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

Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#341576: Nov 28th 2020 at 10:36:26 AM

> I propose we ban Trump as a topic after the inauguration, by way of collective political detox. Temporary or otherwise.

[Audience laughs]

Fat chance of such a ban ever working,Trump will be presence long after he stops being president

Edited by Ultimatum on Nov 28th 2020 at 6:39:24 PM

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
TitanJump Since: Sep, 2013 Relationship Status: Singularity
#341577: Nov 28th 2020 at 10:48:08 AM

Unfortunately enough, "Donald Trump" has, through these last four years, violated the collective consciousness of humanity so badly and scarred it so severely that he most likely will never end up forgotten by it for a long time forward as the meme-molester he always has been.

The best that can be done, is to keep him in a negative light and ensure that "NO. This is NOT an example to follow."

...

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#341578: Nov 28th 2020 at 10:50:00 AM

Twitter banning him will be awesome, though.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#341579: Nov 28th 2020 at 10:59:19 AM

Silly random question that came to mind:

Trump is (currently) promising to step down once the Electoral College picks Biden. Does this mean resignation, or just putzing off to Mar-a-lago? If the former, would that see Pence sworn in as the 46th President, and make Biden the 47th?

More seriously:

Pennsylvania House legislature introduces resolution to dispute election results

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-vote-ballot-count-results/?id=74345513#74436101

    In Case the link doesn't go to the right spot in the blog: 
On Friday, the Pennsylvania House legislature introduced a resolution that disputes the statewide 2020 election results.

With the Pennsylvania legislative session ending Monday, the move is likely to be vetoed by Democratic Gov Tom Wolf even if it were to move quickly through the state government.

The resolution would also put the state’s Republican majority in jeopardy as it would threaten to invalidate the outcome of several GOP victories.

Saturday morning, Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano — who Trump has taken to retweeting recently — added to the state Republican voices attempting to challenge the outcome of the election in a series of tweets. Without citing any proof, Mastriano claimed, “there is mounting evidence that the PA presidential election was compromised.”

“If this is the case, under Article II, Section 1.2 of the US Constitution, the state legislature has the sole authority to direct the manner of selecting delegates to the Electoral College,” he said in one of his tweets.

“Therefore, we are introducing a Resolution to exercise our obligation and authority to appoint delegates to the Electoral College,” he said.

Twitter has stamped his tweets with, “This claim about election fraud is disputed.”

-ABC News’ Alisa Wiersema

Edited by sgamer82 on Nov 28th 2020 at 11:02:18 AM

tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#341580: Nov 28th 2020 at 11:02:05 AM

Salon: Senator David Perdue (R-GA) traded hundreds of thousands worth of bank stocks while supporting pro-banking legislation while on the Senate Banking Committee.

"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
#341581: Nov 28th 2020 at 11:14:51 AM

[up][up] The Patriot-News

A spokesman for House Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster County, said Cutler was not involved in writing the resolution. Cutler also has not scheduled any session days to consider it before the session's end.

So it doesn't look like it'll go anywhere. But the fact that nearly a fourth of Pennsylvania State House Republicans are willing to go along with this and attempt to subvert democracy is seriously concerning.


[up] So both Republican Senators from Georgia have insider-trading scandals. Nice.

Edited by nova92 on Nov 28th 2020 at 11:15:27 AM

clemont107 Mega Togekiss?! from Land of Missed Opportunities (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
Mega Togekiss?!
#341582: Nov 28th 2020 at 11:16:46 AM

[up]It's like a tumor: it spreads but can be wiped out before causing more harm. In order to get rid of the tumor, people should encourage younger adults to be indoctrinated in left-wing ideals and vote Blue.

"Wow, no Mega Togekiss in Legends Z-A. Or any non-Froslass new Sinnoh Mega Evolutions. Round of applause, everybody." - Dawn
unknowing from somewhere.. Since: Mar, 2014
#341583: Nov 28th 2020 at 11:27:34 AM

[up]No even that, what it should be a restauration in the political process as whole rather than "everything depend that I win, therefore I must win at all cost" that just santified corruption at party level.

"My Name is Bolt, Bolt Crank and I dont care if you believe or not"
Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#341584: Nov 28th 2020 at 11:31:22 AM

Banning Trump as a topic of discussion is a bad idea because, well, he was President and Biden's presidency is going to have to involve cleaning up the disaster he left. For that matter, Trump's followers are still gonna be around stirring up trouble.

To use a good metaphor: You know in Avengers Endgame that part where all the Marvel characters show up to fight Thanos, and Cap says "Avengers, Assemble!"? That's where we're at right now.

Leviticus 19:34
Blueace Surrounded by weirdoes from The End Of the World Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Surrounded by weirdoes
#341585: Nov 28th 2020 at 11:33:17 AM

Just asking, but will these scandals in Georgia change anything? Their side seems to run on the logic of "Your rules, not mine" and their base just eats it up.

Wake me up at your own risk.
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#341586: Nov 28th 2020 at 11:35:46 AM

Unless someone is charged, probably not. The heart of the Trumpism is that there's nothing wrong with enriching yourself as long as you abuse the right people.

I liken it to the fact that Mayor Laguardia tried to hurt American Nazism by exposing Fritz Kuhn's massive embezzlement from his organization. Fritz just pointed out as Fuhrer, he could do what he wanted. His base ate it up. So, the Mayor just contended himself by sending Fritz to jail.

Which is I think a good argument for how to deal with Trump.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
nova92 Since: Apr, 2020
#341587: Nov 28th 2020 at 11:37:48 AM

[up][up] IIRC, multiple scandal-plagued Republicans did do somewhat worse this year than the presidential numbers. And runoffs are largely about turnout, so if they can persuade just a small portion to stay at home, the margin in November was narrow enough that it might be enough.

I'm hedging a lot though, because 'could' isn't the same thing as 'will'.

Edited by nova92 on Nov 28th 2020 at 11:38:02 AM

singularityshot Since: Dec, 2012
#341588: Nov 28th 2020 at 2:13:16 PM

Being theoretical for a moment, having Trump as a foil for President Biden would create a dynamic that is unique for US Politics.

Because there is no such thing as "The Leader of the Opposition" in the US. By Trump declaring himself as the defacto candidate for 2024 (and thus daring the Republic establishment / resistance? to prove him wrong) there will be a place in the US political ecosystem that he can carve out for himself.

Theoretically, such a position could be used to create a useful contrast between those in power and the alternative option waiting on the sideline. You could even set up debates or question and answer sessions (Think Prime Minister's Questions in the UK).

Theoretically it could serve a lot of good in educating the public about the role of the President in a real time manner.

Theoretically.

Just a crying shame that any potential opportunity that could come from having a Leader of the Opposition will be squandered by Trump turning it into a vehicle for his ego, his narcissism, his sense of entitlement and victimisation.

RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#341589: Nov 28th 2020 at 5:56:31 PM

That's the thing. Are we going to get four years of Trump sitting on the sidelines going "nooo don't listen to him, vote this way" to Republican patsies who will actually listen? If so, it may only be Trump's repeated and embarrassing failures here that drive enough people away from him to make that survivable as a country.

It's been fun.
clemont107 Mega Togekiss?! from Land of Missed Opportunities (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
Mega Togekiss?!
#341590: Nov 28th 2020 at 6:24:04 PM

[up]All of this "negative talk" by the Donald on how he was "cheated" out of the election will only really affect his audience if the man is still alive for another four years. With all his atrocious health habits and anger management problems reducing his lifespan, I doubt it.

"Wow, no Mega Togekiss in Legends Z-A. Or any non-Froslass new Sinnoh Mega Evolutions. Round of applause, everybody." - Dawn
Boston Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
#341591: Nov 28th 2020 at 6:56:03 PM

My attitude is, I don't plan on proactively talking about him, or inviting mention of the man into conversation; but if someone brings him up, I'm not going to be shy about discussing him, either.

I don't see that the Republican party gains much by keeping him as a point of focus; or, rather, he'll remain in the center until another, more useful idiot comes along, and then everyone's attention will shift toward that person.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#341592: Nov 29th 2020 at 1:13:02 AM

Pennsylvania high court throws out challenge to mail-in ballots – The plaintiffs lacked "due diligence" in a claim that could have disenfranchised millions of voters, the state Supreme Court said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/pennsylvania-high-court-throws-out-challenge-mail-ballots-n1249240

    An Excerpt 
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Saturday rejected an election challenge spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, who argued that a law permitting no-excuse mail voting violated the state Constitution.

Kelly, along with several other Pennsylvania Republicans, sought to invalidate millions of mail-in votes, which could have ceded a key state won by President-Elect Joe Biden to President Donald Trump.

The ruling said, "Petitioners sought to invalidate the ballots of the millions of Pennsylvania voters who utilized the mail-in voting procedures. ... Alternatively, Petitioners advocated the extraordinary proposition that the court disenfranchise all 6.9 million Pennsylvanians who voted in the General Election and instead 'direct the General Assembly to choose Pennsylvania’s electors.'"

The high court ruled no on all counts and said, "All other outstanding motions are dismissed as moot." It said the claim could have resulted in the "disenfranchisement" of millions of voters.

A spokesman for Kelly did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


GOP lawmaker slams Republican Trump loyalists, calls out "anti-American" supporters, says he's "damn sick of it" – Congressman Denver Riggleman accused his Republican colleagues of a "massive grift" in remaining quiet, as the president continues to cast doubt on the election results.

https://www.newsweek.com/gop-lawmaker-slams-republican-trump-loyalists-calls-maga-base-anti-american-says-hes-damn-1550957

    An Excerpt 
Outgoing Republican Congressman Denver Riggleman of Virginia on Saturday unleashed a barrage of criticism against Donald Trump, his allies and "anti-American" supporters, as the president continues to cast doubt on his election loss.

Riggleman is among the few Republicans who have acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden's victory over Trump. Most media outlets called the election for the Democrat, who has secured 306 Electoral College votes, over two weeks ago, but Trump has refused to concede.

In an interview with Forbes, Riggleman condemned his fellow Republicans for remaining quiet amid Trump's attempts to cast doubt on the election process by claiming a "rigged" and "stolen" election. It's "completely unethical," he said, explaining that some of his colleagues believe that breaking with Trump would "cost them their careers."

"The career is more important than the facts, it's that simple," Riggleman added. "I'm so damn sick of it. I'm sick of it."

Riggleman admitted that there were "true believers" of Trump's claims of widespread voter fraud, but he went on to suggest that they were not smart people. "[It] really speaks to where your intelligence level is... to believe in that type of operation," he said.

The lawmaker also criticized Trump for embracing "anti-Semitic" and "anti-American" supporters and added that it was "irresponsible" for the president to retweet Q Anon conspiracies.

"He got so desperate to retain power that he forgot he was serving people and not himself," Riggleman said of Trump, adding that the president has "never served anything but himself, when you talk about his businesses and what he's done."

In a statement to Newsweek, Riggleman noted that he doesn't think all MAGA supporters are "anti-American," only the ones pushing pro-Trump conspiracy theories. He also affirmed his belief that "conspiracy theories can cause huge damage and those that knowingly spread them and know they are false is dangerous."

Riggleman's remarks came hours after he shot back at a tweet that accused him of being "responsible" for the "corrupt election" that led to Trump's loss. The tweet named Riggleman and a number of other Republicans who have acknowledged Biden's win or called for a peaceful transition of power to the incoming Biden administration.

"I'm proud to be on this list with my honorable colleagues—it's one of many circulating," he responded. "We have been tagged and called 'traitors' based on our use of data analytics, facts and common sense. Time for a GOP that represents the core of America, not the manic fringes."

Edited by sgamer82 on Nov 29th 2020 at 1:21:06 AM

nova92 Since: Apr, 2020
#341593: Nov 29th 2020 at 3:18:57 AM

[up] Riggleman's the one who was primaried with the support of the Virginia GOP for officiating a same-sex wedding gor former campaign volunteers.

Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#341594: Nov 29th 2020 at 3:38:35 AM

So our only hope is if Trump dies? Man, that's pessimistic.

He's going to be a hundred years old, you just watch.

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#341595: Nov 29th 2020 at 4:09:51 AM

What about Evil Turtle and pals, or all the wannabe little Trumplings?

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#341596: Nov 29th 2020 at 4:12:45 AM

I want to stress that the GOP lawmaker up above who criticized the other republicans for grift. is "outgoing", i.e he will not be serving his post for much longer. That's probably the only reason he can afford to say that.

RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#341597: Nov 29th 2020 at 4:34:02 AM

I'm sure if he had an election coming up he'd be making concerned noises as an anonymous source.

It's been fun.
nova92 Since: Apr, 2020
#341598: Nov 29th 2020 at 4:53:53 AM

Riggleman's probably a bit angry at the party for throwing him under the bus, and because he's not going to be in Congress next year, doesn't have anything to lose by speaking out. The interview cited in the article is over at Forbes, and also notes that "Riggleman is open to serving in the Biden administration".

singularityshot Since: Dec, 2012
#341599: Nov 29th 2020 at 5:00:25 AM

[up] Would people be okay with this Republican becoming the "First Dog Walker" if he is open to serving in a Biden administration in some capacity? Struggling to think of any other role he may be qualified for...

HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#341600: Nov 29th 2020 at 5:05:14 AM

"Cat Groomer", maybe even "Litterbox Cleaner"


Total posts: 417,856
Top