Post election prediction

[wes4dbt]

I read this today,

Two U.S. Navy destroyers had transited the Strait of Hormuz to begin mine-clearing operations in the vital waterway, U.S. Central Command said Saturday.

I'm surprised Iran allowed that and continued peace talks. The Strait is by far their biggest bargaining tool. I hate to think of what Trump would do if Iran loses control of it.

As for the 10 points, that looks like an Iranian Christmas wish list. Not close to being realistic.

[PlausiblyDamp]

So Trump is angry with the pope because the pope isn't apparently hateful and supporting of violence...

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...94704213456431

But at least Trump doesn't have over inflated ideas of greatness
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-Pope-Leo.html

[wes4dbt]

Every time I think that Trump can't sink to a new low, I'm proven wrong.

I don't think there is a bottom to how Low he will sink.

I almost never bring up religion, simply because it is an appeal to authority that literally carries no weight for people who don't believe. But as a Catholic, my interpretation of the second commandment ("Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain") is that you should not use God's name support/justify your own actions and Trump along with his supports appear to be more and more comfortable making that claim both implicitly and explicitly.

Not to mention the AI generated image of Trump being portrayed as some sort of quasi-divine figure goes against the first commandment ("I am the Lord your God; you shall not have other gods before me"); almost as if he is promoting idolatry of a politician. Personally, I find that image he posted to be outright blasphemous.

What commandment hasn't he broken??

I was mystified for a while why he had support from religious groups/people. Clearly he is an amoral person. I finally came to the conclusion it was because he's willing to give them things they want, like anti abortion laws.

[Shaggy Hiker]

I was mystified for a while why he had support from religious groups/people. Clearly he is an amoral person. I finally came to the conclusion it was because he's willing to give them things they want, like anti abortion laws.

He gives them power. They've made it abundantly clear that they don't care about the means, just the ends. They'd sell their souls to the devil if he gave them the power they wanted.

[wes4dbt]

Well, Trump isn't the devil but considering all the harm and chaos he has cause in the world, maybe the AntiChrist.

[Shaggy Hiker]

Interesting that he finally managed to piss off a bunch of his supporters by depicting himself as Jesus.

[wes4dbt]

Interesting that he finally managed to piss off a bunch of his supporters by depicting himself as Jesus.

A lot of his supporters take their religion and bigotry very seriously.

[PlausiblyDamp]

I was mystified for a while why he had support from religious groups/people. Clearly he is an amoral person. I finally came to the conclusion it was because he's willing to give them things they want, like anti abortion laws.

I think this explains a lot of the Trump supporters, they focus on the one or two things they agree with but ignore everything else they disagree with.

The extremist religious crowd love his stance on abortion and his anti-LGBTQ+ opinions - they are willing to overlook he never goes to church, doesn't follow any of the commandments, is a repeat adulterer etc. They just see what they want.

Same with the right-wing (dare I say nazi tending, white supremacist) crowd love his stance on DEI and LGBTQ+, including his very anti-trans attitude - they completely ignore everything else he does that damages the country they supposedly love etc.

The more "dedicated" Republicans love his MAGA / anti-liberal agenda - they aren't paying attention to his gutting of the ACA, removing support for veterans, rampant profiteering by the medical insurance industry etc.

He seems to sell a single part of his entire chaotic approach to individual groups, who then exclude all the other disastrous things he wants to do.

[wes4dbt]

He seems to sell a single part of his entire chaotic approach to individual groups, who then exclude all the other disastrous things he wants to do.

I'd say he promises them everything and then manages to achieve a few things. Which seems to be enough to pacify them and willing to ignore all the lies and harm.

I have a friends that's a Trump supporter. I don't bring up politics but sometimes he will say something praising Trump. So I take the opportunity to point out what a terrible person Trump is and some of things he's doing to harm the US/World. His response is usually, "He's better than Biden". Some how that's justification for all the harm Trump causes. I find that interesting.

We've reached a point where Rep/Dem voters have been convinced the other side is evil and ruining our way of life. It's not our agenda is better than theirs. That's not enough distinction.

So in the end, Reps vote of Reps and Dems vote for Dems. Since both parties are fairly equal in numbers that leaves the independents cast the deciding votes. But because of the current structure of the electoral college, you can win the popular vote but lose the election. It's about distribution, having the right number of Rep/Dems in the right places. This problem seems to be getting worse, we've been having a major redistricting war going on since the last election.

What gives me hope is I believe these things like liberal vs conservative tend to sing back and forth. We go to far in one direction and then we swing the other direction to far. I think this will continue because no matter who's in charge, people are going to be unhappy with the current government. People love to complain.

[wes4dbt]

Iran opening Hormuz was a surprise. Not clear why they did it. Though nothing is real clear about this war.

What's been surprising me the last two weeks is the Stock Market. After the initial negative reaction it has been booming. Then again, I've never been able to make sense of how the market reacts.

[Shaggy Hiker]

Iran opening Hormuz was a surprise. Not clear why they did it. Though nothing is real clear about this war.

Don't worry, it's closed again.

[PlausiblyDamp]

Don't worry, it's closed again.

I am shocked and surprised! Nobody could have ever predicted this!

[wes4dbt]

Don't worry, it's closed again.

Darn, I went out and booked a fishing trip to the Straights when I heard it was reopened.

I am shocked and surprised! Nobody could have ever predicted this!

Me too!! That's why I got the non refundable fishing package.

[Shaggy Hiker]

Darn, I went out and booked a fishing trip to the Straights when I heard it was reopened.



Me too!! That's why I got the non refundable fishing package.

Well don't cancel. If you catch something big enough you'd be able to say, "it's all mine!" That could be a blast.

[wes4dbt]

Ah yes, I've heard that catching one of those Iranian Boom Boom fish will really blow your mine.

[wes4dbt]

Another Pearl Harbor attack on Iran. "self defense strike", probably the same words used by Japan. What's that make now 3 of them. Peace negotiations with the US is dangerous.

Then again, Iran is known for negotiating things for years. I think the nuclear deal reached during Obama's presidency took two or three years.

Israel and the US have a strange interpretation of peace talks.