POLITICAL THREAD

[bigblueinsanity]

Interesting strategy from HuffPo:

After watching and listening to Donald Trump since he announced his candidacy for president, we have decided we won't report on Trump's campaign as part of The Huffington Post's political coverage. Instead, we will cover his campaign as part of our Entertainment section. Our reason is simple: Trump's campaign is a sideshow. We won't take the bait. If you are interested in what The Donald has to say, you'll find it next to our stories on the Kardashians and The Bachelorette.

Ridiculous for any serious news site to do this with any candidate thats anywhere near contention for a nomination, let alone leading.

Trump's candidacy has been extremely interesting. I never thought hed actually run. Then once he did, I thought hed fizzle out, and withdraw after the first debate. The exact opposite is happening.

Trump terrifies alot of people, mainly because hes not the status quo. Like most, I dont agree with everything he says/does. But I do highly value that he is anti status quo and not a career politician.

 

[qwesley]

He also has by far the highest disapproval rating

Exactly, his ceiling is very very low. His momentum is basically people pissed about the GOP never controlling narratives. If you put him trial for being a liberal he would get convicted.

 

[qwesley]

For when the libs, errrrr centrists (wink wink) Dems make claims they would support policy changes that would be disincentives to immigration:

POLITICO ‏@politico 39m39 minutes ago
California may let undocumented immigrants buy Obamacare http://politi.co/1I8Ianm via @rachanadixit

 

[Bill Cosby]

"anti status quo"

Jesus. That's what got us Obamacare.

"Well we have to do something..."

Sometimes doing nothing is far better than doing something for the sake of doing something.


Honestly though, I'm surprised the Huffington Post isn't pumping trump up as the legitimate R candidate. Kind of like the Defense approach to Jeb Bush and Romney.

 

[qwesley]

There is an article (too nauseating to link) in WaPo today about T Nehisi Coates (or whatever) that is the most effusive script you will ever read in a major newspaper. Practically religious worship, and keep in mind it is about someone that is basically a competitor.

Coincidentally, David Brooks posts a semi challenging article to some Coates' historical claims and Salon and others immediately start calling him out for "white privilege".

Nauseating and interesting at the same time.

 

[Bill Derington]

OMG we can't like other countries or any of their ideals cause America. I'm done arguing with a bunch of dim witted neanderthals who obviously missed the evolution ladder. I can see why Trump is doing so well in the polls.

Look cat daddy, I simply responded in kind to your attempt at being a smartass so if you can't take it don't dish it.

 

[From-the-stands]

He also has by far the highest disapproval rating

"By far" might be too strong of a way to put it. Among GOP voters, the disapproval ratings for Trump and Jeb are 40% vs 30%. Trump has been slowly closing the disapproval gap as GOP voters have had a chance to digest his message. And of those GOP'ers who "strongly" support a candidate Trump leads Jeb 30% to 19%, showing the enthusiasm gap between the two is growing.

This is all according to the latest WA Post/ ABC Poll.

 

[Catfan in Tn.]

Appreciate McCain's service to this country. but he needs to shut the hell up when talking about Trump and the people that might support him.

 

[jamo0001]

Exactly, his ceiling is very very low. His momentum is basically people pissed about the GOP never controlling narratives. If you put him trial for being a liberal he would get convicted.

If you line him and Hillary up and go policy by policy, they're a hell of a lot more similar than most Trump fans would like to admit.

 

[Mashburned]

Dude really doesn't understand why our country can't be Sweden...

Professors teach a lot of stuff, but they don't teach common sense.

 

[Mojocat]

Major Garrett angered BO in his rare press conference regarding not negotiating the release of the 4 Iranian prisoners. Pretty much the whole media establishment went after Garrett. Bill Maher went all LEK/catdaddy on him:

#MajorGarrett is a huge asshole. If U wanna "strike a nerve" with POTUS, why not just scream the N word? That shld get his attention.

Coincidentally, David Brooks posts a semi challenging article to some Coates' historical claims and Salon and others immediately start calling him out for "white privilege".

By now, it's both instinctive and calculated on the part of the left to dismiss - with outrage - any disagreement with a person of color as somehow 'racist'. Which of course comports nicely with the larger effort to stifle dissenting view on any number of issues. You can't have a differing view on gay marriage, on climate science, on a host of issues. If you differ from liberal orthodoxy, you are to be shouted down and run from the public square.

That philosphy is bound to have a short shelf life - at some point, outrage wears thin.

 

[Bill Derington]

By now, it's both instinctive and calculated on the part of the left to dismiss - with outrage - any disagreement with a person of color as somehow 'racist'. Which of course comports nicely with the larger effort to stifle dissenting view on any number of issues. You can't have a differing view on gay marriage, on climate science, on a host of issues. If you differ from liberal orthodoxy, you are to be shouted down and run from the public square.

That philosphy is bound to have a short shelf life - at some point, outrage wears thin.

You would think at some point people get fed up. We've got to get past treating politics like sports teams where the side you vote for is never wrong.
It's dangerous for America when we can't question leaders, and if you do you get hammered.

 

[warrior-cat]

If universal health care is you definition of socialism then every industrialized country in the world is socialistic.

The whole idea behind any type of insurance is shared risk be it government or private sector insurance. I'm all for hard work, I've done my share of it over the course but believe me there are a ton of very smart hard working people that have wound up bankrupt through no fault of their own because for whatever reason they did not have access to some sort of health insurance or the insurance they had was sorely inadequate (pre ACA type) when a catastrophic illness or injury hit their family. No one is immune to it.

I don't understand why some folks think the only people that every benefit from any public law or program are lazy people. The lazy make up a small minority of those getting feebies without work.

Not as small as you might think. It is a lot worse out there with people who are just not wanting to do anything then some realize. I am for helping those that need it but, I am also for making sure that the system is not used for those who would scam it. Drug testing, community service (help cleaning parks and other recreational areas), helping with boys and girls clubs, helping old people etc....should be forms of work disseminated amongst those capable or working while receiving assistance. I realize there are some who also work and receive assistance. I am not talking about them. I think there are ways of making sure these freeloaders (those who are gaming the system) should at least contribute on some level or another. If not, they receive nothing.

 

[warrior-cat]

Maybe move food stamps in a similar direction to WIC? WIC has restrictions on what the recipient can purchase. It's also the rare example of a (overall) successful government program - at least the pre-natal nutrition portion of it.

Yes.

 

[warrior-cat]

Yea I also just found out he lives in the Colonial Shores subdivision of Hixson which is about 7 miles from our quiet little neighborhood. I tell ya guys when this stuff happens in New York or Boston, we all are alarmed and concerned but when it happens in your home town, its different - a really sobering experience. ISIS is here in my own neighborhood, nobody would have ever believed that yesterday.

Better put that pistol back on the table.

 

[warrior-cat]

I don't care what Sweden is, and neither does anyone else. There's a reason they're who they are and a reason the United States is the most prosperous nation the earth has ever seen.

Don't use common sense on the senseless Bill.

 

[warrior-cat]

Nevermind the fact that Quebec is french speaking and Canada has 2 national languages. Nope, not diverse at all; according to some.



Agree totally. The toughest part of deporting illegals should be finding them. Once apprehended, for whatever reason (dui, murder, speeding, traffic stop) then deport them ASAP.

Problem is, they will come right back.

 

[warrior-cat]

I wonder what's cheaper. To house all the illegal aliens (who have commited federal crimes on top of the crimes to get in the country) in our jails, or to fly them to the tip of South America and drop them off.

Drop them off in the Middle East and see how they are treated.

 

[Deeeefense]

Not as small as you might think. It is a lot worse out there with people who are just not wanting to do anything then some realize. I am for helping those that need it but, I am also for making sure that the system is not used for those who would scam it. Drug testing, community service (help cleaning parks and other recreational areas), helping with boys and girls clubs, helping old people etc....should be forms of work disseminated amongst those capable or working while receiving assistance. I realize there are some who also work and receive assistance. I am not talking about them. I think there are ways of making sure these freeloaders (those who are gaming the system) should at least contribute on some level or another. If not, they receive nothing.

I agree but you might be interesting in knowing that when the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program which we commonly call welfare was amended in 1996 under President Clinton, requirements were put in that any able bodied person collecting benefits must actively search for work, or train for work in order to receive benefits. Further “Mandatory Work Requirements,” in the law, sets out an absolute requirement that state welfare programs achieve specific work-participation rates or forfeit federal funding. Thus putting teeth in the law that would obligate states to comply with that requirement.

 

[Deeeefense]

Better put that pistol back on the table.

Oh I did that as soon as the kids left. Helps me sleep good at night.

 

[VT/UK Rondo]

I wonder what's cheaper. To house all the illegal aliens (who have commited federal crimes on top of the crimes to get in the country) in our jails, or to fly them to the tip of South America and drop them off.

There are inmate jobs in Federal prison that would pay a Mexican inmate more per month than he would make as a free man in Mexico. Marinade on that a second...

Now, give him probably the best bed hes ever slept in, 3 meals a day, at least one with rice/beans plus all of the food he can steal from food service, hot showers,clothes, Access to catholic services, 2 spanish tv channels, a soccer field to play on and throw him in there with all of his Suereno, Paisa and MS13 hommies to watch his back all at the tax payers expense and remind me just how the hell this is suppose to be a detterent to crime/ illegal entry?

 

[warrior-cat]

I agree but you might be interesting in knowing that when the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program which we commonly call welfare was amended in 1996 under President Clinton, requirements were put in that any able bodied person collecting benefits must actively search for work, or train for work in order to receive benefits. Further “Mandatory Work Requirements,” in the law, sets out an absolute requirement that state welfare programs achieve specific work-participation rates or forfeit federal funding. Thus putting teeth in the law that would obligate states to comply with that requirement.

Yes, I understand that but, there are programs (foods tamps being one of them) that as long as you qualify you can get them indefinitely. That is not the only one and you do not have to show that you are looking for a job to receive them.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Problem is, they will come right back.

Yep. Border security is also a total failure; along with enforcement of immigration laws.

 

[Blueathletics]

What do you guys think about this----->http://www.wnd.com/2015/07/exploding-muslim-immigration-overwhelms-fbi/

Hitting much closer to home with Chatt....

 

[bigblueinsanity]

What do you guys think about this----->http://www.wnd.com/2015/07/exploding-muslim-immigration-overwhelms-fbi/

Hitting much closer to home with Chatt....

Another interesting concept is how gently the media is handling his religion, although he didnt try to hide it at all. And how theyre downplaying any terrorist ties he mightve had.

This narrative: "just because one man committed an atrocity, doesnt mean we label an entire group".

After the Charleston shooting, one picture of the crazy kid with the rebel flag was enough to start a nationwide ban and outrage; and an assertion that anyone with any affinity of the flag was a racist.

Now, obviously I understand that just because one crazy person, of whatever religion/race commits a terrible act, it doesnt mean you apply the label to an entire group.

But my point is - there sure seems to be alot of hypocrisy in the way the MSM and the white house are handling these 2 situations.

 

[Mojocat]

Another interesting concept is how gently the media is handling his religion, although he didnt try to hide it at all. And how theyre downplaying any terrorist ties he mightve had.

This narrative: "just because one man committed an atrocity, doesnt mean we label an entire group".

After the Charleston shooting, one picture of the crazy kid with the rebel flag was enough to start a nationwide ban and outrage; and an assertion that anyone with any affinity of the flag was a racist.
.

Yes, philosophically interesting to watch the media attempt to shape views rather than simply report news. The 2nd amendment and the Confederate flag are 2 issues that don't really interest me, I'm not emotionally invested. But watch how events involving either of thos issues are reported. USAToday is a good barometer. The headlines, the pictures, everything screams "please jump to this conclusion".

Incidents involving Muslim terrorists are of course presented anothe, opposing way - "please don't jump to any conclusions here".

 

[Deeeefense]

What do you guys think about this----->http://www.wnd.com/2015/07/exploding-muslim-immigration-overwhelms-fbi/

Hitting much closer to home with Chatt....

I just listened to Tom Ridge, former Director of the Dept of Homeland Security speak about this issue, and he essentially said the FBI is so overwhelmed right now that it's virtually impossible to detect and intercept potential radical terrorists ahead of time so for now it's going to be something we just have to live with.

As far as what could be done, first of all the author who is obviously a Republcian operative is blaming Obama for holes in the immigration laws that allow Muslims to come here. The laws that effect this situation and others have been on the books for decades and they can only be changed by congressional action not be executive order. As much as I would like to see the immigration laws shored up to prevent things like this, I don't really see what you can do short of banning any one of the Muslim faith to enter the US which would get into a Constitutional question of freedom of religion. Otherwise how would you know ahead of time which is a "good" Muslim and which is a "bad" one or who might become a bad one?

My take on this entire situation is that it's a byproduct of social media. Social media is a wonderful thing in many ways. It has empowered citizens to communicate and be proactive on almost any area imaginable, but the downside is terrorist organizations like ISIS in the Mideast are using social medial to radicalize Muslims in this country and others, and encourage them to carry out crimes against our society. The only way to stop that is to fight those radical ideas with American and Western ideals. We need some sort of national effort to fight back on the IDEAS.

 

[Deeeefense]

Another interesting concept is how gently the media is handling his religion, although he didnt try to hide it at all. And how theyre downplaying any terrorist ties he mightve had.

I've listened to all three cable news channels and that's not what I'm hearing. What's being report is that this situation has all the markers of an ISIS inspired or directed event. The only voice refusing to label this as a ISIS inspired effect at this juncture, is the lead investigator for the FBI who at his news conference says the won't label this anything until they sort through all the facts. That's not being PC, that's just normal policy for a investigation by law enforcement. They keep their cards on the table until all the facts come in.

 

[qwesley]

They keep their cards on the table until all the facts come in.

The gift that keeps on giving.

 

[Catfan in Tn.]

Death toll is now 5.

 

[Mojocat]

Ha! Last night on msnbc:

Andrea Mitchell to Chattanooga killer’s HS classmate: Was he into guns, or hunting maybe?

Such a history of hunters and mass murder, that has to be it. He was a hunter! Probably Southern, and Christian too....

 

[qwesley]

CNN

@moody: Brief argument breaks out on floor during Bernie speech. Some white attendees ask black attendees to be quiet. They keep shouting. #nn15

 

[jamo0001]

Anybody still think Trump *actually* intends to be president after today?

What a joke that people were even taking his bait. As trollish as HuffPo is, they were right in principle.

 

[qwesley]

CNN

@moody: Brief argument breaks out on floor during Bernie speech. Some white attendees ask black attendees to be quiet. They keep shouting. #nn15

More from The Hill:

“Black Lives Matter” protesters disrupted two 2016 Democratic presidential candidates during speeches in Phoenix on Saturday.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley both had question-and-answer sessions halted at the 2015 Netroots Nation conference.

“Say that black lives matter,” demonstrators chanted at both men. “Say that I am not a criminal. Say my name.”

 

[BostonCat2001]

Anybody still think Trump *actually* intends to be president after today?

What a joke that people were even taking his bait. As trollish as HuffPo is, they were right in principle.

if he only kept making racist remarks regarding mexicans he would have been golden. but attacking a rich white guy....just ended his run.

 

[Catfan in Tn.]

Disagree with Trumps remarks but McCain needs to shut the hell up and realize that he is part of the problem.

 

[From-the-stands]

Disagree with Trumps remarks but McCain needs to shut the hell up and realize that he is part of the problem.

A lot of the Trump supporters don't like McCain, so there's no need yet to jump to the conclusion that his poll numbers will now plummet.

I found his views on religion kinda funny: “When we go in church and I drink the little wine, which is about the only wine I drink, and I eat the little cracker — I guess that’s a form of asking forgiveness,” Mr. Trump said.

 

[warrior-cat]

Anybody still think Trump *actually* intends to be president after today?

What a joke that people were even taking his bait. As trollish as HuffPo is, they were right in principle.

I said it before and will say it again, I don't think he is serious about the prospect. I think he just wants to stir the pot a little.

 

[argubs2]

From the stands Trump troll is more worn out than Madonna's snatch at a backup dancer party

 

[Mojocat]

From the stands Trump troll is more worn out than Madonna's snatch at a backup dancer party

Yeah, he's hoping really hard that Trump has some lasting power. He doesn't, of course - has no chance, none, zilch, nada, at the Republican nomination. In the end this is about attention and ego gratification. He has the opportunity to cause real mischief, by running as an independent. That's how he makes From the stands' dreams come true, and denies the Rs a meaningful chance at victory in November......