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The “Urban”population has some …interesting ideas.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tradd
For instance, our St. Louis Urban standard bearer Cori Bush, a member of AOC’s “The Squad” in
the United States Congress, has Magic Jesus healing powers. She extols them in her autobiography.
She is a nurse by profession but in church can lay hands on people and cure their malady.
And, her constituents have some interesting ideas about the world and life as well.
For a slightly different perspective:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9EEiMgsct_/
Yesterday in an interview with George Stephanopoulos Joe Biden said he would not step down unless perhaps the Lord Almighty stepped in to tell him to do so.
Let us all set aside our skepticism about the Lord Almighty, and offer up prayers to that being to influence President Biden in the right direction.
He also told George Stephanopoulos he would not submit to a cognitive test and share results. Yet another damning action on his part, what balls.
I understand she’s got a difficult primary coming up.Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
I was a little puzzled when he claimed credit for expanding NATO.Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
Yea, her opponent may be very slightly better than Cori. Wesley Bell, her opponent, rose to fame duringQuote:
Originally Posted by LDAHL
Ferguson riots as did she, to become the prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County.
He vowed to take the cop murderer of Saint Michael Brown to court but when he gained the office found the facts did not support that action.
That right there is a bit of a litmus test for showing him to be somewhat reasonable. In his prosecutor role he was soft on crime but when compared to our useless lying city prosecutor, once again, he was slightly better.
haha yes. 600 year old wizard would be good about now.Quote:
Originally Posted by rosarugosa
You don't hear much about QAnon these days, but there have been at least a couple of Congresswomen who were subscribers their theories at one time, including one from a semi rural area in our state.Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
Now “convicted felon” Hunter Biden is joining his father in meetings, meetings that concern the citizens of the United States and the world. Even MSNBC is reporting on it and seems to find it unusual.
https://www.msnbc.com/chris-jansing-...e-214089797982
Gosh I remember the good old days just a coupla years ago when any focus on Hunter, his laptop and content therein, his shenanigans, were just a considered a silly “distraction” by mainstream media. Who knew he would be elevated to advisor and decision maker in the inner circle of the President?
It’s like somebody flipped a switch and the media went from cheap fake-disinformation-distraction mode to Biden-must-go mode.Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
Imagine the bewilderment of insider White House folks to suddenly be getting the same treatment from mainstream media that conservative politicians have been getting for a long time.Quote:
Originally Posted by LDAHL
The media's 180* turn isn't really all that surprising. When it appeared possible that Biden could pull off a re-election, he was healthy, handsome and brilliant. When it became obvious that they'd been lying all along it suddenly became necessary to help get him out of the race so that someone else could possibly win rather than lose biggly as he is almost certain to do.
The problem now is that his heir apparent doesn't have much more of a chance of winning than he does which leaves everyone wondering how they can toss a woman of color aside for the win and face the ire of their progressive base. It's a self-made quandary without an easy fix, but they're working on it. The primary takeaway is that you should never trust the media unless you're absolutely in need of whatever they're selling.
It sure didn't take long for the NYT to turn on Biden. I suppose Trump's criminal activity and incompetence are old and Biden's debate failure is "news".
If Biden really does stay inn the race I think he will need a competence evaluation to win. My take is that he should challenge Trump to a mutual evaluation by a qualified neutral authority (if such exists). Not only for competence, but other mental disorders.
Gosh, it would have been a lot simpler if the media and democrats just stuck with the "He's sharp as a tack and your lying eyes are deceiving you if you think otherwise" ploy they were using up to the very day he proved otherwise.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogar
It has been entertaining though to see so many journalists channel their inner Captain Renault and declare "I'm shocked! shocked to find that gambling is going on here" while everyone paying attention over the last couple of years remind them to not forget their winnings.
I get a simple dementia screening with my annual physical. Name the months of the year backwards, repeat a simple phrase with names and places at the end of the test that was given in the beginning, etc. While I'm confident in my age appropriate mental facilities, it has occurred to me that if I started to lose some of my abilities, would I be competent to recognize it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan
We can assume competency based on media optics, but when Trump confused Haley with Pelosi and had delusions of winning the 2020 Presidential election, do we really know who has lost the most marbles, if any. There are probably people in Bellevue who think they are king of England.
The rural/small town residents as well as the inner city dwellers are ill educated and narrow-minded, in their own ways. Tin foil hats on much too tight.Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
LOL, the 'BUT TRUMP....' refrain has been quite popular for years now. Do you think it possible that the media and Democrats are setting him up to win just to keep it going another 4 or 5 years?Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogar
I had a friend who had a brain injury and one one of her hospital tests was to count backwards from 100 to zero by sevens. I think the whole issue is age and competency and that's it. Both fall into a zone of suspicion. One more than the other although I don't see any folks asking for Trump to step down. Winning is everything.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan
I have always been tolerant of politicians misspeaking, by that I mean, dropping a word, substituting the wrong word, etc. It’s because they talk so much. They talk all the time. I’m sympathetic to them even giving speeches in Poughkeepsie mentioning they’re in Philadelphia, or etc. because they stump speech so muchQuote:
Originally Posted by Rogar
So just a couple days ago when President Biden said he was going to “beat Trump in 2020 “that is not something that normally registers with me.
But his performance at the debate was Mitch McConnell level senility. Both of those old farts need to go. Donald Trump mispeaks, big deal, he’s constantly speaking he’s like a firehose of words.
I think Donald's mental issues are different from Biden's senility, but still in the realm of mental incompetence. But yes, those occasional slips of words are generally forgivable for both.Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
I suspect there are more in our main branches of government who are older and have some unacceptable mental decline. I wonder about the Supreme Court. Even in my tender young age, I know that there are certain things that I've seen a little decline, but I'd like to think my decline in memory is compensated by a gain in wisdom and experience (ha). I'd be lost without spellcheck, though.
The Democrats have quite a problem to solve. Ideally, Biden would step down voluntarily; but that would require a degree of humility and self-sacrifice seldom seen in our upper strata of politics. They could provide a portfolio of financial goodies and prestige jobs to the Biden family by way of incentive, but would need to rely on a fickle media to cover it up or dismiss it as normal practice.
They could try a 25A strategy, or some sort of jiggery-pokery at the convention, but that would be chaotic and embarrassing. And all this will take the focus off Trump and on their own internal struggles, which frustrates their best path to victory.
While folks were quibbling over the details. Maybe there is hope.
Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) will not be in attendance for House votes this week, so she can prepare fish for her family.
“This week, Representative Peltola will be in the state putting up fish with family to fill freezers for the winter. Mary’s family—as well as her late husband’s family—relies in part on her for subsistence duties,” her office said in a statement.
Love it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogar
If I was a Democrat, I’d rather gut fish than deal with the President’s mental acuity too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogar
People in my neighborhood are worried that Trump will win and form an Authoritarian Dictatorship. No one seems to have a grasp on what it truly coming next and this Election is and will be like none other in American history. I don't know what to expect but I am stocking up on pastas on sale and also canned goods on sale. I just don't trust the vibe that society is putting off these days. Rob
How would a newly elected president “form an Authoritarian Dictatorship”? I keep hearing dire warnings about “our democracy” and “existential threats”, but they’re short on practical details about how he would go about overcoming all the obstacles to that we’ve set up since firing George III.Quote:
Originally Posted by gimmethesimplelife
It takes more than a peaked hat and big epaulettes to make a dictator, no matter what vibes you’re feeling.
Late yesterday George Clooney delivered a devastating blow to the Biden campaign, saying President Biden is not fit for office.
Three weeks ago Clooney hosted a fundraiser for Joe Biden that brought in $30 million. He is a major player in the Democratic fundraising game.
Nancy Pelosi is coyly advising the president to make his decision soon. She wants him to make a decision about running. She is conveniently ignoring his declarations of two and three days ago. He repeatedly said he’s not stepping down. He’s going to fight he’s going to be the candidate and he’s going to beat Donald Trump.
This is such a wonderful shit show. I am enjoying it except that he’s the leader of the free world and is incompetent which makes everything dangerous because it lacks stability. I’m surprised Wall Street hasn’t had a little blip. instead yesterday it seemed euphoric.
Project 2025 was twittered about and I heard about it on Reddit some weeks ago. Maybe it’s been months. I halfheartedly took a look at it and it’s quite dense, 900 pages. it presents a blueprint for what SOME conservatives would like to see happen to the federal government. Trump may or may not adopt some of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan
I loved what one of the National Review guys said about Trump and his principles, paraphrasing:
Every principal Trump holds is negotiable, but for his one central one which is: Donald Trump Must Win.
The Democratic Convention may be the first one worth watching since 1968. Some have pointed out that DNC rules require delegates to vote with the sentiment of the voters that sent them there. If enough of them decide that sentiment has changed since the primaries, we could see some wild floor votes. That, plus some pro-Palestinian demonstrations and Chicago on a hot day should make for excellent theater.Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
Some of the folks currently insisting they will support the nominee are likely sharpening their knives at the moment.
Even Paul Krugman, the economic writer for the NYT has turned on him. He'd been praising Biden's economy for months recently. Et Tu Burte? If there is any plan B being planned, I could only hope Harris isn't automatically the default candidate without thinking through the choices, although it's probably the case.
there are forum posters over on the Mr. Money Mustache website who are claiming Russian influence in the media that has turned them against Biden. I guess now even George Clooney is subject to those Russian bots.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogar
Yes, these are people who expect to be taken seriously. I just… Can’t.
Since my last post I've looked into it a bit and found that it's nothing more than a recommended policy statement created and promoted by the Heritage Foundation and it's several years old. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the Republican Party itself or Trump specifically.Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
I think the only reason it's gotten any media coverage recently is because the Democratic Party is using it as a scare tactic and attention diverter from their immediate problem of no confidence in their candidates. They've even created their own website to promote it as Trumps Project 2025 and sent President Biden out to personally scare their base and anyone else who only reads headlines.
https://x.com/JoeBiden/status/181101...biden-n2398226
Will it ever end. The other conspiracy is coming from the conservatives who claim Biden's poor mental health has been part of a big cover up by the dems and by the mainstream media. I'm not sure of all the parties behind it other than the evil Miller.Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
"Donald Trump adviser Stephen Miller decried the “Biden cognition hoax,” claiming (without citing specific evidence) that senior Democrats had conspired with sympathetic elements in the media to hide the truth about the president’s health. “The biggest hoax in history has been exposed,” said Miller, who is expected to assume a senior position in a possible second Trump White House.
Fox News host Sean Hannity singled out the “cabal of Biden enablers and liars and state-run media” for seeking to obscure Biden’s health.
Ramaswamy explained that conservatives view the media’s role in the debate debacle “in the context of the last four years” of what he alleged was collusion between the media and the Democratic Party."
soooooo….Roger. if I say “ Joe Biden’s frailty has been hidden and his declining mental acuity has been downplayed “do you think that’s a true statement? Or do you think that’s a conspiracy theory?Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogar
I think it's either a fabrication or an exaggeration, especially when it comes to the dems colluding with mainstream media in some sort of dem/media coverup scheme. Do you think the Russian trolls or influencers are turning the media against Biden?Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
I don't think there is a "cabal of Biden enablers and liars and state run media" obscuring Bidens health. That's a dark state conspiracy theory. I don't think it covers the last four years, as Ramaswamy implies. And especially in light of Trump's Big Lie, it's hardly the "biggest hoax" in history or even close as Miller claims. I would consider that three gross exaggerations, conspiracy theories, or lies right in a row.
I honestly don't have any evidence his inner circle has been hiding things and/or colluding with the media, but show me clear evidence and I might be convinced.
I do think Biden is not on top of the presidential game and should step aside. But I think he has been an historically good president, as presidents go.
now this is fascinating to me because it seems like an absolutely clear and ringing true fact that Joe Biden‘s frailty and mental acuity has been…hidden.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogar
Don’t place too much emphasis on the word “hidden “if that triggers a conspiratorial sense for you.
By no means do I think that there were conference calls and meetings surrounding Biden‘s frailty, with groups of people vowing to keep this quiet from the American public. I want to emphasize I DO NOT think there was a coordinated effort here.
I *DO* think many people, those in President Biden‘s inner circle have been gradually surprised and distressed at his failing abilities. I think they immediately kicked into gear to help him and by that I mean produce aids, design easy schedules, etc. to carry out his responsibilities. They are not consciously thinking “I’m going to screw the American public by lying about Joe Biden‘s condition “ instead they are doing their jobs and supporting their boss.
For the mainstream media, there’s not one monolithic media. But there are many many news operatives who will not give real criticism to President Biden because they think that feeds into any kind of support for Donald Trump. They just won’t. And the real story with the media is not necessarily cover-up, but their complete and utter failure to investigate this giant news story that we’ve been living with for a couple of weeks. Biden is not fit for office. It is literally their job to investigate news stories like this.
So a broad use of the word “ conspiracy” in this case seems ok to me. but if one has a narrow and more legalistic definition of the word “conspiracy “then the word does not fit.
I don’t think obnubilating Biden’s infirmity was a conspiracy. It was more like the murmuration displayed by a flock of birds or a school of fish. Like when NPR staffers objected to running a story that “might help Trump”. They thought of it more as spin than lies. Biden’s handlers did their best to avoid public appearances unsupported by notes and teleprompters and a solicitous media. It was just part of the job. They got to the point where they could say “I can hardly keep up with him” without blushing. Maybe they even believed it.
Ultimately, the debate provided an emperor has no clothes moment that stripped away the carefully crafted illusion. The media broke first. They have a certain level of credibility to preserve. The people whose careers depended on maintaining the illusion are taking a little longer.
Some elements of our American populace are telling everyone to ignore this emperor has no clothes moment. It isn’t important. Don’t believe your lying eyes!Quote:
Originally Posted by LDAHL
"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
George Orwell, 1984
I agree. Just for the fun of it I googled "when did they know Reagan had Alzheimer's"--and his son Ron said, in his book about his dad, that he knew he was "slipping" as early as October 1984...so perhaps Reagan had a similar cadre of aides who protected him with their silence about it. Cognitive decline isn't a light bulb--it's a slow burn so it's possible that these slips of the tongue or momentary confusion are not diagnosable as senility or dementia, and that, as Biden alluded to, a person of advanced age is bolstered by their wisdom and life experience--for a time at least.Quote:
Originally Posted by LDAHL
I feel that the pressure will get too great for Biden and too distracting for the campaign and they'll find some way to get him to step down. I think that at the very least, his hubris about his capabilities may stem from a hope that he can slip in to win the election and then he would be able to step aside "for medical reasons". As good and a selfless leader his reputation reflects (at least compared to Trump's), I do think it's hubris for him to believe that he's the ONLY one who can carry on the party's values and make things happen across party lines--especially when he is losing the public's confidence at a rapid pace
Robert Hur must be feeling vindicated right now.