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

RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#166501: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:02:29 AM

[up][up] Yeah, but screw Kissinger, is the thing. I couldn't care less what kind of warped ethics they may operate on. We shouldn't be normalizing them and holding them up as legitimate points of view.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#166502: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:03:21 AM

[up] The likely runners up are even worse though, and now that Trump has been elected we have to take what we can get.

edited 13th Jan '17 10:04:14 AM by CaptainCapsase

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#166503: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:04:40 AM

[up] Between Bolton and Tillerson...yeah, I'm gonna go with the oil magnate with questionable ties to Russia and zero diplomatic experience.

Disgusted, but not surprised
CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#166504: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:05:32 AM

[up] I mean he has something resembling diplomatic experience insofar as Exxon Mobil is practically a real life example of an N.G.O. Superpower MegaCorp, the issue is that under Tillerson the company frequently took actions that harmed American interests overseas. He's certainly more qualified for the position than Trump was for the top office.

edited 13th Jan '17 10:07:05 AM by CaptainCapsase

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#166505: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:07:00 AM

[up] ...that might actually be worse than just having no experience.

Disgusted, but not surprised
CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#166506: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:08:51 AM

[up] Maybe. The question is to what extent he's the consummate professional he presents himself as (and there are examples of that in the private sector to public sector revolving door cases) versus the suspicion that he's in this for his own gain. I suspect a bit of both, but much like I prefer Mattis as SOD over Michael Flynn, Tillerson is vastly better than Bolton.

We're faced with a choice between foreign policy from the Nixon administration, and foreign policy that wouldn't look out of place in Doctor Strangelove. The choice to me is obvious.

edited 13th Jan '17 10:13:02 AM by CaptainCapsase

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#166507: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:15:00 AM

[up] FWIW, my earlier post comparing Bolton to Tillerson wasn't sarcastic. I actually do think Tillerson, as bad as he is, would be a less dangerous Secretary of State.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#166508: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:32:48 AM

If only because he won't destroy the world that makes him money.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#166509: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:35:21 AM

That's kind of what big oil does, though. They're poisoning the planet and bleeding it dry, and getting filthy rich in the process.

Remember that $500 billion Arctic drilling deal that Exxon signed with Russia? The one could do massive damage to the environment, and was blocked by US economic sanctions? Sanctions that Tillerson will soon be in a position to lift?

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#166510: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:35:32 AM

At least if the nukes start flying, there won't be any more Republicans when the dust clears.

"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."
RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#166511: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:36:45 AM

No, I think there's a decent chance Trump'll still be around here somewhere. The man's a cockroach.

Probably half the House GOP, as well. Although they might have just transformed into feral ghouls.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#166512: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:43:56 AM

"[Rex Tillerson] better watch his mouth," Chinese Media Threatens.

Dear lord, now I know Tillerson shouldn't get the Secretariat.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#166513: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:44:31 AM

[up][up] Heh, Trump would probably end up running the Enclave or something. Maybe turn Flynn into a Frank Horrigan expy.

[up] Again, it's just weird that Tillerson is bringing up the Russian invasion of Crimea given his ties to Russia.

edited 13th Jan '17 10:45:56 AM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#166514: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:45:38 AM

Yeah, but climate change isn't an issue to old rich guys. They'll be able to hold off the worst impacts on them, at least long enough to die comfortable.

[up]Or Trump becomes the template for a horrifying, orange skinned, strain of Super Mutants.

edited 13th Jan '17 10:46:18 AM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#166515: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:46:49 AM

[up] Maybe, but you'd think they would be concerned for any younger relatives or children who would likely live to see the full effects of climate change.

If anything, being turned into a ghoul or a Super Mutant would only improve Trump's looks.

edited 13th Jan '17 10:47:27 AM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#166516: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:47:19 AM

Why won't American media fully investigate what could be the biggest story in U.S. political history? I agree; I, like the majority of America, am not in Washington and can't know the full details of what's being discussed and investigated, and the media isn't doing a good job of giving this the urgency it needs. Some outlets are also very quick to denounce this as fake.

edited 13th Jan '17 10:52:08 AM by speedyboris

Mio Since: Jan, 2001
#166517: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:50:55 AM

[up][up]Their kids and relatives are likely protected by familial inheritance and similar dynastic systems, that is if their parents care enough to secure them.

[up]I'm pretty convinced that a not insignificant part of the media is anticipating a huge windfall in ratings from the inevitable reality show nature of Trump's administration. Ergo they wouldn't want to see him leave too quickly.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#166518: Jan 13th 2017 at 10:52:33 AM

[up] When the head of CBS said something along the lines of "Trump might be bad for the country but he's good for ratings", I saw red. I also vowed never to watch CBS again.

Granted, that was pretty easy since I rarely watched CBS in the first place. tongue

edited 13th Jan '17 10:53:32 AM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
Pseudopartition Screaming Into The Void from The Cretaeceous Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
Screaming Into The Void
#166519: Jan 13th 2017 at 11:05:30 AM

Maybe, but you'd think they would be concerned for any younger relatives or children who would likely live to see the full effects of climate change.
Well, human beings in general are typically pretty terrible at planning for the future. On the religious side of things, I'm betting a lot of them simply see the eventual destruction of the planet as consistent with their worldview.

(Although, it's worth noting that there are many Christians (and almost certainly people of other religions as well, but I have less experience there) interpret the whole "stewardship over the Earth" thing as including environmental protection. Of course, religious Republicans have already incorporated so many contradictions with the Bible into their worldview that it's unsurprising that they don't see it this way. I'm thinking, specifically, the "love thy neighbour" and "being poor doesn't mean you deserve it" parts.)

You'd also be surprised just how many people believe that they can just sit back and let technological advances handle it, somehow - despite the fact that any plan for unlimited growth without consequences is going to ultimately run up against the laws of physics, regardless.

DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#166520: Jan 13th 2017 at 11:37:41 AM

The only silver lining here, and we really need to cling to this, is that when the Trump regime inevitably crashes and burns itself to the ground, any movement that was vocal in their opposition to him will gain in credability (provided, of course, that they remain in touch with the needs and values of a majority of Americans).

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#166521: Jan 13th 2017 at 11:49:05 AM

[up]Glad there's someone else who thinks it will. Because too many people here seem to think that Trump's going to set himself up as the Uber Fuhrer and rule America for generations to come. Even if they aren't saying it, they might as well be. We're giving in to fear and speculation and uncertainty, and if we keep doing that, then we might as well be handing them their dictatorship personally on a silver platter.

edited 13th Jan '17 11:49:44 AM by kkhohoho

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#166522: Jan 13th 2017 at 11:54:53 AM

There are too many variables to make a solid prediction. What we do know is that countries that have even stronger democratic institutions and traditions than ours have had those institutions permanently damaged by people like Trump. It's especially problematic when it isn't just a demagogic leader but a leader backed by a party that is ruled by ideology and has no respect for ethics or facts, with a committed voter base that is essentially locked in a thought bubble.

The question is whether the backlash against Trump will result in him going down in flames and being swept out of office before his administration does so much damage to our nation that it's not recoverable. But the movement that he represents isn't going to go away so easily no matter who wins in 2020, nor will all the people who get into office and/or enter the civil service and business management in the toxic environment he creates.

edited 13th Jan '17 12:02:45 PM by Fighteer

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Spinosegnosaurus77 Ramen Fairy from Ontario, Canada Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: All I Want for Christmas is a Girlfriend
Ramen Fairy
#166523: Jan 13th 2017 at 12:27:26 PM

Reuters reports that Ben Carson & Steve Harvey are collaborating on inner city initiative.

Peace is the only battle worth waging.
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#166524: Jan 13th 2017 at 12:40:13 PM

[up] ... The Comedian?!

What does he know about planning Inner Cities?!

CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#166525: Jan 13th 2017 at 12:57:38 PM

[up]About as much as Ben Carson. Actually, he almost certainly knows less, but they needed another black man, because As You Know, all blacks are from the hood.

edited 13th Jan '17 1:04:10 PM by CrimsonZephyr

"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."

Total posts: 417,856
Top