Mr. President, who are you to denigrate WWII allies participation?
excerpt from Atlantic Monthly:
So this is a time of commemoration, and in this time, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, issued a very strange post about the event on the 8th of May. He wrote:
“Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II. I am hereby renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I. We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything—That’s because we don’t have leaders anymore, that know how to do so! We are going to start celebrating our victories again!”
Now, that post was such a perfect crystallization of the Trump style: bombast, boast, all of it making Trump himself the center of a story that he had nothing whatsoever to do with. The statement is unwise and unattractive in all kinds of other ways too. It denigrates the sacrifices and heroism of others. And it turns the tragedy and horror of war into a triumphant narrative that was completely alien to almost all the people who experienced it as nothing but a tale of suffering and waste and cruelty and misery.
I want to draw attention to something maybe less obvious about what is wrong—what is missing—from the president’s statement. The first is, as so often when Donald Trump talks about American military history, he emphasizes power and success and triumph and military genius, but always lacking is any mention of the values for which Americans fought. America didn’t go into World War II—or even World War I—to be top nation, to beat and dominate others. It went to defend things that Americans regarded as precious, and not only Americans but others too—and one of the measures of how precious those values were, not only to Americans and to others, but to the world that has grown up as a result of the war.
————
This draft dodger has the gall to speak of heroism? The Soviet Union fought the Nazis and bore casualties that we could not imagine. What about England keeping a stiff upper lip as the last holdout against capitulation to the Nazis. What about the millions sent to camps and partisans fighting behind the scenes in occupied countries at great danger to themselves. All of this goes right over the head of this gold plated coward. I would not think that anyone would have the gall to utter such things in an international forum. I am getting tired of his habit of renaming things while having no real understanding nor appreciation of history. He is functionally illiterate as far as I am concerned.
Now he wants to spend tax payers money on some sort military ‘pass in review” parade often employed by tyrannical leaders merely to stoke their ego. I abhor this man more with each passing day.
But again, right wing America, this is who you voted for, not exactly a profile in courage.And the alternative was.... ?
We are here with Trump as President... a second time... why exactly?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rpY7GJnIQKgNicely scripted stuff, Ken, but it won’t do. It still does not address why Trump says so many stupid things this one being one of the greatest My attitude is that anyone, anything is better than Trump.
Yeah... and we saw that play out...
The whole... anything is better than Trump...
Clearly more than half the voting populace disagrees...
And the thing "your side" has come up with to get voters to choose them is?
What exactly is it... Open Borders...DEI... Trans Rights... Online Censorship... spending trillions more every year than is taken in???
What is it that Americans are supposed to buy into?
YOU were up at bat for the last 4 years... YOU gave Americans 25% inflation... 8% interest rates on Home Loans... and World War III...
So I don't think the majority cares about Trump's babbling statements... I don't think they care that you, or anyone else, is outraged or incensed by anything he says or does... to your group or any other group...
Plenty of People were willing to give the Democrats one more chance to make good... and instead we got Biden and the fleecing of the Middle Class... and Open Borders... and more Wars...No, Ken, I care about what the man says that is supposed to represent the country. We are waiting for the midterms and Trump inevitable screw up to be rid of him. Trump and his impeding dumpster fire will change minds fast, we are seeing it already.
The other half that did not vote for Trump still has a voice and those voices will grow all the louder as people see what Trump REALLY IS. I am counting on it.The "other half" includes 90 million who didn't vote at all. MAGAs like to forget that.
But I will concede it is a blight on both parties. In the meantime, I'd think MAGAs would have an astronomical crick in their necks from looking the other way.The "other half" includes 90 million who didn't vote at all. MAGAs like to forget that
When more of the actual reality and threat of Trumpism comes to light, maybe, just maybe, the apathetic attitude will go out of style for the so many that did not participate in 2024."The "other half" includes 90 million who didn't vote at all. MAGAs like to forget that"
Who cares?
You assume they would have voted democrat. I assume they would have voted Republican and made President Donald Trump's margin of victory even larger.
Seriously?
Reality Check needed.Mike, I honestly feel that Trump is once again doing a solid job of getting things done and working hard to follow through on his promises. It’s clear that many people dismissed those promises as typical campaign rhetoric. I mean, who really thought he’d nearly shut down the border, launch a serious tariff war, try to renegotiate a nuclear deal with Iran, or pursue peace efforts around the world? And yet, here we are. I don’t understand how anyone didn’t expect him to go to Washington with the intent to shake things up and actually fix problems, even if that meant blowing up the status quo. If I thought he was failing, I’d be the first to say it. I’m a realist. But right now, I think he’s on a roll. Frankly, I’m shocked by how much he’s tackled. It’s getting hard to even keep up with it all.
There is no assumption that these people would have voted Democrat. But what we do know is they were not motivated to get up off their couches. They may have very different feelings today though and found their motivation.
"But what we do know is they were not motivated to get up off their couches. " willow
In the last two elections, we saw uber motivation... It was satisfying to see so many come out and vote.
The 2024 U.S. presidential election did not break the record for the highest voter turnout in American history. While the turnout was notably high, it fell short of surpassing the record set in 2020.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 65.3% of eligible voters cast ballots in the 2024 election, totaling about 154 million votes. This was a slight decrease from the 67% turnout in 2020, which remains the highest in recent history.
I would say people came out "Biggly" in the last two elections. Which is great. It shows more Americans are taking voting more seriously.
Personally, I can't blame MAGA anymore that I can blame Jim Jones' followers from drinking his Kool-Aid. Their individual characteristics make them very susceptible to brainwashing (as I have explained elsewhere). Once brainwashed, the analytical link between information input and action is cut out of the picture in their brains.
So, I can't "blame" them, but I do understand what is happening with them.
It's just like I can't "hate" Donald Trump; he simply can't help himself from doing the terrible things he does. I feel sorry for him and anybody he interacts with, but don't hate.
"YOU were up at bat for the last 4 years... YOU gave Americans 25% inflation... 8% interest rates on Home Loans... and World War III..."
We didn't give you a convicted felon with the accompanying temperament.And you think people who are out there working for a living give a crap about "convicted felon"???
If you aren't living paycheck to paycheck... then you don't have a clue what 25% inflation does to make life a lot harder.
If you aren't a young person trying to comprehend paying more to interest on a home than the principle itself... then you don't really grasp the impact of 8% interest on a Home Loan.
There are a lot of Americans that do feel the pain of 25% inflation and do send their kids to schools with 50% of students unable to speak english... so many things regular Americans are facing that those who have the time to contemplate the commentary from CNN and read the articles in the NY Times have no comprehension of nor need to contend with.
That is why you have no idea how Trump can still be so popular, especially with the salt-of-the-earth types that civilization depends on to continue functioning... because you don't understand their burdens and struggles and how EVERYTHING the Biden Administration did made life harder for those people... pretty much across the board and in ways even I didn't think they could/would be assaulted."Trump can still be so popular, especially with the salt-of-the-earth types that civilization depends on to continue functioning... because you don't understand their burdens and struggles"
You don't even know me. I am a total stranger to you. But that doesn't keep you from making your presumptions, does it?I would only know nothing about you, if I didn't take the time to peruse what you yourself have made public, on your profile, and by extension the links there, the reference to other publications, etc.
What you have projected and/or claimed to be fact about who you are, where you have been, what you have done is provided by you... my presumptions are based on those provisions.
And we didn't give you a sexual predator or someone who is dangerously mentally ill and unfit to be president.
Facts --- In April 2025, President Trump had his first physical exam of his second term at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The results, released on April 13, 2025, give a detailed picture of his current health and medical history.
Now 78 years old, Trump is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 224 pounds—a 20-pound drop since his last checkup in 2020. His blood pressure was 128/74 mmHg and his resting heart rate was 62 beats per minute, both considered healthy. He also scored a perfect 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), showing no signs of cognitive impairment.
Trump currently takes Rosuvastatin and Ezetimibe to manage his cholesterol, Aspirin for heart health, and Mometasone cream for a skin condition. His medical history includes bilateral cataract surgery and a colonoscopy in 2024, which found a benign polyp and diverticulosis.
He stays active, regularly playing golf—something that continues to support his overall well-being.
VITAL STATISTICS:
Age: 78 years, 10 months
Height: 75 inches (190.5 cm)
Weight: 224 pounds (101.6 kg)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 27.8 (Overweight)
Blood Pressure: 128/74 mmHg
Resting Heart Rate: 62 beats per minute
Temperature: 98.6°F (37.0°C)
GENERAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:
Cardiovascular: Normal heart rate and rhythm; no murmurs or gallops; normal peripheral pulses; no edema.
Pulmonary: Clear to auscultation bilaterally; no wheezes, rales, or rhonchi.
Neurological: Alert and oriented to person, place, time, and situation; cranial nerves II-XII intact; normal motor and sensory function; normal gait and coordination.
Musculoskeletal: Full range of motion in all joints; no deformities or tenderness.
Integumentary: Mild sun damage noted; no suspicious lesions.
Other: Scar noted on right ear from previous gunshot wound; well-healed.
LABORATORY AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING:
Laboratory Studies: Complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel, and thyroid function tests all within normal limits.
Electrocardiogram (EKG): Normal sinus rhythm; no abnormalities.
Chest X-ray: No acute findings; stable appearance.
Colonoscopy (Summer 2024): Revealed a benign polyp and diverticulosis; follow-up recommended in three years.
Cognitive Assessment: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of 30/30; no cognitive impairment detected.
MEDICATIONS:
Rosuvastatin 20 mg daily ( This is a medication used to lower cholesterol levels)
Mometasone furoate cream 0.1% applied topically as needed
President Trump remains in excellent health, exhibiting robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function. He continues to engage in regular physical activity, including frequent participation in golf. He is encouraged to maintain a healthy diet, regular exercise regimen, and routine medical check-ups.
This memorandum serves as a comprehensive summary of President Trump’s health status following his annual physical examination.
Sincerely,
Capt. Sean P. Barbabella, D.O., M.C., U.S. Navy
Physician to the President
Yikes! He only takes one med, for cholesterol.
Should we play the let's compare game?Trump is healthier than I am, and I'm on a rigid diet and workout daily LMAO
Physically, maybe, but clearly not mentally. That is the opinion of experts (already cited) and simple observation.
Shoot, he probably beats me there too.
I couldn't imagine the kind of mental fortitude it takes to balance the amount of interaction he has in a day. Any president, really, needs to have some level of mental fortitude I don't think I could match. I can barely handle managing a little over one-hundred employees, I don't think I could hack balancing the power of the world on my shoulders.
As for the opinion of experts, I wipe my booty with expert opinions these days. They're no more an expert on what the highest echelons of society have to deal with than you or me.
Trump just needs to be more stoic, stop injecting himself into everything. Being the most powerful man in the world, I'd think he should have much more in the way of tact as a prerequisite. The level of tact I desire, I haven't seen since the Obamster was in office. Didn't like his identitarian focus, but boy could he captivate me with his diction and charm.He’s taken standard cognitive tests multiple times, including during his last physical, and has passed them — something that should carry weight. I don’t think it’s fair for anyone without medical training to casually diagnose him with mental issues. Meanwhile, maybe it’s time to take a hard look at the man you supported — someone whose cognitive decline has been evident from the beginning. I won’t pretend to know how serious it is, but the signs have been visible for years. Now, even people who worked closely with him are stepping forward and confirming what many of us saw all along.
If not cognitively impaired, why would someone believe that a doctored photo is real? Hold it up to the press and claim so?
With a peek we discover that Trump took the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). He took it two times before. Yes, he did score a 30 out of 30. Whoo-hoo! Yet, it does not measure intelligence or any psychological profile of any sort. It is a brief 10 minute test used as a screening tool.
From the National Library of Medicine it states as a conclusion;
"This study shows that validating the MoCA using healthy controls overestimates specificity. Taking clinical and demographic characteristics into account, the MoCA is a suitable screening tool—in an old age psychiatry setting—for distinguishing between those in need of further diagnostic investigations and those who are not but not for diagnosing cognitive impairment."
Get the low-down with questions worth 30 points at the following link. Take the assessment yourself just for giggles to see how tough it is.
The Mini-Mental State Examination and Other Neuropsychological Assessment Tools for Detecting Cognitive Decline presented by Science Direct
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/ne … assessment
One of the many articles on this topic is . . .
The Internet Is Having A Field Day After Trump Bragged About Acing His Cognitive Test by BuzzFeed (Apr 17, 2025)
https://www.yahoo.com/news/people-absol … 18483.html
As an opinion I don't think there is much to brag about.
Being an RN, I was shocked at the factbhe takes only one med --- a statin! His vitals and labs are all pretty great. Not sure why anyone would find Trump's health status a problem. He certainly received a really good physical report.
"Not sure why"...
I'm sure you DO know why...
The same reason those very same people claimed for 4 years that the vegetable they were propping up as President was as "sharp as ever" mentally.
They should remake the movie "Weekend at Bernie's"... adjust the script for real life events and rename it "Brandon's Presidency"...It is really hard to believe that someone who is that overweight would be physically healthy.
I am not sure why you would bring up weight, given our very "fat" society. I am always reminded when I take the time to look around me and see all the very overweight people. Even our children are overweight.
Yes, America is generally considered an overweight and obese nation by global standards. Here are some key statistics to illustrate the situation:
U.S. Overweight & Obesity Stats (CDC & NIH)
Adults (Age 20 and over):
Overweight (BMI 25–29.9): 31.1%
Obese (BMI 30+): 41.9%
Severely obese (BMI 40+): 9.2%
That means about 73% of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese.
Children & Adolescents (Ages 2–19):
Obese: 19.7%
That’s approximately 1 in 5 children.
Trump lost weight, 22 pounds --- headed in the right direction.
Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculation:
Height: 6'3" (75 inches / 1.905 meters)
Weight: 222 lbs (100.7 kg)
BMI = ~ 27.7
What does that mean?
BMI of 27.7 falls into the "overweight" category (25.0–29.9).
It’s below the obesity threshold (BMI of 30), so if accurate, Trump has technically moved from “obese” to “overweight.”That's a lot of unhealthy people. And I do not believe for one second that Trump weighs 222 lb LOL
Actually, it was LESS than half the population chose Trump, many holding their noses.
You have basically three groups that put Trump in as dictator.
1) The MAGA cult - 36% who will vote for Trump even though he is a felon and sexual predator
2) People who were motivated by Trump's lies about making the economy better - 13.8%
3) The significant decline in Democratic turn out. (I always have to wonder how much of that was due to misogyny?)
So, if Trump hadn't lied (although we know he can't help himself because of his dangerous mental illness) OR if more Democrats would have voted, we wouldn't be in the terrible mess we are in today.You’re presenting this as if it's a well-reasoned, fact-based analysis, but all I see are assumptions, insults, and speculative percentages with no sources. If you’re going to accuse millions of people of being part of a “cult,” or claim a candidate only won because of “mental illness,” then at least back it up with something more than personal disdain.
Let’s start with your numbers. You say “less than half the population chose Trump”, well, yes, that’s true in every modern election. No presidential candidate gets votes from more than half the total population, because not everyone votes. The real question is whether he won under the system we all live by: the Electoral College. He did. Just like Biden did in 2020. That’s how presidential elections work. And let’s not ignore the actual turnout, Biden received more votes than any presidential candidate in American history, and Trump received the second most. So to undermine that support by dismissing it as a product of lies or cult-like thinking is not just inaccurate, it’s illogical.
Labeling 36% of voters as a “cult” just because they disagree with you is lazy and intellectually dishonest. Many people support Trump not because they approve of every personal flaw, but because they prioritize policy, the economy, border security, or foreign relations. Reducing them to mindless followers only exposes the weakness of your argument.
As for calling him a “felon and sexual predator,” you're citing accusations and legal situations that are still heavily contested, and you’re ignoring the reality that many Americans believe these charges are politically motivated or exaggerated. You’re not obligated to agree, but pretending your opinion is an objective fact doesn’t make it so.
You speculate that some Democratic losses may be due to misogyny, again, no evidence, just conjecture to prop up a preferred narrative. Maybe voter enthusiasm was down because of weak messaging, bad policy performance, or a lack of connection with working-class voters. Blaming sexism every time the left underperforms is not analysis, it’s deflection.
Saying Trump’s support is due to “dangerous mental illness” is not only reckless and stigmatizing, it’s a cheap shot designed to shut down debate. You don’t have to like him, but if you want to have a serious conversation about why voters support him, start by treating those voters like thinking adults, not dupes or bigots.
Until then, you're just repeating media talking points dressed up as facts, and that’s not a debate. That’s a rant.Actually, my report is factual. It is your response that is not.
First, I was responding the claim of one of those on your side that Trump won by more than 50% - that is factually incorrect.
Second, your assertion that "well, yes, that’s true in every modern election" is also not factual. The Truth is Biden, Obama, Obama, and Bush II in 2004. Only Trump didn't win by a majority.
"Electoral College (and the rest of that paragraph" - that was what was said, what was said was that Trump won the majority of votes.
MAGA is a cult by the normal definition of the word, They are no different than Jim Jones followers. I refer you to Dr, Band Lee's analysis of Trump and his followers in "Profile of a Nation, Trump's Mind, America's Soul" or my four or five articles on the subject. I do agree with you that there are many Trump voters who aren't part of his cult. I'll expand more on the next post.
"As for calling him a “felon and sexual predator,” you're citing accusations and legal situations " - SO, are you telling me that Trump has convinced your America's legal system is no more? That any verdicts anywhere aren't worth the paper they are printed on? Is this why you are suggesting that a convicted felon is not really convicted and that an adjudicated sexual predator is, in truth, not an adjudicated sexual predator? Seems to me the juries (you may not, and that is your right, but I still believe in, even though I disagree with them sometimes) had the final say in both of those matters. - It really doesn't matter what "many" people think. Even there you are on thin ice:
* CBS/YouGov poll: 58% think the jury got the verdict right (in this poll, 56% of Independents agreed)
* Morning Consult poll: 54% approved of the verdict (Independents - 52%)
* ABC/Ipsos poll: 50% approved.(Independents - 52%)
The misogyny comment was a question because the two times a Democratic woman ran for president, the Democratic vote was suppressed. It would have been "speculation" if I had stated it as a fact.
Please get what I said correct, before you criticize it. This is untrue - "Saying Trump’s support is due to “dangerous mental illness” is not only reckless and stigmatizing, " I did not say that.
What I said was that Trump is dangerously mentally ill" and is unfit. That is not me saying that, instead, that is the conclusion of dozens of psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals. They have been trying to get people to listen to them about how unfit this man is to be president.
THEREFORE, it is NOT a "cheap shot" nor is it "designed to shut down debate" (I am not sure how that does that in any case).
Unlike others on your side, I don't respond to media talking points but do deep research.I shared my view. I have no time to put into a conversation with anyone who uses the word cult to depict American voters. And to depict the president as dangerously mentally ill, and unfit.
You are once again insulting others. It seems you can't help yourself. I find this kind of labeling disgusting.
Where is your source --- What psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals made this kind of statement?I gave you one of MANY sources - try reading it.
I'll give more in the forum I just created for this subject.
Now to the Cult thing. If you query ChatGPT, it will tell you that:
According to psychologists and cult researchers (e.g., Steven Hassan, Robert Lifton), cults typically involve:
* Unquestioning devotion to a central figure - CHECK - Trump
* Isolation from alternative viewpoints - CHECK - Fake Fox News
* Use of fear, loyalty, or conspiracy to control members - CHECK
* Dismissal of facts conflicting with group beliefs - DOUBLE CHECK
* A sense of moral or spiritual superiority - CHECK
MAGA checks all those boxes. Conclusion, MAGA is a cult. You know another characteristic of all cults? The members always deny they are in one.
If you want PROOF of each one of those, I would be happy to supply it; but I think you know it to be true already.ESO...
Isolation from alternative viewpoints - CHECK
Is it self isolation when you deliberately ignore all sources of information not approved by "Left" or "Progressive" media sources?
* Use of fear, loyalty, or conspiracy to control members - CHECK
Is that what is called "cancel culture"?
... is that what occurs to those who stand up for their beliefs and ideals?
Remember how they cancelled Tulsi Gabbard for not accepting Party falsehoods or peddling the 'Progressive' ideology?
* Dismissal of facts conflicting with group beliefs - DOUBLE CHECK
Exactly... like dismissing biological Sex... forcing women to accept transmen as women in their bathrooms, lockers and sports.Thanks for proving my point exactly.
To answer your first point - Conservatives BY FAR AND AWAY get their information from only Fake Fox News and a couple of other far-right sources. Liberals get their information from many sources.
Conservatives
Primary Source: A significant portion of conservatives rely heavily on Fox News for political news. A Pew Research Center study found that 47% of consistent conservatives cited Fox News as their main source for news about government and politics, and 88% expressed trust in Fox News .
[Time], [Pew Research Center]
Distrust of Other Media: Conservatives tend to express greater distrust than trust of many mainstream news sources. In the same Pew study, consistent conservatives expressed greater distrust than trust of 24 out of 36 news sources measured .
[Pew Research Center], [Time]A question remains, why are conservatives so frightened by mainstream media, do they really think the majority of thought and ideas ans published are automatically opposed to them?
A question for the ages - or - it may just boil down to FEAR, fear of others.
That got me to thinking and I put this question to ChatGPT - "Are there any studies on why conservatives fear things that liberals do not?"
The answer was QUITE illuminating! (the '+'s are how many times ChatGPT used that source)
Brain Structure and Threat Sensitivity
Amygdala Volume: Studies have found that individuals with conservative political views tend to have a larger amygdala—a brain region involved in processing fear and threat—compared to liberals.
New York Post
+3
Wikipedia
+3
The Times
+3
Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC): Conversely, liberals often show greater volume in the ACC, a region associated with monitoring uncertainty and conflict. This may contribute to a higher tolerance for ambiguity among liberals. (I wonder if this is why liberals are more Intuitive and why Conservatives make fun of intuition.)
PNAS
+3
A-Mark Foundation
+3
A-Mark Foundation
+3
Wikipedia
Physiological Responses to Threat
Startle Reflex and Skin Conductance: Research indicates that conservatives exhibit stronger physiological reactions—such as heightened startle responses and increased skin conductance—to threatening stimuli like loud noises or disturbing images.
PMC
+1
Live Science
+1
Cultural and Contextual Factors
It's important to note that these findings are general trends and may vary across different cultures and contexts. For instance, a study involving Dutch participants found that while conservatives had a slightly larger amygdala, the difference was minimal, suggesting that social environment and cultural factors also play significant roles in shaping political attitudes.
Axios
+7
The Guardian
+7
The Times
+7
In summary, scientific research suggests that conservatives may have heightened sensitivity to certain threats due to differences in brain structure, physiological responses, and psychological traits. However, these are general patterns and individual experiences may vary.I just changed a word in your question--- Yikes!
Chatgpt
1. Intolerance for Dissent in Liberal Environments
A 2020 Cato Institute/YouGov poll found that progressives were more likely than other ideological groups to support firing or punishing people for expressing controversial views — even when those views were non-violent or expressed outside of work. This supports the idea that some liberals may respond with labeling or social punishment when confronted with disagreement.
A 2021 study published in Perspectives on Psychological Science found that ideological conformity was particularly strong in left-leaning academic and media environments. The authors observed that those with more liberal views expressed more discomfort with viewpoint diversity, particularly on topics involving race, gender, or identity.
2. Emotional Reactivity to Contradictory Facts
A study by Crawford (2017) in the journal Political Psychology observed that liberals and conservatives are both prone to motivated reasoning, but liberals were especially reactive to information that contradicted deeply held moral beliefs about inequality or discrimination. This can result in emotional outbursts or attempts to discredit opposing sources.
3. Use of Social Shaming and Labels
Research from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and Heterodox Academy has tracked cases where liberal-leaning student groups or activists used social pressure, labeling, or cancelation tactics to silence views they deemed offensive or harmful. These behaviors often included accusations of racism, bigotry, or hate — even when the underlying disagreement was policy-based.
4. Belief in Ideologically-Aligned Conspiracies
A 2022 paper by Uscinski et al., published in Political Behavior, found that liberals were more likely to believe in certain unsubstantiated theories, such as:
Corporations or Republicans intentionally sabotaging social progress,
Climate change timelines that significantly exceed scientific consensus,
The idea that systemic fascism is imminent in the U.S.
While these are often rooted in real concerns, the emotional certainty and lack of openness to counter-evidence were highlighted as significant in highly partisan liberal respondents.
Conclusion
Yes, there are studies and surveys that support your view — that some liberals, especially those deeply involved in social or political activism, can exhibit:
Emotional reactivity,
Use of labeling and social shaming,
Intolerance of contradictory facts,
Susceptibility to certain ideological conspiracies.
These findings are mostly framed around highly partisan or activist liberals, not all who identify as liberal. Let me know if you'd like specific citations or links to these sources.What was the word you changed so I can check it out.
Here is what I got this time when switching the word liberal for conservative. My last comment was posted in error. That is part of the research I am doing for an article. My apologies. Here is what I got
"Are there any studies on why liberals fear things that liberals do not?"
ChatGpt "Studies on Fears More Common Among Liberals
1. Fear of Social Injustice and Inequality
Research by Jesse Graham and Jonathan Haidt (2009) through Moral Foundations Theory shows that liberals are more likely to fear systemic oppression, discrimination, and social inequality.
Liberals tend to prioritize moral values such as care/harm and fairness/justice, which makes them more sensitive to perceived threats involving racism, sexism, environmental injustice, and poverty.
2. Fear of Environmental Collapse
Studies from Pew Research Center (2019, 2021) show that liberals (especially younger ones) report higher levels of concern and fear about climate change, mass extinction, and environmental destruction.
This aligns with findings from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, which show liberals are more likely to feel anxiety, anger, and fear about government inaction on the climate.
3. Fear of Authoritarianism and Fascism
A 2022 paper by Joseph Uscinski et al. in Political Behavior showed that liberals are more likely to believe in and fear:
The rise of fascism in the U.S.
Government surveillance targeting minorities or activists
The erosion of civil rights
These fears can arise even without strong evidence, showing how deeply rooted the concern is for loss of democratic norms or minority protections.
4. Fear of Regressive Policies
Studies from the American National Election Studies (ANES) database show liberals express strong fear of:
Laws that limit abortion rights
Restrictions on transgender rights
Book bans or censorship
These fears stem from a concern that progressive social gains could be reversed, and that vulnerable groups may suffer as a result.
5. Fear of Exclusion or Social Harm
A 2020 study in Emotion by Feinberg et al. found that liberals are more likely to experience fear and moral outrage in response to perceived exclusion, marginalization, or cruelty, even when it doesn't affect them directly.
This reflects a tendency toward universal empathy and heightened sensitivity to emotional harm inflicted on others.
Summary
According to research, liberals are more likely to experience fear-based reactions to:
Social injustice and systemic inequality,
Environmental collapse or climate inaction,
Authoritarianism, censorship, or fascism,
Loss of civil or minority rights,
Moral harm inflicted on others, even strangers.
Let me know if you'd like links to any of these sources or further explanation of a particular study for your article."Thanks, that seems more reasonable.
I did put your other first answer to it and ChatGPT made the distinction between your run-of-the-mill liberal and "strong" liberal. In the likelihood to fire somebody there was a distinct difference between strong liberals and strong conservatives where the strong liberals were almost twice as likely to fire somebody in upper management for hold "wrong" views.
This is what I got when I reversed the two groups:I am having a hell of a time trying to paste things.
I’ve been working on an article for a while now that explores the psychology of liberals versus conservatives, diving into ideological differences, values, religious beliefs, and more. But along the way, it’s gotten a bit tangled and, honestly, more biased than I intended. I’m trying to rein it in and shape it into something thoughtful, not just another hit piece. I want readers, regardless of where they stand, to walk away with something to think about. Right now, I’ve got notes scattered everywhere, so I’m still wrangling it into a coherent piece.
Let me try to paste again - this has to do with the spectrum political thought.
On the Right: From Moderate to MAGA
1. Traditional/Moderate Conservatives - Focus on fiscal conservatism, limited government, strong national defense, and free markets. moderates still believe in those things, but are in the distinct minority today
Tend to respect institutions, favor procedural norms, and may support compromise. - Example: George W. Bush, Mitt Romney (pre-2016).
2. Strong Conservatives
Consistently conservative across social and economic issues.
Oppose abortion, support gun rights, strict immigration, religious values.
Often more aligned with movement conservatism (e.g., Heritage Foundation, National Review).
Still operate within traditional norms, though strongly partisan.
3. MAGA Conservatives (Populist Right)
Centered on loyalty to Trump and often express anti-establishment, anti-globalist, anti-elite rhetoric.
Mix traditional conservatism with economic nationalism, conspiracy tolerance, and culture-war maximalism.
More likely to reject election results, endorse aggressive rhetoric, or distrust mainstream media.
Example: Steve Bannon, Marjorie Taylor Greene.
On the Left: Is There a MAGA Equivalent?
There is no direct equivalent to MAGA on the left — nothing with a comparable cult of personality, rejection of institutions, or disregard for democratic norms.
But there are factions that resemble MAGA in intensity and in-group discipline. These include:
1. Progressives / Democratic Socialists
Emphasize economic justice, anti-capitalism, universal healthcare, climate action, and anti-racism.
Examples: Bernie Sanders (to a degree), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democratic Socialists of America.
While often combative, they generally respect institutions (elections, courts) and pursue policy via legislation.
2. "Woke Left" / Identity-Focused Activism
Strong emphasis on race, gender, and systemic oppression.
Less tolerant of dissent on sensitive issues (e.g., misgendering, cultural appropriation).
May push for institutional overhauls (e.g., police abolition, defunding), but again, not typically anti-democratic.
Often accused of cancel culture or speech policing, similar to how MAGA is accused of groupthink or authoritarianism.
Also, I did a deeper dive into the spectrum from extreme liberalism to extreme conservativism and got this.
I am surprised that you would not fear these things, Sharlee. Do conservatives actually support them?
Is it no wonder that I rarely support a conservative point of view?
LMFAO...
Your stuff is straight out of the same books used to justify racism in the past.
We have dissected the brain compartment and it clearly shows that in the Caucasian skull there is 36% more space for brains than in the non-caucasian skull, therefore the average intellect is to be significantly higher ...
These highly scientific studies you provide in your post above is proof of genetic superiority.
Proof that to be a Conservative you must be a genetically inferior human... A deplorable that should be treated as the genetic inferior you most obviously are.
This is great... In all reality the breakthrough we have needed!!!
You have provided the scientific proof!
We can move past basing our divisions on the color of skin or the sex you were born...
We can base our prejudice purely on politics!
We can quantify and embody into those who identify as Conservatives all the wrongs done...all the evils needing to be vanquished!
You have provided the scientific proof that proves it a necessity, due to genetic defaults within their own brains... That they be removed from society... Their continued existence a threat to everything we hope humanity to be.
Regarding your "cancel culture" comment. That is an artifact of Conservatives and not Liberals. First, Tulsi Gabbard is not a culture, she is just someone who likes dictators.
Regarding the Conservative "cancel culture" of alternative lifestyles and genetically-determined sexual orientation.
The fact that Conservatives are ONLY able to focus on the Phenotype of a person, i.e., Penis or Vagina, rather than the Genotype of a person along with the hormonal, epigenetic, and environmental influences show a severe lack of comprehension on how things work in the human body.
You can read up on it here:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10 … hatgpt.com
https://time.com/5662444/gay-gene-study … hatgpt.com
https://www.academia.edu/118753188/Gene … hatgpt.com
https://www.wired.com/2008/06/scientist … hatgpt.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_LeV … hatgpt.com
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25172350/I don't need to read anyone's mental gymnastics... I got common sense...
Boys have penises and girls have vaginas...
Anything else is just ignorant or insanity...
And the greatest economy in the world, and the most productive presidency in modern times, and no wars, and the rebuilding of our infrastructure, and lower drug prices, and beating the pandemic-caused inflation, and getting more shots in arms than even Trump had hoped for.
Why exactly? Because he lied to the American people about brining prices down when he knew they are going to go up (or should have known) compounded by too many Americans believing his lies.
This set of voters FALSELY believed that the Democrats and Biden were the "cause" of the inflation they were suffering through rather than using the brains God gave them to analyze the issue. This set them up to buy into the snake oil Trump was selling.
Absent that, we would have a president we could be proud of rather than the dangerously mentally ill man we do have.
I'll admit that my knee-jerk reaction to his comments was that of, "ick."
I prefer my leaders to stand silent and imposing during such things. We don't need to express our greatness, we simply are. It's a historical social rule that you let your actions speak for themselves, and let others boast on your behalf where they feel it appropriate.
That being said, I wish it wasn't so taboo to discuss the heroic deeds of German military defectors during WWII and the horrible things that were done to them as they helped people escape. It's an all-around sour topic.
Pretty sure Trump is just memeing at the expense of his nation's reputation at this point.“I prefer my leaders to stand silent and imposing during such things. We don't need to express our greatness, we simply are. It's a historical social rule that you let your actions speak for themselves, and let others boast on your behalf where they feel it appropriate.”
Kyler, this statement constitutes the epitome of my view on this matter and on most others. Let others be motivated by your fine example and be inspired to follow your lead. That is not in existence in current times. I could use an education on the existence of German military defectors and their roles during the war.
What Trump says was simply tactless, dumb and uncalled for, why am I not surprised?I had a friend who started my journey down the rabbit hole of suppressed information on German military defectors, we shall call him Timmy, and I'll tell you about his relevant ancestry and their tale in as brief a manner as I can.
Timmy and his family are/were under the protection of the USA, and have been so since the end of WWII. His great grandfather was serving in the SS as a high-ranking NCO. Timmy granted me access to his family's collection of journals, medals, gear, and missives collected from the war and I learned of a suppressed truth I'd never heard of until I read these documents.
For the sake of brevity and not revealing too much: Timmy's great grandfather served in the SS, and held a notably high rank. He often expressed concern in his writings that the war was not going to go in Germany's favor, and he was opposed to much of what he was being made to do to ethnic Germans (Jews included). There was a clear disconnect between his principles and the orders he was receiving.
His missives to leadership caught the attention of several Sturmscharführer, and one was directly supportive of his concerns to the point they had an ongoing discussion about how to save as many folks as they could from the war. After several years of forming connections and plotting out routes, small tests of his plans, he decided it was time to flee Germany with his wife and a considerable number of individuals slated for what would most likely have been death by disease or starvation in a camp. They set out in the evening during an American ground assault, and the Germans were leveling territory just around every corner.
Sadly, they all ended up being caught by the Americans and tortured in a camp. Most of them would succumb to their injuries, including his wife of the time who was raped by several Americans before being beaten to death in front of him. He recalled the moment he resolved himself to live by stating, "I knew I had to live, and the only way to do so was to let them beat my face. 'Just keep your head up as they beat you,' I told myself, knowing from my training that my face could be repaired, but I would not survive my brain being destroyed."
He was permanently disfigured by the Americans and his wife raped and beaten to death in front of him before they discovered his rank and role during interrogations. Upon discovery, he recalls a grizzled officer taking pity on him, and then from there I've sworn not to discuss further details of his subsequent assimilation into the USA under the protection of our government. It wasn't until after the war that he was able to recover much of his personal journals and missives, and it wasn't until after his death that his now-American family learned his tale.
I used this knowledge as a starting point for learning about German defectors, mostly out of skepticism, and it has lead me to question the surrounding narrative of WWII to a greater degree than I would have had I continued with being content with what was already being taught. Sadly, Timmy and his family disappeared one day after inviting me to tag along on their journeys. They offered to adopt me into their family, send me to a prestigious European college alongside Timmy where we were to study our STEM fields we were going to enter into and excelling in at the time, and I refused out of fear... but one day not soon after the offer we went to go visit him and they had just disappeared with no warning.
I've tried to track them down using various methods, but even the names attached to their previous addresses are all different people and entities that don't provide a lick of clarity. I miss him, and I feel like I never truly got the time to explore their tales in a way they deserve to be explored. Granted, they were also openly opposed to the company I kept in my friend circle and this pushed Timmy away from me prior to their departure.
Maybe one day the government will be more open and honest about things such as this, one can hope.Was it gifted insight? Why did this German officer predict that the war was not going to be in Germany’s favor? Did he make the prediction prior to it being evident after the war progressed or did he make it early after, just curious? How did he deal with the moral quandary while being an SS officer, the SS being the most feared part of the German military machine.
The victors write the history and conceal what was clearly information that the guys in the White hats don’t want to own up to. Such behavior was no better than than what sent so many Nazi leaders to the gallows at Nuremberg. It was similar to Lt. Calley during Vietnam and the 1968 Mi Lai massacre, brutality is a common trait of men at war.
I can only imagine why the necessary stealth in the “family” behavior after so long, all the relevant characters are dead or almost so. I have a 16 book time life edition focused on WWII in all of its aspects and there was never any discussion of these things. They, the government withholds information, because you would be outraged if the “truth” were brought forth as it would pose a threat to their power and preeminence . The Kennedy assassination was one of those examples. The government being more candid about things that its survival depends on keeping secret? I would not hold my breath waiting for it.
While studying with Jehovahs Witnesses, my guide was a man who was a foot soldier in the Wehrmacht during the last 2 years of the war at 17 years old. And once he was done with my spiritual lesson, he would tell me about his experiences during the waning years of World War II. He said that he never shot anyone and I believe him. He was the Sgt. Schultz, candy bar type. He still lives and may well make 100 years by 2027.I don't want to give any timelines, but from his writings it seemed that he became disillusioned with the war effort when they would not allow him to be closer to his wife and continued to move him to further postings that posed more questions than it gave him answers he was seeking. It was when his wife instead moved to be close to him that he seemed to lose his zeal toward the effort, and began to be conscious of the long-term effects the war would have. Once he and his wife started facing regular questioning concerning the company they kept, he really began to see things from a long-term losing perspective.
I'd say he was actively questioning things the entire time, trying to justify things but combined with a constant pepper of skepticism. His family was involved in the military prior to the war, and great grandfather taken into the SS earlier on. He believed, and continued to believe in the underlying sense of altruism around what he'd done, but he couldn't balance the false altruism with what he was having to do to people. He was insistent that there was a better, less violent way to achieve the dream of the Reich, and of course he was concerned that his wife was going to disappear.
In the end, he died a broken man concerned for the future of Germany.
As for why the family retains protection from the US government, that was something that fuels my curiosity to this day. It seems mostly unnecessary, but on the other hand they were all very fervent about their support of the underlying goals of the Reich. Their family culture was centered around much of the values held in Germany during the war, but with less genocidal desire.
I've had the chance to speak to a few pilots from back in those days. Always fascinating folk, even those who never fired a single round. Just overall a different time, culture, and mindset on all levels.Their family culture was centered around much of the values held in Germany during the war, but with less genocidal desire.
I can’t understand how the Nazi objectives could be obtained without the genocidal factor.
Back in my days as a young officer at March AFB California, many of the Colonels spoke fondly of the “Ba Ba, Black Sheep” days while nursing drinks at the Officers club.Their ideas were centered around the idea of authoritarian segregation, relocation, and assistance with financial and resource support for reestablishing entire demographics. However, they also felt that it was upon science to find a way to enhance the human race as well, and they'd even had in-depth conversations with me about my ideas around what the ethics of science should be.
For example, one of their favorite questions to ask people was, "Do you think the ends justify the means in scientific endeavors?"
Of course I had to request further context, "Well, give me a scenario where you feel the ethics of science would be widely perceived as being bent or altered for the sake of society as a whole."
They then posed the scenario, "If you had to sacrifice millions of children to ensure the rest of the world could thrive, would you do it?"
To which I responded, "Only if I felt it was a guarantee that such an endeavor would succeed. Though, I think I would quickly begin to find ways to undermine the need for the sacrificing of children, and strive for an alternative where such sacrifice would not be needed. Perhaps I'd even have to ensure the endeavor could not continue. Nothing short of guarantees warrants sacrificing children."
Never did figure out if they found that answer sufficient, or suspicious. I would put my money on it being the latter. They seemed very much in favor of the idea that the ends would justify the means in almost all scenarios. Whether genocide was the goal to begin with or not, history tells us that people with this mentality most often are willing and ready to take genocidal actions.If I recall, the NaZis were talking about “Lebensraum” living space to be carved out from Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, what would be the fate of the inhabitants already there? Being reasonable was not part of Hitler’s final solution.
Did your associates believed in the inherent superiority of the Aryans? did they, after the war ever really reevaluated this attitude? Did they feel the need to?
Their question and answer would presume that their hypothesis was not already fraught with error to begin with. Absolutes may exist in physical science, but not in social science.
To make such a determination regarding the question of sacrificing children, I would need to have the certainty of an outcome that only exists in the physical sciences. Who can present that sort of irrefutable evidence and support it?
The Nazis “Race Science” was pseudoscience at the outset. Making it a science, allowed for immutable laws and observation using the scientific method, etc. The Nazis designation of “race science” as real science was the basis for making such a guarantee of infallibility of belief and policy.
Have your friends learned anything at all regarding the true nature of the world and the inherent evil nature of Nazism that extends far beyond its mere margins?"Did your associates believed in the inherent superiority of the Aryans? did they, after the war ever really reevaluated this attitude? Did they feel the need to?"
No, they more so believed that people fare better within their respective homogeneous communities. The only thing they truly seemed to reevaluate was the fervor for extermination based on race, creed, etc. Their idea was that no one needed to die, simply be relocated and reestablished in respective communities and supported through those endeavors.
I doubt they've reevaluated their stances much since the last time I saw them, but who knows? Maybe they're in Europe somewhere supporting the local communities, and had a change of heart along the way.
Do you have a source for any of this information or just the word of this friend?
I ask because I lived in Germany for three years in the 80s and I remember some of the men my husband worked with in the German army who talked about how horrible the war was. "An American pilot killed one of my grandfather's cows." is an example they gave from personal experience. "That war ruined our country." was often said with no mention of the eight million people they dragged from their homes and killed.
There are horrible stories that come out of wars with no way to know if they are true or not. And governments are rarely open and honest about them.The source was more so the journals and missives, and less so word of mouth from my friend and his family, that I'm using as reference for the information. I wrote much of it down verbatim in a journal of my own for further research, as well as took a few pictures of documents that were too long to write by hand. Their pride in the German war effort, and subsequently their shaming of me for the company I kept, made me stay a proverbial arm's distance away from any information excluding the documents.
Though the documents seem authentic for the times, much of it written in standard high German with a tone representative of the era and some of it bearing official seals, I still maintain my skepticism. However, I'm also skeptic towards my skepticism because of comparing and contrasting what I could and could not confirm from the journals. I feel like most of the history behind WWII, especially from a German perspective, has been destroyed and/or sits desolate in wealthy oligarchs' vaults like a trophy.Thank you for your reply. I was just curious because of my own experience.
You are a very interesting individual... or a very good storyteller/writer...
Both perhaps...
Not the first time I have read a post of yours and found myself engrossed in the topic and perspective...It's most certainly a flavorful combination of storytelling and presenting as interesting. In truth, I just absorb information like a sponge, filter out what isn't relevant or more so what I think is boring, and regurgitate it in an attractive way, or I try to.
My grandfather once told me after a riveting tale of his time as an acting chief of police, "Kyler, never let the truth get in the way of a good story. You'll notice my stories get better every time I tell them," before letting out a hearty laugh and going back to his cherry chocolate tobacco pipe and cleaning his favorite .38 snubby.
Though I go to great lengths to remain honest, I spice things up with a bit of sensationalism that doesn't detract from the truth while also making it more palatable. My grandfather took great pride in his ability to regale stories and capture a crowd, and his words on the matter have stuck with me to this day.
I appreciate the recognition, and I look forward to further conversations. I always like your perspectives, and where I don't I see they're more often based in a solid foundation than just being based in emotion.
And mental health experts would claim that Trump is compensating for very low self-esteem.
Yes, the Russians bore the brunt of World War II in terms of suffering & casualties. The Russians lost over 20 million dead in World War II through killings, murders, imprisonment as POWs, in concentration camps, & as slave laborers. Part of World War II was fought on Russian soil. The Russians suffered immensely during World War II.
The Soviet Union would not have been able to defeat the Nazis if it weren't for the material support of the United States between 1941 and 1945.
The United States gave the Soviet Union many things.
400,000 jeeps & trucks
14,000 airplanes
8,000 tractors
13,000 tanks
1.5 million blankets
15 million pairs of army boots
107,000 tons of cotton
2.7 million tons of petrol products
4.5 million tons of food
This is just another reason why the United States won World War II.
I completely understand the frustration behind that comment, and I can even agree with some of the points. As someone who voted for Trump, I don’t blindly support everything he says or does, This is one of those moments where I disagreed with him. I believe that every nation that fought to overcome Hitler deserves equal recognition. The sacrifices made by the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the countless individuals in resistance movements across occupied Europe were immense. The Polish citizen resistance army, in particular, showed incredible courage, fighting against impossible odds, often without sufficient support, and suffering brutal retaliation. When I speak of the “cost” of that war, I’m not talking about finances, I’m talking about the human cost. The loss of life, the families destroyed, the suffering endured by soldiers and civilians alike. That weight was not borne by the United States alone, and to suggest otherwise is, frankly, wrong.
That said, I think I understand what Trump was trying to get at, even if his delivery missed the mark. He often speaks from a place of wanting Americans to feel proud of their country, something that resonates with a lot of people who feel patriotism has been watered down or ignored. But pride should never come at the expense of truth or by ignoring the values we fought for. We didn’t enter World War II to dominate or show off our might, we fought for freedom, justice, and to protect the innocent. That’s what truly made our role meaningful.
I don’t agree with everything Trump says, but that doesn’t mean I, or others who voted for him, lack values or critical thinking. We all weigh different issues, and sometimes we accept what we don’t like in one area because we believe in the bigger picture in another.
So, yes, I disagreed with his statement about Victory Day. I wish he had acknowledged the broader Allied effort, including the immense sacrifice and bravery that all showed.Let’s face it, Sharlee, it was a tactless comment. Someone lacking prudence in so sensitive an area for so many I would not give a great deal of confidence concerning other matters.
I would have to say many of the allies in World War I & II were also responsible for the start of those wars.
In World War II, the United States was the only country able to have military victories on more than one continent, more than one ocean. It was the industrial power of the United States that produced the majority of the weapons of war.
Yes, the United States won World War II. England almost lost its army at Dunkirk. France had been overrun by the Nazis. Italy was unable to do much because of being ruled by a dictator. Nazis could have actually taken over Europe if it wasn't for the United States.
While fighting the war in Europe, the United States also fought and defeated the Germans in North Africa.
The United States brought its military might to cause victory in Europe, it also was fighting and winning the war in Asia. It was the United States who took the islands of Guam and others. It was the United States who defeated the Japanese in the Philippines. It was the United States who defeated Japan.
Yes, the United States won World War II because of its industrial and military strength.
President Donald Trump is absolutely correct.
It's time for a history lesson.No, Mike, I am aware of military history. Trump is wrong as he is about virtually everything else.
Ignorant thoughts lead to ignorant comments, am I going to assume that his actions are going to be any different?
However, to each, his own. I say the man is a jerk, contrary to your opinion.President Donald Trump is right when he says the United States won World War I and World War II.
He is right to make it a day of celebration for the United States.
Most on the left suffer from TDS and are unable to see how he is right about many things.Trump is on a tour in the Middle East, working to attract more investment to America and hoping to snag 1 trillion.
Joe, as more books roll out, not looking too good for those that hide his sad decline.
Touche Sharlee. We will see how this pans out. His personal / family business entanglements with these nations cast doubts and ethics concerns. He has plans for properties in all three nations he's visiting. While the true value of Saudi and other Gulf Arab states’ investments in the US economy has always been hazy, their deals with Trump’s family business and its foreign partners are far more tangible.
But the most troubling behavior is the acceptance of huge gifts from foreign leaders. A jet from Qatar. A crypto deal from the UAE. Zero benefit for Americans?
I don't know, is the visit about diplomacy or the family business?All we can do now is watch how it plays out. I don’t dig into Trump’s or his family’s business ventures—it's too complex and layered. What I do believe is that Trump, or anyone close to him, can barely sneeze without ending up in court. And by the way, I loved that picture! I used to share photos all the time, but fell out of the habit. But you know, girlfriend—I had to swipe back for that one.
How is a free jet to replace Air Force One of zero benefit for Americans? Will we now have to buy another one to please those that don't like the gift?
Well there is the matter of that pesky Constitution...
The gift of a jumbo jet from Qatar to Trump is considered a violation of the Constitution primarily because it breaches the Foreign Emoluments Clause....
The jet offered by Qatar is reportedly valued at around $400 million, making it an extraordinarily lavish gift that far exceeds any minimal value typically allowed under federal gift laws.
Also...There has been no congressional approval for this gift, which is a constitutional requirement. Acceptance of the jet without Congress's consent would therefore be unlawful.According to the news story I watched, your imagination is at work again, for the jet is a gift to America, not Donald Trump.
Further checking results in little additional information that makes sense. It is to Trump...but Trump won't own it. The Presidential library will. Or the DOD will, take your choice. The gift is temporary only, or it is forever, take your choice again.
So you may be right...or you may be completely off base. Further information is needed.He should steer clear of potential ethics violations. Plus no one has talked about the time and cost in totally dismantling this plane for security reasons.
What ethics violation? A gift to the US is not a violation of anything. Just something you've made up.
I think the far larger problem is that it doesn't matter what Trump does, those with TDS will claim it is evil and wrong.
What if, at the time America entered the war (either one) all our allies quit fighting to let America do the work.
Do you honestly think America would have prevailed all on its own?I. We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything
Are you not a bit over the top, Mike? America wins for the allies because of an immense industrial capacity that could not be reached and destroyed by the enemy. I really can’t see that translating into superior bravery and military brilliance, do you?
I have disagreed with presidents - both ones I voted for and against. I have admired presidents as persons but disagreed with everything they did (Bush I). I have not admired presidents I voted for but agreed with their policies (Clinton).
But I have never been ashamed of a president because he was immoral without a single redeeming trait - until 2016 and more so now. We knew what he was. We were told by every person who worked for him.
The reason he picked unqualified people for his cabinet is because all his qualified staff last time spoke out against him. Now he only wants people who don't know any better.
And, yes, a majority of voters (not Americans but voters) put him back in office. Shame on them. But more shame on those Americans who did not vote at all. These 100 days are exactly what the next three years and nine months are going to be like. We were warned.Kathleen, it’s one thing to express disappointment in a president; many of us have felt that way, regardless of who we voted for. But it’s another thing entirely to make blanket statements that dismiss tens of millions of Americans as shameful simply because they voted differently, or didn’t vote at all. Based on your wording, “a majority of voters (not Americans but voters) put him back in office", it appears you’re implying that anyone who voted for Trump somehow isn’t a real American. That’s a pretty stark and exclusionary view.
You say you’ve disagreed with presidents from both parties, yet claim to have “never been ashamed of a president” until 2016, because you believe he’s “immoral without a single redeeming trait.” That’s an extreme, emotionally charged judgment, not a reasoned critique. You might not like Trump’s style, but to suggest he has no redeeming traits, or that everyone who supports him should be ashamed, is exactly the kind of divisive rhetoric that fuels the very polarization so many claim to hate.
You also cite that “every person who worked for him” warned us, ignoring that many people who worked with him still support him or at least believe his policies were effective. Dismissing everyone he appoints now as “unqualified” just because you disagree with them politically is reductive. People said the same thing about Obama’s appointees, and Clinton’s, and Bush’s. That’s politics.
Finally, your anger at those who didn’t vote seems misplaced. Voting is a right, not a mandate. Blaming citizens for the outcome of an election they didn’t participate in is a way to dodge the real issue: our country is deeply divided, and many voters genuinely do support Trump’s vision, do. Not because they’re immoral or ignorant, but because they see things differently.
I could not have said it better….
“Trump is a classic bully who craves submission and fears conflict. His fervent supporters want him to be Michael Corleone, but he’s more like Biff Tannen. Standing up to Trump does not mean that you win. But giving in guarantees that you lose.”Some lies, false claims, and misleading claims were recently made and need refuting.
It was said that [Democrats] "gave us 25% inflation"; That is still FALSE no matter how many times it is said
TRUTH - Biden DID NOT cause inflation - the pandemic did. Inflation was NEVER 25%, at its worse, it was at 9.1% after which it started falling rapidly. If fact, the only time inflation exceeded 13.5% was during the Civil War.
It was said that [Democrats] "gave us WW III" - that, of course, is a flat out lie as everyone knows.
It was said that [Democrats] "gave us 8% home mortgage rates" - that is very misleading.
TRUTH If fact, that was the pandemic as well. The way the Fed helped beat the pandemic caused inflation was to raise interest rates, which, in turn, pushed up mortgage rates.It’s clear you feel strongly about your position, but much of what you’ve posted reads more like personal opinion than fact-based analysis. Just because something is said with confidence doesn’t make it true. Let’s break down some of these claims and look at them through the lens of actual economic data and context.
Claim: “Biden did not cause inflation — the pandemic did.”
This is a partial truth spun into a misleading conclusion. Yes, the pandemic disrupted supply chains and affected global markets. But what this argument conveniently ignores is that inflation surged during Biden’s presidency, and in large part due to policy decisions made after the pandemic shocks were already receding.
Economist Larry Summers, former Treasury Secretary under Clinton and economic advisor to Obama, warned in early 2021 that Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan was excessive and would overheat the economy, leading to high inflation. He wasn’t alone — many centrist economists and even some moderate Democrats echoed this concern. Summers said plainly: “There is a chance that macroeconomic stimulus on a scale closer to World War II levels than normal recession levels will set off inflationary pressures of a kind we have not seen in a generation.”
He was right. Inflation peaked at 9.1% in June 2022 — and no, it wasn’t “dropping rapidly” after that; it took well over a year for inflation to return to a semi-manageable range, and many prices remain elevated. So, pretending that the Biden administration had nothing to do with inflation is simply rewriting history. Many economists concurred with Summers's.
Claim: “Inflation was never 25% — that’s false.”
You’re technically right that official year-over-year inflation never hit 25%. But here’s where your argument collapses: When critics say “25% inflation,” they are often referring to cumulative inflation over Biden’s term, and by 2023, prices were up more than 19% since he took office. That is what most Americans felt. Wages didn’t keep up for much of that period, especially in energy, housing, food, and transportation. That pain was real; no amount of statistical hair-splitting erases it.
Claim: “8% mortgage rates were due to the pandemic.”
Again, only partially true. Low interest rates during COVID were a Fed response to economic shutdowns, but the reason the Fed raised rates so aggressively afterward was because of the inflation fueled by overspending and demand stimulation from bills like the American Rescue Plan and other Biden-era programs. In fact, by 2023, mortgage rates hit the highest levels in 23 years, and much of that was baked in by monetary policy trying to catch up with fiscal overreach.
Claim: “Democrats gave us WWIII” is a lie.
While I agree that the term “WWIII” is thrown around irresponsibly, dismissing legitimate concern over global instability under Biden, from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to escalating tensions with China and Iran-backed militias, is just as naive. You don’t have to believe we’re in WWIII to acknowledge that Biden’s foreign policy decisions have not made the world more stable, but dangerously unstable.
In short, blaming everything on COVID while absolving the Biden administration of all responsibility is not only disingenuous, it’s economically illiterate. Leadership is about responding to challenges, not just blaming them. Biden came into office during a global crisis, fair enough. But his team chose to push through massive spending in an already-recovering economy. And Americans paid the price at the pump, in the grocery store, and when trying to buy a home.
This is my last post on a Hub Pages forum.
I don't want to be identified with the discussions that take place here.
Let my articles published here speak for me.
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