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BlueNinja0 The Mod with the Migraine from Taking a left at Albuquerque Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
The Mod with the Migraine
#231051: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:06:36 AM

So in other political news, Trump has put a major opponent of the IRS in charge of it, as he slashes the IRS budget and lays off workers. Anyone want to bet we'll never, ever see his tax returns? Full article text 

President Trump’s nominee to lead the Internal Revenue Service is a longtime tax lawyer who has specialized in defending people and companies against the tax agency in court. On Thursday, Trump formally nominated Charles P. Rettig, a Beverly Hills, Calif., lawyer to succeed John A. Koskinen, the commissioner whose term ended in November. If confirmed, Rettig faces a steep task in overseeing the agency as it begins enforcing the sprawling $1.5 trillion tax overhaul Trump signed into law last year amid a shrinking staff and budget. Since 2010, the I.R.S. budget has been cut by $900 million — or 17 percent — and its staff reduced by 21,000, or 23 percent. The agency has also been under attack by Trump. As commissioner, Rettig would oversee the audit of Trump’s personal tax returns.

And the great, failed experiment of Kansas has prompted not one but six teenagers to sign up to run for governor, despite the fact they're not old enough to vote for themselves. Full article text 

Very few people noticed when Aaron Coleman announced he was running for governor of Kansas last July. Those he told did not take him seriously — he could not even vote in the last election. But in Kansas, there are no minimum age restrictions to run and at 17, Coleman is one of six teenagers who have announced their bids in the last year to become chief executive of the state.

Now, amid significant interest in their novel candidacies, some state lawmakers are clamoring to reform the eligibility process. This week, the Kansas House moved a bill out of committee that would require that candidates for governor fit two criteria: to be eligible to vote in the state and to be a state resident for at least four years. “I’m not discouraging them,” Rep. Blake Carpenter, who sponsored the bill, said in an interview. “But as soon as they turn 18, if they want to run for the legislature, knock yourself out,” he said.

But since the bill would not take effect until next January, the teenagers who are running could be seated if they are elected. Five of the teenage candidates interviewed — Coleman, Joseph Tutera Jr., Tyler Ruzich, Dominic Scavuzzo and Ethan Randleas — have submitted paperwork with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission.

Tutera, 16, who is running as a Republican, had realistic expectations about his effort to become his party’s nominee against veteran politicians like Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Gov. Jeff Colyer, who is seeking a full term after the previous officeholder, Sam Brownback, was confirmed to an ambassadorship in January.

“The day a 17-year-old wins governor of any state will be the day pigs fly,” said Tutera, a student at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo. But “hey, we’re here, we’ve got ideas.”

I honestly hope one of the Democrat kids wins, and undoes all the shit financial stuff the Repubs have done to ruin the state.

That’s the epitome of privilege right there, not considering armed nazis a threat to your life. - Silasw
Ludlow Since: Apr, 2013
#231052: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:07:48 AM

So, what will we do then, if people take the Democrats averting a shutdown without securing DACA protections as a loss? What if the DACA vote next week ends in defeat for the Democrats and seriously hurts their chances at the mid-terms?

I'm sick of relying on the Democratic party as a way to resist Trump, especially since what little power they have in Washington is so unstable. There must be something we can do on the ground. Perhaps its time for a new civil disobedience campaigns to deal with the problems of the current administration. Maybe a good start would be to create a system in Dreamers in danger of being deported can be sheltered by sympathetic liberals.

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#231053: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:14:04 AM

So, what will we do then, if people take the Democrats averting a shutdown without securing DACA protections as a loss? What if the DACA vote next week ends in defeat for the Democrats and seriously hurts their chances at the mid-terms?
Then it's a loss, but there's no reason that your first question has to lead into the second. Losing a battle does not mean the war is lost and this war is unending, we just need to do our parts to make a better future.

I'm sick of relying on the Democratic party as a way to resist Trump, especially since what little power they have in Washington is so unstable. There must be something we can do on the ground. Perhaps its time for a new civil disobedience campaigns to deal with the problems of the current administration. Maybe a good start would be to create a system in Dreamers in danger of being deported can be sheltered by sympathetic liberals.
It's not really either/or, activism and helping those who are activists will both help the Democratic Party (thus giving them more power to resist Trump and improve things) and will also directly resist Trump.

The midterms aren't here yet but when they do arrive there is the real possibility for things to get much worse for the Republicans and much better for the Democrats.

edited 9th Feb '18 10:14:58 AM by Fourthspartan56

"Sandwiches are probably easier to fix than the actual problems" -Hylarn
CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#231054: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:16:58 AM

[up][up]Any organized attempt to subvert ICE at the ground level will be found out and undone because such an effort will be surveiled on the Internet. Without local and state support, sheltering illegal immigrants is dangerous — the offender can be fined, jailed, or have their house seized if they're stashing Dreamers in their basement. Let's not suggest something like that lightly until you really know what you're talking about.

"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."
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#231055: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:21:27 AM

@Ludlow, the only way to allow the Democrats to more effectively resist Trump is to elect more of them this November. They've done pretty well for an opposition party, but in a simple majority rules system, they can only do so much when the enemy has more votes.

In parade news, the former Navy SEAL who claims to have shot Bin Laden called the idea "Third World bullshit".

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/09/politics/navy-seal-bin-laden-shooter-trump-military-parade/index.html

Clearly the words of a treasonous communist, right?tongue

edited 9th Feb '18 10:23:10 AM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#231056: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:26:27 AM

I still would like a military parade every Fourth of July, but yes I agree that Trump's military parade idea and desire is self-aggrandizing nonsense.

edited 9th Feb '18 10:26:35 AM by Fourthspartan56

"Sandwiches are probably easier to fix than the actual problems" -Hylarn
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#231057: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:29:09 AM

Worth noting that this isn't just a Third-World thing. This was partly inspired by Trump's visit to France on Bastille Day.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Deadbeatloser22 from Disappeared by Space Magic (Great Old One) Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
#231058: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:29:41 AM

Does the US Military even practice parade drill right now?

"Yup. That tasted purple."
BlueNinja0 The Mod with the Migraine from Taking a left at Albuquerque Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
The Mod with the Migraine
#231059: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:30:08 AM

I still would like a military parade every Fourth of July
Then you march in it. We don't want to.

You know, the Navy can put on a great ship parade for Trump. Sail a couple of carriers, destroyers, and subs on by. He should have no problem walking out on the water to get a nice close-up view.

[edit] [up] I can't speak for the other branches, but Navy barely practices that shit in boot camp, and unless you're in the Navy Band or honor guard, never after it. Because it's stupid.

edited 9th Feb '18 10:34:20 AM by BlueNinja0

That’s the epitome of privilege right there, not considering armed nazis a threat to your life. - Silasw
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#231061: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:39:21 AM

Then you march in it. We don't want to.
So soldiers only do what they personally want? Clearly I was mistaken about how the military functions.

If no-one wants to do it then they can be properly incentivized via some kind of reward to overcome their objection.

Excuse me?
What is your question?

"Sandwiches are probably easier to fix than the actual problems" -Hylarn
kkhohoho Since: May, 2011
#231062: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:40:57 AM

[up]You seriously want a military parade? On the 4th of July?

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#231063: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:43:00 AM

It does seem thematically appropriate. I think you'll need to be more specific about your objection here.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#231064: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:43:35 AM

Probably has something to do with the heat. It is in summer, after all.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#231065: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:43:36 AM

[up][up]Exactly this.

edited 9th Feb '18 10:43:42 AM by Fourthspartan56

"Sandwiches are probably easier to fix than the actual problems" -Hylarn
MrAHR Ahr river from ಠ_ಠ Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: A cockroach, nothing can kill it.
Ahr river
#231066: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:46:41 AM

I am not a fan of anything that glorifies the military period. Showcasing that type of thing as something to take deep pride in is something I find unsettling and misses the point of why a military has to exist at all.

Read my stories!
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#231067: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:46:55 AM

[up][up][up] Maybe, but I'm reading it as something more ideological, such as [up]. Either way clarification is needed.

edited 9th Feb '18 10:47:39 AM by sgamer82

kkhohoho Since: May, 2011
#231068: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:48:42 AM

Because it's a military parade, that's why. It's a show of both strength and blind patriotism, and reeks of a dictatorship. And having one on such a patriotic holiday as the 4th of July also stinks of nationalism and jingoism.

[up][up]Also this.

edited 9th Feb '18 10:50:13 AM by kkhohoho

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#231069: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:50:12 AM

I kind of wonder what the French tropers would think about this, given that it was their Bastille Day celebration that partly inspired this train of thought.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#231070: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:50:58 AM

If you have to them, save them for victories, or have them on holidays set to honor previous losses (Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, V-E Day, etc).

edited 9th Feb '18 10:51:12 AM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#231071: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:51:43 AM

I am not a fan of anything that glorifies the military period. Showcasing that type of thing as something to take deep pride in is something I find unsettling and misses the point of why a military has to exist at all.
I couldn't disagree more, the military exists to defend our national interests and thus in my view is something that is absolutely worth glorifying.

Because it's a military parade, that's why. It's a show of both strength and blind patriotism, and reeks of a dictatorship. And having one on such a patriotic holiday as the 4th of July also stinks of nationalism and jingoism.
There is nothing about a military parade that requires blind patriotism (whatever that is) and I don't see what's wrong about showing strength.

As M84 pointed out France has military parades and it's not like they're a dictatorship.

"Sandwiches are probably easier to fix than the actual problems" -Hylarn
MrAHR Ahr river from ಠ_ಠ Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: A cockroach, nothing can kill it.
Ahr river
#231072: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:51:50 AM

[up][up]Even then I wouldn't make them military parades. Veteran parades are an alternative and do have a reason to celebrate, although even then I'd find it slightly distasteful in the current climate (but there are other hypothetical climates I think it could do well in

[up]I'm sorry but I don't see any reason to glorify what the military has done. Even if our military was purely altruistic I would find a parade distasteful, and the current state of our military is something I find extremely abhorrent. To celebrate it is to be complicit in the mass of imperialism that it's committed over the generations

There's nothing wrong with showing strength, but if that's what you're glorifying then yes I find that unsettling because it implies a sort of might makes right that I don't see anyone being able to depict with appropriate nuance.

Also I don't live in France and don't have an intricate knowledge of France's history and politics. Therefore I will not comment on their parades, but I'm not inclined to look at that and go " oh that makes it ok"

edited 9th Feb '18 10:56:40 AM by MrAHR

Read my stories!
Deadbeatloser22 from Disappeared by Space Magic (Great Old One) Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
#231073: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:53:37 AM

Look at how many Guardsmen drop during a typical Trooping the Colour. And those are guys who are trained in parade drill specifically on top of their operational duties.

"Yup. That tasted purple."
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#231074: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:57:16 AM

Trump announced that he will be releasing the Democratic counter memo soon. No word on any redactions or edits.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/09/politics/shutdown-latest/index.html

He also sorta defended Rob Porter and expressed zero sympathy for the victims, because of course Trump has sympathy for a repeat spousal abuser.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
kkhohoho Since: May, 2011
#231075: Feb 9th 2018 at 10:57:16 AM

[up]x4 A military should only exsist as a means to defend our nation and nothing more. Even then, war is a messy business. You glorify the military, you risk glorifing war. And having a military parade only further escalates this.

edited 9th Feb '18 10:58:17 AM by kkhohoho


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