[Primateus]

Trump has to dig deep!

[Aptorian]

Primateus, on 16 February 2024 - 08:53 PM, said:

Trump has to dig deep!

I've been checked out of following Trump drama for the last couple years, but this still warms my heart.

The optimist in me would love for this to somehow bankrupt Trump and ruin his reputation in the presidential race. But what'll probably happen is that even if he doesn't have the money, some league of extraordinary shitty billionaires and dictators will prop him up, his deplorables will rally around him, Biden will break a hip and the news cycle continues.

[Tiste Simeon]

This is exactly it. There will be a "Save Trump to Save America!" campaign and the brainless cult will dip into funds they definitely don't have to pay for their moronic hero's legal costs.

[Tsundoku]

Aptorian, on 17 February 2024 - 08:02 AM, said:

Primateus, on 16 February 2024 - 08:53 PM, said:

Trump has to dig deep!

I've been checked out of following Trump drama for the last couple years, but this still warms my heart. The optimist in me would love for this to somehow bankrupt Trump and ruin his reputation in the presidential race. But what'll probably happen is that even if he doesn't have the money, some league of extraordinary shitty billionaires and dictators will prop him up, his deplorables will rally around him, Biden will break a hip and the news cycle continues.

Tiste Simeon, on 17 February 2024 - 08:49 AM, said:

This is exactly it. There will be a "Save Trump to Save America!" campaign and the brainless cult will dip into funds they definitely don't have to pay for their moronic hero's legal costs.

Yup, the orange turd has an amazing ability to get other people to spend their money to benefit him, when apparently he has plenty.
The most amazing part is how he convinces - incoherently - the working classes that only he is on their side. FFS they might as well slash their own throats and save time.
One born every minute.

[Primateus]

So, apparently there is a gofundme!

It really is true, there is a sucker born every minute.

[Aptorian]

Azath Vitr (D, on 15 February 2024 - 01:16 PM, said:

amphibian, on 15 February 2024 - 12:52 PM, said:

There's still shitty stuff like the lack of pressure on Israel, but Biden has outdone Clinton and Obama. Which means he's the best president since Johnson and FDR.

Quote

[Biden] has a lower approval rating than Donald Trump, George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford at the same point in their presidencies.

Joe Biden Less Popular Than Last 4 Presidents Who Failed to Win Second Term (newsweek.com)

Quote

Biden faces uphill battle as new poll reveals less support than all recent Presidential incumbents [...] Only 38% of voters believe Biden deserves a second term

Joe Biden has less support than all recent Presidential incumbents: Poll - Hindustan Times

Skip ahead to 7:10:

This may be the year the USA implodes but there's something warm and nostalgic about having Jon Steward back behind the desk.

I still mourn that he wasn't there for the 4 years of Trump's circus. It would have been better than the Bush years.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Aptorian, on 17 February 2024 - 11:12 AM, said:

This may be the year the USA implodes but there's something warm and nostalgic about having Jon Steward back behind the desk.

I still mourn that he wasn't there for the 4 years of Trump's circus. It would have been better than the Bush years.

Yeah, here to play US democracy out with the heart-warming laugh-track it deserves for the farce that it's been.

Though at the end of the show he claims 'America' will still survive; that what really matters are the day-to-day actions of myriad people keeping the country running. Who will be crushed and replaced by Trump goons, who will make the trains run on crime (and Jesus H. Trump!). And make the (golden) rains come on time for Trump and the oligarchs....

I guess round two (post-Trump) might be Christian Dominionist Trump Cultists with their armies of fervent 'Christians' ready to be martyrs (heartened by deepfake videos of 'miracles') vs Tech-Oriented Oligarchs (with their armies of drones, and hopefully an even wider array of robotic weaponry). Though that might end being the third Civil War (and hopefully the final one... and hopefully not because the Christians decide to martyr humanity---or at least the United States and neighboring areas---in a nuclear holocaust (maybe Canada is large enough to flee north away from the effects? from the radiation at least---OTOH I imagine people would be fleeing away from the Mexican border, and trying to keep out irradiated refugees from the United States...)).

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 17 February 2024 - 02:51 PM

[Tsundoku]

Ah, self-sacrifice. Something Trump et al are completely incapable of understanding. Or, if they did for some reason, completely diametrically opposed to. For them, it's all about "what do I get out of this?"
Of course, the other lot aren't much better. But - by and large - they ARE better. Just need to get rid of lobby groups and short-term thinking. Less "gratify my shallow whims now". And that would have to include a major public mood swing the same way. We celebrate the "greatest generation" for this stuff, but are incapable of it ourselves.

https://www.news.com...19e01aea3f904e5

[Mentalist]

Azath Vitr (D, on 17 February 2024 - 02:50 PM, said:

Aptorian, on 17 February 2024 - 11:12 AM, said:

This may be the year the USA implodes but there's something warm and nostalgic about having Jon Steward back behind the desk.

I still mourn that he wasn't there for the 4 years of Trump's circus. It would have been better than the Bush years.

Yeah, here to play US democracy out with the heart-warming laugh-track it deserves for the farce that it's been.

Though at the end of the show he claims 'America' will still survive; that what really matters are the day-to-day actions of myriad people keeping the country running. Who will be crushed and replaced by Trump goons, who will make the trains run on crime (and Jesus H. Trump!). And make the (golden) rains come on time for Trump and the oligarchs....

I guess round two (post-Trump) might be Christian Dominionist Trump Cultists with their armies of fervent 'Christians' ready to be martyrs (heartened by deepfake videos of 'miracles') vs Tech-Oriented Oligarchs (with their armies of drones, and hopefully an even wider array of robotic weaponry). Though that might end being the third Civil War (and hopefully the final one... and hopefully not because the Christians decide to martyr humanity---or at least the United States and neighboring areas---in a nuclear holocaust (maybe Canada is large enough to flee north away from the effects? from the radiation at least---OTOH I imagine people would be fleeing away from the Mexican border, and trying to keep out irradiated refugees from the United States...)).

I feel you might be taking Richard Morgan a bit too literally.

[Tsundoku]

Primateus, on 17 February 2024 - 10:30 AM, said:

So, apparently there is a gofundme!

It really is true, there is a sucker born every minute.

Yeah, here it is.

https://www.gofundme...-the-settlement

Please note I DO NOT endorse this, but some of the comments are gold.

Eg

Gary Kline
$5•2 hrs
I want to see how large of a yacht the Cardone family buys with this fund. Bannon's friend's Lady May is 152 feet long - Can they do better?

Jennifer Pruce
$5•3 hrs
Thanks for the laughs! Man this insanity entertained me for $5.85. Not gonna put a dent in that 500 million but good luck to y’all! Hey look WILL I’m famous! VOTE BLUE 2024!!!!

Lucifer Natas
$5•3 hrs
Loving how you are all doing my work up on Earth and thinking you’re helping your “god”.

Vladimir P.
$5•3 hrs
A small token of my support from Russia with love…but damn your followers are as dumb as they come! PS: невероятно, Дональд, я знал, что американцы глупы, но это нереально, они на самом деле думают, что ты сражаешься за них, а не делаешь себя богатым, лол. Я бы послал гораздо больше, но не хотел, чтобы это было слишком заметно. В любом случае, всего вам доброго, будьте сильными и надеюсь, что вы победите... мы это сделали, мы нейтрализовали Навального!
(Google Translate says: "incredible Donald, I knew Americans were stupid but this is unreal, they actually think you fight for them and not make yourself rich lol. I would have sent a lot more, but I didn't want it to be too noticeable. In any case, all the best to you, be strong and I hope that you win... we did it, we neutralized Navalny!")

Russell Thompson
$5•3 hrs
I donated as I love progressive movements. AND NOTHING SAYS SOCIALISM LIKE THE RICH COLLECTING MONEY FROM THE POOR TO PAY THEIR CRIMINAL FINES! Glad to see so many Trumplicans in support of socialism. (I also expect my $5 to return when GoFundMe removes this fund raiser for ToS violation.)

John Alexander
$5•4 hrs
Q: “Mr Trump, Most of America is struggling to make ends meet. You are a billionaire. What advice would you give?” Trump; “There’s nothing like doing things with other people’s money” P. T. Barnum: “There is a sucker born every minute.” [redacted]

Sally Struthers
$5•5 hrs
Please donate to the ANTI TRUMP GoFundMe! Yes, I sacrificed $5 to advertise it here. All of the donations will go to PACs and organizations committed to preventing a second Trump presidency! [redacted]

John Alexander
$5•5 hrs
Trump 2015: “Because I am a billionaire I will NEVER ask a corporation or an individual for 1 dollar. That’s why you should elect me to be your leader. “ Trump 2020: “They are trying to destroy me and take your country away!!!! Only you can stop them!!! Click here to donate!!!’ Trump 2024: “By finding me guilty of crimes, they are STEALING FROM YOU!!! Donate NOW!” P.T. Barnum; “There’s a sucker born every minute.”

Tim Chamberlain
$5•5 hrs
Trump is a compulsive liar, an insurrectionist and a self-serving conman who only cares about himself. He is laughing at you people, of the MAGA cult as you give him your money. Wake up from your stupor, he's going to jail where he belongs.

This post has been edited by Tsundoku: 18 February 2024 - 09:24 AM

[Primateus]

Ahh, heck. I understand why people are spite donating like that, but they really should not.

[Aptorian]

Look at it this way.

Donald Trumps owes more than 400,000,000 USD to who ever.

If 100,000 people donate 5 dollars to the go fund me. Donald Trump still needs to find more than 399,500,000 USD to pay who ever.

It's like pissing in a sea of debt.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Aptorian, on 18 February 2024 - 09:59 AM, said:

Look at it this way.

Donald Trumps owes more than 400,000,000 USD to who ever.

If 100,000 people donate 5 dollars to the go fund me. Donald Trump still needs to find more than 399,500,000 USD to pay who ever.

It's like pissing in a sea of debt.

But if enough streams of piss coalesce,
They will form an oceanic flood...
To wash away our sins against the Good Lord Trump,
With stinging acrid acid golden streams....

It may make Trump even more desperate to return to power and establish himself as an autocrat.

OTOH---Ivanka Trump:

Quote

I remember once my father and I were walking down Fifth Avenue and there was a homeless person sitting right outside of Trump Tower and I remember my father pointing to him and saying, 'You know, that guy has $8 billion more than me,' because he was in such extreme debt at that point, you know?

Samantha Bee Digs Up Awkward Old Clip Of Ivanka Trump Talking About Her Father's Debt | HuffPost Entertainment

Before he went into politics he was known as 'the King of Bankruptcy' (what better qualification could there be for the presidency?... oh right, Putin's agent!).

But this time around no one might be willing to lend him that much money---though I doubt that.

Putin bailed him out before:

Quote

After his financial disasters two decades ago, no U.S. bank would touch him. Then foreign money began flowing in.

How Russian Money Helped Save Trump's Business – Foreign Policy

... but would probably not be able to help so much this time. However, presidential candidates still aren't legally required to disclose their financial information. Trump has other options:

Quote

While [Trump was president, his] businesses collected millions from at least 20 foreign governments, including a vast majority spent by China

Trump got millions from foreign nations as president: report (ny1.com)

From the Chinese government.

Even though the Chinese economy has been having substantial problems recently, they can still spare 500 million, especially to prevent Trump from introducing more draconian tariffs or trying to deter them from invading Taiwan. Though if Trump actually wins and establishes himself as an autocrat he could just refuse to pay; China could then reveal the loan to try to hurt him politically, but his followers wouldn't believe it and by then it would probably be too late. But I think the promise of future payments would still be enough enticement for Trump to go along with China's agenda---or perhaps pretend to oppose them on Taiwan while secretly planning to help them, and then reap the benefits if countries in Western Europe and Asia try to refuse to trade with China, while the United States continues to....

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 18 February 2024 - 04:07 PM

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Quote

Trump-administration national security advisor [...] "The only question in my mind if Trump is reelected is whether the bigger celebration will be in the Kremlin or in Beijing," [...]

[...] said Trump may be vulnerable to exploitation from foreign powers, given how [he] faces a total of $438 million in penalties and damages from two of his lawsuits so far.

"This is his money, and let's face it, what Donald Trump cares most about is Donald Trump, and particularly Donald Trump's money,"

China and Russia Both Think Trump Is an 'Easy Mark:' John Bolton (businessinsider.com)

How much to let China invade Taiwan? Trump will brag that he kept us out of World Three (or at least kept us from allying with the losers... if he flips to providing US support for Putin and China in their imperial ambitions). Trump's isolationism is to China's desire for an expanded worldwide role as yin is to yang.

Quote

Biden rakes in colossal cash advantage over Trump

[...] now has $130 million [...] while the Republican National Committee has little cash and Donald Trump's team is spending tens of millions on legal bills.

Biden holds cash edge on Trump in campaign fundraising (axios.com)

... in officially reported campaign cash, anyway.

But can Biden's fundraising apparatus possibly compete with:




If the gilded $400 Trump are extremely uncomfortable, maybe Christians will compare it to bearing the Cross (for Trump, Justice, and the American Way!)?...

Quote

Trump’s $399 sneakers are already being listed for up to $45,000 on eBay

[...] Frank Luntz, a veteran political pollster and communication consultant who has a collection of more than 250 sneakers, questioned if Trump will end up mass-producing the shoe to the point that it has little to no value.

“They’ll be selling for less than $100 a year from now,” [...]

[...] Trump is already offering two other Trump-branded sneakers — one in white, another in red — for $199 each. Both are available for pre-order on the GetTrumpSneakers site.

Trump’s $399 sneakers are going for up to $45,000. Can they hold their value? - MarketWatch

Branded by Trump---from head (the iconic red baseball hats) to toe, let the Trump energy flow / like vigorous youthful spermatazo- / a tongues of Pentecostal infernos....

Some more good news for Biden (if it pans out):

Quote

Will Food Prices Stop Rising Quickly? Many Companies Say Yes.

After months of rapid increase, the cost of food at home climbed at a notably slower clip in January. And from packaged food providers to restaurant chains, companies across the food business are reporting that they are no longer raising prices as steeply. In some cases that’s because consumers are finally pushing back against price increases after years of spending through them. In others, it’s because the prices that companies pay for inputs like packaging and labor are no longer rising as sharply.

[...] Wages have been rising rapidly in the hospitality and retail sectors, and key ingredients had been expensive amid supply chain problems [...]

[...] in markets where workers are hard to find [...] bigger price increases are needed to “offset wage inflationary pressures,”

[...] Some firms are turning to technology.

Of course, there is a way to cover higher costs without raising prices: Companies can improve their productivity [...]

[...] expects grocery inflation to cool to 0.5 percent this year — “much slower than it’s been” — although restaurant inflation could remain stronger as people continue to open their wallets to eat out.

Will Food Prices Stop Rising Quickly? Many Companies Say Yes. - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

[Cause]

The Supreme Court will actually hear Trumps arguments that presidents are immune from prosecution. I really didn’t think they would. There is no legal issue to settle. There is no precedent, no confusing text in the constitution. It’s just madness.

More delays.

[amphibian]

Cause, on 28 February 2024 - 10:48 PM, said:

The Supreme Court will actually hear Trumps arguments that presidents are immune from prosecution. I really didn’t think they would. There is no legal issue to settle. There is no precedent, no confusing text in the constitution. It’s just madness.

More delays.

Of the five (Roberts, Alito, Thomas, Kavanagh, Barrett) who likely said yes, three of them (Roberts, Alito, Barrett) worked on Bush v Gore on the side of Bush.

Thomas was one of the judges on the court back then and ruled for Bush.

It's not madness - they specifically want to put their thumbs on the scale to help Trump as much as possible because he's the GOP candidate and dominating the party.

[Gorefest]

I'm surprised that there are still people who think that justice will prevail and Trump will be held to account somehow. That is not how these things work. He will be the Republican candidate and he will have a good chance going up against Biden. It completely baffles me that the Dems did not consider an alternative candidate way earlier, I thought Biden had originally said he was only in it for a term? It is masochistic madness and if Trump wins the Dems only have themselves to blame.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Quote

The Supreme Court's "Unanimous" Trump Ballot Ruling Is Actually a 5–4 Disaster

majority's sweeping Congress-only approach "forecloses judicial enforcement" of the insurrection clause—in, for instance, the context of a criminal trial involving an insurrectionist. It also

Spoiler

bars future enforcement on the basis of "general federal statutes" that compel "the government to comply with the law," since the majority says any congressional enforcement must be "tailored" to the insurrection clause. And it even empowers the Supreme Court to prevent Congress from disqualifying an insurrectionist in the future, because the court can claim that any enabling legislation did not adhere to the made-up rules in Monday's opinion.

It should go without saying that Congress will not enact legislation enforcing Section 3. [...] The whole point of a written Constitution is that it can protect individual rights and democracy even when the democratic process itself is corrupted or compromised. SCOTUS has backtracked from that guarantee just when American democracy needs it most.

The Supreme Court's unanimous Trump ballot ruling is actually a 5–4 disaster. (slate.com)

So Trump would still be free to run for president even if he were convicted of insurrection in federal court. Not that there's much chance of that happening before the election, now that the Supreme Court has delayed hearings on Trump's specious immunity arguments.

OTOH if Democrats win the House, keep the Senate, and are willing to jettison the Senate filibuster (unlikely) for this specific issue then there's a tiny chance that the insurrection clause might be enforced for federal candidates in the future---if the Supreme Court doesn't block it for not complying with their made-up restrictions (which can, of course, evolve...).

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 04 March 2024 - 05:41 PM

[HoosierDaddy]

Every day we stray further from the light....

I don't know if we've gone beyond the precipice. But I know that if we have not, we trod so perilously close that it becomes almost inevitable that we will go over it. And there is no going back once that happens. For good or for ill, the country will irrevocably change in such a way.

We are too partisan. We are too tribal.

We are effectively Two Americas. And I'm not sure how much I want to belong to and participate in Trump's America.

This slow march to American style fascism is numbing. The cuts were small and now they become gaping wounds.

It's hard to hold onto any semblance of hope when the Supreme Court basically just says the shits to broke for us to fix, "Fuck it, you people deal with it."

[Mezla PigDog]

Two questions.

1. Out of a choice between a guy who is clearly too old for the job but is generally a decent fellow versus an absolute maniac arsehole who is also too old for the job, how are the polls looking good for the arsehole?!?

2. Does Joe Biden still have eyes? Because whenever I see him on TV you cannot see them.