Sol Rosenberg
Girthy Member
Rail Force One.
A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words
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Fat Point Jack
Super Anarchist
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She was in an elevator wearing a TGIF shirt. The fellow next to asked why she was wearing a TGIF shirt on Tuesday.
She said I thought it meant This Goes In Front.
billy backstay
Backstay, never bought a suit, never went to Vegas
Since this thread became a bit of a Presidents Day tribute, I thought this worth posting here....
Presidents’ Day.
It is a day when we honor the birthdays of two of our most revered presidents — Washington and Lincoln — but it is also an occasion to reflect on a job — president of the United States — that is unlike any other that has been created in the course of human history.
To be sure, there has been no shortage of powerful nations and powerful leaders. A small few have even been elected in some form of democratic process. But the singularity of this nation — multiethnic, multicultural, multi-religious, expansive, resource-rich, technologically advanced, cross continental — means that to lead it is to lead something that never quite existed before.
When we look back at how our nation has evolved, we see a narrative of struggles, triumphs, flaws, and aspirations. We must acknowledge the searing injustices — especially around slavery and the treatment of Native peoples — and the discrimination that remains in our society. We can also see that a nation founded with a hope of disentangling itself from global powers has itself become a global power and has used that stature in ways that have often benefited the world and sometimes destabilized it.
Our military is the strongest and most capable ever amassed. Our culture has reached nearly every corner of the globe. Our economic might shapes world events. And our ideals — imperfect and often poorly heeded within our own governance — have nonetheless helped reimagine what freedom and democracy can look like.
The task of managing all of this goes ultimately to one person, the president of the United States. Up until now they have all been men, another sign of a path toward equality that is still very much a work in progress.
Over the centuries, the power of this office has grown along with our country. It would now be unrecognizable to our founders, and many of them might fear what it has become.
And yet, through it all, the idea that our presidents are short-term stewards of our future, hired and fired by the public, had remained a steadfast part of our identity. Until that changed with the previous holder of the office, who instigated a violent insurrection meant to tear down this bulwark against tyranny.
Today, on this Presidents’ Day, we can see many manifestations of the office and those who have held it.
Our current president traveled to Ukraine — an active war zone, and one not protected by the U.S. military. He was there to buttress support for new and old alliances forged from the aftermath of the bloody world wars of the 20th century and being reimagined for a shifting and unstable new world order.
Today we also have a former president — Jimmy Carter — entering the final chapter of a life of service. He had one tumultuous term in office but upon leaving became an ideal for how a former president can continue to work to benefit his country and the larger world.
And we have the previous president, also a one-termer, plotting a return to power even as he stares down several possible criminal indictments. His post-presidency is one of a continued effort to undermine democracy and reclaim the presidency in a way that could redefine it in fearsome ways.
The contrasts in symbolism among these three men are striking. But they point to the vagaries of power and the uneven and often unexpected destiny of nations and their leaders.
Ultimately, however, Presidents’ Day is less about presidents and more about us. Will we remember that the person who holds the office, as powerful as they are, cannot be allowed to be bigger than the country they serve? In choosing who has the honor and responsibility to lead us, will we learn from the past? Will we wrestle with the present? Will we be the ones to dictate our future?
Presidents' Day
Some reflections
Dan Rather and Elliot KirschnerPresidents’ Day.
It is a day when we honor the birthdays of two of our most revered presidents — Washington and Lincoln — but it is also an occasion to reflect on a job — president of the United States — that is unlike any other that has been created in the course of human history.
To be sure, there has been no shortage of powerful nations and powerful leaders. A small few have even been elected in some form of democratic process. But the singularity of this nation — multiethnic, multicultural, multi-religious, expansive, resource-rich, technologically advanced, cross continental — means that to lead it is to lead something that never quite existed before.
When we look back at how our nation has evolved, we see a narrative of struggles, triumphs, flaws, and aspirations. We must acknowledge the searing injustices — especially around slavery and the treatment of Native peoples — and the discrimination that remains in our society. We can also see that a nation founded with a hope of disentangling itself from global powers has itself become a global power and has used that stature in ways that have often benefited the world and sometimes destabilized it.
Our military is the strongest and most capable ever amassed. Our culture has reached nearly every corner of the globe. Our economic might shapes world events. And our ideals — imperfect and often poorly heeded within our own governance — have nonetheless helped reimagine what freedom and democracy can look like.
The task of managing all of this goes ultimately to one person, the president of the United States. Up until now they have all been men, another sign of a path toward equality that is still very much a work in progress.
Over the centuries, the power of this office has grown along with our country. It would now be unrecognizable to our founders, and many of them might fear what it has become.
And yet, through it all, the idea that our presidents are short-term stewards of our future, hired and fired by the public, had remained a steadfast part of our identity. Until that changed with the previous holder of the office, who instigated a violent insurrection meant to tear down this bulwark against tyranny.
Today, on this Presidents’ Day, we can see many manifestations of the office and those who have held it.
Our current president traveled to Ukraine — an active war zone, and one not protected by the U.S. military. He was there to buttress support for new and old alliances forged from the aftermath of the bloody world wars of the 20th century and being reimagined for a shifting and unstable new world order.
Today we also have a former president — Jimmy Carter — entering the final chapter of a life of service. He had one tumultuous term in office but upon leaving became an ideal for how a former president can continue to work to benefit his country and the larger world.
And we have the previous president, also a one-termer, plotting a return to power even as he stares down several possible criminal indictments. His post-presidency is one of a continued effort to undermine democracy and reclaim the presidency in a way that could redefine it in fearsome ways.
The contrasts in symbolism among these three men are striking. But they point to the vagaries of power and the uneven and often unexpected destiny of nations and their leaders.
Ultimately, however, Presidents’ Day is less about presidents and more about us. Will we remember that the person who holds the office, as powerful as they are, cannot be allowed to be bigger than the country they serve? In choosing who has the honor and responsibility to lead us, will we learn from the past? Will we wrestle with the present? Will we be the ones to dictate our future?
Sean
Super Anarchist
‘
Virgulino Ferreira
Super Anarchist
"Let me reiterate that they were the ones who started this war, while we used force and are using it to stop the war." - Putin, 21/02/2023
"Vergesst nie, dass uns England diesen Krieg aufgezwungen"
"Never forget that England forced this war on us" - Joseph Goebbels, 4/12/1942
Last edited:
Virgulino Ferreira
Super Anarchist
Yesterday, all over Moscow, this sinister billboards appeared, saying only "WATCH AND LISTEN 21.02.2023".
It was for Putin's speech today. My post above is from it.
Here is another short excerpt from Putin's historic speech, defending his war, on the 1-year anniversary.
The billboards, the stage, the speech, it looks ever more farcical and fascist.
Still, some of the self-proclaimed leftists here in Brazil still support Putin and his war of aggression, as can be seen today in the Brazilian twittersphere, commenting on Putin's speech.
The Western elite make no secret of their goal, which is, I quote, “Russia’s strategic defeat.” What does this mean to us? This means they plan to finish us once and for all. In other words, they plan to grow a local conflict into a global confrontation. This is how we understand it and we will respond accordingly, because this represents an existential threat to our country.
However, they too realise it is impossible to defeat Russia on the battlefield and are conducting increasingly aggressive information attacks against us targeting primarily the younger generation. They never stop lying and distorting historical facts as they attack our culture, the Russian Orthodox Church and other traditional religious organizations in our country.
Look what they are doing to their own people. It is all about the destruction of the family, of cultural and national identity, perversion and abuse of children, including pedophilia, all of which are declared normal in their life. They are forcing the priests to bless same-sex marriages. Bless their hearts, let them do as they please. Here is what I would like to say in this regard. Adult people can do as they please. We in Russia have always seen it that way and always will: no one is going to intrude into other people’s private lives, and we are not going to do it, either.
But here is what I would like to tell them: look at the holy scripture and the main books of other world religions. They say it all, including that family is the union of a man and a woman, but these sacred texts are now being questioned. Reportedly, the Anglican Church is planning, just planning, to explore the idea of a gender-neutral god. What is there to say? Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Millions of people in the West realise that they are being led to a spiritual disaster. Frankly, the elite appear to have gone crazy, and it looks like there is no cure for that. But like I said, these are their problems, while we must protect our children, which we will do. We will protect our children from degradation and degeneration.
Putin, 21/02/2023
Bus Driver
Bacon Quality Control Specialist
Yesterday, all over Moscow, this sinister billboards appeared, saying only "WATCH AND LISTEN 21.02.2023".
It was for Putin's speech today. My post above is from it.
Here is another short excerpt from Putin's historic speech, defending his war, on the 1-year anniversary.
The billboards, the stage, the speech, it looks ever more farcical and fascist.
Still, some of the self-proclaimed leftists here in Brazil still support Putin and his war of aggression, as can be seen today in the Brazilian twittersphere, commenting on Putin's speech.
The Western elite make no secret of their goal, which is, I quote, “Russia’s strategic defeat.” What does this mean to us? This means they plan to finish us once and for all. In other words, they plan to grow a local conflict into a global confrontation. This is how we understand it and we will respond accordingly, because this represents an existential threat to our country.
However, they too realise it is impossible to defeat Russia on the battlefield and are conducting increasingly aggressive information attacks against us targeting primarily the younger generation. They never stop lying and distorting historical facts as they attack our culture, the Russian Orthodox Church and other traditional religious organizations in our country.
Look what they are doing to their own people. It is all about the destruction of the family, of cultural and national identity, perversion and abuse of children, including pedophilia, all of which are declared normal in their life. They are forcing the priests to bless same-sex marriages. Bless their hearts, let them do as they please. Here is what I would like to say in this regard. Adult people can do as they please. We in Russia have always seen it that way and always will: no one is going to intrude into other people’s private lives, and we are not going to do it, either.
But here is what I would like to tell them: look at the holy scripture and the main books of other world religions. They say it all, including that family is the union of a man and a woman, but these sacred texts are now being questioned. Reportedly, the Anglican Church is planning, just planning, to explore the idea of a gender-neutral god. What is there to say? Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Millions of people in the West realise that they are being led to a spiritual disaster. Frankly, the elite appear to have gone crazy, and it looks like there is no cure for that. But like I said, these are their problems, while we must protect our children, which we will do. We will protect our children from degradation and degeneration.
Putin, 21/02/2023
I cannot wait to hear how the apologists for the defeated ex-President defend Putin.
pusslicker
Super Anarchist
Sounds like W's logic for starting the Iraq war.
Cal20sailor
Super Anarchist
Are you accusing Vlad of plagiarism? Maybe he and Joe have more in common than they know!
Cal20sailor
Super Anarchist
Did she ask for me by name? Hell yes I'm ready!
Bus Driver
Bacon Quality Control Specialist
I’ll be your stunt double.
P_Wop
Super Anarchist
Redhead alert! You will die. I will stand below your window and try to catch the pieces.
jerseyguy
Super Anarchist
We all have to go sometime. There are worse ways
Cal20sailor
Super Anarchist
Agree. That smile of contentment as she shoves the ice pick in your ear has to last an eternity. Beats breaking a hip in a heated game of shuffleboard.
Steam Flyer
Sophisticated Yet Humble
It's all pickleball nowadays.
SloopJonB
Super Anarchist
FTFY
What has happened to the party of Honest Abe?
The honesty and forthrightness for which our 16th president was celebrated is, apparently, no longer a virtue among Republicans, save for the likes of Mitt Romney and Liz Cheney, who are clearly outliers in the GOP.
The most flagrant examples of this triumph of mendacity sit at either end of the Republican power spectrum. At the low end is the newly elected New York Congressman George Santos, whose flagrant fabrications are breathtaking in their inane boldness. At the top is the GOP’s most popular figure, President Donald Trump, who has built careers in real estate, entertainment and politics on wild exaggerations, flimflam and unceasing subversion of the truth.
In between are Trump minions, such as Rudy Giuliani and Mike Flynn, whose aggressive dishonesty continues to land them in legal trouble. Some of them may soon land in deeper hot water now that a grand jury in Atlanta looking into Trump’s attempts to skew the presidential vote in Georgia has alleged that witnesses summoned from the Trump team lied under oath.
Then there are the Republicans in the Senate and House who vehemently defend the liars or prevaricate and deflect, unwilling to accuse, let alone punish, the liars in their midst. A number of these folks, such as South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, have battled courts and investigators to keep from having to give testimony about those who pushed the Big Lie – the false claims of a stolen presidential election in 2020 – and encouraged the January 6 attack on the U.S, Capitol.
Chief among the Republicans who do not want to come within 100 miles of a witness stand is former Vice President Mike Pence. He has cooked up a too-clever-by-half argument for why it would be wrong to share what he knows about the shenanigans of his former boss in the White House. When summoned by the House Jan. 6 committee to testify, Pence claimed that, as a former member of the executive branch of government, it would be unconstitutional for him to be grilled by a legislative committee. Now that the Justice Department’s special prosecutor wants him to go on the record, though, Pence insists the executive branch has no right to his information because, as vice president, he was the chief officer of the Senate and, therefore, a member of the legislative branch.
It is a cute game of catch-22 that will eventually fail the legal test, but it will buy time for Pence if he pushes the argument all the way to the Supreme Court, as he says he will do. If he can avoid speaking the truth about Trump, an act that would be seen as traitorous by the MAGA fanatics, he can more easily mount a campaign for president in the coming months – a campaign in which Pence will, of course, sell himself as a paragon of Christian rectitude and honesty.
badlatitude
Soros-backed
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