S11.E15: Trump's Second Term

[Lantern7]

Short story: this is the sort of nightmare topic where it leaves a bad taste in your mouth that a hundred John Oliver Bear Cakes can't flush out, even if you eat them ass-first. And Project 2025 makes any plot from MILF Manor look wholesome and sane.

Seriously, don't watch this episode before bed. You may never want to sleep again.

Edited June 17 by Lantern7

[peeayebee]

Seriously. 

One thing that's so frustrating is that many voters don't know anything about Project 2025. They either only follow right-wing media or they don't follow the news at all and have only heard "Biden is too old." There are also people who blame high prices on Biden, so they will vote for Trump to get gas prices down. Oh, and some are mad at Biden for supporting Israel during their bombardment, so they won't vote for him... which mean they are helping Trump win, and do they think Trump cares about Palestinians?

People who support Trump say they love America, but Project 2025 will destroy America and replace it with a dictatorship. Of course many people on the right want the America we know destroyed. I think Steve Bannon said we need to tear it down. 

One hope I have is that the polls are wrong, and there's evidence that many of them are. Still, the fact that Trump has a chance of getting elected again is beyond parody. 

[buttersister]

John pulled no punches about Project 2025, aka, here’s how a dictatorship is built in America. Perhaps that section should run daily as a public service announcement, followed by ways to prevent it.

The bear cakes were the bread and circuses, sts. But I’ve rarely seen John quite so happy about anything.

[ruby24]

I'm glad he brought attention to this in this episode. So many people aren't paying attention and it's mind-boggling to me that Trump is ahead? I don't know if I believe it, but people need to wake up.

[Anela]

I think I heard about Project 2025, last year. It's been months and months. I'm glad that more people have been learning about it, over the past month or two. I've seen people on twitter who aren't happy with Biden, pointing this out, and wondering what to do, because they don't want this to be put into effect, either. 

Speaking of twitter: it is such a mess now. You can't even block or hide most ads. they've made it so that, if you click in the corner to block or hide it, it now opens the link. You have to go to the account page to block it. The blue checks for paying customers, instead of people who are notable in any field, their being given importance in the comments, before anyone else. I swear I've had people blocked, who are now unblocked, so I have to do it again. It's overrun with awful people, and porn bots. 

That reminds me: the way trump was going on about the "radical left" reminded me of when his supporters lost their minds over Hillary using one word to describe them: deplorable. But he gets to lie over and over, about people who won't vote for him, and to call us vermin? That's okay? 

[Spartan Girl]

5 hours ago, peeayebee said:

 

One thing that's so frustrating is that many voters don't know anything about Project 2025. They either only follow right-wing media or they don't follow the news at all and have only heard "Biden is too old." There are also people who blame high prices on Biden, so they will vote for Trump to get gas prices down. Oh, and some are mad at Biden for supporting Israel during their bombardment, so they won't vote for him... which mean they are helping Trump win, and do they think Trump cares about Palestinians

Third party voting/not voting didn’t work out too well in 2016, you’d think they’d learn their lesson...

Please God, don’t let this happen.

[Annber03]

9 hours ago, Lantern7 said:

Seriously, don't watch this episode before bed. You may never want to sleep again.

No shit, this was TERRIFYING.  I don't know what scared me more, the bit with them talking about how women aren't having enough babies, or the idea of organizations like NOAA being under the control of a guy who felt the need to draw on a map with a Sharpie because he literally could not deal with being wrong about the path of a hurricane, and NOAA's maps having to reflect the bruised ego of a super petulant guy, no matter how inaccurate they may wind up being.

8 hours ago, peeayebee said:

One thing that's so frustrating is that many voters don't know anything about Project 2025. They either only follow right-wing media or they don't follow the news at all and have only heard "Biden is too old." There are also people who blame high prices on Biden, so they will vote for Trump to get gas prices down. Oh, and some are mad at Biden for supporting Israel during their bombardment, so they won't vote for him... which mean they are helping Trump win, and do they think Trump cares about Palestinians?

For real, I can't with the people who want to be all precious with their votes and be like, "Well, both sides are bad"/"I don't care for either candidate, so I'll just sit this one out or vote third party." No. You (general "you") get your asses out there and fucking vote. This is not an election you get to just sit around and twiddle your thumbs over. And no, both sides are not "equally bad". Not even close. Anyone who thinks that is clearly not paying the slightest bit of attention to anything. 

And if people refuse to vote at all, then I do not want to hear a damn word from them about any of the stuff that happens after the election. They didn't care enough to vote, I don't care enough to hear what they have to say about the policies being passed or the issuses people are dealing with. Their opinions hold no weight for me. 

The "Biden is too old" comments kill me, too. Like, people? You all knew this back in 2020 when he ran the first time around, this really shouldn't be that surprising to you. I don't get it, did people expect him to do some kind of reverse aging/Benjamin Button sort of thing after being elected? Are they really that shocked that a guy who was already in his seventies when he ran four years ago is going to be older now? Last I checked, that's called the aging process. 

2 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

Third party voting/not voting didn’t work out too well in 2016, you’d think they’d learn their lesson..

This. They claimed they were waiting until they got a candidate they liked. And now here we are, and the candidate we have is STILL not to their satisfaction. How long are they going to sit out until that unicorn of a "perfect candidate" comes along, and how many people will suffer and die while we all wait around for that magical moment? 

To say nothing of the fact that the GOP has been trying for YEARS to make it harder and harder for certain groups of people to vote, so, y'know, maybe don't give them MORE ammunition and help in making that a reality? Just a thought. 

Quote

Still, the fact that Trump has a chance of getting elected again is beyond parody. 

The very idea he's even allowed to still run again at all is beyond parody. None of this would be an issue if he and everyone else who was connected to January 6th were immediately removed from office the very day after that attack and barred from ever being alllowed to run for any sort of political office ever again, and they were all either currently on their way to prison or already sitting there. The less of those people in power, the harder it will be for them to get any of this insanity off the ground. What does it have to take to see these people actually gone from office for good, and actually facing serious legal consequences for their actions?

3 hours ago, Anela said:

That reminds me: the way trump was going on about the "radical left" reminded me of when his supporters lost their minds over Hillary using one word to describe them: deplorable. But he gets to lie over and over, about people who won't vote for him, and to call us vermin? That's okay? 

"Rules for thee, not for me." It's how they operate. 

We're not even going to get into Trump's comments about transgender people. I actually yelled, "Shut. Up." at the TV at that part. Good fucking lord. 

(On that note, that ad for that conservative dating app, where the woman made a point of talking about how there'll be "no pronouns" involved - I was sitting here like, "Wow, so they're not even going to use 'she' or 'he'? That might make things interesting..." :p. Truly, I did not realize how many supposed adults had such a mental break over the mere concept and use of pronouns. Grow up already, for the love of god.)

That guy with the Tik Tok videos was about as obnoxious as it gets, too. His comments about guns and a "whites only country" made me want to shove that food he was eating in his face. What an idiot. 

And speaking of idiots, the guy who used the AI of MLK, Jr.'s voice...that...was truly something, that was. "Bold" is certainly one way to describe that ad. 

I did get a really good laugh out of John's comment about people online who claim their views are "moderate". Yep. He nailed it. 

Anywho, so yeah, that was an absolutely nightmarish segment and I really hope enough people wise up and pay attention and get out there later this year, 'cause I don't want to imagine any of this insanity becoming a reality any more than I have to. 

On a lighter note...those clips from "MILF Manor" were just. Wow. So much creepy. So, so much. 

And of course, I loved everything with the cakes, and John's absolute delight over the ones that looked like him :D. Kudos to that bakery for being so quick in getting those made, and for having such a succes in selling them. And also very cool that the proceeds went to a local food bank - talk about a win-win for everyone! I appreciate it when the busnesses share in John's oddball sense of humor like that and have fun with these little challenges of his. I also liked the video of the one to "Back That Azz Up" XD.  That was definitely a fun, welcome palete cleanser after the horror show of the main segment. 

Edited June 17 by Annber03

[iMonrey]

9 hours ago, ruby24 said:

I'm glad he brought attention to this in this episode. So many people aren't paying attention and it's mind-boggling to me that Trump is ahead? I don't know if I believe it, but people need to wake up.

I believe it. Idiocracy is real. 

[purist]

Truly terrifying. That main segment was worse than any horror movie I have seen.

[kittykat]

Ugh the episode we've all been waiting for finally happened and I am sick.  I hope those polls are wrong, they were wrong in 2016.  There's not enough cake bears in the world to wash this down.

Not gonna lie if I had to choose a celebrity fireplace to chill at I'd definitely hang with Maggie and Peter.

8 hours ago, Annber03 said:

And if people refuse to vote at all, then I do not want to hear a damn word from them about any of the stuff that happens after the election. They didn't care enough to vote, I don't care enough to hear what they have to say about the policies being passed or the issuses people are dealing with. Their opinions hold no weight for me

Yuuuup! 

[peeayebee]

13 hours ago, Annber03 said:

The "Biden is too old" comments kill me, too. Like, people? You all knew this back in 2020 when he ran the first time around, this really shouldn't be that surprising to you. I don't get it, did people expect him to do some kind of reverse aging/Benjamin Button sort of thing after being elected? Are they really that shocked that a guy who was already in his seventies when he ran four years ago is going to be older now? Last I checked, that's called the aging process.

Yes, Biden is old, but he's not mentally deranged. Biden is aging normally. He talks slower, walks slower, maybe occasionally uses the wrong word or name. But Trump, who is only 3 years younger, is NOT aging normally. Everyone knows all the weird stuff he says, the incoherence, slurring, etc. There's a group of psychologists and psychiatrists who explain all the signs of his mental unfitness for office. But his bombast distracts people from his dementia.

 

[Annber03]

Another thing people don't seem to stop to think about with the age thing is that there's also the fact that if, god forbid, something ever were to happen to Biden, I'm not worried about the people who would step in to take over for him. He would have competent people to follow in his footsteps.

A Trump administration, on the other hand... 

[MicheleinPhilly]

This episode damn near gave me a panic attack. I had to break out the edibles. Christ on a bike. 

Wake up, people! 

[iMonrey]

3 hours ago, peeayebee said:

But his bombast distracts people from his dementia.

And is mistaken for strength.

[peeayebee]

He's like Drunk Uncle.

[Spartan Girl]

2 hours ago, peeayebee said:

He's like Drunk Uncle.

Which is an insult to Drunk Uncle.

[Shrek]

The problem as I see it that it's all well & good treating it (Project 2025) as a joke & having a good laugh about it BUT it's not funny in any way shape or form, someone else had a written blueprint for when he was in power & this whole country could very well end up going the same way. Can you imagine if Adolf had actually had the bombs that were dropped on Japan before the Americans? Think about  it for a minute because this is where we could be heading if the people who won't vote for either don't get off their asses & vote. It's the non voters that need to be convinced rather than trying to change the mind of Republicans who are too far down the road to dictatorship to waste time & breath on trying to change their minds.

 

Edited June 18 by Shrek

[Lantern7]

4 hours ago, peeayebee said:

He's like Drunk Uncle.

I believe Jon Stewart called him "Evil Mr. Magoo." I think that's a better fit.

[Annber03]

One thing that sruck me in the "Project 2025" plan was the bit about how all pornography would be outlawed and anyone involved in it or distributing it would be held criminally responsible. 

Which had me wondering...so...where does Trump and his encounter with Stormy fall in that? Surely that would run afoul of some aspect of their anti-pornography plan somewhere, no? 

But who am I kidding, it'll be another one of those things where when they do it, it's fine, when anyone else does it, they are clearly immoral scum, or something. 

[kittykat]

Oh the Project 2025ers will totally have their version of Jezebels because it's ok for them but punishable to the enemy.

And schools that will only be funded if they teach to their doctrine is right out the Day Zero playbook.  People either do not see this or the ones who do are ok with it because it's "their guy.". It's so maddening.  

[peeayebee]

4 hours ago, Shrek said:

The problem as I see it that it's all well & good treating it (Project 2025) as a joke & having a good laugh about it BUT it's not funny in any way shape or form...

Who's treating it as a joke?

 

3 hours ago, Lantern7 said:

I believe Jon Stewart called him "Evil Mr. Magoo." I think that's a better fit.

I think Drunk Uncle is pretty apt because Trump says all sorts of crazy, offensive stuff and non-sequiturs, but he's viewed by many people as an eccentric, a wacky fun guy who you might shake your head at, but he's funny and harmless. Not.

[JustHereForFood]

On 6/17/2024 at 10:07 PM, Spartan Girl said:

Third party voting/not voting didn’t work out too well in 2016, you’d think they’d learn their lesson...

Oh, somebody has learned. The Russia-Iran-North Korea-China axis have learned that manipulating useful idiots on both sides of the horseshoe via social media is exactly the way to go and they made sure that Biden has enough on his plate to make him look unappealing to young dumb naive voters who want their candidate to offer 100% of what they ask for and not a bit less, unless they apparently can't be bothered. It doesn't help that some people don't seem to understand how your political system works and blame Biden for stuff he's not responsible for just because it happened during his term, like Roe v. Wade getting axed. Or that media seems to under-report all the good stuff that he does. And how much has John complained about him as well? I'm not saying don't criticise when it's fair, but maybe it wouldn't hurt to see the bigger picture and what people are going to take away from all that negativity.

[kittykat]

I think Stewart has been getting more flack than Oliver for coverage on Biden.  Oliver for the most part has ignored him except in regards to Israel.  I'm pretty sure Oliver was probably in the camp of "I really, really, really do not want to do another segment on Trump but this is unavoidable and we have to.". I do wish there was a segment about the stuff Biden has accomplished and a breakdown of why things that are bad (inflation, Supreme Court) are not his fault. Unfortunately the people that need to hear this the most won't or will declare it as fake news.

[iMonrey]

6 hours ago, Shrek said:

It's the non voters that need to be convinced rather than trying to change the mind of Republicans who are too far down the road to dictatorship to waste time & breath on trying to change their minds.

I feel like not enough people have watched The Handmaid's Tale to understand this is exactly where we're headed.

[Annber03]

I've only ever seen one episode of that show, myself, but from what I do know about it, the very idea terrifies me to my soul. 

Hell, one doesn't even need to watch that show to realize that having the government being THAT deeply involved in your personal reproductive choices is a very, VERY chilling thought on so many levels. Fortunately, this is an area where the vast majority of the country does seem to be in agreement - most voters are pro-choice/pro-keeping the government out of your personal reproductive decisions. The fact that voters in deep red states like Kansas voted to keep abortion access legal is further proof of that. And the IVF stuff has not gone over well with people, either. 

The question now is if that issue is going to be a big enough one to get people to the polls and ensure that the GOP cannot orchestrate this insanity on a national level. 

[shapeshifter]

It's up on the Tube of You.

On 6/17/2024 at 4:07 PM, Spartan Girl said:

Third party voting/not voting didn’t work out too well in 2016, you’d think they’d learn their lesson...

The one of my 3 adult children who has a Mensa-qualifying IQ and a movie star's looks, but who is also perpetually underemployed and prone to flights from reality, is currently very vocal about voting for anyone who is not either of the 2 major parties' candidates.
I can agree in principle, and even did so myself a couple of times over the last 50 or so years, but this episode makes it clear that in the 2024 POTUS election, third party votes don't really make sense for anyone who cares about voting at all.

Hmmmm...
Strictly hypothetically typing:
If an adult child asks their parent for rent money between now and November, can the parent legally buy their vote?
Probably, so long as it's not documented anywhere.
 

This episode isn't going to give me nightmares, but it may have given me a bit of inspiration. 

ETA tl/dr; and rhetorical question, hence hidden:

Spoiler

However, as the genius adult problem child pointed out to me, in terms of the electoral college, in our states (NY, IL, CA) it's moot. I tried to make the case that in terms of history, the popular vote will matter. 
Might it also help the Electoral College to be abolished if the popular vote loses to the Electoral College enough times?
Or will the Right just claim this as proof the the EC is working??

 

Edited June 20 by shapeshifter

[Shrek]

What this did show quite vividly is that a vote for anyone other than Biden or no vote at all is a vote against democracy, this transcends Democrat, Republican & not voting . There is no debate about that, it has been spelled out on more than one occasion and even been put in writing with Project 2025 and what really amazes me is that these people think that by sucking up to a convicted felon they will be exempt from any retribution like they think he has forgotten or won't be reminded about what they said about him straight after Jan6 & at times since until they realized that they needed to save themselves by some serious ass licking, news flash ! it won't help you in the long run.

[Annber03]

9 hours ago, Shrek said:

and what really amazes me is that these people think that by sucking up to a convicted felon they will be exempt from any retribution like they think he has forgotten or won't be reminded about what they said about him straight after Jan6 & at times since until they realized that they needed to save themselves by some serious ass licking, news flash ! it won't help you in the long run.

As the old saying goes, "'I never thought they would eat my face!', says the people who voted for the Leopards Who Eat People's Faces Party." 

But yeah, seriously, how many times has Trump shown that while he may expect loyalty to him, he has zero interest in showing loyalty to anyone else. All he cares about is himself. Nothing and nobody else matters as much as he does. All these people who think he "speaks for them" or will do what they want? They must've been sound asleep for the better part of this past decade, is all I can say. 

[ebk57]

10 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

It's up on the Tube of You.

The one of my 3 adult children who has a Mensa-qualifying IQ and a movie star's looks, but who is also perpetually underemployed and prone to flights from reality, is currently very vocal about voting for anyone who is not either of the 2 major parties' candidates.
I can agree in principle, and even did so myself a couple of times over the last 50 or so years, but this episode makes it clear that in the 2024 POTUS election, third party votes don't really make sense for anyone who cares about voting at all.

Hmmmm...
Strictly hypothetically typing:
If an adult child asks their parent for rent money between now and November, can the parent legally buy their vote?
Probably, so long as it's not documented anywhere.
 

This episode isn't going to give me nightmares, but it may have given me a bit of inspiration. 

ETA tl/dr; and rhetorical question, hence hidden:

  Hide contents

However, as the genius adult problem child pointed out to me, in terms of the electoral college, in our states (NY, IL, CA) it's moot. I tried to make the case that in terms of history, the popular vote will matter. 
Might it also help the Electoral College to be abolished if the popular vote loses to the Electoral College enough times?
Or will the Right just claim this as proof the the EC is working??

 

 

Yes.  Buy it! 

 

As for your spoilered content, also yes.  Abolish it.  Unfortunately, it won't happen because that party knows it's the only way they can win national elections.  They win locally by gerrymandering. 

[JustHereForFood]

On 6/19/2024 at 5:17 AM, Annber03 said:

Hell, one doesn't even need to watch that show to realize that having the government being THAT deeply involved in your personal reproductive choices is a very, VERY chilling thought on so many levels.

What is fascinating is that this comes from the party who says they don't want the government interfering in people's lives ... when it suits them, of course. And yet people can bend over backwards to ignore the hypocrisy. 

[Annber03]

1 hour ago, JustHereForFood said:

What is fascinating is that this comes from the party who says they don't want the government interfering in people's lives ... when it suits them, of course. And yet people can bend over backwards to ignore the hypocrisy. 

Mmhm. They're all about limited government, except for:

-what people get to do with their reproductive choices

-what transgender people can do with their bodies

-who you're allowed to marry and sleep with

-what books people are allowed to read

That stuff, apparently ,is just fine for the government to get involved in and control. 

And we can't regulate/restrictions and ban guns, because "people will just find ways around those regulations/restrictions and bans". Yet somehow that same logic doesn't seem to extend to trying to restrict and ban people's ability to have an abortion, or keeping books out of public and school libraries, or things of that sort. 

(To say nothing of how the supposedly "pro-life" party refuses to do anything about children being murdered in mass shootings, but that's a whole other topic unto itself.)

Edited June 21 by Annber03

[DoctorAtomic]

On 6/17/2024 at 4:41 PM, Annber03 said:

This is not an election you get to just sit around and twiddle your thumbs over. And no, both sides are not "equally bad". Not even close. Anyone who thinks that is clearly not paying the slightest bit of attention to anything. 

First of all, I certainly agree. However, in offering a larger context, two things; we're always hearing how *this* election is the one the really matters all the time. I think all elections are consequential, but I can also buy people just being exhausted. I'm voting, like I always vote. Just make it about that.  Second, it's not really 'equally bad'. It's more like 'my issue is the most important and it wasn't done exactly how I wanted so I'm throwing a tantrum.' 

I'm familiar with 2025. PBS covered it consistently. Obviously, it's terrible. Practically, I don't know if they're going to be able to do what they think they can. Putting in 'loyalists' who don't know where the actual levels are to pull won't be able to do much, and the courts will probably block a lot, especially any violation of separation of powers. I just don't see 'ruthless efficiency'. 

You can't fire people from the NRC because they're empowered by the Atomic Energy Act. There's a violation of separation of powers imo. It would be the same with NEPA. I clearly don't want to rely on that though. 

I also don't think that 2025 will just move on to 2029. 

My hot take is Trump supporters are also exhausted and aren't voting for him. They have cover to say, 'well, I think we should move on.' 

I wonder how much money has been donated to food banks since the show started. 

[Annber03]

Oh, I don't blame people one bit for being exhausted. Believe me, I'm exhausted, too. This past near decade has just been one crazy development after another and I would love nothing more than to return to boring ol' politics as usual. 

But even setting aside the whole "MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION EVER!" sentiment, I just get frustrated with people who refuse to vote in general. People fought and died for us to have that right, and as I stated up above, there are poltiicans who are actively trying to make it harder for those same groups of people to vote. And then there's white men, who've always had this right available to them, and seeing some of them being so cavalier about it and taking it for granted just irritates me on that level, too. 

I do agree, though, that instead of the media amping this up as the "most important election ever!" and treating it more like a ratings bonanza (which is a large part of why we're in this mess and why people are so exhausted), their focus should be more on, "Hey, why the fuck is a convicted felon even being allowed to run?" and pushing more on that sort of thing. If this election is as important as the media keeps claiming it is, then they should treat and discuss it with the seriousness and gravitas it deserves, instead of hyping it up like it's some kind of sports match or something. Take a cue from people like Walter Cronkite and his ilk. 

I do hope you're right that it'll be far harder for the GOP to implement Project 2025 than they think it will. Even if they're only able to put a fraction of it into effect, though, that'll still be a fraction that will do some damage and hurt a lot of people. Give them an inch, and all that. 

39 minutes ago, DoctorAtomic said:

My hot take is Trump supporters are also exhausted and aren't voting for him. They have cover to say, 'well, I think we should move on.' 

I do wonder about this, too, yeah. I think about that sometimes when seeing clips of his rallies and looking at his supporters - some of them seem like their attention starts drifting when he starts going off on some weird tangent. HIs supporters may be loud, but they're a small group...which makes it all the more mystifying that the GOP keeps hitching their wagon to him and his supporters  They alone aren't going to keep them afloat forever. 

[andromeda331]

Project 2025 sounds horrifying and yet I'm not surprised. I'm sickened by it and that Trump still has a good chance of winning despite everything horrible he's done up to this point.   

The thing that still infuriates and baffles me is Trump still has so much support and will no matter what he does. Really, the Republican voters should be pissed at so many things he's done. Like a damn coup, almost getting the VP killed, killing a border bill because that's what he wants to run on. And none of them care. He's been clearly out for himself the whole time and no one cares. His control over the party is crazy and terrifying but nothing gets done about it.

Do I have any doubt he'd go for the Project 2025 plan? Yes, because it will let him do whatever he wants.

Why the hell does he care so much about the weather? Because of the stupid mistake he made years ago. Yep, that's the only reason. Yeah he's that petty. Is any of it surprising? No.

He's going to go after the judge and everyone else who charged him with crimes he committed.

And it doesn't matter. Nothing he does matters. Why does nothing he do matter? 

[Anela]

3 hours ago, andromeda331 said:

Project 2025 sounds horrifying and yet I'm not surprised. I'm sickened by it and that Trump still has a good chance of winning despite everything horrible he's done up to this point.   

The thing that still infuriates and baffles me is Trump still has so much support and will no matter what he does. Really, the Republican voters should be pissed at so many things he's done. Like a damn coup, almost getting the VP killed, killing a border bill because that's what he wants to run on. And none of them care. He's been clearly out for himself the whole time and no one cares. His control over the party is crazy and terrifying but nothing gets done about it.

Do I have any doubt he'd go for the Project 2025 plan? Yes, because it will let him do whatever he wants.

Why the hell does he care so much about the weather? Because of the stupid mistake he made years ago. Yep, that's the only reason. Yeah he's that petty. Is any of it surprising? No.

He's going to go after the judge and everyone else who charged him with crimes he committed.

And it doesn't matter. Nothing he does matters. Why does nothing he do matter? 

There is also a judge who is clearly helping him, plus others, but I don’t know how much I can say. We’re still waiting for SCOTUS to rule on presidential immunity. If they say that he’s above the law. I’m going to stop now, because I’m sure that the show will cover it, if they do.  

 

8 hours ago, JustHereForFood said:

What is fascinating is that this comes from the party who says they don't want the government interfering in people's lives ... when it suits them, of course. And yet people can bend over backwards to ignore the hypocrisy. 

Before I say this: I know that protecting this country involves a lot, and that we need protection.  It was just strange seeing how much the pentagon budget was, that was approved, as this is all happening.  They protect our freedom, but one party is trying to erode that for a lot of us.  I trusted the man, Milley, when he said that the military wouldn’t support a coup, but the attempt still happened.  
 

I am seriously burnt out, like a lot of people.  I keep forgetting that it’s an election year.  

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, Anela said:

…I don’t know how much I can say.…
…I am seriously burnt out, like a lot of people.  I keep forgetting that it’s an election year.  

Forgetting might be healthiest.

Like Seth Meyers in his wonderful "A Closer Look," John Oliver's delivery is so apoplectic that watching him makes me hope there's and AED in the building, and maybe a technician on the set who has also had training as a volunteer first responder.

I've taken to posting political limericks in the NYT Wordle puzzle comments. Each limerick includes all of my words used in Wordle that day.
The result?
Now I have "awake apnea or diurnal apnea, a condition characterized by prolonged pauses in breathing while an individual is fully awake" typically a response to anxiety.😂

Writing political limericks is clearly not as psychologically calming as John Oliver's punctuations of humor in each episode.
‘Laughter is the best medicine.’

Just ask the Pope, heh.

And maybe even John's shouty rants are more therapeutic than composing strictly formulated limericks? 

Maybe I'll at least go back to free-style rap rhymes in my political Wordle word comments. And not forget to breathe.

 

Edited June 21 by shapeshifter

[Hanahope]

12 hours ago, Annber03 said:

To say nothing of how the supposedly "pro-life" party

because they aren't "pro-life", they are "pro forced birth".  

Project 2025 is documenting how much of our democracy has been based on norms and 'hand-shake' agreements of how political parties would behave and conduct the government.  We really started seeing this shift during Bill Clinton when the GOP sought revenge for kicking out Nixon by that absolutely ridiculous impeachment (there was nothing they could pin on Carter).  It accelerated during Obama when McConnell refused to conduct hearings for Garland's nomination to SCOTUS.  The GOP will continue to push and break these "norms" whenever it suits them, and the Dems will continue to follow the "rules" even when it hurts them.  Its very frustrating for the rest of us.  

I'm glad John is bringing this to the attention of more people.  Most of the rest of the media is ignoring it and it is truly a danger to our democracy.  I have no doubt that the GOP will continue to try these actions in future elections if they lose 2025.  the only hope is that without trump as a figure-head, the rest of the cult will lose interest.  this may be the case since others who have tried to out-trump trump have not had any success.  but the worry is will a less polarizing figure appeal to independents next time.  

[gimmyqueue]

I'm off topic here, but tho i like Seth's show, i find some of his behaviors kinda ... umm, odd. Like he has to hug everybody with his right arm high in the air like he's gonna strike them or something. He has no feel from one guest to the next whether it's a hug or a handshake or what, and always that arm straight up like a pole or something. He's so weird. But Closer Look is great. However another bad thing he does is he thinks he's the king of impersonation, and it's always the same voice. He loves doing tRump. And another thing he does is belittle the HELL out of his writers, especially picking on one or two guys. It's funny at first, but he makes it a habit, those writers should start feeling kind of intimidated by it all. Oh well, beats dead air, i guess. :)

[MicheleinPhilly]

1 hour ago, gimmyqueue said:

I'm off topic here, but tho i like Seth's show, i find some of his behaviors kinda ... umm, odd. Like he has to hug everybody with his right arm high in the air like he's gonna strike them or something. He has no feel from one guest to the next whether it's a hug or a handshake or what, and always that arm straight up like a pole or something. He's so weird. But Closer Look is great. However another bad thing he does is he thinks he's the king of impersonation, and it's always the same voice. He loves doing tRump. And another thing he does is belittle the HELL out of his writers, especially picking on one or two guys. It's funny at first, but he makes it a habit, those writers should start feeling kind of intimidated by it all. Oh well, beats dead air, i guess. :)

There's a forum for Seth Meyers:

https://forums.primetimer.com/forum/7970-late-night-with-seth-meyers/

Edited June 27 by MicheleinPhilly
spelling

[Anela]

On 6/21/2024 at 10:48 AM, Hanahope said:

because they aren't "pro-life", they are "pro forced birth".  

Project 2025 is documenting how much of our democracy has been based on norms and 'hand-shake' agreements of how political parties would behave and conduct the government.  We really started seeing this shift during Bill Clinton when the GOP sought revenge for kicking out Nixon by that absolutely ridiculous impeachment (there was nothing they could pin on Carter).  It accelerated during Obama when McConnell refused to conduct hearings for Garland's nomination to SCOTUS.  The GOP will continue to push and break these "norms" whenever it suits them, and the Dems will continue to follow the "rules" even when it hurts them.  Its very frustrating for the rest of us.  

I'm glad John is bringing this to the attention of more people.  Most of the rest of the media is ignoring it and it is truly a danger to our democracy.  I have no doubt that the GOP will continue to try these actions in future elections if they lose 2025.  the only hope is that without trump as a figure-head, the rest of the cult will lose interest.  this may be the case since others who have tried to out-trump trump have not had any success.  but the worry is will a less polarizing figure appeal to independents next time.  

I don’t know if I can post a “thread roll” of a twitter thread here, but someone posted something about a SCOTUS decision from this week, that they say lays the groundwork for part of Project 2025.  
 

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1807031608576548986.html

posting, because it’s about Project 2025.  

[StatisticalOutlier]

On 6/21/2024 at 8:48 AM, Hanahope said:

Project 2025 is documenting how much of our democracy has been based on norms and 'hand-shake' agreements of how political parties would behave and conduct the government. ... The GOP will continue to push and break these "norms" whenever it suits them, and the Dems will continue to follow the "rules" even when it hurts them.  Its very frustrating for the rest of us.  

A couple of days ago somebody being interviewed on NPR was talking about the presidential campaign and said this, which I think applies to your observation, as well:  "The Democrats are playing chess, and the Republicans are eating the chess pieces."