Polite Politics

[Rubus Leucodermis]

17 minutes ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

I have mixed feelings about cannabis. The legalization piece is irrelevant, but I do wonder if people know what they are doing... It is now estimated 30% of people who use cannabis develop a substance abuse disorder around it. Remember the old argument that "weed isn't addictive," this is just not true. Again, I use cannabis, so I guess it would be hypocritical to say people shouldn't. Just because people become alcoholics doesn't mean people shouldn't be allowed to drink. On the other hand people joke about cannabis use as if it has no effect on people, it does, and now studies are showing the impact on young people's mental health, and heart health in older folks, could be devastating. 

Yes, evidence is pretty clear it can be addictive. And of course it has an effect; that's the whole point of using it!

Also of concern is that it is WAAAAY stronger than it used to be.

I totally support research into harmful effects, mandatory warning labels, regulations on potency, etc. Just like we have for alcohol and tobacco.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Just now, Rubus Leucodermis said:

Republicans should probably not celebrate the polls showing Biden trailing Trump too much.

The Democrats have not fared too badly so far tonight, and polling has become increasingly difficult in the post-land-line phone world. (Polls showed Hillary winning in 2016.)

Except pretty much every poll showed Beshears winning. 

[hawkstwelve]

9 minutes ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

I have mixed feelings about cannabis. The legalization piece is irrelevant, but I do wonder if people know what they are doing... It is now estimated 30% of people who use cannabis develop a substance abuse disorder around it. Remember the old argument that "weed isn't addictive," this is just not true. Again, I use cannabis, so I guess it would be hypocritical to say people shouldn't. Just because people become alcoholics doesn't mean people shouldn't be allowed to drink. On the other hand people joke about cannabis use as if it has no effect on people, it does, and now studies are showing the impact on young people's mental health, and heart health in older folks, could be devastating. 

I agree with all of this. I'm a fairly regular cannabis user but I completely understand and accept the risks associated with its use. While its medicinal properties are well-known and plentiful, there are negative side effects as well, and it's certainly not for everyone. My wife can't smoke because it makes her anxiety way worse. So it's not some hugely positive, do-no-harm drug that people try to make it out to be. 

I come at from an angle that if alcohol, cigarettes, etc. are all legal and have arguably much larger risks, there is no good reason marijuana should be illegal. It's an archaic part of our laws from a time where it was wildly mischaracterized. Luckily, Democrat and Republican states alike seem to agree that we should all join the 21st century and stop criminalizing it. 

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Just now, Rubus Leucodermis said:

Yes, evidence is pretty clear it can be addictive. And of course it has an effect; that's the whole point of using it!

Also of concern is that it is WAAAAY stronger than it used to be.

I totally support research into harmful effects, mandatory warning labels, regulations on potency, etc. Just like we have for alcohol and tobacco.

I was talking to a friend today. We dated for several years in another life (20 years ago.), and so I know her family well and her mothers decades long battle with bipolar. Her mom is one of those people who will get on every pill known to humankind as long as doctor prescribes it. She was talking about how her mom is still the same essentially is on a host of pharmaceutical interventions, never gets better, and is always just looking for the next pill to try. I seriously believe she should give edibles a shot and try to get off her anti-depressants. I was telling her this and she was like, "my mom would never do that." Of course not, hooked by the medical pharmaceutical industry on medications that have turned her into a zombie and done nothing for her. Doctors are by far the worst drug dealers in this country.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

1 minute ago, hawkstwelve said:

I agree with all of this. I'm a fairly regular cannabis user but I completely understand and accept the risks associated with its use. While its medicinal properties are well-known and plentiful, there are negative side effects as well, and it's certainly not for everyone. My wife can't smoke because it makes her anxiety way worse. So it's not some hugely positive, do-no-harm drug that people try to make it out to be. 

I come at from an angle that if alcohol, cigarettes, etc. are all legal and have arguably much larger risks, there is no good reason marijuana should be illegal. It's an archaic part of our laws from a time where it was wildly mischaracterized. Luckily, Democrat and Republican states alike seem to agree that we should all join the 21st century and stop criminalizing it. 

Cannabis can help tremendously with anxiety, but not for everyone and in my opinion moderate quantities. If I take a couple puffs or a small amount of edibles, I am pretty chill. If I sit out on the porch and smoke out with my wife, my mind can go to a very dark place and I can get quite anxious. 

[roadtonowhere08]

1 hour ago, Andie said:

Don’t we all wish it was a perfect world.  
Profiteering and greed remain prime motivators.  

The world is what we make of it.  If enough people want it to happen, big money will figure out a way.

I don't drink or take any drugs, but letting addicts rot due to addiction as this country does costs a fortune in every aspect of society.  It is financially prudent of us to clean as many of them up as we can as a society.

 

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Silver Falls School bond went down to a flaming defeat. 

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Salem's new 0.84% income tax has gone down to a historic 82-18% defeat. Since I work out of Salem this would have cost me dearly. Had these two measures passed I would have been looking at over $2,000 in new taxes next year. 

Edited November 8, 2023 by SilverFallsAndrew

[Rubus Leucodermis]

Democrats hold on to the state Senate in Virginia and are within striking distance of regaining a majority in the House of Delegates. The latter would be a major setback for Gov. Youngkin.

[hawkstwelve]

13 minutes ago, Rubus Leucodermis said:

Democrats hold on to the state Senate in Virginia and are within striking distance of regaining a majority in the House of Delegates. The latter would be a major setback for Gov. Youngkin.

What this and the Ohio vote say to me is that even a 15-week ban doesn't have broad appeal among the general electorate. Republicans will continue to lose on this issue until we adopt a more moderate approach. 

I hate to keep tooting the same horn but Haley is really the only Republican nominee that keeps it real with her party on this issue. As much as some in our party may want to see a 15-week ban happen, and continue to promise it to voters, it never will. There just isn't the support for it among the voters or in Congress. Instead, we should focus on areas of general consensus:

• A woman should never be in jail for getting an abortion.
• There should be exceptions for the life of the mother, incest, and rape.
• Doctors who don't want to perform an abortion shouldn't be required to do so.
• Make it easier and more affordable to adopt. 
• Provide more resources for pregnant women, women's health, etc. 

This is how you turn a contentious, losing issue for Republicans into a much more palatable offering. Instead, we will probably keep beating the same drum and it will keep being a problem for us next year. Maybe we will learn by 2026 midterms. Maybe. 

[Rubus Leucodermis]

1 hour ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

Cannabis can help tremendously with anxiety, but not for everyone and in my opinion moderate quantities. If I take a couple puffs or a small amount of edibles, I am pretty chill. If I sit out on the porch and smoke out with my wife, my mind can go to a very dark place and I can get quite anxious. 

It’s a common side effect. It doesn’t personally affect me. If I have too much, it just gives me a headache. Which is a pretty good incentive to not have too much. Who wants a headache?

More seriously, there is growing evidence that it can push those close to developing psychosis or schizophrenia “over the edge.”

https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/there-link-between-marijuana-use-psychiatric-disorders

[hawkstwelve]

This could be an interesting development.

Although, you can never trust too much of what the Chinese government says. 

https://www.barrons.com/news/china-ready-to-improve-ties-with-us-at-all-levels-vp-1a5ae0c5

[roadtonowhere08]

26 minutes ago, hawkstwelve said:

This could be an interesting development.

Although, you can never trust too much of what the Chinese government says. 

https://www.barrons.com/news/china-ready-to-improve-ties-with-us-at-all-levels-vp-1a5ae0c5

The only thing I believe about any of that is "The world is big enough for the two countries to develop themselves and prosper..."

The rest?  I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Chewbacca Defense]

3 hours ago, Rubus Leucodermis said:

Yes, evidence is pretty clear it can be addictive. And of course it has an effect; that's the whole point of using it!

Also of concern is that it is WAAAAY stronger than it used to be.

I totally support research into harmful effects, mandatory warning labels, regulations on potency, etc. Just like we have for alcohol and tobacco.

I've heard a lot of stories about Gen X'ers getting in trouble because they've finished raising their kids, and want to enjoy their new freedom and relive a little of their younger days.  They light up today's weed and smoke it like it was in the 80's, and quickly figure out that it is far more potent now.  I've given it some thought, but I wouldn't even know where to begin LOL.  I haven't ripped a bong in 30 years. 

I wouldn't mind some regulation on potency, as that is definitely a concern for me an any attempt to "rekindle my younger days"

 

[Chewbacca Defense]

3 hours ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

I was talking to a friend today. We dated for several years in another life (20 years ago.), and so I know her family well and her mothers decades long battle with bipolar. Her mom is one of those people who will get on every pill known to humankind as long as doctor prescribes it. She was talking about how her mom is still the same essentially is on a host of pharmaceutical interventions, never gets better, and is always just looking for the next pill to try. I seriously believe she should give edibles a shot and try to get off her anti-depressants. I was telling her this and she was like, "my mom would never do that." Of course not, hooked by the medical pharmaceutical industry on medications that have turned her into a zombie and done nothing for her. Doctors are by far the worst drug dealers in this country.

The problem is in your statement of "try to get her off antidepressants"  in reference to a poerson with bipolar.  A lot of bipolar in my family, and I know a lot of people with bipolar, and you don't put someone with that on antidepressants.  I can't believe headshrinkers still do that to this day, and sadly, they still do it all to often.

Any of my bi-polar connections who have gone on anti-depressants turned into absolute train wrecks.

 I agree, doctors are the worst drug dealers in the country.  I has major nose/sinus surgery about 8 years ago, and I naively didn't really pay attention to the fact I was given oxy until I was already on it.  Once it registered, I quit cold turkey...I was only on it 3-4 days but that was a brutal 6-8 hours of withdrawals. 

The worst part, and I think the reason I let my guard down, was that the both the surgeon and the pharmacist treated it no different that me getting prescription strength ibuprofen.  Absolutely no discussion about weaning off of it, or any other dangers associated with this stuff (they did tell me not to drive or operate machinery at least). 

Their attitude was:  It was no big deal, hang on to any I had left over so that if I tweaked my back working in the yard, pop one of those bad boys and all would be right with the world again.  Having lost a brother to an OD (autopsy indicated he had a pharmacy in his system when he died), this attitude did not sit well with me at all.

[Chewbacca Defense]

2 hours ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

Salem's new 0.84% income tax has gone down to a historic 82-18% defeat. Since I work out of Salem this would have cost me dearly. Had these two measures passed I would have been looking at over $2,000 in new taxes next year. 

Looks like Bellingham voters are going to pass a law raising the minimum wage in the city above the state minimum by $1 in 2024 and $2 in 2025 to help with the "affordability problem"   Some people never learn.....between my wife and I, we make a very comfortable income, but even we are starting to feel the pinch of how expensive everything is here now.

 

[SnarkyGoblin]

https://www.oddschecker.com/us/politics/us-politics

I like that Michelle Obama has a better odds of being president in 2024 than Desantis.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

6 hours ago, Chewbacca Defense said:

Looks like Bellingham voters are going to pass a law raising the minimum wage in the city above the state minimum by $1 in 2024 and $2 in 2025 to help with the "affordability problem"   Some people never learn.....between my wife and I, we make a very comfortable income, but even we are starting to feel the pinch of how expensive everything is here now.

 

That's tough. I think a lot of people are feeling the pinch. I heard recently 44% of families with an income over $100,000 annually are living paycheck to paycheck. My first thought when I heard that was "who can survive on only $100,000 a year." 

But back to the minimum wage point. Totally agree. 

[SilverFallsAndrew]

7 hours ago, Chewbacca Defense said:

The problem is in your statement of "try to get her off antidepressants"  in reference to a poerson with bipolar.  A lot of bipolar in my family, and I know a lot of people with bipolar, and you don't put someone with that on antidepressants.  I can't believe headshrinkers still do that to this day, and sadly, they still do it all to often.

Any of my bi-polar connections who have gone on anti-depressants turned into absolute train wrecks.

 I agree, doctors are the worst drug dealers in the country.  I has major nose/sinus surgery about 8 years ago, and I naively didn't really pay attention to the fact I was given oxy until I was already on it.  Once it registered, I quit cold turkey...I was only on it 3-4 days but that was a brutal 6-8 hours of withdrawals. 

The worst part, and I think the reason I let my guard down, was that the both the surgeon and the pharmacist treated it no different that me getting prescription strength ibuprofen.  Absolutely no discussion about weaning off of it, or any other dangers associated with this stuff (they did tell me not to drive or operate machinery at least). 

Their attitude was:  It was no big deal, hang on to any I had left over so that if I tweaked my back working in the yard, pop one of those bad boys and all would be right with the world again.  Having lost a brother to an OD (autopsy indicated he had a pharmacy in his system when he died), this attitude did not sit well with me at all.

People are so conditioned to expect meds from their doctor when they go. It's a toxic symbiotic relationship. Even 20 years ago my friends mom would have a few good weeks, then slide back, immediately go on line, find some new medication and within a couple of days have an appointment with her doctor to demand they prescribe it. They usually did, but if they didn't she would just switch doctors.  

[Iceresistance]

7 hours ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

https://www.oddschecker.com/us/politics/us-politics

I like that Michelle Obama has a better odds of being president in 2024 than Desantis.

My only question there is why are we betting money for POTUS 2024?

[Iceresistance]

Michigan's State House is now a deadlock, at least for now

Michigan Democrats to lose full control of state government after representatives win mayoral races (msn.com)

[Iceresistance]

If Red States have a larger Blue Turnout, then Blue states have the larger Red Turnout!

Proposition HH fails in Colorado, dealing huge blow to Democrats (msn.com)

[Deweydog]

Friend of mine got creamed as the incumbent in the Woodland, WA mayor race. Beat by some MAGA psycho.

[Iceresistance]

Libertarian Party Scores Biggest Ever Election Win (msn.com)

[Rubus Leucodermis]

31 minutes ago, Iceresistance said:

Michigan's State House is now a deadlock, at least for now

Michigan Democrats to lose full control of state government after representatives win mayoral races (msn.com)

Not for long! From the article:

Quote

Two Democratic state representatives, Lori Stone and Kevin Coleman, won mayoral races Tuesday in their own districts in suburban Detroit. The wins will eliminate Democrat's two-seat majority in the state House and put the chamber in a 54-54 deadlock until special elections can be held for the seats. Democrats will still control the agenda, but they will no longer hold a voting advantage.

It's not yet clear when special elections will be held in the two districts — which each heavily favor Democrats — but it's expected to at least be several months. The governor may call a special election in the representative’s district when a seat is vacated, or may direct that the vacancy be filled at the next general election, according to Michigan law.

 

[Iceresistance]

Just now, Rubus Leucodermis said:

Not for long! From the article:

 

Did you forget "At least for now"?

[SnarkyGoblin]

43 minutes ago, Deweydog said:

Friend of mine got creamed as the incumbent in the Woodland, WA mayor race. Beat by some MAGA psycho.

What party was your friend, if any? 

[SnarkyGoblin]

54 minutes ago, Deweydog said:

Friend of mine got creamed as the incumbent in the Woodland, WA mayor race. Beat by some MAGA psycho.

I realized I could look it up....

Your friend IS the mayor.  Mayoral incumbent in rural WA town getting creamed by a MAGA candidate...

Not sure what to make of that. 

[Deweydog]

10 minutes ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

What party was your friend, if any? 

He’s pretty agnostic but leans right. He and I see eye to eye on quite a bit. His terrestrial job is in law enforcement as a PIO.

[SnarkyGoblin]

7 minutes ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

I realized I could look it up....

Your friend IS the mayor.  Mayoral incumbent in rural WA town getting creamed by a MAGA candidate...

Not sure what to make of that. 

I see your Confused emoji.  I looked up the election for Woodland, WA and this guy lost:

https://mayorwillfinn.com/

[Iceresistance]

8 minutes ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

I realized I could look it up....

Your friend IS the mayor.  Mayoral incumbent in rural WA town getting creamed by a MAGA candidate...

Not sure what to make of that. 

He is the mayor, but not anymore...

[hawkstwelve]

Not only did Virginia Democrats hold on the state Senate but they also seemingly flipped the state House. Quite a repudiation of Glen Youngkin and his 15-week abortion ban that he ran on. A bit curious on why he put all his eggs in that basket when it's been proven to be a strong issue for Democrats. Obviously the strategy did not work out in the slightest.

If nothing else, it will surely quiet the calls for him to jump in the presidential primary at the last minute as some sort of white horse.

[hawkstwelve]

National poll by Trafalgar is the first one to be released showing Haley in second place.

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2024/president/us/2024_republican_presidential_nomination-7548.html

[Iceresistance]

25 minutes ago, hawkstwelve said:

Not only did Virginia Democrats hold on the state Senate but they also seemingly flipped the state House. Quite a repudiation of Glen Youngkin and his 15-week abortion ban that he ran on. A bit curious on why he put all his eggs in that basket when it's been proven to be a strong issue for Democrats. Obviously the strategy did not work out in the slightest.

If nothing else, it will surely quiet the calls for him to jump in the presidential primary at the last minute as some sort of white horse.

I think Youngkin knew his strategy was not going to work very well, which is why he is refusing to run for POTUS

[Rubus Leucodermis]

24 minutes ago, Iceresistance said:

I think Youngkin knew his strategy was not going to work very well, which is why he is refusing to run for POTUS.

Huh?

Nobody (well, nearly nobody) deliberately PLANS to fail. So by far the most plausible hypothesis is that Youngkin actually believed his 15-week ban idea would be a winner. If he had kept or expanded upon his Leg majority, I bet he would have announced his candidacy (if not this year, then in 2028).

Likewise, Beshear is now a likely (D) primary candidate in 2028. Had he lost his bid for reelection, he would not be.

In other words, the decisions are happening after the fact, not before.

[SnarkyGoblin]

1 hour ago, hawkstwelve said:

Not only did Virginia Democrats hold on the state Senate but they also seemingly flipped the state House. Quite a repudiation of Glen Youngkin and his 15-week abortion ban that he ran on. A bit curious on why he put all his eggs in that basket when it's been proven to be a strong issue for Democrats. Obviously the strategy did not work out in the slightest.

If nothing else, it will surely quiet the calls for him to jump in the presidential primary at the last minute as some sort of white horse.

Don't care how well the Dems did last night - that battleground poll with Trump leading 5 out of 6 states has me really unsettled.

Far less confident of Biden winning now than I was say 3 months ago.

[hawkstwelve]

22 minutes ago, Iceresistance said:

I think Youngkin knew his strategy was not going to work very well, which is why he is refusing to run for POTUS

Yeah, no, it's the exact opposite of this. Youngkin thought his strategy would work and provide a blueprint for Republicans on the abortion issue as a nationwide topic. It was widely believed that if he was able to secure both legislative bodies in VA that he'd announce he was running for president. Neither of those things occurred and at the moment, Youngkin looks like an idiot.

It was a high risk/high reward scenario that really did not work out well for him at all. 

[Rubus Leucodermis]

3 minutes ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

Don't care how well the Dems did tonight - that battleground poll with Trump leading 5 out of 6 states has me really unsettled.

Far less confident of Biden winning now than I was say 3 months ago.

It's unsettling but then again there have been polling failures in recent elections.

Perhaps most famously, polls showed Hillary winning in 2016.

[hawkstwelve]

Just now, SnarkyGoblin said:

Don't care how well the Dems did tonight - that battleground poll with Trump leading 5 out of 6 states has me really unsettled.

Far less confident of Biden winning now than I was say 3 months ago.

No doubt Biden is facing major concerns regarding next year. Even peeling away those bad top-line numbers in those swing states, the meat and potatoes of recent polls show voters have a lot of issues with him. So I don't blame you for worrying.

At the same time, last night should have given a slight comfort in knowing that there is still appetite for Democrat policies and priorities, even if the leading man is pretty unpopular. Abortion continues to be a huge driver of turnout for Democrats. If they could manage to get a couple more abortion-related initiatives on the ballots in some swing states, it might help drag Biden across the finish line next year. I'd also say that the 'clear and present danger' of Trump being elected president again isn't as clear at the moment. Once he wins the nomination (god I hope not, but he probably will) and we get closer to election day next year, that danger will become more pronounced and should drive Democrats to the voting booth again. Polls at this point in time won't pick that up.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

6 minutes ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

Don't care how well the Dems did tonight - that battleground poll with Trump leading 5 out of 6 states has me really unsettled.

Far less confident of Biden winning now than I was say 3 months ago.

He’s ahead in the new CNN national poll released today.