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Greenmantle V from Greater Wessex, Britannia Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Hiding
V
#141126: Oct 1st 2016 at 1:35:45 AM

[up] I would also suggest that Russian influence might also be a concern in the upcoming French and German Elections.

Keep Rolling On
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#141127: Oct 1st 2016 at 2:04:55 AM

In the debate, Trump's microphone had some audio issues. Here comes the validation of the victimhood complex. >.>

Do not obey in advance.
Greenmantle V from Greater Wessex, Britannia Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Hiding
V
#141128: Oct 1st 2016 at 3:08:10 AM

A British view from Max Hastings of The Spectator: Trump’s bad debate performance won’t stop Americans voting for him

Monday night’s US presidential debate should convince a majority of American voters that Hillary Clinton is their only credible choice for the White House. Yet it may well fail to do so, in the new era of ‘post-truth politics’. The historian Sir Michael Howard suggests that on both sides of the Atlantic, we are witnessing a retreat from reason, an attempt to reverse the onset of the 18th-century Age of the Enlightenment, which banished superstition and religious faith as a basis for reaching conclusions. The progress of Donald Trump supports his thesis. I have just spent a fortnight in southern California, researching a book on the Vietnam war, and saw everywhere manifestations of Trumpery. A big Jeep overtook me on the coastal highway, bearing a window sticker: ‘I AM A STRAIGHT CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE GUN-OWNER. What more can I say to piss you off?’

Cultured Americans view the Trump candidacy with almost paralysed horror. A sixty-something historian friend emailed from Washington to say that he and his wife have been discussing a move abroad if the Republican candidate wins, because ‘such a United States would not be one that we wish to be part of’. He asked: had my wife and I, as Remainers, faced a similar dilemma following Britain’s Brexit vote? I responded that we rub along fine socially with Leavers, so long as they neither wax lyrical about the glorious dawn breaking over our shores, nor insist upon speaking well of Boris Johnson.

I visited an elderly ex-soldier, who took me into his study to view some documents. Beside the computer lay a loaded pistol. Seeing me glance at it, he said a trifle apologetically, ‘This is what Americans do.’ Trump on Monday night applauded gun ownership; though Clinton deplored ‘the plague of gun violence’, she did not dare explicitly to advocate control. I have owned sporting firearms all my life, and fired more military weapons than most people. A generation ago, when home secretary Michael Howard banned handguns, I thought his measure an unacceptable constraint upon personal freedom. I have since changed my mind. Firearms are such a curse upon US society that I thank heaven British private citizens are no longer permitted to own those designed explicitly for killing people.

I drove 300 miles across western deserts to interview Doug Ramsey, a man whose Vietnam experience made him a bleak legend. Arrived in Boulder City, Nevada, around midnight, I sought the usual motel, and was dismayed to find them all full. With a sigh, I settled down to sleep in the car, only to be awakened four hours later by a flashlight in my face, three police patrol cars around mine. Long experience of American cops, fortified by awareness of recent shootings, caused me carefully to seek permission to open my door, even though I am reasonably white. ‘Have you been drinking?’ an officer demanded. I explained my predicament, and they demanded my driver’s licence ‘so we can check you’re not wanted by Interpol’. The chief cop then quizzed me: ‘This says Sir Max Hastings. You royal, or something?’ Just a British gag, I said, and escaped a vagrancy charge. As I sat outside a diner, reading Trollope on a Kindle during the interminable wait until opening time, I reflected ruefully that I am getting too old for such nights as that.

I wonder whether we'll get anyone shot by US Police for just being foreign?

Doug Ramsey was a US foreign service officer who in January 1966 fell prey to a Vietcong ambush while delivering aid supplies. He spent the next seven years as a prisoner in the jungle, mostly in solitary confinement, sometimes in a bamboo cage significantly shorter than himself, which inflicted crippling injuries. Much cant is peddled on both sides of the Atlantic about our concern for ‘war heroes’. Well-meaning people cycle across continents or row the Pacific to raise money for disabled veterans. It remains nonetheless troubling how little effective help they receive. Though mentally undiminished, Ramsey is almost totally immobilised, but ineligible for the medical treatment available to ex-military personnel. He depends on Medicare and civilian compensation, and is justly bitter about their inadequacy. He says: ‘I share with disabled Vietnamese veterans an anger that both our respective governments have screwed us’.

Not So Different?

Publication of the Yahoo traffic of some important Americans is almost certainly a Kremlin-inspired demonstration of Russian cybercraft. It impresses the US and British cryptographic intelligence communities, and may oblige those who deal in sensitive material to rethink their use of emails. All online messages, encrypted or no, are vulnerable to hackers with sufficient ingenuity and computer resources. It could prove an irony of the 21st century that old-fashioned pen and ink missives enjoy a resurgence among those who do not covet a readership in Moscow or Beijing.

Keep Rolling On
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#141129: Oct 1st 2016 at 6:07:57 AM

[up]

Can't recall what show it was on (might've been Colbert's Late Night show), but they had a clip demonstrating precisely why it'll be close regardless, with an elderly woman asked about who she'll vote for. "I am voting for the conservative party. And if this jackass just happens to be leading this mule train, then so be it."

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#141130: Oct 1st 2016 at 6:39:11 AM

Trump is dialing up his attacks regarding Bill Clinton's affairs (and allegations of abuse, and how Hillary "enabled and covered" them). This could really hurt him with middle aged, suburban, married women (one of the few demographics who do tend to shift from election to election).

http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/30/politics/donald-trump-bill-clinton-presidential-debate-hillary-clinton/index.html

EDIT: Our blessed masters at 538 speak: the debate seems to have boosted Clinton substantially in the swing states.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/election-update-clintons-debate-performance-is-helping-her-in-swing-states/

Also, Clinton is less unpopular than Trump and historically this is a winner.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/trump-is-more-unpopular-than-clinton-is-and-that-matters/

edited 1st Oct '16 6:47:21 AM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#141131: Oct 1st 2016 at 6:55:11 AM

Rumor has it, that Dems plan on a "All Hands on Deck" approach for Oct.

Ohhh boy. Bout to go nuclear on his ass. I love it!

New Survey coming this weekend!
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#141132: Oct 1st 2016 at 6:58:02 AM

Apparently they've got Obama (both of them), Sanders, Bill, the works ready to come out and rally support.

I wonder if using Carter is a good idea? Or if he is feeling up to it, considering he missed the Convention...

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Krieger22 Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018 from Malaysia Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: I'm in love with my car
Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018
#141133: Oct 1st 2016 at 7:22:17 AM

Well, I recall Carter being in remission (yay!), but I reckon people closer to him know better as to whether he's up for an appearance.

Vox on Trump's praise for Sisi. Does Trump have an official theme tune or something that the Egyptian military brass band can butcher like the Russian and French national anthems? Probably would trigger another 5AM Twitter tantrum.

Vox on how political reporting in US feminist and women's media could tilt that demographic in Clinton's favor. Besides providing warnings not to approach those throwing loud internet tantrums over this, of course.

edited 1st Oct '16 7:33:46 AM by Krieger22

I have disagreed with her a lot, but comparing her to republicans and propagandists of dictatorships is really low. - An idiot
Euodiachloris Since: Oct, 2010
#141134: Oct 1st 2016 at 7:30:18 AM

I bet if Carter has a smidge of energy to spare, he will. This is his kind of fight; if anybody's frustrated at having his body fail him when he wants in the ring, it's probably him.

Trump is... just everything that pushes Carter's buttons in one package. -_-

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#141135: Oct 1st 2016 at 7:35:21 AM

Maybe he'll record a message, as he did for the DNC.

EDIT: Bill Weld, Gary Johnson's running made, accidentally praised Hillary Clinton as the most qualified person to be president.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/30/politics/bill-weld-hillary-clinton-qualified/index.html

edited 1st Oct '16 8:07:01 AM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#141136: Oct 1st 2016 at 8:40:34 AM

Why on Earth would you admit that?

edited 1st Oct '16 8:40:49 AM by Kostya

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
3of4 Just a harmless giant from a foreign land. from Five Seconds in the Future. Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
Just a harmless giant from a foreign land.
#141138: Oct 1st 2016 at 8:46:30 AM

So there's a daily mail article claiming Trump has asked Nigel Farage to help him prep for the next debate.

Is there any more...trustworthy source on that?

"You can reply to this Message!"
NoName999 Since: May, 2011
#141139: Oct 1st 2016 at 8:50:09 AM

Trump asking for help? What reality is this?

edited 1st Oct '16 8:50:56 AM by NoName999

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#141140: Oct 1st 2016 at 8:57:02 AM

I think I've heard the name Nigel Farage before, but not where. Is there any special significance to the choice to ask him?

edited 1st Oct '16 8:58:20 AM by sgamer82

Greenmantle V from Greater Wessex, Britannia Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Hiding
V
#141141: Oct 1st 2016 at 8:57:13 AM

[up][up][up] UKIP denies that Nigel Farage is coaching Donald Trump for next debate.

[up] Nigel Farage. Former leader of the Eurosceptic United Kingdom Independence Party.

edited 1st Oct '16 8:58:05 AM by Greenmantle

Keep Rolling On
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#141142: Oct 1st 2016 at 8:59:02 AM

Ah. Is Eurosceptic the actual name or an insult-name?

Greenmantle V from Greater Wessex, Britannia Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Hiding
tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#141144: Oct 1st 2016 at 9:04:38 AM

As of Halloween, 7 species of Hawaii native bees are being placed on the endangered species list.

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#141145: Oct 1st 2016 at 10:16:20 AM

Anna Palmer Verified account ‏@apalmerdc

NEWS: Clinton barring lobbyists from policy groups & transition team. Unclear whether that would remain in place post-election/WH.

I don't agree with it completely (as not all lobbyists are Machiavellian schemers and Evil Chancellor) but, hey it's a good start for her getting her trust numbers back.

New Survey coming this weekend!
Medinoc from France (Before Recorded History)
#141146: Oct 1st 2016 at 10:48:51 AM

The insult name would probably be "Euroseptic".

"And as long as a sack of shit is not a good thing to be, chivalry will never die."
Elle Since: Jan, 2001
#141147: Oct 1st 2016 at 11:16:53 AM

I think the confusion is that the American spelling of the word is skeptic. Sceptic tooks too much like the word for toxic waste.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#141148: Oct 1st 2016 at 11:28:46 AM

[up] Pretty much. Didn't even know skeptic/sceptic was spelled differently.

carbon-mantis Collector Of Fine Oddities from Trumpland Since: Mar, 2010 Relationship Status: Married to my murderer
Collector Of Fine Oddities
#141149: Oct 1st 2016 at 11:53:35 AM

@ Carter's cancer, in remission for now at least. The drug he was taking really only works when you're continuously taking it, and as soon as he was pronounced to be in remission he reportedly stopped treatments.

flameboy21th The would-be novelist from California Since: Jan, 2013 Relationship Status: I <3 love!
The would-be novelist
#141150: Oct 1st 2016 at 12:04:17 PM

[up][up]SCeptic, SCience, SCion

edited 1st Oct '16 12:04:43 PM by flameboy21th

Non Indicative Username

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