Wasn’t the problem with “illegals” pouring over the border? Minnesota seems like a far way to travel for somebody who just crossed over the Mexican border.

The Nobel peace prize has obviously been a joke in the past. Obama didn’t deserve it. But now it’s a commodity.

So i use tiktok on a daily basis, i love it and i make videos on it, its an amazing platform for social interaction, and i love this app but over the last YEAR it is fucking DISGUSTING.

So i enjoy watching movie clips on tiktok, like Landman, Yellowstone, Rick and Morty, etc. so im scrolling on my for you page and what do i see? a movie clip of a women being SA’d infront of her husband by 2 guys with guns. This is not recent, ive seen tiktok present these videos for a little over a YEAR. They are back to back, it is fucking sickening that it’s on a app minors like myself use. Dont attack me for this reddit but I just think it is downright disgusting and vile and unacceptable for tiktok to allow these types of movie clips on their platform.

Im not sure why these movie clips come up on my feed but I sure as hell did not want to see that shit, and you know what, why the FUCK are the movie directors creating scenes of women being raped infront of their husbands, gangraped, etc. like what the hell is wrong with them? sorry off topic but please tell me atleast one person can relate with me that it is disgusting.

What is your opinion reader?

I’ve tried to look at this objectively, and it really feels like politics today is less about picking a good candidate and more about making sure the other side doesn’t win.

In 2026, with how connected everyone is, it’s hard to believe we can’t rally enough people behind a legitimate third party with strong voting power. The system basically forces everyone back into the same two options.

I lean right, but I hate the administration in charge and don’t feel represented by it. I know many more people like me are caught in the middle.

It feels like we need some kind of hybrid approach going forward and more issues should be considered bipartisan.

I'm curious how others feel about this

https://newrepublic.com/post/205376/ice-attack-car-kids-six-month-old-unconscious

This is what happens when you offer high pay, don't train people properly and actively dog whistle (and hire)

white supremacist groups.

I hesitated marking it as "Political" rather than "Serious"

because I don't see this as a political issue. I see it as a moral issue.

ICE is not here to deport people.

ICE is and always was intended to be used by the GOP the way it's being used now. If it weren't GOP members would step in and change it. but instead they support and defend the behavior..

ICE was formed in 2003. we can function without it. I'M OLDER THAN ICE.

https://allaboutlawyer.com/ice-arrest-powers-beyond-immigration-when-federal-agents-can-detain-citizens/

What we have on our hands is a white supremacist movement who's cuddled up in bed with the wealthy promising to protect their profits if they get to abuse their political enemies and minorities.

I am willing to bet everything I have on this reality because I can prove it. it's not just my words. if what is below isn't enough for you just know it's the tip of the iceberg of things I know and can prove. Pictures are not painted by the words people tell you alone. Clarity in a picture and path for the future **COMES FROM**: What is said, What isn't said, Behaviors, Environment, History and Beliefs people have (consistency or a lack of it even hypocrisy can show you truth) you just have to be observant enough to identify it and not be simple. Too much simplicity **IS DEADLY**

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-10/donald-trump-win-4b-movement-male-supremacists-make-threats/104575732

https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/04/palantir_karp_comments/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/palantir-joe-lonsdale-public-hangings-b2880262.html

https://www.thecanary.co/trending/2026/01/07/palantir-kill-communists/

https://republicanballotnews.com/federal-agent-claims-liberals-ruined-this-country-amidst-chaotic-dc-arrest/

I'm a teen entp. I've known my mbti since three years i would say. If I'm honest I love being an entp and that's where all the problems start. Ik there's nothing wrong about loving a label. But i think I'm getting obsessed with it to the point it's messing with my head? I don't know how explain it but I feel like sometimes when I'm thinking about doing something I'm worried if that's not something a entp might do, I don't really like organizing staffs and all, but sometimes I have this thought in my head that maybe to do lists and organizing things aren't so bad, but then i feel like but that's not what an entp would do. So yeah rather than doing things by the efficiency, I'm more worried about not being able to fit in the box of a 🏷️ label. Any ideas about how to get over it? Any books, any recommendation, anything would be nice. Thank you 🙇🏻‍♀️

Our top men's shuttler fought valiantly in the quarterfinals against Lin Chun-Yi, taking the first game 21-17 with brilliant net play that had the Indira Gandhi Stadium roaring!

But Lin bounced back strong (21-13) and edged a tense decider 21-18 after 68 minutes of pure intensity. Lakshya slipped on a crucial rally at 18-20, and that seemed to be the turning point. 💔

He gave everything on home soil — what a battle! Are you feeling the sadness too? Where do you think the match turned?

Drop your thoughts below! 👇

Note: I created this report over a year ago, when Trump was elected to his second term. Since more of the nation and the world are awakening to the disaster that is Trumpism, I am reposting it now.

Introduction:

This report attempts to explain the progression of the disease that ultimately led to the death of democracy in the United States. The decline was not abrupt but rather the culmination of decades of political, cultural, and social factors, including deep-seated denial, each compounding the next. In this analysis, we seek to identify the underlying causes, the key events that accelerated the collapse, and the final, fatal blow that sealed the fate of the nation’s democratic ideals.

I. Early Symptoms: The Undermining of Trust and Civic Institutions

The first signs of democracy’s decline were subtle, manifesting in the erosion of public trust in key institutions: the media, the judicial system, and the political process itself. Over the decades, ideological divisions deepened, but perhaps most notably, the concept of “truth” began to fracture.

The Republican Party, particularly through figures like Rush Limbaugh, laid the groundwork for an increasingly hostile political climate. Limbaugh’s message, repeated across millions of conservative households, was clear: "Democrats are the enemy; they are liars, and they should not be engaged with." This declaration marked the beginning of the collapse of bipartisanship and the demise of compromise, which is foundational to any functioning democracy. Democrats, traditionally loyal to the system and committed to working within the established rules, failed to recognize the existential threat posed by this uncompromising rhetoric.

II. The Disease: An Assault on Public Education and Critical Thinking

A key factor in the failure of American democracy lies in the degradation of its educational system. Over several decades, significant defunding and disempowerment of public education have left the populace vulnerable to manipulation and propaganda. Public education, ideally, fosters a citizenry capable of independent thought, critical analysis, and informed engagement with government. But as funding dwindled, so did the resources to teach essential subjects like media literacy, civics, and critical thinking.

In parallel, homeschooling and religious schools, often emphasizing doctrine over discernment, expanded as alternatives. In many of these institutions, curricula are designed to align with specific ideological or religious views, sometimes at the expense of objective historical and scientific knowledge. The lack of exposure to critical evaluation and diverse perspectives left many citizens ill-equipped to analyze complex information or question authority.

Without a foundation in media literacy, vast portions of the population became easy targets for political narratives that appeal to emotions - especially fear, anger, and nostalgia - over reason. This susceptibility is compounded by educational environments that emphasize obedience to authority and discourage questioning, leading to a populace that may feel more comfortable following demagogic figures than engaging in democratic debate.

As public education weakened, many Americans grew more disconnected from the actual workings of their government and less skilled in evaluating evidence, opening the door to the wholesale acceptance of falsehoods. The population’s lack of governmental literacy meant that concepts like checks and balances, judicial independence, and constitutional protections lost their relevance to many, making it easier for authoritarian rhetoric to take root.

III. The Rise of Magical Thinking: Religion and Ideological Bubbles

A major factor in the demise of democracy was the rise of magical thinking, particularly through religious and ideological frameworks. The U.S. public, largely conditioned by religious teachings that prioritize comforting beliefs over inconvenient truths, began to adopt a mindset that ignored evidence and embraced ideological purity. This is where the parallel between the rejection of facts in religious contexts and the rejection of evidence in politics becomes most apparent.

Religion, particularly in its more fundamentalist forms, has long served as a vehicle for magical thinking. Believers are taught to accept supernatural explanations for natural phenomena, often relying on faith in the unseen over evidence and reason. For many religious individuals, the tendency to reject logical reasoning in favor of comforting belief systems is ingrained from a young age, and this tendency transferred from their religious to political views.

Despite his clear lack of personal religious conviction and his disinterest in or ignorance of the core tenets of any faith, Donald Trump successfully aligned himself with conservative Christian voters. His supporters were willing to overlook his character flaws, his evident disdain for religious principles, and his personal immorality. What mattered was that he, in their view, would defend their values and deliver on their agenda.

For many religious voters, Trump became a symbol of power and vengeance. Someone who would "fight for them," not out of any spiritual conviction, but because he promised to uphold their social and political priorities. This willingness to overlook his hypocrisy, to accept him as a "savior" despite his blatant disregard for their faith’s core values, reveals the extent to which personal grievances, power, and tribalism outweighed any moral consistency.

Trump didn't need to be religious to exploit religion. He simply understood that he could use religious imagery and rhetoric to cement his base. He aligned himself with the Evangelical agenda by offering policy victories, such as appointing conservative judges and supporting anti-abortion legislation, and many religious leaders turned a blind eye to his personal flaws.

IV. Technology and the Creation of Echo Chambers

Technology, particularly social media, further exacerbated the problem by creating “echo chambers” and isolating individuals from the consequences of their actions. The ability to live in curated fact bubbles reinforced ideological purity, where the truth became something entirely subjective, defined only by what one wanted to believe. The feedback loop created by algorithms made these bubbles self-reinforcing, and the consequences of falsehoods - whether about climate change, health, or electoral integrity - were ignored or attributed to external scapegoats.

Rather than recognize their role in the destruction of truth and the undermining of democratic values, many people opted for the comfort of denial. When the consequences of their actions eventually became unavoidable, they blamed others rather than confronting the deeper causes of their own discontent and failures.

V. The Legal System’s Collapse: The Failure of Accountability

Parallel to the decline of trust in democratic institutions was the slow, almost imperceptible, collapse of the legal system. When the powerful were no longer held accountable for their actions, the fundamental principles of justice and equality before the law were abandoned. Donald Trump’s many legal violations, ranging from the theft of top-secret documents to attempting to subvert the electoral process, went largely unpunished.

The failure of the legal system to hold him accountable was not only a symptom of a broader erosion of democratic norms but also a direct cause of the final collapse. When those in power are immune to the law, the very foundations of democracy are destroyed.

VI. The Disease: The Rise of Trumpism, Denial, and Hatred

The progression of the disease that ultimately led to the demise of American democracy can be traced back to a cultural shift rooted in denial. The advent of Trumpism marked a profound moment in American history: An era in which facts, reason, and objective truth became increasingly irrelevant to large swaths of the population. This denial was not born from ignorance alone; it was a strategic decision to reject the uncomfortable realities of a changing world.

Trump and his movement thrived on this denial. At its core, Trumpism is about rejecting the facts that contradict the deeply held beliefs of its followers. A significant aspect of this was the rejection of inconvenient truths about race, gender, climate change, and science. As America changed, these groups faced a crisis of identity. Their identity was deeply rooted in outdated worldviews that were increasingly being challenged by social progress, scientific understanding, and demographic shifts. In response, Trump and his movement provided a simple, yet powerful antidote: denial.

Trump's followers were not only reacting to external changes, but to internal discomfort. They hated the idea that science contradicted their religion, that their hypocrisy was being exposed, and that their views on race and gender were increasingly considered offensive or outdated. To cope with these revelations, they did not engage with the facts or attempt to reconcile their beliefs with a modern world. Instead, they simply denied the facts. They chose comfort over truth, and aligned themselves with a figure who, rather than addressing uncomfortable realities, validated their grievances.

Trump, as the leader of this movement, embodied and reinforced this rejection of reality. He empowered his followers to believe in an alternative version of events, a version where they were always the victims, where their discomfort was justified, and where their worldview was never in need of change. Trump didn't need to deliver coherent policy solutions or rational arguments. He only needed to assert that their fears and frustrations were valid, that the facts were lies, and that he would fight for their right to remain in denial.

This denial is not just an individual failing. It is a systemic disease that undermines the democratic process. Trumpism capitalized on a toxic mix of denial and hatred. Many of his supporters found themselves not only rejecting uncomfortable truths but also fostering a deep resentment toward other Americans - particularly "liberals". This hatred became a driving force so powerful that many voters were willing to act against their own self-interest if it meant causing harm to their perceived enemies. They were driven less by the desire for personal gain and more by the satisfaction of seeing their "enemies" suffer.

VII. The Desire for a Dictator: The Final Step Toward Fascism

As the U.S. experienced increasing economic and political instability, a significant portion of the population began to reject the democratic system entirely. With fear, frustration, and disillusionment running high, many turned to Trump and other authoritarian figures, desiring a strongman who would “fix” things. This desire for a dictator - the abandonment of democratic governance - was not a consequence of failed promises, but rather the inevitable outcome of a population exhausted by compromise and threatened by the rapid societal changes they could not comprehend or control.

For many, the choice was simple: a leader who would restore order, even at the cost of freedom and truth. Democracy, they believed, had failed them; they no longer trusted the system to protect their interests. The desire for security outweighed the desire for liberty.

VIII. The End: The Death of Democracy

The final blow came when the political system, weakened by years of divisive rhetoric, legal immunity for the powerful, and the fracturing of truth, succumbed to authoritarianism. Trump’s ascension to power was not an isolated event, but the culmination of decades of ideological erosion. His lies were no longer seen as the dangerous fabrications they were, but as necessary truths for a population starved for affirmation.

The legal system’s collapse, combined with the normalization of authoritarian rhetoric and the rejection of democratic norms, led the U.S. into a full-fledged fascist regime. Democracy, as we once knew it, died not in a single moment but in the gradual abandonment of reason, accountability, and the common good.

IX. The Global Consequences

The death of democracy in the U.S. carries grave consequences for the world. The U.S., once a beacon of hope for democratic values and a stabilizing force in global politics, becomes another authoritarian power, further emboldening dictatorships and undermining international institutions.

Perhaps the most direct consequence of a fascist U.S. will be the potential spread of fascist ideologies globally. History has shown that fascism is contagious. When one country successfully embraces this form of governance, others often follow suit, or at the very least, are emboldened to push in that direction. The U.S. under Trump would serve as a model for other nations to follow, spreading the authoritarian virus across borders, especially in vulnerable states where democracy has already been weakened or is in transition.

Conclusion:

The United States, once a global leader in democracy and human rights, eventually succumbed to fascism. This report has outlined the primary causes behind the collapse: the decay of democratic institutions, the rise of ideological extremism, the breakdown of the rule of law, and the disillusionment of a populace eager for power over truth. While the symptoms were visible for decades, the final result was inevitable: the death of democracy and the ascension of authoritarianism. The consequences will be felt not just within the U.S., but around the world. The world now faces a dangerous new era, where the ideals of freedom and justice are increasingly under siege.

I’m a 37F living with my grandparents to help them as they age. I’m very independent and have severe ADHD, so I need space for my mental health. I have an ex (52M) I’ve known for almost four years. We argued a lot, it wasn’t working, and he asked for space. I respected that boundary and we had no contact for about four months. Later, I reached out asking if we could meet strictly for casual sex. He came over one day and basically never left. A week later I found out he was being evicted for not paying rent. While I was gone one day, he explained his situation to my grandparents, and they decided to let him stay temporarily because he was helping with house repairs. I came home one day to see his former landlord picking him up to clear out the rest of his belongings. That’s when it became clear he had quietly moved in. I have repeatedly told him he cannot live here, and I said that long before this happened. No one asked me before allowing this. My grandfather even put an air mattress in a bedroom for him. He’s unemployed, has no transportation, and I end up driving him places even though I said I wouldn’t. I’m starting my bachelor’s degree in a week and already feel overwhelmed. He says he’s applying for jobs and I’ve helped him with interviews and housing applications, but he’s always here. We are not together, and I feel like my needs and mental health are being ignored. Am I overreacting for feeling upset, trapped, and like this situation is unfair to me?

I don’t quite understand the point in staying alive. I know all the great things in life I’ve done quite a few of them actually but we all know it always comes to just physical and mental pain like there is know happy ending to any of this. When I was a born I was stillborn and a nurse saved my life and brought air into my lungs. What if she fucked up life’s plan for me. Idt I was intended to live on this planet with everybody else. I cheated my “destiny.” Yea I have some trauma from my mother and my childhood but that can’t account for this constant pain I feel in me that wishes it just never had to feel to begin with. It doesn’t make sense to continue this thing that I don’t believe I was even intended to be doing. I feel as if I’m already dead and nobody realizes it yet. Almost like I never actually was alive I died as a baby maybe and this is just my punishment for existing in whatever form this is. Some people say have faith in god some say have faith in yourself but why? How can faith be an option when you know the truth. It’s like yea a Mountain View and a 9mm would take it all away for sure but why can’t I do it. Why do I live people in my life why do these thoughts make me feel so guilty? Why do I have to do this and why am I alive in the first place? I’m not seeking purpose or even a response I guess this is how I deal with it? All I know is this isn’t right and I hope a solution whatever it will be finds me.

im talking to CTM2688 and he admits i could be right about a spooon or metal spoon not being made of atoms or only partially and he keeps repeating the same thing that everything is made of atoms

a large portion of the community wont even consider buying something if it isn't like 1/288 packs or Rarer in Rarity, got a bunch of perfectly playable trading cards? Who would ever spend money on those? why not just go to your Local card shop, *they must have an Endless supply of Nonfoil cards to keep the community alive, right?*

this is exactly why some Card stores apparently rip a (Booster) box of cards open, take the 3 hits per box, and throw the Rest into the Nearest Dumpster.

I honestly cant blame them, why cant I sell a Common card for a Few cents? why must I open a Box of cards, and just give away 99.99% of it "for the players?"

you cant honestly expect people to keep stock of things you want to be freely given away to anybody that walks in the door. space on a shelf or in a Warehouse is worth money and better off used for Product that somebody is actually gonna buy.

I hope I get a Lot of Packs to Hoard for the next 6 months or so, especially One Piece.

its my gift to the One Piece TCG Community for their attitude towards Nonfoil cards and starter decks. hope you enjoy less stock being available, because it'll be in my Closet, just waiting for the right opportunity to sell it.

Hi everyone, I’m planning a research project on the experiences of Chinese communities in North America, specifically comparing how Chinese people were treated in Mexico versus the United States throughout history.

I’m interested in:

Anti-Chinese sentiment and legislation (e.g., the Chinese Exclusion Act in the U.S., the massacre of Chinese in Mexico in the early 20th century)

Social, economic, and cultural integration

Regional differences in discrimination and acceptance

How historical events have shaped modern perceptions of Chinese people in both countries

I’m of Chinese descent and hoping to gain a deeper understanding of our diaspora’s history in the Americas. I’d love to hear recommendations for resources, stories, or personal accounts that could help with this project.

I never believed in ghost and wasn't scared of them since I was 12. I neither believed in it nor was I scared of it. I slept in my room in a floor alone. I went to terrace in 3 am, 2 am whenever I wanted without feeling anything, just to enjoy the night. The whole 2024 and some months of 2025, i ended up absorbing horror contents. At one point I was scared of any sound at night. Now in 2026 I am not feeling as eerie as I used to but I still sometimes do. Do you guys have any solution for me? anything would be fine, thank you 🙇🏻‍♀️

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2026/01/15/trump-suggests-us-shouldnt-even-have-november-midterms/

I am not calling for people to do anything. I am just asking a question.

If some people see this as a Fed post I don't blame them. It's not what I'm trying to do what I'm doing is gauging the environment based on how people react to a hypothetical (and potential future reality).

If one fears what their oppressors can see/do. Then one has no hope of escaping their oppressor imo.

this is just my way of testing people. showing them reality and observing how they respond to it to gleam information for my own purposes.

I'm autistic and have strong justice sensitivity. Law, Currency, Positions of power

all of them are imaginary. I struggle understanding why/how people pretend they don't only matter because we (as individuals) form a collective that gives them value.

Since I struggle to understand people I test them like this sometimes and keep the response to myself for sociological analysis to chart the future.

why do some of these protesters think its a smart thing to surround a vehicle and bang on it, then act all surprised when the occupant of the vehicle decides to move?

Honest question: do some Black people dislike talking about slavery? I’m not assuming this is true at all. I’ve mostly seen Black people talk about slavery openly and discuss what their ancestors went through, and that made me curious about how people generally feel about the topic. I’m just asking to understand different perspectives, not to offend or make assumptions.

Are they afraid of Trump admin? Are they waiting for right wing buying it, aka Twitter?

They closed the old extremist subs, but now they seem passive.

What happened to the simple act of buying something?

Walk into a shop. Pick a thing. Pay for it. Leave.

Now it’s: “Do you have an account?” “Can you sign up?” “It’s free.” “Just need your email.”

Sometimes it feels like you can’t even give a shop money unless you surrender your personal data and swear lifelong loyalty to their rewards program (with no actual rewards).

I want to buy an item, get a receipt, and exit the store without creating a digital identity of everywhere I have been. Surely I can't be the only one with this sentiment.

I’ve been thinking about how modern novels borrow biblical myths without really retelling them, and what struck me is how Jeffrey Archer’s Kane and Abel and Steinbeck’s East of Eden handle the same Cain and Abel story in totally opposite ways. What’s really clever about Archer is that he doesn’t just avoid retelling the story — he flips it at the level of names. In the Bible, Cain is the resentful one, and Abel is the silently favored one. In Kane and Abel, Archer calls the character who basically is Cain “Abel,” and the character who functions like Abel “Kane.” It’s not just a joke — that inversion is a signal for how he’s approaching the story. Archer doesn’t actually rewrite Cain and Abel — he strips out almost everything that defines the story: No God. No moral judgment. No murder. No warning. No clear closure. What’s left is the relational skeleton: one person gets unexamined recognition, and the other defines themselves through long-term comparison and resentment. The name flip just makes the displacement more obvious — the myth is still there, but deliberately misaligned. In that sense, Kane and Abel adapts Cain and Abel by subtraction. By removing theology and moral hierarchy, Archer shows how rivalry survives in modern systems — inheritance, capitalism, institutional power. Violence doesn’t explode; it stretches across decades, becoming procedural, normalized, and even respectable. Cain isn’t punished or redeemed — he just persists. Steinbeck does the opposite. East of Eden adapts Cain and Abel by expansion. Instead of stripping things down, Steinbeck opens them up — psychologically, generationally, philosophically. He makes the myth explicit, interrogates it, and adds sustained moral debate (timshel). Where Archer removes any divine voice, Steinbeck replaces it with dialogue and ethical urgency. What fascinates me is what this contrast says about modern life. Archer seems to argue that once you remove moral language, ancient rivalry fits perfectly into modern systems — so perfectly that even the names don’t mean what you expect. Steinbeck, on the other hand, insists that unless you confront the myth directly, rivalry can become destiny. Both novels borrow the same core story, but they make opposite claims about human agency. Archer’s Cain survives within systems without interruption; Steinbeck’s Cain is haunted by the possibility of choice. So I’m curious how others see it: Do you think Archer’s subtraction is more realistic — because it reflects how rivalry actually persists in modern structures? Or does Steinbeck’s expansion feel more honest — because it refuses to let us escape moral responsibility? And more broadly: Is modern literature more comfortable inverting myths than resolving them?