US Politics Thread 2021-24

[Buddahaid]

My guess is that if Musk was a lefty who supported the Democrats there are lots of his haters who would kiss his a$$.

Ther already are a lot of haters kissing his a$$. :Kaleun_Wink:

[Gorpet]

Not a single part of the rockets and the cars was invented by him. It's other people's work. In case of the rockets it's even laughable to use "his" - the taxpayer has paid for them, without massive amounts of taxpayers SapceX would long have been defunct.
Tesla 's market share in the EV market currently is at slightly over 11% - far away from anything that can be called "majority", and it is declining left and right. Overall Teslas are technically mediocre at best. None of the accumulator cells Tesla uses are produced by themselves - they are made by Panasonic. And of course Tesla was not founded by Musk (neither was PayPal, by the way).


And of course a moron can pull things of successfully - he only needs to convince enough others and enough money.

Well, Joe Biden is the Oscar winner of a moron. So you throw all the above, but ya don't lay out how he did it....You do know if sign on to an Engineering company in research and development.You are paid to produce something the company can use... Oh damn, you forgot about that,right? So tell us about Boeing and how they spent 2 billion as of 2025 on Starliner.The program has turned into a costly and embarrassing failure. And now Space X will have to go get the stranded Astronauts that Boeing sent to space and can't get back. So run your mouth. But Billy Nelson a good buddy Democrat from Florida from May 3, 2021–January 20, 2025 was in Charge. So if you got a question about taxpayer money and why 2 Astronauts are stranded in space. Hunt down Billy Nelson. Oh and good luck he's probably in Hawaii. It seems to be the refugee safe space for all of Washington DC.

[Buddahaid]

When it involves money, it needs to be run like a business.

No, it doesn't. Businesses are for the good of the business while governments are supposed to be for the good of the people.

[Commander Wallace]

Someone once told me that there is a fallacy common to a lot of highly intelligent people: "I am good at one thing, therefore I must be good at everything."

Musk is admittedly very good at making money, running big companies, keeping himself in public discourse etc.
He seems to be a successful businessman, and he likes to see his country run like a business. (With Trump, it's even more obvious).
The idea that a country should be run like a successful business seems attractive to a whole lot of people - only, running a country and running a business aren't the same thing.


There is a lot of truth to that that. There are also major differences. It's called Fiscal Responsibility. If people in business ran their respective companies the way the Government has been run, these people would be fired and their companies would be bankrupt. However, the Democrats feel the American Public are their own personal " Piggy Banks."

In this way, the Democrats take and steal money to line their pockets and also to finance leftist Agendas without any input or oversight from the American People. The American people do not want their money being wasted in BS operations in Foreign Countries that do nothing for Americans.

Simply put, the Republicans are re-orienting Government to conduct Business of and for Americans and their benefit. That's as it should be.

[AVGWarhawk]

No, it doesn't. Businesses are for the good of the business while governments are supposed to be for the good of the people.

My statement stands.

[Jeff-Groves]

Glad you quoted that. Saves me the trouble of saving such a whack-a-doodle statement.

[Gorpet]

Someone once told me that there is a fallacy common to a lot of highly intelligent people: "I am good at one thing, therefore I must be good at everything."

Musk is admittedly very good at making money, running big companies, keeping himself in public discourse etc.
He seems to be a successful businessman, and he likes to see his country run like a business. (With Trump, it's even more obvious).
The idea that a country should be run like a successful business seems attractive to a whole lot of people - only, running a country and running a business aren't the same thing.

Well, What are you good at ?

[Buddahaid]

My statement stands.

Really. Are you retired or expect to retire? Why should a government run like a business care what happens to you when you quit?

[August]

Really. Are you retired or expect to retire? Why should a government run like a business care what happens to you when you quit?


Quit what? Being a citizen? Because the government is in the business of serving and protecting it's citizens. A service industry that would certainly benefit from good business practices like fiscal responsibility.

[Buddahaid]

Quit what? Being a citizen? Because the government is in the business of serving and protecting it's citizens. A service industry that would certainly benefit from good business practices like fiscal responsibility.

Exactly, and that government shouldn't be making a profit off of its citizens like businesses strive for profit.

The whole concept of a government run like a business is BS. Fiscal responsibility comes down to people calling anything that doesn't benefit them personally waste.

[Commander Wallace]

Exactly, and that government shouldn't be making a profit off of its citizens like businesses strive for profit.

The whole concept of a government run like a business is BS. Fiscal responsibility comes down to people calling anything that doesn't benefit them personally waste.


You're so full of it. By making a profit, do you mean the Democrats Fleecing The American Public to enrich themselves ?

* Edit * When we talk about about running operations like a business, it is about a table of organization, generating and performing a cost / benefit analysis, opportunity costs and balancing of Interests to name just a few parameters to yield the best results within a given budget. These applications apply to Businesses and Government as part of any analysis. Everyone in positions like these " crunch numbers." Squandering resources are never profitable and that's a big reason the U.S is in the position it finds itself in right now with regards to our debt. Therefore these principals are applicable in Business and Government.

So let's get this out on the table. Are we to assume you're in favor of transgender Operas in various countries financed by the U.S taxpayer ? Do we understand correctly that you're in favor of our money going to foreign Countries and entities for nebulous causes like DEI initiatives ? Is so, that explains why you're in the minority and why your contemptible Democrats lost the Presidency and both Chambers of Congress. The American People are done with that. Get over it and move on.

[August]

Exactly, and that government shouldn't be making a profit off of its citizens like businesses strive for profit.

The whole concept of a government run like a business is BS. Fiscal responsibility comes down to people calling anything that doesn't benefit them personally waste.


Quit focusing on just one aspect of some businesses. Not all businesses strive for profit. Ever heard of a "non-profit" business? I've done work for several over the years, nice folks with a mission. When people talk about running government like a business they mean in terms of organization, fiscal responsibility, efficiency. Don't tell me that those things are BS.

[Gorpet]

Really. Are you retired or expect to retire? Why should a government run like a business care what happens to you when you quit?

So, What you are saying, it's all about if you quit a job. Ok If you quit, your on your own on to find a new job. The government is run like a business and it's about who can buy in. It doesn't care, and guess what if that new college education leaves you in the dumps.There are still those Obama shovel ready jobs waiting for hands to rebuild America.

[Reece]

https://ditext.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/putin-trump.jpg

[Gorpet]

So, What you are saying, it's all about if you quit a job. Ok If you quit, your on your own on to find a new job. The government is run like a business and it's about who can buy in. It doesn't care, and guess what if that new college education leaves you in the dumps.There are still those Obama shovel ready jobs waiting for hands to rebuild America.

Oh Hell, forget rebuild America, We need every soul that believes in Democracy.
To find a way to Ukraine,They need War fighters and it is time for all those who believe and want a free Ukraine to join now today.Do not be afraid. A call out to the American youth, your parents started this,War come and help finish it... Join the new European Legion . It's time for all those who believe to get off their a..ss And join the Spear Brigade that will cut through Ukraine to the front lines and achieve glory in the history books ... after all aren't we invincible ?

[Buddahaid]

Quit focusing on just one aspect of some businesses. Not all businesses strive for profit. Ever heard of a "non-profit" business? I've done work for several over the years, nice folks with a mission. When people talk about running government like a business they mean in terms of organization, fiscal responsibility, efficiency. Don't tell me that those things are BS.

Some do and some have no idea, and then many have good intentions but have no idea what a cut in this place means to others like cutting USAID as an America first idea hurts US farmers and everything their businesses purchase from other businesses. It's not simple and then there's the idea of soft diplomacy that appears to be beyond MAGA to understand.

Yeah, I'm just as full of it as most of MAGA is.

[Gorpet]

[QUOTE=Buddahaid;2944355]Some do and some have no idea, and then many have good intentions but have no idea what a cut in this place means to others like cutting USAID as an America first idea hurts US farmers and everything their businesses purchase from other businesses. It's not simple and then there's the idea of soft diplomacy that appears to be beyond MAGA to understand.


Ok,You have to be a lunatic. USAID What is so scary? If farmers are involved,Then the American people need to know, After all somebody wants us to start eating bugs. And i will tell you now, Me and my hungry belly buddies are not going to eat bugs.And you and your kind can take that any way you want. If end the end you are Dirty, Then to jail you must go.Democracy demands it.clearing out the old **** to bring in the new. Only the new will get a Bullitt instead of a vote. American Democracy. One of a kind.

[MaDef]

No, it doesn't. Businesses are for the good of the business while governments are supposed to be for the good of the people.
in a general sense yes, but when you start stealing from & pissing off the majority of the people. you're doing something wrong.

[AVGWarhawk]

Really. Are you retired or expect to retire? Why should a government run like a business care what happens to you when you quit?

Does any business care if you quit? Does a business have to make the hard decisions and lay off/fire/downsize? So does the government. The hard decision and reality of the federal government is they can't continue to carry the overabundance of federal employees. Those screwing the pooch while on the clock. The books are not balanced. The company is the red and getting redder. In the real world this is the reality of the everyday schmo grinding all week. It should be the same for the federal government. Balance the books. Watch the investments(et al SS). Make the hard decision to fire/layoff/downsize. Yes, in this instance the government needs to be run like a business. No hard feelings. It is just business, right?

To answer your question, yes, I'm retiring in 2-3 with good behavior. Did I base my retirement on SS as part of my retirem

[u crank]

Somewhere a 300 year old great, great, great, great grandmother is getting her SS cut off. Shame on you Elon.

Kinda funny. You catch someone stealing your money and they are mad at you instead of the thief. I don't understand that thinking.

[mapuc]

Been wondering if you American does it differently.

It was this phrase: 'He get others to do it for him"

Let say you get a business idea and want to start to produce this to the marked
Well here you can, if you can afford it, hire employees to do the work for you.
I can understand in USA you do it yourselves and do not take advantage on other people.

Markus

[Buddahaid]

Here's the filing in New Mexico from the DOJ stating for the record Musk has no authority and doesn't work for DOGE. That begs the question of why he is wielding authority sending emails from his office?

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.277463/gov.uscourts.dcd.277463.24.1.pdf

[Commander Wallace]

Here's the filing in New Mexico from the DOJ stating for the record Musk has no authority and doesn't work for DOGE. That begs the question of why he is wielding authority sending emails from his office?

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.277463/gov.uscourts.dcd.277463.24.1.pdf


I noticed you never answered my question.



So let's get this out on the table. Are we to assume you're in favor of transgender Operas in various countries financed by the U.S taxpayer ? Do we understand correctly that you're in favor of our money going to foreign Countries and entities for nebulous causes like DEI initiatives ? Is so, that explains why you're in the minority and why your contemptible Democrats lost the Presidency and both Chambers of Congress. The American People are done with that. Get over it and move on.

[August]

Some do and some have no idea, and then many have good intentions but have no idea what a cut in this place means to others like cutting USAID as an America first idea hurts US farmers and everything their businesses purchase from other businesses. It's not simple and then there's the idea of soft diplomacy that appears to be beyond MAGA to understand.

Yeah, I'm just as full of it as most of MAGA is.


You must be full of something if you seriously believe that cutting transgender operas and DEI programs in foreign countries will hurt US farmers.

[Buddahaid]

I noticed you never answered my question.

AS a function of soft diplomacy, sure. Now you answer mine.

[Buddahaid]

You must be full of something if you seriously believe that cutting transgender operas and DEI programs in foreign countries will hurt US farmers.

Why is food for USAID rotting in containers awaiting shipment? US farmers grow that food so what are you full of?

[AVGWarhawk]

Why is food for USAID rotting in containers awaiting shipment? US farmers grow that food so what are you full of?

Where are these rotting containers of food?

[Buddahaid]

Where are these rotting containers of food?

I believe they are held up in Texas ports but that is a few days old.

[AVGWarhawk]

Here's the filing in New Mexico from the DOJ stating for the record Musk has no authority and doesn't work for DOGE. That begs the question of why he is wielding authority sending emails from his office?

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.277463/gov.uscourts.dcd.277463.24.1.pdf

For the life of me I can not understand your outrage with Elon when millions that are now growing to billions of tax dollars are being spent on frivolous DEI and other BS around the world. You of all people asking me about retirement. Our kids futures are paying for circumcision in some other country and you go on about Musk. Incredible.

It is time Budda. The BS in DC needs to stop.

[AVGWarhawk]

I believe they are held up in Texas ports but that is a few days old.

You believe or CNN is telling the world this? Keep in mind the food are dry goods capable of staying edible for months. Do you really think pasta from Italy arrives here in 2 weeks by container and on the shelves for sale in 3 weeks? It takes months. Long Beach has a site stating days of congestion. The ports are always behind and busy with Long shoreman taking whatever days off they want. I work with the ports in Baltimore. Just crane service alone can take 2 weeks to get scheduled.

[Commander Wallace]

AS a function of soft diplomacy, sure. Now you answer mine.


I would have if you had asked me something. I can see you don't want to answer mine.

[Buddahaid]

I would have if you had asked me something. I can see you don't want to answer mine.

I believe I did above a few posts.

[August]

For the life of me I can not understand your outrage with Elon when millions that are now growing to billions of tax dollars are being spent on frivolous DEI and other BS around the world. You of all people asking me about retirement. Our kids futures are paying for circumcision in some other country and you go on about Musk. Incredible.

It is time Budda. The BS in DC needs to stop.


Well said.

[Commander Wallace]

I believe I did above a few posts.


Repeat it as I did.

[AVGWarhawk]

Well said.

I mean really. Good stewardship of the tax payers dollars has simply gone out the window. It is uncanny the disbelief that Musk is in a Federal bldg looking over the books. Just the most outlandish nonsense found. Here we are being told SS will be insolvent soon. In 3 years those getting SS will received 85% of what is due them. Are you kidding me? We are paying for DEI, circumcisions and nonsense in other countries??? The insanity is astonishing. And we find Maxine Waters wondering around complaining and moaning about it. Are the dems and probably a few repubs are going to have to start answering questions? Yes, they should be. In fact, the investigation needs to go deeper into who is signing off on these checks. I guess we see why many heads of the these agencies are resigning. They are not going to fall on the sword for the likes of those on Capitol Hill.

[AVGWarhawk]

Yep ..

[August]

Yep ..


This pretty much explains it. I guess the difference is that Trump is actually implementing his plan, not just talking about it and doing nothing like his predecessors.

[AVGWarhawk]

This pretty much explains it. I guess the difference is that Trump is actually implementing his plan, not just talking about it and doing nothing like his predecessors.

Kicking the can down the road appears to be stopping with Trump. It's high time for this.

[Buddahaid]

And no one cares that Musk is either acting without any authority or the DOJ just perjured themselves in court.

[Cybermat47]

AS a function of soft diplomacy, sure. Now you answer mine.

Yeah, from the sounds of things, Communist China is going to exploit the absence of US soft diplomacy (in the form of USAid) to gain more partners and allies through the Belt and Road Initiative.

[Commander Wallace]

The Democrats are complaining about Elon Musk. Elon has access to their records, Elon is Trump's vice President. Elon has access to our Nuclear secrets, etc....

Does anyone remember the name Sam Brinton ? Brinton, the transgender nightmare that underwent Conversion Therapy, served as the deputy assistant secretary of Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition in the Office of Nuclear Energy from June to December 2022. So, Brinton did possess knowledge of our Nuclear Programs. Brinton was dismissed by the Office of Nuclear Energy after being charged with luggage theft on three occasions at different Airports. Although highly educated, Brinton was caught at various airports stealing women's luggage. A designer saw Briton Wearing clothes she designed that were one of a kind and in her Luggage that was stolen.

This was all done on Biden and Kamala Harris's watch. I notice the Democrats were silent when these stories broke.

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

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. ephc2v5NdZD8NLxIkfYKkAHaE8%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=52b48a723c48760af249a2724b1d16eb103a01af2a3c5e e33ef523d721e63095&ipo=images (https://alphanews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Brinton-1-2.jpg)

Has anyone noticed the really bizarre stories of equally bizarre people can't be made up ? Truth is stranger than fiction. :doh: I think given a choice, we'll take Elon Musk. :yep:

[August]

This was all done on Biden and Kamala Harris's watch. I notice the Democrats were silent when these stories broke.

Or making accusations of transphobia against anyone who mentioned it because you know such weirdness needs to be accepted by the mainstream.

[vienna]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m5nIPFtBNOk



<O>

[mapuc]

Do you think, there are some Trump voters who have regret their choice at the voting station, After his latest statement on the war in Ukraine ?

Markus

[AVGWarhawk]

Do you think, there are some Trump voters who have regret their choice at the voting station, After his latest statement on the war in Ukraine ?

Markus

Absolutely. But I think every voter does not agree with everything a sitting president does.

[MaDef]

Do you think, there are some Trump voters who have regret their choice at the voting station, After his latest statement on the war in Ukraine ?

Markus

what statement are you referring to?

[mapuc]

what statement are you referring to?

That Zelensky was a dictator and it was Ukraine who started the war.

Markus

[MaDef]

That Zelensky was a dictator and it was Ukraine who started the war.

Markus

I've heard about that, but haven't heard the actual statement (that way I know what he said exactly and garner context)

I'm not well versed on the Government of Ukraine, but isn't the country under martial law? and isn't Zelensky ruling by fiat under that law? Plus normal elections have been "postponed" indefinitely (as far as I'm aware) That's pretty much the very definition of a dictator is it not?

As for Ukraine starting the war, They didn't "start" it, but they aren't completely blameless either. Their political machinations (both internal and international) played a large part in setting the stage for a fight and NATO pretty much ensured it would happen, then got cold feet.

This situation reminds me of the Cuban missile crisis, then you had 2 countries with one in the middle, here you have the same situation only with more countries involved on one side.

and rather than invade Cuba to solve the issue, the U.S. placed an embargo (which is still there to this day.)

Just my opinion. :03:

[Bilge_Rat]

Do you think, there are some Trump voters who have regret their choice at the voting station, After his latest statement on the war in Ukraine ?

Markus

I doubt any of them care. Ukraine is an unimportant issue for US voters.

[Ostfriese]

I've heard about that, but haven't heard the actual statement (that way I know what he said exactly and garner context)

I'm not well versed on the Government of Ukraine, but isn't the country under martial law?


It is. It might come as a surprise to you, but Ukraine has been fighting a defensive war for almost three years by now - which should be more than enough reason for martial law.


and isn't Zelensky ruling by fiat under that law?


No. Not only doesn't Zelensky rule alone, de jure doesn't rule at all (the parliament does). The role of the President of Ukraine is mostly representative, and only martial law has given him some additionall power (like supreme command over the armed forces). The Ukrainan parliament is still fully functional, despite the circumstances.


Plus normal elections have been "postponed" indefinitely (as far as I'm aware) That's pretty much the very definition of a dictator is it not?


The last elections were held in July 2019, and in case you have forgotten the country is currently been invaded by an enemy aggressor, and holding elections would not only be difficult (especially in zones currently occupied by the Russians), but the population doesn't even see a reason why they should, on the ontrary, 65% of the population support the postponement of the elections for the duration of the war, while only 12% oppose it.



As for Ukraine starting the war, They didn't "start" it, but they aren't completely blameless either. Their political machinations (both internal and international) played a large part in setting the stage for a fight and NATO pretty much ensured it would happen, then got cold feet.


No. While the political moves towards the EU and towards NATO can -correctly- be seen as unfriendly in regards to Russia, this isactually a reaction to another Russian aggression- the invasion and annexation of the Krim peninsula in 2014. And of course it's an act of self-determination - something that has been heavily supported by American presidents, most notably by Woodrow Wilson and by FDR.


Do I need to mention again that it was Russia that invaded Ukraine with a large scale invasion in February 2022?


To achieve the goal of EU membership the government of Ukraine had taken measuers to reduce corruption and oligarchs' influence, which by 2022 were showing successes real progress.


The "Their political machinations"-talk is propaganda coming right from Russia, very little -if anything- about that is true. That talk has been around for a while because Russia actively blasts it on purpose into social media, especially in the English speaking nations and in Western Europe.


Just my opinion. :03:


You are entitled to your opinion, but your opinion is deeply flawed, shows a serious deficit in background information and is based way too much on Russian propaganda. If you want a more fitting comparison with a historic event: the annexiation of the rump state of Chechoslovakia by Nazi Germany in March 1939 is much closer.

[Skybird]

The ukrainian consitution does not explicitly rule out elections in times of war, but perfectly leaves open the option to not hold them, and this is reasonable, because under current circumstances it is practically impossible to hold fair elections where really every voter eligible to vote could give his ballot, if he wants. Millions are away from the country, and inside the o****ry many are in the trenches, live in ruins and bombed out towns, get bombed day and night, are in isolated areas under fire, or live under Russian occupation.



In other words, you cannot have, in no way, a representation of the total electorate. Trump plays foul with his demands. And you all know it! His minions in state opffices repeating his demands, are nothing more than just his pisspot-holders.



If there is a dictator-like state leader in office, then its in Washington.

[MGR1]

I've heard about that, but haven't heard the actual statement (that way I know what he said exactly and garner context)

I'm not well versed on the Government of Ukraine, but isn't the country under martial law? and isn't Zelensky ruling by fiat under that law? Plus normal elections have been "postponed" indefinitely (as far as I'm aware) That's pretty much the very definition of a dictator is it not?

As for Ukraine starting the war, They didn't "start" it, but they aren't completely blameless either. Their political machinations (both internal and international) played a large part in setting the stage for a fight and NATO pretty much ensured it would happen, then got cold feet.

This situation reminds me of the Cuban missile crisis, then you had 2 countries with one in the middle, here you have the same situation only with more countries involved on one side.

and rather than invade Cuba to solve the issue, the U.S. placed an embargo (which is still there to this day.)

Just my opinion. :03:
Suspending the democratic process in time of war is something the United Kingdom itself did between 1914-18 and 1939-45.

Churchill wasn't elected as our PM in 1940, but was appointed to the position.

The same applies to David Lloyd-George when he took over from Herbert Asquith in 1916.

Having continuity of government during a time of crisis was deemed more important. So what Starmer's said on the subject of Ukraine's electoral process is in line with historical precedent from the British perspective.

Mike.

[MaDef]

You are entitled to your opinion, but your opinion is deeply flawed, shows a serious deficit in background information and is based way too much on Russian propaganda. If you want a more fitting comparison with a historic event: the annexiation of the rump state of Chechoslovakia by Nazi Germany in March 1939 is much closer.

Only because it doesn't agree with yours. As for propaganda, the only propaganda I've heard or seen on this, is what comes out of the the larger world news organizations (primarily the BBC). I don't watch You tube videos or listen to blogs on the issue.

As I said way back in the beginning in this thread, We in the U.S. see this as a regional issue and there is no upside to getting involved. but the liberal politicians here (Obama, Biden, Clinton) decided to involve the U.S. and now Trump has decided that after wasting 87 Billion dollars, it's time to turn off the money spigot. If those of you in Europe feel that strongly about Ukraine continuing the war, you should have no problem ponying up the money and material to continue. :salute:

[Ostfriese]

Only because it doesn't agree with yours.


This is a very accurate description of yourself and your "thinking".

[Dargo]

Europe will cover costs if the United States continues to give military equipment to Ukraine.Allocations and commitments January 24, 2022 to December 31, 2024:

Europe, Total allocated aid: 132.26 € billion. Aid To be allocated: 115.11 € billion.
United States, Total allocated aid: 114.15 € billion. Aid To be allocated: 4.84 € billion.
https://www.ifw-kiel.de/topics/war-against-ukraine/ukraine-support-tracker/

Europe Eyes Unprecedented €700 Billion Military Aid Plan for Ukraine (https://ukrainetoday.org/europe-eyes-unprecedented-e700-billion-military-aid-plan-for-ukraine/)We will launch a large package, the likes of which we have never seen before, Just as we had a financial package for the euro crisis or COVID-19, we now need one for European security. This will happen soon.EU looks at tapping €93bn in unspent Covid recovery funds for defence (https://archive.ph/Y6yAJ#selection-1735.0-1735.69) European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen mentioned the financing option at a meeting of the centre-right European People’s party on Tuesday, according to four people with knowledge of the discussion. The bloc’s additional financing needs for defence are estimated at about €500bn over the next decade. The EU could also repurpose regional development funds, von der Leyen said, and mentioned “common European financing” as another option being explored, according to one of the people familiar with the matter.

[Commander Wallace]

Only because it doesn't agree with yours. As for propaganda, the only propaganda I've heard or seen on this, is what comes out of the the larger world news organizations (primarily the BBC). I don't watch You tube videos or listen to blogs on the issue.

As I said way back in the beginning in this thread, We in the U.S. see this as a regional issue and there is no upside to getting involved. but the liberal politicians here (Obama, Biden, Clinton) decided to involve the U.S. and now Trump has decided that after wasting 87 Billion dollars, it's time to turn off the money spigot. If those of you in Europe feel that strongly about Ukraine continuing the war, you should have no problem ponying up the money and material to continue. :salute:

I'm not so sure on that. I am all for Trump dealing with fraud and waste, the Migrant problems and things like that. The Ukraine is another matter. I am also aware of the costs the U.S and taxpayers have had to shoulder as well with regards to supporting the Ukraine. The reality is, Russia won't stop at Ukraine and wants to re institute the old borders of the former Soviet Union.

Russia has threatened other Countries, including NATO Countries as well. I think this is short sighted approach, with regards to the Ukraine and just wrong. If Russia threatens our fellow NATO members, then the U.S would be involved in a much larger fight and War. Better to stand up to a bully like Russia now. I think the stupid rhetoric by Trump that Zelenskyy started this war and is a Dictator is wrong as well.

The reality is, If the U.S hadn't been so stupid, the Ukraine would have had a credible Nuclear deterrent against Russia. in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, the Ukraine agreed to relinquish its nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances from the U.S., U.K., and Russia regarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. It can therefor be viewed that the U.S is backing away from it's agreements and in the process, throwing the Ukraine to the Wolves. If the U.S didn't want to be responsible for the Ukraine, they should have stayed out of the Budapest arrangement that saw the Ukraine disarmed. For me, It's about honoring your commitments and agreements.


https://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/ukraine-nuclear-disarmament/

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

[Dargo]

Brilliant Elon at work... Trump administration wants to un-fire nuclear safety workers but can’t figure out how to reach them (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/trump-administration-wants-un-fire-nuclear-safety-workers-cant-figure-rcna192345)

[MaDef]

Suspending the democratic process in time of war is something the United Kingdom itself did between 1914-18 and 1939-45.

Churchill wasn't elected as our PM in 1940, but was appointed to the position.

The same applies to David Lloyd-George when he took over from Herbert Asquith in 1916.

Having continuity of government during a time of crisis was deemed more important. So what Starmer's said on the subject of Ukraine's electoral process is in line with historical precedent from the British perspective.

Mike.

This is why Americans are special. :03: , We have never never ever suspended an election. Even during the Civil War come election time, the citizens cast his vote.:D

[Skybird]

Allocations and commitments January 24, 2022 to December 31, 2024:

Europe, Total allocated aid: 132.26 € billion. Aid To be allocated: 115.11 € billion.
United States, Total allocated aid: 114.15 € billion. Aid To be allocated: 4.84 € billion.

https://www.ifw-kiel.de/topics/war-against-ukraine/ukraine-support-tracker/

Europe Eyes Unprecedented €700 Billion Military Aid Plan for Ukraine (https://ukrainetoday.org/europe-eyes-unprecedented-e700-billion-military-aid-plan-for-ukraine/)EU looks at tapping €93bn in unspent Covid recovery funds for defence (https://archive.ph/Y6yAJ#selection-1735.0-1735.69) European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen mentioned the financing option at a meeting of the centre-right European People’s party on Tuesday, according to four people with knowledge of the discussion. The bloc’s additional financing needs for defence are estimated at about €500bn over the next decade. The EU could also repurpose regional development funds, von der Leyen said, and mentioned “common European financing” as another option being explored, according to one of the people familiar with the matter.


The lying Donny says it were 350 bn the US has given :D , thats not true, but Donny has the talent to make false claims appear as real so that his church is believing it. And he wants not European Euros (and why would he want these, he has Dollars as made of paper as the Euros are) , but he wants total control over Ukraine's mineral and rare earth ressources. According exports form China have recently been banned by Bejing.

And yes, I take his way to let Ukraine fall very angrily. Its worse than what was to be expected. In principle he is Putin at Halloween, wearing a Donny mask, and Halloween lasting all year long. I wonder when Lying Donny starts to hold his speeches and conferences in Russian. Maybe when Puti ahs completely pulled him over the table and there is nothing more left to get from him. LOL

[Buddahaid]

The lying Donny says it were 350 bn the US has given :D , thats not true, but Donny has the talent to make false claims appear as real so that his church is believing it. And he wants not European Euros (and why would he want these, he has Dollars as made of paper as the Euros are) , but he wants total control over Ukraine's mineral and rare earth ressources. According exports form China have recently been banned by Bejing.

And yes, I take his way to let Ukraine fall very angrily. Its worse than what was to be expected. In principle he is Putin at Halloween, wearing a Donny mask, and Halloween lasting all year long. I wonder when Lying Donny starts to hold his speeches and conferences in Russian. Maybe when Puti ahs completely pulled him over the table and there is nothing more left to get from him. LOL

Hey, you get it! Lil' Donny makes it sound like the US is handing over money in sacks, but it's arms and the US economy is employing people to do so.

Thank the gods there are judges doing their jobs standing up for law and order and checking the dirtbag. That sack of dung has put out another executive order saying the Executive Branch with the DOJ interprets the law. Wrong! The Constitution Article I says the Legislative Branch makes the law, Article II says the Executive Branch executes the law, and Article III says the Judicial Branch interprets the law.

[Ostfriese]

This is why Americans are special. :03: , We have never never ever suspended an election. Even during the Civil War come election time, the citizens cast his vote.:D


In 1864 97% of the US counties were not affected directly by or under threat of military action. Oh, and of course only about 8% of the population were eligible to vote, the rest being not old enough, not white enough, not rich enough or not male enough.

During the industrialised wars of the 20th century no part of the US homeland was under threat of military action of any sorts during an election.

Britain in 1944 was still under air attack, with almost all of the country in range of bombers and rockets. Ukraine as a whole is under threat of Russian attack today, even the westernmost parts.
So, America might be special in that regard, but it's not an achievement of its people.


And, as I might add, it seems that the British and the Ukrainian people trust(ed) their leaders enough to return back to democratic ideas once the crisis in their respective countries is over. I can definitely understand why Americans don't have that trust, considering your current president...

[em2nought]

or not male enough.


When most women will select having a Taylor Swift ticket over having a bit coin, maybe it should still be this way. :har:

https://9gag.com/gag/avyzN3n

[mapuc]

Have erased my comment, since it was totally wrong, sorry

Markus

[Otto Harkaman]

Europe can eat cake

[Ostfriese]

Europe can eat cake


Yep, we can, because we can afford to buy eggs.

[mapuc]

Yep, we can, because we can afford to buy eggs.

It was a response to my comment, which I removed, 'cause it was wrong.

Edit
I based my former comment on this Danish article

https://nyheder-tv2-dk.translate.goog/udland/2025-02-20-mens-trump-og-musk-fyrer-loes-vokser-bekymringen-for-at-de-ikke-aner-hvad-de-laver?_x_tr_sl=da&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=da&_x_tr_pto=wapp

End edit

Markus

[MaDef]

In 1864 97% of the US counties were not affected directly by or under threat of military action. Maybe but 1864 Washington D.C. certainly was. The important fact of the matter is that it was a CIVIL WAR and the country was split along political lines and people were shooting at each other.

Besides until we (Americans) came along most of the world didn't know what voting was. There is a reason that the first salvo fired at the battle of Lexington & Concord is also known as the the shot heard around the world.:03:

[August]

In 1864 97% of the US counties were not affected directly by or under threat of military action. Oh, and of course only about 8% of the population were eligible to vote, the rest being not old enough, not white enough, not rich enough or not male enough.


Not sure how you get that 97% number. The secessionist states and all their counties were banned from taking part in the election. Only Louisiana and Tennessee having been recaptured by Union forces were allowed to have elections but their results were not counted as they were still in allegiance with the Confederacy.

[Catfish]

Yep, we can, because we can afford to buy eggs.
:har: :up:

[MGR1]

Question for the more knowledgeable:

If he proposed it, could Trump successfully repeal the 22nd Amendment on Presidential term limits, or would Representative Andy Ogles (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Ogles)' approach be more likely to succeed?

In January 2025, Ogles proposed to amend the Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution ) to allow American presidents who have two non-consecutive presidency terms to seek a third term as president. This would allow Donald Trump to seek a third term, but not presidents with consecutive presidency terms such as Barack Obama (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama), George W. Bush (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush), and Bill Clinton (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton). Ogles' rationale was that Trump "has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nation's decay", so it was "imperative that we provide President Trump with every resource necessary […] we, as legislators and as states, must do everything in our power to support him."Quoted from Ogles' Wikipedia page.

Mike.

[Otto Harkaman]

https://youtu.be/XOqYNb3aJ3Q?si=WRopjX-qel5VOQb4

[Catfish]

Posted by Mapuc but withdrawn. I think this is exactly what is happening.

"As Trump and Musk unleash fire, concerns grow that they have no idea what they're doing

Tens of thousands of public sector employees are being laid off in the United States these weeks. This affects everything from public restrooms to those responsible for the country's nuclear weapons."

https://nyheder-tv2-dk.translate.goog/udland/2025-02-20-mens-trump-og-musk-fyrer-loes-vokser-bekymringen-for-at-de-ikke-aner-hvad-de-laver?_x_tr_sl=da&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=da&_x_tr_pto=wapp

[mapuc]

Posted by Mapuc but withdrawn. I think this is exactly what is happening.

"As Trump and Musk unleash fire, concerns grow that they have no idea what they're doing

Tens of thousands of public sector employees are being laid off in the United States these weeks. This affects everything from public restrooms to those responsible for the country's nuclear weapons."

https://nyheder-tv2-dk.translate.goog/udland/2025-02-20-mens-trump-og-musk-fyrer-loes-vokser-bekymringen-for-at-de-ikke-aner-hvad-de-laver?_x_tr_sl=da&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=da&_x_tr_pto=wapp

I asked if Trump was a threat to USA and its Constitution.

Markus

[MaDef]

Question for the more knowledgeable:

If he proposed it, could Trump successfully repeal the 22nd Amendment on Presidential term limits, or would Representative Andy Ogles (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Ogles)' approach be more likely to succeed?

Quoted from Ogles' Wikipedia page.

Mike. He could propose it, but it probably wouldn't be ratified. While I'm enjoying the "Trump show" I have to agree with Thomas Jefferson:

If some termination to the services of the chief magistrate be not fixed by the Constitution, or supplied by practice, his office, nominally for years, will in fact, become for life; and history shows how easily that degenerates into an inheritance

[Otto Harkaman]

I asked if Trump was a threat to USA and its Constitution.

Markus

No

He is a threat to the Democratic Party whose media you listen to.

[Buddahaid]

I asked if Trump was a threat to USA and its Constitution.

Markus

Yes, he is by his actions trying to break the separation of powers.

[Jeff-Groves]

Sounds like the Miller commercial from 1987!

Less Republicans! Trump's Great!

:haha:

[Reece]

I asked if Trump was a threat to USA and its Constitution.

Markus
YES!!! :k_confused:

[Skybird]

I asked if Trump was a threat to USA and its Constitution.

Markus
Buddhahaid is spot on. He indeed tries to break the separation of powers.

Same is tried by the mastermind in the background, Musk. This personnel decision is also dangerous and questionable. Musk has not undergone any kind of democratic legitimization or background checks. His conflict of interests it utmost obvious.

Trump acts as if he were a global landowner, emperor and god all rolled into one.

The system that was meant to prevent all this - HAS FAILED.

TWICE.


AND EASYILY so.

[Skybird]

Trump has released a UN draft that no longer lists Russia as the aggressor.

It gets worse and worse.

Next he will want to send Zelenskyi to The Hague, just wait for it.



According to diplomats, the USA is introducing a draft resolution to the UN General Assembly ahead of the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which does not explicitly name Moscow as the aggressor. The short text, which calls for “a swift end to the conflict” in Ukraine and regrets the loss of life in the war, is seen as a counter-proposal to a text in support of Kiev.


This had been drafted by Ukraine together with the EU representation and was actually due to be put to a vote before the largest UN body next Monday. The US paper is available to the German Press Agency.


Western diplomats had already feared that the USA would not support the original draft resolution. This would diplomatically formalize US President Donald Trump's rhetorical renunciation of Kiev.

[mapuc]

Trump has released a UN draft that no longer lists Russia as the aggressor.

It gets worse and worse.

Next he will want to send Zelenskyi to The Hague, just wait for it.

Is Trump turning USA into a tail who is waging behind Putin's back ?

Markus

[Skybird]

No, Putin wags the US-dog.

What the US under Trump does and tries to do to and with Ukraine, is a disgrace, and utmost shameful. History will remember this.

It seems as if Trump has the ambition to confirm every negative clichée about the capitalist evil USA that is even conceivable. The speed with which he is doing one strategically important favor after another for Russia without asking for anything in return defies description. I think the godlike worship of his followers has gone to his head and he is now completely stupid. Or age-related degeneration. All that junk food, and his age...

[Aktungbby]

Kinda funny. You catch someone stealing your money and they are mad at you instead of the thief. I don't understand that thinking.That's 'cause yer a cold, hard PEI instead of a soft, corrupt liberal DEI! :haha::O::yeah::yep:

[Commander Wallace]

That's 'cause yer a cold, hard PEI instead of a soft, corrupt liberal DEI! :haha::O::yeah::yep:


Me thinks you should be keeping things on the QT because if the VP who is a VIP learns of you dissing and disagreeing with the downing of DEI, He could contact the FBI, CIA and NSA and you could end up an MIA. :yep: :O:

[Hawk66]

The speed in which the Europeans and the US destroy the West is astonishing: The EU incapable to spend enough (and equally important have the proper mindset) for its defense, the US going back before WWII (and I) acting as a kind of "soft-imperalist"

And this in a time when the citizens are confused about the increasing complexity of our world and when we would need to put the focus on stuff like governing AI.

[Exocet25fr]

https://image.over-blog.com/E7fSnWK7ImiJJMUfW8sL64dSOLE=/filters:no_upscale()/image%2F1488922%2F20250221%2Fob_46f54c_yartiukrain e3ans07.jpg

https://image.over-blog.com/bsqs2ELb32V42w5Fdjz5HPaJj_M=/filters:no_upscale()/image%2F1488922%2F20250221%2Fob_47b8c1_yartiukrain e3ans06.jpg

[Catfish]

Trump has just threatened to turn off Starlink if Ukraine does not give him the country's resources.

https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-starlink-access-threatened-minerals-deal-2034765

https://eaworldview.com/2025/02/ukraine-war-day-starlink-trump-administration-threatens-cut/

[MaDef]

Trump has just threatened to turn off Starlink if Ukraine does not give him the country's resources.

https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-starlink-access-threatened-minerals-deal-2034765

https://eaworldview.com/2025/02/ukraine-war-day-starlink-trump-administration-threatens-cut/

Sorry those links are BS.

the first is based on 3 unnamed sources (which is reporter speak for: I made it up) The second is nothing more than a picture with that caption, I could not find any mention of Starlink in the text below it, (although I only scanned it)


Just a heads up, I won't speak for others, but due to the actions of the U.S. news media over the last 10 years, I'm very skeptical of any "news reports" that do not have verifiable sources or evidence that can be cross checked with other sources.

[Catfish]

^ Like you I almost fail to understand how and how fast Trump destroys decade-long relations and cutting ties to former allies and friends, but this Starlink thing is ALL over the internet.

https://www.reuters.com/business/us-could-cut-ukraines-access-starlink-internet-services-over-minerals-say-2025-02-22/

You tell me that Trump's presidency is also a russian hoax? I sure hope so.

[Otto Harkaman]

^
I can't find anything factual about Starlink being turned off in Ukraine

This seems to be one of the articles that started the rumor
https://www.reuters.com/business/us-could-cut-ukraines-access-starlink-internet-services-over-minerals-say-2025-02-22/

The Reuters report bases its claim on anonymous sources rather than publishing a direct, verbatim statement from a U.S. negotiator. One source was quoted as saying, "Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star," which highlights the service’s critical role for Ukraine, but no negotiator’s direct quote specifically stating the threat to cut off Starlink has been disclosed.

[Aktungbby]

turn off Starlink...Trump is aware of the M.I.T study that predicts the end of civilization by 2040, and he knows he is a Lame Duck dicktater with nuthing to lose. He, XI, Putin, and KimJungUn are the four Horsemen of the coming Apocalypse predicted by Baba Vanga after the collapse of Syria...:shucks:

[MaDef]

Here's the thing Catfish, no matter the link, they are all the same story and they all cite "unnamed sources". They are also linked to mineral rights. a lot of those minerals are needed for use in the Starlink satellites.

What I think the more likely scenario is: the U.S. told Ukraine they need those minerals for starlink and that those satellites have a finite lifespan of 5-7 years (before they break down and/or lose orbit) and that replacing them could be problematic without access to said minerals. and someone decided to exaggerate what was said to try and influence the "talks".

[Catfish]

^
I can't find anything factual about Starlink being turned off in Ukraine [...]
Seems this is not even new news.

"According to sources familiar with the situation, the issue of Starlink access was raised during recent talks led by U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg. During this meeting, Ukraine was warned that the service could be turned off if an agreement on the extraction of valuable minerals, including rare earth elements, is not reached promptly. President Zelenskyy confirmed that negotiators are currently working towards a resolution.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism, stating that a deal could be finalized soon. The Starlink system, owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has proven vital for Ukraine, particularly for maintaining internet connectivity for military operations amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia."

https://themunicheye.com/us-threatens-starlink-shutdown-ukraine-resource-deal-11318

"Washington first raised the prospect of shutting off Starlink service after Zelensky rejected the deal presented by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Feb. 12, sources said. The deal reportedly sought a 50% stake in Ukraine's natural resources, including critical minerals, oil, and gas, without offering Ukraine any concrete security guarantees.

The Starlink threat came up again in talks with U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg, who met with Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials in Kyiv on Feb. 20."

I sure hope it is not true, still it is perfectly in line of Trump's latest actions.
Even the Kremlin is 'totally stunned' by Trump's concessions to Putin, says a former Russian official. But maybe this is also a hoax. Whatever, a good deal it is not.

[Otto Harkaman]

^ Catfish the media keeps saying sources, what sources? find me a direct quote

Well it doesn't matter, a deal is going to be made on Ukraine whether people like it or not, the war is unsustainable and needs to end
So Russia won this round, well better get ready for the next one instead of just wringing your hands blaming others.

[Catfish]

The Ukraine war needs to end, but not under russian conditions. Or US ones. The latter will see another war in 4-5 years latest, when Trump is out of office.
You are chickening out, ok. You destroy decade-long-connections, ok. You destroy NATO, ok. But you do not decide a ukrainian surrender.
"We" are already at war with Russia, hybrid- and infrastructure-wise.
Trump is too dumb to see it, or maybe he is ok with that. We. are. not.

You are right, Europe is too weak because we believed in treaties. Even dumb europeans will not fall for this again.

[Jimbuna]

^ Like you I almost fail to understand how and how fast Trump destroys decade-long relations and cutting ties to former allies and friends.



That is my major concern also.....hopefully the Republican elite can reign him in but I doubt it.

[MaDef]

↑↑↑ I hope not ↑↑↑

For a myriad of reasons.

[Catfish]

^ Catfish the media keeps saying sources, what sources? find me a direct quote [...]
Ok i agree, I did not listen to these negotiations (read: blackmailing) myself, I looked at dependable media and believe them.

Like that one. Just READ it.

https://www.pgurus.com/us-pressures-ukraine-over-critical-minerals-threatens-to-cut-starlink-access-report/

They say there are three different believable sources about Kellogg's and Trump's demands regarding ukrainian mineral and rare earth resources, also it is perfectly in line with T's other politics. Maybe we will read who they are soon.

[Otto Harkaman]

https://youtu.be/bgs1O9LUp68?si=57MlwBKuzkZXg1Xy

[Catfish]

^ seems the author of this video does not like what Trump did. But then who does, apart from Putin or other dictators.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/21/donald-trump-usa-russia-vladimir-putin-weakest-strongman

"Trump is the world’s greatest showman – and the weakest strongman it has ever seen
His capitulation to Putin over Ukraine reveals a pattern. He’s the patsy: giving everything away, getting little in return."

Never fall for the US again. Make Europe strong enough we NEVER have to go through such BS again.

[mapuc]

Not taking his side I just wonder if we are misunderstanding him ?

Maybe we are getting our news from anti-Trump news sources as someone said here in this thread.

Markus

[Buddahaid]

And he's a loser who only knows how to destroy things.

He just lost his first motion in the SCOTUS that ruled head of the Office of Special Council Hampton Dellinger stays in his chair until the judge rules in the case.

Also, CBS is fighting back on Trump's lawsuit over the Harris interview he claimed was edited to damage his campaign. I hope this one doesn't get dropped because CBS is asking for Trump's financial information in discovery.

And, AP has just filed a lawsuit over Trump's retaliation for AP not using Gulf of America claiming First Amendment violation. Mainstream media is going to stand up to the schoolyard bully finally.

[Dargo]

How many 88 you need to see this administration are fascist!

[Buddahaid]

Not taking his side I just wonder if we are misunderstanding him ?

Maybe we are getting our news from anti-Trump news sources as someone said here in this thread.

Markus

I like to use legal documents in the courts to back up what I choose to believe. Trump is a pathological liar who says whatever he thinks people want to hear at the given moment.

[Catfish]

↑↑↑ I hope not ↑↑↑
For a myriad of reasons.
I'd like to hear of this myriad of reasons.

[vienna]

https://ditext.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/putin-trump.jpg


Love the picture...

...although it seems like Mrs. Putin may have lost a bit of weight...

...must be all those approval polling points she shedding...




<O>

[vienna]

A bit of housekeeping...




Kamala Harris won Washington, Oregon, California, Illinois, Colorado, New Mexico, Minnesota, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, Hawaii and all the New England States. Donald Trump won all the rest including the 7 battleground States like Ohio and Pennsylvania where Harris Campaigned extensively.

Donald Trump won 312 Electoral College Votes To 226 for Kamala Harris. 270 Electoral Votes were needed to win. That sounds pretty decisive to me. In fact, it sounds like a rout. Harris won 74,749,891 votes (48.3%) of the Popular vote to 77,168,458 votes (49.9%) For Donald Trump.

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-ELECTION/RESULTS/zjpqnemxwvx/

Stop crying about it and get over it, Vienna. Mama Kamala was soundly beaten and that's it. Numbers don't lie.


This map looks pretty convincing too, by precincts. The red areas are for Trump.




https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. wThzuNaq0X5ZThzy8lqPAgHaEC%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=a15fb5de30c2163dc81a8bd38487de7d7da3cd0c23150c c5fe61bdfcff61b45a&ipo=images (https://i.redd.it/tk6gznxiqpi61.png)


Oooh, lookit da purty map!!...


The map does absolutely nothing to prove Trump got a majority of the popular vote; those 'county maps' have been trotted out since the 1980s by whatever party at the time is trying to make their candidate/party seem much more influential than the actual voting numbers attest; if you really dig into the geography of the map, an awful lot of that territory is very empty; aside from the obvious (Alaska, while huge only has a population of less than 750,000 and not all of them are voters), take four of those states near dead center of your map: Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana; those 4 sates count for only 5 of the total electoral votes in 2024 and all four states, together represent only about 1,275,00 total voters; they comprise a very sizable chunk of real estate, but they are some of the most sparsely populated states in the country; a lot of "Red" doesn't translate into an actual count of a lot of votes; the real measure is the real, raw count of the ballots, not a map that has no objective correlation to actual voting numbers; to further illustrate the disparity between such maps as you used and the actual numbers underlying, I offer up a map of the 2024 California results, by county, in those purdy colors you like:


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:California_Presidential_Election_Results_2024 .svg


On first glance, it would seem the GOP had a field day in the 2024 Election; however, the cold reality is a very substantial portion of those Red shades lie in some of the most sparsely populated rural areas of California, e.g., a lot of land not a lot of people; the far north of the state is wilderness and the southeast of the state is open land and some deserts and the Central part of the state is the vast San Juaquin Valley, which is primarily farmland; so, no your US map does not impress, if one knows what actual numbers underlays the purdy colors...

I'm still waiting for you to provide your proof of your claims that Trump has a "overwhelming" or "vast" majority of the US voters behind him...


What difference and who cares. Trump is the 47th President of the USA. Crying about it won't change that fact.
...



No tears on my part; remember, I am an Independent, not beholden or attached to any party; and, yes, Trump is the 47th president, but that doesn't mean he is sacrosanct and that others cannot speak against his idiocies and the idiots he has as minions...



...

You do understand the meaning of the word majority don't you?
...




Actually, I really do, but it seems like not a few of the Trumpettes here have any knowledge or understanding of the concept; just look at what Webster's Dictionary says about the term 'majority':




majority

noun

1a: a number or percentage equaling more than half of a total

a majority of voters
a two-thirds majority

1b: the excess of a majority over the remainder of the total : margin

won by a majority of 10 votes

1c: the greater quantity or share

the majority of the time

2a; the age at which full civil rights are accorded

The age of majority in the U.S. is 18.

2b: the status of one who has attained this age

graduated … before he had attained his majority
—W. L. Burrage

3: the group or political party having the greater number of votes (as in a legislature)

4: the military office, rank, or commission of a major

majorities and colonelcies were thick as June blackberries
—Dixon Wecter

5: obsolete : the quality or state of being greater




..." a number or percentage equaling more than half of a total"...somehow, 49.9% does not seem like a real majority...



.
..

I've never said he was a strong candidate.

...



...and I never said you, personally, did...





...

Yea. Cry me a river. It's gonna be a long four years for the TDS crowd. I am sure there are therapy groups out there. Get help.


I don't need any help at all; I'm just enjoying watching the wheels start to come off the Trump Express; going in to this, I had no real worry (and I was on a 24/7 heart monitor during the election, so I have empirical evidence) because I pretty much knew what was about to transpire was going to be repeat of the first term Trump disaster; Trump. as I pointed out before, is highly predictable and is really easy to play on the Bingo card; so far, he has been true to his sorry form; and I didn't even worry about the numbskulls and whack jobs he's appointed to the various offices; the lifespan of a 'trusted' Trump appointee is exceedingly short, mainly because Trump will throw them under the bus if he catches any real heat and , also, because Trump has the ingrained notion that you can't be an effective boss if you don't fire people, and often (he very frequently criticized Biden for not being up to firing his appointees with regularity); this is backed up by Trump's first term track record of firings and/or resignations in the White House ranks; I really doubt there will be an intact cast of minions as it exists now when Mid-Terms rolls around, and I believe when the Mid-Terms start to get closer, y9u'll see a speedup in the sackings of the underlings as a means of trying to deflect from the failures of Trump's 'leadership'...

No, no worries or tears; when November 2026 rolls around, the expectation is Trump will be substantially curtailed, the GOP will lose either the House or Senate, or both, and the US voters will express their majority opinion of the train wreck that is Trump...


Then we will see the Real Trump Derangement Syndrome when the Giant Fat Lemon and the GOP and the Trumpettes lose their minds and wonder what went wrong...




<O>

[u crank]

I'm just enjoying watching the wheels start to come off the Trump Express

Well whether they come off or not, Donald Trump will be President till 2029. Hope you are entertained. I will be.

[vienna]

I like to use legal documents in the courts to back up what I choose to believe. Trump is a pathological liar who says whatever he thinks people want to hear at the given moment.


I just wanted to add my two cents in defense of posters like Buddahaid: he, and a few others, really do post and provide material which has a real basis in fact and truth, not in opinion; a court filing is a court filing, a judicial decision is a judicial decision, and a law, as writ, is a law; the disparagement of those posters is shameful to a very great degree and the abuse they are subject to is even more shameful; I am very impressed with the forbearance of Buddahaid and admire his patience and his sense of purpose; in the midst of the fertilizer storm that often occurs on this thread, his ports are refreshing, succinct reminders that the truth is out there if you look for it and that the truth actually matters; I'd rather read one of his posts than the litany of YT opinion videos by dubious characters or the op-ed attack pieces so often posted in this thread; he, and others like him actually post verifiable facts, not social media pap...


To Buddahaid: :salute:




<O>

[Reece]

I just wanted to add my two cents in defense of posters like Buddahaid: he, and a few others, really do post and provide material which has a real basis in fact and truth, not in opinion; a court filing is a court filing, a judicial decision is a judicial decision, and a law, as writ, is a law; the disparagement of those posters is shameful to a very great degree and the abuse they are subject to is even more shameful; I am very impressed with the forbearance of Buddahaid and admire his patience and his sense of purpose; in the midst of the fertilizer storm that often occurs on this thread, his ports are refreshing, succinct reminders that the truth is out there if you look for it and that the truth actually matters; I'd rather read one of his posts than the litany of YT opinion videos by dubious characters or the op-ed attack pieces so often posted in this thread; he, and others like him actually post verifiable facts, not social media pap...


To Buddahaid: :salute:




<O>
:sign_yeah:

[MaDef]

I'd like to hear of this myriad of reasons.

I'll give you a few.

1. Has brought in an outside auditor to go through the books, and is showing the American people just where their tax dollars are being wasted.

2.Illegal immigrants crossing the border has gone from a flood to a trickle (just by enforcing the laws already on the books.)

3. Has a very good chance of ending birthright citizenship.

4. Rolling back DEI initiatives and returning to merit as a basis for hiring, and promotions (particularly in Government)

5. Declaring cartels as terrorist organizations, which means that Military & National Intelligence assets can be used to better effect.

[Gorpet]

No, Putin wags the US-dog.

What the US under Trump does and tries to do to and with Ukraine, is a disgrace, and utmost shameful. History will remember this.

It seems as if Trump has the ambition to confirm every negative clichée about the capitalist evil USA that is even conceivable. The speed with which he is doing one strategically important favor after another for Russia without asking for anything in return defies description. I think the godlike worship of his followers has gone to his head and he is now completely stupid. Or age-related degeneration. All that junk food, and his age...

What is shameful is what the EU , And NATO have invested into Ukraine. Just metal and cloth. No meat. Get off your ass Quit talking about the United States and Donald Trump. Get your ass into the game and fight the war you wanted. Don't be a girly Union get in there !

[Reece]

https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/480521958_659095576645733_942145876072656219_n.jpg ?stp=dst-jpg_p526x296_tt6&_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=833d8c&_nc_ohc=oIt2WwEiHTIQ7kNvgHTONxO&_nc_oc=AdhT50Ur8-iwTm9En05bcdCek4BIWZCO4wg5YQCihz7fm9Ik7JLKIlOgzY5_ 0LEemZI&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&_nc_gid=AOnkzYhwhPUmeahI3ciOWRE&oh=00_AYAVndbnsKPhWirQKA_IrN14ZRFCkziiO152LrsE3-SjSw&oe=67C056A7

[Gorpet]

https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/480521958_659095576645733_942145876072656219_n.jpg ?stp=dst-jpg_p526x296_tt6&_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=833d8c&_nc_ohc=oIt2WwEiHTIQ7kNvgHTONxO&_nc_oc=AdhT50Ur8-iwTm9En05bcdCek4BIWZCO4wg5YQCihz7fm9Ik7JLKIlOgzY5_ 0LEemZI&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&_nc_gid=AOnkzYhwhPUmeahI3ciOWRE&oh=00_AYAVndbnsKPhWirQKA_IrN14ZRFCkziiO152LrsE3-SjSw&oe=67C056A7

There have been many just like this. Nobody cares anymore. It is what it is. ok who is the guy setting at the desk ? Oh ok Elon, The man who is Teaching the corrupt politician and a vile country club. That there is a difference. He deserves a desk of his own. What so funny is the entire elected by the people "Government" didn't have a clue what was going on for years. And it just took 1 man who knows how to really run a business to expose the Politician. And open the can of worms that may encompass the "Great" that are not so Great. And the bubble of Elitism will explode and b

[vienna]

Well whether they come off or not, Donald Trump will be President till 2029. Hope you are entertained. I will be.


I'm not disputing he'll be a carbuncle on the butt of the US, but I believe he'll be a PINO, aPresifent In Name Only; by the time Inaguration Dsy 2029 rolls around, we'll all be glad to see and hear of Trump in the Oval Office no more; perhaps some of thoe deferred legal actions against him will resurface, maybe in addition to what ever other felonies he can commit between now and 2029...

...and yes I will be entertained; here he's barely one month in and already SCOUTUS is denying his bid for almighty power, the Muskstone Kops are falling all over themselves, judges are ruling against him at all levels, and the bulk of the public opinion polls show him shedding popularity points at a rate not seen before; it won't be long before he'll be so hamstrung, he'll just have to pathetically limp through the remainder of his term fulfilling the apt description of "lame duck"; so I expect to have a lot to entertain and amuse me until 2029...

...and the MAGA tears will be delicious...




<O>

[vienna]

https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/480521958_659095576645733_942145876072656219_n.jpg ?stp=dst-jpg_p526x296_tt6&_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=833d8c&_nc_ohc=oIt2WwEiHTIQ7kNvgHTONxO&_nc_oc=AdhT50Ur8-iwTm9En05bcdCek4BIWZCO4wg5YQCihz7fm9Ik7JLKIlOgzY5_ 0LEemZI&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&_nc_gid=AOnkzYhwhPUmeahI3ciOWRE&oh=00_AYAVndbnsKPhWirQKA_IrN14ZRFCkziiO152LrsE3-SjSw&oe=67C056A7


Actually, when I was watching that bizarre Press Conference where President Musk held forth while Trump basically sulked at his desk, I kinda got the impression the only near-adult in that room was the 4 year old kid picking his nose...



<O>

[Gorpet]

I'm not disputing he'll be a carbuncle on the butt of the US, but I believe he'll be a PINO, aPresifent In Name Only; by the time Inaguration Dsy 2029 rolls around, we'll all be glad to see and hear of Trump in the Oval Office no more; perhaps some of thoe deferred legal actions against him will resurface, maybe in addition to what ever other felonies he can commit between now and 2029...

...and yes I will be entertained; here he's barely one month in and already SCOUTUS is denying his bid for almighty power, the Muskstone Kops are falling all over themselves, judges are ruling against him at all levels, and the bulk of the public opinion polls show him shedding popularity points at a rate not seen before; it won't be long before he'll be so hamstrung, he'll just have to pathetically limp through the remainder of his term fulfilling the apt description of "lame duck"; so I expect to have a lot to entertain and amuse me until




<O>

Your so typical, But the fact is you had Kamala, And i will leave it there.

[Gorpet]

Actually, when I was watching that bizarre Press Conference where President Musk held forth while Trump basically sulked at his desk, I kinda got the impression the only near-adult in that room was the 4 year old kid picking his nose...



<O>

Is that the best ya can do. ? Roger ram Jet.

[vienna]

Your so typical, But the fact is you had Kamala, And i will leave it there.

You can be so wrong its amusing; I'm not a Democrat, so I had no political favoring of Harris, although I did vote for her because, ya know, that whole 'lesser of two evils' thing; that and how she showed up Trump at that one debate they had; small wonder Trump was too scared to go for a second round...



<O>

[vienna]

Is that the best ya can do. ? Roger ram Jet.

Oh, I am mortally wounded! How can I possibly survive such witty repartee; Bernard Shaw would be envious of your rapier style...

...but thank you for giving me a good laugh...

...and the comment about the nose-picking four year old would apply to your response...



>O>

[Catfish]

re the reasons Trump should stay in office ..

I'll give you a few. [...]

I even agree with some, just not the unnecessary bullying and grandstanding with what he tries to cover his insecurity and stupidity.
I certainly do not agree with Musk as an "outside editor" who is on drugs, has no experience, does not know what he's doing but glad to evade taxes just like the one who brought him there. But it's your inner-american ride, so enjoy.
I agree with "declaring cartels as terrorist organizations, which means that Military & National Intelligence assets can be used to better effect."
I doubt it was Trump's idea, this was long overdue. But he did it, so ok.

What I am absolutely not ok with is making Russia great again and trample on allies. Trump obviously never read anything from Brzezinski when it comes to international relations and planning. His entourage consists of yes-men that echo him just to remain in office, no real advisors with any backbone left.
:salute:

[u crank]

...and the MAGA tears will be delicious...


Telling us that the President's party will lose seats in the midterms is like saying the sun will come up every morning. It's nothing new and quite predictable. As to your other predictions well you have been wrong before so I will take a wait and see approach to them. But it is good to see you are keeping a brave face. I think for the moment that is all you have.

[Ostfriese]

re the reasons Trump should stay in office ..

I certainly do not agree with Musk as an "outside editor" who is on drugs, has no experience, does not know what he's doing but glad to evade taxes just like the one who brought him there. But it's your inner-american ride, so enjoy.


Murks's so "successful" that he has to list a plethora of programs that actually ended on Dec 31st, 2024, as his successes, and he vastly overstates the sums.
Oh, and of course none of the "saved" money will end in the hands of the people. :)

[Dargo]

...
Oh, and of course none of the "saved" money will end in the hands of the people. :)https://i.postimg.cc/G245R5JZ/Sherlock-Holmes-Shhhhhh.gif

[Dargo]

Jim, It's about Democracy and our country and its people have spoken...,.What is the problem ? Oh is there a different Democracy in the UK ? Are there different Democracy's across the Planet ? Certainly there is one in Ukraine. I think the UK should, stand for Democracy and follow it's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Don't bend the knee to Donald Trump and the United States, after all you are a member of NATO.The most feared Alliance that the planet has ever known...Democracy has brought the entire planet to near Extinction. And will wipe out every culture that doesn't bend the knee to their future. Is Donald Trump a part of that no. He could be but he is not.
Isn't the UK a society built around a socialist idea for a country after the war? And the elite somehow survived and got rid of Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill. At the first opportunity? Of course they did. And today years later, Britain lays broken across the knee of The United States...The Muslim and Indian countries that were part of your Empire and any port your ships docked at.Today you will accept the young men from these countries into your society. If you want Democracy, Your young men must step away and carry the guilt, of the Politician whose daughter they will never touch.There are many different forms of democracy. Some nations like Sweden have only a single House of Representatives. Others like the Netherlands have a House of Representatives and a senate. Both these forms occur without a president (Denmark with a house and Italy with house and senate) or with a president (Finland with a house and France with house and senate). Some nations have an electoral system that is partly indirect, with deputies rather than voters electing a representative. In Germany, for example, the directly elected deputies elect the indirectly elected president. Representative democracy is the term for representatives chosen through a selection process. This is the case in most countries in the West.

Basic forms:
Direct democracy.
Representative democracy. Variants:
Consensus democracy.
Deliberative democracy.
Demarchy.
Lottocracy.
Participatory democracy.

[Skybird]

Basic forms:

Direct democracy.
Representative democracy. Variants:

Consensus democracy.
Deliberative democracy.
Demarchy.
Lottocracy.
Participatory democracy.






^ You forgot "Debilicity". :O:

[Dargo]

^ You forgot "Debilicity". :O:You suggesting that democracy across the pond? :D

[Skybird]

Not just them but practically all, everywhere, including ourselves. The Greeks called it:


KAKISTOCRACY.

[MaDef]

re the reasons Trump should stay in office ..



I even agree with some, just not the unnecessary bullying and grandstanding with what he tries to cover his insecurity and stupidity.
I certainly do not agree with Musk as an "outside editor" who is on drugs, has no experience, does not know what he's doing but glad to evade taxes just like the one who brought him there. But it's your inner-american ride, so enjoy.
I agree with "declaring cartels as terrorist organizations, which means that Military & National Intelligence assets can be used to better effect."
I doubt it was Trump's idea, this was long overdue. But he did it, so ok.

What I am absolutely not ok with is making Russia great again and trample on allies. Trump obviously never read anything from Brzezinski when it comes to international relations and planning. His entourage consists of yes-men that echo him just to remain in office, no real advisors with any backbone left.
:salute:

World leaders call it bullying, when it's actually just assertiveness, and initiative. and they're upset because He's telling them what he's going to do rather than asking for their input before he does it.

You keep believing that, but he must be doing something right, he founded Tesla, Space-X, co-founded OpenAI, runs -X, not to mention a few other endeavors over his adult life. He's a hell of a lot more qualified to Audit the U.S. books than the head of the IRS.

Europe did nothing to prevent the invasion of Ukraine, and once it happened, rather than find a way to put a stop to it, they sent just enough "support" to perpetuate the fighting. (the U.S. is not blameless in this). Nobody picked up a phone and called Putin and engage him directly, or even threaten him with direct military action if he did not stop. It's not that Russia is strong that's got your panties in a bunch, but the fact that Trump has bypassed Europe in looking for a cessation of the fighting, and that has exposed just how weak the European position is. (if you piss Putin off too bad, he'll just turn off your lights)

[Onkel Neal]

I'll give you a few.

1. Has brought in an outside auditor to go through the books, and is showing the American people just where their tax dollars are being wasted.

2.Illegal immigrants crossing the border has gone from a flood to a trickle (just by enforcing the laws already on the books.)

3. Has a very good chance of ending birthright citizenship.

4. Rolling back DEI initiatives and returning to merit as a basis for hiring, and promotions (particularly in Government)

5. Declaring cartels as terrorist organizations, which means that Military & National Intelligence assets can be used to better effect.

Those are a musts, and wins. Now on to deporting illegals and enforcing the law, we good.

[Buddahaid]

I just wanted to add my two cents in defense of posters like Buddahaid: he, and a few others, really do post and provide material which has a real basis in fact and truth, not in opinion; a court filing is a court filing, a judicial decision is a judicial decision, and a law, as writ, is a law; the disparagement of those posters is shameful to a very great degree and the abuse they are subject to is even more shameful; I am very impressed with the forbearance of Buddahaid and admire his patience and his sense of purpose; in the midst of the fertilizer storm that often occurs on this thread, his ports are refreshing, succinct reminders that the truth is out there if you look for it and that the truth actually matters; I'd rather read one of his posts than the litany of YT opinion videos by dubious characters or the op-ed attack pieces so often posted in this thread; he, and others like him actually post verifiable facts, not social media pap...


To Buddahaid: :salute:




<O>

Thank you for the support and I appreciate your posts immensely as well.

On that note, here's a court filing from Friday from defendant Ann Selzer in Trump's lawsuit over a poll she made during the election campaign where Trump is trying to step all over the First Amendment's freedom of the press.

"Mr. Trump and Ms. Miller-Meeks allege their campaigns “expend[ed] extensive time and
resources to mitigate and counteract the harms” of the Iowa Poll, though they do not allege what
those resources or expenditures were. (Id. at ¶¶ 131–32.) Rep. Miller-Meeks alleges her close race
triggered a “costly recount.” (Id. at ¶ 91.) Under Iowa law, the State of Iowa—not Rep. Miller
Meeks or her campaign—paid for the recount. Iowa Code § 50.48(2)(a). Mr. Zaun, who lost his
state senate seat to Democrat Matt Blake by four points, alleges Blake’s victory “upon information
and belief [was] fueled by momentum from” the Iowa Poll. (Id. at ¶ 101.) Plaintiffs also allege the
poll “deceived Iowans who contributed to their campaigns.” (Id. at ¶¶ 117–18.)"

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.iasd.89411/gov.uscourts.iasd.89411.25.1.pdf

[Catfish]

"A former KGB officer claims that Donald Trump was recruited by the Soviet secret service in 1987. What is behind this sensational accusation?"

https://www-t--online-de.translate.goog/nachrichten/ausland/usa/id_100608258/spion-mit-deckname-krasnov-neuer-kgb-vorwurf-gegen-trump.html?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_hist=true

"When it comes to Trump's strange relationship with Russia , speculation often arises as to whether Trump had already made himself vulnerable to blackmail or otherwise surrendered himself to the then Soviet Union.
After his trip to Moscow, Trump suddenly began taking out full-page newspaper ads in major American publications criticizing US foreign policy and NATO in particular - a move that some have repeatedly suspected was influenced by Trump's interactions with Soviet officials. These are positions that Trump has continued to represent for decades, right up to the present day."


Background for Trump's activities in Moscow back then

https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2019/05/23/the-truth-behind-trump-moscow-how-the-president-risked-everything-for-a-relatively-tiny-deal/

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

[Catfish]

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

[Red Devil]

Something Trump said really blew me up, it was so putinist, I hope it was fake news.


"The Ukraine started the war, not Putin" this was after his meeting with the dictator. If its true as reported in a dubious UK left wing press, its horrible. Also reported was absolute anger in Europe.

[mapuc]

"A former KGB officer claims that Donald Trump was recruited by the Soviet secret service in 1987. What is behind this sensational accusation?"

https://www-t--online-de.translate.goog/nachrichten/ausland/usa/id_100608258/spion-mit-deckname-krasnov-neuer-kgb-vorwurf-gegen-trump.html?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_hist=true

"When it comes to Trump's strange relationship with Russia , speculation often arises as to whether Trump had already made himself vulnerable to blackmail or otherwise surrendered himself to the then Soviet Union.
After his trip to Moscow, Trump suddenly began taking out full-page newspaper ads in major American publications criticizing US foreign policy and NATO in particular - a move that some have repeatedly suspected was influenced by Trump's interactions with Soviet officials. These are positions that Trump has continued to represent for decades, right up to the present day."


Background for Trump's activities in Moscow back then

https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2019/05/23/the-truth-behind-trump-moscow-how-the-president-risked-everything-for-a-relatively-tiny-deal/

Don't know whether it is true or not-What I wonder is:

Can he, if the story is true, remain in the White House ?

Markus

[Aktungbby]

...I'm hopefully reminded of assassin, Max von Sydow's line in Three Days of the Condor with Robert Redford: "I expect he was about to become an embarressment"; as one his
own White House Secret Service detail puts finis to his term in office. And, Oswald was a patsy! Frankly, I'm embarrassed to call myself a 'Merikan...oh wait; the Donald has said he'll make my $ocial $ecurity tax free, along with restaurant waiter tips :hmmm:...nevermind-anyone can be 'bought' theze daze!:yep::shucks::|\\:zzz:

[Catfish]

@Mapuc Please watch this and tell me what you think.

https://youtu.be/FocQITpJnaQ

Not much to do with this video, but one comment is "I believe now is the ideal time for UK intelligence to take a deeper dive into all past reports on Putin and Trump, particularly their meetings back in 2013."
I guess they did it already, who should hinder them, outside the US.

[mapuc]

^ Not going to watch the video, not saying it's not worth watching though. However he is the President in another country where I have zero impact on the politics. This is why it has to be the American authorities who shall investigate it and perhaps remove him from office or not.

Markus

[Catfish]

^ it is not about what you seem to think it is just about Trump's policy towards Russia, and what we can expect. He remains very calm, but tells that Europe has to take over when it comes to support for Ukraine.
Otherwise Russia will continue to attack other countries in 4-5 years, and we probably cannot expect the US to help, with or without NATO.

[mapuc]

^ it is not about what you seem to think it is just about Trump's policy towards Russia, and what we can expect. He remains very calm, but tells that Europe has to take over when it comes to support for Ukraine.
Otherwise Russia will continue to attack other countries in 4-5 years, and we probably cannot expect the US to help, with or without NATO.

I've seen other videos where the same was mentioned.

You're right it seems like Europe is on its own.

Markus

[Buddahaid]

I've seen other videos where the same was mentioned.

You're right it seems like Europe is on its own.

Markus

With the isolationist in chief in the White House I'd say plan on it.

[Jeff-Groves]

You're right it seems like Europe is on its own.



Sucks when your Welfare gets shut off don't it?
Might have to fend for yourselves.

[MaDef]

With the isolationist in chief in the White House I'd say plan on it.

Feel free to emigrate to Europe so you can help them out, They can use all the socialists they can get. :D

[Catfish]

re Musk
[...]
You keep believing that, but he must be doing something right, he founded Tesla, Space-X, co-founded OpenAI, runs -X, not to mention a few other endeavors over his adult life. He's a hell of a lot more qualified to Audit the U.S. books than the head of the IRS.

If you say so. I say he may be a genius in finding the right people to have ideas for him, still he knows nothing about running a country, defense, education system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OYV7dv5CkQ

[MaDef]

re Musk


If you say so. I say he may be a genius in finding the right people to have ideas for him, still he knows nothing about running a country, defense, education system. You may be right, someone like Michael "The Nose" Mancuso might be a better option since he understands money laundering, skimming, and embezzling. :yeah:

[Reece]

You're right it seems like Europe is on its own.
Markus

Sucks when your Welfare gets shut off don't it?
Might have to fend for yourselves.
That's an uncalled for remark!! :o However Putin would be proud!! :O:

[Buddahaid]

Feel free to emigrate to Europe so you can help them out, They can use all the socialists they can get. :D

It's called promoting the general welfare. You may have heard something like that in your civics class.

[MaDef]

Europe needs to promote its own welfare for a bit, while we get our house in order.:03:

[Buddahaid]

Europe needs to promote its own welfare for a bit, while we get our house in order.:03:

Dumping the idiot in the White House would be a great start, then we can tax the crap out of Felonious Musk and the other super mega wealthy jerks that are living on your and my backs. That would keep a good economy running, balance the budget and keep the unwashed masses with low taxes.

[MaDef]

Do you have anything fresh for an argument? You guys have been using that line since at least the 60's if not longer. :rolleyes:

[Reece]

Buddahaid is just reporting the truth! :timeout:

[August]

re Musk


If you say so. I say he may be a genius in finding the right people to have ideas for him, still he knows nothing about running a country, defense, education system.

But he's not trying to run any of those things. All he is doing is auditing government agencies for waste. People like Buddha don't like that because it's uncovering how much his party has stolen from the American people.


Oh and Trump is also doing this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik2e5WX5yy4

[Reece]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrZFye1WFzw

[Buddahaid]

Trump is slipping in the polls.

“ A recent report from the U.S. Labor Department showed consumer prices rose by the most in nearly 1-1/2 years in January, with Americans facing higher costs for a range of goods and services. Other economic data has shown U.S. households expect inflation to pick up following Trump's February 1 announcements for steep tariffs on imports from China, Mexico and Canada.”

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-approval-rating-slips-americans-worry-about-economy-2025-02-19/

[August]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrZFye1WFzw


What's this got to do with US politics?

[AVGWarhawk]

Trump is slipping in the polls.

“ A recent report from the U.S. Labor Department showed consumer prices rose by the most in nearly 1-1/2 years in January, with Americans facing higher costs for a range of goods and services. Other economic data has shown U.S. households expect inflation to pick up following Trump's February 1 announcements for steep tariffs on imports from China, Mexico and Canada.”

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-approval-rating-slips-americans-worry-about-economy-2025-02-19/

They all slip in the polls from time to time.

[em2nought]

They all slip in the polls from time to time.
It's going to take some time to right this ship. President Trump inherited a real $h1t show from whoever was running the country for Sleepy Joe. :o

[AVGWarhawk]

It's going to take some time to right this ship. President Trump inherited a real $h1t show from whoever was running the country for Sleepy Joe. :o

I still do not understand the outrage. Downsizing is long overdue. Downsizing happens in the corporate world everyday. It should happen in government as well. Also, self-auditing is something the government agencies should not be doing. Do many looking the other way.

[Buddahaid]

What does Trump Media have to do with Brazilian politics and why are they suing a Brazilian Supreme Court Justice?

[MaDef]

I still do not understand the outrage. Downsizing is long overdue. Downsizing happens in the corporate world everyday. It should happen in government as well. Also, self-auditing is something the government agencies should not be doing. Do many looking the other way.
Because, all the "free money", and "Obama phones" will no longer be available, and all money for "pork barrel" projects will dry up. Not to mention that those who are embezzling and/or skimming will need to find other ways to steal.

[Bilge_Rat]

Trump's approval rating has not slipped, It is higher than in his first term and basicaly the same as one month ago.

This is just standard anti-Trump spin, the media cherrypicks outlier polls which suit their narrative and trumpet the results.

politics 101


https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/approval/donald-trump/approval-rating

It is like all the stories of GOP congressmen facing blowback from their "consituents" in Townhalls last week. What the media fails to tell you is that democrat/left wing groups pack those meetings with "activits" specifically to create these made for TV moments.

What probably more accurately reflects the mood of the country is this survey by AXIOS, a left wing site, which interviewed a group of 11 swing voters who voted for Biden in 20 and Trump in 24. All 11 back what Trump and Musk are doing:

https://www.axios.com/2025/02/14/arizona-voters-trump-elon-musk-executive-orders

[Dargo]

Is this you US mean with welfare? Asking for a friend.

https://i.ibb.co/tPL0sbTt/welfare.png (https://imgbb.com/)

[Red Devil]

re Musk


If you say so. I say he may be a genius in finding the right people to have ideas for him, still he knows nothing about running a country, defense, education system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OYV7dv5CkQ


Neither did biden.

[Kptlt. Neuerburg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOTAdvc1MJM
*Standard warning about foul language here*

[Buddahaid]

Trump's approval rating has not slipped, It is higher than in his first term and basicaly the same as one month ago.

This is just standard anti-Trump spin, the media cherrypicks outlier polls which suit their narrative and trumpet the results.

politics 101


https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/approval/donald-trump/approval-rating

It is like all the stories of GOP congressmen facing blowback from their "consituents" in Townhalls last week. What the media fails to tell you is that democrat/left wing groups pack those meetings with "activits" specifically to create these made for TV moments.

What probably more accurately reflects the mood of the country is this survey by AXIOS, a left wing site, which interviewed a group of 11 swing voters who voted for Biden in 20 and Trump in 24. All 11 back what Trump and Musk are doing:

https://www.axios.com/2025/02/14/arizona-voters-trump-elon-musk-executive-orders

Too bad then that a big pile of it is illegal, but it's good ol' Trump, what does law and order ever mean to him?

[Skybird]

That didn't take long...


https://www.fr.de/assets/images/37/108/37108660-tag-des-praesidenten-in-den-usa-ein-mann-in-washington-mit-einem-nicht-mein-fuehrer-schild-mit-den-konterfeis-von-trump-und-musk-NABG.jpg

[Skybird]

Is this you US mean with welfare? Asking for a friend.

https://i.ibb.co/tPL0sbTt/welfare.png (https://imgbb.com/)
^ Probably miscalculated. The real distributuon currently is more like a 3:2 ratio between EU and European states (that are two different entities!), and the United States. With Europe, all in all and counting military equipment as financial value, being the bigger spender.

The folloowing is probvaly closer to the truth, but I will not claim it is the perfect revelation of divine truth and order. These are still screenshots of graphs that originally can be scrolled down, so the lists always continue outside the bottom of the visible image.

https://www.ifw-kiel.de/topics/war-against-ukraine/ukraine-support-tracker/


https://i.postimg.cc/KYTZ3PLr/Unbenannt.png (https://postimages.org/)


https://i.postimg.cc/R0dgR8cM/Unbenannt2.png (https://postimages.org/)


https://i.postimg.cc/jSX1gLT0/Unbenannt3.png (https://postimages.org/)


Lying Donny does what he can do best - he lies. Quelle surprise!

[mapuc]

If my dream came true, then you, my American friends, are heading for a deep crisis in the White House/Washington.

In my dream I saw Putin sitting in the Oval office while Trump was sitting in a baby chair. Next I saw military removing these two and I saw soldiers nearby the White House.

Just a dream nothing more nothing less

Markus

[MaDef]

If my dream came true, then you, my American friends, are heading for a deep crisis in the White House/Washington.

In my dream I saw Putin sitting in the Oval office while Trump was sitting in a baby chair. Next I saw military removing these two and I saw soldiers nearby the White House.

Just a dream nothing more nothing less

Markus

That will be a neat trick, you forgot to factor in the 400 million firearms that the citizens have in their houses. :03:

[Catfish]

^ yeah how nice you can play with them at home :haha:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK9ft79X8sQ

And, this ship has sailed. Ukraine really promises Trump rare earths. 'Ashamed' is too weak a word.

[MaDef]

More winning from the Whitehouse Press Secretary (https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-admin-guts-white-house-correspondents-association-bid-end-monopoly-dc-journalists)

The Whitehouse Correspondence Association will no longer get to decide which "news" organizations get access.

the head of the WHCA had the following statement:

The White House decision "tears at the independence of a free press in the United States," WHCA president Eugene Daniels said in a statement. "It suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president. In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps."

It's ironic since Biden used a list of reporters along with what questions they were going to ask for 4 years in collusion with the WHCA without a peep from Daniels.

[August]

If my dream came true, then you, my American friends, are heading for a deep crisis in the White House/Washington.

In my dream I saw Putin sitting in the Oval office while Trump was sitting in a baby chair. Next I saw military removing these two and I saw soldiers nearby the White House.

Just a dream nothing more nothing less

Markus


Dream or wishful thinking Markus?

[Otto Harkaman]

If my dream came true, then you, my American friends, are heading for a deep crisis in the White House/Washington.

In my dream I saw Putin sitting in the Oval office while Trump was sitting in a baby chair. Next I saw military removing these two and I saw soldiers nearby the White House.

Just a dream nothing more nothing less

Markus

He is truly a remarkable man, no wonder many envy, and even admire, his achievements. Though he was born with certain advantages, he has worked relentlessly to build on them, a fact beautifully reflected in his shining family, which stands as a testament to his cultivated legacy. A successful businessman and renowned public figure, he has overcome bitter political and legal battles to secure re-election as President, winning both the popular and electoral votes in his second term. His leadership is almost ideal, reminiscent of a protagonist in a novel. Unlike extremist figures such as Hitler, his style evokes the Venetian Doges—with their wit, charm, steadfast patriotism, business acumen, diplomatic finesse, and even a touch of ruthlessness.

https://youtu.be/GYKWtSaR1JM?si=aYtADF7I9uShZIi2

[mapuc]

Dream or wishful thinking Markus?

It was nothing more than a dream
It's up to you to remove an elected President, not me or other from outside USA.

Been thinking on the scene where Putin is sitting in the Oval office and Trump in this baby chair. What did it mean ?

Markus

[August]

It was nothing more than a dream
It's up to you to remove an elected President, not me or other from outside USA.



Been thinking on the scene where Putin is sitting in the Oval office and Trump in this baby chair. What did it mean ?

We're not going to remove our elected President. as for your "dream" it means you probably need to stop eating junk food before bed.

[Buddahaid]

Great budget proposal. Give the ultra-rich even more tax breaks then cut health benefits for those who need it most and still add billions to the deficit.

Trump is going to add more trillions to the deficit just like his last term to give even bigger tax breaks to the ultra-rich.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BDwMk8z72m0

[mapuc]

Great budget proposal. Give the ultra-rich even more tax breaks then cut health benefits for those who need it most and still add billions to the deficit.

Trump is going to add more trillions to the deficit just like his last term to give even bigger tax breaks to the ultra-rich.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BDwMk8z72m0

Would Kamela Harris done the same ?

Voters have made their choice at the voting station and they should have so much insight in the policy used by the electable politicians that they stayed home.

Markus

[Dargo]

Oops brilliant Elon at work https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-urges-tesla-boycott-after-musks-call-to-move-past-nazi-guilt/

Tesla's stock market value has tumbled below $1 trillion. The carmaker's shares seem to be suffering from the image of top executive Elon Musk, who has to watch as sales in Europe fell by almost half last month. While Musk is taking a blunt axe to the US government apparatus, Wall Street is pounding hard on shares of Musk's car brand Tesla. Tesla's share price has fallen so far in recent days that the manufacturer has tumbled out of the trillion-dollar division of the exclusive company of companies with a market value above $1 trillion (€950 billion) such as Apple, Amazon, Meta, Nvidia and JPMorgan.

The last push came when it was revealed that Tesla's sales in Europe had almost halved. The manufacturer sold less than 100 thousand cars in January this year, down 45 per cent from the same month a year earlier. In the European Union, the number of cars sold actually fell by more than 50 per cent. Tesla's market share in the EU shrank almost as sharply, from 1.8 per cent to 1 per cent. On Tuesday, Tesla shares went down 8 per cent, a slight recovery occurred on Wednesday, but not enough to return the car brand to the Olympus of the biggest listed companies.

But analysts also see indications that Tesla is suffering from ‘Musk shaming’, a variation on the trend of flight shaming that causes travellers to forgo air travel when an alternative, more sustainable mode of transport is available. Potential Tesla buyers seem to be turning away because of Musk's questionable interventions in the US government and his flirtations with radical and far-right parties in Europe. A poll by Electriying.com, a website dedicated to electric cars, showed late last month that 60 per cent of potential electric car buyers are refraining from buying a Tesla because of the top executive's image. ‘Tesla has been instrumental in the acceptance of the electric car, but Elon Musk's personal brand seems to be fuelling polarisation,’ said Electrifying director Ginny Buckley.

[Dargo]

Would Kamela Harris done the same ?

Voters have made their choice at the voting station and they should have so much insight in the policy used by the electable politicians that they stayed home.

MarkusBelieving that billionaires are any good for the working class requires a comical level of delusion. But people still vote their tyrants, nothing changed since the era of enlightenment. The crazier part is knowing that instead of crippling low/middle class back to serfdom, they’d actually make more profit by focusing on shifting priorities to grow upper middle class… who buy houses and cars and shyte they don’t need. They are siphoning off the wealth of the nation. Watching Tesla stock burn makes it more fun, instead ofToday, Jeff Bezos, the second-richest person in America, who bought the Washington Post in 2013, announced that the paper’s opinion section’s would henceforth focus on defending “personal liberties and free markets.” Anything inconsistent with this view would not be published. “Viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.”Free speech much??

[Catfish]

Trump is the incarnation of dastardly behaviour.

[August]

Trump is the incarnation of dastardly behaviour.


:har:

[Skybird]

https://youtu.be/4EZ7gayXMSI?si=Mt9R2lIXHUeqoQbz

[Buddahaid]

Release the Epstein tapes.

[Gorpet]

There are many different forms of democracy. Some nations like Sweden have only a single House of Representatives. Others like the Netherlands have a House of Representatives and a senate. Both these forms occur without a president (Denmark with a house and Italy with house and senate) or with a president (Finland with a house and France with house and senate). Some nations have an electoral system that is partly indirect, with deputies rather than voters electing a representative. In Germany, for example, the directly elected deputies elect the indirectly elected president. Representative democracy is the term for representatives chosen through a selection process. This is the case in most countries in the West.

Basic forms:
Direct democracy.
Representative democracy. Variants:
Consensus democracy.
Deliberative democracy.
Demarchy.
Lottocracy.
Participatory democracy.



Yes, all of these Democracies,The only problem is,they all have their versions,and therefore there is conflict. Democracy is continuous conflict. Tell me where on this planet the ideology of Democracy has brought peace, and prosperity for it's citizens. since 1945

[Gorpet]

You can be so wrong its amusing; I'm not a Democrat, so I had no political favoring of Harris, although I did vote for her because, ya know, that whole 'lesser of two evils' thing; that and how she showed up Trump at that one debate they had; small wonder Trump was too scared to go for a second round...



<O>

Now it would appear if it was the 60 min.they will settle for millions :up:

[August]

Oops brilliant Elon at work https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-urges-tesla-boycott-after-musks-call-to-move-past-nazi-guilt/

Tesla's stock market value has tumbled below $1 trillion. The carmaker's shares seem to be suffering from the image of top executive Elon Musk, who has to watch as sales in Europe fell by almost half last month. While Musk is taking a blunt axe to the US government apparatus, Wall Street is pounding hard on shares of Musk's car brand Tesla. Tesla's share price has fallen so far in recent days that the manufacturer has tumbled out of the trillion-dollar division of the exclusive company of companies with a market value above $1 trillion (€950 billion) such as Apple, Amazon, Meta, Nvidia and JPMorgan.

The last push came when it was revealed that Tesla's sales in Europe had almost halved. The manufacturer sold less than 100 thousand cars in January this year, down 45 per cent from the same month a year earlier. In the European Union, the number of cars sold actually fell by more than 50 per cent. Tesla's market share in the EU shrank almost as sharply, from 1.8 per cent to 1 per cent. On Tuesday, Tesla shares went down 8 per cent, a slight recovery occurred on Wednesday, but not enough to return the car brand to the Olympus of the biggest listed companies.

But analysts also see indications that Tesla is suffering from ‘Musk shaming’, a variation on the trend of flight shaming that causes travellers to forgo air travel when an alternative, more sustainable mode of transport is available. Potential Tesla buyers seem to be turning away because of Musk's questionable interventions in the US government and his flirtations with radical and far-right parties in Europe. A poll by Electriying.com, a website dedicated to electric cars, showed late last month that 60 per cent of potential electric car buyers are refraining from buying a Tesla because of the top executive's image. ‘Tesla has been instrumental in the acceptance of the electric car, but Elon Musk's personal brand seems to be fuelling polarisation,’ said Electrifying director Ginny Buckley.


Chinese EVs are undercutting everyone, not just Tesla. In the Euro market even Audi is slashing their EV projections and talking about closing plants.

As for US sales, the Model Y is the best selling vehicle they have, but many buyers are holding off right now because the Juniper MY redesign is right around the corner. Once the Juniper is widely available, they'll rebound in the US.

but no Tesla is tOtalLy gOiNg dOwN cuz literally hitler.

[Gorpet]

re the reasons Trump should stay in office ..



I even agree with some, just not the unnecessary bullying and grandstanding with what he tries to cover his insecurity and stupidity.
I certainly do not agree with Musk as an "outside editor" who is on drugs, has no experience, does not know what he's doing but glad to evade taxes just like the one who brought him there. But it's your inner-american ride, so enjoy.
I agree with "declaring cartels as terrorist organizations, which means that Military & National Intelligence assets can be used to better effect."
I doubt it was Trump's idea, this was long overdue. But he did it, so ok.

What I am absolutely not ok with is making Russia great again and trample on allies. Trump obviously never read anything from Brzezinski when it comes to international relations and planning. His entourage consists of yes-men that echo him just to remain in office, no real advisors with any backbone left.
:salute:

Who the hell is, Brzezinski ?

[Buddahaid]

Right now, the US has a welfare program for the ultra-wealthy.

[Gorpet]

Right now, the US has a welfare program for the ultra-wealthy.

It all depends, If they find you.Somewhere down in the dirt.

[Skybird]

Trump is loosing it. I think his mental decline is harder and harder to not be noticed. His staff tries to cover it, but it cant.

The man is 78. For most people, its normal to slow at that age, but his decline, the rate of, is worrying. This is not the Trump of 4 and 8 years ago.

4 years to go.

America, you are screwed. And many others with you, too.
Maybe you should stop voting for Mummies.


There is growing risk that he is being abused as a puppet hanging on somebody elses strings. I wonder who that could be...

[Reece]

Yeh!! Poo-tin & Muck is yanking his chains!! :doh:

[Skybird]

I think I was more about this funny guy throwing the press conference for him in the oval office recently while Trump tried to not give the impression that he was dozing off.

In four years the parties will make simulacra of Kennedy and Reagan their candidates I assume.

However, I also think that Trump will drop Musk sooner or later, rather sooner I guess. Its a pattern throughout his life.

[Skybird]

The eU owes thanks to Trump. The eU now has, after 20 years of negotiating, signed the Mercosur treaty with South American nations. Assumign that it is a question of time only until resistence from France and some others to ratify it will end, a big economic no tarriffs trading zone with over 718 million people and a GDP of 22 trillion. The US GDP 2023 was 27 trillion, so this Mercosur union is not just a lightweight mini player.

And Mercosur will stay once Trump has left. So will the redirrected inestments that once went form Europe to the US, and now go form Europe to Latin America.

Just recently the free trade treat between Mexico and the EU was renwed and modenrized, worth 82 bn .

Trump now has annoucned customs duties for the Eu will be raised to 25%. The EU does not blink but announced that it will immediately react with targetted retaliation custom duties, bigger in volumes than four years ago.

Alienate your former partners and make them your angry opponents instead, and they will turn away and find other partners. At your cost. And again, Trump sooner or later is hstory. Former partners will not automatically return then.

As a carnivore I hope for a lowering of prices for Argentine beef. :D Europeans become - due to ideolgical-political circumstances - too dumb to raise cattle themselves cost-efficiently anymore, regulation tries to ruin the meat industry and turn peopel into begans and insectoid dirt-eaters, prices become insane, and availability drops. I hope Mercosur changes that. The huge and diverse meat supply on display at the huge Cosco markets that Dr. Berry or Steak and Butter Gal occasionally show in their video podcasts is something we can only dream of in Germany.

[MaDef]

Right now, the US has a welfare program for the ultra-wealthy.

Right now, the U.S. has a welfare program for every reprobate on the planet and the Funds are distributed by USAID.

Fixed your statement for you. :salute:

[AVGWarhawk]

Right now, the US has a welfare program for the ultra-wealthy.

Do tell. What are these welfare programs for the ultra wealthy? Being they are ultra wealthy why should the be paying more taxes?

[AVGWarhawk]

Trump is loosing it. I think his mental decline is harder and harder to not be noticed. His staff tries to cover it, but it cant.

The man is 78. For most people, its normal to slow at that age, but his decline, the rate of, is worrying. This is not the Trump of 4 and 8 years ago.

4 years to go.

America, you are screwed. And many others with you, too.
Maybe you should stop voting for Mummies.


There is growing risk that he is being abused as a puppet hanging on somebody elses strings. I wonder who that could be...

Sigh...do you think Harris would not be a puppet?

[Reece]

The eU owes thanks to Trump. The eU now has, after 20 years of negotiating, signed the Mercosur treaty with South American nations. Assumign that it is a question of time only until resistence from France and some others to ratify it will end, a big economic no tarriffs trading zone with over 718 million people and a GDP of 22 trillion. The US GDP 2023 was 27 trillion, so this Mercosur union is not just a lightweight mini player.

And Mercosur will stay once Trump has left. So will the redirrected inestments that once went form Europe to the US, and now go form Europe to Latin America.

Just recently the free trade treat between Mexico and the EU was renwed and modenrized, worth 82 bn .

Trump now has announced customs duties for the Eu will be raised to 25%. The EU does not blink but announced that it will immediately react with targeted retaliation custom duties, bigger in volumes than four years ago.

Alienate your former partners and make them your angry opponents instead, and they will turn away and find other partners. At your cost. And again, Trump sooner or later is history. Former partners will not automatically return then.

As a carnivore I hope for a lowering of prices for Argentine beef. :D Europeans become - due to ideological-political circumstances - too dumb to raise cattle themselves cost-efficiently anymore, regulation tries to ruin the meat industry and turn people into vegans and insectoid dirt-eaters, prices become insane, and availability drops. I hope Mercosur changes that. The huge and diverse meat supply on display at the huge Cosco markets that Dr. Berry or Steak and Butter Gal occasionally show in their video podcasts is something we can only dream of in Germany.

Good news Skybird!! :up:

[Ostfriese]

Right now, the U.S. has a welfare program for every reprobate on the planet and the Funds are distributed by USAID.

Fixed your statement for you. :salute:

Right now, the US has/had a welfare program for its own farmers and the the Funds were distributed by USAID.

Fixed that for you, and I'll even include a source (Chattanooga Times Free Press, but it's originally a USA Today article):

https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/feb/18/billions-of-dollars-at-stake-for-farmers-hit-by/

Whoopsie.

Like with the Ukraine aids - most of which was money that never went to Ukraine but was instead used to by American stuff, subsiding American jobs and hard American work.

Whoopsie.

At the same time the real waste continues:

https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/indiatoday/images/story/202501/starship-exploded-over-the-caribbean-as-it-reentered-the-atmosphere-173247390-16x9_0.png?VersionId=Hmw31ilvHz3Ngxwf6vRrxZ89bWao6 2w9

That's $200 million tax payers' money wasted.
Simply revoking the Starship HLS contract (which has abysmally failed to achieve even its first milestone, let alone being anywhere close to being on schedule) would likely have saved the American taxpayers more than all the cuts DOGE has actually achieved (if you take out all the mistakes they made, like counting $8 million a s §8 billion).

Well done :D

[Skybird]

Sigh...do you think Harris would not be a puppet?
I think whatever you can say about Harris, she certainly does not reveal signs of age-related mental decline. She already was handicapped before. :D

[Reece]

Der. . . do you think? :haha:

[Otto Harkaman]

https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/02/1920/1080/cartoon022725.jpg

[MaDef]

Right now, the US has/had a welfare program for its own farmers and the the Funds were distributed by USAID.

Fixed that for you, and I'll even include a source (Chattanooga Times Free Press, but it's originally a USA Today article):

https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/feb/18/billions-of-dollars-at-stake-for-farmers-hit-by/

Whoopsie.

Like with the Ukraine aids - most of which was money that never went to Ukraine but was instead used to by American stuff, subsiding American jobs and hard American work.

Whoopsie.

At the same time the real waste continues:

https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/indiatoday/images/story/202501/starship-exploded-over-the-caribbean-as-it-reentered-the-atmosphere-173247390-16x9_0.png?VersionId=Hmw31ilvHz3Ngxwf6vRrxZ89bWao6 2w9

That's $200 million tax payers' money wasted.
Simply revoking the Starship HLS contract (which has abysmally failed to achieve even its first milestone, let alone being anywhere close to being on schedule) would likely have saved the American taxpayers more than all the cuts DOGE has actually achieved (if you take out all the mistakes they made, like counting $8 million a s §8 billion).

Well done :D

If you think I'm going to defend subsidizes, think again, There are a lot of unnecessary programs the government pays out on that they shouldn't be doing. Farm subsidizes are one. Paying farmers to grow or not grow certain crops just to regulate the "market" is taking things to far. The same can be said of the Dept of Education, that department should be dismantled, the buildings burned to ash and the ground salted, thereby leaving each state to handle it's own education needs.

[Ostfriese]

If you think I'm going to defend subsidizes, think again, There are a lot of unnecessary programs the government pays out on that they shouldn't be doing. Farm subsidizes are one. Paying farmers to grow or not grow certain crops just to regulate the "market" is taking things to far. The same can be said of the Dept of Education, that department should be dismantled, the buildings burned to ash and the ground salted, thereby leaving each state to handle it's own education needs.


IDGAF about your thoughts about subsides. I only wanted to point out that the "Welfare for others" you blubbered about actually is "money for America".

[Kptlt. Neuerburg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utl2uLh1wVI&t

[August]

Interesting article
The Real Reason DOGE is Using an Axe Instead of a Scalpel When Recommending Cuts

By Steve Straub (https://tfppwire.com/author/shstraub/) / February 26, 2025


The DOGE labor reforms aren’t just another bureaucratic shuffle—they represent the most aggressive attempt in over a century to dismantle the entrenched administrative state. For the first time, a strategy exists to take back control from unelected agencies that have long resisted oversight.
Key Facts:



The U.S. civil service has expanded unchecked since 1883, now comprising over 450 bureaucracies.
No president, from Coolidge to Reagan to Clinton, has successfully reduced its power.
Bureaucratic inertia, union influence, and media pressure have blocked serious reform efforts.
Trump, during his first presidency, made limited attempts to challenge the deep state but faced fierce resistance.
DOGE reforms aim to break a century-long cycle of political surrender to bureaucratic control.

The Rest of The Story:

For over a century, the U.S. government’s bureaucratic machine has expanded with little to no oversight from elected leaders.
The civil service, initially a small system designed to support governance, has morphed into an unaccountable powerhouse resistant to change.
Presidents and cabinet officials have tried—and failed—to rein it in.
The problem is structural.
Agencies operate with their own entrenched interests, often acting independently of presidential directives.
Unions wield enormous influence, intelligence agencies intimidate even the most powerful officials, and the media serves as an enforcer to keep any would-be reformers in check.
The system ensures that presidents govern in name only, while bureaucrats maintain the real power.
Trump, during his first term, began to expose this reality.
His administration attempted small-scale interventions, but the backlash was swift.
The deep state fought back with leaks, investigations, and open defiance.
Now, with another term on the horizon, the strategy has shifted: act fast, hit hard, and force change before the system can push back.
DOGE is leading this charge, backed by allies who recognize the stakes.
If they succeed, it will mark a historic shift in governance.
If they fail, the U.S. will continue down a path of stagnation, where elections change nothing, and bureaucrats hold the reins of power indefinitely.

Commentary:

For decades, Americans have felt that no matter who they vote for, nothing ever really changes.
That’s because the real power isn’t in the hands of elected officials—it’s embedded in a sprawling network of agencies, unions, and special interests that operate behind the scenes.
DOGE’s reforms are an attempt to break this cycle, and for the first time in modern history, there’s a real chance of success.
The deep state isn’t some conspiracy theory—it’s a practical reality.
When agencies defy elected leadership and continue policies regardless of public will, democracy is reduced to a show.
Trump’s first term exposed this, but exposure wasn’t enough.
Action is required.
That’s why DOGE’s aggressive approach is necessary.
This isn’t just another political maneuver—it’s a battle for control over the country’s future.
If the bureaucratic machine remains unchecked, the U.S. will slide further into economic stagnation and political irrelevance.
The American people have demanded change, and for once, there’s a movement willing to deliver.

The Bottom Line:

The DOGE reforms represent the most serious effort in over a century to dismantle bureaucratic control and restore real governance.
The deep state won’t go down without a fight, but this battle is long overdue.
If this effort fails, the cycle of political powerlessness will continue.
If it succeeds, it could redefine American governance for generations.

https://tfppwire.com/the-real-reason-doge-is-using-an-axe-instead-of-a-scalpel-when-recommending-cuts/?fbclid=IwY2xjawItjPpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcxyH13WdIDA y-nnBGTmw5jGBARW30TRi2rsO42ymNDlZT-8hDeOMO5Hkg_aem_f52L6XJMfiodiT7Y0UxsqQ

[MaDef]

IDGAF about your thoughts about subsides. I only wanted to point out that the "Welfare for others" you blubbered about actually is "money for America".
You have no idea what the acronym USAID stands for do you? United States Agency for International Development

U.S. spends about 70 billion on foreign aid (per year), over half (43 billion) comes from USAID. It's time to cut back on the wasted spending.

[Ostfriese]

You have no idea what the acronym USAID stands for do you? United States Agency for International Development

U.S. spends about 70 billion on foreign aid (per year), over half (43 billion) comes from USAID. It's time to cut back on the wasted spending.

I know that very well. You have no idea where the money is actually spent. Most of the money given to foreign aid all around the world is spent in the countries that give the money, and the goods produced for the money are then shipped out - same goes for most military aid. Subsidising Israeli submarines is often criticised here in Germany - but the submarines are then built in German shipyards, the money is used to pay a German company with German workers,.

Cutting back that money will mostly hurt American workers, and nothing of the money that is „saved“ will find it‘s way into your hand.

[August]

Subsidising Israeli submarines is often criticised here in Germany - but the submarines are then built in German shipyards, the money is used to pay a German company with German workers


That's how the Military Industrial Complex, the one that Eisenhower warned us about, works.

[Catfish]

So it is the left immigrsnt communist deep state military complex, probably supported by indian baboons.

[mapuc]

Just read in an issue on FB

You may laugh at Trump, however his policy is a stroke of genius.

Markus

[MaDef]

I know that very well. You have no idea where the money is actually spent. Most of the money given to foreign aid all around the world is spent in the countries that give the money, and the goods produced for the money are then shipped out - same goes for most military aid. Subsidising Israeli submarines is often criticised here in Germany - but the submarines are then built in German shipyards, the money is used to pay a German company with German workers,.

Cutting back that money will mostly hurt American workers, and nothing of the money that is „saved“ will find it‘s way into your hand. No it won't, Take a look at the foreign groups that are shutting down due to lack of funds From USAID. Refugee camps in Syria and Yemen, political groups in Albania and Great Britain, to name a few. We also have NGO's that were housing illegal immigrants here that were funded by USAID, they are starting to close their doors due to lack of funds. I also don't expect a refund check from any funds saved, but I do expect Trump to pay down the deficit with it.

FYI I can't wait till Musk takes his chainsaw to the 18 billion a year we pay the U.N. (that's a third of their budget) :D

[Skybird]

Trump Trades in a turn? First indications for this are just first indications, but they come early and do not promise anything good.


https://www-focus-de.translate.goog/finanzen/boerse/kehrtwende-in-den-usa-tesla-bitcoin-die-trump-trades-stuerzen-ab_cc506c33-a3d9-406f-a4a5-4fddaff8400d.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

[AVGWarhawk]

Interesting article
The Real Reason DOGE is Using an Axe Instead of a Scalpel When Recommending Cuts

By Steve Straub (https://tfppwire.com/author/shstraub/) / February 26, 2025


The DOGE labor reforms aren’t just another bureaucratic shuffle—they represent the most aggressive attempt in over a century to dismantle the entrenched administrative state. For the first time, a strategy exists to take back control from unelected agencies that have long resisted oversight.
Key Facts:



The U.S. civil service has expanded unchecked since 1883, now comprising over 450 bureaucracies.
No president, from Coolidge to Reagan to Clinton, has successfully reduced its power.
Bureaucratic inertia, union influence, and media pressure have blocked serious reform efforts.
Trump, during his first presidency, made limited attempts to challenge the deep state but faced fierce resistance.
DOGE reforms aim to break a century-long cycle of political surrender to bureaucratic control.

The Rest of The Story:

For over a century, the U.S. government’s bureaucratic machine has expanded with little to no oversight from elected leaders.
The civil service, initially a small system designed to support governance, has morphed into an unaccountable powerhouse resistant to change.
Presidents and cabinet officials have tried—and failed—to rein it in.
The problem is structural.
Agencies operate with their own entrenched interests, often acting independently of presidential directives.
Unions wield enormous influence, intelligence agencies intimidate even the most powerful officials, and the media serves as an enforcer to keep any would-be reformers in check.
The system ensures that presidents govern in name only, while bureaucrats maintain the real power.
Trump, during his first term, began to expose this reality.
His administration attempted small-scale interventions, but the backlash was swift.
The deep state fought back with leaks, investigations, and open defiance.
Now, with another term on the horizon, the strategy has shifted: act fast, hit hard, and force change before the system can push back.
DOGE is leading this charge, backed by allies who recognize the stakes.
If they succeed, it will mark a historic shift in governance.
If they fail, the U.S. will continue down a path of stagnation, where elections change nothing, and bureaucrats hold the reins of power indefinitely.

Commentary:

For decades, Americans have felt that no matter who they vote for, nothing ever really changes.
That’s because the real power isn’t in the hands of elected officials—it’s embedded in a sprawling network of agencies, unions, and special interests that operate behind the scenes.
DOGE’s reforms are an attempt to break this cycle, and for the first time in modern history, there’s a real chance of success.
The deep state isn’t some conspiracy theory—it’s a practical reality.
When agencies defy elected leadership and continue policies regardless of public will, democracy is reduced to a show.
Trump’s first term exposed this, but exposure wasn’t enough.
Action is required.
That’s why DOGE’s aggressive approach is necessary.
This isn’t just another political maneuver—it’s a battle for control over the country’s future.
If the bureaucratic machine remains unchecked, the U.S. will slide further into economic stagnation and political irrelevance.
The American people have demanded change, and for once, there’s a movement willing to deliver.

The Bottom Line:

The DOGE reforms represent the most serious effort in over a century to dismantle bureaucratic control and restore real governance.
The deep state won’t go down without a fight, but this battle is long overdue.
If this effort fails, the cycle of political powerlessness will continue.
If it succeeds, it could redefine American governance for generations.

https://tfppwire.com/the-real-reason-doge-is-using-an-axe-instead-of-a-scalpel-when-recommending-cuts/?fbclid=IwY2xjawItjPpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcxyH13WdIDA y-nnBGTmw5jGBARW30TRi2rsO42ymNDlZT-8hDeOMO5Hkg_aem_f52L6XJMfiodiT7Y0UxsqQ

For the win. Things need to change and not by a little. It's going to hurt but it necessary.

[Commander Wallace]

For the win. Things need to change and not by a little. It's going to hurt but it necessary.


All of the bad things in our Country didn't happen overnight. It goes without saying it will take a while to get things straightened out. It doesn't help the Democrats are trying to sabotage President Trump and his Cabinet and Staff at every turn. I hope the voters remember the Democrats at the next election and that they tried to defend the theft and Malfeasance in Office orchestrated by the Democrats. What's funny is watching the Democrats trying to keep up with the lightning pace Trump has set. :haha:

[AVGWarhawk]

All of the bad things in our Country didn't happen overnight. It goes without saying it will take a while to get things straightened out. It doesn't help the Democrats are trying to sabotage President Trump and his Cabinet and Staff at every turn. I hope the voters remember the Democrats at the next election and that they tried to defend the theft and Malfeasance in Office orchestrated by the Democrats. What's funny is watching the Democrats trying to keep up with the lightning pace Trump has set. :haha:

Democrat pushing back because their frivolous spending is coming to light. The optics are very bad. Some Republicans will be found in that mix as well.

I'm sorry some federal workers are losing their jobs. I'm sorry many will have to report to the office. But on the same token I'm not sorry. This is the reality of working world that the greater working class suffer through every day. I have been their twice looking like a smacked arse wondering why I got the hook when downsizing was implemented not once but twice for me.

[MaDef]

Democrat pushing back because their frivolous spending is coming to light. The optics are very bad. Some Republicans will be found in that mix as well.

I'm sorry some federal workers are losing their jobs. I'm sorry many will have to report to the office. But on the same token I'm not sorry. This is the reality of working world that the greater working class suffer through every day. I have been their twice looking like a smacked arse wondering why I got the hook when downsizing was implemented not once but twice for me.
I'm not, most of them are there pushing papers. But downsizing and budget tightening are only part of the problem, and the Gov. will come to a standstill unless the underlying reason for all those office workers is addressed, and that reason is the sheer volume of Federal Regulations that are in place and being revised on an annual basis. I can't find the actual number of Federal Regulations there are, but there are 50 titles and they span 200 volumes.

[AVGWarhawk]

I'm not, most of them are there pushing papers. But downsizing and budget tightening are only part of the problem, and the Gov. will come to a standstill unless the underlying reason for all those office workers is addressed, and that reason is the sheer volume of Federal Regulations that are in place and being revised on an annual basis. I can't find the actual number of Federal Regulations there are, but there are 50 titles and they span 200 volumes.

Bloat that was never to be.

[Commander Wallace]

I saw a report where apparently the Democrats are upset that Elon Musk was giving a progress report on the efforts of Doge to Cabinet Members. The Democrats are saying Elon Musk wasn't elected and the usual nonsense. Apparently the Democrats have a short memory as to when Hunter Biden sat in on meetings and Jill Biden has presided over them. Of course, no one elected them either but that was OK with the Democrats. It needs to be investigated who was running the Country during the Presidency of Biden.

In other News, CNN Anchor Jake Tapper for writing a book on the Cognitive decline of Former President Joe Biden. Of course, Jake Tapper knew all of this long ago and said nothing. Jake Tapper helped in the cover up of the mental decline of Joe Biden during his presidency and lied about this Mental Acuity. Now, he is writing a book, essentially throwing Biden under the bus in search of profit from Book sales ?

I'm wondering who would buy his Book as the Democrats hate him for exposing the Democrat Party as liars. The Republicans know Tapper and CNN to be a liars and really don't care what they say.

[AVGWarhawk]

I saw a report where apparently the Democrats are upset that Elon Musk was giving a progress report on the efforts of Doge to Cabinet Members. The Democrats are saying Elon Musk wasn't elected and the usual nonsense. Apparently the Democrats have a short memory as to when Hunter Biden sat in on meetings and Jill Biden has presided over them. Of course, no one elected them either but that was OK with the Democrats. It needs to be investigated who was running the Country during the Presidency of Biden.

In other News, CNN Anchor Jake Tapper for writing a book on the Cognitive decline of Former President Joe Biden. Of course, Jake Tapper knew all of this long ago and said nothing. Jake Tapper helped in the cover up of the mental decline of Joe Biden during his presidency and lied about this Mental Acuity. Now, he is writing a book, essentially throwing Biden under the bus in search of profit from Book sales ?

I'm wondering who would buy his Book as the Democrats hate him for exposing the Democrat Party as liars. The Republicans know Tapper and CNN to be a liars and really don't care what they say.

Jake just looking to profit off this.

[Reece]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t39_pRTAni4&t=5s

A witch hunt - Trump and Vance :down:

[AVGWarhawk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t39_pRTAni4&t=5s

Trump and Vance :down:

Well, when do you turn off the money faucet? Another endless war?

[Reece]

My comment purely relates to the disgusting way they treat a fellow human being - a very strong, well respected world-wide leader. They just show themselves up for what they are - of course this is only my opinion, but my opinion is shared by many world-wide. You of course are also entitled to your opinion. Never to forget that Russia attacked Ukraine with no provocation

[AVGWarhawk]

My comment purely relates to the disgusting way they treat a fellow human being - a very strong, well respected world-wide leader. They just show themselves up for what they are - of course this is only my opinion, but my opinion is shared by many world-wide. You of course are also entitled to your opinion. Never to forget that Russia attacked Ukraine with no provocation

And how would you have it go?? Just cut more checks, send more weapons and bombs? How about some troops? Anything else? It is not USAs war.

[Skybird]

Only the Ukrainians have a right to decide whether to give up their land to the invader or not.

American claims that they are concerned with peace as a higher principle are just pretended lame excuses to plunder Ukraine's raw materials without harm and to lead Kyiv into economic dependence. And stupid average Joe on the streets believes this drivel and goes hooray. America is lying, and the whole world knows it. And America is especially lying to itself. The harder it tries, the uglier its face looks.

A day of infamy. America gangraping the victim of a crime that was down already before, and accusing it to have provoked it, and to not be thankful enough, while poutting fingers in tis pocket to search for gold coins and bank notes and jewels to raffle. America partnering with the perpetrator, the attacker, the villain. Great.
l

[AVGWarhawk]

Only the Ukrainians have a right to decide whether to give up their land to the invader or not.



American claims that they are concerned with peace as a higher principle are just pretended lame excuses to plunder Ukraine's raw materials without harm and to lead Kyiv into economic dependence. And stupid average Joe on the streets believes this drivel and goes hooray. America is lying, and the whole world knows it. And America is especially lying to itself. The harder it tries, the uglier its face looks.



A day of infamy. America gangraping the victim of a crime that was down already before, and accusing it to have provoked it, and to not be thankful enough, while poutting fingers in tis pocket to search for gold coins and bank notes and jewels to raffle. America partnering with the perpetrator, the attacker, the villain. Great.

Fine. Pull the plug.

[u crank]

Only the Ukrainians have a right to decide whether to give up their land to the invader or not.


True. And only they will decide to continue a war they cannot win. It is the very definition of madness.

[u crank]

Fine. Pull the plug.

Yea. I would guess that there are very few American tax payers who think that over 100 billion dollars for an unwinnable war is a good use of their money. Personally I don't care who ends this war but I hope someone does.

[Skybird]

https://youtu.be/Bkj_MxrDJII?si=vJfelERzU7bopqUo

[Skybird]

https://youtu.be/TOxu-UcZwdI?si=1JE9nL2nLKaqZfG5

[MaDef]

And how would you have it go?? Just cut more checks, send more weapons and bombs? How about some troops? Anything else? It is not USAs war.
For some reason, most of the Europeans can't wrap their head around this fact.

[Skybird]

One needs to be aware of the important discrimination between an agent, and an asset. Trump I am certain and i indicated that on several occasions, is a Russian asset, easy to manipulate due to his narcissistic personality structure.

https://youtu.be/lvGeADL3Bf8?si=IMoAXm1CeU5B0zH8

[Skybird]

https://youtu.be/YsIntuxmXf0?si=eyBYJCDQc8RkTVlK

[mapuc]

You're right, this is not Americas war and you're right Europe should increase their military and economical support to Ukraine.

You're also right Europe should start to spend more money on their defence

However letting Ukraine and Europe fighting the war them self, can in the long term drag USA into the war.

Markus

[Reece]

https://www.scrippsnews.com/world/world-leaders-reiterate-their-support-for-ukraine-after-collapse-of-white-house-meeting
https://www.lbc.co.uk/world-news/world-leaders-react-white-house-showdown-trump-zelenskyy/
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/28/world-reacts-after-donald-trump-jd-vance-berate-ukaines-zelenskyy

[mapuc]

That the meeting was a fiasco is an understatement. What can be discussed is who's fault was it ?

In my opinion both are guilty in this fiasco

Markus

[MaDef]

You're right, this is not Americas war and you're right Europe should increase their military and economical support to Ukraine.

You're also right Europe should start to spend more money on their defence

However letting Ukraine and Europe fighting the war them self, can in the long term drag USA into the war.

Markus You are assuming that Russia want's world domination?

The EU pretty much set the stage for this war to start and now you want us to save your bacon. Inviting Ukraine to join the European union for economic purposes was one thing, but actively recruiting the Ukraine into NATO was akin to waving a red cape at a bull to the Russians. and in 2008 that's exactly what the NATO secretary General did.

[mapuc]

You are assuming that Russia want's world domination?

The EU pretty much set the stage for this war to start and now you want us to save your bacon. Inviting Ukraine to join the European union for economic purposes was one thing, but actively recruiting the Ukraine into NATO was akin to waving a red cape at a bull to the Russians. and in 2008 that's exactly what the NATO secretary General did.

World domination !? No but rebuilding the Soviet borders and make Poland and other eastern country satellite states again

First of all-Ukraine is far from being consider a candidate to becoming a NATO or a EU member.

I don't understand why EU was setting the stage for this war-Here I'm thinking on the start of the war in 2014.

I must have missed something,'cause I can't find anything that indicate EU being the one who was the architect behind the war in Ukraine.

Markus

[Ostfriese]

The EU pretty much set the stage for this war


I claimed that some gullible simp would fester this lie into a fact within two weeks.
I stand corrected - it took merely six days.:D:har:

[Buddahaid]

There really isn’t much option. You join the EU you got NATO and more power to it. Screw Putin and all he represents.

[Skybird]

The driving force behind the pushing of NATO towards Russian borders, was Washington. Not Nato general secretary, who usually only announces what Washington expected him to. Countries like Germany and France warned against that.

The responsibility for yesterdays fiasco, is Vance's and Trump's. It was a trap to push zelenskyi into a corner and present his "littleness" to the US public. Zelenskyi then walked into it.



American scum in the WH, thats what it was. Moscows puppet did what his master expected of him.



And clueless blind people applaude. They would also be enraptured if their idol starts to play with his finger in his rear end before running cameras. Because everything a god does must be devine.

[Reece]

Oh you are naughty, but I like it!!!:D

[Skybird]

Oh you are naughty, but I like it!!!:D

I've spent the last nine years pouring out troughs of scorn and derision on this bum - did anyone really think I'd suddenly start loving him now just because I made some super sarcastic hints in that direction ten days ago? That was sarcasm. Out of bitterness.

Back when the Iraq War of 2003 was still raging, I described the expectation that the Republicans would begin to play foul in the face of demographic trends unfavorable to their constituency at the time, and that the US might slide into an increasingly totalitarian, overtly religious-fascist dictatorship as a result. Something like this now seems to be on the horizon.

Putin now has Trump exactly where he wants him, and Trump, the great “deal-maker”, is proving to be an obedient puppet hanging on Russian strings. The Russians/Soviets always wanted to push the Americans out of Europe. They are close to achieving their goal. And they manage to take the US out of the game as a strategic player acting against their interests by making sure that they endlessly look at themselves in the mirror and talk to their reflection.

This is KGB psychops at its best, played out over the very long term, over decades. The destruction of the enemy social order from within: this is playing in the master class. And Trump and Vance and their idiotic consorts are in no way up to it. Fools! They dutifully do what they were hired to do: bring the West into self destruction mode.

You can be horrified - or you can laugh uproariously at America for its stupidity, which is not inferior to Europe's in this respect, only different in detail. But the European and especially the German lies of life have also been mercilessly shattered in the last three years. Welcome to the arena. We Europeans and Germans have nothing to complain about, we have played the fool ourselves for far too long, endlessly waffling on and sucking our thumbs. Now Putin's puppet is counting us out.

What is no laughing matter is that history is once again stomping on Ukraine's corpse. Ukraine has no choice and mist continue to fight for its suervival, with every degrading means and so slowly loosing. What will come of all this for Europe, is uncertain, but optimism and hoping for a happy end is not to be taken for granted. The political situation in Germany is not good, nor is it in France nor is it in the UK, and Poland alone is not enough. Turkey is unreliable, Greece as well, Italy and Spoain are desinterested, Hungary and romania more or less pro Putin, so are parts of the other smaller countries. Even in Germany a majority of the public is againstn Ukraine now.

[Skybird]

Denmark leads!

[DW] The Danish Salling Group said it will be adding a black star to electronic price tags for European-made goods to allow consumers to choose them over products made in the United States. The move comes as many in Denmark (https://www.dw.com/en/denmark/t-19249216) want to make a protest against the policies of US President Donald Trump (https://www.dw.com/en/donald-trump/t-19434433), notably his declared aim of bringing the Danish autonomous territory of Greenland under US control (https://www.dw.com/en/why-greenland-trump-eyes-control-of-worlds-biggest-island/a-71248164)— whether by purchase or, potentially, by force.

The Salling Group, Denmark's largest grocery group and the operator of major supermarkets Bilka, Fotex and Netto, said it had received inquiries from customers who want to buy European brands rather than their US equivalents.

"We are making it easier to shop for European brands," CEO Anders Hagh wrote on networking platform LinkedIn with a photo showing what the stars would look like on supermarket price signs. (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/anders-hagh-6290244_vi-g%C3%B8r-det-nemmere-at-handle-europ%C3%A6iske-m%C3%A6rker-activity-7300806905721962496-N5is?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABp65B8BWAvwBZF5-e-_nVYwBJSKaQm6BTY)

Hagh said that to enable customers the choice, "We will introduce a new marking on our electronic price tags in Bilka, Fotex and Netto during March, where a small star will show if the brand is owned by a European company."

Hagh denied that the move entailed a boycott of US products.

"We will continue to have brands on the shelves from all over the world, and it will always be up to the customers to choose," he wrote. "The new label is only an extra service for customers who want to buy goods with European brands."

Other retailers in Denmark have been reducing the amount of US goods on their shelves, while Danish consumers have been increasingly shunning anything bearing the label "Made in the United States," according to the digital newspaper NordiskPost.

Experts say that consumer forums in other parts of Europe are also considering using purchasing power to convey a political message in protest at the Trump administration's policies.

This comes as Trump is threatening to unleash a trade war with the EU by imposing high tariffs on some of its products, (https://www.dw.com/en/trump-says-he-will-slap-european-goods-with-25-tariff/a-71763765) claiming without evidence that the bloc was created "in order to screw the United States."

[mapuc]

^ What can I say it is hilarious. First of all most of the product are produced on license here in Europe and what's even more funny if not hypocritical of nature, is that 99 % of these people use FB.

Here's even more funny thing...this forum is located in the US.

Markus

[Reece]

Oh I think we all knew that!! I for one am not blaming the US citizens in general, just Trump, Vance and his cronies!! :doh:

Where will the world be in 6 months time?
Who is going to be allied to the US? How many countries are going to be left in the lurch?
Where will NATO be, will the US still be a NATO member?? :hmmm:
Quite worrying!!:oops:

[Jimbuna]

I'll stay out of this thread now in case moderation is necessary but last night on my tv was really interesting viewing much of which saddened and surprised me.

I'll end by saying imho NATO is or will soon be finished.

[Reece]

More than ever if the US exits NATO we all need to stick together - united we stand! divided we fall!:salute:

[Dargo]

Thinking that you can weather this storm on your own would be very naive and irresponsible. Unless you are fine with being extorted.

[Skybird]

I'll stay out of this thread now in case moderation is necessary but last night on my tv was really interesting viewing much of which saddened and surprised me.

I'll end by saying imho NATO is or will soon be finished.
Yep. Another Russian objective completed. NATO doine. US out of Europe. Eastern Europe undefendable for many years to come.

The good thing is sooner or later it must dawn everybody in Brussels that stupid green deal economics, overboarding bureaucracy and lets-please-everybody-in-the-world is financially no longer affordable. But that bright conclusion alone does not make the crisis any more survivable.


It should be noted that just about a third of voters on the right and left fringes voted against remaining in NATO in the German parliamentary elections.

[Skybird]

More than ever if the US exits NATO we all need to stick together - united we stand! divided we fall!:salute:Ah, you Aussies just need to sink deep into the ground, get out in our place and be safe again.

Or was it the other way around?!:doh:


See you halfway in the middle, and we chill grill together!