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

Aszur A nice butterfly from Pagliacci's Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: Don't hug me; I'm scared
A nice butterfly
#334676: Oct 22nd 2020 at 1:01:57 PM

If the rules are that the microphone is muted for 2 full minutes after the question is asked, then the mute button does not even seem to be something the moderator is doing but something that is preprogrammed, so

It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes
devak They call me.... Prophet Since: Jul, 2019 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
They call me.... Prophet
#334677: Oct 22nd 2020 at 1:16:28 PM

>Thing is, even a lot of people who support Biden considered this debate to be a national disgrace due to Trump's behavior.

Yea, that's the point. No need to pretend Trump isn't a national disgrace. People got to see the real trump, which is kind of the point of debates. And universally, people didn't like the trump they saw

ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#334678: Oct 22nd 2020 at 1:40:33 PM

[up]

The crappy thing is, I had a few people complain about how impolite Biden was in interrupting Trump too, in the epitome of "Both Sides!"

With one, at least, I was able to point out that Biden was in a Morton's Fork - be "rude" and interrupt to fight back and get a word in edge-wise against Trump, or not interrupt and have the next day headlines be about how Trump ran roughshod over him at the debate.

Edited by ironballs16 on Oct 22nd 2020 at 4:40:44 AM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#334679: Oct 22nd 2020 at 2:20:48 PM

I listened to an NPR program today that highlighted the number of white working class voters who are switching from the Republican Party to Democrat because of the last four years.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
GoldenKaos Captain of the Dead City from Cirith Ungol Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
Captain of the Dead City
#334680: Oct 22nd 2020 at 2:29:48 PM

We really need a twitch chat going up the side, that would really add to the debate.

Emotes only though

"...in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach."
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.
#334681: Oct 22nd 2020 at 2:33:28 PM

....do you want to be hunted down by a mob of mods?

"You can reply to this Message!"
DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#334682: Oct 22nd 2020 at 2:51:10 PM

Armed with the dreaded Thumpers.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#334683: Oct 22nd 2020 at 2:53:05 PM

And their red and pink posts that haunt our nightmares.

tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#334684: Oct 22nd 2020 at 2:54:22 PM

Texas Supreme Court rejects the state Republican's challenge to end Harris County's drive-thru voting.

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
nova92 Since: Apr, 2020
#334685: Oct 22nd 2020 at 3:06:02 PM

I just got this link from someone I know. Don't know much abut the Bulwark as a source, but it seems to check out. The Bulwark: Madison Cawthorn's Racist Website Link to website

A new attack website put up by the Madison Cawthorn campaign includes an explicitly racist broadside against his opponent, Moe Davis (D-NC), for associating himself with people who want to "ruin white males."

For real.

The website, Moe Taxes.com takes aim at Davis over one of his advisors Tom Fiedler. It says that Fiedler "quit his academia job in Boston to work for non-white males, like Cory Booker who aims to ruin white males [running for office]."

Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#334686: Oct 22nd 2020 at 3:26:01 PM

So, a friend of mine said there was some news over a laptop with some sort of incriminating evidence on it related to Hunter Biden or whatever? May I ask what that's about?

Leviticus 19:34
Resileafs I actually wanted to be Resileaf Since: Jan, 2019
I actually wanted to be Resileaf
#334687: Oct 22nd 2020 at 3:28:23 PM

If that's the same thing that was talked about earlier, it's fake evidence forged by (or for) Giuliani.

Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#334688: Oct 22nd 2020 at 3:30:36 PM

Sorry, I wasn't here earlier today. IIRC they said that the FBI determined it was 'genuine' but not sure where they're getting it from.

Leviticus 19:34
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
#334689: Oct 22nd 2020 at 3:33:36 PM

The FBI are currently investigating if the fabrication was done by the Russians, but that’s it.

I belive there’s also the possibility that illegal content was placed on the laptop by Giuliani, in which case he could face criminal charges for possession of such content.

The claim that the laptop was Hunter Biden’s is such obvious bullshit that Fox refused to touch the story, instead it went to the Murdoch tabloid The New York Post, and even their people are refusing to put their names on the story.

Edited by Silasw on Oct 22nd 2020 at 10:34:57 AM

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#334690: Oct 22nd 2020 at 3:38:51 PM

Long story short, it’s bullshit.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#334691: Oct 22nd 2020 at 3:42:31 PM

I'm not sure whether it has been officially debunked yet, but various sources have noted several red flags with the evidence involved.

At the moment, it seems very likely that the email is fake and laptop story was fabricated as well.

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#334692: Oct 22nd 2020 at 3:43:10 PM

North Carolina man arrested with van full of guns and explosives, had plans to assassinate Joe Biden.

A man already indicted for child porn was discovered to have also made plans for a mass shooting and to kill Biden. In addition to the weapons, he researched Biden's home, drove near it, and had made tentative plans to flee the country with fake passports already in his possession.

Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#334693: Oct 22nd 2020 at 3:43:40 PM

And as noted, even conservative media treats the story like it's radioactive, so you know it looks fishy.

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
ShinyCottonCandy Everyone's friend Malamar from Lumiose City (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Everyone's friend Malamar
#334694: Oct 22nd 2020 at 3:44:36 PM

[up][up]Can’t wait for the people who the gunman supports not to denounce him...

Edited by ShinyCottonCandy on Oct 22nd 2020 at 6:44:46 AM

My musician page
Xopher001 Since: Jul, 2012
#334695: Oct 22nd 2020 at 4:04:51 PM

The GOP really is turning into the Know Nothing Party

Wyldchyld (Old as dirt)
#334696: Oct 22nd 2020 at 4:23:06 PM

The plexiglass for tonight's debate has been removed from the stage. The commission said the decision was taken after Trump tested negative. The commission's health care advisor consulted Fauci. Based on the negative test results, the health care advisor changed their recommendation on whether the plexiglass was considered necessary. Both campaigns agreed to the decision, so the plexiglass has been removed. However, it really does sound like they're trusting that Trump's team is telling the truth about the negative test.

That's what happened in the first debate, isn't it? Everyone was told Trump had tested negative, only for it to come out after the debate that Trump hadn't been tested at all.

Anyway, the podiums are 12.8 feet away from each other and the host's desk is 16 feet away from both podiums.

Edited by Wyldchyld on Oct 22nd 2020 at 12:27:14 PM

If my post doesn't mention a giant flying sperm whale with oversized teeth and lionfish fins for flippers, it just isn't worth reading.
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#334697: Oct 22nd 2020 at 4:23:20 PM

The Know Nothings were abolitionists.

So yes, the modern GOP is worse.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Oct 22nd 2020 at 4:24:09 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
ABNDT Since: Mar, 2011
#334698: Oct 22nd 2020 at 4:31:02 PM

Even if he really did test negative, why not leave the barriers in place, just in case?

singularityshot Since: Dec, 2012
#334699: Oct 22nd 2020 at 4:39:21 PM

If nothing else, just to stop him from physically moving over to Biden's podium when his mic is muted so as to continue his interruption tactics.

Wyldchyld (Old as dirt)
#334700: Oct 22nd 2020 at 4:40:06 PM

I suspect Fauci is being misquoted slightly. This is CNN's report:

Both campaigns agreed to take down plexiglass at debate

Both President Trump and Joe Biden’s campaigns agreed that the plexiglass that was once up in the Nashville debate hall was not needed and should be taken down, Frank Fahrenkopf, head of the debate commission, tells CNN.

Fahrenkopf told CNN earlier today that the plexiglass was up at the recommendation of the medical advisers on the ground.

Fahrenkopf said this afternoon, the advisers said they believed the barriers “would be helpful under the circumstances” but changed their minds once they “found out the President was tested today and tested negative” and had gone days without any signs of coronavirus.

The medical advisers also called Dr. Anthony Fauci and the public health expert “agreed that the plexiglass wouldn’t do anything,” Fahrenkopf said.

Saying 'the plexiglass wouldn't do anything' is slightly different to saying that it's okay to remove the plexiglass if both candidates test negative (which is how most news is reporting it at the moment). This kind of language implies that Fauci thinks the plexiglass barriers won't be very effective if someone did test positive. When the VP debate happened, medical experts and scientists who study aerosols were saying at the time that the barriers wouldn't stop the virus transmission. So, I suspect Fauci's comment is really related to that.

I'm guessing the commission is removing it as a result of being told by the Trump team that Trump tested negative while name-dropping Facui to give their decision some legitimacy.

Edited by Wyldchyld on Oct 22nd 2020 at 12:48:36 PM

If my post doesn't mention a giant flying sperm whale with oversized teeth and lionfish fins for flippers, it just isn't worth reading.

Total posts: 417,856
Top