Chit-Chat: The Feels

[lookeyloo]

1 hour ago, PRgal said:

Appeals court puts tariff ruling on hold

Will it have to go up to the Supremes?  And well, that is a crap shoot.

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, Absolom said:

At some point even the most gullible and non-thinking people have to realize that with statements like this he's just making it up as he goes along or saying whatever pops into his head.  Trump's statements and verifiable fact usually have very little in common

@Absolom, I think you might not realize the depth of delusion under which MAGAs live. But, of course, I hope my skepticism is wrong, and you and your hope are correct.

 

 

44 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

Will it have to go up to the Supremes?  And well, that is a crap shoot.

Yes, that’s what I read, and a more literal than figurative crap shoot.💩
Ugh. I’d like to wipe🧻 the smile off that poop emoji’s face💩

Edited Thursday at 10:14 PM by shapeshifter

[Yeah No]

2 hours ago, Absolom said:

I'm trying multi-quote again.  Maybe this time I'll keep using it.  😀 I see the advantage now of being able to read everything in one go and then seeing if I still want to reply.  Thanks.  Somehow I had it in my head that I needed the quotes to be related.

I use the multi-quote but then I end up with super long posts and I don't want that so I end up cutting and pasting them, quote and all into separate posts. It's a PITA but it's better than losing my place. Sometimes I open a few tabs with one of them where I left off just so I don't lose my place.

[Absolom]

28 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

@Absolom, I think you might not realize the depth of delusion under which MAGAs live. But, of course, I hope my skepticism is wrong, and you and your hope are correct.

I sadly know some MAGAs.  During Trump 1 one family became disillusioned with Trump over his COVID lies.  They didn't vote for him this time.  Another is now looking around and realizing he both lies and is not on the beam.  They give me hope.  I do think he has a core group that not much will shake, but the ones who aren't as all in can see something that is too far for them.  That's true at least among people I know IRL  As with most groups, there are degrees of support for Trump and blindness to his faults.

[Anela]

I sometimes right-click the time of the post that I want to respond to, and open it into a separate tab. I've had a few posts that were way too long, because the forum software automatically merged them. 

 

[tres bien]

1 hour ago, lookeyloo said:

Will it have to go up to the Supremes?  And well, that is a crap shoot.

I have so little faith in SCOTUS anymore knowing what they did in facilitating Trump’s return but I have a tiny bit of hope that Roberts Comey Barrett and Kavanaugh don’t want to go to their graves one day knowing they helped destroy the United States 

[ECM1231]

4 hours ago, jessiebell said:

The pick for IG at the Dept of Labor is a former NY Congressman who lost his seat in Congress after allegedly putting his mistress and his fiancee's daughter on his payroll.  A mistress and a fiancee?????

That would be my district. Anthony D'Esposito. He's a former NYPD police officer of 14 years who had numerous complaints. He had his gun stolen after leaving it in his car. Yeah, nothing but the best and brightest! 🙄

I was so happy to vote for his opponent in the last election.

[annzeepark914]

1 hour ago, tres bien said:

I have so little faith in SCOTUS anymore knowing what they did in facilitating Trump’s return but I have a tiny bit of hope that Roberts Comey Barrett and Kavanaugh don’t want to go to their graves one day knowing they helped destroy the United States 

🙏🍀🤞 Good grief. Here we are, hoping that Roberts, Coney Barrett, & anyone else 🙄 will come to their senses. 

[Anela]

 

Trump lashes out at ‘real sleazebag’ Leonard Leo, Federalist Society

President's wrath stoked by Society member judge he appointed having ruled against him in tariff case

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/may/29/trump-lashes-leonard-leo-federalist-society-judge-timothy-reif-tariff/

 

[Eri]

34 minutes ago, ECM1231 said:

That would be my district. Anthony D'Esposito. He's a former NYPD police officer of 14 years who had numerous complaints. He had his gun stolen after leaving it in his car. Yeah, nothing but the best and brightest! 🙄

I was so happy to vote for his opponent in the last election.

LOL I knew that dude sounded familiar. That's not my district but kudos for kicking him to the curb! Cuomo is next v_v

Ugh, I cannot stand the amount of morons being awarded government jobs without merit just for existing.

[Yeah No]

5 hours ago, Anela said:

I sometimes right-click the time of the post that I want to respond to, and open it into a separate tab. I've had a few posts that were way too long, because the forum software automatically merged them. 

Oh yeah, I hate that. If I don't take long enough writing the next post I wait to post it so it doesn't merge. I don't mind them merging if they're on the same topic, though.

[Soapy Goddess]

15 hours ago, Yeah No said:

I know but I still wonder how stiffer border control (which most Dems. want to some degree too) and two genders (which some Dems. also support) is worth all the BS and corrupt, unethical crap one has to put up with to support Trump. A while back I would have suggested finding a more ethical Republican candidate to support but now they've all brought themselves down to his level by supporting him and refusing to push back even on the most outrageous stuff he's done.

And while I agree with you that there is corruption and self-serving in all politics no matter what "side" one is looking at, right now the side guilty of the most of it is by far the Republican side. And right now that is mostly thanks to Trump because it's coming directly from HIM.

I realize it's hard for many to understand a lifelong position. I'm sure there are people on the left side who overlook quite a bit too. As an optimist, you hope for the best. You tend to only see the good and minimize the not-so-good.

Right now of course to a Dem the Reps are more guilty. And if you ask a Rep, they'll tell you the Dems are WAY more guilty. It's the usual stuff, so no need to beat a dead horse. It just invites more aggravation, and I've got a migraine that won't quit tonight. 

[Lantern7]

Just now, ECM1231 said:

That would be my district. Anthony D'Esposito. He's a former NYPD police officer of 14 years who had numerous complaints. He had his gun stolen after leaving it in his car. Yeah, nothing but the best and brightest! 🙄

I was so happy to vote for his opponent in the last election.

Ugh.

My district was once represented by a guy named Michael Grimm. I just did a search to talk about him. Apparently, he has been recently pardoned for tax evasion. Of course he fucking has.

Basically, Grimm was a d-bag, most famous for threatening a reporter on-camera. He wound up giving up his seat due to scandal, which eventually led to a Democrat winning the seat, which is NEVER supposed to happen. I was going to post about him for comparison purposes to D'Esposito, but apparently he has been Touched By A Trump (God willing, not coming to CBS any time soon). Next step: wondering what sort of position he'll be getting.

I know that I bring up Lethal Weapon 2 a lot, but I think the same lessons can be learned by the unjustly-pardoned as well as white South Africans who feel they're being persecuted. Getting a get-out-of-trouble-free card doesn't mean they can do whatever the fuck they want. If they push hard enough, even a Roger Murtaugh (a guy who isn't the loose cannon) can deal with them for once and for all.

Figuratively speaking, of course. 😇😇😇

[Soapy Goddess]

9 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

Damn skippy. I’m sick of the Trump and non/third party voters whining to skate their own culpability in letting him win. They wanted this, they can suffer. 

I'm not suffering in the way you'd think. What I meant by that statement is that BOTH parties are living (or have lived) through policies that they don't like. The vote is DONE and there's no changing it for another 3 1/2 years. IOW, we lived through Obama & Biden and survived. So now we live through Trump...and we WILL survive whether you believe it or not.

Edited Friday at 05:32 AM by Soapy Goddess

[tres bien]

If you’re a fan of the Lifetime channel you might want to rethink that

Lifetime is rewarding the Chrissley’s with their very own reality show documenting their legal saga and pardons

[shapeshifter]

10 hours ago, annzeepark914 said:

🙏🍀🤞 Good grief. Here we are, hoping that Roberts, Coney Barrett, & anyone else 🙄 will come to their senses. 

When Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the Supreme Court, in conversation with my distraught middle daughter, I predicted Coney Barrett’s relative youth, combined with her newfound near-untouchable power and resulting opportunities for independence, could result in her shifting to the left. I think that was before Roe was overturned, but there’s still hope.🤞

 

 

9 hours ago, Anela said:

Trump lashes out at ‘real sleazebag’ Leonard Leo, Federalist Society

President's wrath stoked by Society member judge he appointed having ruled against him in tariff case

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/may/29/trump-lashes-leonard-leo-federalist-society-judge-timothy-reif-tariff/

His egocentrism is a real advantage for trump observers who wish to unravel DJT’s thought processes; his rants at others seem to reveal his opinion of himself*, with this Washington Times article “Trump lashes out at ‘real sleazebag’ [himself]* Leonard Leo, Federalist Society” being a great example of how DJT’s own self-loathing may motivate most of his words and actions:

Quote

…President Trump late Thursday lashed out at the conservative Federalist Society and its former head Leonard Leo [himself]* after one of the judges he appointed upon their recommendation ruled against him in a decision that rolled back the president’s sweeping tariffs.

In a lengthy rant on Truth Social, Mr. Trump said that he [himself]* was new to Washington and relied upon the advice of the Society and Mr. Leo, [himself]* whom he branded a “real sleazebag,” on judicial appointments. 

“It was suggested that I use the Federalist Society as a recommending source on Judges. I did so, openly and freely, but then realized that they were under the thumb of a real ‘sleazebag’ named Leonard Leo [DJT]*, a bad person who, in his own way, probably hates America and obviously has his own separate ambitions,” Mr. Trump wrote. 

“I am so disappointed in The Federalist Society [myself]* because of the bad advice they gave me on numerous Judicial Nominations. This is something that cannot be forgotten! With all of that being said, I am very proud of many of our picks, but very disappointed in others. They always must do what’s right for the Country! In this case it is only because of my successful use of tariffs that many trillions of dollars have already begun.”

Mr. Trump went on to blast Mr. Leo [himself]*, accusing him [himself]* of bragging that he controls judges on the federal bench, including the U.S. Supreme Court.…

…In his lengthy social media post, Mr. Trump questioned the motivations of the judges[himself]* on the trade court.

“How is it possible for them [me]* to have potentially done such damage to the United States of America? Is it purely a hatred of ‘TRUMP[myself]*?’ What other reason could there be?”…

By Jeff Mordock
The Washington Times
Updated: 6:14 a.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/may/29/trump-lashes-leonard-leo-federalist-society-judge-timothy-reif-tariff/

I personally find it calming to figure out what motivates a person who is constantly saying and doing alarming, upsetting, and even terrifying things.

Edited Friday at 11:12 AM by shapeshifter

[Affogato]

1 hour ago, tres bien said:

If you’re a fan of the Lifetime channel you might want to rethink that

Lifetime is rewarding the Chrissley’s with their very own reality show documenting their legal saga and pardons

No I’m not. But thanks, just threw up in my mouth a bit. 

[tres bien]

The White House calls on Jill Biden to testify to congress over the alleged cover-up of former President Biden’s decline in health while in office 

James Comer has also suggested congress may issue subpoenas to former WH press secretary Karina Jean-Pierre an Hunter Biden 

I do not want to hear the if Jill Biden has nothing to hide she should welcome the scrutiny chorus 😡

 

[Affogato]

6 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

I'm not suffering in the way you'd think. What I meant by that statement is that BOTH parties are living (or have lived) through policies that they don't like. The vote is DONE and there's no changing it for another 3 1/2 years. IOW, we lived through Obama & Biden and survived. So now we live through Trump...and we WILL survive whether you believe it or not.

you have said, more than once, that the border issues and ‘there are only two gender’ issues are important to you, and that you even disagree with Trump about someother things.  Those two issues are basically xenophobia, 

—————

xenophobia 

noun

A fear of strangers or foreigners. 

A strong antipathy or aversion to strangers or foreigners. 

A fear of foreigners or strangers.

—————

just saying

—————

there is considerable research into the differences between liberal and conservative brain structure  here is one article:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/conservative-and-liberal-brains-might-have-some-real-differences/
Quote:

In 1968 a debate was held between conservative thinker William F. Buckley, Jr., and liberal writer Gore Vidal. It was hoped that these two members of opposing intellectual elites would show Americans living through tumultuous times that political disagreements could be civilized. That idea did not last for long. Instead Buckley and Vidal descended rapidly into name-calling. Afterward, they sued each other for defamation.

The story of the 1968 debate opens a well-regarded 2013 book called Predisposed, which introduced the general public to the field of political neuroscience. The authors, a trio of political scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Rice University, argued that if the differences between liberals and conservatives seem profound and even unbridgeable, it is because they are rooted in personality characteristics and biological predispositions.

On the whole, the research shows, conservatives desire security, predictability and authority more than liberals do, and liberals are more comfortable with novelty, nuance and complexity.

Edited Friday at 11:44 AM by Affogato

[Affogato]

Why are zombies popular? Because the movies are about fear of the invasion of people who are different than you. Romero’s message was very deliberate and on point. I can see a Maga movie from the opposite point of view, with superhero donnie saving the rich folks from invasion  may e bill murray can have a cameo again (zombie land)  

https://www.imdb.com/list/ls053637628/

quote:

1. Night of the Living Dead

19681h 36mR89

7.8 (145K)

A ragtag group of Pennsylvanians barricade themselves in an old farmhouse to remain safe from a horde of flesh-eating ghouls that are ravaging the Northeast of the United States.

DirectorGeorge A. RomeroStarsDuane JonesJudith O'DeaKarl Hardman

"They're coming to get you, Barbara," jokes Johnny to his sister at the beginning of George Romero's classic, which pretty much created the entire genre. Little does Johnny know that they're coming for him too, as he becomes the first zombie attack victim.

Although it has been remade twice (the decent 1990 version and the horrible 2006 debacle in 3D), the original is just as chilling as anything that has come from the genre since. This movie forces you to think about every possible stronghold, weak point, and escape route in your house.

2. Dawn of the Dead

19782h 7mUnrated

7.8 (133K)

During an escalating zombie epidemic, two Philadelphia SWAT team members, a traffic reporter and his TV executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall.

DirectorGeorge A. RomeroStarsDavid EmgeKen ForeeScott H. Reiniger

Romero took the reins of the genre he created with "Night of the Living Dead" and followed it up with "Dawn of the Dead" — the greatest zombie flick of all time. The film's immediate focus is the action inside a suburban mall, where a band of survivors try to keep swarms of undead at bay. However, it's the setup to the zombie apocalypse at the beginning of the film - where the world tried to make sense of it all - that really makes it resonate. The world is forced to cope with the inevitability of a slow, plodding, violent end. And yet there is still hope.

32 minutes ago, tres bien said:

The White House calls on Jill Biden to testify to congress over the alleged cover-up of former President Biden’s decline in health while in office 

James Comer has also suggested congress may issue subpoenas to former WH press secretary Karina Jean-Pierre an Hunter Biden 

I do not want to hear the if Jill Biden has nothing to hide she should welcome the scrutiny chorus 😡

 

The book being published was reasonable. The use of this by the right is unconscionable. 

[Yeah No]

7 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

I realize it's hard for many to understand a lifelong position. I'm sure there are people on the left side who overlook quite a bit too. As an optimist, you hope for the best. You tend to only see the good and minimize the not-so-good.

Right now of course to a Dem the Reps are more guilty. And if you ask a Rep, they'll tell you the Dems are WAY more guilty. It's the usual stuff, so no need to beat a dead horse. It just invites more aggravation, and I've got a migraine that won't quit tonight. 

I can assure you that I would never overlook that much. Remember, I didn't vote in the 2016 election because I didn't like Hillary or Trump, a decision I regret now but it helps knowing I didn't affect the election because my state voted for her anyway. So in that case I wasn't willing to overlook things. But if that election were held now I would have zero hesitation voting for her. And knowing how Republicans have lowered themselves and shown themselves to be willing to support Trump no matter what lowers my opinion of them so much it lowers the chances that I'd ever vote for one again. This is more distasteful to me than anything any Democrat has ever done. I actually voted for a Republican presidential candidate once but those were different times. I have voted for more Republicans on a local level, but still relatively few. But the point is that I can and will vote against my party if I think the candidate is a better choice.

Let's say that the Democrats ran Bernie or AOC for president. As much as I like them personally I don't think I could bring myself to vote for either of them (under normal circumstances - now paired against Trump or MAGA I'd likely hold my nose and vote for them). Interestingly, my good friend and lawyer, who scored "Establishment Liberal" on that Pew Research political leanings quiz (which is pretty far left and left of me), agreed with me that he could never vote for either one. He is a classical liberal but NOT a progressive, and decidedly not.

And this is the problem Democrats have and why Republicans keep winning presidential elections. Because Dems. stick to their principles over their party. Meanwhile Republicans stick to their party even if they run Mickey Mouse for President. And I don't know if I see that as a function of optimism as much as a misplaced sense of loyalty.

Edited Friday at 12:27 PM by Yeah No

[Affogato]

7 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

I can assure you that I would never overlook that much. Remember, I didn't vote in the 2016 election because I didn't like Hillary or Trump, a decision I regret now but it helps knowing I didn't affect the election because my state voted for her anyway. So in that case I wasn't willing to overlook things. But if that election were held now I would have zero hesitation voting for her. And knowing how Republicans have lowered themselves and shown themselves to be willing to support Trump no matter what lowers my opinion of them so much it lowers the chances that I'd ever vote for one again. This is more distasteful to me than anything any Democrat has ever done. I actually voted for a Republican presidential candidate once but those were different times. I have voted for more Republicans on a local level, but still relatively few. But the point is that I can and will vote against my party if I think the candidate is a better choice.

Let's say that the Democrats ran Bernie or AOC for president. I don't think I could bring myself to vote for either of them. Interestingly, my good friend and lawyer, who scored "Establishment Liberal" on that Pew Research political leanings quiz (which is pretty far left and left of me), agreed with me that he could never vote for either one. He is a classical liberal but NOT a progressive, and decidedly not.

And this is the problem Democrats have and why Republicans keep winning presidential elections. Because Dems. stick to their principles over their party. Meanwhile Republicans stick to their party even if they run Mickey Mouse for President. And I don't know if I see that as a function of optimism as much as a misplaced sense of loyalty.

Bernie is old and that is seeming like a bad idea, although he is aging well. To me he alwaus seemed like someone who was better prodding others to do better. AOC I’m not sure about yet. But personally, super progressive, I just think things have to be able to stick. 

[Annber03]

7 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

I'm not suffering in the way you'd think. What I meant by that statement is that BOTH parties are living (or have lived) through policies that they don't like. The vote is DONE and there's no changing it for another 3 1/2 years. IOW, we lived through Obama & Biden and survived. So now we live through Trump...and we WILL survive whether you believe it or not.

Yeah, peope lived through Trump's first go-round just fine! Just ask those who died in the pandemic he and his administration grossly mismanaged! 

Just what, exactly, did you have to "live through" with Biden and Obama that was just so terrible for you? 

[bluegirl147]

59 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

When Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the Supreme Court, in conversation with my distraught middle daughter, I predicted Coney Barrett’s relative youth, combined with her newfound near-untouchable power and resulting opportunities for independence, could result in her shifting to the left. I think that was before Roe was overturned, but there’s still hope.🤞

Her issue was always overturning Roe.  She is a conservative to be sure but she isn't MAGA and she isn't following right wing ideology.  I think she is going to be the swing vote for years to come. 

1 hour ago, shapeshifter said:

I personally find it calming to figure out what motivates a person who is constantly saying and doing alarming, upsetting, and even terrifying thing

I do the same thing.  I'm always analyzing people.  I must have been Freud in a previous life. 

2 hours ago, tres bien said:

Lifetime is rewarding the Chrissley’s with their very own reality show documenting their legal saga and pardons

And once again bad (in this case criminal) behavior is rewarded. I despise reality TV and this is yet another reason why.

53 minutes ago, tres bien said:

James Comer has also suggested congress may issue subpoenas to former WH press secretary Karina Jean-Pierre an Hunter Biden 

Why is anyone listening to anything he has to say?

53 minutes ago, tres bien said:

I do not want to hear the if Jill Biden has nothing to hide she should welcome the scrutiny chorus

So they want the former First Lady to testify about her husband when the current First Lady can't be bothered to live in the same house with her husband. 

37 minutes ago, Affogato said:

On the whole, the research shows, conservatives desire security, predictability and authority more than liberals do, and liberals are more comfortable with novelty, nuance and complexity.

So conservatives don't want things to change and liberals want things to evolve and progress. Sounds pretty accurate to me.

25 minutes ago, Affogato said:

The book being published was reasonable. The use of this by the right is unconscionable. 

I might argue about it being reasonable but if Tapper didn't foresee this book being used to attack Biden (and anyone whoever knew Biden probably) he is not only blind but deaf and dumb too.

6 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

So now we live through Trump...and we WILL survive whether you believe it or not.

Not everyone is going to survive.  He has chosen people who are not qualified to positions that are going to make decisions that will hurt people. Kennedy wanting to prevent pregnant women and children from Covid boosters might kill them. His minimizing the measles outbreak is going to let more people become infected. Trump's tariffs are hurting small businesses. Our continuing to back Israel is allowing them to kill more Palestinians. And of course there is all the people he deported to a violent dangerous prison in a foreign country. How many of them are going to survive? No matter what you think about undocumented immigrants they don't deserve to be put someplace where their mere existence might cause someone to kill them.

10 hours ago, Anela said:

President's wrath stoked by Society member judge he appointed having ruled against him in tariff case

He simply does not understand they are not "his judges".  He assumes they are all like Aileen Cannon who will kiss his ass.

[bluegirl147]

10 minutes ago, Affogato said:

Bernie is old and that is seeming like a bad idea, although he is aging well. To me he alwaus seemed like someone who was better prodding others to do better. AOC I’m not sure about yet. But personally, super progressive, I just think things have to be able to stick. 

In 2016 I liked a lot of Bernie's policies but felt like he was the wrong messenger.  He always gives me "get off my lawn" vibes.  

[Cementhead]

I once heard Trump say that he picked Amy Coney Barrett to replace RBG because she had 3 names, too.  I shit you not, it was that simple for him.  Well, that and the whole Roe thing, of course.  But he really dug her name and I guess he was hoping that ACB would become a thing like RBG so that he could really stick it to the Dems and own the libs.

6 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

In 2016 I liked a lot of Bernie's policies but felt like he was the wrong messenger.  He always gives me "get off my lawn" vibes.  

Ha, that's actually what I like about the guy.  It's part of his charm.

[bluegirl147]

5 minutes ago, Cementhead said:

I once heard Trump say that he picked Amy Coney Barrett to replace RBG because she had 3 names, too.  I shit you not, it was that simple for him.  Well, that and the whole Roe thing, of course.  But he really dug her name and I guess he was hoping that ACB would become a thing like RBG so that he could really stick it to the Dems and own the libs.

I read in a book that when Kennedy got bought/pushed retired Trump was advised to choose Coney Barrett but he said no, he was waiting to put her in RBG's seat. He is petty enough to do that just like you said to stick it to the libs. He can't help but act like a child. 

Edited Friday at 12:58 PM by bluegirl147

[Affogato]

8 minutes ago, Cementhead said:

I once heard Trump say that he picked Amy Coney Barrett to replace RBG because she had 3 names, too.  I shit you not, it was that simple for him.  Well, that and the whole Roe thing, of course.  But he really dug her name and I guess he was hoping that ACB would become a thing like RBG so that he could really stick it to the Dems and own the libs.

Ha, that's actually what I like about the guy.  It's part of his charm.

It is part of his charm but it isn’t charming in someone in power. 
 

comparisons now with 47 come to mind. I’m not charmed. 

[Yeah No]

51 minutes ago, Affogato said:

there is considerable research into the differences between liberal and conservative brain structure  here is one article:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/conservative-and-liberal-brains-might-have-some-real-differences/
Quote:

In 1968 a debate was held between conservative thinker William F. Buckley, Jr., and liberal writer Gore Vidal. It was hoped that these two members of opposing intellectual elites would show Americans living through tumultuous times that political disagreements could be civilized. That idea did not last for long. Instead Buckley and Vidal descended rapidly into name-calling. Afterward, they sued each other for defamation.

The story of the 1968 debate opens a well-regarded 2013 book called Predisposed, which introduced the general public to the field of political neuroscience. The authors, a trio of political scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Rice University, argued that if the differences between liberals and conservatives seem profound and even unbridgeable, it is because they are rooted in personality characteristics and biological predispositions.

I remember that debate although I was in the single digits at the time so I had no idea what they were on about. Wm F. Buckley always fascinated me because he was quite the character and his voice and mannerisms were unique. But back then I had no idea what he was talking about, LOL. I just thought he was such an effete snob and it amazed me that people like that really existed.

As to Xenophobia and fear of strangers, I don't think it's primarily that with people from urban areas like the NY metro area. It's that some white people from those areas are over their "comfort quotient" with regard to how many people they encounter on a daily basis that are not white and/or come from other countries. Studies have been done about that although I don't have one to quote right now. And let's face it, in places like NYC, and some areas in California and Chicago it feels like there are thousands of people pouring in from all over that are not Americans and don't "look or act like one". This is why many Republicans from certain areas buy into the fiction that there are 20 million of them coming in all the time. So I understand that.

Listen, I'm from the "inner city" myself. My life in the Bronx started out integrated but the majority was still white. Somewhere around the 1970s that changed and many areas in the boroughs of NY became increasingly non-white. So when I was in college the Bronx was burning and things had already begun to shift toward a non-white population. It was then that the term "white flight" was coined. And believe you me, those white people fleeing were not just Republicans. And they had real safety reasons to flee. The crime rate was soaring. Drugs and crime went through the roof. And most of those crimes were being committed by minorities. So this is the backdrop that many native to the NYC  metro area are coming from. And this is the situation that turned Trump into what he is today. Trump is still living in that 1970s situation in his mind and the lens through which his racism was sharpened and focused. But that's not the reality we're living in today and he true to his lack of empathy, he never understood or cared about the real reasons for that situation.

After college I stayed in the Bronx and worked for my alma mater, Fordham. In the 1980s I was used to walking up Fordham Road every day and being the only white person anywhere. My "comfort level" is higher than a lot of people's or I would have left the Bronx much sooner than I did. As it is I didn't leave until 1991, which was when my husband and I could finally afford to buy a condo. When I moved to Norwalk I experienced a BIG culture shock. I used to say to myself, "Boy these white people sure are weird". I had never lived around so many in my life. And in many ways I didn't like it! Because of my background I always see things from an alternate point of view. I never get so locked into one perspective. 

Quote

On the whole, the research shows, conservatives desire security, predictability and authority more than liberals do, and liberals are more comfortable with novelty, nuance and complexity.

This is very interesting - I had heard about this study but never looked much into it. I find this ironic because today it's the conservatives that are going against their natures by supporting the "loose cannon" of Trump. He is unpredictable and and definitely doesn't provide a traditionally American-Republican type of authority (his is more Authoritarian). Equally ironic is that liberals, who usually like someone with a new approach that shatters the old conventions are the ones with their stomachs in a knot when looking at Trump.

I think that quote is somewhat simplistic but there is some truth to it. It's not the whole story, though. Although I would say that I am probably split down the middle of that scale, which does kind of reflect my political leanings!

 

[Cementhead]

2 minutes ago, Affogato said:

It is part of his charm but it isn’t charming in someone in power. 
 

comparisons now with 47 come to mind. I’m not charmed. 

Bernie's 'old man yells at clouds' shtick isn't even remotely close to whatever the heck Trump has going on.  I wasn't making any comparison at all.

[Yeah No]

44 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

2 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

I personally find it calming to figure out what motivates a person who is constantly saying and doing alarming, upsetting, and even terrifying thing

I do the same thing.  I'm always analyzing people.  I must have been Freud in a previous life. 

Same here. That's why I got a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology.

[fastiller]

10 hours ago, Eri said:

LOL I knew that dude sounded familiar. That's not my district but kudos for kicking him to the curb! Cuomo is next v_v

Ugh, I cannot stand the amount of morons being awarded government jobs without merit just for existing.

Look at the ad under your post, @Eri:

[Yeah No]

35 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

In 2016 I liked a lot of Bernie's policies but felt like he was the wrong messenger.  He always gives me "get off my lawn" vibes.  

That's interesting. I always find myself agreeing with his grasp of the problems but in many cases not his solutions. And as much as I have an affection for him that cools it a bit.

I always wondered if Bernie may be a relative, although there are a lot of Jews from Brooklyn he somehow reminds me of some of my father's relatives on his father's side, who were also Jews from Brooklyn. I can also picture a young Eddie Murphy doing a great Bernie impression - remember when he used to do the "old Jewish man" routine on SNL? My father used to imitate Eddie Murphy doing that routine and I would split my sides!

[Affogato]

27 minutes ago, Cementhead said:

Bernie's 'old man yells at clouds' shtick isn't even remotely close to whatever the heck Trump has going on.  I wasn't making any comparison at all.

Not really. Trump is a malignany narcissist and understanding him is really not a stretch. Ince you a cept the narcissism it makes sense, ad his age and deterioration, it isn’t hard to grasp.  There isn’t any policy or values there. 
 

Most of Bernie’s solutions won’t work as policies, but they can inform making policy. 

[Kemper]

3 hours ago, tres bien said:

If you’re a fan of the Lifetime channel you might want to rethink that

Lifetime is rewarding the Chrissley’s with their very own reality show documenting their legal saga and pardons

Thank you! I was going to post about this earlier; but got distracted by Stephen A's latest diatribe with Hannity on Faux News. I hate to start my day with "the petty" that I can do nothing about. And yet. 

Channel-surfing early this morning. I landed on The E Channel (I think that was the one) that is choosing to have a Chrisley family marathon today. We are the dumbest, most shallow country in the world right now.

Edited Friday at 01:45 PM by Kemper

[Ohiopirate02]

57 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Her issue was always overturning Roe.  She is a conservative to be sure but she isn't MAGA and she isn't following right wing ideology.  I think she is going to be the swing vote for years to come. 

He simply does not understand they are not "his judges".  He assumes they are all like Aileen Cannon who will kiss his ass.

With the way our current government is set up, there is very little incentive for judges to side with Trump once they have been appointed and confirmed in their positions. Judgeships are for life while presidents come and go. They can kiss his ass to get the nod, then do whatever they want. And they are not going to sit idly by while Trump takes away the powers granted to them by the Constitution nor allow Trump to trample the powers granted to Congress by the Constitution. It is in their best interest to uphold it, and not give into a wannabe tyrant who's about to turn 79. Amy Comey Barrett will be on the Supreme Court long after Trump dies.

And I don't think Trump can ever grasp this concept. That other people can use him just like he uses people and he cannot do anything about it.

[bluegirl147]

1 minute ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

And they are not going to sit idly by while Trump takes away the powers granted to them by the Constitution nor allow Trump to trample the powers granted to Congress by the Constitution.

That is the one thing that gives me hope we can survive this dark period.  Alito and Thomas will always do his bidding but the others I don't think so.

2 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

And I don't think Trump can ever grasp this concept. That other people can use him just like he uses people and he cannot do anything about it.

He always thinks he is smarter than everyone else. That he made a better deal. He simply cannot comprehend someone got the better of him. Hence is inability to admit he lost the 2020 election. He has this pathological need to never be seen as a loser.

[Cementhead]

5 minutes ago, Affogato said:

Not really. Trump is a malignany narcissist and understanding him is really not a stretch. Ince you a cept the narcissism it makes sense, ad his age and deterioration, it isn’t hard to grasp.  There isn’t any policy or values there. 
 

Most of Bernie’s solutions won’t work as policies, but they can inform making policy. 

I'm not having any trouble grasping anything about Trump, but thank you for explaining him to me.  All I did was reply to a comment about Bernie Sanders and his get off my lawn energy.  🤷‍♀️   Have a great day everyone.  Happy Friday.

 

[Eri]

20 minutes ago, fastiller said:

Look at the ad under your post, @Eri:

 Ugh put that horrid thing away!

[PRgal]

I think a lot of xenophobia comes from social anxiety, saying this as someone who is socially anxious herself.  Especially anxiety with the unfamiliar.  My son didn't like summer camp because it wasn't school and the kids there weren't the kids from school.  We had trouble making him stay.  What's odd was that he didn't have issues/have a meltdown when he transferred to a new school (perhaps it was because he knew there was one other kid from his old school who was also transferring, albeit in a different classroom).  And to be honest, I don't interact much with some people of my background because I'm anxious that I'll be harshly criticized.  On social, I've tried to distance myself from first gen children of immigrant families because I KNOW they'd harshly think I'm too "white washed" when it comes to food.  And I further distance myself from Auntie Karen types (I'll let you figure out what that means).  I can only deal with so much of this because my own mother is partially Auntie Karen.  I contact her less than I do with my dad and we live in the same building.  She'll show up, but we don't talk much.  It's easier on my mental health this way.

Edited Friday at 02:21 PM by PRgal

[fastiller]

37 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

With the way our current government is set up, there is very little incentive for judges to side with Trump once they have been appointed and confirmed in their positions. Judgeships are for life while presidents come and go. They can kiss his ass to get the nod, then do whatever they want. And they are not going to sit idly by while Trump takes away the powers granted to them by the Constitution nor allow Trump to trample the powers granted to Congress by the Constitution. It is in their best interest to uphold it, and not give into a wannabe tyrant who's about to turn 79. Amy Comey Barrett will be on the Supreme Court long after Trump dies.

And I don't think Trump can ever grasp this concept. That other people can use him just like he uses people and he cannot do anything about it.

Except for their safety. 

[Affogato]

1 hour ago, Yeah No said:

I remember that debate although I was in the single digits at the time so I had no idea what they were on about. Wm F. Buckley always fascinated me because he was quite the character and his voice and mannerisms were unique. But back then I had no idea what he was talking about, LOL. I just thought he was such an effete snob and it amazed me that people like that really existed.

As to Xenophobia and fear of strangers, I don't think it's primarily that with people from urban areas like the NY metro area. It's that some white people from those areas are over their "comfort quotient" with regard to how many people they encounter on a daily basis that are not white and/or come from other countries. Studies have been done about that although I don't have one to quote right now. And let's face it, in places like NYC, and some areas in California and Chicago it feels like there are thousands of people pouring in from all over that are not Americans and don't "look or act like one". This is why many Republicans from certain areas buy into the fiction that there are 20 million of them coming in all the time. So I understand that.

Listen, I'm from the "inner city" myself. My life in the Bronx started out integrated but the majority was still white. Somewhere around the 1970s that changed and many areas in the boroughs of NY became increasingly non-white. So when I was in college the Bronx was burning and things had already begun to shift toward a non-white population. It was then that the term "white flight" was coined. And believe you me, those white people fleeing were not just Republicans. And they had real safety reasons to flee. The crime rate was soaring. Drugs and crime went through the roof. And most of those crimes were being committed by minorities. So this is the backdrop that many native to the NYC  metro area are coming from. And this is the situation that turned Trump into what he is today. Trump is still living in that 1970s situation in his mind and the lens through which his racism was sharpened and focused. But that's not the reality we're living in today and he true to his lack of empathy, he never understood or cared about the real reasons for that situation.

After college I stayed in the Bronx and worked for my alma mater, Fordham. In the 1980s I was used to walking up Fordham Road every day and being the only white person anywhere. My "comfort level" is higher than a lot of people's or I would have left the Bronx much sooner than I did. As it is I didn't leave until 1991, which was when my husband and I could finally afford to buy a condo. When I moved to Norwalk I experienced a BIG culture shock. I used to say to myself, "Boy these white people sure are weird". I had never lived around so many in my life. And in many ways I didn't like it! Because of my background I always see things from an alternate point of view. I never get so locked into one perspective. 

This is very interesting - I had heard about this study but never looked much into it. I find this ironic because today it's the conservatives that are going against their natures by supporting the "loose cannon" of Trump. He is unpredictable and and definitely doesn't provide a traditionally American-Republican type of authority (his is more Authoritarian). Equally ironic is that liberals, who usually like someone with a new approach that shatters the old conventions are the ones with their stomachs in a knot when looking at Trump.

I think that quote is somewhat simplistic but there is some truth to it. It's not the whole story, though. Although I would say that I am probably split down the middle of that scale, which does kind of reflect my political leanings!

 

I think your ‘white people are weird perspective underlines what I mean by Xenophobia. It isn’t what is happening as background noise, because people get accustomed to background noise. It is when they are forced to pay attention, and a cold chill goes down their spines. In the rich mall, the ladies don’t mind children making designer purses, but they are disgusted when poor children beg outside the door of Louis Vuitton—and they don’t want a discussion of how to help the children’s parents, they would like a law making it illegal for poor people to be on their sidewalks. While still wanting the poor people washing dishes in the food court. Xenophobia means fear. Most people wouldn’t notice a transgender person, or a genderfluid person, but if a change in how they are expected to talk to them, or being made to look at an all gender bathroom sign, that makes them feel afraid multiple times a day. There child in a class room with them, haunts them day by day by endless day. 

So they retreat to pushing them away, back into invisibility. Also things like masks are a reminder there are diseases to be afraid of, and getting a vaccine reminds you that you have something to vaccinate against. DEI departments and trainings keeps people on the edge of xenophobic fear.  It is classic freeze response, and maybe the irrational support of Trump is, frankly, fawning on Trump, because he promises to let them pretend the world hasn’t changed. And Trump sure loves him some fawning. 

Re trump, I think he is absolutely predictable. I was raised by a narcissist, he is so predictable he is not even interesting.  He is easily manipulated. He has no strong beliefs. He will be dead soon enough. Me, too, that isn’t a dig, per se. The antics of the people around him, as they try to rub his scent over themselves and dance naked in a circle, trying to invoke power and money for themselves, that is interesting. But frumpy, incohent, tasteless Don is just your uncle who you know is going to do that on ‘thanksgiving. 

[shapeshifter]

29 minutes ago, PRgal said:

I don't interact much with some people of my background because I'm anxious that I'll be harshly criticized. 

Similar for me, but it's more that I'm anxious about not fitting in with people of my ancestry — that I won't understand most of what they are talking about, even though we speak the same language with the exception of a few words. 
And yet here I am living in a condo/neighborhood/county with a bunch of people who I don't fit in with for different reasons.

I'm not sure how this fits in with feelings of xenophobia. 
Except: Is it possible living among xenophobes can cause it to rub off on you? 
Or does it just bring out what was laying there dormant?

[lookeyloo]

Interesting discussion upthread, folks.  Lots to consider.  I am open to any candidate who seems sane, logical and prepared.  And mostly on the same page as I am.   I consider myself liberal democrat but over the years have voted republican sometimes.  Even when I was younger, I thought people who voted for reasons like "He's so handsome" (JFK) or not voted for "her laugh" and didn't concentrate on what these people brought to the US table and did we think that is a good direction.  If Bernie or AOC or a new entry I'll call XYZ  had a vision that could work with the congress and even though they are progressive, young, grumpy, etc. I could go along with that.  I am also not a one issue voter.  At least I haven't been til now.  And yes I know MAGA wouldn't vote for any of my choices.  I wish we could get to making voting more accessible, not less, no gerrymandering, and I don't want to say mandatory, but at least more popular.  I don't know enough about how changing the EC would work to comment on that.  Also, I think, being just me, that shorter election cycles would be better.

[bluegirl147]

19 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

 Also, I think, being just me, that shorter election cycles would be better.

I think there should be a national primary day.  That way all states have a say in who the nominee is. As it is now if a presidential candidate doesn't do well in Iowa and New Hampshire (two pretty white states) they are thought to be dead if not on life support as a candidate.

[Affogato]

29 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

Similar for me, but it's more that I'm anxious about not fitting in with people of my ancestry — that I won't understand most of what they are talking about, even though we speak the same language with the exception of a few words. 
And yet here I am living in a condo/neighborhood/county with a bunch of people who I don't fit in with for different reasons.

I'm not sure how this fits in with feelings of xenophobia. 
Except: Is it possible living among xenophobes can cause it to rub off on you? 
Or does it just bring out what was laying there dormant?

I think we are social and our inclination is to try to fit in with the people around us. 

[PRgal]

26 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

Similar for me, but it's more that I'm anxious about not fitting in with people of my ancestry — that I won't understand most of what they are talking about, even though we speak the same language with the exception of a few words. 
And yet here I am living in a condo/neighborhood/county with a bunch of people who I don't fit in with for different reasons.

I'm not sure how this fits in with feelings of xenophobia. 
Except: Is it possible living among xenophobes can cause it to rub off on you? 
Or does it just bring out what was laying there dormant?

Asian Heritage Month (we don't call it AAPI here, because, well, we're not American) brings out a lot of anxiety for me.  I honour my background very much, but I really hate it when my culture isn't acknowledged.  That second gen/first generation to spend childhood here culture that is often a mishmash of everything we absorb.  It's very diverse because it can depend on WHERE in the country you grew up and WHAT cultures you picked up.  Canada loves to pride itself as a salad/mosaic because we don't integrate and become a stew.  Well, that salad implies that post 80s suburban vibe where we don't really talk to our neighbours and do our own thing.  And frankly, it's kind of gross and xenophobic in itself.  And because I absorbed other cultures (and not to mention, married into another culture) I'm considered weird?  WT EFF?

[Dimity]

1 hour ago, bluegirl147 said:

He always thinks he is smarter than everyone else. That he made a better deal. He simply cannot comprehend someone got the better of him. Hence is inability to admit he lost the 2020 election. He has this pathological need to never be seen as a loser.

Almost everything he has done since he lost the election is a reaction to him losing the election.  It's why he will never stop loosing the attack dogs on Joe Biden.  It's contemptible.  Then what isn't contemptible about him and his enablers?

On a cheerier note the Edmonton Oilers are heading to the Stanley Cup finals.  Elbows Up, Canada!

[DrSpaceman73]

10 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

I realize it's hard for many to understand a lifelong position. I'm sure there are people on the left side who overlook quite a bit too. As an optimist, you hope for the best. You tend to only see the good and minimize the not-so-good.

Right now of course to a Dem the Reps are more guilty. And if you ask a Rep, they'll tell you the Dems are WAY more guilty. It's the usual stuff, so no need to beat a dead horse. It just invites more aggravation, and I've got a migraine that won't quit tonight. 

I voted republican consistently most of my life before trump. 

The reason I won't now is it's a corrupt disgusting self serving group of liars and trump has ruined what was once at least a principled party and turned it into a group of greedy AHs. 

Its not a matter of perspective.   Or lifelong bias.  Not if youre truly seeing what is happening. 

You can so it's an exaggeration to call him a dictator but what is clear is trump is

1.  Expanding the scope of the executive branch

2.  Attempting to argue the judicial branch has no authority to stop him 

3.  Attempting to shut down and punish in any fashion anyone in the press, public or even on social media that speaks out against him. 

And No, the Democrats have never done anything to this extent. 

This isn't fake news. This is his obvious gameplay.   And these are all hallmarks of authoritarianism and attempts to shut down democracy. 

This is not to mention his legal attempts at taking over elections. And I'm not talking about voter IDs. Whole different segment of problems. 

So no it's not 'well both sides do it'   

Edited Friday at 03:47 PM by DrSpaceman73

[Kemper]

I am a long-time forever Washington Capitals fan....and a more recent Carolina Hurricanes fan. (since we moved here in 1996)  I can also carry a grudge (the saying "the only things the Irish enjoy nursing are their grudges"is true). I have wanted Edmonton to win ever since Gretzky left for California with his sports-groupie wife.  

Since The Canes and Caps are out...it is Edmonton all the way for me. Florida should be nowhere near a hockey team; and they have two!!!! A pox on them. And their shitty governor. This also goes for Texas. They also should not have a hockey team. For the same reason.  Grudge!!  Enjoy it, revel in it.  Takes my mind off of Trump and The Chrisleys. And Steven A.

Edited Friday at 03:50 PM by Kemper