**** this Govt.

[IndySteel]

Let's put it to the test, and see if I get *precisely what I beg for.* Until you remove your ludicrous signature that I *support Antifa & Hitler,* I will never post here again. It's an outright embarassment to have you, of all people, as a mod on this board, carry a tagline like that, publicly slandering me in your profile. That's f*cked up, dude. So how 'bout we start with this, to see if we can be more civil around here?

You fu cking LOVE Antifa. Everyone remembers you calling those terrorists patriots. I don’t care enough to search for it but you said something akin to them being like our soldiers at Normandy. You are communist scum and you can’t hide from it no matter how much you lie. **** you, ************* libtard.

 

[Djfan]

You fu cking LOVE Antifa. Everyone remembers you calling those terrorists patriots. I don’t care enough to search for it but you said something akin to them being like our soldiers at Normandy. You are communist scum and you can’t hide from it no matter how much you lie. **** you, ************* libtard.

Again, I am pretty sure that he says stuff to get people all riled up. This may be one of those issues.

 

[IndySteel]

Again, I am pretty sure that he says stuff to get people all riled up. This may be one of those issues.

It’s who he is. All he does is jack off, with guidance from Jizzer, about the demise of America. And make coffee for Confluence.

 

[Steelr4evr]

 

[ZonaBurgh]

I think the issue most here have is your steadfast hatred (too strong a term?) of Trump. While I agree that he is an egotistical blowhard, the country, in my opinion, was better off than we currently are under Biden, a man clearly not physically or mentally capable of holding office.

When you have this, combined with the major television networks (ABC, CBS and NBC) clearly in the Democrats corner, as demonstrated by their coverage and sometimes lack of coverage of the news, things will get heated.

I asked a question that was never answered, do you believe burning down a courthouse in Portland was less than, equal to or worse than what happened on January 6th? If you listen to the above aforementioned media January 6th was the worst day in history, but of course it wasn't. What it does show is how divided this country is along political lines that no one tries to hide anymore. While Trump maybe guilty of certain things, there is absolutely no question in my mind that he is being railroaded politically for the sole purpose of crushing him. In a Democracy what should of occurred is nothing, no charges, no indictments and allow Trump to put his foot in his mouth and fail naturally, but the left, in my opinion, are a vindictive bunch.

 

[Djfan]

Good share, Tibs. That is not How I have dealt with you, so I will move on from what you said.

Good family background. My family has a similar story, but that is for later. I have NEVER used any racial or ethnic comment on you.

My complaint is that you often are not willing to concede things that seem rational to concede. You also often don't seem to interpret or filter info given on the major news agencies. Certainly, there are points you can agree with, etc. But, not doing that has eroded your reputation, IMO. I would recommend that when you have a point that is not important or is easy to concede, that you do.

As an example, it is simply outrageous that someone will see the witch hunt against Trump by the political machine, that they will not acknowledge that he is a target of the insiders. Even if he did something illegal, the shear numbers of the attacks or charges shows their bias. It is clear. Another is that there have been actions by many democrats or those labeled as RINOs that have not been tried or had charges filed, yet that seems to not be an issue for you.

Are you willing to admit these things, and uphold such stances going forward?

Here's my take on Trump or Obama or Biden, etc. - if they have broken the law, string them up. Clearly this has not been done in the case of the the Clintons, and many others. Does that bother you? You would gain more credibility if you did, and hopefully the petty stuff will stop or slow down. It will never stop completely, as some folks are just that way. So what.

 

[IndySteel]

Fact of the matter is, the Steelers brought me to this board many moons ago. This will always remain a Steelers board for me, though this Politics side has dominated my time here. At the early onset of non-fooball discussion, I remember having great arguments - sometimes heated - about the Gulf War, and the Bush/Clinton years. Things started going south under Obama... then all hell broke loose during Trump.

Probably the weirdest thing to grasp, is the difficulty so many of you have with the fact I live and work across the pond. As if somehow, with a magic wand, that would keep me from discussing American sports, culture, music, or politics. It's really, really weird, how much of a hangup it has become for several of you. The insults hurled at me for being a *Hungarian* is icing on the cake. You think I'm not proud of my heritage? It's like insulting an Italian-American, Jamaican-American, or Irish-American, for their heritage and ancestry.

Yes, after finishing my degree in CA, I moved to Europe - as an American - played professional ball for a few years, taught English, got a job with a company doing privatization work for USAID, then founded & managed several companies over the past few decades, working with, and for, American investors and businessmen. The entire time, spreading American goodwill, and hopefully, a dash of the Protestant work ethic, the American can-do attitude so sorely missing in this part of the world. I'm a member of AmCham, a long-time supporter of the US Marines stationed here, interact with American diplomats, businessmen, educators, and many friends, on the daily.

So I come to this Steelers messageboard and I'm derided as some loser Hungarian... who knows nothing about the States. It's laughable. Some of you treat me like utter garbage. Like some foreign *sshole who has no say, or view, or insight, into what is happening stateside, or anywhere else in the world. I am no better than any of you, but the fact many here use this *Hungarian* label for me is straight up xenophobic, reactionary, and more than anything, beyond rude.

There are some here who seem to honestly want to engage and debate, yet stay silent as I'm constantly dragged through the mud. Then, you get offended and dismayed that I don't take sh*t from anybody, and stand my ground. So what is it going to be? We're going to dig into each other's cultural heritage? Take pot shots at all the folks with Mexican, Irish, African, German, Italian roots here? Is that a normal, healthy environment? Certainly seems that's how this SN board works, doesn't seem to bother anyone.

Yes, I am of Hungarian nationality... going back millenia. I am very proud of what my ancestors achieved here on the continent, as well as stateside. My great-grandfather was a county judge and politician, who saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish Hungarians and Slovakians as the country was overrun by Nazis. There's a statue in his honor standing in the village he was born in. One of my uncles was a math professor, published writer, school principal who was hounded by the Soviets. Became part of the first democratically elected government here in the early 90s, helped transition to democracy and the free market.

Our American heritage began when my dad and my uncle fled Hungary fighting the Soviets in the 1956 Revolution. My grandfather died when a Soviet tank shell ripped through his apartment in Budapest. After a short-lived, ill-fated stand against the communist regime, my dad & uncle - facing arrest warrants - escaped to Austria, then boarded a US Navy vessel to NY as refugees. My father ended up in Ohio, washed dishes at the Red Cross, put himself through school. A few years later, my mom joined him, they moved to San Francisco, he became a theater actor. He then turned to his faith, became an ordained minister, serving large congregations in Los Angeles and Cleveland for nearly thirty years. My mother was a choir director and concert pianist, who taught music theory at several universities in CA and OH. While in northern California, both of my parents taught at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, working with foreign service & military officers. My uncle settled in Boston, became a prominent architect, designing among others, the Tokyo Zoo. A relative on my dad's side is Rudolf Kalman, who developed the Kalman filter, used in navigation systems, including military missiles, GPS, and the moon landing. He received a National Medal of Science in 2009. My older brother has been VP of a Fortune 500 insurance company in Texas for two decades.

My 24-year-old son moved to TX in 2020. He's lived and worked throughout the States past few years, latched onto an event organizing company, worked his way up in no time. He's living the American dream. As a foreign-born American citizen, he parachuted into the country and has made the most of it. Worked the Super Bowl, went on the Coldplay tour, and dozens of festivals & events around the country, eg Bonnaroo, Electric Forest & NASCAR, from coast to coast. He's currently deliberating moving to Chicago, or staying in Austin and taking a full-time job with SXSW. I couldn't be more proud of him.

I am entirely proud, humbled and grateful to be an American. A Hungarian-American. None of you will ever take that away from me, no matter how hard you try to label me, diminish me, ridicule me as a foreigner, someone who doesn't belong, shouldn't be discussing American politics. It's laughable, but also deeply insulting, considering how long it's gone on.

There are millions of Americans living and working abroad, from the Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America and all throughout Europe. Millions of Americans who love their country, stay connected and actively engage with their homeland, across the globe. I happen to be one of them. Sure, I also happen to be politically centrist/left-leaning, much to your chagrin. Those are my political views. Why attack my character, or my allegiances to America, the country I love and cherish, where I was born and raised? How is that not deeply insulting, for anyone?

It's the primary reason why I've become antagonistic and hostile in my interactions. Its not a democrat/liberal vs republican/conservative issue. I can take that. The personal attacks, are beyond unacceptable. I think you all know that, deep down, but thought I'd type it out anyway. And yes, *my* personal attacks against many of you, is also unacceptable. I lash out & react, belittle your political views. But not your heritage; nor do I question anyone's loyalty or patriotism to America. That's the red line many here cross on the daily. In the end, my presence here accomplishes little more than creating constant animosity with the majority of you on this board. That's not a good thing. I am as much to blame as anyone.

And not even one of those Hungaritard woe is me sentences addressed your years of spouting pro-communist bullshit. You don’t even dispute that you are a progressive commie. Because you can’t. The proof is in your posts. The track record speaks for itself.

 

[IndySteel]

Go get Con a double espresso. And wear your N-95 and latex gloves while you do it so he doesn’t get the AIDS.

 

[Confluence]

Fact of the matter is, the Steelers brought me to this board many moons ago. This will always remain a Steelers board for me, though this Politics side has dominated my time here. At the early onset of non-fooball discussion, I remember having great arguments - sometimes heated - about the Gulf War, and the Bush/Clinton years. Things started going south under Obama... then all hell broke loose during Trump.

Probably the weirdest thing to grasp, is the difficulty so many of you have with the fact I live and work across the pond. As if somehow, with a magic wand, that would keep me from discussing American sports, culture, music, or politics. It's really, really weird, how much of a hangup it has become for several of you. The insults hurled at me for being a *Hungarian* is icing on the cake. You think I'm not proud of my heritage? It's like insulting an Italian-American, Jamaican-American, or Irish-American, for their heritage and ancestry.

Yes, after finishing my degree in CA, I moved to Europe - as an American - played professional ball for a few years, taught English, got a job with a company doing privatization work for USAID, then founded & managed several companies over the past few decades, working with, and for, American investors and businessmen. The entire time, spreading American goodwill, and hopefully, a dash of the Protestant work ethic, the American can-do attitude so sorely missing in this part of the world. I'm a member of AmCham, a long-time supporter of the US Marines stationed here, interact with American diplomats, businessmen, educators, and many friends, on the daily.

So I come to this Steelers messageboard and I'm derided as some loser Hungarian... who knows nothing about the States. It's laughable. Some of you treat me like utter garbage. Like some foreign *sshole who has no say, or view, or insight, into what is happening stateside, or anywhere else in the world. I am no better than any of you, but the fact many here use this *Hungarian* label for me is straight up xenophobic, reactionary, and more than anything, beyond rude.

There are some here who seem to honestly want to engage and debate, yet stay silent as I'm constantly dragged through the mud. Then, you get offended and dismayed that I don't take sh*t from anybody, and stand my ground. So what is it going to be? We're going to dig into each other's cultural heritage? Take pot shots at all the folks with Mexican, Irish, African, German, Italian roots here? Is that a normal, healthy environment? Certainly seems that's how this SN board works, doesn't seem to bother anyone.

Yes, I am of Hungarian nationality... going back millenia. I am very proud of what my ancestors achieved here on the continent, as well as stateside. My great-grandfather was a county judge and politician, who saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish Hungarians and Slovakians as the country was overrun by Nazis. There's a statue in his honor standing in the village he was born in. One of my uncles was a math professor, published writer, school principal who was hounded by the Soviets. Became part of the first democratically elected government here in the early 90s, helped transition to democracy and the free market.

Our American heritage began when my dad and my uncle fled Hungary fighting the Soviets in the 1956 Revolution. My grandfather died when a Soviet tank shell ripped through his apartment in Budapest. After a short-lived, ill-fated stand against the communist regime, my dad & uncle - facing arrest warrants - escaped to Austria, then boarded a US Navy vessel to NY as refugees. My father ended up in Ohio, washed dishes at the Red Cross, put himself through school. A few years later, my mom joined him, they moved to San Francisco, he became a theater actor. He then turned to his faith, became an ordained minister, serving large congregations in Los Angeles and Cleveland for nearly thirty years. My mother was a choir director and concert pianist, who taught music theory at several universities in CA and OH. While in northern California, both of my parents taught at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, working with foreign service & military officers. My uncle settled in Boston, became a prominent architect, designing among others, the Tokyo Zoo. A relative on my dad's side is Rudolf Kalman, who developed the Kalman filter, used in navigation systems, including military missiles, GPS, and the moon landing. He received a National Medal of Science in 2009. My older brother has been VP of a Fortune 500 insurance company in Texas for two decades.

My 24-year-old son moved to TX in 2020. He's lived and worked throughout the States past few years, latched onto an event organizing company, worked his way up in no time. He's living the American dream. As a foreign-born American citizen, he parachuted into the country and has made the most of it. Worked the Super Bowl, went on the Coldplay tour, and dozens of festivals & events around the country, eg Bonnaroo, Electric Forest & NASCAR, from coast to coast. He's currently deliberating moving to Chicago, or staying in Austin and taking a full-time job with SXSW. I couldn't be more proud of him.

I am entirely proud, humbled and grateful to be an American. A Hungarian-American. None of you will ever take that away from me, no matter how hard you try to label me, diminish me, ridicule me as a foreigner, someone who doesn't belong, shouldn't be discussing American politics. It's laughable, but also deeply insulting, considering how long it's gone on.

There are millions of Americans living and working abroad, from the Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America and all throughout Europe. Millions of Americans who love their country, stay connected and actively engage with their homeland, across the globe. I happen to be one of them. Sure, I also happen to be politically centrist/left-leaning, much to your chagrin. Those are my political views. Why attack my character, or my allegiances to America, the country I love and cherish, where I was born and raised? How is that not deeply insulting, for anyone?

It's the primary reason why I've become antagonistic and hostile in my interactions. Its not a democrat/liberal vs republican/conservative issue. I can take that. The personal attacks, are beyond unacceptable. I think you all know that, deep down, but thought I'd type it out anyway. And yes, *my* personal attacks against many of you, is also unacceptable. I lash out & react, belittle your political views. But not your heritage; nor do I question anyone's loyalty or patriotism to America. That's the red line many here cross on the daily. In the end, my presence here accomplishes little more than creating constant animosity with the majority of you on this board. That's not a good thing. I am as much to blame as anyone.

Great for your family, son, etc.

Rage, whimper, cry, point fingers; it cannot be your fault.

The last part is unmitigated bullshit. MAGA made you do it!

But you are a self diagnosed sufferer of advanced TDS who frequently groups everyone who posts here into a group that you just deign to hate, because, well, you want to.

And you have denigrated others of foreign nationalities, which is why I feel fine in giving it back to you in spades.

Wipe up your crocodile tears, be a man. Or go back to your safe space under the rock, under the bridge.

 

[Djfan]

One more instance I want to mention, Tibs.

Recently, you posted a pic of the list of presidents and the number of indictments that each had. All of them were marked as Zero, until Trump with many indictments. Then you mentioned something to the effect that this is all it takes for you to know he is a bad thing for this nation, or something to the effect. I just can't fathom this. If you are a thinking person, you understand that a political machine hating on an outsider by indicting him, means nothing about the person being indicted, but the members of the machine trying to keep him out of the loop.

These things just boggle the mind of others who want to have a realistic conversation on issues.

 

[Sarge]

I think we are in a very dangerous time in America. The COVID lockdowns and the vast compliance with it have only emboldened those that put that stuff in place. Couple that with little or no reaction to the treatment of those involved with January 6th and I think you can see why the government is after Trump the way they are.

Do I think Trump did anything illegal? Probably. But what strikes me is that reading the indictment, they didn’t charge him with sedition or insurrection. I mean, all we’ve heard since that day was that this was a violent, armed insurrection and it was all Trump’s fault. So why are they using statues, some as far back as the 1800’s that were originally aimed at financial crimes and eliminating the KKK to charge Trump for January 6th when they don’t really even apply to what they are accusing him of?

That is the type of thing that makes me believe that they are really reaching, perhaps over-charging, knowing that in DC all they have to do is get him to trial and it’s over. I don’t think there is a jury in DC going to acquit Trump regardless of what the evidence shows.

So what happens then? The nation will struggle to survive it in my opinion. I think it ignites a powder keg. Unless the powers that be believe that after watching the compliance with COVID restrictions and a lack of support for those imprisoned on January 6th makes them believe Americans will yawn at this too.

 

[Sarge]

Here is probably as fair of an article as you will get from the New York Times in regards to the prosecution of Trump.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/the-prosecution-of-trump-may-have-terrible-consequences/ar-AA1eWReW?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=02ecb1a2091e4675918bb4fed391a6e8&ei=16

 

[Tibs]

Thank you ZonaBurgh & Djfan for your posts and for engaging me in kind.

I asked a question that was never answered, do you believe burning down a courthouse in Portland was less than, equal to or worse than what happened on January 6th? If you listen to the above aforementioned media January 6th was the worst day in history, but of course it wasn't. What it does show is how divided this country is along political lines that no one tries to hide anymore.

I've consistently stated over the years, that I've never condoned or accepted violence to pursue political goals. Hence why I've rejected Antifa, and any individual or group who does so. I've also stated numerous times, that I support non-violent demonstrations, be they rallies, protests, marches, sit-ins. Well within our Constitutional rights, to assemble and raise our voices as a form of political action, regardless of left-right political affiliation or cause. When it comes to political protest, I take my cues from Gandhi & MLK. I think they got it right, on how to bring people together for a common cause, and to do so peacefully.

The initially peaceful BLM marches & sit-ins that happened all around the country (which I supported) escalated at various places and times, which turned into multiple instances of violent looting, arson, rioting, and attacks against property & police, all of which I roundly reject. This obviously includes the attacks against the courthouse in Portland. All those involved in criminal, violent acts should be prosecuted under the full extent of the law.

I see zero equivalence with any of this, and what happened on January 6th at the US Capitol. While both are reprehensible, the later was an organized, pre-planned, premeditated part of an integrated effort by a sitting president to overthrow the results of a national election.

While Trump maybe guilty of certain things, there is absolutely no question in my mind that he is being railroaded politically for the sole purpose of crushing him. In a Democracy what should of occurred is nothing, no charges, no indictments and allow Trump to put his foot in his mouth and fail naturally, but the left, in my opinion, are a vindictive bunch.

I wildly disagree, Zona, which probably won't come as a surprise. Two things may be true, congruently. 1. The media, establishment and Dem politicians have it out for Trump... and 2. Trump may have committed multiple crimes that the DOJ/FBI HAD TO investigate, bring before a grand jury, and eventually press charges.

Good share, Tibs. That is not How I have dealt with you, so I will move on from what you said. Good family background. My family has a similar story, but that is for later. I have NEVER used any racial or ethnic comment on you.

Thanks man, appreciate it. Would love to hear about your fam. And thanks for keeping it civil.

My complaint is that you often are not willing to concede things that seem rational to concede. You also often don't seem to interpret or filter info given on the major news agencies. Certainly, there are points you can agree with, etc. But, not doing that has eroded your reputation, IMO. I would recommend that when you have a point that is not important or is easy to concede, that you do.

My take on Trump is obviously a huge point of contention on this board. I get it, and understand why it upsets so many. You can call it TDS, or whatever you want. These are my true feelings towards a politician I consider dangerous, a threat to the Republic and American democracy. I read and research news, politics and foreign policy as broadly as I can. With Trump, my opinion happens to (mostly) line up with what is reported by major news organizations like NYT, the Post, the Atlantic, and conservative publications like the New Republic. I literally never watch cable news, so I'm oblivious to what's on ABC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, FoxNews and the like. My view on Trump is not steered by media, in a top-down fashion. Past six years or so, I've watched, listened and read Trump's own words, his speeches, his posts on Truth Social. I've read and researched his thoughts and words, in a very direct and unfiltered way. I've seen the chilling effect he's had on the GOP and constituents. I've reached the same view as many others have, including Republicans like Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. Take a look at this list of conservatives who have taken a similar stance, in opposition to Trump. You can't possibly claim that they too, are all lead by their noses by major news organizations. > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_...d_the_Donald_Trump_2020_presidential_campaign

As an example, it is simply outrageous that someone will see the witch hunt against Trump by the political machine, that they will not acknowledge that he is a target of the insiders. Even if he did something illegal, the shear numbers of the attacks or charges shows their bias. It is clear. Another is that there have been actions by many democrats or those labeled as RINOs that have not been tried or had charges filed, yet that seems to not be an issue for you. Are you willing to admit these things, and uphold such stances going forward?

I think both of these are true: 1. the Dems, establishment, media are "out to get" Trump, and - all the while - 2. Trump is a dangerous man, who has been legitimately charged with 78 felonies, who lies and deceives incessantly, who truly tried to illegally overthrow the election in 2020. He inflamed and incited the attack on the Capitol, he worked duplicitiously to pressure Mike Pence and Congress to reject the election results. He was hoping to create enough chaos and mayhem to stay in power. He stole highly confidential national security documents, including military and nuclear secrets. He lied about it, he tried to cover it up. He has doubled down - in fact, tripled down - since. I consider this reprehensible, criminal, traitorous, in every which way, hence my fiery opposition to Trump and his movement. It has nothing to do with policy, taxes, etc. It is this authoritarian behavior, where one man places himself above the law, and spits in the face of this Constitutional Republic. Harsh? Yes. Unpopular on this board? Yes. Lines up with Dem, establishment and media take on Trump? Yes. Is this my sincere & honest take on Trump and the danger he represents? Absolutely. Does this mean Clinton/Obama/Biden/Democrats are angels and above the law? Absolutely not.

Here's my take on Trump or Obama or Biden, etc. - if they have broken the law, string them up. Clearly this has not been done in the case of the the Clintons, and many others. Does that bother you? You would gain more credibility if you did, and hopefully the petty stuff will stop or slow down. It will never stop completely, as some folks are just that way. So what.

Agreed. I believe all elected officials should be judged by the same measure and held to their oaths of office. Regardless of party politics, left or right, Dem or GOP. So yes, I'd support investigation and charges filed against anyone who partakes in wrongdoing, be it Obama, Clinton or Biden, or anyone else. The fact is, there was enough evidence brought before two grand juries to move forward with indictments against Trump. We'll see what the trials bear out.

Recently, you posted a pic of the list of presidents and the number of indictments that each had. All of them were marked as Zero, until Trump with many indictments. Then you mentioned something to the effect that this is all it takes for you to know he is a bad thing for this nation, or something to the effect. I just can't fathom this. If you are a thinking person, you understand that a political machine hating on an outsider by indicting him, means nothing about the person being indicted, but the members of the machine trying to keep him out of the loop. These things just boggle the mind of others who want to have a realistic conversation on issues.

It may boggle the mind, but this is my view. I fundamentally reject the notion that a political machine (deep state, dems, media) is simply hating on Trump by indicting him and that's what this is all about. I reject the basic premise, that the Dems (or the GOP) would have that kind of control over the FBI, DOJ or the criminal justice system.

As unpopular as my view on Trump is on this board, I own it, and continue to believe in what I believe. Trump has been undertaking in criminal, treacherous acts throughout his adult life. He may have achieved certain things in office which many of you view to be positive, including his tax cuts, border policy, his aggressive stance against DC politics. I cannot, and will not, accept anything having to do with Trump at face value. I cannot whitewash or sugarcoat his autocratic tendecies and behavior. Does this mean Hunter Biden isn't a lowlife drug addict? No. Does this mean the Clintons and Bidens may have plenty of skeletons in the closet that need to be investigated? Yes. Does this mean the media and establishment are out to get Trump? Highly likely. But it does not make Trump's actions go away. Two wrongs don't make a right. He, as with all others, should be held accountable for their misdeeds. The constant whataboutism by his supporters in his defense means little to nothing to me.

 

[Tibs]

You fu cking LOVE Antifa.

As always, you obfuscate, deceive, confuse, misrepresent and spin the narrative to suit your needs.

I am firmly an Anti-Fascist. Have been all my life, as has my entire family. I stand against fascism, bigotry, racism, anti-semitism, homophobia. I am the textbook definition of an Anti-Fascist. Thus, I support the primary messaging of those affiliated with activist groups such as Antifa, and other anti-fascist organizations. My support stops at the clear demarcation line of resorting to any form of violence.

I believe it's important as a society to stand ground against hate groups, including fascists, extremists, white nationalists,. I agree with pushing back demonstratively, not letting bigots dictate the terms. Here's the catch. I DO NOT SUPPORT any act of Antifa - or anyone else - which involves actual violence or criminal behavior, be it against people, police, or property. Guess what? I feel exactly the same about standing up against communists, and other extreme leftist groups with an authoritarian, autocratic bend. I'm an Anti-Fascist as much as I'm an Anti-Communist.

Ironically enough, by looting, setting fires, attacking police, Antifa agitators become the exact same autocratic extremists they are allegedly opposed to. They should all be arrested, sentenced and thrown in jail for their crimes, without exception. So should the Proud Boys, 3percenters, Oathkeepers and anyone else calling for, or resorting to violence to advance their views.

All of this will likely go right over your head, get your wires crossed up, and you'll find a way to attack me, as you always do. That doesn't change the facts, or the truth. Have a great day, IndySteel.

 

[DBS1970]

Sounds like you need to be placed on a no-fly list, get an ankle monitor, et al. Didn’t you learn anything from all your militant warrior ilk sitting in jail after Jan 6th? Guess not. Bring it on, dude. Surely local, state and federal law enforcement will welcome you with open arms.

Yeah there is no law against stating the obvious. Your side doesn't have the power to overrule the 1st amendment yet.

 

[Badcat]

So, you've been called out and now you're actually trying to have conversations? good. We'll see how long it lasts.

 

[DBS1970]

Fact of the matter is, the Steelers brought me to this board many moons ago. This will always remain a Steelers board for me, though this Politics side has dominated my time here. At the early onset of non-fooball discussion, I remember having great arguments - sometimes heated - about the Gulf War, and the Bush/Clinton years. Things started going south under Obama... then all hell broke loose during Trump.

Probably the weirdest thing to grasp, is the difficulty so many of you have with the fact I live and work across the pond. As if somehow, with a magic wand, that would keep me from discussing American sports, culture, music, or politics. It's really, really weird, how much of a hangup it has become for several of you. The insults hurled at me for being a *Hungarian* is icing on the cake. You think I'm not proud of my heritage? It's like insulting an Italian-American, Jamaican-American, or Irish-American, for their heritage and ancestry.

Yes, after finishing my degree in CA, I moved to Europe - as an American - played professional ball for a few years, taught English, got a job with a company doing privatization work for USAID, then founded & managed several companies, working with, and for, American investors and businessmen. The entire time, spreading American goodwill, and hopefully, a dash of the Protestant work ethic, the American can-do attitude so sorely missing in this part of the world. I'm a member of AmCham, a long-time supporter of the US Marines stationed here, interact with American diplomats, businessmen, educators, and many friends, on the daily.

So I come to this Steelers messageboard and I'm derided as some loser Hungarian... who knows nothing about the States. It's laughable. Some of you treat me like utter garbage. Like some foreign *sshole who has no say, or view, or insight, into what is happening stateside, or anywhere else in the world. I am no better than any of you, but the fact many here use this *Hungarian* label for me is straight up xenophobic, reactionary, and more than anything, beyond rude.

There are some here who seem to honestly want to engage and debate, yet stay silent as I'm constantly dragged through the mud. Then, you get offended and dismayed that I don't take sh*t from anybody, and stand my ground. So what is it going to be? We're going to dig into each other's cultural heritage? Take pot shots at all the folks with Mexican, Irish, African, German, Italian roots here? Is that a normal, healthy environment? Certainly seems that's how this SN board works, doesn't seem to bother anyone.

Yes, I am of Hungarian nationality... going back millenia. I am very proud of what my ancestors achieved here on the continent, as well as stateside. My great-grandfather was a county judge and politician, who saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish Hungarians and Slovakians as the country was overrun by Nazis. There's a statue in his honor standing in the village he was born in. One of my uncles was a math professor, published writer, school principal who was hounded by the Soviets. Became part of the first democratically elected government here in the early 90s, helped transition to democracy and the free market.

Our American heritage began when my dad and my uncle fled Hungary fighting the Soviets in the 1956 Revolution. My grandfather died when a Soviet tank shell ripped through his apartment in Budapest. After a short-lived, ill-fated stand against the communist regime, my dad & uncle - facing arrest warrants - escaped to Austria, then boarded a US Navy vessel to NY as refugees. My father ended up in Ohio, washed dishes at the Red Cross, put himself through school. A few years later, my mom joined him, they moved to San Francisco, he became a theater actor. He then turned to his faith, became an ordained minister, serving large congregations in Los Angeles and Cleveland for nearly thirty years. My mother was a choir director and concert pianist, who taught music theory at several universities in CA and OH. While in northern California, both of my parents taught at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, working with foreign service & military officers. My uncle settled in Boston, became a prominent architect, designing among others, the Tokyo Zoo. A relative on my dad's side is Rudolf Kalman, who developed the Kalman filter, used in navigation systems, including military missiles, GPS, and the moon landing. He received a National Medal of Science in 2009. My older brother has been VP of a Fortune 500 insurance company in Texas for two decades.

My 24-year-old son moved to TX in 2020. He's lived and worked throughout the States past few years, latched onto an event organizing company, worked his way up in no time. He's living the American dream. As a foreign-born American citizen, he parachuted into the country and has made the most of it. Worked the Super Bowl, went on the Coldplay tour, and dozens of festivals & events around the country, eg Bonnaroo, Electric Forest & NASCAR, from coast to coast. He's currently deliberating moving to Chicago, or staying in Austin and taking a full-time job with SXSW. I couldn't be more proud of him.

I am entirely proud, humbled and grateful to be an American. A Hungarian-American. None of you will ever take that away from me, no matter how hard you try to label me, diminish me, ridicule me as a foreigner, someone who doesn't belong, shouldn't be discussing American politics. It's laughable, but also deeply insulting, considering how long it's gone on.

There are millions of Americans living and working abroad, from the Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America and all throughout Europe. Millions of Americans who love their country, stay connected and actively engage with their homeland, across the globe. I happen to be one of them. Sure, I also happen to be politically centrist/left-leaning, much to your chagrin. Those are my political views. Why attack my character, or my allegiances to America, the country I love and cherish, where I was born and raised? How is that not deeply insulting, for anyone?

It's the primary reason why I've become antagonistic and hostile in my interactions. Its not a democrat/liberal vs republican/conservative issue. I can take that. The personal attacks, are beyond unacceptable. I think you all know that, deep down, but thought I'd type it out anyway. And yes, *my* personal attacks against many of you, is also unacceptable. I lash out & react, belittle your political views. But not your heritage; nor do I question anyone's loyalty or patriotism to America. That's the red line many here cross on the daily. In the end, my presence here accomplishes little more than creating constant animosity with the majority of you on this board. That's not a good thing. I am as much to blame as anyone.

And yet you sheit all over all that by supporting leftist policies and socialism. It's like you have the memory of a guppy and forgot how evil socialism is.

 

[Tibs]

So, you've been called out and now you're actually trying to have conversations? good. We'll see how long it lasts.

Nah, not called out. Just decided to engage with ZonaBurgh and Djfan, who've shown a willingness to have an actual conversation.

 

[Tibs]

And yet you sheit all over all that by supporting leftist policies and socialism. It's like you have the memory of a guppy and forgot how evil socialism is.

Never have I come even close to supporting socialism, or communism.

I am a staunch free-market capitalist, an advocate of true representative democracy, and a Constitutionalist. I support a more equitable distribution of state & federal resources, so it's not skewered so heavily to favor mega corporations, the 1% ruling class and the military-industry complex. In your book, that is *socialism* and *communism,* which couldn't be further from the truth.

 

[DBS1970]

Never have I come even close to supporting socialism, or communism.

I am a staunch free-market capitalist, an advocate of true representative democracy, and a Constitutionalist. I support a more equitable distribution of state & federal resources, so it's not skewered so heavily to favor mega corporations, the 1% ruling elite and the military-industry complex. In your book, that is *socialism* and *communism,* which couldn't be further from the truth.

Claims not to support socialism and uses all the socialist buzzwords. Claims to be free market capitalist while wanting the government to interfere with the free market....You can't make this sheeit up...

 

[Tibs]

Claims not to support socialism and uses all the socialist buzzwords. Claims to be free market capitalist while wanting the government to interfere with the free market....You can't make this sheeit up...

Socialist buzzwords? Like the 1% ruling class? The fact is, as of 2022, three multibillionaires own more wealth than the bottom half of American society – 160 million Americans. That's a socialist buzzword? Where have I ever stated I "want the government to interfere with the free market?" Are you just making stuff up as you go?

Let me help you out. The textbook definition of socialism is "a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole."

I have never in my life advocated for such. My liberal-leaning take has to do strictly with the allocation of state & federal budget(s), the way the government spends (our) money. I tend to favor things like education, health care, infrastructure, and the like, as opposed to giving billionaires tax breaks. This makes me a socialist and a communist in your view. Pretty ridiculous, but that's your take.

 

[DBS1970]

Socialist buzzwords? Like the 1% ruling class? The fact is, as of 2022, three multibillionaires own more wealth than the bottom half of American society – 160 million Americans. That's a socialist buzzword? Where have I ever stated I "want the government to interfere with the free market?" Are you just making stuff up as you go?

Let me help you out. The textbook definition of socialism is "a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole."

I have never in my life advocated for such. My liberal-leaning take has to do strictly with the allocation of state & federal budget(s), the way the government spends (our) money. I tend to favor things like education, health care, infrastructure, and the like, as opposed to giving billionaires tax breaks. This makes me a socialist and a communist in your view. Pretty ridiculous, but that's your take.

Did you read what you wrote? We you are talking about redistribution of other peoples money you are talking about socialism. So what if billionaires have more money than everybody else, they got it through commerce and voluntary exchange of goods and services.

 

[Tibs]

Did you read what you wrote? We you are talking about redistribution of other peoples money you are talking about socialism. So what if billionaires have more money than everybody else, they got it through commerce and voluntary exchange of goods and services.

And massive tax breaks, at the expense - and to the hinderance - of a large swath of society.

 

[Djfan]

Tips, I invite you to express your disgust with Clinton, Biden, Obama, the DOJ, the media's slant on racism, statism in education, women's sports being harmed by trans men, 1st amendment rights lost in the name of "hate speech", globalist emphasis of the last 6-8 presidents, etc.

I agree on the mainstream media. I used to be a news junkie, and have simply turned it off, having resigned myself to the effective destruction enacted by such garbage being permanent. Please respond to more than just this second paragraph.

 

[DBS1970]

And massive tax breaks, at the expense - and to the hinderance - of a large swath of society.

It doesn't cost you a penny for me to keep what I earn. It doesn't cost me anything for you to keep what you earn. Again, redistribution of wealth by the government is the verry essence of socialism.