We should wonder what would it take, in our putative classless society, to treat a former President the same way the rest of us would surely be treated if we were causing trouble in our neighborhood, not to mention trying to wreck our nation?
Surely he is getting away with it because of the fear of violence he has been trying to ins…
We should wonder what would it take, in our putative classless society, to treat a former President the same way the rest of us would surely be treated if we were causing trouble in our neighborhood, not to mention trying to wreck our nation?
Surely he is getting away with it because of the fear of violence he has been trying to instill in us. About two weeks ago he said something like "If I don't get elected there will be a bloodbath...that will be the least of it..." He is queuing up violence in the streets for election day and beyond. A reasonable citizen would surely conclude that such speech is a credible threat, and therefore should not be tolerated. His bail should be revoked, and he should be restrained, and held incommunicado in a secure facility, like Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he could amuse himself by fondling gold bullion.
But not slobber on it. I think we as a society have become sloppy in our thinking about what democratic leadership means. The presidency or other office is not a grant of personal privilege; it is a license to use the powers of the office for their intended purpose within intended boundaries. A financial officer is entitled to move company money on a company's behalf. Not to embezzle. A doctor is not responsible if trauma patient dies, so long as he or she acted within due diligence.
Behaviors that are inconsistent with the job description merit NO professional protection. To claim they do is bananas. President's are NOT immune from prosecution of all behavior, otherwise Nixon would have had no need for a pardon. There are governments where those in power immorally enrich themselves, and harass and assassinate those who oppose them. We call them "Tyrannies".
“We are unique among the world’s militaries,” Milley said. “We don’t take an oath to a country, we don’t take an oath to a tribe, we don’t take an oath to a religion. We don’t take an oath to a king, or a queen, or a tyrant or a dictator.”
“And we don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator,” he spat. “We take an oath to the Constitution and we take an oath to the idea that is America – and we’re willing to die to protect it.” -CNN
We suspect that the bullies and the people threatening political violence think it would be easy. Their logic and reason fail to persuade us that they have the right idea, so they turn to threats of violence and "bloodbath", hoping we will concede the arguments in favor of democracy.
It is possible to be strong, and courageous, and to be willing to risk our lives to defend the Constitution, yet still wish fervently to live our lives in peace and civility.
I wonder what happened to the 2 candidates who were anti Ukrainian war and were not allowed to run in the election. It is said that one of them said he hoped Putin won. Really?
We suspect he would not actually read a Bible, except perhaps the more lurid parts. He might get interested if we could find a version with the nasty parts illustrated in color.
It would be such a relief, knowing that he could amuse himself, alone in his soundproof padded cell, where no harm could issue from him, and no knowledge or disturbance could reach him from without. Keep the environmental conditions comfortable so there would be no need for clothing, thereby preventing self-harm. Counting down the hits on New Year's Eve in 1969, the #1 hit was "Sugar Sugar" by the Archies -- play that on a continuous loop for his enjoyment. And his illustrated American Bible could be available on a screen with an unbreakable window.
Julie,
We should wonder what would it take, in our putative classless society, to treat a former President the same way the rest of us would surely be treated if we were causing trouble in our neighborhood, not to mention trying to wreck our nation?
Surely he is getting away with it because of the fear of violence he has been trying to instill in us. About two weeks ago he said something like "If I don't get elected there will be a bloodbath...that will be the least of it..." He is queuing up violence in the streets for election day and beyond. A reasonable citizen would surely conclude that such speech is a credible threat, and therefore should not be tolerated. His bail should be revoked, and he should be restrained, and held incommunicado in a secure facility, like Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he could amuse himself by fondling gold bullion.
But not slobber on it. I think we as a society have become sloppy in our thinking about what democratic leadership means. The presidency or other office is not a grant of personal privilege; it is a license to use the powers of the office for their intended purpose within intended boundaries. A financial officer is entitled to move company money on a company's behalf. Not to embezzle. A doctor is not responsible if trauma patient dies, so long as he or she acted within due diligence.
Behaviors that are inconsistent with the job description merit NO professional protection. To claim they do is bananas. President's are NOT immune from prosecution of all behavior, otherwise Nixon would have had no need for a pardon. There are governments where those in power immorally enrich themselves, and harass and assassinate those who oppose them. We call them "Tyrannies".
“We are unique among the world’s militaries,” Milley said. “We don’t take an oath to a country, we don’t take an oath to a tribe, we don’t take an oath to a religion. We don’t take an oath to a king, or a queen, or a tyrant or a dictator.”
“And we don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator,” he spat. “We take an oath to the Constitution and we take an oath to the idea that is America – and we’re willing to die to protect it.” -CNN
Revised:
We suspect that the bullies and the people threatening political violence think it would be easy. Their logic and reason fail to persuade us that they have the right idea, so they turn to threats of violence and "bloodbath", hoping we will concede the arguments in favor of democracy.
It is possible to be strong, and courageous, and to be willing to risk our lives to defend the Constitution, yet still wish fervently to live our lives in peace and civility.
I wonder what happened to the 2 candidates who were anti Ukrainian war and were not allowed to run in the election. It is said that one of them said he hoped Putin won. Really?
Edit: Looking for humor in a humorless situation.
Agreed completely and for the life of me can't figured out why he wasn't jailed two plus years ago.
I like that, fondling gold bullion. Would they let him read one of his many Bibles he has at home?
We suspect he would not actually read a Bible, except perhaps the more lurid parts. He might get interested if we could find a version with the nasty parts illustrated in color.
Lots of begetting going on in one of the Old Testament book. Numbers? maybe? The picture of Eve hidden behind a bush might do it,
I like the idea of giving him a picture of Eve 'au naturale' in his solitary confinement cell. That should keep him busy.
pant, pant. I won't go further with that. This is a respectable site. :)
It would be such a relief, knowing that he could amuse himself, alone in his soundproof padded cell, where no harm could issue from him, and no knowledge or disturbance could reach him from without. Keep the environmental conditions comfortable so there would be no need for clothing, thereby preventing self-harm. Counting down the hits on New Year's Eve in 1969, the #1 hit was "Sugar Sugar" by the Archies -- play that on a continuous loop for his enjoyment. And his illustrated American Bible could be available on a screen with an unbreakable window.