All purpose news and politics thread part VI: This Is Not The Time For Posing

[JackDaw]

It can be seriously problematic if articulating a view without a caveat is seen as an endorsement.

It suggests that very few people bother to understand other perspectives.

It’s like most things…it depends on context.

If I was quoting some one else’s view to a friend who knew me well…he/she could probably tell from past history and/or my body language whether I agreed with the view, or was just quoting it because it was interesting.

When quoting a view on this board…where most people don’t know you well…I think most people will assume you agree with it, unless you state otherwise.

You’re a pragmatic guy and, I think, a skilled debater…you can see for yourself that this happens often on these boards and is the source of endless confusion.

Why not move to a slightly more informative style and when you quote some one give a quick guide at same time on your own feelings on the same matter?

[PwrdOn]

As I said, the article tried to pretend there was a real difference but reality says otherwise. The article, and you yourself, would come across better if the anti-mask sentiment was presented from a wholly intellectually honest stand point, ie say out right that it isn't actually backed by science and is instead informed by a political ideology instead. Again, I'd still say that public health concerns would trump ideas of personal freedoms and dislike of government interference but I'd respect the person on the other side for at least framing their point honestly.

The right isn't interested in having an honest debate these days because actually saying what they believe out loud just exposes how silly and ridiculous it is. This is why Mets is always accusing others of putting words in his mouth instead of actually articulating a firm position himself - once he moves away from vague insinuations and starts laying out what he actually thinks there's no way he can make any of it seem intelligent or reasoned at all.

The simple fact of the matter is this - Republicans oppose masks, vaccines, and any other prudent public health measure because their overriding goal right now is to just make everyone forget about the virus as quickly as possible so that full bore economic activity can resume and start lining their donors', and by extension their own, pockets again. And they haven't really made any attempt to hide this from their supporters either, since the beginning they've been going on TV stressing that we need to be prepared to sacrifice Granny in order to maintain our way of life. However, this strategy clearly isn't working and the more public kerfuffles they get in over mask mandates or whatever, the more that the public is reminded that the virus is still very much a thing and that our leaders don't really care if we live or die as long as big corporations can keep earning profits. And so even if they do get their way and force everything open like it's 2019 again, there is still going to be a significant segment of people who just don't feel comfortable enough to open up their wallets which means all this will be for nothing in the end.

[JackDaw]

The right isn't interested in having an honest debate these days because actually saying what they believe out loud just exposes how silly and ridiculous it is. This is why Mets is always accusing others of putting words in his mouth instead of actually articulating a firm position himself - once he moves away from vague insinuations and starts laying out what he actually thinks there's no way he can make any of it seem intelligent or reasoned at all.

The simple fact of the matter is this - Republicans oppose masks, vaccines, and any other prudent public health measure because their overriding goal right now is to just make everyone forget about the virus as quickly as possible so that full bore economic activity can resume and start lining their donors', and by extension their own, pockets again. And they haven't really made any attempt to hide this from their supporters either, since the beginning they've been going on TV stressing that we need to be prepared to sacrifice Granny in order to maintain our way of life. However, this strategy clearly isn't working and the more public kerfuffles they get in over mask mandates or whatever, the more that the public is reminded that the virus is still very much a thing and that our leaders don't really care if we live or die as long as big corporations can keep earning profits. And so even if they do get their way and force everything open like it's 2019 again, there is still going to be a significant segment of people who just don't feel comfortable enough to open up their wallets which means all this will be for nothing in the end.

Its fairly bizarre though for Republicans not to support wearing masks and getting everyone vaccinated double pronto, even on assumption profit optimisation is their over-riding goal.

Both those measures give a better chance of getting back to normal economic activity more quickly.

[babyblob]

Its fairly bizarre though for Republicans not to support wearing masks and getting everyone vaccinated double pronto, even on assumption profit optimisation is their over-riding goal.

Both those measures give a better chance of getting back to normal economic activity more quickly.

To be honest I think had Trump been on board for masks and vaccines right from the start then his cult would have been on board talking about how great it is and would have worn masks every day and been first in line for the vaccine. I think Trump really set the tone on that and we are still paying for it.

[PwrdOn]

Its fairly bizarre though for Republicans not to support wearing masks and getting everyone vaccinated double pronto, even on assumption profit optimisation is their over-riding goal.

Both those measures give a better chance of getting back to normal economic activity more quickly.

The GOP is largely unable to see past the immediate short term, and from that perspective it's a lot easier to just get everyone to pretend like the pandemic is over instead of actually doing anything to help end it. Their entire guiding principle at the moment is that seeing people wearing masks everywhere and getting checked for vaccination reminds people that there's still a virus going around and keeps them from spending as freely as they otherwise would, which is why Republican governors are pretty much doing whatever it takes to remove all of that from public view. If it really was all about "freedom" they would at least respect schools and businesses that mandated masks or vaccines, but by forcing them to serve people who refuse to do either they are once again showing that the Republican definition of freedom is a pretty tortured one.

[JackDaw]

To be honest I think had Trump been on board for masks and vaccines right from the start then his cult would have been on board talking about how great it is and would have worn masks every day and been first in line for the vaccine. I think Trump really set the tone on that and we are still paying for it.

It’s almost as if if the Donald has the super power of mass hypnosis.

Looked at dispassionately you’d think the typical 8 year kid could see he’s as phoney as a three dollar bill.

[babyblob]

It’s almost as if if the Donald has the super power of mass hypnosis.

Looked at dispassionately you’d think the typical 8 year kid could see he’s as phoney as a three dollar bill.

You would think. but look at all the people who hang on his every word. look at the rally he had the other day. 50,000 people no masks just listening to and hanging on his every word. He is like a comic book character at this point.

[JackDaw]

You would think. but look at all the people who hang on his every word. look at the rally he had the other day. 50,000 people no masks just listening to and hanging on his every word. He is like a comic book character at this point.

Glorious Godfrey is the one that springs to mind.

[babyblob]

On another note of two faced bullshit. Our local news has been doing interviews with local Republicans and GOP leaders who have been all over Biden for not getting the Afgan's out of the country and finding a place for them to go.

Well last light a local charity has announced they have informed the Red cross and government agencies they have room for 2500 refuges in the country. Of course these same GOP who bitched about Biden not helping are now looking for ways to stop this group and stop the refuges from coming. Even though it has not been announced any are coming.

[green_garnish]

It’s almost as if if the Donald has the super power of mass hypnosis.

Looked at dispassionately you’d think the typical 8 year kid could see he’s as phoney as a three dollar bill.

Old Man Rant coming. Viewer advisory.

When I was a kid, every adult I knew would do anything possible to help kids get the best education possible. Not just their own kids. All kids.

Today, the beneficiaries of that attitude, in large part, seem determined to stay in the greatest ignorance possible, and are hell-bent on making sure their kids - and all kids - are grow up the same.

[Tami]

Taliban close Kabul airport road to Afghans to block their evacuation

The Taliban have moved to prevent Afghans from leaving the country by joining the US-led airlift, declaring the route to Kabul airport only open to foreigners.

The Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said: “The road that ends at Kabul airport has been blocked. Foreigners can go through it but Afghans are not allowed to take the road.”

The decision is likely to leave tens of thousands of Afghans who had been hoping to escape trapped under Taliban control.

A number of cases had emerged in recent days of Afghans heading to the airport being turned back at Taliban checkpoints, including those with approval from western countries to join the air bridge as the group seeks to tighten its grip on the airport and the capital.

Mujahid offered contradictory justifications for the policy. He said on the one hand that the Taliban had stopped Afghans from going to the airport for fear that people might be killed in a stampede, but on the other that the evacuation was taking out experts such as engineers and doctors.

“We ask [the Americans] to stop this process,” he said. “This country needs their expertise. They should not be taken to other countries.”

[Malvolio]

On another note of two faced bullshit. Our local news has been doing interviews with local Republicans and GOP leaders who have been all over Biden for not getting the Afgan's out of the country and finding a place for them to go.

Well last light a local charity has announced they have informed the Red cross and government agencies they have room for 2500 refuges in the country. Of course these same GOP who bitched about Biden not helping are now looking for ways to stop this group and stop the refuges from coming. Even though it has not been announced any are coming.

It's the same way they were about the Affordable Care Act. They admitted that there was a problem, but they didn't want Obama's solution for it, but they didn't have a solution of their own either. As Captain Kirk once said to Doctor McCoy, "You have a better idea? Now's the time."

[shooshoomanjoe]

Old Man Rant coming. Viewer advisory.

When I was a kid, every adult I knew would do anything possible to help kids get the best education possible. Not just their own kids. All kids.

Today, the beneficiaries of that attitude, in large part, seem determined to stay in the greatest ignorance possible, and are hell-bent on making sure their kids - and all kids - are grow up the same.

I've noticed conservatives love to war on higher education.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

It's the same way they were about the Affordable Care Act. They admitted that there was a problem, but they didn't want Obama's solution for it, but they didn't have a solution of their own either. As Captain Kirk once said to Doctor McCoy, "You have a better idea? Now's the time."

It’s the same way with the budget. When the GQP is in charge, they spend money like drunken sailors on payday, but the minute a Democrat becomes president, suddenly they whine and bitch and moan about fiscal responsibility. It’s a given Qpublicans never have ideas, better or otherwise, they use fearmongering as an incentive to get the sheep to vote for them, it’s the only trick in their arsenal.

[Jack Dracula]

Glorious Godfrey is the one that springs to mind.

More like the Hate-Monger.