Chit-Chat: The Feels

[Annber03]

Seriously, like I said a while back, did I miss when anyone voted for Musk for president or asked his opinion on how our country should be run? 'Cause I very distinctly do not remember that happening, so...why exactly does he think he needs to stick his nose in our affairs again? Speaking of people who need to shut up and go away...

[CheshireCat]

On 12/9/2024 at 3:37 PM, Dimity said:

A journalist who was in Germany a few years after the war said he never once met anyone who would admit they had ever supported Hitler.  He said it was like the entire country had been part of the resistance - which was ridiculous. 

 

Considering that Hitler's party won with "only" a third of the vote and Germany suffered a lot of casualties during the war, I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that the journalist didn't meet anyone who voted for Hitler. 

But I don't think that not having voted for Hitler should be equated to having been part of the resistance. Many Germans may not have liked Hitler's policies but the economy did start to recover and, just like during Trump's first term many Americans weren't personally affected by his policies, many Germans weren't personally affected by Hitler's policies. So, they were just living their lives. Until they weren't. Figuratively and also, literally. 

I think the majority of Germans didn't support Hitler but didn't resist either. Additionally, Hitler had gamed the system so that there was election after election until his party got enough votes to nominate the chancellor. There were four elections in four years and a certain percentage of people likely voted for him out of exasperation. (I don't consider it an excuse, though, just an explanation). 

But there was a lot of shame in the years after the war in Germany. Even in the 1970s, it wasn't yet a mandatory to be taught in schools. It took a while before Germany actually started talking and educating about its history. 

Where I'm conflicted with Trump is that if it's not going to be as bad as feared and America actually makes it to another election, I think the wrong conclusions will be drawn and the threat of what Trump embodies won't go away. The opposite, I think, as I believe it paves the way for another Trump-like figure and one day, America won't make it to another election. 
But if it's going to be as bad as predicted then many of us who didn't support Trump and don't deserve to be suffering the consequences of Trump's presidency (if we can still call it that then) will suffer it the consequences as well. 

I feel like this is a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. 

ETA:

Quote

I wonder if it's dawned on Herr Trump yet that he isn't going to be the president.  Musk is.

I don't think so. But I think that's an interesting dynamic.

I believe that Musk considers himself to be the smartest person in the room and I also believe that Musk is, in fact, smart. He always reminds me of the German saying, genuis and insanity are really close together (it loses something in translation but it's basically meant to say that the potential that you have when you're really smart can easily go to your head).

Because of that, though, I don't think that Musk is conscious of the fact that Trump doesn't like sharing the spotlight, or rather, what that means exactly. 

I think Trump will let himself be manipulated under the right circumstances (meaning, flattering will get you anywhere) but I don't think he'll share the spotlight and once Musk starts to be called shadow-president regularly or anything like that and will get shadow-credit, then I think he might be gone quicker than he realizes. 

I think Musk needs to be very careful with how he plays his cards if he wants to stay in power and I'm not sure how aware he is of that. 

Edited December 19 by CheshireCat

[tearknee]

Exactly. The old joke about most in metro France joining the French resistance in May 1944 is virtually true - and French people don't like to be reminded that Petain got adoring crowds earlier that same year on his visit to Paris.

Virtually no one in Germany in 1945 thought that they were being 'liberated as the PP points out -- that took a generational change and as late as 1985, many MPs in the Bundestag in Bonn criticized Hammerschmidt Villa for the president's speech calling VE day a liberation.

[Ohiopirate02]

1 hour ago, CheshireCat said:

 

ETA:

I don't think so. But I think that's an interesting dynamic.

I believe that Musk considers himself to be the smartest person in the room and I also believe that Musk is, in fact, smart. He always reminds me of the German saying, genuis and insanity are really close together (it loses something in translation but it's basically meant to say that the potential that you have when you're really smart can easily go to your head).

Because of that, though, I don't think that Musk is conscious of the fact that Trump doesn't like sharing the spotlight, or rather, what that means exactly. 

I think Trump will let himself be manipulated under the right circumstances (meaning, flattering will get you anywhere) but I don't think he'll share the spotlight and once Musk starts to be called shadow-president regularly or anything like that and will get shadow-credit, then I think he might be gone quicker than he realizes. 

I think Musk needs to be very careful with how he plays his cards if he wants to stay in power and I'm not sure how aware he is of that. 

One thing Elon has always lacked is self-awareness. It's only a matter of time before he oversteps and Trump will drop him. Elon is not going to continuously kiss Trump's ass, and he also has his own agenda. What happens when Elon wants something Trump is not willing to grant? Trump is the elected president and Elon is only an advisor. Elon is not going to win that fight.

Of course, he thinks he's different than those who have been destroyed by cozying up to Trump over the years. It would never occur to Elon that he may end up like Rudy or Mickey Cohen or all the other Trump associates and employees who are broke and homeless or served time in jail for their conspiracies. And, Elon's genius is not what it was back when he teamed up with the right people to build PayPal, Tesla, Starlink, and even SpaceX. 

[Lantern7]

5 hours ago, peacheslatour said:

This should be fun then.

Herschel couldn’t spell “Bahamas” if you spotted him the consonants.

[Bastet]

39 minutes ago, Lantern7 said:

Herschel couldn’t spell “Bahamas” if you spotted him the consonants.

Or find it on a map; dude has no idea where he's being sent.  (Trump probably doesn't, either, just thought Bahamas ambassadorship = Black job, so picked Herschel [like Ben Carson to head HUD in the first term; Trump heard "urban" and pointed to one of the few Black guys who suck up to him.)

[Annber03]

Why the hell is Trump involved in anything happening right now anyway? He's not president yet, why does his opinion get to override anything our government is currently doing? 

And again, Musk, shut up. lLiterally nobody asked for your input. Nobody. 

Jesus, can't somebody tell these two to just fuck off already/? 

[Anela]

32 minutes ago, Annber03 said:

Why the hell is Trump involved in anything happening right now anyway? He's not president yet, why does his opinion get to override anything our government is currently doing? 

And again, Musk, shut up. lLiterally nobody asked for your input. Nobody. 

Jesus, can't somebody tell these two to just fuck off already/? 

The unelected billionaire, instituting his plan of hardship for the rest of us. His name was nowhere on the fucking ballot, but nobody’s stopping him.

i had planned to stop paying attention this month, before the chaos sets in, and try to create a peaceful bubble, and find the spirit of this fucking holiday. The last few weeks just zipped by.  I wish those ghosts of past, present, and future really existed, but if they did, this lot would probably just try to buy them off. 

Edited December 19 by Anela

[Yeah No]

3 hours ago, CheshireCat said:

I believe that Musk considers himself to be the smartest person in the room and I also believe that Musk is, in fact, smart. He always reminds me of the German saying, genuis and insanity are really close together (it loses something in translation but it's basically meant to say that the potential that you have when you're really smart can easily go to your head).

Because of that, though, I don't think that Musk is conscious of the fact that Trump doesn't like sharing the spotlight, or rather, what that means exactly. 

I think Trump will let himself be manipulated under the right circumstances (meaning, flattering will get you anywhere) but I don't think he'll share the spotlight and once Musk starts to be called shadow-president regularly or anything like that and will get shadow-credit, then I think he might be gone quicker than he realizes. 

I think Musk needs to be very careful with how he plays his cards if he wants to stay in power and I'm not sure how aware he is of that. 

A fantastic post, thank you. I have had the same thoughts about Musk too even down to those words "genius is next to insanity". He is a dangerous combination of qualities that when allowed to operate unchecked can cause a lot of harm. It's being smart, AND arrogant about it at the same time, and also not self aware. A lot of very smart people are not that narcissistic but when you put those things together, watch out. Being smart doesn't also mean having good values or practical common sense. Just because you think something is possible doesn't make it so or even a good idea. Intuition needs to be balanced by good judgment. And IQ and EQ are two different things.

1 hour ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

One thing Elon has always lacked is self-awareness. It's only a matter of time before he oversteps and Trump will drop him. Elon is not going to continuously kiss Trump's ass, and he also has his own agenda. What happens when Elon wants something Trump is not willing to grant? Trump is the elected president and Elon is only an advisor. Elon is not going to win that fight.

Of course, he thinks he's different than those who have been destroyed by cozying up to Trump over the years. It would never occur to Elon that he may end up like Rudy or Mickey Cohen or all the other Trump associates and employees who are broke and homeless or served time in jail for their conspiracies. And, Elon's genius is not what it was back when he teamed up with the right people to build PayPal, Tesla, Starlink, and even SpaceX. 

Yes and part of EQ is self awareness so yes, I have also been thinking that it's only a matter of time before Musk oversteps with Trump and end up banished to the island of those that have fallen from his graces. We can only hope it happens sooner rather than later before he causes too much damage. Musk isn't a true Dr. Evil yet but he can become closer to one if his head continues to expand thanks to being given such control and influence by Trump.

[Lantern7]

I feel like screaming. They won. They fucking won. Donald Trump has failed in every major thing he's ever done, and a slightly larger amount of voters decided to give him another chance. He doesn't lose with grace. He doesn't win with grace. His hangers-on will enjoy the ride as long as they can because he's basically the means to their end . . . like the end of certain folks having all the rights in this country. I get it . . . all are created equal, but some are more equal than others. Why the fuck does Trump, Dipshit Musk and the GOP keep hammering that into the souls of the people they despise them?

Years ago, I heard schoolkids used Young Donald as a latrine. In a way, I get the rage. If I had that kind of money, I'd probably be fighting my bullies until the day I died. But I don't have that money, so I've learned to deal with shit in other ways.

Is it wrong to wonder what would have happened on that July day had the absolute worst had happened? I reckon the Republicans would have crept their way into power, but they wouldn't have been a cult of personality.

ETA: To balance out my little fit, here's a Tucker you wouldn't be ashamed to see. He's such a goofball, and so is his son, Todd.

Edited December 19 by Lantern7

[Spartan Girl]

Jesus Christ Elon is trying to be Jafar.

The closer January draws, the more I feel like we’re stuck in this moment:

I use Disney to cope. Don’t judge me.

[fastiller]

12 hours ago, Dimity said:

I wonder if it's dawned on Herr Trump yet that he isn't going to be the president.  Musk is.

And he's (Musk) trying it in the UK too, with equal idiot Farage & his idiot Reform Party.

Musk ready to bankroll Farage with ‘biggest donation in British political history’ (apologies for the header image!)

Edited December 19 by fastiller

[bluegirl147]

12 hours ago, Annber03 said:

Seriously, like I said a while back, did I miss when anyone voted for Musk for president or asked his opinion on how our country should be run? 'Cause I very distinctly do not remember that happening, so...why exactly does he think he needs to stick his nose in our affairs again? Speaking of people who need to shut up and go away...

The fact that he threatened the House members who were going to vote in favor of the bill first and then Trump said oh yeah what he said is concerning.  Is Trump going to take his cues from Musk?  

12 hours ago, CheshireCat said:

I believe that Musk considers himself to be the smartest person in the room and I also believe that Musk is, in fact, smart. He always reminds me of the German saying, genuis and insanity are really close together (it loses something in translation but it's basically meant to say that the potential that you have when you're really smart can easily go to your head).

The phrase evil genius comes to mind but I don't consider Musk a genius. He is smart enough to hire smarter people and let people believe it is he who is smart.

10 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

Elon's genius is not what it was back when he teamed up with the right people to build PayPal, Tesla, Starlink, and even SpaceX. 

And now he is has aligned himself with Trump. Clearly he is only there for the power.

8 hours ago, Anela said:

The unelected billionaire, instituting his plan of hardship for the rest of us. His name was nowhere on the fucking ballot, but nobody’s stopping him.

It's crazy right?  And Republicans are so committed to Trump they are just rolling with it.  I really hope history chronicles this truthfully.

6 hours ago, Lantern7 said:

He doesn't lose with grace. He doesn't win with grace.

That's because he has no grace.  There is a reason high society in NYC didn't like Trump.  He is uncouth. Money can't buy class.  

[bluegirl147]

3 minutes ago, tres bien said:

I don’t want the government to shut down but the Republicans and all the dipshit voters that thought Trump 2.0 would be fun thanks a lot 

And by the time the midterms roll around two years from now how many voters will remember this and vote them out?

4 minutes ago, tres bien said:

I might seriously loose my mind if the Democrats bail out the fucking Republicans again.

My inclination is let the motherfuckers burn but if there is a shut down it's federal employees and people needing government services who will be hurt. 

[fastiller]

13 hours ago, CheshireCat said:

Considering that Hitler's party won with "only" a third of the vote and Germany suffered a lot of casualties during the war, I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that the journalist didn't meet anyone who voted for Hitler. 

But I don't think that not having voted for Hitler should be equated to having been part of the resistance. Many Germans may not have liked Hitler's policies but the economy did start to recover and, just like during Trump's first term many Americans weren't personally affected by his policies, many Germans weren't personally affected by Hitler's policies. So, they were just living their lives. Until they weren't. Figuratively and also, literally. 

I think the majority of Germans didn't support Hitler but didn't resist either. Additionally, Hitler had gamed the system so that there was election after election until his party got enough votes to nominate the chancellor. There were four elections in four years and a certain percentage of people likely voted for him out of exasperation. (I don't consider it an excuse, though, just an explanation). 

But there was a lot of shame in the years after the war in Germany. Even in the 1970s, it wasn't yet a mandatory to be taught in schools. It took a while before Germany actually started talking and educating about its history. 

Where I'm conflicted with Trump is that if it's not going to be as bad as feared and America actually makes it to another election, I think the wrong conclusions will be drawn and the threat of what Trump embodies won't go away. The opposite, I think, as I believe it paves the way for another Trump-like figure and one day, America won't make it to another election. 
But if it's going to be as bad as predicted then many of us who didn't support Trump and don't deserve to be suffering the consequences of Trump's presidency (if we can still call it that then) will suffer it the consequences as well. 

I feel like this is a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. 

ETA:

I don't think so. But I think that's an interesting dynamic.

I believe that Musk considers himself to be the smartest person in the room and I also believe that Musk is, in fact, smart. He always reminds me of the German saying, genuis and insanity are really close together (it loses something in translation but it's basically meant to say that the potential that you have when you're really smart can easily go to your head).

Because of that, though, I don't think that Musk is conscious of the fact that Trump doesn't like sharing the spotlight, or rather, what that means exactly. 

I think Trump will let himself be manipulated under the right circumstances (meaning, flattering will get you anywhere) but I don't think he'll share the spotlight and once Musk starts to be called shadow-president regularly or anything like that and will get shadow-credit, then I think he might be gone quicker than he realizes. 

I think Musk needs to be very careful with how he plays his cards if he wants to stay in power and I'm not sure how aware he is of that. 

Regarding the first emphasized part: I kinda want there to be a 'tear it all down' reckoning.  Yes, I know it'll hurt, but maybe it's the kind of hurt we need.

Regarding the second part: it's not just a German phrase.  I recall it having been said by Aristotle "There is no great genius without a touch of madness." 

You're right that Musk (or as I've heard him called "Lone Skum") needs to be very careful.  The fight (& I think it's inevitable there'll be a falling out b/w the two) will be epic.  And may lead to the tear it all down reckoning I mentioned above.

49 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

 

That's because he has no grace.  There is a reason high society in NYC didn't like Trump.  He is uncouth. Money can't buy class.  

Hey, not just NYC 'high society'!!! Some of us non-high society NYCers hate him too!  I mean I refuse to accept he's from my home borough of Queens.  

[bluegirl147]

15 minutes ago, fastiller said:

Hey, not just NYC 'high society'!!! Some of us non-high society NYCers hate him too!  I mean I refuse to accept he's from my home borough of Queens.  

I'm sure everyone else from Queens has more class than him.

He is like a caricature of a rich person.  The gold fixtures are a tell that he is tacky and just wanting to show off.

I saw a story about Melania and her "decorating" when she was in the White House.  Her idea of what looked good was as bad as her husband's. 

[Dimity]

Is there any chance the non-MAGA Republicans who voted for Trump are going to come down hard on the reality that they just handed the government to Elon "it's always all about me" Musk? 

[Lantern7]

20 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

He is like a caricature of a rich person.  The gold fixtures are a tell that he is tacky and just wanting to show off.

I like John Mulaney’s take; that he’s basically what a hobo thinks a rich man would be like.

[peacheslatour]

12 hours ago, Annber03 said:

Why the hell is Trump involved in anything happening right now anyway? He's not president yet, why does his opinion get to override anything our government is currently doing? 

And again, Musk, shut up. lLiterally nobody asked for your input. Nobody. 

Jesus, can't somebody tell these two to just fuck off already/? 

[Anela]

1 hour ago, Dimity said:

Is there any chance the non-MAGA Republicans who voted for Trump are going to come down hard on the reality that they just handed the government to Elon "it's always all about me" Musk? 

I don’t think they care.  They voted for trump, who is just the same. 

[DXD526]

Quote

I saw a story about Melania and her "decorating" when she was in the White House.  Her idea of what looked good was as bad as her husband's. 

Like the horrid blood-red Christmas trees. Supposedly that was her idea. 

[Dimity]

I read somewhere that Melania isn't moving into the White House this time.  Was that just wishful thinking on the part of some journalist or another or she taking a stand.  Well a sort of stand?

[peacheslatour]

24 minutes ago, DXD526 said:

Like the horrid blood-red Christmas trees. Supposedly that was her idea. 

1. You cannot serve both God and money – Luke 16:13

[Ohiopirate02]

41 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I read somewhere that Melania isn't moving into the White House this time.  Was that just wishful thinking on the part of some journalist or another or she taking a stand.  Well a sort of stand?

Melania has always done whatever she and Donald have privately negotiated. Their marriage has always been a business arrangement which may be why it has been his longest. I expect her to continue living the life she negotiated, and if that does allows for her to not live in the White House, I won't be losing any sleep over it.

[EtheltoTillie]

Another Queens native here ashamed of this disgrace! 

[Dimity]

12 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

Melania has always done whatever she and Donald have privately negotiated.

Speaking of Melania - any truth to the story I read that her book is tanking and only made the bestseller list because some Trump entity or another bought up a boatload of copies?

[peacheslatour]

10 minutes ago, Dimity said:

Speaking of Melania - any truth to the story I read that her book is tanking and only made the bestseller list because some Trump entity or another bought up a boatload of copies?

If you look at the New York Times bestsellers list, you may see a dagger at the end of a title. The dagger symbol (†) on the New York Times Best Seller list indicates that the book's sales may have been boosted by bulk purchases or other suspicious activity

[EtheltoTillie]

3 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

If you look at the New York Times bestsellers list, you may see a dagger at the end of a title. The dagger symbol (†) on the New York Times Best Seller list indicates that the book's sales may have been boosted by bulk purchases or other suspicious activity

This makes sense.  I couldn't believe that even the MAGA followers had any interest in that book.

[peacheslatour]

Just now, EtheltoTillie said:

This makes sense.  I couldn't believe that even the MAGA followers had any interest in that book.

They don't read them, they put them on their coffee tables to impress their MAGA friends.

[bluegirl147]

The library I go to has over a hundred libraries in their system.  There are 99 copies of Melania's book.  Michelle Obama's latest book from 2022 has 126 copies.

1 minute ago, EtheltoTillie said:

I couldn't believe that even the MAGA followers had any interest in that book.

Or interest in any book.

[peacheslatour]

3 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

The library I go to has over a hundred libraries in their system.  There are 99 copies of Melania's book.  Michelle Obama's latest book from 2022 has 126 copies.

Or interest in any book.

[fastiller]

29 minutes ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Another Queens native here ashamed of this disgrace! 

#QueensPride!!!

Amazing* that someone with the moral strength of Mario Cuomo (let's not discuss his sons, please!) and someone with the moral weakness of Trump were born and raised only a mile or two away from one another.

*see what I did there?  Amazin' Mets ('cause they play in Queens!)?

Edited December 19 by fastiller
proper spelling is important!!!

[kittykat]

8 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

Jesus Christ Elon is trying to be Jafar.

The closer January draws, the more I feel like we’re stuck in this moment:

I use Disney to cope. Don’t judge me.

I've been doing corny Christmas movies.  Tonight is Die Hard night.

5 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

It's crazy right?  And Republicans are so committed to Trump they are just rolling with it.  I really hope history chronicles this truthfully.

Start documenting.  We should all start documenting this shit.

[laurakaye]

3 hours ago, Dimity said:

Is there any chance the non-MAGA Republicans who voted for Trump are going to come down hard on the reality that they just handed the government to Elon "it's always all about me" Musk? 

And is there any chance that they lay awake every night, all night long, staring at the ceiling and wondering what will become of them now that they've sold their souls?  Doubtful but I'd like to think it's a little bit true.

[Dimity]

5 minutes ago, laurakaye said:

Doubtful but I'd like to think it's a little bit true.

I do think there has been some buyer's remorse  - and he isn't even president yet.  I agree with you that the true MAGA will never doubt their leader - even when they are losing their job or their health care or their social security - but the ones who only voted for Trump because they didn't like the way Kamala laughed 🙄 may just be having a few sleepless nights in the next 4 years.

 

Edited December 19 by Dimity

[EtheltoTillie]

44 minutes ago, fastiller said:

#QueensPride!!!

Amazing* that someone with the moral strength of Mario Cuomo (let's not discuss his sons, please!) and someone with the moral weakness of Trump were born and raised only a mile or two away from one another.

*see what I did there?  Amazin' Mets ('cause they play in Queens!)?

I remember the 1969 World Series! 

[Ohiopirate02]

8 minutes ago, Dimity said:

Speaking of Melania - any truth to the story I read that her book is tanking and only made the bestseller list because some Trump entity or another bought up a boatload of copies?

The NYT is not showing a dagger by her book, so they at least do not find evidence of bulk ordering. The Times did choose to review it. Some highlights--

White House memoirs tend to go on a bit. Melania Trump’s is slim, as befits an erstwhile fashion model who prepared for her husband’s 2017 inauguration with “strong espresso and a light breakfast of fruit,” but gravely out of shape.

Better brew a double before cracking “Melania,” which, though clad in a black cover — a choice that could symbolize mourning, sophistication or more likely abject nothingness — is a brazen whitewash of a presidency and a marriage of some tumult.

“I acknowledge that differing viewpoints are a natural aspect of human relationships” is a typical bland, obfuscating sentence. 

[Bastet]

1 hour ago, kittykat said:

Start documenting.  We should all start documenting this shit.

I started keeping a list of lies from the Bush administration and Congress after 9/11.  I wore myself out within a year. 

[fastiller]

25 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

The NYT is not showing a dagger by her book, so they at least do not find evidence of bulk ordering. The Times did choose to review it. Some highlights--

White House memoirs tend to go on a bit. Melania Trump’s is slim, as befits an erstwhile fashion model who prepared for her husband’s 2017 inauguration with “strong espresso and a light breakfast of fruit,” but gravely out of shape.

Better brew a double before cracking “Melania,” which, though clad in a black cover — a choice that could symbolize mourning, sophistication or more likely abject nothingness — is a brazen whitewash of a presidency and a marriage of some tumult.

“I acknowledge that differing viewpoints are a natural aspect of human relationships” is a typical bland, obfuscating sentence. 

Oof.

[Ohiopirate02]

10 minutes ago, fastiller said:

Oof.

I'm partial to "more likely abject nothingness" myself.

[nokat]

I think Elon is smart in the way Trump is smart, as in they aren't, at all, but have the inherited wealth to have some smart people around them. They can preen and strut around the chicken yard thinking they are the bestest rooster while the world supports their idiocy.

Honestly I'm not worried about them, they are the clowns to distract us from the real issue, the theocracy to come. These are some of the scariest people you will come across. They have their "God" behind them, that their chosen get to speak for. We know how that has played out in history.

[Ohiopirate02]

1 hour ago, nokat said:

I think Elon is smart 

Honestly I'm not worried about them, they are the clowns to distract us from the real issue, the theocracy to come. These are some of the scariest people you will come across. They have their "God" behind them, that their chosen get to speak for. We know how that has played out in history.

The only silver lining here is the unholy alliance of evangelical Christian and Trad Catholics will also fall apart here soon. They only teamed up to make abortion illegal, and that goal is almost a reality. 

[Eri]

In another failed proposal to avert a government shutdown, the bill needed a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives to pass, but lawmakers rejected it with 174 in support and 235 against - with 38 Republicans against their own party lol

https://www.ajc.com/politics/democrats-say-they-will-reject-speaker-johnsons-new-funding-package/4STVW74J6BE3DJRR4WERITF7UM/ - please continue to do this and let the Republicans dig their own grave

It’s absolutely insane that Trump is essentially running a shadow government before even taking office! One has to wonder how probable it is that he has been managing one since leaving office. The concept of a "deep state" certainly exists; perhaps they just identified the wrong entity 🤔 🤫

Good lord, 2026 cannot come soon enough -sigh-

Edited December 20 by Eri

[Dimity]

Predictably President Musk is blaming the Dems.

[kittykat]

And their base will buy it hook, line and sinker.

[nokat]

2 hours ago, Eri said:

It’s absolutely insane that Trump is essentially running a shadow government before even taking office!

The thing they accuse others of. Always projection. Private individuals have had way too much influence and then accuse others of it.

3 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

The only silver lining here is the unholy alliance of evangelical Christian and Trad Catholics will also fall apart here soon. They only teamed up to make abortion illegal, and that goal is almost a reality. 

I don't like how I was misquoted further up. I do not think Elon is smart.

Edited December 20 by nokat

[Eri]

It's terrible, thanks to Musk - the new bill will now be stripping funding for a bipartisan child cancer research program. $190 million -- a small drop comparatively to the $100 billion request from the Biden administration-- is now gone. Other efforts affected including but not limited to:

• Economic aid for farmers
• Repairs to the Francis Scott Key Bridge
• Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program
• State and tribal assistance grants to fix water systems damaged from natural disasters
• Reforms for pharmacy benefit managers
• Proposals to bolster Social Security benefits for those eligible for non-Social Security government pensions
• 4% pay raises for lawmakers

Why? So they can spend the money on tax cuts for billionaires instead? How are voters okay with this?!

How many of us would still have jobs if we had the 19% approval rating that Congress currently has (according to Gallup's latest polls)?

Even better--what would our bosses say if we had the GALL to ask for a RAISE with a 19% approval rating?

This serves as a timely reminder to consider that perspective the next time Congress claims to give a damn about children following the next mass tragedy 🤦‍♀️

Edited December 20 by Eri

[Wiendish Fitch]

Don't know if this is the appropriate thread for it, but some of you were mentioning shows or movies that are your "therapy" during this shitty, SHITTY time. Mine has been Say Yes to the Dress: Lancashire. Utterly frivolous? Check. Delightful accents? Check. Ridiculously low stakes? Check. "Auntie" Gok? CHEEE-YECK! 

Apologies for this superfluous detour. You may resume your more serious conversation.

[tres bien]

The MAGAs have gone beyond their usual cruel policies. They’ve committed a crime against children with catastrophic diseases because they don’t care about children except to force women against their will to give birth under any circumstance.

When I read that they had cancelled the research funding for pediatric cancer research I thought of course because you MAGAs are evil and ignorant.

i have been a loyal donator for years to pediatric cancer research and I hope this despicable move by MAGA will bring attention to this important issue.

On another of course they would because that’s who they are. Trump: let’s throw out the debt ceiling till 2029! Better to pass my for billionaires only agenda!

Edited December 20 by tres bien

[CM-BlueButterfly]

Hi everyone,

how’s everyone doing?

Just dropping in to leave a quick reminder… Kindly keep in mind that our posts have an impact an everyone who frequents the community and that it can be helpful to take a moment before posting to consider how a post impacts everyone around us. What message does it send and is it the message that I want it to send? How would I feel if I read my post as the individual I'm talking about or as someone who is of a different opinion? How does how I'm saying swhat I'm saying affect a post’s contents? Might it distract from the actual issue that I want to address? (Think violence that breaks out at protests, for example. 99% of protests can be peaceful but violence can become a story and distract from the message of the protests).

As you continue to discuss, please remember to keep the focus on facts and actions and not on the individual. A focus on facts and actions can hold individuals responsible without shaming their identity and helps us be critical without making community members feel judged.

Thank you.