Why the Constitution is now null and void

[Loren Pechtel]

(I could have put this in the thread about 47, but just because he's the one doing it doesn't mean the problem is specific to him)

USAID security leaders removed after refusing Elon Musk's DOGE employees access to secure systems

The USAID systems the DOGE team tried to access included personnel files, three sources familiar with the events told NBC News.

www.nbcnews.com

He's clearly doing a bunch of illegal things--but he will simply remove anyone who tries to stand up for the law. Laws only mean something if they are enforced and he's not going to enforce any law that limits him.

 

[Copernicus]

I agree, although I don't think that the coup is complete by any means. Trump is a de facto dictator of sorts. Normally, the Constitution is supposed to implement a set of checks and balances so that the executive branch does not exercise the power of a king. However, both other branches are not only packed with Republicans, but with Republicans who are inclined to rubber stamp just about anything Trump does. Even with Democratic control of Congress, Trump would almost certainly never be removed from power. The Supreme Court has a 6-3 Republican majority with at least 4 justices almost always inclined towards rubber stamping his rule--Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh. Barrett and Roberts are also fairly partisan Republicans, although they sometimes swing slightly away from the Trump wing. Their decision to grant Trump almost unlimited immunity from legal consequences for presidential acts has removed the final guard rails that might have given pause to him. He feels he can rule by decree, and there doesn't seem to be any significant pushback from anyone. Only McConnell, Collins, and Murkowski seem willing to oppose him in the Senate, and McConnell will not run for reelection in 2026.

 

[barbos]

USAID is a neocon terrorist organization masquerading as some humanitarian help/aid organization.

 

[barbos]

He's clearly doing a bunch of illegal things

That's pretty ironic, considering we are talking about USAID.
What is exactly illegal about dully elected president trying to understand what government was/is doing?

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

The courts again remain the only barrier as the GOP just wants this. But Trump apparently learned from a couple leaks in term one is get rid of dissent. No courts with no disclosure.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

He's clearly doing a bunch of illegal things

That's pretty ironic, considering we are talking about USAID.
What is exactly illegal about dully elected president trying to understand what government was/is doing?

The head of the Executive Branch gets to name the the head of the OMB, Treasury Department, etc... He already has people that can do this. Instead, he has a person with apparently brown-shirt level authority to rummage wherever he wants. Without actually holding an official position. Musk is getting people removed from position of authority in a manner that is not remotely typical for the Executive Branch.

 

[GenesisNemesis]

Directly a result of the slow erosion of our rights over the decades, that hardly anyone paid attention to.

 

[Harry Bosch]

USAID is a neocon terrorist organization masquerading as some humanitarian help/aid organization.

Perhaps you intended to post in the humor thread?

 

[barbos]

USAID is a neocon terrorist organization masquerading as some humanitarian help/aid organization.

Perhaps you intended to post in the humor thread?

No, I did not and what I said is supported by facts and evidence. Musk is right on this one.

 

[barbos]

He's clearly doing a bunch of illegal things

That's pretty ironic, considering we are talking about USAID.
What is exactly illegal about dully elected president trying to understand what government was/is doing?

The head of the Executive Branch gets to name the the head of the OMB, Treasury Department, etc... He already has people that can do this. Instead, he has a person with apparently brown-shirt level authority to rummage wherever he wants. Without actually holding an official position. Musk is getting people removed from position of authority in a manner that is not remotely typical for the Executive Branch.

That's nothing compared with USAID running around the globe and install the head of states it likes.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

He's clearly doing a bunch of illegal things

That's pretty ironic, considering we are talking about USAID.
What is exactly illegal about dully elected president trying to understand what government was/is doing?

The head of the Executive Branch gets to name the the head of the OMB, Treasury Department, etc... He already has people that can do this. Instead, he has a person with apparently brown-shirt level authority to rummage wherever he wants. Without actually holding an official position. Musk is getting people removed from position of authority in a manner that is not remotely typical for the Executive Branch.

That's nothing compared with USAID running around the globe and install the head of states it likes.

They have a budget large enough for that?

 

[ZiprHead]

He's clearly doing a bunch of illegal things

That's pretty ironic, considering we are talking about USAID.
What is exactly illegal about dully elected president trying to understand what government was/is doing?

The head of the Executive Branch gets to name the the head of the OMB, Treasury Department, etc... He already has people that can do this. Instead, he has a person with apparently brown-shirt level authority to rummage wherever he wants. Without actually holding an official position. Musk is getting people removed from position of authority in a manner that is not remotely typical for the Executive Branch.

That's nothing compared with USAID running around the globe and install the head of states it likes.

They have a budget large enough for that?

While Barbos spreads his fantasies, there have been problems with USAid. Many times they have to rely on local organizations to distribute the funds properly and sometimes that doesn't work. That doesn't mean you throw out the baby with the bath water.

 

[Politesse]

Directly a result of the slow erosion of our rights over the decades, that hardly anyone paid attention to.

Well, I did. I've been concerned about the gradual erosion of our Constitutional rights for as long as I've been aware of politics (Desert Storm was a hell of an era in which to first become aware of politics!). I had a "hatred is not a family value" sticker taped to my fourth grade lunch pail. Mom begged me to take it off before someone punched me.

Back then, everyone called me a paranoid, hate-spewing liberal. The shoe sure is on the other foot now, though! Now they call me a paranoid, hate-spewing Woke. When will I tire of attacking those poor, innocent fascist apologists just for directly targeting every civil liberty we possess?

 

[Copernicus]

Let's not forget that USAID does not purchase supplies from foreign sources, but from American producers. Shutting down foreign aid means removing that source of revenue from American farmers and producers of other goods that typically go into humanitarian aid supplies. IOW, the US economy loses a source of revenue. Perhaps it would make sense if all that aid would still be purchased and distributed internally to people who could use it, but that won't happen. This is Republicans looking for sources of tax dollars that can be funneled into pet projects that support their donors--people like Elon Musk and other oligarchs. It is to fund tax cuts that will go to wealthy individuals and corporations.

 

[barbos]

While Barbos spreads his fantasies, there have been problems with USAid. Many times they have to rely on local organizations to

For fuck's sake. USAID employee themselves complained that they are used as a front for CIA operations.

 

[barbos]

He's clearly doing a bunch of illegal things

That's pretty ironic, considering we are talking about USAID.
What is exactly illegal about dully elected president trying to understand what government was/is doing?

The head of the Executive Branch gets to name the the head of the OMB, Treasury Department, etc... He already has people that can do this. Instead, he has a person with apparently brown-shirt level authority to rummage wherever he wants. Without actually holding an official position. Musk is getting people removed from position of authority in a manner that is not remotely typical for the Executive Branch.

That's nothing compared with USAID running around the globe and install the head of states it likes.

They have a budget large enough for that?

Yes. And you really don't need a lot if you have backing of the whole US government.
Budget is irrelevant when you are a small country official and here comes Nuland and says "do what I say or you are a dead man"

Speaking of budget. It was revealed that all 100% of Ukrainian media was living on US (USAID included) grants.
So all that shit that you call independent Ukrainian press is actually 100% dependent on US.
This is of course is less surprising if you consider that pretty much everything in Ukraine is on US/EU payroll.
It's just one would think "independent" press would be less directly funded by USAID.

 

[ZiprHead]

Barbos: As usual, long on words. Short on proof.

USAid did provide some funding to independent media in Ukraine. There is also a charity fund based in Europe that provides funds for media in Ukraine.

It's certainly not 100% US funding of all media.

 

[Elixir]

Barbos: As usual, long on words. Short on proof.

USAid did provide some funding to independent media in Ukraine. There is also a charity fund based in Europe that provides funds for media in Ukraine.

It's certainly not 100% US funding of all media.

Water is wet, Babs is full of shit.
Yaaawn.

 

[southernhybrid]

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/nat...aid-us-foreign-aid-agency-trump-musk/6133485/

What to Know​

• Over the last two weeks, President Donald Trump's administration has made significant changes to the U.S. agency charged with delivering humanitarian assistance overseas that has left aid organizations agonizing over whether they can continue with programs such as nutritional assistance for malnourished infants and children.
• Then-President John F. Kennedy established the U.S. Agency for International Development, known as USAID, during the Cold War. In the decades since, Republicans and Democrats have fought over the agency and its funding.
• Today, supporters of USAID argue that U.S. assistance in countries counters Russian and Chinese influence. China has its own “belt and road” foreign aid program worldwide operating in many countries that the U.S. also wants as partners.
• Critics say the programs are wasteful and promote a liberal agenda.

Then-President John F. Kennedy established the U.S. Agency for International Development, known as USAID, during the Cold War. In the decades since, Republicans and Democrats have fought over the agency and its funding.

Here’s a look at USAID, its history and the changes made since Trump took office.

What is USAID?​

Kennedy created USAID at the height of the United States’ Cold War struggle with the Soviet Union. He wanted a more efficient way to counter Soviet influence abroad through foreign assistance and saw the State Department as frustratingly bureaucratic at doing that.

Congress passed the Foreign Assistance Act and Kennedy set up USAID as an independent agency in 1961.

USAID has outlived the Soviet Union, which fell in 1991. Today, supporters of USAID argue that U.S. assistance in countries counters Russian and Chinese influence. China has its own “belt and road” foreign aid program worldwide operating in many countries that the U.S. also wants as partners.

Critics say the programs are wasteful and promote a liberal agenda.

Sure, it's a liberal agenda to want to help poor people.


Yesterday, I read a lot about how USAID was started. Prior to JFK organizing it, there were several small charitable aide organzations that provided humanitarian aide. It provides basic needs to millions of people in poverty stricken areas, including such basics as mosquito nets to help prevent infections spread by mosquitos. It's a very small percentage of our budget. I think less than 2%.

It originally provided food to Belgium during the Nazi regime when Germany was keeping aide out of Belgium. That was prior to JFK organizing several aide organizations into what is now known as USAID. It's not only something done to provide charity. It's also a good way to help maintain a good reputation with our closest allies, or perhaps I should say were our closest allies. Musk, the shadows president is a cruel, inhumane person, along with the elected felon. They have no ability to empathize with those who are poor or suffering. And, I agree that our constitution is in grave danger.

I guess Barbos doesn't like the fact that JFK started USAID during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. He is either making up shit or has been a victim of the massive disinformation that he likely hears from his own dictator. Of course, he never provides any evidence of his stupid claims.

Btw, the website for USAID has already been taken down. I tried to access it, but it's gone, at least for now.

 

[Jarhyn]

Directly a result of the slow erosion of our rights over the decades, that hardly anyone paid attention to.

Well, I did. I've been concerned about the gradual erosion of our Constitutional rights for as long as I've been aware of politics (Desert Storm was a hell of an era in which to first become aware of politics!). I had a "hatred is not a family value" sticker taped to my fourth grade lunch pail. Mom begged me to take it off before someone punched me.

Back then, everyone called me a paranoid, hate-spewing liberal. The shoe sure is on the other foot now, though! Now they call me a paranoid, hate-spewing Woke. When will I tire of attacking those poor, innocent fascist apologists just for directly targeting every civil liberty we possess?

My thought on the subject was a lot more in the vicinity of "If Nazis come back, what would they look like?"

Nobody saw anything objectionable enough to get people out into the streets rejecting it beforehand a century ago, so it must not look the same way before a fascist takeover as after.

The people doing it are going to do their best to both seem reasonable and present themselves as serious and concerned people.

They will present themselves as upright and defenders of people's virtues.

They will use weak ethical systems such as virtue ethics and pro-normal stances, papering over their xenophobia and hate with pithy but empty refrains such as "Think of the children".

They will also be a part of whatever culture war exists against 'political correctness', 'wokeness', 'BLM', who stand against the department of education and sex-ed.

Do you think even the Nazis in Germany really knew what being a Nazi meant, though? Part of what makes it work is that there's a walrus or a carpenter leading the clams to the boiling pot.

In my mind the Nazis of the world look more like Anita Bryant and "Karen" more than the Himmlers and the Hitlers. We should have been busy rejecting that kind of unearned puissance apologizing for selfishness and against minority acceptance, because that's what it looks like before the flower blossoms.

Want to know who would send people to the ovens? Find out who is for sending the books to the ovens and you're gonna have a good idea.