2024

[Sparko]

It is nice to revisit Western Civ without the blue book. Christian nationalists are neither Christian nor true nationalists.

[jfish26]

Absolutely incoherent. The man cannot hold a thought in his head (and perhaps it’s because it’s much harder to keep track of things you do not believe).

https://x.com/atrupar/status/1760884078 ... q_-8Yt1KMA

Trump: "They want you to say what they want you, what they want to have you say. And we're not gonna let that happen. You're going to say as you want & you're going to believe & you're going to believe in God. You're gonna believe in God because God is here & God is watching."

[KUTradition]

love the ivermectin ad

[RainbowsandUnicorns]

Absolutely incoherent. The man cannot hold a thought in his head (and perhaps it’s because it’s much harder to keep track of things you do not believe).

https://x.com/atrupar/status/1760884078 ... q_-8Yt1KMA

Trump: "They want you to say what they want you, what they want to have you say. And we're not gonna let that happen. You're going to say as you want & you're going to believe & you're going to believe in God. You're gonna believe in God because God is here & God is watching."

I find it bizarre when Biden supporters criticize Trump for things Biden is guilty of and Trump supporters criticize Biden for things Trump is guilty of. That's the beauty of not supporting either - for me.
I don't have to be more ignorant than I already am.

Speaking of God, God save the Queen man!

[twocoach]

Absolutely incoherent. The man cannot hold a thought in his head (and perhaps it’s because it’s much harder to keep track of things you do not believe).

https://x.com/atrupar/status/1760884078 ... q_-8Yt1KMA

Trump: "They want you to say what they want you, what they want to have you say. And we're not gonna let that happen. You're going to say as you want & you're going to believe & you're going to believe in God. You're gonna believe in God because God is here & God is watching."

I find it bizarre when Biden supporters criticize Trump for things Biden is guilty of and Trump supporters criticize Biden for things Trump is guilty of. That's the beauty of not supporting either - for me.
I don't have to be more ignorant than I already am.

Speaking of God, God save the Queen man!

It's more just that Trump's incoherent ramblings are because he has no fucking clue about the topic he is talking about and is completely disingenuous combined with that he is old and probably has a syphilis-addled brain while Biden is just old and has an old man-addled brain. I don't for one second think that Trump's "old man issues" are unique to him or are more than Biden's.

[jfish26]

Absolutely incoherent. The man cannot hold a thought in his head (and perhaps it’s because it’s much harder to keep track of things you do not believe).

https://x.com/atrupar/status/1760884078 ... q_-8Yt1KMA

I find it bizarre when Biden supporters criticize Trump for things Biden is guilty of and Trump supporters criticize Biden for things Trump is guilty of. That's the beauty of not supporting either - for me.
I don't have to be more ignorant than I already am.

Speaking of God, God save the Queen man!

It's more just that Trump's incoherent ramblings are because he has no fucking clue about the topic he is talking about and is completely disingenuous combined with that he is old and probably has a syphilis-addled brain while Biden is just old and has an old man-addled brain. I don't for one second think that Trump's "old man issues" are unique to him or are more than Biden's.

I don't think Trump's "old man issues" are unique to him. I don't know how to form an opinion on whether they are "more [or less] than Biden's."

I absolutely believe that all objective evidence is that Biden is, at least in the context of the job they've both held and are both seeking to hold again, in simply a different universe when it comes to education and experience. And, in my opinion, present capacity, too.

And to gutter's post - I think you (largely owing to the personal experiences you are having with crime and immigration issues) are predisposed to put Biden and Trump on the same level.

I think that, even if we are narrowing the universe down to present public speaking ability, Trump is getting a pass for a degree of incoherence and word-salad-vomit that, if Biden exhibited it, even MSNBC would break into coverage of a school shooting to tell you how old and unfit Biden is.

[twocoach]

I find it bizarre when Biden supporters criticize Trump for things Biden is guilty of and Trump supporters criticize Biden for things Trump is guilty of. That's the beauty of not supporting either - for me.
I don't have to be more ignorant than I already am.

Speaking of God, God save the Queen man!

It's more just that Trump's incoherent ramblings are because he has no fucking clue about the topic he is talking about and is completely disingenuous combined with that he is old and probably has a syphilis-addled brain while Biden is just old and has an old man-addled brain. I don't for one second think that Trump's "old man issues" are unique to him or are more than Biden's.

I don't think Trump's "old man issues" are unique to him. I don't know how to form an opinion on whether they are "more [or less] than Biden's."

I absolutely believe that all objective evidence is that Biden is, at least in the context of the job they've both held and are both seeking to hold again, in simply a different universe when it comes to education and experience. And, in my opinion, present capacity, too.

And to gutter's post - I think you (largely owing to the personal experiences you are having with crime and immigration issues) are predisposed to put Biden and Trump on the same level.

I think that, even if we are narrowing the universe down to present public speaking ability, Trump is getting a pass for a degree of incoherence and word-salad-vomit that, if Biden exhibited it, even MSNBC would break into coverage of a school shooting to tell you how old and unfit Biden is.

Like I said, I think a lot of Trump's word salad issues are that he is an ignorant know-nothing who does zero preparation because he thinks he is so fucking brilliant that he can just wing it on any topic. To me that's way worse than a guy who already has a lifelong stutter also being old standing up there and getting his tongue tied. I at least think Biden attempt to read and learn the information he is provided.

[KUTradition]

^^^^^
i also would argue that Biden still has better judgement than trump

i have more trust that he’ll appoint people to positions for which they’re qualified and able to serve effectively

that judgement also extends to our standing internationally, with our allies

[RainbowsandUnicorns]

Absolutely incoherent. The man cannot hold a thought in his head (and perhaps it’s because it’s much harder to keep track of things you do not believe).

https://x.com/atrupar/status/1760884078 ... q_-8Yt1KMA

I find it bizarre when Biden supporters criticize Trump for things Biden is guilty of and Trump supporters criticize Biden for things Trump is guilty of. That's the beauty of not supporting either - for me.
I don't have to be more ignorant than I already am.

Speaking of God, God save the Queen man!

It's more just that Trump's incoherent ramblings are because he has no fucking clue about the topic he is talking about and is completely disingenuous combined with that he is old and probably has a syphilis-addled brain while Biden is just old and has an old man-addled brain. I don't for one second think that Trump's "old man issues" are unique to him or are more than Biden's.

To clarify, I was generalizing and I don't want Fish or anyone else on here to get the wrong impression and think I was directing my thoughts and feelings towards them.
I know people from all walks of life. From highly educated to not at all educated. People of different races/religions, ages, wealth status, geographical locations, political affiliations, etc. and there isn't much rhyme or reason to me in regards to their choosing what to believe and not believe - and why they choose to publicly share what I feel is ignorance.
I think SOME people are probably smarter than I give them credit for but I also feel TOO MANY people are in either complete denial or they are completely brainwashed.
I see it every day. Biden is too old - but Trump isn't? Biden is brain dead and/or an idiot - but Trump isn't?
Biden is a criminal - but Trump isn't? Of course - and vice versa.
Etc., etc., etc.

[MICHHAWK]

rfk is looking better and better everyday.

[twocoach]

rfk is looking better and better everyday.

No he isn't.

[MICHHAWK]

day after day of the malcontents arguing over who sucks less. old uncle or dt. rfk is looking better and better.

[RainbowsandUnicorns]

I find it bizarre when Biden supporters criticize Trump for things Biden is guilty of and Trump supporters criticize Biden for things Trump is guilty of. That's the beauty of not supporting either - for me.
I don't have to be more ignorant than I already am.

Speaking of God, God save the Queen man!

It's more just that Trump's incoherent ramblings are because he has no fucking clue about the topic he is talking about and is completely disingenuous combined with that he is old and probably has a syphilis-addled brain while Biden is just old and has an old man-addled brain. I don't for one second think that Trump's "old man issues" are unique to him or are more than Biden's.

I don't think Trump's "old man issues" are unique to him. I don't know how to form an opinion on whether they are "more [or less] than Biden's."

I absolutely believe that all objective evidence is that Biden is, at least in the context of the job they've both held and are both seeking to hold again, in simply a different universe when it comes to education and experience. And, in my opinion, present capacity, too.

And to gutter's post - I think you (largely owing to the personal experiences you are having with crime and immigration issues) are predisposed to put Biden and Trump on the same level.

I think that, even if we are narrowing the universe down to present public speaking ability, Trump is getting a pass for a degree of incoherence and word-salad-vomit that, if Biden exhibited it, even MSNBC would break into coverage of a school shooting to tell you how old and unfit Biden is.

Only thing I put them on the same level is that I feel/believe/know(?) they both struggle mentally and are not going to get any better in that regard.
I will say it again, if I was forced to vote for either man in November, I would vote for Biden.
I don't feel either man is "right" for the job (from January of 2025 to January of 2029).

You are wise to make the assessment (I won't say assumption) that the personal issues I have with crime and immigration have a bearing on my feelings. I don't directly blame Biden and I don't think Trump would solve them. Here is the really sad thing, I think no matter who is President (and Governor of Illinois and Mayor of Chicago and States Attorney and Judge and Police Super-Intendant and.....) it's too late to resolve the issues. Can they and should they be addressed better? Absolutely.
I think most outsiders probably feel it's overdramatic to say it's at a crisis level (and to them I can't say they are wrong) but I feel many insiders are right when they say it is.

[RainbowsandUnicorns]

day after day of the malcontents arguing over who sucks less. old uncle or dt. rfk is looking better and better.

If I see a dog turd on the ground it doesn't "look better" to me than a pile of puke and/or a used tampon.

[KUTradition]

rfk is looking better and better everyday.

please, vote for him

[jfish26]

rfk is looking better and better everyday.

This RFK?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2 ... -earnings/

Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine group founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., received $23.5 million in contributions, grants and other revenue in 2022 alone — eight times what it collected the year before the pandemic began — allowing it to expand its state-based lobbying operations to cover half the country.

[...]

As the groups’ coffers grew, so did the salaries of some top executives. Children’s Health Defense paid Kennedy, then chairman and chief legal counsel and now an independent candidate for president, more than $510,000 in 2022, double his 2019 salary, tax records show.

[jfish26]

This coulda gone anywhere, but as it appears that we're headed for 2024 being a referendum on what exactly we want government to be, I am putting it here. The historian's ability to illuminate current events by connecting the dots is so helpful.

February 22, 2024

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.c ... ry-22-2024

The Alabama Supreme Court on February 16, 2024, decided that cells awaiting implantation for in vitro fertilization are children and that the accidental destruction of such an embryo falls under the state’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. In an opinion concurring with the ruling, Chief Justice Tom Parker declared that the people of Alabama have adopted the “theologically based view of the sanctity of life” and said that “human life cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of a holy God.”

Payton Armstrong of media watchdog Media Matters for America reported today that on the same day the Alabama decision came down, an interview Parker did on the program of a self-proclaimed “prophet” and Q-Anon conspiracy theorist appeared. In it, Parker claimed that “God created government” and called it “heartbreaking” that “we have let it go into the possession of others.”

Parker referred to the “Seven Mountain Mandate,” a theory that appeared in 1975, which claims that Christians must take over the “seven mountains” of U.S. life: religion, family, education, media, entertainment, business…and government. He told his interviewer that “we’ve abandoned those Seven Mountains and they’ve been occupied by the other side.” God “is calling and equipping people to step back into these mountains right now,” he said.

While Republicans are split on the decision about embryos after a number of hospitals have ended their popular IVF programs out of fear of prosecution, others, like Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley agreed that “embryos, to me, are babies.”

House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) identifies himself as a Christian, has argued that the United States is a Christian nation, and has called for “biblically sanctioned government.” At a retreat of Republican leaders this weekend, as the country is grappling with both the need to support Ukraine and the need to fund the government, he tried to rally the attendees with what some called a “sermon” arguing that the Republican Party needed to save the country from its lack of morality.

As Charles Blow of the New York Times put it: “If you don’t think this country is sliding toward theocracy, you’re not paying attention.”

In the United States, theocracy and authoritarianism go hand in hand.

The framers of the Constitution quite deliberately excluded religion from the U.S. Constitution. As a young man, James Madison, the key thinker behind the Constitution, had seen his home state of Virginia arrest itinerant preachers for undermining the established church in the state. He came to believe that men had a right to the free exercise of religion.

In 1785, in a “Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments,” he explained that what was at stake was not just religion, but also representative government itself. The establishment of one religion over others attacked a fundamental human right—an unalienable right—of conscience. If lawmakers could destroy the right of freedom of conscience, they could destroy all other unalienable rights. Those in charge of government could throw representative government out the window and make themselves tyrants.

In order to make sure men had the right of conscience, the framers added the First Amendment to the Constitution. It read: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof….”

Madison was right to link religion and representative government. In the early years of the nation, Americans zealously guarded the wall between the two. They strictly limited the power of the federal government to reflect religion, refusing even to permit the government to stop delivery of the U.S. mails on Sunday out of concern that Jews and Christians did not share the same Sabbath, and the government could not choose one over the other. The Constitution, a congressional report noted, gave Congress no authority “to inquire and determine what part of time, or whether any has been set apart by the Almighty for religious exercises.”

But the Civil War marked a change. As early as the 1830s, southern white enslavers relied on religious justification for their hierarchical system that rested on white supremacy. God, they argued, had made Black Americans for enslavement and women for marriage, and society must recognize those facts.

A character in an 1836 novel written by a Virginia gentleman explained to a younger man that God had given everyone a place in society. Women and Black people were at the bottom, “subordinate” to white men by design. “All women live by marriage,” he said. “It is their only duty.” Trying to make them equal was a cruelty. “For my part,” the older man said, “I am well pleased with the established order of the universe. I see…subordination everywhere. And when I find the subordinate content…and recognizing his place…as that to which he properly belongs, I am content to leave him there.”

The Confederacy rejected the idea of popular government, maintaining instead that a few Americans should make the rules for the majority. As historian Gaines Foster explained in his 2002 book Moral Reconstruction, which explores the nineteenth-century relationship between government and morality, it was the Confederacy, not the U.S. government, that sought to align the state with God. A nation was more than the “aggregation of individuals,” one Presbyterian minister preached, it was “a sort of person before God,” and the government must purge that nation of sins.

Confederates not only invoked “the favor and guidance of Almighty God” in their Constitution, they established as their motto “Deo vindice,” or “God will vindicate.”

The United States, in contrast, was recentering democracy during the war, and it rejected the alignment of the federal government with a religious vision. When reformers in the United States tried to change the preamble of the U.S. Constitution to read, “We, the people of the United States, humbly acknowledging Almighty God as the sources of all authority and power in civil government, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Ruler among nations, and His revealed will as of supreme authority, in order to constitute a Christian government, and in order to form a more perfect union,” the House Committee on the Judiciary concluded that “the Constitution of the United States does not recognize a Supreme Being.”

That defense of democracy—the will of the majority—continued to hold religious extremists at bay.

Reformers continued to try to add a Christian amendment to the Constitution, Foster explains, and in March 1896 once again got so far as the House Committee on the Judiciary. One reformer stressed that turning the Constitution into a Christian document would provide a source of authority for the government that, he implied, it lacked when it simply relied on a voting majority. A religious amendment “asks the Bible to decide moral issues in political life; not all moral questions, but simply those that have become political questions.”

Opponents recognized this attempt as a revolutionary attack that would dissolve the separation of church and state, and hand power to a religious minority. One reformer said that Congress had no right to enact laws that were not in “harmony with the justice of God” and that the voice of the people should prevail only when it was “right.” Congressmen then asked who would decide what was right, and what would happen if the majority was wrong. Would the Supreme Court turn into an interpreter of the Bible?

The committee set the proposal aside.

Now, once again, we are watching a minority trying to impose its will on the majority, with leaders like House speaker Johnson noting that “I try to do every day what my constituents want. But sometimes what your constituents want does not line up with the principles God gave us for government. And you have to have conviction enough to stand [up] to your own people….”

We should - in my opinion - be deeply troubled by our elected representatives having the viewpoint that they answer, in their exercise of official powers and responsibilities, to God (and not to their constituents).

[Sparko]

Some GOP elected representatives pretend to answer to God. It is PT Barnum's church however. Where suckers can be frozen in petri dishes for later sale.

[jfish26]

Some GOP elected representatives pretend to answer to God. It is PT Barnum's church however. Where suckers can be frozen in petri dishes for later sale.

I worry more about the ones who aren't pretending, honestly.

[Sparko]

The ones who aren't pretending have been run off. This new theater company is designed to get autocracy in place for a false prophet leading to real profits.