The All Things Political Topic - Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is an absurd one

[rjshae]

The isolationist behavior of the US Republican party today is starting to resemble their behavior in the interwar period up to World War 2. Essentially they've come full circle, with Eisenhower leading the party away from isolationism and Trump bringing it back. It's not quite the same though, given Trump's preferred alignment with despotic state control and a lack of core principles (other than greed and ego).

[BruceVC]

2 hours ago, rjshae said:

The isolationist behavior of the US Republican party today is starting to resemble their behavior in the interwar period up to World War 2. Essentially they've come full circle, with Eisenhower leading the party away from isolationism and Trump bringing it back. It's not quite the same though, given Trump's preferred alignment with despotic state control and a lack of core principles (other than greed and ego).

I have learnt a lot about Trump now and what motivates him and how he can be used to push through certain agendas but the thought of him for another 4 years its not something I want to experience again. The Trump presidency had some good policies like the trade war with China to confirm how China can be challenged and  the tax cuts had some good outcomes

But I dont  think Biden should stand for another term, I would support Hilary Clinton? I think she was treated very badly last time and she deserves it after everything she has done for the US

Would you support her?

 

 

[Guard Dog]

2 hours ago, rjshae said:

The isolationist behavior of the US Republican party today is starting to resemble their behavior in the interwar period up to World War 2. Essentially they've come full circle, with Eisenhower leading the party away from isolationism and Trump bringing it back. It's not quite the same though, given Trump's preferred alignment with despotic state control and a lack of core principles (other than greed and ego).

Hell I WISH it was just an isolationist attitude. THAT is something I could at least understand. It's the segment that is actually CHEERING for Putin and the Russians that boggles my mind. Starting with Trump. I expected very little from him and God knows he has done almost naught but harm. But to praise the modern day Hitler for invading a sovereign state without (legitimate) provocation and even suggesting we do the same to Mexico is more than I can stomach. And then, then at least 1/3 of the rank and file Republicans AGREE with him. What the f--k happened to the GOP? When did they become the "bad guys". They were never the good guys but I used to hate them slightly less than the goddamned freedom hating Democrats. I don't know how we got here, but here we are. McCain, Reagan, Eisenhower, and Goldwater are rolling in their graves. I'm glad they are not here to see it. 

[Gfted1]

Florida legislature passes bill banning abortions after 15 weeks - CNNPolitics

[Darkpriest]

Predictable deflection by dems. Blame Putin for their retarded policies in the past and also the sanctions they themselves implement. 

https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/video-reporter-refuses-accept-psakis-attempt-blame-russia-gas-price-surge

[Zoraptor]

Supposedly Iran has launched a bunch of ballistic missiles at a US base (or consulate? sources differ) in Irbil Iraq.

No confirmation from media yet, but if it's fake someone has gone to a lot of trouble with the footage.

US consulate hit, no casualties (unsurprising, as it's under construction) per US ABC.

[Zoraptor]

Double post, but it definitely wasn't the US consulate that was hit (in blue below). It was some random* compound (purple) next to the Kurdistan24 channel (red) a few hundred metres away from the consulate.

Didn't even rate a mention on the BBC news report this morning NZ time and barely made the front page of even Al Jazeera.

*allegedly owned by Muhammed bin Salman, Saudi crown prince, so maybe not that random. And a supposed response to Israel assassinating two IRGC officers in Syria last week.

[Gfted1]

Pfft, the Fateh-110 is weaksauce. Luckily they didnt use the Fateh-313 (NATO codename Brainbuster) or everyone in the compound would have caught a TBI.

[Malcador]

Interesting way to send a message regardless.

[Darkpriest]

The nerve or stupidity... 

Must be proud, or some kind of new social justice version of a math... 

 

[ComradeYellow]

 

I dunno guys I'm personally liking this new MAGA.  The 2016 version I just saw as pro-Israel American reactionary extremism you see in Stephen King movies but looks like they're warming up to pro-Eastern sentiments.

2024 ought to be a doozy whoever runs

[BruceVC]

https://news.yahoo.com/wikileaks-assange-denied-permission-appeal-170235575.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

Assange has been denied his appeal in the UK SC around the extradition to the US 

Maybe we can finally get closure on this, once he is in the US he can face the 18 charges or so  he is accused of and then if he is innocent he will  walk free 

The US is not some banana republic or Russia and people facing criminal charges are not automictically guilty and their is a court process which we should all respect 

 

[Zoraptor]

2 British Iranian prisoners freed today. Quite possibly another sign that the nuJCPOA is moving closer.

Though by the purest of pure coincidences, Britain also recently paid back the 400 million quid they stole from Iran for tanks Britain never delivered. These were parallel events though, and completely unrelated. Much like that Iranian tanker seized off Gibraltar being coincidentally released when the Iranians nabbed a british tanker in the Straits of Hormuz.

[Sarex]

Aaaah the world we live in...

[Gorth]

Who said barter economy was dead?

 

The floods are finally receding in east Australia. Now starts the political **** fight over why the Federal Government refused to let the armed forces help in regions that vote for the opposition party...

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-12/scott-morrison-flood-qld-emergency-call-adf-boosts-numbers/100905714

"We have the Fijians coming through, a US Navy ship (USS Frank Cable) is pulling up and 100 sailors from the US Navy will start working in Brisbane in the coming days," Major General David Thomae said.

On Friday night, Mr Morrison visited the Governor-General to sign a national emergency declaration for flood-affected communities in New South Wales.

A day earlier, he said he would make the declaration for parts of Queensland, even though Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was not needed anymore as the state had entered the recovery phase of the disaster.

 

I.e. true to form, The Liberal Party (ALP) delivering too little and too late to make any (positive) difference for Australians.

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-16/liberal-upper-house-mp-to-quit-over-flood-funding/100914460

A Liberal upper house MP is resigning and a Northern Rivers mayor has gone to the Governor-General over concerns about perceived favouritism in the allocation of federal flood assistance.
Key points:

Communities in the Labor-held seat of Richmond are yet to receive extra disaster relief from the Commonwealth
Liberal upper house MP says she's quitting politics because of "unethical" funding
Ballina Mayor complains to Governor-General about delays getting support for flood victims

Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week announced extra financial support would be available immediately for people in Lismore, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley local government areas (LGAs), which all sit in the Nationals-held seat of Page.

 

Being a Patron, I've seen the preview of the upcoming "Honest Government Ads" on the subject (of selective spending of federal tax funds to ALP seats). Will post it once the public version is available. Almost as bad as when Morrison appropriated hundreds of millions of dollars ear marked for supporting grass root sport for young Australians, to build facilities like fields and gyms in impoverished areas and spend it all on luxury indoor swimming pools and recreational facilities in some of the most affluent areas where his constituents live.

[Gorth]

 

[BruceVC]

53 minutes ago, Gorth said:

 

Brilliant as usual, I love the " but if  Putin had done  it  we would have imposed  sanctions " 

Edited March 18, 2022 by BruceVC

[Gorth]

Just now, BruceVC said:

Brilliant as usual, I love the " but if  Putin had done  we would have imposed  sanctions " 

I honestly found it a bit "toothless" and tame compared to some of their usual offerings, but hey, it's free. I know I'm a patreon, but that is by choice, not by necessity. I do find they ruffle some feathers that needs ruffling.

[BruceVC]

Just now, Gorth said:

I honestly found it a bit "toothless" and tame compared to some of their usual offerings, but hey, it's free. I know I'm a patreon, but that is by choice, not by necessity. I do find they ruffle some feathers that needs ruffling.

One of brothers has just discovered this and sent me this specific video, I told him I have been aware of  Juice Media for 18 months or so since you shared these videos on this forum 

I sent him a link where he can watch previous videos, he is very impressed and has is going to watch them this weekend 

[Raithe]

 

[Gorth]

Good thing the world still have great humanitarians, like Belarus' Lukashenko (sp?), offering political asylum to persecuted Americans from the fascist dictatorship that is the US...

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60843262

A California man suspected of taking part in the US Capitol riots last year has been granted asylum in Belarus.

Evan Neumann fled the US after being charged in connection with the riots.

The 48-year-old first settled in Ukraine, before reaching Belarus where he asked for asylum - claiming he faced "political persecution" in the US.

 

[Guard Dog]

I am please to announce my endorsement for the 2024 US election. And much earlier than usual!

[Hurlshort]

4 hours ago, Gorth said:

Good thing the world still have great humanitarians, like Belarus' Lukashenko (sp?), offering political asylum to persecuted Americans from the fascist dictatorship that is the US...

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60843262

A California man suspected of taking part in the US Capitol riots last year has been granted asylum in Belarus.

Evan Neumann fled the US after being charged in connection with the riots.

The 48-year-old first settled in Ukraine, before reaching Belarus where he asked for asylum - claiming he faced "political persecution" in the US.

 

What an American Patriot. This seems like a win for the US. Oh no, some loon fled the country instead of serving his 30 days in jail and community service. What a blow to the US justice system. 

[Gromnir]

9 hours ago, Hurlsnot said:

What an American Patriot. This seems like a win for the US. Oh no, some loon fled the country instead of serving his 30 days in jail and community service. What a blow to the US justice system. 

let's not judge too harsh. after all, this libertarian patriot were being criminalized for nothing save protesting the injustice o' what he believed were a tainted election. so, in an effort to escape the tyrannical oppression o' a justice system which chooses to ignore fundamental rights o' free speech and association, our misunderstood hero emigrated to... belarus? 

sorry, is not possible to carry the joke forward and am wondering if even the board's most obtuse defenders o' oppressive regimes is gonna be able to make a convincing argument that belarus is an attractive destination point for those who believe it is the duty o' patriots to challenge government excess by means o' unfettered speech and free congress.

moving on am gonna make a few observations 'bout the predictable ketanji brown jackson circus.

1) crt is a similar unfunny joke the gop is indulging and they are using a national platform to magnify the republican party's new focus on naught save grievance and victimhood.

we would say more on this, but have kinda done-to-death crt. were nothing in the months past and is even more nothing today. nevertheless, white americans, fearing they is increasing marginalized 'cause folks such as tucker carlson tells 'em they should be afraid, has glomped onto an issue so utter devoid o' substance it beggars even our prodigious imagination.

2) am shamefaced at our own surprise regarding the gop attack on ketanji brown jackson's work as a federal public defender.

am trying to wrap our noodle 'round this complaint. the argument put forth by lindsay graham and others is that judge jackson while working as a public defender were too zealous in her advocacy o' the cases o' suspected terrorists?

...

serious?

as an attorney it were jackson's ethical duty to do everything legal and aboveboard to defend her clients. any kid graduating US high school shoulda' learned this truth at some point, yes? is not some kinda special rule o' exclusion requiring a duty o' utmost loyalty and a zealous advocacy when the crimes to which the defendants is accused is particular heinous.

and btw, is just lucky for some o' these clowns john mccain is dead, 'cause ketanji brown jackson filling briefs complaining that the use o' torture should be deemed unconstitutional and is unquestionable immoral is hardly a matter which legitimizes targeting her for scurrilous criticism. 

the biden doj ending this bs is one o' things nobody is gonna talk 'bout in months leading up to november 2022 or 2024, but it deserves recognition. gop is clear on the wrong side o' this and those defending were far more quiet when john mccain were in the room. 

3) child porn cases

*eye roll*

am linking analysis from national review and wapo, so take your pick.

quoting the national review analysis: "There is so little rain here for all the big wind, it’s hard to believe this is an issue."

is arguable one case wherein judge brown went with a sentence low enough to get an obligatory spock raised eyebrow from Gromnir. am thinking there is legit questions as to the sentence in the sears case. however, is also noteworthy judge jackson afterwards did not grant the defendant compassionate release for medical reasons and the prosecutor did not seek to appeal the sentence. sears is also a singular exception to otherwise pedestrian sentencing from judge jackson which falls square w/i what would be deemed ordinary by even a casual observer o' the fed courts.

4) the circus is what the Court has brought 'pon itself.

"What makes all this relevant to the bothersome application of "political pressure" against the Court are the twin facts that the American people love democracy and the American people are not fools. As long as this Court thought (and the people thought) that we Justices were doing essentially lawyers' work up here--reading text and discerning our society's traditional understanding of that text--the public pretty much left us alone. Texts and traditions are facts to study, not convictions to demonstrate about. But if in reality our process of constitutional adjudication consists primarily of making value judgments; if we can ignore a long and clear tradition clarifying an ambiguous text, as we did, for example, five days ago in declaring unconstitutional invocations and benedictions at public high school graduation ceremonies, Lee v. Weisman, 505 U. S. ___ (1992); if, as I say, our pronouncement of constitutional law rests primarily on value judgments, then a free and intelligent people's attitude towards us can be expected to be (ought to be) quite different. The people know that their value judgments are quite as good as those taught in any law school--maybe better. If, indeed, the "liberties" protected by the Constitution are, as the Court says, undefined and unbounded, then the people should demonstrate, to protest that we do not implement their values instead of ours. Not only that, but confirmation hearings for new Justices should deteriorate into question and answer sessions in which Senators go through a list of their constituents' most favored and most disfavored alleged constitutional rights, and seek the nominee's commitment to support or oppose them. Value judgments, after all, should be voted on, not dictated; and if our Constitution has somehow accidently committed them to the Supreme Court, at least we can have a sort of plebiscite each time a new nominee to that body is put forward." --J Scalia, planned parenthood v. casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992)

in recent decades the Court has made itself fair game for accusations o' political bias. in the past so-called activist judges, most often favoured by liberals, were the most frequent targets o' such criticism, but today is arguable clarence thomas, J. brett kavanauagh and J. sonia sontamayor is all indistinguishable as naked political creatures with the so-called conservatives in no way elevating the discourse or distancing themselves from the partisan fray. 

HA! Good Fun!

ps in our estimation, clarence thomas no longer deserves the traditional "J." removed.

Edited March 24, 2022 by Gromnir

[Hurlshort]

Well, not all Republicans are tilting at windmills: https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/utah-governor-becomes-latest-republican-veto-transgender-sports-ban-rcna21116

Sanity prevails!