Polite Politics

[Anti Marine Layer]

20 hours ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

Never reported you either.

Only person I've ever reported was snow wizard once and that was very recent.  Only reason I did was because I got mod restricted after calling him an @sshole after one of his statements on trans people who he thinks apparently don't exist.  That guy is an "admin", no less, and it was *me* who got punished for calling out his *******-ness.  That says it all.

I'm fine with a no-@sshole policy. What I didn't like was the inconsistency of the moderating of content.

Don't know exactly what he said, but calling it gender dysphoria, like they used to call it, rather than being required to assert that a trans woman is a woman or else be called a bigot goes a little too far.

Mods are allowed to be conservative, last time I checked.

Things like biological males competing in women's sports and setting new records makes other people uncomfortable. Even a liberal Hollywood actress who is pro-abortion complained about women being called birthing persons, and was called transphobic for that.

Anyway, this one is fun. Will it get the topic deleted?

[Rubus Leucodermis]

1 hour ago, Mr Marine Layer said:

Don't know exactly what he said, but calling it gender dysphoria, like they used to call it, rather than being required to assert that a trans woman is a woman or else be called a bigot goes a little too far.

Mods are allowed to be conservative, last time I checked.

Things like biological males competing in women's sports and setting new records makes other people uncomfortable. Even a liberal Hollywood actress who is pro-abortion complained about women being called birthing persons, and was called transphobic for that.

Anyway, this one is fun. Will it get the topic deleted?

After sitting silent I will chime in on this one since I am in fact not str8 (I prefer to self-identify as the Q-word, but I bet that will trigger the censorbot).

The same people who think it's just fine for a right-wing Christian baker to refuse business to LGBT clients almost to a last individual think it absolutely intolerable for an antifascist business to refuse business to Trumper clients.

[Andie]

April 30,1992. LA. 

 “Cant we all just get along?”

I love Rodney King for speaking up in such clear humble tones.  He impacted my life.  And he was right. 

I know we’re all getting along here. 
I just respect everyone having a different perspective. Agreeing has never been the goal. Understanding perhaps is a higher aim.  
I’ve learn more from people different than me than similar.  Maybe that’s why I hang out here.  
But never mind me….go on. 
I’m listening. 

[Deweydog]

On 3/10/2023 at 9:48 AM, MossMan said:

Things are getting quite messy with Russia, China, and North Korea…Hopefully we can get through this volatile time without a massive WWIII outbreak and or the world being blown to bits…

Well… in 2006’s The Departed, Martin Sheen predicted we’d be at war with the Chinese in 20 years….

[Deweydog]

17 hours ago, Andie said:

April 30,1992. LA. 

 “Cant we all just get along?”

I love Rodney King for speaking up in such clear humble tones.  He impacted my life.  And he was right. 

I know we’re all getting along here. 
I just respect everyone having a different perspective. Agreeing has never been the goal. Understanding perhaps is a higher aim.  
I’ve learn more from people different than me than similar.  Maybe that’s why I hang out here.  
But never mind me….go on. 
I’m listening. 

Where’s the fun in that??

[SnarkyGoblin]

https://wapo.st/3l1Lo71

Meatball Ron might just have a chance.

[Iceresistance]

8 minutes ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

https://wapo.st/3l1Lo71

Meatball Ron might just have a chance.

Well, what if the thing in New York was a sham trial and the evidence was falsified? (Even if there was some, it's not enough!)

[Anti Marine Layer]

On 3/10/2023 at 11:12 AM, Rubus Leucodermis said:

After sitting silent I will chime in on this one since I am in fact not str8 (I prefer to self-identify as the Q-word, but I bet that will trigger the censorbot).

The same people who think it's just fine for a right-wing Christian baker to refuse business to LGBT clients almost to a last individual think it absolutely intolerable for an antifascist business to refuse business to Trumper clients.

Anti-fascism is not a religion, so you would not really be forced to act against your beliefs in the same way. That is not to say that Christians should not be against fascism. If a Trumper asked someone to make a cake with a confederate symbol, I can see why somebody would refuse to serve that person. I recently saw a crazy person with a huge Trump 2024 flag in a public area yelling out Bible verses. I could see why a Christian might refuse service to such a person if they do this inside the business. However, if someone simply has a MAGA hat and is not doing anything else bad, I don't think that person should be denied service.

I think many Christian bakers would be willing to serve anything but a wedding cake to an LGBT couple. That applies to other religions too.

It should be OK to disagree with someone's lifestyle, but still respect that person. Approval is not the same as acceptance. You cannot really be "tolerant" unless you disagree with somebody. If I love sunny weather and it's a beautiful sunny day, I am not being tolerant.

My best friend in high school also turned out to be gay, which I did not find out until after I graduated. I was still happy to see him at our reunion.

 

 

[Stormy]

3 hours ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

https://wapo.st/3l1Lo71

Meatball Ron might just have a chance.

I have recently heard that Ron can't run for federal office as long as he's governor according to Florida law. He would first have to resign as governor before he can run or change that law which he could, but he might not want to as that also could ruin his political career like it did for Sara Palin. But of course that would be ok for the left as they are terrified of the orange man! They're already panicking about the J6 video footage Tucker released and they immediately shut him down. Shouldn't be anything to panic about if there's nothing incriminating. 

[Iceresistance]

1 hour ago, Sparky said:

I have recently heard that Ron can't run for federal office as long as he's governor according to Florida law. He would first have to resign as governor before he can run or change that law which he could, but he might not want to as that also could ruin his political career like it did for Sara Palin. But of course that would be ok for the left as they are terrified of the orange man! They're already panicking about the J6 video footage Tucker released and they immediately shut him down. Shouldn't be anything to panic about if there's nothing incriminating. 

Also, I think the conditions are better for DeSantis for 2028 because if Trump wins 2024, he can't run for POTUS anymore.

[Chewbacca Defense]

6 hours ago, Sparky said:

I have recently heard that Ron can't run for federal office as long as he's governor according to Florida law. He would first have to resign as governor before he can run or change that law which he could, but he might not want to as that also could ruin his political career like it did for Sara Palin. But of course that would be ok for the left as they are terrified of the orange man! They're already panicking about the J6 video footage Tucker released and they immediately shut him down. Shouldn't be anything to panic about if there's nothing incriminating. 

Yeah because Tucker Carlson is a shining example of integrity and honest journalism. 

He has single-handedly highlighted the lemming mentality of the MAGA "faithful"  A bunch of d*mn sheep!  BAAA-f*ckin-BAAA!! 

I think the problem is the hypocrisy has gotten so egregious that its reached a level that is beyond comprehension.  I'll go ahead and do you a solid and give you some sound advice....if they offer you kool-aid, don't drink it. 

 

Oh and having to resign as governor is not what ruined Sarah Palin's career...

[Chewbacca Defense]

5 hours ago, Iceresistance said:

Also, I think the conditions are better for DeSantis for 2028 because if Trump wins 2024, he can't run for POTUS anymore.

Don't be naive.  There was a time when Russia had term limits but Putin took care of that REAL quick.  We are sadly getting enough MTG, Boebert, Gaetz type wingnuts in office, not to mention the SC, its not too far of a stretch for Trump to do the same.  The biggest problem for Trump being able to see it through is his age and his health.  At some point his heart is going to explode from all of those Big Mac's and Diet Cokes!

 

 

[roadtonowhere08]

10 hours ago, Mr Marine Layer said:

Anti-fascism is not a religion...

 

 

Anything can be a "religion" if you are unwilling to question your "truths" and values.  Just look at hardcore atheists.  Just as drunk on Kool Aid as the hardcore religious nuts.  Same brain dysfunction.  That's why Bill Maher is not as detached from the people he mocks as he likes to think he is.

And then there's MAGA.  A religion if I ever saw one.

[Anti Marine Layer]

10 hours ago, roadtonowhere08 said:

Anything can be a "religion" if you are unwilling to question your "truths" and values.  Just look at hardcore atheists.  Just as drunk on Kool Aid as the hardcore religious nuts.  Same brain dysfunction.  That's why Bill Maher is not as detached from the people he mocks as he likes to think he is.

And then there's MAGA.  A religion if I ever saw one.

Don't want to get into a religious debate, but the basic idea of any religion is that your beliefs and actions have consequences either in this life or more likely the afterlife. Secular people don't believe in an afterlife.

Some on the left seem to believe that in addition to all people being equal, all religions, philosophies, or belief systems are equal, and therefore there is no absolute truth, especially in regards to morality. That makes no sense when they are constantly criticizing those whom they disagree with. Also aren't they absolutely sure there is no absolute truth? 

Also with the traditional definition of marriage being changed (used to be a union between a man and a woman), how much longer until we allow it to be a man and two women, two men and a woman, etc.

 

 

[Iceresistance]

11 hours ago, Chewbacca Defense said:

Don't be naive.  There was a time when Russia had term limits but Putin took care of that REAL quick.  We are sadly getting enough MTG, Boebert, Gaetz type wingnuts in office, not to mention the SC, its not too far of a stretch for Trump to do the same.  The biggest problem for Trump being able to see it through is his age and his health.  At some point his heart is going to explode from all of those Big Mac's and Diet Cokes!

 

 

No, I'm being honest. The reason why there is a 2-term limit is from FDR's 4 terms!

(Well, for WW2 and getting out of the Great Depression, he deserved them, but sadly dying before WW2 ended.)

[Iceresistance]

ARGH! I hate it when a Lab Leak is COMPLETELY redefined as a "Natural Occurrence!"  

[Andie]

They’re finally ‘fessing’ up that this was a lab leak.  Be it accidental or intentional, it still pisses me off
I feel like we were all Guinea pigs. 

[roadtonowhere08]

3 hours ago, Andie said:

They’re finally ‘fessing’ up that this was a lab leak.  Be it accidental or intentional, it still pisses me off
I feel like we were all Guinea pigs. 

Here's what I cannot understand from the beginning: aside from political theater does the origin really matter?  Whether it was from a lab (increasingly likely) or a market the following facts still remain:

1. China is never forthcoming on anything

2. There are food markets of very questionable standards all over China

3. There are virus research labs across China

4. The virus was zoonotic

5. It was not a result of malicious intent either way.  Somebody either ingested it or accidentally infected themselves while working in the lab.

Why are people so unbelievably hung up on the origin?  The food markets are not going away.  The virus labs are not going away.  Aside from pushing for higher standards in markets and labs, what difference does it make?

[GHweatherChris]

[roadtonowhere08]

9 hours ago, Mr Marine Layer said:

Don't want to get into a religious debate, but the basic idea of any religion is that your beliefs and actions have consequences either in this life or more likely the afterlife. Secular people don't believe in an afterlife.

Some on the left seem to believe that in addition to all people being equal, all religions, philosophies, or belief systems are equal, and therefore there is no absolute truth, especially in regards to morality. That makes no sense when they are constantly criticizing those whom they disagree with. Also aren't they absolutely sure there is no absolute truth? 

Also with the traditional definition of marriage being changed (used to be a union between a man and a woman), how much longer until we allow it to be a man and two women, two men and a woman, etc.

 

 

Don't be so sure that all secular people do not believe in an afterlife.  Spirituality is a very individual concept.

Also, let's not romanticize marriage.  It was originally about property and money.  Love was never part of the equation.  If two gay people want to spend a lot of money on a wedding and have a 50% chance of spending more money on divorce, who am I to deprive them?  Misery loves company 

[Rubus Leucodermis]

On 3/11/2023 at 10:25 AM, SnarkyGoblin said:

https://wapo.st/3l1Lo71

Meatball Ron might just have a chance.

“Oh boy, we’ve got Trump now” (for about the 32,767th time, but trust me, they really mean it this time).

No, they don’t.

They are too chickensh*t to indict him.

Johnson wasn’t held accountable for lying his way into Vietnam.

Nixon wasn’t held accountable for Watergate or for illegally dragging Cambodia into the Vietnam War.

Reagan wasn’t held accountable for Iran-Contra.

Clinton wasn’t held accountable for perjury.

Bush II wasn’t held accountable for lying his way into Iraq and violating both treaties and the US Constitution by ordering prisoners to be tortured.

This is the USA we are talking about. Presidents are not held accountable for anything, ever.

Trump won't be, either.

 

[Anti Marine Layer]

1 hour ago, Rubus Leucodermis said:

“Oh boy, we’ve got Trump now” (for about the 32,767th time, but trust me, they really mean it this time).

No, they don’t.

They are too chickensh*t to indict him.

Johnson wasn’t held accountable for lying his way into Vietnam.

Nixon wasn’t held accountable for Watergate or for illegally dragging Cambodia into the Vietnam War.

Reagan wasn’t held accountable for Iran-Contra.

Clinton wasn’t held accountable for perjury.

Bush II wasn’t held accountable for lying his way into Iraq and violating both treaties and the US Constitution by ordering prisoners to be tortured.

This is the USA we are talking about. Presidents are not held accountable for anything, ever.

Trump won't be, either.

 

Equality under the law

[roadtonowhere08]

12 minutes ago, Mr Marine Layer said:

Equality under the law

Not even close 

[Andie]

We’ll, someone deleted the Ukraine thread so I’ll post this here. 
Nearly 40 Oligarchs have mysteriously died.  Just happens they opposed the war. 
Granted all news out of Russia is suspect, I think this is likely accurate. 
Also, you won’t hear this in US news. 

https://www.the-sun.com/news/7603864/putin-killing-russian-elite-mob-boss/

I guess this is one way to gain consensus. 

[Rubus Leucodermis]

1 hour ago, Mr Marine Layer said:

Equality under the law

All elites are more equal than any of us who regularly post here.

[Rubus Leucodermis]

Quote

For once Benjamin consented to break his rule, and he read out to her what was written on the wall. There was nothing there now except a single Commandment. It ran:

ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL
BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS

— Animal Farm

 

[Iceresistance]

4 minutes ago, Rubus Leucodermis said:

 

"Animal Farm" was in my English class, and the intention is an allegory.

[Rubus Leucodermis]

1 minute ago, Iceresistance said:

"Animal Farm" was in my English class, and the intention is an allegory.

It was a socialist criticizing the Russian Revolution of 1917 and its outcome.

[SnarkyGoblin]

19 hours ago, Rubus Leucodermis said:

“Oh boy, we’ve got Trump now” (for about the 32,767th time, but trust me, they really mean it this time).

No, they don’t.

They are too chickensh*t to indict him.

Johnson wasn’t held accountable for lying his way into Vietnam.

Nixon wasn’t held accountable for Watergate or for illegally dragging Cambodia into the Vietnam War.

Reagan wasn’t held accountable for Iran-Contra.

Clinton wasn’t held accountable for perjury.

Bush II wasn’t held accountable for lying his way into Iraq and violating both treaties and the US Constitution by ordering prisoners to be tortured.

This is the USA we are talking about. Presidents are not held accountable for anything, ever.

Trump won't be, either.

 

#BanPrezPardons

Look, I thought Mueller was going to be more definitive on the indictment thing.  I will believe until the day I die that trump sought political advantages via the Russian government through proxies, etc.

The biggest change I've seen that tells me today might be different is public opinion towards Trump by the "generally conservative" people - they want him to go away.  You see it in polls and in the conservative media circles.

IMO, the only shot is for everyone to rally around an alternative *early*.  I hear Tim Scott (R) might throw his hat in the ring.  Too many options will be to trump's advantage.  He wants people to announce their candidacy.

And you can D**n well be sure if he does lose, he will call the GOP nomination rigged.  And he would fight it out during the GOP National Convention - "Reap what they Sow" could be a headline in Milwaukee.

[Rubus Leucodermis]

49 minutes ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

IMO, the only shot is for everyone to rally around an alternative *early*.  I hear Tim Scott (R) might throw his hat in the ring.  Too many options will be to trump's advantage.  He wants people to announce their candidacy.

Trump basically has the GOP nomination in the bag.

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-primary-r/2024/national/

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

[Iceresistance]

19 minutes ago, Rubus Leucodermis said:

Trump basically has the GOP nomination in the bag.

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-primary-r/2024/national/

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

The only spot where it's a bit harder is in Florida, the Base of DeSantis' popularity.

[Andie]

[roadtonowhere08]

2 hours ago, Andie said:

Hell to the yes!

 

[roadtonowhere08]

We all know it'll be Trump vs. Biden in 2024.  Kill me now.

[MossMan]

1 hour ago, roadtonowhere08 said:

We all know it'll be Trump vs. Biden in 2024.  Kill me now.

[roadtonowhere08]

This is just too good!

https://www.salon.com/2023/03/13/like-negotiating-with-terrorists-ex-fox-producer-worried-accurate-reporting-may-insult-audience/

"Like negotiating with terrorists," Pfeiffer wrote. "But especially dumb ones. Cousin f—– types not saudi royalty." 

[Andie]

9 hours ago, roadtonowhere08 said:

We all know it'll be Trump vs. Biden in 2024.  Kill me now.

Oh Lawdy!!!  Say it ain’t so!
I won’t be able to watch the news for 4 years.  That voice taunts me in my nightmares.  
SOMEBODY! Teach this man to speak! 
(Actually Both of them). 
And the debates?….  

Why must we scrape the bottom of the barrel?? And-

When will we nominate leaders and not just personalities??

[SilverFallsAndrew]

On 3/8/2023 at 5:29 AM, Reg said:

The sheer amount of state propaganda Americans have been faced with over the past 72 hours with regards to Ukraine, shows the dire situation the Ukrainian Army is in and their dwindling western support - the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine is a particular flashpoint, which Russian forces have almost completely encircled over the past week with tens of thousands of elite Ukrainian soldiers trapped inside of because Zelensky was too stubborn to retreat from for PR reasons. Mass propaganda at this level has a tendency to backfire, which it has - now it looks like a $250 billion NATO-trained and supported Ukrainian Army is getting their asses kicked by a bunch of forcibly-conscripted psychiatric Russian mental patients armed with only shovels designed in 1869 along the entire eastern Ukrainian front. Propaganda backfires, and it's not Russia that's doing it.

US intelligence appears to have figured this out long ago and is now prepping the field for the US to abandon Ukraine, just like the US eventually does to all of its other "allies". "US intelligence says "pro-Ukraine group" to blame for Nord Stream 2 pipeline explosions" somehow without the knowledge or approval of Zelensky and his government, and with previously unknown Ukrainian naval capabilities and intelligence and geopolitical connections that only the US was known to have." That pro-Ukraine group did, in fact, sabotage the Nord Stream 2 pipelines - and that group was the US government.

State propaganda is not something that only happens in other countries, fellow Americans. Kurds in eastern Syria take note, if the first betrayal by US forces in 2019 under the Trump administration was not enough to tip you off.

Now they are claiming Russia lost 1000 troops in a day. LOL

[Rubus Leucodermis]

14 hours ago, roadtonowhere08 said:

We all know it'll be Trump vs. Biden in 2024.  Kill me now.

What are you complaining about? It’s the finest politics money can buy!

[Rubus Leucodermis]

10 hours ago, roadtonowhere08 said:

This is just too good!

https://www.salon.com/2023/03/13/like-negotiating-with-terrorists-ex-fox-producer-worried-accurate-reporting-may-insult-audience/

"Like negotiating with terrorists," Pfeiffer wrote. "But especially dumb ones. Cousin f—– types not saudi royalty." 

As much as I am a left-wing partisan, I have studied other political ideologies, and know there is an intelligent case to be made for conservatism (in fact, I think Edmund Burke is one of the most brilliant political philosophers I have read). As I have said before, if I leaned right, I would find Fox News to be an embarrassment.

[roadtonowhere08]

6 hours ago, Andie said:

When will we nominate leaders and not just personalities??

We as a nation have made it abundantly clear that we do not want the truth and we do not want to research platforms.  We vote on identity and tribalism.

51 minutes ago, Rubus Leucodermis said:

What are you complaining about? It’s the finest politics money can buy!

46 minutes ago, Rubus Leucodermis said:

As much as I am a left-wing partisan, I have studied other political ideologies, and know there is an intelligent case to be made for conservatism (in fact, I think Edmund Burke is one of the most brilliant political philosophers I have read). As I have said before, if I leaned right, I would find Fox News to be an embarrassment.

100% agree.  It is an insult to intelligent conservatives who are busy working and living life instead of watching mindless drivel.

[Iceresistance]

A Russian Fighter Jet has collided with a USAF Drone over the Black Sea! This just happened around 20 minutes ago!

[Iceresistance]

Why am I spamming? @SilverFallsAndrew

[roadtonowhere08]

DeSantis does not stand a chance:

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/14/politics/desantis-republicans-ukraine-aid/index.html

Trump told reporters traveling with him Monday night that he believed DeSantis was “following what I am saying” on Ukraine, according to CBS News. “It is a flip-flop. He was totally different. Whatever I want, he wants,” the former president added.

A February review from CNN’s KFile found DeSantis once strongly supported arming Ukraine as a conservative congressman in 2014 and 2015 to deter Russia’s aggression in Eastern Europe. In an interview from December 2017, DeSantis continued to align himself with the “Reagan school that’s tough on Russia,” criticizing Democrats for not supporting sending aid to Ukraine.

[roadtonowhere08]

11 hours ago, Iceresistance said:

A Russian Fighter Jet has collided with a USAF Drone over the Black Sea! This just happened around 20 minutes ago!

Vodka and flying jets do not mix.

[Andie]

“2 weeks ago, I subpoenaed bank records for 3 Hunter Biden business associates.

One of the associates, Rob Walker, was wired millions from CCP connected individuals. He then sent money to 3 Biden family members.

What were they doing in return for the cash?” 
Rep. James Comer, Ky

Good question. Also, who else is receiving money? And for what? 
Clean house.  

[Iceresistance]

12 hours ago, roadtonowhere08 said:

DeSantis does not stand a chance:

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/14/politics/desantis-republicans-ukraine-aid/index.html

Trump told reporters traveling with him Monday night that he believed DeSantis was “following what I am saying” on Ukraine, according to CBS News. “It is a flip-flop. He was totally different. Whatever I want, he wants,” the former president added.

A February review from CNN’s KFile found DeSantis once strongly supported arming Ukraine as a conservative congressman in 2014 and 2015 to deter Russia’s aggression in Eastern Europe. In an interview from December 2017, DeSantis continued to align himself with the “Reagan school that’s tough on Russia,” criticizing Democrats for not supporting sending aid to Ukraine.

I know he does not for 2024, but maybe he is the one for 2028?

[Iceresistance]

ICC has issued an International Arrest Warrant on Putin for forced deportation (and in my opinion, also the Russification of them) of Ukrainian Children into Russia.

[Rubus Leucodermis]

1 hour ago, Iceresistance said:

ICC has issued an International Arrest Warrant on Putin for forced deportation (and in my opinion, also the Russification of them) of Ukrainian Children into Russia.

That and $5 will get you an expensive coffee drink at Starbucks.

The ICC is nice in concept but nobody takes it seriously. At least, no superpower does.

[Iceresistance]

21 minutes ago, Rubus Leucodermis said:

That and $5 will get you an expensive coffee drink at Starbucks.

The ICC is nice in concept but nobody takes it seriously. At least, no superpower does.

Why did we withdraw from the ICC?