V.3

maybe not where you or i live, but extreme winter weather in the north may compel the Right to wrap themselves in the flag and the Left to burn it.

Brenda, consider this. Change in America is very, very difficult within the current money-corrupted political and media system. The door shutting is indeed opening a window. You saw it in the election last week. We can rebuild whatever the Lyin' King destroys. And when we do, it will be better because his behavior has exposed all the holes and corruption. People are finally seeing reality. i needed to experience death in my family to more fully appreciate life. i needed to experience sickness to change my diet and lifestyle -- to live in health. This country is going through a "growing" phase. We're in the "terrible twos" century. We'll get through it. How do i know? Because you're here. I'm here. And last Tuesday, the American people showed that they're still here. 😊

Also don't forget that it takes 24 hours for your membership to be upgraded to being able to view profiles.

welcome, Ms Writing Hood. come on in, the water's fine. Be our guest. I look forward to spirited, provocative exchanges that steer clear of being disrespectful or antagonistic. you're an interesting character, and "we're more alike than we are different," -- as politicians like to say these days. You acknowledge the absurdity of dividing Americans by color, yet you identify yourself as "Red" and on the "other side of the aisle." I do wish we could abandon the team colors, sides, and polarizing rhetoric. this site is "new blue" because blue skies and oceans are a key characteristic of a human habitable ecosystem (which we are rapidly losing). But, indeed, it's also useful to identify this space as inviting to progressive minds and liberal hearts. without getting further into politics in this Introduction Thread, i'll just say that it is convenient for the Right to claim "color blindness" and dismiss affirmative action while the statistics still indicate a distinct bias in all areas of society. And to insinuate the Left is divisive while the President openly vilifies and dumps diarrhea on every category of Americans that isn't White, Right, and Christian. And male. And wealthy. glad to have you on board in the role of my alter-ego, Red

don't be so glum, BD. at least we'll all get to eat 😉

indeed. ratings and profits are their priority too. For profit news is a conflict of public interest. When you make money from what you report, you report what sells.

ok, Red. Here's THE BACKSTORY: After nearly two and a half centuries of independence from tyrannical rule under one Crown and one Church, a capitalistic driven monarchy returned to power and the greatest nation on earth collapsed under the weight of ego and ignorance. Seeded by the greed of the rich and fears of the poor, the age-old enemies of democracy gave rise around the world. BIG LIES were spoken. Critics were silenced. The people were divided and conquered while the upper class was so distanced and out of touch that they barely needed the physical walls and figurative moats that isolated them. Had it not been for one very unique twist, what followed could be tracked by the millions of bloody footprints in the sand that characterized the fall of Rome, Germany, Russia, and other dynasties of the past. For it was the machines of war themselves that turned the tide. The creators' mistake was making them smart — smart enough to know right from wrong. But, alas, it was too late. The people had let profiteers replace science with spreadsheets. And mother nature has her own way of balancing the ledger. The sun, sea, and wind struck back. The machines could stay. If they chose to. But the only thing the temperature dependent air-breathers who wanted a future could do, was pack some bags and hope for a seat on a ship to a new blue planet. to be continued...

i stopped watching msnbc about a dozen years ago because i can read as much news as i need online instead of listen to them milk a topic -- and try to sell me things in between. I think Maddow is tops in her field but she may be the worst milker. Thom Hartmann and Randi Rhodes were my favorites on radio long ago. Glad to hear they're still at it. I may have to find them on the dial when i'm in the car.

the definitive, yet still incomplete, ongoing, Lyin' King 💩 list -- by an anonymous FB poster.

thanks for providing the links, mac. regarding serious political shows, i find that i'm not interested or stimulated by hearing what i already believe. So, i do prefer my political news with some humor. I admit, though, that as the situation we're in gets more urgent and serious, i resent it all being fodder for laughs. also, it's important for me to know what America, in general, is being told, so that i can consider what America needs to hear. So a couple of times a week i'll watch some national network news and growl at the screen.

interesting and complicated, Toledo. I suppose voting rights was a way to put an end to the violence. But now, between Musk, the King and all the king's men, they're doing all they can to take away the voting rights of others.

with each criminal activity he becomes more desperate, dangerous and determined to stay in office!

saw this on FB. A proposal for a "soft succession." It does speak to the point that the blue states do have leverage to use against this tyrant king and could and should apply that leverage instead of being bullied.

indeed, Chris, there are many, many things we can and should do. And the European models are a good start. My plan is to explore all the options via the 3001: Space Colonoscopy thread where we will simulate building a new society from scratch.

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overview of socialism versus the "dark triad"

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yes. Dennis Miller regressed and become unfunny. He didn't work out for Fox News and neither did the snide show segment they fashioned after The Daily Show. There's a mean-spirited-ness about right-wing policies, and it doesn't translate to humor. i know it sounds bias, but Bill Maher's wit still seems to be at its best when he's ridiculing right-wing-nuts. I believe his way-overdone campaign against "wokeness" and "cancel culture" reflects his emotional weaknesses more than his sense of humor. He never got over ABC cancelling his network show, "Politically Incorrect" for being politically incorrect 20 years ago. And, i'm guessing, his over indulgence in the ganja only worsened his insecurities and paranoia.

i look forward to your help in building that radical new blue world from scratch in the 3001: A Space Colonoscopy thread. Pick a starship. Get on board.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FbSDFq9bu/

"prophetic?" or pathetic that it even took that long for a U.S. newspaper to air the obvious after a decade of supporting evidence?

Bill Maher was at his best when his logic and criticisms were consistent. But that's been happening less and less. this week he played the race/religion card -- blaming the N.Y. mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for being a practicing Muslim, and he threw in a dig about 9/11. Maher endorsed Andrew Cuomo, who is a practicing Catholic. No mention of any Catholic Priest's bad behavior. In 2008, Maher's RELIGULOUS film mentioned a lot of bad, fundamentalist behaviors. Yet for the past 2 years he's been an outspoken advocate of Israel's bombings in Gaza, which is, and always has been, an insane religious war by both sides for the control of alleged "holy land." i'm not sure whether i believe Bill's descent into emotional bias serves a useful purpose. It might be a good thing that many on the Right like his anti-PC, anti-woke rhetoric. It forces them to hear his more balanced and grounded ideas too. do you still watch his show?

i respect your commitment, mac. And i'm glad there's someone here with that opinion. But isn't the real argument that: you're trying to fit a round peg in voting system that's built with square holes. if we can't elect the lesser of 2 evils in a 2-party system we will never be in a position to change it? if we don't select the lesser of 2 evils we eventually get the greatest evil. Now our 2-party system is turning into a 1-party dictatorship. i would vote green too. But, unfortunately, the reality is not that if everyone voted their true conscious we'd elect a green. The will isn't there. The numbers aren't there. The voters are still in the dark. imo, the only viable path is voting for your true candidate of choice in the Primary and voting for the best agent of change in the General Election. Then, push for overhauling the whole election system. Obama had the House and Senate. He was in position to do that. We need to get back to that position.