# A Perfectly Reasonable Amount of Schadenfreude about Things Happening to Trump & His Enablers (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [May 19, 2023, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250 "2023-05-19T03:20:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 497
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9922 "2025-01-16T08:29:14Z")
Thanks, but how does the ratings outfit know? ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9923 "2025-01-16T13:25:17Z")
These days, Nielsen has little devices that collect data from their sampling families. In theory, you just watch what you normally watch, and the thing reports that data back to the hub. I forget how many Nielsen families there are (tens of thousands at least, surely), but enough to build some confidence on viewing habits. ETA: apparently there’s also data collected from cable company set top boxes and smart TVs (what, you think your cable company or TV manufacturer won’t monetize the heck out of that data?) ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9924 "2025-01-16T13:59:28Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > will be running _The Jeffersons_ all day. Works for me Now I’m trying to come up with the theme song for _The Trumpersons_. Well, they’re movin’ on up! _Moving on up!_ to the D.C.-side, To a shithole Mansion, off to the side! Movin’ on up (Movin’ on up) To the D.C.-side (Come on, movin’ on up) They finally got a piece Of the action Fries don’t fry in the kitchen Berders don’t burn on the grill Took a whole lotta lyin’ Just to get up Capitol Hill Now we’re screwed up big-ly Gettin’ our turn in the barrel As long as they grift from you and me, baby There a whole lot wrong with that ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9925 "2025-01-16T16:52:32Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > Speaking of the Weather Channel, highs in DC on Monday are predicted to be in the teens right now. That can’t be good for Trump’s crowd size. I predict Shrinkage! I assume that MTG will blame those Jewish weather control satellites. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9926 "2025-01-16T19:39:52Z")
Not sure if this tidbit should go here, but it’s as good of a place as any. Georgia state senator Colton Moore was arrested this morning for trying to force his way into the George House chamber for the governor’s State of the State speech. Moore was banned from the chambers last year after he spoke badly about a former House Speaker. > **[North Georgia state senator arrested trying to force way into House chamber •...](https://georgiarecorder.com/2025/01/16/north-georgia-state-senator-arrested-trying-to-force-way-into-house-chamber/)** > > Republican Georgia Sen. Colton Moore arrested Jan. 16 while attempting to enter the House chambers to attend Gov. Kemp State of the State. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9927 "2025-01-16T19:42:19Z")
From the article: > Democrats have been content to watch the intraparty feuding from the sidelines. [![](https://media0.giphy.com/media/6pJNYBYSMFod2/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b952bsaxgaedfkll9rctt2ckibiwud5rfatv5orn3p5x&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g) ](https://media0.giphy.com/media/6pJNYBYSMFod2/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b952bsaxgaedfkll9rctt2ckibiwud5rfatv5orn3p5x&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g) ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9928 "2025-01-16T20:37:35Z")
YouTube keeps counts, doesn’t it? Should we all rewatch Obama’s inauguration? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9929 "2025-01-16T23:20:20Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > ETA: apparently there’s also data collected from cable company set top boxes and smart TVs (what, you think your cable company or TV manufacturer won’t monetize the heck out of that data?) You’re quite right that even non-Nielsen families’ viewing is recorded by cable companies, or at least is recoverable data. (And that it can be, and is, monetized.) I’m not seeing a good source–just bits of discussion around the 'net. It looks as though changing the channel causes an “event” that is transmitted to, and recorded by, the cable company. It’s not clear if there’s such a thing as a record of what John Doe or Jane Roe has watched over the past week, though. Obviously for an “Annoy Trump by Denying Him Ratings” campaign to work, it would be best to get a bunch of Nielsen families involved. But I’m not convinced that it would be _ **in** _effective for non-Nielsen-box people to change the channel. Each cable company IS going to know what viewership of differing channels will be on 20 January. Whether or not that ends up in a big number that gets publicized…I don’t know. Personally, in planning to do this, I’m thinking of my blood pressure. It tends to be a tad high, and watching _The Office_ (or House & Garden or Movies!) is bound to be better for it than watching that despicable cretin. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9930 "2025-01-16T23:51:27Z")
I would hope/think they anonymize such data, if only for their own protection from potential lawsuits. But I don’t know for sure and would never underestimate the power of human cupidity. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9931 "2025-01-17T00:13:10Z")
It doesn’t matter what the real numbers are, Trump will lie about it. I’m expecting his new Spicer to shout that 1/2 billion Americans watched his inauguration, period! ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9932 "2025-01-17T00:38:08Z")
So… four days left until he and his henchmen start beating down our doors and rounding us up. Any attics for rent…? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9933 "2025-01-17T03:00:01Z")
You would have to share mine with the squirrels ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9934 "2025-01-17T03:14:27Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > How does that work? Your Latte Machine is spying on you and reporting back to Headquarters. (I wish I was kidding) ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9935 "2025-01-17T03:25:20Z")
I’m gonna watch. With any justice, a lightning bolt will finally arrive at the fated spot just as he places his hand on the bible (or vol. 1, oplan 2025). ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9936 "2025-01-17T03:29:19Z")
God: “I create hardships for people to test you and help you grow.” People: “What about Trump? What hardships does that asshole have to deal with?” God: “He **is** the hardship.” (Just a conversation I’m imagining in my head.) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9937 "2025-01-17T03:32:12Z")
I’ll bet he’ll be taking the Oath of Office (what a joke that is) behind more bullet-proof glass than a cashier in a Watts 7-11 ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9938 "2025-01-17T03:33:35Z")
I see it more like this: > [@Atamasama](#): > > God: “I create hardships for people to test you and help you grow.” > > People: “What about Trump? What hardships does that asshole have to deal with?” God: Weeeeellll, you see, I had _another_ bet with the Adversary. He bet that humans had become blind to virtue and wisdom, so I made an even more obvious Good/Evil choice than the whole “Garden of Eden” thing, and well, wouldn’t you know, he won this one. Sorry, you’ll have to deal with his candidate for a while longer. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9939 "2025-01-17T03:38:07Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > God: Weeeeellll, you see, I had _another_ bet with the Adversary. He bet that humans had become blind to virtue and wisdom, so I made an even more obvious Good/Evil choice than the whole “Garden of Eden” thing, and well, wouldn’t you know, he won this one. Sorry, you’ll have to deal with his candidate for a while longer. Just as plausible. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9940 "2025-01-17T03:40:31Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Can’t wait for them to bring Sean Spicer out of retirement to speak his signature tagline once again: A very timely comment: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/uuikgIWzCqU/maxresdefault.jpg "Trump’s New Portrait, Biden’s Ominous Farewell & Who Gets Ceasefire Credit? | The Daily Show") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuikgIWzCqU&t=258s) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2025, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/9941 "2025-01-17T10:04:07Z")
> **[I knew one day I’d have to watch powerful men burn the world down – I just...](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/16/i-knew-one-day-id-have-to-watch-powerful-men-burn-the-world-down-i-just-didnt-expect-them-to-be-such-losers)** > > Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg’s desperation to be cool as they suck up to Donald Trump is so cringe it makes my skin crawl If we can’t stop these dysfunctional weirdo nerds from pushing civilization off a cliff, at least we can laugh at them while it happens. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250.md?page=496) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250.md?page=498)