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    marye
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    Since the existing threads along this line are more archival than current, here's a new one for discussing events in the outside world. In a civil and respectful manner please. There's a lot going on out there. Stay safe, look out for each other

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  • Vguy72
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    Superhero villain comparison....

    ....he thinks he's The Kingpin. But a really stupid Kingpin. Don't worry Mr. Fisk. You don't have competition.
    Regarding the Qatar jet, the Constitution has something to say about that, not that he nor his followers gives a flying fuck.
    "Article I, Section 9, Clause 8: No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State."
    May I also produce evidence to the court of a trump tweet from 2017.
    "During my recent trip to the Middle East I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology. Leaders pointed to Qatar - look!"
    Flip flopping, bribe taking, unless waste of space deplorable Benedict Arnold wannabe traitor.

  • uncle_tripel
    Joined:
    100 days...

    ...of damage?
    have been planned for
    since before
    2016

  • proudfoot
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    Julie Newmar on Batman

    ja, gerne

  • strat-wolf-bean
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    Most Definitely a Villian

    But he's not smart enough to be E. Nigma, the Riddler. He's not funny enough (at all, really) to be the Joker, etc ... Maybe the Penguin, Oswald Cobblepot?

    Oh well, any highly corrupt, malignant, and megalomaniacal industrialist-type moniker can fit just fine. 🤮

    Edit: Yes ... Julie Newmar 😉

  • daverock
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    Super heroes

    I'd never made that connection before, but he could have been a villain in the 1960's T.V series Batman. The one starring Adam West and ...Julie Newmar.

  • Colin Gould
    Joined:
    Jumbo Jet

    I see your ‘president’ is hoping for a free ‘plane in a transparent deal. Does he think he is Wonder Woman?

  • proudfoot
    Joined:
    Now the prick is looking to...

    suspend habeas corpus

    WHAT THE GIVL

    Slowly the water in the pot gains Celsius degrees...

    This is the sign, crew. You must contact your Senator and Representative and say NO.

  • daverock
    Joined:
    Children and religion

    It seems a bit inappropriate to try and teach children about religion to me. I would have thought you needed a certain amount of life experience before the truth starts to unfold., in whatever way it does. You can't teach spiritual experiences to people who have never had them.
    I used to like Bible stories when I was a very young child, in the same way I would have like fantasy. Then it all seemed a load of old tosh when I got into my teens. And things have continued to change and grow ever since .

  • simonrob
    Joined:
    From democracy to autocracy

    In his first 100 days, the orange turd has managed to do almost as much damage to American democracy as Modi did in India in a decade, or Erdogan in Turkey, or Orbán in Hungary in the past eight years. Bearing in mind the orange turd still has almost four years to go, the future for America as a democracy looks very bleak indeed.

  • 1stshow70878
    Joined:
    Catholic School

    Did from 1st grade to middle of 5th in a Catholic school. (and was at 8th-9th grade reading, writing and arithmetic level as I transferred to public school when we moved) Every day began with a mass in Latin. When they went to saying the mass in English I was surprised the dogma was so simple and remember thinking, "Is that all there is to this stuff?". It lost all the mystery and majestic pomp once I knew what they were talking about, lol. But I was always a questioning child and was actually asked to not come back to catechism classes around 13-14 years old. "You ask too many questions", the lay person said. You go Leo!
    Cheers

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Since the existing threads along this line are more archival than current, here's a new one for discussing events in the outside world. In a civil and respectful manner please. There's a lot going on out there. Stay safe, look out for each other
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17 years 10 months

In reply to by proudfoot

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But my groceries are too expensive: (

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10 years 5 months
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Here we are, the day many thought would never come.
A convicted felon as president of the good ole US of A.
It is utterly heartbreaking and just plain wrong.

But, this now being like a decade of this nonsense, I've come to realize that my outrage and discontent mean absolutely nothing.
Nothing.

It just doesn't matter when we are up against such a ridiculously large swath of the American electorate that wants to praise and honor immorality and being as awful a human being as possible, simply "because we can."

The fact that this is the direction of the needle of the American mindset compass is repugnant to the highest degree. And the fact that so many appear to embrace this and want it to go further and further is probably one of the most off-putting characteristics of being an American living on this soil I can think of.

I will never, and I mean NEVER, EVER prescribe to this nor associate myself with it and I will endeavor to teach my children the exact opposite of whatever is happening now and will continue to happen until this scourge has relieved itself in our time.
Four years is a long time, but this too, shall pass.

Strength is in Goodness and honesty, and just being a good human.

Group Hug for those That Need it.
Or leave it, if you dare.

Please Be Well, People.
Sixtus

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10 years 7 months
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...it will only take two years of this crap before the independents see this won't work and we take back the house and senate making the king a lame duck, which he is already technically. Some of his edicts cannot possibly come to fruition as it would take 37 states to ratify a change to the constitution. And he is already pissing off his own party who can't agree on anything even now. Hope works for me.
Cheers

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How about those preemptive pardons that Biden issued to several of his family members - we don't even know what the crime is that he is pardoning them for, but whatever they did, they get a pass at the federal level. Good thing that they won't be subject to the same kind of lawfare unleased on Trump and his family and associates over the last few years. Pretty groundbreaking stuff, preemptive pardons are not the norm, and everyone's heads exploded at the very possibility that Trump would have issued preemptive pardons in 2020, but he didn't. But Biden did, even after all of the media proclaimed him a hero for respecting the system so much that he wasn't going to pardon his own son Hunter after he was convicted. Of course, he did pardon Hunter, so it seems all the credit for Biden's deep respect of the system and judicious use of pardons was a little off the mark. And January 6 was a riot, not an insurrection, the only person killed was a woman who was a Trump supporter who was shot by capitol police, but it was treated quite a bit different than the riots that took over a number of cities in 2020 and caused a number of deaths and a record setting amount of property destruction and damage and yet virtually none of the rioters were tracked down and charged with anything. Looked like an unequal application of the law to me.

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15 Trips around the moon
15 suggestions
11/11/67
2/15/69
9/19/70
11/19/72
2/9/73
5/18/77
12/1/79
9/26/80
12/28/80
9/26/81
10/15/81
3/24/86
10/20/89
9/26/91
3/24/93

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In reply to by Charlie3

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Pointing out earlier presidents errors doesn't make Trump's any more palatable. Biden looked like a man who should have retired years ago, to me. Had he done so, maybe this current tragedy would never have happened.

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Whoever Biden pardoned was on Trump's list of folks Trump was planning on going after.
Plain and simple, January 6 was an attempt at insurrection, what were they doing there, breaking down doors shouting hang Mike Pence? They were trying to overturn the election, prompted by Trump who still keeps whining about a steal that never happened. It's regrettable that people had to die that day, but it's all on Trump and his Proud Boys, Oath Keepers
and assorted fascist supporters.
Your groceries may get more expensive, as migrants are deported; who do you think pick up your produce?
Another note, his inaugural speech was by far the worst I've seen, all hate, lies and vitriol; kinda' like his presidential portrait, which really reflects his personality.

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Import tariffs are paid by American importers, not foreign exporters. The importers will then pass the costs on to the American consumers. It will also fuel inflation. A lose-lose situation. Does America import groceries?

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In reply to by simonrob

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you put the costs put the costs right on me

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In reply to by JimInMD

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Hopefully a culture of dissent will emerge. A modern equivalent of "Turn on, Tune In etc" wouldn't go amiss.

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In reply to by daverock

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I would say something more akin to the spirit of 1968 is required
Every new report on the B.B.C. paints a bleaker picture
But whatever happens, doing nothing is not an option
"Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. "

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In reply to by iangillespie

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What's next is a great question!
Sadly, there seems to be no one, and I mean NO ONE from the opposing side who is able/willing/inspiring enough/universally likeable enough to create a firm opposition to what has happened here. I mean, this has now been going on since 2015 - almost an entire decade (!) - and we appear to be completely incapable of offering up any kind of alternative who is able to unify people with true charisma and likability on all sides.

Politics in the US of A has completely eroded and diminished to one side just wanting to stick it to the other side, while the other side tries to establish some kind of moral high ground that just isn't sticking at this point. There are too many people invested in the mindset of "hey' let's just be dicks to everyone because we CAN, and because we're totally emulating our Our Dear leader, who also is a complete dickhead to anyone and everyone".

How do you overcome that? Its like the US of A is overrun with assholes who just want to burn it all down because they are so brainwashed by their party leader that this type of behavior now seems more of the norm than not.

My biggest takeaway and disappointment with this entire situation is exactly what I just described: the allowance of Americans to just be assholes to everyone, wherein true, honest decency truly no longer exists.

I mean, those qualities are real, innate, human qualities, that should come naturally to any human.
The fact that now, so many USA humans have completely shed these qualities in favor of being a total dickhead is what really makes it hurt.

Before all of this BS, I used to always give strangers the benefit of the doubt, until they proved to me otherwise that they don't deserve it. Since this BS took over, my entire world view has shifted and I no longer offer that benefit of doubt out of my own kindness because I've been shown that it does no good, and it certainly wont be returned in favor. It's really, really sad.

The world thinks we are all a bunch of assholes now. I hate hate HATE being lumped into that classification but I do feel there is so little I can do about it at this point.

I just want the snake to eat its tail.
Where is Ouroboros!?!?!?

Be Well People!
Sixtus

Thanks to Bishop Mariann Budde who spoke truth to power yesterday, too bad the con man convict didn't like it, he just rebuilt his militia while undermining the entire effort of the DoJ. Keep pestering your representatives to call out shameful destruction of rights and constitution. Remember the playbook is to intimidate and threaten people into submission, withdrawing from critical participation.

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Wavy Gravy for President.

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In reply to by simonrob

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....saying that a bishop was a nasty woman doesn't track right. Maybe it's just me.
Thinnest. Skin. Ever. Alpha male my ass.

-How long will it take for the uninformed and/or lazy who got duped by dumpy to realize they been had?
-How will they feel about that, and what will they do then! (though so many folks are so stubborn now they’d rather get screwed than admit an error)
-And will it be too late by then?
It’ll be interesting to watch it all unfold, if we don’t end up dead or worse.
I truly hope I’m wrong, but…

Sure there’ll always be a certain percentage of radical loyalist, but what about the possible majority of republicans, more of the trad ones, Rhinos etc, who held their noses while they voted, only because their long time republicans and/or because their wasn’t any real good choice?( ahem, just one way more dangerous than the other)
Wonder if any of them have had the lighbulb go off yet? If not, how far will things have to get, and will it be too late? And all these kids who say, “just let it all blow up”, yeah then what, remember how fun it was trying to get anything during the pandemic? Multiply logarithmically. Have you seen what life is currently like in Gaza, just wait! And you think shits expensive now…you ain’t seen nothing yet! In fact, recent studies have shown eggs cost more now, groceries?…much more of our food is imported than many realize…so that’s gonna cost way more with tariffs too.
It’s like get rid of the goalie, get rid of the goalie (or quaterback)! he sucks. Well, yeah he does so you get rid of him, but then what, there’s a reason it’s not so easy to just get a better new one. Meaning, you need some kind of plan.
Just blowing everything up is not the answer.
So I’m trying to be optimistic that we’re all just being paranoid and that things will get better, but after over six decades of legalized government stealing and all around fuckery, not feeling it. Hey, I may be dumb but I’m not stoopid.

I don’t dislike or hate these folks who just (for whatever reason) thought they were doing the right thing. We’re all supposed to be on the same team!
Much of my family is like that, don’t like him, what’s going on, but just HAD to vote republican. Many of my former coworkers the same. If you put politics back where it belongs and was BITD, instead of the mandatory politicizing of everything (by design of the evil power elite) I think people would find we all still have more in common, than not.
But unfortunately that’s gone, just like they wanted it, and now we’re all divided, instead of united, which was our only power against all this. There’s almost 330 million Americans, which makes the top half of one percent about 16 million or so. Sounds like a lot but not compared to the other 314,000,000!
But when they divide and concur (the true meaning not the twisted version they use) we the people become we the chumps! United we stand, divided we fall…” I say forgive them lord they know not what they done”
I’ve never been so full of fear and loathing in my life….
Golden years?…golden years my ass.

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In reply to by Oroborous

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....things are looking bleaker by the hour. Got some days off the rest of the week. Thinking about a long hike. Fear and loathing indeed Oro.
Yay. Weed!

In trying to defend his decision to issue pardons to the rioters, Trump again stated that they were acting in response to the idea that the election concerned had been rigged.

In talking about the Los Angeles fire he announced that some of the rich and powerful had been badly affected. As though they are of more value than other people. In his world...they are.

American music has sustained me all my life. To me, it was the greatest of the 20th century. Thinking also of the films and books that were created in that timespan. Trump and his values have nothing to do with any of that. In trying to promote America as "great" he seems oblivious as to what might have made it so.

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In reply to by daverock

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Don’t give up the fight”

Like DMCVT said…
Don’t give up!
They want everyone to quit, or not care, or be too scared, just like Germany!
We need to stop whining and bitching and start doing something, like pester the living hell outta not only your representatives, but any that still seem to posses any sense of decency, if they have an important issue ongoing or up for vote.
And lead by example, even if your the outcast.
Try to respectfully inform those who aren’t closed minded but are uninformed etc, and for god sake VOTE! Lot of folks didn’t this time for lame reasons…
And/or put your head between your legs and kiss your sweet ass goodbye…

“Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene, I’ll see you in my dreams”

"everyone's down for the struggle
until it begins"

It has begun.

I will do my part

The walking fecal remnant apparently has threatened to withhold aid to LA fires/California unless they "change their water policy."

What a scumbag.

....loading up the fam and dogs. 60 degrees outside. Perfect. Chin will be up.
Alltrails is a neat app.
But, before we go, some tunnel light. A Reagan appointed Federal judge in Seattle blocked the assholes order regarding birthright citizenship, calling it "blatantly unconstitutional." Heres to more judges like that. 🍻
Way to go PF! Your judge rules.
Nevada also ruled against it.

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I am the one and only non believer in my family. He spent his first term dividing families and naturally he is now moving onto dividing religions. Having lived now in NYC for well over 30 yrs I am so sick and tired of this clown. When you are ok with driving wedges between family members I think you are unfit to be classified as a human being.

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Subs are officially unavailable. Let's start shipping 53.

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In reply to by wissinomingdeadhead

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I don't think anyone would have any trouble with that commencing. It's after it starts that the trouble begins with that one.

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In reply to by jjc

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JCC - division can be destructive internationally and personally as well. If countries and their people are regarded as of lesser importance than the one we happen to be living in then we are potentially in big trouble.
As Samuel Johnson wrote; "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."

If we become divided within ourselves then we could go on to suffer mental health problems. Which does not mean that we cannot live with contradictions.

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Cruelty is the point. The whole of his appointees lack empathy and compassion and have one goal-- continuing the movement of the monies to the top 1%. He divides us because that is what his base of voters want-- he hates the same people they do and he vocalizes their hatred. Gay people, black/brown people, liberals, non-religious, people who live in big cities. This is why they voted for him, not because of the price of eggs/inflation.

I have been saying for years that the FOX and right wing radio media environment created the opportunity for a guy like Trump to come in and take power. After years of complaining about the mainstream media being liberal, the mainstream media fell for the ruse and with goal of unbiased journalism, they started platforming and mainstreaming the far-right voices. Instead of calling a fact a fact, we got two competing visions of facts.

What the media and non-MAGA people need to do is keep their eye on the ball. Every day he will say and/or Lie Social something outrageous. But the media needs to keep its focus on what they are doing that is hurting Americans and the world. We all know that everything he says is a lie, so stop focusing on that and point out the cruelty, broken promises and how his ideas are F-ing up the world.

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Now he wants to get rid of FEMA.
We can't spend money on people in need.
That's not what government is for.
Good luck folks

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10 years 8 months

In reply to by estimated-eyes

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Trump hates the non religious not realising he is among their number. The people who try to gain the most traction from their faith rarely have any.

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In reply to by daverock

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Those who call themselves Christian and support you-know-who: you-know-who is about as un-Christian as you can be.

Read the Gospels and then compare that narrative to you-know-who....polar opposite messages.

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Its A Thing.

It really feels like that's what's happening here.
The triumph of being a solid and caring human is being lost on some unknown exact swath of minds, but the truth is that the Not Caring and enveloping the world in cruelty sure feels like a throwback.
To somewhere, some time when cruelty was how people survived.

Thing is, we've learned as humanity to survive WITHOUT cruelty and hatred, and I like to believe we've learned that much more good and positivity and advancement is possible than if it were the reverse.

The times we live in are the times that have been, as one may say.
Going backwards.
This place is not going to resemble what it once was, and it's really reaally sad.

Be Well People,
Sixtus

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In reply to by Sixtus_

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....and were not allowed in. Imagine a response like that if there was a school shooting.
Take note that so far, the raids are all in blue states. Figures. Welcome to the Divided States of America.
Are we great yet assholes?

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We can see what's going down and yes, no one is safe. But we have to maintain sanity and music is my go-to.

So I'm just interjecting here to see if anyone has a thought on the 2025 box. Said to be "commensurate" with the occasion, which is the 60th of the original five this December, IIRC.

The term "commensurate" kinda bothers me. The 50th brought an 80-CD box that was, as a unit, ridiculously expensive. I was interested in 66-75, so I shared the cost with someone just to get copies of those years. Back to reality, right now, I'm cutting costs because we have no idea what's going to happen to the economy and our own finances. (Think: linking crypto to our financial system so billionaires can bet big, and we pick up the tab.)

So it would seem absurd to put out a box for north of $250 and I hope they don't. We don't need another $400+ box. Just keep it $200 and under and make it a box about the band's founding and early years. Please.

Otherwise, my greetings to all. I think the fascists at Project 2025 gave the sociopath a big box of stupid **** to say and do up front to freak us all out. Think: disgust and dismay. It's working, if we let it. And we should be freaked. But not frightened. The Harder They Come, the Harder They Fall. One and all...

HF

his father was very much ensconced in the Yorkville neighborhood here in manhattan which at the time was populated by the German American bund. Chip off the old block.

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In reply to by jjc

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.....effectively ended all aid to Ukraine.
Putin won.
Sucks that the title on dead net posts capitalizes all words. It's trump.

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In reply to by daverock

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No communication between CDC and WHO

really....WTF

truly unbelievable.

America....you really fucked up.

Beyond all comprehension.