Promising 'free stuff' on the government/taxpayers dime sure doesn't sound very libertarian to me.

The venn diagram of Massie support is becoming quite polluted.

Geez the anti-Massie crowd just can't comprehend the point being made, again.

The original post was complaining about Massie not supporting a measly 1% of the U.S. spending because it goes to foreign aid. Attempting to make Massie look bad and also making it sound like 1% of U.S. spending is a drop in the bucket and should not be a big deal.

But the point Massie and SM was making is that 1% is a huge dollar amount and could be used in country rather than out of country.

How it's used in country is just a hypothetical and not the point of the discussion.

nortex97 said:

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Promising 'free stuff' on the government/taxpayers dime sure doesn't sound very libertarian to me.

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Yet free money to foreign governments is totes ok…

The point is the opportunity cost of the foreign aid. We COULD offer free or greatly subsidized college education(s). But instead we pay for Israel's iron dome.

Quote:

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Trump was the one who called the police/law enforcement about Epstein

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link?

The OP was about Massie withholding his vote unless Speaker Johnson issued a public "attaboy" for wasting time and attention on a meaningless Epstein Transparency Act.

Johnson said no, so Massie voted with the Dems. That was the OP.

Ag83 said:

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Quote:

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Trump was the one who called the police/law enforcement about Epstein

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link?

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2407jrn83o

I hope he survives and that Massie gains more influence in a GOP run by Vance or Rubio. Need more of him.

Seamaster said:

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nortex97 said:

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Promising 'free stuff' on the government/taxpayers dime sure doesn't sound very libertarian to me.

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Yet free money to foreign governments is totes ok…

The point is the opportunity cost of the foreign aid. We COULD offer free or greatly subsidized college education(s). But instead we pay for Israel's iron dome.

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I'm with you on the foreign aid but would rather they balance the budget and work on this debt before giving gibs to college kids

flown-the-coop said:

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The OP was about Massie withholding his vote unless Speaker Johnson issued a public "attaboy" for wasting time and attention on a meaningless Epstein Transparency Act.

Johnson said no, so Massie voted with the Dems. That was the OP.

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I'll try and type slow so maybe it will be easier to understand ; )
When I said original post one could infer the post starting this whole thread, or common sense would say it relates to the current discussion at hand. Again, context clues in my post would lean any person with common sense to know I was talking about the original post that triggered the free education heal digging in in the present discussion.

This foreign aid and education spending tangent started when a post was made claiming Massie won't support a "measly 1%" of government spending for foreign aid.

A rebuttal was made stating 1% is a lot and could be used for America instead of not America, and used education as an example.

Then instead of connecting the dots on the point being made, again, the anti-Massie crowd attacked the hypothetical. (I agree with you that tax payer funded college education is a terrible idea, but that's a different discussion).

Ag83 said:

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Quote:

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Trump was the one who called the police/law enforcement about Epstein

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link?

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See PB Police chief Reiters statements. This is not breaking news, plenty of reporting on it for anyone who still cares. And we don't need to make the whole Massie thread about Epstein. Again, one of the reasons I can't stand following his news headlines, which he adores/cherishes as much as Fauci did, imho (ironic they hate each other I guess, similar personalities).

I'm the slow one when you say "original post" you don't mean OP which stands for "original post", then your nice ad hominy demanding I respect a tangential discussion area within a thread about something else which many call… derailing.

Condescending libertarians are the best!

flown-the-coop said:

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Ag83 said:

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Quote:

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Trump was the one who called the police/law enforcement about Epstein

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link?

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2407jrn83o

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Paywall. Before the popup showed blocking viewing it said something about how Trump said "everyone knew what he (Epstein) was doing". Want to provide a quote to back up the assertion that implies Trump called the police to turn Epstein in?

No, because it's basic research you can do on your own and another poster already provided the same information.

You asked for a link, you got multiple.

nortex97 said:

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Ag83 said:

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Quote:

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Trump was the one who called the police/law enforcement about Epstein

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link?

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See PB Police chief Reiters statements. This is not breaking news, plenty of reporting on it for anyone who still cares. And we don't need to make the whole Massie thread about Epstein. Again, one of the reasons I can't stand following his news headlines, which he adores/cherishes as much as Fauci did, imho (ironic they hate each other I guess, similar personalities).

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Boy this is beyond rich. You think Massie loves his headlines but YOUR boy doesn't?? I sometimes wonder what planet you Trumpophyles live on. Anyway, your link doesn't work for me - just quote from it; it'll be fine. Don't need whole article - just what you think supports Trump calling police to alert them to Epstein's misdeeds.

Show me evidence that Trump called the police to alert them to Epstein's conduct. Can't be that hard since we hear from your side all the time.

flown-the-coop said:

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No, because it's basic research you can do on your own and another poster already provided the same information.

You asked for a link, you got multiple.

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One is paywall and other doesn't work. Quote what you think proves your point or clam up. Here's what I have read previously about it (paraphrased a bit).

Trump called police to congratulate them on going after Epstein because "everyone know what he (Epstein) was doing".

Is that all you have to support your claim?

Ag83 said:

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flown-the-coop said:

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No, because it's basic research you can do on your own and another poster already provided the same information.

You asked for a link, you got multiple.

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One is paywall and other doesn't work. Quote what you think proves your point or clam up. Here's what I have read previously about it (paraphrased a bit".

Trump called police to congratulate them on going after Epstein because "everyone know what he (Epstein) was doing".

Is that all you have to support your claim?

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Is your Google broke?

For 7 years it has been known, reported and not refuted not debunked that the former Palm Beach police chief said Trump called him in 2006 to tell them to look into Epstein.

You can choose not to believe the story, but being obtuse about it is bizarre.

flown-the-coop said:

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Ag83 said:

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flown-the-coop said:

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No, because it's basic research you can do on your own and another poster already provided the same information.

You asked for a link, you got multiple.

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One is paywall and other doesn't work. Quote what you think proves your point or clam up. Here's what I have read previously about it (paraphrased a bit".

Trump called police to congratulate them on going after Epstein because "everyone know what he (Epstein) was doing".

Is that all you have to support your claim?

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Is your Google broke?

For 7 years it has been known, reported and not refuted not debunked that the former Palm Beach police chief said Trump called him in 2006 to tell them to look into Epstein.

You can choose not to believe the story, but being obtuse about it is bizarre.

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It must be (I don't use google search). Here is one sample (from a link that actually works) that you seem unwilling to provide:

"Shortly after the law enforcement investigation into Jeffrey Epstein became public in the mid-2000s, Donald Trump called the Palm Beach, Florida, Police Department to express gratitude, according to a newly released document.
"Thank goodness you're stopping him," Trump said, according to the document. "Everyone has known he's been doing this." "

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/10/politics/donald-trump-police-jeffrey-epstein-2000

Is this what you are talking about? Step up to the plate.

So why are you derailing about something you knew how to locate on your own. And now you are taunting?

But yes, that appears to be the episode. You seem to be attempting some gotchya, should be interesting. Have at it.

This is easily the most disgusting political thread i've ever seen on this board and that's saying something.

Pro Israeli dudes against Pro Palestinian dudes...all trying to convince each other that their guy in this Kentucky eleciton is the only answer to all the problems this country has.

You're all pathetic.

WestAustinAg said:

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This is easily the most disgusting political thread i've ever seen on this board and that's saying something.

Pro Israeli dudes against Pro Palestinian dudes...all trying to convince each other that their guy in this Kentucky eleciton is the only answer to all the problems this country has.

You're all pathetic.

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An enlightened perspective to let everyone know they are not enlightened and pathetic.

Thanks for stopping by.

flown-the-coop said:

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So why are you derailing about something you knew how to locate on your own. And now you are taunting?

But yes, that appears to be the episode. You seem to be attempting some gotchya, should be interesting. Have at it.

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Well here it is then - you Trumpsters (and you're probably the biggest one on this board) love to keep throwing out the claim that suggests Trump is the one who alerted the police to Epstein's crimes. This (what I quoted just above) is all I have ever seen anywhere to support that assertion. But to me, this reads like Trump knew for some time at least that Epstein was 'up to no good' (to put it mildly) but ONLY called the police AFTER the police were investigating. That is an entirely different thing from alerting them. In fact, it suggests he knew of Epstein's crimes and said nothing until the police were looking into it and then called with an after-the fact "attaboy". I think it makes him look terrible, not a hero.

Thanks for sharing. I do not think anyone is surprised by your viewpoint of event. That's fine, you are welcome your perspective. I'll spare you the return name calling.

flown-the-coop said:

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Thanks for sharing. I do not think anyone is surprised by your viewpoint of event. That's fine, you are welcome your perspective. I'll spare you the return name calling.

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So do you disagree with my interpretation of the (only) quote I have ever seen that Trumpsters use to claim "he turned Epstein in to the cops"? Again, you're probably the biggest Trump man on the board - step up.

WestAustinAg said:

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This is easily the most disgusting political thread i've ever seen on this board and that's saying something.

Pro Israeli dudes against Pro Palestinian dudes...all trying to convince each other that their guy in this Kentucky eleciton is the only answer to all the problems this country has.

You're all pathetic.

---

For the record, I am neither pro Israel nor pro Palestine.

I am pro America and pro Texas more specifically.

WestAustinAg said:

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This is easily the most disgusting political thread i've ever seen on this board and that's saying something.

Pro Israeli dudes against Pro Palestinian dudes...all trying to convince each other that their guy in this Kentucky eleciton is the only answer to all the problems this country has.

You're all pathetic.

---

"You all are pathetic worms I am above all of you"

Thanks for stopping by. Nothing posted on F16 has any effect on the real world so why even come at all lol

Seamaster said:

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WestAustinAg said:

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This is easily the most disgusting political thread i've ever seen on this board and that's saying something.

Pro Israeli dudes against Pro Palestinian dudes...all trying to convince each other that their guy in this Kentucky eleciton is the only answer to all the problems this country has.

You're all pathetic.

---

For the record, I am neither pro Israel nor pro Palestine.

I am pro America and pro Texas more specifically.

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How selfish and pathetic. You probably don't even vote 100% with Trump and/or the GOP, therefore we must do everything to mock you and ensure your types don't become commonplace.

Seamaster said:

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nortex97 said:

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Promising 'free stuff' on the government/taxpayers dime sure doesn't sound very libertarian to me.

---

Yet free money to foreign governments is totes ok…

The point is the opportunity cost of the foreign aid. We COULD offer free or greatly subsidized college education(s). But instead we pay for Israel's iron dome.

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Handouts are only cool if they're going to Israelis or farmers - normal American citizens can EAD. Get with the program.

flown-the-coop said:

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I'm the slow one when you say "original post" you don't mean OP which stands for "original post", then your nice ad hominy demanding I respect a tangential discussion area within a thread about something else which many call… derailing.

Condescending libertarians are the best!

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Spot on!

Seamaster said:

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WestAustinAg said:

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This is easily the most disgusting political thread i've ever seen on this board and that's saying something.

Pro Israeli dudes against Pro Palestinian dudes...all trying to convince each other that their guy in this Kentucky eleciton is the only answer to all the problems this country has.

You're all pathetic.

---

For the record, I am neither pro Israel nor pro Palestine.

I am pro America and pro Texas more specifically.

---

As one should be. BUt if youre on this thread attacking one side or the of the "Massie is a jew hater" then you have lost the plot as well.

Massie isn't either all good or all bad. And being sceptical of Israel's influence campaigns isn't any more of a problem then being sceptical of palestinan influence campaigns. Most politicians are receiving money from and in support of both AIPAC and CAIR.

WestAustinAg said:

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Massie isn't either all good or all bad. And being sceptical of Israel's influence campaigns isn't any more of a problem then being sceptical of palestinan influence campaigns. Most politicians are receiving money from and in support of both AIPAC and CAIR.

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I think most reasonable people would agree with that statement. People should be skeptical of any foreign influence in American politics.

Seamaster said:

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nortex97 said:

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Oh I'm not upset, nor surprised in the least. He's made his career siding against Republicans/with democrats at key opportunities/whenever his vote matters. In fact, I'm unaware of his authoring a single bill that was passed into law.

There is still a 'pointless' bloody war going on, but we aren't financing it any longer.

The only qualification Thomas Massie's cult-like supporters can ever name is that he "opposes foreign funding."

Foreign funding accounts for a measly 1% of annual federal spending.

So Massie torpedoes landmark conservative policies... the kind the right has fought for over… pic.twitter.com/xhcWeDurwN

— Apple Lamps (@lamps_apple) May 15, 2026

More leftist support;

.@AnaKasparian says that Thomas Massie losing would be a slap in the face to all Americans:

"What this communicates to us is that our elections and so-called democracy isn't real... A lobby that is far more concerned with a foreign country has more power than ordinary… pic.twitter.com/tUXRqt01Df

— The Megyn Kelly Show (@MegynKellyShow) May 15, 2026

We need less NYT republicans.

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That measly 1%.

I asked Grok just now how much annual foreign aid we give. $50-$80 billion per year estimated.

I then asked Grok how much it would cost to offer free public university education to every American college student in America. You guessed it, $50-$80 billion…

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We shouldn't do either of those