The new Salem Witch Trials - Trans people

Politesse said:

Jimmy Higgins said:

Harry Bosch said:

starwater said:

The FBI Is Coming for Trans People

According to a new report, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is planning on labeling all trans people “violent extremists.”

newrepublic.com

Really? Have we not progressed as humans?

I had a gay member of my staff come to me today in tears about this. This person is terrified and is looking for exit options from the US.

Click to expand...

Sadly, I'm not surprised. And if the left doesn't get off their asses and vote in 2026, it's going to get worse.

Click to expand...

The Left voted (except California). Elections are won in the Suburbs... and those people shifted enough to Trump. Because economy.

Click to expand...

How's that working out for them?

Click to expand...

Not too well, according to Ariana Grande:


Great Quote:

“Now that immigrants have been violently torn from their families and communities have been destroyed, now that trans people have been blamed for virtually everything and live in fear, now that free speech is on the brink of collapse for us all—has your life gotten better?” read part of Grande’s shared message.

The post continued with pointed questions about economic improvements promised to voters:

“Have your groceries gotten cheaper? Has your health insurance premium gone down? Has your work/life balance improved? Can you take a vacation yet? Are you happier?”

One thing has changed: the mainstream media has stopped flooding the evening broadcast with an unending series of hand-wringing updates about inflation, the price of eggs, and rising home costs. So people no doubt feel as though things have improved.

Politesse said:

One thing has changed: the mainstream media has stopped flooding the evening broadcast with an unending series of hand-wringing updates about inflation, the price of eggs, and rising home costs. So people no doubt feel as though things have improved.

Click to expand...

I don't think that people generally think that those things have improved.

I hope. But damn, we can be dumb sometimes!

Harry Bosch said:

Politesse said:

Jimmy Higgins said:

Harry Bosch said:

starwater said:

The FBI Is Coming for Trans People

According to a new report, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is planning on labeling all trans people “violent extremists.”

newrepublic.com

Really? Have we not progressed as humans?

I had a gay member of my staff come to me today in tears about this. This person is terrified and is looking for exit options from the US.

Click to expand...

Sadly, I'm not surprised. And if the left doesn't get off their asses and vote in 2026, it's going to get worse.

Click to expand...

The Left voted (except California). Elections are won in the Suburbs... and those people shifted enough to Trump. Because economy.

Click to expand...

How's that working out for them?

Click to expand...

Not too well, according to Ariana Grande:

MSN

Great Quote:

“Now that immigrants have been violently torn from their families and communities have been destroyed, now that trans people have been blamed for virtually everything and live in fear, now that free speech is on the brink of collapse for us all—has your life gotten better?” read part of Grande’s shared message.

The post continued with pointed questions about economic improvements promised to voters:

“Have your groceries gotten cheaper? Has your health insurance premium gone down? Has your work/life balance improved? Can you take a vacation yet? Are you happier?”

Click to expand...

Ariana Grande? There is so much over-the-top hyperbole in here that it undermines her credibility. Not that she really had any to begin with regarding political matters.

thebeave said:

There is so much over-the-top hyperbole in here that it undermines her credibility.

Click to expand...

Forget who said it.
Have your groceries gotten cheaper?
Has your health insurance premium gone down?
Has your work/life balance improved?
Can you take a vacation yet?
Are you happier?
Those are salient questions for American citizens. We used to call them “kitchen table issues” when most voters had kitchen tables. (Now they’re granite island issues).
For me, the first two are a big fat NO.
As a retiree #3 is a n/a, 4 is an “I could if I wanted to” and am I happier? Honestly, no change there except for the incremental increase in sadness of others. People are angry, sad, disappointed, embarrassed and often in denial about what we have brought upon our American “self”. That makes me sad. A lot of good people thought they were doing the right thing by electing The Felon.

thebeave said:

Harry Bosch said:

Politesse said:

Jimmy Higgins said:

Harry Bosch said:

starwater said:

The FBI Is Coming for Trans People

According to a new report, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is planning on labeling all trans people “violent extremists.”

newrepublic.com

Really? Have we not progressed as humans?

I had a gay member of my staff come to me today in tears about this. This person is terrified and is looking for exit options from the US.

Click to expand...

Sadly, I'm not surprised. And if the left doesn't get off their asses and vote in 2026, it's going to get worse.

Click to expand...

The Left voted (except California). Elections are won in the Suburbs... and those people shifted enough to Trump. Because economy.

Click to expand...

How's that working out for them?

Click to expand...

Not too well, according to Ariana Grande:

MSN

Great Quote:

“Now that immigrants have been violently torn from their families and communities have been destroyed, now that trans people have been blamed for virtually everything and live in fear, now that free speech is on the brink of collapse for us all—has your life gotten better?” read part of Grande’s shared message.

The post continued with pointed questions about economic improvements promised to voters:

“Have your groceries gotten cheaper? Has your health insurance premium gone down? Has your work/life balance improved? Can you take a vacation yet? Are you happier?”

Click to expand...

Ariana Grande? There is so much over-the-top hyperbole in here that it undermines her credibility. Not that she really had any to begin with regarding political matters.

Click to expand...

Did you manage to answer any of the questions whatsoever or did you only dismiss it as hyperbole?

GenesisNemesis said:

thebeave said:

Harry Bosch said:

Politesse said:

Jimmy Higgins said:

Harry Bosch said:

starwater said:

The FBI Is Coming for Trans People

According to a new report, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is planning on labeling all trans people “violent extremists.”

newrepublic.com

Really? Have we not progressed as humans?

I had a gay member of my staff come to me today in tears about this. This person is terrified and is looking for exit options from the US.

Click to expand...

Sadly, I'm not surprised. And if the left doesn't get off their asses and vote in 2026, it's going to get worse.

Click to expand...

The Left voted (except California). Elections are won in the Suburbs... and those people shifted enough to Trump. Because economy.

Click to expand...

How's that working out for them?

Click to expand...

Not too well, according to Ariana Grande:

MSN

Great Quote:

“Now that immigrants have been violently torn from their families and communities have been destroyed, now that trans people have been blamed for virtually everything and live in fear, now that free speech is on the brink of collapse for us all—has your life gotten better?” read part of Grande’s shared message.

The post continued with pointed questions about economic improvements promised to voters:

“Have your groceries gotten cheaper? Has your health insurance premium gone down? Has your work/life balance improved? Can you take a vacation yet? Are you happier?”

Click to expand...

Ariana Grande? There is so much over-the-top hyperbole in here that it undermines her credibility. Not that she really had any to begin with regarding political matters.

Click to expand...

Did you manage to answer any of the questions whatsoever or did you only dismiss it as hyperbole?

Click to expand...

I can answer them, but you won't like my answers. I haven't paid too much attention to grocery prices. Some stuff seems to go higher, some lower, others about the same. As far as the famous egg price drama, though:

Eggs in Dec 2024

In that same store, they are now $3.99. Milk seems to have gone down too. I'm going shopping later today. If I remember, I'll give you an update on other items. Health insurance premium hasn't changed in over a year. Work/life balance is whatever I want it to be. I am financially secure and I work if I want, or take time off if I want (including vacations). Happiness is about the same now as it was in January, perhaps a little better thanks to a 15% return on my market indexed mutual funds. If I have complaints about high living costs, its gas prices, PG&E (electricity & nat gas) and for quality of life issues its homelessness in the streets and crime. Much of which is under the control of our wonderful state government, run by you-know-who.

thebeave said:

GenesisNemesis said:

thebeave said:

Harry Bosch said:

Politesse said:

Jimmy Higgins said:

Harry Bosch said:

starwater said:

The FBI Is Coming for Trans People

According to a new report, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is planning on labeling all trans people “violent extremists.”

newrepublic.com

Really? Have we not progressed as humans?

I had a gay member of my staff come to me today in tears about this. This person is terrified and is looking for exit options from the US.

Click to expand...

Sadly, I'm not surprised. And if the left doesn't get off their asses and vote in 2026, it's going to get worse.

Click to expand...

The Left voted (except California). Elections are won in the Suburbs... and those people shifted enough to Trump. Because economy.

Click to expand...

How's that working out for them?

Click to expand...

Not too well, according to Ariana Grande:

MSN

Great Quote:

“Now that immigrants have been violently torn from their families and communities have been destroyed, now that trans people have been blamed for virtually everything and live in fear, now that free speech is on the brink of collapse for us all—has your life gotten better?” read part of Grande’s shared message.

The post continued with pointed questions about economic improvements promised to voters:

“Have your groceries gotten cheaper? Has your health insurance premium gone down? Has your work/life balance improved? Can you take a vacation yet? Are you happier?”

Click to expand...

Ariana Grande? There is so much over-the-top hyperbole in here that it undermines her credibility. Not that she really had any to begin with regarding political matters.

Click to expand...

Did you manage to answer any of the questions whatsoever or did you only dismiss it as hyperbole?

Click to expand...

I can answer them, but you won't like my answers. I haven't paid too much attention to grocery prices. Some stuff seems to go higher, some lower, others about the same. As far as the famous egg price drama, though:

Eggs in Dec 2024

In that same store, they are now $3.99. Milk seems to have gone down too. I'm going shopping later today. If I remember, I'll give you an update on other items. Health insurance premium hasn't changed in over a year. Work/life balance is whatever I want it to be. I am financially secure and I work if I want, or take time off if I want (including vacations). Happiness is about the same now as it was in January, perhaps a little better thanks to a 15% return on my market indexed mutual funds. If I have complaints about high living costs, its gas prices, PG&E (electricity & nat gas) and for quality of life issues its homelessness in the streets and crime. Much of which is under the control of our wonderful state government, run by you-know-who.

Click to expand...

So, about the same as the conditions that were described as horrific and nation-ending under Biden. Yes?

thebeave said:

GenesisNemesis said:

thebeave said:

Harry Bosch said:

Not too well, according to Ariana Grande:

MSN

Great Quote:

“Now that immigrants have been violently torn from their families and communities have been destroyed, now that trans people have been blamed for virtually everything and live in fear, now that free speech is on the brink of collapse for us all—has your life gotten better?” read part of Grande’s shared message.

The post continued with pointed questions about economic improvements promised to voters:

“Have your groceries gotten cheaper? Has your health insurance premium gone down? Has your work/life balance improved? Can you take a vacation yet? Are you happier?”

Click to expand...

Ariana Grande? There is so much over-the-top hyperbole in here that it undermines her credibility. Not that she really had any to begin with regarding political matters.

Click to expand...

Did you manage to answer any of the questions whatsoever or did you only dismiss it as hyperbole?

Click to expand...

I can answer them, but you won't like my answers. I haven't paid too much attention to grocery prices. Some stuff seems to go higher, some lower, others about the same. As far as the famous egg price drama, though:

Eggs in Dec 2024

In that same store, they are now $3.99. Milk seems to have gone down too. I'm going shopping later today. If I remember, I'll give you an update on other items. Health insurance premium hasn't changed in over a year. Work/life balance is whatever I want it to be. I am financially secure and I work if I want, or take time off if I want (including vacations). Happiness is about the same now as it was in January, perhaps a little better thanks to a 15% return on my market indexed mutual funds. If I have complaints about high living costs, its gas prices, PG&E (electricity & nat gas) and for quality of life issues its homelessness in the streets and crime. Much of which is under the control of our wonderful state government, run by you-know-who.

Click to expand...

Too bad Grande isn't in construction or farming, where she'd have a better understanding at the complete chaos that is estimating construction costs due to TACO Don's tariff policies. But you are right, the cost at the grocery doesn't seem higher. Trump hasn't been in office long enough for health Insurance premiums to even go up. Farmers are getting their asses handed to them, particularly the Soybean ones.

Politesse said:

thebeave said:

GenesisNemesis said:

thebeave said:

Harry Bosch said:

Politesse said:

Jimmy Higgins said:

Harry Bosch said:

starwater said:

The FBI Is Coming for Trans People

According to a new report, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is planning on labeling all trans people “violent extremists.”

newrepublic.com

Really? Have we not progressed as humans?

I had a gay member of my staff come to me today in tears about this. This person is terrified and is looking for exit options from the US.

Click to expand...

Sadly, I'm not surprised. And if the left doesn't get off their asses and vote in 2026, it's going to get worse.

Click to expand...

The Left voted (except California). Elections are won in the Suburbs... and those people shifted enough to Trump. Because economy.

Click to expand...

How's that working out for them?

Click to expand...

Not too well, according to Ariana Grande:

MSN

Great Quote:

“Now that immigrants have been violently torn from their families and communities have been destroyed, now that trans people have been blamed for virtually everything and live in fear, now that free speech is on the brink of collapse for us all—has your life gotten better?” read part of Grande’s shared message.

The post continued with pointed questions about economic improvements promised to voters:

“Have your groceries gotten cheaper? Has your health insurance premium gone down? Has your work/life balance improved? Can you take a vacation yet? Are you happier?”

Click to expand...

Ariana Grande? There is so much over-the-top hyperbole in here that it undermines her credibility. Not that she really had any to begin with regarding political matters.

Click to expand...

Did you manage to answer any of the questions whatsoever or did you only dismiss it as hyperbole?

Click to expand...

I can answer them, but you won't like my answers. I haven't paid too much attention to grocery prices. Some stuff seems to go higher, some lower, others about the same. As far as the famous egg price drama, though:

Eggs in Dec 2024

In that same store, they are now $3.99. Milk seems to have gone down too. I'm going shopping later today. If I remember, I'll give you an update on other items. Health insurance premium hasn't changed in over a year. Work/life balance is whatever I want it to be. I am financially secure and I work if I want, or take time off if I want (including vacations). Happiness is about the same now as it was in January, perhaps a little better thanks to a 15% return on my market indexed mutual funds. If I have complaints about high living costs, its gas prices, PG&E (electricity & nat gas) and for quality of life issues its homelessness in the streets and crime. Much of which is under the control of our wonderful state government, run by you-know-who.

Click to expand...

So, about the same as the conditions that were described as horrific and nation-ending under Biden. Yes?

Click to expand...

There definitely was some high inflation during Biden's term, certainly more so than now. I don't recall any one calling it "horrific" and "nation-ending" though. But its disingenous to attribute all inflation, good or bad, to whoever is in office at the time. You've been taking hyperbole lessons from Ariana Grande, it seems. Being a CA resident, though, surely you know that gasoline and home energy costs are near, if not the highest in the nation, right? Not to mention homeowners insurance, assuming you can even get it in some areas. Its pretty clear much of this is self inflicted through bad policy coming from Sacramento.

Jimmy Higgins said:

Too bad Grande isn't in construction or farming, where she'd have a better understanding at the complete chaos that is estimating construction costs due to TACO Don's tariff policies. But you are right, the cost at the grocery doesn't seem higher. Trump hasn't been in office long enough for health Insurance premiums to even go up. Farmers are getting their asses handed to them, particularly the Soybean ones.

Click to expand...

Egg prices are down here but beef prices have skyrocketed.

If beef is what’s for dinner, expect to pay more for it.

The classic combination of tight supply and strong demand has pushed US cattle and beef prices to record highs, and there is little end in sight with farmers reluctant to expand their herds and selling off high-priced heifers to dig them out of debt.


Ground beef prices hit a record high of $6.32 a pound in August, and beef prices were up 13.9% year-over-year according to the consumer price index, far outstripping overall inflation rise of 2.9%.

Meanwhile, a culmination of years of low prices, rising costs to raise cattle, and years-long droughts that dried up grazing pasture caused cattle ranchers to slash their beef herds to the lowest level since 1951. As a result, CME Group live cattle futures prices recently rose to a high of $243.58 per hundredweight. (Hundredweight is equivalent to 100lbs.)

Click to expand...

Egg prices are the worst to measure anything Trump has done or not done because bird flu has finally subsided with winter in the past. I'd predict that egg prices will rise again as bird flu returns in the winter. How Trump's government deals with bird flu is a question to be answered. But I'd predict that Trump's government will address bird flu in the worst possible way.

ZiprHead said:

Egg prices are down here but beef prices have skyrocketed.

Click to expand...

Part of RFKj's "MAHA" plan.
Americans will be much better off eating less red meat. Like, a lot less.

Amirite? Cranking up beef and pork prices will improve the health of America, right?
Tom

thebeave said:

Politesse said:

thebeave said:

GenesisNemesis said:

thebeave said:

Harry Bosch said:

Politesse said:

Jimmy Higgins said:

Harry Bosch said:

starwater said:

The FBI Is Coming for Trans People

According to a new report, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is planning on labeling all trans people “violent extremists.”

newrepublic.com

Really? Have we not progressed as humans?

I had a gay member of my staff come to me today in tears about this. This person is terrified and is looking for exit options from the US.

Click to expand...

Sadly, I'm not surprised. And if the left doesn't get off their asses and vote in 2026, it's going to get worse.

Click to expand...

The Left voted (except California). Elections are won in the Suburbs... and those people shifted enough to Trump. Because economy.

Click to expand...

How's that working out for them?

Click to expand...

Not too well, according to Ariana Grande:

MSN

Great Quote:

“Now that immigrants have been violently torn from their families and communities have been destroyed, now that trans people have been blamed for virtually everything and live in fear, now that free speech is on the brink of collapse for us all—has your life gotten better?” read part of Grande’s shared message.

The post continued with pointed questions about economic improvements promised to voters:

“Have your groceries gotten cheaper? Has your health insurance premium gone down? Has your work/life balance improved? Can you take a vacation yet? Are you happier?”

Click to expand...

Ariana Grande? There is so much over-the-top hyperbole in here that it undermines her credibility. Not that she really had any to begin with regarding political matters.

Click to expand...

Did you manage to answer any of the questions whatsoever or did you only dismiss it as hyperbole?

Click to expand...

I can answer them, but you won't like my answers. I haven't paid too much attention to grocery prices. Some stuff seems to go higher, some lower, others about the same. As far as the famous egg price drama, though:

Eggs in Dec 2024

In that same store, they are now $3.99. Milk seems to have gone down too. I'm going shopping later today. If I remember, I'll give you an update on other items. Health insurance premium hasn't changed in over a year. Work/life balance is whatever I want it to be. I am financially secure and I work if I want, or take time off if I want (including vacations). Happiness is about the same now as it was in January, perhaps a little better thanks to a 15% return on my market indexed mutual funds. If I have complaints about high living costs, its gas prices, PG&E (electricity & nat gas) and for quality of life issues its homelessness in the streets and crime. Much of which is under the control of our wonderful state government, run by you-know-who.

Click to expand...

So, about the same as the conditions that were described as horrific and nation-ending under Biden. Yes?

Click to expand...

There definitely was some high inflation during Biden's term, certainly more so than now. I don't recall any one calling it "horrific" and "nation-ending" though.

Click to expand...

Are you kidding me?!

Trump won because of it.

thebeave said:

But its disingenous to attribute all inflation, good or bad, to whoever is in office at the time.

Click to expand...

Typically yes.A first year President rarely can impact things so quickly.But right now, Trump is breaking most rules and the GOP congress is ignoring it. Things got so fucked up, the GDP "contracted" due to imports exploding in the first quarter, directly a result of Trump's tariff plans.

The economy was in an okay position. Trump is making inflation go up thanks to his tariffs.

Politesse said:

Jimmy Higgins said:

Harry Bosch said:

starwater said:

The FBI Is Coming for Trans People

According to a new report, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is planning on labeling all trans people “violent extremists.”

newrepublic.com

Really? Have we not progressed as humans?

I had a gay member of my staff come to me today in tears about this. This person is terrified and is looking for exit options from the US.

Click to expand...

Sadly, I'm not surprised. And if the left doesn't get off their asses and vote in 2026, it's going to get worse.

Click to expand...

The Left voted (except California). Elections are won in the Suburbs... and those people shifted enough to Trump. Because economy.

Click to expand...

How's that working out for them?

Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but weren't you against Biden/Harris because of Gaza?

Patooka said:

Politesse said:

Jimmy Higgins said:

Harry Bosch said:

starwater said:

The FBI Is Coming for Trans People

According to a new report, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is planning on labeling all trans people “violent extremists.”

newrepublic.com

Really? Have we not progressed as humans?

I had a gay member of my staff come to me today in tears about this. This person is terrified and is looking for exit options from the US.

Click to expand...

Sadly, I'm not surprised. And if the left doesn't get off their asses and vote in 2026, it's going to get worse.

Click to expand...

The Left voted (except California). Elections are won in the Suburbs... and those people shifted enough to Trump. Because economy.

Click to expand...

How's that working out for them?

Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but weren't you against Biden/Harris because of Gaza?

Click to expand...

That depends what you mean by "against". I was certainly upset by Biden's pre-walkback endorsement of the genocide, and was considering abstaining from the vote when he was still on the ticket. I voted for Harris in the election, though I disagree with her on many issues, and am baffled as to what her position even is on most.

Are you trying to ask whether I think making money or opposing genocide is ultimately more important? If so, I think you have my answer.

TomC said:

ZiprHead said:

Egg prices are down here but beef prices have skyrocketed.

Click to expand...

Part of RFKj's "MAHA" plan.
Americans will be much better off eating less red meat. Like, a lot less.

Amirite? Cranking up beef and pork prices will improve the health of America, right?
Tom

Click to expand...

Not for cattle ranchers or pig farmers.

laughing dog said:

TomC said:

ZiprHead said:

Egg prices are down here but beef prices have skyrocketed.

Click to expand...

Part of RFKj's "MAHA" plan.
Americans will be much better off eating less red meat. Like, a lot less.

Amirite? Cranking up beef and pork prices will improve the health of America, right?
Tom

Click to expand...

Not for cattle ranchers or pig farmers.

Click to expand...

The climate change that is fake isn't helping the cattle industry in the US.

Jimmy Higgins said:

The climate change that is fake isn't helping the cattle industry in the US.

Click to expand...

I’ve learned a lot from our County Brand Inspector. He has a small (<500 head) herd and some REALLY nice land under pressure from developers. Getting older, not wanting to deal with developers, and not wanting to give up ranching, he has bucked some traditional practices.
First, he put most of his prime land into a conservation easement. The compensation for thst is a fraction of what he could have gotten from developers, but he lives in that land and wants to preserve his lifestyle.
Next, he has been defying the markets, not letting his cows get pregnant at times that will result in mid-winter calving, which most ranchers do in order to take advantage of high spring prices. Instead, his cows calve in May/June and he doesn’t get frostbite pulling calves in a blizzard in January.
Finally, he has been breeding for behavioral characteristics rather than for yield. His cattle are so friendly and calm, you can walk right up to most of them. They make GREAT cutting practice animals, as the have a good “bubble” (keep their distance from the horse/rider) but never panic - they seem to like to run and play, unlike most cattle that come from big herds which require a lot of “settling” before they can be worked, and even then are prone to blowing up (which is fine for pro cutters, but no fun for a hack like me).
All in all I think more ranchers should learn from his practices, as they all lend to making the very hard ranching life MUCH easier.