The New Lounge

[KDSTONE]

Nobody has dismissed anything about the border and trafficking....my premise was that much more is going on before any arrival and I wasn't opposed to info shared in regards to possibilities once here.....in regards to Covid and Fox being right....right about what?

You weren’t “opposed to info” shared in regards to “possibilities”? I could have sworn you asked for evidence. It was provided and you still use language like ‘probably’ and ‘possibility’. There’s no debate as to whether child trafficking has occurred for at least twenty years. The only serious discussion to be had is the degree to which it increased during the Biden years.
https://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrelease/21st-sw-grand-jury-releases-shocking-report?Open=

 

[Mac9192]

@BOOGIEMAN1914 Fox was right that we were lied to about Covid. It was never dismissed that the virus wasn’t real, so let me get that out of the way. They were the only major news outlet that exposed just how dirty Fauci was. He should be in Prison.
Fox News also exposed many of our political leaders, like how they were telling the people they represented to stay home while they frolicked around not wearing masks. Fox also talked about how kids in school had been screwed over. I mean our poor kids got the shaft.
They also covered how doctors were being silenced, not allowed to offer any other medications to treat the virus. Medications that were later said to be of great benefit to fight Covid.

Need I say more? Oh yeah, the masks were a joke. So was having to wear it to a restaurant, then take it off when you sat at your table.

Fox isn’t always right, but they have a much higher batting average when you compare it to their opposition, and it’s not even close. The other major outlets couldn’t hit sand if they fell off a camel.

 

[DuckDevil]

Great idea, Mr. President! Since gas prices are already back to $4 a gallon because of your failure in the now illegal war with Iran, we should now also stack on even more taxes… I mean tariffs, to ensure that prices explode right before the midterms. The Supreme Court has already ruled that these types of tariffs are illegal, so American taxpayers can also look forward to footing the bill when the courts strike these down as well. I’m sure your friends probably cash in the refunds anyway. The American people are sure to love this!

 

[KDSTONE]

@BOOGIEMAN1914 Fox was right that we were lied to about Covid. It was never dismissed that the virus wasn’t real, so let me get that out of the way. They were the only major news outlet that exposed just how dirty Fauci was. He should be in Prison.
Fox News also exposed many of our political leaders, like how they were telling the people they represented to stay home while they frolicked around not wearing masks. Fox also talked about how kids in school had been screwed over. I mean our poor kids got the shaft.
They also covered how doctors were being silenced, not allowed to offer any other medications to treat the virus. Medications that were later said to be of great benefit to fight Covid.

Need I say more? Oh yeah, the masks were a joke. So was having to wear it to a restaurant, then take it off when you sat at your table.

Fox isn’t always right, but they have a much higher batting average when you compare it to their opposition, and it’s not even close. The other major outlets couldn’t hit sand if they fell off a camel.

Who knew one day our old pal Fourteen44 would be free lancing for the Cato Institute? Seriously though an interesting read. Sweden was even criticized by Trump for their lax approach to Covid: elementary schools and businesses remained open, no mask mandates. However, Secondary schools moved online and the size of public gatherings was limited. Visits to nursing homes restricted.
When the smoke cleared a few years later, while Sweden was hit harder than neighbors at the onset of the pandemic, in the end other countries’ more draconian approaches didn’t prevent deaths but delayed them. Sweden ended up with half the mortality rate of the US and most of Europe while enduring a fraction of the economic, social, and educational pain. Young students didn’t suffer a year of learning loss. Businesses weren’t devastated. In most of the Western world, while lockdowns seemed prudent in the spring of 20, they simply went on for far too long. Most Swedish citizens voluntarily adapted to sensible social distancing; still going to work, but eschewing trips to the pub and other indoor gatherings. In the US, it could be argued that our govt’ s response to Covid caused far more harm than the disease itself. At the onset, erring on the side of caution was wise, but Fauci refused to change course as we learned that outdoor transmission is rare, masks are marginally effective, six feet is an arbitrary not magical distance to prevent transmission.

https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/sweden-during-pandemic#swedens-strategy

Trump: Sweden paying ‘heavily’ for not locking down nation

President Trump defended his decision to support social distancing measures and states that have implemented stay-at-home orders on Thursday, pointing to coronavirus deaths in Sweden, which ha…

thehill.com

Trump is parroting the prevailing wisdom of the time here, but lockdowns didn’t prevent deaths but delayed them. He also failed to mention that Sweden’s Covid rates were still lower than most of Europe’s at the time. Most countries didn’t base their lockdowns on science but on following the herd. Following a manufactured consensus provides political cover and a false sense of security, but did little to change health outcomes excluding the elderly and those with preexisting conditions esp. cardiovascular

 

[Mac9192]

I understand how there was a lot of fear, especially early on, with Covid. The issue I have is that after several months, stuff just didn't add up to what we were being told. I don't think Trump handled it as well as he should, but in his defense, he's no doctor, and was given bad advice by those who were supposed to be the experts. His testicles were in a sling, so to speak.

Here's my hot take: I don't think Covid would have happened had Trump not been in office.

 

[DuckDevil]

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

I understand how there was a lot of fear, especially early on, with Covid. The issue I have is that after several months, stuff just didn't add up to what we were being told. I don't think Trump handled it as well as he should, but in his defense, he's no doctor, and was given bad advice by those who were supposed to be the experts. His testicles were in a sling, so to speak.

Here's my hot take: I don't think Covid would have happened had Trump not been in office.

A whole Global Pandemic was launched, just because of who the President of the USA was...????

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

You weren’t “opposed to info” shared in regards to “possibilities”? I could have sworn you asked for evidence. It was provided and you still use language like ‘probably’ and ‘possibility’. There’s no debate as to whether child trafficking has occurred for at least twenty years. The only serious discussion to be had is the degree to which it increased during the Biden years.
https://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrelease/21st-sw-grand-jury-releases-shocking-report?Open=

Wow, asking for some evidence or light on someone on a message boards typed words..???

 

[KDSTONE]

Wow, asking for some evidence or light on someone on a message boards typed words..???

Have no idea what that means. All I know is you literally asked for evidence then seemed to pat yourself on the back for being openminded to consider the possibility of being wrong only to repeatedly ignore evidence that did in fact show you were wrong

 

[DuckDevil]

The cycle continues.

Republicans destroy the economy and balloon the national debt through their policies. Democrats get elected. Democrats begin to clean up the mess, but not fast enough for voters. Republicans regain power. Then they once again damage the economy and balloon the national debt. Democrats regain power…

 

[Mac9192]

A whole Global Pandemic was launched, just because of who the President of the USA was...????

Yep. America is the head honcho, and Trump had America rocking. Remember they have tried killing him two times, have tried impeaching him, have tried getting him convicted of bogus charges... He wasn't like the former leaders before him. A big problem he had once elected was being surrounded by weasels, and many on his own side. DC is a swamp, and has been for decades. I know this is hard to hear, and it sounds off the wall... but a lot of that is you've been conditioned what to believe, and who to believe. Read that line again.

Just like @Ghost of Dattier never hearing of the movie Sound of Freedom. That's because the circle he runs with, and where he gets his info from don't dare talk of something like that. It would hurt their narrative, and if they were to give it a little credit, that would be admitting that we need to do a better job at the border, for starters. Think about this: Your side tried diminishing a movie that was bringing awareness to an awful thing that happens to children and teenage girls. They did, and you should be pissed.

I used to think the only bad people were the Democrats. I'm not happy with a lot of Republicans, but your side has become clinically insane. Look no further than @DuckDevil. If I was you, I'd want no association with anyone like that as a part of the side I supported.

 

[Ghost of Dattier]

Only someone as low as you would say the movie Sound of Freedom is highly fictionalized.

Nothing about this movie is political, but the left demonized it as soon as it was released, and you did because I brought it up.

Why?

It is based on a true story. It is not a documentary. It is highly fictionalized. Nothing but facts in what I said.

It is very politicized. It was made by a Christian-specific film company, directed by a man often criticized for preachiness. It stars Jim Caviezel, a known conservative Catholic who opposes not just abortion, but even embryonic stem cell research. He chooses films he acts in based on his faith. He has also referenced Q-Anon.

I told you I'd never heard of it before you mentioned it yesterday.

 

[KDSTONE]

I’ve never been impressed with Vance as a politician, although I admire what he’s accomplished given where he started. Has he been in DC too long or has he always been a liar?

https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/21/politics/fact-check-vance-manufacturing-jobs

 

[Ghost of Dattier]

Just like @Ghost of Dattier never hearing of the movie Sound of Freedom. That's because the circle he runs with, and where he gets his info from don't dare talk of something like that. It would hurt their narrative, and if they were to give it a little credit, that would be admitting that we need to do a better job at the border, for starters. Think about this: Your side tried diminishing a movie that was bringing awareness to an awful thing that happens to children and teenage girls. They did, and you should be pissed.

Where do I get my info from?

 

[Mac9192]

Where do I get my info from?

By your posts, Looney Tunes

 

[Mac9192]

I’ve never been impressed with Vance as a politician, although I admire what he’s accomplished given where he started. Has he been in DC too long or has he always been a liar?

https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/21/politics/fact-check-vance-manufacturing-jobs

You may be right, but I’d want to see what he said before taking what CNN says as the truth.

 

[DuckDevil]

Yep. America is the head honcho, and Trump had America rocking. Remember they have tried killing him two times, have tried impeaching him, have tried getting him convicted of bogus charges... He wasn't like the former leaders before him. A big problem he had once elected was being surrounded by weasels, and many on his own side. DC is a swamp, and has been for decades. I know this is hard to hear, and it sounds off the wall... but a lot of that is you've been conditioned what to believe, and who to believe. Read that line again.

Just like @Ghost of Dattier never hearing of the movie Sound of Freedom. That's because the circle he runs with, and where he gets his info from don't dare talk of something like that. It would hurt their narrative, and if they were to give it a little credit, that would be admitting that we need to do a better job at the border, for starters. Think about this: Your side tried diminishing a movie that was bringing awareness to an awful thing that happens to children and teenage girls. They did, and you should be pissed.

I used to think the only bad people were the Democrats. I'm not happy with a lot of Republicans, but your side has become clinically insane. Look no further than @DuckDevil. If I was you, I'd want no association with anyone like that as a part of the side I supported.

I’ve refrained from weighing in on your current conversation because it’s a waste of time, but since you name dropped me…

People didn’t criticize Sound of Freedom because they support child trafficking. That’s such a lazy argument. They criticized it because it was built around Tim Ballard, who has a documented pattern of lying about his work, and whose own organization has publicly distanced itself from him amid legal concerns. That alone should raise questions about his credibility and that of the story being told. On top of that, Ballard has leveraged this and the film’s popularity to build a personal brand and generate significant income, which suggests what the intended purpose of the movie actually was. It makes sense that you’re drawn to this man as you’ve always had a thing for corrupt individuals who put money over everything else.

The film is also tied to figures who have promoted QAnon-associated conspiracy theories, including Jim Caviezel and Tim Ballard, which should raise concerns about the influence of conspiracy-driven narratives on its messaging and intended purpose. For many unsuspecting viewers, the movie can act as a gateway into the broader QAnon conspiracy ecosystem, subtly reinforcing ideas and narratives that extend far beyond the film itself and can lead down a very dark path.

Anti-trafficking professionals have repeatedly pointed out that this kind of sensationalized movie portrayal does real harm by misinforming the public and diverting attention from how trafficking actually happens, including the fact that the vast majority of victims are trafficked by members of their own families in this country. But I guess that doesn’t sell movie tickets quite the same way.

What’s even stranger is that you passionately defend this movie while dismissing or ignoring Trump’s well-documented association with Jeffrey Epstein and the real child sex trafficking that occurred within Epstein’s network. I wonder why. Could it be that it’s not the “right group of people” you want to villainize to fit your narrative? That your loyalty to Donald Trump will always supersede any evidence whatsoever? If you actually cared about this issue, you would be laser focused on the actual child sex trafficking ring that was uncovered and outlined in the Epstein files instead of a fictional movie, but you won’t go near that with a ten-foot pole because Trump’s name is all over the files.

And the idea that everyone who disagrees with you has simply been “conditioned” is just another way to avoid defending your claims with evidence because you’re never actually able to back up anything you say. At this point, it’s clear you’re not capable of doing that.

Who am I kidding? You probably also believe the movie Taken was an accurate portrayal of human trafficking and Inglorious Basterds was a WW2 documentary.

 

[Ghost of Dattier]

By your posts, Looney Tunes

Seriously. You always claim you know. Put up or shut up.

 

[DuckDevil]

I’ve never been impressed with Vance as a politician, although I admire what he’s accomplished given where he started. Has he been in DC too long or has he always been a liar?

https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/21/politics/fact-check-vance-manufacturing-jobs

I personally think JD Vance has always been a liar and an opportunist who will jump on whatever bandwagon he thinks will advance his career.

However, he’s caught in a vice in his current position because no one in the administration is ever allowed to publicly disagree with or distance themselves from anything Trump says or does. To serve in this administration means being nothing more than a yes man who has to lie regardless of reality or circumstance. He has to lie about things like the manufacturing jobs numbers because it’s part of the humiliation ritual Trump forces on his cabinet. Watch any of their interviews or testimony. They all regurgitate the exact same lies that he spouts at his rallies.

Remember, he was one of the only cabinet members to offer any internal opposition to the war in Iran. He knew it was a terrible idea that would end badly, and he was right.

That’s why he did that Joe Rogan interview. He’s trying to find a path forward after this train wreck of a presidential term, but he knows he’s going to be shackled to Trump’s failures because he’s the sitting vice president. He’s trying to create distance, however small, that he can point to later and say he wasn’t the one responsible. All the smart ones in the cabinet who hope to have careers after this are doing the exact same thing.

 

[Mac9192]

Seriously. You always claim you know. Put up or shut up.

When sites are mentioned, you have never said yes or no. Just that the great Datt does his own research! Which again, is a joke. Why do I say that? Glad you asked. Because the media have been proven to be liars. The Right is closer to the truth than the Left. Fact. Seriously, the Left has gone clinically insane. The last few months of Biden's term proved it. Everyone with any sense at all knows that's the truth. They lost all credibility, which we knew how bad they were, but knowing wasn't enough. You guys mocked us for about 4 years.

It took America watching live, and no way for them to edit, change, and not show their audience a cropped up version. All they could do was sit there and cringe. Sad as it was to actually see Biden like that, it had to be done.

 

[DuckDevil]

When sites are mentioned, you have never said yes or no. Just that the great Datt does his own research! Which again, is a joke. Why do I say that? Glad you asked. Because the media have been proven to be liars. The Right is closer to the truth than the Left. Fact. Seriously, the Left has gone clinically insane. The last few months of Biden's term proved it. Everyone with any sense at all knows that's the truth. They lost all credibility, which we knew how bad they were, but knowing wasn't enough. You guys mocked us for about 4 years.

It took America watching live, and no way for them to edit, change, and not show their audience a cropped up version. All they could do was sit there and cringe. Sad as it was to actually see Biden like that, it had to be done.

You’re stuck in the past and unable to cope with the reality of the failures of Trump’s presidency and connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

 

[Mac9192]

It is based on a true story. It is not a documentary. It is highly fictionalized. Nothing but facts in what I said.

I told you I'd never heard of it before you mentioned it yesterday.

Based on a true story. But you form your own delusional opinion, and because of who the main actor is, you are dismissing it.

Based on a true story. Kids being abducted, sold to pedophiles for money. Only you can come up with reasons you think it's Highly fictionalized.

You're almost as sick as the pedophiles. I said what I said.

 

[Mac9192]

You’re stuck in the past and unable to cope with the reality of the failures of Trump’s presidency and connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

The education you've received has stunted your intelligence. You trying to be @Ghost of Dattier's protege?

 

[DuckDevil]

Based on a true story. But you form your own delusional opinion, and because of who the main actor is, you are dismissing it.

Based on a true story. Kids being abducted, sold to pedophiles for money. Only you can come up with reasons you think it's Highly fictionalized.

You're almost as sick as the pedophiles. I said what I said.

Donald Trump hung out with known pedophile and leader of the Epstein trafficking ring Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s name appears in the Epstein files thousands of times, and his administration is still hiding around 3 million additional files with God knows what in them. Why are you not interested in that?

 

[Mac9192]

Donald Trump hung out with known pedophile and leader of the Epstein trafficking ring Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s name appears in the Epstein files thousands of times, and his administration is still hiding around 3 million additional files with God knows what in them. Why are you not interested in that?

Never said I wasn't. I've repeatedly said release it all and let the chips fall where they may. But be careful what you ask for.

 

[DuckDevil]

The education you've received has stunted your intelligence. You trying to be @Ghost of Dattier's protege?

You regurgitate the same tired talking points that you’ve spouted for six years in this thread. You’re not capable of taking in new information or looking at any issue through a critical lens that differs from your worldview. You’re stuck in the past. The way you talk about Biden makes me believe you still think he’s the president.

 

[KDSTONE]

I personally think JD Vance has always been a liar and an opportunist who will jump on whatever bandwagon he thinks will advance his career.

However, he’s caught in a vice in his current position because no one in the administration is ever allowed to publicly disagree with or distance themselves from anything Trump says or does. To serve in this administration means being nothing more than a yes man who has to lie regardless of reality or circumstance. He has to lie about things like the manufacturing jobs numbers because it’s part of the humiliation ritual Trump forces on his cabinet. Watch any of their interviews or testimony. They all regurgitate the exact same lies that he spouts at his rallies.

Remember, he was one of the only cabinet members to offer any internal opposition to the war in Iran. He knew it was a terrible idea that would end badly, and he was right.

That’s why he did that Joe Rogan interview. He’s trying to find a path forward after this train wreck of a presidential term, but he knows he’s going to be shackled to Trump’s failures because he’s the sitting vice president. He’s trying to create distance, however small, that he can point to later and say he wasn’t the one responsible. All the smart ones in the cabinet who hope to have careers after this are doing the exact same thing.

“He has to lie about the manufacturing numbers… humiliation rituals”. I’d argue it’s more about prepping for 28, which you indicated later you at least in part agree with. He’s gotta have some policy success to hang his hat on besides the border. And this particular lie kills two birds with one stone: pretending the tariffs were successful at creating manuf jobs while at the same time attempting to mitigate the inflationary pain caused by those same tariffs. “ You’re paying more but look at all the jobs”. He will continue to distance himself from Iran ( Hey I was against it from the start) and will limit his engagement with the press and choose venues where he sets the agenda more often.

 

[DuckDevil]

@Mac9192

I know you like to dodge information that goes against you narrative so I’ll repost this for visibility. Not that you’ll be able to refute it or do anything with it though.

“I’ve refrained from weighing in on your current conversation because it’s a waste of time, but since you name dropped me…

People didn’t criticize Sound of Freedom because they support child trafficking. That’s such a lazy argument. They criticized it because it was built around Tim Ballard, who has a documented pattern of lying about his work, and whose own organization has publicly distanced itself from him amid legal concerns. That alone should raise questions about his credibility and that of the story being told. On top of that, Ballard has leveraged this and the film’s popularity to build a personal brand and generate significant income, which suggests what the intended purpose of the movie actually was. It makes sense that you’re drawn to this man as you’ve always had a thing for corrupt individuals who put money over everything else.

The film is also tied to figures who have promoted QAnon-associated conspiracy theories, including Jim Caviezel and Tim Ballard, which should raise concerns about the influence of conspiracy-driven narratives on its messaging and intended purpose. For many unsuspecting viewers, the movie can act as a gateway into the broader QAnon conspiracy ecosystem, subtly reinforcing ideas and narratives that extend far beyond the film itself and can lead down a very dark path.

Anti-trafficking professionals have repeatedly pointed out that this kind of sensationalized movie portrayal does real harm by misinforming the public and diverting attention from how trafficking actually happens, including the fact that the vast majority of victims are trafficked by members of their own families in this country. But I guess that doesn’t sell movie tickets quite the same way.

What’s even stranger is that you passionately defend this movie while dismissing or ignoring Trump’s well-documented association with Jeffrey Epstein and the real child sex trafficking that occurred within Epstein’s network. I wonder why. Could it be that it’s not the “right group of people” you want to villainize to fit your narrative? That your loyalty to Donald Trump will always supersede any evidence whatsoever? If you actually cared about this issue, you would be laser focused on the actual child sex trafficking ring that was uncovered and outlined in the Epstein files instead of a fictional movie, but you won’t go near that with a ten-foot pole because Trump’s name is all over the files.

And the idea that everyone who disagrees with you has simply been “conditioned” is just another way to avoid defending your claims with evidence because you’re never actually able to back up anything you say. At this point, it’s clear you’re not capable of doing that.

Who am I kidding? You probably also believe the movie Taken was an accurate portrayal of human trafficking and Inglorious Basterds was a WW2 documentary.”

 

[DuckDevil]

“He has to lie about the manufacturing numbers… humiliation rituals”. I’d argue it’s more about prepping for 28, which you indicated later you at least in part agree with. He’s gotta have some policy success to hang his hat on besides the border. And this particular lie kills two birds with one stone: pretending the tariffs were successful at creating manuf jobs while at the same time attempting to mitigate the inflationary pain caused by those same tariffs. “ You’re paying more but look at all the jobs”. He will continue to distance himself from Iran ( Hey I was against it from the start) and will limit his engagement with the press and choose venues where he sets the agenda more often.

I don’t disagree with any of what you said. It’s all about positioning for 2028 at this point, and I think it will become even more open and blatant after the midterms and once lame duck status officially begins in January. It will also be most apparent from Vance because Trump can’t fire the vice president. I would think other presidential contenders in the cabinet, like Rubio, will resign from the administration as soon as possible after the elections to create as much distance from Trump as they can.

 

[KDSTONE]

I don’t disagree with any of what you said. It’s all about positioning for 2028 at this point, and I think it will become even more open and blatant after the midterms and once lame duck status officially begins in January. It will also be most apparent from Vance because Trump can’t fire the vice president. I would think other presidential contenders in the cabinet, like Rubio, will resign from the administration as soon as possible after the elections to create as much distance from Trump as they can.

Interesting point, but I think if Rubio resigns he’ll be conceding most of the MAGA wing to Vance. He’d be shellacked in the Primaries, but it’d probably help him in the general if he got that far

 

[DuckDevil]

Interesting point, but I think if Rubio resigns he’ll be conceding most of the MAGA wing to Vance. He’d be shellacked in the Primaries

I don’t think either of these guys has the “it” factor to take command of the MAGA base. To me, MAGA has always been a populist movement rolled into a personality cult centered on and built around Trump. He lacks a lot of things, but charisma is not one of them. That’s what has made him such a potent and enduring political figure, and why the core 30% of his base will never turn on him. But that charisma is not something a candidate can just fake. You either have it or you don’t, and neither of those two has “it”.

I think it’s far more likely that the MAGA movement dies with Trump’s presidency and that some new coalition comes together afterward. Some will try to take up that mantle, but the results of this presidential term are going to make it toxic to voters in the future. I still believe we’ve hardly seen the worst of what is coming economically in this presidential term.

I’m legitimately trying to be unbiased in this next sentence. If you look at recent elections and election cycles over the last 20 years, I see no path for a Republican candidate to win in 2028.

 

[Mac9192]

@Mac9192

I know you like to dodge information that goes against you narrative so I’ll repost this for visibility. Not that you’ll be able to refute it or do anything with it though.

“I’ve refrained from weighing in on your current conversation because it’s a waste of time, but since you name dropped me…

People didn’t criticize Sound of Freedom because they support child trafficking. That’s such a lazy argument. They criticized it because it was built around Tim Ballard, who has a documented pattern of lying about his work, and whose own organization has publicly distanced itself from him amid legal concerns. That alone should raise questions about his credibility and that of the story being told. On top of that, Ballard has leveraged this and the film’s popularity to build a personal brand and generate significant income, which suggests what the intended purpose of the movie actually was. It makes sense that you’re drawn to this man as you’ve always had a thing for corrupt individuals who put money over everything else.

The film is also tied to figures who have promoted QAnon-associated conspiracy theories, including Jim Caviezel and Tim Ballard, which should raise concerns about the influence of conspiracy-driven narratives on its messaging and intended purpose. For many unsuspecting viewers, the movie can act as a gateway into the broader QAnon conspiracy ecosystem, subtly reinforcing ideas and narratives that extend far beyond the film itself and can lead down a very dark path.

Anti-trafficking professionals have repeatedly pointed out that this kind of sensationalized movie portrayal does real harm by misinforming the public and diverting attention from how trafficking actually happens, including the fact that the vast majority of victims are trafficked by members of their own families in this country. But I guess that doesn’t sell movie tickets quite the same way.

What’s even stranger is that you passionately defend this movie while dismissing or ignoring Trump’s well-documented association with Jeffrey Epstein and the real child sex trafficking that occurred within Epstein’s network. I wonder why. Could it be that it’s not the “right group of people” you want to villainize to fit your narrative? That your loyalty to Donald Trump will always supersede any evidence whatsoever? If you actually cared about this issue, you would be laser focused on the actual child sex trafficking ring that was uncovered and outlined in the Epstein files instead of a fictional movie, but you won’t go near that with a ten-foot pole because Trump’s name is all over the files.

And the idea that everyone who disagrees with you has simply been “conditioned” is just another way to avoid defending your claims with evidence because you’re never actually able to back up anything you say. At this point, it’s clear you’re not capable of doing that.

Who am I kidding? You probably also believe the movie Taken was an accurate portrayal of human trafficking and Inglorious Basterds was a WW2 documentary.”

I'm not loyal to Trump. Your side has NO credibility though. None. You have allowed yourself to be conditioned by the media. You're doing exactly what they want you to do. Be their good little minion. The sad part is you guys didn't learn anything from the previous four years. The msm was proven to be liars. Not you guys though. Regroup, and come out firing. Your only game is to criticize Trump.

Most on the right aren't crazy about our party, but you guys just dig your heels in deeper, continually defending your side. The left has gone bat**** crazy the last 10+ years. The crazier the left gets, the worse you guys get though. You either don't care, or are too stupid to think for yourself.

You were almost funny with your analogy of Taken and Inglorious Bastards. You swung and miss, but hey, so does the left in general.

 

[KDSTONE]

I don’t think either of these guys has the “it” factor to take command of the MAGA base. To me, MAGA has always been a populist movement rolled into a personality cult centered on and built around Trump. He lacks a lot of things, but charisma is not one of them. That’s what has made him such a potent and enduring political figure, and why the core 30% of his base will never turn on him. But that charisma is not something a candidate can just fake. You either have it or you don’t, and neither of those two has “it”.

I think it’s far more likely that the MAGA movement dies with Trump’s presidency and that some new coalition comes together afterward. Some will try to take up that mantle, but the results of this presidential term are going to make it toxic to voters in the future. I still believe we’ve hardly seen the worst of what is coming economically in this presidential term.

I’m legitimately trying to be unbiased in this next sentence. If you look at recent elections and election cycles over the last 20 years, I see no path for a Republican candidate to win in 2028.

I can. I could see Rubio or Vance absolutely crushing some of the potential Dem candidates in debate. Not saying it will happen but that it could happen.

 

[KDSTONE]

Interesting facts about Sound of Freedom: written in 2016 and filming wrapped in 2018. Held up in production/ Covid until 2023. So while it may have been platformed and politicized as an anti- Biden film in some quarters, this was certainly not its intent at inception as Obama and then Trump were Pres respectively.
But, yes, Ballard is by all accounts a douchebag but at the same time shed light on an underreported epidemic and at least deserves some credit for that.

 

[Ghost of Dattier]

You're almost as sick as the pedophiles. I said what I said.

Jesus, mac. That's so far out of line.

 

[DuckDevil]

Interesting point, but I think if Rubio resigns he’ll be conceding most of the MAGA wing to Vance. He’d be shellacked in the Primaries, but it’d probably help him in the general if he got that far

After thinking about this even more, I think both Vance and Rubio are intelligent guys. Regardless of what they have to say publicly right now, they know this is a train wreck in progress, and by now both have realized that if they want careers after this, they’ll have to turn on Trump or some of his policies in some way at some point.

With that in mind, Rubio has the better hand because he can actually resign and have two years to reinvent himself. Because of that, I think he has the best long term shot. He’s also just more likable than Vance. Meanwhile, Vance is stuck unless he’s willing to resign from the vice presidency. His best chance of ever becoming president is staying in his current position and assuming the office if Trump becomes incapacitated or dies which I think is probably how he sees it as well.

I can. I could see Rubio or Vance absolutely crushing some of the potential Dem candidates in debate. Not saying it will happen but that it could happen.

That may be the case. The Democrats have a lot of work to do in selecting their next candidate. My point, though, is that if you look at how recent election cycles have unfolded, the pendulum has been swinging back and forth between the parties. I think the war, if it’s still going, along with the economic woes and rising inflation, will create tremendous headwinds that will make it difficult for any Republican candidate to overcome. It’s not impossible, but I don’t think it’s likely.

At this point, I don’t see any way Trump corrects any of this before he leaves office. He’s not capable.

 

[DuckDevil]

I'm not loyal to Trump. Your side has NO credibility though. None. You have allowed yourself to be conditioned by the media. You're doing exactly what they want you to do. Be their good little minion. The sad part is you guys didn't learn anything from the previous four years. The msm was proven to be liars. Not you guys though. Regroup, and come out firing. Your only game is to criticize Trump.

Most on the right aren't crazy about our party, but you guys just dig your heels in deeper, continually defending your side. The left has gone bat**** crazy the last 10+ years. The crazier the left gets, the worse you guys get though. You either don't care, or are too stupid to think for yourself.

You were almost funny with your analogy of Taken and Inglorious Bastards. You swung and miss, but hey, so does the left in general.

And you’re almost as articulate as Trump in your rants. Almost.

 

[Ghost of Dattier]

Based on a true story. But you form your own delusional opinion, and because of who the main actor is, you are dismissing it.

Based on a true story. Kids being abducted, sold to pedophiles for money. Only you can come up with reasons you think it's Highly fictionalized.

DuckDevil addressed it much more thoroughly.
Lots of things are based on a true story but have been manipulated and fictionalized.
Nothing I said is untrue. Nothing I said is biased.

 

[Ghost of Dattier]

Never said I wasn't. I've repeatedly said release it all and let the chips fall where they may. But be careful what you ask for.

Why should we be careful what we ask for? There are no people on the Left held as untouchable the way our President is by conservatives.

 

[Mac9192]

Jesus, mac. That's so far out of line.

No Datt, you diminished the movie because you don’t like the actor, and maybe that he’s a Christian? Have you made reference to how serious trafficking is? If I’ve missed it, I apologize.
The movie doesn’t fit your agenda though. If you say that the movie sheds light on a serious issue, then you’re undermining your own side.

I’ve watched the movie Shock and Awe several times. I was never a fan of Rob Reiner, but I enjoyed the movie. Has it been “doctored” some? Probably as almost all movies are. The overall story was good though.