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Hekate

(99,025 posts)

116. Misses the mark: the Soviet-style Cold War tactics of imprisoning foreigners for criticizing Dear Leader....

Thu Jul 31, 2025, 09:14 PM

Jul 31

...and for criticizing Dear Leader’s policies and whims — that’s designed to keep outsiders far away.

When the majority of the planet is brown or black and they see on the news that nonwhite tourists and long-time nonwhite residents are being snatched up by “ICE” thugs and tossed in unmarked vans going god-knows-where for god-knows-how-long — well, it just doesn’t engender that warm feeling of coming to the Happiest Place on Earth with the kiddies, does it?

I keep reading random articles about white Europeans as well — youngsters taking a gap year or a summer to backpack around the US and cross the border with Canada back and forth have also been snatched up and “detained. “

If Big Business like Disney couldn’t foretell this would be the result of Trump’s words and behavior, they are too stupid to be in the hospitality business. Myriads of small business will suffer too, and apparently are already.

This just reeks. I wouldn’t come here, either, if I didn’t already live here.

What with one thing and another, I see us at the threshold of a second Great Depression.

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calimary

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Highlight:

Las Vegas is dead bro... [View all] riversedge Jul 31 OP

Las Vegas has fallen off an international tourism cliff. The world is moving on. riversedge Jul 31 #1

Breathtaking declines. I'm guessing domestic tourism has to be down Mike 03 Jul 31 #7

Tourism for the Smokies is down, both NC and TN mtngirl47 Jul 31 #37

From what Rebl2 Jul 31 #75

The only thing I have heard about Disney inn Cali soldierant Jul 31 #112

Good! Well-deserved. calimary Aug 3 #147

The maga responses to this are bonkers Native Jul 31 #31

Are they doing their usual bootlicking of idgit mwmisses4289 Jul 31 #69

yeppers . AllaN01Bear Jul 31 #80

cool. Conjuay Jul 31 #50

That's Mr. Fart of the Deal for ya! RazorbackExpat Jul 31 #57

Trump enid602 Jul 31 #109

And the popsdenver Jul 31 #121

Post of the day, so far. Well done! . . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jul 31 #77

Yes, incredible diverse talents PatSeg Jul 31 #100

Who could know... LakeVermilion Jul 31 #2

how to tap into this? you voted for this so................... nt msongs Jul 31 #3

Jul 8 Tourism is booming but the U.S. is missing out, losing $29 billion and risking millions of jobs as travellers riversedge Jul 31 #4

Not just criticizing Israel jonstl08 Jul 31 #52

and the Olympics too DonCoquixote Jul 31 #78

Trump bragged that he is president for the Olympics while saying they rigged the election. live love laugh Jul 31 #82

it will be DonCoquixote Jul 31 #88

So mean, just so mean. CrispyQ Jul 31 #93

No reason to choose- do both 👍 biophile Jul 31 #99

Agreed lonely bird Jul 31 #107

Take a number. calimary Aug 1 #128

Both??? D_Master81 Aug 1 #143

I live in SF and was at fisherman's wharf and it was not as crowded as usual this time of year. kimbutgar Jul 31 #98

Misses the mark: the Soviet-style Cold War tactics of imprisoning foreigners for criticizing Dear Leader.... Hekate Jul 31 #116

Big business only looks one quarter ahead or they would have backed Harris big time with a HUGE ad campaign... CrispyQ Aug 1 #144

Oh... RockRaven Jul 31 #5

Trump FURIOUS as U.S Airports EMPTY Jul 22, 2025 📉 Over 3 million international tourists riversedge Jul 31 #6

I remember all the moaning in our country when we tried to pull ourselves together to Mike 03 Jul 31 #8

Most folks understand that "one day spending boycotts" lack the sustained impact needed to bring about * Oopsie Daisy Jul 31 #13

So what do you suggest would work better? Longer boycotts? mdbl Jul 31 #22

These days, an opportunity to visit the US probably feels like an opportunity to tour a brain tumor hatrack Jul 31 #24

"So what do you suggest would work better? Longer boycotts?" OldBaldy1701E Jul 31 #32

I'm not "suggesting" that at all... I'm saying it directly. Oopsie Daisy Jul 31 #40

"Fact of the matter is that boycotts must hurt the business that's being boycotted" mdbl Jul 31 #47

Well then... it really doesn't make sense to promote one-day boycotts. Oopsie Daisy Jul 31 #56

"This won't happen by whining that "Democrats aren't pure enough so I'm voting third party" mdbl Jul 31 #104

Nothing to remember. Simple words of wisdom... Oopsie Daisy Jul 31 #110

Well stated mdbl Hey Joe Jul 31 #91

It's sad that at one time, the average voter knew all this mdbl Jul 31 #108

One day boycotts are useful, just not very useful. But they set the stage for bigger boycotts. Bernardo de La Paz Jul 31 #81

Easier? Unlikely... these folks will end up with boycott-fatigue * Oopsie Daisy Jul 31 #85

if only we believed everything on the internet like this meme Nimble_Idea Aug 3 #151

Keep shouting! Maybe it will make a difference, someday. Oopsie Daisy Aug 3 #157

Foreign media reports, foreign visitors decide. sop Jul 31 #34

Simply put, "It ain't safe to come to the U. S. " Joinfortmill Jul 31 #35

Yes. I think that's the major motivation. There may be many who want to punish the USA * Oopsie Daisy Jul 31 #43

Several countries have also issued U.S State Departments mwmisses4289 Jul 31 #71

That is very amusing (in a sad way) that the MAGA idiots are very US-centric * Oopsie Daisy Jul 31 #73

Definitely not TLDR. It's fine if shallow people pass over thoughtful posts such as yours. It's read by serious people.n Bernardo de La Paz Jul 31 #79

You're very kind... thanks. Oopsie Daisy Aug 1 #142

my boycott is permanent Nimble_Idea Aug 3 #150

Yeah! That'll show 'em. Oopsie Daisy Aug 3 #155

Yeah, we can't even get a decent general strike started. Crowman2009 Jul 31 #23

Hear hear, perfectly said. JMCKUSICK Jul 31 #26

Exactly. OldBaldy1701E Jul 31 #33

It is much easier CozyMystery Jul 31 #30

Except... OldBaldy1701E Jul 31 #36

I agree. And, I know I could do much better. Joinfortmill Jul 31 #41

You daughter saving $600 per month misanthrope Aug 1 #133

I don't see why fuckface is mad... he's the Cha Jul 31 #12

Isn't Trump always mad? PJMcK Jul 31 #18

Trip thinks his shit smells like roses Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jul 31 #28

I don't get it, Trump: DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO COME TO THIS COUNTRY OR NOT? Aristus Jul 31 #60

Blithering idiotic piece of shit still doesn't know what Eliot Rosewater Jul 31 #83

It is literally... *checks notes* his own fucking fault! Initech Jul 31 #89

HE'S fucking bankrupting the country vapor2 Jul 31 #106

One big problem is corporate price gouging SocialDemocrat61 Jul 31 #9

This edhopper Jul 31 #62

When corporate America is greedier and dumber than mobsters misanthrope Aug 1 #134

True MrsCheaplaugh Jul 31 #74

They nickel and dimed people to death. DenaliDemocrat Jul 31 #10

It's what happens edhopper Jul 31 #63

they were always content to shit on the middle class cadoman Jul 31 #70

Vegas was MADE for the middle class DenaliDemocrat Jul 31 #97

the local casinos around here never re-opened the buffets after the pandemic since they were just loss leaders pstokely Aug 1 #137

The cheap buffets disappeared over 30 years ago LogDog75 Jul 31 #122

Cheap buffets went away over 30 years ago LogDog75 Jul 31 #123

Yup. My mom would spend all day on the nickel slots having a ball. SunSeeker Aug 1 #131

aren't they the only places left that have mini bars? pstokely Aug 1 #136

Maybe an additional factor: Gen Z and Millennials can't rationalize the expense ... Auggie Jul 31 #11

Gen Z does online gambling, if they gamble. SunSeeker Aug 1 #132

Tourism mgardener Jul 31 #14

Choke on it, Miriam. no_hypocrisy Jul 31 #15

Don't forget Trump's pal Steve Wynn. oasis Jul 31 #20

Oh yeah . . . no_hypocrisy Jul 31 #21

I've never been to Vegas PJMcK Jul 31 #16

Please don't throw the term narcissist around DenaliDemocrat Jul 31 #45

Narcissism exists on a continuum that ranges from normal to abnormal personality expression. While many psychologists Celerity Jul 31 #76

Calling someone a narcissist implies PATHOLOGICAL DenaliDemocrat Jul 31 #96

One doesn't need to gamble to enjoy Vegas. miyazaki Jul 31 #86

I am absolutely no gambler. I've been broke all my life, it seems... slightlv Jul 31 #117

G.O.P. takes full responsibility for this mess BoRaGard Jul 31 #17

I blame all those people who voted Trump because he promised no taxes on tips rpannier Aug 1 #138

Trump "obliterated" Vegas. oasis Jul 31 #19

Not sure if it was here or somewhere else Just_Vote_Dem Jul 31 #25

Pair one with a free hotel room and they might have something. Xavier Breath Jul 31 #58

Nathan hot dogs Puppyjive Aug 1 #140

international tourists don't want to come to the US IronLionZion Jul 31 #27

Yup, dumb as a rock. Joinfortmill Jul 31 #44

"People don't want to come to the U.S.? I'll show them! I hereby TARIFF them!" tanyev Jul 31 #46

Yeah! MAGA! That will teach them IronLionZion Jul 31 #54

+1 dalton99a Jul 31 #59

No tax on tips Henry203 Jul 31 #29

Trump can rightly say he stopped the flood of foreigners coming to the U.S. sop Jul 31 #38

I was just there Puppyjive Jul 31 #39

What did they say when they were asked how they felt about Donald Trump? SunSeeker Aug 1 #129

They stayed neutral Puppyjive Aug 1 #139

This doesn't even look like an organized boycott DFW Jul 31 #42

It's too expensive for Americans too newdeal2 Jul 31 #48

Different era, I guess DFW Jul 31 #55

Good! Now let's ALL cut our own spending back so that we can crush this economy! OrlandoDem2 Jul 31 #49

My FIL was detained by ICE for questioning in Vegas. OrlandoDem2 Jul 31 #51

This week it's mini lobster season in Florida. tavernier Jul 31 #53

"Mini Lobsters"? hatrack Jul 31 #61

spiny lobsters edhopper Jul 31 #64

Ah! Got it. hatrack Jul 31 #66

Las Vegas has a nice Golf Course though. ProudMNDemocrat Jul 31 #65

Not when edhopper Jul 31 #67

I hear you. ProudMNDemocrat Jul 31 #68

I live here and did not vote for this cruel monster vapor2 Jul 31 #72

I also live in Vegas Ananda62 Jul 31 #87

This is also the state where a black man was harassed for trying to get signatures at a rural town. SunImp Jul 31 #105

I'm going to the Star Trek markodochartaigh Jul 31 #84

I'll be going to Vegas for 311 Day next year. Initech Jul 31 #90

Be sure to wear a mask on the plane and in the airport, really anywhere you are around a lot of people. MIButterfly Jul 31 #92

Thank you I will. markodochartaigh Jul 31 #95

wow,,, there are still star trek conventions? i thought everything sci fi was rolled into comic cons Demovictory9 Jul 31 #111

Comic cons are certainly larger these days markodochartaigh Jul 31 #118

Just saw this post Mosby Jul 31 #94

It's insane. Xolodno Jul 31 #102

This could be more about the massive greed of Vegas than Trump Callie1979 Jul 31 #101

Why would anyone LilElf70 Jul 31 #103

His dictatorship is becoming more real everyday. czarjak Jul 31 #114

it lost the Canadian tourist... a good percentage of their business Demovictory9 Jul 31 #113

Ice thugs earn bounties bringing in everybody they can get their fat fingers on wolfie001 Jul 31 #115

Canadian tourists say FU Multiguy Jul 31 #119

That is why Vegas popsdenver Jul 31 #120

I'll be in Las Vegas in two weeks LogDog75 Jul 31 #124

Coffee makers? Puppyjive Aug 1 #141

This is just the beginning. Gore1FL Jul 31 #125

By Christmas everyone will be feeling it; even those with resources to weather hard times will notice. CrispyQ Aug 1 #145

Many LV hospitality jobs are union jobs Jose Garcia Jul 31 #126

The "real stats" back up the anecdotes: W_HAMILTON Aug 1 #135

Thank you! Great article with lots of backup stats! -nt CrispyQ Aug 1 #146

wow - the repubes have really made a mess BoRaGard Aug 3 #148

Thanks. Interesting data. I think convention bookings may begin to decline. I wonder how that is going? . . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Aug 3 #154

Everything Trump touches dies like Dracula. rickyhall Jul 31 #127

Never been there.... so it is just as dead or alive to me now Jack Valentino Aug 1 #130

Trump bankrupt several casinos on his own. Emile Aug 3 #149

Trump tourism and the availability of more local casinos underpants Aug 3 #152

And no more Seniors at the slots C_U_L8R Aug 3 #153

I wonder if USians are vacationing outside the US more noe Bluestocking Aug 3 #156

People do not want to come to the US LetMyPeopleVote Aug 3 #158

Well, i'm thinking that like the first movie Planet Of The Ape's bluestarone Aug 3 #159