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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.

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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

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#245051: Jun 10th 2018 at 3:40:49 PM

I'm sure it's at least a loss to the works of Internet comedy

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#245052: Jun 10th 2018 at 3:46:01 PM

Bad news from South Carolina; a Democratic candidate for the House is refusing to step down after it surfaced that he violently abused his ex-wife. Despite the state and national parties refusing to support him and demanding that he withdraw, he is staying in the race and is likely to win the primary due to name recognition. He lost a special election for the district last year by about 3 points.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/10/politics/south-carolina-congressional-primary-archie-parnell/index.html

Also, a list of potential pitfalls that Trump faces when talking to Kim.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/10/opinions/presidential-weekly-briefing-kim-greeting-vinograd/index.html

edited 10th Jun '18 4:12:06 PM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#245053: Jun 10th 2018 at 5:39:57 PM

I gotta admit, I get the guy's reasoning.

"If I withdraw, I would be telling anyone who makes a terrible mistake that that one terrible mistake will define them for the rest of their lives," Parnell said in the video. "It is the voters of the 5th District who should decide the outcome of this election and not me or certain Democratic Party officers. We all have the capacity to change and be better."

If someone committed murder when they were a young, angry teenager, should that inherently disqualify them from holding public office, regardless of how much they've changed their behavior since then?

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
PushoverMediaCritic I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out. from the Italy of America Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#245054: Jun 10th 2018 at 5:45:59 PM

Depends on how long ago it was. This was 45 years ago.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#245055: Jun 10th 2018 at 5:47:51 PM

Depends on the offense. I'm significantly more willing to forgive someone who was convicted of public drunkenness or petty theft in their 20s as opposed to someone who committed culpable homicide or, you know violent domestic assault.

This guy is toxic, particularly when the Dems are trying to come down on this kind of behavior. Elected officials and public servants get held to a higher standard.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#245056: Jun 10th 2018 at 5:48:19 PM

It would be a lot more convincing if he wasn't the one who gets to stay on as a congressman if people buy it. Sure, it's a good thought, but it's not like he's being pressured to step down because he did 30 days community service for stealing a candy bar.

It's been fun.
fruitpork Since: Oct, 2010
#245057: Jun 10th 2018 at 6:09:03 PM

He’s also tarnishing the democrats as a whole because of his actions. Unlike the republicans, most of our voters seem to care a bit about that.

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#245058: Jun 10th 2018 at 6:11:48 PM

Since this was so long ago and he apparently admitted to it, why is this only coming up now?

As for whether something like this should follow someone around for the rest of their life even if they do get, better, I'm not sure. Certainly it should never be forgotten, but acting as if it's a permanent black mark against them forever also doesn't seem right.

Then again, I don't actually know if this guy is actually better or not.

edited 10th Jun '18 6:13:16 PM by LSBK

PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#245059: Jun 10th 2018 at 6:47:44 PM

Democrats are always put in a Morton's Fork with these situations. Either they dump him and people decry them for turning their back on their compatriots so quickly, or they keep him and people go "SEE?! DEMOCRATS DEFEND HARASSERS TOO! BOTH SIDES ARE JUST AS BAD!"

They can't win here.

edited 10th Jun '18 6:47:56 PM by PhysicalStamina

i'm tired, my friend
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#245060: Jun 10th 2018 at 6:51:46 PM

Trump literally rips up reports and letters he doesn't like, in violation of the law, and staffers have resorted to tapping them back together to protect him legally.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/10/politics/white-house-presidential-records-act/index.html

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#245061: Jun 10th 2018 at 6:54:31 PM

[up]

in violation of the law

LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP!

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#245062: Jun 10th 2018 at 6:56:04 PM

I don't see why that would actually protect him.

TrashJack Confirmed Doomer from beyond the Despair Event Horizon (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Confirmed Doomer
#245063: Jun 10th 2018 at 7:00:43 PM

Perhaps the staffers are more trying to cover their own asses from any potential aiding-and-abetting charges than they are trying to keep President Evil safe?

"Cynic, n. — A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be." - The Devil's Dictionary
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#245064: Jun 10th 2018 at 7:02:16 PM

You gotta wonder what's going through those aides' heads. Maybe thoughts like "How is this my life?"

Disgusted, but not surprised
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#245065: Jun 10th 2018 at 7:04:29 PM

Trump is used to running things like his businesses where he shreds everything and burns them.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#245066: Jun 10th 2018 at 7:09:30 PM

He is so untrustworthy

Do not obey in advance.
PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#245067: Jun 10th 2018 at 8:16:56 PM

How is he getting away with this? He's literally breaking the law and is still allowed to keep his job.

edited 10th Jun '18 8:17:28 PM by PhysicalStamina

i'm tired, my friend
LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#245068: Jun 10th 2018 at 8:18:43 PM

Seriously, that people are taping them back together doesn't negate that he's trying to destroy them does it? Because that makes no sense.

fruitpork Since: Oct, 2010
#245069: Jun 10th 2018 at 8:20:05 PM

Because he’s the president and no one wants to make him face consequences.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#245070: Jun 10th 2018 at 8:23:35 PM

Not too different from his life as a private citizen, really. His whole life he's been shielded from consequences by the people around him. Which, come to think of it, probably explains why he is what he is.

Disgusted, but not surprised
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#245071: Jun 10th 2018 at 8:27:21 PM

It's going to be really bad for him when he does have to face consequences

Do not obey in advance.
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#245072: Jun 10th 2018 at 8:29:33 PM

Since this was so long ago and he apparently admitted to it, why is this only coming up now?

It'd have been one thing if he came forward with it voluntarily - but it was his ex that came forward, and he took a few days to formulate a response. Charitably, that could be seen as his weighing his options regarding the campaign, but it's still not great.

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
SciFiSlasher from Absolutely none of your business. Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#245073: Jun 10th 2018 at 8:32:07 PM

'A special place in hell': Trump team members lash out at Canada's Trudeau after G-7.

Peter Navarro, the White House director of trade policy, told Fox News Sunday, “There’s a special place in hell for any foreign leader that engages in bad faith diplomacy with President Donald J. Trump and then tries to stab him in the back on the way out the door."

At this point, the U.S.' soft power is in the negative range.

"Somehow the hated have to walk a tightrope, while those who hate do not."
Steven (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#245074: Jun 10th 2018 at 8:43:35 PM

@Bearyscary

I wonder if he ever WILL face any consequences for his actions. He's a living Karma Houdini.

Remember, these idiots drive, fuck, and vote. Not always in that order.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#245075: Jun 10th 2018 at 9:01:26 PM

Life is full of karma houdinis, since real life doesn't (as far as we know) have any "author" deciding whether a shitty person will suffer a shitty fate.

Disgusted, but not surprised

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