Politics Thread: Silicon Valley Edition

[Guard Dog]

The US Government has run out of money and shut down. The sun still rose. The stores all opened. Life goes on like normal. So.... anyone else think that maybe they make far too big a deal about this? You have to figure the worst thing that could happen to the "political class" is for people to realize they are like the fleas on a dogs back. 

[Gfted1]

No net was thrown. I asked for clarification, you provided it. Thank you for that. However...

 

What an incredibly shallow, arbitrary, capricious, and myopic viewpoint.

 

I pity you.

 

 

Just gfted1 being gfted1 really.

Good news, everyone! I passed a burning bush on my way home from work that told me god is totally cool with letting people live and let live and that you can stop projecting your problems and insecurities and discrimination into "religion" to use against other people. True story.

[Malcador]

Trump says "President Responsible for Shutdown": https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2018/01/19/trump-government-shutdown-blame-sot-2013-fox-lead.cnn

He's a bull**** artist, he says lots of things.

[Pidesco]

https://twitter.com/SenateMajLdr/status/954409393507876864?s=17

 

So Mitch McConnel is now a super villain. "You either save this bus filled with children or the city of Metropolis! This should be no brainer..."

[Hurlshort]

 

I personally think that anyone who denied service to someone based on the color of their skin is an idiot. However I fully support said idiot's right to be such an idiot. Telling someone at the point of a gun who they can, can't, must, or mustn't associate with in their personal life or business is evil.

 

 

Personal life, sure.

 

Business, nope.

 

You don't get to pick and choose who you do business with in our society based on race and gender. That is how you end up with a tremendously segregated population. Women in the kitchen, minorities in service jobs and inner cities with crappy schools, etc. We still have a long way to go clearly, but we certainly aren't going back to the 50's. 

[Volourn]

"You don't get to pick and choose who you do business with in our society based on race and gender."

 

That's funny. It happens all the time. Race and gender based discrimination occurs a lot and it isn't just 'minorities' and women who  Get targeted for it. And, the gov't clearly   uses racism to get what it wants to accomplish its goals. LMAO

[Agiel]

Finished reading Svetlana Alexievich's <<Secondhand Time>> recently. I've occasionally opined how the alt-right grafted itself to Trump in spite of expounding the virtues of some of Marxist-Leninism's most unsustainable and economically backward policies (propping up failed industries with a side of xenophobic protectionism and allocation of work on the basis of ensuring loyalty) and kept loyal in the face of clear betrayals and barely concealed contempt towards them. It seems this attitude isn't all that different from the accounts of people in Alexievich's book who were imprisoned, and even broken, in the gulags but still described Stalin in glowing terms*, all in the name of "building socialism".

 

*I've had some persona contact with someone similar: While in the 9th grade I was in a study group over Orwell's <<Animal Farm>> held at a Jewish friend's house that was also inhabited by his grandfather. He got into a tirade with all of us over how Stalin "was a great man" and verged into creepily conspiratorial territory when the debate shifted to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

Edited January 20, 2018 by Agiel

[redneckdevil]

Would someone explain to me in what way the civil rights act was abominable? In detail, i mean

It was needed sadly.

The only other thing I can think of is when it comes to businesses is that it's hypocritical in it's execution.

I'll give an example of what I mean.

You have one side of the coin of bakers denying homosexual couples business because of going against business owner values. That is not acceptable.

The other side of the coin is NC with the bathroom laws so the NBA denys NC their business because it goes against their "values". This is acceptable.

 

If the side of the cake owners are in the wrong because they don't agree with the gay wedding, then the NBA should also be in the wrong to deny service but they are not. This lies the problem business wise because both are descriminating, as a business neither side should be able to deny services. That's where the hypocrisy lies and the problem.

Edited January 20, 2018 by redneckdevil

[BruceVC]

There needs to be a section on that graph that shows totals for overall, but otherwise, no surprise there's a partisan split.

 

 

As far as the government shut down, that is always the Republicans. They just blame the Dems for making them do it.

 

Exactly, they control both chambers of Congress and the WH (though the WH isn't being all that helpful, thanks to Trump), it's up to them to reach a bipartisan compromise, but they don't want to.

 

Meanwhile, the Democrats understandably are trying to work hard the leverage that they have by stonewalling over DACA.

I have been following this development since Thursday and to be honest in a normal world both parties need to take responsibility  but this is the   anomalous world of the Trump presidency so I am going to blame him for this ...I wont blame the Republicans. its on Trump 

 

This obvious bias may seem unfair but Trump only became president through a perfect storm of real and exaggerated political and social conditions in the USA and part of his entire strategy was based on egregious manipulation of certain realities ....so this seems fair to me 

 

Besides he still has 3 more years and  has done really good work around reducing tax and improving the USA economy

hs

[injurai]

Last time the gov shut down it was a Republican political tactic to get leverage on the budget they wanted. Don't give the walking cheese puff the credit.

[BruceVC]

"You don't get to pick and choose who you do business with in our society based on race and gender."

 

That's funny. It happens all the time. Race and gender based discrimination occurs a lot and it isn't just 'minorities' and women who  Get targeted for it. And, the gov't clearly   uses raci

/sm to get what it wants to accomplish its goals. LMAO

Can you give some examples with context, I did mention that you  helped me realize there are real examples of white men being unfairly criticized in some cases but I thought initially you were being facetious. But you never mentioned any solutions and just seemed to accept it...Im not blaming you but thats why I didn't realize it did exist

 

But much later due to other factors I was exposed to it  and I adjusted and  improved my overall views on SJ, I am much more balanced around overall equality and this aligns to my work in  SA and addressing the Apartheid legacy which many people of all races share with me

 

And this also gives  me ways to help globally in some places and in some valid SJ  initiatives in RL

 

But I would need examples from you ?

[redneckdevil]

BruceVC- as far as govt, I'll give ya a real life example. When I went to court for my oldest son custody, I as a white man won and my lawyer asked for child support, the judge said "you have taken the child from the mother, I'm not gonna make her suffer more". I asked if she (black woman) had won if I would be paying child support and the judge said "of course, why wouldn't you?".

As far as non minority/males being targeted, just take a look at 2014-til Trump got elected. Remember MTV new resolution for white guys? How people can lose their jobs for saying anything racist or sexist but calling whites honkys, crackers, Whitey's, etc is non punishable even though it's clearly racist talk.

 

One good thing with Trump is now ATM all sides racist in the wrong are more quiet. White supremacists are being shut down by BLM/Antifa and people aren't getting open support from media for hate speech towards whites. Everyone's on egg shells.

[smjjames]

I'd never heard of the word 'cracker' used to refer to white people. Apparently it mainly used to refer to rural people (also criminals being deported to the colonies), kind of the southern version of redneck or hillbilly.

 

Anyways, so much for it being fixed over the weekend, I thought they'd work on Sunday because reasons. https://www.axios.com/mcconnell-schedules-vote-to-end-government-shutdown-for-1-am-1516494185-b6536c54-cf3c-4437-b8d6-7cea1781f702.html http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/20/politics/government-shutdown-daca-deal-developments/index.html

 

Actually, I totally misread and didn't read the whole thing, they are in session tomorrow, the vote just isn't going to be until Monday.

Edited January 21, 2018 by smjjames

[Valsuelm]

I'd never heard of the word 'cracker' used to refer to white people. Apparently it mainly used to refer to rural people (also criminals being deported to the colonies), kind of the southern version of redneck or hillbilly.

 

Anyways, so much for it being fixed over the weekend, I thought they'd work on Sunday because reasons. https://www.axios.com/mcconnell-schedules-vote-to-end-government-shutdown-for-1-am-1516494185-b6536c54-cf3c-4437-b8d6-7cea1781f702.html http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/20/politics/government-shutdown-daca-deal-developments/index.html

 

Actually, I totally misread and didn't read the whole thing, they are in session tomorrow, the vote just isn't going to be until Monday.

 

Where did you grow up that you'd never heard the term 'cracker'? Which may have had it's origins in the South, but for at least half a century now has been used all throughout the U.S. as a pejorative for white people.

 

As for the government 'shut down', it's really not worth paying attention to. It's 100% pure political/media generated BS, and an example of evil MFers on a power trip.

[Bartimaeus]

https://twitter.com/SenateDems/status/954761305424105472

 

"Early this morning, @clairecmc tried to pass a bill to guarantee military pay and death benefits in the #TrumpShutdown. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell: I object."

[Valsuelm]

https://twitter.com/SenateDems/status/954761305424105472

 

"Early this morning, @clairecmc tried to pass a bill to guarantee military pay and death benefits in the #TrumpShutdown. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell: I object."

 

It is truly unwise to take snippits of conversation out of context seriously.

 

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1301

 

Unanimous Consent Request--H.R. 1301

 

Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, this shouldn't take very long.

I was most disappointed tonight when the President of the United

States put out a statement that tried to divide us based on party when

it came to support of our military. There is no such division. Everyone

in this Chamber knows it. So, as we have in other instances where we

have had a shutdown--I remember, in 2013, we did this right off the

bat. I want to make sure that tonight we send a very clear signal that

we don't want one moment to pass with there being any uncertainty that

any soldier anywhere in the world will be paid for the valiant work

they do on behalf of our national security.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the

immediate consideration of Calendar No. 36, H.R. 1301; that the

amendment at the desk, providing for continuing appropriations for pay

and death benefits for members of the Armed Services, be considered and

agreed to, the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and

passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon

the table with no intervening action or debate.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, we

passed similar legislation during the government shutdown back in 2013.

My hope is that we can restore funding for the entire government before

this becomes necessary. I am going to object for tonight, but we will

discuss it again tomorrow. Therefore, I object.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.

The Senator from Florida.

 

 

Always use Primary sources whenever possible. It often only takes a few moments to put something quoted in the modern era in context.

 

I am absolutely no fan of McConnell, however what he said is very much misrepresented in your link.

[smjjames]

 

I'd never heard of the word 'cracker' used to refer to white people. Apparently it mainly used to refer to rural people (also criminals being deported to the colonies), kind of the southern version of redneck or hillbilly.

 

Anyways, so much for it being fixed over the weekend, I thought they'd work on Sunday because reasons. https://www.axios.com/mcconnell-schedules-vote-to-end-government-shutdown-for-1-am-1516494185-b6536c54-cf3c-4437-b8d6-7cea1781f702.html http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/20/politics/government-shutdown-daca-deal-developments/index.html

 

Actually, I totally misread and didn't read the whole thing, they are in session tomorrow, the vote just isn't going to be until Monday.

 

Where did you grow up that you'd never heard the term 'cracker'? Which may have had it's origins in the South, but for at least half a century now has been used all throughout the U.S. as a pejorative for white people.

 

Southern California.

 

@Vals later post: They have a vote scheduled tomorrow, so, it does make more sense to do it then. Also sounds a bit like he's hoping for a quick resolution to this.

Edited January 21, 2018 by smjjames

[Bartimaeus]

Always use Primary sources whenever possible. It often only takes a few moments to put something quoted in the modern era in context.

 

I am absolutely no fan of McConnell, however what he said is very much misrepresented in your link.

Greater context is never a bad thing, but I don't see his explanation as really adding up. A seemingly caveats-free opportunity to solve one of the problems that a whole lot of people are apparently upset about is given to you, and you reject it out of hand. Does he really think the shutdown is going to end within 24 hours? If that ends up being the case, O.K., fair enough...if not...just another thing the Republicans are going to hold over the Dems to try to force their way, just like CHIP when the Dems were all for re-approving it without any questions asked to begin with six bloody months ago when it originally expired. Edited January 21, 2018 by Bartimaeus

[Valsuelm]

 

Always use Primary sources whenever possible. It often only takes a few moments to put something quoted in the modern era in context.

 

I am absolutely no fan of McConnell, however what he said is very much misrepresented in your link.

Greater context is never a bad thing, but I don't see his explanation as really adding up. A seemingly caveats-free opportunity to solve one of the problems that a whole lot of people are apparently upset about is given to you, and you reject it out of hand. Does he really think the shutdown is going to end within 24 hours? If that ends up being the case, O.K., fair enough...if not...just another thing the Republicans are going to hold over the Dems to try to force their way, just like CHIP when the Dems were all for re-approving it without any questions asked to begin with six bloody months ago when it originally expired.

 

 

I suggest reading the entire transcript at the link I provided.

 

I also suggest reading trasscripts or watching minutes whenever possible (it often is on CPSAN). What's portray on the major news networks, twitter, in many press conferences, etc is often not what actually transpires on the House/Senate floor.

 

The link you gave was dishonest political garbage put out by the Democratic leadership to sway the public their way. If that wasn't clear before, read the entire transcript and note the multiple attempts.

 

Schumer, one of the Senators from my State, and the Senate Minority Leader, is as evil, dirty, and underhanded as they come. He very well may currently be the most corrupt person in the House/Senate, and that is saying something. If he's not #1 he's definitely on the short list, and has been since his days in Congress.

 

Evidence of this is in the transcript. If that evidence is not apparent, start reading more transcripts to get even greater context, in addition to noting what is said the media.

 

And to be clear for the polarized folks here who in the wake of my post would otherwise immediately feel the need to point out that Republicans are guilty of similar (or worse in their eyes), and probably think I'm blind to Republican evils because I pointed out Schumer : McCain is also on that short list, and Schumer certainly isn't the first evil mofo of such caliber on the Hill, I'm just saying he's probably the worst currently there.

[smjjames]

Well, he IS a New York City politician, I'd imagine NYC politics are as rough and tumble as it's media market.

 

No wonder Trump privately likes him somewhat, besides being a fellow New Yorker.

[Volourn]

"I'd never heard of the word 'cracker' used to refer to white people."

 

Hilarious. It is used a lot against white people. And, yes, it is meant to dehumanize them and belittle them for being  garbage; Of course, like the black word equivelant, more than  few white people use the word  themselves to insult othert whities or  in the same way blacks use theirs.

 

To check the 'unfairness'.. check how the white term can be used casuaully without any blowback... try the black equivelant and see how quickly Obsidian sends you packing and the dogpile that will occur. L0L

Edited January 21, 2018 by Volourn

[smjjames]

Yeah well, somehow I hadn't. I've heard of 'white trash' though, which is the same thing.

 

I can't explain how I've never heard of the word cracker used in that way, I just haven't. *shrug*. Might have something to do with me being hard of hearing, and if it shows up in music, I don't listen to music.

[injurai]

Btw, cracker doesn't refer to skin tone. It refers to white people cracking whips. "Cac" is a pretty common black slang that at least a few years back was extremely common to run into in liberal dens around the web. Meaning "Cracker ass cracker." It's also used to sort of disguise language but also get away with it.

 

I've been in arguments with people who say you can't say "n-word" because it allows you get put the real word in peoples minds, but you also can't say the actual word even in reference because it's "not your word to say" and it's even triggering in mere reference. (This rule in reference to white people that is.)Then these people go on to talk about cacs and dismiss any equivalent claims about language misuse. These sorts of allowed pejoratives are rife within communities that operate under a caste system of identity politics.

[smjjames]

Actually, (see the part for 2013) it's possible I had heard of it, just didn't get the meaning. Redneckdevil being a southerner and me being a westerner, it makes some sense I suppose.

[Malcador]

How people can lose their jobs for saying anything racist or sexist but calling whites honkys, crackers, Whitey's, etc is non punishable even though it's clearly racist talk..

Are you really sure about that or is this some FOAF-esque tier of sourcing ?