MEMES THAT MADE ME LAUGH TODAY 1-17

 
MEMES THAT MADE ME LAUGH TODAY 1-17

Big Education Ape: WILL TRUMP 'OUT PUTIN' PUTIN? https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/will-trump-out-putin-putin.html

Big Education Ape: PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FAREWELL ADDRESS - BEWARE OF THE TECH INDUSTRIAL OLIGARCHY (TRANSCRIPT AND VIDEO) https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/president-joe-biden-farewell-address.html 

Big Education Ape: IT AIN'T CALLED SUNNY CALIFORNIA FOR NOTHING: AFTER THE DEVASTING WILDFIRES REBUILDING BRIGHTER ... ONE SOLAR PANEL AT A TIME https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/it-aint-called-sunny-california-for.html 

Big Education Ape: OFFSHORING: THE OLIGARCHY'S FAVORITE TAX DODGE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/offshoring-oligarchys-favorite-tax-dodge.html 

Big Education Ape: UPDATE 1-12-25 MORE RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF FIRE - THE BLAME GAME: LA's Fiery Frenzy and the Art of Pointing Fingers https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-blame-game-las-fiery-frenzy-and-art.html

Big Education Ape: WOULD THE NEW YORK TIMES AND WASHINGTON POST PUBLISH THE PENTAGON PAPERS AND EXPOSE WATERGATE IN TODAY'S MEDIA CLIMATE? https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/would-new-york-times-and-washington.html 

Big Education Ape: THE OLIGARCHY'S GREAT AMERICAN EDUCATION HEIST: BILLIONAIRES GONE WILD https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-oligarchys-great-american-education.html 

Big Education Ape: WTF CLIMATE CHANGE: DRILL BABY DRILL, SNOW BABY SNOW, AND THE BILLIONAIRE ESCAPE PLAN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/wtf-climate-change-drill-baby-drill.html 

Big Education Ape: FOUNDING FATHERS AND MODERN JUSTICE: A TALE OF POWER, PRIVILEGE, AND A FEW QUESTIONABLES CHOICES https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/founding-fathers-and-modern-justice.html 

Big Education Ape: CALIFORNIA: THE LIBERTARIAN WOLF IN LIBERAL CLOTHING https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/01/california-libertarian-wolf-in-liberal.html 

WILL TRUMP 'OUT PUTIN' PUTIN?

WILL TRUMP 'OUT PUTIN' PUTIN?

Ah, 2025. The year when the world has finally learned to live in harmony. Just kidding! It’s the year when Donald Trump, not even the president yet, has decided to channel his inner 19th-century imperialist and throw a global hissy fit over territories he doesn’t own. Forget diplomacy; this is cartographic conquest meets playground politics. Picture a grown man stomping his feet in front of a world map, yelling, “I want it! I want it!” And somehow, the world is forced to take him seriously.  

Let’s start with Greenland, the icy gem that Trump once famously tried to buy—because who wouldn’t want a frozen real estate deal? Denmark politely declined, but Trump apparently never got over the rejection. Fast forward to today, and Trump has sent not one but *two* ambassadors to Greenland to stir the pot. One is an official diplomat (because appearances matter), and the other is his son, Don Jr., whose qualifications include taking selfies with rifles, looking for 'snow' and being vaguely aware of geography. Their mission? To convince Greenlanders that being ruled by Denmark is so 2024 and that independence under the benevolent gaze of Uncle Sam is the way forward.  

The official reason for this meddling? National security, of course. Because nothing screams "threat to global peace" like a sparsely populated island covered in ice. But let’s be real—this isn’t about security. It’s about oil, minerals, and the kind of geopolitical posturing that would make even a Bond villain roll their eyes. And if Greenlanders think this is just a passing phase, they should take a long, hard look at Panama.  

Ah, Panama—the country that has been on the receiving end of American "benevolence" for over a century. The U.S. practically invented Panama as a country in 1903, carving it out of Colombia with the subtlety of a chainsaw. Why? To build the Panama Canal, of course. And let’s not forget "The Zone," that charming little slice of colonial entitlement where Americans ruled like feudal lords while Panamanians looked on in disbelief.  

Fast forward to 1977, when President Jimmy Carter decided to do something radical: give Panama its canal back. The move was hailed as a triumph of diplomacy and fairness—except by Trump, who apparently sees it as history’s greatest giveaway. Now, in 2025, Trump is eyeing Panama the way a toddler eyes a cookie jar. His justification? The Panamanians are charging too much for canal usage, and—gasp!—the Chinese are helping them modernize their infrastructure. For Trump, this is not just an economic inconvenience; it’s an existential crisis.  

So what’s the plan? Well, if history is any guide, it’ll involve some combination of threats, bluster, and possibly an aircraft carrier or two parked menacingly near the canal. After all, nothing says “diplomacy” like a floating fortress of steel bristling with missiles. And if Panama resists? Let’s just say that Trump’s track record suggests he’s not above pulling a Putin—minus the shirtless horseback riding, thankfully.  

Speaking of Putin, it’s worth noting that Trump seems to be borrowing heavily from the Russian playbook these days. Packing the government with loyalists? Check. Cozying up to oligarchs? Double check. Eyeing foreign territories with all the subtlety of a hungry cat staring at a goldfish? Triple check. The only thing missing is a propaganda machine churning out catchy slogans like “Make Greenland Great Again” or “Canal Control for Freedom!” But give it time; we’re only in January.  

So what does all this mean for the rest of us? Well, if you live in a country with resources Trump finds appealing—or if your name happens to rhyme with “Canada”—you might want to keep an eye on your borders. Canada, in particular, should be on high alert. After all, who could forget Trump’s past grievances with our polite northern neighbors? From trade disputes to maple syrup tariffs (okay, I made that one up), Canada has been in Trump’s crosshairs before. And let’s not forget his bizarre claim that Canada burned down the White House during the War of 1812—a historical inaccuracy so egregious it deserves its own Netflix documentary.  

But back to Greenland for a moment. If there’s one lesson they should take from all this, it’s that American interest in your territory is rarely altruistic. If you see an aircraft carrier parked on either side of your island—or worse, Don Jr. hosting a rally in Nuuk—it might be time to consider making sure that Denmark is paid up on NATO dues. Because let’s face it: when Trump starts eyeing your landmass like it’s the last slice of pizza at a frat party, you’re going to need all the allies you can get.  

In conclusion, 2025 is shaping up to be a banner year for neo-colonialism and gunboat diplomacy—the kind of old-school imperialism that makes historians reach for their whiskey bottles. Whether it’s Greenland, Panama, or some other unsuspecting nation, Trump seems determined to leave his mark on the world map—preferably in Sharpie, so it can’t be erased. And while his antics might be laughable at times, they’re also a sobering reminder that history has a way of repeating itself—especially when there’s oil involved.  

So buckle up, folks. The world stage is looking less like a theater of diplomacy and more like a reality TV show gone off the rails. And as always, the rest of us are left wondering: how did we get here, and more importantly, how do we get out?  

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FAREWELL ADDRESS - BEWARE OF THE TECH INDUSTRIAL OLIGARCHY (TRANSCRIPT AND VIDEO)

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FAREWELL ADDRESS

BEWARE OF THE TECH INDUSTRIAL OLIGARCHY

Biden Delivers a Farewell Address and a Warning to the Nation - The New York Times

Here is the full transcript of President Biden’s farewell address.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/15/us/biden-speech-trump-transition#full-transcript-of-president-bidens-farewell-address 

President Biden delivers his farewell address, reflecting on achievements like job creation, infrastructure, and climate laws, while warning against threats to democracy, misinformation, and concentrated power.

Detailed Summary for [WATCH LIVE: Biden's farewell address from the White House | PBS News Special Report](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlFXvRfBTjg) by [Monica](https://monica.im)

  [01:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlFXvRfBTjg&t=90) President Biden delivers his farewell address from the Oval Office, reflecting on his presidency and major achievements, including a significant ceasefire deal.

  - Introduction to the farewell address, emphasizing its significance as Biden's last speech as president.}

- Overview of key topics expected to be covered, including crises faced during his presidency such as COVID-19 and international conflicts.}

- Announcement of a historic ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, highlighting the administration's negotiation efforts.}

- Biden acknowledges this as his final address to the American people from the Oval Office, marking the end of his presidency.}   

[03:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlFXvRfBTjg&t=238.83999633789062) In his farewell address, President Biden reflects on the essence of America, emphasizing its foundational ideals, collective strength, and the ongoing challenges it faces.

  - Biden contemplates the identity of America and its historical significance, referencing the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of freedom built by diverse contributions.}

- He describes the resilience of the Statue of Liberty, which stands firm against storms, paralleling the nation's ability to endure hardships and challenges.}

- Biden underscores America's identity as a nation of immigrants and dreamers, united by the belief in equality, dignity, and justice for all.}

- He acknowledges the continuous testing of American values and institutions, stressing the importance of courage in facing power dynamics and upholding democratic ideals.}    

[07:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlFXvRfBTjg&t=478.0800018310547) In his farewell address, President Biden reflects on significant accomplishments during his administration, emphasizes the importance of unity, and expresses concerns about future challenges facing the nation.

  - Acknowledgment of the pandemic and the heroism of service members and advocates during crises.}

- Celebration of economic recovery, job creation, and advancements in infrastructure and technology.}

- Introduction of healthcare reforms and gun safety laws aimed at protecting citizens and veterans.}

- Recognition of the administration's achievements in job creation and healthcare access, alongside strengthening international alliances.}

- A warning about potential dangers ahead, highlighting the need for vigilance and unity to ensure America's continued success.}      

[11:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlFXvRfBTjg&t=716.6399993896484) In his farewell address, President Biden emphasizes the urgent need to address climate change, the importance of American leadership in technology, and the dangers of misinformation and unchecked power. He calls for action to protect future generations and to ensure accountability in the digital age.

  - Biden highlights the existential threat of climate change and the significant climate and clean energy law he signed.}

- He warns against powerful forces attempting to undermine progress on climate action for their own interests.}

- Biden draws parallels to Eisenhower's warning about the dangers of concentrated power, now focusing on the potential rise of a tech-industrial complex.}

- He discusses the impact of misinformation and the decline of the free press, stressing the need for accountability on social media platforms.}

- Biden addresses the profound implications of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need for safeguards to harness its potential responsibly.}      

[15:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlFXvRfBTjg&t=956) In his farewell address, President Biden emphasizes the importance of democracy, the need for ethical reforms, and the enduring possibilities that define America.

  - Biden calls for strong ethics reforms for Congress and the Supreme Court, advocating for a ban on stock trading by Congress members while in office.}

- He stresses that presidential power is not absolute and highlights the dangers of concentrated power and wealth, which can lead to division and distrust among citizens.}

- Biden underscores the necessity of engagement in democracy, stating that everyone deserves a fair shot based on hard work and talent, rather than guarantees.}

- He reflects on the American spirit of possibilities, sharing his personal journey from humble beginnings to the presidency as an illustration of what America represents.}

- The address concludes with a poignant story about a veteran known as the Keeper of the Flame, symbolizing hope and the enduring spirit of the American people.}      

[19:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlFXvRfBTjg&t=1195.7799987792969) In his farewell address, President Biden reflects on the core values of the nation, warns against the concentration of power, and emphasizes the importance of democracy and civic responsibility.

  - Biden expresses his belief in the foundational values of the nation and the importance of enduring institutions and character.}

- He acknowledges this as his final address to the American public, marking the end of his lengthy service.}

- Biden warns about the dangers of a concentration of power among a wealthy few, suggesting an emerging oligarchy.}

- He reflects on national identity and the threats to democracy, emphasizing the need for checks and balances.}

- Biden issues clear warnings regarding the incoming administration and the risks posed to democratic institutions.}      

[23:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlFXvRfBTjg&t=1433.7799987792969) In this segment of President Biden's farewell address, he reflects on historical challenges in America, discusses public perception of his presidency, and addresses the impact of disinformation on his administration's achievements.

  - Biden draws parallels between current issues and historical periods of imperialism and populism, emphasizing the dangers posed by oligarchs.}

- Despite low favorability ratings for Biden, the White House maintains that significant achievements have been made, particularly in economic recovery and job creation.}

- Biden attributes some of the disconnect between public perception and his administration's accomplishments to the spread of disinformation on social media.}

- White House aides believe that public opinion of Biden's presidency will improve over time, similar to the retrospective views on President Obama's actions.}