It's interesting this week. I get the sense from rogue GOP senators who are reckless enough to murmur about some actions being slightly less than ideal, as well as new polling that Trump's post Inauguration political capital is already dwindling. I don't assume for a moment that this means everything is going to be cool now, but it does provide enough friction that we don't feel 100% lost in space. There is a ground floor somewhere.

I foolishly engage online with a dude who went full-MAGA in the last couple years. He's under the delusion that the entire project is logically justifiable and will make us all better off, so he will debate in good faith some of the bat-shit crazy stuff going on. I think I participate because I honestly don't communicate with anyone else who believes this garbage, and it helps me sort out why I believe what I believe. I bring this up because he's gone silent. After weeks of gloating, and regurgitating talking points about DEI, and fraud/waste he just doesn't seem to have as much to say. I think for anyone who's not fully idiotic cheering loudly for Trump is starting to feel like a dangerous move. On any given week he might sink the whole ship.

What's interesting in the 'psychological profile of a sick mind' kind of way, is how this affects a narcissist like Trump? Does his need to be right make him immune to all criticism? Does his complete lack of principles plus his need to be loved make him abandon ideas he once fought for at the turn of public opinion?

AttackChimp wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 1:59 pm

Frankie99 wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 1:39 pm Self Defense is not political violence. Political violence is committed by oppressors.

Next.

Some people here, in this thread, believe that self defense should be a proactive thing. Some version of Stand Your Ground, but instead of setting up a kill-zone in their front yard, they want to set fire to shit, because they feel they're politically justified to do so.

Violence is the tool of the oppressor class.

agreed. self defense is legal.
we are talking about luigi mangione and thomas crooks, not self defense.

What Luigi did was not, the right idea... Honestly I really struggle to not feel schadenfreude over that... but the worst thing about that beyond killing someone, even a Grade A Cunt, was lack of a coherent political manifesto or as a part of calling attention to a movement in a drastic way. He just got pissed off and killed someone.

Did I say how hard it is to not feel schadenfreude here...

Killing bad.

Gramsci wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 2:28 pm What Luigi did was not, the right idea... Honestly I really struggle to not feel schadenfreude over that... but the worst thing about that beyond killing someone, even a Grade A Cunt, was lack of a coherent political manifesto or as a part of calling attention to a movement in a drastic way. He just got pissed off and killed someone.

Did I say how hard it is to not feel schadenfreude here...

Killing bad.

I feel very much the same way. I find myself wishing upon a nullified jury.

I was able to pinpoint... something while talking about this MAGA vigilante justice (people stopping people who they think are immigrants, MAGAtwats attacking trans and queer people et cetera). I've noticed a trend of doxing these fuckers, but even then I felt sorry for them, for them losing jobs and being publicly ridiculed.
Fuck this "they go low, we go high" nonsense, but I guess this the fundamental difference. Some people are happy goose-stepping to Berlin while others just want everybody to get along and Kumbaya.

There was a period of a half year where outlets like CNN, MSNBC, et al were doing man-on-the-street interviews with 'MAGA voters and supporters'. Invariably these people were visibly not well. We're talking about tattoos on the face type of people. Also sick, infirm, elderly people. All types of disenfranchised folks - every type. These people were mostly victims of disease, squalor, poverty and drugs. A good majority looked like they've skipped a bunch of meals, so they can buy MAGA gear. The rest were obese and unable to walk without being winded. They even interviewed people in wheel chairs and on scooters.

I find it most disgusting, to treat people like this. To put them in front of a camera, so we can point our finger and laugh at them. It's not right.

AttackChimp wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 1:59 pm

Frankie99 wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 1:39 pm Self Defense is not political violence. Political violence is committed by oppressors.

Next.

Some people here, in this thread, believe that self defense should be a proactive thing. Some version of Stand Your Ground, but instead of setting up a kill-zone in their front yard, they want to set fire to shit, because they feel they're politically justified to do so.

Violence is the tool of the oppressor class.

I don’t know if you’re referring to referring to me here, but the people I have hoped things happen to have all been people who already have the blood of others on their hands, and have massive amounts of power and legal protection so there are no other options when it comes to preventing them from causing further harm. I’m so, so fucking sick of what they are doing not counted as “violence” simply because they are backed by a powerful state that claims a monopoly on it

As for quips like “violence being the tool of the oppressor class”, tell that to anyone throughout history involved in slave rebellions or fighting those enacting genocide. I know a lot of people like to define “violence” in particular ways that exclude the “actions of good ones they approve of [almost always in hindsight]” but I much prefer to stay consistent with it describing actions and not treat it like a dirty word with infused negative moral weight.

If you're defining self defense in the legal terms the US uses, I want to be clear, that's not the definition I'm using. It seems like that's an easy out to a bullshit version of pacifism where the oppressed suffer worse.

Frankie99 wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 4:14 pm If you're defining self defense in the legal terms the US uses, I want to be clear, that's not the definition I'm using. It seems like that's an easy out to a bullshit version of pacifism where the oppressed suffer worse.

We own the Laws. The people. It's time we started acting like it.

I have called for very, very extreme measures, all falling short of violence. The violent ruling class have relinquished their claim to be human. They need to have their assets seized, they need to be locked up for their crimes against us, and they need to be forgotten entirely. 'Billionaire' and 'wealthy' should no longer be value-neutral terms - they should burn in your belly with disgust.