[Continuation] The Trump Presidency IX: Nein, Nein! - Page 62

Paul2 · 13th September 2018, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by dudalb

I am now convinced unless a miracle happens, this country is headed for the worst trainwreck in it's history since the Civil War.

Yes, and it may be - no, it already has been - a slow-moving, gradual train wreck, starting in the 1960s when Southern Democrats hated Johnson for the Civil Rights Act and moved to the Republican party, then got catered to by Nixon's Southern strategy, got further ensconced by the Moral Majority in the 1980s, went ballistic with the Tea party, and has been building up a head of steam throughout the last 50 years.

It took a long time to get here, and I hope we can somehow turn things around in a (much) shorter length of time.

varwoche · 13th September 2018, 01:50 PM

The Imbecile-in-Chief denies that 3000 people died in Puerto Rico, because that many people didn't die during the actual hurricane event.

FEMA has very little to do with mitigating the actual weather event. They come in afterwards. The fact that so many people died afterwards only increases the possibility that FEMA did a less than stellar job.

Pixel42 · 13th September 2018, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Stacyhs

Agreed. Getting re-elected becomes the dominating factor.

Whereas with term limits, securing lucrative employment once your term is ended becomes the dominating factor. I'm not sure that's better.

dudalb · 13th September 2018, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Pixel42

Whereas with term limits, securing lucrative employment once your term is ended becomes the dominating factor. I'm not sure that's better.

That was the one thing that kept me from supporting Term Limits, but now the craven behavior of the GOP congress in failing to carry out their basic duty of acting as a check to Presendential power has convinced me that we can afford a little greed a lot more then seeing our system of check balances go down the tubes because you want a lifelong career as a Congressman. I think we need to take away that option.

BobTheCoward · 13th September 2018, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by dudalb

That was the one thing that kept me from supporting Term Limits, but now the craven behavior of the GOP congress in failing to carry out their basic duty of acting as a check to Presendential power has convinced me that we can afford a little greed a lot more then seeing our system of check balances go down the tubes because you want a lifelong career as a Congressman. I think we need to take away that option.

It isn't just the congressperson who wants a life long career...

It is the majority of voters every two years.

Sideroxylon · 13th September 2018, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by varwoche

The Imbecile-in-Chief denies that 3000 people died in Puerto Rico, because that many people didn't die during the actual hurricane event.

FEMA has very little to do with mitigating the actual weather event. They come in afterwards. The fact that so many people died afterwards only increases the possibility that FEMA did a less than stellar job.

Not enough paper towels?

Dr. Keith · 13th September 2018, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Sideroxylon

Not enough paper towels?

Not enough arch on the paper towels.

Tsukasa Buddha · 13th September 2018, 03:05 PM

Quote:

House Republicans rejected an attempt by Democrats on Thursday to demand that the State Department turn over records related to President Donald Trump’s secretive one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

...

"Vladimir Putin is not our friend," Royce said, adding, "Helsinki was a squandered opportunity to challenge Vladimir Putin's false narratives on Ukraine, Syria and Russia's ongoing interference in our democracy."

But, the demand for documents "is not a wise approach to oversight," he said.

Linky.

Republicans made a deal with the Devil, but its the rest of us that are paying the price.

alfaniner · 13th September 2018, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Stacyhs

Agreed. Getting re-elected becomes the dominating factor.

I think that once the November elections are over, even some Republicans still remaining in office might be a little more forthcoming. The pressure of reelection is off for a few years.

Minoosh · 13th September 2018, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Cain

People have been saying as much for years when viral articles later get turned into books. The article was enough.

I never wrote a book at all so I'm a fine one to talk.

dudalb · 13th September 2018, 04:01 PM

Several news sources reporting that Manafort and Mueller are nearing a plea deal.
If Manafort rats out,the meltdown is going to incredible ....

Stacyhs · 13th September 2018, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by dudalb

Several news sources reporting that Manafort and Mueller are nearing a plea deal.
If Manafort rats out,the meltdown is going to incredible ....

I hope someone has a smartphone and catches it.

Belz... · 13th September 2018, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Paul2

Give as much money as you can to Democratic candidates who have a chance of beating their Republican rivals, in any electoral district, for the House or for the Senate or for state offices.

Given how much we complain about money in politics and now foreigners trying to influence elections, I'm not going to do that.

dudalb · 13th September 2018, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by Belz...

Given how much we complain about money in politics and now foreigners trying to influence elections, I'm not going to do that.

And it's not like I am going to put 100% trust in the Democratic party,either.
I could easily see the Dems,in power, becoming just as power hungry and ruthless as the GOP. Power corrupts,end of story.
Yes, I will vote democratic this November as an emergency measure, but ,frankly, I have no love for either of the major parties.

Trebuchet · 13th September 2018, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Regnad Kcin

Not long ago I was struck by a realization, one I don’t anticipate unstriking me: Donald Trump is without morals.

It was possible to figure his behavior present and past was due to differences in upbringing/education/career-path from the average person. We’ve all encountered bullies and cutthroats and liars and cheats, but deep down you knew they could, say, manage a little league team. Trump has none of it. No core, no base layer of good. Nothing.

No signal, all static. Empty.

John Barren.

Not long ago? Have you been in a coma? It's been obvious for many years.

Originally Posted by Ambrosia

Some times it's better to light a flamethrower, than curse the darkness.

- Terry Pratchett

Elon Musk will sell you one.

Foolmewunz · 13th September 2018, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by Darat

Which to be fair is probably the most charitable thing he has ever done.

Yes, because it equals all his munificent deeds. Handing out stuff that other people donated, just like his "found-ations" (hey, we found this money Stephanie McMahon left behind, let's spend it on some gilt and glitter).

Belz... · 13th September 2018, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by Foolmewunz

Yes, because it equals all his munificent deeds. Handing out stuff that other people donated, just like his "found-ations" (hey, we found this money Stephanie McMahon left behind, let's spend it on some gilt and glitter).

Happy birthday, by the way.

kellyb · 13th September 2018, 06:54 PM

Trump tweets:

"John Kerry had illegal meetings with the very hostile Iranian Regime, which can only serve to undercut our great work to the detriment of the American people. He told them to wait out the Trump Administration! Was he registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act? BAD!"

lol

SezMe · 13th September 2018, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by dudalb

Term limits, so that nobody can think of making a lifelong career of being in congress, is a good place to start.

You're a fellow Californian - do you think term limits here have solved any problems?

Politics seems to be the only job where accumulated expertise is a liability, not an asset.

Solitaire · 13th September 2018, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by JoeMorgue

Oh... oh my God I just got it.

We're seeing a real world, actions instead of words version of a Gish Gallop.
He's argumentative concepts like "not even wrong" and "wronger than wrong"
made flesh.

That's... scary.

Because the only way to combat a Gish Gallop is to ignore it,
and that's not an option in the real world.

What? No...

Back in December of 2015, I noticed that out of the 333 and a third million
American people one could possibly elect as President of the United State,
only Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump represented the best of the best,
the top of the top.

At that moment, I tuned out, turned off, and dropped in.

Basically, I cancelled all my newspaper and magazine subscriptions, hauled all
the televisions and radios in my house off to the dump to be squashed into a
small cube, and then retired to a WWII bomb shelter three stories underground.

Occasionally, I'll pop out of ground for an orange fruit and check these forums
for the latest news, which does not surprise by the way.

P.S. Have the Russians taken back Alaska yet?

quadraginta · 13th September 2018, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by dudalb

And it's not like I am going to put 100% trust in the Democratic party,either.
I could easily see the Dems,in power, becoming just as power hungry and ruthless as the GOP. Power corrupts,end of story.
Yes, I will vote democratic this November as an emergency measure, but ,frankly, I have no love for either of the major parties.

Over the course of the past century there have been times when the Dems had control of both the Executive and Legislative branches, and times when the GOP has.

Given the established track record of the two, if I were to be compelled to choose one or the other, there is no question in my mind that the Dems would do less harm to the country.

kellyb · 13th September 2018, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by SezMe

You're a fellow Californian - do you think term limits here have solved any problems?

Politics seems to be the only job where accumulated expertise is a liability, not an asset.

It seems to me like with term limits, institutional knowledge is exclusively limited to the corporations.

The Big Dog · 13th September 2018, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by Paul2

Give as much money as you can to Democratic candidates who have a chance of beating their Republican rivals, in any electoral district, for the House or for the Senate or for state offices.

Well considering that is illegal, the most he can give is $0

Good argument otherwise tho.

Aridas · 13th September 2018, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by BeanieBaby

hurricanes are wet too MAGA

Pssh. Water helps plants grow. What we really want is more water! MORE WATER!

alfaniner · 13th September 2018, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by Aridas

Pssh. Water helps plants grow. What we really want is more water! MORE WATER!

Nuh-uh. Brawndo. It's got what plants crave.

Stacyhs · 13th September 2018, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by Solitaire

>snip<
P.S. Have the Russians taken back Alaska yet?

They can have Wasilla. Please.

TofuFighter · 14th September 2018, 02:39 AM

Originally Posted by dudalb

Several news sources reporting that Manafort and Mueller are nearing a plea deal.
If Manafort rats out,the meltdown is going to incredible ....

Pffft... Manafort is such a respectful, brave man and would never "break" or make up stories to get a "deal". Surely Trump would never turn on him.

Captain_Swoop · 14th September 2018, 02:53 AM

Trump Retweeted

Lou Dobbs
‏
More #FakeNews- The Hurricane Maria death tolls have been inflated & President @realDonaldTrump was right to call out organizations who threw out science and statistics to try to discredit his administration. #MAGA #TrumpTrain #Dobbs

Captain_Swoop · 14th September 2018, 02:55 AM

Trump Tweets

"John Kerry had illegal meetings with the very hostile Iranian Regime, which can only serve to undercut our great work to the detriment of the American people. He told them to wait out the Trump Administration! Was he registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act? BAD!"

The Great Zaganza · 14th September 2018, 03:09 AM

Trump's own Government Accountability Office criticized FEMA's work in Puerto Rico:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gao-rep...n-puerto-rico/

Darat · 14th September 2018, 03:18 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

Trump Tweets

"John Kerry had illegal meetings with the very hostile Iranian Regime, which can only serve to undercut our great work to the detriment of the American people. He told them to wait out the Trump Administration! Was he registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act? BAD!"

It really is a compulsion for him to try and hit out at those he perceives to be his enemies.

kellyb · 14th September 2018, 03:24 AM

Originally Posted by Darat

It really is a compulsion for him to try and hit out at those he perceives to be his enemies.

He's also chewing over Manafort's impending plea bargain (it was all over the news yesterday), where he's expected to flip on Trump in exchange for getting out of some of his prison time for not registering as a foreign agent.

Craig4 · 14th September 2018, 03:39 AM

Originally Posted by The Great Zaganza

Trump's own Government Accountability Office criticized FEMA's work in Puerto Rico:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gao-rep...n-puerto-rico/

Minor quibble, GAO is Congress's watchdog agency. The president appoints the head of it who also serves as the Comptroller General of the United States but can only choose from a list of candidates Congress presents him. OPM does the care and feeding of employees but they work for Congress.

alfaniner · 14th September 2018, 04:02 AM

Surprising. I have not heard the T-word on the news since about Tuesday. Even less about the release of Woodward's book. But I think they took care of most of that discussion last week.

Fast Eddie B · 14th September 2018, 05:49 AM

Originally Posted by Darat

It really is a compulsion for him to try and hit out at those he perceives to be his enemies.

Compulsion, or carefully crafted tactic?

Witnessed and distilled by Roy Cohn, refined by Roger Stone, handed down to Donald Trump.

Admittedly, I can see how, over time, a tactic of continual lying and reflexive attacking of “enemies” can become internalized. To historians it may prove to be an interesting case of a tactic morphing into a pathology.

We’ll see what happens!

The Great Zaganza · 14th September 2018, 05:54 AM

The Roy Cohn strategy only works if you aren't under the microscope.

Segnosaur · 14th September 2018, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by Stacyhs

Quote:

Several news sources reporting that Manafort and Mueller are nearing a plea deal.
If Manafort rats out,the meltdown is going to incredible ....

I hope someone has a smartphone and catches it.

Quick! Someone rehire Omarosa!

jimbob · 14th September 2018, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by Fast Eddie B

Compulsion, or carefully crafted tactic?

Witnessed and distilled by Roy Cohn, refined by Roger Stone, handed down to Donald Trump.

Admittedly, I can see how, over time, a tactic of continual lying and reflexive attacking of “enemies” can become internalized. To historians it may prove to be an interesting case of a tactic morphing into a pathology.

We’ll see what happens!

Cohn and Stone would have had to have had a Tardis to persuade Trump to have been so petty and vindictive all his life.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-a6795131.html

I do think that the attacks on the NFL might in part be due to the battle between the NFL and USFL where Trump didn't win.

lobosrul5 · 14th September 2018, 08:57 AM

So is this the end of the beginning?

Now that "brave man" manafort is taking a plea.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/paul...dlines_bsq_hed

Squeegee Beckenheim · 14th September 2018, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by jimbob

Cohn and Stone would have had to have had a Tardis to persuade Trump to have been so petty and vindictive all his life.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-a6795131.html

I do think that the attacks on the NFL might in part be due to the battle between the NFL and USFL where Trump didn't win.

That and them uppity *******.

13th September 2018, 01:50 PM	#2441
Paul2 Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,435	Originally Posted by dudalb I am now convinced unless a miracle happens, this country is headed for the worst trainwreck in it's history since the Civil War. Yes, and it may be - no, it already has been - a slow-moving, gradual train wreck, starting in the 1960s when Southern Democrats hated Johnson for the Civil Rights Act and moved to the Republican party, then got catered to by Nixon's Southern strategy, got further ensconced by the Moral Majority in the 1980s, went ballistic with the Tea party, and has been building up a head of steam throughout the last 50 years. It took a long time to get here, and I hope we can somehow turn things around in a (much) shorter length of time.
Paul2 Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,435	__________________ It's nice to be nice to the nice. Aristotle, so far as I know, was the first man to proclaim explicitly that man is a rational animal. His reason for this view was one which does not now seem very impressive: it was, that some people can do sums. - Bertrand Russell

13th September 2018, 01:50 PM	#2442
varwoche Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Puget Sound Posts: 11,374	The Imbecile-in-Chief denies that 3000 people died in Puerto Rico, because that many people didn't die during the actual hurricane event. FEMA has very little to do with mitigating the actual weather event. They come in afterwards. The fact that so many people died afterwards only increases the possibility that FEMA did a less than stellar job.
	__________________ To survive election season on a skeptics forum, one must understand Hymie-the-Robot.

13th September 2018, 01:53 PM	#2443
Pixel42 Schrödinger's cat Join Date: May 2004 Location: Malmesbury, UK Posts: 10,494	Originally Posted by Stacyhs Agreed. Getting re-elected becomes the dominating factor. Whereas with term limits, securing lucrative employment once your term is ended becomes the dominating factor. I'm not sure that's better.
	__________________ "If you trust in yourself ... and believe in your dreams ... and follow your star ... you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things" - Terry Pratchett

13th September 2018, 02:03 PM	#2444
dudalb Suspended Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 41,025	Originally Posted by Pixel42 Whereas with term limits, securing lucrative employment once your term is ended becomes the dominating factor. I'm not sure that's better. That was the one thing that kept me from supporting Term Limits, but now the craven behavior of the GOP congress in failing to carry out their basic duty of acting as a check to Presendential power has convinced me that we can afford a little greed a lot more then seeing our system of check balances go down the tubes because you want a lifelong career as a Congressman. I think we need to take away that option.
dudalb Suspended Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 41,025

13th September 2018, 02:14 PM	#2446
Sideroxylon Featherless biped Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aporia Posts: 19,240	Originally Posted by varwoche The Imbecile-in-Chief denies that 3000 people died in Puerto Rico, because that many people didn't die during the actual hurricane event. FEMA has very little to do with mitigating the actual weather event. They come in afterwards. The fact that so many people died afterwards only increases the possibility that FEMA did a less than stellar job. Not enough paper towels?
	__________________ 'The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool.' - Richard Feynman

13th September 2018, 02:11 PM	#2445
BobTheCoward Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 13,950	Originally Posted by dudalb That was the one thing that kept me from supporting Term Limits, but now the craven behavior of the GOP congress in failing to carry out their basic duty of acting as a check to Presendential power has convinced me that we can afford a little greed a lot more then seeing our system of check balances go down the tubes because you want a lifelong career as a Congressman. I think we need to take away that option. It isn't just the congressperson who wants a life long career... It is the majority of voters every two years.

13th September 2018, 02:52 PM	#2447
Dr. Keith Not a doctor. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 16,684	Originally Posted by Sideroxylon Not enough paper towels? Not enough arch on the paper towels.
	__________________ I once proposed a fun ban. Suffering is not a punishment not a fruit of sin, it is a gift of God. He allows us to share in His suffering and to make up for the sins of the world. -Mother Teresa

13th September 2018, 03:05 PM	#2448
Tsukasa Buddha Other (please write in) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NeverLand Posts: 14,682	Quote: House Republicans rejected an attempt by Democrats on Thursday to demand that the State Department turn over records related to President Donald Trump’s secretive one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. ... "Vladimir Putin is not our friend," Royce said, adding, "Helsinki was a squandered opportunity to challenge Vladimir Putin's false narratives on Ukraine, Syria and Russia's ongoing interference in our democracy." But, the demand for documents "is not a wise approach to oversight," he said. Linky. Republicans made a deal with the Devil, but its the rest of us that are paying the price.
	__________________ As cultural anthropologists have always said "human culture" = "human nature". You might as well put a fish on the moon to test how it "swims naturally" without the "influence of water". -Earthborn

13th September 2018, 03:23 PM	#2449
alfaniner Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 18,498	Originally Posted by Stacyhs Agreed. Getting re-elected becomes the dominating factor. I think that once the November elections are over, even some Republicans still remaining in office might be a little more forthcoming. The pressure of reelection is off for a few years.
	__________________ Science is self-correcting. Woo is self-contradicting.

13th September 2018, 03:55 PM	#2450
Minoosh Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 7,768	Originally Posted by Cain People have been saying as much for years when viral articles later get turned into books. The article was enough. I never wrote a book at all so I'm a fine one to talk.
Minoosh Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 7,768

13th September 2018, 04:01 PM	#2451
dudalb Suspended Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 41,025	Several news sources reporting that Manafort and Mueller are nearing a plea deal. If Manafort rats out,the meltdown is going to incredible ....
dudalb Suspended Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 41,025

13th September 2018, 04:39 PM	#2452
Stacyhs Illuminator Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 4,682	Originally Posted by dudalb Several news sources reporting that Manafort and Mueller are nearing a plea deal. If Manafort rats out,the meltdown is going to incredible .... I hope someone has a smartphone and catches it.
Stacyhs Illuminator Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 4,682

13th September 2018, 04:45 PM	#2453
Belz... Fiend God Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: In the details Posts: 73,440	Originally Posted by Paul2 Give as much money as you can to Democratic candidates who have a chance of beating their Republican rivals, in any electoral district, for the House or for the Senate or for state offices. Given how much we complain about money in politics and now foreigners trying to influence elections, I'm not going to do that.
	__________________ Master of the Shining Darkness

13th September 2018, 04:54 PM	#2454
dudalb Suspended Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 41,025	Originally Posted by Belz... Given how much we complain about money in politics and now foreigners trying to influence elections, I'm not going to do that. And it's not like I am going to put 100% trust in the Democratic party,either. I could easily see the Dems,in power, becoming just as power hungry and ruthless as the GOP. Power corrupts,end of story. Yes, I will vote democratic this November as an emergency measure, but ,frankly, I have no love for either of the major parties.
dudalb Suspended Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 41,025

13th September 2018, 05:15 PM	#2455
Trebuchet Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Great Northwet Posts: 18,240	Originally Posted by Regnad Kcin Not long ago I was struck by a realization, one I don’t anticipate unstriking me: Donald Trump is without morals. It was possible to figure his behavior present and past was due to differences in upbringing/education/career-path from the average person. We’ve all encountered bullies and cutthroats and liars and cheats, but deep down you knew they could, say, manage a little league team. Trump has none of it. No core, no base layer of good. Nothing. No signal, all static. Empty. John Barren. Not long ago? Have you been in a coma? It's been obvious for many years. Originally Posted by Ambrosia Some times it's better to light a flamethrower, than curse the darkness. - Terry Pratchett Elon Musk will sell you one.
	__________________ Cum catapultae proscribeantur tum soli proscripti catapultas habeant.

13th September 2018, 06:24 PM	#2456
Foolmewunz Grammar Resistance Leader TLA Dictator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pattaya, Thailand Posts: 38,844	Originally Posted by Darat Which to be fair is probably the most charitable thing he has ever done. Yes, because it equals all his munificent deeds. Handing out stuff that other people donated, just like his "found-ations" (hey, we found this money Stephanie McMahon left behind, let's spend it on some gilt and glitter).
	__________________ Ha! Foolmewunz has just been added to the list of people who aren't complete idiots. Hokulele It's not that liberals have become less tolerant. It's that conservatives have become more intolerable.

13th September 2018, 06:44 PM	#2457
Belz... Fiend God Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: In the details Posts: 73,440	Originally Posted by Foolmewunz Yes, because it equals all his munificent deeds. Handing out stuff that other people donated, just like his "found-ations" (hey, we found this money Stephanie McMahon left behind, let's spend it on some gilt and glitter). Happy birthday, by the way.
	__________________ Master of the Shining Darkness

13th September 2018, 06:54 PM	#2458
kellyb Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8,907	Trump tweets: "John Kerry had illegal meetings with the very hostile Iranian Regime, which can only serve to undercut our great work to the detriment of the American people. He told them to wait out the Trump Administration! Was he registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act? BAD!" lol
kellyb Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8,907	__________________ The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts ~ Bertrand Russell I am proud to say that Henry Kissinger is not my friend.

13th September 2018, 07:08 PM	#2459
SezMe post-pre-born Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 22,725	Originally Posted by dudalb Term limits, so that nobody can think of making a lifelong career of being in congress, is a good place to start. You're a fellow Californian - do you think term limits here have solved any problems? Politics seems to be the only job where accumulated expertise is a liability, not an asset.

13th September 2018, 07:23 PM	#2460
Solitaire Neoclinus blanchardi Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 2,183	Originally Posted by JoeMorgue Oh... oh my God I just got it. We're seeing a real world, actions instead of words version of a Gish Gallop. He's argumentative concepts like "not even wrong" and "wronger than wrong" made flesh. That's... scary. Because the only way to combat a Gish Gallop is to ignore it, and that's not an option in the real world. What? No... Back in December of 2015, I noticed that out of the 333 and a third million American people one could possibly elect as President of the United State, only Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump represented the best of the best, the top of the top. At that moment, I tuned out, turned off, and dropped in. Basically, I cancelled all my newspaper and magazine subscriptions, hauled all the televisions and radios in my house off to the dump to be squashed into a small cube, and then retired to a WWII bomb shelter three stories underground. Occasionally, I'll pop out of ground for an orange fruit and check these forums for the latest news, which does not surprise by the way. P.S. Have the Russians taken back Alaska yet?
	__________________ Be very careful what you put in your head, because you will never get it out again. — Phineas Gage

13th September 2018, 07:46 PM	#2461
quadraginta Becoming Beth Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central Vale of Humility Posts: 22,181	Originally Posted by dudalb And it's not like I am going to put 100% trust in the Democratic party,either. I could easily see the Dems,in power, becoming just as power hungry and ruthless as the GOP. Power corrupts,end of story. Yes, I will vote democratic this November as an emergency measure, but ,frankly, I have no love for either of the major parties. Over the course of the past century there have been times when the Dems had control of both the Executive and Legislative branches, and times when the GOP has. Given the established track record of the two, if I were to be compelled to choose one or the other, there is no question in my mind that the Dems would do less harm to the country.
	__________________ "It never does just what I want, but only what I tell it." "A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep." "Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened."

13th September 2018, 07:47 PM	#2462
kellyb Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8,907	Originally Posted by SezMe You're a fellow Californian - do you think term limits here have solved any problems? Politics seems to be the only job where accumulated expertise is a liability, not an asset. It seems to me like with term limits, institutional knowledge is exclusively limited to the corporations.
kellyb Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8,907	__________________ The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts ~ Bertrand Russell I am proud to say that Henry Kissinger is not my friend.

13th September 2018, 07:58 PM	#2463
The Big Dog Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 26,138	Originally Posted by Paul2 Give as much money as you can to Democratic candidates who have a chance of beating their Republican rivals, in any electoral district, for the House or for the Senate or for state offices. Well considering that is illegal, the most he can give is $0 Good argument otherwise tho.
	__________________ A proud member of a dissident religious group.

13th September 2018, 09:58 PM	#2464
Aridas Crazy Little Green Dragon Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,301	Originally Posted by BeanieBaby hurricanes are wet too MAGA Pssh. Water helps plants grow. What we really want is more water! MORE WATER!
	__________________ So sayeth the crazy little dragon.

13th September 2018, 11:31 PM	#2465
alfaniner Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 18,498	Originally Posted by Aridas Pssh. Water helps plants grow. What we really want is more water! MORE WATER! Nuh-uh. Brawndo. It's got what plants crave.
	__________________ Science is self-correcting. Woo is self-contradicting.

13th September 2018, 11:34 PM	#2466
Stacyhs Illuminator Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 4,682	Originally Posted by Solitaire >snip< P.S. Have the Russians taken back Alaska yet? They can have Wasilla. Please.
Stacyhs Illuminator Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 4,682

14th September 2018, 02:39 AM	#2467
TofuFighter Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,955	Originally Posted by dudalb Several news sources reporting that Manafort and Mueller are nearing a plea deal. If Manafort rats out,the meltdown is going to incredible .... Pffft... Manafort is such a respectful, brave man and would never "break" or make up stories to get a "deal". Surely Trump would never turn on him.
	__________________ "come on. Judas is meeting us at midnight with the getaway donkeys" Last edited by TofuFighter; 14th September 2018 at 02:40 AM.

14th September 2018, 02:53 AM	#2468
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 17,230	Trump Retweeted Lou Dobbs ‏ More #FakeNews- The Hurricane Maria death tolls have been inflated & President @realDonaldTrump was right to call out organizations who threw out science and statistics to try to discredit his administration. #MAGA #TrumpTrain #Dobbs

14th September 2018, 02:55 AM	#2469
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 17,230	Trump Tweets "John Kerry had illegal meetings with the very hostile Iranian Regime, which can only serve to undercut our great work to the detriment of the American people. He told them to wait out the Trump Administration! Was he registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act? BAD!"

14th September 2018, 03:09 AM	#2470
The Great Zaganza Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 4,658	Trump's own Government Accountability Office criticized FEMA's work in Puerto Rico: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gao-rep...n-puerto-rico/
	__________________ Opinion is divided on the subject. All the others say it is; I say it isn’t.

14th September 2018, 03:18 AM	#2471
Darat Lackey Administrator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: South East, UK Posts: 83,075	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop Trump Tweets "John Kerry had illegal meetings with the very hostile Iranian Regime, which can only serve to undercut our great work to the detriment of the American people. He told them to wait out the Trump Administration! Was he registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act? BAD!" It really is a compulsion for him to try and hit out at those he perceives to be his enemies.
	__________________ I wish I knew how to quit you

14th September 2018, 03:24 AM	#2472
kellyb Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8,907	Originally Posted by Darat It really is a compulsion for him to try and hit out at those he perceives to be his enemies. He's also chewing over Manafort's impending plea bargain (it was all over the news yesterday), where he's expected to flip on Trump in exchange for getting out of some of his prison time for not registering as a foreign agent.
kellyb Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8,907	__________________ The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts ~ Bertrand Russell I am proud to say that Henry Kissinger is not my friend.

14th September 2018, 03:39 AM	#2473
Craig4 Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Home to the Deep State. Posts: 16,919	Originally Posted by The Great Zaganza Trump's own Government Accountability Office criticized FEMA's work in Puerto Rico: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gao-rep...n-puerto-rico/ Minor quibble, GAO is Congress's watchdog agency. The president appoints the head of it who also serves as the Comptroller General of the United States but can only choose from a list of candidates Congress presents him. OPM does the care and feeding of employees but they work for Congress.

14th September 2018, 04:02 AM	#2474
alfaniner Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 18,498	Surprising. I have not heard the T-word on the news since about Tuesday. Even less about the release of Woodward's book. But I think they took care of most of that discussion last week.
	__________________ Science is self-correcting. Woo is self-contradicting.

14th September 2018, 05:49 AM	#2475
Fast Eddie B Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mineral Bluff, GA Posts: 5,245	Originally Posted by Darat It really is a compulsion for him to try and hit out at those he perceives to be his enemies. Compulsion, or carefully crafted tactic? Witnessed and distilled by Roy Cohn, refined by Roger Stone, handed down to Donald Trump. Admittedly, I can see how, over time, a tactic of continual lying and reflexive attacking of “enemies” can become internalized. To historians it may prove to be an interesting case of a tactic morphing into a pathology. We’ll see what happens!
	__________________ “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that...I will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” - President Donald J. Trump, January 20, 2017. "And it's, frankly, disgusting the way the press is able to write whatever they want to write. And people should look into it." - President Donald J. Trump, October 11, 2017.