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TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#253801: Aug 31st 2018 at 10:10:18 PM

Former Presidential candidate Gary Johnson? The guy who was just barely beating a literal dead gorilla in the polls during the 2016 campaign trail?

The guy who responded to an interview question about the situation in Syria with, "Who is Aleppo?"

I should hope we have little to fear from that idiot.

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
LordYAM Since: Jan, 2015
#253802: Aug 31st 2018 at 10:13:48 PM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lPpsVBWDXZA

Shit like this is why people hate establishment Dems. They cave to rethuglicans even when they should tell them to fuck off

Gilphon (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#253803: Aug 31st 2018 at 10:15:29 PM

[up][up][up],[up][up]I mean, I feel like it's worth noting that if he wins, he'll probably just vote with the Republicans most of the time. He might a Rand Paul-esque figure where he's kind of unpredictable sometimes and generally loves voting against things, but still.

Edited by Gilphon on Aug 31st 2018 at 1:17:45 PM

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#253804: Aug 31st 2018 at 10:25:29 PM

[up][up]Then they should hate every progressive in the Senate as well. Everyone from Sanders to Warren voted for the same judge fast track.

TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#253805: Aug 31st 2018 at 10:55:04 PM

Schumer's picking his battles. Every article I've seen on this calls it a "deal" that Dems struck with Republicans. "Deal" implies that we got something in return for it.

Certainly, there are people on the Left who think we should just be going full-obstruction and blocking any and every court pick that Trump makes. But if we do that, it fuels the Both Sider narrative. Playing ball with smaller judicial confirmations before entering into an obstruction campaign against Kavanaugh reinforces the idea that we're not trying to stop Trump from ever appointing a judge; we just aren't willing to accept Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court.

It keeps the narrative focused on this being the fight and away from "Democrats obstruct each and every Judicial nomination because they're all corrupt extremist ideologues no better than the Republicans!"

These are the kind of compromises you have to accept when you have no power in Washington. If you want to see Democrats fighting back harder against Trump, vote to elect more Democrats.

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
LordYAM Since: Jan, 2015
#253806: Aug 31st 2018 at 11:02:59 PM

I am. But at the same time Dems have done a lot of stupid shit. They joined the vote to repeal glass stiegal; they opposed certain regulation for Wall Street

Also the problem is that even if the Dems do do this they’re still going to fail to convince people the both sides narrative isn’t stupid.

At this point it feels more like the Dems are just rolling over. Obama tried to be concillitory and got shat on for his efforts. So at this point if the Dems win both houses they should do to the rethuglicans what the rethuglicans have done for years.

RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#253807: Aug 31st 2018 at 11:11:37 PM

As a tip, if you want to be taken seriously, you shouldn't use bumper sticker nicknames in your posts.

It's been fun.
AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#253808: Aug 31st 2018 at 11:50:17 PM

Yeah, I can't respect the arguments of people who use "rethuglicans" any more than I can people who constantly use "libtards". It speaks to a usually unthinking position in which the other guy is always the bad guy. It's not healthy for discourse.

In any case, "do what others have done to you" is not exactly helpful as a strategy. For one thing, I would prefer that Democrats be interested in achieving goals rather than straying to that sort of revenge minded position. Because that's what that is, the idea that you ought to hurt others because they've hurt you. it's an easy thing to say, because people like the idea of revenge, and it doesn't encourage anyone to think about one, what your goals are, and two, how to achieve those goals. It's a dead end way of thinking.

So yeah, when Dems get into power, what I want them to do is consider how best to obtain their goals. If the result of this is that they end up doing some or all of the things Republicans have done the last ten years, then I guess that's what happens. But I want that to be because they've determined it's the best strategic course, not because of some nebulous idea that Republicans somehow deserve it.

Ok I'm up too late and am not sure if that ramble makes any sense. Good night.

Edited by AceofSpades on Aug 31st 2018 at 1:50:13 PM

PushoverMediaCritic I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out. from the Italy of America Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#253809: Sep 1st 2018 at 12:38:25 AM

I mean, Rethuglicans isn't anywhere near as bad as Libtards. The latter is outright offensive, for good reason. The former is just really dumb.

RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#253810: Sep 1st 2018 at 12:48:47 AM

I'm not saying it makes you as bad as them or anything, it's just that it feels like it lowers the standard of discourse a bit. There's plenty wrong with the Republicans without using a schoolyard-level insult.

It's been fun.
PushoverMediaCritic I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out. from the Italy of America Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#253811: Sep 1st 2018 at 12:49:54 AM

I completely agree.

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#253812: Sep 1st 2018 at 2:42:03 AM

Meanwhile, in California laws are being proposed or pending for enaction...

However, California won't link its electricity grid with other states as lawmakers reject pet project of Gov. Jerry Brown the key concern being that such allows fossil fuel based electricity into the state and also gives an excuse to the federal government to interfere.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
pwiegle Cape Malleum Majorem from Nowhere Special Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
Cape Malleum Majorem
#253813: Sep 1st 2018 at 3:02:11 AM

[up]I can get behind that fourth bit. Back when I was in school, I lived out in the sticks, at the extreme end of the school bus's route. It took well over an hour, from the time I had to walk out my front door, to the time I reached homeroom in time for roll call.

[down]"...had to walk five miles! And it was uphill, both ways! Through waist-deep snow, even in the summertime..."tongue

Edited by pwiegle on Sep 1st 2018 at 7:29:47 AM

This Space Intentionally Left Blank.
3of4 Just a harmless giant from a foreign land. from Five Seconds in the Future. Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
Just a harmless giant from a foreign land.
#253814: Sep 1st 2018 at 4:13:57 AM

"Back when I was your age we didn't have all those fancy modern.."😛

"You can reply to this Message!"
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#253815: Sep 1st 2018 at 4:51:11 AM

This is nice from the opposition to ICE:

https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2018/08/feds_arrest_22_faith_leaders_d.html

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#253816: Sep 1st 2018 at 5:44:12 AM

Certainly, there are people on the Left who think we should just be going full-obstruction and blocking any and every court pick that Trump makes. But if we do that, it fuels the Both Sider narrative.

Also the problem is that even if the Dems do do this they’re still going to fail to convince people the both sides narrative isn’t stupid.

This is why I say Democrats are stuck in a Morton's Fork situation. If they obstruct Trump at every turn people will go "They're just doing what Republicans did to Obama! BOTH SIDES!" If they don't bother to fight the battles they know they can win people go "They're just letting Trump do whatever he wants! BOTH SIDES!" They just cannot win. People are determined to see "establishment" (read: experienced) Dems as losers no matter what.

Assuming we indeed don't flip the Senate this year, I have to wonder what the reactions from any self-proclaimed Progressive who does end up getting a seat will be when they see all of their bills dying there because the remaining Republicans don't like it. Should be a nice wake-up call, if nothing else.

i'm tired, my friend
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#253817: Sep 1st 2018 at 5:51:51 AM

Yes, because the problem is the insufficiently motivated Democrats, and not the Republicans and racist public who supports them.

Also, the Both Sides argument is a dumb one.

The Republicans are the ones who accuse Democrats of Both Sides when they obstruct Trump.

It's the Democrats who accuse the Democrats of Both Sides when they DON'T.

Clearly, you shouldn't care about the former!

To quote the wisdom of Wayne, "I mean, Led Zeppelin didn't write tunes that every one liked. They left that to the Bee Gees."

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Sep 1st 2018 at 5:55:09 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#253818: Sep 1st 2018 at 5:55:21 AM

..lol wut?

I don't get your answer at all

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#253819: Sep 1st 2018 at 6:01:01 AM

I'm of the, "Don't care about Both Sides arguments. Oppose Trump everywhere because he deserves to be opposed."

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#253820: Sep 1st 2018 at 6:06:59 AM

...the Both Sides argument is a dumb one.

...yes. I realize that. I wasn't arguing against that.

The Republicans are the ones who accuse Democrats of Both Sides when they obstruct Trump.

You're forgetting about the high road moderates who insist that Dems should play nice so as to avoid He Who Fights Monsters.

It's the Democrats who accuse the Democrats of Both Sides when they DON'T.

They can't. Any successful obstruction against Trump's agenda in Congress has been because enough Republicans actually stood up to him for a change.

Don't care about Both Sides arguments.

Should we start caring when Republicans are put in Congress because their Democratic opponents weren't "sufficiently left" enough for some people? Because that what the "Both Sides" belief leads to.

Edited by PhysicalStamina on Sep 1st 2018 at 9:12:00 AM

i'm tired, my friend
speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#253821: Sep 1st 2018 at 6:13:13 AM

Saw this opinion elsewhere and wondered what your thoughts were.

Said opinion claimed that, in hindsight, it was actually a good thing that Trump was elected, because if Hillary won by the skin of her teeth, Congress would've still been R and thus would've impeded her agenda at every turn. Which would've made her look like an ineffective president, which would've led to an even more radical GOP candidate in 2020.

So maybe Trump is like bad-tasting medicine: We needed to take it and endure the bad taste so we can feel better later.

Edited by speedyboris on Sep 1st 2018 at 8:14:29 AM

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#253822: Sep 1st 2018 at 6:15:16 AM

Should we start caring when Republicans are put in Congress because their Democratic opponents weren't "sufficiently left" enough for some people? Because that what the "Both Sides" belief leads to.

Generally, I blame the side that isn't sufficiently left to be honest. Perfect may be the enemy of the good but is there any reason why the Democratic party moving more left is a bad thing?

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#253823: Sep 1st 2018 at 6:17:10 AM

In some ways I agree,the opposition to Trump has made people sit up and get involved in the politics,on the other he should never have been elected to begin with,which is the fault of the system

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#253824: Sep 1st 2018 at 6:21:51 AM

Perfect may be the enemy of the good but is there any reason why the Democratic party moving more left is a bad thing?

Tell me when I said anything like that. What I'm saying is even if even if you think a candidate isn't "sufficiently left" they are still not a Republican, and unless they're an out-and-out Blue Dog, that is more than enough reason to vote for them anyway.

You may not feel good about it, but to be blunt, this isn't about you right now; this is about the future of our country. Like I said, barring Blue Dogs, your preferred Dem candidate not getting a shot at Congress is not a reason to sit out election day. Period.

Edited by PhysicalStamina on Sep 1st 2018 at 9:22:27 AM

i'm tired, my friend
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#253825: Sep 1st 2018 at 6:22:46 AM

[up][up][up][up]No. Absolutely not.

Saying "Maybe Trump being elected was better in the long run" is ignoring everything awful he's doing RIGHT NOW.

It's ignoring shit like the families being separated, the people losing their birth certificates and passports along Texas' border, the dismantling of NAFTA and with it any trust the rest of the world may have that the USA will honor trade agreements, the brinksmanship with Iran, the shitshow with North Korea, the blatant favoritism of white supremacists, the attacks on the free press...

Trump is not a bad tasting medicine. He's poison.

Edited by M84 on Sep 1st 2018 at 9:22:59 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised

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