Trump's Second Term

[Al Terego]

We can use some levity

[Oniya]

So, the Delusional Tyrant is now saying that Ukraine started the war with Russia.  He's 'negotiating' an end to the war without Zelenskiy even being present at the discussion.

Meanwhile, his Jerkish Veep is telling Europe that 'far-right parties deserve a voice in government,' referencing an agreement among the German political parties not to work with the AfD. German chancellor Scholtz had some harsh words about that.

It's a good thing that I don't have to talk to many people at work.  One person saying the wrong thing is likely to result in a high-decibel history lecture.

[Ollumhammersong]

We can use some levity

Lol, In Canada we have a  satirical newspaper called the Beaverton. Kind of like The Onion. Like the Onion they've had their ups and downs in quality over the last fifteen or so years as writers come and go. Some of their more recent stuff has been funny. 

https://thebeaverton.com/2025/02/editorial-trump-underestimates-how-proud-united-and-most-importantly-petty-canadians-are/

https://thebeaverton.com/2025/02/trump-on-51st-state-canada-needs-americas-protection-from-countries-like-america/

[Beorning]

So, the Delusional Tyrant is now saying that Ukraine started the war with Russia.  He's 'negotiating' an end to the war without Zelenskiy even being present at the discussion.

I suspect it's because Zelensky rejected the "deal" Trump proposed earlier... the one that promised the continuation of US support for the mere price of the States taking over most of Ukraine's economy and resources.

Zelensky didn't agree to it, as he didn't want to turn Ukraine into a US colony... so, now we're hearing that Zelensky doesn't want to end the war, because he is greedy and power-hungry.

I'm really, really finding it hard to talk about it without using very vulgar words.

[Callie Del Noire]

I doubt Zelinsjki is a territorial hungry tyrant. He just wants his country to be left alone. If the people of Ukraine had any thoughts of revenge versus Russia I’d not blame them but they don’t they just want to be left alone.

[Beorning]

Of course he's not.

But now, Trump is painting him as a "dictator" and is spreading Russian propaganda how Zelensky has no support in Ukraine and that there have to be new elections before the peace negotiations... because Russia is interested in putting some puppet president there...

How can Americans be okay with this? What's wrong with your countrymen? This is Munich 1938 all over again!

[Ollumhammersong]

Honestly, in a way he's kind of genius, in a horrifying sort of way. It doesn't really matter if people agree with him or not, he's moving so fast in so many different directions no one can pin him down on any one thing. Musk is causing mass panic and confusion in all layers of federal government, the courts are confused because it's not clear what is and isn't legal for him to be doing and that argument will take months to actually sort out. 

As for the general populace. sure some are up in arms. But many just appear too frustrated by covid, funding multiple wars, then add inflation and general living expenses going up and it appears that many really don't give a shit about other countries right now. They just want their domestic issues fixed.

Musk opening the floodgates to the public about USAID spending is also seeming to get alot of people riled up and even more focused on just protecting domestic concerns and fuck the rest of the world. It doesn't really matter how much of it is true, or to what percentage each claim individually is true. It's working to get people pissed, and the more they're pissed about domestic issues the less they care about foreign problems. 

[Callie Del Noire]

I was surprised that the pr ion president got run out of office, and the country but I was happy to see the end of him. I expected to be deployed when I was in. I saw a bunch of briefing about the Ukraine situation. When I was based in Spain I had a Lieutenant Commander who predicted that we’d be in this spot. Nearly 22 years before. I’m glad he was wrong about Taiwan though.

[Ollumhammersong]

Well as of today apparently Musk is floating the idea out to the media about a 'Doge dividend', a roughly rebate 5000$ check to every American. 

I hate to say it, but it's a pretty effective, if short term way to literally buy mass public support. And i'm sure if it doesn't happen he or musk will find some convoluted way to blame it on the dems for never coming to fruition. 

[Callie Del Noire]

Cough cough **bribery*** cough cough

[Aiden]

People placated 
Money never arrives 
Too late 
Repeat 

[Al Terego]

I suspect it's because Zelensky rejected the "deal" Trump proposed earlier... the one that promised the continuation of US support for the mere price of the States taking over most of Ukraine's economy and resources.

Zelensky didn't agree to it, as he didn't want to turn Ukraine into a US colony... so, now we're hearing that Zelensky doesn't want to end the war, because he is greedy and power-hungry.

I seem to remember that giving the US access to Ukrainian resources was Zelensky's offer.

What am I missing?

[Al Terego]

Well as of today apparently Musk is floating the idea out to the media about a 'Doge dividend', a roughly rebate 5000$ check to every American.

Frelling Ford only gave us $200, the cheapskate!

[Ollumhammersong]

lol, I forgot about that. I still haven't received my 200$ yet

[Caela]

Of course he's not.

But now, Trump is painting him as a "dictator" and is spreading Russian propaganda how Zelensky has no support in Ukraine and that there have to be new elections before the peace negotiations... because Russia is interested in putting some puppet president there...

How can Americans be okay with this? What's wrong with your countrymen? This is Munich 1938 all over again!

*emphasis added by me*

Apathy. 

A lot of Americans can't even be bothered to learn our OWN history, much less anyone else's. They don't follow the news, most don't bother to vote. Unless an issue is directly (like punch-to-the-face directly) impacting them, they can't be bothered to care. They won't actually care about an invasion happening to a small country around the world, until that invasion has a tangible impact on their lives. They'll just see it as their tax dollars going to help some foreign country when they think that money should be kept here to help Americans. They refuse to learn, or understand, that what happens in one country can affect what is happening here in the States.

[Ollumhammersong]

On the plus side, Someone did make up this banger of an anti-trump song. It's been stuck in my head since this whole tariff shitshow started and i've listened to it at least once a day since. 

Pretty sure it was AI generated as there's no writer mentioned. But still, I love it. 
 

[Callie Del Noire]

I seem to remember that giving the US access to Ukrainian resources was Zelensky's offer.

What am I missing?

Trump wanted zelinki to cede 500 BILLION in resources.

[Al Terego]

That's what you get for electing a slumlord.

[Aiden]

That's what you get for electing a slumlord.

Thanks for that fantastic hindsight. 

Your contribution to the conversation has been noted. 

[imalux]

I will never EVER understand the justification of wanting Trump to run the country 'like a business' and 'because he is a businessman not a seasoned bureaucrat' like any single one of his ventures has been a success (spoiler alert: none of them have).

He is trying to play 'take over CEO' and barter with other nation's resources and land out of the promise that he's improving things stateside simultaneously. Which he is not. 

[Beorning]

Trump wanted zelinki to cede 500 BILLION in resources.

Along with some other terms (like setting a special fund controlled by Americans) that would effectively reduce Ukraine to the half-sovereign colony status.

I will never EVER understand the justification of wanting Trump to run the country 'like a business' and 'because he is a businessman not a seasoned bureaucrat' like any single one of his ventures has been a success (spoiler alert: none of them have).

As Beau of the Fifth Column (what happened to him? His channel has videos by wife only, lately...) once explained, the fault in this attitude can be seen in the following conversation he had with one Trumpist:

Trumpist: "Trump will be a good president, he will run the country as a business?"

Beau: "Well, are you working at somebody else's company?"

T: "Yes?"

B: "Do you like how your boss is treating you?"

T: "... no?"

B: "So, why do you think the whole country should be run the same way..?"

[Callie Del Noire]

Along with some other terms (like setting a special fund controlled by Americans) that would effectively reduce Ukraine to the half-sovereign colony status.
As Beau of the Fifth Column (what happened to him? His channel has videos by wife only, lately...) once explained, the fault in this attitude can be seen in the following conversation he had with one Trumpist:

Trumpist: "Trump will be a good president, he will run the country as a business?"

Beau: "Well, are you working at somebody else's company?"

T: "Yes?"

B: "Do you like how your boss is treating you?"

T: "... no?"

B: "So, why do you think the whole country should be run the same way..?"

Beau got terminally burned out and his wife stepped up to replace him online. He’s still in production and research of the videos. Given the hate in feedback I don’t blame him.

[Caela]

Beau got terminally burned out and his wife stepped up to replace him online. He’s still in production and research of the videos. Given the hate in feedback I don’t blame him.

I hope he gets the rest and recuperation he needs and, eventually, comes back. Perhaps he and  Belle could rotate so neither of them gets so inundated with the hate. Belle does a good job, but I do miss Beau's energy as well. 

[Callie Del Noire]

I hope he gets the rest and recuperation he needs and, eventually, comes back. Perhaps he and  Belle could rotate so neither of them gets so inundated with the hate. Belle does a good job, but I do miss Beau's energy as well.

Oh yeah I loved his dry wit. Belle is good but not beau

[Beorning]

I've always found his thinking insightful and refreshing. That said, I'm still having hard time wrapping my head around his human trafficking record...