TRUMP PLANS SHOW TRIALS; BIDEN MUST PARDON EVERYONE - 11.18.24
Nov 18, 2024
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Concerns rise over Trump's plans for military purges and political prosecutions, raising alarm about authoritarianism in the U.S. President Biden is urged to proactively issue pardons for various groups to safeguard them. Trump's nomination of his attorney sparks debates about the future of democracy. The discussion humorously reflects on past political events and the challenges of commentary while warning of the need for unity against injustice. Anecdotes from covering state funerals add a light-hearted touch, reminding listeners of the unpredictable nature of politics.
The podcast emphasizes the alarming potential for political purges and show trials that threaten accountability and dissent within the military and government.
A call for President Biden to implement widespread pardons is framed as essential to protect individuals from retaliatory prosecutions under authoritarian pressures.
The discussion highlights the dangers of loyalty tests in public institutions, which could undermine democracy and transform officials into instruments of state propaganda.
Deep dives
The Dangers of Distrust in Leadership
A growing concern is expressed about the potential for political purges and trials aimed at military and government officials who challenge the authority of a president. The anxiety centers around proposals to court-martial military leaders involved in past conflicts, particularly the withdrawal from Afghanistan, highlighting the divisive tactics reminiscent of authoritarian regimes. If implemented, these actions could set a dangerous precedent for the silencing of dissent and accountability, fostering a culture of fear within public service sectors. The implications of such a shift could undermine institutional integrity and the democratic principles that govern civil-military relations.
Biden's Moral Imperative for Pardons
There is a strong argument made that President Biden must prioritize a massive campaign of pardons in light of potential political retribution aimed at service members and public servants. This call for widespread pardons is framed as a moral imperative to protect individuals who could face unjust prosecutions under authoritarian pressures. The suggestion is that pardoning those who may have infractions, regardless of their political allegiance, is essential to preserve the values of democracy and prevent the normalization of punitive measures against political opposition. The scale of these pardons could potentially overwhelm the legal system, rendering the notion of punishment less feasible.
Historical Context of Political Repression
The discussion emphasizes that the steps being proposed reflect a historical pattern observed in dictatorial regimes, where perceived disloyalty leads to purges and public trials. The reference to past authoritarian regimes underscores the risks of a political climate that encourages scapegoating and historical revisionism to consolidate power. This alarming trend, which has been part of political history since ancient times, is seen as threatening not just to individuals currently in power but also to the foundational concepts of governance in the United States. Recognizing these patterns is crucial for preventing history from repeating itself in the context of current political tensions.
The Threat of Loyalty Tests in Governance
A key concern raised is the potential for loyalty tests to infiltrate the military and political landscapes, aimed at aligning all public institutions with the interests of a single leader. The chilling prospect of compliance and unquestioned loyalty undermines the autonomy of these institutions and threatens to transform them into instruments of state propaganda. This situation posits that the loyalty of officials will be evaluated not based on their professional conduct, but rather their allegiance to an individual, escalating fears of politicization within essential services. Such an environment would not only damage democratic norms but also compromise the effectiveness and moral authority of public institutions.
The Role of Media and Public Perception
The importance of media in shaping public perception is underscored as a powerful tool in the evolving political landscape. The podcast hints at the potential danger of biased narratives that can normalize authoritarian practices, reinforcing the need for vigilant media critique and accountability. It also suggests that public awareness and engagement, particularly through social media, are vital for countering misleading representations of governance. The battle for truthful narratives in media becomes central to defending democratic values and ensuring that citizens are well-informed about their rights and the implications of governmental actions.
SERIES 3 EPISODE 71: COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN
A-Block (1:45) SPECIAL COMMENT: Trump has started down the path to purges of the military, political prosecutions and show trials. His fascists have actually leaked plans to court-martial and even seek treason charges against army leadership and even retired generals. NBC News reports: "“The Trump transition team is compiling a list of senior current and former U.S. military officers who were directly involved in the withdrawal from Afghanistan and exploring whether they could be court-martialed for their involvement, according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the plan. Officials working on the transition are considering creating a commission to investigate the 2021 withdrawal… and whether the military leaders could be eligible for charges as serious as treason… “They’re taking it very seriously,” the person with knowledge of the plan said."
Thus, President Biden has to proactively pardon ALL of them. In point of fact, President Biden must now assemble a list of thousands of people to pardon – in the military – in the Democratic party – in state and local governments – in election supervision - in the media – in the protest movements – in the climate movement – people in any of the fields this psychopath Trump thinks wronged him and against which he is not only plotting retribution but now actively PLANNING it.
Hegseth, already facing an unlikely confirmation due to, you know, Crusader Tats, has now been revealed to have paid off a woman after a sexual assault allegation in 2017. Trump may throw him under a bus but he's reportedly doubled down on Matt Gaetz at DOJ: “Trump wants Gaetz confirmed ‘100%’ a source told CNN. ‘He is not going to back off. He’s all in’” This figures to turn on whether or not Trump and the majority of Republican Senators who will not vote for Gaetz meet in the middle - and the middle is a Recess Appointment (and a dictatorship).
So, back to my earlier point about Pardons.
B-Block (23:30) SPECIAL COMMENT 2: There IS much to do, no matter how January 20th and the days thereafter play out. You want some practical advice? A little spiritual inspiration? St. Hubbins Day if not St. Crispin's Day? Got half an hour? Cause I have half an hour of advice.
C-Block (56:0) THINGS I PROMISED NOT TO TELL: Haven't done these in awhile but somebody was asking about our election night and special political coverage at MSNBC in 2004-06-08-10 and I flashed back to the continuing adventure that was Chris Matthews - particularly how he began ogling a prominent woman in the church at a presidential funeral and I was assigned to get him to stop.