I didn’t say anything about killing anyone. I said if you commit armed robbery and go on to murder someone you should be in prison. I don’t know who Brian Kilmeade is and I don’t watch Fox News.

That is not what you said. What you said was,

The guy had been arrested 14 times and should not have been out on no cash bail. Clearly he had mental health problems and should’ve been in prison where he couldn’t murder a woman on public transit.

He had already served his term for any previous conviction. You said he should be in prison after serving his sentence and before any further offence.

The article…

You can’t give them a choice,” Jones continued. “Either you take the resources that we’re going to give you … or you decide that you are going to be locked up in jail. That’s the way it has to be now.”

That is comparable to what you said. Despite having served time for an offence, “you are going to be locked up in jail”.

I said if you commit armed robbery and go on to murder someone you should be in prison.

No one would disagree with you there. But your strong implication was that somehow authorities should have known that he would reoffend and therefore shouldn't have let him out. Ever. If that was not your opinion then please enlighten us. The truth is that the vast majority of prisoners are released eventually, and sadly some go on to commit other crimes. The system does the best it can but it isn't clairvoyant. You seem to think it should be.

I guess we can guess where surfguy gets his ideas.

Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade says comment about killing mentally ill homeless people an ‘extremely callous remark’

You can’t give them a choice,” Jones continued. “Either you take the resources that we’re going to give you … or you decide that you are going to be locked up in jail. That’s the way it has to be now.”

That’s what prompted Kilmeade to add, “Or involuntary lethal injection or something. Just kill ‘em.”

While the MAGA crowd is calling for the firing of those who exercise their First Amendment right of free speech to be fired for making comments critical of Charlie Kirk’s ethos, those on the right who call for mass killings of innocent citizens continue to cash their paycheques. If it increases ratings, maybe he’ll even get a raise.

I didn’t say anything about killing anyone. I said if you commit armed robbery and go on to murder someone you should be in prison. I don’t know who Brian Kilmeade is and I don’t watch Fox News.

So much for transparency.

I guess we can guess where surfguy gets his ideas.

Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade says comment about killing mentally ill homeless people an ‘extremely callous remark’

You can’t give them a choice,” Jones continued. “Either you take the resources that we’re going to give you … or you decide that you are going to be locked up in jail. That’s the way it has to be now.”

That’s what prompted Kilmeade to add, “Or involuntary lethal injection or something. Just kill ‘em.”

While the MAGA crowd is calling for the firing of those who exercise their First Amendment right of free speech to be fired for making comments critical of Charlie Kirk’s ethos, those on the right who call for mass killings of innocent citizens continue to cash their paycheques. If it increases ratings, maybe he’ll even get a raise.

Things just got much worse. The Criminal-in-Chief just revealed another SNUFF FLICK as more red meat for his MAGAt base so they won't think about the Epstein Files and the FACT that he's a child rapist. Another speed boat was just blown out of the water in the Caribbean. Again, with ZERO EVIDENCE, just the word of a lying regime of a criminal who ran for office to stay out of prison.

I have to be frank with Gringos: this is seriously criminal what he's doing, and it endangers your lives ALL AROUND THE WORLD. At this rate, before he leaves office, the entire world will be rooting for China to hunt him and his criminal regime members down like Bush did Saddam, or Obama did Osama. He's condemning the USA to one of those dystopian futures you thought could never happen, except the entire world is watching it happen in real time, and the USA is NOT looking like the good guys anymore (if they ever actually did). If this is what you voted for, you're obviously too stupid to be voting.

Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade says comment about killing mentally ill homeless people an ‘extremely callous remark’

You can’t give them a choice,” Jones continued. “Either you take the resources that we’re going to give you … or you decide that you are going to be locked up in jail. That’s the way it has to be now.”

That’s what prompted Kilmeade to add, “Or involuntary lethal injection or something. Just kill ‘em.”

While the MAGA crowd is calling for the firing of those who exercise their First Amendment right of free speech to be fired for making comments critical of Charlie Kirk’s ethos, those on the right who call for mass killings of innocent citizens continue to cash their paycheques. If it increases ratings, maybe he’ll even get a raise.

Within the thread are references to the U.S. Pledge of Allegience. Here is my version that I recite ... always under my breath so that no one will hear:

"I pledge allegiance to the Corporations of the Citizens United of America and to the Billionaires, for whom they benefit, one nation, under SuperPACs, economically divided, with liberty and justice for the 0.01%."

"There's class warfare, all right, but it's my class, the rich class, that's making war, and we're winning." -- Warren Buffett, CEO, Berkshire Hathaway

This was my response when a student recently asked about the influence of money on our political environment. I posted it on my website.

Nothing is perfect. That includes capitalism. In fact, capitalism might just be the worst economic system ever created ... except for all the others. However, lately something has changed in the world of capitalism and not for the best. I used to be so proud of how many billionaires that the United States had minted. Now we see that some of those billionaires have been using their power to corrupt our political system. If we don't want the United States to wind up as a kleptocracy like Russia, we have to curtail the power of money in our world of politics. Wish us luck!

Not sure what race has to do with any of this.

Please spare us. Or point us to your litany of postings decrying the killings committed by people not of colour. Maybe you expounded your views on the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, hunted down and trapped like a wild animal before being shot to death with the killing being covered up for the “good old’ boys” in Georgia. Maybe you schooled us about the murder of George Floyd by the “boy scout” Derek Chauvi. (Look up the list of 18 formal complaints against him the the good ol’ boys took care of and the millions of dollars of civil settlements based on his (mis)conduct.

If you commit armed robbery regardless of what color your skin is you should not be on the street.

And he was off the streets. Imprisoned, not hospitalized, and I have seen nothing to indicate that he was treated for mental illness while imprisoned.

And assuming you serve your term you certainly shouldn’t be let out without bail next time you’re arrested.

Here we come to it. Previously you held that “ Clearly he had mental health problems and should’ve been in prison” Then, “He’s a criminal and should’ve been in prison”. Now only the rich who can afford bail should be granted bail.

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for the rich."

I guess I better start tempering my comments though as the First Amendment might not be in effect soon.

State Department warns immigrants against 'making light of' Kirk assassination on social media

The U.S. State Department is warning foreign visa applicants and immigrants against praising, rationalizing, or making light of conservative activist and podcaster Charlie Kirk's assassination.

Landau has been at the forefront of publicizing the revocations and denials of U.S. visas, having announced earlier this year that he had revoked visas for performer Bob Vylan and his crew after the British punk-rap duo led crowds in chanting “death” to the Israeli military.

He also asked social media users to copy him on any posts they might see that could be relevant and noted he would direct "consular officials to monitor the comments to this post."

Gee, so much for the First Amendment. Welcome to Trumplandia! The dystopian version of the USA we've seen in countless movies going back to "Back To The Future" with its President Biff character based on the current occupant of the Oval Office.

And I have to take exception with the murder being called an "assassination". JFK, MLK Jr. and RFK were assassinated. A misogynistic bigoted white supremacist who made millions peddling hate was murdered shortly after calling for the release of the Epstein files and after being denounced by Laura Loomer, certified conservative MAGAt nutcase. The hit was likely ordered by the first person who publicly announced his death, out of a feeling of guilt, perhaps. He looked like he'd had a stroke at today's 9/11 commemoration ceremony. The same "bodyguard" who was with the fist-pumping fake-bloody-eared subject of the staged assassination attempt last year appeared to be standing next to Kirk making hand signs to some unknown person seconds before the bullet flew. That was extremely odd seeing as he didn't have Secret Service protection.

And today no one is talking about the Epstein files. All that's missing is for the Pedophile-in-Chief to be filmed standing in front of a banner saying "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!"

Not sure what race has to do with any of this.

Please spare us. Or point us to your litany of postings decrying the killings committed by people not of colour. Maybe you expounded your views on the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, hunted down and trapped like a wild animal before being shot to death with the killing being covered up for the “good old’ boys” in Georgia. Maybe you schooled us about the murder of George Floyd by the “boy scout” Derek Chauvi. (Look up the list of 18 formal complaints against him the the good ol’ boys took care of and the millions of dollars of civil settlements based on his (mis)conduct.

If you commit armed robbery regardless of what color your skin is you should not be on the street.

And he was off the streets. Imprisoned, not hospitalized, and I have seen nothing to indicate that he was treated for mental illness while imprisoned.

And assuming you serve your term you certainly shouldn’t be let out without bail next time you’re arrested.

Here we come to it. Previously you held that “ Clearly he had mental health problems and should’ve been in prison” Then, “He’s a criminal and should’ve been in prison”. Now only the rich who can afford bail should be granted bail.

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for the rich."

I guess I better start tempering my comments though as the First Amendment might not be in effect soon.

State Department warns immigrants against 'making light of' Kirk assassination on social media

The U.S. State Department is warning foreign visa applicants and immigrants against praising, rationalizing, or making light of conservative activist and podcaster Charlie Kirk's assassination.

Landau has been at the forefront of publicizing the revocations and denials of U.S. visas, having announced earlier this year that he had revoked visas for performer Bob Vylan and his crew after the British punk-rap duo led crowds in chanting “death” to the Israeli military.

He also asked social media users to copy him on any posts they might see that could be relevant and noted he would direct "consular officials to monitor the comments to this post."

“The 34-year-old suspect has a criminal record including larceny and breaking and entering charges. He also spent five years in prison for robbery with a dangerous weapon”

He’s a criminal and should’ve been in prison where he couldn’t murder people. This is common sense not rocket science.

I wonder whether during your education you were required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. You might remember the final words are “… and justice for all.”, not “… and justice for a chosen few”.

My understanding is that he had previous charges. That he was convicted, sentenced, and served his time. I have not seen any information that he received treatment for any mental illness while he was in jail, only that his condition was significantly worse upon release.

Are you suggesting that he ought to have been sentenced to life imprisonment for that offence?

Maybe you are suggesting a dystopia in which people, including you, ought to be imprisoned for crimes they have not yet committed.

This case involves an apparently mentally ill Black man and a young, attractive, blonde, White woman.

I wonder how much media attention and crocodile tears would be attracted if the victim had been a Haitian refugee and the offender had been a multiple killer like Ethan Couch (of affluenza “defence” fame) who walks the streets like a free man.

Not sure what race has to do with any of this. If you commit armed robbery regardless of what color your skin is you should not be on the street. And assuming you serve your term you certainly shouldn’t be let out without bail next time you’re arrested.

I rest my case.

“The 34-year-old suspect has a criminal record including larceny and breaking and entering charges. He also spent five years in prison for robbery with a dangerous weapon”

He’s a criminal and should’ve been in prison where he couldn’t murder people. This is common sense not rocket science.

I wonder whether during your education you were required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. You might remember the final words are “… and justice for all.”, not “… and justice for a chosen few”.

My understanding is that he had previous charges. That he was convicted, sentenced, and served his time. I have not seen any information that he received treatment for any mental illness while he was in jail, only that his condition was significantly worse upon release.

Are you suggesting that he ought to have been sentenced to life imprisonment for that offence?

Maybe you are suggesting a dystopia in which people, including you, ought to be imprisoned for crimes they have not yet committed.

This case involves an apparently mentally ill Black man and a young, attractive, blonde, White woman.

I wonder how much media attention and crocodile tears would be attracted if the victim had been a Haitian refugee and the offender had been a multiple killer like Ethan Couch (of affluenza “defence” fame) who walks the streets like a free man.

Not sure what race has to do with any of this. If you commit armed robbery regardless of what color your skin is you should not be on the street. And assuming you serve your term you certainly shouldn’t be let out without bail next time you’re arrested.

“The 34-year-old suspect has a criminal record including larceny and breaking and entering charges. He also spent five years in prison for robbery with a dangerous weapon”

He’s a criminal and should’ve been in prison where he couldn’t murder people. This is common sense not rocket science.

I wonder whether during your education you were required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. You might remember the final words are “… and justice for all.”, not “… and justice for a chosen few”.

My understanding is that he had previous charges. That he was convicted, sentenced, and served his time. I have not seen any information that he received treatment for any mental illness while he was in jail, only that his condition was significantly worse upon release.

Are you suggesting that he ought to have been sentenced to life imprisonment for that offence?

Maybe you are suggesting a dystopia in which people, including you, ought to be imprisoned for crimes they have not yet committed.

This case involves an apparently mentally ill Black man and a young, attractive, blonde, White woman.

I wonder how much media attention and crocodile tears would be attracted if the victim had been a Haitian refugee and the offender had been a multiple killer like Ethan Couch (of affluenza “defence” fame) who walks the streets like a free man.

The guy had been arrested 14 times and should not have been out on no cash bail. Clearly he had mental health problems and should’ve been in prison where he couldn’t murder a woman on public transit.

Does America incarcerate people who have coronary problems, kidney problems, cancer problems, mental health problems? Have any other societies done that to eliminate such problems?

This is a terrible tragedy. It is a personal tragedy for the woman killed, her friends, and family. It is a personal tragedy for the mentally ill man and his family. But it is also an indictment of a political ethos that pours billions into prisons and says that ill people should be imprisoned.

By the way, his arrest earlier this year was for the heinous offence of phoning 911 saying that he was being controlled by something inside his body.

When he was arrested in January for misusing 911, she said he kept saying “he had a chip in him," and that "the police put it in him." According to the affidavit from Brown’s arrest in January, officers were responding to a welfare call when Brown told them he believed someone gave him a “man-made” material that controlled what he ate and how he walked and talked.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/mother-sister-charlotte-stabbing-suspect-describe-history-mental/story?id=125451590

You omitted these arrests (from your article):
“The 34-year-old suspect has a criminal record including larceny and breaking and entering charges. He also spent five years in prison for robbery with a dangerous weapon”

He’s a criminal and should’ve been in prison where he couldn’t murder people. This is common sense not rocket science.

You do NOT have common sense. Black U.S. citizens have the highest wrongful conviction rates in the history of the U.S.

A young white man in the South with an obvious mental illness as this man had would likely have been treated for bipolar disorder (or whatever he suffered from) and he would have led a very different life afterward. Young black men are tossed in jail like so much trash to be rid of time after time. No mental health diagnosis or treatment. Just another criminal according to your "common sense". I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume you're a pale-skinned person.

The guy had been arrested 14 times and should not have been out on no cash bail. Clearly he had mental health problems and should’ve been in prison where he couldn’t murder a woman on public transit.

Does America incarcerate people who have coronary problems, kidney problems, cancer problems, mental health problems? Have any other societies done that to eliminate such problems?

This is a terrible tragedy. It is a personal tragedy for the woman killed, her friends, and family. It is a personal tragedy for the mentally ill man and his family. But it is also an indictment of a political ethos that pours billions into prisons and says that ill people should be imprisoned.

By the way, his arrest earlier this year was for the heinous offence of phoning 911 saying that he was being controlled by something inside his body.

When he was arrested in January for misusing 911, she said he kept saying “he had a chip in him," and that "the police put it in him." According to the affidavit from Brown’s arrest in January, officers were responding to a welfare call when Brown told them he believed someone gave him a “man-made” material that controlled what he ate and how he walked and talked.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/mother-sister-charlotte-stabbing-suspect-describe-history-mental/story?id=125451590

You omitted these arrests (from your article):
“The 34-year-old suspect has a criminal record including larceny and breaking and entering charges. He also spent five years in prison for robbery with a dangerous weapon”

He’s a criminal and should’ve been in prison where he couldn’t murder people. This is common sense not rocket science.

The guy had been arrested 14 times and should not have been out on no cash bail. Clearly he had mental health problems and should’ve been in prison where he couldn’t murder a woman on public transit.

Does America incarcerate people who have coronary problems, kidney problems, cancer problems, mental health problems? Have any other societies done that to eliminate such problems?

This is a terrible tragedy. It is a personal tragedy for the woman killed, her friends, and family. It is a personal tragedy for the mentally ill man and his family. But it is also an indictment of a political ethos that pours billions into prisons and says that ill people should be imprisoned.

By the way, his arrest earlier this year was for the heinous offence of phoning 911 saying that he was being controlled by something inside his body.

When he was arrested in January for misusing 911, she said he kept saying “he had a chip in him," and that "the police put it in him." According to the affidavit from Brown’s arrest in January, officers were responding to a welfare call when Brown told them he believed someone gave him a “man-made” material that controlled what he ate and how he walked and talked.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/mother-sister-charlotte-stabbing-suspect-describe-history-mental/story?id=125451590

I suppose you are correct. If people want to worry and fret for a hobby, it is good that they can find a place to share their concerns with like victims. On the other hand, Dos Cerveza's

Which is fine with me, I'd gladly join you for a tequila and a chela and contemplate the simple pleasures of life, but it also underscores why the USA has a serious addiction and abuse problem with both legal and stupidly banned substances. For too many people their demons are stronger than their ability to resist them. Like the young man who murdered the Ukrainian refugee on a bus the other day in North Carolina. Mental health care might have prevented that and many other problems we see people suffer daily. Most of my life I've known people who were addicts and abusers, and what became obvious to me at an early age is that no matter what the government bans, people will still find something to abuse that essentially separates them from their reality for a period of time. That's the pain suffered by too many citizens that needs treating but that is unfortunately going ignored now more than ever thanks to Reagan closing public mental health care facilities, especially in those "red states". Blowing boats of suspected drug-runners out of the water doesn't save any lives.

The guy had been arrested 14 times and should not have been out on no cash bail. Clearly he had mental health problems and should’ve been in prison where he couldn’t murder a woman on public transit.

You clearly missed the point that had he received the mental health care he needed instead of being imprisoned, which only worsens one's mental state, he might never have committed the crimes he did. Denying people health care, including mental health care, is one of the USA's biggest failings for a so-called developed country. Thank your RAPEblicans for being 100% behind healthcare-for-profit (and now PRISONS for profit) instead of making the country safer, healthier and more affordable for everyone. RFK Jr. is a sick phuqing joke himself who needs serious mental health care!

I suppose you are correct. If people want to worry and fret for a hobby, it is good that they can find a place to share their concerns with like victims. On the other hand, Dos Cerveza's

Which is fine with me, I'd gladly join you for a tequila and a chela and contemplate the simple pleasures of life, but it also underscores why the USA has a serious addiction and abuse problem with both legal and stupidly banned substances. For too many people their demons are stronger than their ability to resist them. Like the young man who murdered the Ukrainian refugee on a bus the other day in North Carolina. Mental health care might have prevented that and many other problems we see people suffer daily. Most of my life I've known people who were addicts and abusers, and what became obvious to me at an early age is that no matter what the government bans, people will still find something to abuse that essentially separates them from their reality for a period of time. That's the pain suffered by too many citizens that needs treating but that is unfortunately going ignored now more than ever thanks to Reagan closing public mental health care facilities, especially in those "red states". Blowing boats of suspected drug-runners out of the water doesn't save any lives.

The guy had been arrested 14 times and should not have been out on no cash bail. Clearly he had mental health problems and should’ve been in prison where he couldn’t murder a woman on public transit.

I suppose you are correct. If people want to worry and fret for a hobby, it is good that they can find a place to share their concerns with like victims. On the other hand, Dos Cerveza's

Which is fine with me, I'd gladly join you for a tequila and a chela and contemplate the simple pleasures of life, but it also underscores why the USA has a serious addiction and abuse problem with both legal and stupidly banned substances. For too many people their demons are stronger than their ability to resist them. Like the young man who murdered the Ukrainian refugee on a bus the other day in North Carolina. Mental health care might have prevented that and many other problems we see people suffer daily. Most of my life I've known people who were addicts and abusers, and what became obvious to me at an early age is that no matter what the government bans, people will still find something to abuse that essentially separates them from their reality for a period of time. That's the pain suffered by too many citizens that needs treating but that is unfortunately going ignored now more than ever thanks to Reagan closing public mental health care facilities, especially in those "red states". Blowing boats of suspected drug-runners out of the water doesn't save any lives.

“Should be required reading for anyone interested in preserving our 246-year experiment in self-government.” —The New York Times Book Review *

“Well researched and eloquently presented.” —The Atlantic *

“It’s not a matter of if but when: A civil war is on the way...In a time of torment, this is a book well worth reading.” —Kirkus Reviews

https://www.amazon.com/Next-Civil-War-Dispatches-American/dp/1982123214

Great choice, Wrong Reason. Please leave your gloom and doom behind as there is no place for it here.

Historically the citizens suffer under an authoritarian regime. Even in the top echelon of power, no one is safe. If you're not familiar with Night of the Long Knives, it's an excellent example of what happens when one falls out of favor.

We got our permanent residency for a number of reasons. The most important one follows what historian Dr Timothy Snyder recommends: "Have a valid passport and an actual plan to flee if you have to."

It's interesting that the article was written about history professors whose expertise is in European dictators, saw what was coming and fled the US. One of them, Dr Timothy Snyder, wrote a book "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century". Excellent read.

There was a documentary series on PBS called "The Dictators Playbook". It covered Mussolini, Franco, Kim Sung Il, Saddam Hussein, Noriega and Idi Amin. What I found fascinating was that they not only studied and learned from the methods of one another, they all used specific actions to seize and maintain their power. Trump is not a very bright guy and has no interest in history. However, somebody high up in his administration is following every step in The Dictators Playbook in earnest.

https://www.pbs.org/tpt/dictators-playbook/

It was quite obvious where all of this was headed when Hegseth began the purge of the top lawyers and other leaders in the Dept of Defense.

As Dick the Butcher said in Shakespeare’s Henry the Sixth,

The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.

Dick said that to Jack Cade, an anti-intellectual insurrectionist.

Sound familiar?.