Author Topic: The Politics Thread v2  (Read 160397 times)

Offline Solo

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 1778
  • Sorcelator Supreme
    • View Profile
    • Solo's Compiled Works
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #40 on: September 18, 2015, 02:26:08 PM »
"I am the Black Mage! I cast the spells that makes the peoples fall down."

Offline awaken_D_M_golem

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 7639
  • classique style , invisible tail
    • View Profile
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #41 on: September 18, 2015, 03:57:39 PM »
Heh ... Pittsburgh Tribune-Review front page story for last Sunday
no really this was their lead headliner !!

O'HIGH'O
http://triblive.com/usworld/nation/8911291-74/marijuana-ohio-legal#axzz3m7cL99fM
Your codpiece is a mimic.

Offline bhu

  • Uncle Kittie
  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 16055
  • Fnord bitches
    • View Profile
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #42 on: September 18, 2015, 07:33:10 PM »
Heh ... Pittsburgh Tribune-Review front page story for last Sunday
no really this was their lead headliner !!

O'HIGH'O
http://triblive.com/usworld/nation/8911291-74/marijuana-ohio-legal#axzz3m7cL99fM

Will never happen.  Too many old school 'drugs are evil' republicans here, several of which have made constant attempts to sabotage this already.

Offline Solo

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 1778
  • Sorcelator Supreme
    • View Profile
    • Solo's Compiled Works
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #43 on: September 18, 2015, 08:29:50 PM »
So yeah, Trump's running an openly racist campaign now. I'm impressed. Didn't think he'd have the courage to do it. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34296734
"I am the Black Mage! I cast the spells that makes the peoples fall down."

Offline Keldar

  • Legendary Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1032
  • What's this button do?
    • View Profile
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #44 on: September 18, 2015, 09:27:45 PM »
Trump will do anything if it gets him attention. 

Offline dman11235

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 2571
  • Disclaimer: not at full capacity yet
    • View Profile
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #45 on: September 18, 2015, 11:36:28 PM »
Now?  I thought he crossed that line with the whole "mexicans are rapists" thing...
My Sig's Handy Haversack  Need help?  Want to see what I've done?  Want to see what others have done well?  Check it out.

Avatar d20

Offline Libertad

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3618
    • View Profile
    • My Fantasy and Gaming Blog
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #46 on: September 19, 2015, 02:26:16 PM »
Brazil banned corporate money from influencing and funding political campaigns.

I'm sure brujon and Kuroimaken have things to say about this.

Offline Solo

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 1778
  • Sorcelator Supreme
    • View Profile
    • Solo's Compiled Works
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #47 on: September 19, 2015, 03:31:17 PM »
Alright. Who forgot to bribe and threaten the judge?
"I am the Black Mage! I cast the spells that makes the peoples fall down."

Offline bhu

  • Uncle Kittie
  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 16055
  • Fnord bitches
    • View Profile
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #48 on: September 19, 2015, 05:49:26 PM »
So the first poll is out after the debates, and trump has increased his lead....

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/09/18/post-debate-poll-trump-increases-lead-fiorina-leaps-carson-drops/

Offline Solo

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 1778
  • Sorcelator Supreme
    • View Profile
    • Solo's Compiled Works
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #49 on: September 19, 2015, 06:00:43 PM »
And I'm off to shop for guns and ammo.
"I am the Black Mage! I cast the spells that makes the peoples fall down."

Offline StreamOfTheSky

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 1219
    • View Profile
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #50 on: September 20, 2015, 11:08:05 AM »
So, any thoughts on how bullshit it is that the Repukes have had two debates already and the first Democrat debate is still weeks away?  They only have like 6 for the entire primary season!  You could speculate that it's being done to protect the initial front-runner Hillary Clinton from giving her lesser known rivals a chance to overtake her.  But then you find out the current DNC chair, who decides on the number and timing of the debates, was formerly a staff member of the Clinton campaign and it can't even be called "speculation" at that point anymore.

It's really pissing me off.  The media's spending almost all of its time talking about the Repukes and their horrible fucking policy ideas that will rape America for decades to come, all because they're the only fucking show in town.

Offline dman11235

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 2571
  • Disclaimer: not at full capacity yet
    • View Profile
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #51 on: September 20, 2015, 12:17:02 PM »
(can we not do the name calling thing?  Especially in here.  I'd say it's fine in the rants thread, but not here.  I know I have a hard time some times, but name calling doesn't provide a balanced discussion, so let's try and keep it out of here).

You're right, it's all politics.  However another thing is that the primary debates aren't about substance, it's about publicity.  That's why Trump is winning them all right now.  I hope and pray they never reflect policy or we are truly screwed, or at least when they do the rhetoric gets toned WAY down.  Another thing that's important to note is that this isn't the first time the debates have been like this.  That would have been last presidential election.  A lot of republicans blame that early and often debate format for the loss.  And it's not a giant leap to think that the DNC is thinking the same thing, and wants to avoid that much early in-fighting and exposure.  As for the chairperson being a part of Clinton's staff, I cannot comment fully on that, but that really sucks, cause I'm a Sanders supporter, and that's just one more obstacle for him to overcome.  He's already a better position to win than her (I don't think nearly as many people think socialist is as dirty a word as corrupt, note: regardless of the truth of either statement), and a lot of the DNC energy has een wasted promoting her over competitors.

Also, F*&^ Bill Maher. And F*&$ HuffPo for being incredibly forgiving to the racist bastard.  First link, Bill Maher on how "for 30 year's there's been one culture attacking us" (sounds like Trump, right?).  Second link, HuffPo not exactly giving the full context of his rant, lettign him come off less like a racist than he was.  Third link, the racist, sexist, ____-ist bastard being praised by HuffPo for calling Trump racist.  He's a supposed progressive hero, and yet he'd be a conservative dream entertainer.  He hates Muslims, he's incredibly misogynistic, he's very Australian (and I mean that in the "hates immigrants" sort of way), the only issue is that he's an atheist, and people like him give me and other atheists a bad name.  Dawkins and Jillette do too.  I wish there was a higher profile atheist who wasn't a douchebag I could look up to and point to as a representative of my (lack of) faith.

EDIT:  Also, F*#$ Bill Maher for being a shoddy "journalist" and playing the "misquote out of context" game.
« Last Edit: September 20, 2015, 12:18:54 PM by dman11235 »
My Sig's Handy Haversack  Need help?  Want to see what I've done?  Want to see what others have done well?  Check it out.

Avatar d20

Offline StreamOfTheSky

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 1219
    • View Profile
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #52 on: September 20, 2015, 01:45:37 PM »
Sorry, but I just hate them all.  They've been a terrible party for a while now, but this is the first year where I literally could not tolerate a single one of their nominees as president, despite there being so many of them.

You're right, it's all politics.  However another thing is that the primary debates aren't about substance, it's about publicity.  That's why Trump is winning them all right now.  I hope and pray they never reflect policy or we are truly screwed, or at least when they do the rhetoric gets toned WAY down.  Another thing that's important to note is that this isn't the first time the debates have been like this.  That would have been last presidential election.  A lot of republicans blame that early and often debate format for the loss.  And it's not a giant leap to think that the DNC is thinking the same thing, and wants to avoid that much early in-fighting and exposure.

Still, the amount of debates seems incredibly paltry.  Weren't there several times as many in 2008?  And I recall last year seeing articles about the RNC making efforts to prevent as much in-fighting and make the process of coalescing around the mainstream choice faster, and reducing the amount of debates being one of those efforts.  But they still have way more than the DNC does this election.

As for the chairperson being a part of Clinton's staff, I cannot comment fully on that, but that really sucks, cause I'm a Sanders supporter, and that's just one more obstacle for him to overcome.  He's already a better position to win than her (I don't think nearly as many people think socialist is as dirty a word as corrupt, note: regardless of the truth of either statement), and a lot of the DNC energy has een wasted promoting her over competitors.
Well... will this help you comment?
Quote
Wasserman Schultz announced her support of Hillary Clinton for her party's 2008 presidential nomination, and in June 2007 was named one of Clinton's national campaign co-chairs.
I know it's just wikipedia, but I'm lazy and that's clear public record.  I know it's possible for her to have been Clinton's co-chair back then and be impartial now.  But the incredibly small number of debates she's set up which coincidentally help out Clinton makes that hard to believe.
I like Sanders, too.  I'm just worried they'll bury him over stoking fears about "socialism," and that in general he'll be too nice to aggressively counter all their lies and fear-mongering about him, because like Trump, the entire RNC are essentially bullies.

Also, F*&^ Bill Maher. And F*&$ HuffPo for being incredibly forgiving to the racist bastard.  First link, Bill Maher on how "for 30 year's there's been one culture attacking us" (sounds like Trump, right?).  Second link, HuffPo not exactly giving the full context of his rant, lettign him come off less like a racist than he was.  Third link, the racist, sexist, ____-ist bastard being praised by HuffPo for calling Trump racist.  He's a supposed progressive hero, and yet he'd be a conservative dream entertainer.  He hates Muslims, he's incredibly misogynistic, he's very Australian (and I mean that in the "hates immigrants" sort of way), the only issue is that he's an atheist, and people like him give me and other atheists a bad name.  Dawkins and Jillette do too.  I wish there was a higher profile atheist who wasn't a douchebag I could look up to and point to as a representative of my (lack of) faith.

EDIT:  Also, F*#$ Bill Maher for being a shoddy "journalist" and playing the "misquote out of context" game.

Dang.  I usually agree w/ Bill Maher, but he's wrong on this.  (He hates all organized religions, btw, and usually is justified when he's arguing against them because...yeah... but not always)
I can sort of understand an argument of "they're teachers, not bomb experts, how are they supposed to be sure it's not a bomb?" and playing it safe, even though it's kind of silly.  And schools have a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG history of being incredibly cautious about violence, and going way overboard.  There's plenty of cases of kids getting in trouble for packing plastic knives in their lunch boxes, and the zero-tolerance policies for fighting are beyond ridiculous.  You get suspended for being involved in a fight automatically, regardless of the circumstances.  I've seen it happen personally, and this was over a decade ago, though the most outrageous case was one a friend told me in college about a HS classmate of hers who never even attacked and was just pummeled by the bully until it got broken up, and that victim STILL got suspended.
So schools have been over-reactive dimwits on issues of violence for many years now, and that transcends race.  In that respect, I'm really not surprised that some teachers saw what looked even vaguely like a bomb (even if only one of the cartoonish ticking time bomb style bombs) and panicked.  They, and the police, are still wrong for doing it and should apologize, but I can understand it happening.  They were certainly not "justified" to do it anymore than they are for punishing a kid for daring to want to spread mustard on his sandwich, though.

EDIT: Found a video of the discussing in full, I think.
« Last Edit: September 20, 2015, 01:56:58 PM by StreamOfTheSky »

Offline dman11235

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 2571
  • Disclaimer: not at full capacity yet
    • View Profile
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #53 on: September 20, 2015, 02:38:21 PM »
I disagree vehemently with him on a number of his general anti-religion stances, because he does overgeneralize even that.  I mean, a large number of religious organizations DON'T hurt society, and do things like feed and house the poor and homeless, provide medical care (actual medical care, not fake religious stuff like those mega pastors), donate and provide relief with no stipulations, etc. etc.  He thinks all religion is good for is swindling the masses and whatnot.

As for your assessment of what happened, that's not exactly what happened.  I would have agreed with you if it was treated like a bomb, and he was kinda suspicious about it, but that's not what happened.  The teacher who "caught the bomb" only knew it was there because it beeped.  Then Ahmed explained to her what it was, and showed her how it worked.  Then she put it in her desk and waited.  Two periods later Ahmed was taken to the principal's office.  Then the cops were there, allegedly said "I knew it was going to be you" interrogated him, asked him if it was a bomb "no, it's a clock".  "it looks like a bomb" "no it's a clock".  No bomb squad was called.  The teacher and principal didn't evacuate anything.  If it was a bomb, it would have gone off WHEN IT BEEPED.  And then she put it in her desk.  They treated the kid like the dangerous part, not the device.  He never said anything about a bomb, he never made a threat, there was never a threat.  Cautious is good, and sometimes they do get overly cautious.  But I guarantee you if his last name was "Smith" or something he wasn't taken away.  not even to the principal.
My Sig's Handy Haversack  Need help?  Want to see what I've done?  Want to see what others have done well?  Check it out.

Avatar d20

Offline altpersona

  • Legendary Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2000
  • #78
    • View Profile
    • You are here
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #54 on: September 20, 2015, 03:13:44 PM »
im terrified by how viable trump is staying. at least around here, he is popular with our 'left' an right... this 'common guy' thing that W. pulled off is somehow working for him  :eh
The goal of power is power. - 1984
We are not descended from fearful men. - Murrow
The Final Countdown is now stuck in your head.

Anim-manga still sux.

Offline StreamOfTheSky

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 1219
    • View Profile
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #55 on: September 20, 2015, 03:22:56 PM »
I disagree vehemently with him on a number of his general anti-religion stances, because he does overgeneralize even that.  I mean, a large number of religious organizations DON'T hurt society, and do things like feed and house the poor and homeless, provide medical care (actual medical care, not fake religious stuff like those mega pastors), donate and provide relief with no stipulations, etc. etc.  He thinks all religion is good for is swindling the masses and whatnot.

They also get official backing and government funding for those services in many cases, aside from the general gov't assistance of being treated as a non-profit organization.  Which was massively ramped up during GWB's term, and Obama did little to change it.  I really wish there were more options for secular aid, because I know back during the late 2000's when I was unemployed and on food stamps for a while, I felt REALLY uncomfortable w/ the prospect of having to go to a religious institution to ask for help (which is what many politicians looking to cut direct gov't assistance to the poor argue is the "better alternative") and thankfully never reached the point where I needed to.
Many still do good for the poor, sure.  But they're propped up with public money to do so.  And while many may not explicitly pressure anything out of those they serve, you're foolish if you don't think there's implicit pressures.  Also, some do in fact make more overt gestures.

As for your assessment of what happened, that's not exactly what happened. ...Then she put it in her desk and waited.  Two periods later Ahmed was taken to the principal's office.  Then the cops were there, allegedly said "I knew it was going to be you" interrogated him, asked him if it was a bomb "no, it's a clock".  "it looks like a bomb" "no it's a clock".  No bomb squad was called.  The teacher and principal didn't evacuate anything.  If it was a bomb, it would have gone off WHEN IT BEEPED.  And then she put it in her desk.  They treated the kid like the dangerous part, not the device.  He never said anything about a bomb, he never made a threat, there was never a threat.  Cautious is good, and sometimes they do get overly cautious.  But I guarantee you if his last name was "Smith" or something he wasn't taken away.  not even to the principal.

Ok, that is very fucked up, then.  I would think if they mistook it for a bomb, they'd act right away, evacuate the students, and call in the bomb squad, and merely detain the kid while the police checked if it was dangerous.  Then either let him go and apologize or let him go and "only" suspend him a few days for bringing "a weapon-like object to school and causing a panic" (as has been done in other over-reacting cases by schools for water pistols, plastic knives, etc.... Again, I vehemently disagree with that, but there's tons of precedent for it).  Not arrest him or treat the supposed bomb so lackadaisically and consider the kid himself the more immediate threat.

Offline Solo

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 1778
  • Sorcelator Supreme
    • View Profile
    • Solo's Compiled Works
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #56 on: September 20, 2015, 03:47:16 PM »
Bill Mahr is the O'Reilly of the left. If you wanna get really mad at him, listen to what he has to say about vaccines.

Anyhow, Dr. Carson believes that Muslims should not be elected president.

I'm sorry, but if the current crop of GOP candidates is the best that America has to offer, I'm going to root for socialism.
"I am the Black Mage! I cast the spells that makes the peoples fall down."

Offline dman11235

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 2571
  • Disclaimer: not at full capacity yet
    • View Profile
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #57 on: September 20, 2015, 04:30:31 PM »
@Solo: He's the Bill O'Rielly of the left, in that he's ALSO a racist and misogynist?

There are a number of organizations that do that, yeah.  My brother (unfortunately) works for one now.  Those ones are the bad ones.  But there's plenty that are "semi-secular", in that they just help.  In fact, you don't hear about most church's humanitarian efforts because they are small places and can only do a little, but they do.  You mostly hear about the places like Krefflo Dollar and such.  And I don't think it's really a bad thing if they're using public funds to help out (they don't always, note), as long as they aren't bringing religion into it.  And I really don't think most do.
My Sig's Handy Haversack  Need help?  Want to see what I've done?  Want to see what others have done well?  Check it out.

Avatar d20

Offline Solo

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 1778
  • Sorcelator Supreme
    • View Profile
    • Solo's Compiled Works
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #58 on: September 20, 2015, 04:59:58 PM »
In that he's kinda racist and anti vaccine, and a bunch of other stuff I don't remember. I prefer Daily Show alums.
"I am the Black Mage! I cast the spells that makes the peoples fall down."

Offline bhu

  • Uncle Kittie
  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 16055
  • Fnord bitches
    • View Profile
Re: The Politics Thread v2
« Reply #59 on: September 20, 2015, 07:54:25 PM »
look at it this way.  If Trump becomes president you'll legally be able to mount a .50 cal to the vehicle of your choice and machinegun the freeways.  That'll take away a lot of the stress of him, you know, being president and all.