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Chit-Chat: The Feels

CM-BlueButterfly

By CM-BlueButterfly
in Everything Else

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Annber03
Annber03

And yet the same people who are awed by his celebrity are also the ones talkng about how celebritees need to stay out of politics. You'll pardon me if I can't take their critiques all that seriously. 

Annber03
Annber03

For as long as I live, I will never understand the hold this guy has over people. 

Annber03
Annber03

Everything I want to say would be a string of curse words at this point.  Hope you're happy, people who decided to be all precious with your votes or who felt this guy deserved another chance aft

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Yeah No

Yeah No

1 minute ago, annzeepark914 said:

We all need to get outta Dodge for a week (destination: anywhere away from this freak show environment!)

Thank you all, it was the opportunity of a lifetime. I never thought I'd ever be able to do this so it was even more wonderful because of that. And yes, it was just the thing we needed after the last few crazy months. Oh sure, there's no way anyone can completely escape the freak show thanks to intrusive news feeds and newspaper headline emails, but it was much easier to minimize our exposure to it than it is at home. I didn't realize how much it all was bothering me until this trip. But now it's unfortunately back to reality. And it's always good to be home and back with all of you here.

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Yeah No

Yeah No

On 2/22/2025 at 12:42 PM, Dimity said:

If Covid, reality TV  and living through the Trump Neverending Era has taught me nothing else, it has taught me that there actually are a helluva lot of stupid people out there. 

And I don't mean intelligent people who do stupid things, that's a separate issue - I mean genuinely stupid people who wallow in the depths of their stupidity and in their stupidity manage to feel superior to anyone who attains any level of higher education or accomplishment.  

Of course I've known people  like this (who hasn't) but I honestly thought they were a minority.

I know this post is a week old by now, but this is something I've gone through too. We've had this anti-intellectual thing going on in the U.S. for quite a while now but it found legitimacy and a "proud" identity through Trump. Now people are defiantly ignorant and act snobby toward anyone with any class/culture/knowledge/education. Now anyone with a YouTube channel considers themselves an "expert" in just about anything and will tell genuine experts they're wrong. 

Going on a cruise is an interesting experience. I've been on 3 so far now and the vibe is different on every ship and destination. You see a cross section of society. On this cruise we met people from all over the U.S. and even Canada and the U.K. And the ship staff and service workers were from all over the globe. On this particular cruise we felt that there was a population of those anti-intellectual types. Nice people and not poor or even close, but just average people in every way. But I'm seeing that average is so much less sophisticated and informed than it used to be. I think people's opinions are being more affected by other people's opinions than they are by facts. And the facts are twisted by those other people. So in the end many of them are being misled and don't even realize it.

My husband and I booked a class of cabin that came along with eating in a special dining room that was exclusive to people in that class. The food and service was billed as slightly more upscale and gourmet than the main dining room. One night we decided to eat in the main dining room because it was offering a menu we liked. We were seated next to a very nice couple and began a conversation. We were talking about our experiences on the cruise and how much we liked it and my husband happened to mention how good the food was in the other dining room and how we were going to eat in the sushi restaurant. They were frequent cruisers and knew what that meant. The woman looked at me and said, "Oh we're NOT food people", like she took mentioning those things as a sign that we were "food snobs" or as a snub of the regular dining room (which it wasn't, because obviously we chose to eat there on occasion). But the way she said it cut me off in mid sentence. It made me feel like she was snubbing US for mentioning it, while we had no intention of making them feel "less than" by mentioning it. 

After that I couldn't help but notice how many people on this cruise gravitated toward typical fast food fare like burgers and fries to the exclusion of everything else. I really hadn't seen too much of that on my previous two cruises to be honest. Look I love burgers and fries too, but when I go on a cruise I want to eat food I can't get at home that easily or that's expensive or very involved to cook or order in a restaurant. I'm definitely not a food snob. But I guess now even mentioning that you eat certain things or go to certain restaurants will bring on a defensive attitude in some people. I don't care what other people eat but please don't think that just because I like gourmet food and sushi that I'm a "food snob" and trying to make you feel "less than"

Anyway that's just another example of the defiant defensiveness of some people toward anything they perceive as outclassing them. 

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ebk57

ebk57

I'm not sure how I've not seen this movie before tonight (I'm old - I should have seen it), but I watched "Network".  And now I'm really depressed.  The film was made in 1976, but feels like it could have been made last week.  If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.

 

As for leaving the country, my brother lives in Italy and my SIL lives in Australia.  Possible options... 

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peacheslatour

peacheslatour

12 minutes ago, nokat said:

Because you mentioned Lord of the Rings, I re-watch the last extended edition, (Return of the King) just to see the good guys win. I wonder if I would be as brave as Éowyn, or make that awful soup. (Not in the last movie), or fall in love with the wrong man.

She fell in love with the right man in the books.

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Yeah No

Yeah No

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On 2/22/2025 at 2:26 PM, heatherchandler said:

They want to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US so if there are high tariffs it will force the manufacturers to bring the plants back here.  If that actually works, it brings back jobs and money.  Will it work?  I don’t know.  His supporters are very happy about these moves.  But you have to look at it from their perspective.

I've considered their perspective but it's woefully uninformed and unrealistic. We can't go back to being completely self-sufficient without creating consequences that none of these people would be willing to face. It would be almost impossible to achieve to anyone's satisfaction. Part of the reason we have such sophisticated technology at pretty reasonable prices is because certain components are being made very cheaply overseas. If they were to be made here it would cost a fortune even with workers making minimum wage. No one, not even MAGAs would want to spend that kind of money on things just because they were made in the US. And tell me which MAGAs would be willing to work in sweatshop conditions for minimum wage or less in the first place? Do they even have any idea what it would be like for them if the companies were to be profitable? They wouldn't even want those jobs and yet they want them back, thinking that they would be at a fair wage with benefits, capable of supporting a family - in other words, they're in a dream world! And we don't even have all the necessary resources and materials here in the US to make those things at a reasonable price. Some of those things would have to be imported.

Now granted, there may be a limited number of things that can be brought back to the U.S. but it won't be anywhere near on the grand scale these people think it will be. They're living inside of some kind of 1950s fantasy if they believe that. But sadly, they do, and all because they believe the lies.

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Lantern7

Lantern7

I left another phone message for my Congresswoman. I asked what would be the line she wouldn't cross. I said the stuff that I post here, albeit more polite: the GOP have all branches, and they don't need Trump anymore. Thinking about it, I figure what keeps the Republicans from doing that is that there are too many MAGA faithfuls that would make their lives hell if their chosen savior is taken down, both working beside them and voted into office by them.

Posting AI videos here is frowned upon, yes? I'll leave it at this: I've seen two videos of what SHOULD have happened on Friday. They made me feel good. Not feasible in the real world, but given how Republicans no longer believe in fighting under Marquis de Queensberry rules, I don't care.

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Soapy Goddess

Soapy Goddess

18 hours ago, Browncoat said:

Since when does aid need to be paid back?  If I give a sandwich to someone who's hungry, I don't expect payment!

If that sandwich cost you a billion dollars and included a whole new kitchen featuring a brand new refrigerator to store the leftovers, I'm sure you'd expect at least a thank you.

17 hours ago, BetyBee said:

He's foolish enough to think that Putin is his friend. 

Not as foolish as some might think, since Putin behaved during his previous administration.

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Soapy Goddess

Soapy Goddess

16 hours ago, nokat said:

DEI that is so hated for some reason

The 'hatred' comes from the fact that qualified people are being overlooked and passed up in order for companies to fill a quota (per DEI protocol). 

16 hours ago, nokat said:

I've been waiting to see a woman as president,

You've just proven my point. Thank you.

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Soapy Goddess

Soapy Goddess

9 hours ago, Anela said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoon_theory

Spoon theory is a metaphor describing the amount of physical or mental energy that a person has available for daily activities and tasks, and how it can become limited. The term was coined in a 2003 essay by American writer Christine Miserandino. In the essay, Miserandino describes her experience with chronic illness, using a handful of spoons as a metaphor for units of energy available to perform everyday actions. The metaphor has since been used to describe a wide range of disabilities, mental health issues, forms of marginalization, and other factors that might place unseen burdens on individuals.

That's wonderful. So what do you think poor people did before the advent of fast food and processed prepared meals did?? I don't recall my grandparents dying from exhaustion of cooking 🙄

9 hours ago, Dimity said:

do you think children are happy to wait until, at the earliest, 7 pm to have their supper?

Children couldn't care less what time they eat supper. Latch key kids have been waiting since the 70s. it's nothing new...and they all survived.

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Soapy Goddess

Soapy Goddess

9 hours ago, lookeyloo said:

I thought let's take the posters who think it is "so easy" and put them in the situation of struggling folks, both financially, time wise, emotionally, etc. and see how they do.

Been there, done that...and survived. Life isn't easy. It's all about priorities.

9 hours ago, peacheslatour said:

Conservatives would much rather no deserving persons get any benefits than even one "undeserving" person get anything.

Not true. It's the grifters who ruin it for the folks who truly need it. THIS is what the government is trying to do by uncovering "fraud" (or waste).

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Annber03

Annber03

(edited)
3 minutes ago, Browncoat said:

I went recently, and it is just a beautiful place.  And every non-American that I encountered was either laughing at the US or astonished that we elected the Cheeto again.  Either way, they were all more than just a little frightened, not only for the US, but for the world.

They are very much not alone in that feeling, for sure. I feel for all our allies, I honeslty don't even know how to begin to explain this insanity to them. I can't understand it and I live here, I certainly dont blame them for being just as baffled, if not more. 

But yeah, on a lighter note, I've seen photos and videos from that country and it really does look gorgeous. 

Edited by Annber03
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nokat

nokat

5 minutes ago, tres bien said:

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is looking at marriage and birth rates as a way to dole out federal funds to cities for bridges and roads 

The highest marriage and birth rates are in red states 

These people must sit around brainstorming to find ways to own the libs?

The red states have been whining for years about government support, like helping the poor.  Meanwhile, the blue states pay so much for the infrastructure of the less populated red states. They have been sucking on the state teat but won't admit it.

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Dimity

Dimity

7 minutes ago, tres bien said:

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is looking at marriage and birth rates as a way to dole out federal funds to cities for bridges and roads 

The highest marriage and birth rates are in red states 

These people must sit around brainstorming to find ways to own the libs?

All part of Trump 's revenge tour. States that went blue are going to have to kiss his ass to get anything.

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nokat

nokat

8 hours ago, Yeah No said:

No one, not even MAGAs would want to spend that kind of money on things just because they were made in the US. And tell me which MAGAs would be willing to work in sweatshop conditions for minimum wage or less

The same way I feel about MAGAts not willing to work in the fields. I grew up on a farm, and we were working all spring and summer. We had migrant workers that would come to help us and all neighboring farms. 

Sorry about sounding a bit angry there.

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Macbeth1966

Macbeth1966

(edited)

Once Trump was elected the 1st time - it became really clear he was really Putin's Puppet.

Hillary was right.  

And here's a link to an article from The Guardian on how Russia cultivated Trump as an asset 40 years ago.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/29/trump-russia-asset-claims-former-kgb-spy-new-book

Edited by Macbeth1966
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Notabug

Notabug

(edited)
20 hours ago, isalicat said:

If you are so poor that you cannot buy food *and* pay your electric bill, that is exactly what food banks/pantries are for.

The typical food bank emergency food package provides about 3 days worth of food per recipient.  That doesn't include perishables such as fruit, vegetables, dairy and eggs which are available sporadically for the average recipient.  In addition, spices like salt and pepper, sugar for tea or cereal, milk, butter, cooking oil etc are not part of the basic package.  

That someone living at near-poverty level could survive by using food banks is simply not true.

Edited by Notabug
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partofme

partofme

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(edited)

They also have to know where the food bank is and have a means of getting there. 

I really don’t like passing judgment on the way poor people spend their money. I’d rather pass judgment on the way billionaires like President Musk and Jeff Bezos spend their money, they have more money than they will ever be able to spend but they don’t use any of it to help society.  

Edited by partofme
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JustHereForFood

JustHereForFood

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image.png.142033884994668829270686da3e264e.png

*yes, I know Zelensky is at the summit right now and not in an active warzone, but it still applies.

Also, because it bears repeating, Trump has spent a lot of time calling Biden weak, but it was Biden who went to Kyiv during war while Trump continued to mock veterans. Why are all those republicans who talk about supporting the military silent?

Most of the coups in history relied on support of the military. I can't imagine how the people who serve in the military, FBI, CIA, etc. who talk about patriotism can accept Trump/Musk actions and their alliance with Russia. Please tell me people are not just going to watch them destroy everything the previous generations had built and "just follow orders".

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Ohiopirate02

Ohiopirate02

1 hour ago, partofme said:

They also have to know where the food bank is and have a means of getting there. 

I really don’t like passing judgment on the way poor people spend their money. I’d rather pass judgment on the way billionaires like President Musk and Jeff Bezos spend their money, they have more money than they will ever be able to spend but they don’t use any of it to help society.  

We also judge the employees harsher than the business owners who are paying poverty wages. Many of the so-called handouts poor people receive like Section 8 or Medicaid or SNAP truly are corporate welfare. Because if those programs do not exist then the Walmarts of the world would have to increase wages to keep employees or risk closing their doors forever. 

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Dimity

Dimity

35 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

We also judge the employees harsher than the business owners who are paying poverty wages.

I mentioned a day or two ago that my province increased minimum wage a few years ago.  You'd have thought most of the outrage over this would have come from business owners, and they certainly were not happy, but it was disheartening to see how many others were loud and vicious in their condemnation.  

One of my sisters, a woman who has worked minimum wage jobs in her day, was practically weeping at the thought of all those poor business owners who were going to lose money over this.

These are the type of people who've  worked as servers and will turn around now and be demanding and nasty and leave a 10% tip because the server forgot to bring them more napkins.

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Kemper

Kemper

(edited)
On 3/1/2025 at 10:05 AM, tres bien said:

After the 2016 election I said to a couple of 75ish  yr old women at the gym the White House might blow up when he moves in

They said we’ve lived through worse 

I never bothered to ask them have we?

I can't speak, personally, about the trials this country has been through before 1948. I am a 76-yr old Boomer. During the protests - Civil Rights, Vietnam, etc. - sometimes it seemed like the entire country was on fire. But everyone knew that we would come through it. Now I am not sure and it is terrifying. There is something so different this time, so dark, insidious....and evil. 

Edited by Kemper
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bluegirl147

bluegirl147

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42 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

We also judge the employees harsher than the business owners who are paying poverty wages. Many of the so-called handouts poor people receive like Section 8 or Medicaid or SNAP truly are corporate welfare. Because if those programs do not exist then the Walmarts of the world would have to increase wages to keep employees or risk closing their doors forever. 

Just like  immigrants working off the books are criminalized but the employers hiring them  you don't hear a word about them.

 

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bluegirl147

bluegirl147

2 minutes ago, Harvey said:

No. Hating on trans people and minorities is far more important than that.

This is true for far too many people.

Vance had to know he wouldn't get a warm welcome in Vermont one of our bluer states.   So either he is more clueless than I thought or he went knowing there would be protests and he wants to play the victim and portray protesters as dangerous and out of control.

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Dimity

Dimity

10 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

So either he is more clueless than I thought or he went knowing there would be protests and he wants to play the victim and portray protesters as dangerous and out of control.

It's all role playing and gamesmanship with him and Herr Trump. That fiasco in the Oval Office was scripted by someone (Miller perhaps?) their miscalculation was that Zelenskyy didn't react the way they had intended him to.  

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partofme

partofme

(edited)
2 hours ago, peacheslatour said:

I think Trump was the biggest factor in changing the Republican Party from what Ronald Reagan envisioned, and he wouldn’t even recognize it today,” McConnell observed.

I don’t really believe what McConnell is saying here, at least domestically, there is a direct line from Reagan’s policies to Trump, just in Reagan’s day the Republicans were politer about their racism and spoke in dog whistles like “welfare queens”. but Reagan was every bit as much as Trump and Musk are for hurting poor people and doing away with the social safety net so I have no doubt Reagan would fit right in with today’s Republicans. 

Edited by partofme
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bluegirl147

bluegirl147

4 minutes ago, Lantern7 said:

I would think Sean and Rachel would be trying for Child #10. They’d name it after whatever mathematical formula Elon would think was hip at the time of birth.

Fucking how? I figured there would/should be mass desertions because of the Commander-in-Queef and his drunkard underling, but I guess that won’t happen. I’d encourage people at the National Guard to drop out, lest they be ordered to fire at civilians. CiQ has probably never heard of Kent State, and he’d wonder why a college would name itself after Superman.

Last year I read a book about Kent State and a lot of people weren't outraged by what happened.  Thought the protesters got what they deserved.. I fear more people would feel that way today if the Narional Guard fired on protesters.  

5 minutes ago, Dimity said:

It's all role playing and gamesmanship with him and Herr Trump. That fiasco in the Oval Office was scripted by someone (Miller perhaps?) their miscalculation was that Zelenskyy didn't react the way they had intended him to.  

So much of what they do is performative.  For the base.   For Putin.  They are always playing to someone.  I have no doubt if this was eight decades ago they would be playing to Hitler.  

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bluegirl147

bluegirl147

7 minutes ago, partofme said:

I don’t really believe what McConnell is saying here, at least domestically, there is a direct line from Reagan’s policies to Trump, just in Reagan’s day the Republicans were politer about their racism and spoke in dog whistles like “welfare queens”. but Reagan was every bit as much as Trump and Musk are for hurting poor people and doing away with the social safety net so I have no doubt Reagan would fit right in with today’s Republicans. 

A lot of what is wrong can be traced to Reagan.  Trickle down economics.  He fired the air traffic controllers. His polices exacerbated homelessness.  They disregarded the danger of an infectious disease.  And of course he announced his candidacy from Philadelphia Mississippi.  He definitely knew which direction the Republican party was moving in.

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peacheslatour

peacheslatour

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13 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Last year I read a book about Kent State and a lot of people weren't outraged by what happened.  Thought the protesters got what they deserved.. I fear more people would feel that way today if the Narional Guard fired on protesters.  

So much of what they do is performative.  For the base.   For Putin.  They are always playing to someone.  I have no doubt if this was eight decades ago they would be playing to Hitler.  

What Zelensky said didn't matter.

They were always going to make the same accusations.

It was a set up.

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Macbeth1966

Macbeth1966

32 minutes ago, partofme said:

I don’t really believe what McConnell is saying here, at least domestically, there is a direct line from Reagan’s policies to Trump, just in Reagan’s day the Republicans were politer about their racism and spoke in dog whistles like “welfare queens”. but Reagan was every bit as much as Trump and Musk are for hurting poor people and doing away with the social safety net so I have no doubt Reagan would fit right in with today’s Republicans. 

The first campaign stop Reagan made after the RNC nominated him as their Presidential candidate was Neshoba Mississippi.  

Neshoba Mississippi is close to the area where 3 Civil Rights activists, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, were murdered in 1964. 

The speech was about State's Rights.  Reagan knew exactly what he was doing.

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