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Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#127051: Jun 19th 2016 at 1:22:58 PM

Really? Even considering how badly he handled the last few major incidents?

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Discar Since: Jun, 2009
#127052: Jun 19th 2016 at 1:56:25 PM

[up][up] What's the context for that? Is it "Oh fuck we're screwed, he's our Republican nominee (and the Republican nominee will obviously automatically win because we represent Real America TM)" or is it "Ha, we have this in the bag! Just like when we said Romney was going to win in a landslide!"

Writing a post-post apocalypse LitRPG on RR. Also fanfic stuff.
Bat178 Since: May, 2011
TheHandle United Earth from Stockholm Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
United Earth
#127054: Jun 19th 2016 at 2:06:14 PM

Well consider me afraid...

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
smokeycut Since: Mar, 2013
#127055: Jun 19th 2016 at 2:07:14 PM

"Romney has it in the bag" was how it came across. That sort of "haha, we already won! Hillary has no shot!"

Even though only 15 minutes later someone else pointed out how many independents were polled as disliking Trump. Somewhere around 60 or 70 percent, with the rate jumping up even higher if you limit it to women and minorities.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#127056: Jun 19th 2016 at 2:08:52 PM

A recent poll found that 55% of Americans would not vote for Trump. Now we just need said 55% to vote Clinton and get out to the polls and we're golden.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#127057: Jun 19th 2016 at 2:11:55 PM

Hopefully that fifty five percent that won't vote for Trump will become a larger percentage.

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#127058: Jun 19th 2016 at 2:50:02 PM

Take also note of enthusiasm gaps - at least the polls given by Politico indicate that Clinton supporters on average seem more enthusiastic than Trump supporters. Not sure how reliable that is, though.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
JackOLantern1337 Shameful Display from The Most Miserable Province in the Russian Empir Since: Aug, 2014 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Shameful Display
#127059: Jun 19th 2016 at 2:58:46 PM

It is reliable from what I've heard. All the Trump supporters I've met admit that he has flaws. They are voting for him because they think Hillary is to corrupt and untrustworthy, and will raise taxes, this concern is especially big for people I know who own businesses.

That or they think nobody else will stand up for America. My mom complains about how everyone rolls over for the Chinese, but nobody takes us seriously because we are "the good guys."

I Bring Doom,and a bit of gloom, but mostly gloom.
rikalous World's Cutest Direwolf from Upscale Mordor (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
World's Cutest Direwolf
#127060: Jun 19th 2016 at 3:01:51 PM

Trump would certainly do wonders for the US looking like the good guys. Not so much the being taken seriously.

smokeycut Since: Mar, 2013
#127061: Jun 19th 2016 at 3:04:35 PM

I'm pretty sure he'd make us look like abusive racist assholes, not "good guys".

tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#127062: Jun 19th 2016 at 3:08:42 PM

Did we already talk about the NRA having some sense by saying that guns shouldn't be anywhere near drunk people, like the Pulse clubgoers who gunned down last week?

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
desdendelle Hooded Crow from Land of Milk and Honey (Sergeant) Relationship Status: Hiding
rikalous World's Cutest Direwolf from Upscale Mordor (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
World's Cutest Direwolf
#127064: Jun 19th 2016 at 3:14:01 PM

That's generally a safe bet.

[up][up][up]Yeah, and Jack's mom apparently thinks that us looking like good guys is the problem. Which Trump would fix. By making us not look like good guys. Because Trump is simultaneously an asshat and an asshole, and his non-Euclidean ass dimensions would reflect on the country. Is what I was going for.

edited 19th Jun '16 3:15:12 PM by rikalous

Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#127066: Jun 19th 2016 at 3:52:49 PM

To play devil's advocate, there is a down side to looking like "good guys" all the time. America has invited a lot of Hype Backlash upon itself by invoking For Great Justice and claiming to be the good guys. In fact, I'd argue 95% or more of criticism towards America falls into this category. By contrast, other 1st world nations don't hype themselves up as much and aren't as criticized as a result.

Having said that, I don't think that's quite what Jack's mom means. And, for that matter, I'm quite content with basking in the jealousy of other nations-it's certainly preferable to many other alternatives.

edited 19th Jun '16 3:55:05 PM by Protagonist506

Leviticus 19:34
JackOLantern1337 Shameful Display from The Most Miserable Province in the Russian Empir Since: Aug, 2014 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Shameful Display
#127067: Jun 19th 2016 at 3:53:51 PM

[up][up] Not looking like the good guys, but not being respected and feared like China is. And she does have a point. Companies practically beg the Chinese for scraps, while they run rough shot over the US government. And of course their's the trade imbalance, which nobody seem willing to address.

I Bring Doom,and a bit of gloom, but mostly gloom.
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#127068: Jun 19th 2016 at 3:57:50 PM

China is respected or feared? Since when? And how are they running over us?

edited 19th Jun '16 3:58:51 PM by LeGarcon

Oh really when?
megarockman from The Sixth Borough (Experienced Trainee)
#127069: Jun 19th 2016 at 3:59:10 PM

[up][up]Not what I heard, at least for companies - more and more are just leaving China altogether because the environment is too onerous.

The damned queen and the relentless knight.
Memers Since: Aug, 2013
#127070: Jun 19th 2016 at 4:06:49 PM

[up][up] They have definitely been throwing their weight around with the various territorial disputes with Japan and the Philippines. They are pretty much just pushing the US around there and have everyone on edge.

edited 19th Jun '16 4:07:08 PM by Memers

AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#127071: Jun 19th 2016 at 4:35:28 PM

Jack, just about all of your claims have been debunked before. You're blowing up the issue of China to something much bigger than it is. And the situation in Asia isn't one that can be solved by the US just strong arming their way into the situation.

edited 19th Jun '16 4:36:38 PM by AceofSpades

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#127072: Jun 19th 2016 at 4:46:48 PM

I've noticed that Jack doesn't really try to back up his stuff about China. He just goes on about it, sometimes randomly, and when someone calls him on it, he doesn't really respond, just maybe waits awhile before bringing China up again.

Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#127073: Jun 19th 2016 at 4:50:22 PM

The US is respected and feared, a lot more the China is, or anyone is. Yes it sufferes hype backlash but fear is not something the US has ever failed to evoke in people.

The US could do to tone down the "beacon of democracy", "protector of human rights around the globe", and "leader of the free world" rhetoric, but electing Trump won't make you respected and feared, maybe a bit more feared, but we'd loose all respect for you and instead start working with Russia, because that's who we turn to when we need an ally against fascism.

As for Jack on China, this convo provides a bit more insight to me, I take it you get some of your China views from home, Jack?

edited 19th Jun '16 4:51:17 PM by Silasw

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
TheHandle United Earth from Stockholm Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
United Earth
#127074: Jun 19th 2016 at 4:55:49 PM

[up]That last sentence confuses me.

As for the "Champion of This" and "Protector of That" self-aggrandizement, that's hardly a new attitude

Sultan Mehmed IV to the Zaporozhian Cossacks:

As the Sultan; son of Muhammad; brother of the sun and moon; grandson and viceroy of God; ruler of the kingdoms of Macedonia, Babylon, Jerusalem, Upper and Lower Egypt; emperor of emperors; sovereign of sovereigns; extraordinary knight, never defeated; steadfast guardian of the tomb of Jesus Christ; trustee chosen by God Himself; the hope and comfort of Muslims; confounder and great defender of Christians - I command you, the Zaporogian Cossacks, to submit to me voluntarily and without any resistance, and to desist from troubling me with your attacks.

—Turkish sultan Mehmed IV

The Cossacks' reply was legendary:

Zaporozhian Cossacks to the Turkish Sultan!

O sultan, Turkish devil and damned devil's kith and kin, secretary to Lucifer himself. What the devil kind of knight are you, that can't slay a hedgehog with your naked arse? The devil excretes, and your army eats. You will not, you son of a bitch, make subjects of Christian sons; we've no fear of your army, by land and by sea we will battle with thee, fuck your mother.

You Babylonian scullion, Macedonian wheelwright, brewer of Jerusalem, goat-fucker of Alexandria, swineherd of Greater and Lesser Egypt, pig of Armenia, Podolian thief, catamite of Tartary, hangman of Kamyanets, and fool of all the world and underworld, an idiot before God, grandson of the Serpent, and the crick in our dick. Pig's snout, mare's arse, slaughterhouse cur, unchristened brow, screw your own mother!

So the Zaporozhians declare, you lowlife. You won't even be herding pigs for the Christians. Now we'll conclude, for we don't know the date and don't own a calendar; the moon's in the sky, the year with the Lord, the day's the same over here as it is over there; for this kiss our arse!

- koshovyi otaman Ivan Sirko, with the whole Zaporozhian Host.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#127075: Jun 19th 2016 at 4:57:03 PM

[up] The reply's apocryphal, though.

We learn from history that we do not learn from history

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