Miscellaneous And Off Topic Subjects

[THE_WIZARD_]

I KNEW IT!!!

...I'm jealous ya big lug...

[crashcourse]

tricare for life and VA maybe good model but it would bankrupt us. Already spend 17000 per vet per year on VA medical carecare---I think over a hudred billion for the 6million vets who actually use the VA-

average american spends 13K a year out of pocket I think don't think that includes whatever insurance pays out maybe it does

But 350 million people avaraging 10-15K a year in medical expenses would be trillions

anyway JB thanks for the info ..have some decisions to make this year assuming I take tricare fo life with medicare for the spouse more than anything--medicare part B will be 300+ a month and I think tricare for life is about 300 a quarter--sounds like its worth it --spouse doesnt trust tricare--shes still paying her blue cross premium for another 4+ years out of her retirement check --thats up to 400 a month --I kinda see her point--some places wont take tricare prime.

[THE_WIZARD_]

stfu

[Jeff Buchanan]

Hearing news reports and seeing videos depicting ICE as "indiscriminately" grabbing whoever looks like one would expect a non-white Hispanic to look like, cuffing them and putting them in a paddy wagon. It is a gross misrepresentation of the work ICE is doing. The link below presents the other side's (ICE's story). As compared to the hysterics in the aforementioned sources, the AP report quotes interviews from ICE officials that detail, importantly, a policy of "worst go first." - meaning their looking for illegals who have committed crimes in the US or have evaded apprehension in their countries of origin and are on international wanted lists.

The AP report also compares the Biden administration's enforcement policy wrt illegals and how the Trump enforcement policies are much less restrictive wrt to the authority to apprehend illegals.

https://apnews.com/article/immigration-trump-border-security-enforcement-ice-cb40a6a7e2d94582aa0774be47a8ab36?user_email=c1f04330e9c0a57c8aa70f2b5f07e60e0aee1aca0314f908ce7c6cf8856b9cc9&utm_medium=Afternoon_Wire&utm_source=Sailthru_AP&utm_campaign=AfternoonWire_Jan28_2025&utm_term=Afternoon%20Wire

[THE_WIZARD_]

ICE rounding up the innocent migrants...just awful...

ICE roundups.jpg

[Jeff Buchanan]

tricare for life and VA maybe good model but it would bankrupt us. Already spend 17000 per vet per year on VA medical carecare---I think over a hudred billion for the 6million vets who actually use the VA-

average american spends 13K a year out of pocket I think don't think that includes whatever insurance pays out maybe it does

But 350 million people avaraging 10-15K a year in medical expenses would be trillions

anyway JB thanks for the info ..have some decisions to make this year assuming I take tricare fo life with medicare for the spouse more than anything--medicare part B will be 300+ a month and I think tricare for life is about 300 a quarter--sounds like its worth it --spouse doesnt trust tricare--shes still paying her blue cross premium for another 4+ years out of her retirement check --thats up to 400 a month --I kinda see her point--some places wont take tricare prime.

Crash, if you were eligible for Tricare during your military service, TFL is Medicare-wraparound coverage if you are TRICARE-eligible and have Medicare Part A and B, regardless of age or place of residence. Coverage is only for those with Medicare and who are TRICARE-eligible. Enrollment is automatic once you sign-up for Medicare.

Medicare for my wife and myself is $375/month. I'd end up paying a whole lot more for "Medicare Advantage" plans but these provide much more robust coverage (e.g., dental, hearing aids, optical, etc.). Here in S FL I've not run across any practice that doesn't take TFL as your supplemental plan. Few practices don't take Medicare.

In the 4 years we've been here full time, I've not paid a dime for some pretty expensive care. Everything associated with my pacemaker placement was well over $120k. I did pay a portion of cataract removal and lens placement but I got special lenses. If I'd gone with standard lenses the surgeries would have cost nothing. I also pay a co-pay for non-generic drugs/drugs not on the Tricare formulary, but that isn't much, but I'm also not on non-formulary/expensive drugs. Even then, if I were, I could go to a Naval Hospital Pharmacy and have those filled for free.

https://tricare.mil/tfl

[CGVT]

The death of democracy.

Jesus. You fuckers voted for this.

Starting today, Tuesday, the WH Press Room officially became the WH Politburo of Propaganda.
Trump's new propanda minister, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced at her first press conference that Trump will choose what news organizations will become accredited, and which reporters will be allowed to ask questions.
Up until today, tradionally the White House Correspondents' Association chose which outlets got what seats in the room, and the Associated Press, an international wire service of, by and for news organizations around the globe, asked the first question.
Leavitt told the reporters right up front, 'My team will review the applications and give credentials to new media applicants who meet our criteria and pass United States Secret Service requirements to enter the White House complex.'
She said this would include their pick of "independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers and content creators".
And then, instead of the Associated Press, Axios' Mike Allen got the first question, followed by Matthew Boyle, the longtime political correspondent for Breitbart, the right-wing outlet that was previously led by Trump strategist Steve Bannon.
Leavitt has a FOX connection of course. In her short career (she is 27) she interned for Fox News and then worked under press secretary Kayleigh McEnany as an assistant press secretary during the first Trump administration.

[Mike]

Not so fun when the rabbit has the gun.

[Mike]

You gonna pour one out for Jim Acosta tonight. CGVT?

[CGVT]

You fuckers can't see what the fuck is right in front of your goddamn eyes.

Donald Trump is making a move to seize power. Let’s not mince words—what we’re watching is the most dangerous assault on American democracy in our lifetime. Trump’s decision to pause all federal grants and subsidies isn’t just another bad policy; it’s a calculated power grab that undermines the Constitution and puts the livelihoods of millions of Americans at risk.
Here’s what’s happening: Trump has declared that he alone will decide who gets federal money. Not Congress, not the people’s elected representatives—just him. This is blatantly unconstitutional. Congress controls the budget in a democracy, not the president. But Trump doesn’t care about the Constitution. He’s decided to play king, hoarding taxpayer dollars to punish his enemies and reward his friends.
What does this really mean?
If you live in a Democratic state, don’t expect federal help. If your congressperson opposes Trump, your district is out of luck. Meanwhile, Trump’s billionaire donors and loyalists will get showered with cash. He’s setting himself up to control the economy, the government, and even your personal well-being—all based on who supports him and who doesn’t.
This isn’t governance. It’s authoritarianism. It’s corruption. And it’s terrifying.
The real-world consequences:
Let’s talk about who suffers. Kids in poor communities will lose access to Head Start programs. Cancer research will grind to a halt. Veterans—our veterans—will miss critical appointments and fall through the cracks. Entire families will lose the support they depend on, and millions of lives will be thrown into chaos. This isn’t a side effect. It’s the plan. Trump wants to punish anyone who doesn’t align with him and consolidate power for himself.
This is part of a bigger plan:
Trump’s actions this week aren’t happening in a vacuum. He’s been setting the stage for years. He’s pardoning violent rioters to normalize political violence. He’s firing inspectors general so there’s no one left to hold him accountable. Now, by freezing federal funds, he’s putting himself in total control of the country’s purse strings. Piece by piece, he’s dismantling our democracy.
This isn’t just about money. It’s about power. It’s about control. And it’s about destroying any checks or balances that stand in his way. If Trump can control the federal budget, he controls the country. And if we let him get away with this, what’s next? How long until our elections, our courts, and even our rights are up for grabs?
The warning is clear:
What Trump is doing is the definition of a constitutional crisis. This is how democracies die. One man consolidates power, silences opposition, and rewards loyalty while punishing dissent. History has shown us this playbook before, and it always ends in disaster.
Don’t be distracted by the chaos or lulled into inaction. This isn’t just another political fight—it’s a fight for the survival of American democracy. The stakes couldn’t be higher. If we don’t push back now, we may lose the very freedoms that make this country what it is.
Congress must act. The courts must intervene. And the American people must wake up to what’s happening. This is a moment of reckoning, and we cannot afford to ignore it.
Trump’s power grab is a direct threat to our way of life. The time to stand up is now. Our democracy depends on it.

[lineygoblue]

Sounds cut and pasted

[CGVT]

Sounds cut and pasted

Sounds like truth.

Open your eyes to what this guy is doing.

Even if you agree with some of shit he is doing, how can you be ok with his obvious attempt to destroy our democracy?

He doesn't want to govern. He wants to rule.

[iam416]

Watching CGVT self-immolate makes me wish I didn’t abstain.

[Mike]

Not gonna lie. It’s really fun.

[THE_WIZARD_]

This is fucking hilarious.

THREAT TO DEMOCRACY!!!!1111

DEPORTING JUST LIKE THE NAZIS!!!111

MIND CONTROL!!!!1111

CGVT's meltdown is almost as enjoyable as watching CNN and MSNBC implode...