Politics

[WAB]

People have different opinions on what they want to see in government policies and what’s important for their day to day lives. Just because I don’t agree with their views, it doesn’t make them any less valid. They’re entitled to them, and I’m entitled to mine.

This all or nothing bullshit mentality that the internet is so good at fostering but creating echo chambers for whatever you agree with will be the downfall of civilized societies. We are already seeing lifelong friendships and families torn apart by partisan politics.

Remember the days of walking a mile in someone else’s shoes?

I agree that we need to be able to have civil conversations with those of opposing viewpoints. It is very concerning to see where the extremes on both ends of the political spectrum are going.

However, as one with citizenship on both sides of the 49th, I have a pretty strong view on the value of an anchor in society. Canada has very little in the way of a societal anchor. Core values shift in the sand at the whim of politicians and fringe activist groups, the result being a country I no longer recognize.

The US is anchored in the constitution and its amendments. It is not perfect, but I would argue that it is the best in the world. Those who believe in the constitution are right to be strongly opposed to those who would attack it.

 

[mdwest]

The US is anchored in the constitution and its amendments. It is not perfect, but I would argue that it is the best in the world. Those who believe in the constitution are right to be strongly opposed to those who would attack it.

I completely concur..

The US system frustrates the hell out of me at times.. but having traveled most of Gods green planet at this point and seen most of what both developing and fully developed countries outside of the US have to offer... there is no better system than what the US brings to the table..

 

[Pheroze]

I agree that we need to be able to have civil conversations with those of opposing viewpoints. It is very concerning to see where the extremes on both ends of the political spectrum are going.

However, as one with citizenship on both sides of the 49th, I have a pretty strong view on the value of an anchor in society. Canada has very little in the way of a societal anchor. Core values shift in the sand at the whim of politicians and fringe activist groups, the result being a country I no longer recognize.

The US is anchored in the constitution and its amendments. It is not perfect, but I would argue that it is the best in the world. Those who believe in the constitution are right to be strongly opposed to those who would attack it.

I think part of the problem can be attributed to the large number of people who vote for the Liberal party, as opposed to the best candidate. The Liberals have effectively branded themselves as the party that best represents Canadian values. However, those values shift depending on where the votes lie to stay in power. A decade ago we saw them poach the leftist NDP agenda and drastically increase immigration. That has made a mess of things, so their current leader has shifted to the right to capture the Conservative platform. The core Liberal voters just vote for both leaders out of brand loyalty. There no consistency. Also, the last iteration of the Liberal party intentionally deconstructed Canada as part of their platform. It’s hilarious and galling to hear friends and family who were convinced Trudeau was great turn around and proclaim how great Carney’s policies are. It’s a form of insanity.

 

[Brent in Az]

People have different opinions on what they want to see in government policies and what’s important for their day to day lives. Just because I don’t agree with their views, it doesn’t make them any less valid. They’re entitled to them, and I’m entitled to mine.

This all or nothing bullshit mentality that the internet is so good at fostering but creating echo chambers for whatever you agree with will be the downfall of civilized societies. We are already seeing lifelong friendships and families torn apart by partisan politics.

Remember the days of walking a mile in someone else’s shoes?

From what I am seeing on my side of the border, I would never walk a mile in anyone's shoes from the the opposite side of the political fence
Those that are trying to inject communism, marxism, socialism to American society.
Those that are trying to shred the constitution and the 2nd amendment, and take away my guns
Those that are trying to censor free speech across the spectrum of social media
Those that call for, and commit acts of violence against the political opposition.
Those that called for the unvaccinated to be arrested and detained in a anti-vaxx concentration camp.
Those that would flood our borders with the illegal riff- raff of the world for political gain, and act like it it is perfectly acceptable, while the illegal riff-raff continually commit crimes against the people of this nation.

I could go on .....

If you think the people that are against these things are some sort of extreme echo chamber, then you have a highly skewed sense of reality, and what is right or wrong.
You can thank the leftwing lunatics, and partisan media for the destruction of family and friendship
Those of us on the right just want to be left alone, without others trying to force their radical ideologies into our lives, and taxing us to death in the process.

 

[spike.t]

More solar net zero shit....the UK government are totally useless arseholes...and Ed milliband is riding near the top of the shit pile...

‘Is that what net zero should be about?’ Farmland falls to solar gold-rush

Tenant farmers are being thrown off prime land as their landlords sell up to net zero developers

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Brent in Az]

Trump sending Patriot missiles to NATO, which will be paid for by the EU. The weapons will then go to Ukraine.

 

[spike.t]

 

[spike.t]

Russians don't seem too worried.....

Trump threatens Russia with tariffs while unveiling new Ukraine weapons plan

Under the new plan, the US will sell weapons to Nato countries who will send them to Ukraine.

www.bbc.com

 

[mdwest]

Supreme Court allows Trump to continue effort to gut Education Department

The Supreme Court on Monday lifted an injunction against the Trump administration's efforts to gut the Department of Education.

abcnews.go.com

another huge win for the Trump administration and its fight against the lower courts...

personally, I think the Dept of Education is a travesty... not only does it deeply infringe on states rights as a matter of routine, its also been incredibly poorly managed since its inception...

sadly, I think the Dept of Ed will just become another time and money suck again the next time a D takes office.. they'll ramp it back up as rapidly as Trump is going to tear it down...

the executive branch can cut staffing, reduce spend, etc.. but cannot abolish the agency since the agency was created by the legislative branch... and there arent enough votes in either the house or senate to get any real momentum there.. so while it will be largely defunct for the next few years.. it wont actually go away..

 

[BSO Dave]

Im going to disagree with you here...

"Democratic Socialists" and what they want for our country is not anything even remotely like what the founding fathers desired or envisioned fiscally or functionally..

Avowed communists (Mandami as an example) running on the democrat ticket.. and the D's gleefully accepting him as their partys candidate..

Social issues like DEI, how to deal with en masse illegal alien migration, little boys pissing in little girls bathrooms, men competing in womens sports, etc..

I would argue that the far left is very much wrong... and that the far left has far more influence over the left party at large than the center left does right now..

From what I am seeing on my side of the border, I would never walk a mile in anyone's shoes from the the opposite side of the political fence
Those that are trying to inject communism, marxism, socialism to American society.
Those that are trying to shred the constitution and the 2nd amendment, and take away my guns
Those that are trying to censor free speech across the spectrum of social media
Those that call for, and commit acts of violence against the political opposition.
Those that called for the unvaccinated to be arrested and detained in a anti-vaxx concentration camp.
Those that would flood our borders with the illegal riff- raff of the world for political gain, and act like it it is perfectly acceptable, while the illegal riff-raff continually commit crimes against the people of this nation.

I could go on .....

If you think the people that are against these things are some sort of extreme echo chamber, then you have a highly skewed sense of reality, and what is right or wrong.
You can thank the leftwing lunatics, and partisan media for the destruction of family and friendship
Those of us on the right just want to be left alone, without others trying to force their radical ideologies into our lives, and taxing us to death in the process.

This above 100% You both saved me a post... Thanks!

What today's left loves to refer to as MAGA and right-wing extremism is laughably more or less the mainstream democratic platform of the 80' and 90's... The dems of today seem to constantly forget that we have hundreds upon hundreds of soundbites of their hypocrisy on video...

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

It could be argued that we're perhaps revisiting Churchill's quote:

"You can always count on Americans to do the right thing—after they've exhausted all the alternatives."

If so however, it would seem that Trump is not turning his back on NATO as he has been accused of.

 

[WAB]

I think part of the problem can be attributed to the large number of people who vote for the Liberal party, as opposed to the best candidate. The Liberals have effectively branded themselves as the party that best represents Canadian values. However, those values shift depending on where the votes lie to stay in power. A decade ago we saw them poach the leftist NDP agenda and drastically increase immigration. That has made a mess of things, so their current leader has shifted to the right to capture the Conservative platform. The core Liberal voters just vote for both leaders out of brand loyalty. There no consistency. Also, the last iteration of the Liberal party intentionally deconstructed Canada as part of their platform. It’s hilarious and galling to hear friends and family who were convinced Trudeau was great turn around and proclaim how great Carney’s policies are. It’s a form of insanity.

You are making my point. Canada drifts on the whim of politicians. The parliamentary system of government has very little checks to prevent this. Coalition governments float here and there on endless compromises.

The founding fathers of the USA were inspired in the construct of of government established. The country is anchored in the constitution, and the three branches of government are set to ensure that it is adhered to. Can an administration run amuck? Certainly for a time, but then the judicial branch steps in with the constitutional hammer. Can the legislative branch pass unconstitutional laws? Yes, but they don’t stand the test and are reversed in due course. It truly is the most effective system of government ever established.

 

[Red Leg]

Interesting little write up on the Epstein fiasco.

https://www.semafor.com/article/07/11/2025/why-maga-cant-move-on-from-the-epstein-files

I also listened to Megyn Kelley's show this morning. I wasn't particularly interested in hearing more about the case - or non-case - but her guest was Ben Shapiro - a man I absolutely respect for his independent thinking. He also holds only slightly veiled contempt for Tucker Carlson which I applaud. I am not sure Megyn will have him back soon.

Kelley has been breathlessly flogging every possible lurid supposition of the case since Epstein's suicide while denying any journalistic interest. Ben wasn't having any of it. At least half a dozen times he pointed out, to her snippy discomfort, that if what she was implying was true, then Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, and Dan Bongino are all co-conspirators in hiding a child sex trafficking ring and a murder. He went on to reemphasize, that if that was the construct you believe, that was fine, but then you must have the courage to state it and provide your actual evidence - not supposition of evidence. The squirming was palatable.

Conspiracy construct number two is, of course, that Epstein was a Mossad agent, and that the US government was hiding that fact. Kelley played several clips of Tucker Carlson's speech at Turning Point where he alluded to this charge. Again, Ben's point was that was fine if you choose to believe it, but if you do, then assert clearly that the President, Bondi, Patel, and Bongino, among at least dozens of others, have entered into a conspiracy to hide this information from the American people and present your actual evidence, not your suppositions. It was good radio.

It is, I think, a reasonable data point to remember that Alex Jones has been one of the leading voices about the "hidden" Epstein scandal.

There is a great old humorous story familiar to many of a certain age called the Train to Abilene now officially known as the Abilene Paradox. Though the paradox isn't exactly the message of the original story. It is clear that much of MAGA was fully on the Epstein conspiracy train by the time the election was held. The Trump team was happy to indulge that problem for the democrats. Assuming they are not in fact covering for a child exploitation sex ring, It had to be a little disconcerting for Patel et al to discover how little there was to see when they opened the "file."

What is clearly true is that the administration could have been far better served by Bondi than her public appearances and comments on the case in the first weeks of the administration. However, that is hardly an offense to fire one's very busy new Attorney General.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Interesting little write up on the Epstein fiasco.

https://www.semafor.com/article/07/11/2025/why-maga-cant-move-on-from-the-epstein-files

I also listened to Megyn Kelley's show this morning. I wasn't particularly interested in hearing more about the case - or non-case - but her guest was Ben Shapiro - a man I absolutely respect for his independent thinking. He also holds only slightly veiled contempt for Tucker Carlson which I applaud. I am not sure Megyn will have him back soon.

Kelley has been breathlessly flogging every possible lurid supposition of the case since Epstein's suicide while denying any journalistic interest. Ben wasn't having any of it. At least half a dozen times he pointed out, to her snippy discomfort, that if what she was implying was true, then Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, and Dan Bongino are all co-conspirators in hiding a child sex trafficking ring and a murder. He went on to reemphasize, that if that was the construct you believe, that was fine, but then you must have the courage to state it and provide your actual evidence - not supposition of evidence. The squirming was palatable.

Conspiracy construct number two is, of course, that Epstein was a Mossad agent, and that the US government was hiding that fact. Kelley played several clips of Tucker Carlson's speech at Turning Point where he alluded to this charge. Again, Ben's point was that was fine if you choose to believe it, but if you do, then assert clearly that the President, Bondi, Patel, and Bongino, among at least dozens of others, have entered into a conspiracy to hide this information from the American people and present your actual evidence, not your suppositions. It was good radio.

It is, I think, a reasonable data point to remember that Alex Jones has been one of the leading voices about the "hidden" Epstein scandal.

There is a great old humorous story familiar to many of a certain age called the Train to Abilene now officially known as the Abilene Paradox. Though the paradox isn't exactly the message of the original story. It is clear that much of MAGA was fully on the Epstein conspiracy train by the time the election was held. The Trump team was happy to indulge that problem for the democrats. Assuming they are not in fact covering for a child exploitation sex ring, It had to be a little disconcerting for Patel et al to discover how little there was to see when they opened the "file."

What is clearly true is that the administration could have been far better served by Bondi than her public appearances and comments on the case in the first weeks of the administration. However, that is hardly an offense to fire one's very busy new Attorney General.

I get your point and won't really argue with the post. That said, I'm going to give Ms. Bondi the benefit of the doubt that she's smarter than Trump in that if she says she's got the goods, she's got the goods.

 

[Ray B]

if she says she's got the goods, she's got the goods.

I haven't watched the events closely, but as I recall, AG Bondi said "the file" was on her desk. Not that she had reviewed it and determined criminal or unethical behavior.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Interesting little write up on the Epstein fiasco.

https://www.semafor.com/article/07/11/2025/why-maga-cant-move-on-from-the-epstein-files

I also listened to Megyn Kelley's show this morning. I wasn't particularly interested in hearing more about the case - or non-case - but her guest was Ben Shapiro - a man I absolutely respect for his independent thinking. He also holds only slightly veiled contempt for Tucker Carlson which I applaud. I am not sure Megyn will have him back soon.

Kelley has been breathlessly flogging every possible lurid supposition of the case since Epstein's suicide while denying any journalistic interest. Ben wasn't having any of it. At least half a dozen times he pointed out, to her snippy discomfort, that if what she was implying was true, then Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, and Dan Bongino are all co-conspirators in hiding a child sex trafficking ring and a murder. He went on to reemphasize, that if that was the construct you believe, that was fine, but then you must have the courage to state it and provide your actual evidence - not supposition of evidence. The squirming was palatable.

Conspiracy construct number two is, of course, that Epstein was a Mossad agent, and that the US government was hiding that fact. Kelley played several clips of Tucker Carlson's speech at Turning Point where he alluded to this charge. Again, Ben's point was that was fine if you choose to believe it, but if you do, then assert clearly that the President, Bondi, Patel, and Bongino, among at least dozens of others, have entered into a conspiracy to hide this information from the American people and present your actual evidence, not your suppositions. It was good radio.

It is, I think, a reasonable data point to remember that Alex Jones has been one of the leading voices about the "hidden" Epstein scandal.

There is a great old humorous story familiar to many of a certain age called the Train to Abilene now officially known as the Abilene Paradox. Though the paradox isn't exactly the message of the original story. It is clear that much of MAGA was fully on the Epstein conspiracy train by the time the election was held. The Trump team was happy to indulge that problem for the democrats. Assuming they are not in fact covering for a child exploitation sex ring, It had to be a little disconcerting for Patel et al to discover how little there was to see when they opened the "file."

What is clearly true is that the administration could have been far better served by Bondi than her public appearances and comments on the case in the first weeks of the administration. However, that is hardly an offense to fire one's very busy new Attorney General.

I saw some videos of Tucker at the TP thing. The dude is unhinged. I get that TP focuses on the young crowd but they do a disservice to all parties involved. I’ll listen to bits and pieces from Megyn’s shows from time to time but I’m not a fan..

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I haven't watched the events closely, but as I recall, AG Bondi said "the file" was on her desk. Not that she had reviewed it and determined criminal or unethical behavior.

Well if we want to split the gnat's ass (quoting a friend).

 

[fourfive8]

Unreal! Everyone pontificating, “the list,
the list, my God where’s the list!”. Same ones screaming this now would be screaming, “no due process, no due process!” If “the list” included mostly casual acquaintances who had no involvement in illicit or illegal activities. Good grief! Can’t have it both ways!!! Or maybe you can, don’t care and want not to be held to account or as Doc Holliday said in Tombstone, “my hypocrisy knows no bounds”. Cripes !!!

Left Demtards, TDS crowd, RINOS and some knee jerk MAGA tabloid minority all demanding the list. Get a brain, find some core values, pick a side and take a breather. Like a bunch of children and low infos reading tabloids and living in an old “As The World Turns” TV soap opera!

 

[Ridge Runner]

More solar net zero shit....the UK government are totally useless arseholes...and Ed milliband is riding near the top of the shit pile...

‘Is that what net zero should be about?’ Farmland falls to solar gold-rush

Tenant farmers are being thrown off prime land as their landlords sell up to net zero developers

www.telegraph.co.uk

Yep....most every landowner selling out for big quick money to developers.

Wait for it......Wait for it.......

When these landowners and their families are starving let them get their nutrition from the paper the money is made from when they sold their land to developers. After all it was only the farmers these landowners rented/leased to that were putting food on people's plates.

The Farmers will still be farming, only in smaller quantities, putting food on their family's plates.

Hope these a$$holes enjoy Chinese rice 3 times a day.

 

[steve white]

Yep....most every landowner selling out for big quick money to developers.

Wait for it......Wait for it.......

When these landowners and their families are starving let them get their nutrition from the paper the money is made from when they sold their land to developers. After all it was only the farmers these landowners rented/leased to that were putting food on people's plates.

The Farmers will still be farming, only in smaller quantities, putting food on their family's plates.

Hope these a$$holes enjoy Chinese rice 3 times a day.

Don't worry--we have lots of ways to waste farmland. Most of the black land in Rockwall north to McKinney is covered by housing developments, lakes or businesses and roads. Where are we supposed to farm? Should have built on the crummy farm land and farmed the good land.