American Politics General Thread

[Waterbagel]

Oh they're pretty damn stupid. Half of them can't even seem to get dressed before they go out to collect their government benefits. They just wander around in their pajamas with kids they shouldn't have ever had running around their feet while the baby's daddy runs off and fucks some other dumb slut. If I had it my way, I wouldn't allow them to vote because they're uninformed morons.

LONG day at work

I tell you what mate, you want to be a bit more candid and up-front. Bit more forthright. Don't hold back, say what you REALLY think!!

Always there to lighten the mood!

Mech - I've worked in grocery part-time for over two years now. I must say I have the slightest inkling as to what you're talking about.


Me - I feel that the first step to becoming an "informed" voter (and not just the "informed" that both parties like to throw around every time someone reads one of those blogs with millions of shares on social networking sites that always start out with "NOW GUYS THIS IS A LONG READ BUT IT'S WORTH IT!!!")..

Know your nation's history. Know other nations' histories - notably the histories of the nations yours likes to meddle with. Know why the people in power are in power, and know how they hold onto it.

[mechanismj]

I work for a well known thrift store. I see class and intelligence on a daily basis

I was a bit harsh earlier. So, I offer you this to hopefully redeem myself...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1s_U35nE6Q

[Mexicola]

I work for a well known thrift store. I see class and intelligence on a daily basis

I was a bit harsh earlier. So, I offer you this to hopefully redeem myself...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1s_U35nE6Q

Y'know, much as I don't like the Republicans, it's sad to see John McCain reduced to this...

[zeitgeist]

Know your nation's history. Know other nations' histories - notably the histories of the nations yours likes to meddle with. Know why the people in power are in power, and know how they hold onto it.

QFT.

The only problem with that is that the majority of voters (like the majority of humans in general) are uninformed about economic issues and world political issues. The majority of voters vote based on personal issues--not for what they actually think is best for the nation as a whole.

And you believe our representatives are more interested with what is "best for the nation as a whole"? They almost always pick sides and refuse to work together. I know the majority of voters are not politically savvy but I have a hard time believing the majority of representatives are doing their job better than the public could.

I personally think both these views are valid, although bothersome for sure, and I have no ideas on how to make it work any better... Politicians can and will usually be bought out, and most citizens couldn't possibly care any less about politics. Our society is kind of manufactured that way.

[mechanismj]

You get what you pay for.

[2020k]

Reviving this thread because of an article on Drone attacks I just read. The psychological effects seem devastating in this instance. Dailymail & NPR.

The government has also addressed sexism, rape, and sexual abuse in general within the military. I listened to this NPR interview and was almost in tears. interview. [Edit: I don't think that this is the interview. The one I read, at the end, the interviewer asked the military officer if she believes that women should serve in the military and she stated "not at the time." THIS interview though is still a good place to start].

[jcnporter]

Reviving this thread because of an article on Drone attacks I just read. The psychological effects seem devastating in this instance.

I remember a documentary from a while back stating that most people aren't actually capable of killing other humans (presumably outside a self-defence situation) and in past wars it was often found that soldiers aimed to miss their targets or simply didn't fire at all. However in recent decades military training has managed to desensitise so that soldiers are more effective killers.
I guess in the case of the drone operator it was supposed that he didn't need such desensitisation. This reminded me of a bit out of 'The Fall' on last night - there's maybe a spectrum of empathy and being physically separated from victims is enough for some to suffer no negative effects from killing, while not for others.

[jungle.james]

The psychological effects seem devastating in this instance.

It's not even the attacks themselves, it's the idea that at anywhere and at any time, a AGM-114 can blow up anyone within the tribal regions. In fact, the Obama / Pentagon policy as far as the victims of drone strikes regard anyone who is male and within military age to be de facto guilty until proven otherwise.

So while the strikes themselves are devastating and leave a great toll on those living in tribal regions and within Pakistan, the constant threat and surveillance of UAVs is enough on its own. And the people of the United States should know -- they've just realized that they're all being monitored regardless of their behavior.

[Waterbagel]

Now that everyone's complacent with DOMA, I fully expect something sinister to slip in under the radar.. Probably some time around the 4th of July (Independence Day in U.S.) when everyone's drunk. I mean, same thing happened with New Year's (NDAA) and St. Patrick's Day (HR 347).

[Lens Larque]

vintage!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&featu ... eaT6s4ubBo

[Mexicola]

Couldn't be bothered starting a new thread, but this went and slipped under the radar didn't it?!?

Denver legalises marijuana?

[fujee]

Colorado seems like a cool place, nice scenery and people. Big cycling community there too.

[futureling]

Moved here (Colorado) in October. So far so good, and yes - great scenery & lots of cycling enthusiasts.

I'm curious to see what may or may not happen due to the new Marijuana law. Hopefully the Feds keep their noses out of the State's business.