The_Dude
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Posts posted by The_Dude
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37 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:
You all need to take a break. May I suggest you read Atlas Shrugged while you’re gone?
Do NOT look into Ayn Rand’s later life, but sure.
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17 minutes ago, Deranged Rhino said:
Criticizing AIPAC doesn't make you (or anyone) an anti-semite. Nor does criticizing Israel.
Doing so while lofting up Hamas and Hezbollah though makes one a useful idiot.
(which is not you)
Agreed. Neither does saying "Jew." They're Jews. And neither does using jew as an adjective or verb. Because I refuse to quit using the word when it comes to business dealings, and I create the rules based on what benefits my ability to offend people.
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One of the most politically influential history lessons I took was from Constantine the Great. Anybody's who has studied Rome knows when Constantine showed up the West was on HARD times. HARD TIMES. When Constantine took over he made a "stupid" decision which was incredibly bold for his time.....he reduced taxes. That's right, in debt, he lowered taxes. What happened? Economic revival and prosperity.
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11 minutes ago, SoCoBills said:
It's odd that you hate Muslims so much but I'm guessing Christians are perfectly fine regardless of how many hate killings and mass shooting atrocities are committed by far right, Christian extremists in this country.
I don't hate anyone of any religion. Extremists come in all shapes, sizes, ethnicities and religious backgrounds. I hate extremists. Having a Hijab does not make you an extremist just like being a Christian does not make you a mass shooter or Domestic Terrorist like that coast guard officer Christopher Paul Hansen among others, Dylan Roof and mass events throughout history.
As Tom Jones says, it's not unusual.
Lastly, you'll lose a historical debate with me on christians and muslims. Just trust me.
Yes, not all muslims are terrorists. Thing is, when their population reaches a certain point the fundamentalists take lead while the moderates comply. That's what ALWAYS happens. Look at Turkey. Great example. Turkey has a moderate muslim population in which the fundamentalists are leading.Just now, GG said:The difference is that we know The Dude is racist, while you're masquerading as not
I'm not a racist. I am a cultural supremacist because of course my culture is superior to all others. We've proven it on battlefield after battlefield. There are many non-whites who have smartly adopted my culture, and I'm happy to share it with them.
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11 minutes ago, Foxx said:
then it should be no 'im' and no 'e', just migrate.
This is confusing. I settle it this way -- you win.
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Just now, Foxx said:
emigrate.
No. Im. Not em. If we're talking about emigrating I got some folks I'd like to nominate.
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Just now, SoCoBills said:
The very first Senate Bill that was passed in 2019 is one that punishes critics of Israel. Lobby money impacts policy. It's truth and in this case it's kind of scary.
While I don't disagree with all that you've said did you really have to say it in the most insulting and racist way possible? "Jews are Jewing it up"?? Talk about anti-Semitism.
Oh, ya gotta watch them when it comes to doing business. And they ALWAYS want a discount when it's time to pay. But they're good people. My bestie is a Jew. I love the Jews. Their enemy is my enemy. In fact, I love all peace loving peoples and the only people I know who refuse to coexist are Muslims and the Chinese. ***** 'em both.
Pretty often I pick my words so that if there's a snowflake, I'll give 'em something to snowflake about. -
17 minutes ago, Koko78 said:
People who are more interested (and capable) of improving our country and society than they are in simply trying to recreate their shithole country in our back yard.
I agree, but something tells me Tibs has a color spectrum in mind.
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On 2/21/2019 at 8:37 PM, Tiberius said:
yes, more legal immigration!
And who should immigrate?
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1 minute ago, Deranged Rhino said:
Please share with us specific examples of how AIPAC used its influence and money to change US foreign policy...
Well, um, there are some issues.
First, the Jews are in fact jewing us to some extent. One thing I think needs to stop is Israelis buying low-income housing and renting it out via section 8. Israel gets ENOUGH of our money as it is. They're a developed nation. I'd quit giving them aid over the course of say 5 years...and I'd damn sure put an end to foreign investors tapping into the section 8 market. Thats tax dollars being taken from Americans and dished out to foreigners. Nope.
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12 hours ago, SoCoBills said:
Racism is always bad, regardless of who it is directed at. While many in this thread have been out in the open racist the closest thing to an anti-Semitic trope she said is an "it's all about the Benjamin's" line but the context of the line was directly in reference to AIPAC who spends millions lobbying our government. You could maybe argue, but it's still a reach, that she should be more careful in usage of casual language and pop culture references when referring to AIPAC and the impact of lobby money on foreign policy pertaining to Israel. That's about it.
Should any government be above criticism? It seems awfully difficult to criticize Israel for anything these days without being called an anti-Semite.
As for the beatings I'm allegedly about to take on two fronts. I'm not worried. I believe in political discourse. I have zero concerns over the outcome or response I receive in this thread. Those of you spouting Islamophobic anti-muslim racist rhetoric throughout this thread already lost. I'd be stupid to expect a single ignorant racist to respond in either a fair, logical or well thought out manner. The truth of their racism however will ring loud even if they don't wish to recognize it.
With regards to the Democratic Socialism thread I welcome dissenting opinions based on logic or intelligent dialogue. The only arguments that are tough to swallow are the buzz word fear mongering kind based in fantasy like those who claim Bernie wants us to be Venezuela.
I'd personally settle for both parties agreeing to overturn Citizens United and get money the hell out of politics so that at least we can have the government represent us instead of only representing the Amazons and Netflix's of the world. I'd vote for any politician, Dem or Rep, if they agree on that issue against an opponent that doesn't.
I'd wager you'd call my comments on Islam "ignorant," but I'd bet a shiny penny I have a better education on Islam than you, academically and intimately speaking. I'd wager that because if I made that bet with 100 people I'd win 98 times. And I hate Islam.
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Just now, RochesterRob said:
I'm not seeing how Vietnam, Malaysia, etc. were being bought where they were not aligned before. Care to elaborate?
"Sphere of influence." That's what Obama was buying with TPP in my humble opinion. 'Hey, we'll give you a favorable trade deal' and of course there are strings attached.
"Hey Vietnam, member how we gave you a good trade deal? Yeah, we'd like you support in our cause to maintain international shipping lanes in the S. China Sea.'
"....hey China, we Vietnamese don't support your bull#### island building."
That's what TPP was about in my opinion.
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26 minutes ago, Tiberius said:
Once this form of "socialism" got done you'd be barking up another tree.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/the-good-news-about-a-green-new-deal
"According to Jacobson, his plan to convert the United States to clean energy would cost between ten trillion and fifteen trillion dollars, in total, depending on how it was implemented. "
Holy crap! If there's one think I've learned from life and history is that things never cost what they are initially estimated to cost. So, this thing will cost $45 trillion and isn't guaranteed to work. Great. Good thinkin', AOC!
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17 minutes ago, RochesterRob said:
If it was a defense deal then it was a pretty bad one by my estimate. The only country that you are attempting to buy favor from being China continues to ramp up its military. A glaring example being island building in the South China Sea. The only reason to build islands is to establish a defense perimeter against American forces by making US carriers vulnerable hundreds of miles off of the Chinese mainland.
Um, so China was the defense thinking behind TPP but they were the target. China is the bully TPP revolved around. We were buying favor and influence with Vietnam, Malaysia, and of course our friends Australia and New Zealand. TPP was a bloc of pacific allies to help against China. China was the target not the goal.
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Just now, 3rdnlng said:
Maybe so, but you might want to consider a sane space instead.
Where's the fun in that?
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11 minutes ago, Tiberius said:
Oh man! That happened faster than I thought it would. So Obamacare is no longer the great socialist devil, huh? Wow!!! This shows how the sh it throwing is all histrionics. You guys have just moved on to the next mud slinging yelping and are leaving the "Socialist Dogs" of years past to lay sleeping. Anti-Slavery, Medicare, Social Security, and Obamacare are ok now, its the Green New Deal that is the battleground now, until it won't be and you guys will accept it! And you will!! Bi tches! ?
Oh, and Tibs is back to FULL RE-TARD! Thought we could have a conversation and then he just ######ed it all up.
12 minutes ago, RochesterRob said:Obama could have been following the old communist mantra of "using their own methods to ultimately defeat them." So that does not mean that he was a free market lover but saw bad trade treaties as a way to bring defeat sooner at home.
Obama saw unfavorable trade deals is a means of buying American influence, and he wasn't wrong to know we need American influence, especially in the Pacific. TTP wasn't a trade deal, it was a defense deal dressed as a trade deal.
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Just now, Tiberius said:
Adam Smith was a big advocate for free trade, just like Obama
Yeah, Obama wasn't the socialist many believed him to be. I wish he was the leftiest of the leftists these days but sadly Obama is now way too moderate for the commie loving left.
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Nasty wench. Although, I do want to hear her say "nasty hobbitses, we hates 'em!"
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36 minutes ago, LABillzFan said:
I think this is where S. E. Cupp explains that while some people see a bird that won't dance, she sees one bird as representative of all of us in the age of #metoo; forced to fight off the unwanted aggression of an overzealous lover of bad Elvis impersonators.
This post was not ignored by The_Dude because The_Dude is a man that doesn't need a safe space.
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12 hours ago, SoCoBills said:
I couldn't disagree with everything in this thread more. The main argument that seems to be perpetuated here is that there is no such thing as Democratic Socialism, it's just Socialism. This argument is complete and utter garbage. We don't live in a world of absolutes. We currently have a mixed economy and if Bernie had his way we would continue to have a mixed economy.
There are a couple of major differences though:
1. Democratic Socialism seeks to guarantee minimum standards of living. This is not to create absolute wealth equality but to reduce the insane levels of inequality. Examples of this are: Social Security, Single Payer Healthcare & Affordable access to education.
2. What happens to capitalism when the economy gets too big, businesses get too rich and corporate consolidation crestes the illusion of choice that isn't there and the illusion of competition that doesn't exist? Well, we have what we do now. Big business like Wall Start, Pharma, etc lobby politicians and laws, loopholes, tax breaks etc get passed which represent the best interests of the wealthiest in the country and not the actual people in it. This is why Bernie wants to overturn Citizens United and relentlessly harps on wealth inequality. We have crony capitalism in this country in a rigged economy.
Another thing I want to set straight here is that "Bernie Bros" as you referred to them, are not lazy people looking for handouts. This is propaganda. These are not indoctrinated youth. These are people in a generation that are entering a job market and economy with dropping standards of living, longer hours, higher costs and stagnant wages.
These are people who see tax reform promised to help the middle class have 80% of tax breaks go to the top 1%. The IRS already is reporting refunds are decreased by about 17% so far. Not for Amazon or Netflix though. I paid more in taxes this year than either of this multi-billion annual income earning corporations did. Corruption corruption corruption.
Prescription drug prices in this country are insane. The price of a vile of insulin went up from about $27 to well over $300 and that's for people with insurance. Did you know the leading cause of bankruptcy in the USA is medical debt? Did you know this is also the case among people with solid health insurance?
How are we going to pay for all this "FREE STUFF"?? That's always the next question I see mockingly asked and it's absolutely mindless. For one, the only people calling it free stuff are Republicans as a way of pretending it's a pipe dream. Secondly, people want a one line answer for something that isn't a one line issue. For one, it isn't free. Taxes will go up for everyone a bit and I stress a bit BUT most if not all Americans (except billionaires) will save more in prescription drug, insurance and copays each year by a wide margin than they will lose in tax increases. A 70% marginal tax rate on income earned annually starting with your 10 millionth dollar earned and up will pay for it alone. What you also don't factor is the trillions of dollars is costs Republicans report this will cost isn't net increase, it's total. A Republican study actually showed it would cost the country, net, less than our current system.
Next I hear - oh but you'll die waiting for Healthcare and have month long lines to see a doctor. This is not even close to true. Every other major country on Earth uses this. USA is ranked 20 or worse in medical outcomes and life expectancy and quality of health care. People aren't rushing from Canada into the United States for medicine or procedures. In fact, people are consistently trying to do the opposite.
As for college education. The degree now holds less power and yet the price has astronomically increased. We have colleges giving massive salaries to top administrative officials and sports coaches and sports directors like they are coaching in the NFL or something and students are paying for it. I spoke of medical debt being the leading cause of bankruptcy well, guess what else is right up there? I recently read the story of a dude that worked his ass off through law school and works for a prestigious firm and lives at home with his parents in a small room with a twin sized bed because he's in such massive debt due to student loans.
Let's be real, the government hasn't represented the will of the people for a long time. 100% of Americans could want a bill and it wouldn't pass Congress if big money lobby's didn't want it to. Is that democracy at work?
1. I believe a persons work ethic should maintain their minimum standard of living, sir, not the government. If a person follows these three rules they will never have to succumb to the madness of Bernism: 1- Finish high school. 2- Don't have kids before marriage. 3- Pursue a trade or a profitable degree, not something stupid like History. If a person follows those three rules they'll be middle class. Hell, I'm upper middle class and I don't have a high school degree.
2. You're suggesting we're in a new gilded age and while not completely incorrect, and while it doesn't need to be unaddressed, your point is moot to the average Joe when there are thousands of good paying jobs that people are not pursuing because they require hard work. The economy isn't rigged. Even a poor boy like me is allowed to compete. I took my last $5k and started my company with no safety net and now I am doing well. It took daring and there was no guarantee.
3. Bernie bros are the entitled people who are the product of their entitled upbringing. Yes, things are a bit different now than they were in the 60's. You can't go work 40 years at the local factory and retire with a pension. Pensions were killing shareholders and so that way of life went away. The world waits on nobody, learn to adapt. Bernie bros are pansies.
4. I am NOT a finance guy, but this '80% of tax breaks go to the 1%' is like, 'well duh.' Does the factory worker have PP&E to write off? I mean its understanding that the more assets a company has the more depreciation they can find. And rich people have good accountants, wouldn't you if you were rich?
5. The cost of medicine in this country is an issue. You're right there. But what will happen if Bernie "fixes it?" Because most medical breakthroughs happen in the US because of our blend of capitalism and medicine. Its estimated to cost $2.7 billion to bring a new drug to market. When Bernie makes that unprofitable, there goes investment. Tread lightly and carefully. If I were dictator I would have a team of medical professionals and economists working on this. There is no quick answer, but Bernie will rush to one.
6. My private healthcare wont cover my rotator cuff tear because its preexisting. The VA will. It's March 2019. I started the process in October of 2017. I'm now to the point where my next VA appointment is the one where they "may" finally schedule the surgery. Ya socialized medicine. Tread lightly, be careful what you wish for. Also, the countries that provide socialized medicine dont have our necessary defense bill. We can NOT cut defense.
7. I support free community college for certain degrees. Any trade school should be free. Why? I believe in investing in Americans. Give them the tools and they'll move mountains. But I'll be damnded if a degree in African Studies should be free. We have to be smart with our resources.
Bernyism is anti-Americanism.
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1 minute ago, SoCal Deek said:
OK Doc...I'm dying to find out where YOU think a twenty-something ditsy bartender gets these ideas? Was she born with them? No...she was indoctrinated from a young age by teachers, and later professors.
I highly disagree. The decline in our character is what it is. American values are no longer American values. Immigrants don’t know how this country formed. They do NOT understand what it meant to ‘move to the colonies / America’. The term “American Exceptionalism,” know what it means? It doesn’t mean what most people think it means. People read it and say ‘that’s another way Americans say they’re better than everybody else.’ But it doesn’t mean that. The term refers to the quality of immigrant it took to make it here. Yeah, this is like colonial era and not post-1776. See, the British were NOT accustomed to literally having to fight and work for survival. Many died of disease. Many went back home quickly. They couldn’t make it because a footman (auto correct literally corrected that to “doorman” btw) was not used to the back breaking labor that it took to make it here. It took an EXCEPTIONAL person to make it AMERICA. There were no guarantees other than you can come here and reap the rewards of your labor. The EXCEPTIONAL AMERICANS who came here and succeeded were truly exceptional people. And those people would prosper and in time become world leaders because of the economic growth created by unbridled capitalism. But capitalism requires work. It requires a world that needs blue collar labor, and there’s a crying need, and the jobs are sitting open while these people buy into Bernie’s sermons: “you’re not a failure because you’re 33, have no trade, no degree. It’s not your fault. It’s the 1%’s fault!” These people think they’re victimized because they made poor decisions. Bernie gives them a boogey man, the 1%, and all of a sudden all the decisions that they themselves made that contributed to their lack of success become the fault of the 1%. “Yeah, it’s not my fault I have $60,000 in student loans, a useless degree, and no 6-figure salary!” Then Bernie promises them their neighbors lawn chair and they become “socialists.” Were no longer exceptional. I blame it on decadence and a strong change in demographics. I know that’s controversial but I have a very good reasons for believing it. Immigrants have watered down on ‘can do’ attitude. That doesn’t mean I hate immigrants, but I’m calling it like I see it.
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4 hours ago, Chandemonium said:
I still need a general purpose 12 gauge to feel like I have all the bases covered. After that the want list includes a bolt action hunting rifle in .308 so it can use the same ammo as my ar10, a .22lr pistol for a range gun that I can shoot 1000 rounds in a trip without crying about the ammo cost, and the Ruger Blackhawk convertible single action revolver with interchangeable cylinders chambered in .40 s&w and 10mm auto. I also want to get into reloading which means buying a press and the associated tools and building a bench.
I remeber you saying that you carry 9mm because you subscribe to the higher capacity is better philosophy, which is why I read you as the other man in the punchline.
I’m a huge believer in ammo capacity. Nobody is accurate with handguns, handguns suck, ammo is important. I’m especially fond of my custom Kel Tec Sub 2000 in G17 grip. That thing is nasty.
Ive got a 10/22 just like any American boy. That’s my plinking gun. I love it.
And by ‘general purpose’ 12 gauge, you mean for hunting or defense or both?
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1 minute ago, 3rdnlng said:
I could still kick your ass.
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9 minutes ago, Tiberius said:
It's kind of funny, but the voters most influenced by this obvious right wing campaign to scream socialism are people receiving socialist security. They are socialists!
Dude is pushing right wing talking points...
Heres the thing. I haven’t been posting on here that long.
I stopped counting ting but I gave Bernie over $500 in campaign contributions last go round. Serious. I’m a two time Obama voter.
What changed? A thorough study of Russia, and Rome.
Before i I become a Romaholic, I had only studied Bronze Age peoples. I thought antiquity would shine no light on my quest to prove Bernienomics correct.
What ended up happening was the exact opposite to my surprise. My autopsy of Rome left me shaken. It remolded my politics. My study of the 20th century convinced me Bernie is a dangerous demagogue albeit with good intentions.
Now, there is value in social programs. Personally I see the need for social security but I would organize it differently. As in the money you put in and employer contributions go to a plan that the individual picks that is run by a private company.
I understand the need to subsidize the grain for the plebs....but when the grain doll became free....oh what a slippery slope.
The_Dude argues nobody’s talking points but his own. I’m my own man. How many times have you heard me bash Trump?
I believe that through studying history and reverse engineering it, that is the only way to form political thought.
Now theres a lot out of the 20th century that isn’t settled science. One such program that I wish there was more academic work on was Mussolini’s “corporations” which fascinated me economically because he won Times Man of the Year (1923) which I would win 80 years later (true) for it. The economic success of it was brilliant. Sustainable? I don’t know.
If i had the time and money I’d honestly research it to write a book.
So, while not everything is settled, socialism is. Let it go, man.
And BTW, in Tiberius’ day (Grachus, not the Claudian) Rome was far different than America and the oppression they faced was real. Not like the oppression you modern liberals pretends exists.
12 minutes ago, 3rdnlng said:Hmmmmmmmn, socialism is to Social Security as the reserves are to Federal Reserve. Some people don't seem to understand that SS was/is paid for by the employer and the employee or in some cases like mine I paid the full amount for 30 years. Getty ashitty return on my money is socialism?
You old bastard.
The Thread For Greg's Stashes
in Politics, Polls, and Pundits
Posted
https://www.foxnews.com/tech/air-force-deploys-new-handgun-as-it-modernizes-weapons
I predict this purchase will result in 0 enemy kills.