US Elections 2016

[Guard Dog]

The funny thing is if Bernie Sanders dropped dead right now the very first thing I'd think is Hillary is behind it somehow. There is a very long list of suspicious deaths of people who were on the wrong side of the Clintons. None of it has ever been proven but where there is that much smoke there is a fire somewhere!

[Wrath of Dagon]

 

The regimes he expressed admiration for (in general, not their specific actions) were responsible for deaths of tens of millions of innocent people.

Yes, and in the case of the Soviet Union and China also brought around an industrialization that benefited millions while ushering in scientific progress that outpaced the US for a time and Cuba has a medical system that outperforms the US(unless you happen to be well-off) to this day. Butclearly old comrade Bernie was excited at the thought of the gulags and not any of that.

 

Oh, OK, I guess mass murder is OK so long as it brings industrialization. (Also many famines, also Soviet industrialization was for military purposes and way behind US, and Chinese under Mao was almost non-existent). Are you sure you're not LoF?

 

Edit: No wonder Sanders wants Socialism, he can't do anything except run for office: http://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/bernie-sanders-the-bum-who-wants-your-money/

 

Edit 2: Btw, on the subject of drugs, the only reason that wasn't a problem in communist countries was because they were police states, with lots of surveillance. As an alternative, in the Soviet Union people drunk themselves to death.

Edited January 28, 2016 by Wrath of Dagon

[Calax]

The funny thing is if Bernie Sanders dropped dead right now the very first thing I'd think is Hillary is behind it somehow. There is a very long list of suspicious deaths of people who were on the wrong side of the Clintons. None of it has ever been proven but where there is that much smoke there is a fire somewhere!

To be fair, I heard somebody posited that this primary is basically "Hillary!" for the democrats, and if Hillary is pulled off the ticket because of something stupid (Like her political opponents getting her charged with treason) Biden will show up like "WHATTUP! I'm your new establishment!" and take all her votes while undoing all the damage the republicans had put together on her in one fell swoop.

[Wrath of Dagon]

Isn't it too late for Biden to get on the ballot if Hilzilla is forced to withdraw? I thought the deadlines passed last fall.

[Barothmuk]

Oh, OK, I guess mass murder is OK so long as it brings industrialization.

Stuff like this is why I lost interest in studying Soviet history outside of personal reading. You can't say something as innocuous as the Soviet Union saw mass improvements in literacy, infrastructure, life expectancy and so on without triggering some conservative into accusations of Stalinism and support for mass murder.

 

Everything is black and white with these people.

[Calax]

Isn't it too late for Biden to get on the ballot if Hilzilla is forced to withdraw? I thought the deadlines passed last fall.

Nope. Ultimately it's up to the party about where and when to set the deadlines for everything. The only time anyone is really locked out is at the convention when they declare their nominee. It may reek badly of something, but nothing is set in stone until that nominee appears.

[PK htiw klaw eriF]

Oh, OK, I guess mass murder is OK so long as it brings industrialization.

Not what I said. Again "one can admire specific qualities or actions without wanting to emulate something wholesale". Just like one can admire the founding fathers of the US without wanting to enslave Africans and count them as 3/5ths of a person to boost representative power.

 

(Also many famines, also Soviet industrialization was for military purposes and way behind US, and Chinese under Mao was almost non-existent).

Soviets beat the US when it came to space tech when they were still rural 40 years before hand, not to mention improved the infrastructure and standard of living of what was largely a state at least 100 years behind the rest of Europe. China transitioned from a primitive agricultural society to one with modern(for the time period) power systems and industry. And Cuba still has better healthcare than the US. All things someone from 1970's might find admirable when living through stagflation with little options for healthcare.

 

Are you sure you're not LoF?

Positive.

 

Edit 2: Btw, on the subject of drugs, the only reason that wasn't a problem in communist countries was because they were police states, with lots of surveillance. As an alternative, in the Soviet Union people drunk themselves to death.

And that doesn't change the fact that Americans are turning to drugs and media to escape life. This doesn't cease to be a state that collapsed over 20 years ago did something bad.

[Guard Dog]

KP is not LoF. He's smarter, not nasty, consistent and probably better company at a party. Especially if top shelf booze was being served.

 

The only great thing about LoF is he used to forget what name he was signed in on and post something out of character for that alt. That was great.

[Wrath of Dagon]

Russian economy was the fastest growing in Europe before the revolution. They really didn't accomplish anything the other European countries didn't accomplish except starve their own people repeatedly. The standard of living was always way behind the West, and any so called technological or scientific accomplishments came about because huge resources were dedicated to that instead of improving people's lives, very much like North Korea developing nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles while their people are starving. And I'm pretty sure you'd get better healthcare in any public clinic in the US than in Cuba, certainly they don't have any modern drugs or equipment.

[Barothmuk]

North Korea hasn't had a famine in over 16 years.

[Rostere]

The funny thing is Bernie actually does better among the general population than Hillary according to polls, so assuming he manages to overcome the Democratic Party machine they will have helped bring in a candidate both more hostile to their interests into the presidency.

 

Absolutely hilarious.

 

Indeed, that was my point (but the ads are hilarious in themselves too, the guy doing them can't be paid enough).

 

And more on electability.

[PK htiw klaw eriF]

Russian economy was the fastest growing in Europe before the revolution.

Yes, because of rapid industrialization largely funded by french loans. Just like the Soviet continuation of industrialization, it had some short-term negative consequences including a famine and terrible living conditions for workers.

 

They really didn't accomplish anything the other European countries didn't accomplish except starve their own people repeatedly. The standard of living was always way behind the West, and any so called technological or scientific accomplishments came about because huge resources were dedicated to that instead of improving people's lives, very much like North Korea developing nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles while their people are starving.

So pioneering space exploration is now only a "so called accomplishment" that all the other European countries were doing? I was under the impression that getting into space a pretty big deal and that the Soviets managed to do it first in everything but landing on the moon.

 

And I'm pretty sure you'd get better healthcare in any public clinic in the US than in Cuba, certainly they don't have any modern drugs or equipment.

Not really.

 

And while all this is interesting, none of it changes the fact that Bernie Sanders has consistently opposed surveillance of American Citizens throughout his time as a legislator of the US government.

[Rostere]

I have really enjoyed reading the various hit pieces on Trump by the good old retards in the neo-con posse, and the reactions (here and here). Trump has correctly called the Iraq war out for the stupid project it was, and now a lot of the proponents of useless wars in the Middle East have reached a remarkable level of butthurt.

 

Here and here are some more pieces by Pat Buchanan on Trump's rise. I wouldn't want Trump as my leader myself, but I must say that now in hindsight it seems stupid to not have realized his potential, and predicted his rise. I would even say that this election might be the formative event of the century for the GOP. Trump's opponents are already doing their best to emulate him, I can only imagine that other party functionaries will follow.

[Wrath of Dagon]

So pioneering space exploration is now only a "so called accomplishment" that all the other European countries were doing? I was under the impression that getting into space a pretty big deal and that the Soviets managed to do it first in everything but landing on the moon.

And they never could land on the moon, because they were technologically backwards. Being first in space isn't worth living in an oppressive, dreary and hopeless society.

 

Not really.

Nothing in that article contradicts what I said.

 

And while all this is interesting, none of it changes the fact that Bernie Sanders has consistently opposed surveillance of American Citizens throughout his time as a legislator of the US government.

While admiring murderous totalitarian regimes, which makes him both an idiot and a hypocrite.

 

Edit:

 

I have really enjoyed reading the various hit pieces on Trump by the good old retards in the neo-con posse, and the reactions (here and here). Trump has correctly called the Iraq war out for the stupid project it was, and now a lot of the proponents of useless wars in the Middle East have reached a remarkable level of butthurt.

 

Here and here are some more pieces by Pat Buchanan on Trump's rise. I wouldn't want Trump as my leader myself, but I must say that now in hindsight it seems stupid to not have realized his potential, and predicted his rise. I would even say that this election might be the formative event of the century for the GOP. Trump's opponents are already doing their best to emulate him, I can only imagine that other party functionaries will follow.

Here's another good one : http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/01/donald-trump-is-shocking-vulgar-and-right-213572

 

“It’s true you have better hair than I do,” Trump said matter-of-factly. “But I get more **** than you do.”

Edited January 30, 2016 by Wrath of Dagon

[Hurlshort]

Here's another good one : http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/01/donald-trump-is-shocking-vulgar-and-right-213572

 

 

 

Congrats, a decent article from a decent site.  

[Calax]

Russian economy was the fastest growing in Europe before the revolution. They really didn't accomplish anything the other European countries didn't accomplish except starve their own people repeatedly. The standard of living was always way behind the West, and any so called technological or scientific accomplishments came about because huge resources were dedicated to that instead of improving people's lives, very much like North Korea developing nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles while their people are starving. And I'm pretty sure you'd get better healthcare in any public clinic in the US than in Cuba, certainly they don't have any modern drugs or equipment.

... Just gonna point out a lot of this was because the Russians got hit by the same factors as Europe, and responded in the opposite ways... in the 14 and 1500's. Basically when "Middle class" was becoming a thing because the plague ravaged Europe couldn't continue to support a feudal society. The Russians turned around and clamped down HARD on the lower classes ensuring that Serfdom survived for a LONG time (through Napoleonic times even).  One thing Russia has always been good at is MASSIVE shifts in their industrial and logistical chain (these were the guys who managed to make a multi-thousand mile supply chain stretch from Moscow to Paris... with horses and carriages) in a VERY short amount of time.

 

The difference between the Soviet mentality, and the American one is that ultimately, "IN Soviet Russia!" the ideal was that you're making something awesome to make the entire nation benefit. In America, you make something awesome to shove extra money in your pocket. Admittedly I haven't done much research on the mentalities of the soviet population at the time, but it seems like it would have been an easy thing to convince the average population that they are just pieces of the machine working towards a better future, even if they sacrifice the self for it.

 

God, I'm gonna be happy to stop hearing about how terrible person X or Y is on my radios at work. Seriously, even the pop stations have Bernie and Hil-dog talking about how we should vote for them (and the alternative station has... of all people JEB! throwing out ads.)

[Rostere]

Edit:Here's another good one : http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/01/donald-trump-is-shocking-vulgar-and-right-213572

Yeah, that seems to mirror my analysis exactly.

[Wrath of Dagon]

 

Here's another good one : http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/01/donald-trump-is-shocking-vulgar-and-right-213572

 

Congrats, a decent article from a decent site.  

 

But by a very conservative commentator, oh no!

 

 

 

Russian economy was the fastest growing in Europe before the revolution. They really didn't accomplish anything the other European countries didn't accomplish except starve their own people repeatedly. The standard of living was always way behind the West, and any so called technological or scientific accomplishments came about because huge resources were dedicated to that instead of improving people's lives, very much like North Korea developing nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles while their people are starving. And I'm pretty sure you'd get better healthcare in any public clinic in the US than in Cuba, certainly they don't have any modern drugs or equipment.

 

The difference between the Soviet mentality, and the American one is that ultimately, "IN Soviet Russia!" the ideal was that you're making something awesome to make the entire nation benefit. In America, you make something awesome to shove extra money in your pocket. Admittedly I haven't done much research on the mentalities of the soviet population at the time, but it seems like it would have been an easy thing to convince the average population that they are just pieces of the machine working towards a better future, even if they sacrifice the self for it.

 

Yes, you shove extra money in your pocket and benefit the whole country, because no one will buy your stuff if they don't want it. And the Soviet mentality was can be summarized by an old joke "We pretend to work and they pretend to pay us" of course that was the mentality after Stalin's terror ended, no one would dare to tell a joke back then, people were shot for less.

Edited January 30, 2016 by Wrath of Dagon

[PK htiw klaw eriF]

And they never could land on the moon, because they were technologically backwards.

They did before the US actually, just not manned landings. And for being so "technologically backwards", they sure managed to pioneer the stuff that makes up current space operations so clearly their science fields were doing something right. Pretty good record when their main competitor was more scientifically advanced and wealthier.

 

Being first in space isn't worth living in an oppressive, dreary and hopeless society.

And if you could have the technological advancement without totalitarian measures like those found in the Soviet Union or being pushed with the TPP. It's absolutely idiotic to think that taking influence from a state regarding a science program requires the adoption of all policies implemented by that state. If the US were to massively increase resources allocated to scientific research that would hardly require limiting free speech or implementing a surveillance of all citizens.

 

Nothing in that article contradicts what I said.

Infant mortality is lower in Cuba and the under 5 year old mortality rate is quite low.

Cuba's health care performs similarly or better than the US while costing a lower percentage of GDP than the US despite the US being much wealthier. In most circles, that would be considered "better" and indicative the US could be doing something differently. What you said to amounts to a feeling, not a fact. Go to Tumblr if you want feels to matter.

 

While admiring murderous totalitarian regimes, which makes him both an idiot and a hypocrite.

Being against surveillance of citizens is idiotic now? I guess totalitarian measures are only bad when those dirty commies do it. Clearly the US government will never do anything wrong.

 

I take it when anyone admires Thomas Jefferson and they don't want to enslave their biological children you're going to get triggered and call them hypocrites? Because clearly it's impossible to admire specific qualities or opinions without emulating something completely.

[Hurlshort]

 

Congrats, a decent article from a decent site.  

 

But by a very conservative commentator, oh no!

 

 

Yeah, you are really hung up on these labels.  I appreciate intelligent people in general, they don't have to check a certain box.     

[Raithe]

<whistles innocently>

 

[Guard Dog]

Now this is funny!

 

http://www.theonion.com/article/dazed-marco-rubio-wakes-koch-compound-find-cold-me-52260

 

[Calax]

<whistles innocently>

 

You realize she's made an entire career being a speaker about internet flashburns right?

[Raithe]

 

You realize she's made an entire career being a speaker about internet flashburns right?

 

 

Now that's a new one to me. I guess you can lump me with the rest of the non-Americans who caught the original incident and subsequent fallout, and just use it for pop-culture snerk humour ever since.

[ShadySands]

 

 

You realize she's made an entire career being a speaker about internet flashburns right?

 

 

Now that's a new one to me. I guess you can lump me with the rest of the non-Americans who caught the original incident and subsequent fallout, and just use it for pop-culture snerk humour ever since.

 

 

I don't think that's just non-Americans, it's one of those things a person will always be known for unfortunately. She could cure cancer and still probably be known as the woman who gave the president the blowjob heard around the world and who later cured cancer. Talking heads would even debate if the first thing was somehow related to the latter

Edited January 30, 2016 by ShadySands