NamEndedAllen

By now you've seen all the unpleasant answers to your questions. Honestly - with respect, sympathies and appreciation, and despite your earlier objurgations and excoriations, unfortunately we must accept the tensions of not knowing the “correct“ singular answer to understandable confusions about various fraught possibilities in the USA political meltdown. There are no definitive answers until November. If then. And imagine how WE feel back in the, back in the, back in the USA! We have had to live with both the dire warnings *and* the reassurances (“He’s just joking”) for YEARS. Rising to a crescendo on January 6 and now nearing a fever pitch as the next election approaches. But please understand that large numbers of impeccable, credible, insightful voices from both military and civilian backgrounds here have been sounding the alarm in print and online since the 2016-20 first Trump. Trying to pick one “(he’s joking, and he can’t be an autocrat anyway”) or the other (“he’s deadly serious, like a mob boss and has his loyal lieutenants lined up to begin the process on January 20”) is a fool’s errand. As terribly divided and volatile the public is, almost *anything* could happen. Except I think, a coup attempt if Trump loses. As with billbindc, I think it less likely this time, because he isn’t the incumbent. The stark fear lies with him winning. That is at least a 50-50 probability. And yeah, I trust we’ve beaten this topic into a semblance of a shared understanding about the USA’s electoral and political realities and can wind it up now.

My, you have colorful if irrelevant rhetorical devices! Irrelevant, but colorful. I believe Ive addressed your strawmen sufficiently but please do pay attention to what billbindc, Vet, Dan, and the rest have said more succinctly than I have. We’ve outlined what he can do and why. And read that reporting you likely didn’t. Now back to our War! **** Remember saying this a few pages ago: ‘ I have brought up states removing Trump from the ballot, Ukraine war and various other red lights. The response has been “sure but XYZ checks, balances etc etc” Now suddenly Trump is going to take over and rule you all like Stalin? I am getting whiplash here”

Hey! The posts from me have been in response to you claiming a whiplash injury! As if “everyone* was saying the guardrails will hold if Trump takes over, and now hearing a number of us saying, there are good reasons to suggest they will not. No one is saying you must adopt certain opinions. Plain and simple not to ignore them as never having been expressed. To be clear, I am still glad for your faith in the USA! And far more than you, I hope you and the opinions you are apparently endorsing “it can’t happen here”, are how things turn out. But for the love of Pete please don’t simply ignore, hope, dismiss, and then claim shock if things get even stickier down here than we have already experienced. The election is pretty much on a knife edge, and the future is unwritten.

You *still* seem to be ignoring the rest of us here, who have been warning and pointing out developments, like debate rhetoric? Maybe better to understand that it is only human to filter out or dismiss what doesn’t fit your preferences. But heck, don’t take our word for it. Not sure where you obtain your political news but If you feel whiplashed, you definitely need to read more widely the massive reporting down there in the USA that has been a steady drumbeat about the end of democracy, the concerns about autocracy, the planning leaking from Trump’s team, the failure during four years to exact effective accountability, and the rock solid core support for not only Trump but for Trumpism despite everything. None of this guarantees the worst! But there darn sure has been a *consistent* substantive warning shout from the USA and a number of us here. You do have to actually read them though. PS I’d appreciate you not putting words in our mouths and then mocking them. I never said “inevitable slide into civil war”. I suggest, point out, reference, and describe how what was unthinkable a few years ago *might* happen. But am NOT saying “inevitable”. And only you are saying an autocracy here would mean civil war. Doubtful, as many people wouldn’t either care, notice, or have any meaningful way to resist. As in the WashPost article I linked here a while ago. But read up in these for a start: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/20/us/politics/trump-rhetoric-fascism.html https://time.com/6550686/trump-autocracy-dictator-polling/ https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/11/last-exit-trump-autocracy/616466/ https://www.businessinsider.com/ex-white-house-official-warns-of-a-us-autocracy-if-trump-wins-2nd-term-2021-11?op=1 https://www.poynter.org/commentary/2023/how-to-report-trump-win-2024/ https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-10-08/donald-trump-republican-party-autocratic-movement-dissent There are countless more. All you have to do is look.

Your oft expressed faith in the USA is welcome and appreciated. The problem is you apparently are only remembering the opinions you preferred. I certainly did NOT say that. And I predicted correctly that well before this Presidential election, the new Republican House would significantly delay if not end Ukraine support. They have. I had to explain several times that in the USA Congress, a tiny majority - that small pro Russia MAGA contingent - could and would control what legislation can get passed. And they have. They also forced the removal of two Speakers of the House. And my voice was not alone. Honestly, I think a lot of people outside the USA don’t realize how much the stability of the nation depends on those with authority accepting the norms of our democracy, and not daring us to stop truly egregious disregarding them. Trump realized he could and did get away with practically anything while in office. Also, pretty sure there was no widespread prediction of “Day 1 abandoning swaths of Europe”, apart from Ukraine hanging by a thread. But Day 2, watch out!

Actually, yes, you are correct that a number of people have been leaning towards the “guard-rails” hopium. And they may still be. Bless them, and let’s all hope they are correct. But whiplash? Nah. Not unless you have ignored the other voices here. Please do not carelessly lump the entire forum into one political monolith. It ain’t so and hasn’t been. The USA press has been full of reporting on the public and private pronouncements from the “We will uproot the guard rails” School of When We Take Power (this time). Maybe we have been a minority here, and you breezed past us warning about Trump for quite a while. But The Dans have not been meek about either Trump or his MAGA Party sliding to the Russian side, away from our Republic’s patriotic democratic (small ‘d’) ideals and institutions. Heck…Steve has even mentioned egressing to Your Fair Nation, should November turn out badly! Trying to stay on topic for this forum, I consistently suggested (correctly) that the new House majority would at the least hold up aid to Ukraine, and that if elected Trump would torpedo support for Ukraine and in the nightmare scenario, drop many USA sanctions against Russia. I’ve written that both Putin and Trump *must* be re-elected - in order to survive. Literally, in Putin’s case. And they will do anything to ensure victory. Yes, Trump ‘would* likely enjoy a Republican Senate. The odds heavily favor the Republicans regardless of the Presidential race, even if Biden wins. Too many D seats at risk. And far fewer Republicans. Trump would enjoy the White House executive powers including that of appointments for every USA federal Department, Agency, and importantly, the federal Judiciary. For at least four years. Plus, the 6-3 conservative Supreme Court majority. The final prize would be the House, which is at least a tossup. Meaning revenge investigations on a scale we have never witnessed since McCarthy. Add to this stew his disdain for NATO, and you have not just a significant risk to the USA institutions, but worldwide trust in USA partnerships and treaties, let alone Allied unity in Europe. As billbindc said above,

This should be pinned. And read every morning and every night. This is happening in full view. Of not just the USA, but the entire world. And the whole world is watching. Who the heck are are you calling “you guys”? You must be ignoring the rest of us. The Trump march to autocracy has certainly not been going down without warnings here.

In assessing USA politics, unlike in your vast military experience and knowledge that contributes so much here…you are missing the forest for the trees. THAT was political theater. Analysis already laid this all to rest. Yes, the President may not unilaterally FORMALLY withdraw from NATO. But so what? As Commander in Chief and the executive, Trump or anyone like him can simply order troops and any and all branches to not participate in NATO activities and exercises. He can refuse to spend whatever Congress appropriates for NATO, withdraw representatives- and of course use one of his favorite bludgeons to our government from last time: leave critical posts and civilian offices unfilled. Oh, and remember his order to pull all USA troops out of Germany? The one Biden undid early in his term? Europe would be waving goodbye to them and likely other contingents as well.. While I am not predicting that in Trump’s next term as President he absolutely WILL exercise all of these powers, he CAN exercise executive and military authority to effectively remove the USA from meaningful NATO membership. His relationship with Putin may affect to what degree he exercises this authority, and whether or not he attempts to further undermine Ukraine’s struggle than the elected Republicans already have. Not to mention this: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/30/trump-dictator-2024-election-robert-kagan/ “Let’s stop the wishful thinking and face the stark reality: There is a clear path to dictatorship in the United States, and it is getting shorter every day. *** Like people on a riverboat, we have long known there is a waterfall ahead but assume we will somehow find our way to shore before we go over the edge. But now the actions required to get us to shore are looking harder and harder, if not downright impossible.” EDIT: I now see the venerable billindc already wisely corrected the NATO topic - a LOT of posts to wade through when I got here this morning!

Oregon Dan’s (or was it CA Dan?) wish comes true. Update on impact of Ukraine War on USA high profile and $$$ military program: https://www.twz.com/air/cancelling-the-future-attack-recon-helicopter-was-the-right-move “The news that the U.S. Army is cancelling one of its highest profile aviation programs, the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA), with two competing prototypes already constructed, was a shock to many, but it really shouldn't have been. As the Pentagon is stacking its chips on the possibility of a high-end fight in the Pacific, and seeing the results of helicopter combat operations in Ukraine, the relevance of the FARA program had to be deeply questioned, and the assumptions of future aerial warfare it was based on needed serious re-examination too.”

Clearly, Drop Team Remastered. But no remake until 2031.

Once upon a time, they wasted infantry brigades all the way to Berlin. in a war of attrition, and with little or no aid from the USA, the fog of war here is thick and heavy.

I barely recognize the country I was born in any longer: “it still faces stiff headwinds in the Republican-led House, where right-wing lawmakers oppose sending additional assistance to Ukraine. Some have even threatened to oust Speaker Mike Johnson if he brings any bill to the floor that includes aid for Ukraine.” https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/07/briefing/senate-ukraine-aid-vote-us-strike-iraq.html

That is a terrific idea! Essentially a nobrainer since most of us would instantly buy them. And a *lot* easier than pie - to make happen.

The good Bad Thing about this Whatever It Is? I know I’ll buy it. There’s nothing else left!

Thanks very much for this clear explanation. I had apparently missed this step in any instructions. I think the announcement said the patch came along with the module, so I didn’t look any further into the patch information. Your reply is much appreciated. Perhaps in the future the purchase notification email itself could specify this requirement. Unless of course…I missed it!

Thanks! Youre not talking about the base game, right? Did you mean right click on the link in the email or the Battlefront account page? There is no installer for Downfall, just a code to enter. Somehow!Mikey, please excuse my ignorance! AFAIK, I don’t have an installer, at least the email and account page say that…the instruction is to use the “New Product Activation utility”. No installer or exe present for the new module, “Downfall.” Or have I somehow misunderstood the instructions? Both the email and the Account page have links, but no installers.

Thanks! Did you mean right click on the link - in the emailor account page? There is no installer for Downfall, just a code to enter. Somehow!

Or, as often has been a worse case, a political club with which to wack one’s opponents. Otherwise known as “demonizing”. Something we are seeing far too much of in place of reasoned civil discourse and substantive debate. I suspect this is not limited to the USA. Nor untainted by influencing by hostile nations. Seeps into every corner - even here, in generally excellent discussions about an existential war in Europe. Said war many of us see as a particularly virulent tip of a much larger and ominous iceberg.

Elvis, as one grieving Eagle fan to another, please help! I bought Downfall, got the email with activation code. On an iPad, clicked on the “Use the Activate New Product” link, nothing happens. Logged in to Battlefront on Windows 10 desktop, go to Orders page and the Downfall purchase, copy the.activation code, then click on the “No download, use new product” link. Goes to a page saying only “ Forbidden”. Tried on two browsers, Edge and Firefox. Next went to my FB install folder and clicked on that Activate New product link, entered Downfall code, but as I expected, it only shows base game FB activation success. Lastly, tried to open a ticket, but the login fails. Different login required than for Forum/Store? My info works here and for my account. What am I doing wrong?

It’s most frequently used by frightened old white people who cannot properly shout, “Yo mama!” insults.

the video “shows Ukrainian SBU drones firing at Russian boats that jumped out of one of the Crimean military ports to sink the drones. But the drones, instead of running away, turned around and opened fire in return.” https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraines-drone-boats-are-now-firing-rockets-at-russian-ships Autonomous armed surface platforms showing up in the fight.

I found Linda Nagata’s work exploring the emerging tech transformations of war to be extremely prescient. For instance, from 2017’s “The Last Good Man”:Army veteran True Brighton left the service when the development of robotic helicopters made her training as a pilot obsolete. Now she works at Requisite Operations, a private military company established by friend and former Special Ops soldier Lincoln Han. ReqOp has embraced the new technologies. Robotics, big data, and artificial intelligence are all tools used to augment the skills of veteran warfighters-for-hire. But the tragedy of war is still measured in human casualties Developments we discuss here seem to simply be gradual cherrypicking her work. Example, excerpt of a review: “Here's a quote from this well written book: "An Agressive, diverse swarm (of weaponized drones) is more dangerous than any traditional soldier, and easy to print up (using 3D printers). True (the protagonist) used to pilot helicopters but most are robotic now. AIs fly warpanes, guide missiles, control satelliees. They analyze incoming intelligence faster than any human could process it. Artificial intelligence and robitics make it possible for a small outfit to operate with formidable force, invade unprotected territory, engage in raids and bombings and dogfights above peaceful cities. To act with the authority of a soverign nation." https://www.amazon.com/Last-Good-Man-Linda-Nagata/dp/1937197220/ref=zg-te-pba_d_sccl_3_4/146-3318248-9316006?pd_rd_w=V2WzF&content-id=amzn1.sym.081392b0-c07f-4fc2-8965-84d15d431f0d&pf_rd_p=081392b0-c07f-4fc2-8965-84d15d431f0d&pf_rd_r=JFK98CW5ASGVVJQVT5QZ&pd_rd_wg=u0RxV&pd_rd_r=d1981c85-2a29-49dd-b9f8-88b9641a6396&pd_rd_i=1937197220&psc=1 Of course there are many near future mil SF writers ploughing these fields, in advance of today’s war(s). FXHolden comes to mind, for one. But this has long been one of the fundamental values of science fiction: Prepping the mind with a multitude of extrapolated scenarios so much so that one is rarely surprised by contemporary developments. Unfortunately, a common emotion has been frustration over policymaking that rarely seems nearly as well thought-out or timely as these fictions suggest is necessary.

Some forward looking good news, prepping for the second Trump term: “Congress this week approved a measure aimed at preventing any U.S. president from unilaterally withdrawing the United States from NATO without congressional approval. Passage came amid long-standing concerns that Donald Trump may try to exit the alliance if he returns to office.”https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/12/16/congress-nato-exit-trump/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most

Yes Yes Yes! Please add me to the pre-order list. Amazing effort and work and progress.

Worse than I had early this year. Not even the SENATE can ensure even Israeli aid, let alone continuing Ukraine aid: Senate Republicans this afternoon blocked a sweeping spending bill to fund the ongoing war effort in Ukraine and help Israel fight Hamas over objections that the legislation failed to do enough to clamp down on border security… Hours before the bill’s demise, President Biden pleaded in a televised speech for Republicans to pass the $111 billion package, which included $50 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel. He said he would be willing to make “significant compromises” on border provisions if Republicans would support the funding for Ukraine. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/06/us/politics/senate-ukraine-aid-bill.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare Republicans Block Aid to Ukraine, Jeopardizing Its Fight Against Russia