the last shooting / things that go on in America thread has definitely dissappeared

anyway

not the "happy ending" you would have expected

https://twitter.com/i/events/1371972779893944327

Suspect arrested after eight people, including six Asian women, were killed at Atlanta-area spas

Eight people, including six Asian women, were killed in shootings at three different businesses in Atlanta and Acworth, Georgia, on Tuesday, according to local police. A male suspect was arrested and charged with several counts of murder on Wednesday, police said. At a press conference in Atlanta on Wednesday, authorities identified the four victims killed in Cherokee County.

 

FWIW - I don't believe that Elon Musk is a Nazi or intentionally gave a Nazi salute. 

But this did made me chuckle!

100% get message boards are for banter and not to be taken too seriously.  I’m also a big advocate of free speech.  FWIW I’m also right leaning. All of this is compatible imho in this day and age of calling out extreme views and/or false narratives.  That’s why I’m fixated on Trump/cronies at the moment. The power and influence he/they have is dsngerous, as they constantly put out falsehoods/lies…..and millions of people nod heads and follow.  Really important therefore to challenge and ask for evidence, or simply state what’s not acceptable. Thought that US bishop yesterday was a star in speaking truth to power. As I mentioned elsewhere I feel particularly strongly about this when it comes to medicines/healthcare - god help me when RFK gets going 🙄.  So, what has Bolty written which I feel justifies “extreme”?  Without scrolling back through 100s pages I’d say two quick things (i) laughing off Musk and his Nazi salute and (ii) equating Bidon’s  pre-emptive pardons with that of releasing 1500 convicted criminals (the irony and hypocrisy is still staggering of this, from the president who claimed that not enough violent criminals were locked up 🤷‍♂️). 

6 minutes ago, Bertie said:

100% get message boards are for banter and not to be taken too seriously.  I’m also a big advocate of free speech.  FWIW I’m also right leaning. All of this is compatible imho in this day and age of calling out extreme views and/or false narratives.  That’s why I’m fixated on Trump/cronies at the moment. The power and influence he/they have is dsngerous, as they constantly put out falsehoods/lies…..and millions of people nod heads and follow.  Really important therefore to challenge and ask for evidence, or simply state what’s not acceptable. Thought that US bishop yesterday was a star in speaking truth to power. As I mentioned elsewhere I feel particularly strongly about this when it comes to medicines/healthcare - god help me when RFK gets going 🙄.  So, what has Bolty written which I feel justifies “extreme”?  Without scrolling back through 100s pages I’d say two quick things (i) laughing off Musk and his Nazi salute and (ii) equating Bidon’s  pre-emptive pardons with that of releasing 1500 convicted criminals (the irony and hypocrisy is still staggering of this, from the president who claimed that not enough violent criminals were locked up 🤷‍♂️). 

Did he release 1500 people or were some already out? And do you honestly think he was doing a Nazi salute? 

1 hour ago, royal white said:

Did he release 1500 people or were some already out? And do you honestly think he was doing a Nazi salute? 

I don't think he was doing a Nazi salute, but fuck knows what he was actually doing. Whatever he thinks he was doing, he probably shouldn't have.

I'm hoping he was pointing the direction that XRP and DOGE are headed 😉 (to the moon)

24 minutes ago, Sweep said:

I don't think he was doing a Nazi salute, but fuck knows what he was actually doing. Whatever he thinks he was doing, he probably shouldn't have.

I'm hoping he was pointing the direction that XRP and DOGE are headed 😉 (to the moon)

That's where I am at, I don't think he's a nazi but I also don't know what the hell he was doing.

I also think releasing folk like the fucker who tasered a copper was utterly stupid.

2 hours ago, royal white said:

Did he release 1500 people or were some already out? And do you honestly think he was doing a Nazi salute? 

It was widely reported he’s given an unconditional pardon to over 1500.  Don’t know how many weren’t incarcerated at the time.  And yes, assuming Musk is a clever(ish) chap he absolutely knew what he was doing.  Especially a week or so after his cosy chat with the AfD leader.

43 minutes ago, Winchester White said:

That's where I am at, I don't think he's a nazi but I also don't know what the hell he was doing.

I also think releasing folk like the fucker who tasered a copper was utterly stupid.

And releasing a guy who ordered a hit on an ex business partner doesn't send out the right message either! 

4 minutes ago, kent_white said:

And releasing a guy who ordered a hit on an ex business partner doesn't send out the right message either! 

Trump is simply a dick.

However, like most politicians, some of their ideas make sense. Others, are for the birds.

If he can get the Ukraine war sorted, with a solution genuinely acceptable to both sides, then fair play. In a few years time, he can ride off into the sunset with his peace prize, and his head held even higher than when he's being aloof and looking down his nose at folk.

9 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Trump is simply a dick.

However, like most politicians, some of their ideas make sense. Others, are for the birds.

If he can get the Ukraine war sorted, with a solution genuinely acceptable to both sides, then fair play. In a few years time, he can ride off into the sunset with his peace prize, and his head held even higher than when he's being aloof and looking down his nose at folk.

This is where I'm at. 

I know he's a bellend already. But I can put up with that if he can pull off the big ticket stuff and doesn't completely destroy the world order in the process. Or badly derail the UK.

Same reason I could have tolerated BJ and didn't really care about the garden parties- providing he came through on everything else. Which he didn't, sadly. 

Why is he cosying up to social media and tech giants and promising half a trillion dollars of funding into AI (which apparently has pissed Elon off already)?

Is it so he can use tech and social media to propagate (propagandise?) (fuck knows) which to be fair, he’s done an amazing job with already.

It is concerning at how easily people can be duped online and believe blatant lies. ‘Narrative’ genuinely can swing elections. It can shape thoughts and politics, and wars. And then it’s hidden behind “free speech maaaan” bollocks. 

12 minutes ago, boltonboris said:

Why is he cosying up to social media and tech giants and promising half a trillion dollars of funding into AI (which apparently has pissed Elon off already)?

Is it so he can use tech and social media to propagate (propagandise?) (fuck knows) which to be fair, he’s done an amazing job with already.

It is concerning at how easily people can be duped online and believe blatant lies. ‘Narrative’ genuinely can swing elections. It can shape thoughts and politics, and wars. And then it’s hidden behind “free speech maaaan” bollocks. 

I think you've answered your own question 

I see Trump is going down a storm in Davos and he's already hitting issues with the courts over his executive orders. Certainly interesting times.

4 hours ago, boltonboris said:

Why is he cosying up to social media and tech giants and promising half a trillion dollars of funding into AI (which apparently has pissed Elon off already)?

Is it so he can use tech and social media to propagate (propagandise?) (fuck knows) which to be fair, he’s done an amazing job with already.

It is concerning at how easily people can be duped online and believe blatant lies. ‘Narrative’ genuinely can swing elections. It can shape thoughts and politics, and wars. And then it’s hidden behind “free speech maaaan” bollocks. 

Very true.

Not just online.

Say the same things over and over, irrespective of accuracy, and it becomes gospel.

From all politicians.

10 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Very true.

Not just online.

Say the same things over and over, irrespective of accuracy, and it becomes gospel.

From all politicians.

1 hour ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Very true.

Not just online.

Say the same things over and over, irrespective of accuracy, and it becomes gospel.

From all politicians.

Aye, but some a lot more than others. 

This all politicians rubbish is what allows populism to go unchecked.

It's happened before and sadly we're living through it now.

13 hours ago, Sweep said:

Bolty isn't extreme right at all, he's "right leaning" I think it's safe to say. It's very easy these days to accuse people of being extreme one way or the other, when in reality most of us are just one or two degrees left or right of the centre ground

And a response of "abuse" (usually in jest of course) is much practiced, appreciated and loved on here, and to be fair Bolty does come in for his fair share of that....of which it's probably also safe to say he's clever enough to see the reactions coming a mile off, when he posts something 🙂

Generally if he has you on ignore, it's because he thinks you're either demented, being argumentative for the sake of it or simply a dick, he's generally happy to joust with those who he knows have some level of intelligence/humour (I think)

Anyway, that's enough of being nice to him, the trifle scoffing, flip-flop wearing, hairdryer riding extreme right neo-nazi

Can't disagree with any of that. Apart from flip flops.

Bertie is back. Bring back Brexiteers before breakfast.

 

 

23 hours ago, Sweep said:

Bolty isn't extreme right at all, he's "right leaning" I think it's safe to say. It's very easy these days to accuse people of being extreme one way or the other, when in reality most of us are just one or two degrees left or right of the centre ground

And a response of "abuse" (usually in jest of course) is much practiced, appreciated and loved on here, and to be fair Bolty does come in for his fair share of that....of which it's probably also safe to say he's clever enough to see the reactions coming a mile off, when he posts something 🙂

Generally if he has you on ignore, it's because he thinks you're either demented, being argumentative for the sake of it or simply a dick, he's generally happy to joust with those who he knows have some level of intelligence/humour (I think)

Anyway, that's enough of being nice to him, the trifle scoffing, flip-flop wearing, hairdryer riding extreme right neo-nazi

Bolty is an easily lead reactionary. The problem is that populist leaders take advantage of people like him, who hark back for a misremembered past where things were actually worse for many, apart from white, straight men funnily enough.

His ilk justifies extremism, by their placet support of policies that deminish minorities and make retrograde steps on all democratic steps made since 1945.

His and some others posts often remind me of that famous quote from The Trial, "it's only because of their stupidity that they're able to be so sure of themselves."

Same as it ever was.

Anti abortion activists who stopped women receiving treatment & injured a nurse pardoned today.

Some states forcing schools to teach the Bible… turning into a bit of a backwards religious state in parts. 

17 minutes ago, London Wanderer said:

Anti abortion activists who stopped women receiving treatment & injured a nurse pardoned today.

Some states forcing schools to teach the Bible… turning into a bit of a backwards religious state in parts. 

Other than the type of religious nonsense that fuels them the GOP are no different than the sharia Islamic states

22 hours ago, royal white said:

Did he release 1500 people or were some already out? And do you honestly think he was doing a Nazi salute? 

Aye some were already out. But even so, a pardon wipes the charge. Part of the sentence is that the record stays with you for a certain amount of time, or even life. 

Some of those released & pardoned included those who had assaulted officers. 
 

For someone who often talks about wanting tougher sentencing, surely you don’t agree with the pardons? 
 

8 minutes ago, frank_spencer said:

Other than the type of religious nonsense that fuels them the GOP are no different than the sharia Islamic states

Aye 

Folk like to conveniently ignore that though & only focus on Islam. 

9 minutes ago, London Wanderer said:

Aye some were already out. But even so, a pardon wipes the charge. Part of the sentence is that the record stays with you for a certain amount of time, or even life. 

Some of those released & pardoned included those who had assaulted officers. 
 

For someone who often talks about wanting tougher sentencing, surely you don’t agree with the pardons? 
 

Im more concerned about violent criminals getting pathetic sentences over here and then being released after serving 40% of their time then I am for people trespassing in America if I’m honest. 

14 minutes ago, royal white said:

Im more concerned about violent criminals getting pathetic sentences over here and then being released after serving 40% of their time then I am for people trespassing in America if I’m honest. 

Some were pardoned after assaulting an officer or other violent behaviour.
 

I didn’t ask what you were more concerned with mate. I think we’re all more concerned by that as well.

I asked if you agreed with these pardons?