"Strange times. The left is going to defend the 2nd amendment."

And Republicans are going to present the 2nd amendment as a threat to public safety. Albeit it seems a dwindling number of Republicans.

I think there will soon be an inflection point, where Republicans begin fleeing like rats off the sinking MAGA ship.

"Doesn't matter, commiting a felony, the push of the officer, while armed overrides 2A rights. It's a very serious matter."

Sure.

Got it.

Had he been hauled off with a criminal charge of impeding federal officers...who cares. He probably was. But unless the Police thought he was wearing a suicide vest, they don't have much of an argument for shooting him.

And who knows, maybe the Police will make the claim that he could have been employing tactics common to Islamic terrorists. For Renee Goode, that would have been a real possibility. Europe was closing down Christmas markets out the fear that terrorists may use vehicles to mow down crowds.

"Tomorrow the Mad King most likely will feel differently."

I was thinking about you the other day. I was with some co-workers up in Norway discussing the Greenland thing. They're all fighter pilots. I told them, the US news is basically like barrage jamming-you know what that is-elevate the noise floor to obscure the actual threat picture. And it's working.

I have no idea what is actually going on in the US. I feel like all the major news networks just want controversy. And I get it, that sells adds. That gets clicks. And whether it's MSNBC or OANN, Trump loves it. There is no bad publicity if you're a reality TV star. There are plenty of YouTubers who have made their names by doing really stupid ----. That's what people want to see.

BTW, the current generation of radar jammers are SICK! If you still had access to classified networks, you'd be both amazed and amused.

The world will be a much safer place when all of those countries who looked towards the US to bolster their security begin to develop their own nuclear weapons.

"He obstructed an officer of the law without saying he was armed, with a concealed weapon."

Was that weapon on him when he was shot? Did he threaten the Police with it?

"Tragic, all because a person brought a concealed weapon to a protest, which is his right, but doesn't absolve someone from being irresponsible."

Including the Police?

I've worked with CBP and other federal agencies for years, and they were extremely professional. I have never leaned in favor of protesters, because most of them just seem to be attention hounds. Pull out your cell phone and get clicks. I'm beginning to question the professionalism and standards of DHS, and it sucks.

"He didn't brandish the weapon, but he did conceal and bring one, causing more risk to him and community."

..said every progressive anti-gun activist. Ever.

#32

I'm guessing he isn't the only one with buyer's remorse.

That's not true. Trump is totally focused on his own priorities. Laser focused, in fact.

That new ballroom ain't gonna build itself.

#6

More like "Papierien, JETZT!"

I misspoke. There were 14 million illegal immigrants residing in the US in 2023.

"> anyone in North or South America"

This one.

To me, everyone on an American continent is an American.

As for the race thing, it's a bit conspiratorial for my taste. It's like the claims that Biden was trying to flood the country with illegal immigrants.

"How about if their legality is such that, they are legal, but we can deport them for writing a bad check, and they write a bad check."

Forgive my ignorance, but is writing a bad check a crime? If so, then yes.

"So, why would you hunt someone down, for overstaying a tourist visa? Show me how America benefits"

Two reasons. To discourage immigrants from coming into the US illegally, which seems to be working, as well as encouraging those who want to immigrate to use legal pathways.

There were 14 million people who entered the country illegally in 2023.

Think about that. 14 million people who chose to enter the country illegally, when they could have do so legally.

">Or is Pres Trump's end goal the cleansing of non-white people from the United States?"

Americans make up the overwhelming majority of illegal immigrants. The only other two big ones were India and Ukraine.

Surprisingly, the number of illegal immigrants coming from the middle east or Africa is negligible.

"ICE currently seems to be focused upon skin color, speech accent, etc."

ICE is an equal opportunity deporter. Last month they deported an 80-year-old Polish man who had been in the US for decades.

"This should be considered on a case by case basis."

How so?

If someone is in the country illegally, you would let some stay? What status would they have? Tourist? Grant them an extended visa or something?

And my question would be, if they wanted to live here, what not apply for residency?

"So, why would any sane economic leader want to remove those people?"

I am a huge fan of immigration. From the guys and gals who do yardwork, to the guys and gals that are going to put an astronaut on Mars. But it needs to be done in accordance with US policy. Anything else is just laziness and disregard for the US.

"So, please be specific of your view of "open border policy."

That's a question in and of itself. I obviously can't get into the headspace of the protesters, but it appears that they favor people in this country illegally being allowed to stay in the country illegally. Otherwise, what are they protesting?

US, like other countries, has different policies for different countries when it comes to entering the country legally. For example, you can come to Germany and stay for up to 90 days on a tourist passport. I think it's the same for Germans traveling to the US. But at 91 days, you're no longer legally allowed to be in the country. For immigrants, you generally apply for residency, which allows you to legally be in the country. This allows you to work, pay taxes, buy property, and receive government benefits.

Like I said, I have no idea what the expectations of the protesters are, but it appears that they believe the people who enter the country illegally should have the same rights as those who apply for and are granted residency.

"Most immigrants detained by ICE have no criminal record."

I'm not concerned about a criminal record. I'm concerned about whether they are in the country legally.

The deportation thing is the only thing Trump is doing that I approve of.

"It exists as a paramilitary, heavy-handedly engaging in official repression, to make a clearly fascist political point."

Question 1: If people are in the US illegally, should the US government take any action to remove them?

Question 2: Do you believe the US should have an open border policy?

Right now you have two types of people. Those who are going through the wickets to enter the country legally, and those who enter illegally. Maybe a possible third, those who entered legally, but no longer have valid credentials to stay here. It seems like you want to reward those who entered illegally by allowing them to bypass the process required to stay here legally.

"If you and your Air Force unit came home to do what ICE is doing, you'd be hated also. People would react."

Tangentially related, my best friend's son was on a flight from Tirana, Albania to Austin, where he goes to college. He was stopped at some point and told that they knew he had drugs on him. Because he was coming from Albania. They ------ with him for a while, but obviously he didn't have drugs on him, so they couldn't hold him.

I wish that would happen to me.

"Calling this "enforcing US government policy" is you, deliberately missing the actual thing that's being protested, which is the deliberate cruelty and inhumanity and totalitarian approach of the Feds."

Is it cruel and inhumane for CBP to turn people away at the airport who don't have valid entry credentials? Or should CBP be like, "you seem cool, so you can stay."

Like I said, this is Bananas. I live in Germany under specific policy related to my employment. If the circumstances of my employment change, I have 90 days to leave the country. At 91 days, they deport my ass. And no German is going to protest it. They're not even going to bat an eyelash.

"You wouldn't like it if the Stasi did this to you for a trivial offense like a previous conviction for driving without a license."

Driving without a license is illegal, so let's do driving without insurance. Your positions would seem to be that it's OK to drive without insurance, if you've never been in an accident.

Amiright?

"Without lifting a finger (or losing a single Russian soldier), Pedodent Vladimir Netanyahu Trumpf will deliver Europe on a silver platter to Putin."

Not so fast. Peace in Europe has largely been a result of the NATO alliance, and US security guarantees. Especially when it comes to nuclear weapons. If NATO were to fall, I have no doubt that current NATO members would implement their own nuclear weapons programs. The article mentions this. Western Europe is capable of defeating Russia in a conventional fight. With nukes, Russia wouldn't stand a chance. And the difference between the US and Europe is that the US really doesn't have a grudge against Russia. Many European countries do. And I get the sneaking suspicion that some of them-I'm looking at you Poland-want revenge.

This was both an entertaining and informative article. Thank you for posting.