Author | Lightnews

DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 16h

Trump will deliver his sanctions just after his long-promised alternative to the ACA, i.e., in 2 weeks' time.

Meanwhile, the EU just delivered its 19th package of major sanctions.

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 16h

Courts can make decisions but rely on the Executive to, you know, execute them.

The elections are already being rigged or ignored. Republicans aren't going to yield power.

The streets are the only battleground left. And the administration is consolidating to close that option, too.

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 16h

Kudos to whoever was behind that.

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 16h

And yet, ICE won. He was ejected, unable to do his job, and they are consequences free.

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 16h

No. If you're losing a fight, find a way to end the fight. If you're losing at the negotiating table, find an excuse to end the negotiation. 'Oh, look. An advert...'

DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 16h

There's enough illegality to address without making up false claims.

The US military has committed war crimes in overseas operations many times throughout its history. But not (yet) in respect to the political realignment under 'the Great Leader' and those bowing to the altar of MAGA.

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 16h

But only after there was a peaceful transfer of power.

DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 16h

Given that it was formed on April Fools' Day, you have to realise it was a prank that got out of hand and now they have to run with it.

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 17h

A. They're not. ($130M pays for about 90 minutes).
B. It's a quid pro quo deal the Administration will use to make illegal payments to the military during a shutdown they want to extend.
C. We should still know who the individual is.
D. We should know what they are getting in return.
E. We won't.

DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 17h

Strong words from the judge.

But strong words are still just words. They are not action. In a lawless society, words do not achieve much. Only action does. The US is a lawless society. It has been true for the rich for a long time. Maybe US citizens are finally waking up to that fact.

DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 17h

The USA has not had many political centrists for over 100 years. On a global scale, it's had had a system of just the right (Dems) & the further right (Repubs). The Repubs have moved to the far right over the last 30 years. The 'radical left' like Bernie and AOC are the centrists.

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 17h

Though the SCOTUS decision holds weight (🤬), Stephen Miller's statements do not.

He cannot grant immunity. He could tell them that they're able to breathe underwater, too. It doesn't mean they could. Famously, "I was just following orders" is no defence. Nor is "I thought I was immune to the law."

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 1d

AI is real in 2 ways:

1. Companies lay-off workers 'because of AI' and hire cheaper ones overseas or on visas that lets the company own them. Without the AI excuse, they'd be caught.

2. Companies hype it to boost their share value & cycle the money to let them all claim the revenue.

DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 1d

Meaningless marketing buzzword phases:

Turbo...
Digital...
Nitro...
e...
i...
HD...

and now

AI...

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 1d

And they have zero chance of leading a government in the next 20 years.

The only choice at the ballot is between Starmer, Badenoch and Farage. Which of those will do least damage to the country?

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 2d

Not until (a) we have a party committed to rejoining (b) we address the xenophobes in the UK (c) we vote for the said party (d) we can convince the EU that if they were to let us rejoin, we would be a proactive member.

That's nothing to do with Starmer, who's the least bad option at the moment.

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 2d

Don't say that! Israel will take it as a challenge and go out of its way to prove you wrong.

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 2d

Russia started a war and has repeatedly invaded neighbouring countries. It still sits on the UNSC. So, while you're right about the US, the UN isn't fit for the modern world. It's a post-war winners' club at its core and the various agencies are hampered by that. 😞

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 2d

Would you advocate censoring footage of the Holocaust? Or demand the removal of records of slavery ownership?

Just because something is offensive (now) isn't a reason to put it beyond the reach of social historians. As evidence of systemic racism, it should be researchable.

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · 2d

Sadly, far too many.

DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · Sep 7

Agreed. Though there is more info available about potential 'western' refugees than back then, e.g., SM accounts, that would make screening easier. The same cautious approach doesn't mean having to inter all US refugees. OTOH, just because something can be done doesn't mean governments would do it.

DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · Sep 7

Mumsy last time was at least more intended/presented as trying to help the people of the country. This time, it is clearly about the government wanting to get its way over the people of the country.

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · Sep 7

No, it wasn't. The truth shows enough of the horrors committed by Israel. Wild speculation without evidence just weakens the case against the zionist war criminals.

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · Sep 7

For those less privileged, the choice is:

- Give up everything and get out as a penniless refugee.
- Stay in the hope that it doesn't get so bad as to cost their life.

In the 1930s, most avoided the certainty of the former for the hope of the latter. To their detriment. 😢

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DP Durlston Powell @durlstonp.bsky.social · Aug 20

Buying time.

Putin can't be seen in Russia to be weak & thinks that he's going to win. Getting the US to do nothing (again) means that he can carry on. True sanctions now would break Russia, so he successfully delayed them again.

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