Someone posted recently (I think it might have been Rich, but I can't find the thread) expressing surprise that Russians haven't risen up and deposed Putin. They might be interested in this interview.



More here: www.youtube.com/@1420channel/videos

That was me Jo, you're right.

What a hugely powerful video that is with those words.

You might have imagined in this day and age it would be far harder for dictators to suppress nations like they used to do. What is it about some people who think that nobody else deserves rights and freedoms? I hope Putin falls in a nasty way. He is supposed to be obsessed about how Gadaffi, Saddam and Ceaușescu met their end. I hope he meets a similar fate soon.

Starmer is very similar to Putin then. Cancelling elections and jailing those who express free speech.

RIP Peter Lynch!

A brave man to be interviewed like that.

But this is coming to the USA, or at least Trump is trying to emulate Putin's regime.

Firing judges who uphold laws passed by Congress which cannot be breached by an Executive Order.

Threatening retribution on political opponents. Anointing an unelected baron like Musk who has no problem siccing his multi millions of X followers onto a chosen target and the power to explore the full details of American citizen's private lives via DOGE.
And so much more.

There is one thing I find about the USA that does not seem to be exhibited in Russia.

It does not seem enough for millions of the MAGA mob to get their own way, there appears to be elements of delighting in cruelty towards their political opponents.

Musk probably knows what people's shopping habits were when he owned PayPal.

Just like every other paying platform. Even your banks knows about you and credit card companies.

Not forgetting only a few have slipped through the net at DWP to commit fraud. The DWP can check claimant's bank details.

That even applies to shop loyalty cards GM, all theey are is a spying device to check on you and we allow it for a few pennies off here and there, cheap at the price.

Not a lot I can agree with on that Hedda post I'm afraid. Is Trump a threat to free speech in America? Isn't he actually trying to protect free speech? It was the Democrats who were going all out attacking sensible free speech, like in the UK now, that he's rolling back on. I don't see a lot of evidence on MAGA "cruelty" to opponents, but there is plenty of real life evidence of Democrats chasing opponents and Trump knows that best himself.

Also Hedda, a couple of weeks ago I mentioned the 2028 election in the USA. You passed it by. If Trump is like Putin, is he going to hold a sham Presidential Election in November 2028, freeze out all genuine oppenents, win better than ever and remain in power thereafter? Many of his opponents think 2024 was the last election he will hold even. Do you think these people are as mad as I do, and that he will obviously leave office lawfully on 20th January 2029 and hand over to the 2028 winner President Vance, or whoever?

I'll robustly criticise Trump when needs be, and am disgusted he would call Zelensky a dictator when he won't say the same of Putin. That's very wrong and very worrying. Ukraine have cancelled elections for the time being, but so did the UK in WWII. The thing is that those broadly on the left who are Democrat supporters of Harris or Biden and others rarely have the ability to criticise them for their clear mistakes do they, simply glossing things over or pretending they are not happening.

I really like your posts Rich, if Trump does not send prison to jail over anti-LGBT memes or those with dark humour like the Dems did then I say it's he is for free speech. No one cares if you are gay, bi or a lessy.

Free speech has never included death threats, whoever thought that is deluded.

Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia has published a letter sent to him by Trump’s Department of Justice threatening to potentially prosecute him for criticizing Elon Musk.

Meanwhile Elon Musk has told X advertisers they must spend more money on X or he will use his leverage with Trump to torpedo them possibly merging with other corps.

That even applies to shop loyalty cards GM, all theey are is a spying device to check on you and we allow it for a few pennies off here and there, cheap at the price.

The apps you download on your phone can trace you, Google Maps traces you, Smart TVs and Alexa monitor you, and your webcam and phone could be spying on you. The CIA does it all the time. Did you listen to Edward Snowden, Hedda?