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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#141 » by shakendfries » Fri Dec 2, 2016 6:57 pm

tonman wrote:It's not about awareness. It's about diversity. Why do you think urban centers are more liberal? Just cause more minorities live thereand vote? You have to define what you think you are. What is that? What makes America great isn't it's economy isn't it's military it's it's people and their freedom. When we start splitting America apart whether it be race sex or sexual orientation or religion we are bringing down what makes America great. Why do you think Russia wants trump America? Ask yourself what is great about America. It would be interesting to see what others believe.


I think you're conflating a lot of issues, and you're downplaying how tremendously close electing Clinton would bring America to a nuclear war. His warning at the World Economic Forum is genuine, and points out a lot of American aggression that I'm sure other powerful nations may also quietly disagree with



Even Noam Chomsky confirms the threat of war with Clinton was far more serious than the media portrayed

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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#142 » by MrDollarBills » Fri Dec 2, 2016 7:00 pm

tonman wrote:It's not about awareness. It's about diversity. Why do you think urban centers are more liberal? Just cause more minorities live thereand vote? You have to define what you think you are. What is that? What makes America great isn't it's economy isn't it's military it's it's people and their freedom. When we start splitting America apart whether it be race sex or sexual orientation or religion we are bringing down what makes America great. Why do you think Russia wants trump America? Ask yourself what is great about America. It would be interesting to see what others believe.



Putin wants a useful idiot since Trump has several conflicts of interests around the globe, including with the Russian mob oligarchs.

I don't think Trump split this country apart. People give him way too much credit. He just exposed (and manipulated for his own gain) how split this country has always been and shined a light on the millions of cockroaches in this country who subscribe to white nationalism, white supremacy, and neo nazism. This first started happening back in late 2008 when Obama won, they claim Obama was divisive but in reality the ascent of a non white male as a president was threatening to what would go on to become the"alt right" neo nazis. That Dave Chappelle skit where he and Chris Rock are sitting there amused at the dismay of white liberals finally coming to a realization that most americans of color have known for decades about our country was brutal honesty in the form of comedy. This country was founded on the tenets of white supremacy, and no matter how far we've come from the days of making blacks pee in different bathrooms, that sickness still exists and is still being handed down from generation to generation all over the country.

Trump's coded manner of speech..."Make America Great Again" is literally "Make America for Whites Again". When Trump talks about helping "Americans", his supporters interpret that as helping White Americans and catering the country's policies to cater to their needs as we've seen the middle class/lower middle class/working poor decline over the last 16 years.

In reality, Trump could give two hoots about any of us, black, white, asian, latino, indian, etc. He never thought he'd get this far and now that he has he's going to line his pockets with taxpayer dollars and use his position as a windfall for his business ventures. He is going to betray his constituency (majority of rural/rust belt uneducated, non wealthy white americans) in a manner that they can't comprehend right now, from his tax plan, to the threat of defunding the public school system, tanking the economy on behalf of wall street, etc etc.

It wouldn't shock me to see a rise in domestic terrorism within the next 4 years from far right radicals who are going to wake up one day and openly wonder why Herr Trump hasn't kicked out the illegals, the blacks, the gays, and the jews. Why hasn't he built that wall? why is it harder to feed your children as taxes could very well rise on people with families? Why aren't the jobs coming back? There will be a ton of disillusioned people. Add that with the easy access to assault rifles and explosives in those areas...sheesh. And guess what? Trump's not going to hesitate to have the feds infiltrate their groups and curb stomp them.
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#143 » by shakendfries » Fri Dec 2, 2016 7:05 pm

tonman wrote:It's not about awareness. It's about diversity. Why do you think urban centers are more liberal? Just cause more minorities live thereand vote? You have to define what you think you are. What is that? What makes America great isn't it's economy isn't it's military it's it's people and their freedom. When we start splitting America apart whether it be race sex or sexual orientation or religion we are bringing down what makes America great. Why do you think Russia wants trump America? Ask yourself what is great about America. It would be interesting to see what others believe.


Furthermore, check out this speech Bernie gave to HS students in 2003 (particularly what he says starting at 35:20)



I find it ineresting that the Democratic playbook of identity politics has become far more divisive today than the Trump Republican playbook of lumping the middle class together (albeit, while casting aspersions towards immigrants - who aren't voting anyway).
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#144 » by Pistolpete1947 » Fri Dec 2, 2016 7:07 pm

MrDollarBills wrote:
tonman wrote:It's not about awareness. It's about diversity. Why do you think urban centers are more liberal? Just cause more minorities live thereand vote? You have to define what you think you are. What is that? What makes America great isn't it's economy isn't it's military it's it's people and their freedom. When we start splitting America apart whether it be race sex or sexual orientation or religion we are bringing down what makes America great. Why do you think Russia wants trump America? Ask yourself what is great about America. It would be interesting to see what others believe.



Putin wants a useful idiot since Trump has several conflicts of interests around the globe, including with the Russian mob oligarchs.

I don't think Trump split this country apart. People give him way too much credit. He just exposed (and manipulated for his own gain) how split this country has always been and shined a light on the millions of cockroaches in this country who subscribe to white nationalism, white supremacy, and neo nazism. This first started happening back in late 2008 when Obama won, they claim Obama was divisive but in reality the ascent of a non white male as a president was threatening to what would go on to become the"alt right" neo nazis. That Dave Chappelle skit where he and Chris Rock are sitting there amused at the dismay of white liberals coming to a realization that most americans of color have known for decades about our country was brutal honesty in the form of comedy.

Trump's coded manner of speech..."Make America Great Again" is literally "Make America for Whites Again". When Trump talks about helping "Americans", his supporters interpret that as helping White Americans and catering the country's policies to cater to their needs as we've seen the middle class decline over the last 16 years.

In reality, Trump could give two hoots about any of us, black, white, asian, latino, indian, etc. He never thought he'd get this far and now that he has he's going to line his pockets with taxpayer dollars and use his position as a windfall for his business ventures. He is going to betray his constituency (majority of rural/rust belt uneducated, non wealthy white americans) in a manner that they can't comprehend right now, from his tax plan, to the threat of defunding the public school system, tanking the economy on behalf of wall street, etc etc.

It wouldn't shock me to see a rise in domestic terrorism within the next 4 years from far right radicals who are going to wake up one day and openly wonder why Herr Trump hasn't kicked out the illegals, the blacks, the gays, and the jews. Why hasn't he built that wall? why is it harder to feed your children as taxes could very well rise on people with families? Why aren't the jobs coming back? There will be a ton of disillusioned people. Add that with the easy access to assault rifles and explosives in those areas...sheesh. And guess what? Trump's not going to hesitate to have the feds infiltrate their groups and curb stomp them.


Well written. Agree 100%. Scary times for America as the man has a personality disorder and is only out for himself.
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#145 » by shakendfries » Fri Dec 2, 2016 7:11 pm

MrDollarBills wrote:
tonman wrote:It's not about awareness. It's about diversity. Why do you think urban centers are more liberal? Just cause more minorities live thereand vote? You have to define what you think you are. What is that? What makes America great isn't it's economy isn't it's military it's it's people and their freedom. When we start splitting America apart whether it be race sex or sexual orientation or religion we are bringing down what makes America great. Why do you think Russia wants trump America? Ask yourself what is great about America. It would be interesting to see what others believe.



Putin wants a useful idiot since Trump has several conflicts of interests around the globe, including with the Russian mob oligarchs.

I don't think Trump split this country apart. People give him way too much credit. He just exposed (and manipulated for his own gain) how split this country has always been and shined a light on the millions of cockroaches in this country who subscribe to white nationalism, white supremacy, and neo nazism. This first started happening back in late 2008 when Obama won, they claim Obama was divisive but in reality the ascent of a non white male as a president was threatening to what would go on to become the"alt right" neo nazis. That Dave Chappelle skit where he and Chris Rock are sitting there amused at the dismay of white liberals finally coming to a realization that most americans of color have known for decades about our country was brutal honesty in the form of comedy. This country was founded on the tenets of white supremacy, and no matter how far we've come from the days of making blacks pee in different bathrooms, that sickness still exists and is still being handed down from generation to generation all over the country.

Trump's coded manner of speech..."Make America Great Again" is literally "Make America for Whites Again". When Trump talks about helping "Americans", his supporters interpret that as helping White Americans and catering the country's policies to cater to their needs as we've seen the middle class/lower middle class/working poor decline over the last 16 years.

In reality, Trump could give two hoots about any of us, black, white, asian, latino, indian, etc. He never thought he'd get this far and now that he has he's going to line his pockets with taxpayer dollars and use his position as a windfall for his business ventures. He is going to betray his constituency (majority of rural/rust belt uneducated, non wealthy white americans) in a manner that they can't comprehend right now, from his tax plan, to the threat of defunding the public school system, tanking the economy on behalf of wall street, etc etc.

It wouldn't shock me to see a rise in domestic terrorism within the next 4 years from far right radicals who are going to wake up one day and openly wonder why Herr Trump hasn't kicked out the illegals, the blacks, the gays, and the jews. Why hasn't he built that wall? why is it harder to feed your children as taxes could very well rise on people with families? Why aren't the jobs coming back? There will be a ton of disillusioned people. Add that with the easy access to assault rifles and explosives in those areas...sheesh. And guess what? Trump's not going to hesitate to have the feds infiltrate their groups and curb stomp them.



I agree that Trump didn't care to pander and court any special interest votes since it wasn't going to win him the election regardless, but let's not sit here and paint the dems as some great champions of underrepresented groups. They're both full of bs and false promises. Obama's lip service and town hall meetings to black communities should only confirm that special interests have no political power or leverage whatsoever. 8 years later and not a damn thing has changed.
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#146 » by MrDollarBills » Fri Dec 2, 2016 7:17 pm

shakendfries wrote:
tonman wrote:It's not about awareness. It's about diversity. Why do you think urban centers are more liberal? Just cause more minorities live thereand vote? You have to define what you think you are. What is that? What makes America great isn't it's economy isn't it's military it's it's people and their freedom. When we start splitting America apart whether it be race sex or sexual orientation or religion we are bringing down what makes America great. Why do you think Russia wants trump America? Ask yourself what is great about America. It would be interesting to see what others believe.


Furthermore, check out this speech Bernie gave to HS students in 2003 (particularly what he says starting at 35:20)



I find it ineresting that the Democratic playbook of identity politics has become far more divisive today than the Trump Republican playbook of lumping the middle class together (albeit, while casting aspersions towards immigrants - who aren't voting anyway).


I think both sides play the identity politics game, its just that Democrats are more overt in (allegedly) wanting to help minorities/lgbt, while the Republicans play the dog whistling game.

I'm not sure if Trump lumped the middle class together based on his rhetoric (his manner of speech, while not blatantly racist, often referred to latino, black, and muslim americans as "they" and non PoC as "we" or "us"). The middle class in america is as diverse as ever, but he mainly appealed to people who, for all intents and purposes, aren't even really at the level of what can be considered "middle class", but the working poor. The people who he is lying to about bringing jobs back are rural/rust belt voters who aren't doing that great as compared to the middle class in the coastal areas of the country.
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#147 » by MrDollarBills » Fri Dec 2, 2016 7:28 pm

shakendfries wrote:
MrDollarBills wrote:
tonman wrote:It's not about awareness. It's about diversity. Why do you think urban centers are more liberal? Just cause more minorities live thereand vote? You have to define what you think you are. What is that? What makes America great isn't it's economy isn't it's military it's it's people and their freedom. When we start splitting America apart whether it be race sex or sexual orientation or religion we are bringing down what makes America great. Why do you think Russia wants trump America? Ask yourself what is great about America. It would be interesting to see what others believe.



Putin wants a useful idiot since Trump has several conflicts of interests around the globe, including with the Russian mob oligarchs.

I don't think Trump split this country apart. People give him way too much credit. He just exposed (and manipulated for his own gain) how split this country has always been and shined a light on the millions of cockroaches in this country who subscribe to white nationalism, white supremacy, and neo nazism. This first started happening back in late 2008 when Obama won, they claim Obama was divisive but in reality the ascent of a non white male as a president was threatening to what would go on to become the"alt right" neo nazis. That Dave Chappelle skit where he and Chris Rock are sitting there amused at the dismay of white liberals finally coming to a realization that most americans of color have known for decades about our country was brutal honesty in the form of comedy. This country was founded on the tenets of white supremacy, and no matter how far we've come from the days of making blacks pee in different bathrooms, that sickness still exists and is still being handed down from generation to generation all over the country.

Trump's coded manner of speech..."Make America Great Again" is literally "Make America for Whites Again". When Trump talks about helping "Americans", his supporters interpret that as helping White Americans and catering the country's policies to cater to their needs as we've seen the middle class/lower middle class/working poor decline over the last 16 years.

In reality, Trump could give two hoots about any of us, black, white, asian, latino, indian, etc. He never thought he'd get this far and now that he has he's going to line his pockets with taxpayer dollars and use his position as a windfall for his business ventures. He is going to betray his constituency (majority of rural/rust belt uneducated, non wealthy white americans) in a manner that they can't comprehend right now, from his tax plan, to the threat of defunding the public school system, tanking the economy on behalf of wall street, etc etc.

It wouldn't shock me to see a rise in domestic terrorism within the next 4 years from far right radicals who are going to wake up one day and openly wonder why Herr Trump hasn't kicked out the illegals, the blacks, the gays, and the jews. Why hasn't he built that wall? why is it harder to feed your children as taxes could very well rise on people with families? Why aren't the jobs coming back? There will be a ton of disillusioned people. Add that with the easy access to assault rifles and explosives in those areas...sheesh. And guess what? Trump's not going to hesitate to have the feds infiltrate their groups and curb stomp them.



I agree that Trump didn't care to pander and court any special interest votes since it wasn't going to win him the election regardless, but let's not sit here and paint the dems as some great champions of underrepresented groups. They're both full of bs and false promises. Obama's lip service and town hall meetings to black communities should only confirm that special interests have no political power or leverage whatsoever. 8 years later and not a damn thing has changed.


Oh, don't get me wrong. The Democrats are a pack of wall street frauds, who play a fake appeasement game whereas Republicans are more up front with what they want to do (Trump however, like the good old north eastern con artist that he is, is using Democrat tactics on the Republican base by promising to help the poor when he's about to shaft them...like Obama did, like Clinton would have, like GW and Bill Clinton before them).

Both sides manipulate under educated groups. Both sides try to stomp out non establishment forces within their ranks (the GOP appears to have failed, but looking at Trump's cabinet so far, maybe not). By what I said, that in no way is me giving them some kind of approval. They pander to black americans but they don't really make proactive moves towards helping to eliminate the cycle of poverty in urban inner city areas.

They also screwed themselves when they railroaded sanders, who like Trump, had a message that resonated with the "working class" but was just more inclusive with his methods. He polled better vs. Trump and I think would have beat him on the national stage, but thanks to The Clinton camp and DNC trash bags like Debbie Wasserman Schultz, we'll never know. It's wrong to claim that all Trump voters did so based on his dog whistling rhetoric, there were people that voted for Trump because they are seriously tired of the establishment politicians who talk enough to get elected and then do the bidding of the corporate lobbyists. There's a reason why Chuck Schumer tapped Bernie for a high party position in the Senate because he knows that the Establishment Democrats have been exposed just as bad as the Establishment Republicans.
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#148 » by shakendfries » Fri Dec 2, 2016 7:33 pm

MrDollarBills wrote:
shakendfries wrote:
tonman wrote:It's not about awareness. It's about diversity. Why do you think urban centers are more liberal? Just cause more minorities live thereand vote? You have to define what you think you are. What is that? What makes America great isn't it's economy isn't it's military it's it's people and their freedom. When we start splitting America apart whether it be race sex or sexual orientation or religion we are bringing down what makes America great. Why do you think Russia wants trump America? Ask yourself what is great about America. It would be interesting to see what others believe.


Furthermore, check out this speech Bernie gave to HS students in 2003 (particularly what he says starting at 35:20)



I find it ineresting that the Democratic playbook of identity politics has become far more divisive today than the Trump Republican playbook of lumping the middle class together (albeit, while casting aspersions towards immigrants - who aren't voting anyway).


I think both sides play the identity politics game, its just that Democrats are more overt in (allegedly) wanting to help minorities/lgbt, while the Republicans play the dog whistling game.

I'm not sure if Trump lumped the middle class together based on his rhetoric (his manner of speech, while not blatantly racist, often referred to latino, black, and muslim americans as "they" and non PoC as "we" or "us"). The middle class in america is as diverse as ever, but he mainly appealed to people who, for all intents and purposes, aren't even really at the level of what can be considered "middle class", but the working poor. The people who he is lying to about bringing jobs back are rural/rust belt voters who aren't doing that great as compared to the middle class in the coastal areas of the country.


Yes, a lot of Trump's inflammatory narratives "appealed" to a group that included nationalists. But, I wouldn't say Trump's campaign was inherently racist. Trump simply noted that if he runs as a republican there's simply no way in hell blacks gays latinos and other special interests are gonna vote for him whatsoever. But he said, **** it - the dems focus too much on pretending to do things for special interests and are ignoring the masses of middle class ppl across the country. Yeah dems might be hot in LA and NY and Metropolitan areas, but the vast majority of Americans don't care about special interest issues at all.



Trump is a guy who calls America for what it is. Its a country where fiscal power and political power are very closely intertwined. Case and point, he's known the Clintons personally for years. You can't be mad at him for exploiting his power and using his leverage, especially if the person he beat had 20 years of experience on him.

At the end of the day, you have to respect the fact that this guy won the highest position of power in the United States with no experience or skill besides his business acumen. And while he ostracized a lot of people in the process, it says a helluva lot more about the people he beat. Not only did Trump win, but the reps won congress and the senate as well. Trump going out and saying black communities haven't been any worse under the dems might sound dismissive and rub people the wrong way....but you can't deny its the truth.
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#149 » by shakendfries » Fri Dec 2, 2016 7:35 pm

MrDollarBills wrote:
shakendfries wrote:
MrDollarBills wrote:

Putin wants a useful idiot since Trump has several conflicts of interests around the globe, including with the Russian mob oligarchs.

I don't think Trump split this country apart. People give him way too much credit. He just exposed (and manipulated for his own gain) how split this country has always been and shined a light on the millions of cockroaches in this country who subscribe to white nationalism, white supremacy, and neo nazism. This first started happening back in late 2008 when Obama won, they claim Obama was divisive but in reality the ascent of a non white male as a president was threatening to what would go on to become the"alt right" neo nazis. That Dave Chappelle skit where he and Chris Rock are sitting there amused at the dismay of white liberals finally coming to a realization that most americans of color have known for decades about our country was brutal honesty in the form of comedy. This country was founded on the tenets of white supremacy, and no matter how far we've come from the days of making blacks pee in different bathrooms, that sickness still exists and is still being handed down from generation to generation all over the country.

Trump's coded manner of speech..."Make America Great Again" is literally "Make America for Whites Again". When Trump talks about helping "Americans", his supporters interpret that as helping White Americans and catering the country's policies to cater to their needs as we've seen the middle class/lower middle class/working poor decline over the last 16 years.

In reality, Trump could give two hoots about any of us, black, white, asian, latino, indian, etc. He never thought he'd get this far and now that he has he's going to line his pockets with taxpayer dollars and use his position as a windfall for his business ventures. He is going to betray his constituency (majority of rural/rust belt uneducated, non wealthy white americans) in a manner that they can't comprehend right now, from his tax plan, to the threat of defunding the public school system, tanking the economy on behalf of wall street, etc etc.

It wouldn't shock me to see a rise in domestic terrorism within the next 4 years from far right radicals who are going to wake up one day and openly wonder why Herr Trump hasn't kicked out the illegals, the blacks, the gays, and the jews. Why hasn't he built that wall? why is it harder to feed your children as taxes could very well rise on people with families? Why aren't the jobs coming back? There will be a ton of disillusioned people. Add that with the easy access to assault rifles and explosives in those areas...sheesh. And guess what? Trump's not going to hesitate to have the feds infiltrate their groups and curb stomp them.



I agree that Trump didn't care to pander and court any special interest votes since it wasn't going to win him the election regardless, but let's not sit here and paint the dems as some great champions of underrepresented groups. They're both full of bs and false promises. Obama's lip service and town hall meetings to black communities should only confirm that special interests have no political power or leverage whatsoever. 8 years later and not a damn thing has changed.


Oh, don't get me wrong. The Democrats are a pack of wall street frauds, who play a fake appeasement game whereas Republicans are more up front with what they want to do (Trump however, like the good old north eastern con artist that he is, is using Democrat tactics on the Republican base by promising to help the poor when he's about to shaft them...like Obama did, like Clinton would have, like GW and Bill Clinton before them).

Both sides manipulate under educated groups. Both sides try to stomp out non establishment forces within their ranks (the GOP appears to have failed, but looking at Trump's cabinet so far, maybe not). By what I said, that in no way is me giving them some kind of approval. They pander to black americans but they don't really make proactive moves towards helping to eliminate the cycle of poverty in urban inner city areas.

They also screwed themselves when they railroaded sanders, who like Trump, had a message that resonated with the "working class" but was just more inclusive with his methods. He polled better vs. Trump and I think would have beat him on the national stage, but thanks to The Clinton camp and DNC trash bags like Debbie Wasserman Schultz, we'll never know. It's wrong to claim that all Trump voters did so based on his dog whistling rhetoric, there were people that voted for Trump because they are seriously tired of the establishment politicians who talk enough to get elected and then do the bidding of the corporate lobbyists. There's a reason why Chuck Schumer tapped Bernie for a high party position in the Senate because he knows that the Establishment Democrats have been exposed just as bad as the Establishment Republicans.


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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#150 » by MrDollarBills » Fri Dec 2, 2016 7:39 pm

Pistolpete1947 wrote:
MrDollarBills wrote:
tonman wrote:It's not about awareness. It's about diversity. Why do you think urban centers are more liberal? Just cause more minorities live thereand vote? You have to define what you think you are. What is that? What makes America great isn't it's economy isn't it's military it's it's people and their freedom. When we start splitting America apart whether it be race sex or sexual orientation or religion we are bringing down what makes America great. Why do you think Russia wants trump America? Ask yourself what is great about America. It would be interesting to see what others believe.



Putin wants a useful idiot since Trump has several conflicts of interests around the globe, including with the Russian mob oligarchs.

I don't think Trump split this country apart. People give him way too much credit. He just exposed (and manipulated for his own gain) how split this country has always been and shined a light on the millions of cockroaches in this country who subscribe to white nationalism, white supremacy, and neo nazism. This first started happening back in late 2008 when Obama won, they claim Obama was divisive but in reality the ascent of a non white male as a president was threatening to what would go on to become the"alt right" neo nazis. That Dave Chappelle skit where he and Chris Rock are sitting there amused at the dismay of white liberals coming to a realization that most americans of color have known for decades about our country was brutal honesty in the form of comedy.

Trump's coded manner of speech..."Make America Great Again" is literally "Make America for Whites Again". When Trump talks about helping "Americans", his supporters interpret that as helping White Americans and catering the country's policies to cater to their needs as we've seen the middle class decline over the last 16 years.

In reality, Trump could give two hoots about any of us, black, white, asian, latino, indian, etc. He never thought he'd get this far and now that he has he's going to line his pockets with taxpayer dollars and use his position as a windfall for his business ventures. He is going to betray his constituency (majority of rural/rust belt uneducated, non wealthy white americans) in a manner that they can't comprehend right now, from his tax plan, to the threat of defunding the public school system, tanking the economy on behalf of wall street, etc etc.

It wouldn't shock me to see a rise in domestic terrorism within the next 4 years from far right radicals who are going to wake up one day and openly wonder why Herr Trump hasn't kicked out the illegals, the blacks, the gays, and the jews. Why hasn't he built that wall? why is it harder to feed your children as taxes could very well rise on people with families? Why aren't the jobs coming back? There will be a ton of disillusioned people. Add that with the easy access to assault rifles and explosives in those areas...sheesh. And guess what? Trump's not going to hesitate to have the feds infiltrate their groups and curb stomp them.


Well written. Agree 100%. Scary times for America as the man has a personality disorder and is only out for himself.


I wouldn't be shocked if the Establishment Republicans give Trump enough rope and leeway to hang himself, and they'll be the ones to turn on him and impeach him in favor of installing Psycho Mike Pence, who is more establishment than Trump. Trump is too much of a nutjob, he's arrogant enough to where I have no doubt he's going to get caught violating the law or having his hands in the conflict of interest cookie jar.

This will be a very turbulent four years. If I had to bet that Trump makes it into year 3 without being hauled before congress I'd do it without thinking twice about it.
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#151 » by tonman » Fri Dec 2, 2016 7:46 pm

shakendfries wrote:
tonman wrote:It's not about awareness. It's about diversity. Why do you think urban centers are more liberal? Just cause more minorities live thereand vote? You have to define what you think you are. What is that? What makes America great isn't it's economy isn't it's military it's it's people and their freedom. When we start splitting America apart whether it be race sex or sexual orientation or religion we are bringing down what makes America great. Why do you think Russia wants trump America? Ask yourself what is great about America. It would be interesting to see what others believe.


I think you're conflating a lot of issues, and you're downplaying how tremendously close electing Clinton would bring America to a nuclear war. His warning at the World Economic Forum is genuine, and points out a lot of American aggression that I'm sure other powerful nations may also quietly disagree with



Even Noam Chomsky confirms the threat of war with Clinton was far more serious than the media portrayed



No the threat is not there. How was it when Reagan came into the white house after the ussr basically walked all over Carter? Did Reagan pander to the Soviets?

As an independent I find dems to be blindly idealistic and repubs to by hypocritical. To say dems are working with wall street isn't an issue. A strong wall street is important. You can't be totally populist. But to allow wall street to manage itself is a clearly another thing.
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#152 » by shakendfries » Fri Dec 2, 2016 7:57 pm

tonman wrote:
shakendfries wrote:
tonman wrote:It's not about awareness. It's about diversity. Why do you think urban centers are more liberal? Just cause more minorities live thereand vote? You have to define what you think you are. What is that? What makes America great isn't it's economy isn't it's military it's it's people and their freedom. When we start splitting America apart whether it be race sex or sexual orientation or religion we are bringing down what makes America great. Why do you think Russia wants trump America? Ask yourself what is great about America. It would be interesting to see what others believe.


I think you're conflating a lot of issues, and you're downplaying how tremendously close electing Clinton would bring America to a nuclear war. His warning at the World Economic Forum is genuine, and points out a lot of American aggression that I'm sure other powerful nations may also quietly disagree with



Even Noam Chomsky confirms the threat of war with Clinton was far more serious than the media portrayed



No the threat is not there. How was it when Reagan came into the white house after the ussr basically walked all over Carter? Did Reagan pander to the Soviets?

As an independent I find dems to be blindly idealistic and repubs to by hypocritical. To say dems are working with wall street isn't an issue. A strong wall street is important. You can't be totally populist. But to allow wall street to manage itself is a clearly another thing.


:nonono: you're in denial fam



clinton is a blatant warmongerer
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#153 » by MrDollarBills » Fri Dec 2, 2016 8:02 pm

shakendfries wrote:
MrDollarBills wrote:
shakendfries wrote:
Furthermore, check out this speech Bernie gave to HS students in 2003 (particularly what he says starting at 35:20)



I find it ineresting that the Democratic playbook of identity politics has become far more divisive today than the Trump Republican playbook of lumping the middle class together (albeit, while casting aspersions towards immigrants - who aren't voting anyway).


I think both sides play the identity politics game, its just that Democrats are more overt in (allegedly) wanting to help minorities/lgbt, while the Republicans play the dog whistling game.

I'm not sure if Trump lumped the middle class together based on his rhetoric (his manner of speech, while not blatantly racist, often referred to latino, black, and muslim americans as "they" and non PoC as "we" or "us"). The middle class in america is as diverse as ever, but he mainly appealed to people who, for all intents and purposes, aren't even really at the level of what can be considered "middle class", but the working poor. The people who he is lying to about bringing jobs back are rural/rust belt voters who aren't doing that great as compared to the middle class in the coastal areas of the country.


Yes, a lot of Trump's inflammatory narratives "appealed" to a group that included nationalists. But, I wouldn't say Trump's campaign was inherently racist. Trump simply noted that if he runs as a republican there's simply no way in hell blacks gays latinos and other special interests are gonna vote for him whatsoever. But he said, **** it - the dems focus too much on pretending to do things for special interests and are ignoring the masses of middle class ppl across the country. Yeah dems might be hot in LA and NY and Metropolitan areas, but the vast majority of Americans don't care about special interest issues at all.



Trump is a guy who calls America for what it is. Its a country where fiscal power and political power are very closely intertwined. Case and point, he's known the Clintons personally for years. You can't be mad at him for exploiting his power and using his leverage, especially if the person he beat had 20 years of experience on him.

At the end of the day, you have to respect the fact that this guy won the highest position of power in the United States with no experience or skill besides his business acumen. And while he ostracized a lot of people in the process, it says a helluva lot more about the people he beat. Not only did Trump win, but the reps won congress and the senate as well. Trump going out and saying black communities haven't been any worse under the dems might sound dismissive and rub people the wrong way....but you can't deny its the truth.


Trump exposed two things(racial stuff aside), a)just how far the Democrats have come to ignoring what used to be their voter base, the south/rust belt populous, and b) just how crooked the establishment on both sides are. Sanders had the right idea, talk to everyone as one when it comes to working class issues, Clinton decided to play the same old tired pandering game and got hammered...nevermind the fact that she's as dirty as the day is long.

Whereas he made promises that were outrageous (the wall, mass deportations, banning muslims), I agreed with him 100% when he talked about how crooked establishment politicians are (he openly said he paid people to do things legislatively for him) and that Democrats don't do anything for "the african americans". Same thing Trump said most people who aren't drinking the DNC kool aid have been saying for years, except his words rung hollow with the AA voting bloc because he didn't know how to deliver it (nor did he really worry about it), nevermind already making black americans wary when he started ostracizing latino and muslim voters. One attack on one minority group is an attack on all.

I disagree with you on the idea that his campaign wasn't inherently racist so to speak. He knew who he was appealing to, his words and targets were carefully chosen, as things went further down the rabbit hole he had to have known that he was getting white nationalists/klansmen/neo nazis and other extremists worked up and he ran with it. The man is crazy, but he's far from stupid. Steve Bannon was his campaign strategist, Bannon knows exactly what's going to make those voters tick, along with the promise of returning rural/rust belt jobs. It was all dog whistle politics and empty promises. We can debate as to whether he's a racist man himself, Shaq saying Trump is his friend isn't a surprise, I know an artist who was paid to do some portraits for him and he said the guy was VERY kind to him and paid him well, and he voted for him because of that, his own one on one personal experience with Donald Trump the man and not the guy campaigning. The artist is a 2nd generation latino-american.

Do i think he's a bigot? yeah pretty much. an out and out racist? not openly if he is. I have more issues with him tanking the economy with trickle down economics and his sexual predatory behavior / his disgusting comments about his daughter than I am worried about him doing racist stuff in office.
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#154 » by MrDollarBills » Fri Dec 2, 2016 8:10 pm

shakendfries wrote:
tonman wrote:It's not about awareness. It's about diversity. Why do you think urban centers are more liberal? Just cause more minorities live thereand vote? You have to define what you think you are. What is that? What makes America great isn't it's economy isn't it's military it's it's people and their freedom. When we start splitting America apart whether it be race sex or sexual orientation or religion we are bringing down what makes America great. Why do you think Russia wants trump America? Ask yourself what is great about America. It would be interesting to see what others believe.


I think you're conflating a lot of issues, and you're downplaying how tremendously close electing Clinton would bring America to a nuclear war. His warning at the World Economic Forum is genuine, and points out a lot of American aggression that I'm sure other powerful nations may also quietly disagree with



Even Noam Chomsky confirms the threat of war with Clinton was far more serious than the media portrayed



I agree. At least the one thing is that a possible confrontation or even a proxy war may be averted since Putin has Trump in his back pocket. US/Russian relations got worse under the Obama Administration and there's a ton of garbage that has been going on in Syria where I don't think personally we are on the right side, if there is one since both US and Russian bombs are responsible for thousands of innocent deaths, nevermind the fact that we willingly arm extremists. Then you have the missile shield nonsense and Putin's aspirations to get back what he believes belongs to Russia and things were and may be still on their way to getting ugly. Clinton was very frank about challenging the Russians. We don't need that.
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#155 » by MrDollarBills » Fri Dec 2, 2016 8:18 pm

shakendfries wrote:
tonman wrote:
shakendfries wrote:
I think you're conflating a lot of issues, and you're downplaying how tremendously close electing Clinton would bring America to a nuclear war. His warning at the World Economic Forum is genuine, and points out a lot of American aggression that I'm sure other powerful nations may also quietly disagree with



Even Noam Chomsky confirms the threat of war with Clinton was far more serious than the media portrayed



No the threat is not there. How was it when Reagan came into the white house after the ussr basically walked all over Carter? Did Reagan pander to the Soviets?

As an independent I find dems to be blindly idealistic and repubs to by hypocritical. To say dems are working with wall street isn't an issue. A strong wall street is important. You can't be totally populist. But to allow wall street to manage itself is a clearly another thing.


:nonono: you're in denial fam



clinton is a blatant warmongerer


Yep

Ask the Libyans about her foreign policy. A once prosperous African nation (albeit led by a dictator) turned into a hell hole on her watch.
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#156 » by tonman » Fri Dec 2, 2016 10:24 pm

MrDollarBills wrote:
shakendfries wrote:
tonman wrote:
No the threat is not there. How was it when Reagan came into the white house after the ussr basically walked all over Carter? Did Reagan pander to the Soviets?

As an independent I find dems to be blindly idealistic and repubs to by hypocritical. To say dems are working with wall street isn't an issue. A strong wall street is important. You can't be totally populist. But to allow wall street to manage itself is a clearly another thing.


:nonono: you're in denial fam



clinton is a blatant warmongerer


Yep

Ask the Libyans about her foreign policy. A once prosperous African nation (albeit led by a dictator) turned into a hell hole on her watch.



LOL. now we are back to labeling lies and half truths to folks. Who's the one wanting to bomb the heck out of ISIS not even acknowledging that there are innocents in the area? How's Iraq doing after bush and Cheney war?

The more you pone the other side the more you can't admit your side is just as guilty as the other. I dont care too much about a two party system because two is one more than one and both sides want to control this country as if it's a one party system. Just look at the Supreme Court nomination that is hijacked. During the era of the two parties both has had success and both has had failures so it isn't about which ideology is better than the other. It is about when to be conservative and when to be progressive on specific issues. Like whining about Obamacare trying to repeal it over 60 times and not providing another option.

Whatever you point out that is bad with hillary or liberals, others can point out the same against trump and republicans. There are no winners or losers. Either we all succeed or we all fail otherwise politics will continue to be controlled by special interests on BOTH sides of the aisle. Trump may be an outsider but he is the ultimate politician. Nice one bringing in someone different....
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#157 » by MrDollarBills » Fri Dec 2, 2016 10:45 pm

tonman wrote:
MrDollarBills wrote:
shakendfries wrote:
:nonono: you're in denial fam



clinton is a blatant warmongerer


Yep

Ask the Libyans about her foreign policy. A once prosperous African nation (albeit led by a dictator) turned into a hell hole on her watch.



LOL. now we are back to labeling lies and half truths to folks. Who's the one wanting to bomb the heck out of ISIS not even acknowledging that there are innocents in the area? How's Iraq doing after bush and Cheney war?

The more you pone the other side the more you can't admit your side is just as guilty as the other. I dont care too much about a two party system because two is one more than one and both sides want to control this country as if it's a one party system. Just look at the Supreme Court nomination that is hijacked. During the era of the two parties both has had success and both has had failures so it isn't about which ideology is better than the other. It is about when to be conservative and when to be progressive on specific issues. Like whining about Obamacare trying to repeal it over 60 times and not providing another option.

Whatever you point out that is bad with hillary or liberals, others can point out the same against trump and republicans. There are no winners or losers. Either we all succeed or we all fail otherwise politics will continue to be controlled by special interests on BOTH sides of the aisle. Trump may be an outsider but he is the ultimate politician. Nice one bringing in someone different....


I hate both sides. and i agree with you. i consider myself independent moderate. It shouldn't just be "we have to be liberal/conservative all the time on every issue". It's all about pragmatism

I said what I said about Libya because Obama and Clinton had no business backing an uprising in that country. That was a mistake and they have a lot of blood on their hands over that, and it isn't just Gaddafi's. She's a warmonger just like the people across the aisle.

Trump is showing quickly that he's not that much different from the establishment Repubs. It's trickle down season, and we know what that means. He's going to tank the economy just like GW did
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#158 » by Pistolpete1947 » Fri Dec 2, 2016 11:00 pm

Yeah both sides suck to some extent but one denies scientific fact that puts the future of the world at risk because of money. That is the suckiest party.
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#159 » by shakendfries » Sat Dec 3, 2016 12:36 am

tonman wrote:
MrDollarBills wrote:
shakendfries wrote:
:nonono: you're in denial fam



clinton is a blatant warmongerer


Yep

Ask the Libyans about her foreign policy. A once prosperous African nation (albeit led by a dictator) turned into a hell hole on her watch.



LOL. now we are back to labeling lies and half truths to folks. Who's the one wanting to bomb the heck out of ISIS not even acknowledging that there are innocents in the area? How's Iraq doing after bush and Cheney war?

The more you pone the other side the more you can't admit your side is just as guilty as the other. I dont care too much about a two party system because two is one more than one and both sides want to control this country as if it's a one party system. Just look at the Supreme Court nomination that is hijacked. During the era of the two parties both has had success and both has had failures so it isn't about which ideology is better than the other. It is about when to be conservative and when to be progressive on specific issues. Like whining about Obamacare trying to repeal it over 60 times and not providing another option.

Whatever you point out that is bad with hillary or liberals, others can point out the same against trump and republicans. There are no winners or losers. Either we all succeed or we all fail otherwise politics will continue to be controlled by special interests on BOTH sides of the aisle. Trump may be an outsider but he is the ultimate politician. Nice one bringing in someone different....


Nobody is prone to any side except the one that stands against the dominant media narratives surrounding all of this. CNN, the Clinton News Network, wants you to think every special interest is going to get rocks thrown at them in public because of the presidency. They want you to think Hilary is the second coming of Jesus, and use endorsements from celebrities to make you think she is somehow a voice for the voiceless.

The truth is, benign neglect - the doctrine that politicians on both sides of the aisle ascribe to where politicians avoid promising anything to special interests by lumping them all under vague umbrella terms, like "minority" - in order to politically minimize them, is every bit as racist as what the confederate flag stands for.

When memos leak of the democratic party's position to refuse to acknowledge any policy suggestions of these so called "protestors" and Obama would rather have a town hall meeting to talk about his feelings rather than put pressure on prosecutors to levy some actual charges against these renegade killer cops, I don't think supporting this party in any way shape or form is in any educated black person's interest. Especially considering when the Clintons were the ones who signed the crime bills leading to mass incarceration and stiffer sentencing for selling the crack cocaine that was funneled into poor black communities in the 80s, with ties that have been verified and linked to the CIA and federal government.



If this doesn't sever your steadfast belief in partisan politics completely, I don't have anything else to tell you.

The Regans, Bushes, and Clintons are the gandparents of mass incarceration and the erosion of the inner cities we see today. When politicians talk about police reform and they equate that with giving them more money/funding without explanation, they're lying between their teeth. When a politician says they want to tax the rich, and provide no details on how the allocation of resources should be better managed, they're lying between their teeth. Politicians on both sides are completely full of **** and nothing they do will change anything significant about fiscal ties with the federal gov't.
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Re: Official Current Affairs & Politics thread 

Post#160 » by Pistolpete1947 » Sat Dec 3, 2016 2:22 am

Trump has made 3 foreign policy mistakes in the last 48 hours the latest of which is to put our relation with China at risk. He's not even president yet. We're in for a rocky road.

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