Bear Pit: now the sole domicile of politics at LuLa

[KLaban]

Once again, the power of the cartoon.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2026/jan/25/ella-baron-killing-alex-pretti-minneapolis-cartoon

[Robert Roaldi]

I wonder how those who voted for Trump feel now. If they haven’t changed their mind after all these killings, then there is no hope for them, they are as complicit in the murders as is their hero. God help them sleep at night once realisation of what they support actually does sink in, as it eventually will, possibly years down the line, when it will be too late to mend the damage they have done both to themselves as to the reputation of their country.

Maybe. Or maybe millions approve. Lots of people approved of the shootings at Kent State. I often hear/read the sentiment 'they had it coming' or 'they asked for it', as if a cop has the right to open fire if they're confronted (but not threatened). This is Stasi-level intimidation in the USA. How often does the "hero" in movies and TV take similar action with widespread cultural approval?

This special edition of The Pivot is an interesting discussion of the current cultural moment, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFsdnQCyuOQ. Swisher's comment about the corporate reaction to all this is interesting, especially in the context of Corporatism (as understood by fascists). Corporations were given undue political power via Citizens United but they're not just ordinary citizens, are they. What does all their talk of "values" actually mean?

The world view of the current crop of tech bro billionaires is sobering, https://techwontsave.us/episode/303_peter_thiel_is_the_real_antichrist_w_gil_duran. They may not be your friend. I was not previously aware of the born again fever of some of them and their attachment to MAGA sentiments.

This is a sobering (but longish) video about where US social culture is these days https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n1fBJ9fcQw. it's Christian Taliban time.

Like you, I'd like to think that US citizens are unhappy with this situation. But they voted Trump in twice. Just last week, the people at the top basically said that Greenland really belongs to the USA. Did you hear many Americans object? How is that any different to Putin saying that Ukraine belongs to Russia.

[Jonathan Cross]

Just last week, the people at the top basically said that Greenland really belongs to the USA. Did you hear many Americans object? How is that any different to Putin saying that Ukraine belongs to Russia.

The BBC in the UK last week had an interview with a Russian politician, who made the same comment about Ukraine and Greenland. 

[Robert Roaldi]

The Board of Peace, just another scam. That's all he knows https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MvimlAXK9sc.

[Rob C]

The Board of Peace, just another scam. That's all he knows https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MvimlAXK9sc.

Unashamedly riding the wave of international weakness, which means: any country confronted with what looks like resolution seems to cave with no more than a whimper of protest - if that. However, perhaps the billion ticket may serve as deterrent to membership. Let’s hope so.

[degrub]

He is a huckster ; a snake oil salesman !

[Robert Roaldi]

Shouldn't the gun rights people be advocating big time for that guy who was murdered the other day by ICE? Where are they now?

And you know how we're always told that gun sales go up after any school massacre (a factoid that I'd to see verified because it sounds a bit too much like marketing to me), well, shouldn't gun sales be skyrocketing right about now?

We only know the truth of what happened because of the courage of people who are filming these events. A truly cynical person might be tempted to predict that actions will be taken against them in future. Maybe shoot one or two, I mean, it's not like morality or adherence to rules of law will stop ICE. But another thought that strikes me is how many other lies we've been fed by the powers that be when there was no independent evidence available, Gulf of Tonkin, WMD, drug boats, etc.

[Rob C]

[quote author=Robert Roaldi link=topic=136697.msg1269367#msg1269367  But another thought that strikes me is how many other lies we've been fed by the powers that be when there was no independent evidence available, Gulf of Tonkin, WMD, drug boats, etc.
[/quote]


Indeed; when you consider the lies being spun even when the visual proof to the opposite exists, you have to be very innocent to believe anything that comes out of official sources.

1984 seems such a quaint idea today: it was child's play compared with the stuff going down now.

[Rob C]

I was wondering, is it legally possible to take out a class action against ICE - and the Republican Party - for mismanagement of it, resulting in wilful murder? Is an employer liable for such conduct, by an employee, while carrying out his function as employee?

Seems in the States everybody can be sued for something or another, real or imaginary.

[degrub]

Minnesota is considering indicting the ICE person for a homicide or manslaughter . The videos posted seem pretty clear. 

[Robert Roaldi]

Minnesota is considering indicting the ICE person for a homicide or manslaughter . The videos posted seem pretty clear.

I hate to say it, but can't Trump declare it a federal crime and pre-pardon him or stall it in some other way. The feds are withholding physical evidence on the previous week's shooting, we're told, unless that has changed, so nothing is off the table with this crowd.

[Robert Roaldi]

The satirical site The Beaverton pokes some fun at the FBI director, https://thebeaverton.com/2026/01/fbi-director-tells-americans-not-to-bring-guns-to-protests-schools-still-okay/.

Lewis Black "analyses" the ICE signing bonus contract https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3gbjHmnat8.

[Chris Kern]

Minnesota is considering indicting the ICE person for a homicide or manslaughter .

I hate to say it, but can't Trump declare it a federal crime and pre-pardon him . . .

The constitutional authority "to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States" does not extend to criminal convictions for violations of state law.

[digitaldog]

Composer Philip Glass announced Tuesday that he is withdrawing his symphony from the Kennedy Center, pointing to the arts center's values and leadership.
"After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my Symphony No. 15 'Lincoln' from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts," Glass announced in a statement posted to X.

Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi said in a statement, "We have no place for politics in the arts, and those calling for boycotts based on politics are making the wrong decision." "Leftist activists are pushing artists to cancel but the public wants artists to perform and create — not cancel under pressure from political insiders that benefit from creating division."

"Democracies cannot dispense with hypocrisy any more than dictatorships can with cynicism".   -Georges Bernanos

[Robert Roaldi]

The constitutional authority "to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States" does not extend to criminal convictions for violations of state law.

My understanding is that DHS is not investigating the death of Renée Good. Is there anything that prevents the state of Minnesota or the city of Minneapolis from investigating?

[Chris Kern]

Is there anything that prevents the state of Minnesota or the city of Minneapolis from investigating?

No.

[digitaldog]

Cartoon break:

[Robert Roaldi]

I think I saw that Trump and/or Vance want to bring ICE to the Olympics in Italy. (I didn't read the details, hence my confusion.) I thought that protection duty was the responsibility of the Secret Service. Maybe Trumpistan thinks that the Secret Service is too "woke", whereas ICE isn't shy about shooting.

They might be hoping that ICE can arrest undocumented immigrants in Italy, maybe shoot a couple of bystanders. I saw that Italy objected. No kidding? What did Italy do to deserve this, I wonder, give the Melania movie a bad review?

The US ambassador to Canada made some threats if Canada doesn't buy the F-35 fighter. Got to love these modern marketing methods, just threaten people if they don't buy your stuff. Now there's a great way to build product loyalty, from a supplier you can trust.

Meghan Kelly said that she doesn't feel sorry for Alex Pretti because "He was not there to help". Now there's a killing offence. They must have focus-grouped it and found a lot of unrequited blood lust among MAGA, so they're pouring it on.

If the average American was confused about Venezuela, I wonder what they think of the navy heading for Iran.

Meanwhile in Venezuela, the new head of government says she's tired of getting orders from Washington, https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/venezuela-acting-president-says-she-162401691.html. I bet she is, but she may not be understanding the whole puppet government thing. She may be angling for a raise.

Press Sec Leavitt blamed Tim Walz for all the troubles in Minnesota. Gold medal level gaslighting.

[Robert Roaldi]

No.

The ex pardon attorney speaks on this https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9tDcGMVW0HU.

[Rob C]

The ex pardon attorney speaks on this https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9tDcGMVW0HU.

Shameless state and image that the country’s leaders have created for themselves and, by extension, for those who voted for the incumbent administration. I would be surprised if anything other than some kind of show trial ever reaches fruition, but you never know: anybody can come to find themselves thrown under the bus if it suits Power. Boy, that swamp sure never got any the less muddy, did it!