Election Year or Fear!

[swaledale]

Those with reasonable memories may recall when AF in a post referred to Trump undertaking some "good" bullying, regarding making government more efficient. Despite being questioned, he failed to explain what he meant by "good bullying" but there we are.

However, these recent actions by Trump regarding the firing of government employees, expose the lie that Trump's actions are in anyway about improving government efficiency or removing bad performers, mind you one look at the crooks, chancers and geeks in his government would tell a sentient person that!

Here are some of the reasons Trump is firing civil servants - it is not about performance:

Being a relative of a disfavored former employee: Maureen Comey, a respected DOJ prosecutor, was fired shortly before Trump demanded her father be prosecuted.

Refusing to illegally fire people: Kash Patel is being sued for firing senior FBI agents who asked him for adequate reason to fire their fellow agents.

Investigating corruption and abuses of power: For example, ethics officers at Fannie Mae were fired after they raised questions about how Bill Pulte obtained documents as part of his effort to prosecute Trump’s political enemies.

Investigating an insurrection or allegations of corruption by the President.

Providing an intelligence analysis that contradicts the President’s claims.

Being a trans person.

An online monitor of the “deep state” accuses you of being disloyal to Trumpism. Such accusations are often erroneous: a prosecutor falsely accused of not willing to be part of the Comey investigation was fired. An FBI agent was fired after being falsely accused of participating in Mar-A-Lago investigations.

Sharing accurate information to a judge: A DOJ lawyer was fired when he acknowledged that the administration had erred when it deported an immigrant.

Not recommending that a prominent celebrity supporter of the President have his gun rights restored.

Signing a public statement that existing policies are undermining the ability of agencies to complete their tasks.

No reason at all. The President merely asserts that he has an Article II power to fire you and decides he wants someone assumed to be more loyal in your place.

[Ram Pant]

With any luck, Trump's current illegal use of dictatorial powers he doesn't have will come to an end on November 3rd 2026. One can only hope.

[ramAnag]

With any luck, Trump's current illegal use of dictatorial powers he doesn't have will come to an end on November 3rd 2026. One can only hope.

Agreed, MARP. The question is, how much damage can he do before then?

His recent utterances about Europe and pronouncements on Ukraine are more dangerous and decisive than even those of us who have always opposed him might have imagined.

[Geoff Parkstone]

perhaps the aggregation PRAM might roll off the tongue better?.. Not that Im disagreeing with you, mind.

[Ram Pant]

perhaps the aggregation PRAM might roll off the tongue better?.. Not that Im disagreeing with you, mind.

You're pushin' it a bit, aren't you?

[swaledale]

And there is more! Remember when AF dismissed the possibility as scare mongering that US Immigration would ask for one's mobile phone and look at social media posts on entry to the US and possibly refuse you entry if they didn't like them?

Well the Trump administration published this today.

All tourists to the United States would have to reveal their social media activity from the last five years, under new Trump administration plans.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would also require any email addresses and telephone numbers visitors have used in the same period, and the names, addresses, birthdates and birthplaces of family members, including children.

The proposal was published on Tuesday in a Federal Register notice, the official publication of the US government, which is put out daily. This called the new disclosures “mandatory” for entry into the US. It would apply to people of all countries, regardless of whether they require visas or are currently permitted to complete an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (Esta) instead. That includes visitors from Britain, Australia, Germany and Japan, who are not required to get a tourist visa before visiting the US.

[SithHappens]

And there is more! Remember when AF dismissed the possibility as scare mongering that US Immigration would ask for one's mobile phone and look at social media posts on entry to the US and possibly refuse you entry if they didn't like them?

Well the Trump administration published this today.

All tourists to the United States would have to reveal their social media activity from the last five years, under new Trump administration plans.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would also require any email addresses and telephone numbers visitors have used in the same period, and the names, addresses, birthdates and birthplaces of family members, including children.

The proposal was published on Tuesday in a Federal Register notice, the official publication of the US government, which is put out daily. This called the new disclosures “mandatory” for entry into the US. It would apply to people of all countries, regardless of whether they require visas or are currently permitted to complete an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (Esta) instead. That includes visitors from Britain, Australia, Germany and Japan, who are not required to get a tourist visa before visiting the US.

It's quite frightening isn't it.

Even if someone is comfortable releasing this information for their own travel purposes, surely if someone i know plans to travel they should have to seek consent from me before sharing my information?

What would flag as a harmful or suspicious social media post? What contacts would show as suspicious?

His buddy Farage would surely be on dodgy ground, his own social media littered with racist posts, or supporting those who are or encourage murder and violence. His contact list will be littered with racists, rapists, bribe takers, wife beaters...only this weekend he was the guest at the F1 GP of Briatore...

[Ram Pant]

It's quite frightening isn't it.

Even if someone is comfortable releasing this information for their own travel purposes, surely if someone i know plans to travel they should have to seek consent from me before sharing my information?

What would flag as a harmful or suspicious social media post? What contacts would show as suspicious?

His buddy Farage would surely be on dodgy ground, his own social media littered with racist posts, or supporting those who are or encourage murder and violence. His contact list will be littered with racists, rapists, bribe takers, wife beaters...only this weekend he was the guest at the F1 GP of Briatore...

Much of which would see old fart face welcomr Farridge with open arms. No point me even trying to enter the States as I've said exactly what I think of the Jodrell on very many platforms.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Much of which would see old fart face welcomr Farridge with open arms. No point me even trying to enter the States as I've said exactly what I think of the Jodrell on very many platforms.

The Americans can take whatever measures they chose when considering who they let in the country in my view.

In many ways I think this is a positive step forward if it regulates the ****show that is social media and makes people take responsibility for the defamatory *******s they write. If moves like this cause social media sites to shut down or moderate the content that people are permitted to write from behind the curtains of anonymity then great - a step in the right direction. Of course the danger is in politically biased interpretation of what can and cant be said, and there is a question of a "right of free speech" - but what I see out there at the moment is about 50% hate speak. Social media is a wild west with no frontiers - certain parts of it are as if the KKK have been revived - most people wouldnt stand for that in real life but behind the screen the keyboard warriors have adopted the same standards

[Ram Pant]

The Americans can take whatever measures they chose when considering who they let in the country in my view.

In many ways I think this is a positive step forward if it regulates the ****show that is social media and makes people take responsibility for the defamatory *******s they write. If moves like this cause social media sites to shut down or moderate the content that people are permitted to write from behind the curtains of anonymity then great - a step in the right direction. Of course the danger is in politically biased interpretation of what can and cant be said, and there is a question of a "right of free speech" - but what I see out there at the moment is about 50% hate speak. Social media is a wild west with no frontiers - certain parts of it are as if the KKK have been revived - most people wouldnt stand for that in real life but behind the screen the keyboard warriors have adopted the same standards

True, however, it looks very much like they will be "banning" people for their opinions and telling the truth. The man is a pathological liar. Wannabe dictator and he's almost there. Denied ever having heard of Project 2025 yet is well on the way to implementing all of it. Swore to uphold the Constitution yet is going against it in many ways including denying due process. I would be prevened from entering the US because of my thoughts and the truths I have told.