LDSGator

It’s part of his plan. He knows his followers thrive on hate and anger. He knows his enemies thrive on hate on anger. So why not use both of them for his own political gains? Trump is many things but he isn’t stupid. He knows how to manipulate people.

Great points. If people have to drive 45-90 minutes for church, I highly doubt they’ll drive that much for home teaching, service projects, church cleaning

Agree. In politics perfect really is the worst enemy of the good, but 2024 is the most depressing choice in decades.

I’m seeing people tell us to vote for Trump because, correctly, a staying home or going third party is voting for Biden. However, most of these people stayed home or voted third party in 08 and 12. Now they are trying to act like the pragmatic realists lecturing their idealistic friends. It’s astounding how politics changes people.

Would that be the most obvious sign that it’s almost over?

Good point. Living in America we can delude ourselves into grossly overestimating how big Christianity is. I believe Christ is Lord, but apparently I’m in the minority worldwide.

Great song.

Welcome back to the forums!

No. I think the Prophets and Apostles will tell us directly. I trust them. They haven’t said it is, so I don’t worry about it. Hope you are okay, and welcome back!

Poor Dean Phillips. https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/01/09/rep-dean-phillips-zero-supporters-new-hampshire-challenge-biden-falters/amp/

It’s astounding when you think about it. You and I are both history buffs @Just_A_Guy. (You because you lived through most events. French Revolution, Peasant Revolt of 1381). For arguably the first time in American politics a political campaign openly wants to destroy bridges instead of building them. Wow.

Haley is doomed. Trump is in serious trouble too. You have people like us who usually vote republican looking at other options. Combine that with suburban swing voters who are repulsed by his legal issues and he’s got his work cut out for him. He could still win of course, but if loses again it’s incredibly obvious as to why.

I have a friend who supports that party.

The Solidarity Party, right?

Welcome to my world. I always viewed myself as a Goldwater conservative but now I’m viewed as a “moderate” or “democrat” because, like you, I feel we should support the Ukraine, Israel, etc. And I don’t dig conspiracies or worship god-emperor Trump. Enjoy the ride @prisonchaplain. Develop a thick skin, expect to encounter a TON of hate from Trumpers and enjoy the show. Also, it helps out tremendously to have friends who you can have in depth conversations with. Sadly, a lot of “people you see at church friendships” are a mile wide and inch deep. One disagreement and boom-you never hear from them again As a pastor people depend on you. You need someone to rely on too. Go out and form friendships with people who aren’t like that.

I laugh, but you aren’t wrong. @Phoenix_person-are you suddenly donning a MAGA cap too? 😉

Understand. Those people bother me too when they act like they know everything.

I’ve also heard stories of stupid Americans asking German exchange students what language they speak in….Germany. Or making Nazi comments like it’s the fault of the 15 year old kid who just wants to improve his English skills and make new friends. 😞

That’s true, and I agree with you. With a slight caveat. In huge cities like NYC, Toronto, LA or London you can experience almost every culture known to man in a few square miles. Is it the same as living to Beijing for three years? Of course not. But someone living in Boston/Philly for twenty years and never leaving might be more culturally aware than someone who never left rural Florida. In my limited experience many Americans are clueless about other cultures and grossly overestimate their knowledge. When we’ve hosted Chinese exchange students people stupidly tell us to “take them to grocery stores.” Uh… We point and laugh at them when their backs are turned. Or we make fun of them to their face.

Agree totally with everything you said my friend. One of my favorite things to watch is when the hard right and hard left call one another snowflakes with no sense of irony.

I totally agree with you, and to me that’s more evidence that the extremes of both sides are filled with the same types of people.

So sorry about your friend. That’s an awful burden to carry. Hope she found peace.

Welcome to the forums. Excellent summary

I don’t know why that happens, but I do think the extremes are flooded with people who genuinely like hating others. Politics gives them an outlet for it.

Hillary and Biden are viewed by leftists the same way Romney and Susan Collins are viewed by conservatives. In fact, I think the extremes of the party hate “moderates” in their own party more than they hate the opposing side!