[Spoonman]

Would it be fair to say that the mentality of American Exceptionalism has been replaced with one of American Entitlement, at least among the MAGA-freaks? Or has this long been the case.

[Oboogie]

Would it be fair to say that the mentality of American Exceptionalism has been replaced with one of American Entitlement, at least among the MAGA-freaks? Or has this long been the case.

Aren't exceptionalism and entitlement essentially the same thing anyway, both mean, "I think your rules do not apply to me"?

[Spoonman]

Aren't exceptionalism and entitlement essentially the same thing anyway, both mean, "I think your rules do not apply to me"?

I guess it depends how you define entitlement and exceptionalism, but I can certainly see the overlap.

From my POV, the theory of American exceptionalism at least meant that hard work was needed to achieve what they claimed was rightfully theirs (an offshoot of Calvinism, I guess), whereas the current guise of entitlement doesn't believe in needing to do hard work to get what they want, rather they bully and cajole or take shortcuts - there's more of an inert laziness.

[Bones McCoy]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgq7l32r98o

Six injured in shooting at Florida State University

At least six people have been taken to hospital after a shooting at Florida State University in Tallahassee.

One person was taken into custody after the shooting at the university's Student Union building on Thursday, according to CBS News, the BBC's US partner.

President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the incident at the start of a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House, calling it "a shame, a horrible thing".

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said: "Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding."

[Oboogie]

It's of no consequence, MAGA love guns and Trump hates universities.

[Bones McCoy]

It's of no consequence, MAGA love guns and Trump hates universities.

I wondered whether the two were related.

Shooter turns out to be the son of an "exemplary policewoman".

In today's U.S.A. leaving your piece where a miscreant can nick it for a rampage is exemplary.

[Oboogie]

Turns out shooter was a white supremacist, MAGA hat wearer, who was kicked out of his university debating group for his pro-Nazi views. So he won't be deported to El Salvador then.

[Youngian]

That's a given. Kamala Harris supporters taking out their disappointment on innnocent bystanders by spraying them with bullets is unlikely.

[Yug]

Turns out shooter was a white supremacist, MAGA hat wearer, who was kicked out of his university debating group for his pro-Nazi views. So he won't be deported to El Salvador then.

Of course not. The Orange Toddler has already gone on record describing those sort as "good people".

[Crabcakes]

Experienced a very English protest/counter protest in town today. A bunch of folk - almost exclusively white pensioners - were there doing a free Palestine/anti-Israel ‘protest’. They were politely giving out leaflets and quietly reading out the names of children who had been killed. On the other hand, there was another pensioner, also English, wearing a camo Trump 2024 baseball cap, stood nearby tutting quietly.

[The Weeping Angel]

30 years ago anti-governement extremists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols blew up a Federal building in Oklahama City killing 168 people.

https://eu.oklahoman.com/story/opinion/ ... 990421007/

Bill Clinton wroye this five years ago and it it still relevant today.

In the weeks, months, and years since the bombing, the people of Oklahoma City have shown courage and commitment in building a future worthy of those who were lost. They have dedicated a stirring memorial and museum, rebuilt their downtown, and revitalized their riverfront. Most important, they have refused to allow an evil act to poison their own hearts, responding instead with what has come to be known as the Oklahoma Standard: a commitment to serving those in need, honoring those lost and damaged by the bombing, and treating all with neighborly kindness.

After 25 years, this lesson from Oklahoma City is as important as ever, as America is facing another unprecedented challenge. COVID-19 has claimed the lives of people we know and love, upended millions of livelihoods, and forced all of us to change the ways we interact with one another — including, for the first time, preventing the Oklahoma City community from coming together in person on the anniversary of the bombing.

There are difficult and uncertain days ahead. In many ways, this is the perfect time to remember Oklahoma City, and to repeat the promise we made to them in 1995 to all Americans today: we have not lost each other, we have not lost America, and we will stand together for as many tomorrows as it takes.

In recent weeks and months, we’ve seen so many people rise to the challenges of the moment: the first responders, and the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff working around the clock to save lives, often by risking their own; the warehouse workers, grocery store and pharmacy employees, drivers, delivery people, and mail carriers who are making it possible for all of us to keep going; the teachers who are still on the job and keeping our children learning, even though schools are closed; the volunteers who provide, prepare, and deliver food to people young, old, and in between who would go hungry without their service.

[davidjay]

Getting blanked by the Pope is pretty good going.

[The Weeping Angel]