wolfriverjoe

They don't need to. The base will vote for any idiot who Trump says to. (not exactly, a few Trump backed candidates have lost)

Not sure where you get the idea that illegal immigrants and high value illegal drugs are smuggled in the same manner. Most 'low volume' illegal drugs (heroin, fentanyl, cocaine) that come in by land come in hidden in vehicles. Crossing at standard border crossing points (that doesn't include the innovative and exotic stuff like drones, secret tunnels, ect). While some illegals come in that way, most either come across legally and overstay or sneak across the border at unprotected places.

Well, it took about as long as I expected. A well known 'shit stirrer' (his previous antics are in the article) has asked to give a Satanic invocation at a High School football game. https://patch.com/florida/miami/activist-asks-lead-satanic-prayer-fl-high-school-football-game?fbclid=IwAR1KDgQXhyHPC7MT-0iA8d8kmFIr_0cPz56NwvqeXCjeRRLj-V2NHwGD_PA This is the guy who, on finding out that many city council meetings were started with a Christian prayer, asked to offer a prayer to Satan too. Instead of refusing him, most places just abandoned the opening prayer (it's in the story). And keep in mind that there are many Evangelicals who don't think that Satanists should have 1st amendment rights. The next time that is presented to me (not expecting it), I'll counter with 'how about revoking those rights for organizations that allowed their leadership to prey on children?' Edit to add the link to the story. Duh.

The immigrants did NOT enter illegally. They entered the US and asked for asylum. That is a perfectly legal way to enter the country. There's a fairly long and involved process before they are allowed to remain and apply for citizenship, but the entry and their presence in the US are both totally legal.

In what way? They're a long way from 'SHTF'. They're in the middle of a severe economic melt-down. There are significant shortages of essential goods. It's largely blamed on the corruption and incompetence of the people in power (you know, like Trump was). People are protesting in the streets. The president and PM are supposed to be stepping down. Are armed gangs roaming the streets? Are 'preppers' shooting those armed gangs? If so, I haven't seen anything on it. Most 'preppers' have seriously stupid fantasies of fighting off armed mobs of 'gang bangers' from the major cities after food shortages drive them out to the countryside to loot and pillage. Of course, the fact that those same people would NEVER actually go to those areas because they know full well that the residents are armed to the teeth and scared to death of 'those people' doesn't seem to occur to them. The kid that got shot at for ringing a doorbell to ask for directions is a good example. Ahmaud Arbery getting murdered for going for a run in a white neighborhood is another. These fools also have a really bad case of 'main character syndrome'. They firmly believe that they will survive whatever 'collapse' happens. The fact that many of them have serious health conditions that require regular treatment and medications (that will both disappear) is not a big issue. The fact that they make huge targets of themselves by openly announcing their 'preparedness' isn't an issue either. That doesn't mean I'm against being 'prepared'. Personally, I have a supply of essential items that will keep me going for a few weeks if completely cut off. When the 'great toilet paper shortage' came along, I knew I'd be fine. I've had a backup supply that will last months as a matter of course since I moved into my house. Non-perishable food and water to last a month or so too. But rebuilding society from the ashes of a serious event? Very few people are able to do even a small part of that. Even those who think they are prepared are woefully unaware of ALL the skills and raw materials that it would take.

A long time ago, I had a job that required a tie. It also involved being around operating machinery, so clip-ons were a requirement too.

First off, what is your expected progression for 'SHTF'? How will it start? Who will start it? Who will die first? Where will the first shots be fired? (not necessarily a geographic location, but what sort of event?) What will become so bad that it goes from unrest, to chaos, to total anarchy? How long will that take? Second off, that ranch place looks like a nice place to take a vacation. But if 'SHTF', that place will be a hell of a target. I love the idea that they'll build walls after SHTF. Oh please, The American Redoubt is a fantasy. By a novelist. A fiction writer. The 'New Republic of Texas' is part of a role playing game scenario. It's already been 'in existence' for a decade. It the 'world' where it exists, SHTF a loooooooong time ago. Anyone suggesting that as 'reality' is a fool. Anyone proposing that it should really happen is a bigger fool.

What applies is the fact that several fairly large groups of historians filed 'friend of the court' briefs. That is, anyone who has a valid opinion can file a brief outlining that opinion with the court. The basic idea is that there are people out there with a lot more expertise in various subjects than the justices, and there opinion should be considered. While the justices aren't required to include these in the decision, blatantly ignoring them is a bad idea. In this case, the court claimed that there is a 'history' of outlawing abortion. Which flies in the face of the 'Friend of the Court' briefs filed by... Historians. So the 'conservative court' LIED... Again.

Requoting this to post the following: The current court ignored a LOT of things when it wrote the opinion. Including (courtesy of Heather Cox Richardson):

She went to Russia in February. 5 days before the Russians invaded Ukraine. That's how stupid she could be.

That same 'current court' blatantly LIED in the ruling about prayer by the football coach on the field immediately after the game. The current court has at least 3 members who perjured themselves during their confirmation hearings. Forgive me if I don't think that their 'interpretation' of anything is worth much.

It's well under half. The way the Rs have very effectively manipulated the system to the point where their clear minority can exert as much power and control as it does is both disgusting and frightening. Fun fact: The conservative majority on the Supreme Court consists of 5 justices appointed by presidents who LOST the popular vote when they were elected.

No shit. Governor Pritzker & Sen Duckworth both held press conferences. It's been at the top of the national headlines for a couple days. Six dead in Englewood or South Shore wouldn't even be top 3 on WGN at 9pm.

I think I'd be more willing to believe "Demonic Obsession".

What the actual fuck is 'demonically oppressed? Is that when the demon won't possess you because you're a minority?

Funny how the conservatives preventing the US from enacting universal health care is Obama's fault. Funny how EVERY OTHER industrialized country in the world has that sort of health care.

Kind of funny how the Mango Mussolini ISN'T disputing the allegations of criminal activity. Just the ones that show what an immature, selfish, petulant little brat he really is.

'Cuz that's socialism. Duh.

Ahhhh. Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification. No, I'm not thinking about, say, the Koch brothers and ALEC 'taking their ball and going home'. I'm thinking more along the lines of various revolutions in recent times. The Orange Revolution in Ukraine back in 04 didn't get super violent, but it could have. Where protests against abortion bans or voter suppression or that sort of thing start turning violent, groups like the Proud Boys jump in and start attacking their 'enemies', and then general chaos ensues. I'm

I have very little doubt that the current Supreme Court would have zero issues justifying that. Given the three major decisions the past couple weeks, they have no scruples, no restraint and no shame. None at all.

Can you clarify that? I don't understand why you are asking 'who would leave?' I'm talking about a genuine Civil War. Battles, dead people, all that. And 'keep them' - Keep what? Not trying to be argumentative, I just don't understand what you are asking.

The parallels between current events and the time frame leading up to the US Civil War (~160 years ago) are rather frightening. The behaviors of the current Republicans and the then Southern oligarchs is eerily similar. I only hope we don't have to go through another war that consumes 2% of the population to get past it.

I'm a lot less offended by beastiality than I am by the SC deciding that it's ok for a person in a position of power and authority at a PUBLIC, TAX PAYER FUNDED school being allowed to coerce children into joining into a religious prayer ceremony. And, a blatantly public performance that flies in the face of the teachings in the Bible that they love to wave around so much.

Ummmm... Seriously? Jackson evaded answering a 'gotcha' question. I never saw anyone but Trump fans get upset about it. And which side attacked the actual government because they were 'butthurt' about losing an election? Either that or so fucking stupid they bought Trump's lies about it being 'stolen'. And what I'm really and truly pissed at the Rs about is the systematic dismantling of our democracy. The usurpation of power so that the rich & powerful can do whatever the fuck they want, and the rest of us just have to take it.

Interesting. In Wisconsin, there's no party requirement for primaries. The only 'catch' is that you can't cross parties during the primary. That is, you can't vote for, say, a republican rep and then democrat gov. I've voted both for the candidate I wanted, and for the opponent of the candidate I really didn't want. Party didn't matter as much as how much I wanted or didn't want a particular candidate.