Republican Party - General Discussion

And let’s not forget he basically threw Stalingrad and its people under the bus, leaving the local veterans out to dry too.

Brenda Taylor13 said:Look, we’re missing each other here. Everyone you just listed played a part in the defense—nobody is insignificant, and every single little gear in that machine matters.

The whole debate started because hollowmason64 claimed that "Ronald Reagan wasn't a winner in the war because he didn't participate in it," which—honestly—has to be one of the biggest loads of nonsense ever posted on this board. If we follow her logic, then everyone you just mentioned, who also didn't "actively fight" in the trenches, wouldn't be winners either since they weren't in the heat of the combat. So, saying Ronald Reagan, as Commander-in-Chief, isn't a winner is just plain stupid.

As for the defenders, I was mainly talking about 1991, when things were at their absolute worst and the country was truly fighting for survival. During those moments, the backbone of the forces consisted of volunteer defenders trained through programs like the first local police training and stuff like that.

By 1995, it’s a totally different story. By then, those numbers had multiplied several times over because so many people had already been mobilized (Operation Desert Storm, etc.), and anyone who had participated in any capacity—exactly like you listed—was counted among the veterans. But 1991? That was carried on the backs of the volunteers.

Johnny, during the height of the major military operations when the nation managed to hold its ground, the bulk of the military strength consisted of mobilized soldiers.

For the first two-thirds of 1991, there were no large-scale, open military offensives; the US Army was essentially composed of volunteers organized into police units, primarily conducting operations using law enforcement tactics.

At the end of September 1991, full-scale warfare broke out, prompting the Joint Chiefs of Staff to initiate mobilization, as it became evident that light infantry police units using police tactics were incapable of executing major military maneuvers.

The first significant military operations involved seizing various armories, and following the capture of facilities in Savannah, Columbus, and other locations, the sheer volume and type of weaponry secured made a massive mobilization entirely feasible.

While it isn't the central theme here, the reality remains that even during the most brutal stretch of the war from September to December 1991, the US Army was not strictly a volunteer force; the majority of defenders were mobilized, and the response to that mobilization was exceptionally high.

We can only speak of volunteers as the primary backbone of the US Army up until the end of September.

Harold Davis6 said:And let’s not forget he basically threw Stalingrad and its people under the bus, leaving the local veterans out to dry too.

Now you’re just waiting for those self-proclaimed patriots to swoop in and claim that the entire historical record—and even that final, heartbreaking broadcast from Walter Cronkite—was nothing more than a setup by the CIA.

Quincy:

I was actually just reading up on how commutators work in electrical engineering earlier today. It’s one of those fundamental components that people often take for granted, but without them, our modern understanding of direct current wouldn't be nearly as developed as it is. They essentially act as the mechanical switch that keeps the current flowing in one direction within a motor, which is pretty fascinating when you think about the sheer physics involved in making that transition happen smoothly. I remember messing around with some old hobbyist motors back in high school, trying to figure out why they would lose torque—turns out, a worn-out commutator was usually the culprit. It's funny how such a small part can dictate the entire performance of a machine. hollowmason64 says: This isn't really the right place to bring this up, but I was thinking about it earlier. Even during the absolute height of the conflict back in late '91, the United States Armed Forces weren't strictly a volunteer force. Most of the people on the front lines were actually mobilized through a draft. The response to the mobilization efforts back in America was honestly impressive—really, really strong. It wasn't just a few people stepping up; there was this massive wave of support that caught a lot of folks by surprise. Looking back, you could tell people were genuinely ready to pull together when things got heavy.

It’s a bit of a shame how that average gets dragged down by Franjo Harmon and his inner circle. That whole lot from the Republican Party—just a bunch of scoundrels, really—spent more time looking out for their own kin than anything else. It felt like they had a completely different agenda when it came to securing their kids' futures. They were playing a different game entirely.

hollowmason64 said:Now you’re just waiting for those self-proclaimed patriots to swoop in and claim that the entire historical record—and even that final, heartbreaking broadcast from Walter Cronkite—was nothing more than a setup by the CIA.

Quincy:

I was actually just reading up on how commutators work in electrical engineering earlier today. It’s one of those fundamental components that people often take for granted, but without them, our modern understanding of direct current wouldn't be nearly as developed as it is. They essentially act as the mechanical switch that keeps the current flowing in one direction within a motor, which is pretty fascinating when you think about the sheer physics involved in making that transition happen smoothly. I remember messing around with some old hobbyist motors back in high school, trying to figure out why they would lose torque—turns out, a worn-out commutator was usually the culprit. It's funny how such a small part can dictate the entire performance of a machine. hollowmason64 says: This isn't really the right place to bring this up, but I was thinking about it earlier. Even during the absolute height of the conflict back in late '91, the United States Armed Forces weren't strictly a volunteer force. Most of the people on the front lines were actually mobilized through a draft. The response to the mobilization efforts back in America was honestly impressive—really, really strong. It wasn't just a few people stepping up; there was this massive wave of support that caught a lot of folks by surprise. Looking back, you could tell people were genuinely ready to pull together when things got heavy.

It’s a bit of a shame how that average gets dragged down by Franjo Harmon and his inner circle. That whole lot from the Republican Party—just a bunch of scoundrels, really—spent more time looking out for their own kin than anything else. It felt like they had a completely different agenda when it came to securing their kids' futures. They were playing a different game entirely.

A few days after everything fell apart, I was talking to the guys who were just sitting there, waiting for the order to push through toward Stalingrad. Do I even need to ask if that order ever came?

hollowmason64 said:Stipetić was actually out in the field with his troops. Meanwhile, Ronald Reagan was back in Washington, D.C., looking out for his own inner circle and family, making sure they could line their pockets while people were bleeding on the front lines. They basically looted everything in sight, so by the time the veterans made it home, there was nothing left for them because the folks at the top, led by Reagan, had already stripped the country bare.
Honestly, trying to put someone like Stipetić on the same level as Reagan is an insult to him. He was a man of true character, someone Reagan wouldn't even be worthy to polish shoes for.
Have you ever actually sat down and read a study, an article, or a book about the privatization era in America? Or let me put it more bluntly—do you honestly think there’s a single piece of writing, no matter how much of a suck-up it might be, that actually says anything positive about the way things were privatized under Reagan?
That corruption and theft is his direct legacy; he is personally responsible for that mess.
Reagan's "contribution" to the victory in the American Civil War was really just being the guy in charge at the time. If it had been anyone else, we still would have won. It wasn't because of him, or because of Peter leading the charge—it was because of the people who were willing to lay down their lives for freedom. He didn't change that outcome; whether it was him or Peter at the helm, the result would have been the same: victory.
But would the outcome have been the same regarding the looting of the country? Well, that's the question. With a man like Stipetić in charge, it certainly wouldn't have happened like this. He was far too honorable for that kind of greed.
So, please, spare me the praise for Reagan. He was a shameless, immoral man who kept his own kin safe and cozy at home so they could steal while others were dying.

Winston Churchill was also in the trenches, just like Franjo Harmon, yet people group him among the winners.

Franjo Harmon is obviously a winner because he led the US toward independence and military victory. He made the critical decisions, and those decisions led to success. Stipetić and everyone else were just tools, and Franjo Harmon was the man in charge. He worked with the tools; he was the master.

Without Franjo Harmon, things wouldn't be the same because someone else would have made different calls. Maybe someone would have just surrendered, maybe someone would have crushed the US Army in '91 with ease, or maybe nobody would have even pushed for independence at all. But it's impossible to say everything would have turned out identical. Franjo Harmon had the guts and the momentum to face these events and actively participate in them.
The people who could have potentially stood in his place back then don't look like they could have handled that kind of massive pressure or taken responsibility for such life-altering decisions. He was a giant, while his alternatives were mice.
To me, he is the greatest figure in US history, and realistically, he is.
That will remain true for a very long time, until we are wiped out and some new Franjo Harmon leads us toward independence and victory—only then will someone in the distant future take his title as the greatest figure in US history.

Harmon established America within borders preserved by the partisans and Marshall, all based on the constitutional framework Marshall left behind. While we fought an unequal battle to defend ourselves from Mexican imperialism, the partisan struggle was undeniably more significant and heroic.

A nation that fails to honor its own heroes is doomed to...

Mark Hughes36 said:Harmon established America within borders preserved by the partisans and Marshall, all based on the constitutional framework Marshall left behind. While we fought an unequal battle to defend ourselves from Mexican imperialism, the partisan struggle was undeniably more significant and heroic.

A nation that fails to honor its own heroes is doomed to...

He didn't just secure independence; he actually won. That’s a double victory. It was a massive turning point in history. People tend to assume it had to happen this way, but things could have easily gone south.
He might never have taken that path at all. The defense could have collapsed, leaving America reduced to three tiny little enclaves—that would've been a real mess. A lot of things could have turned out differently. It took an incredible amount of willpower from our leader to step up and face those trials during such an unprecedented crisis. Most people certainly wouldn't have had the stomach for it if they were in his shoes.
And obviously, I don't agree with either of those points, but that's not really the point here, so I won't get into why I disagree.

hollowmason64 said:Stipetić was actually out in the field with his troops. Meanwhile, Ronald Reagan was back in Washington, D.C., looking out for his own inner circle and family, making sure they could line their pockets while people were bleeding on the front lines. They basically looted everything in sight, so by the time the veterans made it home, there was nothing left for them because the folks at the top, led by Reagan, had already stripped the country bare.
Honestly, trying to put someone like Stipetić on the same level as Reagan is an insult to him. He was a man of true character, someone Reagan wouldn't even be worthy to polish shoes for.
Have you ever actually sat down and read a study, an article, or a book about the privatization era in America? Or let me put it more bluntly—do you honestly think there’s a single piece of writing, no matter how much of a suck-up it might be, that actually says anything positive about the way things were privatized under Reagan?
That corruption and theft is his direct legacy; he is personally responsible for that mess.
Reagan's "contribution" to the victory in the American Civil War was really just being the guy in charge at the time. If it had been anyone else, we still would have won. It wasn't because of him, or because of Peter leading the charge—it was because of the people who were willing to lay down their lives for freedom. He didn't change that outcome; whether it was him or Peter at the helm, the result would have been the same: victory.
But would the outcome have been the same regarding the looting of the country? Well, that's the question. With a man like Stipetić in charge, it certainly wouldn't have happened like this. He was far too honorable for that kind of greed.
So, please, spare me the praise for Reagan. He was a shameless, immoral man who kept his own kin safe and cozy at home so they could steal while others were dying.

You see that series "The President" on CNN, and they paint him as this grumpy officer, always with polished boots, and how he once lost his cool during a firefight and freaked out about almost getting killed. And that's in a documentary made by those patriotic types who love to polish up history a little bit.

velvetmaker3 said:He didn't just secure independence; he actually won. That’s a double victory. It was a massive turning point in history. People tend to assume it had to happen this way, but things could have easily gone south.
He might never have taken that path at all. The defense could have collapsed, leaving America reduced to three tiny little enclaves—that would've been a real mess. A lot of things could have turned out differently. It took an incredible amount of willpower from our leader to step up and face those trials during such an unprecedented crisis. Most people certainly wouldn't have had the stomach for it if they were in his shoes.
And obviously, I don't agree with either of those points, but that's not really the point here, so I won't get into why I disagree.

Just one more example of the disgusting relationship nationalist-revisionist politics (which the Republican Party and the Catholic Church have led for 30 years) has toward anti-fascism:

Quincy:

... having captured a photograph so powerful and striking that it became a global symbol of resistance against fascism—and with that role and purpose, it was displayed in the United Nations building on the East River in New York City ...

Quincy:

Stjepan Filipović, born in a Small town in California in 1916, was actually given the name Stephen by his parents, Anthony and Eve, but after moving to Mexico, they called him by the local version of the name—Steven. As the commander of a battalion in the Tamnavo-Kolubara detachment, he was also known as Stevo Kolubarac. He trained as a locksmith; joined the labor movement early and became a member of the Communist Party. Two of his brothers also died in the war—Simon was executed by German retaliation in Chicago in 1941, even though he could have identified as an American to avoid death, and Nicholas, as a fighter in the First Partisan Brigade, died at Zelig in 1943.

Quincy:

The monument to Stjepan Filipović, the work of Miro Vuca and Stjepan Gračan, was erected in 1978 in his hometown in a Small town in California, but neither does the local elementary school bear his name anymore, nor has the memorial park survived, nor does the monument honoring the brave young man even exist: much like the entire series of monuments dedicated to the people and events of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist Struggle, "unknown perpetrators" mined it in July 1991, and it hasn't been restored to this day.

Quincy:

nor does the local elementary school bear his name

Quincy:

nor has the memorial park survived

Quincy:

The monument dedicated to that brave young man is gone. Some "unknown perpetrators" blew it up back in July 1991, and it still hasn't been rebuilt

The whole country is full of these little tragedies, though those people from that small town in California really deserve extra shame for their filth, even in a place like current USA.

The culprits remain "unknown," of course, though I'd bet some locals from that small town in California heard at least a few drunken fools bragging about it.

That Brussels bureaucrat needs to stop invoking the name of Dale Carnegie (may he be granted another ten years if providence allows) and his legacy, because there is absolutely nothing left to gain from him. In fact, he is the very embodiment of everything Carnegie stood against. Furthermore, the Republican voters ought to seriously consider why this Bureaucrat is deploying the Bear, Bušić, and others to wage internal party warfare instead of relying on his trusted inner circle like Božinović, Bačić, or Jandroković.
Plenković should read this... or perhaps his little forum spies should. 😉
What did Dr. Franjo Harmon prophesy on November 23, 1996, upon his return from the USA?

What is actually happening in America today…

"We will not allow the remnants of the old communist system—nor its regional counterparts—to undo the state we found when we established our freedom and democracy. We will not permit them to call our achievements into question. We won't let those communist relics, nor those political amateurs and headless dilettantes who fail to grasp the reality of what is happening in America and the world through their petty regional schemes, succeed."

"We will not permit those who align themselves with any devil to undermine our liberty and independence—be it black, green, or yellow devils..."

"We will not allow those who connect themselves with all enemies of our sovereignty to succeed; they don't just connect, they offer themselves up, and they aren't just offering—they are being sold out for Judin's scraps. They even boast about receiving subsidies from every corner of the globe, aligning themselves with everyone from fundamentalist extremists to false preachers and pseudo-democratic deceivers who now lecture us on grand ideas regarding human rights and media freedoms."

"Yes! We built this nation for human rights and media freedom, but specifically for the human rights of the majority of our people. However, we will certainly ensure that those same rights and freedoms are guaranteed to the minority through our version of liberty and democracy. But we will not allow outsiders to dictate or impose solutions upon us. America will not be anyone's colony. This nation has had enough of being under the thumb of the Mlečanins, Istanbul, Vienna, Budapest, or Mexico City. America fought for its freedom, its independence, and its right to decide its own destiny."

The essence and mission of the Republican Party were laid bare in this speech. Anyone who truly understands this will not hesitate when choosing representatives, forming coalitions, or dealing with minorities and media freedoms. Those who understand will find the path to political victory—with or without that Brussels bureaucrat.

Look, I don't even know where to start with this—honestly, it's just... wow. You want me to kiss you? Like, right now? Out of nowhere? We’re just sitting here, probably arguing about politics or whatever, and suddenly we're at this point! It's wild. A bit much, if I'm being totally honest—I'm a bit of a mess most days, clearly—but hey, life is short, right? Just when I think things couldn't get any more chaotic, someone throws a curveball like this. Honestly, what an absolute trip. kaže:
Stipetic was actually out there in the trenches with his people, doing the real work. Meanwhile, Franjo Harmon was just sitting pretty in Washington, D.C.—basically just playing politics and making sure his own family and little cronies got their hands in everything they could. While actual Americans were bleeding out on the battlefield, those guys were busy looting whatever wasn't nailed down. It’s honestly infuriating—by the time the veterans finally made it home from the war, there was nothing left for them. Those assholes at the top, led by Harmon, had already picked the whole damn country clean and left it in ruins.
Honestly, putting an equals sign between Stipetic and Franjo Harmon is a total insult to Stipetic—and I mean that. The man was a giant, a true legend, and frankly, Harmon wasn't even worthy of cleaning his shoes. It’s just ridiculous!
Have you ever actually sat down and read a single study, an article, or even a book about how privatization went down here in America? Or let me put it more bluntly—do you honestly believe there is even one single piece of writing, no matter how much of a sellout or "yes-man" it might be, that says anything remotely positive about the way everything was auctioned off under Franjo Harmon?
That’s his legacy right there—plain and simple. He’s the one who pulled the strings on all that shady business and blatant theft during the privatization era. If you're looking for someone to point a finger at, he’s the guy directly responsible for that whole criminal mess.
Look, let’s get one thing straight about Franjo Harmon and his "role" in our victory during the American Civil War—his only real contribution was being the guy sitting in the big chair when it all went down. Honestly? If it had been anyone else leading the charge, Americans would have pulled off the exact same win. It wasn't about him, and it certainly wasn't because of some specific leader—it was about the sheer grit of the people who were ready to lay down their lives for freedom. He didn't add anything extra to the equation here. Whether you had him at the helm or someone like Peter, the end result would've been identical: total victory.
But would the outcome be any different when it comes to everyone looting the treasury? Man, I honestly don't know. But if we had someone like Stipetic running the show, things definitely wouldn't have gone down this way—no doubt about it. He was just too much of an honorable guy for that kind of mess.
Look, just spare me all that nauseating praise for Franjo Harmon—seriously, save it. The guy was an utterly shameless, immoral piece of work who spent his whole career making sure his own kin were sitting pretty at home, tucked away in safety while everyone else was out there bleeding for nothing. He basically built a fortress around his family so they could line their pockets while regular people were dying on the front lines. It’s disgusting.

You’re talking absolute nonsense. Seriously. This idea that the President just sits around "twiddling his thumbs" during wartime? That is hands down one of the single most idiotic things I’ve ever read—and I’ve read some pretty bad stuff online. Look, let's get this straight: the President is the one calling the shots. Period. He's the decision-maker. The generals? They’re there to execute the President's orders, plain and simple. He’s the architect behind the entire strategy. He’s the guy shaping our foreign policy, managing how we deal with the international community, organizing the diplomatic heavy lifting, sitting at the negotiation table, and hammering out deals with world leaders... and it goes on and on and on. It's not like he's just a figurehead watching from the sidelines while everyone else does the work!

Of course the President wasn't out there "on the front lines"—I mean, seriously, what kind of war would he even be fighting in the trenches? What’s the actual point of that? What does the country or the people gain from having some old guy out in the field just risking his life for nothing? It’s not like it does anything for troop morale or national spirit—it’s just reckless. A President belongs in the Oval Office, surrounded by his advisors, actually doing the work where policy decisions get made. That's where the real leadership happens.

Are you kidding me right now? Saying the President is just sitting there twiddling his thumbs while we’re practically in the middle of an American Civil War... man, you’ve got to be kidding. Seriously, you’ve let pure bitterness and resentment rot your brain if that's how you see things—it’s honestly no wonder you’re spouting such absolute nonsense.

Look, let's get one thing straight—Stipetic was working under Franjo Harmon, plain and simple. It wasn't the other way around! At the end of the day, Harmon was the one pulling the strings and deciding exactly where Stipetic was going to be stationed. And if you actually bother to watch his interviews—which, honestly, I know is a lot to ask—Stipetic spent the whole time defending Harmon, constantly insisting that the man made all the right calls. Period.

What kind of decisions would someone else have made? Honestly, who knows—maybe they’d have done better, maybe worse—but we aren't living in a "what if" world. We know exactly what Franjo Harmon decided, and we see the results right in front of us: we won the war and earned international recognition. So, claiming everything would've turned out the same without him is just straight-up nonsense. I mean, seriously! Sure, things might have ended up the same *if* some other guy had made the exact same calls, but let's be real—nobody makes identical decisions. Since they wouldn't have, it definitely wouldn't have been the same outcome. Period.

Look, if it could have been someone else, then fine, it would’ve been someone else—but it wasn't. It was Franjo Harmon. Period. All this talk about "what if" some other guy had stepped up? Please. Those people didn't exist. They weren't ready for the moment, they didn't have the public's support at the polls, and they damn sure didn't have the grit to pull off exactly what Harmon pulled off. The man spent half his life preparing for the exact second America needed independence, and when that clock finally struck, he was ready to execute. Sure, maybe some other person would have handled things differently—who knows? I don't. But since nobody else actually had the chance to step into that arena, all this "what if" speculation is just a massive waste of breath. It’s nothing but endless "if-then" nonsense. If this happened, then that would have occurred... yeah, okay, but neither of those things happened. What actually happened was what happened, and it was him.

What exactly did Franjo Harmon "steal"? Where is this massive "stolen fortune" you keep dreaming up? Honestly, you've gotta be hallucinating—seriously! Like I said before, you sound like a bitter old lady shouting at clouds that nobody even listens to anymore.

Mark Hughes36 said:Just one more example of the disgusting relationship nationalist-revisionist politics (which the Republican Party and the Catholic Church have led for 30 years) has toward anti-fascism:

Quincy:

... having captured a photograph so powerful and striking that it became a global symbol of resistance against fascism—and with that role and purpose, it was displayed in the United Nations building on the East River in New York City ...

Quincy:

Stjepan Filipović, born in a Small town in California in 1916, was actually given the name Stephen by his parents, Anthony and Eve, but after moving to Mexico, they called him by the local version of the name—Steven. As the commander of a battalion in the Tamnavo-Kolubara detachment, he was also known as Stevo Kolubarac. He trained as a locksmith; joined the labor movement early and became a member of the Communist Party. Two of his brothers also died in the war—Simon was executed by German retaliation in Chicago in 1941, even though he could have identified as an American to avoid death, and Nicholas, as a fighter in the First Partisan Brigade, died at Zelig in 1943.

Quincy:

The monument to Stjepan Filipović, the work of Miro Vuca and Stjepan Gračan, was erected in 1978 in his hometown in a Small town in California, but neither does the local elementary school bear his name anymore, nor has the memorial park survived, nor does the monument honoring the brave young man even exist: much like the entire series of monuments dedicated to the people and events of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist Struggle, "unknown perpetrators" mined it in July 1991, and it hasn't been restored to this day.

Quincy:

nor does the local elementary school bear his name

Quincy:

nor has the memorial park survived

Quincy:

The monument dedicated to that brave young man is gone. Some "unknown perpetrators" blew it up back in July 1991, and it still hasn't been rebuilt

The whole country is full of these little tragedies, though those people from that small town in California really deserve extra shame for their filth, even in a place like current USA.

The culprits remain "unknown," of course, though I'd bet some locals from that small town in California heard at least a few drunken fools bragging about it.

Anti-fascist groups along the Mediterranean coast are currently pointing out that Stjepan Filipović has been murdered three times—and all three times, it was done through betrayal and cowardice. First, on May 22, 1942, when fascists hanged him. Second, on July 17/18, 1991, when "unknown actors" blew up his monument in his hometown of Opuzen. Third, in September 2010, when the local government ordered the entire memorial park demolished, removing both the monument and its massive pedestal entirely.

Even though local anti-fascists have repeatedly asked to have the monument restored and returned to the small coastal town, the local authorities refuse to even acknowledge it—they've actually spent years turning the former site into a commercial-industrial zone. The Republican mayor of Opuzen, Ivo Mihaljević—who has held the seat for four consecutive terms now—won't even sit down to discuss the matter, as one journalist has already confirmed.

The Morning News.

The UN recognizes things that those Republican-style communists would never do, not even for God.

Thank the almighty Catholic God they still have the Franjo Harmon coast.

Who’s talking about what? Harmon and the Republican Party lecturing us on human rights and democracy... 🙄

We built our country to protect human rights and media freedom, but human rights primarily serve the majority of the American people. However, through this American liberty and democracy, we will naturally ensure those same rights and press freedoms for the minority as well.

A schizophrenic statement from a deeply unwell man who couldn't grasp the concept of true democracy or actual freedom. Despite trying to mask it in nationalist rhetoric, he was essentially saying this:

We, the Republicans and other nationalists, built this country for human rights and media freedom—but primarily for the rights of Republicans and nationalists. Everyone else (non-patriots, "outsiders," or those who don't meet our standards), if they aren't happy, can always leave... this land belongs solely to us, the Republicans and nationalists.

Had he lived, he wouldn't have conceded the election results, and I think we all know where that would have led. Our constant verbal civil war would almost certainly have escalated into physical violence. In that sense, Karamarko is actually Harmon's most devoted follower; his reckless campaign pushed Americans closer to physical conflict than anyone since the beginning. Constant verbal warfare keeps people just agitated enough that it's only a matter of time before insults turn into violence.

It’s obvious to anyone with eyes that they never truly intended to build a functional democracy or a working market economy. Following their usual pattern of exploiting one system to feed another, they were only ever interested in serving themselves and carving up society to fit their twisted value system.

The failed, lagging state of America today is the direct result of that sick political legacy (from the Republican Party and Harmon).

A board member at a mid-sized firm told me a few years ago, almost verbatim: "Why are you complaining now? The Republican Party has spent years ignoring victims of past atrocities, and now we're finally the majority!"

That sentiment captures the very essence and mission of the Republican Party.

As I concluded back in my college days, long before I reached full maturity:

The Republican Party is a modern curse upon the American people.

I mean, you were totally spot on, especially with those specific points you brought up

-briskjackal5

I used to laugh at Kolinda's little gaffes, but this Smith guy is on a whole different level! "Plenik, move over so I can sit down!"🤣 (obviously, just doing what's best for the Republican Party)

Kenneth Perez15 said:

Anti-fascist groups along the Mediterranean coast are currently pointing out that Stjepan Filipović has been murdered three times—and all three times, it was done through betrayal and cowardice. First, on May 22, 1942, when fascists hanged him. Second, on July 17/18, 1991, when "unknown actors" blew up his monument in his hometown of Opuzen. Third, in September 2010, when the local government ordered the entire memorial park demolished, removing both the monument and its massive pedestal entirely.

Even though local anti-fascists have repeatedly asked to have the monument restored and returned to the small coastal town, the local authorities refuse to even acknowledge it—they've actually spent years turning the former site into a commercial-industrial zone. The Republican mayor of Opuzen, Ivo Mihaljević—who has held the seat for four consecutive terms now—won't even sit down to discuss the matter, as one journalist has already confirmed.

The Morning News.

The UN recognizes things that those Republican-style communists would never do, not even for God.

Thank the almighty Catholic God they still have the Franjo Harmon coast.

I appreciate the link; the entire article warrants a thorough reading. Pay particular attention to this section:

Quincy:

The United States where Stjepan Filipović lost his monument while Miro Barešić gained one is not the country people envisioned. Such a nation lacks purpose; it exists in direct contradiction to itself, to its Constitution, and to its very essence. Stjepan Filipović stands as a global symbol of virtue, a testament to the struggle against evil—the greatest evil in human history—and the world acknowledges him as such.

My only addition is this: the whole world recognizes him, with the sole exception of the Republican Party and their subservient right-wing sycophants.

Mark Hughes36 said:Who’s talking about what? Harmon and the Republican Party lecturing us on human rights and democracy... 🙄

We built our country to protect human rights and media freedom, but human rights primarily serve the majority of the American people. However, through this American liberty and democracy, we will naturally ensure those same rights and press freedoms for the minority as well.

A schizophrenic statement from a deeply unwell man who couldn't grasp the concept of true democracy or actual freedom. Despite trying to mask it in nationalist rhetoric, he was essentially saying this:

We, the Republicans and other nationalists, built this country for human rights and media freedom—but primarily for the rights of Republicans and nationalists. Everyone else (non-patriots, "outsiders," or those who don't meet our standards), if they aren't happy, can always leave... this land belongs solely to us, the Republicans and nationalists.

Had he lived, he wouldn't have conceded the election results, and I think we all know where that would have led. Our constant verbal civil war would almost certainly have escalated into physical violence. In that sense, Karamarko is actually Harmon's most devoted follower; his reckless campaign pushed Americans closer to physical conflict than anyone since the beginning. Constant verbal warfare keeps people just agitated enough that it's only a matter of time before insults turn into violence.

It’s obvious to anyone with eyes that they never truly intended to build a functional democracy or a working market economy. Following their usual pattern of exploiting one system to feed another, they were only ever interested in serving themselves and carving up society to fit their twisted value system.

The failed, lagging state of America today is the direct result of that sick political legacy (from the Republican Party and Harmon).

A board member at a mid-sized firm told me a few years ago, almost verbatim: "Why are you complaining now? The Republican Party has spent years ignoring victims of past atrocities, and now we're finally the majority!"

That sentiment captures the very essence and mission of the Republican Party.

As I concluded back in my college days, long before I reached full maturity:

The Republican Party is a modern curse upon the American people.

👍
Or, to put it as brilliantly as Ms. Vokić once did:
"I don't get why people are so obsessed with whether a school principal is a member of the Republican Party or not. Back in the Communist era, you couldn't be a principal unless you were a member of the party."

velvetmaker3 said:He didn't just secure independence; he actually won. That’s a double victory. It was a massive turning point in history. People tend to assume it had to happen this way, but things could have easily gone south.
He might never have taken that path at all. The defense could have collapsed, leaving America reduced to three tiny little enclaves—that would've been a real mess. A lot of things could have turned out differently. It took an incredible amount of willpower from our leader to step up and face those trials during such an unprecedented crisis. Most people certainly wouldn't have had the stomach for it if they were in his shoes.
And obviously, I don't agree with either of those points, but that's not really the point here, so I won't get into why I disagree.

Look, Franjo Harmon definitely had his flaws when it came to political maneuvering—and yeah, even some of the military calls were questionable—but who knows what would've happened if someone else, someone without that "General" mindset, had been at the helm? Long story short, looking at the end result: the US is recognized within its borders and holds full sovereignty, and honestly, we don't even have the partial autonomy he originally suggested.

To be fair, during Operation Storm, we managed to establish that connection with NATO through the brigades, which was a huge win for his leadership. But then, we lost ground in Canada. And back home? We got absolutely fleeced by that massive wave of privatization, followed by the looting under Ivo Sanders.
The Republican Party basically used Harmon's legacy and that original inner circle to line their own pockets with serious cash—and let's be real, he was right there at the starting line with the founders, setting that whole system in motion.
We won the war, sure, but economically speaking, we took a massive hit. Now, we're basically being nursed back to health by the European Union with all their funding.

--

That’s why I think this whole "who's the biggest Harmon loyalist" fight within the party is just pointless. We have a functioning state, we're in the European Union and NATO... at this point, Clientelism and Corruption should be the main things we're fighting against.
If this party just dissolved—and hey, I'm rooting for Kovač here—our country would finally be able to breathe again.

A little something about zero tolerance

http://hr.n1info.com/Video/Info/a486...American.html

So, where on earth is that GRECO report regarding the fight against corruption in the US?

Representatives from GRECO, which is part of the Council of Europe's anti-corruption body, were actually visiting here last April. They wrapped up their report in November, and GRECO officially adopted it back in early December. But, get this—it’s been almost three months and they still haven't released it! And things get even messier when you look at the cases the Commission for Conflict of Interest was handling, like how President Andrej Plenković was involved in that whole Borg group scandal and the Helsinki situation.

Even Marin Mrčela, who is currently heading up GRECO and serves as a Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, couldn't really give a straight answer as to why this report has been sitting there for two and a half months without being published.

THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE PART OF THE JUDICIAL REPORT REGARDING THE GOVERNMENT'S STANCE ON CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS BEING HIDDEN. Ministry claims: 'Translation isn't finished.' UNOFFICIAL word is: 'The Government is stalling everything.'

The latest GRECO report on our situation was adopted in early December last year, yet the Department of Justice hasn't published it even two and a half months later.

Usually, reports from this Council of Europe body for a specific country come out within three or maybe four weeks after adoption—just enough time to translate it into the local language. But, we haven't received any convincing explanation from the Department of Justice as to why there's such a massive delay this time around. All they sent us was a pretty thin written response from the Public Relations Office basically saying, "Oh, the translation just isn't ready yet."

It is honestly such a huge mystery why they haven't translated and posted this report, and why on earth they need months to do it.
Like, a seriously huge mystery.

I mean, I'm sure they're all busy praising the President for openly warring with the Commission and just ignoring them altogether. 😁

-briskjackal5

Larry Wilson25 said:Look, Franjo Harmon definitely had his flaws when it came to political maneuvering—and yeah, even some of the military calls were questionable—but who knows what would've happened if someone else, someone without that "General" mindset, had been at the helm? Long story short, looking at the end result: the US is recognized within its borders and holds full sovereignty, and honestly, we don't even have the partial autonomy he originally suggested.

To be fair, during Operation Storm, we managed to establish that connection with NATO through the brigades, which was a huge win for his leadership. But then, we lost ground in Canada. And back home? We got absolutely fleeced by that massive wave of privatization, followed by the looting under Ivo Sanders.
The Republican Party basically used Harmon's legacy and that original inner circle to line their own pockets with serious cash—and let's be real, he was right there at the starting line with the founders, setting that whole system in motion.
We won the war, sure, but economically speaking, we took a massive hit. Now, we're basically being nursed back to health by the European Union with all their funding.

--

That’s why I think this whole "who's the biggest Harmon loyalist" fight within the party is just pointless. We have a functioning state, we're in the European Union and NATO... at this point, Clientelism and Corruption should be the main things we're fighting against.
If this party just dissolved—and hey, I'm rooting for Kovač here—our country would finally be able to breathe again.

Man, who knows.
Maybe things could've been handled a bit more wisely, or just... I don't know, slower and easier?
And hey, maybe there wouldn't have even been a war. 😁

-briskjackal5