• Cyburbia is a friendly big tent, where we share our experiences and thoughts about urban planning practice, the built environment, planning adjacent topics, and anything else that comes to mind. No ads, no spam, and it's free. It's easy to join!

NEVERENDING ♾️ The NEVERENDING Political Discussion Thread

I listened to a podcast where Kris “Tanto” Paranto was interviewed about his new book "The Ranger Way." Apparently he as one of they guys in Benghazi when all of that went down and apparently there were a ton of half truths and all out lies that were told by members of the last administration. It is one thing to read a report from the media, but to hear him talk about how there were two guys who got the medal of honor when it was their errors that got the four people killed.

It does sound that leading up to it, Clinton had less involvement pertaining to the additional security issues and that Fox News lied about that part. However it also sounds like a lot of the stuff that came from the Federal Government after the fact regarding how the events unfolded are actually worse than depicted in the movie 13 hours. Overall, it paints Hillary in a slightly better light than before as she was more reactive based on the information her people provided her, but the rest of the administration, mostly DOD, in a much worse light for trying to cover some of the stuff up.
 
Gedunker said:
^^^ A cover-up at the DoD? Now that would be a first.:-x
Click to expand...

WHAT :-c

8-! You mean to even ponder the idea that the DOD has hidden, distorted, manipulated, or made up details or information to misinform the public?

How dare you even entertain such a appropriate and accurate thought.

Perhaps they think of it as CYA before Truth.
 
michaelskis said:
I listened to a podcast where Kris “Tanto” Paranto was interviewed about his new book "The Ranger Way." Apparently he as one of they guys in Benghazi when all of that went down and apparently there were a ton of half truths and all out lies that were told by members of the last administration. It is one thing to read a report from the media, but to hear him talk about how there were two guys who got the medal of honor when it was their errors that got the four people killed.

It does sound that leading up to it, Clinton had less involvement pertaining to the additional security issues and that Fox News lied about that part. However it also sounds like a lot of the stuff that came from the Federal Government after the fact regarding how the events unfolded are actually worse than depicted in the movie 13 hours. Overall, it paints Hillary in a slightly better light than before as she was more reactive based on the information her people provided her, but the rest of the administration, mostly DOD, in a much worse light for trying to cover some of the stuff up.
Click to expand...

I believe that's the same conclusion that the independent commissioners or whatever it was called came up with. There were some things the state dept. (Hillary) could fix and they did. There were some HUUUGE mistakes by the DOD. That wasn't the angle various news casts wanted so they just reported what they felt like.
 
ikea-mexico-border-wall-spoof_dezeen_hero.gif
 
dvdneal said:
I believe that's the same conclusion that the independent commissioners or whatever it was called came up with. There were some things the state dept. (Hillary) could fix and they did. There were some HUUUGE mistakes by the DOD. That wasn't the angle various news casts wanted so they just reported what they felt like.
Click to expand...

That's what I recall as well--that it was far more damning of the DoD.

The DoD has systemic issues crossing multiple administrations going back 60 years--a long record of cover ups and gross misuse of funds/waste. Yet Trump wants to increase their funding.

Honestly if I were President, I'd be pressuring the legislature to balance the budget on the backs of the DoD. I'd be sending tweets, press releases, instagrams, whatever multiple times a day showing glaring examples of DoD waste.
 
Why did it take pResident tRump a couple/three days to comment on the white supremist terrorist knife attack in Portland, but it only took an hour so for him to comment one the ISIS terrorist knife attack in London? Why were the responses in a such a different tone? Maybe Spicer can clear that up...


Nevermind. It's just a rhetoric question.
 
"Trump announces plan to privatize air traffic control"

Pardon me, but are you fu**ing INSANE?! That's basically the worst idea EVER.
 
MD Planner said:
Plenty of the towers are already private contractors.
Click to expand...

Well yeah, but they are still under the purview of the FAA. This plan completely removes air traffic controllers from FAA regulation. Air traffic control should not be dominated by the interests of private airlines.
 
AG74683 said:
"Trump announces plan to privatize air traffic control"

Pardon me, but are you fu**ing INSANE?! That's basically the worst idea EVER.
Click to expand...

I'm not hitting the panic button on this yet, because it likely isn't true privatization. Eurocontrol is a similar model... controllers are actually employed by a NGO nonprofit rather than an agency. Wait and see how the proposal morphs.
 
I was perusing the WARN/mass layoff notices for my state and our neighboring states, as one does periodically, and came across this one: Carrier - Indianapolis - 632 affected jobs

But wait? Wasn't this where Trump went touting how he saved so many jobs? He said there was a 100% chance they'd keep 1,100 jobs there. Now it looks like they will actually be keeping closer to about 700 or so. So much for his awesome deal making abilities. I wonder if the state of Indiana will clawback any of the incentives they were given.
 
The One said:
What could go wrong....look how great private prisons worked out;):not::-o:-x:-$:r:
Click to expand...

Look at the overwhelming success of Amtrak... Everyone uses it to travel. :r:

I think that there should be some governmental oversight of Air Traffic Controls mainly because there needs to be consistency between airports and regions. But I don't think it is the end of the world.

As for Jobs, the Government does not create jobs and Trump was an idiot for thinking that if he got elected he could prevent job losses. Changes in economic climate, technological innovations, cultural changes, and market conditions all have a far greater impact, almost none of which the WH has real control over.
 
michaelskis said:
As for Jobs, the Government does not create jobs and Trump was an idiot for thinking that if he got elected he could prevent job losses. Changes in economic climate, technological innovations, cultural changes, and market conditions all have a far greater impact, almost none of which the WH has real control over.
Click to expand...

Bureaucracy creates jobs! :D:D
 
The best job creator out there is infrastructure improvements. I wonder who creates those jobs?

They are a bit temporary, but a great boost to the economy.

Also, deregulation doesn't create jobs. It just lets companies cheat people and keep more profits.
 
What, if any, impact do you think that the UK election will have on the US. Do you think it is foreshadowing a shift in DC in 2018?
 
dvdneal said:
The best job creator out there is infrastructure improvements. I wonder who creates those jobs?

They are a bit temporary, but a great boost to the economy.

Also, deregulation doesn't create jobs. It just lets companies cheat people and keep more profits.
Click to expand...

Infrastructure improvement jobs also allow unskilled workers to gain new skills for continued employment. This occurs frequently in the solar development field.

michaelskis said:
What, if any, impact do you think that the UK election will have on the US. Do you think it is foreshadowing a shift in DC in 2018?
Click to expand...

I think so, yes. Trump's approval rating keeps plummeting, and GOP candidates up for re-election in 2018 might be wise to distance themselves from him. I think once the hard numbers start coming out leading up to the 2018 mid-terms, the GOP will find themselves against the wall, and choose Trump to be the sacrificial lamb. Nothing better to regain the confidence of the public by taking out one of your parties most powerful individuals for the sake of America. I think it'll be too little, too late though.
 
Do you think that Jeff Sessions desire to have his appearance to testify before congress televised is a publicity stunt? Maybe he will come out and say "Trump rigged the election and I have proof." If it is televised on live TV, that would make for a very interesting afternoon in DC.
 
michaelskis said:
Do you think that Jeff Sessions desire to have his appearance to testify before congress televised is a publicity stunt? Maybe he will come out and say "Trump rigged the election and I have proof." If it is televised on live TV, that would make for a very interesting afternoon in DC.
Click to expand...

I feel this entire administration is a reality show. The 'blessing' cabinet meeting was just another episode before the cliffhanger of Sessions getting ready to testify. So Sad.
 
JNA said:
Donald Trump's Cabinet members, ranked by their over-the-top praise of Trump
http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/12/politics/trump-cabinet-ranked/index.html
Click to expand...

Republican sycophants. No other words for it. Utterly embarrassing.

michaelskis said:
Do you think that Jeff Sessions desire to have his appearance to testify before congress televised is a publicity stunt? Maybe he will come out and say "Trump rigged the election and I have proof." If it is televised on live TV, that would make for a very interesting afternoon in DC.
Click to expand...

Let us hope the Senate Intelligence Committee isn't into publicity stunts. A foreign nation interfered with our election. The racist yahoo that is AG neglected to tell the Senate during his confirmation hearings that he met with the Ambassador of that nation, apparently on multiple occasions. He needs to get his ass raked over some seriously hot coals.
 
JNA said:
OK who was +o( or :victory: when you heard this ?

Trump’s Cabinet, With a Prod, Extols the ‘Blessing’ of Serving Him
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/12/us/politics/trump-boasts-of-record-setting-pace-of-activity.html

A 'blessing' and 'privilege': Donald Trump's first cabinet meeting becomes festival of praise
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...-donald-trumps-first-cabinet-meeting-becomes/

Would you say anything that in a staff meeting ?
Click to expand...

What amazes me is that you have retired generals playing along with this. I expect it from the Reince Priebus's of the world, but not respected & somewhat notorious former military leaders. Incredible. My question is not whether my veteran grandpa is spinning in his grave... it is at how many RPMs...

I would have said something, primarily because saying something would have assured me a job elsewhere as soon as the cheeto fired me. I would have considered accepting a cabinet position with Trump even if I hated him, just for the opportunity to do something like that.
 
Wow, I go into a meeting, and come out to hear about this:

cnn said:
Washington (CNN)Rep. Steve Scalise, a congressional staffer and members of the congressional police force were shot Wednesday morning in Alexandria, Virginia, in what sources are calling an apparent "deliberate attack."

President Donald Trump said the gunman had been killed. Federal law enforcement sources identified the shooter as James Hodgkinson of Belleville, Illinois. Hodgkinson is 66.
Click to expand...
LINK

I hope this is not the beginning of future violence against elected officials.


Apparently the shooter worked on the Bernie Sanders campaign as a volunteer and was a vocal Anti-Trump protester.
 
michaelskis said:
Wow, I go into a meeting, and come out to hear about this:

LINK

I hope this is not the beginning of future violence against elected officials.


Apparently the shooter worked on the Bernie Sanders campaign as a volunteer and was a vocal Anti-Trump protester.
Click to expand...

And Bernie did the right thing by coming out and condemning it clearly. No political BS. He said violence is never the answer and made it clear. He kept the tone to adult level. I hope more politicians do this when horrible events happen and they are asked what they think or feel.
 
Hink said:
And Bernie did the right thing by coming out and condemning it clearly. No political BS. He said violence is never the answer and made it clear. He kept the tone to adult level. I hope more politicians do this when horrible events happen and they are asked what they think or feel.
Click to expand...

He absolutely did the right thing and I agree 100% with your comment. He did not try to play politics with the situation and was truly genuine in his comments. My referencing the Bernie because the shooting was politically charged by an extremist liberal who likely had mental issues.


The media on the other hand seemed to seek out the most extremist hacks that they could find. One person talked about 'assault pistols' another claimed that it was an automatic assault rifle. A friend on FB commented that "Maybe now congress will consider a real ban on guns" It took everything in me to not respond.

I think that unless someone is going to make real suggestions that would actually help prevent this kind of stuff, it might be best to be quiet, listen, research and form rational thoughts instead of saying something stupid.
 
I like the congressman Loudermilk who is already asking for a bill to make it easier for congressmen to carry guns. Because more guns is always the answer and I don't know about you, but I usually make sure there is a 45 strapped in my jock when I play baseball. Dumb ass trying to score political points. He's actually going for gun reciprocity which isn't a bad idea until you realize states like Kansas let everyone have a gun and require no concealed carry permits and very little training.
 
dvdneal said:
I love patronage systems! I don't think we've had a good one like this since Boss Tweed.
Click to expand...

Come on. Let's be fair to her. She also worked on celebrity apprentice as well. Granted that does not qualify her for anything in the government other than director of party planning.


I am waiting to hear if he names the dog groomer to be head of Agriculture. (after all, animals are animals)
 
michaelskis said:
Come on. Let's be fair to her. She also worked on celebrity apprentice as well. Granted that does not qualify her for anything in the government other than director of party planning.


I am waiting to hear if he names the dog groomer to be head of Agriculture. (after all, animals are animals)
Click to expand...

Which means the Dept of the Interior has lots of openings for his house cleaning staff. After all, it's all interior work.
 
dvdneal said:
Which means the Dept of the Interior has lots of openings for his house cleaning staff. After all, it's all interior work.
Click to expand...

I wonder how many secretaries he wanted to appoint to "Secretary of...." jobs.

On a different note, a new study came out saying that 19 kids are either killed or injured because of guns in the United States every day. (LINK TO ABC STORY)

I will be the first to admit that there is some serious issues and I really wish that the study went more into depth about how the kids got their hands on the guns in the first place. The overwhelming majority were suicide, which means that there is a serious issue with adults not properly securing their guns. It is no secret that I am pro-second amendment, but let me be blunt, if a person is not going to respect a weapon, they should not own a weapon.
 
Saw my first Trump 2020 shirt! And yes global warming is all a lie he's done the research on it and there are records back to the 1400's showing it's just a cyclical thing. And yes the government changed the standards on all the airport thermometers to make sure they're out on the runways so they can prove global warming exists. He came in about floodplains and swears the map changed from the last time I gave him a map.

Wooo! I'm to high for this!
 
Otto Warmbier has died according to new reports coming out now. Poor kid, but I hope the outcome of this is that the State Department bans travel to North Korea for US citizens, or at least makes it incredibly difficult.
 
Bubba said:
Handel (R) 53% - Ossoff (D) 47%
Click to expand...

Well it might have helped in Ossoff actually lived in the district. Yeah, I know he says he's going to move back but still, not sure I'd pull the lever for someone who didn't live in the district at the time of the election. You know, actually representing me and stuff.
 
MD Planner said:
Well it might have helped in Ossoff actually lived in the district. Yeah, I know he says he's going to move back but still, not sure I'd pull the lever for someone who didn't live in the district at the time of the election. You know, actually representing me and stuff.
Click to expand...

That's one of the two big factors in the result, and both are tied to out of district/state issues - (1) Ossoff's residence out of the district (and just how far outside his campaign volunteers were instructed to lie about), and (2) the amount of out of state money that flowed directly into Ossoff's war chest, which really pissed off us local yokels.

It'll be interesting to see where Ossoff goes from here - he's a really intelligent and likable dude, and smooth as all get out when he needs to be (Bill Clinton lite, almost). But, he couldn't manage to beat a GOP candidate who is generally despised by GOPers in her own district. He simply picked the wrong battle to try and start his political career.
 
Bubba said:
That's one of the two big factors in the result, and both are tied to out of district/state issues - (1) Ossoff's residence out of the district (and just how far outside his campaign volunteers were instructed to lie about), and (2) the amount of out of state money that flowed directly into Ossoff's war chest, which really pissed off us local yokels.

It'll be interesting to see where Ossoff goes from here - he's a really intelligent and likable dude, and smooth as all get out when he needs to be (Bill Clinton lite, almost). But, he couldn't manage to beat a GOP candidate who is generally despised by GOPers in her own district. He simply picked the wrong battle to try and start his political career.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the out-of-state funding influx was going to end up doing more harm than good. It also would have done him some good to serve on the local elected level before jumping into a pretty tough first race. A little seasoning & experience would have done him some good, and given him some record of leadership.

And seriously... he should have gone and rented an apartment in-district and relocated before filing for the election. That is just stupid, and his campaign staff must be stupid to have not insured he did that.

He would have been better off following the Beto O'Rourke model, Congressman from El Paso. He has and continues to run a hardcore, high energy grassroots campaign that uses only small donations. He hates PACs and SuperPACs. O'Rourke won the Democratic primary against the eight-term Silvestre Reyes back in 2012 and went on to win the general election. He has held that seat since then, and has become quite popular. He is a hardcore believer in fixing gerrymandering and establishing term limits... part of why he is now running for Ted Cruz's senate seat is that he self-imposed a term limit for himself on his house seat. Well, that and he hates Ted Cruz. I actually think O'Rourke has a chance.

https://www.betofortexas.com/

Added bonus: O'Rourke is a reformed punk rock musician.
 
I think the bigger question is regarding the 'referendum on Trump' that the media has been pushing for the past few weeks. Personally, I think it is too close to the last election for it to actually signal anything.

We just came off an election cycle unlike anything that anyone could have imagined where a billionaire reality-tv hosting developer who is brash, arrogant, and possibly racist beat one of the most dominant political families of past 30 years to win the White House. There is still a strong anti-establishment foundation out there and I think you all are correct with the outside money. It showed him as being an establishment player.
 
michaelskis said:
I think the bigger question is regarding the 'referendum on Trump' that the media has been pushing for the past few weeks. Personally, I think it is too close to the last election for it to actually signal anything.

We just came off an election cycle unlike anything that anyone could have imagined where a billionaire reality-tv hosting developer who is brash, arrogant, and possibly racist beat one of the most dominant political families of past 30 years to win the White House. There is still a strong anti-establishment foundation out there and I think you all are correct with the outside money. It showed him as being an establishment player.
Click to expand...

It was only a referendum on Trump in the eyes of the out of state Dems that poured money into Ossoff's campaign - he ran in the district as a moderate Dem, and tried to avoid any mention of Trump (while raising money from out of state as a hard left Trump-sucks candidate). Dude really did pick the wrong race to try and start his political career, and got absolutely horrible guidance from his consultants and campaign management.
 
Back
Top