Random Political Thoughts

[VtaGeezer]

They would need to have a presidential food taster.

What makes you think they don't?

[CornyCrow]

I'm neither Republican nor Libertarian.  I was making an observation that the GOP is severely hampered by its dependence on rabid Christian evangelicals.  If the GOP loses the White House in November, and I believe they will, they will need to devote the next four years to reinventing themselves.  The demographics of the United States are changing too fast for the GOP to do business as usual.

I agree with you there.  I think there are many in Congress now who believe that they have to placate the religious fanatics in order to keep their jobs.  That's a disgusting situation. 

[Juan]

Right. Both parties are about to nominate Christmas and Easter (if that) mainstream Protestants and you say they are controlled by the Evangelicals and Fundamentalists.

[FightTheFuture]

Keeping the evangelicals happy is going to be the death of the Republicans.  Today Rush Limbaugh was trying to disprove evolution (see link below) to score points with his evangelical listeners.   How stupid is that?  The GOP had better recognize they can't afford to keep catering to evangelicals and their war against science and rational thinking and remain relevant in the 21st Century.  They may as well rip the band aid off now, ditch the evangelicals, and try again in 2020.   

https://www.rawstory.com/2016/05/confused-rush-limbaugh-thinks-evolution-is-a-hoax-because-cincinnati-gorilla-never-became-human/

That would be because Rush is a Christian. And, like it or not, Christians kinda don`t follow the whole "we evolved from apes" BS.

[FightTheFuture]

I agree with you there.  I think there are many in Congress now who believe that they have to placate the religious fanatics in order to keep their jobs.  That's a disgusting situation.

It`s horrible..just....horrible..and disgusting. My God..I mean..my..whatever...every intelligent person realizes there is no "God."

[VtaGeezer]

That would be because Rush is a Christian.

If you believe that, its no wonder you reject science. 

[FightTheFuture]

If you believe that, its no wonder you reject science.

Negative. Science is Christianity`s best ally; it`s done more to validate Christianity than an army of Billy Grahams ever could.

With regard to Limbaugh and his religious beliefs, I take the man at his word. BTW, Rush`s brother, David, wrote a magnificent book, which I highly recommend; Jesus on Trial: A lawyer Affirms the Truth of the Gospel. Check it out, you might surprise yourself

[CornyCrow]

It`s horrible..just....horrible..and disgusting. My God..I mean..my..whatever...every intelligent person realizes there is no "God."

You do understand that Christianity is just one religion of many, don't you? 
But our civil laws, to be fair to everyone, must not show prejudice in favor of any one religion.  It should keep completely clear of such dogma. 

[albrecht]

You do understand that Christianity is just one religion of many, don't you? 
But our civil laws, to be fair to everyone, must not show prejudice in favor of any one religion.  It should keep completely clear of such dogma.

Maybe in the US, due to our laws, but other countries should be allowed to favor one religion. And none of our 'freedoms' and laws were meant to be a suicide-pact (to paraphrase Justice Jackson.) Islam, especially the violent aspect, has brought nothing good to Europe or the USA and should not be accommodated. And arguably hasn't brought anything good to even their societies in hundreds of years.

[CornyCrow]

Maybe in the US, due to our laws, but other countries should be allowed to favor one religion. And none of our 'freedoms' and laws were meant to be a suicide-pact (to paraphrase Justice Jackson.) Islam, especially the violent aspect, has brought nothing good to Europe or the USA and should not be accommodated. And arguably hasn't brought anything good to even their societies in hundreds of years.

We might keep in mind that the Islam of years back seemed to have been very progressive while the West was going through ignorant times.  I think, if laws are secular and fair, then all religions should be expected to conform to them.  In that case Islam cults who believe in killing critics and killing those who leave the faith would not be tolerated. 

It seems to me that the more a civilization progresses, the more it drops the dogma of religions by the wayside.  I think most of these Islamic fundamentalists come from very backward cultures.  What I would agree with, though, is what France did and disallow people in schools and public buildings from wearing blatant indicators of their religions.  I think children of varied backgrounds in pubic schools should start off on as equal a footing as possible. 

There is nothing in Islam that says women must be covered.  The verses say that women AND men should dress modestly.  Many Muslim women do not wear that antiquated and clumsy hot garb.

The Bible has sections that are as violent as the Koran.  The difference is that civilized people will interpret these things differently.  This can happen with Islam, as well. 

My problem is that people come to this country in great numbers and stay in groups, perpetuating their culture and not wanting to be assimilated.  That will cause great trouble in the future, I suspect.

[albrecht]

We might keep in mind that the Islam of years back seemed to have been very progressive while the West was going through ignorant times.  I think, if laws are secular and fair, then all religions should be expected to conform to them.  In that case Islam cults who believe in killing critics and killing those who leave the faith would not be tolerated. 

It seems to me that the more a civilization progresses, the more it drops the dogma of religions by the wayside.  I think most of these Islamic fundamentalists come from very backward cultures.  What I would agree with, though, is what France did and disallow people in schools and public buildings from wearing blatant indicators of their religions.  I think children of varied backgrounds in pubic schools should start off on as equal a footing as possible. 

There is nothing in Islam that says women must be covered.  The verses say that women AND men should dress modestly.  Many Muslim women do not wear that antiquated and clumsy hot garb.

The Bible has sections that are as violent as the Koran.  The difference is that civilized people will interpret these things differently.  This can happen with Islam, as well. 

My problem is that people come to this country in great numbers and stay in groups, perpetuating their culture and not wanting to be assimilated.  That will cause great trouble in the future, I suspect.

I know that is the popular talking point but the reality wasn't as good as the apologists think. Sure, mostly, if you paid your special taxes you could exist under the Caliphate (even today in countries like Iran and Syria allowed people to follow another religion without many problem- until we try to destabilize them.) But even in those grand Islamic times there were still wars, slavery, piracy, etc. Islams big problem is the writing and history itself is violent, there is no central authority of leader, there was no Reformation, and we allow some rich "royals" to fund schools in the most radical form of what is already a backwards, violent religion all over the world! I say let the "refugees" and illegal aliens stay in their own countries. I don't see why "western" countries and peoples are the only people in the world who cannot support their culture, defend themselves, have borders on their countries, and must "accept" anyone or everyone.

[CornyCrow]

I know that is the popular talking point but the reality wasn't as good as the apologists think. Sure, mostly, if you paid your special taxes you could exist under the Caliphate (even today in countries like Iran and Syria allowed people to follow another religion without many problem- until we try to destabilize them.) But even in those grand Islamic times there were still wars, slavery, piracy, etc. Islams big problem is the writing and history itself is violent, there is no central authority of leader, there was no Reformation, and we allow some rich "royals" to fund schools in the most radical form of what is already a backwards, violent religion all over the world! I say let the "refugees" and illegal aliens stay in their own countries. I don't see why "western" countries and peoples are the only people in the world who cannot support their culture, defend themselves, have borders on their countries, and must "accept" anyone or everyone.

I know it is not popular to propose conspiracy theories.  There are supposed to be rational reasons for things.  I can see how the illegal migration of South Americans appears to be favorable to business and how business controls the important aspects of this country, but I cannot understand what benefit all these refugees have to the West.  What good is it to plop them in the middle of a civilization they neither understand nor respect when they do? 

There seems to be a long term plan to equalize the populations of the world, to blend cultures and adjust incomes and break national boundaries.  I certainly do not want third world peoples living in squalor, but on the other hand, I don't like them living next to me.  There should be a compromise.  It seems as thought the groundwork is being set for some huge conflict and not just homogenization. 

[albrecht]

I know it is not popular to propose conspiracy theories.  There are supposed to be rational reasons for things.  I can see how the illegal migration of South Americans appears to be favorable to business and how business controls the important aspects of this country, but I cannot understand what benefit all these refugees have to the West.  What good is it to plop them in the middle of a civilization they neither understand nor respect when they do? 

There seems to be a long term plan to equalize the populations of the world, to blend cultures and adjust incomes and break national boundaries.  I certainly do not want third world peoples living in squalor, but on the other hand, I don't like them living next to me.  There should be a compromise.  It seems as thought the groundwork is being set for some huge conflict and not just homogenization.

Lots of businesses and government institutions benefit from illegals and rape-u-gees. It would not surprise me if there is some conspiracy involved, though not sure it is a global one. There certainly is an enemy-within, and without, that does not like borders, national sovereignty, nationalism, or democracy/parliamentary/republican system, western culture, etc. Some if also is form of asymmetric warfare by countries to seek to take back lands or at least weaken western nations. Or off-load their 'problem' citizens. How much was a part of the conspiracy? How much was unintended consequences the conspiracy to destabilize the Middle East and hedge against Russia? Who knows? All I know is why should we be forced to take all comers when their fellow Muslims won't take them and when their own countries, in the case of our illegals, has borders and laws against illegals? And when they wave another nations flag when the protest and riot? Or promise to do some raping and make throat slitting gestures and throw food back at the police and volunteers (or rape them) who are trying to help them in the case of "refugees?"

[VtaGeezer]

We might keep in mind that the Islam of years back seemed to have been very progressive while the West was going through ignorant times.

I wouldn't say Islam was ever progressive, but at least it was growing in tolerance and humanizing it's treatment of women and girls...until the Saudis struck a deal with the most repressive, intolerant and violent sect, the desert Wahhabis, and exported that brutal version of Islam all over the world on a sea of oil money.

[aldousburbank]

I just bought this piece of art for my son.

[Lt.Uhura]

Dis donc!  With November still so far away, I see the brutal, mind-numbing political stage and its cast of repugnant characters has finally given way to comforting off-topic postings of religion and art. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ7zOFn0QYQ

[GuerrillaUnReal]

I just bought this piece of art for my son.

That's really cool. 

[Value Of Pi]

I know it is not popular to propose conspiracy theories.  There are supposed to be rational reasons for things.  I can see how the illegal migration of South Americans appears to be favorable to business and how business controls the important aspects of this country, but I cannot understand what benefit all these refugees have to the West.  What good is it to plop them in the middle of a civilization they neither understand nor respect when they do? 

There seems to be a long term plan to equalize the populations of the world, to blend cultures and adjust incomes and break national boundaries.  I certainly do not want third world peoples living in squalor, but on the other hand, I don't like them living next to me.  There should be a compromise.  It seems as thought the groundwork is being set for some huge conflict and not just homogenization.

You don't need a conspiracy theory to explain what you're seeing. This is all a manifestation of globalization, which is a strong economic, political and social trend. It has a lot of support from a variety of sources.

Typically, those who support this trend are focused mainly or exclusively on the benefits and not the dangers. Resistance to this trend generally only springs up when problems occur. Instead of anticipating and preventing these problems, or simply solving them when they happen, groups gravitate towards opposite poles of the pro- or anti-globalization debate. This feeds extremism of all kinds (and makes possible politicians like Trump, as one example).

This is how people usually operate. Not rationally and with a long-term plan, but with short-term, narrow interests. Governments simply reflect the way that individuals and groups behave. If this sounds like a boring college lecture you've heard before, that's okay. Because once again, it's a case of people behaving like people and we've seen this throughout history.

IOW, there is no mystery. All the answers are sitting between your ears, mine and everyone else's.

[mikuthing01]

I just bought this piece of art for my son.

Your son or your wife's son? lol

[pate]

What makes you think they don't?

Conversly,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2CCz4x2xGE

What makes they think you don't?

[GravitySucks]

I cannot stand Piers Morgan, but he proves the old adage that even a blind pig will find an occasional acorn.

http://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2016/06/05/piers-morgan-faces-onslaught-rage-pointing-muhammad-alis-thoughts-race/

[GuerrillaUnReal]

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ac9b4d33fac7404592b6f316b4ca6c28/us-cities-see-unexplained-rise-violent-crimes-year

CHICAGO (AP) -- Violent crimes - from homicides and rapes to robberies - have been on the rise in many major U.S. cities, yet experts can't point to a single reason why and the jump isn't enough to suggest there's a trend.

Still, it is stumping law enforcement officials, who are seeking a way to combat the problem.

"It's being reported on at local levels, but in my view, it's not getting the attention at the national level it deserves," FBI Director James Comey said recently. "I don't know what the answer is, but holy cow, do we have a problem."

Americans have grown accustomed to low crime rates since a peak in the 1990s. But law enforcement started seeing a spike last year that has continued unabated. What's unusual, however, is that it's not happening everywhere. Chicago and Los Angeles are seeing homicides on the rise, but other places like Miami and Oakland are not.

[FightTheFuture]

Exactly 72 years ago...


God bless those brave warriors!

[MV/Liberace!]

Anybody but Trump.

how long did it take you to memorize that line?

[GuerrillaUnReal]

Exactly 72 years ago...


God bless those brave warriors!

I've been trying to wrap my mind around that day and what those men did ever since I can remember. It's unbelievable that one of the most heroic and important moments of human history is still in our living memory.

[Philosopher]

how long did it take you to memorize that line?

About as long as memorizing "Black Lives Matter".

[FightTheFuture]

I've been trying to wrap my mind around that day and what those men did ever since I can remember. It's unbelievable that one of the most heroic and important moments of human history is still in our living memory.

I haven`t had the pleasure of knowing any vets that came ashore that day in France, but I have been privileged to have as a very good friend, an old Marine -- now 94 years old -- who went island hopping in the Pacific. Man-oh-man, the stories he tells are just amazing. I can not even begin to express the level of respect I have for him and all my fellow brothers and sisters who liberated the world over 70 years ago.

[aldousburbank]

I bike, I vote!

[GuerrillaUnReal]

Hogan just dropped the leg and got the three on Gawker brother.

[bateman]

Hogan just dropped the leg and got the three on Gawker brother.

With an assist from based Peter Thiel.