historian said:

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What the Left cells "far right" is normal people who respect the constitution and want our government to operate as the Founders indented. There is nothing extreme about that.

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Those are my kind of people. Any chance the GOP would consider bringing us into the fold?

Sam Lowry said:

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historian said:

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What the Left cells "far right" is normal people who respect the constitution and want our government to operate as the Founders indented. There is nothing extreme about that.

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Those are my kind of people. Any chance the GOP would consider bringing us into the fold?

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I'll remain Independent.

JR, as an Independent, in what ways and activities do you participate in the political process to try and make a difference?
A reason I ask is that I continue to find way too many people, who gripe and troll others,but that's all they do. We obviously have some experts here.
That's not how one meaningfully participates in the process.

That dude ain't no fkn independent lol

BUDOS said:

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JR, as an Independent, in what ways and activities do you participate in the political process to try and make a difference?
A reason I ask is that I continue to find way too many people, who gripe and troll others,but that's all they do. We obviously have some experts here.
That's not how one meaningfully participates in the process.

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Interesting question. Honesty, I don't do anything on the ground politically as it just isn't my thing and am short on time. I do have rational conversations with folks when the time is appropriate and I ask them how they identify and I give them my experience growing up Republican, but what the Republicans offers as a party and same with the Democrats doesn't square with me. I vote for whomever I think represents me and my community, 98% Republican to date, but that will no longer happen. I try give them thoughts that you don't have to be Tribal and belong to a Monolith. My free time I spend helping folks in the US, and Kenya. Good question. Wish I had a better answer, but that's all I got.

NM

Sam Lowry said:

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historian said:

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What the Left cells "far right" is normal people who respect the constitution and want our government to operate as the Founders indented. There is nothing extreme about that.

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Those are my kind of people. Any chance the GOP would consider bringing us into the fold?

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If that's what you believe then you're already halfway there. You can choose to vote accordingly. Although none of the options are ideal it's clear which party represents normal people more and which party does not even know what a woman is. It's a choice between some semblance of normalcy, however imperfect, and complete bonkers, perversion, and depravity. The GOP is the only sane choice.

[original corrected]

JR has never been, nor is he now, an independent in any real sense of that word.

Well, even if that's all you do, in my opinion that is more than the average citizen and voter. However, the overall effect of your actions results in no real likelihood of your being politically active, which is pretty much what most voters do. They gripe, express opinions, but rarely contact their legislators, contribute to a specific candidate, research the issues or work on someone's political campaign.

We wonder and spend hours wondering how politics got to the state it's in, rarely willing to admit that the enemy is ourselves and too many of us don't care to really do much about it. (And we worry about AI? Really?)

Aliceinbubbleland said:

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A September 2026 ProPublica investigation reported that Russian oligarch Umar Kremlevwho heads the International Boxing Association and has close ties to Putinspent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Donald Trump Jr.'s May Bahamas wedding. That included renting a private island for the reception and guests, plus a fireworks display, with payments routed through a Dubai entity linked to the IBA.
Major outlets like Forbes, CNN, and The Independent covered it. Trump Jr.'s side called Kremlev a personal friend and did not deny the payments, while his wife described the oligarch's part as a generous post-wedding gift from a friend.

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A guy paid for a wedding party and you've turned it into the new Russia collusion.

No charge. No vote bought. No policy flipped. Just a boxing promoter writing a check for an island and fireworks, and ProPublica acting like they caught him selling nukes. Don Jr. called him a friend. His wife called it a gift. That's it.

You people ignored Hunter cashing foreign checks while Dad was VP. Now a wedding tab is "open corruption." You're not principled. You're bored and looking for a villain. Sit down.

SipEmBears said:

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Aliceinbubbleland said:

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A September 2026 ProPublica investigation reported that Russian oligarch Umar Kremlevwho heads the International Boxing Association and has close ties to Putinspent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Donald Trump Jr.'s May Bahamas wedding. That included renting a private island for the reception and guests, plus a fireworks display, with payments routed through a Dubai entity linked to the IBA.
Major outlets like Forbes, CNN, and The Independent covered it. Trump Jr.'s side called Kremlev a personal friend and did not deny the payments, while his wife described the oligarch's part as a generous post-wedding gift from a friend.

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A guy paid for a wedding party and you've turned it into the new Russia collusion.

No charge. No vote bought. No policy flipped. Just a boxing promoter writing a check for an island and fireworks, and ProPublica acting like they caught him selling nukes. Don Jr. called him a friend. His wife called it a gift. That's it.

You people ignored Hunter cashing foreign checks while Dad was VP. Now a wedding tab is "open corruption." You're not principled. You're bored and looking for a villain. Sit down.

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Two things can be true at once. This is a bad look.

Oldbear83 said:

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JR has never been, nor is he now, an independent in any real sense of that word

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And just how in the eff would you know, Magaturd? Please tell me. Isn't about time for mama to walk out to the mailbox to get the govt cheddar!

SipEmBears said:

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Aliceinbubbleland said:

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A September 2026 ProPublica investigation reported that Russian oligarch Umar Kremlevwho heads the International Boxing Association and has close ties to Putinspent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Donald Trump Jr.'s May Bahamas wedding. That included renting a private island for the reception and guests, plus a fireworks display, with payments routed through a Dubai entity linked to the IBA.
Major outlets like Forbes, CNN, and The Independent covered it. Trump Jr.'s side called Kremlev a personal friend and did not deny the payments, while his wife described the oligarch's part as a generous post-wedding gift from a friend.

---

A guy paid for a wedding party and you've turned it into the new Russia collusion.

No charge. No vote bought. No policy flipped. Just a boxing promoter writing a check for an island and fireworks, and ProPublica acting like they caught him selling nukes. Don Jr. called him a friend. His wife called it a gift. That's it.

You people ignored Hunter cashing foreign checks while Dad was VP. Now a wedding tab is "open corruption." You're not principled. You're bored and looking for a villain. Sit down.

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just a guy, huh? You mean a Russian Oligarch with close ties to Putin. Oh, that is just some dude.

J.R. said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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JR has never been, nor is he now, an independent in any real sense of that word

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And just how in the eff would you know, Magaturd? Please tell me. Isn't about time for mama to walk out to the mailbox to get the govt cheddar!

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Right on cue, feigned anger, an insult and more stale arrogance from JR.

Your posts demonstrate you are a leftist in spirit and character, sir. Just so you know.

303Bear said:

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SipEmBears said:

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Aliceinbubbleland said:

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A September 2026 ProPublica investigation reported that Russian oligarch Umar Kremlevwho heads the International Boxing Association and has close ties to Putinspent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Donald Trump Jr.'s May Bahamas wedding. That included renting a private island for the reception and guests, plus a fireworks display, with payments routed through a Dubai entity linked to the IBA.
Major outlets like Forbes, CNN, and The Independent covered it. Trump Jr.'s side called Kremlev a personal friend and did not deny the payments, while his wife described the oligarch's part as a generous post-wedding gift from a friend.

---

A guy paid for a wedding party and you've turned it into the new Russia collusion.

No charge. No vote bought. No policy flipped. Just a boxing promoter writing a check for an island and fireworks, and ProPublica acting like they caught him selling nukes. Don Jr. called him a friend. His wife called it a gift. That's it.

You people ignored Hunter cashing foreign checks while Dad was VP. Now a wedding tab is "open corruption." You're not principled. You're bored and looking for a villain. Sit down.

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Two things can be true at once. This is a bad look.

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Hence, Trump Jr. paid it back.

Oldbear83 said:

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J.R. said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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JR has never been, nor is he now, an independent in any real sense of that word

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And just how in the eff would you know, Magaturd? Please tell me. Isn't about time for mama to walk out to the mailbox to get the govt cheddar!

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Right on cue, feigned anger, an insult and more stale arrogance from JR.

Your posts demonstrate you are a leftist in spirit and character, sir. Just so you know.

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JR doesn't even live in the US. The guy is a liberal kook.

SipEmBears said:

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303Bear said:

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SipEmBears said:

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Aliceinbubbleland said:

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A September 2026 ProPublica investigation reported that Russian oligarch Umar Kremlevwho heads the International Boxing Association and has close ties to Putinspent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Donald Trump Jr.'s May Bahamas wedding. That included renting a private island for the reception and guests, plus a fireworks display, with payments routed through a Dubai entity linked to the IBA.
Major outlets like Forbes, CNN, and The Independent covered it. Trump Jr.'s side called Kremlev a personal friend and did not deny the payments, while his wife described the oligarch's part as a generous post-wedding gift from a friend.

---

A guy paid for a wedding party and you've turned it into the new Russia collusion.

No charge. No vote bought. No policy flipped. Just a boxing promoter writing a check for an island and fireworks, and ProPublica acting like they caught him selling nukes. Don Jr. called him a friend. His wife called it a gift. That's it.

You people ignored Hunter cashing foreign checks while Dad was VP. Now a wedding tab is "open corruption." You're not principled. You're bored and looking for a villain. Sit down.

---

Two things can be true at once. This is a bad look.

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Hence, Trump Jr. paid it back.

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Well, Trump Sr says he plans to at least, we have no way of knowing if he actually will or not. And the Trump's are famous for always paying a debt. /s

Not for nothing, but this Kremlev guy wasn't the only Russian person at the celebration (which was attended by basically all of Trump's most inner circle). These people are enemies to the US, why is the President's son accepting lavish gifts and getting liquored up with them, especially in the context of all the previous Trump/Russia accusations? Surely you understand how that is potentially a national security problem?

HuMcK said:

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SipEmBears said:

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303Bear said:

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SipEmBears said:

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Aliceinbubbleland said:

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A September 2026 ProPublica investigation reported that Russian oligarch Umar Kremlevwho heads the International Boxing Association and has close ties to Putinspent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Donald Trump Jr.'s May Bahamas wedding. That included renting a private island for the reception and guests, plus a fireworks display, with payments routed through a Dubai entity linked to the IBA.
Major outlets like Forbes, CNN, and The Independent covered it. Trump Jr.'s side called Kremlev a personal friend and did not deny the payments, while his wife described the oligarch's part as a generous post-wedding gift from a friend.

---

A guy paid for a wedding party and you've turned it into the new Russia collusion.

No charge. No vote bought. No policy flipped. Just a boxing promoter writing a check for an island and fireworks, and ProPublica acting like they caught him selling nukes. Don Jr. called him a friend. His wife called it a gift. That's it.

You people ignored Hunter cashing foreign checks while Dad was VP. Now a wedding tab is "open corruption." You're not principled. You're bored and looking for a villain. Sit down.

---

Two things can be true at once. This is a bad look.

---

Hence, Trump Jr. paid it back.

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Well, Trump Sr says he plans to at least, we have no way of knowing if he actually will or not. And the Trump's are famous for always paying a debt. /s

Not for nothing, but this Kremlev guy wasn't the only Russian person at the celebration (which was attended by basically all of Trump's most inner circle). These people are enemies to the US, why is the President's son accepting lavish gifts and getting liquored up with them, especially in the context of all the previous Trump/Russia accusations? Surely you understand how that is potentially a national security problem?

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We've done our best to make them enemies, but Russians don't necessarily see themselves that way. My guess is that Kremlev wants help with his enemies in the boxing world more than anything else. Even in war, business is business.

Oldbear83 said:

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JR has never been, nor is he now, an independent in any real sense of that word.

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People still believe this? LOL

again, compared to the Robber Barons - Warren, Pelosi, Sanders, McConnell and Biden are Saints............

- el UF

D!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robber_baron_(industrialist)

Danielsjackson114 said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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JR has never been, nor is he now, an independent in any real sense of that word.

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People still believe this? LOL

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JR's* a good dude - but, yes...... He's a bit Whackadoodle.

- el UF

DEVELOPING!!!

* and FLBear for that matter.

But - we are beyond blessed to live in a Nation where people can agree to disagree.

{ digesting very over $$d Taco Cabana Breakfast bowl ** }

** will report if said repast becomes a Breakfast Bowel.

BID.

Go Bears!!

Beat The Sun Devils!!!

He might be a good dude, but he's a full blown liberal lol

To say otherwise, is just being dishonest

Wikipedia is not a reliable source.

The "Robber Barons" were not saints by and large, like any other subset of the population, but they were not the villains that Marxist historians tend to portray them. They contributed much to American economy, society, and culture. Rockefeller and Carnegie are two examples of wealthy individuals in the late 19th century who gave large sums of money to various worthy causes. Plus, many of our most prominent universities are named for such men who provided funds to get start them: Duke, John's Hopkins, Stanford, Cornell, etc. Andrew Mellon donated his considerable art collection to the US then built the National Gallery of Art to house the collection. There are other examples.

I will defer to the Historian.

- el UF

I sit corrected.

D!

Go Bears!!

Aliceinbubbleland said:

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A September 2026 ProPublica investigation reported that Russian oligarch Umar Kremlevwho heads the International Boxing Association and has close ties to Putinspent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Donald Trump Jr.'s May Bahamas wedding. That included renting a private island for the reception and guests, plus a fireworks display, with payments routed through a Dubai entity linked to the IBA.
Major outlets like Forbes, CNN, and The Independent covered it. Trump Jr.'s side called Kremlev a personal friend and did not deny the payments, while his wife described the oligarch's part as a generous post-wedding gift from a friend.

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I voted for Trump twice. I think what this shows is that the office of the President is just a way to get richer. Biden did it, Trump did it, the Clinton's have done it, Obama has certainly used the fame to enrich himself.

Way too many of our Congress (and even some of our Supreme Court), are getting rich while in office.

I'd love to think we could have a President who isn't corrupt, but I'm starting to lose hope.

hodedofome said:

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Aliceinbubbleland said:

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A September 2026 ProPublica investigation reported that Russian oligarch Umar Kremlevwho heads the International Boxing Association and has close ties to Putinspent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Donald Trump Jr.'s May Bahamas wedding. That included renting a private island for the reception and guests, plus a fireworks display, with payments routed through a Dubai entity linked to the IBA.
Major outlets like Forbes, CNN, and The Independent covered it. Trump Jr.'s side called Kremlev a personal friend and did not deny the payments, while his wife described the oligarch's part as a generous post-wedding gift from a friend.

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I voted for Trump twice. I think what this shows is that the office of the President is just a way to get richer. Biden did it, Trump did it, the Clinton's have done it, Obama has certainly used the fame to enrich himself.

Way too many of our Congress (and even some of our Supreme Court), are getting rich while in office.

I'd love to think we could have a President who isn't corrupt, but I'm starting to lose hope.

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My favorite recent President was George H.W. Bush. His attempt to save Kuwait by pushing the Iraqi's back to their border and refusing to invade Iraq shows he understood military politics.

Bush was a Yankee who got his hands dirty in the West Texas oilfields alongside roughnecks with no problem. He created a lot of opportunities for a lot of citizens.

He sacrificed his re-election by increasing taxes to try and capture the growing national debt. No one wants to do the necessary requirement to solve our debt problem. I voted for him and was disappointed when Clinton won but in looking back Clinton did balance the budget and seemed to walk the center line of politics very well.

I'll never ever understand the MAGA's disrespect for solid Republicans in favor of the current one. Just look what the current President did to our Senatorial election. He endorsed the bigger crook (no surprise there) when Cornyn could have won his seat in a cakewalk.

As far as corrupt presidents go, it looks like Reagan, Bush Sr and Bush Jr are the only ones since 1980 who didn't use the office to get rich. There may be arguments about corruption in other areas, but the money side looks pretty clean with them.

"Republican Senator John CurtisUT notes the collapse of public trust in government, and one reason for this: "members of presidential families using their names and proximity to the President to advance private business interests." The remarkable seediness of the two most recent presidential families has provided a target-rich environment.
There was Hunter Biden. Now there is Donald Trump Jr.'s "acceptance of significant gifts," including "a lavish wedding afterparty, on a private island," Curtis writes, provided by a Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin. There are also Trump Jr.'s "active promotion of family-backed cryptocurrency ventures, his continued pursuit of international real estate deals involving direct meetings with foreign heads of state, and his reported investments in defense contracting" and "significant financial and advisory ties to prediction market platforms that depend on favorable federal regulatory decisions."

Curtis's letter urges Grassley to subpoena these two presidential sons to testify in order to "establish the facts, determine whether existing ethics, disclosure, or anti-corruption laws apply, and identify reforms necessary to prevent the presidency from becoming a vehicle for private enrichment by those closest to it."
George Will WaPo