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NEVERENDING ♾️ The NEVERENDING Political Discussion Thread

Hink said:
I am waiting for the smilie face or the sarcasm note. Because even though Joe may be sleepy, he can put cogent sentences together to form an idea.
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Really?

Hink said:
Musk banned Ye last night. This "free speech" experiment is going about as well as everyone thought it would. Speech is free, until you incite hate or endanger others. Musk is doing an extremely good job showing how free speech can go wrong.
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Musk has no idea on what he is doing.
 
NJ requires someone to obtain an initial Firearms Purchaser ID Card if you want to purchase a firearm. This requires a background check, fingerprinting, and approval by the local police department or state police. Then you have obtain a firearm purchase permit for each handgun and the permit is valid for 90 days; only one handgun can be purchased every 30 days. You also cannot buy ammunition unless you have a valid Firearms Purchaser ID Card. My daughter's boyfriend had to update his ID card and it took about 2 weeks for it to get approved since the police department is small.

Regarding mental health, as part of the Firearms Purchaser ID Card being issued NJ runs a check to see if an applicant has been committed to a mental health facility and there is mandated reporting for health care professionals if their patient is a danger to themselves/others.
 
JNA said:
WTF

Trump calls for the termination of the Constitution
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Honestly, he never really cared about it in the first place, so this isn't really surprising. What is also not surprising is that there isn't outright attacks on him from the right. If Joe Biden said what Trump just said it would be defcon 100 in terms of wall to wall coverage of it on Fox News, etc. Hypocrisy is strong in our politics.
 
Suburb Repairman said:
Quite believable and common at many universities. I know my brother talks about a few players from when he was at Texas A&M
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When Herschel left UGA to play for the Donald he signed not to play football, but for "personal services" to Trump. That could be football, boot licking, or licking anything else.

For great laughs check this week Jimmy Kimmel segment about a Herschel campaign stop.
 
Hink said:
Honestly, he never really cared about it in the first place, so this isn't really surprising. What is also not surprising is that there isn't outright attacks on him from the right. If Joe Biden said what Trump just said it would be defcon 100 in terms of wall to wall coverage of it on Fox News, etc. Hypocrisy is strong in our politics.
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Sounds like a bunch of members of the GOP are condemning Trumps comments. I just hope that it translates into action in the GOP dropping their support of him.
 
The electric grid attack in NC was domestic terrorism, as right wing violence is being promoted by gun nuts among our leadership.
 
Hink said:
Honestly, he never really cared about it in the first place, so this isn't really surprising. What is also not surprising is that there isn't outright attacks on him from the right. If Joe Biden said what Trump just said it would be defcon 100 in terms of wall to wall coverage of it on Fox News, etc. Hypocrisy is strong in our politics.
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Par for the course. When Trump was in office, he joked about a third term - could you imagine if Obama said that. The condemnation from GOP leaders is mostly lip service since they won't bite the hand that feeds.
 
Planit said:
I'm really hoping it does, then he gets pissy & runs as an independent.
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If he does, I pray that the Democrat's find someone better than Biden. As an independent, he will draw votes from the GOP, butting the Dems in a good position.



To shift gears, The student loan forgiveness program has had two significant setbacks recently. The WH has extended hold on interest rates and payments until next summer. Do you think this will actually happen or do you think that people will end up having to pay off that 10K. Do you think that Biden had the legal and constitutional right to do this in the first place?

Personally, I have no problem with the program other than it fixes the symptom for those with current loans, and not the real problem which is the ridiculous cost of college.
 
This country gives free money and handouts to ALL kinds of business and industry constantly so I have no problem with the program. But to your more important point, it's just like the Affordable Care Act, it does absolutely nothing to address the real issue of cost.

Incidentally I think student loans are actually a big part of why college costs so much. These schools KNOW the money will be there. No real oversight on costs and this is what you get after a few generations.
 
I know I made a comment that a potential DEM candidate is Mark Kelly (and have two Navy vets running against each other assuming DeSantis runs), but with the new upcoming Dem leadership structure, Pete Aguilar seems like he could be a viable choice. I actually know/knew him, and he was a very smart and thoughtful person.
 
michaelskis said:
If he does, I pray that the Democrat's find someone better than Biden. As an independent, he will draw votes from the GOP, butting the Dems in a good position.



To shift gears, The student loan forgiveness program has had two significant setbacks recently. The WH has extended hold on interest rates and payments until next summer. Do you think this will actually happen or do you think that people will end up having to pay off that 10K. Do you think that Biden had the legal and constitutional right to do this in the first place?

Personally, I have no problem with the program other than it fixes the symptom for those with current loans, and not the real problem which is the ridiculous cost of college.
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I like the program, but I used it so I'm biased. I do think he has the power to do the interest rate thing provided it's not specifically spelled out from some law. Like so many things just do a presidential order and fix it. Congress should know they aren't the ones to run every administration. That would be the president's job. I do agree that we need to start working on the solution of college price, but don't forget those that already racked up the debt. They can use help too.
 
michaelskis said:
If he does, I pray that the Democrat's find someone better than Biden. As an independent, he will draw votes from the GOP, butting the Dems in a good position.



To shift gears, The student loan forgiveness program has had two significant setbacks recently. The WH has extended hold on interest rates and payments until next summer. Do you think this will actually happen or do you think that people will end up having to pay off that 10K. Do you think that Biden had the legal and constitutional right to do this in the first place?

Personally, I have no problem with the program other than it fixes the symptom for those with current loans, and not the real problem which is the ridiculous cost of college.
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Ultimately I think the debt forgiveness will happen one way or another. I'm no expert in Constitutional Law or Presidential powers but I believe that Biden has the right to do this and don't view it any differently than Bush's creation of the PSLF program which also discharges student loan debt.

State and federal governments used to provide much more funding to colleges and universities than they currently do. The cuts started happening in the Regan era and just continued forward being replaced by tuition increases. While student loans existed, they really widely utilized until the 90s and well here we are.

Even if this forgiveness thing goes up in smoke, one critical piece that I am thankful for is getting rid of the negative loan amortization feature that stops interest from compounding on loans that are in forbearance or when the income based repayment amount is not adequate enough to service the interest. Frankly this never should have been a thing and this is the chief reason that many high balance borrowers owe more than they've paid despite paying for years. Also the interest being charged is ridiculous-the government is profiteering. Personally I think it should be fixed at 1% or 2% acknowledging that there is a cost to managing the student loan program from origination to discharge.
 
michaelskis said:
Sounds like a bunch of members of the GOP are condemning Trumps comments.
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It's all a mirage. Most will fall back in line, sooner or later. They are weak and have no soul. It's all about inflicting their narrow worldview onto the entire country and no one is foaming at the mouth to further the Unholy crusade of White Christian Nationalism more than Trump. So this really just a hiccup. Plus, though many may be publicly condemning him, they secretly espouse his comments every time he makes them.

Either that or they will stand up to be counted in the Camp of deSatan. Our only hope is that Trumpy and Death Santis, and all their dark money purveyors, spend so much money blooding and hammering each other during the 2024 Campaign that they will have little left to take on the Democratic candidate.

But the stream of Dark Money is infinite and endless, so god knows what it's going to be like two years from now.
 
Hink said:
Honestly, he never really cared about it in the first place, so this isn't really surprising. What is also not surprising is that there isn't outright attacks on him from the right. If Joe Biden said what Trump just said it would be defcon 100 in terms of wall to wall coverage of it on Fox News, etc. Hypocrisy is strong in our politics.
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While I think you're right that if Biden had said that there would be wall to wall coverage (but I think that's a bit of a strawman since I cannot imagine anybody else except Trump saying something like that and being serious about it, or at least anybody with the sort of national platform and influence as Trump anyway), I think the mainstream Right is sort of turning on Trump and trying to ignore him in hopes that he goes away. I don't think there's even been as much coverage on the left or center about these comments as there would have been if he had made them 6 months or a year ago because they're trying to ignore him too.

I think there are some in the media that sort of regret giving Trump so much coverage in 2015 and 2016. There are media studies that show he got a disproportionately large share of coverage in the early days of his campaign because of the circus-like atmosphere he was creating (and I mean that in the most pejorative way possible) and anecdotal stories that many in the media feel guilty about that. Now that we are past the midterms and much of the poor showing by Rs is being blamed on Trump's candidates and other MAGAs severely underperforming and dragging down the rest of the ticket in many areas, we see Trump being deprived of so much free mainstream publicity because so many folks want him to just go away.
 
I am shocked that Georgia voters rejected Walker given the high level of administrative competence and the impressive command of the issues facing our country that he's exhibited. This is a dark day for democracy.
 
Maister said:
I am shocked that Georgia voters rejected Walker given the high level of administrative competence and the impressive command of the issues facing our country that he's exhibited. This is a dark day for democracy.
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Remind me again - where in Georgia do you live?
 
Bubba said:
Remind me again - where in Georgia do you live?
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And you voted for Walker did you?

You are aware, are you not, that the GA runoff race is national news? The entire country has been treated to a front row seat of Mr. Walker's, shall we say less than erudite, pontifications on various issues. If the point you're trying to make is that people living in different states have no right to comment or have opinions on other state's Senate races, that: 1) is absurd and 2) comes off as somewhat thin-skinned on your part. Calling it like I see it.
 
mendelman said:
All US citizens have a political stake in every US Senate race as each US Senator is 1/486th of the people running our nation.
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Yeah...that would be a no, but thanks for playing. Reread Federalist 62 and get back to me on the intention of the Senate.
 
Bubba said:
Yeah...that would be a no, but thanks for playing. Reread Federalist 62 and get back to me on the intention of the Senate.
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Who is part of voting to approve/deny Federal legislation/law and federal judge appointments under which you and I (two people in different states) must comply/adhere, when applicable?

Also, said Federalist paper is a historical document outlining the contemporaneous original conception of the Senate at that time, which has changed dramatically in the intervening ~230 years. It's a nice historical research document, but should not be used as a basis for complete understanding of the Senate's current conception.
 
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Bubba said:
Give me a list of everyone you've ever voted for and I'll consider responding to this idiotic invasive question.
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Seems like everyone ever voted for would be needlessly lengthy exercise to make a point. How about we just take US Senators.... I voted for Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow. I'm afraid, however, that I have no knowledge of either Senator's views or voting record on Werewolves or Vampires.
 
mendelman said:
Who is part of voting to approve/deny Federal legislation/law and federal judge appointments under which you and I (two people in different states) we must comply/adhere, when applicable?
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Senators, in theory, are part of the Federal government in order to represent the interests of their respective States.

Anyhoo, the shitty influx of out-of-state money on both sides of this race and the complete bullshit barrage of mailers and TV ads I had to endure (again, on both sides) is what has my backbone up a wee bit this morning. Meddling in local politics has never gone over well here.
 
Bubba said:
Senators, in theory, are part of the Federal government in order to represent the interests of their respective States.
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Yes...but once there, the legislative actions they take have an impact on every US citizen as a Senator's actions on the Federal level doesn't effect only the citizens of their state.

This is why I said 'political stake'.
 
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Bubba said:
Anyhoo, the shitty influx of out-of-state money on both sides of this race and the complete bullshit barrage of mailers and TV ads I had to endure (again, on both sides) is what has my backbone up a wee bit this morning. Meddling in local politics has never gone over well here.
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I feel ya and thought that might be the source of being a bit bristly this morning. I'm filled with dread every time a state/fed elected position goes to a runoff for the exact reason you cite. It is a big reason I'm a fan of ranked choice/instant runoff voting formats like what Alaska used this time.

My new dread is that Walker relocates to Texas (although he has maintained a homestead exemption here despite claiming residency in Georgia to run for office... he's committing either tax fraud or voter fraud... but I digress...). You drop him in Louie Gohmert country, and they'll vote for his dumb ass.
 
Hell the scary thing was Hershel got that much of the vote both times. It shows the blind voting patterns for political party only.
 
It's not Hershel. It's the quality of the candidates that are being thrown out there. Georgia is just highlighting it today. I'm sure it'll be my turn next year. That along with the blind voting Planit is talking about just depresses me.
 
Bubba said:
Anyhoo, the shitty influx of out-of-state money on both sides of this race and the complete bullshit barrage of mailers and TV ads I had to endure (again, on both sides) is what has my backbone up a wee bit this morning. Meddling in local politics has never gone over well here.
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Suburb Repairman said:
I feel ya and thought that might be the source of being a bit bristly this morning. I'm filled with dread every time a state/fed elected position goes to a runoff for the exact reason you cite. It is a big reason I'm a fan of ranked choice/instant runoff voting formats like what Alaska used this time.
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DVD said:
It's not Hershel. It's the quality of the candidates that are being thrown out there. Georgia is just highlighting it today. I'm sure it'll be my turn next year.
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But that's the system we have. I don't like it either, but the people to talk to are the 50 US Senators who are part of this system and the potential change to the system along with the SCOTUS appointments that are also ultimately the responsibility of the US Senate.
 
Debated whether to even post this... but I was 14 when my best friend decided that she had no alternatives and I didn't step up to tell someone/believe that she'd do it. It is something that still haunts me and likely will the rest of my life. I hate Ted Cruz with the fire of 1,000 suns, but I certainly don't wish this on him.

But I'm posting because someone actually published an article. I'm tremendously bothered that someone chose to publish the mental health emergency of a minor child simply because she's the daughter of a much-despised Senator. I recognize the UK-based media operates differently.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11510811/Girl-14-self-inflicted-knife-wounds-Senator-Ted-Cruzs-home.html (Ted Cruz's daughter, 14, hospitalized with self-inflicted knife wounds)

It does prompt one significant thought though: is it possible that Ted Cruz's high profile and reputation has led to bullying of her to a point that any existing mental health condition escalated to the point of action? It is something not really discussed in political worlds, but is something we've seen before in lesser extremes with Chelsea Clinton and the Bush daughters. How do you protect your family if your job has resulted in everyone being higher profile and targets by association? What are your duties as a parent when this happens?
 
I live right across the Savannah River so I got all the ads. It was relentless.

I'll admit I pine for a campaign where both candidates just tell me about their plan to solve a problem. You just don't see that anymore. Don't vote for this guy or that lady because of (insert your problem du jour) and who is to blame for it is how you win elections anymore. The other thing I noticed in the Georgia race was that I think it helped both candidates that neither the current nor former president campaigned in the state. Walker's ad spent a lot of time talking about "Biden's inflation" and things like that. Obama campaigned in GA and I'm sure that helped get out the African American vote.

I'm just glad it's over.
 
MD Planner said:
I'll admit I pine for a campaign where both candidates just tell me about their plan to solve a problem.
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The Pine
1670426236816.png
 
Suburb Repairman said:
Debated whether to even post this... but I was 14 when my best friend decided that she had no alternatives and I didn't step up to tell someone/believe that she'd do it. It is something that still haunts me and likely will the rest of my life. I hate Ted Cruz with the fire of 1,000 suns, but I certainly don't wish this on him.

But I'm posting because someone actually published an article. I'm tremendously bothered that someone chose to publish the mental health emergency of a minor child simply because she's the daughter of a much-despised Senator. I recognize the UK-based media operates differently.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11510811/Girl-14-self-inflicted-knife-wounds-Senator-Ted-Cruzs-home.html (Ted Cruz's daughter, 14, hospitalized with self-inflicted knife wounds)

It does prompt one significant thought though: is it possible that Ted Cruz's high profile and reputation has led to bullying of her to a point that any existing mental health condition escalated to the point of action? It is something not really discussed in political worlds, but is something we've seen before in lesser extremes with Chelsea Clinton and the Bush daughters. How do you protect your family if your job has resulted in everyone being higher profile and targets by association? What are your duties as a parent when this happens?
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He should resign from the Senate and focus on his family.
 
Bubba said:
What about the other 50 US Senators - are they not part of this system? :halo:
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Yes...brain fart...100 US Senators.

Also, that revises the other numbers I cited above - it should actually be 1/536.

doh.

:D
 
Planit said:
Hell the scary thing was Hershel got that much of the vote both times. It shows the blind voting patterns for political party only.
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I agree. Georgia can certainly pick the person who will best represent them (thought their decisions certainly impact the rest of the country, and as a citizen of a state that is disproportionally underrepresented by the Senate, am still concerned who is there), but Walker seemed like he had support only to "own the libs." The runoff race certainly adds a spotlight to the election, and I am still confused why Walker would even be a choice for that office.

Suburb Repairman said:
Debated whether to even post this... but I was 14 when my best friend decided that she had no alternatives and I didn't step up to tell someone/believe that she'd do it. It is something that still haunts me and likely will the rest of my life. I hate Ted Cruz with the fire of 1,000 suns, but I certainly don't wish this on him.

But I'm posting because someone actually published an article. I'm tremendously bothered that someone chose to publish the mental health emergency of a minor child simply because she's the daughter of a much-despised Senator. I recognize the UK-based media operates differently.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11510811/Girl-14-self-inflicted-knife-wounds-Senator-Ted-Cruzs-home.html (Ted Cruz's daughter, 14, hospitalized with self-inflicted knife wounds)

It does prompt one significant thought though: is it possible that Ted Cruz's high profile and reputation has led to bullying of her to a point that any existing mental health condition escalated to the point of action? It is something not really discussed in political worlds, but is something we've seen before in lesser extremes with Chelsea Clinton and the Bush daughters. How do you protect your family if your job has resulted in everyone being higher profile and targets by association? What are your duties as a parent when this happens?
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My initial reaction is recognizing that many teenagers struggle, and this situation is unfortunately not unique to Cruz's family. I remember kids cutting themselves and other self-inflicted destructive behaviors when I was a pre-teen/teenager, many of whom were from different circumstances and simply trying to navigate that phase of life. That said, I feel like Ted Cruz would be as insufferable as a parent as he is everywhere else, and may not be well equipped to help support his kids emotional needs.
 
Suburb Repairman said:
Debated whether to even post this... but I was 14 when my best friend decided that she had no alternatives and I didn't step up to tell someone/believe that she'd do it. It is something that still haunts me and likely will the rest of my life. I hate Ted Cruz with the fire of 1,000 suns, but I certainly don't wish this on him.

But I'm posting because someone actually published an article. I'm tremendously bothered that someone chose to publish the mental health emergency of a minor child simply because she's the daughter of a much-despised Senator. I recognize the UK-based media operates differently.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11510811/Girl-14-self-inflicted-knife-wounds-Senator-Ted-Cruzs-home.html (Ted Cruz's daughter, 14, hospitalized with self-inflicted knife wounds)

It does prompt one significant thought though: is it possible that Ted Cruz's high profile and reputation has led to bullying of her to a point that any existing mental health condition escalated to the point of action? It is something not really discussed in political worlds, but is something we've seen before in lesser extremes with Chelsea Clinton and the Bush daughters. How do you protect your family if your job has resulted in everyone being higher profile and targets by association? What are your duties as a parent when this happens?
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People need to be heard when they are having a personal mental health crisis.
 
Apparently, I do have to tell the president of a development company that I am only the director, not a voting member of the board. :r:
 
dw914er said:
My initial reaction is recognizing that many teenagers struggle, and this situation is unfortunately not unique to Cruz's family. I remember kids cutting themselves and other self-inflicted destructive behaviors when I was a pre-teen/teenager, many of whom were from different circumstances and simply trying to navigate that phase of life. That said, I feel like Ted Cruz would be as insufferable as a parent as he is everywhere else, and may not be well equipped to help support his kids emotional needs.
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Or, perhaps it is comments like yours that make it insufferable for those girls. It is something that I always kept in my mind when I would read something critical of a major elected official like Bush, Clinton, or Obama. Just imagine what level of verbal abuse that happens from other kids on a normal basis. When you have that much hate thrown towards an elected official, especially in this time both in context with the age of his girls as well as the level of technology we have with constant news, social media, and blogs being everywhere, it makes being a teenage son or daughter of any politician almost unimaginable. But to take a step further for you to criticize his parenting abilities is absolutely disgusting. If you want to preach against is political ideals, have at it, but keep your parenting comments to your self, especially in a moment like this.
 
michaelskis said:
Or, perhaps it is comments like yours that make it insufferable for those girls. It is something that I always kept in my mind when I would read something critical of a major elected official like Bush, Clinton, or Obama. Just imagine what level of verbal abuse that happens from other kids on a normal basis. When you have that much hate thrown towards an elected official, especially in this time both in context with the age of his girls as well as the level of technology we have with constant news, social media, and blogs being everywhere, it makes being a teenage son or daughter of any politician almost unimaginable. But to take a step further for you to criticize his parenting abilities is absolutely disgusting. If you want to preach against is political ideals, have at it, but keep your parenting comments to your self, especially in a moment like this.
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But aren't we supposed to be talking about mental health? That should include the causes (or perceived causes) of one's mental health problems.
 
WSU MUP Student said:
But aren't we supposed to be talking about mental health? That should include the causes (or perceived causes) of one's mental health problems.
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I absolutely think we should talk about mental health. Especially in the context of providing funding for qualified persons to make that determination and take appropriate actions to provide assistance, be it counseling, education, medication, lifestyle changes, or as a worst case scenario, removal of the elements that cause the mental health issues if it is an outside influence such a friends or family.

What next, blame me being independent for my middle son's autism or my wife's depression? How about all the other members on this site, who I won't name, within their family. Is it acceptable to call them out and their potential impacts of their night meetings or lifestyle? How about those on this website with mental health issues... are you to blame?
 
The 'politicians' kids have generally been off-limits. However in today's constant contact social media world, if there's a crisis or issue or whatever it will and does come out. All news outlets like to air 'dirty laundry'

I can only remember 2 or 3 times there was a story about tRump's youngest Barron being (so called) news. Kellyanne & George Conway's teenage daughter became a big story for a cycle because of what she was posting & then the subsequent comments from both sides. I think these kids get more crap at school than probably anywhere else.

As for the mental health side, that is something we all deal with to a degree (some a lot more than others). It should not be an excuse or something that is exploited in the media. If it is a reason for a particular behavior - drug addiction or crazed screaming or self-inflicted injury or mass shooting (I could keep going) - then cite it and move on. We as the lay public should not analyze another person's mental health, but hope they received proper medical care.
 
I just think the kids (not of legal age) should be off limits, period. In my opinion Cruz's daughter's situation is not news unless THEY decide it is. Any anyone on the left who uses it as any sort of means to bash her father looks like an asshole. And I happen to think Cruz is a complete POS but I still stand by what I said.

I remember years ago when Rush Limbaugh had his short-lived TV show. He said "we know we have a First Cat" and proceeded to show a picture of Socks. Then he goes, "but we also have a First Dog". Then he shows a picture of Chelsea Clinton. She was 12 or 13 at the time. I mean seriously, WTF? I bet that fat #$%& never had the balls to say something like that to someone who could actually do something about it.
 
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