Juliajms

I don't mean to sound so bleak. Sometimes human civilization does take a great leap forward and that could still happen. One thing that comforts me is to remember that we aren't really outside the natural world even though our self awareness makes it seem so. Are we really any different than a herd of deer that overpopulates and dies off as result? I would argue we aren't. Not in any way that matters, we're just self aware enough to know we are doing it, but not in control enough to stop it. As one of my physics teachers used to say, the planet itself will be just fine. Some people think that's an obnoxious viewpoint, but I see it like there have been other mass extinctions and yet life flourishes. There is hope for life itself on this planet even if it isn't human or particularly intelligent. A quarter of a billion years from now there might be an amazing amount of biodiversity on Earth. Another bright point is that I'm guessing you and I won't be around to see things get really bad even if we don't change course. I feel bad for my potential grandchildren though. If we don't turn this ship around things are going to get real mid-century, not to deny that we can see the beginning of change now. Anyway, who knows? There could be technological advancements that slow down climate change/pollution. I really do believe that's possible, given how fast tech has advanced just in the last 100 years.

Yeah, we are in deep $hit when it comes to the environment and climate change. I remember people being afraid if what was happening to the frog population 25 years ago. Little has changed for the better. Of course, the disaster has already started, but I feel bad for children who are born 2o years from now. Maybe we can hope the next generation will do better and can slow down the damage, but I suspect it's too late.

Plus some people don't care if they are hurt as long as they think other people are being hurt more. Then there are the people who just want to burn it all down. There are more of those than I ever could have imagined three years ago

I can't completely figure out why they won't start legal proceedings to have him removed from office given some of the things that are coming out about his connections to Russia. Maybe they are afraid of his base? Anything else he can do for Republicans (abortion, deregulation, SCOTUS) Mike Pence can too and probably more successfully. This thread lays out the Pence situation. I like to believe that we've smartened up a bit since 2016 and that he couldn't win, but fool me once and all that.

Me too and even more astonishing how many members of congress are just going along. Ted Cruz for example: https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/13/politics/ted-cruz-russia/index.html

This is a terrible story. "Food stamps will likely go unfunded this month; workers will fail to make mortgage payments. Trump might not be able to find the cash to pay the agents who keep his family safe, but he has the cash to send longtime law-abiding residents to their likely doom. His priorities are perfectly clear".

Me too. His initial scenes with Dan were great. Some of the funniest of the series, imo.

So sick.

I love how Steve Kind tries to make praising white supremacy and white nationalism akin to appreciating western civilization. Some people just swallow up that kind of sloppy logic without a second thought.

^ So many of these predators are getting a second chance. It's disgusting, but not unexpected.

He just does not give a damn who he hurts. Yes. I wish I had more compassion, but I don't.

Winning.

We are incredibly lucky that the first time an authoritarian came for our country he turned out to be extraordinarily incompetent. I only hope that the next time we aren't caught asleep at the switch because we won't get this lucky again. That's not to say that he hasn't caused incredible damage to many people and our country at large, but it could have been much, much worse. Of course, it isn't over yet, but at least the end is (hopefully) in sight.

Truth.

How sad is it that when POTUS gets a platform we all have to brace ourselves knowing that he is going to use that time to incite more racist hate and violence? It's nice that the Democrats will get to respond, but you can't unring a bell.

I do think AOC makes a lot of good points. I love that she gives the GOP no quarter. Time will tell on her relationship with the Democratic party. That HUD issue is horrific.

Thread. https://twitter.com/sarahkendzior/status/1081609639307943936

Exactly! He doesn't think he can do it, he is doing it. God help us all and especially federal employees.

I hope she's right, even though I know only someone green would make a remark like this so publicly. This has to be a hard time to learn the ropes because the stakes are so high.

This is kind of interesting.

^ Awful and I don't see much hope in stopping the Saudi's from doing whatever they want. Money talks and right now we have a president who listens to little else. I hope she can survive in prison until help comes from somewhere.

I think this person makes a good point. I don't find it worrying though because I agree with others that his window has closed.