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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

Wryte Since: Jul, 2010
#338001: Nov 7th 2020 at 5:57:32 PM

Biden's speech is over, and dear sweet mother of god have I missed having a President that I could feel inspired listening to instead of wanting to punch his rotten teeth in.

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#338002: Nov 7th 2020 at 5:58:31 PM

Yeah. I feel really good right now. It's been a long time since I could look at a President and be inspired.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#338003: Nov 7th 2020 at 5:59:12 PM

It's people like AOC and Stacey Abrams who accomplish meaningful change by figuring out ways to take advantage of the existing system where convenient to advance their personal progressive agendas.

Not people like The Young Turks who love to do nothing complain about how people aren't doing enough, but do little to actually incite political change in a meaningful way, and the one time they tried it all crashed and burned because people realized that someone with this much damn spite, no matter how self-righteous he dressed himself as, wasn't above treating disadvantaged minorities as punching bags for his hatred and anger.

Edited by AlleyOop on Nov 7th 2020 at 9:05:30 AM

Lennik (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#338004: Nov 7th 2020 at 5:59:21 PM

God, the relief. To hear the word science again...

Edited by Lennik on Nov 7th 2020 at 8:59:31 AM

That's right, boys. Mondo cool.
Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#338005: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:00:06 PM

We have been given a leader we can be proud of.

Leviticus 19:34
Makir Since: Feb, 2017
#338006: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:00:49 PM

As I have stated in the Results Watch thread, this ain't quite over yet. The Senate depends on Georgia now, so still be vigilant.

A Biden presidency + a Republican Senate is not a good combo, it'd be stalling for at least 2 years.

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#338007: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:00:58 PM

And these aren't "personal progressive agendas". They are shared by millions of people. Our leaders are supposed to represent us, not go off on wild crusades.

[up] We all know, buddy. Chill out.

Edited by Fighteer on Nov 7th 2020 at 9:01:19 AM

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#338008: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:01:53 PM

I have no expectations. What's the point? He's a politician. I expect he will give the progressive wing exactly what we force him to give us, and not one agenda item more.

He also seems to be a genuinely nice person, which is a mile ahead of Trump. I expect morals and conscience exist somewhere in Biden's guiding principles.

A Biden presidency + a Republican Senate is not a good combo, it'd be stalling for at least 2 years.

A) We know.

B) The executive is stupidly powerful on its own. This is much more acceptable than alternatives.

Edited by RainehDaze on Nov 7th 2020 at 2:02:36 PM

WillKeaton from Alberta, Canada Since: Jun, 2010
#338009: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:02:15 PM

Speaking of the Senate, do we have results on every seat? Besides Georgia I mean.

AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#338010: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:02:24 PM

[up][up][up][up] You say that as if we don't know, as if we haven't been yelling about this years, long since even before Trump even ran. If you want to continue participating in this thread, you'd do well to not infantilize other members or lecture us as if we're ignorant savages just because we're not European like you.

Edited by AlleyOop on Nov 7th 2020 at 9:03:43 AM

Bur from Flyover Country (Living Relic) Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
#338011: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:03:05 PM

[up]x3 That. I mean, everyone who thinks they are the person who can govern a nation is automatically a crazy egomaniac, imo, but it's a spectrum.

Edited by Bur on Nov 7th 2020 at 8:03:20 AM

RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#338012: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:03:08 PM

Speaking of the Senate, do we have results on every seat? Besides Georgia I mean.

Alaska isn't called, don't know if Maine finished its counting yet, NC is waiting on votes but probably won't change.

[up][up][up][up] You say that as if we don't know, as if we haven't been yelling about this years, long since even before Trump even ran. If you want to continue participating in this thread, you'd do well to not infantilize other members or lecture us as if we're ignorant savages just because we're not European like you.

What am I, loose change? Being European isn't the same as not having been here since 2016. And I knew that before, I just wasn't involved on this forum. tongue

Edited by RainehDaze on Nov 7th 2020 at 2:05:53 PM

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#338013: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:04:01 PM

Biden is a human being. With human warmth, love, foibles, and weaknesses. He's not a caricature of a strongman with the personality of a used car salesman and the tongue of a snake.

In the coming months, we'll be engaging in a dialogue again: a genuine effort to speak to the various groups that form our nation and come up with a path forward. Hopefully that path will involve a Congress that is willing to participate, but if not, we'll do what we can.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Makir Since: Feb, 2017
#338014: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:07:48 PM

I'll lay off the pessimism for now, to allow people to celebrate. But I have to say at least this: Trump's presidency and the conditions that allowed him to get elected didn't spawn out of nowhere.

nova92 Since: Apr, 2020
#338015: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:08:30 PM

[up] We know. Literally every last person in this thread knows.

RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#338016: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:08:32 PM

We're not stupid. Those of us who are here are, of course, politically invested. We know.

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#338017: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:08:44 PM

We are all keenly aware of that fact.

AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#338018: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:09:44 PM

[up][up][up][up] Again. WE. KNOW.

[nja][nja]

Please stop treating the whole of us like braindead idiots unless you want to get banned for being deliberately obtuse.

Edited by AlleyOop on Nov 7th 2020 at 9:20:38 AM

fredhot16 Don't want to leave but cannot pretend from Baton Rogue, Louisiana. Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: Too sexy for my shirt
Don't want to leave but cannot pretend
#338019: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:10:33 PM

We got it, pal. We're well aware.

But they aren't going away anytime soon so let's put it away for tonight.

Edit: What's everybody doing for celebrations?

Edited by fredhot16 on Nov 7th 2020 at 6:10:55 AM

Trans rights are human rights. TV Tropes is not a place for bigotry, cruelty, or dickishness, no matter who or their position.
Makir Since: Feb, 2017
#338020: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:11:10 PM

Sorry for the Captain Obvious takes, but this is the first time I post in this thread. I hope a good discussion about the topic can arise after the initial celebration dies down.

I just realized I haven't done anything to celebrate myself. I could get a nice Arancino.

Edited by Makir on Nov 7th 2020 at 6:13:04 AM

Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#338021: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:12:08 PM

Everyone is worried about what's going to happen, the democrats stand to lose out on a lot and be in a bad position if they don't win the runoffs and yes, the fact that trump managed to gain even more votes despite everything is very troubling.

But it's been 4 years of loss and pain, and worrying and panicking, of seeing everything people love and value be degraded. People are just trying to enjoy the moment now because they need that catharsis to keep going.

nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#338022: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:12:25 PM

Biden is a human being. With human warmth, love, foibles, and weaknesses. He's not a caricature of a strongman with the personality of a used car salesman and the tongue of a snake.

He's not my ideal president by a long shot, but I do find it striking how much I genuinely respect Biden. It's not just a "literally anybody would be better than Trump" thing.

Speaking of the Senate, do we have results on every seat? Besides Georgia I mean.

There's actually a legit outside chance Al Gross, the Democratic Senate candidate in Alaska could win. Apparently there's been no counting of mail-in ballots whatsoever, and if so, his 31-point deficit isn't outside the reach of some of the 'blue shifts' we've seen.

Of course, those weren't in red states, so it's a long shot in the extreme. But I'd certainly be more interested in it than in North Carolina, which seems like a lost cause for both the presidency and the Senate.

Wryte Since: Jul, 2010
#338023: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:12:31 PM

He also seems to be a genuinely nice person, which is a mile ahead of Trump.

I'm reminded of something my father said to me once. We were talking about George W Bush, and my father, a life-long Democrat, told me that while he had disagreed with H.W.'s politics, he had never doubted that he was qualified for the job.

Biden was never my favorite in the primary race, and I even in this speech he had a few lines that made me frown. But I have no doubt in my heart that Joe Biden is a good man, and a reasonable man. I earnestly believe that Joe wants to do the best for the people of America, and our only differences are not even in what direction things need to change, but merely how far in that direction. And crucially, that he will be open to being convinced by those farther to his left.

For the first time in a very long time, I am feeling truly hopeful tonight. I only wish my father were here to see it.

AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#338024: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:12:32 PM

[up][up][up][up] If you want a good discussion on that topic only read the last several tens of thousand pages, because we have gone in countless circles talking about this very thing, to the point me and many other regulars in this thread are downright sick of that conversation.

[up] Personally I would hesitate to call Biden a good man, just because I feel that kind of evaluation is beyond our scope. I wouldn't even judge myself with that label. Biden has done a lot more widespread good than me, but also a lot of widespread bad. So the only thing I'm comfortable with saying is that he's thankfully not the worst sort of person, not like the Orange was.

But the fact that he is a reasonable man, who again has managed to do some genuinely good things with his power, is already a big step up, even if it shouldn't have to be this way.

Edited by AlleyOop on Nov 7th 2020 at 9:16:07 AM

fredhot16 Don't want to leave but cannot pretend from Baton Rogue, Louisiana. Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: Too sexy for my shirt
Don't want to leave but cannot pretend
#338025: Nov 7th 2020 at 6:14:35 PM

[up]He did say he just started paying attention to U.S politics.

[up][up]Sorry to hear that.

Edited by fredhot16 on Nov 7th 2020 at 6:15:24 AM

Trans rights are human rights. TV Tropes is not a place for bigotry, cruelty, or dickishness, no matter who or their position.

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