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

[JB]

His point was that of course it's a concern for himself and the country. It's one of the things, like his Covid response, that he's most focused on at the moment. No politician in an Executive role wants a bad economy on their watch. So when a "reporter" asks a question so utterly stupid it's understandable that the first instinct of any thinking person would be to dismiss them as a serious person.

It was a low class way to handle it, and he stepped over the line, but it wasn't an attempt to dodge the issue. Anyone "screaming that he doesn't care about the issue" would have to be completely ignorant of both his work to get the economy (inflation included) back on track and the basic realities of politics themselves. Again, "it's the economy stupid". Questions like that are at best theater and at worst the utterings of a stupid son-of-a-b###h.

I just wish he hadn't said anything at all. I went searching for some of his work to combat inflation and 90% of what popped up was the remark. The media is running with it, as per usual. In any case, I look forward to hearing how his meeting went yesterday about this very issue.

[Mister Mets]

Yet we have that expectation of the US of A. Why is our Nation so divided yadda yadda. Small political units may be what we really need.

By smaller political units, do you mean that each state should be its own country?

This can get complicated when people would have to cross a more controlled border to get to work (IE- someone who lives in New Jersey or Connecticut, and works in New York City.) There would also be sorts of implications for commerce when getting Texas state to a DC restaurant becomes an international transaction.

[Mister Mets]

When it was...

https://fortune.com/2021/12/15/nancy...elated_article

There are some reasonable arguments for allowing members of Congress to trade stocks. It could be a problem if bans on legal behavior discourage talented people from running for the House of Representatives and the Senate.

I do think it's ultimately more trouble than it's worth. In addition to the potential for corruption (including the unusual statistic that members of Congress outperform the market when it comes to stock trades) there's always the potential of incorrect politically motivated allegations of wrongdoing. Though there may be some 3-Dimensional chess, with the question of whether that would hurt Republicans more than it hurts Democrats.

[JB]

Tennessee lawmaker becomes latest House Democrat not to seek reelection
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/25/polit...ent/index.html

Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper of Tennessee announced Tuesday that he will not run for reelection, becoming the latest House Democrat to head for the exits as the party faces an uphill battle to retain control of the chamber in the 2022 midterms.

"Today I am announcing that I will not run for re-election to Congress. After 32 years in office, I will be leaving Congress next year," Cooper tweeted.
"I cannot thank the people of Nashville enough. You backed me more than almost anyone in Tennessee history," he said.

[Mister Mets]

I understand that they are not a monolith, I meant specifically those that were mentioned here - Republican voters who deliberately vote against social policies like universal healthcare, but then apparently criticize Democrats specifically for not providing them with enough government support.

BTW, from an outsider perspective, I find Republicans more resembling of dictatorships such as those they are afraid of, then Democrats. There is nothing socialist about Democrats and if they want to restrict anyone's freedom in any way, I must have missed those news. Yet when it comes to social questions, Republicans are continually pushing for policies that restrict personal freedoms, same as governments in authoritarian regimes (left or right).

There are plenty of times Democrats are advocating for restrictions, especially in the context of Covid, with mask mandates, vaccination requirements (including requirements that people need to show photo ID to confirm that the vaccine card is theirs), and lockdowns.

There are also plenty of restrictions on businesses.

A reasonable person can say that these are all necessary and appropriate, but that's different from whether Democrats restrict freedoms.

[JB]

I understand that they are not a monolith, I meant specifically those that were mentioned here - Republican voters who deliberately vote against social policies like universal healthcare, but then apparently criticize Democrats specifically for not providing them with enough government support.

Ah, I understand. The majority of Hispanic voters in NJ vote democrat so the person in the article is likely a democrat. I was pointing out some of the issues brought up during the election cycle, and that particular man was torn on which way to vote and those were some of the reasons he mentioned. He felt neither side had a clear message related to covid relief specific to his community. The original conversation started with why we're seeing a switching of parties in that demographic, again. There was a big switch from R to D with Obama and now it's reversing.

BTW, from an outsider perspective, I find Republicans more resembling of dictatorships such as those they are afraid of, then Democrats. There is nothing socialist about Democrats and if they want to restrict anyone's freedom in any way, I must have missed those news. Yet when it comes to social questions, Republicans are continually pushing for policies that restrict personal freedoms, same as governments in authoritarian regimes (left or right).

AOC is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Some consider their views as "far-left, more strongly rejecting capitalism and mainstream representative democracy, and advocating for a socialist society based on economic democracy and direct democracy, representing economic, political and social democracy."
https://www.dsausa.org/

Senators Manchin and Sinema consider themselves "moderate", and they often vote with the Republicans. There were some Republicans that voted with the Democrats to pass the infrastructure bill. So it's almost like parties within parties. That's why I often wonder how we would fare if we had smaller, focused parties as many countries in Europe have.

[JB]

Board chair of Wisconsin's Department of Veterans Affairs facing child pornography charges
https://patch.com/wisconsin/franklin...graphy-charges

Court documents show 38-year-old Curtis Schmitt, of Franklin, faces three counts of possession of child pornography.

According to a criminal complaint, when questioned, Schmitt told investigators that he had a porn addiction and that he talks to a lot of women on Snapchat. He said all the women stated that they are adults, but that he gets a lot of photos sent to him via Snapchat and sometimes they send him pictures of children.

[JB]

Pelosi announces bid for reelection ahead of 2022 midterms
https://www.axios.com/nancy-pelosi-h...ca430a917.html

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced her bid for reelection Tuesday, amid a deluge of other safe-seat Democrats announcing their retirements.

Pelosi’s announcement follows months of speculation — despite her denials — that she was preparing to leave Congress.

[Zauriel]

Pelosi announces bid for reelection ahead of 2022 midterms
https://www.axios.com/nancy-pelosi-h...ca430a917.html

"While we have made progress much more needs to be done to improve people’s lives. This election is crucial: nothing less is at stake than our Democracy.

But we don’t agonize-we organize. I am running for re-election to Congress to deliver For The People and defend Democracy." -NP



She is one of the most corrupt Democrats in the House who for decades now has used the office not to help the people or planet, but to enrich herself and her corporate donors. Re-electing her would do nothing to defend democracy. It would only preserve this corrupt oligarchy.

[Xheight]

By smaller political units, do you mean that each state should be its own country?

This can get complicated when people would have to cross a more controlled border to get to work (IE- someone who lives in New Jersey or Connecticut, and works in New York City.) There would also be sorts of implications for commerce when getting Texas state to a DC restaurant becomes an international transaction.

Perhaps a larger aggregate with more common interests? And borders more like EU or Brexit Britain? So not NJ, NY and Connecticut but the Urban halves of those forming their own superstate while rural Jersey and CT could join up with PA or such to form another. CA as we know has tons of laws on goods and services that the rest of the country don't have to comply with. Those fixated with being a military superpower though would be very saddened I suppose though.

[Xheight]

Ah, I understand. The majority of Hispanic voters in NJ vote democrat so the person in the article is likely a democrat. I was pointing out some of the issues brought up during the election cycle, and that particular man was torn on which way to vote and those were some of the reasons he mentioned. He felt neither side had a clear message related to covid relief specific to his community. The original conversation started with why we're seeing a switching of parties in that demographic, again. There was a big switch from R to D with Obama and now it's reversing.

Parties, unfortunately, are too wrapped up in people's identity and that is the way that the major parties like it despite that people trend to stability and the center as a demographic usual increases representing a traditional bell curve. You mention the Hispanic vote but the Asian vote is following the same pattern in the other direction as it grows. Essentially people want to be Independent and vote on the candidate that has the best slate of things to offer them.

[CSTowle]

Perhaps a larger aggregate with more common interests? And borders more like EU or Brexit Britain? So not NJ, NY and Connecticut but the Urban halves of those forming their own superstate while rural Jersey and CT could join up with PA or such to form another. CA as we know has tons of laws on goods and services that the rest of the country don't have to comply with. Those fixated with being a military superpower though would be very saddened I suppose though.

You see it a lot when a group can't make convincing arguments to the other side or win a majority of votes, just take our ball and go make our own country. That's not the way it works. You want another country? Pool resources and purchase an island somewhere. Or set up shop in a country with a weak central government that will allow you to do as you like. I hear Afghanistan and Somalia are pretty lax in the central government department.

Whether a person lives in an urban or a rural environment they are each citizens and their votes should count equally. If there are more of one type of voter than another that's part of the deal. For every California safety law you shake your head at I promise you there are laws against Covid protections coming out of Florida that are making heads on the other side shake. That's part of living in a country with diverse people and interests. No one group gets everything that they want, and they never will. Compromise is required. Or, if that's too big an ask, try Afghanistan. Their policies and ideology are a lot closer to the current Republican Party's than the Democrat's, and it's only getting worse (or better, depending on your perspective).

[JCAll]

in August 2020, the Royal Canadian Navy replaced all 4 grades of the gender-specific title "seaman" with a gender-neutral title "sailor"

Sailor Third Class (previously Ordinary Seaman)
Sailor Second Class (previously Able Seaman)
Sailor First Class (previously Leading Seaman)
Master Sailor (previously Master Seaman)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaman_(rank)

Should the United States Navy start replacing Seaman ranks with "sailor"?

Seaman recruit = Sailor recruit
Seaman apprentice = Sailor apprentice
Seaman = Sailor

But if they do that, what will small children snicker about behind their backs.

[babyblob]

But if they do that, what will small children snicker about behind their backs.

It is very childish of me but I never fail to laugh when my uncle talks about his time as a Seaman Swabbing the Poop Deck.

Does he do this on purpose? Of course he does. Do I fall for it ever time? YES!

[JB]

Parties, unfortunately, are too wrapped up in people's identity and that is the way that the major parties like it despite that people trend to stability and the center as a demographic usual increases representing a traditional bell curve. You mention the Hispanic vote but the Asian vote is following the same pattern in the other direction as it grows. Essentially people want to be Independent and vote on the candidate that has the best slate of things to offer them.

It's true. The Guardian discussed the Asian vote trend just after the election, and it's only continued.
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...ther-heres-why

It is very childish of me but I never fail to laugh when my uncle talks about his time as a Seaman Swabbing the Poop Deck.

Does he do this on purpose? Of course he does. Do I fall for it ever time? YES!

I laughed at it too.