Chit-Chat: The Feels

[Kemper]

Nevermind.

Edited Friday at 10:11 PM by Kemper

[ProudMary]

"Do not comply in advance."-Prof. Timothy Snyder, On Tyranny 

Those who think they should appease DJT end up digging themselves a bigger hole. Give him an inch, he'll take a yard. He just thinks they're weak. Kudos to those like Gov. Mills who are standing up, and winning!

"We took on Trump and won," USDA will unfreeze money meant for Maine

https://wgme.com/news/local/we-took-on-trump-and-won-usda-will-unfreeze-money-meant-for-maine

Governor Janet Mills hailed the settlement as "a victory," noting that Maine achieved its demands in the lawsuit against the federal government. The funding freeze had impacted the salaries of workers administering school food programs. Maine's Attorney General described the freeze as "blatantly illegal" and the governor stated, "We took on Trump... and won."

"When confronted by the president of the United States, I told him I'd see him in court, and we did see him in court, and we won," said Governor Mills.

Attorney General Aaron Frey added, "The USDA froze funds for Maine schoolchildren ... and there was no lawful process that was followed."

[Bastet]

Reuters has an utterly chilling report on how judges and their family members are subjected to vicious threats and harassment when they do their job and follow the law and not Dear Leader.  Some of the issues covered:

Quote

Reuters examined hundreds of posts and comments reaching millions of people across nearly a dozen online platforms, including Musk-owned X and far-right websites such as Gateway Pundit and Patriots.win. The review identified calls for at least 51 federal judges to be fired, arrested or killed. All of those judges handled cases involving the new Trump administration. The posts and comments often echoed Trump’s language, describing the judges as “radical,” “leftist” or "activist."

Quote

The attacks on judges’ relatives are part of a pattern of harassment and intimidation that Trump and his allies have used to cement their political power, silence critics and pressure the judiciary. In a remarkable admission, longtime Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said last month the threat of political retaliation by Trump has made lawmakers “afraid” to criticize the administration’s policies.

Quote

Many of the online posts targeting judges’ family members have been amplified on X by Musk, the world’s richest person, who has led Trump’s efforts to downsize the federal civil service.

On February 12, the Tesla CEO lambasted U.S. District Judge John Bates, a day after the judge ordered the administration to restore public health websites that were taken down because of transgender references.

Musk shared posts on X with photos of Bates and his wife, which alleged she ran a charity that received U.S. foreign aid – money the Trump administration aimed to cut – and accused the judge of a conflict of interest. In fact, her charity, which assisted Ethiopian orphans, never received U.S. government funds, according to federal data. In one Musk post, he baselessly accused the judge, an appointee of Republican former President George W. Bush, of corruption.

One commenter responded to Musk’s post with a call for the couple to face “capital punishment.” Another posted an image of a noose and said it was needed to address “the unfathomable level of corruption and tyranny.”

The judge’s chambers received angry and threatening calls after his ruling, according to a court official familiar with the matter.

Quote

Some of Musk’s attacks on judges’ families have drawn heavily on claims advanced by Laura Loomer, a conspiracy theorist and vocal Trump defender. Musk and Loomer have aimed particularly aggressive attacks at the daughter of U.S. District Judge Boasberg.

In March, Boasberg temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s use of a rarely invoked 18th-century law to deport migrants to El Salvador based on unproven claims that they belonged to a Venezuelan criminal gang. The order directed that the operation be paused pending a hearing.

Both Loomer and Musk shared on X a college graduation photo of Boasberg’s daughter, pulled from the internet. Loomer mischaracterized her work at a nonprofit, accusing her of helping illegal immigrant gang members. The organization partners with public defenders to offer social services to people facing low-level criminal charges, including immigrants.

Musk called the daughter’s work “concerning” in a March 28 post on X that has been viewed 42 million times. Commenters demanded that Boasberg and his daughter be punished.

“Arrest him, his daughter and everyone else involved in these devious activities!” one wrote. “Deport the whole family,” another added.

Loomer had shared the photo of Boasberg’s daughter 11 days earlier on X. “Let’s dox Boasberg and his daughter,” a follower responded, referring to a method of revealing a person’s address or other personal identifying details.

Quote

U.S. District Judge John Coughenour in Seattle said he worries constantly about drawing his family into the fray of politically charged cases.

Coughenour endured a bomb threat at his home after he ruled in January that Trump’s executive order curtailing U.S. birthright citizenship was “blatantly unconstitutional.” He also was the victim of a “swatting” incident in which police rushed to his home after someone called in a fake report that he had killed his wife, according to the judge and a police report.

His wife, who was home at the time, “was very upset,” he said. He was more worried for her well-being than his own, he said, echoing other judges who spoke with Reuters about threats to family. “We signed up for this when we took the job, but they didn’t. That’s the unfairness of this.”

Quote

In March, the judiciary launched a task force to propose steps for maintaining the security and independence of courts and judges, according to a memo from the judiciary’s administrative arm to federal judges and other court staff.

Such efforts, however, have done little to quell the broadsides from Trump and his allies. Trump’s attorney general, Pam Bondi, has referred to the judges who ruled against the administration’s interests as “out of control” and said they “need to be removed.”

One federal judge told Reuters that the Trump administration’s inflammatory rhetoric encourages the hostility aimed at judges and feared it ultimately would inspire true believers to violence.

“The Justice Department doesn’t understand the fire they’re dealing with,” the judge said. “The public discussion of ‘out-of-control judges’ turns out the crazy.”

Underlining those concerns is evidence that some of those who threaten judges’ family members know their home addresses.

 

[Annber03]

8 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

It is extremely difficult to revoke tax exempt status when the other party has the money to fight it. It's not something Trump can wave his magic wand to change, oh I mean craft and sign an executive order. If this was the case, then the Church of Scientology would have had their tax exempt status revoked years ago.

Thats the thing that gets me about all the people bending over for these executive orders. Like, people, you know you aren't required to follow them, right? They aren't official laws? You can fight these? And should fight these? Trump may think he's the king of the world, but him declaring something a law or order doesn't magically make it so. 

[Affogato]

[peacheslatour]

2 hours ago, Annber03 said:

Thats the thing that gets me about all the people bending over for these executive orders. Like, people, you know you aren't required to follow them, right? They aren't official laws? You can fight these? And should fight these? Trump may think he's the king of the world, but him declaring something a law or order doesn't magically make it so. 

I believe in malicious compliance. "Ok, we'll get right on that." Weeks later..."Oh dear, we seem to have lost the paperwork, could you send it to us again?" Rinse, repeat.

[Eri]

Speaking of which, book publishers are seeing a surging interest in the U.S. Constitution and printing more editions to meet demand.

"The Random House volumes, released through its Modern Library imprint, will join a prolific market that has surged in recent months. According to Circana, which tracks around 85% of the print retail market, editions of the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers and the U.S. Constitution are selling at their fastest pace since Circana began compiling numbers in 2004."

If civics courses were mandated in every classroom instead of Bibles, maybe we wouldn't be where we are right now.

Well lesson #1 folks: An executive order is NOT a law  🙄

Edited Yest. at 02:08 AM by Eri

[ebk57]

2 minutes ago, Eri said:

Speaking of which, book publishers are seeing a surging interest in the U.S. Constitution and printing more editions to meet demand.

"The Random House volumes, released through its Modern Library imprint, will join a prolific market that has surged in recent months. According to Circana, which tracks around 85% of the print retail market, editions of the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers and the U.S. Constitution are selling at their fastest pace since Circana began compiling numbers in 2004."

If civics courses were mandated in every classroom instead of Bibles, maybe we wouldn't be where we are right now.

Well lesson #1 folks: An executive order is NOT a law  🙄

I have a pocket constitution in my purse, in my travel purse, and in my suitcase. Because one never knows when one will need it. 

[supposebly]

10 hours ago, PRgal said:

don't get why he even RAN in an Ontario riding...I mean, if he wanted to win, right?  

He ran and won in that one for 20 years.

12 hours ago, luv2lurk said:

WOW PM Carney just announced that King Charles III will be coming to Canada to give the Throne Speech

It would be nice if the UK was a bit more supportive of Canada these days. But they seem to be running an appeasement course. Shades of Chamberlain.

[Browncoat]

I had a dream last night in which I was in some class and was asked to talk about what the Declaration of Independence means.  I was able to do so (correctly), and then just kept repeating, "No more kings! No more kings!"  while most of my classmates rolled their eyes.  One or two joined my chanting, but most did not -- I live in MAGA country, after all.  Weirdly, the professor was John Houseman.  I woke up just as I was being escorted from the classroom.

 

[tres bien]

Well done Australia 

👊🇦🇺🔥

[fastiller]

10 hours ago, ebk57 said:

I have a pocket constitution in my purse, in my travel purse, and in my suitcase. Because one never knows when one will need it. 

I have those too, as well as an app on my phone, created by a guy called Ken Hunt.  It also has in it a bunch of other US milestone docs/speeches.

[lookeyloo]

11 hours ago, Eri said:

Well lesson #1 folks: An executive order is NOT a law  🙄

Yes that is true, and there are lawsuits but in the meanwhile things are disrupted maybe never to go back.  And when people "disobey" and they are gone after, it is expensive and scary to have to  hire lawyers and defend oneself even if one will surely win in court unless the judge is targeted too.  Then a settlement that never should have been needed in the first place.  These are all disrupters in my opinion for what it's worth.  

[Anduin]

1 hour ago, tres bien said:

Well done Australia 

👊🇦🇺🔥

My part was small, but better that than non-existent. Still, I'll happily claim credit for the whole thing!

Dear rest of the world: I know Liberals are blue, but they're actually very conservative. Stuff like United and One Nation sound pretty centrist, but are actually even further right! While Family First is only about the nuclear family.

We have Christmas in the summer and half our parties are misnamed. That's not even getting into the animals! We can be a contrarian bunch. Welcome to Australia. :)

[Dimity]

34 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

Yes that is true, and there are lawsuits but in the meanwhile things are disrupted maybe never to go back.  And when people "disobey" and they are gone after, it is expensive and scary to have to  hire lawyers and defend oneself even if one will surely win in court unless the judge is targeted too.  Then a settlement that never should have been needed in the first place.  These are all disrupters in my opinion for what it's worth.  

I agree with you, but with the caveat that we're not always talking about a single person standing up for what is right.  We're talking major businesses, universities etc who have deeper pockets than the average joe and who could take a united stand but are choosing not to.

Eventually when the Reign of Terror ends I hope those who appeased and collaborated are held to account.

[DrSpaceman73]

Well country #2 in a week who isn't falling for fascism.  

[Absolom]

May the tide be turning.

[lookeyloo]

1 hour ago, Dimity said:

I agree with you, but with the caveat that we're not always talking about a single person standing up for what is right.  We're talking major businesses, universities etc who have deeper pockets than the average joe and who could take a united stand but are choosing not to.

Eventually when the Reign of Terror ends I hope those who appeased and collaborated are held to account.

I agree with your caveat!!

[Kemper]

A petty rant, but. My coffee group was trashing Jeff Bezos the other day; also bashing his tacky, over-inflated-soon-to-be-wife.

The vulgar, over-the-top display of almost disgusting wealth in yachts, travel, etc. is certainly tone-deaf. In these times it is almost cruel. Her apparent need for publicity and posing for the cameras. The nuptials (at an estimated cost of $500 million) are being called "the wedding of the century" by some. Marie Antoinette (and The Kardashians) would surely approve.

Am I the only one (other than my friends) who feel better when spitting out a good, self-righteous rant?

Edited Yest. at 04:39 PM by Kemper

[kittykat]

3 hours ago, Kemper said:

A petty rant, but. My coffee group was trashing Jeff Bezos the other day; also bashing his tacky, over-inflated-soon-to-be-wife.

The vulgar, over-the-top display of almost disgusting wealth in yachts, travel, etc. is certainly tone-deaf. In these times it is almost cruel. Her apparent need for publicity and posing for the cameras. The nuptials (at an estimated cost of $500 million) are being called "the wedding of the century" by some. Marie Antoinette (and The Kardashians) would surely approve.

Am I the only one (other than my friends) who feel better when spitting out a good, self-righteous rant?

It's like an episode of Succession, which I feel never ended now.

[EtheltoTillie]

Peaches, where are you finding all these cartoons every week?  Some special world cartoon aggregator?  Anyway, keep them up--they're fun. 

[Bliss]

3 minutes ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Peaches, where are you finding all these cartoons every week?  Some special world cartoon aggregator?  Anyway, keep them up--they're fun. 

I'm not Peaches... but I see these same cartoons (and more) on FB. There's a guy by the name of Gary Reber and he posts every day - it's often the first thing I check in the morning, and I have to be careful I don't have a mouthful of coffee.

 

[Ohiopirate02]

5 hours ago, Kemper said:

A petty rant, but. My coffee group was trashing Jeff Bezos the other day; also bashing his tacky, over-inflated-soon-to-be-wife.

The vulgar, over-the-top display of almost disgusting wealth in yachts, travel, etc. is certainly tone-deaf. In these times it is almost cruel. Her apparent need for publicity and posing for the cameras. The nuptials (at an estimated cost of $500 million) are being called "the wedding of the century" by some. Marie Antoinette (and The Kardashians) would surely approve.

Kardashians, yes. But Marie Antoinette would not approve. She was never that vulgar, and really was not that bad. She made a great scapegoat being not French and generally clueless and out of touch. But she personally was not the cause of monarchical excess that necessitated overthrowing her husband. That was her husband and his grandfather and all of the other noblemen.

[ProudMary]

So, is this what the right-wingers voted for? 

I really don't want to hear ANY MORE about minor distraction shit like the war on Christmas. Most of what is coming out of this administration has a body count, from USAID where deaths may number in the millions, to EVERYTHING coming out of FDA, CDC, EPA, FAA (there's a report just today where air traffic controllers are telling people not to fly in or out of Newark Airport because it's too dangerous!) Now this about NWS. 

Hurricane season starts in 29 days, although in recent history, we've had a number of named storms that have occurred in May. Tornados don't really have a season. 

Former Weather Service Leaders Warn Staffing Cuts Could Lead to ‘Loss of Life’

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/weather/nws-staffing-cuts-trump.html?smtyp=cur&smid=bsky-nytimes

Five former National Weather Service directors have taken the unusual step of signing onto an open letter warning that cuts to the organization by the Trump administration may soon endanger lives.

“N.W.S. staff will have an impossible task to continue its current level of services,” they write in the letter, dated Friday. “Our worst nightmare is that weather forecast offices will be so understaffed that there will be needless loss of life.”

Hundreds of Weather Service employees, or about 10 percent of the agency’s total staff, have been terminated or accepted buyout offers since President Trump began his second term, according to the letter.

The letter notes that the coming weeks are “the busiest time for severe storm predictions like tornadoes and hurricanes,” and it points to a wide range of activities that rely on accurate forecasting: “Airplanes can’t fly without weather observations and forecasts; ships crossing the oceans rely on storm forecasts to avoid the high seas; farmers rely on seasonal forecasts to plant and harvest their crops which feed us.”

“Perhaps most importantly,” they write, “N.W.S. issues all of the tornado warnings, hurricane warnings, flood warnings, extreme wildfire conditions and other information during extreme weather events.”

The loss of staff is already affecting local forecast offices, said Joe Friday, who led the Weather Service from 1988 to 1997 and who signed the letter. “You have offices that cannot maintain their balloon launch schedules,” he said. “You have offices that cannot maintain 24-hour-a-day operations fully staffed.”

[bluegirl147]

7 hours ago, Dimity said:

I agree with you, but with the caveat that we're not always talking about a single person standing up for what is right.  We're talking major businesses, universities etc who have deeper pockets than the average joe and who could take a united stand but are choosing not to.

Eventually when the Reign of Terror ends I hope those who appeased and collaborated are held to account.

Target took a hit for rolling back their DEI policies. And there will be more.  Boycotts do have an effect.

[bluegirl147]

5 hours ago, Kemper said:

A petty rant, but. My coffee group was trashing Jeff Bezos the other day; also bashing his tacky, over-inflated-soon-to-be-wife.

The vulgar, over-the-top display of almost disgusting wealth in yachts, travel, etc. is certainly tone-deaf. In these times it is almost cruel. Her apparent need for publicity and posing for the cameras. The nuptials (at an estimated cost of $500 million) are being called "the wedding of the century" by some. Marie Antoinette (and The Kardashians) would surely approve.

Am I the only one (other than my friends) who feel better when spitting out a good, self-righteous rant?

A $500 million wedding?  That is more than Royal weddings.  The obnoxious display of these billionaire's wealth is beyond gross.  Even during the gilded ages the super rich did some good with their money. That is why we see the names Carnegie and Rockefeller on things.  Doubt we will ever see the names Bezos or Zuckerberg on anything like a hospital or library.

Edited 19 hours ago by bluegirl147

[Anela]

31 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Target took a hit for rolling back their DEI policies. And there will be more.  Boycotts do have an effect.

I’ve just seen that they’ve cut the CEO’s salary by 45%. 

[bluegirl147]

7 minutes ago, Anela said:

I’ve just seen that they’ve cut the CEO’s salary by 45%. 

The headlines are misleading.  His compensation is indeed 45% less than last year but that is because Target failed to meet certain performance measures.  Regardless of the reason why good.  Not thar he is going to be struggling but it does give me some satisfaction that a rich person was told you didn't do a good job.  The narrative will be retail is struggling but I do think their following Trump's edicts played a part.  

[Dimity]

1 hour ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

Kardashians, yes. But Marie Antoinette would not approve. She was never that vulgar, and really was not that bad. She made a great scapegoat being not French and generally clueless and out of touch. But she personally was not the cause of monarchical excess that necessitated overthrowing her husband. That was her husband and his grandfather and all of the other noblemen.

I know.  I always feel bad when I use memes with her even though they get the message across.

[fairffaxx]

1 hour ago, bluegirl147 said:

Doubt we will ever see the names Bezos or Zuckerberg on anything like a hospital or library.

Don't forget the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (doesn't that just roll off the tongue?).  Frankly, in the unlikely event that I'm ever able to establish an institution serving the public, a condition of my donation would be that my name would not be attached to it.  

[ChiCricket]

Yes, this is a real tweet. I wonder how my very Catholic son-in-law who voted for *rump all 3 times will like this. 🙄 

[PRgal]

48 minutes ago, ChiCricket said:

Yes, this is a real tweet. I wonder how my very Catholic son-in-law who voted for *rump all 3 times will like this. 🙄 

This is just offensive.  And not just to Catholics.  

[Dimity]

9 minutes ago, PRgal said:

This is just offensive.  And not just to Catholics.  

I cannot imagine any other president doing this kind of crap -  not even once they were out of office.  That his followers - especially his elected enablers in the House and the Senate - are looking the other way at this pathetic man's desperate attention seeking behavior is just horrifying.

Edited 17 hours ago by Dimity

[PRgal]

3 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I cannot imagine any other president doing this kind of crap -  not even once they were out of office.  That his followers - especially his elected enables in the House and the Senate - are looking the other way at this pathetic man's desperate attention seeking behavior is just horrifying.

He's not going to apologize, either.  I think every single diocese should say something.  And not just in the US, but all over the world.

[tres bien]

5 minutes ago, PRgal said:

This is just offensive.  And not just to Catholics.  

As a Jewish person and there is no love lost between the Jews and the Catholic Church as a human being I’m offended and repulsed by this goon

He is the most vile being on earth 

[PRgal]

Slight pivot to Canadian politics.  An article on how one (immigrant heavy) riding flipped.  Oddly, they didn't mention much about media targeting these communities.  I haven't asked my parents nor did I ask who they voted for.  However, my dad being a finance guy, probably sided with the Liberals.  And that's if they bothered going to the polls.

Edited 16 hours ago by PRgal

[Dimity]

Just now, PRgal said:

And that's if they bothered going to the polls.

This is the first election my Dad didn't vote in (that I know of anyway!).  I know he would have voted Liberal and I admit if this was the US November 2024 and he hadn't voted we'd have had words!  He lives in a very Liberal riding though and there was no way it was going anywhere but red.  Still though, Dad, vote!!

[PRgal]

15 minutes ago, Dimity said:

This is the first election my Dad didn't vote in (that I know of anyway!).  I know he would have voted Liberal and I admit if this was the US November 2024 and he hadn't voted we'd have had words!  He lives in a very Liberal riding though and there was no way it was going anywhere but red.  Still though, Dad, vote!!

Why didn’t your dad vote?  There are tons of services to help seniors get to the polls.  Plus there’s early voting and mail in ballots.  
 

Our riding has been red for the past few elections (federally) and orange (provincially).  

[bluegirl147]

33 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I cannot imagine any other president doing this kind of crap -  not even once they were out of office.  That his followers - especially his elected enablers in the House and the Senate - are looking the other way at this pathetic man's desperate attention seeking behavior is just horrifying.

Is there a bottom? I mean could he shoot someone on 5th Ave and have not one supporter turn their back on him?  I swear it feels like Bizarro World and I keep waiting for things to snap back to a sane reality.  

31 minutes ago, tres bien said:

As a Jewish person and there is no love lost between the Jews and the Catholic Church as a human being I’m offended and repulsed by this goon

He is the most vile being on earth 

This isn't even about religion.  This is about a pathetic sorry excuse of a human being who simply cannot resist making everything about himself.  

[peacheslatour]

2 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Is there a bottom? I mean could he shoot someone on 5th Ave and have not one supporter turn their back on him?  I swear it feels like Bizarro World and I keep waiting for things to snap back to a sane reality.  

There is something very, very wrong with him. And that goes double for his voters.

[Yeah No]

4 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Peaches, where are you finding all these cartoons every week?  Some special world cartoon aggregator?  Anyway, keep them up--they're fun. 

Yes I second that, although the most recent few seem to have disappeared. 🤷‍♀️

3 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Is there a bottom? I mean could he shoot someone on 5th Ave and have not one supporter turn their back on him?  I swear it feels like Bizarro World and I keep waiting for things to snap back to a sane reality.  

I know, I feel like that every single day. Like I'm living in some weird Black Mirror episode. Or in a Star Trek Next Generation episode where the ship falls into a rift in the spacetime continuum and the timeline splits off into some weird dystopian nightmare.

[bluegirl147]

1 minute ago, peacheslatour said:

There is something very, very wrong with him. And that goes double for his voters.

It's true.  Once he is gone his voters are still going to be here. And God help us all if they find a new cult leader.  The next one might not be an idiot.

[Salacious Kitty]

A little humor to lighten the mood 

[Bastet]

One of the gazillion reasons I despise Trump is he makes me side with the Catholic church.  Here's a response to his Pope pic, from the New York State Catholic Conference:

[Annber03]

1 hour ago, PRgal said:

This is just offensive.  And not just to Catholics.  

Seriously, I'm not even religious, period, and I'm offended. 

If God existed/exists, this would be grounds for Trump to be struck down. 

[Yeah No]

21 minutes ago, Bastet said:

One of the gazillion reasons I despise Trump is he makes me side with the Catholic church. 

I know me too, and I never thought I'd see that day!

Posts with photos keep disappearing almost immediately now. 

[annzeepark914]

6 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

I know me too, and I never thought I'd see that day!

Posts with photos keep disappearing almost immediately now. 

Mine did. 

[Lantern7]

Has anyone tried to pour water on MTG? I don’t think she’ll would actually melt, but we won’t know unless we try.

3 hours ago, ChiCricket said:

 

He looks as healthy as your average Pope.

And now, a word from the White House.

Why can someone take a swing at one of these assholes? Is the press waiting for Helen Thomas to walk through the door to start whuppin’ ass?

[annzeepark914]

3 minutes ago, Lantern7 said:

Has anyone tried to pour water on MTG? I don’t think she’ll would actually melt, but we won’t know unless we try.

He looks as healthy as your average Pope.

And now, a word from the White House.

Why can someone take a swing at one of these assholes? Is the press waiting for Helen Thomas to walk through the door to start whuppin’ ass?

It feels as though this administration is nothing but a bunch of very juvenile middle schoolers. 

[Salacious Kitty]

I picture the person running the White House X account as a 22 year old male incel, graduate of some fundie institution like Patrick Henry. The "humor" does ring juvenile.