Prelude to the Apocalypse

[orange808]

Tariffs only work if you have mitigated consequences at least 80% before applying them. I personally think Trump was wreckless applying them willy nilly with absolutely no understanding of how consequential it would be.

You think?

Nato is now a disbanded group which has ideals that oppose each other and I see merit on both sides of the fence so i'm torn on that.

Okay. Thanks, Roger Waters. Great take. It's not perfect, so let's all give Putin the Rhinelands green light?

Peace in our time?

Elon Musk's DOGE looks good on paper

No. It doesn't. America spent about $1.25 trillion more on health care last year than other civilized western nations. (~16.5% of GDP versus about ~12%) I'm being conservative with my numbers, by the way. That's $1.25 trillion dollars. The United States would need to fire virtually everyone in government to save that much. (That's not trimming waste in the margins.)

The biggest source of waste and inefficiency in America is the bullshit health care system. No intelligent person goes after "waste" without tackling the top item on the list. The worst part is, the health care system is the low hanging fruit. It's the most obvious issue and there are proven established models to improve.

I think the measure of things, people want things done too quickly. There is no overnight fix for importation of raw materials, there is no overnight fix for DOGE to fix without hurting a lot of folk. Russia/Ukraine is a big mess which I feel was started by Biden ignoring a pledge from Clinton years ago that Nato wouldn't spread eastwards.

Wow. What an awful take. Blame the victim much? Great post, Mr. Putin!

Crimea. What's that? Fuck.

Guarantees are a two way street, no? Russia was remarkably weak when Clinton didn't take the opportunity to expand NATO. That alone was a huge concession. Are you saying Clinton wrote Russia an eternal blank cheque? I'm sorry. That's bullshit.

First of all, your ignorance of Russian history and politics is so stunningly absent, it boggles the mind. You know Russia and Ukraine have history, right? This aggression didn't start over NATO, it's about Russian nationalism. Furthermore, Russian aggression nullifies any previous promises. The agreement was supposed to work both ways.

Know something else? Ukraine never had any legitimate chance of getting into NATO before this conflict, anyhow. Their nation was tangling with a lot of the same corruption and growing pains as many other nations that emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union. They weren't ready to join and their neighbors were still holding the post-WW2 buffer zone that was negotiated in the 1940's. Nobody really wanted to welcome Ukraine into the fold.

I read about the Plaza accord in 1985. Where Japan was about to take down the USA in the worlds economy. Japan just worked hard, had the best chipsets.. everything was above board.

What chipsets?

The 6502 and 8086 are American designs. ARM came out of the UK. 3dfx and nvidia are American, as well. ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ No shortage of innovation in Japan, but not in the chipsets or manufacturing them. SOTA fabs are in Taiwan.

[neorichieb1971]

Tariffs only work if you have mitigated consequences at least 80% before applying them. I personally think Trump was wreckless applying them willy nilly with absolutely no understanding of how consequential it would be.

You think?

Nato is now a disbanded group which has ideals that oppose each other and I see merit on both sides of the fence so i'm torn on that.

Okay. Thanks, Roger Waters. Great take. It's not perfect, so let's all give Putin the Rhinelands green light?

Peace in our time?

Elon Musk's DOGE looks good on paper

No. It doesn't. America spent about $1.25 trillion more on health care last year than other civilized western nations. (~16.5% of GDP versus about ~12%) I'm being conservative with my numbers, by the way. That's $1.25 trillion dollars. The United States would need to fire virtually everyone in government to save that much. (That's not trimming waste in the margins.)

The biggest source of waste and inefficiency in America is the bullshit health care system. No intelligent person goes after "waste" without tackling the top item on the list. The worst part is, the health care system is the low hanging fruit. It's the most obvious issue and there are proven established models to improve.

I think the measure of things, people want things done too quickly. There is no overnight fix for importation of raw materials, there is no overnight fix for DOGE to fix without hurting a lot of folk. Russia/Ukraine is a big mess which I feel was started by Biden ignoring a pledge from Clinton years ago that Nato wouldn't spread eastwards.

Wow. What an awful take. Blame the victim much? Great post, Mr. Putin!

Crimea. What's that? Fuck.

Guarantees are a two way street, no? Russia was remarkably weak when Clinton didn't take the opportunity to expand NATO. That alone was a huge concession. Are you saying Clinton wrote Russia an eternal blank cheque? I'm sorry. That's bullshit.

First of all, your ignorance of Russian history and politics is so stunningly absent, it boggles the mind. You know Russia and Ukraine have history, right? This aggression didn't start over NATO, it's about Russian nationalism. Furthermore, Russian aggression nullifies any previous promises. The agreement was supposed to work both ways.

Know something else? Ukraine never had any legitimate chance of getting into NATO before this conflict, anyhow. Their nation was tangling with a lot of the same corruption and growing pains as many other nations that emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union. They weren't ready to join and their neighbors were still holding the post-WW2 buffer zone that was negotiated in the 1940's. Nobody really wanted to welcome Ukraine into the fold.

I read about the Plaza accord in 1985. Where Japan was about to take down the USA in the worlds economy. Japan just worked hard, had the best chipsets.. everything was above board.

What chipsets?

The 6502 and 8086 are American designs. ARM came out of the UK. 3dfx and nvidia are American, as well. ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ No shortage of innovation in Japan, but not in the chipsets or manufacturing them. SOTA fabs are in Taiwan.

My take on things might not align with yours. When it comes to Trump he wants drastic change quickly with the American people already struggling. The rhetoric i'm getting is that Trump wants to protect the billionaires, but he wants MAGA. To my eyes and ears Trump has decided other countries need to pony up cash in the areas it suits the USA to MAGA.

I think the outcome would be better if different Presidential administrations didn't flip policies each term. The rest of the world deserves a contract to be worth a shit for more than 4 years. Otherwise these other countries affected will also be crapping themselves on what the next administration is going to change. I do not believe this topsy turvy flipping is so dramatic in other countries, I might be wrong but its not as evident as the grand ole USA. From what I can see these Trump ideals are hurting Americans as well, its not as if its just hurting others.

I might be a conspiracy theorist, but if Ukraine if full of rare minerals that China has in adundance and USA does a deal with Russia (boycotting Ukraine in the process), isn't it obvious that is the gameplan, to mine those minerals in order to circumvent China? Googling it got this hit - I didn't know this as its only 5 hours old - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gdx7488g5o

I'm not pro Russia, everyone has blood on their hands in history. The main thing is that the world gets more stability, trust and handshakes right now. Which is why I said I am torn, because Russia has been an aggressor but its obvious that more countries getting involved in conflict isn't a win win.

I am really confused why the USA is in this current situation. They have the wealth. If you look at the United Kingdom its fast becoming a 51st state economically. The range of buyouts of British brands from the USA is alarming. I heard on the news last night Rangers football club in Glasgow has an American buyer waiting. The biggest IT company in my town is owned by the USA, my wifes supermarket Morrisons is owned by the USA, Deepmind AI is now owned by the USA. 5 Premiership football clubs are owned by the USA. Formula 1 is now owned by USA. Hersheys and Cadbury are both USA. Got all this money to buy other countries brands, sports and what not, yet its own people are strugglijng. WTF?

The MAGA thing is ridiculous, its the flow of where money is being collected and where it is going.

Googling - chipsets japan 1985 plaza accord

In the context of the 1985 Plaza Accord, "chipsets Japan" refers to the Japanese semiconductor industry, which was significantly impacted by the agreement as it caused a rapid appreciation of the Japanese yen, making Japanese exports (including chips) more expensive and ultimately impacting their competitiveness in the global market, particularly against American chip manufacturers; this contributed to a decline in the dominance of Japanese chipsets in the international market.

Just going on what I read matey. Might be right or wrong, but if its on google its usually taken as fact.

[orange808]

My take on things might not align with yours. When it comes to Trump he wants drastic change quickly with the American people already struggling. The rhetoric i'm getting is that Trump wants to protect the billionaires, but he wants MAGA. To my eyes and ears Trump has decided other countries need to pony up cash in the areas it suits the USA to MAGA.

It suits billionaires, but not the USA. The existing paradigm (while imperfect) suited America's best interests and long term goals better. It wasn't perfect and Europe needed to get more involved in their long term security, but this wasn't the way to negotiate change; the long term ramifications and dangers of turning Putin loose far outweigh the cost savings. This is short sighted bullshit.

I think the outcome would be better if different Presidential administrations didn't flip policies each term. The rest of the world deserves a contract to be worth a shit for more than 4 years. Otherwise these other countries affected will also be crapping themselves on what the next administration is going to change. I do not believe this topsy turvy flipping is so dramatic in other countries, I might be wrong but its not as evident as the grand ole USA. From what I can see these Trump ideals are hurting Americans as well, its not as if its just hurting others.

That's bullshit. America hasn't made a regular habit of swinging like this in the past. Furthermore, American elections happen every two years and that presents opportunities to flip the legislature. When the US had democracy and functioned under a general rule of law, that used to be a significant counter weight to presidential power.

If anything, America's election cycles have discouraged wild swings. America hasn't made a habit of wild swings in policy every four years. That's ridiculous. This is not ordinary.

I might be a conspiracy theorist, but if Ukraine if full of rare minerals that China has in adundance and USA does a deal with Russia (boycotting Ukraine in the process), isn't it obvious that is the gameplan, to mine those minerals in order to circumvent China? Googling it got this hit - I didn't know this as its only 5 hours old - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gdx7488g5o

That's Trump and it's got nothing to do with anything that came before. He's completely insane. America hasn't made a habit of selling out to madmen like Hitler or Putin. I've never seen the US intentionally cede territory, influence, and stability in this manner. This is unprecedented. Furthermore, we can only control our present and future.

I'm not pro Russia

Yes. You are. Listen to yourself.

everyone has blood on their hands in history

This isn't about history. We only choose our future.

The main thing is that the world gets more stability, trust and handshakes right now. Which is why I said I am torn, because Russia has been an aggressor but its obvious that more countries getting involved in conflict isn't a win win.

I can't respond to that properly without getting banned. You can't be serious.

I am really confused why the USA is in this current situation.

Human nature. ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

[neorichieb1971]

I'm not pro Russia

Yes. You are. Listen to yourself.

The only reason you think i'm pro Russia is because I said Clinton had a agreement with Putin. War was not a necessity from Russia's point of view and that part I am totally against. I am not well rehearsed on other attributes of what Russia has done so I'll admit i'm not the best qualified to comment on other issues regarding Russia.

You're taking a lot of what i'm saying out of context (re friends, handshakes). I am a man of my word, if I say something it sticks. I don't wait a few years and do the exact opposite. Granted the USA changes Presidents which find themselves being voted in all sorts of situations. The reason I am torn on Russia is simply because I don't believe that just because you (the USA) are almighty and powerful that you should always do what you can (like the saying in Jurassic park, just because you can doesn't mean you should). If you are against war which I believe Trump is, then stopping it all costs is paramount, but I understand the USA leveraging this situation rather than combatting it head on is not what was expected.

I personally believe Ukraine should retain its sovereignty and Russia should concede the war and shut the hell up, but there isn't much chance of that happening. I am nervous that escalation would get out of control and I believe others are in this camp as well. The world is currently picking new partners and friends and a world where the world becomes polarized is in nobodys interests. Even in a win situation there is a lot of life at stake.

Your "human nature" comment could be attributed to anything and everything. Humans are complex creatures.

I don't know where you're from! But i'm sure where ever it is, you would want to wake up tomorrow morning and wished all this away. I've lived a long time and I cannot recall at any period of time in my life where the world is on edge like it is today. I'm sorry my words have sparked fury and anger in yourself, but maybe thats the problem with the world today. If you are personally affected by world events I am hoping that things improve for you quickly.

I'm a humble person, I don't want to argue. I wish you well.

[orange808]

The only reason you think i'm pro Russia is because I said Clinton had a agreement with Putin.

An agreement he broke when he barged into Crimea, no? ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

War was not a necessity from Russia's point of view and that part I am totally against. I am not well rehearsed on other attributes of what Russia has done so I'll admit i'm not the best qualified to comment on other issues regarding Russia.

Russia regards Ukraine as theirs and that claim reaches deep into history. Russians don't even acknowledge Ukraine as a nation; the territory exists to serve Mother Russia. It is property of Moscow. It doesn't end there. They also want historically disputed Prussian and Austrian territories back under their control. It's a lot like Hitler trying to rebuild his nation from a German nationalist point of view and conquer Europe outward from there--except it's Putin starting inside Russia this time.

You're taking a lot of what i'm saying out of context (re friends, handshakes). I am a man of my word, if I say something it sticks. I don't wait a few years and do the exact opposite. Granted the USA changes Presidents which find themselves being voted in all sorts of situations.

Well, Putin promised not to invade his neighbors. So, the deal is off.

The reason I am torn on Russia is simply because I don't believe that just because you (the USA) are almighty and powerful that you should always do what you can (like the saying in Jurassic park, just because you can doesn't mean you should).

That's pretty universal.

Most Europeans don't view America as an ally. Americans don't know that, of course. However, don't forget that most Americans really do believe differently. When stopped on the street, most Americans really do consider Europe an ally. Polling in Europe is the opposite. Believe it or not, Europe has a fairly positive reputation among most Americans. It's a one way relationship, though.

Like it or no, Americans have paid for a lot of the security in Europe and they have been quite happy with the arrangement. Europeans don't really mind, either. If they did, they would have changed their priorities years ago. Why are we in a hurry to change it, again?

Polling in America shows exceptionalism, but Americans feel consistently supportive of standing by Europe. It turns out that most Americans are even more pleased with their involvement in European security than average Europeans themselves. Trump is pushing against American sentiment.

For what it's worth, Americans I know don't spend time thinking of the nation as superheroes. While many lament or complain about a world police role, nobody with a brain seriously suggests walking away from it. Even most MAGA are visibly upset at the idea of bombs falling on our European allies. My family fled European war, but they still were proud of the America that used it's geographical advantage and resources to push the Reich back. I can't understand why we would walk away. We were told the job would never be done. Walking away is madness.

Of course, those fucking old thick boomers hear the name "Ukraine" and instantly think of the USSR. Boomers are quite stupid and ancient, so they may not completely understand who is (and is not) Europe. They are also so decrepit and daft, they can easily fall into the appeasement and "peace in our time" trap. Their parents and grandparents are the ones that dealt with Hitler. They were too busy smoking dope, fucking, and sniffing cocaine to learn any history. Boomers gonna boomer, I suppose.

If you are against war which I believe Trump is, then stopping it all costs is paramount, but I understand the USA leveraging this situation rather than combatting it head on is not what was expected.

You can't possibly be serious.

I personally believe Ukraine should retain its sovereignty and Russia should concede the war and shut the hell up, but there isn't much chance of that happening. I am nervous that escalation would get out of control and I believe others are in this camp as well. The world is currently picking new partners and friends and a world where the world becomes polarized is in nobodys interests. Even in a win situation there is a lot of life at stake.

Ukraine doesn't want us to "save their lives". They want to win, no matter what it takes. Do they matter at all? Reminder: They are the ones fighting, not you. Is this your decision to make? Is it Trump's decision?

America was committed to defending Europe. Does that handshake matter?

Putin made this "polar" and the only way to stop him is: to stop him.

Your "human nature" comment could be attributed to anything and everything. Humans are complex creatures.

Left to their own devices, people are dishonest atrocity machines that can't be trusted. That's why we need society, law enforcement, and militaries. Of course, the results are only good when our leaders are invested. Oh yes. Laugh it up, Brian. I can hear the snickering now, but corruption can and does run unchecked in the third world. I know the difference and I'm dismayed that people voted to tear things apart.

People are thick. They don't realize they aren't special. Third world countries are NOT "stupid". They're poor and they're trapped by corruption. That can happen to anyone. We're all people. If I was born in the third world, I'd be trapped and struggling (and maybe dead). Same with you. Same with all of you. That's all of us.

MAGA doesn't realize how much they rely on society. I hope you do.

We're going backwards.

"Peace in our time" won't keep you safe. Americans are raised to understand that Germany and Japan made a deal with us. Part of that bargain was security. We shook hands, too. We can't abandon that deal without giving them time to ramp up their own capabilities.

And, is that a good idea? America gave Israel the tools to build their own sovereign military force. They used their leverage as our allies against us and embarrassed us in Gaza with mass murder. Would have been better if the US had more direct control over their security from the beginning.

[neorichieb1971]

America was committed to defending Europe. Does that handshake matter?

Europe is a major customer of the USA (digital spending, music, movies, tv shows, shopping on amazon, apple phones, microsoft windows etc). I don't know if thats worth defending, but as I stated before the USA is buying up everything that is sellable in the UK and possibly Europe. Universal Studios is setting up 10 mins down the road from me in Bedford. If the bombs started dropping on the UK it would be destroying financial revenues of USA hedge fund companies. Trump owns a sizeable golf course in Scotland.

The UK today announced raising GDP spending on defense to 2.5/2.6% of GDP. The UK is trying to get other European allies to up their game as well.

Why don't you tell us what your gameplan would be? I've put my cards on the table. No point debating if you're just picking apart what I Say. So far I haven't heard a word of what you want to happen.

[orange808]

Europe is a major customer of the USA (digital spending, music, movies, tv shows, shopping on amazon, apple phones, microsoft windows etc).

Sure, but when I poll an American in the street, they aren't thinking about the money. I truly was taught that the United States made a bargain to prevent war hawks in Japan and Germany from reigniting the conflict. No matter what happened along the way, that deal still stands. I don't care if it was 80 years ago.

I'm not okay with abandoning our allies. Many of us are not. Doesn't matter what you buy or don't buy. We made a deal for a lasting peace behind military deterrent--and remaining nationalist voices in Japanese and German government circles couldn't possibly push their ideas with no military. This arrangement has a purpose and I believe both Churchill and Roosevelt were fed up and tired of war. I also don't care for the actual letter or wording of the documents themselves. We all understand what America agreed to do, here.

What kind of asshole just walks away? America made the deal that kept Germany (and most European nations) out of military endeavours in the first place. Subsequent decades of American policy allowed the current situation to evolve. We chose this together. The UK can provide a nuclear umbrella if Trump completely loses his mind, but you can't go it alone--and you should not have to. Furthermore, most Americans don't want Europe left in the cold. Trump is bullshit.

I don't know if thats worth defending, but as I stated before the USA is buying up everything that is sellable in the UK and possibly Europe.

Americans feel the same way about China. Although, a lot of it here is hyperbole.

Universal Studios is setting up 10 mins down the road from me in Bedford. If the bombs started dropping on the UK it would be destroying financial revenues of USA hedge fund companies. Trump owns a sizeable golf course in Scotland.

Trump doesn't think things through.

For what it's worth, it's only a few Americans buying. Most of us are just scraping by. That's one reason why Trump got elected in the first place. We have two right wing parties and there's no way to vote against our corporate overlords. Trump lied about fighting back and people believed him. The worst part is, Bernie Sanders promised the same thing honestly and everyone called him a pinko.

You're right. From a business point of view, economies cannot exist without strong property rights. Domestically, that falls to law enforcement, but there's also a national defense element. Investment and thriving economies don't happen without security.

The UK today announced raising GDP spending on defense to 2.5/2.6% of GDP. The UK is trying to get other European allies to up their game as well.

It's bullshit that America would force this by (essentially) walking out on you. I'm pissed.

Why don't you tell us what your gameplan would be? I've put my cards on the table. No point debating if you're just picking apart what I Say. So far I haven't heard a word of what you want to happen.

My gameplan already died on the vine. Bernie gave them a scare, but the billionaires held him off. Since then, they have built strong defenses to make sure it never happens again. We're all in a serious pickle now.

I would have sent more aid to Ukraine. They should decide their future. And, I don't give a shit about Putin's nuclear button. We've got one, too.

I believe in a real deterrent. I don't trust people and history backs my point of view. The only thing that stops assholes is the threat of punishment. If he ends the world, I guess it's over. I mean that. American force in Europe is supposed to be defensive. We all understand that.

Frankly, I'm getting a little tired of hearing that an agreement to provide defense threatens Russia or anyone else. Preventing nationalist war hawks from marching all across Europe doesn't threaten anyone's genuine sovereignty or their basic rights. Give me a break.

So, barring the end of the world, I suggest arming Ukraine and continuing to ratchet up their capabilities. Ukraine should decide how this ends.

[BulletMagnet]

Elon Musk's DOGE looks good on paper, but it seems if you want to cut out the poision, make sure you don't cut too deep because you might hit an artery.

If you think DOGE's actions, and mere existence in the first place, have anything whatsoever to do with a desire for increased efficiency you need to pay closer attention. And if you think there's a snowball's chance in hell that $5,000 checks are going to go out to every taxpayer as a result of its activities you need to pay much closer attention.

A brief nudge in the proper direction: mere days ago, before a delirious crowd of conservatives, said department's de facto head was prancing around onstage alongside the guy who rug-pulled his own citizens.

Russia/Ukraine is a big mess which I feel was started by Biden ignoring a pledge from Clinton years ago that Nato wouldn't spread eastwards.

Considering Putin first invaded Crimea back in 2014 I'm inclined to doubt anything that happened during the Biden years, or any other time, can be taken as a legitimate justification for subsequently attempting to forcefully take over the rest of the country.

I don't understand how the USA gets 35 trillion in the hole with all the privileges they have.

The amount of money pouring into tech giants is insane.. and its more insane those tech giants are being protected the most with tax cuts.

You went a long way towards answering your own question. Though the unfunded foreign wars certainly haven't helped either.

Americans need to act responsibly when they have money.

The last time government checks got sent out during the pandemic most people either paid down debt or saved it. Also, over half of renters used the whole thing to pay rent.

[orange808]

[neorichieb1971]

So who thinks the USA will be better off in 4 years then?

Just think all these imaginery lines on the globe that make countries causes so much BS.

Glad to hear all you's point of view.

[Lemnear]

So who thinks the USA will be better off in 4 years then?

Just think all these imaginery lines on the globe that make countries causes so much BS.

Glad to hear all you's point of view.

I believe that telling everyone who works for YOUR country that they are money-sucking parasites is a great way to kick yourself in the balls. Even state officials will now have doubts about their own country.
To say that bankruptcy is imminent if they don't fire everyone seems absurd and ridiculous to me, to say the least.
The fact that they do all this in a brazen way, without even pretending that it is not for personal interest makes it all the more repulsive.
What will you be like in 4 years? A nation that no one trusts anymore, simple.

[orange808]

Spoiler

Fucked around and found out.

The appeal to identity politics (and a DEI exception?) afterwards is the cherry on top. Chef's kiss!

[BulletMagnet]

So who thinks the USA will be better off in 4 years then?

I'm frankly just hoping we still exist in any meaningful form; it's only been a month, and in addition to claiming complete and permanent immunity from any and all criminal activity he commits, Trump has openly and in no uncertain terms assumed control of both the spending power the Constitution assigns to Congress and the authority to interpret law given to the judiciary, rendering the central foundation of our governmental structure null and void at his personal whim.

More disturbingly than that, a significant number of people, many of whom have for decades ceaselessly trumpeted their supposed affection for the Constitution and the Founding Fathers, are singing his praises as he does this; by pure coincidence, these same fellow citizens of mine who clutched their pearls at the prospect of unelected billionaires secretly running the government, suddenly have no problem with unelected billionaires openly running it.

Pair all of that with an "opposition" that by and large refuses to oppose, since they eat at most of the same troughs as Trump's enablers, and I seriously wonder if we'll ever truly recover from this.

[orange808]

More disturbingly than that, a significant number of people, many of whom have for decades ceaselessly trumpeted their supposed affection for the Constitution and the Founding Fathers, are singing his praises as he does this; by pure coincidence, these same fellow citizens of mine who clutched their pearls at the prospect of unelected billionaires secretly running the government, suddenly have no problem with unelected billionaires openly running it.

Pair all of that with an "opposition" that by and large refuses to oppose, since they eat at most of the same troughs as Trump's enablers, and I seriously wonder if we'll ever truly recover from this.

No (meaningful) opposition anywhere, it seems.. The press will never recover.

Spoiler

[To Far Away Times]

The Trump and Zelenskyy meeting today at the White House was so fucking embarrassing.

Maybe the most embarrassing moment as an American since Putin and Trump got up on stage together to talk about how awful the US is back in Helsinki.

[Sima Tuna]

So many bad things have happened lately as a result of Trump policies that I struggle to even recount them all. No doubt part of his strategy to overwhelm the media and voters.

Still no definitive word on the student loan situation, although I have received a letter that the deferment end period is being moved up. The letter didn't SAY that but the date they gave me is a couple months earlier than the "not earlier than this date" provided to me a few months ago. So that is what it amounts to functionally. My best guess is Trump will eventually crush all IDR plans once he gets around to it. He has bigger priorities for the moment but he won't forget.

Trump was trying to LARP a season of the Apprentice, I see. Geriatric Edition, to boot. Rambling about Hunter Biden's laptop in a discussion with the leader of another country about an ongoing war with WW3 potential. Very professional. Vance was there as the scripted attack dog trying to put Ukraine through a humiliation ritual for the benefit of Trump's domestic base.

Say whatever you want about Ukraine. Nothing can change the fact they were the ones invaded by Russia. Facts don't care about feelings. Yes, there have been conflicts in that area of the world for a long time but we cannot ignore the reality of how the situation actually unfolded. One side was the clear, violent aggressor and has the intent to annex the other. I suppose it's only natural for Trump, who only recently said the US should annex and develop Gaza into a resort hotel, to feel some sympathy for Violent Invader Vladimir Putin.

What else? So many things. Liberal media telling other liberal media to stay silent and roll over. I think I saw gay marriage is beginning to be targeted now? Trans people in the military were all cut. Mass firings in all areas of government. Firing IRS during tax season... Genius. Passports of trans people have been changed without their consent back to birth sex. Welp. Department of Education about to be kill. Trump told China he doesn't care if they take Taiwan. To be fair, China were probably always going to take Taiwan anyway (for ideological reasons, the CCP will risk WW3 for Taiwan and Taiwan has never successfully defended an attack throughout its history, bcuz island) but now they'll take it faster.

Um... I know there was more. I forget because so many things happened. Medicaid is getting RIP'd. At least half the medicaid staff is getting cut which we can roughly figure will amount to at least half the service coverage going away. All the social safety nets are being torn. SNAP is getting massively cut.

Um.... I know there is even more. Too much to remember. Even if I only bitched about things that directly affect me, I still would be able to post in this thread every day because of how much of Trump's agenda this term has been spitefully aimed at the working poors. Oh yeah, all those farm subsidy cuts to red states. Red states BTFO by Trump. Thanks for the votes I guess. Red states benefit massively from medicaid too.

[To Far Away Times]

I have family that was affected by Trump’s bigoted Transgender military directives, including withholding their medication.

They’ve done more for our country than Trump and his brand of bigotry ever will.

Trump’s a racist and bigoted piece of shit who has, at best, a child-like understanding of the world.

Donny Dumbass will attack any group he feels he can punch down on. We see it here with Ukraine, too. Trump feels like he can “make a deal” from a position of strength, and the rest of the world thinks he looks like a jackass trying to exploit a vulnerable and weakened country in need. It’s not the win that he thinks it is.

[BulletMagnet]

There's a special place in Hell for the cum-sucking worms acting as if Trump and Vance's behavior was anything other than a gruesome humiliation for the United States; I can only hope that other nations that haven't gone quite so far off the deep end as we have are willing and able to display what actual leaders and decent human beings act like in times like these. Jesus Fucking Christ.

Liberal media telling other liberal media to stay silent and roll over.

There's also, incidentally, a special place in Hell for James Carville.

[orange808]

Poland, Germany, Japan, and South Korea need domestic nuclear arsenals ASAP. I can't see any other path forward.

Supreme being thing help us. The world just got a lot more dangerous.

[Sima Tuna]

Poland, Germany, Japan, and South Korea need domestic nuclear arsenals ASAP. I can't see any other path forward.

From the sound of things, Germany and Japan are both open to the idea. Germany may already be proceeding along those lines.

[Lemnear]

but what Bernie Sanders says, do Americans listen to him? Or do they pretend nothing is happening? Do they think he's a liar and that Trump is right?
It seems that everyone is fine with having a president who wants a dictator as a friend... who in turn is a friend of other dictators like Kim Jong-Un... and is this fine with Americans? Do they like it?
I don't see any demonstrations of any kind about this.
And it seems pretty obvious that Trump is a moron, who will end up squeezing his former European allies into a vice between Putin invading and him coming to the "rescue" in exchange for rare earths, Greenland, and God knows what else.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/news/an ... re#details
I ask because some of the comments in this video are shocking..
Some people shouldn't have the right to vote...and your president is the result.

I suggest boycotting American products until the government comes to its senses.

[orange808]

I don't see any demonstrations of any kind about this.

You have now.

[Lemnear]

I don't see any demonstrations of any kind about this.

You have now.

I was wondering, why it seems like most Americans are on Donald Trump's side .
If the majority were against it, there would already be a general protest in all 50 states.

[BulletMagnet]

and is this fine with Americans? Do they like it?

As I mentioned in a previous post there are a great many Americans who are utterly appalled at what they're seeing, but I would point to two things in particular that have led us to where we currently are:

1) The only viable opposition party under our current system is beholden to many of the same moneyed interests as Trump's party, and thus refuses to tap into the backlash against him beyond repeating "we promise to not be quite as awful as he is", which is not a remotely persuasive pitch to voters truly aghast at what Trump and the right are doing. As I put it earlier, when the bus is headed towards a cliff, how eager are you supposed to be to appoint a new driver who will only slow the bus down, but never stop it, let alone turn it around?

2) By contrast, the voters who turn out for Trump and the GOP will move heaven and earth to find any excuse to do it; the singular thing that consistently matters across their coalition is inflicting suffering on people they don't like, but Trump is particularly skilled at giving them a means to pretend they actually vote based on policy or scruples. He has taken opposing sides of too many issues to count, from abortion to foreign wars, but almost nobody on the right ever so much as calls him out on it; instead they simply claim to believe one statement or the other and dismiss its opposite as "media bias" or the like, and pretend that's the real reason they voted for him. No matter how many other promises he breaks, as long as he exudes the spite they crave they'll simply never leave him, and the same goes for his party.

To cite the poem once again, the best lack all conviction, the worst are full of passionate intensity.

[orange808]

2) By contrast, the voters who turn out for Trump and the GOP will move heaven and earth to find any excuse to do it; the singular thing that consistently matters across their coalition is inflicting suffering on people they don't like, but Trump is particularly skilled at giving them a means to pretend they actually vote based on policy or scruples. He has taken opposing sides of too many issues to count, from abortion to foreign wars, but almost nobody on the right ever so much as calls him out on it; instead they simply claim to believe one statement or the other and dismiss its opposite as "media bias" or the like, and pretend that's the real reason they voted for him. No matter how many other promises he breaks, as long as he exudes the spite they crave they'll simply never leave him, and the same goes for his party.

To cite the poem once again, the best lack all conviction, the worst are full of passionate intensity.

We can explain the phenomenon more completely with brevity; it's a cult.

It's a cult.

Like any other cult, the reasons for joining dissolve away into codependency; critical thought is lost. Any rare feeble critque afterwards opens and closes with a statement of unwavering loyalty--and even the softest criticism is met with immediate fiery admonishment and rejection. That rejection is painful, because the cult is everything.

These are the workings of MAGA and any other cult. Identifying the tenets and behaviors of the MAGA cult also helps explain the lack of protest at the moment. Normal Americans don't identify being reasonable with their entire being in this way. There is no Cult of Reasonable People.

"I don't feel the need to join a cult" isn't a strong daily emotional state of motivation by definition. It's just a normal casual centered way of being, not a call to action.

[Lemnear]

the singular thing that consistently matters across their coalition is inflicting suffering on people they don't like, but Trump is particularly skilled at giving them a means to pretend they actually vote based on policy or scruples. He has taken opposing sides of too many issues to count, from abortion to foreign wars, but almost nobody on the right ever so much as calls him out on it; instead they simply claim to believe one statement or the other and dismiss its opposite as "media bias" or the like, and pretend that's the real reason they voted for him. No matter how many other promises he breaks, as long as he exudes the spite they crave they'll simply never leave him, and the same goes for his party.

To cite the poem once again, the best lack all conviction, the worst are full of passionate intensity.

Sadly true...even what Orange says. It's a cult, it seems that the "couch conspiracy theorists" voted and won.

Probably America will abandon NATO and the UN and will set their new friend Putin against us Europeans...because in Trump's new world order there is no room for anyone other than the USA, Russia and China.
Europe is terrified by this new presidency that from one day to the next accuses its ally (the EU) of "being born only to screw America"...then it deals with dictators ignoring all the atrocities committed and accusing the invaders of being the aggressors, and it does it publicly and without apologizing.
What president of any nation with a shred of decency would spread lies so openly ignoring reality?
When he comes to reclaim Greenland what will happen?

People here in EU are afraid of a WW3 against USA & USSR...

[To Far Away Times]

The way I have always thought of modern conservatives is that Trump is their thought leader and moral compass.

Conservatives will always be willing to meet Trump at his lowest point. There is no depravity, criminal act, or ethical failing they will not support as long as Trump is behind it.

[neorichieb1971]

I know one thing. Folk are touchy right now. Gently expressing an opinion that differs from someone over the table usually results "You're fucking kidding me?"

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/norwegi ... r-ukraine/

Norway has apparently stopped fueling all American Navy vessels.

[MJR]

I know one thing. Folk are touchy right now. Gently expressing an opinion that differs from someone over the table usually results "You're fucking kidding me?"

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/norwegi ... r-ukraine/

Norway has apparently stopped fueling all American Navy vessels.

And of course, one GOP senator is already using that as an excuse to leave NATO.

There is rather interesting thread on askreddit on what would realistically happen if US would leave Nato.

TL;DR, US would lose their intel, their bases, their allies - but most importantly, dollar would no longer be the reserve currency and US would begin to have some real problems with their debt, which would collapse them.

Trump meme coin supporters already got a taste of things to come

[BulletMagnet]

And of course, one GOP senator is already using that as an excuse to leave NATO.

Might be worth noting that this was a single private company, not the Norwegian government. So isn't this just the free market at work?