If every left-leaning person realised what you said there, a lot of things would be better.

I’m ok with mainstreaming understanding of the Holocaust, and how fascism starts, if unchecked.

Fuck. CRUZ IS PLAYING THE LONG GAME!

Actually, funny thing there, the Cruz’ “how the hell did anyone support this guy” phenomenon had some major strategic boosts from Cambridge Analytica: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/11/senator-ted-cruz-president-campaign-facebook-user-data

Here’s a good explanation of a major reason why: The Right, at the moment, has a far better grasp of the internet, and is much better at targeting exactly the people it needs to win elections and referenda:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/04/google-democracy-truth-internet-search-facebook

This reminds me of the time Bush was at a dinner of academics and said the name ‘John Locke’ when he was talking about influences on American Democracy. He said it like ‘umm, John Locke?’ and his intonation screamed ‘I’ve been given this name. Is this a guy you’ve heard of? Did I say it right?’

Would it be possible for a potential pro career for him to co-exist with that of Ben Roethlisberger? Because in a perfect world, it would.

No, it’s 1933.

Fair point. Would we agree though that the way I’ve described it would not be surprising in the slightest?

It’s quite the dilemma: if you’re a good person, do you stay and be involved with this, or do you leave and let an amoral asshole be appointed as your replacement? Is martyrdom to keep your own hands clean going to achieve anything, and conversely if you’re trying to contain things from within will you end up having…

We agree that the problem lies with the plan of attack. My point here is that a lot of plans get made and then shelved. That’s what military oversight is for- saying ‘yes, that’s a good plan, no that’s too risky.’ And I think it’s logical to assume that Trump wants to be more aggressive, and that he is more prone to…

This wasn’t inept people going either, this was Seal Team 6. Whatever one thinks of the morality of their missions, their competence is unquestioned.

My understanding is that the mission plan was done under the Obama regime, but that they didn’t ok it. A lot of potential missions are planned out on a speculative…

I think the Thick Of It is a long way in the rear view mirror, tbh. I sent a Tweet to Chris Addison a while back, saying ‘the era you satirised is looking increasingly like a utopian age which has now sadly passed,’ and he agreed.

I know someone who worked for and occasionally with David Miliband for a few years, sometimes having to travel with him in quite close proximity. Miliband never learned his name and instead called him ‘beardy man.’ For several years. Every story I heard made him sound absolutely appalling to be around, like the Thick…

Here’s some good news about someone doing exactly that:

I suspect that translates to ‘he’s probably going to cut my taxes’ in your clients’ language?

(I too work in the Schminancial Schnervices Schindustry, there are a lot of people like that wandering around my office and I feel your pain!).

In the grim darkness of the Trump Imperium, there can only be war.

There’s a distinction to be drawn there between the inauguration day protests and the Women’s marches. You’re right that shit got crazy and was seen to get crazy, but the next day, zero arrests on the women’s march.

I have one disagreement- It’s how America ‘could’ end. I don’t think it’s inevitable, but I agree with you on how it feels. I’m at a remove as a brit married to an American, and the one positive thing I can say is it is inspiring just how clear it is from here that so many people are standing up and saying ‘no.’

Pretty much. They’ve got us.

He got the Packers playing Settlers of Catan. THAT’s his secret: he’s a full on gamer nerd, and they still think D&D is the work of the devil!