From NY Times:

Trump Says He Will Order T.S.A. Agents Paid as Funding Deal Stalls

Apparently he could have signed an emergency order weeks ago.

The news doesn't have enough minorities in tears this week, so he's getting ICE back to what they know.

Among many things the current administration is unable to grasp is the fact that America isn't the only nation being proud of who they are, how much being bombed unites a nation and their history and who they're dealing with now - a nation with thousands years of tradition, heirs of the Persian Fucking Empire who don't have to worry about elections and can and (my prediction) will wait any bombardment out. I know it's repeated so many times it beyond cliche now but it's staggering how ignorant they are.


On the other hand: if we look at this purely as en Epstein files cover-up it's been a massive success so far.

I keep seeing these clips of Joe Rogan earnestly criticizing the Trump administration. And yeah, obviously the dude enabled his second win and is kind of the number one voice in the manosphere that tipped him into winning the popular vote. He's very culpable for the whole thing.

But I can't help but wonder at his turn. There's a simple critique that he's a disingenuous influencer catching likes and follows on whatever side of the divide he thinks he'll find them. But I think a more interesting (and equally troubling) read is that he actually believes everything he has said. That he is trying to understand politics, and is easily swayed because he is ridiculously naive. I think I'm tempted to see him as the indicator species for what I hope is a legion of dummies who all feel duped.

I can't actually stand to listen to him long enough to find out, but I find shifts in the political thinking of adults fascinating because they're incredibly rare.

losthighway wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2026 9:17 am I can't actually stand to listen to him long enough to find out, but I find shifts in the political thinking of adults fascinating because they're incredibly rare.

How gullible from you. He's not shifting to anything but whitewashing his responsibilities for the current state of affairs. And you're seeing them because he probably paid for it to be pushed by the algorithm.

Lu Zwei wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2026 10:55 am How gullible from you. He's not shifting to anything but whitewashing his responsibilities for the current state of affairs. And you're seeing them because he probably paid for it to be pushed by the algorithm.

losthighway wrote: There's a simple critique that he's a disingenuous influencer catching likes and follows on whatever side of the divide he thinks he'll find them.

Reading is cool man.

losthighway wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2026 11:53 am

Lu Zwei wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2026 10:55 am How gullible from you. He's not shifting to anything but whitewashing his responsibilities for the current state of affairs. And you're seeing them because he probably paid for it to be pushed by the algorithm.

losthighway wrote: There's a simple critique that he's a disingenuous influencer catching likes and follows on whatever side of the divide he thinks he'll find them.

Reading is cool man.

Nah, nah, can't bother to learn. But, I still don't think you got it right.

Although I recognize that everything is about them likes and engagement, I would still stand by my initial response. This is about clinging to any possible way to the right side of history after inflicting pain on so many people by getting the worst of the worst in power.

He's worth, what, half a bill? I think he's good on the engagement front.

Lu Zwei wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2026 12:05 pm

losthighway wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2026 11:53 am

Lu Zwei wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2026 10:55 am How gullible from you. He's not shifting to anything but whitewashing his responsibilities for the current state of affairs. And you're seeing them because he probably paid for it to be pushed by the algorithm.

losthighway wrote: There's a simple critique that he's a disingenuous influencer catching likes and follows on whatever side of the divide he thinks he'll find them.

Reading is cool man.

Nah, nah, can't bother to learn. But, I still don't think you got it right.

Although I recognize that everything is about them likes and engagement, I would still stand by my initial response. This is about clinging to any possible way to the right side of history after inflicting pain on so many people by getting the worst of the worst in power.

He's worth, what, half a bill? I think he's good on the engagement front.

I actually think that's a possible, maybe even probable read on Rogan. I bristle because you had such a poor read on me. I was musing skeptically, hard to be gullible in that mode.

Presuming positive intentions, you're not trying to be a dick, and I'm obviously not fawning over the bro.

Really the take on Rogan comes down to how much of an idiot vs how saavy he actually is. That's what was interesting enough about it for me to bring him up.

Co-worker had to fly last week. Coming through security in Phoenix she was singled out for secondary inspection, which consisted of a pat down from a TSA person and then an ICE agent literally turning her carry-on upside down, which ended up breaking a candle she had just bought. He said, "Oh, I'm sooo sorry," to which she replied, "Well, my expectations were pretty fucking low," and she said she could see in his eyes that he was deciding just how much it would be worth it to really mess up her day. Proud of her.

iembalm wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2026 7:22 pm Co-worker had to fly last week. Coming through security in Phoenix she was singled out for secondary inspection, which consisted of a pat down from a TSA person and then an ICE agent literally turning her carry-on upside down, which ended up breaking a candle she had just bought. He said, "Oh, I'm sooo sorry," to which she replied, "Well, my expectations were pretty fucking low," and she said she could see in his eyes that he was deciding just how much it would be worth it to really mess up her day. Proud of her.

I hope the broken candle was worth knowing the agent's constant state of humiliation.