FBO, insane? Really?

Yes, really. If he wants post office employees to start policing our Fentanyl shipments on their own, he's insane. He's also said recently he is the chosen one, joked (I guess) about serving 10 or 14 more years instead of 6, and also at least twice said Jews who vote Democrat are being disloyal.

His supporters claim he's just pushing the buttons so to speak of Democrats when he tweets out something outlandish. But I think they are giving him way, way too much credit. He's just an egomaniac and a bully who can't stand to be criticized. IMO, most of his tweets are done with anger, and have no elaborate, long-term goal in mind.

And in all sincerity I am seeing some signs of senility in his speeches. People like to talk about Biden's mental capacity (which is fair based on the number of gaffes he's prone to). But Trump is no spring chicken either, and he's been slurring his words too on occasion in recent speeches. It's not all the time, but I think it's fair to wonder if he's going to be able to serve well into his upper 70's. If you want, I'll try to find his speech the other day where he was slurring words left and right (and we know he wasn't drunk because he doesn't drink - maybe he was jacked up on some medication but that's the only excuse I can think of that doesn't involve age).

(08-23-2019 06:25 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Yes, really. If he wants post office employees to start policing our Fentanyl shipments on their own, he's insane. He's also said recently he is the chosen one, joked (I guess) about serving 10 or 14 more years instead of 6, and also at least twice said Jews who vote Democrat are being disloyal.
His supporters claim he's just pushing the buttons so to speak of Democrats when he tweets out something outlandish. But I think they are giving him way, way too much credit. He's just an egomaniac and a bully who can't stand to be criticized. IMO, most of his tweets are done with anger, and have no elaborate, long-term goal in mind.
And in all sincerity I am seeing some signs of senility in his speeches. People like to talk about Biden's mental capacity (which is fair based on the number of gaffes he's prone to). But Trump is no spring chicken either, and he's been slurring his words too on occasion in recent speeches. It's not all the time, but I think it's fair to wonder if he's going to be able to serve well into his upper 70's. If you want, I'll try to find his speech the other day where he was slurring words left and right (and we know he wasn't drunk because he doesn't drink - maybe he was jacked up on some medication but that's the only excuse I can think of that doesn't involve age).

For the sake of argument, and only to that extent, I'll concede all that you say. Now tell me why any democrat in the field would be better. In formulating your reply, remember by drop-dead show-stoppers.

Quote:also at least twice said Jews who vote Democrat are being disloyal.

Considering the prevalence of anti-Israel rhetoric amongst the Democratic Party, and the support for BDS from Democratic ranks, I dont think that Trump's statement about Jewish people who vote Democratic are thus seemingly supporting a group with a somewhat overt and pronounced anti-Israeli stance is so far off the mark.

(08-23-2019 06:33 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 06:25 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Yes, really. If he wants post office employees to start policing our Fentanyl shipments on their own, he's insane. He's also said recently he is the chosen one, joked (I guess) about serving 10 or 14 more years instead of 6, and also at least twice said Jews who vote Democrat are being disloyal.
His supporters claim he's just pushing the buttons so to speak of Democrats when he tweets out something outlandish. But I think they are giving him way, way too much credit. He's just an egomaniac and a bully who can't stand to be criticized. IMO, most of his tweets are done with anger, and have no elaborate, long-term goal in mind.
And in all sincerity I am seeing some signs of senility in his speeches. People like to talk about Biden's mental capacity (which is fair based on the number of gaffes he's prone to). But Trump is no spring chicken either, and he's been slurring his words too on occasion in recent speeches. It's not all the time, but I think it's fair to wonder if he's going to be able to serve well into his upper 70's. If you want, I'll try to find his speech the other day where he was slurring words left and right (and we know he wasn't drunk because he doesn't drink - maybe he was jacked up on some medication but that's the only excuse I can think of that doesn't involve age).

For the sake of argument, and only to that extent, I'll concede all that you say. Now tell me why any democrat in the field would be better. In formulating your reply, remember by drop-dead show-stoppers.

I'm not sure of Biden's mental abilities either, but if he agrees up front to being a 1-term president, I think he'll have a strong chance to keep the economy strong and help the country unite a bit. Maybe a Biden/Yang ticket? I really like Yang more and more each day I see him.

(08-23-2019 06:41 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 06:33 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 06:25 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Yes, really. If he wants post office employees to start policing our Fentanyl shipments on their own, he's insane. He's also said recently he is the chosen one, joked (I guess) about serving 10 or 14 more years instead of 6, and also at least twice said Jews who vote Democrat are being disloyal.
His supporters claim he's just pushing the buttons so to speak of Democrats when he tweets out something outlandish. But I think they are giving him way, way too much credit. He's just an egomaniac and a bully who can't stand to be criticized. IMO, most of his tweets are done with anger, and have no elaborate, long-term goal in mind.
And in all sincerity I am seeing some signs of senility in his speeches. People like to talk about Biden's mental capacity (which is fair based on the number of gaffes he's prone to). But Trump is no spring chicken either, and he's been slurring his words too on occasion in recent speeches. It's not all the time, but I think it's fair to wonder if he's going to be able to serve well into his upper 70's. If you want, I'll try to find his speech the other day where he was slurring words left and right (and we know he wasn't drunk because he doesn't drink - maybe he was jacked up on some medication but that's the only excuse I can think of that doesn't involve age).

For the sake of argument, and only to that extent, I'll concede all that you say. Now tell me why any democrat in the field would be better. In formulating your reply, remember by drop-dead show-stoppers.

I'm not sure of Biden's mental abilities either, but if he agrees up front to being a 1-term president, I think he'll have a strong chance to keep the economy strong and help the country unite a bit. Maybe a Biden/Yang ticket? I really like Yang more and more each day I see him.

How do they stand on my drop-dead show-stopper issues?

I don't remember your drop-dead issues. But as you know, my biggest issue is climate change. It stuns me that no one is talking about the fires in the Amazon. The Amazon produces 20 percent of our planet's oxygen. Have we had one single comment from Trump on the fires? The U.S. should be leading the fight to try to squash the destruction of the rainforest.

(08-23-2019 06:46 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I don't remember your drop-dead issues. But as you know, my biggest issue is climate change. It stuns me that no one is talking about the fires in the Amazon. The Amazon produces 20 percent of our planet's oxygen. Have we had one single comment from Trump on the fires? The U.S. should be leading the fight to try to squash the destruction of the rainforest.

Here are my drop-dead show-stopper issues:

- Gun control (I favor reducing gun violence, just not by means of gun control)
- Single-payer/single-provider health care
- Massive government redistribution of income and/or wealth
- "Live birth" abortions (I am basically pro-choice with restrictions)

I think climate change is real and is a huge issue. My problem is that the so called global warming/climate change activists refuse to come up with meaningful and achievable proposals to reduce it significantly.

Obama is a big climatista as well. Funny he just plunked down 16 million for a mansion on an island that wont be around 12 years from now.

The fact he plunked down 16 million for his 3rd house also brings some other fun jaunts down the lane of Obama preaching.

It wasnt so long ago that the Preacher in Chief said:

Quote:There’s only so big a house you can have. There’s only so many nice trips you can take. I mean, it’s enough.”

Lolz.

(08-23-2019 06:33 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 06:25 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Yes, really. If he wants post office employees to start policing our Fentanyl shipments on their own, he's insane. He's also said recently he is the chosen one, joked (I guess) about serving 10 or 14 more years instead of 6, and also at least twice said Jews who vote Democrat are being disloyal.
His supporters claim he's just pushing the buttons so to speak of Democrats when he tweets out something outlandish. But I think they are giving him way, way too much credit. He's just an egomaniac and a bully who can't stand to be criticized. IMO, most of his tweets are done with anger, and have no elaborate, long-term goal in mind.
And in all sincerity I am seeing some signs of senility in his speeches. People like to talk about Biden's mental capacity (which is fair based on the number of gaffes he's prone to). But Trump is no spring chicken either, and he's been slurring his words too on occasion in recent speeches. It's not all the time, but I think it's fair to wonder if he's going to be able to serve well into his upper 70's. If you want, I'll try to find his speech the other day where he was slurring words left and right (and we know he wasn't drunk because he doesn't drink - maybe he was jacked up on some medication but that's the only excuse I can think of that doesn't involve age).

For the sake of argument, and only to that extent, I'll concede all that you say. Now tell me why any democrat in the field would be better. In formulating your reply, remember by drop-dead show-stoppers.

(08-23-2019 06:35 PM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

Quote:also at least twice said Jews who vote Democrat are being disloyal.

Considering the prevalence of anti-Israel rhetoric amongst the Democratic Party, and the support for BDS from Democratic ranks, I dont think that Trump's statement about Jewish people who vote Democratic are thus seemingly supporting a group with a somewhat overt and pronounced anti-Israeli stance is so far off the mark.

Technically, I'm Jewish even though I married a Catholic and am raising my children Catholic. I literally had no religion growing up but my grandmother was Jewish which makes me Jewish I believe in the religion's viewpoint? Several of my siblings do practice a tiny bit of the Jewish faith - Bar Mitzvahs, an occasional trip to a synagogue - but in general they're all not particularly religious. All of them are Democrats - way more liberal than me - and all of them loathe Trump. None of them could care less where the U.S. embassy is in Israel, and just don't want to see terrorism of any type - whether it's in the Middle East, Europe or the U.S.

The thinking that the #1 issue for Jews should be the U.S.'s relationship with Israel is crazy though. Maybe it is for orthodox Jews? But if my family is any indication, their top issues are social issues, gender issues and economic issues.

(08-23-2019 06:52 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 06:46 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I don't remember your drop-dead issues. But as you know, my biggest issue is climate change. It stuns me that no one is talking about the fires in the Amazon. The Amazon produces 20 percent of our planet's oxygen. Have we had one single comment from Trump on the fires? The U.S. should be leading the fight to try to squash the destruction of the rainforest.

Here are my drop-dead show-stopper issues:

- Gun control (I favor reducing gun violence, just not by means of gun control)
- Single-payer/single-provider health care
- Massive government redistribution of income and/or wealth
- "Live birth" abortions (I am basically pro-choice with restrictions)

I think climate change is real and is a huge issue. My problem is that the so called global warming/climate change activists refuse to come up with meaningful and achievable proposals to reduce it significantly.

I don't think Biden will significantly change the needle on any of those issues? I know he's already sparring with some of the other Democratic front-runners on single-payer/single-provider health care. He's a pretty hardcore Catholic so even though he's pro choice, I don't see much change there. I honestly don't know his gun control and economic stances but I'd say you can see what happened under Obama to figure out how he'd govern if he were President. Obama talked a big talk but didn't do much on the gun control front.

In terms of climate change, Biden will absolutely get us back in the Paris Agreement. And while he's not going as far as Sanders or AOC, he's going to probably try to get some of those policies in place.

Tang - you should be happy with Obama's new vacation home. It's probably going to be underwater by 2050 anyway so it's a pretty stupid purchase. (eta - sorry you said the same thing - I give it a few more years at least)

(08-23-2019 06:35 PM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

Quote:also at least twice said Jews who vote Democrat are being disloyal.

Considering the prevalence of anti-Israel rhetoric amongst the Democratic Party, and the support for BDS from Democratic ranks, I dont think that Trump's statement about Jewish people who vote Democratic are thus seemingly supporting a group with a somewhat overt and pronounced anti-Israeli stance is so far off the mark.

Being Jewish and supporting Israel are not two characteristics that are intrinsically linked. Someone can be Jewish and critical of Israel, just like someone can be American and critical of America.

(08-23-2019 06:52 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 06:46 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I don't remember your drop-dead issues. But as you know, my biggest issue is climate change. It stuns me that no one is talking about the fires in the Amazon. The Amazon produces 20 percent of our planet's oxygen. Have we had one single comment from Trump on the fires? The U.S. should be leading the fight to try to squash the destruction of the rainforest.

Here are my drop-dead show-stopper issues:

- Gun control (I favor reducing gun violence, just not by means of gun control)
- Single-payer/single-provider health care
- Massive government redistribution of income and/or wealth
- "Live birth" abortions (I am basically pro-choice with restrictions)

I think climate change is real and is a huge issue. My problem is that the so called global warming/climate change activists refuse to come up with meaningful and achievable proposals to reduce it significantly.

I think that anthropogenic climate change is real. Undoubtedly humans are altering the portions of the atmosphere and heat retention properties of the Earth.

The problem is that the there is absolutely no real, scientific indication of how well the CO2 climate forcing parameter that is promulgated actually describes the system at large. It might be at the level of we only have 20 years, or, if people like Svenmark are correct about the Sun and cloud feedback loops, then about 75-85 per cent of the warming attributable to CO2 really isnt.

Accordingly, no one can accurately assess what measures are properly commensurate with the issue of CO2 forcings actually are responsible for. The result is a morass of non-achievable economically devastating 'solutions'.

(08-23-2019 07:06 PM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 06:52 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 06:46 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I don't remember your drop-dead issues. But as you know, my biggest issue is climate change. It stuns me that no one is talking about the fires in the Amazon. The Amazon produces 20 percent of our planet's oxygen. Have we had one single comment from Trump on the fires? The U.S. should be leading the fight to try to squash the destruction of the rainforest.

Here are my drop-dead show-stopper issues:
- Gun control (I favor reducing gun violence, just not by means of gun control)
- Single-payer/single-provider health care
- Massive government redistribution of income and/or wealth
- "Live birth" abortions (I am basically pro-choice with restrictions)
I think climate change is real and is a huge issue. My problem is that the so called global warming/climate change activists refuse to come up with meaningful and achievable proposals to reduce it significantly.

I think that anthropogenic climate change is real. Undoubtedly humans are altering the portions of the atmosphere and heat retention properties of the Earth.
The problem is that the there is absolutely no real, scientific indication of how well the CO2 climate forcing parameter that is promulgated actually describes the system at large. It might be at the level of we only have 20 years, or, if people like Svenmark are correct about the Sun and cloud feedback loops, then about 75-85 per cent of the warming attributable to CO2 really isnt.
Accordingly, no one can accurately assess what measures are properly commensurate with the issue of CO2 forcings actually are responsible for. The result is a morass of non-achievable economically devastating 'solutions'.

Exactly.

And nobody has any achievable, non-economically-devastating solutions. Actually, that's not true. There are achievable, non-economically-devastating solutions. Those are just not what the global-warming/climate-control activists are pushing.

(08-23-2019 07:03 PM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 06:35 PM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

Quote:also at least twice said Jews who vote Democrat are being disloyal.

Considering the prevalence of anti-Israel rhetoric amongst the Democratic Party, and the support for BDS from Democratic ranks, I dont think that Trump's statement about Jewish people who vote Democratic are thus seemingly supporting a group with a somewhat overt and pronounced anti-Israeli stance is so far off the mark.

Being Jewish and supporting Israel are not two characteristics that are intrinsically linked. Someone can be Jewish and critical of Israel, just like someone can be American and critical of America.

No doubt. But while not intrinsically linked, one would very much suspect that a good proportion of those whom are Jewish would have at least some interest or care in the Jewish homeland.

To those whom do, I think that Trump's statement on supporting the Democratic party is pretty much on point. The fact that a party could have the level of anti-Israeli atmosphere and still garner the support of even those whom have deep ties and cares about Israel is a mystery to me. And the issue of the flight path of the Democratic party on this far precedes the Trump era.

I mean, you all are astounded by union people who voted Trump, and I hear the comment from other progressives (i.e. not you all) about how they are surprised that a group could so blatantly vote against their perceived interests.

That has been my view on the Jewish vote and the Democratic party for about twenty years. No doubt there are numerous adherents of the Jewish state in the US Jewish population, but still continue to support the Democratic party to a massive degree regardless of the very prominent rise of Democratic anti-Israeli sentiment. Even well before the Squad. Even well before Obama.

(08-23-2019 06:46 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I don't remember your drop-dead issues. But as you know, my biggest issue is climate change. It stuns me that no one is talking about the fires in the Amazon. The Amazon produces 20 percent of our planet's oxygen. Have we had one single comment from Trump on the fires? The U.S. should be leading the fight to try to squash the destruction of the rainforest.

I am very concerned about the fires in the Amazon. Big fan of oxygen.

But what would you want him to say? Fire bad?

What have the Dirty Two Dozen been saying about the fires?

(08-23-2019 06:46 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I don't remember your drop-dead issues. But as you know, my biggest issue is climate change. It stuns me that no one is talking about the fires in the Amazon. The Amazon produces 20 percent of our planet's oxygen. Have we had one single comment from Trump on the fires? The U.S. should be leading the fight to try to squash the destruction of the rainforest.

I'm reading now that the vast majority of the fires are simply farmers burning off already cleared fields. The Amazon doesn't get a winter, so fields are burned off to kill bugs and pests. I've also seen statistics that show the rate of deforestation has risen slightly in the last few years, but is still well short of where it was a few decades ago.

I've also read something to the effect that this is a Brazilian/Chinese plot to increase their soybean production to replace the beans from the US. Good luck with that one. The economics of Amazon farming don't really support that--poor soil, poor transportation infrastructure, and no winter to kill off bugs makes the Amazon one of the most expensive places in the world to farm.

I did miss this Trump tweet from earlier tonight. It was probably written an hour or two before my post on the Amazon. This is an appropriate use of the medium IMO. Hopefully he (and Brazil) follows through on the offer.

Just spoke with President
@JairBolsonaro
of Brazil. Our future Trade prospects are very exciting and our relationship is strong, perhaps stronger than ever before. I told him if the United States can help with the Amazon Rainforest fires, we stand ready to assist!

(08-23-2019 10:14 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I did miss this Trump tweet from earlier tonight. It was probably written an hour or two before my post on the Amazon. This is an appropriate use of the medium IMO. Hopefully he (and Brazil) follows through on the offer.

Just spoke with President
@JairBolsonaro
of Brazil. Our future Trade prospects are very exciting and our relationship is strong, perhaps stronger than ever before. I told him if the United States can help with the Amazon Rainforest fires, we stand ready to assist!

Thank you.

(08-23-2019 10:14 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-23-2019 06:46 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I don't remember your drop-dead issues. But as you know, my biggest issue is climate change. It stuns me that no one is talking about the fires in the Amazon. The Amazon produces 20 percent of our planet's oxygen. Have we had one single comment from Trump on the fires? The U.S. should be leading the fight to try to squash the destruction of the rainforest.

I'm reading now that the vast majority of the fires are simply farmers burning off already cleared fields. The Amazon doesn't get a winter, so fields are burned off to kill bugs and pests. I've also seen statistics that show the rate of deforestation has risen slightly in the last few years, but is still well short of where it was a few decades ago.

I've also read something to the effect that this is a Brazilian/Chinese plot to increase their soybean production to replace the beans from the US. Good luck with that one. The economics of Amazon farming don't really support that--poor soil, poor transportation infrastructure, and no winter to kill off bugs makes the Amazon one of the most expensive places in the world to farm.

My cattle raising relatives think it's for grazing land. Variation on the soybean conspiracy theory.