October 11, 2019

Going to set the same thing up again? Is there any way we can evolve?

https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/11/mitt-romney-2020-plan-to-help-republicans-044221

From the article, which is not long, but has some other great points:

“Romney is shrugging it all off. On Thursday evening, he hosted a fundraiser for the Utah Republican Party, an organization that's been plagued by financial and organizational troubles. Within the state’s political circles, the event was considered particularly noteworthy because conservatives formerly involved in the state GOP apparatus vocally opposed Romney’s 2018 Senate bid”

Elsewhere they opine to former donors “the water is warm, jump back in”, meaning they expect this political turbulence to blow over pretty damned quickly, and the establishment republicans are getting ready to go back to business as usual.

Looks to me from what’s on the plate with the Democratic hopefuls that that’s probably what we can expect from them too. Too bad there isnt a real firebrand in there like AOC.

October 3, 2019

My question is "Will it backfire on us again?"

In the run-up to the 2016 elections, one of the things that was remarked upon was all of the free publicity that trump was getting from the networks because of his celebrity status and the can’t-look-away-from-the-train-wreck-debacle that he has embraced in every public appearance. Well, here we go again. Only this time I notice that CNN at least is being much more aggressive in the fact checking department, going so far as to split screen graphics with debunking bulletpoints, and going directly to evidence (such as the IG today saying the whistleblower complaint does align with the transcripts, despite what trump said this morning) when they have it that can prove the blatant bullshit that is constantly mouth-sharting out of trumps hole.

Here’s my problem with this.

First and foremost, we know that the 20-25% who identify as trump supporters don’t care, don’t want to know, and will vote for him no matter what. This is a given, and you can’t change it.

So I wonder about the remainder. I imagine there’s a 20-25% group who would not vote for trump no matter what. Not even if aliens invaded and we needed to rally behind somebody. I’m in that group. But the truth is that this is where we have been since 1776. There is a core with one worldview, and a core with an opposite worldview. Back then, key individuals managed to bury their differences long enough to provide us with the framework of the constitution, which although it’s shown some cracks over the years, is a pretty amazing accomplishment.

There are facts about human nature that we cannot escape. Goebbels knew a great deal about it, and how if you repeat a lie often enough it will outlast the truth, and the trump campaign has spent the last 3 years laying the groundwork of “fake news” so they have a ready made exit strategy. Not that it’s true, not that there’s any “facts” there, and never mind that CNN now is fighting back, there’s a portion of the population for whom the damage has been done, and is continuing, with respect to having sown the seeds of doubt in them about the news media. And these are not trumps base, these are above and beyond that.

If 40-50% of us are already decided, that’s means that the results of this upcoming election lie with the remaining 50-60%. I’m spitballing here, and this portion of my post is purely conjecture, which I freely admit, but of that remaining 50-60% it would make sense to me, that 20-25% is also divided to one side or the other, but not for the same reasons, not as dedicated, and open to voting one way or the other, although their inherent lean is predetermined by culture, geography, etc. (Although one would think the last 3 years were compelling enough, this is about the propaganda that the trumps use, and the thoughtless advocacy that free publicity ends up being in that situation) That means that really, this election will be decided by some 10% of the remaining voters.

So I like what CNN is doing with fact checking, I like their introduction of ads with the apple/banana touting their dedication, but I wonder if it’s not going to end up with the same result as last time? Not that they are going to avoid covering him, that too would be irresponsible, but I don’t see any clear solution here.

July 15, 2019

For all those waiting on impeachment. For all those poo-poohing the condemning resolutions.

As always, there are many different tribes. I note that even here on DU, faction (sorry Tom, we’ve all succumbed to faction here in the future), runs rampant. I’ve also noted in the past that the conservatives always were better at marching in lockstep than the liberals, and in the end, it’s why we are facing a SCOTUS that will hold progress moribund for decades, amongst other challenges.

But here’s the thing. Condemning resolutions really aren’t going to do a damned thing. Going on record blah, blah, blah. Really? Neither is impeachment. Because no way will the senate vote to remove. It’s an exercise in futility, which won’t even really end up making you feel better.

Lest we forget, these are the morons that in the 1980s, in response to NASA’s alarm that climate change may be something we need to worry about, called Michael Crichton to respond, not any climate scientist with any standing, and in the ensuing 30 years, what exactly have they accomplished concretely about it? Not one damned thing really. I only trot this out as one example, one can easily find many more.

All of you folks who are saying “so and so has access to classified info, I don’t, I can’t make an accurate assessment”, well, they’re convinced that they won’t ever have to “show us the money”, and that’s the one thing that they’re terrified of doing, because if they do we will see that their job, their only job, is to cover for one another.

I really think we have entered a period of time where I’m just hoping the government will do as little damage as possible. I end up seeing nothing but attempts to prop up the status quo.

November 25, 2014

Really tired of the same old ads.

Anybody else?

I hate the Azaelia Banks ads here on DU because I hate rap.

I hate mousy Flo in the Progressive commercials.

I hate that fucking stupid song in the ebay commercials.

These are three of my personal "most hated" list. Overall when I stop to think that all of the fact that everyone in the commercial is a paid actor, I start hating it then, and it spirals upward exponentially from there.

November 16, 2014

Take away one win for the republicans

I see with some satisfaction that Parnell conceded to Walker. Good, there is still some hope for a Democratic win in the senate, although Begich would have to get nearly 60% of the absentee votes cast. He's come from 3000 back to beat Stevens in 2008, so don't close the door on this one yet.

November 5, 2014

Alaskans you're going to need to smoke tons of grass

To survive the "senator for life" moniker that seems to come with every Republican election to a Senate seat. Good thing you at least had the sense to legalize it.

So it's a double edged sword for Sullivan, he got elected but he can't lock up people any more for sparking up. So the repeal effort for prop two is probably underway right now in the Sullivan offices, people having fun? Can't have that, it sticks in a republicans craw!

How the hell did Walker squeak out a win over Parnell though?

November 5, 2014

Hey if you feel shitty now...

Tune in to any right wing hate radio tomorrow, and I guarantee you can feel even worse.

Any gluttons for punishment out there?

October 23, 2014

CNN question

Did something happen in the last week or so where EVERY topic on the CNN page has a video that automatically begins playing when you click on the story? I've pointedly ignored the stories in the past that have the camera by them as I have a crappy internet connection, and just in general would prefer to read my articles rather than have them read to me.

Anyone else notice this or am I just the lucky one?

May 24, 2014

I've been looking for a forum like this for a long time.

Hello everyone,

I've only recently found this place and I really enjoy it. It's nice to be somewhere online where the truly demented don't seem to dominate every forum. I'd reached a point where I ignored all the user commentary because it was so vitriolic. I've only been here a few days, and I've already noted there are some of you with whom I am simpatico.

Peace,

May 24, 2014

Concisely says it all

THE RISE OF THE TEA PARTY HAS BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR AMERICA BECAUSE YOU:

Portray all government mismanagement as a cover up conspiracy against the people

Believe that no government is good government

Base your philosophy on no compromising although the success of our republic has been based on this ideal for more than two centuries

Falsely portray that all government programs undercut your liberty

Have equally damaged both the Republican and Democratic party through deceitful propaganda

Perpetuate the lie that the size of government is increasing, even though we have 600K less government employees today than in 2008 (source: U.S. Labor Department)

Preach anarchy by spreading paranoia that our own government is our greatest enemy which perpetuates unwarranted public mistrust in government

Believe that all liberal policies are unconstitutional

Very arrogantly think you represent the founding fathers and understand the constitution more than anyone else

Perpetuate the fallacy that all federal regulations hinder your freedom

Demonize public service, a once proud career for Americans