Politics-What's on your mind?

[Martina]

I don't like agreeing with Pelosi, but I agree that impeachment is a waste of time. Better to concentrate on electing Democratic Senators as well as a new President.

[MsTinkerbelly]

I’m not certain if ANYONE would be worse than Trump, but should he be impeached we will have Pence as President (unless they prove crimes against him), and we (the gays) would be under attack.

It’s like asking if you want to be tortured by electrocution until dead, or if you want to be water boarded until dead...you are still dead!

With the House under control of the Democrats, Trump is a little more limited in the damage he can do; voting him out seems our best avenue at the moment. That could change, if the crimes found by Mueller are enough to force him to be indicted and tried as the criminal he has always been.

[~ocean]

I agree tinker totally ~ Pelosi said it perfect impeachment of Trump ~ He's just not worth it.

[Orema]

Originally Posted by ~ocean

I agree tinker totally ~ Pelosi said it perfect impeachment of Trump ~ He's just not worth it.

I think he’s not worth the effort only because it would be a useless effort.

And it’s exactly what he and his following would use to position him as a victim.

Still, history will not be kind to Trump, McConnel, Graham, Collins, Ryan, the lot of them. There is that.

[kittygrrl]

saw Beto rollout....hohum...but i'm possibly jaded...i like mayor pete best so far..he answers directly..i like that..and it's hard for me to like anything about politics these days...

[tantalizingfemme]

I am pretty politically active in my state. There has been so much infighting that there is a huge divide within the democratic party. Splinter groups are created regularly. If this is indicative of what is happening nationally, I believe we will have Trump back for 4 more years.

[C0LLETTE]

I'm curious. What exactly is so appealing about Beto except that he is tall ? What desperate battle has he ever fought; what position has he ever defended that would have have threatened his position of white (tall ) privilege?

Non- Americans may have no say in the voting in American political elections. But I assure you we have a huge stake in the outcome.

[dark_crystal]

Originally Posted by tantalizingfemme

I am pretty politically active in my state. There has been so much infighting that there is a huge divide within the democratic party. Splinter groups are created regularly. If this is indicative of what is happening nationally, I believe we will have Trump back for 4 more years.

I feel like that divide is very generational, and we have to address it as generational

I listened to two episodes of Chapo Traphouse this week-- one where the hosts had attended CPAC and one where Costas Lapavitsas explained how the EU is undemocratic.

One thing that stood out in each podcast was their observation that Generation X is missing from the extremes on both sides: CPAC was all Boomers or Millennials, and the Socialist movement in Europe is the same-- either young folks or older folks, no Xers.

Both Boomers and Millennials are overrepresented in the online discourse, bc one group has lots of time and one group has lots of skills. Xers are underrepresented.

This has allowed the extremes to disproportionately drive the discourse.

This has worked out OK for Republicans, bc they are ultrapartisan, and vote in lockstep even if they have to hold their nose-- but it is NOT going to work for Democrats. We are tribal, too, but on a much smaller scale.

Tons of Dems held their nose and voted for Hillary, but i believe even more Republicans were holding their nose for Trump.

That is why we're screwed. Republicans can elect a hold-your-nose candidate. Dems can't.

[CherylNYC]

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

I’m not certain if ANYONE would be worse than Trump, but should he be impeached we will have Pence as President (unless they prove crimes against him), and we (the gays) would be under attack.

It’s like asking if you want to be tortured by electrocution until dead, or if you want to be water boarded until dead...you are still dead!

With the House under control of the Democrats, Trump is a little more limited in the damage he can do; voting him out seems our best avenue at the moment. That could change, if the crimes found by Mueller are enough to force him to be indicted and tried as the criminal he has always been.

I disagree. A person who commits a crime should face legal consequences. Any/every person. When, (or if), the Mueller report ever comes out the legislature must act in accordance with the US Constitution. No matter what. Trump has been undermining so many of our institutions on a daily basis that I fear for our future. Failure of the legislative branch to act as a co-equal branch of government with appropriate oversight of the Executive branch further undermines the rule of law.

Yes, Pence is scary. No, I don't think acting as if he's an insurance policy against impeachment is the right plan. Excusing a sitting President from responsibility for his crimes would be remarkably shortsighted. Let's remember that this is all playing out against a backdrop of howling mad keyboard warriors from the left who started calling for Trump's impeachment before that evil f*ck even took office. Impeachment is a drastic action taken against someone who has committed high crimes and misdemeanors WHILE IN OFFICE! Those premature calls for impeachment undermined the credibility of anyone who has legitimately called for impeachment ever since.

Frankly, I doubt that Pelosi intends to protect Trump from impeachment. I think she's positioning herself for maximum credibility when the Mueller report is finally released. Assuming that the Mueller report finds criminal malfeasance on Trump's part, (treason, obstruction of justice, etc.), I expect Pelosi to initiate impeachment at that point.

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by kittygrrl

I am absorbing all the interesting comments in this thread...compact thought (with intelligence) said beautifully!!@@

I especially love MsTinkerbell's funny observation about choosing!@@..I'm going to use it in rt, hope she won't mind!

Originally Posted by CherylNYC

I disagree. A person who commits a crime should face legal consequences. Any/every person. When, (or if), the Mueller report ever comes out the legislature must act in accordance with the US Constitution. No matter what. Trump has been undermining so many of our institutions on a daily basis that I fear for our future. Failure of the legislative branch to act as a co-equal branch of government with appropriate oversight of the Executive branch further undermines the rule of law.

Yes, Pence is scary. No, I don't think acting as if he's an insurance policy against impeachment is the right plan. Excusing a sitting President from responsibility for his crimes would be remarkably shortsighted. Let's remember that this is all playing out against a backdrop of howling mad keyboard warriors from the left who started calling for Trump's impeachment before that evil f*ck even took office. Impeachment is a drastic action taken against someone who has committed high crimes and misdemeanors WHILE IN OFFICE! Those premature calls for impeachment undermined the credibility of anyone who has legitimately called for impeachment ever since.

Frankly, I doubt that Pelosi intends to protect Trump from impeachment. I think she's positioning herself for maximum credibility when the Mueller report is finally released. Assuming that the Mueller report finds criminal malfeasance on Trump's part, (treason, obstruction of justice, etc.), I expect Pelosi to initiate impeachment at that point.

** kittygirl i’m Flattered

I did not advocate that Trump NOT be charged or impeached, I only pointed out that you (collective you) should be careful what you wish for.

[Kätzchen]

Yesterday, late in the evening, I had come across a channel on YouTube, authored by Robert Reich. I like what he is doing, by creating videos to help educate the general public on what is factual vs what is not factual.

Here's a few of his videos, in case anyone would like to see what Robert Reich is up too, lately. It's timely, I think, because currently factual information is hard to come by, when a person doesn't really know the backstory of how America has gone from point A to point B, then from point Z back to point C, and so forth.

Here's four videos I felt answered some questions I had about missing elements in oft repeated stories we hear in the news concerning taxes, the deficit, privatization, etc.

See what you think about the message Robert Reich is making via his videos in order to counter misinformation or disinformation we often encounter while reading news articles or while listening to news on the radio or TV.

Video 1: What's The Real American Story?

Video 2: The Monopolization of America

Video 3: The Truth About Privatization

Video 4: The Yuge Republican Lie About The Deficit

[Kätzchen]

I read an news article the other day where certain judges have decided that it's okay to "sue the government" for particular social grievances or legal offenses. I'm not sure that this is a good thing, for particular reasons: A) the current occupant of the WH is known for their penchant for filing suit against any entity they can, to not only clog up the legal system, but to recoup $$$ they lost due to X, Y or Z reasons. Which, if this type of tom-foolery is allowed by the newer 45-appointed judges, then what comes next? 45 suing the government's already taxed-to-the-f^cking-hilt tax base of the poorest of poor and those who obviously cannot afford to be taxed anymore than they already are? Especially if 45-s stupid Florida resort (mara-Tax-0) files for FEMA help or is allowed to collect hidden tax dollars off the backs of the poor to keep that hunk of law-breaking pile of crap from being blown off the map, as a result of hurricane/weather/climate change they obviously deny exists or that their party of politics refuses to acknowledge as in need of being addressed with expediency?

How long will it take for the American public to absolutely hold the current occupants of the WH and GOP accountable for the social injustice they impose upon the largest majority of the so-called American tax base and put a giant big ole flag of "your behavior and decisions are NOT acceptable by any standard around the globe?"

That is exactly what was on my mind, the other night.

[C0LLETTE]

Just read this and think it's a great idea:

Globe and Mail Editorial Sept 1, 2019

( DENMARK COULD BUY USA )

Mr. Trump could improve the life of his own citizens if he switched his thinking and pulled off the greatest real estate transaction since Tutankhamun put a down payment on his burial plot – selling the United States to Denmark.

For starters, the sale would immediately accomplish Mr. Trump’s goal of draining the swamp in Washington. There is no swamp in Copenhagen, just a little mermaid sitting on a rock.

The sale would also free Americans from the partisanship that has paralyzed Congress. Things would get done in Copenhagen. Everyone would have health care, crime would fall, and Americans’ quality of life would rise to the top of global rankings.

Pulling off the deal would also confirm Mr. Trump’s skills as a negotiator. His work would be cut out for him. The United States is a real fixer-upper at the moment, with clashing interiors and limited curb appeal. The Danes might see all the work that needs to be done and go for something with a little more pride of ownership, such as Luxembourg or Greece.

The best selling point Mr. Trump could offer the Danes, other than the opportunity to show up Norway, would be price. If he continues his tariff war with China long enough, he can get the asking down to the low eight figures, which would make it awfully hard for Denmark to walk away.

He could also effectively dangle competing offers in the face the Danes. They will be aware that Mr. Trump has a hard time saying no to Russia, and will move quickly if they think Moscow is preparing a bully bid.

In all of this, there is an opening for Canada. After all, Copenhagen will need money to get its new property up to code; Ottawa should quietly negotiate the purchase of Greenland to coincide with the closing of the U.S. deal.

We’re good for it, Denmark."

[Kätzchen]

Are any of you like me, tired of having to read between the lines?

Did any of you see that little jarring news story about how the GOP plans to not have any primaries, because in their warped universe they think it shows 'support for T^^^P'?

Did any of you become deeply disturbed by the follow-up PSA about how those good ole white boy GOP senators might retire instead of seeking another term to fuck up America consistently like they've done for nearly a generation of time?

It pissed me the hell off. Reading all those not-so-clever PSA's this week.

Who wants to support their so-called 'retirement' (said no one, who can't see chipping in to their TAX PAYER FUNDED Retirement PLAN as the sanest thing to do EVER)????

Talk about a major WTF, blow-your-last-gasket, on your last nerve, moment.

F^ckin' A-holes.

No wonder they don't wanna hold primaries. Not surprising at all.

Especially since they've taken great care to use sharpie markers with the sharpie marker toddler-personality that is ruining our country and sinking us faster than the Titanic sank itself.

When will justice be served?

When will they and the long standing GOP do the perp walk and be held accountable for their own ever lasting version of hell inflicted on not only our society but societies around the world?

When will they be punished for the horrible crimes they commit in unbridled 'transparency' speeds in mind-numbing broad daylight?

[~ocean]

VP Pence is an idiot and deaf ~ he can't hear how stupid he sounds ~~ back to the debate.

[Kätzchen]

The debate kicked off on my drive home. Npr coverage.

Geeeeeez. Pence talks over both the moderator and Senator Harris. Wtf.

Can you hear the ominous roar of a gigantic 'blue wave', yet?

I do.

I am positive that American voters will deliver a big news flash soon.

I read tonight that Joe Biden has crossed the threshold, in terms of an electoral count. 270. That is positive news.

Me too (watch vp debate).

Go Biden, Go Harris!

[homoe]

Originally Posted by ~ocean

VP Pence is an idiot and deaf ~ he can't hear how stupid he sounds ~~ back to the debate.

And IF I didn't know any better I'd swear that Pence was "charlie mccarthy" and Trump was working the voice control!

[C0LLETTE]

Trump's erratic behaviour

A word to the wise, Melania: get away from him.

"Eventually, untreated syphilis can lead to damage to the brain, eyes, heart, nerves, bones, joints, and liver. You could also become paralyzed, blind, demented, or lose feeling in the body."

[Cin]

Why can't they fix it so during a debate if a candidate doesn't stop talking 10 seconds after being warned they just turn their mic off. It's just ridiculous already. They can make it part of the rules you must agree to if you want to debate.

Trump would have a fit but his last debate was a fucking shit show. I mean it's not really a debate if one party refuses to abide by the rules of conduct for a debate. Don't bother having debates if you can't control them.

And what is this shit where you can use the time you are allotted to talk about a previous question instead of the current issue at hand. If you really had to abide by the rules you wouldn't waste your time like that because you couldn't make it up by stealing more time. You would stay on point. That's what makes debating an art, a challenge, that's what makes a good debater. Not just steal time and have your say no matter what. Practice being more concise and live with your choices.

Instead it's about who's a big thug, who doesn't care about equality and fairness, who is completely without a sense of fair play, who is a shameless, arrogant, mansplainer, that's who gets to have more time to make their case. But I guess if those are the kinds of qualities people want in a leader then the choice is clear. Hopefully they prefer someone who understands how to play by the rules, shows a sense of fairness in their interactions with others, and in the case of Biden vs Trump can speak in complete sentences.

I guess I just needed to rant.

[kittygrrl]

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

It’s like asking if you want to be tortured by electrocution until dead, or if you want to be water boarded until dead...you are still dead!

I am absorbing all the interesting comments in this thread...compact thought (with intelligence) said beautifully!!@@

I especially love MsTinkerbell's funny observation about choosing!@@..I'm going to use it in rt, hope she won't mind!