War in Venezuela. War in Greenland.

@GeePawHill there’s some shifty stuff in play. Possibly a huge exposure on both sides. Controlling the narrative and moving the Overton window is the name of the game.

https://apnews.com/article/bill-hillary-clinton-epstein-congress-contempt-ad1f880ed716665f210025d8e57ff112

@benroyce I have a feeling election polls must be unsettling to them.

which is strange because I'm under the impression that:

A) fascism is comfortable and on the rise
B) republicans seem comfortable
C) democrats seem comfortable ignoring it
D) progressives seem depressed
E) no viable challengers have arisen

@GeePawHill

They *allegedly* murdered kids… so yeah.

@risottobias @GeePawHill

the way out is not: magic savior appears, all is well again!

it's a slow unsatisfying slog towards better. always was, always will be

it's unfortunate so many drop out because they don't have fortitude or stamina. we get better gradually. but they expect perfect now, like a fairytale, *then* they participate? what a joke

2026 could be a big win for democrats

the roadblock is trolls and the clueless who demand perfect, or whine the lie "trump controls all elections"

@benroyce 100% I'm not thinking they think it's toast and it's a victory lap.

I don't even think it's like the Jurassic park scene with the foot stomping and the big bad is approaching...

I don't have a hecking clue who will run or who will run against them.

@Helgi @GeePawHill Yeah, in truth this is Project 2025's baby. They want control over all the oil resources in the west.

That said, the OP is still right. The DOJ is defying subpoenas and redacting like crazy on the bits they do release. Whatever is in there would very possibly break Project 2025 and Trump. Unfortunately, since the entire US government is compromised, it's uncertain if we'll ever get to find out just what is in there besides the obvious (and we need the proof on the obvious)

@risottobias @GeePawHill @benroyce
There's one huge 'but'.
But, the orange cockwomble is going above and beyond in reminding his 'base' that, to be completely honest, their basic needs are not being included, much less even of any importance, whatsoever, to orange and his vision of America.
Now, for the "all in" MAGA majority, only a death of someone REALLY close, where the fault is completely obvious, would knock them out of the groove, but the more cynical, more educated, they might. Especially if they rely on the ACA. (Living in a deep red state, Self employed, small business owner, gig/hospitality worker). These people are the ones who are capable of understanding that, what is happening in one state, can very easily happen in every state. The ones who have recently started or are trying to start, a family. He might not need child care today, but he will, and he .knows that once a right or benefit is taken away, getting it back, close to impossible.

@Darkphoenix @risottobias @GeePawHill

i agree with everything except

"only a death of someone REALLY close, where the fault is completely obvious, would knock them out of the groove"

this does apply to many

but don't underestimate the millions of MAGA who wouldn't even blink at that

some would sacrifice everything in this world- their family, their livelihood, everything

as long as dear leader abuses those they hate in their bigotry

absolutely nothing else is more important to them

@benroyce @risottobias @GeePawHill I know, but, I lived in Tennessee, which as far as political philosophy is about as far right as you can get, and the majority of the people (besides the obscenely rich) were decent, hard working, extremely naive and trusting of their elected officials. In addition, computer literacy was extremely low, hell, basic literacy was not universal.
And, the biggest problem "if it was good enough for my pa, and my grandpa, it's good enough for me".

@Darkphoenix @benroyce @risottobias Please to exclude me from future replies.

Thanks!

@benroyce @Darkphoenix @risottobias @GeePawHill

Somebody recently commented on the podcast where non-Maga offspring talk to their Maga parents.

They went through a rather distressing exchange where the kids eventually sort of said so what if Trump bombed a shopping mall I was in wouldn’t do you have a reaction and they said no because Trump would have a reason.

They should’ve asked if they would not say anything if they were bombed in their home

@benroyce @Darkphoenix @risottobias @GeePawHill We've already seen that some antivaxxers who've lost their own children to measles *still* can't acknowledge they were wrong and *still* won't vaccinate their surviving children. Of course a MAGA true believer would be sad about losing a close family member to state violence, but they'd manage to explain it away as an unfortunate accident or even somehow necessary for the betterment of MAGA USA.

@GeePawHill @benroyce @risottobias np

@GeePawHill And he hasn't finished yet - but nothing comes equal to a good, old diversionary tactic and apparently, it works... 🫤

@GeePawHill (Iran is most probably its own thing, but yes)

@energisch_ I think you’re right that focusing only on the Epstein files can distract from deeper structural problems. The economic side worries me more—policies that seem to enrich a few while making everyday life harder for most people. Historically, leaders under that kind of pressure often look for external distractions rather than accountability.

How do you see economic stress shaping the political moves we’re watching now?