The Democrats really screwed up last night

[dan_s]

Watch This: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w49VGFDylQ

The Democrats made a big mistake last night. Their behavior during Trump's speech was childish.

[aja57]

Problem is most of the public suffers from attention deficit disorder so no one will remember. Congress and the Senate are so dysfunctional under Republicans that nothing will get passed for the next two year. Many Republicans will need to get primaried. If you think four years of Biden’s executive orders were exhausting wait till you experience the Trump boomerang effect . However, DOGE did the American public a real favor in exposing the kleptocracy of the last 50 years. Unfortunately, none of those expenses will get clawed back nor does Speaker Johnson have any interest in removing them from the budget. Hence, congressmen like Tom Massie will vote no on the CR. Frankly, many may feel relieved in a Trump Presidency but there is a war going on in the FBI ,DOJ,CIA , DOD, and DHS and Vegas is not taking odds on who will win.

[mikelp]

interesting insight from both sides

my perspective is probably a little biased
with family in Ukraine and having traveled there 7 times since the invasion
trying to help them survive and seeing what Putin has done to Ukraine

I had/have no love for Democrats or Biden...too many reasons to get into here
most here already agree on that point

I have always mistrusted Trump, but won't get into that because of the immediate
anger that statement seems to invite from his most ardent supporters

regarding the current domestic political divide,
ever read the 1954 novel "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding,
or watch the two movies based on the book ? the first a great Black n White, the later a colorized version

imagine we are on that island...
who has the conch these days?
which 'tribe' is in control?
is "Jack" now the Chief?
who in our current government - political world remind us of "Jack"?

I have a good idea myself, including which of our so-called "leaders" is Jack

best regards to all

[Petroleum economist]

Dan, I do agree that the democrats misbehaved. Democrats at the moment have no power and do not offer a feasible alternative to the Republican party.

However, Republicans also misbehaved. While Trump is destroying the free world (=stopping all aid to Ukraine), killing world free trade (=starting trade wars through tariffs, thus increasing US/worldwide inflation and reducing GDP), the Republican party just acted like an applause machine, as only seen in countries such as North Korea, Russia and China.

Where is the interaction/balance between the president and congress? Silly ideas from the president should be challenged and if necessary be corrected. The Republican party has smart people. They need to step up to the plate, formulate independent opinions and should not just mimic what Trump says.

[Cliff_N]

First, Putin was stupid for invading Ukraine. Second, the expansion of NATO to the Russian border is inexcusable. Can you imagine the US reaction of China or Russia working their way through South America, Central America and finally Mexico (Ukraine) placing missiles along the way? Some us are old enough to remember the Soviet Union putting missiles in Cuba, JFK brought the world to the brink of nuclear war over the encroachment. The United States also withdrew from the ABM Treaty with Russia on June 13, 2002, under President George W. Bush, add more to the perception of being a threat. When Reagan and Baker told Gorbachev on the reunification of Germany, "NATO would not move one inch East," since NATO has moved 1000 miles east and have enlisted 17 countries into NATO, from the former USSR and Warsaw Pact countries. Russia is not the USSR, it has a GDP smaller than the State of Texas. Finally, Ukraine was in peace negotiations with Putin prior to the war. Boris Johnson and Biden told him to pull out. Putin's demand, "No NATO membership for Ukraine." Angela Merkle warned NATO and the EU in 2015 that Putin would view Ukraine membership as an act of war. From GROK on the timeline of NATO encroachment:



NATO has undergone significant expansion since 1999, growing from 19 member countries to 32 by March 2025. This enlargement has been a key feature of the alliance’s evolution in the post-Cold War era, reflecting both the aspirations of former Eastern Bloc nations to integrate with the West and NATO’s open-door policy under Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Below is an overview of NATO’s expansion since 1999, organized by the waves of accession:

First Wave: 1999
Date: March 12, 1999

Countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland

Context: This marked the first major post-Cold War expansion, bringing in three former Warsaw Pact nations. The move followed the 1997 Madrid Summit, where NATO leaders invited these countries to join, aiming to stabilize Central Europe and integrate emerging democracies into Western institutions. Their accession raised the total number of NATO members to 19.

Second Wave: 2004
Date: March 29, 2004

Countries: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia

Context: This was the largest single expansion in NATO’s history, adding seven countries, many of which were former communist states or Soviet republics (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). Initiated at the 2002 Prague Summit, this wave extended NATO’s reach to the Baltic region and further into Southeastern Europe, increasing membership to 26. It underscored NATO’s role in consolidating security across a broader swath of Europe.

Third Wave: 2009
Date: April 1, 2009

Countries: Albania, Croatia

Context: These Western Balkan nations joined after participating in NATO’s Membership Action Plan (MAP), launched in 1999 to prepare aspiring members. Their accession brought the total to 28, reflecting NATO’s focus on stabilizing the Balkans following conflicts in the 1990s.

Fourth Wave: 2017
Date: June 5, 2017

Country: Montenegro

Context: Montenegro’s entry as the 29th member continued NATO’s engagement in the Western Balkans, reinforcing regional security amid lingering tensions from the Yugoslav wars. It also signaled NATO’s ongoing commitment to its open-door policy.

Fifth Wave: 2020
Date: March 27, 2020

Country: North Macedonia

Context: North Macedonia became the 30th member after resolving a long-standing name dispute with Greece, a NATO ally. Its accession further solidified NATO’s presence in the Balkans.

Sixth Wave: 2023
Date: April 4, 2023

Country: Finland

Context: Finland’s加入 marked a significant shift, driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Abandoning decades of military non-alignment, Finland’s membership extended NATO’s border with Russia by over 800 miles, bringing the total to 31 members.

Seventh Wave: 2024
Date: March 7, 2024

Country: Sweden

Context: Like Finland, Sweden joined (as the 32nd member) in response to heightened security concerns following Russia’s actions in Ukraine. This completed the Nordic region’s alignment with NATO, doubling the alliance’s pre-1999 membership.

Broader Implications
Since 1999, NATO’s expansion has added 13 countries, primarily from Central and Eastern Europe, reflecting a strategic shift eastward. Proponents argue it has bolstered democratic reforms and security in these regions, locking in stability after the Cold War. Critics, including some Russian leaders, contend it has heightened tensions by encroaching on Russia’s sphere of influence—a grievance often cited in the context of the Ukraine conflict. The debate over assurances given during 1990 German reunification talks (e.g., James Baker’s “not one inch eastward” remark) remains contentious, though no formal treaty barred NATO’s growth.
As of March 6, 2025, NATO’s membership stands at 32, with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Ukraine currently designated as aspiring members. The alliance’s enlargement continues to shape Europe’s security landscape, balancing integration with geopolitical friction.

NATO's open-door policy

European Union expansion

[aja57]

Worth the watch, Cliff
https://x.com/DrEtiquette/status/1897690688487137546

[Ray_M]

"Elections have consequences"
-- Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States, shortly after taking office in 2009, during a meeting with Republican congressional leaders

I believe Trump, and the Republican Senate and House majorities, won the election because Americans are disgusted with the direction our country has taken. The never-ending wars, misspent tax dollars, and the perception that the political class, epitomized by political leaders who have made politics their lifelong job (I'm looking at both political parties for at least the last few decades).

Like him or not, Trump made promises during his election campaign and the people heard, believed, and voted for him to carry out those promises.

He is shaking the proverbial apple tree, and a lot of bad apples seem to be falling out right now.

Why is it that detractors (political, media, etc.) are upset with, not with the abuse that has been uncovered so far, but seem to be more upset that he is uncovering years and years of graft?

My tax dollars have apparently gone to support things in other countries that I don't understand or agree with. Question: how many other countries have taxed their people and businesses, then sent it to the United States?

The pendulum had swung very far in one direction, and now it is swinging very far in the opposite direction. At one point, gravity will slow it down... but not today.

[dan_s]

We need both parties to want "To Make America Great Again". It is fine to have different opinions of what that means and good to have open debate and compromises.

IMO the Democrats have moved way too far into the land of the Wackos of the Left.

Why would anyone not want to stop the wasteful spending that Musk's team has uncovered?

Why would anyone not want to stop the senseless war in Ukraine? < Companies that make weapons.

[ChuckGeb]

Considering the virtual insolvency of our country, why would anyone want to deepen the financial hole for our grandchildren to send any more money outside of our hemisphere? It’s like they say on flights, put your mask on first. It is tragic what has happened in Ukraine with the killing fields decimating an entire generation and laying their country to waste. I support Trump 100% in bringing this mass destruction to a close. It has been a lose-lose for all people except Putin, Zelensky, and the Biden circle of corruption.

[aja57]

The EU has decided to appropriate 500 billion euros to strengthen their miltary after Trump threatens to leave NATO. So I it seems that the EU wants to create a German force to march through Poland to fight Putin. Where have I seen that before?