Vox Populi, our weekly live chat about the week’s events begins tonight at 7:00 pm PT. Hope to see you then!
AdLib4 hours ago
Hey Ad
twilson117
2 hours ago
Hey TW!
AdLib2 hours ago
How’s the project going?
AdLib2 hours ago
It’s moving along
twilson117
2 hours ago
Nice!
AdLib2 hours ago
Did you see that CA passed the law to require the ICE Gestapo to not wear masks.
AdLib2 hours ago
Getting some nice data back much of which I can use in my writing along with a better understand of some of the views of past leaders around how they made their decisions.
twilson117
2 hours ago
I saw the article didn’t read it but sounds good to me. What do you think if the Kirk assassination
twilson117
2 hours ago
Indeed, perspective can offer so much wisdom.
AdLib2 hours ago
Hey CL!
AdLib2 hours ago
Hey CL
twilson117
2 hours ago
Hi Tw and Ad!
choicelady
2 hours ago
TW – CL and I were messaging back and forth on BlueSky and who the killer turned out to be and we did suggest a MAGA who flipped.
AdLib2 hours ago
Any word on how Murph is doing with his project?
twilson117
2 hours ago
Flipped out.
AdLib2 hours ago
I think that the man was part of an interfascist debate on who hates people more. Terribly sad.
choicelady
2 hours ago
I saw that but honestly didn’t read the article
twilson117
2 hours ago
tw – I heard from him about three days ago, and it’s not going well. He’s very dispirited. I’m not sure of ANY details, but nothing of the care for homeless is OK now.
choicelady
2 hours ago
It seems to me much of what taking place now is reminiscent of a number of things that have happen in the past right before war broke out
twilson117
2 hours ago
CL – I think you nailed it!
AdLib2 hours ago
Tw – I really fear for the stupidity of humanity.
choicelady
2 hours ago
TW – Which war do you mean? Civil War?
AdLib2 hours ago
I have to wonder how some of those who are opposing Murph now will feel when all of sudden they lose their farms or jobs because of the loyal support to their dear leader.
twilson117
2 hours ago
As an historian, I no longer think history actually repeats itself. However, Karl Marx did, and his view is worthy when he said the first time it’s for tragedy, the second time it’s farce. We are definitely in the farce part.
choicelady
2 hours ago
If you’ve seen Idiocracy, we’ve passed that bar.
AdLib2 hours ago
Ad pick one
twilson117
2 hours ago
TW – I don’t know if the land trust is kaput. It’s more the formal offerings of security for homeless people. So much for those who think they’re Christian
choicelady
2 hours ago
TW – As mentioned, it appears we could see 30% of farmers eliminated from farming.
AdLib2 hours ago
How is it that people can be so nearsighted?
twilson117
2 hours ago
I hoped Murph and the minister would have the community see reason, but on the other hand, going public for what you want to do on private land that is legal is probably NOT a good idea. I am a firm believer in stealth.
choicelady
2 hours ago
I need to step away for 5 min wlll be back
twilson117
2 hours ago
OK!
choicelady
2 hours ago
Ad – did you see photos of Trump today? Pretty clear he’s had a stroke.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Maybe as the months go by and more farmers become more desperate, Murph may have more luck putting something together.
AdLib2 hours ago
I don’t know if the land trust is in trouble or if it’s housing the homeless. He has told me only about the latter. The land trust can be for him alone or for the group. It’s perfectly available to him even without others.
choicelady
2 hours ago
The land trust got sidelined too from what I remember.
AdLiban hour ago
As a group effort, that’s sad. HE can still use it. Each interested landowner can.
choicelady
an hour ago
I am not at all fond of the saying, “It’s easier to beg forgiveness than ask for permission” because it’s often quite selfish. But in SOME cases I’ve found that it’s true. We did what we did housing people without asking anyone. We survived because it worked well. We conform with the law passed a couple of years ago to limit it to 3 people. We have zero permits, permission slips, nothing. And nobody bothers us. We aren’t asking forgiveness either. We just did it. And so should he.
choicelady
an hour ago
Land trusts don’t have to be big. He can set one up for his place alone. We tend to think we have to save the world with our tactics. Sometimes you just have to save Walden Pond and let Massachusetts fend for itself.
choicelady
an hour ago
I saw a comment that was clever,saying that The Civil War has been canceled due to a racially or socially uncoooperative killer.
AdLiban hour ago
That’s perfect!!!
choicelady
an hour ago
So did Trump have a stroke?
AdLiban hour ago
Sure looks like it. Whole right side of his face is drooping terrible. Highly visible at the 9/11 ceremony yesterday at the Pentagon.
choicelady
an hour ago
When, after the shooter’s ID was known, Trump was asked about Kirk, he said Oh, too bad, and look at the beautiful ballroom I’m building. He’s seriously NOT OK.
choicelady
an hour ago
“…face is drooping terribly”. I can’t type…
choicelady
an hour ago
Trump has recently worried about going to Heaven, Vance says he’s ready to take over, and now the apparent stroke. We can’t know how sick he is.
AdLiban hour ago
Several of Trump’s comments lately tell me his doctors have been honest that he’s not long for this world. He has lost weight probably through meds, but he’s not golfing, he’s doing very little, is increasingly bizarre in his speeches – he’s not OK.
choicelady
an hour ago
I read from a doctor who deals with death and dying that if he starts smelling like nail polish remover, it’s the end. No way for us peons to know, but that’s the cue. Not his usual odor. That.
choicelady
an hour ago
No,he’s not okay which is why I posit the Weekend of Bernie’s presidency.
AdLiban hour ago
Yes – but who among the staff can stand the stench?
choicelady
an hour ago
I have often wondered if BERNIE is the “Weekend” radical. He doesn’t look too hot either.
choicelady
an hour ago
Sorry about that something i needed to take care of all is fine now
twilson117
an hour ago
Good, TW – welcome back.
choicelady
an hour ago
We were just musing on how much longer Trump has. He showed signs at the Pentagon yesterday of a major stroke – whole right side of his face slid down about three inches.
choicelady
an hour ago
Just for giggles some of the data I’ve been collecting for the project i’ve been working on is indicating that our form of governance may be collapsing considering all things taking place.
twilson117
an hour ago
choicelady
an hour ago
TW – that is deeply worrisome. I LIKE our form of government. Obviously it has weaknesses. But I don’t wish to lose it.
choicelady
an hour ago
What do you think would happen if Trump died? Would they cover it up and pretend he was still alive to keep power? Admit it and let Vance come in and destroy their solidarityas everyone in the Admin battle for power? Does MAGA fall apart?
AdLiban hour ago
Ad – all of the above!!
choicelady
an hour ago
Cl that is what it seems be indicating. But just took a look at the video of Trump he doesn’t look good in that
twilson117
an hour ago
Ad you mean like a weekend at Berinie’s??
twilson117
an hour ago
He is not doing well, has not been for some time.
choicelady
an hour ago
So we would be happy ifTrump was taken by The Great Pumpkin?
AdLiban hour ago
The job of being President of this country wares one out and Trump is anything but a spring chicken already besieged with health issues
twilson117
an hour ago
Ad – I can put on my unctuous, pompous voice and say, “Let things be as they will.” But yes – let the Great Pumpkin do its thing.
choicelady
an hour ago
Yes, Weekend At Bernies. They prop him up and other people say stupid a hateful things while they move his mouth?
AdLiban hour ago
TW – and in the Delaware corner is former Pres. Biden out walking, smiling, having ice cream with Jill, and showing he’s fit and fine. MEDIA are our worst enemy.
choicelady
an hour ago
Well looking at the clip CL dropped he does not look good at all the drooping of the mouth is not a good sign
twilson117
an hour ago
Ad – they have so many hateful, stupid things on audio that lip sync stuff would be easy. Someone can rig the hand movements.
choicelady
an hour ago
TW – his eye on the right side and the cheek flesh are equally sagging.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL are those signs of a strok?
twilson117
an hour ago
Don’t youthink though that this whole Trump Dictatorship, as horrible as it is, has the wheels coming off already? Look at the Dem states and cities pushing him back. CA with the anti-mask bill and the coalition of states protecting vaccines. And Chicago scaring him away so now he’s going to invade Nashville because the Repub Gov is hossible.
AdLiban hour ago
Yes – I just went through a stroke check due to dizziness from a middle ear infection. All that is basic. I’m fine. He is not.
choicelady
an hour ago
Ad – I think there’s a lot to be said for the size and diversity of our nation as a most difficult target for fascism. We are and always have been contrarian. Not easy to corral and subdue.
choicelady
an hour ago
History is replete of accounts of countries trying to hide the illness of their rulers, we’ve done it ourselves with Wilson, Regan, and Binden
twilson117
an hour ago
And the Tariff decision against him? SCOTUS can only bail him out so many times before they make it a no brainer for most Americans to add more justices and take away their power in 2028.
AdLiban hour ago
Tw – Biden actually is OK. There the media tried to make him seem incompetent when what occurred is that his speech impediment returned. As the Philadelphia Inquirer showed – Biden answered EVERY June 2024 debate question well. Trump answered none, but because Biden’s speech was slow, he was labeled. He was intellectually fine. It’s really bizarre Trump got a pass in media and Biden got smeared.
choicelady
an hour ago
Good point, CL. I also think it helps that there is no muscle memory for Americans to slide quietly into a dictatorship. Many other countries that went from dictatorship to democracy then lost it, like Hungary, have such a memory and history of having to accept a dictatorship, resisting is harder.
AdLiban hour ago
SCOTUS does better on the public docket were we SEE them, and I don’t think he will get away with the tariffs.
choicelady
an hour ago
America is not like any other country. Longest surviving democracy – not likely to roll over on it.
choicelady
an hour ago
Our country has a problem with age
twilson117
an hour ago
Biden has issues with exhaustion but he is still competent. Trump seems to have some energy to spew hatred and narcissism but is failing mentally (and physically). I’d bet Trump passes before Biden does.
AdLiban hour ago
Cl It will be interesting to see what the SC does once they are back in session in a few weeks.
twilson117
an hour ago
Doesn’t hurt that all the promises of an ‘efficient’ dictatorship are completely bogus. We are SO much worse off now than under any president but Trump One. You can become an effective dictator if and only if you deliver for the people. We weren’t Weimar Germany – we were a robust, full employment economy that is now being destroyed.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL – The Constitution is incredibly clear about Congress having the right to tariffs and subsequent laws only allowed for a president, in an emergency, to have a short term ability to apply tariffs but then Congress has to approve for them to continue. But remember, The House Repubs passed a bill claiming time won’t pass on Trump tariffs so they won’t have to approve them? That wasn’t legal.
AdLiban hour ago
Biden may have prostate cancer, may have a chronic form, but it’s manageable. Trump is rotting from the inside out.
choicelady
an hour ago
Ad – that bill itself did not formally change the law, and it can be challenged pre Marbury v Madison.
choicelady
43 minutes ago
All the Dem “strongly worded letters’ are LEGAL documents to lay the ground for lawsuits.
choicelady
43 minutes ago
CL – I don’t know if you’ve seen Lutnick in interviews lately, he keeps pushing back when “The Trump Economy” begins, now he’s saying not until next year. Hah! We all know whose economy this is right now and that it’s going into the toilet. Such oblivious fools.
AdLib43 minutes ago
The only thing efficient about a dictatorship is how quickly they suck up all the money and leave the country shambles while the runoff on their yachts to their private islands
twilson117
42 minutes ago
CL- Good to know that.
AdLib42 minutes ago
Lutnick – or Nutlick as he is commonly called – is looking more stupid by the nanosecond.
choicelady
42 minutes ago
TW – you have perfectly described Trump’s golden dream/
choicelady
42 minutes ago
CL – Pretty hard to rank Trump Admin fools by Most Stupid to Least Stupid.
AdLib42 minutes ago
They’re all the most stupid.
AdLib41 minutes ago
I am REALLY afraid of shutdown over the budget. Shutdown is Trump’s dream. Then, 30 days in, he gets to fire everyone including court staff making all courts utterly useless. He then can plunder ever department and agency with no one to watch him. He SAID over the last CR, that closing down would be “a year or two, maybe more”. We cannot let this happen. Shutdown is the END of America
choicelady
40 minutes ago
One comment I liked said that one of the first things a Dem government should do is make the US a signatory to the ICC. Then there’s no preventing Trump and his monsters from being tried for crimes against humanity and murders in The Hague.
AdLib40 minutes ago
CL the only problem for Trump will be Lucifer will be waiting for him and smiling and saying I promised you the money but I never said you get to spend it or touch it come with I have a nice room for you by the fire
twilson117
40 minutes ago
Ad – totally agree.
choicelady
40 minutes ago
TW- one never successfully makes a deal with the Devil.
choicelady
39 minutes ago
Cl Never ever.
twilson117
39 minutes ago
Devil never shows you the fine print.
choicelady
38 minutes ago
Ad that is the reason why most US Presidents didn’t
twilson117
38 minutes ago
CL – I don’t know that Trump would be able to pull that all off, if there’s a shutdown, that means those who make his orders happen will be off salary too and unable to do all the damage he wants. And if Dems fund a dictator’s rule, how is that going to look to voters who already hold the party at 33% approval.
AdLib38 minutes ago
CL he does when one is standing by the fire it’s plain as day then
twilson117
37 minutes ago
TW – I have a feeling Trump won’t be as disappointed to be in Hell, it probably looks a bit like Mar-a-Lago.
AdLib37 minutes ago
Ad – the problem is he would get to say where the money is spent. He said in the shutdown EO it would be police and military, and that could cover a lot of his cronies.
choicelady
37 minutes ago
Ad now there is a thought ugly as all get out
twilson117
36 minutes ago
I think hell is whatever you dread. If you want Mar a Lago, it would be a hippie commune for you. You want a peaceful glade – it would be Times Square media strip for eternity.
choicelady
36 minutes ago
CL – But money would run out over time and then he would have his hands tied too. It’s not an easy decision and it is a potent argument to say Dems shouldn’t be funding his dictatorship.
AdLib35 minutes ago
Median strip.
choicelady
35 minutes ago
CL – Hell for Trump might be finding his mother and father are waiting for him and think he lived a lousy life and insulting him and his worth for eternity.
AdLib34 minutes ago
He could arrange for IRS to be funded enough to take IN our tax money but never spend it. He doesn’t care about the law – SSA is supposed to be protected, but he’d fire all the people who SEND it.
choicelady
34 minutes ago
Ad – THAT would be a perfect HELL for Trump.
choicelady
34 minutes ago
Ad do you really think Schummer will go for a shutdown
twilson117
34 minutes ago
CL – If he did that, I think there would be millions of people marching on DC to throw him out of office…and with the military and police unpaid because of him, maybe they’d join in. Has happened in other countries, the military and police joining a protest when tons of people reflecting the majority march against their dictator.
AdLib32 minutes ago
The military and police are the ONLY THINGS TO BE FUNDED.
choicelady
31 minutes ago
TW – I really don’t know. Had Schumer refused to support a shutdown the first time then helped pass the bill because he thought it was the best path forward, that would’ve been one thing. But breaking his word after saying he wouldn’t pass the budget makes Dems in The House look at him as having betrayed them and that he’s untrustworthy.
AdLib30 minutes ago
So we march. So WHAT? Who cares if he has armed protection? We cannot overthrow him without MASSIVE bloodshed. I want to know – and I will write to Schumer – if there is a fail safe plan to reopen. Otherwise, we are seriously looking at the end of America. I know that’s why Schumer refused shutdown last Spring – but I don’t want them to cave NOW.
choicelady
30 minutes ago
WHEY AREN’T WE ALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA SAYING WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES OF SHUTDOWN WILL BE?
choicelady
29 minutes ago
CL – They marched and protested in Ukraine against a dictator backed by Putin and they overcame him. It has been done in worse situations and Americans can do it too.
AdLib28 minutes ago
Shutdown means NO 2026 elections either.
choicelady
28 minutes ago
Not true, a shutdown doesn’t mean we don’t have elections in 2026. Trump may threaten that but the election will happen.
AdLib27 minutes ago
We aren’t Ukraine or any other nation. That doesn’t work here. We are too big, and it’s way to risky.
choicelady
27 minutes ago
You both are making good points, a shutdown may be all the 2025 Nazis need to declare a national crisis and try to usurp the government
twilson117
26 minutes ago
HOW will elections happen? HOW? States can hold them – but where do winners GO when the Capitol is closed? No staff. Nobody paid. We keep treating this as a NORMAL partisan squabble – it’s NOT.
choicelady
26 minutes ago
CL – I’m not saying that it’s an easy decision but there are great dangers and benefits to funding and not funding. The question is, should Dems voluntarily fund Trump to cement in his dictatorship? The American people dislike the party now because they at least feel that they aren’t standing up to him. Agreeing to fund his dictatorship may be suicide for the party in the long run and a shame they may always be haunted by.
AdLib25 minutes ago
TW – shutdown HANDS them the government.
choicelady
24 minutes ago
CL – Here’s one suggestion, Blue States work together to withhold sending taxes to the Feds so Trump won’t have the money for police and Gestapo, meanwhile they put the money aside for funding the election.
AdLib23 minutes ago
CL – And funding a dictatorship is kind of suicidal for those who want elections in 2026.
AdLib22 minutes ago
The BUB took out ALL the policy stuff giving Trump power. What’s left is atrocious BUT if we stay open AND win majorities in 2026, We can move first thing to override those cuts. If we shut down we can’t do ANYTHING, and cuts are immediate and final. No funding for anything but police and military. The Shutdown EO SAYS SO. There may be new strategies we can use, and I will try to learn them. But if not, this is DOOMSDAY.
choicelady
22 minutes ago
Ad – funding keeps elections viable. Shutdown does NOT.
choicelady
22 minutes ago
CL I have no doubt Trump and is idiot cabinet are salivating over the possibility of it happening but, what are the Dem’s to do?
twilson117
21 minutes ago
We have to look at the big picture and not take this as an ordinary partisan fight.
choicelady
21 minutes ago
CL – I disagree (but love you of course!) . Financing Trump’s dictatorship to continue invading states and shutting down the election is exactly what could happen if Dems fund his tyranny.
AdLib21 minutes ago
Keep government open. Win the 2026 election. Immediately start voting to refund every program – and with luck we will have a 2/3 to over ride vetos.
choicelady
20 minutes ago
He TRIED to shut down the election. He can’t. States control it. But he CAN prevent people from taking their seats if the CAPITOL is closed.
choicelady
20 minutes ago
CL – Again, you have to consider that Trump does not want elections in 2026 and funding him to keep accomplishing his goal of preventing the election would be an awful thing for Dems to have funded.
AdLib19 minutes ago
If we shut down, there IS no election outcome. If we stay open there IS, and Dems can get power.
choicelady
18 minutes ago
CL – What do you mean he tried to shut down the election? Not like he’ll literally do this time before the election. In 2020 he tried to stop the counting of votes AFTER the election. Right now, he’s scheming to prevent elections from even happening and financing his effort to do that could be disastrous. That could end elections in this country.
AdLib17 minutes ago
Tell me then – how do we reopen again? How do people get their SSA and Medicare after October? How do vets get their VA when those are closed? TELL ME.
choicelady
17 minutes ago
A shutdown will be risky but does Schummer really have another choice, if the lets that bill through
twilson117
17 minutes ago
We already HAVE the bill – it passed. We know what’s coming 2027. But if we shut down, it comes in OCTOBER.
choicelady
16 minutes ago
CL – You’re assuming that Trump won’t use a Dem-supported budget to slash SS anyway. Or that he won’t disable Medicare as RFK Jr. is alredy working on, they want to use AI to decide benefit approvals for Medicare and have a test group already for that.
AdLib15 minutes ago
Tell me the advantage of shutting down and losing everything in October? What is the advantage when Trump will not allow – by his own words – the Congress and courts and every department to reopen. Congress will be passive. TELL ME THE ADVANTAGE.
choicelady
15 minutes ago
Ad – that is something we can fight 2027. It’s permanent if we shut down.
choicelady
14 minutes ago
Cl; don’t certain agencies deemed essential stay open and SS is one of them
twilson117
14 minutes ago
TW – SSA will be “open” but every person in it will be fired.
choicelady
13 minutes ago
Our last SSA checks will be October. Nobody left to send them after that.
choicelady
13 minutes ago
CL – Ooh, I’m getting all caps now? Okay, I’ll tell you. Trump and many of his very badly wanted programs will be frozen. If he puts all the money into the Gestapo and Military, he will have none to do the massive list of awful things he wants to do. And He will want to make a deal, he will want all the money back because he’s a greedy monster and wants to do everything he wants to…like finish building the WH ballroom.You have to remember you’re dealing with a deranged narcissist that tyrants in other countries easily manipulate because he is stupid and needy. Dems can do that too as Putin has.
AdLib11 minutes ago
Isn’t a lot of the SSA automated including those who get direct deposit? I believe it is.
twilson117
10 minutes ago
Trump also needs to believe most people love him. With the country frozen, if SS or Medicaire is harmed, if the economy quickly worsens, everyone in the country will be turning on him including the military.
AdLib9 minutes ago
I am scared to death we can’t see his plan. He will LOOT the Treasury. Nobody to stop him. TW – automation still needs to be set in motion monthly. He won’t pay for IT people to maintain it.
choicelady
9 minutes ago
In any case it won’t be pretty at all
twilson117
9 minutes ago
CL – He’s looting the Treasury right now. Every awful thing you can think of, he’s already doing to one degree or another. This is the only leverage Dems may have to prevent a faster descent into tyranny. By a year from now, it may be too late.
AdLib7 minutes ago
Ad – he doesn’t care what we think of him – he SAID so this week. He will stop the election not by not letting us vote but by having no Capitol open to go to Jan. 2027. He will have free rein over all the money after Nov. 1. He will fire everyone, and he will be able to loot every budget item
choicelady
7 minutes ago
CL I have no doubt Trump and his henchmen will do all they can to run off with the money, and the stupid people in tis country who voted for him will be the ones who cry the loudest, because they voted for a slogan and not competence
twilson117
7 minutes ago
Shut down isn’t leverage – it’s total capitulation.
choicelady
7 minutes ago
Given that it’s Schummer I think he will buckle and not let it happen
twilson117
5 minutes ago
There is a point of no return for a democracy so it’s important to keep in mind that we may not have the luxury of time to stop him from permanently corrupting elections or ending them. This may be one of the last chances to slow down this rapid march to a full and long term dictatorship.
AdLib5 minutes ago
well, I see signs Schumer is holding out “med programs or we shut down” so it will happen. We will give him what he wants. We will then see how well we fare with no income, no programs, no SNAP, no Medicaid, no VA, no courts, NOTHING.
choicelady
5 minutes ago
CL – Trump’s dictatorship can’t be sustained without being able to fund it.
AdLib5 minutes ago
When we are shut down, good luck with elections – no place to go. No Congress, no staff, no building maintenance, nothing.
choicelady
4 minutes ago
He can FUND IT, Ad – he will LOOT everything, and no, he’s NOT doing that now because the courts HAVE stopped him. But this will be free rein. All for him. Not one thing for us.
choicelady
4 minutes ago
CL – Schumer is only asking for restoring funding for the ACA until 2027. That mean the pubic will be lulled into a false sense of security about the price of health insurance through the 2026 election than be devastated a few months later. That’s crazy.
AdLib2 minutes ago
OK guys – cats are getting rasty. I hope you can come up with a plan for how we save democracy in a shut down. If he WANTS it, why are we giving it to him? Let me know what controls we have on him because they aren’t what we usually use. They will be gone.
choicelady
2 minutes ago
CL – I understand your position but I don’t know if you see the danger in it that I do. In any case, to be continued.
AdLiba minute ago
Schumer is asking for Medicaid. And it’s all to keep the poor covered. Supposed to exist through 2026 but already is being eroded. Anyway, let’s see what happens.
choicelady
a minute ago
CL I know you have to go but give a set of conditions on what schummer has and I will put them through a model I built to see if it comes up with anything
twilson117
a few seconds ago
So CL even stipulates that nothing can be gained by Dems for agreeing to the budget. Then why do it?
AdLiba few seconds ago
Hey TW, up for a chat?
AdLiba few seconds ago
Yeah will call in 5
twilson117
in a few seconds
Ok!
AdLibin a few seconds
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