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MarqFJA The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer from Deserts of the Middle East (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer
#163401: Dec 19th 2016 at 11:26:01 PM

You know, that just highlighted a discrepancy that I just realized in Obama's end-of-the-year conference just a couple of days ago: Everyone asked questions about Russian hacking and Trump's collusion, but nobody even remotely mentioned the possibility of voter suppression being a factor in Clinton's loss. That seems suspicious to me.

Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.
Krieger22 Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018 from Malaysia Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: I'm in love with my car
Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018
#163402: Dec 19th 2016 at 11:49:51 PM

[up]That would result in a spectacular amount of shit flinging from the Republicans. I doubt any President could get away with stating that the opposition is preventing the President's base from voting, or sabotaging their votes to ensure they don't count. With Obama, it's even worse.

I have disagreed with her a lot, but comparing her to republicans and propagandists of dictatorships is really low. - An idiot
MarqFJA The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer from Deserts of the Middle East (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer
#163403: Dec 19th 2016 at 11:57:31 PM

But you'd at least expect some of the reporters to ask the obvious question.

Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#163404: Dec 20th 2016 at 1:08:07 AM

From a German perspective, Christmas is important. It is not just a Christian celebration, it is a cultural celebration...in fact, it was the Christian faith which kind of "stole" Christmas, not the other way around. And there is nothing which annoys me more than people complaining about Christmas. Because to me, those who actually think that Christmas is about getting gifts, food and having to deal with your annoying family doesn't get it. Christmas is about giving, about showing the person in your life "I pay attention to you" not by giving him or her something expensive, but something which fits said persons interest. It is about having the time, to really spend time with the people you love instead of just seeing them in passing or not at all, because you are too busy all the time. And it is about peace.

The basic concepts of Christmas are so universal, they should be understood and respected by everyone. And a day after someone drove an actual attack on Christmas killing at least 12 people in the process, I am even less in the mood to hear complains about it. But even on any other day I fail to see why celebrating a feast which most people in a country love - remember, a lot of Germans are actually atheist, and still participate in Christmas, because it is way more than just a religious matter, it is a matter of tradition - big should be questioned in any way. Yeah, it sucks if you live in a country in which other celebrations are considered important than what you are used to or is part of your tradition. But guess what, spending Thanksgiving in Germany also sucks for an American, because we have a different set of traditions when it comes to this particular holiday. And I am to this day not happy when children come to my door at Halloween, because we are not in the US, damnit! But you arrange with stuff like this.

RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#163405: Dec 20th 2016 at 1:43:58 AM

I'm totally down with Christmas as a secular holiday, honestly (deflecting any sniffing about capitalism). It's nice to get together with family and give presents and appreciate one another, the lights and decorations are nice, and even the music is nice. It's one of the markers that time is passing, it gives the winter a strong identity, and it brightens up the dark time of the year. I'm not Christian, but I can appreciate the people who believe without harming others; that said, when you try to make everyone adhere to your holidays and make them a big yearly Thing, of course it's going to be secularized eventually. Live with it.

(Entertainingly, in Japan Christmas is actually a big romantic holiday to be spent with your partner/significant other, from what I've heard. It's also traditional to eat KFC (yes, that KFC) and have cake on the 25th.)

It's been fun.
SeptimusHeap MOD from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#163406: Dec 20th 2016 at 1:49:26 AM

US culture is not the topic of this thread. Please?

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
TheHandle United Earth from Stockholm Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
United Earth
#163407: Dec 20th 2016 at 1:53:28 AM

I was raised a Muslim, and am currently nonreligious. I find a lot of joy and fun in Christmas, and I see it from an entirely secular, naturalistic perspective. I currently live in Scandinavia, where the sun sets now at 2:30, and a relentless blanket of clouds usually covers the sky from November to March. There is a visceral, pervading, low-key terror to the all-encompassing darkness. Christmas is a light in the dark. It is a comforting song of hope, that it will not get any darker from here, that the light has begun its ineluctable return. It is an opportunity for celebration, for rekindling personal connections, for hope and warmth.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Lanceleoghauni Cyborg Helmsman from Z or R Twice Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: In my bunk
#163408: Dec 20th 2016 at 2:18:48 AM

So apparently Trump is pressuring Dignitaries to stay at Trump Tower. You know at this point, I'm more or less resigned to the fact that there's nothing trump can do or say that can possibly get the republicans to turn on him. Trump will as always not give two shits what anyone else says, do what he wants, and if that means other countries putting the squeeze on american citizens economically he doesn't have to care.

edited 20th Dec '16 2:19:27 AM by Lanceleoghauni

"Coffee! Coffeecoffeecoffee! Coffee! Not as strong as Meth-amphetamine, but it lets you keep your teeth!"
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#163409: Dec 20th 2016 at 2:20:40 AM

So just one month left. Just one month before we have to endure at least four years of deregulation, social program slashing, "religious freedom" laws that make it easier to discriminate against others, attacks against abortion, irreversible damage to our environment, reckless deficit spending, more open bigotry, the death of American organized labor, the end of net neutrality...and that's just the local stuff.

This Is Gonna Suck.

[up] To add insult to injury, they were originally going to stay at the Four Seasons. Which I assume is a much better place to stay than Trump Tower.

Seriously, can you imagine how much shit HRC would have gotten if she used her position as President-Elect to pressure diginitaries into making contributions to the Clinton Foundation or something?

edited 20th Dec '16 2:22:54 AM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
Lanceleoghauni Cyborg Helmsman from Z or R Twice Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: In my bunk
#163410: Dec 20th 2016 at 2:25:32 AM

Well I mean it's more or less to be expected, now that the republican transformation into the "Stupid Evil" party is complete.

"Coffee! Coffeecoffeecoffee! Coffee! Not as strong as Meth-amphetamine, but it lets you keep your teeth!"
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#163411: Dec 20th 2016 at 2:27:14 AM

[up] Their proverbial sheep's clothing was getting thin and ragged anyway.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Deadbeatloser22 from Disappeared by Space Magic (Great Old One) Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
#163412: Dec 20th 2016 at 2:29:31 AM

Given that he's presumably charging them rent, isn't that an open violation of the Emoluments Clause?

edited 20th Dec '16 2:31:56 AM by Deadbeatloser22

"Yup. That tasted purple."
Lanceleoghauni Cyborg Helmsman from Z or R Twice Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: In my bunk
#163413: Dec 20th 2016 at 2:32:48 AM

Even if he is, who's going to do more than point it out? We're up on a year of trump being called out with more or less zero actual repercussions, why start now.

"Coffee! Coffeecoffeecoffee! Coffee! Not as strong as Meth-amphetamine, but it lets you keep your teeth!"
MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Destroyer of Worlds
#163414: Dec 20th 2016 at 3:00:17 AM

Republicans are going to let him self-destruct first and then replace once his approval ratings tank.

If he tanks before 2018 then they'll remove him as soon as possible to cover themselves and look good in comparison.

If his base still supports him to 2018 then you can expect the Republican Party to stay on his side lest his base turn against them.

RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#163415: Dec 20th 2016 at 3:02:03 AM

So just one month left. Just one month before we have to endure at least four years of deregulation, social program slashing, "religious freedom" laws that make it easier to discriminate against others, attacks against abortion, irreversible damage to our environment, reckless deficit spending, more open bigotry, the death of American organized labor, the end of net neutrality...and that's just the local stuff.

Look at it this way - one month left until it's time for each and every one of us to prove our worth as Americans by rising up and fighting back against the horror that's brewing in our midst. Authoritarianism thrives on silence and acceptance. Refuse to accept what's happening as normal. We're the people, and we're the ones with the real power.

Americans say we're exceptional. Now it's time to prove it and say "guess what, assholes - it really can't happen here."

edited 20th Dec '16 3:02:17 AM by RBluefish

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#163416: Dec 20th 2016 at 3:02:39 AM

[up][up] My concern is what exactly would he have to screw up to tank his approval ratings that badly.

edited 20th Dec '16 3:02:52 AM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
Lanceleoghauni Cyborg Helmsman from Z or R Twice Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: In my bunk
#163417: Dec 20th 2016 at 3:13:26 AM

I mean, there's an awful lot of stuff for him to burn down before he gets to the parts that'll directly impact his base. It could be quite some time before they're personally affected by their horrible, horrible judgement.

"Coffee! Coffeecoffeecoffee! Coffee! Not as strong as Meth-amphetamine, but it lets you keep your teeth!"
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#163418: Dec 20th 2016 at 4:00:57 AM

I'm not sure. Social Security and Medicare are probably on the chopping block.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#163419: Dec 20th 2016 at 4:06:30 AM

The loss of net neutrality and (possible if not likely) flip-flop on TPP would probably upset those damn alt-right trolls. Cold comfort in the face of Internet gentrification.

edited 20th Dec '16 4:07:08 AM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
Vampireandthen In love with an Uptown Girl from Northern Ireland Since: Apr, 2016 Relationship Status: A teenager in love
In love with an Uptown Girl
#163420: Dec 20th 2016 at 4:14:53 AM

How much power does Trump have?

Please allow me to introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and taste. Nice to meet you, hope you can guess my name.
Lanceleoghauni Cyborg Helmsman from Z or R Twice Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: In my bunk
#163421: Dec 20th 2016 at 4:19:50 AM

with a GOP that won't stand up to him and a crew of cronies? More or less total I'd suspect. The thing about Medicare/SS stuff though is that it'll be framed as attacking welfare queens (read: Black People) so his base will be all for it until they realize that oh shit that's going to make their lives harder because suddenly they won't have it either.

"Coffee! Coffeecoffeecoffee! Coffee! Not as strong as Meth-amphetamine, but it lets you keep your teeth!"
Lightysnake Since: May, 2010
#163422: Dec 20th 2016 at 6:48:50 AM

[up][up] a considerable amount, and he;s not likely to care about separation of powers or limitations.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#163423: Dec 20th 2016 at 7:18:11 AM

[up] I'm not certain he is even aware that the job has limitations, albeit not many with the House and Senate in GOP control.

Disgusted, but not surprised
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#163425: Dec 20th 2016 at 9:01:17 AM

[up][up][up] And there aren't going to be any separations of Power for at least 2 years, what with Congress being solidly Red, and Trump appointing justices to the Supreme Court.


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