BruceVC

Any fascist state means you cant have a free media or allow criticism of the state So Kimmel represents an aspect of that around how late night comedians generally criticize the current elected government But if no one watched his show then it will end because ratings determine the sustainability So if people watch his show it reinforces the popularity of this type of freedom of speech considering how he was initially criticised by the FCC Its organic belief in this type of freedom of speech and highlights the reality of how in the US it matters There are some Conservatives who refuse to watch his show but they arent enough to detract from the current high ratings

Absolutely and this is also why I reject basically all modern day conspiracy theories I still come across people who dont believe AQ was responsible for 9/11 and it was the US government or the " Jews " who are responsible 9/11 was 24 years ago and there have been different US presidents and lots of negative opinion within the US around the War on Terror so you would assume with that focus by now someone would have found conclusive evidence that 9/11 was in fact committed by the US government As you said all these conspiracy theories rely on complete control of the media, all politicians and all independent investigative agencies and that is simply not possible in the US

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn0r9k9rw2no Kimmels return show had the highest ratings he had ever seen in 10 years "Some 6.26 million people tuned in to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday - about triple its average ratings - despite about a quarter of ABC stations in the US not airing it. A further 26 million watched Kimmel's emotional 28-minute monologue on social media, Disney said. The initial numbers, compiled by analytics firm Nielsen, will likely increase over the coming days as more data is collected. The figures do not include streaming viewership. " I would guess this support was because most Americans object to any idea that you censor or threaten to censor political criticism from the media on any level. Freedom of speech is a foundation and pillar of the US and what it stands for Kimmel being taken off air for a week was more complicated than that but thats how most people see it @Pidesco and @rjshaeThis is the type of development and response that reassures me that the US wont end up a real fascist or authoritarian state The support for Kimmel on his return show is an example of this. Things like freedom of speech do matter to most Americans

That looks excellent, one of the best new horror series trailers I have ever seen There was never a deep or comprehensive story for what the IT monster was and its genesis and this series looks like it will provide that Day 1 watch for sure

UNGA assembly speeches often have a history of being populist, cringe and sensationalized Remember the speeches from Mugabe and Chavez directed towards George Bush and calling him the Devil

Yes I would assume it was the massive backlash from the initial decision that Disney took But also ABC didnt cancel his show, they just suspended it and it and it could have just been temporarily strategic because of how tense everything was Wait at least for the funeral to end and then bring Kimmel back

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/22/entertainment/jimmy-kimmel-returning Its good news, Disney overreacted and some ABC affiliated shows wont broadcast him but he is back "Disney tried to explain its decision-making in a Monday afternoon statement announcing Kimmel’s return. “Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” the Disney statement said. “It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”

Yes but Trump is still not able to decide on a new law or EO and tomorrow its implemented because these things do get challenged all the time in the courts In a real authoritarian state like Russia no court will challenge anything Putin wants, they exist to rubberstamp anything he decides There is no judicial independence in an authoritarian state and that still exists in the US

Yes but Trump is still not able to decide on a new law or EO and tomorrow its implemented because these things do get challenged all the time in the courts In a real authoritarian state like Russia no court will challenge anything Putin wants, they exist to rubberstamp anything he decides There is no judicial independence in an authoritarian state and that still exists in the US

I want to ask you something Trumps presidency has had several examples where he has been accused of ignoring the Constitution like with National Guard deployments and deportations And then these actions get challenged in the various courts and sometimes Trump wins and sometimes he loses Do you consider that the same as him ignoring the Constitution around a third term? In other words do you believe its irrelevant what Congress thinks or what the courts will rule if Trump decides to stay on as president? Do you believe he can decide something as fundamental as ignoring the 2 terms rule and it will become a reality I believe Congress and the courts in the US can and absolutely do have final say on what any US president can or cannot do on many things

Yes and that would be the worst possible outcome for the US and the reality of Democracy Some dystopian event where Trump seizes power militarily and becomes a leader for life with no more elections I cant imagine that ever happening but I understand the concern

I see my point is being misunderstood and maybe its my fault for not clarifying something which I thought I did Im sure there are people who genuinely want Trump to become a leader for life and Trump would love to have a 3rd term But he cannot because that would require changing the US Constitution and the GOP doesnt have that support, as the previous link mentions to change the US Constitution you need 2/3 control of both the House and Senate 75% control of State Legislatures Even after the massive GOP win in the last election they dont have that support and in the midterms I predict the GOP will lose seats in Congress. So when Trump and some of his MAGA supporters say " I want to stay on for a 3rd term " you can ignore it because its not legislatively possible Its no different to the whole Gaza Riviera, annexing of Canada and Greenland becoming part of the US You will notice no one talks about those "ideas" from Trump anymore but yet at the time people responded to them as if they were real and possible Trump becoming a leader for life\monarch\3rd term is the same

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx20lwedn23o The only way Trump could stand for another term is to change the Constitution and the GOP simply doesnt have that support, so its not possible and thats just a third term so the idea of him becoming a Monarch is even more unlikely . So it doesnt matter what he says or what some of his supporters say. This is just a sensationalized story peddled by MAGA and then people respond to it as if its possible " On the face of it, the US Constitution seems to rule out anyone having a third term. The 22nd Amendment states: No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice, and no person who has held the office of president, or acted as president, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected president shall be elected to the office of the president more than once." Changing the constitution would require a two-thirds approval from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as approval from three-quarters of the country's state-level governments. Trump's Republican Party controls both chambers of Congress but does not have the majorities needed. Additionally, the Democratic Party controls 18 of the 50 state legislatures. "

Trump has said lots of things and 40-60% of what he says is BS or nonsense as you guys often quote and post and we laugh about And it IS a BS and sensationalized story that somehow Trump is going to stay on forever as US president Rather focus on the policies and things he does that are real like migration enforcement and tariffs But he will never become a leader for life like in Russia or NK

Come on, you cant seriously believe Trump wants to become a leader for life or an absolute Monarch You cant really believe that, tell me you joking

I enjoyed both seasons, its obviously exaggerated but its entertaining

If you classify a formal dinner with an established level of decorum that includes a dress code as " shiny things " then you right Typically " shiny things " would be someone driving a Ferrari or a personal choice to wear lots of diamonds at some celebrity event and fans say " wow....look at those diamonds " A 1000 year old historical castle and a military procession is not typically considered that but whatever makes you happy

Thats a simplification of what impresses me But a lavish event like this at a 1000 year old castle does impress me Its not about Trump, its the effort and outcome of the banquet that I admire The decorum and dress code as well This is what was on the menu, interestingly the menu was in French Hampshire Watercress Panna Cotta with Parmesan shortbread and quail egg salad Organic Norfolk chicken ballotine wrapped in courgettes with a thyme and savoury infused jus Vanilla ice cream bombe with Kentish raspberry sorbet interior with lightly poached Victoria plums And then expensive wine was served for those quests that drink Wiston Estate, Cuvée, 2016 Domaine Bonneau de Martray, Corton-Charlemagne, Grand Cru, 2018 Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, 2000 Pol Roger, Extra Cuvée de Réserve, 1998

Sounds like a great life, nice one GD I cant imagine not being connected to news but it clearly can be done and it sounds very healthy

What is your definition of fascism and can you give some examples of how the US is currently a fascist state? Or are you saying its becoming a fascist state but examples would still be interesting And do you think this is permanent if the US is a fascist state, so for example if the Dems win the next election will the US continue to be fascist? Or do you mean its only a fascist state if Trump is president? Sorry for the questions but I want to get clarity on what you believe

For those that didnt watch it here is Trumps speech from the Windsor banquet last night, he was very cordial and complimentary around how he had been received Its only 6 minutes long and worth watching just to see how smart everyone is dressed and how lavish the banquet was. As I mentioned the British are the masters of pomp and pageantry

I think whatever it is its a small price compared to the trade and economic benefits. You know how it goes, every world leader rolls out the red carpet for Trump when he visits because of his hubris Today is the fun and tomorrow they talk trade and politics Microsoft and other IT companies will be investing $40 billion in AI in the UK and this type of theater just helps ensure the WH under Trump is onboard https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/16/tech-giants-to-pour-billions-into-uk-ai-heres-what-we-know-so-far.html

Here are some highlights, watch from minute 5 to see the air display from the Red Arrows the official aerobatic team of the Royal Air Force

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cx2q200d2vnt Trumps on an unprecedented second visit to the UK and its going really well The British are the undisputed masters of pomp and pageantry and as usual they have delivered There have been musical bands and military processions and Trump was shown the Royal Collection of art at Windsor Castle which he appreciated He also laid a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II at St Georges Cathedral

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28013708/ I watched the first episode of a new HBO series called Task and I can already tell its going to be epic Its a crime drama about a FBI Task Team hunting down a criminal gang but it has this incredible complexity and nuance with all the characters and the broader narrative I cannot recommend enough how excellent this series is and its definitely an immediate " BruceVC must watch series "