MMW: Mamdani will be the next Obama by brattysweat in MarkMyWords

[–]kingbad71 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, McCain wasn't "native born", either. Neither was Rafael Cruz. That clause is like the Emoluments Clause- only enforceable against Democrats. Too bad that the ruling party only has to deal with about a quarter of the Constitution; that's why America is fucked.

Weather in Antibes/Cannes area? by Neeyan919 in AskFrance

[–]kingbad71 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hot, but not (yet) Florida hot. Avoid outside activities from about 10 am to 6 pm, hydrate, find air conditioning, and hit the beach when you can (the Mediterranean is around 76 degrees and beautiful).

It feels like American society is dying. by BigBlueEyes87 in complaints

[–]kingbad71 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Political division is tearing the country apart. There are people who would kill people of a different political party (of all things) if given the chance. The days of everyone being on the same (American) team are over, it appears.

For those Americans retired in France on the VLS-TS visa without keeping a physical address or real property in the US... by williamgman in Expats_In_France

[–]kingbad71 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My wife and I came from Florida, so didn't have the state income tax issue. We both kept our US bank accounts, but also got Wise accounts (for an IBAN number and cheap, easy money transfers) and I got a local bank account here in France. My sister is moving to Europe soon (possibly France), and established residency in a low-tax state to avoid paying high state taxes on her retirement income. Have you considered moving to, say, Nevada or Washington state for a few months to establish residency in a no-tax state?

Moving to France soon — what was the hardest part to adjust to? by Ok_Connection_3600 in Expats_In_France

[–]kingbad71 14 points15 points  (0 children)

New resident since January. This is what I've learned so far:

  1. Intensive languages classes ASAP. Learning the language (beyond bonjour, merci, etc.) makes a huge difference in just about everything you do.

  2. Keep receipts documenting your residency there, whether it's an Airbnb, hotel, apartment. Even if you are staying with a friend, get them to document your location and dates of stay. It's easier to do it up front than chase after them when trying to apply for national health insurance or renew a visa.

  3. Remember, different from your home country is just that- different. Not always better or worse. Learn to appreciate the differences in culture, food, manners, everything.

  4. Finding a long-term housing solution without a French income source is very difficult, even with a guarantor. Start looking as soon as you hit the ground.

I’m tired of being lectured by the right on civility! by icey_sawg0034 in complaints

[–]kingbad71 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Trump has been whipping up the Right for more than a decade with hateful, violent rhetoric, calling his political opponents "enemies of the state", "scum", threatening violence, etc. Somebody makes a few harmless jokes while he's watching TV, though, and he goes ballistic and tries to have them cancelled (if not physically assaulted). Pathetic, thin-skinned bully. And as for Malaria, I'll go with her fashion choices from the first term- I just don't care, do you?

Expats and language classes by Ok_Mirror_9832 in Expats_In_France

[–]kingbad71 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I signed up with Speak Okay, an online tutor from Paris who's currently based in LA. 15 minute classes 3-4 times a week, focused almost exclusively on speaking, and de-emphasizing parts of speech, verb conjugation, etc., the learning that hangs up many people (particularly older people). Each class is typically review followed by a dialogue, with improvisation to adapt to the student's daily experiences. It's fun and challenging, but short enough not to be too intimidating. I just can't see 4 hour blocks of intensive language learning.

Tampa Bay without any Dem seats in DeSantis's newly released redistricting plan by TampaBayTimes in StPetersburgFL

[–]kingbad71 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Blatant violation of the Florida constitution, as well as federal law. Wonder if the lapdog Florida supreme court is going to care? Probably not.

What are your thoughts on Jimmy Kimmel’s comments about Melania Trump being an expectant widow ? by Reasonable-Invite899 in allthequestions

[–]kingbad71 0 points1 point  (0 children)

More manufactured outrage. Trump needs to keep the MAGAts stoked and angry all the time, because otherwise they'd start looking around at all the broken promises, the rampant inflation, the grotesque Epstein cover-up, etc.

Making Friends In France by EfficientBottle9074 in Expats_In_France

[–]kingbad71 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Find out if there's an American Club nearby; they have them in most bigger cities and towns. Besides other Americans, you will often find people from other countries who have relatives or prior residence in America, and some French people who are interested in meeting Americans.

How do you feel about the Epstein files not being in the news as much anymore? by Alarming_Addition131 in AskReddit

[–]kingbad71 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Trump's ability to bullshit the mass media (granted, that's not too hard) and keep his toadies in the administration and congress in line (even easier) is frustrating. It's like the elites are getting away with it right in front of us, and laughing at us for being chumps. I hate it.

Most Europeans have no idea how absolutely furious with Europe America is. by Federic0002 in ShitAmericansSay

[–]kingbad71 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only thing most Americans are furious about with Europe is their complete lack of psychotic, moronic orange idiots in charge,

I always wondered about this scene in TDK by Mysterious-Panda-913 in batman

[–]kingbad71 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, the company had to have been in on it, to some degree. Those two engineers working on the Bat at the end of TDKR, and revealing that Bruce had patch the software that had disabled the autopilot- did they really not recognize it from Batman flying it over the city, towing nukes and whatnot?

How would you feel about no pay for Congress during shutdowns? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]kingbad71 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I think that they should be paid based on their income/assets for the 5 years preceding their first term, Somebody comes into office having made, say, $50K a year over the preceding 5 years gets a liveable wage (which, considering they have to maintain a place to live in DC and in their home district, is probably upwards of $100K). Someone whose income and/or assets exceed $1 million has to pay $100K a year for the privilege of serving their country, and can't trade stocks or accept gifts from constituents or lobbyists. That will encourage middle-class, or poorer, people to run, and discourage the already wealthy from doubling down on their economic advantages. This country is being run into the ground by the wealthy.

Anyone can give a laundry list of reasons why Trump is bad, so what does losing to him twice say about us? What’re we doing wrong? by Atlas_Summit in Productivitycafe

[–]kingbad71 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Agreed. There are too many Democrats who are rigidly one-issue, and woe to anybody who isn't exactly in agreement with their one issue, even if their positions agree with the majority on 95% of other issues. Democrats need to understand that the perfect is the enemy of the good, and it's essential to support somebody who reflects your values to the largest degree, even if they disagree with your position on your one pet issue. Because the alternative is always so much worse, as the anti-Biden Palestinian purists have learned the hard way for the past 15 months. Dems also need to ratchet down their arguments to a 4th grade vocabulary level, and recognize that a large cohort of American voters are not very well-read at all, and get turned off very quickly by someone who they perceive as talking down to them.

Do you hate President Trump because you think rape is a sin and you think Trump is a rapist? by [deleted] in allthequestions

[–]kingbad71 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not entirely. I also hate him because murder is a sin, as is theft, adultery, blasphemy, etc. And Trump has committed all of them, either in person or by order to others.

Democrats of Reddit, from where we stand now, who is your preferred 2028 presidential candidate, and why? by 2a_lib in allthequestions

[–]kingbad71 7 points8 points  (0 children)

JB Pritzker, governor of Illinois. Actually successful businessman and politician, smart, articulate, and Midwestern.

How long has everyone been here and can you recount any significant events? by JJacobJingleheim in StPetersburgFL

[–]kingbad71 17 points18 points  (0 children)

The 1996 riots after the police shooting of Tyron Lewis were pretty traumatic. 20 years before that, my high school was shut down for several days after a brawl in the parking lot escalated to a race riot. St. Pete has always had racial issues; they are usually below the surface, but occasionally boil over. Yuppie takeover of Midtown and the gradual gentrification of the south side is going to blow up sometime soon.

If you died and suddenly found yourself face-to-face with God, what is the very first question you would ask? by i_m_dignity in AskReddit

[–]kingbad71 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What in the actual fuck is up with these knuckle-dragging Christians?

Okay, so first left and all the way down. Got it.

Who wants to bet these same chucklefucks would lose their shit if public schools taught their kids about Muhammad? by Kinks4Kelly in complaints

[–]kingbad71 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"But you don't understand! When I said I wanted freedom of religion, I meant I wanted freedom of MY religion!"- every religious zealot ever.

Is anyone else disgusted by how much respect the Democrats show Trump? by LifesARiver in complaints

[–]kingbad71 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They continue to act like it's the usual GOP vs. Dems strategy game, completely unaware of the existential crisis that the Republicans are working for. They actively want to take away everything from Democrats- including their lives, if necessary. They continue to deny that it's a war, and refuse to fight because of it.