Topics

1

General Comments / Militia in the streets

« on: September 01, 2020, 05:48:35 PM »

Are their any laws about allowing "Militia" in the streets

Who here is in favor of condoning such a thing as Militia on the streets?
Does it depend if they are a white or black militia
What should the minimum age of participants in a militia be?
What kind of training should they have?
How do you hold the Militia accountable?
Does it matter if Militia come from outer state?

How the crap are Militia considered LAW and ORDER?

2

General Comments / Free speech

« on: May 28, 2020, 03:51:47 PM »

On Tuesday, President Trump claimed on Twitter that Twitter is “stifling FREE SPEECH,” suggesting that Twitter is violating the First Amendment.

Using Twitter to attack free speech on twitter seems circular to me.  If I were twitter wanting to clamp down on free speech I wouldn't show that post. by posting it have they proved Trump wrong.

Begs the question we does free speech mean on social media platforms and what is Trumps definition of free speech?

3

General Comments / religious justification: the ends justify the means

« on: November 25, 2019, 05:16:43 PM »

“ ‘Mr. President … you said you were the chosen one,'…  ‘You were. … You are here in this time because God ordained you.’ ” … “God’s used imperfect people all through history. King David wasn’t perfect. Saul wasn’t perfect. Solomon wasn’t perfect,” Rick Perry

I don’t mean for this to be a bipartisan political thing.

I have heard many use this argument to reconcile their values with the values a someone they support but don’t like or even respect. 
Rick Perry uses King David and Kind Saul as example however these are men that fit into the strayed category which basically everyone falls into.

The biblical reference the defense is based on when God hardens the heart of Pharaoh to push the chosen people out of the nest or when he uses a foreign nation, ruler…  to punish his chosen people to get them to repent.  In the end it never terns out well for any involved. Not for the nations and rulers Gods uses or the people who turn to those rules to get the job done.  It’s always a lose lose. I’m defining lose as everyone ending up punished in the end.

Personally, when I hear Christian's using this argument as a justification for their position it makes me shiver. Better I think just be honest with themselves and and what they really value. What these Christian's are saying IMO is that the Ends trump Values.   Very OT but not so much NT.

4

General Comments / Trump decision to pull U.S. troops back from Syrian-Turkish border

« on: October 07, 2019, 03:53:43 PM »

Not sure what I think about this.

On the one hand pull the bandage off, its over, retreat. 
On the other hand the west has betrayed the Kurds in the past... but if we need their help again...

5

General Comments / I have no obligation to be honest

« on: September 18, 2019, 10:01:30 AM »

"They have been inaccurate on many occasions and perhaps I was inaccurate that time, I have no obligation to be honest with the media because they are just as dishonest as everybody else"

Philosophically and as it comes to values I have a problem with the statement.
Have we crossed a line where dishonesty is not only expected but justified?
My mom never let me get away with the 'everyone else does it' excuse.

Wonder how people will spin this.

6

General Comments / Trump's mental state

« on: May 23, 2019, 01:57:57 PM »

Pelosi and others are hinting at a concern for Trump's mental state. Likely just another political ploy
Got me thinking how would we know if something was off? Trumps Communication style, I think makes it difficult.

What would be the signs if Trumps cognitive functions did start to go? Not trying to trap anyone here just curious. If Trump was your parent what behavior would cause you to be concerned? When would you take his keys away? Had to do that judgment for my mom, not fun.

7

General Comments / Is Trump Administration right about immigration?

« on: April 10, 2019, 01:51:19 PM »

Is the US full and should it close its boarders to immigration?
Is Immigration necessary to a healthy economy?
Is immigration as big a problem as so many people make it out to be?

8

General Comments / House fails to override Trump veto on southern border emergency

« on: March 26, 2019, 04:50:40 PM »

I personally don't think building a wall will solve the immigration issues however enough Americans think that it will or don't care so build it.

I also think its a losing issue for the Democrats and that this failure at overriding the veto is politically the best time to let it go.
If it really doesn't fix the issues they can say 'I told you so' now lets work on the real issues and if it does work well then one less issue to argue about.

Is it time to build the wall if only so America can move on.

9

General Comments / China response to the arrest of Huawei CFO

« on: January 17, 2019, 05:26:25 PM »

At the request of the US Meng Wanzhou the Huawei CFO was arrested in Canada for extradition.

Since that time Meng has was release on bail awaiting the extradition trial sometime in Feb. China has responded by placing two Canadian under arrest and a third, in a one-day re-trial sentenced to death for drug smuggling.  (previous sentence was 15 years)
Though it can’t be proven, wink wink nudge nudge,  the three cases appear to be politically motivated in attempts to influence Meng extradition.

China state media is arguing that the cases are equivalent though it should be noted that Meng is living in her million-dolor home while she waits for the trial while the two Canadian are being held without charges and interrogated for 4 hours every day. China has even put out a travel advisory against Canada for fear that Chinese citizens could be randomly arrested.

China is taking the position that it’s concept of the rule of law better represents the international community and not Canada’s and its “10 allies”. 

From my perspective China is spinning the story – creating fake news. But I wonder if perhaps that is how they honestly see the situation.
I also wonder if China is correct in the accretion that in today's world it is they that represent today values as it comes to business and the law, not the west.

10

General Comments / Globalist, Patriotism, Nationalist, Authoritarianism – do words matter

« on: October 25, 2018, 09:51:54 AM »

“We reject the ideology of globalism and accept the doctrine of patriotism.” – Trump

"A globalist is a person that wants the globe to do well, frankly not caring about the country so much. You know, we can't have that" – Trump

"You know what I am, I'm a nationalist… Use that word." – Trump (As he turns his head in profile, chin raised in the mannerism of a Mussolini. Sorry my bias, I'm not saying he is a fascist only that he has the mannerisms of Mussolini. He really does)

Do the words a President use matter?
Is Trumps definition of Globalism valid?  If everyone on the world was doing well wouldn’t that be better for the USA? (no more caravans?)

Is there a difference between Nationalism and Patriotism? Historically I can’t think of a example where Nationalism ended well for a country or a Globe.
Does Nationalism and Authoritarianism go hand in hand?

11

General Comments / I’m sorry but I don’t get it

« on: September 14, 2018, 01:45:06 PM »

Without taking into account any news editorial, commentary or speculation and only taking into account Trumps tweets, statements and rally performances (at face value)… how can anyone trust the man or believe anything he says let alone think he is mentally fit to lead.
He is so concerned with only positive self reflecting (as he views himself) news stories, books… its scary.

12

General Comments / Trump verses Google Search

« on: August 28, 2018, 02:00:34 PM »

Trump claims Google Search as as Left bias. Is such a algorithm possible?
I just googled 'Good news stories about trump' and got the most resent stories that have been in the news, most of which could be taken as negative.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-45331210

13

General Comments / The truth about the brooch, who was late, who was early and the rest

« on: August 03, 2018, 12:10:50 PM »

OMG the absurdity.

I’ve noted the stories about Trumps and Queen’s visit but didn’t give it much thought. This morning more headlines, Trump says he was early, I thought WTF, is this really a news story… Apparently it is.  So I did a search what really happened during this visit, wondering if anyone bothered to check and if it was it possible to discern the truth. 

I think the following article by Patricia Treble, was well researched and should put an end to it. Please put an end to it.

It makes sense why Trump made the claims he did about being early and the uniqueness of the inspection. As for the broach, really, how one person with an agenda could make something so meaningless have legs… absurd

If those that do not like Trump want to push back against him, they are going to have to do a better job of not falling for and propagating such stupid stories.  It only makes Trump world view stronger.

https://www.macleans.ca/royalty/when-it-comes-to-the-queen-and-donald-trump-the-facts-still-matter/

14

General Comments / Should NATO be disbanded

« on: July 11, 2018, 09:43:56 AM »

Has the time for NATO passed?
Should American troops stationed in Europe return home?
How would leaving NATO impact American influence.

15

General Comments / USA negotiation tactics - how comfortable are you

« on: July 09, 2018, 09:50:38 AM »

weird article this morning about Breast Feeding Resolutions - maybe its a joke
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/us-opposition-to-breast-feeding-resolution-stuns-world-health-officials/ar-AAzLnQT?ocid=spartanntp

Interesting part was the use of threats to get its way. I think there is a time and place for such tactics but a breast feeding resolution? I guess everyone ends up knowing their place.

Any supporter of Trump starting to get uncomfortable with the character of the man they elected?

16

General Comments / whats up with all the rallies

« on: July 06, 2018, 04:39:56 PM »

Every week it seams Trump holds a rally
Is it normal for a President to hold rallies such as these?
Are only Trump supporters aloud to attend the rallies?
I never see any protesters. You would think someone would have got in, maybe hold up a shame sign or heckle him.
I'd like to see how he responds to that, or is it to dangerous?

17

General Comments / Church and State: Using the bible to defend policies

« on: June 15, 2018, 10:38:03 AM »

Attorney General Jeff Sessions quotes Bible to defend immigration policies: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44499048

Wondering what people think of Jeff Sessions using this Bible verse to defend policies
Romans 13 "to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained the government for his purposes"

My take on that was shut up and obey, daddy knows best... another shot, step at dismantling democracy?

18

General Comments / What nations can still be considered American Allies?

« on: May 31, 2018, 12:48:35 PM »

What nations can still be considered American Allies?

19

General Comments / The right to bear arms

« on: February 23, 2018, 01:52:17 PM »

Dose North Korea have the right to bear arms?
If the everyone would really be safer if everyone was armed why does the west demand that Korea five up there’s

20

General Comments / Is America “sphere of influence" in the middle east coming to an end.

« on: December 13, 2017, 03:06:24 PM »

Just curious as to what others think
Personally I think it’s the likely outcome of the Trump administration and something I’m ok with.

21

General Comments / Donald Trump, Master of Illusion

« on: September 25, 2017, 03:50:09 PM »

Trump has manipulated almost everyone in the country. He has taken an extraordinarily unorthodox approach to political leadership and we have paid too much attention to his flourish and not enough on his magic.

The fact of the matter is that Donald Trump has devised a brilliant piece of political strategy, covering up his glaring deficiencies with a steady stream of disinformation, political posturing and intentionally creating division. He has drawn his opponents into a constant state of outrage and indignation, diverting their attention from the sum and substance of the little he's had to say about government policy. Instead they have focused on the seemingly frivolous things he's said and done. He has come to realize something that most of the rest of have yet to comprehend, namely, that his target audience doesn't CARE about policy discussions and position papers. They're not bothered that he lies to them because they think the people pointing out the lies are the ones having trouble with the truth.

The brilliance of this strategy is that there's no way to counteract it. The media can shout from the housetops or publish headlines five feet high that what Donald Trump is saying is a lot of mule fritters and it won't make a bit of difference. The only way to neutralize Donald Trump's illusions is to refuse to show them, to simply take away his audience. In short, to ignore him. Until the media has the courage, not to stand up to President Trump, but rather to take the stage away from him, he will play his trick over and over and over again.

When I first heard what Trump had to say about respecting the flag and not using it as a way to expenses free speech, a concern that the nation is living up to the standards symbolized by the flag is that he was intentionally trying to distract the nation. And it works every time.

22

General Comments / US is the greatest threat to world peace

« on: September 20, 2017, 11:17:04 AM »

The US was the overwhelming choice (24% of respondents) for the country that represents the greatest threat to peace in the world today. This was followed by Pakistan (8%), China (6%), North Korea, Israel and Iran (5%). Respondents in Russia (54%), China (49%) and Bosnia (49%) were the most fearful of the US as a threat.

That poll is a few years old however I suspect that the results would be much higher today

The True Face of the United States has been revealed for what it is. God bless America

23

General Comments / The information war is real, and we’re losing it

« on: September 07, 2017, 02:05:54 PM »

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/uw-professor-the-information-war-is-real-and-were-losing-it/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article_left_1.1

“Your brain tells you ‘Hey, I got this from three different sources,’ ” she says. “But you don’t realize it all traces back to the same place, and might have even reached you via bots posing as real people. If we think of this as a virus, I wouldn’t know how to vaccinate for it.”

Starbird says she’s concluded, provocatively, that we may be headed toward “the menace of unreality — which is that nobody believes anything anymore.”
There really is an information war for your mind. And we’re losing it.

The true common denominator, she found, is anti-globalism — deep suspicion of free trade, multinational business and global institutions.
“To be antiglobalist often included being anti-mainstream media, anti-immigration, anti-science, anti-U.S. government, and anti-European Union,”
Much of it was strangely pro-Russian, too — perhaps due to Russian twitter bots that bombarded social channels during the presidential campaign

Very disturbing. How do we protect ourselves from disinformation in the age of information?

24

General Comments / Trumps still doing campaign rallies?

« on: August 22, 2017, 04:47:05 PM »

Why is Trump still doing rallies every few weeks?
Who pays for them, the security, and all that?   
Is this the best use of Trumps time?

25

General Comments / Trump launches stinging attack on media

« on: February 16, 2017, 04:32:41 PM »

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38998362
Mr Trump opened his remarks by mounting a blistering attack on the media for underplaying his achievements after he "inherited a mess at home and abroad".

What world does Trump Live in and were his he getting his information from

26

General Comments / Media terrorist reporting – fact or conspiracy

« on: February 07, 2017, 11:49:34 AM »

Yesterday Trump made the following statement

“You’ve seen what happened in Paris and Nice. All over Europe, it’s happening. It’s gotten to a point where it’s not even being reported. And in many cases, the very, very dishonest press doesn’t want to report it. They have their reasons, and you understand that.”

If the President is correct the media (I assume all main line media) in in conspiracy with some nefarious intent.  If true troubling indeed.

My observation with regards to the media is that if it bleads it leads and find the idea of such a conspiracy difficult to accept as it would be way too difficult to control and coordinate.

At this time I have seen no facts to back up the President's statement so was it appropriate for him to make the comment?
Is the statement fear mongering, a attempt to further undermine the role of the media in a democracy?

27

General Comments / Canada and Mexico must unite

« on: January 26, 2017, 01:42:12 PM »

Mexican president cancels Trump summit
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38760671

Canada and Mexico must unite, says Agustin Barrios Gomez
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trump-will-turn-on-canada-1.3952216

"I don't think appeasement is the way to go [for Canada]," he said, calling it "the Neville Chamberlain approach"

"I think it would be a grave mistake if Canada did not act on principle, because when you sacrifice your principles for short-term gain, you end up losing both," said Barrios Gomez.

"This is a threat to peace and prosperity in North America, just so we understand."

28

General Comments / Arms Race?

« on: December 23, 2016, 12:50:07 PM »

Putin
"We need to strengthen the military potential of strategic nuclear forces, especially with missile complexes that can reliably penetrate any existing and prospective missile defense systems,"
Trump
The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes

Its all very confusing.

Never expected to ever hear Republicans defending and or down playing Russia growing aggressiveness and now talk of restarting the arms race? Its schizophrenic?

Trump spin team says Trump tweets are about preventing nuclear proliferation. Yet I think we have enough evidence to state that Trump means just what he tweets which seems to be that restarting the arms race will prevent nuclear proliferation.

Is Trump playing the useful idiot for Putin? Was Hillary right when she said Trump would be Putin’s puppet with the USA looking away in hope of short term economic gain.

29

General Comments / Trump and quasi state controlled media

« on: November 23, 2016, 10:10:56 AM »

The political communications professor at George Washington University worries about the bigger implications of a weakened press corps giving way to a "quasi-state-controlled apparatus" in the U.S.

"If Trump effectively shuts down the White House press corps, and only provides interviews to some amalgamation of Breitbart.com and Fox News," he says, "there's a very real risk that within six months to a year we're going to have something that looks like [state-controlled] Russia Today and [former Soviet newspaper] Pravda."

Throughout the campaign Trump has owned the ‘Medias’ ass and in doing so undermined it in ways in that I think undermine democracy. You can’t trust the media but you can trust my media.

Trump is able to use nasty language however if the media reports on the nasty language is it they we are being mean so biased against him. 

Trump and his followers can revel in not being politically correct but when address Trump and his followers you must use politically correct language and not offend them.  They are not being nasty you are

The word bias now means any reporting/facts that does not support the ‘facts’ I already ‘know’ is biased. 

To me this is scary stuff.

How do you dialog with a man and hold him accountable when he gets to say whatever he wants, in any manner he wants while you must still play by ‘rules’ soon to be his rules. Why are so many people ok with this?

Is this a legitimate danger?

30

General Comments / Trump & Truthful Hyperbole

« on: October 17, 2016, 04:01:20 PM »

Over the weekend I watched a documentary on Trump and Hillary – were they came from, mentors, events that influenced their lives.
I thought it was pretty good and help me understand where Hillary and the Donald came from and why people seem to really hate or like them.
http://www.cbc.ca/passionateeye/episodes/the-choice-2016

Anyway there is apart that talks about “truthful hyperbole” which I have never heard of before. I guess a kind of Colbert “truthiness”

“Truthful hyperbole” seems to be a great promotion tool but as a tool of debate how would you counter it? His Republican opponents never figured it out
I would call such a communication style dangerous but I don’t want to be call a elitists.

Trump is able to use “truthful hyperbole” very effectively but if he wins the election would he be able to stop using it if the time comes when truth is needed?
Are we looking at a future of “truthful hyperbole”?

http://blog.talkingphilosophy.com/?p=9080

In Art of the Deal Donald Trump calls one of his rhetorical tools “truthful hyperbole.” He both defends and praises it as “an innocent form of exaggeration — and a very effective form of promotion.” As a promoter, Trump made extensive use of this technique. Now he is using it in his bid for President.

Hyperbole is an extravagant overstatement and it can be either positive or negative in character. When describing himself and his plans, Trump makes extensive use of positive hyperbole: he is the best and every plan of his is the best. He also makes extensive use of negative hyperbole—often to a degree that seems to cross over from exaggeration to fabrication. In any case, his concept of “truthful hyperbole” is well worth considering.