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

DeviantBraeburn Wandering Jew from Dysfunctional California Since: Aug, 2012
Wandering Jew
#35151: Oct 24th 2012 at 9:10:01 PM

NINJA'D:

Technically the "first/second/third world status" was originally about Cold War alliances.

edited 24th Oct '12 9:12:13 PM by DeviantBraeburn

Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016
HilarityEnsues Since: Sep, 2009
#35152: Oct 24th 2012 at 9:13:46 PM

I meant in the modern sense of the word. Language evolves over time, hence why I don't assume that "gay rights" is referring to a civil rights movement for happy people.

Midgetsnowman Since: Jan, 2010
#35153: Oct 24th 2012 at 9:18:46 PM

@Ultrayellow: I'm not saying we're a third world country. I'm saying the sort of shit the right is blatantly trying to rig the election smacks of a third world dictator.

johnnyfog Actual Wrestling Legend from the Zocalo Since: Apr, 2010 Relationship Status: They can't hide forever. We've got satellites.
Actual Wrestling Legend
#35154: Oct 24th 2012 at 9:33:57 PM

You don't need to be in the third world to have a corrupt oligarchy, though the point is still valid...

I'm a skeptical squirrel
DeviantBraeburn Wandering Jew from Dysfunctional California Since: Aug, 2012
Wandering Jew
#35155: Oct 24th 2012 at 9:47:06 PM

[up]

We weren't talking about oligarchies.

Moving on:

Obama Rebukes Richard Mourdock for Rape Remarks on ‘Tonight Show’

Mourdock stands by rape remarks, refuses to apologize

If this keeps up, we will be getting ourselves A Democrat Senator in Indiana.

edited 24th Oct '12 9:47:42 PM by DeviantBraeburn

Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016
Midgetsnowman Since: Jan, 2010
#35156: Oct 24th 2012 at 9:49:24 PM

[up]

Unlikely. Half his constituency probably agrees with him.

DeviantBraeburn Wandering Jew from Dysfunctional California Since: Aug, 2012
Wandering Jew
#35157: Oct 24th 2012 at 9:50:46 PM

[up]

Of Course. But this is about swaying independent voters.

John McCain Pledges To Withdraw Richard Mourdock Support If He Doesn't Apologize evil grin

edited 24th Oct '12 9:59:07 PM by DeviantBraeburn

Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016
RockLeeYourFace Splendid Ninja from Narutard Land (or Texas) Since: Jul, 2011
Splendid Ninja
#35158: Oct 24th 2012 at 10:41:01 PM

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/1024/Mourdock-stands-by-rape-remarks-refuses-to-apologize This article has me a bit confused. And peoples reaction to it in general seem a bit over-the-top. I feel like I'm missing something. Let me see if I understand here. (And please correct me if I'm wrong.)

So Mourdock said he thinks pregnancy from rape is "something God intended." It was a statement that was a bit unclear and could easily rub people the wrong way. Everyone promptly lost their shit.

Then he clarified with: "I spoke from my heart. And speaking from my heart, speaking from the deepest level of my faith, I would not apologize. I would be less than faithful if I said anything other than life is precious, I believe it's a gift from God."

And Mc Cain said he wants to see "if he apologizes and says he misspoke and he was wrong and asks people to forgive him. It's when you don't own up to it that people will not believe in you."

Now, what I don't get is what Mc Cain thinks Mourdoc should apologize for, specifically. For having initially worded his opinion in a way that came off kind of harsh, for having given his opinion on this subject at all, or for having the opinion that abortion is wrong because babies are from God?

I can see why Mc Cain (and anyone, for that matter) would want something like "I'm sorry that I said that in a way that seemed insensitive." or something to that effect. But I don't think he should have to apologize for having given his point of view. And, while I don't agree with Mourdoc's beliefs on the subject of abortion, I think he said it very well the second time. And I like how he said "I would be less than faithful" there. I get the feeling that he honestly believes in what he's saying. And now that I'm typing this I feel weird, because I'm not really into religion and tend to be weary of very religious politicians, but this guy seems kind of nice...

Edit: And I didn't mean for that last sentence to imply that religious people were unpleasant.

edited 24th Oct '12 10:45:50 PM by RockLeeYourFace

"With hard work and dedication, I will become a splendid ninja!"
Enkufka Wandering Student ಠ_ಠ from Bay of White fish Since: Dec, 2009
Wandering Student ಠ_ಠ
#35159: Oct 24th 2012 at 10:46:10 PM

It's much more the implication that rape was something god intended. If you're going to have a pregnancy from rape be ordained to happen, it follows that there needs to be a method of making that pregnancy happen one way or another. It's one thing to make the broad statement of "all pregnancies happen because god intended them," that has multiple implications, but to single out rape pregnancies, well it tends to rile people up.

Very big Daydream Believer. "That's not knowledge, that's a crapshoot!" -Al Murray "Welcome to QI" -Stephen Fry
Serocco Serocco from Miami, Florida Since: Mar, 2010 Relationship Status: Faithful to 2D
Serocco
#35160: Oct 24th 2012 at 11:15:46 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if either Akin or Mourdock won their seats. Maybe even both will, because that's how America works.

Romney's campaign will continue to run that Mourdock-supporting ad in Indiana, by the way, even after making those comments.

edited 24th Oct '12 11:22:28 PM by Serocco

In RWBY, every girl is Best Girl.
DeviantBraeburn Wandering Jew from Dysfunctional California Since: Aug, 2012
Wandering Jew
#35161: Oct 24th 2012 at 11:24:33 PM

[up][up][up]

I realize that Mourdock was speaking what he felt was the truth. Hell, I'm personally against abortions in most cases.

That being said I dislike Mourdock for his economic views, Tea Party support, for questioning the constitutionality of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and for him saying statements like

"bipartisanship ought to consist of Democrats coming to the Republican point of view

and

For all the cries for bipartisanship, it is bipartisanship that has taken us to the brink of bankruptcy. We don't need bipartisanship as much we need as the application of principle. The time for being collegial is past, we need confrontation."

So if this is what sinks Mourdock's renomination to Senate, I won't be shedding any tears. Its sorta like when they caught Al Capone not paying his taxes.

Besides all of Murdock's words basically amount to is 'I believe others shouldn't be allowed abortion because of my own personal religion'

To which I respond with a quote from Joe Biden:

With regard to — with regard to abortion, I accept my church's position on abortion as a — what we call de fide (doctrine ?). Life begins at conception. That's the church's judgment. I accept it in my personal life. But I refuse to impose it on equally devout Christians and Muslims and Jews and — I just refuse to impose that on others,

edited 24th Oct '12 11:26:14 PM by DeviantBraeburn

Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016
Serocco Serocco from Miami, Florida Since: Mar, 2010 Relationship Status: Faithful to 2D
Serocco
#35162: Oct 24th 2012 at 11:27:01 PM

My quick take on abortion: let the femz decide. Men should have no say. Would men like it if female politicians ran on limiting Viagra? Exactly.

As for Mourdock and Romney, well, that sounds self-destructive to their campaigns, but hey, it's Indiana.

In RWBY, every girl is Best Girl.
DeviantBraeburn Wandering Jew from Dysfunctional California Since: Aug, 2012
Wandering Jew
#35163: Oct 24th 2012 at 11:29:20 PM

[up]

> Comparing Viagra to Abortion.

I'm trying not to cry.

Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016
Enkufka Wandering Student ಠ_ಠ from Bay of White fish Since: Dec, 2009
Wandering Student ಠ_ಠ
#35164: Oct 24th 2012 at 11:32:37 PM

STOP.

We are not having another abortion debate.

End of subject.

Very big Daydream Believer. "That's not knowledge, that's a crapshoot!" -Al Murray "Welcome to QI" -Stephen Fry
DeviantBraeburn Wandering Jew from Dysfunctional California Since: Aug, 2012
Wandering Jew
#35165: Oct 24th 2012 at 11:34:13 PM

[up]

Seconded.

Abortion derails are messier than talks of Israel, Affirmative Action, and Nuclear Weapons combined.

Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016
Serocco Serocco from Miami, Florida Since: Mar, 2010 Relationship Status: Faithful to 2D
Serocco
#35166: Oct 24th 2012 at 11:36:30 PM

I used Viagra as an example. Don't make fun of me. waii

As for Indiana, well, how red is it?

In RWBY, every girl is Best Girl.
DeviantBraeburn Wandering Jew from Dysfunctional California Since: Aug, 2012
Wandering Jew
#35167: Oct 24th 2012 at 11:58:20 PM

According to the Cook Partisan Voting Index, Its about as Republican as Maine is Democrat.

Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016
Skatepunk Since: Feb, 2011
#35168: Oct 25th 2012 at 12:39:21 AM

Remember, Donnelly still has a shot.

Obama miraculously won Indiana 4 years ago. It's not a sure thing for Mourdock.

Serocco Serocco from Miami, Florida Since: Mar, 2010 Relationship Status: Faithful to 2D
Serocco
#35169: Oct 25th 2012 at 12:50:18 AM

I saw a poll in Indiana. Donnelly was up by two on Mourdock... before Mourdock made those comments.

In a Hawaii poll for their Senate race, Meizi Hirono is the Democrat. Linda Lingle is the Republican. In a poll, Hirono had 55%. Lingle had 39%.

edited 25th Oct '12 12:55:43 AM by Serocco

In RWBY, every girl is Best Girl.
DeviantBraeburn Wandering Jew from Dysfunctional California Since: Aug, 2012
Wandering Jew
#35170: Oct 25th 2012 at 1:18:28 AM

[up]

Well Hawaii is a rather liberal state.

Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016
PotatoesRock Since: Oct, 2012
#35171: Oct 25th 2012 at 5:59:22 AM

Not sure that it means much, but...

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1012/82860.html?hp=f1

Former General and Secretary of State Colin Powell has endorsed Obama and Biden, saying the current administration has done pretty well trying to clean up a huge economic mess.

Midgetsnowman Since: Jan, 2010
#35172: Oct 25th 2012 at 7:49:56 AM

In before Powell gets branded a RINO by the right and all his accomplishments and accolades ignored.

Still, I can say I'm personally glad. Powell's always been one of the republicans I view as a truly principled, honorable man who uses his head instead of blind ideological faith. Possibly one of the few good advisers Bush Jr Had.

edited 25th Oct '12 7:52:43 AM by Midgetsnowman

Alichains Since: Aug, 2010
#35173: Oct 25th 2012 at 7:53:32 AM

edited 25th Oct '12 8:39:24 AM by Alichains

Fish1 h Since: Sep, 2010
h
#35174: Oct 25th 2012 at 8:06:32 AM

You're about six years too late for that. Powell was disowned by the right a long time ago.

Midgetsnowman Since: Jan, 2010
#35175: Oct 25th 2012 at 8:30:32 AM

[up]

Well, I'm not surprised. In Right-land, if you dont vote in lockstep, you arent really a conservative.


Total posts: 417,856
Top