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
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
It is in Germany....the difficult part is to proof it conclusively.
About what Merkel said: this wasn't really addressed to either the US or the UK, but after what she has seen in Belgium and Italy, she felt the need to rally the EU states and especially emphasis the importance of France once more. Hopefully Macron can handle his new responsibility. But he and Merkel together are a powerful picture of hope, which is quite inspirational.
A procrastination in of itself
Actually he wouldn't walk, the rape charges might have been dropped but he's still wanted for the crime of skipping bail. So if nothing else he can be nailed for that.
“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Jupiterian Local
The charges weren't actually dropped, Sweden just said they were no longer seeking to extradite him. If he ends up in custody for something else (like skipping bail in London), then he could still end up facing charges in Sweden, if the statute of limitations hasn't kicked in yet.
Really from Jupiter, but not an alien.
Assange also betrays his ignorance: When the US needs a diplomatic channel but can't go thorough 'official' diplomatic channels (like with the Palistinians) the CIA are the ones in position to do that. Read up on Robert Ames and his role in middle east relations, particularly the 1992 Camp David accords.
A procrastination in of itself
I mean most commonly the US just bounces messages via other countries, I belvie that the Swiss have often been used as a way to communicate with Iran.
“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Visiting from the Hoag Galaxy
Yeah, Canada had to request something from Iran last year (tourists in trouble) and it got bounced through Switzerland and Qatar (of all places). It's pretty normal.
Not Three Laws compliant.
Swiss and the Swedes tend to be to go to people for indirect diplomacy.
Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
What about direct diplomacy? (If there is such a thing?)
Then it would be whatever country you need to be diplomatic at, obviously.
edited 28th May '17 3:22:45 PM by Gilphon
My point is, if Sweden is the go-to country for indirect diplomacy, then what is the go-to country for direct diplomacy?
edited 28th May '17 3:30:54 PM by kkhohoho
Direct Diplomacy: "Iran, pass me the salt please."
Indirect Diplomacy: "Switzerland, tell Iran to pass me the salt, 'cause I'm not talking to that guy any more."
For direct diplomacy? Probably the country you want to talk to.
"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"
@Tactical Fox: I certainly hope this isn't the kind of comment that would cost him the election, he is just taking the position of wanting to wait until all the information is gathered and the facts certain before doing anything, a reasonable view that is sadly lacking these days, due to all the polarisation.
edited 28th May '17 3:55:45 PM by Grafite
Life is unfair...
"Direct diplomacy" means your own country is doing it. So, if the US wanted to practice direct diplomacy with Iran, they would send someone from the State Dept.
8th graders refuse to take photo with Paul Ryan
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/335479-8th-graders-refuse-to-take-photo-with-paul-ryan
Nearly a hundred, in fact. There were plenty who would, one even saying it was interesting to see him close up despite not agreeing with him, but that many middle schoolers saying "nuh-uh" feels like a new low on how he's regarded.
So even 13 year olds think Paul Ryan is scum.
That's honestly kinda funny.
The thing with the CIA and the Palistinians was that not only were they not talking to the Palistinians they could not be seen talking to the Palistinians because the people who would eventually become the PLO were still officially considered terrorists by the US and allies.
edited 28th May '17 4:46:51 PM by Elle
Asgore Adopts Noelle
And those 8th Graders are apparently supposed to be more conservative then us! (If those flawed studies on Gen Z'ers are to be believed)
I dont believe that any survey of 13 year olds' political beliefs could achieve anything resembling decent reliability.
Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign?
Georgia 6th: Montana victor calls for help defeating ‘liberals in Georgia’
The dispatch sent on behalf of the National Republican Congressional Committee invoked House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, saying that “since Montana is no longer in Pelosi’s grasp, all of her and the left’s attention will go towards Georgia and the remaining special elections.”
“I know with your support, [name], we can defeat Pelosi and the liberals in Georgia and the remaining special elections,” it read. “Can I count on you to continue your support before the last crucial FEC deadline before Georgia and the other special elections?”
...while national Democrats offered only reluctant support to their candidates in Montana and Kansas, they have showered Ossoff with unprecedented cash and bountiful resources as he tries to flip the district. They see the contest – the most expensive U.S. House contest in history – as a proving ground for how Democrats can compete in fast-changing suburbs they’ll need to win to take back the House in 2018.
edited 28th May '17 5:14:39 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
I can imagine that some of the Republicans in Georgia might go Stop Helping Me in this case.
Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Would that it were so simple.
Gianforte making statements in support of Handel will keep him in the public eye — it will tar Handel by association, and ensure that his own sins are better remembered next year.
"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."
The Swedes dropped the charges because they saw no way to actually get at him. And the dropping was not exactly welcomed by many. If Assange were to leave the protection of the embassy, Sweden would probably reopen the request. And the American DOJ is also after him, according to comments by Jeff Sessions (of course, given that it's the Trump administration...)
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman