Octopus Overlords

Brian wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:39 pm I'm so cynical these days that I would 100% not be surprised to learn this was staged.

My first (and second) reaction. But certainly not crazy to think that someone would try to take a shot at him.

Smoove_B wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:43 pm

Trent Steel wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:41 pm Also, pretty crazy how we have a thread dedicated to see if Biden will be on the ballot or not come November… and Trump was almost taken off today.

I'd imagine the news is going to finally stop talking about how old Biden is.

And now how tough Trump is.

Shooter appears to have been on a roof near the venue. How this wasn't cleared and patrolled is beyond me. When VIPs are in town, they clear roofs of buildings that don't even have line of site to the the event. Anything with LOS is bristling with feds and/or locals.

Brian wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:39 pm I'm so cynical these days that I would 100% not be surprised to learn this was staged.

That this comes on the heels of a Project 2025 supporter claiming the coup would be bloodless…if dems allowed it to be… is curious.

Brian wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:39 pm I'm so cynical these days that I would 100% not be surprised to learn this was staged.

I am holding on to a hope that it was a Trump loyalist whom TFG shit on. I know it's too much to hope for, but I'm hoping for it anyway. He's shit on a long list of people who have backed him over the years, hurting them very badly.

Trent Steel wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:41 pm Also, pretty crazy how we have a thread dedicated to see if Biden will be on the ballot or not come November… and Trump was almost taken off today.

I was thinking about that and the challenges already in the wings if Biden were to withdraw and the Dems wanted to put up someone else.

Stupid political violence. This is what his "there is nothing you can do about it; except the second amendment people, maybe they can" camp has been begging for at least since Hillary's run. And now here we are. They will now feel justified. I hate this time line.

Already messaging that shooter was a "member of Antifa."

https://kansascitydefender.com/national ... spiracies/

Right-Wing Accounts Launch Mark Violets Antifa Conspiracy in Light of Trump “Assassination Attempt”

In a dramatic turn of events at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, right-wing social media accounts are circulating unverified claims that the shooter, who they claim to be named Mark Violets, is linked to Antifa. Despite lacking credible evidence, these conspiracies are spreading rapidly in the wake of what officials are calling an “assassination attempt.” This moment will have profound and historic political implications.

RNC in two days is going to be even more insufferable. Fuck.

I think everyone is reacting to how things would have happened if this was during normal times. If someone wasn’t going to vote, they still aren’t going to vote. If they weren’t going to vote for Trump, they aren’t going to suddenly vote for him because his ear got clipped by teleprompter glass.

An attempt on Romney in 2012? Maybe. I don’t see how this motivates anyone to vote for Trump four months from now that wasn’t already going to vote for Trump.

Especially after four months of the lunatics that follow him doing what they are about to do.

hepcat wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 7:09 pm

Unagi wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 7:07 pm

Kraken wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 6:53 pm Hard to say what really happened there. As much as I hate TFG I don't want him martyred.

He is a cult leader, the cult dies with him - there will be no 'martyr' effect.

There's not a chance in hell that would be true.

Quite the opposite. Religions are founded on martyrdom. And, persecution has been key to trump's brand from the start.

Kurth wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:12 pm Nothing good about this. Nothing.

Absolutely.

Brian wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:39 pm I'm so cynical these days that I would 100% not be surprised to learn this was staged.

That was my first reaction. Not saying I believe it, just that it's possible.

I’m very glad to see the completely unified condemnation of this act by literally everyone.

Not that I expected any different, but it’s worth remembering Trump and MAGA’s reaction to other politically motivated violence (I.e. when Paul Pelosi was nearly murdered by a lunatic with a hammer)

Trent Steel wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:43 pm

Brian wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:39 pm I'm so cynical these days that I would 100% not be surprised to learn this was staged.

The pictures of him with his fist in the air and blood on his face are almost too good.

And this happened in Pennsylvania. The swing state with the most electoral college votes. This wouldn't be the first time he staged a photo or the first time he allowed someone else to die for his benefit. He planned January 6th and did nothing when people wanted to hang Pence. He's staged photos in the middle of protests and riots. He's more than willing to let others die for his benefit.

Skinypupy wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:05 pm I’m very glad to see the completely unified condemnation of this act by literally everyone.

Not that I expected any different, but it’s worth remembering Trump and MAGA’s reaction to other politically motivated violence (I.e. when Paul Pelosi was nearly murdered by a lunatic with a hammer)

Jan 6?

Kraken wrote:

hepcat wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 7:09 pm

Unagi wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 7:07 pm

Kraken wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 6:53 pm Hard to say what really happened there. As much as I hate TFG I don't want him martyred.

He is a cult leader, the cult dies with him - there will be no 'martyr' effect.

There's not a chance in hell that would be true.

Quite the opposite. Religions are founded on martyrdom. And, persecution has been key to trump's brand from the start.

Kurth wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:12 pm Nothing good about this. Nothing.

Absolutely.

Brian wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:39 pm I'm so cynical these days that I would 100% not be surprised to learn this was staged.

That was my first reaction. Not saying I believe it, just that it's possible.

I told my wife immediately this was set up. I can already hear Trump say there's never been another president as tough as me.

Sent from my SM-S911U1 using Tapatalk

Skinypupy wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:05 pm I’m very glad to see the completely unified condemnation of this act by literally everyone.

Not that I expected any different, but it’s worth remembering Trump and MAGA’s reaction to other politically motivated violence (I.e. when Paul Pelosi was nearly murdered by a lunatic with a hammer)

That's because the democratic party isn't a party of hate.

Brian wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:39 pm I'm so cynical these days that I would 100% not be surprised to learn this was staged.

Sure, a guy takes a long range shot and just manages to hit Trump’s ear in a staged shot and not kill Hik by mistake. . Makes perfect sense.

Felons who hang out with other felons...

Kraken wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:04 pm

hepcat wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 7:09 pm

Unagi wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 7:07 pm

Kraken wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 6:53 pm Hard to say what really happened there. As much as I hate TFG I don't want him martyred.

He is a cult leader, the cult dies with him - there will be no 'martyr' effect.

There's not a chance in hell that would be true.

Quite the opposite. Religions are founded on martyrdom. And, persecution has been key to trump's brand from the start.

Kurth wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:12 pm Nothing good about this. Nothing.

Absolutely.

Brian wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:39 pm I'm so cynical these days that I would 100% not be surprised to learn this was staged.

That was my first reaction. Not saying I believe it, just that it's possible.

Would take an expert marksman to pull this off, and even then, mighty close for comfort. Seriously, some of y’all are coming off as tinfoil hatters. There’s no way this was staged.

What I AM worried about is a crazy MAGA taking a shot at Biden in retaliation. That is entirely possible.

Grifman wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:16 pm

Brian wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:39 pm I'm so cynical these days that I would 100% not be surprised to learn this was staged.

Sure, a guy takes a long range shot and just manages to hit Trump’s ear in a staged shot and not kill Hik by mistake. . Makes perfect sense.

Not to pick nits, but he was cut by glass from the teleprompter that shattered.

Grifman wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:16 pm

Brian wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:39 pm I'm so cynical these days that I would 100% not be surprised to learn this was staged.

Sure, a guy takes a long range shot and just manages to hit Trump’s ear in a staged shot and not kill Hik by mistake. . Makes perfect sense.

Was it confirmed that the shot hit Trump's ear? I thought the blood was from Trump hitting the floor or something else because of the secret service trying to protect him.

Today in tweets that will not age well…

Skinypupy wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:21 pm

Grifman wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:16 pm

Brian wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:39 pm I'm so cynical these days that I would 100% not be surprised to learn this was staged.

Sure, a guy takes a long range shot and just manages to hit Trump’s ear in a staged shot and not kill Hik by mistake. . Makes perfect sense.

Not to pick nits, but he was cut by glass from the teleprompter that shattered.

That is not what I have read. It may yet be true, I guess we will need to wait and see. But the photo I posted showed at least one shot just whizzing by his head.

Between the people on the left doing EXACTLY what the people on the right would do and floating ridiculous conspiracy theories, to the people on the right saying this was a Biden-ordered assassination attempt, I'm going to have to take a break from politics for awhile.

People on both sides have become absolutely detached from reality, and nobody can take anything at face value anymore.

Grifman wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:19 pm
Would take an expert marksman to pull this off, and even then, mighty close for comfort. Seriously, some of y’all are coming off as tinfoil hatters. There’s no way this was staged.

I completely agree with you, but considering the conspiracy theories that Trump amplifies daily, you’ll have to excuse me if I paused for a bit after hearing about this.

Grifman wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:28 pm

Skinypupy wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:21 pm

Grifman wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:16 pm

Brian wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:39 pm I'm so cynical these days that I would 100% not be surprised to learn this was staged.

Sure, a guy takes a long range shot and just manages to hit Trump’s ear in a staged shot and not kill Hik by mistake. . Makes perfect sense.

Not to pick nits, but he was cut by glass from the teleprompter that shattered.

That is not what I have read. It may yet be true, I guess we will need to wait and see. But the photo I posted showed at least one shot just whizzing by his head.

I could be wrong as well. Thought I read that Secret Service confirmed it, but that might not be the case.

Nice try! What ya got next?

em2nought wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:36 pm Nice try! What ya got next?

I want the dude to lose and just go away, not be killed.

em2nought wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:36 pm Nice try! What ya got next?

Isn’t there a forum out there somewhere where people actually want to interact with you?

Grifman wrote:

Brian wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 8:39 pm I'm so cynical these days that I would 100% not be surprised to learn this was staged.

Sure, a guy takes a long range shot and just manages to hit Trump’s ear in a staged shot and not kill Hik by mistake. . Makes perfect sense.

What about a guy that hit the teleprompter? Which I think was confirmed by secret service (he got clipped by glass, not a bullet)?

That said, the idea that this was staged is insane.

I don’t think it was staged, but I do think it will be milked

hepcat wrote:Isn’t there a forum out there somewhere where people actually want to interact with you?

I mean what do you expect at this point. Innocent rally-goer lost their life today, so it's break out the smartass quips time. If there's one thing that all MAGA Trumpers I know have in common, it's absolutely zero compassion for anyone but themselves.

Nothing good can come from this. Political assassination of candidates was a dark time in the 1960s.

We also can’t allow conspiracy theories to take root on this. Trump must be beaten at the ballot box.

YellowKing wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 10:04 pm

hepcat wrote:Isn’t there a forum out there somewhere where people actually want to interact with you?

If there's one thing that all MAGA Trumpers I know have in common, it's absolutely zero compassion for anyone but themselves.

Truth. Related, I implore you to listen to this long form interview from The Daily I heard today with Robert Putnam…it touches on this, and it’s fantastic. Also available on their podcast.

https://youtu.be/1iddLuFY95I?si=JzOXccx4tVvgcWaUw

Maybe if Trump win (very likely now), he'll support gun control because of this incident?

So at least something good can come out of this.

Victoria Raverna wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 10:20 pm Maybe if Trump win (very likely now), he'll support gun control because of this incident?

So at least something good can come out of this.

LOL

If trump had died someone else would have taken his place.

Someone far more electable who could have rode into the White House on the memory of “Donald” and “all he had done”.

It would have been the worst outcome.

Political violence solves nothing and must be condemned at every turn.

YellowKing wrote: ↑Sat Jul 13, 2024 9:30 pm Between the people on the left doing EXACTLY what the people on the right would do and floating ridiculous conspiracy theories, to the people on the right saying this was a Biden-ordered assassination attempt, I'm going to have to take a break from politics for awhile.

People on both sides have become absolutely detached from reality, and nobody can take anything at face value anymore.

Indeed, it's crucial to remember that a deliberate act of political violence has now resulted in the loss of at least one innocent American life. The thought of an innocent American being murdered while exercising their First Amendment right to peaceful assembly is profoundly troubling and utterly abhorrent. So I encourage everyone to keep this in perspective and avoid engaging in conspiracy theories. If nothing else, one would hope this tragic incident can serve as a moment for us to come together and reduce all the divisive political vitriol that's unfortunately become so pervasive in recent years. To that end, I think it would be prudent for both Biden and Trump to join together on stage to convey a message promoting de-escalation and unity, though I doubt it'll happen.

Someone walk me through the thinking of ‘now we’re screwed’ because someone took a shot at Trump.

1. The majority of Americans do not follow politics, yes, even currently, sadly. This has been studied and backed by several different groups.

2. Team MAGA still gets one vote per person AFAIK. No provisions for bonus votes for attempted assassination of your candidate in the Constitution. They were going to vote for him yesterday and they will vote for him just as many times in November.

3. The Biden mess makes it a bit more complicated I guess, so let’s call it Team Blue.
Don’t see this event changing those votes either. ‘Before today, I was going to vote for Biden, but now I’m 100% team Trump’s Earlobe’ doesn’t make a lot of sense.

So I guess we’re talking about people who weren’t going to vote. What about this event would compel someone to now want to vote?