[freehunter]

What they've done versus what they have said they wanted to do is not the same. The trouble is, what they have said they wanted to do is really, really awful. Sure Trump himself isn't repealing LGBTQ protections, but the Republicans really want to, and aren't shy about it.

And you're calling the Attorney General a terrorist? For saying that she didn't think the EO was legally defensible? Something that AGs do all the time, because they're legal professionals and cannot defend something they know is indefensible? It literally happens all the time. AGs very commonly refuse to defend against laws they don't think, in their legal opinion, will stand up to a successful legal challenge. Do a Google search for "attorney general refuses to defend law" and you'll see just how often it happens. Usually they don't get fired for it, because that's their job. It's not like Trump asked her opinion on it, something he really probably should have done.

Oh and no, the government does not have the right to revoke already-granted visas and green cards. The courts have issued a stay on that particular piece, because it's clearly unconstitutional.

And one of the first EOs Trump signed blocked funding for any healthcare provider who talked about abortion, anywhere across the world. Which is following one of the promises made by Republicans, to make sure Planned Parenthood (one of the largest women's healthcare providers in the nation) gets defunded.

This is the last I will debate any specific things you want to call out. My point wasn't to argue line-by-line but rather that these beliefs are not conservative, they're authoritarian. And that's not okay. No one is attacking conservatives, they're attacking fascists. Unfortunately, fascists have started calling themselves conservatives, something conservatives really should push back against.

So here I am, pushing back. Your comment has you sounding like a fascist. I'm sorry you can't see that. Conservatism has nothing to do with banning muslims, building a wall, or regulating people's sex lives. Those are authoritarian values.

[MrZongle2]

You know, I was starting to address your first two paragraphs, then my eye went to your last one:

"Your comment has you sounding like a fascist. I'm sorry you can't see that."

If you've already convinced yourself that I'm a fascist, then you've shut down the conversation. Nothing I can possibly say can change your thinking, because even if I'm redeemable as a person it will be because I have rejected my irredeemable position, which is apparently fascism. Which is unlikely, because you've assessed me as incapable of observing reality.

And this, in a nutshell, is why Trump won.

[freehunter]

I don't know if you're a fascist, all I know is your original comment was written to defend authoritarian policies. Like I said, the comment sounded like what a fascist would say. Especially the part saying the AG was a terrorist for daring to defy the glorious leader. That's pretty fucked up, you have to understand that.

But the fact that your immediate response to that is "wah you hurt my feelings so I'm going home" is doubling concerning. I don't care why Trump won, but you weren't interested in having a conversation in the first place. And you're right, neither am I. I've actually said that before, in a post that you said you didn't read, so I'm not surprised you missed it.

But my point remains. Conservatives are always welcome. Small government, in favor of small business, lower regulations, lower taxes, more individual rights. Those are good things. Authoritarians are not. Denying people their rights, regulating bedroom activities, discriminating based on color and religion, trying to make everyone afraid of everyone and everything, demanding 100% obedience or else, those are bad policies and no one should have to put up with it.

I can't help the way you come off in your comments, and I can't change your mind. That's not what I'm trying to do. I just want to explain the difference between Trump and a conservative. Because being anti-Trump is not the same as being anti-conservative. Trump is not, in any way, a conservative, so criticisms of his policies are in no way a criticism of conservatives.

And this, in a nutshell, is why I don't really care what you have to say.