Random Political Thoughts

[TigerLily]

One can only hope. I will leave my door unlocked tonight.

Best keep your gun handy. Could be a wild stallion at your door instead of a pretty little filly. Better safe and packing than sorry

[VtaGeezer]

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but here's my prediction. Hillary will be indicted for the emails or Bengazi and will have to drop out. A third party candidate will pop up, not sure who, but will beat Trump. Don't see it being Sanders, Cruz, or Rubio, but someone sitting in the wings.... Any guesses on who it could be? I agree with the idea of Trump leading because of the need to shake up the status quo that has stagnated DC. BUT, I hope a viable candidate could still show themselves. Could be there is a medication that could make me accept Hillary or Trump completely? Don't want it if there is... Let us pray (prey)

It's pretty clear to me that Rafael's dead-enders are manning the StopTrump campaign but it will fail miserably and The Anointed One will be ostracized from the Republican Party.



Note to FTF; put away the hand lotion.

[21st Century Man]

It's pretty clear to me that Rafael's dead-enders are manning the StopTrump campaign but it will fail miserably and The Anointed One will be ostracized from the Republican Party.



Note to FTF; put away the hand lotion.

I resent that implication.  I'm a hard-core Cruz supporter but I will vote for Trump.

[VtaGeezer]

I resent that implication.  I'm a hard-core Cruz supporter but I will vote for Trump.

No offense intended. By dead-enders, I mean the Cruzites who refuse to acknowledge their guy was beaten soundly, and who now want to find an unlocked window to pry open in Cleveland and subvert the primary results. If they succeed, they'll only succeed in fracturing the Party, and perhaps giving the establishment a crack at installing Bush or Rubio. Cruz was the most hated before Trump was, but for better reasons.

[mikuthing01]

I was a Rand Paul supporter but when his campaign started falling behind i jumped on the Trump Train.

[Value Of Pi]

I cannot see that we will ever have gun control in the US. 
Bill Maher once made the comment that there are a lot of liberals who own guns and more who have no personal guns but hire bodyguards who are armed.
Micheal Moore is a member of the NRA.
Paul Begalla has guns - lots of them.

This MSNBC poll evidently was open to the public, but I've not heard of any right wing source urging their public to vote in it: 
http://bearingarms.com/jenn-j/2016/06/27/msnbc-gun-poll-backfires-spectacularly/

If we cannot stop drugs from coming into the country, we will not be able to stop guns from doing the same.

At some point, gun control became an end in itself. But at first, gun control was only intended as a means to an end, that end being crime control. Today, that end also includes terrorism control.

The trouble with gun control advocates is that they spend so much energy trying to incrementally influence the passage of gun control laws that they lose sight of the big picture. As an example, why are there always outcries and campaigns regarding the passage of new laws (which might or might not help the big picture) when it's clear that the biggest failure of all involves the government's inability to effectively enforce existing laws. Where is the big outcry there?

Put in concrete terms, it is no comfort to me that we have laws designed to prevent terrorists from getting guns, if the laws aren't enforced. I don't want to hear how many gun laws a terrorist broke after shooting up some public venue, I want to hear about how he tried to buy a gun and was prevented from doing it because of effective law enforcement.

[21st Century Man]

No offense intended. By dead-enders, I mean the Cruzites who refuse to acknowledge their guy was beaten soundly, and who now want to find an unlocked window to pry open in Cleveland and subvert the primary results. If they succeed, they'll only succeed in fracturing the Party, and perhaps giving the establishment a crack at installing Bush or Rubio. Cruz was the most hated before Trump was, but for better reasons.

I don't know if they are Cruzites but it does seem that there are certain power-brokers that want to negate the results of the primaries and I have nothing but contempt for them in their pursuit.  Some of them did support Cruz but others supported Kasich and other milquetoast Republican candidates.

[VtaGeezer]

...it is no comfort to me that we have laws designed to prevent terrorists from getting guns, if the laws aren't enforced. I don't want to hear how many gun laws a terrorist broke after shooting up some public venue, I want to hear about how he tried to buy a gun and was prevented from doing it because of effective law enforcement.

There is no more doggedly purposeful and politically effective organization than the NRA; perhaps only AIPAC comes close.  They have their membership collated and categorized down to a gnat's ass and can unleash a torrent of local or national grassroots pressure by phone, email and letter on the most insignificant legislative interest in gun safety or ownership within hours.  Since La Pierre hijacked it 25 years ago, its become hyperpolitical, and he's become very very rich.

[VtaGeezer]

I don't know if they are Cruzites but it does seem that there are certain power-brokers that want to negate the results of the primaries and I have nothing but contempt for them in their pursuit.  Some of them did support Cruz but others supported Kasich and other milquetoast Republican candidates.

The face of the "movement" is Steve Lonegan, NJ Chrmn for Cruz, Koch Bros. follower, and NJ Tea Party promoter.  He's running a superPAC funded by anti-Trump dark money, i.e., the Kochs. 

[Value Of Pi]

There is no more doggedly purposeful and politically effective organization than the NRA; perhaps only AIPAC comes close.  They have their membership collated and categorized down to a gnat's ass and can unleash a torrent of local or national grassroots pressure by phone, email and letter on the most insignificant legislative interest in gun safety or ownership within hours.  Since La Pierre hijacked it 25 years ago, its become hyperpolitical, and he's become very very rich.

It's too bad that the NRA is not using more of its influence to focus on the enforcement problem as opposed to rallying the troops only when a new law is proposed. Typically, the NRA only talks about enforcement as a way of placing blame on the government.

No problem with placing blame where it's deserved but how about actively demanding that the government do a better job at enforcing existing gun laws? Again, they do talk about the subject but not very loudly.

[albrecht]

It's too bad that the NRA is not using more of its influence to focus on the enforcement problem as opposed to rallying the troops only when a new law is proposed. Typically, the NRA only talks about enforcement as a way of placing blame on the government.

No problem with placing blame where it's deserved but how about actively demanding that the government do a better job at enforcing existing gun laws? Again, they do talk about the subject but not very loudly.

What also is funny is those on the more fringe or ultra conservative think the NRA sells out gun owners too much! Haha.

[CornyCrow]

At some point, gun control became an end in itself. But at first, gun control was only intended as a means to an end, that end being crime control. Today, that end also includes terrorism control.

The trouble with gun control advocates is that they spend so much energy trying to incrementally influence the passage of gun control laws that they lose sight of the big picture. As an example, why are there always outcries and campaigns regarding the passage of new laws (which might or might not help the big picture) when it's clear that the biggest failure of all involves the government's inability to effectively enforce existing laws. Where is the big outcry there?

Put in concrete terms, it is no comfort to me that we have laws designed to prevent terrorists from getting guns, if the laws aren't enforced. I don't want to hear how many gun laws a terrorist broke after shooting up some public venue, I want to hear about how he tried to buy a gun and was prevented from doing it because of effective law enforcement.

That makes a lot of sense.  I get New York news and there are times in which a person commits some crime and we find out that he had 27 prior convictions.  I don't understand why we cannot permanently incarcerate a guy who we know is only going to prey off of the rest of us when he gets out. 

[CornyCrow]

It's too bad that the NRA is not using more of its influence to focus on the enforcement problem as opposed to rallying the troops only when a new law is proposed. Typically, the NRA only talks about enforcement as a way of placing blame on the government.

No problem with placing blame where it's deserved but how about actively demanding that the government do a better job at enforcing existing gun laws? Again, they do talk about the subject but not very loudly.

Yeah.  You'd think they would also negotiate more lax laws in very restrictive states if sane people who have never had a problem with the law purchase fingerprint guns - that no criminal could ever use against them and no child could set off accidentally.   They seem to be such a good compromise to me.  I don't think either side wants to budge an inch in this matter.

[Value Of Pi]

Yeah.  You'd think they would also negotiate more lax laws in very restrictive states if sane people who have never had a problem with the law purchase fingerprint guns - that no criminal could ever use against them and no child could set off accidentally.   They seem to be such a good compromise to me.  I don't think either side wants to budge an inch in this matter.

We might be having an outbreak of common sense here. That's a very good idea you have. Not only is it workable, it would give the NRA and politicians the cover they need to pitch in and work towards a shared goal -- reducing the use of guns by criminals and terrorists. Unfortunately, you're also right that nobody wants to budge on either side.

The gridlock is just plain dumb. Do you recall how, decades ago, the law was changed to increase the penalties for crimes committed with guns? That actually made a difference. The intransigence is, I think, Public Enemy #1.

[21st Century Man]

The face of the "movement" is Steve Lonegan, NJ Chrmn for Cruz, Koch Bros. follower, and NJ Tea Party promoter.  He's running a superPAC funded by anti-Trump dark money, i.e., the Kochs.

I would hardly call William Kristol a Cruzite.  I think he has more of a claim as the face of the movement than Lonegan.

[albrecht]

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/robert-morrow-holds-first-meeting-as-travis-county/nrpb9/
So, my county is very leftist so nobody, even Republicans, really paid attention who was running for the County GOP chairman. The guy elected is like a C2C guest. From the article:
"In his first meeting as chairman of the Travis County Republican Party, conspiracy theorist Robert Morrow walked in wearing white jeans, a blue shirt, a tie and a three-pointed jester’s hat â€" one point each, he explained later, for three covered-up murders by prominent U.S. politicians.

“Let’s get this party started,” he said upon entering."

[21st Century Man]

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/robert-morrow-holds-first-meeting-as-travis-county/nrpb9/
So, my county is very leftist so nobody, even Republicans, really paid attention who was running for the County GOP chairman. The guy elected is like a C2C guest. From the article:
"In his first meeting as chairman of the Travis County Republican Party, conspiracy theorist Robert Morrow walked in wearing white jeans, a blue shirt, a tie and a three-pointed jester’s hat â€" one point each, he explained later, for three covered-up murders by prominent U.S. politicians.

“Let’s get this party started,” he said upon entering."

This country is fucked.

[VtaGeezer]

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/robert-morrow-holds-first-meeting-as-travis-county/nrpb9/
So, my county is very leftist so nobody, even Republicans, really paid attention who was running for the County GOP chairman. The guy elected is like a C2C guest. From the article:
"In his first meeting as chairman of the Travis County Republican Party, conspiracy theorist Robert Morrow walked in wearing white jeans, a blue shirt, a tie and a three-pointed jester’s hat â€" one point each, he explained later, for three covered-up murders by prominent U.S. politicians.

“Let’s get this party started,” he said upon entering."

This is becoming common.  It's too often cranks, extremists and the self-absorbed who run for local office now. My neighbor, a very nice guy and retired local banker,  just resigned from the City Council because after 7 years he couldn't take dealing with self-important losers or empire-building staff any longer.  I've felt for many years that we'd be better governed if elections were done away with and officials were randomly selected and sworn to anonymity while in office, with no deferment except for felons on parole and those on psychotropic meds.  Juries seem to do far better than elected councils.

[Evil Twin Of Zen]

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXCkxlqFd90

[Value Of Pi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXCkxlqFd90

Good bit, that. My own extremist view is all about those damn Siberian hamsters. First, they invaded Fawlty Towers and now they're everywhere. They're the problem with everything, really.

[ItsOver]

... I've felt for many years that we'd be better governed if elections were done away with and officials were randomly selected and sworn to anonymity while in office, with no deferment except for felons on parole and those on psychotropic meds.  Juries seem to do far better than elected councils.

This. Then impose a term limit to counter the inevitable "power corrupts" affliction.

It all reminds me of this scene.  More Maximus, less Commodus.

http://youtu.be/qHwckk01AAU

[Evil Twin Of Zen]

Good bit, that. My own extremist view is all about those damn Siberian hamsters. First, they invaded Fawlty Towers and now they're everywhere. They're the problem with everything, really.

i would suggest a marketing solution to those "damn Siberian hamsters" in two words... tiny barbecue. 

[I_Speculate]

i would suggest a marketing solution to those "damn Siberian hamsters" in two words... tiny barbecue. 

Guinea pigs... a Peruvian delicacy.

[pate]

Ermahgawd!!

How long has this nation been headed for the shitter?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O4GagrfqO8

It gives me goosebumbs to think on it.

As Karl might say:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-GIS4QXBJ0

[albrecht]

https://www.scribd.com/document/317790707/Corrine-Brown-Indictment#from_embed
Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla) indicted.
"The congresswoman was indicted Wednesday and the case details are just coming out. A federal case has also been filed against her chief of staff, Elias Simmons.  Out of a 24 count indictment, Brown is facing 22 counts ranging fraud, conspiracy to commit mail  fraud, making false statements, wire fraud, and more. Simmons is facing 19 counts."

""Congresswoman Brown and her chief of staff are alleged to have used the Congresswoman's official position to solicit over $800,000 in donations to a supposed charitable organization, only to use that organization as a personal slush fund," said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell. 

"The defendants are alleged to have committed a multitude of criminal violations, including fraudulently receiving and using hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions meant for a nonprofit organization for their own personal and professional benefit,” said Richard Weber, Chief, IRS Criminal Investigation."
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/data/crime/rep-corrine-brown-indicted-arrives-in-court/267763122

Wonder if the IRS, DOJ, or state agencies will look into the Clinton's?

[GuerrillaUnReal]

holy shit the Dallas shooting was just his smoke screen to escape!

http://abcnews.com.co/drug-kingpin-el-chapo-escapes-mexican-prison-once-again/

[21st Century Man]

Guess who we apparently declared war on if you believe a certain despot?

North Korea: Sanctions on Kim Jong Un by US are 'declaration of war'


http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/north-korea-kim-jong-un-sanctions-us-war-barack-obama-finances-regime-a7125661.html

[I_Speculate]

El Chapo escapes max sec prison AGAIN!!... LOL

http://abcnews.com.co/drug-kingpin-el-chapo-escapes-mexican-prison-once-again/

[21st Century Man]

El Chapo escapes max sec prison AGAIN!!... LOL

http://abcnews.com.co/drug-kingpin-el-chapo-escapes-mexican-prison-once-again/

Unbelievable.  It's nice to know if I ever get thrown into a Mexican jail.

[albrecht]

Unbelievable.  It's nice to know if I ever get thrown into a Mexican jail.

I heard it is just rumor and that website is a fake one. But one never knows considering the state of Mexico and the prison system. It wouldn't surprise me.