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Donald Trump Addresses Country

Donald Trump sounds out of breath.

Iran's navy is dead. Never in the history of warfare has a country suffered such a devastating loss.

He starts with a lie and will just keep going.

We are working with Venezuela and getting along incredibly well. We are now totally independent of the Middle East.

He says he has been planning to decimate Iran since 2015 when he first decided to run for office.

This has been going on for 47 years and someone should have taken care of this before then.

We're winning and winning big.

He trashes Obama. They laughed at him. His deal would have been disasterous.

He's now praises himself. No one has ever seen anything like it. We "totally obliterated" their ability to build nuclear weapons with the first attack. They were right at the doorstep of having nuclear weapons.

Our objectives are dismantling Iran's ability to launch a weapons outside their borders. We've destroyed, annihilated, obliterated their navy, their air force and almost all the other branches.

All the families of those who have died have asked him to finish the job. He thanks the other countries in the Middle East and we will not let them get hurt.

Every plague will fall on us if we don't finish off Iran. Iran is a dead and crippled country. He touts his economic record at home, no inflation, greatest amount of investments in the U.S., we are #1 producer of oil on the planet. We produced more thant Saudi Arabia and Russia combined.

We don't need the oil coming through the Hormuz Straight. The other countries that take oil through the Straight have to protect it. He has a suggestion -- buy oil from the U.S. The Straight will open up naturally. They will be able to buy oil. U.S. citizens are getting bigger than ever from his big beautiful bill.

We are on track to fultfill all our military objectives. We have not hit their oil but we could and they would be gone. We are going to hit their electrical generators real hard in the next few weeks. We have all the cards and they have none.

He compares the time it took for every other war since WW1. This took a shorter time. The whole world is watching and can't believe the brilliance of the U.S. military.

No more nuclear blackmail. We wil be greater than ever.

Good night.

***************

What did you think? Will his speech increase support from his base? <> Foreign news outlets have a different view of the global consequences of the U.S. actions in Iran.

< Wednesday Open Thread | Pam Bondi Fired, Todd Blanche to Replace Her >
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  • Display: Sort:
    I'm glad (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 01, 2026 at 08:56:19 PM EST
    he did not bash NATO. That's something.

    Oh no! Did I miss the speech of the Great (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by desertswine on Wed Apr 01, 2026 at 10:51:14 PM EST
    Anus tangerinus?  I was watching a tv show on PBS about Thoreau.

    The new Ken Burns three-hour doc (none / 0) (#18)
    by Peter G on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 12:00:53 PM EST
    on Thoreau is excellent and fascinating. I knew a fair amount about him already, but learned a great deal more.

    Parent
    I saw a news report tonight (5.00 / 2) (#29)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 06:08:50 PM EST
    that Dementia Donnie is now asking for a $1.4 TRILLION increase in defense spending. The plan is just cut everything else.

    If he wants that much money, I am certain they are planning to put troops into Iran and leave them there for who knows how long.

    He will destroy this country by any means necessary. If Congress approves that kind of military spending, they are signing this country's death warrant.

    The phrase "full faith and credit of the United States" on the main page of one of my bank's website will become meaningless. Now I understand why they want to steal Iran and Venezuela's oil. They think it is their money spigot.

    New title for the presidency. Thief in Chief  

    Leave them there (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 06:26:52 PM EST
    and then what?

    Iran is 636,000 square miles with rugged, mountainous terrain, and now they have even More of an attitude toward the U.S..

    Iraq was 169,000 square miles; Vietnam was 127,000 square miles.

    Time for the Praetorian Guard to take out the daggers.

    Parent

    Plus $152 million (none / 0) (#38)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 08:46:26 PM EST
    to re-open Alcatraz.

    Which was closed because it was too expensive to keep open.

    The econonmic future of this country is soooo effed.

    Parent

    Also lost revenue from museum (none / 0) (#44)
    by MO Blue on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 12:16:05 PM EST
    Alcatraz Island generates approximately $60 million in annual revenue for its partners, operating as one of the National Park Service's top tourist attractions, attracting about 1.6 million visitors annually. This revenue helps fund park projects, such as the rehabilitation of the island's wharf.

    Source google search

    Parent

    I know its an old saw but (5.00 / 2) (#54)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 05, 2026 at 08:51:19 AM EST
    try to imagine what the response would have been if Obama posted this.

    Edited for language

    Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran," he wrote on Truth Social. "There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuvkin' Strait, you crazy bastardz, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH!"

    "Praise be to Allah."



    Apart from that (5.00 / 2) (#56)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 05, 2026 at 08:57:51 AM EST
    he's clearly mocking them.  Them meaning Muslims.

    And Islam.  

    How about trying to imagine what we/America would do if the IRGC posted that and ended with

    Praise Jesus.

    Parent

    There were (none / 0) (#58)
    by KeysDan on Sun Apr 05, 2026 at 09:22:33 AM EST
    internet rumors yesterday that Trump was taken to Walter Reed.  Maybe, there is something to that, and he was committed to the "Nervous Hospital" and this message to Iran was written while Nurse Ratched was on break.

    Parent
    Speaking of nukes (none / 0) (#60)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 05, 2026 at 09:37:10 AM EST
    there's a guy on CNN saying it's Iran's nukes we should be worried about.

    They have all they need and if they are pushed enough (civilian infrastructure this guy says) they would be totally capable.

    Parent

    A real worry. (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by KeysDan on Sun Apr 05, 2026 at 09:45:41 AM EST
    Trump apparently doesn't realize this is do or die for the Iranians.

    Parent
    With that lovely Easter message.. (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by desertswine on Sun Apr 05, 2026 at 01:09:58 PM EST
    It seems obvious that Crazy Don is jonesin'
    for a domestic terror attack.  If not a real one, then at least one of his own making.  Timothy Snyder thinks that "a staged domestic terror attack is his best remaining path to nullifying elections."

    On the false flag scenario, Snyder drew a direct line to Vladimir Putin's 1999 apartment bombings, which were staged attacks that helped launch Putin's march toward dictatorship. He called Trump "Putin's client in the White House."


    "Some variant of terrorism is Trump's best bet. And so one should be (preemptively, now) skeptical of Trump's account of any future terrorist attack; we can be sure that, whatever its true origins and character, Trump will provide a self-serving account meant to serve a coup and a dictatorship."

    from Raw Story

    He is spiraling. (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Apr 05, 2026 at 01:27:58 PM EST
    Which only makes him more dangerous.

    Parent
    The Trump-aligned right (none / 0) (#65)
    by jondee on Sun Apr 05, 2026 at 03:59:15 PM EST
    created a monster with all their 4Chan conspiracy theorizing, disinformation, Rogansphere bullsh*t etc..the whole project is slowly teetering now with people like Tucker, Megyn, Candace Owens pushing the idea that 'shadowy forces' may have been manipulating Trump. They're trying to insinuate all this without directly impugning God Emperor Trump and hurting the base's feelings - which is a real trick.

    The Maga project is a lot shakier than people realize. The danger is that it could morph into something even worse.

     

    Parent

    He cannot fail. He can only be failed and betrayed by others around him. It is inconceivable that anything could possibly be his fault.

    The MAGA cult of personality venerating Donald Trump is simply unprecedented in American political history. It's also inexplicable, at least to me, given that he's also by any reasonable measure the worst president our country has ever seen.

    (Sigh!) And we thought the Nixon years were bad.

    Parent

    Of all the horrible things they have done (5.00 / 1) (#88)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 06:02:34 PM EST
    since 2016 the attacks on NATO and support of Putin is the most embarrassing and sad. This campaigning for Orban is ..... I really can't think of a word.  

    The good news he is almost as unpopular as Trump.  But probably has machinery Trump and Vance envy to make sure he wins.

    Trump isn't the only failing dictator being praised by Vance



    They're dismantling (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 02:24:42 PM EST
    the commie-socialist Forest Service now.

    In order to cut baby cut, drill baby drill, and privatize baby privatize.

    Project 25 or whatever they're called, recommended it.

    Nice Pope you've got there, (5.00 / 3) (#112)
    by KeysDan on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 06:35:52 PM EST
    shame if anything happened to him.  In January, Department  of Defense Undersecretary Elbridge Colby (grandson of William Colby, CIA Director under Nixon and Ford, )summoned Papal Nuncio Cardinal Christophe Pierre to a  meeting in which he sternly lectured the Cardinal Nuncio about the strength of the military and that the U.S. can do anything, so the Pope had better get on the right side.  Another (unnamed officer;) recalled Vatican history  (1300-1350)of Avignon Papacy when the Pope was  placed  under the control of the French King.

    Cardinal Pierre has since retired. The Pope is not coming to the July 4 celebration, and is not likely to come to the U.S. during Trump's presidency.

    About your comment (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 07:25:10 PM EST
    It's jaw dropping.  It's going to effect American voters.  It's only now becomming a national story

    Parent
    Maybe they'll install (5.00 / 1) (#117)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 07:35:51 PM EST
    Paula White-Caine as the Western Pope.

    Parent
    Waddya think (none / 0) (#113)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 07:22:29 PM EST
    about Melania's presser

    Parent
    Maybe, (5.00 / 1) (#119)
    by KeysDan on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 08:00:54 PM EST
    Melania. Is trying to get ahead of a shoe dropping.  In any event, it puts the Trump/Epstein issue  front and center.

    Parent
    Amanda Ungaro (none / 0) (#120)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 10, 2026 at 03:01:09 AM EST
    the Brazilian model whose ex-boyfriend Zampoli supposedly introduced Melania to Trump, and who says she knew Melania for 20 years, has been going after Melania on X, including talking about her "pedo husband" and sounds like she's on the verge of to spilling more. I hope she doesn't have a sudden, unforeseen 'accident.'

    Maybe that's what Melania's trying to get ahead of.

    Parent

    "Shut your mouth (none / 0) (#121)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 10, 2026 at 03:16:32 AM EST
    when speaking about me, or I will expose everything I know."

    Melania 'barely knew' Epstein, but she knew Zampolli, who was an associate of Epstein's pimp friend Jean-Luc Brunel.

    Parent

    seen in another comment section: (5.00 / 1) (#124)
    by leap2 on Fri Apr 10, 2026 at 01:14:05 PM EST
    "I didn't even know that man, and even if I did we weren't friends, and even if we were friends we weren't close friends, and even if we were close friends we didn't date, and even if we did date I never had sex with him and even if I did have sex with him I didn't enjoy it. And I'm positive he didn't film it. That time. And the bastard never paid me."

    Parent
    Trump certainly snapped-to (none / 0) (#125)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 10, 2026 at 02:00:43 PM EST
    when Zampolli asked him to sic ICE on his ex-girlfriend.

    Supposedly, he's out of the hooking-up-models-with-rich-old-men business, but I bet he has quite a tale to tell.

    Parent

    The most plausible explanation I have seen (5.00 / 3) (#126)
    by Peter G on Fri Apr 10, 2026 at 03:15:07 PM EST
    for Melania's crazy press appearance yesterday, is that Paolo's ex, the one he pulled strings to get deported, has the goods on Melania-Epstein-Tr*mp, and that an interview spilling those beans is due to be published this weekend. Per foreign sources referenced on BlueSky.

    Parent
    The most plausible explanation I have seen (none / 0) (#127)
    by Peter G on Fri Apr 10, 2026 at 03:15:44 PM EST
    for Melania's crazy press appearance yesterday, is that Paolo's ex, the one he pulled strings to get deported, has the goods on Melania-Epstein-Tr*mp, and that an interview spilling those beans is due to be published this weekend. Per foreign sources referenced on BlueSky.

    Parent
    Oops, sorry (none / 0) (#128)
    by Peter G on Fri Apr 10, 2026 at 03:16:30 PM EST
    for twitchy fingered double-post.

    Parent
    hitleresque (none / 0) (#129)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Apr 11, 2026 at 12:18:58 PM EST
    but good news is the last time the Catholic church capitulated. This time they are not.

    Parent
    This moron has already (none / 0) (#1)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Apr 01, 2026 at 08:20:00 PM EST
    stated 5 times how badly Iran has been beaten. He just keeps repeating the same cr@p.

    How has he not strained his back from patting himself on it.

    Why are networks letting someone on the airwaves to lie for untold minutes. You'd think there some kind of commidsion with rules against that.


    Why yes, there is (none / 0) (#6)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 01, 2026 at 08:32:51 PM EST
    I think Carr's life's ambition (none / 0) (#8)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 01, 2026 at 08:51:35 PM EST
    is to butter that head, get a running start, and jam it up Trump. What a pathetic toadie.

    Parent
    Wow (none / 0) (#2)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Apr 01, 2026 at 08:22:24 PM EST
    19 minutes to say absolutely nothing. Nothing.

    It did not (none / 0) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 01, 2026 at 08:28:01 PM EST
    sound like large scale invasion to me.

    Sounded like more twaddle

    Parent

    Agreed. (none / 0) (#7)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Apr 01, 2026 at 08:44:37 PM EST
    It was 19 minutes of self aggrandizement and nothing else. He said nothing about any actual plan of anything. I'm happy there was no BOTG announcement. But this was just stupid. Twaddle.

    But oil went up $5 a barrel from the time he started to when he finished. And stock futures went from flat to down -300 pts.

    Parent

    It was truly surreal (none / 0) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 01, 2026 at 08:52:53 PM EST
    I'm kind of speechless.

    That was like watching a slo mo train wreck.
    I couldn't listen.  I read close captions

    There was nothing for anyone. like when supply lines were disrupted during Covid this is a disaster in ways we can't even imagine yet.  

    The upside is if we live we will have a Dem congress next year.

    Parent

    I just read (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 01, 2026 at 09:03:24 PM EST
    the price of bottle water will go way up because if the price of plastic.

    So that's good

    Parent

    It will (none / 0) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 01, 2026 at 08:26:22 PM EST
    "open natrually'

    That was something (none / 0) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 01, 2026 at 08:30:16 PM EST
    How terrifying it must be for the rest of the world.

    I sure everyone thought it was worth it (none / 0) (#12)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 01, 2026 at 09:07:30 PM EST

    President Trump's live address regarding the war with Iran on March 31, 2026, interrupted the sixth episode of Survivor 50 on CBS. The two-hour "Blood Moon" episode was split, forcing a pause to the broadcast during the evening



    Surging and sinking (none / 0) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 08:53:40 AM EST
    Oil prices surged and stock markets sank on Thursday, hours after President Trump declared in a national television address that the U.S. military campaign against Iran was an overwhelming success but failed to offer a clear exit strategy," the New York Times reports

    Exit (1.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 12:30:20 PM EST

    ...failed to offer a clear exit strategy

    Why on earth would you want to tell the Iranians what your exit strategy is?

    Parent

    As if they ever had any strategy (none / 0) (#23)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 02:31:06 PM EST
    beyond the delusion that the Iranian people would 'rise up,' welcome being bombed. and it would all be over in a week.

    Parent
    Here's the thing about war, Abdul. (none / 0) (#24)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 06:43:17 PM EST
    Sun-Tzu warns us in The Art of War to first know your enemy as you would know yourself before ever deciding when and where to give battle. That obviously didn't happen here.

    Further, you have to first articulate a clear, compelling and fact-based rationale for armed conflict and then develop realistic objectives and achievable benchmarks - that is, beyond merely blowing things up real good because it looks so cool on video - before giving the order to engage. And once you've met those benchmarks and obtained those objectives, you better have some idea what might follow and develop contingencies to meet any subsequent issues that may arise.

    Failure to do any one or all of the above is how military disasters tend to unfold in real time. And many a mighty empire throughout history has met its comeuppance in a faraway land at the hands of an underestimated, resolute and asymmetric enemy that perceived its aggressor to be an existential threat and responded accordingly.

    For as Sun-Tzu also warns us, there is no greater and more dangerous foe in battle than a people who are defending their homeland and first sought to avoid the confrontation altogether.

    War is not a cartoon or video game. Aloha.

    Parent

    From all reporting, (none / 0) (#15)
    by KeysDan on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 10:15:47 AM EST
    Trump was boring.   No new nicknames, no dancing to YMCA, just an old hat insult targeting President Obama.  

    Just announced PAM IS OUT (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 10:53:32 AM EST
    that's new

    Parent
    Timing (none / 0) (#17)
    by KeysDan on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 11:36:45 AM EST
    is probably related to reviews of his low-energy, cringe  Dr.Strangelove-like " bomb Iran back to the Stone Age, they deserve it" speech last night.

    Parent
    I love it (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 02:26:33 PM EST
    a certified Neanderthal talking about sending other people back to the stone age.

    Parent
    Hard to tell (none / 0) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 12:34:09 PM EST
    Really

    Parent
    ... who presently serves as the U.S. Army's Chief of Staff. An infantry officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, George was first confirmed to this post in 2023 for a four-year term. Prior to that, he was the vice chief of the Army and senior military adviser to then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

    Parent
    There will be blood. (none / 0) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 07:32:43 PM EST
    Let me guess.. (none / 0) (#28)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 05:45:09 PM EST
    He once expressed reservations about Epstein Fury, only grudgingly participated in Pentagon prayer breakfasts and never filled-in his Book of Revelations coloring book.

    Parent
    Pete is very serious about the soles (none / 0) (#30)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 06:21:50 PM EST
    of the troops. the lives not so much.

    Hegseth Says U.S. Troops Are Fighting for Jesus
    April 3, 2026 at 6:33 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 96 Comments

    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked the American people to pray "every day, on bended knee" for a military victory in Iran "in the name of Jesus Christ," the New York Times reports.

    Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, has a starkly different take on what should be done in Jesus's name.

    In a homily during a Mass on Thursday morning before Easter, the pope said that the Christian mission has often been "distorted by a desire for domination, entirely foreign to the way of Jesus Christ."

    This is a problem. The whole Pope thing. For Pete. And DJT

    Parent

    These delusionary loons (none / 0) (#33)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 06:34:56 PM EST
    who compare Trump to King David should read Chronicles where it says that King David was rejected by God for being "a man of war" with "blood on his hands."

    Not that Bibi 'Genghis Khan' Netanyahu would be dissuaded by that.

    Parent

    Fwiw.. (none / 0) (#35)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 06:59:21 PM EST
    Evangelicals never seemed to respect the Pope much. Francis they seemed to think was a full-blown Liberation Theology commie.

    Fundies in the South that I came across considered Catholics in general 'idolators.' Their idea of a good Pope would probably be Paula White or maybe Franklin Graham.

    Parent

    Evangelicals (4.00 / 1) (#45)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 01:03:03 PM EST
    have never liked the pope even Paul who they more or less "tolerated" here in the south. I have never heard them called idolators but they have very misinformed opinions on what goes on in the Catholic church like they "pray to Mary" not God and they think the Pope is Jesus. I had a discussion with one of these people one time and told them that all Western Christianity is an offshoot of Catholicism. It freaked them out. I said well, if Catholicism is fake then so are the southern Baptists. A friend's sister who lived in S. GA. hated to tell anyone she was catholic because the minute she mentioned it whomever she was talking to looked at her like she grew horns.

    Parent
    Yep (none / 0) (#47)
    by jondee on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 01:26:12 PM EST
    I ran afoul of a bunch of them when I lived in Southern Louisiana. To be fair though, they're also up here in Western New York. Apocalyptic, paranoid, right-wing beyond belief..beside themselves..

    You know people have lost it and gone culty when they say Trump of all people is 'annointed' and compare him to Cyrus and King David in the Bible.

    Parent

    What part of S. Louisiana? (none / 0) (#48)
    by Chuck0 on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 02:47:41 PM EST
    I lived in New Orleans which is very Catholic. And Cajuns are historically Cathilic. My experience in southern Louisiana was very different.

    Parent
    Houma (none / 0) (#49)
    by jondee on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 02:59:16 PM EST
    I was working offshore at the time. Many moons ago.

    Parent
    I probably just ran into (none / 0) (#50)
    by jondee on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 03:01:51 PM EST
    the wrong people. Just my luck. I've got some weird karma. One of my coworkers ran a dogfighting ring, but we'll table that discussion for another time.

    Parent
    I spent it all (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by jondee on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 03:48:55 PM EST
    in the French Quarter on booze and women. The rest of it I just pissed away.

    Parent
    They are (none / 0) (#67)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 06, 2026 at 02:36:38 PM EST
    everywhere these days. Good news is we've been through these "movements" before and they ended up dying off.

    Never heard the Cyrus comparison but routinely heard the comparison to King David as in King David was imperfect and used by God just like Trump is imperfect and an instrument of God.

    I went to high school with these types. They could not wear pants only dresses and the dresses had to be below their knees. They could not cut their hair. I can think of 3 in my class of 220. Back then they were fringe and had no power like they do today.

    Parent

    Just because your MAGA fanatics (none / 0) (#36)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 07:39:22 PM EST
    don't care doesn't mean the Pope calling you out practically by name almost daily is not a problem.

    On freaking Easter.

    Parent

    Of course it's bad PR (none / 0) (#37)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 07:53:31 PM EST
    Though, after Francis, they're very well practiced in ignoring everything the Pope says.

    Even conservative Catholics are more conservative than Catholic these days. They'd rather have Trump or Mel Gibson as Pope.

    Parent

    I agree (none / 0) (#46)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 01:05:06 PM EST
    Especially with Hispanic Catholics who revere the Pope. I don't know how much sway he has with rustbelt Catholics these days but I would imagine that this does not help.

    Parent
    Rustbelt Catholics (none / 0) (#52)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 05:40:15 PM EST
    It can't hurt that he is from Chicago.

    Parent
    I think (none / 0) (#39)
    by KeysDan on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 09:47:58 PM EST
    Hegseth sees himself as a contender for the Republican presidential nomination  in 2028 and is  now building on his  White Christo-fascist  base  by selling a war with manly men and push-ups.  And  $ 1 trillion and cutting health care and social programs, especially those that benefit the poor.

    Parent
    Manly men, push-ups (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by jondee on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 01:38:11 AM EST
    And, the base likes it if you've had at least one credible sexual assault accusation leveled against you. Fox took a poll.

    These unholy Jezebels need to be reminded who has dominion over them.

    Parent

    He is paranoid because (none / 0) (#31)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 06:26:15 PM EST
    he is just smart enough to know how unqualified he is

    Pete Hegseth's `Paranoia' Explains Purge of Top General
    April 3, 2026 at 4:56 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 91 Comments

    Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's "paranoia" about Army Secretary Dan Driscoll taking his job fueled the firing of the Army's top general, the New York Post reports.

    Said one administration official: "This is all driven by the insecurity and paranoia that Pete has developed since Signalgate. Unfortunately, it is stoked by some of his closest aides who should be trying to calm the waters."



    Parent
    Possibly Hegseth's fury in removing (none / 0) (#41)
    by fishcamp on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 08:25:49 AM EST
    generals, female and dark skinned military leaders stems from the fact he was a Major in the National Guard and was never able to move up to a Lt. Colonel.  Many Majors are extremely frustrated individuals.

    Parent
    Atlantic (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 09:51:17 AM EST
    Why were these men fired while U.S. forces are fighting overseas? The Defense Department has given no official reason for their dismissals, but likely they are the latest victims of Hegseth's vindictive struggles with the Army, which he feels treated him poorly--the service "spit me out," he said in his 2024 book--as he struggles in a job for which he remains singularly unqualified.

    Link

    Parent

    Tom Nichols (none / 0) (#21)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 12:46:50 PM EST
    His address did not come across as a wartime speech but instead was a disjointed series of complaints, brags, and exaggerations (along with a few outright lies) delivered by a man who looked and sounded tired. After his 19 minutes on the air--brisk by Trump's standards--Americans could be forgiven for being even more concerned now than they were only a few days ago.

    Best (none / 0) (#27)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 02:23:38 PM EST
    description of the speech is a rambling recitation of his truth social posts.

    Parent
    Los Angeles Times | April 3, 2026
    2 U.S. aircraft downed as Iran war escalates; both pilots rescued, one crew member missing, officials say - "An American pilot flying over Iran was rescued Friday after his fighter jet was shot down by enemy fire, an attack that defied U.S. proclamations of total control over Iranian skies and prompted a hurried search and rescue operation for the pilot's crew member.

    "Word of the downed F-15E, a storied U.S. fighter jet rarely before defeated in combat, was followed only hours later by news that a second U.S. aircraft had crashed in the area at roughly the same time. Iranian officials claimed credit for shooting down that aircraft, as well. While U.S. officials did not confirm that the A-10 Thunderbolt II had been shot down, they did confirm the successful rescue of its sole pilot."

    "It was a striking escalation of the conflict that demonstrated Tehran's continued ability to fight back against American forces despite President Trump's assurances that Iran's military capabilities were effectively destroyed."

    All together now: "Now what?"

    Why do the bobbleheads (none / 0) (#43)
    by jondee on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 11:35:13 AM EST
    keep saying this is an "escalation"? I think they just like that word.

    How many times was Iran bombed before this happened? As if countries should just lay back and enjoy having bombs dropped on them.

    Parent

    I'm starting to be concerned (none / 0) (#53)
    by Chuck0 on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 09:57:38 PM EST
    Dementia Donnie is going to use or threaten to use nukes against Iran. The "reign" hellfire and "back to the stone age" stuff is a bit scary. Hogsbreath will be all over that idea.

    Orange Don is obviously demented... (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by desertswine on Sun Apr 05, 2026 at 01:17:49 PM EST
    and needs to be removed as quickly as possible.

    Parent
    I think he more likely (none / 0) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 05, 2026 at 08:53:27 AM EST
    to just commit and bunch of old fashioned War Crimes.

    Pete's nickname inside the Pentagon is Secretary of War Crimes

    Google it

    Parent

    And that "back to the stone age (none / 0) (#70)
    by fishcamp on Mon Apr 06, 2026 at 06:48:42 PM EST
    where they belong" instantly caused the stock market to plunge.
    Since he's so god at lying couldn't he have used better terminology to possibly help we the suffering people?

    Parent
    "Bomb them back to the stone age" (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by Peter G on Mon Apr 06, 2026 at 07:23:35 PM EST
    is a classic line from the Vietnam-era Air Force general and warmonger, Curtis LeMay. An advocate of the "strategic" use of nuclear weapons, he was forced him into retirement by LBJ in 1965. In 1968, LeMay ran for vice president on an independent ticket with the Alabama segregationist George Wallace for president.

    Parent
    LeMay also pressed JFK (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by jondee on Mon Apr 06, 2026 at 07:42:01 PM EST
    to order a full-scale invasion of Cuba and a nuclear first strike against the Russians.

    Parent
    Date: Oct. 19, 1962
    Time: 9:45 a.m. EST
    Place Name: White House Cabinet Room

    ... blockade / embargo line around Cuba, it wasn't looking at that moment like they would turn around (they eventually did). The mood got increasingly somber in the White House cabinet room as Gen. LeMay turned smugly to JFK, criticized his failure to respond more forcefully, AND concluded, "Mr. President, I'd say you're in a pretty bad fix at the present time."

    JFK turned to him and asked curtly, "What did you say?"

    LeMay repeated, "I said, you're in a pretty bad fix."

    JFK smiled at him and quickly retorted, "You're in it with me." The resultant gallows-like laughter in the room at LeMay's expense reportedly broke the tension for a little bit.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    In World War II, Gen. Curtis LeMay ... (5.00 / 2) (#75)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 04:16:42 AM EST
    ... was first commander of the U.S. 8th Army Air Force's 305th Bomb Group and later, the 3rd Air Division. He had a reputation for being an extraordinarily cantankerous and belligerent officer, but his men nevertheless respected him because unlike many other group commanders in the 8th Air Force, Gen. LeMay not only accompanied his crews on their missions but also rather fearlessly insisted on piloting the lead aircraft himself during their daylight raids on German-occupied Europe.

    On August 17, 1943, Gen. LeMay personally led 146 B-17 bombers on the Regensburg section of the 8th Air Force's calamitous Schweinfurt-Regensburg missions, which at the time were well beyond the range of fighter escort. Prior to this time, British Gen. Sir Arthur Harris of RAF Bomber Command had repeatedly warned 8th Air Force commanders against conducting unescorted deep penetration raids in broad daylight over a well-defended Nazi Germany, but those warnings were ignored.

    Conceived as a daring attempt to destroy Nazi Germany's vital ball bearing plants, the raids on Schweinfurt instead proved the British heartbreakingly correct and were incredibly foolish in hindsight. The enormous cost in planes and crews instead crippled the 8th Air Force and nearly knocked the Americans out of the air war over Europe altogether.

    Of the 376 B-17s that participated in "Mission No. 84", 60 were shot down and another 95 were heavily damaged. LeMay's own section lost 24 B-17s and their 10-member crews. The losses were such that a planned second and immediate follow-up raid on Schweinfurt could not be mounted.

    Eight weeks later on Oct. 14, 1943, over the vociferous objections of Gen. LeMay, U.S. Gen. Carl Spaatz, 8th Air Force commander, doubled down on stupid by ordering that second U.S. raid on Schweinfurt, likewise in broad daylight and well beyond the reach of fighter escort. It was even more disastrous than the first. 77 of the 291 B-17s on that mission were shot down, with the accompanying loss of their veteran crews, and another 121 aircraft were badly damaged for an astonishing 68% loss rate. LeMay lost one-third of his command that tragic day.

    The second Schweinfurt raid is known in Air Force lore as "Black Thursday," and remains the bloodiest and sorriest day in that branch's history. For the remainder of the war, no U.S. bomber would ever again fly a mission over occupied Europe without appropriate fighter escort. For obvious reasons, Gen. Spaatz was later relieved of command.

    Meanwhile, in late 1944, Gen. LeMay was transferred to the Pacific theatre and took command of the U.S. XXI Bomber Command in recently liberated Guam and Northern Mariana Islands. On the evening of March 9-10, 1945, he ordered 334 B-29 bombers, which had been stripped of all armaments to accommodate increased bomb loads, to conduct a low-altitude night attack on the Japanese capital of Tokyo with 1,665 tons of incendiary munitions, including napalm and white phosphorus.

    What resulted from that vicious aerial assault has since become infamously known as the "Great Tokyo Firestorm." Dry, windy conditions that night aided the spread of the conflagration, destroying almost 16 square miles of the densely populated city, much of which was made up of highly flammable buildings of paper and wood. Over 100,000 Japanese civilians lost their lives and another one-plus million were left homeless.

    It was the single most destructive act of the Second World War in the Pacific. Under Gen. LeMay's strategy - which, it must be noted, was approved and authorized by his superiors - no distinction was made between industrial, military, and civilian targets. The firebombing was deliberate and comprehensive, and LeMay's stated intent for the raid with incendiary explosives was to destroy whole sections of the city simultaneously. He later said, "Killing Japanese didn't bother me very much at that time. It was getting the war over that bothered me."

    Supposedly, the characters of Brig. Gen. Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) and JCS Chair Gen. Buck Turgidson, USAF (George C. Scott) in director Stanley Kubrick's Cold War black comedy "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" (1964) were both inspired in part by Curtis LeMay.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I agree with this (none / 0) (#57)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 05, 2026 at 09:13:54 AM EST
    and I hope more democrats start to agree with it.  You constantly hear how democrats "can't just run against Trump"

    That is exactly what they should do.  Run against Trump and Trumpism.  He is the most unpopular president in history. Literally I think.

    Lots of reporting about how we are winning big majorities of the "Double Haters".

    That's how you win IMO.  Turn the Nov election into the No Kings finale event.

    Why Democrats are suddenly winning back the left -- and the "double-haters"

    Leading off: Very liberal Americans, who have rated the Democratic Party poorly relative to other partisans since 2024, have swung sharply back toward congressional Democrats over the last few months. A new poll also finds voters who dislike both parties now prefer Democrats by 31 points. These gains should reassure a party that has faced internal strife since Trump's second term began, but look less due to renewed faith in the Democrats and more like anti-Trump consolidation. That might not matter for the midterms -- a vote won is a vote won -- but it will matter for 2028 and beyond



    I agree, (5.00 / 2) (#59)
    by KeysDan on Sun Apr 05, 2026 at 09:34:04 AM EST
    too.  The "can't just run against Trump" crowd still doesn't get it and should be ignored.  They keep pushing kitchen table issues, but Trump and Trumpism is heading to a loss of not only the kitchen table, but also, the kitchen.

    And, running against Trump and Trumpism infers a rejection of fascism and a return to a democratic course that promotes the public welfare.

    Parent

    Kinda agree (none / 0) (#68)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 06, 2026 at 02:38:16 PM EST
    I think for 2026 make it go away or stop the insanity will be enough. For 2028 it needs to be 2 pronged. 1 prong the destruction of Trumpism and 2 prong proposals to go forward. Pritzker seems to understand this and has a "Project 2029"

    Parent
    The MTG special election is tuesday (none / 0) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 05, 2026 at 07:41:06 PM EST
    I would (none / 0) (#69)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 06, 2026 at 02:40:44 PM EST
    be shocked if Harris won. My eldest son just moved into this district. I will be looking to see if the margins have changed any as I believe this was a +30R district one of the reddest in the country.

    Parent
    This has been a helluva election day (none / 0) (#81)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 04:04:18 PM EST
    With the world waiting to see what happens at 8pm.
    It could matter

    Special elections typically draw fewer voters than general elections, and runoffs often see even lower participation.

    As of Friday, nearly 47,000 ballots had already been cast in the runoff, out of more than 570,000 registered voters in the district.

    Polls will close at 7 p.m.



    Parent
    If my math is right (none / 0) (#82)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 04:39:33 PM EST
    that's a high turnout.  That's would be good for us probably

    Parent
    In GA 14 too probably (none / 0) (#83)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 05:00:30 PM EST
    Networks on High Alert for Trump's Deadline
    April 7, 2026 at 5:27 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 24 Comments

    There are no countdown clocks yet, but news outlets are making viewers well aware of the 8 p.m. ET hour, the deadline that Donald Trump has set for Iran to agree to a deal or face "complete demolition," Deadline reports

    Parent

    MTG called it (none / 0) (#84)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 05:15:22 PM EST
    Trump is acting insane.  Delusional and dangerous.

    Increasingly so.  It would be the perfect time and a perfect way to send a message.   I have a good feeling about this

    Parent

    If you have not seen the whole thing (none / 0) (#85)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 05:20:04 PM EST
    Its worth a read

    This was her message to her constituents

    Parent

    Follow live results (none / 0) (#89)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 06:45:57 PM EST
    Sad,face (none / 0) (#90)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 07:36:06 PM EST
    You can't blame them (none / 0) (#91)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 08:51:54 PM EST
    for not wanting to burn in hell.

    Parent
    Still, not a bad tuesday (none / 0) (#96)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 08, 2026 at 07:44:00 AM EST
    IMO (none / 0) (#98)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Apr 08, 2026 at 08:35:57 AM EST
    the margin was shocking. I figured more of 60/40 loss than 12 points which is down 25 from a year and a half ago. The GA GOP should be pushing the panic button but they won't. I think I saw a poll somewhere that had Trump underwater by 20 points in GA. And yet, the gubernatorial candidates continue to cling to him. They don't think the voters will remember that in November.

    Parent
    I think you may see (none / 0) (#102)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 08, 2026 at 03:50:27 PM EST
    more defections when the primaries are over.

    Parent
    Any US service personnel (none / 0) (#76)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 09:24:47 AM EST
    who participates in causing a "whole civilization" to die belongs on a gallows.

    In the same breath (none / 0) (#77)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 11:47:44 AM EST
    he said "we now have Complete and Total Regime Change where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail."

    So, why is he (genocidally) threatening to end Iranian civilisation?

    Parent

    The only civilization that's dying.. (5.00 / 2) (#78)
    by desertswine on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 02:30:13 PM EST
    is this self-destructing one that we're living in.

    Parent
    NO FAIR! (none / 0) (#79)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 03:56:50 PM EST
    PWire

    Trump Says Iran's Call for Human Shields Is `Totally Illegal'
    April 7, 2026 at 4:21 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 95 Comments

    President Trump sharply criticized Iran's call for young people to line up as human shields around power plants, NBC News reports.

    Said Trump: "Totally illegal. They're not allowed to do that."

    As for what motivated him to post this morning that "a whole civilization will die tonight" -- a comment that has drawn backlash from around the world -- he would only say: "You'll have to figure that out."

    Parent

    In February 1986, during ... (none / 0) (#95)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 09:15:37 PM EST
    ... the Bayan Ko revolution against the Philippines' authoritarian President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Jaime Sin, called the faithful out into the streets of the city to protect Gen. Fidel Ramos and Defense Sec. Juan Ponce Enrile after they publicly broke with Marcos and recognized Corazon Aquino as the rightful winner of the just-concluded presidential election.

    Cardinal Sin's public clarion call proved to be the decisive moment. Over 500,000 people turned out and blocked the army's tanks and armored vehicles in the streets as they attempted to carry out Marcos' order to arrest Ramos and Enrile. Within a day, soldiers and units started to switch sides and join the rebellion. Within three days, Marcos was ousted from power and with Cardinal Sin, Gen. Ramos and Secretary Enrile looking on, Mrs. Aquino took the oath of office as president of the Philippines.

    There's a vast legal difference between calling for volunteers to serve as human shields against an armed assault, and seizing citizens to use as hostages for the same purpose. As far as I can see, the leaders of Iran are doing the former and not the latter.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Trumps confusion is understandable (none / 0) (#97)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 08, 2026 at 07:47:20 AM EST
    A since he would be incapable of understanding why anyone would do that voluntarily

    Parent
    Underwater (none / 0) (#80)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 03:58:20 PM EST
    G. Elliot Morris: "New estimates I've produced show that Trump's approval rating is below 50% among registered voters in 135 Republican-held congressional seats -- 104 in the House and 31 in the Senate."

    "And his approval is below 45% in jurisdictions represented by 44 Republican members of Congress -- 34 in the House and 10 in the Senate."

    BREAKING NEWS (none / 0) (#86)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 05:42:25 PM EST
    Trump is going to bomb in - wait for it - 2 weeks.

    No kidding.  Armageddon is postponed

    Link (none / 0) (#87)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 05:45:32 PM EST
    Flashing on an old New Yorker (5.00 / 2) (#93)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 08:59:41 PM EST
    cartoon: a bunch of people in filthy rags sitting around a campfire and one of them is saying "It's true we destroyed the planet, but in the meantime we created a lot value for the shareholders."


    Parent
    And that's why they call it ... (none / 0) (#92)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 08:59:32 PM EST
    ... TACO Tuesday. Seriously though, if I had to guess, I'd say a senior GOP congressperson on Capitol Hill - one who hasn't partaken of the MAGA Kool-Aid - likely went to the White House, demanded an audience with the Orange Overlord, and laid out in blunt terms the stark legal consequences His Lord God King Creamsicle could potentially be facing not just here, but internationally as well, if he followed through on his violent threats against Iran after talking publicly like a madman.

    Parent
    I honestly think-worry (none / 0) (#94)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 09:05:14 PM EST
    Trump doesn't give a sh*t and just wants to go out with a big bang. Something he'll be remembered for.

    Questions of right or wrong being completely beside the point.

    Parent

    I don't think (none / 0) (#99)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Apr 08, 2026 at 08:38:36 AM EST
    anyone in the GOP has the gumption to tell Trump anything other than they worship dear leader. personally he listens to Wall Street and the Tech Bros and that's who got him to TACO IMO.

    Parent
    Hegseth in trouble? (none / 0) (#100)
    by KeysDan on Wed Apr 08, 2026 at 11:03:19 AM EST
    Touting the grand successes of Operation Epstein, The Secretary of Defense  said, "God deserves all the glory. Tens of thousands of sorties, refueling, strikes, carried out under the protection of divine providence.  A massive effort with miraculous protection."  His statement supports the idea that this is a Crusade, from his perspective.

    However, Trump will want all the glory, not to be shared with God.  Although MAGAts  seem to believe they are one and the same.

    As for those grand successes.  These are Iran's 10 points for peace .

    1. A U.S. guarantee that Iran will not be attacked again.
    2.. Permanent end to the war, not just a ceasefire.

    1. End to Israel strikes in Lebanon.
    2. Lifting of all sanctions on Iran.
    3. End to all regional fighting against Iran's allies.
    4. Iran will re-open the Strait of Hormuz (which was open before Operation Epstein).
    5. Iran will impose a fee of $2 million per ship passing through (Iran was not in control nor did it charge a fee before the Trump war).
    6. Iran will split the $2 million fee with Oman.
    7. Iran would establish rules for safe passage through Hormuz.
    8. Iran would use Hormuz fees for reconstruction instead of demanding reparations.


    According to Trump's MAGA cultists, ... (none / 0) (#101)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Apr 08, 2026 at 01:39:10 PM EST
    Los Angeles Times | April 8, 2026
    Jonah Goldberg: Trump is burning every bridge America had left - "It is among the most familiar patterns of the Trump era. First, the president says or does something weird, rude or otherwise norm-defying. Some elected Republicans object, and the response from Trump and his minions is to shoot the messenger. The dynamic holds constant whether it's big (Jan. 6 pardons) or small (tweeting 'covfefe' just after midnight). The essence of this low-road-for-me-high-road-for-thee dynamic rests on the belief that Trumpism is a one-way road. Insulting Trump, deservedly or not, is forbidden, while Trump's antics should be celebrated when possible, defended when necessary, or ignored when neither of those responses is possible. But he should never, ever face consequences for his own actions. This was the week Trump's routine went global."

    ... decades of alliances painstakingly built through skillful diplomacy, shared security commitments and arrangements, multilateral trade agreements, and mutual defense treaties are actually just flimsy "bridges" held together solely by U.S. cash handouts, Because really, nothing says "mooching" like countries hosting U.S. bases, cooperating on intelligence, and aligning militarily at a significant cost to themselves - right?

    Trump & Co. conveniently ignore the fact that our country's many alliances have historically amplified U.S. power, reduced the overall probability of major wars, and created enormous economic networks that have benefited American business and labor alike. Instead, they insist upon a laughably false pretense that the federal budget is somehow collapsing under the weighty burden of U.S. foreign aid, which actually comprised only 1.2% ($71.9 billion) of the overall $6.1 trillion outlay in federal expenditures for FY 2024 (Oct. 1, 2023 - Sept. 30, 2024).

    Trump / MAGA's rhetorical reduction of America's complex geopolitical relationships to a simplistic contention that "we paid them, so they owe us" certainly isn't comprehensive analysis. Rather, it's a cartoonishly myopic and perversely counterproductive vision of U.S. foreign policy that grievously mischaracterizes our country's international agreements, investments, aid and cooperation as charity. And in doing so, these pseudo-authoritarian neo-isolationists completely miss the point as to why our "bridges" to Europe and elsewhere ever existed in the first place.

    Aloha.

    Jonah Goldberg (none / 0) (#103)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 08, 2026 at 10:50:18 PM EST
    the guy who said WW2 fascism and nazism were "left progressive" movements.

    When you've lost Jonah, you know you've really gone off the deep end.

    Parent

    Had (none / 0) (#104)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 10:18:09 AM EST
    no idea he said that but not surprised. So many of these people had a role in creating this monster but I'm quite sure the majority of them will never take responsibility. The only ones I have seen do any apologies are from the Lincoln Project.

    Parent
    We live in a topsy turvy world. (none / 0) (#105)
    by fishcamp on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 10:27:40 AM EST
    They open the Straits and the stock market goes up and oil goes down.  Bibi bombs Lebanon and it all goes back to expensive again when they  re close the Straits.  Trump lies by saying he didn't know that was part of the deal.  Bibi doesn't care he just wants to bomb  away even though he knew.  Hopefully they work it out before Trump drops a Big Boy and wipes out an entire civilization.

    This was not on my bingo card (none / 0) (#107)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 03:19:26 PM EST
    That is a pretty funny typo (5.00 / 1) (#123)
    by Peter G on Fri Apr 10, 2026 at 09:39:39 AM EST
    to have "sex" for "sez" in this context!

    Parent
    This seems important (none / 0) (#109)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 04:36:20 PM EST
    But the coverage has been stupid.  Like this from RAW STORY

    But why now? And so I don't think we know the answer to that question, but the answer to that question will tell us what, what exactly she is trying to address here, because everyone is sort of saying, what pictures is she talking about? What stories is she talking about? She doesn't actually address precisely what it is that she is trying to tamp down and reject. We don't know

    If you have ever spent 5 minutes on social media you know what pictures she is talking about .  There are hundreds of photos of her in various stages of undress.  Many with Epstein.  

    This is a very interesting moment to be calling for congressional testimony from victims.

    Just when the subject changed


    Parent

    Bobblehead consensus (none / 0) (#115)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 07:27:34 PM EST
    seems to be it's her getting in front of some news we don't yet know about.

    Sweet!

    Parent

    The victims (none / 0) (#130)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Apr 11, 2026 at 12:21:21 PM EST
    are not happy with this saying that congress needs to interview the perpetrators not the victims again. Honestly this kinda sounds like Melania is trying to smoke out Trump's accusers.

    Parent
    I agree with the victims. (none / 0) (#132)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Apr 11, 2026 at 12:38:28 PM EST
    We already know what happened to these girls and young women. What we need to know now is who partook in those depredations. It's unacceptable that the only one to face justice inside a courtroom is Ghislaine Maxwell.

    Parent
    I'd like to hear more from Amanda Ungaro (none / 0) (#133)
    by jondee on Sat Apr 11, 2026 at 01:29:11 PM EST
    before she gets accidentally blown up in a fishing boat or has a suicide arranged for her.

    Parent
    me too (none / 0) (#134)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Apr 11, 2026 at 07:14:02 PM EST
    Sounds like she knows a lot. I think she's safe in Brazil though with Bolsonaro in jail. Otherwise I think she definitely would have an accidental fall out of a window.

    She also is I believe married to a doctor here in the US that immigrated from Brazil. I guess his paperwork must have been "in order" enough for him not to get thrown in the gulag like she was. I read she was in detention for 3 months and Melania knew that and did nothing. If only she had paid attention to what happened to Stephanie Winston Wolcott. It is the roadmap for all of Melania's "friends"

    Parent

    The bros will love this (none / 0) (#108)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 03:49:05 PM EST
    Automatic Registration for Military Draft Coming
    April 9, 2026 at 10:10 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 180 Comments

    USA Today: "Eligible men will be automatically registered into the U.S. military draft pool by December in an effort to streamline the existing self-registration process, according to the agency that oversees the system."

    "The new automatic registration process was approved by Congress under the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026, which President Donald Trump signed into law in December 2025."

    There is a lot wrong with this (5.00 / 2) (#122)
    by Peter G on Fri Apr 10, 2026 at 09:38:18 AM EST
    It's almost worth reading the 500 word thing (none / 0) (#110)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 05:30:42 PM EST
    Trump issues lengthy rant against former MAGA faithfuls he calls `losers'

    Trump Calls One Time MAGA Allies `Losers'
    April 9, 2026 at 6:15 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

    President Trump called Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens and Alex Jones -- four conservative one-time allies of Trump who have been critical of his approach to the war in Iran -- "losers" and "stupid people" in a nearly 500-word Truth Social post on Thursday, the Wall Street Journal reports.

    He said they sought publicity and would "say anything necessary" to get it.

    in full

    Glass half full thought for the day (none / 0) (#111)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 06:11:31 PM EST
    Trump is going to blame Iran on Hegseth.  

    My guess is (none / 0) (#116)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 07:32:02 PM EST
    no matter what happens, Trump will proclaim it a glorious victory. Still operating on the theory that if you repeat a lie enough times, it becomes true.

    Parent
    Gas (none / 0) (#118)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 09, 2026 at 07:41:31 PM EST
    is not going down before the election.  If anything it will go up.

    So I wish him luck with that

    Parent

    ... for a disaster declaration with regards to our recent devastating late-winter storms. Frankly, I'm surprised, even though it still doesn't mean that we'll actually get any federal funding out of it. It's just in time for another round of Kona low storms that is enveloping us today. Oahu's north shore reportedly received another 12 inches of rain yesterday. If there's going to be one memory of this past month that I take away, it's going to be all the mud everywhere. We're going to need at least a month of rain-free weather just to dry out.

    Vance failed (none / 0) (#135)
    by KeysDan on Sun Apr 12, 2026 at 10:16:46 AM EST
    in negotiations with Iran.  Supposedly due to Iran's recalcitrance in maintaining their nuclear capabilities that were "obliterated" by Trump last June.

    The failure of the Islamabad talks seemed predestined given that Trump had Vance lead the U.S. delegation---no success for Vance,  he needed to be taken down a notch or two what with all this talk of the 25th Amendment.

    How do you hold only one day ... (none / 0) (#136)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Apr 12, 2026 at 12:41:42 PM EST
    ... of negotiations before declaring it a failure? Meanwhile, our country's chief diplomat, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was attending a UFC event with Trump in Miami.

    The original Iran nuclear deal took years to reach a successful conclusion. Serious diplomacy should not be the bailiwick of people with such short attention spans.

    The Trump regime has since announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Okay. And then what? Having purportedly blown through nearly two-thirds of our country's conventional munitions stockpile in a fruitless effort to bomb Iran into submission, what do these military geniuses plan to do next?

    Oy.

    Parent

    A naval blockade meaning what? (none / 0) (#137)
    by jondee on Sun Apr 12, 2026 at 01:54:30 PM EST
    We're going to block Russia and China's access to the Strait of Hormuz? Good luck with that.

    Are Paula White, Franklin Graham, and some West Bank rabbis going to part the sea or something?

    Parent

    So let me get this strait.... (none / 0) (#138)
    by desertswine on Sun Apr 12, 2026 at 02:14:26 PM EST
    Dopey Donny is going to blockade the passage that ships already can't get through. Where's his strait-jacket??

    Parent
    Iran blocking the strait resulted (none / 0) (#146)
    by MO Blue on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 09:20:06 AM EST
    In higher gas prices worldwide. Seems Trump wants to increase the prices even higher as he wants the US to take over blocking the strait. Sometimes you just can't fix stupid.

    Parent
    The whole (none / 0) (#139)
    by KeysDan on Sun Apr 12, 2026 at 02:18:16 PM EST
    "Marathon" talks of 21 hours appear to be farcical.  A two-week cease fire implies ongoing negotiations during that time. And, that social media post of Trump's with its random capitalizations and threats to " BLOW TO HELL" Iranians is negotiating madness.

     Also, the evident incompetence of Trump's message, including "Khomeini and most of their Leaders" are dead".  Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini died of a heart attack in 1989.  It was Ali Khamenei who was killed in the bombing on Feb 28, 2026. Mojtaba Khamenei, his, son, is now Supreme Leader.

    Parent

    I have (none / 0) (#150)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 11:37:40 AM EST
    the same question. Are we going to do what Iran did in reverse? I think Trump saw the ultimate grift in the fees Iran was charging to pass the strait and got his idea from that. I'm sure whoever passes through will be sending the money directly to Trump. So he might not be as picky as Iran about who gets through because it's all about giving him money.  

    Parent
    I wonder what Trump's approval rating (none / 0) (#140)
    by jondee on Sun Apr 12, 2026 at 02:44:17 PM EST
    would be if you subtracted all the Americans who believe that Trump's actions, no matter how counterproductive, are a 'sign' and have been 'foretold' etc?

    Perhaps Hungary will provide us a hint. (5.00 / 1) (#142)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Apr 12, 2026 at 03:04:25 PM EST
    After 16 years in power, authoritarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban not only lost his re-election bid in today's national vote, but the Hungarian electorate also effectively threw his Fidesz party into the Danube River, with the opposition Tisza party gaining at least a two-thirds majority in the new parliament, according to the latest results being reported as of 4:00pm EDT. Orban has publicly conceded defeat.

    It's a great day for Europe and democracy.

    Parent

    A glimmer of light (5.00 / 1) (#143)
    by jondee on Sun Apr 12, 2026 at 03:12:22 PM EST
    ..of hope, "that thing with wings."

    Parent
    If 16 years (none / 0) (#152)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 11:40:50 AM EST
    is the lifespan of a right wing autocrat I'm trying to decide if we can finish maga off in 26/28 if you consider the tea party 2010 and the birther 2012 movements as the genesis. However if the actual beginnings of this movement are 2015 then we are going to go past 2030 to get rid of this cancer and these monsters.

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    I just turned 65. (none / 0) (#169)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 01:56:32 PM EST
    Speaking as a historian, I figure that even if Republicans suffer enormous midterm losses in 2026 and a landslide defeat in 2028, our country will still be grappling with the residual trauma of MAGA Trumpism for at least the balance of my lifetime.

    Parent
    This might change somewhat (none / 0) (#147)
    by MO Blue on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 09:23:24 AM EST
    Trump posting a meme of himself as Jesus didn't go over well with the religious members of MAGA,

    Parent
    I am certainly no expert in (5.00 / 1) (#148)
    by Peter G on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 10:08:10 AM EST
    the contours of what is considered blasphemy among actual Christians, but ... JFC!

    Parent
    Most Christians (none / 0) (#151)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 11:38:38 AM EST
    would consider it blasphemy but probably not evangelicals who seem to practice idolatry.

    Parent
    IMO the cult like worship of Trump (none / 0) (#155)
    by MO Blue on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 11:53:02 AM EST
    is definitely against the First Commandment

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    If you take enough drugs (none / 0) (#157)
    by jondee on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 02:24:52 PM EST
    and Then read the Bible, you might possibly think this was all 'prophesied,' and that in spite of every indication and outward appearence, Trump truly is a Man of God.

    Back around 2016, a Florida man (of course) wrote 'The Trump Prophecy,' which was made into a film after receiving funding from Jerry Falwell Jr (and Mrs Falwell and the pool boy) and Liberty University..

    This project of repackaging Nebuchadnezzar to make him palatable to the rubes has been afoot for awhile now. What the hell the endgame is is anyone's guess.

    Parent

    Orban loses (none / 0) (#141)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 12, 2026 at 02:57:19 PM EST
    BUDAPEST, Hungary -- Peter Magyar's center-right Tisza party is projected to win Hungary's parliamentary election, bringing an end to 16 years of authoritarian rule under Viktor Orbán, a far-right ally of both President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    The curse of (none / 0) (#144)
    by KeysDan on Sun Apr 12, 2026 at 03:35:34 PM EST
    JD Vance.  Iran peace  talk failure and campaigning for Orban.  But, unlike Vance's  meeting with Pope Francis, Orban just lost his job.  

    Parent
    I'm surprised (none / 0) (#145)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 12, 2026 at 04:28:02 PM EST
    this is not bigger news

    Parent
    I figure (none / 0) (#153)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 11:42:36 AM EST
    it will become a meme if he runs for president. There have been some reports he is not going to run in 2028. Frankly seems smarter to sit 2028 out for him IMO.

    Parent
    Who? (none / 0) (#158)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 03:03:08 PM EST
    Oh sorry (5.00 / 1) (#159)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 03:04:24 PM EST
    Vance

    What I meant was I'm surprised the defeat of Orban is not bigger news

    Is actually a very big deal.

    Parent

    At a minimum, (none / 0) (#161)
    by KeysDan on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 04:08:37 PM EST
    Orban's resounding defeat breaks the momentum of MAGAt  culture wars and fake populism spreading in Europe.  Moreover, the defeat brings new strength to the EU and NATO.  A win for liberal democracy and a loss for kleptocratic authoritarianism.---especially Putin.


    Parent
    There Are all kinds of implications (5.00 / 1) (#162)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 04:15:06 PM EST
    90 billion will keep them going until we win the congress

    Hungary's incoming Prime Minister Péter Magyar has indicated that he will not block the EU's €90bn loan for Ukraine, as the decision was already taken, but confirmed that Hungary will not take part in it.

    Source: Magyar at a press conference with foreign media in Budapest, as reported by European Pravda

    Details: Magyar was answering a question about the loan for Ukraine blocked by Hungary's current Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.



    Parent
    And implications (5.00 / 1) (#163)
    by KeysDan on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 04:32:28 PM EST
    for Democrats.  Resistance not collaboration.

    Parent
    At that if (5.00 / 1) (#164)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 04:51:52 PM EST
    the win is big enough it can't be stolen.

    Parent
    It is (none / 0) (#172)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 06:19:44 PM EST
    Huge where I get my news. Lots of celebrating and saying that democrats should see a road map and pay attention to how the ogliarchs are held accountable. I wonder if all the ones here who bent the knee are rethinking their decisions

    Parent
    I am practicing how to pronounce (none / 0) (#149)
    by Peter G on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 10:16:15 AM EST
    the name of the new Hungarian PM. My ancestry on my father's side is 100% Hungarian, albeit Ashkenazi, and "Peter" is a very common given name in Hungary. But I just learned that it is pronounced (something like) "PEH-t'r". And "Magyar" is the Hungarian word for "Hungarian." Amazing that that's his real family name. My grandfather always pronounced it kind of like "Mudger." But on the radio, I'm hearing "MAH-dzur", which I gather is more correct.

    Parent
    I have (5.00 / 1) (#154)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 11:43:19 AM EST
    heard MAH-dzur repeatedly as how to pronounce his name.

    Parent
    Google, Youtube, etc. (none / 0) (#156)
    by RickyJim on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 12:58:32 PM EST
    All pronounce it exactly the way it is spelled, with the accent on the second syllable.

    Parent
    Youtube (none / 0) (#160)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 03:17:22 PM EST
    Hungarians were known orginially ... (5.00 / 1) (#170)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 02:12:36 PM EST
    ... as the Magyars, a Finno-Ugric ethnic people whose origins trace back to the Eurasian steppes. In that regard, their language is quite distinct from other European languages of their neighbors, reflecting their relatively late arrival on the European scene. The Magyars migrated west from the Urals and central Asia to Hungary's present locale during the 9th and 10th centuries, A.D.

    Parent
    Trump's "I was supposed to be doctor" (none / 0) (#165)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 07:25:39 PM EST
    I'm sure we have all seem the AI slop Trump as Jesus so I won't link.

    But here is a more troubling possibility still, he really thought it looked like a doctor.

    He knows squat about Jesus so it would not be his first thought when doom scrolling in wee hours.

    I'm starting to think he won't finish the term

    Lawrence asks a good question (5.00 / 1) (#166)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 09:20:43 PM EST
    How is being a doctor any less insane?

    Good point.

    Parent

    Those must be some doctors (5.00 / 1) (#168)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 12:49:06 PM EST
    Trump's been seeing..

    Robes and light shooting out from their hands..

    That's what you get with better coverage.

    Parent

    The thing about MEMEs is (1.00 / 1) (#177)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 07:39:11 PM EST
    What would (none / 0) (#171)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 05:07:19 PM EST
    Explains a lot (none / 0) (#167)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 08:25:46 AM EST


    Trump's White House Was `Awash in Speed' -- and Xanax

    In January, the Defense Department's inspector general released a report detailing how the White House Medical Unit during the Trump administration distributed controlled substances with scant oversight and even sloppier record keeping. Investigators repeatedly noted that the unit had ordered thousands and thousands of doses of the stimulant modafinil, which has been used by military pilots for decades to stay alert during long missions.



    Remember (none / 0) (#173)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 06:21:46 PM EST
    When the previous list got out and there were people using ketamine among other questionable drugs?

    Parent
    I can't help but think (none / 0) (#174)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 07:32:58 PM EST
    of a certain army that ran on meth in WW2..

    They're finding out now that drugs like that can block feelings of empathy and other natural signals from the body that indicate when one is 'overstepping one's bounds.'

    Parent

    Wouldn't that be why it was (none / 0) (#175)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 07:35:56 PM EST
    useful in WWII?

    Parent
    They used to call them 'pep pills' (none / 0) (#178)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 07:40:20 PM EST
    they have their uses they say. I wouldn't know personally. ;)

    Parent
    I would (none / 0) (#179)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 07:41:46 PM EST
    in the 80s Tina was the drug of choice.

    Parent
    White crosses (none / 0) (#180)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 07:51:59 PM EST
    Black Beauties and so forth..

    'Who Put The Benzadrine In Mrs Murphy's Ovaltine?' was a minor hit in the 40s, until people figured out what it was about.

    Parent

    I always loved it (none / 0) (#181)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 08:03:37 PM EST
    after about age 18. Always a favorite. That would be 70s and 80s and some 90s.  

    It was it was only years later when the Dr understood some of my problems and gave me a prescription for Adderall. Only then I understood why I liked it so much.  

    I stopped taking it when I retired and my Dr said I really should.  I didn't want to but he cut me off and on reflection I have forgiven him.

    Parent

    Partially (none / 0) (#182)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 08:05:17 PM EST
    because a close friend who did not stop recently had a massive stroke.

    Parent
    I dabbled in this (none / 0) (#183)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 08:16:04 PM EST
    and dabbled in that, but the system gets much less resilient as one gets older..

    I just meditate (badly) now.

    Parent

    "Hey, it was legal (none / 0) (#184)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 10:31:49 PM EST
    when I recorded the song, you dig? Then it became illegal a month later" - Harry the Hipster

    Parent
    I liked Quaaludes. (none / 0) (#185)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Apr 15, 2026 at 03:21:05 AM EST
    But then they stopped manufacturing them. I never cared from stuff that amped me up because I was able to do that one my own. I always preferred One time somebody slipped me some Ecstasy and I was so wired that I left the party and walked back home - 8 miles away.

    Parent
    I was diagnosed with ADHA (5.00 / 1) (#186)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 15, 2026 at 10:23:35 AM EST
    in  about 2007.  It explained a lot I had not previously understood.  Not just that speed makes me focused but why I have always been able to  smoke everyone else to sleep.  Pot doesn't make me sleepy.  It makes me energetic mentally the way speed makes me energetic physically.

    Many drugs effect me differently


    ADHD medications are scientifically classified as stimulants ("uppers"). While they do not technically become "downers" (depressants), they often produce a paradoxical calming or sedative effect in people with ADHD.



    Parent
    People are just wired differently (none / 0) (#187)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 15, 2026 at 01:42:28 PM EST
    one man's meat is another man's poison etc

    Many moons ago, I knew a heroin addict who said the drug helped him work better, when all the other addicts were nodding off in the corner.

    Parent

    So the meds don't mess up (none / 0) (#188)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 15, 2026 at 01:43:53 PM EST
    your sleep at all?

    Parent
    If you mean Adderall (none / 0) (#190)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 15, 2026 at 05:30:43 PM EST
    no.

    Parent
    Awesome (none / 0) (#191)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 15, 2026 at 06:06:06 PM EST
    I started taking Ambien full time (none / 0) (#193)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 15, 2026 at 08:40:15 PM EST
    about the time I  stopped taking Adderall


    Parent
    My doc wrote me script (none / 0) (#194)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 16, 2026 at 02:56:13 PM EST
    for a sleep aid, which turned out to be an anti-depressant, which I didn't need, but I took it anyway and it actually made me feel depressed and OCD as a side effect. So basically, it was a psych med that actually gave me symptoms. Talk about paradoxical reactions. I took it for about two weeks and then stopped.

    Parent
    I had been rxed Tramadol, (none / 0) (#195)
    by desertswine on Thu Apr 16, 2026 at 06:59:15 PM EST
    An opioid pain medicine, but it made me suicidal.  You don't ever know for sure how a certain drug is going to affect you.

    Parent
    Tramadol is a very weak opiate. (none / 0) (#196)
    by fishcamp on Thu Apr 16, 2026 at 09:05:55 PM EST
    They give to prisoners in state and federal lock ups.  It's very mild and I'm surprised to hear you had problems with it desertswine.  I take Tramadol for scoliosis and have no reaction to it, but it does ease the pain in my back.  What say you about this drug KeysDan?

    Parent
    It is very commonly prescribed for dogs (none / 0) (#197)
    by vml68 on Thu Apr 16, 2026 at 10:09:11 PM EST
    for pain management and also after surgery.

    Parent
    There is reporting (none / 0) (#198)
    by KeysDan on Thu Apr 16, 2026 at 10:12:49 PM EST
    of suicidal ideation from use of Tramadol--a rare side effect apparently more likely in cases with a history of depression and such ideation.  Common side effects that may occur  can usually be managed; however, as desertswine notes,  side effects of a drug may be individualized.  The drug is an opioid that provides effective pain relief but needs to used with care, particularly its safe use with other medications.

    Parent
    A young lady (5.00 / 1) (#189)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Apr 15, 2026 at 04:48:42 PM EST
    gave me half a Quaalude after enticing me to her apt. I fell asleep while she was in the bathroom. Needless to say fun was had by none :).

    I never cared for anything down. Friends were big on Valium, Ludes, Reds, etc. Not for me.

    I preferred psychodelics. LSD, mushrooms, peyote and mescaline. LSD helped me learn who I was.

    Parent

    A lot of people drank (none / 0) (#192)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 15, 2026 at 06:09:46 PM EST
    on top of downers and wound up dead.

    The same with opiates.

    Parent

    Also explains why the right (none / 0) (#176)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 07:36:43 PM EST
    was pushing stories about Biden using PEDs for debates.

    Projection 101. Every accusation is a confession.

    Parent