Chit-Chat: The Feels

[Dimity]

[peacheslatour]

Oh shit, we're so screwed.

CNN, Jan. 8 2025

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said he spoke with President-elect Donald Trump by phone this week in support of a former law clerk who is seeking a job in the incoming administration – but the justice said he did not discuss Trump’s pending effort to delay his sentencing.

“William Levi, one of my former law clerks, asked me to take a call from President-elect Trump regarding his qualifications to serve in a government position,” Alito said in a statement issued Wednesday. “I agreed to discuss this matter with President-elect Trump, and he called me yesterday afternoon.”

 

[annzeepark914]

Yeah sure, Alito. The Supreme Six will once again look out for Trump.

Did anyone watch Alex Wagner's show tonight? She listed all the states, politicians, etc that were going through difficulties (e.g., wildfires, pandemic needs, hurricane destruction, etc) that had federal help *delayed* by Trump because he was angry with them. I wish I had that list. It was a long list, and stunning. My reaction was that Gov. Newsome is darn lucky that Joe Biden (who went out there today) is still the president...at least for another 11 days. Mr. Vengeance will somehow try to screw up any help though, once he gets into office... guaranteed!

 

[Calvada]

Every state is vulnerable to something - hurricane, tornado, wildfire, volcano, flood, etc. - and thus we all have to fear Donald having a tantrum about any federal help when our community might need it because he's been slighted by our state's electorate or governor or senator.  

My heart breaks for all these people who are losing not just their homes, but their communities - their kids' schools, restaurants, businesses, places of worship.  They are really losing everything.  I hope our Primetimer friends in southern California stay safe.  

[Lantern7]

41 minutes ago, annzeepark914 said:

Did anyone watch Alex Wagner's show tonight? She listed all the states, politicians, etc that were going through difficulties (e.g., wildfires, pandemic needs, hurricane destruction, etc) that had federal help *delayed* by Trump because he was angry with them. I wish I had that list. It was a long list, and stunning. My reaction was that Gov. Newsome is darn lucky that Joe Biden (who went out there today) is still the president...at least for another 11 days. Mr. Vengeance will somehow try to screw up any help though, once he gets into office... guaranteed!

Now I’m imagining “before” footage of Steve Bannon, Alex Jones and Giuliani smoking thick cigars in a forest, earning some much-needed pocket money. Yes, wildfires sparking and Dear Leader flexing being directly connected is far-fetched AF, but I put nothing past the MAGA bunch.

Edited January 9 by Lantern7

[Absolom]

6 minutes ago, Calvada said:

Every state is vulnerable to something - hurricane, tornado, wildfire, volcano, flood, etc. - and thus we all have to fear Donald having a tantrum about any federal help when our community might need it because he's been slighted by our state's electorate or governor or senator.  

My heart breaks for all these people who are losing not just their homes, but their communities - their kids' schools, restaurants, businesses, places of worship.  They are really losing everything.  I hope our Primetimer friends in southern California stay safe.  

Thank you.  One of my children and her family had to evacuate.  They are fortunate to be able to go be with family.  Another has been without power all day. The apartments I looked at last week had to evacuate.  Another place I looked at is under an evacuation warning.  Those are all minor inconveniences.  We know five families who have lost their homes so far.  I'm sure that number will go up. 

I don't really want to move to LAC, but I promised my kids.

[Annber03]

52 minutes ago, Calvada said:

Every state is vulnerable to something - hurricane, tornado, wildfire, volcano, flood, etc. - and thus we all have to fear Donald having a tantrum about any federal help when our community might need it because he's been slighted by our state's electorate or governor or senator.  

And to add insult to injury, we'll also have a party in power that refuses to acknowledge that climate change, which is causing these sorts of catastrophic natural disasters, is a thing. So nothing will get done to tackle thie causes that lead to these sorts of horrific events, and more of them will happen, and natural disasters of this magnitude aren't cheap to fix, so we're gonna be blowing a lot of money after the fact, which means we won't be able to properly fund other things that are deeply underfunded.

To say nothing of how some of the damage from these natural disasters caused to our environment will be completely irreversible and we're leaving a hellish world for future generations to inherit. 

But hey, price of eggs and all that, right? 

46 minutes ago, Absolom said:

Thank you.  One of my children and her family had to evacuate.  They are fortunate to be able to go be with family.  Another has been without power all day. The apartments I looked at last week had to evacuate.  Another place I looked at is under an evacuation warning.  Those are all minor inconveniences.  We know five families who have lost their homes so far.  I'm sure that number will go up. 

I don't really want to move to LAC, but I promised my kids.

I'm glad your one child and their family were able to get out. I hope they and everyone else you know makes it through this okay. Condolences to the families who lost their homes, too. 

[Bastet]

1 hour ago, Calvada said:

I hope our Primetimer friends in southern California stay safe.  

Thank you.  So far all the fires have missed me, so I'm just dealing with winds (thankfully decreasing after last night's insanity when my house kept sounding like it was coming apart at the seams) and a hell of a lot of smoke, but I know people who've lost homes.  The scope of this is overwhelming - and, at zero percent contained, we're just beginning - and feels like we're under "Where next??" siege.  Knowing the federal government is about to be controlled by a guy who has repeatedly threatened to withhold disaster aid to us based on lies and retribution, and who denies the role climate change plays in the increase of wildfires, does not help.

Edited January 9 by Bastet

[Yeah No]

6 minutes ago, Bastet said:

Thank you.  So far all the fires have missed me, so I'm just dealing with winds (thankfully decreasing after last night's insanity when my house kept sounding like it was coming apart at the seams) and a hell of a lot of smoke, but I know people who've lost homes.  The scope of this is overwhelming - and, at zero percent contained, we're just beginning - and feels like we're under "What's next??" siege.  Knowing the federal government is about to be controlled by a guy who has repeatedly threatened to withhold disaster aid to us based on lies and retribution, and who denies the role climate change plays in the increase of wildfires, does not help.

My heart goes out to you and everyone in your area dealing with this and the worry about what he might do (or not do) about it when he gets in office. I just can't imagine how stressful this must be....🙁

[kittykat]

I've had at least three friends in LA who have had to evacuate.  My family is in Ventura county and for once that area is NOT on fire so they're good for now.  Hopefully everyone stays safe.

[Soapy Goddess]

17 hours ago, Yeah No said:

Asking with respect - can you tell us what those 'machinations' are? This is a genuine question which I have already asked once before.

And respectfully I'm not going to specify all here lest my words be torn to shreds.  Biden has been done being OUR president for several weeks now. All one has to do is listen to the news to learn about all his latest "accomplishments" and the petty shit he's done recently to make the new administration work a bit harder.

A small example would be banning offshore drilling at the eleventh hour. Why? What purpose does that serve other than to piss off Americans who don't want to be oil dependent on other countries. 

[anony.miss]

1 hour ago, Soapy Goddess said:

A small example would be banning offshore drilling at the eleventh hour. Why? What purpose does that serve

Biden on the ban:

“My decision reflects what coastal communities, businesses, and beachgoers have known for a long time: that drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nation’s energy needs. It is not worth the risks.”

Agree or not, there's no confusion or hidden "Why" here -  Biden  was up front and clear as to why he did what he did.

Edited January 9 by anony.miss

[tres bien]

Not to forget that while LAC is literally under siege the incoming president can’t even hold his fire. Instead he’s madly firing out attacks and insults at Governor Newsome (whom he childishly calls Newscum)

OK California is a big place but even the republican/maga residents have to have some compassion for their fellow residents no matter their political beliefs and find their guy cruel and heartless 

 

[Spartan Girl]

Biden is doing everything he can to help while Trump is just blaming the leaders and threatening retribution and mocking the victims.

To all the people that claim both sides are the same and voted third-party: Do you see what you’ve done to us?!

Edited January 9 by Spartan Girl

[tres bien]

Joe Biden is president until noon on January 20th and as far as I can tell he’s doing his job diligently everyday. Too bad that some of the things he’s done piss off some people.

On the other hand we have a man who is not yet president trying to grab the spotlight every day by saying and doing things that make it that more unacceptable that after noon on January 20th he will be the president 

[fastiller]

1 hour ago, tres bien said:

Joe Biden is president until noon on January 20th and as far as I can tell he’s doing his job diligently everyday. Too bad that some of the things he’s done piss off some people.

On the other hand we have a man who is not yet president trying to grab the spotlight every day by saying and doing things that make it that more unacceptable that after noon on January 20th he will be the president 

Seriously.  Also, I suspect that the period between election day 2028 and inauguration date 2029 Trump will be extra-extra checked out.

And I hope I'm proved wrong about this: I strongly suspect that should Biden die in the next four years (a very real possibility given his age), Trump will ensure we have no declared national mourning period with flags at half-staff for 30 days.  In fact, I'll extend that to all four living ex-POTUSes.

[Annber03]

5 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

And respectfully I'm not going to specify all here lest my words be torn to shreds.  Biden has been done being OUR president for several weeks now. All one has to do is listen to the news to learn about all his latest "accomplishments" and the petty shit he's done recently to make the new administration work a bit harder.

A small example would be banning offshore drilling at the eleventh hour. Why? What purpose does that serve other than to piss off Americans who don't want to be oil dependent on other countries. 

If you think that's an example of him "sabotaging" Trump, then clearly we aren't operating under the same definition of the word. 

Trump siccing his supporters on the Capitol and encouraging them to storm the building on January 6th, 2021, all based off the lie that he totally won instead of Biden and trying to stop him taking office, is what actual sabotage looks like. Biden putting forth policy decisions that are in line with the kinds of things he wants to do as president? Not so much. 

Don't make a claim like "Biden is sabotaging Trump" if there's nothing to actually back up said claim. 

Edited January 9 by Annber03

[Anela]

Biden has been quietly doing his job. 

[bluegirl147]

22 minutes ago, fastiller said:

And I hope I'm proved wrong about this: I strongly suspect that should Biden die in the next four years (a very real possibility given his age), Trump will ensure we have no declared national mourning period with flags at half-staff for 30 days.  In fact, I'll extend that to all four living ex-POTUSes.

I was thinking about that this morning.  Trump would 100% be that petty.  None of the living presidents endorsed him.  Even Bush refused to support him. He might be able to prevent flags at the White House from flying at half staff but if other places want to I'm not sure he can stop them. Especially in states.  I also don't think he has control over what happens at the Capitol so if if the deceased President has requested he lie in state I don't know if Trump could stop that.  But if he did stop that I would like to believe there would be such an outcry he would have to reverse  himself. On the other hand the man thinks he is King so who knows what he is capable of.

9 minutes ago, Annber03 said:

If you think that's an example of him "sabotaging" Trump, then clearly we aren't operating under the same definition of the word. 

I think if not Trump then his supporters are crazy enough to do something on Inauguration day and make it look like it's antifa or just plain Democrats doing it.  I might sound paranoid but these extreme MAGA people are unhinged.

2 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

To all the people that claim both sides are the same and voted third-party: Do you see what you’ve done to us?!

Trump's rant against Gavin Newsom and blaming him for the CA wildfires is just a preview of what's to come.  During times of natural disasters is when a president is supposed to step up and put politics aside and bring people together.  Bush might have been a moron but he didn't purposely want to screw up NO after Katrina hit to punish someone.  But Trump will take advantage of any tragedy he can to seek retribution.  And if I were to hear anyone I know blame or cheer any Hollywood Lib for losing their house I'm going to have to refrain from punching them in the face.

3 hours ago, tres bien said:

OK California is a big place but even the republican/maga residents have to have some compassion for their fellow residents no matter their political beliefs and find their guy cruel and heartless 

I would hope so but I honestly don't know.  Trump has poisoned so many people's minds and hearts. They follow his lead.  If he thinks let them burn they will think let them burn.

9 hours ago, Lantern7 said:

Now I’m imagining “before” footage of Steve Bannon, Alex Jones and Giuliani smoking thick cigars in a forest, earning some much-needed pocket money. Yes, wildfires sparking and Dear Leader flexing being directly connected is far-fetched AF, but I put nothing past the MAGA bunch.

Nah, it was the Jewish controlled space lasers that MTG told us about. Although I'm a little confused as to why they didn't wait till after Jan 20th. They missed a golden opportunity to blame Trump.

7 minutes ago, Anela said:

Biden has been quietly doing his job. 

This is true.  Unlike Trump Biden didn't feel the need to constantly tweet and rant and rave so pretty much all media would cover his ever word and action.

[Ohiopirate02]

6 minutes ago, Anela said:

Biden has been quietly doing his job. 

Yep. I just need him to sign another executive order forgiving my student loans. Even if it gets challenged in court, that wouldn't happen until much later this year or even next year.

[Calvada]

16 minutes ago, fastiller said:

Seriously.  Also, I suspect that the period between election day 2028 and inauguration date 2029 Trump will be extra-extra checked out.

And I hope I'm proved wrong about this: I strongly suspect that should Biden die in the next four years (a very real possibility given his age), Trump will ensure we have no declared national mourning period with flags at half-staff for 30 days.  In fact, I'll extend that to all four living ex-POTUSes.

In January 2021, in addition to inciting an insurrection and the attempted murder of his Vice President, Trump pardoned many of his felon friends and associates. Not exactly a principled exit.  It was seriously debated whether he would actually leave the White House and then he didn't even have the grace to attend his successor's inauguration.  

I was musing about future presidential funerals, wondering who will be the primary eulogizer for each.  I cannot think of any former POTUS (perhaps a future one?) who would speak at Trump's.  Given the age of most of our former POTUSes, there could be more than one death in the next few years.  Bush will be 79 this year and has had one heart procedure.  Clinton will also be 79 this year and he has had multiple heart issues.  Trump himself will be 79 a few weeks before Bush and Clinton, and he has visibly aged in recent years (there's only so much that can be hidden by spray tans and makeup) and reportedly has a diet than consists primarily of fast food, red meat, and Diet Coke.  And then there's Biden at age 82.  Obama is the kid of the bunch in his mid 60s.  

These presidential funerals are always a bit jarring when you see people you remember as young men and women, such as the Nixon daughters, and then I realize I'm in my 60s!  I'm wondering whether Dick and Lynne Cheney will attend today and hope we can see some interaction between Dick and Trump, given the latter's attacks on Liz Cheney.  A mutual death glare?  I'm also curious about the relationship between Dick Cheney and George Bush, since Bush has very conspicuously not spoken publicly about Trump, not even to condemn the threats levied at the daughter of Bush's former VP. 

[bluegirl147]

4 minutes ago, Calvada said:

I'm wondering whether Dick and Lynne Cheney will attend today and hope we can see some interaction between Dick and Trump, given the latter's attacks on Liz Cheney.  A mutual death glare? 

I wouldn't want Dick Cheney as an enemy.  If there was a deep state out to get Trump it would be Cheney running it.

[tres bien]

We don’t have to travel too far back in history ☹️ to remember that during the 2024 campaign when Asheville NC was devastated by Hurricane Helene this awful man attacked FEMA relentlessly. 
Too bad people of Asheville that lost their lives, homes and businesses

But yet voters didn’t care or didn’t pay attention. They just want more and more of scary chaos 

[Calvada]

7 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

I wouldn't want Dick Cheney as an enemy.  If there was a deep state out to get Trump it would be Cheney running it.

I remember at Obama's first inauguration Cheney was in a wheelchair due to an injury (knee maybe) and some comedian, I think Jon Stewart, referred to him as Mr. Potter from It's a Wonderful Life.  Very fitting I thought.

I give a lot of credit to the members of military who carry the casket up and down the steps to the Capitol.  There was a story from Manchester's The Death of a President about how the designated bearer party practiced for hours after struggling to carry Kennedy's casket into the Capitol, that at one point they had someone (with one final test with TWO people) sitting on top of the casket they were using for practice to increase the weight even more.  

It was just noted that former VP Pence is at the Carter funeral.  I wonder if he will congratulate VP Harris on not having to run for her life earlier this week.  

[Spartan Girl]

If there is any justice in this world, Biden will outlive Trump easily.

[tres bien]

I’m so glad I don’t watch the news anymore and listen to stupid reporters ask stupid questions interviewing people who shouldn’t give them the time of day 

I should probably not check on Bluesky for news either but today I did and here’s a video of Anderson Cooper interviewing Governor Newsom with flames raging in the background and Anderson: Trump’s blaming you for this

Anderson shame on you 

[Calvada]

I'm trying to find coverage of the Carter funeral without an idiot commentator.  MSNBC has Andrea Mitchell who just called Doug Emhoff "Doug Endorf."  Good golly, when does she retire?  No wonder MSNBC is losing viewers.  Now I'm trying CBS with Lesley Stahl and Norah O'Donnell.  They at least are not showing any signs of senility.

Where's Michelle Obama?  I hope she's not ill.  

[bluegirl147]

17 minutes ago, tres bien said:

Anderson Cooper interviewing Governor Newsom with flames raging in the background and Anderson: Trump’s blaming you for this

This has been a problem since 2015.  MSM gives Trump credibility when they take what he says and normalizes it. If Newsom responds in any way but polite he looks like the bad guy. And by the way I am so long over Anderson Cooper as long as he stays friends with Andy Cohen.

[tearknee]

11 minutes ago, Calvada said:

I'm trying to find coverage of the Carter funeral without an idiot commentator.  MSNBC has Andrea Mitchell who just called Doug Emhoff "Doug Endorf."  Good golly, when does she retire?  No wonder MSNBC is losing viewers.  Now I'm trying CBS with Lesley Stahl and Norah O'Donnell.  They at least are not showing any signs of senility.

Where's Michelle Obama?  I hope she's not ill.  

Maybe she was thinking of endorphins?

[Anela]

Oh, I’ve been missing Carter’s funeral, because I don’t watch the news anymore.  I only put CNN on, to watch some coverage of the fires yesterday.  

[Yeah No]

4 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

Biden is doing everything he can to help while Trump is just blaming the leaders and threatening retribution and mocking the victims.

To all the people that claim both sides are the same and voted third-party: Do you see what you’ve done to us?!

My best friend, who admitted she voted for Trump this time but later regretted it is now regretting it even more and coming to me to gripe about him. She is not being open about why she voted for him but she is bipolar and in her older age (66) is not able to take as much of her medication as she really needs due to sensitivity and safety issues, so I am being forgiving of her. Maybe one day she will admit that she let her "born again" Christian church convince her that Trump was one of "God's imperfect messengers". She has been too smart to fall for that crap for years, but perhaps she had a bad moment and gave into it. I just can't get over how they BS their congregations into thinking that Trump was sent by God. This kind of cult garbage is what is giving Christianity a bad name in the U.S. Mainstream Christian denominations do not do this AT ALL. In fact they generally do not proselytize politics to their congregations, although I can bet that Trump is pretty much despised by most Episcopalians and other mainstream Christian denominations in general, especially in certain parts of the country.

[jennifer6973]

I'm watching the service on PBS

[bluegirl147]

7 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

My best friend, who admitted she voted for Trump this time but later regretted it is now regretting it even more and coming to me to gripe about him.

If someone I knew did that my first instinct would be I told you so and then I would ask them to explain to me what was their aha moment.  Was it when he started talking about adding Panama, Canada and Greenland to the United States? By force if necessary. Was it when he started picking the worst people possible for Cabinet posts?  Was it when he admitted he couldn't bring grocery prices down?  What exactly was it finally for people to realize Trump coming back to the White House is a very bad thing?

[Yeah No]

1 minute ago, bluegirl147 said:

If someone I knew did that my first instinct would be I told you so and then I would ask them to explain to me what was their aha moment.  Was it when he started talking about adding Panama, Canada and Greenland to the United States? By force if necessary. Was it when he started picking the worst people possible for Cabinet posts?  Was it when he admitted he couldn't bring grocery prices down?  What exactly was it finally for people to realize Trump coming back to the White House is a very bad thing?

There will be a time and a place for me to ask her those questions but I'm sensing that now is not the time so I am avoiding talking about politics in general with her for now. When that does happen I'll likely post here about it. She did say that she didn't realize how wacko he has gotten until after the election, though. I told her I forced myself to watch snippets of his rallies during the campaign and was shocked at what I was hearing come out of his mouth, and it's not like I didn't already know he was wacko. Unfortunately a lot of people like her didn't pay attention to him and even when they did hear something they dismissed it as just more of his "bluster". People hear what they want to hear but at least some of what he's saying now might wake some of them up. Sorry to say I don't think most of them are as willing to admit it as my girlfriend is.

[Calvada]

Over my decades of voting, there have been a couple votes I came to regret.  Never a presidential vote, but a couple local officials - a mayor and a member of the school board.  But I've never regretted a vote before the person even took office!  

[Dimity]

25 minutes ago, jennifer6973 said:

I'm watching the service on PBS

We have CBS on and just saw Jimmy Carter's grandson speak.  Very powerful.  Very moving.  I learned more about Mr. Carter and am even more profoundly grateful that this man lived and lived such a good life.

[Calvada]

The story about having washed out ziploc bags to reuse them made me smile; it made me think of my mom.  One thing she did was wipe off aluminum foil and carefully fold it for another use.  I also enjoyed the amusing story of how a nuclear engineer initially struggled using a cell phone, because I remember my father, also an engineer, having difficulty programming a VCR.  These are the stories that are so wonderful to hear at a funeral, especially when celebrating such a long life. 

[Dimity]

Andrew Young's homily where he made everyone smile, even laugh out loud - except Glum and Glummer.  Trump and Melania looking like they hate the world and hating that for goddam once they aren't the centre of attention.

[peacheslatour]

1 minute ago, Dimity said:

Andrew Young's homily where he made everyone smile, even laugh out loud - except Glum and Glummer.  Trump and Melania looking like they hate the world and hating that for goddam once they aren't the centre of attention.

Good. I hope they're utterly miserable.

[Lantern7]

He’s at the funeral. Of course he is.

[bluegirl147]

4 minutes ago, Lantern7 said:

He’s at the funeral. Of course he is.

He always gets it wrong. He goes where he isn't wanted but doesn't go where he is wanted.  Like court.  Or jail.

[tres bien]

Mr and Mrs Trump stopped by the Capital Rotunda yesterday to pay their respects. Course that was short lived when he stopped to talk to reporters. True class this one

[bluegirl147]

This is what Trump and his big donors want.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/real-estate-investor-private-firefighters-tweet-los-angeles-wildfires_n_677fab14e4b09fe8a981b433

They want their properties to be important than other people's property.  

[peacheslatour]

21 minutes ago, Lantern7 said:

He’s at the funeral. Of course he is.

The baby at every Christening, the baby at every wedding, the baby at every funeral.

[Calvada]

Trump and Pence shook hands, but it was very noticeable that Karen Pence did not acknowledge Trump or Melania.  I've never married, but I'm confident that if I had a spouse and someone encouraged a mob to kill him, I'd ignore that person too!  

 

[Is Everyone Gone]

Watching the funeral, there appears to be a lot of tension between Kamala Harris and the Bidens. Understandable. The body language is frosty.

[atomic]

Even though Carter's presidency was before my time, I found his service to be so beautiful and moving. What a remarkable human he was and such a visionary so ahead of his time. ("the first millennial" as his grandson described it). R.I.P. to a great man and a fine example of a life well-lived.

[Calvada]

I was shocked to learn via Google that Jason Carter is 49 years old.  He looks like he's around 35.  Also, is Nate Bargatze related to the Carter family?  Because he and Jason Carter look very much alike.  

[Dimity]

Does anyone know who the elderly man with the scarf who was seated next to Amy Carter is?  I am assuming one of his sons but thought he was too old.  Then googled and realized, no, his sons are in their 70s so not impossible. 

[Calvada]

8 minutes ago, Dimity said:

Does anyone know who the elderly man with the scarf who was seated next to Amy Carter is?  I am assuming one of his sons but thought he was too old.  Then googled and realized, no, his sons are in their 70s so not impossible. 

I think it was Jeff Carter, the youngest of the 3 sons.  He's had health issues, diagnosed with Parkinson's a few years ago.