Thoughts on Tucker Carlson?

[holdem4884]

"I'm constipated and cognitively disabled"

Tucker Carlson is the supreme sycophant of the GOP, spouting his half-baked, misinformed opinions like a babbling buffoon. Watching him talk is like being forced to listen to a demented donkey bray for hours on end.

The man is a paragon of ignorance and propaganda, perfectly suited to brainwash the weak-minded and easily manipulated.

If stupidity were a disease, Tucker Carlson would be patient zero.

He's a monument to the absolute worst that journalism has to offer, a walking, talking, propaganda-spewing pile of garbage. If you want to get accurate information, you'd be better off licking a toad than listening to the insipid ramblings of this foul-mouthed troglodyte.

Updates

+1 y

Tucker Carlson has given a platform to numerous white nationalists on his show, here are a few examples:

Jason Kessler (white nationalist and primary organizer of the 2017 Unite the Right attended by white nationalists and neo-nazis in Charlottesville).

Richard Spencer (white nationalist who advocates for a white ethnostate) Also one of the organizers of the Charlottesville rally.

Paul Nehlen (anti-Semitic, neo-Nazi) who Tucker has praised as a "sincere, intelligent, and thoughtful leader."

Updates

+1 y

Tucker Carlson, he has a long history of promoting white nationalist and white supremacist talking points on his show.

For example, in 2018, Tucker Carlson claimed that immigrants were making the United States "dirtier," echoing a common white nationalist talking point about "racial hygiene." He has also defended white supremacist Paul Nehlen, who ran for Congress in 2018 and was banned from Twitter for posting racist and anti-Semitic content.

[loveslongnails]

As a "newscaster", he's a disgrace. I wonder if he writes his own material, or if he just reads it? If he actually believes the shit he says, I feel sorry for him more than anything else. He's one of those guys who is SO stupid, he'll champion anything or anyone that has an "R" next to their name, no matter putrid the person or situation.

Consider this: Russian state TV shows him as an ally on their broadcasts. This is what was broadcast both there and here on Fox: " Ukraine is not a democracy. It has never been a democracy in its history and it's not now. It's a client state of the Biden administration. It's a place in which opposition media and opposition political candidates are completely shut down by the government. Is not a democracy at all. And it's insulting they would suggest otherwise."

Well *ucker, Ukraine has only been independent since 1991, and yes, the oligarchs have had too much power. It's a work in progress. But to align yourself with Putin, which you frequently do, and accuse Biden of "running the country" (an absurdity) shows your true colors.

[Cassie88]

Yeah, nah, Tucker is absolutely right about Ukraine.

[KostasKouvalis]

I heard his show is entirely improvised. No teleprompter.
And Tucker is 100% right about Ukraine.

[holdem4884]

@KostasKouvalis yeah, that's why the Kremlin considers him such an asset. He's doing their bidding for free. Amazing.

[Lliam]

Yup. He's right about Ukraine.

[loveslongnails]

@KostasKouvalis He's partially correct, AT BEST, but stupid to give the Soviets ammunition like that. There were SO many better ways to make a point about the Ukraine's past leaders. What's TOTALLY ironic however, is how much he backed Trump and anyone else in the US who's goal is to destroy Democracy and install himself as the oligarch, in the "name of democracy". That's why he's a fucking dick.

[Cassie88]

The Soviets? What century are you living in? The Cold War is OVER! Or at least it SHOULD BE, but the arms manufacturers who control the US government don't want that, because it would mean lower profits.

[loveslongnails]

@Cassie88 I like calling them Soviets, especially because Putin doesn't it. You're not making news here with the Military-Industrial-Complex economy lesson. We know this.

[Cassie88]

Okay, well then my parents were from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Have you ever been to East Germany or Yugoslavia? I really miss the Byzantine Empire, before the Turks moved in and wrecked the joint. I also miss the Kaiser. He had a really fancy moustache.

[loveslongnails]

@Cassie88 Never been there. Guess I haven't lived, huh?

[Cassie88]

I'm in the mood to watch some Tucker Carlson. He at least tells the truth. And Ukraine sucks, I hope the "Soviets" completely destroy the place. :D

[loveslongnails]

@Cassie88 Yeah, he's just a harbinger of all that's true. Grab your Cheetos and have fun.

[holdem4884]

@cassie88 It appears that your intellect has regressed to a subhuman level. One can hardly fathom how anyone could swallow the drivel that Tucker Carlson vomits up on a daily basis, let alone take it as gospel truth. But, of course, it is no surprise that a mind that spews such banal and hateful rhetoric would be attracted to such an odious creature.

As for your idiotic ramblings about the destruction of Ukraine, I can only surmise that you have no real understanding of the history or politics of that region, nor any true appreciation for the suffering and devastation that war brings. Your ignorance is matched only by your callousness, and both are exceeded by your sheer vulgarity.

You may think that you are clever or edgy for wishing violence upon innocent people, but in reality, you are a pathetic and contemptible specimen, devoid of all humanity and empathy. Your existence is a blight upon the world, a cancerous growth that must be excised before it can spread its poisonous ideology any further.

[KostasKouvalis]

@holdem4884vJesus Christ! What is your problem? Why are you insulting her? That was completely uncalled for! Her intellect is just fine. Much better than yours. But this is a typical braindead Leftist tactic. I can't rationally counter your argument, so I'll just insult you. Now you're putting words in her mouth.

Ukrainians slaughtered thousands of my people and burned our villages and it was actually the Russians who helped us. Putin would've left them alone if they didn't castrate and kill Russians with sledgehammers. But you won't hear that from Rachel Maddow, will ya? Yep. Very lovely people. Thank you for reminding me why I had you blocked. Leave the girl alone.

[loveslongnails]

@KostasKouvalis Actually, what you're describing is a typical newsday at Fox - a very Republican and right wing tactic - insult the person and not the position. I think "holdem" missed Cassie's T. I. C. sense of humor approach, but the fact is, Cassie does believe Carlson's drivel and that should be where the point ends.

Some Ukrainians assisted the Nazi's too. I don't know who your people are, or which villages you're talking about. But all this is besides the point that Putin has no business doing what he's doing, not in this day and age. And whatever the Ukrainian history is, Putin is still a treacherous, murdering little puissant, and Carlson is a lying sack of garbage.

[KostasKouvalis]

The biggest liar in all of this is Zelenskiy.
And Zelenskiy isn't? I guess people have already forgotten the protests that were happening in Ukraine against Zelenskiy. The man is jailing priests for Christ's sake!

The only things I'll agree with you on, are that Putin is an insecure coward if he's genuinely scared of having NATO on his borders, and that it's sad that Europeans are killing each other in this day and age. I could expect this sort of behavior from Arabs or Africans, but EUROPEANS?

[loveslongnails]

@KostasKouvalis Im not a Zelensky fan either, and 2 wrongs don't make a right, but 3 wrongs don't either. Putin is not only a coward, he's fucking stupid enough to use nukes. Your comment about Europeans isn't fact based either. It's been Europeans who've had no trouble bringing their brand of violence and dominance TO Africa, or India. Germany started two world wars. The Europeans are no shining example of peaceful co-existence. In THIS day and age however, is there ANY need for wars at all? Really? Only to generate profits.

[holdem4884]

@KostasKouvalis Are you serious?

@Cassie88 said:
"Ukraine sucks, I hope the "Soviets" completely destroy the place."

Gee, why would I strongly criticize such a completely asinine and reprehensible statement effectively advocating genocide?

This is just speculation but it might be related to the fact that I'm in possession of a functioning moral compass.

I don't care if she's liberal, conservative, whatever. Moral bankruptcy should be called out. I'd do the same if she said that about Russia. The citizens of any country don't deserve to be destroyed. What the hell is wrong with you?

[holdem4884]

@KostasKouvalis So tell me when exactly did the Ukrainians invade Russia and massacre thousands of people? How about providing that thing they call evidence?

Look, no state is an innocent actor. The general media narrative about Ukraine provides a very sanitized picture. That said, Russia is conducting an absolutely brutal and completely indefensible war. There is irrefutable evidence of Russia committing atrocious war crimes by executing civilians who were bound. They have been routinely targeting and destroying vital civilian infrastructure AS A MATTER OF POLICY which is completely in contravention of the Laws of War.

As a thought experiment, let's presume your unproven statement about Ukrainians liking thousands of Russians is true. That in no way justifies this war which has killed exponentially more people.

Pull your head out of your ass.

[holdem4884]

@KostasKouvalis

I think blocking people is ridiculous and a sign of cowardice unless they are harassing you. Blocking someone for responding to your comments in a way you don't like isn't justifiable.

You don't have to comment on my questions, if you do, I reserve the right to respond. If you're too weak to handle it, block me, but don't think I'll allow you to post without being able to answer.

Your choice, either be rational and unblock or I'll have to respond in kind. The latter is a bad option, shutting down discourse isn't helpful.

[lightbulb27]

A person really has to be careful what they listen to and believe and when people don't challenge what they hear, it becomes a "belief bias". That's the problem... and our search engines learn this and reinforce what we already think and thus... know! That happens on left and right media now as there isn't much in between.

I like Tucker, his views often make sense, but it doesn't mean I believe everything he says as Fox is "tilted". Everything is made extreme... it's sales. But still, if I had to listen to him or one of the left media, he usually makes more sense.

The other side is also tilted.

At least on Fox in general, they cover other real issues that the left won't cover, because it doesn't suit their agenda. The left media couldn't cover what Tucker covers, wouldn't be approved in the back room.

This all turns to argument since your opinion is obviously solidified in CNN/MSNBC. I know better than to try to convince someone to shift to the middle...

So my opinion is, we should go back to journalism... but it isn't going to happen.

[holdem4884]

Calling out Tucker Carlson does not imply I am a fan of CNN or MSNBC. I'm not. I don't like editorialized news intentionally pushing an agenda. That said, the latter two have no comparable buffoon to Carlson.

[lightbulb27]

because she left MSNBC and needed downtime from all the stress of spewing lies all the time. And Chris Cuomo had issues, although I kinda liked him.
I don't get why people see Tucker as a buffoon. He's not dumb, he and the show has a bias like everything else, and that's the filter from which they communicate. It's not news, sadly.

No doubt there are differing views, nearly polar opposites, you have to scan the media outlets to find it and piece together what you think is true. Ukraine war is great example. If you listen to the left it is totally different than the right view. scary...

[holdem4884]

I appreciate and agreed with the first paragraph of your original message. While Cuomo is no longer on one of the major networks, he has evolved an interesting and comparatively unbiased perspective.

[holdem4884]

Given your desire to prevent "belief bias" I can only assume you must watch Democracy Now as well? They have a narrative as well but they cover plenty of things completely ignored by FOX and other mainstream media outlets if that's your standard.

[holdem4884]

@lightbulb27 I like you. This isn't to defend other outlets but the reason why most of the stuff Tucker covers isn't on other major media is because it completely fails basic journalistic integrity standards.

Saying "What if" and then spouting complete nonesense simply isn't journalism.

[lightbulb27]

Thank you for the up vote. Associated Press, Reuters, Forbes, independent voices on youtube.. but obviously people have their biases.
It's not balanced journalism, it's a stories that upset people. The back rooms know the trigger stories and do anything that makes people angry or scared. It's really poison, but that's true of most media.
I'd suggest turning it... down, or off...

[lightbulb27]

and focusing on real life one can influence.

[loveslongnails]

I agree that Tucker isn't dumb, however... he does intentionally choose to lie and distort facts, or simply ignore them altogether, in order to maintain his audience and perpetuate the position of Fox News and the Murdoch empire. The Dominion suit which uncovered their knowledge of "no fraudulent election evidence" is stunning. Every single day they pounded the Big Lie on viewers, while they themselves KNEW all along it was bogus, and they didn't believe it? This is as big as the big lie itself, and it could bring down the whole news division.

If I ran the FCC, I'd pull their license, temporarily shut them down, and Newsmax too because they ALSO knew it was a lie, and launch an immediate investigation to determine if they should be allowed to keep their license. There really should be a huge fine for this sort of thing.

One other thing - you'd think that BOTH parties would be wholly behind Ukraine defeating Russia in this! It means getting a US missile base and NATO right up against Putin's little butt. Thanks for your comments.

[lightbulb27]

@loveslongnails I haven't dug into the issue you noted, if so yes, should be punished.
I recently learned that fox signs contracts with their guests for exclusivity... maybe others do as well. I find that corrupting and wrong, I'd ban it. I wondered why some people only show up on specific shows... this is why. Michele Malkin is where I learned that.

Russia, there are differing views of how to deal with this issue, how it started and what to do about it. But those in power have their view. I don't consider TC a tool of Russia.. why would he be? But I'm sure the other side does since he and guests see the development of the issues differently. I've never seen so many democrats support a war and spending on a war. It's unfortunate, this is a mess.

[loveslongnails]

TC is an unwitting tool of Russia because he's promoting the idea that the Ukraine was never "truly" independent or a democracy because they still had an oligarch running the place. I don't dispute that was how it was, or even that it pretended to be a Democracy for a while. They've had 12 elections since 1991, only 5 of which were deemed as "fair". Some leaders were pro-Russia and jailed the opposition voices. It was definitely a place in turmoil.

So while his remarks were not untrue, there's no benefit in pointing that out UNLESS you're going to take the view that "what difference does it make which oligarch is in control, so Putin is the more powerful one and if he wants it back, fine with me."

When Zelensky won the election in 2019, he certainly was not an oligarch, and he certainly does NOT favor Russia or Putin in any way. Putin saw his allegiance laid with the US and NATO, and decided he needed to take back the Ukraine so as not to have missiles on his doorstep, and to show what a real "power" Russia is.

With that being obvious, and it should be to everyone, Carlson's rhetoric does nothing but aid what Russia wants to promote. He implies Putin has every RIGHT to do what he's doing, including committing war crimes like targeting hospitals, schools and residential areas. His reasoning is "well, they weren't a Democracy to begin with".

Well Tucker, they are a work in progress too. So is the USA. How much CONSCIOUS damage did you and your big mouth friends at FOX do when you knowingly promoted lies and used the power of a news network to sell it?

[lightbulb27]

@loveslongnails you make some good points about destruction being done. Appears they don't aim, just level. Sometimes, maybe they target. Putin should answer for what they are doing. Lets be honest though... USA did the same in various wars... WWII... level cities.
If we had real reporting you could go on the show and debated him with such points.
There were problems, putin was complaining, he was ignored, USA ignord if not outright encouraged the war and propagation, and this could be one that escalates to a level none of us want to see... that's what I hear his show saying... true or not. I do not hear that on the other "western" news shows, questioning anything.
We're locked and loaded... for a continuing war, that Germany says could go on long time, with no clear path to resolution, if it doesn't end up starving or causing chaso in other areas of the world it could go as far as nuclear. In other words, it's very dangerous. We, USA are now deep into it... with no way out.
This... is really bad. Someone, should be challenging it, and trying to resolve it... wouldn't Jimmy Carter try to do that, or Kissinger was saying? I don't see that happening... just "digging in for long fight".
Looks GD crazy to me... and it ain't TC that looks crazy.
Maybe... he's wrong in places... and Fox is extreme. The news is extreme, and controlled.
Find me anyone asking tough questions to the President...

[lightbulb27]

I only ask that people supporting the current approach, whomever they are... signup for duty to end it, when it goes bad. There's apparently a lot of Polish in there fighting now. When faced with death in a burning tank or freezing in the mud... most people will rethink what they are doing. I'd rather see that re-thinking happen now, than later.
USA rejected negotiation, appears to have blown up the Nordstream (control), probably is making many tanks to send and may send planes soon. I sure hope "they", the govt, knows what they are doing... and all for what again?
Where is the debate in the media... if say stuff like this, we're a russian plant. The consequences here... are high.

[lightbulb27]

@loveslongnails About all I have to say on it, nothing we/I/Tucker or anyone else says matters because those in charge have chosen the path, rejected anything else. The seeds are sown. Maybe we should all carry sunflower seeds in our pockets so future insects can dine where we once existed?

[lightbulb27]

Tell me she's nuts... wake up if you are able... to see that the leaders in charge could be changed, and the world would go in a different directly that is less hazardous, than the path we are on. That is the question.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS02HUqvrb4

[holdem4884]

@lightbulb27 Tucker is a tool in the sense he mirrors and supports their propaganda but they don't control him. Why? For the same reason he has consistently lied to his viewers and said the 2020 election was stolen while knowing it wasn't; it's what his viewers want to hear. Truth is irrelevant to people like Tucker and that's not just a claim but now a documented fact from court records.

The narrative on Ukraine is massively oversimplified in general but some aspects don't take deep thought. Regardless of NATO provocation, corruption, etc., Russia has absolutely no right to invade and annex land of another country.

The Nuremberg Tribunal after World War II concisely defined the moral standard:

"To initiate a war of aggression, therefore, is not only an international crime, it is the supreme international crime, differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole."

This statement emphasizes the severity of starting a war of aggression, and the consequences that follow from such actions.

The aggressors of such conflicts (Russia) are responsible for ALL of the atrocities and suffering that result from them, regardless of any justifications or excuses they may offer.

Tucker makes all sorts of excuses for Russia attempting to give them cover and deflect blame. This is nothing but moral bankruptcy and cowardice.

[holdem4884]

Consider the above and look at it this way:

Tucker Carlson is a tool of the Kremlin because he is an overt supporter of the Kremlin's agenda, whether he is aware of it or not.

Tucker Carlson is a known apologist for Russian aggression and authoritarianism. He has routinely excused Putin's blatant invasions of neighboring countries like Georgia and Ukraine, going so far as to blame those countries for their own invasion. He has also expressed support for Putin's brutal suppression of dissidents and political opponents.

In addition, Tucker Carlson has gone out of his way to legitimize the Russian narrative on the conflict in Syria, even though it has been widely debunked by credible sources. He has openly praised Russia for its supposed efforts to combat terrorism, even though the evidence suggests that Russia has actually made the situation worse by targeting civilians and propping up the Assad regime.

Furthermore, Tucker Carlson has been shown to have ties to Kremlin propaganda outlets and pro-Russian think tanks. He has hosted guests from these organizations, who have been caught peddling disinformation and outright lies about the Russian government and its policies.

And let's not forget Tucker Carlson's repeated attacks on American institutions and democratic norms, including the intelligence community and the press. These are the same institutions that have been trying to warn the public about the Kremlin's interference in our democracy, and Carlson has consistently worked to undermine their credibility.

To put it simply, Tucker Carlson is a useful idiot for the Kremlin. He either knowingly or unknowingly promotes their propaganda, excuses their aggression, and attacks our own institutions. It's a disgrace that he has a platform to spread his dangerous views to millions of Americans.

[lightbulb27]

You make some sense. To me, It's no different than past wars, where the sides divide and there is no consideration of the other... a breakdown of trust, communication, etc.. Then anything becomes justified.
Tell me that if Russia and Mexico joined sides, Russia deployed their weapons in Mexico to defend their new ally... that the USA wouldn't pound them out? of course they would, we saw this with the cuban missile crisis.
What we are talking about is thus the root issues of the conflict, the motivations, and thus what the viable options are to bring it to an end. The current side is it's all Putin's ego for power.
I agree with you that it's simplified, but there's plenty of videos discussing the history and how it's viewed differently from different sides, and they can both make sense.
Haven't you been in a "relationship" before with a guy, and it breaks down, there's problems and gets to hard work to sort out the perspectives? It's similar... but in this case, with countries.
TC could present a more balanced view, if the media allowed it, it's unfortunate, and it does control a base of thinking. When fox signs exclusivity contracts with guests you know it's corrupt. But I don't see better on the other side either.
All for naught, can complain all you want about TC... this is the issue of our times..."These are the times that try men's soul's", Thomas Paiyne. However, I don't think it's even warmed up yet... and TC will be as dead as the rest of us if he's in an unlucky place... if it goes bad.
Lets hope the leaders you support... are right.
But all I see is escalation.

[lightbulb27]

Maybe. The problem is they got a huge military and a lot of bombs, with one guy in charge. The approach to deal with that is different, one side appears to listen and consider give/take. The other... I don't get it... but they see a way to weaken russia and convert it to democratic run? remove putin?
Gutsy... balsy... might go bad, we shall see.
There's no free press in Ukraine, Z shut that down, right. we get one side.
This all reminds me of some UN document that stated they wanted 50% of the human population gone within a given period of time. If anything makes sense, it's to that end.
Either way, we're way past turning around... nobody is going to change their minds on this, it will play out as it does, with no solution in sight.
All... so that the border of Ukraine can be defined differently... from "this line of trees" to "that line of trees", in the interest of security. I don't see it as rational problems, but emotional ones. There is no trust, security.. national.
Without those things... all bets are off, humans... will justify anything to gain them! And that is the issue at state. We haven't evolved in 10,000 years. Look to the past so you can see the future, it's being repeated... sadly.

[OlderAndWiser]

I suspect that you only want to hear from people who agree with you.

[holdem4884]

I love a good argument, and I mean a genuine intellectual argument. The only path to knowledge is by challenging ones own beliefs and allowing weaknesses to be exposed.

However, it's not going to happen on this topic. Actual conservatism can be defended but that's not what we're talking about. There is no intellectual defense of Tucker Carlson.

[holdem4884]

Love disagreement, it's the stone upon which the intellect is honed. There's simply no honest intellectual defense of an outright and consistent purveyor of conspiracy and propaganda. Tucker isn't alone in this, he's just a horrendous offender similar to Glenn Beck.

Take someone like Rachel Maddow, she's extremely partisan and certainty not objective. I don't like her for that reason but people who watch her show and end up significantly stupider as a result. That cannot be said for the right wing hacks like Tucker, Hannity, and Beck. They literally make their audience less intelligent for paying attention to them

[holdem4884]

*people who watch her show don't end up significantly stupider as a result.

[PatriceONeal]

You people don't want discourse or intellectual debate, thats not your reputation, you wouldn't cancel and deplatfrom those who you disagree with. And that happens in every form of social media. Fb instagram tiktok youtube GAG. Everywhere. You are the sheep. The left is sick.

[holdem4884]

@PatriceONeal Oh, how predictable. Another member of the uninformed right, spouting off nonsense they barely understand. You talk of discourse and intellectual debate, yet your comments reveal a stunning lack of both. Cancelling and deplatforming, as you call it, is a result of people like you spewing hate and misinformation under the guise of free speech. The fact that you think Tucker Carlson, a man who has been known to spread blatant falsehoods and conspiracy theories, is a better person than anyone on the left is laughable at best and concerning at worst. Your inability to see the harm and damage your words can cause only further proves the ignorance and danger of your ideology. So, please, do not speak of discourse or intellectual debate when you clearly have no interest in either.

[OlderAndWiser]

[holdem4884]

That sums up most Tucker Carlson viewers.

[OlderAndWiser]

So your level of intellectual discourse includes "I'm rubber and you're glue. Everything you say bounces off me and sticks to you!" Brilliant! I havn't heard that in a long, long time!

[holdem4884]

Intellectual discourse? You haven't presented an argument or position. Give me something to work with. A few commentators who watch his show have voiced at least somewhat logical thoughts which I've noted but it's not common and that's the point.

You offered an unclever softball, why wouldn't I smack it back?

[OlderAndWiser]

Why would I want to play ball with you?

[Lliam]

Do you gobble up news from the paid actors who all read from the same script on other msm outlets? Do you believe government spokespersons?

Granted, Tucker isn't the brightest bulb. But at least he "tries" to think. He tries to do actual journalism. He does extended interviews with people who no other outlet would give the time of day. Tulsi Gabbard and Glenn Greenwald, for instance.

I don't understand how he can get away with sharing information that is verboten by every other msm outlet and will be censored if shared on social media platforms.
But information that is verboten is exactly what we need if we are to begin questioning and creating informed opinions. Maybe that's why he has the largest viewing audience.

I don't watch TV, so I don't watch much Tucker Carlson. But people occasionally share episodes of his that are particularly thought provoking or informative. He occasionally does some good work, which can't be said of any other newscaster.

[holdem4884]

The notion of Tucker Carlson being a bastion of "actual journalism" is utterly preposterous. One can scarcely imagine a more grotesque distortion of the truth than that espoused by the likes of Carlson and his ilk.

It's ironic you question the veracity of "mainstream media" while simultaneously lauding the likes of Tucker Carlson, whose penchant for peddling conspiracy theories and far-right propaganda is a matter of public record. And to suggest that Carlson is the only one willing to give time to Tulsi Gabbard and Glenn Greenwald is beyond laughable.

Furthermore, to imply that information that is "verboten" is somehow necessary for informed opinions is a thinly veiled attempt at justifying the spread of misinformation and propaganda. This is the kind of intellectually bankrupt argumentation that has done untold damage to public discourse in recent years.

[TheBigWhistle]

I could add my thoughts but you've done a better job summing up Tucker Carlson than I could so I'll just fully agree with everything you've said.

He preys on really stupid, gullible people. Probably why his viewership is so high. He's such a weasel, he begins every ridiculous load of BS with "what if..." so when fact checked, he can say "well, I never actually claimed it was true."

[holdem4884]

Yeah, that's another important point. I'm pretty sure he picked it up from his moronic "I'm not saying" predecessor Glenn Beck. It's a classic propaganda tactic particularly effective on the stupid and gullible. That vacuous coward did the same thing. It's part of their crypto fascism.

[KostasKouvalis]

Some of his views are very nationalistic, like how he was criticizing that countries are changing their names and wanting people to pronounce them as they are in their native language. And how he said people shouldn't speak a language other than English at home and how people shouldn't go to college even though him and his kids did. And how America is the greatest country on earth.

So that nonsense, I don't agree with on, but I agree with most everything else he says, and at least he has the balls to report what others won't.

His alien conspiracies are very stupid though

[holdem4884]

Conservatives want a stupid uneducated population. People who lack critical thinking skills are much easier to manipulate and control. It's a hallmark of authoritarianism. They'll just never be that honest.

[Snakeyes7]

I don't watch cable news all that often but I feel that he gets taken out of context a lot.

The only thing he did that I watched in full was his series in 2017 (i think, it was a while ago) where he discussed about male suicide and what he believes is causing it. I remember thinking that was interesting.

I constantly hear that he is a white supremacist but the people who say that are the same ones who enjoy labeling races as oppressors or opressed. This makes them no different than segregationists in my mind so I don't buy it.

[holdem4884]

Well I'm caucasian and would never label a race as oppressors. Tucker definitely supports and gives cover for white supremacists. Combine that with his incessant need to propagandize alone and you have quite the tool.

[Snakeyes7]

Well as far as propagandizing, you can say that about any reporter.

Can you give me an example of a take had that you'd consider to be white supremacist?

[holdem4884]

Your question is unclear.

Tucker Carlson has given a platform to numerous white nationalists on his show, here are a few examples:

Jason Kessler (white nationalist and primary organizer of the 2017 Unite the Right attended by white nationalists and neo-nazis in Charlottesville).

Richard Spencer (white nationalist who advocates for a white ethnostate) Also one of the organizers of the Charlottesville rally.

Paul Nehlen (anti-Semitic, neo-Nazi) who Tucker has praised as a "sincere, intelligent, and thoughtful leader."

Candace Owens (frequent guest) praised by white nationalists for her far-right views..

Tucker also uses a widespread tactic employed by the far right which is to encourage the use of jokes and irony to spread white nationalist ideology, doing so "is so important for giving a lot of cover and plausible deniability for our views" This is nascent crypto fascism.

[Snakeyes7]

So... the fact that he had white supremacists on his show means that he agrees with them? Just as an example, Piers Morgan has had Andrew Tate on his show. Does that mean he agrees with the idea of sex trafficking women? I guess with your logic, he does. Since I actually watched that interview, I know he doesn't because the two were arguing the whole time.

The fact that white nationalists allegedly like Candace Owens doesn't prove she is a white supremacist. What does she advocate for? You've convinced me that the first two people are bad news but who is the third guy? You just told me he is a neo nazi and nothing else.

And finally, the fact that he likes right wing memes make him a white supremacist? Even if the right has anything to white supremacy at all that's how ideologies spread in general and the left (communists if you want to play this game) engage in the same thing.

So far you haven't proven anything.

[holdem4884]

First of all, it is important to note that having someone on a show does not necessarily mean that the host agrees with all of their views or beliefs. However, in the case of Tucker Carlson, he has a long history of promoting white nationalist and white supremacist talking points on his show.

For example, in 2018, Tucker Carlson claimed that immigrants were making the United States "dirtier," echoing a common white nationalist talking point about "racial hygiene." He has also defended white supremacist Paul Nehlen, who ran for Congress in 2018 and was banned from Twitter for posting racist and anti-Semitic content.

Regarding Candace Owens she promoted and defended white nationalist talking points and figures including her specific defense of Hitler's nationalism and her expressed support for the idea of a white ethnostate.

[holdem4884]

The third person is Paul Nehlen, who associates with various white nationalist groups and individuals, including Richard Spencer and David Duke.

In an interview with white nationalist radio host James Edwards, Nehlen said that he wants to "defend the white, European race" and that "whites are being replaced by non-whites" in America. He also said that he is "absolutely" a white nationalist and that he wants to "make white people great again." He's made many similar comments including, "advocating for a pure white homeland."

The fact that someone likes right-wing memes does not necessarily make them a white supremacist. However, if those memes contain racist or anti-Semitic content, then it is highly reasonable to be concerned about the person's views and beliefs. If they frequently promote white nationalist talking points, conspiracy theories, and guests…if it walks like a neo-nazi and yaps like a neo-nazi, it's not a duck.

[Snakeyes7]

Can you send me the links to all this? I'd like to see the context behind those.

[holdem4884]

All the links? I wish you asked sooner. From a variety of sources but all reliable.

Most of the Paul Nehlen quotes were from:

www.businessinsider.com/paul-nehlen-white-nationalist-james-edwards-2018-1

If I have time later I'll see if I can track down some of the others again.

[Snakeyes7]

I got a 404 for that. I don't personally care about the quotes from the white supremacists themselves if that's what you are presenting, I want to see if Carlson supports that rhetoric.

[holdem4884]

Sorry but I don't have time to dig up all the links again.

On the December 19th, 2017 episode of "Tucker Carlson Tonight" on Fox News. He interviewed and praised Paul Nehlen, saying "I appreciate your coming on, Paul. I think you're a sincere guy, and I think you're an intelligent guy, and a thoughtful leader." I found the transcript on Fox news website.

This wasn't my original source but it encapsulates much more information. It outlines hundreds of Tucker quotes that justify my argument:

cloudfront.mediamatters.org/.../...n%20%281%29.pdf

[Cassie88]

"Watching him talk is like being forced to listen to a demented donkey bray for hours on end."

Hey, newsflash! No one is forcing you to watch him, so why do you? Besides, he's a LOT better than many of the other mainstream media figures, like literally everyone who works at CNN, MSNBC and the BBC.

[holdem4884]

Yeah, that was a great line, too bad you're too dim to know what a simile is. Only an imbecile would think it's literally implying anyone is being forced to do something.

It is unequivocally preposterous to claim that the likes of Tucker Carlson is vastly superior to virtually all personalities affiliated with mainstream media outlets, such as CNN, MSNBC, and the BBC. Such a claim is not only unfounded, but also patently ignorant and demonstrably absurd. It reflects a severe and perilous lack of critical thinking, analytical aptitude, and intellectual curiosity.

[Cassie88]

And you're too dim to realise there's a switch that turns the TV (or computer, whatever) off. Here you are, grumbling about a person you could quite easily just ignore if you wanted to, but the fact that you don't means that you must get some kind of perverse pleasure from being such a grumble-bum.
And yes, FOX News is vastly superior to those propaganda channels that you seem to love so much, even though FOX gets more things wrong than right. CNN is nothing more than an outlet for the arms manufacturers, which is why they're always so pro-war.

[holdem4884]

I don't consume his garbage but millions of people like yourself do.

Let me be crystal clear here, Tucker Carlson is a walking disaster of a "journalist." He regularly traffics in racism, bigotry, and ignorance, all under the guise of "conservative commentary." The fact that you can defend this hack is an absolute disgrace. As for CNN being an outlet for arms manufacturers, that's a ludicrous claim that lacks any merit or evidence.

CNN, like any other news outlet, has its flaws and biases. But to lump them all together and claim that FOX News is superior is laughable. The fact that you revel in your own ignorance by watching such garbage only serves to make you a pawn of the media you claim to despise.

Tucker Carlson is the poster child for the complete and utter degradation of journalism. He is a stain on the profession, and an affront to all those who value truth, honesty, and integrity.

His propaganda is nothing more than vile and insidious bile, designed to whip up the most despicable elements of society into a frenzy of fear and hatred. He preys on the weak-minded and ignorant, stoking their most base instincts with his hateful rhetoric, while offering nothing but lies and misinformation.

His utter lack of shame and self-awareness is a testament to his own moral turpitude. He is a snake oil salesman, peddling his wares to the gullible and the desperate, promising them salvation from their own insecurities and fears. His lack of empathy and humanity is truly disturbing, and his willingness to exploit the pain and suffering of others for his own gain is nothing short of sociopathic.

Tucker Carlson is a menace to society, a purveyor of lies and deceit, and a danger to the very fabric of our democracy. His brand of propaganda is a cancer that eats away at the truth, and his willingness to traffic in hate and division is a stain on our society.

[PatriceONeal]

Tucker Carlson is a for better person than anyone even closely related to the left. Tuck Carlson is a better man than anyone on the left. Preposterous to suggest otherwise.

[holdem4884]

@PatriceONeal Your statement is an affront to logic and reason. To suggest that Tucker Carlson, a man who has been accused of perpetuating misinformation and stoking division, is somehow a better person than anyone on the left is beyond absurd. It is a testament to the blind idolatry and dogmatic devotion that has become a hallmark of the extreme right.

Tucker Carlson has shown time and again that he is more interested in peddling fear, outrage, and propaganda than in providing honest and accurate reporting. He has repeatedly spread baseless conspiracy theories, pandered to white supremacists and other extremist groups, and even defended a teenage gunman who killed two protesters in Kenosha.

To suggest that he is somehow morally superior to any individual or group on the left, who have fought for civil rights, equality, and social justice, is not only wrong but also incredibly dangerous. It is this kind of divisive rhetoric that perpetuates hatred, animosity, and violence, and is a threat to our democracy.

Your statement is a grotesque distortion of reality and shows a complete disregard for facts and decency.

[PatriceONeal]

Being accused of something isn't the same as being guilty of it. You need to stop believing everything big daddy government tells you to.

[holdem4884]

@PatriceONeal Sentence 1 true. You then follow it with a complete none sequitur. Harshly criticizing a tool like Tucker Carlson in no way implies someone believes any governmental pronouncements, let alone all. Logic totally fails you.

[PatriceONeal]

You could always leave this great country and go live in China. Nobody wants you here...

[abc3643]

He's an actor doing evil.
Or he's a profound idiot.
Or both.
I suspect both.

[abc3643]

Even Fox's lawyers had to disavow him during one their defamation suits.

www.npr.org/.../you-literally-cant-believe-the-facts-tucker-carlson-tells-you-so-say-fox-s-lawye
TITLE: You Literally Can't Believe The Facts Tucker Carlson Tells You. So Say Fox's Lawyers
...
Now comes the claim that you can't expect to literally believe the words that come out of Carlson's mouth. And that assertion is not coming from Carlson's critics. It's being made by a federal judge in the Southern District of New York and by Fox News's own lawyers in defending Carlson against accusations of slander. It worked, by the way.

Just read U. S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil's opinion, leaning heavily on the arguments of Fox's lawyers: The "'general tenor' of the show should then inform a viewer that [Carlson] is not 'stating actual facts' about the topics he discusses and is instead engaging in 'exaggeration' and 'non-literal commentary.' "

She wrote: "Fox persuasively argues, that given Mr. Carlson's reputation, any reasonable viewer 'arrive[s] with an appropriate amount of skepticism' about the statement he makes."

Vyskocil, an appointee of President Trump's, added, "Whether the Court frames Mr. Carlson's statements as 'exaggeration,' 'non-literal commentary,' or simply bloviating for his audience, the conclusion remains the same — the statements are not actionable."
...
===========
Of course, she's full of shit being ignorant of the real world herself.
Fox News viewers are often not reasonable (or, perhaps, lacking in intelligence and emotional stability) but many are and they still take Fox's shit as gospel.

[abc3643]

What pisses me off about this - and she, the judge, should know better - is that "reasonable viewers" don't go out and run over protesters or participate in riots or commit assassinations. It is the viewers who DO have a tendency to do those things that take Carlson's lies and insinuations as gospel truth. By supporting Fox's side in this case and not Karen McDougal (this was a slander case McDougal filed against Fox and Carlson) because there is nothing "actionable", the judge lets Carlson off the hook to incite hatred and anger and thus indirectly incite violence. He is worse than Trump. She had the chance to make him responsible for his words and to expose him as the immature fabulist and, well, asshole he is. That would have had an impact on sponsors and viewership and maybe defused the next mass killer or future assassin who is driven to act by Carlson's screeds.

[Lliam]

In other words, Tucker sometimes steps outside the official narrative as a journalist should. He asks questions. But government and it's official propaganda arm, corporate media, don't want anyone doing actual journalism. They do their best to block, ban and censor any information that conflicts with the official narrative.

People who complain about Carlson while consuming CNN, MSNBC, NPR, WaPo, the NYT, etc. are sheep who have no idea what's really going on in the world. Regardless of their levels of education, they are common idiots.

And I don't even mean to praise Carlson. He's not very informed. But at least he isn't an actor reading a script and pretending to have journalistic authority.

Democratic party-supporting ideologues hate him because they are told to.

[holdem4884]

@Lliam It's absolutely staggering that your intellectual faculties are so wanting that you would sycophantically lap up the drool that emanates from the drivel-laden maw of Tucker Carlson, and then, in a disgusting display of boorish buffoonery, proceed to denigrate people who are able to perceive the inherent absurdity of that puerile purveyor of propaganda as being "told" to hate him.

Your paucity of comprehension regarding the intricacies of political ideology is, quite frankly, depressing, and your desire to wallow in the mindless musings of a man whose repertoire consists of nothing more than brazen bluster and incessant innuendo is a clear indication of your inability to handle the intellectual rigors of contemporary political discourse.

Your nauseating acquiescence to the asinine arguments of a man who wouldn't know a coherent political thought if it were tattooed on his forehead is emblematic of the intellectual degeneration that has infected the American political landscape, and your vitriolic denunciation of people whose only crime is to view Carlson as the cankerous carbuncle on the face of modern political discourse is nothing short of a juvenile tantrum that is as puerile as it is preposterous.

You are nothing more than an unmitigated moron, a vacuous vessel that is filled with nothing but the hollow echoes of Carlson's vacuous vernacular.

[Lliam]

That about the funniest shit I've ever read. Your attempt at eloquence does not conceal your utter ignorance. You have made it clear that you only know what you have absorbed from professional propagandists and don't have even a clue about history, world events, who who controls what. You are just a petulant, liberal ideologue.

On top of that you make all kinds of unfounded assumptions about me, further proving your ignorance.

You're a joke.

[abc3643]

@Lliam He's not a journalist. Journalists go out and do reporting. He's an anchor - a talking-head.
He has a BA in history; he doesn't have a journalism degree.

[holdem4884]

@Lliam Your use of adjectives is impressive, but it's merely a facade to cover up the fact that you have the intellectual capacity of a toddler. Your failure to comprehend anything outside of your narrow worldview is not surprising, given that it seems you have never ventured beyond the confines of your mother's basement.

Your statement that I am a petulant, liberal ideologue is amusing. It's quite ironic, as your lack of education and your total ignorance of history and politics are clear indicators that you are nothing more than a brainwashed conservative puppet. The fact that you think you're capable of forming your own opinions is quite laughable. You are simply regurgitating the same nonsense that is spoon-fed to you by Fox News and other right-wing propaganda outlets.

Your arrogance and lack of self-awareness is astounding. It's obvious that your only purpose in life is to troll people online and spout your uninformed, hateful opinions. Your ignorance is truly stunning, and it's no wonder that you are unable to hold a rational conversation with anyone who doesn't share your limited view of the world.

[NewsReader]

He used to be really good and informative. Focused on facts and debunking leftist lies. But over the last couple of years he's too opinionated and focuses more on triggering viewers rather than providing information. The best show on Fox is "Special Report" with Bret Baier. He's very low biased and does interviews with guests on both sides of the political spectrum. Another good one is "Journal Editorial" with Paul Gigot.

[holdem4884]

I appreciate your comment but Tucker has always been a hack, Jon Stewart roasted him for it almost 20 years ago:

https://youtu.be/GooQwKDMqcI

He's just become infinitely worse.

[NewsReader]

That's typical of Jon Stewart. He criticizes almost everyone. Even folks at CNN and MSNBC. No surprise.

[holdem4884]

Yeah, a logical thinker with a bullshit detector, how rare? He calls out partisan hacks and ideologues in particular as they don't present "news" but editorialized opinion in its guise. It's amazing so few people pick up on the fact they are spoon fed nonesense.

[PatriceONeal]

Except that John Stuart didn't think for himself for years on end then finally piped up after the dust settled and confronted pc culture. He's the hack.

[holdem4884]

@PatriceONeal Yeah I'm sure you know lots about him given your inability to spell either his first or last name correctly when I've written it above.

To being with taking time to think before speaking about a complex issue is exactly what a hack doesn't do.

Furthermore, this isn't something particularly new for him.

Lastly, even if it was, that would be an indication that he'd changed his mind which is a hallmark of intelligence.

Absolutely everything about your statement is wrong.

[PatriceONeal]

Are you nitpicking spelling on a phone app? How desperate.

"Absolutely everything about my stament is wrong?"

Common woman tactic to just say its wrong and go along with your day like an irresponsible pos. by the way it's a fact. John Stuart didn't say anything until it was safe for him to do so. You denying it doesn't change my mind at all. It's not hard to fact check. No he didn't change his mind he was hiding and protecting himself and his career. Like a coward grifter.

[holdem4884]

@PatriceONeal You're such an indolent tool. Nicely done with the specious statements and logical fallacies.

I didn't just say you were wrong. I gave you specific reasons to justify why everything you said was without merit. For the intellectually challenged like yourself, that's called an argument.

It's only the truly vacuous that double down knowing they're wrong. Please keep stating his name incorrectly to demonstrate just how phenomenally obtuse you are.

I don't particularly care if you like him. I have always appreciated his willingness to call out hypocrisy on the left and right, something he's done for decades. It's simply absurd to call him a hack.

I don't really care whether you like him or not. Career? Dude has way more money than he needs

[PatriceONeal]

"Absolutely everything about my stament is wrong" that's a direct quote and you're actually trying to rewrite history right now. The fact you are obsessed with Stuart Littles name really shows how lacking in an argument you are. Yes he's a hack. He speaks up about left and right? Oh except for the 5 years he didn't. Dumbass woman.

[holdem4884]

@PatriceONeal I have no problem admitting error, it's a hallmark of intelligence. However, your inability to process language and understand the basic concept of an argument is your shortcoming, not mine

Anyone literate person will recognize your quote has changed words from my previous statement. That's the problem with Tucker viewers, they're used to believing and conveying obviously false information.

[holdem4884]

@PatriceONeal

Your statement: "Except that John Stuart didn't think for himself for years on end then finally piped up after the dust settled and confronted pc culture. He's the hack."

My response:

Argument: "Yeah, I'm sure you know lots about him given your inability to spell either his first or last name correctly when I've written it above."

Argument: "To being with, taking time to think before speaking about a complex issue is exactly what a hack doesn't do."

Argument: "Furthermore, this isn't something particularly new for him."

Argument: "Lastly, even if it was, that would be an indication that he'd changed his mind which is a hallmark of intelligence."

Conclusion: "Absolutely everything about your statement is wrong."

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Tucker is a smart and funny man. He is sometimes very accurate in his assessments when I watch him and other times he is full of it.

Hit or miss type of thing with him, but that's what 24 hour cable news media has become.

[holdem4884]

Smart? More like conniving and manipulative. Funny? More like a clown entertaining a tent full of mindless drones.

But hey, I give you credit for at least recognizing he's full of it at times.

[AviatorTom]

Conservatives like him, Liberals dislike him, and Middle-of-the Roads sometimes like him and sometimes dislike him.

He does what's appropriate for his viewing audience.

[holdem4884]

Conservatives with critical thinking skills, few as they are these days, see him for the tool he is. Charlie Sykes, a conservative with functioning brain cells has said Tucker is a "propaganda mouthpiece for the Kremlin".

[RolandCuthbert]

Yeah, I don't really waste much time thinking about him.

Perhaps I would prepare something if I get invited onto his show. But otherwise. . . nope.

[Anonymous]

Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity should be fired immediately for spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories.

[Anonymous]

I'm an independent. I don't watch or listen to either left or right wing media. But if you have to resort to namecalling and hate-mongering, that's an admission that you don't have a real argument.

[holdem4884]

I could give detailed arguments all day long and have elsewhere in this thread. They are pointless when dealing with delusional people who fail to comprehend reason and reject logic.

It's not name-calling to point out that Carlson regularly spews racist, sexist, and bigoted nonsense, it's just stating a fact.

So spare us the sanctimonious "both sides" nonsense, because it's just a smokescreen to hide your own intellectual dishonesty. If you're too scared to actually engage with reality, then don't waste our time with your whiny complaints about name-calling.

[Opinion Owner]

I don't watch him, so I don't know. I also didn't get to read your arguments before commenting because I was one of the first to comment, myself. I stand behind my opinion. Even as someone who doesn't listen to this guy, doesn't know you, and has no substantive opinion on either, your opening statement definitely didn't make me want to listen to you. It made think you're just another hateful bigot who isn't worth wasting time on. Reading through some of your comments here shows that I was at least 90% correct. You reserve decency for those who agree with you, which shows a lack of objectivity. Objective analysis is required for critical thinking, which you accuse othes of lacking yet lack yourself.

[holdem4884]

Eh, that's fairly reasonable. In fact, I'd follow you if you weren't anonymous. Honestly, you didn't deserve my comment above.

I generally prefer to be reasonable. Here's the thing, put yourself in my shoes. Your an independent minded intellectual and you find yourself locked into a family with people who are unwilling to recognize cognitive dissonance. They immerse themselves in stuff like Canada Free Press, Newsmax, RedState, watch Glenn Beck, listen to Louder with Crowder and think they have secret knowledge. Anyone who doesn't believe what they do is being is too foolish to recognize the spiritual warfare behind the scenes of everything. All the worlds problems are the result of some grand liberal conspiracy with Satan at the helm.

Your spouse was willing to get fired from their job because they had a completely irrational belief that COVID vaccines contain aborted fetal cells. Despite clear evidence to the contrary, you couldn't convince them to make a rational decision.

They think antifa was responsible for the January 6th attack on the capital.

They believe in nonexistent evidence that Trump won the 2020 election.

They don't believe in the undesputed science of evolution.

They want to take your kids to an extremely conservative church that claims the Bible is without error.

They want to give your kids homeopathic placebos instead of medicine because they are unwilling to accept that science, and basic logic, clearly demonstrates it's fraudulent nature.

I could go on and on. It hasn't always been this way but after subjecting your mind to such irrational, immovable nonesense for years and realizing the damage it causes, you might become a bit jaded towards those who peddle and defend such filth.

[Opinion Owner]

That's perfectly understandable. I can't stand the dichotomy of American politics. I live in the South with all the Bible-thumpers on one side, and the yellow-dog dems on the other, with plenty of conspiracy theorists on both sides. I'm constantly reminded of two quotes that have stuck with me:

"There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution." - John Adams.

And

"The illiterate of the twenty-first century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” - Alvin Toffler

These two quotes encompass 99.9% of the "politically minded" in this country. I'm personally conservative and a Christian. But I'm politically a classic liberal, and for most, those ideas are irreconcilable even though they are perfectly one in the same. I've gotten through to those who will listen, for the most part, but those are very few. Most just can't seem to grasp that although I try to live by my set of morals and values, I don't think the government or anyone else should force others to live by them.

[holdem4884]

Well stated. Given what you've stated thus far, I'm curious what you think about Trump, particularly as a Christian?

[Opinion Owner]

On a personal level, I can't stand him. He's a blowhard who speaks without thinking first, and seems to think that every thought that pops into his head is pure genius no matter how dumb it is.

He did seem to have a firm grasp on business and what it would take to fix the trade deficit, and took positive actions toward that. He also took a strong stance on lowering taxes for the people, so that's another mark in his favor. His bluster, as much as I dislike it, also worked in our favor when it came to the possibility of foreign wars.

All in all, I think he was a decent president as far as his actions went. If he would have just kept his mouth shut more often than not, I think he would have been fine.

[holdem4884]

That's reasonable. I hope to continue returning the favor.

I agree that his erratic bully persona probably had some short term benefits in international affairs as states tend to act more cautiously when dealing with actors who appear irrational but that whole shtick also damaged a lot of important relationships and necessary cooperation.

I think elected officials need to be held to a much higher standard, they choose to enter public life as our representatives. This particularly true of the President of the United States.

He's THE leader, people literally follow his lead. If he does it, it gives cover and justification for others. The President's behavior matters; that's why conservatives were able to roast Bill Clinton.

I think Trump's blowhard aspect, along with his use of caustic language, penchant for lying, and creation of an alternate reality through relentless attacks on the judiciary, other democratic institutions, and media were incalculably damaging.

I'm not suggesting all societal ills can be laid at his feet but I am saying he very much took advantage of and exacerbated underlying problems.

[holdem4884]

With respect, I have to push back on your statement that "he took a strong stance on lowering taxes for the people."

He cut taxes, but in a very regressive way as his tax cuts disproportionately benefited the wealthy. The Tax Policy Center estimated that in 2018, nearly half of the tax cuts went to the top 5 percent of earners. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimated that in 2020, the tax cuts would add $1.9 trillion to the deficit, with 65 percent of the benefits going to the top 20 percent of earners. The tax cuts were heavily skewed towards the wealthy, with minimal benefits trickling down to the middle and lower classes.

The cost (deficit) of the tax cuts are socialized to everyone but the benefits are concentrated at the top.

You'd think the deficit hawks that are currently threatening a default might have required the expense of those cuts to be offset, but that would require integrity, scruples, and a lack of total hypocrisy.

[Opinion Owner]

Tax cuts benefitting the rich more than the middle and lower classes is a matter of simple mathematics. Add the fact that the rich are taxed at a higher rate, and any effort to even it out becomes disproportionately beneficial to them.

Fact is, the personal income tax never should have been. Taxes in the U. S. are supposed to come from transactions, not wages and salaries. In essence, corporations were expected to pay the taxes that provide benefits to the people, not the other way around. It was also a way to keep corporations and the government squabbling over what to do with THEIR money, not ours.

So I support any effort to reduce personal income taxes for anybody, and would prefer to leverage that reduction to apply to everyone, rather than insisting the government make high income families pay more (and have that increase leveraged to apply to us).

[holdem4884]

Ah, yes there is the classical liberalism. That does sound great in theory, but so do aspects of communism.

Realistically, federal income tax exists and always will. It's not a matter of mathematical or economic necessity by any means. You could cut taxes for 90% of Americans who could actually use it and say offset that by raising the top marginal rate.

The top rates are near historic lows. Even through the Reagan era they were at 50%, when we had a large middle class after WWIi, they were over 90%.

Corporate rates are ridiculously low, subsidies and loopholes abound. That's never going to charge significantly because it's a race to the bottom to keep them from relocating.

I don't know about you but I'm in the middle class. Not wealthy, not poor. I've paid federal income taxes every year of my adult life. Now let's take the example of Trump:

2017 - $750
2016 - $750

Trump paid $0 federal income tax In 10 of the 15 years from 2000-2015.

That's what a 5x billionaire pays? That seems about right to you?

[Opinion Owner]

You touched on the problem I have with the entire tax scheme. Corporate rates being historically low with loopholes and subsidies that effectively make them even lower. We're arguing over wealthy individuals as if they're the problem, but look at the profits these companies are making and look at where the money's going. And where are those subsidies coming from, ultimately? From us! WE are paying subsidies to foreign corporations. Like I said, they're up there in Washington squabbling over OUR money. And everyone has been convinced that this is just the price of living in the US. No, it was always supposed to be the price of doing BUSINESS here. You either pay into the system that provides beneficial programs for our people, or you take your business elsewhere. I have 0 interest in convincing foreign corporations to send their products here. I'd rather give U. S. companies a leg up, because that's what fixes the trade deficit.

The tax program in the early U. S. was designed to bring in 17% of GDP. That's it. They adjusted here and there to maintain that 17%, and did it well with no taxes on wages or salaries. To put that in perspective, the current GDP is ~$23.3T. 17% of that would be $3.96T. Giving American business a leg up on foreign businesses would grow that GDP by a large margin, and while everyone knows that American products are more expensive, wed be able to afford those higher quality products instead of having to settle for cheap junk.

Trade deficit solved, more money in our people's pockets, better products, more jobs... its a win all-around. But instead of analyzing the balance of the situation, people regurgitate the implanted idea that somehow taking money from you to pay them is better for the economy and that lowering corporate tax rates to bring in foreign corporations is better for us than promoting domestic businesses that provide us jobs.

[Opinion Owner]

So no, I have no problem with Trump paying 0 taxes on his income. I want all Americans to pay 0 taxes on what they work for. I want the IRS 100% focused on these trillion-dollar businesses that don't pay a penny. I want them busy making sure that multimillion-dollar investors pay taxes on profits they didn't work for. I want the U. S. to actually have a livelihood and future again.

[holdem4884]

I fully agree with the premise of your argument. But given the influence corporations have over politics, and considering the implications of decisions like Citizens United (2010), I don't see how it's in any way a realistic expectation. By all means we should fight for it, but while recognizing the last "reforms" were a sham. You and I should not effectively pay a much higher tax rate than many of the super rich. That's just absurd.

The loopholes that allow the uber wealthy, be it individuals or corporations, avoid paying taxes never disappear - they only charge form.

Trump's tax cuts, his supposed massive reform, didn't stop either individuals like him or corporations from exploiting the tax code through complex accounting gynmastics.

In fact, the Trump tax cuts did not close any major loopholes for corporations or the wealthy. They actually created new ones that allowed these groups to further reduce their tax liability.

One of the most notable examples of this is the Qualified Business Income Deduction (QBID), which provides a 20% tax deduction for certain types of business income. This deduction primarily benefits wealthy individuals and pass-through entities, such as partnerships and S corporations.

Another example is the doubling of the estate tax exemption, which allows wealthy individuals to pass on more wealth to their heirs tax-free. Before Trump, no individual estate under $5.49 million was taxed. How many people did this apply to? 1.8% of the very wealthiest. That obviously needed to be addressed. The threshold is now $11.18 million and only applies to the top.04% of the insanely rich. That's cutting taxes "for the people"?

Again, I agree with your argument about corporations but the Trump tax cuts were rightfully criticized for benefiting the wealthy and corporations at the expense of middle - and lower - income Americans, and for exacerbating income inequality. He says he's going to help and then kicks you in the face, don't thank him for it.

[Opinion Owner]

My first counter to that is that you're telling me that my idea of how it should be is never gonna happen, all while posing an argument yourself that's equally unlikely. As long as the rich are the ones pulling the strings, the rules will be in their favor. And if we could get those strings out of their hands, why would we settle for a lesser solution instead of fixing it completely?

My second counter is that if we did set it right and the government was bringing in 17% of GDP and could fund all programs without a penny of income tax, we wouldn't care one bit how much the rich paid in personal taxes.

I'm middle class myself, and I personally paid less under the Trump admin than before, and less than I do now. Same goes for almost everyone I know.

And finally, changes in inheritance and estate taxes ONLY affect the upper 2% or so because of the threshold amounts. So of course it's disproportionate, but not in the way it's made to seem.

[holdem4884]

I want to be hopeful but I feel pessimistic, hence the contradiction. I'd love to see your plan come into fruition but that would take a complete change of the political landscape.

That you're paying more now demonstrates part of my point. Spending is never going to decrease by anything more than a marginal amount at most meaning taxes will eventually have to increase to deal with the deficit. While the wealthy, individuals and corporations, keep fleecing everyone, we'll be stuck paying more or having benefits we've been paying into cut in the future.

Just consider your position and Trump's tax policy overall. His tax cuts lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Exactly the opposite of what you're proposing. If federal individual income tax is eliminated, and corporate taxes were used to generate revenue of 17% of GDP the rate would need to be increased to around 48.6%.

Democrats are unlikely to let this happen given their corporate coziness but Republicans will absolutely never allow it. Trump and his MAGA Republicans will fight any significant tax increases to the death, particularly on corporations. You can already hear the inane talking points: "It will kill the economy, they're trying to destroy small businesses, it's job killing legislation."

Had Trump doubled the corporate tax rate while eliminating loopholes and cutting individual taxes that would have been something. But let's be real, doing would have gone completely against his own self-interests, Acts of selflessness, thinking of the greater good, are anathema to Trump. Allowing you and I to keep a few bucks was a smoke screen to get people to go along with the windfall people like him got in return.

[holdem4884]

Outcome of the 2020 election?

[Opinion Owner]

Highly suspect. The entire 2020 election was such a clown show from the start that I don't even know where to begin. I will say that if one can use a simple mental objectivity exercise on this issue, the problems become maddeningly clear. And that is to imagine that the opposite happened:

Biden had packed rallies leading up to the election, and outstanding viewership to boot, and Trump had dozens to hundreds show up to his. The Republican party had at least two candidates who were far better, but defrauded the primary once again to run who they wanted despite the actual results. Up until midnight on election day, Biden was on course to secure the all-time record for the popular vote, and then the results suddenly stopped flowing in. When they start updating results again, Trump has somehow surpassed Obama's previous record voter turnout by 11 million, and passed Biden for the lead.

Democrats recognize the suspicious situation and file suit in half the states, but almost every suit is denied. The courts dismiss, not for lack of evidence, but for lack of enough evidence to significantly affect the outcome, even though no plaintiffs are ever granted discovery (which is specifically for the purpose of gathering said evidence). In the suits that reach the SCOTUS, they are dismissed with no stated opinion at all.

[holdem4884]

If Trump and his campaign had really pushed his supporters to vote absentee or by mail while Biden constantly railed against it, and those votes couldn't being to be opened and counted until after polls closed, I'd expect Trumps numbers to jump way ahead some hours after polls closed when they finally start getting tallied in large quantities. Given the dynamics, they take much longer to count and they're going to favor Trump by a large margin.

You don't have to clear a very high bar to be granted discovery but there is a threshold. The reason they weren't granted it was because they couldn't meet that minimum threshold. Most of the arguments they brought forward were completely ludicrous and lacked any evidence whatsoever.

How, from an objective perspective, is it plausible to think that the DOJ, DHS, White House attorneys, and numerous Republican state officials (all of whom Trump selected or appointed), the federal judiciary (many election cases were heard by judges appointed by Trump), and the Supreme Court, were all part of the most well coordinated and widespread conspiracy in history? How is this a reasonable and logical position?

Many of these people were allies of Trump who vocally supported him. AG Barr ruined his reputation for the man. The Supreme Court is extremely conservative and certainly could have intervened. The fact that they declined to grant cert without an opinion is exactly what we'd expect. They receive 7-8,000 petitions per year and hear about 80 cases. They decline to hear 99% almost always without comment.

What they seem to have in common is some ground level of integrity. They put their commitment to the Constitution above their loyalty to Trump.

[holdem4884]

To be clear, I'm not a Democrat, and there are plenty of reasons to criticize Biden.

Naturally, the election wasn't perfect. Were there isolated incidents of fraud? Sure, you can't get 160 million people to do anything without problems. Hell, Trump's chief of staff, Mark Meadows, committed fraud by voting in a district he didn't live in. But that didn't change any outcome and neither is there any evidence to suggest there was any other voter fraud that did.

Fraud in general is the act of intentionally deceiving or misleading another person or group in order to gain some sort of benefit or advantage. In that regard, the entire political system is rife with fraud, it's the essence of who Trump is. There is endless evidence of the type of fraud but it's perfectly legal. There is simply no empirical evidence that voter fraud occurs in anything but exceptionally rare cases.

If you're truly independent and objective, I don't see any other conclusion rational conclusion.

Have you read the report: "LOST, NOT STOLEN: The Conservative Case that Trump Lost and Biden Won the 2020 Presidential Election"?

" …there is absolutely no evidence of fraud in the 2020 Presidential Election on the magnitude necessary to shift the result in any state, let alone the nation as a whole. In fact, there was no fraud that changed the outcome in even a single precinct. It is wrong, and bad for our country, for people to propagate baseless claims that President Biden’s election was not legitimate."

https://lostnotstolen.org/

[Opinion Owner]

Not surprising. You responded pretty much exactly how I expected. I presented a bias test but called it an objectivity exercise. You've already shown a massive negative bias, but I wanted to see just how dissonant you are.

Do you really think that fudging a few million votes, and then preventing anyone from finding out, qualifies as the most coordinated and widespread conspiracy in human history?

[holdem4884]

I do feel you've completely discarded the arguments I made without bothering to addressing them on the merits. Voting varies from state to state and often precinct to precinct. There is absolutely no simple way to "fudge a few million votes". We both know that's an intellectually disingenuous assertion, but perhaps I asked for it given my previous response. We've had a good thing going here, I don't want to lose it.

When considering all the players who would have to be involved, it would be an absolutely massive conspiracy.

What was the motivation for the conservative justices among the federal judiciary and Supreme Court to not consider these suites if they had merit? Both are considerably more conservative than when courts intervened in Bush v Gore in 2000. These are questions of basic logic, not bias. Such claims are extraordinary and being made without the support of ordinary, let alone extraordinary evidence.

Irregularities occur in any election, just as there is extraneous data in well controlled experiments. What's important is the magnitude and effect.

Here's what happens when a vote is rigged:

www.economist.com/.../russian-elections-once-again-had-a-suspiciously-neat-result

[holdem4884]

In 2008, there were claims of voter fraud and other irregularities, particularly in swing states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida. However, these allegations were largely dismissed by the courts and election officials.

In 2012, there were reports of voting machine malfunctions and long lines at polling places in several states, particularly in Florida. However, there was no evidence of widespread fraud or irregularities.

In 2016, there were claims of voter suppression and foreign interference in the election, particularly from Russia. There were also allegations of irregularities in several key swing states, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. However, despite legal challenges and recounts, no evidence of significant voter fraud or other irregularities was found.

[holdem4884]

Why did Trump's own DOJ, DHS, White House attorneys, and various Republican state officials assert the election was valid? They have every reason not to do so if fraud on any significant scale could be proven?

Trump pressured Wisconsin's Assembly Speaker Republican Robin Vos (very conservative) to overturn the state's presidential election results. However, after conducting an investigation and finding no fraud, Vos refused to overturn the results leading to Trump strongly backing a candidate to oust him in the 2022 primaries. Why the hell would these Republicans do this?

[holdem4884]

How is objectivity exercise not a synonym for bias test? My expansion in the same vein was intentional. The isn't about political ideology, had the party identity and outcome been the exact opposite, I would be making the same arguments. I've had plenty of arguments with ideological Democrats; it's probably a product of the overwhelming white conservative suburban/rural community I live in but I overwhelming encounter Republicans who believe completely baseless nonesense. Most of these people are straight anti-reason.

I certainly have bias, we all do. However, I'm always willing to change my mind. I know enough to know that certainty is elusive. What I'm trying to do in addressing this issue is to apply rational arguments based upon empirical evidence and logical coherence.

You seem to want to do that as well but we've gotten off the rails a bit. To the extent I've provoked this, I offer my apologies.

I kindly ask you to reconsider the issues and questions I raised earlier. I look forward to your thoughtful response.

[holdem4884]

Based upon all of your previous comments, you're clearly intelligent and think things through.

I'd honestly like to hear you undermine the case I've made if you see things differently. I can't find a way to do it myself that makes sense but I always want to know if I can be proven wrong. That's when growth happens. Only the dimm refuse to admit error and change their minds.

Also, if you would't mind, hit me with a follow request. Your one of the more intriguing people I've met here and I'd like to ask you other questions down the road.

[coachTanthony]

He's the most watched on TV and good at what he does.

[holdem4884]

You've somehow managed to mistake sophistry for intelligent discourse. The fact that you have the intellectual audacity to even suggest that Tucker Carlson is in any way, shape, or form "good" at what he does is not only laughable, but also borderline asinine. It's like claiming a trash compactor is good at making sculptures

[coachTanthony]

Number one show on cable. Facts. Show some respect.

[holdem4884]

Let me break this down for you, the argument from popularity, or argumentum ad populum, is a logical fallacy, and using popularity to justify respect is simply irrationall. If anything, Tucker Carlson's popularity on cable is an indicator of how brain-dead and gullible a large portion of the American population is. It's the equivalent of saying that McDonald's has the most popular fast food chain, so it must be the healthiest and most nutritious. It's a fallacy, and a pretty basic one at that.

Moreover, the fact that Tucker Carlson has the number one show on cable should be cause for alarm, not respect. This is a man who has a long history of spreading misinformation, hate speech, and conspiracy theories. He's been caught on numerous occasions lying and distorting the facts to fit his agenda. He's a demagogue who preys on the fears and insecurities of his audience, and who uses his platform to sow division and distrust. And you want me to show him respect?

Let me tell you something, buddy. Respect is earned, not given. Tucker Carlson has done nothing to earn my respect, or anyone else's. In fact, he has actively worked to undermine the foundations of democracy, free speech, and truth itself. He's a charlatan, a fraud, and a danger to our society.

[coachTanthony]

Awesome let us know when you get your own show 😂🤣🤣🤣

[PatriceONeal]

Take an hour to respond to me while you search through the thesaurus for longer verbiage to seem more intelligent than you really are. Nobody worth their salt takes you seriously. You are the typical middle aged washed up feminist bitch that hates yhe faux patriarchy. You are the dumbest and most dangerous type of humans. The ones so vehemently believing they're doing the greater good, while forcing vaccinations and gerlyting people fired. Stealing peoples right to protect themselves, or securing the option for women to murder their children. Stealing from the hard working to pay for your debt and bad decision making. Force hormones on children. Well meaning people doing absolutely horrible things. Just like the nazi youth. Thats you 👉 @holdem4884

[holdem4884]

@PatriceONeal You, my dear, are a simpering nincompoop who wouldn't know an intelligent thought if it hit you in the face. You're the epitome of the Dunning-Kruger effect, spouting off nonsense without a shred of self-awareness. Your lack of education and critical thinking skills is painfully evident in your asinine comment.

You talk of "stealing from the hardworking" and yet you fail to realize that the wealthy elites, whom you undoubtedly worship, are the true thieves of our society. They hoard wealth, evade taxes, and exploit the working class. But you, with your feeble mind, choose to blame the marginalized and vulnerable in our society, such as women and children, for the problems created by the rich and powerful.

And let's not forget your utterly revolting comparison of feminists to Nazi youths. It's not only incorrect, but deeply offensive to those who actually suffered under the Third Reich. Your ignorance knows no bounds, and your lack of empathy is truly breathtaking.

In short, you are a vile, pitiful excuse for a human being who contributes nothing but hatred and stupidity to the world. Your existence is a blight on society, and you should be ashamed of yourself for spreading such vile vitriol.

[exitseven]

He is at his best when he reveals the hypocrisy of the left Sometimes he looks like he is constipated.

[holdem4884]

Yeah, revealing hypocrisy is great.

Tucker is supposedly a Christian. There's a pretty famous Christian who talked about hypocrisy. To paraphrase he said, "point out your own before worrying about it in others." You might have heard of him, they called him Jesus. (Matthew 7:3-5.)

So how often does Tucker point out conservative hypocrisy? Not b. s. like calling people RHINOs, I mean point to all the massive hypocrisy and double think it takes to be a Trump conservative? For example, what's it like to support and defend someone like Trump who's entire life is antithetical to everything Christianity is about. NEVER?

Yeah, he's quite the hypocrite himself.

[exitseven]

Trump never held himself out as a paragon of virtue. He calls himself an American and judging by his first term in office I tend to agree.

[holdem4884]

Trump was just an easy example of Tucker's own hypocrisy. Someone who can only call out the hypocrisy of their adversaries doesn't have any credibility. While I never miss an opportunity to roast Trump, I have no problem calling out liberals and Democrats for their hypocrisy as well. It needs to be done across the board, that's intellectual honestly.

To your comment, Trump brought his Bible to numerous campaign events, held it up, and talked about how much it and his "faith" supposedly matters. Then there's Trump saying he doesn't need to ask God for forgiveness because, "I don't really do anything bad".

Any rational person knows he isn't virtuous at all but he certainly tried to put on that front. It's not like he has ever owned anything he's ever done wrong.

[exitseven]

yes, he has the worlds biggest ego. It will be his undoing someday. I am not sure what his real religious beliefs are and truthfully I really do not care. I was a fan of his policies and what he brought to the working class. I was never a big fan of the man himself. I never even watched the Apprentice.

[holdem4884]

His rhetoric supported the working class but his policies were something different.

I suppose you were a fan of his economic policies, is that right? The policies that left millions of Americans struggling to survive during a global pandemic? The policies that gave massive tax breaks to the wealthy, while cutting funding for vital programs like healthcare and education?

Let's talk specifics, shall we? Trump's policies were not designed to help the working class - they were designed to line the pockets of the rich. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, for example, gave 83% of its benefits to the top 1%, while doing little to help the middle and working classes. Sure you and I got a few bucks, but that was a smokescreen to allow boatloads of money to be given to the super rich. The cost of those tax cuts? They weren't funded, the debt is socialized to all of us.

So what about his so-called "protectionist" policies? Sure, he talked a big game about protecting American jobs, but in reality, he did nothing of the sort. In fact, he actively harmed American workers by starting a trade war with China that cost the US economy billions of dollars and resulted in lost jobs and higher prices for American consumers.

Let's not forget his dismantling of environmental regulations, which put the health and safety of American citizens at risk in the name of "deregulation". Or his attacks on healthcare, which would have left millions without access to affordable coverage.

And what did he actually do for the working class? Not much, to be honest. Sure, he promised to bring back manufacturing jobs, but the reality is that automation and globalization have made those jobs obsolete. He promised to bring back coal jobs, but the industry was already on the decline and his policies did little to change that.

Trump was a con man who plays on the fears and anxieties of working-class Americans to enrich himself and his wealthy cronies. And if you support him, you're complicit in that con.

[exitseven]

Trump's tax cut actually cut my federal taxes by $4000. not exactly crumbs and much better than watching it go up every year when Bush and Obsma were president. When Trump was president I was so confident in my finances that i was thinking about retiring. Now I wonder if we are going to be having world war 3.

[holdem4884]

Sure, but Biden has only raised taxes on individuals making over $400,000 per year, capital gains tax, and corporate tax.

You're upset about the stock market and inflation? The stock market was wildly overvalued by virtually any metric, a decade of near 0% interest rates and massive liquidity from quantitative easing will do that. An enormous bubble was created which can't possibly last.

Do you recall when Trump lashed out at Jerome Powell, the former Chair of the Federal Reserve, because he believed that Powell was not doing enough to "stimulate economic growth"? Trump unleashed on him and claimed the Fed was raising interest rates too quickly.

He couldn't have been more wrong. We know the Fed should have been raising interest rates and unwinding it's balance sheet much more aggressively. It's failure to do so when the economy was solid and there wasn't a crisis played a key role in the inflation and economic uncertainty you feel today.

[exitseven]

no, democrats caused inflation with their reckless spending and attack on domestic energy. Biden created an anti business environment, raising corporate taxes and discouraging companies from locating factories back to the US. No wonder the stock market tanked.

[holdem4884]

"The Fed's reckless monetary policies are creating a bubble that will burst, and the American people will pay the price"

"We are in a big, fat, ugly bubble, and we better be careful."

Who said that? Your boy Tucker in 2015 & 2016.

"The Fed's constant interference in the economy is creating inflation and distorting the market" - Tucker Carlson, 2017

"The Federal Reserve's monetary policies have created an environment of inflation and economic instability" - Tucker Carlson, 2018

"The printing of massive amounts of money by the Federal Reserve means that prices of basic goods will inevitably rise" - Tucker Carlson, 2009

"The Federal Reserve is creating inflation with its reckless monetary policies" - Tucker Carlson, 2011

"The Fed is the source of the problem; it continues to create inflation and devalue the currency" - Tucker Carlson, 2013

"The Fed's monetary policy has led to rising prices and reduced purchasing power for Americans" - Tucker Carlson, 2012

"The Federal Reserve's constant manipulation of the money supply has created a dangerous environment for our economy" - Tucker Carlson, 2010

"The Fed's policy of low interest rates has led to inflation and devaluation of the dollar" - Tucker Carlson, 2014

[holdem4884]

Once Trump started attacking Powell, he flipped 180 degrees with no justification:

"I think our dollar is getting too strong," April 2017.

"I would say in terms of quantitative tightening, it should actually now be quantitative easing," December 2018.

"The Federal Reserve is derelict in its duties if it doesn’t lower the Rate and even, ideally, stimulate," October 2019.

When Biden came into office? Another Tucker 180. He's a total hypocrite. Had rates been moderate and the feds balance sheet small before the worldwide pandemic, the necessary stimulus during a massive crisis could have been much more readily absorbed without the negative consequences we are seeing.

[holdem4884]

Domestic energy? Under Biden as with Trump, the US is the world's #1 producer of energy. We produce more energy than we consume. Sorry but that's not it.

[exitseven]

Our domestic energy production has fallen off a cliff. Nobody wants to invest in drilling when they are afraid that Biden will suddenly decide to outlaw it. Biden has emptied the Strategic Oil Reserve to artificially lower gas prices for the election. Now the reserve that Trump filled up for 40 dollars a barrel Biden has to replace at 80 dollars a barrel.

[FunkyMonkee]

Seems like a nice guy and he has a working brain!! Can't say the same about most democrats!

[holdem4884]

Of course you're a Tucker Carlson fanboy. I'm sure he's just as "nice" as the KKK members who are fond of his show. And as for his "working brain," I'm afraid that's a rather low bar to set. One could argue that even the most braindead Trump supporter has a "working brain" because they can still manage to breathe and talk.

Tucker Carlson is nothing more than a pompous blowhard who spews nonsense and propaganda on a daily basis, while most Democrats have at least a modicum of intelligence and respect for their fellow human beings.

As for your comment about Tucker being a nice guy with a working brain, let me remind you that even a broken clock is right twice a day. So, yes, even Tucker is capable of making a valid point once in a while. But that doesn't excuse the fact that he's a racist, sexist, xenophobic, fear-mongering demagogue who's more interested in appealing to the lowest common denominator than in engaging in thoughtful, nuanced discourse.

But hey, keep living in your delusional fantasy world where Tucker Carlson is a paragon of virtue and intellect. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to have another mindless drone in his cult of personality. Just don't expect anyone with half a brain to take you seriously.

[FunkyMonkee]

Sorry but, I like the TRUTH!! I know that's against your religion as it is with most stupid people.

[holdem4884]

Ah, the TRUTH according to Tucker Carlson, the Fox News commentator who has been known to peddle misinformation and conspiracy theories. It's not against my "religion" to seek truth, it's against my principles to blindly follow someone who has a history of spreading falsehoods. As for your self-proclaimed liking for the TRUTH, it seems more like an affinity for confirmation bias and a lack of critical thinking. But don't worry, you're in good company with the rest of the ignorant masses who prefer to live in their echo chambers.

[FunkyMonkee]

Oh! Sorry!! I forgot!! You don't know what the word, "truth" means! I hope it didn't hurt that little black-eyed pea you've got bouncing around in your head by reading that word! I know what a dirty word that is to you people!! Sorry if I offended! Basically, it's like a magazine subscription that only we smart people can get. You wouldn't know anything about that, though.

[holdem4884]

@FunkyMonkee Well, well, well, look at you attempting to use big words like "truth" and "magazine subscription." It's adorable that you think you have any clue what those words mean. Let me break it down for you, since you clearly have trouble keeping up with the big kids. The truth is something that's often elusive to those who lack basic cognitive function, which always seems to be the case for you.

How surprising? Another conservative who thinks they have special knowledge, making nonexistent connections and constantly breaking Occam's razor by seeking the most absurd explanations for any given event.

All spoon fed straight from the mouths of right wing psychopaths that can't speak without lying.

And as for magazine subscriptions, they're a little too complicated for your feeble mind to comprehend. Stick to your picture books, kiddo.

[FunkyMonkee]

I have quite the lexicon, thank you very little!

[SpaceGalaxy]

I can basically copy & paste what you have said about him and send it to you as my opinion. I totally agree with your take on him.

[PatriceONeal]

He's hilarious and serves the exact purpose he's planted there for. To get idiot demokkkrats aroused and active.

[holdem4884]

Ah, the classic "he's just a troll, bro!" defense. How convenient that when the absurdity and dangerous rhetoric of someone like Alex Jones or Tucker Carlson is called out, it's suddenly a joke or a prank. No, sir, these individuals are not comedians, they're not satirists. They're dangerous demagogues who spew vitriol, disinformation, and outright lies to manipulate people like you into supporting their toxic agendas.

And it's no surprise that you take pleasure in seeing those with different political views insulted and denigrated. After all, you have nothing of substance to contribute to the discussion, no actual arguments to make, no actual facts to cite. You're just another sad, insecure individual who derives a perverse sense of satisfaction from seeing others humiliated and degraded.

So go ahead, continue to laugh and cheer on the likes of Tucker Carlson. Revel in your own ignorance and hate, all while pretending to be some sort of above-it-all independent. Just know that history will not look kindly on those who enable and celebrate the rise of fascism and bigotry.

[PatriceONeal]

Yeah fox and cnn are owned by the same entity. You are a fucking retard for watching television still..

[PatriceONeal]

You can't compare right wing media to left wing media. It's actually hilarious that you are attempting to though. You sound absolutely foolish. Democrats are the purest form of degerenate evil in modern history. You push hormone blockers on children. Force your ideology into the state run school system. It's not even an argument. You are disgusting. That's it.

[holdem4884]

@patriceoneal Another far-right zealot spouting off about their political beliefs with all the subtlety of a wrecking ball. How predictable. And how truly laughable to suggest that one side of the media is "pure" evil, while the other is somehow saintly. You seem to forget that the news media is a business, and like all businesses, they are motivated by profit. To suggest that one side is more trustworthy than the other is to be delusional.

But let's take a closer look at your comments. Your ignorance is truly stunning. Are you seriously suggesting that hormone blockers are forced onto children? That's a complete and utter lie. They are only used to help transgender youth transition safely, under the supervision of medical professionals. And how can you possibly accuse the left of trying to push their ideology onto the school system when it is the right that is trying to force creationism into the curriculum? The hypocrisy is staggering.

As for your name-calling, it only serves to reveal your true character. Anyone who would call someone else a "degenerate evil" without provocation is nothing but a bully, pure and simple. Your attitude is a perfect example of what is wrong with politics today. Instead of trying to have a civil discussion and find common ground, you just resort to insults and name-calling. It's shameful.

[PatriceONeal]

The left is pure evil and the right just comparably look like saints. You really couldn't be worse as an ideology. Calling me a zealotlut is funny, saying we push creationism. Dumb. We push Evo bio. Saying the right Is mainly religious is lazy dated and wrong. Yes you push hormones on children. Even if you articulate it ad allowing the child to choose whatever blah blah wee woo bullshit. No you're child abusers and you're sick. Ypu also push CRT that convinces children to become more racist. You wouldn't know about that though becuase you are a surface level knowledge peice of shit normie.

All you do is name call and now you cry when you get it back. So typical of you weak women. Just stop talking and stop voting you are clearly inferior to men. You are the living embodiment of hypocrisy and ignorance. I have never met anyone so effectively brainwashed as you.

[holdem4884]

Your statement reeks of ignorance, bigotry, and sexism. You make baseless claims about the left being pure evil without any evidence to back it up.

Your comments on pushing Evo bio are laughable considering you couldn't even spell it properly. And the accusation that the left pushes CRT to make children more racist is a complete lie. CRT is an academic concept used to understand how race and racism intersect with law and power. It is not about making anyone more racist. It's collegiate level, not material a child can grasp

As for your misogynistic and sexist comments about women being inferior to men, it's appalling to see such archaic and backward views still exist in society. Your attitude towards women is not only offensive but harmful. It's people like you who hold society back from progressing towards a more equitable and just future.

[holdem4884]

Your laughable attempt to defend right-wing media is so feeble it's almost cute. It's obvious that your brain has been completely pickled by the poison that is conservative propaganda. You're so hopelessly deluded that you can't even recognize the difference between fact and fiction.

And as for your absurd claim that Democrats are the "purest form of degenerate evil in modern history," I can only assume that you're either a complete imbecile or a heartless bigot. Your lack of compassion for your fellow human beings is truly staggering.

But what really takes the cake is your baseless accusation that Democrats are "pushing hormone blockers on children" and "forcing their ideology into the state-run school system." That's such a ridiculous and nonsensical claim that I can only conclude that you must be completely divorced from reality.

It's time for you to grow up, put away your childish conspiracy theories, and start engaging with the real world. And while you're at it, try to develop a shred of empathy and compassion for those who hold different views from your own. It's not rocket science, but it does require a modicum of emotional intelligence - something that you seem to be sorely lacking.

[PatriceONeal]

The dogmatism of the left is probably the ugliest display I've seen from humans. The pontifications of this imbecile makes me want to jump off a cliff.

[goaded]

He's not stupid himself, he just encourages stupidity.

[goaded]

He does get the occasional thing right in private: "Trump, Carlson said, was a “demonic force” who was good at “destroying things. He’s the undisputed world champion of that. He could easily destroy us if we play it wrong.”"

[Texaskid1]

He gets paid millions of dollars a year to pretend he is angry.

[slatyb]

Another grifter preying on the disaffected.

[Fuentes]

I don't know he exposes and makes fun of the 🤡 🌎

[Agape93]

He is one stupid mother fucker lol

[call_me_scar]

Just another hack who values his wallet over you

[AngryCarl2]

Tucker is a Russian asset in my opinion.

[musicbrain5]

He's just another mouthpiece for Fox News.

[ShiftingMonke]

I think he's the Don Lemon of Fox News.

[gorydetails]

Lol, you care an awful lot about him.

[holdem4884]

I certainly care about the effect he has programming millions of people with complete misinformation and bigotry.

[gorydetails]

oh, misinformation and bigotry is your concern? We need to get rid of MSBNC, CNN and Biden if that's the standard.

[holdem4884]

Let me help you out given your dyslexia. You want to criticize MSNBC for being highly partisan. While I'm not a fan of FOX, CNN or MSNBC as none are consistently objective, comparing either to Tucker is like comparing a slightly burnt piece of toast to a pile of dog excrement.

You must be a MAGA supporter who is highly delusional or one of those "I'm an independent thinker" people who wouldn't know the truth if it hit you in the face.

CNN might not be perfect, but at least it's not a platform for baseless conspiracy theories, lies, and propaganda. Unlike Fox, CNN has actual journalists, reporters, and fact-checkers who strive for accuracy and impartiality in their reporting.

Fox has consistently promoted conspiracy theories, like claiming the election was stolen from Trump, promoted lies that Covid-19 is a hoax, and spread propaganda endlessly. Fox News is nothing more than an echo chamber for the most ignorant, uninformed, and misguided individuals in America.

CNN, on the other hand, has consistently reported on issues like climate change, systemic racism, police brutality, and other issues that are often ignored or downplayed by conservative media. Fox News, by contrast, has made a concerted effort to downplay or outright deny the existence of these issues, further entrenching their viewers in their conservative bubble.

So, no, CNN is not as bad as Fox News. In fact, it's not even close. Anyone who suggests otherwise is simply spouting the lies and propaganda of the Fox News machine, and should be pitied for their lack of critical thinking and independent thought.

[gorydetails]

That was excellent satire. Thank you for the laugh! I appreciate you not claiming "The View" was in-depth cultural discussions because that would have been too much and a dead giveaway you were bullshitting.

[Lliam]

So CNN (CIA) doesn't lie. That's a good one. Liberal ideologues are a crack up.

[holdem4884]

@Lliam CNN has far too much editorializing but as far as I'm aware it doesn't promote baseless conspiracy theories. Fox does that constantly.

Regardless, anyone who watches anything and thinks they're informed without reading widely from repudible and diverse sources is a fool.

[Lliam]

I totally agree with your last sentence. But CNN is part of the brainwashing conspiracy. It has zero credibility. None.

[holdem4884]

@Lliam I'm not interested in defending CNN but the notion that it is part of some "brainwashing conspiracy" is not only baseless drivel and indicative of a mind so insipid, so vacuous that it's truly astonishing that it could even formulate a sentence. One would need to be an utter ignoramus to believe that the vast, ever-changing landscape of journalism is all one big charade, concocted by some nefarious group of faceless overlords.

[OfDeath]

You summed up my thoughts beautifully.

[OddBeMe]

He’s the guy everyone wants to beat up.

[Guardian45]

Cucker Turdson NEEDS crucifixion!