News today

BigWill

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
53,369
31,825
113
Couple Observations

1. Why is Trump fighting with the Pope? The Catholic Church as an entity is extremely pro-migration and anti-war. This is not because it has political views but the Catholic Church believes those are consistent with the teachings of Jesus. Agree or disagree, the Pope is going to have those views and as a theological figure, don't be surprised when they are expressed.

2. Pope Leo voted (in IL) in the 2016 Republican primary and at least the 2016 and 2024 general elections. I think Trump suspects that the Pope never voted for Trump! "Why does the Pope hate Trump???!!!" (I'm quoting Trump's brain on that one.) I have some guesses about whom the Pope voted for in 2016 ... wouldn't be shocked if he voted for the same candidate I did in both the primary and the general. I am definitely not anti-war. ;)

3. Trump posting pictures of himself as Jesus seems about as on brand as anything Trump could do. 2.75 more years of this, and then Dems will have total control. Until the GOP ditches populism first (not saying no populism is allowed), we will just go back and forth between one dumb ideology/political movement to another.

4. It's worth noting that so-called authoritarian Orban handled his defeat more nobly than Trump did his. Orban has been far too illiberal for me (the rule of law in Hungary is not in great shape), but he wasn't anti-democratic.

5. I heard a commentator I don't think is anti-Trump (served in his first Admin for awhile) say the other day that she thinks one of the big drags on Trump is that America is moving on from the "reality TV era." Specifically, reality TV ratings are terrible, no new shows are being green lit, and the industry is in steep decline. Trump is a clear "reality TV president," and it does seem like the drama surrounding him is wearing on people more in Term 2 than Term 1.
President Trump understands and knows history.

He knows and is aware of the Catholic History, especially their actions and policies prior, during, and after WW 2.
 

dtrain79

Heisman
Jul 13, 2006
48,470
27,402
113
#5 is a really, really good observation that I hadn't considered, but makes total sense. I've never been a reality TV guy so didn't realize ratings were taking such a dive. The fake, manufactured drama wearing on people makes sense and I can see the correlation to Term 2.

The person saying it often annoys me, and I was thinking how insightful that observation was after I heard it. Trump is clearly a product of the reality TV era, without that he's a mostly failed businessman to Americans.

1. Trump is not disciplined. This is not new. The Pope choosing to align with the left to bash Trump is a bad look in lieu of his silence while the Mullahs murder tens of thousands of innocent people just this year. Maybe Trump should have let that continue while they get weapons of mass destruction? The leaders of the Catholic Church continue to embarrass themselves on the world stage.

3. Again, Trump is not disciplined. I think the anti-Trumper stance marked Trump politically dead in 2015, 2020 and 2024. They will finally be right now that he can't run again.

5. The MSM gives him 90+% bad press everyday. He had a A+ move against Venezuela and he was universally bashed for it by the MS press. Reality TV and drama has little to do with it. He will be consistently bashed until he leaves office. People ought be used to it by now. He can't run again, so a good bet that he can't win again for any reason you want to assign.

The Pope is not aligning himself with the left lol. The theology literally compels the Church to take this position (I'm not Catholic). The same way the Catholic Church is wildly to the right on abortion and birth control. These are not political matters, they are theological.

So, it's on Trump to ignore out. Or say he respects their religious views, but that Iran can't have a nuke. That's a great response.

Trump is at 39.5 (Silver) or 41.5 (RCP) approval right now. He's shooting himself in the balls unnecessarily on the reg. No need to fight the Pope (right wing Catholics like him and the Pope, typically). I think one can make a pretty good argument Trump had a solid first term, which allowed him to overcome his 2020 foibles when Biden utterly failed as Prez, but I think there's a good case that a fair number of other Rs could have won in 2016 and 2024, they were just less exciting to voters (I mean, whose more exciting than Big Don).
 

BigWill

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
53,369
31,825
113
1. Trump is not disciplined. This is not new. The Pope choosing to align with the left to bash Trump is a bad look in lieu of his silence while the Mullahs murder tens of thousands of innocent people just this year. Maybe Trump should have let that continue while they get weapons of mass destruction? The leaders of the Catholic Church continue to embarrass themselves on the world stage.

3. Again, Trump is not disciplined. I think the anti-Trumper stance marked Trump politically dead in 2015, 2020 and 2024. They will finally be right now that he can't run again.

5. The MSM gives him 90+% bad press everyday. He had a A+ move against Venezuela and he was universally bashed for it by the MS press. Reality TV and drama has little to do with it. He will be consistently bashed until he leaves office. People ought be used to it by now. He can't run again, so a good bet that he can't win again for any reason you want to assign.
So a man, graduating from a top University. Married 3 times to successively more beautiful Wives, started with million dollars and made into Billions.

Is un-disciplined !
 

BigWill

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
53,369
31,825
113
The person saying it often annoys me, and I was thinking how insightful that observation was after I heard it. Trump is clearly a product of the reality TV era, without that he's a mostly failed businessman to Americans.



The Pope is not aligning himself with the left lol. The theology literally compels the Church to take this position (I'm not Catholic). The same way the Catholic Church is wildly to the right on abortion and birth control. These are not political matters, they are theological.

So, it's on Trump to ignore out. Or say he respects their religious views, but that Iran can't have a nuke. That's a great response.

Trump is at 39.5 (Silver) or 41.5 (RCP) approval right now. He's shooting himself in the balls unnecessarily on the reg. No need to fight the Pope (right wing Catholics like him and the Pope, typically). I think one can make a pretty good argument Trump had a solid first term, which allowed him to overcome his 2020 foibles when Biden utterly failed as Prez, but I think there's a good case that a fair number of other Rs could have won in 2016 and 2024, they were just less exciting to voters (I mean, whose more exciting than Big Don).
Here you go with poll this and poll that.

CNN latest poll that I recall had him at 100 % approval rating for Iran.
 

Uncoach

All-American
Dec 8, 2011
6,006
8,117
113
Couple Observations

1. Why is Trump fighting with the Pope? The Catholic Church as an entity is extremely pro-migration and anti-war. This is not because it has political views but the Catholic Church believes those are consistent with the teachings of Jesus. Agree or disagree, the Pope is going to have those views and as a theological figure, don't be surprised when they are expressed.

2. Pope Leo voted (in IL) in the 2016 Republican primary and at least the 2016 and 2024 general elections. I think Trump suspects that the Pope never voted for Trump! "Why does the Pope hate Trump???!!!" (I'm quoting Trump's brain on that one.) I have some guesses about whom the Pope voted for in 2016 ... wouldn't be shocked if he voted for the same candidate I did in both the primary and the general. I am definitely not anti-war. ;)

3. Trump posting pictures of himself as Jesus seems about as on brand as anything Trump could do. 2.75 more years of this, and then Dems will have total control. Until the GOP ditches populism first (not saying no populism is allowed), we will just go back and forth between one dumb ideology/political movement to another.

4. It's worth noting that so-called authoritarian Orban handled his defeat more nobly than Trump did his. Orban has been far too illiberal for me (the rule of law in Hungary is not in great shape), but he wasn't anti-democratic.

5. I heard a commentator I don't think is anti-Trump (served in his first Admin for awhile) say the other day that she thinks one of the big drags on Trump is that America is moving on from the "reality TV era." Specifically, reality TV ratings are terrible, no new shows are being green lit, and the industry is in steep decline. Trump is a clear "reality TV president," and it does seem like the drama surrounding him is wearing on people more in Term 2 than Term 1.
Did you miss David Axelrod, who you should know as a deeply committed leftist of Team Obama, met with the current pope and after the meeting three Cardinals went on 60 Minutes and bashed Trump? All 3 of them are progressives, admitted by HuffPo. The Vatican is huge on the Great Replacement, if that's what you consider "pro-immigration". Leo may have voted Republican in the Illinois primary, but I can vote Democrat in the Illinois primary. It means absolutely nothing, because he's considered a Centrist, at least at the time of becoming the Pope. Here are the actual conservative Catholic Cardinals who were in the running. Leo isn't mentioned.

 

dtrain79

Heisman
Jul 13, 2006
48,470
27,402
113
So a man, graduating from a top University. Married 3 times to successively more beautiful Wives, started with million dollars and made into Billions.

Is un-disciplined !

Trump's father was one of the wealthiest people in the US and some of his best performing real estate assets were handed down.

He's a genius marketer tho, and his business success has been outstanding since his business primarily became a marketing outfit. So he's very good, arguably unparalleled, at this type of biz.

However, it took the reality TV to turn the Trump brand from an iffy real estate empire to a marketing colossus.
 

Uncoach

All-American
Dec 8, 2011
6,006
8,117
113
15,000,000 to 20,000,000 entering our Country illegally is a pretty decent indicator that the people of the World don't hate us...
The Iranian relatives of high ranking regime officials living life in the US is proof positive of that. Carney's kids are all on the US side of the border with Canada.
 

dtrain79

Heisman
Jul 13, 2006
48,470
27,402
113
Here you go with poll this and poll that.

CNN latest poll that I recall had him at 100 % approval rating for Iran.

That was of MAGA Republicans. I also approve of Trump on Iran.

Did you miss David Axelrod, who you should know as a deeply committed leftist of Team Obama, met with the current pope and after the meeting three Cardinals went on 60 Minutes and bashed Trump? All 3 of them are progressives, admitted by HuffPo. The Vatican is huge on the Great Replacement, if that's what you consider "pro-immigration". Leo may have voted Republican in the Illinois primary, but I can vote Democrat in the Illinois primary. It means absolutely nothing, because he's considered a Centrist, at least at the time of becoming the Pope. Here are the actual conservative Catholic Cardinals who were in the running. Leo isn't mentioned.


I did not say Leo is from the Church's "conservative" wing (he didn't appear to be a liberal either, but Jesuits are a more liberal order).

I do know that Leo voted in MULTIPLE GOP primaries (you can look it up and should), so he was at least to some degree a Republican voter when participating in US elections. I also think it's beyond laughable that you are arguing the Pope believes in the "Great Replacement." My dude ... Catholics are against birth control, they don't believe in "replacement," they just believe in "more souls."

I realize a number of you can't bear to side against Trump, but Catholic theological doctrine is clear on things like immigration, war, birth control, and abortion, and it just doesn't line up with partisan team politics as fought in the USA.
 
  • Like
Reactions: illinimike

illinimike

All-Conference
Jun 15, 2001
2,274
1,947
88
The person saying it often annoys me, and I was thinking how insightful that observation was after I heard it. Trump is clearly a product of the reality TV era, without that he's a mostly failed businessman to Americans.



The Pope is not aligning himself with the left lol. The theology literally compels the Church to take this position (I'm not Catholic). The same way the Catholic Church is wildly to the right on abortion and birth control. These are not political matters, they are theological.

So, it's on Trump to ignore out. Or say he respects their religious views, but that Iran can't have a nuke. That's a great response.

Trump is at 39.5 (Silver) or 41.5 (RCP) approval right now. He's shooting himself in the balls unnecessarily on the reg. No need to fight the Pope (right wing Catholics like him and the Pope, typically). I think one can make a pretty good argument Trump had a solid first term, which allowed him to overcome his 2020 foibles when Biden utterly failed as Prez, but I think there's a good case that a fair number of other Rs could have won in 2016 and 2024, they were just less exciting to voters (I mean, whose more exciting than Big Don).
I don't think Trump cares about 2028, and it wouldn't shock me if (with his ego) he would want the next GOP candidate to lose. "I was able to win but he couldn't, so I'm better."
 

ILisBest

All-Conference
Jun 16, 2007
7,171
4,701
113
The person saying it often annoys me, and I was thinking how insightful that observation was after I heard it. Trump is clearly a product of the reality TV era, without that he's a mostly failed businessman to Americans.



The Pope is not aligning himself with the left lol. The theology literally compels the Church to take this position (I'm not Catholic). The same way the Catholic Church is wildly to the right on abortion and birth control. These are not political matters, they are theological.

So, it's on Trump to ignore out. Or say he respects their religious views, but that Iran can't have a nuke. That's a great response.

Trump is at 39.5 (Silver) or 41.5 (RCP) approval right now. He's shooting himself in the balls unnecessarily on the reg. No need to fight the Pope (right wing Catholics like him and the Pope, typically). I think one can make a pretty good argument Trump had a solid first term, which allowed him to overcome his 2020 foibles when Biden utterly failed as Prez, but I think there's a good case that a fair number of other Rs could have won in 2016 and 2024, they were just less exciting to voters (I mean, whose more exciting than Big Don).
My dad once told me(while drunk) that god granted me my post in life because of how I take care of my disabled son. Obviously, an outrageous take. I easily pointed out the numerous good parents(of disabled children) I knew that struggled financially. Can we think of any other reality TV star that ascended to the presidency(twice) or to a lesser extent Congress? Trump has been analyzing political issues for decades on tv. See his Oprah interview.

If I were Trump, I might respond to the Pope with a well thought out, humble response like you mentioned. Ya, the undisciplined response doesn't help Trump, but does it help the Catholic Church when always Trumpers stop or cut back throwing cash in the til? Catholic leadership ignores or allows atrocities, but condemns justice. Pope Pius XII pursued a policy of strict, often silent neutrality motivated by fear of Nazi power and a desire to protect the church. How many young boys were raped while they ignored a major problem? Clown show leadership imo. The Just War Doctrine addresses your theological argument.



I know a guy that is an R and a Trump fan. He loves Tucker and bashes Trump nonstop now as an Israeli puppet. I know another Trump voter that has bought the media Epstein chant. He bashes Trump now. Do you buy these two criticisms because they are what costs Trump R support currently?
 
Last edited:

rillaman

Heisman
May 10, 2009
18,234
11,536
113
The Iranian relatives of high ranking regime officials living life in the US is proof positive of that. Carney's kids are all on the US side of the border with Canada.

You think those Chinese kids that brought pathogens to the US like America because they came here?

I knew there were some simple minded thinkers on here, but this is impressive.

I thought people on here have acknowledged that it’s great to come here because it’s easy to defraud our govt programs? Are you guys off the fraud train now? Just here because they love America? You think all the Somalians love America? They all pledge their allegiance to their home country and scam us. How loving!

I don’t think it was love. I think it was free housing, free healthcare, etc.
 
Last edited:

dtrain79

Heisman
Jul 13, 2006
48,470
27,402
113
My dad once told me(while drunk) that god granted me my post in life because of how I take care of my disabled son. Obviously, an outrageous take. I easily pointed out the numerous good parents(of disabled children) I knew that struggled financially. Can we think of any other reality TV star that ascended to the presidency(twice) or to a lesser extent Congress? Trump has been analyzing political issues for decades on tv. See his Oprah interview. The Just War Doctrine addresses your theological argument.

If I were Trump, I might respond to the Pope with a well thought out, humble response like you mentioned. Ya, the undisciplined response doesn't help Trump, but does it help the Catholic Church when always Trumpers stop or cut back throwing cash in the til? Catholic leadership ignores or allows atrocities, but condemns justice. Pope Pius XII pursued a policy of strict, often silent neutrality motivated by fear of Nazi power and a desire to protect the church. How many young boys were raped while they ignored a major problem? Clown show leadership imo.



I know a guy that is an R and a Trump fan. He loves Tucker and bashes Trump nonstop now as an Israeli puppet. I know another Trump voter that has bought the media Epstein chant. He bashes Trump now. Do you buy these two criticisms because they are what costs Trump R support currently?

What did Pope Leo have to do with the Nazis or the pedophilia scandal? I'm also not suggesting that the Catholic theology is correct, I'm more pro-war against evildoers than almost anyone you know. I'm just explaining that we should expect this position from the Pope/Vatican. I think the Vatican is largely wrong about Iran, but they aren't making political comments about Trump here (they are making theological arguments against war). Trump of course can't handle this normally, and so now we have him posting "Trump Jesus" photos lol.

Not sure why you are comparing yourself to Trump, his business success was not self made. I suppose you could compare his political success to your business success, Trump generated his own political success. I try to call it how I see it, Trump was better at politics than business.

As for the people off the Trump Train, one of my criticisms of the train is that it took on all sorts of crazies. No shock to me many are mad. I like winning elections by convincing the normie middle that my conservative views are better than liberal views. Neither party has tried that option for awhile now, will be interesting to see if we go back that direction some post-Trump.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rillaman

rillaman

Heisman
May 10, 2009
18,234
11,536
113
Have a nice round at my Nephew's Golf Course. AFAIK his pool is still open, so hit a shot into the pool and take a dip.

Your nephew doesn’t live in the mountains, from what I remember. Golfed in Evergreen today. Fun course, elk all over it.

The course owns 2 ponds to water the course. One is already drying up in April. Tough summer coming up.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dtrain79

ILisBest

All-Conference
Jun 16, 2007
7,171
4,701
113
I'm also not suggesting that the Catholic theology is correct, I'm more pro-war against evildoers than almost anyone you know. I'm just explaining that we should expect this position from the Pope/Vatican.
The theology is debatable as is most. The Pope has to pretend there are not exceptions and of course there are.

The Catholic Just War Doctrine, based on teachings from St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, provides strict conditions for the moral legitimacy of using military force, emphasizing that war should be avoided and only used as a last resort. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2309), a just war must meet four strict criteria simultaneously: damage by an aggressor is lasting, grave, and certain; all other means are ineffective; there are serious prospects of success; and the war does not produce greater evil than that to be eliminated.

Trump eliminated the greater evil. The Pope is ignoring that fact. Now, it could be argued the new leader is bad also. But, if they now cannot get nukes and their military is ground into hamburger, they cannot do the type of harm they intended to do a couple of months ago. Why did the Pope ignore this part of his theology to take his shot at Trump? Why meet with an agnostic Dem operative around the time he felt the need to ignore his entire theology that should be referenced?
 

rillaman

Heisman
May 10, 2009
18,234
11,536
113
So, you now say you "hate your government". Gotcha.

Let's see, Fauci funded labs, Obama authorized it and Trump has killed USAid. Sounds like something you would vote against.

Are you alive because of OWS? You took it not once, but twice! Why do you hate Trump when he saved your life? OTOH, you dismiss the Pfizer exec in Germany saying the death jab killed up to 60k Germans.

The USA population has grown every year this decade despite the worst pandemic in a hundred years. The global population is also UP.

Wait until you learn about the US biolabs in Ukraine. Almost as shocking as where LA got the water to spur incredible growth.

You think it saved my life but will also kill me. You’re all over the place.
 

rillaman

Heisman
May 10, 2009
18,234
11,536
113
Faucci was a long term (unelected)bureaucrat with too much unchecked power. He directed US dollars to dangerous research in the hands of China. Combine these decisions with his lies to the public and he should be in prison.

And yet…

Guess who gave him the unchecked power when it most needed to be taken away. But ya, I’m sure Trump would have asked for the DOJ to prosecute him.

Trump could expose all that Fauci did…but he doesn’t care. Much like the Epstein stuff, he would have asked the country to move on, without a single prosecution.
 

AzIllini

Senior
Apr 26, 2003
2,332
715
78
i'm not sure the Pope is making an argument rather than a statement. According to ChatGPT he didn't directly criticize the Iranian government when they killed many thousands of their citizens. What he said was things like:
  • called for peace and dialogue in Iran
  • warned that tensions were causing deaths
  • expressed concern about violence
  • called for peace and dialogue in Iran
  • warned that tensions were causing deaths
  • expressed concern about violence
In general Trump (I think) seems to be complaining the Pope isn't taking sides, which he is not. I then asked about the Pope during WW2. Here is the gist of his 1942 Christmas message:
“hundreds of thousands who, without any fault… have been consigned to death”
👉 This is widely understood as a reference to Jews being killed by the Nazis.

But:

  • He did NOT say “Jews” explicitly
  • He did NOT name Nazi Germany or Hitler directly




Pope's do what Pope's do and most political leaders ignore them.

edit: Rome was under the control of Mussolini in December 1942 so maybe the Pope was being careful but still probably reluctant to take sides.
 
Last edited:

ILisBest

All-Conference
Jun 16, 2007
7,171
4,701
113
And yet…

Guess who gave him the unchecked power when it most needed to be taken away. But ya, I’m sure Trump would have asked for the DOJ to prosecute him.

Trump could expose all that Fauci did…but he doesn’t care. Much like the Epstein stuff, he would have asked the country to move on, without a single prosecution.
Didn't Biden pardon Fauci?

The country should move on from Epstein. The only reason our media likes the useful idiots to keep bringing it up is to try and implicate Trump. Notice how the media was silent and you never cared while Biden was in office. The crimes happened preBiden, but he did nothing and you didn't complain at that time. You carrying water for the MSM is a little pathetic, don't you think?
 

ILisBest

All-Conference
Jun 16, 2007
7,171
4,701
113
And yet…

Guess who gave him the unchecked power when it most needed to be taken away. But ya, I’m sure Trump would have asked for the DOJ to prosecute him.

Trump could expose all that Fauci did…but he doesn’t care. Much like the Epstein stuff, he would have asked the country to move on, without a single prosecution.
I believe Trump would love to see his DOJ prosecute Fauci. If he told them to prosecute him, you would race on here to claim he has politically weaponized the DOJ.

The left mostly likes Fauci. The right not so much.

I was encouraged to see Mike's position there.
 

rillaman

Heisman
May 10, 2009
18,234
11,536
113
I believe Trump would love to see his DOJ prosecute Fauci. If he told them to prosecute him, you would race on here to claim he has politically weaponized the DOJ.

The left mostly likes Fauci. The right not so much.

I was encouraged to see Mike's position there.

False, I’d 100% be behind it. I believe he committed serious crimes against humanity.

At a minimum, I’d like to see everything exposed, but Trump was President when a lot of that happened. I don’t think he would want it all exposed, wouldn’t look good for him either.