Politics

[RLD]

Fracking gas?? All wells are fracked everywhere now. How are those wind farms treating you? Lol

Little boy?? Kushner has proven to be a very skilled negotiator in the Middle East so it makes sense for him to try elsewhere.

Have to agree with you. I think Kushner is pretty darned competent.

And despite my dislike for Trump as a person and many of his policies, I do believe he wants the war in Ukraine to end for humanitarian reasons.

 

[Brent in Az]

No, fortunately you were right handy! My favourite TDS dog to boot.

Maybe we'll get lucky, and you will follow Frostbite into the dust bin of irrelevancy.

 

[RLD]

Maybe we'll get lucky, and you will follow Frostbite into the dust bin of irrelevancy.

Don’t hold your breath little fella. I think you are going to be disappointed on that one.

 

[LivingTheDream]

As I posted above.

This article doesn’t fit the narrative of most on the AH Political Forum.

Unlike most opinion pieces found in places like the NYT or WP, the author cites the reasoning behind his opinions and while some are open to interpretation they are things that actually have happened and been documented in the article.

I think two things can be true at the same time. Russian has to own the decision to invade and it is truly their decision (Red Leg's point), the Americans (Democrats) pushing the "Russian is bad" narrative and isolating Russia also contributed to Russia making the decision to invade (Author's point).

In my opinion, Putin made the decision to invade partially if not largely based on the political environment created.

 

[Betterinthebush]

Don’t hold your breath little fella. I think you are going to be disappointed on that one.

I hope so too. I like other opinions. While I may not agree with you, it’s important for people to communicate openly.

 

[steve white]

He and Frostbite can communicate openly....I just have them blocked, that's all, lol....

 

[John Wasmuth]

.

 

[Saul]

@Saul : I've tried to make heads or tails of your quote, but perhaps I'm missing some American cultural reference. Could you enlighten this ignorant Flemish what you try to express with that quote?

What I was trying to express is that I do not mind spending on a robust social safety net as long as we do not have a tax policy that limits economic growth or punitive to success.

 

[mdwest]

The auto industry was told it was getting deregulated yesterday and the japanese and korean companies are going to be able to make their more small/efficient vehicles in the US now..

SUPPOSEDLY this opens the US to the hilux..

Assuming this happens, I'll be standing in line for the first Hilux Champ that rolls off the assembly line..

https://twitter.com/x/status/1996440828533706976

at an estimated $20K (loaded), those things will sell like crazy in the US.. starting price in other markets is about $13K...

 

[RLD]

I hope so too. I like other opinions. While I may not agree with you, it’s important for people to communicate openly.

I agree. Other than the occasional name calling, I have learned a ton from this political thread, which is why I keep coming back.

And sometimes people who disagree with you are remarkably intelligent and wise.

Let me give you a weird example. When it goes to law I am in the "living tree" constitutionalist camp.

However, literally the best SCOTUS judge of my lifetime, by a longshot, has to be Antonin Scalia. While I often disagreed with his philosophy, he was a witty, charming, warm man, who was beyond any doubt a legal genius second to no one. There are many things about him I try to emulate.

Guys like him have taught me that intelligence, wisdom, character and insight are not the monopoly of any political philosophy.

 

[deewayne2003]

In my opinion, Putin made the decision to invade partially if not largely based on the political environment created.

I agree, and will add.....

I believe that Putin had obviously wanted to full scale invade Ukraine for years and was waiting for the right(weak) U.S. president to come along.

Biden's catastrophe of the Afghan withdrawal was like firing a starting pistol for Putin to start his invasion.

 

[mdwest]

However, literally the best SCOTUS judge of my lifetime, by a longshot, has to be Antonin Scalia. While I often disagreed with his philosophy, he was a witty, charming, warm man, who was beyond any doubt a legal genius second to no one. There are many things about him I try to emulate.

Guys like him have taught me that intelligence, wisdom, character and insight are not the monopoly of any political philosophy.

One of the things I liked best about Scalia was... his deep friendship and respect for Ruth Bader Ginsberg..

You couldnt find two people more ideologically opposed.. but they had a lot of shared interests (opera, wine, food, travel, etc..) and were able to accept that they pretty much were going to disagree on all things political and legal.. but found that it was ok.. they respected each others intelligence, and even each others reasoning (they might disagree on conclusions, but understood and respected how the other party came to a completely different conclusion)..

A lot of people thought their friendship started at the USSC.. thats not true.. they actually first met when they both were justices in the DC Circuit Court of Appeals and very quickly became friends.. they vacationed together, their respective spouses really liked each other as well.. they had family meals together, etc.. for many years before either of them ever made it to the USSC.. their friendship spanned several decades..

I am much more aligned with Scalia than probably any other justice on the court in modern history, to include Thomas (who I also am very closely aligned with).. Ginsberg is about as far outside of my orbit as I can possibly imagine anyone ever could be...

But, like Scalia, I think I probably would have actually liked Ginsberg... While she was wildly left wing, she was certainly no dummy, and was no ones patsy.. she was incredibly brilliant, articulate, and thought everything through to the smallest of detail.. sorta like Bill Mahr, Ginsberg is a liberal that I'd love to spend a weekend with.. I dont agree with much of anything Mahr believes in.. but he defends his positions with facts, he doesnt suffer fools well, and he admits when he's wrong... I think I could learn a lot if I ever had the opportunity to spend time with him (or Ginsberg when she was alive)..

 

[RLD]

One of the things I liked best about Scalia was... his deep friendship and respect for Ruth Bader Ginsberg..

You couldnt find two people more ideologically opposed.. but they had a lot of shared interests (opera, wine, food, travel, etc..) and were able to accept that they pretty much were going to disagree on all things political and legal.. but found that it was ok.. they respected each others intelligence, and even each others reasoning (they might disagree on conclusions, but understood and respected how the other party came to a completely different conclusion)..

A lot of people thought their friendship started at the USSC.. thats not true.. they actually first met when they both were justices in the DC Circuit Court of Appeals and very quickly became friends.. they vacationed together, their respective spouses really liked each other as well.. they had family meals together, etc.. for many years before either of them ever made it to the USSC.. their friendship spanned several decades..

I am much more aligned with Scalia than probably any other justice on the court in modern history, to include Thomas (who I also am very closely aligned with).. Ginsberg is about as far outside of my orbit as I can possibly imagine anyone ever could be...

But, like Scalia, I think I probably would have actually liked Ginsberg... While she was wildly left wing, she was certainly no dummy, and was no ones patsy.. she was incredibly brilliant, articulate, and thought everything through to the smallest of detail.. sorta like Bill Mahr, Ginsberg is a liberal that I'd love to spend a weekend with.. I dont agree with much of anything Mahr believes in.. but he defends his positions with facts, he doesnt suffer fools well, and he admits when he's wrong... I think I could learn a lot if I ever had the opportunity to spend time with him (or Ginsberg when she was alive)..

All true. Their relationship should serve as an example for others to follow. That is one of they key reasons I try to emulate him.

It's funny I have never really thought about lately which SCOTUS judge I would be most aligned with right now. It's a tough call. I do have high hopes for Comey-Barrett though. With all due respect mdwest, it's not Thomas...;-)

 

[RLD]

I agree, and will add.....

I believe that Putin had obviously wanted to full scale invade Ukraine for years and was waiting for the right(weak) U.S. president to come along.

Biden's catastrophe of the Afghan withdrawal was like firing a starting pistol for Putin to start his invasion.

I think you are right.

But what is the lesson to be learned from all that? Don't look weak in front of a predator like Putin.

 

[mdwest]

I think you are right.

But what is the lesson to be learned from all that? Don't look weak in front of a predator like Putin.

I think it was Clint Smith (founder of Thunder Ranch) that used to say "if you look like prey, expect to get eaten"..

Both Putin and Trump are apex predators.. I think they have a healthy dose of respect for each other.. they just play very different games and have very different methods of hunting/killing..

whose the more dominant predator, an orca or a lion?

neither... different environments.. different methods.. different opportunities... but both will kill you in a second if theyre hungry.. everything they can reach looks delicious.. and they both have big appetites..

 

[DaddyFlip]

It is remarkably applicable today, because it arises out of the suggestion that when the King's desires conflict with the law, the law should be broken.

The alternative...

ARTHUR: You are the people I love best in the world.
GUENEVERE: Then why can't you defend me?
ARTHUR: The law! My laws must bind everyone, high and low, or they're not laws at all.
GUENEVERE: You are my husband.
ARTHUR: I must be king first.
GUENEVERE: Before husband?
ARTHUR: If need be.

 

[Wheels]

I agree. Other than the occasional name calling, I have learned a ton from this political thread, which is why I keep coming back.

And sometimes people who disagree with you are remarkably intelligent and wise.

Let me give you a weird example. When it goes to law I am in the "living tree" constitutionalist camp.

However, literally the best SCOTUS judge of my lifetime, by a longshot, has to be Antonin Scalia. While I often disagreed with his philosophy, he was a witty, charming, warm man, who was beyond any doubt a legal genius second to no one. There are many things about him I try to emulate.

Guys like him have taught me that intelligence, wisdom, character and insight are not the monopoly of any political philosophy.

Scalia was certainly one of a kind. The only Justice who could make an opinion or descent scathing yet entertaining at the same time.

 

[deewayne2003]

I think you are right.

But what is the lesson to be learned from all that? Don't look weak in front of a predator like Putin.

Or stop voting with your emotions and putting weak people in office; I sincerely believe that Biden & Trudeau did more long lasting harm to our countries during their tenure than most of our adversaries could dream of.

Just look at the UK and EU...... Jesus it's sad!

 

[LivingTheDream]

But how about you grow a pair and tell us if you think pardoning government officials who facilitated drug trafficking or fraudsters was a good idea or a bad idea.

Just to be argumentative, your previous quote discussed the rule of law, this question asks if it is a good idea or bad idea. Regardless, if it is a good idea or bad idea, he has the legal authority to do it.

 

[VertigoBE]

What I was trying to express is that I do not mind spending on a robust social safety net as long as we do not have a tax policy that limits economic growth or punitive to success.

I'm not sure that logic will hold up to scrutiny.
Any social net, is paid out of taxing citizens or companies. The government has no money of its own.
Any dollar in tax, is a dollar that cannot be invested, or goods/services purchased with.

Basically, any social safety, is per definition going to limit growth and will therefore also limit success.

That being said, the question is where the line should be drawn.
How much growth or personal success are we as a society willing to exchange, in order to have some social safety net.