Trump - 4 more years of this at least...

[pritch]

Surprise! The DOGE website has been hacked.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/anyone-can-hack-elon-musk-s-doge-website-coders-say/ar-AA1z4EJB

[F5 Dave]

A Roman emperor's what?

The Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine) was christian too, it hung around until the 1400s.

Makes me think of the song "Now it's Instanbul not Constantinople..."

Maybe someone will re-release it as "Now it's Gulf of America not Gulf of Mexico..." Maybe if the Associated Press did that they'd let them back into the Whitehouse.
Yes emperor Constantine.

But I know the song and the cartoon and drive the wife crazy everytime someone mentions Istanbul on the telly or wherever. :laugh:

[husaberg]

A Roman emperor's what?

The Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine) was christian too, it hung around until the 1400s.

Makes me think of the song "Now it's Instanbul not Constantinople..."

Maybe someone will re-release it as "Now it's Gulf of America not Gulf of Mexico..." Maybe if the Associated Press did that they'd let them back into the Whitehouse.

yeah granted but my point was over greater europe....hence the map
I was also meaning keeping Christianity alive not the roman empire....
But those Byzatines only really had a mediterranean empire didn't they?
what I remember about charlie was he was meant to have kept of the invading hordes of islam and the Norse?

Yes emperor Constantine.

But I know the song and the cartoon and drive the wife crazy everytime someone mentions Istanbul on the telly or wherever. :laugh:
I feel we should implement a Christianity test much like the ye old witch test ,only we dunk them in water until they drown wait 3 days and if don't come back to life they really aren't Christians afterall.

[Laava]

Sounds fair. If a little harsh.

[Pursang]

https://scontent.fbne6-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/476655085_9654506674573576_6770717457562880623_n.j pg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=031YS3fz_cEQ7kNvgF2ly-U&_nc_oc=AdgQcf9MYQV6TnmPFMQIP27kPSU52i3IJNjoHs0RCDm cDvMHqdIVcCbPIAmmXOV3v8hX7m2cGuKemfJV_zADpvVp&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fbne6-1.fna&_nc_gid=A6KzpT4wQ2PzQa-QNp7SsXd&oh=00_AYDcTTIWiuiUeCYpc7wyrcAzYdtKds0s7e2xhCxRmkcy Mg&oe=67B61E06

[husaberg]

355711https://www.threads.net/@meidas_societyschild/post/DEjB2QKxiXK/media

[pritch]

Then again...

[Pursang]

https://media.upilink.in/ib/mVdxphEMVXmpnd1_1739725620.jpg

[TheDemonLord]

So, hold onto your hats - I am about to make a post critical of Trump and Co.

I have been seeing... Mumurings around the Ukraine conflict of late from some of my more Right-leaning sources. One in particular ran a story talking about the distribution of Ethnic Russians in the Ukraine vs Ethnic Ukrainians.

The point being made that a lot of the territory currently held by Russia is territory that predominantly had Ethnic Russians in them.

Now, to be clear - this particular source (No, it is not Tucker) - has long been critical of funding overseas conflict - and so they are very much in the camp of: Stop the war at all costs.

But they ran a story, talking about how Trump went over Zelenskys head and the EUs head and started ceasefire talks with Putin.

The whole story was essentially laying the ground work for a ceasefire deal where most of the captured land remains in Russian possession.

To be clear - this is not a direct release from Trump or their Team, more a series of Speculations. However, this Channel tends to get their speculation reasonably accurate and it is not outside the realm of possibility that they are getting their info from sources that get their info from people who want to 'Shape the narrative'.

And so - I will say this - If Trump stops the war but in doing so sacrifices significant amounts of Ukrainian territory that Russia has captured, I will be rather dissapointed and will consider this a failure of Trumps negotiation.

That said - the channel in question did raise a point that I think has some validity: In order for Russia to cease the war, they need some form of Win. Look at how the US felt about the withdrawal from Afghanistan - the question: What was it for? Will be asked.

How and what that Win looks like, I do not know.

But I smell something in the air that I am not happy about.

[pete376403]

Risking Godwins but it has to be said: From another site -
"In 1923 Adolf Hitler incited an insurrection against the German government.
He was tried, given a slap on the wrist, and became a convicted felon. Despite being treated charitably by the judge, Hitler claimed the trial was political persecution and successfully portrayed himself as a victim of the "corrupt" Social Democrats.
Hitler positioned himself as the voice of the "common man," railing against the "elites," cultural "degeneracy," and the establishment, who he all labeled as "Marxists." He claimed the education system was indoctrinating children to hate Germany, and promised to return Germany to greatness.
To solidify his base, Hitler masterfully scapegoated minorities for the nation's problems, exploiting societal divisions with an "us vs. them" narrative.
Many Germans took the bait. Hitler's Nazi Party continued to gain traction, until he became Chancellor in 1933.
Hitler appointed German oligarchs as his economic advisors. He proceeded to privatize government run utilities, solidifying support of the economic elite.
With the working class divided along cultural and ethnic lines, the Nazis shut down workers unions and abolished strikes. Progressives and trade unionists were imprisoned and sent to concentration camps. Corporate profits skyrocketed while working class Germans lived paycheck to paycheck.
Hitler, who became a billionaire while in office, knew he and his clan of oligarchs could get away with the scam if they constantly had an
"enemy within" to blame while the corporatocracy robbed the country blind.
An easy target was one of the smallest minorities. Hitler removed birthright citizenship rights of Jews and started rounding them up for mass deportations for being "illegally" in the country. The German press under Nazi rule highlighted instances of violence by Jews to convince the public that Jewish immigrants were a danger to the "real Germans."
Hitler wasted no time dismantling democratic institutions. Loyalty wasn't just encouraged; it was demanded. Opponents were silenced. Media that dared to questioned him were vilified as "the enemy" and "Marxists."
Hitler's Propaganda Minister, Joseph Goebbels, bragged about how the Nazis were able to intimidate the media into giving them favorable coverage, and didn't need to give direct orders.
The Nazi regime and its followers collected all books they saw as promoting "degeneracy" or what would be considered "woke" today, and burned them in large bonfires. They also burned books that promoted class consciousness.
Berlin had a thriving LGBTQ community in the 1920s, and even had the first transgender clinic. The Nazis burned it to the ground. LGBTQ people were sent to concentration camps and forced to wear triangle badges. Many were killed in the Holocaust.
The Nazis also saw manhood as under threat by independent women who didn't rely on men. In 1934, Hitler proclaimed, "A woman's world is her husband, her family, her children, her house." Laws that had protected women's rights were repealed and new laws were introduced to restrict women to the home and in their roles as wives and mothers.
Reproductive rights were severely rolled back, and doctors who performed abortions could face the death penalty.
Hitler decentralized the government to the most extreme extent, whereby he reduced its power in order to retain all of the power, over all of the people, for himself. A ruthless, brutal dictator and murderer of millions of human beings was the result.
The parallels are shockingly obvious. People are falling in line just as he wants and expects them to. Please copy/paste and share this as much as you can to help educate more people as to what is going on, so we can grow the movement to fight back against this bully and his attempted oppression."

[pritch]

Risking Godwins but it has to be said:


Fear not. When Trump became president the first time Godwin suspended his law.

[Pursang]

NEW TRUMP MERCH just arrived.
https://i.etsystatic.com/8504900/r/il/d62a99/2042067855/il_570xN.2042067855_ia70.jpg

[TheDemonLord]

Risking Godwins but it has to be said: From another site -
"In 1923 Adolf Hitler incited an insurrection against the German government.
He was tried, given a slap on the wrist, and became a convicted felon. Despite being treated charitably by the judge, Hitler claimed the trial was political persecution and successfully portrayed himself as a victim of the "corrupt" Social Democrats.
Hitler positioned himself as the voice of the "common man," railing against the "elites," cultural "degeneracy," and the establishment, who he all labeled as "Marxists." He claimed the education system was indoctrinating children to hate Germany, and promised to return Germany to greatness.
To solidify his base, Hitler masterfully scapegoated minorities for the nation's problems, exploiting societal divisions with an "us vs. them" narrative.
Many Germans took the bait. Hitler's Nazi Party continued to gain traction, until he became Chancellor in 1933.
Hitler appointed German oligarchs as his economic advisors. He proceeded to privatize government run utilities, solidifying support of the economic elite.
With the working class divided along cultural and ethnic lines, the Nazis shut down workers unions and abolished strikes. Progressives and trade unionists were imprisoned and sent to concentration camps. Corporate profits skyrocketed while working class Germans lived paycheck to paycheck.
Hitler, who became a billionaire while in office, knew he and his clan of oligarchs could get away with the scam if they constantly had an
"enemy within" to blame while the corporatocracy robbed the country blind.
An easy target was one of the smallest minorities. Hitler removed birthright citizenship rights of Jews and started rounding them up for mass deportations for being "illegally" in the country. The German press under Nazi rule highlighted instances of violence by Jews to convince the public that Jewish immigrants were a danger to the "real Germans."
Hitler wasted no time dismantling democratic institutions. Loyalty wasn't just encouraged; it was demanded. Opponents were silenced. Media that dared to questioned him were vilified as "the enemy" and "Marxists."
Hitler's Propaganda Minister, Joseph Goebbels, bragged about how the Nazis were able to intimidate the media into giving them favorable coverage, and didn't need to give direct orders.
The Nazi regime and its followers collected all books they saw as promoting "degeneracy" or what would be considered "woke" today, and burned them in large bonfires. They also burned books that promoted class consciousness.
Berlin had a thriving LGBTQ community in the 1920s, and even had the first transgender clinic. The Nazis burned it to the ground. LGBTQ people were sent to concentration camps and forced to wear triangle badges. Many were killed in the Holocaust.
The Nazis also saw manhood as under threat by independent women who didn't rely on men. In 1934, Hitler proclaimed, "A woman's world is her husband, her family, her children, her house." Laws that had protected women's rights were repealed and new laws were introduced to restrict women to the home and in their roles as wives and mothers.
Reproductive rights were severely rolled back, and doctors who performed abortions could face the death penalty.
Hitler decentralized the government to the most extreme extent, whereby he reduced its power in order to retain all of the power, over all of the people, for himself. A ruthless, brutal dictator and murderer of millions of human beings was the result.
The parallels are shockingly obvious. People are falling in line just as he wants and expects them to. Please copy/paste and share this as much as you can to help educate more people as to what is going on, so we can grow the movement to fight back against this bully and his attempted oppression."

You do realize - that I could re-write most of that and use Kamala and it would still be rather accurate.

Honestly the constant comparisons to Hitler are passe at this point and show such historical illiteracy that it is more a stain on the author than anything else.

[F5 Dave]

I'm just trying to work out if I am an 'Elite'.
Will I be sent a Card?
This degeneracy stuff sounds like something i favour and want to rub all over my body. :wings:

[pete376403]

You do realize - that I could re-write most of that and use Kamala and it would still be rather accurate.

Honestly the constant comparisons to Hitler are passe at this point and show such historical illiteracy that it is more a stain on the author than anything else.


So you dont believe what is written is verifiable fact? Please point out the errors. While you are at it please point out similar actions that Harris took

[TheDemonLord]

So you dont believe what is written is verifiable fact? Please point out the errors. While you are at it please point out similar actions that Harris took

For starters - whether Hitler was a Billionaire is widely contested.
Privatization of the Economy - This one is deceptive - as they werent privatized in the common sense, they were headed by a senior party official who could be relied upon to ensure the company did the Party bidding - not exactly privatized...
This line in particular:
Hitler decentralized the government to the most extreme extent, whereby he reduced its power in order to retain all of the power, over all of the people, for himself.

Kinda Contradictory.

It also completely ignores the Treaty of Versailles and the history of the Weimar Republic - which is pivotal in the study of the rise of Hitler.

You could make an argument that the post-Covid economic problems and period of high inflation has a similarity to the Hyper inflation of the Weimar republic (in terms of effects, not in magnitude).

A lot of what is written is true, but is completely removed from context to the point that it makes what is said dishonest.

Kinda like saying someone was charged with a crime whilst failing to mention they were acquitted.

As for Similar actions - blaming the Billionaires for all the problems, hating the Jews, Political persecutions, Us vs MAGA etc, Not to mention the rather cozy relationship that big businesses had with the Government (remember when the FBI was getting Facebook to do their dirty work...) I could go on.

[TheDemonLord]

I'm just trying to work out if I am an 'Elite'.
Will I be sent a Card?
This degeneracy stuff sounds like something i favour and want to rub all over my body. :wings:

It depends on the context - Globally, you are probably in the top 1 percent, as is most people here.

[pritch]

American tax payers might hope that Trump isn't paying Musk much for his anti-fraud work. There were reports that Musk is paid $8 million per day. A Government lawyer has just testified in court that Musk is an unpaid advisor. Big difference. Whatever, so far Musk and his team have zero success only a growing list of embarrassments.

There was the $50 million worth of condoms to Hamas. Trump thought of a number and doubled it to $100 million but it was still nonsense.

Elon and his crew discovered loads of people 150 years old receiving benefits. Again nonsense, zero fraud. If there is a date error the system enters a default date in 1875.

The DOGE website was open to anybody who wanted to post on it or to access records. Musk's team created the biggest data breach in US history.

Musk's team sacked the guys who look after the nukes because they didn't know (or care) what work they were actually doing. That rightly caused consternation and the attempts to rehire the people were hampered because they didn't have contact details. I guess the word got around.

Farmers could lose their farms because they took loans and had work done under a signed contract that the government would reimburse them. The payments have been stopped but the banks will still want their money.

Oh, and there were some thirty government investigations into Musk and his companies. All have been stopped by Musk sacking the people conducting the investigations.
There might have been some fraud there...

[onearmedbandit]

No ones looking after the nukes now? Damn.

[pritch]

No ones looking after the nukes now? Damn.

It's likely the jungle telegraph did its thing.

[onearmedbandit]

From what is available online, the NNSA directly employs (or employed) 2000 staff, 300 of whom were laid off. I'm guessing some of those 1700 are still looking after the nukes.

But it sounds good to say 'Musk's team sacked the guys who look after the nukes'!

[sugilite]

From what is available online, the NNSA directly employs (or employed) 2000 staff, 300 of whom were laid off. I'm guessing some of those 1700 are still looking after the nukes.

But it sounds good to say 'Musk's team sacked the guys who look after the nukes'!

He sacked enough of them that the Government had to run around re-hiring a bunch of them. Musk does not care much for any sort of research, he is sacking people left right and center without the possibility of knowing what each one actually does. He has definitely had a strong focus on the doing over the government departments that just happen to provide oversight on his business dealings first. :rolleyes:

[onearmedbandit]

He sacked enough of them that the Government had to run around re-hiring a bunch of them. Musk does not care much for any sort of research, he is sacking people left right and center without the possibility of knowing what each one actually does. He has definitely had a strong focus on the doing over the government departments that just happen to provide oversight on his business dealings first. :rolleyes:

100%, no argument there. Just pointing out that both sides can be quite loose with the truth at times and sensationalise stories or rumours.

No one is innocent!

[nerrrd]

Speaking of things nuclear, if the US is going to withdraw its security guarantee from NATO, is that going to force Europe into a nuclear arms race of its own with Russia?

[pritch]

100%, no argument there. Just pointing out that both sides can be quite loose with the truth at times and sensationalise stories or rumours.

No one is innocent!

You're still doing that 'both sides' thing. It works OK normally but nothing about this is normal. It just doesn't work for Trump.

[onearmedbandit]

You're still doing that 'both sides' thing. It works OK normally but nothing about this is normal. It just doesn't work for Trump.

Whether one side does it more or whatever doesn't take away from the fact that both sides have their issues.

[onearmedbandit]

Someone is obviously a little confused or is reading events in their own particular way...

https://x.com/i/status/1891968522655342854

I've heard some argue that Ukraine started it by wanting to join NATO. Like that gives Russia the right to invade lol

[pritch]

Someone is obviously a little confused or is reading events in their own particular way...


Trump is reading what his boss Putin told him to read. All of which ignores that Russia invaded in 2014 and had been in parts of Ukraine since that time. The Russian occupation included such low points as shooting down a Malaysian airliner killing 283 passengers and fifteen crew.

[onearmedbandit]

Trump knows there are huge economic benefits with keeping Russia on side as a trading partner (from what I’ve read). Whether that makes Putin his boss, well I’m not so sure. Everyone talks about trump doesn’t listen to anyone, does what he sees as best with no consideration from others, etc etc. Why he’d do what Putin tells him doesn’t add up, but doing it for his own gain (or his country’s if their interests align), well that definitely makes sense.

But I know 5/8ths of fuck all about it, only what I’ve read.

[pritch]

Trump knows there are huge economic benefits with keeping Russia on side as a trading partner (from what I’ve read). Whether that makes Putin his boss, well I’m not so sure. Everyone talks about trump doesn’t listen to anyone, does what he sees as best with no consideration from others, etc etc. Why he’d do what Putin tells him doesn’t add up, but doing it for his own gain (or his country’s if their interests align), well that definitely makes sense.

But I know 5/8ths of fuck all about it, only what I’ve read.

You've missed too much. In Helsinki on Trump's last go round Trump took Putin's word over the US intelligence community. After his meeting with Putin he looked totally whipped. The body language was tragic. It was very apparent who was boss. I don't know if it's pee tapes or what but Putin has got something on Trump.

I haven't read that Trump doesn't listen to anybody. What I've been reading for nine years or more is that he listens to and acts according to the last person who talked to him.

[husaberg]

You've missed too much. In Helsinki on Trump's last go round Trump took Putin's word over the US intelligence community. After his meeting with Putin he looked totally whipped. The body language was tragic. It was very apparent who was boss. I don't know if it's pee tapes or what but Putin has got something on Trump.

I haven't read that Trump doesn't listen to anybody. What I've been reading for nine years or more is that he listens to and acts according to the last person who talked to him.

I feel Its not fair to say thump doesn't listen to anyone, without adding the caveat, without adding he doesn't listen to anyone that isn't saying what he wants to hear.
I understand trumps now telling people Ukraine shouldn't have started the war with Russia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeViJUHPNxg
Just like those pesky poles did to Germany in ww2
the Russian of course like to edit out their teaming up with Germany and invading the other side of Poland.
Trumps idea of deals/appeasement was what chamberpot tried.

[onearmedbandit]

Yeah no doubt I have missed most of it. I have less than a passing interest in the whole drama, stupidly on my behalf though I make the mistake of letting my attention get caught by something on the topic. I shall try much harder to stay out of the never ending circular debate, far better things in my life to concern myself with.

As you all were.

[pritch]

Yeah no doubt I have missed most of it. I have less than a passing interest in the whole drama, stupidly on my behalf though I make the mistake of letting my attention get caught by something on the topic. I shall try much harder to stay out of the never ending circular debate, far better things in my life to concern myself with.

As you all were.

Not having to worry about attending toolbox meetings at the salt mine I've probably had more time than most to read. Initially I was reading virtually every book that was published about Trump's first term but then got more selective. Woodward's books were good. James Comey's book was OK but Andrew McCabe's was better. Both the latter were FBI Directors, Trump attempted to fire both in incredibly petty ways. He fired Comey while he was visiting California. The intention was that Comey would have to find his own way home. That's not how it works though. FBI Directors travel with other key personnel, secretarial staff, and security, in a private jet. Trump was ropable when he found out. He sacked McCabe the day before he could retire on a full pension. Trump knew the significance of the day, it was deliberate. Trump lost again. McCabe took it to court and won.

Bolton's book describes a White House in disarray. Bolton presents as a bit of an arsehole but at least he was actually experienced and knew his job. Very rare in the White House at that late stage.

Later watching the evidence at the Jan 6 hearings we learned that when he's not happy Trump throws his food at the wall. That doesn't quite rank up there with Hitler's carpet munching but it's not normal either.

[onearmedbandit]

Dear god, what a fucking mess. There's no doubting the guy is unhinged, regardless of his intent.

Methinks I'm doing myself a favour by occupying my time with better subjects to study.

[Kickaha]

I understand trumps now telling people Ukraine shouldn't have started the war with Russia.

Where's the resident Trump apologist to tell us he's correct ?

[sugilite]

The orange cockwomble is also saying zelenski is a dictator, while he himself is faithfully following the Hungarian model pathway to dictatorship.
Saw a moment of fox's hanity interview with cockwomble trump and cockwomble musk and the first words out of musks mouth was an abject lie saying the two astronauts were stranded on the space station for political reasons - no matter an interview with the astronauts in question both saying that was not the case. musk proves over, and over again why he is the last person that should be running doge. I'm all for governments cutting out fraud and wasteful spending, but musk is just looking after his own interests as he lies, and lies and lies again to the amercican idiots that voted for trump.

Anyone who cannot clearly see trump is a russian asset and has been since 2016 is truly deluding themselves, one might say they are the heathen lords of delusional thinking. :msn-wink:

[Pursang]

https://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/King-250219.jpg

[nerrrd]

The orange cockwomble is also saying zelenski is a dictator, while he himself is faithfully following the Hungarian model pathway to dictatorship.
Saw a moment of fox's hanity interview with cockwomble trump and cockwomble musk and the first words out of musks mouth was an abject lie saying the two astronauts were stranded on the space station for political reasons - no matter an interview with the astronauts in question both saying that was not the case. musk proves over, and over again why he is the last person that should be running doge. I'm all for governments cutting out fraud and wasteful spending, but musk is just looking after his own interests as he lies, and lies and lies again to the amercican idiots that voted for trump.

Anyone who cannot clearly see trump is a russian asset and has been since 2016 is truly deluding themselves, one might say they are the heathen lords of delusional thinking. :msn-wink:

He may be an asset to Russia, but that doesn't necessarily make him a Russian asset. Also not sure how the US abandoning Ukraine and leaving NATO is a good thing for Putin, in the long run he's going to have to deal with European states building their own deterrents as quickly as they can right on his doorstep. And the best deterrent (given the Ukraine experience) will be nuclear weapons.

So in the long run the US will have less global influence and Putin will potentially have more nukes on his borders. Meanwhile having the US dollar as the world's reserve currency is going to look less and less desirable.

[sugilite]

He may be an asset to Russia, but that doesn't necessarily make him a Russian asset.

I mean it in the broad sense that his actions help russia more often than not. putin will be creaming his pants that the orange buffoon is parroting his assertions that the Ukraine started the war and Zelenski is a dictator.



Also not sure how the US abandoning Ukraine and leaving NATO is a good thing for Putin, in the long run he's going to have to deal with European states building their own deterrents as quickly as they can right on his doorstep. And the best deterrent (given the Ukraine experience) will be nuclear weapons.

Not sure that it is cut and dried as that. I feel Russia would always welcome the most powerful partner to leave the alliance. The euro countries are from from united and as yet have not really offered up anything to concern putin, and there is musk doing his best to get the far right elected in Germany which would also throw a spanner in the works of a unified European response.



So in the long run the US will have less global influence and Putin will potentially have more nukes on his borders. Meanwhile having the US dollar as the world's reserve currency is going to look less and less desirable.
Definitely agree Russia may well end up with more nukes on it's doorstep, and trump is certainly determined to piss away the hard earned us soft power and will likely kill the us economy - inflation is already on the rise there. Bricks is only gathering pace so we will see where that ends up I guess.

[sugilite]

While you are at it please point out similar actions that Harris took
I'm doing a great job of no peeking, but on occasion see his responses in quotes. I would bet the bank he conveniently did not respond to this part of the request from you. :laugh:

[nerrrd]

Not sure that it is cut and dried as that. I feel Russia would always welcome the most powerful partner to leave the alliance. The euro countries are from from united and as yet have not really offered up anything to concern putin, and there is musk doing his best to get the far right elected in Germany which would also throw a spanner in the works of a unified European response.

If the EU breaks up and there's a return to European nationalism, that's going to be an even bigger can of worms for Putin, he's proved that the contemporary Red Army is less than effective except when fighting an opponent with one hand (and possibly one foot) tied behind their back.

[sugilite]

If the EU breaks up and there's a return to European nationalism, that's going to be an even bigger can of worms for Putin, he's proved that the contemporary Red Army is less than effective except when fighting an opponent with one hand (and possibly one foot) tied behind their back.

100% agree :yes:

[TheDemonLord]

Where's the resident Trump apologist to tell us he's correct ?

It is funny how almost all the news outlets cut the speech at the exact same point and omit the following statements.

I disagree with Trump on his phrasing of this aspect.

However - one look at European history will show many times there have been buffer states between 2 great powers. Whilst people say that it is a Russian narrative - The expansion of NATO is something that Russia has a right to have legitimate concern over.

To say unilaterally that there is no Russian perspective on this issue or to disregard it entirely is folly.

The cut part of the speech though is what I find more interesting - What is Trumps concern: The loss of Human Life.

It seems to me that Trump is setting the stage to allow Putin to save face.

[TheDemonLord]

I mean it in the broad sense that his actions help russia more often than not.

Do you remember the time that Trump warned European countries repeatedly that they are not spending the mandatory minimums on their defense budgets

Or the Time that he was laughed at by the EU for warning them against their reliance on Russian Gas.

Or the Time that he said that they should invest in Nuclear Energy.

I suspect that Trump wants Russia to be successful, so that it does not feel insecure and intimidated and prone to lashing out.

In the same breath - his warnings to the European countries fell on deaf ears, which set the stage for Russia to do exactly what they did.

[pritch]

He may be an asset to Russia, but that doesn't necessarily make him a Russian asset.

Trump was basically broke then made a miraculous recovery financed by Russian money. Eric said it out loud, we get all the money we need out of Russia. Even the most generous interpretation makes him indebted to Russia. My interpretation is not so generous. I believe it quite possible that he's basically the front man for a Russian money laundering operation. He absolutely is a Russian asset.

[pritch]

Americans like to throw the term 'constitutional crisis' around quite freely. Currently it seems they have a full blown constitutional crisis in progress but nobody much is talking about it.

The American system of government consists of three co equal branches each providing checks and balances to the others. Congress alone has the power over the money. If Congress has approved expenditure the president does not have the authority to interfere with it. What Trump is doing cancelling funding to departments, to research universtties, to USAID programmes, and whatever else is completely illegal. The recourse is to take him to court. That has been done and the courts have ordered him stop what he's doing and to reinstate funding. He is ignoring the court orders.

And that right there is a constitutional crisis.

[TheDemonLord]

Americans like to throw the term 'constitutional crisis' around quite freely. Currently it seems they have a full blown constitutional crisis in progress but nobody much is talking about it.

The American system of government consists of three co equal branches each providing checks and balances to the others. Congress alone has the power over the money. If Congress has approved expenditure the president does not have the authority to interfere with it. What Trump is doing cancelling funding to departments, to research universtties, to USAID programmes, and whatever else is completely illegal. The recourse is to take him to court. That has been done and the courts have ordered him stop what he's doing and to reinstate funding. He is ignoring the court orders.

And that right there is a constitutional crisis.

This is not true:

From the US Constitution:


No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

The Constitution says that the no money can be spent, without it being approved by Law. Note that this is under the section of Federal Powers, which means as head of the Executive Branch - The President cant spend money not approved by Congress.

However - some people (Democrats) have interpreted that this is true in the opposite direction, that funds approved by Congress have to be spent. A quick review of US history would show that numerous times this has not been the case.

There are some Mandatory expenditure that the President cannot interfere with (Social Security, for example) - but what is being targetted does not fall under that scope.

Congress approved a budget for a branch of the Executive, Trump, as the head of the Executive has choosen not to spend it.

I would also add that given the USA is spending more than it earns in tax revenue, the President has an obligation to cut spending as much as possible.

[pritch]

This is not true:


Apart from that quote you posted everything else was nonsense. Congress approves expenditure, the next bill is due to be approved in March. The president has no authority to interfere with Congressionally approved expenditure other than presumably refusing to sign the bill into law.

You say Trump can interfere with a Congressionally approved budget. The courts say he can't. Who to believe? Hmmmm. :whistle:

[TheDemonLord]

Apart from that quote you posted everything else was nonsense. Congress approves expenditure, the next bill is due to be approved in March. The president has no authority to interfere with Congressionally approved expenditure other than presumably refusing to sign the bill into law.

You say Trump can interfere with a Congressionally approved budget. The courts say he can't. Who to believe? Hmmmm. :whistle:

The Constitution.

President cant spend money not approved by Congress. Doesnt say that the President has to spend money approved by Congress.

With the sole exception of Mandatory Spending (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandatory_spending) - which, thus far, Trump hasnt touched.

The existence of which proves my (and Trumps) view to be the correct one. If there is expenditure that is required by law to be spent, then any expenditure not considered Mandatory spending is not required to be spent and can be cut.

If it was protected by Law (as the Courts and Democrats claim) - it would be considered Mandatory spending - like Social Security, Medicare, Executive Salaries etc.

[nerrrd]

Do you remember the time that Trump warned European countries repeatedly that they are not spending the mandatory minimums on their defense budgets

Or the Time that he was laughed at by the EU for warning them against their reliance on Russian Gas.

Or the Time that he said that they should invest in Nuclear Energy.

I suspect that Trump wants Russia to be successful, so that it does not feel insecure and intimidated and prone to lashing out.

In the same breath - his warnings to the European countries fell on deaf ears, which set the stage for Russia to do exactly what they did.

Ironically a weakened Europe (militarily) is the direct result of US foreign policy (particularly in the case of the then West Germany) – the US security guarantee was part of the reconstruction plan for Europe after WWII and had the added bonus of providing the US with a buffer against the growing influence of the Soviet Union and a whole bunch of ready-made allies to legitimise its other military excursions.

That the US didn't alter the terms of that deal after the fall of the Soviet Union isn't the Europeans' fault. President Trump blaming them for not spending enough on defence when not re-arming Europe and projecting US power was the original idea of NATO is a bit rich, he should be blaming all the other Presidents from the 1990s onwards (including himself).

Next step will be the US withdrawing its troops, closing its bases and repatriating its nuclear ordinance, while Putin watches on from Kyiv. What a strange world we now live in.

[R650R]

Trump was basically broke then made a miraculous recovery financed by Russian money. Eric said it out loud, we get all the money we need out of Russia. Even the most generous interpretation makes him indebted to Russia. My interpretation is not so generous. I believe it quite possible that he's basically the front man for a Russian money laundering operation. He absolutely is a Russian asset.

Care to explain further how the most scrutinised person in the world is getting money from a country that has its finances bricked by the swift (west)and IBS control. So badly that they have now set up their own system under BRICS with China and others????

[sugilite]

Care to explain further how the most scrutinised person in the world is getting money from a country that has its finances bricked by the swift (west)and IBS control. So badly that they have now set up their own system under BRICS with China and others????

Yes, extremely easily through trumps crypto coin.

[R650R]

It is funny how almost all the news outlets cut the speech at the exact same point and omit the following statements.

I disagree with Trump on his phrasing of this aspect.

However - one look at European history will show many times there have been buffer states between 2 great powers. Whilst people say that it is a Russian narrative - The expansion of NATO is something that Russia has a right to have legitimate concern over.

To say unilaterally that there is no Russian perspective on this issue or to disregard it entirely is folly.

The cut part of the speech though is what I find more interesting - What is Trumps concern: The loss of Human Life.

It seems to me that Trump is setting the stage to allow Putin to save face.

Yeah I seen those clips too, he has been consistent and genuine in talking g about the loss of life and how bad and underreported it is on both sides.

Trump is a business man and he knows war is an expensive unprofitable business for a nation.
He’s prob acutely aware of the coming food crisis for the west. The war plus BRICS is taking a lot of grain and fertiliser out of our supply chain plus rising costs are crippling USA grain farmers.
To make USA great again the best way is with certain cheap raw materials out of China, Russian and Ukraine territories.

[TheDemonLord]

Ironically a weakened Europe (militarily) is the direct result of US foreign policy (particularly in the case of the then West Germany) – the US security guarantee was part of the reconstruction plan for Europe after WWII and had the added bonus of providing the US with a buffer against the growing influence of the Soviet Union and a whole bunch of ready-made allies to legitimise its other military excursions.

That the US didn't alter the terms of that deal after the fall of the Soviet Union isn't the Europeans' fault. President Trump blaming them for not spending enough on defence when not re-arming Europe and projecting US power was the original idea of NATO is a bit rich, he should be blaming all the other Presidents from the 1990s onwards (including himself).

Next step will be the US withdrawing its troops, closing its bases and repatriating its nuclear ordinance, while Putin watches on from Kyiv. What a strange world we now live in.

I gotta disagree here (obviously):

From NATO itself, talking about the 2% GDP Commitment (https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49198.htm)

Again from NATO, showing which countries are not hitting their 2% GDP Commitment (https://www.nato.int/docu/review/articles/2023/07/03/defence-spending-sustaining-the-effort-in-the-long-term/index.html)

Now that no one can argue the sources are biased - This is something Trump has been saying since 2016 - that the European countries are not paying their fair share, relying on the fact that the US is the big stick. The Graphs show this has been a problem since at least 2014.

If all the NATO countries were at or near their obligation for their Defense expenditure, I suspect we would be seeing a slightly different tune. Not completely different - as there are still a strong faction of American Isolationists (who are tired of footing the bill to be the world police) - but for the more moderates - the argument is less persuasive.

I see these problems are most from european and specifically the EU sensibilities than any issue from the Americans.

[nerrrd]

I gotta disagree here (obviously):

From NATO itself, talking about the 2% GDP Commitment (https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49198.htm)

Again from NATO, showing which countries are not hitting their 2% GDP Commitment (https://www.nato.int/docu/review/articles/2023/07/03/defence-spending-sustaining-the-effort-in-the-long-term/index.html)

Now that no one can argue the sources are biased - This is something Trump has been saying since 2016 - that the European countries are not paying their fair share, relying on the fact that the US is the big stick. The Graphs show this has been a problem since at least 2014.

If all the NATO countries were at or near their obligation for their Defense expenditure, I suspect we would be seeing a slightly different tune. Not completely different - as there are still a strong faction of American Isolationists (who are tired of footing the bill to be the world police) - but for the more moderates - the argument is less persuasive.

I see these problems are most from european and specifically the EU sensibilities than any issue from the Americans.

Sure, but since we acknowledge that the US is the big stick in NATO, they've had thirty odd years since the end of the Cold War to prod the Europeans into paying their "fair share". I suspect the reason they haven't is more to do with the US wanting to maintain its global influence than European intransigence for the sake of it.

I'd also argue that the fact the Cold War ended, the response to 9/11 (where NATO gave the US political and material support), the 2008 financial crisis, and the sheer number of member states, each facing their own individual economic and political realities are all mitigating factors for that, and spending has increased steadily since Russia decided to start reabsorbing Ukraine. It's hard to find solid data on how much money has gone to Ukraine since the invasion proper, but it's not a trivial amount on the European side.

I still think that the prospect of President Trump ending support for Ukraine and blaming them for prolonging the war is nuts, it's effectively rewarding Russia for its use of deadly force where it was never warranted. If he also takes the US out of NATO, the most likely result in my mind is an arms race between the Europeans and Russia, with more states having more nukes the most likely result, or even worse, pre-emptive military action to try to prevent that, and Europe goes BOOM (again).

[sugilite]

Cockwomble trump loves a fellow criminal, that love even extends to a democratic mayor up on corruption charges. The orange one wants his "justice" department to drop the charges for no good reason. Several prosecutors have already resigned over this. This fuckwit shows his disdain for the law daily.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BeRaV2oR1A

[husaberg]

The orange cockwomble is also saying zelenski is a dictator, while he himself is faithfully following the Hungarian model pathway to dictatorship.
Saw a moment of fox's hanity interview with cockwomble trump and cockwomble musk and the first words out of musks mouth was an abject lie saying the two astronauts were stranded on the space station for political reasons - no matter an interview with the astronauts in question both saying that was not the case. musk proves over, and over again why he is the last person that should be running doge. I'm all for governments cutting out fraud and wasteful spending,

I am picking the space programme stuff and govt subsidies that benefit musk will not be cut, whilst the oversight of say safety and claims about say driver aids and corruption will get the chop..

[pritch]

Care to explain further how the most scrutinised person in the world is getting money from a country that has its finances bricked by the swift (west)and IBS control. So badly that they have now set up their own system under BRICS with China and others????

Was not is. The Russian money claims were not made yesterday. All of your questions are irrelevant. Eric Trump was apparently quite open about it. There are other well publicised individual events that make no sense other than money laundering.

Can you explain how a broke Trump suddenly starts paying cash for multiple golf courses, all of which are now losing money in massive amounts? Although that's another problem.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZxjYrhlMAQ

[Katman]

This thread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1IrRxoRkbQ

[sugilite]

This thread.


It certainly has more staying power than say - how long does it take for a snowflake to melt in Taupo.

[husaberg]

Was not is. The Russian money claims were not made yesterday. All of your questions are irrelevant. Eric Trump was apparently quite open about it. There are other well publicised individual events that make no sense other than money laundering.

Can you explain how a broke Trump suddenly starts paying cash for multiple golf courses, all of which are now losing money in massive amounts? Although that's another problem.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZxjYrhlMAQ

it was clearly a thing as trump tried to say they was no dealing with Russian money or with Russia and it was easy proven to be true and as you said trumps himself was recorded admitting it..
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/05/eric-trump-russia-investment-golf-course?srsltid=AfmBOorlDbzhlLarXUVFsiFNBw255zZLFhW YYzJw41XcTPqmOMFIOTAw
https://time.com/5466878/trump-cohen-russia/
https://apnews.com/article/f109a539220b41218860fa68176a9c98
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_projects_of_Donald_Trump_in_Russia

[Pursang]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=durBJbfnHPE&list=PLYGG3uSlFKkL7MfvhfvA0xhDQb0lVnhBa

[TheDemonLord]

Sure, but since we acknowledge that the US is the big stick in NATO, they've had thirty odd years since the end of the Cold War to prod the Europeans into paying their "fair share". I suspect the reason they haven't is more to do with the US wanting to maintain its global influence than European intransigence for the sake of it.

I mean, Trump has been talking about this issue for almost 10 years. There is probably layers - but the common refrain I hear from the pro-isolationist side is something like this:

We are all members of a club, everyone else isnt paying their membership fees and we are stuck with the Bill
and
If Europe was to pay its own way for its own defense, that would be a more effective deterrent for Russia.


I'd also argue that the fact the Cold War ended, the response to 9/11 (where NATO gave the US political and material support), the 2008 financial crisis, and the sheer number of member states, each facing their own individual economic and political realities are all mitigating factors for that, and spending has increased steadily since Russia decided to start reabsorbing Ukraine. It's hard to find solid data on how much money has gone to Ukraine since the invasion proper, but it's not a trivial amount on the European side.

There are definitely factors, but even with Austerity in the UK and the issues there, the UK managed to maintain its 2 percent commitment.

I see this as more an issue of EU and European attitudes towards defense than anything else.

To be clear though - I am not saying the EU hasnt sent equipment and helped out. More that the EU states tend to see Defense as much lower down the spending priority.


I still think that the prospect of President Trump ending support for Ukraine and blaming them for prolonging the war is nuts, it's effectively rewarding Russia for its use of deadly force where it was never warranted.

The paying for Foreign wars part - like it or not, that is something that is a campaign Promise of Trumps. Many Republicans and even moderate Democrats are tired of paying for foreign involvement.

There is much I am not liking about the current signals coming from the Trump camp - Yes, it is possible for me to be Critical of Trump.

However, my suspicion is that this is more about paving a way to allow Russia to withdraw or cease fire and save face. Some of the other mumblings around Zelenski suggest that this may also be the case.

Imagine a deal for a moment where the Russian Separatist regions (which do exist - I suspect they get ample Kremlin funding, but there is no doubt there is an organic part of the movement) go to Russia... But that this is not the sum total of land captured by the Russians at this point, Zelenski steps down - the Russian Narrative will be:

We went in, we defeated the Azov Battalion, we liberated those who want to be a part of Russia and we toppled a corrupt Politician.

That gives Putin the 'Win' he NEEDS to sell the ceasefire or ending of the war to the Russian people.

And like it or not - Russia is the one that needs to be dealt with because they have the Nukes and they are not relying on foreign aid to continue the war.

The alternative would be an extended proxy war, with the goal of toppling Russia. Say what you want about Putin and the Russian Government - I dont think that would be good for the Russian People or for the world.

It is dirty, I do not like it, but to quote Trump himself:


I want everyone to stop... Dying.


If he also takes the US out of NATO, the most likely result in my mind is an arms race between the Europeans and Russia, with more states having more nukes the most likely result, or even worse, pre-emptive military action to try to prevent that, and Europe goes BOOM (again).

A very interesting theory.

I dont think Europe would go Boom. The possibility of an Arms race is interesting - the key thing though is that unlike previous parts of history, the European nations (not including Russia) are neither equipped or spoiling for a Fight. Except Poland... and maybe Finland.

That said - I didnt think Russia would invade Ukraine and yet they did - so, who knows.

[sugilite]

Musks tiff with the astronauts is pitiful, shades of the cave rescue melt down he had. He proves daily why he should not be anywhere near trumps doge. Near nothing truthful comes out of his mouth these days.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/20/elon-musk-iss-deorbit-00205268

https://andys-kawasaki-zxr-zx7r-tribute-site.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Screenshot-2025-02-21-160159.jpg

[TheDemonLord]

Musks tiff with the astronauts is pitiful, shades of the cave rescue melt down he had. He proves daily why he should not be anywhere near trumps doge. Near nothing truthful comes out of his mouth these days.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/20/elon-musk-iss-deorbit-00205268

Politico being hostile towards Musk - My, that wouldnt have anything to do with certain funding disapearing, would it...

[pete376403]

usa loved NATO as it was a captive market for the US manufacturers hardware. There would be more than a few examples of a non-US product being cancelled after US political pressure -- the Canadian Avro Arrow or the British TSR2. So even if NATO countries were not "paying all their dues", they were still paying the US plenty for hardware which was helping to keep the US economy bubbling

[nerrrd]

Well it’s all very much a thought experiment at this point, I wouldn’t count out the Ukrainians just yet, they’ve proven to be pretty resourceful and stubborn in their defence so far.

President Trump seems to think the US occupies its preeminent place in world affairs by right, and hasn’t actually had to earn it over the last 90 years or so. If he squanders all that goodwill too quickly he might get handshakes and smiles to his face, but pretty soon other countries will start (metaphorically) gobbing in his diet coke behind his back.

The UK and France have strategic nukes don’t they? They can’t be in any worse condition than the Russian’s. Maybe they’ll step up and call Putin’s bluff.

[F5 Dave]

Trump is such an obvious puppets of both Russand other interests. Geez uSA for sale.

Cue the usual apologist. Fuking sad cunts

[husaberg]

usa loved NATO as it was a captive market for the US manufacturers hardware. There would be more than a few examples of a non-US product being cancelled after US political pressure -- the Canadian Avro Arrow or the British TSR2. So even if NATO countries were not "paying all their dues", they were still paying the US plenty for hardware which was helping to keep the US economy bubbling

Paying their share is funny the US is mostly paying to protect itself from terrorists the euro are paying to house and feed the us army stationed in Europe that the US would have to pay for if it was at home.
In total, NATO has around 3.5 million soldiers and personnel. The United States has only 1.33 million of those troops.
so that means they are providing more troops then the US is far far more in fact.


Not only that trump seemed to forget that Europe provides facilities for US bases.
Lets see the Yanks if they had to send their personal back from Europe
11 years ago the Pentagon stated NATO Allies covered 34 percent of the United States’ European basing costs, worth $2.5 billion annually. imagine the cost now.
Trump forgot to add that in....
Defence analysts say It would cost us more money to bring the troops home than to keep them in Europe.
Not only that the US military is well know for inefficient spending.
So why does the dollars matter if a billion of us spending doesn't add equivalent value to 500 million spending from France.
Not to mention most of the land area NATO protects is in the USA.
The United States is 9,833,517 square kilometres in total area
Yet the entire EU area is only the European Union's (EU) land area was 3,996,695 square kilometres in 2022.

[Kickaha]

Clear your message folder FFS

[husaberg]

Clear your message folder FFS
its clear.......

[Pursang]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tip_gn2Jog&t=230s

[sugilite]

I think the maga apologist can now drop the facade about maga not being fascists.
Bannon gave the ole fight, fight, fight speech at cpac then ended it with a nazi salute - and the crowd roared.
Maga is fascist, anyone trying to dispute it is being delusional at this point.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360590448/french-far-right-leader-cancels-speech-after-steve-bannon-gives-nazi-salute

https://media.zenfs.com/en/thedailybeast.com/a812a60cf14a4644477239542f868ddc

[pritch]

Maga is fascist, anyone trying to dispute it is being delusional at this point.


The current level of delusion has been described as comical but it's too serious for that. I'd long been puzzled by people of presumably reasonable intelligence believing stupid crap. Apparently stupidity and intelligence are not always related. It's more in the nature of a moral choice. Which does nothing to stop it being dangerous when it's as pervasive as it is in the US currently.

[onearmedbandit]

Yeah it is getting far beyond comical.

[Katman]

I was going to post in the thread where it was originally being discussed - but discovered that thread has been closed.

Anyone got any comment on the new revelations about Barack Obama's birth certificate?

[onearmedbandit]

I was going to post in the thread where it was originally being discussed - but discovered that thread has been closed.

Anyone got any comment on the new revelations about Barack Obama's birth certificate?

You mean this?

https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-buzz/obama-birth-certificate-conspiracy-resurfaces-in-viral-video-heres-the-truth-article-118465252

The same old claim that has been debunked?

[Kickaha]

You mean this?

https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-buzz/obama-birth-certificate-conspiracy-resurfaces-in-viral-video-heres-the-truth-article-118465252

The same old claim that has been debunked?

Well Trumps back in and it was him and his sycophantic followers who put it out there last time

It just shows a lack of credibility on their part

[husaberg]

<iframe width="315" height="560" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PgGhC4-DUSo" title="Who negotiated these horrible trade deals with Canada and Mexico? - Jon Stewart" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[pritch]

It seems Trump sure loves him a sex offender. Or two. Oops I mean an accused sex offender. Innocent until proven and all that.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/trump-administration-asks-romania-to-lift-restrictions-on-andrew-tate-and-his-brother/ar-AA1zi0fZ

[onearmedbandit]

It seems Trump sure loves him a sex offender. Or two.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/trump-administration-asks-romania-to-lift-restrictions-on-andrew-tate-and-his-brother/ar-AA1zi0fZ

He just keeps stacking up the reasons to dislike him...

[onearmedbandit]

Once again, he's very loose with the truth.


Trump said the U.S. is "last in education out of 40 states" and "No. 1 in cost per pupil."

Both claims are wrong. The U.S. does not lead any international rankings for education, but it is not at the bottom of the list, either. Cost per pupil is higher than most developed countries, but not the highest.

We rate Trump’s claim False.

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/politifact/2025/02/15/how-does-the-us-rank-on-education-and-how-much-does-it-spend/78614943007/

[sugilite]

And you can bet the states have zero plans to suddenly take over the education for themselves to administer, logistics, etc, etc.

[husaberg]

<iframe width="315" height="560" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d7TrtQ_VitI" title="Trump Calls Dept. Of Education A 'Big Con Job' And Wants It Closed Immediately" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <iframe width="315" height="560" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fZkydGOYlh8" title="Mitt Romney Debunks Donald Trump&#39;s &#39;Successful Businessman&#39; Con" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[1/32 man]

The wife holds Canadian and US passports and is an avid hater of drumpf(so am I) consequently I catch some of her viewing of various podcasts and other channels that shed light on drumpf.

What I am pleased about are the reports of pissed off people at "Town hall) meetings, where the politician is face to face with the people.
Apparently it has happened in a couple of locations. More of that please.

I continue to watch and wait for a major crisis where fucktard and dimwit shit themselves in public big time.

[pritch]

Currently the CPAC conference is underway. It's a gathering of the US far right. During his speech Steve Bannon threw a Sieg Heil salute. I've not yet noticed anyone trying to pass it off as his being autistic, he was throwing his heart to the crowd, or it was a Roman salute. Almost as if it's acceptable now.

Update: And a Mexican actor speaking at the conference also threw the salute.

[pritch]

Somebody is counting. There are now seventy court actions challenging Trump's various executive orders and policies. The lawyers are doing quite nicely out off the chaos.

[Pursang]

Truthful testimony
355746

[TheDemonLord]

I had a discussion with a very dear friend of mine over the weekend.

His view is that Trump is trying to completely tear down the Federal government (and in his view), this will lead to the end of the US Navy, leading to no more freedom of the seas (as China or Russia will pick up that bill etc.)

Suffice to say I disagreed with him.

One thing to note - this very dear friend of mine is exceptionally smart. He is also surrounded by people who are on the other side of the spectrum than me (which is ironic because Me and Him agree on many things - but he is in a very left Milieu, I am not - thus he has moved somewhat more leftward)

So - the stage is set and he was laying out his position that Elon is trying to enrich himself, All problems go back to the Republican Senate, Reagan is to blaim and that the issue is fuckwit idiots who shouldnt be able to vote who vote republican.

Another thing to note - Me and Him have long since agreed that universal suffrage has a number of deep flaws - mainly around people who have not the mental capacity to vote, being allowed to vote - but I digress.

To which our conversation went a little something like this:

Okay - so, in your view - most Americans are uneducated or at least severly lacking in Eduction - we both agree on this point.
The department of Education was implemented by Carter in the 70s, prior to that, there were schools - we also agreed that this was factually true.
The budget of the DoE is massive - and yet, according to your own position, Americans are uneducated....

What value does the DoE provide to the American people then

His riposte was very weak - referencing the need for the DoE to ensure that racist states didnt short the African american students - I pointed out that the Little Rock 9 was in the 1950s and whilst there may have been a need at the time, it is no longer the 70s and even if I accept his premise - as a government department, in his own view, it has done nothing for the obscene amount of money that is being spent on it.

Now - this is very abridged as we spoke for a few hours and meandered along a number of topics - including the 2nd amendment and why he is wrong (ignores the federalist papers and believes that the existence of a US Military means there is no need for a Militia therefore 2A is moot), Our views on the F35 (we are both aviation and military nerds), Russia having never contributed anything worthwhile to science and culture (a bit harsh - I rate Tchaicovksi as highly as Wagner - but Holst, being english, is the best) American Isolationism vs America bankrupting the British Empire to be World Police and now being salty at footing the bill.

However - the reason I share all this is to ask you the following question:

Looking at the Department of Education, as an example:

Can anyone honestly say that as a Federal entity, the american taxpayer are getting value for money.

And if you are not getting value for money and it is a function that used to be handled at the State level, what is the reason why it cannot be returned to the States.

[sugilite]

For many years now, the usa has had problems with bad police after being fired, then easily been able to move elsewhere and become a cop again. They finally got a database up and running to help prevent them from being hired with their past deeds going undetected. Criminal trump has now shut it down, once again giving fellow criminals a leg up. Every day he proves himself an unworthy leader.
If it had an issue it should of been fixed. Not deleted

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/22/trump-administration-shuts-down-national-police-misconduct-database

[TheDemonLord]

For many years now, the usa has had problems with bad police after being fired, then easily been able to move elsewhere and become a cop again. They finally got a database up and running to help prevent them from being hired with their past deeds going undetected. Criminal trump has now shut it down, once again giving fellow criminals a leg up. Every day he proves himself an unworthy leader.
If it had an issue it should of been fixed. Not deleted

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/22/trump-administration-shuts-down-national-police-misconduct-database

Reading further down the article:


But the Biden executive order creating this database was full of woke, anti-police concepts that make communities less safe like a call for ‘equitable’ policing and addressing ‘systemic racism in our criminal justice system.’

Funnily enough, I was watching a video about something tangentially related - which was an articulation that at this point the Anti-Woke crowd (Maga, Right-wing, whatever term floats your boat) are done with playing nice - and that the only solution is to rip anything and everything touched by that ideology completely out and start again.

Need I remind you how well the Defund the Police campaign worked for the communities it was supposed to help...

[R650R]

I think a lot of these big organisations just end up big because of the numbers involved in accounting and approving everything leaving to a disconnect from the final service level.

Anyhow researchers have been looking into China and the deep seek saga to see if they did what they say they can do and if so how did they achieve it. Many assumed it would be Chinese engineers educated in the USA. It turns out a core team of about 30 relatively young graduates educated in China by Chinese professors pulled it off. And on international level Chinese universities are turning out more and outperforming the west institutions.
How much does China spend we prob don’t get to know. We do know from clear results that were not doing as well in west as we claim so a clean out might not be a bad idea.

[sugilite]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9-NenX-VzY

Any resemblance to anyone on this thread is purely coincidental :innocent:

(Subtitles Available)

[TheDemonLord]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9-NenX-VzY

Any resemblance to anyone on this thread is purely coincidental :innocent:

(Subtitles Available)



:headbang::headbang::headbang::Punk::Punk::Punk:

This reminds of when Ubisoft released this classic:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_3_-UrhZH0

The Comments are turned off because all the Conservatives and Republicans and general 2A enthusiasts that it was intended to Mock said:

Fuck yeah - this Slaps!

[pritch]

The fun and games continue apace. An Email was sent to all federal staff on Saturday requesting a list of five things each had done last week. The deadline for replies was 11.59PM Monday. Non replies were to be considered as resignations. Tough on anybody who is on any sort of leave. Three of Trump's new appointments have demurred: Kash Patel, Tulsi Gabbard, and the town drunk Pete Kegbreath have all told people working in their departments to ignore the emails.

Some of the lawyers in the Pentagon have been sacked. Two of the top generals have been sacked and there my be others yet to come, errr to go. It may be over the top then again much of what is happening is over the top, but some pundits are raising the possibility of a major move by Trump that would bring people onto the streets in protest. Martial Law would then be declared. That seems radical but then almost everything that is happening currently is illegal which in itself is radical.

[Laava]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9-NenX-VzY

Any resemblance to anyone on this thread is purely coincidental :innocent:

(Subtitles Available)
That is fucking gay. Screamingly.

[Berries]

Well, I find Jonathan Pie both funny and observant so here's his latest rant.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jk0nUUqG_Ag?si=UfqiNIu9b0ff_5ka" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[sugilite]

That is fucking gay. Screamingly.

Lol, The "prompt" that created that song was only 3 sentences long, and then I clicked the ghost writer button and the AI produced that whole song :laugh:
If ya want to have a go yourself, check the link below. Setting up an account and "making" what ever style of music you like is free.,
https://www.riffusion.com

[pritch]

There's a clip of Trump praising Musk's email to federal employees asking what they did last week. That email should have laid to rest any remaining thoughts that Musk is a genius. Imagine the enormity of the security risk if everybody in Defence, the DEA, the CIA, the NSA, the FBI, in research labs, in Embassies, etc etc, posted what they did last week.

Trump also said Musk's team had uncovered hundreds of billions in fraud. That's a slight exaggeration, I believe the actual figure is zero dollars. If they had actually found fraud we'd have heard about the prosecutions but we have heard nothing. So far Trump is just referring to money spent on programmes he doesn't like as fraud. Congressionally approved funding is not fraud.

[nerrrd]

...So far Trump is just referring to money spent on programmes he doesn't like as fraud. Congressionally approved funding is not fraud.

Reminds me of Marco Rubio saying "only Trump could get the Russians to the negotiating table," well yes, because up until now, nobody else has been prepared to sell out the Ukrainians.

[pete376403]

https://www.rawstory.com/trump-elon-musk-2671207637/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feb.24.2025_5.31pm
The video features an AI depiction of Donald Trump licking and kissing Musk's toes. The message on the screen said, "Long live the real king," implying that Musk is in charge.

[nerrrd]

Lol, The "prompt" that created that song was only 3 sentences long, and then I clicked the ghost writer button and the AI produced that whole song :laugh:
If ya want to have a go yourself, check the link below. Setting up an account and "making" what ever style of music you like is free.,
https://www.riffusion.com

Free except you lose just a little bit of your soul…

[pritch]

There have been some interesting reactions posted on social media from MAGA people who have been fired as a result of the DOGE campaign against 'waste, fraud, and abuse'. Several that I've seen totally support Trump and the campaign but consider that themselves personally being fired is obviously a terrible mistake. One even asked anyone with access to Trump to appraise the president of his predicament as Trump would obviously reinstate him immediately. The delusion is impenetrable.

And in other news it seems Musk's teenaged DOGE team member, who has a less than stellar CV but who rejoices in the name "Big Balls," is the grandson of an executed KGB agent.

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/technology/tech-companies/elon-musk-s-protege-big-balls-is-grandson-of-executed-kgb-agent-report-says/ar-AA1zGVDZ

[TheDemonLord]

And in other news it seems Musk's teenaged DOGE team member, who has a less than stellar CV but who rejoices in the name "Big Balls," is the grandson of an executed KGB agent.

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/technology/tech-companies/elon-musk-s-protege-big-balls-is-grandson-of-executed-kgb-agent-report-says/ar-AA1zGVDZ

So, let me get this straight:

Communist Russia executed this guys Grandad, for working with the Americans. They found out because he was betrayed by mid-level CIA desk-jockey.

One wonders why this guy might have an axe to grind against the Woke Communists and the American Deep-State.

I like him more and more.

[pritch]

And so it begins... The current FBI Director, Kash Patel, has ordered an investigation into a former FBI Director, James Comey. Comey was Director in 2015/16 until Trump fired him and Patel wants any FBI investigation into the Trump campaign investigated. It seems there is a 'whistleblower.' Although more than once in recent years Republicans have tried redefining the meaning of the term whistleblower. Unsuccessfully so far.


https://yournews.com/2025/02/25/3257136/comeys-alleged-honeypot-operation-under-fbi-scrutiny-as-kash-patel/

[pritch]

And DOGE fails again. Following the firing of people responsible for maintaining the US nuclear deterrent and subsequently having to chase them down and rehire them you might expect they'd learned a lesson. It seems not. They have since fired (and rehired) scientists responsible for controlling any outbreak of bird flu while an outbreak of bird flu is underway, Officials responsible for the electricity supply were fired then rehired. People responsible for the safety of pacemakers and defibrillators were fired and then rehired. Veterans affairs staff who operated a veterans suicide crisis help line were fired but are now being rehired.

DOGE had a "Receipts" list on their webpage. Their top five receipts, their biggest achievements, have magically vanished. They were error ridden, including calling millions billions again. But a judge asked Trump's legal team why his order to unfreeze funding for USAID had not been complied with. He then instructed that the persons resonsible appear in court in person today (the 26th) to explain why the court order was ignored. The funding has magically been unfrozen. The freezing of USAID funding was DOGE's greatest accomplishment. Shame about that.

Twenty DOGE staff have resigned, they could see major legal complications affecting their lives in future and they naturally wished to avoid that.

https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/uknews/doge-deletes-five-biggest-cuts-from-error-riddled-wall-of-receipts/ar-AA1zNx4i

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/fired-and-rehired-the-dizzying-confusion-of-trump-s-government-overhaul/ar-AA1zwZkL

[pete376403]

And DOGE fails again. Following the firing of people responsible for maintaining the US nuclear deterrent and subsequently having to chase them down and rehire them you might expect they'd learned a lesson. It seems not. They have since fired (and rehired) scientists responsible for controlling any outbreak of bird flu while an outbreak of bird flu is underway, Officials responsible for the electricity supply were fired then rehired. People responsible for the safety of pacemakers and defibrillators were fired and then rehired. Veterans affairs staff who operated a veterans suicide crisis help line were fired but are now being rehired.

DOGE had a "Receipts" list on their webpage. Their top five receipts, their biggest achievements, have magically vanished. They were error ridden, including calling millions billions again. But a judge asked Trump's legal team why his order to unfreeze funding for USAID had not been complied with. He then instructed that the persons resonsible appear in court in person today (the 26th) to explain why the court order was ignored. The funding has magically been unfrozen. The freezing of USAID funding was DOGE's greatest accomplishment. Shame about that.

Twenty DOGE staff have resigned, they could see major legal complications affecting their lives in future and they naturally wished to avoid that.

https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/uknews/doge-deletes-five-biggest-cuts-from-error-riddled-wall-of-receipts/ar-AA1zNx4i

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/fired-and-rehired-the-dizzying-confusion-of-trump-s-government-overhaul/ar-AA1zwZkL

More From the New York Times:

These were the original five largest savings on its list:

An $8 billion cut at Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The actual contract in question was worth $8 million. The mistake seemed to stem from an earlier, erroneous entry in a federal contracting database. But contracting experts said that the service should have known better: ICE’s entire budget is about $8 billion, making it implausible that one contract could be so large. The U.S. DOGE Service adjusted the figure on the site after The Times wrote about it, and said in a post on Mr. Musk’s X platform that it had “always used the correct $8M in its calculations.”

Three $655 million cuts at the U.S. Agency for International Development. This was actually a single cut that was erroneously counted three times, as first reported by CBS News. That mistake also seemed to reflect a misunderstanding of the way government contracts work; they sometimes have “ceiling values” far in excess of what will be spent. Experts said this cancellation was unlikely to produce anything close to $655 million in savings even once. Now, the site lists a much smaller savings for these three cancellations: $18 million in total.

A $232 million cut at the Social Security Administration. Here, Mr. Musk’s organization appeared to have mistakenly believed that the agency had canceled a huge information technology contract with the defense contracting giant Leidos. Instead, as reported by The Intercept, it had canceled only a tiny piece of it: a $560,000 project to let users mark their gender as “X.” The DOGE site now shows that small cut instead.

Some of the new canceled contracts added this week appear to make some of the same types of errors.

The largest savings on the latest version of its list is a $1.9 billion cut at the Treasury Department. But The Times reported last week that this contract was canceled last fall, when Joseph R. Biden Jr. was president — and when DOGE did not yet exist.

[TheDemonLord]

Twenty DOGE staff have resigned, they could see major legal complications affecting their lives in future and they naturally wished to avoid that.


Was it DOGE staff - or was it Staff from the previous entity that became DOGE.

I mean... We wouldnt want misleading headlines would we...

[pritch]

The whacko imbecile in the White House posted this on his Truth Social.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5HlrkLQWnc

[Pursang]

The whacko imbecile in the White House posted this on his Truth Social.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5HlrkLQWnc

Screen Shots from the Video: Classy!
https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/thestar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/ea/eead7c8c-f460-11ef-877f-5b388e46136b/67bf4550a8d10.image.jpg?resize=600%2C400

[nerrrd]

Personally I would ban AI for anything but scientific research. If I was a dictator.

[TheDemonLord]

Personally I would ban AI for anything but scientific research. If I was a dictator.

Curious - Why?

[Laava]

Its never really a wind up with VP Trump. He is just testing the waters

[onearmedbandit]

Curious - Why?

He's a dictator - you don't get to question why. Off with his head!

[TheDemonLord]

He's a dictator - you don't get to question why. Off with his head!

I laughed... But I am genuinely curious for this position - even if it is made in jest.

[Berries]

Curious - Why?
You weren't asking me but I will jump in and say I don't trust it.

Not sure I would want to trust anything important to something that can be hacked or controlled by a third party. Alexa? Why would you bring something into your house that has the capability to eavesdrop on you? I will turn the lights on myself thank you very much and yes, I know we are out of fucking cheese. "Alexa, please pay my phone bill." Fuck right off.

I joke on here about all the conspiracy nut jobs but what do people think the Chinese were doing sailing through the Tasman last week? I bet they weren't whale spotting and I am sure it would be much cheaper to do live fire exercises in China, perhaps with a few boat loads of Uyghur's.

I bet it involved electronic surveillance. Perhaps every AI device with a Chinese part in it received a signal and dumped all the personal details in to the ether to be sucked up by their navy. Important emails, business secrets, bank account numbers. If they took all the money out of NZ they wouldn't need to fire a single gun to take the place over.

People will call bullshit but I'm never going to trust AI. It is the A bit that concerns me and who controls it.

Two words people - Robocop.

[nerrrd]

Curious - Why?

I don't think it's going to make the rest of us any smarter. I feel like our brains need regular exercise (beyond just prompting computers to do stuff for us). Mine does, anyway.

Also spending billions and billions of dollars to create machines that can do something your average human being can pretty much do already thinking-wise (admittedly with a fair bit of education) seems wasteful to me.

And then I watch something like this, and AI makes a whole lot of sense.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_fHJIYENdI

[TheDemonLord]

You weren't asking me but I will jump in and say I don't trust it.

Not sure I would want to trust anything important to something that can be hacked or controlled by a third party. Alexa? Why would you bring something into your house that has the capability to eavesdrop on you? I will turn the lights on myself thank you very much and yes, I know we are out of fucking cheese. "Alexa, please pay my phone bill." Fuck right off.

I joke on here about all the conspiracy nut jobs but what do people think the Chinese were doing sailing through the Tasman last week? I bet they weren't whale spotting and I am sure it would be much cheaper to do live fire exercises in China, perhaps with a few boat loads of Uyghur's.

I bet it involved electronic surveillance. Perhaps every AI device with a Chinese part in it received a signal and dumped all the personal details in to the ether to be sucked up by their navy. Important emails, business secrets, bank account numbers. If they took all the money out of NZ they wouldn't need to fire a single gun to take the place over.

People will call bullshit but I'm never going to trust AI. It is the A bit that concerns me and who controls it.

Two words people - Robocop.

Virtually nothing in this post I disagree with.

[TheDemonLord]

I don't think it's going to make the rest of us any smarter. I feel like our brains need regular exercise (beyond just prompting computers to do stuff for us). Mine does, anyway.

Also spending billions and billions of dollars to create machines that can do something your average human being can pretty much do already thinking-wise (admittedly with a fair bit of education) seems wasteful to me.

And then I watch something like this, and AI makes a whole lot of sense.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_fHJIYENdI

Interesting points.

There is some cynical responses I could reply with, but it has been a good day.

[pritch]

Just in from President Musk's weird cabinet meeting. Musk says,* "So for example with USAID. One of the things we accidentally cancelled was Ebola. Ebola protection. I think we all want Ebola prevention."

This fool is blundering about in the US government computer records which he and his team of numbnut super hackers do not understand and can't read. There is currently an Ebola variant outbreak in Africa so it's not like it's a remote academic problem. It's real and it's serious.

* Stuttering and mumbling deleted.

[nerrrd]

Interesting points.

There is some cynical responses I could reply with, but it has been a good day.

Well it's possibly more a personal viewpoint than anything else, but to bring it back on topic, I could just about feel myself getting dumber watching that Trump Gaza...video? Not sure what to call it, really. Hopefully it wasn't supposed to be taken seriously, but these days, I just can't tell anymore.

[R650R]

You weren't asking me but I will jump in and say I don't trust it.

Not sure I would want to trust anything important to something that can be hacked or controlled by a third party. Alexa? Why would you bring something into your house that has the capability to eavesdrop on you? I will turn the lights on myself thank you very much and yes, I know we are out of fucking cheese. "Alexa, please pay my phone bill." Fuck right off.

I joke on here about all the conspiracy nut jobs but what do people think the Chinese were doing sailing through the Tasman last week? I bet they weren't whale spotting and I am sure it would be much cheaper to do live fire exercises in China, perhaps with a few boat loads of Uyghur's.

I bet it involved electronic surveillance. Perhaps every AI device with a Chinese part in it received a signal and dumped all the personal details in to the ether to be sucked up by their navy. Important emails, business secrets, bank account numbers. If they took all the money out of NZ they wouldn't need to fire a single gun to take the place over.

People will call bullshit but I'm never going to trust AI. It is the A bit that concerns me and who controls it.

Two words people - Robocop.

The Chinese were here to tell us to STFU and stay in our lane with our bitching about the pacific island investments and other stuff.
China has recently discovered a new steel making process that is orders of magnitude faster and can use low grade ore (of which has plenty domestically), never mind that China now controls the world supply chains of so many raw materials that we need.
A new world order is emerging and itÂ’s not the one that conspiracy theorists were worried about.

Surveillance hmmm maybe, but you have a large portion of population using TikTok and other apps that have all sorts of backdoor access. A visitor could arrive here by commercial airline, but a high end laptop and off the shelf equipment and drive around in a campervan picking up more signals and data than those ships then upload it via Internet in seconds.

They donÂ’t need to steal our money. Just turning off our timber and dairy powder exports to them would shatter our country prob more than a real war.

Much fuss has made about us not telling the AussieÂ’s we saw the Chinese very quickly prob due to defence/political beauracracy and that they had to learn about from an airline pilot.
But no bodies talking about our five eyes partners silence. You can bet a USA satellite knows every inch those boats have travelled since they left home port.

Yes never have Alexa in my house either. By the way Google et al are already raping your data for at least last 15 years and you see it via your YouTube streams and site ads. The machine already knows more about you than you prob know about yourself. ItÂ’s too late.

But AI is going to be the Industrial Revolution of our time, itÂ’s basically a tool for faster decision making user greater sources of info all at same time.
YouÂ’ll be able to do complex tasks with zero prior knowledge. Eg you could have a stripped down MotoGP engine and ai could be watching and guiding your every step like a master engineering professor. Extrapolate that to any other task and decades of combined knowledge becomes open source.
ThereÂ’s already ai doctors making consistently more accurate diagnosis than real doctors.

[Berries]

You'd think that an important meeting like that would be held without cameras, even if it was just to hide the bullying and evidence that Trump and his side kick Vance don't know what diplomacy is.

Love the finger pointing and talking over him. "And you never said thank you" sounds like my wife going off at me.

What a couple of absolute clowns.

[pritch]

You'd think that an important meeting like that would be held without cameras, even if it was just to hide the bullying and evidence that Trump and his side kick Vance don't know what diplomacy is.

Love the finger pointing and talking over him. "And you never said thank you" sounds like my wife going off at me.

What a couple of absolute clowns.

That was in the manner of an introduction. He did that last go round too. There was a really sickening round-the-table of every cabinet member saying how wonderful Trump was.

Trump dpoesn't do diplomacy, he does personal relationships. The dictators know that so they piss in his pocket and he loves them. Putin is different. Putin owns him.

[pritch]

History being made. Diplomacy? I think not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_kTNIYsFnQ



Somebody famous said that the art of diplomacy is like making a vinaigrette. It's knowing how much oil to put with the vinegar. There is no oil there, just vinegar.

[jim.cox]

The Ukrainians have stood up to three years of Russian invasion.

Did Trump&Co really think they would put with their bullying?

So much for the art of the deal.

Go Zelenskyy

[pritch]

Naturally social media is very busy with the White House event. Somebody mentioned "Krasnov". I didn't know what they were getting at so I looked it up. A former Russian spy had said that Trump was recruited by the KGB in 1987 and given the codename Krasnov. That would certainly explain a lot.


https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/donald-trump-recruited-kgb-codename-34726995

[Pursang]

............355774........355775

[Laava]

Kudos to Zelensky for having the balls to do it to them on their home ground. Trump just acts like a dictator 100% of the time and expects capitulation 100% of the time. Fuck him. Someone should drop a cow——- no, no I musn't say these things aloud!…

[R650R]

It seems the 500 billion in rare earths started as a lower figure in an attempt to attract incoming trump to do a deal to save Ukraine. Of course like any promising business opportunity it got hyped up along the way and snowballed out of control.

Experts say the current worldwide rare earths production market is $15 billion a year. Even if by some miracle Ukraine captured 20% of that it’s only 3 billion a year. That’s about 150 year timeline to repay their side of any deal.

Apparently the same sort of stories were penned during Afghanistan fiasco to keep the war business going. Turned out to be nothing. China recently went in and cut their losses after 370 million and went somewhere else, other side of world to South America.

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-02-19/trump-s-insistence-ukraine-has-rare-earth-elements-is-wrong

[Stylo]

Kudos to Zelensky for having the balls to do it to them on their home ground. Trump just acts like a dictator 100% of the time and expects capitulation 100% of the time. Fuck him. Someone should drop a cow——- no, no I musn't say these things aloud!…

Trump has just made the USA the enemy of the free world. The winner of the conversation with Zelensky today sits in the Kremlin.

Maga supporters must be proud of Donald , the tough guy who pretended he had bone spurs to get him out of doing his duty.

What a man to be proud of. Nothing and no-one is weaker than that. Or more stupid.

[nerrrd]

We certainly seem to have transitioned into the ‘Jerry Springer’ era of US foreign relations… :jerry:

[R650R]

Trump has just made the USA the enemy of the free world. The winner of the conversation with Zelensky today sits in the Kremlin.

Maga supporters must be proud of Donald , the tough guy who pretended he had bone spurs to get him out of doing his duty.

What a man to be proud of. Nothing and no-one is weaker than that. Or more stupid.

The only winners (eventually) will be the young men on both sides that avoid dying because a ceasefire/peace deal gets reached. Listen to full interview Trumps words are 99% about we need to end the killing on both sides.

[pritch]

The winner of the conversation with Zelensky today sits in the Kremlin.


Exactly. The whole thing was a setup. Russian state media were invited, but the two biggest news organisations in the west: AP and Reuters were not invited. The tiny news organisation that Marjorie Taylor Greene's boyfriend works for was invited though. That was so he could ask his insulting question about Zelenzki's clothes being disrespectful.

What a shakeup. After the fall of the Soviet Union military spending fell away everywhere. All of Europe and many other countries are suddenly increasing military spending. Even NZ is talking about it. Not actually doing anything but...

[nerrrd]

The only winners (eventually) will be the young men on both sides that avoid dying because a ceasefire/peace deal gets reached. Listen to full interview Trumps words are 99% about we need to end the killing on both sides.

Except only one person is responsible for the use of lethal force in Ukraine, and that is Vladimir Putin. I still have yet to see a reasonable explanation of why that lethality was justified when all of his political objectives could probably have been achieved using Russian soft power in Europe, all of which he’s now squandered.

Putin has now demonstrated clearly how much he values the lives of his own soldiers, so any ceasefire or peace agreement that he sees as a win for Russia is hardly going to disincentivise him from spending more Russian lives to persue his political aims in future.

And the fact that the Ukrainians are still holding the lines, even in desperate times, should tell you how many still believe that some things are worth fighting and dying for.

President Trump should put his own security on the line and go to Ukraine and see for himself.

[Kickaha]

Exactly. The whole thing was a setup. Russian state media were invited,

They said he accidentally got in and was escorted out when flagged, great security checks guys

[jim.cox]

Aint no doubt about it, he's Putin's poodle for sure

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360601504/trump-hits-pause-us-aid-ukraine-after-oval-office-dustup-pressuring-zelenskyy-russia-talks

(And worse yet, that dickhead Luxon thinks he can be trusted)

[onearmedbandit]

(And worse yet, that dickhead Luxon thinks he can be trusted)

Right or wrong, he might not be wanting to prod the tiger.

[pritch]

While there is no evidence that Trump is a Russian agent code named Kraznov, Trump himself is doing nothing to dispel the notion. Last week the head of Russian national security commented to the effect that Russia had got Trump into position and now he was obliged to repay the favour.

[jim.cox]

Right or wrong, he might not be wanting to prod the tiger.

Poodle that is. Poodle, not Tiger

[onearmedbandit]

Poodle that is. Poodle, not Tiger

One that could retaliate in a way that might damage our economy, whether he's a lap dog or otherwise.

[sugilite]

Trump and his project25 mates are blocking left wing "influencers".
I'm not actually keen on this guy below, and actively avoid his videos, but the title drew me in and I watched the first minute to get the gist of it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td23SVZNCTE&list=WL&index=1&pp=gAQBiAQB

Combine this with reporters that refuse to rename the gulf of mexico in their articles have had their press credentials cancelled bv the whitehouse. It is not a good look for the orange one. As a funny aside, i spelt whitehouse wrong just now and spell check helpfully suggested whorehouse :laugh:

[sugilite]

These republicans getting blasted by their own constituents is becoming very common in the US right now. Naturally the republicans are saying they are dem plants, like hell it is. The crowd gave this turkey ample chance to answer, and only became hostile when he left before answering what had been an entirely reasonable question.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bz7RbSPJP4g

[R650R]

Trump brings 100 billion investment on top of previous 65 billion to Arizona.

For those that don’t know tech, Taiwan semiconductor is the ONLY manufacturer with skill and infrastructure to currently make the high end computer chips of our age and the future.
The strategic values of this are huge never mind the high paying jobs created also.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa7MH1zLEYU

[R650R]

Trump and his project25 mates are blocking left wing "influencers".
I'm not actually keen on this guy below, and actively avoid his videos, but the title drew me in and I watched the first minute to get the gist of it.

Combine this with reporters that refuse to rename the gulf of mexico in their articles have had their press credentials cancelled bv the whitehouse. It is not a good look for the orange one. As a funny aside, i spelt whitehouse wrong just now and spell check helpfully suggested whorehouse :laugh:

Plenty of right leaning influencers got vanished or demonetised from YouTube during Biden and Covid era nothing new, now it’s just affecting the other half. That’s the problem when you don’t allow proper free speech and journalists let personal biases get in way of proper reporting.

[sugilite]

Plenty of right leaning influencers got vanished or demonetised from YouTube during Biden and Covid era nothing new, now it’s just affecting the other half. That’s the problem when you don’t allow proper free speech and journalists let personal biases get in way of proper reporting.

We are talking about the government directly censoring content provided to their employees. You are likely correct about youtube and twitter, there was possibly some nudge nudge wink wink stuff going on there. However, as we have gotten to know musk a lot better, we now see he is a shameless bare faced liar who will not hesitate to blatantly and knowingly lie in order to back any position that it suits him to have. So we cannot take his word twitter was controlled by the dems. That is the problem with blatant and repeated lies viewable for ever on the net - credibility gone.
I'm also no fan of two wrongs making right. That just breeds what is in place now over there - they did despicable behaviour so we will too and up the ante for them to copy when they get back in. A fucking barf fest :puke:

However, I do not recall bidens whitehouse cancelling right wing reporters credentials, and that for me is quite serious.

[onearmedbandit]

For those that don’t know tech, Taiwan semiconductor is the ONLY manufacturer with skill and infrastructure to currently make the high end computer chips of our age and the future.


You sure they're the ONLY?

[nerrrd]

You sure they're the ONLY?

He might be confusing them with these guys (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASML_Holding)?


ASML specializes in the development and manufacturing of photolithography machines which are used to produce computer chips.

As of 2023 it is the largest supplier for the semiconductor industry and the sole supplier in the world of extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) photolithography machines that are required to manufacture the most advanced chips.

TSMC is in the top 5 of the actual chip makers though. Along with Intel, whom you may have heard of. And Samsung. And Nvidia.

[onearmedbandit]

He might be confusing them with these guys (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASML_Holding)?



TSMC is in the top 5 of the actual chip makers though. Along with Intel, whom you may have heard of. And Samsung. And Nvidia.

Yup, and in the top three of semi-conductors (of which there are quite a few). But by far they are not the only, maybe he was confused, in which case that's not a great place to be educating people from ;)

Not all of them are household names like Intel, Samsung and Nvidia though.

[husaberg]

Plenty of right leaning influencers got vanished or demonetised from YouTube during Biden and Covid era nothing new, now it’s just affecting the other half. That’s the problem when you don’t allow proper free speech and journalists let personal biases get in way of proper reporting.

Tell me, Were they blamed for being right or posting made up shit?
people were banned by the owners of privately owned sites Alex Jones springs to mind as the site owners themeselves decided they don't want to be associated with their content, What appears to be happening here is completely different.

Owners of private site are the owners of that site, therefore they decide what is posted on their sites. it was nothing to do with free speech.

[Kickaha]

While there is no evidence that Trump is a Russian agent code named Kraznov, Trump himself is doing nothing to dispel the notion. Last week the head of Russian national security commented to the effect that Russia had got Trump into position and now he was obliged to repay the favour.

Entirely coincidental that they have taken down the offensive branch of cybersecurity that deals with Russia

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/02/politics/us-cyber-operations-russia-suspend/index.html

[R650R]

You sure they're the ONLY?

I was trying to be brief. I meant only as in terms of the super high end stuff. Pretty sure the top of the line Nvidea new generation stuff for AI is manufactured for them by TMSC. Something to do with the extremely small nano size hardware in the fastest chips.
Its an interesting sidetrack learning how critical certain parts of the supply chain are to our modern society.

From a 2023 artivle;

TSMC pumps out close to 60 per cent of the semiconductor chips used around the world and makes 90 per cent of the most advanced technology used in phones and laptops all the way to missile systems.
And TSMC can make them faster than anyone else.

TSMC is the most valuable company in Asia, and last year, the 8th most valuable in the world.

It's responsible for 5 per cent of Taiwan's GDP, and 7 per cent of its electricity consumption.

[onearmedbandit]

It would've taken little more time to be accurate and say 'the largest' than it took to emphasis 'only'.

[pritch]

This is Milo Rossi (no relation) a young archeologist. He rides a DR650.


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4Bv-1pqsmtM

[R650R]

It would've taken little more time to be accurate and say 'the largest' than it took to emphasis 'only'.

It’s a bit like machining something on the lathe. You can wear out your best tools and time getting to super accurate tolerances or you can do just enough that it’s fit for the intended purpose (or target audience).

[Pursang]

...........
355840

[Katman]

An interesting read on the Ukraine/Russia conflict.

https://halturnerradioshow.com/index.php/news-selections/world-news/the-road-to-war-how-the-ukraine-war-began-a-factual-accounting-with-document-proof-from-us-national-security-archive?fbclid=IwY2xjawI0GjhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHedIq dMpstEFtdghoh7osWYNzneTGNvIq_kEh2Bl6bz24w4BLgbLeP5 6Eg_aem_v8vmD8FHLLAHyY4GOsr79g

[Pursang]

Remember last time:
355841

[Pursang]

Rinse & Repeat!
355855

[pritch]

Major news this morning. The Supreme Court of the US has ordered Trump to turn the USAID money spigot back on. Trump had ordered all funding frozen despite it having been approved by Congress. The Court has ruled 5 to 4 that payments must begin immediately.

[Kickaha]

Major news this morning. The Supreme Court of the US has ordered Trump to turn the USAID money spigot back on. Trump had ordered all funding frozen despite it having been approved by Congress. The Court has ruled 5 to 4 that payments must begin immediately.

He'll ignore it and suffer no consequences

[neels]

https://scontent.fwlg3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/481662433_122147214320436584_2212642226302074680_n .jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s600x600_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=0UQr7GhEul4Q7kNvgESAIov&_nc_oc=Adhh8RPdlnSO9HQnaQR7-2vsreOJKtHioGeJrz1ZL3AKj7UlUR2Rd2DZiPcHpSHWFOE&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fwlg3-2.fna&_nc_gid=AYi3kXfRO9M8yOyYgtiscF1&oh=00_AYCh5JRycNPtcdUlaQYsZUHPKC8SzvcI3_GUWknFkNf2 BQ&oe=67CED4AD

[sugilite]

Musk and the republicans are the worlds biggest liars. If you have to lie to the people, then what you are selling aint worth having.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360604794/group-funded-elon-musk-behind-deceptive-ads-crucial-us-supreme-court-race

And I refuse to believe that 80,000 workers in the VA sat around all day with nothing to do. I guess the veterans will find out once it has been done, because you can bet musk and trump will not have the slightest idea what they all do as they are too lazy to truly look into it and find out.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360604593/trump-administration-plans-cut-80000-employees-veterans-affairs-according-internal-memo

[pritch]

He'll ignore it and suffer no consequences

He has been trying that but some judges are starting to make appropriate arrangements. There may be growing pressure from Republicans too. Many farmers are facing the possibility of losing their farms because of Trump's blundering about and farmers tend to vote Republican.

US aid is often not in cash, much of it is in food: soy, corn, wheat, rice, and peanuts. Farmers are geared up to supply that market but Trump has stalled it.

Under Biden there was introduced a plan by which farmers could increase the output of their farm. If their proposal was approved a contract was signed to refund the agreed expenditure when the work was completed. Payments have been stopped, the contract ignored, but the banks want their money.

Some states have mainly intensive farming operations. These require considerable staff to operate most of whom are undocumented immigrants. These workers are now scared to go to work in case the immigration people are waiting. Nebraska says six months of this will bankrupt the state.

Still, most farmers voted for Trump so it's not as if they're due much sympathy.

[Laava]

Coupla pics for ya…

[neels]

So are there tariffs, or are there not tariffs? He doesn't seem to be able to make up his mind.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360605488/trump-delays-tariffs-most-goods-mexico-month

Or perhaps it's just the usual bullshit lies and threats hoping they'd back down, but unfortunately that doesn't work when the other side has an equally big stick to wield.

Of course a tariff is just a targeted tax, so in effect what he's really doing is taxing US citizens who buy things made overseas, good for government income but not so good for the average household budget.

[Pursang]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhiCFdWeQfA

[Laava]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhiCFdWeQfA
Classic clip! How fucking foreboding is that!

[sugilite]

He is such a neurotic clown.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360605488/trump-delays-tariffs-most-goods-mexico-month

[husaberg]

<iframe width="315" height="560" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uumN2fKM-Gs" title="Ontario Bans U.S. Firms After Trump’s Tariff Hike" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Pursang]

...........
355861

[Pursang]

.........
355863

[Pursang]

..........
355864

[pritch]

Apparently a team of Trump minions is going through US military records removing evidence of DEI. Rerences to decorated black soldiers or the first woman to pass USMC infantry training are marked for removal. Also marked for removal is a photograph of a USAF bomber the Enola Gay. Presumably they don't like the name, it's too LGBTQ, but the ignorance is staggering.

My faith in you guys is such that I'm sure you will all understand the significance of the Enola Gay, but for the benefit of any Trump supporters:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enola_Gay

[Berries]

And a top song from the good old days.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d5XJ2GiR6Bo?si=lrOpEv4TFIiJqYel" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Comments already being updated regarding the rewriting of history if you watch it on Youtube.

[Laava]

You americans…you talk and ya talk….
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGvDpWKuZub/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=81e33c68-7143-4fce-819d-cd36d00c92d9

[pritch]

British Columbia is contemplating a toll on heavy goods vehicles travelling through Canada en route to Alaska. That would be felt in Alaska immediately and Alaska is run by Republican politicians. Their anguished cries should reach Trump expeditiously.

[husaberg]

British Columbia is contemplating a toll on heavy goods vehicles travelling through Canada en route to Alaska. That would be felt in Alaska immediately and Alaska is run by Republican politicians. Their anguished cries should reach Trump expeditiously.

really aren't Alaskan's tougher due to being able to see Russia through there lounge windows, oh I Forgot Russia's now USA's best friend...

[Berries]

British Columbia is contemplating a toll on heavy goods vehicles travelling through Canada en route to Alaska. That would be felt in Alaska immediately and Alaska is run by Republican politicians. Their anguished cries should reach Trump expeditiously.
Canada should look at making Alaska a Canadian territory. Trump would explode with rage. Be great to see.

[Laava]

really aren't Alaskan's tougher due to being able to see Russia through there lounge windows, oh I Forgot Russia's now USA's best friend...

The USSA………

[sugilite]

The abject corruption of trump having crypto coin waiting ready for bribes explained.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENfJE8tPRLo&list=WL&index=1&pp=gAQBiAQB

If you need any further proof that trump is running the presidency as a mob boss, look no further than below, it explains nicely about the oddity of trump doing his darnedest to "postpone" corruption charges against the democrat new york mayor.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RLqhdy1LaY

[R650R]

The abject corruption of trump having crypto coin waiting ready for bribes explained.


Watched part of that first vid too quite interesting. One of the major crypto outfits was being prosecuted by sec for trading without a licence as SEC reckons crypto is just like shares, that has since fallen over.

The crypto reserve trump talks about is already in existence from funds seized off criminal enterprises. It will be interesting to see how much real purchases they make to add to it if at all.

Anyhow I’ve half pie been thinking about a seperate thread on financial literacy (not that I’m an expert by any margin) after all the senseless teeth gnashing envy you see about billionaires etc. Especially people championing the drop in major shares like tesla and talk about taxing our power companies more, not realising that our KiwiSaver funds and govt super will be invested in all these major shares that they despise.

And the “wealth “ wiped out by share market plunge, the insiders will already be out and will buy up again on the low points.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360610852/trump-slump-leaves-presidents-billionaire-friends-369-billion-poorer

[husaberg]

Anyhow I’ve half pie been thinking about a seperate thread on financial literacy (not that I’m an expert by any margin) after all the senseless teeth gnashing envy you see about billionaires etc. After all the senseless teeth gnashing envy you see about billionaires etc. Especially people championing the drop in major shares like tesla

Oh you should so do it, I for one enjoy your uneducated half pie musings about subjects you are clearly not an expert in.
its clear you never noticed Telsa haven't ever paid dividends and hasn't been seen a a secure investment for years. Over hyped under performed poor model with too much reliance of Govt credits for other companies which have ran their course. Kiwisaver and govt funds tend to invest in diversify market funds not individual companies that's far too risky.....
Resident trump has twice inherited a great performing stock market and economy and has now torched them both now twice.

Trump's first term, the U.S. faced significant economic challenges, including a big increase in the national debt, a historic economic collapse resulting from the pandemic shutdowns. to cap it off The annual federal deficit grew significantly (about 46%)Trump was the first modern president to leave office with fewer jobs (2.7 million less) than when he started. In addition, the national debt increased by 33.1%

[Pursang]

https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/003/013/153/6ec.jpg
...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT4qlSle-JM

[TheDemonLord]

I find it curious that the same crowd that has been trying to convince everyone that the only reasons the Billionaires are getting involved in Politics is to enrich themselves are also the same crowd that are celebrating the loosing of their wealth.

[pritch]

The Krasnov thing seems a bit far fetched but only a bit. He is doing nothing that might disprove it, he's operating the White House as a branch of the Kremlin.

[HenryDorsetCase]

You do realize - that I could re-write most of that and use Kamala and it would still be rather accurate.

Honestly the constant comparisons to Hitler are passe at this point and show such historical illiteracy that it is more a stain on the author than anything else.

1. No, it would not. But please proceed. I will treat it like the correspondence I review for my staff. I have two colours of highlighter and a red AND a green pen. Red for grammar, green for WTF?

2. Play the game, son, not the player. Setting up your strawman before anyone has made an argument is so magat. It don't matter none, right? long as its on Fox News it must be "truth".

[sugilite]

1. No, it would not. But please proceed. I will treat it like the correspondence I review for my staff. I have two colours of highlighter and a red AND a green pen. Red for grammar, green for WTF?

2. Play the game, son, not the player. Setting up your strawman before anyone has made an argument is so magat. It don't matter none, right? long as its on Fox News it must be "truth".
Oh no you have evoked the tdl fox news troupe. Stand by for wall of text saying how he does not watch fox news thus anything that happens there is not up for discussion :laugh:

[TheDemonLord]

1. No, it would not. But please proceed. I will treat it like the correspondence I review for my staff. I have two colours of highlighter and a red AND a green pen. Red for grammar, green for WTF?

As an example:
Kamala positioned herself as the voice of the "common man," railing against the "Billionaires,"
To solidify her base, Kamala masterfully scapegoated Billionaires and white working class men for the nation's problems, exploiting societal divisions with an "us vs. them" narrative.
Kamalas Propaganda wing were able to intimidate the media into giving them favorable coverage, and didn't need to give direct orders.

Etc.


2. Play the game, son, not the player. Setting up your strawman before anyone has made an argument is so magat. It don't matter none, right? long as its on Fox News it must be "truth".

Okay - let us start from basics: Fascism, as an Ideology came from Italian Marxists - namely one Giovanni Gentile. You cannot get to Fascism without accepting certain Marxist presuppositions about the nature of the world and how society is and ought to be. Kinda like how Catholics and Protestants will both happily kill each other over who is right - but they both believe that Jesus was the son of God etc.

Trump is advocating for smaller government, transfer of power back to the states, removal of regulation and (to a degree) isolationism. All of which are completely at odds with Fascist ideas:


All within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing agaisnt the state

This is no Strawman, this is simply me getting increasingly tired of TDS infected Leftists screeching Hitler everytime Trump (or any other right winger) fails to implement Leftism.

Trump wants to deport illegal migrants - WAAAAAAH HITLER!
Trump wants to get rid of government agencies - WAAAAAAH HITLER!
Trump woke up this morning and drank some water - WAAAAAAH HITLER!

And increasingly it is sounding like a Boy who keeps crying Wolf.

For bonus points - let us remind ourselves - which side of the Political debate supports Israel and the Jews and which side supports Terrorists whose charter is explicit about wanting to exterminate the Jews.

(also - Marx, famously not a fan of Jews)

[TheDemonLord]

Oh no you have evoked the tdl fox news troupe. Stand by for wall of text saying how he does not watch fox news thus anything that happens there is not up for discussion :laugh:

No wall of text needed - however it is true that I dont do Fox News :lol:

[onearmedbandit]

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114141854575248527


To Republicans, Conservatives, and all great Americans, Elon Musk is “putting it on the line” in order to help our Nation, and he is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! But the Radical Left Lunatics, as they often do, are trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of the World’s great automakers, and Elon’s “baby,” in order to attack and do harm to Elon, and everything he stands for. They tried to do it to me at the 2024 Presidential Ballot Box, but how did that work out? In any event, I’m going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American. Why should he be punished for putting his tremendous skills to work in order to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN???

Illegally boycott a company?


It is not illegal for consumers to boycott companies. The Supreme Court in 1982 ruled the First Amendment protects Americans’ rights to protest private businesses.

Not that he would actually care.

[sugilite]

For the first time I sat down and watched an entire trump state of the nation speech in front of congress. I viewed it through the fox coverage to get the full maga effect.
I did this as I wanted to better understand his seemingly magical powers of persuasion over his cult followers. And I have to say the whole production was very slick, from start to finish. The whole gig was designed as one big dopamine hit for every trump fan, hitting on an impressive range of emotional trigger points. In short a master class of deception, misdirection and manipulation all wrapped up in a sugar hit of patriotism.

The dream he offered was a vision of America that even I could go for and his pathway to this utopia was all going to be paid for by "beautiful tariffs". The lies came thick and fast, each building on the last. They were so blatant and obvious that on the occasion the cameras panned onto the handful of supreme court justices faces in attendance you could visually see them wincing, and that was the right leaning ones!
trump took time out to troll the dems and boy did those fucckwits take the bait. I burst out laughing at the look of sheer rage and quivering chin on pelosi as trump trolled her with extreme lies about biden, dems etc. She is totally unaware that this is exactly what the magas want to see. She could not have played her part any better than if trump had given her the script to follow. The rest of the dems turned up in pink shirts because in their own words ""our protest of Trump's policies which are negatively impacting women and families." and the rest of them held up paddles with various messages, mostly saying things like "lies" etc. This being their response to the lord of lies just made them look impossibly weak and pathetic. Trump ridiculed them mercilessly and I could very much see how the magas find this side of trump so addictive and goes a long way to the leeway on the bullshitometer that they give him.
About halfway through the speech, he started rolling out the props, also known as people. A kid that had beaten cancer and wanted to become a policeman, the family of a woman murdered by a illegal immigrant, a released prisoner from russia. And each person was blessed by saint trump. It is kinda hard to describe properly, but it was as if trump was the only person who could have made them "whole" again. I could only admire the manipulation of all the different emotional strings that were being pulled. The whole production was a cross between a television evangelist crossed with a ww2 3rd reich rally crossed with a old western snake oil salesman speech.

I can honestly see why magas do not care that he lies about near everything, that he is a criminal, that he will unlikely actually realize the story he masterfully weaves. They just want that dopamine hit - and in that area he with out a doubt does deliver.

As an aside, the very NEXT DAY he dropped a bunch of his tariff plans, how will you finance that bold American dream now donald? He does not need to worry about that, because his cult followers simply won't care. they are all basically drug addicts only thinking as far as that next trump hit, that next dem troll. Long term goals and achievements simply do not enter the equation for the majority of them.

For those dreaming of getting smaller US government from this cockwomble will at best get a smaller government, but also a massively disfunctional one. There will be no financial benefits as it will take a lot of money to fix the wrecking ball mess musk is delivering. This is a country with very real and serious repercussions for fucking it up. It is not twitter where a mistake in cutting too much results in a failed political launch for meatball desantis, or a few outages. Once musk and trump are finished, there will have been many, many deaths and the price of so called smaller (and hugely chaotic) government is simply not worth that.

[husaberg]

For the first time I sat down and watched an entire trump state of the nation speech in front of congress. I viewed it through the fox coverage to get the full maga effect.
I did this as I wanted to better understand his seemingly magical powers of persuasion over his cult followers. And I have to say the whole production was very slick, from start to finish. The whole gig was designed as one big dopamine hit for every trump fan, hitting on an impressive range of emotional trigger points. In short a master class of deception, misdirection and manipulation all wrapped up in a sugar hit of patriotism.

The dream he offered was a vision of America that even I could go for and his pathway to this utopia was all going to be paid for by "beautiful tariffs". The lies came thick and fast, each building on the last. They were so blatant and obvious that on the occasion the cameras panned onto the handful of supreme court justices faces in attendance you could visually see them wincing, and that was the right leaning ones!
trump took time out to troll the dems and boy did those fucckwits take the bait. I burst out laughing at the look of sheer rage and quivering chin on pelosi as trump trolled her with extreme lies about biden, dems etc. She is totally unaware that this is exactly what the magas want to see. She could not have played her part any better than if trump had given her the script to follow. The rest of the dems turned up in pink shirts because in their own words ""our protest of Trump's policies which are negatively impacting women and families." and the rest of them held up paddles with various messages, mostly saying things like "lies" etc. This being their response to the lord of lies just made them look impossibly weak and pathetic. Trump ridiculed them mercilessly and I could very much see how the magas find this side of trump so addictive and goes a long way to the leeway on the bullshitometer that they give him.
About halfway through the speech, he started rolling out the props, also known as people. A kid that had beaten cancer and wanted to become a policeman, the family of a woman murdered by a illegal immigrant, a released prisoner from russia. And each person was blessed by saint trump. It is kinda hard to describe properly, but it was as if trump was the only person who could have made them "whole" again. I could only admire the manipulation of all the different emotional strings that were being pulled. The whole production was a cross between a television evangelist crossed with a ww2 3rd reich rally crossed with a old western snake oil salesman speech.

I can honestly see why magas do not care that he lies about near everything, that he is a criminal, that he will unlikely actually realize the story he masterfully weaves. They just want that dopamine hit - and in that area he with out a doubt does deliver.

As an aside, the very NEXT DAY he dropped a bunch of his tariff plans, how will you finance that bold American dream now donald? He does not need to worry about that, because his cult followers simply won't care. they are all basically drug addicts only thinking as far as that next trump hit, that next dem troll. Long term goals and achievements simply do not enter the equation for the majority of them.

For those dreaming of getting smaller US government from this cockwomble will at best get a smaller government, but also a massively disfunctional one. There will be no financial benefits as it will take a lot of money to fix the wrecking ball mess musk is delivering. This is a country with very real and serious repercussions for fucking it up. It is not twitter where a mistake in cutting too much results in a failed political launch for meatball desantis, or a few outages. Once musk and trump are finished, there will have been many, many deaths and the price of so called smaller (and hugely chaotic) government is simply not worth that.
Sounds like the routine the televangilsits use....

[Pursang]

.........
355896

[sugilite]

How you can tell trump is crashing the economy with his dumbarse flip flop tariff policy - he turns the crazy shit volume to max to distract.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360611295/live-trumps-tariffs-global-trade-and-ukraine-war

[nerrrd]

It’s like watching an endless, slow motion car crash alright. Wonder how all those (now a bit less) wealthy donors are feeling about giving him their support now, if this continues.

Even Elon seemed to be questioning his own life choices if the look on his face during his recent Fox interview is anything to go by (which it probably isn’t, but I can hope).

[husaberg]

It’s like watching an endless, slow motion car crash alright. Wonder how all those (now a bit less) wealthy donors are feeling about giving him their support now, if this continues.

Even Elon seemed to be questioning his own life choices if the look on his face during his recent Fox interview is anything to go by (which it probably isn’t, but I can hope).

I would suggest some of his donors will be happy, US owned coal and oil extraction companies will benefit from potentially sourcing more internally.
Also a lot of people can benefit from rises and falls in stock market currency and futures. Especially when you know when they will occur or what will be affected.

[nerrrd]

I would suggest some of his donors will be happy, US owned coal and oil extraction companies will benefit from potentially sourcing more internally.
Also a lot of people can benefit from rises and falls in stock market currency and futures. especially when you know when they will occcur or what will be affected.

I keep hearing that their refineries aren’t set up for the sort of oil they produce domestically, it’s set up for the heavier oil they already get (cheaply) from Canada or alternatively somewhere like Venezuela. Apparently not something they can change up easily.

The U.S. exports more petroleum than it imports. (https://www.marketplace.org/2024/05/13/the-u-s-exports-more-petroleum-than-it-imports-so-why-are-we-importing-at-all/)

[Berries]

Jack Daniels and Jim Beam can both go and get fucked.

[Katman]

Jack Daniels and Jim Beam can both go and get fucked.

I'm sure they'll be heartbroken to lose you.

[nzspokes]

I'm sure they'll be heartbroken to lose you.

Nobody cares what or if you think.

[neels]

Jack Daniels and Jim Beam can both go and get fucked.
The same sentiment has been expressed in our house.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a decent non US made whisky that can replace Jim as the wife's poison of choice?

[TheDemonLord]

The same sentiment has been expressed in our house.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a decent non US made whisky that can replace Jim as the wife's poison of choice?

Sobriety???

[jim.cox]

Can anyone point me in the direction of a decent non US made whisky that can replace Jim as the wife's poison of choice?

Johnnie Walker Red Label is good around here :)

[pritch]

Jack Daniels and Jim Beam can both go and do ablyget fucked.

Yeah. I know locals who are doing their own little boycott of US brands. We probably don’t see many other than grog and shoes like Nike etc.

[Berries]

Can anyone point me in the direction of a decent non US made whisky that can replace Jim as the wife's poison of choice?
I would just buy her a different bottle of Scotch every Friday night until you hit on one she likes.

I discovered Shanky's Whip this week, I'd give that a go just cos it's Paddy's Day this week.

https://www.superliquor.co.nz/shankys-whip-the-original-black-liqueur-700ml-2?srsltid=AfmBOoottVAQz-SBzokNBM1h01Zp0aZoxesw8aiu9T1QwM2fe1ntSBcM

[onearmedbandit]

Heinz, Kellogs, 3M, soft drinks, foods, tech (windows/apple/amazon), SC Johnson, Campbells, Watties, clothing brands, Proctor and Gamble range (Pantene, Oral-B, Gillette, Tide). google, youtube, heck this site is probably hosted on a US server. Oooo don't forget, MotoGP too, that's majority owned by Liberty Media. Plus there's the COTA race coming up, don't watch that.

[R650R]

Yeah. I know locals who are doing their own little boycott of US brands. We probably donÂ’t see many other than grog and shoes like Nike etc.

I wonder how many of those people were in same camp as F China during Covid never buying anything Chinese made again, that didnÂ’t last long.

Whether we like it or not America is the major economic and technological powerhouse that is a cornerstone of our modern living. If you donÂ’t buy American youÂ’ve got Chinese with questionable quality and unreadable instructions, European overpriced and long delays for parts, British beahahahaÂ…..

People who really hate USA/trump to point of sustained boycott might be about 10% of population max. Of that 10% perhaps 10% of them could actually afford the time and money et for alternative choices.
So 1% of consumers might boycott. With world population growing it will be negligible if even noticeable at all.
At end of Friday trading the S&P 500 (500 top performing companies in USA) was up 2.13%
And the Nasdaq (top 100 tech companies) was up 2.61% and down jones industrial average was up 1.65%Â…. While activists waste energy on hate the rest of the world is busy being successful.

[1/32 man]

Quote Originally Posted by neels View Post
The same sentiment has been expressed in our house.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a decent non US made whisky that can replace Jim as the wife's poison of choice?
Sobriety???

Exactly TDL....I agree with you.

Being old and unemployed spending money on unnecessary drugs doen't happen for me....I dont drink alchohol.....a cool Bundaberg or Macs ginger beer is as close as I get......clean living and clean underwear equals a clean mind!!!!!

[nerrrd]

The worrying thing for me is that President Trump is only just getting started, and it's going to take a while for the consequences (intended and unintended) to get real.

In the meantime I'm not seeing the genius, unless you consider the kind of tropes most often expressed on talkback radio the stuff of genius. More like the Incredible Hulk stomping around going 'smash!' and damn the consequences. 'There's going to be a little bit of pain,' says the President, because what he's trying to do is 'big'. I think that's likely to be the understatement of the century.

Yes, a steady (and secure) supply of alcohol for the months (and years) ahead is definitely in order (I think the Russian people may have realised this a hundred years or so ago...)

[husaberg]

RFK Jr when asked about his flights with Jeff Epstein.....





"So and I run into everybody in New York. I mean, I knew Harvey Weinstein, I knew Roger Ailes, I knew -- O.J. Simpson came to my house. Bill Cosby came to my house.”

https://x.com/i/status/1765564202851139851

Kind of odd KB conspiracy junkee never raised any issues with him being matey with Epstein, nor his past long term heroine addiction....

[pritch]

I wonder how many of those people were in same camp as F China during Covid never buying anything Chinese made again, that didnÂ’t last long.



Nobody I know. Those dudes are more like the people who burned their NIKE shoes, wrecked their Keurig machine, or shot up their Bud Lite cans. After they had bought and paid for them.

[pritch]

Can anyone point me in the direction of a decent non US made whisky that can replace Jim as the wife's poison of choice?

I've been thinking about that because it's a complicated question. Simpler to answer perhaps if she is using Jack as a mixer than if she sips it.

These days the choice is very wide. The immediate solution would seem to be to buy Canadian. Japanese whisky tends to be expensive and some is not great. Apparently at least one tops up their products with Scotch to make it acceptable. There are Japanese companies that own Scotch distilleries so anything is possible. India is turning out whisky but I haven't tried that. If more patriotically inclined NZ has a number of whisky distilleries now but the bottles have tended to be small but expensive.

The online whisky commentators do not much discuss blended whiskies but 'The Antiquary' seems respected. 'McLeans Nose' even more so, but is half as expensive again.

I have bought quite a bit from these guys and a look through their site may provide inspiration? If not much on Canadian products

https://www.whiskyandmore.co.nz

[pritch]

Overnight USA time Trump fired off an insane post on Troth Senshal. (Google it if interested.) He said that he will revoke Biden's pardons of his family, and of people who investigated the events of Jan 6 etc. He then details some pseudo legal bullshit about signatures in an event to justify this. Legal commentators say it's all nonsense.

Most of Trump's cabinet will be sleeping soundly. The few more thoughtful ones will be shitting their pants. If President number 47 can invalidate pardons issued by President 46, that must mean President 48 (or any subsequent president) can invalidate pardons issued by President 47. And that includes any pardon Trump may grant them. At the rate they are breaking laws they are going to need record numbers of pardons.

[sugilite]

Russian trump pee tapes 2025 edition. Putin takes a wiz on trumps face.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360621051/putin-bombs-energy-plants-hours-after-telling-trump-he-would-halt-attacks

And now we have the Israel edition.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360621144/israels-surprise-bombardment-plunged-palestinians-back-hell

Think that firmly puts to bed the absurd notion that trump is some sort of master negotiator that is both feared and respected.

[pritch]

Think that firmly puts to bed the absurd notion that trump is some sort of master negotiator that is both feared and respected.

Trump is known to be a crap negotiator but he should at least be feared by non-cult members in the USA - and the rest of the world.
His insanity is showing.

[pritch]

As you will all be aware people with "gang tattoos" are being rounded up and flown to El Salvador. This guy would appear to be at risk except that he is the current USA Secretary of Defence.

[Laava]

Wow, how blatant is this cunts manipulation?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360621604/russian-drones-strike-ukraine-after-putins-ceasefire-talks-trump
https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blob:https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/21deb461-ff48-4ca6-aabb-dcfaecc1354b

[husaberg]

Seen this the other day.
With 500 trillion wiped of the us stock exchange.
greenland is now willing to do a deal with trump To have Greenland purchase America.

[R650R]

As you will all be aware people with "gang tattoos" are being rounded up and flown to El Salvador. This guy would appear to be at risk except that he is the current USA Secretary of Defence.

I thought the main issue was that they were illegal migrants and as a side those with criminal links were being prioritised. Anyhow the reception given by El Salvador blows the narrative out of the water that all migrants are just people seeking better jobs and that there’s no criminal elements involved.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaKg0l6FhNo

[pritch]

I thought the main issue was that they were illegal migrants and as a side those with criminal links were being prioritised. Anyhow the reception given by El Salvador blows the narrative out of the water that all migrants are just people seeking better jobs and that there’s no criminal elements involved.


Sorry, none of that make any sense. Would you like to try again? And you are aware that this whole exhibition was illegal?

[husaberg]

I thought the main issue was that they were illegal migrants and as a side those with criminal links were being prioritised. Anyhow the reception given by El Salvador blows the narrative out of the water that all migrants are just people seeking better jobs and that there’s no criminal elements involved.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaKg0l6FhNo
Pretty sure the only narrative here is the one you want to spread....

[pete376403]

Recalling "thoughtcrime" from 1984...

[Pursang]

Racist Misogynists!
355909

[TheDemonLord]

Racist Misogynists!
355909

https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Notable-Graves/Politics-Government

355910

Nope. He is still there.

Now - what would you be calling me if the roles were reversed?

[Pursang]

TDL says "He's still there!" Picture of a White gravestone....no pictures of a Notable Black General and Secretary of State.

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/14/g-s1-54054/arlington-national-cemetery-dei-website

"Arlington National Cemetery has begun wiping from its website histories highlighting Black, Hispanic and women veterans.
The change is in line with President Trump's directive to remove references to and support for diversity, equity and inclusion from the federal government."

"A U.S. official not authorized to talk to media told NPR the removal of links and sections about these groups have been dubbed a "digital content refresh" by top Pentagon officials."

"Articles, photos and videos that are seen as promoting DEI will be removed under the new approach."
"Additionally, the Pentagon has marked thousands of photos representing diverse veterans to be removed from the website, according to the Associated Press."

"For example, Gen. Colin Powell was the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was the first corps comprised only of Black women to work overseas during World War II. Their stories are no longer prominent on the website, but can still be found using the search function."

[pritch]

Racist Misogynists!
355909

Yeah they have been removing references to anything that seems DEI even if they probably can't even spell DEI. Reference to Jackie Robinson was removed. He served in WW2 and dates back to when there were seperate baseball leagues for whites and coloureds. He was either the first or one of the first African Americans to cross over to the whites only league and he would certainly not have been welcomed by all. Robinson is a huge figure in US sports history. The outcry appears to have resulted in the restoration of his record.

Ira Hayes, a Native American, was one of the marines in a famous photograph of Marines raising a flag on Iwo Jima. I remember seeing a movie about Hayes when I was a kid. Apparently he too qualifies as DEI.

The Navajo code talkers and the Tuskagee airmen also fell victim to the insanity but they too may have since been restored.

[TheDemonLord]

TDL says "He's still there!" Picture of a White gravestone....no pictures of a Notable Black General and Secretary of State.

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/14/g-s1-54054/arlington-national-cemetery-dei-website

"Arlington National Cemetery has begun wiping from its website histories highlighting Black, Hispanic and women veterans.
The change is in line with President Trump's directive to remove references to and support for diversity, equity and inclusion from the federal government."

"A U.S. official not authorized to talk to media told NPR the removal of links and sections about these groups have been dubbed a "digital content refresh" by top Pentagon officials."

"Articles, photos and videos that are seen as promoting DEI will be removed under the new approach."
"Additionally, the Pentagon has marked thousands of photos representing diverse veterans to be removed from the website, according to the Associated Press."

"For example, Gen. Colin Powell was the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was the first corps comprised only of Black women to work overseas during World War II. Their stories are no longer prominent on the website, but can still be found using the search function."

Every picture under the Notable Americans section - is a picture of their Head stone.

I did not search for Colin Powell. I went to the notable American sections, under the Politics section, scrolled down - and lo and behold! There he was. Exactly where he should be.

The tweet is an outright lie, as proven by a 5 second browse of the website.

[sugilite]

Oppps looks like lazy trump predictably sent innocent people of to El Salvador.
This administration are the laziest most corrupt cunts ever. This video below is from a republican explaining.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZXS-BerWz0

[R650R]

Recalling "thoughtcrime" from 1984...

And in our own backyard we restricted/attempted restriction (sometimes via trial by media) of;

Lauren Southern
Stephanie Molyneux
Avi Yemeni
Posy Parker
Candace Owens

Whether or not you agree with or disagree with any of these people opinions we are no bastion of free speech. Let’s never forget our leader who said that they will be the single source of truth.

[sugilite]

He got fired? Watch trump turn that into a promotion. trump loves fellow criminals.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360623840/republican-senator-behind-trump-derangement-syndrome-bill-charged-soliciting-minor

[husaberg]

And in our own backyard we restricted/attempted restriction (sometimes via trial by media) of;

Lauren Southern
Stephanie Molyneux
Avi Yemeni
Posy Parker
Candace Owens

Whether or not you agree with or disagree with any of these people opinions we are no bastion of free speech. Let’s never forget our leader who said that they will be the single source of truth.

Are you sure about all those names?
even if you got the names right the first two couldn't get venues as the owners didn't want to be associated with hate speech. the govt gave them visas. Southern has since denounced her views and claimed one of her co speakers tried to force her to sleep with him.

[pritch]

Are you sure about all those names?

Looks about right but it's all good with me. We've got too many fuckwits who would take them seriously. There was Katie Hopkins too but she was deported for different reasons.

[husaberg]

Looks about right but it's all good with me. We've got too many fuckwits who would take them seriously. There was Katie Hopkins too but she was deported for different reasons.
Second one? unless he's gender fluid now?

[pritch]

Second one? unless he's gender fluid now?

Good eye..

[pritch]

When I woke this morning social media was full of outrage at Paul Weiss. I had no idea what caused the fuss. Here 'tis...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ew0l_rg1K8o

[Laava]

When I woke this morning social media was full of outrage at Paul Weiss. I had no idea what caused the fuss. Here 'tis...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ew0l_rg1K8o
Womens basket ball?

[onearmedbandit]

Thankfully no algorithm thinks I'm interested in it because I haven't seen anything about it nor know what it's about.

[Pursang]

OOPS!..... might get into trouble ....Deflect...Blame Anyone Else!..

Forget about the Rant accusing Biden of not knowing what he was signing i.e. using auto signatures


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmQbUK7e2KE

[pete376403]

Even more like "1984" - now it is doublethink: "While it is true that many of the TdA members removed under the AEA do not have criminal records in the United States, that is because they have only been in the United States for a short period of time. The lack of a criminal record does not indicate they pose a limited threat. In fact, based upon their association with TdA, the lack of specific information about each individual actually highlights the risk they pose. It demonstrates that they are terrorists with regard to whom we lack a complete profile."

ie the fact that there is no evidence is in itself evidence.

Section 9 https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.278436/gov.uscourts.dcd.278436.26.1_1.pdf

[Laava]

Sounds legit!

[pritch]

Womens basket ball?

Oops. That's Caitlin Clark Time Magazine Athlete of the Year.

Paul Weiss is a major US law firm. In 2023 they had over two Billion in revenue. They have previously represented Democrat politicians including Hillary Clinton. Trump recently threatened to withdraw their security clearances just because... The head of the firm visited Trump and offered him forty million dollars worth of free legal services. This is seen as a massive sell out by most in the profession

[pritch]

Beyond belief. Trump thinks his son Barron may have a great future in technology. The evidence? Barron can turn his laptop on.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIkxQBUkS3s

[sugilite]

Simply put the guy does not need to know the names of the regions Russia is occupying because he is under his bosses orders to just give these regions to putin.


https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360625043/trumps-foreign-envoy-accused-not-knowing-names-russian-occupied-territories

[R650R]

Journalists desperate for clickbait/rage bait headlines are trying to say Trump named new jet fighter F-47 after himself being President number 45&47. What next???

Never mind there are other Prototypes currently testing also in the number 40 range group….

[pritch]

Journalists desperate for clickbait/rage bait headlines are trying to say Trump named new jet fighter F-47 after himself being President number 45&47. What next???

Never mind there are other Prototypes currently testing also in the number 40 range group….



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3aOtxDUrjY

[pritch]

It seems that Trump cabinet officials are holding group chats on Signal. Kinda reminds me of Hillary's emails? A journalist at the Atlantic received Air Force plans to bomb Yemen. The plans were fully detailed as to weapon loads etc. He thought the information just couldn't be genuine - and then the bombing started.

Exactly how journalists get accidentally included in top secret war documentation hasn't yet been explained. Although the Secretary of Defence being a drunk may have something to do with it.

[F5 Dave]

In a parallel universe somewhere, the sensible voters of the US didn't entertain this fool. Even back in 2016 and we'd be in a different situation entirely.

[pritch]

s someone else pointed out, in an ideal world the town drunk and the Secretary of Defence would be two different people.

[husaberg]

s someone else pointed out, in an ideal world the town drunk and the Secretary of Defence would be two different people.
In an ideal world the difference between the village idiot and the US president world would not boil down to"a small loan of a 100 million dollars"