SECONDNEXUS
percolately
georgetakei
comicsands
George's Reads
In modern times, the idea of a moat as a defense sounds ridiculous. Fill that moat with snakes and alligators and you have the plot for a James Bond or Austin Powers film.
But that suggestion—a border moat with reptilian deterrents—is precisely what the President of the United States suggested. And not Presidents Martin Van Buren or Millard Fillmore—whose mid 19th century options were decidedly limited.
President Donald Trump—the fourth President to serve in the 21st century—made the suggestion according to a report by The New York Times. But only after being told shooting migrants even just in the legs would be illegal.
Yes, Trump wanted a moat. With alligators. https://t.co/gYA0OzEz8y— ZiggyB23 (@ZiggyB23) 1570028232.0
Once news broke of the gator and snake-filled moat, Dr. Evil starting trending on Twitter.
Half of the country supports Dr. Evil and I still can’t wrap my head around that. https://t.co/k0unfo5C7i— cat salami (@cat salami) 1569981938.0
This is indistinguishable from Dr. Evil’s demand for sharks with laser beams on their foreheads. https://t.co/CfjfKPPVUy— Josh Barro (@Josh Barro) 1569971898.0
"It sounds hard to believe, doesn't it? Did Dr. Evil come up with that?" https://t.co/SKiPmAKw06— Brian Stelter (@Brian Stelter) 1569989702.0
You'll recall that in Austin Powers, the Mike Myers comedic caricature of every Bond villain, famously asked for a pool of sharks with "frickin' laser beams" as a weapon.
No word on whether Trump wanted frickin' laser beams on his alligators or not, but the similarity in thought processes was too close for people to not make the connection.
@juliehdavis @shearm Trump needs to put down the cable remote....too much 007 and Austin Powers https://t.co/oFpJ1NXGGB— StillHere 🌊🌈✌🇺🇸 (@StillHere 🌊🌈✌🇺🇸) 1569984212.0
@juliehdavis @shearm I was pushing for sharks with friggen laser beams attached to their friggen heads. https://t.co/9qbCMN8Xql— another day in paradise⭐⭐⭐ (@another day in paradise⭐⭐⭐) 1570029151.0
@juliehdavis @shearm Unhinged. Snakes and alligators in a moat? These are not the ideas of a “stable genius”.— Greg Butler (@Greg Butler) 1569978706.0
Sources have sent us actual blueprints that were drawn up. As you can see, it will be a toss up on which occurs fir… https://t.co/hM7dAdKSxG— Southside Paducah News Team (@Southside Paducah News Team) 1569983328.0
@juliehdavis @nytimes @shearm Only a diabolical monster can think of such atrocities.— Carlos Bustamante (@Carlos Bustamante) 1569980971.0
“Get back in the moat!!” https://t.co/poauSu0rEH— Acyn Torabi (@Acyn Torabi) 1569969725.0
@juliehdavis @nytimes @shearm Just put Chumpo in the moat. He’s the biggest snake in the grass I’ve ever seen.— Duck the Halls 🎄❤️💚🎁 (@Duck the Halls 🎄❤️💚🎁) 1569976711.0
Snake. Filled. Moat. https://t.co/BDo9qvnYNA— Maureen Johnson (@Maureen Johnson) 1569968709.0
They actually priced out a moat filled with snakes. No, seriously. THEY ACTUALLY PULLED TOGETHER ESTIMATES ON A M… https://t.co/e61mMzn6ij— The Hoarse Whisperer (@The Hoarse Whisperer) 1569974440.0
like wtf is the 25th amendment for if not to remove a potus when they propose a moat full of wild animals to secure the border— Andrew Lawrence (@Andrew Lawrence) 1569988529.0
President Trump responded on Twitter to the story he wanted a border "Moot" which was later deleted and corrected to read "Moat."
Now the press is trying to sell the fact that I wanted a Moat stuffed with alligators and snakes, with an electrifi… https://t.co/vzjHlA3wMe— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1570028531.0
@realDonaldTrump Whatever #DrEvil, we all know how badly you wanted a #moat.— Seán Bjärtdag (@Seán Bjärtdag) 1570028305.0
But not before being captured for posterity.
Trump's respect for grammar is moot. https://t.co/deeKOFspsN— Eva Putzova (@Eva Putzova) 1570029763.0
@Randy23359052 @Independent If he is so smart why does he consistently make grammatical errors? The fact this idiot… https://t.co/rtHxkP4aAp— ♡ (@♡) 1570028257.0
$6.1 billion dollars is being transferred from the Defense Department's budget to pay for Trump's border wall. Perhaps they can also offer a 21st century solution for security?
The Austin Powers trilogy is available here, complete with a pool of sharks with frickin' laser beams.