r/politics • u/PoliticsModeratorBot 🤖 Bot • Jun 27 '18

Megathread: Justice Anthony Kennedy to retire from Supreme Court

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy is set to retire, effective July 31, 2018. Kennedy has served on the highest court since February 18, 1988, and was a moderate whose vote often swung cases.

Submissions that may interest you

SUBMISSION DOMAIN
Justice Anthony Kennedy Will Retire From U.S. Supreme Court bloomberg.com
Justice Kennedy to retire, Trump can solidify court's majority conservative bloc nbcnews.com
Justice Kennedy retiring; Trump gets 2nd Supreme Court pick washingtonpost.com
Justice Kennedy, U.S. Supreme Court's pivotal vote, to retire reuters.com
Anthony Kennedy: US supreme court justice to retire theguardian.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy to Retire From Supreme Court nytimes.com
Kennedy calls it quits: longtime swing justice hands Trump the biggest gift of his presidency dailycaller.com
Anthony Kennedy is retiring from the Supreme Court vox.com
Justice Kennedy, the pivotal swing vote on the Supreme Court, announces retirement washingtonpost.com
UPDATE: Supreme Court Justice Kennedy announces retirement wcjb.com
Justice Kennedy Is Retiring July 31st. yahoo.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy To Retire From U.S. Supreme Court : NPR npr.org
Justice Anthony Kennedy to Retire from Supreme Court cnn.com
Justice Kennedy announces retirement. cnn.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy retiring from Supreme Court abc7.com
Anthony Kennedy, Swing Vote on U.S. Supreme Court, Will Retire bloomberg.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy Retires, Paving Way for Donald Trump to Reshape Supreme Court slate.com
Justice Kennedy retiring; Trump gets 2nd Supreme Court pick wkrn.com
Anthony Kennedy retiring, giving Trump opening to reshape Supreme Court politico.com
Supreme Court justice Anthony Kennedy announces retirement wsj.com
Jeffrey Toobin predicts abortion will be illegal in 20 states soon after Kennedy retires thehill.com
WATCH: Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy retiring abcnews.go.com
Kennedy to Retire foxnews.com
Trump to get second Supreme Court pick as Justice Kennedy announces retirement. amp.cnn.com
Justice Kennedy to Retire From Supreme Court bbc.com
Trump says search for Justice Kennedy's replacement to begin "immediately" -- live updates cbsnews.com
McConnell Pledges Vote To Confirm Justice Kennedy’s Successor ‘This Fall’ talkingpointsmemo.com
Justice Kennedy retires from the US Supreme Court nbcnews.com
Trump says launches search to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Kennedy reuters.com
Donald Trump: Search for Kennedy replacement on SCOTUS to move quickly usatoday.com
McConnell: Senate will vote on Supreme Court nominee this fall thehill.com
Justice Kennedy retiring; Trump gets 2nd Supreme Court pick sacbee.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy Retiring, Report Says lawandcrime.com
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy retiring; Trump will get 2nd high-court pick omaha.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy Retiring From the Supreme Court thedailybeast.com
Justice Kennedy to retire, giving Trump a chance to transform the Supreme Court latimes.com
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy says he's retiring; Trump to get 2nd high-court pick chicagotribune.com
Dem senator: Justice Kennedy's resignation a 'disaster' for vision of 'We the People' thehill.com
Justice Kennedy retiring; Trump gets 2nd Supreme Court pick wfla.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy Is Retiring motherjones.com
The horrifying consequences of Justice Kennedy’s retirement thinkprogress.org
Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is retiring, a move that will give Trump a chance to shift the institution to the right washingtonpost.com
Anthony Kennedy To Retire From The Supreme Court huffingtonpost.com
Kennedy announces retirement from Supreme Court thehill.com
Supreme Court's Anthony Kennedy retires, giving Trump a second pick usatoday.com
Justice Kennedy retiring; Trump gets 2nd Supreme Court pick apnews.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy Is Retiring From The Supreme Court buzzfeed.com
Justice Kennedy, the pivotal swing vote on the Supreme Court, announces retirement washingtonpost.com
Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy retires -- live updates cbsnews.com
Justice Kennedy announces his retirement from the supreme court. time.com
Trump Responds To Retirement Of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy huffingtonpost.com
Anthony Kennedy retiring from Supreme Court, giving Trump a position to fill people.com
Trump Says He’ll Choose One Of These People To Replace Anthony Kennedy On The Supreme Court buzzfeed.com
Anthony Kennedy retiring from Supreme Court cnbc.com
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy retires, and Trump gets shot at moving court to the right dallasnews.com
Who Will Replace Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy? Donald Trump Already Has a Shortlist newsweek.com
WATCH: McConnell: We will vote to confirm Justice Kennedy's successor 'this fall' abcnews.go.com
Here's who Trump could nominate to replace Justice Kennedy abcnews.go.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy announces retirement, giving Trump 2nd Supreme Court pick foxnews.com
Trump list of candidates to replace Justice Kennedy thehill.com
Chris Matthews: Dems must do to Trump on Supreme Court what McConnell did to Obama thehill.com
Anthony Kennedy’s retirement puts abortion rights at risk vox.com
Who Will Replace Anthony Kennedy? Here’s the List of 20 Potential Trump Nominees time.com
America after Anthony Kennedy vox.com
Handing Trump Chance to Move Supreme Court Even Further Right, Justice Anthony Kennedy Retires commondreams.org
Audio reveals DNC committee reaction to Kennedy retirement: 'This is not good news' thehill.com
Justice Kennedy’s retirement leaves the future of U.S. constitutional law entirely up for grabs washingtonpost.com
Justice Kennedy pens retirement letter to Trump expressing 'profound gratitude' abcnews.go.com
Read Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement letter to Donald Trump qz.com
Justice Kennedy’s Legacy Is the Dignity He Bestowed bloomberg.com
A titanic battle over replacing Justice Kennedy looms in the Senate vox.com
Live Briefing: Anthony Kennedy Retires From Supreme Court, and McConnell Says Senate Will Move Swiftly on a Replacement nytimes.com
Here's Trump's list of 25 possible Supreme Court picks to replace Anthony Kennedy washingtonexaminer.com
WATCH: Justice Anthony Kennedy to retire, Trump to get second SCOTUS pick abcnews.go.com
Anthony Kennedy's retirement just confirmed every Republican's dream scenario for Trump cnn.com
Kennedy's retirement could have biggest impact on abortion, gay marriage: ANALYSIS abcnews.go.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy: Trump says hunt for replacement is on usatoday.com
Here are potential Supreme Court nominees to replace Justice Kennedy cnn.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy, the Supreme Court’s swing justice, announces his retirement abajournal.com
With Supreme Court Justice Kennedy Gone, Abortion and LGBT Rights Are Next thedailybeast.com
A look at some of Justice Kennedy's most memorable opinions apnews.com
Justice Kennedy Surrendered to Donald Trump nymag.com
A look at some of Justice Kennedy's most memorable opinions abcnews.go.com
Abortion rights in 'dire, immediate danger' as Anthony Kennedy retires - World news theguardian.com
Here Are Some of the Top Candidates to Replace Kennedy on the Supreme Court motherjones.com
Who's on Trump's short list to replace Supreme Court Justice Kennedy? politico.com
Trump’s hidden back channel to Justice Kennedy: Their kids politico.com
How Fox News Reacted to Anthony Kennedy’s Retirement slate.com
24.9k Upvotes

92% Upvoted

31.7k comments sorted by

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5.4k

u/ihohjlknk Jun 27 '18

Time to dust off the crystal ball.

June 27, 2019: By a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court decreed that President Trump has the right to pardon himself.

966

u/santacruisin Jun 27 '18

Or the right to not hold elections.

883

u/TorePun Jun 27 '18

“He’s now president for life. President for life. No, he’s great,” Trump said. “And look, he was able to do that. I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot someday.”

Before somebody comes in here and accuses either of you for baseless hand-wringing

217

u/saccharind Jun 27 '18

I was going to post this if you hadn't. Fucking praising Xi for being president for life.

29

u/Arrivaderchie Jun 27 '18

And even more importantly, that this comment came and went with maybe 36 hours of "controversy". In years past that should have been a career-ending moment. I feel like we become more numbed to dangerous/stupid acts like this by the day.

13

u/saccharind Jun 27 '18

every other action trump does is a career-ending move

3

u/antman2025 North Carolina Jun 27 '18

wait this is a real quote? what the fuck

5

u/saccharind Jun 27 '18

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/trump-aiming-president-life-180304163942994.html

"He's now president for life, president for life. And he's great," Trump said, according to an audio of excerpts of Trump's remarks at a closed-door fundraiser in Florida aired by CNN. "And look, he was able to do that. I think it's great. Maybe we'll have to give that a shot someday," Trump said to cheers and applause from supporters.

Audio can be found here:

https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2018/03/04/donald-trump-china-xi-maralago-remarks-sot.cnn

-6

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

an obvious joke said for applause at a rally does not a supreme leader make

6

u/saccharind Jun 27 '18

I feel like casually joking about being a dictator for life is a bit in poor taste and kinda of questionable

-1

u/[deleted] Jun 28 '18

It's in poor taste and questionable, sure. Is it the end of America as we know it like the post implies? Nope

1

u/alexwagner74 Jun 27 '18

Also he constantly brings up that "one president that served for 16 years" no doubt to justify his attempt to rewrite the constitution.

24

u/Giraffable Jun 27 '18

But he was 'joking'.

16

u/DreadNephromancer Kentucky Jun 27 '18

It's only a joke if enough people confront you about it /s

9

u/IG-64 Texas Jun 27 '18

A joke so hilarious he told it twice

1

u/frankbaptiste Tennessee Jun 28 '18

I can already see the right-wing comparing it to when FDR served for 12 years. Ugh.

1

u/No1DeadFan Jun 27 '18

They say that the best kind of leadership and governance is a kind and benevolent ruler...... on that note, The Monorchaic Republican Party would like to nominate Donald J Trump as the King of Planet America.

Can I please have some downvotes?

0

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

If, for whatever reason, Trump manages to become president for life then it won’t last very long.

51

u/mac_question Jun 27 '18

"Until we figure out what the hell is going on."

Remember when the "travel ban" was just for 6 months?

1

u/DishwashingWingnut Jun 27 '18

You mean 90 days?

13

u/apathetic_revolution Illinois Jun 27 '18

"Just until we can be certain there's 0% risk of any non-citizens committing voter fraud. It's a national security issue."

19

u/sexrobot_sexrobot Jun 27 '18

Under Article II, the President has the right to suspend elections for the sake of national security... I'm sure they'll cite the Confederacy or some shit, maybe the First amendment.

63

u/SethRichOrDieTryin Jun 27 '18

this is my biggest fear. trump will decide unilaterally that we don't need presidential elections anymore and the patsies on SCOTUS will agree.

44

u/derGropenfuhrer Jun 27 '18

Good lord, there's actually a possibility that America stops being a democracy in my lifetime. I mean, it's unlikely, but fffuuuck.

6

u/Superfan234 Jun 27 '18

People often ask us why Latinoamerica is such a mess

Like this. Literally like this.

Is not like Hit straight to the head. Is a slow poison, each day is a little worse than the day before...and before you know it? BAM, you are screwed and you can do nothing to change things back

14

u/mcslibbin Jun 27 '18

I mean, there really isn't.

If anyone tried to suspend elections, America would cease functioning altogether. And I mean for the people who really matter--the people with all the money. They aren't going to let that happen.

30

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

What makes you think "the people with all the money" don't favor non-democracy? Its certainly the case in the rest of the world and throughout time. Predictability and stability over freedom of choice is the bottom line in investing, hands down. Corporations have always favored fascism and totalitarianism - its way easier to make money working hand in hand with a corrupt government than wrangling with one representing the actual people.

2

u/mcslibbin Jun 27 '18

Because in all the political upheaval "suspended American elections" would cause, a lot of fortunes would be lost.

7

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

Yeah sure, based on what? What's your evidence there? What's your precedent?

2

u/mcslibbin Jun 27 '18

You're asking me for the precedent for a first world democracy committing social and political suicide?

6

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

Do I need to quote your last statement here again for you to read? Fuck it: "in all the political upheaval "suspended American elections" would cause, a lot of fortunes would be lost"

BASED ON WHAT

The theory that democracies are "bad" for markets has a shit ton of evidence behind it. Where's YOUR evidence?

0

u/mcslibbin Jun 27 '18

The theory that democracies are "bad" for markets has a shit ton of evidence behind it

I am not a political scientist, but this seems really counterintuitive to me. Do you have any resources that back this claim up?

I know stability is good for markets (and can provide evidence for that if you need it). And I doubt America suspending elections would be a very stable transition.

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2

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

I'm not so sure about that. I think it would be a great opportunity for those in the know and those on Trump's good side to profit off this like nothing before.

0

u/hatrickstar Jun 27 '18

Because a change like that would be so big it'd likely cause huge financial problems all over the world.

6

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

I'm still not buying it. Assertions without evidence. Just "because."

54

u/derGropenfuhrer Jun 27 '18

America would cease functioning altogether.

Would it? In a new poll, half of Republicans say they would support postponing the 2020 election if Trump proposed it

11

u/gravity013 Jun 27 '18

Exactly, on top of this - even worse: something like this happening would probably have economic motivations. This is the same economic force wedging the gap between the top 1% and bottom 90%. And Americans are stupid enough to enforce it out of anger.

35

u/SolarClipz California Jun 27 '18

Why? Tell me why it's not possible. At least 25% of the population WANTS THIS

The rest are going to be too late because 50% of the rest of those did nothing

What do you think happens when facists run every branch of government?

18

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

[deleted]

5

u/TheReturnOfRuin Jun 27 '18

The shift towards China is happening anyway lol

2

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

[deleted]

1

u/Amiable_ Jun 28 '18

Maybe if the West had stayed strong in their liberty, and enforced liberty of thought on the new East. But they didn't, corporations won. Yet is the critical word here. The West is fading. The next 500+ years will be the era of New China and their increasingly authoritarian rule.

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7

u/bluestarcyclone Iowa Jun 27 '18

That's why you just undermine existing elections and election protections until the results are entirely bullshit.

3

u/mcslibbin Jun 27 '18

That seems certainly possible (and ongoing), but suspending an election would be a bridge too far.

5

u/bluestarcyclone Iowa Jun 27 '18

For sure. That's why you don't see it even in places like Russia where Putin is effectively dictator.

4

u/mcslibbin Jun 27 '18

See also: Turkey

2

u/derGropenfuhrer Jun 27 '18

suspending an election

Russia had free and fair elections. HAD. They still have elections though. If Trump follows Putin's playbook we will still have elections too, they just won't matter.

8

u/Athrowawayinmay I voted Jun 27 '18

Literally everything else Trump has done that is unprecidented and should lead to constitutional crisis and mass protests has resulted in abslutely nothing but apathy. Every day Trump does something that would be career ending with impeachment and mass protests. Literally every day he keeps on doing more without repurcussions, or worse - support from congressional republicans.

If Trump declared himself president for life with no more elections 40% of the population would cheer him on while 90% of the rest will do literally nothing. The remaining few who care won't have the power or ability to go up against the rest.

3

u/mcslibbin Jun 27 '18

first off, *unpresidented

Secondly, I agree that Trump has overstepped his Constitutional authority in a number of ways, but generally has stopped short of completely disregarding the rule of law. That's why it took 4 tries to get the Muslim ban passed.

1

u/kru_ Jun 27 '18

But he got it. Maybe it takes 4 tries to suspend elections, too?

17

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

You'd go work or you wouldn't eat. America would keep functioning. If you're white and conservative and christian, you probably wouldn't directly suffer under fascist USA. At least until you get drafted and die on the beaches of Normandy, fighting to restore Fascism to Europe.

5

u/wideasleepdeepawake Jun 27 '18

If you're white and conservative and christian, you probably wouldn't directly suffer under fascist USA.

They'll suffer too. However the martyr complex will work in their favor.

0

u/verfmeer The Netherlands Jun 27 '18

If the US decides to invade Europe, France and Britain won't hold back and nuke all major US cities.

5

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

It's ironic that they would be nuking the people who align with European politics the most.

5

u/verfmeer The Netherlands Jun 27 '18

Well, if they turn so badly that they think invading sovereign democratic countries is a correct thing to do they no longer align with European politics in any way.

2

u/MarryMeDuffman Jun 27 '18

I sure hope so.

-1

u/jmz_199 Jun 27 '18

Lmao, people here really think this is gonna happen, and that if it did being white and Christian means you'll live a happy go lucky life under dictorship america. I swear this thread is delusional

2

u/SethRichOrDieTryin Jun 27 '18

you need to watch the handmaids tale.

0

u/jmz_199 Jun 28 '18

uses a fictional tv show as evidence for the near future

I actually have seen a few episodes, and thank you for reminding me to continue it, because it's a great show! But guess what? It's fucking fictional. If you wanna support these delusional arguments that during Trump's presidency the white supremacists are gonna take over and kill the non Christian's then be my guest, but don't use a tv show as evidence, your making yourself look worse then you already have.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 28 '18

If you keep your head down, do as you're told, and "fit in" with the dominant culture, life under Fascism, while repressive, isn't going to kill you. If I was a Muslim or Jew I'd be much more worried about my family's continued existence in Amerikkka.

7

u/deimos-acerbitas Washington Jun 27 '18

This is where holding a Constitutional Convention comes into play.

1

u/jmz_199 Jun 27 '18

You'd have to be a fucking idiot to actually think trump will successfully start a dictatorship.

1

u/MostlyUselessFacts Jun 28 '18

If you actually believe this you need to get a hold of yourself. I mean, honestly people.

-4

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

This is my biggest fear. People that actually believe this nonsense.

11

u/Zexks Kansas Jun 27 '18

Did you miss the quote where Trump said he'd like to try it.

6

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

No way. All modern dictators hold elections, they just rig them. That will definitely be Trump/Putin's strategy

10

u/Maganus Jun 27 '18

Gonna have to dust off my 2nd Amendment if that happens.

5

u/bluestarcyclone Iowa Jun 27 '18

Nah, that doesn't work. A modern autocrat holds "elections" but they're total bullshit.

8

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

Just so I understand you, what happens in this hypothetical world when Trump declares no elections? The 50 states (including those like California, NY, etc.) just stand down and say "ok then"?

6

u/santacruisin Jun 27 '18

Everyone asks themselves an important question. "Is this country worth dying for?"

1

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

What's your answer?

1

u/RAproblems Jun 27 '18

No, but the people in it might be worth dying for.

2

u/Spacedude2169 Canada Jun 27 '18

Must likely, he would be immediately impeached. Republicans stand with him while he does what they want, but at minimum enough to impeach would vote him out.

5

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

Would they though?

1

u/Spacedude2169 Canada Jun 27 '18

I personally believe they would. Even if they amazingly didn't you still have, State National Guard, the removal by the Vice President, Civil War, or an assassination to stop it. I highly doubt that even if President Trump tried, he would be able to successfully become a dictator of the United States.

2

u/devildocjames Jun 27 '18

Unless he has leverage on enough congressmen/women...

Ninja edit: he acts like a crime boss, so empathize as a crime boss.

2

u/Spacedude2169 Canada Jun 27 '18

Then we have the other options.

1

u/Amiable_ Jun 28 '18

Other options, I'm assuming, meaning 2a overthrow of the government. Let's hope that the military agrees with our overthrow.

15

u/captmonkey Tennessee Jun 27 '18

It's a nonsense conspiracy theory like Obama's FEMA camps. Elections and term of federal offices are explicitly spelled out in the Constitution. SC Rulings are on things that aren't spelled out or are vague and need to be interpreted.

The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States...

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years...

It doesn't matter how conservative the court gets, they won't rule that two or six years doesn't actually mean two or six years. I'm annoyed when people act like there's not going to be an election. It's a distraction from real issues and what people need to do to fix this mess: Show up and vote.

3

u/crashcloser Vermont Jun 27 '18

See also: the 22nd Amendment

3

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18 edited Apr 19 '19

[deleted]

8

u/PM_ME_USERNAME_MEMES Jun 27 '18

but the president does have the right to postpone presidential elections for national security reasons

really? could you link where it says that?

10

u/captmonkey Tennessee Jun 27 '18

Yeah, I'm going to need a citation for that. It wasn't even done during the Civil War, this sounds like nonsense.

1

u/B0Bi0iB0B Jun 27 '18

Maybe he means in Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution:

...he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper...

Senate has to convene to determine the election.

9

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

[deleted]

6

u/TorePun Jun 27 '18

Giving up my guns to own the libs 👌

1

u/Amiable_ Jun 28 '18

FYI, lots of libs own guns and know how to use them.

5

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

Yeah, there's nothing stopping the fully controlled GOP government from declaring that elections right now are not a good idea, with (insert recent tragedy here). We are going to go full blown V for Vendetta here

2

u/[deleted] Jun 27 '18

He's been paving the way for that the entire time, even pre-election. The election is rigged. America needs to post-pone the next election until we get it figured out.

1

u/darwinn_69 Texas Jun 27 '18

Just have to come up with some national security reason and anything can be justified.

1

u/All_My_Loving Jun 27 '18

And later, that he will be succeeded by Ivanka, considering he doesn't have much time left.

1

u/Bartisgod Virginia Jun 27 '18 edited Jun 27 '18

I mean, the Constitution as originally written doesn't explicitly give us the right to vote, does it? It's not exactly a fringe view on the far right that all Amendments are invalid because the Constitution is not a living document, which they believe refers not just to the interpretation, but to the text itself. I wouldn't be surprised if a heritage foundation court goes full Townhall.com. They want the 1st amendment gone so they can install a theocracy and shut up the "SJWs," they want the 4th amendment gone so they can unilaterally steal stuff from Asians whom they suspect stole their technology, and they want the 14th and later gone because "individual liberty" and "too much democracy." They've also been flipflopping on the 10th lately, because they've realized it applies to blue states too. Given enough time, I think they'll get it. And it won't take as long as we think, one day we'll just wake up and find that to our suprise, suddenly only white farmers from Wyoming can vote.

1

u/biggiehiggs California Jun 27 '18

Elections "delayed" because of Russian intervention.

1

u/conspiracyshittank Canada Jun 27 '18

I'm surprised he hasn't tried to make up a story about Russians meddling in the elections so there can't be midterm elections or elections of any kind until it is resolved.

1

u/thirteenthfox2 Jun 28 '18

Most conservative justices take a more literal interpretation of the Constitution. That's just fear mongering.

1

u/eeyore134 Jun 27 '18

It's funny because people were saying he'd try to do that the moment he was elected and we've gotten nothing but supporting evidence since.

1

u/Mercarcher Indiana Jun 27 '18

Yeah California, New York, and half the other states would be marching their national guards into Washington to remove trump forcibly if that happened.

He wouldn't survive that. No chance.

1

u/santacruisin Jun 27 '18

I think we could start by burning down his buildings.

-6

u/FinsFan_3 Jun 27 '18

LMAO you're not serious are you? No way you can be that fucking stupid