The great Trumpista banzai charge flung itself headlong into the Supreme Court yesterday. Texas AG Ken Paxton initially filed the petition and it quickly gained support and emotional momentum over the week when 17 other states and 126 sitting members of the House joined in. Donald Trump tweeted out, "this is the big one," while promising to, "intervene." The enthusiasm reached such a fever pitch right wing politicians began to hallucinate as evidenced when two previously unknown states--New California and New Nevada--signed on.
The faithful had reason to be confident. Thanks to Trump's perceived ownership of three justices and the arch conservative nature of at least three others the unprecedented coup looked to be within reach. So much so the Reverend Pat Roberson declared the Texas suit a miracle from God, which would save the Trump Presidency and the nation. In addition that astute political analyst and classical actor Kevin Sorbo boldly predicted on social media there was no question Texas would win.
Oops.
It took seven of the nine justices only 126 words to call the suit so utterly misguided and useless the court wouldn't even listen to Paxton's argument, much less consider it. The blow was sudden and devastating, made worse by the knowledge all of Trump's three hand picked judges voted with the majority.
You could almost hear the outgoing President raging in the Oval Office, saying something along the lines of, "It used to be when you bought a judge the son of a bitch stayed bought." Well these things happen in the 21st century. Everyone has their own agenda and sometimes, surprisingly, it includes following Constitutional law.
The Big Orange Guy's anger was surpassed only by that of his cult. The users of the right wing site, "Parler," went all kinds of apoplectic. So much so, some posts drifted into areas of not only civic ignorance and religious hysteria, but also into the darkness of mayhem and treason.
Below is a sample (All typos and spelling are theirs.)
Clay the Free wrote, "I call upon Urump to fire all yjr Supreme Court mrmbers and replace them."
Asian Patriot posted, "That is a bunch of crap, Supreme Court is playing politics. Also if this isn't a constitutional issue what is? Only other remedy states have now is succession.
Thomas declared, "USA is dead to me. Glad I never joined the military to serve such a pathetic land."
Sailing Breeze said, "Keep the faith Patriots! Trump is NOT A QUITTER!! THE KRAKEN WAS NOT YET RELEASED !! Stay tuned!
Timothy warned, "Now the shit will hit the fan. Patriots will not take a knee. There's going to be a civil war on America. The democrats stealing the election will not be tolerated."
S picked up the theme of secession, "It's time to secede. Let's fucking do this."
KAG wasn't subtle, "#SCOTUS just ignite a civil war. Buy more ammo #MAGA it gets ugly from here."
Finally we have this from Allen West. It reads in part, "This decision will have far reaching ramifications for the future of our constitutional republic. Perhaps law-abiding states should bond together and form a Union of states that will abide by the constitution."
Hey, pretty wild ultra right wing stuff, right? Yeah, except Allen West is the chairperson of the Texas Republican Party and what was quoted was part of the alleged mainstream Texas GOP's official response to Trump's Supreme Court defeat.
The next four years are going to be critical for the future of American democracy. And quite frankly from here it looks like none of us can count on any help from the republicans to preserve it. Just ask Allen West and the the rubes on Parler.
sic vita est
12-12-20
Grim times in America, that is for sure. A part of me says, let the ones wishing to secede go, and allow me to help you pack up. But, another part of me takes the Lincoln approach in recognizing the need to preserve the union. In the current caustic climate, there would be no agreement to the terms and conditions where Texas or any other state could secede peacefully. No telling what would happen in a divided North American house. Right wing governments from around the globe would jump at the chance for a political alliance with any new country formed here, and that would not be a good thing. Grim times, and sad times as well. This is not our parent's America anymore. It may not be our America anymore either if we are not diligent and firm.
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