No Lame Duck ...

The last two months of an outgoing president's term are called the "lame duck" period - the assumption that they are now limited in power and will be quieter - but in recent times, it's been anything but. 

So when an outgoing president gives a series of executive orders, pushes acts into laws through Congress, or otherwise takes executive action in his final months as president, we call this "lame duck" legislation.

Proponents for lame-duck legislation say it's important because it's a last-stitch effort to thwart the opposition's most "dangerous" legislation incoming legislation (depending on what each party sees as "dangerous.")

Opponents of lame-duck legislation say they've had 4 years to get stuff done and lost public support and thus, shouldn't be doing much of anything in true "lame duck" fashion, and leaving the outgoing president in gives them the opportunity to take desperate measures, seek revenge, or even sabotage the incoming administration.

Now, typically, I am of the latter opinion, an opponent - you lost the election, you lost public opinion - thank you for playing, goodbye.

In fact, in the UK and other European countries, that is what they do - you're out that day, no ifs, ands, or buts - specifically to thwart lame-duck legislation and/or revenge or sabotage.

But we are in different times now - and thwarting "dangerous" incoming actions any way we can is essential, because they're not just perceived politically dangerous - they are truly dangerous to our welfare as a whole. 

Now - after having just said that, when Biden gave the order to allow the Ukraine to use missiles to fire at Russia, my first reaction was ... to smile?

What the BLEEP has gotten into me - this is war action?

So then I felt horrible.

Then I told my husband, and he actually laughed, which made me feel a little less horrible.

I think we did so because you can't help but respect and smile at Biden's very obvious FU to Putin, as well as the incoming Putin/Russia-friendly Trump and Friends.

Plus let us not forget, Russia had just announced North Korean troops were entering to fight on the Russian side. 

Who doesn't respect an "FU" message to an a-hole from an underdog on the way out with their last breath, right?

EXCEPT - we're talking about missiles and human lives!

So I slapped myself because I hate war and I hate the casualties that will occur. 

Also, I had just said last week when Zelensky wanted to start sending missiles into Russia that I don't think it's a good idea to poke the bear. 

And in the end, I think it will accomplish very little but piss the bear off, and the incoming presidency will most assuredly not back up this action anyway.

Thus, I have mixed feelings - though I respect the very clear FU message that Biden is sending Putin and Trump on the way out, I also think it's futile, will result in civilian loss of lives, and will not be backed up by the incoming administration and thus, was a bit like shooting fireworks at an oncoming tank. 

So in the end, it's desperate actions like these on the way out is why I still think we should do like the UK and several other European countries do, when they elect new leaders - it's immediate:  "Thanks very much, but get the F out.  Do not pass Go, do not collect $200 -  just go."

And the reason I still feel that way because I'm not short-sighted - can you imagine what Trump's last lame duck period will be like in 2028?

God only knows what he'll do, on the way out, he might burn down the White House, who knows  ...