Chit-Chat: The Feels

[peacheslatour]

28 minutes ago, Affogato said:

Trump is mean. Probably will stay mean. 

Exactly. My dad was always a sweet guy. He was very accomplished but he was kind and caring. That didn't change with dementia, if anything he got sweeter and a bit vacant.

[Dimity]

One of the sweetest men I ever knew developed a form of Alzheimer's that caused  him to become paranoid and aggressive.  He needed to be in a secure environment for his own protection and for the safety of others.  It was awful to see this happen.  My point is there is nothing predictable about dementia.

But I do agree that generally a mean person gets meaner as they age.  And a self involved, greedy narcissist just becomes an even bigger self involved greedy narcissist.

[JustHereForFood]

10 hours ago, Anela said:

I don’t understand why people are insulting Jill Biden.  Anyone asking why she “let” this grown man do anything, who was elected by over 80 million people, could maybe ask themselves why Melania “let” trump run again. Why his family were fine with it. He is rarely coherent, he attacks people almost every day. He zoned out to music, at rallies. He looks like he’s falling asleep at public events.  He’s also a fascist, but none of them care about that, either.  

Women are apparently responsible for the actions of adult men in their lives. Just like how people got more mad at Jada Pinkett Smith than at Will Smith for what he did at the Oscars. Because it was somehow her fault for reasons.

 

17 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

You won't hear that from me and others in my camp. We're happy he didn't drop out sooner. Otherwise we would have been left with the OG of word salads.

What a disgusting thing to post. Hate all you want, but to wish someone dead? 

 

 

8 hours ago, Milk-Eyed Mender said:

Fetch the fainting couch! What is the big deal about wishing someone hellbent on increasing rather than reducing human suffering were no longer around to rain hell on the rest of us? Like Hitler and Stalin before them, Putin, Kim, Trump and their ilk won't stop their reign of terror until they're dead, so, good riddance whenever that day comes, and may the healing commence.

(I understand Trump is not at the level of the others mentioned, but it's clear as crystal he would like to be). 

I have no problems with wishing terrible people dead. Sometimes it helps me to feel better to vent. I used to think Arya was too crazy for having a list she recited every day, but then I understood her. For me, it's mostly Putin and people around him and on my worse days, I did think about it daily, now I can go a few days without. I only sometimes think about Trump in that way because he is a menace for the world, but now I worry how much worse Vance could be. I don't wish cancer specifically on anyone, or anything unnecessarily cruel because I despise unnecessary cruelty (something a lot of MAGA people seem to like) and the main point is I just want those people gone so they would stop hurting hundreds of others. It's like wishing someone would kill a serial killer or rapist before they hurt more people.

[LexieLily]

Good Lord. Now Trump is out there saying Biden has Stage 9 cancer. 😡

[Dimity]

10 minutes ago, LexieLily said:

Good Lord. Now Trump is out there saying Biden has Stage 9 cancer. 😡

This, among other things Trump said today should convince anyone who had any doubt, that the thoughtful post made earlier was definitely NOT written by Trump.  Back to lies, exaggerations, conspiracy theories and accusations.  Just another day in crazy land.

[annzeepark914]

20 minutes ago, LexieLily said:

Good Lord. Now Trump is out there saying Biden has Stage 9 cancer. 😡

Didn't someone else (it was DJT junior) in his gang say Biden had stage 5 cancer? That was the other day, when the news first broke. Whoever was hosting the news show immediately said that there's no such thing as stage 5. Trump and his fellow lowbrows keep showing the world how limited they are. Yup...this was the real Trump addressing his predecessor's serious ailment.  Sneering, fabricating a conspiracy, just a damn total disgrace (& embarrassment for America).

Edited Tuesday at 03:00 AM by annzeepark914

[Bliss]

Reminds me of a post I saw the other day... something like, "isn't it a really bad idea to have the stupidest person in the world and the president of the USA be the same person?"

[Soapy Goddess]

17 hours ago, Dimity said:

Given Biden's diagnosis I wonder if Tapper will be backing off promoting his gossipy book and whether it will see a drop in sales. Speculating about Biden's mental health while he's dealing with a confirmed health issue seems a little tacky, to say the least.

I don't consider it "gossip" when it's the truth. The type of cancer Biden has doesn't appear overnight, so they all knew for years now. 

The timing of this latest DX is suspicious at best....hoping that the public would forget about Tapper's book.

[Soapy Goddess]

15 hours ago, DrSpaceman73 said:

So you prefer the sociopath to the demented guy.  And continue to defend him.

I'm not defending anyone. I'm just giving my opinion. Two different things.

15 hours ago, DrSpaceman73 said:

Why should she or anyone be obligated to make it public or say something about it?

Because he was the president of the U.S. We are supposed to be aware of any health issues that could interfere with him doing his job properly.

14 hours ago, Dimity said:

No one who got out of high school could have been in any doubt about what Don Jr. meant.

You mean like Comey trying to put doubt out to the media that he had no idea what "86" meant??  Hmmm.

[LexieLily]

1 minute ago, Soapy Goddess said:

Because he was the president of the U.S. We are supposed to be aware of any health issues that could interfere with him doing his job properly.

And yet we still, to this day, don't have a confirmed accurate report about Trump's first assassination attempt and the shooting of his ear. Among other things.

[Soapy Goddess]

12 hours ago, Dimity said:

Further IMO they should be more concerned about the cuts this administration is making to cancer research than to when a person chooses, or does not choose, to share their cancer diagnosis. 

@Soapy Goddess one may  very well affect you  or someone you care about, the other most assuredly will not.

I agree with what you're saying and don't like the thought of it either. I'm sure every single one of us is affected by a debilitating illness, esp. cancer. And if that happened I'd be devastated.

However, I don't believe the cuts will go that far. Please understand that I'm not here to defend policies or the person (contrary to popular belief). I am only here to share my opinion(s). I'm not perfect, nor do I pretend to be. And I certainly could be wrong. But until I see proof, I prefer to remain optimistic. 

[Soapy Goddess]

19 minutes ago, LexieLily said:

And yet we still, to this day, don't have a confirmed accurate report about Trump's first assassination attempt and the shooting of his ear. Among other things.

Not sure how we can equate dementia and cancer with a nip off one's ear.

[annzeepark914]

4 minutes ago, Soapy Goddess said:

Not sure how we can equate dementia and cancer with a nip off one's ear.

It's the nontransparency of it that is causing such interest.

[Soapy Goddess]

Just now, annzeepark914 said:

It's the nontransparency of it that is causing such interest.

What specifically are you looking for? The bullet grazed his ear causing the tip to tear/separate and bleed...for which he had stitches. Anything I'm missing?

[Yeah No]

On 5/16/2025 at 2:04 PM, bluegirl147 said:

And things regarded as "women's issues" aren't given priority.  Child care.  Paid family leave.  I was an adult before I found out women having heart attacks have different symptoms than men.  The world is set up for men. From the way things are built to the way society treats men and women differently.  Wanting women to be treated fairly and equally is not the same thing as wanting men to be treated worse.

No, and I agree with what you say above, but not caring about men's issues until "society" (aka "men") pays attention to women's issues won't get us anywhere. Again, that was my only point in response to an SM post that seemed to cop that attitude. Like "until you recognize me I'm turning a deaf ear to you". That's not my way and never will be.

I need to listen to men if I want them to listen to me. Getting pissy about what "they" are doing or not doing is not going to help. And all men aren't the same either. Most of my platonic friends over the course of my life have been men. I try to listen to them. I don't think of them as adversaries. I don't lump all men into some kind of Andrew Tate-ish bogyeman and second of all, I think a "until you do for me I'm done with doing for you" attitude is not constructive. If men are turned off to this attitude I say it's with good reason. It only further alienates them.

So they're not doing enough, I know that. This has been the fact of my life for 66 years. But it's not going to get any better if we dig our heels in either and refuse to care about men's issues. In fact, it will only make it worse. We have to swallow our prides and be the better people here. All great leaders unify people to solve social problems. They don't create divisions and pit people against each other like DJT. I'm not going to be one of those people no matter what the cause or the social issue. I can care about men's issues without turning my back on women's issues. In fact, someone has to address men's issues because that's the reason we are in this boat with men and are still trying to climb out of it. Someone has to try to understand them if we're ever going to get them to understand us. And I'm not going to get pissy if some men don't take up that cause. We have to do our part anyway even if we think it's "unfair". We're all in this together, after all. But I've said enough about this.

On 5/17/2025 at 2:21 AM, Soapy Goddess said:

Excellent post! Unfortunately, it will fall on deaf ears. I'm starting to believe that some folks actually enjoy being angry. It gives them a purpose. They live for the "fight" and the build up of adrenalin. They'll never preach Equality & Justice for All because that goes against everything they stand for. Whatever that might be.

I just think we're so divided these days that people see everyone that doesn't agree with them as the enemy that doesn't deserve equality and justice. But everyone does. Everyone. Even criminals. Due process and all that. We have to operate from the universal truths and beliefs as Americans. We can't turn our backs on anyone just because we think they're "bad" people. Otherwise we become like the people we despise, and technically hypocrites too.

[Yeah No]

On 5/18/2025 at 2:09 PM, Fool to cry said:

Seeing Pope Leo XIV when he was young reminds me of character actor Bradford Dillman.

He looked like he should be the guest on a 70s Quinn Martin production.

      

He looks like any guy from my college yearbook!

23 hours ago, tres bien said:

WTF am I missing here 

The MAGA public is filled with the most ignorant ugly people I hope I never meet

They are working overtime today to rewrite history by blaming President Biden for the COVID shutdown that lead to their inability to say goodbye to their family members and friends that died from and during COVID 

REALLY? And yet for the most part these are the people that were against masks, which caused the unnecessary deaths of thousands of people including their own friends and family? The hypocrisy astounds me. My father died from Covid at a time when everything was locked down and I was not even permitted anywhere near the hospital, nor were there telephones near him. I had to BEG the nurses to get a phone to him to talk with him and when I did it was only for a minute. They were in a state of emergency and there was much chaos going on. It was very early in the pandemic so they didn't know what they were dealing with. But never ONCE did I blame anyone, let alone Biden for the shutdown. That was done to prevent more deaths, assholes! And I didn't want to be exposed to it and potentially die myself either! We didn't know how lethal this thing was to anyone yet back then. What a bunch of morons these people are! And despicable. They who literally caused the deaths of thousands of people are going to criticize efforts to prevent more deaths? The lack of logic is insane here!! They literally never miss a minute to spit on my father's grave!

[Yeah No]

22 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

The only sensitivity I have is when Dems try to compare Biden's dementia (he had ALL the outward signs that I witnessed firsthand) to some narrative about Trump, who has no outward signs that I'm aware of. Typical of Dems to parrot everything coming from the right. 

Actually, when Biden was president several psychologists came out to say that he was exhibiting at that time normal age-related memory and cognition issues, NOT dementia. And there are others that have come out to say that Trump has the signs of dementia.

This noted psychologist is one. He also discusses his narcissism:

https://mindsitenews.org/2025/04/01/sanewashed-trump-dementia-and-mental-illness/

Quote

I'd like to see Biden do all the things that DJT has done in the last few months. Say what you will, but he's doing exactly what 70 million people voted for.

I don't think it's exactly what 70 million people voted for. A significant number of them have turned on Trump if his sinking approval ratings are any indication. They wanted some of it but not the wrecking ball approach which is causing even more problems than it is supposedly "solving". And I put "solving" in quotes because even that is questionable.

[Anela]

On 5/17/2025 at 2:21 AM, Soapy Goddess said:

Excellent post! Unfortunately, it will fall on deaf ears. I'm starting to believe that some folks actually enjoy being angry. It gives them a purpose. They live for the "fight" and the build up of adrenalin. They'll never preach Equality & Justice for All because that goes against everything they stand for. Whatever that might be.

You mean, like the guy who keeps attacking people in all-caps, on social media, and calling people “nasty” if they disagree with him, or ask him questions that don’t flatter him? 

[Soapy Goddess]

Just now, Anela said:

You mean, like the guy who keeps attacking people in all-caps, on social media, and calling people “nasty” if they disagree with him, or ask him questions that don’t flatter him? 

No, I'm talking about people who hate their fellow American due to their political beliefs.

[tearknee]

31 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

No, and I agree with what you say above, but not caring about men's issues until "society" (aka "men") pays attention to women's issues won't get us anywhere. Again, that was my only point in response to an SM post that seemed to cop that attitude. Like "until you recognize me I'm turning a deaf ear to you". That's not my way and never will be.

I need to listen to men if I want them to listen to me. Getting pissy about what "they" are doing or not doing is not going to help. And all men aren't the same either. Most of my platonic friends over the course of my life have been men. I try to listen to them. I don't think of them as adversaries. I don't lump all men into some kind of Andrew Tate-ish bogyeman and second of all, I think a "until you do for me I'm done with doing for you" attitude is not constructive. If men are turned off to this attitude I say it's with good reason. It only further alienates them.

So they're not doing enough, I know that. This has been the fact of my life for 66 years. But it's not going to get any better if we dig our heels in either and refuse to care about men's issues. In fact, it will only make it worse. We have to swallow our prides and be the better people here. All great leaders unify people to solve social problems. They don't create divisions and pit people against each other like DJT. I'm not going to be one of those people no matter what the cause or the social issue. I can care about men's issues without turning my back on women's issues. In fact, someone has to address men's issues because that's the reason we are in this boat with men and are still trying to climb out of it. Someone has to try to understand them if we're ever going to get them to understand us. And I'm not going to get pissy if some men don't take up that cause. We have to do our part anyway even if we think it's "unfair". We're all in this together, after all. But I've said enough about this.

I just think we're so divided these days that people see everyone that doesn't agree with them as the enemy that doesn't deserve equality and justice. But everyone does. Everyone. Even criminals. Due process and all that. We have to operate from the universal truths and beliefs as Americans. We can't turn our backs on anyone just because we think they're "bad" people. Otherwise we become like the people we despise, and technically hypocrites too.

Unfortunately, most left wing activists and leadership are postgrad tertiary-educated intellectuals. Most people aren't and most people think by emotion not rationality. 

For example, if feminist leadership had accepted this and changed tactics and approach decades ago, it's likely that Take Our Daughters to Work Day would have had the male equivalent that the Ms. Foundation wanted to initiate and aimed to be an equal success. But it was too late by 1993.

 

[Browncoat]

So, we’re meant to have sympathy for an evil, racist bastard who got a scratch on his ear, but the MAGAts can’t muster a tiny shred of sympathy for a man with metastatic cancer?  Cancers can be fast-growing.  If you only get checked once a year, you might miss a small tumor, or it might not even exist as a palpable tumor until it’s already “Stage 9.”

[shapeshifter]

5 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

The timing of this latest DX is suspicious at best....hoping that the public would forget about Tapper's book.

It could seem suspicious to those who have never had any experience with Biden's type of cancer in someone of his age, but, nope, not suspicious.
It's typical for doctors not to screen men for his type of cancer after age 70, and he is now 82: 

Quote

the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against PSA-based screening for men age 70 and older due to harms such as false positives leading to more tests or a diagnosis of problems that would not have caused symptoms or death.
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/biden-aggressive-prostate-cancer-recently/story?id=121957364

In case you missed it, see also my own experience with not getting diagnosed:
https://forums.primetimer.com/topic/150441-chit-chat-the-feels/page/286/#findComment-8665977

 

[bluegirl147]

3 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

No, I'm talking about people who hate their fellow American due to their political beliefs.

You mean like Donald Trump who thinks anyone who doesn't support him is the enemy? 

[tearknee]

For every "Trump Derangement syndrome" you have "it is not just about what facts you include... I'm not going to engage with you anymore" from the other lot.

[DrSpaceman73]

6 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

I'm not defending anyone. I'm just giving my opinion. Two different things.

Because he was the president of the U.S. We are supposed to be aware of any health issues that could interfere with him doing his job properly.

You mean like Comey trying to put doubt out to the media that he had no idea what "86" meant??  Hmmm.

Splitting hairs on defending someone vs giving an opinion. You're giving an opinion that defends trump. 

Biden is no longer president and just found out about his prostate cancer.  He wasn't obligated to tell anyone 

[Yeah No]

5 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

I agree with everything except due process for those who are known criminals and have been labeled as such from a previous crime. Especially those who were caught, deported and returned back again to America.

A little document known as the US Constitution begs to differ with you:

From Google AI:

"Yes, even known criminals are entitled to due process. Due process, as guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, ensures fair procedures in criminal cases. This means individuals are protected from arbitrary government actions and are entitled to a fair trial with rights like representation, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to present a defense. "

"Yes, even undocumented immigrants are entitled to due process under the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution guarantees due process rights to all "persons," which includes non-citizens. This means undocumented immigrants are entitled to fair treatment under the law, including the right to defend themselves in court. "

"Yes, undocumented immigrants, including those accused of crimes, are entitled to due process rights in the United States. This is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, which protects the rights of all individuals, regardless of immigration status. "

Yes, those rights extend to anyone on US soil. This is baked into our Constitution for centuries now.

 

[DrSpaceman73]

5 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

I agree with everything except due process for those who are known criminals and have been labeled as such from a previous crime. Especially those who were caught, deported and returned back again to America.

Kilmar abrego garcia had no criminal charges he was ever convicted of despite being labeled an ms 13 gang member.  His spousal abuse was a civil case. And he was deported even with due process.  The results were ignored. 

Given the lies of this administration no telling how many others there are like him.  

[Yeah No]

5 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

5 hours ago, Anela said:

You mean, like the guy who keeps attacking people in all-caps, on social media, and calling people “nasty” if they disagree with him, or ask him questions that don’t flatter him? 

5 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

No, I'm talking about people who hate their fellow American due to their political beliefs.

But Trump hates people for their political beliefs. He's made that very clear in his public statements and SM posts by mocking, insulting and vowing to get even with them. Do you accept that from him but not the rest of the population?

[bluegirl147]

13 minutes ago, DrSpaceman73 said:

Given the lies of this administration no telling how many others there are like him.  

And the way Trump threatens anyone who dares to criticize or disagrees with him how long before he tries to end due process across the board?  This is not fear mongering. He admires and aspires to be a dictator.  He would love it if his "enemies" would fall out of windows the way Putin's rivals do.

[lookeyloo]

5 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

No, I'm talking about people who hate their fellow American due to their political beliefs.

I don't hate my fellow Americans because of their political beliefs.  I so strongly disagree with the MAGAs in my orbit that it leads me to where I think their values are 180 from mine. It is hard to have a real conversation where we keep saying "I disagree".  No common ground.  Then it becomes "small talk" and I am not a fan of that on a long term basis.  One can only talk about the weather so much.  Oh wait, then it gets into the NWS being incapacitated.  

[Affogato]

Ll

6 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

Not sure how we can equate dementia and cancer with a nip off one's ear.

I assume the thing is that there is a good chance the shooter was a trump supporter or simply deranged. It doesn’t matter, of course, because Trumps actions would remain the same. It is all about his precious Him. 
 

i consider, having known extreme narcissists, Trump to be basically irrelevant. He is perfectly predictable. His beliefs are irrelevant. Put your hand in the moray eel’s mouth and you will get bitten by the eel. The things that are concern is the people who buy into this stuff and think there is power to be had in a relationship with him. .
 

 

[shapeshifter]

17 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

don't hate my fellow Americans because of their political beliefs.  I so strongly disagree with the MAGAs in my orbit that it leads me to where I think their values are 180 from mine.

Thank you for the clarification. You remind me a bit of one of my 3 adult daughters, who is actually the most like me, although not quite politically.

[bluegirl147]

16 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

 Then it becomes "small talk" and I am not a fan of that on a long term basis.  One can only talk about the weather so much.  Oh wait, then it gets into the NWS being incapacitated.  

I used to have dinner with a friend once a month. She was a Republican.  There was very little we could talk about. Couldn't talk about movies or TV because she would say oh I hate George Clooney or all the other "liberal" actors. And yep we couldn't talk about the weather because climate change. Couldn't even talk about her job, she was self employed with a small business, because she would complain about taxes (she told me she never reported all her income) and other expenses. I got tired of not being able to have a normal conversation with her so once COVID hit the friendship came to an end.  There was no way I was going to listen to her rant about that "China" virus and all that garbage.

[shapeshifter]

2 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

I used to have dinner with a friend once a month. She was a Republican.  There was very little we could talk about. Couldn't talk about movies or TV because she would say oh I hate George Clooney or all the other "liberal" actors. And yep we couldn't talk about the weather because climate change. Couldn't even talk about her job, she was self employed with a small business, because she would complain about taxes (she told me she never reported all her income) and other expenses. I got tired of not being able to have a normal conversation with her so once COVID hit the friendship came to an end.  There was no way I was going to listen to her rant about that "China" virus and all that garbage.

To paraphrase: We'll always have Wordle.*

*Or Bridge, or Mahjong, or whatever.

[Affogato]

40 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

I don't hate my fellow Americans because of their political beliefs.  I so strongly disagree with the MAGAs in my orbit that it leads me to where I think their values are 180 from mine. It is hard to have a real conversation where we keep saying "I disagree".  No common ground.  Then it becomes "small talk" and I am not a fan of that on a long term basis.  One can only talk about the weather so much.  Oh wait, then it gets into the NWS being incapacitated.  

That is exactly it. Not a political disagreement. What is at odds are values. 

[Mollywolly555]

I get it. 

It's really hard not to wish bad things to happen to those who say bad things about others, or do bad things to  others.

Like wishing cancer or death onto those who are tearing apart Jill and Joe for not doing whatever they-- the current  president, (or his son), or right-wing pundit, or posters online--want them to do, or should have done about his cancer or pretty much anything they didn't like or agree with in the last 10, 20,  30, 40, 50, or 100 years.

I believe in Karma--though mostly to get those angry thoughts about terrible people out of my mind and focus on life-affirming ideas for those I care about. 

I'm so sorry for those who share personal stories of cancer and dementia here, although they inform me immensely and reveal the deepest core value of humanity---empathy for the myriad ways these and other illnesses manifest in family and friends, and change us all for good,* although that is a heartbreaking journey.

So I can't wish death on anyone, although I heartily enjoy the snark here picking apart the hypocrisy and inconsistencies that expose posters' true feelings harbored secretly or maybe thoughts they can't even admit to themselves. 

OTOH, there are so many posters' whose humor, intelligence, and heart give me faith for the future. I left the Catholic Church eons ago,  but that dang Holy Ghost comes back to haunt me sometimes with biblical info or prayers for those struggling with whatever in life,  "There, but for the grace of God(-dess), go I."

Mercy.

 

*(Thanks, Wicked!).

Edited Tuesday at 01:24 PM by Mollywolly555

[Yeah No]

6 minutes ago, Affogato said:

That is exactly it. Not a political disagreement. What is at odds are values. 

This is very true, but a lot on the right have been so brainwashed that they don't see how their values have changed to the point where they don't see anything wrong with denying people due process even though they're guaranteed that by the Constitution. And they don't even realize that their values have changed nor that they have been brainwashed. I can't imagine that many Republicans 15 years ago would have said it's OK to deny due process to anyone even if they didn't like undocumented immigrants in our country. The Constitution is clear. But just because Trump and MAGA say it's OK to deny that for some people, they walk lock step. Their previous values go out the window. And when you confront them with the Constitution they make excuses for it. And many of them are not even aware of the Constitution and what rights it give to whom anymore.

I hate to say this, but one of my college professors warned against the possibility of this happening almost 50 years ago. In my freshman year at Fordham I took a special 3 course curriculum called "Search for American Values". We read a lot of American political philosophy, de Toqueville, the Constitution, etc. in our quest to find out what our core values were as Americans.

One of the big things I remember learning was how easy it was for Germany to fall for Hitler and give their brains, their conscience and allegiance over to him, which led to them following him to commit all sorts of atrocities and in the end off a cliff instead of their own common sense and values. My professor, a Jesuit, kept cautioning us that if our country kept going the way it was we could just as easily fall for someone almost as bad or as bad. At first we all wanted to say "no way could that ever happen here" but by the end of the course we realized that was not a given and that we needed to stand firm in our values against all would-be totalitarian leaders that might try to seduce us. It's a lesson that has stayed with me (and I'm sure many of my classmates) to this day. So when Trump came along I already recognized what he was all about and didn't let that happen. Anyone that knows me well knows that it would have been very easy for me to fall into that trap given my early experiences in life, but thanks to my great education, firm values and ego strength, that's never going to happen. I wish that course could be taught to every college freshman.

[lookeyloo]

4 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

This is very true, but a lot on the right have been so brainwashed that they don't see how their values have changed to the point where they don't see anything wrong with denying people due process even though they're guaranteed that by the Constitution. And they don't even realize that their values have changed nor that they have been brainwashed. I

All true, but, for me, they are My Values I am going by.  Can't change theirs.

Daughter in law is reading this book and I will next in queue. Money, Lies, and God by Katherine Stewart

https://a.co/d/8fZOH93

Edited Tuesday at 01:51 PM by lookeyloo
Add title

[Milk-Eyed Mender]

16 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

Naomi Biden (his granddaughter) has some thoughts about Jake Trapper’s book:

image.jpeg.128bfca17901e38be5799e5b3de39359.j

This is exactly the sort of post I would expect a loving granddaughter to write in defense of her beloved grandfather, but, beyond her justified anger at our failed media, I don't give it any more weight than I give to the far right shrieking "Fake News!" at every turn. IMO every presidency should be scrutinized to hell and back for the historical record, and a healthy democracy should demand and welcome it. 

I've only read excerpts of Tapper's book in reviews by WAPO/NYT/BBC and The Guardian, but they ring true to me. I question the timing of the book's release far more than the content, since there's a five-alarm fire underway at 1600 Pennsylvania and the current occupant is the source of the blaze. 

[bluegirl147]

3 minutes ago, Milk-Eyed Mender said:

I've only read excerpts of Tapper's book in reviews by WAPO/NYT/BBC and The Guardian, but they ring true to me. I question the timing of the book's release far more than the content, since there's a five-alarm fire underway at 1600 Pennsylvania and the current occupant is the source of the blaze. 

There have been a lot of Trump books portraying him in a very bad light.  And none of them have gotten the media attention that Tapper's book is getting.  The media is still doing everything they can to make Trump look unlike the unhinged wannabe dictator that he is. I wasn't a huge fan of Biden but he did pull us out of a pandemic and the bills he did manage to get passed have done some good.  He should have dropped out sooner but I'm not sure it would have mattered.  For whatever reason there is a significant amount of voters that always seem to be receptive to the lies Trump tells. 

[Dimity]

2 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

The media is still doing everything they can to make Trump look unlike the unhinged wannabe dictator that he is.

This.  I read a clip from one of his crazed speeches in the UAE and went to google to see where this was being reported.  You will no doubt be shocked to learn that it wasn't being covered by any of the mainstream news sites.  Not one.  They covered the speech but not the content of the speech. 

Cowards.  Contemptible cowards.

[peacheslatour]

Good lord, he's achieved ultimate Orangeness.

[shapeshifter]

32 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I don't know if Tapper is a sycophant for Trump or not but I do know that he is helping keeping the focus off the rantings of the current president - who is also elderly and is clearly in serious mental decline.

No. Tapper intensely dislikes Trump, but seems to feign neutrality in hopes of swaying the kool aid drinkers to put down their bottles. At least, that's my take. Others may know better.

38 minutes ago, Milk-Eyed Mender said:

I've only read excerpts of Tapper's book in reviews by WAPO/NYT/BBC and The Guardian, but they ring true to me. I question the timing of the book's release far more than the content, since there's a five-alarm fire underway at 1600 Pennsylvania and the current occupant is the source of the blaze. 

Again, just my take, mostly based on a late-night interview with Tapper and perhaps a cable news interview too: It seems Tapper intended his book to be a wake up call to Dems to get their (our/his/whoever's) house in order, and the Biden cancer announcement could not have been predicted to coincide. I'm not entirely sure that the decision to make Biden's diagnosis public would have been any different without the book coming out when it did.

I voted for Biden in 2020, but their gimmick of trotting out a young boy with a stutter to represent Biden seemed disingenuous to me, given Biden's decades of speaking for himself to stay in government offices. My dementia alert went off, albeit not yet a 5-alarm fire alert.
My Dad had a bit of a stutter too, and perhaps I am wrong to compare Biden with Dad, and it is possible that Biden's speaking was at least in part stutter-related in 2020 rather than just a sign of age-related cognitive impairment. IDK. Dad's voice was affected by Parkinson's, but not his ability to phrase things in a coherent manner. At almost 92, Dad was still making the nurses in the hospital crack up at his puns.
I also often recall Amber Ruffin re-running the clip of Biden stumbling up the stairs of the airplane; she reran it so many times that I finally realized she was making a point beyond any joke. Still, when I see that clip, I also see Biden managing to upright himself repeatedly unassisted; it might have just been slippery shoes on slippery steps.🤷‍♀️
Regardless, that 2024 debate was his ignominious end.

Edited Tuesday at 04:39 PM by shapeshifter

[Dimity]

I just read on another thread that they're calling for a congressional hearing into whether Biden had cancer while president and hid it.  Your tax dollars at work folks.  Maybe after that exercise in futility is over they can call a congressional hearing into Roosevelt having hidden his handicap due to polio from the public for four terms. 

 

Edited Tuesday at 04:47 PM by Dimity

[bluegirl147]

5 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

It seems Tapper intended his book to be a wake up call to Dems to get their (our/his/whoever's) house in order,

I don't know what Tapper's personal politics are but I see this from the left a lot.  They will tear down Dems because one, they expect better from them and two, they think maybe it will get through to some of the Dem politicians.  Meanwhile though they say they hate Trump and the Republicans they give him and them credit for "well at least they can get things done". 

I have no problem calling out Dems when they fuck up but whatever those fuck ups may be they don't even come close to the corruption, cruelness and outright hatred that I have seem come out of the Republican party for at least the past 15 years or so.

4 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I just read on another thread that they're calling for a congressional hearing into whether Biden had cancer while president and hid it.  Your tax dollars at work folks.  Maybe after that exercise in futility is over they can call a congressional hearing into Roosevelt having hidden his polio from the public for four terms. 

 

And JFK with his Addison's disease. But they will of course ignore Reagan's Alzheimer's and whatever the fuck is wrong with Trump.

 

This is all theater to them.  Act like they are actually doing something. Looking for the truth. While they lie and cover up whatever Trump is doing.

[Ohiopirate02]

Just now, Dimity said:

I just read on another thread that they're calling for a congressional hearing into whether Biden had cancer while president and hid it.  Your tax dollars at work folks.  Maybe after that exercise in futility is over they can call a congressional hearing into Roosevelt having hidden his polio from the public for four terms. 

 

I am not all that surprised if this does happen, but seriously, how TF do you even investigate this? Biden can go ahead and authorize the release of his personal medical information, but that won't stop MAGA and Congressional Republicans from calling the records fake. How would they even find witnesses to testify?

I really cannot understand how someone would think Biden is fudging the timeline of his diagnosis. I guess because this is something a Trump would do, so therefore Biden is automatically accused. Every accusation Trump, his administration, Fox News, and MAGA makes is truly a confession.

[bluegirl147]

3 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

I really cannot understand how someone would think Biden is fudging the timeline of his diagnosis.

Meanwhile Trump has yet to have an accurate physical. And he wasn't honest about how bad things were for him when he had Covid. 

[annzeepark914]

13 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Meanwhile Trump has yet to have an accurate physical. And he wasn't honest about how bad things were for him when he had Covid. 

Heh heh....6'3" 😁 224 lbs? 😂 Only in little mitts Donnie's dreams.

[Dimity]

Just read that Trump struck a deal that allowed 17 family members of a Mexican drug cartel to enter the US.  I guess that's one way to secure the border.

Edited Tuesday at 05:42 PM by Dimity

[ECM1231]

From the Daily News---

"Relatives of slain Jan. 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt (inset) are reportedly set to receive a $5 million settlement in their wrongful death suit against the federal government. (AP)"

Only in America....smdh