A few years ago I did a Top Comments diary I called ‘Clearing the Browser Tabs.’ Now, I don’t know how others come up with topics to write about, but my ‘process’ is a bit simpler. My topics seem to find me. I read something and think, I need to write about that. So, often, a browser tab remains open for a period of days or weeks until I decide it is no longer topical, or I finally DO write about it.
A story began circulating on Jan. 1 (yes, that is how long browser tabs pertaining to this have been open this time) that Drumpf’s press secretary-to-be was saying that Drumpf would immediately …
repeal a lot of the regulations and actions that have been taken by this administration over the last eight years that have hampered both economic growth and job creation.
And then, CNN reported: “(Spicer) didn't specify which executive actions Trump will repeal.”
I have done a cursory search of diaries posted since that date, and I can’t find any diaries about this curious pronouncement. It is possible I missed one or more, it is possible that a number of people COMMENTED about it, I do not know. By all means feel free to link me to things I did not find, if you like!
What struck me about it, however, was the fact (as I understand it) that ‘repeal’ is a legislative process. Very simply, Drumpf cannot REPEAL anything. He can reverse executive decisions (and I am certain that he will), but he can’t repeal them.
Per the constitutioncenter:
It is a fairly common rhetorical flourish for presidential candidates to say something like “when elected, I will repeal” a law. But they can’t.
Congress can repeal laws, but presidents can’t.
Quora, however, does note that an incoming president can reverse executive orders.
it happens almost every time a new President comes in - especially if there's a change in Party affiliation. All the President has to do is promulgate a new Order that says simply, "Previous order is hereby rescinded," and that's it.
One of the strongest arguments against Drumpf from the beginning was that he simply is not qualified for the office to which he has been elected. And one of the clearest ways that can be shown to others is with examples like the one provided by his press secretary-to-be, who doesn’t even know that his boss can’t repeal a damned thing. The incompetence starts at the top, surely, but it exists in like magnitude all the way through.
One final note. Later in the interview in which Spicer spoke of repeal, he said something even more ridiculous.
If you want to serve in a Trump administration, you're going to serve this country, not yourself.
Yeah, right. Who do you think you are fooling, little man? Only the biggest fool in political history could fail to see that the peotus himself is more in this for himself than he is for the country. How are you going to populate the government with people to serve the country when the example-in-chief could care less about that? The answer is, you can’t.
Here’s another question for you, naive Spicer. If the peotus does not pay his taxes, what argument can the government make that other citizens should? Hah! No answer for that, either! The answer is the same: you CAN’T.
On to tonight’s comments!
Brillig's ObDisclaimer: The decision to publish each nomination lies with the evening's Diarist and/or Comment Formatter. My evenings at the helm, I try reeeeallllyy hard to publish everything without regard to content. I really do, even when I disagree personally with any given nomination. "TopCommentness" lies in the eyes of the nominator and of you, the reader - I leave the decision to you. I do not publish self-nominations (ie your own comments) and if I ruled the world, we'd all build community, supporting and uplifting instead of tearing our fellow Kossacks down.
Note: Especially during this passionate primary season, please remember that comment inclusion in Top Comments does not constitute support or endorsement by diarist, formatter, Top Comments writers or DailyKos. Questions, complaints or comments? Contact brillig.
From Puddytat:
This comment by Front Toward Enemy provides an excellent analysis of Republican lack of empathy.
From noweasels:
So many great comments in my late posted diary, particularly these:
From FarWestGirl, a comment on what motivates the GOP.
From KYrocky, with a comment plan for calls.
From BeninSC:
Comes this comment by MNPundit on why ‘conflict of interest’ is a phrase we should avoid using.
From Mopshell:
A belated Happy New Year (or Happy Gnu Ear as we in the PWB Peeps fambly like to say) to everyone at Top Comments - keep up the sterling work! And Puddycat - you do what the medics tell you because we love you and need you. xxx
Highlighted by rugbymom:
Is this fine comment by RandomNonviolence, with very useful advice many of us can take to heart!
Top Mojo ala mik!
For Thursday, January 12, 2017, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary on the subject.
1) ditto that … by annieli +155
2) See? That is called class, kindness, humanity, e … by akronboy +132
3) Hopefully you called his office and left a messa … by NotGeorgeWill +127
4) So a planted foreign agent of a hostile country … by Anakai +116
5) It's distressing to see evidence that some Democ … by BentLiberal +114
6) My Democratic Senator Mark Warner voted nay, bec … by OuijaForestCat +105
7) Eddie Munster gets no respect from me. … by PsychoSavannah +102
8) They aren’t the fringes. The racists and sexists … by Just Some Guy +101
9) Here in Hawaii I will fly the U.S. flag upside d … by Anakai +99
10) Not a dry eye here, either. by westyny +98
11) The GOP health plan, in one brief clip ;) by jan4insight +97
12) My god this is such a big deal. Especially since … by Jersey Jon +96
13) This both fills me with joy and a great deal of … by Carakav +94
14) Can’t say it enough. Trump the con man. by rssrai +90
15) Please for the love of God… give it a rest. Joe … by Vetwife +89
16) Anderson Cooper and CNN own a lot of responsibil … by pollwatcher +88
16) I read yesterday they let Donna Brazile go becau … by EducatetheMasses +88
18) If it hadn’t been consumer protections, Booker w … by JosephK74 +87
19) Amen. … by mpc 12 +86
20) all.The by lynn47 +87
21) How many will die, and suffer for "let them do i … by RickNelsonmn +86
22) I’ll tell you what it takes out of my pocket. … by 4CasandChlo +85
23) Ditto...A portion of this country bought a packa … by phillyphil1963 +83
24) I’m proud of them all. I liked Sarah Bird’s resp … by The Janitor +81
24) It was just a rehearsal for when they take over … by puakev +81
24) What a great diary, noweasels! … by Ekaterin +81
24) OK, here’s another ACA story. I have had a pre-e … by nela1872 +81
28) That's easy to say if it doesn’t affect you pers … by FosterMomInCA +80
29) what a moment. I have had my differences with hi … by kathy in ga +78
30) The man is a pure ideologue. Someone who once sa … by Tuffie +77
2017-01-13, courtesy of jotter!