So...How's it going?

[Pyrate Jim]

Geeze, take a break for two weeks and with all that's been going on, not a single post. Ah, well.
Somebody please tell me this a joke.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/celebrity/gavin-newsom-has-renamed-maga-and-it-s-going-viral/ss-AA1LbxXe?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=a292a0fb378a4ac7ab9188404cd114bd&ei=8#image=1

What doesn't seem to be a joke is the rhetoric coming from the DNC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gtYUfT-3mk

or this.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/social-media-erupts-after-dnc-speaker-says-migrant-crime-carjackings-don-t-matter-to-many-americans/ar-AA1LccmQ?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=68ada492aa09487188f5452d86433d84&ei=168

What is it with these people? Their first priority is always Trump, then America. Saying that once He's gone, they can "fix" America.
Not surprisingly, the "How" of their plan for fixing America never seems to come up. Other than claiming false credit, the message is always negative ~ Not positive.
At this rate, L.A. will be hosting the 2028 Olympics in Section Eight Housing. Can't wait to see Newsome pull that out of his back pocket.

I have to admit, wearing a red cap saying "Make America Gavin Again" would confuse a lot of people around these parts.

[Pyrate Jim]

Here's another good one to add. Maxine Waters doing nothing but once again trying to impeach Trump.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-facing-25th-amendment-calls-as-plan-grows-for-his-removal-from-office/ar-AA1LyfAX?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=c78e41e4d42f4c3bbeb05d66c9fcd5a4&ei=37

One particular sentence stood out in my mind.

“It is not about, you know, lingering and trying to think that maybe the courts will help us,” she said. “I want, even though I know it may not happen, the cabinet that he’s appointed, a bunch of his sycophants who probably won’t do what I would recommend."

Excuse me? What exactly is being recommended? Oh, the usual "Get rid of Trump and We'll fix everything" is expected, but it's old hat. Been tried, hasn't worked. Proven wrong.
Why is it that Maxine Waters always has a target while ignoring the democratic process?
Look, I consider myself an average American. Educated to believe in a two-party system working together for the greater good of this Nation. Checks and balances.
Maybe I'm looking at it wrong, but it just doesn't seem that way anymore.

[Pyrate Jim]

Gotta love the newest acronym.
"Trump Unacceptance & Resistance Disorder"

[Beemer]

LOL Didn't see that one

[Loguzzzzzz]

So, we they the T.U.R.D.s or are us....

[Pyrate Jim]

I would say people like this.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/new-york-attorney-general-asks-court-to-reinstate-president-trump-s-massive-civil-fraud-penalty/ar-AA1LTkyx?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=f0a69616ebc141ac85595e47b013f50d&ei=93

That whole trial was a sham. Litigation with no complainant, prosecution flawed by numbers ridiculously undervalued. Just another "get Trump" spectacle.
Thrown out under appeal as violating the Constitution. Yet, She's still at it. C'mon, Lady. Quit beating a dead horse like some decayed pinata you could still get candy from. Find a new hobby.

Or perhaps like this.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-admin-faces-new-dc-lawsuit-over-involuntary-military-occupation/ar-AA1LSYra?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=8d6bf03caca94179baf82d4ad1fefc3d&ei=169

District of Columbia is not part of any State. As a Federal Enclave, no State Governor can call in the Guard. That authority rests with whomever occupies the Oval Office.
Much like Rashida Talib, the DC AG Brian Schwalb Seems to have no purpose other than that same "disorder". Calling it involuntary military occupation?

Once again, it's the same playbook. Any consideration for constituents is just scribbled in the margins.

[ConradCustoms]

Does anyone else find it funny that AO is almost literally dead for posts and traffic with the exception of this thread of politics?

[Tunaman]

Does anyone else find it funny that AO is almost literally dead for posts and traffic with the exception of this thread of politics?

Maybe you could help and contribute a bit? Alot of us dont do Farcebook....

[Pyrate Jim]

I view this thread more as a mini–Time Capsule. Different expressions of opinion in chronological order.
What's funny is, that if you read the first post, it was not focused on politics. It became that way through discussion by the members.
Should have seen the earlier threads (2016, 2020) over politics. The ones that were bad enough to disappear.

What's disappointing is originally enthusiastic contributors seemingly became disinterested in sharing their views or at least defending their position.
I keep trying to stimulate responses, but it's kind of lonely in here despite the number of views.
This thread has been active for two and a half years. Eventually it will be immaterial, may already be. Que Sera, Sera.
I'd still rather not see it disappear. It's an honest, personal glimpse into the past and the past should not be erased. Whether politically or paintbally.

And if Paintbally isn't in the dictionary, it should be.

[Pyrate Jim]

They're still at it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dciGriMi1-g

What I find fascinating is the continued use of the word "fascist" when I doubt any one of them could define the word.
Oh, sure. They believe the synonymous "autocratic dictatorship" made popular a century ago. That's not what it means.
Distorted much like the swastika, now a symbol of hate & intolerance, was carved in stone millennia ago in India as a symbol of harmony & prosperity.
The root "fasci" translates as "bundle", as in a bundle of sticks tied together. A single stick breaks easy. Tie a bunch together, not so much.
When you apply that to people, some become part of the fasci, or a bundle, thereby collectively behaving as fascists.
By that criterion, that any group of people who are bundled or somehow tied together, whether it's ethnic, religious, racial or political are part of a bundle, a fasci ~ fascists.

[Pyrate Jim]

I need someone to explain this to me.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/california-in-talks-to-pay-hundreds-of-millions-to-valero-to-stave-off-refinery-shutdown/ar-AA1McAWt?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=68c0842a2c754325b9b12977eab66eea&ei=20

So, California is going to pay an oil refinery to not move out of State as so many others have done over restrictions imposed by that same State.
And it's being paid for by the people already paying some of the highest gas prices in the contiguous States.
Does this make sense to anybody? (Well, maybe to Democrats)

[Loguzzzzzz]

They're still at it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dciGriMi1-g

What I find fascinating is the continued use of the word "fascist" when I doubt any one of them could define the word.
Oh, sure. They believe the synonymous "autocratic dictatorship" made popular a century ago. That's not what it means.
Distorted much like the swastika, now a symbol of hate & intolerance, was carved in stone millennia ago in India as a symbol of harmony & prosperity.
The root "fasci" translates as "bundle", as in a bundle of sticks tied together. A single stick breaks easy. Tie a bunch together, not so much.
When you apply that to people, some become part of the fasci, or a bundle, thereby collectively behaving as fascists.
By that criterion, that any group of people who are bundled or somehow tied together, whether it's ethnic, religious, racial or political are part of a bundle, a fasci ~ fascists.

Sad part is that if you want the real definition of the word "fascist" you need to turn to Merriam-Webster. With all the garbage on the internet these days the "AI overview states that it is a "Far Right". which in reality the true definition makes no claim to "right", "left" or "center". The left are the true fascist as there it only one way, their way.

Merriam-Webster: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fascism

A.I. Overview:
A fascist is someone who supports or advocates for fascism, a far-right, authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement characterized by a dictatorial leader, a centralized autocracy, militarism, the forcible suppression of opposition, and a strong belief in a national hierarchy where individual interests are subordinated to the nation or race's interests. Fascism arose in early-20th-century Europe, most notably with Benito Mussolini's National Fascist Party in Italy and the Nazi regime of Adolf Hitler in Germany.
Key characteristics of fascism include:

Authoritarianism and Dictatorial Rule: A single, powerful leader controls the government and society.

Ultranationalsim: Extreme devotion to one's nation, often accompanied by the belief in its superiority.
Militarism: A strong emphasis on military power and the glorification of war and conflict.
Suppression of Opposition: Any dissent or opposition to the ruling ideology is violently suppressed.
Social and Economic Control: The state heavily controls society and the economy, and individual freedoms are limited for the perceived benefit of the nation.
National Rebirth: A belief that the nation needs a spiritual and cultural "rebirth," often achieved by purging perceived internal and external enemies.

[Pyrate Jim]

That would be the same source as I used. Only, I went down the page to "Etymology" ~ Not merely the A.I. overview.
The original intent or meaning of the word. The meaning used for a thousand years, not the political distortions of the previous century.
Isn't that the basis of a workers Union? Individually weak, together strong. Nothing inherently evil, there.
But if a few men use an ancient symbolism for a destructive regime, then everybody assumes that's what it means.
Just because a misconception is widespread does not make it truth. As you posted:

often achieved by purging perceived internal and external enemies.

Perception is purely subjective. There are always different "bundles" of people who perceive things differently. Flat Earthers?
It's those who constantly perceive something, anything as an "enemy" that must be "purged" somehow that can become problematic.
Especially when they get loud and dramatic about it. Even violent in extreme cases. We see that in our own elected officials.
It's take your pick. Republican? Democrat? Which bundle do you want to align with?
Or the more mundane perception bundles like immigration, border security or national security? How about racism, religion, white nationalism, gender, green energy, foreign policy?
Face it, we are each of us a part of one or more bundles. It's all around us every day, shaping our individual perceptions of what is an enemy.

Please don't take this as some sort of advocation of fascism under its current interpretation. Merely a comment on the distortion of language and use of synonyms.

[Pyrate Jim]

Just, Why?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zZuqPAhG30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I_waZkKpq4

[Loguzzzzzz]

Just, Why?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zZuqPAhG30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I_waZkKpq4

Because they only want it their way!