Politics

[GATTACA!]

Biden’s Secretary of Transportation, Mayor Pete, appeared on Face the Nation over the weekend, where the host quite rudely asked about the $7.5 billion set aside for electric vehicle charging stations, which has resulted in something like 7 or 8 actual charging stations. Now, I’m sure a few more units will be built before their target date in 2030, but what about the rest of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill? Adjusted for inflation, Biden’s “roads and bridges” boondoggle cost more than the Apollo project, the Manhattan project, and the interstate highway system combined. Folks: where are the new bridges? Beyond some “refurbishments” and “equity grants,” nothing has changed. So where did the money go?

Weren't we just crying about Biden putting signs with his name on them on construction sites where things are being built by the infrastructure bill a few weeks ago?

 

[drayer54]

Weren't we just crying about Biden putting signs with his name on them on construction sites where things are being built by the infrastructure bill a few weeks ago?

Yeah, but we didn't realize that was the only thing they built.

 

[Blazers46]

Saw a graph on TV comparing the cost of several food items from last year and today. Your Memorial Day cookout is going to cost you more.

Taco Bell 5 layer Burrito 2019 $1.69 - 2024 $3.69
McDonalds Double Cheeseburger 2019 $1.00 - 2024 $3.15

With the app you can get 2 burgers for $1.50 each, up yours inflation!!!

 

[RDU Irish]

You're right. Joe is as pure as the driven snow.

Hillary and Bill never had anyone killed either.

If you can't admit Russia Collusion, "fine people" and drink bleach were hoaxes then you are a broken human probably suffering from TDS. Kamala's Ven diagram would place most groomers and pedophiles in this group.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

Hillary and Bill never had anyone killed either.

If you can't admit Russia Collusion, "fine people" and drink bleach were hoaxes then you are a broken human probably suffering from TDS. Kamala's Ven diagram would place most groomers and pedophiles in this group.

Have you read the Mueller report yet? Too much effort for you? You’re a prime example of how propaganda works. All they have to do is repeat “no collusion” and you believe it.

 

[Irish#1]

Hillary and Bill never had anyone killed either.

If you can't admit Russia Collusion, "fine people" and drink bleach were hoaxes then you are a broken human probably suffering from TDS. Kamala's Ven diagram would place most groomers and pedophiles in this group.

Never get on the Clinton's bad side.

 

[Irish#1]

Traitor

Russian disinformation sites linked to former Florida deputy sheriff, research finds

A new report from a media watchdog connects John Mark Dougan, who now lives in Russia, to scores of fake news sites.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[RDU Irish]

Have you read the Mueller report yet? Too much effort for you? You’re a prime example of how propaganda works. All they have to do is repeat “no collusion” and you believe it.

If it isn't an official gubmint document, it didn't happen. Simp.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

If it isn't an official gubmint document, it didn't happen. Simp.

I expect nothing less from you. You’re worse than Drayer.

 

[GATTACA!]

I expect nothing less from you. You’re worse than Drayer.

Careful. Keep disagreeing with him and he'll call you a child groomer like usual.

 

[TorontoGold]

Careful. Keep disagreeing with him and he'll call you a child groomer like usual.

Remember. Conservatives argue with fact and reason, unlike the Left who are emotional.

 

[RDU Irish]

Something or other about glass houses and shoes fitting. Can't wait to be called a Nazi in my DMs by a creepy groomer again.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

Something or other about glass houses and shoes fitting. Can't wait to be called a Nazi in my DMs by a creepy groomer again.

If the armband fits…

 

[Irish#1]

Sen. Bob Menendez has enough signatures to run as an independent despite his bribery trial

The longtime New Jersey Democrat, who has been weighing an independent re-election bid, hopes to gather a large number of signatures as a “statement" of continued support.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[RDU Irish]

Sen. Bob Menendez has enough signatures to run as an independent despite his bribery trial

The longtime New Jersey Democrat, who has been weighing an independent re-election bid, hopes to gather a large number of signatures as a “statement" of continued support.

www.nbcnews.com

This fvcker isn't in jail? Make it make sense.

 

[NDVirginia19]

This fvcker isn't in jail? Make it make sense.

"The longtime New Jersey Democrat"

 

[drayer54]

This fvcker isn't in jail? Make it make sense.

Democrat from New Jersey. Gold bars be damned. Schumer is disappointed but not doing a damn thing. His caucus is more concerned about Revolutionary War flags.

Also- more proof that the Dems are moving extreme left and isolating moderates-

 

[RDU Irish]

Rs boot Santos - Dems ignore Menendez.

Manchin just knows what is needed to get re-elected. WV and Montana should be delivering red blooded alpha conservatives instead of moderate dems.

 

[Irish#1]

Rs boot Santos - Dems ignore Menendez.

Manchin just knows what is needed to get re-elected. WV and Montana should be delivering red blooded alpha conservatives instead of moderate dems.

Anything to maintain majority.

 

[drayer54]

Anything to maintain majority.

Party over Country

 

[IRISHDODGER]

 

[Bluto]

Interesting video and I definitely agree with the closing statement. I guess the question I have is to the why and it is always kinda weird to me seeing a self described libertarian being critical of “corporate media” and the dumbing down of the culture writ large. Here’s why I say that.

“Social” media and current “corporate” media (largely the programming on paid cable at this point) are designed to push to the front the most simplistic and antagonistic of ideas.

Why is that? I would argue that reason is that they are driven 100% by profit motive and at this point operate in what is essentially a completely unregulated market. The simplistic and antagonistic programming elicits a strong emotional reaction, generates engagement which in turn equals add revenue.

Now, unless I am mistaken that unregulated, profit driven model is the capitalist model libertarians have been championing for as long as I can remember.

It’s also interesting that he brings up Firing Line because that show was the progenitor of the stupid, shallow, yelling matches we can now all witness on a daily basis on social media and cable “news”. Buckley and Vidal engaged in name calling and ad hominem attacks. Case in point, Buckley at one point called Vidal a “queer” and stated he “wanted to sock [him] in the goddamn face”.

If anyone is genuinely interested in taking a deeper dive into an analysis of media I would recommend starting with the theories of Marshall McLuhan.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Interesting video and I definitely agree with the closing statement. I guess the question I have is to the why and it is always kinda weird to me seeing a self described libertarian being critical of “corporate media” and the dumbing down of the culture writ large. Here’s why I say that.

“Social” media and current “corporate” media (largely the programming on paid cable at this point) are designed to push to the front the most simplistic and antagonistic of ideas.

Why is that? I would argue that reason is that they are driven 100% by profit motive and at this point operate in what is essentially a completely unregulated market. The simplistic and antagonistic programming elicits a strong emotional reaction, generates engagement which in turn equals add revenue.

Now, unless I am mistaken that unregulated, profit driven model is the capitalist model libertarians have been championing for as long as I can remember.

It’s also interesting that he brings up Firing Line because that show was the progenitor of the stupid, shallow, yelling matches we can now all witness on a daily basis on social media and cable “news”. Buckley and Vidal engaged in name calling and ad hominem attacks. Case in point, Buckley at one point called Vidal a “queer” and stated he “wanted to sock [him] in the goddamn face”.

If anyone is genuinely interested in taking a deeper dive into an analysis of media I would recommend starting with the theories of Marshall McLuhan.

I would love to see that posed to Smith. I suspect he would have an answer. I have no idea what it would be.

You’re correct & why I’m one in favor of regulations in some areas. For instance, I think the bill (name escapes me but it was in Clinton era IIRC) passed to allow Pharma to advertise was a bad idea & perfect example of lobbyists working their “magic”. The epitome of why it is a bad idea came to fruition during the pandemic when pharma companies depended on the corporate media to be in lock step w/ their vaccines, etc. The networks likely earned more revenue from Pharma cos than any other industry so I’m willing to bet there were conversations about defying the vaccines, the companies who produced them & the mandates. Regardless, a clear conflict of interest but if we take capitalism to the ugliest degree (crony capitalism), this is what we see.

I believe only two countries in the world allow DTC ads by pharma. The other country is New Zealand & I understand they’re highly regulated. It’s ironic that pharma got permission to buy DTC ads soon after cigarettes were banned from tv & billboards. Hard liquor may is also banned from TV but not outdoor advertising. So I suspect some Libertarians want that unregulated as well to keep w/ the purity you mentioned of unregulated markets.

As far as Cuomo, it’s pretty obvious he’s trying to rehab his career by saying he saw the light & is no longer a corporate fascist scolding the poors for using horse paste & not wearing masks. You can tell how he’s made the rounds that his ultimate goal is a spot on Rogan’s podcast to which I’d be shocked ever happened.

 

[Bluto]

A couple of things about the statements made relating to “empire”.

First, I think this idea of awarding the mantle of “most powerful” or “greatest” empire and or civilization is a fools errand. It’s the same slippery slope one encounters when trying to come up with lists of the “greatest” college football teams ever and the like.

The whole question as to why empires decline discussion is interesting. Most of the time it involves many more factors than those that were laid out and I have a feeling that the ideas presented are largely based on an pretty limited analysis of European empires, specifically the Romans.

Case in point, a book I recently finished called Nomads by Anthony Sattin devles into this idea as to why empires and civilizations come and go. In it he introduces some of the theories Ibn Kahldun who was basically the first person in recorded history to tackle this idea.

Kahldun introduced the idea of circularity as it relates to the rise and fall of empires. The cycle as it was discussed in Sattin’s book and as it was applied to the Nomadic Empires discussed was one of rise, plateau, decline, death and rebirth. The collapse of all empires was inevitable and was perfectly natural.

Now what lead to the decline and collapse? The abuse of the natural systems they relied upon has been a key factor in the collapse of a number of “great” empires.

As to the “decadence” theory, based on my reading of history it’s not the general population writ large that becomes “decadent” it’s the ruling class. Those “decadent” settings however, often lead to great leaps forward in terms of the development of the arts, science, technology and mathematics.

Overextended military? In some cases yes in others no.

The untimely death of a couple of the Khans and cultural traditions surrounding honoring those deaths played a part in some of the various iterations of the Mongol empires declining.

The Black Plague?

Anyhow, I’m of the opinion that one of the biggest flaws in the western view of history that is commonly taught is that history is a tidy linear progression.

 

[Sea Turtle]

A couple of things about the statements made relating to “empire”.

First, I think this idea of awarding the mantle of “most powerful” or “greatest” empire and or civilization is a fools errand. It’s the same slippery slope one encounters when trying to come up with lists of the “greatest” college football teams ever and the like.

The whole question as to why empires decline discussion is interesting. Most of the time it involves many more factors than those that were laid out and I have a feeling that the ideas presented are largely based on an pretty limited analysis of European empires, specifically the Romans.

Case in point, a book I recently finished called Nomads by Anthony Sattin devles into this idea as to why empires and civilizations come and go. In it he introduces some of the theories Ibn Kahldun who was basically the first person in recorded history to tackle this idea.

Kahldun introduced the idea of circularity as it relates to the rise and fall of empires. The cycle as it was discussed in Sattin’s book and as it was applied to the Nomadic Empires discussed was one of rise, plateau, decline, death and rebirth. The collapse of all empires was inevitable and was perfectly natural.

Now what lead to the decline and collapse? The abuse of the natural systems they relied upon has been a key factor in the collapse of a number of “great” empires.

As to the “decadence” theory, based on my reading of history it’s not the general population writ large that becomes “decadent” it’s the ruling class. Those “decadent” settings however, often lead to great leaps forward in terms of the development of the arts, science, technology and mathematics.

Overextended military? In some cases yes in others no.

The untimely death of a couple of the Khans and cultural traditions surrounding honoring those deaths played a part in some of the various iterations of the Mongol empires declining.

The Black Plague?

Anyhow, I’m of the opinion that one of the biggest flaws in the western view of history that is commonly taught is that history is a tidy linear progression.

Aren't they still divided on just what happened to the Mayas?

 

[IRISHDODGER]

A couple of things about the statements made relating to “empire”.

First, I think this idea of awarding the mantle of “most powerful” or “greatest” empire and or civilization is a fools errand. It’s the same slippery slope one encounters when trying to come up with lists of the “greatest” college football teams ever and the like.

The whole question as to why empires decline discussion is interesting. Most of the time it involves many more factors than those that were laid out and I have a feeling that the ideas presented are largely based on an pretty limited analysis of European empires, specifically the Romans.

Case in point, a book I recently finished called Nomads by Anthony Sattin devles into this idea as to why empires and civilizations come and go. In it he introduces some of the theories Ibn Kahldun who was basically the first person in recorded history to tackle this idea.

Kahldun introduced the idea of circularity as it relates to the rise and fall of empires. The cycle as it was discussed in Sattin’s book and as it was applied to the Nomadic Empires discussed was one of rise, plateau, decline, death and rebirth. The collapse of all empires was inevitable and was perfectly natural.

Now what lead to the decline and collapse? The abuse of the natural systems they relied upon has been a key factor in the collapse of a number of “great” empires.

As to the “decadence” theory, based on my reading of history it’s not the general population writ large that becomes “decadent” it’s the ruling class. Those “decadent” settings however, often lead to great leaps forward in terms of the development of the arts, science, technology and mathematics.

Overextended military? In some cases yes in others no.

The untimely death of a couple of the Khans and cultural traditions surrounding honoring those deaths played a part in some of the various iterations of the Mongol empires declining.

The Black Plague?

Anyhow, I’m of the opinion that one of the biggest flaws in the western view of history that is commonly taught is that history is a tidy linear progression.

I typically tune out when i hear the end of the US “empire” as those discussing it love to compare it to the fall of the Roman Empire. Sure, I see some similarities but agree it’s like comparing 1966 ND to 2004 SC or the 1927 Yankees to the 1975 Reds

 

[Bluto]

Aren't they still divided on just what happened to the Mayas?

Based on my understanding the decline of the Maya was a combo of disease, environmental pressure (drought) and external pressures (warfare). I’m not super clear on that though.

 

[Blazers46]

Fourth Turning: What the Cycles of History Tell Us About America's Next Rendezvous with Destiny

Now available as an unabridged recording for the first time<br /> <br /> NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Discover the game-changing theory of the cycles of history and what past generations can teach us about living through times of upheaval—with deep insights into the roles that Boomers, Generation X...

www.audiobooks.com

 

[Irish#1]

Hate for this to happen to anybody. My mom died from cancer of the pancreas and liver. She went quickly. That was in '71. Not sure what advances have been made since then, but I have to believe they are pretty great. At 74 stepping down to devote all of her time to recovery instead of being absent occasionally might be best.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/02/politics/sheila-jackson-lee-pancreatic-cancer/index.html

 

[IRISHDODGER]

After listening to the soundbites, I went back and listened to the entire 3 hour debate. I give Cuomo credit for doing this as he knew most of the live & listening audience would not be on his side.

Even though I think Cuomo knows he & his colleagues were wrong to demonize & smear anyone who disagreed w/ the MSM narrative during COVID, he will never apologize b/c he’s convinced it shows weakness to the other side & that they will continue to use it as a cudgel against him. He even compared it to Trump never being publicly remorseful or apologizing for anything despite being wrong...& agreed that‘s what Trump should do for political strength. I can only speak for myself, but I think he’s wrong.

America loves to build up & tear down but they also love a redemption story. Cuomo sounds like he’s so afraid of being ”dunked on” for eternity that he doesn’t realize that he’d gain some newfound respect from more folks than not if he just admitted he was wrong. Sure he’d still have a swath that never forgave him but that’s their problem. Cuomo could always respond “I apologized for being wrong…what else to you want from me?” Allegedly that’s why those on the other side are so up in arms…Cuomo & Co insist on “moving on” or “we didn’t know in real time” & will never admit wrongdoing or that their credibility is even more tarnished than pre-COVID. In other words, he’s living in a Message Board World (similar to this one…LOL!) where the entire goal is to dunk on your opponent for being “right” & them being “wrong”

Further in the conversation, I realized Cuomo simply lives in a different world where MSM’s best intere$t lies in “taking sides” vs the MSM most of us grew up with that tried to deliver straight news w/o obvious biases. He even admitted that his new employer, NewsNation; is taking a risk by trying to cover both sides b/c the ratings come from being on one of the two sides. Also, that his opinion is having both sides represented devolves into people shouting over each other. Ironically, he & Smith were able to remain cordial & respected each other’s time when tempted to interrupt.

They also debated illegal immigration & Trump trial but it wasn’t as divisive. I think most would be surprised where Cuomo came down on the Trump conviction. Cuomo also stated that as long as we have a binary system w/ only two choices, it’s not going to get better anytime soon & that more options would change that.