View Full Version : Why NOT to vote Republican
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I’d like to offer my thoughts and prayers to Ron desantis. It appears that his efforts to use the state’s powers to punish Disney for having the nerve to exercise their first amendment rights haven’t worked out so well. It must suck to be outsmarted by Mickey Mouse.
A rather entertaining account fitting for an amusement park.
https://www.npr.org/2023/03/30/1167042594/disney-desantis-board-reedy-creek-charles
I’d like to offer my thoughts and prayers to Ron desantis. It appears that his efforts to use the state’s powers to punish Disney for having the nerve to exercise their first amendment rights haven’t worked out so well. It must suck to be outsmarted by Mickey Mouse.
In the ridiculousness of Florida school censorship, now a school in Pinellas County has banned a movie about Ruby Bridges
https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/29/us/ruby-bridges-movie-review-pinellas-florida/index.html
In the ridiculousness of Florida school censorship, now a school in Pinellas County has banned a movie about Ruby Bridges
https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/29/us/ruby-bridges-movie-review-pinellas-florida/index.html
I think the linked story makes it clear that the movie is not banned, but rather has been subjected to a mandatory review as a result of a parental complaint regarding slurs and actions presented in the documentary which may not be appropriate for 2nd graders.
I wonder how many complaints such as this are received daily in school districts across the country but are ignored by CNN and other outlets, and why?
I think the linked story makes it clear that the movie is not banned, but rather has been subjected to a mandatory review as a result of a parental complaint regarding slurs and actions presented in the documentary which may not be appropriate for 2nd graders.
I wonder how many complaints such as this are received daily in school districts across the country but are ignored by CNN and other outlets, and why?
I see it as the film being effectively banned until the outcome of that review. This editorial (https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2023/03/30/why-are-pinellas-school-officials-so-threatened-by-ruby-bridges-movie-editorial/)from a Tampa newspaper, questioning the wisdom of the action, given it was based on one complaint.
The double standard is alive and well. Cancel culture is alive and well among Florida conservatives, when a handful of people can make important aspects of our history disappear.
I see it as the film being effectively banned until the outcome of that review. This editorial (https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2023/03/30/why-are-pinellas-school-officials-so-threatened-by-ruby-bridges-movie-editorial/)from a Tampa newspaper, questioning the wisdom of the action, given it was based on one complaint.
The double standard is alive and well. Cancel culture is alive and well among Florida conservatives, when a handful of people can make important aspects of our history disappear.
The complainant didn't ask for it to go away, the complaining parent suggested it might be more appropriate for 8th graders than 2nd graders given the racial slurs and violent imagery.
How old was Ruby Bridges when she had to deal with those racial slurs aimed at her? First grade? Second grade? Surely if she could handle that then then today's kids of the same age can handle seeing a movie about that history that includes those slurs.
I think I was in 4th grade when they brought in several Holocaust survivors to our classroom to tell us what had happened to them. Made quite an impression on most of us.
How old was Ruby Bridges when she had to deal with those racial slurs aimed at her? First grade? Second grade? Surely if she could handle that then then today's kids of the same age can handle seeing a movie about that history that includes those slurs.
A lot of those southern Democrats didn't think much about it when they were hurling them 60 years ago either, but I thought you guys had changed.
flowerseverywhere
3-30-23, 9:34pm
https://www.npr.org/2022/04/26/1094740651/florida-man-asks-schools-to-ban-the-bible-following-the-states-efforts-to-remove
And several states have been petitioned to removed to Bible due to the prostitution, sodomy and so on mentioned.
In the meantime what is all this self righteousness doing to increase reading, writing and math skills.
Poor kids. Being robbed of what they really need to focus on.
A lot of those southern Democrats didn't think much about it when they were hurling them 60 years ago either, but I thought you guys had changed.
Times change. Back then it was certainly democrats doing that. But the democrats who supported that attitude all became republicans when nixon welcomed them with open arms to your party when they got pissed at the LBJ democrats for taking a better path. Lincoln is surely spinning in his grave seeing what his party has become.
frugal-one
4-5-23, 10:42am
Should probably put in Rave section too …. Election results in WI were a win for the liberal Supreme Court candidate and others. Supposedly, this election could have ramifications for the rest of the country?? Hopefully, the 1849 abortion law on the books will be overturned, as well as, limit or eliminate gerrymandering! Historic dollars spent and large turnout of voters! We had bad weather part of the day so this is especially gratifying. Yeehaw!
Yes! A rave...perhaps the landscape is changing and abortion rights will be just part of women's health not controlled and politicized by people who have no business in my health care.
It was a bad night in Chicago too. They went hard left instead of soft left in the mayor’s race. More of that SF on the lakeshore politics.
The city has 25 - 30% of the assets it needs to fund it’s pension obligations. This could be the place where the cascade of bailout demands starts.
iris lilies
4-5-23, 11:38am
It was a bad night in Chicago too. They went hard left instead of soft left in the mayor’s race. More of that SF on the lakeshore politics.
The city has 25 - 30% of the assets it needs to fund its pension obligations. This could be the place where the cascade of bailout demands starts.
Oh pshaw, there you go with your boring old caution of financial calamity. I don’t know why it’s a problem when the feds just print money and can give it to anyone in unlimited quantities.
Should probably put in Rave section too …. Election results in WI were a win for the liberal Supreme Court candidate and others. Supposedly, this election could have ramifications for the rest of the country?? Hopefully, the 1849 abortion law on the books will be overturned, as well as, limit or eliminate gerrymandering! Historic dollars spent and large turnout of voters! We had bad weather part of the day so this is especially gratifying. Yeehaw!
It was strange to me how the Democrats-favored judicial candidates won by a substantial margin but their ballot initiatives were all defeated by substantial margins.
Oh pshaw, there you go with your boring old caution of financial calamity. I don’t know why it’s a problem when the feds just print money and can give it to anyone in unlimited quantities.
Yeah. They could make us all millionaires if those damned Republicans would only get out of the way.
[QUOTE=LDAHL;423462]It was strange to me how the Democrats-favored judicial candidates won by a substantial margin but their ballot initiatives were all defeated by substantial margins.[/
Not so where I live.
[QUOTE=LDAHL;423462]It was strange to me how the Democrats-favored judicial candidates won by a substantial margin but their ballot initiatives were all defeated by substantial margins.[/
Not so where I live.
I’m talking about the three statewide initiatives.
[QUOTE=frugal-one;423475]
I’m talking about the three statewide initiatives.
Don't know what you are talking about.....
As of April 4, 2023, three statewide ballot measures appeared on the ballot in Wisconsin in 2023. All three were approved.
flowerseverywhere
4-5-23, 6:01pm
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/exonerated-central-park-five-member-mocks-trump-ad-indictment-rcna78389
Karma.
[QUOTE=LDAHL;423479]
Don't know what you are talking about.....
As of April 4, 2023, three statewide ballot measures appeared on the ballot in Wisconsin in 2023. All three were approved.
Yes. The first two applied to the pre trial release of criminal defendants that the progressives fought against. The third was a non-binding advisory vote that able bodied welfare recipients to seek work. The progressives really didn’t like that one.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/exonerated-central-park-five-member-mocks-trump-ad-indictment-rcna78389
Karma.
I love it.
frugal-one
4-5-23, 10:12pm
[QUOTE=frugal-one;423482]
Yes. The first two applied to the pre trial release of criminal defendants that the progressives fought against. The third was a non-binding advisory vote that able bodied welfare recipients to seek work. The progressives really didn’t like that one.
You presume too much.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/exonerated-central-park-five-member-mocks-trump-ad-indictment-rcna78389
Karma.
I thought about them when everything started bubbling up about trumps' pending indictment. I've served on criminal jury duty twice where we went through to a decision. In one case the defendant was obviously guilty. But in the other it turned out that he obviously wasn't. In both cases the system worked. I have no doubt that we (the jury) reached the right decision both times. Trump is much more likely than the punk kid in my second jury case (the innocent guy) to be found not guilty. I won't shed any tears over the fact that trump actually has to defend himself to get to that potential resolution. Punk kid just had a public defender. Trump has the best lawyers money can buy.
The situation with republicans expelling democrats in TN is a prime example of republican advancement of authoritarianism.
Quantifiable evidence of Clarence Thomas’s wife involvement in Jan 6th and of his acceptance of LARGE gifts are indications Thomas should be removed from the supreme court IMO.
iris lilies
4-7-23, 10:28am
The situation with republicans expelling democrats in TN is a prime example of republican advancement of authoritarianism.
Suppression of discourse in the public square by authoritarian left is pretty chilling.
The votes to expel them seem pretty lopsided. Does the Tennessee House have a huge GOP majority?
The situation with republicans expelling democrats in TN is a prime example of republican advancement of authoritarianism.
one could assume the dems were elected in a free and fair election and were representing their voters. I’m not that familiar with the laws by state, but I would think it should require a recall election here.
Suppression of discourse in the public square by authoritarian left is pretty chilling.
Can we just skip to the civil war part while I am still young enough to do something useful?
iris lilies
4-7-23, 2:38pm
Can we just skip to the civil war part while I am still young enough to do something useful?
You know, I don’t own any guns. Should I get some and learn how tomuse them? DH has a couple of hunting guns.
You know, I don’t own any guns. Should I get some and learn how tomuse them? DH has a couple of hunting guns.
I think guns are probably for the Walter Mitty types. Learn about infrastructure instead.
I guess Greg Abbott has decided that it's pointless to keep pretending that the republican party is about law and order. The content of his character is showing and like so many republican politicians lately it's quite vile and ugly.
https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2023/04/08/texas-governor-greg-abbott-will-pardon-daniel-perry-convicted-of-murder-garrett-foster/70095504007/
Yeah Abbott referring to losers like Tucker Carlson and Kyle Rittenhouse....definite proof to never vote republican again if these are the types held up for praise.
It's like the Republican Party has become the party of thuggery.
Reason # 5,689: They will appoint hack judges that have contempt for the law. The most recent example being that sad clown in Texas that both ignored the statute of limitations on FDA challenges, and also the concept of standing. The MAGA party really does want to overthrow government and the rule of law. If they can't do it by tossing aside an election's results they'll try and do it by tossing aside the rule of law everywhere else.
Reason # 5,689: They will appoint hack judges that have contempt for the law. The most recent example being that sad clown in Texas that both ignored the statute of limitations on FDA challenges, and also the concept of standing.
And yet ignoring statute of limitations and lack of standing seems to be a popular ploy these days, even with you when it suits you. What's up with that?
And yet ignoring statute of limitations and lack of standing seems to be a popular ploy these days, even with you when it suits you. What's up with that?
If Alvin Bragg is actually ignoring the statute of limitations I expect it'll be a short trial and the result will reflect that failure because NY state courts actually follow the rule of law. Unlike the decision reached last week in the sham trial in federal court in texas last week..
frugal-one
4-13-23, 2:39am
republicans in Iowa are now making it difficult or impossible for rape victims…. They need to be voted out!
https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/11/us/iowa-funding-plan-b-abortions-sexual-assault-victims/index.html
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/iowa-attorney-general-halts-payments-for-rape-victims-contraceptives-abortions
Well, why should the case of rape be carved out as an exception?
frugal-one
4-15-23, 8:26pm
The whole thing just makes it more gruesome! Disgusting....
Well, why should the case of rape be carved out as an exception?
Everyone knows that rape rarely leads to pregnancy…
https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2012/aug/19/republican-todd-akin-rape-pregnancy
iris lilies
4-16-23, 12:50pm
Everyone knows that rape rarely leads to pregnancy…
https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2012/aug/19/republican-todd-akin-rape-pregnancy
And if you were following that story, you would jnow that everyone wanted him to resign. Claire-bear was thrilled at this fauxpas, and actually there was some info that she had supported his campaign financially anyway, since he was the easy target to beat.
ToomuchStuff
4-16-23, 4:41pm
Well, why should the case of rape be carved out as an exception?
IMHE, it is because you are dealing with making the rape victim, a victim a second time (kind of like they do in trials), then you may be making them into perps, as while some have/like the kid they have, others look at them as a future rapist, etc.
Then what about victimizing them as the rapist can sue for custody in multiple states?
IMHE, it is because you are dealing with making the rape victim, a victim a second time (kind of like they do in trials), then you may be making them into perps, as while some have/like the kid they have, others look at them as a future rapist, etc.
Then what about victimizing them as the rapist can sue for custody in multiple states?
But, if the point is the absolute protection of the rights and life of the baby, why should its origin influence whether it gets to live or die?
It's not the baby's fault that rape was involved in its conception.
But, if the point is the absolute protection of the rights and life of the baby, why should its origin influence whether it gets to live or die?
It doesn't suit pro-choice narratives to acknowledge the baby, unless it can be used as a cudgel.
Teacher Terry
4-16-23, 5:10pm
As my dear departed mother used to say if men got pregnant abortion would be a God given right. She was a religious woman but she understood that men enjoy controlling women and what better way than to control their reproductive rights.
Women will remain second class citizens until they have the freedom of choice when it comes to their bodies. Men rape women and then walk away with no consequences in many instances. 70% of Americans are for freedom of choice up to 15 weeks pregnant and then after that only based on a medical condition as determined by a doctor. Seems like a decent compromise to me.
ToomuchStuff
4-16-23, 5:11pm
But, if the point is the absolute protection of the rights and life of the baby, why should its origin influence whether it gets to live or die?
It's not the baby's fault that rape was involved in its conception.
Not everyone who will have one will see it that way, nor will the family. Things may be better now then they were (beating the kid with a horse whip), but it doesn't mean the mother or her family will be ready either. (as someone who was still blamed for the actions of their biological grandfather and made to wonder if my uncle really is)
Not everyone who will have one will see it that way, nor will the family. Things may be better now then they were (beating the kid with a horse whip), but it doesn't mean the mother or her family will be ready either. (as someone who was still blamed for the actions of their biological grandfather and made to wonder if my uncle really is)
That sounds like a problem for the mother and the family.
But why should that allow the death of the child?
ToomuchStuff
4-16-23, 5:22pm
That sounds like a problem for the mother and the family.
But why should that allow the death of the child?
In my case, she tried to abort my grandfather twice (the old home remedy methods, before there were safe alternatives). Wouldn't it have been better to prevent, then to deal with the after of them trying to kill the kid after birth?
ToomuchStuff
4-16-23, 5:24pm
In my case, she tried to abort my grandfather twice (the old home remedy methods, before there were safe alternatives). Wouldn't it have been better to prevent, then to deal with the after of them trying to kill the kid after birth?
We as a culture approve of death. We have the death penalty and kill in both defense and in war. There is no inherent value to life.
Teacher Terry
4-16-23, 5:52pm
Too much stuff, anyone that has ever worked with severely abused children can tell you that they would have been better off aborted during the early stages. It’s heartbreaking and cruel what our society does to children yet alone the woman that will die during pregnancy or childbirth or trying to abort an unwanted child. Unfortunately the men are still controlling women.
I'll never get the typically male reverence for "life" when it comes to a tic-tac sized blood clot growing in someone else's body. IT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, BOYS!
I'll never get the typically male reverence for "life" when it comes to a tic-tac sized blood clot growing in someone else's body. IT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, BOYS!
See, that's part of the problem. I think the vast majority of we boys (and girls too based upon the ones I know) aren't much concerned about tic-tac sized blood clots, at least not until they become babies. It seems to me that it shouldn't be very difficult to agree that at some point in-between that baby deserves protection from harm.
See, that's part of the problem. I think the vast majority of we boys (and girls too based upon the ones I know) aren't much concerned about tic-tac sized blood clots, at least not until they become babies. It seems to me that it shouldn't be very difficult to agree that at some point in-between that baby deserves protection from harm.
That's the rub, apparently. I lean toward viability, and the vast majority of abortions are done way before that point.
It completely baffles me how we in this country are so concerned about saving fetuses but will do nothing about the safety of existing children, ie gun violence. And...on abortion, I think if there was a contraceptive that men had to have injected (since apparently pills don't work on males), this whole dynamic would change. It continues to be the burden of the woman whether she keeps or aborts a fetus.
flowerseverywhere
4-17-23, 10:28pm
Ding, ding, ding we have a winner.
Desantis is going after Disney, a company that brings big bucks and jobs to the state 365 days of the year. Not only in the parks, but numerous offsite hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and so on.
Signed a six week abortion ban, when women (especially rape and incest young girls) might not know they are pregnant.
is flying around the country promoting his book, instead of being in the state governing when Fort Lauderdale got hit with several feet of rain and extensive flooding.
has teachers, administrators and superintendents leaving due to his anti-woke rhetoric and takeover of universities and schools. They can’t count on not being sued or fired. Or stalked.
and lastly, gun owners can conceal carry without a permit, except where lawmakers meet.
hooray, let’s force more women into poverty, create more children that will be unloved and unwanted. But they make good target practice for mass shooters. And in the meantime dumb down our schoolchildren.
flowerseverywhere
4-17-23, 10:43pm
Desantis now has some beef with bud lite. It’s hard to keep up with his anti
“woke” agenda.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/team-desantis-mocks-bud-light-parody-video-womens-sports.amp
here is the craziest thing. Who is the man most woke? Jesus. He fed the poor, accepted prostitutes, preached love even if you disagreed with your fellow humans.
Real Christians should ask themselves “what would Jesus do?”
frugal-one
4-18-23, 7:48am
Ding, ding, ding we have a winner.
Desantis is going after Disney, a company that brings big bucks and jobs to the state 365 days of the year. Not only in the parks, but numerous offsite hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and so on.
Signed a six week abortion ban, when women (especially rape and incest young girls) might not know they are pregnant.
is flying around the country promoting his book, instead of being in the state governing when Fort Lauderdale got hit with several feet of rain and extensive flooding.
has teachers, administrators and superintendents leaving due to his anti-woke rhetoric and takeover of universities and schools. They can’t count on not being sued or fired. Or stalked.
and lastly, gun owners can conceal carry without a permit, except where lawmakers meet.
hooray, let’s force more women into poverty, create more children that will be unloved and unwanted. But they make good target practice for mass shooters. And in the meantime dumb down our schoolchildren.
Sadly, people actually will continue to vote for him. It is unconscionable!
Desantis now has some beef with bud lite. It’s hard to keep up with his anti
“woke” agenda.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/team-desantis-mocks-bud-light-parody-video-womens-sports.amp
here is the craziest thing. Who is the man most woke? Jesus. He fed the poor, accepted prostitutes, preached love even if you disagreed with your fellow humans.
Real Christians should ask themselves “what would Jesus do?”
So it’s Christlike us versus Hitlerian them? That sort of thinking has produced some tragicomical results over the years.
Teacher Terry
4-18-23, 10:31am
Flowers, I totally agree with you and Desantis has turned into a disaster.
flowerseverywhere
4-18-23, 10:35am
So it’s Christlike us versus Hitlerian them? That sort of thinking has produced some tragicomical results over the years.
I am an atheist. DeSantis is combatting the war on morals and Christianity. It seems like anything but to my knowledge. Do you think any one group has the right to impose their supposed religious bent into the political arena? Do you think a war on Christianity is a real thing that needs to be combatted by politicians?
I am an atheist. DeSantis is combatting the war on morals and Christianity. It seems like anything but to my knowledge. Do you think any one group has the right to impose their supposed religious bent into the political arena? Do you think a war on Christianity is a real thing that needs to be combatted by politicians?
You don’t need to be religious to have messianic pretensions. I think what we are seeing, and what DeSantis is (however crudely) combating is a sort of neopuritanism, with it’s own clerisy of HR bureaucrats, DEI apparatchiks and media choristers to spread the faith and punish heretics.
You don’t need to be religious to have messianic pretensions. I think what we are seeing, and what DeSantis is (however crudely) combating is a sort of neopuritanism, with it’s own clerisy of HR bureaucrats, DEI apparatchiks and media choristers to spread the faith and punish heretics.
Several terms I won't bother to look up, but I would say that there is a significant overlap with the religious right and male dominated white supremacy, although not ubiquitous. And that overlap extends disproportionately into the politics of certain conservative politics where it has no place.
Several terms I won't bother to look up, but I would say that there is a significant overlap with the religious right and male dominated white supremacy, although not ubiquitous. And that overlap extends disproportionately into the politics of certain conservative politics where it has no place.
There has never been a time in our history where religion has had less influence than it does now. I think the same applies to “male dominated white supremacy”.
early morning
4-18-23, 1:51pm
There has never been a time in our history where religion has had less influence than it does now. I think the same applies to “male dominated white supremacy”.
lol. that's why there is SO MUCH PUSHBACK from those who espouse the theory that men and whiteness and Christianity are "under attack", is it not? People see that their (un-earned, unjust) dominance may be coming to an end, and they are scared shitless and lashing out. I think many are perfectly willing to take the ship to the bottom, just so that they don't have to see what a more just, fair, equality-driven future may look like, with them NOT in charge.
There has never been a time in our history where religion has had less influence than it does now. I think the same applies to “male dominated white supremacy”.
I don't know that a historical perspective makes it any less problematic, if it has value at all. There was obviously a time not too long ago when women in professional occupations were discouraged or frowned upon and certain race origins were not allowed in certain prestigious universities. And if you go back a couple more decades you get into the popular eugenics movement. Hopefully we are letting go of our sullied past.
This is not then. Or as one might say, statistically independent.
flowerseverywhere
4-18-23, 5:27pm
More DeSantis shenanigans
https://www.npr.org/2023/04/18/1170617701/desantis-seeks-to-control-disney-with-state-oversight-powers
let’s make the state spend money to target rides at Disney by having outside inspectors. But exempt the other parks. The system seems to be working for years and years before Mr Woke starting picking his fight with them. It will only cost Floridians more and for what?
So it’s Christlike us versus Hitlerian them? That sort of thinking has produced some tragicomical results over the years.
Indeed. That does seem to be the war that republicans are waging on the rest of us. Lets hope the results aren't as tragic as all the previous times Christians tried to do this to "the others".
There has never been a time in our history where religion has had less influence than it does now. I think the same applies to “male dominated white supremacy”.
You may well be right about that. Perhaps that's why the white christian freakout is currently happening. They know that they are losing.
I posit that many of us have racial memories of suffering at the hands of religious fanatics, and reflexively distrust fundamentalist religionists. Especially when their beliefs seemingly have nothing to do with the teaching of Jesus.
frugal-one
4-18-23, 8:52pm
You don’t need to be religious to have messianic pretensions. I think what we are seeing, and what DeSantis is (however crudely) combating is a sort of neopuritanism, with it’s own clerisy of HR bureaucrats, DEI apparatchiks and media choristers to spread the faith and punish heretics.
What the hell are you talking about? A succinct writer you are not!
In today's episode of As The World Turns, we have:
https://i.imgur.com/ueV5fJK.png
https://i.imgur.com/eO3k9dg.png
https://i.imgur.com/DUKuGgG.png
I posit that many of us have racial memories of suffering at the hands of religious fanatics, and reflexively distrust fundamentalist religionists. Especially when their beliefs seemingly have nothing to do with the teaching of Jesus.
If I were to tell you that I distrusted the English due to racial memories of the Siege of Drogheda, you would say I was being ridiculous. And you would be right.
In today's episode of As The World Turns, we have:
https://i.imgur.com/ueV5fJK.png
https://i.imgur.com/eO3k9dg.png
https://i.imgur.com/DUKuGgG.png
The system works.
“I read the news today, oh boy”. Lennon/McCartney
frugal-one
4-22-23, 2:19am
Was quite surprised while looking at Penzeys Spices online. This what the owner has to say about republicans!
https://www.penzeys.com/shop/about-republicans/
Was quite surprised while looking at Penzeys Spices online. This what the owner has to say about republicans!
https://www.penzeys.com/shop/about-republicans/
As butthurt as people got that a corporate ‘person’ hired a trans person to represent them in a one minute video I can only imagine the level of butthurt that that will bring out in the snowflakes.
rosarugosa
4-22-23, 6:07am
We've been customers of Penzeys for years. Bill has long been very outspoken about his political values. They also have very good herbs and spices.
iris lilies
4-22-23, 8:52am
We've been customers of Penzeys for years. Bill has long been very outspoken about his political values. They also have very good herbs and spices.
Yes, it’s well known. And that’s fine. He gets to have his opinions. The owner of a company having political opinions is different than Budweiser using an abhorrent social trend to sell its product, a trend abhorrent to its customer base. And then, insulting its customer base by calling them “ fratty” meaning frat boys.
By the way, the VP of Bud Light is now on administrative leave. That means they’ve given her the option of resigning.
Was quite surprised while looking at Penzeys Spices online. This what the owner has to say about republicans!
https://www.penzeys.com/shop/about-republicans/
Holy cow. That is a company taking a stand!
early morning
4-22-23, 10:30am
Hey thanks for posting the Penzey info. I see they have a store in Indy - will make a stop there next trip! Always looking for good people selling good stuff we actually need, lol.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/04/22/ottawa-county-commission/
rosarugosa
4-25-23, 5:52am
Hey thanks for posting the Penzey info. I see they have a store in Indy - will make a stop there next trip! Always looking for good people selling good stuff we actually need, lol.
They have some nice blends too. DH likes the Sandwich Sprinkles because it makes his sandwich taste like an Italian sub. He likes the Pasta Sprinkles for pizza. We also like the Now Curry and the Sweet Curry.
flowerseverywhere
4-25-23, 6:17am
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/04/22/ottawa-county-commission/
Thank you for sharing this. Frightening how little actual governing on real issues and how much hysteria they are creating.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/04/22/ottawa-county-commission/
I always enjoy it when the bold journalists of the WaPo or NYT put on their safari outfits and venture into darkest flyover country to observe the bizarre rituals and customs of the natives. Perhaps advisors from San Francisco or New York could be flown in to teach them the error of their ways. Or even outposts of civilization like Chicago or St Louis.
I always enjoy it when the bold journalists of the WaPo or NYT put on their safari outfits and venture into darkest flyover country to observe the bizarre rituals and customs of the natives. Perhaps advisors from San Francisco or New York could be flown in to teach them the error of their ways. Or even outposts of civilization like Chicago or St Louis.
Personally I appreciate it too when reporters go report on the shitshow of maga governance in these various places. Sending advisors seems unnecessary though. It’s probably a better, and more realistic, plan to let the insanity burn itself out over the coming years until the non-maga republicans can finally retake the party.
iris lilies
4-26-23, 8:19am
Personally I appreciate it too when reporters go report on the shitshow of maga governance in these various places. Sending advisors seems unnecessary though. It’s probably a better, and more realistic, plan to let the insanity burn itself out over the coming years until the non-maga republicans can finally retake the party.
Isn’t it strange that our superior coastal overlords do not visit St. Louis and extoll the virtues of a minority female governing squad? Your in-laws must give you some indication of the shitshow that is taking place here.
The county prosecutor is only somewhat better, if that is where they live. He is a relic of Mike Brown riots.
Personally I appreciate it too when reporters go report on the shitshow of maga governance in these various places. Sending advisors seems unnecessary though. It’s probably a better, and more realistic, plan to let the insanity burn itself out over the coming years until the non-maga republicans can finally retake the party.
In Chicago, we saw insanity literally burn itself out. The outgoing mayor chastised someone for referring to the violence as “mayhem”. It was offensive to the poor dears doing the burning and killing.
In Chicago, we saw insanity literally burn itself out. The outgoing mayor chastised someone for referring to the violence as “mayhem”. It was offensive to the poor dears doing the burning and killing.
That’s ok. In Wisconsin we saw voters re-elect one of the participants in our failed former president’s coup attempt. Remarkably some of those voters proudly proclaimed their support of that traitor. Maybe that idiocy will soon burn itself out but I won’t hold my breath. The traitors still seem firmly in control of the Republican Party.
frugal-one
4-26-23, 7:11pm
That’s ok. In Wisconsin we saw voters re-elect one of the participants in our failed former president’s coup attempt. Remarkably some of those voters proudly proclaimed their support of that traitor. Maybe that idiocy will soon burn itself out but I won’t hold my breath. The traitors still seem firmly in control of the Republican Party.
Sadly.
So yet again, it’s all about Trump. He would be gratified to know how you keep him constantly in your thoughts.
But since it’s become your go-to retort: Yes I voted for Ron Johnson to keep Mandela Barnes out of the Senate, as the significantly lesser evil. And would cheerfully do it again.
iris lilies
4-27-23, 1:35pm
So yet again, it’s all about Trump. He would be gratified to know how you keep him constantly in your thoughts…..
Frugal-one and jp, especially jp, love to keep pumping up Donald J. Trump,
Let’s replay the 2016 election with Trump vs. yet another not especially popular Democratic candidate put in by the Old guard of the Democratic Party because Trump cannot POSSIBLY win, right? RIGHT??!!!
hmm, we have heard this before. I guess we could do it to ourselves again.
It would be easier to ignore the old reprobate if only he'd get off the stage.
iris lilies
4-27-23, 3:00pm
It would be easier to ignore the old reprobate if only he'd get off the stage.
Who gives him the stage?
Who gives him the stage?
A whole bunch of media enablers, apparently. I favor shunning, but it's a chore with the ubiquitous Mr. T.
Who gives him the stage?
The Republican Party itself.
iris lilies
4-27-23, 6:36pm
A whole bunch of media enablers, apparently. I favor shunning, but it's a chore with the ubiquitous Mr. T.
This made me laugh.
So yet again, it’s all about Trump. He would be gratified to know how you keep him constantly in your thoughts.
Well, he IS the leader of your awesome political party. I realize you're not a fan, but none of the other clowns that are running or considering running stand a chance against him. But regardless, I will forever find it fascinating that some people don't consider "participated in an attempt to overthrow the government, led by the president at the time" to be a disqualifier for anyone running for office. I guess maybe my standards are too high. Perhaps that's why I'm not a republican.
ApatheticNoMore
4-27-23, 10:49pm
I think the Democratic party gives Trump the stage .. in effect. Because with all the crimes he has committed why is he not behind bars yet? Come on, some how they can find a way to charge him with something that sticks. If he runs for President it should be from prison.
If he runs for president from prison he may actually win. His supporters would consider it a reason to support him all the more. Because that’s Republican style these days. I mean seriously, ‘rational’ republicans are cool with voting for people who participated in an attempt to overthrow the country. Just imagine what the other 2/3 of republicans are willing to put up with.
I mean seriously, ‘rational’ republicans are cool with voting for people who participated in an attempt to overthrow the country. Just imagine what the other 2/3 of republicans are willing to put up with.
This is why I have serious issues with how the Democrats are falling all over themselves to try to disarm me :-)
iris lilies
4-28-23, 10:58am
This is why I have serious issues with how the Democrats are falling all over themselves to try to disarm me :-)
This is a good point.
frugal-one
4-28-23, 8:33pm
This is why I have serious issues with how the Democrats are falling all over themselves to try to disarm me :-)
Come on ... you got to be kidding.
Come on ... you got to be kidding.
My state, Democrat-controlled, just banned so-called "assault rifles" this week with a particularly silly set of laws. For instance, several rifles I have that have been in the family 100+ years are now "banned".
So no, not kidding.
My state, Democrat-controlled, just banned so-called "assault rifles" this week with a particularly silly set of laws. For instance, several rifles I have that have been in the family 100+ years are now "banned".
So no, not kidding.
I assume those older family items could be grandfathered in (arghh). One of the best things about democrats is that they are not republican.
I had some issues with the way the regions were identified, but Politico ran an article called, "Gun Violence Is Actually Worse in the Red States. It's No Even Close." It leaves room for speculation and or criticism.
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/04/23/surprising-geography-of-gun-violence-00092413
iris lilies
4-28-23, 9:25pm
I assume those older family items could be grandfathered in (arghh). One of the best things about democrats is that they are not republican.
I had some issues with the way the regions were identified, but Politico ran an article called, "Gun Violence Is Actually Worse in the Red States. It's No Even Close." It leaves room for speculation and or criticism.
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/04/23/surprising-geography-of-gun-violence-00092413
At least the Politico article is honest about its stats including suicide in “ gun violence.”
suicide by gun is not a huge area of concern for me.
At least the Politico article is honest about its stats including suicide in “ gun violence.”
suicide by gun is not a huge area of concern for me.
I'm sure you also noticed the stats and charts that separate out homicides from suicides, too. But you can totally discount the whole article if you like to just look at one thing.
It was sort of a hokey way of looking at things, but still interesting.
iris lilies
4-29-23, 5:05am
Come on ... you got to be kidding.
What do you find hard to believe?
That Democrats are working to take away reasonable people’s reasonable guns?
Or that Republicans will put up a fascist regime that bae will need a gun from which to protect himself?
I would think you’d be all over idea number two.
frugal-one
4-29-23, 11:32am
Do you think assault weapons are reasonable guns for the general public to have?
Do you think assault weapons are reasonable guns for the general public to have?
How do you define an "assault" weapon?
Do you think assault weapons are reasonable guns for the general public to have?
Short answer: "Yes"
Long answer: What do you mean by "assault weapon"? As you likely know, since we've discussed it on this forum or its predecessor for ~25 years now, there has been a slow, relentless campaign to redefine the language used to classify semi-automatic firearms as "assault weapons". (I can't even turn on the news these days without hearing "weapons of war", "assault weapons", and so on nattered on about by people who either are ignorant, or acting with bad intent.). Yet this sort of firearm has been available to the public for > 100 years. The AR-15 itself has been available to the civilian market since the year I was born, and I'm nearly 60 years old. And as I have mentioned just above, the recent Washington State "assault weapons" ban includes firearms that have been in my family since the 1800s.
Short question: Do you think *any* firearms are reasonable for the general public to have?
I assume those older family items could be grandfathered in (arghh).
They are "grandfathered in" in my state's new regulations. That term, as defined in the law:
- Basically prohibits me from selling them to anyone, so the economic value of the item is impacted. Some of the individual firearms I own that fall into the "grandfathered" class are worth in excess of $30k.
- Prohibits me from purchasing repair parts. Firearms require maintenance and upkeep, even if unused.
- Prohibits me from making my own repair parts. I have a fully-equipped machine shop, and can make almost anything I require from scratch. As-written, if I were to make a simple screw or spring to repair or restore one of my firearms, I'd be breaking the law.
- Prohibits me from allowing my students to use one of my firearms at the range under supervision for instructional purposes. Prohibits me from allowing my own child or spouse to use the firearm for instructional purposes, or any other purpose.
- Etc. etc. etc.
littlebittybobby
4-29-23, 1:11pm
Okay---assault rifle were ideal in Vietnam. See---you had trails through dense vegetation, that obscured the enemy. So yeah---you'd be out on patrol, and get ambushed, and had only a vague idea where the bullets were coming from! Ow. But yeah---an "assault rifle" allowed you to rapidly fire multiple rounds in the general directions of the enemy, without actually seeing them, and have a better chance of incapacitating them. Just by pulling the trigger. Thing is---a bolt action, where you have to manually chamber each successive round---well, that puts you at a disadvantage. And yeah--your adversary doesn't mind that, at all. And that's the moral of the story. Sure is. See---some people---idealistic ones---like to jump on the bandwagon of a solution that they perceive is morally superior. They also tend to be easily led by claims of moral superiority, too. So, anyway: Here's a Moral for you: Better Dead Than Red. See? Figure it out. Hope that helps you some. Thankk mee.
littlebittybobby
4-29-23, 1:21pm
Okay----Post Script. If I were a thug, looking to break into a home to score a big-screen so's I could see da foo-baw game nex' Satterday, I'd choose a home where I didn't hafta face an irate homeowner and hiz AK-47. Yup. Or Nope. But yeah---does that make sense? Thankk mee. Bonus photo: Charlie Cong(leftist guerilla) and his SKS, and US serviceman, holding one he seized. Yup5391
Is this the "compassionate conservatism" that Bush had in mind when he first spoke that oxymoron?
https://www.alternet.org/oklahoma-woman-parking-lot-abortion/
They are "grandfathered in" in my state's new regulations. That term, as defined in the law....Etc. etc. etc.
The next time the far right tries to over throw the government the democratic states could be left defenseless. Firearms have always been a part of my lifestyle for competition shooting when I was young and hunting weapons later on. The firearms culture these days is much different and beyond my comprehension, but the focus on assault weapons seems a little misdirected and more of a political theater than any practical solution to the socio/economic issues and romanticism of violence in the media and gaming.
There will probably be a good market and servicing options for those old weapons in Texas for the time being.
frugal-one
4-29-23, 3:14pm
Short answer: "Yes"
Long answer: What do you mean by "assault weapon"? As you likely know, since we've discussed it on this forum or its predecessor for ~25 years now, there has been a slow, relentless campaign to redefine the language used to classify semi-automatic firearms as "assault weapons". (I can't even turn on the news these days without hearing "weapons of war", "assault weapons", and so on nattered on about by people who either are ignorant, or acting with bad intent.). Yet this sort of firearm has been available to the public for > 100 years. The AR-15 itself has been available to the civilian market since the year I was born, and I'm nearly 60 years old. And as I have mentioned just above, the recent Washington State "assault weapons" ban includes firearms that have been in my family since the 1800s.
Short question: Do you think *any* firearms are reasonable for the general public to have?
The types of firearms used for hunting (as for food) but not those that are used as assault weapons (as the army and militias use). I can't give you a list because I am not an expert on weapons. I just know that the recent (and not so recent) mass shooting seem to be done by "assault weapons". Why is it necessary to have weapons that fire multiple rounds except for the purpose of killing people? I guess littlebittybobby answered that question above in his Viet Nam explanation???
Why is it necessary to have weapons that fire multiple rounds except for the purpose of killing people? So, in your mind, is a standard revolver an assault weapon? If not, why not?
littlebittybobby
4-29-23, 3:45pm
The types of firearms used for hunting (as for food) but not those that are used as assault weapons (as the army and militias use). I can't give you a list because I am not an expert on weapons. I just know that the recent (and not so recent) mass shooting seem to be done by "assault weapons". Why is it necessary to have weapons that fire multiple rounds except for the purpose of killing people? I guess littlebittybobby answered that question above in his Viet Nam explanation??? Well, people need to stop doing stupid stuff, like attending events in arenas that are susceptible to snipers. Do it as a matter of self-preservation, and save $$$ to boot. That is--IF you think it poses a substantial risk. But yeah---those assault weapons were not designed for sniper(long-range) use; It's the long gun (rifle) that's best for accuracy at a distance. But yeah---what will happen(and you can take it to the bank)is that ammo will dry up. New milspec and hunting calibers will be developed--(like 6.5 Creedmoor and Grende)l, and the old reliable NATO and Russian sizes will cease production. Only reloading at home will be an option. Juyst try finding cheap ammo for Arisaka, Carcano, even Enfield and Mauser. Once cheap, now scarce. NATO & Comblok are next. Sooo, if you've got some milsurp guns or knock-off of the AR, better stock up now. Keep out of mischief, tho. There's a "neighbor"(axx-ho) across the 4 lane, and was one down the block, who used to practice shooting his AR or AKJ or whatever, and it's like the 4th of July. Pretty much an expensive waste of ammo. Plus, the noise pollution and proximity to other people makes it a nuisance. But, oh well. What's in MY littlebitty Arsenal? A 1952 Polish-made M 44 carbine. It sold for like $59.95 back when they were imported from comblock countries dispersing their stores of obsolete weapons, back in the 90's. Yup. It's accurate, but slow, bolt-action(3 on the tree) and shoots a powerful round that dates back to the 1800'sUntil a year or so ago, wally-world carried cheap ammo for it! That said, You'd have much difficulty concealing it. It's also got a non-detachable bayonet, which makes it all the more conspicuous. Yup. Thing is, one round will go through one person and through a couple more unfortunates behind them, after going through a wooden wall. See? But yeah---it's harmless, 'cause it's not an "assault" weapon, right?. If dems really want to carry out their plan of keeping everyone nice n safe, why not eliminate that part o' the constitution that allows us to peaceably assemble and to get out and just DRIVE around as a form of entertainment? That'd go a long way to shrink the venues at which mass shootings occur! Well, wouldn't it? Plus, design schools, churches, auditoriums, etc., with secure entries--a step that is already being done. In case some crazy parent goes nuts cause his kid didn't make the squad, or whatever. See? But yeah---you also have these youngsters with too much testosterone and crazy on meth roaming around at night, disgruntled incels or sociopaths or whoever, looking for trouble, armed with a gun--any kind of gun. So yeah--societal change is gonna be essential. Not just mindlessly blaming "assault-style guns). See? Hope that helps you some, Frugal Bugle. Thankk Mee.
frugal-one
4-29-23, 4:45pm
As stated, I am not an expert on guns...
The types of firearms used for hunting (as for food) but not those that are used as assault weapons (as the army and militias use). I can't give you a list because I am not an expert on weapons.
I have several "old-fashioned" lever-action rifles from the 1880/90s, of the sort you see in cowboy movies. A very serviceable hunting rifle, and one of the most common/popular choices for deer hunting for ages, and still in production. You can fire aimed shots very quickly - the current record is 10 rounds in < 1.75 seconds, and 187 rounds in 20.5 seconds. I'm not quite that fast, but close. Those are *aimed* shots. You can fire it at that rate until you get carpal tunnel, or run out of ammunition, or the barrel melts.
I have a boring British bolt-action rifle from 1907. Without being an expert, you can fire it *all day long* at the rate of 30 shots per minute of aimed fire. Effective out to 550 yards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG4wNhVaAfc
frugal-one
4-29-23, 4:48pm
What is the point of having that many guns? Seems crazy to me.... truly not impressive. Imagine a mentally incompetent person breaking in and stealing those? Just saw another wacko shot his neighbors while doing target practice... Guns are getting out of hand. We are now living in the wild wild west of days gone by. We need to adopt laws similar to other countries that show what they have done to decrease gun violence.
What is the point of having that many guns? Sounds like a gun shop.
Well, among other things, I am a gunsmith, a firearms instructor, and an engineer who appreciates and studies interesting mechanical devices. I have examples on-hand of nearly every significant firearms mechanism that has been invented, and a machine shop that allows me to restore/repair them.
I have been unable to procure a copy, and lack the time to make on my own, the repeating rifle Lewis and Clark took along on their expedition in 1803 - it shot 20/21 rounds before reloading. I have examined the original.
But, "what is the point" is hardly a question a citizen in a free society should be asked to answer about an interest. I probably have 10,000 books in my home too (well, somewhat less, as I donated about 8000 volumes to our local library over the past few years) - what is the point of having that many books? I also have a fair number of vehicles and boats, though there is only one of me, and I can only drive one at a time. (And several are scary "assault" cars that can achieve speeds of ~200mph, and have 400-900 horsepower. And one armored vehicle...)
frugal-one
4-29-23, 5:00pm
Those books, etc are not killing people but your guns could. Not a good example.
Those books, etc are not killing people but your guns could. Not a good example.
I believe people are (well, were) more in danger of being crushed by my stacks of books than of being killed by my guns (without cause). Since the firearms are nicely stowed away in vaults, but the books could fall over any time. Not a single one of my firearms has harmed a single human being over the years during times of peace while in the ownership of my family.
I also suspect a great many more people could be killed with the information in my books than the firearms ever could accomplish. The section on HAZMAT Technician/Specialist training alone would be a field day for any Bad Person.
And we won't talk about the stuff I have in my physics lab...
littlebittybobby
4-29-23, 5:11pm
Okay---tell you what all this focus and preoccupation with gun control/urban crime/sexual deviancy/abortion is about. They are hot button issues that deliver votes to pols. They divert our attention from the REAL urgent issues, for which there are no glib solutions and easy choices. Yup. Okay--Paul Ehrlich was wrong in his time frame for the Over-Population Bomb. Orwell was off a little, too. Others as well. But--nit-picking and splitting hairs aside, they were right. The threat of Nuclear war is nothing to be complacent about. One state-of-the-art nuclear attack will kill more than all the assault rifles ever did. Think about it. Put things in a realistic perspective. Hope that helps you some.
As stated, I am not an expert on guns...
But you're on record here railing against "assault weapons", it would be nice if you could differentiate between them and other weapons. In the absence of that, we can only assume that you mean all weapons, and if that's the case, you should just say so.
frugal-one
4-29-23, 5:57pm
But you're on record here railing against "assault weapons", it would be nice if you could differentiate between them and other weapons. In the absence of that, we can only assume that you mean all weapons, and if that's the case, you should just say so.
See 1867
See 1867
You've pretty much then eliminated everything invented over the past few hundred years.
frugal-one
4-29-23, 6:06pm
I believe people are (well, were) more in danger of being crushed by my stacks of books than of being killed by my guns (without cause). Since the firearms are nicely stowed away in vaults, but the books could fall over any time. Not a single one of my firearms has harmed a single human being over the years during times of peace while in the ownership of my family.
I also suspect a great many more people could be killed with the information in my books than the firearms ever could accomplish. The section on HAZMAT Technician/Specialist training alone would be a field day for any Bad Person.
And we won't talk about the stuff I have in my physics lab...
Your firearms are in vaults. How many people do you think actually do that? You are the exception, not the rule, I bet. As for the book comment you are being obtuse. The last thing I will say, as mentioned above….. I wish this country would adopt laws similar to other countries where there is solid evidence that gun violence has decreased because of laws implemented.
littlebittybobby
4-29-23, 6:23pm
Okay---You know what? That one guy---the mentally deranged one--shot Ray-Gun & his press sec'ty with a very cheap, hardware-store pistol intended to kill varmits in your cabbage patch. You have the guy who broke outta the Zurra state pen, who shot the Black Activist in Memphis, with a brand-new pump-action hunting rifle that used ammo also designed for U.S. Army rifles from 1906-on down to the 50's. One shot, from 250 feet, M/L., is all it took. Then you have the .22 cal pistol Sirhan used to kill RFK. A cheap little gun. Yup. Oswald used a bolt-action $12.50 Carcano bolt-action, 1940-vintage Italian Army rifle, that dreadful day in Dealy in Downtown Dallas, to make LBJ the next POTUS, and that led to the deaths of 57,000 of Americas young men, in a cause that was lost from the start. .Too bad the limo had an open-top, with no protection from wackos. How do you like that? It doesn't take much of a gun; it takes bad judgement on the part of a misguided human. . See? Does that make any sense?
littlebittybobby
4-29-23, 6:29pm
Okay---they need to pass a law, prohibiting the use of an Assault rifle for shooting an innocent person. That should do the trick. Wackos--take heed!
There are plenty of whackos with little firearm training and maybe less intelligence who have AR-15s stuck under a bed or in a closet anticipating an undefined crisis based on irrational paranoia of the government or paranoid of the people who are paranoid of the government. For a small minority of those, one day the wires will cross upstairs and the AR will come out. It happens and the AR-15 is the ideal candidate for a variety of reason like accessibility, cost, ease of use, compactness etc. That's why they are so popular and you can't match the versatile characteristics with a bolt action or most other rifle styles, plain and simple. Whether this can be prevented by legislation is up for debate. Seems like our latest legislation was on ghost guns.
There are obviously other deadly weapons out there, but there is a solid reason why ARs and their look a likes are popular among mass shooters. They are conveniently deadly. The punk gangster types using pistols are a different issue.
littlebittybobby
4-30-23, 1:38pm
Okay----Guns, Guns, and more GUNS. Yup. Gotta have 'em--it's the American way. The way everything west of Washington DC was won. Why? Well---it's so WE THE PEOPLE can be prepared(with the proper mindset, among other things, like tactical abilities)to bail out some other country(s) where they got TOO progressive and empowered their government TOO much so that a conflict was started with ANOTHER country that yes--also let their govvverment leaders become too powerful! Those leaders got like football schools, where inter-school on-field conflict got to be THE only thing. See? And then, the homies from the USA all signed up to get in on the ACTION. Now you know. I've been listening to interviews---oral histories of numerous Viet Vets, and their experiences and their reasons for ending up in VN. You should, too. But the bottom line is---just because YOU and your fellow ideologues don't mind giving up your right to own firearms, does NOT mean 1)that everyone else shares your view. Okay--Give up your gun. That's fine with me. Just don't expect everyone else to. 2)Nor does it mean that the evil-doers in this world will automatically follow suit, and give up their gun, just to be fair and play nice. Ha. See? So anyway, I've posted a chart FYI that shows various rounds of Ammo, used in warfare AND by civilians. But yeah--look at those "bullets", and tell me which two are cartridges for the much feared (by media)"Assault Rifles", and which one essentially was a key ingredient in military hardware, for The Good Guys to win WW2, against those Totalitarian Invaders. Yup. Plus--which one dropped MLK in one shot from 250 feet? Don't take all day to research it. This is a pop quiz to test your present knowledge. Hope that helps you some.5393
23 mass shootings THIS WEEK. Yeah, thank the republicans for restricting guns… NOT!
23 mass shootings THIS WEEK. Yeah, thank the republicans for restricting guns… NOT!
If they had the power to do so, are you suggesting Republicans should restrict all guns? And, if Republicans did have that power, wouldn't it stand to reason that the Democrats would too?
Personally, I think it would be better if we looked into the societal problems that exacerbate the violence problem this country is experiencing. Wouldn't you agree?
If they had the power to do so, are you suggesting Republicans should restrict all guns?
Surely you mean "restrict all guns....more", given that there are already quite a few restrictions in place?
flowerseverywhere
5-8-23, 5:46am
If they had the power to do so, are you suggesting Republicans should restrict all guns? And, if Republicans did have that power, wouldn't it stand to reason that the Democrats would too?
Personally, I think it would be better if we looked into the societal problems that exacerbate the violence problem this country is experiencing. Wouldn't you agree?
What societal problems are causing all this violence and how can they be fixed?
What societal problems are causing all this violence and how can they be fixed?
As many have pointed out, other countries have deranged and disgruntled citizens, too--but not the easy access to firearms to act out with.
23 mass shootings THIS WEEK. Yeah, thank the republicans for restricting guns… NOT!
People, especially people with an agenda, tend to uncritically accept numbers provided by the Gun Violence Archive, which defines “mass shootings” much more expansively than the FBI or other bodies.
What societal problems are causing all this violence and how can they be fixed?
I guess I might start by looking at places like Norway, Switzerland, Finland ...
Are there any interesting cultural differences between the USA and European countries with low murder rates?
I suspect someone with an honest interest might find existing literature addressing the topic...
As many have pointed out, other countries have deranged and disgruntled citizens, too--but not the easy access to firearms to act out with.
There seem to be a fair number of nations in Europe that have solid rates of firearms ownership. Is there something else different about those countries that could be contributing to their lower rates of murder?
Are there articles in the criminological journals that address how to go about doing cross-cultural comparisons of such things?
iris lilies
5-8-23, 1:37pm
There seem to be a fair number of nations in Europe that have solid rates of firearms ownership. Is there something else different about those countries that could be contributing to their lower rates of murder?
Are there articles in the criminological journals that address how to go about doing cross-cultural comparisons of such things?
You were interested in moving to Iceland and also was there another far North cold snowy country you have mentioned a move to?
Would your weapon owning ability be curtailed there? How much weight did you/do you give to weapon restrictions in a country you would move to?
You were interested in moving to Iceland and also was there another far North cold snowy country you have mentioned a move to?
I'm currently weighing Iceland, Norway, Sweden, UK, Ireland, France, Portugal, Germany, and Italy. (Well, and Canada, but WA state is almost Canada already :-) ) I've been waiting for my daughter to settle into her career over there, and for my aging parents here to progress on their journeys.
Would your weapon owning ability be curtailed there? How much weight did you/do you give to weapon restrictions in a country you would move to?
There are *different* regulations in those countries, but in most firearms ownership is legal, and with my resources, fairly trivial to accomplish. I don't give a *lot* of weight to the issue, but it is a consideration.
iris lilies
5-8-23, 2:31pm
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/iceland-gun-loving-country-no-shooting-murders-2007-n872726
oh here we go, mainstream media on gun ownership. This article amuses me, comparing Iceland to St.Louis merely because they have the same number of people.
article says it takes 3 to 4 years to get a handgun. It says semi automatic weapons are nonexistent.
The article focuses on the long education process legal gun owners are required to go through before getting a legally owned gun. I can assure you the brothers in St. Louis ain’t got time for that.
This article amuses me, comparing Iceland to St.Louis merely because they have the same number of people.
Some years back, I almost took a job with one of Iceland's emergency services agencies, which in retrospect I should have gone for. Iceland is indeed sorta-kinda very different from St. Louis(*). I wouldn't have had any pressing desire for a firearm there, had I immigrated.
(*) For example, Iceland's Gini coefficient is 0.24 vs. 0.49 for the USA...
https://i.imgur.com/DhkXciU.png
(*) For example, Iceland's Gini coefficient is 0.24 vs. 0.49 for the USA...
It sounds like Iceland needs more rich people. Why do they lag so?
It sounds like Iceland needs more rich people. Why do they lag so?
I'm not sure "lagging" is a good metric for looking at Gini coefficients. I suppose an Icelander would think that the USA needs fewer poor people....
It's a very different culture and a very different ecosystem. It is more community-oriented - rugged individualists wouldn't have survived their history I suspect. The middle class there is solid, and the shape of the income curve is quite different than the US. Looks like they like it that way.
There seem to be a fair number of nations in Europe that have solid rates of firearms ownership. Is there something else different about those countries that could be contributing to their lower rates of murder?
Are there articles in the criminological journals that address how to go about doing cross-cultural comparisons of such things?
You should research and get answer to your questions.
You should research and get answer to your questions.
I think you don't perhaps understand how things work...
I think you don't perhaps understand how things work...
You are the one asking the questions.... if you know, perhaps you should enlighten us.
flowerseverywhere
5-8-23, 6:02pm
I still want to know the solution to gun violence and murder in the US. Unlike the Scandinavian countries, we don't have community support. We have many with no access to any healthcare. Even full time working Americans with insurance often delay seeking care due to costs they will occur. We have a huge homeless problem and many children go to bed hungry. Access to birth control and even day after pills and abortion is just about unattainable in many areas in the US, but abortion is accessible without question up to sixteen-18 weeks, for free. It is a decision made between a woman and her doctor. College is hugely expensive and unattainable for many in the US, free in these countries.
All these lead to depression and anger. And many have little access to mental health care to support them.
So what is the solution, in this country? All I see is republicans interfering in medical decisions, and putting money ahead of the welfare and medical needs of others as far as insurance.
gimmethesimplelife
5-8-23, 6:21pm
I'm currently weighing Iceland, Norway, Sweden, UK, Ireland, France, Portugal, Germany, and Italy. (Well, and Canada, but WA state is almost Canada already :-) ) I've been waiting for my daughter to settle into her career over there, and for my aging parents here to progress on their journeys.
There are *different* regulations in those countries, but in most firearms ownership is legal, and with my resources, fairly trivial to accomplish. I don't give a *lot* of weight to the issue, but it is a consideration.I vote for Portugal. Lisbon is incredible - it's a place where you can just sit for hours and absorb. And it's not that expensive given the costs of living in Europe. Just my three cents (extra penny for inflation). Rob
iris lilies
5-8-23, 7:28pm
I still want to know the solution to gun violence and murder in the US. Unlike the Scandinavian countries, we don't have community support. We have many with no access to any healthcare. Even full time working Americans with insurance often delay seeking care due to costs they will occur. We have a huge homeless problem and many children go to bed hungry. Access to birth control and even day after pills and abortion is just about unattainable in many areas in the US, but abortion is accessible without question up to sixteen-18 weeks, for free. It is a decision made between a woman and her doctor. College is hugely expensive and unattainable for many in the US, free in these countries.
All these lead to depression and anger. And many have little access to mental health care to support them.
So what is the solution, in this country? All I see is republicans interfering in medical decisions, and putting money ahead of the welfare and medical needs of others as far as insurance.
I don’t know, THIS Republican sent $50,000 in taxes to federal and state governments this year, so I think I’m paying a pretty good amount toward government social welfare programs. Would you like me to pay even more?
I don’t know, THIS Republican sent $50,000 in taxes to federal and state governments this year, so I think I’m paying a pretty good amount toward those government programs. Would you like me to pay even more?
Of course the 50k is relative to wealth. You worked super hard and were super diligent to get to where you are so I would never presume to expect you to do more than you have already done. I also pay a lot in taxes, not a whole heck of a lot less than you, and I don't have any interest income. At this point, am I bummed that my taxes aren't working harder to give everyone the quality of life flowers is talking about? Yes. If we had more people feeling that they weren't slipping through the broken web in the safety nets; if we all had universal healthcare, and economic and social justice, and most people didn't lie awake at night worrying about how they were going to provide the Constitutional aspiration of general welfare to their own children, I would be fully satisfied with paying what I pay in taxes. But unfortunately our tax dollars are missing the mark.
flowerseverywhere
5-9-23, 5:15am
I don’t know, THIS Republican sent $50,000 in taxes to federal and state governments this year, so I think I’m paying a pretty good amount toward government social welfare programs. Would you like me to pay even more?
No. I pay a lot in taxes too, and always have. Another difference is you don't see Scandinavian countries having military bases all over the world and getting in unwinnable religious or border wars. So in response to Bae comparing other countries that have guns but very low gun homicides, perhaps how we spend our tax dollars is what to look at.
Our political machine is so tied up in big money lobbyists no wonder nothing gets done to solve immigration, gun violence and other things that might actually help normal working people.
I think the recent Clarence Thomas rich friend revelations are just the tip of the iceberg for many of our judges and politicians. For example, how can you not be influenced if the NRA supports you and influences others to support you through money donations to keep you in office?
Rachel Maddow show yesterday….. shocking?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehZSJ9OyOiE
We watched that Rachel Maddow and sadly I am NOT surprised...just furious actually that we seem unwilling to tackle the problems. 1935 Germany anyone???
I think the recent Clarence Thomas rich friend revelations are just the tip of the iceberg for many of our judges and politicians. For example, how can you not be influenced if the NRA supports you and influences others to support you through money donations to keep you in office?
A lot of cherry picking seems to be going on in this latest campaign against Thomas. No one seems terribly upset over Sotomayor not recusing herself from cases involving the publisher who paid her $3 million for her autobiography.
At this point, it seems clear that the Court is corrupt throughout. From watching the shenanigans at lower levels, I have little faith in the rule of law these days.
flowerseverywhere
5-9-23, 5:10pm
A lot of cherry picking seems to be going on in this latest campaign against Thomas. No one seems terribly upset over Sotomayor not recusing herself from cases involving the publisher who paid her $3 million for her autobiography.
Where did I say it was one party or the other? The constant defense of the criminal or unethical. behavior of the January six criminals and republican politicians is getting old. it is not right for anyone to behave this way.
Today:
Trump, the leading GOP candidate: found guilty of sexual abuse, and defamation.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy refuses to say if he *still supports* Trump.
Rep. George Santos has Federal charges filed against him.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy has so far not taken any action against Santos.
And so it goes.
Slowly but surely the swamp is being drained.
Slowly but surely the swamp is being drained.
I suspect Trump will still run in 2024 and stands a good chance of being elected.
I'm wondering if McCarthy will crash the US economy in the next weeks though.
https://media.tenor.com/PZCLkmHTBr4AAAAC/some-men-just-want-watch-the-world-burn.gif
Other than hardcore magas who exactly is going to vote for trump at this point? He certainly isn't interested in winning over any undecideds or democrats. And those same undecideds and democrats that hate trump for rational reasons are going to hate him all the more now that he's a confirmed sex offender who tried to overthrow the US government. Couple that with the radicals on the supreme court that don't think women should have bodily autonomy (which doesn't even play well in blood red states like kansas), and the fact that four years' worth of hardcore republican voters will have died and been replaced by four years of young people who by a large majority think republicans are asses that don't represent them in any way shape or form and it's hard to see how he can win. Unless republicans take their cheating efforts at voter suppression and such up to not just an 11, but more like a 14 or 15 and are successful at it.
I'm wondering if McCarthy will crash the US economy in the next weeks though.
I see that some government employees have sued to prevent the default. Very much taking a play from the republican playbook on the ACA and such. It will be interesting to see how that plays out. I can't imagine Janet Yellen and Joe Biden putting up much of a defense.
frugal-one
5-22-23, 11:46am
I suspect Trump will still run in 2024 and stands a good chance of being elected.
I'm wondering if McCarthy will crash the US economy in the next weeks though.
https://media.tenor.com/PZCLkmHTBr4AAAAC/some-men-just-want-watch-the-world-burn.gif
All this drama can be blamed on republicans! if there is a default it is on their heads for sure.
Is there a way to keep our money safe or, at least, to mitigate damage?
All this drama can be blamed on republicans! if there is a default it is on their heads for sure.
The Republicans passed the necessary legislation to prevent default in the only segment of government they control, the House of Representatives, weeks ago.
I see the President is considering the possibility that he can cite the 14th Amendment to authorize the issuance of bonds on his own without Congress.
I think the debt limit law is simultaneously too weak and too strong. The limit inevitability gets raised, and the consequences of failing to compromise are dire indeed. It’s basically a choice between destroying US credit gradually or all at once.
frugal-one
5-22-23, 5:50pm
The Republicans passed the necessary legislation to prevent default in the only segment of government they control, the House of Representatives, weeks ago.
trump also increased the debt by 25% ... more than any president and still the democrats did not threaten as the current "republicans" are doing. Shameful!
trump also increased the debt by 25% ... more than any president and still the democrats did not threaten as the current "republicans" are doing. Shameful!
I don't think any party is blameless in acquiring debt. During the tail end of the last administration there was bipartisan support for extraordinary spending in support of the Covid pandemic, all financed with borrowed money, but in terms of real money, the increase in debt was less than the previous administration.
I think the real question here is just how much additional debt we're willing to accept just as a matter of course. Some seem to think it's no big deal to continue at the the extraordinary rate we're at now, others disagree. Each party uses the possibility of default to both influence total spending and as a political cudgel against their opponents, so there's nothing new there.
But, to go back to your earlier comment, the fact is that Republicans in the House (which is constitutionally responsible for initiating all government spending) have already dealt with the default issue and the Democrats in the Senate and Oval Office are trying to frame it otherwise. Nothing new there either.
frugal-one
5-22-23, 8:04pm
I think the real issue here is that republicans are trying to hold the current administration hostage if they don’t do what they want. Whereas, the debt limit has always been increased when needed. Hell for trump it was increased 4 times!
It seems that no one really knows how much debt is too much, but every administration tries to test the limits.
I think the real issue here is that republicans are trying to hold the current administration hostage if they don’t do what they want. Whereas, the debt limit has always been increased when needed. Hell for trump it was increased 4 times!
And it will be increased this time too, if the Democrats allow it. It may not be raised as high as they want but it will prevent default, if that's the actual goal.
frugal-one
5-22-23, 9:34pm
The actual goal is to stop republicans from being hostage takers and do what ALL others before them have done….instead of changing the rules. This is setting a terrible situation for the future as well.
The actual goal is to stop republicans from being hostage takers and do what ALL others before them have done…
They've already done it! There will be no default if Democrats in the Senate and Oval Office sign off. For the very life of me I can't understand why you think if there is a default, it's the republicans fault.
frugal-one
5-22-23, 9:50pm
Sign off on what the republicans insist be done... that is hostage taking.... no others have done this. If there is a default is because the democrats refuse to be taken hostage.
Sign off on what the republicans insist be done... that is hostage taking.... no others have done this. If there is a default is because the democrats refuse to be taken hostage.
The House of Representatives has a constitutional responsibility to initiate and approve all federal spending. They do not have a duty to simply sign off on everything the Executive branch requests, that isn't hostage taking.
It appears that you may have mis-spoke when you blamed republicans for a potential default, you're actually complaining that the House is doing its duty as a check on Executive power.
And it has been done before, it's called compromise.
Wow.
Nothing quite says ‘making America great again’ like blowing up the world’s economy if one doesn’t get every single ****ing thing on one’s legislative wish list in the process. But since we’re talking about the political party that was literally willing to overthrow the entire United States government when they didn’t get their way in the last presidential election I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised. And since even ‘rational (LOL)’ people in that party find it not just acceptable to continue voting for the people who participated in that attempt to overthrow the government, but something to be outwardly PROUD of, why should we be at all surprised that they are all 110% behind supporting these ugly people who hate America and want to burn it all down if they don’t get their way?
flowerseverywhere
5-23-23, 6:52am
The Republicans passed the necessary legislation to prevent default in the only segment of government they control, the House of Representatives, weeks ago.
Have you actually read the bill? It is hundreds of pages long. Even the summary is pages and pages long.
It places lots of restrictions on federal agencies regarding reviews regarding oil and gas leasing, requiring specific areas to approve a number of leases in specified areas. specifically targets clean water and clean energy rules to make them less stringent. One section talks about disapproval of Oregon not approving an energy project. So much for states rights.
All kinds of goodies are buried in the pages and pages of this bill.
Does lifting environmental controls reward donors? Will the snap/ Medicaid work requirements make that much of a difference it is worthwhile to possibly wreck the economy? Many of these recipients are already working, are disabled, elderly, or caring for minors. How many are able bodied and not working?
What limits did Republicans place on Trump when he requested debt limit Increases four times?
Do any of the promises McCarthy made to win votes as speaker in the multiple ballots which resulted in Gaetz saying "I ran out of things I could even imagine to ask for?" Have anything to do with this lengthy, complicated bill.
Are the republicans working to improve the lives of the citizens or their own self interests, to get donations, own the libs, do anything they can to stop Biden getting anything done, and get reelected?
frugal-one
5-23-23, 2:30pm
Wow.
Elaborate.
frugal-one
5-23-23, 2:31pm
The House of Representatives has a constitutional responsibility to initiate and approve all federal spending. They do not have a duty to simply sign off on everything the Executive branch requests, that isn't hostage taking.
It appears that you may have mis-spoke when you blamed republicans for a potential default, you're actually complaining that the House is doing its duty as a check on Executive power.
And it has been done before, it's called compromise.
NO, it will be the fault of the republicans for DEMANDING things their way. No others have done so in history.
frugal-one
5-23-23, 2:33pm
Nothing quite says ‘making America great again’ like blowing up the world’s economy if one doesn’t get every single ****ing thing on one’s legislative wish list in the process. But since we’re talking about the political party that was literally willing to overthrow the entire United States government when they didn’t get their way in the last presidential election I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised. And since even ‘rational (LOL)’ people in that party find it not just acceptable to continue voting for the people who participated in that attempt to overthrow the government, but something to be outwardly PROUD of, why should we be at all surprised that they are all 110% behind supporting these ugly people who hate America and want to burn it all down if they don’t get their way?
This is the new "republican".
flowerseverywhere
5-24-23, 10:57pm
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/may/18/school-librarians-face-a-new-penalty-in-the-banned/
article about librarians fearing punishment up to prison for having books republicans feel are inappropriate in school, and sometimes public libraries.
flowerseverywhere
5-24-23, 11:06pm
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/kandiss-taylor-globes-anti-flat-earth-brainwashing-1234741082/amp/
the hits keep coming. A flat earth believer GOP chair in Georgia. You can’t make this stuff up
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/may/18/school-librarians-face-a-new-penalty-in-the-banned/
article about librarians fearing punishment up to prison for having books republicans feel are inappropriate in school, and sometimes public libraries.
Apparently someone in Florida complained about a public school library having a copy of the poem delivered at Biden’s inauguration which has now been removed. But it’s democrats that are all about ‘cancel culture’. Right…
iris lilies
5-24-23, 11:58pm
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/may/18/school-librarians-face-a-new-penalty-in-the-banned/
article about librarians fearing punishment up to prison for having books republicans feel are inappropriate in school, and sometimes public libraries.
Gender Queer, the most challenged book in libraries of the past couple years according to your article, was published in St. Louis. The author says it’s intended for kids 16 years old and up. If it is in middle school collections, that is not a good thing.
I just downloaded it from Hoopla. All print copies in St. Louis region public libraries are checked out. I suppose Republican parents are busy looking at the book to get all riled up to sue librarians.
Obscenity laws against providing obscene material to minors have always been on the books it’s just a little more pointed at the moment. It’s silly and dumb, but my tiny schadenfreude mind can’t think help but think this is karma for public librarians starting up those idiotic drag queen story hours.
In Missouri Democratic legislators were, according to this article, responsible as well for tightening up obscene materials given to minors.It apparently cannot be all blamed on Republicans so maybe that will make JP happy.
Missouri Democrats are freaked out about the poem that was recited at Biden's inauguration? I find that hard to believe but if true yet another reason to avoid that shithole state.
On an unrelated topic I wonder what DeSantis has said about whether he would sign a national abortion law into effect if he was president and it arrived on his desk. I assume he's ducking and weaving on the topic because we all know exactly what he'd do. It's not like the dude has any honor or base principals. He just wants to be president at any cost, just like sad sack McCarthy who wanted to be speaker of the house even if it meant becoming speaker with ZERO power.
Apparently someone in Florida complained about a public school library having a copy of the poem delivered at Biden’s inauguration which has now been removed. But it’s democrats that are all about ‘cancel culture’. Right…
It's interesting to see the slant on these subjects from you and where ever you get your news. In this case, one Florida school moved the book containing this poem from a stack in their media room (library) reserved for elementary students to a stack in the same media room reserved for middle school students.
When did curating books for appropriate audiences become 'cancel culture'? I know all the right people have a vested interest in harming Governor DeSantis, his home state and all associated institutions, but isn't this getting just a bit ridiculous?
It's interesting to me that the parent objecting to this poem being available (as well as books by another black author) admits she hasn't even read the poem or the books she's objecting to in their entirety. She didn't even correctly attribute the author, she listed Oprah as the author. She didn't claim the book was age inappropriate, she just didn't like the ideas espoused.
https://www.jta.org/2023/05/24/united-states/the-florida-mom-who-got-amanda-gormansrestricted-says-shes-sorry-for-promoting-the-protocols-of-the-elders-of-zion
I saw today the DeSantis said he would consider pardoning the rioting Jan. 6 insurrectionists, as well as Trump. I didn't read on to find out what he might pardon Trump for, although he could rack up a collection by election time.
frugal-one
5-25-23, 9:26pm
I saw today the DeSantis said he would consider pardoning the rioting Jan. 6 insurrectionists, as well as Trump. I didn't read on to find out what he might pardon Trump for, although he could rack up a collection by election time.
Not all are federal so DeSantis cannot pardon them all, thankfully. Another reason not to vote republican.... either moron.
Not all are federal so DeSantis cannot pardon them all, thankfully. Another reason not to vote republican.... either moron.
Randy Rainbow unfailingly puts my thoughts and fears to music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2M5ZeJSZHM&list=RDues8ycOxXKM&index=4
The media is playing the DeSantis or Trump card pretty heavily. I suppose DeSantis is the most like Trump, but it does slight the other alternatives or potential alternatives. They must react to the polls or speculation over what will attract the largest audience, but it does seem unfair. It's early.
All of the Republican candidates seem to be trying to out-trump each other. Probably because they realize that without trump’s supporters, their party’s base, they have approximately the same chance of becoming president that Liz Cheney had of keeping her seat in the house. That’s why ‘bomb Mexico’ is now a standard part of the Republican policy platform regardless of the fact that it’s a batshit stupid idea.
That’s why ‘bomb Mexico’ is now a standard part of the Republican policy platform regardless of the fact that it’s a batshit stupid idea.
You can claim that bombing Mexico is a plank in the GOP platform.
You can claim there is no GOP platform.
But you can’t claim both.
You can claim that bombing Mexico is a plank in the GOP platform.
You can claim there is no GOP platform.
But you can’t claim both.
We've reached the point in this thread where all claims made against Republicans require what Twitter refers to as 'Community Notes'.
frugal-one
5-27-23, 7:22pm
Yeah, you know what we think of twitter. The announcement of DeSantis is reflective.
Yeah, you know what we think of twitter.
No, I don't. I've heard that lots of folks became disenchanted with the platform once they began correcting false claims and mis-information, are those the 'we' you mentioned?
The announcement of DeSantis is reflective.Of what?
You can claim that bombing Mexico is a plank in the GOP platform.
You can claim there is no GOP platform.
But you can’t claim both.
I don't have to "claim" that both Tim Scott and the republican party leader Donald Trump, two of the current clowns running for president, have espoused "bomb mexico" as part of their platforms. They both have. It'll be interesting to see if the random other folks running for president from your party run away from that part of the platform or towards it. Considering that Ron Desantis has seemed to have adopted a platform of "whatever trump does I'll do it even more" I assume he'll soon be adding "bomb mexico right after we bomb my state's biggest employer and tourist attraction" to his platform.
But to be fair, you're right. To claim that the republican party has any sort of coherent policy priorities beyond "hate people that aren't cis het straight white male folks" is probably giving too much credit to the modern day republican party.
I'm curious what your "exalted thinkers" on your bookshelves think about all this?
I don't have to "claim" that both Tim Scott and the republican party leader Donald Trump, two of the current clowns running for president, have espoused "bomb mexico" as part of their platforms.
I suspect you're referencing various comments from both regarding the war on drugs, particularly fentanyl coming across the border from various cartels. I think both have suggested a military presence at the border and the robust usage of intelligence resources to bring them down as well as labeling the cartels as terrorist organizations responsible for the deaths of over one hundred thousand US citizens each year over the last decade or so.
I haven't heard the phrase "bomb Mexico" though so maybe you're referencing something else?
"When I am president, the drug cartels using Chinese labs and Mexican factories to kill Americans will cease to exist," Scott vowed. "I will freeze their assets, I will build the wall, and I will allow the world's greatest military to fight these terrorists. Because that's exactly What the are.”
I’m curious how the US military is going to fight Mexican drug cartels without going to Mexico. Or are you trying to say that he’s a lying f*** who didn’t actually mean what he said?
frugal-one
5-28-23, 7:29am
No, I don't. I've heard that lots of folks became disenchanted with the platform once they began correcting false claims and mis-information, are those the 'we' you mentioned?
Of what?
Twitter and DeSantis both are the reflection of each other… as exemplified by the DeSantis announcement… the twitter announcement was disastrous as is DeSantis (as shown by his actions in FL). It was/is the perfect pairing.
I see DeSantis defeating Biden in a lot of recent polling. To me, the electorally sane path would be to nominate DeSantis rather than experience yet another Trump related disaster.
Reason #497: Senator Tommy Tuberville
https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5074655/senator-tuberville-back-blocking-military-nominees
iris lilies
6-15-23, 4:39pm
I see DeSantis defeating Biden in a lot of recent polling. To me, the electorally sane path would be to nominate DeSantis rather than experience yet another Trump related disaster.
The Republicans who do not see Trump as a huge liability are no worse than the Democrats who do not see a stumbling, frail, out-of-it old man as a liability.
WHO is propping up Biden to run again, anyway? Who are these idiots? I wonder if Biden would step down if he had a .Vice President who the public could stomach.
In a Trump vs Kamala Harris match, Trump takes her down easily.
frugal-one
6-15-23, 4:46pm
The Republicans who do not see Trump as a huge liability are no worse than the Democrats who do not see a stumbling, frail, out-of-it old man as a liability.
WHO is propping up Biden to run again, anyway? Who are these idiots? I wonder if Biden would step down if he had a .Vice President who the public could stomach.
In a Trump vs Kamala Harris match, Trump takes her down easily.
I hope not. No one is worse than traitor trump.
The Republicans who do not see Trump as a huge liability are no worse than the Democrats who do not see a stumbling, frail, out-of-it old man as a liability.
WHO is propping up Biden to run again, anyway? Who are these idiots? I wonder if Biden would step down if he had a .Vice President who the public could stomach.
In a Trump vs Kamala Harris match, Trump takes her down easily.
Judging from how well biden played the republicans in the debt ceiling negotiations he seems to be doing just fine. And as he has said before "we don't have to be better than the almighty, we just need to be better than the alternative". And if the alternative is a twice impeached dude who attempted to overthrow the government and is currently on trial for stealing defense secrets and sharing them with people who shouldn't be seeing them and who was strongly disliked before most of that happened I suspect that biden will do just fine. Not to mention that if it's biden/trump the old man argument against biden doesn't hold much water since trump is another old man, and one who happens to also be a fat slob with terrible health habits, unlike biden. Obviously any number of things could happen in the next 16.5 months, but barring any big surprises 2024 is biden's to lose.
The Republicans who do not see Trump as a huge liability are no worse than the Democrats who do not see a stumbling, frail, out-of-it old man as a liability.
I don't see either as being optimum, but the differences are certainly not insignificance in relevance to competency. The odd part is that those are the two top contenders, which a person might suppose is a reflation of voter choices. At 77 Trump is no spring chicken with a poor lifestyle. A person could probably speculate on who has the best odds of survival, not to mention mental agility. As I see it, the age issue on it's own is pretty much a wash.
Thinking more about Biden, I think one of the reasons he surprised everyone with how well he did is that the pundit class discounts, or outright ignores, the fact that he's COMMITTED to being a bipartisan leader, and has had success in making that happen. The latest evidence of that being the very bipartisan debt ceiling bill. Poll after poll has shown that the average voter, the type that don't follow the daily blood sport of politics closely and who doesn't strongly identify with either party, very strongly want to see more cooperation between the two parties. Biden delivers on that. Couple that with the fact that the republicans can't find anything bad to stick on him because he's a generally nice white grandpa kind of guy who has avoided serious scandal his entire political life, and only the hardest of hardcore republicans think he's a bad person. (the people who actually believe the silliness about Hunter Biden that the untrustworthy failure of a human being Giuliani has been pedaling for years.)
I, like many people, would like to see a younger candidate. (don't even get me started on Feinstein...) But as long as trump continues to be the head of the republican party Biden may well be the best candidate to defeat him. By 2028 trump will likely either be dead or in prison. We can worry about finding a fresher candidate then. For now I'm fine with us sticking with a long tested, tried and true bipartisan guy who regularly gets underestimated by the republican establishment.
Thinking more about Biden, I think one of the reasons he surprised everyone with how well he did is that the pundit class discounts, or outright ignores, the fact that he's COMMITTED to being a bipartisan leader, and has had success in making that happen. The latest evidence of that being the very bipartisan debt ceiling bill. Poll after poll has shown that the average voter, the type that don't follow the daily blood sport of politics closely and who doesn't strongly identify with either party, very strongly want to see more cooperation between the two parties. Biden delivers on that. Couple that with the fact that the republicans can't find anything bad to stick on him because he's a generally nice white grandpa kind of guy who has avoided serious scandal his entire political life, and only the hardest of hardcore republicans think he's a bad person. (the people who actually believe the silliness about Hunter Biden that the untrustworthy failure of a human being Giuliani has been pedaling for years.)
I, like many people, would like to see a younger candidate. (don't even get me started on Feinstein...) But as long as trump continues to be the head of the republican party Biden may well be the best candidate to defeat him. By 2028 trump will likely either be dead or in prison. We can worry about finding a fresher candidate then. For now I'm fine with us sticking with a long tested, tried and true bipartisan guy who regularly gets underestimated by the republican establishment.
I couldn't agree more.
Thinking more about Biden, I think one of the reasons he surprised everyone with how well he did is that the pundit class discounts, or outright ignores, the fact that he's COMMITTED to being a bipartisan leader, and has had success in making that happen. The latest evidence of that being the very bipartisan debt ceiling bill.
I'm not sure spending several months refusing to meet with House leaders to work through a bipartisan resolution shows much bipartisan commitment.
Couple that with the fact that the republicans can't find anything bad to stick on him because he's a generally nice white grandpa kind of guy who has avoided serious scandal his entire political life, and only the hardest of hardcore republicans think he's a bad person. (the people who actually believe the silliness about Hunter Biden that the untrustworthy failure of a human being Giuliani has been pedaling for years.)
Regardless of what the press has reported, the latest issue with bribes from the Ukrainian energy company has nothing to do with Giuliani, and the Big Guy actually did solve their problem by threatening to withhold financial support to the country unless the prosecutor going after them was fired. That seems kinda fishy to me.
I'm not sure spending several months refusing to meet with House leaders to work through a bipartisan resolution shows much bipartisan commitment.
Regardless of what the press has reported, the latest issue with bribes from the [/COLOR]Ukrainian energy company has nothing to do with Giuliani, and the Big Guy actually did solve their problem by threatening to withhold financial support to the country unless the prosecutor going after them was fired. That seems kinda fishy to me.
Considering trumps’s relationship to Ukraine only hardcore republicans (see above) will even remotely care about your drama on this subject.
And regardless of your desire to claim that the debt deal wasn’t bipartisan the numbers of who supported it make you sound as out of touch as trump is with his perspective about the American electorate.
I’d suggest you get out of the failing Fox echo chamber but since you are much smarter than me I’ll just leave you to be baffled when your failing political party falls off a cliff. You should probably chat with Lindsay graham. He predicted this years ago.
I think you have to squint pretty hard to see the debt deal as a masterful triumph for Biden over those wicked Republican snollygosters. He had to move from a refusal to negotiate to major spending concessions. He had to give up all the unspent Covid money and back off on tax hikes. They even cut back on the money for new tax collectors.
Bipartisanship was more of a last resort than a goal he achieved.
I suppose if people think allowing tax cheats to get away with cheating is better than bringing in more of the revenue from laws that were duly passed and signed into law is a good thing then, sure, yay for stopping the IRS from doing its job? I guess we can just add that to the list of proof that republicans just like to talk about law and order rather than actually have law and order.
I find it fascinating that Republicans who lionized the out-of-it old fool Ronald Reagan and smiled at Jerry Ford's pratfalls are all over President Biden for his occasional missteps while they elevate the equally old bloviating criminal Trump to apotheosis.
I'm more than ready for a new--and yes, woke--generation to take over, but not in midstream.
iris lilies
6-16-23, 1:09pm
[/B]
I hope not. No one is worse than traitor trump.
OK, I give up that Joe Biden, ancient old man with nefarious family dealings in the Ukraine, is going to step down. I accept that. Maybe Kamala Harris will step down and someone who is not ancient or unpalatable will be vice president? These are my fantasies. I am trying to find SOME way to stomach voting for Biden in a Biden versus Trump standoff.
if Biden would do more of pissing off The Squad and they complain loudly and often about it,that goes towards helping me vote for him. Go go Grandpa Joe!
So what is it Republicans don't like about VP Harris? That she once dated Willie Brown? Wears pantsuits? Is a pretty woman of color? As far as I can tell, she's just as unremarkable as most veeps.
I suppose if people think allowing tax cheats to get away with cheating is better than bringing in more of the revenue from laws that were duly passed and signed into law is a good thing then, sure, yay for stopping the IRS from doing its job? I guess we can just add that to the list of proof that republicans just like to talk about law and order rather than actually have law and order.
Don’t worry. The administrative state will still swell with $60 billion worth of new troops.
frugal-one
6-16-23, 5:03pm
Don’t worry. The administrative state will still swell with $60 billion worth of new troops.
That is what the republicans wanted... more military spending.
That is what the republicans wanted... more military spending.
He was talking about IRS troops, that's what the Democrats wanted.
So what is it Republicans don't like about VP Harris? That she once dated Willie Brown? Wears pantsuits? Is a pretty woman of color? As far as I can tell, she's just as unremarkable as most veeps.
I first heard about her when as the California AG she tried forcing non-profits to provide their donor information. Fearing the information would be used by government and activists to harass or intimidate their donors, they fought back and ultimately won in the courts. Her presidential primary campaign was pretty unremarkable, except to trying to brand Joe Biden as a racist. Ever since taking office, we mainly hear about her being assigned grandiose tasks and making incoherent public statements.
She seems to be a fairly untalented hack, which is not all that unusual.
frugal-one
6-16-23, 6:12pm
Don’t worry. The administrative state will still swell with $60 billion worth of new troops.
And much more gained by investigating tax evaders!
frugal-one
6-16-23, 6:13pm
I first heard about her when as the California AG she tried forcing non-profits to provide their donor information. Fearing the information would be used by government and activists to harass or intimidate their donors, they fought back and ultimately won in the courts. Her presidential primary campaign was pretty unremarkable, except to trying to brand Joe Biden as a racist. Ever since taking office, we mainly hear about her being assigned grandiose tasks and making incoherent public statements.
She seems to be a fairly untalented hack, which is not all that unusual.
meaning?
He was talking about IRS troops, that's what the Democrats wanted.
“Troops”?
By "troops" Republicans mean accountants. >8)
Don’t worry. The administrative state will still swell with $60 billion worth of new troops.
I’m not worried. I just find it odd that republicans are pro tax cheat. It also highlights how all their hand wringing about the deficit is just a bunch of performative BS. But performative BS is pretty much their whole agenda these days. I mean seriously, that stupid bitch Boehbert was so busy performing that she couldn’t even make it to the floor of the house in time to even vote on the debt ceiling bill try that she had been screeching endlessly about.
“Troops”?
Using troops to describe IRS employees is probably intended to denigrate the professionalism of IRS auditors while having plausible deniability that that was what was being done. Republicans are big on the whole plausible deniability thing.
Using troops to describe IRS employees is probably intended to denigrate the professionalism of IRS auditors while having plausible deniability that that was what was being done. Republicans are big on the whole plausible deniability thing.
Or it could be that people with a military background are accustomed to referring to the mass of people within fixed organizations as troops. For that matter, I suppose those with a background in Scouting might do the same.
Using troops to describe IRS employees is probably intended to denigrate the professionalism of IRS auditors while having plausible deniability that that was what was being done. Republicans are big on the whole plausible deniability thing.
You’re packing an awful lot of narrative into a single word. When did “troop” become a term of denigration? A lot of my favorite people are current or former troops.
Or it could be that people with a military background are accustomed to referring to the mass of people within fixed organizations as troops. For that matter, I suppose those with a background in Scouting might do the same.
Civilians. What you gonna do?
Civilians. What you gonna do?
As my favorite aunt would say "Oh, bless their heart."
You’re packing an awful lot of narrative into a single word. When did “troop” become a term of denigration? A lot of my favorite people are current or former troops.
Thanks for validating the second part of my post. But in reality you know perfectly well that the word troops implies fighting and war. This is neither an accurate nor kind interpretation of the work that IRS auditors do.
Thanks for validating the second part of my post. But in reality you know perfectly well that the word troops implies fighting and war. This is neither an accurate nor kind interpretation of the work that IRS auditors do.
According to a Congressional Research Services analysis of the original $80B windfall granted by the Inflation Acceleration Act, a little more than 50% of the funding would go towards tax enforcement activities such as additional enforcement agents, criminal investigation and litigation agents.
According to the IRS jobs portal, they're actively hiring those positions now. https://www.jobs.irs.gov/resources/job-descriptions/irs-criminal-investigation-special-agent
According to a Congressional Research Services analysis of the original $80B windfall granted by the Inflation Acceleration Act, a little more than 50% of the funding would go towards tax enforcement activities such as additional enforcement agents, criminal investigation and litigation agents.
According to the IRS jobs portal, they're actively hiring those positions now. https://www.jobs.irs.gov/resources/job-descriptions/irs-criminal-investigation-special-agent
Would you feel better about my statement if I'd said "IRS employees" instead of "IRS Auditors"? That seems like quibling over pointless minutiae. Undoubtedly some of that money is going to be spent on things like IT upgrades that will make the agency more efficient and potentially better at spotting tax cheaters. Those people wouldn't fall into the category of enforcement agents, etc, but they are still very much doing work that helps the agency accomplish it's goal of collecting the taxes lawfully owed to the government. They are no more "troops" than I or the other employees where I work are insurance underwriting "troops".
I am, though, curious how money spent on the IRS that will bring in well over twice the amount in unpaid taxes is a windfall. Funding our government's tax collection agency to a level that they can actually do their job effectively seems more like rational budgeting to me. And I'm also curious how increasing the collection of unpaid taxes will increase inflation.
Would you feel better about my statement if I'd said "IRS employees" instead of "IRS Auditors"? That seems like quibling over pointless minutiae.
No quibbling here, I'm not offended by a generic term such as 'troops'. I was really just curious about how many of those "auditors" you mentioned would be issued bulletproof vests, semi-automatic weapons and have to undergo 6 months of mandatory tactical and police procedural training at FLETC (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center). I'm guessing quite a few.
Thanks for validating the second part of my post. But in reality you know perfectly well that the word troops implies fighting and war. This is neither an accurate nor kind interpretation of the work that IRS auditors do.
Is that a trigger word now? Like for the people who pretend to be offended by “field” or “mother” or “postmaster”? When Elizabeth Warren publishes books with titles like “This Fight is Our Fight” should I bristle at the violent implications? I guess I just don’t hear the same dog whistle symphony more enlightened people do.
No quibbling here, I'm not offended by a generic term such as 'troops'. I was really just curious about how many of those "auditors" you mentioned would be issued bulletproof vests, semi-automatic weapons and have to undergo 6 months of mandatory tactical and police procedural training at FLETC (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center). I'm guessing quite a few.
Considering that even a mild mannered person such as LDAHL chose to use a loaded word associated with the military to describe these people I would imagine that it might be a good idea for them to protect themselves from a second amendment end to their life.
Personally I’m more interested in the concept that the government should t be enforcing the tax laws. But no one seems interested in that topic. Which is pretty telling in and of itself. I think I’ll start investigating which laws I’d rather not follow since only following the laws you like seems to be part of the new Republican platform.
Considering that even a mild mannered person such as LDAHL chose to use a loaded word associated with the military to describe these people I would imagine that it might be a good idea for them to protect themselves from a second amendment end to their life.
People who actually have been "troops" use the term much differently than you apparently do. If you have friends or relatives who have been "troops", they may tell you they use the word in a sense of shared camaraderie and respect and don't consider it loaded at all.
As an aside, weren't you one of the folks who belittled 'Support Our Troops' stickers and those shitty state residents who displayed them proudly some years ago? Is that why you're making such a big deal of LDAHL's use of the word? Afraid that others who share your disdain may do harm to the army of additional IRS agents coming onboard before they've had the opportunity to collect additional revenue from those mostly low and middle income residents of said shitty states?
No. You must have me confused with someone else. I’ve never been anti military. They serve a valid function for our society and I have a fair number of friends who have either served in the past or are currently serving.
Heck, I even considered joining the military when I was in high school. I discussed the possibility of going to the coast guard academy at some length with a recruiter but ultimately decided against it since the accepted bigotry of the time meant that I would have had to lie about who I was to avoid being kicked out.
flowerseverywhere
6-17-23, 8:58pm
https://www.click2houston.com/news/texas/2023/06/16/as-texas-swelters-local-rules-requiring-water-breaks-for-construction-workers-will-soon-be-nullified/
Seriously they are spending time and money on laws like this? Eliminating local laws for construction worker mandated water breaks. In the meantime they are the leader in uninsured. 18% have no health insurance. But I guess big construction companies give campaign donations so there is that.
https://everytexan.org/2022/10/28/2021-census-data-provides-insight-into-the-uninsured-population-of-texas/
Maybe look at real problems to solve?
No. You must have me confused with someone else. I’ve never been anti military.
My sincere apologies then. Maybe that person isn't around any longer.
iris lilies
7-11-23, 12:04pm
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P32InJLUvDo&pp=ygUXTWFrZSBhbWVyaWNhIGdsYW0gYWdhaW4%3D
I thought this video featuring leading Republicans was hilarious. Its theme is “Let’s make America Glam Again!”
RuPaulpublicans.
catherine
7-11-23, 12:26pm
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P32InJLUvDo&pp=ygUXTWFrZSBhbWVyaWNhIGdsYW0gYWdhaW4%3D
I thought this video featuring leading Republican candidates was hilarious. Its theme is “Let’s make Maerican Glam Again!”
RuPaulpublicans.
haha, that was great!
#987 Tommy Tuberville
#988 Ronna McDaniel
- The National Defense Authorization Act nonsense.
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