"American culture is diverse, shaped by history, immigration, and regional differences, but several core tenets recur across sources like sociological studies (e.g., Hofstede's cultural dimensions), historical analyses (e.g., Tocqueville's Democracy in America), and contemporary surveys (e.g., Pew Research on American values). These are not universal—exceptions and debates exist—but they form a widely recognized foundation." Core Tenets of American Culture
I live in blue part of blue MA, and the whole giant American and/or Confederate flag flying off the back of a pickup with Eric Church or similar blasting is all over the place here.
I live in north central Texas, and I never see anything like that.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After being snubbed for the Nobel Peace Prize, sources close to President Donald Trump revealed that he had not yet given up hope that he could win a Nobel Prize in Literature for his latest Truth Social post.
"I'm the only president that uses Truth Social, did you know that? The only one," Trump said. "And I've got some real bangers, let me tell you. Take this most recent one about China. I really scorched those Chinamen. It's a long post. Did you see it? It was almost like writing a book. It was really something." It’s Not Over Yet: Trump Still Hoping For Nobel In Literature For Latest Truth Social Post
Here are before and after images using the prompt, "A woman walks to an excursion boat, probably in Port Aransas, 1907. Please restore the image by removing noise, adding missing detail, sharpening, and colorizing."
what would you want the Guard or the Army to actually do?
I don't want them to do anything. Trump shouldn't be mobilizing the National Guard against the wishes of the state. But the failures of the local authorities to enforce the law and ordinances certainly give him an excuse.
P.S. the “forum similar to this one” 10-15 years ago wasn’t the old ObWi, was it?
No, the forum was one of several over the years used by a small group of people I first encountered in 1998.
About a decade and a half ago, I used to pursue and comment on a form similar to this one. One of the regular participants would occasionally cross the line with ad hominem attacks, insults, and general nastiness. When called to task, he would complain bitterly about the Civility Brigade.
Charles, the thing that puzzles me at least, is that if that is what you think of Trump, how is it possible for you to lament the protests outside the ICE place in “war-ravaged” Portland...
Two wrongs don't make a right. The protesters are unlikely to have any positive influence on anyone who counts, especially the Trump administration. The protests are more likely to be counterproductive, especially with the locals who are sick of the months and years of chaos in their lives.
And, as a side note, how come you are just accepting the “evidence” of people like honeybadgermom?
I've seen videos from several sources showing protestors engaging in bad behavior. Assaulting individuals. Throwing objects and fireworks at ICE personnel. Damaging property. People have the right to protest. They don't have the right to break the law.
...why are you prepared to so staunchly defend some of the consequences of his actions, even when they conflict with principles you have always said you support?
I'm at a loss as to which consequences I have staunchly defended.
russell 5:02 pm: First, “antifa” and the related term “radical left” have become so vague as to be almost meaningless. [...]
Here's another breakdown of the protestors.
"Members of the anti-ICE crowd in Portland can be divided into one of four main categories. There is some overlap – rioters fitting into more than one group – but these categories encompass nearly everyone there." Brandi Kruse
I haven't commented much on Trump because I thought everyone here was pretty much in agreement that he is a self-absorbed, narcissistic, immoral, unethical boofun running roughshod over the law, the Constitution, and people's lives.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.
On “An openish thread featuring the comedy stylings of Steve Witkoff”
I’m well aware that not everyone here thinks kindly of James Carville, but I’m betting that nonetheless few will disagree with the extract above.
I disagree with all of it.
On “The surprising philosophy behind Palantir”
Win $1,000 by Predicting Palantir’s (PLTR) Closing Price
On “Shabana burns the cakes”
The UK's foreign-born population was 4.2% in 1951, 8.3% in 2001, and 16% in 2021.
Foreign-born population of the United Kingdom
London's foreign-born population is 41%.
"
AI everywhere. :)
"
There was a ten-year period during the Blair government England had more immigration than during the previous thousand years.
On “Your quest begins now!”
The wrinkle is that he preferred associating with a known pedophile than with Donald Trump. That’s not exactly flattering.
To be perdatic, Epstein wasn't a pedophile. His thing was underage teenage females, not preteen females.
On “People and poliltics”
Unintended post.
"
Perhaps it's A Conflict of Visions.
"
In color.
On “Another variety in the diversity of greasy”
All cleaned up...
On “Horrifying stuff”
Now, some of us have more Neanderthal DNA than others, but that miscegenation is long, long in the past.
There are far fewer men who self-identify as Neanderthal than there are women who claim that they're married to one.
"
What is “American culture”?
Here are some of the basics.
"American culture is diverse, shaped by history, immigration, and regional differences, but several core tenets recur across sources like sociological studies (e.g., Hofstede's cultural dimensions), historical analyses (e.g., Tocqueville's Democracy in America), and contemporary surveys (e.g., Pew Research on American values). These are not universal—exceptions and debates exist—but they form a widely recognized foundation."
Core Tenets of American Culture
On “Monarchy in the UK”
oops!
On “The South shall writhe again”
I live in blue part of blue MA, and the whole giant American and/or Confederate flag flying off the back of a pickup with Eric Church or similar blasting is all over the place here.
I live in north central Texas, and I never see anything like that.
"
Where's my fried green tomatoes?
On “…..”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After being snubbed for the Nobel Peace Prize, sources close to President Donald Trump revealed that he had not yet given up hope that he could win a Nobel Prize in Literature for his latest Truth Social post.
"I'm the only president that uses Truth Social, did you know that? The only one," Trump said. "And I've got some real bangers, let me tell you. Take this most recent one about China. I really scorched those Chinamen. It's a long post. Did you see it? It was almost like writing a book. It was really something."
It’s Not Over Yet: Trump Still Hoping For Nobel In Literature For Latest Truth Social Post
On “Excelsior 2.1”
That one uses threads — you can reply to a comment — but only 3 levels deep, I think.
Wouldn't happen here, but I've seen websites' comment quality go downhill fast after threaded comments were introduced.
On “Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk, nyuk”
I intended my comments for the Excelsior 2.1 post. :(
"
After processing the image. The "AI" took some liberties with the details it added. Like giving the men hats.
"
Images huh?
I've been playing around with Google AI Studio.
Here are before and after images using the prompt, "A woman walks to an excursion boat, probably in Port Aransas, 1907. Please restore the image by removing noise, adding missing detail, sharpening, and colorizing."
On “Where are the 5 words?”
what would you want the Guard or the Army to actually do?
I don't want them to do anything. Trump shouldn't be mobilizing the National Guard against the wishes of the state. But the failures of the local authorities to enforce the law and ordinances certainly give him an excuse.
P.S. the “forum similar to this one” 10-15 years ago wasn’t the old ObWi, was it?
No, the forum was one of several over the years used by a small group of people I first encountered in 1998.
"
About a decade and a half ago, I used to pursue and comment on a form similar to this one. One of the regular participants would occasionally cross the line with ad hominem attacks, insults, and general nastiness. When called to task, he would complain bitterly about the Civility Brigade.
"
Charles, the thing that puzzles me at least, is that if that is what you think of Trump, how is it possible for you to lament the protests outside the ICE place in “war-ravaged” Portland...
Two wrongs don't make a right. The protesters are unlikely to have any positive influence on anyone who counts, especially the Trump administration. The protests are more likely to be counterproductive, especially with the locals who are sick of the months and years of chaos in their lives.
And, as a side note, how come you are just accepting the “evidence” of people like honeybadgermom?
I've seen videos from several sources showing protestors engaging in bad behavior. Assaulting individuals. Throwing objects and fireworks at ICE personnel. Damaging property. People have the right to protest. They don't have the right to break the law.
...why are you prepared to so staunchly defend some of the consequences of his actions, even when they conflict with principles you have always said you support?
I'm at a loss as to which consequences I have staunchly defended.
russell 5:02 pm: First, “antifa” and the related term “radical left” have become so vague as to be almost meaningless. [...]
Here's another breakdown of the protestors.
"Members of the anti-ICE crowd in Portland can be divided into one of four main categories. There is some overlap – rioters fitting into more than one group – but these categories encompass nearly everyone there."
Brandi Kruse
"
Thanks russell.
"
I haven't commented much on Trump because I thought everyone here was pretty much in agreement that he is a self-absorbed, narcissistic, immoral, unethical boofun running roughshod over the law, the Constitution, and people's lives.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.