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

NickTheSwing Since: Aug, 2009
#105876: Dec 3rd 2015 at 2:24:57 PM

[up] Yes - I basically drew out the blue print of what such a policy would look like.

...hopefully he doesn't take this idea.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#105877: Dec 3rd 2015 at 2:27:49 PM

[up] I'm less worried about Trump than regular people deciding he has a point and taking things into their own hands.

Eschaton Since: Jul, 2010
#105878: Dec 3rd 2015 at 2:36:43 PM

[up][up]The worst part is, he would be right. If they really are all dead, they won't be a problem anymore.

Sure, that might create more problems. But guess what? We just kill those too!

There's no solution like a Final Solution.

DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#105879: Dec 3rd 2015 at 4:05:01 PM

The thing is we already do take out their families, at least on occassion when a drone has found someone on the kill list and their family happens to be with them.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#105880: Dec 3rd 2015 at 4:07:58 PM

[up]The difference is intent. We may harm or kill terrorists' family members in bombing them, but it's not the endgoal of those bombings. It's collateral damage. Still reprehensible, but less avoidable and a far cry from advocating actively going after those same people specifically.

edited 3rd Dec '15 4:08:09 PM by sgamer82

TheHandle United Earth from Stockholm Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
United Earth
#105881: Dec 3rd 2015 at 4:24:14 PM

[we are not impressed]

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#105882: Dec 3rd 2015 at 6:08:25 PM

And what happens if someone goes over to Syria from the US? Does Trump have their family (who may well not be radicalized) detained? Summarily executed?

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#105883: Dec 3rd 2015 at 6:10:17 PM

[up] Probably?

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
probablyinsane Since: Oct, 2011 Relationship Status: I LOVE THIS DOCTOR!
#105884: Dec 3rd 2015 at 8:04:18 PM

They just had a baby and they did -this-. Jesus Christ.

Plants are aliens, and fungi are nanomachines.
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#105885: Dec 3rd 2015 at 8:05:50 PM

Yeah, like I said a short while ago, it was basically, "Here, grandma, watch our kid. We're off to shoot some people." Whether the motivation was terrorism-related or not, the whole thing remains utterly nonsensical.

edited 3rd Dec '15 8:07:05 PM by Fighteer

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
probablyinsane Since: Oct, 2011 Relationship Status: I LOVE THIS DOCTOR!
#105886: Dec 3rd 2015 at 8:17:03 PM

[up] My brain screeched to a half when I came across that tidbit.

I can't- And it would leave me no option but to take a middle-course choice when it comes to guns. I'm 100% for better gun control with preference for no personal ownership of guns at all. But until something is done on the legal-side, I feel I'd have to stock up on armaments in the meantime.

And taking care of guns is no easy matter, what with humidity and making sure that kids can't get access to them.

Plants are aliens, and fungi are nanomachines.
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#105887: Dec 3rd 2015 at 8:23:05 PM

It's all too easy to slip into despair when events like this happen. Yet the truth remains that being a victim of a mass shooting, terrorist or otherwise, is still incredibly remote. Most of us will go through our lives in an entirely ordinary fashion, dying of misfortune or preventable illness or the expiration of our genetic clocks. You might as well barricade yourself indoors against the chance of being hit by lightning on a cloudless day.

The best weapon we have against people who wield fear is to live our lives unafraid, ostentatiously so if necessary. We take precautions, of course, because it would be stupid not to, but we don't sweat the unpreventable stuff.

edited 3rd Dec '15 8:24:46 PM by Fighteer

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
probablyinsane Since: Oct, 2011 Relationship Status: I LOVE THIS DOCTOR!
#105888: Dec 3rd 2015 at 8:39:26 PM

[up] We're not just talking about terrorism or mass shootings.

Gun-related violence is not as remote as we wish it to be. Especially if you live in (not) well-off areas. It's one of the reasons why gated communities are a thing.

Plants are aliens, and fungi are nanomachines.
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#105889: Dec 3rd 2015 at 8:40:36 PM

Carrying a gun isn't going to help solve that.

Oh really when?
shimaspawn from Here and Now Since: May, 2010 Relationship Status: In your bunk
#105890: Dec 3rd 2015 at 8:45:12 PM

I really do think that we need to start treating guns like we do cars. Keep track of where they go, who their registered to. Make sure people are tested in safety before getting a license.

Reality is that, which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. -Philip K. Dick
probablyinsane Since: Oct, 2011 Relationship Status: I LOVE THIS DOCTOR!
#105891: Dec 3rd 2015 at 9:01:09 PM

[up][up] Overall no, but it will "psychologically" help me feel safer. Unless the gun maintenance portion makes it feel more of an annoyance to me.

However, if there comes a time when it becomes no personal ownership of guns at all, I'd be more or less happy to give it up.

Plants are aliens, and fungi are nanomachines.
shimaspawn from Here and Now Since: May, 2010 Relationship Status: In your bunk
#105892: Dec 3rd 2015 at 9:10:00 PM

Well, remember that having a gun in the house makes you more likely to be a victim of a crime, especially robberies and shootings.

Reality is that, which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. -Philip K. Dick
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#105893: Dec 3rd 2015 at 9:11:57 PM

Yeah, guns in your home are valuables not tools or deterrence.

Oh really when?
Joesolo Indiana Solo Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
Indiana Solo
#105894: Dec 3rd 2015 at 9:43:34 PM

"Make sure people are tested in safety before getting a license."

Not to sound like a dick, but have you been on the roads? Our driving test really need to be upgraded, I see at least 1 person a week who should not be driving anything bigger than a hotwheels.

I'm baaaaaaack
AngelusNox Warder of the damned from The guard of the gates of oblivion Since: Dec, 2014 Relationship Status: Married to the job
Warder of the damned
#105895: Dec 3rd 2015 at 9:49:02 PM

[up]Just yours?

People do a pretty good job at pretending they are capable of passing tests, specially driving tests.

Inter arma enim silent leges
probablyinsane Since: Oct, 2011 Relationship Status: I LOVE THIS DOCTOR!
#105896: Dec 3rd 2015 at 9:53:39 PM

[up][up][up][up] That is why the "gun maintenance" section.

Unlike the majority of gun-crazy nutcases, I'm fully aware you can't just stick guns into a shoebox and then into your closet.

Nor is having a locked "glass" case enough. In fact, I think it's idiotic. You do (not) want to advertise that you have guns in your house.

It has to be at least a gun safe, and preferably disguised as something else.

edited 3rd Dec '15 9:54:06 PM by probablyinsane

Plants are aliens, and fungi are nanomachines.
TerminusEst from the Land of Winter and Stars Since: Feb, 2010
Aszur A nice butterfly from Pagliacci's Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: Don't hug me; I'm scared
A nice butterfly
#105898: Dec 4th 2015 at 7:11:49 AM

Overall no, but it will "psychologically" help me feel safer.

You know, I am going to allow myself to be pretty much a dick. But take it from a psychologist.

This sounds like a junkie claiming they need their shots to remain stable and happy. Not like someone who has given some actual thoughts to what will provide you with safety and peace of mind.

edited 4th Dec '15 7:12:10 AM by Aszur

It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes
Joesolo Indiana Solo Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
Indiana Solo
#105899: Dec 4th 2015 at 8:20:07 AM

I just said that ours do, never said other countries don't.

I'm baaaaaaack
AngelusNox Warder of the damned from The guard of the gates of oblivion Since: Dec, 2014 Relationship Status: Married to the job

Total posts: 417,856
Top