Chit-Chat: The Feels

[Yeah No]

29 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

Yes, there is so much to say on this.  I spent my social work career in the field of juvenile justice and victims of crime programs.  We have a flawed system.

Little known fact about me - After grad. school I counseled disadvantaged kids in a Federally funded program at a college. It broke my heart. I ended up leaving the job after a year for unrelated reasons but it made me think about this situation a lot. Once you know people first hand and up close, things look very different. The problem is it's hard to find Republicans that will allow themselves to get that close to this to think differently about it.

[lookeyloo]

1 minute ago, Yeah No said:

Little known fact about me - After grad. school I counseled disadvantaged kids in a Federally funded program at a college. It broke my heart. I ended up leaving the job after a year for unrelated reasons but it made me think about this situation a lot. Once you know people first hand and up close, things look very different. The problem is it's hard to find Republicans that will allow themselves to get that close to this to think differently about it.

Totally agree. Also when one works inside a system it is obvious what is wrong and what needs to be done - even baby steps- but there is always politics involved. I worked in a state agency that administered federal formula grant programs for much of my career til I moved to the university but similar jobs.  

[Kemper]

3 minutes ago, fairffaxx said:

Emergencies such as that are what canned tuna is for -- it keeps forever (remember bomb shelters?).

Yes! But sadly, canned tuna makes His Highness vomit. So don't think it didn't cross my mind at the time.

[Yeah No]

Just now, lookeyloo said:

It has been their plan all along. 

Yes, it has been MAGA and the ultra-Right's plan all along, but I don't believe all Republicans were on board with all this privatization before Trump and MAGA. My husband was not on board with it and still not on board with it. Before Trump there were "middle of the road" Republicans that supported some government-run things. They didn't want to do away with the Dept. of Education and the Post Office. And many of them still don't but refuse to vote against it or acknowledge that the Ultra-Right has taken over their party. At least my husband is not one of them. But if the trend toward more people identifying as Independent is any indication, many of them are like my husband that have become disaffected by their own party. I know this has happened with Democrats too but I'm sure many Republicans are doing it as well.

[lookeyloo]

5 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

Yes, it has been MAGA and the ultra-Right's plan all along, but I don't believe all Republicans were on board with all this privatization before Trump and MAGA. My husband was not on board with it and still not on board with it. Before Trump there were "middle of the road" Republicans that supported some government-run things. They didn't want to do away with the Dept. of Education and the Post Office. And many of them still don't but refuse to vote against it or acknowledge that the Ultra-Right has taken over their party. At least my husband is not one of them. But if the trend toward more people identifying as Independent is any indication, many of them are like my husband that have become disaffected by their own party. I know this has happened with Democrats too but I'm sure many Republicans are doing it as well.

But somehow the Congress has been convinced to go along and that is where the power is until the next election.  No amount of calls to the MAGA Congress help because they are either in agreement or scared. Lisa Murkowsi voiced this 

[shapeshifter]

4 hours ago, Mollywolly555 said:

Biden's mental health is not priority news for me because:

It is deflection from the current administration lies and cover up of T's dementia and disregard for doing the real work of a president, like reading the briefings or even having someone read them to him. Gah!!!

Trump is a figurehead for Project 2025 and Putin to do whatever they want in full view, damn the court system who tries to stop them. T's cabinet and staff and family are the epitome of hypocrisy. They are the living caricature of the Monopoly character who is running away holding big bags of money,  with "Get of of jail FREE" card in hand.

Biden had an experienced, well qualified staff able to carry on more than competently and admirably. He had loyal friends and colleagues in former presidents, global leaders, and other well respected politicos including Republicans, who advised him and  staff.

I can only hope that as they try to distract from their shenanigans
with an investigation into Biden
that they will wind up simultaneously inadvertently
unveiling their own shortcomings.

 

3 hours ago, Affogato said:

I’m sure Biden is ignoring this and also expected it. I hope they told him he was a robot clone, though. 

Yes, please. 
Let us at least in the future get a phone video of Biden being shown posts from the Oval that Biden is a robot clone, and, even if it takes a few extra words to explain that, yes, that it is what the current potus may think, and it gives Biden a few moments of laughter and levity — although it might just make him sad or mad.😔

As to whether or not the current occupier of the Oval thinks it's just a joke…🤔💭🤨🧐
Maybe that would be better than him thinking he is able to manipulate followers into believing it is true? 
Or has he crossed his personal Rubicon and thinks it might be true?

Edited June 5 by shapeshifter
tossing my own word salad for clarity

[Affogato]

14 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

I can only hope that as they try to distract from their shenanigans
with an investigation into Biden
that they will wind up simultaneously inadvertently
unveiling their own shortcomings.

 

Yes, please. 
Let us at least in the future get a phone video of Biden being shown posts from the Oval that Biden is a robot clone, and, even if it takes a few extra words to explain that, yes, that is what the current potus may think, it gives Biden a few moments of laughter and levity — although it might just make him sad or mad.😔

As to whether or not the current occupier of the Oval thinks it's just a joke — maybe that would be better than him thinking he is able to manipulate followers into believing it is true? 
Or has he crossed his personal Rubicon and thinks it might be true?

Word salad. But if he says it he has to double down on it, a version of ‘if you piss on it, you own it’. 

21 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

But somehow the Congress has been convinced to go along and that is where the power is until the next election.  No amount of calls to the MAGA Congress help because they are either in agreement or scared. Lisa Murkowsi voiced this 

At this point I think there isn’t much worse than what is going on and going to happen. Standing ip to it is the only respectable thing. It isn’t going to go back to pre January. 

Edited June 5 by Affogato

[shapeshifter]

Jimmy Kimmel's opening monologues have become a news source for me,
sort of my own personal Daily Briefing,
for example:
https://youtu.be/3iB4ZDlzFSk

 

[Yeah No]

50 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

But somehow the Congress has been convinced to go along and that is where the power is until the next election.  No amount of calls to the MAGA Congress help because they are either in agreement or scared. Lisa Murkowsi voiced this 

Republicans will go against their preferences to remain in power. They are not idealists as a whole. They don't stand on principle even when it is a crime against humanity not to do so. Or they're unable to recognize their denial about compromising their principles and find ways of rationalizing what they're doing.

But among the voters there's a kind of "quiet quitting" going on if the statistics are any indication. I read somewhere and posted the stats here that most Republicans are against privatization of the Post Office. I couldn't find stats. on the Dept. of Education but I'm sure many are not on board with that but just don't care enough to stand against it. So in order to keep their party in power or out of some misguided sense of loyalty in spite of so many of these things that should turn them off, some of them are still willing to vote Republican. But that number seems to be shrinking as more of them reach their limit of tolerance. We can only hope it continues. We complain about how outrageous Trump and MAGA are getting, esp. with the "BBB", but it may be the best thing to come along from our point of view to get Republicans to WAKE UP!

[lookeyloo]

10 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

Republicans will go against their preferences to remain in power. They are not idealists as a whole. They don't stand on principle even when it is a crime against humanity not to do so. Or they're unable to recognize their denial about compromising their principles and find ways of rationalizing what they're doing.

But among the voters there's a kind of "quiet quitting" going on if the statistics are any indication. I read somewhere and posted the stats here that most Republicans are against privatization of the Post Office. I couldn't find stats. on the Dept. of Education but I'm sure many are not on board with that but just don't care enough to stand against it. So in order to keep their party in power or out of some misguided sense of loyalty in spite of so many of these things that should turn them off, some of them are still willing to vote Republican. But that number seems to be shrinking as more of them reach their limit of tolerance. We can only hope it continues. We complain about how outrageous Trump and MAGA are getting, esp. with the "BBB", but it may be the best thing to come along from our point of view to get Republicans to WAKE UP!

All true. However I think when given the opportunity to vote regardless of what you said which I don't disagree with is that they will vote for the Republican.  If they go vote. Lots of folks who voted for current situation didn't pay attention and voted party

[Spartan Girl]

4 hours ago, Mollywolly555 said:

Tapper and Jeane-Pierre are graffiti artists smearing a good man for gain. 

In fairness to Jeanne-Pierre, it sounds like her book is going to call out the people that pressured Biden to step down. At least I'd like to believe so, but I guess we'll see.

[tres bien]

7 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

In fairness to Jeanne-Pierre, it sounds like her book is going to call out the people that pressured Biden to step down. At least I'd like to believe so, but I guess we'll see.

From what read in an interview with The Hill KJP criticized the Dems for pressuring President Biden from withdrawing from the race

KJP who worked for President Obama and President Biden said” I’d never seen a party do that in the way they did and it was hurtful to see that happening a firing squad around a person who I believe was a true patriot “

 

Edited June 6 by tres bien

[bluegirl147]

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ted-cruz-pride-anti-abortion-life-june_n_6841a277e4b04981b63b5f2f

 

From the article:

"Every human life is worthy of protection, and it is especially incumbent upon Americans and lawmakers to protect the most vulnerable among us,” Cruz said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

 

Cruz and his party only want to protect the lives they deem worthy. They don't care about at risk LGTBQ youth or any member of LGTBQ to be honest.  They don't care about immigrants being deported. They don't care about those who will lose health insurance if that big ugly bill passes.  They can't even be bothered to care about their own constituents.  

[fastiller]

6 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ted-cruz-pride-anti-abortion-life-june_n_6841a277e4b04981b63b5f2f

 

From the article:

"Every human life is worthy of protection, and it is especially incumbent upon Americans and lawmakers to protect the most vulnerable among us,” Cruz said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

 

Cruz and his party only want to protect the lives they deem worthy. They don't care about at risk LGTBQ youth or any member of LGTBQ to be honest.  They don't care about immigrants being deported. They don't care about those who will lose health insurance if that big ugly bill passes.  They can't even be bothered to care about their own constituents.  

Even the 245 or so Texans who perished whilst you flew off to Cancun?

[peacheslatour]

I;m so sick of getting fund raising emails from the Democrats that I have started answering like thusly-

Until you start calling Trump and his ICE goons out for not going after mobile, armed and cautious career criminals instead of moms with young children in tow and people working menial jobs daily to send money home to their families I will not be donating to you or the DNC.

 

[tres bien]

2 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

I;m so sick of getting fund raising emails from the Democrats that I have started answering like thusly-

Until you start calling Trump and his ICE goons out for not going after mobile, armed and cautious career criminals instead of moms with young children in tow and people working menial jobs daily to send money home to their families I will not be donating to you or the DNC.

 

A very good idea!
I don’t have the patience to reply I block all texts and report emails as spam

[Browncoat]

4 hours ago, Affogato said:

I’m sure Biden is ignoring this and also expected it. I hope they told him he was a robot clone, though. 

Can robot clones get stage 9 cancer?

 

3 hours ago, Kemper said:

I threw on clothes and managed to get to Piggly Wiggly when they opened at 7. I have totally assimilated to the South.

Not quite -- you threw on clothes!  Now, if you'd gone down to the Pig in your housecoat and house shoes with curlers in your hair....

[EtheltoTillie]

2 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

Jimmy Kimmel's opening monologues have become a news source for me,
sort of my own personal Daily Briefing,
for example:
https://youtu.be/3iB4ZDlzFSk

 

I agree.  He gets great compilations of clips each day and has sharp comments.

[Affogato]

3 minutes ago, Browncoat said:

Can robot clones get stage 9 cancer?

 

Not quite -- you threw on clothes!  Now, if you'd gone down to the Pig in your housecoat and house shoes with curlers in your hair....

Yes robot clones get a stage of cancer that indicates their cloning order.  Stage 1 clone. Stage 2 clone. Stage 9…at least nine Biden clones. Trump is onto (or on) something. 

[PRgal]

Up here in Canada, the current Federal government (the one just elected) has more non-white MPs than ever before.  More are representing the Conservative Party, however.

I'm not surprised, of course.  There's no indication as to the number of MPs who were born and/or raised in Canada versus those who came as adults.  I'm also not surprised that the largest ethnic group represented was South Asian.  Language proficiency (and being comfortable speaking one or both of our official languages) plays a big role.  

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/more-visible-minority-candidates-ran-and-won-in-canadas-federal-election-the-conservatives-boosted-the/article_970c99b5-9c99-469a-8a07-eef975f2dd78.html?gift=1&gift_token=8726330a-4a79-4fc9-a9fe-0f603e7c2e51

Edited June 5 by PRgal

[Kemper]

45 minutes ago, Browncoat said:

 

Not quite -- you threw on clothes!  Now, if you'd gone down to the Pig in your housecoat and house shoes with curlers in your hair....

I had on sweatpants, a Carolina Hurricanes t-shirt, old Crocs with socks. I am Dr. Seuss!! And had not brushed my teeth. Game. Set. Match.

Edited June 5 by Kemper

[anony.miss]

The political death spiral  - AKA Trump & Musk wrestling in a giant vat of orange jello - has begun:

"Tech billionaire Elon Musk said Thursday President Trump would have lost the 2024 presidential race if it were not for him, escalating a feud that erupted earlier that day between the two former allies.  “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” Musk said in a post on his social platform X.

“Such ingratitude,” he added."

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5335049-elon-musk-criticizes-trump/

Guess Trump sat in Elon's office and never once said "Thank you".

I'm delighted Musk is falling fast (and apparently planning on trying to take the Repub party with him) but jesus, it's exhausting watching this admin in action. Every day is a rage circus with Trump, a  non-stop clown car of endless failure and endless crisis. No dignity. No prestige. No building up America at home and abroad. Just one side show after another as Trump drains the public coffers to kiss billionaire ass,  while humiliating American citizens who dare to believe their government exists to serve American interests, not tech bro greed.  It's horrifying and surreal and deeply sad watching Trump destroy a once-great nation in real time. eta: And where is the fucking opposition? Where the fuck are they?

Edited June 5 by anony.miss

[kittykat]

I think Musk helped to an extent but sadly Trump would have won still without Musk's showboating. All the other examples of Musk throwing money at government races ended in losses.  This rift between them comes to the surprise of absolutely no one and Trump's mystique is too grandiose at this point with his base.  In this feud, Musk will lose.

[ebk57]

17 minutes ago, anony.miss said:

The political death spiral  - AKA Trump & Musk wrestling in a giant vat of orange jello - has begun:

"Tech billionaire Elon Musk said Thursday President Trump would have lost the 2024 presidential race if it were not for him, escalating a feud that erupted earlier that day between the two former allies.  “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” Musk said in a post on his social platform X.

“Such ingratitude,” he added."

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5335049-elon-musk-criticizes-trump/

Guess Trump sat in Elon's office and never once said "Thank you".

I'm delighted Musk is falling fast (and apparently planning on trying to take the Repub party with him) but jesus, it's exhausting watching this admin in action. Every day is a rage circus with Trump, a  non-stop clown car of endless failure and endless crisis. No dignity. No prestige. No building up America at home and abroad. Just one side show after another as Trump drains the public coffers to kiss billionaire ass,  while humiliating American citizens who dare to believe their government exists to serve American interests, not tech bro greed.  It's horrifying and surreal and deeply sad watching Trump destroy a once-great nation in real time. eta: And where is the fucking opposition? Where the fuck are they?

Honestly, I may run out of popcorn before this is over.

[peacheslatour]

1 minute ago, ebk57 said:

Honestly, I may run out of popcorn before this is over.

[lookeyloo]

3 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

I wish this would resonate with someone powerful enough to do something.  I think it will be news, then some distraction and it will go away just like everything else.  His folks are in his pocket and that's where they will stay.

[Anela]

 

This is the guy in the "the worst person you know, makes a good point" meme.

[Bastet]

42 minutes ago, anony.miss said:

The political death spiral  - AKA Trump & Musk wrestling in a giant vat of orange jello - has begun:

One of Musk's (alleged) baby mommas tweeted at Trump to let her know if he wants break-up advice.

Edited June 5 by Bastet

[peacheslatour]

12 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

I wish this would resonate with someone powerful enough to do something.  I think it will be news, then some distraction and it will go away just like everything else.  His folks are in his pocket and that's where they will stay.

I don't know but CNN (which I never watch) is running with it like it's the red hot scoop of the century. If the Dems don't jump on this NOW, I don't have much hope for the party.

[Spartan Girl]

23 minutes ago, ebk57 said:

Honestly, I may run out of popcorn before this is over.

[bluegirl147]

There has been a theory going around for a few months that Musk got close to Trump to destroy him.  Unfortunately it's destroying our country too.  But I must admit I will enjoy them attacking each other.

[shapeshifter]

36 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

37 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

I wish this would resonate with someone powerful enough to do something.  I think it will be news, then some distraction and it will go away just like everything else.  His folks are in his pocket and that's where they will stay.

Pretty sure Elon's DOGE bros got all the data.

 

 

[SoMuchTV]

4 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

There has been a theory going around for a few months that Musk got close to Trump to destroy him.  Unfortunately it's destroying our country too.  But I must admit I will enjoy them attacking each other.

Which reaction icon do I choose for “yeah, sounds about right” and “that’s the most frightening thing I’ve heard (recently)”?

[shapeshifter]

Just now, SoMuchTV said:

Which reaction icon do I choose for “yeah, sounds about right” and “that’s the most frightening thing I’ve heard (recently)”?

🙃

[Bastet]

1 hour ago, anony.miss said:

“Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,”

I haven't had a chance to look into this more, but in response to this statement by Musk, the organization Election Truth Alliance posted:

Quote

That sure is a specific statement you've got there.

Our non-partisan, non-profit group has been crunching the 2024 election numbers for months. We've identified patterns consistent with vote manipulation in multiple states, including critical swing states — in Presidential, Senate, and House races.

Statements like this are in line with what we're seeing in the data.

 

Edited June 5 by Bastet

[bluegirl147]

2 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

Pretty sure Elon's DOGE bros got all the data.

 

 

Trump is stupid enough to think Musk wouldn't get his data.  Any bets on if he has receipts?

[tessaray]

45 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

Haven't we always known Trump and Epstein were friends? Even if Elon has video, would the faithful care? They'd just call it a deepfake.

[bluegirl147]

10 minutes ago, Bastet said:

I haven't had a chance to look into this more, but in response to this post by Musk, the organization Election Truth Alliance posted:

 

I have said since the election the numbers seemed suspicious.  And not just the presidential race.  The senate races in Ohio and Pennsylvania seemed fucked up.  

9 minutes ago, tessaray said:

Haven't we always known Trump and Epstein were friends? Even if Elon has video, would the faithful care? They'd just call it a deepfake.

His base wouldn't care but any Republican politician who didn't denounce him would be in an even more danger of losing reelection in 2026.

Edited June 5 by bluegirl147

[EtheltoTillie]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/opinion/jeopardy-trivia-us-democracy.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Mk8.L-RU.b6WjPpYktV0q&smid=url-share

Cross posting with Jeopardy!  Host Ken Jennings has an interesting op-ed piece today. 

[lookeyloo]

12 minutes ago, tessaray said:

Haven't we always known Trump and Epstein were friends? Even if Elon has video, would the faithful care? They'd just call it a deepfake.

Yes. This will fill up a couple segments of "news" and then the handwringing and then nothing. The parade will go on etc etc etc 

[peacheslatour]

27 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

There has been a theory going around for a few months that Musk got close to Trump to destroy him.  Unfortunately it's destroying our country too.  But I must admit I will enjoy them attacking each other.

I'm of two minds about this. If Elon wanted to destroy Trump, wouldn't he ensure that Trump lost the election?

On the other hand, as my husband says, Elon wanted to "sink the Titanic", get him out there in front of the whole world and take him down in a way he in which could never recover.

5 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

Yes. This will fill up a couple segments of "news" and then the handwringing and then nothing. The parade will go on etc etc etc 

I don't think so. Donald Trump doesn't let things go. He has to take the bait. He has a pathological need to "win". As long as Elon puts shit out there, Trump WILL react and double down. 

Edited June 5 by peacheslatour

[lookeyloo]

2 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

I'm of two minds about this. If Elon wanted to destroy Trump, wouldn't he ensure that Trump lost the election?

On the other hand, as my husband says, Elon wanted to "sink the Titanic", get him out there in front of the whole world and take him down in a way he in which could never recover.

I don't think so. Donald Trump doesn't let things go. He has to take the bait. He has a pathological need to "win". As long as Elon put shit out there, Trump WILL react and double down. 

Russell Vought of project 2025 fame is now head of DOGE.  As much as I want a takedown I don't think this will matter to the people who can do something about it 

[Bastet]

45 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

I don't think so. Donald Trump doesn't let things go. He has to take the bait. He has a pathological need to "win". As long as Elon puts shit out there, Trump WILL react and double down. 

As I just saw someone post elsewhere, one of these dudes has the nuclear codes and the other has all our personal data, and they're melting down in a social media feud.  Or there's the possibility it's choreographed theatre, to distract us - and the media - from something even worse than what we already know.  Or this is Musk in cahoots with Thiel to get Thiel's boy Vance in the Oval.  Sadly, there's little that isn't possible these days, and any and all of it results in us continuing to be screwed.

Edited June 5 by Bastet

[isalicat]

14 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

Agree wholeheartedly. I don't believe any of us have lived without have a similar story of their own. Even when you have insurance, you have to fight for coverage. Because the insurance companies will come up with a ton of excuses why they won't pay. Our latest scenario involves a surgery center that they claim is "out of network". BS! Pre-approvals along with co-pay information was sent to all parties, and without going into extraneous detail, they've continued to deny the claim saying it was under a different umbrella. We even did a 3-way phone call between provider, insured and insurance company. The provider was told to resubmit the claim, and yet many months later, it still hasn't been paid.

And this is why the "Affordable Care Act" has proven to be such a failure: the insurance companies are still in the loop, calling the shots. I'm not a fan of "medicare for all", given what goes on in the countries that have national health coverage (see: Canada and England....) and before you cite places like France and Switzerland, please note that anyone in those countries that can afford to seek private care does so out of pocket (its a two tier system most places in Europe). But right now people in the U.S.A. are either getting good care through Medicaid if they are poor enough, or suffering through the incredible hostage situation that is "insured care" if they are middle class.

[peacheslatour]

[kittykat]

All this talk of popcorn and I hear no mention of milk duds. Whose got the milk duds?

In other news Elon Musk goes for the throat and calls Donald Trump a towel.  Trump classily responds, "you're a towel."

[lookeyloo]

6 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

OMG he is hilarious.  Also dangerous.  "was always surprised Biden didn't do it!"  FFS

[anony.miss]

1 hour ago, ebk57 said:

Honestly, I may run out of popcorn before this is over.

This flavor is always available!  ; )

Edited June 5 by anony.miss

[LexieLily]

Both of them are horrible, horrific people in so many different ways that I feel absolutely disgusting saying that I'm rooting for Elon (ew. ew. ew.) in this breakup. 

And now Elon is retweeting messages calling for Trump to be impeached. 🍿

[peacheslatour]

1 minute ago, LexieLily said:

Both of them are horrible, horrific people in so many different ways that I feel absolutely disgusting saying that I'm rooting for Elon (ew. ew. ew.) in this breakup. 

And now Elon is retweeting messages calling for Trump to be impeached. 🍿

Elon tweeting from  his office.