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2016 US election

...on serious topics that don't fit anywhere else at present.
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Dave B
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2016 US election

#1 Post by Dave B » February 2nd, 2016, 11:05 am

Well, what a choice they have!

One woman, a socialist, an evangelical anti-establishment type and an egotistical showman...

You could not write it! Could be a superb satirical story if it were not so bloody serious.
"Look forward; yesterday was a lesson, if you did not learn from it you wasted it."
Me, 2015

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jaywhat
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Re: 2016 US election

#2 Post by jaywhat » February 2nd, 2016, 4:17 pm

yes - somewhat scary

Nick
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Re: 2016 US election

#3 Post by Nick » February 2nd, 2016, 6:19 pm

Hillary Clinton's problem is that the electorate think they know her already. Unlike Obama, there is no sense of hope. The remaining 3 are all loons in one way or another. I wonder if Bloomberg will stand.....?

Apparently, no single Republican candidate renounces creationism. If that is an indication of their acquaintance with evidence, it doesn't bode well. Is it possible that the US is ossifying, as the Arabic civilisation did in the Middle Ages? For what it's worth, I think the progress of atheism will save them, but you never know....

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Dave B
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Re: 2016 US election

#4 Post by Dave B » February 2nd, 2016, 8:03 pm

Hillary does seem the most competent of the four, the only one with anything like diplomatic experience and the chance of a wider vision. Seemed like a fairly strong character as well.

Trouble is she needs a rather different toolkit for the top of the pyramid, one that may weaken her abilities in some ways.

An American friend says that America always gets a tad insular "after a war". So that's just about all the last 70 years then... Europe, Pacific, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan etc. etc.

Today's news that the US military budget for Europe is being quadrupled, because of the "aggressive Russian policies", bothers me somewhat at a time of chance in the US leadership. The doubling of the anti-Daesh budget is better, providing it is used wisely.
"Look forward; yesterday was a lesson, if you did not learn from it you wasted it."
Me, 2015

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Ken H
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Re: 2016 US election

#5 Post by Ken H » February 3rd, 2016, 2:33 am

I have to pull for Trump to win the GOP nomination. I've read that the majority of Americans hate him and it would mean a sure victory for Hillary or a chance for Bernie to win.

If a Republican wins the presidency, it would likely be disastrous for social security, medicare and the Affordable Care act (Obamacare). Without a Democrat in the White House to veto any legislation aimed at these social programs, they will certainly be weakened, as the Republicans have a majority in both houses.

In many ways Cruz would be a more dangerous president than Trump, due to his ultra conservative and religious ideology. Trump has a far more moderate ideology and no religious baggage.
This is one of the great social functions of science - to free people of superstition. - Steven Weinberg

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Dave B
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Re: 2016 US election

#6 Post by Dave B » February 3rd, 2016, 8:01 am

If either of the Reps get I would be concerned about the global picture as well.

I agree, Ken, Trump is the Democrats' best weapon!
"Look forward; yesterday was a lesson, if you did not learn from it you wasted it."
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Alan H
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Re: 2016 US election

#7 Post by Alan H » February 3rd, 2016, 10:00 am

Ken H wrote:I have to pull for Trump to win the GOP nomination. I've read that the majority of Americans hate him and it would mean a sure victory for Hillary or a chance for Bernie to win.
That makes sense as long as there is zero chance of Trump being elected.
If a Republican wins the presidency, it would likely be disastrous for social security, medicare and the Affordable Care act (Obamacare). Without a Democrat in the White House to veto any legislation aimed at these social programs, they will certainly be weakened, as the Republicans have a majority in both houses.
We've seen much the same here: the Tories dismantling the welfare state by cutting back (severely) on benefits to the most needy and vulnerable and dismantling the NHS by underfunding it and subjecting to unevidneced and idealogical top-down reorganisations.
In many ways Cruz would be a more dangerous president than Trump, due to his ultra conservative and religious ideology. Trump has a far more moderate ideology and no religious baggage.
And we have a Tory Government that, despite plummeting religious affiliation, has greatly increased the number of religious schools.
Alan Henness

There are three fundamental questions for anyone advocating Brexit:

1. What, precisely, are the significant and tangible benefits of leaving the EU?
2. What damage to the UK and its citizens is an acceptable price to pay for those benefits?
3. Which ruling of the ECJ is most persuasive of the need to leave its jurisdiction?

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Ken H
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Re: 2016 US election

#8 Post by Ken H » February 3rd, 2016, 3:05 pm

I certainly don't want Trump as president, just picking the best scenario for a Democrat victory. Cruz is also not liked by many, even within his own party.

The Republicans want Hillary indicted for the scandal with her private emails. There may be some chance of that happening and that would certainly affect the election. It's hard to tell how much is political posturing but Fox news is sure making an issue of it. Trump was even shown holding a sign stating "Hillary for PRISONdent".

Florida's fair haired boy, Marco Rubio, has a good chance of getting the nomination. He would pose a big threat to Hillary. He is a danger to progressives as he was declared one of the most conservative members of congress.

BTW, I read an article once that said Rubio had only a limited time left in politics. With a receding hairline, he will lose his youthful charm in a few years... :D
This is one of the great social functions of science - to free people of superstition. - Steven Weinberg

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Dave B
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Re: 2016 US election

#9 Post by Dave B » February 3rd, 2016, 4:32 pm

So "youthfull charm" is a valid qualification for the White House?

I do despair!

:wink:
"Look forward; yesterday was a lesson, if you did not learn from it you wasted it."
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Ken H
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Re: 2016 US election

#10 Post by Ken H » February 3rd, 2016, 6:24 pm

Dave B wrote:So "youthfull charm" is a valid qualification for the White House?

I do despair!

:wink:
Youthful charmers, religious nuts or arrogant bastards -- no other qualities needed!
This is one of the great social functions of science - to free people of superstition. - Steven Weinberg

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Alan H
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Re: 2016 US election

#11 Post by Alan H » February 4th, 2016, 2:41 pm

The most fun you'll have today! http://trumpdonald.org/
Screenshot from 2016-02-04.png
Screenshot from 2016-02-04.png (2.04 MiB) Viewed 15558 times
Alan Henness

There are three fundamental questions for anyone advocating Brexit:

1. What, precisely, are the significant and tangible benefits of leaving the EU?
2. What damage to the UK and its citizens is an acceptable price to pay for those benefits?
3. Which ruling of the ECJ is most persuasive of the need to leave its jurisdiction?

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Ken H
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Re: 2016 US election

#12 Post by Ken H » February 4th, 2016, 3:10 pm

:hilarity: :hilarity:
This is one of the great social functions of science - to free people of superstition. - Steven Weinberg

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John G
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Re: 2016 US election

#13 Post by John G » February 4th, 2016, 4:08 pm

If you have a few moments give the video a view.

http://www.vox.com/2016/1/29/10868392/s ... nald-trump

Warning it is fun as hell.
A good learner is forever walking the narrow path between blindness and hallucination. ― Pedro Domingos, The Master Algorithm

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Dave B
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Re: 2016 US election

#14 Post by Dave B » February 4th, 2016, 5:30 pm

^^
:laughter: :laughter:

Could play all evening!
"Look forward; yesterday was a lesson, if you did not learn from it you wasted it."
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Dave B
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Re: 2016 US election

#15 Post by Dave B » February 4th, 2016, 5:39 pm

Nice find, echo. :pointlaugh:
"Look forward; yesterday was a lesson, if you did not learn from it you wasted it."
Me, 2015

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John G
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Re: 2016 US election

#16 Post by John G » February 4th, 2016, 7:58 pm

I often wonder if Trump is throwing himself under a train on purpose.
A good learner is forever walking the narrow path between blindness and hallucination. ― Pedro Domingos, The Master Algorithm

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Dave B
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Re: 2016 US election

#17 Post by Dave B » February 4th, 2016, 8:09 pm

echo451 wrote:I often wonder if Trump is throwing himself under a train on purpose.
The man lives in a Trump sized and shaped bubble.

He could simply not understand why those about to lose their homes and jobs in Scotland objected to his plans for a golf course . And, like any politician without 100% integrity he will say whatever gets him the reaction he wants, QED above.
"Look forward; yesterday was a lesson, if you did not learn from it you wasted it."
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John G
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Re: 2016 US election

#18 Post by John G » February 4th, 2016, 8:32 pm

The fact that he has supporters is scary.

Global influence and in the antihumanist camp I think.

Lots of people out there scared and looking for guidance. US population has a stagger rate of illiteracy for a developed country. Vulnerable. He would make a good dictator. Behold caesar, but without any dignity.

(Several edits to clarify what I was thinking. Need to stop posting before engaging the brain completely.)
A good learner is forever walking the narrow path between blindness and hallucination. ― Pedro Domingos, The Master Algorithm

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John G
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Re: 2016 US election

#19 Post by John G » February 4th, 2016, 8:39 pm

Dave B wrote:^^
:laughter: :laughter:

Could play all evening!
It had me doubled up in laughter.
A good learner is forever walking the narrow path between blindness and hallucination. ― Pedro Domingos, The Master Algorithm

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John G
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Re: 2016 US election

#20 Post by John G » February 5th, 2016, 1:56 am

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/03/politics/ ... ace-prize/

And yes someone did nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. I had to check.

Guess it really comes down to who you know. He makes my teeth itch.

Nice timing. Snowden was at the top of the list. Not sure where Trump was but I think last.

I wonder what it cost.
A good learner is forever walking the narrow path between blindness and hallucination. ― Pedro Domingos, The Master Algorithm

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