US US Politics 2024

[Second Summer]

Just realised that while these last US elections were held on 5. November, i.e. UK's Bonfire Night, the last UK general elections were held on 4. July, i.e. the US independence day. A bit of an odd coincidence, if you ask me! It's almost as if the two countries were engaged in a diplomatic tit for tat: The UK deliberately disrespecting the US independence day, and the US trying to retaliate by ruining the UK Bonfire Night!

 

[Tom L.]

@Second Summer Your post has me thinking now... Of course, July 4th, 1776 was the day representatives from the original 13 colonies signed the document formally declaring independence from Britain (and is the U.S.'s "birthday", if you will). Children such as myself were taught in school that "taxation without representation" of the colonies by Britain was a major (if not the only) instigating factor. But considering the two countries have long since ceased hostilities, maybe it's time to change the way it's celebrated.

 

[Second Summer]

Children such as myself were taught in school that "taxation without representation" of the colonies by Britain was a major (if not the only) instigating factor. But considering our two countries have long since ceased hostilities, maybe it's time to change the way it's celebrated.

Yes, maybe it's time after 250 years to let it go Of course, not saying you should rewrite history or anything ...

 

[Sax]

Trump seems serious about tariffs which has me concerned. The fed appears to have achieved a soft landing, getting inflation down without a recession, but tariffs will heat inflation right back up again.

I recently bought a house at the upper end of what I can afford, hoping for interest rates to continue dropping so I can refinance in a couple years for more financial wiggle room. Now I have to think about going in to a possible recession, on top of rising inflation, on an already lean budget.

 

[silva]

Trump seems serious about tariffs which has me concerned. The fed appears to have achieved a soft landing, getting inflation down without a recession, but tariffs will heat inflation right back up again.

I recently bought a house at the upper end of what I can afford, hoping for interest rates to continue dropping so I can refinance in a couple years for more financial wiggle room. Now I have to think about going in to a possible recession, on top of rising inflation, on an already lean budget.

And worse when they put property taxes to fund religious schools, and so many other of project 2025 agendas.
I'm waiting for them to argue against including the Satanic Church--although this admin is looking worse than McCarthyism

 

[Lou]

Trump seems serious about tariffs which has me concerned.

Not that you shouldn't be worried but... during his first term he threatened many tariffs that never happened.

 

[Sax]

Not that you shouldn't be worried but... during his first term he threatened many tariffs that never happened.

Yeah anything he says can be a bluff or plain BS but it's been pointed out that tariffs are one of his most consistent positions, going back to the 80s. And I heard some of his tariffs in his first term were scuttled because advisors told him it would hurt his reelection chances. I think he'll feel much freer this time around to do whatever the hell he wants.

I'm not losing sleep over it but there's a good chance he'll ruin this healthy economy he's inheriting.

 

[Second Summer]

Congratulations, US members! I hear that your president-elect Donald J Trump has been named as Time Magazine's Person of the Year 2024!

 

[Andy_T]

… like his idol in 1938.

 

[Lou]

The New Yorker explains Drone Sightings

Daily Cartoon: Monday, December 16th

“People prefer your traditional surveillance to the drones.”

www.newyorker.com

 

[KLS52]

You got me @Lou

 

[Tom L.]

About traditional surveillance: I'm familiar with The Elf On The Shelf- so maybe a "kinder, gentler" way of surveillance would be An Elf Piloting A Drone?...

I think I did see my first drone recently (within the past 2 months) in my neighborhood. Actually I didn't see the drone fully- it was dark, and I just saw a rather bright blue light hovering above the street about 2 blocks away, so I figured it was a drone. There is unusually heavy helicopter traffic over my neighborhood, but this thing was too quiet.

[Tweety Pie voice] I tawt I taw a dwone! (pause) I DID! I DID TAW A DWONE! [/Tweety Pie voice]

 

[Lou]

Did you know?
Drones are banned from National Parks, Some state parks, preserves, and wilderness areas too.
Some airports use Anti Drone technology
Los angles has some of the toughest laws restricting drones. one reason is the people who operate cranes for the movie industry were worried bout losing their jobs. and movie stars losing some more privacy

 

[Emma JC]

re: DJT splatting all over Canada - I really hope he keeps up the rhetoric because there is nothing like a common enemy to unite everyone!!!

Emma JC
Find your vegan soulmate or just a friend. www.spiritualmatchmaking.com

 

[PTree15]

About traditional surveillance: I'm familiar with The Elf On The Shelf- so maybe a "kinder, gentler" way of surveillance would be An Elf Piloting A Drone?...

I think I did see my first drone recently (within the past 2 months) in my neighborhood. Actually I didn't see the drone fully- it was dark, and I just saw a rather bright blue light hovering above the street about 2 blocks away, so I figured it was a drone. There is unusually heavy helicopter traffic over my neighborhood, but this thing was too quiet.

[Tweety Pie voice] I tawt I taw a dwone! (pause) I DID! I DID TAW A DWONE! [/Tweety Pie voice]

I'm "laughing" at the Tweety Pie voice!