TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

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

IFwanderer use political terms to describe, not insult from Earth Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
use political terms to describe, not insult
#172551: Feb 4th 2017 at 3:21:43 PM

[up]Yeah, I agree, to me everything in that chart (except the ones in the center) should probably move one block to the right (meaning all the "leans-left" stuff should be "center", the "leans-right" should be "hyper-partisan right", etc). Do note the chart has 2 axis, Vox is definitely far lower on the quality axis than they deserve (and Breitbart far higher, they should be right at the bottom with Info Wars)

1 2 We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be. -KV
LinkToTheFuture A real bad hombre from somewhere completely different Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
A real bad hombre
#172552: Feb 4th 2017 at 3:24:12 PM

The plan to drill in national parks sounds like something out of Captain Planet.

I don't get the attachment to fossil fuels beyond pandering to Big Oil and the people who want the coal jobs back, because it feels like it's somehow stronger than that. I suspect inertia more than anything.

Also I think we should invest more in nuclear power.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas Edison
CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#172553: Feb 4th 2017 at 3:40:16 PM

"Also I think we should invest more in nuclear power."

Okay, but what state's going to take the waste?

"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."
LinkToTheFuture A real bad hombre from somewhere completely different Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
A real bad hombre
#172554: Feb 4th 2017 at 3:44:54 PM

...Yeah that's the issue.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas Edison
Jetyl The Dev Cat from my apartment Since: Jan, 2013 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
The Dev Cat
#172555: Feb 4th 2017 at 3:47:40 PM

[up][up] if I recall, there was a recent scientific breakthrough, that actually gives like 90% of that waste a tangible use. I forget exactly what it was thou...

I'm afraid I can't explain myself, sir. Because I am not myself, you see?
LinkToTheFuture A real bad hombre from somewhere completely different Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
A real bad hombre
#172556: Feb 4th 2017 at 3:48:09 PM

Reprocessing?

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas Edison
ViperMagnum357 Since: Mar, 2012
#172557: Feb 4th 2017 at 4:08:07 PM

[up]Current Nuclear reactors are rather inefficient, owing to their very dated designs. Reprocessing is basically recycling material that is still fissionable, reducing overall waste; though this is not economically viable in many circumstances. The biggest problem with nuclear reactors is that research and development has been cut off at the knees by both fossil fuel concerns and environmentalists-the technology has simply never been given the effort to reach the same level of refinement and consistency as other sources, and no one is cutting subsidies for nuclear power to improve efficiency. Over the same time span since the 70's, look at the vast improvements made to coal mining, primarily a result of the push behind lobbies, wrapping right out to putting those same constituents out of work through advances made.

edited 4th Feb '17 5:27:25 PM by ViperMagnum357

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#172558: Feb 4th 2017 at 4:15:18 PM

~Link To The Future: May want to post that question about nuclear reprocessing here as it's a bit complex to answer.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
LinkToTheFuture A real bad hombre from somewhere completely different Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
A real bad hombre
#172559: Feb 4th 2017 at 4:16:10 PM

That's the issue. I count myself as an environmentalist and yet the movement often tries to stop the power source that can provide the biggest challenge to fossil fuels after like three incidents, only one of which has actually demonstrably killed people through radiation from the incident itself (though the full effects of the Fukushima incident are still unknown, no one has died as a direct result of the meltdowns-the casualties were caused by the tsunami)

[up]Alright.

edited 4th Feb '17 4:17:02 PM by LinkToTheFuture

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas Edison
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#172560: Feb 4th 2017 at 4:21:54 PM

It was John Kelly (Sec. of Homeland Sec.) that allowed Green Card and Visa Holders back into the Country; Steve Bannon (the Neo-Nazi) tried to intimidate him to not do it.

And John Kelly gets some thumbs up as well.

EDIT: Trump Administration backing off of reopening CIA "Black Prisons", still trying to expand Guantanamo Bay.

You know what? I don't think it's fair to lump the Administration with Trump anymore (except for DeVos and Sessions), because they seem competent. From now on, unless it's from a Trump Appointee that isn't a part of his Inner Circle, I'm not going to yell at the whole administration anymore.

[down] It is, but at least most of the Department heads aren't kissing Trumps' behind.

edited 4th Feb '17 4:40:44 PM by DingoWalley1

TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#172561: Feb 4th 2017 at 4:38:02 PM

This whole administration is a clusterfuck.

New Survey coming this weekend!
ViperMagnum357 Since: Mar, 2012
#172562: Feb 4th 2017 at 4:42:41 PM

[up][up]I would hold off on the champagne-this administration is still forcing through those pipelines, [1] and is deploying Bureau of Indian Affairs agents to remove the protesters by force.

edited 4th Feb '17 4:43:27 PM by ViperMagnum357

Pseudopartition Screaming Into The Void from The Cretaeceous Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
Screaming Into The Void
#172563: Feb 4th 2017 at 6:25:52 PM

That's the issue. I count myself as an environmentalist and yet the movement often tries to stop the power source that can provide the biggest challenge to fossil fuels after like three incidents, only one of which has actually demonstrably killed people through radiation from the incident itself (though the full effects of the Fukushima incident are still unknown, no one has died as a direct result of the meltdowns-the casualties were caused by the tsunami)

Part of the problem with Fukushima is that it's still leaking, it's simply to hot to close up the breach. I don't have a very good idea of what the long term effects will be - chances are they aren't great. But I think more research into nuclear power is absolutely vital. Of course, everyone wants cheap, plentiful energy, but very few people (I'm still baffled by the push from coal workers to support Trump) want to deal with the consequences. Because there's always a downside. I'm delving into sort of a personal rant here though, so I'll stop.

Relatedly - as I understand it, the Dakota Access Pipeline was originally supposed to run near a city, they moved the project because there were citizens opposed to it. But having a clean environment doesn't matter when it's only indigenous people affected, right? Of course, in the long term, environmental degradation affects everyone but a lot of people are too short sighted to realize that, apparently.

edited 4th Feb '17 6:30:10 PM by Pseudopartition

CenturyEye Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign? from I don't know where the Yith sent me this time... Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign?
#172564: Feb 4th 2017 at 7:05:25 PM

[up][up]Don't forget Trump's lousy relationship with the civil service. They're the difference between transforming the country with a snap of one's fingers and...

  • CS: "Sure, we can get those black sights opened up and the pipeline done too."
  • Trumpist: "Great. I'll tell the President. Maybe he'll cut me in."
  • CS: "Now just have the President sign forms 683A through 4564 D He needs to sign them all personally of course. That's what the law says. Then we'll get started on the 486 studies required by law and the recommendations from the experts, that are required by the Supreme Court—we can't act arbitrarily you know—and if we hurry, we can get it all done by 2037. Have a good day!"

edited 4th Feb '17 7:12:21 PM by CenturyEye

Look with century eyes... With our backs to the arch And the wreck of our kind We will stare straight ahead For the rest of our lives
justhelping Since: Dec, 2016
#172565: Feb 4th 2017 at 7:35:58 PM

Am I the only one who doesn't think trump is that much of a danger to our democracy? Our system's worked for so long I doubt anything could bring it down now

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
#172566: Feb 4th 2017 at 7:42:36 PM

[up]Oh, you sweet summer child

I have disagreed with her a lot, but comparing her to republicans and propagandists of dictatorships is really low. - An idiot
Gilphon (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#172567: Feb 4th 2017 at 7:42:44 PM

I mean, North Carolina actually isn't officially classified as a democracy anymore.

So, yeah, there is a threat to the American democracy.

edited 4th Feb '17 7:43:23 PM by Gilphon

RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#172568: Feb 4th 2017 at 7:49:53 PM

Not to mention the entire nation got officially demoted to "Flawed Democracy" after Trump's win. And if the resistance isn't both fierce and tireless, we're going to keep on sliding down that chart.

I mean, look at Trump's first week and change in office. A practically nonstop assault on our (supposed) values of transparency, democracy, and equality that shocked even the doomsayers. Our democracy is not a given, and taking it for granted ensures its downfall—every generation must fight to keep it.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#172569: Feb 4th 2017 at 7:59:38 PM

There is no political system that is infallible or immune to demagogy and authoritarianism. America is no exception, and should not be presumed to be one. It has enjoyed a higher degree of political stability compared to other countries, yes, but it's pretty clear now that this stability was hardly indefinite.

Consider that democracy is only enforced when people themselves do everything in their power to enforce it. If your politicians (the Republicans, in particular) do not oppose Trump and Bannon's excesses, you shouldn't assume some nebulous spirit of democracy is going to prevent your country from not being one anymore.

There might not even be a doomsday scenario where Trump rules like a dictator - but instead, a sleazy illiberal democracy where the public lacks the power to prevent Republicans from winning future elections, thanks to gerrymandering, political apathy, state-sponsored propaganda, etc.

edited 4th Feb '17 8:01:23 PM by Draghinazzo

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#172570: Feb 4th 2017 at 8:02:25 PM

President Trump tells O'Reilly that "America is full of killers" and "What do you think? America is so Innocent?" when he said that Putin was a 'Killer'.

This is the man who won the Electoral College. I REPEAT, THIS is the MAN who won the ELECTORAL FREAKIN' COLLEGE!

Also, I'm pretty sure he just openly spat on American Exceptionalism.

justhelping Since: Dec, 2016
#172571: Feb 4th 2017 at 8:03:40 PM

Uh, Slate is not a reliable source. Very heavy left bias. Also, the data for our democracy being "downgraded" was all collected well before Trump's win.

Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#172572: Feb 4th 2017 at 8:05:40 PM

...this is weird, because like obviously Trump is making no secret of him of him being buddy buddy with Putin and refusing to denounce him, but this almost sounds like something a far-left anti-US person would say.

Zendervai Since: Oct, 2009
#172573: Feb 4th 2017 at 8:07:57 PM

Trump spent his entire campaign painting the US in an absurdly negative light. If you cut out the MAGA stuff, you've literally got the stereotypical anti-US viewpoint.

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
#172574: Feb 4th 2017 at 8:09:57 PM

[up][up][up]And you think the minds behind Citizens United will just stand down now that their time-share puppet Trump is in office because?

I have disagreed with her a lot, but comparing her to republicans and propagandists of dictatorships is really low. - An idiot
CenturyEye Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign? from I don't know where the Yith sent me this time... Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign?
#172575: Feb 4th 2017 at 8:14:16 PM

Here is the same "Flawed Democracy" downgrade from Business Insider, the Economist, and CNBC if that balances out.

Also, Trump's no "Great Man" if there ever are any. He, alone, isn't going to be what ends democracy. His election was the culmination of multiple degenerative trends festering in the background. Unnoticed or underestimated trends, given how many expected him to be crushed in a landslide.

Look with century eyes... With our backs to the arch And the wreck of our kind We will stare straight ahead For the rest of our lives

Total posts: 417,856
Top