Sir Rols Posted January 27 Report Posted January 27 9 minutes ago, Bear said: in that case, i just hope you all remember that: The majority of people from LA and California did not vote for the current administration, nor do we support it. Many of us here are at the mercy of the administration. In this regard, it's a bit irritating to see the smugness from those outside the USA and things like "you get what you get" - I understand the sentiment, but like I said, many of us did not vote for the dude and now we will have to face being the prime targets of the administration. Also like, this is how you drive people further away from your perspective. Of course, I'm not particularly saying that any of you here are doing that, but just keep it in mind pls In the specific context of LA28: unfortunately we will be seeing LAOCOG and Casey Wasserman interacting with Trump in a way that seems "positive" - this is unfortunately necessary because we still rely on the Federal Government for our infrastructure (in this case, transportation as we have seen the past few years) and security. I hope that this does not turn you away from the Games, I'm sure that if there was an alternative to dealing with the FedGov, they would have gone with that route instead. Anyways, f*** Trump, I myself will probably be sharing some contributions here later on I feel for you. Just as I feel for all my American friends - none of them are MAGA-it’s. You guys must be feeling so disheartened, powerless and, yes, embrassed. I can’t count the number of messages I’ve had out of the US along the lines of “I apologise for my government and my countrymen who voted for him”. I know so many of you are decent people and i’ll always try to remember that. Ordinarily I’d say the government in a “democratic” wouldn’t have much influence on things like the ceremonies and tone. But this is Trump and the likes of Musk we are going to face. I think we can guess the pressure they’re going to bring to bear on anything they deem “woke”. And while I’d hope the artistic directors might want to make statements counter to the administration, they could also as well self-censor themselves to avoid conflict or indeed protect their future careers. Then there’s going to be how policies on things like gender, immigration etc play out against the requirements of the games. Much less if the Orange one is actually serious about his claims to the Panama Canal or Greenland. There’s going to be issues we just can’t ignore. Quote
Bear Posted January 27 Report Posted January 27 14 minutes ago, Sir Rols said: I feel for you. Just as I feel for all my American friends - none of them are MAGA-it’s. You guys must be feeling so disheartened, powerless and, yes, embrassed. From my own view, quite honestly I expected this to happen. I do not blame the voters so much as the institutions, they are the ones who allowed this to happen. Specifically the Democratic Party, who had every opportunity to run a great campaign that could have truly resonated with American voters, but instead wasted time and ran a catastrophic last minute campaign that was destined to fail. I don't particularly feel disheartened and powerless, because the last year has really shown to me that people are capable of coming together and helping each other, even in difficult circumstances. I know that for me, the memories of being on a locked down campus under the threat of arrest and violence if we even dared to walk in a place that we paid to be in, and still seeing my fellow students standing up for what is right, in defiance of said threat, is something that I will carry with me forever. I just wish that at that time, I was brave enough to join them in that quad. Of course the next four years will present many opportunities to be like those students. I, for one, do not plan on backing down again. For this reason, I feel like the notion of having to apologize for a deeply troubled man's rise to power pretty silly. Like okay, you're sorry, but are you going to do anything other than feel sorry? ----- sorry for the rant, i'm currently ignoring an assignment 🫣 (which I'll definitely get to now... ) 1 Quote
Rob2012 Posted January 27 Author Report Posted January 27 (edited) dp Edited January 27 by Rob2012 Quote
Rob2012 Posted January 27 Author Report Posted January 27 (edited) 15 hours ago, Bear said: create a SLC-UT 2034 section and move it there, it was Utah that voted red anyways, not us! 🫣 As I've already said, I feel sorry for anti-Trump Americans who bothered to vote. But I'm afraid what you're engaging in here, ironically, is American Exceptionalism. I'm fairly sure, if we were discussing another country, what the constituencies in the host city happened to vote for wouldn't come into it. We discussed hardline Turkish politics plenty when they were a repeat bidder, and I'm not sure a Turk coming here and saying "but Istanbul votes liberal" would really wash (that's probably the closest example I can think of - other authoritarian nations that have hosted generally don't have elections and I don't think Brexit or France's flirtation with the far-right are anything close to the same level as re-electing Trump, for example, though both have been discussed here). It'll be the American flag at the handovers, the American President opening the Games, the Star Spangled Banner being performed. I hope the organising committee distances itself and the Games from MAGA as much as it can, but there's only so far we as spectators can consider these LA's Games and not America's. I get the thread title is provocative, deliberately so, and if a mod wants to change it that's fine. But the thread isn't moving. This thread isn't out of step with how we've discussed Games under other authoritarian regimes. I'm just saddened/angered that such a thread is necessary for LA28 and America. Edited January 27 by Rob2012 1 Quote
baron-pierreIV Posted January 27 Report Posted January 27 16 hours ago, Bear said: From my own view, quite honestly I expected this to happen. I do not blame the voters so much as the institutions, they are the ones who allowed this to happen. Specifically the Democratic Party, who had every opportunity to run a great campaign that could have truly resonated with American voters, but instead wasted time and ran a catastrophic last minute campaign that was destined to fail. I hope it's not moot -- becuz one can always learn from one's mistakes and missteps. But I disagree with you. Yes, time was short to formulate a better thought-out campaign, but to have a difference of just under 3 million votes against a WHOLE SLEW of LIES and MISINFORAMTION From the the other side -- which the wafflers and amoral AMericans didn't care for -- or were bought by Musk's money, is PRETTY DARN effective. Even if the Dems spent more against Trump's $500 million campaign and then bolstered by Musk's last minute $250 infusion, the Dems were still able to hold 18 states and put in 6 new US senators!! The country's, or really the small slice that really just sit out the elections or would like to curry favor with their MAGA friends and neighbors, were just ripe to stick with the COnvincted Ogre and reject the Dems' more-common-sensical program--and consequences be damned. And, unfortunately, that's what we will be experiencing moving forward. Hopefully, the mid-terms, coming up in 21 months, always favor the opposition, will produce great results and really hobble the cult and the Ogre as lame-duck in the remaining 2 yrs of his office--including the all-important 2028. And since it will be held in California, I hope the Democrats can cash in on political dividends at the Olympic Games!! Just on a personl note, I'd like Adam Kinzinger to run against Vance, if the current norms are respected. Quote
Bear Posted January 27 Report Posted January 27 8 hours ago, Rob2012 said: But I'm afraid what you're engaging in here, ironically, is American Exceptionalism. I'm fairly sure, if we were discussing another country, what the constituencies in the host city happened to vote for wouldn't come into it. We discussed hardline Turkish politics plenty when they were a repeat bidder, and I'm not sure a Turk coming here and saying "but Istanbul votes liberal" would really wash (that's probably the closest example I can think of - other authoritarian nations that have hosted generally don't have elections and I don't think Brexit or France's flirtation with the far-right are anything close to the same level as re-electing Trump, for example, though both have been discussed here). tbh if I was from Istanbul I would probably be engaging in the same rhetoric I'm saying here, or if I was from Brisbane, etc etc etc I was going to write in my previous responses that I felt like the issues surrounding the Trump Administration are beyond LA28, and that just focusing on LA28 seemed like focusing on a burning candle while the rest of your house is on fire (I am bad at analogies). That is why I preferred a move to a more general category, especially since some posts here have gone past the LA28 topic. Of course then I remembered this is the GamesBids Forums, so it's understandable that there be a focus on LA28. 8 hours ago, Rob2012 said: But I'm afraid what you're engaging in here, ironically, is American Exceptionalism. Also, wouldn't it technically be Californian Exceptionalism 😊 (kidding, of course) 8 hours ago, Rob2012 said: As I've already said, I feel sorry for anti-Trump Americans who bothered to vote. This is sort of what I mean in my previous responses - do not feel sorry for us. Many of us will be dealing with the fallout over the next 4 years, the last thing we need is "I feel sorry for you 🥹" and nothing else at this moment Quote
Rob2012 Posted January 27 Author Report Posted January 27 (edited) Yeah, this is essentially the Trump thread, and everytime Trump does something cruel over the next four years this thread (and its title) will be bumped to the top of the section. https://bsky.app/profile/brandonwolf.bsky.social/post/3lgqnfalwbc2u That's just the way it's gonna be, sorry. Edited January 27 by Rob2012 1 Quote
baron-pierreIV Posted January 27 Report Posted January 27 12 minutes ago, Rob2012 said: Yeah, this is essentially the Trump thread, and everytime Trump does something cruel over the next four years this thread (and its title) will be bumped to the top of the section. https://bsky.app/profile/brandonwolf.bsky.social/post/3lgqnfalwbc2u That's just the way it's gonna be, sorry. No disagreement from me on this. In fact, THANKS in advance for doing that, Rob!! 1 Quote
Rob2012 Posted January 27 Author Report Posted January 27 (edited) It's petty, but yeah....I was half expecting this thread to be nuked, but maybe our Canadian overlord feels inclined to leave it as it... Anyway, that's enough from me today. Sorry. Edited January 27 by Rob2012 Quote
Quaker2001 Posted January 27 Report Posted January 27 10 hours ago, Rob2012 said: As I've already said, I feel sorry for anti-Trump Americans who bothered to vote. But I'm afraid what you're engaging in here, ironically, is American Exceptionalism. I'm fairly sure, if we were discussing another country, what the constituencies in the host city happened to vote for wouldn't come into it. We discussed hardline Turkish politics plenty when they were a repeat bidder, and I'm not sure a Turk coming here and saying "but Istanbul votes liberal" would really wash (that's probably the closest example I can think of - other authoritarian nations that have hosted generally don't have elections and I don't think Brexit or France's flirtation with the far-right are anything close to the same level as re-electing Trump, for example, though both have been discussed here). It'll be the American flag at the handovers, the American President opening the Games, the Star Spangled Banner being performed. I hope the organising committee distances itself and the Games from MAGA as much as it can, but there's only so far we as spectators can consider these LA's Games and not America's. I get the thread title is provocative, deliberately so, and if a mod wants to change it that's fine. But the thread isn't moving. This thread isn't out of step with how we've discussed Games under other authoritarian regimes. I'm just saddened/angered that such a thread is necessary for LA28 and America. I can't blame anyone who has those feelings come 2028 that they'll see the American flag and our leadership and have a very negative opinion of everything that stands for. So that may be a very real thing that the organizers have to deal with because they'll be in a very precarious situation either way. Support Trump and make nice with him. Or try to express that he doesn't represent them and deal with those consequences. It goes without saying there are much larger concerns that go well beyond the Olympics. And like @Bear said.. don't feel sorry for us. Feel sorry for the next generation of not just Americans but the entire planet that may suffer because of what happened back in November. I'm 46 and a white male, so I'm not overly concerned about myself. For better or worse, I don't have kids (sorry JD, but my vote still counts), which means I might view the future a little differently. I just hope and pray there isn't generational damage being done to both my country and my planet that we can't hope to recover from in my lifetime. Quote
Sir Rols Posted January 27 Report Posted January 27 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Rob2012 said: It's petty, but yeah....I was half expecting this thread to be nuked, but maybe our Canadian overlord feels inclined to leave it as it... I think we all wondered if it would survive. But he’s definitely aware of it. Anyway, it’s a great clapback to all those over the years who have made such accusations as: “You guys are hypocrites attacking China/Russia/Turkey/Hungary. What about America?” Edited January 27 by Sir Rols Quote
baron-pierreIV Posted January 27 Report Posted January 27 (edited) TO all our non-US-based friends here, Here's how you can help. If you can register as US residents living abroad -- make something up* -- and vote absentee in 2026 and 2028, that might help us!! Spread the word! 🤪 *Use surnames of prominent MAGA personnel, those will get through easily!! Use addresses in the battleground states -- Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio, Arizona, Wisconsin!!! Edited January 27 by baron-pierreIV 1 Quote
Quaker2001 Posted January 27 Report Posted January 27 6 minutes ago, Sir Rols said: I think we all wondered if it would survive. But he’s definitely aware of it. Anyway, it’s a great clapback to all those over the years who have made such accusations as: “You guys are hypocrites attacking China/Russia/Turkey/Hungary. What about America?” I've seen plenty of it in recent years and it's only going to get ramped up in the lead up to 2028. Which now a lot of people will double down on with Trump in office. And I would love to see how Trump will address the situation in Russia in the event the war is still raging (hopefully it's not) and Russia is still persona non grata with the IOC. Of course the flip side is that if Russia is back and full participants in LA, we know Trump will singularly take credit for it. Quote
sebastien1214 Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 2 hours ago, baron-pierreIV said: TO all our non-US-based friends here, Here's how you can help. If you can register as US residents living abroad -- make something up* -- and vote absentee in 2026 and 2028, that might help us!! Spread the word! 🤪 *Use surnames of prominent MAGA personnel, those will get through easily!! Use addresses in the battleground states -- Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio, Arizona, Wisconsin!!! But that means I'm likely to have to pay taxes to the United States at some point, and there's no way I'm giving a single dollar to that country. Quote
StefanMUC Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 Are those of you talking about “the next four years” or the 2026/2028 elections really so sure that everything will run as it should constitutionally be? Given all the complete freak show of just this week alone, it seems pretty clear that he and his gang will not leave one stone unturned to stay in power and suppress everything and everyone in their way, no matter which cruelties are necessary for it. Fascism just needs to win an election once (and let’s face it, J6 was already an attempt to make 2016 that one election, they’ve learned and perfected their strategy). Quote
Bear Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 35 minutes ago, StefanMUC said: Are those of you talking about “the next four years” or the 2026/2028 elections really so sure that everything will run as it should constitutionally be? Given all the complete freak show of just this week alone, it seems pretty clear that he and his gang will not leave one stone unturned to stay in power and suppress everything and everyone in their way, no matter which cruelties are necessary for it. Fascism just needs to win an election once (and let’s face it, J6 was already an attempt to make 2016 that one election, they’ve learned and perfected their strategy). it is less depressing to say than "foreseeable future" but yes you are exactly right, and even if 2028 turns out to be favorable it doesn't mean 2032 or 2036 will be. 1 Quote
Bear Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 6 hours ago, Quaker2001 said: Feel sorry for the next generation of not just Americans but the entire planet that may suffer because of what happened back in November. I'm 46 and a white male, so I'm not overly concerned about myself. For better or worse, I don't have kids (sorry JD, but my vote still counts), which means I might view the future a little differently. I just hope and pray there isn't generational damage being done to both my country and my planet that we can't hope to recover from in my lifetime. honestly even then, what good is feeling sorry when one isn't doing anything else? friends, we gotta start coming together in our communities to support those who will need help the most these coming years. any help, no matter how big or small works 😊 and this goes out to our non-american friends too, because we all know that the problem has been rising in other places too... 1 Quote
baron-pierreIV Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 6 hours ago, sebastien1214 said: But that means I'm likely to have to pay taxes to the United States at some point, and there's no way I'm giving a single dollar to that country. You can pay those in fake Bitcoin currency. No one will know the difference. Tell 'em you're depositing it directly into Donald's Swiss bank account - 0666666!! 🤪 Quote
Rob2012 Posted January 28 Author Report Posted January 28 (edited) 14 hours ago, Bear said: This is sort of what I mean in my previous responses - do not feel sorry for us. Many of us will be dealing with the fallout over the next 4 years, the last thing we need is "I feel sorry for you 🥹" and nothing else at this moment 5 hours ago, Bear said: honestly even then, what good is feeling sorry when one isn't doing anything else? I'll keep pointing out the truths of what Trump is doing, and particularly how it affects those who had no say (i.e. not Americans) but that's about as much energy as I'm going to give to your mess. What on earth do you expect us to do? Truth is a currency in short supply, I'll keep posting facts where I can. I feel like that's a valid and worthwhile enough contribution. 5 hours ago, Bear said: we gotta start coming together in our communities to support those who will need help the most these coming years. any help, no matter how big or small works 😊 and this goes out to our non-american friends too, because we all know that the problem has been rising in other places too... Of course, we all have our own similar issues to varying degrees. Good luck with the pushback over there! Edited January 28 by Rob2012 Quote
Rob2012 Posted January 28 Author Report Posted January 28 (edited) On 1/26/2025 at 11:53 PM, Sir Rols said: I’m not quite at @Rob2012’s stage yet, but if things continue the downward spiral I may well reach the point where I have to consider a personal boycott. I feel like, unless I've missed something, Australia hasn't been in Trump's/Musk's fascist disinformation crosshairs for a sustained period in the way Canada, Denmark, the UK etc have (specifically with us it was Musk personally promoting to his 200 million followers the far-right instigators of the Southport riots i.e. the reason I left twitter last August). America doesn't feel like an ally at the moment. Edited January 28 by Rob2012 Quote
Bear Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 9 hours ago, Rob2012 said: What on earth do you expect us to do? this: 15 hours ago, Bear said: friends, we gotta start coming together in our communities to support those who will need help the most these coming years. any help, no matter how big or small works 😊 and this goes out to our non-american friends too, because we all know that the problem has been rising in other places too... but looks like you already seem to be aware so Quote
Sir Rols Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 9 hours ago, Rob2012 said: I feel like, unless I've missed something, Australia hasn't been in Trump's/Musk's fascist disinformation crosshairs for a sustained period in the way Canada, Denmark, the UK etc have (specifically with us it was Musk personally promoting to his 200 million followers the far-right instigators of the Southport riots i.e. the reason I left twitter last August). America doesn't feel like an ally at the moment. We’re having run-ins, he’s got fingers in all pies atm. And we’re expecting a federal election in the next few months. You can imagine what’s in store Elon Musk calls Australian government ‘fascists’ over move to regulate online misinformation Quote
Sir Rols Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 11 hours ago, Rob2012 said: I feel like, unless I've missed something, Australia hasn't been in Trump's/Musk's fascist disinformation crosshairs for a sustained period in the way Canada, Denmark, the UK etc have (specifically with us it was Musk personally promoting to his 200 million followers the far-right instigators of the Southport riots i.e. the reason I left twitter last August). America doesn't feel like an ally at the moment. Further to that. Personally, I’m very pessimistic about the state of the world at the moment. To the point where, at my age, I selfishly just hope it can hold itself together while I’m still around before it all falls to pieces. I’ve been in a prologed funk since the election - lots of dark political and geopolitical musings. I don’t want to have to personally boycott the LA games. I guess I’m still hoping that the organisers and California can still present it as a counterpoint to Trunps’s version of America. I’m not optimistic any more that’s achievable, but I can hope. I don’t know how the fact it’ll play out in an election year (well, we HOPE it’s still an election year) will affect those fears and hopes. But, yeah, if America’s current downward spiral just continues and deepens, like Beijing I feel I’d be a hypocrite not to ceremony boycott it. I set my own personal ethical Olympic benchmark in 2022. 1 Quote
Bear Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 Last night the Trump Admin sent out a memo stating that all federal grants and loans would be suspended, which caused a lot of stress for my friends and I, as well as literally every other low-income student in the country since we rely on federal student aid to pay for our tuition. They later clarified it wouldn't affect our aid, but the memo was so poorly written no one actually knew what was safe and what wasn't safe. Other programs that rely on funding were also affected such as Medicaid, research projects, etc etc. Luckily a judge has blocked the suspension so everything looks to be intact for now, but man, if Trump is able to get his way, I guess it's goodbye to the life I wanted post-graduation 😭 (assuming Trump doesn't ruin it in other ways, which is probably going to be the case) Quote
Bear Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 Just now, Bear said: Last night the Trump Admin sent out a memo stating that all federal grants and loans would be suspended, which caused a lot of stress for my friends and I, as well as literally every other low-income student in the country since we rely on federal student aid to pay for our tuition. They later clarified it wouldn't affect our aid, but the memo was so poorly written no one actually knew what was safe and what wasn't safe. Other programs that rely on funding were also affected such as Medicaid, research projects, etc etc. Luckily a judge has blocked the suspension so everything looks to be intact for now, but man, if Trump is able to get his way, I guess it's goodbye to the life I wanted post-graduation 😭 (assuming Trump doesn't ruin it in other ways, which is probably going to be the case) Forgot to include the article link for more info: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-pause-federal-grants-aid-f9948b9996c0ca971f0065fac85737ce Quote
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