- 2,567 repliesmarye
Joined: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
- daverock
Joined:Trump and tigerWeird AI generated post on social media of the great man wrestling with a tiger. Posted days after a real life tragedy in which one mauled a young man to death. It seems apparent that the person who died had significant mental health problems. In the past, a child would have been told off for making jokes about something like that. Now we have a world leader that does it.
- JimInMD
Joined:Straight D'sIt never used to be this way, but here we are.
The issue is the entire Republican party is zombie loyal to the core. So a vote for any one of them is a vote for.. well, to be blunt, it's a cult.
That is where we are. And I am voting in person, probably early but leaving no doubt so voting in person.
And sorry to be blunt, but it smells like a cult, looks like a cult, quacks like a cult. This party has become a cult supporting a false prophet. No thank you. D is the cure. I hope they get their shit together. I mean.. they support Putin over Zelenski. Really? Putin? I mean Really? WTF have you guys been smoking?
- proudfoot
Joined:Only the best for the USAOur golden age keeps getting goldener....
1984 now, 1984 forever.
The dystopian 1984, not the year of the new Dave's.
This administration would go up to a cadaver and talk about how full of life it is. "Watch it dance! Look, it's running a marathon!"
Bro, it's a cadaver lying on a gurney.
"Wow! It's doing more jumping jacks than anyone ever has!"
Do they really expect people to believe their bullshit?
Apparently, they do. And I do know some people believe it.
"President you-know-who, the greatest mathematician ever to live, will now show 2 + 2 = 5!"
Please Lord, deliver us from this utter madness.

Nickname
I hear Pistol Pete, head of DOD (not DOW), has a new nickname.
He both earned and deserved it. Now he has to live with it.
DOD
Department of Denial?
Perhaps
We are not a different country than we were pre-orange. We have different leadership which is sitting at a mere 38% approval.
We also have serious war machinery off-shore of Venezuela twiddling their thumbs with nothing to do. No one seriously thinks they are there to keep an eye on the drug trade. So why are they there? Oil? Mineral interests? Regime change? Zero transparency. Zero.
So why are we bombing small drug speedboats that at best are taking coke to Costa Rica or the Bahamas with multi-million-dollar precise guided smart bombs. All of this is almost certainly illegal, and our allies are beginning to stop sharing intelligence with us on the pretext that this is likely illegal/war crimes/murder.
We are paying more for these bombing raids than the street price of the suspected coke on board.
No congressional approval, zero disclosure and the purpose is muddled at best.
What could possibly go wrong? I guess everyone trusts this guy. If he says it, it must be true (ha, not!).
War is a serious matter; these guys are not serious about anything except maybe the grift.
is his new nickname Pistol Pete?
if so, that probably gives him a boner.
If it's Pete the Prick, then that's different.
This country is phukt UP.
New Nickname
Thank Trey Parker and Matt Stone for his new nickname, no it is not Pistol Pete.
"Pete Hegseth is a F***ing D****bag" sung to the Kenny Logins song "Danger Zone"
Danger Zone is the same song Old Orange used in his AI generated video where he flew a fighter jet over his protestors bombing them with runny, disgusting, bubbling diarrhea. Kenny Loggins was not a happy camper and demanded that the Orange Administration not use his music without permission, which would not be granted under any circumstances.
I wonder if he has the same complaint with South Park's use of his song?
If you have not been watching South Park this season (and last), it's hilarious. Got a Nut and Turkey Trot are especially poignant reminders of how screwed up the current administration is. Even Satan is pissed off. Kristi Noem makes a few Oscar worthy appearances too. They Nailed It!
Pete Kegsbreath is still my favorite....
....the newly rebranded Department Of War is just itching to start shit with Venezuela.
Now thats what I call a distraction from the Epstein files.
Cheese and Rice
Agent Orange just pardoned the biggest convicted drug trafficker in American History, Juan Hernandez - former president of Honduras.
Holy crap.. is he going to let all the bad guys out of prison? Perhaps he feels he needs to free up some room in the prisons so he can indict and jail all the pesky democrats, journalists or anyone that gets tells him no or gets in his way.
Prosecutors stated that Juan Hernández and his co-conspirators were responsible for trafficking more than 400 tons of cocaine through Honduras to the U.S.. In comparison, while Manual Noriega's operations were significant at the time, the sheer volume of drugs involved in the Hernández case was described by a former head of operations for the DEA as "bigger than the one against Panama's Noriega"
So we let the convicted big guy out and spend millions bombing these tiny little boats with un-convicted, unanimous, nameless foot soldiers? Up is down, black is white, bad is good and the good go to jail while the bad, rich, corrupt and powerful get pardoned.
This is the guy you voted for America because he promised to lower the price of groceries on day 1. Guess what, groceries are not cheaper, and grocery prices are not going down. You've been duped by a dope. Next November, dump the dope.
I like Pete Kegsbreath. Catchy.
How about Pete Kegsbreath is a F***ing D****bag. It's win/win.
Follow
The money. The grift and contradictions are through the roof.
Follow the Money
So true.
And if you follow the dictators playbook getting a huge pile of money is key. He will need to intimidate, jail, overpower those who stand up against him.
It's amazing how much he has bent this country, things we would never have tolerated before and we do it because it's the corrupt, radical left, crooked Hilary, Sleepy Joe, Soros, Squirrel, evil opposition that need to be jailed, indicted, hanged, pick any combination of made up words to describe anyone in your way, especially if it is not true. Then go after them pitchforks in hand.
It's beginning to feel a lot like Russia.
But start by following the money.
God Damn Donald Trump and all he stands for
sleazebag piece of shit
Unbelievable
I wanted to watch the draw for the football/soccer World Cup but it turned out to be just about Gianni Infantino, the bald, corrupt president of FIFA and, of course, the orange turd. There was also an inaugural FIFA Peace Prize and guess who won it? Yep, the orange turd. I couldn't watch any more so I will find out who gets to play who later on. Bullshit is taking over the world. Unbelievable.
The way we are going..
..it wouldn't surprise me to see him nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year.
great comment Daverock
yes, Simonrob, unbelievable.
The Exploited express my current feelings
unfathomable that we have gotten to this point
Football/Soccer
I gave up on it. Not the local sports!
It became a business Mafia would be proud of.
Ken kesey live at the University of Virginia
Search for the youboob video... welcome!
The people of the "United" States....
...have only themselves to blame. Or their neighbors, co-workers, in-laws, red state cousins, etc. for this disaster. Anyone who voted for Dump the 2nd time just obviously did not see this coming - "Project 2025, anyone?" - or wanted it to happen.
This is squarely on their hands. Hope you got what you wanted.
Palantar - In the darkest depths of Mordor
Palantir Technologies is a Silicon Valley tech company that may put your most basic freedoms at risk.
Palantir gets its name from a device used in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, in which a “palantir” is a seeing stone — something like a crystal ball — that can be used to spy on people and distort the truth. During the War of the Ring, a palantir falls under the control of the evil Sauron, who uses it to manipulate and deceive.
Palantir — co-founded by far-right billionaire Peter Thiel and its current CEO Alex Karp — bears a striking similarity.
It sells AI-based data platforms that let their clients, including governments, militaries, and law enforcement agencies, quickly process and analyze massive amounts of your personal data.
Whether it’s social media profiles, bank account records, tax history, medical history, or driving records, the tools that Palantir sells are used to help clients identify and monitor individuals — like you.
Why should this matter to you? Billions of your tax dollars are going to Palantir, and what Palantir is working on could be used in some creative and intrusive ways.
As Palantir’s Karp says: “Palantir is here to disrupt and make the institutions we partner with the very best in the world and, when it’s necessary, to scare enemies and on occasion kill them.”
Early in his current term, Trump signed an executive order requiring government agencies to consolidate all of their information about you into one giant database — something that has never been done before. To help process this massive amount of information, Trump chose Palantir.
Trump claims this is about “efficiency.” But as one Silicon Valley investor described it, Palantir is “building the infrastructure of the police state.”
Data privacy experts warn that when government data is pooled together, it can be used by a tyrant to intimidate or silence opposition. The possibilities for abuse are huge. One of Palantir’s major projects is a new immigrant surveillance system for ICE’s deportations.
We’ve already seen Trump target people or organizations he considers enemies. Imagine if he could punish or deny services to individual Americans based on their political affiliation, whether they’ve attended a protest, or even posted an unflattering picture of him online.
Palantir could be giving Trump the power to do just this.
Palantir co-founder and Trump ally Peter Thiel has made no secret of his disdain for democracy, writing “I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible.”
But when he speaks of “freedom,” he isn’t thinking about you. To Thiel, “freedom” means that he and his fellow tech oligarchs get to do what they want, without consequences, while the rest of us live in an authoritarian police state.
It’s a match made in Mordor — Trump gets the infrastructure to go after his enemies. Thiel gets to end American democracy.
The danger of Palantir’s AI-powered super database on all Americans is amplified by the vast wealth and power of those associated with it, and their apparent disdain for democratic institutions.
To protect democracy and our individual freedoms, we need to elect leaders who will defend the public from corporations like Palantir — not partner with them.
Tolkien’s palantir fell under the control of Sauron. Thiel’s Palantir is falling under the control of Trump.
Please vote.
Jim...
Yup! I was telling people that for years... Divide then use that against that who don't support you, and deny them basic services. Food, housing, clean water, clean air, etc.
Edit...
Those who accept the 'Mark' will be left alone!
Psycho Don
Psycho Don, psycho Don, he's psycho Don.... His work isn't done, hates his son's, killed his wife by 81. He's psycho Don!
It was nice while it lasted...
But now that the orange turd has decided that Putin's Russia is a place that he can do business with and Europe is no longer fit to be considered an ally, the world order has changed dramatically. The orange turd has always sycophantically admired authoritarian leaders like Putin and Kim Jong-un, the rocket man, and has little time for democratically elected leaders. That he was democratically elected was merely a way for him to attain power and he is currently busy dismantling all the democratic institutions in the US. He is actively supporting extreme right-wing political parties in Europe, parties that most mainstream European parties refuse to work with. This goes against the orange turd's world view so he is losing interest in Europe. How this will all end is uncertain, but it's unlikely to improve things. Damn the turd, his inbred hillbilly retard VP and all his corrupt cronies.
Simonrob, last sentence
I second that emotion
Puts us all in a Precarious Place
Amen, Simon.
Simonrob
AMEN. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.
Loser
It's going to be the women that's going to save US! The men ain't got the balls too stand up to this loser...
Fourwindsblow
After watching too many women vote against their own bodily autonomy I am not sure who is going to standup to this douchebag. I am beginning to think Dogs and cats need to start voting.
Once upon a time, not so…
Once upon a time, not so long ago
Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike
He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
She brings home her pay, for love, mmm, for love
She says, "We've gotta hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot"
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' in a nightmare
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' in a nightmare
Tommy's got his six string in hock, now he's holding in
When he used to make it talk so tough, ooh, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
"Baby, it's okay, someday"
We've gotta hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' in a nightmare
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Whoa oh, livin' in a nightmare
Livin' in a nightmare
Oh, we've gotta hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' in a nightmare
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' in a nightmare
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' in a nightmare
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' in a nightmare
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' in a nightmare
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh
Fear and loathing in Pa
He's seeding fear and hate all the while kissing his own ass as a God!!
trump calls Somalia third world and dirty....
....asks why more Scandinavians aren't moving here, then proceeds to take over a Venezuelan oil tanker.
A) Someone finally watched Blackhawk Down and/or Captain Phillips and immediately threw an umbrella over the entire country (not the first time).
B) Why would white people from Scandinavia even want to move here. Yeah. I said white because he's a racist pos.
C) after watching either one of those movies, the administration thought, "huh. Why should Somalia have all the fun being pirates?
Goodness
Taking over an oil tanker? Guess that explains his interest with Venezuela, as if there was ever a doubt.
PNW & Greedy Acres
Hang on brothers!
Old Jed discovered oil on a Ship in the Ocean!!
Great
He and his ballroom can move to a Beverly.
Hills that is.
Swimming Pools.
Movie Stars.
(Apologies to those not familiar with the Flatt and Scruggs song The Ballad of Jed Clampett or the TV Show the Beverly Hillbillies)
I think...
The Beverly Hillbillies song is taught in schools...
To bust a smoker, first you too become a smoker
Best way to make them bleed is to bust their ass and steal their weed!
In Living Color/Jim Carrey
did a parody of the BevHill song
also Weird Al
and probably a million others
Left hand monkey wrench in the....
Works!!
...
The only ones benefiting from the back and forth politics is the republicans and the rich! I do think that republicans don't want to win in the mid-terms. When things go south they can't blame democrats??
....
Vote Republican? This may sound insane, but so is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome??
Rock, and a Hard Place?
Weakening a Dictator only makes them more destructive!
Weak Dictators Club
I have heard they even sometimes like to start fake wars based on false pretense with weaker, neighboring countries and hide behind all the chaos. Like, say, for example plan it to escalate just before midterm elections. I have heard they sometimes use events like this skew elections or not have them at all.
Democracy- Dictatorship
In some ways, what has happened in America recently indicates the risk of democracy rather than dictatorship. When the electorate isn't necessarily well informed, and those competing for votes are free to lie and manipulate, then the suitability of those elected to govern will always be variable .
Taking this into account, if somebody is elected who is basically corrupt, then it is the system that allows for his or her election that may be at fault, rather than the individual in question who has been elected.
RIP Rob Reiner
Burn in hell Donald Trump for your post re his killing
and for a million other things
but you are simply a despicable asshole, DT.
Proudfoot
Ditto
I don't want to hear MAGA bitch about what people said about....
....Charlie Kirk after reading what trump, our president, said about Reiner.
Been currently making my way through All In The Family seasons.
Pay no attention to man behind the curtain
He is desperate to distract your attention from a) the Epstein files and b) the fact that he has absolutely no idea how to get inflation under control or how to stop the astronomical rise in health care premiums that is about to hit this teetering economy like a semi truck plowing through a picket fence.
I'd be willing to bet that he will start a war with Venezuela under the pretense that this has something to do with drug cartels (even though he just pardoned the former Honduran president who was serving time for importing 200 tons of coke into the US). Any takers?
I'm game.....
....today, he signed another EO. Which are not laws by the way, that fentanyl is now a weapon of mass destruction. Something hospitals stock.
The Epstein Files are "scheduled" to be released Friday.
There will be American boots on Venezuelan ground Thursday. Or some sort of equivalent. Because oil and raping kids.
Again. RIP Rob & Michele.
Comments on Reiner
Unconscionable and immediately disqualifying. I wish we could deport him.
My phrase for today comes from Minneapolis over the weekend. "We do not want to live in a society with secret police" Amen to that.
In two weeks many in the US will see an enormous increase in healthcare costs. Thank you Donald Trump, thank you GOP. The increase pales in comparison to the raise they gave the uber rich in the form of the largest tax breaks to the wealthy in history, almost all of it unfunded meaning it is almost entirely deficit funded. Screw You DJT. You take the money, taxpayers foot the bill. Shenanigans.
TDS
For all those with questions, Trump Derangement Syndrome does in fact exist, it's a real thing.
DJT is seriously deranged. If you're confused or not convinced, read re-read his truth social post on Reiner again. In all seriousness, he is seriously deranged.
This is not normal, he does not represent me, and I bet he does not represent you. He is nothing more than a carnival barker and a charlatan that somehow, through sorcery and trickery, bamboozled a misled public and got elected. A con man, nothing more, nothing less.
health care
The thing that really gets my blood boiling (among many these days) is when I hear Republicans say that the ACA made things worse and is a failed system. All of the liberals will agree that it was never perfect and there was a subset that saw premiums go up at the outset. That subset could have been dealt with by making modifications to make it work better for them.
Unfortunately, the GOP refused to do anything to improve the ACA and instead made laws to sabotage it and funded lawsuits to gut various provisions that made it work. Now it is a deeply flawed system that needs additional governmental supports to make it affordable (because of GOP policies) for many who need it. Medicare for all please!
Don't even get me started on his reaction to Rob Reiner or Venezuela. I have a 15 y.o. son and I worry about him being sent to a war of DT's choice in a few years. If you polled one million Americans before the 2024 election, I guarantee you not a single person would respond positively to wanting to start a war with Venezuela or mocking the death of beloved director Rob Reiner-- who doesn't like Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, Princess Bride, Stand By Me, etc.... I think his 'Truth' has awoken some of his cult to the fact that he is a major a-hole. How they didn't see that before is beyond comprehension.
Estimated eyes
They never asked New Yorkers what we thought of him Long before he ran for president we had been dealing with all his bullshit almost constantly. He sues everyone and anyone always has always will he is abusive of our judicial system and to top it all off to really show his SICK MIND he names his kid Barron after years of calling the NY post and claiming he was John Barron trumps PR guy telling us all what a great lover Donald trump is. SICKO MF’R!
JJC
Without living in New York, but existing in America in the 80s, 90s and 00s, I knew what a jerk he was. He was always a self-promoter and I did not like the man the first time I saw him on tv decades ago. Incredible to believe, but his general jerkiness is so much worse now than it was 2017-21. No filter on him (internal or external) and all that verbal vomit just spews from him.
Political leaders
Maybe the only prominent role in society where someone can hold office without being qualified to do so. Relying on the vote of people who don't understand the issues, rather than on professional qualifications to secure their position, it's surprising that their aren't more tyrants in office in the so called free world. Unfortunately it may be a growing trend.
To consider another prominent role - we entrust healthcare to the hands of doctors on the basis of their medical qualifications and consequent experience.
In the political world, anyone with enough money can buy themselves into a position where they can lie and manipulate themselves into power - without the requirement of having any relevant knowledge or experience. It would be absurd if doctors were elected, rather than qualified.
There is never any guarantee that any elected leader is in any way qualified to take the role on. We have had several prime ministers in Britain in the last 5 years or so which bear this out. So it's not just America.