Posts by granitemarlin77

Scott Cruz4 said:It’s honestly laughable—total chaos. At this point, nobody even knows who’s footing the bill or who’s actually calling the shots.

Honestly, the whole political scene right now is exactly like that.😁
Politics—and I’m not talking about this specific sub—has basically turned into a crime blotter rather than actual policy discussion.
There aren't even real political topics left; it's just endless scandals and petty drama being debated under the guise of "politics," which has about as much to do with actual governance as trash does with outer space.

I think this sub actually works pretty well given the kind of insanity it manages to unpack.

Because let's be real—when I see certain thread titles, I don't even know where to file them if I were some high-and-mighty moderator.😁 Do they go under jokes, law, economy, history, pure madness, or just straight-up garbage?🤷

It's all just "Anthony said this," "George claimed that," "Peter thinks," "Ivan announced," "who was Nu2's guest," "where did Ivan mess up," "where did Jacqueline spill her drink," "where did Joe disappear to," or "some random guy popped up out of nowhere".......🙄
We haven't had a single legitimate political topic for months. What's happening in the US political landscape right now has zero connection to actual policy, none at all.
So yeah, this sub is functioning perfectly in sync with reality—it works great precisely because everything else is such a disaster.

Steven Allen9 said:I don't know the lineup of HSPAS, but the best Rose could hope for is maybe snagging a few local council seats.
Personally, I’d put her in charge of the Department of Homeland Security. Let her tear it all down.

🤦
Ministerial seat? Give me a break—she can't even clear the election threshold. Honestly, giving her a spot in the VP's cabinet would be just like handing one to Vesna Pusić.☕

Steven Allen9 said:She really proved she’s nothing more than a placeholder. Can anyone name another representative who actually stepped up like that? Everyone talks a big game, but where are the results?

Look, you can't argue with that. When I talk about "clearing the bar," I’m talking about her party—especially those cronies she surrounds herself with. They aren't getting anywhere, let alone crossing an election threshold. Whether you want to admit it or not, Rose's ceiling is local politics. In my book, she just doesn't have what it takes to go bigger, unfortunately.☕

Laura Allen78 said:I see you've laid it all out beautifully and finished your coffee in the process.

Now, it would be great if you could elaborate on the career of that hot dog vendor who was handing out small change to crooks—you know, like that warrior-looking, unsanctioned former president.

And while I wait for your exhaustive dissertation, I think I'll go grab a coffee myself. ☕

Always. And look, the topic here is "The NU2-Starčević crowd," just like it says. If you want to talk about anything else, go find another thread.☕☕

Laura Allen78 said:I honestly can't wrap my head around why all these Republican Party loyalists with their blatant chauvinism keep flocking to this thread. 🤷

It always comes back to the same tired arguments, like how they obsess over whether some Mexican like Peter Kovačević is the issue, or if they need to point out that a certain Harmon supporter’s wife—thank god—isn't a Jewish woman or a Mexican woman.

People like you and the rest of those die-hard partisans would probably still be labeling Ante Starčević as a Mexican today just because his mother was Millie.

"Being right isn't chauvinism" — that's a distinction you lot really ought to grasp.

And honestly? It’s probably not even about him being a Mexican—he’s likely not the only one in the Libertarian Party—it’s more about who the guy actually is. Back in the 90s, he was running the Zrinski and Frankopan funds alongside the late Stanić.
Then he moved on to work as a lawyer for the Department of Defense Legal Office, eventually landing an assistant role for the Secretary of Defense handling legal affairs. He was the one in charge of issuing second-level decisions regarding HRVI status recognition.
Back in '98, under orders from the late Minister Šuška, he got transferred over to the newly formed Veterans Affairs ministry, once again working in that same legal department.

He’s the guy who signed off on those HRVI status decisions for the very generals he eventually dumped onto a list of fakes during Pančić's term (29 names total—Domazet, Laušić, glavaš, Kakarigi... and Beštek).
Joe actually pulled a fast one on his boss Pančić by slipping Beštek onto that list, and the whole audit fell apart because of that prosthetic limb scandal—you know, the one that blew up in everyone's faces and fired up the veteran vote.
Once Pančić kicked him to the curb, he ended up working for the state inspectorate, checking out gravel pits and quarries.
That’s how he "befriended" and basically blackmailed the stone industry guy, whom he brought to Đapić right before the 2000 elections to fund the Libertarian Party's campaign. To settle the score, Đapić shoved him into a top party position and pushed him through as a Libertarian Party MP.
When the Libertarian Party started imploding, Joe tried to oust Đapić and grab the throne for himself. Predictably, Đapić kicked him in the teeth so fast it made his head spin, leaving Joe to end up as a consultant for Bandić's holding company.
Nowadays, he’s Pero Tomašić's right-hand man. Doesn't matter why—he isn't the first or last guy in the Libertarian Party to act like this—but it's all because of the track record I just laid out.
Smart enough, right?☕

Steven Allen9 said:Nice post. You've actually got some words in you.
Look, she’s part of the political machine. Let’s not kid ourselves thinking she’s some perfect savior, but if you look at the big picture, she might actually be the best option we've got. Why? Because she doesn't play games. She isn't obsessed with her own ego, she doesn't care about the "intellectual" elite gatherings, and she sure as hell isn't looking to line her pockets. She isn't a thief. She doesn't believe crime is somehow good for the country. She isn't dipping into the national treasury to build a vacation home, buy her kids luxury cars, or fund her personal affairs on our dime. Is that really too much to ask?
She’s got the power to shake things up, kick those lazy bureaucrats out of their cushy offices, and wipe out anyone who isn't focused on actually protecting our national assets. Honestly, that's all I'm looking for.
I know she doesn't have a clue when it comes to foreign policy, high-level diplomacy, the weird quirks of statecraft, or how the big political players actually play nice with each other.
She might be a total idiot in a lot of ways, but she’s proven she’s a real representative—a legitimate face elected to Congress, which is where the actual heavy lifting happens. She even went toe-to-toe with those small-town losers from the islands. Now she’s on TV claiming she actually started an anti-dealer crackdown in Knin. That's exactly what we need. Actions, not words. I'm sick of all the talk. Honestly, I don't give a damn about the rhetoric. I want to see her actually earn that paycheck on the streets, not just sit back, grab expensive coffees at fancy bistros, and massage her ego in a comfy office chair.
Unfortunately, Rose is a perfect example of how this works. Honestly, I can't wait until everyone starts campaigning like that just to grab votes, instead of those shady lists cooked up by crooks and their sidekicks.

Look, she needs to clean up her own backyard first—take care of someone like Peter, for instance—before she starts trying to fix everyone else's mess. Until then? She’s just like the rest of them, barking at the moon while the moon is right behind her. And hey, just because she might be different doesn't mean the people she surrounds herself with aren't exactly the same.
Rose should probably sweep her own porch before we start believing her stories or hoping your little crusade actually works.☕

Arthur Martinez7 said:Not a single sensible argument here. What seems to be the issue? Are you simply determined to vote for the Republican Party?
☕

She’s her own bad argument—period. Saying she’s got nothing to do with the far-right is like saying a pile of trash has nothing to do with outer space. And don't even get me started on the crowd she keeps hanging out with, like that guy Peter Kovačević.🤦

Honestly, I almost wanted to believe she was somewhat sane, but after watching her on 60 Minutes, I realized she's totally useless. Like I said, all that right-wing talk coming from her mouth is just empty rhetoric. Wish it were different, but it isn't.☕

Steven Allen9 said:There’s no question about it—Tomašić actually acts like a real representative in the US Congress. She’s out there fighting those weird social trends everyone else ignores, even if it means taking a hit personally.
Even though I don't line up with her politics, I still back her because I'm a staunch libertarian.
Then you've got Lesar in the mix too. That gives us two people who are genuinely dedicated to the people. Like, literally.
Tomašićka doesn't have some fancy house, she isn't living off government perks, and she has zero ties to the Republican Party. She’s got everything it takes to get into the US Congress. Go get 'em, Rose!

Yeah, right. She’s driven by petty interests just like everyone else else.
I saw enough when she was asked why she backed Bandić during the presidential campaign—she basically admitted it was just to get her party some media buzz for a few days.😵
I mean, seriously? Her right hand is Pero Kovačević—some guy who jumped ship from the Libertarian Party and has switched political parties more often than a pair of socks (moving through the Republican-Democrat crowd, the Libertarians, now she, plus he's an advisor for Bandić over at the Holding).🙄
The whole time she was just playing politics, sucking up and squirming in that chair next to Stanković like she had a vibrator turned up to max settings. And she didn't utter a single sensible sentence—just the same old empty demagoguery and fluff we hear every damn day. Then, when she claimed she'd even coalitition with the devil himself if they stood for honesty, patriotism, and humanity... man, she actually outdid Đapić, Bandić, and Kerum with those brainless statements.

Her "right-wing" credentials have about as much to do with reality as a pile of crap does with outer space.☕

Noah Harris50 said:It’s not that I don't care; I just lack interest when it comes to physical stuff or those massive life pivots. I get hyper-focused on the tiny daily details instead. I just can't seem to find the drive or the discipline to tackle the big decisions. Plus, with my anxiety acting up lately, the idea of hitting a yoga class or starting a workout routine actually stresses me out—I just end up feeling totally overwhelmed.

I’m pretty upbeat and staying busy every single day. I've been back to the doctor a few times now, and after all the talks and tests, they told me there isn't even a trace of depression in there.

P.S. Your inbox is slammed.

Look, whatever the case, I really hope you start feeling better ASAP. If those panic attacks always hit when you're cooped up indoors, just get out there—go for a walk, run, ride a bike, whatever. Maybe try swimming or something else that'll actually force your brain to focus on something positive.
Cleared it out.

Noah Harris50 said:You hit the nail on the head with most of that. But, I’m not depressed. I’m actually in a great mood and doing plenty of things I love. Like I said, it's chronic stress that brought along some anxiety and panic attacks.

Admitting I can't fix this alone and might need professional help is something I just had to face. I’m a total control freak and a perfectionist—I always thought I could handle everything myself without anyone's help. But an hour with a psychologist or a stress coach around here costs $367, and you usually have to buy a block of 12 sessions (which feels like the bare minimum). That adds up to less than $5.00, and I'm not dropping that kind of cash unless I'm certain the person can actually help me a LOT. I know nothing worth having comes without risk, but I'm not about to gamble one risk after another $5.00. So, I'll start with the basics: vitamins, yoga, running, cutting out Wheat and sugar (which is already minimal), staying positive, and maybe finding a new hobby. Everything I used to do lost its spark a long time ago.

Noah Harris50 said:Yeah, that's the classic line they drop when they run out of things to say or don't want to admit they lost the argument. I'm not buying the homeopathy thing either. I've swallowed enough of those little sugar pills to know they don't do squat. Nothing ever works.

I reckon regular yoga—like, five times a week—and staying active actually helps. But honestly, I'm so burnt out right now I can't even find the energy to start, so I just keep telling myself I'll get on it tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.

For now, I'm sticking to vitamins. My doctor mentioned that chronic stress wipes out your B-vitamins and Magnesium, so I started this daily cocktail:

Morning:

double the recommended dose of B-complex
600 mg Magnesium + calcium
4 EyeQ capsules
35 mcg D3
2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil
1 multivitamin

Uvece:

500 mg Vitamin C
100 mg Iron

Here's my symptom list:

exhaustion
insomnia/trouble falling asleep/waking up constantly
fainting spells/dizziness
irritability
intense restlessness/anxiety (hitting me in waves out of nowhere)
brain fog/trouble concentrating
bad memory
heart palpitations
neck tension + headaches
twitching all over (chest, heart, head)
constant worry
inability to relax
short temper
indecisiveness
feeling totally checked out/apathetic

You say you'll try yoga and all that, but then you mention feeling totally unmotivated—I'm worried you're trying to play doctor with yourself.🤷
I don't know, whatever you want to do, but to me, this feels more like depression than just stress. And yeah, I get it—it's expensive, and there's nothing worse than a doctor playing chemist and swapping your meds every five minutes. Finding a decent specialist is tough, though a friend's referral can help.
Do what you want, but if you see it isn't working, seriously, go get help. Once this spirals into chronic, deep-seated depression, the road back to "normal" is way longer and harder—just like any other illness.
And if you're a coffee drinker? Given everything you listed, you absolutely have to swap to decaf. Trust me, I've been there.

Noah Harris50 said:I work as a freelance photographer and a researcher for travel books and articles. Not exactly a high-stress gig.

Why is this even worth talking about?

Because it’s interesting—you don't always need some deep, profound reason for that.
Look, I know people who work—especially nowadays—are stressed out. But honestly? I think the ones without steady jobs are under way more pressure. When you actually have a job and responsibilities, even if it's a grind, it acts like a buffer against those frustrations turning into chronic stress. For me, "work therapy" is the best kind of therapy. Once you're busy, you don't have the luxury of sitting around spiraling about everything you'd be obsessing over if you were unemployed.

Your job sounds creative and fulfilling. But—and I say this looking at your symptoms—maybe you should consider seeing a pro (if you haven't already). It’s totally normal to seek help these days, unfortunately, and there’s zero shame in talking to a psychologist or psychiatrist—especially if things are sliding toward chronic depression. From what you described, it really sounds like you're dealing with depression. Plus, things like heavy bleeding between cycles can be a massive red flag that something is off biologically, let alone when you throw anxiety, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, rapid breathing, panic attacks, or asthma into the mix... you know your own body better than anyone. My advice? Don't try to be your own doctor. Get professional help before things get out of hand. Too many people try to fix themselves with "alternative" methods only to end up in a specialist's office much later—and for some, by then, it's already too late.

Obviously, that’s just my two cents. Just a sincere suggestion/idea—feel free to ignore it entirely if you want.

Noah Harris50 said:So, what actually brought you to this thread?

Interesting topic.🙂
Maybe I missed it—are you working right now, and is your job a total grind?

Noah Harris50
Maybe I missed it, but if you don't mind me asking—do you actually work? Like, do you have a job? And if you do... is it a total grind?

Eric Collins5 said:Look, if I were on the left, I might feel personally insulted by how much they worship Francis—especially since you actually went on some political rant once about them cutting off the eldest son's leg.

Man, just stick to the topic if you can—or if you even think you should.
My signature isn't glorifying anything illegal or against any law, act, or even the rules of this forum. If it were, it wouldn't be here.☕

mellowraven22 said:Yeah, and that too—among other things.

Then just change the thread title already—make it something like "Post photos of your home... so we can rip it apart, insult it, and roast it." We’ve already got a thread on this same PDF specifically for asking for advice.

mellowraven22 said:That’s a power reserved strictly for us admins.

Then you gotta give the mods a heads-up—tell 'em they can't be out here insulting, baiting, or trashing other companies... and they definitely shouldn't be egging everyone else on to act the same way.

mellowraven22 said:Insulting a person? Nah. Insulting their stuff? Oh, absolutely.

Look, if I tell you your house looks like a pigsty, I’m not calling you a pig—I’m calling you a rat. Let’s not play dumb here.
Look, if you say you're voting for Party X, and I snap back that only idiots vote for them—I’m not attacking you personally. I'm attacking the choice. It's about the idea, not the person. Honestly? This whole theory just doesn't hold water.

mellowraven22 said:That’s just how this forum works. That's the policy.

🙂
Look, the whole point of this forum was never about being a jerk—no insulting people, no baiting them, no dragging anyone through the mud. That’s how it should stay. Especially when you're talking about the mods running the show.

Eric Collins5 said:Not a girl.

My bad.☕

Eric Collins5 said:Look, granitemarlin77—just so we’re clear here—I didn't call your house your home. Some synthetic sock from the eighties....actually, just the color of the chairs.

Look, there's a massive difference between having an opinion and actually being critical... and then there's that other thing—the straight-up insults, the trolling, and the cheap shots. Nobody has the right to go there. Period.

Look, I might like your house or I might not—I might even like you or maybe I won't—but that’s got nothing to do with me calling you an idiot. If I called you a pig, I'd basically be saying your place is a dump... which would mean you're the one living in it. You want to be a pig or a rabbit? There's a massive difference.

Eric Collins5 said:Look, if it’s rude, you're right—it is. But let's be real: you can't exactly go around outlawing being a jerk.

If you’re gonna mod or run a thread, you should at least have some basic decency—not even talking about anything else, just common sense. Is that too much to ask?

Eric Collins5 said:If we’re really gonna split hairs here—fine—but your signature is just straight-up trash. Vulgar, unrefined, and honestly? Just plain rude.

He’s aiming right at someone—it’s obvious. If you feel like you're being called out, that’s not a problem with who signed the post, it's a problem with you.☕

hollowtrucker77 said:Nobody has any right to call you an idiot,
but if you're going to act like one here—well, then people are totally justified in calling out your bullshit.
It’s just basic logic. If you decorate your house to look like a neon green candy shop, people are gonna tell you it looks like a damn candy shop.
If you can't wrap your head around that and just want to keep pushing your agenda, fine—keep at it, and let the admins handle their part of the job.

I’m not gonna repeat myself. I already spelled things out for you, so there's really no point in wasting more breath.

Look, we’ve got the "photos of your home..." thread and we’ve got the "decorating advice" thread. If the mods feel like they need a third one specifically titled "photos of your home... where we trash, mock, insult, and provoke you," then go ahead and open it. Be my guest.☕

Eric Collins5 said:Look, you're right—the way the mods handled you totally flies in the face of the forum rules and it's pretty shady, but honestly? Knowing your takes on politics and seeing as we're basically ideological enemies, I actually hope you run into this kind of crap more often.

Glad you finally caught on to that.
Doesn't matter what my political, national, or religious views are—nobody gets a free pass to insult me, trash my name, or egg others on to do the same.
My reaction was just a direct result of all that provocation.☕

hollowtrucker77 said:Look, I think he’s got every right—just like I have the right to say a car looks like a damn shoebox, or a house looks like a concrete bunker or some shady motel, or a coat looks like a literal trash bag. It's my opinion. Who cares?

Look, I don't think anyone has the right to pull that crap—just like you don't have the right to call me an idiot. You can do whatever you want with yourself—your choice, obviously—but nobody’s coming at me with insults. I'm not getting called names. Period.

The thread title is...Drop some pics of your apartments, your furniture, whatever little home decor stuff you've got lying around. Let's see it....not some excuse to start insulting people, baiting them, dragging their names through the mud, or calling everyone an idiot...
If I actually wanted advice or an opinion—which I don't—I would've just posted pics of my house in the decor thread.Need some home decor advice? Lay it on me. What are we talking about—remodeling a whole kitchen or just trying to make a cramped studio apartment look less like a college dorm? Give me the details...coffee:

mellowraven22 said:Great. If you're actually this sensitive about your house being insulted, you shouldn't have posted photos of it in the first place.

Since when does posting home photos in a thread specifically designed for them mean you're asking to be mocked, trashed, or provoked? Is that how this works now?.....

mellowraven22 said:Look, everyone’s free to say someone's bedroom looks like a Barbie Dreamhouse, their living room looks like Conan’s bathroom, or their kitchen looks like a candy shop. Once you put those photos on the internet, you signed up for it. Too bad—deal with it.

I made it crystal clear from the jump that I was posting photos—said it multiple times, too. So, honestly? I don't give a damn.
Everyone has a right to an opinion, sure, but nobody has the right to be abusive, provocative, or insulting—and even less right to egg everyone else on to do the same. That's just not how it works.

mellowraven22 said:Yeah, you were just trying to piss everyone off. That's just your style of talking, isn't it?

This is a post-party reaction—after the insults kept flying and the mods didn't stop them, but instead basically joined in. If you actually bother to look, you'll see exactly where and when I stated my position.☕

mellowraven22 said:Yeah, they can, and there's nothing you can do about it.

I can and I will. Like I said, it's my right—just like it should be yours to defend yourself against insults, rather than fueling the fire with your own behavior and posts......☕