Government Coup

[Alan]

We are in dire straits when our lawmakers are held captive if they do not bow down and are DEMANDED to sign papers to have police guards! Basic rights of freedom being violated!

I'm not so sure that any Texas lawmakers basic rights of freedom are being violated given that the Texas Legislature procedural rules for Quorum (approved by both parties, including the lady who refused to sign) call for and authorize the Texas Speaker's requirement. I think that's why all the other affected Democrat lawmakers willingly signed the document and are only now tearing them up in an effort to make voters think the Republicans are being unreasonable. http://house.texas.gov/resources/rules

Excerpt below:

Gyu1B3tXwAAOWnI.jpg

[frugal-one]

Republicans ARE being unreasonable! This is a blatant case of gerrymandering! The redistricting was done not long ago. It is scheduled to be looked into again in 8 years! IMO trump is trying change boundaries so he/republicans stay in power indefinitely!

https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump...ates-8-20-2025

[frugal-one]

Just our government? Because the first part I think you would revise your statement, aka Nelson Mandela.

Mandela was not in office when he tried to overthrow the government. He did not try to overthrow to remain in power. That’s the difference IMO. He also served many years in prison as should donald!

[frugal-one]

There may be something to that. However, I asked the question in response to another poster's question of "Nobel Prize for what?" to subtly point out that not so long ago another President was awarded the prize not for anything he had done, but rather for perceived aspirations for what he might do. Given the current President's ongoing efforts to secure peace throughout multiple regions in the world, I would think the answer to her original question would be self evident.

That is a joke. He is TACO man!

[Rogar]

There may be something to that. However, I asked the question in response to another poster's question of "Nobel Prize for what?" to subtly point out that not so long ago another President was awarded the prize not for anything he had done, but rather for perceived aspirations for what he might do. Given the current President's ongoing efforts to secure peace throughout multiple regions in the world, I would think the answer to her original question would be self evident.

Some might tend to think then that the Nobel Prize has become rather empty of meaning. Unlike the days of Al Gore and Carter.

[Rogar]

The latest seems to be that after firing the head of the BLS Trump has fired the head of defense intelligence for contradicting the effects of the bombing in Iran. Armed troops are roaming the streets of the nations Capitol. Government has basically taken partial control of a major US corporation, as in Intel, contrary to free capitalism. And the FBI has raided the home of John Bolton, probably due to some sort of Trump grudge. And Voting districts are being realigned. I think the talking heads are calling it flooding the field. It's sounding a little like fascism to me.

[early morning]

it's sounding a LOT like fascism to me!

[Tybee]

it's sounding a LOT like fascism to me!

We've certainly seen this playbook before.

[Tradd]

CBP just updated their de minimus FAQ. If you order ANYTHING that ships from overseas, you will start paying duty beginning August 27.

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-impo...-commerce/faqs

DHL and the national posts of some countries are stopping (at least temporarily) shipments to the US.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/b...e-minimis.html

Don't try to order smaller stuff under $800 from overseas right now. Things over $800 are different because they're considered commercial shipments and don't have the complications of the under $800 shipments that used to be duty free. The over $800 have always had customs clearances done and so they're not problematic.

[iris lilies]

My Blythe* children will have to go unclothed for a while. Their clothes come from China,
thailand, etc. While the Chinamen make crappy clothes for humans, some Chinese factories turn out exquisitely scaled and detailed clothing for Blythe dolls. They’re not the crap that Mattel makes for Barbies and etc.



* dolls