Chit-Chat: The Feels

[Dimity]

[fastiller]

34 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Guess being a billionaire just isn't enough anymore. 

That's the thing that confounds me.  Just go off with your billions and do your billionaire shit.  Like are they worried that Trump et al will take all their $$$?  Are they worried that they'll no longer have eleventyhundred billion dollars and will be left with a paltry billion? Like how much money can a person really need?  Will Bezos/Musk ever spend all the money they have in all their respective lives?  Grrrr.

[Anela]

50 minutes ago, fastiller said:

That's the thing that confounds me.  Just go off with your billions and do your billionaire shit.  Like are they worried that Trump et al will take all their $$$?  Are they worried that they'll no longer have eleventyhundred billion dollars and will be left with a paltry billion? Like how much money can a person really need?  Will Bezos/Musk ever spend all the money they have in all their respective lives?  Grrrr.

If I was a billionaire, I hope I would be off doing billionaire shit. I hope I'd be giving back, too. 

We're always told to appreciate what we have, be grateful that things aren't worse. Has anyone said this to billionaires, who just keep accumulating money?

[Dimity]

12 minutes ago, Anela said:

If I was a billionaire, I hope I would be off doing billionaire shit. I hope I'd be giving back, too. 

Some of them do - and people like Musk get snotty about that too.  The rich giving back is almost as horrifying to him as the rest of us expecting the rich to be grateful for what they have.

Speaking of Musk, saw a headline last night where he is claiming there is no such thing as homelessness.  I didn't click on it so perhaps there was some nuance there that the headline didn't pick up but why does him saying this kind of thing not surprise me?

[bluegirl147]

15 minutes ago, Anela said:

If I was a billionaire, I hope I would be off doing billionaire shit. I hope I'd be giving back, too. 

We're always told to appreciate what we have, be grateful that things aren't worse. Has anyone said this to billionaires, who just keep accumulating money?

There are some billionaires who have done good things.  Bezos has given away a lot of money but he isn't going to be known for that.  And Musk is a caricature at this point.  I really do think his intention was to buy a president and he did. 

What gets me is how many people cheer on Musk. He isn't a good guy.  He rejected his trans daughter. Has been accused of not letting one of the mother of some of his children see them.  And then of course what he did with Twitter X. Let it become an even bigger cesspool. 

11 minutes ago, Dimity said:

The rich giving back is almost as horrifying to him as the rest of us expecting the rich to be grateful for what they have.

Not just grateful but we should expect to suffer while he plays games with our government and budget.

He told a story lie about talking to a government worker who said she would be happy to be fired so America could do better. Needless to say there is no proof this happened and nobody believes him.

[Dimity]

18 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

He told a story lie about talking to a government worker who said she would be happy to be fired so America could do better. Needless to say there is no proof this happened and nobody believes him.

He and Trump make a pretty pair...of liars.

And that story reminds me of that Texas blowhard who, at the height of Covid, said that grandparents were happy to die to save the economy.  God...

Edited December 13 by Dimity

[Anela]

1 hour ago, bluegirl147 said:

There are some billionaires who have done good things.  Bezos has given away a lot of money but he isn't going to be known for that.  And Musk is a caricature at this point.  I really do think his intention was to buy a president and he did. 

What gets me is how many people cheer on Musk. He isn't a good guy.  He rejected his trans daughter. Has been accused of not letting one of the mother of some of his children see them.  And then of course what he did with Twitter X. Let it become an even bigger cesspool. 

Not just grateful but we should expect to suffer while he plays games with our government and budget.

He told a story lie about talking to a government worker who said she would be happy to be fired so America could do better. Needless to say there is no proof this happened and nobody believes him.

I heard Bezos is giving a million dollars towards inauguration costs. I know his ex-wife does a lot of good, with the money she has. I know Mark Cuban was out there, for Kamala. 

[peacheslatour]

Just now, Anela said:

I heard Bezos is giving a million dollars towards inauguration costs. I know his ex-wife does a lot of good, with the money she has. I know Mark Cuban was out there, for Kamala. 

Bill Gates was instrumental in getting the Covid vaccine out to everybody during the pandemic here. My husband and I and many of our friends got the jab right at Microsoft. They set aside a huge portion of their Eastside campus for the clinics for weeks and his ex wife has donated billions to help women and children worldwide. Then there is the Gates Foundation which has nearly eradicated malaria in Africa. Some billionaires get it.

[fastiller]

1 hour ago, Anela said:

If I was a billionaire, I hope I would be off doing billionaire shit. I hope I'd be giving back, too. 

We're always told to appreciate what we have, be grateful that things aren't worse. Has anyone said this to billionaires, who just keep accumulating money?

Same, so much same.  When I hear of the Mega Millions or the Powerball being in the $.5Bn range (as one of them is now, I think) I allow myself a little fantasy of what I'd do with just that much money and within the top 5 or 6 things I'd do is start a foundation/charity.  It comes after (in no particular order): -1- bills cleared and house paid off; -2- nieces/nephews college paid for and a trust started for each; -3- helping my boss upgrade the office (space & IT) (I truly like my job and want the company to succeed even after I leave to go enjoy these winnings; also, my boss is my brother and I'd want to help him as both); -4- bringing my Dad on a trip back to Ireland/England/Poland; -5- buy retirement property in Ireland; -6- charity.

[bluegirl147]

4 minutes ago, Anela said:

I heard Bezos is giving a million dollars towards inauguration costs. I know his ex-wife does a lot of good, with the money she has. I know Mark Cuban was out there, for Kamala. 

Bezos is giving a million dollars. But he didn't want the Washington Post to endorse a candidate for president. My question is would he have given a million dollars to Kamala's inauguration fund?

[bluegirl147]

1 minute ago, fastiller said:

I allow myself a little fantasy of what I'd do with just that much money and within the top 5 or 6 things I'd do is start a foundation/charity. 

Oh I do this too!!!!

I would wipe away any debt myself, my mother and my son have. I would set up trusts for my grandchildren. I would buy property and build a compound. A house for me, a guest house for my mother and a house for my son and his family. Take my family and some close friends to Hawaii for a vacation.  And then I would decide what good I would do with my money. I would most likely start a foundation.  I would want to fund charities that help those most in need. What makes me sad is until some very real structural changes are made there is always going to way too many people in need.  The fact we have people who need to start gofundmes and have spaghetti dinners to raise money to pay for their medical care is truly awful. The fact we have so many homeless people.  The fact there aren't enough services for those with mental health needs.  And so much more.

[Anela]

24 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Oh I do this too!!!!

I would wipe away any debt myself, my mother and my son have. I would set up trusts for my grandchildren. I would buy property and build a compound. A house for me, a guest house for my mother and a house for my son and his family. Take my family and some close friends to Hawaii for a vacation.  And then I would decide what good I would do with my money. I would most likely start a foundation.  I would want to fund charities that help those most in need. What makes me sad is until some very real structural changes are made there is always going to way too many people in need.  The fact we have people who need to start gofundmes and have spaghetti dinners to raise money to pay for their medical care is truly awful. The fact we have so many homeless people.  The fact there aren't enough services for those with mental health needs.  And so much more.

Whenever I think that I’m starving, and need to eat something, I think of the children in my county, who are really starving. I’d give for them first. And the homeless.  After making sure my family was okay, as well as some family friends. 

also, the pound where we’ve adopted our dogs. They used to have a room for the pit bulls, and they were never adopted.  The people who run it, have done an amazing job on the facility, and helping all of the dogs, not just those who aren’t pit bulls.  

[fastiller]

Not mentioned above -and on topic for this place- I'd definitely do something political or politics-adjacent.  Like funding young (liberal) politicians.  Young guns like Crockett of Texas & the two Justins in Tennessee.  There are few others at the State level whose names I can't recall now.

And this may be a bit ironic: I'd spend a ton of money trying to get Citizens United overturned.  

 

[bluegirl147]

6 minutes ago, fastiller said:

And this may be a bit ironic: I'd spend a ton of money trying to get Citizens United overturned.  

Yes!!!! You see all the money people like the Koch brothers have spent on having politicians do their bidding.  I wouldn't mind throwing some money to progressive politicians to work on good legislation. To use for lack of a better word lobbyists are needed for regular people. There needs to be advocates who lobby politicians to back Medicare for All and paid family leave. And codifying reproductive rights. Money in politics is the root of so much of the corruption but if using it to get politicians to flip to progressive causes I would do it.

And to add to your list @fastiller Maxwell Frost is another progressive Congressman to watch.

Edited December 13 by bluegirl147

[fastiller]

13 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

 

And to add to your list @fastiller Maxwell Frost is another progressive Congressman to watch.

Yep!! Frost is truly someone to watch.

And one of the names I couldn't recall earlier: Mallory McMorrow, Michigan.

[peacheslatour]

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you the Postmaster General of the United States.

 

[Dimity]

So apparently one of the lawyers advising RFK Jr as he vets prospective health officials is a man who has been trying to get the FDA to revoke approval for the polio vaccine.  Congratulations Trump voters as  you help turn the clock back to the first half of the 20th century when polio epidemics killed or paralyzed millions of people.  Good job.

[peacheslatour]

4 minutes ago, Dimity said:

So apparently one of the lawyers advising RFK Jr as he vets prospective health officials is a man who has been trying to get the FDA to revoke approval for the polio vaccine.  Congratulations Trump voters as  you help turn the clock back to the first half of the 20th century when polio epidemics killed or paralyzed millions of people.  Good job.

My aunt had polio as a child. She spent months in the hospital, she had four surgeries, one to permanently shorten the non-affected leg. She had to wear a metal brace on her leg for the rest of her life. Her shoes had to be specially made to accommodate the brace. She died at 69 whereas my mom died at 81. They both had the same lifestyles other than the polio. I hope someone stops this madness.

[tres bien]

Mitch McConnell had polio as a child. Maybe he could step to the plate and choose to do the right thing?

[Dimity]

1 hour ago, peacheslatour said:

I hope someone stops this madness.

I can somewhat, sorta, understand parents choosing not to vaccinate against mumps, measles and chicken pox - somewhat.  But I worry that the anti-vaxxers are also going to lobby for the FDA to pull approval for things like diphtheria, pertussis and  tetanus.  These are serious, life threatening infections and frankly anyone who would object to a tetanus shot - wow - it's a killer and there is no cure. 

Edited December 13 by Dimity

[peacheslatour]

2 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I can somewhat, sorta, understand parents choosing not to vaccinate against mumps, measles and chicken pox - somewhat.  But I worry that the anti-vaxxers are also going to lobby for the FDA to pull approval for things like diphtheria pertussis and  tetanus.  These are serious, life threatening infections and frankly anyone who would object to a tetanus shot - wow it's a killer and there is no cure. 

When I was a vet tech, a lady brought in her golden retriever pup. She said he'd gotten into some garbage and she thought he'd been poisoned. The vets found a cut on the inside of his lower lip, probably from a can. They diagnosed tetanus and began treatment. The treatment however, wasn't working and the puppy became stiffer and stiffer. It got to the point where we just stood him up like a sawhorse. Near the end, the only thing he could still move was his tail, which he wagged whenever one of us would pat his head. He died. He was only eight months old.

[graybrown bird]

1 hour ago, tres bien said:

Mitch McConnell had polio as a child. Maybe he could step to the plate and choose to do the right thing?

"McConnell Defends Polio Vaccine, an Apparent Warning to Kennedy":  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/us/politics/mcconnell-polio-vaccine-rfk-jr.html?unlocked_article_code=1.hE4.RljV.-XCejl10Rl7f&smid=url-share

Edited December 13 by graybrown bird
Added news article title.

[Dimity]

15 minutes ago, graybrown bird said:

"McConnell Defends Polio Vaccine, an Apparent Warning to Kennedy"

I'd like to say good for him, and I will, but honest to god if he'd done his damn job four years ago we wouldn't be dealing with this now.

[kittykat]

Yeah if Mitch McConnell is the standard for standing up to the incoming administration then I'm not impressed.  He's likely retiring soon anyway.

2 hours ago, Dimity said:

So apparently one of the lawyers advising RFK Jr as he vets prospective health officials is a man who has been trying to get the FDA to revoke approval for the polio vaccine.  Congratulations Trump voters as  you help turn the clock back to the first half of the 20th century when polio epidemics killed or paralyzed millions of people.  Good job.

Including a former president for crying out loud.

[fairffaxx]

Yeah, but FDR was just a damn Democrat & Kennedy doesn't care about them! 

[annzeepark914]

That fool better not become head of HHS 🤬. Just the thought of so many vaccines being dropped makes me furious. 

[fastiller]

1 hour ago, graybrown bird said:

"McConnell Defends Polio Vaccine, an Apparent Warning to Kennedy.

=&=

54 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I'd like to say good for him, and I will, but honest to god if he'd done his damn job four years ago we wouldn't be dealing with this now.

If he himself hadn't been effected by the disease he probably wouldn't have said anything.

And yes, he should've exorcised Trump & Trumpism 4 years age. Maybe even in '15/'16.

[Annber03]

7 minutes ago, fastiller said:

And yes, he should've exorcised Trump & Trumpism 4 years age. Maybe even in '15/'16.

Yeah, remember when the GOP was all, "Trump is not fit to be president of this country" back in 2016? I sure do. That lasted for a hot second before whatever spines they had shriveled up and died away. 

[PRgal]

2 minutes ago, Annber03 said:

Yeah, remember when the GOP was all, "Trump is not fit to be president of this country" back in 2016? I sure do. That lasted for a hot second before whatever spines they had shriveled up and died away. 

That's what bullies do to you.  You can't say anything.....

[bluegirl147]

9 minutes ago, Annber03 said:

Yeah, remember when the GOP was all, "Trump is not fit to be president of this country" back in 2016? I sure do. That lasted for a hot second before whatever spines they had shriveled up and died away. 

They made a deal with the devil and we are all still paying for it.

 

[kittykat]

It's a small price to pay in order to own us libs.  🙄I just wish I didn't actually feel so owned as of late.

[Eri]

4 hours ago, graybrown bird said:

"McConnell Defends Polio Vaccine, an Apparent Warning to Kennedy":  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/us/politics/mcconnell-polio-vaccine-rfk-jr.html?unlocked_article_code=1.hE4.RljV.-XCejl10Rl7f&smid=url-share

Oh dear, screw RFK Jr for making me agree with Mitch McConnell (that contemptable slug) about anything! This is the worst thing he’s ever done, quite unacceptable really🫥

Edited December 14 by Eri

[Ancaster]

I'm sure this has been asked and answered before, but why is this thread called "The Feels" and not something actually descriptive of what is discussed here like "Politics"?

[Lantern7]

Reading the news. Still feeling helpless in the face of incoming tyranny. Still looking for a sign that maybe things won't be that bad. At this point, I'll take Obama riding into Washington on a white horse.

[tearknee]

Any of us who are in the area want to go to Arlington to see if there is soil disturbance around the graves of the 35th President and his Attorney General from a massive movement of rotation under the ground?

[Spartan Girl]

10 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

They made a deal with the devil and we are all still paying for it.

 

The only upside is that it means there is a hell, and once they’re gone, the devil comes to collect his fee…

[tearknee]

1 hour ago, Spartan Girl said:

The only upside is that it means there is a hell, and once they’re gone, the devil comes to collect his fee…

[Ancaster]

.

Edited December 14 by Ancaster

[Dimity]

On 9/12/2024 at 7:45 PM, CM-BlueButterfly said:

I'm opening this topic so that we can keep the regular Chit-Chat politics free but there's a place to share your feelings.

With that said, feelings are complex and there's a range of them. We're all dealing with them in different ways, still, they're all equally valid, so, please recognize and respect them. 

If I see gloating, accusations, personal attacks or anything along those lines, I'm going to shut the topic down again. 

 

@Ancaster

[Yeah No]

13 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

They made a deal with the devil and we are all still paying for it.

I have been saying just this about the Republican party since 2016, also about the right wing conservative Christians.

[tearknee]

 

6 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

I have been saying just this about the Republican party since 2016, also about the right wing conservative Christians.

"Yeah, USA, I am so the Party of Lin colon!"

[Bookish Jen]

It's been over a month since Cheeto Mussolini was elected, and I'm still so numb. I worry so much what another Trump regime will bring us (nothing good). During his first regime, Trump didn't seem to be surrounded by so many sycophants. But this time? It's truly scary how unqualified his inner circle is. RFK, Jr. wanting the FDA to revoke approval for the polio vaccine? Shudder. We really are in a world of Idiocracy, and unlike the movie, it's about as funny as a stroke.

I'm not looking forward to the next four years...

[peacheslatour]

1 hour ago, Yeah No said:

I have been saying just this about the Republican party since 2016, also about the right wing conservative Christians.

“Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them.”

― Barry Goldwater of all people.

[tearknee]

43 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

“Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them.”

― Barry Goldwater of all people.

Daisy Girl had the wrong guy in her petal ripping.

(Maybe that's why she also couldn't count to ten?)

[Yeah No]

38 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

“Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them.”

― Barry Goldwater of all people.

Hah! The other irony of this is that these churches have compromised in Trump but spin it so that their flocks won't see it that way. They push the BS that God uses "flawed instruments" or "imperfect vessels" to bring about good, which Trump has capitalized on for his own gain. Suckers. 

[peacheslatour]

15 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

Hah! The other irony of this is that these churches have compromised in Trump but spin it so that their flocks won't see it that way. They push the BS that God uses "flawed instruments" or "imperfect vessels" to bring about good, which Trump has capitalized on for his own gain. Suckers. 

Yep. I want them to lose their tax exempt status. It's against the tax law for them to campaign for political candidates.

[Wiendish Fitch]

6 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

The only upside is that it means there is a hell, and once they’re gone, the devil comes to collect his fee…

And the devil charges a shit ton of interest. 

I just watched the original (the remakes can fuck right off, IMO) How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and I have to say, it hit me differently this year. This one petty asshole does everything in his power to take everything, destroy everyone's happiness, and delights in the idea of them being as miserable as he is... and he fails. He fails because they find strength in each other and the joy that remains. As long as you're steadfast, there are still some things that can't be taken from you.

I will try to keep this in mind in the coming year. It's not much, but it's the best I've got.

[EtheltoTillie]

Well, Goldwater did have Jewish ancestry . . .

[tearknee]

I'm surprised LBJ didn't have an ad with a man off-screen making a sound of strained relief followed immediately by a toilet flush? ;)

[peacheslatour]

1 minute ago, tearknee said:

I'm surprised LBJ didn't have an ad with a man off-screen making a sound of strained relief followed immediately by a toilet flush? ;)

LBJ had his own views.

“If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you.”

― Lyndon B. Johnson