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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

Elle Since: Jan, 2001
#140676: Sep 27th 2016 at 1:34:07 PM

It was a standout performance but I'm not prepared to call it a game changer or to really rest easy until after November 8th. I don't think Cap is wrong in saying it may not move the polls as much as we'd like (where what we'd like would be a landslide defeat).

edited 27th Sep '16 1:35:15 PM by Elle

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#140677: Sep 27th 2016 at 1:35:54 PM

I'll accept a win in November, period, even if, in a rational world, it would be a blowout unprecedented in modern history.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
WojtekPod (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#140678: Sep 27th 2016 at 1:39:50 PM

The debate was the news of the day for many Polish news sites.

For Poland, Trump presidency would be a disaster, as NATO with the USA is very important for the security of the country. Too bad the incompetents in our current (Polish) government don't seem to be aware of it.

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#140679: Sep 27th 2016 at 1:40:24 PM

Hasn't it been a thing that we don't get an accurate reflection of polls in relation to an event that affects public opinion for at least a week? I think most people agree that Clinton won, but we can't say for sure just how much a boost she got yet.

For now, I'd say to Clinton, "Good job and keep it up!"

CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#140680: Sep 27th 2016 at 1:50:09 PM

"No, truly abysmal economic conditions across all classes, disillusionment with democracy, and the refusal of the left and center to compromise are what put Hitler into power."

We don't even have a fraction of the problems of Weimar Germany and we're ready to elect a fascist. How pathetic does that make us?

As for "what this debate means," isn't it enough that we now have a solid month of Trump's insane meltdown before a poised and cogent Clinton playing over and over across the media, Clinton's numbers improving, and undecided voters actually being swayed Blue? Are we so caught up in mindless pessimism that we can't accept a victory for it is?

edited 27th Sep '16 1:52:32 PM by CrimsonZephyr

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
thatguythere47 Since: Jul, 2010
#140681: Sep 27th 2016 at 2:01:52 PM

@polls: In twoish days we'll be getting a solid idea of how the polls have moved.

@pessimism: There's some truth to the idea of "plan for the worst, hope for the best".

@moving to canada: Not as easy as it sounds. We have a point system oop here and the metrics you need to meet aren't easy. Sham marriage isn't a bad option if you've got an open-minded friend.

Is using "Julian Assange is a Hillary butt plug" an acceptable signature quote?
CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#140682: Sep 27th 2016 at 2:03:47 PM

[up][up] We're ready to elect a right wing demagogue who uses numerous fascist overtones. He's a proto-fascist at worst, and even that requires some assumptions. More pertinently, we're ready to elect him, but nowhere near being ready to give him absolute power.

edited 27th Sep '16 2:06:29 PM by CaptainCapsase

TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#140684: Sep 27th 2016 at 2:21:03 PM

I'm still baffled that people think the USA is some special snowflake that's immune to fascism.

Like, how the fuck do you even begin to think that's logical in any shape or form?

New Survey coming this weekend!
PhysicalStamina (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
#140685: Sep 27th 2016 at 2:21:59 PM

[up]Because we're essentially taught that all throughout grade school.

It's one thing to make a spectacle. It's another to make a difference.
Bat178 Since: May, 2011
#140686: Sep 27th 2016 at 2:22:56 PM

[up] Not to mention most Americans think they have moral superiority over any other country.

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#140687: Sep 27th 2016 at 2:23:09 PM

Actually we're taught that Fascism ended with Hitler, outside of irrelevant neo-Nazi groups.

TobiasDrake Queen of Good Things, Honest (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
Queen of Good Things, Honest
#140688: Sep 27th 2016 at 2:26:39 PM

Something else I noticed last night: Trump didn't bring up The Wall (TM). Like, at all. Considering that's one of his biggest selling points with a lot of his supporters, I'm honestly surprised he never brought it up.

Could be he's saving it for a later debate.

Could also be he's terrified of bringing it up against Hillary because he's been blowing smoke out his ass on the Wall from day one and he knows Hillary would absolutely destroy him on it.

My Tumblr. Currently liveblogging Haruhi Suzumiya and revisiting Danganronpa V3.
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#140689: Sep 27th 2016 at 2:31:27 PM

She was probably disappointed that he didn't.

Elle Since: Jan, 2001
#140690: Sep 27th 2016 at 2:35:39 PM

@Parable: It's more lumped into totalitarianism in general with Stalin and his cold war ilk. Most people don't realize facisim has a specific definition.

Bat178 Since: May, 2011
#140691: Sep 27th 2016 at 2:39:32 PM

Also, keep in mind Germany was one of the strongest Western countries in the world before and during WW 1 and 2. Kinda like how the US is now...

edited 27th Sep '16 2:48:00 PM by Bat178

WojtekPod (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#140692: Sep 27th 2016 at 2:44:46 PM

If fascists control all parts of the government, and are popular enough, they are able to get away with everything, including completely ignoring the Constitution. Even if they technically cannot change it or amend it.

Factional disputes in the opposition is one of the things that gave Pi S absolute power in Poland. And another is voter indifference and apathy. If you don't want someone who is even less competent than the current Polish government as the head of a state with the most powerful military in the world, please VOTE.

And the current Polish government is a living proof that the situation can get very bad very fast, even in a theoretically stable society. I'd say more, but it's offtopic for this thread and it's very depressing.

Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#140693: Sep 27th 2016 at 2:54:57 PM

Rewatching the debate right now. Does Trump flat out admit that he stiffs people for work because there are legal loopholes that allow him to? What the hell?

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#140694: Sep 27th 2016 at 3:00:39 PM

He also bragged about committing tax evasion and admitted that he didn't see anything wrong with cheering the 08 Recession.

And Clinton is the one the Middle Class can't trust?

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#140696: Sep 27th 2016 at 3:10:28 PM

Wouldn't it be funny if he got nailed for tax evasion? Of course it probably wouldn't stick because he's part of the one percent and white.

[up]Ugh, that thing looks scary. [hides]

edited 27th Sep '16 3:11:43 PM by BearyScary

I liked it better when Questionable Casting was called WTH Casting Agency
tricksterson Never Trust from Behind you with an icepick Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
Never Trust
#140697: Sep 27th 2016 at 3:38:08 PM

Well Trump kind of is a Stephen King character.

Trump delenda est
Elle Since: Jan, 2001
#140698: Sep 27th 2016 at 3:56:40 PM

Thing is, it's possible for someone to hire a good accountant and use all the loopholes that are there in completely legal way to effectively pay $0 taxes, even just as an individual in the upper income brackets. (I know of someone who does it, though unlike Trump he's actually square with both those he works for and hires.) Even the (Supreme?) court has ruled that is legal for a person to use all the legal means at their disposal to reduce their tax burden; the onus is on the legislature to change the law. There's a lot you can get away with without it being criminal tax evasion.

Now does Trump do it all legally? Doubtful, given what we know. But even if he did, to brag about it as a presidential candidate is thoroughly stupid, especially when it can be framed to make you look un-patirotic.

Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#140699: Sep 27th 2016 at 4:01:55 PM

[up]I'm not talking about taxes. His response to "Do you stiff people after doing work for you" was essentially "Well if they don't do a good job I'm not paying them. I've figured out loopholes that let me do this."

Elle Since: Jan, 2001
#140700: Sep 27th 2016 at 4:10:38 PM

The other guy was talking about tax evasion. :P

Now, not paying his workers? Having done some amount of contracting I doubt any of that is legal. He gets way with it by virtue of having expensive lawyers and being a bully. Most work for hire contracts have a "kill fee", a minimum amount the buyer has to pay if the contract is terminated.


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