Politics

[TorontoGold]

Clutching pearls? Seriously? Gaetz is accused of having sex with a child. Meanwhile Republicans are losing their minds because Lil Nas X put a drop of blood in a shoe.

As to Anthony Weiner, his Wikipedia page reads that he is a “former politician and convicted sex offender.” Good. I look forward to the day when Matt Gaetz’s reads the same.

Party of Family Values! Grooming is totally ok and not an issue.

 

[NorthDakota]

Clutching pearls? Seriously? Gaetz is accused of having sex with a child. Meanwhile Republicans are losing their minds because Lil Nas X put a drop of blood in a shoe.

As to Anthony Weiner, his Wikipedia page reads that he is a “former politician and convicted sex offender.” Good. I look forward to the day when Matt Gaetz’s reads the same.

And yes, Gaetz allegedly having sex with a 17 year old is bad. Nobody has suggested otherwise as far as I have seen. If he did it, slap a sex offender label on him or whatever. Hard to have much sympathy for a guy his age and occupation doing something like that.

I live in deep culturally red country and haven't observed anyone in some panic about blood shoes or sodomizing Satan in a music video. Has it happened? Sure. I think i saw some cringey Kristi Noem Facebook post about it.. But its certainly not this large-scale panic being discussed at bars and breakfast diners. Frankly, 85% of the people here probably don't know who he is outside of the catchy old town road song.

Seems like one of those things where the social media/journalist reaction far outweighs the reality on the ground.

 

[longliveautrydenson]

And yes, Gaetz allegedly having sex with a 17 year old is bad. Nobody has suggested otherwise as far as I have seen. If he did it, slap a sex offender label on him or whatever. Hard to have much sympathy for a guy his age and occupation doing something like that.

I live in deep culturally red country and haven't observed anyone in some panic about blood shoes or sodomizing Satan in a music video. Has it happened? Sure. I think i saw some cringey Kristi Noem Facebook post about it.. But its certainly not this large-scale panic being discussed at bars and breakfast diners. Frankly, 85% of the people here probably don't know who he is outside of the catchy old town road song.

Seems like one of those things where the social media/journalist reaction far outweighs the reality on the ground.

Sorry I don’t put much stock in your anecdotal opinion about what conversations are (or aren’t) happening in bars and diners across North Dakota. There’s hard data to show that the GOP is focusing its energy on increasingly stupid cultural issues at the expense of any real governing philosophy. For example, a recent Morning Consult poll showed more Republicans had heard ‘a lot’ about Dr. Seuss in recent weeks than the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. I’m not sure what controversy is dumber—Dr. Seuss or Lil Nas X—but the recent actions of GOP leadership and the right wing media suggest that these absurd wedge issues are what’s driving the Republican base in 2021.

 

[Irish#1]

Sorry I don’t put much stock in your anecdotal opinion about what conversations are (or aren’t) happening in bars and diners across North Dakota. There’s hard data to show that the GOP is focusing its energy on increasingly stupid cultural issues at the expense of any real governing philosophy. For example, a recent Morning Consult poll showed more Republicans had heard ‘a lot’ about Dr. Seuss in recent weeks than the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. I’m not sure what controversy is dumber—Dr. Seuss or Lil Nas X—but the recent actions of GOP leadership and the right wing media suggest that these absurd wedge issues are what’s driving the Republican base in 2021.

You remind me of my wife sometimes. You can be in complete agreement, but still want to argue because you say potato and I say potato.

 

[drayer54]

Did y’all see Biden is going back to building some border wall?

Mr. Immigration Policy himself who criticized Trump for building walls and it being a symbol of his inability to develop immigration policy is scrambling to control his Biden Border Crisis.

 

[longliveautrydenson]

You remind me of my wife sometimes. You can be in complete agreement, but still want to argue because you say potato and I say potato.

My condolences to your wife.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Sorry I don’t put much stock in your anecdotal opinion about what conversations are (or aren’t) happening in bars and diners across North Dakota. There’s hard data to show that the GOP is focusing its energy on increasingly stupid cultural issues at the expense of any real governing philosophy. For example, a recent Morning Consult poll showed more Republicans had heard ‘a lot’ about Dr. Seuss in recent weeks than the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. I’m not sure what controversy is dumber—Dr. Seuss or Lil Nas X—but the recent actions of GOP leadership and the right wing media suggest that these absurd wedge issues are what’s driving the Republican base in 2021.

US culture has incentivized outrage. Whether it's "like" button, page click counters or "followers", people are compelled to be outraged. It draws attention to themselves and it makes them feel as if someone else is the cause of their problems. So much easier to blame XYZ than to take account for your own actions. People are drawn to it, so of course politicians do it. It gets their name in the "news". There are dozens of politicians who have mastered this art and have made a lifetime full of riches off of it. The minority party is even more incentivized to do this now. Unfortunately, elections are won by "enthusiasm". What is really going to get people out to vote? The fact that the "other side" is going make your life a complete living hell vs. the merits of accelerated depreciation for corporate taxation? Sadly, for far too many Americans, it's the former, which drives the behavior of everyone else.

 

[drayer54]

Just to be clear, you believe that Andrew Cuomo should resign immediately before the investigation into his alleged sexual harassment of adults plays out (see your posts from three weeks ago). Conversely, we should all reserve judgment on the allegations that Matt Gaetz had sex with a child despite the fact that Gaetz’s close associate has already been indicted for sex trafficking, the investigation was launched by Trump’s DOJ, and no one in Trump’s orbit outside of Jim Jordan and MTG has come out to defend Gaetz.

You also think that having sex with children is “weird,” and that Democrats are hypocrites for believing that Hunter Biden was the subject of a Russian disinformation campaign when our own intelligence services determined that Hunter Biden was the subject of a Russian disinformation campaign. Meanwhile, you would have us believe that you are a paragon of ideological consistency despite your lame efforts to run interference for a child predator.

Do I have all that straight?

Cuomo should resign immediately. He’s had a gaggle of credible accusers, but more importantly he has actively covered up nursing home deaths for political purposes. This is why he should have been out long ago.

The press is more focused in blatantly false hit pieces on the Florida Governor for not covering up deaths and vaccinating elderly people.

The Gaetz thing is being investigated but his argument is this stuff about extortion, which seems unlikely at this point but maybe there’s some stuff true on both sides? If there’s credible evidence then he should step away, but I haven’t been focused on this like left wing press. I doubt they let it go like Northam, Menendez, Cuomo, etc. People who defend or don’t defend him doesn’t matter.

The Hunter thing is playing out perfectly. Every former intelligence official who signed the partisan purposes memo should be forever ignored as hacks. Big tech should be held accountable for their role in the coverup. The censorship and coverup of the Hunter story is still incredibly significant and it had real pics, docs, emails, evidence and why people defend this crap when he can’t remember knocking up strippers while snorting Parmesan cheese is beyond me.

 

[NorthDakota]

Sorry I don’t put much stock in your anecdotal opinion about what conversations are (or aren’t) happening in bars and diners across North Dakota. There’s hard data to show that the GOP is focusing its energy on increasingly stupid cultural issues at the expense of any real governing philosophy. For example, a recent Morning Consult poll showed more Republicans had heard ‘a lot’ about Dr. Seuss in recent weeks than the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. I’m not sure what controversy is dumber—Dr. Seuss or Lil Nas X—but the recent actions of GOP leadership and the right wing media suggest that these absurd wedge issues are what’s driving the Republican base in 2021.

Everyone knows culture is in many ways upstream of politics. Liberal gaslighting on this is stupid. If you essentially ban a book because its bad and racist, and the other side diverts attention and says "wtf are you doing? This is basically bookburning." You can't say "wow you guys are focused on this instead of real issues. This shows where the GOP is today!"

The GOP ain't perfect and has some work to do before 2022 and 2024, but pushing back on the Dr. Seuss thing is not any sort of evidence of that.

Again, not sure I'd even call the rapper thing a controversy. Was a much bigger deal to the media than it was to the GOP. I saw a ton of, "wow the GOP is so worked up about Lil Nas X!!" tweets/articles while seeing maybe a handful of people worked up about it.

Where do you live by chance?

 

[drayer54]

Everyone knows culture is in many ways upstream of politics. Liberal gaslighting on this is stupid. If you essentially ban a book because its bad and racist, and the other side diverts attention and says "wtf are you doing? This is basically bookburning." You can't say "wow you guys are focused on this instead of real issues. This shows where the GOP is today!"

The GOP ain't perfect and has some work to do before 2022 and 2024, but pushing back on the Dr. Seuss thing is not any sort of evidence of that.

Again, not sure I'd even call the rapper thing a controversy. Was a much bigger deal to the media than it was to the GOP. I saw a ton of, "wow the GOP is so worked up about Lil Nas X!!" tweets/articles while seeing maybe a handful of people worked up about it.

Where do you live by chance?

Most Republicans I talk to and hear in the legislator forums, meetups, and PAC talks are pissed about baseball, outraged at IA-02 attempted theft and far more worried about prioritizing unions over kids in re-opening schools, blue state job loss from unnecessarily harsh COVID policies, tax rises, 2A concerns, Democratic shopping sprees disguised as relief and infrastructure, hyperinflation, Biden Border Crisis, cancel culture, and our freedoms being in jeopardy. This is the kind of stuff that I hope makes for a good night in Nov’ 22 and President Ronny D in 2024.

 

[Irish#1]

My condolences to your wife.

Touche!

 

[Rogue219]

All three jackaloons running for school board did not make it. Two very good incumbents and one excellent newcomer (she got the most votes of anyone) are going through.

I will sleep relatively better.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Clutching pearls? Seriously? Gaetz is accused of having sex with a child. Meanwhile Republicans are losing their minds because Lil Nas X put a drop of blood in a shoe.

As to Anthony Weiner, his Wikipedia page reads that he is a “former politician and convicted sex offender.” Good. I look forward to the day when Matt Gaetz’s reads the same.

You completely dismissed the part where I said hang him by his nuts if he had sex with a child. If he had sex with a 17 year old it's wrong, it's immoral, and I wouldn't do it. But there's a really wide gap between a 17 year old college senior turning 18 in June as opposed to a 14 year old who's a freshman in high school. Comprende?

As to Weiner, I'm well aware of his current situation. I was alluding to your selective outrage at similar circumstances depending on whether the creep has a D or R behind his name.

EDIT: You vote to give these scumbags (on both sides) more power and influence over our lives, and I vote in effort to limit their power and influence.

 

[Rogue219]

https://www.npr.org/sections/health...back-out-of-voter-approved-medicaid-expansion

Missouri voters overwhelmingly choose Donald Trump and Medicaid expansion in November.

This:

Rep. Cody Smith, the Republican chair of the House Budget Committee, separated the money for expansion into its own bill, which the GOP-controlled committee voted down in March.

On the floor of the House last week, Smith said, "Medicaid expansion is wrong for Missouri. I think it's wrong for the state budget.

It's wrong even though the people voted for and wanted it.

Starting to see how this all works now. What really impresses me most is how these jokers keep getting voted into their seats.

 

[NorthDakota]

You completely dismissed the part where I said hang him by his nuts if he had sex with a child. If he had sex with a 17 year old it's wrong, it's immoral, and I wouldn't do it. But there's a really wide gap between a 17 year old college senior turning 18 in June as opposed to a 14 year old who's a freshman in high school. Comprende?

As to Weiner, I'm well aware of his current situation. I was alluding to your selective outrage at similar circumstances depending on whether the creep has a D or R behind his name.

EDIT: You vote to give these scumbags (on both sides) more power and influence over our lives, and I vote in effort to limit their power and influence.

He isn't capable of comprehending the difference between some mouthbreather raping a 7 year old and some dude doing whatever with a 17 year.

Both are bad. One is infinitely worse. But he was likely deprived of oxygen while his mother was birthing him so we should be kind.

 

[drayer54]

I don’t care about blood shoes. It’s stupid and won’t get my money, but well down the line in terms of care factor for me.

If Gaetz did wrong, punish him. I’m not seeing anyone dismiss it? Seemed like a bizarre set of allegations back and forth that will work itself out. Dems who are frustrated with Biden’s series of failures and spending plus the Cuomo implosion are trying to pounce, but I don’t see it being ignored like Cuomo.

 

[longliveautrydenson]

I don’t care about blood shoes. It’s stupid and won’t get my money, but well down the line in terms of care factor for me.

If Gaetz did wrong, punish him. I’m not seeing anyone dismiss it? Seemed like a bizarre set of allegations back and forth that will work itself out. Dems who are frustrated with Biden’s series of failures and spending plus the Cuomo implosion are trying to pounce, but I don’t see it being ignored like Cuomo.

1. Stock market at all time high.
2. Over 1/3rd of U.S. adults vaccinated.
3. American Rescue Plan passed.

So much failure.

 

[longliveautrydenson]

He isn't capable of comprehending the difference between some mouthbreather raping a 7 year old and some dude doing whatever with a 17 year.

Both are bad. One is infinitely worse. But he was likely deprived of oxygen while his mother was birthing him so we should be kind.

Hilarious.

 

[ulukinatme]

Gaetz and Cuomo should both be gone, without question. There's too much smoke around Gaetz for him to be innocent, and Cuomo's deeds and cover up have been exposed for some time. If Al Franken can step down for groping women, these guys should be outta there.

 

[Irish#1]

Cuomo's now under fire for using state funds and resources in writing his book. He denies it of course.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/nyregion/andrew-cuomo-book-investigation.html

ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State attorney general has opened an investigation into Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s use of state resources as he wrote and promoted his recent pandemic memoir, the latest inquiry to engulf the embattled three-term Democrat.

The investigation followed disclosures that junior staff members and senior aides worked on Mr. Cuomo’s book, “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic,” including editing early drafts, sitting in on pitch meetings, and menial tasks like printing and delivering manuscript pages to the governor’s mansion.

Mr. Cuomo has insisted that any work done by government employees on the book — which garnered a seven-figure advance — was voluntary, allowing that some minor work may have been “incidental.”

 

[drayer54]

Cuomo's now under fire for using state funds and resources in writing his book. He denies it of course.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/nyregion/andrew-cuomo-book-investigation.html

I'm shocked the Dems aren't pushing to move on from him yet. The bully tactics must be strong or the Lt. Gov must be awful.

 

[Rogue219]

A change of plea hearing has been scheduled for Monday in federal court in the case of Joel Greenberg, the former Seminole County tax collector who resigned in disgrace last June.

Greenberg — who is required to attend the 10 a.m. hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie Hoffman — is expected to plead guilty to federal charges as part of an agreement with prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

.

 

[Irish#1]

.

Greenberg, a county tax collector in Florida, faces charges including sex trafficking of a minor, stalking, wire fraud and identity theft. He pleaded not guilty to those charges, but his lawyer and prosecutors told a judge at a hearing last month that Greenberg was expected to strike a plea deal.

Greenberg’s lawyer Fritz Scheller told reporters after that hearing, “I’m sure Matt Gaetz isn’t feeling very comfortable today.”

Scheller later said, “You’ve seen the number of stories out there and the emphasis is on their relationship. Isn’t it obvious to assume that he would be concerned?”

Ruh Roh

 

[Rogue219]

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA): “The people who breached the Capitol on January 6 are being abused.”

They smeared shit all over the walls and beat up cops. I'd have assumed Medals of Freedom, but their diety then called them terrorists and gave no pardons.

Swamp the drain.

 

[ulukinatme]

They smeared shit all over the walls and beat up cops. I'd have assumed Medals of Freedom, but their diety then called them terrorists and gave no pardons.

Swamp the drain.

The level of terrorism...it frightens me.

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/LHatesYouALot/status/1394129838034804738[/TWEET]

 

[Rogue219]

The level of terrorism...it frightens me.

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/LHatesYouALot/status/1394129838034804738[/TWEET]

You're serious, Clark.

 

[Rogue219]

MTG made a very good point about solitary confinement during her diatribe, though I think that was without question done by accident.

 

[ulukinatme]

You're serious, Clark.

These are the poster boys the media plastered everywhere describing the horrible insurrection, yet they're having discourse and working with police and reaffirming multiple times to the crowd to keep things peaceful. They're not forcing their way in, they're clearly not violent, and they all left when the National Guard asked them to leave. That's some serious terrorism!

 

[Rogue219]

These are the poster boys the media plastered everywhere describing the horrible insurrection, yet they're having discourse and working with police and reaffirming multiple times to the crowd to keep things peaceful. They're not forcing their way in, they're clearly not violent, and they all left when the National Guard asked them to leave. That's some serious terrorism!

Wow, dude. You straight up Q?

 

[NorthDakota]

They smeared shit all over the walls and beat up cops. I'd have assumed Medals of Freedom, but their diety then called them terrorists and gave no pardons.

Swamp the drain.

Some of them were bad folks who should go to jail. Most of them....seemed like goofballs I would roll my eyes at but thats about it.

For the record, smearing shit on the walls of Congress is the definition of based. That is something all Americans can really support.