2026 Political Chat

[Someone_else]

If the QR code can encode so much data, does this mean that each individual item could be traced to it's original point of sale?

If the manufacturer is willing to encode a serial number into each 2-D code, sure.
That would mean a bit more expense in printing the packaging, but they would probably value the tracking data even more.

 

[Goldhedge]

 

[Goldhedge]

Secret Service agent for Vance under review for allegedly leaking information​

By Molly Parks
Published July 23, 2026

A member of Vice President JD Vance’s Secret Service detail has been placed under investigation for allegedly compromising informational and operational security, the Secret Service confirmed to the Washington Examiner.

The Secret Service agent is suspected of leaking information to MS Now for a report claiming the vice president’s personal travel plans have been frustrating for his security detail, according to multiple reports. The MS Now report, published in mid-July, included details regarding the vice president’s then-upcoming travel plans to fly via helicopter with his son to a golf lesson at Joint Base Andrews, a plan that the outlet said was subsequently changed after the release of their report.

Secret Service agent for Vance under review for allegedly leaking information

The Secret Service agent is reportedly suspected of leaking information to MS Now for a report on the vice president's travel habits and plans.

www.washingtonexaminer.com

 

[chieftain]

That is a complete deal-breaker.
It is one thing to require communication for authorizing cards. But it's another to tie a product's ID to an online lookup that can change at any time for any reason. Do retailers actually want third parties to hold their inventory hostage?

A 2D barcode symbology can encode any data within a pre-defined limit, it doesn't mean it's a URL.

In this instance GS1 (my business does a lot of work with them) wants to have a product description encoded in the DataMatrix or QR barcode, so that data doesn't have to be kept in whatever database is used by the store.

 

[Goldhedge]

 

[Goldhedge]

 

[Goldhedge]

BOMBSHELL Investigative journalist Catherine Herridge says she found evidence that Joe Biden’s family was being blackmailed by China (and shows the documents) and our mainstream media ignored the evidence

“What we saw in the release of the records, which I'm afraid I think in the media or legacy media there was kind of a willful blindness. They didn't want to look at the records. All you had to do was spend a couple of hours. I found these records which are talking about blackmail by China. It was for President Biden's daily brief. I can conclude, I think, that it was probably about targeting his family”

She explains earlier that all this was ignored and buried by the FBI, CIA and the media in order to keep Democrats in power

 

[Goldhedge]

 

[Goldhedge]

This is important to grok.

"The person who reaches for this line is usually operating from a worldview in which social approval is the primary currency of status and safety. Their power, professional standing, or sense of moral correctness often depends on maintaining the appearance of consensus. When that consensus is threatened by an outsider who refuses to perform the expected rituals of deference, the response is not evidence or counter-argument. It is the threat of exclusion."



From 2nd article above:

Nobody Likes You: The Psychology of Childish Political Taunts and Why They Fail​

A recent clip circulating on X captures a familiar exchange. A reporter looks at Elon Musk and delivers the line: “People hate you, Elon.” Musk answers without hesitation: “They hate you more than they hate me.” The moment is short, almost casual, yet it lands like a diagnostic. The reporter reaches for a schoolyard weapon. Musk treats it as irrelevant noise.

This is not an isolated incident. It is a recurring pattern, especially visible among liberals in media and activist circles. The language of “nobody likes you,” “everyone hates you,” or “people are turning against you” functions as a taunt rather than an argument. It carries weight only for those who still measure their worth by the shifting moods of the crowd. For everyone else, it reveals more about the speaker than the target.

Relational Aggression and Sex Differences​

This particular form of attack is a classic example of relational aggression: harming or threatening to harm through the manipulation of social relationships, exclusion, and popularity signals rather than direct physical or even straightforward verbal confrontation. Research on the topic has long noted its stronger association with female social dynamics, particularly among girls and adolescent females, where the threat of social isolation carries heavy weight inside peer groups. Boys more often default to physical or overt dominance displays. While some adult studies find the gap narrows, the style itself, the soft, consensus-policing “nobody likes you,” retains a distinctly feminine cadence in public life. It is the grown-up version of the middle-school exclusion game.

more at Eric Schwalm's link above

 

[Bottom Feeder]

nobody likes me
everybody hates me
I'm gonna eat some worms…

I remember that little diddy

 

[Joe King]

A reporter looks at Elon Musk and delivers the line: “People hate you, Elon.”

Other than envy and jealously what are the reasons that people would literally hate the guy?
Edited to add:.....and not sayin' envy and jealously are valid reasons someone might hate him. Those are just the only reasons I've known of anyone (idiots) to hate him for.

 

[searcher]

Other than envy and jealously what are the reasons that people would literally hate the guy?
Edited to add:.....and not sayin' envy and jealously are valid reasons someone might hate him. Those are just the only reasons I've known of anyone (idiots) to hate him for.

No dog in this fight but I decided to see what Grok has to say.

Q
I've read that a lot of people dislike Elon Musk. Is this true and if so, why do they dislike him.

A
Yes, it's true that Elon Musk is polarizing and widely disliked by a large segment of the public, particularly in the US and parts of Europe. Recent polls consistently show net-negative favorability, often with unfavorable views in the 50-60%+ range.

Recent Polling Data​

• Civiqs (as of late 2025/2026): Around 34-36% favorable vs. 55-56% unfavorable among registered voters.
• Gallup (July 2025): 33% favorable, 61% unfavorable — making him one of the least popular public figures polled.
• Aggregators like Nate Silver's Silver Bulletin: Unfavorability rose sharply in 2025 (e.g., to ~55%), with a net around -20 or worse.
• Other surveys (CNBC, Pew, YouGov, etc.): Similar patterns — roughly half negative, with strong partisan splits (very low among Democrats/liberals, higher among Republicans, middling-to-negative among independents).

Views have worsened over time, especially after Musk's heavy involvement in politics, support for Donald Trump, and role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Earlier in his career, he enjoyed broader appeal as an innovator. Tesla sales and buyer consideration have also been impacted in some markets due to his personal brand.

Common Reasons for Dislike​

Dislike is heavily driven by politics and public persona, not just his companies' products. Frequent criticisms include:

• Political involvement and Trump alignment: Musk's ~$200-300M+ support for Trump, his DOGE role (involving government cuts, layoffs, and efficiency pushes), and later public feud with Trump alienated many on the left and some independents. Critics saw it as unelected billionaire influence, disruption of services, or "chainsaw" style arrogance. Even some Republicans cooled after the rift.
• Social media behavior and X (Twitter): Many view his posting style as trollish, conspiratorial, or inflammatory (e.g., on immigration, culture wars, or media). His acquisition of Twitter and changes there led to accusations of amplifying extremism, reducing moderation, or bias. Advertiser pullouts and free-speech absolutism fueled this.
• Perceived arrogance, personal style, and management: Comments on empathy, work culture at his companies, or public spats come across as callous or elitist to critics. Past controversies (e.g., union issues, personal life, or specific tweets) add fuel.
• Cultural and ideological backlash: To some, he represents unchecked wealth, "tech bro" influence, or a shift from environmental hero (Tesla) to right-leaning critic of "woke" culture, government, and demographics. This clashes with progressive values dominant in media, academia, and coastal cities.
• Broader resentment: As the world's richest person with high visibility, he's a natural target for anti-wealth, anti-celebrity-CEO sentiment. Some tie it to his South African background or business successes in controversial ways.

Important Context and Balance​

• Polarization, not universal hate: Musk retains strong support among Republicans (often 60-75% favorable), many engineers/entrepreneurs, and people who value his track record on electric vehicles, SpaceX reusability, Starlink, Neuralink, and pushing against what he sees as institutional stagnation or censorship.
• Achievements vs. persona: Supporters argue dislike often stems from media framing, envy, or disagreement with his free-speech and anti-woke stances rather than substantive failures. Tesla popularized EVs at scale; SpaceX lowered launch costs dramatically.
• Media and echo chambers: Coverage is often negative in legacy outlets, amplifying controversies while downplaying wins. Conversely, his X presence exposes him directly to fans and critics alike.
• Self-awareness: Musk has said he doesn't mind being disliked and prioritizes truth-seeking over approval.

In short, yes, a lot of people dislike him— largely because he's become a lightning rod in a divided culture, amplified by his own outspokenness. Popularity fluctuates with events, but the partisan and cultural split is deep. Many admire the builder; others reject the provocateur. Public figures at his scale rarely escape this.

 

[CiscoKid]

nobody likes me
everybody hates me
I'm gonna eat some worms…

I remember that little diddy

I fondly remember my sister getting spanked when we were kids because she dared a neighborhood kid to eat a worm and when he did, she taunted him by laughing and saying, "Ha, ha! You're going to die!" Well, he ran home crying and the next thing you know, my sister is getting it and I'm laughing because, for once, it wasn't me getting beat. Good times.

 

[Goldhedge]

war is creating a shortage of microchips

Trump BROKE Britain So They Invented A Shortage To Survive​

0:00 There is no RAM shortage
1:00 Greetings from Cyprus
1:42 The RAM chip shortage story
2:15 Who shut the memory lines down
3:13 The hyperscale data centre narrative
4:07 The collapse has already happened
5:11 Seven companies propping up the market
6:16 The alchemy engine and rehypothecation
6:55 Manufacturing a key dependency
8:36 Gödel, Goebbels and the chipset proof
9:46 Why the hyperscaler future isn't coming
11:06 Hydraulic despotism and the debt
12:09 The TLDR: holding the general price level
13:08 What gold bugs and Bitcoiners miss
13:29 The Austrian structure of production
15:03 Step seven, Argentina and the named enemies
16:11 Oracle's debt and the junk bond signal
17:31 The Larry Ellison digression
18:18 Flock cameras, Palantir and the new climate grift
18:58 How they prep the next narrative
20:30 China: the fight over the horizon
21:06 Everybody has a job in the misdirection
22:52 Grok confirms the throttling
23:32 Trillions spent on what cannot work
25:15 A money laundering grift
26:09 Who they're putting in charge
27:33 Oxford's 15-minute city
28:12 Why the Blade Runners feed the grift
30:07 Blaming the country, not the individuals
32:10 The only weapons they have left
34:25 Taking World War Three off the table
35:47 Civil war, and what is left
36:10 SOFR, Fannie and Freddie
37:13 The Clarity Act and stablecoins
38:56 Why markets are trading this way
40:30 Funnelling money through city bonds
42:09 Private equity and the cash out
43:18 Strip mining small business
44:29 Reframing the panopticon
45:09 The great wealth transfer
45:29 Fake job postings and credentialism
46:50 Why this sells communism

 

[Goldhedge]

Trump Broke Their Timeline. London's Party Never Recovered​

0:00 The Democratic Party Is In A Civil War
0:44 My Beef With Ace
1:22 What On Earth Happened To The Democrats?
2:28 How The Clintons Rewired The Party
3:25 Winning Elections On Feelings
4:11 We're Communists And We're Proud Of It
5:16 27% Approval And The Polling Behind It
6:36 Who Do The Democrats Actually Have?
8:31 Abolish ICE, Abolish The Police — Then What?
9:22 The Ferociously Independent American
10:08 You Can't Tax Your Way To A Rich Society
10:40 The Voters Who Aren't Paying Attention
13:15 Manufacturing A Society Of Losers
14:23 James Carville Sounds The Alarm
15:45 The Demographic Time Bomb
17:25 Blue State Exodus And The 2030 Census
18:53 They Rigged 2024 And Still Lost
20:09 The DOJ Warning To Election Officials
21:41 The Radicals Won't Work With Moderates
22:49 The Maine Candidate They Pushed Out
23:59 The Search For A Candidate
25:48 Why They Could Still Take The House
26:40 The Reagan Lesson On Economic Timing
28:39 The American Muslim Vote
31:08 Two Factions, One Party
32:39 How They Grew By Welcoming The Fringe
33:55 New York's Mayor And The Cuomo Reversal
34:35 Could They Change The Constitution?
35:19 Covid Wasn't Supposed To Happen Under Trump
36:55 Where Did All The Riots Go?

 

[Goldhedge]

 

[Goldhedge]

 

[Goldhedge]

Nothing is going on, nothing will ever happen!



THE DEEP STATE FIRINGS HAVE COMMENCED.”

I didn't say that. Here is a direct quote from the NEW Director of National Intelligence -- Bill Pulte -- as of YESTERDAY.

Let me tell you what’s REALLY going on right now.

Trump has fired the NSA Director – General Timothy Hough. Gone. His deputy, Wendy Noble. Gone. National Counterterrorism Center — GUTTED. 18 agencies, hundreds of intelligence officers - FIRED.

The intelligence community in the United States employs 120,000 people. The PURGE has begun.

But here’s what they’re NOT telling you on the news:

IT IS NOT A CUT IN THE BUDGET.

On June 19, when Pulte arrived at the ODNI headquarters, he was given a classified briefing marked TIER-0 ACCESS ONLY. That building was what made him call the White House that same night at 11:47 PM.

I was told what was in those files:

OPERATION LOOKING GLASS – A domestic surveillance program that monitored 47 million American patriots using their social media activity, church attendance, and gun purchases. Active since 2014. Congress NEVER authorized. Run by 3 senior officials who report to NO ONE.

CONTINUATION OF CROSSFIRE -- The FBI probe into Trump did not end in 2017. It was passed down to a sub-unit inside ODNI and ran CONTINUOUSLY throughout his entire first term, his trial, AND his 2024 campaign. 23 agents. $89 million in secret money. They intercepted communications between Trump and 14 world leaders – and then LEAKED them to the Washington Post.

JANUARY 6 INFILTRATION FILES — Pulte learned there were 12 federal agents embedded in the crowd that day. Not watching. DIRECTION. Three are still functioning. Their handler is named in the file.

“Pulte is less tied down,” Trump told the Wall Street Journal.“ You don’t say that word by accident. He's LOOSE.

Just in: The Supreme Court just ruled 6-3 that federal judges can NO LONGER issue nationwide injunctions against him. The last legal safeguard is gone.

They won’t be able to stop the firings.
They can't conceal the files.
They can't guard the names.

Gabbard declassed the BIOLABS.
Pulte is downgrading the SURVEILLANCE.
The next DNI, Jay Clayton, will declassify EVERYTHING ELSE.

Phase 1: Reveal. ✓
Phase 2: Purification. ← WE'RE HERE
Phase 3: Prosecution.

Every patriot was spied on. They fed every journalist a pack of lies. Any agent who was undercover at a rally. All the money they had ripped off the black budget.

IT'S ALL COMING OUT.

CROSSFIRE-CONTINUATION-23 LOOKING-GLASS-47M J6-HANDLER-IDENTIFIED

The house of cards is falling down. One floor at a time.

 

[Goldhedge]

Well, well, well…

What the f**k do we have here?

John Brennan’s security company was busted messing with Obama’s passport files at the State Department months before he was installed president.

• In 2008, the State Department reported unauthorized access to the passport files of then-candidate Barack Hussein Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain.
— The State Department brushed it off as mere “curiosity.”

• One of the individuals identified in the passport-file breach, Lt. Quarles Harris, was reportedly cooperating with federal investigators—until he was shot dead inside his car just one month the story broke.

It turns out Quarles Harris worked for a security company called The Analysis Corporation (TAC).

Who was TAC’s CEO? John Brennan.

At the time, Brennan was also serving as an adviser to the Obama campaign.

Manufactured birth certificate?

Obama was in and out of Pakistan during the exact same period that John Brennan was in Pakistan working for the CIA.

Where was Barry from 1981 to 1982?

Obama claimed he was at Columbia University, but, according to this account, there is not a shred of evidence that he was. No records. No school documentation. Nothing.

After the State Department breach, Obama acknowledged that he had traveled to Pakistan in 1981.

In addition, John Brennan wasn’t the only person with CIA ties in Pakistan at the same time. So was Zbigniew Brzezinski, the father of Mika Brzezinski.

Barack Obama later appointed both men to serve on his presidential transition advisory team.

Brennan then served as Obama’s Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism from January 2009 to March 2013 before ultimately becoming Director of the CIA

Three years later, in 2016, they orchestrated the single greatest misinformation and disinformation campaign to overthrow the U.S. government.

@ChanelRion

 

[Goldhedge]

Trump's NEW Saudi Arabia Deal ENDS Iran and Brings Peace to the Middle East​

 

[Fatrat]

View attachment 20342

Horseshit.

 

[Joe King]

Horseshit.

If you think that, can you provide more accurate numbers?

I don't like the money going either place, but at least the money Israel got was publicly given through official means.

On the other hand, the money the Somalis and other immigrants have gotten was by actual fraud and outright theft.

 

[Bottom Feeder]

​

 

[Joe King]

No dog in this fight but I decided to see what Grok has to say.

Q
I've read that a lot of people dislike Elon Musk. Is this true and if so, why do they dislike him.

A
Yes, it's true that Elon Musk is polarizing and widely disliked by a large segment of the public, particularly in the US and parts of Europe. Recent polls consistently show net-negative favorability, often with unfavorable views in the 50-60%+ range.

Recent Polling Data​

• Civiqs (as of late 2025/2026): Around 34-36% favorable vs. 55-56% unfavorable among registered voters.
• Gallup (July 2025): 33% favorable, 61% unfavorable — making him one of the least popular public figures polled.
• Aggregators like Nate Silver's Silver Bulletin: Unfavorability rose sharply in 2025 (e.g., to ~55%), with a net around -20 or worse.
• Other surveys (CNBC, Pew, YouGov, etc.): Similar patterns — roughly half negative, with strong partisan splits (very low among Democrats/liberals, higher among Republicans, middling-to-negative among independents).

Views have worsened over time, especially after Musk's heavy involvement in politics, support for Donald Trump, and role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Earlier in his career, he enjoyed broader appeal as an innovator. Tesla sales and buyer consideration have also been impacted in some markets due to his personal brand.

Common Reasons for Dislike​

Dislike is heavily driven by politics and public persona, not just his companies' products. Frequent criticisms include:

• Political involvement and Trump alignment: Musk's ~$200-300M+ support for Trump, his DOGE role (involving government cuts, layoffs, and efficiency pushes), and later public feud with Trump alienated many on the left and some independents. Critics saw it as unelected billionaire influence, disruption of services, or "chainsaw" style arrogance. Even some Republicans cooled after the rift.
• Social media behavior and X (Twitter): Many view his posting style as trollish, conspiratorial, or inflammatory (e.g., on immigration, culture wars, or media). His acquisition of Twitter and changes there led to accusations of amplifying extremism, reducing moderation, or bias. Advertiser pullouts and free-speech absolutism fueled this.
• Perceived arrogance, personal style, and management: Comments on empathy, work culture at his companies, or public spats come across as callous or elitist to critics. Past controversies (e.g., union issues, personal life, or specific tweets) add fuel.
• Cultural and ideological backlash: To some, he represents unchecked wealth, "tech bro" influence, or a shift from environmental hero (Tesla) to right-leaning critic of "woke" culture, government, and demographics. This clashes with progressive values dominant in media, academia, and coastal cities.
• Broader resentment: As the world's richest person with high visibility, he's a natural target for anti-wealth, anti-celebrity-CEO sentiment. Some tie it to his South African background or business successes in controversial ways.

Important Context and Balance​

• Polarization, not universal hate: Musk retains strong support among Republicans (often 60-75% favorable), many engineers/entrepreneurs, and people who value his track record on electric vehicles, SpaceX reusability, Starlink, Neuralink, and pushing against what he sees as institutional stagnation or censorship.
• Achievements vs. persona: Supporters argue dislike often stems from media framing, envy, or disagreement with his free-speech and anti-woke stances rather than substantive failures. Tesla popularized EVs at scale; SpaceX lowered launch costs dramatically.
• Media and echo chambers: Coverage is often negative in legacy outlets, amplifying controversies while downplaying wins. Conversely, his X presence exposes him directly to fans and critics alike.
• Self-awareness: Musk has said he doesn't mind being disliked and prioritizes truth-seeking over approval.

In short, yes, a lot of people dislike him— largely because he's become a lightning rod in a divided culture, amplified by his own outspokenness. Popularity fluctuates with events, but the partisan and cultural split is deep. Many admire the builder; others reject the provocateur. Public figures at his scale rarely escape this.

So other than envy and jealousy, it's just a bunch a TDS inflicted fools hating on him?

That if he had a D by his name and gave $$$$ to the dnc, all those same people who hate him, would wanna suck his dcik. Lol


So no big deal then. Thx!

 

[searcher]

So other than envy and jealousy, it's just a bunch a TDS inflicted fools hating on him?

That if he had a D by his name and gave $$$$ to the dnc, all those same people who hate him, would wanna suck his dcik. Lol


So no big deal then. Thx!

Matters to me not one damn bit.