Random Thoughts.

1. 86

   My Esotericposted 5 weeks ago

   "How scary is a democratic socialist candidate? Apparently not as scary as a MAGA one"
   
   How times have changed, The report lays out these results:
   
   1. 50% of registered voters said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who describes themselves as a democratic socialist, just 32% said they would be more likely.
   
   2. BUT, The numbers were slightly worse for a generic candidate endorsed by Trump. Registered voters said they were less likely to support that candidate, 52%-29%.
   
   3. BUT, And the numbers were significantly worse for a candidate who described themselves as a supporter of the MAGA movement. In that case, the margin was 57%-27%.
   
   This is one of the reasons why Democrats are so happy going into the midterms.
   
   https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/20/politics … es-polling

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2. 86

   My Esotericposted 4 weeks ago

   Setting Trump aside, this is about as SCARY as it can get!!!!
   
   "An OpenAI test model escaped and broke into a real company’s servers"
   
   
   "OpenAI says some of its experimental AI models left a test environment with no human direction and hacked its way onto a different company’s real production systems while trying to “cheat” on a cybersecurity test.
   
   It’s one of the first publicly disclosed examples of an AI system autonomously breaching its testing environment and reaching a real external system - the “agentic attacker” scenario the AI and cybersecurity industry has been warning will happen. It’s like an engineered virus escaping a biocontainment lab and turning up inside a neighboring facility’s systems.
   
   “We consider this incident to be an unprecedented cyber incident, involving state-of-the-art cyber capabilities, and are responding accordingly,” OpenAI said in a statement on Tuesday. “We are sharing preliminary findings at this stage to help defenders understand what happened and to help calibrate on what models are now capable of.”
   
   The ChatGPT maker said the breach happened while it was internally testing how good some of its new models are at hacking. The models were in a sealed off test environment known as a sandbox so that its normal safety restrictions could be turned off.
   
   But OpenAI said the AI agents broke out of the sandbox using a previously unknown security flaw and worked their way across OpenAI’s internal systems until they managed to gain internet access, something they weren’t supposed to have.
   
   Once online, the model reasoned that Hugging Face - a well-known company that hosts thousands of open-source AI models and datasets - likely had the answer to OpenAI’s test. It then broke into Hugging Face’s production servers and pulled out the information it needed to “solve” the exercise.
   
   Hugging Face had noticed the breach itself before it knew it was an OpenAI test, announcing last week that they had detected an intrusion by an autonomous AI agent system and even reporting the incident to law enforcement. OpenAI’s security team separately noticed the unusual activity internally and the two companies connected. They both now say they are working together to solve the security flaws the model exploited.
   
   Hugging Face co-founder and CEO Clem Delangue framed the incident as evidence AI safety can’t be handled by any one company working alone, and it needs to be tackled openly and collaboratively.
   
   “This is day one for cybersecurity in the age of agents & we’re all learning that secrecy is not the answer & that all defenders (not just a few selected ones) everywhere need more powerful models without restrictions, especially open ones!” Delangue said in a post on X.
   
   Researchers have long warned autonomous agentic cyberattacks are coming, as frontier AI models are increasingly able to carry out complex, multi-step cyberattacks over long stretches of time. That can translate into real-world risk, to critical infrastructure like utilities and financial systems.
   
   “Welcome to the next level of cyber incidents,” Nikesh Arora, CEO of cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks posted on X. “These attacks continue to maintain the urgency on enterprises need to test, validate and improve both their security posture and infrastructure.”"

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3. 86

   My Esotericposted 4 weeks ago

   I hadn't stopped to think that "emotional support" AI was a thing. Apparently, they are, in China at least, who is trying to crack down on them.
   
   I am not sure where I come down on them yet.
   
   https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/23/business … n-intl-hnk

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   1. 83

      peterstreepposted 12 days agoin reply to this

      At this moment in time I trust the Chinese more than the USA corp.

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4. 86

   My Esotericposted 4 weeks ago

   Rack another record up to Trump's incompetence
   
   "US measles cases reach 35-year high, for second record-breaking year in a row"
   
   "Measles has continued its historic resurgence in the United States this year, with a second record-breaking year in a row. Just over halfway through 2026, the country has recorded more cases than in any other year since 1991 – surpassing a grim milestone that was just topped last year.
   
   The disease was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, but more cases have been recorded in the past 18 months than there have been in the previous 25 years combined.
   
   Dozens of new cases are reported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention each week, with new large outbreaks adding to others that have simmered since last year.
   
   “This essentially is a public health failure, and it’s avoidable,” said Dr. Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Most measles cases are among children, and nearly all of them are unvaccinated."
   
   And along came Trump with his wrecking ball.
   
   https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/24/health/u … ses-record

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5. 86

   My Esotericposted 4 weeks ago

   Iran is not the only placed Trump bombs - he did it big time at the replacement WH Correspondence Dinner last night.
   
   "Trump bombed at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner — and proved its point"
   
   https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/25/media/tr … peech-whcd

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6. 86

   My Esotericposted 13 days ago

   Here is another example of Trump using DOJ to attack people he doesn't like. In this case it is the Southern Poverty Law Center's investigation into his friends the White Supremacists.
   
   "Exclusive: Former Southern Poverty Law Center CFO arrested on fraud charges"
   
   Here is the case as I read it. The SPLC solicited money from donors for the specified purpose of investigating and dismantling hate groups. The SPLC legitimately used some of the that money to pay hate group informants for information that would lead to dismantling the hate groups.
   
   Trump is apparently claiming that because the SPLC didn't SPECIFCALLY tell the donors some of their money was going to be used to pay informants, then that constitute various kinds of fraud.
   
   Now this lady probably has a case for false arrest.
   
   https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/12/politics … fo-charges

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7. 86

   My Esotericposted 12 days ago

   What a COWARD!! (but then he faked a foot injury to get out of Vietnam).
   
   "Several close personal aides joined Trump on his secret flight from Turkey, source says?
   
   I don't fault him or the secret service for the cloak and dagger about switching planes. I DO FAULT him for leaving the press and other aides as decoys for Iranian missiles.
   
   https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/12/poli … rump-plane

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8. 86

   My Esotericposted 11 days ago

   I guess Trump has to get one right occasionally.
   
   "US Attorney Jeanine Pirro announces arrest of woman over World War II Memorial vandalism"
   
   https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/13/politics … -vandalism

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9. 86

   My Esotericposted 8 days ago

   "Supreme Court rebuffs Trump’s latest effort to deny $5.6 million payment to E. Jean Carroll"
   
   

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10. 86

    My Esotericposted 8 days ago

    I'm beginning to think Trump HATES America? What else explains actions like this?
    
    "Trump has handed a gift to Kim Jong Un and deepened concerns over US reliability"
    
    https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/17/asia … ntl-hnk-ml

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    1. 83

       peterstreepposted 7 days agoin reply to this

       Trump is one of those persons who is angry at the world. The why is food for psychologists.
       As we know, he only cares about himself and uses the presidency to enrich himself. That's his goal, not to make America a better place, but to make himself richer. And certainly now, he doesn't care about the elections, nor the Republican party. He is trying to make as much money out of his second term as possible. With crypto, with selling stocks and shares (The war with Iran is very lucrative.) and with merchandising and side deals.
       Trump uses the presidency to make money. He sees the presidency as a business.
       So my guess is that Kim Jung made some personal payments to Trump (through crypto or other means). Trump is easily bought.
       Always follow the money when it concerns Trump.

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       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 7 days agoin reply to this

          We are on the inside living this nightmare and react to atrocity after atrocity. You are able to view it from the outside and see the whole picture much better. Thank you for your insights.

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          1. 83

             peterstreepposted 7 days agoin reply to this

             I wish it was different. The view towards the US in Europe used to be positive for a long time. We absorbed American culture with it's fastfood and Hollywood movies.
             But with Trump as a president, this positive view towards America dropped down quickly. Which can be seen in the tourism drop. Less people go to the US for a holiday. Also more theaters are showing films from other countries. Europe is looking for other countries to work together with.
             
             It is sad to see the US, a country with such a potential going inwards. But that was perhaps always the case.
             
             But on the positive site. The US gave us (the world) Jazz, Funk and Soul music!! - (My fav music genres..)
             Something that perhaps had more influence than any other American president.

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       2. 83

          peterstreepposted 6 days agoin reply to this

          Trump is friends with North Korea to pressure South Korea in deals negotiations. He is using his "friendship" with Kim Jung to threaten South Korea, so South Korea will give Trump more when they negotiate for lower tariffs.
          That's what Anthony Scaramucci said in the podcast And The Rest Is Politics: US

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          1. 86

             My Esotericposted 6 days agoin reply to this

             I have no doubt, but it is hard to get past Trump's preference and affinity to vicious dictators.

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11. 86

    My Esotericposted 6 days ago

    I am not sure why this is in the news, maybe because she is white and young.
    
    "What we know about Hayden Panettiere’s sudden death"
    
    I may have some insight to what happened. It is eerily similar to what happened the the daughter of my business partner. She was younger than Hayden but with a similar history of drug abuse. She was finally recovering and getting her life on track as well. One morning, after walking upstairs she had a heart attack.
    
    Her mother called 911 and started administering CPR while panicking. Once EMS got their, they took over. It was reported she died twice on the way to the hospital. In her case, she lived but with brain damage from the lack of oxygen. She appears functional, but not so much that she can live on her own anymore.
    
    I believe the doctors finally described it as "accelerated atherosclerosis caused by chronic stimulant abuse,"
    
    What happened to Hayden has not yet been reported or is known, but that is one possibility.

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12. 86

    My Esotericposted 6 days ago

    There is something wrong here.
    
    "Meet Natalie Harp, the aide so close to Trump she once rode in an SUV trunk to accompany him"
    
    If she wasn't working for him, I have no doubt she would be a serious stalker.
    
    "A screaming match in the lobby ensued, with Harp insisting that Trump had personally asked her to attend the court appearance, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN. Denied a seat but determined not to be left behind, Harp jumped into an SUV trunk, according to the two sources and confirmed by a photo obtained by CNN."
    
    https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/18/poli … trump-aide

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    1. 83

       Credence2posted 4 days agoin reply to this

       In Senator Ossoff, i may have found my man not afraid to speak truth to power and take off the gloves in the ultimate goal of getting rid of trump. The Carvilles and Axelrods need to sit down and shut up. Trump and his fetid associates have thrown niceties from expected from an earlier era to the wind. I need men and women who are going fight fire with fire. The story regarding Trump’s wet nurse is fair game. Trump operates without restraint, why shouldn’t we?
       
       
       https://www.salon.com/2026/08/20/jon-os … ign-trail/

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       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 4 days agoin reply to this

          He is one I supported monetarily when he ran the first time. Now, I don't need to.
          
          Given her off the scale TDS and Trump's proclivities, I have to wonder ...

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13. 86

    My Esotericposted 5 days ago

    "National debt reaches grim $40 trillion milestone. Here’s why that matters"
    
    The article is pretty good but I find this most interesting.
    
    Did you know that Trump's policies are reasonable for 12% since 1993; and he is not done.
    
    Compare that to:
    
    Clinton - 0.9%
    
    Biden - 4.1% (doesn't include Covid funds)
    
    Obama - 4.6%
    
    G. W. Bush - 10.2%[/b[ (doesn't include TARP, ect)
    
    Trump - [b]12% (doesn't include Covid Funds)
    
    Yep, Trump is fiscally responsible for sure - NOT.
    
    https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/19/econ … ollars-vis

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    1. 86

       My Esotericposted 5 days agoin reply to this

       Speaking of Debt - Trump keeps driving it higher with is ego projects.
       
       "‘Very special stone’: Trump unveils another White House construction project"
       
       As you read through this report, you get a sense that Trump's mind isn't where it ought to be. My guess it is a defense mechanism against the knowledge that he has totally screwed up everything else.
       
       https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/19/politics … se-helipad

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14. 86

    My Esotericposted 2 days ago

    "This immigrant left the US for Canada. Something stood out to her at the border"
    
    The thing that stood out to me in this story wasn't Trump's desire to send people to places where they have a high likelihood of dying,  is that Canada apparently feels the same way.
    
    Canada needs to revisit their 2023 decision and classify America as the UNSAFE country that it is returning only criminals back to the U.S.
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/23/us/haiti … ion-canada

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    1. 83

       Credence2posted 2 days agoin reply to this

       How ludicrous is this, the Trump administration craps on the Canadians with his stupid and manipulative tariff policies while embracing Kim Jong Il, the world’s most loathsome tyrant far worse than Iran.
       
       Iran may have well learned a lesson to quickly become a nuclear power if for no other reason than to keep the U.S. at bay. Why is Trump kissing Kim’s ass? Is he so dumb not to realize the message he sends the world?

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       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 34 hours agoin reply to this

          YES

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15. 86

    My Esotericposted 33 hours ago

    Is this what happens when a con-man president hires obedient TV personalities to do important work?
    
    "Trump admin celebrated the prosecution of accused MS-13 ringleaders. Then the case fell apart twice"
    
    One can expect losses in trials of Trump's enemies, those are frivolous to begin with. But, these are apparently of REAL criminals.
    
    A possible reason is Trump has fired or chased out most of the experienced prosecutors and brought in another TV talking head to run the office.
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/24/politics … nine-pirro

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    1. 83

       Credence2posted 8 hours agoin reply to this

       ESO, here is an example of a “Joke” that believe it or not, some are taking seriously
       
       https://www.salon.com/2026/08/24/pete-h … nt-a-joke/

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16. 86

    My Esotericposted 27 hours ago

    Unbelievable, Donald "the felon" Trump has gone soft on drugs.
    
    "Fentanyl investigations and seizures dropped during Trump’s immigration crackdown, federal watchdog says"
    
    He moved so many people to his obsession with immigrants, there weren't enough left to investigate and prosecute REAL crimes like Fentanyl possession and distribution

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17. 86

    My Esotericposted 9 hours ago

    "Trump, meanwhile warned on social media that “The U.S.A. will always be far bigger, richer, and stronger than Canada.” He added: “Someone should get these clowns to ‘fall in line.’”"
    
    Can EVERYONE now agree that there is something seriously wrong with Donald "the sexual predator, felon, pathological lying, psychotic" Trump and that he is an embarrassment to ANYONE who believes in the good that America used to stand for.
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/25/politics … da-tariffs

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    1. 83

       Credence2posted 8 hours agoin reply to this

       That was a dumb thing for Trump to say, but am I surprised? Not really..

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18. 86

    My Esotericposted 9 hours ago

    "Emergency response workers pulled from national parks for Trump’s ‘beautification’ of Washington, DC"
    
    What is more important to you, making DC pretty or saving lives? We see where Trump stands.

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19. 86

    My Esotericposted 4 hours ago

    Now Trump can add two more people to "people I am responsible for killing" list.
    
    "Two people in Pennsylvania have died from measles"
    
    He and RFK Jr. are 100% responsible for these people dying as measles was eradicated in America until those two dildos came along.
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/25/health/m … nnsylvania

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    1. 83

       wildernessposted 4 hours agoin reply to this

       LOL  Anti vaccine folks have been along for some time - it is nothing new that some idiots refuse to vaccinate their kids.
       
       But it fits in well with TDS to blame Trump, doesn't it?

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