Trump’s Day One: A Bold Agenda to Reclaim America
Here are more facts those on the Right can and will ignore.
"Restaurants are under threat as costs skyrocket and consumers cut back"
Restaurants face a three-pronged attack from Trump's failed Bold Agenda:
1. Tariffs
2. Inflation
3. Deportations.
This is an article about a Ruby Red Oklahoma business paying for Trump's chaos.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/10/business … r-spendingThe golden age...the prices at restaurants now is easily over $30 a meal. Even fast food tops $15 for a meal. Restaurants are empty & closing.... Inflation is crushing the middle class. Just wait until Trump's new taxes fully kick in...Soon you will see $100+ for ribeye dinner thanks to tariffs
My wife and I had dinner at Longhorn the other night. One 6oz filet, one 6oz NY strip, their Wild West Shrimp, up grade asparagus (can you believe) and diet cokes - $100 plus untaxed tips.
Someone here insulted me by saying most of the information I provide is "misinformation". Just to state the obvious that almost all of you know is that claim is as false as it can get.
- tsmogposted 3 months ago
0For the curious and pot of coffee at hand poke about at . . .
FBI Releases 2024 Reported Crimes in the Nation Statistics
https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases … statistics
The FBI’s crime statistics estimates, based on reported data, show a violent crime occurred, on average, every 25.9 seconds in 2024. The breakdown shows on average a murder occurred every 31.1 minutes and a rape occurred every 4.1 minutes. National violent crime decreased an estimated 4.5% in 2024 compared to 2023 estimates:
** Murder and non-negligent manslaughter recorded a 2024 estimated nationwide decrease of 14.9% compared to the previous year.
** In 2024, the estimated number of offenses in the revised rape category saw an estimated 5.2% decrease.
** Aggravated assault figures decreased an estimated 3.0% in 2024.
** Robbery showed an estimated decrease of 8.9% nationally.
Go to the bottom of the page and use the Crime Data Explorer and have some fun, fun, fun with where it leads
Also, just for fun try out . . .
Crime by Zip Code presented by CrimeGrade.org
https://crimegrade.org/crime-by-zip-code/ This gerrymandering issue reminded me of an old ditty from 1983, enjoy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3eC35LoF4UI guess he should have used a flagpole or at the least bear spray?
https://x.com/patriottakes/status/1955806148285649234
Why is she talking like a 5-year-old over a man throwing a sandwich??
Jeanine "one more bottle" Pirro...
“Trump’s ‘bold agenda’ hasn’t made America stronger; it’s made us smaller, uniting foes and unsettling friends.”
https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/30/china/ch … -relationsI asked AI (short for ChatGPT for me) is there is any part of the federal gov't that is still working as well as it did before Trump's "Bold Agenda". Surprisingly, if found a few - a very few. They are:
* Delivery of SSA benefits
* The release of BEA stats (so far)
* Weather and Hazard forecasts (so far)
* Aviation Safety
That was it on the first try but missed the point, I was actually thinkin about the Departments that house those functions. So I started asking one by one. This and the comments that follow analyze how Trump has laid waste to a functioning federal gov't that no longer provide the services to the American people we have become accustomed to. We will start with the DOJ/FBI.
* All independence is gone - totally weaponized to go after Trump's political enemies and other things he doesn't like. In ALL modern administrations, even Trump's first term, the DOJ and varying degrees of independence from the White House, but NEVER has it become subsumed by the White House has it has in 2025.
* Huge exodus, either voluntary, in protest, or fired of lawyers impending prosecutions. Massive increase in Trump (not American) loyalists.
* Virtual dissolution of the DOJ civil rights function.
* De-prioritization of pattern-and-practice policing cases encouraging bad police to grow again.
* Layoffs and closures among groups that help police, labs, and victims
* Reassignments away from prior work to concentrate on Trump priorities, mainly retribution and sanctuary cities.
It is easy to see why people now call the DOJ the Department of Injustice (DOIJ)
FBI
* Budget cuts so steep that even Trump loyalist Patal says the FBI can't do its mission.
* Deemphasis of counter-terrorism (both domestic and foreign) and cyber warfare, often leading to leaving skeleton crews in those offices.
* Reassigning agents from important work to patrol the streets of D.C and maybe other cities.
* DOJ cuts also reduce support to state/local labs and task forces, contributing to forensic backlogs and less assistance that many FBI joint cases rely on.
* Net: Core missions (counterterrorism, counterintelligence, violent crime, cyber) continue, but capacity is down and triage is up; some “non-law-enforcement” lines are being pared back.
Trump has clearly made America LESS SAFE Again.
*Trump and his jackboots can't stop from breaking the law - and nobody does anything to stop our quick slide into autocracy.
"Lawmakers push for answers days after Border Patrol detains crew workers helping firefighters in Washington blaze"
https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/31/us/washi … der-patrol
You would hope that things like this would embarrass the Trump apologists here - but no, they will defend illegal activity to their dying breath, it seems.I am guessing Trump apologists are too embarrassed to respond now. Either that, or they have finally come to understand what a disaster Trump is. Anyway, here is another very sad consequence of TRUMP'S AMERICA
"Washington
—
Along with the excitement that accompanies the start of school, parents and schoolchildren in Washington, DC, have something new to contend with this year: how to navigate a federal law enforcement surge and immigration crackdown in the nation’s capital.
At one middle school, where many students are minorities, parents and teachers took extra precautions by walking their students back and forth from Union Station, the city’s busy train station, as National Guard members patrolled nearby.
The parents, who held signs identifying themselves as guardians and escorts for students, were approached by police and warned not to “loiter” on the first morning of school, one of the parents involved said.
Another mom, who volunteered to be part of the system, brings her passport with her while she’s with the students even though she’s a US citizen. She asked that her name not be used amid safety and privacy concerns, and is “terrified” of the kids getting profiled or caught up in an enforcement action.
“It’s hard,” she told CNN. “I was crying because I was just like it’s a risk to go and protect my daughter and her classmates, but it’s also necessary to protect them.”"
[CNN Subscriber Only Report]
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/01/politics … -crackdownFlorida Says It Plans to End All Vaccine Mandates
The state would be the first to end all requirements, including for schoolchildren, rejecting a practice that public health experts have credited for decades with limiting the spread of infectious diseases.
Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo, the Florida surgeon general, made the announcement on Wednesday alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican. Mr. DeSantis rose to national prominence during the coronavirus pandemic, and over time he has espoused increasingly anti-vaccine views.
“Who am I to tell you what your child should put in their body?” Dr. Ladapo, a vocal denigrator of vaccines, said to applause during an event on Wednesday in Valrico, Fla., near Tampa. “Your body is a gift from God.”
He added that the administration would be “working to end” all vaccine mandates. “Every last one of them is wrong and drips with disdain and slavery,” Dr. Ladapo said.
Dr. Ladapo has faced repeated criticism from others in his field for his stances on public health. He allowed parents to choose whether to send unvaccinated children to school during a measles outbreak in Weston, Fla., in 2024, rejecting longstanding, evidence-based public health guidelines. The misinformation he spread about Covid vaccines prompted a public rebuke from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2023.
Mr. DeSantis, who appointed Dr. Ladapo as surgeon general in 2021, also announced the creation of a commission to align Florida with goals laid out by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s secretary of Health and Human Services and a vocal vaccine skeptic. The commission will be headed by Casey DeSantis, the governor’s wife.
Back to the caves, coming soon. SMHI think there is room certainly to modify the list down to a much smaller "required" amount.
After all...there are millions of us now in our 50s and older that made it here getting one fifth the vaccines required today.Since you made that argument, I am guessing you don't really understand why mass vaccinations are required to save millions of lives. I'll let AI summarize it for you:
Why require them
Protecting others, not just the child. Some diseases (especially measles) spread explosively—each case can infect 12–18 others without immunity. To stop chains of transmission, you typically need ~95% of people immune. School mandates are a proven way to keep coverage that high.
PubMed
Mayo Clinic
Real-world proof: outbreaks happen where coverage dips. The U.S. saw 1,249 measles cases across 22 outbreaks in 2019—driven by under-vaccinated pockets. CDC warns that when measles reaches communities with gaps, outbreaks follow.
CDC
+1
Vaccines work extremely well. Two MMR doses are about 97% effective against measles, which is why high coverage essentially stops spread.
CDC
+1
Coverage stays high when schools require it. CDC and health-policy research identify school-entry requirements as a key tool for sustaining high vaccination and low disease rates. (Without them, uptake falls unevenly and leaves “holes” big enough for outbreaks.)
CDC
Health Affairs
Law & ethics: preventing harm to others. For over a century, the Supreme Court has upheld vaccination requirements as a legitimate use of state “police powers” to protect public health (e.g., Jacobson v. Massachusetts in 1905; later cases upheld school-exclusion rules). The logic: your liberty doesn’t include exposing others—especially infants and the immunocompromised—to serious, preventable risk.
“Why everyone?” (Isn’t targeted protection enough?)
Targeted approaches (only vaccinating high-risk kids, or trying to “ring-vaccinate” after a case appears) don’t work well for measles-like diseases; they spread before you can react. Because kids mix intensely in schools, a universal, predictable rule at enrollment is the least burdensome way to keep the whole community—including babies, cancer patients, and kids who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons—safe.
Ladapo is clearly a quack and has zero regard for life.
Back to the thread subject, Trump's Bold Agenda to make America free of drugs that kill.
"The recent interception of 1,300 barrels of methamphetamine precursor chemicals, containing approximately 360,000 pounds of benzyl alcohol and 334,000 pounds of N-methylformamide, represents the largest meth precursor seizure in U.S. law enforcement history, thwarting the production of an estimated 420,000 pounds of meth worth over $569 million on the street. This historic accomplishment was made possible by a coordinated multi-agency effort involving Homeland Security, CBP, FBI, DEA, Department of Defense, and the Texas National Guard. Notably, the expedited enforcement was enabled by the designation of the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, a strategic move undertaken during the Trump administration. This seizure isn't just about stopping illicit substances; it’s a major blow against transnational cartel operations and the illegal chemical supply chain originating from Shanghai and bound for Mexico.
Trump is working on keeping promises.
What are your thoughts on Trump’s actions to prevent illegal drugs from reaching communities in the U.S.?Beyond ineffective and harmful tariffs, I wasn't aware of any specific new programs Trump instantiated to stop drugs from entering the US. Consequently, I asked AI. It turns out the reason I wasn't aware of any is because there were very few Trump initiatives. AI came up with:
* The 2018 STOP Act.
* Pressuring China to stop the flow in 2019 and ending the Chinese de minimis exemption in 2025. The worldwide de minimis exemption just started a few days ago.
* Maybe designation of cartels as "terrorists" organization.
That is it as far as I can find. Can you find others?
Now what you described above were great tactical successes.
But, does that mean Trump is being successful in beating the drug crises? The real answer is - we don't know yet, not enough data. But, what we do know is Trump 1.0 was more or less - meh.
Here are the FACTS developed through AI. There are very few good metrics to use to measure across time. They are 1) NFLIS Lab Reports, which is a proxy for drug availability), 2) Overdose deaths, and 3) Purity :
Trump 1.0
Fentanyl: Availability - increasing thru 2021; Deaths - large increase going into 2021; Purity - High
Meth: Availability - increasing; Deaths - increasing; Purity - very high
Cocaine: Availability - increasing; Deaths - increasing; Purity - stable/mixed
Biden
Fentanyl: Availability - increasing thru 2022 (data ends there); Deaths - decreasing rapidly going into 2024; Purity - trending down
Meth: Availability - increasing; Deaths - decreasing; Purity - very high
Cocaine: Availability - increasing; Deaths - decreasing; Purity - stable/mixed
Trump 2.0
Fentanyl: Availability - TBD; Deaths - provisionally still going down; Purity - trending down
Meth: Availability - TBD; Deaths - provisionally mixed/slightly down; Purity - very high
Cocaine: Availability - TBD; Deaths - provisionally mixed/slightly down; Purity - stable/mixed
For heroin and abused prescriptions both are down mainly due to substitution with other things, mainly fentanyl.
So, what can be said about Trump?
1. We don't know if he is keeping his promise or not.
2. He got a short-term tactical success recently
3. His long-term effectiveness is to be determined but Biden had it heading in the right direction.Here’s a clear comparison of drug confiscations—i.e., major law enforcement seizures—during the Biden administration (2021–2024) versus the first 9 months of Trump’s second term (Jan 20 to early Sep 2025):
1. Biden Administration (2021–2024)
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program: Provided $298 million (FY 2023) to law enforcement across all 50 states. In 2023, HIDTA-supported agencies removed more than 9,000 kg of fentanyl and over 117 million fentanyl pills, and disrupted or dismantled over 3,000 drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. (turn0search6
)
General statement: The Biden administration emphasized seizing "historic amounts of illicit drugs at our border"—notably, more fentanyl was interdicted at ports of entry in the past two fiscal years than in the previous five fiscal years combined. (turn0search6
)
Global enforcement and sanctions: Executive Order 14059 (Dec 2021) enabled sanctions on foreign actors in the illicit drug trade; efforts included targeting precursor chemicals and disrupting supply chains globally. (turn0search30
, turn0search7
)
Summary for Biden:
Fentanyl (pills): ~117 million pills
Fentanyl (powder/kilograms): Over 9,000 kg
Organizations dismantled: Over 3,000
Aggressive border interdictions and new detection tech
2. Trump’s Second Term (Jan 20 – Sep ~4, 2025)
DEA & DOJ seizures (first half of 2025):
44 million fentanyl pills
4,500 lbs of fentanyl powder (~2,041 kg)
~65,000 lbs of methamphetamine (~29,484 kg)
~201,500 lbs of cocaine (~91,400 kg)
2,105 fentanyl-related arrests
(turn0search3
)
Fentanyl seizures through April 30, 2025:
Over 22.2 million fentanyl pills
3,100 lbs of fentanyl powder (~1,406 kg)
Represents 119 million lethal doses
(Note: These may overlap with the DOJ total; numbers may reflect different reporting scopes or time slices.) (turn0search10
)
Precursor chemical seizure (early September 2025):
1,300 barrels of meth precursors containing:
360,000 lbs of benzyl alcohol
334,000 lbs of n-methyl formaldehyde
Estimated potential to produce 420,000 lbs of methamphetamine (~190,500 kg)
Street value: ~$569 million
(turn0news14
, turn0news16
)
3. Side-by-Side Comparison
Metric Biden (2021–2023/24) Trump 2nd Term (Jan–Sep 2025)
Fentanyl pills seized ~117 million 22–44 million (first half of 2025)
Fentanyl powder seized Included within HIDTA total (9,000 kg+) ~2,041 kg (4,500 lbs)
Methamphetamine seized Not specified ~29,484 kg (65,000 lbs)
Cocaine seized Not specified ~91,400 kg (201,500 lbs)
Precursor chemicals seized International actions Massive meth-precursor haul (420,000 lbs potential)
Arrests & organizations >3,000 disrupted; sanctions applied 2,105 fentanyl-related arrests
Insights & Context
Scale: Biden-era seizures, especially fentanyl pills (117 million), exceed what's reported in Trump’s 2025 first half (22–44 million). However, Trump’s term includes significant seizures across multiple drug categories (meth, cocaine) and a huge precursor chemical haul not mirrored in the Biden data.
Focus: Biden emphasized broad suppression of fentanyl and precursor supply chains through cooperation, sanctions, and HIDTA enforcement. Trump’s term features high-profile, large-scale seizures and precursor interceptions, likely enabled by his "terrorist organization" designations and enhanced enforcement posture.
Data clarity: Biden-era figures are multi-year cumulative totals; Trump-era figures are partial-year only. It's possible Trump’s totals for a full year could approach or exceed Biden’s, depending on trends.
The Trump administration has shown real strength—willing to blow a drug boat to pieces on open water. The message couldn’t be clearer: if you try to move chemicals for drug production, you risk being incinerated. By destroying the supply before it even reaches the labs, Trump is making it harder for these drugs to ever be produced in the first place. So simple. Wonder why this had not been thought of before.....From everything I’ve found, Trump’s second-term move of blowing up a drug-chemical boat on open water is unusual, and I haven’t seen evidence that any other U.S. president directly ordered boats carrying precursor chemicals for drugs to be destroyed in that manner. Trump makes it all look so simple and shines a glaring light on the ineptness of other administrations."Pentagon officials were still working Wednesday on what legal authority they would tell the public was used to back up the extraordinary strike in international waters."
Any legal authority? Or should we just blow up boats on what we assume is in them?
According to legal experts, the Trump administration lacked clear legal authority under U.S. and international law to blow up the boat, a significant departure from standard drug interdiction practices. Critics have pointed out that the established process for suspected smuggling involves intercepting and boarding vessels, not using lethal force. (AI)You divert. Seems you are not interested in the comparison of drug confiscations.
I will only offer a view --- The U.S. government has not publicly detailed the legal basis for these strikes, and I’ll leave the legal questions to the courts. As for me, I’m thrilled to see a president actually taking direct action to stop drugs at their source, truly a bold move. It makes you wonder why no one else ever thought of this. Half full: finally, someone is doing something to prevent these drugs from ever being made.
The Trump administration has also indicated that similar operations will continue, marking a new phase in the U.S. counter-narcotics strategy. I could not be more pleased to see the guy I voted for taking a bold move to decrease drug production. In my view, He puts all who came before him to shame in terms of effectiveness. I will end the conversation, share my view on your concern, and nothing more to add.Thrilled to see our government blow up boats with no clear legal authority? Okay. What if the boat had nothing to do with drugs smuggling?
"Seems you are not interested in the comparison of drug confiscations."
I can have interest in both at the same time. I find it somewhat troubling that we obliterate a boat in international waters and maybe ask questions later...Just pointing out you diverted from an ongoing conversation. You certainly have the right to share your opinion, as you have done. It seems you are insinuating that the Pentagon did not know what the target was. As I said, I will let the legal eagles handle "if it comes".
Shoot now .... Blow up now... Let the lawyers handle it later. Okie doke
Shoot now .... Blow up now... Let the lawyers handle it later. Okie doke" Willow
Sort of what you seem to do regarding "If comes"... Say whatever comes to mind, no matter factual or not. You just insinuated the Pentagon blew up a boat, possibly not knowing what was on the boat. Sort of stoot (insult) now, ask for facts later. Your comment seems very hypocritical.They have not provided anything that indicates they knew what was on that boat....
As of September 4, 2025, the Pentagon has not provided proof that drugs were on the boat destroyed by a U.S. military strike in the Caribbean on or around September 2. Both the White House and the Pentagon have declined to offer specific evidence to the public.
Isn't the procedure to apprehend the vessel and question those on board?
The bigger question is.. does anyone give a shit?I do, I consider the attack on a vessel in international waters as unprovoked and the Trump administration needs to be held accountable for piracy on the high seas.
"Trump administration needs to be held accountable for piracy on the high seas"
Comedy Gold. This is great.Next, they will have Trump walking the plank --- OMG
You’re funny, “walking the plank”, I should have made that one up.
The problem is that why not wait until any suspected vessel crosses into the American 3 mile limit, or whatever is acknowledged as such? Stop the vessel make the proper inquiries, confiscations and or arrests? Trumps so called intelligence authorizing such an attack as fool proof and blowing up a vessel does not allow that determination to be made. Giving Trump the authority to operate contrary to international law in designated areas of international waters sets a dangerous precedent.
He has a style instead of not asking permission, acting recklessly and asking for forgiveness later. Add that on to a surreptitious style of removing people without due process in the cover of darkness, the big picture begins to emerge.
What would we say if Iran attacked an American vessel in international waters? In my mind, the “rules” must apply equally to all or they mean nothing.
So, “Pirate” as far as Trump is concerned is the correct designation.“Ahoy, mate!”
I understand the concern about international law and precedent, but let’s step back and consider the reality of modern narco-terrorist operations. If the U.S. waits until a suspected vessel actually crosses into our 3-mile limit, it may already be too late. By then, the drugs are in distribution chains, and the very cartels that destabilize entire regions gain more power and profit. These aren’t fishing boats mistaken for smugglers; they are vessels tracked, monitored, and confirmed by multiple intelligence layers before action is taken.
What Trump authorized wasn’t random or reckless; it was preemptive. The cartels have long exploited international waters as a shield, knowing that traditional interdiction rules make it cumbersome to stop them. Striking outside our coastal boundary sends a message: you can’t just hover in “neutral” territory, smuggling poison, and expect immunity until you touch U.S. soil. That deterrence is a legitimate national security tool.
The comparison to Iran doesn’t hold because Iran attacking a U.S. vessel would be an act against a sovereign nation and its military, not a strike against non-state criminal organizations designated as terrorist actors. There’s a difference between targeting narco-terrorists trafficking fentanyl and cocaine and a state launching unprovoked attacks on another state’s navy.
Calling Trump a “pirate” ignores the fundamental context: pirates don’t operate under lawful authority, but the President, as commander in chief, does. You may disagree with the scope of his authority, but constitutionally and practically, the U.S. government has long taken extraordinary measures abroad when the threat justified it. The alternative, waiting politely at our 3-mile line, gives every advantage to violent criminal gangs who play by no rules at all.
Do you not want to see the flow of drugs slowed down? And is it really too much to give credit where credit is due? My gosh, this man is tackling problems that no other president has even touched, issues Americans have been frustrated with for decades. The endless bureaucracy, the government machine that accomplishes next to nothing, he’s taking it on headfirst.
You can dislike him, you can hope his term ends quickly, but pause for a moment and recognize that he is trying to solve problems that have been ignored for years. He’s doing it against a political party that has lost its footing, stuck on a path of obstruction and chaos, trying to make everything about Trump and fuel hate. All of this only proves they’ve lost the fight. Maybe, just maybe, give credit where it’s due.There is no “credit due” in this case, Sharlee
If there are no boundaries or limits, Trump can attack any vessel any time he wants and make an excuse later. I neither trust his inclinations, judgement nor actions.
If every nation in the world does the same, what constitutes “international waters”?
We need to police our 3 mile limit more carefully, instead of breaking international law with such an assault. This boat was sunk in the Southern Caribbean, no where near the United States, so I can’t buy the line about timing of the interdiction and all of that. The attack was more provocative than preemptive as some sort of political message to Venezuela. I just don’t like bullies, in general.
And Trump had proof of the destination and intentions of such a craft so far away from American soil? I doubt it. I don’t like that about conservatives, I say, if we don’t play by the rules, why would we expect anyone else
to?
Yes, I believe that he has gone beyond the scope of his authority as President and as America has as leader of the free world, so we all thought.
You can have “lawful authority”, yet abuse it all the same. That is not a new concept.
Slow down the flow of drugs, but do it within the confines of the law. I am not like conservatives where the end always justifies the means. If you are going to tackle a problem, do it properly. With stuff like this, he is merely making more problems than he solves.
Yes, I am of bated breath waiting to see him dispensed with sooner rather than later, the midterms might well be the opening I am looking for. And yes, everything is about Trump, as a walking, talking catastrophe on the both domestic and international stages.
All in my humble opinion, of course.Personally, I can't "step back" when people die because Trump broke the law. Kill them legally, if you must kill them.
Isn't it ironic that to the Right, Trump and America following the law is not relevant. It only becomes relevant when you are talking about immigrants, who, relatively speaking, jaywalked when crossing the border. What hypocrisy.Did Trump follow US and international law when he blew up a boat an international water?
I asked the same question --- What law? These allegations have already been handled by Congress, as they are the final body the president has to answer to. I am so disgusted with reading these kinds of ungrounded posts. We have facts on this matter ---- It is over and done.
In the aftermath of the September 2, 2025, strike on the Venezuelan boat, there were renewed calls for impeachment. On September 4, Representative Al Green (D-TX) introduced House Resolution 537, charging President Trump with "high crimes and misdemeanors" for allegedly abusing presidential powers by usurping Congress's authority to declare war. The resolution specifically cited the Caribbean boat strike as an example of this overreach. However, the resolution was tabled on the same day it was introduced, with a vote of 344-79.
But those with TDS really need to chew on this one a while --- My God how ridiculous.
He is just trying to provoke Venezuela, so he can have a distraction big enough to finally get out of the Epstein mess.
"If there are no boundaries or limits, Trump can attack any vessel any time he wants and make an excuse later. I neither trust his inclinations, judgment nor actions." Cred
Wait, has he been formally accused of breaking the law at this point? Or are you speaking about an "if come"? Only the Congress could handle this situation--- and they did ---
In the aftermath of the September 2, 2025, strike on the Venezuelan boat, there were renewed calls for impeachment. On September 4, Representative Al Green (D-TX) introduced House Resolution 537, charging President Trump with "high crimes and misdemeanors" for allegedly abusing presidential powers by usurping Congress's authority to declare war. The resolution specifically cited the Caribbean boat strike as an example of this overreach. However, the resolution was tabled on the same day it was introduced, with a vote of 344-79.
Another for the destroy first, ask questions later crowd?
Are you serious?
So, you believe that a country with one of the most advanced and proficient intelligence networks of any country in the world didn't know what was on the boat that got destroyed? Is that what you're telling me?
I'm sure that all the members of the Venezuelan drug cartels appreciate your concern. I wouldn't put it beyond democrat politicians to visit go to Venezuela and visit with the families of the drug cartel members who were killed on the boat.
Maybe democrats should get together and start a go fund me page for the drug cartel members that lost their lives. Heck, why not start one for the drug cartels themselves since they probably took a huge financial hit by having that boat destroyed.
After all, criminals and illegal aliens are two things' democrats love most in life.
And they wonder why they're so unpopular with law-abiding citizens and legal immigrants.
Willow, a interesting article on Trumps attack on the Venuzualan vessel. Note how the administration is reticent on providing the details justifying such attacks.
Trump Is Crossing a Line That Dates Back to the Revolution
https://www.theatlantic.com/national-se … aign=shareFantastic article. I am completely bewildered that folks are willing to accept this. But it all does fit into his larger plan doesn't it? Using the military to fight crime rather than relying on law enforcement.
Cred,
The left always has bad memories and selective outrage.
Where was the anger when obama used drone strikes in foreign countries to kill American citizens? Why is the left okay with the death of American citizens in a foreign country by the US military ordered by a US president?
"On Wednesday, the Obama administration publicly acknowledged for the first time that four Americans were killed in drone strikes since 2009as part of U.S. counterterrorism activities surrounding al Qaeda . Of the four, only one of them, Anwar al-Awlaki, was targeted, according to Attorney General Eric Holder in a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy. The following are descriptions of the four men killed in drone operations."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/who-were-t … e-strikes/Speaking of selective memory - there was plenty of anger from the Left over what Obama did. It was also never declared illegal.
https://www.aclu.org/news/national-secu … hatgpt.comThat article wasn't anger, but a strong disagreement.
There were no democrat members of the US Senate or Congress that objected to it. obama was not challenged by any member of his party on this issue. It was not declared illegal as it had never been done before. There were no laws to cover it.
Well, Mike, as the late Paul Harvey used to say “time for the rest of the story”. The part of the story that you “inadvertently omitted”.
In May 2013, the Obama administration, through a letter from Attorney General Eric Holder to Congress, officially acknowledged that U.S. drone strikes had killed four American citizens overseas since 2009. The disclosure was made public just before President Obama gave a major speech on counterterrorism.
The four Americans killed were:
Anwar al-Awlaki: A senior al-Qaeda leader in the Arabian Peninsula, who was the specific target of a drone strike in Yemen in September 2011. The administration defended his targeted killing as lawful and just.
Abdulrahman al-Awlaki: Anwar al-Awlaki's 16-year-old son, who was killed in a separate strike in Yemen in October 2011. The administration admitted he was not the intended target.
Samir Khan: An American citizen and al-Qaeda propagandist, who was killed alongside Anwar al-Awlaki in the September 2011 strike in Yemen. He was also not a specific target.
Jude Kennan Mohammad: A U.S. citizen indicted in North Carolina on terrorism charges, who was killed in a drone strike in Pakistan in November 2011. He was also not a specific target.
Obama later expressed regret for the deaths of non-combatant hostages in a separate drone strike in 2015. However, his administration's 2013 announcement confirmed that several American citizens had been killed as a result of U.S. counterterrorism operations, though only one was an intended target.
———-
These casualties were not deliberate, Trumps slaughter of 11 people on a fishing boat was. Sounds like to me that these individuals that were killed were in alliance with the target in a way that put them at risk. Would that be an unreasonable assumption on my part? Sort of ridiculous you trying to compare pineapples with handgranades? I would say that your justification is more than just a little disingenuous.
Cred, calling this “piracy” is ridiculous. These were cartel drug runners, not innocent sailors, spreading deadly drugs that kill Americans. Trump has declared war on the cartels, this should’ve been done years ago. Finally, a president willing to say, “no more.” So, all you who claim to be progressive, stand back, you’re acting like the Republicans of old. The Democrats of old would have applauded a bold action to help in our drug war. You guys… oh my, I’ll stop there. Or maybe just an old quote, a bit of levity, "Buckle up, Buttercup."
I trust the President knew what was in the boat and who was in the boat. I also trust he will continue to take such actions every time it is required.
Honest question - why would you trust a man proven to be a pathological liar? And the people he has hired are not far behind him.
Not that I mind drug smugglers getting blown out of the water, it still must be done legally. And with this administrations habit of lying about almost everything, I have no confidence they hit the right target.
Exactly! My god, what if these were just fishermen? I've read that there were 11 people in the boat. Supposedly, smuggling boats have his little crew as possible in order to maximize space for drugs...
I did consider seizures until I realized there are too many variables to make them reliable over time, so, as a trained professional analyst, I dropped them for better metrics.
Public Reporting
DEA and CBP publish annual reports summarizing total drug seizures, trends, and geographic data.
Records generally include drug type, weight, location, date, agency involved, and origin.
These records form the basis for enforcement analysis, policy-making, and public awareness.
the U.S. maintains detailed records of drug seizures through several federal agencies. Here’s how it works:
Key Agencies & Record-Keeping
DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)
Tracks seizures of illegal drugs, precursor chemicals, and paraphernalia.
Maintains databases like STRIDE (System to Retrieve Information from Drug Evidence) and NFLIS (National Forensic Laboratory Information System) for analysis of confiscated substances.
CBP (Customs and Border Protection)
Records seizures at ports of entry, airports, and border crossings.
Tracks both illegal drugs and drug-making chemicals entering the U.S.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
Monitors cross-border smuggling operations, including clandestine shipments of precursor chemicals.
FBI & Coast Guard
Involved in seizures on waterways and maritime drug-smuggling operations.
What’s Tracked
Type of substance (fentanyl, meth, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, precursor chemicals)
Weight and quantity
Location and date of seizure
Source or suspected origin
Agency conducting the seizure
Public Reporting
Annual reports from DEA and CBP summarize total seizures, trends, and geographic data.
Data is generally reliable for understanding trends, though there may be reporting lags and updates after investigations conclude.
So yes, drug seizures in the U.S. are well-documented and tracked across multiple agencies, which allows policymakers, law enforcement, and the public to monitor trends in trafficking and substance distribution.
Were you aware of this Bold Agenda fallout
"Why your health insurance copays, deductibles and premiums will probably surge next year"
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/04/business … t-increaseFinding the Missing: Trump’s Efforts to Account for Unaccompanied Children
In recent months, the Trump administration has made headlines for its efforts to track down and reunite unaccompanied migrant children who went missing during the Biden administration. Many of these children had been released to sponsors, but government follow-ups had failed, leaving their whereabouts unknown. Trump officials put resources into locating these children, often working with law enforcement and international partners to ensure the kids were accounted for.
The Trump administration asserted that it had located or "rescued" more than 13,000 children who were previously unaccounted for after being released to sponsors under the Biden administration. Reports indicate that some of these children were reunited with their families in their home countries or placed into foster care under HHS supervision. Additionally, law enforcement reportedly arrested several hundred abusive or criminal sponsors.
While the full scope of the effort is still unfolding, the administration has framed these actions as a step toward accountability and child protection. By focusing on locating children who slipped through the cracks, the government is attempting to address what had become a serious humanitarian concern.
Ongoing: The search for unaccompanied children is still active. Federal agencies, including ICE, FBI, DEA, and ATF, continue to conduct welfare checks, sponsor vetting, and identity verification using tools like DNA testing and fingerprinting. As of the latest reports, about 13,000 children have been located, with some reunited with families and others placed in foster care. Several hundred sponsors have been arrested for abuse or trafficking. Court challenges remain, and large numbers of children are still unaccounted for, meaning the operation is expected to continue for months ahead.
Pleased to see children are being found, and in many cases, being reunited with their families, and out of harm's way.Lol he actually put 800 Guatemalan children, who had not yet received their due process, on a plane in the middle of the night on a holiday weekend....
And as far as "rescuing" others in the system, once they've been placed with a sponsor here,...
"After an unaccompanied minor is placed with a sponsor, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) conducts follow-up calls to check on the child's safety and well-being. While sponsors and minors are not legally required to answer these calls, a lack of contact can raise concerns and may lead to further action by immigration officials. " (AI)
NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN THAT RULE FROM BIDEN TO TRUMP...Just as I thought, most of that is just political spin.
The Truth is this from ChatGPT with sources:
Short answer: the “Trump is tracking down missing children” line is mostly spin. Federal teams like the U.S. Marshals and NCMEC do this work under any president—and they’ve done high-profile child-recovery sweeps in both administrations. Claims that Trump personally “found” tens of thousands of “missing” kids conflate law-enforcement recoveries with immigration-system follow-ups and have been flagged as misleading.
[Department of Justice, U.S. Marshals Service, PolitiFact, AP News]
What’s actually true
Child-recovery ops happen routinely.
• Under Biden (2024), the U.S. Marshals ran a six-week national surge (“We Will Find You 2”) and located 200 critically missing children (endangered runaways and family abductions). That’s standard Marshals work, not unique to a president.
[Department of Justice]
• Under Trump (2020), the Marshals’ “Operation Not Forgotten” in Georgia recovered 39 missing/endangered kids—widely cited later on social media (sometimes with exaggerated trafficking claims).
[U.S. Marshals Service, Snopes]
* Big “Biden lost 300,000 kids” claims are misleading (putting it politely).
Fact-checks and oversight reports say the “missing” language usually means HHS/ORR couldn’t reach a sponsor by phone on follow-up, not that the children vanished. There are real tracking gaps—but it’s not the same as tens of thousands of abducted kids.
[AP News, Office of Inspector General, Office of Inspector General]
Trump-era & Trump-2.0 talking points.
In July 2025, DHS publicly asserted it had “located 13,000” of the children it says the prior administration “lost.” Independent reporting has repeatedly warned that framing is inaccurate (again, being polite); it conflates contact-failures with missing-person cases. Use caution with those numbers.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The Washington Post
How did Biden do?
Marshals recoveries continued and scaled (see the 200-child 2024 surge).
Department of Justice
Family-separation redress: Biden created a Family Reunification Task Force. By Apr. 16, 2024, DHS reported 4,656 children identified as in-scope and 3,225 reunifications completed (some pre-task-force, most through it). Independent groups still counted ~1,360 not yet reunited by late 2024—highlighting ongoing harm and complexity.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
+1
Human Rights Watch
System weaknesses acknowledged: Federal watchdogs under Biden also documented ORR and ICE follow-up/monitoring gaps with unaccompanied minors—problems that span administrations and aren’t “solved” by rhetoric.
Office of Inspector General
Office of Inspector General
Reality check on “missing children” numbers
Most U.S. “missing child” cases are runaways and family custody issues that resolve without a dramatic rescue. In 2024, NCMEC assisted on 29,568 cases and says 91% were brought home; FBI NCIC logged hundreds of thousands of missing-person entries yearly (most later cleared). These are not presidential trophies; they’re the steady grind of local/federal work.
NCMEC
Federal Bureau of Investigation
OJJDP
Bottom line: Both administrations oversaw legitimate recoveries by the Marshals and partners. Trump-era boasts that he “found” huge numbers of “missing” children mostly rebrand immigration contact problems as rescue tallies; Biden oversaw sizeable recovery operations and a structured reunification effort for children separated in Trump’s first term, while still struggling with the same tracking gaps that watchdogs keep flagging.
Department of Justice
PolitiFact
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Office of Inspector GeneralYou have misquoted me ---
"Just as I thought, most of that is just political spin.
The Truth is this from ChatGPT with sources:
Short answer: the “Trump is tracking down missing children” line is mostly spin. " ECO
I did not use the words “Trump is tracking down missing children”
I have no interest in what Biden did or did not do.
Don't missquote me--- this is not the first time, and I don't appreciate it.
Sharlee01 wrote:
Finding the Missing: Trump’s Efforts to Account for Unaccompanied Children
In recent months, the Trump administration has made headlines for its efforts to track down and reunite unaccompanied migrant children who went missing during the Biden administration. Many of these children had been released to sponsors, but government follow-ups had failed, leaving their whereabouts unknown. Trump officials put resources into locating these children, often working with law enforcement and international partners to ensure the kids were accounted for.
The Trump administration asserted that it had located or "rescued" more than 13,000 children who were previously unaccounted for after being released to sponsors under the Biden administration. Reports indicate that some of these children were reunited with their families in their home countries or placed into foster care under HHS supervision. Additionally, law enforcement reportedly arrested several hundred abusive or criminal sponsors.
While the full scope of the effort is still unfolding, the administration has framed these actions as a step toward accountability and child protection. By focusing on locating children who slipped through the cracks, the government is attempting to address what had become a serious humanitarian concern.
Ongoing: The search for unaccompanied children is still active. Federal agencies, including ICE, FBI, DEA, and ATF, continue to conduct welfare checks, sponsor vetting, and identity verification using tools like DNA testing and fingerprinting. As of the latest reports, about 13,000 children have been located, with some reunited with families and others placed in foster care. Several hundred sponsors have been arrested for abuse or trafficking. Court challenges remain, and large numbers of children are still unaccounted for, meaning the operation is expected to continue for months ahead.
Pleased to see children are being found, and in many cases, being reunited with their families, and out of harm's way.
This should wake most people up to the problem the Biden administration caused due to a lack of policies and a lack of problem-solving solving.Would he be doing anything to change the regulations that once these children are placed that they don't have to return the government's phone calls?
Diverting --- not interested in your question.
Seems like that would be a common sense change... If not, it shows a lack of problem solving.
Not surprised, Trump is indefensible, so don't.
"Seems like that would be a common sense change... If not, it shows a lack of problem solving." Willow
Yes, common sense would be the key to this problem.
So again, I ask, did the Biden administration change that rule? It became very apparent after they were unable to reach over 290,000 homes caring for unaccompanied children. If any administration were going to address the rule, it would have been to make caregivers responsible for answering phone calls.
I always question your logic, especially when it so often backfires on you. Very odd.
Wow! Can't believe you would ask that --- LOL right back a yout you --- Did the Biden administration do anything to change the regulations that once these children are placed that they don't have to return the government's phone calls?
You are diverting --- did I hit a nerve?Aren't we talking about Trump, not Biden?
Trump has ordered door-to-door... Biden already put these children in harm's way. Phone calls just don't hack it under the Trump administration.
So let's talk about what Trump has found, and what he is doing about the horrific situation Biden caused.
"The Trump administration has undertaken significant efforts to locate and protect unaccompanied migrant children who were reportedly lost or exploited during the previous administration. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), over 300,000 unaccompanied children were placed with unvetted sponsors, leading to instances of abuse and trafficking. In response, the administration has located approximately 13,000 of these children and is working to ensure their safety"
Below are examples of DHS law enforcement’s heroic actions rescuing children:
On June 16, 2025, during a HSI worksite enforcement operation targeting employers and subcontractors who knowingly hire illegal aliens, HSI Mobile identified and rescued a child and arrested eight foreign nationals for violations of immigration law. The child was found to be working among adults and was believed to have never attended school since entering the United States two years ago.
On May 28, 2025, HSI New York special agents arrested an adult male subject from Ecuador at his residence for violations relating to the sexual exploitation of a child. New York received information related to a 15-year-old female who was apprehended near El Paso, Texas, after illegally entering the United States. At that time, she was pregnant with the adult male’s child and had been in a relationship with him in Ecuador since the age of thirteen. The subject organized the smuggling of the young teenager across the U.S. border to engage in sexual acts. The subject’s mother sponsored her after her illegal entry, and the subject continued his relationship with the children, living together with his mother in Harlem.
On May 12, 2025, HSI Austin reported the identification and rescue of a child, the arrest of two Guatemalan nationals for violation of immigration law, and the initiation of an HSI-led investigation of state and federal charges of human trafficking and statutory rape. During a welfare check, HSI Agents, with the assistance of the FBI, identified a pregnant 14-year-old female residing with an unrelated adult male sponsor, later determined to be the biological father of the unborn child.
On May 1, 2025, HSI Newark conducted a welfare check in East Orange, NJ. Three minors, ages 17, 16, and 15, were encountered at the residence and were observed to not be attending school. During the check, it was determined the sponsor was not living with the minors. They were living in filthy conditions with active mouse infestations. The residence was void of food. An HSI forensic interview of the minors revealed alleged verbal, physical, and sexual abuse of the three minors, along with potential labor exploitation.
On June 24, 2025, HSI Nashville reported the identification of one child victim and one adult victim of labor trafficking. During an immigration court proceeding, the child victim disclosed that she and her 18-year-old brother had been forced by their sponsor to work to pay off their smuggling fees and to pay the sponsor's household expenses.
BOTTOM LINE: President Trump and Secretary Noem take the responsibility to protect children seriously and will continue to work with federal law enforcement to reunite children with their families.
https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/07/25/dhs … hatgpt.com
[b]"Hundreds of (hardworking, taxpaying, goods and services buying) undocumented immigrants apprehended in massive ICE raid at Hyundai plant in Georgia"[b]
I'm glad I bought my Hyundai in December before Trump made it impossible to do.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/05/us/georg … rested-hnk
Trump sure doesn't solve problems but he causes a ton of them:
* Higher inflation
* Much higher debt
* Nearly flat GDP growth
* More war in Ukraine
* More suffering in Gaza
* Higher chances of recession
* Millions more without health insurance
* Ostracizing of America
* An ineffective federal gov't (save for ICE) due to layoffs
* A failing healthcare system much worse than before
* Near Authoritarianism
* Gun-toting soldiers in American streets ready to kill Americans
* Dismantling of Public Integrity Safeguards
* Graft and corruption in the Oval office
* Increasing global warming
* Deaths of millions of people
I could go on.No. 600 children, loaded onto a plane, in the middle of the night, on a holiday weekend.... None of which received their due process.
YIKES ! You completely diverted, again
"Hundreds of (hardworking, taxpaying, goods and services buying) undocumented immigrants apprehended in massive ICE raid at Hyundai plant in Georgia" ECO
Sharlee01 wrote:
Do you believe in our immigration laws? These people were here illegally and will be deported via our laws.
Not willing to jump off the subject. You have diverted to a different issue. Which is now in the hands of the courts to rule on the legality. I trust the case will go the course, before legalities are ruled on. I don't discuss "if comes".Oh yes Hyundai...
Nothing screams 'open for business' like zip-tying 300 South Korean engineers at a $12.6B Hyundai site, Operation Low Voltage turning diplomacy into a short circuit....LOL
HSI chief Steven Schrank bragged that the raid was 'the largest single site ever', 475 detained, including B-1 business visitors.
Hyundai says none were direct employees, yet the admin's 3,000-a-day quota had to be fed. Two weeks after Seoul signed a $350B deal, its citizens ride a detention bus while DHS ICE BARBIE Noem stays silent.
Keep feeding quotas and starving the economy!
How do you know they were here illegally - just because Trump said so?, lol. Hyundai says they were here legally and they have much more veracity than Trump.
I ask my question again, why are you not bothered by all of Trump's illegal and corrupt activities. It seems to me that if you can't condemn that, wouldn't you lose credibility to condemn anyone else's minor crimes?
You certainly can't trust Trump to solve problems, only create them. Now, he is taking the wonderful Job Growth that Biden left him and is trashing it with his problem causing "solutions".
"US economy added just 22,000 jobs in August, unemployment rises to highest level in nearly four years"
I wonder which messenger Trump will fire now? Maybe he will simple impound bad news and only let good news (for him) reach the public. Maybe he will simply dismantle BLS and make the publishing of news Trump doesn't like illegal. Isn't that what Authoritarians who are good at their job do?
https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/ … ugust-2025And there is a reason for that, to put pressure on the Fed to lower interest rates.
Method to the madness... this one was pretty obvious.What???
This post appears to be claiming that Trump is purposely tanking the economy so that the FED will lower rates? But every other garbled word out of his mouth is that we are the "hottest" country in the world??
How about taking responsibility for implementing job killing policies?
Trump's nominee to run the Bureau of Labor Statistics ran an anonymous Twitter account filled with sexually degrading attacks on Kamala Harris, anti-gay slurs, and far-right conspiracy theories.....THE BEST PEOPLE LOL
Trump’s BLS Nominee E. J. Antoni Faces Senate Scrutiny Over Controversial Past | Ukraine news - #Mezha https://share.google/23YgPEX5rYMo7sWksthe agenda doesn't appear to be going very well does it?
BRUTAL JOBS REPORT: Just 22,000 jobs added in August. Unemployment rises to 4.3%. Broader jobless rate jumps to 8.1%. Slowest 4-month growth since 2020. Plus, downward revisions for June and July of -21,000. Yikes....Let me expand on that with FACTs
First, Trump is proving he specifically and conservatives in general don't know how to keep a good economy running. In case after case, as I make clear in my book, conservatives tanked a good economy. This will just add one more I can put in my book.
As to jobs, here are the highlights from the attached report:
* America needs about 100,000 new jobs a month to keep up with population growth. (of course as Trump reduces America's population, that number may come down.)
* Trump has created only 107,000 jobs in the last FOUR months total
* June's job numbers were revised into NEGATIVE territory, the first time since 2020 and the pandemic (he doesn't have a pandemic to blame that on, does he)
* People voted for Trump to INCREASE manufacturing jobs. So far he has LOST 78,000 (is that really "solving" a problem?)
Trump is failing.
I have run out of time, so I will leave it at that unless someone wants to challenge those FACTS.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/05/politics … ump-agenda
The Hyundai debacle is quite an embarrassment.
"Most of the nearly 500 people arrested in a massive raid at a Hyundai plant Thursday were South Korean citizens, said Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Steve Schrank, who oversaw the operation. The New York Times reported that the detainees included employees and executives at two South Korean companies, Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solutions, a battery manufacturer....
Now South Korea seems seriously pissed.
In a statement Friday, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry warned that the “economic activities of Korean investment companies and the rights and interests of Korean citizens must not be unfairly infringed upon during U.S. law enforcement operations.”
The Foreign Ministry added that it would dispatch diplomats to respond to the raid and that it had urged the U.S. Embassy in Seoul “to exercise extreme caution” in regard to the rights of Korean citizens...."
LOL WHO WOULD WANT TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS COUNTRY UNDER THIS INCOMPETENT BUNCHSoule needs to call our Ambassador in for a dressing down.
Most of the South Korean nationals detained at the Hyundai–LG battery plant construction site in Georgia appear to have entered the United States legally, but the issue was that many were working outside the scope of their visas. Reports note that some individuals were on short-term business or visitor visas, which do not permit physical labor or construction work. Hyundai and LG have stressed that these individuals were subcontractors rather than direct employees, but the investigation has highlighted visa misuse and questionable hiring practices among the firms involved. In effect, the controversy centers less on illegal entry and more on a mismatch between the legal status the workers held and the type of work they were performing, which has created diplomatic tensions and embarrassment for both the companies and U.S.–South Korea relations.
https://apnews.com/article/us-south-kor … 7ae998ac05
https://www.ft.com/content/750a3d08-bd1 … hatgpt.comThis is nothing but pure incompetence and buffoonery... Hallmarks of this regime.
I shared all the facts I could find and will stick with what I’ve learned. I also read the article that GA posted, which provides a very thorough description of the investigation, the lead-up, and the raid itself. It includes quotes from people directly involved, which add important context. The article lays out the situation clearly, and I consider the raid a success. I fully support the efforts of ICE in carrying out its duties. I support all deportations of migrants who have been given a legal due process, and deemed illegal in my Nation. So, this raid was justified in my view.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/06/us/georg … d-timeline
I will wait for independent verification of what the gov't alleges.
Did you see this CNN story?
Inside the raid: How a months-long federal immigration operation led to 475 arrests at a Hyundai plant in Georgia
Looks like this was an 'operation' more than an immigration raid.
GAYou think that after a month, that this Administration would have sorted it out more effectively, wouldn't you? If these are the results of a month's worth of work.. looks all the more like buffoonery. I was promised that the most violent and dangerous criminals were going to be ejected from this country. And what do we have here? Businessman from Korea? Oh yes and actual American citizens being swept up in these performances LOL.
I'm thinking that they should have hid the part about it being a month long operation..I don't know enough to have an opinion on that.
GA
Yes, I did and yes, that is what it appears to be.
Completely incredible. Lutnick and Trump brag about getting South Korea to invest billions in the U.S., then turn around and arrest South Koreans who were here temporarily in the U.S. to help Hyundai set up a factory in Georgia. The stupidity burns....
Thanks for posting the article. Interesting, informative and enlightening with more than one light shined on the topic.
In my weirdness the one thing that stood out most for me is as quoted from the article, "Masked and armed agents gave orders."
I have funny questions popping in and out of my gray matter. One is how far back is Hyundai going to be with producing EV for the market this year? If I remember from the article it was the battery plant that had a focus. So, which EV vehicles will be affected - cars and/or equipment? One other is, what prompted the motivation to begin the investigation to begin with?You must be wrong!! "Masked and Armed Agents" is how they do it in dictatorships and not in America. Oh, my apologies, you are right, this is Trump's America.
This may also be part of Trump's war against EV's and other things good for the environment (sorry for swearing there).
Trump now says that the economy won't improve until 2027!! LOL This forecast isn't a promise of prosperity... it's a quiet confession of the timeline needed to recover from his own policies. A curious self-own.
His tariff war is the engine of this decline.Yeah, Trump told us that he would “fix it”
Don’t try to shoot the messengers, right wings, is the banner headline correct or not?
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/july-job … ed-nonlife
So, why did the mighty-righty vote for him, it certainly has nothing to do with his management of the economy, now does it?For those who care, I ask AI how the economy is doing month-by-month. Here is what it said without the details and sources:
Feb - Steady but subdued, CPI ~3%, Mfg at 50
Mar - Up, best month of the year so far
Apr - Steady, growth up, consumption down, PCE 2.2%, Retail down -.3%
May - Down, cooling, consumption soft, PCE 2.4%, Retail down -.9%
Jun - Down, weak labor, but a rebound in consumption, Lost 13k Jobs, PCE 2.6%
Jul - Steady, labor slowed, economy soft, but not collapsing, CPI 2.7%, Mfg drops to 48.7
Aug - Down, labor stalls but services steady, UE rises to 4.3%
MFG Job Loss Feb - Aug: 41,000
Construction and Mining/Logging each down about 3,000
Also down a little: Professional Services; Retail Trade; Wholesale Trade; Transportation and Warehousing; IT; Financial Activities
Up: Leisure Trade; Education and HealthI find it very sad that Trump and his MAGA apologists WASTES his time and American resources going after petty, xenophobic violations of the law. In doing so, he has diverted massive amounts of resources AWAY from real crime such as White-Collar, Terrorism, and Drugs.
Recognizing that nothing is worse than physical harm to persons (which he is ignoring as well) and focusing on just the dollar cost, here is what Trump should be trying to fight:
* Violent Crime, mostly by native-born Americans, costs us an estimated $2.9 - $3.9 Trillion annually.
* White-Collar Crime (what Trump is guilty of) costs Americans in the trillions annually as well, when all is added up.
** Wage Theft: Up to $50 Billion a year
** Consumer and Cyber Fraud: At a very minimum (due to underreporting) $16 Billion a year (some extrapolate that to >$150 billion)
** Corporate Health Care Fraud: Estimated at tens of billions of dollars annually
* Drug Use and Drug Crimes (a mix of criminal and corporate crime): In excess of $1 Trillion a year.
Compare that to the benefits - yes benefits - undocumented immigrants (which cause a tiny sliver of violent crime):
* If Trump is wildly successful, it is estimated GDP will FALL by 7.4% [IIE, Reuters]
* Unexpected increases in net unauthorized immigration raise U.S. output growth for about two years with little effect on inflation. [Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas]
* They pay almost $100 billion in taxes.
* They pay around $16 billion annually into social security and Medicare that they never see back.
* Once you subtract out the costs which unauthorized immigration puts on America, we net around $32 billion annually to the POSITIVE.[Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
So, once again we see Trump trying to hurt America and diverting attention from real problems! Why do you let him?And the good news just keeps coming.. are we great yet??
Health insurance is skyrocketing. But hey, at least Trump gave us the Department of War....
"US health insurers, reeling from slumping share prices, are raising insurance premiums by the most in 15 years, adding to fears that American consumers are struggling under the weight of high costs.
One of the insurance companies, UnitedHealth, has cited tariffs from President Donald Trump’s trade wars as a reason for the increases.
The cost of companies’ health insurance plans for employees is expected to jump by an average of 6.5 per cent in 2026, the biggest increase in 15 years, according to a report by Mercer. For people who buy health insurance on government exchanges, the median increase for 2026 is 18 per cent — more than double last year’s 7 per cent rise, according to KFF, a non-profit health policy research group."
He is literally just making everything worse.
Americans face biggest increase in health insurance costs in 15 years https://share.google/Hft8x77zqBVKNuRPSI have terrible news for Trump supporters. Not surprising - Trump's poll numbers are TANKING (RCP averages)
ECONOMY: 41.7 Approve - 55.3 Disapprove (keep in mind, it will never get below 17% from the MAGA base)
FOREIGN POLICY: 43.0 Approve - 53.2 Disapprove
IMMIGRATION: 48.2.Approve - 48.9 Disapprove (that is his best numbers)
INFLATION: 39.0 Approve - 59.1 Disapprove
CRIME: 47.8 Approve - 48.7 Disapprove (he can't even get above 50% on this)
RUSSIA/UKRAIN: 37.8 Approve 53.8 Disapprove (we all know Putin is playing Trump for a fool.)
ISRAIL/HAMAS: 39.7 Approve - 53.2 Disapprove
THEN, it gets Worse from there when you break it down
Independents (Sept 11–15, 2025, WaPo/Ipsos)
Job approval: 31% approve / 67% disapprove.
Google Docs
Issues:
Economy: 28% approve / 70% disapprove.
Google Docs
Immigration: 34% approve / 64% disapprove.
Google Docs
Tariffs: 25% approve / 73% disapprove.
Google Docs
Ukraine: 27–30% approve / ~69–70% disapprove.
Google Docs
Women & suburban voters
Women (all): 40% approve / 60% disapprove of Trump’s job performance.
Google Docs
Suburban voters (overall): 42% approve / 57% disapprove. (Urban 36/63; Rural 59/41—big urban/rural split.)
Google Docs
On tariffs, both groups are cool: Women 31% approve; Suburban voters 42% approve (majorities still disapprove).
Google Docs
(Note: the crosstabs don’t break out “suburban women” as a single column, but you can see women and suburban separately.)
Latino (Hispanic) voters
Job approval: 29% approve / 69% disapprove.
Google Docs
Economy: 31% approve / 68% disapprove.
Immigration: 24% approve[/u][/b] / 74% disapprove.
Tariffs: 21% [b][u]approve / 78% disapprove.
Google Docs
WOW! Just WOW!!The Bold Agenda has Failed. Now on to other news.
Today, the gov't enters yet another period of shut down during a Trump administration. It is uncertain how long it will last but many are wondering if it will beat the longest shutdown ever - again, under a Trump administration.
Why did it shut down? Because the Democrats wanted a few changes to help tens of missions of Americans regain or keep their health insurance that the Republicans took away in the Big Ugly Bill.
Democrats know that if they can't get these passed now, those millions of American WILL lose their health insurance it means it will be gone forever and some of them will start dying as a result.
Here are those Terrible things the Democrats are asking for that the Republicans can't see their way clear to agreeing with.
1. The BIG ASK Protect health care: Extend the enhanced ACA premium tax credits (APTCs) so they don’t lapse and spike premiums and undo/reject Medicaid cuts embedded in the GOP plan.
2. Drop the policy riders/cuts: Reverse cuts to public media (PBS/NPR) and other domestic programs; don’t carry forward what Democrats call a “dirty” CR.
3. Respect Congress’s power of the purse: Bar or roll back the administration’s impoundments/“pocket rescissions,” and require release of lawfully appropriated funds. I can't imagine why Republicans want Trump to take over Congresses job as required by the Constitution but apparently they do.
4. Keep core priorities whole: Maintain funding levels for veterans, housing, and other basic services rather than short-term cuts in the GOP CR.
5. Anti-impoundment / anti-“pocket rescission” guardrails.: Language to force OMB to promptly obligate already-appropriated funds and to shut down the new “pocket rescission” tactic (with 50-vote fast-track) that lets the executive claw back money after a deal. Think reporting deadlines + no end-of-year withholdings. Imagine having to fight Republicans to make sure the Constitution is followed.
6. Public media bridge funding / restoration. With CPB defunded and winding down, Democrats have pushed to restore at least stop-gap support (or protect rural/tribal stations) in the stopgap. Members have been whipping CPB dollars specifically.
7. This one is "Deadly Serious. “Release the money” riders on foreign aid.: The nefarious purpose of this Democratic ask is to stop thousands of people a day from dying due solely to Trump's foreign aid policy. it includes provisions to compel the administration {not that they would follow the law) to release already-appropriated foreign assistance (e.g., Ukraine and other State/USAID accounts) and bar new withholdings—backed by recent court action against impoundments.
The Democrats are right in not agreeing with the Republican CR and the Republicans are wrong in not going along with the Democratic CR.Thank you for posting the facts. Republicans are shamelessly and blatantly lying to their base
And it is their base who will feel most of the impact.
I think the tide will turn drastically when the ACA premiums come due...
"Affordable Care Act premiums will rise 114% if enhanced subsidies expire, health policy researcher finds"
This is going to affect 22 million people... Folks who will very shortly get their notice of increase.
ACA premiums to more than double without enhanced subsidies: KFF https://share.google/356YWVIHc3iRhDVHFYep, although I do agree with the other side that the "temporary" assistance should go away at some point, just not all at once. Although, the way the economy looks to be going, it still may be needed.
I'm in the Bernie boat on this one. Healthcare is a fundamental right. But honestly how dare these people put forth the idea that we just don't have the budget for it while we are propping up the government of Argentina and paying for the military to roam the streets of our cities... Not to mention the tax breaks for the wealthiest among us...
And paying for all that gold in the oval office and sending tons of generals to Quantico for indoctrination and ....
The Bold Agenda LOST more jobs
"The US economy lost 32,000 private-sector jobs in September"
https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/01/economy/ … -septemberOnly MAUGA would think to break the law in this fashion.
"Federal agency asking employees to blame Democrats for shutdown"
A federal worker at the Small Business Association who was furloughed as the result of the government shutdown was shocked when agency leadership sent employees politically charged “suggested” language to use in their automated out of office emails during the shutdown.
What is the "suggested" language?
" “I am out of office for the foreseeable future because Senate Democrats voted to block a clean federal funding bill (H.R. 5371), leading to a government shutdown that is preventing the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from serving America’s 36 million small businesses
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/ … s-10-01-25North Carolina Republicans heed Trump’s call to redraw congressional map
North Carolina’s Republican-led legislature said Monday that it will soon begin work on a new congressional map that could yield another Republican-leaning district in the state.
“President Trump earned a clear mandate from the voters of North Carolina and the rest of the country, and we intend to defend it by drawing an additional Republican Congressional seat,” state House Speaker Destin Hall (R) said in a statement. Republicans hold 10 of North Carolina’s 14 U.S. House seats.
North Carolina became the latest state to heed President Donald Trump’s call to redraw congressional maps five years earlier than usual to shore up or potentially expand what is a historically small Republican majority in the House ahead of next year’s midterm elections.
In statements responding to the redistricting announcement, North Carolina House Minority Leader Robert Reives (D) accused Republicans in the state’s general assembly of attempting to “disenfranchise the voters of this state,” while Gov. Josh Stein (D) said the Republican legislators are “abusing their power to take away yours.”
“The General Assembly works for North Carolina, not Donald Trump,” Stein said. “The Republican leadership in the General Assembly has failed to pass a budget, failed to pay our teachers and law enforcement what they deserve, and failed to fully fund Medicaid. Now they are failing you, the voters.”
Because of a North Carolina law that prevents the governor from vetoing any redistricting effort, there is little Stein can do to block a new map from being enacted by the GOP-controlled legislature.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Indiana last week helped revive a redistricting effort that had lost steam since state lawmakers met at the White House in August.
“He convinced some people,” a third person familiar with the discussions of Vance told The Post. “There are signs of forward progress and momentum.”I think this is a smart and completely legal move by the North Carolina legislature, and I’m glad to see it happening. From what I’ve read, House Speaker Destin Hall made it clear that President Trump “earned a clear mandate from the voters of North Carolina and the rest of the country,” and Republicans are simply defending that mandate by redrawing a map that reflects the will of the people. The fact is, Republicans currently hold 10 of the 14 congressional seats in the state, and the proposed redistricting could rightfully add another GOP-leaning district, likely by adjusting the 1st District, which has been a close race for years.
Democrats like Gov. Josh Stein and Minority Leader Robert Reives are already crying foul, accusing Republicans of “disenfranchising voters” and “abusing their power.” But let’s be honest, they’re upset because this change might finally limit their ability to manipulate districts in their favor. Under North Carolina law, Stein can’t even veto redistricting plans, which means the legislature has every right to move forward without obstruction.
I’m also encouraged to see this isn’t just a North Carolina effort, Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit to Indiana reportedly helped revive a similar redistricting push there. It’s a sign of real momentum across the country. I fully support these efforts. They’re lawful, they follow the Constitution, and they ensure that the voices of conservative voters are represented fairly. I see this as a win for North Carolina, a win for the Republican Party, and a step toward stronger, more balanced leadership nationwide.
From everything I’ve read, this redistricting effort is completely legal under North Carolina law, and I don’t see any reason it shouldn’t move forward. The legislature has full authority to redraw congressional maps, and the governor has no power to veto them; that’s just how the state’s constitution is written.
Some Democrats will no doubt run to the courts claiming “gerrymandering,” but the Supreme Court already ruled back in 2019 that partisan mapmaking isn’t something federal courts can stop, and North Carolina’s own Supreme Court confirmed in 2023 that it’s a political issue, not a judicial one. In short, even if lawsuits are filed, the law is clearly on the side of the legislature. This isn’t cheating or manipulation, it’s a perfectly legal process, and one that will finally ensure fairer representation for conservatives who’ve been undercounted for years.Just remember, Sharlee, we are committed to fight fire with fire. So, any ruling allowing Republicans and right wingers to unjustifiably engorge themselves with power with be countered in California and blue states.
Shar,
I hope they do as good of a job as the democrats in the past have done.I see you are still spreading that myth. Republicans have always been the master at doing this kind of gerrymandering as we have already proved.
Don't need imagination to speak the truth. You do need it though to spread myths and lies such as "as the democrats in the past have done."
I have real faith they will; it’s a new day for the Republican Party. Trump came along and opened their eyes to just how much they’d been played and held back in the past. There’s a new attitude now, a drive to win, to fight smarter, and to actually stand up for the people who built this country. The party isn’t just surviving anymore — it’s ready to thrive.
Mike, I agree, and feel they will. They are dotting the Is and crossing the Ts.
Trump hardly has a "mandate" for anything by anyone's measure. He didn't even win a majority nationally and only won by 3% in NC - neither fit the definition of a "mandate", let alone a "clear" one.
They could easily run afoul of federal law by diluting the black vote too much. They may also end up making a once solid Republican seat more vulnerable.I hate to say this. Both parties DON'T care about the American people. They only care about themselves. They are in government for themselves. Both Democrats & Republicans have DUPED the American people.
Jerome Powell:
“Inflation is certainly running above our target and appears to be continuing to increase.”
https://x.com/SpencerHakimian/status/19 … 3986668652What is needed is to put intelligent, mature, and aware people in the government. What we have are middle schoolers in adult clothing. It is ALL OUR FAULTS, we elected these clowns & government chaos is what all of us Americans are getting.
Who loves what the regime is doing in argentina?
Q: What is the benefit for the US in helping Argentina?
Trump: Just helping a great philosophy take over a great country. Argentina is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever seen…It's not gonna make a big difference for our country..... OH BROTHER.... OUR TAX DOLLARS BEING USED TO SPREAD MAGA BULLSHIT INTO ANOTHER COUNTRY?
Lots of money to prop up a foreign leader but no money for health insurance for our own citizens…
https://x.com/RpsAgainstTrump/status/19 … 0394019141And conservatives complain about another “big government giveaway”, someone please gag me with a spoon?
Cred, have you looked into the Argentina Deal? Not on X, but a bit of a better source? The X clip gave a couple of sentences, unfortunately, not what was said before or post the few words. I listened to the full presser, and it was very informative not only on the Argentina deal, but so much more. I have... Actually, I added a thread on this issue. I did tons of research. In my view, it sounds like a very good deal for several reasons. I have added several sources, as well as YouTube, that offer the full press conference. Very interesting deal, and it is not a bailout in any respect.
X is a great source for video especially when it's Trump describing the Argentina deal...
The Guardian is British and I would expect more objective in its reporting. There was nothing in the article as to any advantage for
US. What I don’t understand is why Trump says his desired candidate must win prior to Argentina receiving aid?
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 … s-electionCould it be that the president thinks Milei's plans are the only successful direction, and any other direction (new guy) would lead to failure? The logic seems reasonable.
Didn't that possibility occur to you? If it works, wouldn't cementing a strong regional ally (plus the reversal of the initial costs, plus the altruism of helping a struggling democracy survive) be a good thing?
It should be a win-win for you. If it's as bad as you infer and blows up in his face, that blowback will hurt, and you can gloat for weeks. But if it works, you still have a silver lining to cover your butt. Your president and your country did a good thing — even if you didn't want them to.
As a side note, The Guardian isn't as objective as you might think.
GAI know, anything that is not Fox News is leftist, i have heard it before. I provided a more detailed rebuttal to Sharlee thread.
It works at what cost? Argentine economy is worse than a gambling casino, the devaluation of its currency is a pretty serious affair.
Haven’t you read the memo yet, GA, Trump is hardly interested in bolstering struggling democracies. You can really believe such things?
It is only a win when our side can get YOUR president and his entourage out of power for good.
Let’s face it, nobody really likes rightwingers, only the most deplorable rags support them.That wasn't a 'CNN-type' swipe at The Guardian, it was just a note that my experience found it to be less objectively presented than yours.
As to 'getting the memo,' nope, I don't get the memos anymore: I was disowned.
I'm shallowly aware of Argentina's situation, but I was only addressing the concept. It sounds logical to me. If the deal is considered from the perspective I mentioned (without any Trump-associated condemnations), it seems like a smart move.
Of course, it's a gamble. The question is whether it's a good or bad one.
I would have supported a similar move by Obama or Biden, and I bet you would too.
GAI think CNN is the 'Fox News' of the Left.
Wait, I could hear your magazine loading from here. You already had that 'extended-clip' data-point magazine ready, didn't you? I was hearing a backup clip getting loaded, wasn't I?
I'm not getting into a contest of 'Is not, Is so ... ' about which is worse. That's my perception, not a declaration. It's an opinion, not a fact.
But ... I should have been more sensitive. I should have realized that might trigger you. My bad. ;-)
GA
It is a preview on how he is going to rig the midterms.
Cred, Yes, they definitely are a British outlet, and about as far left as an outlet can get. I did my research and honestly think the deal looks very smart in several ways. I spent quite a bit of time putting my thread together, no quick X post or reliance on leftist sources.
"What I don’t understand is why Trump says his desired candidate must win prior to Argentina receiving aid?" Cred
I understand this much differently than some are spinning it. Argentina is a democracy, and President Javier Milei was elected on a strong free-market, anti-socialist platform. He’s been trying to pull his country out of years of government control and inflation. The person running against him represents the old socialist-leaning Peronist movement that kept Argentina dependent on massive state spending. So, when Trump said he wouldn’t move forward with the deal if Milei doesn’t stay in office, I take that to mean he only wants to make the deal if Argentina stays on its current path of reform, not if it swings back toward socialism. In my view, Trump is working to make deals around the world that strengthen America while building alliances with nations that share mutual goals and benefits. When I look at the many agreements he’s been forming, most of which the media barely mentions, I see a clear pattern: these deals are strategic, forward-thinking, and designed to secure our position and meet the needs of the future.
While some choose to dwell on Trump’s off-the-cuff remarks, I prefer to focus on his actions. My gas cost just $2.52 yesterday, something the left seems to have conveniently ignored, or maybe it’s just harder to complain when prices drop. He’s also making real progress toward ending a war in the Middle East, yet there’s barely a whisper of acknowledgment from his critics. I have to ask, are you still as confident in the rigid stance you’ve taken against Trump, given what’s actually being accomplished?
Note — please understand, I won’t be responding to certain comments in detail anymore. It’s clear I’m being trolled, and I’d rather focus my time and thoughts on discussions with those who share more like-minded perspectives. I’ve always enjoyed our conversations, but I’m just not up for debates that ultimately turn into trolling. Just lost interest in debate.Sharing perspectives with like minded people is easy, it is not a debate, it is a mutual admiration society.
You say that the Trump vision is the American one, but that is your opinion, because it certainly is not mine. There remain fundamental differences between left and right and looking at everything that is important to me, he is deficient. I guess, Another instance where we agree to disagree. I gave Trump credit thus far and grudgingly for his role in the peace accords in the Middle East. But as I have always said, he will be judged by what he says. And i wont excuse him if he consistently misspeaks.
I don’t like Trump, Sharlee, he is fomenting an environment of bigotry. Whatever credit I give him for anything, he has earned when I never give him the benefit of the doubt. With the government in a quandary, thousands of workers fired and I cannot get a line to either the IRS or social security, things just are not working.
From my perspective, for every thing that he can be lauded for, there are 99 things that I take issue with.Cred, After our many back-and-forths, you can be assured that I now fully understand your opinion on all things Trump. As for debate, I’ve reached the point where I believe it’s long past due to acknowledge that my efforts to engage with anyone on the left here have proven to be a futile endeavor. I feel less intelligent for hanging in this long. I am sure if you think about it, you might feel the same.
Do you not think that for me, the right is a tough nut to crack?
Yes, we have had nice exchanges and if anything it shows the vast difference in values and opinions between a black male and white female. If you actually put yourself in my shoes and see all the things that Trump does to diminish me and mine, you can easily see why I cannot support such a person. I don’t care for Republicans generally, but i have worked through them as not reneging on the promise to make America, the overwhelming theme, ever more participatory and democratic. And while, based on your background, you are blind to it, it is limelight shining in my face.
My obligation is to get my word out and I feel more intelligent than to allow that vital endeavor to be stifled. Whenever i comment, i never know who might be listening whether they comment or not. It is just as important to match wits with forum participants as to get the word out for general consumption. But, I can’t afford to be on liberty too long as I have to get back to “the front”.You are the most open minded of the regular 'Leftist' contributors...
You also have the most understandable/relatable (not sure what the exact word is I am looking for) reasons for having your beliefs and perceptions.
Unlike almost all of the other regular 'Progressive' posters... you actually concede when something horribly wrong is wrong... I mean, it has to be blatantly obviously evil almost... but some folks on here can't even admit/agree on those... they will not concede a damned thing... and that in itself is unreasonable and as dangerous as anything out there left or right.
I see what YOU stand on as justifiable... righteous even... more often than not.
My perspective has not been framed by a lifetime of racist indignities and bigotry ... the very real that existed decades ago ... and the not so obvious or open that may (or may not) exist in today's American society.
I have seen many other parts of the world... I know it can be a lot worse than it had been here in the 90s and 00s ... and we, as a nation, are inching closer to "it can be a lot worse" and have been for many years now.
We are not in a better place today... 2025 ... than we were in 2005... not when it comes to race, or sex, or sanity, or safety...
Technology is better... cheaper... more readily available to all...
But its less safe to walk the streets today than it has been in 50 years...
Racial tensions are as visceral and divisive today as they have been in 50 years...
Foreign Affairs... wars... economics... are worse now than they have been since the end of WWII... we essentially at war with Russia today... and Iran... and thru them proxy war with China.
So not being burdened by the burning flame that you have within you to ensure racism gains no ground... I prioritize different crisis for concern and attention.
Its not that you're wrong in your position... its just not one I share as the top priority above all others, regardless of whatever else is going on.
... oh... and I also don't buy into all the daily BS the media peddles to keep your stress level stoked to the max... you gotta give that a rest, take a break from your daily dose of Salon and CNN... your blood pressure will thank you for it.“You are the most open minded of the regular 'Leftist' contributors...”
Don’t be too quick to pat me on the back, there is not a lot of “daylight” between my opinions and those of other left leaning participants in the forum.
‘You also have the most understandable/relatable (not sure what the exact word is I am looking for) reasons for having your beliefs and perceptions.”
As a person of color, I am automatically defined as woke, Trump administrations anti-woke policies will be felt by me and mine the more adversely. Trump is a threat from my perspective
“I see what YOU stand on as justifiable... righteous even... more often than not.”
“My perspective has not been framed by a lifetime of racist indignities and bigotry ... the very real that existed decades ago ... and the not so obvious or open that may (or may not) exist in today's American society.”
I have no choice but to take an arbitrary position even if I did not want to, otherwise I would become a sado-masochist.
“I have seen many other parts of the world... I know it can be a lot worse than it had been here in the 90s and 00s ... and we, as a nation, are inching closer to "it can be a lot worse" and have been for many years now.”
We can always say things could be worse in other parts of the world, but also they could better as well. I thought that we were doing better, until now. And regarding social cohesion within this society, it is far worse now than it was then. Trump is the catalyst for it all, opening the Pandora’s and letting out the “Medusa” to roam free and unfettered. Opening old wounds will contribute to our undoing internally. The young Republicans and their candid racial slurs in conversations where they believed no one was listening, sort of points to the fruit not falling far from the tree. These young people are the future of the Republican Party? It certainly does not leave me with a great deal of confidence in the future.
Kids mowing each other down in schools, that is a new phenomenon that was unheard of 50 years ago.
“Technology is better... cheaper... more readily available to all...”
Technology always improve regardless of the age or era, it is just about how is it being used. For example, i don’t like the pressure from my creditors to go paperless, they want my credit cards numbers to deposit and remove funds at will. It becomes their bank account and not mine. I guess that I am old fashioned and use checking accounts. So much of this AI and easy access to information can discourage people from thinking for themselves and accepting the easy answers in life. Such people are easy to deceive and manipulate.
We prioritize different issues because you and I are in a different place and experience different realities. Of course, i don’t expect you to pay much attention to the “Woke” issue as it does not affect you.
I thrive on the debate and identifying the America right as the danger it is for all of those that are not among its natural constituents. This is therapeutic for me, my blood pressure would probably go up without this great outlet, to give em what for……. The sources give me the ammunition to start another fire and I challenge others to tell me or show me why I am wrong."As a person of color, I am automatically defined as woke"
I don't agree with that at all. There are many black conservatives. They are usually the ones with the really successful businesses and good jobs.Right, while your people question the qualifications of every person of color in a responsible position, you called that DEI? The late Charlie Kirk, first and foremost.
Blacks, conservative or otherwise, do not appreciate having their history and contributions to this country erased or minimized from Parks and museums. That is the difference between conservative and Trump. I can gather the evidence to support this observation if need be.About 15% - 25% of Black's identify as Republicans, mainly moderate or liberal.
As to successful - I don't agree with that at all. There are many black conservatives. They are usually the ones with the really successful businesses and good jobs. If you’ve got a specific study in mind, share it and I’ll check it—otherwise it reads as a stereotype rather than a supported fact.
You are correct to be concerned.
How much of this is a defensive reaction... an induced one?
When so much of what has come from "The Left" the past 15 years has openly attacked white men as being the root of all evils?
Especially during the Biden years when DEI inverted the systemic racism and made being a straight white male the equivalent of being an openly gay black male in 1961.
That partly explains/answers as to the reasons for the backslide into such racial extremes when not so long ago... like the late 90s... they were so much better than they are today.
Indeed... not to the point where it was significant enough to stir a reaction.
That changed during Biden... when everything from "what is a woman" to "the borders are under control" went on. When DEI became official Federal dogma and Transgenders became the most protected minority in the country, while laws and parent's rights were shredded so that children could be mutilated on the LGTBQ++ alter.
Then it became an issue that effected "me and mine" very much.
I think it is important that you try and recognize that... the things "woke" used to mean, myself and many of "mine" could support... but a lot has been added under the umbrella of woke that many people will never be willing to accept today and would rather die fighting to stop.
MAPs (Pedophiles)... Child sex mutilation... Trans being accepted as women... being at the top of that list.Sighhhh - Slurs aren’t “defensive.” Choosing racial slurs is a moral choice, not a reflex to politics you dislike. “They started it” isn’t an ethic.
No matter how much you want to believe it but DEI is not “reverse racism.” U.S. law still bans discrimination against anyone on race/sex (Title VII, Equal Protection). Courts keep enforcing that—e.g., recent rulings limiting race-based preferences. If someone’s being treated unlawfully, the remedy is court, not bigotry.
We all know that “Straight white men are oppressed now” is rhetoric, not reality. Critiques of power structures aren’t the same as removing anyone’s civil rights. Rights are intact; outcomes differ for many reasons that aren’t zero-sum.
Trans health care for minors is wildly misrepresented. as your comment affirms. No federal policy “mutilates children.” Surgeries on minors are rare; most care is therapy, family support, and (sometimes) puberty blockers—with parental consent and clinical guidelines. Many states even ban that care; calling it a national mandate is false.
“MAPs” aren’t being mainstreamed. Pedophilia is condemned across the board and criminal when acted upon. LGBTQ orgs reject any association. Full stop.
“Woke” creep isn’t a license for cruelty. If you think policies overreach, argue the policy. Smearing people or groups isn’t an argument—it’s a tell that the policy case is weak.
If you want better politics, model it. Trade slogans for sources, claims for evidence, and resentment for rules and rights. That’s how you persuade people who aren’t already on your team.
Fantastic news for those of you looking to pay more for your home improvements or building that new home....
Trump's tariffs kick in today on furniture, kitchen cabinets and lumber! No worries, your guy has you covered...Democrats go after Mike Johnson for refusing to swear in Rep-elect Adelita Grijalva's ...denying the 218th signature needed to subpoena Epstein files... He can't hold it off much longer.
https://x.com/SpencerHakimian/status/19 … 9228707189BREAKING: Hiring just hit its lowest level since 2009, per CNBC.
That was the middle of the Great Recession.
But sure—tell us again how the economy is “booming.”The peace president.
Trump Administration Authorizes Covert C.I.A. Action in Venezuela
The development comes as the U.S. military is drawing up options for President Trump to consider, including possible strikes inside the country.
The Trump administration has secretly authorized the C.I.A. to conduct covert action in Venezuela, according to U.S. officials, stepping up a campaign against Nicolás Maduro, the country’s authoritarian leader.
The new authority would allow the C.I.A. to carry out lethal operations in Venezuela and conduct a range of operations in the Caribbean.
The agency would be able to take covert action against Mr. Maduro or his government either unilaterally or in conjunction with a larger military operation.
The development comes as the U.S. military is planning its own possible escalation, drawing up options for President Trump to consider, including strikes inside Venezuela.
The scale of the military buildup in the region is substantial: There are currently 10,000 U.S. troops there, most of them at bases in Puerto Rico, but also a contingent of Marines on amphibious assault ships. In all, the Navy has eight surface warships and a submarine in the Caribbean.
The Trump administration’s strategy on Venezuela, developed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with help from John Ratcliffe, the C.I.A. director, aims to oust Mr. Maduro from power.
Mr. Ratcliffe has said little about what his agency is doing in Venezuela. But he has promised that the C.I.A. under his leadership would become more aggressive.Oh yeah the "America first" president has got his little orange fingers into the business of nations all over the world now....LMAO
Why does he keep lying???
Trump: "The economy is unbelievable ... prices are down"
https://x.com/atrupar/status/1978925133864608211It is astonishing that just weeks after Republicans took to the media to angrily say any reference to their party as Nazi or fascist was incitement to violence, they’re now accusing the Democratic Party of being “Hamas terrorists.”
Per their own logic, they are inciting violence....right?
https://x.com/atrupar/status/1978870890935832920At worst, when not referring just to Donald "the enemy of the people" Trump, they are referring to MAGA extremists as fascists.
On the other hand, Republicans call ALL Democrats "terrorists".
Trump commutes former Rep. George Santos' prison sentence
Corrupto perdona corrupto.
He had to. Its not easy for Trump to find a bigger liar than him. Brothers in crime stay together, I guess.
SMHAND Trump’s decision let's Santos off the hook for paying back more than $370,000 from the people and institutions he defrauded...
A typical Trump-style miscarriage of Justice. It is simply embarrassing to live in a nation whose moral and ethical standards are defined by the convicted criminal who has none whatsoever.
So we let the two supposed "narco terrorists" go rather than have the Trump admin show their proof in a US court.....got it.
Generally, "narco terrorists" are not repatriated unless they aren’t who Trump and Hegseth say they are. Seems like we are just randomly killing people in boats....
Until the corrupt Trump administration PROVES differently, I must assume these were innocent boats that Trump blew up and murdered the people on board.
America has learned a long time ago not to believe a word that comes out of Trump's mind.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro accuses U.S. government officials of murder and violating Colombia’s sovereignty and says the Trump-ordered strike of a boat in the Caribbean killed a fisherman named Alejandro Carranza....Petro says the “Colombian boat was adrift and had its distress signal up due to an engine failure” when it was bombed by the U.S. military....wow
Who was authorizing this?
I guess we know why the Admiral in charge of military strikes in the Caribbean resigned a few days ago...Trump, the enemy of the People, is ordering it. And the Admiral couldn't stomach anymore crimes by the U.S. against foreign nations.
I am curious, how did a fishing boat in distress become a drug-laden submarine in Trump's addled mind? Talk about being delusional.Petro.says Trump wants Venezuela's oil:
"The United States wants Venezuela's and Guyana's oil, oil greed is what's behind the missiles over fishermen."
THIS IS TOO GOOD
Get ready (AGAIN) to reverse course magas...
So this bunch realizes they’re drowning and losing support so now they’re bringing out the party favors in desperation. LOVE TO SEE IT
Trump administration agrees to deliver more student loan forgiveness
Well what do we have here? BIDENOMICS LMAO
Oh yeah.. tell us you love it . Remember, there are dozens of posts filled with you folks railing about Biden's loan forgiveness.... SO UNFAIR, SO SOCIALIST, RIGHT?!
Trump administration agrees to deliver more student loan forgiveness https://share.google/72PI7VCBauGzOPr9USo we are supposed to believe that Trump had proof that the survivors of his latest attack were "narco terrorists", but then he let them go home?....YEAH RIGHT
AMERICANS AREN'T AS DUMB AS THIS BUNCH LIKES TO PRETEND.Once again, Trump, the enemy of the People, has put America's security at risk. This time he is inviting any terrorist to steal our nuclear stockpile.
"Federal agency overseeing US nuclear stockpile will furlough most of its workforce starting Monday"
Why does MAGA hate America so much that they would support such an imbecile?
https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/19/politics … s-shutdownWinning! Listen to this article
5 min
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday ruled that President Donald Trump can deploy Oregon National Guard troops into the city of Portland, delivering a significant victory to the Trump administration as it continues its effort to send federal forces into Democratic-led cities despite a string of recent setbacks in other district and appeals courts.
Judges on the three-member panel ruled 2-1 to authorize Trump's deployment. Judge Ryan Nelson and Judge Bridget Bade, both appointed by Trump, sided with the administration in the majority ruling, with the lone Clinton-appointed judge, Susan Graber, dissented.
"After considering the record at this preliminary stage, we conclude that it is likely that the President lawfully exercised his statutory authority under 10 U.S.C. § 12406(3), which authorizes the federalization of the National Guard when ‘the President is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States,’" the majority said
Supreme Court of the United States is considering the request by the Donald Trump administration to deploy federalized National Guard troops to Chicago. In th bag!It's a temp. stay....odd that people would be excited about the continued brutalization of people
It was two hardline Trump judges that came to that ruling. It surprised most people who know anything about the case. Hopefully, it will be appealed to the full court and they will reverse and obvious error.
Fortunately, the Portland judge as a second order in place that will keep Trump from declaring martial law in another peaceful city.BREAKING: A Ninth Circuit judge has sua sponte — on their own — already called for a vote on whether there should be an en banc rehearing (which means all active judges will vote on whether the matter should be reheard). Briefing is called for on that question, due by mid-week.
That is so gratifying to hear and is a clear indication she really, really believes the Trump judges acted outside the law.
Judge Graber "strenuously dissents" from the majority opinion. She accuses the majority of eroding "core constitutional principles" and says there is no evidence ICE was unable to execute the laws in the days before Trump federalized the National Guard.
A statement from Farm Action:
President Trump’s plan to buy beef from Argentina is a betrayal of the American rancher.”
Washington bureaucrats are on the brink of delivering a crushing betrayal of our farmers—and the America First agenda.
America’s soybean market just CRASHED after China stopped buying our soybeans.
Now, our cattle ranchers are on the brink of the same fate.
Illinois cattle rancher and Farm Action’s Senior Director of Programs Christian Lovell warned that a new plan to buy Argentinian beef would amount to a “betrayal” of loyal America First ranchers—and would fail to solve any of our problems:
“Importing Argentinian beef would send U.S. cattle prices plummeting—and with the meatpacking industry as consolidated as it is, consumers may not see lower beef prices either.”
Just four major meatpackers control roughly 85% of our market.
The system is RIGGED, and importing beef from Argentina into this rigged system will not lower costs for families or restore fair markets for producers.
This announcement comes right after Argentina took hold of the soybean market after China stopped buying from American farmers.
And what is Washington doing?
Considering another $20 billion BAILOUT for Argentina.So, much for the idea of “America First”. a most startling revelation, thank you.
We ALL know that Trump, the enemy of the people, never believed in it. He just uses it to fool MAUGA and his supporters here.
I just read that the planned Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest has been put on hold. According to Reuters and the Associated Press, the White House said there are currently no plans for an immediate meeting between the two leaders. Reports indicate the pause came after Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
From Russia’s side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said no date had ever been finalized and that a meeting isn’t “on the table” right now because there are still unresolved “irritants” in U.S.–Russia relations. He emphasized that both sides need to complete some “necessary homework” before a high-level meeting can take place.
At this point, Trump hasn’t made a direct statement about the delay, so it appears the decision came through official diplomatic channels rather than from him personally.Not surprised, it is all going according to Putin's plan. Once more he made a fool of Trump and Trump just bends over and takes it. What a coward you got elected.
Winning! And Keeping Within Our Laws.
Timeline of Events – Portland National Guard Case
1. October 5, 2025 – First Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)
Issued by U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut.
Blocked President Trump from deploying Oregon National Guard troops to Portland.
Reason: Concerns over federal overreach and potential First Amendment violations.
2. October 20, 2025 – Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling
Majority (Judges Nelson and Bade): Lifted the first TRO, allowing the deployment.
Reason: Trump likely acted within his authority under 10 U.S.C. § 12406(3), which allows federalizing the National Guard when federal forces are insufficient to enforce the law.
Effect: The first restraining order no longer blocks the deployment of Oregon National Guard troops.
3. October 20, 2025 – Dissent by Judge Susan Graber
Graber’s arguments:
The majority decision erodes core constitutional principles (state vs. federal authority).
There is no evidence ICE or other federal forces were unable to enforce the law before Trump acted.
She warns this sets a dangerous precedent for future federal overreach.
Effect: Her dissent does not reverse the ruling, but it frames a strong legal challenge and could influence future appeals or Supreme Court review.
4. Second TRO – Still in Effect
Issued by Judge Immergut to prevent deployment of National Guard troops from other states to Portland.
The Trump administration has filed motions to dissolve this TRO.
Trial scheduled: October 29, 2025, to decide whether a more permanent injunction will be issued.
Current Situation
Allowed: Oregon National Guard troops (already in state) can be federalized for deployment.
Blocked: National Guard troops from other states cannot yet be sent to Portland.Lol, that's not a win. Not sure why anyone would think brutalizing American citizens is a win.... There is almost a continual live stream of the ice facility in portland.. anyone watching it for even a short amount of time can see the reality of what's happening there.... Gestapo randomly throwing flash bangs and tear gas at protesters in the appointed zone.... Hollywood like movie crews crafting it into propaganda images/ reels.
Citizens aren't that stupid.70% to 75% of non-brainwashed Americans think Trump is an authoritarian dictator.
You are right most Americans aren't stupid. They can be won over by false promises as we say in 2024, but they aren't stupid.
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