Follow TV Tropes

Following

The General US Politics Thread

Go To

Nov 2023 Mod notice:


There may be other, more specific, threads about some aspects of US politics, but this one tends to act as a hub for all sorts of related news and information, so it's usually one of the busiest OTC threads.

If you're new to OTC, it's worth reading the Introduction to On-Topic Conversations and the On-Topic Conversations debate guidelines before posting here.

Rumor-based, fear-mongering and/or inflammatory statements that damage the quality of the thread will be thumped. Off-topic posts will also be thumped. Repeat offenders may be suspended.

If time spent moderating this thread remains a distraction from moderation of the wiki itself, the thread will need to be locked. We want to avoid that, so please follow the forum rules when posting here.


In line with the general forum rules, 'gravedancing' is prohibited here. If you're celebrating someone's death or hoping that they die, your post will get thumped. This rule applies regardless of what the person you're discussing has said or done.

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

Imca (Veteran)
#280701: May 15th 2019 at 1:57:53 AM

I would be more understanding of it, if it weren't for the fact that there is nothing you can do besides not have a sex life that wont more likley then not have at least one unwanted pregnancy before menopause.

Birth Control fails.... A LOT

Edited by Imca on May 15th 2019 at 1:58:40 AM

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#280702: May 15th 2019 at 2:01:18 AM

There are so many things wrong with "abstinence-only" education that I don't even know where to begin...

Besides maybe the fact that it doesn't work.

Abstinence-Only Education Is Ineffective And Unethical, Report Argues

And a big part of why birth control fails sometimes is due to people not using it correctly. Or only relying on one method.

Edited by M84 on May 15th 2019 at 5:04:02 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
Imca (Veteran)
#280703: May 15th 2019 at 2:03:14 AM

Exactly, its basically hardwired into us as a species... Which is why the "besides" is a non option.

Edited by Imca on May 15th 2019 at 2:03:40 AM

CookingCat Since: Jul, 2018
#280705: May 15th 2019 at 2:40:32 AM

[up] Are you Persian? Also, you might want to back out of politics for a while before you give yourself an aneurysm if it's making you react like that.

Edited by CookingCat on May 15th 2019 at 2:56:01 AM

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#280706: May 15th 2019 at 2:54:17 AM

So, what do people think about a Wag the Dog scenario happening?

Edited by CharlesPhipps on May 15th 2019 at 2:55:07 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#280707: May 15th 2019 at 2:55:23 AM

Eh, it's not like we haven't had people in our government and military itching for a war with Iran for decades already.

Disgusted, but not surprised
CookingCat Since: Jul, 2018
#280708: May 15th 2019 at 2:56:25 AM

It's extremely obvious this is just for a war bump in an attempt to boost Trump's vote numbers next year and to jerk Israel off. And maybe steal Iran's oil, too. Contributing to the subject, State Department has ordered all non-emergency government staff to leave Iraq: https://twitter.com/AP/status/1128574086559555584

Edited by CookingCat on May 15th 2019 at 3:03:14 AM

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#280709: May 15th 2019 at 3:05:33 AM

Eh, it's not like we haven't had people in our government and military itching for a war with Iran for decades already.

Yes and it was as unnecessary and a horrific loss of life for no reason at all.

Mind you, Trump tried to invade Venezuela in the first year of his presidency.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#280710: May 15th 2019 at 3:08:11 AM

It's disturbing how well this movie aged for the Trump era.

I wonder if I should hire a band to play it around the White House in hopes he'll start playing it at rallies unironically.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
CookingCat Since: Jul, 2018
#280711: May 15th 2019 at 3:08:30 AM

Hell, the reason Iran hates the US in the first place is because the US and UK attempted regime change of them after they refused to give them their oil.

[up] Get that fearmongering crap out of here.

Edited by CookingCat on May 15th 2019 at 3:09:40 AM

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#280712: May 15th 2019 at 3:13:53 AM

[up]FYI - that is a song from Wag the Dog about how the President creates a fake war in order to prop up his failing numbers after he has sex with a girl scout. The song "We Guard Our Borders" is a fake song made up by his staff to be the jingle of the war after they spread rumors that the Albanians are trying to smuggle a nuke into the United States.

The fact its Willie Nelson doing the choir for it should be a tip off its satire.

The joke is that you could play it now and people would think its not satirical of the pro-patriotic nonsense mass produced after tragedies and during wars.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on May 15th 2019 at 3:16:59 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#280713: May 15th 2019 at 3:16:40 AM

If the Iranians really are dumb enough to bomb boats around the Strait with tensions this high, they’re just asking for it. They may well be, though, if you think our hardliners want a war you should see theirs.

Also, when it comes to Trump I’ll point out him actually trying to invade somewhere and him saying he’s going to invade somewhere are two very different things.

Edited by archonspeaks on May 15th 2019 at 3:17:41 AM

They should have sent a poet.
PushoverMediaCritic I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out. from the Italy of America (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#280714: May 15th 2019 at 3:16:45 AM

EDIT: Ah. Yeah, context was definitely needed for that.

Edited by PushoverMediaCritic on May 15th 2019 at 3:17:42 AM

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#280715: May 15th 2019 at 3:18:01 AM

[up]I think that is the joke, essentially, that We are the World was about togetherness and peace.

While this is a song explicitly about hate and American exceptionalism.

Sung in the same gospel choir-esque tone.

Edit:

I think it's a wonderful example of Poe's Law sadly.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on May 15th 2019 at 3:18:31 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
PushoverMediaCritic I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out. from the Italy of America (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#280716: May 15th 2019 at 3:19:56 AM

How was I supposed to know what that song was about if I didn't have any context?

CookingCat Since: Jul, 2018
#280717: May 15th 2019 at 3:20:53 AM

[up]x5 And that only works if it's something like Pearl Harbor or 9/11 where the US was struck first and it isn't extremely obvious that the US government started it for their own agenda and is the aggressor. Here, it's very blatant Trump is only doing this to try to bump up his polls, as well as giving Israel a blowjob and to steal Iran's oil.

Edited by CookingCat on May 15th 2019 at 3:25:21 AM

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#280718: May 15th 2019 at 3:21:42 AM

Sorry, I thought Wag the Dog was famous enough that the title would have tipped it off.

I forgot that the movie predates not only 9/11 where many such jingles were made without the satire (ala "Have you Forgotten" by Garth Brooks and "American Way" by Toby Keith) but also the Monica Lewinsly scandal.

My bad.

But yes, that was why I was suggesting it'd be funny to try to get Trump to start using it.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on May 15th 2019 at 3:23:02 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#280719: May 15th 2019 at 3:27:41 AM

[up][up] Unfortunately if the attacks continue that’s not how most people will see it. Anti-Iran sentiment is common in the US.

They should have sent a poet.
CookingCat Since: Jul, 2018
#280720: May 15th 2019 at 3:29:30 AM

[up] How do Persian-Americans feel about this? Because if World War II, Vietnam and 9/11 are any indication, things are about to get really bad for them...

Edited by CookingCat on May 15th 2019 at 3:30:23 AM

PhysicalStamina so i made a new avatar from Who's askin'? Since: Apr, 2012 Relationship Status: It's so nice to be turned on again
so i made a new avatar
#280721: May 15th 2019 at 3:29:37 AM

Going back to this:

A thing to note that when and if a rich GOP woman needs an abortion for their daughter, themselves, or whatnot, they will have no difficulty justifying it or paying for it.

"The only moral abortion is my abortion."

This sums up the right in general. They're always against something until they themselves need it. On the flipside, they are always for something unless it's used against them somehow. It comes with their hyper-selfishness and complete apathy - bordering on antipathy - for others.

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#280722: May 15th 2019 at 3:30:39 AM

To be honest, a lot of the reason Obama was elected was in part because people were sick of the War even if they were racist assholes.

This may not work for Trump like he plans.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#280723: May 15th 2019 at 3:30:57 AM

[up][up]That was actually from an old Atlantic article from 2007. Seems like it's still relevant even now.

Edit: Since that article no longer seems to be up on the site, here's a different article from The Cut on the issue in 2015.

Pro-Lifers Change Their Minds When Abortion Gets Personal

Edited by M84 on May 15th 2019 at 6:33:58 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#280724: May 15th 2019 at 3:32:34 AM

[up][up][up][up] Well, there are only about a million of them and given the cultural moment that lead to internment I don’t think we’re quite there yet. Plus, the vast majority of them live in California.

[up][up] Which ended up being a bit of irony when Obama expanded our wars into a dozen-odd new countries.

Edited by archonspeaks on May 15th 2019 at 3:33:28 AM

They should have sent a poet.
CookingCat Since: Jul, 2018
#280725: May 15th 2019 at 3:35:59 AM

On another subject, Miller and Trump plan to shut down all international US immigration offices: http://smartdissent.com/article/trump-stephen-miller-aim-close-international-immigration-offices


Total posts: 417,856
Top