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NEVERENDING ♾️ The NEVERENDING Political Discussion Thread

Now churches can pontificate on politics from the pulpit, according to the I.R.S.

Remember, kids: The founders didn't create a wall between church and state to protect the state - they meant to protect the church. Something tells me the churches will one day come to regret their association with MAGA.
 
Gedunker said:
Now churches can pontificate on politics from the pulpit, according to the I.R.S.

Remember, kids: The founders didn't create a wall between church and state to protect the state - they meant to protect the church. Something tells me the churches will one day come to regret their association with MAGA.
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The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

One can simply express it as 'freedom to exercise your religion, but also freedom from having to exercise a religion.' Even more simply...freedom of religion and freedom from religion.

And being a tax exempt entity and a possible 501c3 charitable entity can easily supercharge detrimental political tendencies.
 
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Gedunker said:
Now churches can pontificate on politics from the pulpit, according to the I.R.S.

Remember, kids: The founders didn't create a wall between church and state to protect the state - they meant to protect the church. Something tells me the churches will one day come to regret their association with MAGA.
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mendelman said:
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

One can simply expressed it as 'freedom to exercise your religion, but also freedom from having to exercise a religion.' Even more simply...freedom of religion and freedom from religion.

And being a tax exempt entity and a possible 501c3 charitable entity can easily supercharge detrimental political tendencies.
Click to expand...

I am confused by saying "Now...." this isn't anything new. There are direct connections between religious groups and political changes over the course of our history. Much of this was discussed in sermons, homilies, and other religious teachings.

A Religious Revolution: American Independence and the Birth of the Protestant Episcopal Church - St. Luke's Historic Church & Museum | Blog

The 16th and 17th centuries saw horrific conflicts spawned by the religious disputes known as the Reformation. By the 18th century, these conflicts switched to disputes of a more economic and political nature. Most of us don’t think of the American Revolution as a religious conflict and yet...
stlukesmuseum.org stlukesmuseum.org

Religion and the American Revolution - Religion and the Founding of the American Republic | Exhibitions (Library of Congress)

Religion played a major role in the American Revolution by offering a moral sanction for opposition to the British--an assurance to the average American that revolution was justified in the sight of God.
www.loc.gov
www.battlefields.org

Religion and the Civil War

At the beginning of the Civil War, the United States was a nation of religious people. The 1860 United States Census recorded 28 different Protestant...
www.battlefields.org www.battlefields.org
religionnews.com

12 Black faith leaders who shaped America

(RNS) — As we approach our national Independence Day this year, I’m inspired to look at the holiday as a chance to commemorate the past, but, even more importantly, to demand a better future.
religionnews.com religionnews.com
berkleycenter.georgetown.edu

Of Impact, Of Influence: The Black Church in Contemporary American Politics

Leah Daughtry explores the prophetic role the Black Church plays in policy advocacy for both the Black community and the American body politic, highlighting the outsized role of the Black Church in contemporary U.S. politics.
berkleycenter.georgetown.edu berkleycenter.georgetown.edu
 
michaelskis said:
I am confused by saying "Now...." this isn't anything new. There are direct connections between religious groups and political changes over the course of our history. Much of this was discussed in sermons, homilies, and other religious teachings.

A Religious Revolution: American Independence and the Birth of the Protestant Episcopal Church - St. Luke's Historic Church & Museum | Blog

The 16th and 17th centuries saw horrific conflicts spawned by the religious disputes known as the Reformation. By the 18th century, these conflicts switched to disputes of a more economic and political nature. Most of us don’t think of the American Revolution as a religious conflict and yet...
stlukesmuseum.org stlukesmuseum.org

Religion and the American Revolution - Religion and the Founding of the American Republic | Exhibitions (Library of Congress)

Religion played a major role in the American Revolution by offering a moral sanction for opposition to the British--an assurance to the average American that revolution was justified in the sight of God.
www.loc.gov
www.battlefields.org

Religion and the Civil War

At the beginning of the Civil War, the United States was a nation of religious people. The 1860 United States Census recorded 28 different Protestant...
www.battlefields.org www.battlefields.org
religionnews.com

12 Black faith leaders who shaped America

(RNS) — As we approach our national Independence Day this year, I’m inspired to look at the holiday as a chance to commemorate the past, but, even more importantly, to demand a better future.
religionnews.com religionnews.com
berkleycenter.georgetown.edu

Of Impact, Of Influence: The Black Church in Contemporary American Politics

Leah Daughtry explores the prophetic role the Black Church plays in policy advocacy for both the Black community and the American body politic, highlighting the outsized role of the Black Church in contemporary U.S. politics.
berkleycenter.georgetown.edu berkleycenter.georgetown.edu
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Now....preaching politics and/or supporting a political candidate used to jeopardize their tax-exempt status under the now removed IRS rule.
 
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“You can’t create a problem and then claim credit for someone else’s help in making it slightly less horrific,” Pocan added. “He and his Republican colleagues are the reason this legislative fix was so necessary in the first place.”



Context:
Wisconsin senator took credit for a bill the state passed which safeguarded Wisconsin's Medicaid funds from the bIgBuLlShItBiLl.
 
The sheer number of armchair experts, misinformation and now even AI-altered crap from the Hill Country floods is simply astounding.

Also, our new best predictor of disasters in Texas is Ted Cruz going on international vacations. Nothing makes a Texan feel warm and fuzzy like pics of their Senator enjoying a tour of the Parthenon rather than doing his part to advocate Federal resources and getting his ass back home to support his people.
 
Suburb Repairman said:
The sheer number of armchair experts, misinformation and now even AI-altered crap from the Hill Country floods is simply astounding.

Also, our new best predictor of disasters in Texas is Ted Cruz going on international vacations. Nothing makes a Texan feel warm and fuzzy like pics of their Senator enjoying a tour of the Parthenon rather than doing his part to advocate Federal resources and getting his ass back home to support his people.
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Biden was vacationing in Delaware during hurricane Helene. Really no different. Both should be ashamed. Cruz should be in Texas and Biden should have been in the White House. Biden - "It's called a telephone." Well, they work just the same in Greece.
 
1752689529018.png
 
SlaveToTheGrind said:
Biden was vacationing in Delaware during hurricane Helene. Really no different. Both should be ashamed. Cruz should be in Texas and Biden should have been in the White House. Biden - "It's called a telephone." Well, they work just the same in Greece.
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A U.S. Senator does not have the infrastructure around them that a U.S. President has. Big, big difference.

That infrastructure wouldn't divert a hurricane or avert a flash flood, but in terms of responding, not nearly equal, in my opinion.
 
Gedunker said:
A U.S. Senator does not have the infrastructure around them that a U.S. President has. Big, big difference.

That infrastructure wouldn't divert a hurricane or avert a flash flood, but in terms of responding, not nearly equal, in my opinion.
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Both are complicit. I take no sides.
 
SlaveToTheGrind said:
Biden was vacationing in Delaware during hurricane Helene. Really no different. Both should be ashamed. Cruz should be in Texas and Biden should have been in the White House. Biden - "It's called a telephone." Well, they work just the same in Greece.
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Ted was literally bebopping around the Parthenon having the best of times while his state drowned. And this was a chaser to him fleeing to Cancun while his state froze to death. Ted Cruz is a piece of shit. Biden was in his home state with a ton of infrastructure, and actually focused/responsive.

They are not the same. Not even close. Biden screwed up plenty, but he doesn't hold a candle to Ol' Rafael.
 
michaelskis said:
  • Anti-Government Spending
  • Representing 80% in the middle
What are your thoughts on all of this?
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I think those last two are in direct conflict. The federal government provides a lot of valuable and value-added services to a lot of people's lives. Slashing government spending a la DOGE disrupts that value. We've seen the impacts of that already in public parks, weather forecasting, air travel, etc.

And after all the cuts, there will be something like 10-20% lower taxes on average, but most Americans will see perhaps 1-5% reduction in their tax bills because the savings will go to the ultra rich. Musk doesn't know anything about the benefits the federal government provides for a typical citizen and will get rid of too much, disrupting lives in the process.
 
Doohickie said:
I think those last two are in direct conflict. The federal government provides a lot of valuable and value-added services to a lot of people's lives. Slashing government spending a la DOGE disrupts that value. We've seen the impacts of that already in public parks, weather forecasting, air travel, etc.

And after all the cuts, there will be something like 10-20% lower taxes on average, but most Americans will see perhaps 1-5% reduction in their tax bills because the savings will go to the ultra rich. Musk doesn't know anything about the benefits the federal government provides for a typical citizen and will get rid of too much, disrupting lives in the process.
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I think you bring up a good point. While I do think that there is too much waste in Federal Spending, I do think that there is also a ton of good things that Musk and Trump cut.
 
michaelskis said:
Do yall think there is any hope for PBS and NPR?

I might be a geek, but I watch PBS more than any other station.
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NPR funding from Congress is less than 5% of their total budget. Apparently, the bigger cut will be grants to smaller rural stations.

I think PBS is a bit larger (15%). I'm sure they could add some commercials if necessary and fill the gap.
 
michaelskis said:
I think you bring up a good point. While I do think that there is too much waste in Federal Spending, I do think that there is also a ton of good things that Musk and Trump cut.
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Which is what the vast majority of Americans think as well. I said from Day 1, throwing the baby out with the bathwater is not the right approach. And the hilarity of it all is that the "average 'Mericans" who were in favor of all this will not see any meaningful impact to the money in their pocket because of it. But if you SAY the right things to your base they'll continue to drink the Kool-Aid.
 
michaelskis said:
Do yall think there is any hope for PBS and NPR?

I might be a geek, but I watch PBS more than any other station.
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Saw this, but I agree...

MacKenzie Scott has an opportunity to do the funniest thing ever and establish a large scale endowment for NPR and PBS, which are absolutely competitors to Bezos' Washington Post.
 
Doohickie said:
Musk doesn't know anything about the benefits the federal government provides for a typical citizen and will get rid of too much, disrupting lives in the process.
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Oh I think he does. Musk isn't dumb--Musk is a eugenicist. That is the philosophical starting point of DOGE. Slow-motion ethnic cleansing.
 
MD Planner said:
Which is what the vast majority of Americans think as well. I said from Day 1, throwing the baby out with the bathwater is not the right approach. And the hilarity of it all is that the "average 'Mericans" who were in favor of all this will not see any meaningful impact to the money in their pocket because of it. But if you SAY the right things to your base they'll continue to drink the Kool-Aid.
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There are so many places where federal, state and local dollars are multipliers on projects. In this profession we know that. So much of the general population knows the part they benefit from, but can't fathom the entire scope. Its going to take 6 months to years to really see tap get turned off on many projects. My guess is a lot of pork still gets snuck back in other ways, but it's going to have long lasting effects that most won't understand till it trickles down.
 
This is an important issue in the country right now and tRump has made it a priority. Glad there's not bigger issues that this going on


Trump posted on Truth Social on July 20 that he may block a deal for the team to build a new stadium on the old RFK Stadium site if the team doesn't switch back to its former name, considered offensive to Native Americans.

"I may put a restriction on them that if they don't change the name back to the original 'Washington Redskins,' and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, 'Washington Commanders,' I won't make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington," Trump posted.
 
Planit said:
This is an important issue in the country right now and tRump has made it a priority. Glad there's not bigger issues that this going on


Trump posted on Truth Social on July 20 that he may block a deal for the team to build a new stadium on the old RFK Stadium site if the team doesn't switch back to its former name, considered offensive to Native Americans.

"I may put a restriction on them that if they don't change the name back to the original 'Washington Redskins,' and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, 'Washington Commanders,' I won't make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington," Trump posted.
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Just plain stupid. Has no authority to demand a name change.
 
SlaveToTheGrind said:
Just plain stupid. Has no authority to demand a name change.
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Yeah, what am I missing? He's not the Mayor of DC. He's not filling pot-holes and holding staff meetings and making stadium deals for the local economy, is he? There is no federal NFL team for him to bully. They weren't the "White House Redskins."

I was honestly just impressed to see him use a three-dollar word like "moniker" for a change.
 
ursus said:
Yeah, what am I missing? He's not the Mayor of DC. He's not filling pot-holes and holding staff meetings and making stadium deals for the local economy, is he? There is no federal NFL team for him to bully. They weren't the "White House Redskins."

I was honestly just impressed to see him use a three-dollar word like "moniker" for a change.
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Donald Trump GIF by CBS News
 
Let him argue about the name of a football team. Anything that distracts him from ruining things that might actually affect me.
 
Hunter Biden is going to run for President in 2028. He is literally the only good Biden. Hunter low key is GOATed. He would end the war on Drugs.

He may have my vote. I think Hunter would probably shred Gavin in the primaries, and would give AOC a run for her money.

As much as Alexandria talks a progressive game (I volunteered on her 2018 campaign) she has become quite establishment in her politics and I think may in all actuality may be an Intelligence plant, and if she wins the 2028 primaries we may have soft confirmation of that.
 
SlaveToTheGrind said:
Biden was vacationing in Delaware during hurricane Helene. Really no different. Both should be ashamed. Cruz should be in Texas and Biden should have been in the White House. Biden - "It's called a telephone." Well, they work just the same in Greece.
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Biden was also President, DE is a short hop away from DC, and we had a functional federal government.

Cruz’s wife was trying to go to Mexico during the crazy ice storm a few years ago and was an ocean away this time. FEMA has faced many staffing cuts and other supporting federal agencies that assist in disaster response have also had staffing cuts. It also doesn’t help that the Orange Menace would love to do away with FEMA and let the states fend for themselves.
 
The Terminator said:
Hunter Biden is going to run for President in 2028. He is literally the only good Biden. Hunter low key is GOATed. He would end the war on Drugs.

He may have my vote. I think Hunter would probably shred Gavin in the primaries, and would give AOC a run for her money.

As much as Alexandria talks a progressive game (I volunteered on her 2018 campaign) she has become quite establishment in her politics and I think may in all actuality may be an Intelligence plant, and if she wins the 2028 primaries we may have soft confirmation of that.
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Interesting take. Because you know, electing someone POTUS who never held elected office before and is a convicted felon is working out so well already.
what are you thinking vivica a fox GIF by Lifetime
 
Trump fires Bureau of Labor Statistics boss for poor jobs report on his watch after labeling her a ‘Biden appointee’
www.independent.co.uk

Trump fires Bureau of Labor Statistics chief after poor jobs report

Erika McEntarfer was confirmed by the Republican-led Senate in an 86-to-8 vote in 2024
www.independent.co.uk www.independent.co.uk

In my opinion, today’s Jobs Numbers were RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad ... as said on Truth Social.
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New word I just made up: gloatestor. A person that protests for a cause that has been settled or resolved in their favor. Example: the gloatestors who still gather to gloatest for Trump at the corner of Niagara Falls Boulevard and Maple Road in Amherst, New York every Saturday morning.

This also includes the people that still have massive Trump displays at their homes or businesses. They have the right to do so (following local sign regulations, of course), but why? Your man won. We get it. After all, Philadelphia Eagles fans stopped rioting their public celebration a couple of days after the Super Bowl.

trump rally.jpg
 
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