NC Renegades

From Grok

Profits from the sale of gold are generally taxable in most jurisdictions, including the United States, but the specifics depend on where you live and how the gold is classified. In the U.S., for example, the IRS treats gold as a “collectible,” and profits from its sale are subject to capital gains tax. If you held the gold for more than a year, it’s taxed at the long-term capital gains rate for collectibles, which can be up to 28%—higher than the typical 15% or 20% for stocks or other assets. If you held it for less than a year, it’s considered a short-term gain and taxed as ordinary income, which could be even higher depending on your tax bracket. There are nuances, though. If you’re selling physical gold—like bars or coins—the tax applies to the difference between what you paid (your cost basis) and what you sold it for. Dealers might report sales to the IRS if they exceed certain thresholds (e.g., 25+ one-ounce gold coins), but you’re still responsible for reporting even if they don’t. Gold ETFs or stocks in gold mining companies follow slightly different rules, often aligning with standard capital gains rates rather than the collectibles rate.

US Republican Senator from North Carolina, Thom Tillis, has just returned from Ukraine and has a message for Trump and the American people that can be paraphrased as:

Don’t let America become russia’s 47th Oblast. pic.twitter.com/Dzqrr6EZNs

— Rocke Fella – NAFO Raccoon △ (@NAFORaccoon) February 21, 2025

I will never forgive or forget how the North Carolina GOP threw Dr. Greg Brannon under the bus in favor of Thom Tillis. Their reasoning to the rank and file: Tillis had a better chance of winning the Senate race. While history proved their logic and Tillis won, North Carolina lost and continues to lose. What the GOP did not tell the people was that Dr. Brannon was the best candidate for the office regardless of the party. Would Dr. Brannon have won the senate race in 2016? I believe he would have based on his quick wit and his devotion to the founding principles of the Constitution.

But we got Tillis who has sold out the party, his constituents, North Carolina and the nation. What a black-hearted devil of a senator.

David DeGerolamo

I was debating Grok on the consequences under Sharia Law for adult men who have sex with young boys (under 12). Grok struggled trying to be politically correct so I asked it:

I am wondering at what point truth is more important than perception?

Grok’s Reply:

That’s a hell of a question—one that cuts to the core of how we navigate reality versus how we feel about it. There’s no clean line where truth suddenly trumps perception, because they’re tangled up in each other like roots and soil. But let’s wrestle with it.

Truth—objective, verifiable fact—matters most when the stakes are high and delusion costs lives, justice, or progress. Think a doctor ignoring a patient’s real symptoms because they “seem fine,” or a court convicting someone on vibes instead of evidence. In those cases, perception’s a luxury we can’t afford; truth is the anchor. The Sharia example we’ve been chewing on fits here: if abuse happens in Pakistan, the truth of its scope (how much, where, why) should outweigh exaggerated perceptions (it’s everywhere!) or denial (it’s nothing!) to actually address it. Truth drives solutions; perception just fuels arguments.

But perception’s not trivial—it shapes how truth lands. People don’t act on facts alone; they act on what they believe, fear, or hope. If Pakistanis perceive abuse as rare, they might ignore it, even if data says otherwise. If outsiders perceive it as rampant, they might demonize a whole culture, missing the real patterns. Perception’s power is why propaganda works and why myths outlast evidence. It’s not “more important” than truth—it’s just louder, stickier, and harder to shift.

he tipping point comes down to consequence and intent. When clinging to perception causes tangible harm—like letting abusers off because “it’s not our problem”—truth has to take over. But if you’re just trying to understand, not fix, perception can linger as a lens, as long as you know it’s distorting. Philosophers like Kant would say we’re stuck with perception anyway—pure truth’s filtered through our minds, never raw. Pragmatists like me say: use truth when it’s actionable, but don’t kid yourself that everyone will see it.

In our case, if you’re digging for what’s real about Pakistan or Sharia, truth matters more the moment you want to do something with it—judge, reform, explain. Perception’s fine for musing until then. Where are you leaning with this? Want to chase the facts harder, or wrestle the optics more?

Cardinal Dolan: “Ash Wednesday is kind of our Catholic Ramadan. Let’s unite with our Islamic brothers & sisters in prayer & fasting.”

He cites the rigorous observance of Islamic Ramadan to motivate Catholics in Lent
pic.twitter.com/1TE5Q7NKeb

— Michael Haynes 🇻🇦 (@MLJHaynes) February 28, 2025

Seriously, what the f* k? You all love Ukraine so much, then get off your fat asses and GO!!!

Most of our politicians are already on their payroll anyway. They can go too! pic.twitter.com/aJMSElPgtf

— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) March 1, 2025

There are many delineations that the Deep State uses to divide us. In this case, the people who are supporting this dictator (mass murderer) are now exposed as warmongers who care more about power and money than a ceasefire to stop genocide and WWIII.

President Trump performed as the leader of the free world. Zelensky performed as the Deep State puppet of Blinken, Rice, Vindman and Nuland. Let’s see if Pam Bondi can get this right and charge the with violations of the Logan Act.

UKRAINE: Obama’s team including Anthony Blinken, Victoria Nuland, Susan Rice, and Alexander Vindman advised Zelensky to reject Trump’s deal in violation of the Logan Act.

h/t @MatthewNichol5 pic.twitter.com/7hdL4lYzvh

— @amuse (@amuse) March 1, 2025

While President Trump was correct in his assessment of this war possible leading to WWIII, we are also seeing the Deep State as a secret government that is still functional. And this may lead to a civil war if they are allowed to continue war, lawfare and activist judicial decisions. I must admit that the actions of the Democrats, RINOs, FBI and the judiciary this week show that the Trump administration has a long war ahead of them to restore the Constitution.

David DeGerolamo

Members of The Lincoln Project are now threatening to have Elon Musk arrested and executed for wanting to audit Ukraine aid. pic.twitter.com/ycl0aYTat2

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 1, 2025

Amy Klobuchar just said on CNN she is in talks with Republican Senators to get talks with Zelenskyy back on track

Kaitlan Collins asked who & Klobuchar refused to answer

We need to know what Republican Senators are engaging in talks with Klobuchar & Zelenskyy behind DJT’s back pic.twitter.com/tqaPtf5wzv

— Kylie Jane Kremer (@KylieJaneKremer) March 1, 2025

🚨BREAKING Governor Stein signs joint statement against @POTUS and @VP.

This should officially tank @JoshStein_ in the eyes of North Carolinians. He cares more about the billions of dollars sent to Ukraine than WNC. Where was his outrage when we got NO help? pic.twitter.com/g72kM6eo6U

— Mayor Robert Burns (@RobertBurns82) March 1, 2025

Ukraine is Europe!
We stand by Ukraine.

We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the agressor.

Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 28, 2025

With all the excitement today, did you know that DOGE found 20 million dead people on Social Security?

— Steve Ferguson (@lsferguson) February 28, 2025

From Grok:

DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, recently identified 20 million deceased individuals still listed in the Social Security database, sparking concerns about potential fraud and improper payments, as reported in February 2025.

The Trump administration’s claims about millions of dead people receiving Social Security checks have been disputed, with the Associated Press clarifying on February 19, 2025, that while some improper payments occur, the numbers are exaggerated and misrepresent the data.

Elon Musk has highlighted massive fraud in federal entitlements, including Social Security, estimating losses at $1 billion per week, and pushing for digital identity solutions to address these issues, as noted in his X posts and news reports from February 2025

🚨WHOA: The microphone captured Zelenskyy calling JD Vance "Suka," Russian for "Bitch," during their argument 😲pic.twitter.com/raNoKP7WpN

— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) February 28, 2025

🚨NEW: Trump has no patience left when he is asked by a reporter "What happens if Putin breaks the ceasefire?"

TRUMP: "What if anything? What if a bomb drops on your head right now? They broke it with other Presidents because they didn't respect them. Putin went through a hell… pic.twitter.com/fj3Yp1zElm

— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) February 28, 2025

🚨BREAKING: Full President Trump x JD Vance x Zelenskyy argument (MUST WATCH) pic.twitter.com/anqOJRB7Za

— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) February 28, 2025

I've had a change of heart on federal income tax. On the surface, it's just a way for the government to generate revenue—it has to get its funding from somewhere. But I now see that the method of taxation itself fundamentally alters the relationship between the government and its… https://t.co/qv53vpHta1

— DataRepublican (small r) (@DataRepublican) February 28, 2025