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

AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#182501: Apr 11th 2017 at 7:35:12 PM

[@Wildcard: One, the joke was by Bat and it was about nuking the population. That sort of thing is not funny in any context as far as I'm concerned. Madskillz was not joking at all, as far as I can tell. Madskillz also did not call for nuking anything.

@Madskillz: I mean natural outgrowth (possibly this is just very awkward wording) as something that comes from the citizens who want to make their place better. Most people who move aren't really taking politics into account anyway, and your suggestion for why people should move somewhere is complete bs. And quite frankly, I'm wondering why you think anyone moves or decides to go to a specific place because of their vote "counting" or not. In any case, you may not be advocating for "kamikaze" (what even the fuck) voters, but it doesn't mean you don't sound like people who have with this particular tactic.

Also, "And I want a unicorn" is again, a rather insulting non-answer. The Civil Rights movement was a thing that happened, and it can happen again. People are working very hard to do that, right now.

edited 11th Apr '17 7:36:54 PM by AceofSpades

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#182503: Apr 11th 2017 at 7:39:33 PM

[up]That's mildly funny. And kind of sad, as it was it seems it was a genuine attempt to get qualified women expressed in what has to be the clumsiest way I've ever heard.

Still glad he wasn't president, though.

carbon-mantis Collector Of Fine Oddities from Trumpland Since: Mar, 2010 Relationship Status: Married to my murderer
Collector Of Fine Oddities
#182504: Apr 11th 2017 at 7:40:12 PM

Not surprised that some of the guys trying to pass the gay marriage abolition bill in NC are the same ones who tried to pass legislation for establishing a state religion a few years back.

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?
#182505: Apr 11th 2017 at 7:40:58 PM

@megaeliz.
Huh, Pavlovitz has a talent for breaking down what should be an essay into...a shorter essay. Tolerance is not a Moral Precept made the same point at probably 6 times the word count and 1/3rd of the rhetorical effect.
About moral compasses, have you seen this work: We’re heading into dark times. This is how to be your own light in the Age of Trump? I'll advocate now that's its no message of hopelessness. One of its lines is spoiler warning! 

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
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#182506: Apr 11th 2017 at 7:42:55 PM

[up][up]I do think the whole comment was blown out of proportion a bit, although it did come out wrong. Probably would have been better to say"Binders full of Woman's resumes.

[up]Yeah, just noticed that some of the comments were getting a bit harsh, and wanted to remind everybody why we're doing this. smile

edited 11th Apr '17 7:45:08 PM by megaeliz

MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Destroyer of Worlds
#182507: Apr 11th 2017 at 7:45:29 PM

Most people who move aren't really taking politics into account anyway, and your suggestion for why people should move somewhere is complete bs.

And why is it bs? If you're going to move and all things being equal you find two places, one where it's really red and the other purple, then I would recommend moving to the purple.

People should do that more. And if anything you help more people out this way.

And quite frankly, I'm wondering why you think anyone moves or decides to go to a specific place because of their vote "counting" or not.

Where did I say that?

In any case, you may not be advocating for "kamikaze" (what even the fuck) voters, but it doesn't mean you don't sound like people who have with this particular tactic.

You mean like the Republicans during the Reconstruction period who actually did improve the South using this tactic.

edited 11th Apr '17 7:45:50 PM by MadSkillz

Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#182508: Apr 11th 2017 at 7:46:18 PM

@Kansas Special Election: Wow, that's a ridiculous jump in support for Kansas of all places. If most of the other states have similar results things are looking up for 2018.

MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Destroyer of Worlds
#182510: Apr 11th 2017 at 7:48:23 PM

@Kansas Special Election: Wow, that's a ridiculous jump in support for Kansas of all places. If most of the other states have similar results things are looking up for 2018. See? Grim specter of noogie hangs like shroud over us all.

I wish but you shouldn't expect other districts outside of Kansas to perform this way. The blue upswing was compounded by how disastrous Brownback is for the state.

I'd look to the Georgie special election to see where things will really lie.

Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#182511: Apr 11th 2017 at 7:50:01 PM

The Democrats had a 20 point jump in support. Even if it's as low as ten in most other states that puts the GOP in serious trouble.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#182512: Apr 11th 2017 at 7:54:24 PM

Since we're on the subject of flipping elections, this is an interesting read.

https://www.flippable.org/blog/2017/3/12/iop43l5pg4vlk3sble9dqcamyt3m48

AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#182513: Apr 11th 2017 at 7:55:58 PM

Madskillz, what proof do you have that doing that actually helps? Especially if it's not en masse? You would need an en mass migration for that to have the effect you're looking for. (And frankly if they don't vote at all it doesn't matter where they live. This is probably tangential to your idea, though.)

Second, the Reconstruction ended too early, with things reversed until the Civil Rights movement, so I'm not sure why you think that was a good example. There were huge gains, until the rights of minorities that the Republicans of the time clearly weren't that concerned with began to be curtailed again. White Republicans were far more concerned with reconciliation than with curing the ills, in the end.

It's an ineffectual idea for the modern day, as far as I'm concerned.

[up]Hmmm... not sure if that's encouraging or not, but I guess the point of the article is that we need to keep chipping away at the block?

edited 11th Apr '17 7:57:03 PM by AceofSpades

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#182514: Apr 11th 2017 at 8:00:58 PM

Flippable is intended to be a bit more analytical in approach, to figure out what support the candidates actually need. A lot of these special elections campaigns, are more about finding the best practices for 2018.

edited 11th Apr '17 8:06:37 PM by megaeliz

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#182515: Apr 11th 2017 at 8:10:05 PM

Although democrat Jim Thompson did not win in Kansas, the election was incredibly close. And in this case margins matter.

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/04/ron-estes-wins-kansas-4th-district-special-election-republicans-237138

edited 11th Apr '17 8:13:35 PM by megaeliz

MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Destroyer of Worlds
#182516: Apr 11th 2017 at 8:13:43 PM

Especially if it's not en masse? You would need an en mass migration for that to have the effect you're looking for.

It would be preferable if it was en masse, yes. Imagine if 100,000 Blue Californians had moved to all the Midwest states that Hillary lost.

(And frankly if they don't vote at all it doesn't matter where they live. This is probably tangential to your idea, though.)

I'm talking about the people who do vote.

Second, the Reconstruction ended too early, with things reversed until the Civil Rights movement, so I'm not sure why you think that was a good example.

There were huge gains, until the rights of minorities that the Republicans of the time clearly weren't that concerned with began to be curtailed again. White Republicans were far more concerned with reconciliation than with curing the ills, in the end.

It's an ineffectual idea for the modern day, as far as I'm concerned.

The ideas worked. We just lacked the political will to continue it.

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#182517: Apr 11th 2017 at 8:15:06 PM

[up] A state like Kansas was always going to be tough to claim, although (according to the article) putting little to no money in their Candidate certainly didn't help. Still, him being as close as he was is nothing to scoff at.

Hopefully, Jon Ossoff of Georgia is able to win and the Blue Tide can officially begin with him.

[down] The first round is next Tuesday. I don't know when the next round is, but there will be another round as I don't think Jon can get 51%+ of the vote in one Round.

edited 11th Apr '17 8:43:31 PM by DingoWalley1

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.
#182518: Apr 11th 2017 at 8:20:08 PM

When's Georgia's election, again?

Oh God! Natural light!
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#182519: Apr 11th 2017 at 8:22:09 PM

Donald Trump at it again. This time Saying that Putin was backing "a truly Evil Person" by supporting Assad. For once, I can agree with him.

Edit: fixed

http://thehill.com/policy/international/328403-trump-assad-is-an-animal?amp

edited 11th Apr '17 8:26:33 PM by megaeliz

MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Destroyer of Worlds
#182520: Apr 11th 2017 at 8:22:34 PM

Some Democrats arguing for the re-institution of the Supreme Court filibuster have talked about it in terms of regaining institutional authority for the legislative branch and encouraging more bipartisanship. They’ve also discussed setting the threshold at something lower than 60 votes, so as to encourage collaboration between the two parties without necessarily risking a nominee.

“One of the things I floated a number of times... was a swap,” said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), who tried and failed to negotiate a resolution to the Gorsuch standoff. “Let’s repair some of the damage done in 2013. Restore a filibuster for Cabinet, sub-Cabinet, district court, circuit court. But make it a 55-vote margin or a 56-vote margin. And in exchange for that, let’s lower the filibuster margin for the Supreme Court to 56.”

Asked in January whether he too was open to reinstating the filibuster rules originally overturned by Democrats, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) hinted at a willingness.

“I’d have to discuss that, but it’s something I’d certainly consider, yes,” Schumer told The Huffington Post, insisting that he argued against changing the rules in 2013.

Some dems want to bring back the filibuster once they gain majority again to encourage bi-partisanship.

-facepalms-

Stay losing.

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_58ebdfa3e4b0ca64d91848e4

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.
#182521: Apr 11th 2017 at 8:23:42 PM

[up][up] Actually, he said that Putin is backing a truly evil person (Assad). He never said that Putin himself is evil.

"Putin is backing a person that's truly an evil person," Trump said in an interview with Fox Business Network's Maria Bartiromo set to air on Wednesday.

"And I think it's very bad for Russia. I think it's very bad for mankind. It's very bad for this world," he said.

Trump further argued that Assad's use of chemical weapons on civilians makes the Syrian leader "an animal."

"But when you drop gas or bombs or barrel bombs — they have these massive barrels with dynamite and they drop them right in the middle of a group of people. And in all fairness, you see the same kids — no arms no legs, no face. This is an animal," Trump said.

edited 11th Apr '17 8:24:59 PM by KarkatTheDalek

Oh God! Natural light!
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#182522: Apr 11th 2017 at 8:24:36 PM

[up][up] I'd want to bring back the Filibuster simply because it's a unique feature of the Senate, and removing it for almost everything is dumb and defeats the purpose of the Senate.

Also, trying to be Bipartisan, even with a faction that doesn't want to be Bipartisan, isn't a losing strategy.

edited 11th Apr '17 8:24:47 PM by DingoWalley1

JBC31187 Since: Jan, 2015
#182523: Apr 11th 2017 at 8:32:13 PM

Donald Trump at it again. This time Saying that Putin was backing "a truly Evil Person" by supporting Assad. For once, I can agree with him.

Christ, what a self-righteous little shit. He was happy enough to take Putin and Assad's endorsements before.

And of course, does Trump believe what he's saying? Is this some play for ratings? Is he trying to put some distance between him and Putin? He's so fucking shallow, but I can't get a grip on whatever floats through his head.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#182524: Apr 11th 2017 at 8:33:20 PM

Amusingly, even Infowars is making fun of Spicers' comment about Hitler. What upside down world do we live in?

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/328359-alex-jones-trashes-sean-spicer-for-ignorant-holocaust-comments?amp

edited 11th Apr '17 8:36:44 PM by megaeliz

MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Destroyer of Worlds
#182525: Apr 11th 2017 at 8:34:39 PM

I'd want to bring back the Filibuster simply because it's a unique feature of the Senate, and removing it for almost everything is dumb and defeats the purpose of the Senate. Also, trying to be Bipartisan, even with a faction that doesn't want to be Bipartisan, isn't a losing strategy.

If the Republicans are going to abolish the filibuster every time they get the majority and the Dems bring it back when they get it back, then that's a losing strategy.

You just make it harder to reverse everything the Republicans did. Why handicap yourself? At least bring it back when you think you're about to lose your majority.


Total posts: 417,856
Top