"Spoonman wrote: ↑Wed Apr 16, 2025 1:13 pm Would it be fair to say that the mentality of American Exceptionalism has been replaced with one of American Entitlement, at least among the MAGA-freaks? Or has this long been the case.Aren't exceptionalism and entitlement essentially the same thing anyway, both mean, "I think your rules do not apply to me"?
Oboogie wrote: ↑Wed Apr 16, 2025 1:42 pm Aren't exceptionalism and entitlement essentially the same thing anyway, both mean, "I think your rules do not apply to me"?I guess it depends how you define entitlement and exceptionalism, but I can certainly see the overlap.
"At least six people have been taken to hospital after a shooting at Florida State University in Tallahassee.
One person was taken into custody after the shooting at the university's Student Union building on Thursday, according to CBS News, the BBC's US partner.
President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the incident at the start of a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House, calling it "a shame, a horrible thing".
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said: "Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding."
Oboogie wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 6:05 pm It's of no consequence, MAGA love guns and Trump hates universities.I wondered whether the two were related.
Oboogie wrote: ↑Sat Apr 19, 2025 11:52 am Turns out shooter was a white supremacist, MAGA hat wearer, who was kicked out of his university debating group for his pro-Nazi views. So he won't be deported to El Salvador then.Of course not. The Orange Toddler has already gone on record describing those sort as "good people".
In the weeks, months, and years since the bombing, the people of Oklahoma City have shown courage and commitment in building a future worthy of those who were lost. They have dedicated a stirring memorial and museum, rebuilt their downtown, and revitalized their riverfront. Most important, they have refused to allow an evil act to poison their own hearts, responding instead with what has come to be known as the Oklahoma Standard: a commitment to serving those in need, honoring those lost and damaged by the bombing, and treating all with neighborly kindness.
After 25 years, this lesson from Oklahoma City is as important as ever, as America is facing another unprecedented challenge. COVID-19 has claimed the lives of people we know and love, upended millions of livelihoods, and forced all of us to change the ways we interact with one another — including, for the first time, preventing the Oklahoma City community from coming together in person on the anniversary of the bombing.
There are difficult and uncertain days ahead. In many ways, this is the perfect time to remember Oklahoma City, and to repeat the promise we made to them in 1995 to all Americans today: we have not lost each other, we have not lost America, and we will stand together for as many tomorrows as it takes.
In recent weeks and months, we’ve seen so many people rise to the challenges of the moment: the first responders, and the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff working around the clock to save lives, often by risking their own; the warehouse workers, grocery store and pharmacy employees, drivers, delivery people, and mail carriers who are making it possible for all of us to keep going; the teachers who are still on the job and keeping our children learning, even though schools are closed; the volunteers who provide, prepare, and deliver food to people young, old, and in between who would go hungry without their service.
Although Florida did lock down early in the pandemic, and restrictions stayed in place longer than other Southern states, by early 2021, DeSantis had become a bulwark against ongoing mandates and public health rules. Hoping to position himself as official opposition to the incoming Biden Administration for a potential 2024 presidential run, he defanged public health in the state. He loudly opposed mask and vaccine mandates, essentially banning them in Florida. He promoted the state as a “free state.” DeSantis went further, extending his war against COVID restrictions to targeting “woke” culture, including LGBTQ and race curriculum in schools, and fought corporations like Disney for promoting diversity programs, tying it all together into one sinister plot by Leftists to tear apart American culture.
While it did not help DeSantis’ presidential ambitions, it reinforced Florida’s longstanding reputation as a haven for anyone fleeing liberal “nanny state” policies. Those fed up with ongoing COVID politics and, by connection, what appeared to be the growing progressive consensus in blue and purple states elsewhere, were invited to move to Florida. Not only those escaping mask and vaccine mandates but also people who felt criminal justice reform would handicap law enforcement's ability to curtail crime moved to Florida – DeSantis personally invited police officers fired for misconduct to work in law enforcement in the state. People tired of rainbow flags and diversity programs moved to the state at the Governor’s invitation. Those who feared higher taxes to fund democratic socialist priorities fled to Florida, knowing the state would never introduce an income tax under DeSantis.
Those people were natural additions to the state’s Republican coalition, making it challenging for Democrats to appeal to them.
The Weeping Angel wrote: ↑Sun Apr 27, 2025 12:41 am Fascinating article on what went wrong for Democrats in Florida.What do you find fascinating about thousands who who died of covid aren't around to frame an argument against De Santis's libertarian health policies?
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