For those of you chosing to remain in the United States.....

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8-25-25, 5:31pm
gimmethesimplelife

For those of you chosing to remain in the United States.....

What do you make of National Guard troops being threatened to occupy Chicago?

I will spare my usual commentary and condense. This terrifies me to no end. All we need is some young male rabid MAGA pulling a trigger for essentially non-reasons and the aftermath of the George Floyd Murder (all caps because there is no way to forgive the United States for this murder, PERIOD) will resemble a walk in the park. I am really worried.

I'm willing to flip the script here and admit that it's just as risky that someone will provoke said young rabid male MAGA into a violent response. Does it matter either way which side causes any escalation? What matters is that society is teetering on the edge and it would not take much at this point for the masses to learn what I've known about this country for years. If you believe in capitalism (?) this is probably not a good thing.

So what's your take to armed troops in the Windy City? I am specifically worried as to Chicago as Chicago has a lot of young, angry, impoverished men with nothing at all to lose and no stake in society and no hope for a stake in the future. Exactly the wrong type to pull government strong arming on - unless the real goal is an excuse to declare martial law? (Which is my guess, what do you think?) Rob
8-25-25, 6:08pm
bae

I think it is foolishness and will not end well.

Of related concern:

https://www.axios.com/2025/08/25/tru...national-guard

I'm not "terrified" though, just a bit disappointed and sad.
8-25-25, 6:41pm
littlebittybobby

okay---yes, occupy chitcago. all of those "...young, angry, improvershed men........" can then die for their cause. Maybe they can establish a park and put up stachoos of daid activists. Again, it's the usual suspecks that are the root cause. To heck with 'em. Hope that helps you some. Thankk mee.
8-25-25, 8:48pm
Tradd

Probably will only keep the NG downtown. Probably won’t go to the actually ghetto. Just like DC.
8-25-25, 8:58pm
iris lilies

Oh here we go again.

Rob, until you actually leave, you have “chosen to stay in the United States.”
8-25-25, 9:13pm
bae

Quote:

Originally Posted by iris lilies

Oh here we go again.

Rob, until you actually leave, you have “chosen to stay in the United States.”

Unrelated, the Portuguese Basic A2 Level language proficiency exam is ….beyond easy. If you already speak another Romance language, you can probably pass it in under a month or so of lazy effort.
8-25-25, 9:13pm
Tradd

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimmethesimplelife

What do you make of National Guard troops being threatened to occupy Chicago?

I will spare my usual commentary and condense. This terrifies me to no end. All we need is some young male rabid MAGA pulling a trigger for essentially non-reasons and the aftermath of the George Floyd Murder (all caps because there is no way to forgive the United States for this murder, PERIOD) will resemble a walk in the park. I am really worried.

I'm willing to flip the script here and admit that it's just as risky that someone will provoke said young rabid male MAGA into a violent response. Does it matter either way which side causes any escalation? What matters is that society is teetering on the edge and it would not take much at this point for the masses to learn what I've known about this country for years. If you believe in capitalism (?) this is probably not a good thing.

So what's your take to armed troops in the Windy City? I am specifically worried as to Chicago as Chicago has a lot of young, angry, impoverished men with nothing at all to lose and no stake in society and no hope for a stake in the future. Exactly the wrong type to pull government strong arming on - unless the real goal is an excuse to declare martial law? (Which is my guess, what do you think?) Rob

Might get interesting if they armed NG in neighborhoods like Austin and see what the gang bangers do. Might get sporty, might not. Probably they’ll just be for show downtown.
8-25-25, 10:08pm
iris lilies

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tradd

Might get interesting if they armed NG in neighborhoods like Austin and see what the gang bangers do. Might get sporty, might not. Probably they’ll just be for show downtown.

Downtown St.Louis is where the chit is taking place. The gangs come downtown at night to hot rod and create chaos. That is hard on all the purveyors of downtown activities such as Cardinals baseball, soccer, concerts at three venues, etc. If you drive a truck and park it downtown at night, there’s a better than average chance you will come back and find your truck has been broken into because the youth of today are searching for guns, and in their tiny minds people who drive trucks have guns. Keep in mind that law abiding citizens have to keep their guns in their truck when they go into any of these gun-free venues. It’s a lose/ lose situation for them.
8-25-25, 10:14pm
bae

Quote:

Originally Posted by iris lilies

... gun-free venues...

Well, there's yer problem right there.
8-25-25, 10:15pm
Tradd

Chicago has a nice downtown. There is some crime, etc, but it’s nowhere near the ghetto that downtown St Louis sounds like it is.
8-25-25, 10:22pm
bae

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tradd

Chicago has a nice downtown. There is some crime, etc, but it’s nowhere near the ghetto that downtown St Louis sounds like it is.

Last time I was in Chicago, it was the traffic that got me, not the crime. On the way back, I rerouted to take the SS Badger ferry between Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to skirt the whole mess. I recommend this approach.
8-26-25, 9:07am
iris lilies

Quote:

Originally Posted by bae

Well, there's yer problem right there.

I won’t argue that.

This terrorizing of downtown St.Louis started with all of the-soft -on -crime pols elevated in the aftermath of Michael Brown’s death and the subsequent atmosphere after George Floyd riots. Gang bangers and unaffiliated criminal youth feel free to do whatever they wish, and they do so.

As an aside, already the politicians who pushed themselves forward at the Michael Brown riots are splintering, a dozen years later, in ideology direction. The soft on crime county prosecutor who kicked aside Cori Bush in the U.S. House is accused of being a shill for Israel and practically a Republican. That is a HUGE change in direction for the guy who purposely got himselfvarrested in street protests just a few years ago.
8-27-25, 3:36pm
LDAHL

What is the Guard actually doing in places like LA and DC? Standing around federal facilities and train platforms with their M14s on display? I haven’t heard anything about them conducting raids or making arrests.

The whole threat and response kerfuffle reeks of kayfabe to me. Trump gets to pretend to be doing something forceful about the endemic disorder of certain sections of our less well-managed cities; his enemies get ammunition for their fascist fantasies.
8-27-25, 4:02pm
bae

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDAHL

What is the Guard actually doing in places like LA and DC? Standing around federal facilities and train platforms with their M14s on display?

M14 rifle:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...-M14_rifle.jpg

M4 rifle/carbine:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...AS_M68_CCO.png
8-27-25, 4:13pm
catherine

I remember getting off the plane in Italy and seeing guards with guns like that. It wasn't a very welcoming feeling!
8-27-25, 4:38pm
bae

Quote:

Originally Posted by catherine

I remember getting off the plane in Italy and seeing guards with guns like that. It wasn't a very welcoming feeling!

I just spent some time in Michoacán and it was a bit daunting, between the official checkpoints and the unofficial cartel/gang/terrorist checkpoints.
8-27-25, 5:54pm
gimmethesimplelife

Quote:

Originally Posted by bae

I just spent some time in Michoacán and it was a bit daunting, between the official checkpoints and the unofficial cartel/gang/terrorist checkpoints.

Morelia? Patzcauro? That lake with the butterflies that is on the back of one of the Mexican banknotes? Rob
8-27-25, 7:13pm
iris lilies

Speaking of Mexico and butterflies, I just learned yesterday that it is “my “generation of monarchs that will fly down to Mexico to reproduce.

after those eggs hatch in spring presumably, it takes several generations of monarch butterflies to make it up north to Canada. Then they start their descent in summer, hitting my area in very late summer, to reproduce. So the chrysalis that are hatching now fly all the way down to Mexico, and that’s why it’s important that we here in Missouri plant the Asclepius that feeds the monarchs.
8-27-25, 7:31pm
Tradd

Choosing to remain in the US? What a crock of bullshit.
8-27-25, 7:34pm
catherine

Quote:

Originally Posted by iris lilies

Speaking of Mexico and butterflies, I just learned yesterday that it is “my “generation of monarchs that will fly down to Mexico to reproduce.

after those eggs hatch in spring presumably, it takes several generations of monarch butterflies to make it up north to Canada. Then they start their descent in summer, hitting my area in very late summer, to reproduce. So the chrysalis that are hatching now fly all the way down to Mexico, and that’s why it’s important that we here in Missouri plant the Asclepius that feeds the monarchs.

Isn't it fascinating? I have Asclepius in my garden, too.
8-27-25, 9:58pm
iris lilies

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tradd

Choosing to remain in the US? What a crock of bullshit.

I think Rob considers himself someone who has chosen to leave the United States.

It’s just that we’ve been hearing that for decades now.

And bae’s suggestion is interesting. Portugal is a place people I know are fleeing to, that and Costa Rica. I don’t think Rob has ever mentioned Portugal. it might be a little too upscale for his pocketbook.
8-27-25, 10:12pm
Yossarian

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tradd

Probably will only keep the NG downtown. Probably won’t go to the actually ghetto. Just like DC.

^^This. I have a condo in the Loop. Downtown isn't Mayberry, but it's a tourist revenue mint and there are more police per capita than anywhere else I have lived. Having a few Guardsman standing around eyeing the bachelorettes in River North and taking selfies at the Bean isn't going to make a difference in the crime stats. I guess I don't care either way. But I'd be shocked if they made a long term commitment to the people who really need the help in Englewood or Garfield Park.
8-27-25, 11:36pm
bae

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimmethesimplelife

Morelia? Patzcauro? That lake with the butterflies that is on the back of one of the Mexican banknotes? Rob

Near Uruapan, in the Purépechan Empire.
8-27-25, 11:46pm
bae

Quote:

Originally Posted by iris lilies

And bae’s suggestion is interesting. Portugal is a place people I know are fleeing to, that and Costa Rica. I don’t think Rob has ever mentioned Portugal. it might be a little too upscale for his pocketbook.

The Portuguese D7 and D8 visas are pretty trivial to get, and there is favorable tax treatment for the first 10 years if you plan things properly. Spain's "Non Lucrative Visa" program is also easy, but requires more assets, and the tax situation can be quite vicious unless you structure your assets cleverly, and decide living in Madrid is fine (to avoid the worldwide wealth tax...).

The Netherlands are fairly easy to get a visa for (under the DAFT program), the tax situation there is either great, or terrible, depending on how your assets and income are structured.

Ireland offers a way in under their Stamp 0 visa program, you need to demonstrate €50k+ income, lump sum assets about in the amount of a house purchase, and private hospital insurance.
8-28-25, 4:45am
Tradd

Quote:

Originally Posted by iris lilies

I think Rob considers himself someone who has chosen to leave the United States.

It’s just that we’ve been hearing that for decades now.

And bae’s suggestion is interesting. Portugal is a place people I know are fleeing to, that and Costa Rica. I don’t think Rob has ever mentioned Portugal. it might be a little too upscale for his pocketbook.

We all know the truth that the reason why Rob hasn’t left is because he has no money. Countries generally don’t want poor people moving there. If he sold the house, he’d have some money, but is that enough for a country’s requirements?
8-28-25, 8:17am
frugal-one

Quote:

Originally Posted by catherine

I remember getting off the plane in Italy and seeing guards with guns like that. It wasn't a very welcoming feeling!

Saw in China as well.. bayonets at end.
8-28-25, 1:26pm
Rogar

Quote:

Originally Posted by catherine

I remember getting off the plane in Italy and seeing guards with guns like that. It wasn't a very welcoming feeling!

I remember similar when visiting Mexico as a tourist. Plus, many did not look old enough to shave!

I spent a couple of weeks in Chicago some time ago and did not feel safe riding the L after dark. The Hill published the ten cities with the highest crime rates. Chicago didn't make the list. I was surprized to see Denver made the top ten, but there are places in Denver I wouldn't go at night. I suppose all big cities have places like that. When I spent time in Memphis, locals actually warned me to watch out for situations that didn't feel quite right due to their crime problems.

https://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...-crime-cities/
8-28-25, 10:19pm
Yossarian

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogar

Chicago didn't make the list. /

Hey we don't even make the top 25.

https://realestate.usnews.com/places...ngerous-places

Sorry IL, you still have the lead.

But we have been the best big city to visit for 8 years in a row

https://www.timeout.com/chicago/news...ve-year-100124