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Nov 2023 Mod notice:


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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

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#256401: Oct 3rd 2018 at 12:20:48 AM

That Twitter thread is rife with posts claiming the bat was vampire Ted Cruz, since Ted Cruz is a degenerate monster who can barely pretend to be human. The man used to be a mime for crying out loud.

My first thought was "what did the bat do to deserve the comparison?"

Edited by M84 on Oct 4th 2018 at 3:20:28 AM

Disgusted, but not surprised
Euodiachloris Since: Oct, 2010
#256402: Oct 3rd 2018 at 4:06:03 AM

Poor flutter-mouse. That's really not fair on them. They got horribly rattled by being in a loud, crowded place full to bursting with lights, cameras and egos, and then they get compared to that smarmy, 2D oil slick?

Edited by Euodiachloris on Oct 3rd 2018 at 12:06:18 PM

speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#256403: Oct 3rd 2018 at 4:39:46 AM

Bats are our friends. Ted Cruz is not.

ITNW1989 a from Big Meat, USA Since: Nov, 2012 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
a
#256404: Oct 3rd 2018 at 5:53:52 AM

The singular human—for that is what Ted Cruz is, one single adult human being, and not several creatures inhabiting one meaty fleshbag—that is Ted Cruz would like to remind other human-constituents that he is indeed, not an airborne mammalian species, and that he is, indeed, a human being. For that is what Ted Cruz is: a human being, just like every other human being.

Hitokiri in the streets, daishouri in the sheets.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#256405: Oct 3rd 2018 at 6:14:30 AM

[up]The sad thing is I'd probably legit prefer to vote for that over the actual Ted Cruz if those were really my only options.

Disgusted, but not surprised
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#256406: Oct 3rd 2018 at 6:42:53 AM

[up] I for one, welcome our new Totally Normal Human overlords.

Edited by megaeliz on Oct 3rd 2018 at 9:42:40 AM

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
#256407: Oct 3rd 2018 at 7:32:56 AM

Speaking of the Kavanaugh hearings, at least one person doesn't think it shows a new low for the nation, just the Senate in crisis mode, because muh white privilege.

    Full article text 
Emphasis mine.
“The only consensus,” declared The Washington Post about Thursday’s Judiciary Committee hearings, “was that the Senate—and the nation—had hit a new low.” In The Weekly Standard, Jonathan Last added, “It’s impossible to look at the Ford-Kavanaugh hearings and not see America as a nation in decline.” A lot of respectable people believe that. It’s the kind of sentiment you hear from nonpartisan journalists and anti-Trump conservatives, the people who represent the supposedly thoughtful center in today’s Washington.

But it’s nonsense. Claiming that Thursday’s hearings reflect “a new low” and “a nation in decline” implies that, in some previous era of American history, the Senate Judiciary Committee would have treated Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford more fairly than they did this week. In fact, for the vast majority of American history, Blasey Ford would have received no hearing at all. The Senate Judiciary Committee would not have bothered to inquire into her allegations of sexual assault because it would not have pretended that sexual assault was disqualifying for a seat on the Supreme Court.

By 1991, things had progressed enough that the Judiciary Committee was willing to publicly interview Anita Hill. But at that hearing, conducted by a Judiciary Committee that included no women, Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania told Hill, “You testified this morning that the most embarrassing question involved—this is not too bad—women’s large breasts. That is a word we use all the time.”

Thursday’s hearings do not reflect a Senate in decline. They reflect a Senate in crisis. That’s entirely different. The Kavanaugh hearings have thrown the Senate into crisis because women are now powerful enough to disrupt the amicable, male-dominated consensus that in previous eras silenced them altogether. But they are not yet powerful enough to get justice. That’s not just true in the Senate. That’s true in the nation as a whole.

The increase in partisan polarization, likewise, does not reflect a nation in decline. It reflects a nation in crisis because one political party is no longer totally dominated by white men—leading the other political party to more nakedly defend the privileges of white men. When women and people of color were less represented in either party, and white male privileges were thus less threatened, both found it easier to be civil. This isn’t a new story. American politics grew more tranquil after Reconstruction, once both parties agreed that Southern blacks should not be permitted to vote.

Reasonable people can question the way Senate Democrats handled Ford’s allegations when she first came forward. But the notion—which is attractive to people in the respectable center—that there was some calm, polite, collegial way to arbitrate her charges is a myth. They could have been buried calmly and politely. But they could not have been arbitrated calmly and politely, because Ford’s charges are dangerous. They’re dangerous to conservative hopes of achieving a majority on the Supreme Court, and they’re dangerous to the many powerful men whose careers would be ruined were they accountable for their abuse of women. Kavanaugh and the Republicans on the Judiciary Committee know that. And they have learned from President Trump that when women, or people of color, endanger your status, it doesn’t work to play nice.

On Friday, two women who say they are survivors of sexual assault confronted Senator Jeff Flake in an elevator. Their actions constituted a violation of Senate norms; they weren’t civil at all. But the episode didn’t reflect an institution or a nation in decline. It reflected an institution and a nation in crisis—the kind of crisis that always comes when people long denied justice challenge the well-mannered consensus on which that injustice rests.

That’s the epitome of privilege right there, not considering armed nazis a threat to your life. - Silasw
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#256408: Oct 3rd 2018 at 10:26:58 AM

Claiming that Thursday’s hearings reflect “a new low” and “a nation in decline” implies that, in some previous era of American history, the Senate Judiciary Committee would have treated Brett Kavanaugh...more fairly than they did this week.

Yeah, they would have. Before the Obama administration, they'd have given Kavanaugh a swift boot before Ford's testimony ever came up.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#256409: Oct 3rd 2018 at 10:36:19 AM

At least, they would have "encouraged" him to step aside quietly ("While I maintain my innocence, I realize I have become a distraction etc, etc").

Edited by Rationalinsanity on Oct 3rd 2018 at 2:35:58 PM

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#256410: Oct 3rd 2018 at 11:01:27 AM

These people have perfectioned Never My Fault as their religion.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
MorningStar1337 The Encounter that ended the Dogma from 🤔 Since: Nov, 2012
The Encounter that ended the Dogma
#256411: Oct 3rd 2018 at 11:27:52 AM

[up]Which of The 10 Commandants of the Almighty Dollar is that?tongue

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#256412: Oct 3rd 2018 at 11:57:48 AM

Yeah, they would have. Before the Obama administration, they'd have given Kavanaugh a swift boot before Ford's testimony ever came up.

Considering the treatment of Anita Hill this is laughably easy to disprove, it's simply false to say that in the past they somehow treated sexual assault more seriously then we do know. You know all those people saying things like "boys will be boys" and similar bits of apologia? They're the intellectual descendants of cultural views that used to be dominant in the past.

That article is completely right that the fact we're all so angry about this is evidence that it's a national high, not a national low, sexual predators have gone into power before but our culture is showing signs of fighting back.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
danime91 Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#256413: Oct 3rd 2018 at 12:12:57 PM

[up]I'm thinking that's more in reference to how Kavanaugh is clearly unfit to be a Supreme Court Justice even without the allegations, and thus would not have been considered a candidate if it weren't for extreme partisanship.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#256414: Oct 3rd 2018 at 12:26:19 PM

https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2018/10/03/day-622/

Day 622: Appalling.

1/ The FBI is expected to wrap up its investigation into sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh today. Ford has not been interviewed by the FBI. Her attorneys have demanded that the FBI interview her and other witnesses to the alleged incidents. Agents completed a first batch of interviews of four individuals closest to the alleged events, including Mark Judge, and are now interviewing Tim Gaudette, a Georgetown Preparatory School classmate of Kavanaugh who lived in the home of the July 1, 1982, party. Another friend from Kavanaugh's high school days, Chris Garrett, has also completed an FBI interview. Mitch Mc Connell plans to vote later this week and has vowed that "only senators will be allowed to look at" the FBI's final report. (Politico / Washington Post)

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/02/when-will-senate-vote-brett-kavanaugh-861232

2/ The FBI has not contacted at least 40 people who are potential corroborators or character witnesses about the allegations against Kavanaugh by Ford and Deborah Ramirez. Two sources, however, say more interviews are happening with a focus on Kavanaugh's high school friends who are listed as attending a July 1, 1982, party. (NBC News / CNN)

https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/02/politics/fbi-investigation-ford-kavanaugh/index.html

Kavanaugh wrote a letter to his Georgetown Prep friends in 1983 and recommended that one of them "warn the neighbors that we're loud, obnoxious drunks with prolific pukers among us." Kavanaugh and his seven friends were staying in Ocean City, Maryland for "Beach Week." (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/02/us/brett-kavanaugh-georgetown-prep.html

3/ Trump repeatedly mocked Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, for not remembering certain details when she was questioned by the Senate Judiciary Committee about the incident. "How did you get home?" Trump asked the crowd. "I don't remember. How'd you get there? I don't remember. Where is the place? I don't remember. How many years ago was it? I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. What neighborhood was it in? I don't know. Where's the house? I don't know. Upstairs, downstairs, where was it? I don't know." (New York Times / NBC News / Washington Post)

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-mocks-christine-blasey-ford-mississippi-campaign-rally-n916061

Jeff Flake called Trump's ridicule "appalling," saying "there's no time and no place for remarks like that." Susan Collins added that "the president's comments were just plain wrong." (Washington Post / NBC News)

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/democrats-denounce-trump-mocking-kavanaugh-accuser-ford-n916141

poll/ 41% of Americans oppose Kavanaugh's nomination, 33% support it, and 26% don't have an opinion. (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-kavanaugh-poll/opposition-to-kavanaugh-grows-after-senate-hearing-reuters-ipsos-poll-idUSKCN1MD27V

poll/ 56% of Republicans would still consider voting for a candidate accused of sexual harassment as long as they agreed with them on the issues. 81% of Democrats would "definitely not" vote for a candidate accused of sexual harassment. (NBC News)

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/should-sex-harassment-charges-disqualify-political-candidate-56-percent-republicans-n916021

Notables.

International Court of Justice ruled that sanctions against Iran by the U.S. violated the Treaty of Amity, which was signed by both countries in 1955. The United Nations' highest court ordered the U.S. to ease sanctions on Iran and to not tamper with humanitarian aid efforts by using sanctions, which are due to increase significantly next month. (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/03/iran-sanctions-lift-un-864134

In response, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. would cancel the treaty. (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/03/world/middleeast/us-iran-sanctions-international-court.html

The White House called the article by The New York Times on Trump's exploitive use of tax schemes and fraud during the 1990s a "misleading attack" on the president's family. Sarah Huckabee Sanders then touted Trump's economic accomplishments. Trump received the equivalent today of at least $413 million from his father, helped his parents dodge taxes by setting up a "sham corporation" to take improper tax deductions, and helped undervalue their real estate holdings. (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/02/nyt-report-trump-taxes-863145

Expect a text message from Trump this afternoon. The first nationwide test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System is scheduled for 2:18 p.m. ET today. "Presidential Alert," the text will read. "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed. (CNN)

https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/03/politics/cellphone-federal-emergency-alert-system-test/index.html

The history of the Presidential Alert system. (Wired)

https://www.wired.com/story/presidential-text-alert-fema-emergency-history/

Larkmarn Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Hello, I love you
#256415: Oct 3rd 2018 at 12:37:34 PM

Yeah... it's a new high for taking a stance on sexual abusers, but a new low on partisanship and standards of being fit to serve.

He demonstrated quite aptly that he's utterly unfit to serve as a lawyer, let alone a judge, let alone a Supreme Court Justice and he's still likely going to get confirmed. All because of partisan bickering. That's terrifying.

Because "rape is bad" has somehow become a partisan issue.

Found a Youtube Channel with political stances you want to share? Hop on over to this page and add them.
unknowing from somewhere.. Since: Mar, 2014
#256416: Oct 3rd 2018 at 12:45:02 PM

while the cout have always being prejudiced, I think we can said that at least people will have enough self preservation to see ford allegation as something serious enough to their nominate,not to double down and die in a hill easy enough to evade.

"My Name is Bolt, Bolt Crank and I dont care if you believe or not"
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#256417: Oct 3rd 2018 at 1:23:17 PM

Because "rape is bad" has somehow become a partisan issue.

It's always been a partisan issue.

In traditional hierarchies, powerful men can force themselves or otherwise coerce sex from powerless women at their discretion and thus whether one supports that or not is a partisan question. The Republicans as the defenders of traditional hierarchies support while the Democrats do not.

It's not really a new thing.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#256418: Oct 3rd 2018 at 1:31:30 PM

[up][up] Uhh...I’m not too sure about that. We’ve had some pretty horrific SC justices. As late as the 40s there was one justice who wouldn’t speak to another justice because he was Jewish and refused to hear cases from women or accept statements from female lawyers. There were a few Civil War-era justices who actually wanted to abolish the federal government. Hell, Clarence Thomas is on the court right now and he’s just about pure evil.

Rape has always been a partisan issue. There have always been horrifically unfit people at the levers of power. We just had a decade or two where it seemed like things were getting better.

Luckily, we’re finally getting the opportunity to capitalize on the trend those few decades started.

Edited by archonspeaks on Oct 3rd 2018 at 1:36:36 AM

They should have sent a poet.
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#256419: Oct 3rd 2018 at 1:31:42 PM

I’d argue that it didn’t used to be as partisan an issue, because previously there was bi-partisan support for the idea that it wasn’t bad.

“Rape is bad” begin a partisan issue is an improvement over “rape isn’t a problem” being a bi-partisan belief.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#256420: Oct 3rd 2018 at 1:32:34 PM

Hell, Clarence Thomas is on the court right now and he’s just about pure evil.

Oh wow. I remember hearing about the Anita Hill stuff but it didn't dawn on me that Thomas was still on the Court. That's fucked up.

archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#256421: Oct 3rd 2018 at 1:35:41 PM

[up] Thomas once argued that a prohibition on “whites-only” lunch counters was unconstitutional, and that’s not even the worst thing he’s said.

Edited by archonspeaks on Oct 3rd 2018 at 1:35:17 AM

They should have sent a poet.
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#256422: Oct 3rd 2018 at 1:43:23 PM

[up][up]

It helps that Thomas' denial of the accusation was a lot more measured than Kavanaugh's has been, and I don't think he perjured himself in other ways during that hearing, as Kavanaugh has done.

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#256423: Oct 3rd 2018 at 1:45:30 PM

I’d argue that it didn’t used to be as partisan an issue, because previously there was bi-partisan support for the idea that it wasn’t bad.

“Rape is bad” begin a partisan issue is an improvement over “rape isn’t a problem” being a bi-partisan belief.

That's a fair point, I agree then. I'll rephrase my point, It's now a partisan issue because we care about it and that's not a bad thing.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#256424: Oct 3rd 2018 at 1:49:03 PM

Clarence Thomas's only saving grace (okay not really) is that he 's a big comics fan. In fact, he used to quote an old series called Icon verbatim during his court cases. So much so that writer Dwayne Mc Duffie became scared to write anything out of fears that Thomas would repurpose it.

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#256425: Oct 3rd 2018 at 1:53:47 PM

Sometimes he also has reasonable views on race issues, if Wikipedia's court case articles serves. He did have some unkind things to say about Hill after he was confirmed, though.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman

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