Chit-Chat: The Feels

[Spartan Girl]

Then again, his supporters called themselves “Les Deplorables” to own the libs and Play the Victim yet again, so who knows?

Adding in my two cents about working from home, it didn’t really work for me, but that’s because my job requires to deliver the mail, so I had to go into the office twice a week just to retrieve and scan the mail, then go home to in order to email said scanned mail to everyone (I didn’t have a laptop, I had to bring my whole work computer home). Being the office is easier because at least I can do everything in one place.

But that was MY experience. That doesn’t mean I think everyone should work in the office. Sure I miss other people being around as much, but my Covid paranoid ass kind of likes the peace and quiet in the office building.

Edited Monday at 06:17 PM by Spartan Girl

[PRgal]

1 hour ago, Anela said:

 

Les Misérables Epilogue Scene Performed at the White House Governors Ball by the US Army Chorus

I still haven't seen Les Miserables, but saw this on reddit:

 

Les Miz is NOT about the French Revolution.  It's about the June Rebellion of 1832.  There are several anniversary concerts that should be available for streaming that, IMHO, are much better than the 2011 movie.

[tres bien]

Today Rep Anna Paulina Luna (R FL) announced that the House Oversight Committee will be going to Dallas to investigate the 1963 assassination of JFK

Do these people know what year this is

Today I read that Clint Hill the secret service agent that jumped onto the back of JFK’s car to protect Jackie Kennedy has died at age 93. RIP

[Ohiopirate02]

56 minutes ago, Spartan Girl said:

Adding in my two cents about working from home, it didn’t really work for me, but that’s because my job requires to deliver the mail, so I had to go into the office twice a week just to retrieve and scan the mail, then go home to in order to email said scanned mail to everyone (I didn’t have a laptop, I had to bring my whole work computer home). Being the office is easier because at least I can do everything in one place.

But that was MY experience. That doesn’t mean I think everyone should work in the office. Sure I miss other people being around as much, but my Covid paranoid ass kind of likes the peace and quiet in the office building.

My personal ideal for a hybrid work from home scenario involves me being alone at my workplace where I can do the work that has to be done without interruptions. I have multiple employees who think "I want the answer to this right away" equates to something being urgent when 99.8% of the time they interrupt me it is over something that is less urgent than the thing I am currently working on like payroll when they interrupt. Then there's the whole story they have to give me before getting to the problem that needs to be solved. Look, if you are going to interrupt me doing payroll, I need the salient information first.

[Dimity]

8 minutes ago, tres bien said:

Today Rep Anna Paulina Luna (R FL) announced that the House Oversight Committee will be going to Dallas to investigate the 1963 assassination of JFK

Hmm, do we know where Biden was in November 1963?

Edited Monday at 07:27 PM by Dimity

[Spartan Girl]

56 minutes ago, Dimity said:

 

Except, true to form, Musk posted that exact same post to act like he and his ilk are the resistance. He and Trump ruin everything.

Edited Monday at 07:22 PM by Spartan Girl

[Anela]

22 minutes ago, PRgal said:

Les Miz is NOT about the French Revolution.  It's about the June Rebellion of 1832.  There are several anniversary concerts that should be available for streaming that, IMHO, are much better than the 2011 movie.

Okay, thanks. :) I was thinking of reading the book, but I'm still having trouble focusing. 

Edited Monday at 07:25 PM by Anela

[Dimity]

3 minutes ago, Spartan Girl said:

Except, true to form, Musk posted that exact same post to act like he snd his ilk are the resistance. He and Trump ruin everything.

I know!  I keep seeing memes that were about Trump losing in 2020 or are clearly aimed at putting down MAGA that they have co-opted.  My favourite is "the world laughed at us for four years, they're not laughing now".  No, no they certainly are not.  They're backing away in revulsion, but they're not laughing.

Edited Monday at 07:26 PM by Dimity

[bluegirl147]

7 minutes ago, tres bien said:

Today Rep Anna Paulina Luna (R FL) announced that the House Oversight Committee will be going to Dallas to investigate the 1963 assassination of JFK

Do these people know what year this is

 

What do they think they are going to find? Over 60 years after the assassination?

This is going to be like when Trump sent "investigators" to Hawaii to find President Obama's birth certificate and Trump said they could not believe what they are finding and proceeded to show us........nothing. 

7 minutes ago, Dimity said:

Hmm, do we know were Biden was in November 1963?

I won't be surprised if they "find" evidence that implicates a Democrat.  

1 hour ago, Spartan Girl said:

Then again, his supporters called themselves “Les Deplorables” to own the libs and Play the Victim yet again, so who knows?

Republicans control all branches of the Federal Government. Control a lot of state legislatures, even some with Democratic governors and yet they still act like they are poor put upon Republicans. They get any pushback and they cry foul.  Meanwhile they were proud obstructionists when President Obama was in office. Said no to everything he wanted to do. Including nominating a SCOTUS justice which was his right.

[Dimity]

And in the latest news from Putin's puppet the US has voted against the UN resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  Standing proudly shoulder to shoulder with Russia and North Korea.

Shameful.

[bluegirl147]

31 minutes ago, Dimity said:

And in the latest news from Putin's puppet the US has voted against the UN resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  Standing proudly shoulder to shoulder with Russia and North Korea.

Shameful.

If Trump thinks this makes him look strong it does not. It makes him look weak. Everyone except his most devoted Maga base can see Putin is pulling his strings.  And the strings Putin isn't pulling Musk is pulling.  For anyone thinking Trump is playing three dimensional chess or some shit no he is not.  He is either being played by Putin or being blackmailed by Putin. Same with Musk. Before he ran and became President do any of us ever remember Trump being so deferential to anyone? I hope during my lifetime we find out what exactly Putin has on him. And with  regards to Muck I think we are already know what he has on him.

[Ohiopirate02]

44 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

What do they think they are going to find? Over 60 years after the assassination?

I won't be surprised if they "find" evidence that implicates a Democrat.  

 

Or the CIA really was behind it. Could Putin have told Trump to dismantle the CIA? I know one of the "unintended" consequences of shuttering USAID is weakening the CIA by getting rid of cover jobs for agents.

[bluegirl147]

5 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

Or the CIA really was behind it. Could Putin have told Trump to dismantle the CIA? I know one of the "unintended" consequences of shuttering USAID is weakening the CIA by getting rid of cover jobs for agents.

Trump isn't smart enough to realize everything he is doing is destabilizing and endangering our country and our citizens abroad. 

 

[Notabug]

1 hour ago, bluegirl147 said:

What do they think they are going to find? Over 60 years after the assassination?

This is a crowd who are very hung up on the Deep State and conspiracy theories.  They no doubt want to expose some sort of governmental corruption that lead to the assassination.  Since JFK was a Dem, they probably think of it as a recruiting tool; if they show us that there was nefarious actions against a Dem president, we will finally believe all their cockamamie theories.

I was around back then, just a little kid, and I remember that weekend (JFK was shot on a Friday) pretty well.  It was a scary time.  However, considering it has been 60+ years and virtually every single person who might've been involved in a conspiracy has got to be dead by now, I don't think further investigation or the release of the various government reports on the subject that have been withheld is going to serve much purpose now.

In addition, Caroline Kennedy, who has suffered plenty of tragedy in her life including her father's murder; does not want the information released publicly.  Seems like she should have a say in it and her wishes respected. It also makes me wonder if this isn't at least in part some sort of payback from RFK Jr.  Caroline wrote a letter to Congress outlining all of the reasons he was not fit to be in the cabinet including telling the world that he used to have a pet snake and took great delight in dropping live mice into a blender to feed it while she and other cousins watched in shock.  So classy.

Edited Monday at 08:44 PM by Notabug

[Anela]

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-doge-emails-resign-federal-employees-b2703536.html

Elon Musk makes an admission about the productivity email his group sent to federal workers

Department of Government Efficiency head says he wants to test whether federal employees are ‘capable of replying to an email’

[peacheslatour]

[Lantern7]

1 hour ago, bluegirl147 said:

What do they think they are going to find? Over 60 years after the assassination?

You know what I’m rooting for? A Very Serious Man behind a podium, opening an envelope in a very serious manner, reading the contents of said envelope very seriously . . . then very seriously announcing Oswald acted alone and he got crazy lucky with his shots. No cover-ups, no skulduggery, nothing.

4 minutes ago, Anela said:

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-doge-emails-resign-federal-employees-b2703536.html

Elon Musk makes an admission about the productivity email his group sent to federal workers

Department of Government Efficiency head says he wants to test whether federal employees are ‘capable of replying to an email’

Is it wrong to hope that he got a lot of pictures of bottoms and genitalia?

2 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

NOPE. I voted for the lady who wasn’t expecting to seriously run for that office until 2028.

[Bookish Jen]

2 hours ago, Dimity said:

Hmm, do we know where Biden was in November 1963?

Where was Kamala? You just know she had something to do with it.

[Ohiopirate02]

Just now, Bookish Jen said:

Where was Kamala? You just know she had something to do with it.

She was born 11 months after JFK was assassinated.

[peacheslatour]

1 minute ago, Bookish Jen said:

Where was Kamala? You just know she had something to do with it.

I thought it was settled, Ted Cruz killed JFK. Trump said so.

[Mollywolly555]

My husband had worked from home for the past 10 years for a private company, not government.  

I can hear him,  even thru his closed office door,  talking computerese with other workers online from 6am throughout the day.  His time also includes the middle of the night calls/work when an emergency requires his assistance.. happens about once or twice a month.

As he is diabetic I have reminded him frequently to take a break and eat breakfast or lunch. 

When he was in the physical office , there were alot of team building activities, staff brunches, lunches,  etc.  Now he may met with coworkers  twice a year at Christmas party or summer picnic or a rare conference paid for by his company... he's been to 3 conferences in 10 years .

The spouse and any kids (ours are adults out of the house) also bear the burden of someone there but not there.  

 

[Bookish Jen]

2 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

She was born 11 months after JFK was assassinated.

I'm being silly.

[tearknee]

3 minutes ago, Bookish Jen said:

Where was Kamala? You just know she had something to do with it.

The pre-mortal world in "The Blue Bird"? Yeah, I'd want to get away from Shirley Temple, too but Trump is frying pan and fire, you know what i mean, Verne?

[Dimity]

Just now, Bookish Jen said:

I'm being silly.

I admit my first thought wasn't they'll try to pin it on Joe, it was that they'll try to pin it on Hunter! 

[bluegirl147]

4 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

She was born 11 months after JFK was assassinated.

Minor details like that don't matter.

[Ohiopirate02]

1 minute ago, Bookish Jen said:

I'm being silly.

Oh, I know. I was also trying to be silly and looked up her DOB to confirm. I was hoping the answer was in her mother's belly gestating or 6 weeks old.

[Ceindreadh]

15 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

My first question to the entitled workers would be why are you still working from home when all of us have had to go back into our office after lock down. Must be nice to collect a big paycheck for sitting on your couch with a laptop and accomplish nothing else except binge watching Netflix.

What's it they say, every accusation is a confession? 

Just because you don't have flexible bosses who give you the option to work from home, doesn't mean you have to take it out on those more fortunate. 

 

[tearknee]

4 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

Oh, I know. I was also trying to be silly and looked up her DOB to confirm. I was hoping the answer was in her mother's belly gestating or 6 weeks old.

Or a sperm in her daddy's testicles (why that idiom is only used to refer to a son, I'm not sure...)

4 minutes ago, Ceindreadh said:

What's it they say, every accusation is a confession? 

Just because you don't have flexible bosses who give you the option to work from home, doesn't mean you have to take it out on those more fortunate. 

 

most people do though - and as with what is an ordinary person, it is what most people are like that is the closest to a more objective definition.

[Makai]

2 hours ago, tres bien said:

Today Rep Anna Paulina Luna (R FL) announced that the House Oversight Committee will be going to Dallas to investigate the 1963 assassination of JFK

Do these people know what year this is

Today I read that Clint Hill the secret service agent that jumped onto the back of JFK’s car to protect Jackie Kennedy has died at age 93. RIP

Going to Dallas? Do they think there is evidence to be found in Dallas? Next up, investigators going to the moon to investigate if the moon landing was a hoax.

I wonder if the people supporting DOGE’s cuts are going to be up in arms over the waste of resources from investigating a 60 year old case. Or is it just humanitarian aid that is a bridge too far. Everyone involved in the crime and investigation is either dead or well past the point they could reasonable be held accountable. 

[fastiller]

26 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

I thought it was settled, Ted Cruz killed JFK. Trump said so.

Nope; it was Rafael's dad, as per Trump.

[MostlyContent]

5 hours ago, heatherchandler said:

Absolutely!  Every country could benefit.  But it can’t always be up to the US to fund these programs when we have seriously pressing needs to deal with.  It’s ok to take a step back from trying to save the world in order to shore ourselves up.

I also tried to include a quote from Soapy, but as usual I am total c.r.a.p. when it comes to being able to multi-quote when I need to.  I'm sure that quote is just flying around in the air somewhere and will show up when I least expect it.  !!  She was talking about the financial strain that so, so many migrants who are in this country needing support places upon American tax payers.  

I'm a pretty doggone empathetic person.  First, though, my concerns will always be my loved ones and my country.  Included in the 'my country' part of that equation is every single American citizen.  First and foremost.  

This country is so weighed down by the massive, unbelievable debt we're laboring under.  If we would be forced into bankruptcy, all the helpful little things we're now sniping about would be the least of our problems.  As HC said, it's okay to put on our oxygen mask first.  Okay, that's not precisely what she said, but you get it.  😂

We have homeless Veterans living in tents.  We have addicts in need of help living on the streets.  We have elderly who just can't make it on their SS without familial help living in hopeless encampments on the sidewalks, under bridges, or wherever they might find a safe place to rest their head.  

I'll be more interested in aiding other countries when we get serious about helping our own.  

Several previously beautiful cities are so slammed by this problem that they are basically f'ing ruined and obviously incapable of knowing (or caring) how to fix it.  Thousands of businesses have closed and the tourism money is all but gone.  Downtown areas are no longer safe and seem to be just........a no man's land.  People trying to live and love in these areas are basically paying taxes to live in a dangerous mess.  

I'll be more interested in aiding other countries when we get serious about helping our own.

I've read a lot of sincere concern on these pages about children and POC and the horrible conditions in which they live around the world.  Well, we have those, too.  The inner cities.  The slums and ghettos that are the home of a hell of a lot of people for generations now.  I'm going to have to watch myself because this issue infuriates me.  This is one of the issues that I would mention to Bluegirl that might actually sway my mind politically.  These damn cities need to stop all the faux outrage and fix their own backyard.  !!!!  No children should be in fear of walking to school and getting shot in a drive by because the gangs are having a little issue with each other.  They shouldn't have to see the 'zombies' zoning out on the sidewalks let alone have to navigate their way around them and the people dealing to them.  They shouldn't ever be hungry in this country, and yet they are subjected to that and everything else every damn day.  Where is their protection?  'Defund the police' sure helped those neighborhoods, didn't it?  They are crying out for more police and help and have been for decades.  Why the hell aren't we addressing this issue.  The people are trying their best with community outreach centers and neighborhood watches, but they. need. help.   

I'll be more interested in aiding other countries when we get serious about helping our own.

We have a power grid that is so woefully old and inadequate that in some areas there are already rolling blackouts.  Our infrastructure is in bad shape.  We have bridges that shouldn't even be used.  I feel that we need to pay down our massive debt and address these issues before trying to fix the world.  We simply can't afford it right now.   Again, this is my opinion.   

I'll stop now because this is getting long.  I am not going to engage in 'whataboutisms'.  I don't care what so-and-so did or said 5, 10, or 50 years ago.  I don't care 'who' 'lied' about 'what'.  The unmanageable debt has to be addressed and I don't care by who.  I'm willing to wait and see the results of this new approach and hope and pray to God/The Great Mother/Whoever that we can turn this around.  That also includes being involved financially in wars let alone supplying our men and women, but that's a different topic.  Kind of....lol! 

I'll be more interested in aiding other countries when we get serious about helping our own. 

[Dimity]

13 minutes ago, Makai said:

I wonder if the people supporting DOGE’s cuts are going to be up in arms over the waste of resources from investigating a 60 year old case.

In all seriousness this is what I think is just so pathetic here.  There are so many other issues facing the US right now but they are going to waste time and resources investigating a 60 year old crime?  Just ridiculous.  But of course the last thing any Republican in Congress wants to do right now is represent the American people, especially if that means going up against the Führer.

Edited Monday at 10:08 PM by Dimity

[partofme]

10 minutes ago, MostlyContent said:

I'll be more interested in aiding other countries when we get serious about helping our own. 

Your post made it sound like you believe the US government should be helping poor Americans, which is something I believe too, but you’re never going to get this if you’re voting for Republicans.  Republicans believe in pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and think that poor people are suckers.   The Democratic party is far from perfect but you are much more likely to get policies that help poor Americans if you vote for Democrats.  There is no reason why a country as rich as the US can’t support its own citizens and aid poor people overseas.  

[MostlyContent]

27 minutes ago, tearknee said:

most people do though - and as with what is an ordinary person, it is what most people are like that is the closest to a more objective definition.

I agree, Tear.  

I remember a long ago Psych class.  I generally didn't pay much attention, I'm sure, because it was just an elective, but the professor was lecturing about how it's human nature to judge other people by their actions, and not by their intentions, but we tend to judge ourselves by our intentions instead of our actions.

I did a quick search to see if I could find something like that, and didn't find much, but I did read something else that rang true, which is that we tend to explain another person’s conduct as being a consequence of character, and our own conduct as being a consequence of circumstances. 

Huh.  Interesting.  I'm going to have to think on that a bit.  :)

 

 

 

[Notabug]

25 minutes ago, MostlyContent said:

I also tried to include a quote from Soapy, but as usual I am total c.r.a.p. when it comes to being able to multi-quote when I need to.  I'm sure that quote is just flying around in the air somewhere and will show up when I least expect it.  !!  She was talking about the financial strain that so, so many migrants who are in this country needing support places upon American tax payers.  

I'm a pretty doggone empathetic person.  First, though, my concerns will always be my loved ones and my country.  Included in the 'my country' part of that equation is every single American citizen.  First and foremost.  

This country is so weighed down by the massive, unbelievable debt we're laboring under.  If we would be forced into bankruptcy, all the helpful little things we're now sniping about would be the least of our problems.  As HC said, it's okay to put on our oxygen mask first.  Okay, that's not precisely what she said, but you get it.  😂

We have homeless Veterans living in tents.  We have addicts in need of help living on the streets.  We have elderly who just can't make it on their SS without familial help living in hopeless encampments on the sidewalks, under bridges, or wherever they might find a safe place to rest their head.  

I'll be more interested in aiding other countries when we get serious about helping our own.  

Several previously beautiful cities are so slammed by this problem that they are basically f'ing ruined and obviously incapable of knowing (or caring) how to fix it.  Thousands of businesses have closed and the tourism money is all but gone.  Downtown areas are no longer safe and seem to be just........a no man's land.  People trying to live and love in these areas are basically paying taxes to live in a dangerous mess.  

I'll be more interested in aiding other countries when we get serious about helping our own.

I've read a lot of sincere concern on these pages about children and POC and the horrible conditions in which they live around the world.  Well, we have those, too.  The inner cities.  The slums and ghettos that are the home of a hell of a lot of people for generations now.  I'm going to have to watch myself because this issue infuriates me.  This is one of the issues that I would mention to Bluegirl that might actually sway my mind politically.  These damn cities need to stop all the faux outrage and fix their own backyard.  !!!!  No children should be in fear of walking to school and getting shot in a drive by because the gangs are having a little issue with each other.  They shouldn't have to see the 'zombies' zoning out on the sidewalks let alone have to navigate their way around them and the people dealing to them.  They shouldn't ever be hungry in this country, and yet they are subjected to that and everything else every damn day.  Where is their protection?  'Defund the police' sure helped those neighborhoods, didn't it?  They are crying out for more police and help and have been for decades.  Why the hell aren't we addressing this issue.  The people are trying their best with community outreach centers and neighborhood watches, but they. need. help.   

I'll be more interested in aiding other countries when we get serious about helping our own.

We have a power grid that is so woefully old and inadequate that in some areas there are already rolling blackouts.  Our infrastructure is in bad shape.  We have bridges that shouldn't even be used.  I feel that we need to pay down our massive debt and address these issues before trying to fix the world.  We simply can't afford it right now.   Again, this is my opinion.   

I'll stop now because this is getting long.  I am not going to engage in 'whataboutisms'.  I don't care what so-and-so did or said 5, 10, or 50 years ago.  I don't care 'who' 'lied' about 'what'.  The unmanageable debt has to be addressed and I don't care by who.  I'm willing to wait and see the results of this new approach and hope and pray to God/The Great Mother/Whoever that we can turn this around.  That also includes being involved financially in wars let alone supplying our men and women, but that's a different topic.  Kind of....lol! 

I'll be more interested in aiding other countries when we get serious about helping our own. 

Can you show me where the current administration has demonstrated that they intend to solve these national problems once they have accrued savings by eliminating USAID and deporting all the undocumented immigrants?  Or, eliminating the Department of Education and firing much of the FBI's senior management because they had the audacity to investigate the January 6 attempted coup?

The only thing I've heard the president say about veterans is that he called those who died on D Day 'losers' and implied that John McCain was less than honorable because he was shot down and made a POW.  I don't see someone with that perspective giving a good godd^^mn about homeless vets.

I haven't heard of any new programs he is proposing to prevent or treat substance abuse. Trump falsely claimed Hunter Biden was dishonorably discharged from the military for drug use and Don Jr. has repeatedly referred to him as a 'crackhead'.  This doesn't strike me as showing empathy for those with substance abuse issues.

For that matter, I haven't read anywhere that Trump intends to pay down our massive debt with his cuts.  He actually increased the national debt substantially during his first term.  Instead, he wants the money to fund tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy which is great news if you make more than $300,000 a year. His past history indicates that decreasing the national debt is not on his radar at all and he has no intention of addressing it.  If he really wanted to show fiscal responsibility and prudence; he wouldn't be spending 10's of millions of our hard earned money on trips to Mar a Lago to play golf every month.  Think of how many homeless vets we could've helped with the $30-50 million he spent in just the first month of his current term on vacations.

Edited Monday at 10:26 PM by Notabug

[MostlyContent]

7 minutes ago, partofme said:

There is no reason why a country as rich as the US can’t support its own citizens and aid poor people overseas.

Exactly what I said.  There's no reason we can't do that when we are rich, but right now we are not 'rich' so we need to fix that debt so we can continue to aid others who are not as fortunate as we are to live here.  

[Dimity]

1 minute ago, partofme said:

There is no reason why a country as rich as the US can’t support its own citizens and aid poor people overseas.   

Except we all know the money saved by cutting off foreign aid isn't going to be reallocated to aid poorer Americans.

Republicans say no free lunches

Quote

Republican congressman suggests some children receiving free school lunches should work at McDonald’s instead

 

[partofme]

1 minute ago, Dimity said:

Except we all know the money saved by cutting off foreign aid isn't going to be reallocated to aid poorer Americans.

Republicans say no free lunches

 

Exactly, which is why I have never voted for a Republican, they only care about making the rich richer and screw the poor and this has always been the case as long as I’ve been alive with Republicans, it’s not new to Trump.

4 minutes ago, MostlyContent said:

Exactly what I said.  There's no reason we can't do that when we are rich, but right now we are not 'rich' so we need to fix that debt so we can continue to aid others who are not as fortunate as we are to live here.  

But the US is a rich country now, it just doesn’t help its own citizens due to Republican politicians.  

[MostlyContent]

4 minutes ago, Notabug said:

Can you show me where the current administration has demonstrated that they intend to solve these national problems once they have accrued savings by eliminating USAID and deporting all the illegals?  

The only thing I've heard the president say about veterans is that he called those who died on D Day 'losers' and implied that John McCain was less than honorable because he was shot down and made a POW.  I don't see someone with that perspective giving a good godd^^mn about homeless vets.

I haven't heard of any new programs he is proposing to prevent or treat substance abuse. Trump falsely claimed Hunter Biden was dishonorably discharged from the military for drug use and Don Jr. has repeatedly referred to him as a 'crackhead'.  This doesn't strike me as showing empathy for those with substance abuse issues.

For that matter, I haven't read anywhere that Trump intends to pay down our massive debt with his cuts.  He actually increased the national debt substantially during his first term.  Instead, he wants the money to fund tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy which is great news if you make more than $300,000 a year. His past history indicates that decreasing the national debt is not on his radar at all and he has no intention of addressing it.  If he really wanted to show fiscal responsibility and prudence; he wouldn't be spending 10's of millions of our hard earned money on trips to Mar a Lago to play golf every month.  Think of how many homeless vets we could've helped with the $30-50 million he spent in just the first month of his current term on vacations.

Nota, I don't mean to be rude or (worse) dismissive at all, but when I said I wasn't interested in 'whataboutisms' I meant it, and I'm certainly not going to get into the weeds arguing about Trump.  That's not what moves me to post on the 'feels' thread.  I'm worried about our citizens and this massive debt.  I don't care what 'side' actually takes action.  I'm so over that.  

I don't 'blame' anyone here on this thread or any ordinary American.  I certainly do ascribe a lot of blame to the Congress and the Senate and their inability to remember that they are suppose to be working together for the 'people' and not fighting like a bunch of junkyard dogs.  Great examples of civility they're setting.  Assholes.  

 

9 minutes ago, partofme said:

But the US is a rich country now, it just doesn’t help its own citizens due to Republican politicians.  

We are $36.22 trillion in debt.  In what world does that denote 'rich'?  

We'll just have to agree to disagree.  :)

[tearknee]

13 minutes ago, MostlyContent said:

I agree, Tear.  

I remember a long ago Psych class.  I generally didn't pay much attention, I'm sure, because it was just an elective, but the professor was lecturing about how it's human nature to judge other people by their actions, and not by their intentions, but we tend to judge ourselves by our intentions instead of our actions.

I did a quick search to see if I could find something like that, and didn't find much, but I did read something else that rang true, which is that we tend to explain another person’s conduct as being a consequence of character, and our own conduct as being a consequence of circumstances. 

Huh.  Interesting.  I'm going to have to think on that a bit.  :)

 

 

 

Yeah. The conservation/heritage movement here in my adopted country state their beliefs don't put heritage/trees/wildlife above human life but their actions (which also are an indication of the fanaticism they deny)?:

Quote

Opponents of the blueprint are inconsistent in their arguments against the Melbourne 2030 blueprint. For example, although much criticism has been directed at increasing density in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, opponents are also highly critical of the releasing of new land on the fringes of Melbourne.[6] The Victorian Government has been continuously blocked from increasing density in existing suburban areas, such as the City of Boroondara, by "residents' groups" who continuously object to new medium-density developments, greatly hindering the progress of the blueprint.[12]

However, it is these same groups who oppose the urban sprawl of Melbourne, the only other option short of refusing residence to new arrivals.[12]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_2030#Inconsistencies_of_opponents

[Absolom]

6 hours ago, kittykat said:

he was also on call so there were plenty of days he signed on in the morning and worked into night.  No not everyone who is WFH is lazy.

And conversely not everyone in the work building is productive.  People who are going to goof off will do it no matter where they are assigned.  I had one guy that I had to fire because he was watching a tiny TV he had thought he had hidden in a bottom desk drawer.  Another employee spent far too much time in the restroom and doing a few away from the desk tasks.  I found she had a regular round of places she stopped to play or read on her phone.  No matter the site of the work, it's better to manage most work by the quantity and quality of the work product.  

[Ohiopirate02]

23 minutes ago, partofme said:

Your post made it sound like you believe the US government should be helping poor Americans, which is something I believe too, but you’re never going to get this if you’re voting for Republicans.  Republicans believe in pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and think that poor people are suckers.   The Democratic party is far from perfect but you are much more likely to get policies that help poor Americans if you vote for Democrats.  There is no reason why a country as rich as the US can’t support its own citizens and aid poor people overseas.  

It's more than Republicans thinking poor people are suckers. They believe poverty is a moral failing also disability and disease. They believe the deck is not stacked against certain groups of people and that these people could raise themselves out of whatever condition if they truly wanted it. It's people's poor choices that keep them impoverished not rents rising to heights we have never seen while wages stay stagnant. And if anyone dare talk about raising the minimum wage to combat rising costs, then they immediately dismiss the labor. This line of thinking also absolves the corporations who only pay the minimum from providing a living wage to the employees who's labor makes everything possible for the CEOs and upper management.

[Absolom]

9 minutes ago, MostlyContent said:

I'm certainly not going to get into the weeds arguing about Trump. 

I don't think that's the weeds.  To me that is the major problem.

[tessaray]

34 minutes ago, MostlyContent said:

No children should be in fear of walking to school and getting shot in a drive by because the gangs are having a little issue with each other.  They shouldn't have to see the 'zombies' zoning out on the sidewalks let alone have to navigate their way around them and the people dealing to them.  They shouldn't ever be hungry in this country, and yet they are subjected to that and everything else every damn day.  Where is their protection?  'Defund the police' sure helped those neighborhoods, didn't it?  They are crying out for more police and help and have been for decades.  Why the hell aren't we addressing this issue.  The people are trying their best with community outreach centers and neighborhood watches, but they. need. help.   

I admire your passionate stand on these issues but between the calls for government cuts (remember the austerity days?), the never-ending zeal for tax cuts and the 2nd Amendment absolutists, there haven't been many ways to make needed changes. Biden did finally get the money for infrastructure but who knows if most of it will ever get where it's needed now? Democrats have been boxed in by the party of No for decades. Now it's insanely worse. If you have any ideas how to deal with the Burn.It.All.Down party, please share. Because it’s gotten to the point where it's hard to see anything other than despair at what's coming next. 

[MostlyContent]

3 minutes ago, Absolom said:

I don't think that's the weeds.  To me that is the major problem.

......and to me, it's not.  

Okay, our animals seem to think they should be fed (including the very nice animal I'm married to 😂).  It's my turn.  ugh.  Taco salad, anyone?  Maybe 'breakfast for dinner'?  

Damn.  Right when I thought about something else I'd like to have a 'feels' rant about and that's the housing situation in this country.  It'll have to wait.  lol

2 minutes ago, tessaray said:

Because it’s gotten to the point where it's hard to see anything other than despair at what's coming next. 

Thank you for your compassion, tess.  

I'm going to have to wait a while to see how some of this shakes out.  It's all a lot at once........I get it.  

[Notabug]

25 minutes ago, MostlyContent said:

Nota, I don't mean to be rude or (worse) dismissive at all, but when I said I wasn't interested in 'whataboutisms' I meant it, and I'm certainly not going to get into the weeds arguing about Trump.  That's not what moves me to post on the 'feels' thread.  I'm worried about our citizens and this massive debt.  I don't care what 'side' actually takes action.  I'm so over that.  

I don't 'blame' anyone here on this thread or any ordinary American.  I certainly do ascribe a lot of blame to the Congress and the Senate and their inability to remember that they are suppose to be working together for the 'people' and not fighting like a bunch of junkyard dogs.  Great examples of civility they're setting.  Assholes.  

 

We are $36.22 trillion in debt.  In what world does that denote 'rich'?  

We'll just have to agree to disagree.  :)

I am not playing 'whataboutisms'; simply pointing out that your greatest concern, the size of our national debt; is not likely to be addressed at all by the current administration.  Looking at the history of our country in the past 40-50 years; it is Republicans who have consistently increased our national debt while the Democrats often reduced it.  And there is no evidence that the current administration has any intention of reducing our debt; but, instead, is more likely to drive it even higher, based on the massive increase the last time they were in charge.

I agree, our national debt is a significant problem, but disagree that any Republican, let alone Donald Trump (who really isn't a Republican, IMO); has any plan to reduce it.

[ProudMary]

2 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

If Trump thinks this makes him look strong it does not. It makes him look weak. Everyone except his most devoted Maga base can see Putin is pulling his strings.  And the strings Putin isn't pulling Musk is pulling.  For anyone thinking Trump is playing three dimensional chess or some shit no he is not.  He is either being played by Putin or being blackmailed by Putin. Same with Musk. Before he ran and became President do any of us ever remember Trump being so deferential to anyone? I hope during my lifetime we find out what exactly Putin has on him. And with  regards to Muck I think we are already know what he has on him.

I'm sure it's the latter that I added bold letters to, but it's not just DJT. It's the whole party. Remember back in 2016,  we learned that Russia had hacked the DNC and released a lot of the info they obtained? Often forgotten is that Russia also hacked the RNC, but they didn't release ANY of that info. KOMPROMAT!

From 2016:

Report: Russian Hackers Had RNC Data But Didn't Release It

https://www.thedailybeast.com/report-russian-hackers-had-rnc-data-but-didnt-release-it/

 

40 minutes ago, MostlyContent said:

  We have a power grid that is so woefully old and inadequate that in some areas there are already rolling blackouts.  Our infrastructure is in bad shape.  We have bridges that shouldn't even be used.  I feel that we need to pay down our massive debt and address these issues before trying to fix the world.  We simply can't afford it right now.   Again, this is my opinion.   

I didn't want to quote your full post just for length issues, but many of the other areas in which you expressed an interest are addressed in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed in 2021. It's a remarkable piece of legislation, certainly one of the most important of the 21st Century. You'd be surprised at what it covers. A great deal has been accomplished.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3684/text

[Dimity]

26 minutes ago, ProudMary said:

A great deal has been accomplished.

Fortunately because I will not be surprised to see Trump and his cronies try to demolish it.  They don't build, they destroy.

[MostlyContent]

30 minutes ago, ProudMary said:

I didn't want to quote your full post just for length issues, but many of the other areas in which you expressed an interest are addressed in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed in 2021. It's a remarkable piece of legislation, certainly one of the most important of the 21st Century. You'd be surprised at what it covers. A great deal has been accomplished.

I liked that bill.  Not all of it, of course, but that's compromise.  Both sides leave the room a little bit disappointed.  

[anony.miss]

The last thing any American concerned about the debt should be doing is voting for/supporting the man currently proposing congress cut taxes so that people making over 100 million a year pay less while raising the tax burden on people making under 28K. That insane tax plan is only going to cause the debt - and deficit spending - to explode.

Edited Yest. at 12:00 AM by anony.miss