Chit-Chat: The Feels

[Lantern7]

12 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Remember how we thought he would be dumbest person to even get close to the Oval?  And then there  was Trump.

My bottom is still Dubya. Trump has the edge in sheer maliciousness.

I have many wishes. One near the middle is that Doonesbury outlives Trump. Gary Trudeau has been roasting the guy for decades. I can’t think of how many public figures he’s actually drawn out. I know Gary has been doing Sunday strips for a while, but I’m still concerned something would happen with/to him.

Edited Yest. at 08:05 PM by Lantern7

[Bastet]

14 hours ago, anony.miss said:

And maybe I'm wrong and there will be a wave of outraged Republicans demanding Trump retract his pardons, but I doubt it.  I think they'll be mostly fine with it.

Fine with it?  They'll fucking cheer it.  They think that mob of insurrectionists is a group of patriots, trying to take back a stolen presidency.  They don't see anything horrible, or hypocritical, or anything other than heroic in what Trump did that January, what his minions did in response to that incitement, or what Trump did with these pardons. 

Facts have no place in their lives.  They marinate in the lies of far right media, rarely letting in any of the tepid doses of reality the mainstream media ekes out in the midst of its normalization and false equivalencies and dismissing as a "fake news!" agenda the few bits of truth that do reach their ears.  They live in a fictional universe, but they'll go to their graves screaming it's real -- and under attack, so they have to defend it by whatever means necessary.

12 hours ago, CheshireCat said:

Considering that the Roman salute was used in Italy in the 1920s and 1930s and adopted by the Fascist movement and that slavery, gladiator fights, brutal wars, oppression of women and persecutions of Jews as well as Christians are part of the Roman empire's history, I don't think that's more favorable.

It's not.  Apparently, someone on Reddit cottoned to that right away and started calling him Muskolini as soon as that "It's the Roman salute!" stuff started as a defense.

Edited Yest. at 09:03 PM by Bastet

[bluegirl147]

28 minutes ago, Bastet said:

 

It's not.  Apparently, someone on Reddit cottoned to that right away and started calling him Muskolini as soon as that "It's the Roman salute!" stuff started as a defense.

A fascist salute by any name is still a fascist salute.  Won't be the first dog whistle we see and hear.

[peacheslatour]

7 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

A fascist salute by any name is still a fascist salute.  Won't be the first dog whistle we see and hear.

I think they're past dog whistles now. They're saying it loud and proud. They own it all now.

[Anela]

 

Edited Yest. at 08:59 PM by Anela

[Bookish Jen]

On 1/20/2025 at 11:53 AM, atomic said:

I knew I couldn't watch it without projectile vomiting all over my screen, but was reading updates on NYT. Was so sad to see this pic.

This photo breaks my heart.

[peacheslatour]

This is from the Bishop of the National Cathedral speaking today to an audience of which Trump was a member. If you watch the video, you can see the barely concealed contempt on the faces of Trump and his cabinet members.

"Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you, and as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families — some who fear for their lives. The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals — they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurdwara, and temples.

I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love, and walk humbly with each other and our God, for the good of all people — the good of all people in this nation and the world. Amen.”

 

[FilmTVGeek80]

Pastor advises 45 to pretend to be human

45 and his VP and their “good” immigrant wives pretend to care about religion and morality and attended a church service today. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde advised him to be kind to LGBTQIA and immigrant families. 45 was like a toddler and couldn’t sit like a normal adult and looked beyond bored. And, of course, Republican Mike Collin’s reaction was to be circumspect and be true to the Christian values he claims to hold. Just kidding, he went on Twitter and said the pastor should be placed on the list of immigrants to be deported. Never mind Freedom of Speech or the fact she’s a US citizen.

[Kemper]

Reaction to the news of Trump reversing Biden's order re prescription drug prices (insulin) has seemed maybe almost casual from both MSNBC/CNN, almost any news organization... and my local news. I think it has gotten lost in all the other terrible things that he has said/done just today. 

This shows that Trump cares about nothing but lining his pockets. (like most did not know this)  Meaning donations from large corporations who control so much of what comes out of people's pockets.  This should not be news to anyone..but it shows that he knows he is untethered and can do/say whatever awful things he wants. But...

I actually see an opportunity. For Dems, moderates and courageous Republicans in Congress; governors of both parties in all the states to come together for their constituents. Maybe, finally. The Dems can actually stand on the steps of Congress and not wring their hands and poor mouth. They need to stand on those steps and speak with Fire!! Get their point across to everyone in this country. Go on every news show, talk show, radio show, talk to every single newspaper.  Get some of the younger Senators and Congress-people  to take prominent roles in this effort. We badly need them. Please, I am begging. Lead us.

**Edited*** I am not negating the pardons going to the treasonous acts that the Jan 6 thugs (calling them rioters is too good for them) committed. They should be in prison for life. And those pardons should hurt Trump. But may not move the needle enough to truly hurt/impact him. Believe it or not. But people, everyday, have their prescriptions filled. Every single day they will be paying more. Please, media of all types, talk about this at length. Interview people on the street, at pharmacies, ask questions! 

Edited 22 hours ago by Kemper

[isalicat]

22 hours ago, Annber03 said:

Any Trump supporters/defenders positing on this thread want to chime in on this? Anyone? 

I'm not a Trump supporter/defender (I voted for Pismo T. Clam - he's my man, he's a clam!) but I don't think Elon was going for a Nazi salute even in the slightest. And furthermore, yay ADL for being a rational voice (they generally get things right, and here again, they did). Elon is a total geek but in absolutely no way a Nazi sympathizer. I've watched the clip several times and I think he is either doing something quasi-Roman or just flailing about enthusiastically - as I said, he is a geek and often spontaneously geeks out.

 

And to the person upthread who posted that eggs were $6.72 a dozen where they are: please send me a email so I can have you ship me some (cost plus shipping) as that would still be considerably cheaper than where I am (at least $9.00 a dozen, even at Walmart). Mostly I am seeing a lot of over reactive fear on this forum which makes me think that doomscrolling (like what got going during Covid) is still a thing. Not good for your mental health, people...

[Bastet]

1 hour ago, peacheslatour said:

This is from the Bishop of the National Cathedral speaking today to an audience of which Trump was a member.

Which led Mike Collins to tweet, "The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list."  (Isn't Mariann Edgar Budde a U.S. citizen, one might ask.  Of course she is.  Pesky little things like facts have never mattered to Rep. Collins.)

[kittykat]

Costco has two dozen for 5.99.  they've been my go-to in the great egg-flation.

[Annber03]

6 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

I've heard Democrats praise Pence as an honorable man for what he did on January 6th.  Which was you know just doing his job.  

And this is one reason why I frankly have no time for people who use the assassination attempts against Trump as evidence that he's being perseecuted/targeted/mistreated/whatever. Trump didn't lift a finger to help protect his own freaking vice president on January 6th when his supporters were outside building a gallows and threatening to hang Pence for not doing Trump's bidding.

And Trump supporters were fine enough with that to still vote to put Trump back in office. So clearly threats of violence against poltiical officials don't bother them that much. 

5 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

It's being reported Musk will have an office close to the Oval.  I remember when Republicans howled that Hillary would have too much influence over her husband when he was President.  And here they are perfectly fine with a billionaire from South Africa with a fondness for fascist salutes being a shadow president. 

Again I ask, why the fuck is he even getting involved in our politics? Last I checked he wasn't on the ballot in November. 

Anywho, so Musk infiltrating himself into our politics, prescription costs going up for those on Medicaid/Meidcare, important sites for women's healthcare being removed...you good with this so far, Trump supoorters? This totally cool with you? 

[peacheslatour]

[atomic]

Just a couple geeks showing their love

[FilmTVGeek80]

2 hours ago, isalicat said:

I'm not a Trump supporter/defender (I voted for Pismo T. Clam - he's my man, he's a clam!) but I don't think Elon was going for a Nazi salute even in the slightest. And furthermore, yay ADL for being a rational voice (they generally get things right, and here again, they did). Elon is a total geek but in absolutely no way a Nazi sympathizer. I've watched the clip several times and I think he is either doing something quasi-Roman or just flailing about enthusiastically - as I said, he is a geek and often spontaneously geeks out.

 

And to the person upthread who posted that eggs were $6.72 a dozen where they are: please send me a email so I can have you ship me some (cost plus shipping) as that would still be considerably cheaper than where I am (at least $9.00 a dozen, even at Walmart). Mostly I am seeing a lot of over reactive fear on this forum which makes me think that doomscrolling (like what got going during Covid) is still a thing. Not good for your mental health, people...

I’d really love to see some more examples of “geeks” spontaneously doing gestures that look remarkably like Nazi salutes. He’s in no way a Nazi sympathizer? Is that why he’s supporting the closest thing to the Nazi party in Germany?

What are people overreacting to? What’s not good for my mental health is having a sociopath felon “leading” the nation. But there‘s nothing I can do about that anymore and I’m not interested in completely burying my head in the sand about what horrors he’s unleashing already (though I will take breaks from time to time.)

Edited 19 hours ago by FilmTVGeek80

[PRgal]

Holy, eggs are $9 where you are?  The online grocery store I order from weekly lists eggs between $6.75-9.99, depending on the brand and whether they're conventional or organic.  Keep in mind that these are Canadian prices that has its own delivery service.  I'm seeing the same range on larger chains on Instacart.  And Instacart prices are generally inflated over in-store.  The lowest price I have seen in grocery stores so far is $4 ish for a dozen.

 

The current exchange rate: $1 US = $1.43 Canadian.

[anony.miss]

1 hour ago, isalicat said:

Mostly I am seeing a lot of over reactive fear on this forum                 

Not good for your mental health, people...

I think this forum does best when people's feelings aren't negatively labeled as overblown, overreactive, ungrounded, etc. Especially for anyone here who may be facing the worst of Trump's policies  - an undocumented family member dealing with deportation, a child who is non-binary,  people worried about price hikes for meds - their fears are all too real, and being told they're exhibiting behavior lacking in good 'mental health' adds nothing to the conversation. JMO.

Edited 20 hours ago by anony.miss

[Lantern7]

On 1/20/2025 at 5:50 PM, peacheslatour said:

Laure Ingraham 2016.

In her defense, she was probably standing in front of a portrait of Rupert Murdoch.

Would it be a little better if those put in charge weren't so transparent in how they want to "own" their enemies? Like, maybe give us someone in charge of our health who looks down on abortion, but isn't a total psycho? Maybe try a gesture that's more of a dog whistle, and the mainstream media needs two days to put it together? Man, I really am asking for so little.

[lookeyloo]

Eggs in metro Atlanta Kroger $3.99. The place for the $2.99 was empty. I like pasture raised and they are more expensive 

[bluegirl147]

12 minutes ago, Lantern7 said:

 

Would it be a little better if those put in charge weren't so transparent in how they want to "own" their enemies? Like, maybe give us someone in charge of our health who looks down on abortion, but isn't a total psycho? Maybe try a gesture that's more of a dog whistle, and the mainstream media needs two days to put it together? Man, I really am asking for so little.

I've thought about this.  Is it better to see the bullet coming towards us or be shot in the back?

For all those people who said Trump was just posturing during the campaign what do you think now?  It's been less than 36 hrs and look at all he has done already.

18 minutes ago, anony.miss said:

I think this forum does best when people's feelings aren't negatively labeled as overblown, overreactive, ungrounded, etc. Especially for anyone here who may be facing the worst of Trump's policies  - an undocumented family member dealing with deportation, a child who is non-binary,  people worried about price hikes for meds - their fears are all too real, and being told they're exhibiting behavior lacking in good 'mental health' adds nothing to the conversation. JMO.

It's always the people who react to the horrors that are told they are wrong.  When does the people committing the horrors get told they are wrong?

 

[isalicat]

I am just about out of here, but I did go gather some more info, and apparently what Elon actually said before making his unfortunate gesture was "from my heart to yours", which doesn't sound hugely Nazi to me...but I leave it to you all to parse his gesture as you will.

[fastiller]

Whole Foods in Manhasset NY (median income $62,500): one dozen large omega-3 brown organic eggs: $4.99; half dozen large organic (locally sourced, IE: 3 hrs upstate NY) eggs: $3.29.

Edited 19 hours ago by fastiller

[FilmTVGeek80]

39 minutes ago, isalicat said:

I am just about out of here, but I did go gather some more info, and apparently what Elon actually said before making his unfortunate gesture was "from my heart to yours", which doesn't sound hugely Nazi to me...but I leave it to you all to parse his gesture as you will.

Stills like those don’t really tell the whole story. That shot of Hilary (in combination with her expression) it looks like she has her hand raised to say hello to someone. Like if all we had was a picture of Elon with that stance, I might be willing to give him the tiniest benefit of the doubt - but there’s video. There’s a difference between having your hand raised and doing that salute. 

[fairffaxx]

To distract myself from political upheavals & the price of eggs, I try to concentrate on what gives me deep pleasure:  animals (feeding birds & squirrels & raccoons, etc), humor, the arts, music -- different strokes for different folks of course.  When my dad was alive, we'd follow sports together but that was more his thing than mine.  Now, it's the Turner Classic Movies channel & PBS nature documentaries.  Whatever makes you smile or chuckle involuntarily is a hell of a lot better than stuff that makes you wince.

[peacheslatour]

2 minutes ago, fairffaxx said:

To distract myself from political upheavals & the price of eggs, I try to concentrate on what gives me deep pleasure:  animals (feeding birds & squirrels & raccoons, etc), humor, the arts, music -- different strokes for different folks of course.  When my dad was alive, we'd follow sports together but that was more his thing than mine.  Now, it's the Turner Classic Movies channel & PBS nature documentaries.  Whatever makes you smile or chuckle involuntarily is a hell of a lot better than stuff that makes you wince.

Have you noticed the movies TCM has shown today and yesterday afternoon have all be about Americans defeating Nazis? Hmm, I wonder why?

[Dimity]

1 minute ago, fairffaxx said:

Whatever makes you smile or chuckle involuntarily is a hell of a lot better than stuff that makes you wince.

I have limited my reading to light women's fiction.  Mainly relatively lesser known British women authors from the mid 20th century.  Perhaps not Great Literature but extremely well written and the good people are always rewarded and the bad guys get their comeuppance.  Definite  comfort food reading right now!

[Ohiopirate02]

18 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I have limited my reading to light women's fiction.  Mainly relatively lesser known British women authors from the mid 20th century.  Perhaps not Great Literature but extremely well written and the good people are always rewarded and the bad guys get their comeuppance.  Definite  comfort food reading right now!

I'm currently reading fluffy books and romance novels. I'm temped to read all of Beverly Jenkins's backlist in one gulp, but i know i need to ration the unreads.

[fairffaxx]

Oh, yeah -- I forgot:  Frasier's brother Niles!  

[Annber03]

21 minutes ago, fairffaxx said:

Oh, yeah -- I forgot:  Frasier's brother Niles!  

Niles Crane <3 :). 

I'm enjoying my favroite TV shows and immersing myself in fanfic and stuff with my favorite ships to distract me. Also music. Music is always a guaranteed way to destress 

[Dimity]

Watching some favourite old movies but watching Back to the Future will never be quite the same again:

 

[annzeepark914]

42 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I have limited my reading to light women's fiction.  Mainly relatively lesser known British women authors from the mid 20th century.  Perhaps not Great Literature but extremely well written and the good people are always rewarded and the bad guys get their comeuppance.  Definite  comfort food reading right now!

I'm reading a mystery book from the '80s, Compromising Positions, for next week's mystery book club (we have wine & snacks along with our mysteries 🤓). Tried to find a DVD but none are available (I wanted to see Raul Julia again--he was always a scene stealer). Anyway, I'm glad for this distraction as it's almost impossible for me to watch the news this week. It's time for the media (& the opposition) to ask questions & not accept brush offs, vague responses. So...anyone can get a Top Security clearance now? It's getting more & more surreal.

[peacheslatour]

46 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

I'm currently reading fluffy books and romance novels. I'm temped to read all of Beverly Jenkins's backlist in one gulp, but i know i need to ration the unreads.

I'm rereading Rebecca. I like the descriptions of Manderly. It takes me to a world away from the ugliness of now.

[CheshireCat]

2 hours ago, FilmTVGeek80 said:

Stills like those don’t really tell the whole story. That shot of Hilary (in combination with her expression) it looks like she has her hand raised to say hello to someone. Like if all we had was a picture of Elon with that stance, I might be willing to give him the tiniest benefit of the doubt - but there’s video. There’s a difference between having your hand raised and doing that salute. 

I don't know if videos of all of the stills are circulating. I haven't seen any but one from Harris. (Even without the video, I think the difference is clear because there's a very different tension in Musk's arm and it's not the gesture itself but the sharpness with which it was executed that leaves no doubt in my mind as to what it was meant to be). 

https://x.com/tify330/status/1881512417387040998

I may have missed it but I don't think it has been mentioned yet but Musk did it twice. Both times with the same tension and deliberation. https://x.com/NewsHour/status/1881445540031857115

I know I'm sensitive when it comes to that. During her acceptance speech, Harris moved her arm from one side to the other in an encompassing gesture. Her arm was raised at this unfortunate angle and even though the context made it very clear what kind of gesture it was, it still made me squirm.

Still, I'm fairly sure that an investigation would have been launched into Musk had this been Germany. (There's one ongoing (at least, I think it still is since I didn't find anything about a conclusion) against an AfD politician for a campaign poster. (The poster was removed for suspicion of violating the Constitution). The text on the campaign poster reads "We protect your children" https://www.rbb24.de/politik/wahl/Landtagswahl/2024/afd-wahlplakat-frankfurt-oder-bild-agentur.html ). 

 

[Annber03]

I just saw that whole clip of Musk and no, yeah, that was a full on Nazi salute.

This is your crowd, Trump supporters. Neo-Nazis and white supremacists. Good job. 

[Anela]

6 hours ago, isalicat said:

I'm not a Trump supporter/defender (I voted for Pismo T. Clam - he's my man, he's a clam!) but I don't think Elon was going for a Nazi salute even in the slightest. And furthermore, yay ADL for being a rational voice (they generally get things right, and here again, they did). Elon is a total geek but in absolutely no way a Nazi sympathizer. I've watched the clip several times and I think he is either doing something quasi-Roman or just flailing about enthusiastically - as I said, he is a geek and often spontaneously geeks out.

 

And to the person upthread who posted that eggs were $6.72 a dozen where they are: please send me a email so I can have you ship me some (cost plus shipping) as that would still be considerably cheaper than where I am (at least $9.00 a dozen, even at Walmart). Mostly I am seeing a lot of over reactive fear on this forum which makes me think that doomscrolling (like what got going during Covid) is still a thing. Not good for your mental health, people...

I'm open to being wrong about him, but he supports this group:

Elon Musk's latest foray into politics: a live chat with Germany's far-right candidate

Germany’s leader says Musk’s support for European far-right is ‘completely unacceptable’

And I don't think I'm wrong about him. I would *love* to be wrong. 

I went out earlier, in 6 degree weather, to take care of my mental health. I've been watching Yellowjackets, again, and reading the subreddit, because as chaotic as that show is, it's less stressful than our political situation. I've already told friends on social media, that I've focused too much on it, for the last two days, and I need to back off.

I do dislike it when people are genuinely worried about things that are happening - and have also been promised to happen - mental health is brought up. As though none of this affects our mental health, if we don't talk about it? I noped out for a while, after reading about the planned ICE raids, that I guess were cancelled, only because they were leaked, and they wanted the element of surprise. They also wanted to protect their officers, not the people they're looking for. I was able to stop paying attention, because it doesn't directly affect me, and I knew I needed to stop stressing myself out - I'm still dealing with vertigo, so it makes me dizzy when I worry even slightly, and when I was in a store, I felt pressure in the back of my head, a few times, like something was pressing on it. So, I took care of myself. I think we all know our limits, and what to do when we reach them. 

It would have been really great, if people who voted for trump, thought about our mental health, before choosing everything that he campaigned on. 

Also, I remember a lot of us being told that we were stupid to worry so much, when he was elected in 2016. He wouldn't overturn Roe. He wouldn't do any of the heinous shit he promised - and now look where we are. 

Edited 16 hours ago by Anela

[Lantern7]

1 hour ago, Annber03 said:

This is your crowd, Trump supporters. Neo-Nazis and white supremacists. Good job. 

You're asking people who voted for him at least once to feel shame. You'd have better luck getting remorse from a brick wall.

I got this a few years ago. You can feel intelligent carrying it around, and it's a great way to learn about one of the nation's important documents.

[kittykat]

Even when the leopards are eating their faces they'll be all "why didn't the Democrats control this out of control leopard population?"

[Bastet]

1 hour ago, CheshireCat said:

Still, I'm fairly sure that an investigation would have been launched into Musk had this been Germany.

As an American, living in a country where so many have long reacted to our nation's basic foundational truth of genocide and slavery -- this country was stolen, and then people were stolen to build it up -- with defensive "well, I didn't do it!" reaction at best (no kidding, dipshits, and no one is saying you did) to outright denial at worst that we're now at a point that laws are being passed to forbid teaching that history and its enduring consequences, I have also long been fascinated to talk with Germans I get to know about how their country's worst history is taught.

I'll let anyone far more knowledgeable on the subject than me speak to details, but it seems to be at its core a straightforward telling that these atrocities occurred in and by this country, in some cases actively aided and in many deliberately ignored by our people, and it's all our responsibility now to understand that history and make sure it never repeats.

Here, we have regressed from things like the enduring Thanksgiving myth of many a school play to states requiring teachers to skip aspects of our history altogether or brazenly distort them ("slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit" as one of the most odious examples [surprise - Florida]), claiming it makes white students feel guilty based on their race.  And now a federal government where at least two and probably all three branches are controlled by people endorsing such erasure and misrepresentation.

[Soapy Goddess]

17 hours ago, Annber03 said:

Once again, nothing she's done or hasn't done exucses or justifies what we're about to get with Trump. Nothing. You're not going to get any sympathy for that stance here. 

Like I give a shit about sympathy. This isn't a funeral.

14 hours ago, Anela said:

And where did Biden do nothing?

Biden was just a puppet for the party. And ironically, the way he came in is the way he went out.

[Soapy Goddess]

7 hours ago, isalicat said:

yay ADL for being a rational voice (they generally get things right, and here again, they did). Elon is a total geek but in absolutely no way a Nazi sympathizer. I've watched the clip several times and I think he is either doing something quasi-Roman or just flailing about enthusiastically - as I said, he is a geek and often spontaneously geeks out.

You are correct. Only CNN and other fake news is calling it a Nazi salute. It was not. Fake news broadcast the gesture without the audio. If they had balls, they would include the audio. For those who didn't hear the audio, Musk was saying from my heart (touching his heart) to your heart (gesturing towards the audience on both sides, hence the double gesture). 

You have to remember that Musk is VERY animated (jumping up & down on stage, etc. etc.), making any excited gesture awkward.

5 hours ago, isalicat said:

I am just about out of here, but I did go gather some more info, and apparently what Elon actually said before making his unfortunate gesture was "from my heart to yours", which doesn't sound hugely Nazi to me...but I leave it to you all to parse his gesture as you will.

You beat me to it...that's exactly what I just posted. Only the conspiracy theorists at CNN are making a federal case out of a simple gesture. And MANY of them are playing the video ad nauseum WITHOUT the audio. This is how fake news and lies gets spread across the country.

5 hours ago, FilmTVGeek80 said:

but there’s video.

But have you heard the AUDIO?!?

[FilmTVGeek80]

31 minutes ago, Soapy Goddess said:

Biden was just a puppet for the party. And ironically, the way he came in is the way he went out.

And your evidence of that is...?

 

17 minutes ago, Soapy Goddess said:

You are correct. Only CNN and other fake news is calling it a Nazi salute. It was not. Fake news broadcast the gesture without the audio. If they had balls, they would include the audio. For those who didn't hear the audio, Musk was saying from my heart (touching his heart) to your heart (gesturing towards the audience on both sides, hence the double gesture). 

You have to remember that Musk is VERY animated (jumping up & down on stage, etc. etc.), making any excited gesture awkward.

 

17 minutes ago, Soapy Goddess said:

But have you heard the AUDIO?!?

First of all, fake news...LOL. Guess who is also taking it as a Nazi salute? Anti-semites. Even they called a spade a spade. I don't care about some lame excuse that he was trying to "give them his heart." *roll eyes* Most excited people don't accidentally mimic the Nazi salute in such a way that anti-semites are like, "Yeah, that's our guy." Adding to that, his family history and his current support of parties like the Repubs here, who have quite the overlap with bigots of all stripes, and his support of far-right parties in the UK and Germany. That kind of guy does not get the benefit of the doubt when he knows exactly the type of crowd he is talking to. 

 

23 minutes ago, Soapy Goddess said:

You beat me to it...that's exactly what I just posted. Only the conspiracy theorists at CNN are making a federal case out of a simple gesture. And MANY of them are playing the video ad nauseum WITHOUT the audio. This is how fake news and lies gets spread across the country.

Conspiracy theorists reside in your party. Seeing a Nazi sympathizer giving a nazi salute and calling it that is not a conspiracy theory. Lies and misinformation get spread by liars like the Felon-in-Chief. 

[Soapy Goddess]

9 minutes ago, FilmTVGeek80 said:

And your evidence of that is...?

You're joking, right?  Where were you when the Dems (I won't throw Pelosi under the bus because she had help) literally took him out of the race?

12 minutes ago, FilmTVGeek80 said:

I don't care about some lame excuse that he was trying to "give them his heart.

And once again I ask, have you HEARD the AUDIO?? 

[FilmTVGeek80]

26 minutes ago, Soapy Goddess said:

You're joking, right?  Where were you when the Dems (I won't throw Pelosi under the bus because she had help) literally took him out of the race?

And once again I ask, have you HEARD the AUDIO?? 

No, I'm not joking. So your alleged proof that he was a puppet all along was because many wanted him to drop out after a debate performance years into his presidency? Yeah, that doesn't mean what you think it means. I wasn't happy about that AT ALL, but it has absolutely nothing to do with him being some puppet. 

Why do you keep asking if I've heard the audio? I know what he said. I know the lame excuses. I already explained the reasons why I don't buy them and agree with most people who aren't trying to bend over backwards to excuse a Nazi sympathizer's Nazi gesture.

[Ceindreadh]

Trump demands apology from 'nasty' Washington Bishop after plea for him to have 'mercy'

https://www.thejournal.ie/washington-bishop-urges-trump-to-have-mercy-6600600-Jan2025/
 

 

what an absolute snowflake. 

Edited 13 hours ago by Ceindreadh
Link not working

[Yeah No]

18 hours ago, Dimity said:

And on that note, any news on the price of eggs so far today?

They've gone up even since yesterday near me! They're around $6.99 a dozen now. At Walmart they're something like $4.29. I think they're lower at Trader Joe's but I'm due for a visit there so I don't know how much they are today.

18 hours ago, Lugal said:

Musk self-diagnosed.  He has never gotten an official diagnosis from a mental health professional.  While I recognize the validity of self-diagnosis, I would think the richest man in the world could afford to see a shrink.  I think he plays it up because it fits with his visionary boy-wonder genius schtick.

His biographer describes him as having a Jekyll and Hyde personality, tends to dismiss anything that displeases him as stupid, and claims to never experience empathy.  I'm no professional, but to me this sounds like a psychopath.

That is truly scary. It's like we have Sheldon Cooper behind Trump's "throne". And even Sheldon had more of a conscience.

17 hours ago, Anela said:

She was not the president!! And where did Biden do nothing?

You know those executive orders Trump just signed? Those were to undo a lot of stuff Biden did.

7 hours ago, fairffaxx said:

To distract myself from political upheavals & the price of eggs, I try to concentrate on what gives me deep pleasure:  animals (feeding birds & squirrels & raccoons, etc), humor, the arts, music -- different strokes for different folks of course.  When my dad was alive, we'd follow sports together but that was more his thing than mine.  Now, it's the Turner Classic Movies channel & PBS nature documentaries.  Whatever makes you smile or chuckle involuntarily is a hell of a lot better than stuff that makes you wince.

I have been watching pre-code movies and Harold Lloyd silents on TCM for comic relief.

[Yeah No]

 

1 hour ago, Ceindreadh said:

Trump demands apology from 'nasty' Washington Bishop after plea for him to have 'mercy'

https://www.thejournal.ie/washington-bishop-urges-trump-to-have-mercy-6600600-Jan2025/
 

what an absolute snowflake. 

Just an FYI, that "nasty" Washington Bishop, the Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, is an Episcopalian. I feel that this needs to be underlined because this is the church I am VERY proud to have been raised in and still belong to today. This is the church that stands out among protestant denominations as being on the opposite end of the spectrum on social issues from the religious right, and is not afraid to say it. She is my hero today!

I shouldn't be surprised but it just galls me how Trump can demand an apology from and call a bishop that asks him to show mercy and compassion for people "nasty". What a freakin' baby.

[PRgal]

The whole Elon weirdness reminds me of when Tom Cruise was on Oprah and jumped on the couch declaring his love for Katie Holmes.  Of course, Elon is way more extreme and weird. 

[Dimity]

3 hours ago, Ceindreadh said:

Trump demands apology from 'nasty' Washington Bishop after plea for him to have 'mercy'

https://www.thejournal.ie/washington-bishop-urges-trump-to-have-mercy-6600600-Jan2025/
 

 

what an absolute snowflake. 

So Trump supporters feeling the pride?  For me all I can think is 4 years of this man baby whimpering and whining whenever anyone dares to disagree with him. 

[CheshireCat]

5 hours ago, Bastet said:

I'll let anyone far more knowledgeable on the subject than me speak to details, but it seems to be at its core a straightforward telling that these atrocities occurred in and by this country, in some cases actively aided and in many deliberately ignored by our people, and it's all our responsibility now to understand that history and make sure it never repeats.

Yes, that's more or less it. I may be confusing it with information I got from my family but if memory serves, WWII was mentioned for the first time in elementary school, 5th or 6th grade. Then it was covered twice in high school and since I had a class that I'd translate to political education, it was covered there, too. 
History was one of my final exam subjects and the written exam was actually about WWII. The class also went to Ausschwitz as part of a larger class trip to Poland, although, I didn't go for personal reasons. 
We also went to Sachsenhausen in high school but I can't remember which grade. 

Outside of school, we're also confronted with it in every day life. The movie "Schindler's List" used to be shown every year on TV around Easter. On days like Holocaust Remembrance Day and May 8th, there are TV and radio specials to mark the occasion. They often include testimonials from Holocaust survivors. 

There also used to be a lot of documentaries about not just the Holocaust but the rise of Hitler as well. (I say "used to" beccause I left Germany a few years ago and don't have access to a TV anymore when I visit). 
The documentaries explore different aspects and there are those which focus on the rhetoric Hitler used as he rose to power and how skillfully he used the media that was available at the time to broadcast his message. (It's common to say "beware of the beginnigs" because Hitler didn't talk about wars, genocide and oppression in his rallies any more than other autocrats do and when he came into power, Germany didn't become what it ended up being overnight. While there was discrimination and the opposition in parliament was eliminated, it happened slowly. Even the Nuremberg Laws weren't enacted until 1935, two years after Hitler's election.
But it was there between the lines and the documentaries serve as a teacher to recognize the "between the lines"). 

I think what also makes a difference in how history is taught in Germany is that there are personal connections not just to the war but the Nazi regime itself.

For exmaple, one of my grandfather's is in possession of an Aryan passport from the paternal side of his family. 

My great-grandfather on the other side of the family worked for the government before and after the war, so, one of the things we happen to be in possession of is the document relieving him of his duties for refusing to join the NSDAP. (He'd read Mein Kampf, so he knew what was coming, not the extent of it but in principle).

There are also some real estate papers that were issued during the Nazi regime. I didn't know we had them and came across them accidentally a few years ago. Seeing the swatsika stamp on them actually made me feel lightheaded for a moment. There's something really surreal to it. 

My family also owns two sets of books (three and two respectively) with holes in them that were caused by bomb splinters. 

As a West Berlin native, history was probably even closer for me than it was for West Germans because I grew up in a city that had a wall built around it and that was a direct consequence of WWII and my family had lived through the air lift. 

 

5 hours ago, Lantern7 said:

You're asking people who voted for him at least once to feel shame. You'd have better luck getting remorse from a brick wall.

I don't think that's entirely fair. There were Republicans who endorsed Harris who had voted for Trump the first time around and said they had realized what kind of a person he was.