Chit-Chat: The Feels

[bluegirl147]

The Village People are playing at Trump's inauguration.  

[Dimity]

6 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

The Village People are playing at Trump's inauguration.  

A band that had its biggest hit in 1978.  Trump you're killing it.

[Notabug]

6 minutes ago, Dimity said:

A band that had its biggest hit in 1978.  Trump you're killing it.

Carrie Underwood is singing America the Beautiful at the inauguration ceremony.  She says she wants to promote national unity.  Sure, Jan.

[bluegirl147]

4 minutes ago, Notabug said:

Carrie Underwood is singing America the Beautiful at the inauguration ceremony.  She says she wants to promote national unity.  Sure, Jan.

I always suspected she was a Trumper.

[Anela]

LA Is Burning, and the Right Is Furious—About Sign Language Interpreters

Of course they are. 

[bluegirl147]

8 minutes ago, Anela said:

LA Is Burning, and the Right Is Furious—About Sign Language Interpreters

Of course they are. 

Oh dear god these fucking people.   Complaining that they are a distraction? We have entered Hell.  We are in Hell.  These people have no shame.  

[Eri]

4 hours ago, tres bien said:

Things are going to get bad very quickly. Mike Johnson told reporters today that there will be conditions put on aid to CA

😟

This bothers me immensely - Trump and his ilk forever deride California as an "ultra liberal" state that they like to pretend doesn't exist (but they will because they realise a lot of conservatives also live there? 🙄). They also like to selectively determine who is deemed more "deserving," much like when he threatened to withhold supplies during the pandemic from states that implemented restrictions to protect peoples' lives in 2020. Is this not the United States of America?

Did Biden mock Cruz when he went to Mexico while the Texas infrastructure grid was failing during their "once in a century" winter storm that resulted in people freezing to death in 2021? Did he belittle North Carolina when Hurricane Helene devastated those affected regions in the valley for their poor infrastructure? Did he deny aid to DeSantis when Florida's latest hurricanes devastated the west coast (Tampa Bay, Pensacola, Panhandle) areas? Why didn't they "leave it up to the states" then? These are the same states that will shout "no taxes" and "small government" to the rooftops, but will never hesitate to accept federal dollars when a crisis happens (grudgingly too if it means giving credit to a Democratic president). Fiscal responsibility indeed...

They don't have to like Newsom, Bass or any other Democratic official but they could shut up and at least pretend to acknowledge the significant devastation on American livelihoods (regardless of their political affiliations). Ugh I can't with these folks 🤦‍♀️

Edited 22 hours ago by Eri

[Annber03]

16 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Oh dear god these fucking people.   Complaining that they are a distraction? We have entered Hell.  We are in Hell.  These people have no shame.  

Still feeling proud for not voting for Kamala, Trump supporters and those who sat home? 

Seriously, if somebody thinks this kind of response from the right is okay, ,there's just no hope for you (general "you"). People who are okay with this kind of behavior are assholes. Plain and simple. 

[tres bien]

Let’s not forget when Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville NC last fall Trump was out front asap lying about FEMA not doing their job. And of course all his republican sycophants joined in.
FEMA had to waste their precious time debunking his BS as did the governor and the President 

 

[Yeah No]

12 hours ago, Dimity said:

Same.  My first foray into activism was grade 7 when several friends and I formed a "Girls Lib" club.  Our first order of business was convincing Mother Superior to let girls wear jeans to school.  That may sound trivial but this was the days when there were a ton of rules revolving around what girls could and could not wear and none for the boys.  Hmm, wait, isn't this sounding a lot familiar to what is starting to happen again?

We fought for rights some now took for granted and are now seeing slowing (and not so slowly) taken away from them. 

So if fighting for my rights and the rights of others in any way I can makes me a wildeyed entitled activist I'll take it.  I don't want my granddaughters to have to fight for the same damn things I fought for when I was their age!

That is amazing, this is almost exactly what I did in 7th grade except I went to public school. We girls got together and decided to defy the dress code and all come to school in pants one day. We had tried to get the school to change but it refused so we just decided we'd do it anyway. The school had to give in and I don't think I ever wore a skirt to school again.

Also, since this was before Title 9, I pushed to get the girls a volleyball team. The best they would give us is access to nets in the gym if they weren't already being used. We weren't given team status and only were allowed to play for "fun". Then after a while it got harder and harder to get a net. They just didn't like it that we wanted to play sports. I used to beg the boys to let me play softball with them in my neighborhood. They often would not even though I was good! I have been fighting for my rights all my life. If anyone wants to know why I am the way I am, I could tell even more stories! 

[Yeah No]

 

10 hours ago, partofme said:

It’s really only online that I’ve ever heard the term leftist used and I have no idea what it means.  Personally I was saying I prefer the term liberal to the term progressive even though the term progressive seems to be the favored term these days and even though I identify with progressive politicians, I will always see myself as a liberal first because I won’t give in to Republicans making liberal a dirty word, which is the reason I feel the word progressive exists.  

I think if you look online there are genuine definitions for these terms made by political scientists. A "leftist" usually describes the far left, which is about as far left as you can go. A "Progressive" is a type of liberal, so the term "liberal" is more general and inclusive of different types. Progressivism is usually defined as a left leaning type of liberal, and one that differs from a traditional liberal on several key points. As a student of Philosophy, definitions are important to me, so humor me, lol. For me it's not what I feel I am but what the commonly held definitions say I am.

This page helps to distinguish the key differences between progressives and liberals:

https://www.psypost.org/new-study-helps-pinpoint-the-key-differences-between-liberals-and-progressives-in-the-united-states/

According to this I am definitely NOT a progressive, but I have many liberal tendencies. I am opposed to a few progressive positions, such as publicly censuring people that express bigoted views. I have argued here on that point before. I will always support free speech even if I think the speech is bigoted. And that is actually a very liberal position. It is not progressive and it is not necessarily right wing either, although many on the right also believe in free speech even if they find that speech repugnant. 

Also, I think Republicans despise progressives even more than traditional liberals. I have seen them make many derogatory remarks about progressives and progressive opinions, and express much disdain for them, but I have not seen as much of this from them directed at non-progressive liberals. 

But who GAF about what Republicans say about us anyway? I am what I am and if they don't like it screw them!

[Yeah No]

10 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

I'm the same.  I also call myself a feminist.  I remember some younger female celebs didn't like being called feminist.  And when you ask do you believe women should be treated equally and have the same rights as men they say well yeah.  Then you are a feminist.  Republicans have a way of turning words into weapons against people they don't like.

Oh gawd, remember Rush Limbaugh and the "feminazi's"? I think the campaign to put down feminism worked so well that many younger women started not wanting to be called feminists. And that's regrettable because now in addition to that you have a lot of young women that don't remember what it was like for women decades ago and take their freedoms for granted. They think they don't need to be feminists, like everything is fine now, but that's not the way I see it. I still see bias against women. It can be subtle but despite all the strides, it's still there. 

 

 

 

[heatherchandler]

 

On 1/8/2025 at 2:28 PM, bluegirl147 said:

 

I also find politics coming into most conversations I have with people.  

 

That is wild to me, politics never enters into any of my conversations with friends, family, co-workers.  And we talk about current events.  But there is so much more to discuss.  Sex, money and politics are not on the table.

 

 

On 1/11/2025 at 10:30 AM, Dimity said:

I remember when Trump won the first time and people like Susan Sarandon who had refused to support Hilary Clinton were quoted as saying they were glad because him being president would hasten the revolution - or some such nonsense. 

 

Why should anyone listen to Susan Sarandon for political advice?  

Celebrities have no business throwing in their opinions.  
 

 

On 1/12/2025 at 9:11 AM, bluegirl147 said:

I used to have a coworker who during that time argued in favor of bailing out the oil companies. Said basically that the world economy depended on them.  I had flashbacks to 2008 and hearing too big to fail about all the Wall Street companies that played fast and loose with mortgages and other things that after watching the Big Short still barely understand.  

HUGE mis-step on Obama’s part.  You cannot bail out one industry because the very wealthy people could lose their wealth.  Capitalism is self-correcting.  He should have let them fail.  And I work in investment banking, and I still couldn’t believe he bailed out the rich while he watched people lose their homes.

 

On 1/12/2025 at 12:23 PM, peacheslatour said:

After the Both Sides Are Bad discussion we had here the other day, I've been ruminating on exactly which rights the big bad left is supposed to have taken away from Americans the way the right has with voting rights, Roe, marriage equality and coming to a Republican legislature near you contraception, freedom of movement, no fault divorce, a whole slew of privacy laws. Name one thing any Democratic legislature has done that's come even close.

Voting laws didn’t take rights away, you just need an ID.  As far as I know contraception is 100% legal, marriage equality is still set.  Trump has never said that he would touch that.  As far as abortion, it was deemed not a federal right, and up to the states.  It wasn’t done to take rights away.  I don’t agree with this but it wasn’t done to take rights away, it was because some on the right believe it is murder.  

 

On 1/12/2025 at 12:26 PM, Dimity said:

By the same token, I've asked Trump supporters who are reading this thread to discuss the positives they saw in the last Trump administration and the things they feel he is going to do that will benefit the country.  So far...

I haven’t seen any Trump supporters here, so that’s why you haven’t gotten an answer.  There are people who are trying to explain what the other side is thinking, but I haven’t seen anyone here say that they support Trump.  

Edited 17 hours ago by heatherchandler

[Lantern7]

I had the day from hell.  I’m catching up. Oh, did you know Carrie Underwood is slated to sing “America the Beautiful” at the inauguration? Such a shame. Obviously a bigger “get” than the Sell-Out People. On the other hand, YKW probably won’t boogie to Carrie.

As always, I am disappointed. And we won’t have a protest from the left since 1. You’re not supposed to storm an inauguration even if the incoming president deserves it, and 2. You just know he’ll have armed people ready to shoot first and never ask questions.

Mike Johnson? I remember when he and a bunch of other big-name MAGA were supporting Dear Leader in NYC, and he took the time to blast people at NYU protesting for Palestine. Who the hell asked him to weigh in?

[Yeah No]

13 hours ago, Dimity said:

The most recent example of that is "woke".  They've managed to turn that into an insult, a dirty word.  It's just so exasperating that they twist what is essentially a term that means caring about others into something obscene.

I had never heard of the term until I was on the "Top Chef" thread on this board about 8 or so years ago. Someone posted that it looked a little suspicious that 3 white male chefs kept winning the quickfire challenges and how it looked like the show wasn't promoting diversity as much as it should. Others commented that it was not any kind of bias and they just happened to have the winning dishes. Others said the show had always been conscientious about diversity. I remember one person replied in a very snarky fashion that they needed to "get woke" to the bias and lack of diversity on the show. It stuck with me because it pissed me off that someone would not only accuse "Top Chef" of being biased in favor of white men but also tell the people on the thread that they needed to "get woke" as if they were all missing something because of their own bias. All one has to do is look at the casts and the list of winners to know how many non-white and female chefs have won or made it to the finals to know that compared to a lot of shows "Top Chef" is actually pretty progressive that way. So in my case my first experience with the term "woke" didn't exactly start off with it being used in a "caring" way.

[Yeah No]

15 hours ago, partofme said:

Right but there’s nothing inherently wrong with being left wing.  How far left is so far left that it’s considered bad?  Is it wrong to want universal healthcare and student loan forgiveness?  I don’t understand who they’re calling a leftist when the term is used.  

I thought I addressed this before but there is such a thing as radical left wing ideology that wants to get rid of private property, any kind of capitalism and basically get rid of democracy altogether in favor of strict socialism AKA communism (not social democracy, which is different). Most of the things being mentioned here by you and others are really progressive liberal or at least establishment liberal and are not quite as offensive to people to the right of the divide than the things I mentioned above, although they are still somewhat offensive. The things I mention above are the ones that get right wingers very upset to the point of mental, lol. They actually get a lot of moderate Democrats upset too because radical left wing philosophy is not really democracy at all. People at that extreme often adhere to the Democratic party uncomfortably because they really don't have much choice in what is basically a two party system.

15 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

When the right uses the word "left" they mean anyone left of them.  To them there is two choices. Them and everyone else.  And everyone else is lawless lefties.  The right has moved so far right what used to be left is now center.  Far left is hard to describe.  I know some people consider antifa far left but how is being anti fascist radical?  I consider myself left of center but on some issues others would probably consider me far left.  It seems anything that is meant to help anyone not in the top 1% is considered communism.

Right. Except in those cases where it IS communism, but that is a very small percentage of people. But I agree with you that the right is so afraid of the far, far left that it is paranoid that everyone to the left of them is a communist, which is not true, of course. Or they're afraid that the far left is going to take over the Democratic party and "convert" everyone to their ways, which is again not true. 

Edited 14 hours ago by Yeah No

[Soapy Goddess]

Apparently someone beat me to it, but what the heck. Guess who's going to sing and/or appear at the Inauguration besides Carrie Underwood?  Yup, none other than the YMCA group themselves, the Village People!  So much for your theory about DJT not getting song approval. Like I said, the Village People are "protesting" all the way to the bank!

Edited 15 hours ago by Soapy Goddess

[Yeah No]

13 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

Racism also plays a huge part in this. The Right is not against some Americans getting free or low cost healthcare just as long as those who do are "deserving" which is code for white and Christian. They just don't want their tax dollars going to programs that benefit black people.

One of my neighbors, who I am sure is a Trumper, once told me at a street gathering that I should find a way to get on Medicaid. I told him that I was on Medicaid at that time because my husband and I lost our income in the pandemic. He then seemed jealous. I couldn't wrap my mind around it because I had assumed that Republicans hate Medicaid. And then I realized what you're saying above and it all made sense.

But then again this is the guy that upon finding out I was half Sicilian told me that Northern Italians don't consider Sicilians to be white. Meanwhile I have very light skin and blue eyes like all of my mother's family. Knowing where he is coming from I was sure he was trying to tell me that HE didn't consider Sicilians to be white. I then told him I was a Mayflower descendant because I know how that puts assholes like him in their place, LOL. 😉

[krankydoodle]

If the Village People are expecting to get paid by Trump, they shouldn't hold their breath.

[Annber03]

Somebody on another site joked that they'll forgive Carrie Underwood singing at the inauguration if she sings "Before He Cheats" :p. 

[tres bien]

I’m giving Senator Thom Tillis (R NC) a thumbs up for telling his republican counterparts to stop threatening states that need disaster relief 

Edited 10 hours ago by tres bien

[Ohiopirate02]

37 minutes ago, krankydoodle said:

If the Village People are expecting to get paid by Trump, they shouldn't hold their breath.

I believe the money comes from the millions Bezos, Google, Meta, etc. donated to the inauguration fund. That money is held by the inauguration committee and not Trump himself. Now Trump does get to pick the people on the committee, but they are most likely going to pay what needs to be paid in order for the events to happen. That being said, the Village People are going to be on the bottom of the list of who needs to be paid, and if I were in their shoes I would demand payment upfront before taking the stage.

[Ohiopirate02]

10 minutes ago, tres bien said:

I’m giving Senator Thom Tillis (R NC) a thumbs up for telling his republican counterparts to stop playing with people’s lives when natural disasters hit

This is a broken clock kind of situation. NC is also in need of federal assistance and Thom knows how deeply unpopular NC getting aid while California does not would be. Though NC does have a democrat as their governor just like California. Thom may just be scared of Trump not giving his donors money.

[Dimity]

[Eri]

8 hours ago, heatherchandler said:

Why should anyone listen to Susan Sarandon for political advice?  

Celebrities have no business throwing in their opinions.

I'm a bit confused about this—Trump is also a celebrity and was sharing his opinions and "political advice" long before he became president in 2016. Is it only okay when billionaires or high profile executives do it? 

 

8 hours ago, heatherchandler said:

Voting laws didn’t take rights away, you just need an ID.  As far as I know contraception is 100% legal, marriage equality is still set.  Trump has never said that he would touch that.  As far as abortion, it was deemed not a federal right, and up to the states.  It wasn’t done to take rights away.  I don’t agree with this but it wasn’t done to take rights away, it was because some on the right believe it is murder.  

While you may not perceive that voting laws have impacted certain rights, it’s important to consider that the implications have indeed affected communities that should have equal access to the right to vote, regardless of the ID requirements. It is unreasonable for people to travel long distances to reach their nearest polling place or to wait extensively in line simply to participate in the voting process. These challenges can unintentionally contribute to feelings of voter apathy and discourage what should be a collective process. Unsurprisingly, whenever a Democratic president wins an election, here come even more voter restriction laws.

In regard to leaving decisions up to the states, it is another deliberate approach, as there is an increase in lawsuits being brought through judicial circuit courts (via Trump appointed judges) that may ultimately lead to final decisions by SCOTUS. It will be their green light to continue to pass or challenge very unpopular legislation. Some Republicans may want to waffle about the state of personhood, but they're still unpopular in a lot of states (even Republican-led ones), yet they keep pursuing it even after ballot measures passed saying "No" - why?

Do I think Trump believes in any or all these things? No I do not - but I DO think the extreme nationalist monsters who want an America like this have the resources to make it worth Trump's while by whispering in his ear. He's a racist puppet but an effective one.

Edited 9 hours ago by Eri

[Ohiopirate02]

1 minute ago, Eri said:

While you may not perceive that voting laws have impacted certain rights, it’s important to consider that the implications have indeed affected communities that should have equal access to the right to vote, regardless of the ID requirements. It is unreasonable for people to travel long distances to reach their nearest polling place or to wait extensively in line simply to participate in the voting process. These challenges can unintentionally contribute to feelings of voter apathy and discourage what should be a collective process.

I live in a state that passed a voter ID law. It's easy to say, "if you need an ID, then go get one" without understanding what else is going on and how much getting that ID can cost. It's not that simple to just go to the DMV to get your ID when your county's office is underfunded and overworked. Appointments are necessary and those can only be done online which means you must have access to the internet to make one. Those appointments may also end up being close to 3 months out. The DMV in my county has moved 3 times in the last decade and the current location is not accessible by public transit. So now you have to get someone to take you there. They still do take walk-ins which means you may wait an hour for your appointment you scheduled 2 months ago. And I live in an easy county to get around in. Some other counties are more rural and even more difficult to get to the office.

I had also heard about the DMV in Wake County being closed back in October. People showed up for their appointment only to find out the office was closed.

[Eri]

Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear that!

If you can't walk or reliably take public transit to your polling place, it's voter suppression in my eyes.

[Dimity]

Was it Georgia that passed a law that you were not allowed to give water or food to people standing in line to vote?  First of all - why would it be the least bit an issue to do that, but second of all - why would anyone have to do that?  If you are in a line that long that someone would ever think to do that for you that is voter suppression. 

[bluegirl147]

8 hours ago, heatherchandler said:

Celebrities have no business throwing in their opinions.  

Celebs like everyone else has the right to voice their opinions.  And most of them know that doing so can come with consequences.  I prefer to know how they feel about issues.  

8 hours ago, heatherchandler said:

As far as I know contraception is 100% legal, marriage equality is still set.  

Until it isn't.

8 hours ago, heatherchandler said:

It wasn’t done to take rights away.  I don’t agree with this but it wasn’t done to take rights away,

Yes it was. It took away rights in those states that had trigger laws and passed laws afterwards making it impossible to get an in state abortion before that state deemed it illegal. A lot of states also passed or are trying to pass laws that took away the right for interstate travel if that travel was to seek an abortion in a state where it was legal.

8 hours ago, heatherchandler said:

it was because some on the right believe it is murder.  

Then those people shouldn't have abortions.  They should not have the right to prevent those who don't believe it is murder to exercise their right to choose.

7 hours ago, Lantern7 said:

Mike Johnson? I remember when he and a bunch of other big-name MAGA were supporting Dear Leader in NYC, and he took the time to blast people at NYU protesting for Palestine.

Was that when he was in NYC for Trump's trial?  I read in a book that they always had a seats reserved behind Trump for supporting family members.  The only one who ever showed up was Butthead. And he came once.  Eventually some sycophant Republican politicians showed up for their photo op.

6 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

Like I said, the Village People are "protesting" all the way to the bank!

And selling their souls in the process.

6 hours ago, Yeah No said:

He then seemed jealous. I couldn't wrap my mind around it because I had assumed that Republicans hate Medicaid.

They just hate it for all the people they think are undeserving. But they would gladly have it for themselves.  My mother's bf has Medicare. She also pays for a supplemental.  For some crazy reason she also has charity care through a local hospital.  She told my mother recently she was going to look into seeing if she could get Medicaid.  I have a relative who is self employed and routinely lies about her income so she can qualify for Medicaid.  

1 hour ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

That money is held by the inauguration committee and not Trump himself.

Oh I'm sure Trump will expect to be paid for being the headliner.

1 hour ago, tres bien said:

I’m giving Senator Thom Tillis (R NC) a thumbs up for telling his republican counterparts to stop threatening states that need disaster relief 

Wanna bet if NC hadn't had a natural disaster recently and been in need of aid he would be singing a different tune?

47 minutes ago, Eri said:

I'm a bit confused about this—Trump is also a celebrity and was sharing his opinions and "political advice" long before he became president in 2016. Is it only okay when billionaires or high profile executives do it? 

It's OK when Republicans do it.

 

28 minutes ago, Dimity said:

Was it Georgia that passed a law that you were not allowed to give water or food to people standing in line to vote? 

Florida too I thought.  Southern states of course where it gets hot.

29 minutes ago, Dimity said:

First of all - why would it be the least bit an issue to do that, but second of all - why would anyone have to do that?  If you are in a line that long that someone would ever think to do that for you that is voter suppression. 

It is voter suppression. They are counting on people either saying fuck it I don't have time to stand in line or that once in line people get thirsty or hot or have to take meds at a certain time and decide to give up and not vote.  You notice it's always Republicans that pass laws like this.  They know if more people vote they lose.

[PRgal]

Without an ID, how do people know you are who you say you are when you're at the polling place?  We have to bring proof of address when we vote here, but government ID isn't necessary.  You can bring a utility bill and student ID, for example.  But if it's a government issued ID, that's all you need.  You register to vote when you file your taxes.

https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=ids&document=index&lang=e

[bluegirl147]

4 minutes ago, PRgal said:

Without an ID, how do people know you are who you say you are when you're at the polling place?

Because you sign the book.  Each time you vote  there is a ledger that has the names of eligible voters in your precinct and it has your signature from when you registered and you have to sign your name. Now I can't promise the poll worker would notice if the signature didn't match but voter fraud is unlikely to be done that way.

[partofme]

12 minutes ago, PRgal said:

Without an ID, how do people know you are who you say you are when you're at the polling place?  We have to bring proof of address when we vote here, but government ID isn't necessary.  You can bring a utility bill and student ID, for example.  But if it's a government issued ID, that's all you need.  You register to vote when you file your taxes.

https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=ids&document=index&lang=e

I’ve never had to show an ID when I voted.  I think they compare your signature to the one on file.  

[PRgal]

1 minute ago, partofme said:

I’ve never had to show an ID when I voted.  I think they compare your signature to the one on file.  

That doesn't work for people who don't have the same signature all the time.  And younger people don't even know cursive!  I kind of like the way we do it up here.  And it's generation-proof too.  

[Ohiopirate02]

2 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Because you sign the book.  Each time you vote  there is a ledger that has the names of eligible voters in your precinct and it has your signature from when you registered and you have to sign your name. Now I can't promise the poll worker would notice if the signature didn't match but voter fraud is unlikely to be done that way.

Exactly. The rate of voter fraud has always been minuscule with things like the Tammany Hall Machine being aberrations. Voter ID laws are a poll tax and not a measure to prevent fraud. In North Carolina, the party that pushed the voter ID law was the party who actually perpetrated voter fraud during the time they were trying to get this law passed. The NCGOP is so afraid of losing power that they will try everything under the sun to keep it. From gerrymandering district maps over and over and over again to stealing ballots to whatever Jefferson Griffin has been doing, the list is endless.  They know the majority of North Carolinians are against them, but they do not care.

5 minutes ago, partofme said:

I’ve never had to show an ID when I voted.  I think they compare your signature to the one on file.  

Up until last November, I have never shown my ID to vote. I would try because I live in the South with an Eastern European surname, and they would refuse to look at it.

[bluegirl147]

1 minute ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

They know the majority of North Carolinians are against them, but they do not care.

Same thing happened in Wisconsin and PA.  Republicans knew controlling state legislatures would be helpful for all the shenanigans they wanted to pull.  Then of course you have Ohio.  They put things on ballot initiatives and when they pass they then try to prevent them from being implemented.  It's almost like they don't care what voters want.  Unless it's owning the libs and then they are all for that.

[FilmTVGeek80]

9 hours ago, heatherchandler said:

Why should anyone listen to Susan Sarandon for political advice?  

Celebrities have no business throwing in their opinions.  

Voting laws didn’t take rights away, you just need an ID.  As far as I know contraception is 100% legal, marriage equality is still set.  Trump has never said that he would touch that.  As far as abortion, it was deemed not a federal right, and up to the states.  It wasn’t done to take rights away.  I don’t agree with this but it wasn’t done to take rights away, it was because some on the right believe it is murder.  

 

I haven’t seen any Trump supporters here, so that’s why you haven’t gotten an answer.  There are people who are trying to explain what the other side is thinking, but I haven’t seen anyone here say that they support Trump.  

I never understood the idea that celebrities shouldn’t be allowed to share their political opinions. I think Susan Sarandon’s thoughts on politics are monumentally stupid, but she still has the right to speak her mind because she still lives in this country too and is affected by the things those in the government do. 
 

Despite the F-I-C’s lies, he is 100% connected to Project 25 and, yes, things like going after contraception and marriage equality is on their agenda. 
 

Yes, it was done to take away rights. The Supreme Court already gave women the right to bodily autonomy. There was absolutely no need to take it away because some new Supreme Court members decided to change it - despite the fact these new members had lied in their confirmation hearings and agreeing that Roe v. Wade was settled law - until they decided that it wasn’t. Why should it matter that some on the right think it’s murder? No one is forcing them to get an abortion. Their opinions should have no bearing on the law.

There is at least one 45 supporter here who has posted several times in the last few days. 

7 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

Apparently someone beat me to it, but what the heck. Guess who's going to sing and/or appear at the Inauguration besides Carrie Underwood?  Yup, none other than the YMCA group themselves, the Village People!  So much for your theory about DJT not getting song approval. Like I said, the Village People are "protesting" all the way to the bank!

It’s not a “theory.” One of the members of the band even gave a recent interview where he talked about not initially wanting the felon to use their music and sending a cease and desist letter. The only reason he changed his mind is because he realized how much money he could make from that idiot using their music. 

Edited 8 hours ago by FilmTVGeek80

[SoMuchTV]

29 minutes ago, PRgal said:

Without an ID, how do people know you are who you say you are when you're at the polling place?  We have to bring proof of address when we vote here, but government ID isn't necessary.  You can bring a utility bill and student ID, for example.  But if it's a government issued ID, that's all you need.  You register to vote when you file your taxes.

https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=ids&document=index&lang=e

 

22 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Because you sign the book.  Each time you vote  there is a ledger that has the names of eligible voters in your precinct and it has your signature from when you registered and you have to sign your name. Now I can't promise the poll worker would notice if the signature didn't match but voter fraud is unlikely to be done that way.

 

16 minutes ago, partofme said:

I’ve never had to show an ID when I voted.  I think they compare your signature to the one on file.  

Something to be aware of (for the non-US folks here) is that US voting laws vary by state.  I've never signed anything, but I do need a state-issued ID.  I also have to give my name and address, which they compare to the "book" (or now, online list).  So to perpetuate any kind of voter fraud, even if the ID law wasn't in place, I'd have to pretend to be some particular person who hadn't voted yet, and hope that the poll worker didn't actually know them...

Edited 8 hours ago by SoMuchTV

[FilmTVGeek80]

10 minutes ago, PRgal said:

That doesn't work for people who don't have the same signature all the time.  And younger people don't even know cursive!  I kind of like the way we do it up here.  And it's generation-proof too.  

My signature changes all the time and it’s not been a problem for me. In fact, my first few times voting I was petrified it wouldn’t count because my signature looked different, but it’s never been an issue. I haven’t had to show my ID. And, I don‘t think not knowing cursive means you can’t sign your name.

[bluegirl147]

2 minutes ago, SoMuchTV said:

I'd have to pretend to be some particular person who hadn't voted yet, and hope that the poll worker didn't actually know them...

Yes in small towns poll workers have probably been working elections for years and if they don't personally know you they recognize you from previous elections.

[Yeah No]

1 hour ago, Eri said:

If you can't walk or reliably take public transit to your polling place, it's voter suppression in my eyes.

Not to disagree with your point or defend voter suppression (far be it from me to do that), but even Republican areas can be like that. Poor whites in some rural areas don't always have a car and aren't near public transportation. That's the case even in my area and I live in a nice suburb. The polling locations are all off the main road and no public transportation goes there. And the distances are too far to walk. I know someone right now in another town that is poor and doesn't have a car or live near enough to public transportation, although they are a senior and have access to free senior buses that will pick them up at home. Although they are a Democrat!

31 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Then those people shouldn't have abortions.  They should not have the right to prevent those who don't believe it is murder to exercise their right to choose.

Yes but if they think it's murder they don't believe anyone should be doing it just as anyone wouldn't support the right of anyone to commit murder. These people probably think Trump giving the decision to the states isn't even enough. They probably think people that have abortions should be jailed like murderers. The issue is when life begins because if it begins before birth there's a case to be made that abortion is murder. It also depends when during a pregnancy you might believe life begins. I don't personally profess to have the answers on this although I am decidedly pro-choice. 

53 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

They just hate it for all the people they think are undeserving. But they would gladly have it for themselves.  My mother's bf has Medicare. She also pays for a supplemental.  For some crazy reason she also has charity care through a local hospital.  She told my mother recently she was going to look into seeing if she could get Medicaid.  I have a relative who is self employed and routinely lies about her income so she can qualify for Medicaid.  

What gets me upset is that Republicans assume that they would be denied government aid just on the basis of being white and that liberal gov't makes it easier for non-whites to get aid based on seeing so many non-whites getting it. But that's not how it works. If you qualify you get aid. The poor white friend I mentioned above is a Democrat and has no problem getting government aid. I don't know why white Republicans think they're being discriminated against for being white on this point. I just think many of them aren't as poor as all that but still think they're entitled to a handout.

[Yeah No]

37 minutes ago, SoMuchTV said:

Something to be aware of (for the non-US folks here) is that US voting laws vary by state.  I've never signed anything, but I do need a state-issued ID.  I also have to give my name and address, which they compare to the "book" (or now, online list).  So to perpetuate any kind of voter fraud, even if the ID law wasn't in place, I'd have to pretend to be some particular person who hadn't voted yet, and hope that the poll worker didn't actually know them...

I live in a very blue state (CT) but even here we are asked to present an ID and if we don't have one we are asked for utility bills and other forms of ID that aren't gov't. issued and asked to sign an affidavit, so it isn't only dependent on a signature even here.

[Dimity]

I've never lived anywhere that didn't require some kind of ID when voting.  Utility bills would only be an issue I would guess for someone still living in their parents home, or who, sadly, are unhoused (the new word for homeless around here).

[Browncoat]

We have to show a government-issued photo ID to vote.  Usually it's a driver's license.  At some point in the not-too-distant past, I could just show up, state my name and address, then the poll workers would check my name off the list, and I'd go vote.  The photo ID part is relatively new.

[Avaleigh]

I don't have an issue with some proof being required to show that a person is in the correct polling place. Whether it is a bill or a check from your employer or a work or student ID--as long as people have multiple options apart from the option of a government ID, that doesn't seem like an unreasonable request. 

What isn't reasonable is forcing people to stand in long ass lines when people should be allowed to vote by mail. Every state should have this as an option in my opinion. It's convenient and it saves time for everyone. Also, just to be clear, I don't want polling places to be taken away, I just think that mail in voting should be accessible to every citizen, in every state, plus DC.

Regarding having a government issued ID--leaving aside the issue of whether or not people should need one to vote (I've already opined that I don't think a government ID should be necessary to vote), I really think that people should be doing everything in their power to make sure that they have a government ID for their own benefit.

People who have no ID can't legally drive. You need an ID to have a job in most places. You need an ID for taxes. I've frequently needed an ID for certain medical appointments mainly if it's at a new doctor's office. You need an ID to have a social life for the most part. Even if you don't drink, you still need an ID if you want to dance at a club. You need an ID to travel even if it's simply domestic travel. You need one at the airport, you need one to rent a car, and you need one when you check into a hotel. I just can't understand not getting one if it's in a person's power to do so. Even if it meant spending hours at the DMV (which many of us have done at some point in our lives including myself), even if it means walking to get there or getting someone to give you a ride, even if it means having to make a temporary cut your budget in order to pay for it--whatever it takes--just get an ID for the love of heaven. 

A government ID should be something that is accessible to everyone. 

To me, politicians who care about people's rights should also be finding ways to make sure that having an ID is something that is accessible to everyone. It shouldn't be something that is seen as a luxury and it certainly shouldn't have to be seen as an impediment to a person casting their vote.

[Spartan Girl]

Fuck the Village People and fuck Carrie Underwood.

I'm so sick of the "put politics aside" bullshit. Too many people have conflated "politics" with "basic human empathy and decency."

And the report coming out today that Jack Smith would have been able to convict if Trump hadn't been reelected makes me want to text my former friend that refused to vote and rip them a new one. But we haven't spoken in months, they haven't tried to initiate any conversation with me, so I doubt they'd really care how hurt, angry, and betrayed I'm feeling. 

[bluegirl147]

7 minutes ago, Avaleigh said:

A government ID should be something that is accessible to everyone. 

In Texas they allow a handgun permit be used but not a college issued ID.  Most likely because they think gun owners will be Republicans and college students will be Democrats.  Just another way they play games with voting.

2 minutes ago, Spartan Girl said:

fuck Carrie Underwood.

I have never liked Carrie Underwood.  I thought it was because I don't like country music.  Guess I now have another reason.

[Dimity]

3 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

I have never liked Carrie Underwood.

She's disliked in my neck of the woods because she got Mike Fisher to leave the Senators and relocate to that Nashville Predators.  My sister never forgave either of them for that.  Now we have another reason to hate her.

[Anela]

11 hours ago, heatherchandler said:

 

That is wild to me, politics never enters into any of my conversations with friends, family, co-workers.  And we talk about current events.  But there is so much more to discuss.  Sex, money and politics are not on the table.

 

 

Why should anyone listen to Susan Sarandon for political advice?  

Celebrities have no business throwing in their opinions.  
 

 

HUGE mis-step on Obama’s part.  You cannot bail out one industry because the very wealthy people could lose their wealth.  Capitalism is self-correcting.  He should have let them fail.  And I work in investment banking, and I still couldn’t believe he bailed out the rich while he watched people lose their homes.

 

Voting laws didn’t take rights away, you just need an ID.  As far as I know contraception is 100% legal, marriage equality is still set.  Trump has never said that he would touch that.  As far as abortion, it was deemed not a federal right, and up to the states.  It wasn’t done to take rights away.  I don’t agree with this but it wasn’t done to take rights away, it was because some on the right believe it is murder.  

 

I haven’t seen any Trump supporters here, so that’s why you haven’t gotten an answer.  There are people who are trying to explain what the other side is thinking, but I haven’t seen anyone here say that they support Trump.  

Susan Sarandon is an American citizen, who votes in this country. She has every right to talk about our politics. 

And Trump supporters have been posting in this thread, since the election. I guess you just haven't seen them. 

2 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

Celebs like everyone else has the right to voice their opinions.  And most of them know that doing so can come with consequences.  I prefer to know how they feel about issues.  

Until it isn't.

Yes it was. It took away rights in those states that had trigger laws and passed laws afterwards making it impossible to get an in state abortion before that state deemed it illegal. A lot of states also passed or are trying to pass laws that took away the right for interstate travel if that travel was to seek an abortion in a state where it was legal.

Then those people shouldn't have abortions.  They should not have the right to prevent those who don't believe it is murder to exercise their right to choose.

Was that when he was in NYC for Trump's trial?  I read in a book that they always had a seats reserved behind Trump for supporting family members.  The only one who ever showed up was Butthead. And he came once.  Eventually some sycophant Republican politicians showed up for their photo op.

And selling their souls in the process.

They just hate it for all the people they think are undeserving. But they would gladly have it for themselves.  My mother's bf has Medicare. She also pays for a supplemental.  For some crazy reason she also has charity care through a local hospital.  She told my mother recently she was going to look into seeing if she could get Medicaid.  I have a relative who is self employed and routinely lies about her income so she can qualify for Medicaid.  

Oh I'm sure Trump will expect to be paid for being the headliner.

Wanna bet if NC hadn't had a natural disaster recently and been in need of aid he would be singing a different tune?

It's OK when Republicans do it.

 

Florida too I thought.  Southern states of course where it gets hot.

It is voter suppression. They are counting on people either saying fuck it I don't have time to stand in line or that once in line people get thirsty or hot or have to take meds at a certain time and decide to give up and not vote.  You notice it's always Republicans that pass laws like this.  They know if more people vote they lose.

All of this.

Also, I needed a State ID, in order to vote. I don't drive. I'm also not sure if I could walk to my voting place (a church). It would be a very long walk, which isn't fair to people who wouldn't be able to walk that far. 

5 minutes ago, Spartan Girl said:

Fuck the Village People and fuck Carrie Underwood.

I'm so sick of the "put politics aside" bullshit. Too many people have conflated "politics" with "basic human empathy and decency."

And the report coming out today that Jack Smith would have been able to convict if Trump hadn't been reelected makes me want to text my former friend that refused to vote and rip them a new one. But we haven't spoken in months, they haven't tried to initiate any conversation with me, so I doubt they'd really care how hurt, angry, and betrayed I'm feeling. 

That was the first thing I saw, when I woke up, and it's fucking painful. They cheated in plain sight. The SCOTUS, the judge in his pocket. They dragged it out, and now we have this. 

8 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

In Texas they allow a handgun permit be used but not a college issued ID.  Most likely because they think gun owners will be Republicans and college students will be Democrats.  Just another way they play games with voting.

Oh FFS, that's terrible. 

[tres bien]

We were registered voters in FL from 2018 - 2023 (because my husband decided the tax benefits there exceeded by unhappiness. That’s why it only lasted 4 years and now we’re full time MN residents again and spend 4 - 5 months there)

Anyway. We voted in FL every election beginning 2018. In person we had to show a picture ID. The few times we voted by mail we requested a ballot and mailed it back. I guess they compare signatures for those ballots 

Edited 6 hours ago by tres bien

[heatherchandler]

11 minutes ago, Anela said:

And Trump supporters have been posting in this thread, since the election. I guess you just haven't seen them. 

I haven’t seen one person actually post that they support him.  You might have gleaned that from what they posted but no one has outright posted it.

Susan Sarandon can say whatever she wants, she has every right.  I don’t understand why anyone would care what her thoughts are on politics.  She’s an actress.  Why would her opinion matter to me?

Edited 6 hours ago by heatherchandler