Watching America at the moment is like watching a slow motion car crash. Horrifying but hypnotic in equal measure.
As if it wasn’t outrageous enough to fire the top-flight economist, with a decades-long career in public service, because her low jobs report numbers enraged him! Now he’s focusing on the Smithsonian and other museums, to conduct a ‘review‘ of their materials and how they operate.
And just like that, American history will be selectively filtered/erased, and especially any exhibit/record that portrays him in a negative light. Museums are about to be ordered to only show exhibits that reflect his version of what he calls ‘American exceptionalism’.
George Orwell, 1984 ~ “Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.”
Fluffy said
Aug 13 6:33 PM, 2025
Vam wrote:
Barksdale wrote:
Watching America at the moment is like watching a slow motion car crash. Horrifying but hypnotic in equal measure.
As if it wasn’t outrageous enough to fire the top-flight economist, with a decades-long career in public service, because her low jobs report numbers enraged him! Now he’s focusing on the Smithsonian and other museums, to conduct a ‘review‘ of their materials and how they operate.
And just like that, American history will be selectively filtered/erased, and especially any exhibit/record that portrays him in a negative light. Museums are about to be ordered to only show exhibits that reflect his version of what he calls ‘American exceptionalism’.
George Orwell, 1984 ~ “Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.”
Wow, that Orwell quote packs a punch the way America is at the moment.
I also wonder how many people really regret voting for Trump. The price of accommodation and food has sky rocketed. There are countless YouTube videos with people saying they simply can't afford to make ends meet, yet they work full time 6 day weeks.
But Trump would have everybody believe America is the most prosperous it has ever been..
-- Edited by Fluffy on Wednesday 13th of August 2025 06:40:01 PM
Fluffy said
Aug 13 6:38 PM, 2025
Why does Trump blame the Ukraine President for Russia invading them?? He really is stark raving mad. Putin wants to divide Europe and America, he is so happy to be welcomed on American soil and seeing Trump.
Zelenskyy must want to punch the pair of them watching these two chum up not knowing what's going on whilst it's HIS country being bombed. I don't trust Putin one bit (although that goes without saying) and he will find a way to flatter or charm Trump.for his aims.
-- Edited by Fluffy on Wednesday 13th of August 2025 07:02:40 PM
Fluffy said
Aug 13 7:00 PM, 2025
Barksdale wrote:
Syl wrote:
Why not simply make a counter ad with a black big arsed woman, wearing a different brand of tight fitting jeans, and point out she has good genes too?
Beyonce already fronts a campaign for Levis from 2024.
The reason some people got their knickers in a twist about the Sydney Sweeney ad is that that Nazis thought blue eyed, blond haired, white skinned Aryans were the master race and superior on a genetic level.
So, the ad featuring Sydney Sweeney saying how good her genes were made some people put 2 and 2 together to make 5 and shout "Nazi!"
Incidentally if we ever needed a lesson which shows that beauty standards are not objective but socially conditioned the junk in the trunk look being highly desirable must be it. We went from "does my bum look big in this" to "does my bum look small in this" in only a few decades.
This may not be a popular take but I disagree. Some black ladies may have genuinely thought so because the words hit differently but some white women just saw an opportunity to aim their wrath at an easy target. Some women just don't like ladies who appeal to the male gaze and use their sexuality the way Sweeney does.
But since they can't just have a go at her for being a hot woman I feel the Nazi stuff gave ladies a socially acceptable way to have a go at her. I don't believe white women are so daft to think the advert was honestly "Nazi propaganda" This is why I'm not on social media except YouTube because it just seems like eternal judgement to me, aimed at women in particular.
Are the moral majority unhappy about the David Beckham adverts where he is walking around naked after his shower? Women certainly aren't! There are no complaints from me either but I digress. If a woman was portrayed like that in an advert women would be saying it was too sexual and not suitable for children to see etc etc..But there won't be an advert with a woman using her sexuality to that degree..Because advertisers know there is a double standard and female viewers get threatened in a way men don't.
Syl said
Aug 13 7:17 PM, 2025
What I don't understand about all the furore about Sydney Sweeney ad is...why is the model/actress getting all the stick?
Surely she is just the girl in the ad, who looks good promoting the jeans.
If anyone wants to get all in a lather about the 'good genes' line, should they not be complaining to the jeans company who commissioned the advert?
Having said that, I bet SS is laughing all the way to the bank now, I, for one, had never heard of her before her name cropped up on here.
Fluffy said
Aug 13 8:32 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
What I don't understand about all the furore about Sydney Sweeney ad is...why is the model/actress getting all the stick? Surely she is just the girl in the ad, who looks good promoting the jeans.
If anyone wants to get all in a lather about the 'good genes' line, should they not be complaining to the jeans company who commissioned the advert?
Having said that, I bet SS is laughing all the way to the bank now, I, for one, had never heard of her before her name cropped up on here.
That's my point Syl, the hate and vitriol is all aimed at the actress because she conforms to a socially conventional standard of beauty. Which is totally unfair because Beyonce (who is ridiculously attractive) always uses her sexuality including in her Levi's adverts.
II didn't know much about her except she also sells a shower gel for men which er, supposedly has her bath water in it. It doesnt (I hope!! ) but this is the reason she is getting grief, because she has used her sexuality for profit before. She also plays promiscuous women in her acting roles. One is a very popular American series called "Euphoria" for Gen Z and I knew of it but never watched it.
This is why I think some (but not all) of her detractors are just jumping on.the bandwagon because they don't like her anyway. If that's their opinion though they should say the real reason ,that they don't "approve " of her(and are maybe a little jealous). But if course no young woman wants to admit they are jealous so they are joining in.insulting her pretending they think she is a racist.
I have seen people shouting and hurling abuse at her, one person even spitting at her as she dashed into one event flanked by bodyguards. It's not on.
Syl said
Aug 13 10:54 PM, 2025
It seems to be a huge fuss about nothing.
When something like this grabs the news and escalates, I wonder if something unconnected is happening beh8nd the scenes, and this is just a del8berate distraction.
Either that, or some people are so bored they are looking for things to be offended by.
Vam said
Aug 14 8:28 AM, 2025
Syl wrote:
It seems to be a huge fuss about nothing. When something like this grabs the news and escalates, I wonder if something unconnected is happening beh8nd the scenes, and this is just a del8berate distraction. Either that, or some people are so bored they are looking for things to be offended by.
🎯 👏🏻👏🏻 Bingo! A distraction from the Epstein files.
It’s been another headline-grabbing manufactured ‘crisis’ - just like the pantomime of US troops patrolling the streets of America, and the photo op and tactical ‘win’ trump is about to give his war criminal buddy tomorrow, by hosting him on American soil.
The desperation to distract from Epstein has been so obvious, because whatever’s in those files must be horrific…..
-- Edited by Vam on Thursday 14th of August 2025 08:47:57 AM
Vam said
Aug 14 8:45 AM, 2025
Fluffy wrote:
Why does Trump blame the Ukraine President for Russia invading them?? He really is stark raving mad. Putin wants to divide Europe and America, he is so happy to be welcomed on American soil and seeing Trump.
Zelenskyy must want to punch the pair of them watching these two chum up not knowing what's going on whilst it's HIS country being bombed. I don't trust Putin one bit (although that goes without saying) and he will find a way to flatter or charm Trump.for his aims.
-- Edited by Fluffy on Wednesday 13th of August 2025 07:02:40 PM
Glad it‘s not just me who seems pretty clued-up on what’s been going on in Trumplandia, Fluffs
You’re right in what you’re saying, and I’ll respond by asking a couple of questions?
Do you imagine all the gory details of the Epstein files are ONLY being held by trump’s FBI and Department of Justice? How about the Intelligence agencies at the Kremlin in Russia, or Mossad in Israel?
Maddog said
Aug 14 6:36 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
What I don't understand about all the furore about Sydney Sweeney ad is...why is the model/actress getting all the stick? Surely she is just the girl in the ad, who looks good promoting the jeans.
If anyone wants to get all in a lather about the 'good genes' line, should they not be complaining to the jeans company who commissioned the advert?
Having said that, I bet SS is laughing all the way to the bank now, I, for one, had never heard of her before her name cropped up on here.
The last video I saw of her showed her pretty distraught.
She didn't ask for this nonsense. I'm sure she thought the reaction would be like Beyonces.
Boy was she wrong..
Syl said
Aug 14 7:22 PM, 2025
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
What I don't understand about all the furore about Sydney Sweeney ad is...why is the model/actress getting all the stick? Surely she is just the girl in the ad, who looks good promoting the jeans.
If anyone wants to get all in a lather about the 'good genes' line, should they not be complaining to the jeans company who commissioned the advert?
Having said that, I bet SS is laughing all the way to the bank now, I, for one, had never heard of her before her name cropped up on here.
The last video I saw of her showed her pretty distraught.
She didn't ask for this nonsense. I'm sure she thought the reaction would be like Beyonces.
Boy was she wrong..
It's ridiculous. The model simply models and says the words she is told to say. Unless this Sydney Sweeney causes controversy by the things she says or does when she is not working, I have no idea why her starring in a jeans commercial has caused her so much fuss.
Anonymous said
Aug 14 8:42 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
What I don't understand about all the furore about Sydney Sweeney ad is...why is the model/actress getting all the stick? Surely she is just the girl in the ad, who looks good promoting the jeans.
If anyone wants to get all in a lather about the 'good genes' line, should they not be complaining to the jeans company who commissioned the advert?
Having said that, I bet SS is laughing all the way to the bank now, I, for one, had never heard of her before her name cropped up on here.
The last video I saw of her showed her pretty distraught.
She didn't ask for this nonsense. I'm sure she thought the reaction would be like Beyonces.
Boy was she wrong..
It's ridiculous. The model simply models and says the words she is told to say. Unless this Sydney Sweeney causes controversy by the things she says or does when she is not working, I have no idea why her starring in a jeans commercial has caused her so much fuss.
There’s always someone waiting to complain…PoC, obese, trans…you name it. Helen Mirren could have modelled them and there probably would have been complaints about her age, being British…
Some simply complain because they can and have nothing else in their life.
Maddog said
Aug 14 11:34 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
What I don't understand about all the furore about Sydney Sweeney ad is...why is the model/actress getting all the stick? Surely she is just the girl in the ad, who looks good promoting the jeans.
If anyone wants to get all in a lather about the 'good genes' line, should they not be complaining to the jeans company who commissioned the advert?
Having said that, I bet SS is laughing all the way to the bank now, I, for one, had never heard of her before her name cropped up on here.
The last video I saw of her showed her pretty distraught.
She didn't ask for this nonsense. I'm sure she thought the reaction would be like Beyonces.
Boy was she wrong..
It's ridiculous. The model simply models and says the words she is told to say. Unless this Sydney Sweeney causes controversy by the things she says or does when she is not working, I have no idea why her starring in a jeans commercial has caused her so much fuss.
Because they saw a blonde haired blue eyed girl mention "genes" and basically anything right of center is a Nazi over here.
It's why the Orange guy won.
We do have sensible people on the left begging the blue hairs to stop this nonsense.
Maddog said
Aug 14 11:46 PM, 2025
These are two very progressive lefties (like Bernie supporters), especially Cenk..
They get it, but 1/3 of their audience had an issue with the commercial..🤷
Syl said
Aug 15 12:01 AM, 2025
I doubt if that ad had been made here, anyone would have interpreted the play on words to be in any way racist.
It's pathetic.
Vam said
Aug 15 12:02 AM, 2025
Syl wrote:
It's ridiculous. The model simply models and says the words she is told to say. Unless this Sydney Sweeney causes controversy by the things she says or does when she is not working, I have no idea why her starring in a jeans commercial has caused her so much fuss.
But again, here’s the thing. Apart from some initial grumbling (in passing) from the far Left when the ad first broke, as far I can tell, no one is still whining about the issue. No one actually GAF about Sydney Sweeney, let alone still obsessing about her!
Fox News - or should I say Faux News - took its cue from trump and blew the whole thing out of all proportion. And then Right Wing social media platforms/podcasters got in on the act, and dragged the whole thing out even further. It should have simply been a one-and-done headline, lasting less than 24 hours in the news cycle.
As I said, imo, it’s just another manufactured ‘crisis’. They’re great at waving shiny new things for us to focus on
-- Edited by Vam on Friday 15th of August 2025 12:25:41 AM
Maddog said
Aug 15 1:04 AM, 2025
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
It's ridiculous. The model simply models and says the words she is told to say. Unless this Sydney Sweeney causes controversy by the things she says or does when she is not working, I have no idea why her starring in a jeans commercial has caused her so much fuss.
But again, here’s the thing. Apart from some initial grumbling (in passing) from the far Left when the ad first broke, as far I can tell, no one is still whining about the issue. No one actually GAF about Sydney Sweeney, let alone still obsessing about her!
Fox News - or should I say Faux News - took its cue from trump and blew the whole thing out of all proportion. And then Right Wing social media platforms/podcasters got in on the act, and dragged the whole thing out even further. It should have simply been a one-and-done headline, lasting less than 24 hours in the news cycle.
As I said, imo, it’s just another manufactured ‘crisis’. They’re great at waving shiny new things for us to focus on
-- Edited by Vam on Friday 15th of August 2025 12:25:41 AM
Huffington Post alone had a dozen stories.
For days..
The loud mouth lefties can't shut their mouths about dumb shit like this long enough for it to go away.
Maddog said
Aug 15 1:07 AM, 2025
Syl wrote:
I doubt if that ad had been made here, anyone would have interpreted the play on words to be in any way racist. It's pathetic.
This is where we are now..
Every damn thing has to be politicized and those of us who are tired of it are being drowned out by the two warring tribes..
Maddog said
Aug 15 1:14 AM, 2025
"The dog-whistle of eugenics is clearly present in the American Eagle ad — and it hits different as white supremacist movements are on the rise right now. There’s been an onslaught of articles this week from right-leaning organizations such as Fox News that insist there is nothing wrong with the ad, even going so far as to accuse those of us with media literacy and a basic understanding of U.S. and world history of being too sensitive, too “woke,” and that we’re somehow reaching.
^^From the Huffington Post. It was everywhere because ignorant people were loudly carrying on with bullshit like this.
Zero help was needed from the right, not that they didn't make sure everyone was exposed to the rampant stupidity.
Barksdale said
Aug 15 6:44 PM, 2025
Vam wrote:
But again, here’s the thing. Apart from some initial grumbling (in passing) from the far Left when the ad first broke, as far I can tell, no one is still whining about the issue. No one actually GAF about Sydney Sweeney, let alone still obsessing about her!
Fox News - or should I say Faux News - took its cue from trump and blew the whole thing out of all proportion. And then Right Wing social media platforms/podcasters got in on the act, and dragged the whole thing out even further. It should have simply been a one-and-done headline, lasting less than 24 hours in the news cycle.
As I said, imo, it’s just another manufactured ‘crisis’. They’re great at waving shiny new things for us to focus on
"In reality, most progressives weren’t worked up much at all. Criticism of the ad campaign had come almost entirely from a smattering of accounts with relatively few followers, according to an analysis of social media data by The New York Times. Conversation about the ad did not escalate online or in traditional media until days later, after right-leaning influencers, broadcasters and politicians began criticizing what they described as a wave of progressive outrage."
So, it looks like their was some initial outrage which got amplified by right wing accounts like Charlie Kirk and LibsofTikTok, which feed into a cycle of every growing outrage.
So, the important thing we learn from the Sydney Sweeney story is where in the hell are the Epstein files?
Personally, I think it's inconceivable that the marketing team at AE or Sydney Sweeney's team didn't appreciate they were playing with fire with their messaging. I think it was deliberate as they guessed it would be highly attention grabbing and so the campaign could go viral.
It's a weird move from Sydney Sweeney though. She made her name with shows like Euphoria which have a highly diverse, younger audience which will make up her fan base. If she wants to be Miss Americana then she must know she has the potential to alienate a significant portion of her fan base.
And just like that, American history will be selectively filtered/erased, and especially any exhibit/record that portrays him in a negative light. Museums are about to be ordered to only show exhibits that reflect his version of what he calls ‘American exceptionalism’.
George Orwell, 1984 ~ “Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.”
Wow, that Orwell quote packs a punch the way America is at the moment.
I also wonder how many people really regret voting for Trump. The price of accommodation and food has sky rocketed. There are countless YouTube videos with people saying they simply can't afford to make ends meet, yet they work full time 6 day weeks.
But Trump would have everybody believe America is the most prosperous it has ever been..
-- Edited by Fluffy on Wednesday 13th of August 2025 06:40:01 PM
Why does Trump blame the Ukraine President for Russia invading them??
He really is stark raving mad.
Putin wants to divide Europe and America, he is so happy to be welcomed on American soil and seeing Trump.
Zelenskyy must want to punch the pair of them watching these two chum up not knowing what's going on whilst it's HIS country being bombed. I don't trust Putin one bit (although that goes without saying) and he will find a way to flatter or charm Trump.for his aims.
-- Edited by Fluffy on Wednesday 13th of August 2025 07:02:40 PM
This may not be a popular take but I disagree. Some black ladies may have genuinely thought so because the words hit differently but some white women just saw an opportunity to aim their wrath at an easy target. Some women just don't like ladies who appeal to the male gaze and use their sexuality the way Sweeney does.
But since they can't just have a go at her for being a hot woman I feel the Nazi stuff gave ladies a socially acceptable way to have a go at her. I don't believe white women are so daft to think the advert was honestly "Nazi propaganda"
This is why I'm not on social media except YouTube because it just seems like eternal judgement to me, aimed at women in particular.
Are the moral majority unhappy about the David Beckham adverts where he is walking around naked after his shower?
Women certainly aren't! There are no complaints from me either but I digress. If a woman was portrayed like that in an advert women would be saying it was too sexual and not suitable for children to see etc etc..But there won't be an advert with a woman using her sexuality to that degree..Because advertisers know there is a double standard and female viewers get threatened in a way men don't.
Surely she is just the girl in the ad, who looks good promoting the jeans.
If anyone wants to get all in a lather about the 'good genes' line, should they not be complaining to the jeans company who commissioned the advert?
Having said that, I bet SS is laughing all the way to the bank now, I, for one, had never heard of her before her name cropped up on here.
That's my point Syl, the hate and vitriol is all aimed at the actress because she conforms to a socially conventional standard of beauty. Which is totally unfair because Beyonce (who is ridiculously attractive) always uses her sexuality including in her Levi's adverts.
II didn't know much about her except she also sells a shower gel for men which er, supposedly has her bath water in it. It doesnt (I hope!!
) but this is the reason she is getting grief, because she has used her sexuality for profit before. She also plays promiscuous women in her acting roles. One is a very popular American series called "Euphoria" for Gen Z and I knew of it but never watched it.
This is why I think some (but not all) of her detractors are just jumping on.the bandwagon because they don't like her anyway. If that's their opinion though they should say the real reason ,that they don't "approve " of her(and are maybe a little jealous). But if course no young woman wants to admit they are jealous so they are joining in.insulting her pretending they think she is a racist.
I have seen people shouting and hurling abuse at her, one person even spitting at her
as she dashed into one event flanked by bodyguards. It's not on.
When something like this grabs the news and escalates, I wonder if something unconnected is happening beh8nd the scenes, and this is just a del8berate distraction.
Either that, or some people are so bored they are looking for things to be offended by.
🎯 👏🏻👏🏻 Bingo! A distraction from the Epstein files.
It’s been another headline-grabbing manufactured ‘crisis’ - just like the pantomime of US troops patrolling the streets of America, and the photo op and tactical ‘win’ trump is about to give his war criminal buddy tomorrow, by hosting him on American soil.
The desperation to distract from Epstein has been so obvious, because whatever’s in those files must be horrific…..
-- Edited by Vam on Thursday 14th of August 2025 08:47:57 AM
Glad it‘s not just me who seems pretty clued-up on what’s been going on in Trumplandia, Fluffs
You’re right in what you’re saying, and I’ll respond by asking a couple of questions?
Do you imagine all the gory details of the Epstein files are ONLY being held by trump’s FBI and Department of Justice? How about the Intelligence agencies at the Kremlin in Russia, or Mossad in Israel?
The last video I saw of her showed her pretty distraught.
She didn't ask for this nonsense. I'm sure she thought the reaction would be like Beyonces.
Boy was she wrong..
It's ridiculous. The model simply models and says the words she is told to say. Unless this Sydney Sweeney causes controversy by the things she says or does when she is not working, I have no idea why her starring in a jeans commercial has caused her so much fuss.
There’s always someone waiting to complain…PoC, obese, trans…you name it. Helen Mirren could have modelled them and there probably would have been complaints about her age, being British…
Some simply complain because they can and have nothing else in their life.
Because they saw a blonde haired blue eyed girl mention "genes" and basically anything right of center is a Nazi over here.
It's why the Orange guy won.
We do have sensible people on the left begging the blue hairs to stop this nonsense.
These are two very progressive lefties (like Bernie supporters), especially Cenk..
They get it, but 1/3 of their audience had an issue with the commercial..🤷
It's pathetic.
But again, here’s the thing. Apart from some initial grumbling (in passing) from the far Left when the ad first broke, as far I can tell, no one is still whining about the issue. No one actually GAF about Sydney Sweeney, let alone still obsessing about her!
Fox News - or should I say Faux News - took its cue from trump and blew the whole thing out of all proportion. And then Right Wing social media platforms/podcasters got in on the act, and dragged the whole thing out even further. It should have simply been a one-and-done headline, lasting less than 24 hours in the news cycle.
As I said, imo, it’s just another manufactured ‘crisis’. They’re great at waving shiny new things for us to focus on
-- Edited by Vam on Friday 15th of August 2025 12:25:41 AM
Huffington Post alone had a dozen stories.
For days..
The loud mouth lefties can't shut their mouths about dumb shit like this long enough for it to go away.
This is where we are now..
Every damn thing has to be politicized and those of us who are tired of it are being drowned out by the two warring tribes..
^^From the Huffington Post. It was everywhere because ignorant people were loudly carrying on with bullshit like this.
Zero help was needed from the right, not that they didn't make sure everyone was exposed to the rampant stupidity.
"In reality, most progressives weren’t worked up much at all. Criticism of the ad campaign had come almost entirely from a smattering of accounts with relatively few followers, according to an analysis of social media data by The New York Times. Conversation about the ad did not escalate online or in traditional media until days later, after right-leaning influencers, broadcasters and politicians began criticizing what they described as a wave of progressive outrage."
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/business/sydney-sweeney-ad-right-wing-media.html
So, it looks like their was some initial outrage which got amplified by right wing accounts like Charlie Kirk and LibsofTikTok, which feed into a cycle of every growing outrage.
So, the important thing we learn from the Sydney Sweeney story is where in the hell are the Epstein files?
Personally, I think it's inconceivable that the marketing team at AE or Sydney Sweeney's team didn't appreciate they were playing with fire with their messaging. I think it was deliberate as they guessed it would be highly attention grabbing and so the campaign could go viral.
It's a weird move from Sydney Sweeney though. She made her name with shows like Euphoria which have a highly diverse, younger audience which will make up her fan base. If she wants to be Miss Americana then she must know she has the potential to alienate a significant portion of her fan base.