Charlie Kirk shot at (shot?) in Utah

[Elixir]

You want to be allowed to be meanies to people you don't like and stir up hatred against them, based on how you perceive them and what you believe about them.

Wow, thanks for once again clarifying what I want, and my love of hatred, because I never had a clue.
Stick it up your ass.

 

[Emily Lake]

Examples? Which political party has been designated as a terrorist organization? Which politicians have been designated as terrorists?

Legally: none.
Rhetorically: Trump has used language that treats Democrats like terrorists.

Rhetorically, you're absolutely right. By the same token, however, Democrats have used language that treats Republicans like terrorists. The rhetoric used by both parties - and their supporters - has gotten way, way out of hand.

Until you point out Democratic Presidents saying that certain Republicans should be jailed or are enemies of the USA, your argument is unconvincing.

Why does it have to be a president? There have been dozens of instances of democrats referring to him as an enemy of the country, that he's going to destroy democracy and set himself up as a tyrant, and is an existential threat to democracy. They've been saying this, in escalating forms, for nearly a decade - it started when we was running the first time, and it has never stopped. He's been repeatedly referred to as a russian asset, a spy, in Putin's pocket, and many other ways that insinuate that he's a traitor who should be barred from running for office and should be in jail.

That's my point here, LD - the specific terms being used might differ, but the inflammatory nature of the rhetoric is not different. Both parties are heavily invested in casting the other party as enemies.

I could spend my time here bitching about Trump, which is going to have exactly zero impact on his behavior. Alternatively, I could interact with posters here and at least make the attempt at getting you guys to see that the rhetoric itself is a problem, regardless of whether you support the side spewing it or not.

 

[Emily Lake]

Wow what disingenuous tripe.

Protest, and not allowing the to drag us away to camps, that is not terrorism, and acting like it is is a great indicator whether someone is a Nazi.

Nobody is dragging you off to a camp. Put your persecution complex away for a while.

 

[Shadowy Man]

If the people weren’t so easily swayed by hyperbolic political speech the politicians would stop using it.

Politicians are like the wrestlers in the ring doing whatever gets them the most cheers. They are, for the most part, followers not leaders.

The problem lies in the willful ignorance and generally low level of intellectual rigor that the general public puts in with respect to the country’s political and legal situation.

Idiocracy, here we come!!

 

[Emily Lake]

If the people weren’t so easily swayed by hyperbolic political speech the politicians would stop using it.

Politicians are like the wrestlers in the ring doing whatever gets them the most cheers. They are, for the most part, followers not leaders.

The problem lies in the willful ignorance and generally low level of intellectual rigor that the general public puts in with respect to the country’s political and legal situation.

Idiocracy, here we come!!

Hmm. I get where you're coming from - I started to write that you're not wrong. But I'm rethinking that. I don't think politicians being hyperbolic is something particularly new. Nor do I think lack of knowledge and involvement from the voting public is anything new.

What I do think has shifted is 1) lack of moderation in news reporting combined with the perverse incentive where outrage and angst boost ratings and 2) social media giving every loon an apparently equal voice leading to some absolute idiots with no integrity gaining substantial following as well as the ability of foreign actors using it for propagandistic purposes

 

[laughing dog]

Examples? Which political party has been designated as a terrorist organization? Which politicians have been designated as terrorists?

Legally: none.
Rhetorically: Trump has used language that treats Democrats like terrorists.

Rhetorically, you're absolutely right. By the same token, however, Democrats have used language that treats Republicans like terrorists. The rhetoric used by both parties - and their supporters - has gotten way, way out of hand.

Until you point out Democratic Presidents saying that certain Republicans should be jailed or are enemies of the USA, your argument is unconvincing.

Why does it have to be a president?

The POTUS gets the most media and is the leader of their party.

There have been dozens of instances of democrats referring to him as an enemy of the country, that he's going to destroy democracy and set himself up as a tyrant, and is an existential threat to democracy. They've been saying this, in escalating forms, for nearly a decade - it started when we was running the first time, and it has never stopped. He's been repeatedly referred to as a russian asset, a spy, in Putin's pocket, and many other ways that insinuate that he's a traitor who should be barred from running for office and should be in jail.

That's my point here, LD - the specific terms being used might differ, but the inflammatory nature of the rhetoric is not different. Both parties are heavily invested in casting the other party as enemies.

I could spend my time here bitching about Trump, which is going to have exactly zero impact on his behavior. Alternatively, I could interact with posters here and at least make the attempt at getting you guys to see that the rhetoric itself is a problem, regardless of whether you support the side spewing it or not.

i think you overstate the frequency of such attacks on Trump while ignoring the evidence that supports some of them. In addition, there is unequivocal current evidence in the form of POTUS statements, executive orders and actions that clearly demonstrate the authoritarian and lawless nature of Mr Trump.

The two sides are not equivalent here.

 

[laughing dog]

Wow what disingenuous tripe.

Protest, and not allowing the to drag us away to camps, that is not terrorism, and acting like it is is a great indicator whether someone is a Nazi.

Nobody is dragging you off to a camp.

Innocents are being dragged off to detention centers and being deported.

 

[Shadowy Man]

If the people weren’t so easily swayed by hyperbolic political speech the politicians would stop using it.

Politicians are like the wrestlers in the ring doing whatever gets them the most cheers. They are, for the most part, followers not leaders.

The problem lies in the willful ignorance and generally low level of intellectual rigor that the general public puts in with respect to the country’s political and legal situation.

Idiocracy, here we come!!

Hmm. I get where you're coming from - I started to write that you're not wrong. But I'm rethinking that. I don't think politicians being hyperbolic is something particularly new. Nor do I think lack of knowledge and involvement from the voting public is anything new.

I didn’t claim it was new.

What I do think has shifted is 1) lack of moderation in news reporting combined with the perverse incentive where outrage and angst boost ratings and 2) social media giving every loon an apparently equal voice leading to some absolute idiots with no integrity gaining substantial following as well as the ability of foreign actors using it for propagandistic purposes

I also think the media have shifted from being informative and shaping the political conversation to chasing ratings and cheers.

I agree with you here, for sure!

 

[Elixir]

Wow what disingenuous tripe.

Protest, and not allowing the to drag us away to camps, that is not terrorism, and acting like it is is a great indicator whether someone is a Nazi.

Nobody is dragging you off to a camp.

Innocents are being dragged off to detention centers and being deported.

Yabut, let me know when it's you!

 

[bilby]

There have been dozens of instances of democrats referring to him as an enemy of the country, that he's going to destroy democracy and set himself up as a tyrant, and is an existential threat to democracy. They've been saying this, in escalating forms, for nearly a decade - it started when we was running the first time, and it has never stopped. He's been repeatedly referred to as a russian asset, a spy, in Putin's pocket, and many other ways that insinuate that he's a traitor who should be barred from running for office and should be in jail.

... and there's not one hint nor shred of evidence that any of these accusations are untrue or unfair.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Examples? Which political party has been designated as a terrorist organization? Which politicians have been designated as terrorists?

Legally: none.
Rhetorically: Trump has used language that treats Democrats like terrorists.

Rhetorically, you're absolutely right. By the same token, however, Democrats have used language that treats Republicans like terrorists. The rhetoric used by both parties - and their supporters - has gotten way, way out of hand.

Until you point out Democratic Presidents saying that certain Republicans should be jailed or are enemies of the USA, your argument is unconvincing.

Why does it have to be a president? There have been dozens of instances of democrats referring to him as an enemy of the country, that he's going to destroy democracy and set himself up as a tyrant, and is an existential threat to democracy.

Trump caused this to happen. Not because he thought he won the election but because he wanted the win so badly, he and his minions made up a bunch of bullshit, spewed it online and on the news, but never took the election to court. This is what an enemy to the country causes. He violated nearly 250 years of peaceful transition of power. Calling a spade a spade is not endangering anyone.

 

[Elixir]

Dems: They're Fascists and Nazis and an Existential Threat to Democracy and We Have to Stop it At Any Cost!!!!!!
Reps: They're Acting Like Terrorists!!!!1111!!
Dems: Oh the Huge Manatees! They're Treating Us Like Terrorists, it's the End of the World, how could they be so Cruel!

It’s not about what they say, it’s what they do. Reading comprehension, Ems:
I DONT CARE WHAT THEY SAY; they lie.

The Republican regime is terrorizing American cities, brutalizing and disappearing people. Dems are NOT.

... But it's totally okay if we continue to treat them like terrorists tyrants and nazis and fascists,

… yes. As long as they behave as such. It is NOT OKAY to ignore the terrorism just because they haven’t disappeared you or your friends yet.

 

[scombrid]

I watched the speeches given by Hegseth and Trump to our military leadership. I read the transcipts. I see what ICE/DHS is doing. I see them firing judges that don't go along. I see the domestic military deployments. I read what Vought and Miller write and say. Stop telling us to disbelieve our eyes and ears.

 

[scombrid]

No, I'm not shipped off to a camp. I'm a white male genX with a comfortable positive net worth. They've got a few groups to work through before they get to me. If I keep my head down and go along they'll probably leave me alone.

 

[ZiprHead]

The patrons sound so much like someone here.

 

[ZiprHead]

Tennessee man arrested after posting meme in Facebook group for Charlie Kirk vigil

Members of the Perry County community reportedly believed he was making threats against local schools

www.the-independent.com

A Tennessee man was arrested on Monday for making “threats of mass violence” after posting a meme in a Facebook group where people were organizing a vigil for Charlie Kirk.

Larry Bushart Jr., 61, a former police officer, posted a meme of President Donald Trump in the Perry County community group page as members of the page were organizing a vigil to honor Kirk.

In response, Bushart posted a meme of Trump that featured a photo of the president with a quote he gave just one day after a 2024 mass shooting at Perry High School in Iowa


“‘We have to get over it.’ – Donald Trump, on the Perry High School mass shooting one day after,” the text on the meme read.

However, members of the group interpreted Bushart’s post as a threat against their local high school, which is also called Perry County High School.

 

[Emily Lake]

There have been dozens of instances of democrats referring to him as an enemy of the country, that he's going to destroy democracy and set himself up as a tyrant, and is an existential threat to democracy. They've been saying this, in escalating forms, for nearly a decade - it started when we was running the first time, and it has never stopped. He's been repeatedly referred to as a russian asset, a spy, in Putin's pocket, and many other ways that insinuate that he's a traitor who should be barred from running for office and should be in jail.

... and there's not one hint nor shred of evidence that any of these accusations are untrue or unfair.

There's also not one hint or shred of evidence that it's untrue that a teapot is orbiting Mercury.

 

[laughing dog]

There have been dozens of instances of democrats referring to him as an enemy of the country, that he's going to destroy democracy and set himself up as a tyrant, and is an existential threat to democracy. They've been saying this, in escalating forms, for nearly a decade - it started when we was running the first time, and it has never stopped. He's been repeatedly referred to as a russian asset, a spy, in Putin's pocket, and many other ways that insinuate that he's a traitor who should be barred from running for office and should be in jail.

... and there's not one hint nor shred of evidence that any of these accusations are untrue or unfair.

There's also not one hint or shred of evidence that it's untrue that a teapot is orbiting Mercury.

Since there is no evidence there is a teapot orbiting Mercury and there is evidence Trump is a traitor, I find your response extremely puzzling.

 

[southernhybrid]

Trump has said he has an enemies list and he is insisting that his DOJ prosecute people for crimes they either didn't commit or there is little evidence they committed them. Three examples that come to mind are Comey, James and Fanni Willis, but there are many more. Bondi lied under oath when she claimed that there was no enemy list.

Meanwhile, Trump doesn't give a shit about what his own cult leaders are doing, even if they are working toward establishing a Christian theocracy, which is a clear violation of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution. Trump has frequently ignored court orders. He has violated the 4th amendment by having his ICE thugs knock down doors and arrest people without evidence, a search warrant etc. That's just for starters. He has taken away the power of the purse from Congress and the Rs in Congress haven't done a damn thing about it. He and his liars claim that we were established as a Christian nation, when not only is that false, the majority of the founders were atheists, agnostics or skeptics, while they sometimes pretended to be believers out of fear. It's all in the book "2000 Years of Disbelief" which discusses how atheists or even those with the "wrong" version of religion have been jailed, tortured and even executed at times. That is just one reason of many, why it's reasonable to refer to Trump as an autocrat or an autocrat wannabe. We atheists should be very concerned about that, along with those who are rational humans.

I'm not attacking any particular poster. I'm just trying to be informative because a few of the posters here don't seem to have a clue as to what is happening. They are either not following the news or they are getting disinformation from places like Fox or worse yet, Newsmax. Wake up America! One more. Trump has said he can jail people for burning the flag, although SCOTUS ruled over 35 years ago that flag burning is free speech. As. the line from an old soul song goes, "The flag is just a rag as long as one of us not free". If I have time later, I will add some articles to back up my statements.

 

[southernhybrid]

https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/01/15/congress/pam-bondi-enemies-list-doj-00198370

Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi promised the Senate Judiciary Committee that she won’t use her power to pursue a so-called “enemies list,” even as she defended FBI Director nominee Kash Patel’s vow to target a list of people he views as “government gangsters.”

“There will never be an enemies list within the Department of Justice,” Bondi said under questioning from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/ju...ressuring-pam-bondi-charge-enemies-rcna236830

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump intended his recent Truth Social post imploring Attorney General Pam Bondi to take legal action against his opponents as a direct message, according to a Trump administration official.

Trump was surprised to learn he had actually posted the message to his Truth Social account, the source said, adding that the president reacted by saying "Oh," and then tried to shrug it off.


The Wall Street Journal first reported that Trump meant the post as a direct message.



The lengthy post on Sept. 20 addressed Bondi as "Pam" and expressed frustration that "nothing is being done" to his foes.

"What about Comey, Adam 'Shifty' Schiff, Leticia???" he wrote, referring to former FBI Director James Comey, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

"They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done," he claimed, adding, "We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility."