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The reckoning (Original Post) orangecrush Wednesday OP
There will be calls for healing and for "looking forward, not backward" Orrex Wednesday #1
We know who will do this orangecrush Wednesday #2
The wins will be hollow... llmart Wednesday #15
Every contributor to Project 2025 put their name on that crap RetiredParatrooper Wednesday #45
We CANNOT allow our electeds to pull that destructive shit again pat_k Wednesday #47
The only way to heal from this is to hold every accomplice and criminal accountable.nt Trueblue Texan Wednesday #51
In order to heal, Just Jerome Wednesday #3
Co opting orangecrush Wednesday #4
Would you absorb a cancer into your system to neutralize it? Lochloosa Wednesday #55
Agree 100% orangecrush Wednesday #61
There are too many sycophants, enablers and provocateurs to eradicate. sop Wednesday #5
I disagree orangecrush Wednesday #6
Yes, but let's not make the mistake that was made before. This time, go from the top down. Scrivener7 Wednesday #10
All the Jan 6 insurrectionists like gym Jordan, MTG, etc JT45242 Wednesday #7
There are so many more who have been criminals across ... pat_k Wednesday #48
JUSTICE -- upholding Constitutional rule of law -- is required Martin Eden Wednesday #8
Focusing on just him and his cabinet isn't enough. llmart Wednesday #16
I wasn't suggesting we limit the scope. Martin Eden Wednesday #17
Impeachment llmart Wednesday #21
Gifts from billionaires with issues before the court Martin Eden Wednesday #27
It's the racism and the greed. LuvLoogie Wednesday #9
We need to be sure to choose someone who promises to do this. Scrivener7 Wednesday #11
Everything is projection with this regime including the deep state thing. Dr. T Wednesday #12
This thread is delusional. None of this will happen. Bluetus Wednesday #13
Nonsense orangecrush Wednesday #28
Amen, sister. No 'let bygones be bygones' or 'let's move on' shit. ACCOUNTABILITY. Joinfortmill Wednesday #14
I remember when Obama said PatSeg Wednesday #18
THIS orangecrush Wednesday #29
I also remember catchnrelease Wednesday #41
And I rather understand in a way why they avoided PatSeg Wednesday #42
Obama began his presidency making speeches about bipartisanship and clean coal. Intractable Wednesday #52
He was a very effective politician, PatSeg Wednesday #53
Ideally, Biden and Obama should have switched places as presidents. Intractable Wednesday #59
Wow, that was my feeling as well PatSeg Wednesday #60
many of us agreed at that time, for the sake of political expediency, but we damn sure didn't agree in 2021! ecstatic Wednesday #57
Eight years of Bush was just so exhausting PatSeg Wednesday #58
Aw ffs. I was wondering when Obama would be blamed . Solomon Thursday #63
The word "If" isn't usually... littlemissmartypants Wednesday #19
"If" orangecrush Wednesday #30
Sounds wishy-washy, imo. littlemissmartypants Wednesday #49
I agree, there needs to be a reckoning, a comeuppance, but no retribution like Mierda47 is doing .... aggiesal Wednesday #20
Commendable orangecrush Wednesday #31
As long as it's not Retaliatory or Retribution. Go after them based solely on the LAW. n/t aggiesal Wednesday #36
There is no law now orangecrush Wednesday #39
We can't be like (R)'s, it will only lead to anarchy. ... aggiesal Wednesday #54
Kick. N/T Upthevibe Wednesday #22
Thanks orangecrush Wednesday #32
Absolute truth, and we've seen it slightlv Wednesday #23
Thank you, Orange Escape Wednesday #24
Most welcome orangecrush Wednesday #40
I want to see assets seized. Alice B. Wednesday #25
The failure of the Obama administration to arrest and prosecute the Bundy rioters and the failure of the Biden flashman13 Wednesday #26
We now have incontrovertible proof that there can be no bipartisanship with Republicans - that was all a pipe dream (or Martin68 Wednesday #33
"Date Rape" BurnDoubt Wednesday #38
Need to make changes to SCOTUS if you want anything to stick. Bev54 Wednesday #34
Are Democrats running on that message? WhiskeyGrinder Wednesday #35
We can Heal... BurnDoubt Wednesday #37
We all need to demand that of our next president that's a Democrat oldmanlynn Wednesday #43
This should have been started January 20, 2021 RetiredParatrooper Wednesday #44
For once MaineBlueBear Wednesday #46
Eradication sounds good to me. AverageOldGuy Wednesday #50
I get so mad everytime I think about how trump was let go ecstatic Wednesday #56
Exactly. Germany, Italy, Spain, Hungary, and Latin America all stopped short of doing just that peppertree Wednesday #62

Orrex

(66,583 posts)
1. There will be calls for healing and for "looking forward, not backward"
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 07:13 AM
Wednesday

And Republicans will stymie every attempt to correct or undo every single one of Trump's misdeeds.

We're in for a long couple of decades.

orangecrush

(28,046 posts)
2. We know who will do this
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 07:21 AM
Wednesday

And who did this last time.

We need to primary them so they can't do it again.

And that should be as much a priority as winning elections.

Because if you don't do it, the wins will be hollow.

pat_k

(12,663 posts)
47. We CANNOT allow our electeds to pull that destructive shit again
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 05:35 PM
Wednesday

All the looking forward not back is how we got here.

No more weak, mealy mouthed bullshit about "making sure it doesn't happen again," while guaranteeing that it does by refusing to hold perpetrators accountable.

Over, and over, and over the same names crop up in every criminal administration for a reason.

Never again.

It it up to citizen lobbyists to demand prosecutions. We the people must hold the criminals accountable for their crimes.

This is a moral imperative

Just Jerome

(416 posts)
3. In order to heal,
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 07:59 AM
Wednesday

the snake or cancer or infection or metaphor of your choice MUST be eviscerated. That’s where those “forward lookers” are pathetically short-sighted. Sadly, donors’ checks have a lot to do with that.

orangecrush

(28,046 posts)
4. Co opting
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 08:06 AM
Wednesday

"Co-optation means taking something (an idea, person, or movement) and absorbing it into your own group or system, often to neutralize its threat, gain control, or use it for your own purposes, sometimes by offering inclusion or rewards, while another meaning is adding a new member to a committee by existing members' vote. It's a tactic to assimilate opposition, adopt popular concepts, or fill roles without open selection, shifting the original meaning or power. "

Lochloosa

(16,658 posts)
55. Would you absorb a cancer into your system to neutralize it?
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 09:59 PM
Wednesday

No, you cut it out, bombard it with powerful killing drugs and radiation.

What we face is a cancer that must be eradicated. Period.

sop

(17,261 posts)
5. There are too many sycophants, enablers and provocateurs to eradicate.
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 08:08 AM
Wednesday

I'll be happy if Miller, Hegseth, Noem, Bondi and a couple more accomplices are prosecuted.

Scrivener7

(58,095 posts)
10. Yes, but let's not make the mistake that was made before. This time, go from the top down.
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 08:36 AM
Wednesday

pat_k

(12,663 posts)
48. There are so many more who have been criminals across ...
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 05:49 PM
Wednesday

...multiple administrations.

The "rank and file" must be held accountable too.

Immoral assholes like Alex Acosta and his like who have been obstructing justice and violating the constitution for decades.

And for the crimes against the nation that may not fit a specific charge, a truth and societal justice process to make the harms to this nation public and pass laws that bar the perpetrators of those harms from public service.

Martin Eden

(15,301 posts)
8. JUSTICE -- upholding Constitutional rule of law -- is required
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 08:25 AM
Wednesday

Not revenge, retribution, abuse of power, or done to satisfy the justifiable rage we all feel.

Undertaken as solemn sworn duty, not only to hold criminals accountable for their crimes, but to ensure nothing like this happens again.

And YES -- this is also necessary for HEALING. Horrible wounds must be cleansed and closed to prevent further infection.

llmart

(17,290 posts)
16. Focusing on just him and his cabinet isn't enough.
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 09:27 AM
Wednesday

There are too many judges who have his back including the very top of our judicial system. They have appointments for life. If you're going to start at the top, it has to be with the courts, especially the Supreme Court. Unless some of them retire and/or die off while a Dem is President, the majority of them will not be supportive of our agendas.

Martin Eden

(15,301 posts)
17. I wasn't suggesting we limit the scope.
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 09:37 AM
Wednesday

But I maintain it should all be done based on Constitutional law for just cause, and not motivated by retribution.

Supreme Court justices can be impeached, but it may require more than disagreeable rulings.

llmart

(17,290 posts)
21. Impeachment
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 11:37 AM
Wednesday

I'd start with Clarence. I'm sure there's plenty there that's more than just unethical.

Martin Eden

(15,301 posts)
27. Gifts from billionaires with issues before the court
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 01:17 PM
Wednesday

And he's not the only one, I bet.

LuvLoogie

(8,465 posts)
9. It's the racism and the greed.
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 08:27 AM
Wednesday

It runs through the veins of 10s of millions.

And this regime feeds and feeds off of this.

Dr. T

(493 posts)
12. Everything is projection with this regime including the deep state thing.
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 08:59 AM
Wednesday

They accused liberal Democrats of creating one when nothing could be further from the truth. Then, they proceeded to rid the government of anyone and anything that did not swear allegiance to the Orange Influenza. They've created their own cancerous deep state that must be eradicated.

Bluetus

(2,157 posts)
13. This thread is delusional. None of this will happen.
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 08:59 AM
Wednesday

There is too much big money paying people to make sure the people never are represented again.

PatSeg

(51,930 posts)
18. I remember when Obama said
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 09:38 AM
Wednesday

Last edited Wed Dec 17, 2025, 08:30 PM - Edit history (1)

at the beginning of his first term that we need to look forward and not dwell on the past (the many crimes of the Bush administration).

So many of us were upset and it appears we were right. If there is no accountability, the offenders just come back and do the same things again and again, while encouraging newcomers to do the same. Some people never learn it appears.

catchnrelease

(2,124 posts)
41. I also remember
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 03:24 PM
Wednesday

during Bush's last year, people posted that there wouldn't be another republican president elected for many decades because he was so bad. But nothing was done to hold him and his cronies accountable for their crimes and here we are. Always looking forward. For the good of the country. Etc etc. BS!!

I can just hear the excuses that will be coming--'there are too many laws that are being broken to prosecute them all. It will be chaos. The country will be in turmoil, we need to get back to 'normal' governing. We don't want to alienate all of the r voters. The courts will be tied up for years.........'

Good. Make a special commission or whatever you'd call it. Prosecute all of them with televised trials! Do it all by the book but spare no one involved.

Do I think it will ever happen? No. Sadly no.

PatSeg

(51,930 posts)
42. And I rather understand in a way why they avoided
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 05:04 PM
Wednesday

prosecuting members of the Bush administration. Politically it would look very vindictive and petty. It certainly could be construed as divisive, but shit, look at what we have now. We are more divisive than ever. Not to mention, so many of us voted out republicans because of the crimes committed.

I don't think anyone expected (I know I didn't), that it would all just be swept under the rug. I agree that petty, frivolous prosecutions are inappropriate, as we're witnessing today, but no accountability at all is just an invitation to do it all again. So many of these people are repeat offenders and given the chance, they come back for more. Then of course, there are the copycat lawbreakers who will feel it is safe to push the boundaries because nothing ever happens.

I do understand why Obama as the first black president had to be very careful, being the "angry black president" was the image his adversaries and right-wing media wanted to promote. That was kind of ridiculous of course, as Obama was one of the most disciplined, cautious presidents we've had.

Intractable

(1,553 posts)
52. Obama began his presidency making speeches about bipartisanship and clean coal.
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 07:46 PM
Wednesday

Two fantasies.

PatSeg

(51,930 posts)
53. He was a very effective politician,
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 08:44 PM
Wednesday

but I think at times he was a bit naive. This all might have worked at another time in our history, but not in this century. I think an older and more experienced Obama might have been more realistic.

I appreciate the optimism and lofty rhetoric during a campaign, but the White House is a far more pragmatic environment and the catchy slogans didn't get progressive legislation passed.

Intractable

(1,553 posts)
59. Ideally, Biden and Obama should have switched places as presidents.
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 10:19 PM
Wednesday

> but I think at times he was a bit naive.



They worried about Obama's blackness. I worried about his "greenness."

At the time, of clean coal, I remember thinking that if he had mentioned that sh*t on the campaign trail, Hillary would have been president.

PatSeg

(51,930 posts)
60. Wow, that was my feeling as well
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 10:33 PM
Wednesday

Eight years of Joe Biden could have easily been followed by eight years of Barack Obama who would have been a far more seasoned and experienced politician by then. They were a great team, but it would have been better in reverse in the beginning.

ecstatic

(35,001 posts)
57. many of us agreed at that time, for the sake of political expediency, but we damn sure didn't agree in 2021!
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 10:03 PM
Wednesday

We were loud and vocal about wanting justice.

PatSeg

(51,930 posts)
58. Eight years of Bush was just so exhausting
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 10:10 PM
Wednesday

that many of us hoped there would be accountability, but yes, as exhausted as we were, quite a few felt it might be better to move on. I could see both sides at the time. Now I feel that there are some lines we cannot let out politicians cross if we want to protect and preserve our democracy.

Solomon

(12,630 posts)
63. Aw ffs. I was wondering when Obama would be blamed .
Thu Dec 18, 2025, 03:00 AM
Thursday

This shit started with the end of the Civil War when they didn't hang the traitors afterward. Instead, they actually let the losers write the history instead of executing them.

That's why the mf' ers are still with us today.

littlemissmartypants

(31,351 posts)
19. The word "If" isn't usually...
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 09:47 AM
Wednesday

Recommend as a way to start a mission statement.

This suggests that a huge attitude adjustment is necessary in order for anything of substance to be initiated much less gained.

We've got a long row to hoe.

orangecrush

(28,046 posts)
30. "If"
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 02:12 PM
Wednesday

Can be a great motivator.

Because "if" we don't start fighting and stop with the strongly worded letters, we will fail.

aggiesal

(10,513 posts)
20. I agree, there needs to be a reckoning, a comeuppance, but no retribution like Mierda47 is doing ....
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 09:54 AM
Wednesday

No, we want to prosecute those that broke laws and can be indicted by a grand jury with evidence so compelling that the grand jury can't make any other decision but to indict. Then juries of 12 that will see the evidence and convict them all.

Next we'll have to change the Pardon Laws that a President can't pardon anyone in his/her administrations, that enabled the breaking of those laws. Those convicted can still be pardoned, but not by the President whose administration they were working for.

That's what I'm hoping for.

orangecrush

(28,046 posts)
31. Commendable
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 02:15 PM
Wednesday

Last edited Wed Dec 17, 2025, 03:07 PM - Edit history (1)

I say we give them back every bit of what they dished out on their own plate.


Seems fair enough.

aggiesal

(10,513 posts)
36. As long as it's not Retaliatory or Retribution. Go after them based solely on the LAW. n/t
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 02:44 PM
Wednesday

aggiesal

(10,513 posts)
54. We can't be like (R)'s, it will only lead to anarchy. ...
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 09:21 PM
Wednesday

We need to go after those that violated the law, by using the law.
If we don't use the law, when (R)'s get back into power, they will do even worse.
We have to use the law and go after all the enablers.

slightlv

(7,368 posts)
23. Absolute truth, and we've seen it
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 12:42 PM
Wednesday

with every scandal since the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Escape

(365 posts)
24. Thank you, Orange
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 12:46 PM
Wednesday

THIS is the most important lesson we all must learn. Every person who committed a crime, in their involvement with Trump, must pay their debt to society--in full.

And THIS TIME, we don't start at the bottom and work our way up.

There must be no Merrick Garlands.

Alice B.

(686 posts)
25. I want to see assets seized.
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 01:12 PM
Wednesday

That would go a ways toward rebuilding.
Eloon and TSF and family, especially.

flashman13

(1,946 posts)
26. The failure of the Obama administration to arrest and prosecute the Bundy rioters and the failure of the Biden
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 01:16 PM
Wednesday

administration, and in particular Merrick Garland, to arrest and prosecute Trump for inciting an insurrection and stealing secret government documents immediately in early 2021 clearly supports your contention that the monster will simply regroup and come back. Trump learned that he could get away with anything.

Martin68

(26,923 posts)
33. We now have incontrovertible proof that there can be no bipartisanship with Republicans - that was all a pipe dream (or
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 02:28 PM
Wednesday

an AI hallucination). We know that their only goal is to enrich themselves, imprison and/or deport all the people they hate (the list is endless), and punish their political opponents. The only way forward is to purge government of these maggots and put laws in place that will strengthen all the soft spots in our democracy that they have exploited. If they want "healing," let them confess their sins in the public square and heal themselves.

BurnDoubt

(1,362 posts)
37. We can Heal...
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 02:47 PM
Wednesday

Once the Malignancy has been removed and eradicated.
AND DANCE, DANCE. DANCE!!!!!

oldmanlynn

(769 posts)
43. We all need to demand that of our next president that's a Democrat
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 05:14 PM
Wednesday

And I would like to add that they should definitely revoke the license of Fox News because they have created this divide by stalking this hatred that we have today and manipulating all of these uneducated people into believing things that are not true. This has been harmful to our country and we can establish that and we have the evidence of that and so we should be able to revoke Fox News license

44. This should have been started January 20, 2021
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 05:28 PM
Wednesday

Instead, the Dem leadership was feckless, which led to the ridiculous situation we are in. They need to wake the hell up and understand that the rules are different now.

At this time, I donate to candidates I like. Neither the Senatorial or Congressional re-election people will get anything from me unless and until I hear candidates saying things like the mem does.

MaineBlueBear

(405 posts)
46. For once
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 05:30 PM
Wednesday

Id like to see a Democratic lawyer(s) in charge of the investigation. Jack Smith and Robert Muller are both Republicans. Just once put a dem in charge, please!

AverageOldGuy

(3,268 posts)
50. Eradication sounds good to me.
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 07:36 PM
Wednesday

That was the failure on Jan 6 - Capitol Police should have issued automatic weapons and stacked the bodies ten high all around the Capitol.

ecstatic

(35,001 posts)
56. I get so mad everytime I think about how trump was let go
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 10:01 PM
Wednesday

Truly a betrayal that I will never forgive or forget.

peppertree

(23,103 posts)
62. Exactly. Germany, Italy, Spain, Hungary, and Latin America all stopped short of doing just that
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 11:06 PM
Wednesday

In some cases, prosecuting the top brass from their former fascist regimes and some of the most brazen cases - but not the fascist judiciary figures, yes-men and such.

In many cases, what resulted is that within a generation or so, these same miscreants (or, more often, their children) would come back to either interfere with their hard-gain democracies...

or - like in Argentina - basically re-establish the same dictatorship but under a "democratic" guise (complete with show trials, etc.).

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