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Nov 2023 Mod notice:


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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#267126: Jan 14th 2019 at 10:43:23 PM

I think it’s important to not loose sight of the fact, that in a lot of ways, it’s less of an investigation into trump specifically, and more of larger counter-intelligence investigation, with law enforcement powers.

What they are really doing, is unraveling and exposing a global conspiracy to undermine western democracy.

In the grand scheme of things, Trump is just another useful idiot. He’s a Russian asset, because he wants to protect his business interests there, and wants to cultivate favor with the strongmen who he respects.

Edited by megaeliz on Jan 14th 2019 at 2:05:01 PM

archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#267127: Jan 14th 2019 at 11:11:18 PM

That feels a little grandiose. Let’s keep in mind that there’s a specific scope for Mueller’s investigation, and it doesn’t exactly include global conspiracies or all of western democracy. He’s specifically mandated to investigate the ties between the Russian government and the Trump campaign, and if said ties had any effect on the election. Outside of that he has no actual legal authority to investigate.

Edited by archonspeaks on Jan 14th 2019 at 11:11:47 AM

They should have sent a poet.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#267128: Jan 14th 2019 at 11:19:26 PM

[up]. Yeah, I was exaggerating a bit there for effect.

Still, this isn’t something that just affects America. By exposing the channels of influence on the US elections, it will hopefully help in starting to dismantle Russia’s larger efforts undermine the west as a whole.

I’m not expecting miracles of course, but it will certainly help.

Edited by megaeliz on Jan 14th 2019 at 2:23:14 PM

Imca (Veteran)
#267129: Jan 15th 2019 at 12:20:41 AM

@Manchin Topic: The other thing to remember about Manchin, is that he is from West Virgina.

If his consitutions dont put him in the democrat seat there, they aren't going to pick a more liberal democrat, there going to pick an ACTUAL republician.

So no, while he has a lot of issues, he is legitimatly usefull for keeping something worse away.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#267130: Jan 15th 2019 at 12:21:52 AM

Manchin's far from ideal, but he's probably the best we can hope for barring a major cultural shift in WV.

One reason I find Gabbard frustrating is that she's a Rep from Hawaii, one of the Bluest states in the USA. It should be child's play for the Democratic Party to find someone less shitty to primary her and for said candidate to win her seat.

Edited by M84 on Jan 16th 2019 at 4:22:56 AM

Disgusted, but not surprised
Imca (Veteran)
#267131: Jan 15th 2019 at 12:33:15 AM

How did he even like happen in the first place actualy, like how did WV not see the D next to his name and have an alergic reaction?

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
#267132: Jan 15th 2019 at 12:36:08 AM

West Virginia has a solid democratic history due to labour unions tied to things like mining, the southern strategy of Nixon never fully took hold there and Manchin is one of the remaining holdouts.

There are several states that vote solidly one way at the presidential level but are competitive in senate and gubernatorial races. West Virginia is one of them.

Edited by Silasw on Jan 15th 2019 at 8:37:15 PM

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#267133: Jan 15th 2019 at 12:37:40 AM

Also, WV separating from Virginia to stay with the Union during the opening of the Civil War.

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
Imca (Veteran)
#267134: Jan 15th 2019 at 12:40:36 AM

So its not a process that could be replicated to do something like say remove every one's least favriote human turtle?

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#267135: Jan 15th 2019 at 12:43:39 AM

Possibly but you'd need a strong candidate. Mitch won re-election in 2014 against such a candidate; if we re-run that election with 2018's generic ballot rather than 2014's does he still win? (That is, his margin of 2014+218's generic ballot-2014's generic ballot=?)

eta: Based on 2018 generic ballot, 2014 generic ballot and 2014 election results, it seems like the outcome would be Mitch McConnell 42.1%-54.8% Alison Lundergan Grimes, so yes Evil Turtle would have been vulnerable in 2018. Mind you, I am assuming that Kentucky didn't become less or more Republican between the years and that Kentucky isn't less "elastic" (as in, that the share of swing or infrequent voters is the same as nationwide) than the US as a whole.

Edited by SeptimusHeap on Jan 15th 2019 at 9:52:57 PM

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#267136: Jan 15th 2019 at 6:45:35 AM

It should be noted it's a massive testament to the popularity of Alison that she managed to carry 40% of the vote. If not for the massive funding machine and low voter turnout and shenanigans, she would have probably won.

He used every dirty trick he could that election and was still relying on the fact many people voted on straight party lines.

Edit:

Regarding Manchin, I think people look for an ideological conflict that isn't actually there like it is in most of the rest of the country. The Republicans and Democrats in the state are not as split down the middle. I say this because while I live in Kentucky, I work in WV.

West Virginia's Democrats are still largely people cultivated and trained by the late Robert C. Byrd (who has his name on everything). It's the last bastion of a Blue Dog Democrat ideal with the two sides generally amendable to deal making across the table.

My distaste for Machin comes from the fact this is not the climate for that attitude.

A good explanation would be that Manchin positions himself as the friend of the hard working coal miner (which isn't even an industry save in the eye of the public anymore) while his Republican allies position themselves as the allies of the coal mining industry.

And they both end up voting for coal.

I mean, it's a different language being spoken from the rest of the country where the debate is, [local] "Should we do mountaintop removal [strip mining] vs. tourism or try to do both?" vs. [everywhere else] "Coal is a dead industry. You should work on alternative energy."

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Jan 15th 2019 at 6:56:43 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#267137: Jan 15th 2019 at 7:31:49 AM

Or it might be a testament to Evil Turtle's unpopularity, he usually holds the "America's least popular Senator" title. Probably a combination of the reasons we don't like him and many Republicans considering him a) a Swamp Thing and quintessential corrupt Washington insider, b) insufficiently devoted to Trump and Trump not liking him much and c) he's seen as someone who isn't effective at passing conservative legislation.

That said, Lunergan (sp?) Grimes was apparently a good candidate so it'd be nice if she tried again.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
MrHellboy The Shadow from A world of my own Since: Dec, 2017 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
The Shadow
#267138: Jan 15th 2019 at 8:08:13 AM

I think this should lay to rest any question of whether or not Trump has any intention of re-opening the government anytime soon:

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/425377-Trump-shares-article-blasting-federal-workers-calling-for-long-shutdown

The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.
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.
#267139: Jan 15th 2019 at 8:20:28 AM

Tbf, Trump could also have retweeted that cause it's an incredible asskiss.

"You can reply to this Message!"
MrHellboy The Shadow from A world of my own Since: Dec, 2017 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
The Shadow
#267140: Jan 15th 2019 at 8:29:45 AM

He's rapidly spinning out of control. Makes me wonder if he thinks he hasn't got many moves left

The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.
TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#267141: Jan 15th 2019 at 8:29:51 AM

Y'know, between the candidates we have right now, I think I'm pulling for Elizabeth Warren.

I can see the headlines now:

Pocahontas Set to Challenge President Ratcliffe

When asked for comment, the President had this to say:

  • My rivals back home
  • It's not that I'm bitter
  • But think how they'll squirm
  • When they see how I glitter!
  • The ladies at court
  • Putin will reward me
  • He'll knight me, no, lord me!
  • It's mine, mine, mine
  • For the taking
  • It's mine, boys
  • Mine me that gold!
  • With those nuggets dug
  • It's glory they'll gimme
  • My dear friend, King Vladdy
  • Will probably build me a shrine
  • When all of the gold is mine

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
MrHellboy The Shadow from A world of my own Since: Dec, 2017 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
The Shadow
#267142: Jan 15th 2019 at 8:32:46 AM

[up] That was brilliant.

Okay, so, that tweet by Trump about that Daily Caller article? Turns out it was Trump JR. who re-tweeted it, not Trump Sr. My bad

A little less panicky now

AND ANOTHER EDIT: Okay, so Trump Sr. did re-tweet the tweet that his son made about the article. So, original comment stands

Edited by MrHellboy on Jan 15th 2019 at 10:38:16 AM

The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#267143: Jan 15th 2019 at 8:37:44 AM

Do we need to remind people not to panic in this thread again?

Disgusted, but not surprised
MrHellboy The Shadow from A world of my own Since: Dec, 2017 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
The Shadow
#267144: Jan 15th 2019 at 8:38:43 AM

I don't think my original comment was all that panicky

The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.
Larkmarn Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Hello, I love you
#267145: Jan 15th 2019 at 8:44:22 AM

[up] You're the one who said you were panicky. I didn't think you came across as panicked until you said you were. Or rather, said you weren't anymore, and then said that the correction was wrong. Just sayin'.

Not that there's any reason to panic on this. Trump continuing this path is A: just reaffirming what we 100% knew and B: Likely won't severely affect you. Trump has little incentive to cave, but he has all the incentive to look like he won't cave.

Found a Youtube Channel with political stances you want to share? Hop on over to this page and add them.
MrHellboy The Shadow from A world of my own Since: Dec, 2017 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
The Shadow
#267146: Jan 15th 2019 at 8:46:14 AM

I guess less 'panicky' and more just 'concerned'. Which we all are

But no, I'm not in "Oh dear God, this is the end of everything!" mode. I believe that there is always hope that justice will win the day

The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.
Larkmarn Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Hello, I love you
#267147: Jan 15th 2019 at 8:54:00 AM

Yeah, that's how I read the post anyway. Because this fun level of baseline concern isn't going away for a while.

Found a Youtube Channel with political stances you want to share? Hop on over to this page and add them.
MrHellboy The Shadow from A world of my own Since: Dec, 2017 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
The Shadow
#267148: Jan 15th 2019 at 8:58:16 AM

This makes me think he's spinning out of control. Hasn't got many options left

Hopefully the Mueller report is as devastating as Rudy Ghouliani thinks it is

The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#267149: Jan 15th 2019 at 8:59:58 AM

Don't count on it. Any action against Trump needs approval from the Republicans in the Senate and they won't do it.

Seriously, as frustrating as it is don't pin your hopes on Trump ever seeing any comeuppance for any of this. You're going to be seriously disappointed.

Oh really when?
speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#267150: Jan 15th 2019 at 9:01:38 AM

Judge Orders Trump Administration To Remove 2020 Census Citizenship Question Good!

B: Likely won't severely affect you.
My concern is that the longer this drags out, non-government citizens will start to be affected. Like farmers, which affects all of us, 'cause you know, we need to eat.

Edited by speedyboris on Jan 15th 2019 at 11:03:00 AM


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