All purpose news and politics thread part v: The quickening

[Steel Inquisitor]

The issues with this is that you can go to most European countries and the center there is basically where Sanders and Warren are trying to take America. It’s just over there it’s kind of a given and not viewed as some big revolution

That wasn't the context, no leftist party that I know of has done this in Europe. The only clear examples I can think of are Soviet, like the USSR. They did the whole civil war, one party rule thing. That's revolution. Something neither Sanders or Warren are campaigning on.

In response to your post, many European countries don't have conservative parties like the GOP strangling progress and being exceptional at it, the whether a party is left is more complex than noticing other countries context allows them room to go further due to their positive environments, and how some parties that are left there, like Labour, are more right wing on issues then Democrats are. For example, Brexit and austerity. That's the context and in America Dems remain on the left internally. Put Pelosi in a European country where she'll get less static on healthcare and she'll go all in, whenever she tries this in America she gets blocked by conservatives in the party and Republicans.

[KNIGHT OF THE LAKE]

That wasn't the context, no leftist party that I know of has done this in Europe. The only clear examples I can think of are Soviet, like the USSR. They did the whole civil war, one party rule thing. That's revolution. Something neither Sanders or Warren are campaigning on.

In response to your post, many European countries don't have conservative parties like the GOP strangling progress and being exceptional at it, the whether a party is left is more complex than noticing other countries context allows them room to go further due to their positive environments, and how some parties that are left there, like Labour, are more right wing on issues then Democrats are. For example, Brexit and austerity. That's the context and in America Dems remain on the left internally. Put Pelosi in a European country where she'll get less static on healthcare and she'll go all in, whenever she tries this in America she gets blocked by conservatives in the party and Republicans.

Most European countries have a right wing party. The difference is the center is further left there so things that Americans think are pipe dreams are just standard there. For instance, helathcare. The most conservative party in the UK wouldn't be able to actively campaign against taking away their public options. It's political suicide. Kind of like social security here. You don't last long openly going against it. The other issue is that Americans are bullish on the two party system. In the UK you do need to do some consensus building to get things done. Here we a systemwhere if you are lucky you can have a majority and then you need pariliamentary motions to get a compromise of what you really want through. Which is a massive flaw

[Tami]

Trump thinks Kansas City is in Kansas.

[Tami]

Elections Are Not About Truth: They are about finding compromise among people with vastly different desires.

The 2020 election season in the United States, which enters a new phase Monday, with the Iowa Democratic caucuses, will probably be among the most divisive and contentious in American history. The results will reverberate around the world, and will most likely shape the global order for years to come. As the political temperature rises to the boiling point, people on all sides should reflect on what democratic elections actually are.

Elections are not a method for finding the truth. They are a method for reaching peaceful compromise between the conflicting desires of different people. You might find yourself sharing a country with people who you consider ignorant, stupid and even malicious — and they might think exactly the same of you. Still, do you want to reach a peaceful compromise with these people, or would you rather settle your disagreements with guns and bombs?

Since elections are a method for reaching a compromise about our desires, in the polling stations people aren’t asked “What is the truth?” They are asked “What do you want?” That’s why all citizens have equal voting rights. When searching for the truth, the opinions of different people carry different weights. But when it comes to desire, everybody should be treated the same.

In the wake of the 2016 Brexit referendum, the eminent biologist Richard Dawkins protested that the vast majority of the British public should never have been asked to vote in the referendum, because they lacked the necessary background in economics and political science. “You might as well call a nationwide plebiscite to decide whether Einstein got his algebra right,” Mr. Dawkins wrote.

Yet his analogy is flawed. Holding a plebiscite on whether to accept Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity is a ridiculous idea, because that is a question of truth that should be left to experts. When discussing relativity, the opinion of one physics professor counts for far more than the opinion of a thousand history professors or a thousand lawyers.

But the question that appeared on the ballot in the 2016 referendum was not about truth. It was: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?” That’s a question about desire, and there is no reason to privilege the desires of experts over those of everyone else.

[Billy Batson]

Trump thinks Kansas City is in Kansas.

Technically there is one.

[Tami]

Technically there is one.

Kinda, but the Kansas City Chiefs play for Missouri, not Kansas.

The greater Kansas City Metro Area is centered around Kansas City, Missouri.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Kinda, but the Kansas City Chiefs play for Missouri, not Kansas.

The greater Kansas City Metro Area is centered around Kansas City, Missouri.

Why am I not surprised Dolt45 (heavy emphasis on "Dolt") doesn't have even a rudimentary grasp on United States geography? By the way, I understand Trump deleted that congratulatory tweet. Now comes the drama over the White House visit, who attends, who doesn't and Trump getting butthurt if large portions of the team declines the invite like my Eagles had done two years ago.

[jetengine]

Why am I not surprised Dolt45 (heavy emphasis on "Dolt") doesn't have even a rudimentary grasp on United States geography? By the way, I understand Trump deleted that congratulatory tweet. Now comes the drama over the White House visit, who attends, who doesn't and Trump getting butthurt if large portions of the team declines the invite like my Eagles had done two years ago.

Bets on Trump trying to give the Superbowl team Mcdonalds again?

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Bets on Trump trying to give the Superbowl team Mcdonalds again?

Maybe he'll switch things up and go with Burger King this time.

[GindyPosts]

Kinda, but the Kansas City Chiefs play for Missouri, not Kansas.

The greater Kansas City Metro Area is centered around Kansas City, Missouri.

The only things Kansas City, Kansas have are the Kansas Speedway & the nearby Soccer stadium.

[aja_christopher]

Progressives and (democratic) socialists need to remember that Republicans are the problem -- moderates aren't calling for socialists to be jailed or shot.

Just that they respect the integrity of the other Democratic candidates and the Democratic platform that they are using to promote their policies.

-----
"Montana state GOP lawmaker says Constitution calls for socialists to be jailed, shot"

"A Republican state representative from Montana is coming under fire from his own party after he reportedly claimed earlier this weekend that the Constitution calls for socialists to be jailed or shot.

According to the Billings Gazette, state Rep. Rodney Garcia (R-Mont.) first made the remark after expressing concerns about socialists he said were “entering our government” and their presence in his district at an event on Friday.

He reportedly reiterated his remarks when pressed about his previous comments in an interview with a reporter for the local publication on Saturday.

“So actually in the Constitution of the United States (if) they are found guilty of being a socialist member you either go to prison or are shot,” the Montana Republican said.

Though he was reportedly unable to show what portion of the Constitution he was citing to back his claim, he continued to double down on his comments in the interview, saying, “They’re enemies of the free state.”

“What do we do with our enemies in war? In Vietnam, (Afghanistan), all those. What did we do?” he continued.

“I agree with my Constitution. That’s what makes us free. We’re not a democracy, we’re a Republic Constitution,” he also said.

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-w...cialists-to-be

[Superbat]

Barbara Smith, Who Helped Coin the Term 'Identity Politics,' Endorses Bernie Sanders

https://www.theroot.com/barbara-smit...iti-1841419291

"DES MOINES, IOWA—Barbara Smith, founding member of the black feminist Combahee River Collective that coined the term “identity politics,” has endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders for president, The Root has learned.

In an exclusive interview, Smith, who endorsed Sanders in 2016, said her reasons for endorsing him again were clear.

“Of all of the people who are running, Bernie Sanders is the person whose political commitment most closely reflects and align with political commitments that I’ve had throughout my life,” she said. “He has a much deeper understanding of what the situation is, why we have injustice and inequality and oppression and discrimination or whatever words you use to describe a society that isn’t functioning the way that it should be functioning. He is the most incisive, sharpest understanding of where all that comes from.”

Briahna Joy Gray, national press secretary for the Sanders campaign, told The Root that the campaign is “enormously proud to have earned the endorsement of one of the preeminent black feminist activists in American history. Barbara Smith’s work highlighting the interlocking oppressions of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and class has helped to empower millions of people in the fight for substantive equality. That fight is central to this campaign, and we’re humbled to have earned her support.”

In addition to her scholarly work, Smith has also served in elected office. She served two terms as a city councilwoman in Albany, N.Y., between 2005 and 2013. Her endorsement comes just as voters in Iowa begin caucusing here, where Sanders is one of the favorites to win."

[aja_christopher]

Barbara Smith, Who Helped Coin the Term 'Identity Politics,' Endorses Bernie Sanders

https://www.theroot.com/barbara-smit...iti-1841419291

"DES MOINES, IOWA—Barbara Smith, founding member of the black feminist Combahee River Collective that coined the term “identity politics,” has endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders for president, The Root has learned.

In an exclusive interview, Smith, who endorsed Sanders in 2016, said her reasons for endorsing him again were clear.

“Of all of the people who are running, Bernie Sanders is the person whose political commitment most closely reflects and align with political commitments that I’ve had throughout my life,” she said. “He has a much deeper understanding of what the situation is, why we have injustice and inequality and oppression and discrimination or whatever words you use to describe a society that isn’t functioning the way that it should be functioning. He is the most incisive, sharpest understanding of where all that comes from.”

Briahna Joy Gray, national press secretary for the Sanders campaign, told The Root that the campaign is “enormously proud to have earned the endorsement of one of the preeminent black feminist activists in American history. Barbara Smith’s work highlighting the interlocking oppressions of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and class has helped to empower millions of people in the fight for substantive equality. That fight is central to this campaign, and we’re humbled to have earned her support.”

In addition to her scholarly work, Smith has also served in elected office. She served two terms as a city councilwoman in Albany, N.Y., between 2005 and 2013. Her endorsement comes just as voters in Iowa begin caucusing here, where Sanders is one of the favorites to win."

This is a good example of a positive endorsement of Sanders.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Progressives and (democratic) socialists need to remember that Republicans are the problem -- moderates aren't calling for socialists to be jailed or shot.

Just that they respect the integrity of the other Democratic candidates and the Democratic platform that they are using to promote their policies.

-----
"Montana state GOP lawmaker says Constitution calls for socialists to be jailed, shot"

"A Republican state representative from Montana is coming under fire from his own party after he reportedly claimed earlier this weekend that the Constitution calls for socialists to be jailed or shot.

According to the Billings Gazette, state Rep. Rodney Garcia (R-Mont.) first made the remark after expressing concerns about socialists he said were “entering our government” and their presence in his district at an event on Friday.

He reportedly reiterated his remarks when pressed about his previous comments in an interview with a reporter for the local publication on Saturday.

“So actually in the Constitution of the United States (if) they are found guilty of being a socialist member you either go to prison or are shot,” the Montana Republican said.

Though he was reportedly unable to show what portion of the Constitution he was citing to back his claim, he continued to double down on his comments in the interview, saying, “They’re enemies of the free state.”

“What do we do with our enemies in war? In Vietnam, (Afghanistan), all those. What did we do?” he continued.

“I agree with my Constitution. That’s what makes us free. We’re not a democracy, we’re a Republic Constitution,” he also said.

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-w...cialists-to-be

Oh, WBEEEEEEEE....!

[Tendrin]

Oh, WBEEEEEEEE....!

Geeze. That was a definite header into WBE's queue.