Open Thread - 02-07-25 - Nomads and Gurus

Submitted by JtC on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 8:25am

I'm going to let my mind run wild here, because I grew up in the 60s and that's what we did back then.

Does anyone one else feel like we've entered the final stages of the Great Reset? Hasn't the so called Deep State rolled over a little too easily? Why are they standing by while the current government is dismantled? It's like the government is being pared down for a reason other than what we've been told.

I'm not a Republican, nor am I a Democrat, although I used to be. I'm not a centrist either, so I guess the best descriptor would be that I'm a political nomad.

Screw them all and the horses they rode in on. I'm not going to be a cheerleader for either side. I'm going to call out bullshit when I see it though.

I do admit that I like some stuff the new administration is doing, but I'm still going to call out the bullshit when it pops up.

nomad_0.jpg
Attribution: PixaBay

Speaking of bullshit.

Having trouble understanding crypto currency? Here's an Indian self help guru that will explain it in a concise yet easily understood fashion.

I can imagine this will be the reaction from all tax payers when the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve goes belly up after the whales at the top of the pyramid cash out. It's only 55 seconds long so give it a watch. As gurus say, "It will enlighten you". Biggrin

0:55
Tags: 
Open Thread
Share
up
12 users have voted.

Comments

Submitted by JtC on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 8:29am

I've been a bit under the weather the last few days and not feeling up to par, thus the brevity of this week's open thread.

What's happening on your side of the desert?

up
7 users have voted.
Submitted by enhydra lutris on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 11:03am
enhydra lutris's picture

@JtC

Wink Be well and have a good one Wink

up
5 users have voted.
—

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Submitted by Pluto's Republic on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 11:33am
Pluto's Republic's picture

@JtC

up
4 users have voted.
—
Carry a flame and share the light.

.

Submitted by QMS on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 8:47am
QMS's picture

.
Sorry to hear of your malaise. Get better soonly.

Perhaps a tune to cheer you up.

Old Hippie V2

up
6 users have voted.
—

question everything

Submitted by JtC on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 8:51am

@QMS
frequently play in various venues around here. I should get out to see them one of these days.

Thanks for the sentiment.

up
5 users have voted.
Submitted by Snode on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 9:25am

A life long shut up and do what your told worker bee. I depended on the democrats to be a voice, to fight for me and those like me, and ever since Carter and Clinton there's been no one to fight for me and those in my boat. Kind of like good cop / bad cop, republicans / democrats. One way or another they'll end up at the same place, 'cause where they both want it to go, and so here we are. That good 'ol boot stepping on a human face, forever.

up
9 users have voted.
Submitted by JtC on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 9:58am

@Snode
I always knew that government is corrupt, but these latest revelations are mind blowing. What's also mind blowing is how easily it's being dismantled.

JFK comes to mind.

Are they getting ready to for the imminent collapse of the dollar and the financial system by putting the bureaucracy on a diet? I smell the waft of a CBDC in air.

up
9 users have voted.
Submitted by Snode on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 10:58am

@JtC but I think the end game is to pretty much eliminate the middle class. Whatever power we thought we had is lost in that great sucking sound of the great republican takeover and the mewling whimpers of the powerless democrats.

up
7 users have voted.
Submitted by snoopydawg on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 12:54pm
snoopydawg's picture

@Snode

Kind of like good cop / bad cop, republicans / democrats. One way or another they'll end up at the same place, 'cause where they both want it to go

Democrats rail when republicans cut taxes and do other nice things for their donors, but when democrats get back in power they do nothing to roll back the republican abuses. In fact Obama made the Bush tax cuts permanent.

Republicans screwed up the last Trump tax cuts, but when they fixed the screwups they had help from democrats.

Torture is bad said Obama and then he told us to look forward…

It’s one party with two right wings. They both serve the same donors and that ain’t us.

up
6 users have voted.
—

Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.

Submitted by Snode on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 1:13pm

@snoopydawg After decades of watching republicans out of power fight over anything, or nothing, and getting concessions in every piece of legislation you would think there was a lesson there. When in power they then juggernaut through their agenda throwing every thing but the kitchen sink into legislation. They don't get everything they want, but next time they're back at it.
The democrats stroll into power, put their campaign centerpieces on the back burner and dither their way to legislation nobody really cares about. They give up preemptively, and blame the republicans for not allowing them to move forward. It all seems the illusion of 2 parties. While the republicans have their right wing, ultra right wing, fascists and monarchists, the democrats can't allow any dissent to the status quo, the we know best send money next time will be different we're great party.

up
5 users have voted.
Submitted by orlbucfan on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 9:29am
orlbucfan's picture

I've got a question. If Muskcrap is the richest bozo in the world, why isn't he going after his native South Africa? He afraid someone will nail his idiot-savant azz? Rec'd!!

up
6 users have voted.
—

Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

Submitted by JtC on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 10:11am

@orlbucfan
It's more than just an update, I have to rebuild a whole new site. I have less patience than I did 10 years ago when I built this one, plus I'm 10 years older. I'm reducing the stress by taking my time.

South Africa is a mess as is much of the world. Corruption is rampant and the cause of most of it.

Thanks for the well wishes.

up
8 users have voted.
Submitted by orlbucfan on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 9:31am
orlbucfan's picture

Smile

up
6 users have voted.
—

Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

Submitted by JtC on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 10:26am

@orlbucfan
is almost impossible when you have MFers like this:

We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false.
---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

up
7 users have voted.
Submitted by usefewersyllables on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 10:02am
usefewersyllables's picture

simply Newspeak for "Ponzi"... Double-plus ungood.

Not a member of any political party any more, nor am I likely to be in the near future. None of them speak for me- but all of them appear to be more than willing to speak at me.

I'm watching the Cheeto/Nazi dismantlement of da gummint with some amusement. To my way of thinking, the best possible outcome of the Trump 2.0 Vengeance Tour will be for the legislative branch to reassert some of the powers that they have tacitly surrendered to the executive branch through their inaction over the past, say, 70 years.

Of course, I'd also like to be able to flap my arms and fly to the moon. But hey, a guy can dream... At least that isn't illegal, yet.

up
10 users have voted.
—

Twice bitten, permanently shy.

Submitted by earthling1 on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 11:54am
earthling1's picture

@usefewersyllables
but only because I can still get fundraising pitches from them.
See, the return envelopes are almost always free return postage paid and I like to put my feelings in a note inside. Usually with a bold black marking pen and not always polite, but to the point.
The bastards have to open the damn thing to see if there is check inside.
I realize it's probably a flunky sitting there opening thousands of them. But there has to be a trash can nearby that they throw it and like ones in. I'll just help fill it.
Eventually, some honcho will notice it is filling faster than usual.
On a plus note, it keeps the post office greased with work.
I may switch over to the Repub Party and get them going down the solicitation hole too.
But those cheap bastards probably don't pay the return postage.
And I agree, crypto is just a digital version of tulip mania.

up
7 users have voted.
—

Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

Submitted by JtC on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 1:07pm

@usefewersyllables

To my way of thinking, the best possible outcome of the Trump 2.0 Vengeance Tour will be for the legislative branch to reassert some of the powers that they have tacitly surrendered to the executive branch through their inaction over the past, say, 70 years.

The Executive is way too powerful, we're getting close to a monarchy.

up
3 users have voted.
Submitted by Funkygal on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 10:04am

Hasn't the so called Deep State rolled over a little too easily? Why are they standing by while the current government is dismantled? It's like the government is being pared down for a reason other than what we've been told.

Been scratching my head too since DT won again. In 2016, reports full of innuendos started right after the elex. Remember that VT grid hack story in WaPoo? [ IIRC, it turned out to be squirrels, not Russia. ]

So, this time, the Deep State is comfy with him as far as foreign policy is concerned ? Did he reassure them in some way? Are they pissed off with his attacks on USAID ? Or, do they feel assured by whatever form it is going to take ?

As for the Wrecking Crew at work on the domestic front, are they comfy because it comes out of Heritage Foundation's Project 2025. a manual to consolidate the oligarchy further?

up
6 users have voted.
Submitted by Funkygal on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 10:05am

@Funkygal Ian Welsh

https://www.ianwelsh.net/is-trump-running-a-coup/

I too am wondering about the intel agencies.

up
7 users have voted.
Submitted by Funkygal on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 10:42am

@Funkygal Another thought of mine - Dems not offering much resistance because they mostly agree with what DT is doing. They just would have preferred it to be done in a PMC-savvy way. It is a tell what they chose to focus on - USAID, not NLRB or the "real" civil service workers..... And the likes of Chris Murphy mocking DT for deporting lesser number of people than Biden....

up
6 users have voted.
Submitted by JtC on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 1:15pm

@Funkygal
like there's been some arrangements made, does it not?

It's great to see you hanging out with us again, Funkgal.

up
1 user has voted.
Submitted by Funkygal on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 10:24am

prez of El Salvador Naib Bukele. Checked NB's X feed just for the heck of it. He is pretty media-savvy. And ass-kissing DT helps - like his offer to hold deportees from US in prisons.

The crypto plan flopped apparently.

Aside: he is Palestinian.

up
8 users have voted.
Submitted by QMS on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 11:11am
QMS's picture

@Funkygal
.
All I can see is a jumbled-up mess.
Like scrambled eggs with too much hot sauce.
Whatever is going-on down under the headlines
bodes well for the prison system. Our future
is either locked-in or locked-out. The masters
are only selling the keys to suit their interests.

up
8 users have voted.
—

question everything

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 11:23am
enhydra lutris's picture

Stress and exhaustion don't help and they damp down the immune system while wearing the physical plant down, slow down a bit, if you can.

Here's a bit of wisdom I gleaned from a 404 Media e-mail newsletter entitled: You Can’t Post Your Way Out of Fascism The whole thing is from a guest author, and I've linked the web page version below. It's worth a read, or at least a skim

If there’s one thing I’d hoped people had learned going into the next four years of Donald Trump as president, it’s that spending lots of time online posting about what people in power are saying and doing is not going to accomplish anything. If anything, it’s exactly what they want.

To my way of thinking, the message isn't "post less", but spent far less time focusing on the acts, behavior and pronunciamentos of the rulers and oligarchs.

https://www.404media.co/email/34326692-bdfe-4a3c-a1e3-4f9d84956d02/?ref=...

So, life goes on.
be/get well and have a good one

up
7 users have voted.
—

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Submitted by JtC on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 1:26pm

@enhydra lutris
they, the powers that shouldn't be, don't need to read our minds, we tell them what's on our minds online. It's a great shepherding tool.

up
1 user has voted.
Submitted by enhydra lutris on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 12:01pm
enhydra lutris's picture

How CIA & USAID Used Coup Playbook Against Trump

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250206/how-cia--usaid-used-coup-playbook-agai...

be well and have a good one

up
5 users have voted.
—

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Submitted by JtC on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 1:28pm

@enhydra lutris
thanks.

up
1 user has voted.
Submitted by earthling1 on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 12:11pm
earthling1's picture

I'm not in any hurry to learn my way around your new site, I'm still getting used to my new laptop and windows 11.
Seems a little wonky from windows 10.
Thanks for the OT.

up
7 users have voted.
—

Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

Submitted by QMS on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 1:27pm
QMS's picture

@earthling1
.
.
still have V7 working on an old dell. the physical plant is mostly
shot (display, battery and keyboard) but have work-arounds for
those issues. Once I shut-down updates, the OS works still.
The big switcheroo was jumping into the apple universe. Took
awhile to learn their way, but without the savvy to go Linus, it
is what works (for now).

up
3 users have voted.
—

question everything

Submitted by JtC on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 1:30pm

@earthling1
I think you'll find the new site easier to use.

Have a good one.

up
3 users have voted.
Submitted by QMS on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 1:51pm
QMS's picture

.
Cocaine "no worse than whiskey," would be "sold like wine"
if legalized worldwide says Colombia's president Gustavo Petro.

I would have to challenge that. Whiskey is much worse than coke.
Have sampled a bit of both. A little goes a long way.

"If you want peace, you have to dismantle the business (of drug trafficking)."

up
3 users have voted.
—

question everything

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 2:15pm
enhydra lutris's picture

https://www.404media.co/heres-a-pdf-version-of-the-cia-guide-to-sabotagi...

be well and havae a good one

up
3 users have voted.
—

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Submitted by Cassiodorus on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 2:57pm
Cassiodorus's picture

for having made it to Sabrina Salvati's show:

up
0 users have voted.
—

"A reminder: the US has the #1 most expensive healthcare system in the world, yet we rank roughly #42 in life expectancy." -- Luigi Mangione