There's a British expression: "What's this in aid of?"

[MineralMan]

It's a question I ask myself here, every time I read something proposing that there will be no January 6th prosecutions, indictments, or serious investigations, and that nobody important will be convicted or jailed over it.

I ask because I can think of no good reason to promote that position. The position benefits nobody. It does not encourage any action. It does nothing other than discourage people and make them depressed about the entire thing.

So, I ask again, "What's this nonsense in aid of?"

Perhaps someone can explain to me how it is of any possible benefit whatsoever.

[llashram]

1. hope here

is that the right people will give due justice to ALL those involved in this political malfeasance. that is all

[MineralMan]

6. We have been told by our Attorney General that

that is what is going to happen. I do not doubt AG Garland's word on that. The investigation is ongoing. Until it is finished and ends, I simply do not know what the outcome will be. Those who are selling pessimism do not know, either. So, we have few alternatives but to wait and see.

[Silent3]

2. Does the opposite do any good either?

People make predictions all the time, of good things and of bad things, with good accuracy or terrible accuracy.

None of it typically changes outcomes.

What's "motivating" can lead to positive actions, but it can also make a bad outcome more painful because somebody wasn't emotionally prepared for it.

What some people consider dispiriting, on the other hand, does help many people cope better if things do go badly.

Look up "brightsiding" if you believe "positive thinking" is always the best course to follow.

[MineralMan]

4. Any prediction based on no evidence is suspect.

That's why I keep saying, "I don't know what is going to happen, but I'm hopeful." Nothing wrong with being hopeful, but there's plenty of wrong in trying to sell hopelessness. Or, so it seems to me.

[BlackSkimmer]

5. This, exactly. Ive seen very, very few predictions come true here.

I can think of a few DUers who like to make predictions on a regular basis. I can't even think of one that's come true in recent memory.

So I've often wondered what those predictions are "in aid of."

[Sympthsical]

18. What? The Mueller report was everything and more!

I'm still smoking the cigarette from that one.

[BlackSkimmer]

20. Lol! How could I have possibly forgotten!

Yes, that one was immensely satisfying!

Mueller Time!

[madinmaryland]

22. But what about Fitzmas, and kkKarl Rove being indicted in 24 business hours?

🤣🤣🤣

[BlackSkimmer]

23. I know, right?

Good times.

[Hekate]

3. KnR. Things are a bit swampy here lately.

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. It damps down irrational exuberance, and prevents Charlie Brown/Lucy disappointment

If, on any given subject, DUers only posted optimistic predictions, then we'd get a lot of them wrong, and DU would look naive. It's better to have people actually post their feelings than say "only cheer-leading allowed, people!"

[Novara]

8. I've got it!

People's sense of self-importance. The internet is absolutely chock full of people pontificating their opinions as fact and feeling all important for sharing their insights with the rest of the world. It's a lot easier to spew opinions than it is to sit back and wait and see and admit that you really don't have any great unique insights into how the process is actually going.

Buncha Eeyores, I tell ya.

I'm no pollyanna but I will admit readily that I am not an insider at the DOJ or the J6 committee and I do not know what is going on behind closed doors. And it appears there's stuff going on that the Eeyores don't want to acknowledge, like Navarro being compelled to testify in front of a grand jury in two days. THAT'S HUGE. Looks like the DOJ really is working on this shit, doesn't it?

[unblock]

9. Cui bono?

[CentralMass]

10. Fitzmas, the Mueller Report. Supposed indictments of tRump , family, and associates.

The recent history of attempts to hold republicans in power accountable for their misdeeds gives me no confidence that it will be any different thus time.
It is in aid of a warranted skepticism

[SYFROYH]

11. For some its defensive pessimism, for others its a rhetorical attempt

to get others to argue that something will happen.

I wonder what posts like yours are in aid of?

[MineralMan]

13. Rationality.

That's what my posts are in aid of. Thanks for asking.

[SoonerPride]

14. And the rational position is yours of course

As opposed to the staunch pessimists?

[Yonnie3]

12. Some are looking for reassurances that they are wrong and to be argued out of their despair.

They are few in in numbers in my opinion, but there are some.

[Wounded Bear]

15. I believe in America we say, "Who stands to gain from this?"

[SoonerPride]

16. Rationality.

Anyone expecting top level prosecutions and especially of trump himself is going to be crestfallen when reality sinks in.

Why people post that?

Because it’s the truth.

[BlackSkimmer]

21. This.

[Sympthsical]

17. So only say good things, even if you don't believe them?

Or only say good things?

Because those are the two options being laid out.

So that's a no from me, dawg. Programming oneself to only do Happy Talk in service to one's politics is kind of a nonstarter with any ideology of liberalism I follow.

During a historical moment where we hate Russia with a passion, it's an odd concept to promote. I mean, history and whatnot.

(And it's "cui bono" btw. "Who benefits?" British expression, wtf . . . )

[Stuart G]

19. K & R

[BlueIdaho]

24. There is another British Expression

That addresses the AGs probable outcome.

Fuck All.