(Soon to be) Former President Donald Trump

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Originally Posted by Lendo

Literally the first image that came in to my head after seeing this photo…. What a sad time we live in.

Attachment 28528

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Is that Joe Goebbels, Reich Minister of Propaganda 1933-45, there?

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Oh.

https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_fullsi...jsw4fxpf4@jpeg

Trumps Niece Mary Trump(and believe me she despises him as much as every other right thinking decent human being) says the only reason he is meeting Putin in Moscow is to pick up his bonus, i believe her


i see russian propagandist Tulsi Gabbard has been voted in for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s history with Russia is even more concerning than you think

https://bsky.app/profile/wutangforch.../3lhz2h2sp7s2j

Listen to Musk's random-letters wee boy whispering :greengrin

Apparently genuine.
(Apologies for posting the link instead of the actual video. Can't figure out how to do that.)

It's amazing how all these authoritarians are resurging, trump putin belarus guy hungarian guy,it'sa kinda scary thought that they can do what the hell they want.

Three weeks in ...

https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbn...nyzdogr2a@jpeg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e50aa3b2b0.jpg

Trump needs a budget passed next month. He’ll need the democrats to do it. I don’t think it will happen.


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We are all too passive, we sit behind computer screens and type that we're outraged and that it won't do. But we are so subservient, the only people with any energy and desire to do anything are the room temperature IQ fascists and they're certainly winning. They are so easily manipulated, they genuinely believe they've got more in common with a politician, nay Oligarch, than an immigrant getting off a boat from Somalia, it's frightening the level of their intellect.

Number 1 problem in the developed world? Elligible voters that simply do not vote, especially the young, the percentage of young people under 30 who simply do not, and have never voted, is utterly staggering. It should be a legal obligation to vote in your countries elections, men and women fought and died in their millions so that you have the freedom and right to vote, so every time someone doesn't vote it's a kick in the face to all the people who went through the hell of fighting for their country and democracy, and I will never ever buy the "don't like any of them" line, there is always an independent that is standing on a more locally focussed ticket, there will be parties like the Greens who have wealth redistribution as a goal. Wealth inequality is a very close second and one that goes hand in hand with voting really, but I'm not sure that's s topic for this thread.

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Originally Posted by The_Exile

We are all too passive, we sit behind computer screens and type that we're outraged and that it won't do. But we are so subservient, the only people with any energy and desire to do anything are the room temperature IQ fascists and they're certainly winning. They are so easily manipulated, they genuinely believe they've got more in common with a politician, nay Oligarch, than an immigrant getting off a boat from Somalia, it's frightening the level of their intellect.

Number 1 problem in the developed world? Elligible voters that simply do not vote, especially the young, the percentage of young people under 30 who simply do not, and have never voted, is utterly staggering. It should be a legal obligation to vote in your countries elections, men and women fought and died in their millions so that you have the freedom and right to vote, so every time someone doesn't vote it's a kick in the face to all the people who went through the hell of fighting for their country and democracy, and I will never ever buy the "don't like any of them" line, there is always an independent that is standing on a more locally focussed ticket, there will be parties like the Greens who have wealth redistribution as a goal. Wealth inequality is a very close second and one that goes hand in hand with voting really, but I'm not sure that's s topic for this thread.

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I get where you are coming from but anti Fascist marches are huge affairs and groups like Just Stop Oil are so committed they put their liberty, which has never been in doubt, at risk through direct action. I'm not far off your view though

I don't disagree that voting should be compulsory but you should not be forced to indicate a preference for a candidate. I frequently spoil my paper but always vote. None of the above winning an election is actually a potential way to change democracy or rather re-introduce it as it doesn't really exist for practical purposes now. Voting in the current democracy is almost pointless. The spread of news and coverage is ridiculously targeted at the top two Parties and Reform and formerly UKP pick up most of the rest when talking about UK elections. I'd love people to vote on what they actually believe but first past the post and blindly accepting what politicians are saying rather than how they vote in debates etc mean voters often vote against their beliefs and interests

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Originally Posted by wookie70

I get where you are coming from but anti Fascist marches are huge affairs and groups like Just Stop Oil are so committed they put their liberty, which has never been in doubt, at risk through direct action. I'm not far off your view though

I don't disagree that voting should be compulsory but you should not be forced to indicate a preference for a candidate. I frequently spoil my paper but always vote. None of the above winning an election is actually a potential way to change democracy or rather re-introduce it as it doesn't really exist for practical purposes now. Voting in the current democracy is almost pointless. The spread of news and coverage is ridiculously targeted at the top two Parties and Reform and formerly UKP pick up most of the rest when talking about UK elections. I'd love people to vote on what they actually believe but first past the post and blindly accepting what politicians are saying rather than how they vote in debates etc mean voters often vote against their beliefs and interests

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I agree on the spoiling the paper issue. That should always be an option. I think a 'none of the above' option would be good too. One of my wife's friends rarely votes. When she does, she votes based on either which male candidate is "hottest" or which party leader is "hottest" or trendy. This is a woman about to turn 40 BTW, not some 18 year old. If that's the standard of insight of non-voters, I'm not sure making it compulsory is as good an idea as it seems.

another Putin Puppet

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GjkTEpsX...pg&name=medium

https://scontent.fman1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...bQ&oe=67B452B9

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Originally Posted by cabbageandribs1875

https://scontent.fman1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...bQ&oe=67B452B9

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He's an absolute ****bag. I feel like, ultimately, it'll end badly for him*, but it's astonishing the damage he's being allowed to do in the meantime. All while throwing spiteful, childish insults at vulnerable people, and folks just doing the jobs that they were hired to do.

* :pray:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4d5913bc02.png

The are banning anti-depressants. That will go well.[emoji849]


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Originally Posted by Ozyhibby

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4d5913bc02.png

The are banning anti-depressants. That will go well.[emoji849]


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I don't read it as that at all.

There's definitely a debate to be had on the use of SSRIs and other types of treatments, particularly among children, so I don't see any issue with that. That debate is ongoing throughout the world. The use of the word "threat" isn't helpful, sure, but I don't see mention of a "ban".

I don't see much wrong with the rest of that statement, either.

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Originally Posted by Ozyhibby

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4d5913bc02.png

The are banning anti-depressants. That will go well.[emoji849]


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It's an issue in Scotland with 1 in 5 adults on anti depressants. Maybe it should be looked at.

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Originally Posted by CropleyWasGod

I don't read it as that at all.

There's definitely a debate to be had on the use of SSRIs and other types of treatments, particularly among children, so I don't see any issue with that. That debate is ongoing throughout the world. The use of the word "threat" isn't helpful, sure, but I don't see mention of a "ban".

I don't see much wrong with the rest of that statement, either.

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I guess they deserve the benefit of the doubt.


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I was aware of Trump’s criminality but didn’t know that R.Kennedy Jr., his health secretary was a convicted felon for possession of heroin.

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Originally Posted by jamie_1875

It's an issue in Scotland with 1 in 5 adults on anti depressants. Maybe it should be looked at.

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Making Scotland less ****ing depressing is how I'd go about it.

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Originally Posted by jamie_1875

It's an issue in Scotland with 1 in 5 adults on anti depressants. Maybe it should be looked at.

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In Americas case it would put them up against Pharmaceutical companies who will lobby their way out of any issues.

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Originally Posted by Smartie

Making Scotland less ****ing depressing is how I'd go about it.

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This will be a bit of a rant, and not aimed at you mate as I agree with you. If you solve wealth inequality, you destroy most, if not every single social problem the country is dealing with in one go. Unfortunately, we don't have anyone doing this where it matters, Westminster. I think Gary Stevenson (ex Citibank banker and economist, youtube channel Garys Economics is a good watch for understanding what's going on) is our best bet but not sure he's up for running for political office. I honestly do not see a way through this for any of us as we seem unable/unwilling to mobilise, stand beside each other and change things, they've got us waging culture wars against one another rather than focussing on the flow of money, smoke and mirrors.

£700 billion printed during Covid, where is it? The government didn't get it back so where did it go? That's enough for every working age adult in the UK to be given nearly 20 grand. I'm not 20 grand better off since 2021, and I would be willing to place a sizeable bet that nobody reading this is either. It flowed to the super rich, the people we pay our mortgages to, the behemoths we buy our food from. It's no coincidence that gold is at all time high, it's no coincidence that house prices continued to rise and rise during a cost of living crisis, it's no coincedence that stocks and shares are at all time highs during a cost of living crisis. This is what the super rich buy, this is who are buying our relatives houses, we will all end up in absolute poverty when there's nothing left. Look at India, look at South Africa, look at Brazil, rich countries that have enormous wealth inequality, that's what we're heading towards. Read Charles Dickens, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, a few people are doing INCREDIBLY well, the problem is they all sit in a chamber every Wednesday and play politics with one another and achieve NOTHING. It's no wonder so many are on anti depressants and struggling as the world is hostile to us all right now. So many will never own the roof over their heads, so many will struggle to start a family, what is there to look forward to?

Scotland is ****ing depressing, every single country on Earth is ****ing depressing right now. I just want to make sure that we're all pissed off at the right people though. Stopping transgender women getting changed in specific locker rooms, and stopping a family from Somalia getting a boat across the channel won't put a roof over our ****ing heads, or put food on the table when there's nothing left.

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Originally Posted by jamie_1875

It's an issue in Scotland with 1 in 5 adults on anti depressants. Maybe it should be looked at.

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This particular move is about kids, but I agree that the debate needs continuing, as it has been for years.

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Originally Posted by The_Exile

This will be a bit of a rant, and not aimed at you mate as I agree with you. If you solve wealth inequality, you destroy most, if not every single social problem the country is dealing with in one go. Unfortunately, we don't have anyone doing this where it matters, Westminster. I think Gary Stevenson (ex Citibank banker and economist, youtube channel Garys Economics is a good watch for understanding what's going on) is our best bet but not sure he's up for running for political office. I honestly do not see a way through this for any of us as we seem unable/unwilling to mobilise, stand beside each other and change things, they've got us waging culture wars against one another rather than focussing on the flow of money, smoke and mirrors.

£700 billion printed during Covid, where is it? The government didn't get it back so where did it go? That's enough for every working age adult in the UK to be given nearly 20 grand. I'm not 20 grand better off since 2021, and I would be willing to place a sizeable bet that nobody reading this is either. It flowed to the super rich, the people we pay our mortgages to, the behemoths we buy our food from. It's no coincidence that gold is at all time high, it's no coincidence that house prices continued to rise and rise during a cost of living crisis, it's no coincedence that stocks and shares are at all time highs during a cost of living crisis. This is what the super rich buy, this is who are buying our relatives houses, we will all end up in absolute poverty when there's nothing left. Look at India, look at South Africa, look at Brazil, rich countries that have enormous wealth inequality, that's what we're heading towards. Read Charles Dickens, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, a few people are doing INCREDIBLY well, the problem is they all sit in a chamber every Wednesday and play politics with one another and achieve NOTHING. It's no wonder so many are on anti depressants and struggling as the world is hostile to us all right now. So many will never own the roof over their heads, so many will struggle to start a family, what is there to look forward to?

Scotland is ****ing depressing, every single country on Earth is ****ing depressing right now. I just want to make sure that we're all pissed off at the right people though. Stopping transgender women getting changed in specific locker rooms, and stopping a family from Somalia getting a boat across the channel won't put a roof over our ****ing heads, or put food on the table when there's nothing left.

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Best rant I've read in a while and I agree with every word.

That speech from Vance was utterly despicable and very worrying.

The sheer hypocrisy of a guy to preach about listening to uncomfortable viewpoints given what is currently going on in America?

Disgusting.

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Originally Posted by Smartie

That speech from Vance was utterly despicable and very worrying.

The sheer hypocrisy of a guy to preach about listening to uncomfortable viewpoints given what is currently going on in America?

Disgusting.

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Yip. Thankfully, much like last time they are not getting much done. Lots of talk but the courts are reversing everything they do. They have not taken any bill to congress yet and they need a budget past next month. While they are doing damage, most of it is reversible so far.


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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f53f1ad610.png
The most over valued stock out there. It will fall soon.


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Originally Posted by Ozyhibby

The most over valued stock out there. It will fall soon.

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I am very tempted to short it for some easy money. Famous last words :greengrin

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Originally Posted by The_Exile

I am very tempted to short it for some easy money. Famous last words :greengrin

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You need big pockets for that as it may take a while.


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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...66cf62c0cf.png

Some resignation letter. DOJ being gutted of its prosecutors in an attempt to find someone to drop the charges against Addams.


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Originally Posted by Ozyhibby

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...66cf62c0cf.png

Some resignation letter. DOJ being gutted of its prosecutors in an attempt to find someone to drop the charges against Addams.


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Is it just me that read that in the voice of Chuck Rhoades? :greengrin

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Originally Posted by The_Exile

This will be a bit of a rant, and not aimed at you mate as I agree with you. If you solve wealth inequality, you destroy most, if not every single social problem the country is dealing with in one go. Unfortunately, we don't have anyone doing this where it matters, Westminster. I think Gary Stevenson (ex Citibank banker and economist, youtube channel Garys Economics is a good watch for understanding what's going on) is our best bet but not sure he's up for running for political office. I honestly do not see a way through this for any of us as we seem unable/unwilling to mobilise, stand beside each other and change things, they've got us waging culture wars against one another rather than focussing on the flow of money, smoke and mirrors.

£700 billion printed during Covid, where is it? The government didn't get it back so where did it go? That's enough for every working age adult in the UK to be given nearly 20 grand. I'm not 20 grand better off since 2021, and I would be willing to place a sizeable bet that nobody reading this is either. It flowed to the super rich, the people we pay our mortgages to, the behemoths we buy our food from. It's no coincidence that gold is at all time high, it's no coincidence that house prices continued to rise and rise during a cost of living crisis, it's no coincedence that stocks and shares are at all time highs during a cost of living crisis. This is what the super rich buy, this is who are buying our relatives houses, we will all end up in absolute poverty when there's nothing left. Look at India, look at South Africa, look at Brazil, rich countries that have enormous wealth inequality, that's what we're heading towards. Read Charles Dickens, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, a few people are doing INCREDIBLY well, the problem is they all sit in a chamber every Wednesday and play politics with one another and achieve NOTHING. It's no wonder so many are on anti depressants and struggling as the world is hostile to us all right now. So many will never own the roof over their heads, so many will struggle to start a family, what is there to look forward to?

Scotland is ****ing depressing, every single country on Earth is ****ing depressing right now. I just want to make sure that we're all pissed off at the right people though. Stopping transgender women getting changed in specific locker rooms, and stopping a family from Somalia getting a boat across the channel won't put a roof over our ****ing heads, or put food on the table when there's nothing left.

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I wouldn’t argue with any of that, great post.

Vance's speech at the MSC.

It's almost as if the US and Russia are politically aligned. Extremely worrying.

https://youtu.be/9dNv9tH0dkU?feature=shared

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The_Exile

Unfortunately, we don't have anyone doing this where it matters, Westminster. I think Gary Stevenson (ex Citibank banker and economist, youtube channel Garys Economics is a good watch for understanding what's going on) is our best bet but not sure he's up for running for political office.

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I heard Gary on Radio 5 the other week with Nihal Arthinayke. What a guy. He seems to have all the solutions but getting into Westminster - or the heads of people there - is key. Was a great listen if you want to check out the podcast.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The_Exile

This will be a bit of a rant, and not aimed at you mate as I agree with you. If you solve wealth inequality, you destroy most, if not every single social problem the country is dealing with in one go. Unfortunately, we don't have anyone doing this where it matters, Westminster. I think Gary Stevenson (ex Citibank banker and economist, youtube channel Garys Economics is a good watch for understanding what's going on) is our best bet but not sure he's up for running for political office. I honestly do not see a way through this for any of us as we seem unable/unwilling to mobilise, stand beside each other and change things, they've got us waging culture wars against one another rather than focussing on the flow of money, smoke and mirrors.

£700 billion printed during Covid, where is it? The government didn't get it back so where did it go? That's enough for every working age adult in the UK to be given nearly 20 grand. I'm not 20 grand better off since 2021, and I would be willing to place a sizeable bet that nobody reading this is either. It flowed to the super rich, the people we pay our mortgages to, the behemoths we buy our food from. It's no coincidence that gold is at all time high, it's no coincidence that house prices continued to rise and rise during a cost of living crisis, it's no coincedence that stocks and shares are at all time highs during a cost of living crisis. This is what the super rich buy, this is who are buying our relatives houses, we will all end up in absolute poverty when there's nothing left. Look at India, look at South Africa, look at Brazil, rich countries that have enormous wealth inequality, that's what we're heading towards. Read Charles Dickens, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, a few people are doing INCREDIBLY well, the problem is they all sit in a chamber every Wednesday and play politics with one another and achieve NOTHING. It's no wonder so many are on anti depressants and struggling as the world is hostile to us all right now. So many will never own the roof over their heads, so many will struggle to start a family, what is there to look forward to?

Scotland is ****ing depressing, every single country on Earth is ****ing depressing right now. I just want to make sure that we're all pissed off at the right people though. Stopping transgender women getting changed in specific locker rooms, and stopping a family from Somalia getting a boat across the channel won't put a roof over our ****ing heads, or put food on the table when there's nothing left.

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Enjoyed your rant. :aok:

Pretty sure this is fake, but amusing nonetheless

https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_fullsi...fhupuoxvq@jpeg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...130af3be74.png
No more Brewdog beer for me. To be honest I don’t like it anyway.[emoji106]


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Maybe being a bit over-sensitive but, listening to David Lammy on the news talking about peace negotiations and he used the term ‘Zalensky and the Ukrainians’ ……. not ‘President Zalensky’. It sounded disrespectful to me and I’m sure he would not refer to ‘Putin’ or ‘Trump’ without due respect to their office. Didn’t like it.

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Originally Posted by Jim44

Maybe being a bit over-sensitive but, listening to David Lammy on the news talking about peace negotiations and he used the term ‘Zalensky and the Ukrainians’ ……. not ‘President Zalensky’. It sounded disrespectful to me and I’m sure he would not refer to ‘Putin’ or ‘Trump’ without due respect to their office. Didn’t like it.

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He is very unimpressive all round.


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Originally Posted by The_Exile

I am very tempted to short it for some easy money. Famous last words :greengrin

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https://www.wired.com/story/elon-mus...ter-for-tesla/


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A mention for Scotland in JDs speech albeit a load of scaremongering BS. The clause is obviously to stop people shouting from windows etc trying to circumvent the rules and not what he's shamelessly intimating.

https://x.com/GillianMacMSP/status/1890443655485309293

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Originally Posted by Jim44

Maybe being a bit over-sensitive but, listening to David Lammy on the news talking about peace negotiations and he used the term ‘Zalensky and the Ukrainians’ ……. not ‘President Zalensky’. It sounded disrespectful to me and I’m sure he would not refer to ‘Putin’ or ‘Trump’ without due respect to their office. Didn’t like it.

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Lammy is a complete fraud of a politician. Shameless.

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Originally Posted by Ozyhibby

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...130af3be74.png
No more Brewdog beer for me. To be honest I don’t like it anyway.[emoji106]


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Very easy boycott to continue [emoji106]

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hibrandenburg

Vance's speech at the MSC.

It's almost as if the US and Russia are politically aligned. Extremely worrying.

https://youtu.be/9dNv9tH0dkU?feature=shared

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He might change his mind should a personal advantage arise?

Look how quickly he flipped on his original views about the big orange guy?

Empty American bases out of Europe and do an initial Canada style boycott of all things American across the EU during the orange guy and his acolytes term might focus the minds a bit.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by The_Exile

This will be a bit of a rant, and not aimed at you mate as I agree with you. If you solve wealth inequality, you destroy most, if not every single social problem the country is dealing with in one go. Unfortunately, we don't have anyone doing this where it matters, Westminster. I think Gary Stevenson (ex Citibank banker and economist, youtube channel Garys Economics is a good watch for understanding what's going on) is our best bet but not sure he's up for running for political office. I honestly do not see a way through this for any of us as we seem unable/unwilling to mobilise, stand beside each other and change things, they've got us waging culture wars against one another rather than focussing on the flow of money, smoke and mirrors.

£700 billion printed during Covid, where is it? The government didn't get it back so where did it go? That's enough for every working age adult in the UK to be given nearly 20 grand. I'm not 20 grand better off since 2021, and I would be willing to place a sizeable bet that nobody reading this is either. It flowed to the super rich, the people we pay our mortgages to, the behemoths we buy our food from. It's no coincidence that gold is at all time high, it's no coincidence that house prices continued to rise and rise during a cost of living crisis, it's no coincedence that stocks and shares are at all time highs during a cost of living crisis. This is what the super rich buy, this is who are buying our relatives houses, we will all end up in absolute poverty when there's nothing left. Look at India, look at South Africa, look at Brazil, rich countries that have enormous wealth inequality, that's what we're heading towards. Read Charles Dickens, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, a few people are doing INCREDIBLY well, the problem is they all sit in a chamber every Wednesday and play politics with one another and achieve NOTHING. It's no wonder so many are on anti depressants and struggling as the world is hostile to us all right now. So many will never own the roof over their heads, so many will struggle to start a family, what is there to look forward to?

Scotland is ****ing depressing, every single country on Earth is ****ing depressing right now. I just want to make sure that we're all pissed off at the right people though. Stopping transgender women getting changed in specific locker rooms, and stopping a family from Somalia getting a boat across the channel won't put a roof over our ****ing heads, or put food on the table when there's nothing left.

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Gary Stevenson is excellent. It absolutely needs more people to get on board with wealth inequality being the issue.
The economy and the set up just now is a massive transfer of wealth /assets/cash etc from the poorest in society and now the middle classes to the super rich.
There’s no trickle down economics, people are paid by the wealthy and then give them the money straight back to pay for mortgages, energy, food, rent. That wealth is flowing one way and creates a huge problem.

Trump and Musk are out to ensure that absolutely continues with fewer barriers in the way.

couldn't happen to a Nicer Nazi Elon Musk’s Toxicity Could Spell Disaster for Tesla | WIRED

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The_Exile

This will be a bit of a rant, and not aimed at you mate as I agree with you. If you solve wealth inequality, you destroy most, if not every single social problem the country is dealing with in one go. Unfortunately, we don't have anyone doing this where it matters, Westminster. I think Gary Stevenson (ex Citibank banker and economist, youtube channel Garys Economics is a good watch for understanding what's going on) is our best bet but not sure he's up for running for political office. I honestly do not see a way through this for any of us as we seem unable/unwilling to mobilise, stand beside each other and change things, they've got us waging culture wars against one another rather than focussing on the flow of money, smoke and mirrors.

£700 billion printed during Covid, where is it? The government didn't get it back so where did it go? That's enough for every working age adult in the UK to be given nearly 20 grand. I'm not 20 grand better off since 2021, and I would be willing to place a sizeable bet that nobody reading this is either. It flowed to the super rich, the people we pay our mortgages to, the behemoths we buy our food from. It's no coincidence that gold is at all time high, it's no coincidence that house prices continued to rise and rise during a cost of living crisis, it's no coincedence that stocks and shares are at all time highs during a cost of living crisis. This is what the super rich buy, this is who are buying our relatives houses, we will all end up in absolute poverty when there's nothing left. Look at India, look at South Africa, look at Brazil, rich countries that have enormous wealth inequality, that's what we're heading towards. Read Charles Dickens, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, a few people are doing INCREDIBLY well, the problem is they all sit in a chamber every Wednesday and play politics with one another and achieve NOTHING. It's no wonder so many are on anti depressants and struggling as the world is hostile to us all right now. So many will never own the roof over their heads, so many will struggle to start a family, what is there to look forward to?

Scotland is ****ing depressing, every single country on Earth is ****ing depressing right now. I just want to make sure that we're all pissed off at the right people though. Stopping transgender women getting changed in specific locker rooms, and stopping a family from Somalia getting a boat across the channel won't put a roof over our ****ing heads, or put food on the table when there's nothing left.

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Word.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bostonhibby

He might change his mind should a personal advantage arise?

Look how quickly he flipped on his original views about the big orange guy?

Empty American bases out of Europe and do an initial Canada style boycott of all things American across the EU during the orange guy and his acolytes term might focus the minds a bit.

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Too late to change his mind on Russia, he basically parroted Putin's view of why he invaded Ukraine and thus condoning it. At best that has raised the baseline in Putin's favour in any peace negotiations and at worst he's given Putin the green light to do similar elsewhere when he's ready.

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Originally Posted by CropleyWasGod

Is it just me that read that in the voice of Chuck Rhoades? :greengrin

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Oi!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chuck Rhoades

Oi!

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:greengrin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hibrandenburg

Too late to change his mind on Russia, he basically parroted Putin's view of why he invaded Ukraine and thus condoning it. At best that has raised the baseline in Putin's favour in any peace negotiations and at worst he's given Putin the green light to do similar elsewhere when he's ready.

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I was attempting to be sarcastic[emoji16] it wasn't too late for him to change his mind on his boss, his previously held views were abandoned rapidly when the VP job came up.

The Trump gang are talking along similar lines as Putin has been so it's no surprise. Fascism really doesnt need appeasement.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bostonhibby

I was attempting to be sarcastic[emoji16] it wasn't too late for him to change his mind on his boss, his previously held views were abandoned rapidly when the VP job came up.

The Trump gang are talking along similar lines as Putin has been so it's no surprise. Fascism really doesnt need appeasement.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

---

Sorry, 4 hours sleep the last 2 nights has left me with brain fog. I think it's more alignment rather than appeasement on Trump's side. Wouldn't be the first time that 2 villains have agreed how to divide the cake up amongst themselves.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hibrandenburg

Sorry, 4 hours sleep the last 2 nights has left me with brain fog. I think it's more alignment rather than appeasement on Trump's side. Wouldn't be the first time that 2 villains have agreed how to divide the cake up amongst themselves.

---

[emoji106]

We are as one!



Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

With love from Trump's White House.

https://e3.365dm.com/25/02/900x1200/...20250214214808

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hibrandenburg

Sorry, 4 hours sleep the last 2 nights has left me with brain fog. I think it's more alignment rather than appeasement on Trump's side. Wouldn't be the first time that 2 villains have agreed how to divide the cake up amongst themselves.

---

Lavrov-Rubio pact.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by grunt

With love from Trump's White House.

https://e3.365dm.com/25/02/900x1200/...20250214214808

---

A blatant copy of Theresa May’s home office campaign under Cameron.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Smartie

That speech from Vance was utterly despicable and very worrying.

The sheer hypocrisy of a guy to preach about listening to uncomfortable viewpoints given what is currently going on in America?

Disgusting.

---

Somebody needs to take out the sheriff and his deputy.

It's amazing how easy it is to radicalise some people.

Trying to argue against Trump is met with out and out fascist rhetoric now along with a hefty dose of cult of personality around Musk, Trump, Farage, Lowe etc. it's quite weird seeing people with social media profiles emblazoned with 'lest we forget' clearly having forgot, or never having had much of a clue to begin with.

I'm not talking about people who are disaffected and disenfranchised and are lashing out with their vote. I don't like or condone that but I almost get it; the snake oil salesman are preying on them. I'm taking about the scary minority who are really into it now and are parroting extremist ideology quite openly. I posted about it on the pet peeves thread the other day but there is a real rise in the casual use of terms that were largely agreed to be sexist, ableist, racist etc for years. That isn't being 'anti woke', it's just being a ****ing arse.

Just to lighten the mood...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6NqscIsidQ

...and part 2 (warning, contains the F word).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmuR2XFxkdU

Above the law.

https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_fullsi...s355w2yq4@jpeg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Keith_M

Just to lighten the mood...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6NqscIsidQ

---

Brilliant 😂

Trump officials fired nuclear staff not realizing they oversee the country’s weapons stockpile, sources say

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/14/c...ump/index.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pretty Boy

It's amazing how easy it is to radicalise some people.

Trying to argue against Trump is met with out and out fascist rhetoric now along with a hefty dose of cult of personality around Musk, Trump, Farage, Lowe etc. it's quite weird seeing people with social media profiles emblazoned with 'lest we forget' clearly having forgot, or never having had much of a clue to begin with.

I'm not talking about people who are disaffected and disenfranchised and are lashing out with their vote. I don't like or condone that but I almost get it; the snake oil salesman are preying on them. I'm taking about the scary minority who are really into it now and are parroting extremist ideology quite openly. I posted about it on the pet peeves thread the other day but there is a real rise in the casual use of terms that were largely agreed to be sexist, ableist, racist etc for years. That isn't being 'anti woke', it's just being a ****ing arse.

---

Talking to them reminds me of this cartoon from Private Eye.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gj183noX...pg&name=medium

pathetic old man-child White House bans AP journalists from Oval Office amid continued Gulf dispute | Trump administration | The Guardian

Watching the USA v Canada 4Nations ice hockey. 3 fights before 10 seconds are up......

Quote:

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Originally Posted by s.a.m

Watching the USA v Canada 4Nations ice hockey. 3 fights before 10 seconds are up......

---

I’m going to watch in the morning. Can’t wait.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://goodallandgoodluck.substack....utm_medium=ios

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pretty Boy

It's amazing how easy it is to radicalise some people.

Trying to argue against Trump is met with out and out fascist rhetoric now along with a hefty dose of cult of personality around Musk, Trump, Farage, Lowe etc. it's quite weird seeing people with social media profiles emblazoned with 'lest we forget' clearly having forgot, or never having had much of a clue to begin with.

I'm not talking about people who are disaffected and disenfranchised and are lashing out with their vote. I don't like or condone that but I almost get it; the snake oil salesman are preying on them. I'm taking about the scary minority who are really into it now and are parroting extremist ideology quite openly. I posted about it on the pet peeves thread the other day but there is a real rise in the casual use of terms that were largely agreed to be sexist, ableist, racist etc for years. That isn't being 'anti woke', it's just being a ****ing arse.

---

I really don’t see any way back from where we are now, which is scary enough. But even more than that, it’s easy to see it getting quite a bit worse. You can’t un-poison a well, for want of a better expression.

The likes of Trump, Musk and Farage are not charismatic in any of the positive ways that are usually aligned with that word. And yet they have cultivated a massively devoted following.

What unifies people around them is their blatant racism and bigotry, and saying what is supposed to be unsayable for people in their position. They give license to huge amounts of people to be their worst selves, and boy are they taking advantage of it.

Their politics is incredibly nasty, and their supporters take great pleasure in the suffering of others. Seeing such a complete lack of empathy from people in power, whom the media show hundreds of times a day, is going to - and already has - filter through society. If they are utterly shameless then many in society will be too.

Political correctness had led to words and phrases gradually dying out over time, and they have managed to undo that much quicker than progress was ever made in a positive direction.

And the trouble is, when people are completely shameless, and genuinely believe that others are lesser than them, how do you coerce them into changing their ways? Especially when world leaders and social media are enabling and incentivising horrible and dehumanising behaviour and language.

All this is before we get onto young males being silently radicalised by the likes of Andrew Tate. I could write so much more but I’m holding my sleeping daughter in my hands right now, and I need to get my mind off this for the sake of my own sanity.

https://x.com/Improving_Scot/status/...Improving_Scot

Even more apt nowadays

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stevie Reid

I really don’t see any way back from where we are now, which is scary enough. But even more than that, it’s easy to see it getting quite a bit worse. You can’t un-poison a well, for want of a better expression.

The likes of Trump, Musk and Farage are not charismatic in any of the positive ways that are usually aligned with that word. And yet they have cultivated a massively devoted following.

What unifies people around them is their blatant racism and bigotry, and saying what is supposed to be unsayable for people in their position. They give license to huge amounts of people to be their worst selves, and boy are they taking advantage of it.

Their politics is incredibly nasty, and their supporters take great pleasure in the suffering of others. Seeing such a complete lack of empathy from people in power, whom the media show hundreds of times a day, is going to - and already has - filter through society. If they are utterly shameless then many in society will be too.

Political correctness had led to words and phrases gradually dying out over time, and they have managed to undo that much quicker than progress was ever made in a positive direction.

And the trouble is, when people are completely shameless, and genuinely believe that others are lesser than them, how do you coerce them into changing their ways? Especially when world leaders and social media are enabling and incentivising horrible and dehumanising behaviour and language.

All this is before we get onto young males being silently radicalised by the likes of Andrew Tate. I could write so much more but I’m holding my sleeping daughter in my hands right now, and I need to get my mind off this for the sake of my own sanity.

---

Great post.

https://scontent.fman1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...SQ&oe=67B82630

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cabbageandribs1875

https://scontent.fman1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...SQ&oe=67B82630

---

Spot on.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stevie Reid

I really don’t see any way back from where we are now, which is scary enough. But even more than that, it’s easy to see it getting quite a bit worse. You can’t un-poison a well, for want of a better expression.

The likes of Trump, Musk and Farage are not charismatic in any of the positive ways that are usually aligned with that word. And yet they have cultivated a massively devoted following.

What unifies people around them is their blatant racism and bigotry, and saying what is supposed to be unsayable for people in their position. They give license to huge amounts of people to be their worst selves, and boy are they taking advantage of it.

Their politics is incredibly nasty, and their supporters take great pleasure in the suffering of others. Seeing such a complete lack of empathy from people in power, whom the media show hundreds of times a day, is going to - and already has - filter through society. If they are utterly shameless then many in society will be too.

Political correctness had led to words and phrases gradually dying out over time, and they have managed to undo that much quicker than progress was ever made in a positive direction.

And the trouble is, when people are completely shameless, and genuinely believe that others are lesser than them, how do you coerce them into changing their ways? Especially when world leaders and social media are enabling and incentivising horrible and dehumanising behaviour and language.

All this is before we get onto young males being silently radicalised by the likes of Andrew Tate. I could write so much more but I’m holding my sleeping daughter in my hands right now, and I need to get my mind off this for the sake of my own sanity.

---

:top marks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stevie Reid

I really don’t see any way back from where we are now, which is scary enough. But even more than that, it’s easy to see it getting quite a bit worse.

---

Defo going to get worse. I don't think Rosa Parks and Emily Davison have even been expunged from school textbooks yet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stevie Reid

I really don’t see any way back from where we are now, which is scary enough. But even more than that, it’s easy to see it getting quite a bit worse. You can’t un-poison a well, for want of a better expression.

The likes of Trump, Musk and Farage are not charismatic in any of the positive ways that are usually aligned with that word. And yet they have cultivated a massively devoted following.

What unifies people around them is their blatant racism and bigotry, and saying what is supposed to be unsayable for people in their position. They give license to huge amounts of people to be their worst selves, and boy are they taking advantage of it.

Their politics is incredibly nasty, and their supporters take great pleasure in the suffering of others. Seeing such a complete lack of empathy from people in power, whom the media show hundreds of times a day, is going to - and already has - filter through society. If they are utterly shameless then many in society will be too.

Political correctness had led to words and phrases gradually dying out over time, and they have managed to undo that much quicker than progress was ever made in a positive direction.

And the trouble is, when people are completely shameless, and genuinely believe that others are lesser than them, how do you coerce them into changing their ways? Especially when world leaders and social media are enabling and incentivising horrible and dehumanising behaviour and language.

All this is before we get onto young males being silently radicalised by the likes of Andrew Tate. I could write so much more but I’m holding my sleeping daughter in my hands right now, and I need to get my mind off this for the sake of my own sanity.

---

I agree with lots of what you say but I don't think it needs to be as bleak as you say it is, a vast number of those who will vote reform aren't doing it because they intrinsically agree with the likes of Farage etc, they just see their life isn't going to get any better under Labour or the Tories, because of that they latch on to something that they think is different as they are done with more of the same

Unfortunately as there isn't exactly anyone on the left offering them any real difference just now, I'd love someone like Mick Lynch to be an alternative but it's not happening

I think that's the reason you got crossover between Bernie and Trump fans, diametrically opposed on almost everything but saying they are offering something completely different

I really wish the left would get their **** sorted out and offer real change

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lapsedhibee

Defo going to get worse. I don't think Rosa Parks and Emily Davison have even been expunged from school textbooks yet.

---

I think it's going to get worse for a while yet, the trajectory we're currently on is not good.

But we've had various appalling nadirs before, all of which we've bounced back from in some way or another.

The idea of what point we need to reach before we scare ourselves and bounce back terrifies me, but it will inevitably happen one day.

Trump is making more enemies than friends, including at home. The Russian economy and military are on their knees. I'd also say that there's probably strength in having "the immigration conversation" more publicly rather than a growing, festering resentment being allowed to grow.

It was hard to imagine what might happen next post 9/11, those were scary times. I can't imagine living through the Cuban missile crisis was much fun. The Middle East has been an unresolved powder keg since at least WW2.

These aren 't exactly great times to be living through but it's not the first time its got a bit hairy and it won't be the last either.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stevie Reid

I really don’t see any way back from where we are now, which is scary enough. But even more than that, it’s easy to see it getting quite a bit worse. You can’t un-poison a well, for want of a better expression.

The likes of Trump, Musk and Farage are not charismatic in any of the positive ways that are usually aligned with that word. And yet they have cultivated a massively devoted following.

What unifies people around them is their blatant racism and bigotry, and saying what is supposed to be unsayable for people in their position. They give license to huge amounts of people to be their worst selves, and boy are they taking advantage of it.

Their politics is incredibly nasty, and their supporters take great pleasure in the suffering of others. Seeing such a complete lack of empathy from people in power, whom the media show hundreds of times a day, is going to - and already has - filter through society. If they are utterly shameless then many in society will be too.

Political correctness had led to words and phrases gradually dying out over time, and they have managed to undo that much quicker than progress was ever made in a positive direction.

And the trouble is, when people are completely shameless, and genuinely believe that others are lesser than them, how do you coerce them into changing their ways? Especially when world leaders and social media are enabling and incentivising horrible and dehumanising behaviour and language.

All this is before we get onto young males being silently radicalised by the likes of Andrew Tate. I could write so much more but I’m holding my sleeping daughter in my hands right now, and I need to get my mind off this for the sake of my own sanity.

---

Great post spot on

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mon Dieu4

I agree with lots of what you say but I don't think it needs to be as bleak as you say it is, a vast number of those who will vote reform aren't doing it because they intrinsically agree with the likes of Farage etc, they just see their life isn't going to get any better under Labour or the Tories, because of that they latch on to something that they think is different as they are done with more of the same

Unfortunately as there isn't exactly anyone on the left offering them any real difference just now, I'd love someone like Mick Lynch to be an alternative but it's not happening

I think that's the reason you got crossover between Bernie and Trump fans, diametrically opposed on almost everything but saying they are offering something completely different

I really wish the left would get their **** sorted out and offer real change

---

I also agree with a lot of what you have said - people not believing that government is working for them has played a huge part in getting to where we are now, and the likes of Trump, Musk and Farage have successfully tapped into that (all whilst being so transparently corrupt, and working solely to the benefit of the super wealthy).

I also think there is something in the idea that 2016 was Bernie Sanders' time, had he been the Democratic nominee.

But your first paragraph really just shows why things will get worse. I've read many commentators say over the last decade that some people "held their noses" and only voted for Trump for economic reasons. And you may well be right that some people will vote for Reform despite the fact that they don't like Farage. People in both cases may well believe that by doing so they somehow are not endorsing that individual's worldview, but they are very wrong.

Just because a person votes for someone on one particular issue - or just for the sake of change - it doesn't mean that the candidate/party doesn't then have a mandate to enact everything that they ran on - or put in a manifesto - that the person in question doesn't agree with. They are fully endorsing that candidate, their party, and the way they go about their business - whether they mean to or not (and FWIW, I don't believe that they don't mean to).

When that candidate is Donald Trump or Nigel Farage, then things absolutely will get even more bleak - as those who have voted for them have validated their politics. Every bit of it. So the nastiness and complete lack of empathy then continues, and seeps further into society as a whole.

I could write dozens more paragraphs about the rest, and the Left offering no alternative - but I simply don''t have the time. Suffice to say that things are so polarised now - and so skewed against the Left in terms of social media - that I don't know what alternative can be offered.

The success of the Right has always been to get people to vote against their own interests,. It was well publicised in the US election that Kamala Harris' major policy initiatives polled miles better than Donald Trump's, when there was no candidate attached to them. I don't know how you counter that, really.

You could obviously say get a better candidate, but I just don't see that making a difference. The Left is now seen by so many as what the Right have successfully defined them as over the last decade or so - with very little of it based in truth. The Right have won the culture war that they created, and fought on their own terms. They flooded the zone with ****, as Steve Bannon said, and it's worked.

I've even see the likes of Jonathan Pie (whose analysis I used to find quite shrewd) say that the Left have been far too focused on the likes of DEI for years. Don't know where that has come from really. We've just finished 14 years of a Tory government over here, and in the States Kamala Harris was campaigning with Liz Cheney, talking about being a gun owner, and had to focus so much of her chat on the border.

If the Left doesn't engage with the Right's argument, they lose. If they argue on the Right's terms, they lose. The lessons of the last decade or so in politics has largely been that mud sticks, propaganda works, and the utterly shameless prevail. I wish I could see a way back.

Anyway, apologies this has largely been quite an unfocused post. The state of the world just makes my head spin.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stevie Reid

I also agree with a lot of what you have said - people not believing that government is working for them has played a huge part in getting to where we are now, and the likes of Trump, Musk and Farage have successfully tapped into that (all whilst being so transparently corrupt, and working solely to the benefit of the super wealthy).

I also think there is something in the idea that 2016 was Bernie Sanders' time, had he been the Democratic nominee.

But your first paragraph really just shows why things will get worse. I've read many commentators say over the last decade that some people "held their noses" and only voted for Trump for economic reasons. And you may well be right that some people will vote for Reform despite the fact that they don't like Farage. People in both cases may well believe that by doing so they somehow are not endorsing that individual's worldview, but they are very wrong.

Just because a person votes for someone on one particular issue - or just for the sake of change - it doesn't mean that the candidate/party doesn't then have a mandate to enact everything that they ran on - or put in a manifesto - that the person in question doesn't agree with. They are fully endorsing that candidate, their party, and the way they go about their business - whether they mean to or not (and FWIW, I don't believe that they don't mean to).

When that candidate is Donald Trump or Nigel Farage, then things absolutely will get even more bleak - as those who have voted for them have validated their politics. Every bit of it. So the nastiness and complete lack of empathy then continues, and seeps further into society as a whole.

I could write dozens more paragraphs about the rest, and the Left offering no alternative - but I simply don''t have the time. Suffice to say that things are so polarised now - and so skewed against the Left in terms of social media - that I don't know what alternative can be offered.

The success of the Right has always been to get people to vote against their own interests,. It was well publicised in the US election that Kamala Harris' major policy initiatives polled miles better than Donald Trump's, when there was no candidate attached to them. I don't know how you counter that, really.

You could obviously say get a better candidate, but I just don't see that making a difference. The Left is now seen by so many as what the Right have successfully defined them as over the last decade or so - with very little of it based in truth. The Right have won the culture war that they created, and fought on their own terms. They flooded the zone with ****, as Steve Bannon said, and it's worked.

I've even see the likes of Jonathan Pie (whose analysis I used to find quite shrewd) say that the Left have been far too focused on the likes of DEI for years. Don't know where that has come from really. We've just finished 14 years of a Tory government over here, and in the States Kamala Harris was campaigning with Liz Cheney, talking about being a gun owner, and had to focus so much of her chat on the border.

If the Left doesn't engage with the Right's argument, they lose. If they argue on the Right's terms, they lose. The lessons of the last decade or so in politics has largely been that mud sticks, propaganda works, and the utterly shameless prevail. I wish I could see a way back.

Anyway, apologies this has largely been quite an unfocused post. The state of the world just makes my head spin.

---

I agree with much of this, and your previous post. :aok:

It's striking to me, as you say, that on the issues that people care about, they ought to be voting Democrat. As they should on the economy, because the real-life pattern on that favours the Democrats too. Both the mainstream and far right have managed to convince themselves and much of the population that up is down, and that Democrat is basically a swear word. A significant % of Republican voters believe conspiracy theories that should embarrass them and their descendents into the next century.

It will get better (:pray:), but it's hard to see how it happens without some really damaging series of events so that people find common cause. The people in charge are likely to bring that about sooner rather than later. So there's that. :rolleyes:

On a personal level, I joined sports club when we moved here to DC. Almost everyone there whose job I know is funded by the federal government. Scientists and IT people with the health agencies, State Department language workers, NASA scientist, teachers who work on programmes funding disadvantaged youth, Postal Service admin, university and private sector workers with government contracts. Military veterans in receipt of healthcare and benefits from the VA. We had a team meeting a fortnight ago, and literally everyone is directly affected.

And it's not just a DC problem. There are states where the main employers are public sector, or dependent on public funds (many of them Republican) or likely to be hammered by trade war repercussions.

And that's before you get to the geo-political ramifications.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by s.a.m

I agree with much of this, and your previous post. :aok:

It's striking to me, as you say, that on the issues that people care about, they ought to be voting Democrat. As they should on the economy, because the real-life pattern on that favours the Democrats too. Both the mainstream and far right have managed to convince themselves and much of the population that up is down, and that Democrat is basically a swear word. A significant % of Republican voters believe conspiracy theories that should embarrass them and their descendents into the next century.

It will get better (:pray:), but it's hard to see how it happens without some really damaging series of events so that people find common cause. The people in charge are likely to bring that about sooner rather than later. So there's that. :rolleyes:

On a personal level, I joined sports club when we moved here to DC. Almost everyone there whose job I know is funded by the federal government. Scientists and IT people with the health agencies, State Department language workers, NASA scientist, teachers who work on programmes funding disadvantaged youth, Postal Service admin, university and private sector workers with government contracts. Military veterans in receipt of healthcare and benefits from the VA. We had a team meeting a fortnight ago, and literally everyone is directly affected.

And it's not just a DC problem. There are states where the main employers are public sector, or dependent on public funds (many of them Republican) or likely to be hammered by trade war repercussions.

And that's before you get to the geo-political ramifications.

---

I think you're absolutely right that they will **** up and on a grand scale soon, but the ramifications of that are likely to be bad for everyone - as you have alluded to.

And yes, the ridiculous DOGE stuff consists of idiots messing with forces that they do not fully understand. I'm sure that with a proper and thorough audit some inefficiencies could be found in the massive federal budget and its many departments. But of course to do that properly would take many years, and rather a lot of money in itself.

The idea that anyone could effectively audit these agencies in a couple of days is ridiculous. The idea that someone like Musk and his team of young coders can, is utterly insane. But then the whole point is to steal money - which you seemingly can do very quickly, before moving onto the next one. All whilst making up bull**** instances where millions of dollars have gone to an endless number of "woke" causes.

The sight of many Americans literally cheer leading the world's richest man hoovering up federal funds is astonishing. But as mentioned before, this is the Right's forte - getting folk to vote against their own interests, and celebrating the result.

All very reminiscent of Brexit, where anger that should have been directed at the Tories for the crippling austerity was successfully diverted to the EU - leading to people in many towns and cities being elated at an outcome which was ultimately going to negatively impact their quality of life when the result came in.

Apparent bureaucracies are another easy target for the Right. But similar to the UK and the EU, people in the States will quickly find out what happens if no one steps in to cover the functions they perform.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by s.a.m

I agree with much of this, and your previous post. :aok:

It's striking to me, as you say, that on the issues that people care about, they ought to be voting Democrat. As they should on the economy, because the real-life pattern on that favours the Democrats too. Both the mainstream and far right have managed to convince themselves and much of the population that up is down, and that Democrat is basically a swear word. A significant % of Republican voters believe conspiracy theories that should embarrass them and their descendents into the next century.

It will get better (:pray:), but it's hard to see how it happens without some really damaging series of events so that people find common cause. The people in charge are likely to bring that about sooner rather than later. So there's that. :rolleyes:

On a personal level, I joined sports club when we moved here to DC. Almost everyone there whose job I know is funded by the federal government. Scientists and IT people with the health agencies, State Department language workers, NASA scientist, teachers who work on programmes funding disadvantaged youth, Postal Service admin, university and private sector workers with government contracts. Military veterans in receipt of healthcare and benefits from the VA. We had a team meeting a fortnight ago, and literally everyone is directly affected.

And it's not just a DC problem. There are states where the main employers are public sector, or dependent on public funds (many of them Republican) or likely to be hammered by trade war repercussions.

And that's before you get to the geo-political ramifications.

---

I note with interest that you are based in the USA.

It's a matter of regret for me personally that I made certain career choices that didn't translate into a move to the US being feasible, as I love America and would have loved to have lived there.

You know that phrase about it "being better inside the tent pissing out than on the outside pissing in"?

I'm trying to decide if that's the case with the US just now - whether the madness will bite hardest at home or be felt most elsewhere.

Any thoughts?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Smartie

I note with interest that you are based in the USA.

It's a matter of regret for me personally that I made certain career choices that didn't translate into a move to the US being feasible, as I love America and would have loved to have lived there.

You know that phrase about it "being better inside the tent pissing out than on the outside pissing in"?

I'm trying to decide if that's the case with the US just now - whether the madness will bite hardest at home or be felt most elsewhere.

Any thoughts?

---

I think I would feel as angry, sad and helpless about the state of things at home as I do here :greengrin The one thing that helps, being in Dc in particular, is that there's practically zero visible evidence of support for the current regime - anyone who does is staying quiet about it here. The people I know are well-informed and politically aware and have mostly travelled or lived abroad, or have strong family links elsewhere - and as I said, have reason to be worried about their futures. Not just for themselves and families - though I'm sure that's uppermost in their minds - but the work or research they're doing being stopped, or data they've relied on disappearing from government websites along with public guidance and information. Monitoring of disease and infection being slashed... All while being sneered at and insulted by a billionaire, nutjob megalomaniac who's got no experience or knowledge of the things he and his plooky minions are hacking to bits. It's crazy.

In terms of where it hits hardest, best guess would be that it depends on whether or not the UK, the EU and elsewhere present a united front against the bullies backed, if neccessary, by a firm response. I can't see the US escaping some degree of damage, whether it's the economy or their place and reputation in the world, and how it affects their trade and security interests. If it gets extreme, might there be a new secession movement (along with California and their petition)? And also how any of those affect, say, China and their place in the world, or some new power axis that involves them. We'll see.

As it happens, I wasn't expecting to be here either. We're approaching retirement age and, for all I've said, I'm enjoying the opportunity to do things I couldn't do at home and to explore new places. I'm having fun. For the time being.

(Apart from the existential angst, obvs. :aok:)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gj7tKjNW...pg&name=medium

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Originally Posted by cabbageandribs1875

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gj7tKjNW...pg&name=medium

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Who could have possibly guessed? If only they all had some kind of insight into what his character and conduct would be like as President.

I didn't want to post this on the main board... in case word got out that I have insider info... but one of my 'connections' has shared a secretly recorded, insider video of Trump's meet up with Putin.

Please be careful who you share this with.

LINK

Trump blames Ukraine in a press conference.

Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump was asked by the BBC what his message was to Ukrainians who might feel betrayed.

"I hear that they're upset about not having a seat, well, they've had a seat for three years and a long time before that. This could have been settled very easily," he said.

"You should have never started it. You could have made a deal," he later added.

"I could have made a deal for Ukraine," he said. "That would have given them almost all of the land, everything, almost all of the land - and no people would have killed, and no city would have been demolished."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DaveF

Trump blames Ukraine in a press conference.

Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump was asked by the BBC what his message was to Ukrainians who might feel betrayed.

"I hear that they're upset about not having a seat, well, they've had a seat for three years and a long time before that. This could have been settled very easily," he said.

"You should have never started it. You could have made a deal," he later added.

"I could have made a deal for Ukraine," he said. "That would have given them almost all of the land, everything, almost all of the land - and no people would have killed, and no city would have been demolished."

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He's definitely still blaming Zelensky/Ukraine for his first impeachment. This is payback time with the added incentive of making money out of either Ukraine handing over it's mineral rights or reestablishing trade with Moscow.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DaveF

Trump blames Ukraine in a press conference.

Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump was asked by the BBC what his message was to Ukrainians who might feel betrayed.

"I hear that they're upset about not having a seat, well, they've had a seat for three years and a long time before that. This could have been settled very easily," he said.

"You should have never started it. You could have made a deal," he later added.

"I could have made a deal for Ukraine," he said. "That would have given them almost all of the land, everything, almost all of the land - and no people would have killed, and no city would have been demolished."

---

Incredible stupidity

So Ukraine started the war. Presumably by forcing the Russians to invade.

Sorry to have to say this but Zelenskiy's previous comments on Trump now look incredibly naive.

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Originally Posted by Keith_M

So Ukraine started the war. Presumably by forcing the Russians to invade.

Sorry to have to say this but Zelenskiy's previous comments on Trump now look incredibly naive.

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He's done everything right in my modest opinion. He had to make diplomatic tones towards Trump, knowing full well that Trump was going to blow smoke up Putin's arse. The US has now sided with Russian aggression and Zelensky would have been mad to have been seen to provoke what was already coming.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hibrandenburg

He's done everything right in my modest opinion. He had to make diplomatic tones towards Trump, knowing full well that Trump was going to blow smoke up Putin's arse. The US has now sided with Russian aggression and Zelensky would have been mad to have been seen to provoke what was already coming.

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It’s Europe that needs to step up now. There will be no more money coming from the US now. We have to fund this war. European leaders need to get serious about this. And Starmer needs to stop his BS about being a bridge over the Atlantic. This is our war and it’s up to us. The Americans have turned their back. With a bit of luck they leave sanctions in place but we can’t count on it.
Europe still has the military and economic power to defeat Putin. It’s needs to get serious about doing it.


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"Almost all of the land, everything"

You'd expect basic literacy at least but then again look at who he is front man for.

Getting hard to forgive Americans for inflicting this self centred brute on the world

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Keith_M

So Ukraine started the war. Presumably by forcing the Russians to invade.

Sorry to have to say this but Zelenskiy's previous comments on Trump now look incredibly naive.

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Not really surprising to see a narcissist put revenge politics above all else, doing it at home so abroad is easy.

I'm wondering where wee Nige is now positioning himself on the invasion of a sovereign state by a hostile European Nation.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ozyhibby

It’s Europe that needs to step up now. There will be no more money coming from the US now. We have to fund this war. European leaders need to get serious about this. And Starmer needs to stop his BS about being a bridge over the Atlantic. This is our war and it’s up to us. The Americans have turned their back. With a bit of luck they leave sanctions in place but we can’t count on it.
Europe still has the military and economic power to defeat Putin. It’s needs to get serious about doing it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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100% but there's no way Trump will keep sanctions in place. There's money to be made.

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Originally Posted by Hibrandenburg

100% but there's no way Trump will keep sanctions in place. There's money to be made.

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The sanctions may help American oil and gas companies. Hopefully they are bribing trump.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ozyhibby

The sanctions may help American oil and gas companies. Hopefully they are bribing trump.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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If oil and gas is cheaper to be obtained from Moscow than the US, that's where he'll go.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hibrandenburg

He's definitely still blaming Zelensky/Ukraine for his first impeachment. This is payback time with the added incentive of making money out of either Ukraine handing over it's mineral rights or reestablishing trade with Moscow.

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He can sell Chinese "MRGA" hats in Moscow. Genius.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bostonhibby

"Almost all of the land, everything"

You'd expect basic literacy at least but then again look at who he is front man for.

Getting hard to forgive Americans for inflicting this self centred brute on the world

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

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:agree:

Every single American that voted for him should be utterly ashamed of themselves. They won’t be of course, but they should be. Absolute ****ing idiots.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hibrandenburg

If oil and gas is cheaper to be obtained from Moscow than the US, that's where he'll go.

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America is a net exporter though. Russia being out of the market helps America.
Also, lifting sanctions has to be done by congress. Hopefully he doesn’t have the numbers.


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