How Soon before Trump has a 'reichstag fire'?

[Josephus]

Right...so even if they don't do it themselves, what I can see happening is Trump/Bannon getting briefed by Homeland that there's a good chance of a terror attack at a shopping mall in Kansas, and Trump/Bannon deciding to ignore the intelligence

[Razgovory]

The fundamentals of the American democratic system hAs NEVER been in the danger it is in today.

If only the South had been allowed to go in peace, you could've had the enlightened socialist government you deserve. 

The "socialist" governments we have had got elected with massive support from the South.

Of course.  They maintained a South Americans style economy and society, much more likely to end up Marxist.

[Razgovory]

This is stupid.  Hell there's good reason to believe the Nazis weren't even involved in the fire.

Yeah. An honest to God terrorist attack is inevitable and that is the real concern.

Though, just to be safe, I wouldn't want to have tea with any people with Russian accents during this administration.

[Delirium]

it certainly would have been nice to have an enlightened neighbour and a country as stable as Mexico just before reaching the actual Mexico.

Interesting observation here for those of us a reasonably long memory. Back in 2002, 2003 comments like this against the entire US, then brought on by Dubya's actions and statements started a humongous war of the internet between Yanqui pigdogs and Euroweenies. Today, no one seems to care about the entire nation being called medieval...

[MadImmortalMan]

Right...so even if they don't do it themselves, what I can see happening is Trump/Bannon getting briefed by Homeland that there's a good chance of a terror attack at a shopping mall in Kansas, and Trump/Bannon deciding to ignore the intelligence

Just make sure the carriers aren't there at the time.

[Berkut]

it certainly would have been nice to have an enlightened neighbour and a country as stable as Mexico just before reaching the actual Mexico.

Interesting observation here for those of us a reasonably long memory. Back in 2002, 2003 comments like this against the entire US, then brought on by Dubya's actions and statements started a humongous war of the internet between Yanqui pigdogs and Euroweenies. Today, no one seems to care about the entire nation being called medieval...

Well, for me at least, differing facts make for differing conclusions.

Acting like Dubya '03 in '03 justifies a response as if he had been acting like Trump '17 is good reason to call someone a tool in '03. And I think history pretty much proved that out.

Now? Pretty hard to argue that the US is in a pretty terrible place...

[Valmy]

The knowledge that there exists a large and politically important support for racist and anti-semitic ideas in this country is certainly something I was not aware of in 2003. I mean sure I knew that we had racial problems but that kind of blatant stuff I thought was in the past. And certainly I would never imagine a man mixed in with that crowd would ever be an important force in national politics like Bannon is.

If somebody had suggested such a thing in 2003 I would have attacked them as a crazy left-wing anti-American nutcase. Oh well.

[Barrister]

This is stupid.  Hell there's good reason to believe the Nazis weren't even involved in the fire.

Yeah. An honest to God terrorist attack is inevitable and that is the real concern.

Is it?

I mean we've had numerous terrorist attacks in the US (both islamic and otherwise).  Heck the most recent was just last month - the Ft Lauderdale airport shooting.  They don't seem to have much influence on anything.

There's just been one terrorist attack that really "moved the needle" - 9/11.  But that's the only one since at least WWII.

Perhaps another terrorist attack on that level isn't inevitable.  In fact the authorities have done a pretty good job at breaking up any such planned attacks.

[MadImmortalMan]

The knowledge that there exists a large and politically important support for racist and anti-semitic ideas in this country is certainly something I was not aware of in 2003.

Because it wasn't there. It still isn't.

[Delirium]

The knowledge that there exists a large and politically important support for racist and anti-semitic ideas in this country is certainly something I was not aware of in 2003. I mean sure I knew that we had racial problems but that kind of blatant stuff I thought was in the past. And certainly I would never imagine a man mixed in with that crowd would ever be an important force in national politics like Bannon is.

If somebody had suggested such a thing in 2003 I would have attacked them as a crazy left-wing anti-American nutcase. Oh well.

It seems to me that there is an even stronger case for making the distinction now then? The left-wing anti-Americanism is still around and feeling stronger than ever now, I think it is a bad idea for anti-Trump Americans (for lack of a better phrase) to just give up and accept each and every accusation.

[Valmy]

Perhaps another terrorist attack on that level isn't inevitable.  In fact the authorities have done a pretty good job at breaking up any such planned attacks.

They did a really good job breaking up planned attacks before 9/11 as well. But one will break through...eventually.

[Valmy]

The knowledge that there exists a large and politically important support for racist and anti-semitic ideas in this country is certainly something I was not aware of in 2003.

Because it wasn't there. It still isn't.

Evidence suggests otherwise. What do I have wrong?

[Delirium]

Well, for me at least, differing facts make for differing conclusions.

Acting like Dubya '03 in '03 justifies a response as if he had been acting like Trump '17 is good reason to call someone a tool in '03. And I think history pretty much proved that out.

Now? Pretty hard to argue that the US is in a pretty terrible place...

For most of us on the outside, facts have very little to do with it I think. You realized in 2003 how many people outside the US were just waiting for an excuse to go after you, do you really think that has changed? I meet people on a daily basis who spew out opinions of Yanquiland (not to mention Israel) and it doesn't matter to them who's President. I had a student who accused Obama for hating muslims, that is the level of outside world nuanced opinions about American politics. Facts are completely irrelevant.

Of course, having Trump as president does not make it easier.

[Valmy]

It seems to me that there is an even stronger case for making the distinction now then? The left-wing anti-Americanism is still around and feeling stronger than ever now, I think it is a bad idea for anti-Trump Americans (for lack of a better phrase) to just give up and accept each and every accusation.

Good point. I don't think I really accept much of what Viper has to say. He is not even left wing.

I guess our morale is just low right now. Even if Hillary had been elected things would be rough right now.

[MadImmortalMan]

The knowledge that there exists a large and politically important support for racist and anti-semitic ideas in this country is certainly something I was not aware of in 2003.

Because it wasn't there. It still isn't.

Evidence suggests otherwise. What do I have wrong?

What evidence? Do you really think someone with openly racist and antisemitic ideas would be able to run anywhere in the USA and not get completely destroyed?