Chit-Chat: The Feels

[peacheslatour]

21 minutes ago, Kemper said:

Was Rahm Emmanuel the Chair of the DNC at any point? He ran Obama's first campaign and helped Dem candidates in many states.  He is also a successful, seasoned politician in his own right. He can also throw some excellent shade and snark. Would he be eligible to head the DNC? Would he even want to.

He's a close personal friend of Musk's. I was just as appalled as you probably are.

[peacheslatour]

From Reuters, Jan. 19, 2025

 

WASHINGTON, Jan 19 (Reuters) - TikTok said on Sunday said it was restoring its service after President-elect Donald Trump said he would revive the app's access in the U.S. when he returns to power on Monday.

The statement came after U.S. users reported being able to access the Chinese-owned service's website while the far more widely used TikTok app itself did not appear to be immediately available.

"In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service," TikTok said in a statement that thanked Trump for "providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties (for) providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive."

TikTok stopped working for its 170 million American users late on Saturday before a law shutting it down on national security grounds took effect on Sunday. U.S. officials had warned that under Chinese parent company ByteDance, there was a risk of Americans' data being misused.

Trump said he would "extend the period of time before the law's prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security."

"I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture," he wrote on Truth Social.

 

He'll bring Tik Tok back for 50% ownership. Ignore the multi billion dollar pump and dump bribery scheme guys, here’s TikTok back now run along and bury your head in the sand some more. 

[Calvada]

Isn't Ben Wikler, the Wisconsin Dem Chair, the front runner to lead the DNC?  He's gotten tons of endorsements from Senators, Representatives, labor unions, governors, etc.  It makes me very nervous because Wisconsin has a crucial Supreme Court election in April and I don't want to lose Wikler just as this campaign is really gearing up. To compare the judicial philosophy of the two candidates in the race, imagine Ketanji Brown Jackson is running against Samuel Alito. 

This forthcoming election means that my very brief respite from political ads is over.  I watch a lot of sports (football & college basketball especially) and that means live TV, which means muting commercials once again.

[Dimity]

2 minutes ago, Calvada said:

This forthcoming election means that my very brief respite from political ads is over. 

I don't know how Americans can stand it.  Sure we get political ads even when there is no election in the horizon (mainly the Cons pretending they care or bashing Trudeau) but mostly the ads we see are very limited to a short period of time leading up to an election.  You have elections every 2 years.  It must be exhausting.

[peacheslatour]

Screwed again. Oh well, eggs have got to be cheaper, right?

 

[chitowngirl]

15 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I don't know how Americans can stand it.  Sure we get political ads even when there is no election in the horizon (mainly the Cons pretending they care or bashing Trudeau) but mostly the ads we see are very limited to a short period of time leading up to an election.  You have elections every 2 years.  It must be exhausting.

It is…especially if you live in a swing state

[Calvada]

4 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I don't know how Americans can stand it.  Sure we get political ads even when there is no election in the horizon (mainly the Cons pretending they care or bashing Trudeau) but mostly the ads we see are very limited to a short period of time leading up to an election.  You have elections every 2 years.  It must be exhausting.

It's every year.  Our local/state elections are often held in off years.  The Supreme Court seat is not the only thing on the ballot for our spring election this year.  Also the state's Superintendent of Public Instruction (our elected "secretary of education"), appellate court judges, circuit court judges, and some county and municipal offices.  In 2026, it's Congressional races, about half of the State Senate, all of the State Assembly, Governor, Attorney General, and county and municipal offices.  Lather, rinse, repeat.  

[Eri]

1 hour ago, peacheslatour said:

He'll bring Tik Tok back for 50% ownership. Ignore the multi billion dollar pump and dump bribery scheme guys, here’s TikTok back now run along and bury your head in the sand some more. 

Exactly, but I'm not surprised - The Supreme Court has upheld the law that forces ByteDance, a Chinese company to divest its interest in TikTok by Sunday or face a shutdown of TikTok. Now politicians, especially Republicans, have been scrambling since to say they're gonna fight to save TikTok any way they can. Why? Because they realised how well the TikTok platform worked for Trump's 'America First' messaging and outreach.

Democrats also tried to save it by passing a law in the senate last year, but were blocked by Republicans like Tom Cotton, who are more hawkish on TikTok. The Supreme Court said that the law they passed is good, so it should be banned. Biden said he won't enforce it. And Trump has said he won't enforce it. So, basically, Trump's feelings are 'the law' and the LAW is not the law in this in this situation. It's honestly pretty weird, but also ironic. 

Trump tried to ban it as president during his first term, now he's done a 180. He now says he's all for it because the kids love it, and it's good for him. Last year, Mike Waltz was part of those hawkish Republicans who was FOR the ban, calling TikTok, Chinese Communist Spyware. Now he's echoing much the same message saying that he wants to preserve it. Now they want to make money off it. How convenient 🙄

Edited Sunday at 07:25 PM by Eri

[peacheslatour]

[PRgal]

Even though Canada isn't (currently) affected, I have never had TikTok (even though my publisher encouraged me to get it) and probably never will...political reasons, you know?  

[Dimity]

8 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

The Internet is forever.  Not that having things in writing has ever made a difference to those who will defend Trump to their dying breath.

[peacheslatour]

13 minutes ago, Dimity said:

The Internet is forever.  Not that having things in writing has ever made a difference to those who will defend Trump to their dying breath.

So true. Facts simply don't matter when you're in a cult.

[Dimity]

4 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

So true. Facts simply don't matter when you're in a cult.

 

[Bastet]

7 hours ago, peacheslatour said:

TikTok stopped working for its 170 million American users late on Saturday before a law shutting it down on national security grounds took effect on Sunday.

Biden had already said he wasn't going to implement the ban, even though SCOTUS upheld it, that given the timing that would be Trump's to handle.  But apparently (I didn't see it myself as I don't use TikTok, just supposed screenshots posted on places that are typically reliable sources) TikTok took itself down, putting up a message lying that a ban had been enacted, so unfortunately you can't use TikTok right now, but don't worry, Trump has indicated he'll work with us on a solution.

7 hours ago, peacheslatour said:

He'll bring Tik Tok back for 50% ownership. Ignore the multi billion dollar pump and dump bribery scheme guys, here’s TikTok back now run along and bury your head in the sand some more. 

Yeah, Trump wanted a ban in his first term.  Bipartisan Congress enacted a ban during Biden's term.  SCOTUS upheld the ban with no dissent.  But then Trump didn't want the ban, and he's going to make sure it doesn't happen.  Clearly that was always going to be because of $$$ -- all China has to do is sell it, and there's no ban.  So his buddy Elon can buy it.  Or now this stupid joint venture idea that doesn't even comport with the ruling.  Because TikTok was a great way of spreading misinformation and nonexistent grievances to young men, and he needs to play the manosphere's savior.

Edited Yest. at 02:03 AM by Bastet

[Annber03]

8 hours ago, PRgal said:

How much are they being paid?  Some are in it for the $$$$$

There is not enough money in the world when it comes to doing anything relating to Trump, as far as I'm concerned. 

7 hours ago, atomic said:

Better days ❤️

 

See, people, this is what actual class looks like. 

Will never understand how we went from this to...Trump. 

[Dimity]

Just now, Annber03 said:

Will never understand how we went from this to...Trump. 

And in terms of the music we have gone from Beyonce to a tribute band for a group whose last big hit was in 1978.  To quote Trump, "sad".

[Yeah No]

20 minutes ago, Dimity said:

And in terms of the music we have gone from Beyonce to a tribute band for a group whose last big hit was in 1978.  To quote Trump, "sad".

Speaking of sad, I can't get over Victor Willis claiming that the song and the band never had anything to do with celebrating gay culture in Greenwich Village in the '70s. That's because he's made so much money since Trump started using the song so now he says what Trump wants him to say. It's a real slap in the face to the gay community and a rewriting of history. As someone that witnessed that gay culture in the Village in the 1970s, I know that it's like denying that the sun came up this morning. Does he think no one is still alive that would know better? And then he's threatening to sue anyone that says otherwise too! Unbelievable!

It's really just a cover band now with one original member capitalizing on the original band anyway. And still sad.

[Lantern7]

*sigh* I’m surprised the big song isn’t “Macho Man.” You know, because their hero swings it from his knees.

Trump and the Republicans are in a symbiotic relationship. The GOP ensure that Trump is always at the top. Everyone has to listen to whatever passes through his mind, and he is the birthday boy every single day. Trump enables Republicans, allowing them to fulfill all their reactionary wishes, no matter how many people it would hurt.

If you’re into comic books, this should sound familiar. The GOP is Eddie Brock, Trump is the icky black goop. Basically, they are Venom. And I mean the old-school Venom . . . the one that set out to make Spider-Man’s life miserable.

[PuddleJumper]

51 minutes ago, Dimity said:

And in terms of the music we have gone from Beyonce to a tribute band for a group whose last big hit was in 1978.  To quote Trump, "sad".

yes let's conveniently skip over Carrie Underwood, why am i not surprised..... "sad" is right.

Edited Sunday at 10:54 PM by PuddleJumper

[ebk57]

11 minutes ago, PuddleJumper said:

yes let's conveniently skip over Carrie Underwood, why am i not surprised..... "sad" is right.

The way I read that was there was a clip of Beyonce singing, and now we are talking about the Village People cover band.  Not that we're skipping Carrie, because it that's so, no one mentioned the thousands of performers that came between Beyonce and the VP cover band.  

At least that's my understanding of the comment. 

[PuddleJumper]

5 hours ago, peacheslatour said:

He's a close personal friend of Musk's. I was just as appalled as you probably are.

I'm impressed to know that Rahm doesn't let politics get in the way of his friendships 👍🏻

[Dimity]

9 minutes ago, ebk57 said:

Not that we're skipping Carrie, because it that's so, no one mentioned the thousands of performers that came between Beyonce and the VP cover band. 

Offhand I can't even remember who performed at Herr Trump's last inauguration - I do remember they had a hard time getting anyone prepared to step up.  Katie Perry maybe?  Off to google.

[Lantern7]

Just now, Dimity said:

Offhand I can't even remember who performed at Herr Trump's last inauguration - I do remember they had a hard time getting anyone prepared to step up.  Katie Perry maybe?  Off to google.

I don’t think anyone truly big was there. I remember 3 Doors Down (“Kryptonite”), but that’s about it.

[Dimity]

1 minute ago, Lantern7 said:

I don’t think anyone truly big was there. I remember 3 Doors Down (“Kryptonite”), but that’s about it.

Found this article Here Are All The Musicians Performing At Donald Trump's Inauguration (January 2017)

The article talks about the performers for both of Obama's inaugurations.  The contrast could not be more marked.

and speaking of cover bands performing:

Quote

The B Street Band, a Bruce Springsteen cover band, was booked to play the Garden State Presidential Inaugural Gala in DC as part of a standing contract that dated back to 2013. The gala is a New Jersey State Society affair, not affiliated with the federal government, but as backlash against inauguration performers mounted, the B Street Band decided to pull out of the event, out of the “respect and gratitude we have for Bruce and the E Street Band.”

 

[MostlyContent]

I've been channel surfing today, mostly settling for football, but I did get a bad case of the 'Feels' when seeing the 3 women released united with their mothers.  No matter what side of the aisle one is on, it's so nice to see some movement there.  

Everyone in the way of the frigid weather take care!  I think our high on Tuesday is 0.  

[Dimity]

I've heard this kind of thing before but I'm not sure how true it is.  It reminds me a bit of the way some parts of Canada feel that they're subsidizing the rest:

 

[kittykat]

1 hour ago, Lantern7 said:

*sigh* I’m surprised the big song isn’t “Macho Man.” You know, because their hero swings it from his knees.

Trump and the Republicans are in a symbiotic relationship. The GOP ensure that Trump is always at the top. Everyone has to listen to whatever passes through his mind, and he is the birthday boy every single day. Trump enables Republicans, allowing them to fulfill all their reactionary wishes, no matter how many people it would hurt.

If you’re into comic books, this should sound familiar. The GOP is Eddie Brock, Trump is the icky black goop. Basically, they are Venom. And I mean the old-school Venom . . . the one that set out to make Spider-Man’s life miserable.

I know you are a One Piece fan. I've been feeling like we live in Dressrosa and we just handed the keys back over to Doflamingo.

[CheshireCat]

5 hours ago, Dimity said:

I don't know how Americans can stand it.  Sure we get political ads even when there is no election in the horizon (mainly the Cons pretending they care or bashing Trudeau) but mostly the ads we see are very limited to a short period of time leading up to an election.  You have elections every 2 years.  It must be exhausting.

Four states (Virginia, Louisiana, New Jersey and Mississippi) vote for governor and the legislature in off-year elections, so they have elections every year. According to Google, Kentucky only votes for governor in an off-year election but votes for the legislature in the federal election cycle. 

As a resident of one of those states and a somewhat competitive district (less now than it used to be), I can tell you, it's really fun. 😉 (Even more so, because all elections have primaries. Even Special Elections do. Although, I like the concept of primaries. Even if the preferred candidate doesn't win the primary, at least, voters get a choice and don't have to accept who the party decides should run (as is the case in Germany)).

In Germany, campaigning is limited to 6 weeks before an election. Campaigns usually consist of TV ads, posters and rallies but it's nowhere close to what's happening in the US. 

Part of me had secretly hoped that if Harris won, it might have made parties realize that it's not necessary to campaign as excessively. No such luck, I guess. 

 

[Bastet]

1 hour ago, Dimity said:

Offhand I can't even remember who performed at Herr Trump's last inauguration - I do remember they had a hard time getting anyone prepared to step up.  Katie Perry maybe? 

No way - she was a Hillary supporter.  I remember the "Roar" campaign ad.  (This concludes the list of things I know about Katy Perry.)

[Anela]

Katie Perry performed for Biden, four years ago. 

I had noped out of everything, after reading about the ICE raids planned for this week, but ended up posting a lot on FB, this afternoon.  I’m wondering what trump was referring to, when he mentioned Elon’s work in Pennsylvania, on his behalf, and how his knowledge of the voting machines, played into it.  This is from his own rambling, this evening.  

2 hours ago, PuddleJumper said:

I'm impressed to know that Rahm doesn't let politics get in the way of his friendships 👍🏻

Unlike trump, who cuts out anyone he sees as disloyal to him. 

Edited Yest. at 01:55 AM by Anela

[Is Everyone Gone]

This is a little gossipy but there's some rumors that the Obamas are going through a rough patch in their marriage.

[Anela]

On 1/18/2025 at 4:27 PM, isalicat said:

First of all, it seems incredible to me that any "tsunami of posts" on any subject on FB is taken at face value: if there are Russian bots multi posting on political issues, why wouldn't there be equivalent bots (from wherever) designed to create the impression that all the sudden lots of young women think being trad wives is a viable life option?

Secondly, I would be more concerned about the incredible numbers of young people that now think being an "influencer" is the best career choice (especially those based on beauty/fashion on TikTok or Instagram or being a sex object on OnlyFans). You age out of that a whole lot faster than being a housewife, and there is no alimony or property division waiting for you when you do.

A lot of those influencers are republicans.  

On 1/18/2025 at 10:34 AM, Dimity said:

This is a good example of why you (well I) need to deep dive for news.  My go to for headline news has stories about Trump branding his name and wanting to cut taxes but nothing at all about this or any of the other mean spirited nastiness he's about to spring on the US and the world.  If I based my opinion of Trump and the incoming administration on these carefully curated headlines I'd be living in blissful ignorance.

It all started to come out, after that one article I saw.  I saw a post from a friend, stating they were thinking of postponing it now, because of the leak. So, whomever leaked that, needs to keep doing it.  

On 1/18/2025 at 4:34 AM, Ancaster said:

PM'ed you.

I’ll check tomorrow, or later.  Thanks.  I might try to go to work with dad tomorrow.  I’m anxious.  

On 1/18/2025 at 4:12 AM, Soapy Goddess said:

It's not just about the cold weather. Security is another issue.

For the record, this will be the SECOND inauguration held indoors. The first one was for Ronald Reagan. You want to call him a baby too?

Sure.  Why not? 

[Dimity]

2 minutes ago, Anela said:

Sure.  Why not? 

Baby is the nicest thing I'd call Reagan.

[Anela]

https://x.com/JasmineForUS/status/1881151627891208594

[chitowngirl]

24 minutes ago, Is Everyone Gone said:

This is a little gossipy but there's some rumors that the Obamas are going through a rough patch in their marriage.

Empty nesters, husband retired and possibly underfoot…been there!

[Ancaster]

2 hours ago, Bastet said:

No way - she was a Hillary supporter.  I remember the "Roar" campaign ad.  (This concludes the list of things I know about Katy Perry.)

She was married to some jackass sexual predator or the other for a while.  That concludes my list.

[Is Everyone Gone]

5 minutes ago, chitowngirl said:

Empty nesters, husband retired and possibly underfoot…been there!

I think the rumors started when she didn't show to Jimmy Carter's funeral and then isn't showing to the inauguration, and Washington is actually a small, gossipy town.

[Spartan Girl]

1 hour ago, Is Everyone Gone said:

This is a little gossipy but there's some rumors that the Obamas are going through a rough patch in their marriage.

 

41 minutes ago, Is Everyone Gone said:

I think the rumors started when she didn't show to Jimmy Carter's funeral and then isn't showing to the inauguration, and Washington is actually a small, gossipy town.

Yeah, I call bullshit on those rumors. There’s no way…

[MostlyContent]

48 minutes ago, Is Everyone Gone said:

I think the rumors started when she didn't show to Jimmy Carter's funeral and then isn't showing to the inauguration, and Washington is actually a small, gossipy town.

Yeah, I looked around and just about everything I found sounds like nothing more than gossipy speculation right now.  

https://pagesix.com/2025/01/18/celebrity-news/michelle-obama-checked-out-of-dc-life-sources/

[Ancaster]

1 hour ago, Is Everyone Gone said:

I think the rumors started when she didn't show to Jimmy Carter's funeral and then isn't showing to the inauguration, and Washington is actually a small, gossipy town.

Does any rational person actually think Pres. Obama would attend the inauguration if he didn't have to?  In fact, if I were him, I'd come down with a convenient case of The Plague flu the morning of.

[Lantern7]

15 minutes ago, Ancaster said:

Does any rational person actually think Pres. Obama would attend the inauguration if he didn't have to?  In fact, if I were him, I'd come down with a convenient case of The Plague flu the morning of.

“Hey, Donald! Wow, I did not think you’d be here again. Listen, I just want you to know there are no hard feelings about you hounding me most of my eight years in office. Here are some blankets. Even in the White House, it’ll still be awfully chilly! And don’t tell anyone I gave these to you.”

1 hour ago, Anela said:

https://x.com/JasmineForUS/status/1881151627891208594

The 250th, the Los Angeles Olympics, and I forgot about the World Cup this country will be cohosting in 2026. That’s . . . lovely. I’d root for the USMNT to botch qualifying, but they have an automatic entry.

[annzeepark914]

I won't be watching any of the festivities tomorrow, but if Trump is shown boogying to Achey Brakey Heart, someone please provide a link 😁

[Lantern7]

1 hour ago, annzeepark914 said:

I won't be watching any of the festivities tomorrow, but if Trump is shown boogying to Achey Brakey Heart, someone please provide a link 😁

Maybe he'll throw something out. It could be anything . . . I'm not picky.

[Soapy Goddess]

8 hours ago, Annber03 said:

Will never understand how we went from this to...Trump. 

Hmmm, let's see...inflation, open borders, ultra-liberal wokeness, etc.

8 hours ago, Yeah No said:

That's because he's made so much money since Trump started using the song so now he says what Trump wants him to say.

Exactly why he changed his mind about the use of his song. Money talks, nobody walks.

3 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

Yeah, I call bullshit on those rumors. There’s no way…

Famous last words....

 

[Lantern7]

6 hours ago, kittykat said:

I know you are a One Piece fan. I've been feeling like we live in Dressrosa and we just handed the keys back over to Doflamingo.

I think my Venom analogy fits better, but thanks for thinking of me! Man, Doffy is just the absolute worst, isn't he? And he is also surrounded by folks that will do anything for him. I really hope YKW doesn't have a Sugar.

Edited 21 hours ago by Lantern7

[Anela]

My own pictures, taken in Books-a-Million, seven years ago.

[CM-BlueButterfly]

On a more general - and informative - note, many, if not all of you, have seen the notes that often include a reminder that differing opinions are important to a healthy community. They are representative of who we are and as such, can help create an understanding for our diverse backgrounds, upbringings and experiences and the diversity of society as a whole.

It is that, the uniqueness of our lives, which determines the impact of challenges we face and is the reason we may react differently than another individual even when faced with the same or similar challenges. It doesn’t make either of us right and the other one wrong, it simply makes us individuals who react based on our individual circumstances. Hence, the reminder you've probably also seen, that opinions are equally valid.

At the same time, that opinions should be seen as equally valid, doesn’t mean they can’t be met with questions, challenges or be disagreed with. (Questions, especially, can be an important tool to gaining understanding and while I’m at it, I’d like to thank everyone who’s asking questions in an attempt to reach out and understand).
What it does mean is that questions, challenges and disagreements shouldn’t be phrased in a way that dismisses us or our opinions/feelings (as wrong), they shouldn’t shame us (for how we feel or the opinion we have), they shouldn’t tell us what our opinion should be or how we’re supposed to feel and they shouldn’t get personal.

There's a "but", though, and that's that questions, challenges and disagreement don’t have to feel comfortable. 

Uh? you may ask. Wasn’t there something about a comfortable posting environment?

Yes, there was. But a comfortable posting environment isn’t synonymous with another individual being responsible for making us comfortable with our opinion or conviction. The former is connected to how we say something. The latter is connected to what we say.

More specifically, the individual who asks questions, challenges or disagrees with us should make sure they do so in a way so that we’re still comfortable voicing our opinions and convictions (create a comfortable posting environment). It’s not their responsibility to assure that the (respectful and constructive) what - the what can be anything from a differing opinion, to questions, facts, feelings or the mere fact that there is disagreement - makes us comfortable with our opinions and convictions (or actions or words).

That responsibility falls on us. We own our opinions, convictions, actions, words. We should make sure that we’re comfortable with that and we should check in with us and ask ourselves how our own comfort level, assumptions, expectations or prior experiences might be influencing our perception and reaction. 

[anony.miss]

Golf clap in hell for $melania, who outgrifted her own husband. Nothing says "First Lady' like running a crypto con:

"...Melania has launched her own rival cryptocurrency—tanking the price of Trump's coin. Following the launch of Melania's coin, Trump's memecoin crashed by around 40%, diving as traders scrambled to buy the new coin."

https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2025/01/19/its-just-begun-trump-meme-coin-suddenly-crashes-back-as-melania-coin-shock-hits-crypto

What a loathesome pair they are, willing to do anything to make a buck (and if they have to degrade the presidency, country, and citizenry along the way?  So much the better; rolling around in the gutter feels like home to them). And yes, there've been many presidents who committed great sins while in office (on both sides of the aisle) but none as repulsive as this man, none as nakedly venal and narcissistic.  Later today he'll lay his hand on a bible he doesn't believe in,  saying words he thinks are for suckers and losers,  dreaming not of a better America or a safer world - or even of the price of eggs - but only of lining his greasy pockets, thanks to all the voters who trusted that he'd behave like a president, not a pimp.  But unreformed criminals keep committing crimes, and unreformed con men keep grifting, so here we are. And for all of us who believed America deserved better,  this is not our day. Been dreading this moment since November; this awful day finally arriving. But at least we're not alone. At least there are millons upon millions of us all over the country - and the world - who look at this and see how sick and sad and shameful it is. And maybe that's how we get through this; knowing we're not alone.

Edited 17 hours ago by anony.miss

[CM-BlueButterfly]

At the end of the day, what matters most, though, is that we keep in mind that all of us are human. We all have feelings, hopes, dreams, fears, we all make mistakes, we all say (or do) things we later realize we shouldn’t have said (or done) or maybe should have said (or done) differently.

While it's what didn't work so well that tends to prompt the reaction that leads to conflict (or notes), it's not that which defines us and not what the focus should be on. Instead, it should be on how we move on from it: Considering the intention of a comment and how it came across, what could have been said or done differently? How could we have reacted differently? Might there have been another approach? Did we assume the worst or did we give the other individual the benefit of the doubt? What information might we have been missing to respond differently?
In short, what can we do to avoid running into whatever issue we ran into again? 

Lastly, thank you for the appreciation expressed about having this thread to discuss. I agree that it’s important to have as well.

I don’t know who it’s from originally, so I can’t give credit but I came across this quote on social media about a year ago: “Being taught to avoid talking about politics and religion has led to a lack of understanding of politics and religion. What we should have been taught was how to have a civil conversation about a difficult topic.”
While it’s about society in general (and can probably be applied to more than just politics and religion), I thought I’d share it as it sums up the process I’m following quite well: The intention isn’t to avoid or cut-off discussion or disagreement. If you ask me, differing opinions are what makes life interesting and in the long-run, I imagine life would be quite boring if we all agreed all the time.
The intention is also not to set rigid rules and punishments and be done with it. Rather, it’s to create an environment where we can have those civil conversations about difficult topics and “listen” with the objective to understand (each other). That way, those who are ready to, can find common ground that can help bridge the divide or we can learn the information we need so we can understand and respect why others may not be ready yet. 

And with that, I'm done (for the time being anyway). 

Thank you and please take care of yourselves in whatever way feels right for you!

[Annber03]

6 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

Hmmm, let's see...inflation, open borders, ultra-liberal wokeness, etc.

Our inflation was significantly lower than other countries and not Biden's doing. We were recovering from a pandemic that the last guy failed to handle properly and which corporations took advantage of to jack up prices. 

Open borders - the Democrats had a border bill ready to go that Biden was willing to sign into office. Trump came along and killed it by telling the GOP not to vote for it, lest the Democrats get a win. The GOP has no interest in actually doing anything about the immigration issue, they just want to use it as a political tool to fearmonger over and get the votes of gullible/racist/xenophobic voters. 

"Ultra-liberal wokeness" is not a thing, no matter how much you and others who support Trump want to keep insisting it is. The things you call "woke" are simply people just wanting their rights to be respected. 

Trump supporters are not in the right here, no matter how much they desperately want to insist they are.