Random Thoughts.

1. 86

   My Esotericposted 8 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

   replyreport
2. 86

   My Esotericposted 7 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.”"

   replyreport
3. 86

   My Esotericposted 7 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

   replyreport
   1. 83

      peterstreepposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this

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

      replyreport
4. 86

   My Esotericposted 7 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

   replyreport
5. 86

   My Esotericposted 7 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

   replyreport
6. 86

   My Esotericposted 4 weeks 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

   replyreport
7. 86

   My Esotericposted 4 weeks 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

   replyreport
8. 86

   My Esotericposted 4 weeks 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

   replyreport
9. 86

   My Esotericposted 4 weeks ago

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

   replyreport
10. 86

    My Esotericposted 4 weeks 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

    replyreport
    1. 83

       peterstreepposted 4 weeks 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.

       replyreport
       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 4 weeks 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.

          replyreport
          1. 83

             peterstreepposted 3 weeks 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.

             replyreport
       2. 83

          peterstreepposted 3 weeks 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

          replyreport
          1. 86

             My Esotericposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

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

             replyreport
11. 86

    My Esotericposted 3 weeks 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.

    replyreport
12. 86

    My Esotericposted 3 weeks 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

    replyreport
    1. 83

       Credence2posted 3 weeks 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/

       replyreport
       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 3 weeks 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 ...

          replyreport
13. 86

    My Esotericposted 3 weeks 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

    replyreport
    1. 86

       My Esotericposted 3 weeks 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

       replyreport
14. 86

    My Esotericposted 3 weeks 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

    replyreport
    1. 83

       Credence2posted 3 weeks 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?

       replyreport
       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

          YES

          replyreport
15. 86

    My Esotericposted 3 weeks 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

    replyreport
    1. 83

       Credence2posted 3 weeks 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/

       replyreport
16. 86

    My Esotericposted 3 weeks 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

    replyreport
17. 86

    My Esotericposted 3 weeks 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

    replyreport
    1. 83

       Credence2posted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

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

       replyreport
18. 86

    My Esotericposted 3 weeks 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.

    replyreport
19. 86

    My Esotericposted 2 weeks 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

    replyreport
    1. 83

       wildernessposted 2 weeks 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?

       replyreport
       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 2 weeks agoin reply to this

          I am not devoted to Trump so I don't have TDS. You on the other hand ...
          
          The anti-vaxxers aren't the president and Secretary of Health and Human Services who set or, in the case, kill vaccine policies. Their war on vaccines have directly contributed to the the number of people catching and dying from the measles. No amount of blame-shifting will change the fact that America went from 285 cases in 2024 to over 5,000 since Trump/Jr. started bad mouthing vaccines.

          replyreport
20. 86

    My Esotericposted 2 weeks ago

    FYI - I just joined Substack to post new content and many of my old articles that are still relevant - like my piece on 9/11. You can find me at
    
    https://scottbelford.substack.com/publi … /212919811
    
    I'll still be hanging around here, however.

    replyreport
    1. 83

       Credence2posted 2 weeks agoin reply to this

       I am checking out substack and your articles thanks for pointing the
       Source
       
       “By Liberal, I mean something fairly simple. I think everyone has the right to do pretty much whatever they want so long as they follow three basic rules: don’t hurt anyone, don’t trample on anyone else’s rights, and don’t harm the environment. I am also Progressive (yes, they are different) in the sense that I believe the purpose of politics is to move society from where it is toward a better place for as much of that society as possible. Those three ideas probably explain a great deal of what you will eventually read from me.”
       
       That’s me, if we have any differences, they have to be small ones…..

       replyreport
21. 86

    My Esotericposted 2 weeks ago

    It is becoming highly probable that human-caused climate change is behind the disaster in Nepal.
    
    "What caused the Nepal flood wave? Here’s what we know"
    
    "Scientists investigating the cause of the devastating flash floods that tore through the Nepal-China border on Wednesday — swallowing towns, roads and bridges and causing significant loss of life — are zeroing in on the theory that the disaster was triggered by a huge glacier collapse and landslide."
    
    Do you know that almost all of the glaciers that were in Glacier National Park are now almost gone due to human-caused climate change? I am glad I was able to get there 10 years ago to see some of them.
    
    "It was initially reported as an earthquake by the US Geological Survey’s automated earthquake detection network, but later clarified the shaking was caused by an exceptionally powerful glacier collapse and debris flow, equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 earthquake."
    
    Glacier collapses and landslides are complex can be caused by a number of factors, but climate change often plays a role, scientists say. Nepal, in the rapidly-warming Himalayan region, is home to thousands of glaciers which are melting and destabilizing as temperatures rise.
    
    Ice loss rates from glaciers across the Hindu Kush Himalaya, a region which includes Nepal, have doubled since 2000, according to recent research, with enormous risks for the nearly 2 million people who live downstream of them.
    
    Wouter Buytaert, a hydrology professor at Imperial College London, said that while scientists are still studying the exact causes of this disaster, it was “exactly the type of event that is triggered by climate change.”
    
    "Its Joe Biden's fault" cry the climate-denying conservatives.
    
    [i]"“Global warming shrinks glaciers, making it more likely for them to break apart,” Buytaert said."
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/26/weather/ … -cause-vis

    replyreport
    1. 83

       Credence2posted 2 weeks agoin reply to this

       Are all conservative, Republican types really as dumb as this Nancy Mace of South Carolina?
       
       https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cnn-nanc … v2-ykdPzmy

       replyreport
       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 2 weeks agoin reply to this

          WOW! Just WOW!
          
          But in deference to conservatives I have to say that some aren't that dumb and unAmerican.

          replyreport
          1. 83

             Credence2posted 2 weeks agoin reply to this

             Interesting article, ESO, it speaks of the big picture…..
             
             https://www.salon.com/2026/09/01/throug … f-liberty/
             
             ESO, we may have a different view of conservatives and conservatism in general. Your writings speak of broad principles, but there is more.
             
             They represent the ‘dark side’ of human interaction nationally and worldwide. The main theme is the idea that the few should be allowed to dominate the many, it is as old as the pharaohs and still just as insidious. It was always based on preference and privilege, starting with the divine right of Kings. And now, in America it is the corporatist, oligarchs and plutocrats that deceive people as if they have similar interests and goals. They will always have me as an enemy and can expect NO compromise nor conciliation on my part.
             
             We all have conservative tendencies, but compared with most of the righties on this forum, mine are far less pronounced. Between us, we may differ on what is acceptable conservatism verses otherwise.
             
             Is being fiscally conservative, not wasting money at the federal level a bad thing? It is not necessarily only conservative to want prudent spending of public funds. Conservatives boast, at least back during the “Rockefeller Republican Days”,  that they were the fiscally responsible party. What has turned out to be true is that they simply accommodate waste in different areas.
             
             I hate to use broad blankets, but the conservative philosophy as it has been defined at least since Reagan has become much more insidious. It has stretched its tentacles into the bedrooms and boudoirs. Most disturbing to me was much of the comments from conservatives wanting to consign everyone except themselves, of course, to specific roles of gender and race, for as they say, in the interests of the continuity and cohesion of society.
             
             Any and all Conservatives who in their indifference have enabled and accommodated Trump, are no better.  Give me, if you please, an example of a “good conservative” in this age of Trump? If moderation is represented by Senator Collins of Maine, for example, she like so many are just wolves in sheep’s clothing.
             
             The philosophy of ALL conservatives is contrary to a just and peaceful existence both here and abroad, and they ALL must be shoved back under the floorboards as soon as possible. 
             
             Just my opinion…..

             replyreport
22. 86

    My Esotericposted 2 weeks ago

    Another opportunity for Trump to look like the FOOL that he is.
    
    "Longtime friend to Trump foe James Comey subpoenaed in new leak investigation"
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/31/politics … estigation

    replyreport
23. 86

    My Esotericposted 2 weeks ago

    Trump found yet another way to waste Tax Payer Money!!!
    
    "Exclusive: DHS plans to launch voter fraud investigation surge Tuesday
    
    How many billions will this waste to catch a couple of hundred people?
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/31/politics … stigations

    replyreport
24. 86

    My Esotericposted 2 weeks ago

    I just posted my 9/11 Remembrance article on scottbelford.substack.com

    replyreport
25. 86

    My Esotericposted 13 days ago

    Thanks for following, Credence.
    
    Now, can you explain why Hegseth (and Trump) hate our military that they put our national security at risk every day?
    
    "Hegseth’s culture war fixation disrupting Army progress, sources say"
    
    The subtitle is that Whiskey Pete is forcing out any one who supports drone or other high tech warfare.
    
    "multiple sources told CNN they believe Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is damaging the Army’s efforts to adapt to the modern battlefield as he focuses on culture wars and prioritizing his own image of the “American warfighter,” and pushes out leaders who don’t align with his vision.
    
    Multiple sources agreed with the concerns Driscoll raised: that Hegseth is damaging the Army’s efforts to modernize and adapt to the 21st century battlefield environment – where drone warfare is becoming increasingly important – by firing or pushing out leaders who were spearheading those efforts.
    
    “It’s critical that you have key leaders that understand technology and have the temperament to deal with industry and turn that into the formation,” a former senior Army official said. “When you fire these guys for arbitrary reasons, it creates confusion and a void … the Army is enduring turbulence right now.” - I would say the whole military establishment is enduring extraordinary and destructive turbulence right now!!!
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/02/politics … ulture-war

    replyreport
    1. 83

       Credence2posted 10 days agoin reply to this

       Yes, Trump is to blame for appointed an unqualified idiot to such an important cabinet level position. The military has been unique in recent decades as the place where people are evaluated and promoted based on competence and performance. With Hegseth that legacy is being eliminated in favor of the maddening wet dreams of a former Fox News flunky? Racism is being reintroduced in a way not seen since Truman integrated the armed forces. Misogyny is being reintroduced. It is important for cohesion of the ranks and the nation as a whole that the military is seen as representing us all, and not just as Trump’s Praetorian Guard.
       
       Hegseth in firing successful and competent officers is so smug as to think that he does not need provide a reason? That has been the formula for this entire administration, Hegseth is just following the modus operandi of his corrupt master.
       
       This administration needs to be rendered as inert as soon as possible…..

       replyreport
       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 10 days agoin reply to this

          Did you notice the Fox fired Maria Barto-whatever her last name is? Good riddance to another unAmerican Trump mouth piece.

          replyreport
26. 86

    My Esotericposted 12 days ago

    What else is a dangerous Narcissist to do? LOL
    
    "Trump’s first midterm ads are heavy on ‘me’"
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/02/politics … d-spending

    replyreport
    1. 83

       Credence2posted 10 days agoin reply to this

       It reaffirms what is obvious, “People are dumb”. This Trump has done nothing but turn good circumstances into bad ones, and make bad ones even worse. I guess the Republicans think that they can divide Trump from his policies and his congressional supporters. I certainly would like to see them get their asses kicked dismissing that assumption in total.
       
       Hurry along, midterm season!!!!

       replyreport
       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 10 days agoin reply to this

          To emphasize that point about the midterms:
          
          * In Jan 2025 the Ds had a 1.2 point advantage in the Generic Congressional Poll.
          
          * In Jan 2026, it was 5.6!
          
          * In May 2026, it was about 6.8.
          
          * Then in Jan and July, the Republicans rallied (rather than Democrats retreating, and by July the advantage had slipped to 5.9
          
          * In August, it rose again to about 6.4.
          
          Historically, that might mean a pick up of 20 - 35 seats. Hopefully, we can attain the 41 seat increase in 2018.
          
          If that happens, then flipping the Senate is almost guaranteed.

          replyreport
27. 86

    My Esotericposted 12 days ago

    "Americans’ ‘government corruption’ problem is in a new league"
    
    No surprise here, is here, with Trump, "the dictator", in charge.
    
    NOTE that the huge increase started two years ago coinciding when Trump 2.0 was elected.
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/03/politics … tion-trump

    replyreport
    1. 83

       Credence2posted 10 days agoin reply to this

       trump and his henchmen virtually invented corruption, so now it is as American as apple pie.

       replyreport
28. 86

    My Esotericposted 11 days ago

    "‘F**k you..hurry up and die’: Swing-seat Democratic House candidate’s deleted tweets show far-left record"
    
    This gets to a dilemma that Credence brought forward - when to support a Democratic candidate.
    
    In this case, Democratic nominee William Lawrence gives us a case of, in my opinion, a choice between to evils. Although his views are from 2021, that is not that long ago and I don't believe he has changed that much. Then, he talked a strident DSA line against police, prisons, the nuclear family, and many other very far left positions, none of which can I agree with.
    
    In a normal world, I would either not vote for him or vote for the Republican.
    
    But this is not a normal world, it is a Trump world, a MAGA world. To support the Republican is the same as, again in my opinion, supporting the destruction of American democracy - a far worse fate than electing a potentially reformed nut-job to Congress.
    
    In my view, letting MAGA remain in charge is nothing short of traitorous and must be prevented even if the alternative is a terrible choice as well.
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/04/politics … erms-kfile

    replyreport
    1. 84

       GA Andersonposted 11 days agoin reply to this

       You should consider some non-Trump threads. There's plenty of room in the Mamdani topics. The mail-in ballot issues don't need a Trump association to be interesting.
       
       How about a DSA topic — without a Trump factor? Surely Trump-views aren't the only ones you have? Is Bernie's DSA less extreme than Lawrence's DSA?
       
       There doesn't seem to be much of a Trump audience anymore. You end up talking to yourself.
       
       Come on over to my side — the water's fine. You might even get Cred to join you. (I think we're all that's left)
       
       GA   ;-)

       replyreport
       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 11 days agoin reply to this

          I understand the opposition got tired of having to make things up to defend Trump and presumably went back into their silos, but others do read this and just don't say anything except rarely.
          
          Consequently, since Trump is an existential threat to America, I keep it top of mind to anyone who will listen..
          
          Consider this headline:
          
          "Trump says he will cease trading with top partners unless Fed lowers rates"
          
          Everyday he shows how stupid and incompetent he is and this is a great example. Talk about wanting to hurt America!
          
          https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/04/economy/trump-trade-fed

          replyreport
       2. 83

          Credence2posted 10 days agoin reply to this

          No, he is not talking to himself, GA. It is conservatives that cower and jump ship. There may well be readership, but the conservative chose not to participate. It is like the old disco in my heyday, last call before closing. But, i don't leave until i am shown the door and the lights are extinguished.
          
          I dont get you, GA. Trump has been the source of every nefarious, negative occurrence in government to date. You would have us take a magnifying glass to a house fly, while the elephant in the room squeezes us all until entrails appear.
          
          I am going to bash that man and everything he stands for until the very last day until this forum ceases to exist. Then I will find another.
          
          The people on your side of the divide simply decide not to comment, that’s ok. But the message needs to be sent, regardless.
          
          In these times, Trump is always a factor, GA. Trump is responsible for screwing up the mail-in ballots, base on his hallucinations that upon rational examination, has never held water. How do you separate the action from the source or the cause?. Mamdami issues are mere house flies compared to Trump and his far more dangerously broad national threat.
          
          Thanks for the invitation, but I am going to do my Alamo thing, fight to the very end.
          
          We are open to other topics by the way, but i will not deliberately ignore Trump as he is the source of most of our troubles right now.

          replyreport
    2. 83

       Credence2posted 10 days agoin reply to this

       I want Trump stopped and stopped hard. I am not satisfied with so many of the go along Democrats who sit quietly behind Trump’s shadow and have an aversion to fighting the worse GOP administration in decades. On the other hand, throwing Molotov cocktails is not the answer either. I need a responsible alternative to Trump and this administration. For instance, i think that it is silly to abolish police, but for major metropolitan areas i would advocate for greater reforms of the rank and file. The Democrats have to watch and walk the tightrope avoiding the radicals yet selecting candidates that do not enable Trump with a get along and go along attitude. It is tricky, but it can be done. I would have to hold my nose and vote for Lawrence as any Republican candidate is worse and I cannot accede anything to them. Any MAGA is always the worse of two possible choices, even if the Democrat is too radical for my comfort.

       replyreport
       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 10 days agoin reply to this

          In Louisiana, I think, one city did a very rare thing - they fired their police chief for using racial slurs after one of his officers killed a 1-year old at a Walmart.

          replyreport
29. 86

    My Esotericposted 11 days ago

    "Trump administration plows ahead with groundbreaking for the president’s ‘triumphal arch’"
    
    Something else for the next administration to tear down and return to its former beauty.
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/03/politics … tion-start

    replyreport
30. 86

    My Esotericposted 10 days ago

    "Former labor secretary drank at the office and misused resources, probe finds"
    
    Is there anyone in Trump's cabinet who isn't a grifter like he is?
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/04/politics … estigation

    replyreport
    1. 83

       Credence2posted 10 days agoin reply to this

       Fruit loops: just follow your nose, it always knows……

       replyreport
31. 86

    My Esotericposted 10 days ago

    "Trump promised ‘economic D-Day’ for Iran. So far, actions have come in drips"
    
    More false promises by the most corrupt president in American history.
    
    I have to chuckle (and I imagine the IRCG does to) each of the MANY times Trump has threatened to wipe the Iranian people off the face of the earth. I think to myself "how many screws does this moron have loose in his head?"
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/04/politics … skepticism

    replyreport
32. 86

    My Esotericposted 9 days ago

    The Supreme Court's super-conservatives has found another way to shield Trump’s conduct from judicial review—at least for now—and the implications could extend well beyond this particular case. The Supreme Court ruled 5–4 recently that just because somebody doesn't like the way a project Trump is building looks does not give that person standing to sue to stop it because it is likely illegal.
    
    At first blush, that doesn't sound particularly unreasonable, does it? In fact, when I first started thinking about this that was the position I was headed for. But then I thought some more - about the consequences of such a finding.
    
    The Court didn't rule that what Trump is doing is legal. In fact, the five-justice majority specifically refused to decide that question. And Chief Justice John Roberts, joining the three liberal justices in dissent, concluded that Trump's construction is “likely unlawful.”
    
    Think about that for a moment.
    
    We likely have a President violating a federal law, but the people trying to stop him can't get a court to decide whether he is violating the law because, according to five Supreme Court justices, they haven't been personally injured enough to bring the lawsuit.
    
    That brings us to a legal concept called “standing,” and it raises a question I find much more interesting than whether Trump's new ballroom is ugly:
    
    What good is a law prohibiting the President from doing something if nobody has standing to make him obey it?
    
    Think about it some more. What if Trump wanted to honor one of his apparent heroes and mount a golden swastika on top of the Trump Arch, sorry, the Triumphal Arch? The arch is being built without congressional approval and is therefore likely illegal.
    
    If fact, Chief Justice Roberts made that point in his dissent - he thought the ballroom project is "likely unlawful". Further, he also thought there was precedent for finding the plaintiffs did have standing.
    
    Who could stop him? Nobody, apparently, according to five conservative Justices, that's who. How did Hardy put it to Laurel? - "Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into".
    
    (Who does have standing? Potentially, the Democratic House, when they return to power in January as expected.)
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/06/politics … -crocodile

    replyreport
    1. 84

       GA Andersonposted 9 days agoin reply to this

       I think I see your point, but can you imagine the judicial chaos if "standing" wasn't a condition of legal involvement?
       
       Based on your information (not the link), it sounds like the Court did its job correctly. Where did you end up? Did Trump's involvement change your reasoning?
       
       GA

       replyreport
       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 8 days agoin reply to this

          I also think "standing" is needed. However, for this case, the five conservative justices once again overturned precedence (according to Roberts) to find that the plaintiff didn't have reasonable standing.
          
          Because of that there is nothing stopping Trump from putting up a swastika or a golden urinal where ever he pleases.

          replyreport
    2. 83

       Credence2posted 8 days agoin reply to this

       ESO, what do you think Trump will do if he loses Congress? Many reports say that he would ignore Congress and do what he wants regardless. He has no fear of impeachment as it requires too high a threshold with too many Republicans in the Senate that would acquit him even if he murdered someone. What teeth does the Congress have to enforce its will on the President? With blatant violation of the laws, how can he be removed?

       replyreport
       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 8 days agoin reply to this

          My wife read he will resign, blaming the Republicans, because he couldn't stand losing.
          
          The reason Congress isn't stopping him is because the Dems don't hold the majority and the few Republicans who understand the criminality of what Trump does are cowards.
          
          Once back in power, then the House, as a legislative body, can start filing suits to stop Trump's criminal behavior.
          
          Since DOJ will protect Trump, there only other recourse is to impeach Trump and everybody in his orbit that holds a Senate approved job. I don't think there is a one of them that has committed impeachable offenses.
          
          For Trump, I would gather all the violations of the law he has committed, divide them by five and bring a new impeachment each time the Republicans set Trump free.

          replyreport
33. 83

    Credence2posted 8 days ago

    America, tell me that this isn’t so?
    
    “For most of American history, becoming a citizen has meant acquiring the right to participate in virtually all aspects of civic life, including voting, serving on juries, and mounting a campaign for any political office other than the presidency. But in Alabama and other states across the country, Republican lawmakers are now pushing to make an important distinction: Naturalized citizens, they argue, should not have the same right to serve in public office as someone born in the United States.
    
    In recent months, an idea once confined to the fringes has gained mainstream traction across the country. Republican legislators in several states have introduced proposals that would restrict naturalized citizens and dual citizens from running for a range of elected positions, including sheriff and governor. In Congress, at least five Republicans have sponsored various proposals to bar naturalized or dual citizens from serving in roles including federal judgeships, Cabinet posts, and ambassadorships, and in Congress itself. Florida lawmakers this year enacted a law requiring candidates for several state and federal offices to disclose whether they hold another citizenship in addition to being a citizen of the United States.
    
    The movement has been fueled in part by the rise of a new class of foreign-born politicians—most prominently New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the Ugandan-born son of parents of Indian extraction, whose ascent has become a favorite target of the right. His victory, along with the success of other progressive candidates born outside the U.S., has come to symbolize something dangerous in the eyes of President Trump’s MAGA base: the ability of people born elsewhere to acquire American citizenship and the possibility of political power. Now Republican lawmakers are pledging to do something about it.
    
    The push began in parallel to Mamdani’s rise. When Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen first floated the idea of barring naturalized citizens from serving in elected office, he cited Mamdani’s mayoral run as one impetus. “We want to make sure that no potential foreign influence or foreign meddling could impact our state’s highest elected leaders,” he told AL.com last year.”
    ————-
    
    Have the Rightwingers not have any sense of decency or fairness?

    replyreport
    1. 86

       My Esotericposted 8 days agoin reply to this

       NO!!!!
       
       They also don't believe in the Constitution any more.

       replyreport
34. 86

    My Esotericposted 7 days ago

    This appears in a story partly about Adam Hamilton trying to win the Iowa Senate seat and take it away from Republicans for the first time in over a century.
    
    “People are very frustrated,” Hamilton said in an interview, recalling a recent conversation with a 79-year-old man who handed him a receipt for diesel for his truck and told him, “This is why I’m voting for you.”
    
    The hope is that conversation will be repeated millions of times between now and November in America's quest to oust the divisive and democracy destroying Party currently in charge.
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/08/politics … 6-midterms

    replyreport
35. 86

    My Esotericposted 4 days ago

    When Trump, the Felon, assumed office, there were 35,064 hours until the excruciating nation pain would go away.
    
    NOW, there are only 20,690 hours of national misery left.

    replyreport
    1. 83

       peterstreepposted 3 days agoin reply to this

       You are an optimist I guess...

       replyreport
       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 3 days agoin reply to this

          Yes, I am. Now there are 20,666 hours left.

          replyreport
          1. 83

             peterstreepposted 2 days agoin reply to this

             You have to be. realist and optimist at the same time.

             replyreport
36. 86

    My Esotericposted 29 hours ago

    Trump not only kills people, he kills things as well.
    
    Reports: Kennedy Center warns of bankruptcy unless Trump’s name returns
    
    What a psychotic egomaniac!!!!
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/14/politics … eturns-hnk

    replyreport
    1. 83

       wildernessposted 24 hours agoin reply to this

       Good logic.  Leftist radicals make them take the name off, the center heads for bankruptcy as a result and Trump is to blame.
       
       But, of course, no TDS!  Just good, solid reasoning!

       replyreport
       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 23 hours agoin reply to this

          Your TDS is showing, lol

          replyreport
       2. 83

          Credence2posted 4 hours agoin reply to this

          Now this is silly, Wilderness. I am not a leftist radical just an individual that does not want to soil the memory of “real president” by having it defaced by Trump’s name or any other name, by matter of fact. No one is going to perform there as long as Trump is associated with it, so YES, he is to blame. It would have all been so much simpler if he just kept his grubby hands off from a solemn national monument.
          
          Trump is a graffiti artist of the lowest sort. That seems reasonable to me. Just how long are you going to continue to defend this clown and his vulgar stupidity?

          replyreport
37. 86

    My Esotericposted 20 hours ago

    "Trump dismisses AI alarms as a ‘HOAX’ — worrying White House officials"
    
    MORE PROOF as to what a Stupid, Stupid, Dangerous child he is.
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/14/politics … -ai-alarms

    replyreport
    1. 83

       peterstreepposted 4 hours agoin reply to this

       Trump administration removes climate pollution limits on power plants - CNN today --- Because AI data center need all the energy that it can get, without restrictions.
       
       AI not dangerous? - imagine a system that can switch of Wall Street? - There are many more scenarios available for AI to cause havoc, with or without intent.
       just a side note: AI also has the knowledge of all the apocalyptic scifi movies and stories.
       In a way there is a kind of a self fulfilling prophecy here.
       
       AI Godfather WARNS: "We're NOT Prepared For What They're Hiding"
       
       the title is tacky but the short video about what AI is and why it is dangerous is a clear one.

       replyreport
38. 86

    My Esotericposted 4 hours ago

    "Supreme Court rejects Trump’s plan to limit mail-in voting in midterms"
    
    YEAH!!!
    
    What is astonishing about that decision is that the two criminals on the court Alito and Thomas thought tearing apart our election was a fine thing to do,
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/14/politics … n-midterms

    replyreport
    1. 83

       Credence2posted 4 hours agoin reply to this

       Esoteric, that is great news that “will fix Trumps wagon” for sure. Only Uncle Clarance Thomas and Alito, tyrant is waiting, had their noses far up Trumps bum. I have to read the case and see the reasoning of those who had dissented,  and those supporting the prevailing ruling. I was hoping that the court would not allow Trump to get away with his scheme, and now I am vindicated.
       
       I was delighted to hear that the rest of the court decided not to exist in Trumps back pocket. I usually wont drink this early in the morning but I think that a glass of the Bubbly is in order

       replyreport
       1. 86

          My Esotericposted 4 hours agoin reply to this

          More amazing still - Trump hasn't said a word! Maybe he is putting together a hit squad to take out the majority.

          replyreport
          1. 84

             IslandBitesposted 41 minutes agoin reply to this

             Republicans just got another bad decision from the United States Supreme Court, one that the Court System took forever to give, and then blamed it, in part, on no time left to implement a solution to our totally CORRUPT and out of control Mail-In voting “disaster,” which is a laughing stock all over the World, and where we are the only country that has to endure such a Nation Destroying SCAM. Justices Alito and Thomas, legends both, strongly disagreed with this horrible, highly political, ruling. It is a big loss for Republicans, and America itself, and makes cheating by the Radical Left “Dumocrats,” on Mail-In Ballots, a much easier thing to do - And now they have an open field to do so! The Supreme Court has really let our Country down! Certain Justices are petrified of these crazed and depraved Democrats, and are totally unable to show the courage necessary to save our America. Their horrible decision on Tariffs will be costing the U.S.A., for many years to come, Trillions and Trillions of Dollars. They didn’t even state, “money paid does not have to be paid back,” much to the benefit of entities that truly hate our Country, and have been RIPPING IT OFF FOR YEARS, unnecessarily costing us, immediately, Billions of Dollars. Likewise, the Supreme Court’s Decision on Birthright Citizenship is a complete and total disaster for America, and has already led to massive corruption with respect to “citizenship” in our Country. The damage done to America is incalculable, and they know this, just as everyone else does - It is an irreparable and unrecoverable harm! The Court’s inability and unwillingness to do the right thing for our Country will go down, in a very negative way, in the annals of History. This Supreme Court is bullied and cajoled by the Radical Left into making decisions that have set America back at least a hundred years. These are not the people I interviewed to serve on the United States Supreme Court, they are merely a shell of their original selves, a Court that is costing the United  States Trillions of Dollars with shockingly bad rulings that are of such magnitude that it won’t be easily possible for our Country to recover or heal. It is a Court that will go down as having  rendered some of the most destructive, hurtful, and damaging decisions in our Country’s history. It is not easy for me to write this criticism of the United States Supreme Court - it will likely cost me dearly for years to come - but I feel it my obligation and duty, as President, to do so for the America we love! Thank you for your attention to this very important matter. God bless the U.S.A. President DONALD J. TRUMP
             
             SMH

             replyreport
39. 86

    My Esotericposted 4 hours ago

    "DHS training materials instruct agents to potentially break laws, whistleblower says"
    
    Now they may be getting somewhere, lol. The article says in the training video the DHS agents are using to find non-citizen voters the narrator said DHS will use MAGIC to fill in information gaps!!! MAGIC!!!
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/14/politics … se-padilla

    replyreport
40. 86

    My Esotericposted 3 hours ago

    "Canada is pursuing a ‘unique alliance’ with the EU as US ties remain fraught. Here’s what we know"
    
    Hang in there Canada. America will come part way back to being a rational nation in 1.5 months and all the way back in 20,596 hours (or 858 days and 4 hours). Then, the next Democratic president can start putting our centuries long relationship back together again.
    
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/15/americas … -trump-hnk

    replyreport
    1. 83

       wildernessposted 2 hours agoin reply to this

       Yep!  We'll get the liberals back, who will promptly begin supporting the world off of American workers again. 
       
       But "centuries"?  You might want to read your history books once more...A 6th grade Canadian one should do fine.

       replyreport