#divided nation

[macro-pulse]

America is Literally Split Down the Middle on This

TL;DR — CBS poll says Republicans cheer, everyone else side-eyes; 56 % disapprove overall. Partisan trench lines now run straight through questions of war and peace.

🗳️ 1. Polling Snapshot

CBS survey: GOP = 😍, national sample = “wtf no.”

56 % disapprove of Trump’s Iran handling; ⅔ say Congress should’ve weighed in.

War opinions now come with an R or D label—because of course they do.

🔴 2. MAGA Base: Belief Confirmed

“Peace through strength” crowd felt vindicated watching nukes go boom.

Conservative media threw confetti.

Narrative: Trump finally finished what “weak” predecessors wouldn’t dare.

🔵 3. Skeptic Squad

Democrats + independents: big “don’t drag us into another war” vibes.

Even some GOP voters admitted the risk.

Street protests popped up—still miles smaller than Iraq War-era, but the signs read “No war with Iran.”

😫 4. Iraq / Afghanistan Exhaustion Is Real

Airstrike montage means patriotism for some, trauma flashback for others.

Progressives blasted the move as a reckless photo-op that endangers troops and allies.

🤔 5. Populist Right Grumbles (Briefly)

A few high-profile MAGA isolationists muttered “endless wars 2.0.”

Quick ceasefire + zero US casualties = criticism muted fast.

🎙️ 6. 2024 Debate Ammo Loaded

Trump: “Tough but successful.”

Dems: “Reckless stunt—diplomacy works, bombs don’t.”

Swing-state voters will decide which narrative lands.

📊 7. Early Verdict? TBD

GOP approval bump; Dem opposition hardened.

If Iran stays quiet → Trump’s safe.

If Iran resurges → voters may realize nothing was actually solved.

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[cartoonpolitics]

(cartoon by Nick Anderson)

[wiser-than-i-used-2-b]

See here’s the thing... when Trump won in 2016, so many of us were upset and scared because of the things we knew were going to change. There were a lot of policies and regulations in place that were not perfect but were building blocks. Things like the Paris Climate Agreement, the Affordable Care Act and the EPA’s Clean Water and Clean Air Acts. 

And we were right. Today, coal-fired plants are allowed to emit more pollutants than they were four years ago, even when situated near residential areas. That’s just one of nearly 100 environmental rollbacks that happened under the Trump administration (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2020/10/30/as-climate-change-escalates-voters-face-a-choice-deregulate-or-re-regulate/6071916002/).

We were afraid those of us who are self-employed or part of the gig economy would lose health insurance or see our health insurance whittled away to uselessness. And we were right. When the individual mandate was removed and support for the ACA was downgraded (such as by shortening the open enrollment period and not working to let people know), health insurance costs went up or plans were pared down. 

We left the Paris Climate Agreement and the Trans Pacific Partnership. Transgender people were banned from the military. Public schools received less funding, hurting low-income communities. Wildlife protections were rolled back. Immigrants were targeted in areas where Americans don’t even want to do the work – ask a farmer how hard it is to get non-migrant help that will stay for more than a day. The dreamers were threatened with an uncertain future after our government convinced them they would have a path, they could go to school and get jobs and it was safe to share their info with the authorities.

And those are just the tip of the Trump iceberg. We’re still waiting on the great alternative to the ACA, infrastructure improvements, low-cost prescriptions, someone else to pay for the wall that most of us don’t want or see a benefit from.

Yes, I rejoice in a Democratic President-elect so we can get back to working toward things like... compassion for everyone, clean water and air for everyone, care for the planet we all live on, equality and justice for everyone, opportunities for everyone to succeed.

So I don’t understand the comments people are making that they are “so scared for their children’s and grandchildren’s futures”. Scared of what? The ability to be who they want to be? To pursue their dreams without going into debt? To freely choose the person they want to spend their lives with regardless of race or gender? To walk down the street without worrying about being shot in the back five times by the local police? 

You’re worried about SOCIALISM? If you even think our country, with the governmental checks and balances in place, could become socialist in four years, you probably need a civics lesson. You should really be worried about DICTATORS (absolute authority in any sphere) who don’t want to give up power and want to pass on the baton to their sons. 

[walkingphotos]

Today's Walking Photo: Our battered nation, brutally torn in two, hurting and terrified (and just generally in a pretty shitty mood), staggers unsteadily forward in the desperate hope that it might find something or someone to mend and heal it.

NARRATOR: It won’t.

[garrand-models]

North Korea Journal by Michael Palin

Currently reading the book Michael Palin wrote about his visit to the DRPK. It mostly consists of his journal entries during his visit. While he was there, he filmed and presented a documentary about the nation for Channel 5.

[wiser-than-i-used-2-b]

The haters say “Get ready for President Kamala Harris if this guy gets elected” like that’s going to change my mind. Ahhhh hahahaha

Hey ho, Lord Cheeto has got to go.

[bills-bible-basics]

DIVIDED NATION -- a poem and song by Bill Kochman 

#Poetry #Poem DIVIDED NATION by Bill Kochman 06-22-2018 Oh just look at our country now, It's in such a terrible state, The mass media has gone wild, Liberals are filled with hate. And as for freedom of speech, It is seriously being abused. I am filled with so much shock, Each time I read the daily news. I see no respect for our leaders, Tongues that spew constant rage, I find it all quite disgusting, Why can't people act their age? Alas, in all of my many years, It's never been this bad before, They've declared open warfare, It so worries me to the core. Now Jesus said it quite clearly, We must all really understand, If divided against ourselves, Our nation simply cannot stand.

[greatprinceofabraham]

@zeen007

"What if a #prophecy made more than 80 years ago is unfolding right now? In this video we explore the mysterious predictions of #EdgarCayce, the famous '#SleepingProphet,' and a chilling reading that some researchers believe may describe the #globalevents surrounding 2026. Cayce spoke about a powerful leader with “hair like the gold of the sun”, a #dividednation, strange signs in the skies, earthquakes, technological control, and a #spiritualturningpoint for #humanity."

https://youtu.be/D_RjoJBVrrE?si=9SCGN28jUMLynKRe