Chit-Chat: The Feels

[Affogato]

5 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

 

Is it my imagination or his hair getting lighter? It looks almost white now.

When he started his campaign for this term he pulled back on the orange tan and dye. Or his stylist did. I think they have been doing it gradually. 
 

i’ e lived in both Canada and the US. There are problems with the two party system and a multiple party system. I think it balances most of the time. 

Edited March 18 by Affogato

[Dimity]

4 minutes ago, Affogato said:

i’ e lived in both Canada and the US. There are problems with the two party system and a multiple party system. I think it balances most of the time. 

Speaking of Canada, we've got the Cons here taking a huge leaf from Trump's playbook - some examples from today alone:

• Poilievere is calling our new Prime Minister "Sneaky Mark Carney"
• The Cons are claiming Canada has had "questionable" elections for the past 10 years (the Libs took back power from the Cons 10 years ago)
• Poilievere is saying a recent decision by our PM is a "fake executive order"

Good god.

[bluegirl147]

31 minutes ago, partofme said:

if you believe the media, a lot of people supposedly voted for Trump because they felt the government wasn’t doing enough to help them and they wanted major changes.   This if you believe it sounds like people want a progressive candidate and mistakenly view Trump as one.

Those voters wanted the government to help them.  They are in favor of progressive policies when they get something.  But policies that help everyone?  Nah. Can't have any undeserving "others" get anything.

31 minutes ago, Makai said:

Chief justice pushes back against calls to impeach judges who rule against Trump

 

I think Roberts is realizing he created a monster by ruling Presidents have immunity to do whatever the fuck they want. He is also probably realizing the next government entity on the chopping block might be SCOTUS.  Judges? We don't need no stinkin judges.

[mostlylurking]

48 minutes ago, partofme said:

But progressive ideas when polled separately from the candidates are always popular with the public.

This is true and also infuriating.  I live in a red state that voted progressively on many issues (abortion rights, legalizing marijuana among other things) but still went republican on the actual candidates.  Why? 

[partofme]

13 minutes ago, mostlylurking said:

This is true and also infuriating.  I live in a red state that voted progressively on many issues (abortion rights, legalizing marijuana among other things) but still went republican on the actual candidates.  Why? 

They’re brainwashed by Fox News and right wing media lying all the time.  Nothing will change as long as the right wing is allowed to lie 24/7 unchallenged. 

[kittykat]

17 minutes ago, mostlylurking said:

This is true and also infuriating.  I live in a red state that voted progressively on many issues (abortion rights, legalizing marijuana among other things) but still went republican on the actual candidates.  Why? 

AOC ran that survey back in November and got the same perplexing answers.  It's also why we need to take a risk and run a more progressive candidate instead of a middle of the road centrist.  The more I think about it I think a winning message for the Democrats would be to lead with overturning Citizens United as a main goal.  Not only is it an incredibly unpopular ruling with voters but it also covers the economy which needs to be their leading point.

26 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Those voters wanted the government to help them.  They are in favor of progressive policies when they get something.  But policies that help everyone?  Nah. Can't have any undeserving "others" get anything.

I think Roberts is realizing he created a monster by ruling Presidents have immunity to do whatever the fuck they want. He is also probably realizing the next government entity on the chopping block might be SCOTUS.  Judges? We don't need no stinkin judges.

I'm all for Roberts growing a backbone even if its years too late.  Now if ACB can do the same we may have some leverage on the SC.

I already mentioned it on the TDS forum but Jon Stewart gave Chuck Schumer the Business last night and though I get a little annoyed at him attacking the Democrats, this one was earned.

Edited March 18 by kittykat

[Ohiopirate02]

8 minutes ago, mostlylurking said:

This is true and also infuriating.  I live in a red state that voted progressively on many issues (abortion rights, legalizing marijuana among other things) but still went republican on the actual candidates.  Why? 

Because many people fall for the lie that the economy grows when Republicans are in charge. People hear Republicans are good for business and therefore good for their personal investments without really looking at the reasons why Republicans are "good" for business and the very rich. There is zero evidence to support the idea that what is good for business equates to more money in the average American's 401K. Things like tax cuts for the rich and deregulation and slashing of corporate taxes are not doing anything to make me richer.

They also believe that Republicans are tougher on crime than Democrats. Though being tougher on crime just means sending more black and brown people to prison and making the streets appear to be safer. If Republicans really were tough on crime, then they would be passing legislation to ban the guns that no one outside of the military needs or passing legislation to remove guns from people convicted of domestic abuse.

[LexieLily]

Tesla dropped another 5.5% today 🙊

[Dimity]

5 hours ago, LexieLily said:

Tesla dropped another 5.5% today 🙊

And last I checked the Stock Market was not rosy either.  Speaking of Tesla I read that the board at Tesla wants to oust Musk but I think that's probably just one of those Internet rumours that get started and mean nothing.  But it's nice to think about it...

Edited March 19 by Dimity

[Ohiopirate02]

2 minutes ago, Dimity said:

And last I checked the Stock Market was rosy either.  Speaking of Tesla I read that the board at Tesla wants to oust Musk but I think that's probably just one of those Internet rumours that get started and mean nothing.  But it's nice to think about it...

I can see that happening. The board has a vested interest and ethical obligation to step in when the stock price continues to tank or risk the company folding altogether.

[bluegirl147]

3 minutes ago, Dimity said:

  Speaking of Tesla I read that the board at Tesla wants to oust Musk but I think that's probably just one of those Internet rumours that get started and mean nothing.  But it's nice to think about it...

Is this the same board that voted to give him a multi billion dollar bonus a few years back?

17 minutes ago, partofme said:

They’re brainwashed by Fox News and right wing media lying all the time.  Nothing will change as long as the right wing is allowed to lie 24/7 unchallenged. 

You can thank Reagan for undoing the Fairness Doctrine. With that gone people like Rush Limbaugh and then Fox News were allowed to spew their opinions propaganda as fact.

19 minutes ago, kittykat said:

I'm all for Roberts growing a backbone even if its years too late.  Now if ACB can do the same we may have some leverage on the SC.

ACB is no pushover.  She very well could be a deciding vote for the cases that will eventually end up at the Court.  Trump is going to keep defying lower court rulings.  My question is what happens if he defies a SCOTUS ruling?

 

[partofme]

6 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

You can thank Reagan for undoing the Fairness Doctrine. With that gone people like Rush Limbaugh and then Fox News were allowed to spew their opinions propaganda as fact.

Yep I despise Reagan.  You can draw a direct line from him to Trump.  

[PRgal]

47 minutes ago, Dimity said:

And last I checked the Stock Market was rosy either.  Speaking of Tesla I read that the board at Tesla wants to oust Musk but I think that's probably just one of those Internet rumours that get started and mean nothing.  But it's nice to think about it...

My husband and I bought ETFs that short Tesla, so it's been doing well :) 

Edited March 18 by PRgal

[Makai]

1 hour ago, Dimity said:

And last I checked the Stock Market was rosy either.  Speaking of Tesla I read that the board at Tesla wants to oust Musk but I think that's probably just one of those Internet rumours that get started and mean nothing.  But it's nice to think about it...

The board has been part of the sell off. 

Tesla board members, executive sell off over $100 million of stock in recent weeks

Musk also leveraged his Tesla shares to help buy twitter. It was considered a bad deal before Tesla started tanking. It is telling that “Elon Musks cries on Fox News” has been trending for a few days. 

Edited March 18 by Makai

[Lantern7]

Went to the doctor’s office. On my way out, I saw a commercial with the dog killer touting America. What is that about?

2 hours ago, peacheslatour said:

Check the date: July 13, 2015. That was almost a decade ago. We really don’t learn shit, do we? 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[ProudMary]

3 hours ago, Dimity said:

They want them for cannon fodder.  What they don't want is having them in any position where they might give a white man an order.  Women, I can see being relegated to the womanly spheres of office work and kitchen patrol.

While this ⬆️ is certainly a possibility, Hegseth's initial actions to date have been designed to oust selected trans people and Black people from the military completely.

3 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

Honestly I won't be surprised if he issues an executive order reinstating the draft.  But only for men of color. 

Project 2025 actually has a section on reinstating the draft, but there will be exemptions for those who attended private schools.

2 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

I think Roberts is realizing he created a monster by ruling Presidents have immunity to do whatever the fuck they want. He is also probably realizing the next government entity on the chopping block might be SCOTUS.  Judges? We don't need no stinkin judges.

Hey Justice Roberts, when you give a president king-type powers, you shouldn't be surprised when he starts acting like a king.

1 hour ago, Dimity said:

And last I checked the Stock Market was rosy either.  Speaking of Tesla I read that the board at Tesla wants to oust Musk but I think that's probably just one of those Internet rumours that get started and mean nothing.  But it's nice to think about it...

It's more of an ultimatum, telling Elon to choose one.

'It's a crisis': Top Tesla investor wants Musk gone

One of Tesla's earliest investors has told Sky News that Elon Musk should step aside as the carmaker's chief executive unless he gives up his new government job.

https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/world/it-s-a-crisis-top-tesla-investor-wants-musk-gone/ar-AA1BaFkZ

"It's time for somebody to run Tesla. The business has been neglected for too long. There are too many important things Tesla is doing, so either Elon should come back to Tesla and be the CEO of Tesla and give up his other jobs or he should focus on the government and keep doing what he is doing but find a suitable CEO of Tesla."

[ProudMary]

I'm tired of hearing from right-wingers, both here and elsewhere, "DOGE is rooting out fraud. Don't you want that?" This, from WIRED paints a very different picture. (BTW, considering that tech-bros are our new overlords, WIRED has been breaking many big stories. Their reporting and sourcing have been excellent.)

'It’s a Heist’: Real Federal Auditors Are Horrified by DOGE

WIRED talked to actual federal auditors about how government auditing works—and how DOGE is doing the opposite.

https://www.wired.com/story/federal-auditors-doge-elon-musk/

[bluegirl147]

7 minutes ago, ProudMary said:

I'm tired of hearing from right-wingers, both here and elsewhere, "DOGE is rooting out fraud. Don't you want that?" This, from WIRED paints a very different picture. (BTW, considering that tech-bros are our new overlords, WIRED has been breaking many big stories. Their reporting and sourcing have been excellent.)

'It’s a Heist’: Real Federal Auditors Are Horrified by DOGE

WIRED talked to actual federal auditors about how government auditing works—and how DOGE is doing the opposite.

https://www.wired.com/story/federal-auditors-doge-elon-musk/

Of course it's a heist.  How anyone can think they are doing all this for any other reason than to line their pockets is beyond me.  These are not altruistic people.

[Bliss]

3 hours ago, Dimity said:

Speaking of Canada, we've got the Cons here taking a huge leaf from Trump's playbook - some examples from today alone:

• Poilievere is calling our new Prime Minister "Sneaky Mark Carney"
• The Cons are claiming Canada has had "questionable" elections for the past 10 years (the Libs took back power from the Cons 10 years ago)
• Poilievere is saying a recent decision by our PM is a "fake executive order"

Good god.

I need that vomit emoji. Stat!

[PRgal]

@Dimity Nerd Boy isn’t even creative/original! 

Edited March 18 by PRgal

[tres bien]

4 hours ago, Makai said:

Chief justice pushes back against calls to impeach judges who rule against Trump

 

Lotta good that did. They have no intention of listening to him or following the rule of law 

Today Rep Brandon Gill (R TX) introduced an article of impeachment for DC District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg for “high crimes and misdemeanors”

This is the judge that tried to stop the planes with the alleged gang members being sent to El Salvador and Trump ignored the order 

It’s so efficient we’re only paying the El Salvadoran government 6 million dollars to take the approximately 240 prisoners off our hands ( don’t known the cost of sending them there)

[Eri]

3 hours ago, kittykat said:

AOC ran that survey back in November and got the same perplexing answers.  It's also why we need to take a risk and run a more progressive candidate instead of a middle of the road centrist.  The more I think about it I think a winning message for the Democrats would be to lead with overturning Citizens United as a main goal.  Not only is it an incredibly unpopular ruling with voters but it also covers the economy which needs to be their leading point.

I don't know why people are so afraid of veering "too far left." Does anyone have an example? I've not seen it. The fact that the GOP was able to spin Harris as "far left" and people believing it is beyond me - I never got the impression she was anywhere near the liberal spectrum of Warren or Sanders who are considered the "extremes" by any measure.

I think I had read a point somewhere that I can't find, but why don't the Dems have their own version of Project 2025? What exactly is the liberal thesis for why government isn't working? How would they fix things like education, homelessness or crime? How would they go beyond the mantra of protecting institutions and actually improve on them?

So much time is spent arguing over the right way to perform ways to oppose Trump when their real problem is lack a competing vision.

I'd like to think that this new "vision" people voted for is not something the average voter will want going into 2026 and definitely not going into it 2028. That's what they need to focus on exerting mass effort as others have mentioned. It's probably been said already, but they need to forget about trying to please conservatives, there's no changing their mind. They need to engage the voters that actually like them and the ones who place no effort in voting and wake them up to why this is important because, as we're seeing, things can always get worse whether they choose to be engaged or not.

The House Dems seem to have a firmer grasp on these realities so I'm glad some are making concerted efforts to get their names out there in making their voices heard. As much as I'd like to theorize presidential candidates, Congress needs to get cleaned out first and leadership replaced to solidify the party as a coalition bloc, especially in the Senate.

[Makai]

31 minutes ago, Eri said:

The fact that the GOP was able to spin Harris as "far left" and people believing it is beyond me

Being from San Francisco was enough to get conservatives to believe it. I’ve heard that sentiment from fellow Californians since she ran for Attorney General in 2010. The actual reasons are vague but I can guarantee sanctuary city will be mentioned. 

Edited March 19 by Makai

[Makai]

3 hours ago, tres bien said:

Lotta good that did. They have no intention of listening to him or following the rule of law 

Today Rep Brandon Gill (R TX) introduced an article of impeachment for DC District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg for “high crimes and misdemeanors”

That’s not surprising. Trump’s lap dogs were going to follow orders. The statement was more about letting it be known the judicial branch would not take kindly to abandoning the checks and balances put in place to hold the other branches in line. 

We are rapidly heading to an impasse where we will see if there is a bridge to far and if the Legislative and Judicial Branches will fulfill their constitutional obligations. 

Edited March 19 by Makai

[peacheslatour]

1 hour ago, Eri said:

I don't know why people are so afraid of veering "too far left." Does anyone have an example? I've not seen it. The fact that the GOP was able to spin Harris as "far left" and people believing it is beyond me - I never got the impression she was anywhere near the liberal spectrum of Warren or Sanders who are considered the "extremes" by any measure.

I think I had read a point somewhere that I can't find, but why don't the Dems have their own version of Project 2025? What exactly is the liberal thesis for why government isn't working? How would they fix things like education, homelessness or crime? How would they go beyond the mantra of protecting institutions and actually improve on them?

So much time is spent arguing over the right way to perform ways to oppose Trump when their real problem is lack a competing vision.

I'd like to think that this new "vision" people voted for is not something the average voter will want going into 2026 and definitely not going into it 2028. That's what they need to focus on exerting mass effort as others have mentioned. It's probably been said already, but they need to forget about trying to please conservatives, there's no changing their mind. They need to engage the voters that actually like them and the ones who place no effort in voting and wake them up to why this is important because, as we're seeing, things can always get worse whether they choose to be engaged or not.

The House Dems seem to have a firmer grasp on these realities so I'm glad some are making concerted efforts to get their names out there in making their voices heard. As much as I'd like to theorize presidential candidates, Congress needs to get cleaned out first and leadership replaced to solidify the party as a coalition bloc, especially in the Senate.

I think they have this Abbie Hoffman ooga booga boogyman in their minds. A stereotype that hasn't existed since the 1960s.

[Dimity]

8 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

I think they have this Abbie Hoffman ooga booga boogyman in their minds. A stereotype that hasn't existed since the 1960s.

Mark Carney is our new Prime  Minister.  Previous jobs included heading the Bank of Canada and also the Bank of England.  The Conservatives here are labeling him a socialist.  The word officially now has no meaning other than "not one of us".

[Kemper]

I read somewhere today where Schumer has stated he will not step down. Does that mean the Dems cannot oust him before his term ends? This a winner (in my opinion); it could hopefully stop some of the  frustration and disrespect Dems are currently receiving. And ridicule and scorn seemingly from everyone who lives on earth.

Many think they need younger leadership.  So how about voting for Elizabeth Warren to serve the remainder of Schumer's term. She can be fire and is respected. Something that has been lacking from leadership for decades. At this point...there is absolutely nothing they have to lose. They are getting scorned and trashed by their own voters. We need to do something; to at least give the impression that things will change. That they hear us.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 19 by Kemper

[peacheslatour]

1 minute ago, Kemper said:

I read somewhere today where Schumer has stated he will not step down. Does that mean the Dems cannot oust him before his term ends? This a winner (in my opinion); it could hopefully stop some of the  frustration and disrespect Dems are currently receiving. And ridicule and scorn seemingly from everyone who lives on earth.

Many think they need younger leadership.  So how about voting for Elizabeth Warren to serve the remainder of Schumer's term. She can be fire and is respected. Something that has been lacking from leadership for decades. At this point...there is absolutely nothing they have to lose. They are getting scorned and trashed by their own voters. We need to do something; to at least give the impression that things will change.

 

 

 

 

He's a NY. Senator. How will a Mass. Senator work in your scenario?

[Makai]

4 minutes ago, Kemper said:

I read somewhere today where Schumer has stated he will not step down. Does that mean the Dems cannot oust him before his term ends? This a winner (in my opinion); it could hopefully stop some of the  frustration and disrespect Dems are currently receiving. And ridicule and scorn seemingly from everyone who lives on earth.

Many think they need younger leadership.  So how about voting for Elizabeth Warren to serve the remainder of Schumer's term. She can be fire and is respected. Something that has been lacking from leadership for decades. At this point...there is absolutely nothing they have to lose. They are getting scorned and trashed by their own voters. We need to do something; to at least give the impression that things will change.

I’m guessing you mean oust him as the Senate Minority Leader and they can. There is no set term for that position and the caucus could call for a new vote at any time. But they need to be careful they don’t end up in the same nightmare the House Republicans have ended up in with there recent leadership battles. 

[Kemper]

Just now, peacheslatour said:

He's a NY. Senator. How will a Mass. Senator work in your scenario?

I had not thought of that. Good point.

What I would like is someone who will step up and show that they are ...done with the going-along-to-get-along way. Someone that will make Dem voters want to hold their heads back up and quit being beat-to-death by the Press, all media outlets, all the talk-show hosts, all the newspapers, all the pollsters, and...our ownselves. That, along with the wonderful town-halls that Bernie, AOC, Tim W and many others are currently doing. Let's go. Their is an entire country, right now, that could really use this.

[Bliss]

Saw this and thought of all of you (well, most of you):

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: "We want to restore the Department of Justice to an institution that focuses on fighting law and order." HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAAH. Funniest thing I've heard all day.

[Dimity]

Just now, Bliss said:

"We want to restore the Department of Justice to an institution that focuses on fighting law and order."

Sounds about right.

[Lantern7]

11 minutes ago, Bliss said:

Saw this and thought of all of you (well, most of you):

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: "We want to restore the Department of Justice to an institution that focuses on fighting law and order." HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAAH. Funniest thing I've heard all day.

Why is it that people don’t throw stuff at her? Like, all the time?

[Yeah No]

7 hours ago, partofme said:

Pete was pretty damn moderate/ conservative when he ran for president in 2020, it was the reason I wasn’t a fan.  But maybe he’s gotten more liberal since then?  I thought he did a great job as transportation secretary.  I don’t agree that Democrats need to run a moderate in order to win.  Look at the supposed Bernie to Trump voters and the people who voted for both AOC and Trump, if you believe the media, a lot of people supposedly voted for Trump because they felt the government wasn’t doing enough to help them and they wanted major changes.   This if you believe it sounds like people want a progressive candidate and mistakenly view Trump as one.  ( Though I still think most people voted for Trump because of racism and misogyny).  But progressive ideas when polled separately from the candidates are always popular with the public.  I believe the right white man who is  charismatic and attractive could win as a Democrat with a progressive platform.  

I don't know if any progressive candidate can win even if they check all the boxes and are attractive. I say that as a non-progressive myself. I think it's just as important that the candidate be moderate or SEEM more moderate even if in substance they're not quite as moderate. I think Mayor Pete SEEMS moderate because he's buttoned up and dresses conservatively. He seems level headed and not too "pie in the sky". Independents are less likely to worry that he's going to make everything socialist. I think perception plays a big part in this and independents are obviously swayed by perception over substance or so many of them wouldn't have voted for Trump. And I don't think Dems. should ignore what independents will vote for or we'll just end up where we are right now again.

2 hours ago, Eri said:

I don't know why people are so afraid of veering "too far left." Does anyone have an example? I've not seen it. The fact that the GOP was able to spin Harris as "far left" and people believing it is beyond me - I never got the impression she was anywhere near the liberal spectrum of Warren or Sanders who are considered the "extremes" by any measure.

I agree with you about the spin on Harris. I think I would be afraid of veering into socialist territory like some of the progressives want. Bernie wanted free everything. Warren was a bit of a contradiction and some people didn't like that. I found her confusing myself. At times she was very progressive, but hey, free trade! And maybe it's me but at times I thought she could be a little kooky. Not that that's bad, but I just didn't see her as presidential. Again, perception.

I just think the right candidate has to be someone everyone can get excited about. Obama was like that. Bill Clinton was like that. They generated excitement. As Peaches always say, "Democrats fall in love. Republicans fall in line." It may not even be as important what their positions are as this. And I don't see anyone that fits that description right now unfortunately.

[suomi]

from the article:

A Republican state lawmaker in Minnesota who recently introduced a bill to create a mental illness category for liberals obsessed over Donald Trump was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Minnesota senator Justin Eichorn was arrested and booked on Tuesday. He believed he was talking to a 17-year-old female, but was communicating instead with detectives from the Bloomington, Minnesota, police department, police allege.

Eichorn, a 40-year-old whose biography on the Minnesota Senate website says he is married with four kids, faces felony charges for soliciting a minor to practice prostitution.

“As a 40-year-old man, if you come to the Orange Jumpsuit District looking to have sex with someone’s child, you can expect that we are going to lock you up,” Booker Hodges of the Bloomington police department said in a statement.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/18/minnesota-justin-eichorn-arrested-soliciting-minor

[Lantern7]

19 minutes ago, suomi said:

from the article:

A Republican state lawmaker in Minnesota who recently introduced a bill to create a mental illness category for liberals obsessed over Donald Trump was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Minnesota senator Justin Eichorn was arrested and booked on Tuesday. He believed he was talking to a 17-year-old female, but was communicating instead with detectives from the Bloomington, Minnesota, police department, police allege.

Eichorn, a 40-year-old whose biography on the Minnesota Senate website says he is married with four kids, faces felony charges for soliciting a minor to practice prostitution.

“As a 40-year-old man, if you come to the Orange Jumpsuit District looking to have sex with someone’s child, you can expect that we are going to lock you up,” Booker Hodges of the Bloomington police department said in a statement.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/18/minnesota-justin-eichorn-arrested-soliciting-minor

I imagine the detectives at the office having a good laugh with their colleagues . . . and then Gov. Walz strolls in with the good beer and cigars.

This is beautiful. Don’t Republicans police themselves? If one of them is a perv, would a few of them tackle him before he brings shame to their grand old party?

Edited March 19 by Lantern7

[fastiller]

52 minutes ago, Bliss said:

Saw this and thought of all of you (well, most of you):

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: "We want to restore the Department of Justice to an institution that focuses on fighting law and order." HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAAH. Funniest thing I've heard all day.

They can't help telling on themselves.

[Yeah No]

Re: voters voting against their own interests - I think we've seen evidence that even Republicans have voted against their own interests because they've been lead to believe that any Republican is better than any Democrat. And now that they're facing that Trump is doing more and more stuff they don't like, they're doubling down on their support of him and insisting we give him a chance and that he's still better than the Democratic choice. Anything but admit that he's doing stuff they didn't anticipate and don't approve of.

These are the Republicans that are not racist, homophobic or misogynist and also might not want an autocracy or monarchy. Even if they agree with Trump  on immigration they may not like the way he's going about doing it. Or they may not like the hacksaw approach of DOGE, or Elon Musk's presence AT ALL, or the privatization of the Post Office (most people don't), or the repeal of Roe v. Wade, or the entire MAGA thing, or the tariffs, etc., etc. etc. After a while I have to wonder why they're still supporting him, but I doubt I'd get an honest answer if I asked. Because the truth may be that all of that is worth putting up with just so that an "evil" Democrat doesn't win. In fact, addressing that issue may be one of THE most important things Democratic candidates should do to counteract the lies that lead to this situation. Take it head on. Democrats are still playing things the "old" way. You know, being above all the insults and lies. But that isn't working anymore. 

[ProudMary]

Here's a piece of good news. I was quite worried about the availability of a flu vaccine for the 2025-26 flu season.

After canceling meeting of independent advisers, FDA issues 2025-26 flu vaccine recommendations

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/13/health/fda-flu-vaccine-recommendations/index.html

The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee had been scheduled to meet Thursday to weigh in on the composition of the flu shots, but that session was canceled without explanation in late February.

Instead, experts from within the FDA, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Department of Defense gathered Thursday to go over surveillance data from the US and around the world about flu viruses that are currently circulating.

The FDA is recommending that flu vaccines for the 2025-26 season be trivalent, protecting against two strains of influenza A and one of influenza B.

[annzeepark914]

Trump has removed an explicit ban on segregated facilities in federal contracts. That would allow segregated waiting rooms, eating facilities, drinking fountains, etc. I can't believe I'm actually typing these words. How can anyone work for these administration creeps?

Edited March 19 by annzeepark914

[kittykat]

1 hour ago, Yeah No said:

don't know if any progressive candidate can win even if they check all the boxes and are attractive. I say that as a non-progressive myself. I think it's just as important that the candidate be moderate or SEEM more moderate even if in substance they're not quite as moderate. I think Mayor Pete SEEMS moderate because he's buttoned up and dresses conservatively. He seems level headed and not too "pie in the sky". Independents are less likely to worry that he's going to make everything socialist. I think perception plays a big part in this and independents are obviously swayed by perception over substance or so many of them wouldn't have voted for Trump. And I don't think Dems. should ignore what independents will vote for or we'll just end up where we are right now again.

I get this.  I've gone back and forth on this question so many times.  I do think we need to run a progressive candidate who can play ball with the Centrists.  Pete Buttigieg is a very good choice I believe. I think it's the way forward if the Democrats want to retake the 3rd/no voters.  The main reason we had the no voters was Palestine and the vehemently pro-Palestine people run further left.  It's why I've been very against the Democrats leaning further right to woo center right voters that aren't returning.  It's a futile trick that will further alienate their already pissed off base.

The Democrats need an Economy forward message to retake 2028.  I think they should vow to make the push to end Citizens United Since it's despised by both sides. Go forward with grassroots campaigning and reconnect with working class voters who don't feel heard.  I'm not saying they should table identity politics, but I know they've got my back more than Republicans do.  

[Makai]

9 hours ago, suomi said:

from the article:

A Republican state lawmaker in Minnesota who recently introduced a bill to create a mental illness category for liberals obsessed over Donald Trump was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Minnesota senator Justin Eichorn was arrested and booked on Tuesday. He believed he was talking to a 17-year-old female, but was communicating instead with detectives from the Bloomington, Minnesota, police department, police allege.

Eichorn, a 40-year-old whose biography on the Minnesota Senate website says he is married with four kids, faces felony charges for soliciting a minor to practice prostitution.

“As a 40-year-old man, if you come to the Orange Jumpsuit District looking to have sex with someone’s child, you can expect that we are going to lock you up,” Booker Hodges of the Bloomington police department said in a statement.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/18/minnesota-justin-eichorn-arrested-soliciting-minor

I didn’t realize those two stores were the same guy. The timing of the arrest is amazing. 

Speaking of Trump Derangement Syndrome, at any point are they going to realize that no one who is anti-Trump cares in the slightest. It just makes the users of the term look unhinged. The projection is off the charts. 

8 hours ago, annzeepark914 said:

Trump has removed an explicit ban on segregated facilities in federal contracts. That would allow segregated bathrooms, eating facilities, etc. I can't believe I'm actually typing these words. How can anyone work for these administration creeps?

The symbolism is horrific but it is a purely symbolic move. This doesn’t touch the actual laws that make segregation illegal. The purpose of the original executive order he just revoked was to ensure that all government contractors were not violating the Civil Rights Act just after it was passed. 

How anyone can continue to deny that this administration is racist is beyond me with decisions like this. 

Edited March 19 by Makai

[Annber03]

2 hours ago, suomi said:

from the article:

A Republican state lawmaker in Minnesota who recently introduced a bill to create a mental illness category for liberals obsessed over Donald Trump was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Minnesota senator Justin Eichorn was arrested and booked on Tuesday. He believed he was talking to a 17-year-old female, but was communicating instead with detectives from the Bloomington, Minnesota, police department, police allege.

Eichorn, a 40-year-old whose biography on the Minnesota Senate website says he is married with four kids, faces felony charges for soliciting a minor to practice prostitution.

“As a 40-year-old man, if you come to the Orange Jumpsuit District looking to have sex with someone’s child, you can expect that we are going to lock you up,” Booker Hodges of the Bloomington police department said in a statement.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/18/minnesota-justin-eichorn-arrested-soliciting-minor

[suomi]

from the article:

Donald Trump's presidential administration in court filings has for the first time acknowledged that it fired nearly 25,000 recently hired workers – and said agencies were working to bring all of them back after a judge ruled that their terminations were likely illegal.

The filings made in Baltimore’s federal courthouse late Monday include statements from officials at 18 agencies, all of whom said the reinstated probationary workers were being placed on administrative leave at least temporarily.

The mass firings, part of Trump’s broader purge of the federal workforce carried out by the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) led by billionaire businessman Elon Musk, were widely reported. But the court filings are the first full accounting of the terminations by the administration.

Most of the agencies said they had fired a few hundred workers. The treasury department terminated about 7,600 people, the Department of Agriculture about 5,700 and the Department of Health and Human Services more than 3,200, according to the filings.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/18/trump-administration-reinstating-fired-workers

[Affogato]

this is an interesting article 

https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2025/03/18/Trump-and-Pathology-Politics/

Trump and the Politics of Pathology

The strongman catastrophist summons the worst in us. Why do so many heed his call?

[annzeepark914]

9 hours ago, Yeah No said:

I don't know if any progressive candidate can win even if they check all the boxes and are attractive. I say that as a non-progressive myself. I think it's just as important that the candidate be moderate or SEEM more moderate even if in substance they're not quite as moderate. I think Mayor Pete SEEMS moderate because he's buttoned up and dresses conservatively. He seems level headed and not too "pie in the sky". Independents are less likely to worry that he's going to make everything socialist. I think perception plays a big part in this and independents are obviously swayed by perception over substance or so many of them wouldn't have voted for Trump. And I don't think Dems. should ignore what independents will vote for or we'll just end up where we are right now again...

I just think the right candidate has to be someone everyone can get excited about. Obama was like that. Bill Clinton was like that. They generated excitement. As Peaches always say, "Democrats fall in love. Republicans fall in line." It may not even be as important what their positions are as this. And I don't see anyone that fits that description right now unfortunately.

What about Pritzker? I don't know much about him other than his impressive State of the State address. IMO, progressives can only hurt Democrats' chances at returning to the oval office. I've read many times that this country is not progressive; it's moderate. Unfortunately, Mayor Pete hasn't got a chance, only because he's gay (I think he'd be a shoe-in if he weren't). We need someone new, someone who hasn't run already in a presidential primary. 

[Ohiopirate02]

9 minutes ago, annzeepark914 said:

What about Pritzker? I don't know much about him other than his impressive State of the State address. IMO, progressives can only hurt Democrats' chances at returning to the oval office. I've read many times that this country is not progressive; it's moderate. Unfortunately, Mayor Pete hasn't got a chance, only because he's gay (I think he'd be a shoe-in if he weren't). We need someone new, someone who hasn't run already in a presidential primary. 

From what I remember reading on Twitter back in 2020, Mayor Pete is going to have a hard time getting the Black vote. It's not because he is gay, but because of things he may have done while mayor in South Bend. As far as his sexuality goes, Pete has got to be one of the most vanilla gay men ever. He's not someone who partied on Fire Island or showed up at the Folsom Street Fair. If he did, then pictures would have leaked 5 years ago.

[partofme]

10 hours ago, Yeah No said:

I think it's just as important that the candidate be moderate or SEEM more moderate even if in substance they're not quite as moderate. I think Mayor Pete SEEMS moderate because he's buttoned up and dresses conservatively. 

We have to agree to disagree here.  From what I’ve seen a lot of the reason people couldn’t vote for Harris is because she seemed too moderate.  People wanted change and they didn’t think the Democratic Party was offering any change from Biden, whose policies weren’t bad but the average person didn’t notice any change in their circumstances because of them.  I think people would be more excited to vote for a progressive candidate as opposed to the same old boring moderate who’s not going to make any change.  And Pete didn’t come across as moderate or conservative because of the way he dressed, but because of the words that came out of his mouth, his 2020 policies offered no improvement to the status quo.  

[Affogato]

https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/money-lies-and-god-9781635578546/
 

Money, Lies, and God

Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy

Katherine Stewart (Author)
 

i haven’t read this yet but I heard a talk by the author. It seems likely our current situation is part of a longer term pogrom or conspiracy. Which would make it really hard to fight with the correct candidate. I knew some of this, and I approach the book with trepidation. 

[partofme]

28 minutes ago, annzeepark914 said:

I've read many times that this country is not progressive; it's moderate

I don’t think this is true.  Progressive policies when polled separately from any candidate are very popular with the public. I think the Democrats thinking that they always need to run a moderate candidate is depressing voter turnout because they’re not offering any solutions to peoples problems.