Gulf of Mexico ------>>>>>> Gulf of America

[missy]

If only he was only “his own” worst enemy.
We have TWO countries whose leaders are only not in jail because they’re in office.
So sad.
And current leaders of our country overseas meeting with far right neo Nazis in Germany.

Yesterday.

Nothing to see here. Gulf of Distraction ????

David, I've been voting for a long time (I'm old) and for me at least it's always choosing the lesser of two evils. Always.
I mean look at the former administration and all the pardoning of his family members who are indeed criminals
No political party, no politician, is immune. Power corrupts. Sad but true

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

Do you want to be paying VAT? Because that's how you end up collecting it from imports - by paying it for everything.

Yes, we should pay the VAT for imports (we already pay sales taxes) too and that would discourage Americans from buying outside our country. Keeps job and critical supplies in the USA so we are not subject to the whims of another country supplying us with prescription medications, steel, etc.
,

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

America has used it's power to manipulate the world, so Americans get more, better and cheaper everything.
We're at the top of the food chain.
Nice for us, bad for others.

Not fair.
Not nice.

All of earth's 8,160,620,783 humans would love to be one of God's chosen people, aka God's Blessed Americans.

All humans want more and better for themselves and their children.
Look at history, the rich and powerful got that way be being, let's say, not so nice, and, let's say, not sharing.

The war for more will never stop.

I think it's important to remember that most Americans don't live the super wealthy lifestyles of the west and east coast types. Most of us worked and worked very hard to have what we have today and that is far from luxurious. I think it's common knowledge that much of the "wealth" in on paper for the younger generation and it will continue to take the rest of their working lives to pay for it.

And as far as throwing the slave bit in to make it look like Americans are all horrible, the slave factor was almost completely sequestered in the lower southeastern portion of our country. It was a disgusting situation and Americans fought and died to free those slaves and return them to individual independence.

 

[Tigerlilyrosepetal]

The lion's share... not quite. This country hands so much out to other countries even though we are trillions in debt and truly in danger of losing our money's value if this ship isn't righted. We need to shed the Santa Claus image and only deal with true, acute humanitarian needs.

Heaven forbid, if Australia came under attack by enemy forces, who do you think would rush to provide protection and armed forces to help save your country? The United States would rush to assist without hesitation. This aid to other countries helps deplete the coffers but it is the type of help we are known for and will continue.

I agree with you and yet what stuck me first about this post is the resentment towards Americans. It’s really sad. But people will take our aid and support, especially military support if they ever were threatened. I served and have children who do.
For me to hear people bash America (being critical is another thing as it sparks thought and is welcome to democracy), by our “allies” in other countries, is so tough and when we would stand up and help others where needed.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

America has used it's power to manipulate the world, so Americans get more, better and cheaper everything.
We're at the top of the food chain.
Nice for us, bad for others.

Not fair.
Not nice.

You really believe that? You believe countries in Europe and Mediterranean have a poor standard of living? If one thinks the USA is at the top of the food chain I believe they may be delusional. This country is in DEBT up to it's ears because of it's handouts. I truly don't understand why citizens here who hate this country and feel it is evil just don't move on and find their really true genuine home somewhere else.

 

[missy]

I agree with you and yet what stuck me first about this post is the resentment towards Americans. It’s really sad. But people will take our aid and support, especially military support if they ever were threatened. I served and have children who do.
For me to hear people bash America (being critical is another thing as it sparks thought and is welcome to democracy), by our “allies” in other countries, is so tough and when we would stand up and help others where needed.

Entitlement
It’s a virus infecting so many

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

If only he was only “his own” worst enemy.
We have TWO countries whose leaders are only not in jail because they’re in office.
So sad.
And current leaders of our country overseas meeting with far right neo Nazis in Germany.

Yesterday.

Nothing to see here. Gulf of Distraction ????

I suggest turning the channel. There was persecution by the press and lawyers of this leader during his last term. Terrible, nasty and illegal attempts to discredit that party.

Have you even begun to follow what is actually trying to be accomplished? Have you seen any of the financial mismanagement that has been discovered? Is lightning speed being used... yes and for good reason. Much can be tampered with prior to investigation if speed isn't used.

And I would much rather have a brilliant 25 year old working in the capacity of researching fraud than a demented 82 year old leading my country any day. We need to have people outside the elected group perform this research. There are so many people receiving cash and benefits from the bloated government pig that it's ridiculous.

The United States is in an untenable situation financially. The government has continued to spend like their ain't no tomorrow and there are so many unnecessary people eating off the public hog right now that it is sickening. Don't forget our president who promised to pay for ACA from all the fraud in the system that they were going to recover and it never happened. They couldn't get past the elected officials with their efforts.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

I'm a man and I don't mind the meme. It's kind of on the nose.

But I hate the expression "toxic masculinity" -- as if it were some qualified version of actual masculinity. It's just being an a$$hole. Why did we need a new name for that? It has nothing whatsoever to do with what it means to be a man. In my ancestral culture, to "be a man" means to do the right thing. Not to be a bully or belittle others or take advantage of your stature or influence.

I mind the meme for my husband and our sons. Egos abound everywhere and we shouldn't forget that. But why are men always being targeted and women painted as saints? You and I know that women are close to sainthood but not quite...

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

I mean....

Here's the thing.

First, The Gulf of Mexico isn't part only of the US' coastline, not in the slightest.

Second, there's international law, treaties and strict rules on how much of the water next to the land belongs to each respective country. The rest is international waters, and international waters belong to no one.

To assume or even imply that the entire Gulf of Mexico is territorial waters to the US would be the very definition of being arrogant, if not grossly misinformed.

The Gulf of Mexico does not belong to the US.

This is precisely why the executive order for renaming it to Gulf of America only applies in the US - because that's all the power it has. It can force your domestic agencies and other government bodies to call it that. Nothing more.

If at this point you don't see how this exercise in "dominion" isn't laughable to almost everyone on the outside (and by the looks of it, to many on the inside as well), I would suspect that you're looking at this situation through very vividly rose tinted glasses.

It's not "dominion", it's a name for an area of water which surrounds a great deal of America. Don't lose sight of the fact that at one time Mexico renamed it for their country.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

That would’ve been awesome. Except it would have been totally impossible….the thought of riddi;g the world of these heinous terrorists is enticing. But given the realities, impossible. The reaction from Israel was expected. We now have an entire generation of kids who will hate the other side till they die.

The leaders of Israel had the responsibility to protect their citizens. The failure was monumental. Where was the army? Who was asleep at the wheel??
I think many people were sold a bill of goods. The US isn’t in a position to directly impact events in Israel as much as people might think. We really need to look to the leaders of Israel for that.
I have a lot of skin in this - it’s not academic for me. Leaders on BOTH SIDES benefit from savage actions. This has led to forcing moderate people on both sides to become justifiably more angry.
It was so very convenient - and easy - to then blame the former US administration. Perfect storm. Wonder how Muslims in Michigan feel about their votes now that the talk is about getting rid of the people who lived there and turning Gaza into a “big beautiful resort”?
From my perspective the best interest of Israel is a stable US presence in the world.
Speaking of that- what’s that take on prohibiting the largest news organization from the world because they refuse to call it Gulf of America? It is the First Amendment for a reason. Freedom of the press. Losing that scares the heck out of me….
@missy. I wish I could borrow some of your hope. Many of us are terrified watching what’s going on right now

Terrified of what? It's just as it was described earlier... let the Palestinians return to Gaza which brings Hamas with Iranian support and urging so that in 5-10 years we all watch the same violence only perhaps with nuclear weapons supplied to Hamas.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

 

[missy]

Terrified of what? It's just as it was described earlier... let the Palestinians return to Gaza which brings Hamas with Iranian support and urging so that in 5-10 years we all watch the same violence only perhaps with nuclear weapons supplied to Hamas.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

Spot on…that is exactly what will happen. And let’s not forget the USA is next. That is not a secret. Why can’t people grasp this?

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

IMO you should .. well not so much you personally ... but for those Americans who preceded you.

I've never been a slave owner.
............... but I recognize and acknowledge that I benefit from the warm & comfy financial legacy that, particularly white, Americans enjoy as a legacy of slavery.

So your family was from the deep South during the slavery period? Most Americans have no connection to those miserable days other than to fight the war against it but I know there must be a few descendants out there.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

Spot on…that is exactly what will happen. And let’s not forget the USA is next. That is not a secret. Why can’t people grasp this?

Exactly, there are a few desperate countries whose only goal is to cause the demise of the USA and even using social media to poison citizens against our own country. My concern is that this evil may have already crossed the border and is taking their measured time to cause great harm here.

 

[seaurchin]

The sources I've found vary a bit but it seems the USA is about 5%(?) of the world's population but consumes about 25%(?) of the world's resources.

I didn't do any big research project but was unable to find what percentage of those resources come from other countries, as opposed to actually being from the USA. Does anyone know or have solid sources for the estimates on this issue?

 

[missy]

Exactly, there are a few desperate countries whose only goal is to cause the demise of the USA and even using social media to poison citizens against our own country. My concern is that this evil may have already crossed the border and is taking their measured time to cause great harm here.

Unfortunately it already has crossed the border. It's infected numerous cities. The thing is, they are very clever. And in it for the long game. They have been infiltrating us for decades. Starting at the university level brainwashing students and professors and getting their own people ingrained into the system and running with it. Is it too late? I don't think so. But we have a lot of work to do. A LOT. Or yes it will our demise. That's the thing I don't understand. How willfully ignorant must one be not to see what is in front of them? How easily brainwashed the masses are. It's terrifying. I mean their plan is no secret. They are proud and loud and have made their intentions quite clear yet somehow Americans just won't believe what is right in front of them. I've spent the last 16 months feeling like I am in the worst episode of "Black Mirror" ever. Or a never-ending very bad episode of "The Twilight Zone"

 

[Rockdiamond]

Terrified of what?

We’re living either on the precipice or actually in a dictatorship right now.
Banning news organizations because he doesn’t like what they’re writing?
Releasing people who committed violence because it was done for his benefit??
Installing unqualified people in key positions only because they are loyal to him rather than our constitution?
This has no precedent-from the left or the right.
I wish I had your confidence in Elon Musk. A government is not a car company- Tesla are horrible cars anyway.
He’s an apartheid loving South African.
The irony of him saying how unelected bureaucrats are running our country …..
These are thousands of dedicated civil servants versus the richest man in the world. The notion that he cares about normal Americans is just….wow.
Yes , waste needs to be trimmed. Thank goodness they stopped sending $50mil in condoms to Gaza!!!
Oh wait, that was a lie intended to fool people.
Speaking of people….so what exactly happens to 2million Gazans?
Kill then all???

 

[Rockdiamond]

I mean look at the former administration and all the pardoning of his family members who are indeed criminals

I doubt you have nearly as much scorn over Joe as I do.
His Justice Department was so incorruptible they prosecuted the son of POTUS. The MORON didn’t have the sense to answer “No comment “ instead of “I will not pardon my son”.
Tax evasion and lying on a gun form. That’s the big criminal - and the taxes were paid.
Stupidity
I just don’t see how that compares to what we’re facing now.

 

[Rockdiamond]

@Sunrises Sunsets - I mean no disrespect- we both love our country. My fears are based on living here my whole life and watching what’s happening right now.
Apparently they re- hired the guys watching our nukes. Yipee!
We’re in great danger.
Many of our fellow citizens-and others living here- are now living in abject fear.
This has never happened before.
People very close to me afraid to take the train because of ICE raids. People here legally.

 

[Lookinagain]

So your family was from the deep South during the slavery period? Most Americans have no connection to those miserable days other than to fight the war against it but I know there must be a few descendants out there.

Just to be historically accurate, slavery was legal in all of the colonies, it's just that the north started abolishing it first. Some very early. It was abolished in MA in 1780, NY in the very early 1800's etc. So there are probably some descendants of slave owners out there in many states.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

We’re living either on the precipice or actually in a dictatorship right now.
Banning news organizations because he doesn’t like what they’re writing?
Releasing people who committed violence because it was done for his benefit??
Installing unqualified people in key positions only because they are loyal to him rather than our constitution?
This has no precedent-from the left or the right.
I wish I had your confidence in Elon Musk. A government is not a car company- Tesla are horrible cars anyway.
He’s an apartheid loving South African.
The irony of him saying how unelected bureaucrats are running our country …..
These are thousands of dedicated civil servants versus the richest man in the world. The notion that he cares about normal Americans is just….wow.
Yes , waste needs to be trimmed. Thank goodness they stopped sending $50mil in condoms to Gaza!!!
Oh wait, that was a lie intended to fool people.
Speaking of people….so what exactly happens to 2million Gazans?
Kill then all???

**Edited by moderator, NO directly political comments or they will be removed**

Banning news organizations... you mean the way social media totally banned posts from anything that wasn't close to the left agenda for so many years?
Releasing people who committed violence... are you referring to the despicable, large number of prisoners who were pardoned by the departing leader recently which left victims and their families reeling?
Installing unqualified people in key positions... are we talking about the 2020-2024 border czar?
I do have confidence in Elon Musk. At this financial precipice on which the USA is balancing, we need intelligent, successful people vs the unqualified people currently elected who need to appease their constituents with handouts.
So many people love their Teslas. Please share your automobile brand and we will do our best to tell you how horrible that brand is to most.
Have you seen the information regarding all the Hamas tunnels under Gaza? It's unbelievable and if one thinks that any Israeli citizen is safe from attack, they aren't thinking clearly.
Have you also seen the devastation in Gaza with no electricity, water, infrastructure or working sewer systems. Have you seen the amount of demolition and disposal of debris that needs to take place? Are you suggesting the Palestinians should be placed back in Gaza now and removed from supporting countries? I think someone is looking out for the Gaza residents when considering what needs to happen next. Seeking the support of surrounding countries for the Gazan's seems like a good idea to me but not to others.

Why would you want to kill all the Gaza citizens??

 

[Lookinagain]

Yes, we should pay the VAT for imports (we already pay sales taxes) too and that would discourage Americans from buying outside our country. Keeps job and critical supplies in the USA so we are not subject to the whims of another country supplying us with prescription medications, steel, etc.
,

But that VAT, if modeled after say the EU, would apply to domestic and imported goods. So you're advocating for a national type sales tax on top of the the state sales tax? Because again, VATs are consumption taxes and apply to all goods, domestic or imported. If you are saying it should only be paid on imported goods, then that is really a tariff, not a VAT.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

Just to be historically accurate, slavery was legal in all of the colonies, it's just that the north started abolishing it first. Some very early. It was abolished in MA in 1780, NY in the very early 1800's etc. So there are probably some descendants of slave owners out there in many states.

The colonies may have been infested but there is a whole, beautiful country beyond that point that wanted nothing to do with it and didn't.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

But that VAT, if modeled after say the EU, would apply to domestic and imported goods. So you're advocating for a national type sales tax on top of the the state sales tax? Because again, VATs are consumption taxes and apply to all goods, domestic or imported. If you are saying it should only be paid on imported goods, then that is really a tariff, not a VAT.

To clarify, America should only apply VAT to imports into America for leveling purposes.

 

[ShinyPink]

Well, this just reminds me that cultists are gonna cult.

 

[Lookinagain]

Banning news organizations... you mean the way social media totally banned posts from anything that wasn't close to the left agenda for so many years?

This is apples and oranges. Social media companies are private. They aren't bound by the First Amendment. The government is.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

Unfortunately it already has crossed the border. It's infected numerous cities. The thing is, they are very clever. And in it for the long game. They have been infiltrating us for decades. Starting at the university level brainwashing students and professors and getting their own people ingrained into the system and running with it. Is it too late? I don't think so. But we have a lot of work to do. A LOT. Or yes it will our demise. That's the thing I don't understand. How willfully ignorant must one be not to see what is in front of them? How easily brainwashed the masses are. It's terrifying. I mean their plan is no secret. They are proud and loud and have made their intentions quite clear yet somehow Americans just won't believe what is right in front of them. I've spent the last 16 months feeling like I am in the worst episode of "Black Mirror" ever. Or a never-ending very bad episode of "The Twilight Zone"

OMG, you get it, not many do.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

This is apples and oranges. Social media companies are private. They aren't bound by the First Amendment. The government is.

You must not have heard how some popular social media sites were strong armed and some simply went along with the wishes of the "party".

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

Well, this just reminds me that cultists are gonna cult.

It is frightening, isn't it? Missy's post puts a finger right on the problem and they say most Republics last about 200 years. The interior tearing of ours has begun, I'm afraid.

 

[Lookinagain]

The colonies may have been infested but there is a whole, beautiful country beyond that point that wanted nothing to do with it and didn't.

Well, again, just to be accurate, as the country expanded beyond the original 13 colonies, some of the newer states were also slave states. Missouri was one. It was given statehood as a slave state and the quid pro quo was that Maine (formerly part of Massachusetts) would be admitted as a free state.

 

[Rockdiamond]

**Edited by moderator, NO directly political comments or they will be removed**

Im no defender of the prior administration but if it was a dictatorship, how did we vote it out?
If you believe the words he told us. Dictator on day one
Never need to vote again

Were you watching TV on 1/6?