#2

This is one of many of what are known as, perception and performance indices, as they track both.

"The most corrupt countries are determined primarily by perception rankings, as perfectly objective metrics for clandestine crimes like bribery and embezzlement do not exist.

To measure this, institutions evaluate data by aggregating surveys, expert assessments, and objective governance datasets."

- Boomers

"One of the most surprising statistics from the 2024 presidential election was the surge of support President Trump received from Gen Z voters.

While these voters, born between 1997 and 2012, turned out in fewer numbers across all demographics in 2024 as compared to 2020, their voting preferences shifted to the right."

"One of the most comprehensive and trusted measures of corruption around the world is the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which is published annually by Transparency International.

The 2024 CPI gave 180 countries a score of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean) based upon their perceived levels of public sector corruption.

As in previous years, more than two-thirds of the world's countries scored below 50 in the 2024 rankings, resulting in an average score of 43 for the twelfth year in a row, while 148 countries have stayed stagnant or gotten worse since 2012.

The top ten least corrupt appear below, followed by the full list further down the page."

;;

Really fun and telling Map at the link to run your cursor over.

China at 43?

"China is widely considered corrupt due to a combination of centralized, one-party political rule, opaque state institutions, and rapid, state-directed economic growth.

Without a free press or independent judiciary to enforce accountability, vast power is concentrated in the hands of officials who can manipulate resources, land allocations, and lucrative contracts."

- Yawn. Another day another lefty over-reaction cry fest.

#40 | Posted by visitor_

Trump's own hand-picked DOJ testifies under Oath that he ordered them to Rig the 2020 Election by sending a Letter to States saying that it was legal for them to change the Election Results in their States from Biden to Trump.

And only the threat of them Resigning en masse stopped this criminal act.

"Yawn" - Trumpites

I want Mao back!

"Trump insists Iran talks continue at rapid pace' after Iranian state media said they were suspended
4:40 PM EDT, Mon June 1, 2026

Mr. Trump also said "all shooting will stop" between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon, after the president said he spoke with officials from both sides of the conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said his country's military would "continue to operate as planned in southern Lebanon."

"Two federal judges raised questions about the DOJ fund Friday, with one Virginia-based district judge issuing a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from disbursing any money from it.

Separately, the Florida-based district judge who presided over the federal lawsuit filed by Trump that led to the fund's creation launched an inquiry into the settlement deal.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated the fund would have to be restricted in some way to unlock further progress on the GOP bill, saying in an interview it was a "safe bet" changes would be coming.

"The best way to handle it is if the administration decides to shut it down themselves," he added in subsequent comments to reporters."

;;

Must be a weird feeling for some of the GOPhers in Congress to actually say 'NO' to DJT.

Here's a vid version of the story:

Trump Abruptly Ends Slush Fund As Republican Revolt Blocks Him
12 mins ago

Since we are discussing what faux Christians say and do, perhaps we should balance that with what an actual Christian... who is also a PhD in Pure Math (aka Abstract Algebra, along with a couple of other Oxford doctorates)... briefly says to a group of students and Faculty at Harvard Medicine about what Christianity actually is about:

Here's a short clip everyone should see... Sen Jon Ossoff of at a major rally yesterday in GA:

#40

It's tough to be a Trumpublican these daze when one's Dear Leader is a criminal con artist and a traitor (not to mention rapist and Pedo Friend, because apparently that's also acceptable).

Of course, there ARE Republicans with whom we can disagree on nearly everything, like MTG, Bloody Bill Krystol, Rick Wilson, Mother Tucker... but they, at least, are patriots in their own way.

Jun 1, 2026
Iran has attacked commercial ships in the Persian Gulf after announcing that talks with the US are now completely suspended, which comes as Israel announces evacuations in Beirut's suburbs as they plan to strikes Hezbollah forces within the Dahiyeh suburbs.

Iran has announced plans to conduct military actions if Israel conducts strikes in the area. this all comes only hours after the President of the US announced that people are criticizing him way too much and a deal is just around the corner.

-
Meanwhile Russia, the country is suffering the lowest fuel refining rates in the last 20 years. Russian forces are still taking heavy losses, and attacks are still being conducted on Russia deep inside of the country."

The Enforcer

Election is like a microcosm of America; good enough vs evil incarnate.

- nothing compared to what Dems will do with the most razor thin levers of democratic power.

That's prolly the funniest, most obtuse nonsense I've read here in a long while... which is saying a lot.

Anyone who could imagine almost any Dem being worse for America than is DJT, and with worse polls... should have their brain dry cleaned.

"Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said Peters' release "will embolden the election denial movement."

"The Governor's grant of clemency to Tina Peters is an affront to our democracy, the people of Colorado, and election officials across the country," Griswold said.

"It sends a dangerous message about accountability for those who would attack elections."

;;

Her next stop? Trump WH Elections Board as Criminal in Charge!

(after taking up LHT's offer of, "a night you'll never forget, Mom!")

#2

That's.... 'mah-velous!'.

Just hope DJT never sees it.

related:

Middle East crisis live: Iran says no more peace talks with US until Israel stops its operations

- Until you do some research...

I'll take Things That Never Have and Never Will Happen for $500, Alex.

#33

The burden of proof is on the Gov doing the killing... and they aren't offering any. Because they don't have to; their Base doesn't care about proof and facts.

"One image that was mentioned a couple of times by friends to the channel was Trump posting an image of him and Tom Brady with the headline of goat.

And of course in Tom Brady's case it means the greatest of all time because of what he achieved as an NFL quarterback. And in Trump's case he thinks it also means the greatest of all time. However, I'll get back to the other connotations to him calling himself a goat in just a moment."

;;

The vid at the link is about 5 mins (plus some outro music).

(Click 'More' below the vid to see the full transcript printed out rather than going to Transcript... and it's a short read, although seeing the DJT posts at the vid is interesting, too.)

"... the Four Horsemen of Calumny--Fear, Ignorance, Bigotry, and Smear,"

Congrats, Republicans!

You finally got what the worst members of your Party have always wanted; a return the the worst vision of America in the 1950s... racism, misogynism, and false flag jingoism (look it up).

Ike wept.

"no evidence for the allegation."

Evidence isn't necessary in Trump World... as a matter of fact, it's laughed at.

Had he played his cards right he could have become a top ICE Agent.

"Midway across the river, the scorpion stings the frog anyway, dooming them both. The dying frog asks the scorpion why it stung despite knowing the consequence, to which the scorpion replies:

I am sorry, but I couldn't help myself. It's my character.'"

When Trump eventually turns on Shady there will be no excuses... after all, Vance had called him, "America's Hitler' before he was bought and paid for by Theil.

Paxton certainly knows his audience; low-browed, low-minded, low income, low education, low tolerance for anyone different than themselves.

"Even here, the deal represents at best a return to the pre-war Hormuz status quo of open international navigation"and at a heavy cost.

In addition to the thirteen American service members killed and more than 500 wounded, plus the eye-watering price to taxpayers of the war itself, the United States appears prepared to extend a major economic lifeline to Iran that will help it quickly rebuild.

And Iran seems to have convinced the Trump administration to punt for now on further negotiations about its nuclear program.

Why American negotiators think they'll be able to get more concessions from Iran later, when they're able to apply less economic and military pressure, is unclear."

from the thread link, which is a twofer; there's another short article under it (with cool graphic) titled:

"It's Still About Us, Not About Him"

"There is one small problem, though. We elected Donald J. Trump as our president in 2024. And so he will preside over the 250th birthday of a nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

I hope the Supreme Judge of the World (as the Declaration refers to Him) is enjoying this rather dark cosmic joke.

It's not just that Trump's policies fly in the face of the principles of the Declaration, and seek to undermine a government that secures our rights and derives its just powers from the consent of the governed.

It's also that Trump is doing his best to horn in on the celebration, to turn it into his event, not ours, to vulgarize it according to his taste, to personalize it in accord with his narcissism, and to distort its meaning in line with his prejudices."

;;

And yes, I know who wrote both, but I'm not voting for him or MTG or Mother Tucker... I just like seeing them show just a bit of democratic patriotism despite their Authoritarian leanings.