quote:

Originally posted by zebrazapper:

quote:

Originally posted by Magine Enigam:


Why should the opposition have to block him? Is there not a better way? We're all American patriots - right?

Because that is what the opposition does. Same as the uk or any other democracy. The other side is bad so we work to prevent them. There should be a beeter way but too many here are tied to party politics. One side says a dottering old man is good. The other says a seditionist is best. I will say again to deaf ears, is this two the best we can do?

No, but the best we can do chose not to run or got eliminated during the primaries.

During the time between his election and inauguration, he will strut and posture, while doing everything possible to disrupt the works. After inauguration, more posturing with an increase in stupid statements. He will appoint then fire numerous people. The wise politician will pray to avoid selection.
Nonetheless, business will invest with increasing confidence. Trump will again prove himself to be a deficit spender, but his supporters won't notice or admit it.
As with every president over the last thirty years, to his supporters, he will do no wrong; to his detractors, he will do no right. He won't be ordering any assassinations, but he will be ok with it if some do occur. If he did order some assassinations of political rivals, a surprisingly high percentage of his followers would be alright with that. On the other hand, if some wingnut assassinated Trump tomorrow, a large percentage of Democrats would be alright with that. This is the level to which we have fallen. The last four years have been more comedy than tragedy; I fear that is the best we can hope for in the next four years. Regards, Bill

quote:

Originally posted by Bill Leeper:
During the time between his election and inauguration, he will strut and posture, while doing everything possible to disrupt the works. After inauguration, more posturing with an increase in stupid statements. He will appoint then fire numerous people. The wise politician will pray to avoid selection.
Nonetheless, business will invest with increasing confidence. Trump will again prove himself to be a deficit spender, but his supporters won't notice or admit it.
As with every president over the last thirty years, to his supporters, he will do no wrong; to his detractors, he will do no right. He won't be ordering any assassinations, but he will be ok with it if some do occur. If he did order some assassinations of political rivals, a surprisingly high percentage of his followers would be alright with that. On the other hand, if some wingnut assassinated Trump tomorrow, a large percentage of Democrats would be alright with that. This is the level to which we have fallen. The last four years have been more comedy than tragedy; I fear that is the best we can hope for in the next four years. Regards, Bill

The WISE politician will refuse to serve under him. If they can't learn from the ones whose lives have been fucked up because of it then they truly deserve what they get.

quote:

The WISE politician will refuse to serve under him. If they can't learn from the ones whose lives have been fucked up because of it then they truly deserve what they get.

WISE politicians are pretty scarce. Trumps adherents are either (a) compromised through their behaviour at MegaLardo (see Lindsey Graham) or (b) so hungry for inner circle power that they’re willing to sell their souls for it.

The Trumpian cancer that has infected the American right is evil incarnate, and I think there’s a high probability that another Trump Presidency would see the U.S. join Russia and China in the ultimate triad of totalitarian oligarchies.

The only question is whether or not enough American people are willing to hand all of their long cherished freedom to one extremely immoral, unethical and narcissistic individual.

https://youtu.be/WFUtB-h0MSM?si=7W3RtSOqSLlLkNhu

The difference between Project 2025 and Trump’s usual authoritarian ravings is that Project 2025 isn’t an empty threat, it’s a concrete plan that will roll back your rights and put the government in your life. We’ve been warned.

I think it's beyond disappointing, on the verge of disturbing, that some seem to me to be saying in so many words that they see Trump's potential next term as some sort of normal, for Trump, and perhaps for the country. They seem to be saying that the system will hold him back.

Some say that "wise" people will not work for him. Well, that's sorta the point. There are plenty of people and politicians who will willingly jump at the opportunity at being a loyalist. So, "wise" has practically nothing to do with it. If you want to see examples of political prostitutes for Trump, look at Tim Scott, Cruz, Graham, and many other GOPers. Tim Scott's expression and behavior practically begs Trump - "fuck me, fuck me".

Does anyone for an instant think a guy like Tim Scott would do what Pence did on 1/6, or instead do what Trump says to do?

It's the "system", the rule of law, that he's trying to corrupt, and he has plenty of help. He's doing it now, and has been every day, every hour, of his life for a long time with much more success than any "normal" person could. And he has lots of help. What he and the republican party are doing and attempting to do more actually has a name - illiberalism. (Ill-Liberalism)

The reality is that we have one political party who has become committed to ill-liberalism as a direct result of and connection to and in direct cooperation with, or coercion by Trump.

Is that not disturbing to you?

It may be a fact that a small portion of those who ID as republican are not all-in with Trumpism. Many herein SAY they are not. But does that matter since the GOP IS all-in?

It's probable that what any of us say or think doesn't matter.

At least we can recognize Trumpism for what it is, for whatever that's worth.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news...75041dce27be62&ei=25

If not at the beginning, a good place to start is 1:44

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news...4b55ccc4964cea&ei=11

Top Republicans, led by Trump, refuse to commit to accept 2024 election results
Story by Patrick Svitek • 18h

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news...50b6ae94b15f8e&ei=23

How a documentary about the Jan. 6 insurrection covers new ground
Story by Sonia Rao • 4h

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news...hDI?ocid=socialshare

Homeland Security ramping up 'with intensity' to respond to election threats
Story by Josh Meyer, USA TODAY • 18h

quote:

What will another trump presidency look like?

i would expect
low unemployment, low inflation, and mean tweets

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:

quote:

What will another trump presidency look like?

i would expect
low unemployment, low inflation, and mean tweets

Tell us about the low inflation Jeffe, I see it as a world wide issue no matter the monetary policy that is being pursued by individual Governments. How exactly would Trump lower inflation? He is talking about increased tariffs, that will not lower consumer costs. What would the Orange Jesus do to lower inflation?

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:

quote:

What will another trump presidency look like?

i would expect
low unemployment, low inflation, and mean tweets

We have low unemployment now, Trump will only increase inflation with his tariffs, and we don't have to put up with childish whines and accusations.

quote:

The only question is whether or not enough American people are willing to hand all of their long cherished freedom to one extremely immoral, unethical and narcissistic individual.

That's the right question all right.

Yet some would take that risk just out of self-interest, despite ravings about the Democrats all being evil. As if they were on a crusade.

What if both choices are narcissistic immoral people?

I can argue that Trump is worse by degree, or Biden is worse by policy, but both are bad.

I like present or could tolerate voting RFK jr if I know he won’t win- it makes both sides take notice while not giving office to a nut job.

Any small state governor of either party is acceptable compared to the choices we have available now.

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
What if both choices are narcissistic immoral people?

I can argue that Trump is worse by degree, or Biden is worse by policy, but both are bad.

I like present or could tolerate voting RFK jr if I know he won’t win- it makes both sides take notice while not giving office to a nut job.

Any small state governor of either party is acceptable compared to the choices we have available now.

Why do you think that is the case?

Larry Hogan or Nicky Haley would have both been superior to the current choices, yet neither could get traction with the base.

I think Mr. Hogan will be a fine Senator.

Why?

The media.

The media is trying to sell the 24 hour news cycle, and in order to get views (money) they have exaggerated events and made editorial choices to get folks aggravated enough to keep coming back. Fox is a prime example on the right, but the mainstream has been doing the same and the MSNBC/CNN crowd is pretty hard left.

I’m not quite sure how you put that genie back in the bottle.

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
Why?

The media.

The media is trying to sell the 24 hour news cycle, and in order to get views (money) they have exaggerated events and made editorial choices to get folks aggravated enough to keep coming back. Fox is a prime example on the right, but the mainstream has been doing the same and the MSNBC/CNN crowd is pretty hard left.

I’m not quite sure how you put that genie back in the bottle.

We agree on this. Exactly why I refuse to watch the agitators on either side of the political spectrum.

I watch some videos and read some articles, opinions or otherwise.

I think I'm selecting stuff that's not about agitation, but instead about perspective and what's happening.

Usually, I don't feel agitated but informed instead. That's except when I watch something from Fox News. Yes, I watch stuff from Fox because I want to see what they are doing. There's a lot of BS herein from a few that can be attributed to Fox or Trump. There is no doubt that Fox is the media arm of the GOP and especially Trump. There is also no doubt that Trump couldn't win if Fox wasn't doing what they do.

I don't believe the so-deemed left media is in any way equivalent to Fox, re agitation, for example.

I would like for someone, like Doc Butler, to show me something from the so-deemed left media that's designed as agitation. Pick PBS, for example.

I can easily show something from Fox that's all agitation.

So, I realize that the following is too much, too long, whatever, for most participants herein.

I can't help that, so here it is:

I think it just doesn't get more liberal than Robert Reich.

Here are two videos from current podcasts with him putting things into perspective.

I consider this qualifies as "media". IMO, this is definitely NOT about agitation.

https://youtu.be/avk3c7XkmNE?si=2ftjjGI37kXjjTKJ

Premiered 2 hours ago

Today, Heather and I take a hard look at the Trump trials, the latest from Gaza, and RFK Junior’s brain-eating parasite, among other things.


https://youtu.be/UQp8Lj7jPvQ?si=9sbKjHFWFsOVVU1t&t=2

Premiered Apr 27, 2024

Why do so many Americans support a neofascist?

Heather and I take a deep dive into why so many Americans are supporting a neofascist for president. Trump is the consequence rather than the cause of several major problems that have worsened over four decades — problems that have undermined the American middle class, and caused a substantial number of people to become angry, anxious, and cynical.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Bertram:

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
What if both choices are narcissistic immoral people?

I can argue that Trump is worse by degree, or Biden is worse by policy, but both are bad.

I like present or could tolerate voting RFK jr if I know he won’t win- it makes both sides take notice while not giving office to a nut job.

Any small state governor of either party is acceptable compared to the choices we have available now.

Why do you think that is the case?

Larry Hogan or Nicky Haley would have both been superior to the current choices, yet neither could get traction with the base.

I think Mr. Hogan will be a fine Senator.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Bertram:

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:

Why?

The media.

The media is trying to sell the 24 hour news cycle, and in order to get views (money) they have exaggerated events and made editorial choices to get folks aggravated enough to keep coming back. Fox is a prime example on the right, but the mainstream has been doing the same and the MSNBC/CNN crowd is pretty hard left.

I’m not quite sure how you put that genie back in the bottle.

We agree on this. Exactly why I refuse to watch the agitators on either side of the political spectrum.

I don't think Doc Butler really answered the question of "Why?"

I'm trying to stay within the context of this thread. I also think the media is very significant in both maybe getting Trump re-elected and perhaps most significantly how the media will behave in a 2nd Trump term of office.

Bottom line about agitators is that it's a choice or two. We can choose to recognize media agitators for what they are and we can choose to just not be agitated in the first place, even when presented with "news" content that may be designed as affirmations or agitation.

I read herein and hear often the notion blaming the "media" - it can't be trusted, bias, or whatever. I think it's the audience who can't be trusted, bias or whatever, and definitely can be manipulated.

It's up to us to be discerning. Some media sources seem to me to be concerned about discernment - for truth. Some seem to be concerned about narratives, counting on an audience who can't or won't decern the difference, especially the difference in which is being fed - emotion or intellect or ideological rigidity.

So, I'll give examples of what I'm talking about. You decide.

https://youtu.be/lap1YE0uAC8?si=OnW-R_-6mIdNNXgQ

Bill Maher DESTROYS the Media | Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

(Note the use of the word in caps "DESTROYS". Maher must not have seen the heading to his monologue since he made reference to such use of key words in his criticism.)

==============================================

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news...fd2acf841a0cf4&ei=83

Alvin Bragg 'Counting On' Michael Cohen Lying During Trump Trial—Attorney
Story by Natalie Venegas • 10h

Newsweek

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is "counting on" Michael Cohen lying during former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial, according to attorney and Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett on Saturday.

(Newsweek tagging off Fox News?)

======================================================

https://www.msn.com/en-us/vide...cid=socialshare&t=15

(The Fox News broadcast that Newsweek is talking about above)

John Yoo: Michael Cohen is the worst possible witness for a prosecutor to bring forward

Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Yoo says the prosecution doesn't have a case on the law against former President Trump on 'America Reports.'

=======================================================

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news...11b50fce5d931f&ei=18

Paper trail to jail? Trump loses mistrial bid and braces as D.A. about to 'rest case'

In this report, MSNBC’s Ari Melber breaks down a bruising week for Donald Trump in his criminal hush money trial as prosecutors predict they will rest their case next week.

Only one candidate has called for the suspension of the Constitution with his immediate reinstatement to power.

Among other failures.

The two men are not comparable.