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

Kakuzan Let memes die. Kill them, if you have to. from Knock knock, open up the door, it's real. Since: Dec, 2014 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
Let memes die. Kill them, if you have to.
#291201: Sep 29th 2019 at 5:36:23 AM

You can usually guess if the replies are toxic by the ratio of likes and retweets to how many comments there are.

Don't catch you slippin' now.
Ominae Since: Jul, 2010
#291202: Sep 29th 2019 at 7:44:18 AM

Well someone needs to counter that then.

He seems to be a walking meme now.

NativeJovian Jupiterian Local from Orlando, FL Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Maxing my social links
Jupiterian Local
#291203: Sep 29th 2019 at 7:51:15 AM

Naturally, Hillary is having fun with her emails. If you want to avoid eye cancer, don't read the comments in that tweet.
For the record, that was from like two weeks ago, it's not a response to anything that's happening with this Ukraine call or anything like that.

And although most of the comments are psychotic right-wing nonsense, there's a few gems in there. My favorite was the one who said "Trump should build his wall out of Hillary's emails, then no one would ever be able to get over it".

Really from Jupiter, but not an alien.
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#291204: Sep 29th 2019 at 8:19:23 AM

I must be totally numbed, here. If you want to avoid eye cancer, don't read the comments in that tweet. doesn't seem to be the case.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Forenperser Foreign Troper from Germany Since: Mar, 2012
Foreign Troper
#291205: Sep 29th 2019 at 9:32:54 AM

Yeah, it's fairly harmless actually, for Twitter standarts.

I'm actually more amused about all these bitter little men.

Edited by Forenperser on Sep 29th 2019 at 6:33:19 PM

Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#291206: Sep 29th 2019 at 10:28:34 AM

[Twitter is] the worst thing to happen to human communication since they invented the brick through the window.
Holden Shearer

Edited by Ramidel on Sep 29th 2019 at 9:28:55 AM

RainingMetal (Handed A Sword) Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#291207: Sep 29th 2019 at 10:45:51 AM

I thought it was the existence of anonymity.

ASAB: All Sponsors Are Bad.
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
#291208: Sep 29th 2019 at 10:59:45 AM

Nah, plenty of Twitter users operate under their real names. It’s the total lack of consequences for actions that makes Twitter so bad.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#291209: Sep 29th 2019 at 11:00:33 AM

Yeah, Twitter and Facebook have solidly debunked GIFT as a concept. People don't need anonymity to be awful shits.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Forenperser Foreign Troper from Germany Since: Mar, 2012
Foreign Troper
#291210: Sep 29th 2019 at 11:06:46 AM

And yet many right-wingers claim that they are TOO STRICT.

Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#291211: Sep 29th 2019 at 11:15:21 AM

Of course they do. The right hates having to follow even the bare minimum of rules that don't benefit them somehow.

i'm tired, my friend
Voltron64 Since: Jul, 2016
#291212: Sep 29th 2019 at 2:00:51 PM

Which is why you need to come down on them hard to the point they know better than to act out.

BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#291213: Sep 29th 2019 at 6:46:11 PM

It seems like the true complaint that conservatives have about not being allowed to do or say something is actually about not being allowed to do and say things without getting criticized.

Edited by BearyScary on Sep 29th 2019 at 5:48:43 AM

Do not obey in advance.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#291214: Sep 29th 2019 at 6:50:26 PM

Essentially, powerful and privileged people whine whenever they face even the slightest criticism or consequence for shitty behavior. That's largely because their power and privilege has given them a massive sense of entitlement. They're basically overgrown spoiled children throwing a tantrum because their "punishment" for bad behavior was not getting thirds for dessert.

Edited by M84 on Sep 29th 2019 at 9:53:49 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#291215: Sep 29th 2019 at 6:51:57 PM

Yes.

It's also a side effect of rarely having to face consequences for bad choices or mistakes.

Do not obey in advance.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#291216: Sep 29th 2019 at 6:54:16 PM

[up]It usually starts pretty early in life. Donald Trump for example grew up insulated from the consequences of bad behavior and decisions thanks to his dad's money and connections. I legit think he hasn't matured one bit since his preteen years.

It makes me wonder how bad Isabella and Olivia Jade Giannulli are going to get.

Edited by M84 on Sep 29th 2019 at 9:56:10 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#291217: Sep 29th 2019 at 7:24:15 PM

The Canadian Broadcasting Company got an email confirmation from US Border Patrol an uptick in 5 year bans against coming to the US under expedited removal which immigration lawyers have called indiscriminate.

If you are thinking about driving across a U.S. border any time soon take note - immigration lawyers in British Columbia and Washington State are seeing an increase in travellers being issued five-year bans from U.S. border guards.

"You don’t need to do anything wrong to have an expedited removal," said immigration lawyer Andrew Hayes.

If you are thinking about driving across a U.S. border any time soon take note — immigration lawyers in British Columbia and Washington State are seeing an increase in travellers being issued five-year bans from U.S. border guards.

The bans are the consequence of so-called "expedited removals" which are decided by an immigration officer and don't go before a judge, and are a "troubling trend" according to lawyer Len Saunders because of how arbitrary they can seem.

"Until recently, I never would have expected people to get these expedited removals so randomly," said Saunders, who practices immigration law in Blaine, Wash. and has clients who have been banned.

"It's very, very indiscriminate how they are doing this."

Canadians generally are allowed to stay for up to six months in the U.S. as a tourist but it's up to the traveller to prove they are just visiting and not planning to stay permanently.

Saunders said he's seen more scrutiny by border guards recently over things like home ownership, a permanent job and money in the bank, which indicate ties to Canada and a reason to return.

"Any Canadian who doesn't have a full time job or are living with their parents and don't have their own residence, under these recent expedited removals that I've been seeing, they could be barred," he said.

Flying into the U.S. instead of driving can be a different matter as some pre-clearance areas, like the one at Vancouver International Airport, aren't on U.S. soil and so travellers can't be given an expedited removal since they haven't crossed in yet.

By law, the burden is on the traveler to prove to U.S. customs that they are entering on a temporary basis and not intending to immigrate there.

cbc.ca Uptick of Canadians hit with 5-year bans at U.S. borders called a 'troubling trend' | CBC News Cathy Kearney, Clare Hennig 4-5 minutes

If you are thinking about driving across a U.S. border any time soon take note - immigration lawyers in British Columbia and Washington State are seeing an increase in travellers being issued five-year bans from U.S. border guards.

"You don’t need to do anything wrong to have an expedited removal," said immigration lawyer Andrew Hayes. (Reuters)

If you are thinking about driving across a U.S. border any time soon take note — immigration lawyers in British Columbia and Washington State are seeing an increase in travellers being issued five-year bans from U.S. border guards.

The bans are the consequence of so-called "expedited removals" which are decided by an immigration officer and don't go before a judge, and are a "troubling trend" according to lawyer Len Saunders because of how arbitrary they can seem.

"Until recently, I never would have expected people to get these expedited removals so randomly," said Saunders, who practices immigration law in Blaine, Wash. and has clients who have been banned.

"It's very, very indiscriminate how they are doing this."

Canadians generally are allowed to stay for up to six months in the U.S. as a tourist but it's up to the traveller to prove they are just visiting and not planning to stay permanently.

Saunders said he's seen more scrutiny by border guards recently over things like home ownership, a permanent job and money in the bank, which indicate ties to Canada and a reason to return.

"Any Canadian who doesn't have a full time job or are living with their parents and don't have their own residence, under these recent expedited removals that I've been seeing, they could be barred," he said.

Flying into the U.S. instead of driving can be a different matter as some pre-clearance areas, like the one at Vancouver International Airport, aren't on U.S. soil and so travellers can't be given an expedited removal since they haven't crossed in yet.

By law, the burden is on the traveler to prove to U.S. customs that they are entering on a temporary basis and not intending to immigrate there. (Loren Elliott/Reuters)

'One a day'

Official numbers on how many Canadians have been issued bans isn't currently available but the U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed the uptick.

"While I can acknowledge there has been a recent increase in the issuance of expedited removals, there has not been a policy change within CBP nor is there a quota," a spokesperson said in an email to CBC.

Saunders, who has been practising immigration law for two decades, said he noticed the dramatic increase in the travel bans over the summer.

"Until recently, it was very rare — maybe once every two or three years — that I would see a five-year bar [that seemed undeserved]," he said.

"Now, I'm literally seeing one a day." Same rules, different application

Immigration lawyer Andrew Hayes, who works for a firm that has offices in B.C. and Washington, said the reason for the increase in bans isn't totally clear — but the likely cause is an overall desire by the administration of President Donald Trump to project a toughness around issues of immigration.

"The rules that apply now have always been the rules," he said.

"[The change] is on how this is applied."

He urges travellers be as clear as possible about their plans at the border and bring all the necessary documents of proof.

"People who show up at the border that can't explain what their plan is tend to have a worse time of it," he said.

"You have to be able to explain where you are going, what you are doing and when you are going to return."

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#291218: Sep 30th 2019 at 9:14:11 AM

Joe Biden’s Digital Ads Are Disappearing. Not a Good Sign, Strategists Say. – In a race where many voters are following politics online, Mr. Biden’s pullback is a striking and potentially worrisome sign about his appeal among the digitally active.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/30/us/politics/joe-biden-ads.html

GOP lawmaker blasts Trump for quoting pastor warning of civil war over impeachment – Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) on Sunday criticized President Trump for quoting a pastor saying impeachment could trigger a "Civil War like fracture" in the country.

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/463592-gop-lawmaker-calls-out-trump-for-quoting-pastor-warning-of-civil-war

The attorney for the intelligence whistleblower who filed the complaint says Trump is making his client fear for his personal safety as a result of Trump's remarks. Andrew P. Bakaj pointed to Trump's call last week for "the person who gave the whistleblower the information" to be publicly identified. In a letter to acting DNI Macguire, Bakaj said Trump's remarks "have heightened our concerns that our client's identity will be disclosed publicly and that, as a result, our client will be put in harm's way."

https://www.axios.com/whistleblowers-fears-for-safety-letter-shows-e12ffd3c-fdb5-4c7d-be21-79c3da4d9fb6.html

Why it matters: One letter from the whistleblower's lawyer first obtained by CBS News' "60 Minutes" outlined concerns that the whistleblower may be identified. The lawyer specifically cites President Trump's demand to know who gave the whistleblower the information and states that a $50,000 bounty has been issued for anyone with information relating to his client's identity.

Edited by sgamer82 on Sep 30th 2019 at 10:14:21 AM

Reflextion from a post-sanity world (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
#291219: Sep 30th 2019 at 9:23:41 AM

a $50,000 bounty has been issued for anyone with information relating to his client's identity.

I guess that's the value of thirty silver coins after inflation.

Someone did tell me life was going to be this way.
Bur from Flyover Country (Living Relic) Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
#291220: Sep 30th 2019 at 10:00:13 AM

But not taking into account increased cost of living.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#291221: Sep 30th 2019 at 10:01:58 AM

Biden, a veteran of the Obama campaigns (highly tech savvy operations), is scaling back his digital ads?

The hell is he thinking?

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
ITNW1989 a from Big Meat, USA Since: Nov, 2012 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
a
#291222: Sep 30th 2019 at 10:04:49 AM

Just shows that he likely had no idea of the effectiveness of Obama's digital campaigning.

Hitokiri in the streets, daishouri in the sheets.
NickTheSwing Since: Aug, 2009
#291223: Sep 30th 2019 at 10:23:19 AM

You know with all the impeachment stuff going on, I'd love to see how big a freak out it is in Club Satan Pizza / Q Anon.

After having to deal with those insane cultists at work it would be damn cathartic.

tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001

Total posts: 417,856
Top