Shawnster

If he re-tweets criticism of Trump, then is he supportive or critical of the KotS? What happens when the US President is someone other than Trump? What unprecedented power does this actually provide? As for both being from the US.... This reminds me of the concern and "hand wringing" surrounding the election of Kennedy. He was the first Roman Catholic president and many were concerned JFK would make the US subservient to the Roman Catholic Church. How John F. Kennedy Overcame Anti-Catholic Bias to Win the Presidency History shows those worries were unnecessary.

Why?

Yeah right. Talk about a waste of money. It would be cheaper to build a new facility on a different island. Trump says a lot of things. Most of which ends up being distraction or ear tickling. Honestly, I don't think he expects people to believe his literal words. Substance thereof? Sure. Trump speaks in hyperbole and he knows it. His opposition, however, don't seem to understand this. Reopen Alcatraz = create yet another supermax prison. Sounds good. Tickles ears. Plays well to his base.

Yeah, but it's funny. And really not inflammatory. But, yeah...

David Koresh and Jim Jones didn't fit your bill? Sun Myung Moon? Marshall Applewhite? ISIS? Flat Earthers? Just wait, there will be more. Maybe much bigger. Some might say the Orange Man fits the bill, especially after the Pope Joke.

Yes, it was a joke. However, the reactions should have been expected. The vast majority of people, nations, and religions are not going to find this funny.

Sorry, I didn't see Richard's comment.

Relates to what? You mentioned people being discouraged by Trump's plans to commission on religious liberty. I assumed you meant people quoted in the news articles were discouraged, since I did not see anyone here saying they were discouraged by this news. I was responding to that and suggested why people in the US would be discouraged by this. Honestly I think this is just one of those distractions people talk about. Grand pompous gestures and displays can easily distract from something else. Trump can never be Pope.

That's what chatgtp can do for you

Because this appears to overturn 249 years of Constitutional separation of church and state. In contrast, Russia does not believe in such a separation. Even during the Soviet era of state atheism, the Russian Orthodox church was encouraged. Granted, it only seems that it's been the last 25-30 years or so that there has been a noticeable separation of church and state in the US. From 1776 up through the Reagan era Jude-Christian beliefs and practices were honored and promoted in the US. Christmas is the only religious holiday that is also a federal holiday. Religion played a big part in establishing the Thanksgiving holiday. The 10 Commandments could be found decorating most US Court Houses. In the 50s the phrase "under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance. "In God We Trust" is printed on US paper currency. Congress opens with prayer. Court witnesses are sworn in using the Bible and witnesses swear to God to tell the truth. However, over the past 30 years or so efforts have been made to downplay such religious connections to the US government. Instead the separation of Church and State has been strongly emphasized as if that's always been the case to the extent we see in recent decades.

ChatGPT says... If the President of the United States were preparing the nation for World War III, the steps would be sweeping, complex, and both military and civilian in nature. These actions would fall under legal, political, military, economic, and societal domains. Here's a breakdown of the most likely steps: --- ### 1. **Consult and Coordinate with Allies** * Immediate communication with NATO and other strategic partners. * Activation of collective defense agreements (e.g., NATO Article 5, mutual defense pacts in Asia-Pacific). * Coordination on joint military strategy, intelligence sharing, and force deployment. ### 2. **Mobilization of the U.S. Military** * **Deployment of Forces**: Strategic positioning of troops, ships, submarines, and aircraft globally. * **Increased Readiness**: Moving to DEFCON 2 or 1 (Defense Readiness Condition), depending on the threat. * **National Guard and Reserves**: Activation of reserve and National Guard units. * **Nuclear Posture**: Possible alerting or repositioning of nuclear triad elements. ### 3. **Use of Emergency Powers** * Invocation of the **War Powers Resolution**, the **Defense Production Act**, and **National Emergencies Act** to: * Control manufacturing and supply chains. * Prioritize military contracts. * Seize or direct resources essential to the war effort. ### 4. **Public Address and Civil Preparedness** * A major televised address to the nation to explain the threat, the rationale for war readiness, and expected sacrifices. * Reinforcement or reestablishment of **civil defense infrastructure** (e.g., fallout shelters, emergency broadcast systems). * Guidance on emergency supplies, evacuation plans, and civil behavior under wartime. ### 5. **Economic and Industrial War Footing** * Conversion of civilian industries to military production. * Rationing of fuel, food, or key materials if necessary. * Freeze or reallocation of strategic materials (e.g., semiconductors, rare earths). * Potential implementation of **wartime tax increases** or issuance of **war bonds**. ### 6. **Cyber and Infrastructure Defense** * Hardening of electrical grids, communication networks, and financial systems. * Preemptive cyber operations against adversary infrastructure. * Civilian coordination on cyber hygiene and response to cyberattacks. ### 7. **Intelligence and Surveillance Expansion** * Surge in domestic and international intelligence collection. * Increased surveillance of foreign nationals and critical infrastructure. * Possible expansion of counterintelligence operations and vetting of critical industries. ### 8. **Border and Homeland Security** * Heightened security at borders, ports, and airports. * Increased military and DHS presence domestically. * Potential restrictions on travel, especially to/from adversary nations. ### 9. **Legal and Constitutional Measures** * Possibility of martial law in extreme cases. * Suspension of certain civil liberties (e.g., under the **Patriot Act** or new emergency laws). * Expanded detention powers for suspected enemy agents or saboteurs. ### 10. **Diplomatic Measures** * Final attempts to de-escalate via the UN or direct diplomacy. * Expulsion of diplomats from hostile nations. * Sanctions and economic warfare measures. --- These steps would unfold based on the nature and immediacy of the threat. The U.S. government has contingency plans (e.g., **CONPLANs**, **COG/COOP** for continuity of government) that would guide much of this response.

*Star Wars* is a space fantasy epic focused on mythic storytelling, heroic archetypes, and a battle between good and evil in a distant galaxy, often using mystical elements like the Force. *Star Trek*, by contrast, is a science fiction franchise rooted in exploration, diplomacy, and speculative science, portraying a future where humanity and its allies work together to understand the universe and uphold shared ideals through reason and cooperation.

It was dumb. But if you enjoyed it, that is great. IDIC.

That's foil. It's wrapped around the chocolate

"just what are your intentions in dating my daughter.... I mean invading Ukraine."