leh-nerd skin-erd
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Posts posted by leh-nerd skin-erd
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10 hours ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:
MIT grad, senior senator from California. Who the F are you?
Presumably not dragged to the ground and cuffed for a foolish stunt at a political briefing.
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2 hours ago, The Frankish Reich said:
I don't like Gavin Newsom. I think he's a phony and an intellectual lightweight.
But I'm impressed by his political chops. Almost Bill Clinton-esque when he sees an opportunity. This little turnabout is fair play thing is pretty damn clever:
https://www.axios.com/2025/06/12/gavin-newsom-trump-mental-fitness
"He is not the same person that I dealt with just four years ago, and he's incapable of even a train of thought," Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential contender, told Fox LA. "He's lost it."
First of all..."stone cold liar"? What is he, Shaft? Can ya dig it?
Second...he's most definitely a politician, he just has to be called on his version of BS. Here's an example where he exposed the world to COVID while implementing strict rules and regulations for the little people of Cali:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/18/politics/gavin-newsom-french-laundry-california-governor
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2 hours ago, The Frankish Reich said:
The battle is over. Wokethink won. The right is now beating the left at its own game.
In waging its war against the universities, the administration is using civil-rights law on behalf of Jewish students, arguing that chants can make Jewish students feel unsafe, and that pro-Palestinian op-eds about Gaza in campus newspapers do so much harm to American foreign policy that their authors must be deported. The American right protested at the woke left when it sought to censor ideas by equating words with violence and prescribed swift punishment for wrongthink. Now, not so much.
https://www.economist.com/united-states/2025/06/10/does-america-now-have-a-woke-right
We now get to worry about hurting the feelings of straight white males.
Even the right's favorite masseur-provacateur is having fun with the newest form of closed-mindedness:
The most prominent accuser has been James Lindsay, an intellectual gadfly first of the left and lately of the right. He first came to prominence for the “grievance studies affair”, in which he and two co-authors submitted parody articles of leftist drivel, some of which successfully passed peer review. He recently conducted a similar prank by getting the thinly disguised introduction to Karl Marx’s “Communist Manifesto” published in a minor Christian publication (by substituting the words “Christian right” for “communism” and “liberalism” for “bourgeoisie”).
Congratulations, Trumpies! You won the battle and lost the war.
Well aren’t you a happy camper and spreader of joy today.
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10 hours ago, Roundybout said:
Where is it “ongoing negotiation” in Trump’s statement?
It’s really adorable how you try to dunk on me when you couldn’t actually answer what this deal does.
St. Bonaventure education, eh? Too much time at the Rathskeller
Visited the Skeller a few times with friends who attended. I suppose one could spend too much time there, but darn it, I liked it. Not all education takes place in the classroom.
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32 minutes ago, BillsFanNC said:
Mikie is whining about links to articles now?
What is this PPP 2007?
Say it ain't so!
😂
Probably less about the link, more about the Leh-n. 🤷🏼♂️
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2 minutes ago, Mikie2times said:
Your excitement to throw points on the board based on a conservative politician doing conservative politician things outside the context of what we even discussed is not overly exciting to engage with. But I'm sure you will layer on multiple responses here. Most likely unanswered, unless I get some free time. Have at it.
I posted a link to an article, Mike. You lectured like you were the Ethan Hawke character in “Training Day”.
All good though. My bad for following up.
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1 hour ago, Mikie2times said:
You might get the opportunity to be right or it might be nothing. Be sure it let us know.
Geesh, a couple days ago, you’re invoking the principle of parsimony, recalling your days as the only Caucasian for hundreds of miles in south central (and later, a snowball in a cotton field in Topeka) while chiding me on outlandish conspiracy theories and how you’ve tired of them. Now, a senator opens an investigation into the topic we were discussing and you’re disinterested. Go figure.
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17 minutes ago, Coffeesforclosers said:
What a gesture it would be if the President, or Elon Musk, took a rounding error on their net worths and paid for the parade themselves?
Sure.
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On 6/9/2025 at 4:51 PM, Mikie2times said:
I have become a bit bitter towards the dismissal of Occam's Razor in our society. Nearly everything that occurs is a conspiracy. It's like our entire existence has become one big gas light. People have lied to us and hidden things from us. But that also doesn't make everything more complicated than it needs to be. I asked if you have ever been to LA because I wanted to know your level of familiarity with this part of the country. Southern California has millions of illegals. It is normal for me to be the only white male in large populations here. Just like it is normal for me to see only white people in the Midwest when I go back to where I am from. It is not going to be easy carrying out widescale deportations in this region. These people's roots are much deeper here. They have more family members, more friends, and more resources to oppose this activity as a result. They don't need assistance. You can choose to believe what you outlined. To me just feels off base.
Who knows where this will go, but citations of 'credible evidence' certainly make this interesting given our exchange the other day. This feels sort of on-base to me.
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12 minutes ago, reddogblitz said:
Yay and congratulations to the US Army for bravely defending our country for 250 years.
Boo to the YUUUUGGGGEE military parade wasting tens of millions of dollars. The Army doesn't need nor did they even want it. I thought we were trying to pay down the debt to save our country after decades of mis management of Democrat Presidents.
The price of the parade obviously wouldn't pay off the debt but at least it could make a down payment.
This is just another boondoggle massive waste of money which we see so much of from this administration.
Sadly I will have to miss it cuz I have other engagements.
I think you're right on this, though there is something to be said for a parade celebrating national pride. It might mean nothing to you, but will to some. As Fergie points out on the other hand, a few millions on a debt the size we're dealing with, it's a drop in the proverbial bucket.
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6 hours ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:
bs. my paying 10k more without everyone else above me having their rates increased. would be spit in the ocean on the deficit. totally futile. waste of money. conversely, increasing the tax on everyone over $250 or $400 k would make a dent and is the answer along with cutting spending.
Who doesn't like money? People that don't have it?
I didn't steal anything unlike the president who you apologize for.
That was my reply to your comment…so…..yup.
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2 hours ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:
nope you brought trump into it. he's been convicted of defrauding banks. My business practice are nothing like his. Nor are most of the other liberals who are willing to pay more in taxes. Itt's not branding. It's the truth. I'm all for cutting costs as well. So long as it's done in a rational way, cutting actual fraud an abuse. Many who will lose their Medicaid are not fraudsters. Some ar and I'm all for cutting them off and even prosecuting them. Cutting funding to FEMA is not the way. Nor attacking universities and important research funding etc.
The most I can do to increase revenue is support and vote for candidates who will raise taxes on the affluent. I do that every election.
Nope, it was you. You’re probably confused because your malfunctioning virtue signal is messing with your eyesight.
Let’s just move on. This is like the 4th or 5th post where you’ve declared your willingness to be benevolent and generous while revealing you’re not either, but would be if the government made you.
On the other stuff, some reasonable thoughts there. Glad we can agree there are costs that can be cut, the only difference between you and me is I say cut expense first, raise taxes only as necessary. You say look for cuts and increase taxes concurrently for select groups, especially liberals willing to help but only if required by law.
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49 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:
This is a fallacious argument on many levels. Firstly, I don't use the tax code to justify windfall earnings. I follow the tax code. I have no windfall earnings. My pay and now portfolio were earned by hard work and good sense. Nothing more. trump has multiple documented instances of stealing from contractors and who knows who else. I never stole a penny from anyone. But while I'm as competitive a capitalist as trump, my morals and ethics are very different
Lots of liberals like me are willing to more in taxes if it will help the economy. The big tax revenue pool is with the biggest earners. My 10k goes up exponentially when the 100k's or millions multiply from the .3%. otherwise, it does no good. you know your argument is intellectually dishonest here. but many of yours are. I am proud of you for keeping it under 200 words....
Ah, the old 'hard work, grit and good common sense' argument, I was wondering when you would trot out that old trope. Get in line, Fergie, that applies to most successful people. It seems like in your case, you use that to justify not doing your fair share while pointing at other people who need to. As far as arguing, I'm not--I'm just having a dialogue on what you say v what you do. That caused you to bring Trump into it, discussing his integrity as if it somehow justifies your actions.
As for liberals being "willing to pay more if it will help the economy", I agree liberals are extremely effective in branding their message as such, woefully inadequate at actually parting with their money to do so. It's a thought exercise, nothing more, nothing less. We also agree those big talk/no action liberals are just like you.
Anyway, we're going around in circles. Good talk.
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36 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:
bs. my paying 10k more without everyone else above me having their rates increased. would be spit in the ocean on the deficit. totally futile. waste of money. conversely, increasing the tax on everyone over $250 or $400 k would make a dent and is the answer along with cutting spending.
Who doesn't like money? People that don't have it?
I didn't steal anything unlike the president who you apologize for.
Ironically, you’re exactly like Trump. Both of youruse the tax code to justify windfall earnings (relative, of course). The difference is Trump embraces it, you dance around like Mr Bojangles pretending you don’t see your own hypocrisy.
At the same time, you’re complaining that other wealthy/wealthier people, certainly the vast majority liberals based on education and income levels as you frequently point out, need to do more in order to convince you that it’s appropriate for you to contribute more.
This is the typical über wealthy liberal response. “We have major problems! You should do more!”.
As for the dollar amount, $10,000 doesn’t sound like it would put a dent in your country club lifestyle, but if you want to be cautious, maybe consider $5,000. Find a stout number and move on. I’m not here to judge.
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9 hours ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:
Why would I pay more when people making 2.5 mil or more are paying less? If I pay more, so should they.
Because it’s your value system that suggests you’re unfairly profiting at the expense of those less fortunate. You’re rationalizing the using the argument that others are more less fair.
It’s an ethical disconnect, like arguing that you’re on solid footing because you only stole $500 from a store when others stole $1000.
You probably struggle to see it because you really, really like the money.
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9 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:
yes, fine with me and it would have affected me. So not the next income level up. For many D's (the new real R's). but 2.5 mil is a bridge too far for R's.
You don’t need a change in tax code to contribute more to the treasury than what would affect you, you can pay more at any time. I never understand why you wealthy folk hold out until the gov compels you, but you’re all pretty consistent.
My philosophy remains unchanged. Let’s have a reconciliation of federal/state tax to be certain waste and fraud is as close to eliminated as possible before taxes are increased. You can’t possibly approach “fair share” fairly when efficiency is not a critical part of the evaluation.
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12 minutes ago, Mikie2times said:
No I have never saw the left use government to reduce the rights of minorities, females, white men, or any other group based on age, sex, or color. None of the examples you gave or your perceived injustices fall into those categories.
Cancel culture is not the same thing as telling a women what she must do with her unborn child or redistricting areas and voter law to make it harder for poor and minorities to vote. Limiting gay rights, etc. These things are not the same as calling you a Putin lover. The fact that you don’t see that distinction is, fascinating. But not really.
I was unaware you were limiting your comments to legislative activities only, but you’re off base there as well. I’m almost embarrassed to have to post these links. The history of our country is complicated and involves all sorts of closed-minded behavior, and it’s certainly not limited to the R brand. I’m not even going to dig into the governments on state and local levels, but if you’re thinking the old school democrats in heavily union WNY were voting for tree-hugging, integration-minded, full term abortion, LGBT inclusive neighborhoods you’re just. plain. wrong.
https://www.npr.org/2020/10/14/920385802/biden-vows-to-ease-racial-divisions-heres-his-recordhttps://www.politico.com/blogs/ben-smith/2008/08/obama-says-marriage-is-between-man-and-woman-011026
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58 minutes ago, Joe Ferguson forever said:
This isn't the world. It's domestic. The rules are different per my link above very conservative on use of force especially for nonviolent protesters.
No. A 1 million dollar income threshold was proposed for higher taxes and rejected by the R's. I'll look it up but that income level must be the 2% and possibly the 1%.
https://dqydj.com/income-percentile-calculator/
How many people made $1,000,000 or more in 2024?
Somewhere around 462,544 people made a seven figure income in 2024. That's less than .3% of the workforce.
$430000 is the 99th percentile
The proposal was actually only for those making 2.5 mil or more. And they still axed it.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-considers-tax-hike-americans-making-2-5-million-more-per-year
One of the democrat talking points was “no tax increase on anyone making under $250k” for a while. That was later adjusted to $400k to widen the net of victims and demonize those not paying their fair share.
https://taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/president-bidens-no-tax-hike-pledge-problem
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/26/harris-biden-pledge-not-raise-taxes-middle-class-00171416
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3 hours ago, Mikie2times said:
I was very harsh in that response and I'm sorry about that. I have a lot of good friends who are religious, most my family is, most people I know are. I don't care that they pick that path and never disparage it as it's very personal to them. To answer your question of course it is needed but morality comes from a lot of places. If you require religion to provide it or think that is the only path to it I think that is a mistake (not saying you feel this way).
I have met completely immoral people who believe in god or say they do (without showing any indication that is the case). Who use religion to manipulate or pursue self fulfilling agendas (sound like anybody we know?). I see very limited connectivity between somebody who is moral and somebody who says they're religious. Some are, some aren't. I generally accept all of them. Even the immoral ones as who am I to judge how they arrive at such a place. You can only hope they improve as people. All of this aligns more with the left even if I don't fully identify with them. I never saw the left as trying to limit who people were or minimize others. They try and impose the acceptance of people on the fringe of society and the right doesn't want that. Religion often tells them not to or at least the interpretation they have of it does. Which I often think is just a justifiable way to be a bigoted.
You never saw the left minimize or target others? Never heard anything about cult members, Putin supporters, about authoritarianism, about failure to tolerate, about white privileged, and most recently, about educated voters v uneducated? The general rule of thumb for a leftists is that whatever income level a leftist is taxed at, the people north paying their fair share starts roughly at the next higher income bracket. Deplorables. Irredeemables. Garbage. You never heard of cancel culture?
Fascinating.
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8 hours ago, Big Blitz said:
When he mentioned the current administration being derelict in its duty, he didn’t suggest it was Truman or Eisenhower at the helm. That’s a plus and in spite of his very pronounced stutter, I think he did good here.
I’m voting sharp as a tack. Final answer.
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1 hour ago, SectionC3 said:
Do you think history will show that the public was misled about DJT's current mental and physical condition? Where's the medicals? Why the stumbling on the steps of Air Force One? Why the slurred words? Why the incoherent articulation of his thoughts?
I do. Just as I think we were misled about JB's mental state. JB is done, off the stage, and no longer relevant. But Trump is still here, and it's worth making these points because of MAGA's affinity for the conspiracy game. (Where are those Epstein files, again?)
Well, based on recent history, it’s possible though I don’t see the MSM participating in the deception to the extent they protected Biden. I also don’t see an unflinching, unquestioning commitment to belief in stories told by MSM outlets like I see with folks on your side of the aisle.
In the event your version of a conspiracy comes to pass, I’d probably follow your lead when the dust settles and state that “DJT is off the stage, and no longer relevant.” when the time was right. That would be immediately after it was revealed, of course. Such is politics.
As for the Epstein files, I never understood why they remained hidden, but it seems the DOJ has opted to follow the Biden DOJ lead. Continuity is good? From my side of things, I’m comfortable that the Biden admin would have selectively released any damaging or potentially damaging information contained in the files, consistent with the scorched earth policy followed during his admin. However, anything is possible.
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14 minutes ago, Mikie2times said:
I have become a bit bitter towards the dismissal of Occam's Razor in our society. Nearly everything that occurs is a conspiracy. It's like our entire existence has become one big gas light. People have lied to us and hidden things from us. But that also doesn't make everything more complicated than it needs to be. I asked if you have ever been to LA because I wanted to know your level of familiarity with this part of the country. Southern California has millions of illegals. It is normal for me to be the only white male in large populations here. Just like it is normal for me to see only white people in the Midwest when I go back to where I am from. It is not going to be easy carrying out widescale deportations in this region. These people's roots are much deeper here. They have more family members, more friends, and more resources to oppose this activity as a result. They don't need assistance. You can choose to believe what you outlined. To me just feels off base.
Ok, but it seems a bit unreasonable to apply Occam's theory and not consider that being lied to is pretty much a mainstream issue these days. You imply I'm thinking conspiracy, but I'm thinking with a cell phone and communication/messaging apps it's pretty simple to organize a crowd of individuals intent on creating a ruckus. That said, you asked what I thought, I replied. When you pressed for further information, I replied again. There was nothing conspiratorial in what I suggested, yet here you are offering your opinions on my potential conspiracy theory.
For what it's worth, we were lied to about Russia and who knew what and when, lied to about the deteriorating mental condition of JB, lied to about HBs laptop and Russian disinfo campaigns, lied to about elements of COVID including death counts of the elderly....all of which had the numbskulls on the other side of the political aisle screeching about conspiracy nuts.
I'm not doing that here, and certainly acknowledge the possibility you have laid out. It's quite reasonable. It's ok with me to disagree agreeably.
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33 minutes ago, Mikie2times said:
You're correct here, since you don't believe it was spontaneous who do you think is funding or coordinating this? It doesn't seem to help any liberal cause to have this type of situation occur.
I disagree. Chaos in the streets is always good for party out of power, it allows for the opportunity to position itself as the problem solver it given the chance. To borrow from a well-known political saying, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”.
As to who might be organizing, I’d think there are any number of groups that might be in play:
-Open Border groups;
-Foreign govts/individuals looking to sow seeds of discontent in our country;
-Left wing anarchists
-Right wing anarchists;
-Cartels;
-Business groups that favor open borders and cheap labor;
-Any group/social club Roundy belongs to;
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5 minutes ago, Mikie2times said:
So conclusion is either the people rioting can talk with other people they know who also want to participate OR that it's strategically planned and well financed.
That might be your conclusion, it isn't mine. I shared my conclusion at the end of my last post.
Your question was fair, and it seems you've come to the conclusion that there was no coordination and everything happened spontaneously. That's possible.
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Liberal Protests
in Politics, Polls, and Pundits
Posted
His lead off was “Hello less hateful world…”? 🤫😂