TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

The General US Politics Thread

Go To

Nov 2023 Mod notice:


There may be other, more specific, threads about some aspects of US politics, but this one tends to act as a hub for all sorts of related news and information, so it's usually one of the busiest OTC threads.

If you're new to OTC, it's worth reading the Introduction to On-Topic Conversations and the On-Topic Conversations debate guidelines before posting here.

Rumor-based, fear-mongering and/or inflammatory statements that damage the quality of the thread will be thumped. Off-topic posts will also be thumped. Repeat offenders may be suspended.

If time spent moderating this thread remains a distraction from moderation of the wiki itself, the thread will need to be locked. We want to avoid that, so please follow the forum rules when posting here.


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

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#277051: Apr 9th 2019 at 12:15:17 PM

This was a good handling of Nielsen's firing.

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
#277053: Apr 9th 2019 at 12:48:52 PM

yeah your going to need to elaborate

edit:as side note I keep reading Bill Barr as Bill burr so when I read a headline it came out as "Bill Burr: I’m Not Giving Congress Unredacted Mueller Report. The AG said a redacted version could come within a week. But he’s not giving in to congressional demands for the full copy" and I'm left wondering how a comedian got hold of the full report!

Edited by Ultimatum on Apr 9th 2019 at 8:11:17 AM

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
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.
#277054: Apr 9th 2019 at 1:43:02 PM

One thing of note is that Harris made that call in 2015, and this year she put up a transgender Pride flag in her office to show that she stands with transgender people. Yeah, yeah, actions and words, but it's possible she's changed in the four years since and it's not an unbelievably drastic change.

Edited by PushoverMediaCritic on Apr 9th 2019 at 1:43:34 AM

Larkmarn Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Hello, I love you
#277055: Apr 9th 2019 at 1:55:18 PM

To play Devil's Advocate, transgender rights and visibility has gone up so much in four years that I can see someone change their tune in that time.

The rest of her record on transgender rights since then seems better, including introducing legislation specifically banning the use of Gay/Trans Panic as a defense which is laudable at least.

And to be honest (and YMMV on whether this is better or worse), I disagree with people the article quotes saying that she doesn't see transgendered people as human... I'd honestly say that the issue is seeing inmates as human.

At least part of me is a bit put off by the state paying for a surgery to improve a murderer's quality of life, though I admit I'm not well-versed on the issue.

Found a Youtube Channel with political stances you want to share? Hop on over to this page and add them.
smokeycut Since: Mar, 2013
#277056: Apr 9th 2019 at 1:55:34 PM

She’s pivoted on several issues recently. I think she realizes that being as harsh in the area of criminal justice as she was isn’t going to get support in this election.

AzurePaladin She/Her Pronouns from Forest of Magic Since: Apr, 2018 Relationship Status: Mu
She/Her Pronouns
#277057: Apr 9th 2019 at 1:56:43 PM

[up][up][up] I'll believe it when I see it. Also, putting up a flag is in no way an equivalent action to denying Trans people medical care.

If she wanted to show growth, she could apologize for it. As it stands, she said she "takes full responsibility" and then gave non answers as to whether she thinks Trans prisoners are actually entitled to medical care. So, make of it what you will.

[up][up] Its not a "quality of life" thing, its essential. Preventing a Trans person from transitioning is, imho, cruel and unusual.

And Warren deserves flack for it too - she also said that Trans prisoners shouldn't be able to get surgery back in 2012. The difference, is that Warren was not in a place to actually act on it at the time. She changed her opinion via Presidential platform.

Edited by AzurePaladin on Apr 9th 2019 at 5:05:46 AM

The awful things he says and does are burned into our cultural consciousness like a CRT display left on the same picture too long. -Fighteer
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#277058: Apr 9th 2019 at 2:01:21 PM

It's basically a video that has Noah pointing out what an awful person she was and how that even that isn't enough to satisfy Trump who is even more reactionary and awful.

As for Kamala Harris, her detractors have said from the beginning she was a hardline law and order candidate who doubled down and tripled down on everything from sentencing to militarization of the police to making it harder for the people in prison.

A lot of people were genuinely shocked by this but those familiar with her record, she's always been "twice as tough to make it in the justice system." Unfortunately, she's been dishonestly trying to play the Lighter and Softer candidate when that doesn't remotely reflect her history.

She's as close to a real life Amanda Waller as you're going to get—and should probably embrace that as it's better than lying.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Apr 9th 2019 at 2:04:52 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#277059: Apr 9th 2019 at 2:07:01 PM

[up]

She's as close to a real life Amanda Waller as you're going to get—and should probably embrace that as it's better than lying.

Damn it, you beat me to the punch on that comparison.

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#277060: Apr 9th 2019 at 2:27:57 PM

Amanda Waller is an entertaining character, but I wouldn't vote for her.

Do not obey in advance.
Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#277061: Apr 9th 2019 at 2:36:02 PM

Well yeah she's linked with Catmus and Luthor so nobody should trust her

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#277062: Apr 9th 2019 at 4:09:58 PM

What struck me was this part of wisewillow's excerpt:

After the President left the room, agents sought further advice from their leaders, who told them they were not giving them that direction and if they did what the President said they would take on personal liability. You have to follow the law, they were told.

I wouldn't say that checks and balances are working as they should, but they are working. The President being able to issue blatantly unlawful orders doesn't mean that they're going to be followed or that immigration agents can't be arrested if they do follow them.

Edited by Ramidel on Apr 9th 2019 at 3:10:11 AM

wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#277063: Apr 9th 2019 at 4:22:30 PM

That’s not “working.” That’s only effective so long as the officials in question each time hold firm. And given that Trump prefers to hire white supremacists...

Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#277064: Apr 9th 2019 at 4:26:49 PM

Trump has control over one hiring point in each Department: the Secretary. Below the Secretary are a lot of career civil servants and law enforcement officers, many of whom have been around in some form since at least Clinton.

To me, the fact that they're doing their jobs properly is a sign that things are still working, if not smoothly, within the law.

Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#277065: Apr 9th 2019 at 4:28:10 PM

But then you learn he's purging departments and many of those people are disappearing so there's more chance they'll agree to his whims

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#277066: Apr 9th 2019 at 4:30:30 PM

Trump hires awful people to head departments. You think people like Nielsen are hiring conscientious subordinates??? You think conscientious anti-Trump people are applying for those jobs?

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#277067: Apr 9th 2019 at 4:31:21 PM

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/opinion/kamala-harris-criminal-justice.html

A good article on Kamala's history.

I'll be honest, she's my lowest candidate right now. None of her policies are impressive and her past history is pretty terrible. Yes, she's actually managed to get under Biden.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
fruitpork Since: Oct, 2010
#277068: Apr 9th 2019 at 4:42:10 PM

[up] under the guy accused of multiple acts of sexual assault? You’ve got to be kidding me.

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#277069: Apr 9th 2019 at 4:43:01 PM

Up until now, all I'd heard was Biden's place on Anita Hill's hearing (which is shitty) and that he was inappropriate.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#277070: Apr 9th 2019 at 4:45:17 PM

Wasn't Biden like your first or second choice? Did you reevaluate your priorities?

wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#277071: Apr 9th 2019 at 4:45:59 PM

He was more than “shitty” to Anita Hill. He flung her under a bus. And STILL hasn’t apologized.

Oh, and you forgot about Gabbard in your worst rankings.

Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#277072: Apr 9th 2019 at 4:50:22 PM

Yeah, Biden's behavior towards women is unacceptable and while of course he is nowhere near as bad as Donald, that isn't good enough for a party that is supposed to stand for the civil rights and well-being of women. I don't think his record is significantly better than Harris', honestly.

At this point to me, it's gotta be either Warren or Gillibrand.

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
#277073: Apr 9th 2019 at 5:06:46 PM

When was Biden accused of sexual assault? I know that he’s been accused of inappropriate invasion of personal space, but I’m pretty sure the accuser specifically said that what happened wasn’t sexual assault (though she did view it as a disqualifying factor).

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
AzurePaladin She/Her Pronouns from Forest of Magic Since: Apr, 2018 Relationship Status: Mu
She/Her Pronouns
#277074: Apr 9th 2019 at 5:29:56 PM

Yeesh, Harris isn't that bad. Not nearly at Biden or Gabbard levels, that's for sure.

In my eyes at least, she's just overhyped. She isn't as progressive as she positions herself to be, and Trans rights are a rather important topic for me so her bad policy in the past is more important in my eyes. Having said that, against someone who inappropriately touches women and mistreated Anita Hill (Biden) or who was much more openly anti-LGBTQ and apologizes for Assad (Gabbard), she gets my vote. She just isn't in my top rankings.

The awful things he says and does are burned into our cultural consciousness like a CRT display left on the same picture too long. -Fighteer
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.
#277075: Apr 9th 2019 at 5:33:02 PM

Of course, and this doesn't need to be said, but just for the sake of mentioning it, even Gabbard would be better than Trump.

Edited by PushoverMediaCritic on Apr 9th 2019 at 5:33:27 AM


Total posts: 417,856
Top