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NEVERENDING ♾️ The NEVERENDING Political Discussion Thread

dandy_warhol said:
Violence against women is not a new thing. One woman dying at the hands of a man is too much. In the US, on average almost 3 women per day are killed by an intimate partner. Link Where is the outrage in the news for all those women?

I think the connection to terrorism is a far reach and this has more to do with misogyny.
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It was Eve's fault all along they say.
 
economictimes.indiatimes.com

Panama Canal, Canada and Greenland: Why is Trump teasing US expansion? All you need to know

Panama Canal, Canada and Greenland are the prime targets in Donald Trump's foreign policy list. Trump has threatened to demand control of the Panama Canal be returned to Washington. He has also stoked political mayhem in Canada by intensifying a crisis that threatens to oust Prime Minister...
economictimes.indiatimes.com economictimes.indiatimes.com

www.msnbc.com

Opinion | What's really behind Trump's Greenland obsession

The president-elect's desire to acquire the Danish territory reportedly came from the most predictable, and ridiculous, of sources.
www.msnbc.com www.msnbc.com
 
1735429582619.png
 
michaelskis said:
He set a woman on fire and watched her burn alive in a moving subway car with other people watching. This isn’t misogyny, this is something more.
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Is it though?

abc7ny.com

Burned body of woman found in Highbridge Park in Washington Heights; police investigating

An active police investigation is underway after a burned body was discovered inside Highbridge Park in Washington Heights on Wednesday.
abc7ny.com abc7ny.com

www.fox7austin.com

Man arrested in connection to death of woman found burned in northwest Austin

A man was arrested in the case of a 33-year-old woman whose body was found burned in Northwest Austin last month.
www.fox7austin.com www.fox7austin.com




www.businessinsider.com

Judy Malinowski was burned alive and testified at her killer's trial from the grave. She said that he didn't deserve the death penalty.

Judy Malinowski was set on fire by her boyfriend who poured gasoline over her body. The mom, who later died, gave evidence at his trial for murder.
www.businessinsider.com www.businessinsider.com

 
Planit said:
Republican Texas congresswoman misses 5 months of voting. She was 'found' in a nursing home.

www.huffpost.com

Rep. Kay Granger Found At Senior Living Facility After Missing Months Of Crucial Votes

Following a five-month absence from the U.S. House, Granger's family confirmed the Texas Republican is dealing with dementia.
www.huffpost.com www.huffpost.com
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Guess who my (lack of) Representative in Congress is?

Although, truth be told, I feel better represented by Marc Veasey who represents the adjacent district. In all her years in Congress, Granger made zero effort to meet with the public. She was very ivory tower. Veasey, on the other hand, routinely makes himself available to the public. I've met him several times at events and talked with him many more times through Facebook. I recently ran into him at Costco. It's hard to imagine running into Granger just randomly out in public. I'm only about three blocks away from Veasey's district.
 
Last edited:
fringe said:
Death penalty is pretty much gone in Europe. It also wastes a lot of time and effort due to endless appeals. Remember too Joe is a Catholic, with all the baggage that goes with it
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My views on the death penalty are all over the place.
  • Putting myself in the shoes of the family of, say, a murder victim, I can see being for it.
  • Being on a jury, I'm not sure I could convict someone of a crime knowing they would be sentenced to death.
  • Politically, I find it barbaric.
  • But when I hear about what the a given person on death row has done, the death penalty seems appropriate.
All over the place.
 
dandy_warhol said:
Is it though?

abc7ny.com

Burned body of woman found in Highbridge Park in Washington Heights; police investigating

An active police investigation is underway after a burned body was discovered inside Highbridge Park in Washington Heights on Wednesday.
abc7ny.com abc7ny.com

www.fox7austin.com

Man arrested in connection to death of woman found burned in northwest Austin

A man was arrested in the case of a 33-year-old woman whose body was found burned in Northwest Austin last month.
www.fox7austin.com www.fox7austin.com




www.businessinsider.com

Judy Malinowski was burned alive and testified at her killer's trial from the grave. She said that he didn't deserve the death penalty.

Judy Malinowski was set on fire by her boyfriend who poured gasoline over her body. The mom, who later died, gave evidence at his trial for murder.
www.businessinsider.com www.businessinsider.com

Click to expand...
Some of those were in public, some were in private. Some knew their attackers, some didn’t. All of them are horrific.

That makes this one different and disturbing is that it was on a moving subway car, he had the fuel on him, and it appeared to be premeditated. There is question if the victim knew the killer or not.

I am not downplaying any of those other cases, and maybe some of them should also be considered an act of terror, especially those that were premeditated and in public.

Regardless, the level of violent criminal activity has really been pissing me off lately. I live on one of the safest communities in America, but the big city down the road (where my wife is currently working) is one of the worst. I know the police are doing everything they can, but the crime seems to be a significant cultural issue with little signs of getting better.

I am not saying that misogyny does not exist, because it does, especially when you look at other cultures around the globe, but I personally believe that the attacker in NYC is something more that that.
 
Doohickie said:
My views on the death penalty are all over the place.
  • Putting myself in the shoes of the family of, say, a murder victim, I can see being for it.
  • Being on a jury, I'm not sure I could convict someone of a crime knowing they would be sentenced to death.
  • Politically, I find it barbaric.
  • But when I hear about what the a given person on death row has done, the death penalty seems appropriate.
All over the place.
Click to expand...
Undisputed proof the perp is guilty? They should die by the same means as their victim(s). Family should be given the first right of refusal to enact the punishment. I pull no punches.
 
Hawkeye66 said:
I dont think the state should be in the business of killing anyone anymore. I understand the motivations of families, etc., but as a society we shouldn't be in the revenge business.
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Your response is within the context of current topic of the death penalty. Pivoting just a bit, what do you think of the business of the military in which such activity inevitability leads to state killings?
 
Wannaplan? said:
Your response is within the context of current topic of the death penalty. Pivoting just a bit, what do you think of the business of the military in which such activity inevitability leads to state killings?
Click to expand...

I would prefer we used International Law and the institutions at the Hague and used logic and reason. A man can dream.

I think of the brutality of Northern European Culture, things like disemboweling people on a stage for the public or leaving heads on poles, and realize we have a come a ways in 400-500 years, which isn't that long in geologic time.
 
Hawkeye66 said:
I would prefer we used International Law and the institutions at the Hague and used logic and reason. A man can dream.

I think of the brutality of Northern European Culture, things like disemboweling people on a stage for the public or leaving heads on poles, and realize we have a come a ways in 400-500 years, which isn't that long in geologic time.
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"Mista Kurtz, he dead"---Heart of Darkness
 
I will say that I've thought the Turo app for basically peer-to-peer car rental was uniquely susceptible to criminal abuse. I figure they've got about a week before the media attention turns towards them hard.
 
Planit said:
I'm more worried about domestic terrorism than immigrants.
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Timothy McVeigh walks among us. Madness can descend on anyone I suppose.

I have a local friend that is a lifelong Marine, semper fi etc.

His only son joined marines, and while still active and on leave, he marched into TWO local banks, swung his service issued 45 pistol into the teller's face and left on foot with a sack of cash each time. Of course he was tracked and arrested quickly and serves today two consecutive 20 yr sentences.
 
I am not going to be one of those who reacts to Trump's daily ramblings. In fact, I will keep doing what I do now; Scan headlines and dont read anything in detail.

I have a prediction for the Trump 2nd term; A big bag of nothing with lots of talk.
 
Suburb Repairman said:
I will say that I've thought the Turo app for basically peer-to-peer car rental was uniquely susceptible to criminal abuse. I figure they've got about a week before the media attention turns towards them hard.
Click to expand...
I feel bad for the random guy who rented out his truck. My truck was used for what? How does Turo insure that?
 
MD Planner said:
I worry about both equally.
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We're always going to be susceptible to terrorism. I think the chances are much higher for domestic rather than foreign. I think there are probably easier ways for terrorist groups to enter the country than walking across the border. With the internet and social media, they can grow them here.

Immigrants are much more likely to be victims than aggressors, especially if they fear coming to authorities for help. Creating an underclass that is cut off from social services allows other groups to fill those roles of protection and social safety. Its been that way forever. Gangs, terrorists, cults, and organized crime all step in to fill the void. Most of the victims of those groups are going to be others in the same social/economic group with the exception of terrorist which either target a specific group or just try to cause as much damage as possible.

I think the potential for disillusionment/disenfranchisement could increase in a lot of foreign and domestic groups (I guess that can occur during any time) over the next four years. The more people feel there is no place left for them, the greater chance of apathy or just radicalization. I'm sure the rhetoric will be through the roof.

I do worry that mass family separation could radicalize those deported and the children who might be left.

At the end of the day, I think this term will be largely about making sure Trump gets cleared of crimes, enriches himself, and not much else. I thought last time there would be checks and balances, so I'm obviously don't have any insight.
 
bureaucrat#3 said:
We're always going to be susceptible to terrorism. I think the chances are much higher for domestic rather than foreign.
Click to expand...
<snip>
bureaucrat#3 said:
I think the potential for disillusionment/disenfranchisement could increase in a lot of foreign and domestic groups (I guess that can occur during any time) over the next four years. The more people feel there is no place left for them, the greater chance of apathy or just radicalization. I'm sure the rhetoric will be through the roof.
Click to expand...

This is where severe income inequality and barriers to economic opportunity make people very susceptible to radicalization (in a variety of flavors). It is why the rich benefit from better income equality--it reduces rebellion risk from the masses that have learned to count and know they outnumber the rich (see Luigi and the United CEO assassination). I would argue that Trump gaining a cult-like following is indicative that the ingredients are very much present in the U.S.--he got to that status essentially via marketing saying what people want to hear rather than facts/accomplishments, praying on desperation/anger not unlike how terrorist groups operate. No, I'm not saying Trump is leading a terror group--he is simply an example of seizing on desperation/anger to gain power/loyalty despite evidence indicating he'll act in a manner counter to their interests. But the target market and tactics to gain belief/loyalty are similar. It isn't all that different from televangelists either, for that matter.
 
Suburb Repairman said:
<snip>


This is where severe income inequality and barriers to economic opportunity make people very susceptible to radicalization (in a variety of flavors). It is why the rich benefit from better income equality--it reduces rebellion risk from the masses that have learned to count and know they outnumber the rich (see Luigi and the United CEO assassination). I would argue that Trump gaining a cult-like following is indicative that the ingredients are very much present in the U.S.--he got to that status essentially via marketing saying what people want to hear rather than facts/accomplishments, praying on desperation/anger not unlike how terrorist groups operate. No, I'm not saying Trump is leading a terror group--he is simply an example of seizing on desperation/anger to gain power/loyalty despite evidence indicating he'll act in a manner counter to their interests. But the target market and tactics to gain belief/loyalty are similar. It isn't all that different from televangelists either, for that matter.
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Mussolini redux.
 
btrage said:
Reports that both suspects are Army veterans that may have served at the same base.
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From what I've read, they were never on Fort Bragg at the same time, with the NOLA driver having been stationed there years before the LV driver. It's probably worth noting too that Fort Bragg is massive in terms of number of personnel - IIRC it has like 40,000 more personnel and families stationed there plus civilians working there, than the next largest Army base... from soldiers I've met and what I've read over the years, basically every soldier cycles through Bragg at some point during their service. Heck, I never served a day in the Army but looking back and adding up some time in my mind, I probably spent about 3 months worth of my service at Bragg over various stints - It's only about 90 minutes west of Lejeune and we often utilized some of their training areas for combined arms exercises.

As an aside, I used to always think they purposefully gave Marines and sailors who came there TAD the worst possible barracks and squadbays but then I saw some of the housing for the permanent personnel and it was just as sh!tty. This was 25 years ago so I have to imagine things have improved somewhat since then but Fort Bragg and Fayetteville, NC are the absolute armpit of the military holdings on the East Coast.
 
WSU MUP Student said:
From what I've read, they were never on Fort Bragg at the same time, with the NOLA driver having been stationed there years before the LV driver. It's probably worth noting too that Fort Bragg is massive in terms of number of personnel - IIRC it has like 40,000 more personnel and families stationed there plus civilians working there, than the next largest Army base... from soldiers I've met and what I've read over the years, basically every soldier cycles through Bragg at some point during their service. Heck, I never served a day in the Army but looking back and adding up some time in my mind, I probably spent about 3 months worth of my service at Bragg over various stints - It's only about 90 minutes west of Lejeune and we often utilized some of their training areas for combined arms exercises.

As an aside, I used to always think they purposefully gave Marines and sailors who came there TAD the worst possible barracks and squadbays but then I saw some of the housing for the permanent personnel and it was just as sh!tty. This was 25 years ago so I have to imagine things have improved somewhat since then but Fort Bragg and Fayetteville, NC are the absolute armpit of the military holdings on the East Coast.
Click to expand...

It was always on the news about one problem or another and some of the conditions of the barracks are still deplorable from the way the news media makes it sound.

In regards to the LV... do you think he didn't like Trump, or Musk more. The vehicle of choice and the location cannot be a coincidence.
 
“It’s clear that the true problems of our nation are much deeper — deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation and recession. ... All the legislation in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with America. ... It is a crisis of confidence.”

Jimmy Carter
 
michaelskis said:
Do you think Harris will handle presiding over the certification of the election results as well as Al Gore did? He gave a master class on professionalism and character that day.
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In other news, as a joint Canadian/US, I can say it looks like a certain PM from a country north of us will be resigning today. Wow, who saw that coming? :)
 
jumbach said:
Nope, no SS deduction at this job or at other public jobs I’ve had.
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I know the Council of Governments didn't pay into SS, & that's hurting a friend of mine right now.

The idea was they could invest at a better rate of return (& many of the higher ups did just that).

Every city & county I've worked for took out SS.
 
I know a lot of clergy that opted out of Social Security and it wound up hurting them when they tried to retire.

I always wonder how much Social Security I'll get by that time, but I figure I'm better positioned than many. Unless our state pension takes a nose dive. My wife and I are both on the same program. While we have other investments, it would get messy.
 
bureaucrat#3 said:
I didn't realize some people with pensions didn't also pay social security. I've been in our state retirement for 20 years, but always had to pay for SS as well.
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Yep. In the State of Ohio if you're part of the OPERS system you don't pay into SS.

I didn't for the 11 years I worked for 3 munis in the state.

@Hink
 
mendelman said:
Yep. In the State of Ohio if you're part of the OPERS system you don't pay into SS.

I didn't for the 11 years I worked for 3 munis in the state.

@Hink
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Yep, this will impact a lot of people in Ohio. It will also make getting people into government in Ohio easier. As of now, there is a formula for how much you give up of your SS earnings by being in OPERS. For some people who worked 10 or 15 years in the private sector, it just makes no sense to come into the government in Ohio and lose all of your SS benefits.
 
In the NH Retirement System it was only Group 2, public safety (Police & Fire) employees, that were not in SS. Group 1 employees (pretty much everyone else in state and local government) are/have been getting both the pension and SS.
 
Interesting. In Iowa you get IPERS but don't get out of paying into SS.

Anyway, I have the privilege of not having to watch or care about the news beyond a headline scan here and there. I am not going to get sucked into the ridiculous daily things Trump says. Wait until I retire and go full on Obi-Wan Kenobi.
 
Key strategies to look forward to:

1) Potential military or economic coercion to acquire Greenland and control of the Panama Canal
2) Rename Gulf of Mexico as Gulf of America
3) Canada becoming part of the USA

And in other news, company chaired by Jeff Bezos is paying 40 million to Melania Trump create a documentary about her life for Amazon Prime.

s reactions jim GIF
 
dw914er said:
Key strategies to look forward to:

1) Potential military or economic coercion to acquire Greenland and control of the Panama Canal
2) Rename Gulf of Mexico as Gulf of America
3) Canada becoming part of the USA

And in other news, company chaired by Jeff Bezos is paying 40 million to Melania Trump create a documentary about her life for Amazon Prime.

s reactions jim GIF
Click to expand...
Never going to happen. Trump blowing hot air.
 
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