One nazi less?

[The Mad Monk]

That possibility went away completely following 9-11 when our world changed.
World, not just nation.

Fear is a powerful motivator, but also a very stupid one.

[SlowwHand]

Did you get that wisdom from a fortune cookie?

[Elok]

Actually it's kinda funny somebody mentioned Pol Pot, that reminded me ...

In a 2022 exchange between Jones and Republican Virginia Delegate Carrie Coyner, Jones griped about how the then-Republican speaker of the House of Delegates Todd Gilbert was paying tribute to a former moderate Democratic lawmaker who died, according to screenshots of text messages first reported by the National Review and obtained by CNN.

“Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head,” the text reads in part, referring to Gilbert and the two dictators.

The National Review reported that Jones tried to call Coyner after she objected to his language. He went on to say in the text messages that Gilbert and his wife are “breeding little fascists” in reference to Gilbert’s children, the National Review reported.

Many Democrats have sharply criticized Jones and denounced political violence but have not called on him to withdraw.

“I’m supporting the team,” US Sen. Mark Warner said Wednesday when asked if he backs Jones running.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/08/politics/jay-jones-virginia-democrat-attorney-general-race

I've heard people on the right complain that the thing with the Young Republicans is simply a distraction from this (which is a distraction from Trump, who is distracting from the Epstein files, which are distracting from the giant lizardman conspiracy, which is distracting us from the fundamental emptiness of our own existence). Now, it's very important that we allocate shame correctly. Jones is only one person and not several, and this is only one set of texts from one day; on the other hand, he's talking about harm to a specific person (and maybe his kids), is running for a significant office, and has not yet been totally disavowed by his own side. I have e-mailed the entire political science faculty at George Mason University for help about the Relative Disgrace Index; unfortunately, I received no reply.

[Aeson]

Yah, Democrats can say stupid, hateful things too. As I said initially to preempt the whataboutism:

Yes, tankies will gleefully put you up against the wall when the time comes.

[Elok]

But what does this say about OUR SOCIETY, that some tosser who is identified with a major political party, but who has nothing to do with me and whom I had never heard of before, said something awful on a private chat? Personally, I think it's a sign he's a moron and deserves the career death he has coming, same as the twits in Kansas, but is there some principled reason why the Young Republicans are a sign of serious societal rot but Jay Jones is not?

[Aeson]

But what does this say about OUR SOCIETY, that some tosser who is identified with a major political party, but who has nothing to do with me and whom I had never heard of before, said something awful on a private chat? Personally, I think it's a sign he's a moron and deserves the career death he has coming, same as the twits in Kansas, but is there some principled reason why the Young Republicans are a sign of serious societal rot but Jay Jones is not?

If he rises to the office of President, then sends the national guard and masked agents into American cities, and Democrats say, "this is what I voted for" ... then it says a lot more about our society.

As is, it (some state Attorney General candidate) simply restates the abundantly clear fact that D's and Rs are two tribes that have agreed to a race to the bottom via "lesser of two evils".

[Aeson]

As for societal rot, the rise in extremism in general is an example. Not all extremism is the same though.

Hating someone specific for what they do is rather different than hating a group for the nature of their birth (ie. place, time, or genetics). One can be legitimate (often not though), the other is always illegitimate.

[Lorizael]

Ordinarily I don't much care what dumb **** dumb****s say in private, but last night the president of the United States shared an AI video of himself, as a king, in a jet fighter, dumping **** on America, so maybe it's not so far fetched to draw a line between one dumb**** and another.

[The Mad Monk]

Did you get that wisdom from a fortune cookie?

Is that where you get yours?

If you did, I would strongly recommend you find a new supplier.

[Elok]

Ordinarily I don't much care what dumb **** dumb****s say in private, but last night the president of the United States shared an AI video of himself, as a king, in a jet fighter, dumping **** on America, so maybe it's not so far fetched to draw a line between one dumb**** and another.

That wasn't even private. The jackass really believes all he needs to do is play to his base as crudely as possible forever. I hope he's wrong.

Incidentally, I am very encouraged that the protests he did that in response to were increased in size by (apparently) 40% since this summer, and AFAICT completely nonviolent. I've heard somebody drew a gun on them in ... one of the Carolinas or somewhere, but there was no looting, burning, or scuffles with police. A few in silly costumes, but even that was for the tactical purpose of making it hard to take claims of anarchy and violence seriously. The protests were nice and ecumenical and (as a whole) not about anything in particular beyond conveying a strong dislike for Trump and his disrespect for the Constitution, which is a solidly American concern.

I'm tempted to say I might even join them next time. Probably won't, since it's a lot of hassle to increase a nationwide count of (probably, by that point) ten million by one, and I'm lazy. But I like the way this is going.

[Aeson]

It's a good experience if you can make it. +/- 1 won't change anything on a national level, but every +1 is one more step towards whatever threshold would. (Like voting 3rd party.)

It might change something for you or the people next to you. Meet some awesome people at least.

[Geronimo]

I usually hate echo chambers but the larger the protests are the less likely that people in power or influence will take for granted that going along with Trump will be the path of least resistance. I'll try to join if I can.

[Aeson]

In Vegas at least there was a wide range of political views present. It was part of the benefit of going, seeing first hand how wide ranging the opposition is, and how disparate ideologies can still come together.

[Elok]

I'm sure you've all heard about the new Pentagon press policy that would have turned media outlets into administration mouthpieces, and how everyone including Fox News flipped them the bird? Only OANN agreed, and I understand they were an admin mouthpiece already. Not sure I've even run into their coverage but if they lick more boots than Fox I'm sure it's a doozy.

[Dauphin]

I usually hate echo chambers but the larger the protests are the less likely that people in power or influence will take for granted that going along with Trump will be the path of least resistance. I'll try to join if I can.

I'm yet to see a protest that influenced a party in power. Poll Tax protests resulted in Thatcher being kicked from office, but they were accompanied by riots and I think that played a larger part.

EU referenda marches, anti-Iraq war marches, Gaza/Palestine marches, fox-hunting marches. All drew huge crowds. Diddly-squat outcome.

Not saying don't march, but unless it gets violent, I don't think much will change. I'm probably not being fair to peaceful movements, but are there good examples of where they actually work when there is no sizeable violent protest running alongside it?

I am NOT advocating violence. Just making an observation.