It's frustrating to debate with Americans in particular now because everything to the left of Hitler is now a communist to them, they unironically say shit like the Conservative Party in the UK are left wing, Lmao. They'll say Macron is a left-winger despite Macron doing everything in his power to avoid working with left-wingers, Lmao. Actually a number of countries in Europe have centre-left or centre-right governments but just because they aren't as fucking insane as MAGA they get labelled as communists.

I consider myself a left-winger, but I could have lived with traditional Conservatism even if I have strong disagreements with some of it, having said that they still support Ukraine, a lot of them still support same-sex marriage, they aren't Christian Fascists, they support abortion and some even support efforts to curb climate change. Of all the right wing governments in Europe, I've only ever labelled Orban as a dictator and AfD in Germany as Nazis. But that's out of dozens of parties across Europe, I think Macron is a centre-right idiot but I wouldn't call him a fascist, Lol.

I'm not too pleased how much Keir tries to pander to Conservatives but I wouldn't label him a fascist, Lol.

American Republicanism nowadays doesn't give a shit about anything but culture warrior bigotry, they're desperate to erase women's rights, attack minorities, dismantle democratic institutions. When was the last time I had a debate about corporate tax rate, income tax rate, or just Capitalism vs Socialism? Never? Probably. Because that's not what American Republicans are about anymore, they will accuse everyone else of becoming more left but the truth is America has just gone extremely right.

Macro Rubio insisted Trump only wants them relocated temporarily, now I can't wait for him to bend over backwards to justify Trump's new comments. The Arab states will not like this, it's a powder keg waiting to explode, once again, America is showing a huge misunderstanding of the regions complexities which could potentially prove fatal, I only hope if it backfires on America it doesn't drag Europe into another pointless war.

This could push these countries closer to China as well.

'Take the Israelis to Alaska’, Saudi official mocks Netanyahu and Trump - https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-official-mocks-netanyahus-proposal-palestinian-state-saudi-arabia

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— Middle East Eye (Unofficial) (@middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social) 10 February 2025 at 15:21

Don't worry, antivaxxer RFK Jr is on the case. His brain worms are directing him. Bird Flu, Measles, if these cases increase can we rename them "American Virus?". Of course in all seriousness, I hope they get a handle on this shit, as it doesn't only affect anti-vax idiotic adults.

President Donald Trump will sign an executive order directing the Department of Justice to pause enforcing a nearly half-century-old law that prohibits American companies and foreign firms from bribing officials of foreign governments to obtain or retain business.

Trump to Pause Enforcement of Law Banning Bribery of Foreign Officials

"No. It's not good enough. Something has to happen. It's unsustainable, and I'm changing it," he said after being asked if more has to happen in 30 days on Fox News Sunday.

Trump Tariffs: Canada’s and Mexico’s Responses ‘Not Good Enough’

The Trump administration has ordered the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to stop nearly all its work, effectively shutting down an agency that was created to protect consumers after the 2008 financial crisis and subprime mortgage-lending scandal.

Trump Administration Orders Consumer Protection Agency to Stop Work, Closes Building

President Donald Trump on Monday said he had ordered the firings of the boards of visitors for all of the U.S. military’s service academies, the outside advisory panels that help oversee academic programs and student life, saying that the government’s training grounds for military officers had been invaded by so-called “woke” ideology.

Trump Fires Boards of U.S. Military Service Academies

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Once again, CFPB has bipartisan support across Democrats and Republicans, it has returned over $20bn back to consumers from scamming corporations on a less than $1bn yearly budget, I can't wait to see folk suddenly defend this decision and act like they were never in favour of it to begin with, Lol. Little bit of (maybe, who knows) waste makes it totally worth gutting the whole thing.

Funnily one of CFPB's targets were Coinbase, a favourite of Musk, Lol.

I was waiting for him to target military, that will surely help recruitment numbers and his popularity, Lol. 

A consortium led by Elon Musk offered $97.4 billion to buy the nonprofit that controls OpenAI, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, months after the billionaire sued the artificial intelligence startup to block it from transitioning to a for-profit firm.

The two are already embroiled in an ongoing lawsuit. Musk criticized a massive, $500 billion OpenAI-led project called Stargate announced with great fanfare at the White House just after President Donald Trump returned to office, suggesting the investors involved lacked the funding for the project.

Musk's attorney, Marc Toberoff, said he submitted the bid to OpenAI's board on Monday, according to the report. "It's time for OpenAI to return to the open-source, safety-focused force for good it once was," the WSJ cited Musk as saying in a statement provided by Toberoff. "We will make sure that happens."

The bid is being backed by Musk's AI company xAI, which could merge with OpenAI following a deal, the WSJ reported. Musk cofounded OpenAI with Altman in 2015, but left before the company took off. He founded the competing AI startup xAI in 2023.

Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and Altman says the founders originally approached him to fund a nonprofit focused on developing AI to benefit humanity, but that it was now focused on making money.

Exclusive | Elon Musk-Led Group Makes $97.4 Billion Bid for Control of OpenAI - WSJ

Lmfao. Musk is talking complete bullshit, he is simply mad that he was forced out of the company, now he has the American Government to back him up he's going to try to force his way back in. He doesn't give a fuck about "benefiting humanity" or making OpenAi a "force for good" and I don't like Sam Altman either but Lmfao at these billionaires playing a bullshit game of "I'm more ethical than you" for brownie points when actually he wants to acquire it because his own company can't keep up and OpenAI is way ahead.

Also, OpenAI isn't Public but Microsoft own a significant chunk.

LOOOOOOOOOOOL

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— Ivan the K ™☑️ (@ivanthek.bsky.social) 10 February 2025 at 21:12

I'd call them the "Kennedy Virus" or the "Trump virus."

Lying all the time doesn't give you immunity from criticism when you say something stupid...

A bit of a tangent, but I've been thinking recently about how this tactic that Republicans love to build up is kind of inherently anti-Democratic. The whole "Trump is just lying as a negotiation tactic" thing. Republicans love to paint Trump as someone who plays 5D chess and his lies are all part of an elaborate plot, but I think they fail to realize that lying in this manner also means lying to Americans. Democracies are built on information. People make political decisions based on public comment. Manipulations in the public sphere also serve as manipulations of the American people. Even if we are to assume that this perspective is accurate, I don't think it is compatible with American democracy. Now, it is valid to argue that all politicians lie and yes, this is a huge problem with democracy, but I do think to some extent, Trump is unique in how he uses lies and bluster, and I do think it is doing a lot of damage, even if some people are willing to allow the ends to justify the means...

It's more frustrating hearing garbage from Europeans as a US Citizen. Do you know why most Americans hate talking to Liberals or even Europeans about politics? One word. Condescending. You approach someone with that kind of tone, your opinions immediately goes to the trash.

You can see it as condescending and invalidating of opinions. That's your free speech and freedom of expression right.

The broader point I'm making is if there are actual fascists talking (which I'm not saying the majority of MAGA voters are, but far too many of them are) I'm not giving them any respect in regard to politics. Donald Trump, Republicans, and MAGA are the most fascist right now they have been since he walked down that escalator in 2015. 

If I were a radical liberal on most social issues and a communist who wanted to abolish all social classes and have workers seize the means of production would even a non-fascist conservative give me the time of day? Highly unlikely. 

I have always despised Trump politically and as a person, but I could see the tiniest percent of an argument voting for him in 2016 especially. Those days are long over. 

That reminds me, the Liberal insults make me laugh too, a lot of Americans throw "Liberal" out as a catch-all term on anyone on the left as an insult but in Europe and a lot of the world, it means something totally different and still has meaning which Republicans have eroded in America. Besides that, Liberal Parties in Europe tend to be centre or centre-right. But I'll reiterate, I have seen Americans legit say the Tories in the UK are left-wing or describe Macron as left-wing. That is because many Americans view of the political compass is totally fucked. It may be condescending to point that out but oh well, Lol.

It is likewise frustrating as a European, to hear garbage from Americans, many Europeans dislike talking to Americans because they are arrogant and treat Europe like shit. Screaming in our faces about how America is the greatest country on Earth and we should bow down to them, witnessing America trying to bully Europeans and other allies, stating how Europe has done nothing for the world or America, that we're Socialist Hellholes or in general talking mad shit about us and straight up threatening us. We have JD Vance calling Denmark a bad ally because they won't let America steal land and likewise saying America doesn't care about Europe's opinion. So why should Europeans care about Americans?

So forgive me if I have little sympathy for the complaining about condescension. Maybe tell your leaders to check their attitude first.

I will say that this obviously doesn't apply to all Americans, but it largely applies to the current Republican Movement, I made the effort before election to split Republicans from MAGA as two distinct entities and thus framed my insults towards MAGA specifically but while there may still be a lot of traditional Republicans still out there, it is very clear that MAGA has taken over the Republican Party and it's as a whole a lost cause now. The current Republican Party is not "Traditional Republicanism" but "MAGA Republicanism" but I will acknowledge that not all Republicans still think this way.