Trump Presidency

[Bluto]

Haha.

 

[Bluto]

You prove my point. Slavery, voting rights, etc... but here we are.

...with not much slavery and child labor?

 

[Blazers46]

It really is a slippery slope. I typed out several lengthy replies, read them over, decided they might be inflammatory to some and deleted all of them.

Really, what is a terrorist? Over the course of history I would opine that virtually every nation state could be called a terrorist or guilty of terrorist activities.

Similar to what a judge wrote about pornography a while back, I personally can't define terrorism but I know it when I see it.

I also recognize that indigenous peoples see most of us as "visitors" and "intruders" and many of them believe we are terrorists. I don't think it is as black and white as many of us would like to believe.

What's the answer and path forward? I honestly don't know. This has been going on for thousands of years.

The events that transpired last week were a bloody disgrace and I personally believe Trump was THE instigator.

Be good to each other. Respect one another and do good in your community. That's all I have.

Cheers and Go Irish!!

THIS is what I am talking about.

 

[Wild Bill]

I do not think there is anything a politician can do to change this. Looking to government to solve social issues is a fools errand.

These cultural shifting movements themselves are top down movements that exist as a result of our goverment and politicians, or perhaps it's more accurate to say the elite who own our politicians/government.

The greatest mistake the right has made in my lifetime, and I'm guilty of this myself, is to make believe the federal government can't accomplish anything. That's just libertarian think tank nonsense, and anyone with an IQ above a toaster recognizes it as soon as they pull themselves away from the libertarian/conservative bullshit talking points.

The feds have manipulated the right into believing bombing deserts and using the CIA to overthrow governments will make us safer. Meanwhile they have convinced the left that mass immigration is good for the working man. I'm not trying to debate either - my point is that the feds are shaping both our culture and the cultures of other nations with these two policies alone.

The right has been sitting around the last year asking themselves what the hell is going on out here and the answer is very simple. They reject or deny the power of the federal government. We expect our elected leaders to hold office. The left fully understands the power and they embrace it. They expect their politicians to wield power and shift the culture to fit their worldview.

In my opinion, this is by design. Our elite can comfortably stuff their pockets with a "hands off" economic policy that is peddled by the right combined with a hands on approach to changing the culture that is peddled by the left.

This strikes me as a neverending cycle that won't break until the right wakes up to the fact that they're nothing more than irrelevant tax cattle grazing in land that doesn't touch an ocean and the left realizes that using every hole in your body as a sex organ doesnt make you free. If/when that happens, we can get the party started.

 

[IrishLax]

THIS is what I am talking about.

Did you guys happen to see Ben Sasse's speech on January 6th? It was the most clear-eyed thing I have heard in at least 5 years.

 

[NorthDakota]

Did you guys happen to see Ben Sasse's speech on January 6th? It was the most clear-eyed thing I have heard in at least 5 years.

Nope but he's usually pretty good.

 

[Blazers46]

Did you guys happen to see Ben Sasse's speech on January 6th? It was the most clear-eyed thing I have heard in at least 5 years.

I did. Like stated above, he is always a good listen.

 

[Bluto]

These cultural shifting movements themselves are top down movements that exist as a result of our goverment and politicians, or perhaps it's more accurate to say the elite who own our politicians/government.

The greatest mistake the right has made in my lifetime, and I'm guilty of this myself, is to make believe the federal government can't accomplish anything. That's just libertarian think tank nonsense, and anyone with an IQ above a toaster recognizes it as soon as they pull themselves away from the libertarian/conservative bullshit talking points.

The feds have manipulated the right into believing bombing deserts and using the CIA to overthrow governments will make us safer. Meanwhile they have convinced the left that mass immigration is good for the working man. I'm not trying to debate either - my point is that the feds are shaping both our culture and the cultures of other nations with these two policies alone.

The right has been sitting around the last year asking themselves what the hell is going on out here and the answer is very simple. They reject or deny the power of the federal government. We expect our elected leaders to hold office. The left fully understands the power and they embrace it. They expect their politicians to wield power and shift the culture to fit their worldview.

In my opinion, this is by design. Our elite can comfortably stuff their pockets with a "hands off" economic policy that is peddled by the right combined with a hands on approach to changing the culture that is peddled by the left.

This strikes me as a neverending cycle that won't break until the right wakes up to the fact that they're nothing more than irrelevant tax cattle grazing in land that doesn't touch an ocean and the left realizes that using every hole in your body as a sex organ doesnt make you free. If/when that happens, we can get the party started.

Good post with some interesting points.

 

[Ndaccountant]

These cultural shifting movements themselves are top down movements that exist as a result of our goverment and politicians, or perhaps it's more accurate to say the elite who own our politicians/government.

The greatest mistake the right has made in my lifetime, and I'm guilty of this myself, is to make believe the federal government can't accomplish anything. That's just libertarian think tank nonsense, and anyone with an IQ above a toaster recognizes it as soon as they pull themselves away from the libertarian/conservative bullshit talking points.

The feds have manipulated the right into believing bombing deserts and using the CIA to overthrow governments will make us safer. Meanwhile they have convinced the left that mass immigration is good for the working man. I'm not trying to debate either - my point is that the feds are shaping both our culture and the cultures of other nations with these two policies alone.

The right has been sitting around the last year asking themselves what the hell is going on out here and the answer is very simple. They reject or deny the power of the federal government. We expect our elected leaders to hold office. The left fully understands the power and they embrace it. They expect their politicians to wield power and shift the culture to fit their worldview.

In my opinion, this is by design. Our elite can comfortably stuff their pockets with a "hands off" economic policy that is peddled by the right combined with a hands on approach to changing the culture that is peddled by the left.

This strikes me as a neverending cycle that won't break until the right wakes up to the fact that they're nothing more than irrelevant tax cattle grazing in land that doesn't touch an ocean and the left realizes that using every hole in your body as a sex organ doesnt make you free. If/when that happens, we can get the party started.

I don't buy that, personally. The right knows what power the federal government wields, or I should say what the lack of federal government enables. But before I get into it, I think we all need to agree that the general public is nothing more than a herd of sheep and the flock is fed by emotion. That emotion is manipulated by how they govern.

With that said, the left/right struggle you mention has taken many shapes and forms, but has persisted since the early 1800's. But there are critical turning points , starting with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. That started what is seemingly an endless cycle of "gerrymandering" that has ended up in non-sensical districts that are drawn for the sole purpose of power, not voter choice. Both parties do it, but the by product of 50+ years of trying to concentrate power has led to a concentrated electorate that has polarized and shifted more and more to the extremes over the years. Those who truly are in the middle (conservative fiscally/socially, liberal socially/fiscally) don't really have candidates that match their political views. That's how you end up with some of socialistic left iand the Q believers in office. The extreme differences of the two have lead to the flock seeing each other as enemies, not neighbors. The emotions run high and they refuse to give in to their enemies. We just have so much of it now and they can communicate via social media to reaffirm their craziness.

It's all about power. But I genuinely do not believe that the "elite" is conspiring on this. It's just all they know. Long gone are the Biden or McCains where compromise was not only normal, but expected. Compromise now, you are primaried out because how dare you. It's how these people have been elected, so it's how they govern. The only solution is to redraw district lines based on voter turnout in the previous election. The goal is to get 50/50 representation so that we don't get the jackasses we have today.

 

[NorthDakota]

I don't buy that, personally. The right knows what power the federal government wields, or I should say what the lack of federal government enables. But before I get into it, I think we all need to agree that the general public is nothing more than a herd of sheep and the flock is fed by emotion. That emotion is manipulated by how they govern.

With that said, the left/right struggle you mention has taken many shapes and forms, but has persisted since the early 1800's. But there are critical turning points , starting with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. That started what is seemingly an endless cycle of "gerrymandering" that has ended up in non-sensical districts that are drawn for the sole purpose of power, not voter choice. Both parties do it, but the by product of 50+ years of trying to concentrate power has led to a concentrated electorate that has polarized and shifted more and more to the extremes over the years. Those who truly are in the middle (conservative fiscally/socially, liberal socially/fiscally) don't really have candidates that match their political views. That's how you end up with some of socialistic left iand the Q believers in office. The extreme differences of the two have lead to the flock seeing each other as enemies, not neighbors. The emotions run high and they refuse to give in to their enemies. We just have so much of it now and they can communicate via social media to reaffirm their craziness.

It's all about power. But I genuinely do not believe that the "elite" is conspiring on this. It's just all they know. Long gone are the Biden or McCains where compromise was not only normal, but expected. Compromise now, you are primaried out because how dare you. It's how these people have been elected, so it's how they govern. The only solution is to redraw district lines based on voter turnout in the previous election. The goal is to get 50/50 representation so that we don't get the jackasses we have today.

I largely agree here, but I will take issue with one point.

You mentioned there not being much of a middle ground. Dems beat the hell out of the GOP in 2018 by running what were at the very least perceived as moderate candidates. Whether they are moderate in practice is another story entirely. Thats not me accusing them of anything btw, I dont follow HoR voting close enough to opine on most of them.

The GOP ran what would be perceived as a more moderate campaign in 2020 HoR races (women and minorities) and won literally every single toss-up race and won back some seats they weren't expected to win.

What this tells me, is the American electorate outside of the deep red rural areas and deep blue urban environments, is fairly moderate.

I'm really interested in seeing how the suburbs go moving forward. Both parties have consolidated their respective areas. But the burbs are interesting. I'm not convinced they'll ever side with one over the other for large periods of time. At least for the foreseeable future. Obviously shifts happen.

 

[Irish#1]

These cultural shifting movements themselves are top down movements that exist as a result of our goverment and politicians, or perhaps it's more accurate to say the elite who own our politicians/government.

The greatest mistake the right has made in my lifetime, and I'm guilty of this myself, is to make believe the federal government can't accomplish anything. That's just libertarian think tank nonsense, and anyone with an IQ above a toaster recognizes it as soon as they pull themselves away from the libertarian/conservative bullshit talking points.

The feds have manipulated the right into believing bombing deserts and using the CIA to overthrow governments will make us safer. Meanwhile they have convinced the left that mass immigration is good for the working man. I'm not trying to debate either - my point is that the feds are shaping both our culture and the cultures of other nations with these two policies alone.

The right has been sitting around the last year asking themselves what the hell is going on out here and the answer is very simple. They reject or deny the power of the federal government. We expect our elected leaders to hold office. The left fully understands the power and they embrace it. They expect their politicians to wield power and shift the culture to fit their worldview.

In my opinion, this is by design. Our elite can comfortably stuff their pockets with a "hands off" economic policy that is peddled by the right combined with a hands on approach to changing the culture that is peddled by the left.

This strikes me as a neverending cycle that won't break until the right wakes up to the fact that they're nothing more than irrelevant tax cattle grazing in land that doesn't touch an ocean and the left realizes that using every hole in your body as a sex organ doesnt make you free. If/when that happens, we can get the party started.

Correct. This isn't just a "right side" problem. We're not here simply because of Trump. Both side of the fence deserve an equal amount of blame. Trump was elected because people were tired of the same ol' DC politics. I still believe Trump would have won reelection if he would have heeded the advice of his staff and kept his mouth shut for the most part. Heck, if COVID hadn't happened he more than likely would have won reelection. Economy was kicking ass, unemployment at an all time low, etc..

I would love to see some massive changes to our current structure. Term limits would be the best place to start IMO.

 

[Irish#1]

I don't buy that, personally. The right knows what power the federal government wields, or I should say what the lack of federal government enables. But before I get into it, I think we all need to agree that the general public is nothing more than a herd of sheep and the flock is fed by emotion. That emotion is manipulated by how they govern.

With that said, the left/right struggle you mention has taken many shapes and forms, but has persisted since the early 1800's. But there are critical turning points , starting with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. That started what is seemingly an endless cycle of "gerrymandering" that has ended up in non-sensical districts that are drawn for the sole purpose of power, not voter choice. Both parties do it, but the by product of 50+ years of trying to concentrate power has led to a concentrated electorate that has polarized and shifted more and more to the extremes over the years. Those who truly are in the middle (conservative fiscally/socially, liberal socially/fiscally) don't really have candidates that match their political views. That's how you end up with some of socialistic left iand the Q believers in office. The extreme differences of the two have lead to the flock seeing each other as enemies, not neighbors. The emotions run high and they refuse to give in to their enemies. We just have so much of it now and they can communicate via social media to reaffirm their craziness.

It's all about power. But I genuinely do not believe that the "elite" is conspiring on this. It's just all they know. Long gone are the Biden or McCains where compromise was not only normal, but expected. Compromise now, you are primaried out because how dare you. It's how these people have been elected, so it's how they govern. The only solution is to redraw district lines based on voter turnout in the previous election. The goal is to get 50/50 representation so that we don't get the jackasses we have today.

Well stated.

 

[dublinirish]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YVDJqipoohc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[IrishRazor82]

Have you guys read the Articles of Unity proposed by Bret Weinstein?

I initially said "hah!" but it's sounding more and more reasonable and peaceful.

Twitter banned his AOU account months ago though because it was somehow hate speech and I couldn't disagree more with that move.

 

[IrishLion]

So are any of you guys staying up-to-date on the little things here and there that *might* point to something more nefarious than just a random riot going on at the capitol?

There was one rep Tweeting out locations and updates on where they were/weren't once the building was breeched.

A democratic rep found that all of the panic buttons had been removed from her office, with no explanation.

Jim Clyburn said that a group showed up at his unmarked office and went through everything, rather than going through his things in the office that had his name on it.

Another rep saw people giving guided tours the day before the riots, and thought it looked out of place.

A bunch of little things that can very easily be dismissed or explained... but all together, they do kind of make you go "hmmmmmm"

*Insert obligatory tin-foil hat meme*

 

[Old Man Mike]

I'm not up to speed on this aspect, but two things:
1. I read that one of the riot organizers has bragged that three named congress representatives helped him and his "colleagues" plan this;
2. You could see this coming as an "opportunity" far enough ahead of time that (if I was in foreign intelligence) I might try to meld into the chaos with my own agenda of intel-gathering and emotion-manipulating. Just cast your role-play imagination into a CIA mode in a China or Russia situation for instance. What I'm saying here is that chaos on that scale allows multiple acting parties with different agendas not necessarily known to one another. The far-right idiot thugs would be the "useful idiots" for the slicker pros.

... and Trump would have in that scenario been a lead useful idiot.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

So are any of you guys staying up-to-date on the little things here and there that *might* point to something more nefarious than just a random riot going on at the capitol?

There was one rep Tweeting out locations and updates on where they were/weren't once the building was breeched.

A democratic rep found that all of the panic buttons had been removed from her office, with no explanation.

Jim Clyburn said that a group showed up at his unmarked office and went through everything, rather than going through his things in the office that had his name on it.

Another rep saw people giving guided tours the day before the riots, and thought it looked out of place.

A bunch of little things that can very easily be dismissed or explained... but all together, they do kind of make you go "hmmmmmm"

*Insert obligatory tin-foil hat meme*

I have been as well. I listened to the FBI/US Att briefing yesterday and they alluded to public officials in their inquiries.

Personally my money are on the two QAnon ladies and Rep Biggs.

 

[TorontoGold]

I have been as well. I listened to the FBI/US Att briefing yesterday and they alluded to public officials in their inquiries.

Personally my money are on the two QAnon ladies and Rep Biggs.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/stop-the-steal-organizer-in-hiding-after-denying-blame-for-riot

The organizer claims he got help from Gosar, Biggs, Brooks. Equal blame for both sides though.

 

[Rogue219]

There's always a Tweet with this guy. To his credit, he is consistent in that regard. You can always find a Tweet. Always.

 

[Rogue219]

Lauren Boebert is really something. Multiple arrests, her husband was arrested for exposing himself to a minor.

Class act.

I have zero doubt she's packing and wouldn't go through the metal detetors for that reason. She put out a video that said she'd be carrying whenever she's in DC.

She filmed said video in an alley behind a townhouse that Dick Durbin and Chuck Schumer rented right around the corner from pubs and restaurants where congressional staffers hang out, which is surely a dangerous urban DC area.

 

[Rogue219]

Hitler got 5 years in jail in 1923 for the The Beer Hall Putsch. He got out after 9 months in the spirit of unity and moving forward.

It's been a while since I was in school, but my assumption is this was all fine and everything worked out?

 

[dublinirish]

Lauren Boebert is really something. Multiple arrests, her husband was arrested for exposing himself to a minor.

Class act.

I have zero doubt she's packing and wouldn't go through the metal detetors for that reason. She put out a video that said she'd be carrying whenever she's in DC.

She filmed said video in an alley behind a townhouse that Dick Durbin and Chuck Schumer rented right around the corner from pubs and restaurants where congressional staffers hang out, which is surely a dangerous urban DC area.

Boebert's Capitol Office

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I keep various weaponry strategically placed around the office. <a href="https://t.co/BUhYHWVCDD">pic.twitter.com/BUhYHWVCDD</a></p>— Dwight K. Schrute (@DwightSchrute_) <a href="https://twitter.com/DwightSchrute_/status/843285144618369024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Irish#1]

Lauren Boebert is really something. Multiple arrests, her husband was arrested for exposing himself to a minor.

Class act.

I have zero doubt she's packing and wouldn't go through the metal detetors for that reason. She put out a video that said she'd be carrying whenever she's in DC.

She filmed said video in an alley behind a townhouse that Dick Durbin and Chuck Schumer rented right around the corner from pubs and restaurants where congressional staffers hang out, which is surely a dangerous urban DC area.

I wonder what those two fine upstanding gentlemen are up to?

 

[Legacy]

- One of the Capitol police committed suicide. He was a long time member of the Capitol police and manned one of the entrances.
- One of the Georgia men arrested committed suicide.
- Eric Gavelek Munchel, aka zip tie guy, had in addition to plastic restraints, an item in a holster on his right hip, and a cell phone mounted on his chest with the camera facing outward. He was carrying a black and yellow 'Taser Pulse' taser
- Lonnie Coffman, of Alabama, was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with possession of an unregistered firearm (destructive device) and carrying a pistol without a license. It is alleged that Coffman’s vehicle contained 11 explosive devices known as Molotov cocktails and firearms. It is further alleged he was in possession of two firearms.USCP Bomb Squad members subsequently searched the vehicle and secured one black handgun, one M4 Carbine assault rifle along with rifle magazines loaded with ammunition, and components for the construction of eleven “Molotov Cocktails” in the form of mason jars filled with ignitable substances, rags, and lighters. The mason jars contained melted Styrofoam and gasoline. ATF advised that the combination of melted Styrofoam and gasoline is an explosive mixture that has the effect of napalm because, when detonated, the substance causes the flammable liquid to better stick to objects that it hits.
- Christopher Alberts, of Maryland, was charged on Jan. 7, 2021, with carrying or having readily accessible, on the grounds of the United States Capitol Building, a firearm and ammunition. Specifically a Taurus G2C, 9mm handgun and 9mm caliber ammunition
- The West Virginia representative, Derrick Evans, who was taken into custody was filming and in the video, shouted: "We're in! We're in! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol!" according to authorities. Bring the tear gas. We don't care," Evans is heard yelling. "We're taking this country back whether you like it or not. Today's a test run. We're taking this country back." He has resigned.
- a few others are charged with assault and battery of a police officer including the guy with the QAnon shirt, Doug Jensen, who was at the head of the mob chancing the officer at the top of the stairs, was arrested at his home outside of Des Moines. One of the charges is "Assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers or employees."
- Dominic Box, Savannah, Ga, after his arrest disputes the fact that five people died as a result of what happened at the Capitol insurrection and that he entered the Capitol though he posted a video inside the Capitol. He's been fired from his job as a car salesman.
- Richard Barnett, 60, of Gravette, Iowa, include a charge that he was carrying a stun gun when he broke into the Capitol. A charge against him was enhanced to entering a restricted building without lawful authority while carrying a dangerous weapon.
- The Army is investigating the involvement of Capt. Emily Rainey’s in last week’s events in the nation’s capital. Rainey works in the PsyOps division at Fort Bragg. She led 100 members of Moore County Citizens for Freedom, which describes itself online as a nonpartisan network promoting conservative values, to the Washington rally to “stand against election fraud” and support Trump. A Defense official told CBS News the Army is investigating how many soldiers from Fort Bragg accompanied Rainey to Washington

https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/...al-court-following-riot-united-states-capitol

 

[Blazers46]

So are any of you guys staying up-to-date on the little things here and there that *might* point to something more nefarious than just a random riot going on at the capitol?

There was one rep Tweeting out locations and updates on where they were/weren't once the building was breeched.

A democratic rep found that all of the panic buttons had been removed from her office, with no explanation.

Jim Clyburn said that a group showed up at his unmarked office and went through everything, rather than going through his things in the office that had his name on it.

Another rep saw people giving guided tours the day before the riots, and thought it looked out of place.

A bunch of little things that can very easily be dismissed or explained... but all together, they do kind of make you go "hmmmmmm"

*Insert obligatory tin-foil hat meme*

Did the police really "just let them in" and are the videos of police directing traffic of people/protesters to the Capitol really police? I am confused on those and admittedly have not ventured down that rabbit hole.

 

[Legacy]

“Find a place to hide or seek cover”: A harrowing day at the U.S. Capitol for Texans in Congress

 

[Legacy]

The Army is looking at which troops require security screening ahead of Biden inauguration for soldiers who have posted sympathy for white supremacy, racism or militant groups. More than one-third of all active-duty troops and more than half of minority service members say they have personally witnessed examples of white nationalism or ideological-driven racism, according to a 2020 survey of active-duty Military Times readers.

 

[Rogue219]

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/12/mikie-sherrill-capitol-hill-attack-458655

It any of this turns out to be accurate, how do we come back from this as a nation? Members of Congress plotting with terrorists who planned to overturn an election?

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/13/crow-condemns-taylor-greene-rhetoric-458705

I worry for Taylor Greene. I think she has mental problems.

Jason Crow asked a Capitol police officer for his weapon if he was aprehensive of using it himself. That dude saw real combat. He's not one of these tin soldier wannabees that likes to take selfies with guns.

 

[Rogue219]

I wonder what those two fine upstanding gentlemen are up to?

Have you seen them?

My guess is nothing. They had a townhouse close to the Capitol. The end. Not exactly daper young men that would attract ladies. Or gentlemen for that matter.

 

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FBI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FBI</a> continues to search for the individuals involved in the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. We ask for the public’s help in identifying people depicted in our new poster. If you see someone familiar, submit a tip at <a href="https://t.co/buMd8vYXzH">https://t.co/buMd8vYXzH</a>. <a href="https://t.co/Rm7UhdAKmB">https://t.co/Rm7UhdAKmB</a> <a href="https://t.co/IE4EqqGaem">pic.twitter.com/IE4EqqGaem</a></p>— FBI (@FBI) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBI/status/1349419394301104130?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>