Trump v Musk; popcorn moment!

[fixingmylife]

Musk has just tweeted that Trump is on the Espstein list. Shock horror, not! :-) This is going to roll and roll. USA elected children to run the country and to be the leader of the Western World! Popcorn at the ready......

Do you think the reason why they were so nasty to President Zelenskyy was because he is Jewish?

Hmm maybe, but I think other reasons are more important..there is a wave of orthodox conversion in the US , esp among Trump's support base of young men. The orthodox church in Russia is unfirgivably supporting the war.

Also many unmoderate right wing authors w influence on the Trump admin see Putin as a defender of traditional values. Putin has been playing in this by offering visas for Americans to move to Russia to regain trad values. This is part of the reason why many people on the further end of the US right see Russia as the better side. They associate Ukraine w the 'degenerate' EU & UN.

There has always been a side of the US which supports the aggressive side & wants isolationism. See the America First movement in WW2, which some in Trump admin have praised. I understand not wanting to fight but this attitude goes way beyond that.

@llizzie Who were nasty to Zelenskyy? The VP and the other arseholes in the meeting in the Oval Office? I am a pretty paranoid Jew, but in that particular case I think there were several things other things going on. Trump was making grammar and factual mistakes and they were trying to distract from that by talking over him. Also trying to show fealty to Putin and curry Trump's favor. It was a dreadful performance, so embarrassing and dangerous.

A bit off topic, but here are a couple of links. There is a rise in Orthodoxy in the UK, which I think we should be a bit wary of.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c30q5l8d4lro&ved=2ahUKEwjFs-bJxeyNAxWtX0EAHZkhE5cQFnoECB8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw3ANjwCwHzFj6Vouu9PO1K-

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=www.vox.com/politics/405869/jd-vance-conversion-religion-politics-divide&ved=2ahUKEwicu8vpxeyNAxXdZ0EAHZqYOCgQFnoECBwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2MG5_UjFV3cvRvOyT3LSCG

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/12/09/vladimir-putin-shouldnt-be-a-right-wing-hero-524041

https://www.google.com/amp/s/ecfr.eu/article/conservatism-by-decree-putin-as-a-figurehead-for-the-global-far-right/%3famp

https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/09/06/russia-putin-trump-maga-conservative-religion-church-traditional-values-populist/

Worryingly many further right wingers in Europe also like Putin. US unmoderate right are also fond of Orban, Bolsonaro & Milei.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=theconversation.com/european-populists-back-putin-as-they-roll-out-their-anti-ukraine-positions-232301&ved=2ahUKEwix2LOUxuyNAxXCWEEAHRs5AUU4FBAWegQIIhAB&usg=AOvVaw3J1HbaOho6xpL1bC7xBENQ

Sorry that was probs too many! But honestly this development I think shows many of the Trump's merry band of MAGA to be evil or charitably, very stupid

Putin invades an innocent country, massacres, rapes, kidnaps children. The Orthodox Church sanctions this. All MAGA can see is a brave, traditional, manly leader. I don't have enough 😡.faces. And the people moving to Russia ..honestly, no words. Haven't they learnt from WW2 and the Anerica First people who defended Hitler & wouldn't help refugees? There is a serious problem of Nova denial in the far left, but people should also focus on the denial of Bucha & other atrocities by the far right.

It was obvious, and I was horrified when it started. President Zelenskyy is of equal rank to Trump. Vance was a subordinate, and as such had no right to speak until given the OK. I have noticed he hasn't done that since.

President Zelenskyy tried to raise the question of the 2014 invasion and the annexing of Crimea. As soon as he said '2014' Trump immediately said ''Wasn't it 2015?' and of course President Zelenskyy was about to correct him when Vance opened his big mouth and really let his temper fly. He didn't want that conversation to go further, because he knew Trump had made a serious error, and not the first time either, because he went in so fast.

To show how Trump's brain and understanding works, I will give my rendering of why Trump lost count of the dates. During his election campaign in 2024 it was exactly a decade from the disastrous 2014 - a year of world disasters, and the centenary of the Great War), so he was used to referring to the Russian invasion as being ''ten years ago''.

Now he either forgot what year it was, or couldn't add one to ten and make eleven, and thereby hangs a tale - or tail, depending which way you look at it.

Oho, I didn't know about Trump's grammar mistakes. Could he maybe be faltering a bit due to age? Or just tired that day and u prepped?

There is a lot of press about Trump and his mess of a brain. But, the most important reality is that he simply doesn't care. He operates entirely on the presumption that everything he says is perfect and correct. He never cares about being accurate or honest. This is where we are right now. It's terrible.

For those who want some satire of this ridiculously awful situation, the Onion has a good take :

https://theonion.com/trump-escalates-musk-feud-by-nuking-mars/

Of course he is. Age actually showed up in him more than in Biden at the disastrous public debating session.

It was the childish faces he was pulling behind Biden's back. It amazed me that such stupidity won him the election.

The American people must have been really desperate to have elected him.

The video last night of them arresting a senator (who had identified himself) is absolutely chilling

It’s been a shocking day

Now there is more: Israel bombing Iran. It had to come. Mossad's expertise at spying is legendary. The fact that there is still an Israel is proof of that. If they were not there, the whole south coast of the Mediterranean Sea would be Islamic from Greece to Gibraltar and thence into the Atlantic.

We know that Putin has considerable control over shipping, through allies. He has taken most of the Ukraine coastline. In 2023/4 the people in Africa were desperate for Ukrainian grain, and Putin had to give his permission for exports from Ukraine to travel through to the Med. Putin has allied Russia to Assad, Iran, thence to Hezbollah, to Hamas - and Houthis, who have successfully prevented international shipping from going through the Suez Canal, forcing shipping of goods the long way round. There was a dicy moment when South Africa (the Cape shipping route) accused Israel of genocide, but since they have found to be the same, there is no danger to shipping around the Cape.

It makes you wonder how the Americans weren't prepared for that. They came in a bit late last month shelling Yemen. They had plenty of notice to keep American navy close.

The Israeli government do not attack indiscriminately, because they would never put their citizens at risk without a very good reason.

The people know that, and are prepared.

What I don't believe is that Trump knew nothing about it. What I think now is that maybe I was right that Trump is on a war footing.

I wonder how many people realise how dangerous the world is now? Putin doesn't have to conquer countries: he just has to control shipping.

What will Putin do now his ally Iran has been attacked? Will he bring in more from Kim Ung?

Well now we know Trump lies. He denied all knowledge of the Israeli attack on the nuclear weapons scientists and leaders of the regime.

In the evening he had to admit that not only was he informed beforehand, but he supplied interceptors to bring Iran's missiles down.

He took them from Ukraine.

Iran has said it would attack Western military bases if they came to the defence of Israel. I think since Israel decided to bomb Iran this time, it should defend itself. Western countries shouldn't spend money & risk their troops to defend it.

If Israel wants to play Billy big balls & escalate the situation even further then it should be 'brave' enough to defend itself. Western leaders should now distance themselves & say 'you're on your own now.' This is the perfect opportunity to distance themselves from the genocidal maniacs of Netanyahu's government. History already won't look kindly on them whilst they're standing by watching an entire nation being starved because some people want to build more settler colonies in Gaza.

It is only Israel's position where it is which prevents the whole south and east costs of the Med being completely under sharia law. From Turkey to the Atlantic ocean Israel is in a position to prevent half the world under Islamic law.

That is why Israel has arguably the best security force in the world. It would be horrifying for Egypt if Hamas took over Israel. We are not talking about Gaza now. It goes much further.

Now Iran finances Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad (how many of those supporting the Palestinians know that Islamic Jihad is also in Gaza. In fact were in the militia who invaded Israel. They knew the IDF would go into Gaza to rescue them. America got it's citizens back. They would not desert Israel now.

For years now, since the revolution, Iran wants access to a port on the Med. So does Putin. He is doing better with controlling world shipping so a port is not so vital to him, though it was a Russian cargo ship that stored it's cargo i a warehouse in Beirut which blew up a couple of years ago.

Putin has taken most of the Ukraine coast to the Black Sea. That stopped Ukraine exporting it's grain to Africa. Putin then gave permission for the grain ships to sail out of the Black Sea.

Trump and Putin were supposed to have done a deal over the protection of American ships in the Black Sea, but I think only when he has secured the rights to mine minerals in Ukraine. The most valuable of those minerals is in Russian held territory, yet Trump was able to do a deal with Putin?

Looking at the position of the world now, it is in America's best interests to support Israel because of it's position. The UK and Europe would do well to consider that. Overrun with Islamist immigrants, Europe and us are not in a very good defensive situation. I wonder if our governments realise they are in a cleft stick?

Israel must win. Hamas must not be allowed to win. They are the aggressors. In fact almost all the aggression comes from sharia law countries, many of which are run by terrorist groups, whether they like to admit it or not.

If the democratic world of freedom does not help Israel after the lessons of two world wars, Islam's bud to turn the world to sharia law will be simple, and we cannot allow that to happen.

Do you get WIRED DAILY? I get the emails, but cannot open them. Today the heading below came:

The Definitive Story of Tesla Takedown
BY AARIAN MARSHALL AND DAVID GILBERT | 13-MINUTE READ
In February, a Bluesky post caught the eye of Alex Winter. The result is a coalition of environmentalists, anti-Trump advocates, and federal workers that’s been hyping Tesla’s stock slide ever since.

Gets more shocking daily. Has Trump given up asking warring factions to 'cease their playground fights? I sensed as much in the news today about Iran.

Iran, Islamic Revolutionary Guards and Islamic Morality Police:

Did you see the video of the attack on Tehran TV studio?

Israel sent out a warning of attack in that area. Did all the men run for their lives leaving the women to face the attack alone?

It is what I immediately thought when the female announcer was speaking when there was an explosion.

If that isn't proof that Islam hides behind their women, I don't know what is.

@llizzie That kind of comment crosses a line. You’re using an isolated, chaotic – in a context of war and propaganda – to make sweeping, dehumanising claims about an entire faith and about Muslim men in particular.

It’s not just inaccurate – it’s deeply unfair. There are countless Muslim men and women who stand up for each other, for justice, and for peace — just as there are individuals of every background who act heroically, and others who fall short, in moments of crisis. Bravery or failure isn’t dictated by religion.

Criticising oppressive regimes like Iran’s is one thing – but using that to suggest “Islam hides behind its women” is not only inaccurate, it’s dehumanising. Islam, like any global faith, is made up of real people –across cultures, generations, and experiences. We should be careful not to flatten them into one hostile stereotype. We should be better than that.

It does. You may differ. That is your prerogative. Do you see starving men in Gaza?

That video on the news that day may be of one woman in a TV studio being bombed, and not a man in sight is classic.

I support the women of Iran who are suffering from tyranny. The Taliban is worse, Women cannot look out of windows. If you think that being incarcerated in yards of cloth is a happy way of life, then you think that. I don't. If you think it right that muslim women can never feel the sun and absorb it's health giving properties, I don't.

Everyday life is for men and boys. Women are expendable. I will speak up for women and children wherever they are being badly treated. Do you know how many Iranian women are killed each year by the morality police if they are not dressed exactly as the Ayatollah likes? Do you know the Taliban stone women to death in public, like human sacrifice?

Have you forgotten Mrs. Ratcliffe, incarcerated for nothing in Iran?

If assaulting young girls and raping them is NOT ALLOWED in Islam, why didn't the Muslim Council of Britain do something about it, instead of letting muslim men violate young girls and ignoring it. The gangs all go to mosque every week.

ExitChasedByAPolarBear ·

Is it an isolated case? Look at all the news reels coming from Gaza. Remember when the hostages were handed over with great ceremony, how thousands of men with green bandanas carrying guns were evident on the streets, intimidating.

When you see well fed, well scrubbed men digging in ruins for their wives and children after overnight bombing. What did you think, when Hamas was saying there is no food or water? Where were the men when their homes were being bombed? Every night the men are missing: where do they go?

Women and children are starving, because they can only eat what the men leave. Now that might not be the case in a democracy like the UK, because the authorities would notice, and after all, pregnant muslim women can get free vitamins under the NHS. (and no one knew that little Sara was being killed in bits at a time because her father sent her to school with a headscarf to hide his handiwork) - but in sharia law countries, it is what happens. I have seen it.

If those boats coming across the Channel were filled with women and children and not with military aged fit young men, I would welcome them with open arms. I would think they above anyone must have sanctuary, yet the men leave them behind and come here looking for other wives.

I agree w a lot of what you say. Many men we know are in Hamas. But when you say every night the men are missing, that they are all well-fed & well-scrubbed and prioritising their food over their wives & kids, do you have evidence for this?

It is a good point that the famine is mostly affecting women. But is this really mainly bc the cruel husbands are being fed by Hamas at night while their starving wives are bombed? I know some men will be in Hamas.

But on the BBC I didn't think the Gazan men I saw looked particularly well-fed or clean.

This is an important question & needs to be dug into more by the press.

I definitely agree that Israel must vanquish Hamas ASAP. I do have ethical concerns about the Gazan women & children & non Hamas men. But it is v hard to know what is happening and whether any mitigation is possible. Many people, for instance, are refusing to leave as they fear they will not be allowed home. Complex, but ultimately no one should prioritise that over the lives of children who have no say.

I have read accounts of Civilians trying to get to the Hamas food supplies & being shot. Gender not mentioned. Definitely it seems Hamas are using food control as a weapon.

I think a major problem is that people need to recognise Hamas' deadly calculation. They have deliberately tried to raise the birthrate so that children can be used as human shields and propaganda tool. They are withholding the food.

All this is to make it look like Israel are evil and trying to kill children and starve innocent men & women out of sheer maleficence. Now, I do believe there are v disturbing attitudes among the further right of the cabinet. But overall, I believe that Israel is trying their hardest to ensure civilian safety. Harder than the US did in the horrific bombing of Hiroshima, and that was a less dire situation.

The starvation & bombing of millions in Gaza is a tragedy of epic proportions. I hate the dismissive attitudes of papers who defend I by necessity. It may be unavoidable, I'm not sure. I don't know enough. But the pain of the Civilians should never be waves away.

Hamas are essentially cult leaders. Happily orchestrating the death of millions of innocents for their evil fantasy of absolute power.

I'm not sure how the Civilians can be saved. If they refuse to leave.....

Can I suggest this last part of this thread be moved to the CITME board? These posts have strayed pretty far from the original intent.