US and Israel attack Iran

[seeds]

The simple truth...

(as I have suggested so many times in the past)

...is that the seemingly impossible event of such a psychologically damaged, overtly corrupt person such as Trump → rising to the highest level of American politics...

(again, like pus rising to the head of a festering boil)

Nice...

...I'm not sure about karma... because I'm not sure we're ever supposed to be punished for being what we are.

In the "long run" no, --> as in there is no final judgment, or punishing hells, or any other such nonsense.

But I hope that there's an organic balancing wheel at work.

Isn't that just another way of describing (or looking at) the concept of "karma"?

Of course, one cannot help but wonder that if karma is real, then it should have dealt with Trump a long time ago.

However, as I have speculatively suggested, perhaps karma is using Trump to bring about the reaping, or, to use your words, the "organic balancing" of the greater negative karma that America - as a nation - has sown across the globe.
_______

[seeds]

Classic Lacewing! (Stuff & nonsense).

No, no, no, Jacobi, pay attention to the tactics of the one you once had "faith" in.

When you come across a brilliant and insightful female who is obviously your superior, it's not...

"...Classic Lacewing! (Stuff & nonsense)..."

...no, it's...

"...What a nasty person you are..."

Or, better yet...

"...Quiet, piggy..."

Whenever you are in doubt about how to respond to anyone (especially a female) who clearly recognizes the superficiality of your philosophy, always remember to glance at your "WWTD" bracelet.

And if you're in a live situation, after you have delivered the "quiet piggy" quip to an "uppity female" who doesn't know her place within the MAGA movement, you could press the end of your nose up and throw in a few audible "oink-oinks."

Indeed, a second glance at your "WWTD" bracelet might even inspire you to mimic Trump's impersonation of the awkward and involuntary movements of a handicapped person.

My goodness, there's just no end to the "WWTD" actions and mannerisms that should have indicated to anyone with two viable brain cells that this miscreant isn't evolved enough to distinguish his anus from his elbow,...

...yet...yet...he now has control over the second largest nuclear arsenal on the face of the planet.

But, no, Jacobi, none of that mattered to you. Indeed, it was only when he finally slaughtered 150 little schoolgirls that you "lost faith" in him.

Speaking of lovable miscreants, whatever happened to Henry Quirk? Shouldn't he be here touting the glorious achievements* of the person that he hoped would shake things up?

*(A new golden ballroom for the East Wing of the White House, along with all of that wonderful gold filigree in the Oval Office. Oh, and let's not forget the proposed "Arc de Trump.")
_______

[Lacewing]

...I'm not sure about karma... because I'm not sure we're ever supposed to be punished for being what we are.

In the "long run" no, --> as in there is no final judgment, or punishing hells, or any other such nonsense.

But I hope that there's an organic balancing wheel at work.

Isn't that just another way of describing (or looking at) the concept of "karma"?

Sure. It seems to me that karma has often been used to: a) explain why some people have so many hardships in life, and b) claim that people who do bad things will get their punishment. I don't think either is true. A lot of people simply seem inclined/destined to walk difficult paths for better or worse. And people do bad things and get away with it.

I suppose there are lots of ideas about what karma is... and I don't really have a feeling about it, myself. Do you think the concept of karma refers to some kind of personal or non-personal balancing act?

Of course, one cannot help but wonder that if karma is real, then it should have dealt with Trump a long time ago.

Yes! There are so many examples of destructive, hateful people who commit terrible acts for their entire lives. If karma was powerful and effective, wouldn't it reveal itself while it could actually be witnessed? Why do so many have to suffer and never see accountability?

That's (maybe) why I lean towards the idea of the impersonal nature of life in the grander scheme of things. We humans are what make things personal for us as we sail through the cosmos. But nobody is at the helm. What do you think?

However, as I have speculatively suggested, perhaps karma is using Trump to bring about the reaping, or, to use your words, the "organic balancing" of the greater negative karma that America - as a nation - has sown across the globe.

I do think he's a 'tool' in more ways than one.

Maybe the planet itself is responsible for the evolution upon it (?)... and the current shifting and destruction is one way the planet shakes itself to be rid of destructive pests and forces. All very naturally, not consciously.

[Alexis Jacobi]

Whenever you are in doubt about how to respond to anyone (especially a female) who clearly recognizes the superficiality of your philosophy, always remember to glance at your "WWTD" bracelet.

Instead of just making mention of a superficial philosophy, can you expound on it succinctly and simply? What is the ‘philosophy’ that I have revealed? Can you do it without odd formatting?

[Alexis Jacobi]

PUBLIC NOTICE

I am developing a line of frumpy, low thread-count tunics to wear in combination with a gigantic quartz crystals best donned when channeling elevating commentary here on the forum. $189.00 for the ensemble. PM me.

[Lacewing]

No, no, no, Jacobi, pay attention.../...

...When you come across a brilliant and insightful female who is obviously your superior.../...

...who clearly recognizes the superficiality of your philosophy.../...

...always remember to glance at your "WWTD" bracelet.

I appreciate that these guys and the entire MAGA movement are so obvious and transparent in their foolish, deceptive desperation. It's like watching children. Granted, they ARE burning down the house. But they're not clever enough to trick or sway people who aren't mindlessly in service to ego/identity above all else.

I've always thought that 'evil' (hateful idiotic destruction) would be so much smarter... but it never is. Stupid evil is just SAD.

[Dubious]

Trump - a person of no redeeming qualities one could name - rules as the most potent catalyst and symbol of America's decline. That honor is less due to anyone as disgusting as Trump but to a system which clearly has demonstrated very little defence against it. The antibodies provided by its Constitution are being targeted forcing them into a state of near surrender. Empires usually falter and decline when the system itself corrodes, its so-called Constitutional ramparts, which those like Trump and surrounding sycophants merely expedite rather than cause.

One of the first main indicators of decline globally will be the gradual erosion of its status as the main reserve currency.

Well said, Dubious.

Now I realize that he's not the sole cause of what's coming,...

...however, thanks to Trump's incompetence, the word "erosion" (implying a slow and gradual process) no longer applies to the rate at which the value of America's currency is now slipping down the mountainside of the world economy,...

...for that gradual slippage is about to become a rapid and catastrophic landslide.
_______

When one has practiced and mastered the art of bankrupting one's own companies six times, the ambitious always seek a higher, more worthy challenge especially with the acquiescence of half the population eager to grant the opportunity. In that, Trump's genius for screwups has revealed itself in all of its contagious, misbegotten, depraved glory. MAGA should now stand for Make America Gross Again. If it weren't for the critical intelligences in opposition to the maga crowd, a justified renaming of America to Moronica would be warranted thanks to the neuron deprived idiots who couldn't see the obvious the first time around.

Does anyone who doesn't have the brains of a pencil sharpener believe that Putin or that other one-and-only fatso in North Korea, Kim Jong Un actually respect Trump in spite of his solicitations?

[Alexis Jacobi]

*MORONICA*

*A Bankrupt's Opera in One Act*

*CHARACTERS:*
THE BANKRUPT - Baritone (Tuba]
THE CROWD - Chorus
THE OPPOSITION - Soprano
THE CZAR - Bass
THE OTHER FATSO - Comic Bass

*ACT I: THE SIXTH LESSON*

*ARIA - THE BANKRUPT:*
I have practiced! I have mastered!
Six times I have mastered the art!
Six companies to ash and ruin,
And still they say I am smart.

If six is done, then seven calls me,
A higher, worthier stage!
Give me something bigger to bankrupt,
Give me the grandest page!

*CHORUS - THE CROWD:*
Take it! Take it! We grant it!
Half of us cry, take your chance!
We acquiesce! We anoint you!
Come lead our desperate dance!

*ARIA - THE CONTAGIOUS GENIUS:*
Behold my genius for screwups,
Contagious and depraved!
All in its misbegotten glory,
A masterpiece mis-made!

Let MAGA stand for what it is now,
Let truth be finally spoken:
Make America Gross Again,
A nation gross and broken!

*CHORUS & OPPOSITION:*
If not for critical intelligences,
If not for those opposed,
This country would be Moronica,
As you have just supposed!

For neuron-deprived idiots
Who missed it the first time,
Would trade a commonwealth for con-men
And call the trade sublime!

*INTERLUDE: THE RESPECT QUESTION*

[THE CZAR and THE OTHER FATSO enter]

*DUET - THE CZAR and THE OTHER FATSO:*
Respect? You think we respect him?
That soliciting fool?
Does any brain beyond a pencil sharpener
Believe in such a rule?

Putin does not respect him!
Kim Jong Un laughs aloud!
The one-and-only fatso in Pyongyang
Laughs with his own crowd!

*FINALE - THE OPPOSITION:*
So who believes? Who still believes
These tyrants bend the knee?
Only those who could not see
The obvious, plain to see.

[Dubious]

*MORONICA*

*A Bankrupt's Opera in One Act*

*CHARACTERS:*
THE BANKRUPT - Baritone (Tuba]
THE CROWD - Chorus
THE OPPOSITION - Soprano
THE CZAR - Bass
THE OTHER FATSO - Comic Bass

*ACT I: THE SIXTH LESSON*

*ARIA - THE BANKRUPT:*
I have practiced! I have mastered!
Six times I have mastered the art!
Six companies to ash and ruin,
And still they say I am smart.

If six is done, then seven calls me,
A higher, worthier stage!
Give me something bigger to bankrupt,
Give me the grandest page!

*CHORUS - THE CROWD:*
Take it! Take it! We grant it!
Half of us cry, take your chance!
We acquiesce! We anoint you!
Come lead our desperate dance!

*ARIA - THE CONTAGIOUS GENIUS:*
Behold my genius for screwups,
Contagious and depraved!
All in its misbegotten glory,
A masterpiece mis-made!

Let MAGA stand for what it is now,
Let truth be finally spoken:
Make America Gross Again,
A nation gross and broken!

*CHORUS & OPPOSITION:*
If not for critical intelligences,
If not for those opposed,
This country would be Moronica,
As you have just supposed!

For neuron-deprived idiots
Who missed it the first time,
Would trade a commonwealth for con-men
And call the trade sublime!

*INTERLUDE: THE RESPECT QUESTION*

[THE CZAR and THE OTHER FATSO enter]

*DUET - THE CZAR and THE OTHER FATSO:*
Respect? You think we respect him?
That soliciting fool?
Does any brain beyond a pencil sharpener
Believe in such a rule?

Putin does not respect him!
Kim Jong Un laughs aloud!
The one-and-only fatso in Pyongyang
Laughs with his own crowd!

*FINALE - THE OPPOSITION:*
So who believes? Who still believes
These tyrants bend the knee?
Only those who could not see
The obvious, plain to see.

The libretto is fine! Now what about the music Herr Eulenspiegel...or at least an overture!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZatck0b7ZI

[Gary Childress]

I wonder if Alexis could be counted as a genius klutz. When I screw up, I usually feel bad about it. When Alexis screws up, he creates a fancy cloud of "metaphysical" smoke and mirrors to hide it from himself and save himself from embarrassment. At least we know that "good" and "bad" for Alexis Jacoby revolve around "realism", or realpolitik, and Alexis is asking Lace what is "corrupt" about Trump, not because Alexis is a thick-headed idiot but because he's just 'testing' Lacewing to see if she knows what he "knows". Maybe if Alexis mansplains it a little better to Lace, she will understand what's "really" happening.

[Alexis Jacobi]

I wonder if Alexis could be counted as a genius klutz. When I screw up, I usually feel bad about it. When Alexis screws up, he creates a fancy cloud of "metaphysical" smoke and mirrors to hide it from himself and save himself from embarrassment. At least we know that "good" and "bad" for Alexis Jacobi revolve around "realism", or realpolitik, and Alexis is asking Lace what is "corrupt" about Trump, not because Alexis is a thick-headed idiot but because he's just 'testing' Lacewing to see if she knows what he "knows". Maybe if Alexis mansplains it a little better to Lace, she will understand what's "really" happening.

Alexis Jacobi often seems to transcend precise categories.

Be that as it may you did not really deal with my answer to your question. Did you think that I thought you would? No, of course I knew you would not because for a man in your position, tied up in knots, dedicated to self-undermining, dealing with the question like a man is the first stage of healing. Think of In The Penal Colony — did you ever read it? Women’s ways (hello Lacy!) are not men’s ways, and you my dear sir are possessed by the feminine. It’s all lamentation, guilt, meditations on horror, but the essence of it is undermining your own right to live, to prosper.

I grant you some of this is a stretch. In the sense that introducing the pathologies bound up in ‘wokeness’ and my critique of Lacewing’s vaginal garglings. However I assert there are connections. We are dealing in mass-moods, widespread social phenomena, and a strange psychology-laden period in the Republic’s weird evolution.

None of you, not one! has any notion of the causal chain that has brought us to this point. Well, Dubious a wee bit. So, as ‘symptoms’ all you do is to bellyache, and this odd figure Donald Trump is, to all appearances, the focus of your dissipated life-energies.

Alexis Jacobi recommends intellectual ascent from the mire. I will come down to your level though it hurts! I myself will don the low thread-count tunic and the preposterous quartz crystal and rehearse with you the discordant incoherent jibber-jabber and I will go so far as to howl at the moon by your side!

All I am asking for is some intelligent interaction. Please! PLEASE!

Maybe if Alexis mansplains it a little better to Lace, she will understand what's "really" happening.

Ab-so-LUTELY! That attack on men’s facility to explain, and in a very real sense the entire ground of masculine and paternal authority is EXACTLY what is at issue here. But you are not even slightly conscious of the social and political movement whose end is the destruction and undermining of hierarchical categories. Lacewing’s entire discourse, such as it is, is an effort to undermine (important) hierarchical categories.

See, the people who speak here (on this forum) and in our present cannot help but to reveal their varied ideological miscalculations and the degree to which they move in currents of dysfunction.

The time is out of joint: O cursed spite,
That ever I was born to set it right!

Listen! and understand Gary!

[Gary Childress]

I wonder if Alexis could be counted as a genius klutz. When I screw up, I usually feel bad about it. When Alexis screws up, he creates a fancy cloud of "metaphysical" smoke and mirrors to hide it from himself and save himself from embarrassment. At least we know that "good" and "bad" for Alexis Jacobi revolve around "realism", or realpolitik, and Alexis is asking Lace what is "corrupt" about Trump, not because Alexis is a thick-headed idiot but because he's just 'testing' Lacewing to see if she knows what he "knows". Maybe if Alexis mansplains it a little better to Lace, she will understand what's "really" happening.

Alexis Jacobi often seems to transcend precise categories.

Be that as it may you did not really deal with my answer to your question. Did you think that I thought you would? No, of course I knew you would not because for a man in your position, tied up in knots, dedicated to self-undermining, dealing with the question like a man is the first stage of healing. Think of In The Penal Colony — did you ever read it? Women’s ways (hello Lacy!) are not men’s ways, and you my dear sir are possessed by the feminine. It’s all lamentation, guilt, meditations on horror, but the essence of it is undermining your own right to live, to prosper.

I grant you some of this is a stretch. In the sense that introducing the pathologies bound up in ‘wokeness’ and my critique of Lacewing’s vaginal garglings. However I assert there are connections. We are dealing in mass-moods, widespread social phenomena, and a strange psychology-laden period in the Republic’s weird evolution.

None of you, not one! has any notion of the causal chain that has brought us to this point. Well, Dubious a wee bit. So, as ‘symptoms’ all you do is to bellyache, and this odd figure Donald Trump is, to all appearances, the focus of your dissipated life-energies.

Alexis Jacobi recommends intellectual ascent from the mire. I will come down to your level though it hurts! I myself will don the low thread-count tunic and the preposterous quartz crystal and rehearse with you the discordant incoherent jibber-jabber and I will go so far as to howl at the moon by your side!

All I am asking for is some intelligent interaction. Please! PLEASE!

What makes you think that you're not getting intelligent interaction from some of us?

[Alexis Jacobi]

[I intoned even more substantial tid-bits by way of edit in the proceeding post.]

[Gary Childress]

[I intoned even more substantial tid-bits by way of edit in the proceeding post.]

My question was: What makes you think that you're not getting intelligent interaction from some of us?

Can you answer the question? Who has been speaking intelligently to us that we are not reciprocating with in kind? And who are you not getting intelligent interaction from? I assume by the direction of your question, that you're referring to me. Is there anyone else you perceive as guilty of this besides me?

[Alexis Jacobi]

Gary, you asked for my position on good and on bad and I wrote a substantial post revealing my position, such as it is. Please follow-up and share your developed thoughts on the topic. Did you receive (I overnighted it) your own low thread-count tunic and your vey own massive quartz crystal? Put it on and get to work!