lloyd christmas

Thanks for the response Pooter. I’m not one to get into internet arguments or go back and forth with people online. But, I’ll respond. I honestly wasn’t trying to compare one side vs the other, I was simply trying to point out that there is some interesting science behind the manipulation of large groups of people through politicians and the media and that there are real negative, tangible consequences because of the manipulation and herd mentality. With that said, I’m struggling to see how pizzagate, Obama birtherism, wind turbines cause cancer, the war on Christmas, satanic panic, or immigrants eating dogs are anything other than silly clickbait. Those headlines have not had a tangible negative effect on our society. The other examples you listed have had more tangible negative effects on us. Americans died because of gross mismanagement and poor decision making by those in charge in Benghazi, much like the exit from Afghanistan. Vaccines may or may not cause autism, however the truth is coming out about the vaccines. And it’s not good. Stop the steal references the 2020 election. We should all be aware of how big tech, social media, legacy media, politicians and Hollywood coordinated to suppress one side of the political aisle while ignoring true scandals by the other including the laptop and the pay to play schemes the Biden's were involved in. Hindsight is 20/20 and the truth always comes out. Hillary’s emails and the facts surrounding that fiasco exposed the double standards in the legal system between regular people and those in power. That’s tangible and factual. You and I would have been locked up for what she did. BLM marches and the associated violence based on policing lies caused real destruction as well as setting race relations back. Trans issues are very real. The massive increase in the trans population needs addressed. Whoever or whatever is driving this for profit scheme needs exposed. There are endless young people being physically altered permanently because of it. Jews are being harassed and now in at least one example killed over violent rhetoric on college campuses. Yes, groupthink is an issue on both sides. No doubt about it. I’m interested in the science behind it. That’s all my original post was meant to highlight.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading/listening/watching content discussing the science of manipulating people’s brains to create “social mania”. In the last 10-15 years there have been countless examples of the herd believing and amplifying whatever the new mania is overnight. Some examples being the #metoo movement, BLM, systemic racism, Covid lockdowns, Nazi’s, trans, Biden’s cognitive ability, Russia Russia Russia, etc. It really is fascinating to read how the media and politicians exploit the natural instincts in human beings to fear things and in turn negatively react to emotional stimulus. It is pure propaganda and it is extremely effective. Dan Crenshaw (who I don’t care for) did a podcast with Arthur C Brooks about it. I’ve linked it below. It’s a fantastic listen and worth the hour and a half of your time. Lionel Shriver has written extensively about this as well. I’ve posted a link to one of her articles. The problem is, there are real negative effects on our society and how we interact with each other. Police officers have been killed due to policing hoaxes, 2 people were just shot and killed in DC by a guy shouting Free Palestine, Trump was nearly assassinated, etc. The endless race hysteria has created “black fatigue” which hurts race relations. At the very least, this mess puts people in boxes and those that believe the hysteria rarely, if ever admit they fell for the hoax. “a social frenzy seldom subsides because its agitators announce they were addled, just as the masses of ordinary people caught up in the derangement seldom acknowledge having been led astray. Everyone simply moves on, only to become consumed by something else.” - Lionel Shriver. We see this time and time again with people on this very board. People leave or never post again rather than admit they were wrong. Those that stay, often double or triple down on their opinions even when faced with the eventual historical truth. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hold-these-truths-with-dan-crenshaw/id1498149200?i=1000634300667 https://unherd.com/2024/04/how-to-spot-the-next-mania/

The machine did its very best to put us through some alternate reality regarding the whole Biden affair. That level of coordination and manipulation perpetrated on the American people will hopefully never be seen again. I’m glad the truth is coming out so we can all see what is being exposed. I don’t believe the democrat party or legacy media will have significant influence any time soon because of it. Progressives and their politics are just an annoyance for the vast majority of the country. That’s why their favorability numbers are so historically low. Something else will be born out of those ashes for sure and we will see what it becomes. Hopefully, level headed democrats will form something to counter the republicans and we can have a semi functioning government again. I am sure this will come across as insensitive and too early, but I am not excited about watching the machine paint Biden as a saint when he goes, and I’m betting he goes quickly after this diagnosis.

Your moral superiority cup runneth over today. bravo

https://babylonbee.com/news/cnn-reports-behind-closed-doors-pope-is-focused-sharp-and-energetic

Dems can’t stop picking the losing side. They just can’t help themselves.

We will see how well this post ages. There will be a lot happening between now and then. For the elderly or those about to retire, I’m sure the markets are extremely stressful right now. For me, I feel a strange sense of peace now. Not because I trust this administration more than another, but because I’ve watched all the various internet and media driven hysterical narratives just fall apart year after year. Our society is completely divided culturally. On one side there is reality and on the other there is an emotionally driven, hyperbolic, hateful and easily manipulated side. A side that allows itself to continue to be manipulated. That goes for both sides of the aisle. The economy will be just fine. I’m betting it will actually be much better in the end. It’s a really good time to invest in America’s markets.

Seems to me there are two different questions to ask. First, is the use of Signal approved for this level of classified conversation between these specific people (minus the reporter)? If it is approved, then that part of the story is now moot. If it is not approved, these guys have a massive problem and should be punished to the full extent Second, how did a journalist get on the thread? This was clearly maliciously done or was gross careless negligence. Seems to me that this is the real issue.

Admittedly, I’m not well versed on tax policy or law. When I hear/read these arguments about the 1% paying more, corporations paying more or Bezos not paying a fair share etc, I always wonder why a company like Amazon is not looked at in totality. How much do they pay in excise taxes on gas for cars and aircraft, property taxes, income taxes generated by employing thousands of people, SSN/FICA/Medicare, sales tax on what they purchase, sales tax paid on their products by the consumer who buys their products, etc? I guess I’m missing something because it seems like a guy like Bezos is generating untold amounts of tax revenue for both the local and federal governments.

https://victorhanson.com/mythologies-about-musk/

https://www.yahoo.com/news/david-hogg-becomes-democratic-national-223229111.html https://babylonbee.com/news/to-announce-theyve-given-up-completely-dnc-selects-david-hogg-as-vice-chair

Moderators, we have a Name, Image and Likeness violation here. Nobody asked if they could use my image.

The idea that the AF is trying to erase the history of or not teach about the Tuskegee Airmen is one of the most ridiculous stories I’ve ever read. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at the number of people I know that have bought into this garbage. The amount of laziness it takes to fall for something like this is astounding. The AF literally has at least two current units that I know of that have a direct lineage to the Tuskegee Airmen. The Alabama Air Guard F-35 unit has a tail painted red. Those units represent and honor the service and sacrifice of the Tuskegee Airmen every day. And we all should honor them. Their story is one of the most powerful and inspiring stories in the history of our USAF. There is a huge difference in getting rid of DEI curriculum that discussed the Tuskegee Airmen and trying to erase their history. It’s not hard to understand with just a minimal amount of effort.

Good lord. Please stop with this dumb ass nazi talk.

The left and the power structure associated with it knows that the truth will come out. And it’ll be sooner than later. Pardons don’t prevent investigations or info from being released they just prevent charging someone for their crimes. Let the truth come out. All of it. We just witnessed the most destructive 4 years in our nations history, politically speaking. Today it all changes. Let’s get to work rebuilding this nation.

A lot of officer perspective here. I’m not in any way excusing the behavior of out of control SNCOs. I can’t stand it either and I have to work constantly to squash it in my orbit. I would add context though. SNCOs are stuck in the middle. On one hand, they have to deal with immature, hard to communicate with, uneducated and honestly weird junior airmen. They are doing their best to motivate them, lead them and accomplish the mission. Correcting the small stuff is often necessary to keep younger troops in line. If you don’t, they will take advantage of you. It’s like parenting. It is extremely challenging. On the other hand, they must answer to officers. Some officers have fun getting under the skin of SNCOs. See @HossHarris post above. That is literally the worst advice I’ve ever read in dealing with a SNCO. Especially, a competent one. Relationships are built on trust and respect. It goes both ways. If you want to have success dealing with someone who is correcting your socks or asking where your reflective belt is, then sit down privately and talk to them. Ask them why they perceive whatever they’re doing as a priority. You may be surprised by their answer. And you’ll be able to speak to your perspective as well. You’ll probably find there was no reason to “not be afraid to be an officer” or “pretend you didn’t know a rule existed”. You just didn’t have the complete story. If you find that a NCO or SNCO was directed to prioritize something ridiculous, then chase that lead down and have a convo with commanders or other senior leaders to get their perspective. That is how blind spots are exposed allowing them to be corrected. Just the thoughts of an old crusty SNCO.

Didn’t he resign from congress? And he’s no longer the nominee for attorney general right? So, he’s now just another citizen? What is there to talk about?

They are what they accuse you of. Especially, the threat to democracy part.

This is the way to handle it. No prosecutions but complete transparency. Beat them at their game. The public deserves to know the truth.

Biden didn't pardon Hunter. He pardoned himself. I’m confident the Bidens are easily one of the most corrupt families in the history of this country. Hopefully, when history writes itself, the truth and evidence come out. These people make me sick. I hope they pay. Even if it is just in the history books.

Did you incorporate a category for chicks that get pregnant in Panama City? Gotta account for the Cayden’s and Jayden’s of the world.

Not a prediction just an observation. I’m not big on social media. I only have a FB account. I started the account years ago when I taught at the FTU. It was a tool to keep in touch with my students including my international students. I am also a military brat so I have connected with folks from my childhood who live all around the country in places I lived growing up. I see their opinions on this election. I see the questions they ask and the people that respond to their posts. I see an overwhelming push for Trump. It could mean something or I could be way off base. Again, not a prediction just an observation. I also recognize that the media is the largest part of the machine. The media arm of the machine wants ratings and money. They have no interest in reporting the truth. They will frame this election as “tied” to get ratings whether it’s leaning one way or the other. Gotta have people glued to their feeds/TV.

Our OG/CCs dad was in the Triple Nickel during Vietnam. He’s still with us although he’s not doing well and is confined to a wheel chair. He’s a proud member of the 555th club. His son, our OG/CC carries his dad’s green polka dotted scarf with him on every flight. Has for his entire 33 year flying career. Cheers!

Interesting take on current events. Worth the watch.

Why are you guys even debating this? The 2 party system and our voting process isn’t going anywhere. It’s the superhighway to keeping those in the deep state in power.