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NEVERENDING ♾️ The NEVERENDING Political Discussion Thread

I was reading a bit of all the different actions and such that Trump has taken since he has been in office and all I can say as the founders are spinning in their graves. There are no checks and balances and even if one were to agree in concept of the outcome that Trump is trying to achieve, these are not the methods to go about it.
 
michaelskis said:
I was reading a bit of all the different actions and such that Trump has taken since he has been in office and all I can say as the founders are spinning in their graves. There are no checks and balances and even if one were to agree in concept of the outcome that Trump is trying to achieve, these are not the methods to go about it.
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"...Take a simpleton, give him power, and confront him with intelligence--then you have a tyrant..."---Wendell Berry
 
michaelskis said:
There are no checks and balances and even if one were to agree in concept of the outcome that Trump is trying to achieve, these are not the methods to go about it.
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Well, if faith and confidence in U. S. obligations is somehow undermined by the new Trumpist regime, we’ll either all be in line for the rations or atop rooftops with our rifles and shotguns aimed straight at the foreheads of the Big Balls Youth Oligarch League membership:


See also Paul Krugman’s latest bluesky posts: “For those not familiar with how financial markets work, US Treasuries are the ultimate safe asset, used as collateral for everything. Even a hint that some Treasuries might not be honored could bring everything to a screeching halt… Musk and Trump are both in the habit of stiffing people they owe money. If markets even suspect that this habit will extend to Treasuries, God help us”

Strap in, motherfuckers.
 
We go through a lot of eggs at our house. I paid $3.69 for a dozen eggs at the fancy grocery store by my house when I walked up there yesterday morning. ¯\(ツ)/¯

Of course, they were completely sold out of the organic artisan boutique-farmed pasture-raised sparkling-water-fed natural birthed eggs that are always $16+ for a dozen
 
WSU MUP Student said:
We go through a lot of eggs at our house. I paid $3.69 for a dozen eggs at the fancy grocery store by my house when I walked up there yesterday morning. ¯\(ツ)/¯

Of course, they were completely sold out of the organic artisan boutique-farmed pasture-raised sparkling-water-fed natural birthed eggs that are always $16+ for a dozen
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The Publix we go to only had organic eggs in fancy carboard packaging yesterday. None of the hormone filled Styrofoam variety. Those eggs were $9.30ish a dozen. We've been buying liquid eggs lately anyway.

I saw where they had found dairy cows with avian flu and a worker tested positive. Still low risk to the public, but that will probably push food higher.

Having been around parts of the Ag industry most of my life, it's one of those areas that is extremely susceptible to government disruption. The government buys tons of food for different programs. There is a ton of subsidy to different parts of the industry that could get labelled waste. They are probably going to get hit with labor issues as well. Then there are the food/environmental safety and inspection functions of the government. If programs like WIC, school lunch programs and other food support get axed or cut drastically, its going to get tough.
 
WSU MUP Student said:
We go through a lot of eggs at our house. I paid $3.69 for a dozen eggs at the fancy grocery store by my house when I walked up there yesterday morning. ¯\(ツ)/¯

Of course, they were completely sold out of the organic artisan boutique-farmed pasture-raised sparkling-water-fed natural birthed eggs that are always $16+ for a dozen
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Were they humanely harvested, with apologies to the hen?

bureaucrat#3 said:
The Publix we go to only had organic eggs in fancy carboard packaging yesterday. None of the hormone filled Styrofoam variety. Those eggs were $9.30ish a dozen. We've been buying liquid eggs lately anyway.

I saw where they had found dairy cows with avian flu and a worker tested positive. Still low risk to the public, but that will probably push food higher.

Having been around parts of the Ag industry most of my life, it's one of those areas that is extremely susceptible to government disruption. The government buys tons of food for different programs. There is a ton of subsidy to different parts of the industry that could get labelled waste. They are probably going to get hit with labor issues as well. Then there are the food/environmental safety and inspection functions of the government. If programs like WIC, school lunch programs and other food support get axed or cut drastically, its going to get tough.
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We avoid Publix because the family that owns the chain is one of the biggest trumpist supporters.
 
fringe said:
Were they humanely harvested, with apologies to the hen?
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I always buy the absolute cheapest eggs available so they probably punch then hen and make her watch as a few omelettes are made!

FWIW... there is a house we pass when we go to my parents where they sell eggs and we usually stop by and buy a dozen or two when we are out there. When we were out there a couple weeks ago, they were $5. They're probably the same ones that would go for like $15 at the store.

My parents always had chickens up until about 10 years ago and my dad would have a sign at the end of the driveway advertising "FRESH EGGS" and he always had a few regular customers but he was always surprised how many people he didn't know who would stop buy and it's not as if their road generally got a lot of traffic. The guy who managed a gas station with an automated car wash near them would also give him two car washes each week (one for my mom and one for him) for a dozen eggs each week. He still has a sign at the end of the driveway advertising hay and straw for sale and barters some of that away too. We've got a never ending supply of fresh honey and syrup from a guy he knows who he trades bales of hay to every couple months.

Recently I found out that my daughter's friend's neighbors have chickens. I need to find out if they sell their eggs... They live in the same community as us and you're supposed to have 5 acres if you want chickens but that would be like a $10m piece of property. They live sort of off in a very wooded corner of the community with a river and wetland behind their house so there are probably not many people to even notice or complain.
 
We seemed to have gotten side tracked on eggs, which isn't Biden or Trumps fault, so I am not sure how it's political.

However, I am so disheartened by everything coming out of the media regarding elements of this administration, DOGE, and such. Most of the time I don't know what to believe and what not to believe. For years I have commented about how I don't like either side and I am more resolute on that point today than I have ever been.
 
michaelskis said:
We seemed to have gotten side tracked on eggs, which isn't Biden or Trumps fault, so I am not sure how it's political.

However, I am so disheartened by everything coming out of the media regarding elements of this administration, DOGE, and such. Most of the time I don't know what to believe and what not to believe. For years I have commented about how I don't like either side and I am more resolute on that point today than I have ever been.
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It shouldn’t be political but the Orange Menace campaigned on cheap gas and eggs. Never mind actual science and economics.

Most of what is being reported in the main stream media outlets: CNN, MSNBC, AP, Reuters, PBS, NYT, WaPo, LA Times, etc. is true.

From the inside, I can tell you that it has been a very chaotic few weeks. Federal employees are being vilified and harassed. There is an illegal resignation offer called Fork in the Road that is emailed daily from separate email servers installed in OPM. The offer promises things that are not authorized and run counter to established policies.m

The entire federal workforce has been ordered to return to office full time. Never mind there are collective bargaining agreements that give us the right to telework and some the right to work fully remote since 2010. GSA has canceled leases and reduced its real estate holdings over the past 15 years so there isn’t enough space for all workers to return. Some buildings are running shifts. I feel terrible for the remote only workers, they have to return to office even though they’ve never been assigned one, and news is filtering out that they have 6 months to move within 100 miles of an agency duty station. Probationary employees with under 1 year in their current position will be first on the chopping block if a Reduction in Force (RIF) is activated. Someone from DOGE sent out a letter to SBA probationary employees over the weekend informing them they have been let go. However it was not on letterhead and had factual errors. It turns out that it was unauthorized.

All agencies have been asked to identify if existing federal grant and loan contracts have anything to do with DEIA, abortion, gender ideology, and asking employees to vouch for contractors.

Please check in on federal workers you know, hold your congressional representatives accountable regardless of party affiliation-there’s enough shady stuff happening that should make reasonable people uncomfortable, and stay informed.
 
WSU MUP Student said:
I always buy the absolute cheapest eggs available so they probably punch then hen and make her watch as a few omelettes are made!

FWIW... there is a house we pass when we go to my parents where they sell eggs and we usually stop by and buy a dozen or two when we are out there. When we were out there a couple weeks ago, they were $5. They're probably the same ones that would go for like $15 at the store.

My parents always had chickens up until about 10 years ago and my dad would have a sign at the end of the driveway advertising "FRESH EGGS" and he always had a few regular customers but he was always surprised how many people he didn't know who would stop buy and it's not as if their road generally got a lot of traffic. The guy who managed a gas station with an automated car wash near them would also give him two car washes each week (one for my mom and one for him) for a dozen eggs each week. He still has a sign at the end of the driveway advertising hay and straw for sale and barters some of that away too. We've got a never ending supply of fresh honey and syrup from a guy he knows who he trades bales of hay to every couple months.

Recently I found out that my daughter's friend's neighbors have chickens. I need to find out if they sell their eggs... They live in the same community as us and you're supposed to have 5 acres if you want chickens but that would be like a $10m piece of property. They live sort of off in a very wooded corner of the community with a river and wetland behind their house so there are probably not many people to even notice or complain.
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"Time was..."---Canned Heat
 
kjel said:
Most of what is being reported in the main stream media outlets: CNN, MSNBC, AP, Reuters, PBS, NYT, WaPo, LA Times, etc. is true.
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I don't argue that most of what they are reporting is true, but there also appears to be a lot that a couple of them are not reporting as well because it does not fit their narrative. The AP and Reuters are the only two on that list that I actually trust with any legitimacy.
 
Trump admin is changing the name of Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg, but not for Braxton Bragg. Now it will be Fort Roland Bragg. Don't know anything about Roland, but he's probably better than Braxton who was known for
  • his own troops trying to kill him (twice) because they hated him so much
  • submitting and then denying his own requestions when he was both quartermaster and commander for a post
  • continuously sending troops straight up the gut in frontal assaults, often uphill
  • plus he was a traitor and a slave-owner
I wasn't in the military, so I don't really have a tie or sentiment towards a base, I don't blame anyone that does. Liberty seemed like an overly generic name. It does feel like the Hegseth is trying to "win" on a technicality. I wonder if they found another Hood or Rucker. Going back from Moore to Benning would also be interesting if they look at the accolades of the two namesakes.
 
Wasn't there an episode of Abbott Elementary where they tried to rename the school because they found that it was named after somebody with a racist past but the district said it was too expensive to rename it and then the school found another Abbott in that same family who was an infinitely better person so they just said it was named after that person instead?
 
michaelskis said:
I don't argue that most of what they are reporting is true, but there also appears to be a lot that a couple of them are not reporting as well because it does not fit their narrative. The AP and Reuters are the only two on that list that I actually trust with any legitimacy.
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Everything has a bent, but part of critical reading is understanding that. BBC, The Guardian, and Economist are reliable with a European viewpoint.
 
WSU MUP Student said:
Wasn't there an episode of Abbott Elementary where they tried to rename the school because they found that it was named after somebody with a racist past but the district said it was too expensive to rename it and then the school found another Abbott in that same family who was an infinitely better person so they just said it was named after that person instead?
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Now that you mention it, I think they did. That's hilarious.
 
michaelskis said:
I don't argue that most of what they are reporting is true, but there also appears to be a lot that a couple of them are not reporting as well because it does not fit their narrative. The AP and Reuters are the only two on that list that I actually trust with any legitimacy.
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Don't forget BBC, Guardian, and Duetchwella.
 
michaelskis said:
We seemed to have gotten side tracked on eggs, which isn't Biden or Trumps fault, so I am not sure how it's political.

However, I am so disheartened by everything coming out of the media regarding elements of this administration, DOGE, and such.
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Trump campaigned on how those costs were Biden's fault and he was going to solve it on day one. And many of his actions he has taken since then he has admitted have not and would not decrease consumer costs and instead would increase it. I absolutely agree with you that market costs on items are driven by many variables, much of which are outside of the control of whoever is in the whitehouse. But, if you rally the public on this issue and knowingly take actions contrary to that goal, you open yourself to some fair criticism. The fault certainly lies with the disingenuous process candidates use in campaigning – explaining nuance is hard, and nuance is not Trump’s forte.

There are a lot of things happening that are worrisome. Randon uncleared individuals with access to full data systems is dangerous. Claiming to audit congressionally appropriated funds while magically approving those that benefit your own private corporations is dangerous. Making all government agencies partisan is dangerous. Limiting press access to those that only publish with a supportive partisan slant is dangerous.



Also, has there been a press conference from behind/at the resolute desk where someone that wasn’t the president ran part of the briefing? Other than Musk trying to say everything they are stopping (while also being everything they are also doing), his presence in that location was very unusual. https://www.npr.org/2025/02/11/nx-s1-5293504/trump-musk-doge-oval-office
TIM250224-Musk-Cover-FINAL.jpg
 
Article in the paper today about a local/national industry gearing up for tremendous growth under the new administration. What's the industry you ask? Private prison. Just a sad statement to where we are. Also a set up for a joke on the new administration.
 
Saw last night where multiple states are challenging the legality of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This prohibits discrimination for those with disabilities by any entity that receives federal funding. Upset over Biden administration changing the standards to include gender issues, the states are not trying to attack those provisions, but instead trying to get rid of the whole section. This could potentially allow schools to not provide similar, or potentially any, education to children with disabilities. This could have huge impacts. I've wondered if this is done to free up charter or private schools that accept federal funds from taking students with disabilities.
 
DVD said:
Article in the paper today about a local/national industry gearing up for tremendous growth under the new administration. What's the industry you ask? Private prison. Just a sad statement to where we are. Also a set up for a joke on the new administration.
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I have a spare room that could keep a cpl of detainees but it would not be cheap. OTOH I have already offered MAGA inlaws a place in a closet where they could hide when ANTIFA starts rounding them up.
 
fringe said:
I have a spare room that could keep a cpl of detainees but it would not be cheap. OTOH I have already offered MAGA inlaws a place in a closet where they could hide when ANTIFA starts rounding them up.
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We've been keeping detainees at the county jail for years through an agreement with the feds. Apparently, yesterday they came and removed all of them. I think there were less than 10. Our sheriff liked this contract, because it apparently paid much better than state and local inmates. We also take some inmates from neighboring counties that are overcrowded.
 
JNA said:
What is next
www.cbsnews.com

The AP says Trump blocking its reporter from Oval Office over not using Gulf of America "violates the First Amendment"

The White House on Tuesday demanded the AP alter its style guidance of the Gulf of Mexico, which President Trump renamed last month.
www.cbsnews.com www.cbsnews.com

Given this how many Cyburbians would be banned for not saying/printing "Gulf of America" ?

Just like Denali, DJT can say change the map but can he prosecute everyone for not changing what they say ?
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We follow the AP Style Guide for all of our marketing and external communications so I guess I'm banned as well.
 
WSU MUP Student said:
We follow the AP Style Guide for all of our marketing and external communications so I guess I'm banned as well.
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Both Bing Maps and Apple Maps have also changed it to Gulf of America.

I wonder if there could be a compromise and call it "Gulf of the space between Northern and Central America"


EDIT: Oh Crap... all the ESRI maps still say Gulf of Mexico! We have a ton of them to show local info!
 
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michaelskis said:
Both Bing Maps and Apple Maps have also changed it to Gulf of America.

I wonder if there could be a compromise and call it "Gulf of the space between Northern and Central America"


EDIT: Oh Crap... all the ESRI maps still say Gulf of Mexico! We have a ton of them to show local info!
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"...a rose by any other name..."
 
I got a notice on CarPlay asking if I wanted to update navigation. I chose 'LATER' option thinking they were changing the maps for that.
 
dw914er said:
Are you asking a rhetorical question?
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No, I am serious.

His actions are going beyond party lines and if there was a shred of decency left in DC (which there isn't), there would be a lot more thought put into the opposition. Holding up an avocado and a Corona to talk about the effects of tariffs is a freaking joke and those who call them selves democrats should be embarrassed that their leadership thought that would be an effective tactic. Same goes for the other side. 99.9% of what Trump is doing is an absolute embarrassment to the Republican party, and it is not just that they are not saying anything, but they are applauding these actions.

Don't get me wrong, the level of corruption on both sides is so entrenched into cooperate agendas and the amount of federal spending and overreach is ridiculous and complete opposite of what this country was designed to aspire to, but that too goes beyond political lines and has been in place for over 100 years now. But these actions are not the way to go about fixing the problem because for every one good outcome, there are 10 horrible outcomes.

I have caught flack for voting third party for the past several elections, and this is exactly why. R or D behind their name, they don't give a damn about anyone beyond their accountant telling them that they are wealthy and their supporters telling them that they have unlimited power. If that wasn't true, there would have been real and positive change already. R or D, it doesn't matter.
 
I really think it should be Gulf of the United States of America. Otherwise it can be claimed by any of North, Central, or South America. Plus according to Wikipedia, which is never wrong, ""America" is the feminine form of the first word of Americus Vesputius, the Latinized name of Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci (1454–1512);". We look weak if we have a female gulf. It needs a much stronger Alpha masculine name. Maybe Americus - which apparently means "home ruler". I think we should change everything to the Synergistic States of Americus. It's bold and strong.
 
michaelskis said:
No, I am serious.

His actions are going beyond party lines and if there was a shred of decency left in DC (which there isn't), there would be a lot more thought put into the opposition. Holding up an avocado and a Corona to talk about the effects of tariffs is a freaking joke and those who call them selves democrats should be embarrassed that their leadership thought that would be an effective tactic. Same goes for the other side. 99.9% of what Trump is doing is an absolute embarrassment to the Republican party, and it is not just that they are not saying anything, but they are applauding these actions.
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The majority party in judicial and legislative branches are complicit in what is happening. You have representatives on air noting that what is happening is illegal but that they are not going to lose any sleep about it. And they know that if they were to try to fight, Elon has been very clear that he will put them out of their seat. And at this point, they are advocating to ignore the judge orders from the lower courts.

And I 100% agree that the democratic leadership has been awful in their response and approach; whoever thought that trotting out Chuck Schumer to do a press conference was a good idea needs to be also put out to pasture with him. There are way too many people (for both parties) that have passed their prime that still try to call the shots, but they simply miss the mark by a mile and our country suffers because of it. Yet, people see a familiar name or a D or an R and simply vote accordingly.
 
dw914er said:
The majority party in judicial and legislative branches are complicit in what is happening. You have representatives on air noting that what is happening is illegal but that they are not going to lose any sleep about it. And they know that if they were to try to fight, Elon has been very clear that he will put them out of their seat. And at this point, they are advocating to ignore the judge orders from the lower courts.
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Totally agree. Voters made their preferences clear during the election cycle. The D's have been effectively stripped of all power, their only influence at this stage is entirely contingent on gaining the support of a few spoiler R's. So whatever comes next in terms of 'stepping in' is up to the R's and/or the courts.
 
bureaucrat#3 said:
I really think it should be Gulf of the United States of America. Otherwise it can be claimed by any of North, Central, or South America. Plus according to Wikipedia, which is never wrong, ""America" is the feminine form of the first word of Americus Vesputius, the Latinized name of Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci (1454–1512);". We look weak if we have a female gulf. It needs a much stronger Alpha masculine name. Maybe Americus - which apparently means "home ruler". I think we should change everything to the Synergistic States of Americus. It's bold and strong.
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🤣....How about Gulf of Chcxxulub after the meteorite that doomed the dinosaurs and blessed the globe with the Iridium layer.
 
michaelskis said:
No, I am serious.

His actions are going beyond party lines and if there was a shred of decency left in DC (which there isn't), there would be a lot more thought put into the opposition. Holding up an avocado and a Corona to talk about the effects of tariffs is a freaking joke and those who call them selves democrats should be embarrassed that their leadership thought that would be an effective tactic. Same goes for the other side. 99.9% of what Trump is doing is an absolute embarrassment to the Republican party, and it is not just that they are not saying anything, but they are applauding these actions.

Don't get me wrong, the level of corruption on both sides is so entrenched into cooperate agendas and the amount of federal spending and overreach is ridiculous and complete opposite of what this country was designed to aspire to, but that too goes beyond political lines and has been in place for over 100 years now. But these actions are not the way to go about fixing the problem because for every one good outcome, there are 10 horrible outcomes.

I have caught flack for voting third party for the past several elections, and this is exactly why. R or D behind their name, they don't give a damn about anyone beyond their accountant telling them that they are wealthy and their supporters telling them that they have unlimited power. If that wasn't true, there would have been real and positive change already. R or D, it doesn't matter.
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With all respect I think your post is a little cynical.

I have voted 3rd party too and been scolded. I am an old Nader devotee. I still think Ralph is right.

His bugabear was what he called the Corporate state. Now right-wing nuts adopt his vision of a conspiracy that might not exist, the deep state.

Corruption is way too easy a label to slap on anyone.
 
Yell a lie or call someone corrupt & it'll be on the front page.
The correction will be on page 7.

You know which will be remembered as true.
 
Planit said:
I wonder if the National Funeral Home Directors Association lobbied for RFKjr confirmation?
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I admit there is a lot of RFK that is ridiculous (vaccines for example). I also firmly believe that there is a lot that he is 100% correct on when it comes to the health system in the US and the FDA's obedience to big pharma and processed food industry.

The reality is if you look at health today compared to even 20 years ago, we are a far sicker nation. When you go back 40 years, it is night and day worse.
 
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