[Maru]

They'll find a way to gut the insider trading ban in Congress and it'll be in the fine print. It's just the way it usually goes.

[GiRTh]

Here we go — now he’s off on Somalis and Minnesota. Rep. Ilhan Omar will have to respond, and that alone guarantees at least a full week of headlines. Trump’s habit of attacking his political opponents doesn’t seem like a smart move with the midterms coming up, because every time he does it, they get a platform to answer back. And most of them can out‑maneuver him in their responses. Case in point: Don Lemon is more popular now than ever.

It’s almost comical at this point. The speech is just a lot of complaining, the plans don’t make much sense, and he’s giving his critics more fuel than he realises. Awful speech.

[GiRTh]

And on top of all that, he didn’t even mention affordability. Not once. With everything people are dealing with right now, leaving that out completely just makes the whole thing feel even more disconnected.

[Maru]

The back and forth sh** talking has started

[GiRTh]

Originally Posted by Maru

The back and forth sh** talking has started

And of course they have to formally respond. This is their moment — he hands them a full news cycle every time he goes after them, and they’re not going to waste it.

[Maru]

I'm still amused I received a mailer for the primary where Charlie Kirk was listed as an endorsement. I know it wasn't that long ago but still...

[GiRTh]

Talking about Charlie Kirk is shameful enough, but doing it while refusing to mention the two American citizens killed by ICE in Minnesota is something else entirely. It’s selective outrage at its worst — loud on the things that suit him, silent on the things that don’t.

[GiRTh]

Now we’re onto “terrorists who have killed Americans.” Fine — but how about we also talk about how we’re going to bring down grocery prices. That would actually help people. But I suppose this works too.

[Maru]

God I am glad I don't live in EST anymore I would be so toast

[Maru]

So off topic, "big beautiful helicopter"

[Maru]

This is the normal part of SOTU where the speeches get more dreamy

[Maru]

[Maru]

Oh wow. Yeah, this is a major problem here..

Hundreds of firms poised to be banned from snatching up homes under new White House plan
https://nypost.com/2026/02/20/busine...te-house-plan/

[Maru]

I know it's CNN, but this is a devastating poll and yes, I think this is accurate based on what we watched. People have adjusted to the nastiness of our politics and so it's just another informative bit for the average voter. I personally thought it was relatively tame and I think having part of the chamber empty exempt itself did way more harm than good as it really did make it seem more like a victory rally than not.



I mentioned before that we are doing our taxes. Most people have started if they're not done by now if they expect to see a return and so they're seeing in real time whether or not the tax cuts are real. I can confirm at least us, it's certainly real as nothing else has changed.


"Alternative" SOTU; I was a little perturbed, but also amused, that the "alternative" SOTU was an Antifa furry convention. I'm almost certain I recognized one of the speakers from the Portland riots and he was recently arrested in Minnesota.

The part of me that likes transparency likes that this is a thing, but it's not a good idea. Enough people still don't grasp the connection and as they're realizing who these people are, it's going to irreparably them as a viable opposition party (especially if they can't rebound) in the long-term if they keep this kind of thing up. America is still very law and order in the cultural sense. That's especially true with independents as they're the most sensitive to being lied to.

I wish the parties would stop politicizing SCOTUS. They're not infallible and they receive enough credible threats they already don't live under normal conditions...

US House approves additional $30 million for Supreme Court security
https://www.reuters.com/legal/govern...ty-2026-01-22/

[Maru]

This is very random

FBI serving search warrants at former Miami-Dade County Public Schools superintendent's Los Angeles home
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/f...quarters-home/

[Maru]

Fetterman, "I don't think Dancing Frogs really moves the ball for us as a party, either"... What??? I was told frog costumes were excellent propaganda tools??

(has Video) Fetterman Blasts ‘Yelling and Screaming’ From Dem Colleagues During Trump SOTU: ‘Just Don’t Do That’
https://www.newsbreak.com/mediaite-5...-don-t-do-that

I mean he's complaining some also didn't go, but then at the same time if they're not there causing a scene it's probably better than if they had gone? So which is it?

[bots]

Originally Posted by Maru

Fetterman, "I don't think Dancing Frogs really moves the ball for us as a party, either"... What??? I was told frog costumes were excellent propaganda tools??

(has Video) Fetterman Blasts ‘Yelling and Screaming’ From Dem Colleagues During Trump SOTU: ‘Just Don’t Do That’
https://www.newsbreak.com/mediaite-5...-don-t-do-that

I mean he's complaining some also didn't go, but then at the same time if they're not there causing a scene it's probably better than if they had gone? So which is it?

Fetterman is strange, there is no other way of saying it

[Maru]

Originally Posted by bots

Fetterman is strange, there is no other way of saying it

I'm not sure what comes across through media, but especially in the cities more are turning into Fettermans in the US than not. We've just become more socially awkward in general.


Unrelated,

I voted on day 2 of early voting (we have a two week-ish period) and the black vote was very strong this year at that location, which is near those communities. We can choose any location in our county so can across town if near a workplace. Mostly females voting, also. I much prefer early voting because it's so chill.

[arista]

Originally Posted by bots

Fetterman is strange, there is no other way of saying it

He speaks on Fox News

[arista]

This is a Trump Photo,

[arista]

His Hands


[Donald Trump is suffering from a chronic vein condition,
the White House announced on Thursday,
after days of speculation regarding photographs
showing bruising on the US president's hand.

After recently experiencing swelling in his legs,
Trump underwent a "comprehensive exam"
including vascular testing, according to
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Leavitt said Trump's bruised hand was consistent
with "tissue damage from frequent handshaking"
while taking aspirin, which she said is
"part of a standard cardio-vascular
prevention regimen".]


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jw1pdyp0jo

[Maru]

Originally Posted by arista

His Hands


[Donald Trump is suffering from a chronic vein condition,
the White House announced on Thursday,
after days of speculation regarding photographs
showing bruising on the US president's hand.

After recently experiencing swelling in his legs,
Trump underwent a "comprehensive exam"
including vascular testing, according to
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Leavitt said Trump's bruised hand was consistent
with "tissue damage from frequent handshaking"
while taking aspirin, which she said is
"part of a standard cardio-vascular
prevention regimen".]


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jw1pdyp0jo

Standard stuff with aging. The average person probably wouldn't even get a diagnosis and if they do, it's put in a file and they're never told and only medicated if needed. That happens a lot with congestive heart failure because it's so common by that point...

[Maru]

I love our govt.

I'd pay to see this parade but in reverse. Have the dogs drag around aging Congress members in bedazzled wheelchairs. Then give each of the dogs their own social security numbers at the end. That way they not only they eat well for the rest of their lives but their owners will have an extra vote.