George Santos charged with defrauding campaign donors - Page 4

mgidm86 · 4th January 2023, 08:38 PM

Party of law and order!

TragicMonkey · 4th January 2023, 08:42 PM

Can he be the new Speaker? The other guy trying for it seems unpopular also.

Chris_Halkides · 4th January 2023, 09:09 PM

About a week ago a resident of New York wrote, "I asked a neighbor of mine who had a Santos sign on his property what he thought. George Santos was elected my congressman, having beaten the Democratic nominee, Robert Zimmerman, pretty handily, replacing Tommy Suozzi as our representative. Why, I asked. He wasn’t the Democrat, was the answer my neighbor gave me. But did you know anything about Santos, who he was, what he stood for? “Nah. Who cared? He wasn’t the Democrat.”"

In the book Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman related a story about his father voting for a democrat who was a fool and a crook, just because he did not a republican to win. I don't have the quote in front of me; therefore, I cannot say how comparable the two situations were.

Norman Alexander · 4th January 2023, 09:17 PM

Indeed he wasn't the Democrat. And therein lies the problem.

The Don · 5th January 2023, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by Chris_Halkides

About a week ago a resident of New York wrote, "I asked a neighbor of mine who had a Santos sign on his property what he thought. George Santos was elected my congressman, having beaten the Democratic nominee, Robert Zimmerman, pretty handily, replacing Tommy Suozzi as our representative. Why, I asked. He wasn’t the Democrat, was the answer my neighbor gave me. But did you know anything about Santos, who he was, what he stood for? “Nah. Who cared? He wasn’t the Democrat.”"

In the book Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman related a story about his father voting for a democrat who was a fool and a crook, just because he did not a republican to win. I don't have the quote in front of me; therefore, I cannot say how comparable the two situations were.

Originally Posted by Norman Alexander

Indeed he wasn't the Democrat. And therein lies the problem.

And even worse than that, likely on a case-by-case basis he would prefer the Democratic Party position on many (most ?) key policies so he's voting blind against his own interests and preferred positions.

Skeptic Ginger · 5th January 2023, 01:30 AM

Originally Posted by MinnesotaBrant

I actually really like him. His mom really was a housekeeper and how many members of congress can say that. Val Demings mainly ran on growing up poor and got no points for that. I donated to her early on but she laid the poor thing on pretty thick. She should have ran on the issues. There were a lot of issues considering who she was running against. About Santos, it is pretty sad that you have to make lies like that to get elected. And they were really good fun lies! I think if given half the chance he could be really fun to watch.

I'm not in agreement about 'good fun lies', but how sad Santos felt the need to lie about his mother who was a housekeeper and/or cook. That's nothing to be ashamed of for sure.

timhau · 5th January 2023, 01:31 AM

Originally Posted by Stacyhs

The more a country uses the terms "People's", "Socialist", or "Democratic", the less they actually are any of those. The same thing with "Freedom" and "Patriot (or form thereof) with groups.

Actually, "Socialist" is the one where they usually mean what they say. One of the S's in "USSR" was for "Socialist", for example.

Nazi Germany is the exception, and I can't think of any others.

Norman Alexander · 5th January 2023, 02:14 AM

Originally Posted by timhau

Actually, "Socialist" is the one where they usually mean what they say. One of the S's in "USSR" was for "Socialist", for example.

Nazi Germany is the exception, and I can't think of any others.

They may "mean" what they say, but they rarely know what the word means. They just know that the word exists and it means "something bad".

sackett · 5th January 2023, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Norman Alexander

They may "mean" what they say, but they rarely know what the word means. They just know that the word exists and it means "something bad".

Come to that, nobody seems to know what "socialist" means. In Europe, it's a word you stick into your political party's name. It's supposed to attract votes.

Stacyhs · 5th January 2023, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by timhau

Actually, "Socialist" is the one where they usually mean what they say. One of the S's in "USSR" was for "Socialist", for example.

Nazi Germany is the exception, and I can't think of any others.

Not quite. The USSR wasn't socialist or communist in the true sense of the words. Historians generally agree that it was a state capitalist society run by an elite class of Communist Party members.

Vietnam (Socialist Republic of Vietnam) is not a true socialist country either.

dudalb · 5th January 2023, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Stacyhs

Not quite. The USSR wasn't socialist or communist in the true sense of the words. Historians generally agree that it was a state capitalist society run by an elite class of Communist Party members.

Vietnam (Socialist Republic of Vietnam) is not a true socialist country either.

True Socialist country will never exist. True Socialism just does not fit in with human nature.

varwoche · 7th January 2023, 10:42 AM

Did Santos flash a white supremacist signal on the floor of the House?

That doesn't look inadvertant. He's ardent MAGA so it would come as no surprise.

Skeptic Ginger · 7th January 2023, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by dudalb

True Socialist country will never exist. True Socialism just does not fit in with human nature.

Same with capitalism, a purely capitalist country will never exist either.

Countries have to be a mix with varying proportions.

Stacyhs · 7th January 2023, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by varwoche

Did Santos flash a white supremacist signal on the floor of the House?

That doesn't look inadvertant. He's ardent MAGA so it would come as no surprise.

Can Santos get any more stupid? From you article:

Quote:

Santos hired a MAGA “fixer” to help him repair his image, a source told The Post Friday. Viswanag “Vish” Burra, a world political operative tied to ex-White House strategist Steve Bannon and businessman Carl Paladino, joined Santos’ team at the recommendation of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida).

More on Burra:

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/...gress-wdj27f5v

Mike! · 7th January 2023, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Stacyhs

Can Santos get any more stupid? From you article:

More on Burra:

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/...gress-wdj27f5v

Quote:

...at the recommendation of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida).

Seeking out the best possible advice at every turn.

mgidm86 · 7th January 2023, 05:45 PM

Okay there has got to be some equally stupid stuff going on with the Democrats right? I mean I'm just trying to make sure we aren't being unfair!

I just continue to have a problem accepting that a large group of people in this country are this ridiculously insane, stupid, foolish, hateful...basically everything bad and wrong. They are badong

And they are a caricature of all these things because the are so over the top with all of it. ALL of it.

We must all be equally bad, right? So where is it with the Dems currently? Any child molesters being protected, any Herschel Walkers babbling about? Anyone crying for the bible to be law of the land and the Constitution to be ignored? Crying about losing elections (and attempting to steal them), where's the MTG and Boobert? I laugh when they still mention AOC after all this time. Puuuhleeez! Who?

Why aren't there any threads about these bad Dems? And not to mention, but I will, where is the thread for "all others without their own thread" LOL! The fact that such a thread even exists....

And why am I the one who thinks they need a shrink?
I'm not crazy!
You're the one's who's crazy!
You're driving me crazy!

Okay gotta go.

gnome · 7th January 2023, 07:27 PM

Have a Pepsi.

Mike! · 7th January 2023, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by mgidm86

Okay there has got to be some equally stupid stuff going on with the Democrats right? I mean I'm just trying to make sure we aren't being unfair!

I just continue to have a problem accepting that a large group of people in this country are this ridiculously insane, stupid, foolish, hateful...basically everything bad and wrong. They are badong

And they are a caricature of all these things because the are so over the top with all of it. ALL of it.

We must all be equally bad, right? So where is it with the Dems currently? Any child molesters being protected, any Herschel Walkers babbling about? Anyone crying for the bible to be law of the land and the Constitution to be ignored? Crying about losing elections (and attempting to steal them), where's the MTG and Boobert? I laugh when they still mention AOC after all this time. Puuuhleeez! Who?

Why aren't there any threads about these bad Dems? And not to mention, but I will, where is the thread for "all others without their own thread" LOL! The fact that such a thread even exists....

And why am I the one who thinks they need a shrink?
I'm not crazy!
You're the one's who's crazy!
You're driving me crazy!

Okay gotta go.

"They all think I'm crazy, but I know better. It is not I who are crazy. It is I who am *mad*! Can't you hear them? Didn't you see the crowd?" - Ren Hoek

shemp · 7th January 2023, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by gnome

Have a Pepsi.

His mother wouldn't give it to him.

Stacyhs · 8th January 2023, 01:02 AM

Originally Posted by mgidm86

Okay there has got to be some equally stupid stuff going on with the Democrats right? I mean I'm just trying to make sure we aren't being unfair!

I just continue to have a problem accepting that a large group of people in this country are this ridiculously insane, stupid, foolish, hateful...basically everything bad and wrong. They are badong

And they are a caricature of all these things because the are so over the top with all of it. ALL of it.

We must all be equally bad, right? So where is it with the Dems currently? Any child molesters being protected, any Herschel Walkers babbling about? Anyone crying for the bible to be law of the land and the Constitution to be ignored? Crying about losing elections (and attempting to steal them), where's the MTG and Boobert? I laugh when they still mention AOC after all this time. Puuuhleeez! Who?

Why aren't there any threads about these bad Dems? And not to mention, but I will, where is the thread for "all others without their own thread" LOL! The fact that such a thread even exists....

And why am I the one who thinks they need a shrink?
I'm not crazy!
You're the one's who's crazy!
You're driving me crazy!

Okay gotta go.

Why do you think the right-wing is so obsessed with Hunter Biden's laptop? It's all they've got.

Norman Alexander · 8th January 2023, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by Stacyhs

Why do you think the right-wing is so obsessed with Hunter Biden's laptop? It's all they've got.

Just musing...

Would be hilarious if "Hunter Biden's laptop" contained only evidence of:

Gaetz's frolics with under-age girls
Juicy pics of Boebert "admiring" those dick-pics
All the goss on EmptyG's affairs with pool-boys while married...with pics
Details of all Tucker Carlson's under-the-table dealings with the Russians
All the inside info on Trump's illegal dealings with foreign powers and companies.

Published on free-to-air Twitter. And Facebook. And Mastadon. And Readit. And Tik Tok for good measure, in interpretive dance.

smartcooky · 8th January 2023, 03:07 AM

Originally Posted by Stacyhs

Why do you think the right-wing is so obsessed with Hunter Biden's laptop? It's all they've got.

"Hunter Biden's Laptop" is merely the current GOP's "Benghazi". The Dems should do exactly what the GOP did over subpoenas regarding The Fat Orange Turd... extend the middle finger.

I know how I would approaching things if I were in their place, if asked or subpoenaed to testify before the Vichy GOP's Kangaroo Court

"I agree to testify under the following conditions...

1. When asked a question, I will be allowed to answer it, in full and without interruptions from any members.

2. No grandstanding for interviews with the talking heads on Fox News.

3. If either of the above two conditions are not adhered to, I will get up and walk out."

I would remind them of these conditions in my opening statement.

Trebuchet · 8th January 2023, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by varwoche

Did Santos flash a white supremacist signal on the floor of the House?

That doesn't look inadvertant. He's ardent MAGA so it would come as no surprise.

Was he to claim someone showed him the sign but didn't say what it meant, I'd find it all too credible.

bruto · 8th January 2023, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Trebuchet

Was he to claim someone showed him the sign but didn't say what it meant, I'd find it all too credible.

Unfortunately, yes, because it would be a replay of the usual conservative get-out-of-jail-free card, that incompetence and stupidity exempt an official from responsibility.

ToddH · 8th January 2023, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by shemp

His mother wouldn't give it to him.

It’s just one Pepsi.

shemp · 8th January 2023, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by ToddH

It’s just one Pepsi.

No, you're on drugs!

Chris_Halkides · 8th January 2023, 08:57 PM

Vox reported, "But most importantly, we don’t know where Santos’s money comes from. The Representative-elect loaned his own campaign $700,000 during the 2022 cycle and claimed an income of $750,000. He also listed millions of dollars in assets including an apartment in Rio De Janeiro worth up to $1 million and a seven-figure savings account. It’s a major shift in fortune for someone who was evicted twice, in 2015 and 2017, for failing to pay rent and had been taken to court for not paying debts. Even in 2020, he reported income in only one category — compensation in excess of $5,000 paid by one source — with no other assets." hmm...

Skeptic Ginger · 8th January 2023, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by Chris_Halkides

Vox reported, "But most importantly, we don’t know where Santos’s money comes from. The Representative-elect loaned his own campaign $700,000 during the 2022 cycle and claimed an income of $750,000. He also listed millions of dollars in assets including an apartment in Rio De Janeiro worth up to $1 million and a seven-figure savings account. It’s a major shift in fortune for someone who was evicted twice, in 2015 and 2017, for failing to pay rent and had been taken to court for not paying debts. Even in 2020, he reported income in only one category — compensation in excess of $5,000 paid by one source — with no other assets." hmm...

Norman Alexander · 8th January 2023, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by Chris_Halkides

Vox reported, "But most importantly, we don’t know where Santos’s money comes from. The Representative-elect loaned his own campaign $700,000 during the 2022 cycle and claimed an income of $750,000. He also listed millions of dollars in assets including an apartment in Rio De Janeiro worth up to $1 million and a seven-figure savings account. It’s a major shift in fortune for someone who was evicted twice, in 2015 and 2017, for failing to pay rent and had been taken to court for not paying debts. Even in 2020, he reported income in only one category — compensation in excess of $5,000 paid by one source — with no other assets." hmm...

Has he been near Palm Beach, FL recently?

Chris_Halkides · 9th January 2023, 11:25 AM

"Santos’s financial situation becomes murkier upon closer examination of his company. The incoming congressman created the Devolder Organization in May 2021, just weeks after his prior employer, Harbor City Capitol, was accused of running a Ponzi scheme by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Santos was not implicated in and has denied any knowledge of the scheme...The Devolder Organization was dissolved in September of this year for failing to file an annual report. However, after the Times’s Dec. 19 report about Santos, the company was reinstated on Dec. 20, according to the Florida Department of State." The Hill. I did a quick Google search for the Devolder organization, and its address is on Merritt Island, FL, not far from a Ross Dress for Less discount clothing store (maybe they will take his checks). Merritt Island is near Cape Canaveral.

"The day after the Times story appeared, Santos took a curious step: He revived that mystery firm that he had claimed as the source of millions of dollars of income, and he listed as its address a Florida property associated with a former top official of the company that allegedly mounted that Ponzi scheme. Devolder’s resurrection was first reported by Talking Points Memo. The story of this firm is a key component of the Santos scandal." Mother Jones

Stacyhs · 9th January 2023, 02:32 PM

I wouldn't doubt Santos spends at least part of his only Congressional term in prison.

Norman Alexander · 9th January 2023, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Stacyhs

I wouldn't doubt Santos spends at least part of his only Congressional term in prison.

All of it would be better. Cuts the GQP majority even smaller.

mgidm86 · 9th January 2023, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Mike!

"They all think I'm crazy, but I know better. It is not I who are crazy. It is I who am *mad*! Can't you hear them? Didn't you see the crowd?" - Ren Hoek

I quoted a Suicidal Tendency song. I used the Ren quote recently so had to look elsewhere for new material

mgidm86 · 9th January 2023, 04:15 PM

Has it been mentioned in this thread that he's being investigated by a DA (R) in New York?

https://www.npr.org/2022/12/29/11459...g-about-his-pa

Quote:

INSKEEP: What does the prosecutor say about this?

MANN: Well, the Office of Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly - this is a Republican - she released a statement describing Santos' lies as nothing short of stunning. Donnelly has promised to investigate and says - and I'm quoting here - "if a crime was committed in this county, we will prosecute it."

INSKEEP: However, if lying, by itself, was a crime, an awful lot more people would be in jail, including maybe some members of Congress. What would the crime be here?

MANN: Yeah, well, as you point out, the Constitution does have rules about who can be sworn in, Steve, as a member of Congress. Dishonesty alone is not a deal breaker, but there are campaign laws....... [snipped]

Quote:

MANN: Now, Santos has said in interviews that he broke no laws. He says this was his own money he loaned to his campaign. But his financial history now faces close scrutiny, and Democrats are calling on the Federal Election Commission to also investigate.

So are some Republicans. Maybe this has been mentioned here already.

Stacyhs · 9th January 2023, 06:42 PM

Not all Republicans are pieces of corrupt crap. Kudos to Anne Donnelly.

Allegedly, Santos disbursed dozens of amounts of exactly $199.99, one penny below the legal requirement to report.

Random · 9th January 2023, 06:58 PM

Oh for the love of...

https://news.yahoo.com/santoss-aide-...213056230.html

Quote:

...Rich Republican donors fielded calls and email messages from Dan Meyer, McCarthy’s chief of staff, over the last two election cycles, asking for money to help Santos get elected. Or so they thought.

A wealthy financier who donated to the Santos campaign told CNBC that the person calling was actually Sam Miele, a staffer employed by Santos to raise money for the campaign.

It's unclear how McCarthy will react to the new developments because he has been silent on the matter since the revelations began to unspool several weeks ago.

In the lead-up to last week’s 15 votes to elect McCarthy to the speakership position, the Republican leader had gone to great lengths not to do anything that would lose him votes, including Santos's.

In need of every vote he could get, McCarthy appeared to ignore the accusations against Santos, and during the rounds of voting, Santos was seen on the House floor hobnobbing with influential far right-wing Republicans like Reps. Lauren Boebert, Matt Gaetz, and Marjorie Taylor Greene...

dudalb · 9th January 2023, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by Random

Oh for the love of...

https://news.yahoo.com/santoss-aide-...213056230.html

Sounds like out and out fraud to me.
Only defense Santos really has is "I did;nt know what was going on" and make his campaign guy the fall guy.

dudalb · 9th January 2023, 07:03 PM

Onr question I have is what kind of idiot did Santos' opponent have as he "opposition researchers" to not have uncovered this stuff before the election/

Stacyhs · 9th January 2023, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by dudalb

Onr question I have is what kind of idiot did Santos' opponent have as he "opposition researchers" to not have uncovered this stuff before the election/

As I posted earlier, a local paper exposed many of Santos' lies and Robert Zimmerman (the Dem candidate) tried unsuccessfully to get it into more papers and to the public.

Norman Alexander · 9th January 2023, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by dudalb

Onr question I have is what kind of idiot did Santos' opponent have as he "opposition researchers" to not have uncovered this stuff before the election/

Originally Posted by Stacyhs

As I posted earlier, a local paper exposed many of Santos' lies and Robert Zimmerman (the Dem candidate) tried unsuccessfully to get it into more papers and to the public.

So the question might be better asked: Who covered it up?

4th January 2023, 08:38 PM	#121
mgidm86 Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,624	Party of law and order!
mgidm86 Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,624	__________________ Why bother?

4th January 2023, 08:42 PM	#122
TragicMonkey Poisoned Waffles Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monkey Posts: 67,745	Can he be the new Speaker? The other guy trying for it seems unpopular also.
	__________________ You added nothing to that conversation, Barbara.

4th January 2023, 09:09 PM	#123
Chris_Halkides Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 11,250	party affiliation About a week ago a resident of New York wrote, "I asked a neighbor of mine who had a Santos sign on his property what he thought. George Santos was elected my congressman, having beaten the Democratic nominee, Robert Zimmerman, pretty handily, replacing Tommy Suozzi as our representative. Why, I asked. He wasn’t the Democrat, was the answer my neighbor gave me. But did you know anything about Santos, who he was, what he stood for? “Nah. Who cared? He wasn’t the Democrat.”" In the book Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman related a story about his father voting for a democrat who was a fool and a crook, just because he did not a republican to win. I don't have the quote in front of me; therefore, I cannot say how comparable the two situations were.
	__________________ It is possible both to be right about an issue and to take oneself a little too seriously, but I would rather be reminded of that by a friend than a foe. (a tip of the hat to Foolmewunz)

4th January 2023, 09:17 PM	#124
Norman Alexander Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Dharug & Gundungurra Posts: 16,174	Indeed he wasn't the Democrat. And therein lies the problem.
	__________________ _{...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015}

5th January 2023, 01:31 AM	#127
timhau NWO Litter Technician Join Date: May 2004 Location: Looks like Finland. Smells like Finland. Quacks like Finland. Where the hell am I? Posts: 15,150	Originally Posted by Stacyhs The more a country uses the terms "People's", "Socialist", or "Democratic", the less they actually are any of those. The same thing with "Freedom" and "Patriot (or form thereof) with groups. Actually, "Socialist" is the one where they usually mean what they say. One of the S's in "USSR" was for "Socialist", for example. Nazi Germany is the exception, and I can't think of any others.
	__________________ When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord, in his wisdom, doesn't work that way. I just stole one and asked Him to forgive me. - Emo Philips

5th January 2023, 12:53 AM	#125
The Don Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sir Fynwy Posts: 37,272	Originally Posted by Chris_Halkides About a week ago a resident of New York wrote, "I asked a neighbor of mine who had a Santos sign on his property what he thought. George Santos was elected my congressman, having beaten the Democratic nominee, Robert Zimmerman, pretty handily, replacing Tommy Suozzi as our representative. Why, I asked. He wasn’t the Democrat, was the answer my neighbor gave me. But did you know anything about Santos, who he was, what he stood for? “Nah. Who cared? He wasn’t the Democrat.”" In the book Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman related a story about his father voting for a democrat who was a fool and a crook, just because he did not a republican to win. I don't have the quote in front of me; therefore, I cannot say how comparable the two situations were. Originally Posted by Norman Alexander Indeed he wasn't the Democrat. And therein lies the problem. And even worse than that, likely on a case-by-case basis he would prefer the Democratic Party position on many (most ?) key policies so he's voting blind against his own interests and preferred positions.

5th January 2023, 01:30 AM	#126
Skeptic Ginger Nasty Woman Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 95,677	Originally Posted by MinnesotaBrant I actually really like him. His mom really was a housekeeper and how many members of congress can say that. Val Demings mainly ran on growing up poor and got no points for that. I donated to her early on but she laid the poor thing on pretty thick. She should have ran on the issues. There were a lot of issues considering who she was running against. About Santos, it is pretty sad that you have to make lies like that to get elected. And they were really good fun lies! I think if given half the chance he could be really fun to watch. I'm not in agreement about 'good fun lies', but how sad Santos felt the need to lie about his mother who was a housekeeper and/or cook. That's nothing to be ashamed of for sure.

5th January 2023, 02:14 AM	#128
Norman Alexander Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Dharug & Gundungurra Posts: 16,174	Originally Posted by timhau Actually, "Socialist" is the one where they usually mean what they say. One of the S's in "USSR" was for "Socialist", for example. Nazi Germany is the exception, and I can't think of any others. They may "mean" what they say, but they rarely know what the word means. They just know that the word exists and it means "something bad".
	__________________ _{...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015}

5th January 2023, 10:29 AM	#129
sackett Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Detroit Posts: 8,696	Originally Posted by Norman Alexander They may "mean" what they say, but they rarely know what the word means. They just know that the word exists and it means "something bad". Come to that, nobody seems to know what "socialist" means. In Europe, it's a word you stick into your political party's name. It's supposed to attract votes.
	__________________ If you would learn a man's character, give him authority. If you would ruin a man's character, let him seize power.

5th January 2023, 04:14 PM	#130
Stacyhs Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: United States Posts: 32,229	Originally Posted by timhau Actually, "Socialist" is the one where they usually mean what they say. One of the S's in "USSR" was for "Socialist", for example. Nazi Germany is the exception, and I can't think of any others. Not quite. The USSR wasn't socialist or communist in the true sense of the words. Historians generally agree that it was a state capitalist society run by an elite class of Communist Party members. Vietnam (Socialist Republic of Vietnam) is not a true socialist country either.

5th January 2023, 05:33 PM	#131
dudalb Suspended Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 60,126	Originally Posted by Stacyhs Not quite. The USSR wasn't socialist or communist in the true sense of the words. Historians generally agree that it was a state capitalist society run by an elite class of Communist Party members. Vietnam (Socialist Republic of Vietnam) is not a true socialist country either. True Socialist country will never exist. True Socialism just does not fit in with human nature.

7th January 2023, 10:42 AM	#132
varwoche Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Puget Sound Posts: 17,217	Did Santos flash a white supremacist signal on the floor of the House? That doesn't look inadvertant. He's ardent MAGA so it would come as no surprise.
	__________________ To survive election season on a skeptics forum, one must understand Hymie-the-Robot.

7th January 2023, 01:50 PM	#133
Skeptic Ginger Nasty Woman Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 95,677	Originally Posted by dudalb True Socialist country will never exist. True Socialism just does not fit in with human nature. Same with capitalism, a purely capitalist country will never exist either. Countries have to be a mix with varying proportions.

7th January 2023, 03:46 PM	#134
Stacyhs Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: United States Posts: 32,229	Originally Posted by varwoche Did Santos flash a white supremacist signal on the floor of the House? That doesn't look inadvertant. He's ardent MAGA so it would come as no surprise. Can Santos get any more stupid? From you article: Quote: Santos hired a MAGA “fixer” to help him repair his image, a source told The Post Friday. Viswanag “Vish” Burra, a world political operative tied to ex-White House strategist Steve Bannon and businessman Carl Paladino, joined Santos’ team at the recommendation of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida). More on Burra: https://www.newsday.com/long-island/...gress-wdj27f5v

7th January 2023, 04:01 PM	#135
Mike! Official Ponylandistanian National Treasure. Respect it! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ponylandistan! Where the bacon grows on trees! Can it get any better than that? I submit it can not! Posts: 52,011	Originally Posted by Stacyhs Can Santos get any more stupid? From you article: More on Burra: https://www.newsday.com/long-island/...gress-wdj27f5v Quote: ...at the recommendation of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida). Seeking out the best possible advice at every turn.
	__________________ "Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes... Because then it won't really matter, you’ll be a mile away and have his shoes."

7th January 2023, 05:45 PM	#136
mgidm86 Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,624	Okay there has got to be some equally stupid stuff going on with the Democrats right? I mean I'm just trying to make sure we aren't being unfair! I just continue to have a problem accepting that a large group of people in this country are this ridiculously insane, stupid, foolish, hateful...basically everything bad and wrong. They are badong And they are a caricature of all these things because the are so over the top with all of it. ALL of it. We must all be equally bad, right? So where is it with the Dems currently? Any child molesters being protected, any Herschel Walkers babbling about? Anyone crying for the bible to be law of the land and the Constitution to be ignored? Crying about losing elections (and attempting to steal them), where's the MTG and Boobert? I laugh when they still mention AOC after all this time. Puuuhleeez! Who? Why aren't there any threads about these bad Dems? And not to mention, but I will, where is the thread for "all others without their own thread" LOL! The fact that such a thread even exists.... And why am I the one who thinks they need a shrink? I'm not crazy! You're the one's who's crazy! You're driving me crazy! Okay gotta go.
mgidm86 Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,624	__________________ Why bother?

7th January 2023, 07:27 PM	#137
gnome Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 14,493	Have a Pepsi.
	__________________

7th January 2023, 08:38 PM	#138
Mike! Official Ponylandistanian National Treasure. Respect it! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ponylandistan! Where the bacon grows on trees! Can it get any better than that? I submit it can not! Posts: 52,011	Originally Posted by mgidm86 Okay there has got to be some equally stupid stuff going on with the Democrats right? I mean I'm just trying to make sure we aren't being unfair! I just continue to have a problem accepting that a large group of people in this country are this ridiculously insane, stupid, foolish, hateful...basically everything bad and wrong. They are badong And they are a caricature of all these things because the are so over the top with all of it. ALL of it. We must all be equally bad, right? So where is it with the Dems currently? Any child molesters being protected, any Herschel Walkers babbling about? Anyone crying for the bible to be law of the land and the Constitution to be ignored? Crying about losing elections (and attempting to steal them), where's the MTG and Boobert? I laugh when they still mention AOC after all this time. Puuuhleeez! Who? Why aren't there any threads about these bad Dems? And not to mention, but I will, where is the thread for "all others without their own thread" LOL! The fact that such a thread even exists.... And why am I the one who thinks they need a shrink? I'm not crazy! You're the one's who's crazy! You're driving me crazy! Okay gotta go. "They all think I'm crazy, but I know better. It is not I who are crazy. It is I who am mad! Can't you hear them? Didn't you see the crowd?" - Ren Hoek
	__________________ "Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes... Because then it won't really matter, you’ll be a mile away and have his shoes."

7th January 2023, 09:05 PM	#139
shemp a flimsy character...perfidious and despised Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Where the Old Man of the Mountain used to stand Posts: 57,297	Originally Posted by gnome Have a Pepsi. His mother wouldn't give it to him.
	__________________ "An empty void is growing between his ears. Distant screams can be heard echoing in the darkness." -- JihadJane "THIS is why we shouldn't let hippies onto airplanes! If they're all in to natural things and wildlife and stuff, maybe they should fly on a dolphin!" -- gnome

8th January 2023, 01:02 AM	#140
Stacyhs Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: United States Posts: 32,229	Originally Posted by mgidm86 Okay there has got to be some equally stupid stuff going on with the Democrats right? I mean I'm just trying to make sure we aren't being unfair! I just continue to have a problem accepting that a large group of people in this country are this ridiculously insane, stupid, foolish, hateful...basically everything bad and wrong. They are badong And they are a caricature of all these things because the are so over the top with all of it. ALL of it. We must all be equally bad, right? So where is it with the Dems currently? Any child molesters being protected, any Herschel Walkers babbling about? Anyone crying for the bible to be law of the land and the Constitution to be ignored? Crying about losing elections (and attempting to steal them), where's the MTG and Boobert? I laugh when they still mention AOC after all this time. Puuuhleeez! Who? Why aren't there any threads about these bad Dems? And not to mention, but I will, where is the thread for "all others without their own thread" LOL! The fact that such a thread even exists.... And why am I the one who thinks they need a shrink? I'm not crazy! You're the one's who's crazy! You're driving me crazy! Okay gotta go. Why do you think the right-wing is so obsessed with Hunter Biden's laptop? It's all they've got.

8th January 2023, 01:35 AM	#141
Norman Alexander Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Dharug & Gundungurra Posts: 16,174	Originally Posted by Stacyhs Why do you think the right-wing is so obsessed with Hunter Biden's laptop? It's all they've got. Just musing... Would be hilarious if "Hunter Biden's laptop" contained only evidence of: Gaetz's frolics with under-age girls Juicy pics of Boebert "admiring" those dick-pics All the goss on EmptyG's affairs with pool-boys while married...with pics Details of all Tucker Carlson's under-the-table dealings with the Russians All the inside info on Trump's illegal dealings with foreign powers and companies. Published on free-to-air Twitter. And Facebook. And Mastadon. And Readit. And Tik Tok for good measure, in interpretive dance.
	__________________ _{...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015}

8th January 2023, 03:07 AM	#142
smartcooky Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Nelson, New Zealand Posts: 24,829	Originally Posted by Stacyhs Why do you think the right-wing is so obsessed with Hunter Biden's laptop? It's all they've got. "Hunter Biden's Laptop" is merely the current GOP's "Benghazi". The Dems should do exactly what the GOP did over subpoenas regarding The Fat Orange Turd... extend the middle finger. I know how I would approaching things if I were in their place, if asked or subpoenaed to testify before the Vichy GOP's Kangaroo Court "I agree to testify under the following conditions... 1. When asked a question, I will be allowed to answer it, in full and without interruptions from any members. 2. No grandstanding for interviews with the talking heads on Fox News. 3. If either of the above two conditions are not adhered to, I will get up and walk out." I would remind them of these conditions in my opening statement.
	__________________ Those who claim that something can't be done need to stop getting in the way of those who are actually doing it! - Anonymous Its TRE45ON season... convict the F45CIST!! Last edited by smartcooky; 8th January 2023 at 03:52 AM.

8th January 2023, 10:04 AM	#143
Trebuchet Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Townsend, Washington Posts: 38,281	Originally Posted by varwoche Did Santos flash a white supremacist signal on the floor of the House? That doesn't look inadvertant. He's ardent MAGA so it would come as no surprise. Was he to claim someone showed him the sign but didn't say what it meant, I'd find it all too credible.
	__________________ Cum catapultae proscribeantur tum soli proscripti catapultas habeant.

8th January 2023, 10:19 AM	#144
bruto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Way way north of Diddy Wah Diddy Posts: 35,525	Originally Posted by Trebuchet Was he to claim someone showed him the sign but didn't say what it meant, I'd find it all too credible. Unfortunately, yes, because it would be a replay of the usual conservative get-out-of-jail-free card, that incompetence and stupidity exempt an official from responsibility.
	__________________ Like many humorless and indignant people, he is hard on everybody but himself, and does not perceive it when he fails his own ideal (Molière) A pedant is a man who studies a vacuum through instruments that allow him to draw cross-sections of the details (John Ciardi)

8th January 2023, 10:24 AM	#145
ToddH Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 452	Originally Posted by shemp His mother wouldn't give it to him. It’s just one Pepsi.
ToddH Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 452

8th January 2023, 11:28 AM	#146
shemp a flimsy character...perfidious and despised Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Where the Old Man of the Mountain used to stand Posts: 57,297	Originally Posted by ToddH It’s just one Pepsi. No, you're on drugs!
	__________________ "An empty void is growing between his ears. Distant screams can be heard echoing in the darkness." -- JihadJane "THIS is why we shouldn't let hippies onto airplanes! If they're all in to natural things and wildlife and stuff, maybe they should fly on a dolphin!" -- gnome

8th January 2023, 08:57 PM	#147
Chris_Halkides Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 11,250	follow the money Vox reported, "But most importantly, we don’t know where Santos’s money comes from. The Representative-elect loaned his own campaign $700,000 during the 2022 cycle and claimed an income of $750,000. He also listed millions of dollars in assets including an apartment in Rio De Janeiro worth up to $1 million and a seven-figure savings account. It’s a major shift in fortune for someone who was evicted twice, in 2015 and 2017, for failing to pay rent and had been taken to court for not paying debts. Even in 2020, he reported income in only one category — compensation in excess of $5,000 paid by one source — with no other assets." hmm...
	__________________ It is possible both to be right about an issue and to take oneself a little too seriously, but I would rather be reminded of that by a friend than a foe. (a tip of the hat to Foolmewunz)

8th January 2023, 10:02 PM	#148
Skeptic Ginger Nasty Woman Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 95,677	Originally Posted by Chris_Halkides Vox reported, "But most importantly, we don’t know where Santos’s money comes from. The Representative-elect loaned his own campaign $700,000 during the 2022 cycle and claimed an income of $750,000. He also listed millions of dollars in assets including an apartment in Rio De Janeiro worth up to $1 million and a seven-figure savings account. It’s a major shift in fortune for someone who was evicted twice, in 2015 and 2017, for failing to pay rent and had been taken to court for not paying debts. Even in 2020, he reported income in only one category — compensation in excess of $5,000 paid by one source — with no other assets." hmm...

8th January 2023, 10:14 PM	#149
Norman Alexander Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Dharug & Gundungurra Posts: 16,174	Originally Posted by Chris_Halkides Vox reported, "But most importantly, we don’t know where Santos’s money comes from. The Representative-elect loaned his own campaign $700,000 during the 2022 cycle and claimed an income of $750,000. He also listed millions of dollars in assets including an apartment in Rio De Janeiro worth up to $1 million and a seven-figure savings account. It’s a major shift in fortune for someone who was evicted twice, in 2015 and 2017, for failing to pay rent and had been taken to court for not paying debts. Even in 2020, he reported income in only one category — compensation in excess of $5,000 paid by one source — with no other assets." hmm... Has he been near Palm Beach, FL recently?
	__________________ _{...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015}

9th January 2023, 11:25 AM	#150
Chris_Halkides Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 11,250	Ross Dress for Less "Santos’s financial situation becomes murkier upon closer examination of his company. The incoming congressman created the Devolder Organization in May 2021, just weeks after his prior employer, Harbor City Capitol, was accused of running a Ponzi scheme by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Santos was not implicated in and has denied any knowledge of the scheme...The Devolder Organization was dissolved in September of this year for failing to file an annual report. However, after the Times’s Dec. 19 report about Santos, the company was reinstated on Dec. 20, according to the Florida Department of State." The Hill. I did a quick Google search for the Devolder organization, and its address is on Merritt Island, FL, not far from a Ross Dress for Less discount clothing store (maybe they will take his checks). Merritt Island is near Cape Canaveral. "The day after the Times story appeared, Santos took a curious step: He revived that mystery firm that he had claimed as the source of millions of dollars of income, and he listed as its address a Florida property associated with a former top official of the company that allegedly mounted that Ponzi scheme. Devolder’s resurrection was first reported by Talking Points Memo. The story of this firm is a key component of the Santos scandal." Mother Jones
	__________________ It is possible both to be right about an issue and to take oneself a little too seriously, but I would rather be reminded of that by a friend than a foe. (a tip of the hat to Foolmewunz) Last edited by Chris_Halkides; 9th January 2023 at 11:38 AM.

9th January 2023, 02:32 PM	#151
Stacyhs Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: United States Posts: 32,229	I wouldn't doubt Santos spends at least part of his only Congressional term in prison.

9th January 2023, 02:50 PM	#152
Norman Alexander Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Dharug & Gundungurra Posts: 16,174	Originally Posted by Stacyhs I wouldn't doubt Santos spends at least part of his only Congressional term in prison. All of it would be better. Cuts the GQP majority even smaller.
	__________________ _{...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015}

9th January 2023, 04:09 PM	#153
mgidm86 Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,624	Originally Posted by Mike! "They all think I'm crazy, but I know better. It is not I who are crazy. It is I who am mad! Can't you hear them? Didn't you see the crowd?" - Ren Hoek I quoted a Suicidal Tendency song. I used the Ren quote recently so had to look elsewhere for new material
mgidm86 Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,624

9th January 2023, 04:15 PM	#154
mgidm86 Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,624	Has it been mentioned in this thread that he's being investigated by a DA (R) in New York? https://www.npr.org/2022/12/29/11459...g-about-his-pa Quote: INSKEEP: What does the prosecutor say about this? MANN: Well, the Office of Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly - this is a Republican - she released a statement describing Santos' lies as nothing short of stunning. Donnelly has promised to investigate and says - and I'm quoting here - "if a crime was committed in this county, we will prosecute it." INSKEEP: However, if lying, by itself, was a crime, an awful lot more people would be in jail, including maybe some members of Congress. What would the crime be here? MANN: Yeah, well, as you point out, the Constitution does have rules about who can be sworn in, Steve, as a member of Congress. Dishonesty alone is not a deal breaker, but there are campaign laws....... [snipped] Quote: MANN: Now, Santos has said in interviews that he broke no laws. He says this was his own money he loaned to his campaign. But his financial history now faces close scrutiny, and Democrats are calling on the Federal Election Commission to also investigate. So are some Republicans. Maybe this has been mentioned here already.
mgidm86 Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,624

9th January 2023, 06:42 PM	#155
Stacyhs Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: United States Posts: 32,229	Not all Republicans are pieces of corrupt crap. Kudos to Anne Donnelly. Allegedly, Santos disbursed dozens of amounts of exactly $199.99, one penny below the legal requirement to report.