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
![]()
On the brightside, maybe they can have their own musical now.
"To dream... the impossible dream..."
edited 25th May '17 9:47:46 PM by kkhohoho
So anyway, has anyone else been following the controversy surrounding the upoming Puerto Rican Day parade scheduled for June 11th?
Oscar Lopez Rivera is a...polarizing figure to say the least. He's pretty much a living embodiment of Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters.
This is on top of Puerto Rico's massive debt problem and the referendum on whether or not to apply for statehood that will also be held next month.
edited 25th May '17 10:00:02 PM by M84
Disgusted, but not surprisedI think it's safe to say that unless the Republicans' base starts dying en masse (likely through an outbreak of a contagious yet easily prevented disease that the GOP didn't feel like spending money on fighting, or another pointless oil war that their sons and daughters get tricked into fighting), or the Democrats' base starts multiplying like rabbits in perpetual heat and on aphrodisiacs, and then starts migrating into the red and purple states, Middle America is, for the most part, forever lost to the Democratic Party. The GOP has effectively conquered the region's populace through their propaganda, and now they'll never believe anyone or anything else (and they'll raise their kids to do the same).
"Cynic, n. — A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be." - The Devil's Dictionary![]()
![]()
Stuff like that has always existed. Frankly, I've never gotten why people think it's only confined to a certain time period or should be anymore surprising today.
![]()
Okay, besides just being overly pessimistic and unhelpful, talking like that (how it would be better for millions of people to die off in mass) is honestly really creepy.
edited 25th May '17 10:16:44 PM by LSBK
From what I've read the Montana seat was quite the long-shot anyway. Probably the reason why the DNC did not devote much resources to it (something that I expect they'll get criticized for at some point).
I get the feeling that Gianforte might get away with the assault charges too, but that's much less certain. I'll admit it would be very satisfying to see him get a guilty charge, even if it doesn't amount to much in terms of punishment.
![]()
![]()
Well to counteract their regional dominance, it's either that or the Democrat baby boom that I also mentioned, seeing as the GOP is doing everything in their power to restrict our other major source of new voters: immigration (both legal immigration and the legalization of illegal immigrants).
There's just no way to change these entrenched voters' minds anymore. Not nearly enough of them, fast enough, to make a real difference. And I don't know about you, but the left-wing baby boom and mass-migration possibility doesn't seem all that likely, while I absolutely would not put it past the Trump administration and our other elected Republicans to end up killing decent-sized chunks of their own base (see: the AIDS epidemic that Ronald Reagan ignored until well after it stopped being just a "gays and druggies only" disease, the Iraq War that soured people on the GOP by '08, and their current defunding of pretty much everything but the military, Trump's properties, and their own salaries).
Also, damn right I'm pessimistic. I haven't exactly been given much reason to be the magical, happy man who lives in a gumdrop house on Lollipop Lane. I get that Montana was a long shot, but I'm still plenty bitter about November and how many of these yahoos continue to celebrate the fact that they put Trump into the White House.
edited 25th May '17 10:37:26 PM by TrashJack
"Cynic, n. — A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be." - The Devil's Dictionary
It's not about living in that kind of land, is about believing in hope, which is vital for us.
Just because of one election for presidency doesn't mean that everything will be bad for the left-wing and the good-willed people, at least when it comes to elections.
People are fighting hard to make sure progress is still being made, never forget that.
The only good fanboy, is a redeemed fanboy.![]()
Increasing voter access: Republicans are in government.
With regards to DNC spending: Quist ran on being an independent voice for Montana ("Please disregard my full intention to vote against Republican beliefs"), so while spending was done (see post assault attack ads), care still had to be taken to avoid undercutting that image.
I believe those living in fear of being deported would like to have a word with you on that front.
edited 25th May '17 11:42:33 PM by Krieger22
I have disagreed with her a lot, but comparing her to republicans and propagandists of dictatorships is really low. - An idiot

Sadly, I truly, truly, believe they will. Oh, depending on the crime or indiscretion they'll lose one or two voters at a time, but a lot of American right wingers have been programmed into thinking that they are literally at war with centrist and liberal America. If you're in a war where your very existence is at stake, you will consider any tactic, no matter how immoral, and accept any ally, no matter how crazy they may be or how much they may be the Token Evil Teammate. In such a circumstance, literally anything is acceptable and nothing is out of bounds as long as it gets you through, you can always feel bad about it or go back to being civilized when the war is over and such measures are no longer necessary.
Several different times I've posted video of Grover Norquist, one of the Republican behind the scenes players, literally saying that the ideal president is one who has enough fingers and the inclination to sign whatever legislation Republicans put in front of him, and everything else is optional. I think that's the Republican approach in a nutshell right now: as long as an elected official will vote your way, they are acceptable, no matter what else they do, say, or believe. Once they become a liability, they can be thrown aside and some new schmuck who will vote your way will be put in their place until they become a liability too.
And Trump has already proved that there is no minimum standard for decency that one must keep to or the right wing public will reject them. The right wing public at large is willing to overlook almost anything if it gets them what they want. After all, the war they're waging against us is so much more important than whatever minor indiscretions one of their people might commit.
| Wandering, but not lost. | If people bring so much courage to this world...◊ |