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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

minseok42 A Self-inflicted Disaster from A Six-Tatami Room (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
A Self-inflicted Disaster
#332876: Oct 9th 2020 at 6:53:07 AM

I always get confused when customs officers ask "Do you have any drugs in your luggage?"

"Enshittification truly is how platforms die"-Cory Doctorow
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#332877: Oct 9th 2020 at 6:53:14 AM

[up][up]Then maybe don't use the catchall term "drugs". If you must, specify recreational drugs or something.

Edited by M84 on Oct 9th 2020 at 9:53:24 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
Kayeka (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#332878: Oct 9th 2020 at 6:56:27 AM

Also, the drugs Trump is currently on are not recreational, he's taking them for his very real sickness. So this whole "your brain on drugs" thing is getting off-topic.

TitanJump Since: Sep, 2013 Relationship Status: Singularity
#332879: Oct 9th 2020 at 6:59:18 AM

How is the situation in the White House looking?

Edited by TitanJump on Oct 9th 2020 at 4:03:51 PM

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#332880: Oct 9th 2020 at 6:59:45 AM

https://www.theonion.com/white-house-staff-heartbroken-by-sight-of-weak-trump-st-1845298690

Okay thanks to Fighteer I found this article. HAHAAHAH!

He does look really weird on his broadcasts.

Edited by RedHunter543 on Oct 9th 2020 at 10:00:58 AM

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
ShadowWingLG Since: Dec, 2013
#332881: Oct 9th 2020 at 7:05:12 AM

If I was Biden I'd be saying not just "No" to a face to face debate, I'd been saying "HELL NO." unless both debaters and the moderator were all in plexi boxed or something. You have to show no symptoms or have a positive test for what 10 days before being told "All Clear"

It hasn't been 10 days since he was diagnosed for cripes sake!

Falrinn Since: Dec, 2014
#332882: Oct 9th 2020 at 7:08:01 AM

According to 538's models Biden's lead in the popular vote has reached 10% and is still rising

Something else I've noticed is that the polls have become a lot more consistent in the past few days. While Biden's lead has always been relatively stable on average, there were always at least a few outliers that showed a much closer race.

For about the last week however, every single poll has shown Biden up by a comfortable margin, with outliers giving him even bigger leads. Even the consistently right-leaning pollster Rasmussen conducted a poll giving Biden a 12 point edge.

The bottom line I think is that Trump is about as smoked as one can be 3 and a half weeks before the election. Obviously the uncertainty factor is extremely high this year, so it's not a done deal until it's done. But as things stand I do feel I have reason to be optimistic, not complacent certainly, but optimistic.

PointMaid Since: Jun, 2014
#332883: Oct 9th 2020 at 7:11:46 AM

And keep in mind voting is already going on. I just got my mail ballot a few days ago.

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#332884: Oct 9th 2020 at 7:13:10 AM

Yeah blargh, I had to vote for the first time.

Man what an interesting experience to mail it instead of going to the polls.

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#332885: Oct 9th 2020 at 7:22:05 AM

I need to get my voting info updated. I moved end of last month, dmv requires a form. I can email it, but my roommate hasn't set up the printer/ scanner yet.

Flip side, I'm in Idaho, which is probably a safe bet to go Trump. Still, no reason not to vote downticket where able

Falrinn Since: Dec, 2014
#332886: Oct 9th 2020 at 7:23:34 AM

[up][up][up]That's also a factor as well.

Also the thing about uncertainty is that it plays in both directions. The dramatic increase in mail-in and early voting this year might influence with turnout in ways polling firms and aggregators will have trouble accounting for accurately.

While this could result in a Trump upset...it could also result in Biden winning by margins noticeably larger then currently projected. Like it's not exactly crazy-talk to suggest that Biden could win Texas even though he's not currently projected to do so.

Edited by Falrinn on Oct 9th 2020 at 7:23:44 AM

megarockman from The Sixth Borough (Experienced Trainee)
#332887: Oct 9th 2020 at 7:31:20 AM

A polling miss or move big enough for a Trump win going in the other direction would put places like South Carolina, Alaska, and Missouri in play for Biden.

The damned queen and the relentless knight.
Xopher001 Since: Jul, 2012
#332888: Oct 9th 2020 at 7:35:33 AM

I sent in my absentee ballot several weeks ago, and was notified that it was received yesterday. I vote in the state of Maryland - apparently they have started counting ballots, but the results will not be announced until Election Day. But it may be different for each state. I think some states don't start counting the absentee ballots until after all the other votes have been counted

PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#332889: Oct 9th 2020 at 7:55:09 AM

I took my ballot to an official drop box on the first of this month. Didn't wanna risk it getting lost in the mail.

[up]You're in Maryland too?

Edited by PhysicalStamina on Oct 9th 2020 at 10:55:39 AM

i'm tired, my friend
ViperMagnum357 Since: Mar, 2012
#332890: Oct 9th 2020 at 7:58:51 AM

Got mine yesteray, mailed it in this morning. Straight D, apart from one local race I left blank because a Republican was running unopposed and I knew of no qualified candidate to write in. This was so much easier and less stressful than going to the polls; not just the aggravation, but being able to look up the candidates online to see their positions. (This matters here in Maine, since we have ranked choice voting and tons of Independents).

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#332891: Oct 9th 2020 at 8:02:46 AM

So what happens if those mailed in ballots have an accident?

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
Aszur A nice butterfly from Pagliacci's Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: Don't hug me; I'm scared
A nice butterfly
#332892: Oct 9th 2020 at 8:03:01 AM

Something else I've noticed is that the polls have become a lot more consistent in the past few days.

As polls come closer to election day they are expected to become more consistent and closer to what will actually happen

It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes
singularityshot Since: Dec, 2012
#332893: Oct 9th 2020 at 8:04:56 AM

So just listened to Nancy Pelosi's presentation on her "Commission for the Capability of the President" and whilst I am sympathetic to her arguments and those of the co-author it was always going to be awkward politics to push this through at this time.

Still, it would be interesting to see if Republicans do get on board because as she said this thing won't be set up till the next congressional term. Therefore it will only affect Trump if he wins in November. So if Republicans do swing behind the bill it could be seen as definitive evidence of Republican congresspersons officially abandoning Trump and the idea of his re-election.

However... the last question was about Boris Johnson of all people, and she said that she was worried about UK standards in approving a vaccine and highlighted the risk of Johnson endorsing a vaccine and Trump leaping on that as proof that the vaccine should therefore be approved in the US ASAP.

I will admit, as a Brit I am bristling at the idea that our medical standards are not satisfactory in the eyes of the US. Johnson doesn't have the Putin-esque power to declare a vaccine safe and effective. It may be that the Oxford Vaccine completes the trials first but that's a timing issue, not because corners are being cut. There is an FDA equivalent body in the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulation Agency (MHRA).

So putting national pride to one side however: is there a difference between the FDA and MHRA that gives weight to Pelosi's concerns? It's not without merit: the Thalidomide scandal comes to mind and it was the FDA who saved countless lives by saying "nope, lets take a second look at this anti-morning sickness treatment that was approved throughout Europe." But that was 50 odd years ago - hell, legislation was put in place in the UK as a direct consequence of the Thalidomide scandal.

Or is it just her trying to set the stage for defending the FDA if say a vaccine does get approved by the MHRA and Trump therefore uses that as an argument for bypassing the FDA?

Xopher001 Since: Jul, 2012
#332894: Oct 9th 2020 at 8:11:32 AM

[up]x5 I'm a registered voter in the state of Maryland, yes, but I've lived overseas for the past three years

Edited by Xopher001 on Oct 9th 2020 at 6:12:13 PM

Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#332895: Oct 9th 2020 at 8:36:25 AM

[up][up][up][up] As far as I know, then your vote did not count.

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
Xopher001 Since: Jul, 2012
#332896: Oct 9th 2020 at 8:39:48 AM

That was something I was concerned about as well, but the election office for the area I am registered at confirmed they received mine so it's a non-issue for me.

It is distressing that some people are deliberately sabotaging mail-in ballots. IIRC, and I've heard conflicting stories, didn't some interns storm one of the election offices in Florida and destroy several dozen mail-in ballots, and that's what handed Bush his victory 20 years ago?

RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#332897: Oct 9th 2020 at 8:41:16 AM

[up] Yeah that shit is concerning because Corona makes voting even more liable to tampering.

I don't want to be told I voted for the candidate I didn't pick.

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
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
#332898: Oct 9th 2020 at 8:48:32 AM

Actual ballot tampering resulting in a changed vote is incredibly unlikely unless you live with an abuser who might tamper with your ballot.

Ballots getting lost can happen, but a number of states allow you track your ballot and/or deliver it to the election officials personally.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
RedHunter543 Crimson Paladin Since: Jul, 2016 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Crimson Paladin
#332899: Oct 9th 2020 at 8:49:30 AM

[up] So say my mailed in ballot got lost, do I get mailed or anything?

"The Black Rage makes us strong, because we must resist its temptations every day of our lives or be forever damned!"
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
#332900: Oct 9th 2020 at 8:52:59 AM

It depends on the state. I believe that you can request a new ballot if you believe your ballot has gotten lost.

CNN has a thing showing which states allow ballot tracking.[1]

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran

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