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NEVERENDING ♾️ The NEVERENDING Political Discussion Thread

In our state "divisive concepts" will soon be illegal to teach in public schools. Pasted is my letter to local weekly.

Dear Editor,
We are fortunate to have a public education system run by a body of educated and trained professionals whose primary interests are the breadth and the depth of what they can offer. They don’t inculcate, they inform.
They urge their students to listen to what they have to offer, but they leave it to each one to decide what is important among all the things they bring.
Our current state legislators have suddenly decided to place restrictions on the information that public educators offer. They pose as overnight masters of curriculum design, but they look more like this week’s contestants on American Idol, hoping by song and dance to win public approval.
They look ready to outlaw divisive ideas, maybe even division itself. Next step for them is to de-fund debate clubs. All that arguing can’t be good for those who sing Cumbaya around the conservative campfire’s rock-ribbed ring.
Their song is an anthem that denies a toasty fire-facing place to anyone not among a favored, warm and glowing, close and cheerful circle.Some think lawmakers might heed their own advice and refrain from divisive actions like redistricting local offices in ways that divide voters’ impact.
Others say the lawmaker’s job is to turn from history’s cozy glow and look toward the cold dark woods of the future, where somebody should shine some light.
I say professional educators, not lawmakers, bring a brighter lantern that way.
 
RDT_20220321_1929391677620300175813046.png
 
This is what we have to deal with in Ohio, folks. A five-way Republican primary for the Senate all tripping all over themselves on who supports Trump the most as tens of millions in dark money comes pouring in through relentless TV ads. Josh Mandel is the biggest teabagger douche in Ohio political history, and Gibbons is just another meathead with no brains at all. Meanwhile J.D Vance has his head in the sand about Ukraine.

And don't forget we have Trump apologists like Jim Jordan to deal with. It's terrifying just how far to the right Ohio is becoming each election year. I mean truly, truly horrifying.

 
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So, um, what do you think about some book your kid might or might not have read about racial stuff. You think that might affect your job? WTF line of questioning is that. Do they even hear how stupid they sound. Nope, some just throw a tantrum and walk out of the room. That will show those liberals!
 
DVD said:
So, um, what do you think about some book your kid might or might not have read about racial stuff. You think that might affect your job? WTF line of questioning is that. Do they even hear how stupid they sound. Nope, some just throw a tantrum and walk out of the room. That will show those liberals!
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Since it's a private school, your entire line of questioning is irrelevant, Senator Cruz.
 
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If I told you that there was something that all 100 Senators would vote in favor of, I am sure you would think I was crazy.

Well, that one thing they all agree on is not switching the clocks in the spring and fall and making Daylight Savings permanent.
www.reuters.com

U.S. Senate approves bill to make daylight saving time permanent

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent starting in 2023, ending the twice-annual changing of clocks in a move promoted by supporters advocating brighter afternoons and more economic activity.
www.reuters.com www.reuters.com
 
michaelskis said:
If I told you that there was something that all 100 Senators would vote in favor of, I am sure you would think I was crazy.

Well, that one thing they all agree on is not switching the clocks in the spring and fall and making Daylight Savings permanent.
www.reuters.com

U.S. Senate approves bill to make daylight saving time permanent

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent starting in 2023, ending the twice-annual changing of clocks in a move promoted by supporters advocating brighter afternoons and more economic activity.
www.reuters.com www.reuters.com
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Well, they didn't actually vote for it, they just voiced no objections so it passed on a voice vote... but I'll take it!

I am indifferent as to whether we stay on DST or Standard Time but I am definitely in favor of getting rid of the 2x annual time change. In my fever dream where this actually passes the houses and then the president signs it into law, Michigan decides to move the rest of the state to Central time as well.
 
I would take Daylight Saving Time if we were in the Central Time Zone here in Indiana. Of course, that would put us in a bind, since we're a first ring 'burb of Louisville, which is eastern time. So we'd have to go back on fast time, like we were before ex-Gov. Mitch Daniels screwed it up.
 
JNA said:
Ginni Thomas - wife of a Supreme Court Justice - email texts -

Crazy Wow.
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It keeps getting harder and harder to see through the bull$hit of what happened over a year ago. So much direct evidence and links. Yet it's still a 'stolen' election.
 
Nebraska State Legislator takes the cake today

False Reports Lead State Senator to Call for Investigation Into 'Furries'
www.newsweek.com

False reports lead state senator to call for investigation into "furries"

"It was just something I felt that if this really was happening, we needed to address it and address it quickly," Nebraska's Bruce Bostelman said.
www.newsweek.com www.newsweek.com

"It shows how easy is it for lawmakers to believe this stuff, when they, above most people, have the power to get school leaders on the phone & check,"

Seward, Adams Central school officials say ‘furries’ talk is ridiculous
www.3newsnow.com

Seward, Adams Central school officials say ‘furries’ talk is ridiculous

Officials with the Seward and Adams Central school districts on Monday labeled as “ridiculous” and “an ugly rumor” talk that students have dressed up as cats and dogs and have requested litter boxes to handle their bathroom needs.
www.3newsnow.com www.3newsnow.com
 
What is the semantic difference between 'former' President and 'ex' President?

Socrates wants to know.
 
mendelman said:
What is the semantic difference between 'former' President and 'ex' President?

Socrates wants to know.
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One divorced the country and the other didn't?

One is dead the others not so dead?

One is removed from office the others not?

Does it depend on how many terms they served or how long they have been out of office?
 
I know this is shocking to many, but I just looked a FauxNews website & there is not one article mentioning tRump's missing 7 hours of phone records. :think:
 
DVD said:
One divorced the country and the other didn't?

One is dead the others not so dead?

One is removed from office the others not?

Does it depend on how many terms they served or how long they have been out of office?
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I've had retired police officers explain the clear semantic difference for their profession.

'Former' is voluntary.

'Ex' is involuntary.
 
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Hookers & Blow in Congress

Cawthorn’s orgies-and-drugs comment stirs trouble within Freedom Caucus
www.politico.com

Cawthorn’s orgies-and-drugs comment stirs trouble within Freedom Caucus

The ultra-conservative group’s chair says he also wants to speak with the North Carolina Republican about his salacious claims concerning his colleagues.
www.politico.com www.politico.com

Madison Cawthorn offers up shockingly bad explanation for cocaine, orgy remarks
theweek.com

Madison Cawthorn offers up shockingly bad explanation for cocaine, orgy remarks

theweek.com
 
It would be great if Disney were to leave Florida. Of course, they have a huge investment there are likely won't, but they could certainly move future expansions out of Florida at a minimum.
 
Hawkeye66 said:
It would be great if Disney were to leave Florida. Of course, they have a huge investment there are likely won't, but they could certainly move future expansions out of Florida at a minimum.
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It won't happen. The threat really makes no sense, as all it would do is tremendously raise taxes on those in Orange and Osceola counties who would then be required to maintain the roadways in Disney and provide the necessary services. Disney would obviously do more, but they would have a pretty nice baseline of services that would now be required to be given to them, at no additional cost.

The idea that Disney is hurt, is not exactly true. Also, Disney, as the largest employer, largest destination, and largest everything for Florida, leaving is not going to happen. Disney will win this over DeSantis and his ilk, as this point is not likely to be won by Republicans whom want to remove civil liberties and want to dictated speech to teachers. I wasn't clear that republicans supported such measures, but it seems some do.
 
Hink said:
It won't happen. The threat really makes no sense, as all it would do is tremendously raise taxes on those in Orange and Osceola counties who would then be required to maintain the roadways in Disney and provide the necessary services. Disney would obviously do more, but they would have a pretty nice baseline of services that would now be required to be given to them, at no additional cost.

The idea that Disney is hurt, is not exactly true. Also, Disney, as the largest employer, largest destination, and largest everything for Florida, leaving is not going to happen. Disney will win this over DeSantis and his ilk, as this point is not likely to be won by Republicans whom want to remove civil liberties and want to dictated speech to teachers. I wasn't clear that republicans supported such measures, but it seems some do.
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All culture war all the time. It keeps the followers going. Then they dont worry about things like healthcare. They will keep setting up GoFundMe's for their medical expenses rather than support single payer. As long as its not CRT.
 
Hink said:
It won't happen. The threat really makes no sense, as all it would do is tremendously raise taxes on those in Orange and Osceola counties who would then be required to maintain the roadways in Disney and provide the necessary services. Disney would obviously do more, but they would have a pretty nice baseline of services that would now be required to be given to them, at no additional cost.

The idea that Disney is hurt, is not exactly true. Also, Disney, as the largest employer, largest destination, and largest everything for Florida, leaving is not going to happen. Disney will win this over DeSantis and his ilk, as this point is not likely to be won by Republicans whom want to remove civil liberties and want to dictated speech to teachers. I wasn't clear that republicans supported such measures, but it seems some do.
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Besides the Reedy Creek Investment District was (& is) a big deal.

Reedy Creek Improvement District

www.rcid.org www.rcid.org
 
JNA said:
Hookers & Blow in Congress

Cawthorn’s orgies-and-drugs comment stirs trouble within Freedom Caucus
www.politico.com

Cawthorn’s orgies-and-drugs comment stirs trouble within Freedom Caucus

The ultra-conservative group’s chair says he also wants to speak with the North Carolina Republican about his salacious claims concerning his colleagues.
www.politico.com www.politico.com

Madison Cawthorn offers up shockingly bad explanation for cocaine, orgy remarks
theweek.com

Madison Cawthorn offers up shockingly bad explanation for cocaine, orgy remarks

theweek.com
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Now he's blaming the left media for accurately reporting the story.
www.huffpost.com

Madison Cawthorn Now Blames DC Cocaine And Orgy Claims On 'The Left And The Media'

The North Carolina congressman blamed “the left and the media” for accurately reporting his comments on a right-wing YouTube channel last week.
www.huffpost.com www.huffpost.com
 
michaelskis said:
I see that Michigan's Fred Upton (R), who voted to impeach Trump, has decided not to seek reelection.
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Yes, that now make the 4th out of 10 GOP members who voted to impeach Trump who have either resigned or will not seek reelection.

It was a pitiful low number to begin with and I expect the remaining six to leave at some point because they will be under constant threat of attack as the GOP relentlessly panders to the Base and the Fringe.
 
Hink said:
It won't happen. The threat really makes no sense, as all it would do is tremendously raise taxes on those in Orange and Osceola counties who would then be required to maintain the roadways in Disney and provide the necessary services. Disney would obviously do more, but they would have a pretty nice baseline of services that would now be required to be given to them, at no additional cost.

The idea that Disney is hurt, is not exactly true. Also, Disney, as the largest employer, largest destination, and largest everything for Florida, leaving is not going to happen. Disney will win this over DeSantis and his ilk, as this point is not likely to be won by Republicans whom want to remove civil liberties and want to dictated speech to teachers. I wasn't clear that republicans supported such measures, but it seems some do.
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My aunt lives in Osceola County and spent decades working at Martin Marietta then Lockheed Martin. The facility she worked at was next door to Sea World and across from some Disney World property. Everybody called their office "War World".

She always said that, because of the Reedy Creek Improvement District and what they were allowed to do, security and communications around Disney were generally tighter than at the major defense contractor she worked at. According to her, if there was something Disney wanted to happen (or not happen) in terms of local politics it would happen. It will be interesting to see how influential they truly are at the state level on something as high profile as this.
 
Other news. I'm still registered to vote. My wife was purged from the roles. Differences: I'm independent and she's democrat. I'm male and she's female. That's about it. We both voted in the last few elections, no change in address or other things. WTF Arizona? I would send it to my state attorney general, but it was probably his idea. There's big drama over the county voting system between him and some lady who runs the state elections office who are both running for governor.
 
Only three House Republicans voted against suspending trade relations with Russia. They were Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, and Thomas Massie. Surprisingly Lauren Boebert & Madison Cawthorn did.
 
mendelman said:
Our national existence is because of immigration and accepting the tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

And this is what made us great. Let the refugees in.
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Most of the usual anti-immigrant crowd should be fine with Ukrainian refugees. They're white. I'd say Christian, but that doesn't matter. Just the whiteness.
 
I hate immigration arguments. Yes, we need reform, but WTF does someone from Kansas know about the immigration problem in Arizona? Lived in both states and I'm not really seeing a problem beyond please don't ruin the farm fields you're walking across. But no increase in crime or whatever the other complaints are.

I believe Ukrainians are mostly Orthodox, you know, the other Pope, and of course Jewish. I could of course be wrong. I did not use the interweb to verify it.
 
CNN Exclusive:
‘We control them all’: Donald Trump Jr. texted Meadows ideas for overturning 2020 election before it was called
www.cnn.com

CNN Exclusive: 'We control them all': Donald Trump Jr. texted Meadows ideas for overturning 2020 election before it was called

Two days after the 2020 presidential election, as votes were still being tallied, Donald Trump's eldest son texted then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows that "we have operational control" to ensure his father would get a second term, with Republican majorities in the US Senate and swing...
www.cnn.com www.cnn.com
 
Biden is going to be proposing a bill that would ban "Ghost Guns" which are guns made from parts, and there is no serial number associated with it.

Different weapons have different regulations when it comes to parts. For example, when you buy a fully stripped down AR-15 lower receiver it requires a background check in some states. The rest of the parts do not require it, but you can't build an AR-15 unless you have the lower receiver. However that lower receiver does have a serial number. However, you can buy what is known as an 80% lower which requires you drill out a couple holes and some very minor machining. The current law does not require these to have a serial number and does not require a back ground check.

This all goes back for National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968 that required manufactures to put serial numbers on weapons. But if you make your own, it does not require a serial number. In most states, even Texas, it is illegal to sell these guns, but not illegal to own them.

I have not read the final draft of the bill, but on face value, I am not sure if it will result in a reduction of gun crime. I am not opposed to the bill and I would venture to believe that the overwhelming majority of gun owners already conform to the bill. The simplest way to address the regulations is to do what most companies already do, put serial numbers on the primary receiver body and call it a day.
 
If it makes it harder to access guns with no serial number or those plastic guns that can get through metal detectors I'm all for it. Just because we have a right to arms does not mean we have a right to be stupid. Why would someone need to own a gun with no serial number or bypass metal detectors. I can think of a few bad reasons, but if the only good reason I can think of is that I (or someone) would enjoy the challenge of building a gun, it's time to get a different hobby.
 
michaelskis said:
Biden is going to be proposing a bill that would ban "Ghost Guns" which are guns made from parts, and there is no serial number associated with it.

Different weapons have different regulations when it comes to parts. For example, when you buy a fully stripped down AR-15 lower receiver it requires a background check in some states. The rest of the parts do not require it, but you can't build an AR-15 unless you have the lower receiver. However that lower receiver does have a serial number. However, you can buy what is known as an 80% lower which requires you drill out a couple holes and some very minor machining. The current law does not require these to have a serial number and does not require a back ground check.

This all goes back for National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968 that required manufactures to put serial numbers on weapons. But if you make your own, it does not require a serial number. In most states, even Texas, it is illegal to sell these guns, but not illegal to own them.

I have not read the final draft of the bill, but on face value, I am not sure if it will result in a reduction of gun crime. I am not opposed to the bill and I would venture to believe that the overwhelming majority of gun owners already conform to the bill. The simplest way to address the regulations is to do what most companies already do, put serial numbers on the primary receiver body and call it a day.
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I find it funny when the media tries to describe these. I heard one the other day that made it sound like you could buy all the parts online, and easily assemble the gun. They have no clue that there is machining and drilling involved. It's one of the things that sound terrible, but probably not many people with ill intent would go through the work involved to complete an 80% lower for example.
 
giff57 said:
I find it funny when the media tries to describe these. I heard one the other day that made it sound like you could buy all the parts online, and easily assemble the gun. They have no clue that there is machining and drilling involved. It's one of the things that sound terrible, but probably not many people with ill intent would go through the work involved to complete an 80% lower for example.
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The other one that I get a kick out of is the 3D printed guns. They have the accuracy of a drunk guy with a slingshot and it only gets worse after every shot.

Yes, if you buy a fully stripped lower (required to have serial number) it is not impossible for most people to buy the remaining parts and assemble it. There are some specialty tools that make it easier, but it is not impossible. However, it is not the cheapest route either. Some of these companies have decent production models for as low as $500 that are already fully assembled with a nice serial number stamped right there on the side.
 
You'll have to excuse my ignorance on guns, but I would think the barrel would be more important to put a serial number on. That's the part that makes the bullet accurate. That's the part that could go boom if something goes wrong. Once you have a decent barrel you can put any handle you want on the thing. Granted the barrel to me includes the little parts you can't put numbers on like hammers and pins.
 
DVD said:
You'll have to excuse my ignorance on guns, but I would think the barrel would be more important to put a serial number on. That's the part that makes the bullet accurate. That's the part that could go boom if something goes wrong. Once you have a decent barrel you can put any handle you want on the thing. Granted the barrel to me includes the little parts you can't put numbers on like hammers and pins.
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That is actually a really good question and it is different for different guns. For example, semiautomatic handguns have an internal barrel, that is not much more than a small metal tube. You don't actually see much of it other than just the tip unless you open the action (the ability to see inside the chamber). Revolvers are a bit different in that the barrel is exposed because the recoil causes the hammer to go back unless it is a single shot. Barrels on rifles and some handguns are sometimes interchangeable and can even be made up of multiple sections, such as the 223/556 Wilde Barrel.

The lower as it is called in rifles and the frame as it is often referred in handguns is the part that contains the trigger, and depending on the configuration, also includes things such as the hammer, springs, firing pin, lock, and other mechanics of the weapon. This is where the serial numbers are located as without this central element, it is impossible to construct a gun.
 
I'm just hoping they speed up the Trump and party investigations. If not we'll hit the next election cycle and people will just complain it's the Ds trying to make them look bad and not that those idiots broke the law and it takes that long to prosecute something. You know two separate things can't happen in the world at the same time for different reasons.
 
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