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Culture War Roundup for the week of February 10, 2025

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I know that Belisarius thinks I'm a far-leftist (lol), but I think that a fair reading my post history will show that I am what I present myself as, more or less a classical liberal who hates both the left and the right.

yeah being here and recent events pushed more towards the middle-right. otherwise, a decade+ ago I was often the most right-wing person in any social event

Accelerationists (the three or four actual ones for whom it's not just a funny pretense) must be rubbing their hands raw with glee right now. Things are moving very fast.

they aren't. the first 100 days are always hectic like this as the new admin overtakes the departing one by hiring and firing staff, and so on. At some point, the low-hanging DOGE cuts will be done, and Trump will have to legislate to enact any lasting change, which as his first term showed, is is major weakness and he risks spinning his wheels for the next 4 years. Also, people overestimate Trump's willingness or overturn the status quo; look how he punted on any decision regarding the Bitcoin reserve, delaying it by 180 days, which likely means it will not happen at all. Trump also is pro-business and wants to make inroads with tech; these are very much in keeping with the establishment.

The same people who in 2016-2017 predicted the demise of democracy were wrong then and I see little evidence they are right now. None of these criticisms are new. Trump is more competitive , which I think is misconstrued for wanting to subvert democracy for not accepting the 2020 results unhesitantly. Trump has visions of grandiosity but I don't see this crossing to fascism or other fears.

In terms of foreign policy, a case can be made Trumpism can make America safer. Under Biden, saw Russia invade Ukraine, China flexing its might against Taiwan, Hamas attack Israel, Iran attack Israel, etc. Foreign leaders perceive Biden as weak, compared to Trump. I feel safer under Trump compared to other administrations.