Politics

[Tubby’s Canteen]

If he kept Putin any closer we'd be wondering who was the Top and who was the Bottom in their relationship.

Shouldn’t be too hard to tell just do what any accident appraiser would do look to see were orange paint has transferred and where it’s rubbed off.

 

[skydiver386]

If he kept Putin any closer we'd be wondering who was the Top and who was the Bottom in their relationship.

In Ohio, we call this Strategy.

In California, I guess y'all call it MANcest.

 

[mdwest]

For those not familiar with the LE process on how an officer involved shooting is handled, I’m sharing my experience. First, I think Tom Homan with his background would perhaps be better suited as the spokesperson than Ms. Noem. I think if someone is thrust into this position they should have some background, training and familiarity on how to handle the media release.

I’m not familiar with the ICE protocol for federal agents using lethal force but I am very family with our county agency officer involved shooting protocol both as a frontline supervisor and incident commander having been involved with many officer involved shootings and lethal force encounters as an officer, supervisor and manager.

Safety always comes first so the scene must be secured and the safety of all officers comes first. When safe to do so, first aid is rendered to the injured person. Emergency medical aid is always summoned immediately unless the subject has been pronounced deceased but usually paramedics are always summoned regardless.

Establish a crime scene with police tape expanding it as large as necessary to maintain scene integrity. No one enters the scene unless required by their job and all personnel are logged.

When safe and practical to do so, the officer or officers involved in the shooting are separated and if possible, an officer not involved will standby with the officer(s) involved in the shooting.

Homicide detectives, CSI, internal affairs, public information officer, rangemaster/armorer, and union representative are summoned to the scene.

The field supervisor will make contact with the officers or officers involved in the shooting and conduct a “safety interview.” What officers fired their duty weapons. How many rounds were fired. The location and direction. Assess if any rounds endangered the public.

The field supervisor will not ask anything further of the officer who discharged their weapon other than insuring the officer is okay. Homicide detectives will later conduct a thorough interview of the officer(s) who discharged their weapon, Internal affairs, and a union representative will be present.

Department rangemaster/armorer arrives and retrieves the officer(s) weapon used in the shooting and gives them a departmental replacement duty weapon.

The officer(s) involved in the shooting are transported to headquarters where a detailed, taped and recorded interview takes place with homicide detectives with internal affairs and department union representative present.

Upon completion of the interview, standard procedure is to take the officer(s) back to the crime scene for a walkthrough of the events.

The public information officer will release a statement that will be minimal and factual to the media.

You can imagine that this is not exactly a quick process to obtain detailed information immediately. A thorough investigation must take place, canvassing, video evidence and witnesses must be interviewed. Of course I’m basing this entirely from memory, my 25 years on the job and I retired almost 9 years ago. I freely admit I am unfamiliar with ICE officer involved shooting protocol but I believe it would be a similar process.

That mimics the process of the agencies I worked for..

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I like the job Noem is doing. But stepping up to a microphone seconds after a fatal shooting and calling the deceased a terrorist is not professional.

How about waiting until at least some facts come in.

I don’t think he should have injected himself into an active arrest. But that does not constitute terrorism.

He shares blame for his death but a disturbed person being stupid isn’t terrorism.

✂️ Wait until all the facts are in

54 seconds · Clipped by Dave H · Original video "Briefing POTUS On Russian Nuclear Attack | Dr. Strangelove (Peter Sellers, George C. Scott)" by Moving Pictures

youtube.com

 

[Nyati]

My perception of Europe assuming the primary role in its defense is just that. Take control, be responsible for your own destiny. The USA will have your back but other NATO countries need to at least put up a fight against agression!

Since its creation in 1949, based on its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) the USA has lead the funding the defense of NATO countries against the Soviet bloc. Post World War II, the Soviet Union was aggressive and much of Europe was still devastated by war. One could argue that the USA funded much of Europe’s defense to stop the spread of communism and/or to fund its “military industrial complex”. While those are considerations, twice the USA had entered 20th Century European wars. I think (my opinion) during this period the American people and the Congress had enough of that.

In the 80 years since the end of WWII, most if not all European economies have certainly recovered. It wasn’t so long ago that Trump was egging NATO countries to increase their defense spending to the agreed upon 2%, per NATO member’s agreement in 2014. That percentage was prompted due to Russia’s aggressiveness.

Should European countries assume the primary role in defending themselves against conventional warfare agression? Why shouldn’t they? NATO is an alliance of mutual defense but it shouldn’t be a welfare state. Why should some “rich” countries that do not prepare for their own defense expect the USA to be their primary protector?

Based on total funding, in 2025 the USA spends $980 billion on defense while combined Europe and Canada spend a total of $512 billion per this reference, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/com...visualizations/nato-defense-spending-tracker/

The above does not mean that the USA won’t be there assisting Europe's defense. I think it means that European countries need to shore up their own defense to at least give Russia and any other aggressor something to think about. I believe Poland has had enough of foreign invaders and thus is steadily increasing its defense spending toward 5%. It is presently at 4.48%. Why 5% ?

https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/poland-is-slowly-preparing-for-the-unthinkable-war-with-russia/

In 2025 NATO countries agreed to increase their defense spending to a total of 5% including an increase of 3.5% direct military spending and another 1.5% on hardening their infrastructure. This information is from the NATO website with excerpt below.

The chart below shows total dollars in billions spend by each country and the percentage of their GDP in 2014 (light blue graph bar) and 2025 (dark blue graph bar.

Infographic: Where NATO Defense Expenditure Stands

This chart shows military spending of NATO countries and estimated share of GDP in 2025.

www.statista.com

View attachment 742180


This excerpt below is from NATO’s website,

https://www.nato.int/en/what-we-do/introduction-to-nato/defence-expenditures-and-natos-5-commitment

" The 5% defence investment commitment

At the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, Allies made a commitment to investing 5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually on core defence requirements and defence- and security-related spending by 2035. They will allocate at least 3.5% of GDP annually based on the agreed definition of NATO defence expenditure by 2035 to resource core defence requirements and to meet the NATO Capability Targets. Allies agreed to submit annual plans showing a credible, incremental path to reach this goal. They will account for up to 1.5% of GDP annually to inter alia protect critical infrastructure, defend networks, ensure civil preparedness and resilience, innovate, and strengthen the defence industrial base. Previously, in 2014, NATO Heads of State and Government had agreed to commit 2% of their national GDP to defence spending, to help ensure the Alliance's continued military readiness. This decision was taken in response to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, and amid broader instability in the Middle East. The 2014 Defence Investment Pledge built on an earlier commitment to meeting this 2% of GDP guideline, agreed in 2006 by NATO Defence Ministers. The 2% of GDP guideline was an important indicator of the political resolve of individual Allies to contribute to NATO’s common defence efforts.

In 2025, all Allies are expected to meet or exceed the pre-summit target of investing at least 2% of GDP in defence, compared to only three Allies in 2014. Over the past decade, European Allies and Canada have steadily increased their collective investment in defence – from 1.43% of their combined GDP in 2014, to 2.02% in 2024, when they invested a combined total of more than USD 482 billion (adjusted to 2021 prices) in defence.

As part of the 2014 Wales Defence Investment Pledge, NATO Allies had also agreed that at least 20% of defence expenditures should be devoted to spending on major equipment, including the associated research and development. This metric is perceived as a crucial indicator for the scale and pace of modernisation. Where expenditures fail to meet the 20% guideline, there is an increasing risk of equipment becoming obsolete, growing capability and interoperability gaps among Allies, and a weakening of the defence industrial and technological base."

-------

In finding information to support my opinion I had a thought…

Trump bullying European countries to spend more on their own defense is a lot like being in the US Marines. If as a Marine, I wasn’t perfect, I needed to un-fxxk myself and work harder to become perfect. That never stopped as enlisted and was even more so as an officer. Also, if there ever was a perfect Marine, they darn sure better be leading the Marines under their charge to become perfect.

Trump is dogging out NATO countries to prepare their own defenses. Someday and I hope that never happens, if invaded those countries that heed Trumps warnings will in hindsight, thank Trump. The USA will be there but deploying forces will take a day to several days. Moving a brigade of armored vehicles isn't accomplished overnight. One hopes the invaded NATO country will at least be able to delay the invaders.

Yes, Trump is Asshole of the Highest Degree, but sometimes we all need a kick in the arse by a big A-hole.
That of course is my opinion... Have a nice day!

Basically agree, but...

At the end of WWII, the US realized that the USSR had occupied one half of Europe, and were not planning on going back. In fact they could have occupied the whole of Europe, as US troops were mostly back home.

In order to prevent this from happening the US decided that the USSR had to stopped, and the answer was NATO, as much to defend Europe, as to ensure that the US would be the world´s major power.

US Army kept troops in Germany, and airbases were built all across the continent to ensure SAC bombers could rotate and be closer to the USSR, even in Spain which was not a NATO member at that time, two huge SAC bases were built.

Weapons and strategies have changed, and those bases closed a few years back, so it seems the current US Administration does not need NATO to achieve military superiority against Russia.

We in Europe will have to start thinking about NATO without the US.

 

[Wheels]

After a shooting or other red hot issue, Kristy Noem and Steve Miller should be locked in the room for 48 hours and not allowed to speak to the press.

Agree.

The problem is we live in a world where the first narrative given becomes the truth to most. ie: Yesterday a CNN anchor said the Charlie Kirk shooter was right wing.

Waltz and Frey came out immediately saying Pretti was murdered by ICE. Miller and Noem come out to counter that narrative without enough or the right information.

No one honors a 24 or 48 hour rule or allows an investigation to be completed prior to talking. The news is so fluid that Venezuela/Greenland/Iran/etc is the current news in 48 hours.

Not saying it is right. Just the way it is.

 

[Wheels]

I was hoping the wingnut sprayed Omar with cat pee. But on second thought that would have been a waste of cat pee. We’ll see what the king in a black robe does with this. Throw a sub sandwich at and hit a federal officer and assault charge tossed out by a judge. Squirt some vinegar at Omar and???

Jussie Smollett 2.0

Also wonder why a devout Muslim owns a winery.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

If he kept Putin any closer we'd be wondering who was the Top and who was the Bottom in their relationship.

I have my suspicions about how that would play out.

 

[BJH65]

Agree.

The problem is we live in a world where the first narrative given becomes the truth to most. ie: Yesterday a CNN anchor said the Charlie Kirk shooter was right wing.

Waltz and Frey came out immediately saying Pretti was murdered by ICE. Miller and Noem come out to counter that narrative without enough or the right information.

No one honors a 24 or 48 hour rule or allows an investigation to be completed prior to talking. The news is so fluid that Venezuela/Greenland/Iran/etc is the current news in 48 hours.

Not saying it is right. Just the way it is.

I don’t disagree but the counter must be factual or you lose credibility.

 

[Newboomer]

PHD in what…….. exactly…….

Probably just what it says--piled higher and deeper.

 

[steve white]

I would have thought it was xi getting more paranoid as time goes on.....seems how it works with these dictators....so people near him with too much power are a threat in his mind...so get rid before they try to get rid of him

Doubly so since Xi doesn't have that many people near him. He has been described by Peter Zeihan as the most insulated ruler in the world at this time.

 

[steve white]

I wonder is the rest of Europe will ever follow the lead of Denmark in safeguarding their culture. They have effectively closed immigration from Muslim countries and forced assimilation, especially in regard to children's education. They made a conscious decision knowing it flaunted the EU tripe. Poland and Romania have decided to be no pushovers either. If the meltdowns in the Middle East continue, resulting in a new flood of immigrants, the framework had best be there to prevent catastrophic over run.

 

[Red Leg]

ww

Agree.

The problem is we live in a world where the first narrative given becomes the truth to most. ie: Yesterday a CNN anchor said the Charlie Kirk shooter was right wing.

Waltz and Frey came out immediately saying Pretti was murdered by ICE. Miller and Noem come out to counter that narrative without enough or the right information.

No one honors a 24 or 48 hour rule or allows an investigation to be completed prior to talking. The news is so fluid that Venezuela/Greenland/Iran/etc is the current news in 48 hours.

Not saying it is right. Just the way it is.

A message to the public is critical, however the news cycle probably doesn't justify a counter lie.

 

[Brent in Az]

PHD in what…….. exactly…….

Underwater basket weaving

 

[mdwest]

Waltz and Frey came out immediately saying Pretti was murdered by ICE. Miller and Noem come out to counter that narrative without enough or the right information.

I see that as a huge missed opportunity by the right...

Call out the idiots for being idiots..

Make sure you tell the world that Waltz and Frey are using statements like murder expressly for the purpose of pissing people off, and assuming a corrupt media outlet will run with it... and call the media out for being the shit bags that they are while at the same time calling out Frey and Waltz because they are running with a story that is unvetted and has no facts to substantiate it..

and then follow that up with "it is always tragic when law enforcement has to deal with a deadly force situation.. we are investigating, and we intend on having some answers as to what happened, why it happened, and how it happened within the next day or two.. we will release that information as it is vetted and confirmed... in the meantime, I'd encourage people to not listen to purposeful shit pot stirrers and clowns like Waltz and Frey.. its 2026.. by now we've all figured out that a couple of cell phone videos dont tell the entire story even if a turd like Waltz wants you to believe otherwise.. we owe it to all parties effected.. the law enforcement officers, and the deceased, and their respective families to find out what is REAL and what is TRUE before drawing any conclusions.. anyone that tells you otherwise is a piece of shit of a human and doesnt deserve your attention"...

and then walk away..

 

[Brent in Az]

FAFO

1.4M views · 20K reactions | This one is based on the reel that I posted yesterday but instead of putting it in comments i decided to give it its own post since it's so completely freaking hilarious | Liberal Wackadoodles

This one is based on the reel that I posted yesterday but instead of putting it in comments i decided to give it its own post since it's so completely freaking hilarious

www.facebook.com

 

[Brent in Az]

 

[Betterinthebush]

Hoo-ly shit!

 

[Mekaniks]

Lo

If he kept Putin any closer we'd be wondering who was the Top and who was the Bottom in their relationship.

Looks like he has hung a pic with Putin in the white house…. I first passed it of as fake but did some research and it sure seems real…

Trump hangs Putin picture in White House from failed Alaska Summit peace talks

Trump orders a giant White House photo of his Alaska Summit with Putin, reviving criticism after a widely viewed failed meeting that left Ukraine sidelined.

www.themirror.com

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Lo

Looks like he has hung a pic with Putin in the white house…. I first passed it of as fake but did some research and it sure seems real…

Trump hangs Putin picture in White House from failed Alaska Summit peace talks

Trump orders a giant White House photo of his Alaska Summit with Putin, reviving criticism after a widely viewed failed meeting that left Ukraine sidelined.

www.themirror.com

His infatuation with Putin is, IMHO, concerning and mystifying. It goes beyond respecting your enemy and keeping them close.