All Purpose News and Politics Thread Part IV: The Center Cannot Hold

[WestPhillyPunisher]

I was thinking about teh Farmers myself, the ones who are satisfied with a handout that only over half of what they normally make in crop sales just so that Trump could 'screw it' to the Chinese. of course, a tariff war only hurt Americans and the Chinese have a whole world of customers that they can trade with and they are also in a position to hurt the US since we are in debt to them in various ways.

But hey, as long as someone is waging war against China for unfair trade practices (a war that is more like let's shoot ourselves in the feet, that will make China cry)

China's Economy and Its Effect on the U.S. Economy

So we'll see who cries 'Uncle' first.

Well, it won't be China, that's for damn sure. President Xi has no problem playing the long game in this tariff battle since he doesn't have to worry about being reelected. Meanwhile, it's already public knowledge that the Chinese government is perfectly content to be patient and wait until Trump leaves office, then renegotiate a new trade deal with a saner, more rational and intelligent replacement. Those farmers who are literally betting their livelihood on Trump coming out on top are going to wind up sorely disappointed.

[Iron Maiden]

To be honest I can understand why Waid..or any creator....might well be irritated at some one taking a sequence from their comic and re-lettering it.

But it always baffles me why anyone in public eye gets involved in internet squabbles....that “game” is one of the few loaded against the big names.

I don't always support some of Waid's conduct but in this case it would tick me off too if the panel were used like that. But it's best not to give oxygen to it.

[Jack Dracula]

Conservative Pundit S.E. Cupp Quits The NRA, Makes Powerful Plea For Gun Control

The former “NRA Mom” now says “we must do something about guns.” All too true, but, unfortunately, nothing will happen. As usual.

Something will happen. Psychopaths like Hannity and Limbaugh will squawk about how the "Libs want to take all you guns!" and sales of weapons and ammunition will spike. In that way mass shootings actually make the weapons business more profitable. So now we know why the GOP refuses to do anything.

[BeastieRunner]

I don't want to quote a million posts so ...

As (I think) this thread's only formally-registered Libertarian ...

There's a difference between being a libertarian and a Libertarian.

The little L libertarian focuses on maximizing personal liberty, both socially and economically. Which is what I consider myself. Liberty is the most important commodity in the US and for our republic to remain, people should be allowed to do what they want in reason and spend their money how they want within reason. Items like marriage, personal liberties, voting rights, health insurance shouldn't be infringed upon. Gerrymandering districts, banning abortions, gay marriage, and so on are personal freedoms of ALL Americans and should not be interfered with. Just because you don't use it or have need for it doesn't mean others don't. Not allowing people to vote, get married, have medical procedures done, etc. is a basic violation of personal liberty. Bailouts, flat taxes, internet "fast" lanes, and so on do not help the little guy (you and me) out and infringe upon our personal freedoms. Our personal liberty should not be at the cost of mega-corporations. And we only get one planet and one life to live, so government SHOULD be involved in making sure everybody is taking care of our only planet as well as our fellow man when they are sick. Socialist programs are needed in some areas to maintain the liberty of all (i.e. police, fire, education, military, healthcare, etc.) but a free market is key in order to maximize personal financial growth.

Then you have big L Libertarians, or what I like to call American libertarianism. They are the "taxation is theft" people. Small government aka no government. They are basically your modern neo-liberals. And they would be totally happy banning things like gay marriage if it meant they got a 1% tax break and also vote against school levies and first responder funding because they don't want to pay $3 more in property taxes. They also don't shrink away from giving the military 70-80% of our current budget.

And to the poster that said something like, "Liberterianism doesn't work because it requires humans to be at their 100% best at all times." That is true.

In America, when I say I'm libertarian I get a lot of flack and when I say things that pretty much make people think I'm a liberal because I'm for all most social programs, they call me a liberal. Conversely, when I talk about some of my views on finance, I get called a Republican.

When I go to Japan, Canada, or the UK (the 3 places I travel the most) ... they all get that libertarians are all about liberty and don't understand why most Americans are eager to trade their personal freedoms they personally don't use in order to hurt another group that needs those freedoms in order to live.

[Jack Dracula]

Sometimes I wonder what kind of deal Trump has with Kelly Ann Conway or if she's got dirt on him or what seeing as her husband is not shy about criticizing him in public. Yet Trump hasn't dumped her yet.

She's his handler from the CNP. Their direct connection to the oval office, a reminder of where his campaign donations came from and way of providing spin control when he screws up. It wouldn't surprise me if she's tweeting for him regularly as well.

[Tuck]

That wasn't a positive remark.

Fair enough.

The "heroes need to kill more" thing is just kind of a pet peeve of mind. Feels a lot like "the only thing that can stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun" or cops putting the Punisher skull on their squad cars.

It just tends to perk my ears up.

[BeastieRunner]

She's his handler from the CNP. Their direct connection to the oval office, a reminder of where his campaign donations came from and way of providing spin control when he screws up. It wouldn't surprise me if she's tweeting for him regularly as well.

She's also there as collateral. If Trump dumps her, he loses the GOP lawyer pool. Something he can't afford at this point. If Trumps wins re-election, I expect her to be the first to get fired.

[Jack Dracula]

She's also there as collateral. If Trump dumps her, he loses the GOP lawyer pool. Something he can't afford at this point. If Trumps wins re-election, I expect her to be the first to get fired.

Here's hoping we never find out if your correct.

[Gray Lensman]

I don't want to quote a million posts so ...

As (I think) this thread's only formally-registered Libertarian ...

There's a difference between being a libertarian and a Libertarian.

The little L libertarian focuses on maximizing personal liberty, both socially and economically. Which is what I consider myself. Liberty is the most important commodity in the US and for our republic to remain, people should be allowed to do what they want in reason and spend their money how they want within reason. Items like marriage, personal liberties, voting rights, health insurance shouldn't be infringed upon. Gerrymandering districts, banning abortions, gay marriage, and so on are personal freedoms of ALL Americans and should not be interfered with. Just because you don't use it or have need for it doesn't mean others don't. Not allowing people to vote, get married, have medical procedures done, etc. is a basic violation of personal liberty. Bailouts, flat taxes, internet "fast" lanes, and so on do not help the little guy (you and me) out and infringe upon our personal freedoms. Our personal liberty should not be at the cost of mega-corporations. And we only get one planet and one life to live, so government SHOULD be involved in making sure everybody is taking care of our only planet as well as our fellow man when they are sick. Socialist programs are needed in some areas to maintain the liberty of all (i.e. police, fire, education, military, healthcare, etc.) but a free market is key in order to maximize personal financial growth.

Then you have big L Libertarians, or what I like to call American libertarianism. They are the "taxation is theft" people. Small government aka no government. They are basically your modern neo-liberals. And they would be totally happy banning things like gay marriage if it meant they got a 1% tax break and also vote against school levies and first responder funding because they don't want to pay $3 more in property taxes. They also don't shrink away from giving the military 70-80% of our current budget.

And to the poster that said something like, "Liberterianism doesn't work because it requires humans to be at their 100% best at all times." That is true.

In America, when I say I'm libertarian I get a lot of flack and when I say things that pretty much make people think I'm a liberal because I'm for all most social programs, they call me a liberal. Conversely, when I talk about some of my views on finance, I get called a Republican.

When I go to Japan, Canada, or the UK (the 3 places I travel the most) ... they all get that libertarians are all about liberty and don't understand why most Americans are eager to trade their personal freedoms they personally don't use in order to hurt another group that needs those freedoms in order to live.

I'm registered as one in Nevada. After Trump was elected, I couldn't stay a Republican anymore - it was only possible as long as it was due to being from the Northeast. The difference between a Northern Republican and a Southern Democrat wasn't all that much once upon a time, and I was initially opposed to being in the same Party as Mario Cuomo, the 'governor of New York City and the rest of the state can rot in hell'.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Something will happen. Psychopaths like Hannity and Limbaugh will squawk about how the "Libs want to take all you guns!" and sales of weapons and ammunition will spike. In that way mass shootings actually make the weapons business more profitable. So now we know why the GOP refuses to do anything.

Yeah, I know, usual Republican scare tactics to scare the piss out of ammosexuals while fattening the coffers of the gun lobby. The thing is, I have nothing against the Second Amendment, even if it is ridiculously antiquated, never have. I have no problem with people owning handguns and shotguns to defend home, business and person, nor do I have a problem with people using hunting rifles for food, though I draw the line at hunting for sport. What I most certainly DO have a problem with are people owning assault rifles, weapons designed for one thing and one thing only, to kill large numbers of humans quickly and efficiently, weapons that should only be in the hands of the military and law enforcement. I have yet to hear anything even remotely resembling a rational argument for why John and Jane Q. Public should own the damn things, because they shouldn't, period, end of story. The fact that just about anyone, including bloodthirsty thugs like the El Paso and Dayton shooters can get their hands on such weapons should leave all of us alarmed as ****.

[Gray Lensman]

Yeah, I know, usual Republican scare tactics to scare the piss out of ammosexuals while fattening the coffers of the gun lobby. The thing is, I have nothing against the Second Amendment, even if it is ridiculously antiquated, never have. I have no problem with people owning handguns and shotguns to defend home, business and person, nor do I have a problem with people using hunting rifles for food, though I draw the line at hunting for sport. What I most certainly DO have a problem with are people owning assault rifles, weapons designed for one thing and one thing only, to kill large numbers of humans quickly and efficiently, weapons that should only be in the hands of the military and law enforcement. I have yet to hear anything even remotely resembling a rational argument for why John and Jane Q. Public should own the damn things, because they shouldn't, period, end of story. The fact that just about anyone, including bloodthirsty thugs like the El Paso and Dayton shooters can get their hands on such weapons should leave all of us alarmed as ****.

The founding fathers passed laws requiring safe storage of gunpowder, banning concealed carry, open carry in populated areas, and were against things like what is now called 'stand your ground', although they did support what is basically castle doctrine. Gun laws have basically moved backwards from the frontier days.

[ed2962]

She's his handler from the CNP. Their direct connection to the oval office, a reminder of where his campaign donations came from and way of providing spin control when he screws up. It wouldn't surprise me if she's tweeting for him regularly as well.

The tweets with properly constructed sentences are probably hers.

[Michael Watkins]

all i know is that "creator of alternative facts" should eventually be carved on her tombstone.

[SquirrelMan]

The DJI is down 444 points as I am writing this.

[BeastieRunner]

The DJI is down 444 points as I am writing this.

Cathay Pacific trading a majority of their shares to the China market and a de-listing from JCPenny will do that.

529 now.

EDIT: Back to 424. Going to be a wild one ...