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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
#269976: Feb 4th 2019 at 10:30:36 AM

one of the "Are They Running?" indicators for people presumed to be prepping a presidential campaign was "Have they had a private meeting with Obama recently?" Since, presumably, his tacit blessings carry a lot of weight.
Is there anyone declared who wouldn't get even tacit support from Obama?
AOC has established a position challenging Israel's claim to the Palestinian territories, which marks her as something of a pariah given the massive pro-Israel bias of the U.S. political establishment.
That is an unusual political stance, but not a completely unknown one.

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!
#269977: Feb 4th 2019 at 10:34:40 AM

Is there anyone declared who wouldn't get even tacit support from Obama?

Gabbard, considering she has very publicly criticized the Obama administration for its refusal to use the phrase "Radical Islam" I highly doubt Obama is going to give her any support.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#269978: Feb 4th 2019 at 10:41:19 AM

So what is the deal with Virginia's lieutenant governor being accused of sexual assault.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#269979: Feb 4th 2019 at 10:42:59 AM

Apparently the claim is coming from "Right wing media"

article

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#269980: Feb 4th 2019 at 10:46:35 AM

So what is the deal with Virginia's lieutenant governor being accused of sexual assault.

It doesn't seem very credible so far, the Washinton Post was approached with the story and turned it down. Couple that with the fact that the outlet that has advanced it was founded by ex-Breitbart staff and it's extremely shady.

I'm going to wait for more information before I consider it even slightly credible.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#269981: Feb 4th 2019 at 10:51:49 AM

Based on what I've seen, it was the same website which broke Northam's blackface moment, and Fairfax switched his story from "it didn't happen" to "it was consensual."

Also, the Super PAC behind Fairfax tried to say it was Northam trying to ruin Fairfax two hours before the story actually broke.

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#269982: Feb 4th 2019 at 10:59:11 AM

Based on what I've seen, it was the same website which broke Northam's blackface moment, and Fairfax switched his story from "it didn't happen" to "it was consensual."

Also, the Super PAC behind Fairfax tried to say it was Northam trying to ruin Fairfax two hours before the story actually broke.

The blackface moment had actual evidence, this is still super shady and as such I'm taking it with a bucket of salt. The fact the Washington Post turned down the story really says quite a bit about its credibility.

Regardless, if this is a smear job then it should unravel rather quickly and if it's not then the party can call upon him to resign. But as of now, I think the evidence is pointing towards the former.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Feb 4th 2019 at 2:31:01 PM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#269983: Feb 4th 2019 at 11:05:25 AM

https://www.axios.com/white-house-reaction-trump-private-schedules-leak-a0c23dc5-ad34-47f5-830f-1bc496398cc2.html

That leak of Trump's schedule, in which it's confirmed that about 60% of said schedule consists of "Executive Time", is causing no small amount of chaos. As described in the article:

White House insiders said the leak sowed chaos. Cliff Sims, the former White House official who wrote the dishy "Team of Vipers," told me: "There are leaks, and then there are leaks. If most are involuntary manslaughter, this was premeditated murder. People inside are genuinely scared."

Larkmarn Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Hello, I love you
#269984: Feb 4th 2019 at 11:27:31 AM

[up][up] Just going to go ahead and point this out: I don't give a damn about Northam's photo itself. It doesn't matter in the slightest. Is it blackface? Is he one of the people? Was it just a black person? Was it a long time ago? Was it a joke? It doesn't matter.

The problem is that, as an adult, he saw fit to put on a very limited space that he had, to be recorded for posterity, a picture of a Klansman and a black-seeming guy, tells me everything I need to know.

He keeps waffling about who was what and context, and none of it matters. The one thing that's not debatable is that it was there, and that's all that's important.

Edited by Larkmarn on Feb 4th 2019 at 2:28:30 PM

Found a Youtube Channel with political stances you want to share? Hop on over to this page and add them.
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#269985: Feb 4th 2019 at 11:30:23 AM

Just going to go ahead and point this out: I don't give a damn about Northam's photo itself. It doesn't matter in the slightest. Is it blackface? Is he one of the people? Was it just a black person? Was it a long time ago? Was it a joke? It doesn't matter.

The problem is that, as an adult, he saw fit to put on a very limited space that he had, to be recorded for posterity, a picture of a Klansman and a black-seeming guy, tells me everything I need to know.

I'd recommend that you go back and read the 5+ pages of discussion about the issue, you'll find that you're quite literally preaching to the choir.

My point in the post you were responding to was that the blackface incident had actual evidence to back it up, this so far does not.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Feb 4th 2019 at 2:31:20 PM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#269986: Feb 4th 2019 at 12:34:14 PM

Ocasio-Cortez invites activist who confronted Jeff Flake over Kavanaugh nomination as her guest to State of the Union

https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/04/politics/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-state-of-the-union-ana-maria-archila/index.html

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has invited Ana Maria Archila to be her guest at President Donald Trump's State of the Union address. Archila, the co-executive director at the Center for Popular Democracy, is the activist who confronted Jeff Flake, who was then serving as a GOP senator, in an elevator on Capitol Hill in a viral moment over the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. The Center for Popular Democracy announced the news on Monday with a video featuring Ocasio-Cortez, and Archila and the congresswoman's office confirmed the invitation to CNN. It was first reported by The Intercept.

Trump campaign takes steps to prevent a challenge within GOP

https://apnews.com/33438efb7d794b5caf0b60f815192500

Worried about a potential Republican primary challenge, President Donald Trump’s campaign has launched a state-by-state effort to prevent an intraparty fight that could spill over into the general-election campaign.

The nascent initiative has been an intense focus in recent weeks and includes taking steps to change state party rules, crowd out potential rivals and quell any early signs of opposition that could embarrass the president.

It is an acknowledgment that Trump, who effectively hijacked the Republican Party in 2016, hasn’t completely cemented his grip on the GOP and, in any event, is not likely to coast to the 2020 GOP nomination without some form of opposition. While any primary challenge would almost certainly be unsuccessful, Trump aides are looking to prevent a repeat of the convention discord that highlighted the electoral weaknesses of Presidents George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter in their failed re-election campaigns.

To defend against that prospect, Trump’s campaign has deployed what it calls an unprecedented effort to monitor and influence local party operations. It has used endorsements, lobbying and rule changes to increase the likelihood that only loyal Trump activists make it to the Republican nominating convention in August 2020.

Bill Stepien, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, calls it all a “process of ensuring that the national convention is a television commercial for the president for an audience of 300 million and not an internal fight.”

Edited by sgamer82 on Feb 4th 2019 at 1:38:40 PM

Larkmarn Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Hello, I love you
#269987: Feb 4th 2019 at 12:53:42 PM
Thumped: Wow. That was rude. Too many of this kind of thump will bring a suspension. Please keep it civil.
Found a Youtube Channel with political stances you want to share? Hop on over to this page and add them.
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#269988: Feb 4th 2019 at 12:57:13 PM

That seems needlessly hostile. Or maybe passive-aggressive? I'm honestly not sure. Unnecessary either way though.

[down] Their with the "Glad to know you don't like people agreeing with you."

Edited by sgamer82 on Feb 4th 2019 at 2:08:13 AM

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#269989: Feb 4th 2019 at 12:57:27 PM

[up][up]I didn't say that I have a problem with people agreeing with me, it's just that how your post was written made it look like you were informing me about Northam and why he should be opposed.

I was merely pointing out that I already knew and I've been arguing in favor of his resignation, frankly, I think you misread the tone of my post. I wasn't annoyed or otherwise hostile.

[up]Are you referring to my post or theirs?

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Feb 4th 2019 at 3:57:47 PM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#269990: Feb 4th 2019 at 1:50:12 PM

What did I say about the Right taking the lack of any actual close examination or investigation of Northam as a signal?

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#269991: Feb 4th 2019 at 1:52:39 PM

[up]Sure, but the difference is that there was unambiguous evidence and Northam immediately apologized. It's clear that he was actually guilty.

Here, the waters are much muddier and thus there's no reason to assume. So it won't be nearly as effective.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Soban Since: Aug, 2009 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
#269992: Feb 4th 2019 at 3:29:54 PM

I'm pretty far right for this forum. To me it seems that there is not enough grace in politics. Let's be honest here, he was a stupid and possibly racist as a teenager. However, he's has had a long time to learn and grow over the years. I haven't seen much evidence that he's racist now, so I'm more than happy to cut him some slack until there is.

We should also be honest with ourselves that there is no way to have been wrong in today's political world. To admit that we have been not our best selves is political suicide. Thus the only way to deal with it is by never admitting you were ever wrong about anything, the Trump approach as it were.

ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#269993: Feb 4th 2019 at 3:35:28 PM

With the Lt. Gov., apparently the Washington Post was approached last year with the allegation, and both parties acknowledge that it took place (in 2004), it's that Fairfax is saying it was consensual. The Post couldn't find anyone to corroborate her version of events, but as we know, that's not always proof of falsehood.

Edited by ironballs16 on Feb 4th 2019 at 6:36:59 AM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#269994: Feb 4th 2019 at 3:38:02 PM

[up][up] Northam isn’t great on race. Black activists have spent the last few days pulling tons of examples of him disregarding black constituents’ concerns on policy. Blackface is more obvious than racist policy, but far less damaging. It’s the pox that shows the disease, if anything.

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#269995: Feb 4th 2019 at 3:42:49 PM

I'm pretty far right for this forum. To me it seems that there is not enough grace in politics. Let's be honest here, he was a stupid and possibly racist as a teenager. However, he's has had a long time to learn and grow over the years. I haven't seen much evidence that he's racist now, so I'm more than happy to cut him some slack until there is.

We should also be honest with ourselves that there is no way to have been wrong in today's political world. To admit that we have been not our best selves is political suicide. Thus the only way to deal with it is by never admitting you were ever wrong about anything, the Trump approach as it were.

And yet the NAACP, African-American lieutenant governor, and Virginia Black Caucus have called for him to step down.

I don't see any reason to support giving him leniency when the African-American officials of his state have all come out in favor of his resignation.

Also FYI, he wasn't a teenager when it happened. He was an adult in Med school, he had absolutely no excuse.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#269996: Feb 4th 2019 at 3:54:30 PM

@Soban

The thing is, this wasn't his High School yearbook - it was the yearbook from when he was in medical school, so well into his 20s, and working towards a Doctorate.

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
MarqFJA The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer from Deserts of the Middle East (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer
#269997: Feb 4th 2019 at 3:57:49 PM

That leak of Trump's schedule, in which it's confirmed that about 60% of said schedule consists of "Executive Time", is causing no small amount of chaos. As described in the article:

White House insiders said the leak sowed chaos. Cliff Sims, the former White House official who wrote the dishy "Team of Vipers," told me: "There are leaks, and then there are leaks. If most are involuntary manslaughter, this was premeditated murder. People inside are genuinely scared."

Oh boo hoo, now they're all afraid of the Orange Turd venting his petulant rage upon them and rabidly searching for someone he could fire over this public humiliation that he has suffered.

I offer them nothing more than a giant middle finger and a sign saying "You made your bed, now sleep in it." Among a lot of other things that I am barred from posting here.


On a different note, since we like to rag so much on Trump's cronies and supporters for doing this... what are the rules in the US for politicians, political parties, individual activists, activist groups, etc. accepting money from foreign entities? What I've gathered so far is that accepting such money isn't illegal in itself note , but not "declaring" that you did so (whatever that means) is the crime. Is that correct? What else is there to the subject?

Edited by MarqFJA on Feb 4th 2019 at 3:03:19 PM

Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#269998: Feb 4th 2019 at 4:02:51 PM

As far as I know — and I could be wrong — foreign donations to political campaigns are absolutely prohibited. Foreign contributions to charitable organizations have no particular restrictions that I'm aware of. Foreign lobbying happens all the time, but it would be against the law for the lobbyist to give money directly to the politician or their campaign.

Any person operating on behalf of a foreign entity (business, government, etc.) and conducting any activity designed to influence a politician or political group must register under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Failure to do so is itself a felony regardless of what specific actions were taken.

Edited by Fighteer on Feb 4th 2019 at 7:04:33 AM

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
MarqFJA The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer from Deserts of the Middle East (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer
#269999: Feb 4th 2019 at 4:04:27 PM

What about giving money to lobbyist groups, like the NRA (who are being scruntized for secretly taking money from Russian-linked entities)?

Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#270000: Feb 4th 2019 at 4:05:25 PM

It is not illegal for a foreign national to donate money to the NRA as far as I know. It is illegal for the NRA to spend money donated by a foreign national to influence a politician or political campaign.

What Maria Butina is primarily charged with is failure to register as a foreign agent while she attempted to influence the NRA. It is possible, even likely, that she was also threatened with espionage charges if she didn't cooperate.

The NRA itself may be in legal jeopardy if it spent money received from Russian sources on the 2016 campaign, but that hasn't been widely covered and I don't know if there are specific ongoing investigations into the matter.

Edited by Fighteer on Feb 4th 2019 at 7:09:01 AM

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"

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