Guard Dog

Just watched Brazil beat Russia in Women's Beach Volleyball. Now watching the Women's Archery. The bows have sights, torque compensators, etc. There is no sport in this. Also watched US vs China in Men's Basketball. There wasn't much sport in that either! I can't get out of my chair! I'm addicted to this. I was up half the night and slept right here.

lol Try to roleplay as a paladin or champion some time, it's super fun, it's awesome! I'd try this but the armor and sword in public just causes everyone to freak out. And the cops don't like it much either.

They are considering it as your source says. Flag itself might be harmless but who knows the context of it. From my limited observations, some people who fly that and act like some sort of uber patriot revolutionary badass always seem to be the type to say sand **** or hate the darkies. Posting on mobile is hard I have one. I don't check off any of those boxes. As for the context, it seems to me they are so sure of the almighty infallibility of the state that they can decide the context for themselves. Despite the fact the flag is not connected to racism in any way, we the almighty government have decided it's racist and if you have one or disagree then YOU are racist. Dissent will not be tolerated! You know I can almost see the row over the Confederate Flag (although the St. Andrew's Cross flag was NOT the CSA flag but what the f--k ever) because it was turning up on State Government property. Fine, that probably is inappropriate. They went to far when they not just demanded it be removed from war memorials but the memorials themselves be removed. And by and large they (the left) is getting it's way. Now that they've taken that inch this is the next part of the ruler they want.

This is the single funniest thing I have ever posted... anywhere!

First they came for the confederate flags, now they are coming for the Gadsen Flags (which by the way comes from the Revolutionary War and has nothing what-so-ever to do with racism). The United States Government had decided the Gadsen Flag is racist. https://beinglibertarian.com/federal-government-says-dont-tread-merchandise-harassment/ Next on the list your State Flag and any military service flags you might own.

Watching France vs Australia in basketball. There are a few players on each with NCAA & NBA experience but for the most part these teams are not that good. The 76'ers would walk all over them.

I'll be honest, the chance of the USA being destroyed internally is as likely as suggesting Mexico could invade the USA, defeat the USA militarily and make the USA part of Mexico Its theoretically possible but highly unlikely I disagree. It is by far the most likely end of the US as a unified institution if that end does happen. All it would take is one heavy handed act by the government. Barack Obama has driven up more debt than all the 43 Presidents before him. Think about that for a minute. The US has been in a budgetary deficit since 2003. That is 13 years it has spent more than it has taken in. That will not change under either Clinton or Trump. The third rail of government, Social Security will be insolvent in a few years. The continued security and functionality of the US is a lot less stable than you might think. Now that does not mean the end of the road is close. This can still be fixed. But neither Clinton nor Trump is talking about spending less. Johnson is. The Federal Government nearly triggered an armed insurrection a few years ago in Nevada because it heavy-handedly escalated a grazing rights dispute that should have been handled in court. Instead that charged in, confiscated land and cattle and beat the hell out of and pointed weapons at anyone who objected. Next thing you know citizens were pointing weapons at them. I joke around here a bit but I want you to know I am being completely serious. If they ever decide to prohibit and confiscate firearms I will die they day them come for mine. And I will kill as many as I can before I do. It can happen very easily Bruce. That does not mean it will but the price of Liberty is eternal vigilance. And the biggest threat to our liberty has always been right here in our own borders.

The destruction of the US will not come from outside it's borders. If it comes It will come from a plot of drained marsh land between Virginia and Maryland on the Potomac River. And of the political candidates that are able to win the Presidency in 2016 only one is talking about doing something that will decrease that threat. The other two are talking about empowering it further.

Until you get to the tax and regulation part. And gun control. And free speech, Federalism, and education. But that is the nice thing about the LP. It's got half a sandwich for everyone! Yeah, open borders and open zippers. Well they lost me on the open borders part but it would be a stretch to agree with any candidate 100%. If you ever see a "perfect" candidate let me know.

Until you get to the tax and regulation part. And gun control. And free speech, Federalism, and education. But that is the nice thing about the LP. It's got half a sandwich for everyone!

And away we go! ttps://www.yahoo.com/news/shooting-american-thrasher-wins-first-gold-games-140536631--oly.html USA wins gold in 10M air rifle. She's using a stand? How is that a sport? Anyone can hit a target using a rest. Make them shoot offhand I say!

I agree. They are not working together. In fact most see themselves as being in competition yet they are mostly saying the same things. It's just a real life example of Orwell's "Groupthink" And I'll tell you something else. If Johnson gets into the debate and actually mounts a challenge to a Clinton coronation they will turn on him like a school of piranha that smells blood. CNN especially is talking him up because they think he hurts Trump.

That is a interesting article, it raises some relevant points but I dispute the core message or several core points for example " The media bear a lot of responsibility for the creation of Trump, and treating all Republican presidential candidates as if they’re a danger to American society is just one way they’ve done it. It’s unlikely that the media are going to en-masse recognize their bias, but perhaps if the Trump campaign has taught the media anything, it’s to ratchet down the rhetoric so that words mean something again " What amazes me is that even in the USA the media gets unfairly blamed or there contribution towards a certain social dynamic is exaggerated The media did not create Trump or encourage his rise to the Republican candidacy, this is a spurious assessment. Trump was strategic and had his 5-6 political objectives right from the beginning, the media would naturally discuss any view any candidate may have but because Trump was so contriversial of course he had media focus You cannot blame the media for reporting on a story, if anything Trump used the media to gain significance Also Romney was no where seen globally in the same negative light as Trump, the worst and most memorable thing he must have said was the 47 % comment about people wanting handouts from government. So yes he was seen as a wealthy, callous elitist but he never created the offense Trump has Romney was not the problem for the GOP, he never was .....Trump has created the real issues The problem is as the column pointed out, Romney was portrayed as this terrible, anti-American villain. As was McCain, Bush before him, Dole before him, Reagan before them. The media is so closely aligned with the left that every Republican candidate is described as the biggest threat to the future of the country since Hitler and so on. The problem is now we have a candidate who might actually deserve that description and no one is listening because the media has ruined it's own credibility. People read how terrible Trump is and think they've heard it all before. It's like the boy who cried wolf. When the wolf actually shows up no one believes him. I understand the criticism but I think its unfair or inaccurate, for example ask any other forum member living outside the USA what they thought about Romney and how the media in their country portrayed him I'll be surprised if most people will say he was seen as a villain or as controversial as Trump? You're making my point for me Bruce. Of course Romney wasn't a monster. But the Media gladly portrayed him that way. Now they are portraying Trump that way and people just think "well there they go again". Calling everyone a monster who isn't just just inure's people to the language so they don't believe it when the actual monster shows up.

That is a interesting article, it raises some relevant points but I dispute the core message or several core points for example " The media bear a lot of responsibility for the creation of Trump, and treating all Republican presidential candidates as if they’re a danger to American society is just one way they’ve done it. It’s unlikely that the media are going to en-masse recognize their bias, but perhaps if the Trump campaign has taught the media anything, it’s to ratchet down the rhetoric so that words mean something again " What amazes me is that even in the USA the media gets unfairly blamed or there contribution towards a certain social dynamic is exaggerated The media did not create Trump or encourage his rise to the Republican candidacy, this is a spurious assessment. Trump was strategic and had his 5-6 political objectives right from the beginning, the media would naturally discuss any view any candidate may have but because Trump was so contriversial of course he had media focus You cannot blame the media for reporting on a story, if anything Trump used the media to gain significance Also Romney was no where seen globally in the same negative light as Trump, the worst and most memorable thing he must have said was the 47 % comment about people wanting handouts from government. So yes he was seen as a wealthy, callous elitist but he never created the offense Trump has Romney was not the problem for the GOP, he never was .....Trump has created the real issues The problem is as the column pointed out, Romney was portrayed as this terrible, anti-American villain. As was McCain, Bush before him, Dole before him, Reagan before them. The media is so closely aligned with the left that every Republican candidate is described as the biggest threat to the future of the country since Hitler and so on. The problem is now we have a candidate who might actually deserve that description and no one is listening because the media has ruined it's own credibility. People read how terrible Trump is and think they've heard it all before. It's like the boy who cried wolf. When the wolf actually shows up no one believes him.

Interesting take: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/05/how-paul-krugman-made-donald-trump-possible.html

I'm doing the same thing actually. The issue is that it's costing me about 4 months worth of work per year before you factor in books and all that stuff. It could be worse and blah blah blah but it's pretty god damn awful as it is and it feels like my life is a Springsteen song. KP, the best solution and the obvious one is for you to join the military for a few years. It would be the best thing for you but I understand this is not feasible as you have commitments to your mom? I don't think KP is the type to take that option. But since he is already pretty far along if he were I'd say look into ROTC.

Yeah I should point out the GI Bill paid for all of my classes at Broward Community College.

I don't want to brag KP but I got a BSEE from Florida Atlantic University with NO student debt. I took my first two years in a Community College and I worked full time for the entirety of my education. Of course that meant it took 10 years but I walked out owning nothing to anyone.

Wellllll in theory if not necessarily in practice.

It's collective control over production and distribution. You can argue what ownership is till your face turns blue, but if you think "anything the state does" is socialism you're illiterate. I don't think he thinks socialism is "anything the state does". His definition is probably "anything the state does that I don't like". You two do realize that i'm from a Socialist country, right? Socialism is the state owning the means of production; what this entail can be anything in the private sector from agriculture to recreation. It is state owned and the state reaps the benefits. If you actually believe that in Socialism the state is a collective of the people or that they have the best interests of the people in mind you're sorely mistaken. No don't tell them. I've been getting a real laugh watching them explain how socialism really works to YOU!

I'm in for $10

This is cool!

New Johnson/Weld ad released in conjunction with their CNN appearance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gCSTFaibOg

GD does this mean the Libertarian party will become a permanent political party and voting option going forward in the USA? Like Amentep said they are already a permanent political party. But not a very large or wealthy one. The LP relies almost entirely on individual contributions and membership dues. But as far as becoming an actual political force in the US, maybe, maybe not. A good performance in this election will help. Ballot access is a huge undertaking for the LP. It requires a lot of money and a lot of man hours. If Johnson/Weld can pull in 5% of the popular vote the LP candidate in 2020 will automatically be on the ballot. That is big. But 5% of the vote would not be all that impressive with two weak candidates like we have now. 10% or better or even winning one State would go a long way to carving out a niche as the real "3rd Party". That would change the dynamic in other areas too. Right now some 3k political positions in the US are held by Libertarians. But not one at the Federal level or in any State Senate and only four in State Houses. That has to change. Success for Johnson/Weld would look like this IMO: 1) Get into the debates. If this doesn't happen, nothing else does. 2) Perform well enough there to raise brand awareness. Too many people still don't know who or what the party stands for. I would say most Americans like the Democrats on some things and the Republicans on others. The LP message of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness Free from Government Intrusion (or assistance) might be just the mix folks will respond to.3) Get at least 5% of the popular vote. Hopefully a lot more. 15% to 20% would make the news everywhere and that will help with candidacies in congressional, state and local elections in 2018. This has happened before. The Republicans in 1854, the Progressive Party in 1912 and The Reform Party in 1992. The former went on to win the Presidency and most of Congress in 1860. The latter two flamed out and were gone within 10 years. The LP won't disappear they way they did but it may implode back to a movement no one gives a crap about. I'm hoping it follows the path of the Republicans. Right now the LP is the only and I do mean ONLY party that is talking about limited government and out of control spending right now. It is the only party talking about disentangling ourselves from combat in the middle east. That needs to happen. We need that voice on the national stage. I do not want to see the Republicans go the way of the Whigs. I'd like to see all three healthy and competitive. The Green Party too. The Democrats have long since abandoned their voters. They have never had full ballot access but if they did they should have a voice also. Well I think its a worthwhile endeavor to support them, I dont think you can give too much attention to this type of campaign I'm glad there is another political party you identify with. As I said earlier I watched an interview with guys from LP and they seemed very sincere and candid Well, I have tended to vote against the Democrats for reasons I have made clear here time and again. That led me to supporting Bush in 2000, McCain in 2008, and Romney in 2012. I didn't think very highly of any of them. But their opponents were simply intolerable to me. In 1996, 2004, and 2016 BOTH the R and the D are intolerable so it is an easy choice for me this year. But as I posted earlier I'm done with voting "against" someone. Unless something changes I've probably cast my last vote for a Republican presidential candidate. If that means climbing on Rocinante's back and charging the "giants" on the hill, well, saddle up and ride.