Political Roundtable Part XII

[AFM]

Let's play a fun INCLUSIONARY game. They call me The Inclusionary Kid in the streets.

Is there anything, politically, everyone in this thread can agree on? (Besides having Trump deport Indu day 1)

[AFM]

Seriously, Indu, you got to go back bro.

[AFM]

Apologies for the source:
http://www.infowars.com/report-cnnbuzzfeed-to-release-damaging-new-trump-tape-48-hours-before-inauguration/

A source claiming to work for NBC has contacted Infowars to warn of a CNN/Buzzfeed plot to release a damaging video tape of Donald Trump just 48 hours before he is inaugurated as president.
According to the source, who wishes to remain anonymous, a two minute clip has been cut from out-takes of Trump’s appearances on The Apprentice which is “very damaging” and “nuclear in impact”.
The tape has been circulating for a while in an effort to attract rich backers such as Mark Cuban or Larry Flynt who would be prepared to take the substantial legal risk of releasing the video.
However, with Trump’s inauguration looming, “the plan is to leak it to CNN and Buzzfeed (as the ultimate f**k you) on Wednesday at 3pm,” claims the source.
The source added that he had the names of the people who were set to leak the tape and would be getting in touch with Trump’s Senior Counselor Steve Bannon to pass on the information.
Previous reports containing the existence of such a tape circulated before the election and resurfaced again on December 16 when comedian Tom Arnold claimed he had seen the footage and that it contained Trump saying, “every bad thing ever, every offensive, racist thing ever. It was him sitting in that chair saying the N-word, saying the C-word, calling his son a (Please Use More Appropriate Word), just being so mean to his own children.”
Arnold also claimed that “he had talked to several other Hollywood players who had also seen the tape”.
According to Apprentice creator Mark Burnett, MGM, which acquired his company, has not released the tape due to contractual and legal restrictions.
The goal is to neutralize the impact of the tape by pointing out that it is yet another underhanded attempt to de-legitimize Trump’s presidency and put him on the back foot as soon as he enters office.
According to the source, the original plan was to release a portion of the tape on Sunday or Monday as a teaser, but Trump’s feud with Congressman John Lewis caused the leakers to reconsider and hold off.
“They should have released it on MLK day, but they want assurances of financial backing in case they get sued. One person still works for the Apprentice, he even thinks this will help with ratings!” states the source.
The tape contains Trump allegedly using the n-word off camera and the objective is to “discredit the president before the inauguration,” states the source.
We will update this report with more information as and when it becomes available.

Anyone think this is real?

I feel like, if it was real, they would have released before the election.

But we'll see.

[montestewart]

No. I said "not intellectually curious" is an elitist word for idiot.

I think that is a statement worth challenging. First, it is a phrase not a word - but that is a nit-picking.

There are people on both sides of the aisle and the middle that aren't intellectually curious. They don't care enough about the details of a proposal to really take a deep dive on the subject. The opposite would be a policy wonk (since we are talking politics).

But not being intellectually curious doesn't connote idiocy (extremely stupid behavior). It also doesn't connote a lack of intelligence. For example a physicist could dive deep into quantum mechanics but might not be intellectually curious about the best way to weave a basket.

I think the same applies with Trump. I think he knows a lot about real estate and real estate transactions and was (at least at some point) intellectually curious about their mechanics.

I would say the same is not true on many policy decisions. Hence, intellectually un-curious in that respect. But not an elitist (or in this case someone who thinks about policy) view - more of a physiological view of the man. I would say another psychological view of Trump would be one of a Narcissist. Again, more psychological (and accurate) than political.

Now, you could counter that he is intuitive. That would be hard to rebut with his election results (whereas Hillary was a policy wonk but not so intuitive).

I'm guessing a lot of people, here and elsewhere, haven't really followed Trump throughout his career. To most he was probably just a name and maybe a video clip prior to The Apprentice, but he's been a media figure in New York since the late 70s, with lots of television, newspaper, and magazine coverage there. His current shtick is pretty much the same as always. He didn't brilliantly craft some plain spoken, down to earth approach to connect to less educated, working class, non-elites. That's just the way he's always talked, as he rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous and largely avoided less educated, working class, non-elites.

I didn't realize that intellectually incurious was an elitist term, but I prefer moron, witless, halfwit, dimwit, dimbulb, dunce, dummy, dumbhead, muttonhead, lunkhead, knucklehead, fathead, chucklehead, pinhead, deadhead, gashead, numbskull, brainless, chowderbrain, cheesebrain, powderbrain, butterbrain, dips**t, cretin, imbecile, nincompoop, ninny, simpleton, simplesimon, simp, schmuck, schmo, schlemiel, boob, buffoon, clown, rube, stooge, sucker, sap, pattymelt, fingernail, poledancer, etc. They can be applied to anyone, regardless of IQ, but sound more plain spoken and down to earth than intellectually incurious.

[verbal8]

I think past a certain point of wealth it often becomes about making a difference vs making even more money. It generally is some type of wealth redistribution that they see as the way to accomplish this.

2(buffet and gates) of the 6 are clearly focused on giving away their money. Zuckerberg seems likely to join them as he gets older.

This is kind of interesting. Oxfam is reporting that eight men hold the same wealth as half of the world’s population. Six of the eight are American. All six, I believe, are D’s and donated to Hillary or her PACs (Bloomberg’s party affiliation is debatable I guess). I was expecting to see that R’s were the one’s hording the world’s wealth and exacerbating the income inequality gap.

Gates, Buffet, Bezos, Zuckerberg, Ellison and Bloomberg

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_DAVOS_INEQUALITY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-01-15-19-02-51

I'm guessing that these wealthy Ds have given far more to charity and paid far more in federal taxes than say...Donald Trump.

[Ruzious]

This country is one team - the USA. When we forget that or choose not to care about that, everyone loses.

I couldn't agree more Ruzious. That's why I think the D party's dependence upon identity politics is so dangerous. It is the opposite of what MLK Jr. was trying to teach Americans. I pray we are able to receive, comprehend and practice his message before it is too late.

Sorry popper, I really don't understand how you're brain works - even when you say you agree with me.

[Induveca]

This country is one team - the USA. When we forget that or choose not to care about that, everyone loses.

I couldn't agree more Ruzious. That's why I think the D party's dependence upon identity politics is so dangerous. It is the opposite of what MLK Jr. was trying to teach Americans. I pray we are able to receive, comprehend and practice his message before it is too late.

Sorry popper, I really don't understand how you're brain works - even when you say you agree with me.

Popper, that was one of the most insightful posts on this board in some time.

Contemplating the message of MLK's speeches, then recognizing how present-day politicians/media gleefully divide and conquer their target audiences via race-baiting is infuriating.

[popper]

This country is one team - the USA. When we forget that or choose not to care about that, everyone loses.

I couldn't agree more Ruzious. That's why I think the D party's dependence upon identity politics is so dangerous. It is the opposite of what MLK Jr. was trying to teach Americans. I pray we are able to receive, comprehend and practice his message before it is too late.

Sorry popper, I really don't understand how you're brain works - even when you say you agree with me.

I think your post was spot on. All Americans should consider themselves part of the same team. As you point out, everyone loses when we don't. I did take it a step further by editorializing that a significant number of politicians benefit by separating groups and pitting one against the other (identity politics). I think it's a dangerous game. That's all.

[Wizardspride]

Dr King a conservative...well that's interesting, considering "conservatives" demonized him the most.


http://www.salon.com/2017/01/16/martin-luther-king-jr-the-radical-9-mlk-quotes-the-media-wont-cite_partner/


Martin Luther King, Jr., the radical: 9 MLK quotes the media won’t cite

[popper]

Dr King a conservative...well that's interesting, considering "conservatives" demonized him the most.


http://www.salon.com/2017/01/16/martin-luther-king-jr-the-radical-9-mlk-quotes-the-media-wont-cite_partner/


Martin Luther King, Jr., the radical: 9 MLK quotes the media won’t cite

No doubt he was demonized by many WP. No one can argue that. I read the quotes you posted and he seemed most disappointed with moderates.

9. “First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”

— “Letter from a Birmingham jail,” 1963

[TGW]

I couldn't agree more Ruzious. That's why I think the D party's dependence upon identity politics is so dangerous. It is the opposite of what MLK Jr. was trying to teach Americans. I pray we are able to receive, comprehend and practice his message before it is too late.

Sorry popper, I really don't understand how you're brain works - even when you say you agree with me.

I think your post was spot on. All Americans should consider themselves part of the same team. As you point out, everyone loses when we don't. I did take it a step further by editorializing that a significant number of politicians benefit by separating groups and pitting one against the other (identity politics). I think it's a dangerous game. That's all.

Your problem is that you think it's simply a "D" issue. Both sides of the aisle use identity politics for their own benefit, so to dump it all on one party is absurd and it's why I tend to take many of your posts with a grain of salt. I also find it pathetic that you tried to use MLK to make your point...leave MLK out of your biased nonsense.

[closg00]

"Putin dismisses Trump dossier as 'rubbish' - CNN"

Putins got your back Donnie

https://apple.news/AsrPE0kPuRXCq5DRn96x7Lg


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[popper]

Sorry popper, I really don't understand how you're brain works - even when you say you agree with me.

I think your post was spot on. All Americans should consider themselves part of the same team. As you point out, everyone loses when we don't. I did take it a step further by editorializing that a significant number of politicians benefit by separating groups and pitting one against the other (identity politics). I think it's a dangerous game. That's all.

Your problem is that you think it's simply a "D" issue. Both sides of the aisle use identity politics for their own benefit, so to dump it all on one party is absurd and it's why I tend to take many of your posts with a grain of salt. I also find it pathetic that you tried to use MLK to make your point...leave MLK out of your biased nonsense.

Glad you're not biased TGW and are able to detect the biased nonsense of others who may want to participate here. Perhaps you've missed the numerous times I've criticized R's over the past 5 or 6 years. I don't think MLK would mind that his message is used on his birthday to inspire some significant level of introspection on our part as to how we view and treat one another. Because the subject of identity politics is currently front and center among D's across the country I thought it was timely to connect that with MLK's warnings against its practice. Sorry to have disturbed you.

[Wizardspride]

Dr King a conservative...well that's interesting, considering "conservatives" demonized him the most.


http://www.salon.com/2017/01/16/martin-luther-king-jr-the-radical-9-mlk-quotes-the-media-wont-cite_partner/


Martin Luther King, Jr., the radical: 9 MLK quotes the media won’t cite

No doubt he was demonized by many WP. No one can argue that. I read the quotes you posted and he seemed most disappointed with moderates.

9. “First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”

— “Letter from a Birmingham jail,” 1963

Yep. He absolutely was disappointed in white moderates...liberals too for that matter.

But his disappointment in large part stemmed from the fact that they wouldn't go far enough.

Not what I'd consider a conservative mindset....though to be fair, I do believe MLK was a complicated man.

[DCZards]

No doubt he was demonized by many WP. No one can argue that. I read the quotes you posted and he seemed most disappointed with moderates.

9. “First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”

— “Letter from a Birmingham jail,” 1963

This quote affirms that MLK Jr. was far from conservative when it came to pressing for civil and human rights, which was the essence of his mission and message. If King thought that moderate whites were acting to conservatively in this area, then it’s clear he would have been even more unhappy with a “conservative” approach to pushing for these rights.

Yes, Dr. King was a man rooted in Christian principles. But he was an outspoken progressive when it came to standing up to Bull Connors, elected leaders and others who stood in the way of civil rights and equality opportunity.

Here’s my favorite King quote. It comes from the speech he gave when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.”

[AFM]

As long as we're speculating, I personally think MLK would have been a member of the alt-right.

[gtn130]

MLK would have been a writer for Breitbart if he lived today. The problem though, is the Dems are too obsessed with identity politics to see it.

The alt-right is basically the center-left imo

[gtn130]

I have to agree with Nate on this one, especially after this election cycle. The Graph can't be two dimensional. You have social liberal and social conservation; fiscal liberal and fiscal conservative; and nationalist vs. globalist. And at least the last two have individuals in both parties.

I think it would need to be a multi-dimensional figure to be representative.

Add to that, there are now more Americans that aren't associated with either party and it is difficult to represent.

This last election cycle featured a centrist Dem presidential candidate who has a history of being a war hawk. Hillary is far closer to being a neocon than a leftist.

[DCZards]

[AFM]

I've heard the "a communist, an African, and a Muslim" variant...