TDS

[Jersey Girl]

TDS is simply a handy way that people too lazy to follow facts and news dismiss what others are saying.

Nailed it.

They can't defend themselves, so they go on the attack with everything they have: nonsense.

I see it the same way. I also see that it's time for me to detox again.

[canpakes]

If you're willing to answer, …

.

[Hound of Heaven]

Ifyou're willing to answer, I am curious about what you think (as someone who leans politically left) your side ought to do? Who do you see as a potential leader from your camp?

First of all, Ceeboo, let me throw this out there and see if you’re on the same page, the chats I have on this board with the far-left members are a whole different ballgame compared to the conversations I have with far-left folks in person. In conversations with far-left Democrats I've known for ages, there's at least a glimmer of recognition that the party might want to shimmy towards the center for a bit. After all, if we want to reel back in some of those moderate Democrats like yours truly and the independents we lost in the 2024 election, a little strategic maneuvering could go a long way.

There's something delightfully peculiar happening on this discussion board, and I'm still trying to crack the code. The far left folks who frequent this place seem to have an uncanny knack for defending progressivism at all costs, and they do it with a flair for hostility and negativity that’s truly something to behold. It seems we have a trio of conservative board members making their presence known—namely you, Markk, and Ajax18. The way the progressives engage with the conservatives here is nothing short of absurd. It's not just absurd, it's practically a descent into madness. Their treatment of conservatives seems like a twisted form of self-help, as if the more unkind they are, the more they boost their own self-esteem. It's like a bizarre therapy session where dishing out meanness is the ultimate stress relief. Who knew being cruel could be so cathartic?

Consider Bishop Schmo, for example. Prior to my decision to highlight his rather impolite antics directed at you and fellow conservatives on the board, it was a staggering 9 out of 10 posts where he was hurling expletives and resorting to name-calling in a manner that was, let’s say, less than mature and clearly against the board's guidelines. Ever since I decided to put his feet to the flames and point out his inner toddler, he's toned it down and begun to behave like a proper adult. So, I essentially turned him into a fully-fledged adult, all because Canpakes the moderator gets a kick out of watching Bishop Schmo bend the rules. So, the crux of the matter is, as I've demonstrated, the board's dynamics can shift, much like my training of Bishop Schmo, but that doesn't imply a complete overhaul is on the horizon. This board seems to be a breeding ground for disdain, and it appears that not all the progressives here are ready to part ways with their animosity towards those who dare to think differently from their fervent beliefs.

When it comes to what my party needs to do to start racking up those election victories again, the answer is refreshingly straightforward. As I've been saying for ages, it's high time we waltz towards the center and cozy up to the Republicans as much as we can. But as you know, convincing the progressives to do that is like herding cats, nearly impossible! It would require them to put a pause on their disdain for conservatives and anyone who dares to disagree with their far-left playbook. Trump has taken their movement and left it as bare as a winter tree, with nothing but hatred, disdain, and contempt hanging from its branches. He pulled that stunt on purpose, fully aware that if he stripped them of all their good qualities and left just the negativity, most Americans would be less than eager to cast their votes for them again.

What Trump pulled on the progressive movement is a textbook example of a sales tactic that's as clear as day. He took all the shiny bits from the progressive movement and turned them into his own personal treasure chest. It seems the progressive movement and the Democrat party have a tall order ahead of them if they want to bounce back from the chaos Trump has stirred up. They might want to take a page from his playbook to avoid looking like the poster children for ignorance and animosity in America. Once they realize a change is in order, they should start treating Trump like their long-lost best buddy, showering him with compliments and claiming all the glory for his every move. They ought to embrace the border situation by heading to the frontlines and patrolling alongside border control, putting on a show of being more eager to close the border than the Trump administration ever was. For time being, just to keep up with the tariff chatter. When Trump throws out a 125% tariff on China, the Democrats should counter with a bold 130%, because why not one-up him, right? What I'm hinting at is that the Democrats ought to turn the tables on Trump, keeping him on his toes about their next move. At this point, their fury over not having triumphed in the last decade has turned them into the most predictable characters in the drama.

It's like Trump has a crystal ball that reveals their every move before they even think of it. He's truly pulling the strings, and a prime illustration of this is during the presidential address when he confidently predicted that they wouldn't clap or stand for anything he was about to say. And lo and behold, he was spot on, the Democrats sat there like statues, looking utterly ridiculous!

The biggest conundrum for my party at the moment is the glaring absence of a "Trump." We lack a singular leader with the guts or even the smartst to grasp how Trump was practically handing them a script during his presidential speech, making the entire Democrat party look like a bunch of complete buffoons in the eyes of the American public. We’re on the lookout for a brave soul who isn’t afraid to get a little messy in the political arena, whether it’s from the Republicans or the far-left wing of the party. Trump is ready to throw down with the Democrats and won't hesitate to tussle with Republicans who dare to stray from his vision. And let's not forget, the American people have given him a standing ovation for that—twice, no less!

We need a Trump and we need one fast!

[Molok]

the answer is refreshingly straightforward. As I've been saying for ages, it's high time we waltz towards the center and cozy up to the Republicans as much as we can

This shocks me.

[Kishkumen]

the answer is refreshingly straightforward. As I've been saying for ages, it's high time we waltz towards the center and cozy up to the Republicans as much as we can

This shocks me.

No doubt! That is as fresh Bill Clinton's unwashed undies from the '90s!

Revolutionary!

[Hound of Heaven]

the answer is refreshingly straightforward. As I've been saying for ages, it's high time we waltz towards the center and cozy up to the Republicans as much as we can

This shocks me.

Molok, it seems that Trump has taken a good hard look inside you and decided to redecorate with a splash of hatred and a dash of disdain. No wonder you can't grasp my suggestion! Have you ever come across that classic adage about dispatching foes with a sprinkle of sweetness? That's the secret sauce we need to whip up to outsmart the Republicans.

At this juncture, showering them with kindness might just be our last-ditch effort to win back the trust of the American populace. It seems that Trump has taken your common sense on a little vacation, leaving you in a fog of Trump derangement syndrome. Allow me to shed some light on the concept of killing them with kindness. When your foe is feeling peckish, serve up a feast! If your foe finds themselves dangling from a precipice, extend your hand and hoist them back up. If your foe is in need of a buck, toss him two bucks instead!

Securing votes isn't about the cold, hard facts, it's all about charming the electorate into believing you're the superior choice for power over your rival. Your progressive pals and you seem to have a one-track mind, endlessly lamenting about Trump’s supposed ignorance. Meanwhile, Trump is busy chatting up the American public about his grand plans to improve their lives and those of their kids.

Trump behaves the way he does because he’s fully aware that the more Democrats fixate on him, the less they’re actually communicating to the American people about their willingness to stand up for them. Americans are absolutely fed up with the endless chatter about the Democrats' disdain for Donald Trump! Why does it seem like progressives have a tough time wrapping their heads around this?

The majority of Americans don't care about your hatred for Trump! And now they're starting to figure out your hatred for Trump is a mental disease.

[canpakes]

Once they realize a change is in order, they should start treating Trump like their long-lost best buddy, showering him with compliments and claiming all the glory for his every move. They ought to embrace the border situation by heading to the frontlines and patrolling alongside border control, putting on a show of being more eager to close the border than the Trump administration ever was. For time being, just to keep up with the tariff chatter. When Trump throws out a 125% tariff on China, the Democrats should counter with a bold 130%, because why not one-up him, right? What I'm hinting at is that the Democrats ought to turn the tables on Trump, keeping him on his toes about their next move. At this point, their fury over not having triumphed in the last decade has turned them into the most predictable characters in the drama.

Aha. I see that you’ve upped the ante from your usual tactic of, ‘Just shut up and let him (us) do what we want unchallenged!’, to, ‘Do everything Trump wants, at 110%!’.

: )

[Doctor Steuss]

the answer is refreshingly straightforward. As I've been saying for ages, it's high time we waltz towards the center and cozy up to the Republicans as much as we can

This shocks me.

Interestingly, quite a few post-mortems from left-leaning sources and talking heads attributed Harris' loss to this very thing. I sometimes wonder what it would even look like if America ever had someone left-of-center (from a global perspective, not America's weird bastardized far-right skewed spectrum) as a major Presidential candidate. I don't think we ever will, since it's become too commonplace for culture issues to take place of policy issues.

To be a Democrat, you have to agree with social issues A, B, and C. To be a Republican, you have to agree with social issues D, E, and F. Oh, you want to know the macroeconomic and/or geopolitical ideological stance of a given party, or the nuanced and multi-faceted strategy to tackle a given societal issue? Well, you see "Hey, look over there, a Transgender person is trying to live their life, and a Bible just got read in a school!!!! Aiiieeeee!!!!!" There's one thing that I can definitely credit Trump with, and that's having a political/populist sense as far as what can and can't garner support (example, see him parting ways with Republicans regarding gutting social programs).

As a side note, I can't think of any of my leftist friends who identify as Democrats. They're a mixed bag as far as voter registration goes (some registered Independant, and some Democrat so they can primary), but none of them would ever use "Democrat" as a part of their identity. I think some of the harshest criticisms (or at least, the most well-thought-out) of the Democratic party that I've encountered have come from my leftist friends.

[canpakes]

Who do you see as a potential leader from your camp?

Looking at folks on the other side of the fence from your standing, Ceeboo, how would you answer that?

[Molok]

This shocks me.

Molok, it seems that Trump has taken a good hard look inside you and decided to redecorate with a splash of hatred and a dash of disdain. No wonder you can't grasp my suggestion! Have you ever come across that classic adage about dispatching foes with a sprinkle of sweetness? That's the secret sauce we need to whip up to outsmart the Republicans.

At this juncture, showering them with kindness might just be our last-ditch effort to win back the trust of the American populace. It seems that Trump has taken your common sense on a little vacation, leaving you in a fog of Trump derangement syndrome. Allow me to shed some light on the concept of killing them with kindness. When your foe is feeling peckish, serve up a feast! If your foe finds themselves dangling from a precipice, extend your hand and hoist them back up. If your foe is in need of a buck, toss him two bucks instead!

Securing votes isn't about the cold, hard facts, it's all about charming the electorate into believing you're the superior choice for power over your rival. Your progressive pals and you seem to have a one-track mind, endlessly lamenting about Trump’s supposed ignorance. Meanwhile, Trump is busy chatting up the American public about his grand plans to improve their lives and those of their kids.

Trump behaves the way he does because he’s fully aware that the more Democrats fixate on him, the less they’re actually communicating to the American people about their willingness to stand up for them. Americans are absolutely fed up with the endless chatter about the Democrats' disdain for Donald Trump! Why does it seem like progressives have a tough time wrapping their heads around this?

The majority of Americans don't care about your hatred for Trump! And now they're starting to figure out your hatred for Trump is a mental disease.

you can't even define what a progressive is, ChatGPT, let's hold off on the mind reading for a while.