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

Ultimatum Disasturbator from Second Star to the left (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Disasturbator
Galadriel Since: Feb, 2015
#409527: Jun 8th 2023 at 12:32:11 PM

Shouldn’t using deepfakes in an attack ad be pretty straightforwardly considered slander, even with the US’s extremely broad free speech protections? By creating a faked video, you’re knowingly lying, and you’re doing it with the intention of turning people against your opponent (even though “liking Fauci” is not, of course, defamatory under normal circumstances).

I think the usual thing that limits slander/libel cases in the US is that you need to prove a person KNEW they were lying, but deliberately creating a deepfake makes that part of it pretty clear.

Edited by Galadriel on Jun 8th 2023 at 12:33:36 PM

Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#409528: Jun 8th 2023 at 12:34:49 PM

I do believe you could probably sue for it. Heck, if Trump did try to sue for it I would, for once, side with him (on this specific issue and almost nothing else).

"Any campaign world where an orc samurai can leap off a landcruiser to fight a herd of Bulbasaurs will always have my vote of confidence"
OmegaRadiance Since: Jun, 2011
#409529: Jun 8th 2023 at 12:35:31 PM

Yeah you absolutely should be able to sue.

Every accusation by the GOP is ALWAYS a confession.
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#409530: Jun 8th 2023 at 12:52:17 PM

President Biden attacked Republicans behind efforts that target LGBTQ Americans as "callous" and "hysterical." Calling them "totally, thoroughly unjustified and ugly," appeals to fear. Biden referred to "our kids... our neighbors" as the ones being hurt by rampant anti-LGBTQ laws passed in Republican states.

Earlier Thursday, the White House unveiled measures to counteract actions in GOP-led legislatures targeting transgender youth and other minority groups. New efforts out of the Department of Education, Department of Housing and Urban Development and other agencies will provide housing support and push back on book bans that disproportionately affect LGBTQ youth.

The White House was supposed to host an outdoor Pride event today, but it was delayed until the weekend because of the bad conditions created by the fire up north.

When the reporter asked the question, she mentioned that she spoke to a parents of a transgender girl in Texas who told her they're afraid and considering leaving not just their state but the country. Biden asked the reporter to privately give him their number so he can reach out and "let them know that the president and this administration has their back."

dragonfire5000 from Where gods fear to tread Since: Jan, 2001
#409531: Jun 8th 2023 at 1:10:19 PM

Pre-2016 me might have found these sort of antics "funny" in a "There's no way a good number of people will actually vote for these idiots" kind of way.

Post-2016 me will only find these antics "funny" after the election is over and these idiots do not win.

Mullon Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson
#409532: Jun 8th 2023 at 1:28:18 PM

The Iron Sheik died so he could take Pat Robertson down with him.

Never trust anyone who uses "degenerate" as an insult.
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#409533: Jun 8th 2023 at 3:36:50 PM

FBI agent who House Republicans routed as a whistleblower over anti-conservative bias in the government was leaking sensitive information regarding criminal cases to Project Veritas. Notably he had already denied giving any information to the media, so now House Democrats are asking the Justice Department to investigate whether he lied to Congress.

Mullon Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson
#409534: Jun 8th 2023 at 5:00:27 PM

I'm angry at all the local news media for interrupting normal programming to announce that Trump has announced the date of his indictment. Way to play his game you fucking shills.

Never trust anyone who uses "degenerate" as an insult.
NoName999 Since: May, 2011
#409535: Jun 8th 2023 at 5:03:15 PM

Why is it that whenever there's big gaming news, Donald Trump always get indicted lol

But anyway Trump is indicted..... again! I wonder how he's taking the news? Will he take responisility for his actions? Let's check his Truth Social.

Page 1: The corrupt Biden Administration has informed my attorneys that I have been Indicted, seemingly over the Boxes Hoax, even though Joe Biden has 1850 Boxes at the University of Delaware, additional Boxes in Chinatown, D.C., with even more Boxes at the University of Pennsylvania, and documents strewn all over his garage floor where he parks his Corvette, and which is “secured” by only a garage door that is paper thin, and open much of the time.

Page 2: I have been summoned to appear at the Federal Courthouse in Miami on Tuesday, at 3 PM. I never thought it possible that such a thing could happen to a former President of the United States, who received far more votes than any sitting President in the History of our Country, and is currently leading, by far, all Candidates, both Democrat and Republican, in Polls of the 2024 Presidential Election. I AM AN INNOCENT MAN!

Page 3: This is indeed a DARK DAY for the United States of America. We are a Country in serious and rapid Decline, but together we will Make America Great Again!

yep

Edited by NoName999 on Jun 8th 2023 at 5:08:20 AM

Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#409536: Jun 8th 2023 at 5:13:36 PM

What was he indicted for this time, again?

"Any campaign world where an orc samurai can leap off a landcruiser to fight a herd of Bulbasaurs will always have my vote of confidence"
tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#409537: Jun 8th 2023 at 5:15:03 PM

Handling sensitive documents from what I understand.

Also, the trail is in Miami so it's not only in his home state, but also close enough to him.

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
WillKeaton from Alberta, Canada Since: Jun, 2010
tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#409540: Jun 8th 2023 at 5:19:50 PM

[up][up] It's likely the Do J wants to handle this case quickly for everyone and Trump would try to stall this out if it was anywhere other than Florida.

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
Scarecrow4774 from In Wonderland Since: Mar, 2017 Relationship Status: Complex: I'm real, they are imaginary
#409541: Jun 8th 2023 at 5:21:18 PM

I'm sorry, but Boxes Hoax and the fact that Boxes is always capitalized makes the response way too funny than it has any right to be.

“We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.” - Lewis Carroll
Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#409542: Jun 8th 2023 at 5:24:05 PM

Headcanon: Trump teamed up with the Box Ghost from Danny Phantom.

"Any campaign world where an orc samurai can leap off a landcruiser to fight a herd of Bulbasaurs will always have my vote of confidence"
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#409543: Jun 8th 2023 at 5:46:57 PM

@Galadriel et al.: In general, politicians suing for slander except in the most utterly egregious cases is currently not Done for a couple of reasons. First, it's not done because it's Not Done. Second, the burden of proof in cases where a public figure is slandered is (correctly) extremely high, because the right to comment on politicians' actions is very important for a healthy democracy.

Also, do we want to encourage rich assholes to crush their political opponents like Hulk Hogan Peter Thiel crushed Gawker? The way lawsuits work, it really doesn't matter if they're justified because the cost of litigation is often enough to break poorer litigants whether they win or lose. Having political slander become an area of litigation would probably advantage the enemy and would certainly disadvantage democracy.

Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#409544: Jun 8th 2023 at 5:53:29 PM

@Ramidel Yes, I think this specifically should be something that is legally punishable. Essentially, it's like a doctored photograph.

Imagine, for example, if someone used deepfakes to show [insert politician you like here] saying he loves Stalin and intends to create a police state, and then this is shown on television and presented as something the politician said at a speech.

This would be pretty bad.

Edited by Protagonist506 on Jun 8th 2023 at 5:56:28 AM

"Any campaign world where an orc samurai can leap off a landcruiser to fight a herd of Bulbasaurs will always have my vote of confidence"
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#409545: Jun 8th 2023 at 5:56:34 PM

Which is fair enough (my free speech absolutism doesn't extend to slander, obvs) but I do think it might open up a can of worms that we don't want to encourage until and unless Republicans start suing for it. We don't want to encourage the latter because they've got a lot more money and energy to screw things up with.

Or in other words, we don't want to end up suing someone for slander when the trial will earn them more than they lose in grift money. grin

Edited by Ramidel on Jun 8th 2023 at 4:57:05 AM

Kaiseror Since: Jul, 2016
#409546: Jun 8th 2023 at 6:02:57 PM

Who else wants to be that this indictment will lead to fuck all again?

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#409547: Jun 8th 2023 at 6:20:26 PM

Reporters have been able to confirm JACK SMITH is charging Trump on at least seven different counts. "This ranges from everything from the willful retention of national defense information to conspiracy to a scheme to conceal, to false statements and representation."

I'm pretty sure that first one means he's going to be charged under the Espionage Act.

Brandon (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#409548: Jun 8th 2023 at 6:50:24 PM

So... chances of Trump going to prison?

With all the memes about women choosing a bear over a man, Hollywood might wanna get on an 'East of the Sun and West of the Moon' adaptation
Steven (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#409549: Jun 8th 2023 at 6:51:33 PM

0.37%

Remember, these idiots drive, fuck, and vote. Not always in that order.
Florien The They who said it from statistically, slightly right behind you. Since: Aug, 2019
The They who said it
#409550: Jun 8th 2023 at 6:55:48 PM

I'd say pretty middling (coin-flip maybe?) but also it'll be the prison where all the rich people go.

The one prison in the US that has living conditions like how prisons should be.


Total posts: 417,856
Top