Chit-Chat: The Feels

[Dimity]

Interesting.  They know exactly what will happen if the Dems gain control of the House.  Bring it on!

[PRgal]

1 hour ago, bluegirl147 said:

 

Bill Maher is a rich privileged white guy.  Forgive me if I don't consider him reflective of my political beliefs.

 

 

I see a lot of more wealthier (including upper middle class) NON-WHITE folks who are not fans of DEI (just ask my boomer aged, immigrant parents.  And my dad came from family that was barely middle class) or believe the way it was discussed/handled, at least in the workplace and in non-profit volunteer groups as being flawed (e.g. me), considering the voices that have been silenced/not validated just by talking about certain experiences/facts (see my reply to a woman's note on Substack).  That said, by US standards, I probably lean towards the middle left (though still right of people like AOC).  By Canadian standards, I'm more right of centre (so I was surprised that I came just left of the middle on a political spectrum quiz I recently took).  

Edited April 2 by PRgal

[Dimity]

26 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

Oh and now Trump is acting like "Elon's job is done" and he has "many businesses to go back to managing" when we know what the truth is.

Poor Elon.  If he thinks for one minute the backlash against Tesla because of him will cease if he actually steps away from his shadow presidency, well no.  He's shown himself for what he is and no one is going to forget.

[bluegirl147]

5 minutes ago, PRgal said:

I see a lot of more wealthier (including upper middle class) NON-WHITE folks who are not fans of DEI (just ask my boomer aged, immigrant parents.  And my dad came from family that was barely middle class) or believe the way it was discussed/handled, at least in the workplace and in non-profit volunteer groups as being flawed (e.g. me), considering the voices that have been silenced/not validated just by talking about certain experiences/facts (see my reply to a woman's note on Substack).  That said, by US standards, I probably lean towards the middle left (though still right of people like AOC).  By Canadian standards, I'm more right of centre (so I was surprised that I came just left of the middle on a political spectrum quiz I recently took).  

I didn't say anything about DEI. In referring to Maher as a rich privileged white guy my point is he is less likely to feel the effects of what Trump and Musk are doing.  Last year when talking to Jerry Seinfeld another rich privileged white man they both agreed a second Trump term wouldn't be bad for them personally. 

5 minutes ago, Dimity said:

Poor Elon.  If he thinks for one minute the backlash against Tesla because of him will cease if he actually steps away from his shadow presidency, well no.  He's shown himself for what he is and no one is going to forget.

He has ruined his brand.  I don't see him coming back from this.

[PRgal]

3 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

I didn't say anything about DEI. In referring to Maher as a rich privileged white guy my point is he is less likely to feel the effects of what Trump and Musk are doing.  Last year when talking to Jerry Seinfeld another rich privileged white man they both agreed a second Trump term wouldn't be bad for them personally. 

He has ruined his brand.  I don't see him coming back from this.

If Maher owns any publicly traded shares, then his wealth is probably going to be pretty affected.  If the stock market were a human being, they'd likely be diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  

[Affogato]

8 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

Wrong again. In the same way that I refuted your "teenagers" statement regarding Doge men (thanks for the acknowledgment BTW), you are wrong about this too.

Apparently this guy was part of the MS-13 gang and also a human traffiker (sp?). I've got a migraine tonight, so forgive me for not searching a link to the story.

No. He was an illegal immigrant and a judge found the evidence of his membership in the gang was enough to detain him at one point. ImThe evidence was based on the statement of an informant and the fact he was wearing Chicago Bulls gear. He was released in 2019 and not deported because he ws in danger if he was sent back.
 

Apparently law enforcement linked him to gang activity, but in a place where he has never lived, his recent lawyer stated. He was not criminally convicted. 
 

It isn’t a clear cut case, he isn’t obviously innocent of being a member of a gang. But it does not speak to anyone’ in the administration’s empathy or desire for justice.
 

 This is a person who is being sent back to a horrible prison to probably die. without due process afforded to him. Not unlike a trafficker would take someone illegally for their own ends? We applaud this ?

1 hour ago, bluegirl147 said:

I didn't say anything about DEI. In referring to Maher as a rich privileged white guy my point is he is less likely to feel the effects of what Trump and Musk are doing.  Last year when talking to Jerry Seinfeld another rich privileged white man they both agreed a second Trump term wouldn't be bad for them personally. 

He has ruined his brand.  I don't see him coming back from this.

If the tariffs work as expected the world will buy electric cars made elsewhere and he has lost a huge market. 

49 minutes ago, Dimity said:

In fairness that would be fairly secure…..

[fastiller]

2 hours ago, Yeah No said:

I don't know anyone on the "left" that approves of this vandalism. There is always a fringe group that approves of stuff like this, but just as you can't say most Republicans approve of January 6th you can't say that Democrats approve of vandalism of Republicans and their property. It simply isn't true.

I'm on the left (as in Progressive/Liberal) and depending on my mood, sometimes I'm 100% 'burn it all to the FKN ground!"

 

2 hours ago, Yeah No said:

Yes and I thought that a deliberate effort was made to make it look like that, too. And it was not so subtle either. They're feeding their racist, Nazi sympathizing base's grievances with this shit and making them think they're "doing something about the problem". They're doing nothing but making a big show to keep their base loyal and make them think they're "fighting for them". And hurting people unnecessarily in the process without giving them due process under the law. It's sickening.

 

1 hour ago, Dimity said:

 Anyone still pretending the US isn't being run by Nazis is deep in the city of denial right now.

It's absolutely deliberate.  If it weren't Noem wouldn't have made that stupid video.

 

1 hour ago, Bookish Jen said:

Me in Wisconsin after proudly voting for Susan Crawford: 

I internet love you, @Bookish Jen.  Internet marry me?

[Lugal]

10 minutes ago, Affogato said:

If the tariffs work as expected the world will buy electric cars made elsewhere and he has lost a huge market. 

They already are.  BYD is outperforming Tesla pretty much everywhere in the world.  100% tariffs (unfortunately imposed by Biden) have effectively locked it out of the US, however.

[Anela]

2 hours ago, Yeah No said:

I don't know anyone on the "left" that approves of this vandalism. There is always a fringe group that approves of stuff like this, but just as you can't say most Republicans approve of January 6th you can't say that Democrats approve of vandalism of Republicans and their property. It simply isn't true.

And BTW according to polls done this year, Republican support of January 6th has actually grown over the years among Republicans to a whopping 22%! That's no fringe group! I seriously doubt that a similarly large percentage of Democrats would approve of something similar committed by Democrats toward Republicans or in the case of Jan. 6th, our government. But when you have so many Republicans so devoted to Trump, who has actually publicly said he wants that day made into a national holiday, what do you expect?

And that ONE day in January was arguably far worse than several much more minor attacks put together. And it was an attack on our government, not personal property, which is arguably much worse. That's a false equivalency if I ever saw one!

The Tesla vandalism is really low on my list of concerns.  Just so long as no human beings get hurt.  I know maga who said some years back, that violence is a part of progress.  They were also excited on January 6th, until they realized that the protesters and trump weren’t going to get away with it.  Then it was antifa, and the FBI.  

It definitely wasn’t just one day.  They worked up to that, had speeches, and plans. They had their politicians - who were never even charged - ready to contest the election results.  They just needed pence to help them, and he refused. And people are still making excuses for trump.  If trump supporters expect the division to be healed, you need to start with the guy you voted for.  The former host of the apprentice, who is vandalizing our country, our constitution, and who decided to rant about how everything will be awful now (now!) after the democrat won in Wisconsin, last night.   

[Ohiopirate02]

38 minutes ago, Anela said:

The Tesla vandalism is really low on my list of concerns.  Just so long as no human beings get hurt.

As far as I can tell, the Tesla vandalism going on is unrelated to the coordinated protests that have been happening. The footage of the protests I saw from last weekend or the weekend before all appeared to be peaceful. Has there been any proof linking these random acts of vandalism to the coordinated protests? Outside of the nonsense Fox News or Newsmax is spewing?

[Bookish Jen]

1 hour ago, fastiller said:

I'm on the left (as in Progressive/Liberal) and depending on my mood, sometimes I'm 100% 'burn it all to the FKN ground!"

 

 

It's absolutely deliberate.  If it weren't Noem wouldn't have made that stupid video.

 

I internet love you, @Bookish Jen.  Internet marry me?

Aw shucks, yes, I will internet marry you!

[Affogato]

https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

[bluegirl147]

26 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

As far as I can tell, the Tesla vandalism going on is unrelated to the coordinated protests that have been happening. The footage of the protests I saw from last weekend or the weekend before all appeared to be peaceful. Has there been any proof linking these random acts of vandalism to the coordinated protests? Outside of the nonsense Fox News or Newsmax is spewing?

If you told me Musk was behind the vandalism I would say yep that makes sense. Whether for insurance money or to make the left look bad he is capable of it.

[mostlylurking]

On 4/1/2025 at 8:07 AM, Dimity said:

I assume people in a cult don't think they're in a cult. Same with all the obedient little Trumpers who slavishly cheer on every atrocity.

And also, things happen slowly.  An abusive spouse doesn’t go on a first date and punch a woman in the face.  If that happened, that woman would be like you’re crazy and never see him again.  It all happens very slowly, seemingly innocently at first, until you are so swept up in it you wonder “how did I get here??”  And I agree with what another poster said…if Trump could punish his citizens the way Putin does, he 100% would.  And someday, maybe he will.

In other news, I’m proud of Cory Booker.  He’s pretty bland, so this is probably the most interesting thing he’s ever done.  Does it change anything?  Not in the short term, but at least he’s doing something.

[Cementhead]

42 minutes ago, Bookish Jen said:

Aw shucks, yes, I will internet marry you!

 

Also, if only it was this easy:

[Anela]

1 hour ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

As far as I can tell, the Tesla vandalism going on is unrelated to the coordinated protests that have been happening. The footage of the protests I saw from last weekend or the weekend before all appeared to be peaceful. Has there been any proof linking these random acts of vandalism to the coordinated protests? Outside of the nonsense Fox News or Newsmax is spewing?

I haven’t seen them linked, either.  

[bluegirl147]

41 minutes ago, mostlylurking said:

 And I agree with what another poster said…if Trump could punish his citizens the way Putin does, he 100% would.  And someday, maybe he will.

I think one reason he wants Canada and Greenland is so he can feel like Putin.  Expanding the American Empire. 

47 minutes ago, mostlylurking said:

In other news, I’m proud of Cory Booker.  He’s pretty bland, so this is probably the most interesting thing he’s ever done.  Does it change anything?  Not in the short term, but at least he’s doing something.

It shows that he and I hope by extension at least some Democrats care and are trying to do something.

Between Booker's filibuster and Wisconsin electing a liberal judge I feel hopeful.

[Bookish Jen]

13 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

I think one reason he wants Canada and Greenland is so he can feel like Putin.  Expanding the American Empire. 

It shows that he and I hope by extension at least some Democrats care and are trying to do something.

Between Booker's filibuster and Wisconsin electing a liberal judge I feel hopeful.

Today is the first time I've felt somewhat hopeful since November 5th, 2024. I hope we can keep the momentum going.

[Dimity]

2 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

If you told me Musk was behind the vandalism I would say yep that makes sense. Whether for insurance money or to make the left look bad he is capable of it.

I have no way of knowing, of course, if Musk or one of his minions is behind the vandalism but:

Elon Musk's Tesla faces claims it defrauded Canada's electric vehicle subsidy scheme — from which it has now been kicked out.

[ProudMary]

2 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

As far as I can tell, the Tesla vandalism going on is unrelated to the coordinated protests that have been happening. The footage of the protests I saw from last weekend or the weekend before all appeared to be peaceful. Has there been any proof linking these random acts of vandalism to the coordinated protests? Outside of the nonsense Fox News or Newsmax is spewing?

No proof whatsoever. Even in the cases where arrests have been made, no motives have been estsblished. During the BLM protests, we saw multiple incidents of violent interventions from the right wing. The Las Vegas Tesla arson has the feel of a false flag incident, IMO. An arrest was made in the past few days, but no motive has yet been released. I'm waiting, not too patiently...

1 hour ago, mostlylurking said:

In other news, I’m proud of Cory Booker.  He’s pretty bland, so this is probably the most interesting thing he’s ever done.  Does it change anything?  Not in the short term, but at least he’s doing something.

We shall see. Actions such as Senator Booker's can be the inspiration for change. Perhaps his filibuster will prompt more Democratic Senators to push for Leader Schumer to step down, now that one of their own has shown what putting up a fight looks like!

[jessiebell]

Regarding the guy "accidently" sent to that El Salvador prison - I'm glad to see a couple of people corrected the person that wrote he was a gang member.  In Oct 2019 (Trump's first term) the judge released him and prohibited the US gov't from sending him back to El Salvador.  Trump admin did not appeal the decision.  And now Trump says they can't bring him back?  

And just what is the darn rush to deport visa holding students - especially without notifying them that you've cancelled their visa?  Picking someone up off the street and whisking them away to a detention camp in Louisiansa is just plain wrong (unless they are an immediate threat which hasn't been shown in any of these type of cases).   

But cruelty is the name of the game for this administration.  How can anyone think it is okay for someone to find out they've been fired when they show up for work and can't get into the building - see photos of workers at HHS standing outside their building waiting to be screened and and learn their employment fate.  Especially since you're not firing these people because of poor performance or wrong doing.  At the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services some laid off workers were notified to contact  someone who it turns out was the former director and DIED last year.  Seriously I don't think one person hired by this administration is competent.

The Fox news article that was cited by someone earlier in this thread regarding the DOGE team doesn't list everyone working for DOGE.  There's another group of at least 6 guys aged 19-24 including Ed Coristine (19) self referred as "Big Balls" who previously provided network support to a cybercrime gang that boasted of hacking government emails.  While these guys might be software engineers it doesn't make them knowledgeable about what govverment agencies actually do - hence all the firing/rehiring and "fraud" that isn't fraud.

And my final rant of the day is AG Pam Bondi who said the other day regarding Signalgate that people should instead look at Hilary's emails and the classified docs in Biden's garage ( you know that small number that his attorney's found and immediately turned in) that Hunter had access to.  Funny she didn't mention the numerous classified docs Trump was hoarding at Marlago - those docs that after first stating he didn't have them and then if he did he was entitled to and refused to turn them over hence the FBI "raid" ( using a valid warrant).

I highly recommend the fiction book The Whole Truth by David Baldacci.  I read this book during Trump's first admin and had to keep going to the copyright page that showed the book was written in 2008.  It's about disinformation and false news and a  rich guy, who's weapons company is selling enough weapons,  anymore  creates havoc so that there will be new and more demand for his weapons.

[peacheslatour]

7 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I have no way of knowing, of course, if Musk or one of his minions is behind the vandalism but:

Elon Musk's Tesla faces claims it defrauded Canada's electric vehicle subsidy scheme — from which it has now been kicked out.

If anyone besides protesters is behind these burnings, especially at dealerships, it's more likely to be the owners of the dealerships. Their inventory is insured and if nobody is buying their product, they gotta recoup their investments somehow.

[Browncoat]

14 minutes ago, jessiebell said:

Funny she didn't mention the numerous classified docs Trump was hoarding at Marlago

Because he declassified them with his mind.

[tres bien]

I’m expecting HHS to be cut back so grossly that it won’t exist for any purpose other than Jr to have a place to go everyday and mumble about MAHA

Today all of the workers in a program that helps low-income Americans pay energy bills were fired

I don’t know what the point is anymore someone just shutdown everything lock the door and throw away the key 

[Anela]

I really need the democrats to stop asking me for money.  I don’t have any.  I’m unsubbing from any list that asks me for money.  I need some.  

[peacheslatour]

18 minutes ago, Anela said:

I really need the democrats to stop asking me for money.  I don’t have any.  I’m unsubbing from any list that asks me for money.  I need some.  

We're all going to after Trump tariff wars start today.

[ECM1231]

Welcome, @jessiebell! 

[Dimity]

This Hour has 22 Minutes is a Canadian institution and they've got something to say!

 

[Annber03]

7 hours ago, Dimity said:

Interesting.  They know exactly what will happen if the Dems gain control of the House.  Bring it on!

[Affogato]

1 hour ago, peacheslatour said:

We're all going to after Trump tariff wars start today.

I don’t doubt they need it but I too din’t have enough. 

[tres bien]

If one apologist defends Trump’s tariffs I submit the following for proof that he is clueless:

Trump’s tariffs have targeted The Heard and McDonald Islands located in the Indian Ocean and are territories of Australia 

Human population of the islands =0

Both islands are inhabited by penguins 

[Lantern7]

6 minutes ago, tres bien said:

If one apologist defends Trump’s tariffs I submit the following for proof that he is clueless:

Trump’s tariffs have targeted The Heard and McDonald Islands located in the Indian Ocean and are territories of Australia 

Human population of the islands =0

Both islands are inhabited by penguins 

Maybe Don has a mad-on for Opus, Sparky and Chilly Willy?

Edited April 2 by Lantern7

[Dimity]

Maybe he thinks that's where the hockey team comes from?

[bluegirl147]

9 minutes ago, tres bien said:

If one apologist defends Trump’s tariffs I submit the following for proof that he is clueless:

Trump’s tariffs have targeted The Heard and McDonald Islands located in the Indian Ocean and are territories of Australia 

Human population of the islands =0

Both islands are inhabited by penguins 

I see Israel is on the list.  I'm sure Bibi won't be pleased.

Bad news is we are all going to have to suffer through these tariffs.  Good news is it's going to cause so much upheaval this might be what finally causes the MAGA fever to finally break.

[Dimity]

I tried to find out what Trump means by Liberation Day - this is the best explanation I could find:

 

[Dimity]

Typical Trump in the kick them while they're down department he's imposing a 44% tariff on Myanmar.  While they're still digging out from a devastating earthquake that's left 3,000 dead 😡.

[Absolom]

How long do we think the tariffs will last?

[Lantern7]

1 hour ago, Dimity said:

I tried to find out what Trump means by Liberation Day - this is the best explanation I could find:

 

“Libation Day”? Everyone drinks to feel something?

[PRgal]

So with USMCA items exempt, does this mean things are staying normal for us...for now, anyway?  In any case, I'm still trying to avoid buying US products (though not 100% avoiding US STORES) whenever I can (I love Granny Smith apples but had to refrain from buying them because most are from the US....well, until I found some from Argentina).  I can't if it's health related or if similar products from Canada, Europe or Asia can lead to health issues.  

[peacheslatour]

48 minutes ago, Absolom said:

How long do we think the tariffs will last?

"Two weeks."

[PRgal]

And NO ONE is surprised that the futures are down as of 9:30-ish pm ET.  I know I probably sound like some weird snob who focuses on the markets (trust me, I’m far from being an expert!) but politics DOES affect it and it affects MORE people than a lot of the general public might believe.  
 

screenshot of the futures via my CNBC app:

 

[Anela]

7 minutes ago, PRgal said:

And NO ONE is surprised that the futures are down as of 9:30-ish pm ET.  I know I probably sound like some weird snob who focuses on the markets (trust me, I’m far from being an expert!) but politics DOES affect it and it affects MORE people than a lot of the general public might believe.  
 

screenshot of the futures via my CNBC app:

 

I wish I knew more about the stock market. Weeks ago, someone I follow, said they bought Tesla stock, I think it was, for $850, and they sold for $36,000, recently? Damn. 

[Dimity]

This popped up on my FB tonight and along with it breaking my heart I was glad that the powers that be have thoughts and prayers for the school children but thank god they're practically calling on the National Guard to protect Tesla dealerships from vandals.  I mean according to MAGA that's the real tragedy in America right now.

 

Edited April 3 by Dimity

[Annber03]

2 hours ago, PRgal said:

And NO ONE is surprised that the futures are down as of 9:30-ish pm ET.  I know I probably sound like some weird snob who focuses on the markets (trust me, I’m far from being an expert!) but politics DOES affect it and it affects MORE people than a lot of the general public might believe.  
 

screenshot of the futures via my CNBC app:

 

Gosh, really? I'm SHOCKED. I mean, who could've possibly seen this coming, except, like, anyone who's actually paying attention to how things work around here? 

For fuck's sake, I'm not an expert at all on the stock market, the closest I ever got to having any interaction with it was doing a subject on it in school, and I know this is an economic disaster for everyone. How are Trump and his supporters this clueless? 

3 hours ago, Absolom said:

How long do we think the tariffs will last?

My guess is until some rich person or corporation who's taking a real hit from them via stock market losses kicks up a fuss and raises holly hell with the politicians and threatens to stop their donations to the party. 

[Makai]

Hey, look. A few Senate republicans found their spines, at least temporarily. 
Four Senate Republicans join with Democrats to rebuke Trump tariff policy in key vote

12 hours ago, mostlylurking said:

In other news, I’m proud of Cory Booker.  He’s pretty bland, so this is probably the most interesting thing he’s ever done.  Does it change anything?  Not in the short term, but at least he’s doing something.

Yep. And Democrats desperately need someone to take the lead and this is a step in that direction. 

[Anela]

40 minutes ago, Soapy Goddess said:

I've come to the conclusion that some (and you know who you are), but not all of you just want to wallow in misery, and as we all know 'misery loves company'.  To that end, you're really not interested in hearing what the other side has to say, even for the sake of conversation. All you care about is being right (even when proven wrong) and seem to get joy out of shaming an opposing view. Except for a handful of folks, I fail to see the humanity here. Apparently "likes" are more important than civility.

Your guy is always unhappy.  And you’ve talked about having to endure twelve years of misery, but haven’t expanded on why those years were so terrible.  

[Affogato]

12 hours ago, tres bien said:

If one apologist defends Trump’s tariffs I submit the following for proof that he is clueless:

Trump’s tariffs have targeted The Heard and McDonald Islands located in the Indian Ocean and are territories of Australia 

Human population of the islands =0

Both islands are inhabited by penguins 

Hey! Penguin poop is coveted as f*ck!

[tearknee]

Do they come with worms? Asking for some friends:

Spoiler

 

[Affogato]

3 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

I've come to the conclusion that some (and you know who you are), but not all of you just want to wallow in misery, and as we all know 'misery loves company'.  To that end, you're really not interested in hearing what the other side has to say, even for the sake of conversation. All you care about is being right (even when proven wrong) and seem to get joy out of shaming an opposing view. Except for a handful of folks, I fail to see the humanity here. Apparently "likes" are more important than civility.

People need a place to vent. Yes. 

[Shelbie]

I prefer to think of this thread as wallowing in reality.