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Nov 2023 Mod notice:


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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#155676: Nov 15th 2016 at 9:44:28 PM

The Misadventures of Donald and The Cannibal Cornballs continues!!!

LinkToTheFuture A real bad hombre from somewhere completely different Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
A real bad hombre
#155677: Nov 15th 2016 at 9:48:43 PM

For all of its faults America does not deserve this shitshow

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas Edison
Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#155678: Nov 15th 2016 at 9:50:26 PM

I would not have wished this on anyone. Not even the ignorant people who voted for Trump.

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
#155679: Nov 15th 2016 at 10:06:11 PM

I don't buy that Trump would allow Russian sanctions if he ends up in control of foreign policy, however US sanctions aren't a big thing for Russia, they don't hurt, probably in part because Europe won't agree to ones that do hurt (Germany wants to buy Russian natural gas and the UK wants to launder Russian oligarch money) so Putin won't be worried about them.

The one thing the US could to Russia do is pressure Saudi Arabia to tank oil prices more, but that might not work or with the best of presidents (and would also hurt the US), and Trump is not going to develop a good relationship with the US's Arab allies.

Putin has no reason to want a thaw with the US, it hurts him domestically and would do nothing to help the Russian economy or even prevent damage to it.

edited 15th Nov '16 10:07:01 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
AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#155680: Nov 15th 2016 at 10:15:36 PM

Good, I want the Trump administration to be as ineffectually corrupt as it can. Embezzlement is far preferable to actual policy decisions and fascism with purpose.

CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#155681: Nov 15th 2016 at 10:16:00 PM

[up][up] The US can force the end of European sanctions however, and it's much less likely for new sanctions to be imposed if Russia is in the good graces of the US. Economically, they're in no position to be a superpower any time soon, so the best path forward for them would be cooperation with the US on Russia's terms, particularly since Trump is likely to accelerate the decline of the United States relative to the rest of the world, which will leave Russia in a strong position if they simply bide their time.

edited 15th Nov '16 10:22:22 PM by CaptainCapsase

Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#155682: Nov 15th 2016 at 10:20:38 PM

[up][up] I'm not really qualified to say this, but I think one of the biggest problems that might end up happening as a result is the legitimacy and influence granted to Breitbart as a news source. Even if Trumb's cabal is ineffectually corrupt the whole time and manage to get very little passed in the way of legislation or political ploys, an entire generation fed on Breit Bart's alt-right garbage is horrifying.

edited 15th Nov '16 10:30:58 PM by Draghinazzo

FFShinra Since: Jan, 2001
#155683: Nov 15th 2016 at 10:24:11 PM

Saudia might tank oil anyway to keep Iran from making moolah from it again.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#155684: Nov 15th 2016 at 10:33:34 PM

[up][up] Breitbart: Because someone thought Murdoch was too liberal.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#155685: Nov 15th 2016 at 10:49:10 PM

I do think it's interesting how the reactionary current in the country has evolved over time.

Up until recently, the Republicans, who represented conservatism in the US, had to rely entirely on dogwhistles to veil their appeal to white nationalism because explicit displays of race bigotry were deemed unacceptable, and a lot of their powerbase was the religious fundamentalist groups who had a lot of power and influence in the country.

The country grew progressively irreligious and ostensibly liberal in many ways, but the xenophobia and racism didn't go away. It raised an entire generation of men who rejected the old conservative way of doing things, but still had a lot of bottled up resentment. They created a culture of cynicism, nihilism and contempt for anyone who wasn't a straight white man.

Then barged Donald Trump and, although he doesn't give a shit about them and comes from an entirely different time and place, represents the entirety of what they stand for: casual racism and misogyny, a complete disregard for civility and proper manners, and a fragile ego that can easily be wounded.

He broke every rule regarding the Republican way of doing things, and now the cat's out of the bag for good. Despite the power given to Pence, religion isn't really as important for a Republican candidate to succeed now, with the precedent set by Trump. They don't have to necessarily rely on dogwhistles anymore, since many people will eat up the hatred. They don't have to maintain civility, or really be particularly qualified for the job.

It's so bizarre to me that what is essentially the worst parts of 4chan actually became a political movement with tangible influence.

edited 15th Nov '16 10:55:50 PM by Draghinazzo

AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#155686: Nov 15th 2016 at 11:25:40 PM

I'm honestly worried about this obvious ineffectualness because this is a pretty clear proof that Trump at this point is likely to be influenced and used by anybody. He clearly didn't know what the job entailed and wasn't prepared in any way to win, having apparently ignored officials that met with him well beforehand and ignoring whatever it was they told him. (Apparently someone has to meet with them so as to prepare candidates in case of success to prevent this sort of thing.)

We're about to get a long hard lesson in why being an outsider to politics isn't a good thing at this level and I'm not so sure that this will be necessarily less dangerous than a rightwinger who knows what they're doing.

PotatoesRock Since: Oct, 2012
#155687: Nov 16th 2016 at 12:29:22 AM

Of fun note, McCain and the Heritage Foundation are opposing any move by Trump to soften relations with Russia.

People need to realize the Republicans aren't a unified bloc, and we're basically looking at a walking fiasco in progress. Especially as Reporters peg Senators and Reps, asking them how they feel about Trump's every movement and sneeze.

AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#155688: Nov 16th 2016 at 12:47:25 AM

Let's hope McCain has the spine to actually act on his words and be a thorn in Trump's side throughout.

MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Destroyer of Worlds
#155689: Nov 16th 2016 at 1:58:26 AM

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump

Very organized process taking place as I decide on Cabinet and many other positions. I am the only one who knows who the finalists are!

Jesus Christ! It's like a spin off of the Apprentice.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#155690: Nov 16th 2016 at 2:04:52 AM

[up] Yeah, that tweet was not reassuring.

Disgusted, but not surprised
TerminusEst from the Land of Winter and Stars Since: Feb, 2010
Balmung Since: Oct, 2011
#155693: Nov 16th 2016 at 3:02:57 AM

Good, I want the Trump administration to be as ineffectually corrupt as it can. Embezzlement is far preferable to actual policy decisions and fascism with purpose.
Unfortunately, these things are hardly mutually exclusive - historical fascist regimes had loads of corruption and embezzlement and still had plenty of time for brutal oppression.

edited 16th Nov '16 3:06:49 AM by Balmung

PotatoesRock Since: Oct, 2012
#155694: Nov 16th 2016 at 3:45:44 AM

Schumer's leadership team in flux ahead of elections: No one seems to want to take over the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. The party faces a daunting 2018 map and the prospect of Republicans padding their majority.

Senate Republicans are showing some signs of resistance to Trump’s foreign policy: Hawks and doves both have concerns.

(Essentially Rand Paul and McCain are the most likely bulwarks against Trump's Pro Russian Foreign Policy.)

House Democrats’ coming leadership fight, explained: Newer members want a fresh-faced alternative to Nancy Pelosi.

Pelosi is basically seen as suffering from being a Hillary (i.e. in the spotlight so long she's become a Boogeyman for Republicans). The left flank views her as too centrist. The moderates/red staters view her as too liberal. But there's no strong alternative to her since Ellison is likely to head the DNC, and likely rules against too much power consolidation prevent him from taking up the position of Minority Leader.

Also the leadership election has been delayed to the end of the month as the House party tries to get its ducks in a row, and figure out what to do.

edited 16th Nov '16 3:47:06 AM by PotatoesRock

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#155695: Nov 16th 2016 at 4:29:54 AM

[up] Yet another reason I think Howard Dean should become DNC head again. Too bad he's "establishment", which means Bernie supporters would never accept him.

Disgusted, but not surprised
CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#155696: Nov 16th 2016 at 4:47:58 AM

"The people who see that open societies, being nice to other people, not being racist, not fighting wars, is a better way to live, they generally end up losing these fights. They don’t fight dirty. They are terrible at appealing to the populace. They are less violent, so end up in prisons, camps, and graves."

From that article, and why liberals are so consistently put upon.

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
MarqFJA The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer from Deserts of the Middle East (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer
#155697: Nov 16th 2016 at 4:55:50 AM

Or in other words, if you want to champion a Good cause in the world of politics, you must be Good Is Not Nice and/or Good Is Not Soft (preferably both), otherwise your enemies will trample over you.

edited 16th Nov '16 4:56:13 AM by MarqFJA

Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.
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
#155698: Nov 16th 2016 at 5:14:31 AM

Inter arma enim silent leges
nervmeister Since: Oct, 2010
#155699: Nov 16th 2016 at 5:34:31 AM

[up][up][up]It's a bit of a challenge navigating the Sliding Scale Of Idealism Vs Pragmatism but it can be done if one has enough mental discipline.

AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#155700: Nov 16th 2016 at 5:46:29 AM

Best hope is that the Democrats combine Sanders' ideas with Obama's pragmatism and mastery of the logistical ground game to spread an effective counter-Trump platform to the red states. Obama no longer has to play nice with the Republicans so he can afford to shift leftward with his messaging. Meanwhile also countering likely Republican attempts to scapegoat Obama and paint him as a new George Soros or Fethullah Gulen. He's been too measured in his response to Republican fearmongering and conspiracy theories but now the cuffs are off.

edited 16th Nov '16 5:50:18 AM by AlleyOop


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