this post was submitted on 30 Sep 2025
178 points (97.8% liked)

politics

31093 readers
2213 users here now

Welcome to the discussion of US Politics!

Rules:

  1. Post only links to articles. Title must fairly describe link contents. If your title differs from the site’s, it should only be to add context or be more descriptive. Do not post entire articles in the body or in the comments.

Links must be to the original source, not an aggregator like Google Amp, MSN, or Yahoo.

Example:

  1. Articles must be relevant to US politics and contain quality and original content. Social Media adjacent hosts like Substack are allowed, but ONLY if they tie back to a company/subsidiary. No personal or friend group blogs and no self-promotion. Articles should be worth reading. Clickbait, stub articles, and re-hosted or stolen content are not allowed. Check your source for Reliability and Bias here.
  2. Be civil, No violations of TOS. It’s OK to say the subject of an article is behaving like a (pejorative, pejorative). It’s NOT OK to say another USER is (pejorative). Strong language is fine, just not directed at other members. Engage in good-faith and with respect! This includes accusing other users of being bots or paid actors.
  3. No memes, trolling, misinformation, or low-effort posts/comments (including reposts). If you see posts like this that anger you, do not engage. Report, block, and live a happier life than they do. Any slap-fight is subject to comment removals. Fights full of rule violations will result in temporary bans to cool off.
  4. No manipulating votes via bots or alt accounts; this will result in permanent bans. Vote based on comment quality, not agreement. This community aims to foster discussion; please reward people for putting effort into articulating their viewpoint, even if you disagree with it.
  5. No hate speech, slurs, celebrating death, advocating violence, or abusive language. This will result in an account ban. Usernames containing racist, or inappropriate slurs will be permanently banned.

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules and use critical thinking when reading, posting, and commenting. Users that repeatedly have comments or posts removed, weaponize reports, or violate the code of conduct, will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users. The reason(s) behind moderator action(s) are publicly available through the Modlog.

That's all the rules!

Civic Links

Register To Vote

Citizenship Resource Center

Congressional Awards Program

Federal Government Agencies

Library of Congress Legislative Resources

The White House

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate

Partnered Communities:

News

World News

Business News

Political Discussion

Ask Politics

Military News

Global Politics

Moderate Politics

Progressive Politics

UK Politics

Canadian Politics

Australian Politics

New Zealand Politics

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] IndridCold@lemmy.ca 94 points 11 months ago (4 children)

My favourite bit of all of this.

The Defense Secretary pointed to his own regimen as an example. “It all starts with physical fitness and appearance,” he said. “If the Secretary of War can do regular, hard PT [physical training], so can every member of our joint force.”

“Today at my direction, every member of the joint force, at every rank, is required … [to] meet height and weight requirements twice a year every year,” Hegseth added.

Someone remind me what fat orange bag of festering mayonnaise if at the top of these joint forces. I forget his name. I don't really see him doing jumping jacks.

[–] SlurryBravo@infosec.pub 41 points 11 months ago (4 children)

Why would a height requirement need to be checked twice a year?

[–] Gork@sopuli.xyz 41 points 11 months ago

Doesn't make sense. Shorter soldiers have smaller hitboxes.

Source: N64 Goldeneye Oddjob

[–] FoxyFerengi@startrek.website 22 points 11 months ago (2 children)

It sounds like dipshit thinks BMI is a good standard for fitness measurement

[–] salacious_coaster@infosec.pub 14 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Not just Hegseth. The US military has always used BMI as part of fitness standards.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] Montagge@lemmy.zip 4 points 11 months ago

When I was in the Army they used BMI, and if you failed BMI you had to get a pinch test to measure body fat. I had to do it because I was 6'4" (193cm) and 225lbs (102kgs) which is overweight by BMI standards.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] dhork@lemmy.world 34 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

No, this is a great idea. We should all get on Social Media and challenge the Snowflake-in-chief's ability to do the jumping jacks he is asking his troops to do. Taunt him with old videos of Jack LaLanne, since he seems stuck in the 80's culturally. With any luck, the problem will solve itself.

[–] frustrated_phagocytosis@fedia.io 17 points 11 months ago

He literally said he can't even walk without being careful so he doesn't fall down, and he's acused exercise of shortening the lifespan because you have a finite number of heartbeats or something. In other words, the troops are expendable because shortening their lifespans through exercise is perfectly acceptable. Some animals are more equal and all that.

[–] Theprogressivist@lemmy.world 19 points 11 months ago (2 children)

There are fat service members in BCP that probably PT harder than any of these fucks in charge.

[–] frezik@lemmy.blahaj.zone 22 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I'm guessing Hegseth actually does workout regularly. It's part of his Master Race schtick. He likes to look good while showing off his white supremacy tattoos.

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 11 points 11 months ago

"A Nazi worked out today; did you?”

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
[–] IndridCold@lemmy.ca 90 points 11 months ago (3 children)

In the speech he said

"As history teaches us, the only people who actually deserve peace are those who are willing to wage war to defend it. That's why pacifism is so naive and dangerous. It ignores human nature and ignores human history. Either you protect your people and your sovereignty or you become subservient to something or someone. "

That sounds like an invitation for true patriots to "fix" the current administration.

[–] jumperalex@lemmy.world 24 points 11 months ago (1 children)

The most dangerous person is the world, is one convinced of their own righteousness.

They love to talk tough about 2A, and the three boxes of freedom, and peace thru power, right up until someone takes them up on it.

[–] AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world 13 points 11 months ago

Four boxes of freedom. Soap box is frequently forgotten about. Soap box, jury box, ballot box, ammo box.

[–] LillyPip@lemmy.ca 14 points 11 months ago

They literally renamed the Department of Defense to the Department of War. How more explicit do we need them to be?

[–] HeadfullofSoup@kbin.earth 6 points 11 months ago (9 children)

I sure hope some of the military try is a coup from the army be that bad at this point?

load more comments (9 replies)
[–] thagoat@lemmy.sdf.org 69 points 11 months ago (3 children)

So we're back to bombing for peace.

Like fucking for virginity.

Fuck these clowns. Vote. Every. Single. Election.

School boards and mayors and locals, too.

[–] Zephorah@discuss.online 15 points 11 months ago (1 children)

You’re assuming 2026 is happening.

[–] LodeMike@lemmy.today 8 points 11 months ago (7 children)

Why are you so eager to give up?

[–] Zephorah@discuss.online 7 points 11 months ago

I am medical. If people start shooting each other (more than they are already) I know my role already.

In terms of everything currently happening, every time someone says “vote” that feels like giving up in the right now while no election is happening. “Vote” says: just wait. Go sit down and wait. Take a nap, even, just wait. None of this matters, we’ll just “vote” later. There’s no action to be had, go read a book or something.

I’m not the one professing a “give up” strategy here.

[–] WhatGodIsMadeOf@feddit.org 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Because I didn't like the lifestyle of arrogance and privilege here before trump either. Its always been heartless and soulless for anyone that doesn't get lost in the escapism in the bullshit they peddle to naive people in exchange for easier control.

Most Americans don't even want to admit how much blood is on their hands by simply living a "regular life" under this nation. That's not a culture to be trusted as authentic genuine human beings.

load more comments (5 replies)
[–] meco03211@lemmy.world 14 points 11 months ago

"I love peace. I don't care how many men, women, and children I need to kill to get it."

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] IcedRaktajino@startrek.website 43 points 11 months ago (4 children)

And Congress authorized a war....when, exactly?

[–] cabbage@piefed.social 18 points 11 months ago

I guess you missed the memo. War is peace.

[–] frustrated_phagocytosis@fedia.io 9 points 11 months ago

That's what the corporate settlement and bribery slush fund is for, who needs congress when you've got unlimited financial resources through corruption?

[–] nondescripthandle@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 11 months ago

Congress hasn't had that power since before Bush, and even both of the democrat presidents since then have also authorizied military action without the approval of congress. Neither side realistically wants to change it, and they've all been capitalizing on it.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] danc4498@lemmy.world 24 points 11 months ago (1 children)

God, I hope it’s the war on Christmas! I’ve been waiting so long for that!

[–] Warl0k3@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago (1 children)

That jolly red fucker is finally gonna get what's coming to him!

[–] snooggums@piefed.world 23 points 11 months ago

"Preparing for war and preparing to win. Unrelenting and uncompromising in that pursuit. Not because we want war. No one here wants war. But it's because we love peace."

Somebody completely missed the point of Peacemaker.

[–] stoy@lemmy.zip 21 points 11 months ago

Alright, then, sir, we hereby disquallify the commander in chief based on your orders untill such time that he has proven to us to meet a minimum of phyisical standards.

[–] easybre_bb@lemmy.zip 21 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Those who will never see war in person sure like to push for more war.

[–] pigup@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago

This is a recurring theme in human history.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] DaddleDew@lemmy.world 20 points 11 months ago (3 children)

War against who?

War against who, motherfucker? 🪿

load more comments (3 replies)
[–] AmericanEconomicThinkTank@lemmy.world 19 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Considering everyone in the room knows the Commander in Chief wouldn't be able to pass the basic reading tests for recruits, I'd say this just doesn't hit home as well as they all hope it does.

[–] ripcord@lemmy.world 7 points 11 months ago

Considering how dead silent the room apparently was, I'd say you are right.

[–] fittedsyllabi@lemmy.world 16 points 11 months ago

Prepare for war with Americans, America.

[–] frustrated_phagocytosis@fedia.io 12 points 11 months ago

Also we're not paying any of your soldiers starting tomorrow, good luck with morale while you prep unpaid men to commit war crimes again

[–] Ironfist79@lemmy.world 11 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

So the military is going to do what they've been doing for decades. PT tests happen every six months already.

[–] Zephorah@discuss.online 7 points 11 months ago

Saying it publically makes it sound like his idea.

[–] itsgroundhogdayagain@lemmy.ml 10 points 11 months ago

I hope I can stay on top of that height requirement twice a year.

[–] unconsequential@slrpnk.net 7 points 11 months ago

Hegseth: Be ready for war Trump: You can practice on our cities!

[–] Lushed_Lungfish@lemmy.ca 6 points 11 months ago

Um, they were already doing that. Pete, do you actually know what a military is for?

[–] jordanlund@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago
load more comments
view more: next ›