Random Thoughts 3: A Little Bit of This, and a Little Bit of That...

[Ajidica]

Tolkien used to say that his ideal system of government was a sort of agrarian libertarianism, with a powerless monarch squatting on the symbolism of centralised authority, and thus preventing any actual central government from coalescing. An eight-year old with an enchanted bog-sword would be a good candidate for that role.

I mean, war would be a lot less bloody and destructive if it just consisted of the king and his retainers skirimishing with the neighboring king and his retainers.

 

[Traitorfish]

I mean, war would be a lot less bloody and destructive if it just consisted of the king and his retainers skirimishing with the neighboring king and his retainers.

Heck, make it into a spectator sport. Winner gets to be Bretwalda until the next season.

 

[Hygro]

I heard somewhere there is a theory that says the Arthurian legend shows a metaphorical progression of the different tiers of metallurgy. Can't recall where I read it tho.

Like the Ulfbert shattering the swords it came into contact with.

 

[Takhisis]

Heck, make it into a spectator sport. Winner gets to be Bretwalda until the next season.

I nominate Philip of Ottawa vs. Donald of Washington.

 

[Lemon Merchant]

Given the chance, I think Justin of Ottawa would like to punch out Donald of Washington. And after all, he is a boxer. He might take down the big bully.

 

[Ajidica]

But then Chris Christie, the Exiled Prince of New Jersey, would become Supreme Overlord. You know he is capable of unhinging his jaw and swallowing prey whole.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

Given the chance, I think Justin of Ottawa would like to punch out Donald of Washington. And after all, he is a boxer. He might take down the big bully.

I heard somewhere that the raving D'ump has been talking about how he "believes he could take" Putin in a fight.

 

[Patine]

I love that every single person on CFC that could be defined as being right wing all go for the literalist counterargument while ignoring the actual substance of what was said.

There were two people I was arguing with on another strategy game forum (both sharp-Republican sheep teenagers) during the 2016 election. I mentioned that the STYLE and TENOR of Trump's electoral campaign RESEMBLED Hitler's Weimar campaigns INSOFAR as it was based on vitriolic venting and channeling of mass anger and resentment, targeting unpopular demographics with, at the time of the election, ill-defined fates, threatening, insulting, and spreading lies about political opponents, making restoring national "greatness and glory" a central planks, and making huge, very generalized, and very extreme promises. Immediate, one of these teenagers retorts "that's not possible at all - Trump's son-in-law is Jewish, and he has many Jewish friends and business acquaintances," and the other says, "but Trump's platform is not based entirely on genocide, so I see no similarity there at all."

 

[Takhisis]

Given the chance, I think Justin of Ottawa would like to punch out Donald of Washington. And after all, he is a boxer. He might take down the big bully.

But bullies are what 'murraka is up against young lady!

 

[Valka D'Ur]

Heck, make it into a spectator sport. Winner gets to be Bretwalda until the next season.

The way it works in the SCA is that each Kingdom holds a Crown Tournament twice a year. Whoever is the last fighter standing (could be a man or woman; the SCA is equal-opportunity), they spend 6 months as the Crown Prince/Princess and 6 months as the King/Queen (those first 6 months are basically training and preparation). I've been a spectator at a Principality-level event (ie. the last person standing became Prince of Avacal, back when Avacal was still part of the Kingdom of An Tir and before it became a Kingdom in its own right; the RL region I'm talking about include British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Territories).

Given the chance, I think Justin of Ottawa would like to punch out Donald of Washington. And after all, he is a boxer. He might take down the big bully.

I think he did something like that diplomatically, when he presented that lovely framed photo of Trump's grandfather's "hotel" in British Columbia to Trump at the G7. Trump's people were so impressed at what a thoughtful gift Trudeau had given him, not realizing that the "hotel" was just a cheap brothel.

 

[Traitorfish]

I nominate Philip of Ottawa vs. Donald of Washington.

Donald of House Trump, First of His Name, King of the Americans and Bad Hombres, Lord of the Fifty States, and Protector of the Realm.

Alternatively, if that's too obvious, we can take the Hapsburg approach and list every domain individually:

Donald I, Emperor of America, King of New York and California, Prince of Florida, Texas and Pennsylvania, Archduke of Illinois and Ohio, Grand Duke of Michigan, Virginia and Georgia, Duke of New Jersey, Washington, Arizona and Tennessee, Palatine of the Two Carolinas, Marquis of Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri and Maryland, Count of Wisconsin, Colorado, Minnesota and Alabama, Prince-Bishop of Louisiana, Viscount of Kentucky and Oregon, Baron of Oklahoma and Connecticut, Basileus of Iowa, Lord Protector of Utah, High Chief of Arkansas, Heavily King of Nevada, Lord Provost of Mississippi, Caudillo of Kansas, Shogun of New Mexico, Jefe of Nebraska, Chief Mining Engineer of West Virginia, Supreme Pontiff of Idaho, First Sea Lord of Hawaii, El Yanqui Supremo of New Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island, High Sheriff of Montana, Dictator of Delaware, Despot of Upper and Lower Dakota, Archfiend of Alaska, Great Khan of Vermont, Taoiseach of Wyoming, Governor-General of the District of Columbia, Lord Protector of Puerto Rico, and Supreme Overlord of the Associated Territories.

I think that's all of 'em.

 

[metatron]

Donald of House Trump, First of His Name, King of the Americans and Bad Hombres, Lord of the Fifty States, and Protector of the Realm.

I first read "Lord of the Fifty Shades".
I blame Jordan Hunt.

If i have to explain and affirm the difference between BDSM and assault here, we'll have a long talk about sundry "feminists" who - in contrast to my joking self - actually seem to not know the difference.

 

[GoodSarmatian]

I mean, war would be a lot less bloody and destructive if it just consisted of the king and his retainers skirimishing with the neighboring king and his retainers.

There's the flaw. We'd need some agreed upon upper limit on the number of retainers and ban modern of weapons if war or we'll just have wars again.
Although, if we just had normal wars but the rulers were required to fight at the front it would still be an improvement.

 

[Mouthwash]

Donald of House Trump, First of His Name, King of the Americans and Bad Hombres, Lord of the Fifty States, and Protector of the Realm.

Alternatively, if that's too obvious, we can take the Hapsburg approach and list every domain individually:

Donald I, Emperor of America, King of New York and California, Prince of Florida, Texas and Pennsylvania, Archduke of Illinois and Ohio, Grand Duke of Michigan, Virginia and Georgia, Duke of New Jersey, Washington, Arizona and Tennessee, Palatine of the Two Carolinas, Marquis of Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri and Maryland, Count of Wisconsin, Colorado, Minnesota and Alabama, Prince-Bishop of Louisiana, Viscount of Kentucky and Oregon, Baron of Oklahoma and Connecticut, Basileus of Iowa, Lord Protector of Utah, High Chief of Arkansas, Heavily King of Nevada, Lord Provost of Mississippi, Caudillo of Kansas, Shogun of New Mexico, Jefe of Nebraska, Chief Mining Engineer of West Virginia, Supreme Pontiff of Idaho, First Sea Lord of Hawaii, El Yanqui Supremo of New Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island, High Sheriff of Montana, Dictator of Delaware, Despot of Upper and Lower Dakota, Archfiend of Alaska, Great Khan of Vermont, Taoiseach of Wyoming, Governor-General of the District of Columbia, Lord Protector of Puerto Rico, and Supreme Overlord of the Associated Territories.

I think that's all of 'em.

What is the "Heavily King"?

 

[Broken_Erika]

Donald of House Trump, First of His Name, King of the Americans and Bad Hombres, Lord of the Fifty States, and Protector of the Realm.

Alternatively, if that's too obvious, we can take the Hapsburg approach and list every domain individually:

Donald I, Emperor of America, King of New York and California, Prince of Florida, Texas and Pennsylvania, Archduke of Illinois and Ohio, Grand Duke of Michigan, Virginia and Georgia, Duke of New Jersey, Washington, Arizona and Tennessee, Palatine of the Two Carolinas, Marquis of Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri and Maryland, Count of Wisconsin, Colorado, Minnesota and Alabama, Prince-Bishop of Louisiana, Viscount of Kentucky and Oregon, Baron of Oklahoma and Connecticut, Basileus of Iowa, Lord Protector of Utah, High Chief of Arkansas, Heavily King of Nevada, Lord Provost of Mississippi, Caudillo of Kansas, Shogun of New Mexico, Jefe of Nebraska, Chief Mining Engineer of West Virginia, Supreme Pontiff of Idaho, First Sea Lord of Hawaii, El Yanqui Supremo of New Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island, High Sheriff of Montana, Dictator of Delaware, Despot of Upper and Lower Dakota, Archfiend of Alaska, Great Khan of Vermont, Taoiseach of Wyoming, Governor-General of the District of Columbia, Lord Protector of Puerto Rico, and Supreme Overlord of the Associated Territories.

I think that's all of 'em.

You forgot Conquistador of Covfefe.

What is the "Heavily King"?

The "Archfiend of Alaska".

 

[brennan]

There were two people I was arguing with ...

All true. However Hitler had an ideological position - which is what made him dangerous. Trump is just a self-serving loudmouth who lives in the moment. Thus far he doesn't seem motivated or competent enough to be seriously dangerous.

 

[Patine]

All true. However Hitler had an ideological position - which is what made him dangerous. Trump is just a self-serving loudmouth who lives in the moment. Thus far he doesn't seem motivated or competent enough to be seriously dangerous.

Yes, but their campaigning STYLES and METHODS were VERY similar, regardless of the vision (or lack thereof) behind them, or the end results. After all, Trump does have a talent in life - and it's NOT being a leader, ideologue, or even greatly competent businessman - it's being a showman. He was effectively PLAYING the role of a demagogue and populist, like an actor, in 2016. And I believe (and a few others do to - including former House Speaker John Boehner) that Trump throwing his hat in the ring for the Republican primaries was actually a publicity stunt, and he never actually expected to win - but gained traction completely unexpectedly, even surprising himself, and his own ego and narcissism wouldn't let him back out by any means - and now he's in a job he has no true vision for, is not qualified for, and is floundering in (note his phoned in, inexplicable, and constantly rotating executive appointments, for instance, and him always changing his mind on executive policy), and he has to continue to use his showmanship to keep his core demographic - disgruntled middle- and working-class Whites, but only those still moved by his acting and celebrity routine (which are, sadly, too many as it is), by keeping up the showmanship, that is, indeed, his great talent in life. Like Kim Kardashian, he's a reality star at heart.

 

[brennan]

I don't even buy the idea that he has the talent of a showman. Contemptibly shallow people seem to be interested in these reality types because they share the same set of lowest-common-denominator values as their audience.

 

[W|M]

Donald of House Trump, First of His Name, King of the Americans and Bad Hombres, Lord of the Fifty States, and Protector of the Realm.

Alternatively, if that's too obvious, we can take the Hapsburg approach and list every domain individually:

Donald I, Emperor of America, King of New York and California, Prince of Florida, Texas and Pennsylvania, Archduke of Illinois and Ohio, Grand Duke of Michigan, Virginia and Georgia, Duke of New Jersey, Washington, Arizona and Tennessee, Palatine of the Two Carolinas, Marquis of Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri and Maryland, Count of Wisconsin, Colorado, Minnesota and Alabama, Prince-Bishop of Louisiana, Viscount of Kentucky and Oregon, Baron of Oklahoma and Connecticut, Basileus of Iowa, Lord Protector of Utah, High Chief of Arkansas, Heavily King of Nevada, Lord Provost of Mississippi, Caudillo of Kansas, Shogun of New Mexico, Jefe of Nebraska, Chief Mining Engineer of West Virginia, Supreme Pontiff of Idaho, First Sea Lord of Hawaii, El Yanqui Supremo of New Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island, High Sheriff of Montana, Dictator of Delaware, Despot of Upper and Lower Dakota, Archfiend of Alaska, Great Khan of Vermont, Taoiseach of Wyoming, Governor-General of the District of Columbia, Lord Protector of Puerto Rico, and Supreme Overlord of the Associated Territories.

I think that's all of 'em.

Does Iowa really merit such a grandiose title as Basileus?

 

[Traitorfish]

What is the "Heavily King"?

An approximation of the Chinese title tian wang. A step above your boring, regular wang (king), but below shangdi (emperor; literally, "divine sovereign"). The title was used by regional rulers who wanted to elevate themselves above their neighbours, but weren't in a credible position to claim a formal imperial title.

Does Iowa really merit such a grandiose title as Basileus?

I mean, does Trump?

Yes, but their campaigning STYLES and METHODS were VERY similar, regardless of the vision (or lack thereof) behind them, or the end results.

I mean, Trump is missing the uniformed paramilitaries, which were pretty central to how interwar fascism both presented itself in propaganda and how it operated practically. To this day, it remains the defining image of Fascism, National Socialism and their various imitators.

The average Tump militant is an overweight dentist in a polo shirt. The archetypal squadrista he is not.