The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

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Flea
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by Flea »

Zip City wrote:
Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:37 am
DeSantis has gone full-Fascist and no one in Florida is fighting back. I can't wrap my brain around it.
Mass age related cognitive dysfumction
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by Swamp »

Zip City wrote:
Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:37 am
DeSantis has gone full-Fascist and no one in Florida is fighting back. I can't wrap my brain around it.
Try living here and trying to figure that shit out.
and the rest as they say is uh er uh, well somebodies history somewhere?

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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by Zip City »

Swamp wrote:
Sun Feb 26, 2023 8:19 am
Zip City wrote:
Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:37 am
DeSantis has gone full-Fascist and no one in Florida is fighting back. I can't wrap my brain around it.
Try living here and trying to figure that shit out.
My parents live there and I wish they didn't
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

From Teresa Hanafin's column in today's Boston Globe:

"Why do people who live in the American South have such lousy credit scores? Race isn't the defining factor. Poverty doesn't pay [sic] much of a role, either.

It's medical debt.

But why the South? Yes, that region of the country is pretty unhealthy. But there are several Northeastern states whose residents struggle with chronic health conditions yet have good credit.

It's Medicaid. Or rather, the lack thereof. It's Republican governors' refusal to expand Medicaid to cover more poor people.

From the story: In states that immediately expanded Medicaid, medical debt was slashed nearly in half between 2013 and 2020. In states that didn't expand Medicaid, medical debt fell just 10 percent, the JAMA team found. And in low-income communities in those states, debt levels actually rose."

I just can't comprehend this.
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by TDB »

Thanks to the PREVIOUS Republican scumfuck of a Governor, Rick Scott, Florida is one of those states who suffer due to their GREED. Rick Scott deserves to suffer before his death.

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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

What used to be is gone and what ought to be ought not to be so hard

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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

Time to update the old maxim:

Those that can, do; those that can't become Republican members of Congress.

Totally apart from any considerations of policy or ideology, the sheer ineptitude is staggering.
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by pearlbeer »

beantownbubba wrote:
Thu Mar 02, 2023 10:29 am
Time to update the old maxim:

Those that can, do; those that can't become Republican members of Congress.

Totally apart from any considerations of policy or ideology, the sheer ineptitude is staggering.
Those that can, do; those that WON'T become Republican members of Congress.
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

pearlbeer wrote:
Thu Mar 02, 2023 11:25 am
beantownbubba wrote:
Thu Mar 02, 2023 10:29 am
Time to update the old maxim:

Those that can, do; those that can't become Republican members of Congress.

Totally apart from any considerations of policy or ideology, the sheer ineptitude is staggering.
Those that can, do; those that WON'T become Republican members of Congress.
Just because I'm happy to talk about just about anything, let's consider "Won't" v. "Can't." Now that you mention it, I think there is evidence of both varieties. Some "won't" as a matter of ideology, i.e. government needs to do less with less. While there is no need for that philosophy to get in the way of the crucial aspects of governing, at least their behavior is grounded in something (at least some of the time).

But there are also those who are just incompetent. This may be a matter of lack of experience in government, lack of experience in life, lack of caring about doing the right things the right way, an intelligence deficiency (God bless the memory of Roman Hruska although that's somewhat unfair to him in comparison to the modern jokers) or otherwise. There have no doubt always been incompetent congresspeople, including without limitations the alcoholics and otherwise impaired, but I think what's different is that in the old days those folks kept themselves to themselves and voted as they were told to, either by leadership or whichever special interests they were beholden to. These days they demand/hog the spotlight and call attention to their incompetence.
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by pearlbeer »

beantownbubba wrote:
Thu Mar 02, 2023 12:21 pm
pearlbeer wrote:
Thu Mar 02, 2023 11:25 am
beantownbubba wrote:
Thu Mar 02, 2023 10:29 am
Time to update the old maxim:

Those that can, do; those that can't become Republican members of Congress.

Totally apart from any considerations of policy or ideology, the sheer ineptitude is staggering.
Those that can, do; those that WON'T become Republican members of Congress.
Just because I'm happy to talk about just about anything, let's consider "Won't" v. "Can't." Now that you mention it, I think there is evidence of both varieties. Some "won't" as a matter of ideology, i.e. government needs to do less with less. While there is no need for that philosophy to get in the way of the crucial aspects of governing, at least their behavior is grounded in something (at least some of the time).

But there are also those who are just incompetent. This may be a matter of lack of experience in government, lack of experience in life, lack of caring about doing the right things the right way, an intelligence deficiency (God bless the memory of Roman Hruska although that's somewhat unfair to him in comparison to the modern jokers) or otherwise. There have no doubt always been incompetent congresspeople, including without limitations the alcoholics and otherwise impaired, but I think what's different is that in the old days those folks kept themselves to themselves and voted as they were told to, either by leadership or whichever special interests they were beholden to. These days they demand/hog the spotlight and call attention to their incompetence.
Totally agree, there are some very dim lights up at the Capitol, but, I think that saying they are inept gives them an excuse for not acting. Many that would (should) be labeled inept also have no shame, so calling them deficient not only does not hurt their feelings, but is often worn as a badge of honor. Their ACTIONS (the 'wont' here) are what they can't retreat from. Sure, maybe a MOC is too stupid to understand the debt ceiling, but they really see the inaction as a way to cause harm to 'the others'...own the libs...whatever.

Once again, btb, we are on the same page here...I'm just wary of calling arsonists "too dumb to not know to play with matches"

but...you know....Jewish Space Lasers...you've got a point :)
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

pearlbeer wrote:
Fri Mar 03, 2023 1:42 pm
I'm just wary of calling arsonists "too dumb to not know to play with matches"
A good rule of thumb. And I should be clear that when I say "incompetent" I do not mean "incapable of causing harm and making mischief." I do not underestimate them in that way.
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

What's that you say? You're hearing rumors of a possible bailout of SVB? I'm shocked! Shocked!

Turning petty because why not, the SVB people were never as arrogant and obnoxious as the GECC folks, but that would be impossible and the SVB people were more than cocky, arrogant and obnoxious enough for my taste. Fuck 'em, don't bail 'em out. Especially since the word I'm hearing is that this crisis was largely self inflicted by bad management decisions. IMHO that is anything but a bailout worthy situation. Too bad nobody asked for my opinion.

As for the VC's getting their collective tit caught in the wringer, guess what? They weren't the smartest guys in the room after all. Another shock,w/ 2 exclamation points this time !! Perhaps a different kind of sheep, but sheep nonetheless.

And btw, whatever happened to the government stress tests for banks? Weren't those supposed to end this nonsense once and for all?
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by Zip City »

Bailing out banks: 'MERICA!!!

Forgiving student loans: SOSHULISM!!
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by brettac1 »

Do you ever get tired of singin' songs
Like all your pain is just another fuckin' sing along?

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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

Yeah, even back in the day we had a name for this: Lemon socialism, i.e., let's socialize all the money losing entities and all the mistakes we've made but let's privatize all the profit making ones including the ones where we did nothing but be in the right place at the right time, thus proving our genius. Just as there are no athiests in foxholes, there are no capitalists in a financial crisis. Which is why nobody should listen to them at any time.
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

beantownbubba wrote:
Sun Mar 12, 2023 3:19 pm
And btw, whatever happened to the government stress tests for banks? Weren't those supposed to end this nonsense once and for all?
Whoops, at the behest of mid-sized banks and their lobbyists, Congress eliminated stress tests for mid-sized banks like SVB in 2018. Because, you know, we know what we're doing and the government doesn't, blah blah blah.

Some wisdom is eternal, like you can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig. Just like you can say it's not a bailout but when you've saved banks from themselves by giving them money to cover for their mistakes, it's a bailout by a much longer name. And follow the logic: taxpayers aren't paying for the bailout because it's banks themselves that will ultimately repay the Fed/FDIC for the funds they're using to bailout the 2 (so far) banks. Because of course banks don't pass their costs on to their customers. It's true that not every taxpayer has a bank or credit card or mortgage or car loan account but boy a whole hell of a lot of 'em do.
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by brettac1 »

Barney Frank having his name on banking "regulation" legislature and then turning around to make seven figures lobbying on behalf of banks is a great example of our system at work.
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

brettac1 wrote:
Mon Mar 13, 2023 5:54 pm
Barney Frank having his name on banking "regulation" legislature and then turning around to make seven figures lobbying on behalf of banks is a great example of our system at work.
Plus the pension, the free healthcare, etc etc. My congressman at "work."
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

I'm tired of saying "every time you think we've hit bottom they go even lower" but they've done it again. And I'm really depressed about it. How is it possible to have a reasoned discussion with, or even have respect for, people in positions of responsibility saying that SVB failed because of its woke policies, or Donald Trump saying that Jan6th was Pence's fault because if he had done what Trump wanted nobody would have rioted?

The latter is just the Alice in Wonderland, up is down kind of stuff that Trump is known for, just applied in an incredibly outrageous way, an extreme version of Trumpian chutzpah.

But the former, spouted by the likes of all but declared presidential candidate Ron DeSantis and de facto leader of the House majority MGT is stunningly stupid, requires the complete rejection of reality, and doesn't even make sense on its own terms. You can't even get there except by ignoring truth, logic and reality. It's bad enough when politicians of all stripes mouth their required partisan platitudes before the dust even settles on any particular event, but in this case the facts are actually well known, well understood and provide a thorough explanation of what happened. I myself have read the same basic explanation in at least five different publications.

There's nothing left to say, not even a basis for a conversation and no reason I can find for even a glimmer of optimism.
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

I confess that I use the phrase "mind-boggling" too much, to the point where it perhaps has lost some impact. But I can't help it; mind-boggling things keep happening. This TX anti-abortion case is the latest.

There are a couple of serious issues here including "forum shopping" (i.e. the ability of a plaintiff to choose a sympathetic judge) and the super serious question of whether any district court judge should be able to issue rulings w/ nationwide effect (both of these concerns apply to cases brought by all points on the political spectrum).

But the alleged substantive complaint, that the FDA didn't adequately test a product that has been safely and effectively used by doctors for over 20 years, is just crazy. As far as I can tell, the plaintiffs don't even allege that the FDA made a substantive mistake in approving the drug (i.e. I don't think they allege that the pill is unsafe or ineffective). Not only has the pill been demonstrated to be safe and effective in, you know, actual real life, It is impossible to see how the actual plaintiffs in this case are harmed (just don't prescribe or take the damn pill) and it is totally nuts to complain about a procedural violation over 20 years old (if indeed there was a violation). A victory for the plaintiffs might well call into question virtually every regulatory ruling ever made, the older "the better."

As far as I can see, this case doesn't even pass the straight face test, yet it is this close to completely changing the medical landscape and the betting is that it will. Just crazy and a real blow to the judicial system if it goes that way.
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

According to The Trace, which bills itself as the only newsroom covering gun violence full time, shootings of children nearly doubled during the pandemic and Black children were 100 times more likely to be shot than white children during the first 18 months of the pandemic. The data comes from research published in the widely respected Journal of the American Medical Association.

I always thought that the best point made in the many posts by our friend from colorado (screenname a victim of my advancing age) was that there wasn't enough consideration given to the potential impacts on all the kids forced to stay at home, many in less than desirable situations. Looks like he nailed that one.

One hundred times!!!
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by tinnitus photography »

the other dark side of that coin is no ball tanning.

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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

They are talking about the single greatest work of art I have ever experienced and I believe I have experienced at least my fair share of them. :shock: :shock: :cry: :cry:

"Florida parent" is the new "Florida man." That is not a good thing.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national ... story.html
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

This David thing is bothering me even more today than yesterday [cue Spiral Staircase single]. The definition of pornography:

"printed or visual material containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activity, intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings."

One might argue that anyone who thinks the David meets that definition is seriously depraved and sick in the head, but I would never say that. So let's just say that if you think the David is pornographic, it says more about you than it does about the sculpture.
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by pearlbeer »

“I would say we’ve gone about as far as we can go,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), a key negotiator of a bipartisan gun control package that passed last year.

Fuck these fucking fuckers. More kids dead from military weapons and these assholes give up and focus on Drag Shows. Looks like we moved from "thoughts and prayers" to " ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ". It's embarrassing both from the perspective as an American and a Human.

(True story - I once almost got thrown off a plane and maybe rolled by the Secret Service for yelling at John Cornyn. I got right up in that old fucker's face and told him to do his goddamn job...the subject? gun control...it was right after the Walmart shooting.)
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by dime in the gutter »

pearlbeer wrote:
Wed Mar 29, 2023 12:45 pm
...it was right after the Walmart shooting.)
which one?

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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by pearlbeer »

dime in the gutter wrote:
Wed Mar 29, 2023 7:53 pm
pearlbeer wrote:
Wed Mar 29, 2023 12:45 pm
...it was right after the Walmart shooting.)
which one?
sigh...good point. El Paso, 8/3/19, 23 dead
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

dime in the gutter wrote:
Wed Mar 29, 2023 7:53 pm
pearlbeer wrote:
Wed Mar 29, 2023 12:45 pm
...it was right after the Walmart shooting.)
which one?
Ouch. Which is not a criticism.
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

This is by no means the lede or even a particularly important part of the Trump indictment story but it's still rather surprising. After all that has been said and done, Trump and his team were caught off guard by the indictment. Say what? How is that possible? Does it speak to lack of organization, lack of intelligence, wishful thinking at a fantasist level, lack of a grasp on reality or what? I laughed when I saw this headline and still can't believe it after reading the article. Note that my comment holds whether Trump was or wasn't actually indicted. If he was, as he now has been, how is it possible to be surprised by that and unprepared for it?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics ... 00007F7AB9
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Re: The Neverending Thread for Political Shit

Post by beantownbubba »

Speaking of laughable (and not in a good way) news, check this out. Florida Man, in this case Ron DeSantis, outmaneuvered by a mouse.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/busi ... 029039208a
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