Mega-Thread: Trump Focused Discussion

[Hollycakes]

I've heard this quote tossed around, and I feel it's infinitely applicable:

"Trump is a poor man's idea of a rich man, a weak man's idea of a strong man, and a stupid man's idea of a smart man."

lol I love this.
It reminds me of the thing I heard about Big Bang Theory where it's stupid people's idea of what smart people are like.
Coincidentally she loves that show and I hate it.

Also lol at your ankle monitor going off around clients.
I'd kill to see that and his explanation.

And yea I'm proud of our judges in the responses I've seen them give to these clowns.
The shaman said it was his calling in the "essay" he wrote in what appears to be a 7th grade guidance counselor assignment.
He was just trying to nurture the soul of America guys.

Mother's Milk.
With Vitamin Q.

[Kaleredar]

So, I was curious to go back and look at results after seeing this data.

Let's start with an absolute baseline, pretty much regardless what happens, I think we start the 2024 race off with:

Democrats - 216

Trump - 148

I think the following states will be up for grabs in 2024:

ME-2, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia

A Texas and Florida win for Democrats in 2024 could end the night early.

When you looked back to 2000 for Texas, I decided to look back at every State to see what's up.

In 2020, Biden only underperformed compared to the average of the last six elections in a single state, Rhode Island, where the average has been 60% for Democrats, Biden only won 59.4.

Meanwhile, Trump underperformed in Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Nebraska, NE-1, Kansas, South Carolina, Alaska,, Texas, and North Carolina.

Trump actually OVERPERFORMED in Florida.

There are three other states that Biden technically underperformed in, despite winning them. Those were Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Their numbers are heavily boosted because of the popularity of Obama since he broke some pretty hard 50/50 stalemates in those states in his election years.

Trump is going to have a very hard time come 2024, especially with what is happening in Texas and Florida right now. Desantis just dropped 14 points in polls and Abbott dropped 7 points. The far-right people who love these guys are goners. What matters is the people who consider themselves independent that could hand over the state. Right now, they're watching hundreds of people die per day in their state while their Republican governors are more concerned about punishing mask mandates as well as abortions.

I’m hoping that troubles… health, personal, legal, or otherwise… prevent trump from running again in 2024.

I don’t care how much the odds seem against him. I don’t want that odious excuse for a man to have another shot at governance, period. Him or anyone inside his misbegotten circle of hagfish.

And this Covid stuff will be over in 2024. I have my hopes that various republicans will be handed their just desserts in the 2022 elections for utterly mishandling Covid, but by 2024 I don’t know how well “remember how trump fucked up that thing we all tried to forget about like three or four years ago?” will play.

And frankly, the nation and the world don’t need Trump’s brand of negativity or politics. These months with that idiot off of Twitter have been an absolute godsend.

[fwc577]

And this Covid stuff will be over in 2024. I have my hopes that various republicans will be handed their just desserts in the 2022 elections for utterly mishandling Covid, but by 2024 I don’t know how well “remember how trump fucked up that thing we all tried to forget about like three or four years ago?” will play.

Pretty sure by 2024 Covid will be considered endemic.

[Beefhammer]

I think you genuinely hit it on the head here.

They don't see what they did as wrong, or if they do, "not that serious." It would seem that these are people who have never had to face real repercussions for their actions before.

Remember, these aren't individuals who were "personally aggrieved" or "protesting against some societal force keeping them down" when they raided the capitol building. These were people with disposable time and income necessary to travel cross country for any number of days and then chose to break into a federal building with the intent to at best vandalize and at worst murder. Their priorities were in exacting their own self-interested delusions of what was right, and facing jail time is a wake-up shock that they can't rectify with their narrative that they're in the right.

It's a good thing that the courts aren't so easily swayed to this fact and instead seem pretty solidly against buying any of their bullshit.

It's like this incident I saw at work the other day. Some lady was getting verbally and physically abusive with another employee and called him a racist piece of shit because he didn't do something she wanted him to do despite that not being in his job description. She then took a swing at him with a closed fist. When being addressed by management, she claimed she did nothing wrong. Typically she always complains about people never owning up to the "shit" they do.

[gondrin]

The QAnon Shaman asked to be let out of prison to see his ailing grandfather.

The judge said "You should have thought of that before the murderous insurrection" and no release was ordered.

I kid, I kid. The judge refused his release on the grounds that he's legally insane.



Man, it's like actions have consequences or some shit.

"Breccia, are you really smugly gloating over someone who lost the last male member of his family and was unable to visit him?"

Maybe a little, but the real issue here is someone who committed a felony wanted to take a vacation from his sentence because he felt like it. Either the QAnon Shaman willingly committed a massive public felony of his own free will, or he did so because he's too crazy to tell truth from fiction. I do care which, but neither is a hall pass to get out of federal prison.

Obviously his lawyer is trying to play this as a sob story. "This gentle, smart, and kind young man" he actually really said about someone who dressed up as a Viking warrior and stormed the nation's legislature during its most important task, an act that involved breaking down barricades and beating multiple police into the hospital.

In an added bit of farce, the Slender Man Stabber was released today.

- - - Updated - - -

Well shit, forgot to hit "refresh" again.

Another murderous insurrectionist is due in court again. He is asking to have his ankle bracelet removed -- this is amazing -- on the grounds that the loud beeping noise it made was scaring off business clients.


-- his official court filing

Man, what is with all these Trump supporters and their lack of personal responsibility? "Your Honor, I ask that the sentence against me be lifted on the grounds that I don't want to do it"?

Well, I do believe the judge is catching on that anytime any one of these people are released on bail, they go binge either on Trump, QAnon or Lindell nonsense. It is like sentencing a crack addict to rehab and the rehab lets them have crack.

- - - Updated - - -

It's like this incident I saw at work the other day. Some lady was getting verbally and physically abusive with another employee and called him a racist piece of shit because he didn't do something she wanted him to do despite that not being in his job description. She then took a swing at him with a closed fist. When being addressed by management, she claimed she did nothing wrong. Typically she always complains about people never owning up to the "shit" they do.

Most places I've worked at, if you take a swing at someone, regardless if it is to attack or defend, it is usually termination outside of some extreme circumstances(like being the only way to defend yourself against a shooter). If she doesn't lose her job, I would quit as a protest and use that as a means for unemployment as it is a hostile workplace and sue them because of that.

[Breccia]

Following Florida, Texas now has a social media censorship law that requires social media companies disclose their moderation poilicies and also prohibits them from banning people based purely on their political stance.

One, it's likely just as unenforceable as the Florida law.

Two, Twitter and FB already do both. Moderation is based on the contract you sign, and if you re-read those terms of service, political party is not listed. What is listed are things like harmful misinformation and inciting violence. If the Party of Trump wants to admit that harmful misinformation and/or inciting violence are part of their political platform, they're welcome to do so, but it won't change the contract they signed.

Or...Republicans could try telling the truth.

[Shadowferal]

Just because; Ted Cruz tries to go toe-to-toe with Patton Oswalt on Twitter—loses spectacularly

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) tried to mock comedian Patton Oswalt for deciding to cancel two upcoming shows over a lack of coronavirus precautions. It didn’t work out the way he probably thought it would.

Oswalt canceled upcoming tour dates in Florida and Salt Lake City, Utah after the venues wouldn’t adhere to his requests that those in attendance either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or show proof of a recent negative test.

Apparently, this decision seemed like an opening for a joke to Cruz, who is no stranger to having his tweets backfire on him.

“Both of his fans were disappointed,” Cruz tweeted early Thursday morning, quote-tweeting a story about Oswalt canceling the show dates.

Oswalt shot back at the Texas senator quickly and included something of a “greatest hits” of the things the internet loves to remind Cruz about.

First, the comedian brought up Cruz’s infamous trip to Cancun amid a devastating winter storm in Texas. Then he continued to mock the senator in a string of tweets.

“(sigh) Okay Ted, here we go… Not as disappointed as Texas was when you cut your Cancun vacation short and came home,” Oswalt began in his tweets responding to Cruz. “Ted, you Tweeted this at 1am. Put the phone down and return to liquid form for a few hour. Ted, my fans are all at home, waiting to see you at the January 6th hearings.”

The comedian then brought up Cruz’s Twitter account liking a porn tweet in 2017.

“I’m so flattered you took time from your porn scrolling for this, Ted,” Oswalt tweeted, ending with: “Well, that was fun. As always Ted, you’re a friendless, cowardly embarrassment and your beard looks stupid.”

Of course, Oswalt wasn’t the only one who mocked the senator for his tweet. Many other people online also chimed in.

“It is *amazing* how bad you are at this,” one user wrote.

[Breccia]

Ted Cruz tries to go toe-to-toe with Patton Oswalt

Why.

Would anyone.

Do this?

Politicians going barb to barb with comedians is like me getting into a UFC fight ring. It's their arena. And it's not like Cruz has any real proven successes.

[Beefhammer]

Well, I do believe the judge is catching on that anytime any one of these people are released on bail, they go binge either on Trump, QAnon or Lindell nonsense. It is like sentencing a crack addict to rehab and the rehab lets them have crack.

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Most places I've worked at, if you take a swing at someone, regardless if it is to attack or defend, it is usually termination outside of some extreme circumstances(like being the only way to defend yourself against a shooter). If she doesn't lose her job, I would quit as a protest and use that as a means for unemployment as it is a hostile workplace and sue them because of that.

It's the same at Amazon, but every place has favoritism and people afraid to fire a loud black female.

1, it's Amazon, so a protest quit won't make a difference.
2, I just work flex, which means 20 hours a month minimum. Which is all I do for some easy extra cash while the dental practice I work at rebuilds from COVID.
3, I'm now in a different department from her so I don't need to worry about her.

[For_The_Horde]

Why.

Would anyone.

Do this?

Politicians going barb to barb with comedians is like me getting into a UFC fight ring. It's their arena. And it's not like Cruz has any real proven successes.

I dunno, to me Ted Cruz has been a joke for years, still not a very funny one though.

[D Luniz]

Why.

Would anyone.

Do this?

Politicians going barb to barb with comedians is like me getting into a UFC fight ring. It's their arena. And it's not like Cruz has any real proven successes.

because they use it later for their victimhood

"See, this Hollywood elite picked on a conservative again!!!"

[gondrin]

Just because; Ted Cruz tries to go toe-to-toe with Patton Oswalt on Twitter—loses spectacularly

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) tried to mock comedian Patton Oswalt for deciding to cancel two upcoming shows over a lack of coronavirus precautions. It didn’t work out the way he probably thought it would.

Oswalt canceled upcoming tour dates in Florida and Salt Lake City, Utah after the venues wouldn’t adhere to his requests that those in attendance either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or show proof of a recent negative test.

Apparently, this decision seemed like an opening for a joke to Cruz, who is no stranger to having his tweets backfire on him.

“Both of his fans were disappointed,” Cruz tweeted early Thursday morning, quote-tweeting a story about Oswalt canceling the show dates.

Oswalt shot back at the Texas senator quickly and included something of a “greatest hits” of the things the internet loves to remind Cruz about.

First, the comedian brought up Cruz’s infamous trip to Cancun amid a devastating winter storm in Texas. Then he continued to mock the senator in a string of tweets.

“(sigh) Okay Ted, here we go… Not as disappointed as Texas was when you cut your Cancun vacation short and came home,” Oswalt began in his tweets responding to Cruz. “Ted, you Tweeted this at 1am. Put the phone down and return to liquid form for a few hour. Ted, my fans are all at home, waiting to see you at the January 6th hearings.”

The comedian then brought up Cruz’s Twitter account liking a porn tweet in 2017.

“I’m so flattered you took time from your porn scrolling for this, Ted,” Oswalt tweeted, ending with: “Well, that was fun. As always Ted, you’re a friendless, cowardly embarrassment and your beard looks stupid.”

Of course, Oswalt wasn’t the only one who mocked the senator for his tweet. Many other people online also chimed in.

“It is *amazing* how bad you are at this,” one user wrote.

I'm shocked he didn't reply back with the famous picture of Cruz running a phone line for Trump after Trump bashed on his wife.

[Breccia]

Oh, he did put out this statement.

Man, Giuliani had built a lot of political goodwill capital.

Shame to see him bankrupt.

[draynay]

Why.

Would anyone.

Do this?

Politicians going barb to barb with comedians is like me getting into a UFC fight ring. It's their arena. And it's not like Cruz has any real proven successes.

The witless frequently don't realize how our of their depth they are.

[s_bushido]

His excitement over this anniversary is noted.

The message is about as tone deaf as anyone could have expected it to be. But at least he didn't take the opportunity to make this about himself, like he does literally everything else.

[Benggaul]

Friday's report:

171,125 new cases. Comparisons will resume next week.

Top 10:

Fuck Florida.
Texas: 17,208 new cases; 412 deaths
California: 10,828 new cases; 166 deaths
Ohio: 9,019 new cases; 45 deaths
Georgia: 8,278 new cases; 156 deaths
New York: 6,266 new cases; 29 deaths
North Carolina: 5,877 new cases; 71 deaths
Indiana: 5,328 new cases; 24 deaths
Illinois: 5,309 new cases; 52 deaths
Kentucky: 5,188 new cases; 32 deaths

Numbers are beginning to settle back to "normal" and the picture still isn't good but appears at first blush to be improving at the national level. We'll know for sure next week. Individually there are still several states not doing well, Ohio in particular. They're back up to winter wave numbers and still appear to be climbing. South Dakota's also still heading in the wrong direction--but we all already expected that. Along with Alabama and Tennessee they have the worst positivity in the country. Tennessee currently has the most daily cases per 100k at about 100; New England has the least.

1,761 deaths brings the total to 677,017. Texas posted another 400+ deaths and it's becoming less a correction and more the stark reality. I admit I haven't been paying close attention to Florida this week--because fuck Florida--but their daily average deaths is up to 350 so that's probably all that needs to be said. California and Georgia had similar death totals which is not a good look for Georgia considering they have about a quarter California's population. The 7-day national average is around 1,380 and probably still climbing.

Related news:

Republicans attack Biden's COVID vaccine plan and threaten court challenges--We all predicted it, I'm sure. The "Pro-Life" party sure hates legislation that protects life. I guess many of them still haven't realized they're killing off children and their own voters at this point.

The Fourth U.S. Wave of COVID-19 Could Be Ebbing. The Fifth Might Be Worse

The question is now: What happens this fall and winter, when children are at school and Americans once again travel for the holidays? In spite of desperate warnings from the CDC that people stay home for last year’s holiday, they largely did not, which led to the third spike in cases, which reached heights that dwarfed the first two. That doesn’t bode well for Christmas 2021, especially given that, in this current, fourth wave, seven states have already surpassed their previous peaks in cases (with another four doing nearly as poorly):

Within the next several days, we may see a modest surge from travel over the Labor Day weekend, but the real test will come in about two months—still all too soon. The holidays always sneak up on us. Under one possibility, many millions of Americans may be bolstered by a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, though this will be scant protection for those who have yet to receive a first.

Evidence that surging cases could inspire more unvaccinated Americans to change their mind was initially encouraging, but did not extend indefinitely. Should the fourth wave recede considerably, it may take a fifth to convince a significantly greater number.

This is what I've been dreading, and I believe @PhaelixWW also alluded to it. I'm hopeful we can avoid the catastrophe that last Winter was because of the large number of vaccinated citizens, but if the vaccine isn't approved for children 12 and under soon Delta is going to continue to cut a swathe through the population during the Fall and Winter. I think death totals should not reach the heights of last year, but then I didn't think we'd be so close to 2k this wave either.

Stay safe, folks.

[PhaelixWW]

Friday's report:

1,761 deaths brings the total to 677,017.

Thursday's death total was 674547 which means that Friday added a backlog of 709 in addition to the 1761 officially reported for the day.

The Fourth U.S. Wave of COVID-19 Could Be Ebbing. The Fifth Might Be Worse

This is what I've been dreading, and I believe @PhaelixWW also alluded to it. I'm hopeful we can avoid the catastrophe that last Winter was because of the large number of vaccinated citizens, but if the vaccine isn't approved for children 12 and under soon Delta is going to continue to cut a swathe through the population during the Fall and Winter. I think death totals should not reach the heights of last year, but then I didn't think we'd be so close to 2k this wave either.

You have more faith than I. If deaths are already worse this summer than last despite the current number of vaccinations, then I don't see all that much hope for an easier winter than last, either. It might make sense if delta started last winter, but it didn't get going until June. As bad as last winter was, that was due to just alpha and delta is demonstrably worse.

Stay safe, folks.

Amen, brother.

[zorkuus]

The message is about as tone deaf as anyone could have expected it to be. But at least he didn't take the opportunity to make this about himself, like he does literally everything else.

Well... back in the day he did congratulate himself for having the tallest building in NY all of a sudden.

[Benggaul]

You have more faith than I.

In truth, not really. But I've been doing these reports for about a year and a half now and I have to throw in a little optimism now and then for my own sanity. This last wave scared a bunch of people into getting the vaccine who wouldn't have otherwise and I read a while ago that the vaccine for 12 and under should be approved (for emergency use) within the next month or so, so I'm trying to hold out a little hope.

[Breccia]

Trump spent today attacking Biden and telling people he's decided if he'll run in 2024.

"Did he say what that decision was?"

No. He claimed it was illegal.

So as per usual, I'll ask the Trump supporters here -- you know, @TexasRules @GreenJesus and the like -- to find the law that would prohibit Trump from saying he is/isn't running in 2024. As per usual, you have 24 hours. Failure to find such a law is admission Trump is lying. Failure to even look, means you know Trump is lying.

Bear in mind, of course, Trump's tried this tactic before, on FOX News of course. Therefore a lot of people have already looked for the law that'd be broken, and found nothing. Granted, Trump would have to stop running his PAC, but that's not the same as

As the campaign finance laws are extremely complicated and unbelievably stupid, I’m actually not allowed to answer that question, can you believe it?

So, good luck. You're up against a stacked field of experts and professionals. Many of them, by the way, seem to think that Trump is busy fundraising on that coy "oooo I'll never tell" excuse, because the second he says "No I'm not running" donations dry up, and he can't take campaign money and keep it for himself.

"Okay, but what did Trump say when he attended a 9/11 memorial site?"

He didn't visit any 9/11 memorial sites. He did visit a police station, at which he made some of those politicizing comments.