drezdn at 7:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [54 favorites]
posted by drezdn at 7:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [54 favorites]
Christ, @POTUS is gonna make me cry.
Apologize if this has already been discussed and I missed it, but what happens when Trump gets the @Potus password? Can he delete Obama's tweets? Wouldn't that be a violation of FOIA rules?
posted by bluecore at 7:37 AM on January 20, 2017
Apologize if this has already been discussed and I missed it, but what happens when Trump gets the @Potus password? Can he delete Obama's tweets? Wouldn't that be a violation of FOIA rules?
posted by bluecore at 7:37 AM on January 20, 2017
Rep. Nanette Barragan (D CA) wearing her pussy hat on the way to Trump inauguration.
posted by scalefree at 7:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [49 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 7:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [49 favorites]
Don't tweet, myself, but it would be sweet if the top trending hashtag was #2900000. Might ruin his day to be reminded of how bigly he lost the popular vote.
posted by barrett caulk at 7:38 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by barrett caulk at 7:38 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
The plan is to wipe the twitter and start fresh; Obama's tweets are already archived. The notion being that that will be standard practice in future transitions as well.
posted by cortex at 7:38 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by cortex at 7:38 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
BLM protest livestream changed because the original streamer's phone died. New stream here. They're about to march.
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:38 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:38 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
The plan is to wipe the twitter and start fresh; Obama's tweets are already archived. The notion being that that will be standard practice in future transitions as well.
IIRC, @POTUS is being renamed to @POTUS44, with its entire history and likes/retweets, and a new @POTUS is being created.
posted by acb at 7:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
IIRC, @POTUS is being renamed to @POTUS44, with its entire history and likes/retweets, and a new @POTUS is being created.
posted by acb at 7:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
A friend in Nebraska just asked me if I'm marching tomorrow. I respect those who can and will but having seen what a downtown crowd looks like in single-minded mode--don't care whose side they're on; I need to be elsewhere to keep the panic down.
posted by datawrangler at 7:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by datawrangler at 7:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm seeing some posts of desperation on here, and I want to remind my beautiful mefites that you have resources, should you need them. One is the Crisis Text Line. Text 741-741. Someone is waiting to listen and help.
posted by greermahoney at 7:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by greermahoney at 7:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Well they seem legit and not like plants at all, yessir.
I could totally see a particular corner of the anarchist crowd in our town doing something like this.
posted by Rykey at 7:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I could totally see a particular corner of the anarchist crowd in our town doing something like this.
posted by Rykey at 7:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Some absolute chucklefucker friend of a friend on Facebook posted a comment to our mutual friend's "please, please don't watch the inauguration post" with some nutball nonsense about how that stance is soooooo un-American because real Americans watch the inauguration no matter what... but he had zero response when I asked him if he complains to businesses that don't give their employees the day off or provide a space for them to do their patriotic duty on inauguration day, or if he petitions his elected officials to make the day a national holiday, or if he contributes money to organizations that would set up free viewing stations for people without access to TVs, like the homeless. Oh, but it does turn out that he refused to watch Obama's inaugurations.
These fucking people, you guys.
Anyway, my agenda today: stay as high as possible, which is easy considering I work from home and there's actually very little work to be done at the moment. Watch something that cheers me -- The West Wing? That's been my evening companion for a couple of weeks now, but today it might be too hurtful. Maybe I should lean into the anger and watch The 13th. Maybe I should take off my pants and let one boob hang out and run around the neighborhood screaming gibberish and waggling at people. Who knows? Any choice is valid. I might already be really high. Whatevs.
posted by palomar at 7:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [29 favorites]
These fucking people, you guys.
Anyway, my agenda today: stay as high as possible, which is easy considering I work from home and there's actually very little work to be done at the moment. Watch something that cheers me -- The West Wing? That's been my evening companion for a couple of weeks now, but today it might be too hurtful. Maybe I should lean into the anger and watch The 13th. Maybe I should take off my pants and let one boob hang out and run around the neighborhood screaming gibberish and waggling at people. Who knows? Any choice is valid. I might already be really high. Whatevs.
posted by palomar at 7:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [29 favorites]
Road in what I think is in Rockville Maryland. I looked up the name and one of the roads on the highways sign.
"Inauguration Day Jan 20
Expect delays
Consider Canada"
posted by Jalliah at 7:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [65 favorites]
"Inauguration Day Jan 20
Expect delays
Consider Canada"
posted by Jalliah at 7:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [65 favorites]
My opinion of the true motives of your typical "anarchists in black" protesters is not a good one. They are always such a convenient reason for arrests and bad press. If they aren't plants, they're useful idiots.
posted by emjaybee at 7:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
posted by emjaybee at 7:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
Gentle reminder/plea for everyone to stop using Facepals and The Tweeter. It's a virtual "Why are you hitting yourself? Huh? Why are you hitting yourself?"
posted by petebest at 7:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by petebest at 7:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
C'mon everyone, the most appropriate LOTR reference is Theoden's speech:
I'm a little more Two Towers Theoden today, myself.
But there will be times for valor ahead, and need for valor without renown.
posted by nubs at 7:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'm a little more Two Towers Theoden today, myself.
But there will be times for valor ahead, and need for valor without renown.
posted by nubs at 7:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Yeah, it's not like the black bloc window smasher is not an actual thing. It's a thing.
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Democracynow.org livestreaming saying different groups of protesters have tried blocking various routes to the inauguration, one being pepper sprayed. BLm is one of the groups (not the one being sprayed in the report).
Also that activists are unfurling banners on bridges around the world, one at least supporting migrant rights.
I know my feeds up in Canada are full of knitters in pink hats.
posted by chapps at 7:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Also that activists are unfurling banners on bridges around the world, one at least supporting migrant rights.
I know my feeds up in Canada are full of knitters in pink hats.
posted by chapps at 7:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Heads uo me and the other Democratic Socialists are going to be angrily carrying signs at Foley Square in NYC at 5pm if you want to do something other than enmiserate
posted by The Whelk at 7:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Clarification... The protestors are trying to blockade "inauguration check points"
posted by chapps at 7:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by chapps at 7:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
BLM did block a checkpoint successfully, no violence. They've moved forward now as a group.
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
The Dow Jones averages go back to 1896. Now that Obama has finished out his term, we can rank him. Increased, means additional. For example, if a number says 100%, that is doubling the number in the index.
Dow Jones
Rank, President, (party), %increased/decreased
1. Calvin Coolidge, (R), +260.6
2. Bill Clinton, (D), +225.2
3. Franklin Roosevelt, (D), +201.6
4. Barack Obama, (D), +138.3
5. Ronald Reagan, (R), +130.6
6. Dwight Eisenhower, (R), +120.4
7. Harry S. Truman, (D), +81.1
8. William McKinley, (R), +52.2
9. George H.W. Bush, (R), +45.4
10. Theodore Roosevelt, (R), +45.1
11. Lyndon B. Johnson, (D), +31.5
12. Woodrow Wilson, (D), +26.7
13. Gerald Ford, (R), +23.4
14. Warren G. Harding, (R), +17.6
15. John F. Kennedy, (D), +12.5
16. Jimmy Carter, (D), +0.2
17. William Howard Taft, (R), -0.1
18. Richard Nixon, (R), -16.1
19. George W. Bush, Jr., (R), -21.8
20. Herbert Hoover, (R), -83.5
Some notes: I know that purists favor the S & P which didn't beginning tracking its signature 500 stocks until 1957. It pretty much follows the Dow Jones with the exception that Carter did much better on the S & P. Wilson's numbers are suspect. The stock market closed at the beginning of World War I in Europe (August, 1914) and reopened in December with its numbers refigured.
War doesn't appear to be good for the Dow Jones. Non-war presidents: Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Calvin Coolidge, Theodore Roosevelt, George H.W. Bush were all in the top 10. Two more in the top 10, Eisenhower and Obama inherited wars and had them end. Although FDR had a remarkable increase (201.6%), most of this took place in his first two terms. From his third term (1941) to his death, the Dow Jones went up by 22.1%. Wilson in his second term (U.S. involvement in World War I) had a loss of -20.9%. LBJ had a 4.4% increase during his second term.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 7:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
Dow Jones
Rank, President, (party), %increased/decreased
1. Calvin Coolidge, (R), +260.6
2. Bill Clinton, (D), +225.2
3. Franklin Roosevelt, (D), +201.6
4. Barack Obama, (D), +138.3
5. Ronald Reagan, (R), +130.6
6. Dwight Eisenhower, (R), +120.4
7. Harry S. Truman, (D), +81.1
8. William McKinley, (R), +52.2
9. George H.W. Bush, (R), +45.4
10. Theodore Roosevelt, (R), +45.1
11. Lyndon B. Johnson, (D), +31.5
12. Woodrow Wilson, (D), +26.7
13. Gerald Ford, (R), +23.4
14. Warren G. Harding, (R), +17.6
15. John F. Kennedy, (D), +12.5
16. Jimmy Carter, (D), +0.2
17. William Howard Taft, (R), -0.1
18. Richard Nixon, (R), -16.1
19. George W. Bush, Jr., (R), -21.8
20. Herbert Hoover, (R), -83.5
Some notes: I know that purists favor the S & P which didn't beginning tracking its signature 500 stocks until 1957. It pretty much follows the Dow Jones with the exception that Carter did much better on the S & P. Wilson's numbers are suspect. The stock market closed at the beginning of World War I in Europe (August, 1914) and reopened in December with its numbers refigured.
War doesn't appear to be good for the Dow Jones. Non-war presidents: Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Calvin Coolidge, Theodore Roosevelt, George H.W. Bush were all in the top 10. Two more in the top 10, Eisenhower and Obama inherited wars and had them end. Although FDR had a remarkable increase (201.6%), most of this took place in his first two terms. From his third term (1941) to his death, the Dow Jones went up by 22.1%. Wilson in his second term (U.S. involvement in World War I) had a loss of -20.9%. LBJ had a 4.4% increase during his second term.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 7:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
Well they're buildin a platform outside the Cap'tol
We got 25 minutes to go
The whole world's waiting to go to hell
We got 24 minutes to go
[...]
Well I'm waitin to awake from this shitty dream
9 more minutes to go
But this is the world, just as bad as it seems
8 more minutes to go
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 7:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
We got 25 minutes to go
The whole world's waiting to go to hell
We got 24 minutes to go
[...]
Well I'm waitin to awake from this shitty dream
9 more minutes to go
But this is the world, just as bad as it seems
8 more minutes to go
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 7:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Pink Floyd's Animals is my official soundtrack for the day.
I'm just going to be hitting the Inception BWAAAAAAAAAA button randomly during the inauguration broadcast.
posted by Kabanos at 7:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
I'm just going to be hitting the Inception BWAAAAAAAAAA button randomly during the inauguration broadcast.
posted by Kabanos at 7:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Final Metro parking update: Only stations >60% are E Falls Church (95%) & Van Dorn St (75%). All others <6>
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Gentle reminder/plea for everyone to stop using Facepals and The Tweeter. It's a virtual "Why are you hitting yourself? Huh? Why are you hitting yourself?"
I'm happy to contribute to avoidance of Facetwat going forward, but for now I'd like to know what's going on today and this weekend.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm happy to contribute to avoidance of Facetwat going forward, but for now I'd like to know what's going on today and this weekend.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Another update from the dog walk: a group of 20-30 people passed, in head-to-toe black (incl. ski masks) and carrying black flags, chanting "Kill Donald Trump! Kill Donald Trump!"
And that is just fucking stupid on about ten different levels.
I don't want Trump struck by divine lightning with his hand on the Bible, I don't want a crowd uprising to drive him off, and I certainly do not want him assassinated. Not only is that counter to the very notion of human decency and behavior but it would not SOLVE ANYTHING. If anything, it would make the situation worse, because the rabble who voted Trump in to be Mr. Authoritarian Law And Order would take that as proof that Civil War II Has Begun and it is now acceptable to I-thought-he-was-going-to-shoot-me-so-I-shot-him-back-first. (Even if you're not a police officer or George Zimmerman.) President Pence would intone solemnly about The Need For Law And Order and Trump the Martyr would dominate American life for decades.
No, I want him and his cronies to assume power smoothly, now that it is inevitable. And I want to watch it fail spectacularly.
This is not accelerationism. I voted against it in the primary, I voted against it in the general, I have spoken out against it repeatedly; I do not want any of this Republican wave to happen. People will suffer, people will die, Lord of the Flies-level bullshit going down. If I sound like Mitch McConnell saying "our first duty is to make sure Obama fails," fine; their tactics worked, so maybe it's time the left adopted them for a while. Dems in Congress should not abandon their posts and let Trump and Ryan and McConnell do any fucking thing they want; they must be ready to use every Robert's Rules for Order trick imaginable to obstruct what little they can.
But I feel like this is like having said "if you do what you're doing, there's going to be a tidal wave" repeatedly and now there's an 80-foot wave hitting the beach. I want anyone who said "Oh, I voted for Trump but I was really just voting against Hillary, I never thought Trump would [x]" to feel the same stomach-shrinking-to-a-golf-ball sensation of terror. I want them to own what they voted for, while we point our surfboards in the right direction and try to ride this shit out and hang on. Because no matter what we say or who we blame, it's coming.
posted by delfin at 7:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [58 favorites]
And that is just fucking stupid on about ten different levels.
I don't want Trump struck by divine lightning with his hand on the Bible, I don't want a crowd uprising to drive him off, and I certainly do not want him assassinated. Not only is that counter to the very notion of human decency and behavior but it would not SOLVE ANYTHING. If anything, it would make the situation worse, because the rabble who voted Trump in to be Mr. Authoritarian Law And Order would take that as proof that Civil War II Has Begun and it is now acceptable to I-thought-he-was-going-to-shoot-me-so-I-shot-him-back-first. (Even if you're not a police officer or George Zimmerman.) President Pence would intone solemnly about The Need For Law And Order and Trump the Martyr would dominate American life for decades.
No, I want him and his cronies to assume power smoothly, now that it is inevitable. And I want to watch it fail spectacularly.
This is not accelerationism. I voted against it in the primary, I voted against it in the general, I have spoken out against it repeatedly; I do not want any of this Republican wave to happen. People will suffer, people will die, Lord of the Flies-level bullshit going down. If I sound like Mitch McConnell saying "our first duty is to make sure Obama fails," fine; their tactics worked, so maybe it's time the left adopted them for a while. Dems in Congress should not abandon their posts and let Trump and Ryan and McConnell do any fucking thing they want; they must be ready to use every Robert's Rules for Order trick imaginable to obstruct what little they can.
But I feel like this is like having said "if you do what you're doing, there's going to be a tidal wave" repeatedly and now there's an 80-foot wave hitting the beach. I want anyone who said "Oh, I voted for Trump but I was really just voting against Hillary, I never thought Trump would [x]" to feel the same stomach-shrinking-to-a-golf-ball sensation of terror. I want them to own what they voted for, while we point our surfboards in the right direction and try to ride this shit out and hang on. Because no matter what we say or who we blame, it's coming.
posted by delfin at 7:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [58 favorites]
Coworker has decided to stream the inauguration on her phone across the table from me. I feel a little sick.
posted by PearlRose at 7:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by PearlRose at 7:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Hillary has shown up in a white pantsuit. I assume Eru sent her there after learning of Saruman's treachery.
posted by drezdn at 7:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [66 favorites]
posted by drezdn at 7:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [66 favorites]
Oh God, their faces.
posted by slipthought at 7:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by slipthought at 7:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
My poor son turns 12 today, and he is so bummed that he has to share his day with...THIS.
Join me in saying: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jenny's kid! 12 is an amazing age. You are going to have awesome experiences this year. And someday you'll be a cool adult, a better person than some of the examples today. Young guys like you give us hope. (And hey, I'm old, I don't know if anyone says cool anymore :).)
posted by NorthernLite at 7:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [45 favorites]
Join me in saying: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jenny's kid! 12 is an amazing age. You are going to have awesome experiences this year. And someday you'll be a cool adult, a better person than some of the examples today. Young guys like you give us hope. (And hey, I'm old, I don't know if anyone says cool anymore :).)
posted by NorthernLite at 7:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [45 favorites]
PearlRose you are suddenly very ill and have to go home sick.
Or puke on your coworker's phone.
(Also I love your username)
posted by INFJ at 7:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Or puke on your coworker's phone.
(Also I love your username)
posted by INFJ at 7:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
What a world, making me look at GW and Laura Bush and feel nostalgia.
posted by something something at 7:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by something something at 7:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Trump flying monkey Kellyanne Conway's inaugural outfit. The buttons are cat faces.
posted by scalefree at 7:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by scalefree at 7:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Thanks delfin. Anyway, Trump is not a good enough politician to get all of the bad stuff rolled through in two years. It should be scary enough that the mid-term sweep essentially shuts off all legislation. Get out and start campaigning for your new congressperson.
posted by sammyo at 7:55 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by sammyo at 7:55 AM on January 20, 2017
So much of what I'm reading around the internet today is about endings (understandably!) but I just want to say that I am here and ready to begin fighting today and for the next four years and more.
posted by ferret branca at 7:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by ferret branca at 7:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
(Also I love your username)
I thought the Pearl and Rose fusion was Rainbow Quartz?
posted by Talez at 7:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I thought the Pearl and Rose fusion was Rainbow Quartz?
posted by Talez at 7:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Cat feces would have been more appropriate.
posted by peeedro at 7:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by peeedro at 7:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Even W. looks kinda grim. I wonder to what extent he realizes his lowering of the competency standard was a major factor in bringing this about.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
BLM voluntarily and peacefully dispersing. That was an expertly run blockade and protest, y'all. Really inspiring.
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
It should be scary enough that the mid-term sweep essentially shuts off all legislation.
It's a good thing the Democrats are so shrewd and cunning at winning electoral races!
posted by acb at 7:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
It's a good thing the Democrats are so shrewd and cunning at winning electoral races!
posted by acb at 7:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
There's a section from "Slaughterhouse Five" that I think explains the Trump presidency:
America is the wealthiest nation on Earth, but its people are mainly poor, and poor Americans are urged to hate themselves. To quote the American humorist Kin Hubbard, 'It ain’t no disgrace to be poor, but it might as well be.' It is in fact a crime for an American to be poor, even though America is a nation of poor. Every other nation has folk traditions of men who were poor but extremely wise and virtuous, and therefore more estimable than anyone with power and gold. No such tales are told by the American poor. They mock themselves and glorify their betters. The meanest eating or drinking establishment, owned by a man who is himself poor, is very likely to have a sign on its wall asking this cruel question: 'if you’re so smart, why ain’t you rich?' There will also be an American flag no larger than a child’s hand – glued to a lollipop stick and flying from the cash register.
Americans, like human beings everywhere, believe many things that are obviously untrue. Their most destructive untruth is that it is very easy for any American to make money. They will not acknowledge how in fact hard money is to come by, and, therefore, those who have no money blame and blame and blame themselves. This inward blame has been a treasure for the rich and powerful, who have had to do less for their poor, publicly and privately, than any other ruling class since, say Napoleonic times. Many novelties have come from America. The most startling of these, a thing without precedent, is a mass of undignified poor. They do not love one another because they do not love themselves.
posted by drezdn at 7:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [108 favorites]
America is the wealthiest nation on Earth, but its people are mainly poor, and poor Americans are urged to hate themselves. To quote the American humorist Kin Hubbard, 'It ain’t no disgrace to be poor, but it might as well be.' It is in fact a crime for an American to be poor, even though America is a nation of poor. Every other nation has folk traditions of men who were poor but extremely wise and virtuous, and therefore more estimable than anyone with power and gold. No such tales are told by the American poor. They mock themselves and glorify their betters. The meanest eating or drinking establishment, owned by a man who is himself poor, is very likely to have a sign on its wall asking this cruel question: 'if you’re so smart, why ain’t you rich?' There will also be an American flag no larger than a child’s hand – glued to a lollipop stick and flying from the cash register.
Americans, like human beings everywhere, believe many things that are obviously untrue. Their most destructive untruth is that it is very easy for any American to make money. They will not acknowledge how in fact hard money is to come by, and, therefore, those who have no money blame and blame and blame themselves. This inward blame has been a treasure for the rich and powerful, who have had to do less for their poor, publicly and privately, than any other ruling class since, say Napoleonic times. Many novelties have come from America. The most startling of these, a thing without precedent, is a mass of undignified poor. They do not love one another because they do not love themselves.
posted by drezdn at 7:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [108 favorites]
If you want a break from this side of things, there's a love-in post over on MetaTalk.
posted by cortex at 7:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by cortex at 7:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Cat feces would have been more appropriate.
Institutional toxoplasmosis?
posted by acb at 7:57 AM on January 20, 2017
Institutional toxoplasmosis?
posted by acb at 7:57 AM on January 20, 2017
My feeling is that giving space to the dumbest kind of black-clad stuff is a bad idea. Whether they're cops or kids might be something we could figure out on the ground. If they're kids, whether it's a "this is a serious chant that we seriously believe because we think the consequences of that act would be good rather than a huge disaster" or "we're on our way to the protest, let's break out a parody chant even though that's not probably a good idea" (which seems at least fairly likely to me based on my experience of parody chants)...we can't know, and frankly the totally-thoughtless wing of anarchism is a pretty small wing which does very little. Those aren't even necessarily the street-fighting types, and they're usually not the "glue the locks at the military recruitment office" types either.
Again, I think when you see black-clad types doing a truly fool thing (not just "being militant" or "chanting something with which I disagree but which is arguable"), there's not much use getting worked up about it. All that happens is that people on the left try to blame each other or disavow each other over the actions of a tiny, tiny group who don't even really represent black-clad anarchists generally.
posted by Frowner at 7:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Again, I think when you see black-clad types doing a truly fool thing (not just "being militant" or "chanting something with which I disagree but which is arguable"), there's not much use getting worked up about it. All that happens is that people on the left try to blame each other or disavow each other over the actions of a tiny, tiny group who don't even really represent black-clad anarchists generally.
posted by Frowner at 7:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Wapo livestream commenting on the crowds being significantly smaller then they've ever seen before. Looks sparse. And really much smaller then Obama's.
posted by Jalliah at 7:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Road in what I think is in Rockville Maryland.
Yeah, that's northbound I-270 there. I think the third line is meant to be read, "Keep on going until you run out of road, and DON'T LOOK BACK. You'll turn into a pillar of salt if you do."
posted by jackbishop at 7:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Yeah, that's northbound I-270 there. I think the third line is meant to be read, "Keep on going until you run out of road, and DON'T LOOK BACK. You'll turn into a pillar of salt if you do."
posted by jackbishop at 7:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I don't know WTF this thing is that Conway is wearing, but I hope it's the new mandatory White Wing staffer livery.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Re: above. I called George H.W. Bush a non-war president. Sorry.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 7:58 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 7:58 AM on January 20, 2017
I'm accidentally striking, since I had to call out to wait for the super to fix our partial power outage.
I wish I were at work, helping people, but I'm also glad I don't have to listen to Trump supporters complain to me about millenials with no work ethic (I was born in '84 and I been working since '02) ruining our country while they pick up their (free, provided by the library) newspaper and sit in our (comfortable, efficient, free, accessible, taxpayer-supported) public library. Because that's my least favorite part of my job.
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I wish I were at work, helping people, but I'm also glad I don't have to listen to Trump supporters complain to me about millenials with no work ethic (I was born in '84 and I been working since '02) ruining our country while they pick up their (free, provided by the library) newspaper and sit in our (comfortable, efficient, free, accessible, taxpayer-supported) public library. Because that's my least favorite part of my job.
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Driving past scores of empty stands. That's gotta piss him off.
posted by threetwentytwo at 8:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
posted by threetwentytwo at 8:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
Trump Around
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 8:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 8:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
I don't know WTF this thing is that Conway is wearing, but I hope it's the new mandatory White Wing staffer livery.
My guess is it was supposed to resemble a Revolutionary War soldier's uniform. It does not. And the cat face button thing is just plain weird.
posted by scalefree at 8:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
My guess is it was supposed to resemble a Revolutionary War soldier's uniform. It does not. And the cat face button thing is just plain weird.
posted by scalefree at 8:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
So that Kellyanne Conway outfit...it's sort of Hunger Games-y in a way, isn't it? Like "the evil people in the capitol dress up in ridiculous eye-catching costumes as part of their media schtick"?
(It's Gucci, apparently, and costs a mere $3600, which is less than I would have expected her to spend. Did Gucci make it on purpose in the hopes of selling it to American oligarchs?)
posted by Frowner at 8:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
(It's Gucci, apparently, and costs a mere $3600, which is less than I would have expected her to spend. Did Gucci make it on purpose in the hopes of selling it to American oligarchs?)
posted by Frowner at 8:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
Buzzfeed is running photo comparisons of the crowd in 2009, 2013, and today.
posted by skycrashesdown at 8:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by skycrashesdown at 8:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Youtube video shared by a relative (anti Trump ironic/comic song).
posted by gudrun at 8:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by gudrun at 8:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
The cat face buttons are kind of awesome, but the rest of the ensemble really doesn't use them to the best effect. It's a pity.
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I am amazed at the number of peers (50ish professionals with kids and no history of protesting) who are joining marches in NYC and DC. I am not sure if it will build to anything but its exciting.
posted by shothotbot at 8:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by shothotbot at 8:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
This here is my daily cackle:
this is just to sayposted by XtinaS at 8:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [92 favorites]
i have stolen
the presidency
which
you probably wanted
to go
to someone qualified
forgive me
i am so rich
and so white— Chaos (@chaosprime) January 19, 2017
The buttons are cat faces.
To unfasten Conway's coat, you have to grab it by the pussies.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [76 favorites]
To unfasten Conway's coat, you have to grab it by the pussies.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [76 favorites]
Even W. looks kinda grim. I wonder to what extent he realizes his lowering of the competency standard was a major factor in bringing this about.
Perhaps he's also thinking about his parents, who were both hospitalized this week.
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Perhaps he's also thinking about his parents, who were both hospitalized this week.
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Here's a direct link to National Mall Cam. It's... uh lol.
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
The buttons are cat faces.
I read "faces" as having two e's.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 8:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I read "faces" as having two e's.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 8:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Ugh, CBS commentator just compared Trump's relationship with his children to FD FUCKING R'S.
posted by Rykey at 8:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Rykey at 8:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Trump Nation - the game
Help! Mexico is sending their worst to America! Make America great again by building a ridiculous wall of dream crushing proportions!
Youtube preview of game
posted by beesbees at 8:08 AM on January 20, 2017
Help! Mexico is sending their worst to America! Make America great again by building a ridiculous wall of dream crushing proportions!
Youtube preview of game
posted by beesbees at 8:08 AM on January 20, 2017
Holy guacamole.
Here's Obama for comparison.
That is ... uh ... his photoshoppers are going to be busy.
posted by Tevin at 8:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Here's Obama for comparison.
That is ... uh ... his photoshoppers are going to be busy.
posted by Tevin at 8:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I am disgusted and disappointed by Donald and his assembled enablers and henchmen, but I'm heartened by the fact that there is a loud and present resistance and huge numbers of people want nothing to do with him. I'm proud to stand alongside you as allies in the fight to come.
He seems to be desperately pretending there are cheering crowds, good weather, and that his inauguration is the Yugest Ever. He can't process anything else.
I'm sorry that happened to you, sciatrix. That sounds terrible, and I'm sorry your family treated you so shabbily.
As for me, I've been trying to convince my parents (both old-time lefties) to join me and protest, but they want to wait until "he actually does something", even though he has done things.
posted by thedarksideofprocyon at 8:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
He seems to be desperately pretending there are cheering crowds, good weather, and that his inauguration is the Yugest Ever. He can't process anything else.
I'm sorry that happened to you, sciatrix. That sounds terrible, and I'm sorry your family treated you so shabbily.
As for me, I've been trying to convince my parents (both old-time lefties) to join me and protest, but they want to wait until "he actually does something", even though he has done things.
posted by thedarksideofprocyon at 8:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
What I'm looking forward to is when John Roberts gets up there and says: "THE ARISTOCRATS!"
posted by My Dad at 8:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by My Dad at 8:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I have some kind of food poisoning and/or flu, and all I can think about is how much more appropriate I could be feeling and the answer is none more appropriate.
posted by minsies at 8:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by minsies at 8:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm feeling sorry for Barron. He had to walk in alone behind the adult children because the procession of the offspring was organized in pairs by age order. And once on the dais, no one is looking out for him or trying to engage him. He looks terribly lonely. I hope he had access to Sasha and Malia, who may have been able to offer useful advice.
posted by carmicha at 8:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 8:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Ha, they keep talking about the small crowds. They look enthusiastic but small.
posted by Jalliah at 8:12 AM on January 20, 2017
The kids are allright: Be like Connor and do not take this shit.
“Screw our President!” - Child claims to have started fire at @realDonaldTrump protest.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
“Screw our President!” - Child claims to have started fire at @realDonaldTrump protest.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
let's break out a parody chant even though that's not probably a good idea
Not to say that some of the black bloc can't be caricatures of themselves, but it does seem hinkey in that they are very much trying to obviously draw negative attention to themselves: the 'kill trump' chant does seem like it would be what an alt-right activist would imagine anarchists would chant. They do have form, and it's pretty much a given that there's some of them would love to see the protests turn ugly with all the kettling and etc. Hopefully whichever they are they can be persuaded not to do anything stupid.
posted by Buntix at 8:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Not to say that some of the black bloc can't be caricatures of themselves, but it does seem hinkey in that they are very much trying to obviously draw negative attention to themselves: the 'kill trump' chant does seem like it would be what an alt-right activist would imagine anarchists would chant. They do have form, and it's pretty much a given that there's some of them would love to see the protests turn ugly with all the kettling and etc. Hopefully whichever they are they can be persuaded not to do anything stupid.
posted by Buntix at 8:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
dilaudid, that actually made my pulse surge.
posted by mynameisluka at 8:15 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by mynameisluka at 8:15 AM on January 20, 2017
Meanwhile, in the real timeline, Prince and David Bowie are preparing to go on stage at the Clinton inauguration.
posted by acb at 8:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [93 favorites]
posted by acb at 8:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [93 favorites]
I'm surprised that Donald Trump wasn't denied a trademark on Make America Great Again as it came, verbatim, from Parable of the Talents.
I've got it on, because I've got to face this bullshit head on.
Bob Schaffer just called out that the crowd for this inaguration was about 1/3 the size of Obama's.
Okay, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden were just escorted out (Dr. Biden in a lovely hot pink dress under a white coat! What, no pussy ears?). And now I'm bawling.
posted by tilde at 8:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I've got it on, because I've got to face this bullshit head on.
Bob Schaffer just called out that the crowd for this inaguration was about 1/3 the size of Obama's.
Okay, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden were just escorted out (Dr. Biden in a lovely hot pink dress under a white coat! What, no pussy ears?). And now I'm bawling.
posted by tilde at 8:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Michelle Obama, for the first time, looks like she did not sleep last night.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
Kellyanne Conway's outfit was made in Italy and "inspired by the city of London." Making America great again indeed.
posted by zachlipton at 8:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 8:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
I'm very optimistic. I think our new President will win over a lot of skeptics.
posted by grobertson at 8:21 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by grobertson at 8:21 AM on January 20, 2017
Crazy day today! Who knows what is going to happen.
posted by pizzakats708 at 8:21 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by pizzakats708 at 8:21 AM on January 20, 2017
Thanks for covering the Mall with that white protective coating so you can really, really see the blank spaces quite well.
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [36 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [36 favorites]
I can't imagine Melania will be in DC again for a few months after tonight.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Joe looks like he's about to cry :(
posted by zachlipton at 8:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by zachlipton at 8:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I think this is the right time for me to share the anti-Trump playlist I made for the inauguration.
posted by thedarksideofprocyon at 8:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by thedarksideofprocyon at 8:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
I have a good thing to say. I do like Melania's outfit.
That's all I got though.
posted by Jalliah at 8:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
(I think the bits you can see in the webcam are invite-only areas, yes? I expect there's a bit of a crowd out of camera in the cheap seats that are out of frame.)
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:24 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:24 AM on January 20, 2017
Here's a direct link to National Mall Cam. It's... uh lol.
OMG... there's nobody there
posted by photoslob at 8:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
OMG... there's nobody there
posted by photoslob at 8:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Obvious trolls are obvious.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
I'm very optimistic. I think our new President will win over a lot of skeptics.
You have misspelt 'fuck' quite impressively.
posted by jaduncan at 8:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [48 favorites]
You have misspelt 'fuck' quite impressively.
posted by jaduncan at 8:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [48 favorites]
Joe looks like he's about to cry :(
Not in the "Presidential Medal of Freedom" way, though.
posted by tilde at 8:25 AM on January 20, 2017
Not in the "Presidential Medal of Freedom" way, though.
posted by tilde at 8:25 AM on January 20, 2017
Not always a fan of The Nation, but this is good. Throw Sand in the Gears of Everything
posted by emjaybee at 8:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by emjaybee at 8:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Area "Never" Trumpers torn between supposedly principled Never Trumpism and unbridled glee at seeing liberals lose
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
What is Pelosi wearing on her lapel? It's a blue button but I can't read it.
posted by tilde at 8:26 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by tilde at 8:26 AM on January 20, 2017
(I think the bits you can see in the webcam are invite-only areas, yes? I expect there's a bit of a crowd out of camera in the cheap seats that are out of frame.)
Here is a very clear shot from overhead for comparison.
posted by anastasiav at 8:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Here is a very clear shot from overhead for comparison.
posted by anastasiav at 8:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Yeah, Melania's rocking that outfit. Too bad her fashion sense didn't rub off on Kellyanne "Sgt. Pepper" Conway, at least for the inauguration.
posted by magstheaxe at 8:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by magstheaxe at 8:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
"Protect our care," tilde.
posted by mynameisluka at 8:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by mynameisluka at 8:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Area "Never" Trumpers torn between supposedly principled Never Trumpism and unbridled glee at seeing liberals lose
Best reply: "Kind of like plugging a meat grinder with your own fist because you hate sausage."
posted by Talez at 8:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Best reply: "Kind of like plugging a meat grinder with your own fist because you hate sausage."
posted by Talez at 8:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Crowd: "Give us Barrabas!"
posted by Rykey at 8:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
posted by Rykey at 8:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
Here is a very clear shot from overhead for comparison.
Ouch. I mean, good.
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Ouch. I mean, good.
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'm sitting out the inaughurination with no media, social or otherwise, and perhaps just a little peek at Metafilter.
See you on the other side.
posted by Devonian at 8:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
See you on the other side.
posted by Devonian at 8:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
It just doesn't feel good to hope that the President-Elect falls down the stairs of the Capitol on his way to the podium.
posted by something something at 8:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by something something at 8:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
The NYT running commentary is pretty great:
Jon Meacham
Presidential Historian
11:27 AM ET
If Trump isn’t humbled by this spectacle as well as thrilled, we’re in trouble.
Carl Hulse
Chief Washington Correspondent
11:28 AM ET
In talking to some of the longtime aides to Mike Pence over the past few days, even they find the sequence of events that led him being here as surreal.
Jon Meacham
Presidential Historian
11:28 AM ET
I just thought of part of the last line of Robert Penn Warren’s “All the King’s Men”: now he is “walking out of History, into History, and the awful responsibility of Time.”
Maggie Haberman
White House Correspondent
11:28 AM ET
This is a daunting moment for every president. But Trump is the first with no previous experience in government.
Alan Rappeport
Washington Correspondent
11:28 AM ET
Trump just stared right into the camera and gave a little wink.
Maggie Haberman
White House Correspondent
11:28 AM ET
Trump also just mouthed something into the camera.
posted by stillmoving at 8:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Jon Meacham
Presidential Historian
11:27 AM ET
If Trump isn’t humbled by this spectacle as well as thrilled, we’re in trouble.
Carl Hulse
Chief Washington Correspondent
11:28 AM ET
In talking to some of the longtime aides to Mike Pence over the past few days, even they find the sequence of events that led him being here as surreal.
Jon Meacham
Presidential Historian
11:28 AM ET
I just thought of part of the last line of Robert Penn Warren’s “All the King’s Men”: now he is “walking out of History, into History, and the awful responsibility of Time.”
Maggie Haberman
White House Correspondent
11:28 AM ET
This is a daunting moment for every president. But Trump is the first with no previous experience in government.
Alan Rappeport
Washington Correspondent
11:28 AM ET
Trump just stared right into the camera and gave a little wink.
Maggie Haberman
White House Correspondent
11:28 AM ET
Trump also just mouthed something into the camera.
posted by stillmoving at 8:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Thank you, mynameisluka. Mr. Trump just broke the fourth wall on his pre-walk out to the dias. Can't stop looking at the camera and saying what I think is "Hello".
posted by tilde at 8:29 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by tilde at 8:29 AM on January 20, 2017
So America's really doing this, huh?
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
A. Stevenson: “Someone asked me...how it felt [to lose election] and I was reminded of a story that a fellow townsman of ours used to tell--Abraham Lincoln. They asked him how he felt once after an unsuccessful election. He said he felt like a little boy who had stubbed his toe in the dark. He said that he was too old to cry, but it hurt too much to laugh.”
posted by Postroad at 8:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by Postroad at 8:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
something something, it doesn't feel good, but you are in good company. Millions (if not billions) of others are thinking just the same thing.
posted by stillmoving at 8:30 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by stillmoving at 8:30 AM on January 20, 2017
What is Pelosi wearing on her lapel? It's a blue button but I can't read it.
I couldn't read it either, but Fahrenthold has us covered on this too. It's a "#ProtectOurCare" pin, being worn by many Democratic members.
posted by zachlipton at 8:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
I couldn't read it either, but Fahrenthold has us covered on this too. It's a "#ProtectOurCare" pin, being worn by many Democratic members.
posted by zachlipton at 8:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Well enjoy everybody. I won't be watching. I watched far too much of our fuckstick-in-chief to figure out just what we were up against. This is one I can finally skip because I know all too well now what we're up against.
posted by Talez at 8:32 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Talez at 8:32 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
In about an hour Trump will start signing executive orders. Ignore your inner monologue's highly seductive disaster gospel, which will only be amplified by a news media hellbent on entertaining you to death. As Joe Hill once wrote to Big Bill Haywood: "Don't waste any time mourning. Organize!"
posted by milquetoast at 8:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by milquetoast at 8:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
I reread those words in the NYT's guide to the inauguration and got angry all over again.
posted by brainwane at 8:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I reread those words in the NYT's guide to the inauguration and got angry all over again.
posted by brainwane at 8:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
This is the last chance I have to call him the PEEOTUS, so:
What are the odds that after he's sworn in, the PEEOTUS turns to Obama and says "You're fired!" - with a smirk and a wink to show that, you know, he's just joking?
(I can't look, obviously.)
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
What are the odds that after he's sworn in, the PEEOTUS turns to Obama and says "You're fired!" - with a smirk and a wink to show that, you know, he's just joking?
(I can't look, obviously.)
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
(NB: The "you" here is actually me. This is a note to self.)
posted by milquetoast at 8:34 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by milquetoast at 8:34 AM on January 20, 2017
Billy House @HouseInSession 33 minutes ago
Huh? House gaveled into session; and members on the floor. But press barred from gallery because, say officials, Capitol closed by Congress.
What the hell?????
posted by anastasiav at 8:34 AM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
Huh? House gaveled into session; and members on the floor. But press barred from gallery because, say officials, Capitol closed by Congress.
What the hell?????
posted by anastasiav at 8:34 AM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
I'm bowing out - I've seen just about all of Donald I can stomach.
Keep on fighting the good fight.
posted by thedarksideofprocyon at 8:34 AM on January 20, 2017
Keep on fighting the good fight.
posted by thedarksideofprocyon at 8:34 AM on January 20, 2017
It is the uncertainty that's killing me.
We have no idea what Trump will do, how far he'll go. And we know that the only thing that will stop him is him.
We know this because he's already breaking the ethics laws and the US Constitution. From the moment he takes his oath of office he's in violation of the US Constitution, and he doesn't give a shit.
Rules are only meaningful if someone enforces them. At the moment the only people who have the power to enforce the rules are the Congressional Republicans, and they've proven they won't.
What rules, what laws, what norms, will Trump break next? We don't know. No one knows. And that's what's been keeping me up at night.
Will he be content to just pimp out the Presidency to line his own pockets? Or will he decide that he needs to go further? He's known to be a vindictive man, what will he do to get revenge on his enemies?
At this point I truly would not be surprised if he tries to cancel elections in 2020 or 2018. I'm not saying he will, I'm just saying we don't know what he'll do and I'm pretty sure **HE** doesn't know what he'll do.
It's the uncertainty that's killing me.
posted by sotonohito at 8:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
We have no idea what Trump will do, how far he'll go. And we know that the only thing that will stop him is him.
We know this because he's already breaking the ethics laws and the US Constitution. From the moment he takes his oath of office he's in violation of the US Constitution, and he doesn't give a shit.
Rules are only meaningful if someone enforces them. At the moment the only people who have the power to enforce the rules are the Congressional Republicans, and they've proven they won't.
What rules, what laws, what norms, will Trump break next? We don't know. No one knows. And that's what's been keeping me up at night.
Will he be content to just pimp out the Presidency to line his own pockets? Or will he decide that he needs to go further? He's known to be a vindictive man, what will he do to get revenge on his enemies?
At this point I truly would not be surprised if he tries to cancel elections in 2020 or 2018. I'm not saying he will, I'm just saying we don't know what he'll do and I'm pretty sure **HE** doesn't know what he'll do.
It's the uncertainty that's killing me.
posted by sotonohito at 8:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States
To be fair, this is a very, very low bar.
posted by uncleozzy at 8:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
To be fair, this is a very, very low bar.
posted by uncleozzy at 8:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
Alan Rappeport
Washington Correspondent
11:32 AM ET
Here we go. Trump is making his way down.
He gives a thumbs up as he walks, then stops and pumps his fist to the crowd.
Carl Hulse
Chief Washington Correspondent
11:32 AM ET
Always with the full name at the inauguration. Donald John Trump.
Alan Rappeport
Washington Correspondent
11:32 AM ET
He gave Mrs. Obama a kiss and shakes hands with Obama and Biden.
This is closest Trump and Hillary Clinton have been to each other since their final debate. He did not greet her.
Jon Meacham
Presidential Historian
11:33 AM ET
No handshake for Clintons. Bad form, methinks.
Maggie Haberman
White House Correspondent
11:34 AM ET
Yes, Jon, that is striking.
And in his mind I’m sure he thinks it’s justified. But it is telling about the future.
posted by stillmoving at 8:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Washington Correspondent
11:32 AM ET
Here we go. Trump is making his way down.
He gives a thumbs up as he walks, then stops and pumps his fist to the crowd.
Carl Hulse
Chief Washington Correspondent
11:32 AM ET
Always with the full name at the inauguration. Donald John Trump.
Alan Rappeport
Washington Correspondent
11:32 AM ET
He gave Mrs. Obama a kiss and shakes hands with Obama and Biden.
This is closest Trump and Hillary Clinton have been to each other since their final debate. He did not greet her.
Jon Meacham
Presidential Historian
11:33 AM ET
No handshake for Clintons. Bad form, methinks.
Maggie Haberman
White House Correspondent
11:34 AM ET
Yes, Jon, that is striking.
And in his mind I’m sure he thinks it’s justified. But it is telling about the future.
posted by stillmoving at 8:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
dilaudid: So uh what is this?
A reminder for anyone posting blind links, especially to Twitter: please do what you can to reference the linked material in-thread, as long as it's not a wall of text. (My personal work-around for work-filtering of Twitter and similar sites of saving and viewing those links on Archive.org didn't work here, so I have no idea what "this" is.)
posted by filthy light thief at 8:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
A reminder for anyone posting blind links, especially to Twitter: please do what you can to reference the linked material in-thread, as long as it's not a wall of text. (My personal work-around for work-filtering of Twitter and similar sites of saving and viewing those links on Archive.org didn't work here, so I have no idea what "this" is.)
posted by filthy light thief at 8:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Shelley's "The Masque of Anarchy" hits home today, as the poet describes a lengthy parade of political hypocrisy in government, culminating in grotesque autocratic figure:
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
Last came Anarchy : he rodeBut that poem also speaks of of Hope:
On a white horse, splashed with blood ;
He was pale even to the lips,
Like Death in the Apocalypse.
And he wore a kingly crown ;
And in his grasp a sceptre shone ;
On his brow this mark I saw—
‘I AM GOD, AND KING, AND LAW!’
‘Let a vast assembly be,Somehow, the verses of of a 19th-century British Romantic poet feel like a direct address to the massive counter-marches this weekend in the aftermath of losing an election yet winning the popular vote.
And with great solemnity
Declare with measured words that ye
Are, as God has made ye, free—{...}
‘And these words shall then become
Like Oppression’s thundered doom
Ringing through each heart and brain.
Heard again—again—again—
‘Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number—
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you—
Ye are many—they are few.’
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
.
posted by Donald Trump Sex Nightmare at 8:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by Donald Trump Sex Nightmare at 8:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Ha ha. My bladder is on it. As soon as Donald came out I had leave watching and go pee.
Don't mind me. Just sitting here in full on state of giggle coping.
posted by Jalliah at 8:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I was planning to go surfing today, if to do nothing else but temporarily cancel out the overwhelming sense of impending doom. Unfortunately, it's raining pretty hard here in Southern California...and I've paddled through enough figurative sewage and bacterial runoff over the past few weeks that I don't need to do it quite so literally in choppy, freezing water.
Instead, I'm going to apply to what looks like a dream job, make some tortillas, clean the house, and go to a drag show later tonight.
And tomorrow, I'll march.
posted by otenba at 8:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Instead, I'm going to apply to what looks like a dream job, make some tortillas, clean the house, and go to a drag show later tonight.
And tomorrow, I'll march.
posted by otenba at 8:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
What do we tell our kids?
Won’t somebody PLEASE think of the children?
It was late 2014, she had just turned three. “Are monsters real?”
I said, “It depends; if you’re asking about the kind of monsters you read about in a fairy story, dragons and giants and such, no. But sometimes real people act like monsters.”
“Like who?”
“Well, Vladimir Putin is a monster. He kills people so he can rule people, so he can steal. Donald Trump is a monster. He lies a lot. Donald Trump isn’t as bad as Vladimir Putin though; he hurts people but he doesn’t have people killed.”
I was of course oblivious that these two men would end up on the same team, working toward the same goal. I was unaware that one man would elevate the other to join him in the pantheon of the most powerful world leaders. I did not foresee the piss thing.
Still, you picked some good names.
This presidency is a joke.
Maybe it’s a joke to a non-Muslim cismale Caucasian with an office job.
Jokes can hurt. This joke may get people killed. It’s still a joke. I mean to say the people behind the campaign to get Donald Trump elected President of the United States, even the people who voted for him, did not do so with the sincere belief that he would or realistically could be elected President of the United States, nor that he would be the best option as President of the United States. They did so to make a statement about the country and about their own identity. An impact. They were protesting, and while their protest was sincere, their vessel for achieving it was this manifestly incompetent, offensive buffoon, a man who until recently might be seen as a punchline incarnate, especially in the context of high office. They were, essentially, trolling. The kind of trolling that, if you’re in DC, might help your career in a right wing think-tank, or if you’re in Pittsburgh, might allow you to enjoy adorning your car with a bumper sticker that says DON’T BLAME ME, I VOTED TRUMP. And then he won.
It’s a bad joke because it’s not “punching up”.
A country is a story you tell your kids.
This story is not working out so well. The jokes are bad. It needs editing. And the plot-holes!
The story says the country is not at war with Islam, because Islam is a major world religion accounting for 23% of the world’s population, overwhelmingly just regular people, including many Americans, and we have constitutionally-enshrined freedom of religion and we welcome all decent people of diverse faiths and no faith and going to war with Islam is insane.
So we elected the man who proposed banning all Muslims from entering or re-entering the country. Tourists. Citizens. Whatever. A primal scream immigration policy of white Christian disgust against the dark ones.
The story says that institutional racism is a major problem, but most people are trying to better themselves and treat people with respect. The story says that cops are necessary and most of them are trying to help people.
So we elected the man who led the birther movement. The movement that said the first black president was literally un-American, the product of a Dan Brown conspiracy. So the largest police union, the Fraternal Order of Police, endorsed Trump, presumably to quantify how much black lives matter. Sad!
The story says that we provide equal opportunities for women.
As long as they have a good email server configuration. No promises otherwise. We might even elect a man with no experience in public service whatsoever, who will surely use his Supreme Court nominations and legislative power to decimate women’s access to healthcare.
The story says that the liberal representative democracy of the United States defeated the authoritarianism of Russia and that was the end of the Cold War!
So we elected the guy who expressed his pleasure at having met Vladimir Putin, and who subsequently started denying he had ever met Vladimir Putin, but also that Vladimir Putin was a pretty great guy and everything he did was pretty great. Huge leadership. Not born in Kenya. Do we actually need NATO? Maybe we should undermine the EU as an institution! The global economy is a zero-sum game of the winners and the losers and haters! Putin looks like a winner. We can be winners too.
The story says that the Republican Party is the party of respecting the US Military.
So we elected the Republican who said that John McCain wasn’t a real war hero because he got captured. Who John McCain subsequently endorsed. Even though he said he wants to reinstate torture, against the will of the military. Presumably the torture won’t be as bad as what the Viet Cong did.
The story says that the Republican Party is the party of family values.
So we elected a sexual predator with a seemingly endless list of accusers. We elected the guy with small hands but with no problems downstairs, believe me. We elected the guy who called Ted Cruz’s wife ugly and said Ted Cruz’s dad was involved in assassinating JFK. Then Ted Cruz endorsed him. We elected “The Wraith of Dignity”.
The story says that politicians who are corrupt get punished by the electorate.
So we elected the guy from Trump University. Without getting his tax returns. Or getting him to sell his businesses to pay off his debts to foreign banks. Or follow any modern ethical standards for the office. We are going to let him get very much richer because this is a hard job and he’s probably going to hate it. After four years, maybe he will even be as rich as he claims!
The story says that we are the forefront of science and research. The story says that in the apocalyptic disaster movie, we lead the charge to save the world.
So we elected the guy who says vaccines cause autism and that climate change is a plot by the Chinese to undermine American workers.
The story says that America is exceptional.
This is pretty exceptional.
We tell our kids that if you work hard and treat people with respect, no matter where you come from in this great nation, you can achieve anything. We say that in America, anything is possible.
It has become increasingly clear that in America, anything is possible.
This is not a good story.
Back to the drawing board.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [54 favorites]
Won’t somebody PLEASE think of the children?
It was late 2014, she had just turned three. “Are monsters real?”
I said, “It depends; if you’re asking about the kind of monsters you read about in a fairy story, dragons and giants and such, no. But sometimes real people act like monsters.”
“Like who?”
“Well, Vladimir Putin is a monster. He kills people so he can rule people, so he can steal. Donald Trump is a monster. He lies a lot. Donald Trump isn’t as bad as Vladimir Putin though; he hurts people but he doesn’t have people killed.”
I was of course oblivious that these two men would end up on the same team, working toward the same goal. I was unaware that one man would elevate the other to join him in the pantheon of the most powerful world leaders. I did not foresee the piss thing.
Still, you picked some good names.
This presidency is a joke.
Maybe it’s a joke to a non-Muslim cismale Caucasian with an office job.
Jokes can hurt. This joke may get people killed. It’s still a joke. I mean to say the people behind the campaign to get Donald Trump elected President of the United States, even the people who voted for him, did not do so with the sincere belief that he would or realistically could be elected President of the United States, nor that he would be the best option as President of the United States. They did so to make a statement about the country and about their own identity. An impact. They were protesting, and while their protest was sincere, their vessel for achieving it was this manifestly incompetent, offensive buffoon, a man who until recently might be seen as a punchline incarnate, especially in the context of high office. They were, essentially, trolling. The kind of trolling that, if you’re in DC, might help your career in a right wing think-tank, or if you’re in Pittsburgh, might allow you to enjoy adorning your car with a bumper sticker that says DON’T BLAME ME, I VOTED TRUMP. And then he won.
It’s a bad joke because it’s not “punching up”.
A country is a story you tell your kids.
This story is not working out so well. The jokes are bad. It needs editing. And the plot-holes!
The story says the country is not at war with Islam, because Islam is a major world religion accounting for 23% of the world’s population, overwhelmingly just regular people, including many Americans, and we have constitutionally-enshrined freedom of religion and we welcome all decent people of diverse faiths and no faith and going to war with Islam is insane.
So we elected the man who proposed banning all Muslims from entering or re-entering the country. Tourists. Citizens. Whatever. A primal scream immigration policy of white Christian disgust against the dark ones.
The story says that institutional racism is a major problem, but most people are trying to better themselves and treat people with respect. The story says that cops are necessary and most of them are trying to help people.
So we elected the man who led the birther movement. The movement that said the first black president was literally un-American, the product of a Dan Brown conspiracy. So the largest police union, the Fraternal Order of Police, endorsed Trump, presumably to quantify how much black lives matter. Sad!
The story says that we provide equal opportunities for women.
As long as they have a good email server configuration. No promises otherwise. We might even elect a man with no experience in public service whatsoever, who will surely use his Supreme Court nominations and legislative power to decimate women’s access to healthcare.
The story says that the liberal representative democracy of the United States defeated the authoritarianism of Russia and that was the end of the Cold War!
So we elected the guy who expressed his pleasure at having met Vladimir Putin, and who subsequently started denying he had ever met Vladimir Putin, but also that Vladimir Putin was a pretty great guy and everything he did was pretty great. Huge leadership. Not born in Kenya. Do we actually need NATO? Maybe we should undermine the EU as an institution! The global economy is a zero-sum game of the winners and the losers and haters! Putin looks like a winner. We can be winners too.
The story says that the Republican Party is the party of respecting the US Military.
So we elected the Republican who said that John McCain wasn’t a real war hero because he got captured. Who John McCain subsequently endorsed. Even though he said he wants to reinstate torture, against the will of the military. Presumably the torture won’t be as bad as what the Viet Cong did.
The story says that the Republican Party is the party of family values.
So we elected a sexual predator with a seemingly endless list of accusers. We elected the guy with small hands but with no problems downstairs, believe me. We elected the guy who called Ted Cruz’s wife ugly and said Ted Cruz’s dad was involved in assassinating JFK. Then Ted Cruz endorsed him. We elected “The Wraith of Dignity”.
The story says that politicians who are corrupt get punished by the electorate.
So we elected the guy from Trump University. Without getting his tax returns. Or getting him to sell his businesses to pay off his debts to foreign banks. Or follow any modern ethical standards for the office. We are going to let him get very much richer because this is a hard job and he’s probably going to hate it. After four years, maybe he will even be as rich as he claims!
The story says that we are the forefront of science and research. The story says that in the apocalyptic disaster movie, we lead the charge to save the world.
So we elected the guy who says vaccines cause autism and that climate change is a plot by the Chinese to undermine American workers.
The story says that America is exceptional.
This is pretty exceptional.
We tell our kids that if you work hard and treat people with respect, no matter where you come from in this great nation, you can achieve anything. We say that in America, anything is possible.
It has become increasingly clear that in America, anything is possible.
This is not a good story.
Back to the drawing board.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [54 favorites]
Here is a very clear shot from overhead for comparison.
Kudos to whoever installed the white flooring on the National Mall. It makes all the empty space really pop.
posted by scalefree at 8:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
Kudos to whoever installed the white flooring on the National Mall. It makes all the empty space really pop.
posted by scalefree at 8:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
"Noon swearing-in, 3 p.m. inaugural parade, 6 p.m. impeachment hearing"
posted by Postroad at 8:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by Postroad at 8:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
> Carl Hulse
Chief Washington Correspondent
11:32 AM ET
Always with the full name at the inauguration. Donald John Trump.
Oh, it's John! No lie, I always thought it stood for "Jackassdickhead." TIL!
posted by Tevin at 8:39 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Chief Washington Correspondent
11:32 AM ET
Always with the full name at the inauguration. Donald John Trump.
Oh, it's John! No lie, I always thought it stood for "Jackassdickhead." TIL!
posted by Tevin at 8:39 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I think I understand that Sen. Blunt is at least making a half-assed attempt at reconciliatory language so he can always say later that he tried, but all I can think is "You need to keep Lincoln's words out of your mouth and take several seats."
posted by magstheaxe at 8:39 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by magstheaxe at 8:39 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Emma Roller @emmarollerFuck this shit indeed.
So. My boyfriend's office is directly next to Comet Ping Pong. He had to shelter in place when there was the near-shooting there. (1/3)
He just texted to say there are pro-Trump protesters outside of Comet Ping Pong chanting "Penis doesn't belong in anus" (2/3)
Fuck this shit. (3/3)
posted by Talez at 8:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
Make a donation to Trump right here
posted by porn in the woods at 8:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by porn in the woods at 8:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Oh boy, Paula White, author and life coach.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 8:41 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 8:41 AM on January 20, 2017
Trump just stared right into the camera and gave a little wink.
I'd feel happier if I didn't think he felt like a fucking debutante. He's going to make the most important oath he'll ever swear and most important job he'll ever have all about how great he is. The New Yorker cartoon has it. The usual subtitute caption is left as an exercise for the reader.
posted by jaduncan at 8:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
I'd feel happier if I didn't think he felt like a fucking debutante. He's going to make the most important oath he'll ever swear and most important job he'll ever have all about how great he is. The New Yorker cartoon has it. The usual subtitute caption is left as an exercise for the reader.
posted by jaduncan at 8:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
So far today, I started the new gym membership, and now I'm wearing my "Nah.--Rosa Parks" Civil Rights t-shirt and am blasting Splendor and Misery while I clean my apartment and dream of better futures... There must/be/a better place...
posted by TwoStride at 8:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by TwoStride at 8:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
@wmata - Metro Ridership: As of 11am, 193k trips taken so far today. (11am 1/20/13 = 317k, 11am 1/20/09 = 513k, 11am 1/20/05 = 197k) #wmata
posted by DynamiteToast at 8:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by DynamiteToast at 8:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Is that the part of the Comet Ping Pong Pizza story that they're upset about?
posted by birdheist at 8:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by birdheist at 8:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
If you're looking for a safe space to shelter in place, the MeFi MST Club is hosting a SECRET INAUGURATION IGNORING MARATHON. It's not really MST3k content, but more just general weirdness, and anyone can suggest content.
posted by valkane at 8:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by valkane at 8:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
It does feel like what's happening on the TV at the end of a movie, where the hero is in the background, running from one place to another to get the thing to the thing so they can do the thing and avert the end of the world. Except I suspect the hero's tripped over a shoe lace and fallen into a vat of something corrosive.
posted by Grangousier at 8:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Grangousier at 8:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
The Bikers for Trump are pretty disgusting to me. Even if they're not aware of Altamont, where bikers as security was shown to be an incredibly stupid idea, they're definitely using the image of bikers as dangerous, threatening figures to do their best to intimidate people they don't like.
It reminds me a lot of the Basij we heard so much about back when those protests were going on in Iran a few years back (fun fact I just discovered: entering "Iran paramilitary rednecks" into DDG will take you to the Wikipedia entry on the Basij).
posted by indubitable at 8:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
It reminds me a lot of the Basij we heard so much about back when those protests were going on in Iran a few years back (fun fact I just discovered: entering "Iran paramilitary rednecks" into DDG will take you to the Wikipedia entry on the Basij).
posted by indubitable at 8:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Nice shade there, WMATA.
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I think the bits you can see in the webcam are invite-only areas, yes?
The non-ticketed areas start at 4th St, one block after the Reflecting Pool and Union Square, so most of the webcam view isn't ticketed.
posted by holgate at 8:44 AM on January 20, 2017
The non-ticketed areas start at 4th St, one block after the Reflecting Pool and Union Square, so most of the webcam view isn't ticketed.
posted by holgate at 8:44 AM on January 20, 2017
Black Lives Matter shut down the Judiciary Square entrance / checkpoint to the inauguration.
posted by FirstMateKate at 8:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by FirstMateKate at 8:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
False alarm, no weird conspiracy stuff in Congress today after all.
posted by scalefree at 8:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 8:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I can't look. I'll just read about it when it's over.
posted by pracowity at 8:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by pracowity at 8:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Trump looks like he's having a hard time tolerating the Missouri State University choir, which doesn't bode well for enduring painful ceremonial aspects of his new gig. I always liked how much joy President Obama took in his interactions with ordinary people trying to show him something or entertain him.
posted by carmicha at 8:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 8:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
C-SPAN is pointing their camera on the mall in a weird angle to make it look like there's a good crowd, fwiw...
posted by JoeXIII007 at 8:47 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by JoeXIII007 at 8:47 AM on January 20, 2017
So back when I was in high school, there was a tradition that the senior class would make some kind of "senior entrance" on the first day of school. And so when I was a senior, we had a meeting to figure out what ours was going to be. It was a stupid process, full of groupthink, and the final decision was really really damn stupid. Like not wearing pants stupid (literally). And since I knew most people agreed it was damn stupid, after the idea was provisionally agreed upon, I spoke up and asked for a quick show of hands of who actually liked the idea. And at best 20% of the class did. And because I was a stupid high school senior, I naively expected that people would pick up on that and maybe we wouldn't do the thing that it was now perfectly obvious people didn't want to do.
Well, reader, I will tell you that we did that the thing that it was perfectly obvious people didn't want to do. And that's what we're doing now. We had a brave Muslim, a pussy tape, and Alicia Machado. What the hell are we doing here? We had a majority of voters say they didn't want this. We have a majority of poll respondents saying they don't approve now. Why are we doing this?
posted by zachlipton at 8:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [36 favorites]
Well, reader, I will tell you that we did that the thing that it was perfectly obvious people didn't want to do. And that's what we're doing now. We had a brave Muslim, a pussy tape, and Alicia Machado. What the hell are we doing here? We had a majority of voters say they didn't want this. We have a majority of poll respondents saying they don't approve now. Why are we doing this?
posted by zachlipton at 8:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [36 favorites]
The House weirdly had a closed session but all they did was read some routine messages from the Senate then adjourn until Monday.
posted by scalefree at 8:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by scalefree at 8:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
It does feel like what's happening on the TV at the end of a movie, where the hero is in the background, running from one place to another to get the thing to the thing so they can do the thing and avert the end of the world. Except I suspect the hero's tripped over a shoe lace and fallen into a vat of something corrosive.
Or like a video game where earlier in the level you missed picking up something vital, or speaking to someone, or reading some important clue, so there's nothing you can do except wander about avoiding the bad guys until the timer reaches zero and the game ends.
posted by tapeguy at 8:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Or like a video game where earlier in the level you missed picking up something vital, or speaking to someone, or reading some important clue, so there's nothing you can do except wander about avoiding the bad guys until the timer reaches zero and the game ends.
posted by tapeguy at 8:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Schumer you fucking quisling renfield motherfucker.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Why are we doing this?
Because the constitution says no backsies.
posted by Talez at 8:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Because the constitution says no backsies.
posted by Talez at 8:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
People are booing Schumer and shouting "Trump! Trump" as he speaks.
posted by zachlipton at 8:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by zachlipton at 8:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yolandi wore it better.
posted by Donald Trump Sex Nightmare at 8:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
posted by Donald Trump Sex Nightmare at 8:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
Because the constitution says no backsies.
It's in that rare first draft of the constitution with the word "suckers" in it.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
It's in that rare first draft of the constitution with the word "suckers" in it.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
People are booing Schumer and shouting "Trump! Trump" as he speaks.
When he said 'people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.'
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
When he said 'people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.'
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
Here's Obama's crowd from 2009
Here's today's crowd as of 11am
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Here's today's crowd as of 11am
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Cue the Ashokan Farewell
posted by Esteemed Offendi at 8:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Esteemed Offendi at 8:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Didn't want this day to go by without sending a hug to all my dear mefites and to thank you for being here. On this dark day, remember we got through George Bush together, we will somehow get through this. We will. Stay strong. Stay safe. Take care of yourself first.
I was reflecting on Twitter that the last time I felt this bad, sad, mad at my country was the night the Iraq war began.
I'll be one of the 70,000 people anticipated in Boston tomorrow.
posted by madamjujujive at 8:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
I was reflecting on Twitter that the last time I felt this bad, sad, mad at my country was the night the Iraq war began.
I'll be one of the 70,000 people anticipated in Boston tomorrow.
posted by madamjujujive at 8:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
I'm watching live on NBC (no cable here and not sure how to find C-SPAN). Feeling queasy. Can't look away.
My office in downtown LA was closed today because of a combination of threats of disruptive protests on our block, bad weather, an extremely liberal senior manager and an anxious VP. This is the first time they've closed the office during normal business hours in 4 years.
posted by samthemander at 8:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
My office in downtown LA was closed today because of a combination of threats of disruptive protests on our block, bad weather, an extremely liberal senior manager and an anxious VP. This is the first time they've closed the office during normal business hours in 4 years.
posted by samthemander at 8:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Clarence Thomas can speak?
posted by Glibpaxman at 8:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by Glibpaxman at 8:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
I mean, I know Schumer has to participate, but he has seemed all along to be pretty fine with the normalization.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Except I suspect the hero's tripped over a shoe lace and fallen into a vat of something corrosive.
That's what we get for relying on Aeon Flux to save us.
God, but that just made me realize what a tremendous improvement Trevor Goodchild would be, and that is a sad thought.
posted by byanyothername at 8:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
That's what we get for relying on Aeon Flux to save us.
God, but that just made me realize what a tremendous improvement Trevor Goodchild would be, and that is a sad thought.
posted by byanyothername at 8:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
People are booing Schumer and shouting "Trump! Trump" as he speaks.
When he said 'people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.'
How damn pathetic is it that the literal name of the President of the United States can be used to express hate? Like, if you want to be bigoted toward someone, you don't have to come up with an appropriate slur or anything, you just shout the President's name. And everyone knows exactly what you mean.
posted by zachlipton at 8:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [90 favorites]
When he said 'people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.'
How damn pathetic is it that the literal name of the President of the United States can be used to express hate? Like, if you want to be bigoted toward someone, you don't have to come up with an appropriate slur or anything, you just shout the President's name. And everyone knows exactly what you mean.
posted by zachlipton at 8:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [90 favorites]
Pence is sworn in.
posted by samthemander at 8:54 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by samthemander at 8:54 AM on January 20, 2017
O mia patria, sì bella e perduta.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 8:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 8:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Mike Pence has a total "how did I get here?" look on his face.
We don't know either, buddy.
posted by Leslie Knope at 8:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
We don't know either, buddy.
posted by Leslie Knope at 8:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Former UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage has joined Fox News Channel as a contributor.
The fact that this guy was basically run out of another country for being a lying racist asshole wasn't enough reason for Fox News to think twice.
posted by zachlipton at 8:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
The fact that this guy was basically run out of another country for being a lying racist asshole wasn't enough reason for Fox News to think twice.
posted by zachlipton at 8:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
Enjoy the Obama/Pence administration while it lasts.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
SEPTEMBER 1, 1939
by W.H. Auden
I sit in one of the dives
On Fifty-second Street
Uncertain and afraid
As the clever hopes expire
Of a low dishonest decade:
Waves of anger and fear
Circulate over the bright
And darkened lands of the earth,
Obsessing our private lives;
The unmentionable odour of death
Offends the September night.
Accurate scholarship can
Unearth the whole offence
From Luther until now
That has driven a culture mad,
Find what occurred at Linz,
What huge imago made
A psychopathic god:
I and the public know
What all schoolchildren learn,
Those to whom evil is done
Do evil in return.
Exiled Thucydides knew
All that a speech can say
About Democracy,
And what dictators do,
The elderly rubbish they talk
To an apathetic grave;
Analysed all in his book,
The enlightenment driven away,
The habit-forming pain,
Mismanagement and grief:
We must suffer them all again.
Into this neutral air
Where blind skyscrapers use
Their full height to proclaim
The strength of Collective Man,
Each language pours its vain
Competitive excuse:
But who can live for long
In an euphoric dream;
Out of the mirror they stare,
Imperialism's face
And the international wrong.
Faces along the bar
Cling to their average day:
The lights must never go out,
The music must always play,
All the conventions conspire
To make this fort assume
The furniture of home;
Lest we should see where we are,
Lost in a haunted wood,
Children afraid of the night
Who have never been happy or good.
The windiest militant trash
Important Persons shout
Is not so crude as our wish:
What mad Nijinsky wrote
About Diaghilev
Is true of the normal heart;
For the error bred in the bone
Of each woman and each man
Craves what it cannot have,
Not universal love
But to be loved alone.
From the conservative dark
Into the ethical life
The dense commuters come,
Repeating their morning vow;
'I will be true to the wife,
I'll concentrate more on my work,'
And helpless governors wake
To resume their compulsory game:
Who can release them now,
Who can reach the dead,
Who can speak for the dumb?
All I have is a voice
To undo the folded lie,
The romantic lie in the brain
Of the sensual man-in-the-street
And the lie of Authority
Whose buildings grope the sky:
There is no such thing as the State
And no one exists alone;
Hunger allows no choice
To the citizen or the police;
We must love one another or die.
Defenseless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.
posted by stolyarova at 8:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [45 favorites]
by W.H. Auden
I sit in one of the dives
On Fifty-second Street
Uncertain and afraid
As the clever hopes expire
Of a low dishonest decade:
Waves of anger and fear
Circulate over the bright
And darkened lands of the earth,
Obsessing our private lives;
The unmentionable odour of death
Offends the September night.
Accurate scholarship can
Unearth the whole offence
From Luther until now
That has driven a culture mad,
Find what occurred at Linz,
What huge imago made
A psychopathic god:
I and the public know
What all schoolchildren learn,
Those to whom evil is done
Do evil in return.
Exiled Thucydides knew
All that a speech can say
About Democracy,
And what dictators do,
The elderly rubbish they talk
To an apathetic grave;
Analysed all in his book,
The enlightenment driven away,
The habit-forming pain,
Mismanagement and grief:
We must suffer them all again.
Into this neutral air
Where blind skyscrapers use
Their full height to proclaim
The strength of Collective Man,
Each language pours its vain
Competitive excuse:
But who can live for long
In an euphoric dream;
Out of the mirror they stare,
Imperialism's face
And the international wrong.
Faces along the bar
Cling to their average day:
The lights must never go out,
The music must always play,
All the conventions conspire
To make this fort assume
The furniture of home;
Lest we should see where we are,
Lost in a haunted wood,
Children afraid of the night
Who have never been happy or good.
The windiest militant trash
Important Persons shout
Is not so crude as our wish:
What mad Nijinsky wrote
About Diaghilev
Is true of the normal heart;
For the error bred in the bone
Of each woman and each man
Craves what it cannot have,
Not universal love
But to be loved alone.
From the conservative dark
Into the ethical life
The dense commuters come,
Repeating their morning vow;
'I will be true to the wife,
I'll concentrate more on my work,'
And helpless governors wake
To resume their compulsory game:
Who can release them now,
Who can reach the dead,
Who can speak for the dumb?
All I have is a voice
To undo the folded lie,
The romantic lie in the brain
Of the sensual man-in-the-street
And the lie of Authority
Whose buildings grope the sky:
There is no such thing as the State
And no one exists alone;
Hunger allows no choice
To the citizen or the police;
We must love one another or die.
Defenseless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.
posted by stolyarova at 8:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [45 favorites]
Someone just yelled something on the livefeed. What was that?
posted by all about eevee at 8:56 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by all about eevee at 8:56 AM on January 20, 2017
According to the PBS caption person, Schumer urged all Americans to read "Balou's letter," but apparently Balou is a city in Haiti and how French people misspell the name of the bear from The Jungle Book?
posted by clorox at 8:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by clorox at 8:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I will be shocked if Trump can repeat the oath back appropriately, without another thumbs up, fist pump, or kissy face.
posted by stillmoving at 8:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by stillmoving at 8:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
http://decay.us/
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Who knew that I would ever find some solace in stark white ground cover.
posted by Jalliah at 8:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
er, is the Morman Tabernacle Choir at least a half measure off from the band? Because it sounds like it.
posted by zachlipton at 8:57 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by zachlipton at 8:57 AM on January 20, 2017
Enjoy the Obama/Pence administration while it lasts.
ROBERTS: Actually, you know what? I'm good. Are you all good? Cool. We're done here.
[fake, but probably more popular a prospect than reality]
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
ROBERTS: Actually, you know what? I'm good. Are you all good? Cool. We're done here.
[fake, but probably more popular a prospect than reality]
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
They're selling postcards of the hanging
They're painting the passports brown
The beauty parlor is filled with sailors
The circus is in town
Here comes the blind commissioner
They've got him in a trance
One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker
The other is in his pants
And the riot squad they're restless
They need somewhere to go
As lady and I look out tonight
From Desolation Row
posted by kyrademon at 8:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
They're painting the passports brown
The beauty parlor is filled with sailors
The circus is in town
Here comes the blind commissioner
They've got him in a trance
One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker
The other is in his pants
And the riot squad they're restless
They need somewhere to go
As lady and I look out tonight
From Desolation Row
posted by kyrademon at 8:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
ok, time to read up on what we're getting
posted by the phlegmatic king at 8:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by the phlegmatic king at 8:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Oh oops I thought your comment was about racism and silencing minorities. Not about Thomas's actual MO in court.
Now it can be about both.
posted by Glibpaxman at 8:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Now it can be about both.
posted by Glibpaxman at 8:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Someone just yelled something on the livefeed. What was that?
I'm pretty sure (and Twitter seems to agree) someone yelled "lock him up" as Pence shook Obama's hand.
posted by zachlipton at 8:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'm pretty sure (and Twitter seems to agree) someone yelled "lock him up" as Pence shook Obama's hand.
posted by zachlipton at 8:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Buckle up, everybody.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I wonder if Roberts is going to fuck this oath up.
posted by Rhaomi at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Rhaomi at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
"That I will faithfully execute Hillary Clinton" [fake]
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2017
God damn it.
God damn it.
God damn it.
posted by byanyothername at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
God damn it.
God damn it.
posted by byanyothername at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Trump is sworn in.
posted by samthemander at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by samthemander at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2017
Today's an all-RAtM day for me. I overheard the inauguration on our workplace casual area TV, and ugh. Ugggh. Full-body shudder.
posted by XtinaS at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by XtinaS at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2017
LIVE FROM NEW YORK IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [29 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [29 favorites]
God save the United States of America
posted by zachlipton at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
I can hear protestors and so can he :)
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Poetry isn't cutting it for me. Well, a complete disaster is in progress, but enjoy these metrical mouth noises!
posted by thelonius at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by thelonius at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
See you on the other side.
posted by clorox at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by clorox at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Watching this Twitter video of protesters smashing windows while listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is surreal.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Oh, my God.
posted by mynameisluka at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by mynameisluka at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017
Are you fucking kidding me? The crowd is yelling shit like "lock him up" during this?!
posted by agregoli at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by agregoli at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Awesome. Wow. Do you have a clue what happens now?
posted by zachlipton at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
Guys, esp. theatre geeks, the Concert for America folks have their stream up - watch rehearsals. They were just practicing West Side Story's "America." (I mean, rehearsals are fun. "[Play] just the downbeats, not all that weird upbeat shit.")
posted by NorthernLite at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by NorthernLite at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
.
posted by Brainy at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Brainy at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Did...did he say "so help me guy"?
posted by I-baLL at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by I-baLL at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
@POTUS has switched. The feed is gone and they dumped all the followers.
posted by anastasiav at 9:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by anastasiav at 9:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
.
posted by marshmallow peep at 9:02 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by marshmallow peep at 9:02 AM on January 20, 2017
Today's an all -RAtM day for me
I'm partial to the pretty-goddamn-appropriate Take the Power Back.
posted by uncleozzy at 9:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm partial to the pretty-goddamn-appropriate Take the Power Back.
posted by uncleozzy at 9:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
In the words of the late, great Charlie Brown: "Rats."
posted by bondcliff at 9:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by bondcliff at 9:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
.
posted by Sweetdefenestration at 9:02 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by Sweetdefenestration at 9:02 AM on January 20, 2017
None of us have a clue what happens now.
posted by sotonohito at 9:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by sotonohito at 9:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
@POTUS hasn't tweeted yet.
Yet.
It's been content and follower moved to @POTUS44
posted by tilde at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Yet.
It's been content and follower moved to @POTUS44
posted by tilde at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
.
posted by Enturbulated at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by Enturbulated at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017
.
posted by slipthought at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by slipthought at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017
.
posted by stolyarova at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by stolyarova at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017
Oh man, I have a clue: non-stop constant drinking until my liver goes on strike. 🥃 🥃 🥃 🥃
posted by XtinaS at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by XtinaS at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Awesome. Wow. Do you have a clue what happens now?
Now we fight.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
Now we fight.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
Just remembered I could be here with you instead of on twitter, hold me now.
.
posted by missmobtown at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
.
posted by missmobtown at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
> @POTUS hasn't tweeted yet.
Screencapped for posterity.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Screencapped for posterity.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
.
posted by cirhosis at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by cirhosis at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
The old @POTUS account is still there, renamed to @POTUS44.
posted by mbrubeck at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by mbrubeck at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I thought he wasn't going to use @POTUS
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017
.
posted by Neronomius at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by Neronomius at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017
Forbes.com: Man Boasts Of Sexual Assault, Later Inaugurated 45th President Of United States
posted by Rhaomi at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [58 favorites]
posted by Rhaomi at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [58 favorites]
And the rain begins.
posted by all about eevee at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by all about eevee at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
At Tara in this fateful hour,
I place all Heaven with its power,
And the sun with its brightness,
And the snow with its whiteness,
And the fire with all the strength it hath,
And the lightning with its rapid wrath,
And the winds with their swiftness along their path,
And the sea with its deepness,
And the rocks with their steepness,
And the earth with its starkness:
All these I place,
By God's almighty help and grace
Between myself and the powers of darkness.
posted by dnash at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [33 favorites]
I place all Heaven with its power,
And the sun with its brightness,
And the snow with its whiteness,
And the fire with all the strength it hath,
And the lightning with its rapid wrath,
And the winds with their swiftness along their path,
And the sea with its deepness,
And the rocks with their steepness,
And the earth with its starkness:
All these I place,
By God's almighty help and grace
Between myself and the powers of darkness.
posted by dnash at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [33 favorites]
.
posted by DynamiteToast at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by DynamiteToast at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017
I only just found this: "We are visiting Colony Cats (& Dogs) on Thursday and hanging out in the kitten room with the adoption center’s smallest felines. Our “coverage” begins at 11 a.m."
They have laser pointers.
posted by Katemonkey at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
They have laser pointers.
posted by Katemonkey at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
@POTUS has switched. The feed is gone and they dumped all the followers.
"@POTUS hasn't tweeted yet."
To quote George Clinton in a way that he never intended... "That's a temporary condition."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017
"@POTUS hasn't tweeted yet."
To quote George Clinton in a way that he never intended... "That's a temporary condition."
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017
Had a sandwich. Back to bed.
posted by Splunge at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Splunge at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Did it just start raining?
posted by Karmeliet at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Karmeliet at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Unless
posted by drezdn at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by drezdn at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Well here we all are on Crony Island.
posted by srboisvert at 9:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by srboisvert at 9:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
it started raining, apparently, only with trump's speech. lol
posted by sylvanshine at 9:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by sylvanshine at 9:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
.
Blood rack barbed wire
Politicians' funeral pyre
Innocents raped with napalm fire
Twenty first century schizoid man
posted by Radiophonic Oddity at 9:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Blood rack barbed wire
Politicians' funeral pyre
Innocents raped with napalm fire
Twenty first century schizoid man
posted by Radiophonic Oddity at 9:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Reaction shot of Obama, gracefully acknowledging Trump's mention, but also appearing to me on the verge of tears
posted by Theiform at 9:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Theiform at 9:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
.
posted by Bibliogeek at 9:05 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by Bibliogeek at 9:05 AM on January 20, 2017
When all the men in uniform were suddenly clustered behind him, I had a hopeful thought that maybe he was going to be arrested during his very first speech as president.
posted by Burn.Don't.Freeze at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by Burn.Don't.Freeze at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
It's 3am in America.
posted by cmfletcher at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by cmfletcher at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
.
posted by pemberkins at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by pemberkins at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
All this "by the people" stuff seems so false given that he lost the popular vote.
posted by carmicha at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'm actually kind of believing he wrote this himself. It's trite and lacking in any rhetorical devices other than "say the same thing over and over in slightly different ways."
posted by zachlipton at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
it started raining apparently, only with trump's speech. lol
The Young Pope is getting more and more eerie with each passing day.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:07 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
What the hell. This is horrible. Just horrible.
posted by Jalliah at 9:07 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
well now it's time to do my civic duty and read up on who this new Don Trump president guy is, hope i find out some pleasant things!
posted by beerperson at 9:07 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by beerperson at 9:07 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Again with the goddamn "inner cities." You racist bastard.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:07 AM on January 20, 2017 [66 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:07 AM on January 20, 2017 [66 favorites]
This election was a primal scream from the electorate.
A primal scream in all its powerlessness, definitely. This election was a physical manifestation of a psychological extinction burst from a minority of the electorate who were about to be left behind in their miserable, self-isolating, closed off worldview. I won't grant them any more power than that. Onward, we progress onward.
posted by orbit-3 at 9:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
A primal scream in all its powerlessness, definitely. This election was a physical manifestation of a psychological extinction burst from a minority of the electorate who were about to be left behind in their miserable, self-isolating, closed off worldview. I won't grant them any more power than that. Onward, we progress onward.
posted by orbit-3 at 9:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Fuck you guys I went outside and it was so much harder to withstand than I thought.
There's a line of police in riot gear at the end of the block - I'm not even at the restricted traffic zone (though I'm close) so I didn't expect it to extend all the way here. There aren't any organized protesters here but lots of stragglers with dejected looks on their faces. Plus other randos and gawkers (including me, I suppose...) - luckily I assume anyone I saw wasn't a Trump supporter since they'd be at the mall right now. I can't place exactly why it made me feel so much more emotional, but I'm still shaking.
Luckily and unluckily I was able to use my home's unfortunate location to help at least one injured protester so far - if anyone else hears of anyone needing shelter for any reason in the Thomas Circle-Convention Center area, please memail.
posted by R a c h e l at 9:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
There's a line of police in riot gear at the end of the block - I'm not even at the restricted traffic zone (though I'm close) so I didn't expect it to extend all the way here. There aren't any organized protesters here but lots of stragglers with dejected looks on their faces. Plus other randos and gawkers (including me, I suppose...) - luckily I assume anyone I saw wasn't a Trump supporter since they'd be at the mall right now. I can't place exactly why it made me feel so much more emotional, but I'm still shaking.
Luckily and unluckily I was able to use my home's unfortunate location to help at least one injured protester so far - if anyone else hears of anyone needing shelter for any reason in the Thomas Circle-Convention Center area, please memail.
posted by R a c h e l at 9:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
My cat is making sad noises. My proudly Mexicano cat.
posted by byanyothername at 9:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by byanyothername at 9:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Sons of Gondor! Of Rohan! My brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me! A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the age of Men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you stand! Men of the West!This day we fight. And the next. And the next. And so on for the next 1,460 days.
We fight.
If we lose, we fight.
If we win, we fight.
But we must fight.
posted by sotonohito at 9:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
So now we start counting the seconds to this moment in four years' time. Because they are counting down.
126,144,000
126,143.959
126,143.958
126,143.957...
posted by Devonian at 9:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
126,144,000
126,143.959
126,143.958
126,143.957...
posted by Devonian at 9:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
"Young and beautiful students"? That's an ... odd choice of words.
posted by Karmeliet at 9:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by Karmeliet at 9:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Oh god, this speech. We're doomed.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 9:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 9:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
So now we start counting the seconds to this moment in four years' time. Because they are counting down.
There should be an app for this.
posted by Glibpaxman at 9:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
There should be an app for this.
posted by Glibpaxman at 9:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Does EVERYTHING have to be negative with this "administration"? The entire resources of Trump's "team" literally don't have the rhetorical skill and awareness to come up with a speech suitable to the moment (of "celebration").
posted by sylvanshine at 9:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by sylvanshine at 9:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
"this moment is your moment. It belongs to you." - also lyrics from a Ke$ha song
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
He just talked about our "glorious destiny." Not like I'm surprised, but that's creepy.
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Trump looks like he's having a hard time tolerating the Missouri State University choir, which doesn't bode well for enduring painful ceremonial aspects of his new gig. I always liked how much joy President Obama took in his interactions with ordinary people trying to show him something or entertain him.
They're no 3 Doors Down.
posted by srboisvert at 9:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
They're no 3 Doors Down.
posted by srboisvert at 9:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
He's going to ruin our country.
posted by carmicha at 9:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 9:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
This is the most dismal, apocalyptic speech I have ever heard from a politician in my life. I can't take four years of this.
posted by Pfardentrott at 9:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by Pfardentrott at 9:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
I've been trying to decide what to put on my sign tomorrow, and I keep coming back to "SILENCE = DEATH" .
Because it feels that desperate.
posted by ApathyGirl at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
Because it feels that desperate.
posted by ApathyGirl at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
Trumps speech "Everything, everywhere sucks to the greatest level of suck" I'm gonna fix it all.
posted by Jalliah at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I bid you stand! Men of the West!
I am no man!
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [46 favorites]
I am no man!
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [46 favorites]
Does tequila go with girl scout cookies? I couldn't find an appropriate wine and anyway I think the hard stuff is a better idea. Just to get through today. Tomorrow tho....sleeves rolled up. Because sotonohito said it: We must fight.
posted by merelyglib at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by merelyglib at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
zachlipton I'm actually kind of believing he wrote this himself. It's trite and lacking in any rhetorical devices other than "say the same thing over and over in slightly different ways."
Trump's Razor: imagine the stupidest possible way that something could have happened, that's the most likely explanation.
Per Trump's Razor the odds are that he did write it himself.
Also, he's a raving egomaniac and probably believes that he is the best writer of speeches to have ever existed and wouldn't allow any lesser person to have a hand in it.
posted by sotonohito at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Trump's Razor: imagine the stupidest possible way that something could have happened, that's the most likely explanation.
Per Trump's Razor the odds are that he did write it himself.
Also, he's a raving egomaniac and probably believes that he is the best writer of speeches to have ever existed and wouldn't allow any lesser person to have a hand in it.
posted by sotonohito at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
"I will never, ever let you down." - Trump as POTUS
posted by samthemander at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by samthemander at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
If any Trump-supporters have any sense, they're noting during his inaugural speech that Trump made the same sort of generalized populist put-gov't-back-into-the-hands-of-the-people promises during the campaign.
And they will also note that--so far since winning the election--Trump's been doing a great job putting it into the hands of billionaires who have been a major factor of our economic problems for decades.
I really, really hope they start to realize they've been had. Probably and unreasonable hope, but yet it springs eternal from the human breast.....
posted by magstheaxe at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
And they will also note that--so far since winning the election--Trump's been doing a great job putting it into the hands of billionaires who have been a major factor of our economic problems for decades.
I really, really hope they start to realize they've been had. Probably and unreasonable hope, but yet it springs eternal from the human breast.....
posted by magstheaxe at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
America First! America First! Uber Alles! Uber Alles!
posted by bodywithoutorgans at 9:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by bodywithoutorgans at 9:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Oh wow, this is like everything awful about the campaign stump speeches only even more chauvinist and Fatherland-y.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
TRUMP: "The wealth of people's homes was ripped from them and redistributed across the world by Secretary Mnuchin, but that is in the past."
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
"I will never ever let you down." This really is just a lazy repeat of his convention speech.
posted by zachlipton at 9:12 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by zachlipton at 9:12 AM on January 20, 2017
Whoa, Astley lyrics!
posted by buzzman at 9:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by buzzman at 9:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Oooh, Amerika Uber Alles /and/ a rickroll in five minutes!
posted by Ogre Lawless at 9:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by Ogre Lawless at 9:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Nyet my president.
posted by missmobtown at 9:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by missmobtown at 9:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Did he just lowkey rickroll the United States?
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
DJT: Everything sucks and America is a hellscape. Don't bother me with facts.
posted by carmicha at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Hey, at least you lot are getting... Roads and tunnels? WTF?
posted by threetwentytwo at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by threetwentytwo at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Also some important mental health links:
* live kitten cam
* live puppy cam
posted by XtinaS at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
* live kitten cam
* live puppy cam
posted by XtinaS at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Does tequila go with girl scout cookies?
As your attorney, I advise you against doing this
posted by thelonius at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
As your attorney, I advise you against doing this
posted by thelonius at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
He has already let me down by this farce.
posted by Archelaus at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Archelaus at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Keep your eyes on the goal:
This man will not serve four years.
His party will not make it past two.
Whether we make it or not, this is the fight: never settle for less.
posted by jason_steakums at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
This man will not serve four years.
His party will not make it past two.
Whether we make it or not, this is the fight: never settle for less.
posted by jason_steakums at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
"I will never ever let you down."
Is he rickrolling the country?
posted by nubs at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Is he rickrolling the country?
posted by nubs at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
"We will eradicate radical Islamic terrorism from the face of the earth." Yeah, that's realistic.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
"We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone"
Except, say, the gay people your supporters are shouting your own name at as a homophobic slur.
posted by zachlipton at 9:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [48 favorites]
Except, say, the gay people your supporters are shouting your own name at as a homophobic slur.
posted by zachlipton at 9:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [48 favorites]
As your attorney, I advise you against doing this
As independent counsel, I'd suggest these are extenuating circumstances to be considered.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
As independent counsel, I'd suggest these are extenuating circumstances to be considered.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Well guess this is what the new era of America Nationalism sounds like.
Good gawd.
posted by Jalliah at 9:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Protected by God: the divine mandate. Just like kings!
posted by Ogre Lawless at 9:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Ogre Lawless at 9:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Seriously, has there been a more vengefully masturbatory inauguration speech in recent memory?
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Trump's inauguration
Obama's 2nd inauguration
#NotNormal #FuckFascism #RealPresidentsDontPlagiarizeRickAstley
posted by byanyothername at 9:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Obama's 2nd inauguration
#NotNormal #FuckFascism #RealPresidentsDontPlagiarizeRickAstley
posted by byanyothername at 9:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Now he's doing Stronger Together. FFS.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:15 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:15 AM on January 20, 2017
As well as checking MetaFilter (and thereby saving my sanity), perhaps tracking bills for congressional activities. Staying informed does help. I'll leave this here.
posted by datawrangler at 9:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by datawrangler at 9:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Sons of Gondor!
Now come the days of the clown.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Now come the days of the clown.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Please someone link to the speech when it is available. I can read, but not bear to hear, him speak.
posted by agregoli at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by agregoli at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
Perhaps they're just uncomfortable, standing in the cold rain, but a lot of people in the crowd are not looking terribly ecstatic.
posted by carmicha at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Transcript of Trump's speech: http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/20/transcript-of-president-trumps-inauguration-speech.html
posted by sotonohito at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by sotonohito at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Oooh, Amerika Uber Alles /and/ a rickroll in five minutes!
If you recall the RNC, I have to think this is the third rickroll in a major speech. Calling one of the writers as a 4channer.
posted by jaduncan at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
If you recall the RNC, I have to think this is the third rickroll in a major speech. Calling one of the writers as a 4channer.
posted by jaduncan at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Jon Meacham
Presidential Historian
12:12 PM ET
I’m sorry, I know I’m overly historically-minded, but “America First” just can’t be liberated from Lindberghian politics and isolation that led to cataclysm.
Alan Rappeport
Washington Correspondent
12:13 PM ET
Trump vows to eradicate “radical Islamic terrorism” from the face of the earth.
Trump: “When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.”
Maggie Haberman
White House Correspondent
12:14 PM ET
I do too. This is a pure rejection of the three presidents sitting up there. Trump’s line about uniting “the civilized world” against “radical Islamic terrorism” is a jarring contrast to those presidents, and it is also a reminder that the fundamental view of portions of this White House is that the United States is in a clash of civilizations.
Jon Meacham
Presidential Historian
12:14 PM ET
He just quoted Psalm 133.
Alan Rappeport
Washington Correspondent
12:14 PM ET
Now Trump is calling for unity and solidarity.
Jon Meacham
Presidential Historian
12:14 PM ET
Is he really not going to pay some tribute to Hillary? A big mistake, I think, to fail to do so. Looks small-minded.
Maggie Haberman
White House Correspondent
12:15 PM ET
Alan, this is always what Trump does, as you know. He describes the ying, then the yang. And people hear whatever they want to hear.
Alan Rappeport
Washington Correspondent
12:15 PM ET
Trump says that the military, law enforcement and God are protecting the American people.
Jon Meacham
Presidential Historian
12:15 PM ET
Does God know that?
posted by stillmoving at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
Presidential Historian
12:12 PM ET
I’m sorry, I know I’m overly historically-minded, but “America First” just can’t be liberated from Lindberghian politics and isolation that led to cataclysm.
Alan Rappeport
Washington Correspondent
12:13 PM ET
Trump vows to eradicate “radical Islamic terrorism” from the face of the earth.
Trump: “When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.”
Maggie Haberman
White House Correspondent
12:14 PM ET
I do too. This is a pure rejection of the three presidents sitting up there. Trump’s line about uniting “the civilized world” against “radical Islamic terrorism” is a jarring contrast to those presidents, and it is also a reminder that the fundamental view of portions of this White House is that the United States is in a clash of civilizations.
Jon Meacham
Presidential Historian
12:14 PM ET
He just quoted Psalm 133.
Alan Rappeport
Washington Correspondent
12:14 PM ET
Now Trump is calling for unity and solidarity.
Jon Meacham
Presidential Historian
12:14 PM ET
Is he really not going to pay some tribute to Hillary? A big mistake, I think, to fail to do so. Looks small-minded.
Maggie Haberman
White House Correspondent
12:15 PM ET
Alan, this is always what Trump does, as you know. He describes the ying, then the yang. And people hear whatever they want to hear.
Alan Rappeport
Washington Correspondent
12:15 PM ET
Trump says that the military, law enforcement and God are protecting the American people.
Jon Meacham
Presidential Historian
12:15 PM ET
Does God know that?
posted by stillmoving at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
@ApprovedNews6 is On It:
Blood-Red Ravens Blot Out Sky Over D.C. as #Inauguration Commences— Approved News 6 (@ApprovedNews6) January 20, 2017posted by XtinaS at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
WTF was that about space?
posted by samthemander at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by samthemander at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Oh good he's doing the "we all bleed the same color" bit now
posted by OverlappingElvis at 9:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by OverlappingElvis at 9:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Michelle is fucking done. She hasn't smiled all morning. She isn't clapping. Even Hillary is clapping politely.
posted by unknowncommand at 9:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [82 favorites]
posted by unknowncommand at 9:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [82 favorites]
Trump: "From mountain to mountain..."
I thought the U.S. had more than two?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I thought the U.S. had more than two?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Michelle just did the most amazing side-eye.
posted by Jalliah at 9:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
"For too long, a small group in our nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have bore the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. "
Says the man who appointed Goldman Sachs as his Cabinet.
posted by mudpuppie at 9:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [61 favorites]
Says the man who appointed Goldman Sachs as his Cabinet.
posted by mudpuppie at 9:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [61 favorites]
Why is he pumping his fist like he just finished The Breakfast Club?
posted by zachlipton at 9:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
16 minutes total speech time
2 minutes total applause
13% time spent applauding
SAD!
posted by peeedro at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
2 minutes total applause
13% time spent applauding
SAD!
posted by peeedro at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Michelle is fucking done. She hasn't smiled all morning. She isn't clapping. Even Hillary is clapping politely.
You know how sometimes, the best bit of the day is when you get home and take off your bra? Imagine how fucking great that's going to be for Michelle tonight.
posted by threetwentytwo at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [100 favorites]
You know how sometimes, the best bit of the day is when you get home and take off your bra? Imagine how fucking great that's going to be for Michelle tonight.
posted by threetwentytwo at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [100 favorites]
Why is he pumping his fist like he just finished The Breakfast Club?
Because anyone who doesn't support him is a neo-maxi-zoom dweebie?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Because anyone who doesn't support him is a neo-maxi-zoom dweebie?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
The Wapo guys seem almost speechless. Not verbatim "Well that was the darkest Presidential speech I've heard. Well..okay..sure.okay maybe all American don't see things this way."
posted by Jalliah at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
ahahahaha the education system is "flush with cash" ahahahahaha
posted by radicalawyer at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by radicalawyer at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
Fuck the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
posted by zachlipton at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by zachlipton at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Why is he pumping his fist like he just finished The Breakfast Club?
Pounding the podium would be too on the nose?
posted by nubs at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Pounding the podium would be too on the nose?
posted by nubs at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
countdown clock: howlonguntiltrumpisoutofoffice.com
posted by jazon at 9:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by jazon at 9:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
In the post speech handshake bit, there was still no acknowledgement of either Clinton
posted by carmicha at 9:21 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by carmicha at 9:21 AM on January 20, 2017
Good on Michelle. She doesn't have to look neutral and nice anymore, and that fucking speech was nothing but corrosive racist bullshit and bellicose fascist posturing.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [68 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [68 favorites]
This is how the world ends, not with a bang, but a yuge, bigly whimper
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 9:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 9:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
The skies here in Phoenix are also overcast in sympathy.
Why does it feel like I now need to dust off my Bug Out Bag and fully stock the pantry?
Plus, there's crap like this: Trump team planning to kill the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and privatize the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
posted by darkstar at 9:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Why does it feel like I now need to dust off my Bug Out Bag and fully stock the pantry?
Plus, there's crap like this: Trump team planning to kill the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and privatize the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
posted by darkstar at 9:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Why is he pumping his fist like he just finished The Breakfast Club?
As with so many things, the answer is 'because he's a small league asshole who got lucky and is too fucking dumb to even realise how much he's in over his head.'
He doesn't think he's the monarch, he thinks he's the USA #1 prom king. Worse than that, he is not entirely wrong.
posted by jaduncan at 9:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
As with so many things, the answer is 'because he's a small league asshole who got lucky and is too fucking dumb to even realise how much he's in over his head.'
He doesn't think he's the monarch, he thinks he's the USA #1 prom king. Worse than that, he is not entirely wrong.
posted by jaduncan at 9:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
Hey, I'm an atheist, the rain doesn't signify anything other than shitty luck.
posted by missmobtown at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by missmobtown at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Oh, fuck you Franklin Graham.
posted by Karmeliet at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Karmeliet at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm honestly surprised his speech didn't end with "you knew I was a snake when you took me in."
posted by zachlipton at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [26 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [26 favorites]
They are now acknowledging that it started raining as President Trump came to the platform, LOL.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
The rabbi is followed by a preacher declaiming that the only God is Christ Jesus..
posted by Theiform at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Theiform at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Policy proposals are now up on the new white house site, the first one is getting rid of Climate change deals
posted by DynamiteToast at 9:24 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by DynamiteToast at 9:24 AM on January 20, 2017
16 minutes total speech time
There goes my hope that he was going to go the same way as William Henry Harrison.
posted by Capt. Renault at 9:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
There goes my hope that he was going to go the same way as William Henry Harrison.
posted by Capt. Renault at 9:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
They are now acknowledging that it started raining as President Trump came to the platform, LOL.
It's been raining in Los Angeles all morning.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:24 AM on January 20, 2017
It's been raining in Los Angeles all morning.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:24 AM on January 20, 2017
I-baLL:
Laurie Goodstein
National Religion Correspondent
12:20 PM ET
The rabbi, Marvin Hier, founded the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles to fight anti-Semitism and bigotry. More than 3,000 people signed a petition asking him not to participate in this inauguration because they said Mr. Trump has only encouraged bigots.
Rabbi Hier stood by his decision. He is friendly with the family of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and an Orthodox Jew. His family are big donors to the Wiesenthal Center.
posted by stillmoving at 9:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
Laurie Goodstein
National Religion Correspondent
12:20 PM ET
The rabbi, Marvin Hier, founded the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles to fight anti-Semitism and bigotry. More than 3,000 people signed a petition asking him not to participate in this inauguration because they said Mr. Trump has only encouraged bigots.
Rabbi Hier stood by his decision. He is friendly with the family of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and an Orthodox Jew. His family are big donors to the Wiesenthal Center.
posted by stillmoving at 9:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
It feels like it's raining
all over the world
posted by darkstar at 9:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
all over the world
posted by darkstar at 9:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Oh, so you Americans will have God helping you? That seems like cheating to me.
Anyhoo, watching this live on Danish television – is that crowd very white, or what?
And those preachers were just, well right out of my comfort zone.
posted by bouvin at 9:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Anyhoo, watching this live on Danish television – is that crowd very white, or what?
And those preachers were just, well right out of my comfort zone.
posted by bouvin at 9:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Jackie Evancho's sister is a transgender teenager suing her school for the right to use the bathroom.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Jackie Evancho sounds awful.
posted by gatorae at 9:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by gatorae at 9:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
It is actually raining in Pittsburgh. Has been all morning.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
She sounds terrible. I feel bad for her.
posted by all about eevee at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by all about eevee at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2017
East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94: "Here's Obama's crowd from 2009
Here's today's crowd as of 11am"
Trump's crowd looks small in the pictures, but it's really normal-sized. Just like his hands.
posted by chavenet at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Here's today's crowd as of 11am"
Trump's crowd looks small in the pictures, but it's really normal-sized. Just like his hands.
posted by chavenet at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
I suspect Rabbi Hier thinks he was making a point with his words about justice and Babylon, but the only bit that got through was "bless President Trump."
posted by zachlipton at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by zachlipton at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2017
Terrible microphone setup. And yes, Jackie is not sounding her best. Let's hope it was in honor of her sister.
posted by samthemander at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by samthemander at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2017
"The dangerous anti-police atmosphere in America is wrong. The Trump Administration will end it."
:::whimpering in fear:::
posted by agregoli at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
:::whimpering in fear:::
posted by agregoli at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Is it actual rain? Or rhetorical rain? I can't even tell after all that UNLOCKING THE MYSTERIES OF SPACE with nonstop racist dogwhistles and fascist chestbeating language-chaos.
Also, it's petty, but Trump is off to a bad start Saving the Economy when he still stumbles over pronouncing "industry."
posted by byanyothername at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2017
Also, it's petty, but Trump is off to a bad start Saving the Economy when he still stumbles over pronouncing "industry."
posted by byanyothername at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2017
It's been raining in Los Angeles all morning.
It's raining in Milwaukee (which is freakin' weird because it is JANUARY).
posted by drezdn at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I really hope this is live, and that that's why it's terrible.
posted by Karmeliet at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by Karmeliet at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2017
You know how sometimes, the best bit of the day is when you get home and take off your bra? Imagine how fucking great that's going to be for Michelle tonight.
I will guaran-fucking-tee you Barack is standing up there right now just thinking about the fresh new pack of Marlboros in his breast pocket.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [44 favorites]
I will guaran-fucking-tee you Barack is standing up there right now just thinking about the fresh new pack of Marlboros in his breast pocket.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [44 favorites]
Did she just say "gave birth through the night"?
posted by stillmoving at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by stillmoving at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I turned on the TV and somehow figured that watching a Canadian news station would be bearable. But no I just got to hear one of the commentators say that she thought Trump was going to do some really good things and talk about what a good team he's surrounding himself with.
NPR has been doing the same thing. They even carried Rick Perry's testimony before the Energy Committee that he's pick competent people to run the Department of Energy for him (which always raises the question, then what do we need you for, but nevermind).
I believe that a swath of Americans voted for Trump because they want what the rest of us want -- a good job and the security to take care of their families.
I don't believe for a hot minute that Trump is going to bring the steel jobs back, or the coal jobs back, or the manufacturing jobs back. These people that hope Trump is the solution to getting good things done for this country are in for a huge disappointment.
And it's going to be crucial that those opposed to the Republican agenda shine a huge spotlight on the party merrily working to transfer the other half of the country's wealth to the 1%, and point out that the pain these people feel is Republican policy.
Maybe a bunch of them will never vote Democrat, but if they stay home next Election Day perhaps the rest of us can get to work -- as usual -- fixing the Republican damage.
posted by Gelatin at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
NPR has been doing the same thing. They even carried Rick Perry's testimony before the Energy Committee that he's pick competent people to run the Department of Energy for him (which always raises the question, then what do we need you for, but nevermind).
I believe that a swath of Americans voted for Trump because they want what the rest of us want -- a good job and the security to take care of their families.
I don't believe for a hot minute that Trump is going to bring the steel jobs back, or the coal jobs back, or the manufacturing jobs back. These people that hope Trump is the solution to getting good things done for this country are in for a huge disappointment.
And it's going to be crucial that those opposed to the Republican agenda shine a huge spotlight on the party merrily working to transfer the other half of the country's wealth to the 1%, and point out that the pain these people feel is Republican policy.
Maybe a bunch of them will never vote Democrat, but if they stay home next Election Day perhaps the rest of us can get to work -- as usual -- fixing the Republican damage.
posted by Gelatin at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
One of my few moments of agreement with Trump: he closed his eyes in pain when Jackie Evancho reached for the high note to close out "land of the free."
posted by carmicha at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Trump's speech sounded like 25% recycled tweets.
posted by gatorae at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by gatorae at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
She sounds terrible. I feel bad for her.
I don't! (I'm not actually listening to her, though, just revelling in any bad reports).
posted by TwoStride at 9:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I don't! (I'm not actually listening to her, though, just revelling in any bad reports).
posted by TwoStride at 9:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
In my wildest, darkest, most paranoid liberal nightmares, never did I think we would willingly and affirmatively sink this low as a nation.
posted by madamjujujive at 9:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [78 favorites]
posted by madamjujujive at 9:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [78 favorites]
I'm feeling like we spent more time in this thing praying than hearing about plans for the country.
posted by zachlipton at 9:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by zachlipton at 9:29 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
They should have built an escalator for Trump's exit.
posted by uosuaq at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by uosuaq at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
So in the coverage of the inauguration that I listened to on CBC radio for the last hour or so, all the announcers literally had the tone of voice you'd expect them to use while covering a state funeral.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
stillmoving: Yeah, reading up on them on wikipedia. Still, "fuck so and so" without context is, in my opinion, not a helpful statement.
posted by I-baLL at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by I-baLL at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Whew, guys. It was long and awful but it's finally over.
( "it" includes civilization)
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
( "it" includes civilization)
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
From the sublime to the ridiculous: never more apt.
posted by GrammarMoses at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by GrammarMoses at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2017
Is it actual rain? Or rhetorical rain?
It's just some scattered showers.
posted by FJT at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
It's just some scattered showers.
posted by FJT at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I've given Trump a tough time but I acknowledge he's reaching out to the left by appointing an undocumented immigrant as First Lady
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [34 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [34 favorites]
I'm feeling like we spent more time in this thing praying than hearing about plans for the country.
From the outside, the American cultural thing with so much God stuff involved at this level is just weird and creepy. Always has been.
posted by Jalliah at 9:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [40 favorites]
From the outside, the American cultural thing with so much God stuff involved at this level is just weird and creepy. Always has been.
posted by Jalliah at 9:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [40 favorites]
I will guaran-fucking-tee you Barack is standing up there right now just thinking about the fresh new pack of Marlboros in his breast pocket.
Hell, except for the traumatic stressful day my neighbors' house burned down, I haven't lit up a smoke for like a decade. I think I'm having one later today in solidarity with President Obama and our burning-down nation.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Hell, except for the traumatic stressful day my neighbors' house burned down, I haven't lit up a smoke for like a decade. I think I'm having one later today in solidarity with President Obama and our burning-down nation.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I-baLL: I completely agree! Especially in an increasingly hate-filled and noxious climate. I just posted the NYT commentary for context to the other poster's comment.
posted by stillmoving at 9:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by stillmoving at 9:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
This is like the opening credits of a post-apocalyptic film, where they show you a montage of scenes and news broadcasts that clue the audience in on how we got to this point.
posted by castlebravo at 9:32 AM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
posted by castlebravo at 9:32 AM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
It's creepy from the inside, too! :)
posted by radicalawyer at 9:32 AM on January 20, 2017 [29 favorites]
posted by radicalawyer at 9:32 AM on January 20, 2017 [29 favorites]
Hey, I'm an atheist, the rain doesn't signify anything other than shitty luck.
No lie, I wanted the symbolic image of Trump being attacked by flocks upon flocks of crows on Inauguration Day. But I floated (only half-jokingly!) to my husband the idea of training super smart crows all over the country to hate Trump's face by harassing them with his masks and imagery, leading a caravan all the way to the National Mall so they could rain their crow intelligence network down on the actual man. I'm backing up my ridiculous symbolic desires with a semblance of science!
posted by orbit-3 at 9:32 AM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
No lie, I wanted the symbolic image of Trump being attacked by flocks upon flocks of crows on Inauguration Day. But I floated (only half-jokingly!) to my husband the idea of training super smart crows all over the country to hate Trump's face by harassing them with his masks and imagery, leading a caravan all the way to the National Mall so they could rain their crow intelligence network down on the actual man. I'm backing up my ridiculous symbolic desires with a semblance of science!
posted by orbit-3 at 9:32 AM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
In my wildest, darkest, most paranoid liberal nightmares, never did I think we would willingly and affirmatively sink this low as a nation.
A silver lining: you can also just copy/paste this statement in a year's time, it'll probably still work.
posted by jaduncan at 9:32 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
A silver lining: you can also just copy/paste this statement in a year's time, it'll probably still work.
posted by jaduncan at 9:32 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
So in the coverage of the inauguration that I listened to on CBC radio for the last hour or so, all the announcers literally had the tone of voice you'd expect them to use while covering a state funeral.
The idea of American Democracy is dead so seems fitting
posted by photoslob at 9:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
The idea of American Democracy is dead so seems fitting
posted by photoslob at 9:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Commentators from NBC news live coverage
"I have to say it was surprisingly divisive for an inaugural address, and I say it this way it was a challenge when you're elected as an outsider, you're elected as a populist, and you're channeling what was real anger out there with his supporters it's tough to be both a unifier and that populist carrier. He went with populism and I think that it's going to play well with his folks but that wasn't the type of inaugural address that was intended to bring this country together"
"...playing well with the crowd right now as he reaches out and greets the people who are gathered there. If there's a theme, it was there's a new sheriff in town."
"America first, I mean, there was a point there, Lester, where it felt as if he almost was insulting every living president that was sitting next to him in a very personal way."
"He was also insulting all the republican congressmen and senators who were on that stage. "He has a majority, but he went after politicians point blank"
Yes, I do believe this is setting the tone for things to come.
posted by Enturbulated at 9:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [55 favorites]
"I have to say it was surprisingly divisive for an inaugural address, and I say it this way it was a challenge when you're elected as an outsider, you're elected as a populist, and you're channeling what was real anger out there with his supporters it's tough to be both a unifier and that populist carrier. He went with populism and I think that it's going to play well with his folks but that wasn't the type of inaugural address that was intended to bring this country together"
"...playing well with the crowd right now as he reaches out and greets the people who are gathered there. If there's a theme, it was there's a new sheriff in town."
"America first, I mean, there was a point there, Lester, where it felt as if he almost was insulting every living president that was sitting next to him in a very personal way."
"He was also insulting all the republican congressmen and senators who were on that stage. "He has a majority, but he went after politicians point blank"
Yes, I do believe this is setting the tone for things to come.
posted by Enturbulated at 9:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [55 favorites]
stillmoving: Yeah, reading up on them on wikipedia. Still, "fuck so and so" without context is, in my opinion, not a helpful statement.
Yeah sorry about that. There's been a bunch of discussion over the last year about the Simon Wiesenthal Center's silence on bigotry when other Jewish and non-Jewish organizations devoted to fighting hatred were speaking out. It's come up in various threads in the past, but I recognize that's not particularly obvious if you're not super-closely following every word (which nobody can do) and my comment was pretty darn context-free.
posted by zachlipton at 9:34 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Yeah sorry about that. There's been a bunch of discussion over the last year about the Simon Wiesenthal Center's silence on bigotry when other Jewish and non-Jewish organizations devoted to fighting hatred were speaking out. It's come up in various threads in the past, but I recognize that's not particularly obvious if you're not super-closely following every word (which nobody can do) and my comment was pretty darn context-free.
posted by zachlipton at 9:34 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Time to start day drinking.
posted by dis_integration at 9:34 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by dis_integration at 9:34 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
I'm feeling like we spent more time in this thing praying than hearing about plans for the country.
The Trump Administration in a nutshell.
posted by GrammarMoses at 9:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
The Trump Administration in a nutshell.
posted by GrammarMoses at 9:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Only three more years to wait, and we can finally enjoy our cyberpunk dystopia!
posted by HFSH at 9:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by HFSH at 9:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
So the @POTUS account banner is a photo of the Obama inauguration.
posted by zachlipton at 9:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [30 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [30 favorites]
Hell, except for the traumatic stressful day my neighbors' house burned down, I haven't lit up a smoke for like a decade. I think I'm having one later today in solidarity with President Obama and our burning-down nation.
Here's where I admit that along with the booze I bought this morning I also got a pack of cigarettes.
I am enjoying them, guilt free today.
Tomorrow it will be back to normal.
posted by Jalliah at 9:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Here's where I admit that along with the booze I bought this morning I also got a pack of cigarettes.
I am enjoying them, guilt free today.
Tomorrow it will be back to normal.
posted by Jalliah at 9:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Well, the actual Civil War, in which half the country fought and killed hundreds of thousands in the other half of the country - and died in the hundreds of thousands themselves - to support their right to enslave people, is probably the lowest* point in our nation's history.
*Praying fervently that this statement is still true four years from now.
posted by darkstar at 9:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
*Praying fervently that this statement is still true four years from now.
posted by darkstar at 9:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
I'm handling our central help phone line and inbox today and it's been just silent for the past 2 hours. Which is good for me because I can't concentrate on shit. I think everyone is hiding under their covers.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Hmmm, Bob Dole on the main stage; wheelchaired, but very much there.
posted by buzzman at 9:38 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by buzzman at 9:38 AM on January 20, 2017
I'm surprised that Donald Trump wasn't denied a trademark on Make America Great Again as it came, verbatim, from Parable of the Talents.
...I'm not sure how I missed this. Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents have always been some of the most terrifyingly plausible dystopias I've read (although it's remarkable that even Butler wasn't cynical enough to write Jarret as anything but an attractive, charismatic populist and religious zealot.) I can't say I'm happy we're inching closer to them in more ways than I realized.
posted by ubersturm at 9:38 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
...I'm not sure how I missed this. Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents have always been some of the most terrifyingly plausible dystopias I've read (although it's remarkable that even Butler wasn't cynical enough to write Jarret as anything but an attractive, charismatic populist and religious zealot.) I can't say I'm happy we're inching closer to them in more ways than I realized.
posted by ubersturm at 9:38 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
I have a very full day of meetings and work today, which is probably for the best, as much as I wish I could just sit home and day drink. I'm wearing the darkest clothes I could pull together into something vaguely work-appropriate, and one way or another I'll get through it.
Tomorrow I'll be at our local march, working the merch table of an organization focused on getting pro-choice women Democrats into office throughout the state of Arizona. (Come by if you're around!) And last week I was elected Communications Chair of our legislative district, the bluest and most populous in the state. If we can mobilize our constituents, we can be the engine driving Arizona's shift from purple to blue. I'll be wearing my brightest winter clothes to celebrate.
Today, we mourn. Tomorrow, it's time to roll up our sleeves.
posted by Superplin at 9:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Tomorrow I'll be at our local march, working the merch table of an organization focused on getting pro-choice women Democrats into office throughout the state of Arizona. (Come by if you're around!) And last week I was elected Communications Chair of our legislative district, the bluest and most populous in the state. If we can mobilize our constituents, we can be the engine driving Arizona's shift from purple to blue. I'll be wearing my brightest winter clothes to celebrate.
Today, we mourn. Tomorrow, it's time to roll up our sleeves.
posted by Superplin at 9:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
For all that populism in his speech, his big plan is corporate tax cuts.
posted by zachlipton at 9:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
BREAKING: The Secret Service has shot and killed another time traveller, bringing today’s total to 873
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [74 favorites]
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [74 favorites]
Hell, except for the traumatic stressful day my neighbors' house burned down, I haven't lit up a smoke for like a decade.
is this a confession to arson
posted by beerperson at 9:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
is this a confession to arson
posted by beerperson at 9:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
Hah - Biden (and Mrs. Dr.) are taking Amtrak back to Wilmington. Never change, Diamond Joe.
posted by Guy Smiley at 9:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [77 favorites]
posted by Guy Smiley at 9:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [77 favorites]
Sadly I forgot my smokes at home today, but tonight is definitely a whiskey night.
Does anyone know if there's any good recent follow-up articles on the effects of voter suppression and the repeal of the VRA had on the election? I can't find anything that isn't just a few days after the election. I feel like it will somehow make me feel better if I remind myself that this election was stolen.
Or worse. One of the two.
posted by mayonnaises at 9:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Does anyone know if there's any good recent follow-up articles on the effects of voter suppression and the repeal of the VRA had on the election? I can't find anything that isn't just a few days after the election. I feel like it will somehow make me feel better if I remind myself that this election was stolen.
Or worse. One of the two.
posted by mayonnaises at 9:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
.
John Titor Jr.
2043 - 2017
"He Tried"
posted by byanyothername at 9:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [83 favorites]
John Titor Jr.
2043 - 2017
"He Tried"
posted by byanyothername at 9:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [83 favorites]
BREAKING: The Secret Service has shot and killed another time traveller, bringing today’s total to 873
That's kind of a relief actually, that there's a future and they seem to have retained the ability to use technology.
posted by Joe in Australia at 9:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [48 favorites]
That's kind of a relief actually, that there's a future and they seem to have retained the ability to use technology.
posted by Joe in Australia at 9:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [48 favorites]
John Titor Jr.
Wasn't he an Objectivist or something?
posted by acb at 9:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Wasn't he an Objectivist or something?
posted by acb at 9:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Look you now, what follows.
Here is your husband, like a mildewed ear
Blasting his wholesome brother. Have you eyes?
Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed
And batten on this moor? Ha, have you eyes?
posted by bird internet at 9:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Here is your husband, like a mildewed ear
Blasting his wholesome brother. Have you eyes?
Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed
And batten on this moor? Ha, have you eyes?
posted by bird internet at 9:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
I had intended to sleep through this, because it's on my kinda normal sleep cycle, but the impending shitshow has apparently contributed to insomnia. So:
Chris Knight: "I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, '... I drank what?'"
-- Val Kilmer, Real Genius
posted by bryon at 9:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Chris Knight: "I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, '... I drank what?'"
-- Val Kilmer, Real Genius
posted by bryon at 9:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Wait, they swore him in already?
Well, shit.
posted by Catblack at 9:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Well, shit.
posted by Catblack at 9:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Lin-Manuel Miranda just posted a clip of his first sketch of "The Story of Tonight." It feels appropriate right now. We have so much work to do.
posted by zachlipton at 9:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Was becoming President part of your plan?
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
FUCK.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 9:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 9:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Here's where I admit that along with the booze I bought this morning I also got a pack of cigarettes.
I am enjoying them, guilt free today.
I've never smoked but feel the sudden desire to give it a whirl today. I won't but if I ever had been addicted I'm pretty sure today would make me fall off the wagon.
posted by emjaybee at 9:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
I am enjoying them, guilt free today.
I've never smoked but feel the sudden desire to give it a whirl today. I won't but if I ever had been addicted I'm pretty sure today would make me fall off the wagon.
posted by emjaybee at 9:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Watchdog group files complaint over Trump's Washington hotel
The watchdog group Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility in Washington greeted Trump's inauguration by filing a complaint over his ownership interest in the new Trump International Hotel, which sits on federal property and operates under a lease from the General Services Administration.posted by zachlipton at 9:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [73 favorites]
The group is urging GSA to declare that as of the time Trump was sworn in today he's in violation of a clause in the 60-year, $180 million lease that restricts the ability of government officials to benefit from it.
CNN sound surprised that there wasn't a coup with the number of times they say peaceful transition.
posted by AlexiaSky at 9:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by AlexiaSky at 9:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
ahahahaha the education system is "flush with cash" ahahahahaha
Right? He should explain that to my wife's coworker, whose children go to a school where the PTA is responsible for buying the school's toilet paper.
For all that populism in his speech, his big plan is corporate tax cuts.
Which of course worked out so well in Kansas. See above.
posted by god hates math at 9:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Right? He should explain that to my wife's coworker, whose children go to a school where the PTA is responsible for buying the school's toilet paper.
For all that populism in his speech, his big plan is corporate tax cuts.
Which of course worked out so well in Kansas. See above.
posted by god hates math at 9:49 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
If I can get through today without a cigarette, then I have truly quit.
posted by Etrigan at 9:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 9:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
.
The first thing that comes up on the White House under Trump website is a repeal of the Climate Action Plan.
We are finished as a species.
posted by bodywithoutorgans at 9:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
The first thing that comes up on the White House under Trump website is a repeal of the Climate Action Plan.
We are finished as a species.
posted by bodywithoutorgans at 9:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Feel like bad-winner violence was more likely than a coup, to be honest.
posted by ominous_paws at 9:50 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by ominous_paws at 9:50 AM on January 20, 2017
Spike Lee cuts Chrisette Michele from Netflix series due to Trump inauguration performance
Good Morning Folks. I Wuz Sorry To Read That "Sistuh Girl" Is Singin' At DT's Inauguration (And To Use His Fav Word-SAD). I Wuz Thinkin' 'bout Using Chrisette's Song- BLACK GIRL MAGIC In My Netflix Series SHE'S GOTTA HAVE IT…. NOT ANYMORE. And Dat's Da Truth, Ruth.posted by filthy light thief at 9:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [31 favorites]
It'll be a long, hard slog. Some of us may not make it, and we may not win. However, there are more of us than they realize, and we're tough as nails. Now we must show the world whose country this is.
Q: Whose country?
A: Our Country!
Q: Whose America?
A: Our America!
Never let the world forget that.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 9:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Q: Whose country?
A: Our Country!
Q: Whose America?
A: Our America!
Never let the world forget that.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 9:52 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
It honestly goes against my better judgment to jump in here, but I'm going to.
I've known abusers, I've known hucksters and liars and just generally shitty people. I've been mad for a long time about a lot of things and I've felt like I've been screaming into a void. People say I hate fun, that I should chill out, that I should calm down and not participate if it bothers me so much.
Nope. We, America, the collection of so many things I've been mad about for most of my life, just gave all the crappy things that have been bothering me all my life the reins of power.
I was hoping we wouldn't elect him...didn't work out like that. But now, I get four years of pointing at Sphincterface and saying, "That thing you're doing that's horrible? That anti-woman/minority/race/gender orientation, anti-freedom, anti-progress, anti-decency thing you're doing? Yeah, those are the consequences. Maybe you should stop."
That's cold comfort, but I, and all of us in the progressive camp, are going to have our outrage vindicated. And when it is, we will all have a vivid example of what went wrong to point at. This time it's different than Bush, because in 2000, it was still cloaked in a veneer of civility and process. I mourn for the damage that will be done this time, but more than anything, I feel ready to fight tonight.
Trump is the spear that will destroy Republican credibility, the politics of hate, and the blissful ignorance of liars and abusers and their methods in America. Our hands will drive it into their heart.
posted by saysthis at 9:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [48 favorites]
I've known abusers, I've known hucksters and liars and just generally shitty people. I've been mad for a long time about a lot of things and I've felt like I've been screaming into a void. People say I hate fun, that I should chill out, that I should calm down and not participate if it bothers me so much.
Nope. We, America, the collection of so many things I've been mad about for most of my life, just gave all the crappy things that have been bothering me all my life the reins of power.
I was hoping we wouldn't elect him...didn't work out like that. But now, I get four years of pointing at Sphincterface and saying, "That thing you're doing that's horrible? That anti-woman/minority/race/gender orientation, anti-freedom, anti-progress, anti-decency thing you're doing? Yeah, those are the consequences. Maybe you should stop."
That's cold comfort, but I, and all of us in the progressive camp, are going to have our outrage vindicated. And when it is, we will all have a vivid example of what went wrong to point at. This time it's different than Bush, because in 2000, it was still cloaked in a veneer of civility and process. I mourn for the damage that will be done this time, but more than anything, I feel ready to fight tonight.
Trump is the spear that will destroy Republican credibility, the politics of hate, and the blissful ignorance of liars and abusers and their methods in America. Our hands will drive it into their heart.
posted by saysthis at 9:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [48 favorites]
My assessment of the WaPo livestream commentary was that is was pretty decent. Not really any rah, rah wooha America stuff and overall subdued and rather clinical. I was able to listen to it without wanting to tear my hair out.
posted by Jalliah at 9:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Etrigan: If I can get through today without a cigarette, then I have truly quit.
I get the sentiment, but consider this: is he really worth it? Hang tough today.
posted by wenestvedt at 9:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
I get the sentiment, but consider this: is he really worth it? Hang tough today.
posted by wenestvedt at 9:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
public void setPresident(Person p) throws AmericanException
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
zachlipton: For all that populism in his speech, his big plan is corporate tax cuts.
Watch what he does, not what he says. Thus it has been, and shall always be.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Watch what he does, not what he says. Thus it has been, and shall always be.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
> Lin-Manuel Miranda just posted a clip of his first sketch of "The Story of Tonight."
Thanks. Between this, and the previous link to the farewell White House performance of "One Last Time", I think I might be ready to come back to the Hamilton soundtrack again.
(Hamilton was the soundtrack to the hardest I've probably ever worked in my life - and the work paid off very nicely - but I have felt physically ill even thinking about playing it again since November 8th. Maybe it's time, again.)
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Thanks. Between this, and the previous link to the farewell White House performance of "One Last Time", I think I might be ready to come back to the Hamilton soundtrack again.
(Hamilton was the soundtrack to the hardest I've probably ever worked in my life - and the work paid off very nicely - but I have felt physically ill even thinking about playing it again since November 8th. Maybe it's time, again.)
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
All across the world, terrorists are dropping their weapons and giving up. A president finally said "radical Islamic terrorism."--@normornstein
posted by zachlipton at 9:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
Interesting, it looks like all of the "We The People" petitions are gone.
posted by goHermGO at 9:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by goHermGO at 9:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
@you_work_for_me @realDonaldTrump get back to work, you moron, you stupid moron, fucking moron, you biggest fucking moron on the planet right now 🐁
posted by localhuman at 9:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
posted by localhuman at 9:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
A taxonomy of Mall headcount truthers:
- "we have jobs" ("Uh, thanks, Obama?")
- it's full, look at this shallow angle from the opposite direction!
- #fakenews
posted by holgate at 9:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
- "we have jobs" ("Uh, thanks, Obama?")
- it's full, look at this shallow angle from the opposite direction!
- #fakenews
posted by holgate at 9:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
The first thing that comes up on the White House website is repeal the Climate Action Plan.
We are finished as a species.
I'm not as despondent about this as I was. A goodly portion of the rest of the planet is giving the US a hearty fuck you, we're doing it anyway. Doesn't bode well for the US who will be left behind and not be able to deal very well with the geo-political shifts that will be a consequence of dropping the ball. It's going to screw the US big time both politically and economically but the rest of the world is not giving up.
China as it stands now is setting itself to take the superpower reigns on the issue.
posted by Jalliah at 9:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
When the field is nationwide, and the fight must be waged chiefly at second and third hand, and the force of personality cannot so readily make itself felt, then all the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre -- the man who can most easily adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum. The Presidency tends, year by year, to go to such men.
As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.
-H.L. Mencken, writer, editor, and critic (1880-1956)
posted by HE Amb. T. S. L. DuVal at 10:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [31 favorites]
As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.
-H.L. Mencken, writer, editor, and critic (1880-1956)
posted by HE Amb. T. S. L. DuVal at 10:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [31 favorites]
I get the sentiment, but consider this: is he really worth it? Hang tough today.
Yes I know it is hard but do not let this man harm your health or sobriety. You got this. I got this.
posted by yellowbinder at 10:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Yes I know it is hard but do not let this man harm your health or sobriety. You got this. I got this.
posted by yellowbinder at 10:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
BBC and Al Jazeera both reporting violent protests in DC... but I'm not seeing anything in US media?
posted by slipthought at 10:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by slipthought at 10:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Slipped into a Chinatown restaurant after protests to see inauguration. Scene I won't forget:--@gzornick
Crowd of red-hatted Trump fans applauded loudly as Obamas boarded the copter. Waitress, a young black woman, began weeping by the register.
posted by zachlipton at 10:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [87 favorites]
Donald Trump’s New Twitter Background Is a Photo From the Inauguration of Barack Obama
He's going to be appropriating Obama's accomplishments from minute one
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [83 favorites]
He's going to be appropriating Obama's accomplishments from minute one
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [83 favorites]
Interesting, it looks like all of the "We The People" petitions are gone.
That was an Obama thing, it's gone now. I got an email a couple weeks ago that basically said, "It's been fun, nice knowing you!"
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:02 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Trump is the spear that will destroy Republican credibility, the politics of hate, and the blissful ignorance of liars and abusers and their methods in America. Our hands will drive it into their heart.
I admire your optimism that there will be a functional democracy to start restoring when that happens.
posted by scalefree at 10:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I admire your optimism that there will be a functional democracy to start restoring when that happens.
posted by scalefree at 10:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
slipthought: The NYT has a bit on the protests in DC. Some window smashing by what look like black bloc groups.
posted by stillmoving at 10:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by stillmoving at 10:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
somebody plz photoshop obama out of his "hope" campaign poster and retitle it "no hope" tia
posted by entropicamericana at 10:03 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by entropicamericana at 10:03 AM on January 20, 2017
President Trump has his phone/Twitter back. So much for that.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:04 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:04 AM on January 20, 2017
T.D. Strange: That's funny because I noticed a whole lot of Trump hats at the inauguration today and not a lot of US flags. It really is about the figurehead and not the country. (Duh, but an interesting visual reminder).
posted by stillmoving at 10:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by stillmoving at 10:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
He probably thinks the POTUS twitter account is for signing bills and official presidenty stuff.
posted by klarck at 10:06 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by klarck at 10:06 AM on January 20, 2017
Rick Perry blew a bubble.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:07 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:07 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Obama is going to speak. Yay. I can pretend for a few minutes.
posted by Jalliah at 10:07 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I don't think he's the one making those tweets. Sounds like a speechwriter.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 10:08 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 10:08 AM on January 20, 2017
It's being covered on the WaPo livestream in case it's not in other places.
posted by Jalliah at 10:08 AM on January 20, 2017
What We Do Now, by Rachel B. Tiven, CEO of Lambda Legal, the country’s oldest and largest legal organization for LGBT & HIV+ people.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
I don't think he's the one making those tweets. Sounds like a speechwriter.
Trump Twitter Archive says they're iPhone Tweets.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 10:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Trump Twitter Archive says they're iPhone Tweets.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 10:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
President Trump has his phone/Twitter back. So much for that.
I'll only believe it when it's an Android tweet at somewhere past midnight, and I'll be utterly convinced if it's a comment on how some celebrity who doesn't like him has had too much plastic surgery, is fat, is ugly, or all three.
posted by jaduncan at 10:10 AM on January 20, 2017
I'll only believe it when it's an Android tweet at somewhere past midnight, and I'll be utterly convinced if it's a comment on how some celebrity who doesn't like him has had too much plastic surgery, is fat, is ugly, or all three.
posted by jaduncan at 10:10 AM on January 20, 2017
Is it atypical for the former President (I can't believe I just typed that, sigh) to speak at this point? I just remember W flying away.
posted by zachlipton at 10:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by zachlipton at 10:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
The split screen on NBC right now is heart-wrenching. Obama's farewell speech on one side, and Trump sitting down at the Oval Office on the other side. They're playing the audio from both.
posted by samthemander at 10:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by samthemander at 10:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Is it atypical for the former President (I can't believe I just typed that, sigh) to speak at this point? I just remember W flying away.
If he did it wasn't shown on the coverage I watched.
posted by Jalliah at 10:12 AM on January 20, 2017
For those that are going to be protesting or marching tomorrow, in DC or elsewhere, please stay safe.
posted by X-Himy at 10:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by X-Himy at 10:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
CNN sound surprised that there wasn't a coup with the number of times they say peaceful transition.
At the end of things a mixed contingent of military members came down and I thought "and now the Marine is going to put the cuffs on and we're going to see him perp walk right here."
Feel like bad-winner violence was more likely than a coup, to be honest.
Weary Oakland shopowners are bracing for Anti-Trump/antifa rioting following a peacful protest tonight. The Chronicle reports its about $1600 to get a place boarded up, one merchant lost her insurance after recent post-riot claims; owners are sympathetic but exhausted. The city is on a hard line against breaking heads when these things turn south and for sure there are riot tourists to take advantage of the resulting playground.
Stay chilly, Oaktown.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 10:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
At the end of things a mixed contingent of military members came down and I thought "and now the Marine is going to put the cuffs on and we're going to see him perp walk right here."
Feel like bad-winner violence was more likely than a coup, to be honest.
Weary Oakland shopowners are bracing for Anti-Trump/antifa rioting following a peacful protest tonight. The Chronicle reports its about $1600 to get a place boarded up, one merchant lost her insurance after recent post-riot claims; owners are sympathetic but exhausted. The city is on a hard line against breaking heads when these things turn south and for sure there are riot tourists to take advantage of the resulting playground.
Stay chilly, Oaktown.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 10:13 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
What is Trump signing?
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:13 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:13 AM on January 20, 2017
The WaPo is splitscreen but only Obama audio and Obama is bigger.
posted by Jalliah at 10:13 AM on January 20, 2017
Nancy Pelosi smiling and clapping as Trump arrives in the President's Room like this is all normal.
posted by Rykey at 10:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Rykey at 10:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
What is Trump signing?
THe official paperwork
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:15 AM on January 20, 2017
THe official paperwork
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:15 AM on January 20, 2017
"This is not a period. This is a comma."
I'd like to believe Obama is a MeFite. :)
,
posted by slipthought at 10:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [34 favorites]
I'd like to believe Obama is a MeFite. :)
,
posted by slipthought at 10:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [34 favorites]
WaPost says Trump is signing documents that officially make him president
posted by Theiform at 10:15 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by Theiform at 10:15 AM on January 20, 2017
COMPUTERWORLD -- Trump’s phone replaced with more secure device
Hopefully, an Etch-a-Sketch.
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [43 favorites]
Hopefully, an Etch-a-Sketch.
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [43 favorites]
Paul Ryan looks like the proud parent of a toddler who just went peepee in the potty for the first time.
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
,
posted by samthemander at 10:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by samthemander at 10:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Between this, and the previous link to the farewell White House performance of "One Last Time", I think I might be ready to come back to the Hamilton soundtrack again.
I was afraid to go back to it, because it was such a hope soundtrack, and I couldn't see hope right now. But I did, and my daughter and I sang along at the top of our lungs yesterday, and it was just wonderful. Go back if you can.
I think maybe today is a day for media that cheers us, that inspires us. I am thinking of doing a rewatch of the Lord of the Rings, from everyone's beautiful quotes, because right now, even if it's fictitious, I need to see the portrayal of a long hard slog, of things that seem hopeless, but eventually turning out right.
posted by corb at 10:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
I was afraid to go back to it, because it was such a hope soundtrack, and I couldn't see hope right now. But I did, and my daughter and I sang along at the top of our lungs yesterday, and it was just wonderful. Go back if you can.
I think maybe today is a day for media that cheers us, that inspires us. I am thinking of doing a rewatch of the Lord of the Rings, from everyone's beautiful quotes, because right now, even if it's fictitious, I need to see the portrayal of a long hard slog, of things that seem hopeless, but eventually turning out right.
posted by corb at 10:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
It's been ~30 minutes and apparently the Dep't of Labor page on LGBT workplace rights has already been removed: https://www.dol.gov/asp/policy-development/lgbt-workers.htm https://twitter.com/jpscasteras/status/822506502606954498/photo/1
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
The Onion: Black Man Out Of Work
Joining the ranks of the unemployed at a time when joblessness remains stubbornly high among African Americans, 55-year-old local black man Barack Obama has lost the full-time job he has held for the past eight years, sources confirmed Friday.posted by zachlipton at 10:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [64 favorites]
...
According to sources, the local black resident has cycled through at least three different occupations since turning 40, and was in serious danger of losing his job four years ago. Reports indicate that after taking the position in 2009, he faced daily antagonism from his mostly white colleagues, who reportedly never stopped questioning his qualifications and competence, a situation that is said to have made it difficult for him to perform the duties assigned to him.
As such, sources asserted that the man faced greater challenges in the workplace than a white person with the same job would have, and had to work much harder to achieve even the smallest amount of respect. Acquaintances noted the working conditions soon began to take a visible toll on his health.
Obama Just Took One Final Step to Fight Global Warming
And there's nothing Donald Trump can do about it.
President Barack Obama has made one final contribution to the fight against global warming on his way out the White House door. On Tuesday, Obama transferred $500 million to the UN's Green Climate Fund, a key program set up to finance climate change adaptation and renewable energy projects in developing countries. That's on top of another $500 million the Obama administration had already given to the fund.
posted by Jalliah at 10:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [33 favorites]
And there's nothing Donald Trump can do about it.
President Barack Obama has made one final contribution to the fight against global warming on his way out the White House door. On Tuesday, Obama transferred $500 million to the UN's Green Climate Fund, a key program set up to finance climate change adaptation and renewable energy projects in developing countries. That's on top of another $500 million the Obama administration had already given to the fund.
posted by Jalliah at 10:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [33 favorites]
Paul Ryan looks like the proud parent of a toddler who just went peepee in the potty for the first time.
Punch bowl, surely.
posted by jaduncan at 10:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Punch bowl, surely.
posted by jaduncan at 10:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's been ~30 minutes and apparently the Dep't of Labor page on LGBT workplace rights has already been removed
It's loading for me. This report is missing: https://www.dol.gov/asp/policy-development/lgbt-report.pdf
This is also still loading for now:
https://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/crc/20150422GenderIdentity.htm
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's loading for me. This report is missing: https://www.dol.gov/asp/policy-development/lgbt-report.pdf
This is also still loading for now:
https://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/crc/20150422GenderIdentity.htm
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Trump is the spear that will destroy Republican credibility, the politics of hate, and the blissful ignorance of liars and abusers and their methods in America. Our hands will drive it into their heart.
I admire your optimism that there will be a functional democracy to start restoring when that happens.
posted by scalefree at 2:03 AM on January 21 [+] [!]
I am optimistic, because democracy is the people who fight for it. A lot came out today, and a lot more will tomorrow. That was my takeaway, at least.
Also, sorry for blurting out that accelerationist apologia. I don't think America will let them tear it all down is what I meant.
posted by saysthis at 10:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I admire your optimism that there will be a functional democracy to start restoring when that happens.
posted by scalefree at 2:03 AM on January 21 [+] [!]
I am optimistic, because democracy is the people who fight for it. A lot came out today, and a lot more will tomorrow. That was my takeaway, at least.
Also, sorry for blurting out that accelerationist apologia. I don't think America will let them tear it all down is what I meant.
posted by saysthis at 10:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
WaPost says Trump is signing documents that officially make him president
Do such documents exist? What would they say? Constitutionally, he became president the moment the oath was over, right?
posted by dis_integration at 10:18 AM on January 20, 2017
Do such documents exist? What would they say? Constitutionally, he became president the moment the oath was over, right?
posted by dis_integration at 10:18 AM on January 20, 2017
I'm thinking of building a prop guillotine that I can bring to protests with a sign that says "WATCH YOUR HEAD, DONALD" for the next (hopefully not quite) four years for the sake of some catharsis, but I guess that might get me in trouble.
posted by Gymnopedist at 10:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Gymnopedist at 10:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
They're playing the audio of the Oval Office signing in of nominations. Chuck Shumer just traded the pen used to sign in Ben Carson for the pen used to sign in the nominee for the VA. "That's a good trade."
posted by samthemander at 10:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by samthemander at 10:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
WaPost says Trump is signing documents that officially make him president
Let The Greatening—
BEGIN!
posted by FJT at 10:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Let The Greatening—
BEGIN!
posted by FJT at 10:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
He is apparently not signing any executive orders, like the lobbying ban he promised would be a day 1 activity, but he is signing the Mattis waiver bill, the cabinet nominations, and a proclamation of a national day of patriotism.
posted by zachlipton at 10:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 10:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
The whole pen thing reminds me of the scene with the diagnostic probes from Idiocracy
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:21 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
All I can think of is the cold comfort of Rick and Morty.
"Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s going to die. Come watch TV."
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 10:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
"Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s going to die. Come watch TV."
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 10:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
Okay, time to go take an angry lunchtime run. I'm going for a personal best in the rage department if not the actual mileage.
(I was just talking to my son the other night about where I'm going this weekend. He asked what a protest is. I said it's when we exercise our rights as citizens to tell our government that we're not happy with them. He said, "But you're always happy, mommy." I'm not sure when is an age-appropriate time to reveal the actual seething ball of rage that I really am all of the time.)
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [61 favorites]
(I was just talking to my son the other night about where I'm going this weekend. He asked what a protest is. I said it's when we exercise our rights as citizens to tell our government that we're not happy with them. He said, "But you're always happy, mommy." I'm not sure when is an age-appropriate time to reveal the actual seething ball of rage that I really am all of the time.)
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:22 AM on January 20, 2017 [61 favorites]
ok, I took a benchmark reading yesterday afternoon... America's Greatness Index stood at 6.03. We'll see where it goes now.
posted by the phlegmatic king at 10:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by the phlegmatic king at 10:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
The Obamas need to peel out at the end of a red rug in a big ol' muscle car. VRAAAAAAAAAAAP! Sad seeing the undraped lectern.
I know he's just indexing I'm sure, but my WaPo stream crapped out showing DJ Trump using his middle as an index finger like a big "fuck you".
posted by Ogre Lawless at 10:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I know he's just indexing I'm sure, but my WaPo stream crapped out showing DJ Trump using his middle as an index finger like a big "fuck you".
posted by Ogre Lawless at 10:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I've been listening to Solange's "A Seat At The Table" and went music-less for much of the last two weeks. listening to "Weary" let me finally cry ever since Nov 9th. I was angry that earlier people were chanting horrible shit at Hilary Clinton. I was angry at twitter for intruding on my timeline to force me to scroll around their inauguration box. I'm mad at the Girl Scouts. I am still angry that I have to take a fucking goddamned pee test they haven't approved for me yet so i can finally start a new job that will give me less money but far more time to volunteer and do local stuff in order to keep what we have and make further gains for all people, *PEOPLE*, of all backgrounds and all statuses. I'm mad i have today off and must work this stupid job tomorrow.
Fuck you, millionaire-grifter-sex-predator. I will never respect you. I will continue disrespecting you while you remain on Earth and i PLAN to outlast you and despise your very memory until I myself am taken.
My thoughts with all of you here who are dealing with awful family members and I wish I could be there to offer a hug, a meal, a bed with lots of blankets, an old dog to pet. I'm trying to figure out my strong points as quickly as i can and shore up myself to support myself and others. Surviving can be a political act. As recommended by podcast Yo! Is This Racist? to in one concrete way fight fascism/authoritarianism I am going to write down "who you are, what you believe in, and what you'll never do." With a pen and paper. I believe the advice is from journalist Sarah Kendzior. Hang in there everyone. As said in an old pinned tweet by Heben and Tracy: drink some water, take your meds, call your person.
posted by one teak forest at 10:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Fuck you, millionaire-grifter-sex-predator. I will never respect you. I will continue disrespecting you while you remain on Earth and i PLAN to outlast you and despise your very memory until I myself am taken.
My thoughts with all of you here who are dealing with awful family members and I wish I could be there to offer a hug, a meal, a bed with lots of blankets, an old dog to pet. I'm trying to figure out my strong points as quickly as i can and shore up myself to support myself and others. Surviving can be a political act. As recommended by podcast Yo! Is This Racist? to in one concrete way fight fascism/authoritarianism I am going to write down "who you are, what you believe in, and what you'll never do." With a pen and paper. I believe the advice is from journalist Sarah Kendzior. Hang in there everyone. As said in an old pinned tweet by Heben and Tracy: drink some water, take your meds, call your person.
posted by one teak forest at 10:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
and a proclamation of a national day of patriotism.
Uh, what? the? heck?
"How many national days of patriotism did your precious Obama declare, hm? Yeah, that's what I thought, loser."
posted by Etrigan at 10:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Uh, what? the? heck?
"How many national days of patriotism did your precious Obama declare, hm? Yeah, that's what I thought, loser."
posted by Etrigan at 10:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
WaPo is reporting that all the noise in the background of their commentary are protests. You can really here them. Lots of sirens too.
posted by Jalliah at 10:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Jalliah at 10:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Thanks to all the congresspeople who had the courage and principles to boycott today. They're taking this moment in history so much more appropriately than these "Ho-ho, we're your opposition on the Sunday morning shows, but in the room with all the levers of power, we're all jocular boarding school chums" Democrats I'm seeing.
posted by Rykey at 10:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by Rykey at 10:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Uh, what? the? heck?
It's one America, one people, and one leader. You know, patriotism.
posted by jaduncan at 10:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
It's one America, one people, and one leader. You know, patriotism.
posted by jaduncan at 10:25 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Isn't there a German word for that, jaduncan?
posted by wenestvedt at 10:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by wenestvedt at 10:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I got your patriotism RIGHT HERE, Donny boy.
posted by corb at 10:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by corb at 10:27 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
CNN (John King) is pointing out that Trump is playing two games at once: the outside game and the inside game. He just stood outside railing against the Washington establishment, then walked inside and is joking around with the same people he just bashed as he signs cabinet appointments and heads to lunch with them.
posted by zachlipton at 10:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [33 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 10:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [33 favorites]
gatorae: Trump's speech sounded like 25% recycled tweets.
I think he's still in campaign mode, trying to win support. Which makes sense, if you look at his polling numbers now (which have their own issues).
It also makes sense when you remember that he, like so many of his cabinet picks, has no idea what his new job entails. Stick to simple, tweet-able statements that are 1) easy to remember, and 2) avoid getting into details of how things will actually work.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
I think he's still in campaign mode, trying to win support. Which makes sense, if you look at his polling numbers now (which have their own issues).
It also makes sense when you remember that he, like so many of his cabinet picks, has no idea what his new job entails. Stick to simple, tweet-able statements that are 1) easy to remember, and 2) avoid getting into details of how things will actually work.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
I remember crying in the kitchen when the Supreme Court gave the election to George W. Bush. But then a switch flipped and I felt resolve rise in me that I was not going to let GWB ruin my life, for Mr. Carmicha and I had recently decided to marry and the future was bright. Today, I felt the same sense of resolve, this time to stop wallowing in the grief that has dominated my outlook since November 9th and to rise up and take action any way I can to counter the looming horror of the Age of Trump. Strength to you all.
posted by carmicha at 10:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [43 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 10:30 AM on January 20, 2017 [43 favorites]
Kudos to whoever installed the white flooring on the National Mall. It makes all the empty space really pop.
That's so they can green screen in the adoring crowds later.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:31 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
proclamation of a national day of patriotism
When they voiced objection, Captain Black replied that people who were loyal would not mind signing all the loyalty oaths they had to. To anyone who questioned the effectiveness of the loyalty oaths, he replied that people who really did owe allegiance to their country would be proud to pledge it as often as he forced them to. And to anyone who questioned the morality, he replied that “The Star-Spangled Banner” was the greatest piece of music ever composed. The more loyalty oaths a person signed, the more loyal he was; to Captain Black it was as simple as that, and he had Corporal Kolodny sign hundreds with his name each day so that he could always prove he was more loyal than anyone else.
“The important thing is to keep them pledging,” he explained to his cohorts. “It doesn’t matter whether they mean it or not. That’s why they make little kids pledge allegiance even before they know what ‘pledge’ and ‘allegiance’ means.”
posted by flabdablet at 10:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
When they voiced objection, Captain Black replied that people who were loyal would not mind signing all the loyalty oaths they had to. To anyone who questioned the effectiveness of the loyalty oaths, he replied that people who really did owe allegiance to their country would be proud to pledge it as often as he forced them to. And to anyone who questioned the morality, he replied that “The Star-Spangled Banner” was the greatest piece of music ever composed. The more loyalty oaths a person signed, the more loyal he was; to Captain Black it was as simple as that, and he had Corporal Kolodny sign hundreds with his name each day so that he could always prove he was more loyal than anyone else.
“The important thing is to keep them pledging,” he explained to his cohorts. “It doesn’t matter whether they mean it or not. That’s why they make little kids pledge allegiance even before they know what ‘pledge’ and ‘allegiance’ means.”
posted by flabdablet at 10:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
It's like 400 comments back now but I want to argue against this:
Gentle reminder/plea for everyone to stop using Facepals and The Tweeter. It's a virtual "Why are you hitting yourself? Huh? Why are you hitting yourself?"
If we abandon those media then Putin and the alt right and the Tea Party and Alex Jones can say whatever they want on them and not be contradicted. They'll be the only ones with a megaphone, while we whisper to each other.
I'd say those are the battlefields we have to fight on these days, as unpleasant as it is. The cure for fake news is real news. The cure for bad speech is more speech. I think not only should we start arguing with the idiots on Facebook and Twitter more, we should inject ourselves into conversations on Reddit and 4-chan and infowars and wherever the hell misinformation exists. We need to spread the truth wherever lies are spread.
And it will be miserable and we might get doxxed or SWATed or just drowned in hate mail (and in all honesty I haven't been brave enough to go to those places myself yet and I'm not sure if I'm going to, but I can at least push back in the places I already visit...) but I think maybe that's what it's going to take to keep this from happening again. No more silence. No more quietly unfollowing the assholes. We have to talk back to them, and we have to be loud. That's what I think these days. Now let's see how much of it I have the guts to follow through on...
posted by OnceUponATime at 10:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
Gentle reminder/plea for everyone to stop using Facepals and The Tweeter. It's a virtual "Why are you hitting yourself? Huh? Why are you hitting yourself?"
If we abandon those media then Putin and the alt right and the Tea Party and Alex Jones can say whatever they want on them and not be contradicted. They'll be the only ones with a megaphone, while we whisper to each other.
I'd say those are the battlefields we have to fight on these days, as unpleasant as it is. The cure for fake news is real news. The cure for bad speech is more speech. I think not only should we start arguing with the idiots on Facebook and Twitter more, we should inject ourselves into conversations on Reddit and 4-chan and infowars and wherever the hell misinformation exists. We need to spread the truth wherever lies are spread.
And it will be miserable and we might get doxxed or SWATed or just drowned in hate mail (and in all honesty I haven't been brave enough to go to those places myself yet and I'm not sure if I'm going to, but I can at least push back in the places I already visit...) but I think maybe that's what it's going to take to keep this from happening again. No more silence. No more quietly unfollowing the assholes. We have to talk back to them, and we have to be loud. That's what I think these days. Now let's see how much of it I have the guts to follow through on...
posted by OnceUponATime at 10:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
National Day of Patriotism? Don't we already have the 4th of July for fireworks and flag-waving?
posted by stolyarova at 10:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by stolyarova at 10:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
guys this fucking sucks
posted by R.F.Simpson at 10:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [30 favorites]
posted by R.F.Simpson at 10:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [30 favorites]
My coworkers were talking about the inauguration, and then, after complaining about the rising cost of healthcare, independently invented the ACA insurance subsidies ("insurance should be based on how much money you make. If you make more, you can pay more. Everyone still pays something, so that the insurance companies can still get their money"). One told the other to get on the phone to the (new) president.
Sigh.
But I was good and didn't yell anything across the lobby. I'm also waiting for them to ask about my yellow shirt, because I'm passive aggressive like that.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 10:34 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Sigh.
But I was good and didn't yell anything across the lobby. I'm also waiting for them to ask about my yellow shirt, because I'm passive aggressive like that.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 10:34 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
That's so they can green screen in the adoring crowds later.
White is hard to green screen. That's why they use green screens. :D
posted by Jalliah at 10:34 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
White is hard to green screen. That's why they use green screens. :D
posted by Jalliah at 10:34 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
The Obamas just boarded the plane. We'll miss you in this role, Mr. President, but are so fortunate for the direction you gave us. Thank you.
posted by samthemander at 10:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by samthemander at 10:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
this guy fucking sucks
FTFY
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 10:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
FTFY
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 10:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
National Day of Patriotism? Don't we already have the 4th of July for fireworks and flag-waving?
That one celebrates the dead white guys who gave us our freedom. This one's celebrating the current white guy who's giving us our freedom.
posted by Etrigan at 10:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
That one celebrates the dead white guys who gave us our freedom. This one's celebrating the current white guy who's giving us our freedom.
posted by Etrigan at 10:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
guys this fucking sucks
posted by R.F.Simpson
At last I can start suffering and write that symphony!
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 10:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by R.F.Simpson
At last I can start suffering and write that symphony!
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 10:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
I'd say those are the battlefields we have to fight on these days, as unpleasant as it is. The cure for fake news is real news. The cure for bad speech is more speech. I think not only should we start arguing with the idiots on Facebook and Twitter more, we should inject ourselves into conversations on Reddit and 4-chan and infowars and wherever the hell misinformation exists. We need to spread the truth wherever lies are spread.
I agree. First time I've ever posted on Reddit was a couple of weeks ago. I've decided that one of the things I can do is spend at least 20mins a day doing exactly this.
posted by Jalliah at 10:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
also fucking hell, i live in the western suburb of portland oregon and about an hour ago i heard fireworks going off
i was idek livid and sad and hurt jfc thank goodness for these giant bose speakers i have bc my bro stole them from my brown-from-southeast-asia-trump-voter father
i guess.
posted by one teak forest at 10:39 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
i was idek livid and sad and hurt jfc thank goodness for these giant bose speakers i have bc my bro stole them from my brown-from-southeast-asia-trump-voter father
i guess.
posted by one teak forest at 10:39 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
"Girl"
"Girl I know girl"
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:39 AM on January 20, 2017 [39 favorites]
"Girl I know girl"
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:39 AM on January 20, 2017 [39 favorites]
National Day of Patriotism? Don't we already have the 4th of July for fireworks and flag-waving?
And literally every NFL game.
posted by shothotbot at 10:39 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
And literally every NFL game.
posted by shothotbot at 10:39 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Just catching up. Watched that inaugural address. Did nobody notice the pee-joke? He said we are entering a "loo millennium".
posted by stonepharisee at 10:39 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by stonepharisee at 10:39 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
“Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair. Or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. Withstand it...and give some back.”
- Al Swearengen (paraphrased)
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
- Al Swearengen (paraphrased)
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Civil Rights, Climate Change, and Healthcare Were All Scrubbed from the White House Website
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
The S & P 500 began its index in 1957. Here's a ranking of how well the presidents have done in regards to performance. If a number says 100%, that is doubling the number in the index.
Standard and Poor's 500
Rank, President, (party), %increased/decreased
1. Bill Clinton, (D), +209.8
2. Barack Obama, (D), +166.4
3. Ronald Reagan, (R), +133.1
4. George H.W. Bush, (R), +51.2
5. Lyndon B. Johnson, (D), +42.5
6. Dwight Eisenhower (1957-61), (R), +36.1
7. Jimmy Carter, (D), +29.4
8. Gerald Ford, (R), +25.7
9. John F. Kennedy, (D), +19.4
10. Richard Nixon, (R), -19.0
11. George W. Bush, Jr., (R), -36.7
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Standard and Poor's 500
Rank, President, (party), %increased/decreased
1. Bill Clinton, (D), +209.8
2. Barack Obama, (D), +166.4
3. Ronald Reagan, (R), +133.1
4. George H.W. Bush, (R), +51.2
5. Lyndon B. Johnson, (D), +42.5
6. Dwight Eisenhower (1957-61), (R), +36.1
7. Jimmy Carter, (D), +29.4
8. Gerald Ford, (R), +25.7
9. John F. Kennedy, (D), +19.4
10. Richard Nixon, (R), -19.0
11. George W. Bush, Jr., (R), -36.7
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Charles Pierce: The Day That Gave Us Donald Trump: Emails, servers, and a burst of hope.
posted by homunculus at 10:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by homunculus at 10:42 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
All mentions of #LGBT removed from http://WhiteHouse.gov ; 44 mentions for 'military'. The great work begins.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
"God-appointed duties"?
Mentioned in prayer at inaugural lunch.
posted by marguerite at 10:45 AM on January 20, 2017
Mentioned in prayer at inaugural lunch.
posted by marguerite at 10:45 AM on January 20, 2017
It's disturbing how fast the very recent past is being rewritten.
posted by AlexiaSky at 10:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
posted by AlexiaSky at 10:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
Yossi Klein Halevi: Obama, Trump and the dangers of a ‘Jewish’ president
posted by Joe in Australia at 10:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Joe in Australia at 10:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'd say those are the battlefields we have to fight on these days, as unpleasant as it is. The cure for fake news is real news. The cure for bad speech is more speech. I think not only should we start arguing with the idiots on Facebook and Twitter more, we should inject ourselves into conversations on Reddit and 4-chan and infowars and wherever the hell misinformation exists. We need to spread the truth wherever lies are spread.
The cure for bad speech is more and better moderation. You want to start seeing change? Demand that newspapers, televisions news stations, magazines, etc. take responsibility for the contents of their social media sites, instead of being hosts to a core group of belligerent propagandists who do not care about the truth and cannot be fact-checked away.
All mentions of #LGBT removed from http://WhiteHouse.gov ; 44 mentions for 'military'. The great work begins.
Parker Molloy has pointed out that this shouldn't be interpreted too drastically. The Obama white house site has been archived and there is a bare-bones new one, as happens with every election. We'll see what the new one is populated with, but this isn't evidence of a mass elimination of social services and progressive agendas.
posted by maxsparber at 10:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
The cure for bad speech is more and better moderation. You want to start seeing change? Demand that newspapers, televisions news stations, magazines, etc. take responsibility for the contents of their social media sites, instead of being hosts to a core group of belligerent propagandists who do not care about the truth and cannot be fact-checked away.
All mentions of #LGBT removed from http://WhiteHouse.gov ; 44 mentions for 'military'. The great work begins.
Parker Molloy has pointed out that this shouldn't be interpreted too drastically. The Obama white house site has been archived and there is a bare-bones new one, as happens with every election. We'll see what the new one is populated with, but this isn't evidence of a mass elimination of social services and progressive agendas.
posted by maxsparber at 10:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Civil Rights, Climate Change, and Healthcare Were All Scrubbed from the White House Website
Time for a shadow government site? Someone, somewhere must have saved all of this stuff.
posted by Jalliah at 10:47 AM on January 20, 2017
Time for a shadow government site? Someone, somewhere must have saved all of this stuff.
posted by Jalliah at 10:47 AM on January 20, 2017
From the Beaverton: America opts for open-casket inauguration.
posted by Capt. Renault at 10:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 10:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
All mentions of #LGBT removed from http://WhiteHouse.gov ; 44 mentions for 'military'. The great work begins.
The queer hatin' types out there must realize that uhh, there are many non-queer folks that like and value us as people!
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 10:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
The queer hatin' types out there must realize that uhh, there are many non-queer folks that like and value us as people!
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 10:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Parker Molloy is a fairly controversial person.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:49 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:49 AM on January 20, 2017
> WaPo is reporting that all the noise in the background of their commentary are protests. You can really here them. Lots of sirens too.
Was surprised at the lack of coverage of anything other than the official activities, in part because I've been getting texts all morning from people elsewhere in the city and there seemed to be a fair bit of normally-newsworthy stuff going on.
Including some "black bloc"-type unpleasantness near one of the manned military checkpoints, which normally would have been continuous-breaking-news stuff, earlier this morning, which it didn't seem like any of the major news outlets were aware of. Although that seems to have changed (only in the last 45 minutes, though it was on MPD's Twitter earlier).
Presumably because all the press is inside the security perimeter for the inauguration itself, there seems to be / was a big delay in reporting anything going on outside of it.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:49 AM on January 20, 2017
Was surprised at the lack of coverage of anything other than the official activities, in part because I've been getting texts all morning from people elsewhere in the city and there seemed to be a fair bit of normally-newsworthy stuff going on.
Including some "black bloc"-type unpleasantness near one of the manned military checkpoints, which normally would have been continuous-breaking-news stuff, earlier this morning, which it didn't seem like any of the major news outlets were aware of. Although that seems to have changed (only in the last 45 minutes, though it was on MPD's Twitter earlier).
Presumably because all the press is inside the security perimeter for the inauguration itself, there seems to be / was a big delay in reporting anything going on outside of it.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:49 AM on January 20, 2017
Time for me to admit I'm over the deep end, go write up some inauguration fanfic wherein instead of taking the oath, The Orange Anger has a Third Wave moment instead. Seems like I should have done something stronger than caramel creamer in the coffee this morning.
posted by Enturbulated at 10:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Enturbulated at 10:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Explosions heard - 4 or 5 so far. I'm bad at identifying, but they don't sound like gunshots exactly to me.
I really hope everyone's ok.
posted by R a c h e l at 10:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I really hope everyone's ok.
posted by R a c h e l at 10:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Parker Molloy is a fairly controversial person.
Yes she is, but she's right about this. I recall shortly after Obama took over the was a whole new White House web page that was similarly bare bones.
posted by maxsparber at 10:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yes she is, but she's right about this. I recall shortly after Obama took over the was a whole new White House web page that was similarly bare bones.
posted by maxsparber at 10:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm so glad to be here with all of you. Thanks.
posted by pt68 at 10:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by pt68 at 10:51 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Yes she is, but she's right about this
You are much more optimistic than I am.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:52 AM on January 20, 2017
You are much more optimistic than I am.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:52 AM on January 20, 2017
Time for a shadow government site? Someone, somewhere must have saved all of this stuff.
The internet archive crawled it
I'm at a protecting climate data event today, and after the initial whitehouse.gov switch happened there was a little in room panic but it was pointed out that this is a relatively normal part of a presidential transition (the replacement of the site) and not unexpected. There's still a lot of other things to worry about.
posted by The Shoodoonoof at 10:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
The internet archive crawled it
I'm at a protecting climate data event today, and after the initial whitehouse.gov switch happened there was a little in room panic but it was pointed out that this is a relatively normal part of a presidential transition (the replacement of the site) and not unexpected. There's still a lot of other things to worry about.
posted by The Shoodoonoof at 10:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'm watching MSNBC with some live video. The explosions are flashbangs. Cops are spraying pepper spray. It's a small group of the (presumably anarchist?) protesters wearing black with their faces covered.
posted by gatorae at 10:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by gatorae at 10:53 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Explosions? WTF, don't see any news about this anywhere.
posted by stolyarova at 10:54 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by stolyarova at 10:54 AM on January 20, 2017
Sorry guys, I really couldn't bear to follow the "play-by-play." But don't think anyone's posted these:
Live from Mt. Rushmore
Hillary - us too.
posted by NorthernLite at 10:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Live from Mt. Rushmore
Hillary - us too.
posted by NorthernLite at 10:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Explosions? WTF, don't see any news about this anywhere.
Flashbangs.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Flashbangs.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Meanwhile, I enjoyed a lecture today about how protesters should just stfu because it's not fair not to give Trump a chance, since "all campaigns are just promises and lies so NO ONE can assume what he'll do."
If someone runs for office and says "I want more people stabbed in the neck," and he wins and is handed a screwdriver, you go stand next to him and see if he was kidding. I'll be over here.
posted by delfin at 10:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
If someone runs for office and says "I want more people stabbed in the neck," and he wins and is handed a screwdriver, you go stand next to him and see if he was kidding. I'll be over here.
posted by delfin at 10:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
School shooting in Ohio. Story says cyber-crimes unit is involved but nothing on whether or not there's any sign of political involvement or motivation.
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:56 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:56 AM on January 20, 2017
You are much more optimistic than I am.
Oh, I'm not optimistic at all. I expect the stuff that is gone today will never be replaced. But the pages still exist elsewhere, at least, for posterity and perhaps for a better future president.
By the way, the BBC accidentally put the wrong subtitles on today and it's something to see.
posted by maxsparber at 10:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Oh, I'm not optimistic at all. I expect the stuff that is gone today will never be replaced. But the pages still exist elsewhere, at least, for posterity and perhaps for a better future president.
By the way, the BBC accidentally put the wrong subtitles on today and it's something to see.
posted by maxsparber at 10:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Explosions heard - 4 or 5 so far. I'm bad at identifying, but they don't sound like gunshots exactly to me.
MPD was using flashbangs earlier today; they sound a bit like gunshots but not quite.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:57 AM on January 20, 2017
MPD was using flashbangs earlier today; they sound a bit like gunshots but not quite.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:57 AM on January 20, 2017
I'm not seeing anything on local news either, and everyone I can see outside is still walking at a calm pace. Maybe it was a ceremonial thing (cannon fire?) or a truck backfiring. But I definitely heard about 10 bangs.
posted by R a c h e l at 10:58 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by R a c h e l at 10:58 AM on January 20, 2017
Yes, flashbangs was probably right. They sounded louder than I expected!
Then again, I've only seen them on tv...
posted by R a c h e l at 10:59 AM on January 20, 2017
Then again, I've only seen them on tv...
posted by R a c h e l at 10:59 AM on January 20, 2017
MSNBC (www.msnbc.com/now) is streaming the violent protests.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:59 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:59 AM on January 20, 2017
Stephen Colbert talking about Barack Obama (via Salon.com)
posted by bitteroldman at 10:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by bitteroldman at 10:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
On MSNBC cops in riot gear are confronting a protest and using pepper spray on the crowd.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Yeah its' being covered on MSNBC. Looks pretty chaotic. Also saying they have reports from San Francisco and possibly 50+ arrests.
posted by Jalliah at 11:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Now that our Reader in Chief has left office ( . ), here are a few positive, book-based things you can do:
Heyday, a wonderful small publisher in Berkeley, is hosting a book drive for its upcoming book Fred Korematsu Speaks Up (part of the Fighting for Justice series for young readers). At the link you can purchase a copy for a library or nominate a library or school to receive one.
John Lewis's March graphic novel trilogy is still in stock at Barnes & Noble. The boxed set sold out on Amazon after people started buying it as a show of support for Lewis's inauguration boycott.
And, of course, send a copy of Hiroshima to the White House (self-link).
posted by sunset in snow country at 11:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Heyday, a wonderful small publisher in Berkeley, is hosting a book drive for its upcoming book Fred Korematsu Speaks Up (part of the Fighting for Justice series for young readers). At the link you can purchase a copy for a library or nominate a library or school to receive one.
John Lewis's March graphic novel trilogy is still in stock at Barnes & Noble. The boxed set sold out on Amazon after people started buying it as a show of support for Lewis's inauguration boycott.
And, of course, send a copy of Hiroshima to the White House (self-link).
posted by sunset in snow country at 11:00 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I can't bear to read this thread, so I apologize if you've already covered this. I tried to search for it and didn't see any matches.
This NYT article came out last night:
Intercepted Russian Communications Part of Inquiry Into Trump Associates
American law enforcement and intelligence agencies are examining intercepted communications and financial transactions as part of a broad investigation into possible links between Russian officials and associates of President-elect Donald J. Trump, including his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, current and former senior American officials said.
posted by diogenes at 11:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
This NYT article came out last night:
Intercepted Russian Communications Part of Inquiry Into Trump Associates
American law enforcement and intelligence agencies are examining intercepted communications and financial transactions as part of a broad investigation into possible links between Russian officials and associates of President-elect Donald J. Trump, including his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, current and former senior American officials said.
posted by diogenes at 11:01 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Looks like a good portion of the people that are milling around people reporting/recording and watching it. Hard to get an idea of how many. MSBC say it's only several dozen now.
posted by Jalliah at 11:01 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by Jalliah at 11:01 AM on January 20, 2017
Day 1
Trump Administration Overturns Obama’s FHA Mortgage-Fee Cut
"A letter from the Department of Housing and Urban Development on Friday said the agency is canceling a reduction announced last week while President Barack Obama was still in office. The Federal Housing Administration had planned to cut its annual fee for most borrowers by a quarter of a percentage point to 0.60 percent, effective on Jan. 27."
posted by anastasiav at 11:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Trump Administration Overturns Obama’s FHA Mortgage-Fee Cut
"A letter from the Department of Housing and Urban Development on Friday said the agency is canceling a reduction announced last week while President Barack Obama was still in office. The Federal Housing Administration had planned to cut its annual fee for most borrowers by a quarter of a percentage point to 0.60 percent, effective on Jan. 27."
posted by anastasiav at 11:03 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I'm looking at whitehouse.gov. I could quote this endlessly in horror but this particular bit is from the "America First Foreign Policy" page:
posted by gatorae at 11:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Finally, in pursuing a foreign policy based on American interests, we will embrace diplomacy. The world must know that we do not go abroad in search of enemies, that we are always happy when old enemies become friends, and when old friends become allies.Old friends.. become allies? Our old friends aren't already our allies? Not to mention phrasing it like diplomacy is an afterthought/last resort is... expected, but unsettling to actually see written on the President's official website.
posted by gatorae at 11:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
I really hope that these protests don't ruin it for everyone else this weekend.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
MSNBC reporting that police say 95 people arrested.
posted by Jalliah at 11:04 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by Jalliah at 11:04 AM on January 20, 2017
I've decided to adopt the poop emoji as my talisman for the next four years. With it's connection to luck, I feel like it's a way I can wish grace and protection for the people I send it to while still acknowledging that this is total shit.
posted by Tentacle of Trust at 11:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Tentacle of Trust at 11:04 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Trump is the spear that will destroy Republican credibility, the politics of hate, and the blissful ignorance of liars and abusers and their methods in America. Our hands will drive it into their heart.People thought that about George W. Bush, and they also thought it about the Tea Party, and they also thought it about the shutdown, and they also thought it about how Boehner was pushed out.
But anyway. Surely this.
posted by fedward at 11:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
From the NYT article:
The decision to open the investigations was not based on a dossier of salacious, uncorroborated allegations that were compiled by a former British spy working for a Washington research firm.
And then this:
"We have absolutely no knowledge of any investigation or even a basis for such an investigation,” said Hope Hicks, a spokeswoman for the Trump transition.
I find that hard to believe.
posted by diogenes at 11:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
The decision to open the investigations was not based on a dossier of salacious, uncorroborated allegations that were compiled by a former British spy working for a Washington research firm.
And then this:
"We have absolutely no knowledge of any investigation or even a basis for such an investigation,” said Hope Hicks, a spokeswoman for the Trump transition.
I find that hard to believe.
posted by diogenes at 11:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I really hope that these protests don't ruin it for everyone else this weekend.
It is a concern. On the positive note the black blocky types will be significantly outnumbered and in my experience it makes a difference. Also it looks like a lot have been arrested and probably more will be before tomorrow.
posted by Jalliah at 11:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
It is a concern. On the positive note the black blocky types will be significantly outnumbered and in my experience it makes a difference. Also it looks like a lot have been arrested and probably more will be before tomorrow.
posted by Jalliah at 11:06 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm listening to our new national anthem: Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" (with 105mm cannons) and will be welcoming our new leader with some off-brand vodka later.
It's even more fun if you imagine the cannons are shooting at Trump.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:07 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's even more fun if you imagine the cannons are shooting at Trump.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:07 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I've decided to adopt the poop emoji as my talisman for the next four years.
I'm afraid that's going to be a little bit like picking an obscure-but-awesome name for your kid the same year it happens to become ultra-popular.
posted by gurple at 11:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'm afraid that's going to be a little bit like picking an obscure-but-awesome name for your kid the same year it happens to become ultra-popular.
posted by gurple at 11:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
The sheer gall of America's first for profit President, the man who appointed the richest Cabinet in all recorded history, saying he was there (for the first time ever, unlike all those other losers before him) for the American people.
How did his head not explode from the sheer force of a lie so huge?
posted by sotonohito at 11:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
How did his head not explode from the sheer force of a lie so huge?
posted by sotonohito at 11:08 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Time for me to admit I'm over the deep end, go write up some inauguration fanfic wherein instead of taking the oath, The Orange Anger has a Third Wave moment instead.
Back around Obama's first inauguration thread someone had linked to a deeply weird piece of fiction wherein it's revealed that the outgoing president actually becomes the real leader of some eldritch cabal and the incoming president is a figurehead.
I was wondering if the author had updated for Trump, but I'm not able to quickly find the original link.
posted by audi alteram partem at 11:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Back around Obama's first inauguration thread someone had linked to a deeply weird piece of fiction wherein it's revealed that the outgoing president actually becomes the real leader of some eldritch cabal and the incoming president is a figurehead.
I was wondering if the author had updated for Trump, but I'm not able to quickly find the original link.
posted by audi alteram partem at 11:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Thanks, Obama.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 11:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
scalefree: Kudos to whoever installed the white flooring on the National Mall. It makes all the empty space really pop.
kirkaracha: That's so they can green screen in the adoring crowds later.
qcubed: given how cut-rate everything they do has been, when they do the digital compositing they'll probably forget to mask the current audience so it'll be all bodies with messed up faces.
To be fair, there were similar issues in 2009 (auto-panorama stitching software did some funky things).
posted by filthy light thief at 11:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
kirkaracha: That's so they can green screen in the adoring crowds later.
qcubed: given how cut-rate everything they do has been, when they do the digital compositing they'll probably forget to mask the current audience so it'll be all bodies with messed up faces.
To be fair, there were similar issues in 2009 (auto-panorama stitching software did some funky things).
posted by filthy light thief at 11:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
People thought that about George W. Bush, and they also thought it about the Tea Party, and they also thought it about the shutdown, and they also thought it about how Boehner was pushed out.
Exactly. Despite the predictions and bad governance, the Republican party is right now the strongest it's ever been in history. Democrats are barely still alive as a national party. Every thing that should've hurt them only made them stronger and stronger.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Exactly. Despite the predictions and bad governance, the Republican party is right now the strongest it's ever been in history. Democrats are barely still alive as a national party. Every thing that should've hurt them only made them stronger and stronger.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
How did his head not explode from the sheer force of a lie so huge?
Practice, practice, practice.
posted by Etrigan at 11:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Practice, practice, practice.
posted by Etrigan at 11:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
The George W. Bush reaction cam during Trump's inauguration speech was lit (photos)
posted by zachlipton at 11:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [29 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 11:09 AM on January 20, 2017 [29 favorites]
Hat tip to my colleague that noticed this, but the new @potus profile picture bears a striking resemblance to that harbinger of death, Vigo the Carpathian.
posted by Happy Dave at 11:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by Happy Dave at 11:10 AM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
The Federal Housing Administration had planned to cut its annual fee for most borrowers by a quarter of a percentage point to 0.60 percent, effective on Jan. 27
So how many mortgage applicants just got their underwriting (and, by consequence, their closing date) fucked?
posted by JoeZydeco at 11:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
So how many mortgage applicants just got their underwriting (and, by consequence, their closing date) fucked?
posted by JoeZydeco at 11:11 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I am starting to think the liberal assumption that the far-right would die from self inflicting wounds has kept us from delivering any kind of real blow.
No more assuming that people are going to get woke on their own now, please.
posted by Tevin at 11:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [51 favorites]
No more assuming that people are going to get woke on their own now, please.
posted by Tevin at 11:12 AM on January 20, 2017 [51 favorites]
BBC News have the wrong subtitles on and it's pretty glorious
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:14 AM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
I've decided to adopt the poop emoji as my talisman for the next four years.
I'm afraid that's going to be a little bit like picking an obscure-but-awesome name for your kid the same year it happens to become ultra-popular.
Ha, that totally works for me! I will draw strength and comfort from the sound of Patrick Stewart's voice.
posted by Tentacle of Trust at 11:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm afraid that's going to be a little bit like picking an obscure-but-awesome name for your kid the same year it happens to become ultra-popular.
Ha, that totally works for me! I will draw strength and comfort from the sound of Patrick Stewart's voice.
posted by Tentacle of Trust at 11:15 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Tentacle of Trust: I've decided to adopt the poop emoji as my talisman for the next four years
gurple: I'm afraid that's going to be a little bit like picking an obscure-but-awesome name for your kid the same year it happens to become ultra-popular.
Hey, Sir Stewart is back in poop! (Spoiler warning - Wikipedia page with the plot description of Masterminds (1997), which you really don't need to watch. Ever. Not Patrick Stewart's finest moment.)
posted by filthy light thief at 11:16 AM on January 20, 2017
gurple: I'm afraid that's going to be a little bit like picking an obscure-but-awesome name for your kid the same year it happens to become ultra-popular.
Hey, Sir Stewart is back in poop! (Spoiler warning - Wikipedia page with the plot description of Masterminds (1997), which you really don't need to watch. Ever. Not Patrick Stewart's finest moment.)
posted by filthy light thief at 11:16 AM on January 20, 2017
Also, Parker Molloy is full of crap, sorry. The new administration's website is not bare bones. It is all up now. LGBT people have just been deleted from it.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:17 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
He is Cheeto the Carpathian and you are like the buzzing of flies to him!
posted by cmfletcher at 11:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by cmfletcher at 11:18 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Old friends.. become allies? Our old friends aren't already our allies? Not to mention phrasing it like diplomacy is an afterthought/last resort is... expected, but unsettling to actually see written on the President's official website.
It is blather, true, but perhaps not the way you think.
Countries do not have friends. Countries have interests. Sometimes the interests of two countries coincide. Sometimes they do not. The degree of coincidence or its opposite determines the amount of friction between countries.
posted by IndigoJones at 11:18 AM on January 20, 2017
It is blather, true, but perhaps not the way you think.
Countries do not have friends. Countries have interests. Sometimes the interests of two countries coincide. Sometimes they do not. The degree of coincidence or its opposite determines the amount of friction between countries.
posted by IndigoJones at 11:18 AM on January 20, 2017
I'm listening to our new national anthem:
I've found early Ministry pairs well with our new reality.
posted by mcdoublewide at 11:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I've found early Ministry pairs well with our new reality.
posted by mcdoublewide at 11:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
It's 19:27 here in the UK, and I'm having a whisky (slightly bitter now that I've just remembered how much Trump loves touting his Scottish roots).
I'm not even American, but this hit me hard for some reason. Harder than I thought it would. The world of democracy and progressiveness and my faith in it all getting better is a little darker. I'm just sad.
I just kicked in another £25 to the Liberal Democrats here, and added more available options for myself to volunteer for them in my constituency. Time to do something. Though, like Trump, I've decided to take this weekend off - then it's down to work.
posted by generichuman at 11:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'm not even American, but this hit me hard for some reason. Harder than I thought it would. The world of democracy and progressiveness and my faith in it all getting better is a little darker. I'm just sad.
I just kicked in another £25 to the Liberal Democrats here, and added more available options for myself to volunteer for them in my constituency. Time to do something. Though, like Trump, I've decided to take this weekend off - then it's down to work.
posted by generichuman at 11:19 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
""How did his head not explode from the sheer force of a lie so huge?"
It's not a lie, if you believe it. - George Costanza
posted by COD at 11:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
It's not a lie, if you believe it. - George Costanza
posted by COD at 11:20 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
@amyklobuchar Nice shot, Senator. Or, as Getty Images knows you, "a woman".
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [54 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [54 favorites]
Haven't caught up with the thread but: can't get to the museum of African American History through security, because while there's about as many folks here in protest gear as in celebration gear there sure is a lot of security and military.
So we're at the Holocaust Museum today instead. There's a good long line.
Good.
posted by sciatrix at 11:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
So we're at the Holocaust Museum today instead. There's a good long line.
Good.
posted by sciatrix at 11:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
The WaPo live feed is covering the protests that are happening right outside their building.
posted by peeedro at 11:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by peeedro at 11:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I just looked at Whitehouse.gov and can't believe it's not a joke hack.
posted by zutalors! at 11:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by zutalors! at 11:23 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
National Day of Patriotism? Don't we already have the 4th of July for fireworks and flag-waving
Bart: Oh, Lisa, maybe you're right, maybe you're wrong! The important thing is, veterans deserve a day to honor them!
Lisa: [through clenched teeth] They have two!
Bart: Well maybe they should have three. I'm Bart Simpson.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 11:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
Bart: Oh, Lisa, maybe you're right, maybe you're wrong! The important thing is, veterans deserve a day to honor them!
Lisa: [through clenched teeth] They have two!
Bart: Well maybe they should have three. I'm Bart Simpson.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 11:26 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
Old friends.. become allies? Our old friends aren't already our allies?
He's very likely talking about Russia, as far as the Trump Organization is concerned. Maybe, if Steve Bannon has a hand in it, that also means eventually an England under PM Nigel Farage, France under Marine Le Pen, Germany under AfD, and Austria under the Freedom Party.
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:29 AM on January 20, 2017
He's very likely talking about Russia, as far as the Trump Organization is concerned. Maybe, if Steve Bannon has a hand in it, that also means eventually an England under PM Nigel Farage, France under Marine Le Pen, Germany under AfD, and Austria under the Freedom Party.
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:29 AM on January 20, 2017
The @POTUS banner changed. "Hooray".
and they've tweeted... a not quite in focus picture.
posted by cirhosis at 11:30 AM on January 20, 2017
and they've tweeted... a not quite in focus picture.
posted by cirhosis at 11:30 AM on January 20, 2017
WaPo live stream at protests
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 11:30 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 11:30 AM on January 20, 2017
oops, jinx peeedro!
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 11:31 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 11:31 AM on January 20, 2017
The new foreign policy page talks about defeating "Defeating ISIS and other radical Islamic terror group"."
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
These destructive protesters are really going to make things difficult for the peaceful protesters tomorrow. Fuck these assholes.
posted by gatorae at 11:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by gatorae at 11:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
The WaPo live feed yt is covering the protests that are happening right outside their building.
Such modern scene. It looks like there's maybe a few dozen people causing the problems and the majority are all people filming or just watching.
posted by Jalliah at 11:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Also, the word "alien" is back for undocumented people.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:33 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
A friend who is in DC for the protests says police are "tear gassing and shooting rubber bullets" at 12th & K.
posted by corb at 11:35 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by corb at 11:35 AM on January 20, 2017
These destructive protesters are really going to make things difficult for the peaceful protesters tomorrow. Fuck these assholes.
Fuck that. While I personally won't be destructively protesting, protesting of any kind is fine with me. Civil or uncivil, I don't give a shit. We are protesting a decidedly destructive administration. They are going to crack down whether we speak softly and nicely or not. There's no tone argument to be made that will appease these motherfuckers. No more purity tests for resistance, just resistance.
posted by lazaruslong at 11:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [85 favorites]
Fuck that. While I personally won't be destructively protesting, protesting of any kind is fine with me. Civil or uncivil, I don't give a shit. We are protesting a decidedly destructive administration. They are going to crack down whether we speak softly and nicely or not. There's no tone argument to be made that will appease these motherfuckers. No more purity tests for resistance, just resistance.
posted by lazaruslong at 11:35 AM on January 20, 2017 [85 favorites]
I see a blurry photo of sad Donny looking out a window that's not the Oval Office.
I'll miss Pete Souza. Not that I'll be looking at as many White House photos now.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'll miss Pete Souza. Not that I'll be looking at as many White House photos now.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Such modern scene.
Americans warming themselves by a garbage fire, get used to it.
posted by peeedro at 11:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Americans warming themselves by a garbage fire, get used to it.
posted by peeedro at 11:36 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Why's his @POTUS twitter picture gotta be one where it looks like he's trying to take a shit after two days straight of eating deep dish?
posted by phunniemee at 11:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 11:37 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
That FHA reduction thing is such a kick in the nuts. (I'm not sure it would have helped up us, but our re-finance is up in the air because there are lots of people that have the same name as me)
posted by drezdn at 11:38 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by drezdn at 11:38 AM on January 20, 2017
A friend who is in DC for the protests says police are "tear gassing and shooting rubber bullets" at 12th & K.
That's the protest on the WaPo livestream, their office is at 13th and K NW.
posted by peeedro at 11:38 AM on January 20, 2017
That's the protest on the WaPo livestream, their office is at 13th and K NW.
posted by peeedro at 11:38 AM on January 20, 2017
A friend who is in DC for the protests says police are "tear gassing and shooting rubber bullets" at 12th & K.
The tear gas and flash bangs have been flying for a while now. Can't see bullets on the streams.
posted by Jalliah at 11:38 AM on January 20, 2017
The tear gas and flash bangs have been flying for a while now. Can't see bullets on the streams.
posted by Jalliah at 11:38 AM on January 20, 2017
Barron Trump wins Inauguration Day by playing peekaboo with his nephew while his father signs his first Executive Orders.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:39 AM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:39 AM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
These destructive protesters are really going to make things difficult for the peaceful protesters tomorrow. Fuck these assholes.
Please don't pretend that the cops weren't going to be shits to tomorrow's protesters anyway.
posted by Pope Guilty at 11:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [80 favorites]
Please don't pretend that the cops weren't going to be shits to tomorrow's protesters anyway.
posted by Pope Guilty at 11:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [80 favorites]
Watch what he does, not what he says. Thus it has been, and shall always be.
This needs to be said and done more often. He lies so often because he wants you wasting time and resources correcting him. His goal is to have command over the truth in your mind.
I assume everything Trump says to be a lie. If everything he says is a lie, I don't need to listen to him ever and I don't intend to. He will say terrible things and great things. He will claim he is going to good things and bad things. He will say more things that cause controversy and spark many new threads for us to express our rage at them. That's his goal, to get us focused on what he says so we waste so much time being outraged and proving that he's wrong and we know the truth. If I'm doing exactly what my enemy wants me to be doing, I need to do something, anything, else.
I don't get outraged anymore, I get cold, I get committed, I get focused, and I steel myself to fight. But we're not fighting his words, his words are worthless. Fight his actions, be outraged at his actions, at his policies, pay no attention to his words. I mean that literally. I mean that every time that Donnie is on TV we should turn it off, ideally he'd have ZERO twitter followers. You might feel need to find out what he said at some point to feel like you're following current events (reading a transcript of the state of the union for example) but don't get angry about what you read, it's all lies. You're only reading it so you aware of the current zeitgeist.
The POTUS is no longer a person to be listened to when they speak but someone you should turn away from.
His words are just wind, pay them no mind.
posted by VTX at 11:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [65 favorites]
This needs to be said and done more often. He lies so often because he wants you wasting time and resources correcting him. His goal is to have command over the truth in your mind.
I assume everything Trump says to be a lie. If everything he says is a lie, I don't need to listen to him ever and I don't intend to. He will say terrible things and great things. He will claim he is going to good things and bad things. He will say more things that cause controversy and spark many new threads for us to express our rage at them. That's his goal, to get us focused on what he says so we waste so much time being outraged and proving that he's wrong and we know the truth. If I'm doing exactly what my enemy wants me to be doing, I need to do something, anything, else.
I don't get outraged anymore, I get cold, I get committed, I get focused, and I steel myself to fight. But we're not fighting his words, his words are worthless. Fight his actions, be outraged at his actions, at his policies, pay no attention to his words. I mean that literally. I mean that every time that Donnie is on TV we should turn it off, ideally he'd have ZERO twitter followers. You might feel need to find out what he said at some point to feel like you're following current events (reading a transcript of the state of the union for example) but don't get angry about what you read, it's all lies. You're only reading it so you aware of the current zeitgeist.
The POTUS is no longer a person to be listened to when they speak but someone you should turn away from.
His words are just wind, pay them no mind.
posted by VTX at 11:40 AM on January 20, 2017 [65 favorites]
Something about that speech sounded familiar.
posted by zakur at 11:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by zakur at 11:41 AM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
Something about that speech sounded familiar.
Well that's not at all creepy.
posted by Jalliah at 11:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Well that's not at all creepy.
posted by Jalliah at 11:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
People thought that about George W. Bush, and they also thought it about the Tea Party, and they also thought it about the shutdown, and they also thought it about how Boehner was pushed out.
And the Republican Party has pursued a policy of voter suppression, gerrymandering, unprecedented obstructionism, and general reality denial, which are not the actions of a party that believes it has solid majority support.
The Republican Party knows darn well that it's toxic and, thanks to Trump, is going to get get a lot more so. Maybe voter suppression, bamboozling the working class with more empty promises and rhetoric about "big government" being what stands in the way of prosperity, and working the refs with complaints about "liberal media" will keep the leaks in the dam plugged in the next few elections. But has Trump shown any capability at all of overcoming this popularity pit he's in? Is he suddenly going to become compassionate and competent? Fat chance.
And in two years, he's going to be a millstone around the neck of every Congressional Republican. Many of whom are going to get re-elected anyway, because in spite of what NPR keeps telling me, this election was not about outsiderism -- plenty of incumbent Republicans, even shaky ones, got re-elected, so it was about backlash. So let's make the Republicans face the unpleasant choice of opposing an unpopular president, thus risking the ire of their base, or possibly losing to a Democrat. And let's keep on doing that in 2018.
And more importantly, 2020, when state houses are up for control.
posted by Gelatin at 11:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [39 favorites]
And the Republican Party has pursued a policy of voter suppression, gerrymandering, unprecedented obstructionism, and general reality denial, which are not the actions of a party that believes it has solid majority support.
The Republican Party knows darn well that it's toxic and, thanks to Trump, is going to get get a lot more so. Maybe voter suppression, bamboozling the working class with more empty promises and rhetoric about "big government" being what stands in the way of prosperity, and working the refs with complaints about "liberal media" will keep the leaks in the dam plugged in the next few elections. But has Trump shown any capability at all of overcoming this popularity pit he's in? Is he suddenly going to become compassionate and competent? Fat chance.
And in two years, he's going to be a millstone around the neck of every Congressional Republican. Many of whom are going to get re-elected anyway, because in spite of what NPR keeps telling me, this election was not about outsiderism -- plenty of incumbent Republicans, even shaky ones, got re-elected, so it was about backlash. So let's make the Republicans face the unpleasant choice of opposing an unpopular president, thus risking the ire of their base, or possibly losing to a Democrat. And let's keep on doing that in 2018.
And more importantly, 2020, when state houses are up for control.
posted by Gelatin at 11:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [39 favorites]
These destructive protesters are really going to make things difficult for the peaceful protesters tomorrow. Fuck these assholes.
No they aren't. The police will decide whether they want to make things difficult or not, regardless of the behavior of the protestors themselves. I have seen them ignore Dumpster fires and attack drum circles.
posted by maxsparber at 11:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [43 favorites]
No they aren't. The police will decide whether they want to make things difficult or not, regardless of the behavior of the protestors themselves. I have seen them ignore Dumpster fires and attack drum circles.
posted by maxsparber at 11:43 AM on January 20, 2017 [43 favorites]
I just saw this tweet from David Corn (the reporter who broke the dossier story in Mother Jones).
Spoke to @LindseyGrahamSC re revelations of top secret evidence of Trump camp contacts w/ Russia. He wants a full investigation.
posted by diogenes at 11:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Spoke to @LindseyGrahamSC re revelations of top secret evidence of Trump camp contacts w/ Russia. He wants a full investigation.
posted by diogenes at 11:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
There's no tone argument to be made that will appease these motherfuckers. No more purity tests for resistance, just resistance.
My facebook is already getting polluted with ***CONCERN*** about smashed windows, etc. Thank god for window smashers to make sure we shift the discussion from the point of the protesting to "Why Property Damage isn't Nice 101"
posted by windbox at 11:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
My facebook is already getting polluted with ***CONCERN*** about smashed windows, etc. Thank god for window smashers to make sure we shift the discussion from the point of the protesting to "Why Property Damage isn't Nice 101"
posted by windbox at 11:45 AM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
The Hill Poll: Trump approval rating hits new low hours before inauguration
Just over a third of Americans approve of President-elect Donald Trump, according to a new poll released hours before his inauguration.
The survey from Fox News showed that 37 percent of Americans approve of Trump ahead of his inauguration, while 54 percent do not.
Measuring the country’s mood just before Inauguration Day, 60 percent of Americans said “it’s everyone for themselves,” and 34 percent said “we’re all in this together.”
The poll comes at the tail end of a flurry of surveys that show Trump as having a historically low approval rating for a president-elect
posted by Jalliah at 11:46 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
anybody know if they're arresting just the window breakers or is it like scooping up everybody near the window breakers or what
Doesn't look like it.
posted by Jalliah at 11:47 AM on January 20, 2017
Doesn't look like it.
posted by Jalliah at 11:47 AM on January 20, 2017
So let's make the Republicans face the unpleasant choice of opposing an unpopular president, thus risking the ire of their base, or possibly losing to a Democrat. And let's keep on doing that in 2018.
And let's keep on doing that
posted by kirkaracha at 11:47 AM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
I am not broken.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Re: FaceTwits
If we abandon those media then Putin and the alt right and the Tea Party and Alex Jones can say whatever they want on them and not be contradicted.
If we abandon those media, who cares?
The platforms are inherently designed to favor outrage and anti-(intellectualism, science, social behavior). It's not a battlefield, it's a slaughterhouse. There's no "winning" to be had in the long run.
Also, all information (text, coordinates, relationships, images) will inevitably be used against the users or otherwise without concern or consent. There are many many other ways to live and communicate than through these advertising / profiling / datamining platforms.
posted by petebest at 11:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
If we abandon those media then Putin and the alt right and the Tea Party and Alex Jones can say whatever they want on them and not be contradicted.
If we abandon those media, who cares?
The platforms are inherently designed to favor outrage and anti-(intellectualism, science, social behavior). It's not a battlefield, it's a slaughterhouse. There's no "winning" to be had in the long run.
Also, all information (text, coordinates, relationships, images) will inevitably be used against the users or otherwise without concern or consent. There are many many other ways to live and communicate than through these advertising / profiling / datamining platforms.
posted by petebest at 11:48 AM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
If we abandon those media, who cares?
Question: So far, the Wikipedia obsessives have been able to keep their turf free from the noise machine's interference. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)
Can they guide the rest of us ?
posted by ocschwar at 11:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Question: So far, the Wikipedia obsessives have been able to keep their turf free from the noise machine's interference. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)
Can they guide the rest of us ?
posted by ocschwar at 11:50 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Trump looks like he absolutely fucking hates this luncheon.
posted by gatorae at 11:50 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by gatorae at 11:50 AM on January 20, 2017
Repeating the phrase "tone argument" is like magic!
posted by thelonius at 11:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 11:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Nevertrump conservatives on my facebook feed are already saying "Please do not treat every single thing President Trump does as if it is the end of civilization. If removing items from a website is treated as a world historic crisis when a world historic crisis actually occurs I feel like criticism of the new President will fall on deaf ears." It's infuriating that we've been lectured at to give Trump a chance and not get mad before he's even done anything, and now that he starts doing bad things we're also not supposed to be mad yet either! Can't wait for Republicans to let us know when it's ok to be mad at Trump!
posted by DynamiteToast at 11:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [52 favorites]
posted by DynamiteToast at 11:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [52 favorites]
There are many many other ways to live and communicate than through these advertising / profiling / datamining platforms.
Oh, definitely. But there are not really any better places to refute the misinformation that is spread virally in those places. And it got Trump elected. People voted for him because they believed the lies spread by him and on his behalf. Just a never ending barrage of lies. And when we saw those lies most of us just quietly hit "unfollow" or "hide post" (I certaintly did) and assumed people would recognize them for what they were. Well, they didn't. And here we are.
posted by OnceUponATime at 11:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Oh, definitely. But there are not really any better places to refute the misinformation that is spread virally in those places. And it got Trump elected. People voted for him because they believed the lies spread by him and on his behalf. Just a never ending barrage of lies. And when we saw those lies most of us just quietly hit "unfollow" or "hide post" (I certaintly did) and assumed people would recognize them for what they were. Well, they didn't. And here we are.
posted by OnceUponATime at 11:54 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
oschwar Its the same as the guidance from those parts of reddit that aren't infested with neo-Nazi scum: a large mod team and a quick hand on the banhammer.
You need enough dedicated mods to have parts of the team up and active 24/7, and you need those mods to be utterly ruthless about smashing any sort of derailment and banning those who start it.
It can produce an occasionally oppressive environment, but without those clear sharp lines being defended vigorously the scum will seep in.
posted by sotonohito at 11:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
You need enough dedicated mods to have parts of the team up and active 24/7, and you need those mods to be utterly ruthless about smashing any sort of derailment and banning those who start it.
It can produce an occasionally oppressive environment, but without those clear sharp lines being defended vigorously the scum will seep in.
posted by sotonohito at 11:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Watching the Whitehouse live luncheon feed, it feels like a declaration of manifest destiny.
posted by stonepharisee at 11:55 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by stonepharisee at 11:55 AM on January 20, 2017
Chris Rock on Twitter, Don't Forget To Set Your Clocks Back 300 Years.
posted by vac2003 at 11:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by vac2003 at 11:55 AM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Trump looks like he absolutely fucking hates this luncheon.
all toddlers have a difficult time sitting still.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 11:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
all toddlers have a difficult time sitting still.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 11:56 AM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
Repeating the phrase "tone argument" is like magic!
is this that new anti pc thing, do we all have to do this now
posted by zutalors! at 11:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
My facebook is already getting polluted with ***CONCERN*** about smashed windows, etc. Thank god for window smashers to make sure we shift the discussion from the point of the protesting to "Why Property Damage isn't Nice 101"
I just got Facebook-unfriended by someone who expressed concern about the protests and didn't seem to appreciate my citing Martin Luther King's criticism of that attitude in his Letter from a Birmingham Jail.
I am not sorry at all.
posted by Gelatin at 11:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [53 favorites]
I just got Facebook-unfriended by someone who expressed concern about the protests and didn't seem to appreciate my citing Martin Luther King's criticism of that attitude in his Letter from a Birmingham Jail.
I am not sorry at all.
posted by Gelatin at 11:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [53 favorites]
Trump has his arms crossed and there's a tiny little hand sticking out from under his elbow and I was like Hey does he have a kid on his lap but no he does not
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 11:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 11:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
C'mon everyone, the most appropriate LOTR reference is Theoden's speech
Then why do I feel less like Theoden King and more like Fatty Bolger?
AWAKE! FEAR! FIRE! FOES! AWAKE!
posted by ActingTheGoat at 11:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Then why do I feel less like Theoden King and more like Fatty Bolger?
AWAKE! FEAR! FIRE! FOES! AWAKE!
posted by ActingTheGoat at 11:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Departing Obama Tearfully Shoos Away Loyal Drone Following Him Out Of White House:
‘Go On Now, Git,’ Says Former President
posted by Coventry at 11:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [40 favorites]
‘Go On Now, Git,’ Says Former President
posted by Coventry at 11:58 AM on January 20, 2017 [40 favorites]
Repeating the phrase "tone argument" is like magic!
posted by thelonius
Want to expand on this? Cause it sure doesn't read well.
posted by lazaruslong at 11:58 AM on January 20, 2017
posted by thelonius
Want to expand on this? Cause it sure doesn't read well.
posted by lazaruslong at 11:58 AM on January 20, 2017
Wikipedia is very susceptible to BS if it affirms the biases of its biggest demographics (and it has severe issues there), and doesn't translate to individual-user platforms very well anyway. If you look at the discussions, Wikipedia culture tends to be very conservative (frequently bordering on alt-right crankiness). It keeps large, popular articles from being defaced through active moderation, but it's sort of a miracle it hasn't really succumbed to the worst parts of internet scumbigotry.
posted by byanyothername at 11:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by byanyothername at 11:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
make sure we shift the discussion from the point of the protesting to "Why Property Damage isn't Nice 101"
And what, pray tell, is "the point of the protesting?"
The behavior of these yahoos is a perfect example of appropriation of voice. We live, or would like to live, in a civil society. Damaging property is more than just damaging property. It's an act of violence. You might think I'm wrong but whatever. Tantrums don't change the world.
posted by My Dad at 11:59 AM on January 20, 2017
And what, pray tell, is "the point of the protesting?"
The behavior of these yahoos is a perfect example of appropriation of voice. We live, or would like to live, in a civil society. Damaging property is more than just damaging property. It's an act of violence. You might think I'm wrong but whatever. Tantrums don't change the world.
posted by My Dad at 11:59 AM on January 20, 2017
Repeating the phrase "tone argument" is like magic!
It literally showed up once in this thread in a specific context. If you have issue with that context, go ahead and state your issue, but, honestly, just complaining about the phrase itself is so weak and so fucking tiresome and I just don't have the energy for this sort of dismissiveness right now.
posted by maxsparber at 11:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
It literally showed up once in this thread in a specific context. If you have issue with that context, go ahead and state your issue, but, honestly, just complaining about the phrase itself is so weak and so fucking tiresome and I just don't have the energy for this sort of dismissiveness right now.
posted by maxsparber at 11:59 AM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Tantrums don't change the world.
I mean, they literally just got someone elected, so I really don't know what to say.
posted by maxsparber at 12:00 PM on January 20, 2017 [139 favorites]
I mean, they literally just got someone elected, so I really don't know what to say.
posted by maxsparber at 12:00 PM on January 20, 2017 [139 favorites]
“One thing is for certain: there is no stopping them; the ants will soon be here. And I for one welcome our new insect overlords. I’d like to remind them that as a trusted TV personality, I can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their underground sugar caves.”
That never felt so poignant as it does today.
posted by darkstar at 12:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
That never felt so poignant as it does today.
posted by darkstar at 12:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Counterpoint: 'Do you want ants? Cuz this is how you get ants!'
posted by ian1977 at 12:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by ian1977 at 12:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Tantrums don't change the world.
So when a mob armed with pitchforks stormed Versailles that was what, if not a massive tantrum that changed the world?
Which is not to say I'm endorsing violence here and now, but I'm also not crying over some broken windows if maybe it alerts some folks to the real dangers we are now in.
posted by dnash at 12:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
So when a mob armed with pitchforks stormed Versailles that was what, if not a massive tantrum that changed the world?
Which is not to say I'm endorsing violence here and now, but I'm also not crying over some broken windows if maybe it alerts some folks to the real dangers we are now in.
posted by dnash at 12:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
trump calling for a standing ovation for bill and hillary coming to the abomination.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 12:03 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 12:03 PM on January 20, 2017
D.C. police chief: Violence a ‘small disturbance’
D.C. Interim Police Chief Peter Newsham told CNN that there were “maybe a couple of hundred” or so protesters who were acting violent, throwing rocks or objects at law enforcement officers or destroying property.posted by zachlipton at 12:04 PM on January 20, 2017 [41 favorites]
“In the grand scheme of things, this is a small disturbance in a small part of the city,” he said. “Literally, we have thousands of others who are peacefully demonstrating.”
It's infuriating that we've been lectured at to give Trump a chance and not get mad before he's even done anything, and now that he starts doing bad things we're also not supposed to be mad yet either! Can't wait for Republicans to let us know when it's ok to be mad at Trump!
I don't know if gaslighting can be considered a rhetorical style, but commentary from conservatives meant for anyone not-conservative is entirely gaslighting nowdays from what I see on social media.
posted by MillMan at 12:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
I don't know if gaslighting can be considered a rhetorical style, but commentary from conservatives meant for anyone not-conservative is entirely gaslighting nowdays from what I see on social media.
posted by MillMan at 12:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
I guess my worry is that breaking windows will just make it easier to dismiss the protests as "full of crazy people" or whatever misguided stereotype is in vogue, rather than focusing on the substance of the protest. Isn't that the power of nonviolent resistance - disruption without actual destruction?
posted by fast ein Maedchen at 12:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by fast ein Maedchen at 12:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Why's his @POTUS twitter picture gotta be one where it looks like he's trying to take a shit after two days straight of eating deep dish?
That's his official portrait. That's the photo that's going to be glowering at us from every post office and DMV wall.
posted by theodolite at 12:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
That's his official portrait. That's the photo that's going to be glowering at us from every post office and DMV wall.
posted by theodolite at 12:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
The behavior of these yahoos is a perfect example of appropriation of voice. We live, or would like to live, in a civil society. Damaging property is more than just damaging property. It's an act of violence. You might think I'm wrong but whatever. Tantrums don't change the world
There are always people who show up to protests to break and start shit and don't want to change anything or do anything in particular except burn and break and start shit.
posted by zutalors! at 12:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I guess my worry is that breaking windows will just make it easier to dismiss the protests as "full of crazy people" or whatever misguided stereotype is in vogue,
Believe it or not, this will happen anyway, with or without broken windows.
Nothing we do changes the way they paint us. They are propagandists, not reporters, and will find whatever reason they can to dismiss everything we do.
posted by maxsparber at 12:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [55 favorites]
Believe it or not, this will happen anyway, with or without broken windows.
Nothing we do changes the way they paint us. They are propagandists, not reporters, and will find whatever reason they can to dismiss everything we do.
posted by maxsparber at 12:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [55 favorites]
I forgot, I'm sorry: we have a more permanent place now, with a friend of mine. We're okay. We're grateful. More when I have WiFi and keyboard, but this - - remembering - - was and is important.
posted by sciatrix at 12:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [63 favorites]
posted by sciatrix at 12:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [63 favorites]
So the White House petitions site? It's still up and as of right now there's one new petition. Is the site staying up an oversight or intentional? Eh, who knows, but I really like the looks of this first petition.
Peition on whitehouse.gov
And, just in case, here's an archive.org link
posted by Enturbulated at 12:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Peition on whitehouse.gov
And, just in case, here's an archive.org link
posted by Enturbulated at 12:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Why's his @POTUS twitter picture gotta be one where it looks like he's trying to take a shit after two days straight of eating deep dish?
That's the face trump makes when he's trying to make a serious business face
It's his only face
posted by quaking fajita at 12:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
That's the face trump makes when he's trying to make a serious business face
It's his only face
posted by quaking fajita at 12:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
>>>Tantrums don't change the world.
I mean, they literally just got someone elected, so I really don't know what to say.
Hey, nobody's saying you can't dress up in black and smash windows. But you won't be speaking for me. And, as usual, progressive-thinking people like me ("natural allies") will be the "bad guy" because I have the wrong opinion.
So interesting that the black-clad protesters this morning were all white, by the way.
posted by My Dad at 12:08 PM on January 20, 2017
I mean, they literally just got someone elected, so I really don't know what to say.
Hey, nobody's saying you can't dress up in black and smash windows. But you won't be speaking for me. And, as usual, progressive-thinking people like me ("natural allies") will be the "bad guy" because I have the wrong opinion.
So interesting that the black-clad protesters this morning were all white, by the way.
posted by My Dad at 12:08 PM on January 20, 2017
The behavior of these yahoos is a perfect example of appropriation of voice. We live, or would like to live, in a civil society. Damaging property is more than just damaging property. It's an act of violence. You might think I'm wrong but whatever. Tantrums don't change the world
My belief is that the real goal of the Black Bloc/Anarchist groups is to prop up the "plate glass replacement" industry. There is absolutely no other explanation for these groups being so ineffective at bringing any sort of change for decades and decades.
posted by sideshow at 12:11 PM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
My belief is that the real goal of the Black Bloc/Anarchist groups is to prop up the "plate glass replacement" industry. There is absolutely no other explanation for these groups being so ineffective at bringing any sort of change for decades and decades.
posted by sideshow at 12:11 PM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
That's the face trump makes when he's trying to make a serious business face
It's his only face
Well you're probably feeling what Donald's feeling... "Carpathian Kitten Loss". He misses his kitty! Well we'll just place one in here right by the curtains...
posted by Servo5678 at 12:11 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's his only face
Well you're probably feeling what Donald's feeling... "Carpathian Kitten Loss". He misses his kitty! Well we'll just place one in here right by the curtains...
posted by Servo5678 at 12:11 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
...that was what, if not a massive tantrum that changed the world?
A military action which targeted a locus of oppressive power, to great effect political effect.
posted by Coventry at 12:11 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
A military action which targeted a locus of oppressive power, to great effect political effect.
posted by Coventry at 12:11 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
As far as I can tell the power of nonviolent resistance is to get beat up on so badly you provoke sympathy from your oppressors.
posted by dilaudid at 12:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by dilaudid at 12:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Incoming DOJ Deputy Assistant AG for Civil Rights Worked Defending Redistricting Plans
The hits just keep on coming.
posted by zachlipton at 12:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
The hits just keep on coming.
posted by zachlipton at 12:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Believe it or not, this will happen anyway, with or without broken windows.
This. If there were, by some miracle, not one broken window or any damaged property, pictures of protests from some bygone day when windows were broken or cars were burned would be circulated anyway, and it wouldn't matter that they weren't real, because the narrative is: leftist protesters are always violent thugs who need to have their heads busted.
posted by uncleozzy at 12:13 PM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
This. If there were, by some miracle, not one broken window or any damaged property, pictures of protests from some bygone day when windows were broken or cars were burned would be circulated anyway, and it wouldn't matter that they weren't real, because the narrative is: leftist protesters are always violent thugs who need to have their heads busted.
posted by uncleozzy at 12:13 PM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
That's his official portrait. That's the photo that's going to be glowering at us from every post office and DMV wall.
Geez. Even Nixon was at least smirking.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:14 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Geez. Even Nixon was at least smirking.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:14 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
So the White House petitions site? It's still up and as of right now there's one new petition. Is the site staying up an oversight or intentional? Eh, who knows, but I really like the looks of this first petition.
If Trump wanted to collect the names of people that need to be dealt with one strategy might be the official petition page. Not that I'm suggesting that is happening. Oversight is probably far more likely.
Probably.
posted by COD at 12:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
If Trump wanted to collect the names of people that need to be dealt with one strategy might be the official petition page. Not that I'm suggesting that is happening. Oversight is probably far more likely.
Probably.
posted by COD at 12:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Given what has happened, it is a given that there will be violent protests. They don't have to speak for anyone. It's a biological expression of outrage, like an inflammation.
posted by stonepharisee at 12:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by stonepharisee at 12:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Words Donald Trump said for the first time in any U.S. inaugural address
They include bleed, carnage, stolen, urban, tombstones, and sad.
In other words, most inaugural addresses aren't bottomless pits of despair.
posted by zachlipton at 12:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [87 favorites]
They include bleed, carnage, stolen, urban, tombstones, and sad.
In other words, most inaugural addresses aren't bottomless pits of despair.
posted by zachlipton at 12:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [87 favorites]
Believe it or not, this will happen anyway, with or without broken windows.
Nothing we do changes the way they paint us. They are propagandists, not reporters, and will find whatever reason they can to dismiss everything we do.
I hear that and believe it wholeheartedly. I guess I still think there's value in keeping disruption peaceful (as in non-violent), even just for its own sake. Is smashing things ever demonstrably more effective than not smashing things? (Real question.)
posted by fast ein Maedchen at 12:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
And the Republican Party has pursued a policy of voter suppression, gerrymandering, unprecedented obstructionism, and general reality denial, which are not the actions of a party that believes it has solid majority support.
This is true of course, but Democratic self-sorting into geographic disadvantage is as big or bigger problem than Republican gerrymandering, especially in a system that rewards occupation of land area over actual human voters, compounding losses in the House, and especially state governments.
They hold a commanding rural/land area advantage that goes beyond Trump or gerrymandering.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
This is true of course, but Democratic self-sorting into geographic disadvantage is as big or bigger problem than Republican gerrymandering, especially in a system that rewards occupation of land area over actual human voters, compounding losses in the House, and especially state governments.
They hold a commanding rural/land area advantage that goes beyond Trump or gerrymandering.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
So the White House petitions site? It's still up and as of right now there's one new petition. Is the site staying up an oversight or intentional? Eh, who knows, but I really like the looks of this first petition.
Peition on whitehouse.gov
I just tried to sign [this petition demanding the release of Trump's tax returns] and got an error message.
posted by DingoMutt at 12:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Peition on whitehouse.gov
I just tried to sign [this petition demanding the release of Trump's tax returns] and got an error message.
posted by DingoMutt at 12:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Protests are complicated things. They often serve multiple functions, and those functions can contradict each other, and people who are in them are aware of this contradiction and, in my experience, often okay with it, because we can't really control a protest, or dictate what it is supposed to mean.
So there are some in the protest who are trying to communicate with a larger audience. And there are some who will be trying to mess shit up as a warning: This sort of bullshit leads to shit getting broken.
Experienced protesters know this, and so there is a sort of detente that happens, where the black bloc hangs back and does its stuff away from the main protest, and the main protesters tell the media, oh, that wasn't us, we would never condone that. And I've been involved in a lot of protests, and honestly can't say which works best, or if they work well in collaboration.
I mean, Dr. King was supposed to have once said "I am only effective as long as there is a shadow on white America of the black man standing behind me with a Molotov cocktail." I don't know if he ever actually said it, but the biographies I have read of him sure make it seem like he understood that the threat of violence helped legitimize his approach as an alternative. He did say that "I think that we've got to see that a riot is the language of the unheard."
anarchists are white boys
Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin, for one, would be quite surprised to hear this. I was part of the anarchist community in Minneapolis for quite a few years, and can certainly say that this statement was not true then. The scene was actually dominated by women, and we had an awful lot of people of color involved.
posted by maxsparber at 12:17 PM on January 20, 2017 [37 favorites]
So there are some in the protest who are trying to communicate with a larger audience. And there are some who will be trying to mess shit up as a warning: This sort of bullshit leads to shit getting broken.
Experienced protesters know this, and so there is a sort of detente that happens, where the black bloc hangs back and does its stuff away from the main protest, and the main protesters tell the media, oh, that wasn't us, we would never condone that. And I've been involved in a lot of protests, and honestly can't say which works best, or if they work well in collaboration.
I mean, Dr. King was supposed to have once said "I am only effective as long as there is a shadow on white America of the black man standing behind me with a Molotov cocktail." I don't know if he ever actually said it, but the biographies I have read of him sure make it seem like he understood that the threat of violence helped legitimize his approach as an alternative. He did say that "I think that we've got to see that a riot is the language of the unheard."
anarchists are white boys
Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin, for one, would be quite surprised to hear this. I was part of the anarchist community in Minneapolis for quite a few years, and can certainly say that this statement was not true then. The scene was actually dominated by women, and we had an awful lot of people of color involved.
posted by maxsparber at 12:17 PM on January 20, 2017 [37 favorites]
Words Donald Trump said for the first time in any U.S. inaugural address
(From Washington Post)
Bleed, carnage, stealing, stolen, tombstone....
posted by Cookiebastard at 12:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
(From Washington Post)
Bleed, carnage, stealing, stolen, tombstone....
posted by Cookiebastard at 12:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Is smashing things ever demonstrably more effective than not smashing things? (Real question.)
Just asking that is allowing the narrative to swing back to "The anti-Trump protestors are violent!"
posted by Etrigan at 12:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Just asking that is allowing the narrative to swing back to "The anti-Trump protestors are violent!"
posted by Etrigan at 12:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I went to sleep with President Obama.
Because of the time zone differences, I woke up with President Trump.
That's just as awful as it sounds.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
Because of the time zone differences, I woke up with President Trump.
That's just as awful as it sounds.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
(Wow - sorry zachlipton - this thread is moving fast!)
posted by Cookiebastard at 12:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Cookiebastard at 12:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Also, Trump is now breaking the law, right? Regarding his hotel in the post office.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
T.D. Strange And the fact that the US system does reward land occupation rather than numbers is the main reason why, long before Trump was even a blip on the radar, I feared the USA might not last another 100 years.
A system where simply by moving to a city you surrender most of your political voice is not a system that can survive in a world that is increasingly urban. And that system is baked so deeply into our Constitution I don't think it can ever be fixed.
Even if we expanded the House and eliminated gerrymandering, the Senate would still tilt to the regressive forces simply because it rewards land rather than people, and the Presidency would still be up for grabs because of the massive over-representation of rural votes.
I think, I fear, that sooner or later the majority of the population will reject being lorded over by a tiny handful of rural voters. The only way to fix the problem is to end the USA, and that's not a good thing or something I want to see happen. But I don't see how it can be avoided.
posted by sotonohito at 12:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
A system where simply by moving to a city you surrender most of your political voice is not a system that can survive in a world that is increasingly urban. And that system is baked so deeply into our Constitution I don't think it can ever be fixed.
Even if we expanded the House and eliminated gerrymandering, the Senate would still tilt to the regressive forces simply because it rewards land rather than people, and the Presidency would still be up for grabs because of the massive over-representation of rural votes.
I think, I fear, that sooner or later the majority of the population will reject being lorded over by a tiny handful of rural voters. The only way to fix the problem is to end the USA, and that's not a good thing or something I want to see happen. But I don't see how it can be avoided.
posted by sotonohito at 12:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
I went to sleep with President Obama.
Because of the time zone differences, I woke up with President Trump.
America has some shit beer goggles.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [63 favorites]
Because of the time zone differences, I woke up with President Trump.
America has some shit beer goggles.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [63 favorites]
It isn't clear to me that the destructive protesters here are even necessarily anti-Trump so much as anti-establishment anarchists who would have done the same thing to protest Clinton.
posted by gatorae at 12:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by gatorae at 12:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
Thanks, maxsparber - food for thought for this amateur.
Etrigan, that wasnt my intention. I'm asking for my own information; I'm a reluctant and inexperienced activist with a bleeding heart and I was curious about conventional wisdom from people more experienced than I am. That said, I don't want to center the conversation around the idea that all protestors are violent or whatever (I know I don't plan to be tomorrow), so let's move on if this isn't helpful.
posted by fast ein Maedchen at 12:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Etrigan, that wasnt my intention. I'm asking for my own information; I'm a reluctant and inexperienced activist with a bleeding heart and I was curious about conventional wisdom from people more experienced than I am. That said, I don't want to center the conversation around the idea that all protestors are violent or whatever (I know I don't plan to be tomorrow), so let's move on if this isn't helpful.
posted by fast ein Maedchen at 12:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
> Trump is now breaking the law, right? Regarding his hotel in the post office.
He's already been sued by CREW, link somewhere up there... (Here)
posted by RedOrGreen at 12:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
He's already been sued by CREW, link somewhere up there... (Here)
posted by RedOrGreen at 12:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
As far as I can tell the power of nonviolent resistance is to get beat up on so badly you provoke sympathy from your oppressors.
Sympathy (or persuasion) is one way nonviolent power works, but it isn't the only way or even the most common way nonviolent action has an effect. For example, boycotts don't work by provoking sympathy; they work, like other non-violent tactics, by disrupting the system your opponent depends on. See Gene Sharp's The Politics of Nonviolent Action.
posted by audi alteram partem at 12:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Sympathy (or persuasion) is one way nonviolent power works, but it isn't the only way or even the most common way nonviolent action has an effect. For example, boycotts don't work by provoking sympathy; they work, like other non-violent tactics, by disrupting the system your opponent depends on. See Gene Sharp's The Politics of Nonviolent Action.
posted by audi alteram partem at 12:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
These yahoos that burn things have been around forever. I was in protests with them 20 years ago and they were just as annoying and stupid. And yet it seems like every time they come out and burn things people get all upset and hand wring and we have to go through a big long discussion about the pros and cons of burning and breaking things.
Yes it sucks because it can take attention away from peaceful protest.
Yes it sucks because it's something that the 'other side' can use as an example of blah blah whatever.
I am not an activist that supports breaking windows and burning things. Not so much because I think it's wrong at the core but because most of these yahoos that do this are really just about burning things down and don't have any real concrete goals except some form of start the revolution stick it to the man sort of worldview. In history there are numerous example where masses of people have got more violent and broken things and it has led to change.
In other places in the world including democracies having some people break windows is pretty much a normal state of affairs. It happens, because some people are just shits, like to be shitty, don't care about the larger group and use big events like this play the revolutionary and be all uber angry. People just protest despite them.
These folks are not going to go away. And I expect in this state of affairs the US are going to be out burning more things.
There is little point in worrying about what other people think. They will use any excuse whatever to call protesters crazy, nutso, violent and whatever if they want too. If there wasn't people burning things it would be something else. Heck they'll just make stuff up. I've been at protests where people accused people of breaking stuff and no such thing happen.
Just protest.
If you're at a protest and these yahoos are there my advice is don't engage them and do your best not march around them. If they start something and your in the vicinity do your best to calmly walk away and leave. (unless you have the desire to watch/and or record but understand you may get caught up if the police come in). If you can't leave for whatever reason get as far out of the way as possible and do you best to show that you are not one of them.
Otherwise just protest. These folks aren't going to stop. They don't care.
posted by Jalliah at 12:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [30 favorites]
Yes it sucks because it can take attention away from peaceful protest.
Yes it sucks because it's something that the 'other side' can use as an example of blah blah whatever.
I am not an activist that supports breaking windows and burning things. Not so much because I think it's wrong at the core but because most of these yahoos that do this are really just about burning things down and don't have any real concrete goals except some form of start the revolution stick it to the man sort of worldview. In history there are numerous example where masses of people have got more violent and broken things and it has led to change.
In other places in the world including democracies having some people break windows is pretty much a normal state of affairs. It happens, because some people are just shits, like to be shitty, don't care about the larger group and use big events like this play the revolutionary and be all uber angry. People just protest despite them.
These folks are not going to go away. And I expect in this state of affairs the US are going to be out burning more things.
There is little point in worrying about what other people think. They will use any excuse whatever to call protesters crazy, nutso, violent and whatever if they want too. If there wasn't people burning things it would be something else. Heck they'll just make stuff up. I've been at protests where people accused people of breaking stuff and no such thing happen.
Just protest.
If you're at a protest and these yahoos are there my advice is don't engage them and do your best not march around them. If they start something and your in the vicinity do your best to calmly walk away and leave. (unless you have the desire to watch/and or record but understand you may get caught up if the police come in). If you can't leave for whatever reason get as far out of the way as possible and do you best to show that you are not one of them.
Otherwise just protest. These folks aren't going to stop. They don't care.
posted by Jalliah at 12:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [30 favorites]
Interesting story in the protests in San Francisco this morning. People protested at the Bank of America building which Trump apparently partially owns, which is whatever, but other than that it appears most of the arrests were of people blocking Caltrain (to protest Peter Thiel and Palantir) and Market Street (to protest Travis Kalanick and Uber). People in purple are also forming a human chain across the Golden Gate Bridge.
Maybe I'm projecting or reading too much into it but it seems to me like even after the tech boom, rents doubling, and the total decimation of San Francisco's black population, our San Francisco values (tm) are intact, but we're waking up to the fact that some of our tech overlords are evil. There was stuff like the tech bus protests, but that was seen as a fringe thing. This isn't. Everyone agrees that protesting Trump is the right thing to do. I can't quite put my finger on why it is so interesting to me that parts of the tech industry are caught up in the protests, but it feels like a change.
posted by sunset in snow country at 12:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Maybe I'm projecting or reading too much into it but it seems to me like even after the tech boom, rents doubling, and the total decimation of San Francisco's black population, our San Francisco values (tm) are intact, but we're waking up to the fact that some of our tech overlords are evil. There was stuff like the tech bus protests, but that was seen as a fringe thing. This isn't. Everyone agrees that protesting Trump is the right thing to do. I can't quite put my finger on why it is so interesting to me that parts of the tech industry are caught up in the protests, but it feels like a change.
posted by sunset in snow country at 12:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
A historical thread today. A report from a lurker. A mental minority person. MLA? MLA now.
I will post some things that I believe.
Facts:
(1.) The humble bumblebee has gone endangered on Friday the 13th in 2017.
(2.) If your sportsball team loses then your testosterone goes down.
(3.) The witches in the New World were drawn as bathing in petroleum as viewable in "Salem" the television show. Cars weren't out at the time. Petroleum wasn't used commercially.
(4.) Cable television penetration correlated with autism growth in diagnosis.
(5.) You can talk to the smart TV, but the smart TV doesn't talk back with "videoshop."
(6.) The child star of Poltegeist the movie died young.
(7.) We used Japanese biowarfare scientists and German V2 rocket scientist from WWI.
(8.) Journalists were first decimated under Bill Clinton's reign during merger mania.
(9.) 40% more journalists were decimated in 2007 I guess.
(10.) Press corps is being moved.
(11.) Mattis is illegal pick for Secretary of Defense since he is not 10 years retired from military.
(12.) There is a "shadow cabinet" not vetted by Congress.
(13.) I'm listening to music picks from this thread.
Opinions:
(1.) Time travel exists in informational capacity.
(2.) We live inside a Dyson sphere around our solar system, and it is at black hole level. Stephen Hawkin lost the bet. It's a painted sky like the Greek's said.
(3.) Libido affects the weather as described in an Anthology of Madness.
(4.) Carrie Fischer is dead and not in Hotel California. She had "lude mouth" from Playboy Mansion.
I'm done. I could go on but I have Bud Light to drink.
Talk left swing right. Until there's a plight. Then second light.
Trump is the Populism Party candidate. Consider he is a nativist platform and former friend and donater to Clintons and golfed with them. I suggested the immigration plank from wikipedia version of Libertarian Party of 2016 during his Caucusing.
Posted before review. I used "stratified statistical sampling" of this thread to read it quickly, as described in the Knuth 3:16 book. I press the spacebar and hold it a little to scroll in chunks.
The entertainment President for the cross of televisions burning at the Marilyn Manson concert is President.
posted by thoughtslut at 12:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I will post some things that I believe.
Facts:
(1.) The humble bumblebee has gone endangered on Friday the 13th in 2017.
(2.) If your sportsball team loses then your testosterone goes down.
(3.) The witches in the New World were drawn as bathing in petroleum as viewable in "Salem" the television show. Cars weren't out at the time. Petroleum wasn't used commercially.
(4.) Cable television penetration correlated with autism growth in diagnosis.
(5.) You can talk to the smart TV, but the smart TV doesn't talk back with "videoshop."
(6.) The child star of Poltegeist the movie died young.
(7.) We used Japanese biowarfare scientists and German V2 rocket scientist from WWI.
(8.) Journalists were first decimated under Bill Clinton's reign during merger mania.
(9.) 40% more journalists were decimated in 2007 I guess.
(10.) Press corps is being moved.
(11.) Mattis is illegal pick for Secretary of Defense since he is not 10 years retired from military.
(12.) There is a "shadow cabinet" not vetted by Congress.
(13.) I'm listening to music picks from this thread.
Opinions:
(1.) Time travel exists in informational capacity.
(2.) We live inside a Dyson sphere around our solar system, and it is at black hole level. Stephen Hawkin lost the bet. It's a painted sky like the Greek's said.
(3.) Libido affects the weather as described in an Anthology of Madness.
(4.) Carrie Fischer is dead and not in Hotel California. She had "lude mouth" from Playboy Mansion.
I'm done. I could go on but I have Bud Light to drink.
Talk left swing right. Until there's a plight. Then second light.
Trump is the Populism Party candidate. Consider he is a nativist platform and former friend and donater to Clintons and golfed with them. I suggested the immigration plank from wikipedia version of Libertarian Party of 2016 during his Caucusing.
Posted before review. I used "stratified statistical sampling" of this thread to read it quickly, as described in the Knuth 3:16 book. I press the spacebar and hold it a little to scroll in chunks.
The entertainment President for the cross of televisions burning at the Marilyn Manson concert is President.
posted by thoughtslut at 12:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
So interesting that the black-clad protesters this morning were all white, by the way.
Every protest I went to in Seattle, there were always some of these guys and they were always white.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 12:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Every protest I went to in Seattle, there were always some of these guys and they were always white.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 12:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
It isn't clear to me that the destructive protesters here are even necessarily anti-Trump so much as anti-establishment anarchists who would have done the same thing to protest Clinton.
They totally would have.
posted by soren_lorensen at 12:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
They totally would have.
posted by soren_lorensen at 12:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Ray Walston, Luck Dragon Yup, and also his foreign money. But breaking the law only means something if there's enforcement. And the Republicans won't enforce the law on Trump.
Which is why I fear there may be a cycle of ever greater lawbreaking from Trump. He's been a cheat and fraud his entire life and now he's in a position where he really can get away with just about anything so he'll try anything that pops into his head.
Who knows what fresh lawbreaking our only president will think of? Maybe it'll be something little, maybe it'll be something big. No one knows and that uncertainty is terrifying.
Why wouldn't he declare martial law? Or suspend elections? Or simply ban Islam? Or whatever? Who's going to stop him? The Republicans? Not a chance.
posted by sotonohito at 12:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Which is why I fear there may be a cycle of ever greater lawbreaking from Trump. He's been a cheat and fraud his entire life and now he's in a position where he really can get away with just about anything so he'll try anything that pops into his head.
Who knows what fresh lawbreaking our only president will think of? Maybe it'll be something little, maybe it'll be something big. No one knows and that uncertainty is terrifying.
Why wouldn't he declare martial law? Or suspend elections? Or simply ban Islam? Or whatever? Who's going to stop him? The Republicans? Not a chance.
posted by sotonohito at 12:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Is smashing things ever demonstrably more effective than not smashing things?
That's a much more academic question than can be easily answered in practice, because protest doesn't run top down and in lockstep and you can't get everybody to agree on everything up front.
A more practical question is: is the fear that some splinter group will smash stuff sufficient reason to abandon otherwise peaceful protests? Because the only way that folks 100% dedicated to an entirely smashing-stuff-free demonstration can insure that that's what they get is by declining to show up at all.
If they show up, in great numbers, and so do a few window-smashing duders, it's now "a violent protest".
So: show up anyway and do the thing, or abandon protest entirely because of some knuckleheads?
Those are the two choices if you take an approach of philosophical purity on the idea. And if those are the two choices, I sure as shit hope folks choose to show up and demonstrate peacefully anyway. And that's what a lot of people do, and aim to do.
That this impossible dilemma is basically never the focus of media coverage of demonstrations is the bigger problem with the situation, as far as that goes. It's good for ratings to show off violence or property damage; it's good for anti-demonstration rhetoric to conflate that with all protest. Whether those two cohorts actually mean to work together, they feed off one another with regularity.
posted by cortex at 12:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [43 favorites]
That's a much more academic question than can be easily answered in practice, because protest doesn't run top down and in lockstep and you can't get everybody to agree on everything up front.
A more practical question is: is the fear that some splinter group will smash stuff sufficient reason to abandon otherwise peaceful protests? Because the only way that folks 100% dedicated to an entirely smashing-stuff-free demonstration can insure that that's what they get is by declining to show up at all.
If they show up, in great numbers, and so do a few window-smashing duders, it's now "a violent protest".
So: show up anyway and do the thing, or abandon protest entirely because of some knuckleheads?
Those are the two choices if you take an approach of philosophical purity on the idea. And if those are the two choices, I sure as shit hope folks choose to show up and demonstrate peacefully anyway. And that's what a lot of people do, and aim to do.
That this impossible dilemma is basically never the focus of media coverage of demonstrations is the bigger problem with the situation, as far as that goes. It's good for ratings to show off violence or property damage; it's good for anti-demonstration rhetoric to conflate that with all protest. Whether those two cohorts actually mean to work together, they feed off one another with regularity.
posted by cortex at 12:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [43 favorites]
Man, I hate having to be at work and sober all day and have to sneak around to look at this shit.
Is it vaguely possible that cat buttons are some form of shade?
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:27 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Is it vaguely possible that cat buttons are some form of shade?
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:27 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
And totally what Maxsparber said. Maybe we've been at the same sort of protests. :D
posted by Jalliah at 12:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Justice Breyer put all his belongings in a Zip Lock bag like he’s going on Splash Mountain
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
Every protest I went to in Seattle, there were always some of these guys and they were always white.
Ditto ones that I've been too. Always the majority young, white and male.
posted by Jalliah at 12:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Ditto ones that I've been too. Always the majority young, white and male.
posted by Jalliah at 12:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
> young, white and male.
You mean, the population of people that can literally get away with murder?
posted by Donald Trump Sex Nightmare at 12:30 PM on January 20, 2017 [30 favorites]
You mean, the population of people that can literally get away with murder?
posted by Donald Trump Sex Nightmare at 12:30 PM on January 20, 2017 [30 favorites]
So interesting that the black-clad protesters this morning were all white, by the way.
Interesting in that it reflects the white privilege of generally suffering less disruption and risk if arrested?
posted by Coventry at 12:32 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Interesting in that it reflects the white privilege of generally suffering less disruption and risk if arrested?
posted by Coventry at 12:32 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
were there destructive protests by anarchists during Obama's inaugurations?
posted by zutalors! at 12:32 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by zutalors! at 12:32 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Pink Floyd's Animals is my official soundtrack for the day.
Let's hope the sheep master the art of karate sooner rather than later.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:33 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Let's hope the sheep master the art of karate sooner rather than later.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:33 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
So the White House petitions site? It's still up and as of right now there's one new petition. Is the site staying up an oversight or intentional? Eh, who knows, but I really like the looks of this first petition.
If Trump wanted to collect the names of people that need to be dealt with one strategy might be the official petition page.
Come at me, you meretricious motherfucker. I got an error when I tried to sign it and had to re-create my account, but it works now.
Immediately release Donald Trump's full tax returns, with all information needed to verify emoluments clause compliance.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:34 PM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
If Trump wanted to collect the names of people that need to be dealt with one strategy might be the official petition page.
Come at me, you meretricious motherfucker. I got an error when I tried to sign it and had to re-create my account, but it works now.
Immediately release Donald Trump's full tax returns, with all information needed to verify emoluments clause compliance.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:34 PM on January 20, 2017 [25 favorites]
not weird. has no heart
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:35 PM on January 20, 2017 [42 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:35 PM on January 20, 2017 [42 favorites]
You mean, the population of people that can literally get away with murder?
Yeah of the few people that I've actually known of come from middle to upper middle class backgrounds. There seems to be core groups that 'live the life' so to speak and will travel around in a posse and then there's those that join in. Then they just go back to regular life.
posted by Jalliah at 12:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Yeah of the few people that I've actually known of come from middle to upper middle class backgrounds. There seems to be core groups that 'live the life' so to speak and will travel around in a posse and then there's those that join in. Then they just go back to regular life.
posted by Jalliah at 12:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Justice Breyer put all his belongings in a Zip Lock bag like he’s going on Splash Mountain
Dude knew beforehand a lot of bullshit was gonna be flung up there.
posted by darkstar at 12:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Dude knew beforehand a lot of bullshit was gonna be flung up there.
posted by darkstar at 12:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
omg some moron on wapo live feed is saying we're vilifying him before he's done anything.
This is provably false unless you want to argue selecting a cabinet and support staff and making statements that provoke foreign governments counts as "not doing anything."
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
This is provably false unless you want to argue selecting a cabinet and support staff and making statements that provoke foreign governments counts as "not doing anything."
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Here's an Occupy article on black blocs. They are considerably more complicated than "white male hooligans who just want to trash things."
posted by maxsparber at 12:37 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by maxsparber at 12:37 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Happy Dave: "Hat tip to my colleague that noticed this, but the new @potus profile picture bears a striking resemblance to that harbinger of death, Vigo the Carpathian."
A helpful reference.
posted by charred husk at 12:37 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
A helpful reference.
posted by charred husk at 12:37 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
1M homebuyers would have saved $500/year. Trump suspended the cut, making it more expensive for Americans to buy a home
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:37 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:37 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
I was in and out of doing work stuff while listening to the inauguration on the radio, and I missed this bit:
"At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, and through our loyalty to our country we will rediscover our loyalty to each other."
After much internal debate, me, myself and I decided the album that would be the best soundtrack for the reast of the day is Bad Religion's Recipe for Hate....
I don't need to be a global citizen
Because I'm blessed by nationality
I'm member of a growing populace
We enforce our popularity
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
"At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, and through our loyalty to our country we will rediscover our loyalty to each other."
After much internal debate, me, myself and I decided the album that would be the best soundtrack for the reast of the day is Bad Religion's Recipe for Hate....
I don't need to be a global citizen
Because I'm blessed by nationality
I'm member of a growing populace
We enforce our popularity
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Ha. Netflix released a teaser trailer today announcing the next season of House of Cards.
posted by INFJ at 12:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by INFJ at 12:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
I've watched several different channels' local news (it's tough because they're mostly running the national ones) and one thing I appreciate is that they've REALLY emphasized what a small portion of the protests were at all violent, and how many nonviolent protesters were here today...I doubt national news will present that truth as emphatically.
On the topic of the "appropriate" ways to protest: I have many family members that marched in the massive nonviolent part of the protests that became the Battle for Seattle, and, well, many people don't even realize that whole part even happened. I won't be participating in violent protests and I hope no people are hurt, but property destruction is incredibly effective at drawing attention. And if people want a reason to dismiss protesters, well, they'll find one no matter the protester's methods.
posted by R a c h e l at 12:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
On the topic of the "appropriate" ways to protest: I have many family members that marched in the massive nonviolent part of the protests that became the Battle for Seattle, and, well, many people don't even realize that whole part even happened. I won't be participating in violent protests and I hope no people are hurt, but property destruction is incredibly effective at drawing attention. And if people want a reason to dismiss protesters, well, they'll find one no matter the protester's methods.
posted by R a c h e l at 12:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's a day for the Kronos Quartet setting of Ginsburg's Howl.
with mother finally ******, and the last fantastic book flung out of the tenement window, and the last door closed at 4 A.M. and the last telephone slammed at the wall in reply and the last furnished room emptied down to the last piece of mental furniture, a yellow paper rose twisted on a wire hanger in the closet, and even that imaginary, nothing but a hopeful little bit of hallucination—posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 12:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
.
.
.
ah, Carl, while you are not safe I am not safe, and now you’re really in the total animal soup of time—
This is provably false unless you want to argue selecting a cabinet and support staff and making statements that provoke foreign governments counts as "not doing anything."
For these idiots, basically anything short of causing a nuclear war will be swept aside as "oh, come on, give him a chance!".
This is the same WaPo whose top headline on google news, as of a few minutes ago, was about awful protesters vandalizing DC.
posted by tocts at 12:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
For these idiots, basically anything short of causing a nuclear war will be swept aside as "oh, come on, give him a chance!".
This is the same WaPo whose top headline on google news, as of a few minutes ago, was about awful protesters vandalizing DC.
posted by tocts at 12:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
There's something weird going on with the We the People page. The number of signatories keeps going down rather than up, and the other petition that was there before is now gone.
posted by soren_lorensen at 12:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 12:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
Who actually runs the petition site? I thought it was Obama's staff and it would be gone once he was.
posted by dilaudid at 12:42 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by dilaudid at 12:42 PM on January 20, 2017
That's his official portrait. That's the photo that's going to be glowering at us from every post office and DMV wall.
Glad to see they're going with the orange/blue combo that's so popular on TV these days.
But seriously, why didn't they color-balance for daylight so the White House would be white? It's such a terrible portrait, in so many ways.
posted by god hates math at 12:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Glad to see they're going with the orange/blue combo that's so popular on TV these days.
But seriously, why didn't they color-balance for daylight so the White House would be white? It's such a terrible portrait, in so many ways.
posted by god hates math at 12:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Bonus: The same album also includes Sing Sing J Edgard Hoover
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 12:43 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 12:43 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
This is provably false unless you want to argue selecting a cabinet and support staff and making statements that provoke foreign governments counts as "not doing anything."
It only counts as "doing something" if it directly affects the angry white dudes drinking bad coffee at the diner while Fox News plays on the little countertop TV. Everything else is unimportant.
posted by uncleozzy at 12:43 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
It only counts as "doing something" if it directly affects the angry white dudes drinking bad coffee at the diner while Fox News plays on the little countertop TV. Everything else is unimportant.
posted by uncleozzy at 12:43 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Time for a strong cup of tea so I can power through the rest of my work day and then drive 4 hours to DC. I like to think that just rage will get me through, but I think caffeine is good as a backup.
posted by soren_lorensen at 12:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 12:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
I just caught a clip on the WaPo feed and there was a yellow costumed guy dancing in front of the police. If you haven't been to large protests like the Woman's March before you're more likely to see that sort of thing. The atmosphere though serious will be positive.
They can be super fun and invigorating. Dancing, singing, chanting and lots and lots of genuine comradery. They can be life changing in that way.
I wish I could go.
posted by Jalliah at 12:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
So the White House petitions site? It's still up and as of right now there's one new petition. Is the site staying up an oversight or intentional? Eh, who knows, but I really like the looks of this first petition.
I tried to sign the petition about releasing tax returns about an hour ago—it went through, but told me I'd be receiving an email to confirm my signature, which never showed up. When I tried to fill out the divest/blind trust petition just now, I get an error "Sorry, there was a problem submitting your signature…". So maybe the site is in the process of being taken down, with bits of the backend disabled first. Or just accidentally broken during the transition?
posted by JiBB at 12:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I tried to sign the petition about releasing tax returns about an hour ago—it went through, but told me I'd be receiving an email to confirm my signature, which never showed up. When I tried to fill out the divest/blind trust petition just now, I get an error "Sorry, there was a problem submitting your signature…". So maybe the site is in the process of being taken down, with bits of the backend disabled first. Or just accidentally broken during the transition?
posted by JiBB at 12:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
@JedediahSPurdy:
Notice he asked nothing of his audience
Soldiers, police, & god will protect you
He will bring back your wealth
Strongman salesman politics
posted by Coventry at 12:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Notice he asked nothing of his audience
Soldiers, police, & god will protect you
He will bring back your wealth
Strongman salesman politics
posted by Coventry at 12:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
White House Office of National AIDS Policy has been closed. Created in 1992.
posted by dnash at 12:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [62 favorites]
posted by dnash at 12:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [62 favorites]
Yeah, I couldn't sign the petition either--I just got the 'sorry, there was a problem' message. Probably gives a good idea of how this will work from now on.
posted by Sing Or Swim at 12:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Sing Or Swim at 12:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
After much internal debate, me, myself and I decided the album that would be the best soundtrack for the reast of the day is Bad Religion's Recipe for Hate....
On Election Night 2000 I, along with everyone else at the Hollywood Palace, found out that GWB had "won" when Brian Baker (guitarist of Bad Religion) stopped playing American Jesus to yell out "George W. Bush is the next American President!". He then proceeded to go playing the lead guitar solo.
I've probably been to 100 hardcore/punk/rock/whatever shows, and I've never felt (before or since) as much angry energy as I did during the rest of that song.
Obviously, the election wasn't final for another month, but we all had thought it was over at that point.
posted by sideshow at 12:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
On Election Night 2000 I, along with everyone else at the Hollywood Palace, found out that GWB had "won" when Brian Baker (guitarist of Bad Religion) stopped playing American Jesus to yell out "George W. Bush is the next American President!". He then proceeded to go playing the lead guitar solo.
I've probably been to 100 hardcore/punk/rock/whatever shows, and I've never felt (before or since) as much angry energy as I did during the rest of that song.
Obviously, the election wasn't final for another month, but we all had thought it was over at that point.
posted by sideshow at 12:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
White House Office of National AIDS Policy has been closed. Created in 1992.
What the actual fuck.
(and here I thought I had exhausted my supply of fucks and evens)
posted by INFJ at 12:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
What the actual fuck.
(and here I thought I had exhausted my supply of fucks and evens)
posted by INFJ at 12:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
Now my brother is sending me passive aggressive texts about how if I have so much time to go to protests instead of working I should at least protect myself wearing a motorcycle helmet. I guess he still reads my Facebook.
Ok, thanks bro.
posted by emjaybee at 12:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Ok, thanks bro.
posted by emjaybee at 12:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
As someone who works with Ryan White funding, WTF.
posted by AlexiaSky at 12:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by AlexiaSky at 12:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
White House Office of National AIDS Policy has been closed. Created in 1992.
Pence caused an HIV outbreak in Indiana back in the day. I have no doubt that he sees AIDS as a useful tool in his war on people who aren't white heteros, and Trump just doesn't care because he personally doesn't have it.
posted by Etrigan at 12:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [56 favorites]
Pence caused an HIV outbreak in Indiana back in the day. I have no doubt that he sees AIDS as a useful tool in his war on people who aren't white heteros, and Trump just doesn't care because he personally doesn't have it.
posted by Etrigan at 12:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [56 favorites]
The leanest, meanest government possible. I'm so sorry, Americans and everyone.
.
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:51 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
.
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:51 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
I finally read his speech. Any remaining (small, small) doubts I had that he is not as dangerous to the country and the world as Hitler have been wiped away.
'“From this day forward a new vision will govern our land,” he said. “From this day forward, it’s only going to be America first, America first.”'
This is literally the kind of stuff the Nazis said!
posted by Automocar at 12:52 PM on January 20, 2017 [51 favorites]
'“From this day forward a new vision will govern our land,” he said. “From this day forward, it’s only going to be America first, America first.”'
This is literally the kind of stuff the Nazis said!
posted by Automocar at 12:52 PM on January 20, 2017 [51 favorites]
The ONAP tweet stuff is from January 4. Hoiw did nobody catch this?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Back in the day is in the last two years for Pence and rising new HIV/AIDS diagnosis.
posted by AlexiaSky at 12:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by AlexiaSky at 12:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
At least now there's no excuse not to confirm Merrick Garland.
posted by ckape at 12:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by ckape at 12:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Maybe Donald Trump just really hates Ryan White?
Claims he paid for Ryan White's HIV treatments, now he's defunding the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
posted by birdheist at 12:55 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Claims he paid for Ryan White's HIV treatments, now he's defunding the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
posted by birdheist at 12:55 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Ein volk, ein Reich, ein Führer
posted by kirkaracha at 12:55 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 12:55 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
What sphinx of cement and aluminum bashed open their skulls and ate up their brains and imagination?And finally the madman's Revelation:
Moloch! Solitude! Filth! Ugliness! Ashcans and unobtainable dollars! Children screaming under the stairways! Boys sobbing in armies! Old men weeping in the parks!
Moloch! Moloch! Nightmare of Moloch! Moloch the loveless! Mental Moloch! Moloch the heavy judger of men!
Moloch the incomprehensible prison! Moloch the crossbone soulless jailhouse and Congress of sorrows! Moloch whose buildings are judgment! Moloch the vast stone of war! Moloch the stunned governments!
Moloch whose mind is pure machinery! Moloch whose blood is running money! Moloch whose fingers are ten armies! Moloch whose breast is a cannibal dynamo! Moloch whose ear is a smoking tomb!
I’m with you in Rocklandposted by CBrachyrhynchos at 12:55 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
where we hug and kiss the United States under our bedsheets the United States that coughs all night and won’t let us sleep
I’m with you in Rockland
where we wake up electrified out of the coma by our own souls’ airplanes roaring over the roof they’ve come to drop angelic bombs the hospital illuminates itself imaginary walls collapse O skinny legions run outside O starry-spangled shock of mercy the eternal war is here O victory forget your underwear we’re free
I'll also add: this is like stopping vaccinations because Measles and Mumps and [insert name of disease] are so rarely a problem anymore. It means the money we spend on it is -working- not that it's wasted.
posted by birdheist at 12:56 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by birdheist at 12:56 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Stands along the parade route were almost all empty
posted by fungible at 12:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by fungible at 12:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
The WH web pages were removed but they were replaced with deplorableness.
The minute Donald Trump was sworn into office, the White House’s web site changed—dramatically.
The page on climate change was replaced with a page entitled “An America First Energy Plan” that ignores climate change entirely and says, “President Trump is committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the U.S. rule.”
The new “America First Foreign Policy” page made no mention of Russia or China, instead discussing the defeat of ISIS and the renegotiation of NAFTA and other trade deals. “If our partners refuse a renegotiation that gives American workers a fair deal, then the President will give notice of the United States’ intent to withdraw from NAFTA,” the page read.
The page on civil rights was replaced with a page entitled “Standing Up For Our Law Enforcement Community” that replaces concerns with how police act with a demand for more cops. It also paints predominantly black inner cities as shooting galleries.
Civil Rights replaced by Law Enforcement. Climate replaced with the destruction of the planet. pukes
posted by futz at 12:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [69 favorites]
The minute Donald Trump was sworn into office, the White House’s web site changed—dramatically.
The page on climate change was replaced with a page entitled “An America First Energy Plan” that ignores climate change entirely and says, “President Trump is committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the U.S. rule.”
The new “America First Foreign Policy” page made no mention of Russia or China, instead discussing the defeat of ISIS and the renegotiation of NAFTA and other trade deals. “If our partners refuse a renegotiation that gives American workers a fair deal, then the President will give notice of the United States’ intent to withdraw from NAFTA,” the page read.
The page on civil rights was replaced with a page entitled “Standing Up For Our Law Enforcement Community” that replaces concerns with how police act with a demand for more cops. It also paints predominantly black inner cities as shooting galleries.
Civil Rights replaced by Law Enforcement. Climate replaced with the destruction of the planet. pukes
posted by futz at 12:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [69 favorites]
I'll also add: this is like stopping vaccinations because Measles and Mumps and [insert name of disease] are so rarely a problem anymore.
No, this is like stopping vaccinations because you actively want people to die of measles and mumps and you are fucking enraged that they are so rarely a problem anymore.
posted by Etrigan at 12:58 PM on January 20, 2017 [43 favorites]
No, this is like stopping vaccinations because you actively want people to die of measles and mumps and you are fucking enraged that they are so rarely a problem anymore.
posted by Etrigan at 12:58 PM on January 20, 2017 [43 favorites]
Is there a citation for the closure of the office of AIDS policy? It sounds like the departure of the existing staff on Jan 4 was an ordinary part of the transition process.
posted by schmod at 1:02 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by schmod at 1:02 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I agree, Etrigan. Mine was the most charitable interpretation (imo) and it's still shortsighted and awful. I think yours is the correct reading.
posted by birdheist at 1:04 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by birdheist at 1:04 PM on January 20, 2017
Is there a citation for the closure of the office of AIDS policy? It sounds like the departure of the existing staff on Jan 4 was an ordinary part of the transition process.
I mean, if they were going to replace the staff, why wouldn't they just keep the website up? Could it be some sort of tech error?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:04 PM on January 20, 2017
I mean, if they were going to replace the staff, why wouldn't they just keep the website up? Could it be some sort of tech error?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:04 PM on January 20, 2017
Is it weird that I've felt like crying all day, directly because of the inauguration? I'm not usually a cry-er.
posted by XtinaS at 1:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by XtinaS at 1:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
I was looking around and couldn't find any immediate verification. I solely work with individuals with HIV/AIDS and am constantly utalizing Ryan white funds, so if I hear something I'll let everyone know.
posted by AlexiaSky at 1:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by AlexiaSky at 1:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
"We will also develop a state-of-the-art missile defense system to protect against missile-based attacks from states like Iran and North Korea."
Has this gotten any more feasible over the past decade or so?
Has this gotten any more feasible over the past decade or so?
So yesterday the missile defense system failed again. Now there’s a lotta negative nancies out there talkin about how our missile shield is a costly Cold War boondoggle that has wasted billions of dollars, alienated our allies and started a new and pointless arms race. But this kinda talk is very destructive an costly to our missiles, who love us an want to do the very best they can for us.posted by Coventry at 1:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
DC police directly pepper spray elderly woman, disabled man
Please be careful out there. Police do not give an eff.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Please be careful out there. Police do not give an eff.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Barack on his own Twitter now.
Hi everybody! Back to the original handle. Is this thing still on? Michelle and I are off on a quick vacation, then we’ll get back to work.
In the meantime, I want to hear what you're thinking about the road ahead. So share your ideas with me here:
posted by Jalliah at 1:10 PM on January 20, 2017 [44 favorites]
Hi everybody! Back to the original handle. Is this thing still on? Michelle and I are off on a quick vacation, then we’ll get back to work.
In the meantime, I want to hear what you're thinking about the road ahead. So share your ideas with me here:
posted by Jalliah at 1:10 PM on January 20, 2017 [44 favorites]
Does anyone know of a Whitehouse.gov website that was up yesterday that is still under the same URL though? Maybe ONAP still exists, but this really is a tech problem.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:11 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:11 PM on January 20, 2017
"We will also develop a state-of-the-art missile defense system to protect against missile-based attacks from states like Iran and North Korea."
Has this gotten any more feasible over the past decade or so?
No, the possibility of Iran or North Korea attacking the U.S. with missiles hasn't gotten any more feasible.
Oh, you meant the missile defense stuff? Doesn't matter whether it works. It matters that a lot of money is going to go to defense contractors.
posted by Etrigan at 1:11 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Has this gotten any more feasible over the past decade or so?
No, the possibility of Iran or North Korea attacking the U.S. with missiles hasn't gotten any more feasible.
Oh, you meant the missile defense stuff? Doesn't matter whether it works. It matters that a lot of money is going to go to defense contractors.
posted by Etrigan at 1:11 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Many of the .gov websites regarding HIV/AIDS are up.
posted by AlexiaSky at 1:13 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by AlexiaSky at 1:13 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Trump, Russia, and the News Story That Wasn’t
Every time you think the New York Times' coverage couldn't have been worse, more comes to light showing just how utterly irresponsible it was.
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:14 PM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
Every time you think the New York Times' coverage couldn't have been worse, more comes to light showing just how utterly irresponsible it was.
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:14 PM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
The Broadway Concert for America fundraiser is streaming live right now. I realize it's the same kind of thing that didn't, you know, get Clinton elected, but if you want to hear some great music, tune in and donate if you can. It's the first in a series of monthly concerts to support various civil rights, women's health, and environmental charities.
posted by zachlipton at 1:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 1:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
yo as a very disabled and not-yet elderly lady who will be protesting tomorrow, i query w/r/t the above pepper spray video, "WTF"
Deliberately and openly doing violence to those unable to fight back is part of how filth display dominance.
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [26 favorites]
Deliberately and openly doing violence to those unable to fight back is part of how filth display dominance.
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [26 favorites]
After considerable contemplation, I have settled on my coping strategy.
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
posted by delfin at 1:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [29 favorites]
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
posted by delfin at 1:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [29 favorites]
Ugh, I just had a full-on freakout - hyperventilating, ugly crying, the works - over the phone at my poor mom when she asked how I'm doing ... all day long I've been depending on numbness to carry me through; I've been relying on my anxiety meds and trying to breathe and go easy on myself and do all the right self-care things ... I thought it was working, but I guess the cracks are beginning to show. I'm glad to have someone like my mom to listen and support me, but the feelings of helplessness are really overwhelming. I'm also getting overwhelmed by the people who say they sympathize with me, or who want to remind me that "so many people didn't vote for him," but who aren't fucking doing anything. It must be decent to be able to shake your head and chuckle over how "stupid" people are but not feel like you're personally at risk.
The inauguration of the president of the United States should not incite terror and despair like this. I don't even know what the fuck to do.
posted by DingoMutt at 1:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [29 favorites]
The inauguration of the president of the United States should not incite terror and despair like this. I don't even know what the fuck to do.
posted by DingoMutt at 1:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [29 favorites]
Jen Psaki, former White House Communications Director under Obama, on the Women's March:
My Facebook and Instagram feeds are already full of photos and anecdotes in anticipation of the march, of feminist quotes inviting others to join and photos of homemade pink cat hats and nasty women t-shirts. But I have a sinking feeling in my stomach about the march. Not because I am worried about the cold or the chaos. But because I worry it will give too many people license to congratulate themselves for their activism and move on with their daily lives.posted by zachlipton at 1:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [51 favorites]
...
The danger we face is allowing the march to make us feel better, to lull us into complacency. That is where the sinking feeling is coming from.
...
The march shouldn’t be a moment to rest and celebrate. It should be a warm up.
The Washington Post feed is currently juxtaposing jaunty military band music with footage of protestors setting a limo on fire and getting teargassed. Unfuckingbelievable.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 1:20 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by OverlappingElvis at 1:20 PM on January 20, 2017
A friend of mine just posted on Facebook that every rest area along I-95 is jammed with women and they are taking over the men's rooms and everyone seems to be cool with it.
posted by Etrigan at 1:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [83 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 1:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [83 favorites]
Cat hats?
posted by petebest at 1:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by petebest at 1:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
The march shouldn’t be a moment to rest and celebrate. It should be a warm up.
Actually, I need a rest. I am waking up at the crack of dawn to head down to Silver Springs because I am so tired of being afraid and angry and like the world is ending. I will do other stuff too, but please give me a starting point!
posted by armacy at 1:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Actually, I need a rest. I am waking up at the crack of dawn to head down to Silver Springs because I am so tired of being afraid and angry and like the world is ending. I will do other stuff too, but please give me a starting point!
posted by armacy at 1:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
@NatlParkService is retweeting pictures of the 2009-vs-2017 crowds. Think they might be running low on fucks.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 1:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [74 favorites]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 1:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [74 favorites]
Funny, my Facebook feed is full of people saying basically exactly this. WE KNOW EVERYONE THINKS THAT MARCHERS AREN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING ELSE. We've been told. Repeatedly. By many people, publicly and privately. I anticipate that every single speaker at the rally tomorrow is going to also urge us to further work and resistance when we leave.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
i always mix up david frum the asshole with john frum, the cargo-cult diety
then again maybe there isnt that much difference
posted by entropicamericana at 7:33 AM on January 20
[4 favorites −] Favorite added! [Flagged]
The drop - down menu is not my friend! I meant 'fantastic comment!'
sciatrix I am sorry your blood family have been so horrible.
I am glad your friends have rendered aid.
We have a sister-march to the Women's March tomorrow, which I will be attending. I live in a red area.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 1:23 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
then again maybe there isnt that much difference
posted by entropicamericana at 7:33 AM on January 20
[4 favorites −] Favorite added! [Flagged]
The drop - down menu is not my friend! I meant 'fantastic comment!'
sciatrix I am sorry your blood family have been so horrible.
I am glad your friends have rendered aid.
We have a sister-march to the Women's March tomorrow, which I will be attending. I live in a red area.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 1:23 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Jesus fucking Christ, that pepper spray video. I feel like I've just been sucker-punched.
I'm not counting on the LAPD to be on their best behavior* tomorrow, either.
(*especially considering that bar is already astonishingly low)
posted by otenba at 1:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm not counting on the LAPD to be on their best behavior* tomorrow, either.
(*especially considering that bar is already astonishingly low)
posted by otenba at 1:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I've been listening to my Politics and Protest Spotify playlist at work today. It feels appropriate.
posted by SisterHavana at 1:24 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by SisterHavana at 1:24 PM on January 20, 2017
Petition for Trump to release his tax returns currently the 3rd most visited government site.
posted by Coventry at 1:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
posted by Coventry at 1:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [20 favorites]
Apparently alt-right dapper fascist Richard Spencer got socked in the jaw today, if all the people on twitter pleading for a video are to believed.
So there's that.
posted by maxsparber at 1:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
So there's that.
posted by maxsparber at 1:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
@NatlParkService is retweeting pictures of the 2009-vs-2017 crowds. Think they might be running low on fucks.
Below that they retweeted a tweet about he website being scrubbed.
I'm going with no fucks.
posted by Jalliah at 1:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
Below that they retweeted a tweet about he website being scrubbed.
I'm going with no fucks.
posted by Jalliah at 1:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
'We give it back to you... the people'
posted by PenDevil at 1:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by PenDevil at 1:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
"Looters," "vandals," and "agents provocateur" set things on fire when protests are occurring.
They are not protestors. Protestors exercise their rights to free speech, peaceable assembly, and petition government for redress of grievances.
Protest is legal. Vandalism is not.
We cannot let the other side spin vandalism and crime as "Trump protestors."
posted by Cookiebastard at 1:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [31 favorites]
They are not protestors. Protestors exercise their rights to free speech, peaceable assembly, and petition government for redress of grievances.
Protest is legal. Vandalism is not.
We cannot let the other side spin vandalism and crime as "Trump protestors."
posted by Cookiebastard at 1:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [31 favorites]
/me is having a lot of resented feels about never getting ENDA passed.
And now it's probably too late.
posted by Annika Cicada at 1:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
And now it's probably too late.
posted by Annika Cicada at 1:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'm glad to have someone like my mom to listen and support me, but the feelings of helplessness are really overwhelming.
My mom voted for Trump, as did almost everyone in my family. I don't have a lot of friends in real life that I'm comfortable talking about this stuff with either. (I mean I'm starting to talk about it even when I'm uncomfortable, but most of my friends are people I know from work... And a lot of the people I know who aren't work friends have been very much of the "both sides are terrible" variety.) I know I've alienated people in real life with my political freak outs already.
So MeFi is pretty much all I've got to help me cope with all this. Thanks, guys.
posted by OnceUponATime at 1:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [61 favorites]
My mom voted for Trump, as did almost everyone in my family. I don't have a lot of friends in real life that I'm comfortable talking about this stuff with either. (I mean I'm starting to talk about it even when I'm uncomfortable, but most of my friends are people I know from work... And a lot of the people I know who aren't work friends have been very much of the "both sides are terrible" variety.) I know I've alienated people in real life with my political freak outs already.
So MeFi is pretty much all I've got to help me cope with all this. Thanks, guys.
posted by OnceUponATime at 1:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [61 favorites]
Hey they're showing a car driving down the road. So inspiring.
posted by petebest at 1:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by petebest at 1:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Protestors are false flag. That's the only response. It's all the alt-right ever respond with when you show them what their deplorable squad is up to. And they are known to pay people to act badly. Any video of protestors = just type "false flag" and move on. We don't believe it's us, we disavow them, nice try Trumpites.
Even if it turns out any of them actually are progressives, I'm past believing it anymore. We live in a post-fact world and the only way to fight back is to pick the truth that works best for you and spread it thick. Do not wring your hands and call them our own. They're not.
Trump's people spent good money on those protestors so they could disrupt the Left and make us look bad. And may try to use it to revoke the permits for tomorrow. We have to say, loud and clear, "Sorry, we're not falling for that. It's a false flag" - burden's on them to prove it isn't.
That's how this works now.
posted by Mchelly at 1:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [59 favorites]
Even if it turns out any of them actually are progressives, I'm past believing it anymore. We live in a post-fact world and the only way to fight back is to pick the truth that works best for you and spread it thick. Do not wring your hands and call them our own. They're not.
Trump's people spent good money on those protestors so they could disrupt the Left and make us look bad. And may try to use it to revoke the permits for tomorrow. We have to say, loud and clear, "Sorry, we're not falling for that. It's a false flag" - burden's on them to prove it isn't.
That's how this works now.
posted by Mchelly at 1:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [59 favorites]
@NatlParkService is retweeting pictures of the 2009-vs-2017 crowds. Think they might be running low on fucks.
Well, the incoming congress just valued public lands at $0, which is prelude to selling them off (or granting them to the states, who will likely sell them off, because the states largely can't afford to maintain them) so I would expect NPS personnel to be righteously angry about their prospects.
posted by fedward at 1:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [40 favorites]
Well, the incoming congress just valued public lands at $0, which is prelude to selling them off (or granting them to the states, who will likely sell them off, because the states largely can't afford to maintain them) so I would expect NPS personnel to be righteously angry about their prospects.
posted by fedward at 1:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [40 favorites]
Ugh crap I think it just hit me. I was trying really hard to be in denial but this is our life now.
posted by Tarumba at 1:30 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Tarumba at 1:30 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I mean, I know several people whose form of protesting during the past week has been knitting adorable pink hats with kitty-ears and giving them away. No way do I lump fire-setting assholes in with them.
posted by Cookiebastard at 1:31 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by Cookiebastard at 1:31 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Complaining about "violent" protestors is the respectability politics liberals can feel good about. Peaceful protestors will be beaten, disrespected, and treated as criminals regardless of whether property gets damaged, because the system is stacked against the left and in favor of every oppression. The police, media, and government do a million times more damage to peaceful protestors and peaceful protest than "violent" protestors could ever do.
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:31 PM on January 20, 2017 [50 favorites]
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:31 PM on January 20, 2017 [50 favorites]
That poor awkward child. I can't believe no one is keeping him company.
posted by slipthought at 1:31 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by slipthought at 1:31 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
is that shade? bc he did it quite deadpan.
I've been watching this feed all day and this has been happening all day. Was that shade? Am I reading something I want to be there? I don't who they commentators are but compared to others I've tried over the day they've been pretty good.
posted by Jalliah at 1:32 PM on January 20, 2017
T.D. Strange Trump, Russia, and the News Story That Wasn’t
As of now I'm full on rooting for the NYT to go fucking bankrupt. I'll cheer when they die and piss on their grave. "Paper of record" my ass. they're just another bunch of pro-Trump propagandists.
Now, long after the damage is done and they want to seem reasonable and sane, finally they say "hmmm, perhaps we should have let America know the truth about Trump instead of running yet another story about Clinton's email server, maybe there's some merit to this suggestion of publishing news instead of actively working to sabotage Democrats while shielding Republicans...."
What the actual fuck NYT? Really? Now you want to be all philosophic and muse about how perhaps, maybe, possibly, there's merit in this radical belief that a newspaper exists to publish news rather than protect powerful Republicans?
No. Just no. All that shit about how they desperately need our support to hang on and do "good"? BWAHAHAHAHAHAH. Not a chance motherfuckers.
Apparently their supposed journalistic standards only apply to stories harmful to Republicans, while any rumor, leak, or lie about Democrats is worthy of the front page without the slightest hesitation or consideration.
I'll not only never contribute a cent to the NYT, I'll spend time figuring out ways to cost them money just so I can say I had a hand in their demise.
The day the NYT goes bankrupt will be a great day for America.
posted by sotonohito at 1:34 PM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
As of now I'm full on rooting for the NYT to go fucking bankrupt. I'll cheer when they die and piss on their grave. "Paper of record" my ass. they're just another bunch of pro-Trump propagandists.
Now, long after the damage is done and they want to seem reasonable and sane, finally they say "hmmm, perhaps we should have let America know the truth about Trump instead of running yet another story about Clinton's email server, maybe there's some merit to this suggestion of publishing news instead of actively working to sabotage Democrats while shielding Republicans...."
What the actual fuck NYT? Really? Now you want to be all philosophic and muse about how perhaps, maybe, possibly, there's merit in this radical belief that a newspaper exists to publish news rather than protect powerful Republicans?
No. Just no. All that shit about how they desperately need our support to hang on and do "good"? BWAHAHAHAHAHAH. Not a chance motherfuckers.
Apparently their supposed journalistic standards only apply to stories harmful to Republicans, while any rumor, leak, or lie about Democrats is worthy of the front page without the slightest hesitation or consideration.
I'll not only never contribute a cent to the NYT, I'll spend time figuring out ways to cost them money just so I can say I had a hand in their demise.
The day the NYT goes bankrupt will be a great day for America.
posted by sotonohito at 1:34 PM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
It's gone all Falls Road in one part of K street front 13th to 14th, and some are throwing bricks at the police and the press. There's a burning limo. The provocateurs have been at work. Jebiga.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 1:35 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 1:35 PM on January 20, 2017
Billy Porter doing Edelweiss was way, way too on the nose for today. (Concert4America)
posted by zachlipton at 1:35 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 1:35 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Speaking of protestors, I know Tucker Carlson has a lot of unpleasant and harmful tendencies, but this interview by him, of a group claiming they were going to pay inauguration protestors, is hilarious.
posted by Coventry at 1:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Coventry at 1:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Does the women's march have security? It's suddenly occurs to me that because this is a group of people who aren't usually protesting, they may not have set up some of the usual protections. Anyone know if there are scouts? Dammit, I wish I was there right now. stay safe, everyone. Don't count on the cops to protect you.
posted by corb at 1:38 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by corb at 1:38 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Yep as I said above the only good thing I can say about today is that I like Melania's outfit.
posted by Jalliah at 1:38 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
the only good thing I can say about today is that I like Melania's outfit.
Barron entertaining the baby was pretty cute.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Barron entertaining the baby was pretty cute.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Meanwhile, Anonymous seems to have an objective. Oh please oh please oh please please please
posted by yoga at 1:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by yoga at 1:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I think I'm going to go eat my kitchen plates.
posted by petebest at 1:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by petebest at 1:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Barron entertaining the baby was pretty cute.
Oh yes. 2 things!
posted by Jalliah at 1:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Oh yes. 2 things!
posted by Jalliah at 1:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
WTF re: the DC police.
I'm writing my councilmember. Our police are usually better than this.
The District of Columbia is unambiguously (and often vocally) aligned with the protesters in this situation. We should be protecting them; not attacking them.
posted by schmod at 1:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'm writing my councilmember. Our police are usually better than this.
The District of Columbia is unambiguously (and often vocally) aligned with the protesters in this situation. We should be protecting them; not attacking them.
posted by schmod at 1:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
And on the day El Donald officially leaves NYC, who arrives? El Chapo, coincidence?
posted by sammyo at 1:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by sammyo at 1:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
er, where's Trump going (WaPo feed)? He didn't go to the reviewing stand as would be expected.
posted by zachlipton at 1:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by zachlipton at 1:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Systematic purging of #LGBT- & #HIV-related material from government websites continues. This time, it's @USDOL.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Meanwhile, Anonymous seems to have an objective. Oh please oh please oh please please please
'Anonymous' isn't really anything. The whole point is that anyone can claim to speak for 'Anonymous'. In practice there's a large overlap with the same people that make up the alt-right/4chan/Russian troll army.
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
'Anonymous' isn't really anything. The whole point is that anyone can claim to speak for 'Anonymous'. In practice there's a large overlap with the same people that make up the alt-right/4chan/Russian troll army.
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Oh, hey, fuck this guy.
He's the goddamn Fox Mulder of the Clintons. He must have a poster in his office that has a picture of Hillary and Bill holding bloody steak knives that says "I WANT TO BELIEVE"
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
He's the goddamn Fox Mulder of the Clintons. He must have a poster in his office that has a picture of Hillary and Bill holding bloody steak knives that says "I WANT TO BELIEVE"
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Meanwhile, Anonymous seems to have an objective. Oh please oh please oh please please please
I've been wondering where those guys have been for the past seven or eight months. It sounded like they were going to release stuff last summer and then there was just . . . nothing.
posted by dinty_moore at 1:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I've been wondering where those guys have been for the past seven or eight months. It sounded like they were going to release stuff last summer and then there was just . . . nothing.
posted by dinty_moore at 1:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
If I've learned anything about today, it's that I really could have used those drugs from my wisdom teeth extraction.
posted by Capt. Renault at 1:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 1:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
And on the day El Donald officially leaves NYC, who arrives? El Chapo, coincidence?
He was sent back yesterday. They said it was a present for Obama.
posted by Jalliah at 1:43 PM on January 20, 2017
He was sent back yesterday. They said it was a present for Obama.
posted by Jalliah at 1:43 PM on January 20, 2017
Our police are usually better than this.
I mean. To you, being polite and normal on the metro or side walk. I've worked a couple police force cases as an intern several years ago. Police are police everywhere, DC isn't an exception. Especially not when there's destruction of property going on. They're going to do what police are trained to do.
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I mean. To you, being polite and normal on the metro or side walk. I've worked a couple police force cases as an intern several years ago. Police are police everywhere, DC isn't an exception. Especially not when there's destruction of property going on. They're going to do what police are trained to do.
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Newt Gingrich wants to fire federal employees who voted for Clinton
Offering perhaps the most nakedly political argument for firing federal employees, Gingrich said, “all those bureaucrats overwhelmingly voted for Clinton. There won’t be any real cooperation until we change federal law so we can fire them.”
posted by futz at 1:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [69 favorites]
Offering perhaps the most nakedly political argument for firing federal employees, Gingrich said, “all those bureaucrats overwhelmingly voted for Clinton. There won’t be any real cooperation until we change federal law so we can fire them.”
posted by futz at 1:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [69 favorites]
I'm writing my councilmember. Our police are usually better than this.
There's a good chance they weren't your police. They bring in spares from departments all over the country for this sort of thing. It's one of the reasons why large protests can go south so quickly and weirdly--cops who have no local accountability, and see it as a free ticket to just fuck some people up.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
Every time I see the resemblance to their dad in one of Trump's kids' faces I want to punch them.
Yes, including Barron.
posted by kirkaracha at 1:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Yes, including Barron.
posted by kirkaracha at 1:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
I think I just achieved full bias,
Trump was randomly clapping on the WaPo feed and my inner dialogue went ugh look at that piece of shit clapping like a piece of shit he can't even clap right
posted by Tarumba at 1:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [55 favorites]
Trump was randomly clapping on the WaPo feed and my inner dialogue went ugh look at that piece of shit clapping like a piece of shit he can't even clap right
posted by Tarumba at 1:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [55 favorites]
The only thing holding me together is knowing that tomorrow, I'm going to see a crap ton of people who will not stand for this shit get together and be awesome. Getting hear Elizabeth Warren is a bonus.
posted by smirkette at 1:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by smirkette at 1:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
I was able to sign the petitions, after I whitelisted the site, but haven't gotten my e-mail address confirmation thingies yet.
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
why do the secret service gusy hold their lapels instead of hands at sides?
posted by sio42 at 4:44 PM on January 20
easy access to weapons (hands ready)
posted by ShawnString at 1:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by sio42 at 4:44 PM on January 20
easy access to weapons (hands ready)
posted by ShawnString at 1:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Trump is everyone's bitch eating crackers.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
why do the secret service gusy hold their lapels instead of hands at sides?
Think about where you'd keep a weapon and how far you'd have to move your hands to get there quickly if you needed to. It's standard practice for Secret Service to hold their hands closer to their chests instead of at their sides. It's the kind of thing you can't stop noticing once you know about it.
posted by zachlipton at 1:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Think about where you'd keep a weapon and how far you'd have to move your hands to get there quickly if you needed to. It's standard practice for Secret Service to hold their hands closer to their chests instead of at their sides. It's the kind of thing you can't stop noticing once you know about it.
posted by zachlipton at 1:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
why do the secret service gusy hold their lapels instead of hands at sides?
It's the "hands ready" position. There's a lot of weird sites showing up in search results, so I'm not going to link to anything, but Google can tell you more.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 1:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
It's the "hands ready" position. There's a lot of weird sites showing up in search results, so I'm not going to link to anything, but Google can tell you more.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 1:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
smirkette I'm envious that you guys get to hear Warren and Steinem!!!
posted by yoga at 1:48 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by yoga at 1:48 PM on January 20, 2017
BBC has an interactive comparison of 2017 v 2009
posted by slipthought at 1:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by slipthought at 1:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
A few weeks ago, the DOL Women's Bureau posted a ZIP file containing their entire library of online resources for women in the labor force. It's certainly important and enlightening information, but something tells me the incoming administration is probably not going to want to have a hand in publicizing issues like equal pay and the unique challenges faced by girls and women of color.
So if you have some free hard drive space, try to grab a copy while it's still there, OK? The download link is available on their Resources page.
posted by amnesia and magnets at 1:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
So if you have some free hard drive space, try to grab a copy while it's still there, OK? The download link is available on their Resources page.
posted by amnesia and magnets at 1:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
FUCK.
did i already say that?
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 1:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
did i already say that?
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 1:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Department of Labor: Advancing LGBT Workplace Rights report (now links to nothing)
It was apparently selectively deleted, as the LGBT landing page is still there.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
It was apparently selectively deleted, as the LGBT landing page is still there.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
lolz. Lewandowski Stopped From Joining Trump at Inauguration. He was unable to produce the right credentials and was denied entry, but this detail:
posted by zachlipton at 1:51 PM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
Capitol Police asked Lewandowski if he was a member of “staff,” to which he responded, “I’m Mr. Trump’s campaign manager.”Doesn't he know he got fired? Like six months ago.
posted by zachlipton at 1:51 PM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
So if you have some free hard drive space, try to grab a copy while it's still there, OK? The download link is available on their Resources page.
It's also on archive.org
posted by Coventry at 1:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
It's also on archive.org
posted by Coventry at 1:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
The new First Lady's bio page hawks her products, available now on QVC.
posted by kirkaracha at 1:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 1:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
BBC has an interactive comparison of 2017 v 2009
The Make America Kittens Again extension does amazing things to that.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
The Make America Kittens Again extension does amazing things to that.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
That Liz Spayd editorial in the NYT pisses me off too, in exactly that same distinct NYT way of pissing you off that we've all felt before. But. I hope every news organization out there is reading between the lines on this thing:
This part of the original reporting on that server has never been explained away in any way that made sense to me:
One vein of reporting centered on a possible channel of communication between Trump’s organization and a Russian bank with ties to Vladimir Putin....because to me that looks like the supposed "email marketing" server communicating with Alfa Bank is back in play. The NYT themselves downplayed it, and now Liz Spayd is saying they probably shouldn't have.
[...]
But The Times knew several critical facts: the F.B.I. had a significant and sophisticated investigation underway on Trump, possibly including FISA warrants. (Some news outlets now report that the F.B.I. did indeed have such warrants, an indication of probable cause.) Investigators had identified a mysterious communication channel.
At one point, the F.B.I. was so serious about its investigation into the server that it asked The Times to delay publication.
[...]
On the computer server, once the F.B.I. signaled it had grown wary of its importance — without explaining why — the paper backed off.
This part of the original reporting on that server has never been explained away in any way that made sense to me:
The Times hadn’t yet been in touch with the Trump campaign—Lichtblau spoke with the campaign a week later—but shortly after it reached out to Alfa, the Trump domain name in question seemed to suddenly stop working. When the scientists looked up the host, the DNS server returned a fail message, evidence that it no longer functioned. Or as it is technically diagnosed, it had “SERVFAILed.” (On the timeline above, this is the moment at the end of the chronology when the traffic abruptly spikes, as servers frantically attempt to resend rejected messages.) The computer scientists believe there was one logical conclusion to be drawn: The Trump Organization shut down the server after Alfa was told that the Times might expose the connection. Weaver told me the Trump domain was “very sloppily removed.” Or as another of the researchers put it, it looked like “the knee was hit in Moscow, the leg kicked in New York.”posted by jason_steakums at 1:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
Four days later, on Sept. 27, the Trump Organization created a new host name, trump1.contact-client.com, which enabled communication to the very same server via a different route. When a new host name is created, the first communication with it is never random. To reach the server after the resetting of the host name, the sender of the first inbound mail has to first learn of the name somehow. It’s simply impossible to randomly reach a renamed server. “That party had to have some kind of outbound message through SMS, phone, or some noninternet channel they used to communicate [the new configuration],” Paul Vixie told me. The first attempt to look up the revised host name came from Alfa Bank. “If this was a public server, we would have seen other traces,” Vixie says. “The only look-ups came from this particular source.”
Uh. The stands by the viewing stand and White House aren't even full.
posted by Jalliah at 1:56 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
White House website promotes Melania Trump’s modeling and jewelry line
-- Visitors to the newly revamped White House website get more than a simple rundown of first lady Melania Trump’s charitable works and interests — they also get a list of her magazine cover appearances and details on her jewelry line at QVC.
-- That’s when the brief backgrounder takes a promotional turn. The website includes a lengthy list of brands that hired her as a model and several of the magazines in which she appeared, including the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
-- It is not uncommon for the White House to note the accomplishments of the first lady in her official biography, but Trump’s decision to include a detailed list of her media appearances is unusual.
The site also lists the brand names of Trump’s jewelry lines sold on QVC, at a time when questions have been raised by critics about the ethical implications of the family’s business entanglements.
bletch
posted by futz at 1:56 PM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
-- Visitors to the newly revamped White House website get more than a simple rundown of first lady Melania Trump’s charitable works and interests — they also get a list of her magazine cover appearances and details on her jewelry line at QVC.
-- That’s when the brief backgrounder takes a promotional turn. The website includes a lengthy list of brands that hired her as a model and several of the magazines in which she appeared, including the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
-- It is not uncommon for the White House to note the accomplishments of the first lady in her official biography, but Trump’s decision to include a detailed list of her media appearances is unusual.
The site also lists the brand names of Trump’s jewelry lines sold on QVC, at a time when questions have been raised by critics about the ethical implications of the family’s business entanglements.
bletch
posted by futz at 1:56 PM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
I'm not even sure that the WaPo live update headlines even count as "shade" at this point. I think they've moved to open snark.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's time to form a new government.
posted by Annika Cicada at 1:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Annika Cicada at 1:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
This made me cry: Flights Packed With Women’s March Participants Are Cheering All The Way To DC
posted by Room 641-A at 1:58 PM on January 20, 2017 [59 favorites]
posted by Room 641-A at 1:58 PM on January 20, 2017 [59 favorites]
Parade is running late. CBS remarked on it.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 1:59 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 1:59 PM on January 20, 2017
Offering perhaps the most nakedly political argument for firing federal employees, Gingrich said, “all those bureaucrats overwhelmingly voted for Clinton. There won’t be any real cooperation until we change federal law so we can fire them.”
Yes, yes, let's fire the people who keep everything running smoothly in a clear violation of their protected first amendment rights. What could possibly go wrong?
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [31 favorites]
Yes, yes, let's fire the people who keep everything running smoothly in a clear violation of their protected first amendment rights. What could possibly go wrong?
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [31 favorites]
This list of words exclusive to Trump's inaugural "address":
bleed, carnage, stolen, urban, tombstones, and sad
reads like a prompt for a "Supernatural" fanfic.
posted by allthinky at 1:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
bleed, carnage, stolen, urban, tombstones, and sad
reads like a prompt for a "Supernatural" fanfic.
posted by allthinky at 1:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
WaPo commenting on "lots of empty seats near the white house"
Sad parade, or saddest parade?
posted by petebest at 2:00 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Sad parade, or saddest parade?
posted by petebest at 2:00 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
This is far too real for me right now. Stay safe, USians. We're thinking of you.
posted by LMGM at 2:01 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by LMGM at 2:01 PM on January 20, 2017
More importantly, in the pepper-spray video, what's good is seeing all the folks who flock around to protect the folks getting targeted. Like Mr. Rogers always said... look for the helpers.
posted by allthinky at 2:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by allthinky at 2:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
The bigly most saddest parade .
posted by AlexiaSky at 2:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by AlexiaSky at 2:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Pete Souza's last official picture of Obama, looking out of the window of the departing Executive One helicopter, down at the White House.
It's captioned simply, "Farewell."
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [50 favorites]
It's captioned simply, "Farewell."
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [50 favorites]
‘Worst parade ever’ says Trump supporter
By the time Trump reached the front of his hotel – where protesters were across the street – he was back in the limo and with the gloomy lighting of a winter afternoon, few could tell which limo the president was in.
“Was that him?” Asked a man from Tennessee at the western edge of the hotel, near 12th St NW.
There was hardly any applause as the president passed for a block.
The announcement minutes later, that Trump had reached Freedom Plaza, was the only confirmation.
“Worst parade ever,” said another in a Make America Great hat. “I waited three hours for that?”
posted by Jalliah at 2:02 PM on January 20, 2017 [54 favorites]
That picture of Obama brought tears to my eyes. I thought I'd be okay-ish today, and I'm not.
posted by dinty_moore at 2:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by dinty_moore at 2:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
T.D. Strange: Donald Trump’s New Twitter Background Is a Photo From the Inauguration of Barack Obama
He's going to be appropriating Obama's accomplishments from minute one
To be honest, I'd be fucking thrilled if _rump just ran around pretending to be Obama, but you know, white. Which is what so many of his supporters seem to care about in the end.
But that's not going to happen. Still, every time _rump claims that something that is going well is his and not a legacy of Obama, I'll find some happiness that he hasn't tried to overturn everything that Obama did.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
He's going to be appropriating Obama's accomplishments from minute one
To be honest, I'd be fucking thrilled if _rump just ran around pretending to be Obama, but you know, white. Which is what so many of his supporters seem to care about in the end.
But that's not going to happen. Still, every time _rump claims that something that is going well is his and not a legacy of Obama, I'll find some happiness that he hasn't tried to overturn everything that Obama did.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
‘Worst parade ever’ says Trump supporter
Was it the Comic Book guy from the Simpsons?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:04 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Was it the Comic Book guy from the Simpsons?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:04 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
From Trump's official bio:
posted by zachlipton at 2:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
Mr. Trump announced his candidacy on June 16, 2015, and after seventeen Republican contenders suspended their campaigns, he accepted the Republican nomination for President of the United States in July of 2016. Mr. Trump won the election on November 8 of 2016 in the largest electoral college landslide for a Republican in 28 years. He won over 2,600 counties nationwide, the most since President Reagan in 1984. Additionally, he won over 62 million votes in the popular vote, the highest all-time for a Republican nominee. He also won 306 electoral votes, the most for a Republican since George H.W. Bush in 1988.Besides this being outright pathological and glossing over the bit where millions more people voted against him than for him, he's bragging about winning the most electoral votes for a Republican since George H.W. Bush. There's only been one other Republican who won the Presidency (twice...) since then! He's boasting that he came in #1 in a two man race.
posted by zachlipton at 2:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [38 favorites]
Believe it or not, this will happen anyway, with or without broken windows.
I do not think that this is true at all. The media will run with whatever the sexiest footage/photo/story is. If that's photogenic people in a drum circle or holding signs, that'll be the image on TV. If it's people in black balaclavas setting cars on fire while riot police throw flashbangs, that'll definitely win, though.
Doesn't seem especially productive, except insofar as every time anyone runs footage of the Trump inauguration, they'll probably counterpoint the footage of his speech with the footage of a burning car. I think that probably does more to advance his "America is in chaos" rhetoric than it does to discredit him, though.
On a scale beyond individual protests, though, and as a more general point: if you abandon nonviolence as a principle and take the gloves off, you had better be really fucking sure you can win the subsequent no-holds-barred fight. Because suddenly you're not going to have that asymmetric advantage which makes nonviolent protests so effective, in that the state is constrained from using unlimited violence against them because it delegitimizes the state if it does so. Once you jump the fence, you're going to get called a "terrorist" pretty quickly, and then the state can let its security apparatus off the leash without much of a legitimacy hit.
posted by Kadin2048 at 2:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I do not think that this is true at all. The media will run with whatever the sexiest footage/photo/story is. If that's photogenic people in a drum circle or holding signs, that'll be the image on TV. If it's people in black balaclavas setting cars on fire while riot police throw flashbangs, that'll definitely win, though.
Doesn't seem especially productive, except insofar as every time anyone runs footage of the Trump inauguration, they'll probably counterpoint the footage of his speech with the footage of a burning car. I think that probably does more to advance his "America is in chaos" rhetoric than it does to discredit him, though.
On a scale beyond individual protests, though, and as a more general point: if you abandon nonviolence as a principle and take the gloves off, you had better be really fucking sure you can win the subsequent no-holds-barred fight. Because suddenly you're not going to have that asymmetric advantage which makes nonviolent protests so effective, in that the state is constrained from using unlimited violence against them because it delegitimizes the state if it does so. Once you jump the fence, you're going to get called a "terrorist" pretty quickly, and then the state can let its security apparatus off the leash without much of a legitimacy hit.
posted by Kadin2048 at 2:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
It's time to form a new government.
oops you spelled vanguard party wrong
posted by poffin boffin at 2:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
oops you spelled vanguard party wrong
posted by poffin boffin at 2:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
That parade is a threadbare combover
posted by stonepharisee at 2:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by stonepharisee at 2:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
As far as we know, Donald Trump is constitutionally the President of the United States. I am by birth legally a citizen of the United States. Therefore, both constitutionally and legally Donald Trump is my president. And that is as far as it's ever fucking going to go...
posted by jim in austin at 2:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by jim in austin at 2:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I think I've had enough wine. I just read my last post, didn't realize it was mine and favoured it.
posted by Jalliah at 2:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [124 favorites]
The new First Lady's bio page hawks her products, available now on QVC.
I've always been a vote with your wallet type, but now I'm going to have to get more serious.
http://grab-your-wallet.com/
posted by bongo_x at 2:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I've always been a vote with your wallet type, but now I'm going to have to get more serious.
http://grab-your-wallet.com/
posted by bongo_x at 2:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I love that Obama's tweet was been retweeted 95,000+ times in the hour since it was published, which is considerably more than any of Trump's in the last week.
You just know that drives him fucking insane and there is fuck all he can do about it.
posted by jontyjago at 2:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
You just know that drives him fucking insane and there is fuck all he can do about it.
posted by jontyjago at 2:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
So excited by those Southwest attendants, but am now worried that they'll get fired or doxxed, because that's the world we live in.
posted by corb at 2:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by corb at 2:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
If I can get through today without a cigarette, then I have truly quit.
Ha. Yeah. Yesterday I had something traumatic happen (it involved animal harm) and I was shaking so hard I was really glad my husband had left a pack of cigarettes in the house. I smoked a whole one and it was amazing how much it calmed me down even though I've been quit for a decade. The fact that I don't feel the need for a cigarette today is reassuring in the face of that.
posted by threeturtles at 2:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Ha. Yeah. Yesterday I had something traumatic happen (it involved animal harm) and I was shaking so hard I was really glad my husband had left a pack of cigarettes in the house. I smoked a whole one and it was amazing how much it calmed me down even though I've been quit for a decade. The fact that I don't feel the need for a cigarette today is reassuring in the face of that.
posted by threeturtles at 2:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
“Worst parade ever,” said another in a Make America Great hat. “I waited three hours for that?”
The string of disappointments starts small, but will continue for four years.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [41 favorites]
The string of disappointments starts small, but will continue for four years.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [41 favorites]
futz: White House website promotes Melania Trump’s modeling and jewelry line
...
bletch
Discomfort is one thing, but I really care about the legality of this. And how it tarnishes all of the United States, as if the whole country was a backdrop for low-quality, foreign-made good hawked on TV.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [31 favorites]
...
bletch
Discomfort is one thing, but I really care about the legality of this. And how it tarnishes all of the United States, as if the whole country was a backdrop for low-quality, foreign-made good hawked on TV.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [31 favorites]
This the part where Andy Kaufman reveals himself, right? I mean, I'm no performance art critic but this has been the longest buildup ever.
posted by petebest at 2:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by petebest at 2:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
“Worst parade ever,” said another in a Make America Great hat. “I waited three hours for that?”
img src="nelsonmuntzhaha.gif"
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
img src="nelsonmuntzhaha.gif"
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
‘Worst parade ever’ says Trump supporter
Needs more tanks.
posted by jontyjago at 2:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Needs more tanks.
posted by jontyjago at 2:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Tractor-ish dune buggies? Can the monster trucks be far behind?
posted by carmicha at 2:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by carmicha at 2:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
What the shit
Tractors?
what
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 2:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Tractors?
what
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 2:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Tractor is good for production, comrade.
posted by valkane at 2:10 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by valkane at 2:10 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
To paraphrase the late Harold Ramis, this looks extraordinarily bad. States are complex things, and they need moral authority—and moral legitimacy—in order to function. This administration looks to have neither, right from the get go. I see acts of protest and defiance, relatively small-scale to begin with, escalating into widespread civil unrest, especially if protests are met with heavy-handed force. Opponents of the regime will cheer to start with, then become more and more alarmed as things start to spiral out of control. An overmatched and illegitimate state police apparatus will encourage opportunistic crime, then widespread non-compliance and civil disobedience. Cities and campuses will burn.
As we live now in a global monoculture united by the sinews of social media and Facebook Live, I expect the same things to start happening in London and Paris by summer. We will see a worldwide late-'60s style irruption, but bigger and more prolonged, with little chance of rebuilding and consolidation afterwards. The liberal, city-based cosmopolitanism we have grown used to over the last two decades will no longer be sustainable. Civil policing will become less and less distinguishable from military occupation. Everywhere.
I haven't felt this bleak about our shared futures, well ... ever.
posted by Sonny Jim at 2:11 PM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
As we live now in a global monoculture united by the sinews of social media and Facebook Live, I expect the same things to start happening in London and Paris by summer. We will see a worldwide late-'60s style irruption, but bigger and more prolonged, with little chance of rebuilding and consolidation afterwards. The liberal, city-based cosmopolitanism we have grown used to over the last two decades will no longer be sustainable. Civil policing will become less and less distinguishable from military occupation. Everywhere.
I haven't felt this bleak about our shared futures, well ... ever.
posted by Sonny Jim at 2:11 PM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
Gen. Kelly and James Mattis just confirmed. So I think that's 2/28 of named nominees. Still 600 some-odd to go.
posted by birdheist at 2:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by birdheist at 2:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Mattis confirmed as SoD.
posted by petebest at 2:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by petebest at 2:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
So the explanation for the small crowds that Trump supporters seem to be pushing is that people are running all around Washington and rioting so people didn't show up because they were scared.
posted by Jalliah at 2:14 PM on January 20, 2017
on the upside I scored rush tickets to Wait Wait tonight so maybe I'll get to hear Tom Bodett say Fuck
posted by theodolite at 2:14 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 2:14 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Weirdly, instead of despair, I'm feeling invigorated today. I think over the past couple months since the election, I wrung out every last ounce of worry and fear I had about what's to come. I can't do that anymore. No matter what happens, we can't get bogged down in anxiety and helplessness. We need to focus on the resistance.
posted by downtohisturtles at 2:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by downtohisturtles at 2:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
WaPo commenters talking a LOT about the protesters who are trying to stop other protestors from doing violent shit. Definitely appreciate that.
posted by telepanda at 2:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
posted by telepanda at 2:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
bogged down in anxiety and helplessness
I can't actually see the anxiety and helplessness through the rage. So. Much. Rage.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I can't actually see the anxiety and helplessness through the rage. So. Much. Rage.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
You scored Rush tickets? Dude I didn't think they were even touring anymore, sweet.
*tongue-out air Spirit of Radio*
posted by petebest at 2:17 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
*tongue-out air Spirit of Radio*
posted by petebest at 2:17 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
the wapo live feed was honestly pretty awesome
Yeah it has been. I'm glad I found it first thing.
posted by Jalliah at 2:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yeah it has been. I'm glad I found it first thing.
posted by Jalliah at 2:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
futz: Newt Gingrich wants to fire federal employees who voted for Clinton
That's funny, they want to fire him, too. Out of a cannon, preferably. Into space would also work.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [35 favorites]
That's funny, they want to fire him, too. Out of a cannon, preferably. Into space would also work.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [35 favorites]
Opponents of the regime will cheer to start with, then become more and more alarmed as things start to spiral out of control. An overmatched and illegitimate state police apparatus will encourage opportunistic crime, then widespread non-compliance and civil disobedience. Cities and campuses will burn.
That's a fairly realistic worst case scenario.
But what makes you think the Republican congress has the guts to withstand all of that without turning on him? Trump called Cruz's wife ugly and threatened to "spill the beans on her." (I still wonder if the latter isn't partly why Cruz caved, eventually...) He said McCain wasn't a hero because he got caught. He called Rubio "Li'l Marco". He said Ryan "didn't know how to win."
These guys don't like him. They would much prefer President Pence. Once his approval rating falls low enough that they don't imperil there own chances of re-election by going after him, he's gone.
And President Pence is not good news either, but we survived Bush Jr, goddamnit.
posted by OnceUponATime at 2:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
That's a fairly realistic worst case scenario.
But what makes you think the Republican congress has the guts to withstand all of that without turning on him? Trump called Cruz's wife ugly and threatened to "spill the beans on her." (I still wonder if the latter isn't partly why Cruz caved, eventually...) He said McCain wasn't a hero because he got caught. He called Rubio "Li'l Marco". He said Ryan "didn't know how to win."
These guys don't like him. They would much prefer President Pence. Once his approval rating falls low enough that they don't imperil there own chances of re-election by going after him, he's gone.
And President Pence is not good news either, but we survived Bush Jr, goddamnit.
posted by OnceUponATime at 2:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
Trump just picked John Gore, lawyer who defended NC's anti-trans #HB2 in court, to run DOJ's Civil Rights Division. That didn't take long.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:20 PM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:20 PM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Into space would also work.
if you told him he was going to the moon he'd get in the cannon willingly
posted by poffin boffin at 2:20 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
if you told him he was going to the moon he'd get in the cannon willingly
posted by poffin boffin at 2:20 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
When Biden pulled into the Wilmington train station, the conductor made sure to announce its full name to cheers. Hundreds of supporters turned out to welcome the Bidens with signs and flowers as tubas blared patriotic tunes
The last time that Joe Biden was a private citizen was 1972.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:20 PM on January 20, 2017 [134 favorites]
The last time that Joe Biden was a private citizen was 1972.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:20 PM on January 20, 2017 [134 favorites]
At this point I'd **GLADLY** take President Pence over President Trump. Pence would be awful, but he'd be awful in a way that doesn't threaten the very fabric of the country.
posted by sotonohito at 2:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by sotonohito at 2:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
These guys don't like him. They would much prefer President Pence. Once his approval rating falls low enough that they don't imperil there own chances of re-election by going after him, he's gone.
Republicans didn't do anything to fight Trump when he was eminently fightable in the primaries. They're spineless turds and will do nothing.
posted by selfnoise at 2:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [33 favorites]
Republicans didn't do anything to fight Trump when he was eminently fightable in the primaries. They're spineless turds and will do nothing.
posted by selfnoise at 2:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [33 favorites]
Is it weird that I've felt like crying all day, directly because of the inauguration? I'm not usually a cry-er.
posted by XtinaS at 4:05 PM on January 20 [5 favorites +] [!]
Not weird at all. I have been crying on and off all day. I'm so very upset. It's okay to cry and feel however we feel.
posted by FireFountain at 2:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by XtinaS at 4:05 PM on January 20 [5 favorites +] [!]
Not weird at all. I have been crying on and off all day. I'm so very upset. It's okay to cry and feel however we feel.
posted by FireFountain at 2:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
wow they walked in right by barron and didn't even touch him on the shoulder or smile at him.
what the fuck.
I was just going to say. He has yet to even acknowledge him. Poor, poor kid. Gah.
posted by Jalliah at 2:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
what the fuck.
I was just going to say. He has yet to even acknowledge him. Poor, poor kid. Gah.
posted by Jalliah at 2:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Trump has some kind of personality disorder. He's not going anywhere. Destructive drama is his purpose in life.
posted by Annika Cicada at 2:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Annika Cicada at 2:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
At this point I'd **GLADLY** take President Pence over President Trump. Pence would be awful, but he'd be awful in a way that doesn't threaten the very fabric of the country.
Pence is not out there saying: "torture works" "you have to take out their families" "Bomb the shit out of them" and "take the oil" He is not openly nostalgic for the good old days when political protesters were "carried out on a stretcher". He's not saying Saudi Arabia needs to get their own nuclear weapons.
So yeah, I'd prefer President Pence. And I'm pretty sure Paul Ryan would too.
posted by OnceUponATime at 2:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Pence is not out there saying: "torture works" "you have to take out their families" "Bomb the shit out of them" and "take the oil" He is not openly nostalgic for the good old days when political protesters were "carried out on a stretcher". He's not saying Saudi Arabia needs to get their own nuclear weapons.
So yeah, I'd prefer President Pence. And I'm pretty sure Paul Ryan would too.
posted by OnceUponATime at 2:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Years ago, I saw a live Wait Wait taping in Berkeley. They had a news item that started with the phrase "Senator Rick Santorum." And this being Berkeley, the audience booed pretty uproariously. And since NPR couldn't air like that, they did it again. And the audience booed again. It took a good five takes or so before they had something they could use.
Anyway I hope something like that happens for you tonight, theodolite.
posted by zachlipton at 2:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Anyway I hope something like that happens for you tonight, theodolite.
posted by zachlipton at 2:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
wow they walked in right by barron and didn't even touch him on the shoulder or smile at him.
If, as speculated, Barron has some special needs, perhaps they are treating him as he wishes.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
If, as speculated, Barron has some special needs, perhaps they are treating him as he wishes.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Whoever recommended listening to Pink Floyd's album Animals, thank you, you've saved a sanity today.
posted by XtinaS at 2:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by XtinaS at 2:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Pete Souza's last official picture of Obama, looking out of the window of the departing Executive One helicopter, down at the White House.
Just as we were lucky to have Obama for the last 8 years, we were also lucky to have Pete Souza document those years. Amazing photographer.
posted by chris24 at 2:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [30 favorites]
Just as we were lucky to have Obama for the last 8 years, we were also lucky to have Pete Souza document those years. Amazing photographer.
posted by chris24 at 2:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [30 favorites]
They're spineless turds and will do nothing.
They're spiteful turds who would gut their own mothers for a buck and never, ever forget an insult. They will bury Trump first chance they get, but it will be too late for America. The weasels are already in the barn.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
They're spiteful turds who would gut their own mothers for a buck and never, ever forget an insult. They will bury Trump first chance they get, but it will be too late for America. The weasels are already in the barn.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Republicans didn't do anything to fight Trump when he was eminently fightable in the primaries.
He wasn't as "eminently fightable" as you would think for the GOP. They couldn't go after him in ways that would undercut their base, which crippled them.
posted by NoxAeternum at 2:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
He wasn't as "eminently fightable" as you would think for the GOP. They couldn't go after him in ways that would undercut their base, which crippled them.
posted by NoxAeternum at 2:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
wow they walked in right by barron and didn't even touch him on the shoulder or smile at him.
Barron has not yet slain a mighty beast of the plain and proven his ability to Win. When that day comes his father will reward him with eye contact and a firm hand on his shoulder and acknowledge him as his legitimate offspring.
Many elephant tails did the wretched Eric have to lay before his father's feet before his long-sought acknowledgement came! But Eric had his day at last, and Barron will too, if the LORD wills it.
posted by prize bull octorok at 2:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
Barron has not yet slain a mighty beast of the plain and proven his ability to Win. When that day comes his father will reward him with eye contact and a firm hand on his shoulder and acknowledge him as his legitimate offspring.
Many elephant tails did the wretched Eric have to lay before his father's feet before his long-sought acknowledgement came! But Eric had his day at last, and Barron will too, if the LORD wills it.
posted by prize bull octorok at 2:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
The new First Lady's bio page hawks her products, available now on QVC.
No, no that's the thing! As anyone else interested in the world of TV shopping could tell you, Melania's entire web presence was scrubbed last summer and there is still no mention of her on QVC and melaniattrump.com redirects to Trump.com. If I recall, it was because all her pieces were made in China.
So when the official bio says:
posted by Room 641-A at 2:27 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
No, no that's the thing! As anyone else interested in the world of TV shopping could tell you, Melania's entire web presence was scrubbed last summer and there is still no mention of her on QVC and melaniattrump.com redirects to Trump.com. If I recall, it was because all her pieces were made in China.
So when the official bio says:
Melania is also a successful entrepreneur. In April 2010, Melania Trump launched her own jewelry collection, ‘Melania™ Timepieces & Jewelry,’ on QVC,” the site reads.I think, You're not wrong, Walter, and remind myself that there is nothing about this family that isn't based on, or wrapped in, lies.
posted by Room 641-A at 2:27 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Pence is entirely predictable. I hate him but I can create a cohesive argument before the new cycle changes.
posted by AlexiaSky at 2:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by AlexiaSky at 2:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I turned on the TV and the headlines was "President Trump watches..."
Oh god its happening.
posted by Justinian at 2:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Oh god its happening.
posted by Justinian at 2:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
What the actual fuck, I just saw an ad on the Pittsburgh NBC affiliate advertising a visit from Rudy Giuliani being hosted by a local retirement community.
posted by miratime at 2:30 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by miratime at 2:30 PM on January 20, 2017
If, as speculated, Barron has some special needs, perhaps they are treating him as he wishes.
i mean? in what fantasy world would any member of that family care about someone with special needs?
posted by poffin boffin at 2:31 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
i mean? in what fantasy world would any member of that family care about someone with special needs?
posted by poffin boffin at 2:31 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Make sure you read to end. I do think WaPo is full on dead pan snark right now.
Trump supporter to protesters: ‘I’ll whoop every one of you all’
President Trump remained in his limousine as it slowly drove along Pennsylvania Avenue in front of Trump International Hotel, where throngs of protesters had been shouting chants against the president for about 20 minutes. A chorus of boos greeted the president as his vehicle passed.
Minutes later, with the crowd mostly dispersed and a largely pro-Trump contingent remaining, Vice President Pence walked the same block to a mix of cheers and taunts, with some yelling, “Shame, shame, shame.”
Pence entered his limousine shortly after passing the hotel. He turning to the crowd and waiving before ducking into the vehicle.
A gruff Trump supporter with grey hair taunted the lingering protesters as he walked away from the parade route.
“Don’t be sore losers,” he shouted. “Suck it up and get over it.”
With protesters jeering at him, he yelled: “I’ll whoop every one of you all.”
He was pushing along a woman in a wheelchair. He let go of the chair as he turned to confront the protesters. The chair cruised for a few feet without him, and he jogged a few steps to catch up to it.
posted by Jalliah at 2:32 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Trump supporter to protesters: ‘I’ll whoop every one of you all’
President Trump remained in his limousine as it slowly drove along Pennsylvania Avenue in front of Trump International Hotel, where throngs of protesters had been shouting chants against the president for about 20 minutes. A chorus of boos greeted the president as his vehicle passed.
Minutes later, with the crowd mostly dispersed and a largely pro-Trump contingent remaining, Vice President Pence walked the same block to a mix of cheers and taunts, with some yelling, “Shame, shame, shame.”
Pence entered his limousine shortly after passing the hotel. He turning to the crowd and waiving before ducking into the vehicle.
A gruff Trump supporter with grey hair taunted the lingering protesters as he walked away from the parade route.
“Don’t be sore losers,” he shouted. “Suck it up and get over it.”
With protesters jeering at him, he yelled: “I’ll whoop every one of you all.”
He was pushing along a woman in a wheelchair. He let go of the chair as he turned to confront the protesters. The chair cruised for a few feet without him, and he jogged a few steps to catch up to it.
posted by Jalliah at 2:32 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
If, as speculated, Barron has some special needs, perhaps they are treating him as he wishes.
Even if that is true, you would expect his mother would at least look at him occasionally to see how he's doing.
posted by slipthought at 2:33 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Even if that is true, you would expect his mother would at least look at him occasionally to see how he's doing.
posted by slipthought at 2:33 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
is it weird Trump salutes the troops? that's weird right? he's not military. he dodged the draft!
I thought so but I checked. Lots of pics of Obama saluting.
posted by Jalliah at 2:34 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
is it weird Trump salutes the troops? that's weird right? he's not military. he dodged the draft!
Well technically he's (swallows hard) Commander in Chief, which is a civilian position without a rank. But every time Obama forgot to salute or had a coffee in his other hand the pitchforks came out, so just like the flag pins you gotta do it now.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 2:35 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Well technically he's (swallows hard) Commander in Chief, which is a civilian position without a rank. But every time Obama forgot to salute or had a coffee in his other hand the pitchforks came out, so just like the flag pins you gotta do it now.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 2:35 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
How the inaugurations looked in 2009 and 2017
posted by kuatto at 2:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by kuatto at 2:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Parade route from Capital to WH. Entire stands empty. Crowd thin.
posted by AtoBtoA at 2:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by AtoBtoA at 2:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Sometimes the son of the evil king is the one who ends up dramatically overthrowing him at the end of the story so I'm keeping high hopes and an open hand to Barron. You can do it, kid! Plz hurry
posted by prize bull octorok at 2:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
posted by prize bull octorok at 2:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
I turned on the TV and the headlines was "President Trump watches..."
Oh god its happening.
It still hasn't sunk in for me yet, weirdly. I thought I'd come to grips with the reality that this is happening but... nope, I... feel nothing.
I did actually puke my guts out about 5 minutes before the inauguration, though. So I think my body knows, but my brain's just not there yet.
posted by tivalasvegas at 2:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Oh god its happening.
It still hasn't sunk in for me yet, weirdly. I thought I'd come to grips with the reality that this is happening but... nope, I... feel nothing.
I did actually puke my guts out about 5 minutes before the inauguration, though. So I think my body knows, but my brain's just not there yet.
posted by tivalasvegas at 2:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
thanks for checking. just looks weird.
because hands so small
posted by BrashTech at 2:37 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
because hands so small
posted by BrashTech at 2:37 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Mod note: A few comments removed, cool it with the Barron stuff.
posted by cortex (staff) at 2:37 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 2:37 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Offering perhaps the most nakedly political argument for firing federal employees, Gingrich said, “all those bureaucrats overwhelmingly voted for Clinton. There won’t be any real cooperation until we change federal law so we can fire them
Bureaucracy created from the ground up and run along Republican ideology by handpicked unqualified Republicans has already been tried once this century. It was the Iraq occupation.
posted by srboisvert at 2:39 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Bureaucracy created from the ground up and run along Republican ideology by handpicked unqualified Republicans has already been tried once this century. It was the Iraq occupation.
posted by srboisvert at 2:39 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Saluting troops is apparently something that started with Reagan.
posted by drezdn at 2:39 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by drezdn at 2:39 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Meanwhile, back on The Hill: Senate Kicks Off Trump-Era With Confirmation Fight Over CIA Nominee
posted by zachlipton at 2:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by zachlipton at 2:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Up to three good things now.
Tornado something something band.
Good thing # 3
posted by Jalliah at 2:41 PM on January 20, 2017
As C in C the President must salute military people. Clinton, Obama and now Trump.
I do think Barron has some type of special needs. Probably as a family they've tried to work around it, make things look 'normal' or whatever. I'd rather they embraced whatever it was and used it to help everyone in the same situation, but that's none of my business.
I really don't care for the adult members of the family. I can't hate on kids. Maybe their adolescent rebellions will be amazing.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 2:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I do think Barron has some type of special needs. Probably as a family they've tried to work around it, make things look 'normal' or whatever. I'd rather they embraced whatever it was and used it to help everyone in the same situation, but that's none of my business.
I really don't care for the adult members of the family. I can't hate on kids. Maybe their adolescent rebellions will be amazing.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 2:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
An interesting omission: No mention of health law repeal in inaugural speech or on new WhiteHouse.gov
Shortly before the election, he vowed he would ask Congress to repeal the ACA in a special session before he was even sworn in. Now it's not even worth a mention.
posted by zachlipton at 2:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Shortly before the election, he vowed he would ask Congress to repeal the ACA in a special session before he was even sworn in. Now it's not even worth a mention.
posted by zachlipton at 2:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Parade route from Capital to WH. Entire stands empty. Crowd thin.
This reassures me somewhat about the American people. Not much but at least it's something.
posted by Talez at 2:43 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
This reassures me somewhat about the American people. Not much but at least it's something.
posted by Talez at 2:43 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
As CinCthe President must salute military people. Clinton, Obama and now Trump.
Nope. The Commander in Chief is a civilian and doesn't have to salute according to salutes.
posted by drezdn at 2:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
It's getting dark and cold. The parade had a late start. Not everything likes parades enough to watch in the dark.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 2:45 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 2:45 PM on January 20, 2017
is it weird Trump salutes the troops? that's weird right? he's not military. he dodged the draft!
Doing a bit of looking around, it appears that it isn't expected; while the President is Commander in Chief, salutes only are required to happen when people are in uniform. So when in uniform the military will salute the President, but a return salute is not expected/required as the President is in civilian clothes. It appears the custom of the President returning salutes probably started with Reagan, who was an officer in WWII.
posted by nubs at 2:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Doing a bit of looking around, it appears that it isn't expected; while the President is Commander in Chief, salutes only are required to happen when people are in uniform. So when in uniform the military will salute the President, but a return salute is not expected/required as the President is in civilian clothes. It appears the custom of the President returning salutes probably started with Reagan, who was an officer in WWII.
posted by nubs at 2:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
He won over 2,600 counties nationwide, the most since President Reagan in 1984.
Including many, many sparsely-populated counties
This map is from 2012 but it's not like everybody moved since then.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
These guys don't like him. They would much prefer President Pence. Once his approval rating falls low enough that they don't imperil there own chances of re-election by going after him, he's gone.
His approval rating, and how much he interferes in the agenda of the Republican Congress. Which he already has, in some ways, such as screwing up the Republican united front on healthcare. The first time they want him to sign a bill that he doesn't like, I don't see him signing it, and if it's an unpopular bill I don't see him liking it. If he gets more unpopular himself, I think they'd still try to back him unless he becomes kryptonite. If he's unpopular and meddling with their agenda, then they start looking at Pence sooner.
Importantly, the further away from the next election they do this, the more it mitigates the effect of anger in the base at removing him. Rip the bandaid off soon and time can heal the wound. And conveniently they've got the best cover of plausible deniability they could hope for with the Russia stuff - "our hand was forced, he betrayed us!" - but that's a "use it or lose it" advantage, it goes cold if they don't prolong it and they can't endlessly Benghazi their own President to keep it in the papers. So the pressures on this point to moving quickly and decisively, so long as they're not moving recklessly.
Basically I think right now Ryan and McConnell are waiting to see which way the wind blows on Trump's ratings and how much he tries to get in the way of their agenda, but Ryan and McConnell understand power enough to understand that decisions will have to be made sooner rather than later or they'll be in uncertain territory and could lose the initiative.
posted by jason_steakums at 2:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
His approval rating, and how much he interferes in the agenda of the Republican Congress. Which he already has, in some ways, such as screwing up the Republican united front on healthcare. The first time they want him to sign a bill that he doesn't like, I don't see him signing it, and if it's an unpopular bill I don't see him liking it. If he gets more unpopular himself, I think they'd still try to back him unless he becomes kryptonite. If he's unpopular and meddling with their agenda, then they start looking at Pence sooner.
Importantly, the further away from the next election they do this, the more it mitigates the effect of anger in the base at removing him. Rip the bandaid off soon and time can heal the wound. And conveniently they've got the best cover of plausible deniability they could hope for with the Russia stuff - "our hand was forced, he betrayed us!" - but that's a "use it or lose it" advantage, it goes cold if they don't prolong it and they can't endlessly Benghazi their own President to keep it in the papers. So the pressures on this point to moving quickly and decisively, so long as they're not moving recklessly.
Basically I think right now Ryan and McConnell are waiting to see which way the wind blows on Trump's ratings and how much he tries to get in the way of their agenda, but Ryan and McConnell understand power enough to understand that decisions will have to be made sooner rather than later or they'll be in uncertain territory and could lose the initiative.
posted by jason_steakums at 2:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
It's getting dark and cold. The parade had a late start. Not everything likes parades enough to watch in the dark.
It was the same long before it got dark and cold.
posted by Jalliah at 2:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
It was the same long before it got dark and cold.
posted by Jalliah at 2:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
As CinCthe President must salute military people. Clinton, Obama and now Trump.
Nope. The Commander in Chief is a civilian and doesn't have to salute according to salutes.
Certain people sure made a fuss at deficiencies in the salute department.... thanks for teaching me something
Thanks for that link!
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 2:48 PM on January 20, 2017
"Two white 20-something men just walked past the long line at the Holocaust Museum and yelled "Six million Jews! Alright!""
posted by zachlipton at 2:49 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 2:49 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
It appears the custom of the President returning salutes probably started with Reagan, who was an officer in WWII.
that grueling slog in the First Motion Picture Unit
posted by entropicamericana at 2:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
that grueling slog in the First Motion Picture Unit
posted by entropicamericana at 2:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
anyway time to raise taxes and ban heteros in my nationstates country
posted by poffin boffin at 2:51 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 2:51 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Fucking Tractors! I thought you guys were shitting me! I guess they had to have something since the Pentagon nixed the gigantic tanks and big missiles....živi Rodina!
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 2:55 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 2:55 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
An interesting omission: No mention of health law repeal in inaugural speech or on new WhiteHouse.gov
Shortly before the election, he vowed he would ask Congress to repeal the ACA in a special session before he was even sworn in. Now it's not even worth a mention.
Rather than it not being worth a mention, I think it's that he may be coming to understand how difficult and unpopular it would be.
I think it's entirely possible that they wont actually do it, betting that nobody expects politicians to keep campaign promises anyway.
Their calculation may be that the fallout for doing it (making peoples lives worse in a way that is unambiguously attributable to them) is worse than the fallout for not doing it (some people will grumble, but mostly real people didn't care about it anyway).
The people who legitimately hate the ACA are small-government politicians, and there aren't enough of them to make this happen, I don't think. Right-wing citizens think they hate the ACA but really it's just a thing to be against, to define themselves against, while not understanding or accepting the good it does for them. Taking that away could make their lives worse in a way that they have no choice but to blame Trump for.
posted by pocketfullofrye at 2:56 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Where I live there are always tractors in our parades. But it's rural and farm country so it makes sense.
posted by Jalliah at 2:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Whoever recommended listening to Pink Floyd's album Animals, thank you, you've saved a sanity today.
I'm just listening to "Gimme Shelter" on endless loop.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:58 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
I don't know why this is the thing that's hitting me and making this feel real when the oath, parade, the protests, everything didn't fully do it, but the Concert for America cast signing their finale of "Let The Sunshine In" is finally the bit that's made me begin to understand what's happened today.
And I'm thinking right now would be a really good time for a revival of Hair.
posted by zachlipton at 2:58 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
And I'm thinking right now would be a really good time for a revival of Hair.
posted by zachlipton at 2:58 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Shortly before the election, he vowed he would ask Congress to repeal the ACA in a special session before he was even sworn in. Now it's not even worth a mention.
I am ok with this.
posted by emjaybee at 2:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I am ok with this.
posted by emjaybee at 2:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Where I live there are always tractors in our parades. But it's rural and farm country so it makes sense.
In New Orleans, tractors pull floats. For kids who haven't gone far beyond that city, it might be confusing to see a tractor without a float.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
In New Orleans, tractors pull floats. For kids who haven't gone far beyond that city, it might be confusing to see a tractor without a float.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
You know it's Inauguration Day when you find yourself on Reddit arguing with people that 'Liberals' drive tractors too.
posted by Jalliah at 3:04 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
find yourself on Reddit arguing
Well there's your first mistake.
posted by Talez at 3:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [26 favorites]
Well there's your first mistake.
posted by Talez at 3:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [26 favorites]
Pink Floyd's Animals is my official soundtrack for the day.
I'm going with Mozart's Requiem and Beethoven's Missa Solemnis.
posted by Celsius1414 at 3:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm going with Mozart's Requiem and Beethoven's Missa Solemnis.
posted by Celsius1414 at 3:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
No one looks happy in this picture of the swearing-in.
From Vox's President Trump's inauguration speech, annotated.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
/cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7842617/GettyImages_632195096.jpg){kind=link}
From Vox's President Trump's inauguration speech, annotated.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
No one looks happy in this picture of the swearing-in.
Next campaign slogan. 'Make America Smile Again'
posted by Jalliah at 3:10 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Next campaign slogan. 'Make America Smile Again'
posted by Jalliah at 3:10 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
> No one looks happy in this picture of the swearing-in
Thats's a giant grin, by Melania's standards.
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:10 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Thats's a giant grin, by Melania's standards.
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:10 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
"find yourself on Reddit arguing"
Well there's your first mistake.
Not a mistake. Go Jalliah! "Only conservatives drive tractors" is a terrible conspiracy theory, and you're fighting the good fight but countering it.
posted by OnceUponATime at 3:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Well there's your first mistake.
Not a mistake. Go Jalliah! "Only conservatives drive tractors" is a terrible conspiracy theory, and you're fighting the good fight but countering it.
posted by OnceUponATime at 3:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I swear I just saw Pennywise the Clown flash by on the screen there for a second. Was it just me? No there he was again!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 3:14 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 3:14 PM on January 20, 2017
No one looks happy in this picture of the swearing-in.
John Thune looks like he ate a bug.
posted by jason_steakums at 3:17 PM on January 20, 2017
John Thune looks like he ate a bug.
posted by jason_steakums at 3:17 PM on January 20, 2017
John Kelly confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security
posted by zachlipton at 3:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 3:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
No one looks happy in this picture of the swearing-in.
The guy at center-right looks like he just realized that this was really happening.
posted by waitingtoderail at 3:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
The guy at center-right looks like he just realized that this was really happening.
posted by waitingtoderail at 3:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
woody guthrie must be rolling in his grave to have This Land is Your Land played at this thing.
Got my "All You Fascists Bound To Lose" shirt on right now. No amount of misappropriation by the right is gonna steal Woody from us.
posted by downtohisturtles at 3:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
Got my "All You Fascists Bound To Lose" shirt on right now. No amount of misappropriation by the right is gonna steal Woody from us.
posted by downtohisturtles at 3:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
On Thursday, those Obama aides who were left at the White House spent their day on a scavenger hunt organized by chief of staff Denis McDonough. It included finding the scorch marks left from when the British burned the building in the war of 1812 and writing their names in permanent marker on the leftover tiles of the swimming pool that lies under what is now the White House briefing room.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 3:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 3:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
Tuned in to check on the parade and the announcer just described a group of police on horseback as "one of the oldest continuous mounted units in America." Their butts must be so sore.
Now we have Vietnam helicopter pilots in actual helicopters (being towed) wearing Vietnam-era flight suits, in case the whole "set the clocks back" analogy wasn't clear enough.
posted by zachlipton at 3:23 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Now we have Vietnam helicopter pilots in actual helicopters (being towed) wearing Vietnam-era flight suits, in case the whole "set the clocks back" analogy wasn't clear enough.
posted by zachlipton at 3:23 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
From Lawyers Guns and Money:
Come out for the Drumpfster, deplorables all,
Short-fingered vulgarian, builder of malls!
With purpose and strength he came down from his tower
To welcome his vassals in a golden shower.
Now a cry has gone up and the KKK calls,
“Come out for the Drumpfster, deplorables all!”
When freedom is threatened by Obamacare
And Muslims and Mooselimbs run loose everywhere
We’ll take an extra syllable or two to express how mad we are
And thank the Almighty for Drumpf our new czar.
He’ll never betray us, he’ll build us a wall,
Who elected the Drumpfster, deplorables all!
When arrogant Negroes displayed their free phones,
And crashed the economy with their home loans,
As Kenyan usurpers defiled our White House
And limousine liberals lined their own pockets*
The forgotten decided to heft up their balls
And march for the Drumpfster, deplorables all!
The Drumpfster’s a humble man, eager to serve,
Ne’er screwing his clients out of fees they deserve.
A soldier for justice, a wronger of right,
And an indefatigable warrior for the execution of five young black men even after DNA evidence determined that they were totally innocent of the horrible rape of which they were falsely accused and about which Drumpf took out a full-page ad in the New York Times not long after the events of that terrible night.
The honest and true gladly shout “uber alles!”
And stand for the Drumpster, deplorables alles!
True friend of the migrant from both far and near,
He rejects the swarthy, and guards our frontier,
Lest a scarf-wearing woman, cov’ring her hair,
Should threaten our lives and our nation impair.
We stand with the whites who say “yee-ha” and “y’all,”
Coming out for the Drumpster, deplorables all!
Academe lies in ruins, and this we deride
So we can say “retard” and “pussy” with pride;
Its mendacious scientists roaming the land
With lies about “climate change” and lists of demands.
Now we learnèd of mind add ourselves to the crowd
(We learned to say learnèd, of this we are proud!)
The black man, forgotten, in poverty dying,
The poor man, the sick man, with young children crying,
The soldier abroad and the mother who waits,
The young without work or behind prison gates,
The veterans, wounded, are totally fucked
The Drumpfster will drumpf them in his Drumpfster truck.
Whilst scary young shemales flashing their gams
Teach children to dress up as ewes or as rams,
We doughty young boys will defend our bathrooms
For Drumpf will ensure that all grooms will be grooms!
Now the bonnie young lassies en route to the ball
Have a champion in Drumpfster, deplorables all!
But for all his great wisdom, the crotch-grabbing man
Is matched by his children, the handsome Drumpf clan,
And the flower of Europe, Melania the fair,
Adds a luster and grace with her long flowing hair.
May they purge the White House of the blackness that palls,
And cleanse it with Drumpsters, deplorables all!
Is there man left in Russia, be it early or late,
Who remembers Ivan or Putin the Great?
For the stronger we our houses do build,
The less chance we have of being killed.
Get up and walk free, while democracies fall,
And pledge to the Drumpster, deplorables all!
posted by emjaybee at 3:27 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Come out for the Drumpfster, deplorables all,
Short-fingered vulgarian, builder of malls!
With purpose and strength he came down from his tower
To welcome his vassals in a golden shower.
Now a cry has gone up and the KKK calls,
“Come out for the Drumpfster, deplorables all!”
When freedom is threatened by Obamacare
And Muslims and Mooselimbs run loose everywhere
We’ll take an extra syllable or two to express how mad we are
And thank the Almighty for Drumpf our new czar.
He’ll never betray us, he’ll build us a wall,
Who elected the Drumpfster, deplorables all!
When arrogant Negroes displayed their free phones,
And crashed the economy with their home loans,
As Kenyan usurpers defiled our White House
And limousine liberals lined their own pockets*
The forgotten decided to heft up their balls
And march for the Drumpfster, deplorables all!
The Drumpfster’s a humble man, eager to serve,
Ne’er screwing his clients out of fees they deserve.
A soldier for justice, a wronger of right,
And an indefatigable warrior for the execution of five young black men even after DNA evidence determined that they were totally innocent of the horrible rape of which they were falsely accused and about which Drumpf took out a full-page ad in the New York Times not long after the events of that terrible night.
The honest and true gladly shout “uber alles!”
And stand for the Drumpster, deplorables alles!
True friend of the migrant from both far and near,
He rejects the swarthy, and guards our frontier,
Lest a scarf-wearing woman, cov’ring her hair,
Should threaten our lives and our nation impair.
We stand with the whites who say “yee-ha” and “y’all,”
Coming out for the Drumpster, deplorables all!
Academe lies in ruins, and this we deride
So we can say “retard” and “pussy” with pride;
Its mendacious scientists roaming the land
With lies about “climate change” and lists of demands.
Now we learnèd of mind add ourselves to the crowd
(We learned to say learnèd, of this we are proud!)
The black man, forgotten, in poverty dying,
The poor man, the sick man, with young children crying,
The soldier abroad and the mother who waits,
The young without work or behind prison gates,
The veterans, wounded, are totally fucked
The Drumpfster will drumpf them in his Drumpfster truck.
Whilst scary young shemales flashing their gams
Teach children to dress up as ewes or as rams,
We doughty young boys will defend our bathrooms
For Drumpf will ensure that all grooms will be grooms!
Now the bonnie young lassies en route to the ball
Have a champion in Drumpfster, deplorables all!
But for all his great wisdom, the crotch-grabbing man
Is matched by his children, the handsome Drumpf clan,
And the flower of Europe, Melania the fair,
Adds a luster and grace with her long flowing hair.
May they purge the White House of the blackness that palls,
And cleanse it with Drumpsters, deplorables all!
Is there man left in Russia, be it early or late,
Who remembers Ivan or Putin the Great?
For the stronger we our houses do build,
The less chance we have of being killed.
Get up and walk free, while democracies fall,
And pledge to the Drumpster, deplorables all!
posted by emjaybee at 3:27 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
@NatlParkService is retweeting pictures of the 2009-vs-2017 crowds. Think they might be running low on fucks.
Looks like somebody noticed. Both this one and the government scrubbing one are gone now.
posted by Jalliah at 3:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Mark Marczyk, lead guy of Toronto's balkan-klezmer-gypsy-party-punk band Lemon Bucket Orkestra, is in D.C. to witness the inauguration and other goings on. He's posting some of his impressions to FB.
"And what colour is the blood of every person on this bus?”
“Red.”
“Yes sir.”
“The same colour as those ‘Make America Great Again’ hats?”
posted by Kabanos at 3:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
"And what colour is the blood of every person on this bus?”
“Red.”
“Yes sir.”
“The same colour as those ‘Make America Great Again’ hats?”
posted by Kabanos at 3:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Trump DOJ Signals Shift By Asking For Delay In Texas Voter ID Case: The first sign that President Donald Trump's Justice Department would be shifting its approach to voting rights – specifically towards voter ID laws – came in a motion it filed Friday in a blockbuster case in Texas. The motion asked for a 30-day delay in the proceedings, particularly a hearing scheduled for next week, "to brief the new leadership of the Department on this case and the issues to be addressed at that hearing before making any representations to the Court."
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 3:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 3:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
A British knitting celebrity I follow on Twitter flew to the US today and reports that the immigration officer told her "welcome to the demise of the United States." I think that, at least for the moment, Federal civil servants are pretty close to being in open revolt. I don't think Donnieboy really understands the mess he has gotten himself into. Unfortunately, we're all in it with him.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 3:33 PM on January 20, 2017 [72 favorites]
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 3:33 PM on January 20, 2017 [72 favorites]
I've had Robb Johnson's song 'Here'* squirrelling around in my head since November. Written years ago: could have been written for today.
Audio link.
*Yes: song by a British man, posted by a British woman; but the USA is most certainly Here tonight.
I was trying to get back home – the banners filled the sky
There were flags in every window, and the hand of every child
And the smart Party members with that badge in their lapel
And the teenagers with photos of that face we know so well
And the mothers and the fathers standing proud behind their sons
Standing at attention in their uniforms and guns
And you thought it couldn’t happen
You thought it couldn’t happen…
...here
First there was the torchlight, then the drummers on their horses
Cops on motorcycles, then the Special Forces
When someone gave the order, every hand went to the sky
And we all stood to attention as the leader’s car rolled by
And the brownshirts stood behind us with their bully-clubs and boots
Watching out for traitors who were slow with their salutes
And you thought it couldn’t happen
And you thought it couldn’t happen…
...here
The leader gave his big speech; the crowd all cheered and roared
He said there was no choice left: the nation was at war
And the cameras showed him smiling on the giant plasma screens
Protected by the gunships, surrounded by Marines
And then they brought the rock band on to sing the Freedom Song
And I thought about my children as the crowd all clapped along
And you thought it couldn’t happen
And you thought it couldn’t happen…
...here
Here!
Now I’m trying to reach the border with fake papers and ID
Sooner or later, the cops will come for me
And I’m travelling by moonlight, and I’m hiding out by day
In the few safe houses of the Underground Railway
Europe’s signed a treaty: they’re refusing refugees
The Red Army isn’t coming – there’s only you and me
And you thought it couldn’t happen
And you thought it couldn’t happen
And you thought it couldn’t happen…
...here
Here! Right here!
I was trying to get back home – the banners filled the sky...
--------------------------------------------------
BlueNorther and I attended one of the small UK anti-Trump protests tonight, in solidarity. (I'm aware even as I type of how inadequate that gesture sounds, but...) On a slightly humorous note: There was chalk provided for slogans to be written on the pavement. At my wife's request, I was chalking a couple for her. I'd got as far as JEWS AGAINST ISLAM before - looking up at the amused fellow protester watching me - squawking: "Don't you bloody dare make a crack or take a photo before I've finished the OPHOBIA."
posted by Morfil Ffyrnig at 3:33 PM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
Audio link.
*Yes: song by a British man, posted by a British woman; but the USA is most certainly Here tonight.
I was trying to get back home – the banners filled the sky
There were flags in every window, and the hand of every child
And the smart Party members with that badge in their lapel
And the teenagers with photos of that face we know so well
And the mothers and the fathers standing proud behind their sons
Standing at attention in their uniforms and guns
And you thought it couldn’t happen
You thought it couldn’t happen…
...here
First there was the torchlight, then the drummers on their horses
Cops on motorcycles, then the Special Forces
When someone gave the order, every hand went to the sky
And we all stood to attention as the leader’s car rolled by
And the brownshirts stood behind us with their bully-clubs and boots
Watching out for traitors who were slow with their salutes
And you thought it couldn’t happen
And you thought it couldn’t happen…
...here
The leader gave his big speech; the crowd all cheered and roared
He said there was no choice left: the nation was at war
And the cameras showed him smiling on the giant plasma screens
Protected by the gunships, surrounded by Marines
And then they brought the rock band on to sing the Freedom Song
And I thought about my children as the crowd all clapped along
And you thought it couldn’t happen
And you thought it couldn’t happen…
...here
Here!
Now I’m trying to reach the border with fake papers and ID
Sooner or later, the cops will come for me
And I’m travelling by moonlight, and I’m hiding out by day
In the few safe houses of the Underground Railway
Europe’s signed a treaty: they’re refusing refugees
The Red Army isn’t coming – there’s only you and me
And you thought it couldn’t happen
And you thought it couldn’t happen
And you thought it couldn’t happen…
...here
Here! Right here!
I was trying to get back home – the banners filled the sky...
BlueNorther and I attended one of the small UK anti-Trump protests tonight, in solidarity. (I'm aware even as I type of how inadequate that gesture sounds, but...) On a slightly humorous note: There was chalk provided for slogans to be written on the pavement. At my wife's request, I was chalking a couple for her. I'd got as far as JEWS AGAINST ISLAM before - looking up at the amused fellow protester watching me - squawking: "Don't you bloody dare make a crack or take a photo before I've finished the OPHOBIA."
posted by Morfil Ffyrnig at 3:33 PM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
A British knitting celebrity
thank you, this phrase alone will get me through the rest of the day
posted by poffin boffin at 3:34 PM on January 20, 2017 [71 favorites]
thank you, this phrase alone will get me through the rest of the day
posted by poffin boffin at 3:34 PM on January 20, 2017 [71 favorites]
John Kelly confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security
88 "yes" votes too. Good Lord, when the only principled person in the cabinet is named "Mad Dog"...
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 3:35 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
88 "yes" votes too. Good Lord, when the only principled person in the cabinet is named "Mad Dog"...
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 3:35 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
In resistance news, Mrs. Example is going to the Women's March on London tomorrow, complete with hat. I, with my currently raging cold, will be there in spirit, while actually physically being at home with a pile of drugs, a blanket, and ALL THE TEA.
(Oh, and a list of lawyers open in one tab just in case. Let's hope I don't need that.)
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 3:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
(Oh, and a list of lawyers open in one tab just in case. Let's hope I don't need that.)
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 3:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
So, the power is out here and Im taking it as a sign I need to get off of my phone, pay attention to MrsCloudySky and try and relax.
Stay strong, compassionate and wonderful. Thanks for the company and I'll protesting tomorrow in Chicago.
posted by AlexiaSky at 3:39 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Stay strong, compassionate and wonderful. Thanks for the company and I'll protesting tomorrow in Chicago.
posted by AlexiaSky at 3:39 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Want a gif of Richard Spencer being punched in the face? Because that's a thing now. (video)
posted by zachlipton at 3:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [70 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 3:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [70 favorites]
I believe the Trump administration has specifically requested that all nominees be confirmed by exactly 88 votes
posted by prize bull octorok at 3:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [36 favorites]
posted by prize bull octorok at 3:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [36 favorites]
Want a gif of Richard Spencer being punched in the face? Because that's a thing now.
Is it okay to find satisfaction with a Nazi getting punched in the face? Or does that make me bad person.
posted by Jalliah at 3:43 PM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Is it okay to find satisfaction with a Nazi getting punched in the face? Or does that make me bad person.
posted by Jalliah at 3:43 PM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
You know it's Inauguration Day when you find yourself on Reddit arguing with people that 'Liberals' drive tractors too.
How do they pay for gas? Liberals hate money too. Do they buy it with marijuana cigarettes?
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 3:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
How do they pay for gas? Liberals hate money too. Do they buy it with marijuana cigarettes?
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 3:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
"Two white 20-something men just walked past the long line at the Holocaust Museum and yelled "Six million Jews! Alright!""
I mentioned this on twitter, but the museum had quite a few white guys in red hats within its walls when my partner and I went to bear witness this afternoon. For all I desperately wanted them to learn something, my faith in reaching out has been badly shaken this week; particularly since my mother kept looking for reasons I might be responsible for being left on a street corner when I called her, and surviving that conversation wore me out.
After we limped through the main exhibits and the exhibit on the complicity of neighbors, we found ourself walking through the Children's Hall, which was quieter and designed for reflection on a particular boy. Walking alongside us was a young guy in an inauguration hat. I had just been telling another woman about the bomb threats on synagogues, and the museum felt more like a checklist than a warning, and I couldn't share that space just then.
So I asked him, angrily, "Are you proud? Are you happy?"
He would not meet my eyes. Eventually he walked slowly away.
posted by sciatrix at 3:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [96 favorites]
I mentioned this on twitter, but the museum had quite a few white guys in red hats within its walls when my partner and I went to bear witness this afternoon. For all I desperately wanted them to learn something, my faith in reaching out has been badly shaken this week; particularly since my mother kept looking for reasons I might be responsible for being left on a street corner when I called her, and surviving that conversation wore me out.
After we limped through the main exhibits and the exhibit on the complicity of neighbors, we found ourself walking through the Children's Hall, which was quieter and designed for reflection on a particular boy. Walking alongside us was a young guy in an inauguration hat. I had just been telling another woman about the bomb threats on synagogues, and the museum felt more like a checklist than a warning, and I couldn't share that space just then.
So I asked him, angrily, "Are you proud? Are you happy?"
He would not meet my eyes. Eventually he walked slowly away.
posted by sciatrix at 3:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [96 favorites]
Is it okay to find satisfaction with a Nazi getting punched in the face? Or does that make me bad person.
That gif is awesome, and hands up to the black bloc-er who did it. The dude is a nazi - if you're a nazi people should punch you in the fucking face all the time every day.
(Also, I'm growing out my hair - I used to have that dapper styleblogger queer short sides cut but no more, because those fucking nazis wear it.)
posted by Frowner at 3:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [64 favorites]
That gif is awesome, and hands up to the black bloc-er who did it. The dude is a nazi - if you're a nazi people should punch you in the fucking face all the time every day.
(Also, I'm growing out my hair - I used to have that dapper styleblogger queer short sides cut but no more, because those fucking nazis wear it.)
posted by Frowner at 3:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [64 favorites]
Is it okay to find satisfaction with a Nazi getting punched in the face? Or does that make me bad person.
You can accept that violence is bad and also derive an incredible amount of pleasure from that video/gif. I'm living proof. Cognitive dissonance? Maybe! The important thing is that Richard Spencer is being punched in the face.
ETA. If you're still on the fence: in the video he gets punched as soon as he says the word Pepe.
posted by Rust Moranis at 3:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [49 favorites]
You can accept that violence is bad and also derive an incredible amount of pleasure from that video/gif. I'm living proof. Cognitive dissonance? Maybe! The important thing is that Richard Spencer is being punched in the face.
ETA. If you're still on the fence: in the video he gets punched as soon as he says the word Pepe.
posted by Rust Moranis at 3:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [49 favorites]
on the upside I scored rush tickets to Wait Wait tonight so maybe I'll get to hear Tom Bodett say Fuck
"We'll leave some evens out for ya."
posted by notyou at 3:49 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
"We'll leave some evens out for ya."
posted by notyou at 3:49 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
If punching Nazis was good enough for Captain America, it should certainly be good enough for all of us.
posted by TwoStride at 3:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [66 favorites]
posted by TwoStride at 3:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [66 favorites]
88 "yes" votes too
OK, just to clarify for reality's sake, my "Biff Tannen in a stolen DeLorean" remark earlier was meant as a joke. Sorry for the confusion.
posted by Servo5678 at 3:52 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
OK, just to clarify for reality's sake, my "Biff Tannen in a stolen DeLorean" remark earlier was meant as a joke. Sorry for the confusion.
posted by Servo5678 at 3:52 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
ETA. If you're still on the fence: in the video he gets punched as soon as he says the word Pepe.
Yep that did it.
posted by Jalliah at 3:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Yep that did it.
posted by Jalliah at 3:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Is it okay to find satisfaction with a Nazi getting punched in the face? Or does that make me bad person.
I don't know. Is Captain America a bad person?
posted by maxsparber at 3:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
I don't know. Is Captain America a bad person?
posted by maxsparber at 3:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
If punching Nazis was good enough for Captain America, it should certainly be good enough for all of us.
I bet Magneto would punch him too. All my favorite superheroes would absolutely punch him, except for the ones that would, frex, crush him inside a giant ball of metal or summon up a windstorm to blow him away.
posted by Frowner at 3:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
I bet Magneto would punch him too. All my favorite superheroes would absolutely punch him, except for the ones that would, frex, crush him inside a giant ball of metal or summon up a windstorm to blow him away.
posted by Frowner at 3:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Obviously we're on the same page about Captain America here.
posted by maxsparber at 3:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by maxsparber at 3:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Here's an article they're coming out now.
White nationalist Richard Spencer got punched in the face during the protests at Trump's inauguration
At the end he says ""I'm afraid this is going to become the meme to end all memes."
Er yup.
posted by Jalliah at 3:55 PM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
Meme magic is real, Dick.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 3:56 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 3:56 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
kek fucking wills it
posted by Rust Moranis at 3:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Rust Moranis at 3:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Paul Ryan: The Magazine
"Paul Ryan" is the unofficial parody magazine of Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, brought to you by the team who made The Neu Jorker.posted by kirkaracha at 3:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
HERE'S PEPE!!! *PUNCH!!!* HERE'S PEPE!!! *PUNCH!!!* HERE'S PEPE!!! *PUNCH!!!*
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 3:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 3:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
White nationalist Richard Spencer got punched in the face during the protests at Trump's inauguration
On Twitter he referred to the assailant as an antifa. At least he's openly (if subtly) admitting he's a fascist.
posted by Talez at 3:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
On Twitter he referred to the assailant as an antifa. At least he's openly (if subtly) admitting he's a fascist.
posted by Talez at 3:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [18 favorites]
I haven't felt this much schadenfreude since Buzz Aldrin punched Bart Sibrel right in his stupid little face.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 3:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 3:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
Is Captain America a bad person?
Yes. Captain America is a Nazi now.
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yes. Captain America is a Nazi now.
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
No, that storyline never happened.
posted by maxsparber at 4:02 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by maxsparber at 4:02 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
I gotta say, media fandom's version of Cap gives me life. And if we run out of Nazis to punch or spit on, well. We have a whole administration of Hydra here waiting for us, too.
I have a sign to make tonight. So let's march.
posted by sciatrix at 4:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I have a sign to make tonight. So let's march.
posted by sciatrix at 4:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
White nationalist Richard Spencer got punched in the face during the protests at Trump's inauguration
Good. It's open season on assholes like him.
posted by photoslob at 4:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Good. It's open season on assholes like him.
posted by photoslob at 4:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Nick Spencer is a Life Model Decoy.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:04 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:04 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Anybody heard anything about this? Cause if it's true. lol omg *cries*
Giuliani and top Trump White House officials hacked, passwords leaked
The Trump Presidency's new cyber tsar, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has had his passwords leaked online along with a whole host of top officials
Trump's proposed ‘cyber tsar' and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been hacked. A Channel 4 Investigation has revealed that the passwords of Trump's cyber-security adviser and 13 prospective government officials, including cabinet members, have “been leaked in mass hacks”.
The investigation discovered the passwords of those 14 top officials as well as those of their aides, publicly available online.
posted by Jalliah at 4:04 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Giuliani and top Trump White House officials hacked, passwords leaked
The Trump Presidency's new cyber tsar, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has had his passwords leaked online along with a whole host of top officials
Trump's proposed ‘cyber tsar' and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been hacked. A Channel 4 Investigation has revealed that the passwords of Trump's cyber-security adviser and 13 prospective government officials, including cabinet members, have “been leaked in mass hacks”.
The investigation discovered the passwords of those 14 top officials as well as those of their aides, publicly available online.
posted by Jalliah at 4:04 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
(Seriously, the hell with Marvel fan boys or the actual comics with their shitty anatomy and endless pandering. Give me the character vision fangirls bring every fucking time.)
posted by sciatrix at 4:04 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by sciatrix at 4:04 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
i can't stop watching the gif of spencer getting clocked - it's the only thing that's made me feel better today and someone just pointed out there's a big DSA banner in the background of the shot and so it's even better than i had originally thought!!
posted by burgerrr at 4:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by burgerrr at 4:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
New poll shows Obamacare is more popular than Donald Trump
ust as Republicans prepare to repeal Obamacare, there are signs that the health care law is more popular than ever.
A new poll from Fox News finds that 50 percent of voters feel favorably about the Affordable Care Act — a sharp uptick from the 41 percent who felt favorably about the law the last time the network polled, in the summer of 2015.
It’s not just the Fox News poll: NBC and the Wall Street Journal released separate polling data this week that showed similar results. It was the first time they had seen more people say they like the health care law than dislike it.
posted by Jalliah at 4:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
In my town we have tractors in parades,S tractors, not float-pullers I just never expected it in D.C. I am neither a zemljak nor a gradjanim
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 4:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 4:07 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
i can't stop watching the gif of spencer getting clocked
The fact that it happens just as he is explaining Pepe is just too good for words. It's a perfect thing.
posted by maxsparber at 4:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
The fact that it happens just as he is explaining Pepe is just too good for words. It's a perfect thing.
posted by maxsparber at 4:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
Oh jeez, when I was reading a few hours ago the discussion was excellent about disavowing & denying provocateurs and false flags out to discredit you...
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 4:10 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 4:10 PM on January 20, 2017
It looks like it's trending on Twitter. At least it is on mine.
posted by Jalliah at 4:10 PM on January 20, 2017
Obviously we're on the same page about Captain America here.
Well, Dr. Henry Jones, Jr. is more my wheelhouse, but we're both right there with you.
posted by valkane at 4:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Well, Dr. Henry Jones, Jr. is more my wheelhouse, but we're both right there with you.
posted by valkane at 4:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
The fash are taking a two pronged approach to the "lack of crowd" issue. Either :
A) All the real people are back in small - town wherever Making America Great Again from home or
B) Camera persons have been manipulating the feed. Apparently the Mall was full right back as far as the eye could see. The white surfaces that were right there on live streams are all FAKE.
Ah the joy in my cold cold heart that Trump knows the truth.
posted by threetwentytwo at 4:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
A) All the real people are back in small - town wherever Making America Great Again from home or
B) Camera persons have been manipulating the feed. Apparently the Mall was full right back as far as the eye could see. The white surfaces that were right there on live streams are all FAKE.
Ah the joy in my cold cold heart that Trump knows the truth.
posted by threetwentytwo at 4:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
"is it OK to punch Nazis" is like the most perfect liberal-circular-firing-squad argument Man or Nature could conceive of
posted by prize bull octorok at 4:13 PM on January 20, 2017 [66 favorites]
posted by prize bull octorok at 4:13 PM on January 20, 2017 [66 favorites]
FAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:14 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:14 PM on January 20, 2017
What argument? Of course it's okay to punch Nazis.
posted by maxsparber at 4:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [26 favorites]
posted by maxsparber at 4:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [26 favorites]
I am firmly in the pro-punching-Nazis camp, for the record.
posted by Grandysaur at 4:17 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Grandysaur at 4:17 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
threetwentytwo: "Ah the joy in my cold cold heart that Trump knows the truth."
I'm imagining that the nearly empty stands along the parade route would have been even more ego-crushing to Trump. The mall, though half-empty, was probably the biggest crowd he'd ever stood in front of and he almost certainly hadn't seen the side-by-side visual comparisons to Obama's crowds yet. But those empty stands that could have been filled with a just a few hundred people? That's gotta sting.
posted by mhum at 4:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
I'm imagining that the nearly empty stands along the parade route would have been even more ego-crushing to Trump. The mall, though half-empty, was probably the biggest crowd he'd ever stood in front of and he almost certainly hadn't seen the side-by-side visual comparisons to Obama's crowds yet. But those empty stands that could have been filled with a just a few hundred people? That's gotta sting.
posted by mhum at 4:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
I seem to recall punching nazis didn't work out for James Tiberius Kirk in the fictional series Star Trak. Hell, he had to straight up kill an antifi activist.
Note: details may be wildly inaccurate, I haven't seen the episode in question in decades.
posted by Yowser at 4:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Note: details may be wildly inaccurate, I haven't seen the episode in question in decades.
posted by Yowser at 4:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
We should also feel free to encourage middle aged ladies to smack them with handbags, because middle-aged ladies are practical and besides you can get some really good momentum on those things.
posted by sciatrix at 4:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
posted by sciatrix at 4:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
So, to revise the list:
punching down: bad
punching up: fine
punching Nazis: dandy
posted by uosuaq at 4:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [59 favorites]
punching down: bad
punching up: fine
punching Nazis: dandy
posted by uosuaq at 4:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [59 favorites]
Trump is a narcissist surrounded by sycophants and handlers. He did not see nearly empty stands.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
middle-aged ladies are practical and besides you can get some really good momentum on those things
A coin purse full of bus change at the bottom of the purse works really well. For (cough) y'know...making sure you know where the coin purse is.
posted by datawrangler at 4:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
A coin purse full of bus change at the bottom of the purse works really well. For (cough) y'know...making sure you know where the coin purse is.
posted by datawrangler at 4:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
"is it OK to punch Nazis" is like the most perfect liberal-circular-firing-squad argument Man or Nature could conceive of
I won't do it, I don't condone it, but I'm not your damn mother.
posted by Talez at 4:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I won't do it, I don't condone it, but I'm not your damn mother.
posted by Talez at 4:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
"is it OK to punch Nazis" is like the most perfect liberal-circular-firing-squad argument Man or Nature could conceive of
Until very, very recently I would have thought "is it OK to punch Nazis" was one of the few questions on which not just liberals but Americans of all political outlooks could reach near-unanimous agreement. Today, though, I expect we'll be seeing plenty of stories in the lügenpresse taking the Nazi's side.
posted by contraption at 4:23 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Until very, very recently I would have thought "is it OK to punch Nazis" was one of the few questions on which not just liberals but Americans of all political outlooks could reach near-unanimous agreement. Today, though, I expect we'll be seeing plenty of stories in the lügenpresse taking the Nazi's side.
posted by contraption at 4:23 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Trump is a narcissist surrounded by sycophants and handlers. He did not see nearly empty stands.
How could he not? He litterally drove right by them all.
posted by Jalliah at 4:24 PM on January 20, 2017
How could he not? He litterally drove right by them all.
posted by Jalliah at 4:24 PM on January 20, 2017
That Nazi-punching was 45% satisfying and 55% "oh shit, there's going to be wild, open warfare on American streets for at least four years"
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I seem to recall punching nazis didn't work out for James Tiberius Kirk in the fictional series Star Trak. Hell, he had to straight up kill an antifi activist.
I haven't seen the episode with the Nazi society in a long time, so I don't recall how the punching went, but he didn't kill an antifi activist in City on the Edge of Forever. He had to allow a peace activist die in order to restore the timestream, as her survival would have kept America out of WWII, leading to a Nazi victory.
In short, he let her die so that the Nazis could get punched in the face.
posted by nubs at 4:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I haven't seen the episode with the Nazi society in a long time, so I don't recall how the punching went, but he didn't kill an antifi activist in City on the Edge of Forever. He had to allow a peace activist die in order to restore the timestream, as her survival would have kept America out of WWII, leading to a Nazi victory.
In short, he let her die so that the Nazis could get punched in the face.
posted by nubs at 4:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'm going to come down on the side of not punching Nazi (or anyone) because that just tends to escalate the violence. I don't want Nazi (who I perceive as violence-prone to begin with) to become even more likely to inflict violence on other people. Inevitably, the people they hurt are nearly always going to be people who are not able to fight back.
On the other hand, I'm all in favor of holding them accountable for their awful beliefs in every other way possible.
And I'm in favor of punching them if they punch first.
And I found the video of him getting punched hilarious.
I hate nazi and fascists but escalating to violence gives them permission to go there too.
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:27 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
On the other hand, I'm all in favor of holding them accountable for their awful beliefs in every other way possible.
And I'm in favor of punching them if they punch first.
And I found the video of him getting punched hilarious.
I hate nazi and fascists but escalating to violence gives them permission to go there too.
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:27 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
...unless I'm totally misreading the conversation and we're just celebrating Captain America...
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:27 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:27 PM on January 20, 2017
I hate nazi and fascists but escalating to violence gives them permission to go there too
Well that's it, I doubt the red hatted ones are going to exercise restraint
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Well that's it, I doubt the red hatted ones are going to exercise restraint
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
"oh shit, there's going to be wild, open warfare on American streets for at least four years"
Here's the fucking thing if it comes to that though:
Cops/Military/"Well-Regulated" Militia v. CIA/Non-Cop Antifa
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 4:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Here's the fucking thing if it comes to that though:
Cops/Military/"Well-Regulated" Militia v. CIA/Non-Cop Antifa
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 4:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Han punched first!
posted by valkane at 4:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by valkane at 4:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
How could he not? He litterally drove right by them all.
All he can perceive is that which he thinks glorifies him and that which he thinks insults him. This is his big moment, therefore it is the biggest moment anyone has ever had. He literally cannot see otherwise.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
All he can perceive is that which he thinks glorifies him and that which he thinks insults him. This is his big moment, therefore it is the biggest moment anyone has ever had. He literally cannot see otherwise.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
A German friend of mine once told me about a group of people in his town who, if they learned that some teenager had fallen in with neo-Nazis, would track the kid down and...let's say *strongly encourage* him to stay on the right side of history.
He said "normally I am quite opposed to violence. But...well...Nazis..."
posted by uosuaq at 4:30 PM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
He said "normally I am quite opposed to violence. But...well...Nazis..."
posted by uosuaq at 4:30 PM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
A good friend of mine was a party once and some dude from central Europe whipped out an old, authentic Nazi tank flag, showing it around and talking about how it was passed down from his great uncle or whatever. The guy was an asshole, had been a problem at the party, and was of the fascist persuasion.
When he got to my pal, my pal calmly reached into his pocket and proceeded to light it on fire, with a stars and stripes BIC lighter. It burned right up and the guy was like "THAT WAS A FAMILY HEIRLOOM I WILL FIGHT YOU RIGHT NOW!"
My friend fought him and kicked his ass. The moral? Sometimes you have to kick a Nazi's ass.
posted by vrakatar at 4:31 PM on January 20, 2017 [166 favorites]
When he got to my pal, my pal calmly reached into his pocket and proceeded to light it on fire, with a stars and stripes BIC lighter. It burned right up and the guy was like "THAT WAS A FAMILY HEIRLOOM I WILL FIGHT YOU RIGHT NOW!"
My friend fought him and kicked his ass. The moral? Sometimes you have to kick a Nazi's ass.
posted by vrakatar at 4:31 PM on January 20, 2017 [166 favorites]
Just in case you haven't seen it, here is the photo of a woman hitting a nazi with her bag. Her mother was in a concentration camp.
This is why I am fine with hitting nazis. Nazis are fundamentally people who support mass extermination of Jews, people of color, GLBTQ people and dissidents. They support our marginalization, suffering and death. They try to dress it up, and they may not have the political power to do it, but they're monsters. They don't mind being associated with the horrors that David Olere experienced and painted. To anyone who would be up at the sharp end if they were actually in power, it's pretty ridiculous to say to us that we can't applaud them getting a little bit of consequences.
And taking them down a peg is important - Spencer thinks he's pretty hot shit, pretty macho, pretty new-model racist....and blam! Some skinny little masked up dude rabbits into the frame and punches him in the head. These nazis depend on the powers of fear and horror, and we need to take them down before they have actual material power to create fear and horror.
posted by Frowner at 4:31 PM on January 20, 2017 [104 favorites]
This is why I am fine with hitting nazis. Nazis are fundamentally people who support mass extermination of Jews, people of color, GLBTQ people and dissidents. They support our marginalization, suffering and death. They try to dress it up, and they may not have the political power to do it, but they're monsters. They don't mind being associated with the horrors that David Olere experienced and painted. To anyone who would be up at the sharp end if they were actually in power, it's pretty ridiculous to say to us that we can't applaud them getting a little bit of consequences.
And taking them down a peg is important - Spencer thinks he's pretty hot shit, pretty macho, pretty new-model racist....and blam! Some skinny little masked up dude rabbits into the frame and punches him in the head. These nazis depend on the powers of fear and horror, and we need to take them down before they have actual material power to create fear and horror.
posted by Frowner at 4:31 PM on January 20, 2017 [104 favorites]
I hope Trump stays in that limo. Just as long as his limo windows don't show him the future.
posted by Yowser at 4:31 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by Yowser at 4:31 PM on January 20, 2017
This is why I am fine with hitting nazis.
I'm fine with them being hit if it ends there. Let's hope it ends there.
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:33 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'm fine with them being hit if it ends there. Let's hope it ends there.
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:33 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
He has apparently signed an executive order "to ease burdens of #ACA while administration pursues repeal." Nobody knows what that actually means.
posted by zachlipton at 4:33 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 4:33 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
A German friend of mine once told me about a group of people in his town who, if they learned that some teenager had fallen in with neo-Nazis, would track the kid down and...let's say *strongly encourage* him to stay on the right side of history.
He said "normally I am quite opposed to violence. But...well...Nazis..."
Yes today I learned I have a line. I dislike Black Bloc people immensely (mostly from personal experience with them and some First Nation disputes) but it looks like I'm okay if one of them punches a Nazi, Fascist, leader in the face.
Oh well. People are complicated.
posted by Jalliah at 4:34 PM on January 20, 2017 [33 favorites]
He said "normally I am quite opposed to violence. But...well...Nazis..."
Yes today I learned I have a line. I dislike Black Bloc people immensely (mostly from personal experience with them and some First Nation disputes) but it looks like I'm okay if one of them punches a Nazi, Fascist, leader in the face.
Oh well. People are complicated.
posted by Jalliah at 4:34 PM on January 20, 2017 [33 favorites]
I'm just shocked that we found the single Black Bloc person on the planet who wasn't an agent provocateur.
posted by Yowser at 4:37 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by Yowser at 4:37 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
I'm just shocked that we found the single Black Bloc person on the planet who wasn't an agent provocateur.
That's because they're not? I mean some can be. That's a problem but in my experience most sure aren't.
posted by Jalliah at 4:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
That's because they're not? I mean some can be. That's a problem but in my experience most sure aren't.
posted by Jalliah at 4:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
White House says Trump chief of staff Priebus to issue government-wide order immediately freezing regulations.
posted by waitingtoderail at 4:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by waitingtoderail at 4:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I don't know who punched that Nazi, maybe it was China. Can't we just be glad a Nazi got punched?
posted by contraption at 4:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by contraption at 4:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
It should a crime to not punch Nazis when presented with the opportunity. Nazi-punching is a civil obligation, and keeps the fabric of society from unraveling.
posted by um at 4:43 PM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by um at 4:43 PM on January 20, 2017 [23 favorites]
Punched 'em right in the Nazi. He totally did Nazi that coming.
posted by tonycpsu at 4:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [33 favorites]
posted by tonycpsu at 4:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [33 favorites]
I am 100% here for nazi-punching-related puns.
posted by quaking fajita at 4:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by quaking fajita at 4:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
So I've been looking at the map of Sister Marches that are happening around the country (and world!) tomorrow, and for the first time in days I'm feeling some optimism.
Look at all of these people coming together! It makes me want to cry, in a good way. And a special cheer for all of the marchers in the red states, who may be feeling outnumbered and in special need of support.
I'm looking forward to joining the rest of my sisters in Houston (for real) and across the world (virtually). I'm looking forward to some solidarity and getting involved. I'm frightened of this state being a canary in the coal mine for the rest of the country, and in whatever small way I can I want to stand up and let them know that they don't speak for me and I intend to fight back.
posted by Salieri at 4:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Look at all of these people coming together! It makes me want to cry, in a good way. And a special cheer for all of the marchers in the red states, who may be feeling outnumbered and in special need of support.
I'm looking forward to joining the rest of my sisters in Houston (for real) and across the world (virtually). I'm looking forward to some solidarity and getting involved. I'm frightened of this state being a canary in the coal mine for the rest of the country, and in whatever small way I can I want to stand up and let them know that they don't speak for me and I intend to fight back.
posted by Salieri at 4:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
I have no qualms about punching people who are actively trying to erase my very existence. That's really all there is to it.
posted by otenba at 4:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by otenba at 4:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
I've also discovered the arguing about punching Nazis on Reddit, after you've been drinking pink wine all day is quite fun.
posted by Jalliah at 4:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Jalliah at 4:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
I haven't seen this mentioned yet and I think that it may have been yanked because of ridicule. Not sure. It is donnie's bio on WH.gov. I have linked to an archive.is screengrab. It is terribly written for starters. Here ya go.
Likewise, his entry into politics and public service resulted in the Presidential victory in, miraculously, his first ever run for office.
Didn't he run on the Reform Party??
posted by futz at 4:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Likewise, his entry into politics and public service resulted in the Presidential victory in, miraculously, his first ever run for office.
Didn't he run on the Reform Party??
posted by futz at 4:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Mefi can I get some more favorites on credit? Cause I just ran out in the middle of Nazi punching and there are so many more I want to give.
posted by jason_steakums at 4:49 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by jason_steakums at 4:49 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
White House says Trump chief of staff Priebus to issue government-wide order immediately freezing regulations.
What does this even mean?
posted by Jalliah at 4:50 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
No more regulations on anything until further notice?
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:52 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:52 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
If you start issuing a regulation and Reince says "freeze!" in the middle of it the part you said still stands
posted by jason_steakums at 4:52 PM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
posted by jason_steakums at 4:52 PM on January 20, 2017 [22 favorites]
Priebus is now Mr. Freeze! Captain America can't save us now - we've gone full DC!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:52 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:52 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
> No more regulations on anything until further notice?
Look on the bright side -- no additional charge for botulism and listeria.
posted by tonycpsu at 4:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Look on the bright side -- no additional charge for botulism and listeria.
posted by tonycpsu at 4:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
somebody call Warren G
posted by prize bull octorok at 4:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by prize bull octorok at 4:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
What does this even mean?
That the USA is a fiction no longer agreed upon, that its new rulers intend to steal what they can while the stealin's good, and that we should start start asking ourselves now: at what point would an orderly collapse and fragmentation of the nation be the responsible course of action?
posted by Rust Moranis at 4:56 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
That the USA is a fiction no longer agreed upon, that its new rulers intend to steal what they can while the stealin's good, and that we should start start asking ourselves now: at what point would an orderly collapse and fragmentation of the nation be the responsible course of action?
posted by Rust Moranis at 4:56 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
No more regulations on anything until further notice?
That's how it reads to me. And it looks like this is all people are reporting. So it's open season now?
posted by Jalliah at 4:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Judging from these executive orders I have a feeling that Trump's management style may be similar to Homer at Globex.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 4:58 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 4:58 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I had a weird phone call with my Town Hall reading / Dennis Praeger loving mother's husband.
He said she was at her "last" Tea Party meeting.
Does the current state of government- all in Republican hands - mean the Tea Party is breaking up? Or is it just that my mom is no longer invested?
Yes, in a normal family I would have asked but I can't listen to another one of these people's talking points right now - my Mom breathes in air and breathes out propaganda.
posted by hilaryjade at 4:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
He said she was at her "last" Tea Party meeting.
Does the current state of government- all in Republican hands - mean the Tea Party is breaking up? Or is it just that my mom is no longer invested?
Yes, in a normal family I would have asked but I can't listen to another one of these people's talking points right now - my Mom breathes in air and breathes out propaganda.
posted by hilaryjade at 4:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Everyone is okay with no regulation until someone lights a fire in the firework store.
posted by AlexiaSky at 5:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by AlexiaSky at 5:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
It's probably not healthy how much I'm laughing at the Spencer gif. It's the first positive emotion I've felt all day – well, that and what I feel when I see the pictures of entire airliner cabins of women inbound for tomorrow's march.
posted by adamgreenfield at 5:02 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by adamgreenfield at 5:02 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
I checked around. No one seems to know for sure.
Some think it might be referring to some of Obama's regulations that haven't been in yet. Some think it's referring to agencies can't make new rules on the fly.
Other then that, people got nothing.
posted by Jalliah at 5:03 PM on January 20, 2017
No regulations? Is it purge night already? I wanted to catch a nap first.
posted by valkane at 5:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by valkane at 5:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
President for eight hours, and look what he's already done for the airline industry!
posted by uosuaq at 5:04 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by uosuaq at 5:04 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Well the protesters had the moral ground til they started breaking windows. I work in that city ya know? Without money I starve, so knock it off.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I work in that city ya know? Without money I starve, so knock it off.
somebody's gotta get paid to replace windows
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
somebody's gotta get paid to replace windows
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
Tapper has the Obamacare exec order.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:08 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
This admin is so nutz that I'm actually considering that it could mean what its says. All regulations *poof*
posted by Jalliah at 5:09 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's probably not healthy how much I'm laughing at the Spencer gif. It's the first positive emotion I've felt all day
I think it's sort of like that thing baboons do, where they go and beat up on some other, weaker baboon after being dominated by a stronger one.
posted by Coventry at 5:11 PM on January 20, 2017
I think it's sort of like that thing baboons do, where they go and beat up on some other, weaker baboon after being dominated by a stronger one.
posted by Coventry at 5:11 PM on January 20, 2017
I'm just listening to "Gimme Shelter" on endless loop.
it's just a shot away.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 5:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
it's just a shot away.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 5:12 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I think it's sort of like that thing baboons do, where they go and beat up on some other, weaker baboon after being dominated by a stronger one.
I could not possibly disagree more.
posted by adamgreenfield at 5:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I could not possibly disagree more.
posted by adamgreenfield at 5:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
It's gonna take more than one shot.
posted by kirkaracha at 5:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by kirkaracha at 5:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
it's... so child-like, as if written by someone who hadn't yet mastered any form other than the declarative.
I just read it. At this level? Leader of the Free World, most important job in the world level? It's utterly embarrassing. I felt embarrassed reading it.
posted by Jalliah at 5:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I am not a violent man, but I will use all of my powers of persuasion to try and convince neo-nazis that they really—really—want to taste the kerb.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 5:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 5:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Rise Above by Black Flag is helping me tonight.
posted by cmfletcher at 5:17 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by cmfletcher at 5:17 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
I think it's sort of like that thing baboons do, where they go and beat up on some other, weaker baboon after being dominated by a stronger one.
Spencer was on national news "Heil Trump!"-ing a couple weeks ago and just finished a failed but pretty strong attempt at terrorizing the Jewish population of northwest Montana. He's a strong enough baboon to get punched in the fucking face.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [37 favorites]
Spencer was on national news "Heil Trump!"-ing a couple weeks ago and just finished a failed but pretty strong attempt at terrorizing the Jewish population of northwest Montana. He's a strong enough baboon to get punched in the fucking face.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [37 favorites]
.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:19 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by Going To Maine at 5:19 PM on January 20, 2017
I've been listening to London Calling and Zen Arcade kind of a lot lately.
posted by pxe2000 at 5:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by pxe2000 at 5:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Tapper has the Obamacare exec order.
Does this, er, actually do anything at all? The sense I'm getting is that it's basically a thing to say "look, we did something about that horrible Obamacare on day 1" without actually changing anything.
posted by zachlipton at 5:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Does this, er, actually do anything at all? The sense I'm getting is that it's basically a thing to say "look, we did something about that horrible Obamacare on day 1" without actually changing anything.
posted by zachlipton at 5:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Correction: the MLK bust is still there, but the pool reporter couldn't see it behind a door and a Secret Service agent.
posted by zachlipton at 5:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by zachlipton at 5:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
The campaign to impeach President Trump has begun
The effort to impeach President Donald John Trump is already underway.
At the moment the new commander in chief was sworn in, a campaign to build public support for his impeachment went live at ImpeachDonaldTrumpNow.org, spearheaded by two liberal advocacy groups aiming to lay the groundwork for his eventual ejection from the White House.
The organizers behind the campaign, Free Speech for People and RootsAction, are hinging their case on Trump’s insistence on maintaining ownership of his luxury hotel and golf course business while in office. Ethics experts have warned that his financial holdings could potentially lead to constitutional violations and undermine public faith in his decision-making.
Their effort is early, strategists admit. But they insist it is not premature — even if it triggers an angry backlash from those who will argue that they are not giving the new president a chance.
“If we were to wait for all the ill effects that could come from this, too much damage to our democracy would occur,” said Ron Fein, legal director at Free Speech for People. “It will undermine faith in basic institutions. If nothing else, it’s important for Americans to trust that the president is doing what he thinks is the right thing … not that it would help jump-start a stalled casino project in another country.”
posted by Jalliah at 5:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
The effort to impeach President Donald John Trump is already underway.
At the moment the new commander in chief was sworn in, a campaign to build public support for his impeachment went live at ImpeachDonaldTrumpNow.org, spearheaded by two liberal advocacy groups aiming to lay the groundwork for his eventual ejection from the White House.
The organizers behind the campaign, Free Speech for People and RootsAction, are hinging their case on Trump’s insistence on maintaining ownership of his luxury hotel and golf course business while in office. Ethics experts have warned that his financial holdings could potentially lead to constitutional violations and undermine public faith in his decision-making.
Their effort is early, strategists admit. But they insist it is not premature — even if it triggers an angry backlash from those who will argue that they are not giving the new president a chance.
“If we were to wait for all the ill effects that could come from this, too much damage to our democracy would occur,” said Ron Fein, legal director at Free Speech for People. “It will undermine faith in basic institutions. If nothing else, it’s important for Americans to trust that the president is doing what he thinks is the right thing … not that it would help jump-start a stalled casino project in another country.”
posted by Jalliah at 5:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
We use to execute Nazis idk why punching them is such a big deal 🙄 Also, what about the Battle of Cable Street? Ppl have been fighting Nazis for decades.
posted by gucci mane at 5:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by gucci mane at 5:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
White House says Trump chief of staff Priebus to issue government-wide order immediately freezing regulations.
What does this even mean?
So, this is actually fairly standard and expected. Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (proposed regulations) that have been submitted to OMB will be paused pending review by the new administration. Final Rules published in the Federal Register cannot come into effect for 30days, and those too will be paused for review prior to going into effect. Most of those will obviously be changed or repealed, or just never heard from again and never come into effect. But I doubt they really mean, no more regulations, ever! Because that would pretty much end the Executive's ability to act without Congress.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
What does this even mean?
So, this is actually fairly standard and expected. Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (proposed regulations) that have been submitted to OMB will be paused pending review by the new administration. Final Rules published in the Federal Register cannot come into effect for 30days, and those too will be paused for review prior to going into effect. Most of those will obviously be changed or repealed, or just never heard from again and never come into effect. But I doubt they really mean, no more regulations, ever! Because that would pretty much end the Executive's ability to act without Congress.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
Does this, er, actually do anything at all?
It seems like the biggest actual effect would be on a state like Kentucky, where Teabagger Bevin has requested a waiver to further reform the state's medicaid program along teabagger lines, ie, institute work requirements and copays with stingier coverage. The Obama CMS would never have granted a waiver for that. Trump has now directed that any state that wants a waiver, for whatever stupid reason that won't actually achieve the ACA's goals, gets it.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:30 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
It seems like the biggest actual effect would be on a state like Kentucky, where Teabagger Bevin has requested a waiver to further reform the state's medicaid program along teabagger lines, ie, institute work requirements and copays with stingier coverage. The Obama CMS would never have granted a waiver for that. Trump has now directed that any state that wants a waiver, for whatever stupid reason that won't actually achieve the ACA's goals, gets it.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:30 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
So if they had just added the word 'proposed' to the sentence then it makes more sense. Wonder if that's AP reporting fail or a Trump press release fail.
posted by Jalliah at 5:30 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Is it okay to find satisfaction with a Nazi getting punched in the face? Or does that make me bad person.
actually killing nazis with your bare hands makes you the righteous among the nations
posted by poffin boffin at 5:31 PM on January 20, 2017 [35 favorites]
actually killing nazis with your bare hands makes you the righteous among the nations
posted by poffin boffin at 5:31 PM on January 20, 2017 [35 favorites]
Various people are fuming at AP for being so unclear.
posted by zachlipton at 5:32 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by zachlipton at 5:32 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
As a general rule I don't condone violence.
But when we're talking about a guy who says things like
Immigration is a kind a proxy war—and maybe a last stand—for White Americans, who are undergoing a painful recognition that, unless dramatic action is taken, their grandchildren will live in a country that is alien and hostile
and
Today, in the public imagination, ‘ethnic cleansing’ has been associated with civil war and mass murder (understandably so). But this need not be the case
I have a hard time not cheering when dude gets punched.
posted by joedan at 5:38 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
But when we're talking about a guy who says things like
Immigration is a kind a proxy war—and maybe a last stand—for White Americans, who are undergoing a painful recognition that, unless dramatic action is taken, their grandchildren will live in a country that is alien and hostile
and
Today, in the public imagination, ‘ethnic cleansing’ has been associated with civil war and mass murder (understandably so). But this need not be the case
I have a hard time not cheering when dude gets punched.
posted by joedan at 5:38 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
10-year-old antiabortion protester shoved, Anti-Trump activist reaches out to help
posted by porn in the woods at 5:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by porn in the woods at 5:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
pxe2000: "I've been listening to London Calling and Zen Arcade kind of a lot lately."
I was listening to Courtney Barnett all afternoon. Not that she's explicitly political but she kicks ass and it seemed be what my brain wanted to hear. My sister told me last night that she's just been listening to Sandinista in her car at full volume on repeat since December and I can understand.
posted by octothorpe at 5:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I was listening to Courtney Barnett all afternoon. Not that she's explicitly political but she kicks ass and it seemed be what my brain wanted to hear. My sister told me last night that she's just been listening to Sandinista in her car at full volume on repeat since December and I can understand.
posted by octothorpe at 5:40 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I haven't seen this mentioned yet and I think that it may have been yanked because of ridicule. Not sure.
the bio of lyin' donny is still on the official site.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 5:41 PM on January 20, 2017
the bio of lyin' donny is still on the official site.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 5:41 PM on January 20, 2017
White nationalist Richard Spencer got punched in the face during the protests at Trump's inauguration
Apparently he did Nazi it coming.
posted by scalefree at 5:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [26 favorites]
Apparently he did Nazi it coming.
posted by scalefree at 5:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [26 favorites]
We are all agreed. Nazi Punching derail over.
posted by valkane at 5:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by valkane at 5:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
WaPo: Trump White House takes down website pages about disabilities
If you search for the word “disabilities” on the Trump White House website, you get links to historical stories and posts about how people with disabilities can visit the White House and apply for fellowships.posted by Room 641-A at 5:43 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
My parents parents put their lives on hold and sacrificed their time, sanity, money, and literal flesh to stop sub-human filth like that. When you align with those beliefs you are no longer my neighbor, you are a threat to my humanity.
My only regret watching that was that they weren't my knuckles.
posted by cmfletcher at 5:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
My only regret watching that was that they weren't my knuckles.
posted by cmfletcher at 5:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [13 favorites]
James Fallows: ‘American Carnage’: The Trump Era Begins. Most presidents view inaugural addresses as a rare opportunity to appeal beyond “the base.” This was base-only.
posted by homunculus at 5:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
posted by homunculus at 5:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [19 favorites]
Looks like numbers did not turn out for Trump because unlike liberals, conservatives have jobs, plus the massive rioting all of the city kept people away.
That's what the word from his supporters seems to be so far.
posted by Jalliah at 5:47 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
Charles Pierce: Today Was Just the Beginning. The Reckoning Will Come. Dispatches from the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump.
posted by homunculus at 5:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by homunculus at 5:48 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
One of the most impressive little details of the Clinton campaign was that they included people with disabilities in their civil rights agenda. They called out disability rights as important every single time. It wasn't a centerpiece of the campaign, just a simple reminder that we see you and we've got people on staff generally interested in doing the right thing when the time comes. There was, of course, more outreach behind the scenes.
And now people with disabilities have been literally erased from the White House website. Damn.
posted by zachlipton at 5:51 PM on January 20, 2017 [46 favorites]
And now people with disabilities have been literally erased from the White House website. Damn.
posted by zachlipton at 5:51 PM on January 20, 2017 [46 favorites]
EXECUTIVE ORDAR: STOP ALL OBAMACARE IMMEDIATELY!
it's scrawled in crayon
on a bar napkin
posted by indubitable at 5:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
it's scrawled in crayon
on a bar napkin
posted by indubitable at 5:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
I've considered how I feel about a Nazi being on the wrong side of political violence, and here's my dot:
☺
posted by jaduncan at 5:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
☺
posted by jaduncan at 5:54 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
Ah the joy in my cold cold heart that Trump knows the truth.
There's a photo I saw but can't find, it may have been posted here. It's Trump & Melania sitting side by side somewhere inside after he was sworn in. There's a bunch of flowers on a table in front of them. He has this just absolutely miserable scowl on his face. It made my heart leap for joy because it told me that his coronation was spoiled by the low attendance. He knows.
posted by scalefree at 5:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [35 favorites]
There's a photo I saw but can't find, it may have been posted here. It's Trump & Melania sitting side by side somewhere inside after he was sworn in. There's a bunch of flowers on a table in front of them. He has this just absolutely miserable scowl on his face. It made my heart leap for joy because it told me that his coronation was spoiled by the low attendance. He knows.
posted by scalefree at 5:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [35 favorites]
No One Came to Donald Trump's Little Parade
posted by argonauta at 5:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by argonauta at 5:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Via the Daptone email list:
posted by filthy light thief at 6:00 PM on January 20, 2017 [56 favorites]
This land is your land(free, for the charge of your email address, where you will receive the actual download link to the 45 mb WAV that is hosted through Soundcloud)
This land is my land
Though it has often been co-opted as a benignly patriotic campfire sing-a-long, "This Land Is Your Land" was actually written by Woody Guthrie in 1944 as a subversive protest song in biting response to Irving Berlin's "God Bless America." At my sister Samra's urging, we recorded our version in 2004, during the George W. Bush presidency, in an effort to re-establish it as a song about social justice.
Ironically, when Woodie Guthrie resided in Coney Island in 1950, his landlord was none other than Donald Trump's father, the infamously racist real estate mogul Fred Trump, about whom Guthrie composed his poem "Old Man Trump," including the lines:
I suppose that Old Man Trump knows just how much racial hate
He stirred up in that bloodpot of human hearts
When he drawed that color line
Here at his Beach Haven family project
Using a dark re-harmonization of "Yankee Doodle Dandy" as an intro, the Dap-Kings re-arranged "This Land" as a rough blues-y march, setting the tone for Sharon to tear into the lyrics of the song with the fiery gusto of a revolutionary (live). However, it was the inclusion of Guthrie's rarely-heard original verses that really enabled Sharon to reclaim the song as an urgent and unambiguous demand for equality and human dignity in a nation rife with social injustice and patriotic hypocrisy.
Today, as we inaugurate a rapacious billionaire to the highest office in the land, those original verses resonate with us as loudly as the day they were written:There was a big high wall thereWe are grateful to Woodie Guthrie and to Sharon Jones, two friends of the people and bitter foes of the Trumps, who have given us an essential soundtrack to our struggle. When times get dark, let us not crumble in fear and bigotry. Let us honor the unbreakable spirit of those tireless fighters who have fallen before us. Let us rise to the fight, and let us help each other never to forget this noble truth:
That tried to stop me
The sign was painted
Said 'Private Property'
But on the backside
It didn't say nothing
This land was made for you and me
One bright sunny morning
In the shadow of the steeple
By the relief office
I saw my people
As they stood hungry
I stood there wondering
If God Blessed America for me
This land was made for you and me.
-Gabe Roth
Today only, we're offering a free download of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings "This Land Is Your Land."
posted by filthy light thief at 6:00 PM on January 20, 2017 [56 favorites]
No One Came to Donald Trump's Little Parade
That is the picture of a government that has a popular mandate for fundamental changes in the social contract and international order.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
That is the picture of a government that has a popular mandate for fundamental changes in the social contract and international order.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Dateline: Middle of Nowhere, PA. I'm on the road from Pittsburgh to DC and took a pit stop. Ladies room full of pussy hats. Expect us, motherfucker.
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [111 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [111 favorites]
ha I'm in a hotel in frederick va filled with people headed to the women's march. TOMORROW IS GOING TO BE SO FUCKING GRATIFYING
posted by bluesky43 at 6:10 PM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
posted by bluesky43 at 6:10 PM on January 20, 2017 [24 favorites]
Big sigh. OK. Something I've been holding onto all day: It's all on him now, he is the guy in charge. No more sitting on the sidelines and sniping and disparaging the Presidents as they have attempted to do their job-- it is his job now and it is going to be very clear to anyone with eyes that can see that he is a rank amateur with absolutely zero ability to govern.
Think about how he has spent his whole adult life making big promises in order to seal the deal and every time he has gone back on those promises. He promised Scotland 6000 jobs if only they would let him build a golf course. That was 10 years ago, there are still only 200 jobs. He promised students the secret to success the "Donald Trump way" and after they went deep in debt to him, they wound up with nothing. There were condos never built, a Casino that went bankrupt and a magazine that folded-- all with shareholders that got burnt. Even the DC Hotel Lease was obtained with promises that were forgotten about as soon as the ink dried.
Now he has made his biggest sale ever with the most intricate, most convoluted promises. How many of these promises are impossible? How is he going to insure everyone with better coverage, at lower cost? It is complete Pie in the Sky and the only question is how long will it take for his base to discover they have been sold a pig in a poke that turned out to be a lot of hot air?
Sure he can paint America as a post-apocalyptic hellscape that can only be saved by DJT, and he can jiggle the numbers, and use the White House.Gov to spread lies, but the miners are going to know the truth when the mining jobs don't come back. The Iowa housewife is going to know when her new insurance doesn't cover anything and has a $5000 yearly deductible. The old couple in Wisconsin are going to know it when their Social Security check is smaller and they no longer have MediCare. There is no amount of smoke and mirrors that can obscure the hard reality of a Trump Presidency.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [29 favorites]
Think about how he has spent his whole adult life making big promises in order to seal the deal and every time he has gone back on those promises. He promised Scotland 6000 jobs if only they would let him build a golf course. That was 10 years ago, there are still only 200 jobs. He promised students the secret to success the "Donald Trump way" and after they went deep in debt to him, they wound up with nothing. There were condos never built, a Casino that went bankrupt and a magazine that folded-- all with shareholders that got burnt. Even the DC Hotel Lease was obtained with promises that were forgotten about as soon as the ink dried.
Now he has made his biggest sale ever with the most intricate, most convoluted promises. How many of these promises are impossible? How is he going to insure everyone with better coverage, at lower cost? It is complete Pie in the Sky and the only question is how long will it take for his base to discover they have been sold a pig in a poke that turned out to be a lot of hot air?
Sure he can paint America as a post-apocalyptic hellscape that can only be saved by DJT, and he can jiggle the numbers, and use the White House.Gov to spread lies, but the miners are going to know the truth when the mining jobs don't come back. The Iowa housewife is going to know when her new insurance doesn't cover anything and has a $5000 yearly deductible. The old couple in Wisconsin are going to know it when their Social Security check is smaller and they no longer have MediCare. There is no amount of smoke and mirrors that can obscure the hard reality of a Trump Presidency.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [29 favorites]
Jeet Heer: We Are Entering the Great Unknown. It’s Scary as Hell. Donald Trump has no historical analogy, making his presidency truly unimaginable. That's what's most frightening about him.
President Donald Trump Is a Radical Extremist: His speech declared war against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
posted by homunculus at 6:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
President Donald Trump Is a Radical Extremist: His speech declared war against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
posted by homunculus at 6:16 PM on January 20, 2017 [27 favorites]
On my way driving home tonight there were a number of houses with their x-mas lights on for the first time in weeks. Celebrating the good news of a new King, I guess. Protip: it is unsafe to facepalm while driving.
posted by peeedro at 6:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by peeedro at 6:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
If you unfollowed the @POTUS account last night/this a.m., you might want to check. It appears many of us are magically following again.
posted by NorthernLite at 6:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by NorthernLite at 6:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
There is no amount of smoke and mirrors that can obscure the hard reality of a Trump Presidency.
"Obama left the country in a bad state, we are trying to fix it but you gotta understand, it takes time"
posted by ymgve at 6:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
"Obama left the country in a bad state, we are trying to fix it but you gotta understand, it takes time"
posted by ymgve at 6:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
It's all on him now, he is the guy in charge. No more sitting on the sidelines and sniping and disparaging the Presidents as they have attempted to do their job-- it is his job now and it is going to be very clear to anyone with eyes that can see that he is a rank amateur with absolutely zero ability to govern.
I'm with you on this. The problem is that he's going to go scapegoat hunting when that reality hits - and it's not as though this hasn't happened already, as his campaign was based on that - only it's going to be from the Oval Office this time.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
I'm with you on this. The problem is that he's going to go scapegoat hunting when that reality hits - and it's not as though this hasn't happened already, as his campaign was based on that - only it's going to be from the Oval Office this time.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
I realized today that Craig Ferguson must wake up every damn morning (probably for months now) and immediately think, "Oh thank fuck I don't have to go on TV tonight and say, 'It's a great day for America' anymore.'" Because it probably would have killed him by now.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:22 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
To follow up on filthy light thief's comment (thank you), I'm sure a lot of us remember Pete Seeger delivering those verses at the Obama inauguration in 2009. As well as the encouraging verse:
Nobody living can ever stop me
As I go walking my freedom highway
Nobody living can make me turn back
This land was made for you and me.
posted by uosuaq at 6:23 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
Nobody living can ever stop me
As I go walking my freedom highway
Nobody living can make me turn back
This land was made for you and me.
posted by uosuaq at 6:23 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
@steveschale Trump gold curtains come to the Oval
Link goes to picture of side by side comparison of Trump's Oval office with Trump Gold draperies and Obama's Oval office in which the drapes were terracotta. He literally cannot reside in anyplace without gold furnishings. It must get so tiring for everyone else. Sometimes you just want a nice pale blue or sunny yellow.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Link goes to picture of side by side comparison of Trump's Oval office with Trump Gold draperies and Obama's Oval office in which the drapes were terracotta. He literally cannot reside in anyplace without gold furnishings. It must get so tiring for everyone else. Sometimes you just want a nice pale blue or sunny yellow.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:24 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
I noticed that I was suddenly following Mike Pence, whom I had never followed before. Shortly afterward, I got a notice from Twitter that someone had tried to log into my account, so I had to go and change my password. WTF?
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 6:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 6:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
One of my most cherished memories is coming up out of the Metro tunnel onto the Mall with my wife to hear Seeger and Springsteen introducing "This Land Is Your Land."
posted by EarBucket at 6:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by EarBucket at 6:25 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
If you unfollowed the @POTUS account last night/this a.m., you might want to check. It appears many of us are magically following again.
Not anymore. One less.
posted by scalefree at 6:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Not anymore. One less.
posted by scalefree at 6:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
I noticed that I was suddenly following Mike Pence, whom I had never followed before. Shortly afterward, I got a notice from Twitter that someone had tried to log into my account, so I had to go and change my password. WTF?
Encryption is your friend now.
Use strong passwords with an offline password manager.
No one is too small or beneath notice. He controls the NSA. Protect yourself, and all of us.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [36 favorites]
Encryption is your friend now.
Use strong passwords with an offline password manager.
No one is too small or beneath notice. He controls the NSA. Protect yourself, and all of us.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:29 PM on January 20, 2017 [36 favorites]
Possibly I'd followed the VP account before, can't remember. But I changed my password anyway.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 6:31 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 6:31 PM on January 20, 2017
In March of 1973, E. B. White wrote the following perfectly formed reply to a Mr. Nadeau, who sought White's opinion on what he saw as a bleak future for the human race.
Dear Mr. Nadeau:
As long as there is one upright man, as long as there is one compassionate woman, the contagion may spread and the scene is not desolate. Hope is the thing that is left to us, in a bad time. I shall get up Sunday morning and wind the clock, as a contribution to order and steadfastness.
Sailors have an expression about the weather: they say, the weather is a great bluffer. I guess the same is true of our human society—things can look dark, then a break shows in the clouds, and all is changed, sometimes rather suddenly. It is quite obvious that the human race has made a queer mess of life on this planet. But as a people we probably harbor seeds of goodness that have lain for a long time waiting to sprout when the conditions are right. Man's curiosity, his relentlessness, his inventiveness, his ingenuity have led him into deep trouble. We can only hope that these same traits will enable him to claw his way out.
Hang on to your hat. Hang on to your hope. And wind the clock, for tomorrow is another day.
Sincerely,
[Signed, 'E. B. White']
From: lettersofnote.com
posted by cynicalidealist at 6:33 PM on January 20, 2017 [47 favorites]
Dear Mr. Nadeau:
As long as there is one upright man, as long as there is one compassionate woman, the contagion may spread and the scene is not desolate. Hope is the thing that is left to us, in a bad time. I shall get up Sunday morning and wind the clock, as a contribution to order and steadfastness.
Sailors have an expression about the weather: they say, the weather is a great bluffer. I guess the same is true of our human society—things can look dark, then a break shows in the clouds, and all is changed, sometimes rather suddenly. It is quite obvious that the human race has made a queer mess of life on this planet. But as a people we probably harbor seeds of goodness that have lain for a long time waiting to sprout when the conditions are right. Man's curiosity, his relentlessness, his inventiveness, his ingenuity have led him into deep trouble. We can only hope that these same traits will enable him to claw his way out.
Hang on to your hat. Hang on to your hope. And wind the clock, for tomorrow is another day.
Sincerely,
[Signed, 'E. B. White']
From: lettersofnote.com
posted by cynicalidealist at 6:33 PM on January 20, 2017 [47 favorites]
There is no amount of smoke and mirrors that can obscure the hard reality of a Trump Presidency.
"Obama left the country in a bad state, we are trying to fix it but you gotta understand, it takes time"
That'll buy him some time from the truly gullible but then what? In 2019 they will be asked, "Are you better off now then you were 4 years ago?"
I'm with you on this. The problem is that he's going to go scapegoat hunting when that reality hits - and it's not as though this hasn't happened already, as his campaign was based on that - only it's going to be from the Oval Office this time.
This is a little trickier than if he blames it all on Obama. If he starts blaming it on other countries he could gin up enthusiasm for going to war-- certainly it has been done before. But if he tries to blame something on illegal aliens? Well he's in charge now. How come they are still here? If he tries to blame some problem on gangs? Well he is in charge now, how come there still is crime? Remember when he promised, "Day One. Crime is over"
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:34 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
"Obama left the country in a bad state, we are trying to fix it but you gotta understand, it takes time"
That'll buy him some time from the truly gullible but then what? In 2019 they will be asked, "Are you better off now then you were 4 years ago?"
I'm with you on this. The problem is that he's going to go scapegoat hunting when that reality hits - and it's not as though this hasn't happened already, as his campaign was based on that - only it's going to be from the Oval Office this time.
This is a little trickier than if he blames it all on Obama. If he starts blaming it on other countries he could gin up enthusiasm for going to war-- certainly it has been done before. But if he tries to blame something on illegal aliens? Well he's in charge now. How come they are still here? If he tries to blame some problem on gangs? Well he is in charge now, how come there still is crime? Remember when he promised, "Day One. Crime is over"
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:34 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
This is super weird - I unfollowed @potus too, my twitter page says I'm not following @potus and yet I'm still getting Trump's fucking tweets. what the hell?
posted by bluesky43 at 6:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by bluesky43 at 6:36 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
That'll buy him some time from the truly gullible but then what? In 2019 they will be asked, "Are you better off now then you were 4 years ago?"
And they'lll say yes because hey there's not an uppity black man and his uppity wife telling me what to do.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:38 PM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
And they'lll say yes because hey there's not an uppity black man and his uppity wife telling me what to do.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:38 PM on January 20, 2017 [14 favorites]
Encryption is your friend now.
Use strong passwords with an offline password manager.
No one is too small or beneath notice. He controls the NSA. Protect yourself, and all of us.
yeah, keeping your passwords secret is real important because the government can't just show up at the service provider with an NSL and do what they please
posted by indubitable at 6:39 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Use strong passwords with an offline password manager.
No one is too small or beneath notice. He controls the NSA. Protect yourself, and all of us.
yeah, keeping your passwords secret is real important because the government can't just show up at the service provider with an NSL and do what they please
posted by indubitable at 6:39 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
He's dancing to My Way. Guess he doesn't know the lyrics. Just the chorus counts I guess.
posted by Jalliah at 6:41 PM on January 20, 2017
This is super weird - I unfollowed @potus too, my twitter page says I'm not following @potus and yet I'm still getting Trump's fucking tweets. what the hell?
All @potus tweets are now Presidential Alerts, citizen.
posted by zippy at 6:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
All @potus tweets are now Presidential Alerts, citizen.
posted by zippy at 6:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
No ASL interpreters in a disability section at the presidential inauguration. ADA violation
posted by porn in the woods at 6:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [63 favorites]
posted by porn in the woods at 6:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [63 favorites]
From VOX, Trump’s executive order on Obamacare, explained by two health policy experts
posted by bluesky43 at 6:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by bluesky43 at 6:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Trump dancing with Melania to My Way is pretty cringe-inducing.
posted by carmicha at 6:42 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by carmicha at 6:42 PM on January 20, 2017
yeah, keeping your passwords secret is real important because the government can't just show up at the service provider with an NSL and do what they please
Encryption systems that don't trust the cloud server are a thing.
posted by jaduncan at 6:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Encryption systems that don't trust the cloud server are a thing.
posted by jaduncan at 6:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
yeah, keeping your passwords secret is real important because the government can't just show up at the service provider with an NSL and do what they please
Offline. Read the links. Lots of really smart and connected people have thought these things through and developed the tools. There's ways to protect yourself and everyone from all but the most individually targeted state sponsored attacks. Or you know, don't.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Offline. Read the links. Lots of really smart and connected people have thought these things through and developed the tools. There's ways to protect yourself and everyone from all but the most individually targeted state sponsored attacks. Or you know, don't.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
I've been leaning on this as a protest song and dirge. Two brave friends going to the protest in Boston tomorrow, and I love the updates from you folk going to DC. We all must fight in the small ways we can, the big ways, the medium ways. I refused to put the coverage on my TV's at the hotel bar today, and pissed off some very rich old men who seemed thrilled the shitstain is official.
We thought it was over, we thought a country that elected and re-elected Obama could not go retrograde. We were wrong, so now we have to fight in all the small ways and bigger ways we can.
I'll fight.
posted by vrakatar at 6:49 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
We thought it was over, we thought a country that elected and re-elected Obama could not go retrograde. We were wrong, so now we have to fight in all the small ways and bigger ways we can.
I'll fight.
posted by vrakatar at 6:49 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Coincidence or...
Lots of Corpse Flowers Bloomed in 2016 and Nobody Knows Why - The corpse flower takes ten years to build up enough energy to bloom, but mysteriously, dozens of them bloomed within weeks of each other in 2016
Amorphophallus titanum – which translates as "giant misshapen penis" – holds the record for the world's largest unbranched inflorescence (flowering structure). Hardly any of these plants exist in cultivation, and their blooms are rare and unpredictable, occurring fleetingly once every five to 10 years.
I'll keep my theories to myself for now.
posted by futz at 6:51 PM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
Lots of Corpse Flowers Bloomed in 2016 and Nobody Knows Why - The corpse flower takes ten years to build up enough energy to bloom, but mysteriously, dozens of them bloomed within weeks of each other in 2016
Amorphophallus titanum – which translates as "giant misshapen penis" – holds the record for the world's largest unbranched inflorescence (flowering structure). Hardly any of these plants exist in cultivation, and their blooms are rare and unpredictable, occurring fleetingly once every five to 10 years.
I'll keep my theories to myself for now.
posted by futz at 6:51 PM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
Encryption systems that don't trust the cloud server are a thing.
Changing your Twitter password isn't going to protect your account from changes made by anyone acting with administrative credentials.
posted by scalefree at 6:51 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Changing your Twitter password isn't going to protect your account from changes made by anyone acting with administrative credentials.
posted by scalefree at 6:51 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
> That, of course, is almost verbatim what people on the far right have been saying for 8 years. Both sides believe the other side stole their country. How do you get beyond that?
I would start by evaluating both claims and trying to decide if either of them have merit.
posted by tonycpsu at 6:52 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
I would start by evaluating both claims and trying to decide if either of them have merit.
posted by tonycpsu at 6:52 PM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]
Guys should we be rude to Nazis
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:52 PM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:52 PM on January 20, 2017 [32 favorites]
In fact, the server should pretty much always be considered hostile/public. You can't really know the state of it, or of closed source code on the client side. Control what you can, and you won't be in the automated intelligence sweep. See also: Yahoo actually allowing intelligence services to search for keywords over all emails sent and recieved. I don't really care if I have a secure connection up to that server, eh?
End to end encryption with reasonably secure open source endpoints is the way to go.
posted by jaduncan at 6:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
End to end encryption with reasonably secure open source endpoints is the way to go.
posted by jaduncan at 6:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Are we not entertained?
posted by humanfont at 6:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by humanfont at 6:53 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
I didn't watch the hoopla today.
Is America great again yet?
posted by key_of_z at 6:56 PM on January 20, 2017
Is America great again yet?
posted by key_of_z at 6:56 PM on January 20, 2017
I noticed that I was suddenly following Mike Pence, whom I had never followed before.
This morning I had a sign in my driveway that said "Reserved for Vice President". I stole that sign from work during the dotcom implosion; the company I worked for was bought, then sold, then spun off, then bought by a private equity firm that fired everyone but kept me on for months while they sold everything of value. I got used to parking in the vice president's spot, as he was fired first, so I stole his sign on my way out.
That sign collected dust in my parent's basement until sometime after Biden gave us the "this is a big fucking deal" moment. Since then I've moved it to three different houses, leaving it up in the driveway to make sure Joe Biden knows he welcome to drop in for a beer anytime. Because wouldn't that be a hoot?
It was a bummer to come home and see that sign, so I put it in the recycling bin.
posted by peeedro at 6:56 PM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
This morning I had a sign in my driveway that said "Reserved for Vice President". I stole that sign from work during the dotcom implosion; the company I worked for was bought, then sold, then spun off, then bought by a private equity firm that fired everyone but kept me on for months while they sold everything of value. I got used to parking in the vice president's spot, as he was fired first, so I stole his sign on my way out.
That sign collected dust in my parent's basement until sometime after Biden gave us the "this is a big fucking deal" moment. Since then I've moved it to three different houses, leaving it up in the driveway to make sure Joe Biden knows he welcome to drop in for a beer anytime. Because wouldn't that be a hoot?
It was a bummer to come home and see that sign, so I put it in the recycling bin.
posted by peeedro at 6:56 PM on January 20, 2017 [28 favorites]
Report: 'Net neutrality' foe Ajit Pai is new FCC head
Pai has long maintained that the FCC under former chairman Thomas Wheeler had overstepped its bounds, suggesting that he would steer the agency in a direction more favorable to big phone and cable companies. In a December speech, he expressed confidence that the 2015 net neutrality rules would be undone and said the FCC needed to take a "weed whacker" to what he considered unnecessary regulations that hold back investment and innovation.
Consumer advocates have been concerned that a deregulation-minded FCC could potentially allow more huge mergers, overturn new protections for internet users and lead to higher costs for media and technology companies that rely on the internet to reach consumers.
Pai opposed online privacy regulations that force broadband providers to ask consumers for permission before using their data, saying they are more onerous than the requirements for internet companies like Google and Facebook.
Another fox potentially guarding the henhouse.
posted by futz at 6:56 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Pai has long maintained that the FCC under former chairman Thomas Wheeler had overstepped its bounds, suggesting that he would steer the agency in a direction more favorable to big phone and cable companies. In a December speech, he expressed confidence that the 2015 net neutrality rules would be undone and said the FCC needed to take a "weed whacker" to what he considered unnecessary regulations that hold back investment and innovation.
Consumer advocates have been concerned that a deregulation-minded FCC could potentially allow more huge mergers, overturn new protections for internet users and lead to higher costs for media and technology companies that rely on the internet to reach consumers.
Pai opposed online privacy regulations that force broadband providers to ask consumers for permission before using their data, saying they are more onerous than the requirements for internet companies like Google and Facebook.
Another fox potentially guarding the henhouse.
posted by futz at 6:56 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
"Obama left the country in a bad state, we are trying to fix it but you gotta understand, it takes time"
Simple response: eighty-how-many consecutive months of increased employment?
posted by notsnot at 6:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
Simple response: eighty-how-many consecutive months of increased employment?
posted by notsnot at 6:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
This inauguration confirms that we are, in Star Trek terms, in the Mirror Universe.
posted by juiceCake at 6:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by juiceCake at 6:57 PM on January 20, 2017 [6 favorites]
Changing your Twitter password isn't going to protect your account from changes made by anyone acting with administrative credentials.
Point taken, we're all going to have to radically readjust our threat models. Doing that starts by knowing where to look to even know where your vulnerabilities are, and how much risk is reasonably worth taking steps to combat. Site unique passwords with a password manager is still a fundamental step.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:58 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Point taken, we're all going to have to radically readjust our threat models. Doing that starts by knowing where to look to even know where your vulnerabilities are, and how much risk is reasonably worth taking steps to combat. Site unique passwords with a password manager is still a fundamental step.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:58 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Huh. The New Yorker has set up a system for sending them anonymous tips.
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
On threat models, it's worth noting that both the UK and US have new legislative powers that allow actively hacking entire classes of devices on the basis of class-based rather than individual warrants.
Yes, things are fundamentally different now. I might write a security guide for the reasonably technical MeFite and put it in Projects.
posted by jaduncan at 7:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [36 favorites]
Yes, things are fundamentally different now. I might write a security guide for the reasonably technical MeFite and put it in Projects.
posted by jaduncan at 7:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [36 favorites]
Been a long day. Finally turned it all off. That dance was the last I could handle.
Now watching Hidden Figures. I've been saving it for today.
posted by Jalliah at 7:01 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
I also wonder about a website with a security slider for how far people want to go, starting with the basics and adjusting further. Damnit, it looks like my contribution to the resistance might be more tech. I actually haven't seen a good site that rounds it all up, so maybe I'll have to make one.
posted by jaduncan at 7:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by jaduncan at 7:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [12 favorites]
Women's march, I'm driving up to my alma mater Texas Womans University, joining up with some of the old girls, and joining the march in Denton. Today we mourn, tomorrow we start the resistance.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 7:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 7:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
On dancing to "My Way": nice intro for a "new beginning"
And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
yeah, we feel that way too.
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 7:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
yeah, we feel that way too.
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 7:03 PM on January 20, 2017 [8 favorites]
I might write a security guide for the reasonably technical MeFite and put it in Projects.
Please do!
posted by petebest at 7:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Please do!
posted by petebest at 7:05 PM on January 20, 2017 [15 favorites]
Well NPS Twitter accounts have been told to stop.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 7:05 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 7:05 PM on January 20, 2017
I actually haven't seen a good site that rounds it all up, so maybe I'll have to make one.
Have you seen https://www.privacytools.io/ ? They've got all the tools in one place, although I think the explanations are lacking and definitely not non-tech friendly.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Have you seen https://www.privacytools.io/ ? They've got all the tools in one place, although I think the explanations are lacking and definitely not non-tech friendly.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:06 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Simple response: eighty-how-many consecutive months of increased employment?
"That's just fake info from the Demoncrats and their corrupt media."
We have been through all this before. Trump can demonstrably ruin his supporters' lives, and 2 years from now, they'll be saying they're better off, because he tells them so. They won't remember what things are actually like now because they don't want to. Hell, listen to the delusional stuff they say about how grateful they are that he was elected because "America was failing, and nobody was allowed even to say Merry Christmas in a Christian country!" (actual comment I heard on NPR today) They don't even care if he makes their lives better, just that he "pays attention to their concerns" and sticks it to the people they think are making life worse.
To refute his nonsense, you have to be talking to someone rational who listens and considers in good faith. If the person rejects the whole concept of argument, claims and support, logical rebuttal and refutation, counterargument, etc., you're wasting your fucking breath and energy.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:09 PM on January 20, 2017 [45 favorites]
"That's just fake info from the Demoncrats and their corrupt media."
We have been through all this before. Trump can demonstrably ruin his supporters' lives, and 2 years from now, they'll be saying they're better off, because he tells them so. They won't remember what things are actually like now because they don't want to. Hell, listen to the delusional stuff they say about how grateful they are that he was elected because "America was failing, and nobody was allowed even to say Merry Christmas in a Christian country!" (actual comment I heard on NPR today) They don't even care if he makes their lives better, just that he "pays attention to their concerns" and sticks it to the people they think are making life worse.
To refute his nonsense, you have to be talking to someone rational who listens and considers in good faith. If the person rejects the whole concept of argument, claims and support, logical rebuttal and refutation, counterargument, etc., you're wasting your fucking breath and energy.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:09 PM on January 20, 2017 [45 favorites]
Well NPS Twitter accounts have been told to stop.
NPS? A link would be helpful to understanding what you mean :)
posted by futz at 7:17 PM on January 20, 2017
NPS? A link would be helpful to understanding what you mean :)
posted by futz at 7:17 PM on January 20, 2017
BTW, the tax return petition is at 59k signatures in under half a day. Shouldn't be to hard to hit the threshold before his nightly twitter freakout.
posted by cmfletcher at 7:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by cmfletcher at 7:18 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
‘Get some jobs in here.’ Inauguration Day in ‘blue’ Ky. county that flipped for Trump
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:18 PM on January 20, 2017
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:18 PM on January 20, 2017
Well NPS Twitter accounts have been told to stop.
The @DenaliNPS account has been deleted outright. Last week it was tweeting annual temperature averages. Even if it was a misinterpretation of the order from on high, there's something awful about losing something that's legally under the umbrella of federal archiving laws but done through a third-party service.
posted by holgate at 7:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
The @DenaliNPS account has been deleted outright. Last week it was tweeting annual temperature averages. Even if it was a misinterpretation of the order from on high, there's something awful about losing something that's legally under the umbrella of federal archiving laws but done through a third-party service.
posted by holgate at 7:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Each time I mention the IRC in here, I get a couple people memailing me to tell me they've donated.
On a serious note: thank you. Thank you, thank you. Your support continues to be tremendously encouraging.
On a less-serious note:
Uh, cortex, can I get special permission to mention the IRC in every single thread for the next 4 years?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
On a serious note: thank you. Thank you, thank you. Your support continues to be tremendously encouraging.
On a less-serious note:
Uh, cortex, can I get special permission to mention the IRC in every single thread for the next 4 years?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:19 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Also, I'm growing out my hair - I used to have that dapper styleblogger queer short sides cut but no more, because those fucking nazis wear it.
I haven't had that style in a while, but I guess there's no going back.
posted by bongo_x at 7:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I haven't had that style in a while, but I guess there's no going back.
posted by bongo_x at 7:21 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
"The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama Trump to be a one-term president."
-- Mitch McConnell, New Revised Version
posted by bryon at 7:23 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
-- Mitch McConnell, New Revised Version
posted by bryon at 7:23 PM on January 20, 2017 [5 favorites]
holgate: The @DenaliNPS account has been deleted outright.
In an earlier election thread I predicted he'd rename Denali back to Mt. McKinley out of spite, to destroy every bit of Obama's legacy, because that's the kind of petty, hateful man he is. I still think he'll do that.
posted by bluecore at 7:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
In an earlier election thread I predicted he'd rename Denali back to Mt. McKinley out of spite, to destroy every bit of Obama's legacy, because that's the kind of petty, hateful man he is. I still think he'll do that.
posted by bluecore at 7:26 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
No ASL interpreters in a disability section at the presidential inauguration. ADA violation
This a Trump thing that could happen at an address or event where ASL interpreters are doing their jobs, interpreting in his line of sight:
TRUMP: I'm trying to to talk, and all I see is these people waving their hands. This is distracting, am I right?
*yells from crowd*
TRUMP: So - let's get 'em outta here. Get. 'Em. Outta. Here.
*crowd cheers*
I'm just leaving this here as a prediction.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
This a Trump thing that could happen at an address or event where ASL interpreters are doing their jobs, interpreting in his line of sight:
TRUMP: I'm trying to to talk, and all I see is these people waving their hands. This is distracting, am I right?
*yells from crowd*
TRUMP: So - let's get 'em outta here. Get. 'Em. Outta. Here.
*crowd cheers*
I'm just leaving this here as a prediction.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:28 PM on January 20, 2017 [11 favorites]
Argh. For a while right after the election, my brother and I (both political junkies) had a thing where it would hit us and we would pause in the middle of a thought and be like "oh god, I just realized again that Donald Trump got elected president; jesus fucking christ, I need a minute, hold on." Then after a few weeks, it happened once and we looked at each other and he said, "wow, this is just going to keep happening for the whole 4 years, isn't it?"
Yeah so anyway, reading that Charles Pierce piece I just got mine again for the day. Jesus fucking christ. Sigh.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 7:30 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Yeah so anyway, reading that Charles Pierce piece I just got mine again for the day. Jesus fucking christ. Sigh.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 7:30 PM on January 20, 2017 [10 favorites]
Have you seen https://www.privacytools.io/ ? They've got all the tools in one place, although I think the explanations are lacking and definitely not non-tech friendly.
I'm looking, and it's actually not bad (although I'm guessing it's not updated that often, it still recommends Knoppix and Cyanogenmod). I am more envisaging something that's aimed at someone who knows where to find the settings but isn't, say, going to be choosing to switch to Qubes as step 1 when a) Ubuntu is relatively secure and might actually work on their laptop and b) realistically, a lot of people want to know how to lock down OSX and Windows in step 1.
I also don't think privacytools.io is opinionated enough. It offers options at every stage rather than a quick guide. I have Thoughts here, but maybe we should memail about this?
posted by jaduncan at 7:30 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
I'm looking, and it's actually not bad (although I'm guessing it's not updated that often, it still recommends Knoppix and Cyanogenmod). I am more envisaging something that's aimed at someone who knows where to find the settings but isn't, say, going to be choosing to switch to Qubes as step 1 when a) Ubuntu is relatively secure and might actually work on their laptop and b) realistically, a lot of people want to know how to lock down OSX and Windows in step 1.
I also don't think privacytools.io is opinionated enough. It offers options at every stage rather than a quick guide. I have Thoughts here, but maybe we should memail about this?
posted by jaduncan at 7:30 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
'It's made in Vietnam!' At inauguration, origin of red Trump hats shocks many
One of the biggest cheers President Donald Trump received from supporters watching his inaugural address on Friday was his call to "buy American and hire American."
It was a moment rich in irony.
Many of those supporters were sporting Trump's trademark red "Make America Great Again" baseball caps that were made in China, Vietnam and Bangladesh.
...In his speech, Trump struck a fiery, protectionist tone.
"From this moment on, it's going to be America First," he said. "We will follow two simple rules: Buy American and hire American."
Except at Mar a Lago, his wineries, his hotels...
posted by futz at 7:35 PM on January 20, 2017 [45 favorites]
One of the biggest cheers President Donald Trump received from supporters watching his inaugural address on Friday was his call to "buy American and hire American."
It was a moment rich in irony.
Many of those supporters were sporting Trump's trademark red "Make America Great Again" baseball caps that were made in China, Vietnam and Bangladesh.
...In his speech, Trump struck a fiery, protectionist tone.
"From this moment on, it's going to be America First," he said. "We will follow two simple rules: Buy American and hire American."
Except at Mar a Lago, his wineries, his hotels...
posted by futz at 7:35 PM on January 20, 2017 [45 favorites]
"From this moment on, it's going to be America First," he said. "We will follow two simple rules: Buy American and hire American."
He has apparently actually turned his policymaking clock back to the 30s, given that the Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. §§ 8301–8305) was passed in 1933 and is still in force.
posted by jaduncan at 7:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
He has apparently actually turned his policymaking clock back to the 30s, given that the Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. §§ 8301–8305) was passed in 1933 and is still in force.
posted by jaduncan at 7:41 PM on January 20, 2017 [7 favorites]
Soon, it will be harder to unsubscribe from Trump's twitter account than it is to unsubscribe from Cat Facts.
posted by Joey Michaels at 7:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 7:42 PM on January 20, 2017 [9 favorites]
The added problem is that Trump doesn't even supply facts.
posted by jaduncan at 7:43 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by jaduncan at 7:43 PM on January 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
uh oh. incoming cat facts. delete delete delete.
posted by futz at 7:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by futz at 7:44 PM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]
Thank you for subscribing to Trump Facts! Did you know that the sun is brighter than the moon because it's closer to Earth?
Type SUBSCRIBE to receive another Trump Fact!
posted by Joey Michaels at 7:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
Type SUBSCRIBE to receive another Trump Fact!
posted by Joey Michaels at 7:45 PM on January 20, 2017 [17 favorites]
On The Propriety Of Punching Nazis, An FAQ (TL;DR: yes, you should punch Nazis).
posted by Pink Frost at 7:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
posted by Pink Frost at 7:46 PM on January 20, 2017 [21 favorites]
Seeing those unwanted Pence tweets was like finding Scientology pamphlets in my mailbox: yikes, how the hell did
posted by PenDevil at 3:05 AM on January 20, 2017 [16 favorites]