this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2024
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Summary

President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden, reversing his prior stance against using executive clemency.

The pardon covers Hunter’s federal gun conviction and tax evasion guilty plea, sparking political controversy.

Biden cited political attacks and a “miscarriage of justice” as reasons for his decision, emphasizing his son’s recovery from addiction and the targeting of his family.

Critics argue the move undermines the judicial process, while supporters view it as within Biden’s constitutional powers.

This decision shields Hunter from potential prison time as Biden nears the end of his presidency.

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[–] GhiLA@sh.itjust.works 9 points 3 weeks ago (6 children)

I've been a supporter since I was first able to vote for Obama's first term. Not anymore, guys. You don't do enough for us but virtue-signal when you have the ability to and you only think about yourselves when you don't. I just don't believe in them. They don't stop fascism, they pause it, and in some cases, contribute to it by their cowardice, and pardoning his son is just taking a shit on all of us right before he leaves.

I fully intend to do as much for the Democratic party of America going forward, as they have done for me, by ignoring them and pretending they don't exist.

then the fascists will win

What's this will shit? Buckle up, buttercup. The time for voting has passed. We're in the endgame now.

[–] pachrist@lemmy.world 10 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

This is how I feel as well.

The Democratic party has stood by at best and enabled at most. Are they better than Republicans? Yes, in that they don't actively do some things they allow Republicans to do.

A friend of mine described it as a dad (Republicans) molesting his kids. Mom (Democrats) know it's happening, but can't bring herself to do anything about it. Is mom better than dad? Technically yes?

Anyone advocating for working inside the system to change the system is hoping the person enabling your absuser finds a conscience. It won't happen.

Go no contact. Vote third party. Vote independent.

[–] Dkarma@lemmy.world 9 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] TheMatrix@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

This is how we got Trump, TWICE.

[–] Bwaz@lemmy.world 8 points 3 weeks ago

Well, the majority of the voting public were pretty clear about not giving a shit about using pardon power for family or even former henchmen. If it's ok to not only pardon your son-in-law's dad, but to also give him a plum European diplomatic post (!), it's ok for any other president as well, no?

[–] Dkarma@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

So if you get to vote for president again you're not going to vote Dem?

Lmfao talk about fucking stupid...

[–] Skates@feddit.nl -3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

So if you get to vote for president again, you'd vote with the cunts who lied that you'll never vote again?

Stockholm syndrome is a thing, and democrats have it. I fucking hate Republicans and Trump, but seeing a dem try to pretend the other side is hell incarnate and that Trump is gonna remove elections, and in the same breath try to convince you to vote for them in the future SUPPOSEDLY REMOVED FUCKING ELECTIONS? Jesus fucking christ what a disgusting bag of hypocritical chodes your party can be. Go pardon a criminal just like your political opponent is running from justice, and then come back to the table in 4 years to say you're not the same.

Anyone voting for Republicans or democrats is fully fucking retarded.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

America voted in Trump so why the fuck would Biden give a fuck what they want anymore?

[–] AgentDalePoopster@lemmy.world -2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (2 children)

Totally. The American people betrayed Biden, personally, by tarnishing his otherwise spotless legacy and voting in his opposition. It doesn't matter if you personally voted Harris as nearly half of the people who voted did, America turned its back on our highest civil servant and now he has every right to spend his last remaining days in power by doubling down on his support of genocide, pardoning his own relatives, and doing fuck all to help us ungrateful proles.

[–] Dkarma@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Yeah trump was pretty bad wasn't he.

[–] AgentDalePoopster@lemmy.world -1 points 3 weeks ago

Yes, which is why Biden deserves to ignore the well-being of the country, including his own voters, and act only out of self-interest for the rest of his presidency. We only deserve politicians who try their best when we the people do what politicians want us to do.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Biden did a ton of good and Americans looked at Trump's first term and said why not give him a second?

[–] AgentDalePoopster@lemmy.world -2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Absolutely. Biden deserves to punish us all for our poor decision-making, and act only out of self-interest for the remainder of his term. That's the social contract we make with our nation's civil servants.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I don't think you read my comment that you are replying to.

[–] AgentDalePoopster@lemmy.world 0 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Oh I think I did, and I couldn't agree with you more. We no longer deserve to expect anything good or helpful from our benevolent leader Joe Biden since the majority of us voted incorrectly. He has every right to sit on his hands and spend his few remaining days in office helping Israel commit genocide, helping his family get out of felony charges, and doing nothing to protect the nation from the damage Trump is about to cause. We are ungrateful little worms and he has every right to treat us as such.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Americans voted in Trump, why should he do anything to sabotage Trump's reign?

That's anti-democratic.

spend his few remaining days in office helping Israel commit genocide

That disinformation campaign sure did a number on you guys.

Can't wait for Trump to come in and save Palestine!

[–] AgentDalePoopster@lemmy.world 0 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Oh, again, I totally agree. Trump won't save Palestine, so we should accept that Biden is also not even trying. We don't deserve to hold any politician to a higher standard than what Trump can offer. Frankly, if we don't behave in the way our benevolent leader wants, then they are under no obligation to do anything to improve the country or do anything that their voters want them to do. That's freedom!

Edit - obvious sarcasm aside, Biden should do things like nominate judges for all those empty seats while the Dems still have the Senate. He should do things like direct the DEA to deschedule cannabis, a move that would be wildly popular with voters on both sides of the aisle and thus seems unlikely to be overturned. You know, helpful things that help people who weren't lucky enough to be born with the last name "Biden". He won't, though. And it's weird to just jump to January 6th. That's a weird thing to do.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 0 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

So you think Biden should sabotage Trump's term?

That's not democratic, which I said in my last comment.

Americans want want Trump has to offer.

[–] AgentDalePoopster@lemmy.world -1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

I never said that, I said that he has every right to act only out of self-interest for the remainder of his term and do nothing that would help us unworthy peons who didn't grovel at his feet when we had the chance. After all, and again I agree with you here, Trump certainly would behave no differently which gives Joe Biden and any future democrats every right to do the same and makes us entitled spoiled piggies for expecting anything else.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world -1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

You really aren't reading any of my comments, are you?

[–] AgentDalePoopster@lemmy.world -1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Are you? When did I say that Biden should do any of those things? I've said quite the opposite, we don't deserve better because Trump won the most votes. That gives Joe Biden a license to spend the last few days in power completely ignoring any expectations that voters, even those who voted Kamala, have for him. After all, if we had only voted harder then we wouldn't be in this mess, so he has a right to punish us accordingly. This is democracy and this is freedom. We are in agreement on all of this.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It just reads like you want him to try to sabotage Trump's term, who has been democratically elected.

I thought this period was mostly getting things ready for the next president.

[–] AgentDalePoopster@lemmy.world 0 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I'm sorry if you can't understand my sentiment, even though we are in complete agreement on all of this and I have been quite clear. Yes, absolutely, Biden should do everything to help Trump after insisting, repeatedly, for the past several years that Trump and his agenda are catastrophic threats to American democracy and safety. This will surely help public perception of democrats and their sincerity moving forward.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world -2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Do you think he should get a group of people together to try to subvert democracy and get himself another term?

Maybe he could hold a rally in DC on certification day.

What day is that again?

[–] AgentDalePoopster@lemmy.world -1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

No, of course not. He should do the exact opposite. In addition to not doing anything to protect any of the marginalized groups who consistently vote Democrat, he should pose for photo ops with Trump, pardon his own family members, and do nothing to help the unworthy little piggies who couldn't be bothered to get other people to vote for him or for Kamala. The only circumstances in which we can expect Democrats to behave any better than Republicans is when it comes to respect for decorum, not actual policy.

I don't know where you're getting these ideas about my views, I've been in total agreement with you about these points this entire time. I'm just making the exact same argument you're making.

Edit - obvious sarcasm aside, Biden should do things like nominate judges for all those empty seats while the Dems still have the Senate. He should do things like direct the DEA to deschedule cannabis, a move that would be wildly popular with voters on both sides of the aisle and thus seems unlikely to be overturned. You know, helpful things that help people who weren't lucky enough to be born with the last name "Biden". He won't, though. And it's weird to just jump to January 6th. That's a weird thing to do.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world -1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

You definitely haven't been reading my comments, then.

[–] AgentDalePoopster@lemmy.world -1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Oh, no, I read your comment asking why Biden should care what Americans want, since so many of us voted Trump. And you're right! Biden is justifiably disappointed by us and, as a result, has every right as a civil servant to completely ignore us and act entirely out of self-interest until he is out of power. That's the social contract we make with our elected officials; we elect them and they enact their agenda provided we only do things they personally agree with. When we are naughty, they get to punish us by abandoning the people who got them in power. Basic civics.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 0 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

If you were in Biden's shoes right now what would you be doing?

[–] AgentDalePoopster@lemmy.world 0 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

I wouldn't change a thing because Joe Biden is obviously perfect. If someone disagrees, they must not be smart enough to understand. The solution to that, as all good liberals know, is to shame them until they vote better.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world -1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

So you can't come up with a single thing you'd do differently?

[–] AgentDalePoopster@lemmy.world 0 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

If you genuinely think that then you haven't been reading my comments.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world -1 points 3 weeks ago

I wouldn't change a thing

Haven’t I?

[–] skuzz@discuss.tchncs.de -3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Less than 1/3 of American voters voted for the orange man. The rest were apathetic or thought virtue abstaining would "send a message".

Edit to add actual numbers. 32.1% of eligible voters voted for him. 22.9% of the total US population. We need to stop this all-or-nothing mentality. A tiny fraction of the population voted him in, while the rest tried (31.0%), or did nothing. That 32.1% is only true if the votes were legitimate, which seeing how fragile the voting system is across the US, it may not be, and we also may never know.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 0 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Trump won the election because America voted him in.

[–] skuzz@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

A subset of America. Life isn't all or nothing. Electoral College helped a bit, although he barely did win the popular vote this time thanks to the abstainers. By raw population numbers (including those that can't vote) only 22.9% of the US population voted for him. (32.1% of eligible voters, less than 1/3.)

He got 50% of the people who voted and those that didn't vote said they didn't care if he won.

[–] btaf45@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

I fully intend to do as much for the Democratic party of America going forward, as they have done for me, by ignoring them and pretending they don’t exist.

So you are going to set yourself up as a lifetime loser. Got It. A lifetime loser in politics is someone who will either live his entire life never getting what he wants, or if he does get what he wants, it will only be because other people voted differently than he did.

[–] skuzz@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 3 weeks ago

It goes much further back than Pres. Obama's first term. Dems have always virtue-signaled for at least the last 30-40 years, and then blamed the repubs when something they promised doesn't go through, even when they're a majority. All the while insider-trading themselves to profitability. A handful of them stand up for the party's purported ideals, which is just enough to make it seem the party might care. It's all a sham.

That being said, Pres. Biden's administration did an admirable job cleaning up the mess left behind by Orange Man 1.0 when entire offices were devoid of employees, paper trails, documentation, state. They took too long to appoint an FCC chair, however, and didn't even attempt to find a way to fix the DeJoy post office problem (which arguably would have been difficult.)

But then, now, dems seemingly have been silent about the results of the election. They're acting like the police did in 2020 after George Floyd's death and silent-quit. One would like to hope they are attempting to do anything to ensure as little damage to the country takes place in the next 4+ years as possible, but, in a messaging vacuum, Occam's Razor should apply, and they're likely doing nothing.

So many states have questionable voting security, and it'd be comparatively easy for a relatively smart person to inject temporary code patches on tallying machines, provided they could get the necessary signing certs (if the companies even cryptographically sign their code). It would only take a simple binary patch to execute only on a certain day/time to flip arbitrary votes, and otherwise never. Especially if that Starlink at swing locations thing was true, it could reroute DNS requests when the machines are online for updates, send them to some other IP address to download what looks like a valid patch to inject the sleeper code. (Completely speculation here, no actual evidence, and many pieces would be needed to get through a "trusted" system like the web certs as well, but man would I want to play with one of those machines and 100 ballots for a weekend.) It'd ostensibly be a 100% hands-off process and those "secured" locked down machines would do the dirty work themselves.

If VW can figure out how to cheat emissions tests and otherwise act "normal", flipping a vote bit is babytown frolics.

That's probably the most disappointing thing about all of this, learning that most of those in governance really don't want to try.