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
Except it isn't an attempt at gun control, its an attempt to control the international arms trade. It has nothing to do with domestic ownership of guns, indeed, the Arms Trade Treaty states " it is the exclusive right of States to regulate internal transfers of arms and national ownership, including through constitutional protections on private ownership.”
edited 12th May '13 12:55:00 PM by Achaemenid
Schild und Schwert der ParteiSpeaking of gun control, it seems the controversy has dropped out of the world headlines from what I can see. What "progress" has been made on it?
edited 12th May '13 1:00:38 PM by MarqFJA
Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.the short version is. Half our nation believes so much in this crazy warped idea of how the world will end (IE, The Rapture, which isnt even in the Bible) via all nations becoming a one world government ran by satan, that they will block even the tiniest thing that might in their opinion equal the beginnings of such a state.
What, really? That's it?
Also, historical question, where the heck does the "Poor people are lazy" meme come from? It seems unique to the US. It seems common sense that poor people would bust their asses off working while rich people would enjoy "the finer things in life". no?
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Which was cold comfort to France and Britain, who were left to contain the aggression of the fascist powers without any kind of workable global security arrangement. An amusing cartoon
◊.
If he couldn't get the USA in, he shouldn't have set it up.
edited 12th May '13 1:37:10 PM by Achaemenid
Schild und Schwert der Partei![]()
![]()
Well, he thought he could get the U.S.A in.
He just
◊ underestimated the
◊ backlash to his idea.
◊
![]()
But the weak have to be weak for a reason. Why not blame their own laziness for there weakness.
I blame people like William G. Sumner.
The mentality existed long before Objectivism.
edited 12th May '13 2:02:55 PM by DeviantBraeburn
Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016
I'm a bit confused, are you implying that without the League of Nations, Britain and France wouldn't have to confront the rising menace of Nazi Germany and/or the Stalinist USSR eventually?
Because the main reason the U.K. and France went to war with Germany in the first place was because of military
alliances.
The League had little to do with it.
Or are you implying that without the League, America would be more willing to declare war on the Axis?
edited 12th May '13 2:20:11 PM by DeviantBraeburn
Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016
And the reason Germany was in a position to threaten Poland was because it had been allowed to grow to that size through appeasement, because an actual confrontation was impossible with a strong League of Nations, which could not exist without the United States. Had Britain and France been free from trying to make the League work, they could have taken more decisive action to prepare themselves (and their Allies). The degree to which the League restricted armament production is often underestimated.
edited 12th May '13 2:21:28 PM by Achaemenid
Schild und Schwert der ParteiIf you're complaining about America's lack of involvement, than I can hardly see how Wilson deserves the blame as he tried more than anyone to get the US admitted.
Senator Feinstein (D-CA) Says It’s ‘Nonsense’ That Benghazi Should Preclude Hillary From Presidency
Senator Collins: Obama should condemn IRS for targeting Tea Party groups
edited 12th May '13 2:47:53 PM by DeviantBraeburn
Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016![]()
He shouldn't even have tried to set it up. He should have known how his legislature was going to behave. Instead, he basically sold something to Lloyd George and Clemenceau that he couldn't deliver. Which he should have realized. However one tries to cut it, Woodrow fucked up good.
Indeed it is, in part.
edited 12th May '13 2:52:19 PM by Achaemenid
Schild und Schwert der ParteiI still say that, considering the rise of pacifism that commenced after the first World War
, disarmament would have commenced to some degree even without the League.
edited 12th May '13 3:08:56 PM by DeviantBraeburn
Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016@The Handle: I beieve it mainly comes from a certain strain of thought among conservatives that
1: The american Dream is totally real, and anyone can pick themselves up by their bootstraps and become successful with hard work.
2: therefore, anyone who is not successful must deserve to be not successful.
Look at the rest of their worldview. If children misbehave, punish them; if they misbehave harder, punish them harder. If a foreign country should offend the U.S., show them a display of strength; if they should try to attack us, beat the everliving crap out of them and they'll learn not to fuck with us.
As tricksterson notes, this worldview is based on fear. Their assuming that (their idea of) God — as the omnipotent and supreme being who governs and directs all our lives — would do the same, is merely consistent with this worldview.
Oh by the way...
While Marq was speaking from an Islamic point of view, this holds true for at least some denominations of Christianity as well — I've definitely heard Christians say that they feel if they haven't converted as many people as you can, you're not doing your part. (Edit: Marq informs me that this is the Islamic point of view actually doesn't go this far.)
Personally, I think that sort of thinking turns religion into a pyramid scheme.
Actually, considering how much latitude I've heard the government and collection agencies have to force you to pay up your student loans, and how little clout people fresh out of college have, and compare this to big banks having tons of fun with their money, I'm inclined to agree heartily with Sen. Warren's idea.
Yes; she was nominated to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, but the Republican senators (who were bent on shutting the whole thing down in the first place) blocked her nomination.
Ironically, she's now a senator herself.
Dear Senator Paul,
You're a fucking nutcase.
Your fellow American,
Glenn Magus Harvey
We're still in the business of doing this. Remember Kyoto?
I just did a paper about Kyoto, and I've discovered that if you're actually the one trying to get the USA in, you sometimes don't have a good idea whether you will succeed or fail. As in, you can reasonably see a path to success, but you can also reasonably see that path being derailed, and any estimates of your chances will change by the day, if not the hour or minute.
All of this can be blamed on the Republicans and the Christian Right.
Why can this be blamed on "Republicans and the Christian Right"?
edited 13th May '13 3:47:25 AM by GlennMagusHarvey
If he didn't know for a certainty if he could get the USA in, why devise an international system of peacekeeping that depended on US involvement to work? At best, Wilson took a risk on behalf of others.
Republicans have a bizarre anti-UN conspiracy mindset - Jesse Helms led the opposition to ratifying UNCRC on sovereignty grounds and others wanted to continue executing under 18s (or at least have the option to do so), whilst the Christian right worried that it might erode homeschooling.
edited 12th May '13 4:36:06 PM by Achaemenid
Schild und Schwert der ParteiContrast with the UK where there's no such thing as primary schools, ...Or So I Heard.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Admittedly I have to agree with him though that I'm rather uncomfortable with the U.N.'s attempts at gun control. I believe it's an issue they should stay away from.
The Health and Human Services Department (HHS) says there's nothing illegal or improper about soliciting donations to help promote President Obama's healthcare law.
Congress is hearing from more whistleblowers who wish to testify on the terrorist attack in Benghazi, according to House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.).
edited 12th May '13 12:58:09 PM by DeviantBraeburn
Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016