| Will Donald Trump be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 3 4 · «PREV / NEXT» |
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JollyJoker
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posted January 05, 2026 07:06 PM |
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Also, Blizzard, get your facts right. The bounty is from Trump's presidency.
Not only falling for propaganda speak, but repeating it now? Ordered a MAGA cap already?
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Salamandre
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posted January 05, 2026 08:03 PM |
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Actually the State Department offered a 15 million reward to anything leading to Maduro's capture, and that was in 2020.
Blizzis correct
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Blizzard
Famous Hero
Urban Legend
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posted January 05, 2026 09:28 PM |
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Edited by Blizzard at 21:38, 05 Jan 2026.
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You ignored my questions because you have no good answers to them.
4 years ago you were probably fine with the bounty and you arbitrarily have a different opinion because of who is president. It is a reoccurring theme in US politics for the past 30 years. Democratic presidents do something hawkish and it is all good and fine. Then the scary Red Team shows up and it is instant horror (or fake horror and fake outrage, because nobody in Europe actually gives a damn about Venezuela).
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JollyJoker
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posted January 05, 2026 10:51 PM |
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The bounty is from March 20. In case you all have Alzheimers, Biden's presidency began in January 21 and ended in January 25. It's Trump's bounty.
I would call Maduros regime dictatorial, so he is a dictator. However, he couldn't rule as a dicator without being backed by the military. He certainly isn't a terrorist. That crap is just an invention that allows Trump military actions. You know, the Pres cannot declare war, in case your Alzheimers got worse.
Obviously, international laws are worth only so much the major powers in the world are prepared to respect them. Russia is not. The US are not. China is, as I understand it, is loathe to openly declare them crap, but aren't really making efforts - in short they are worth nothing. Maduro doesn't fit into the category "dangerous heads of state, though. Other names come to mind more readily.
No one will even consider economic sanctions because of Maduro, and it wouldn't be right to do so because of that. However, the situation is brittle and dangerous.
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Blizzard
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posted January 05, 2026 11:18 PM |
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https://x.com/ericadamsfornyc/status/2007843352100638851
Maduro, who is NOT the president of Venezuela and hasn't been for quite some time, is a guest of New York now.
And yes, the Democrat Party is being pathetically political right now and they are pretending that 12 months ago they did not also wish Maduro gone.
Unlike YOU, my views are based on actual real world situations and what I think is best or not best for welfare and safety. I might be wrong but at least I am wrong in an honest way, which is more than can be said for a lot of people who just magically change their views based on whether Blue Team or the scary Red Team is in the Oval Office.
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artu
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My BS sensor is tingling again
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posted January 05, 2026 11:52 PM |
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Edited by artu at 23:55, 05 Jan 2026.
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Blizzard said:
It is a reoccurring theme in US politics for the past 30 years. Democratic presidents do something hawkish and it is all good and fine. Then the scary Red Team shows up and it is instant horror (or fake horror and fake outrage, because nobody in Europe actually gives a damn about Venezuela).
It’s true that foreigners are usually more supportive and less alerted when it comes to US presidents from the Democratic Party. I guess, this is an illusion regarding labels, Democrats call themselves liberal and leftist and that is not the political side typically associated with warmongering. Yet, foreign state policy regarding U.S. conflicts never soften according to the party in power, in reality.
However, it would be really gullible to think of Trump as part of this cycle. That his second term is just another changing of the guards between the Republicans and Democrats. Trump is a unique phenomenon. You really sound like you are completely unaware of how much is changing in your country. What red team? Trump is seen as a problem by many of the old-school Republicans as well. And although he is a very very problematic president indeed, this is much bigger than him. From 1945 to the fall of the Berlin Wall was the Cold War. Then we had the neo-liberal new world order that the US assigned itself as the protector and leader of. Now, that is also over. In this new paradigm, US is no longer even pretending to care about things like “bringing democracy” or watching out for human rights violations etc. We’re shifting back to 19th century style open reelpolitik of power grasp by invasion. We have stepped into such times, the owner of the biggest social media platform in the world openly gives a Nazi salute and it is not even a big deal anymore.
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Are you pretty? This is my occasion. - Ghost
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Salamandre
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posted January 06, 2026 04:04 AM |
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Is not of any deal because normal people judge others by their actions, not by a random movement you captured for a 1/10 of a second, in the middle of a public speech.
What's going on your side, artu, the other day an iconic figure of the cinema died, moreover who left the luxuries and the fame to dedicate to the animal cause - for which she did a LOT, and all you were is "gnaw-gna what did she say mean about Islam" ; now Musk is a nazi because he raised his arm randomly, seriously ?
I mean, short moments of arguable controversy are very relative and insignificant when compared to a whole life actions. Show me what Musk said or did which could be related to Nazi ideology, then is open discussion.
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You must not OFFEND people - Jolly Joker
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artu
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My BS sensor is tingling again
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posted January 06, 2026 10:01 AM |
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Edited by artu at 10:22, 06 Jan 2026.
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1-Actually, what I said was, she was fined for racist remarks (by your courts, btw) and I was curious about the remarks themselves that were penalized but I couldnt reach them and needed help. What I was doing was, not jumping on the “cancel her” train and researching the factual data. I also added that the only remarks I could reach in summarized form were about the animal sacrifice tradition of the Islamic festival and considering her dedication to the animal cause, I didnt think of that as a race related issue, (unlike your court).
Interpreting this as me going “what did she say about Islam, did she dare to” etc. takes great effort on your part, especially considering you know for years that I’m an atheist and one with extreme antipathy towards Islamism.
2- My immediate reaction to the news of Elon Musk’s Nazi salute was just the same as yours. “Come on guys, a Nazi salute, get real, it MUST be a snapshot.” But then I saw the video, not a photo, and it didn’t look like a moment captured to look like something it is not. On top of this, I learned that Musk was raised and educated in the Apartheid regime in South Africa. Musk never openly denied that it was a Nazi salute. Just like the gesture itself, he made some ambiguous remarks that people can take both ways with flexible deniability. And the recent algorithm of Twitter is now set to push forward far-right tweets.
Add to this, the very strange phase America is going through; a podcaster who is watched by millions, whose podcast is like number one in some states openly says that he is a racist and that “we must accept that Hitler was cool.” (I think he’s just a young idiot who means cool like Darth Vader but still…) You have Tucker Carlson, who hosts another podcaster that presents himself as an historian (no books, no academic title) and explains to us that it was actually Churchill who was the bad guy of WWII. These used to be very marginal people and now one is presented by a journalist who interviewed Putin. Far-right is on the rise in America, it’s not just woke university students calling everyone Nazis for silly stuff this time.
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Are you pretty? This is my occasion. - Ghost
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Salamandre
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posted January 06, 2026 11:06 AM |
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What Musk said was "the left need better dirty tricks, the everyone is Hitler attack is soo tired". His tweet says all, the left is going nuts. You don't have to deny the absurd, but only point it is absurd. You said it in another post days ago : nobody cares anymore about racism or fascism accusations, and that is because there is an overload of them, just out of emotion. I don't like Joe, Joe is a fascist then. And what it has to do with the Apartheid regime in Africa ? You were raised and educated in an Islamic regime, so I conclude stoning women is ok for you. Is it?
Twitter, Facebook, Youtube : they all censured the right for a decade. Now that everyone has the chance to express because the big "Nazi" in charge is for freedom of expression (which we know is a fascist tendency), I get that you guys suddenly think the algorithm is for "nazis". The left is just not used to get its wacky claims debunked, discussed then mocked if worth it. Everyone has an equal chance now. As it should.
Fuentes, Carlson, Owens, they do their job. Challenge the one way thinking. You don't like, fine. Millions like them.
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JollyJoker
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posted January 06, 2026 12:34 PM |
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The big "nazi" in charge ISN'T for freedom of expression, though. He's only for freedom of expression when it's not critical of him or "the right" in general". Those better shut up or else.
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artu
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My BS sensor is tingling again
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posted January 06, 2026 01:01 PM |
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Edited by artu at 14:23, 06 Jan 2026.
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I wasnt raised in an Islamic regime. Although more conservative, Turkey isnt an Islamic regime even now but it was strictly secular up until my mid-20’s. I was openly an atheist in high-school for instance, you cant be that in an Islamic regime. And my family wasnt religious either. Stoning? Really? We dont even have the death penalty for decades now and women were able to be elected to parlament in Turkey ten years earlier than France.
Besides, of course, people are not exclusively a product of their upbringing but it is not only that, it is the sum of everything put together. You say what matters is actions and his actions is turning Twitter into a platform that many people leave because of constant, toxic far-right propaganda. It’s not just “lefties” who does that, you know, many people I know who are not slightly political say they cant stand it anymore. And that salute really doesnt look like the continuation of a natural flow of the body, it looks inserted.
Yes, people are fed up with being called fascist or racist for silly stuff or legit concerns regarding mass immigration but that is also something for the actual far-right to exploit. Categorizing people who openly say they are racist as “challengers of one way of thinking” is absurd. You are downplaying this because you feel enormous empathy to their reaction to mass immigration but it is beyond that now. An official U.S. government site, the page for Homeland Security puts a poster of a heavenly ocean view, car from 1950’s on the beach with the title “America after 100 million deportations.” That is 100 million in a total population of 350 and the amount of illegal, undocumented immigrants are about 15 million tops. (Of course, it’s very improbable they actually do such a thing because of obvious backlash.) After the move on Venezuela, another official government site puts a poster of Trump with the title “This is OUR hemisphere.” These are not normal behavior. You label any legit concern as leftist insanity. This is not 2018, the left is not on the offense here.
Here is an article summarizing the case of Musk. It is partly conjectural, yes, but nothing about it is far-fetched:
The re-emergence of white nationalism as a mainstream political ideology has many people questioning what has caused the recent revival of this destructive ideology. There are, of course, several likely contributing factors, but I don't think enough is said about the influence of the richest man in the world through his unapologetic exploitation of one of the most powerful media platforms on the planet, particularly with conservative young men.
But first, it's important to understand the world through Musk's eyes, and how his upbringing shaped his world view, just as it does for all of us.
Musk's grandparents moved from Canada to South Africa specifically BECAUSE they agreed with apartheid, and Musk's own father has claimed they were Nazi sympathisers.
Musk received his school education in South Africa from 1976 to 1988, the peak of the apartheid regime, including the era of the Bantu Education Act and the Christian National Education framework. White supremacy was literally taught to children as a fundamental fact of nature.
The white race was taught to be a bastion of western civilisation, while racial purity was seen as essential to preventing the extinction of the Afrikaner as a vulnerable minority surrounded by an inferior race with a substantially higher fertility rate.
This wasn't the same dark historical chapter of racist oppression as it was taught to most of us, it was something he lived through as a normalised practice, he would have witnessed its manifestations in every aspect of the only country he had ever known. He would absorb the concept of a racial hierarchy not just from text books but from the entire structure of society he saw around him.
These were the ideas that were taught as inalienable truths to Musk during his most formative years, and he has done very little to convince the world he has unconditionally rejected them.
This man now controls a social media platform that has half a billion users worldwide. While many progressives and moderates abandoned the site as Musk openly manipulated the algorithms to promote far right content, it remains the primary source of news for 24% of registered Republicans.
The platform claims six million monthly users in Australia, and with 26% of Australians stating they get their news from social media, Musk's ability to influence the global political discourse is irrefutable.
The flight of more moderate users has created a reinforcing echo chamber for those that remain, particularly among young men who have been emboldened by the removal of all hate speech limitations. 68% of X users are men, and multiple independent studies have demonstrated how the platform has amplified far-right accounts, generally promoting racist or xenophobic narratives that closely align with the ideology Musk was raised with.
Musk has been open about the fact he purchased Twitter purely for ideological reasons, evidenced by the fact it's now worth a fifth of what he paid for it. His intent is the same as it has been for countless other billionaires who have used their wealth to build media empires, but I'm not sure we have experienced a billionaire who has gained this much global influence with as pernicious an agenda as this.
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Are you pretty? This is my occasion. - Ghost
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Salamandre
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posted January 06, 2026 01:44 PM |
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Guys. Social media censured the ideas from the right for decades and you were fine with.
Even if Musk promotes far right ideas (which you never define btw), which is his absolute right as he is the owner, he DOESN'T censure your speech, as YOU did with the others, can you grasp the difference?
So that a couple of losers chickened from twitter, good riddance (moderates and progressives, lol). When you have convictions and you are open to debate, you don't leave, you stay and exchange. You cannot have a cohesive society if you label half of it as deplorables, right ? And we know who is never open to exchange, but akin to censure and cancel first.
I don't have twitter. I don't listen to political stuff neither of YouTube or Facebook, because my crystal ball tells me what exactly are everyone's arguments, and that never changes unfortunately. So, basically, if you don't try to involve personally, you are out of this snow, nobody is forcing you to listen. There is no Ministry of Truth.
But if you choose the involve, then learn to handle it and stop whining about, you are responsible.
And, btw : get your facts straight. Is easy to make accusations, but much harder to prove they are right. Your article is not only "conjectural", is a load of BS because it can't name a single thing Musk said or did, which would give a validity to such accusations.
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Blizzard
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posted January 06, 2026 01:56 PM |
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Edited by Blizzard at 13:58, 06 Jan 2026.
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When I was a teenager, Venezuela was an almost decent place.
Latin America unfortunately still has some communist old guards, and communist old guards are very talented at destroying civilizations and creating extreme inequality in the name of progress, peace, and equality.
Over the past decade+, Venezuela is now dilapidated, and the narcotics industry there kills thousands of people fairly regularly. That MIGHT change under a new administration.
The USA is not a charity organization and Trump correctly sees a lot of investment opportunities in Venezuela.
So, we will see what happens over the coming years. What is good for Venezeula is good for the entire Western Hemisphere.
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"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure."
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artu
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My BS sensor is tingling again
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posted January 06, 2026 02:13 PM |
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Edited by artu at 17:49, 06 Jan 2026.
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@Sal
First of all, I was always very liberal in the classical sense when it comes to free speech. I was never “fine” with any censorship. Not in the media, not in real life, not here either, I never ever asked for anybody to get penalized for something they wrote. So that’s a no go.
When it comes to platforms as widespread as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc, it would be quite misleading to think of them as private companies in the traditional sense. They are private property in the eyes of the law, yes. But in practicality they serve as public squares on a global scale, which is a completely new phenomenon. It’s like how copyright laws failed to function on the internet until streaming platforms evolved, traditional property laws dont correspond to this situation. It’s not the same as “it’s my bar and I serve whomever I want to.” Their role in shifting public opinion is huge. So “I’m not using them” is not really saying much. I dont post on Twitter and Instagram either, I have accounts to read links. But they do affect the politcal spectrum whether you individually use them or not.
Besides, the guy is not suggesting to ban Twitter, is he. He is using his own right to free speech to create awareness. I also didnt suggest that far-right opinions should be banned, I said it is concerning how mainstream and official they are becoming.
And how is it that you define leaving a platform cause it doesnt suit your taste anymore as “chickening out,” when you dont use them at all is beyond me. So that makes you a “natural-born chicken” I guess. 
And ignoring that the article is referring to “multiple independent studies have demonstrated how the platform has AMPLIFIED far-right accounts, generally promoting racist or xenophobic narratives that closely align with the ideology Musk was raised with,” then suggesting “getting your facts straight” would be to watch his interview (I already did when it came out) in which he’ll naturally play it cool is rich! This attitude of presenting these guys as “freedom fighters” was maybe understandable during the peak of Woke but it’s getting old extremely fast. Not to mention, cancel culture isn’t going to prison for your speech either.
@blizz
But, it’s not a new administration. It’s the old one without Maduro. The only difference is that they submit to U.S. authority now. That “we are also improving human rights” approach is gone. Trump openly says they dont care about other nations democratic standards anymore. As long as they remain neo-colonies, it’s all fine.
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Are you pretty? This is my occasion. - Ghost
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Pol
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.^.
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posted January 06, 2026 05:07 PM |
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"he DOESN'T censure your speech, as YOU did with the others, can you grasp the difference?"
@Sal
The fact, that you don't see him doing censorship directly doesn't mean that he's not doing that. For example he changed algorithm for x several times to affect visibility - which is censure. Similarly he has great problems with Grok, so far it's the only AI allowing fake scantily clothed ladies (if at all) with real faces. Also playing with verified symbol on x has only bad consequences and so on.
So, he's involved in censorship on more levels. And plethora of other problems in general. Also it would be fair to note, that having so many medias/houses, he likely can't avoid that completely but he does have a reserve in the direction of free speech and honesty.
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JollyJoker
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posted January 06, 2026 06:01 PM |
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Look, there is no free speech, simply because you cannot say EVERYTHING you'd like to say: You must not OFFEND people. You are also not allowed what amounts to hate speech: In practise that means you cannot say negative things about unspecified people who share general characteristicss: all blondes, all jews, all muslims, all blacks, all whites, all Americans. And lastly you are not allowed to prompt people to do things that are illegal. Lastly, you are not allowed to LIE about persons of public interest ("you" here means the media, but you couldn't rent a hall and hold a speech in which you tell lies about, say, politicians.
That makes sense. And it's what riles up the right.
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Salamandre
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posted January 06, 2026 06:17 PM |
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First, there is no felony into offending people, if they can't take it, they don't read. Secondly, it depends from what jurisdiction your organization belongs, in USA you can say negative things about groups, and that's just fine. In France no, and that's lame. Forcing people to hide their opinions, as bad as they could be, will lead them to express by other ways, most often violently.
Look, if free speech is only to politely disagree on the spell slow being better than haste without getting penalized by Galaad, then no it doesn't make sense at all.
Imagine how unhappy YOU would be if you were penalized each time you offended someone
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You must not OFFEND people - Jolly Joker
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JollyJoker
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posted January 06, 2026 06:31 PM |
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An offense gives the offended the right to sue for compensation. It's indeed no felony, but it's still something that may get you in trouble. That's especially true if you offend an organization or whole group of people, because they are more likely to sue you.
In my book that's an infringement of free speech - not that I'm unhappy about that.
And "lame" - I don't know. It's always ever about blaming someone for something. And blaming everyone who is, say, a jew or a a muslim for everything that's not right, won't just gain anything except trouble.
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Salamandre
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posted January 06, 2026 06:41 PM |
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If Free Speech is not absolute (except death threats of course) then you will have lobbies and influential organizations take advantage of the potential censure then extend it to fit their interests. That's how today, in Europe and even partly in US, if you are critical about the only narrative allowed concerning the conflict in Palestine, you will get in big trouble.
Also, they sanctioned simple citizens for only expressing a different view on the Russia/Ukraine conflict, without any trial or proof. They can't access their bank accounts, they can't get money from friends, they can't travel, this is social death. This is what you get when you start to nuance the "free speech" until there is none.
Pol said:
For example he changed algorithm for x several times to affect visibility - which is censure.
Nobody knows for sure what they did to algorithms, but the common report is that he promoted his own posts. How that sounds to you like "censure", I have no idea.
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Blizzard
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posted January 06, 2026 07:21 PM |
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Edited by Blizzard at 19:27, 06 Jan 2026.
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I will also point out that EVERY Latin American country except Venezuela (and Nicaragua) cooperates with the US in seeking regional stability.
I wonder why? Is it because the Venezuelan government are blatent narco terrorists who actually run these drug operations and who hide behind international law? Is it because the current "government" of Venezuela is totally illegitimate according to its own laws and legal system? Could it be because the actual head of state is currently in exile and that the pretend vice president of Venezuela is demanding the US to return the fake president to its shores so that he can go back to being the pretend head of state and continue to run the drug trade?
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