Trump

[Swervin_Mervin]

Yeah, the whole thing is capitalist protectionism, it’s just funny that once again Trump the famous business understander doesn’t understand any of this stuff.

Just saying "oh but it's capitalism" seems a narrow assessment. PDO and PGI are more about cultural heritage and food sovereignty by protecting historic localised food systems, production methods and values.

Which seems a bit rich when, as they did in France, they move the boundaries of the "champagne" region. It says FU to many of the historic producers.

[Gavster]

Yeah, the whole thing is capitalist protectionism, it’s just funny that once again Trump the famous business understander doesn’t understand any of this stuff.

Just saying "oh but it's capitalism" seems a narrow assessment. PDO and PGI are more about cultural heritage and food sovereignty by protecting historic localised food systems, production methods and values.

It’s only relevant within the framework of capitalism is my point.

Like, would it matter if there wasn’t more money to be made calling your sparkling wine champagne?

Without Adam Smith endless growth capitalism, it would still matter, and there's history to prove it. If we look at pre-captilaist medieval Britain which was under feudal rule in the 12/13th century, the Assay of Bread and Beer laws were brought in to ensure that bakers and brewers provided bread and ale that maintained standards of sized, weight and quality. The reason for this - which is my point here - is that (a minority of) human beings have a rather awful tendency to try to take advantage of others by deceiving them about the authenticity of their food and drink. For example bone dust and sawdust were commonly added to bread as an adulterant long before capitalism was a thing. Just because capitalism is the prevailing system we exist under and has many flaws, we still have to take in to account the unfortunate aspects of human nature that would also exist under socialism, communism, anarcho-syndicalism etc. My betting is that we would still need laws and protections like this under any economic system where people exchange goods, whether that's for cash or simply as barter.

Yeah, the whole thing is capitalist protectionism, it’s just funny that once again Trump the famous business understander doesn’t understand any of this stuff.

Just saying "oh but it's capitalism" seems a narrow assessment. PDO and PGI are more about cultural heritage and food sovereignty by protecting historic localised food systems, production methods and values.

Which seems a bit rich when, as they did in France, they move the boundaries of the "champagne" region. It says FU to many of the historic producers.

I don't agree, because many of the historic producers are fully behind the move. It's not like they're starting to make champagne in Zimbabwe now, they're literally expanding the current region's boundaries slightly, maintaining all of the regional qualities of champagne, e.g. geography, technique, terroir, etc. It's like a city growing, we move the boundaries as the population expands. If we didn't then London would start and stop at the Tower, which is nonense. We have global population growth, with growing demands on food supply, so it makes sense.

[ZedLeg]

I don’t think conflating regional protection and food safety rules is that useful but what do I know.

[Marv]

What ever you stance is, I recommend you all visit the Champagne region of France. It’s rather wonderful.

[mik]

We need to hear more non-mentalist US voices......

[Jobbo]

Article from the Washington Post - the rule of law seems to have fallen and the FBI are not enforcing it, they're enforcing Trump's diktats.

https://bsky.app/profile/equalityalec.b ... qgr6ch6c23

[Nefarious]

Article from the Washington Post - the rule of law seems to have fallen and the FBI are not enforcing it, they're enforcing Trump's diktats.

https://bsky.app/profile/equalityalec.b ... qgr6ch6c23

We can only hope that shit like this is overplaying their hand. A smart wannabe dictator takes his time. He quietly removes the guardrails first. Then quietly takes control of the majority of the media, while secretly pulling the strings on the remaining, apparently critical portion. Then he goes about taking control of the judiciary, but whilst allowing it to give the impression of impartiality. Only after all the paths have been cleared does he start wheeling out the Stazi tactics. *That's* how you boil a frog.

This little cabal of narcissists, conmen and outright lunatics have got such a hardon for their newfound power, backed by such a sense of untouchable arrogance, that they are doing it all at once. Straight in with the police as their private enforcers. And they're been significantly emboldened by the judiciary's slow (not slow in judiciary terms, but slow in comparison to the whirlwind of Trump actions) response.

There's only one way this falls, and it's not by minority democrats saying "I told you so". It can only be taken down from the inside. And the judiciary and the stockmarket are two things that republicans value above all else. We can only hope that there are enough with a moral compass (or sufficient fear of being the next target of the regime) to put the brakes on this lunacy.

[Simon]

Only a lunatic 2A type will take him out now IMO. Or heart disease. Hopefully they take Musk at the same time.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Only a lunatic 2A type will take him out now IMO. Or heart disease. Hopefully they take Musk at the same time.

Or some of the finest Russian tea, sent as a gift from Vlad.

[Delphi]

I think what we're seeing is exactly what people predicted with Project 2025. Trump (or rather the people pushing this agenda) are doing everything faster than the legal process can cope with so that by the time oversight kicks in, it's all too late and the damage is pretty much irreversible. I'm not confident that the mid-term elections will take place in any meaningful form and as for the 2028 elections, who knows? Maybe a slow erosion of voters rights so that only the "right sort" of people are allowed to vote?

[DaveE]

I think what we're seeing is exactly what people predicted with Project 2025. Trump (or rather the people pushing this agenda) are doing everything faster than the legal process can cope with so that by the time oversight kicks in, it's all too late and the damage is pretty much irreversible. I'm not confident that the mid-term elections will take place in any meaningful form and as for the 2028 elections, who knows? Maybe a slow erosion of voters rights so that only the "right sort" of people are allowed to vote?

I was thinking about this the other day, and as much as I kind of agree, I think there's also the fact they just care if they're acting legally or not

To all extents I just think they feel like they're above the law

Not that they'll deal with it later, more that it just doesn't exist for them

[dinny_g]

as for the 2028 elections, who knows?

He'll sign another "Presidential Decree" declaring South Africa as the 51st, 52nd, 53rd state (delete as appropriate). It won't matter what the South Africans' say about this or if it's legal - he'll just do it.

This makes Musk a US citizen in the eyes of President Trump so he'll run, unopposed for the next President (as Trump will sign another Presidential Decree making standing in opposition a Capital Offense)

or something

[dinny_g]

For fucks sake...

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/33954833 ... again-cap/

Can Jeremy Beadle jump out now and put all this to an end.. It's getting tired now...

[240PP]

I think the Irish have a bit more about them to vote for a cocaine-abusing OAP basher. But it’s 2025, anything can happen this year!

[Simon]

The adjudged rapist trump and the adjudged rapist McGregor are like two peas in a pod.

[dinny_g]

I think the Irish have a bit more about them to vote for a cocaine-abusing OAP basher. But it’s 2025, anything can happen this year!

Unfortunately we don’t.

Nationalism on the rise (Kneecap anyone??? ), Sinn Fein polling very well, anti immigration fever is everywhere and a history of protest voting. Ireland “of a Thousand welcomes” my hoop…

He’s still seen a a bit of a national hero. Small guy done good etc. it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he ran AND won

[mik]

Judges who state Trump doesn't have the legal ability to execute his ideas are now "Activist Judges".

[Jobbo]

Trump's been going after US law firms. Hope GG isn't having too much trouble; my reach mercifully doesn't extent across the pond.

Trump rescinds executive order after law firm agrees to provide $40m in free services:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 ... paul-weiss

[Mito Man]

Erm, did Trump basically just blackmail a law firm?

[dinny_g]

Blackmail may not be the correct legal term but Yes, Yes he did...