America

[Which Tyler]

NB: No-one is claiming that, I've also agreed with Puja - I apologise if me explaining my shame of my very first uninformed thought offends anyone; please don't confuse it for actually thinking this was a "genuinely fake" attempt. Especially when I have made it explicitly clear that I don't think that.



FTR, as I obviously need to made extra-ordinarily clear - I do not think this was an assassination attempt by a time-traveller from 50 years in the future.

[Sandydragon]

NB: No-one is claiming that, I've also agreed with Puja - I apologise if me explaining my shame of my very first uninformed thought offends anyone; please don't confuse it for actually thinking this was a "genuinely fake" attempt. Especially when I have made it explicitly clear that I don't think that.



FTR, as I obviously need to made extra-ordinarily clear - I do not think this was an assassination attempt by a time-traveller from 50 years in the future.

Do I say you were? There will be conspiracy theorists in the US who absolutely believe this however.

[Stom]

It's hard NOT to think of conspiracy considering attempts on far-right leaders...inevitably fail to find the mark.

Either no-one knows how to shoot anymore, or...

I can't be bothered to look through all the entries, but of the successful political assassinations since 2020 that were politically motivated (and begin with the letter A, as I couldn't be bothered to go through them all), 5 were left leaning, and 1 was right-wing.

That seems to be a disproportionate number, but obviously, this is a very small sample size, and I do not have the time to work through it all. Perhaps someone has, and then to look at failed assassination attempts, too.

I can't see who wins from this.

[Sandydragon]

It's hard NOT to think of conspiracy considering attempts on far-right leaders...inevitably fail to find the mark.

Either no-one knows how to shoot anymore, or...

I can't be bothered to look through all the entries, but of the successful political assassinations since 2020 that were politically motivated (and begin with the letter A, as I couldn't be bothered to go through them all), 5 were left leaning, and 1 was right-wing.

That seems to be a disproportionate number, but obviously, this is a very small sample size, and I do not have the time to work through it all. Perhaps someone has, and then to look at failed assassination attempts, too.

I can't see who wins from this.

Gunman was a reasonable distance away and trying not to be seen before he fired. That alone will be an interesting inquest into security failure. But missing a head sized target narrowly under pressure isn’t a huge surprise.

If this were a conspiracy theory then he would have aimed somewhere else (unless this was a very bad shot) since the margin of error of making a statement but not killing someone with a head shot is tiny.

I think the gunman was trying for a head shot, not just to injure.
There will be a debate around whether he was set up, but knowing that the likelihood of death is very high makes ceremony very difficult. Suicide bombers are groomed but the sense of anger that inspires them already exists. I think we are into fantasy land to suggest that someone has been brainwashed.

I suspect the republicans are trying very hard to find any democratic link for the gunman just to make a point and one us rep senator has already suggested Biden is to blame (albeit the tweet was taken down quickly).

But in a land where high powered rifles are easily available and political extremism is on the rise, it’s not that difficult to see this for a lone nutter. Maybe Trump wasn’t right wing enough. Maybe, more likely imo, the thought of a dictator was too much even if pol it call they were closely aligned. The fbi investigation will throw up some interesting facts I’m sure.

[Sandydragon]

Media suggesting the range was 150m which is very close for a rifle. But the shooter was 20 so without training could have been overly excited affecting his aim.

[Mikey Brown]

Honestly the only honourable thing for Biden to do is arrange his own assassination and try to pin it on the Republicans.

FFS. Sleepy Joe too slow once again.

Maybe I should be a political advisor.

Trump absolutely bullet proof now (oddly enough) regardless what else comes out of this.

[Donny osmond]

NB: No-one is claiming that, I've also agreed with Puja - I apologise if me explaining my shame of my very first uninformed thought offends anyone; please don't confuse it for actually thinking this was a "genuinely fake" attempt. Especially when I have made it explicitly clear that I don't think that.



FTR, as I obviously need to made extra-ordinarily clear - I do not think this was an assassination attempt by a time-traveller from 50 years in the future.

[Sandydragon]

Honestly the only honourable thing for Biden to do is arrange his own assassination and try to pin it on the Republicans.

FFS. Sleepy Joe too slow once again.

Maybe I should be a political advisor.

Trump absolutely bullet proof now (oddly enough) regardless what else comes out of this.

Biden made a quip about putting the crosshairs onto Trump. That will be coming back to haunt him.

I really struggle to see how Biden wins now.

[morepork]

By getting the fuck out of the way

[Son of Mathonwy]

Maybe the Republicans will call for stronger gun control.

Only kidding.

But Jesus, this is bad news, very helpful for Trump, directly and also because it takes the attention away from Democratic pressure building up on Biden to step down. They need to ignore this and keep up the pressure.

[Sandydragon]

By getting the fuck out of the way

Yep. The dems need someone to energise their base and win over the undecideds. The Republican base is likely to be very energised after this.

[Zhivago]

Anyone with half a brain will see that was a genuine attempt. Even a puff of wind would have made that fatal and does anyone really think Trump would risk that?

I agree with Puja. It’s easy look
Brave when the gunman is dead and you have dozens of armed police and secret service covering you.

I suspect there will be accusations of a plant etc. the secret service will be even more paranoid around Biden now, and they are pretty paranoid at the best of times.

I also suspect this will help trumps polling. Sadly

Probably a puff of wind saved Trump's life. Definitely a real attempt.

[Sandydragon]

Apparently the assassin couldn’t get into the school shooting team through lack of ability.

This does demonstrate the need to take some of the edge off political discourse. Tone some of the rhetoric down. Except it’s hard to do that when Trump is literally boasting about being a dictator on day one and has a plan to undermine democracy.

It’s going to cause a real dilemma for the Democrats. If they keep up the attacks on trumps character, plans and ability it’s likely to be accused of inciting further attacks. If they don’t they lose badly. I think the only hope now is to switch candidates and grab the media attention back in a positive way. The assassination attempt has grabbed the entire media focus and given Biden some cover from the too old accusations.

[cashead]

Maybe the Republicans will call for stronger gun control.

Only kidding.

But Jesus, this is bad news, very helpful for Trump, directly and also because it takes the attention away from Democratic pressure building up on Biden to step down. They need to ignore this and keep up the pressure.

Or who knows, Shinzo Abe getting blasted with a home-made shotgun in Nara was one of the worst things to happen to the ruling LDP in Japan.

I wouldn't be surprised if we start hearing a lot about how the shooter was a registered Republican.

[Sandydragon]

Meanwhile, Marjorie Taylor Green has gone full bore on C claiming this is what the democrats wanted and that the left want a civil war.

I appreciate she is well to the right of the Republican Party but I doubt she will be a lone voice here.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Maybe the Republicans will call for stronger gun control.

Only kidding.

But Jesus, this is bad news, very helpful for Trump, directly and also because it takes the attention away from Democratic pressure building up on Biden to step down. They need to ignore this and keep up the pressure.

Or who knows, Shinzo Abe getting blasted with a home-made shotgun in Nara was one of the worst things to happen to the ruling LDP in Japan.

I wouldn't be surprised if we start hearing a lot about how the shooter was a registered Republican.

Yeah, the silver lining is that the guy was a Republican. That will allow the Democrat's candidate (please, not Biden) to turn the Republicans' blame tactics back on them.

[Puja]

Maybe the Republicans will call for stronger gun control.

Only kidding.

But Jesus, this is bad news, very helpful for Trump, directly and also because it takes the attention away from Democratic pressure building up on Biden to step down. They need to ignore this and keep up the pressure.

Or who knows, Shinzo Abe getting blasted with a home-made shotgun in Nara was one of the worst things to happen to the ruling LDP in Japan.

I wouldn't be surprised if we start hearing a lot about how the shooter was a registered Republican.

Yeah, the silver lining is that the guy was a Republican. That will allow the Democrat's candidate (please, not Biden) to turn the Republicans' blame tactics back on them.

Frankly, I'm just glad that he appears to be white, Christian, straight, cis, and male. Just imagine if he had been any kind of minority.

Puja

[Sandydragon]

Or who knows, Shinzo Abe getting blasted with a home-made shotgun in Nara was one of the worst things to happen to the ruling LDP in Japan.

I wouldn't be surprised if we start hearing a lot about how the shooter was a registered Republican.

Yeah, the silver lining is that the guy was a Republican. That will allow the Democrat's candidate (please, not Biden) to turn the Republicans' blame tactics back on them.

Frankly, I'm just glad that he appears to be white, Christian, straight, cis, and male. Just imagine if he had been any kind of minority.

Puja

It's got the potential to be bad enough if the Republicans can convince enough people that Biden is to blame. Most of the MAGA lot will believe anything and I hope Trump can restrain himself (even if some of the MAGA acolytes can't, or won't). But I agree, it would be beyond bad if the shooter had turned out to be any kind of minority.

[morepork]

Meanwhile, Marjorie Taylor Green has gone full bore on C claiming this is what the democrats wanted and that the left want a civil war.

I appreciate she is well to the right of the Republican Party but I doubt she will be a lone voice here.

Jesus, talk about projection...this is the person that posted an online campaign add promising to "blow away socialism" and shot a Prius labelled "socialism" with a 50 Cal and had social media posts supporting the execution of democrats.

[paddy no 11]

Classified documents case thrown out, its all coming up Don

[morepork]

Another domino falls. Kindy Judy-Karen is emboldened beyond her experience and remit. If the Georgia electoral interference case goes down the same path the republic is in dire straits. History in the making but I find it hard to muster enthusiasm for being in the thick of it. Thank fuck for the civil rights act. Last barrier standing soon.

[Sandydragon]

Meanwhile, Marjorie Taylor Green has gone full bore on C claiming this is what the democrats wanted and that the left want a civil war.

I appreciate she is well to the right of the Republican Party but I doubt she will be a lone voice here.

Jesus, talk about projection...this is the person that posted an online campaign add promising to "blow away socialism" and shot a Prius labelled "socialism" with a 50 Cal and had social media posts supporting the execution of democrats.

To British eyes she is absurd. Does she have more credibility in the US?

[Sandydragon]

Classified documents case thrown out, its all coming up Don

Ah yes, the judge appointed by Trump. I think this was inevitable and she obviously thinks there won’t be blowback due to a likely Trump win later this year.

It’s not a good look for the US. Hopefully the Georgia case continues although the prosecutors are doing their best to screw that up.

[Puja]

Classified documents case thrown out, its all coming up Don

Ah yes, the judge appointed by Trump. I think this was inevitable and she obviously thinks there won’t be blowback due to a likely Trump win later this year.

It’s not a good look for the US. Hopefully the Georgia case continues although the prosecutors are doing their best to screw that up.

Saw this in an article and it makes a lot of sense:

Tribe said he expected any Smith appeal to include a request for Cannon to be removed from the case, but added she might already be looking at a different appointment.

“Her position, among other things, the fact that she took so long to decide this issue even though it was before her four months, indicates that it’s calculated simply to serve as a kind of dress rehearsal, or job application when Justice [Samuel] Alito or Justice Thomas decided to retire from the supreme court,” he said.

“She clearly is auditioning to be the first appointment of a new Trump administration. It doesn’t speak well for her as a neutral jurist, but the ruling doesn’t exactly surprise me because she has slow-walked this case to death from the start.”

It's not that she doesn't think there'll be blowback; it's a job interview. Given Trump's sole criteria is loyalty, rather than experience or capability, I'd say it's one that she's acing.

Puja

[Sandydragon]

Classified documents case thrown out, its all coming up Don

Ah yes, the judge appointed by Trump. I think this was inevitable and she obviously thinks there won’t be blowback due to a likely Trump win later this year.

It’s not a good look for the US. Hopefully the Georgia case continues although the prosecutors are doing their best to screw that up.

Saw this in an article and it makes a lot of sense:

Tribe said he expected any Smith appeal to include a request for Cannon to be removed from the case, but added she might already be looking at a different appointment.

“Her position, among other things, the fact that she took so long to decide this issue even though it was before her four months, indicates that it’s calculated simply to serve as a kind of dress rehearsal, or job application when Justice [Samuel] Alito or Justice Thomas decided to retire from the supreme court,” he said.

“She clearly is auditioning to be the first appointment of a new Trump administration. It doesn’t speak well for her as a neutral jurist, but the ruling doesn’t exactly surprise me because she has slow-walked this case to death from the start.”

It's not that she doesn't think there'll be blowback; it's a job interview. Given Trump's sole criteria is loyalty, rather than experience or capability, I'd say it's one that she's acing.

Puja

Entirely plausible. If Trump wins then she won’t get fired and might get promoted. Any appeal will surely take longer than the time left before the election.

Of course if Biden wins then she might be in the shyte. But it must seem a reasonable risk for her given that this was seen as a strong case and she has totally derailed it from day one.