All-purpose news and politics thread: Two Steps Beyond!

[numberthirty]

Because at this point I think there are basically two choices -- support the Democrats or support the Republicans.

I know there are grey areas between the two (libertarians, blue dogs, Nader, Stein, Bernie, etc) but this isn't the time for engaging in the same kind of stupidity as we did during the last election -- pick a side and move forward.

Get the people back in power who you know at least want to give you the right to choose -- not the ones who are actively working to take away your rights (abortion, marijuana, whatever) -- and then work out the details: the stakes are just too high now to play the same games we did before Trump was elected.

And that's why I'm not going to debate this -- I was an independent before, but now I've made my choice.

One quick thing that needs to be addressed here...

Framing legalization as a "Rights" issue when the bigger picture contains an opioid crisis where daily overdoses are clearly in "Crisis" territory just doesn't cut it. In the current climate, legalization absolutely could save lives. Choosing not to frame it in those terms is completely unacceptable.

While I know that may not have been the intention of this post, that is how it looks when you read it over.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Exactly, after making a big show of supposedly wanting to do something about gun laws, Trump folded immediately when the NRA frowned at him. So now he has to pretend that bringing up video game violence is somehow addressing the problem of mass shootings.

For someone who publicly chastised Senator Pat Toomey (PA) as being afraid of the NRA, Trump quickly tucked his tail between his legs and kowtowed after Wayne LaPierre told him to cease and desist with any talk about gun laws. Stevie Wonder could see the naked hypocrisy behind what Trump is doing, falling back on the tired old trope about videogames as the source of all evil in the world.

[SuperiorIronman]

It's not about videogames at all. There is no proposal involving videogames on the table, nor as anyone called for any change.
This is deflection, pure and simple. "Guns don't kill people, violent media kills people. So let's stop talking about guns."

Exactly, it's why I was so critical of the video. There is no correlation beyond Trump's stance on the subject which is not put into the video or its description. Apparently the video was shown at the White House today when he brought the game people in for that meeting. For some reason he asked the industry people to censor themselves.

[Mecegirl]

Exactly, it's why I was so critical of the video. There is no correlation beyond Trump's stance on the subject which is not put into the video or its description. Apparently the video was shown at the White House today when he brought the game people in for that meeting. For some reason he asked the industry people to censor themselves.

Hahaha omg hes trying to promote actual censorship...I can't wait to see the response from certain corners of the interwebs.

[Kirby101]

I guess we are the only country that plays video games?

[aja_christopher]

I guess we are the only country that plays video games?

Distraction -- plain and simple.

[Tendrin]

Special counsel Robert Mueller's team has reportedly heard testimony that appears at odds with answers Blackwater founder Erik Prince gave to the House Intelligence Committee about a meeting he attended with a Russian executive before President Trump's inauguration.
A witness has told Mueller's team that Prince hadn’t been introduced to a Russian businessman by associates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), contradicting Prince’s testimony, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
George Nader, a UAE adviser who has emerged as a key figure in Mueller’s probe, told Mueller that the UAE officials at the meeting in Seychelles didn’t introduce Prince and Russian executive Kirill Dmitriev, as Prince had stated.
Prince, who founded the private security company formerly known as Blackwater, had testified before the House Intelligence Committee that the meeting was by chance and had been set up by an UAE official.

http://thehill.com/policy/national-s...h-erik-princes

I want to see Erik Prince behind bars too. Given the sheer evil of the guy and his involvement in so many horrible things, he deserves it. I mean, hell, Prince was the one involved in the idea of Trump's 'private intelligence' army.

[Mister Mets]

One quick thing that needs to be addressed here...

Framing legalization as a "Rights" issue when the bigger picture contains an opioid crisis where daily overdoses are clearly in "Crisis" territory just doesn't cut it. In the current climate, legalization absolutely could save lives. Choosing not to frame it in those terms is completely unacceptable.

While I know that may not have been the intention of this post, that is how it looks when you read it over.

There would be clear benefits to legalization. A specific problem with the opioid crisis is that fentanyl is so potent it's difficult to mix properly. If opiods were legal, there would probably be less overdoses, since the material would be made at a higher standard.

But it would come with some disadvantages as well. When things are legal, more people are going to try them. For example, when prohibition ended, a happy outcome was that less people died of alcohol poisoning since they no longer had to rely on moonshine. But alcohol consumption increased, and more people would die of the long-term ailments (IE= cirrhosis of the liver.)

[Tazirai]

I'm thinking this is more of a threat than Russia. Not saying Russia didn't help. But I don't think Americans are incapable of making up their minds based on some foreign sources.

With that said. We're pretty blind when it comes to our own mess. Enter: SINCLAIR BROADCASTING, Right arm of the Right Wing in this country. Literally using Political Correctness. ( The ACTUAL Version, not the crap ANTI-SJW SJW's cry about.)
To spread their doctrine to those weak of mind, especially in the South and Middle of America, you know the "REAL" America... Lol.

[numberthirty]

There would be clear benefits to legalization. A specific problem with the opioid crisis is that fentanyl is so potent it's difficult to mix properly. If opiods were legal, there would probably be less overdoses, since the material would be made at a higher standard.

But it would come with some disadvantages as well. When things are legal, more people are going to try them. For example, when prohibition ended, a happy outcome was that less people died of alcohol poisoning since they no longer had to rely on moonshine. But alcohol consumption increased, and more people would die of the long-term ailments (IE= cirrhosis of the liver.)

See, you are talking in terms of "Zig". I was talking "Zag".

As long as marijuana legalization is being framed in "Individual Rights" terms, the discussion is not being framed in the alternative chronic pain treatment that marijuana represents or any potential safer prescription alternatives in the future.

To me, that is a mistake in the current climate of opioid overdose deaths.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

So Trump is gonna spend weeks of conferences about fucking video games and do jack fucking **** about actual guns. Also his conference had no actual scientists , studies or anything present. Keep sucking that NRA c---k , Trump.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Donald Trump Will Meet With Kim Jong Un By May, South Korea Says

Kim reportedly has expressed his “eagerness to meet” with Trump as soon as possible. I'll believe that when it actually happens and not a minute before.

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Pro-Trump Pastor: ‘Thou Shalt Not Have Sex With A Porn Star’ Doesn’t Apply Here

Robert Jeffress says it’s about “policies and strong leadership,” not sex scandals. Strong leadership my ebony ass. The ONLY reason bible thumpers like Jeffress threw in with Trump was because he promised to kill Roe v. Wade if elected, and they'd support ANYONE who made that promise.

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Trump’s Decision To Impose Tariffs Draws Bipartisan Condemnation

“Congress cannot be complicit as the administration courts economic disaster,” Sen. Jeff Flake warns. Nice to see Democrats and Republicans agree on SOMETHING.

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GOP Senator Reintroduces Bill To Protect Discrimination Against LGBTQ People

Sen. Mike Lee wants to make sure some people can act on their religious beliefs. You mean, act on their hate of anyone different.

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Stormy Who? Democratic Leaders Won’t Talk About Trump’s Porn Star Payoff

Why are Democrats scared to talk about this? Two words: Bill. Clinton. Just a guess.

[numberthirty]

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Stormy Who? Democratic Leaders Won’t Talk About Trump’s Porn Star Payoff

Why are Democrats scared to talk about this? Two words: Bill. Clinton. Just a guess.

When it comes to that, I don't know that "The Actual Reason We Are Steering Clear Of This" is anywhere near as important as just making sure to stay out of it.

I don't know that there is any version of them getting involved that doesn't have "Gopher Rodeo" written all over it. Probably better to just keep their distance, and let it make like a tire fire all on it's own.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

When it comes to that, I don't know that "The Actual Reason We Are Steering Clear Of This" is anywhere near as important as just making sure to stay out of it.

I don't know that there is any version of them getting involved that doesn't have "Gopher Rodeo" written all over it. Probably better to just keep their distance, and let it make like a tire fire all on it's own.

Yeah, that makes plenty of sense. Still, the specter of Slick Willie is probably on the minds of Dems I suspect. In any event, if they want to steer clear of the mess with Trump and Daniels and focus on issues, hey, more power to them.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Yeah, that makes plenty of sense. Still, the specter of Slick Willie is probably on the minds of Dems I suspect. In any event, if they want to steer clear of the mess with Trump and Daniels and focus on issues, hey, more power to them.

Honestly I'd rather Democrats protect my rights to play whatever video games I want as well as pushing Trump on the serious issues. Instead of worrying about Trump's nailing a porn star he paid off.