All purpose news and politics thread part VI: This Is Not The Time For Posing

[Jack Dracula]

He asked him to come and take a look for himself, how things are and what impact the war has on the lives on average people in Ukraine.

I know he isn’t perfect, but considering his origins and the current situation, Zelensky impresses the heck out of me.

[hyped78]

I know he isn’t perfect, but considering his origins and the current situation, Zelensky impresses the heck out of me.

Me too. One day you're a "normal" head of state and the next day you're thrusted onto the world stage, trying to galvanize and keep together a nation under attack, while at the same time having to rally support from other countries/ leaders.

A lot of current leaders from different countries would've just folded under the pressure.

[thwhtGuardian]

MAGA isn't just code for sloppy Republicans/ right-wingers. It's more about Trump's cult of personality, or individuals who are trying to appeal to the same people. Musk seems to have somewhat different politics.

I'm also not sure the average MAGA-head is aware of Haraldur Þorleifsson (AKA Halli) let alone his conflict with Musk.

I wish him well.

Actuarial tables are grim for octogenarians hospitalized after a fall.

I think we're arguing past one another. I said that he seemed to be baiting a particular reaction.

He knew how the left would likely receive it, and wants to have that rgument.

I wasn't saying that he's correct, or a decent human being.

There is literally only one way to receive it...this isn't something with nuance.

[Catlady in training]

Does it count if I'm only surprised we're still discovering this stuff well over a decade after we learned just how horrifyingly prevalent child molestation and cover ups are in the church? At this point anything about pedophilia in the church and popes/priests/bishops/etc covering it up feels like old news. Which in and of itself is pretty horrifying to consider in it's own way that we can become used to news like this.

But no, as you've correctly guessed this has become too old hat to be surprised.

This is the man members of the church wish to make a Saint.

I for one am only surprised it took this long for the truth to come out.

Yeah, I am not surprised either, this is mostly confirmation of what has been suspected for some time. Of course, there's already people trying to downplay it, saying "What was he supposed to do?", "It was different times" and the other usual BS. He really has a strong following of people who deify him and worship him as a saint, as babyblob pointed out, especially in Poland. When it comes to Catholic Church, nothing really surprises me anymore about the corruption and cover up of crimes. It's like the Republican party, a decent person who cares about the people more about their career is an exception, not a rule.

I know he isn’t perfect, but considering his origins and the current situation, Zelensky impresses the heck out of me.

Me too. I try not to admire real people too much to not get burned later, but there's hardly anyone at the moment who impresses me more.

[AnakinFlair]

Because why not, a Norfolk Southern train derails in Alabama hours before CEO testifies before Congress. On top of that, the Washington Post has an article I saw on Instagram about ANOTHER train derailment, this one in West Virginia that happened after the train hit a rockslide. Reports in that one is that diesel fuel spilled into the river, and the three-man crew suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

[Kirby101]

Because why not, a Norfolk Southern train derails in Alabama hours before CEO testifies before Congress. On top of that, the Washington Post has an article I saw on Instagram about ANOTHER train derailment, this one in West Virginia that happened after the train hit a rockslide. Reports in that one is that diesel fuel spilled into the river, and the three-man crew suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

It must be strongly stated that Trump and the GOP relaxed the brake rules for Railroads that are leading to these. Biden is trying to reinstate the rules, but it doesn't get done overnight.

[wjowski]

I'll just say I hope Mr. McConnell gets the outcome he deserves.

[kidfresh512]

Mexican cartel allegedly takes responsibility for kidnapping of 4 Americans

A powerful Mexican cartel has allegedly taken responsibility for the kidnapping of four U.S. citizens, and killing of two of them, in the Mexican border city of Matamoros.

Five men were found tied up near a pickup truck on Thursday morning. ABC News has geolocated that location as the same area where the U.S. citizens were kidnapped on Friday.

A handwritten note was found placed on the windshield of the truck, whose author or authors say they belong to the Gulf Cartel, the dominant organized crime group in this part of Mexico.

The note said some Gulf Cartel members were responsible for the kidnapping and killings and apologized for their actions.

"We have decided to deliver those involved and directly responsible," the note said, presumably referring to the five men found tied up at the scene.

I'm surprised they are left alive. But, if true I guess them "talking" isn't a concern. All paid or threatened well.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

It must be strongly stated that Trump and the GOP relaxed the brake rules for Railroads that are leading to these. Biden is trying to reinstate the rules, but it doesn't get done overnight.

But that won’t stop the GQP and their enablers on Faux News from blaming Biden and especially Mayor Pete for the derailments. Because Qpublicans damn sure won’t accept blame for what Trump had done.

[Username taken]

It must be strongly stated that Trump and the GOP relaxed the brake rules for Railroads that are leading to these. Biden is trying to reinstate the rules, but it doesn't get done overnight.

And these train derailments are happening mostly in states that voted for Trump.

They are quite literally getting what they voted for.

[AnakinFlair]

But that won’t stop the GQP and their enablers on Faux News from blaming Biden and especially Mayor Pete for the derailments. Because Qpublicans damn sure won’t accept blame for what Trump had done.

Oh, absolutely. But I think going after Pete may backfire against them in the long run, as he's shown to be very adept at turning their criticisms back on the senders.

[numberthirty]

While this will probably be all talk...

[scourge]

And Tennessee GOP passes outright homophobic bill

Yeah...sorry but if you're part of this party or still voting for them...you're one of the bad guys.

[Tendrin]

And Tennessee GOP passes outright homophobic bill

Yeah...sorry but if you're part of this party or still voting for them...you're one of the bad guys.

Hey, remember when we said that trans people are just the tip of the wedge and that this is an organized effort to do just that? Welp, we've got proof.

https://www.motherjones.com/politics...hildren-lgbtq/

On a Saturday afternoon in August 2019, South Dakota Republican state Rep. Fred Deutsch sent an email to 18 anti-trans activists, doctors, and lawyers with the text of a bill he planned to introduce that would make it a felony for doctors to give transgender children under 16 gender-affirming medical care. “I have no doubt this will be an uphill battle when we get to session,” Deutsch warned the group. “As always, please do not share this with the media. The longer we can fly under the radar the better.”

The message was one in a trove of emails obtained by Mother Jones between Deutsch and representatives of a network of activists and organizations at the forefront of the anti-trans movement. They show the degree to which these activists shaped Deutsch’s repressive legislation, a version of which was signed into law in February, and the tactics, alliances, and goals of a movement that has sought to foist their agenda on a national scale.

Mother Jones has the receipts.

[Iron Maiden]

Well, the name of Stormy Daniels is going to be news again....

Manhattan prosecutors signal charges likely for Trump in Stormy Daniels case
NEW YORK, March 9 (Reuters) - Manhattan prosecutors have signaled to former President Donald Trump that he could face criminal charges relating to his alleged role in hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing four unnamed sources.

The former president was told he could appear before a Manhattan grand jury next week if he wished to testify, the newspaper said. It said such invitations almost always mean an indictment is close.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/manhat...yt-2023-03-09/


Speculation is that they held back doing anything when this cropped up during the first time Trump ran for president because they didn't want to interfere with the election process. Still, what took them so long???? That was was 7 years ago.