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NEVERENDING ♾️ The NEVERENDING Political Discussion Thread

MD Planner said:
I think you're spot on. He was a real hardliner so there's this little part of me that wonders if we didn't have something to do with it. Probably not but my mind does wander there.
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More likely the USA's proxy in the region. To ensure continued steadfast support.
 
Gedunker said:
Section 8. Respect for Flag

No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, state flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
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WSU MUP Student said:
(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
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While these are legit beefs, there are no punitive provisions in the US Flag Code, and the Supreme Court has allowed all manner of flag desecration. It's sad, though: peer pressure and popular sentiment used to be enough to keep public officials and aspiring candidates from dishonoring the flag. Not anymore.
 
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Doohickie said:
While these are legit beefs, there are no punitive provisions in the US Flag Code, and the Supreme Court has allowed all manner of flag desecration. It's sad, though: peer pressure and popular sentiment used to be enough to keep public officials and aspiring candidates from dishonoring the flag. Not anymore.
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I was at Lowe's over the weekend. I almost got a picture of a patriotic vehicle. It was a jacked up truck flying a trump flag above an upside down US flag that was sun-bleached, mud covered and tattered. I was surprised there wasn't a confederate flag somewhere between all of the other stereotypical bumper systems.
 
bureaucrat#3 said:
I was at Lowe's over the weekend. I almost got a picture of a patriotic vehicle. It was a jacked up truck flying a trump flag above an upside down US flag that was sun-bleached, mud covered and tattered. I was surprised there wasn't a confederate flag somewhere between all of the other stereotypical bumper systems.
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Sadly I see these almost daily. I always tell me kids, look, that truck is more patriotic than the other cars. It really wants you to know. It always has a tattered US flag which just makes me sad. Especially because the person driving thinks he's more patriotic than you, but doesn't even know how to care for his flag. I also wonder if they light the flag when they park the car overnight or do they actually take it down?
 
Doohickie said:
While these are legit beefs, there are no punitive provisions in the US Flag Code, and the Supreme Court has allowed all manner of flag desecration. It's sad, though: peer pressure and popular sentiment used to be enough to keep public officials and aspiring candidates from dishonoring the flag. Not anymore.
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To me, it's not the lack of punitive provisions but rather that the people who are most likely to be "all about the flag" (for lack of a better term) are the ones who will literally drape themselves in it. I have similar gripes with the jingoism that has taken over the NFL over the past couple of decades.
 
I've always felt that if a thing is everywhere it becomes devalued. I'm sad to say the flag is everywhere.

I have no issue with abuse of the flag as part of a protest. I don't like it, but it's one of those rights we have as American's. I do have issues when you're a supreme court justice with a vested interest in a case coming up that you're protesting about, but that's less about the flag. Also, someone that high up in our government shouldn't disrespect the flag that gave you your job.
 

Undergraduate Commencement Address by Ken Burns

www.brandeis.edu www.brandeis.edu

"Listen, listen. In a filmed interview I conducted with the writer James Baldwin, more than 40 years ago, he said, "No one was ever born who agreed to be a slave, who accepted it. That is, slavery is a condition imposed from without. Of course, the moment I say that," Baldwin continued, "I realize that multitudes and multitudes of people for various reasons of their own enslave themselves every hour of every day to this or that doctrine, this or that delusion of safety, this or that lie. Anti-Semites, for example," he went on, "are slaves to a delusion. People who hate Negroes are slaves. People who love money are slaves. We are living in a universe really of willing slaves, which makes the concept of liberty and the concept of freedom so dangerous," he finished. Baldwin is making a profoundly psychological and even spiritual statement, not just a political or racial or social one. He knew, just as Lincoln knew, that the enemy is often us. We continue to shackle ourselves with chains we mistakenly think is freedom."
 
Lincoln
August 24, 1855: Letter to Joshua F. Speed

The American or "Know Nothing Party" was an anti-immigrant political party of the 1850's.

I am not a Know-Nothing. That is certain. How could I be? How can any one who abhors the oppression of negroes, be in favor of degrading classes of white people? Our progress in degeneracy appears to me to be pretty rapid. As a nation, we begin by declaring that "all men are created equal." We now practically read it "all men are created equal, except negroes." When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read "all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and catholics." When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretence of loving liberty-to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocracy.
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Lincoln on the Know Nothing Party - Lincoln Home National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov www.nps.gov
 
Ken Burns Suspends 'Longstanding Attempt At Neutrality' to Utterly Torch Trump

Ken Burns' Address to Brandeis Graduating Class of 2024: Updated With Transcript Link
www.dailykos.com

Ken Burns' Address to Brandeis Graduating Class of 2024: Updated With Transcript Link

Our Image Library does not have the Brandeis University seal among its images, and I am very cautious about the images I use here. There are two portraits of Mr. Burns, but they date from 2006 and I’m not sure they’ve been “vetted” in the interim. So...
www.dailykos.com
 
JNA said:
Ken Burns Suspends 'Longstanding Attempt At Neutrality' to Utterly Torch Trump

Ken Burns' Address to Brandeis Graduating Class of 2024: Updated With Transcript Link
www.dailykos.com

Ken Burns' Address to Brandeis Graduating Class of 2024: Updated With Transcript Link

Our Image Library does not have the Brandeis University seal among its images, and I am very cautious about the images I use here. There are two portraits of Mr. Burns, but they date from 2006 and I’m not sure they’ve been “vetted” in the interim. So...
www.dailykos.com
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Listen, listen!

Great speech.
 
Withholding personal comment, but:

the verdict is in. Announcement coming in 30 minutes. Tune in to your national news network of choice. They are all live with the news.

Jim
 
Sentencing is scheduled on July 11. I believe it's up to the courts whether he may remain free pending appeals. I expect he will get a jail sentence, but suspect they won't actually incarcerate while he has appeals pending.
 
Maister said:
Sentencing is scheduled on July 11. I believe it's up to the courts whether he may remain free pending appeals. I expect he will get a jail sentence, but suspect they won't actually incarcerate while he has appeals pending.
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You are likely correct.

Jim

I hope there is no civil unrest tonight . . . All is calm here in downtown Reno at the moment, even at the Federal courthouse, which I can see out my window.

Helicopters up in NYC keeping an eye out. So far no reports of any misbehavior.
 
I don’t think he’ll even report to prison. He’ll appeal / etc. which unfortunately (IMHO) means he’ll be released until that’s heard.

Anyway, all 34 counts.
 
Planit said:
I don’t think he’ll even report to prison. He’ll appeal / etc. which unfortunately (IMHO) means he’ll be released until that’s heard.

Anyway, all 34 counts.
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A city councilman there suggested community service, like picking up trash in public.
 
This will be used to raise A LOT of money for him. If he wins in November, this just becomes another dagger in our countries downward fall, where decorum and reason continue to decline.

Whether anyone believes all of the case or not, the fact that a former President, who is looking to become a future President, was on trial for paying a porn star hush money is insane.

Right after the verdict I had many friends that said something like, "I voted for him in 2016, 2020, and I will still vote for him in 2024!"

I don't see this changing anything in terms of the trajectory of the election at all. It will help him raise a lot of money for Senate candidates and his own campaign though.

What a world we live in.
 
Thomas' wife worked for pro-maga groups to overturn the election results.
Alito's wife raises flags that show support for those who want to overturn election results.
Barrett's husband represents Fox News in their defamation case to overturn the election results.


Kinda makes you want to say 'huh, how 'bout that'
 
Trump said in 2016

“We could very well have a sitting president under felony indictment and ultimately a criminal trial,” Trump said at the rally. “It would grind government to a halt.”
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After reading a book by Major Dick Winters (Band of Brothers fame)

10 Rules of Leadership
  1. Strive to be a leader of character, competence, and courage.
  2. Lead from the front. Say, “Follow me!” and then lead the way.
  3. Stay in top physical shape—physical stamina is the root of mental toughness.
  4. Develop your team. If you know your people, are fair in setting realistic goals and expectations, and lead by example, you will develop teamwork.
  5. Delegate responsibility to your subordinates and let them do their jobs. You can’t do a good job if you don’t have a chance to use your imagination or your creativity.
  6. Anticipate problems and prepare to overcome obstacles. Don’t wait until you get to the top of the ridge and then make up your mind.
  7. Remain humble. Don’t worry about who receives the credit. Never let power or authority go to your head.
  8. Take a moment of self-reflection. Look at yourself in the mirror every night and ask yourself if you did your best.
  9. True satisfaction comes from getting the job done. The key to a successful leader is to earn respect—not because of rank or position, but because you are a leader of character.
  10. Hang tough!—Never, ever give up.
Which ones does Trump or Biden fail on?
 
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tRump is now a felon.

What about the company he keeps?
former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, convicted felon
former campaign vice chairman, Rick Gates, convicted felon
former attorney fixer, Michael Cohen, convicted felon
former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, convicted felon
former national security advisor, Michael Flynn, convicted felon
former trade advisor, Peter Navarro, convicted felon
former foreign policy adviser, George Papadopoulos, convicted felon

...& looks like more on deck including previous lawyers (Powell, Guliani, Ellis, Eastman +more), employees @ MAL and fake electors.
 
Hink said:
This will be used to raise A LOT of money for him. If he wins in November, this just becomes another dagger in our countries downward fall, where decorum and reason continue to decline.

Whether anyone believes all of the case or not, the fact that a former President, who is looking to become a future President, was on trial for paying a porn star hush money is insane.

Right after the verdict I had many friends that said something like, "I voted for him in 2016, 2020, and I will still vote for him in 2024!"

I don't see this changing anything in terms of the trajectory of the election at all. It will help him raise a lot of money for Senate candidates and his own campaign though.

What a world we live in.
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Wife and I had a conversation about this over the weekend and we can't believe that the US has gotten into this situation.

For the past several presential elections, we both have voted 3rd party just because the selections were so bad. However, hearing some of the rhetoric from Trump about wanting to dismantle the constitution is enough to give us pause. Unless the small number of GOP supporters who are calling for Trump to suspend his campain grow in strength, we will seriously consider voting for Biden just to keep Trump out of office. I have absolutely zero faith or trust in Biden or his ability to lead, but that will be less damaging to our society than Trump's push to trash almost 250 years of this republic for his personal glory.
 
michaelskis said:
Wife and I had a conversation about this over the weekend and we can't believe that the US has gotten into this situation.

For the past several presential elections, we both have voted 3rd party just because the selections were so bad. However, hearing some of the rhetoric from Trump about wanting to dismantle the constitution is enough to give us pause. Unless the small number of GOP supporters who are calling for Trump to suspend his campain grow in strength, we will seriously consider voting for Biden just to keep Trump out of office. I have absolutely zero faith or trust in Biden or his ability to lead, but that will be less damaging to our society than Trump's push to trash almost 250 years of this republic for his personal glory.
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Democracies around the world, including the U.S., have a history of custodial leadership from time-to-time, particularly in times of instability. In modern American history, Gerald Ford is regarded largely as a custodial President. They can be transformative in their ability to simply provide stability, and at times can be forms of technocrats. Ford was recognized for openness and integrity, though I disagree with his decision to pardon Nixon. Biden has some similarities in that regard.
 
Today the State of Alabama offices are closed for observance of Jefferson Davis Birthday. I don't think any local or county offices are closed. Banks are open. The state just can't get out of its own way. There was bill proposed this year that would have added Juneteenth to state holiday list. A few republican's joined with democrats to push it, pointing out that Lincoln was a republican. An amendment was added to the bill to allow workers to choose Juneteenth or Davis's Bday. It was approved in the House but not Senate, so the Gov stepped in and declared it a holiday this year.

Davis's Bday could have easily been removed. He wasn't originally from the state. He isn't particularly well regarded. He was an aristocrat who was given everything to him. But Alabama is going to Alabama.

On a nice note for state employees, because the state won't get rid of all of the confederate holidays they're up to like 17 or 18 paid holidays.
 
I just don't see Biden winning the election. I think Trump is going to take back Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia and hold all the states he won in 2020.

How does everyone else feel about these swing states?

Are there any Red states from 2020 that Biden can flip?

At the end of the day this all boils down to maybe 4-6 states.
 
Suburb Repairman said:
Democracies around the world, including the U.S., have a history of custodial leadership from time-to-time, particularly in times of instability. In modern American history, Gerald Ford is regarded largely as a custodial President. They can be transformative in their ability to simply provide stability, and at times can be forms of technocrats. Ford was recognized for openness and integrity, though I disagree with his decision to pardon Nixon. Biden has some similarities in that regard.
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I completely agree with your assessment of Ford. However, I don't know if I have the same view with Biden. I genuinely believe that he no longer contains the mental capacity to be president. Fortunately, his staff or "Handlers" that are the real content behind his voice are not out to destroy the country. So at least he as that going for him.
 
michaelskis said:
I completely agree with your assessment of Ford. However, I don't know if I have the same view with Biden. I genuinely believe that he no longer contains the mental capacity to be president. Fortunately, his staff or "Handlers" that are the real content behind his voice are not out to destroy the country. So at least he as that going for him.
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Sounds like Reagan & some might argue Bush the Younger.
 
btrage said:
I just don't see Biden winning the election. I think Trump is going to take back Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia and hold all the states he won in 2020.
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100% annecdatal but I have distinct memories during 2016 and 2020 of there already being Trump signs everywhere in the area (either that I'd see here in my 'hood while out on runs or up and down the lake between Port Huron and Lexington) this far out from the election. This time around I have noticed a grand total of 0 Trump signs that haven't been sitting on somebody's lawn since 2016.

I cannot imagine that Trump has won over many additional voters since his last defeat and I agree with a lot of pundits that there doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm for Biden, but there wasn't much enthusiasm for him last time around either and he still won. And I'm not worried about the Middle Eastern vote swaying the election here in Michigan either. Maybe not all of them who voted D in 2020 will turnout again in 2024, but if they don't like how Biden is handling the situation in Palestine, are they really going to go for Trump who has been openly antagonistic of their situation for years?
 
WSU MUP Student said:
100% annecdatal but I have distinct memories during 2016 and 2020 of there already being Trump signs everywhere in the area (either that I'd see here in my 'hood while out on runs or up and down the lake between Port Huron and Lexington) this far out from the election. This time around I have noticed a grand total of 0 Trump signs that haven't been sitting on somebody's lawn since 2016.

I cannot imagine that Trump has won over many additional voters since his last defeat and I agree with a lot of pundits that there doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm for Biden, but there wasn't much enthusiasm for him last time around either and he still won. And I'm not worried about the Middle Eastern vote swaying the election here in Michigan either. Maybe not all of them who voted D in 2020 will turnout again in 2024, but if they don't like how Biden is handling the situation in Palestine, are they really going to go for Trump who has been openly antagonistic of their situation for years?
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I think it's the social issues that decide this election. And I don't mean the economy or inflation. Obviously abortion is huge and there's been quite the backlash around the country because of it. The former president stacked the USSC with enough votes to overturn Roe. So there's that. But then on the other side of the liberal/conservative coin I also think there are plenty of usual Democrat voters who are completely fed up with some of the rules and regulations that keep coming out with regard to the gender wars and those types of issues. So maybe that ends of being a wash but sitting here today it appears when it comes down to election day it's going to be close. Really close.
 
I think it comes down to turnout. It could be the worst in some time. There are a fair number of Republicans I know who have said they are not voting or skipping presidential block. Turnout has been horrible so far but I think it could go either way.
 
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