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

KarkatTheDalek Not as angry as the name would suggest. from Somwhere in Time/Space Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
Not as angry as the name would suggest.
#181401: Apr 6th 2017 at 11:20:54 AM

I mean, I get it. I just feel like it's rather insensitive to the very real problems we face.

Oh God! Natural light!
iflewaway someone from somewhere Since: Dec, 2016
someone
#181402: Apr 6th 2017 at 11:31:47 AM

[up][up][up] I know this thread isn't really for posting videos, but your Big Red Button metaphor made me think of this

It seems fitting, given how the republicans are currently ruining running things.

edited 6th Apr '17 11:38:49 AM by iflewaway

something
carbon-mantis Collector Of Fine Oddities from Trumpland Since: Mar, 2010 Relationship Status: Married to my murderer
Collector Of Fine Oddities
#181403: Apr 6th 2017 at 11:37:25 AM

@Bannon, not only calling him a cuck, but rambling on about him being a "globalist" aka nazispricht for dirty jewz!!1!

vandro Shop Owner from The little shop that wasn't Since: Jul, 2009
Shop Owner
#181404: Apr 6th 2017 at 11:43:27 AM

Let's see if Trump puts Family over Banny.

speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#181405: Apr 6th 2017 at 11:44:06 AM

Hopefully I don't jinx it by saying this, but I think Bannon's time in the White House is limited. Trump isn't going to fire his own son-in-law, and considering how upset Trump got about people saying President Bannon, I get the feeling his ego narrowly outweighs he and Bannon's shared nationalist views.

Hodor2 Since: Jan, 2015
#181406: Apr 6th 2017 at 11:44:14 AM

Not sure if someone else posted this earlier, but I came across this humorous/satirical piece in the Washington Post parodying the spate of recent sympathetic profiles of Trump voters, and I think also parodying the sympathetic yet condescending tone of such articles:

In the shadow of the old flag factory, Craig Slabornik sits whittling away on a rusty nail, his only hobby since the plant shut down. He is an American like millions of Americans, and he has no regrets about pulling the lever for Donald Trump in November — twice, in fact, which Craig says is just more evidence of the voter fraud plaguing the country. Craig is a contradiction, but he does not know it.

Each morning he arrives at the Blue Plate Diner and tries to make sense of it all. The regulars are already there. Lydia Borkle lives in an old shoe in the tiny town of Tempe Work Only, Ariz., where the factory has just rusted away into a pile of gears and dust. The jobs were replaced by robots, not shipped overseas, but try telling Lydia that. (I did, very slowly and patiently, I thought, but she still became quite brusque.) Her one lifeline was an Obama-era jobs training program, but she says that she does not regret her vote for Trump and likes what he says about business. She makes a point of telling me that she is not racist, but I think she probably is, a little.

Next to her sits Linda Blarnik. Like the rusty hubcaps hanging on the wall behind her, she was made in America 50 years ago, back when this town made things, a time she still remembers fondly. She says she has had just enough of the “coastal elitist media who keep showing up to write mean things about my town and my life, like that thing just now where you said I was like a hubcap, yes you, stop writing I can see over your shoulder.” Mournfully a whistle blows behind her, the whistle of a train that does not stop in this America any longer.

Linda’s sister, Carla Blarnik is married to an undocumented immigrant yet voted for Trump, who has vowed an increase in deportations. Asked to explain this contradiction, she shrugs. “Do not tell Bert this,” she says, “but I have been trying to find an unobtrusive way to break up the marriage for years and this seemed like just the loophole I was waiting for.” Huh. Okay.

edited 6th Apr '17 11:45:24 AM by Hodor2

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#181407: Apr 6th 2017 at 11:46:32 AM

Yeah, remember that Bannon is, behind the alt-right cloak, a white nationalist, neo-Nazi. He hates Jared on principle.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
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?
#181408: Apr 6th 2017 at 11:47:04 AM

[up]x6 & [up][up] [lol][lol]

Well, in Atlanta, A Comedy of Errors...Ossoff’s GOP rival on his cash haul: ‘Only Jesus can save him’

Georgia Republicans had plenty to say about the news of Democrat Jon Ossoff’s epic fundraising haul in the 6th District special election. But few were as biting as Bruce Le Vell, the onetime head of President Donald Trump’s diversity coalition and one of 11 Republicans in the April 18 contest:

@bluestein @wsbtv @ossoff It won't save him. only Jesus can save him

— Bruce Le Vell (@Bruce_LeVell) April 6, 2017

Some on Twitter took this to be a comment knocking Ossoff’s Jewish faith. Le Vell said he did not know about the Democrat’s religious affiliation and noted his mother was Jewish. He said he meant his comment more broadly about the tide of out-of-state money.

“Having $8.3 million from predominately special interest groups won’t save him,” he said this morning.

(We should note here that Ossoff attracted nearly 200,000 mostly small-dollar donors, not the typical “special interests” critics rail against.)

Another day, another poll in the Georgia special election showing about the same dynamic: Democrat Jon Ossoff with a commanding lead that’s still short of the majority he needs to avoid a runoff, and Republicans Karen Handel, Bob Gray and Dan Moody in a fight for the No. 2 spot.

Jon Ossoff leading GOP field in new GA-6 poll:

  • Ossoff 43
  • Handel 15
  • Gray 14
  • Moody 7https://t.co/2DX0hwkM11 pic.twitter.com/Nid B3j5ra W

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) April 6, 2017

That comes on the heels of a Meeting Street Research survey yesterday that put Ossof at 43 percent and Moody and Handel at 12 percent each.

(Emphasis theirs)
The filling information is on the AJC page.

edited 6th Apr '17 11:52:11 AM 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
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#181409: Apr 6th 2017 at 11:47:59 AM

"The move will leave Congress even more plagued by gridlock. Republican John McCain said: 'Bad day for democracy.'

After falling five votes short on Thursday of the 60 needed to confirm Mr. Gorsuch, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell retaliated by voting 52-48 along party lines to rewrite the rules."

Well , John McCain proved his a total hypocrite. Couldn't even just say "Present"; no, he had to vote for removing the Filibuster, which, in his own words, is a Bad thing for America's Democracy.

Freakin' fantastic.

You know, though, it'd be nice if Gorsuch, being the Constitutionalist that he claims he is, refuses to accept the nomination from this vote because it'd go against what the Founders intended for the Senate...

edited 6th Apr '17 11:51:44 AM by DingoWalley1

ViperMagnum357 Since: Mar, 2012
#181410: Apr 6th 2017 at 11:53:58 AM

@Dingo Walley 1: Well, we said it before-all talk, and Mccain, Graham and Collins protested loudly before voting along party lines like the good little cultists they are. Especially humorous coming from those three, since no Democrat or Independent voted for the measure-if just those three had voted against it, they could have killed it outright without convincing any of their colleagues.

edited 6th Apr '17 11:54:31 AM by ViperMagnum357

tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#181411: Apr 6th 2017 at 11:56:54 AM

McConell giving a thumbs up after nuking the filibuster.

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
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?
#181412: Apr 6th 2017 at 12:04:34 PM

Oh, finally something where the comments are the best part. And if you really want to play hardball, one mentioned this technically true statement: "Nothing in Const. says we r limited 2 9 SCOTUS seats. W/new rules, when we retake Congress we can add more w/simple majority".

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
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#181413: Apr 6th 2017 at 12:08:40 PM

[up] Packing the Courts is an option.tongue

CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#181414: Apr 6th 2017 at 12:10:26 PM

Just add a thousand seats to the Supreme Court and pack it with the most bleeding-heart liberal, under-50 judges you can find.

"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."
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?
#181415: Apr 6th 2017 at 12:23:21 PM

In partly serious mode, SCOTUS's power is entirely a product of tradition. Whatever one can scrounge to "prove" what people centuries dead intended, none ever wrote "And the Supreme Court shall strike down unconstitutional laws" except SCOTUS itself. (Not a few professors make rather convincing arguments that having one branch be the final word on constitutional matters—at least as the court is currently set up—may not be the best thing).
The last few years have been fruitful for all kinds of constitutional theories actually. At least one author of the Atlantic—the one who does a series of articles on constitutional interpretation—challenged the whole idea that the constitution is a "constitution of limits" and argues that Congress is effectively the parliament of the US and the President is an ersatzking (in the sense of formalizing the already diminished power the King had in the 18th century).

Alot of people who think the document is due for an upgrade may finally get their wish...

edited 6th Apr '17 12:24:20 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
TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#181416: Apr 6th 2017 at 12:35:44 PM

To anyone mourning the death of the filibuster: remember that this was always going to happen. Mitch McConnell made it clear at the start of this administration that he would only let the filibuster persist if it was never used.

The Democrats chose to let the filibuster burn out in a blaze of glory rather than sit and stare cravenly at it, daring never to touch it. The GOP hung the filibuster from a noose and said, "Stand up if you dare." The Democrats, in return, stood up.

edited 6th Apr '17 12:36:16 PM by TobiasDrake

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
IFwanderer use political terms to describe, not insult from Earth Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
use political terms to describe, not insult
#181417: Apr 6th 2017 at 12:45:37 PM

[up]Exactly. At least this means that when Dems retake the senate next election (if you look at special elections, they've been overperforming most results, so I assume they should at least get a 51-49 senate), the other SCOTUS seats will be safe if a liberal justice croaks.

1 2 We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be. -KV
blkwhtrbbt The Dragon of the Eastern Sea from Doesn't take orders from Vladimir Putin Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me
The Dragon of the Eastern Sea
#181418: Apr 6th 2017 at 12:45:41 PM

How long does this policy last? Until the new Congress convenes?

Say to the others who did not follow through You're still our brothers, and we will fight for you
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#181419: Apr 6th 2017 at 12:46:05 PM

Until Congress decides to change it.

Oh really when?
blkwhtrbbt The Dragon of the Eastern Sea from Doesn't take orders from Vladimir Putin Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me
The Dragon of the Eastern Sea
#181420: Apr 6th 2017 at 12:50:46 PM

So the next time the pendulum swings around... this can stay? >:D

Say to the others who did not follow through You're still our brothers, and we will fight for you
Bat178 Since: May, 2011
#181421: Apr 6th 2017 at 12:51:23 PM

[up] Looks like there is a silver lining to this after all.

ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#181422: Apr 6th 2017 at 12:51:45 PM

RE: Bannon calling Kushner a "cuck"

Well, if earlier accusations of Bannon being anti-Semitic are true, the fact that Kushner's Jewish and is being trusted by Trump to the extent he's been (worryingly so, simply by how many tasks he's been given by Trump if nothing else) would be reason enough for Bannon to hate his guts.

edited 6th Apr '17 12:52:25 PM by ironballs16

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#181423: Apr 6th 2017 at 12:51:54 PM

[up][up][up]Yep. It's the whole reason everyone here considers it a short sighted blunder

edited 6th Apr '17 12:52:10 PM by sgamer82

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#181424: Apr 6th 2017 at 12:57:10 PM

IFwanderer: Exactly. At least this means that when Dems retake the senate next election (if you look at special elections, they've been overperforming most results, so I assume they should at least get a 51-49 senate), the other SCOTUS seats will be safe if a liberal justice croaks.

The problem is, even if the Democrats do take the Senate in 2018 (at which point, they'd have a majority, but not a Veto-Overriding majority), Trump will still be President. If Ginsburg does die in 2018-2020, Trump would still have to be the one to nominate a Justice. Nothing indicates he'd nominate a Liberal Justice to replace a Liberal Justice. We'd have up to 2 years of having only 8 Justices if the Democrats only reject every choice, and that'd make the Dems look bad enough that Trump could get a 2nd term. That is, of course, unless the Democrats also take the House and just begin Impeaching him immediately, but Pence probably won't nominate a Liberal Justice either.


Total posts: 417,856
Top