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@Donsteppa said in US Politics:
People (not necessarily on here) read far too much into the US presidential elections trends and think too much about who the candidates are from a long way out.
It's only four years ago that the Republicans were doomed, Romney had blown their best chance in forever, and the rising number of Hispanic/Youth/Etc voters meant the Democrats owned the White House for the next generation.
Chris Christie and Jeb Bush were up there too.
Four years is an eternity in American politics.
Yeah. Going in to every election the candidates say "it's the most important election of our life time". Then in the aftermath journalists explain how the impact of this election will be felt for decades to come.
The silliest example, that was obviously wrong at the time, was the reaction to the 2004 election. So many articles proclaimed a "permanent but narrow" Republican electoral college majority.. they wouldn't lose the Presidency for decades.. until they lost it in a landslide next time around
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A flashback to when politics was less vulgar than now... the Clintons Whitehouse handover
Their staff left offensive graffiti, stole the 'W' off of keyboards and other minor vandalism.
The Clintons got caught stealing "china, flatware, rugs, televisions, sofas and other gifts" from the Whitehouse
I doubt the Obamas are thieves like the Clintons but I fully expect the staff to act like drunken uni students on the way out
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A kiwi has just been appointed assistant to the president
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11784108
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@Duluth said in US Politics:
So does Assange follow through?
About as likely as me popping off to Jupiter for some milk.
I agree with House Speaker Paul Ryan:
"Chelsea Manning’s treachery put American lives at risk and exposed some of our nation’s most sensitive secrets," he said in a statement. "President Obama now leaves in place a dangerous precedent that those who compromise our national security won’t be held accountable for their crimes.”
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Putin is having a good time.
Trump is “a grown man, and secondly he’s someone who has been involved with beauty contests for many years and has met the most beautiful women in the world,” Putin said. “I find it hard to believe that he rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world.”
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@nzzp said in US Politics:
@Duluth said in US Politics:
Their staff left offensive graffiti, stole the 'W' off of keyboards and other minor vandalism.
I dunno, stealing 'W' off keyboards is pretty funny.
That's funny. The rest is puerile which makes you wonder at their maturity and intellect to deal with the issues they're exposed to.
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@antipodean said in US Politics:
@Duluth said in US Politics:
So does Assange follow through?
About as likely as me popping off to Jupiter for some milk.
I agree with House Speaker Paul Ryan:
"Chelsea Manning’s treachery put American lives at risk and exposed some of our nation’s most sensitive secrets," he said in a statement. "President Obama now leaves in place a dangerous precedent that those who compromise our national security won’t be held accountable for their crimes.”
The way Manning dumped data out, sure. Snowden was far more circumspect, and should have whistleblower protection. I love Obama is using the fact Snowden is in Russia as a reason not to pardon him when his Government were the ones that stranded him there on the way to Ecuador.
Obama's police state apparatus was always going to be a problem for the future. It was fine for the left when their guy was in power, but think of what they've handed Trump! And we would never have known without Snowden.
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To be fair given the existential threat posed by the current "war" surely anything goes? That's been the argument for the last 15 years. The Patriot Act pushed through some terrible loopholes allowing pretty much anything the president wanted to do re surviellance & Obama then cranked it up. No question Trump will too. Its the only response to being at war is it not?
Tho' he has closed down a few options that Trump could have had at the last minute,
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@gollum said in US Politics:
To be fair given the existential threat posed by the current "war" surely anything goes? That's been the argument for the last 15 years. The Patriot Act pushed through some terrible loopholes allowing pretty much anything the president wanted to do re surviellance & Obama then cranked it up. No question Trump will too. Its the only response to being at war is it not?
'those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.'
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@gollum said in US Politics:
Also worth noting strictly speaking Obama can't pardon Snowden till he presents himself for trial & requests clemancy. Which Snowden hasn't done.
Instead Snowden specifically requested that Obama pardon Manning. Which Obama did. The asshole!
Rubbish, he can issue a preemptive pardon - same as what Nixon got (and was confirmed as legal by the Supreme Court).
And he doesn't need to request one either.
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I found a nice poem.
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE INAUGURATION:
‘Twas the night before Inauguration, and up in the tower
The Donald reflected on his newfound power.
The Deplorable masses had come out in force
Delivered a victory that would chart a new courseThe snowflakes were shell-shocked with tears in their eyes
The media had lied to them . . . ‘What a great surprise
They had been promised a blowout a criminal Hillary win
But instead ole criminal Hillary took one right on the chinFrom all corners celebrities took their far left cue
Telling the deplorables we’re far smarter than you
In their high-horse bubble, with no working-class clue
They tell us all we must follow their out of touch viewThe fake news and ignorance came at a cost
They can’t understand all the reasons they lost
Blaming it on Comey and Russian excuses are sad
Failing to acknowledge she was the one who was badYes, Hillary Clinton, in so many ways was flawed
She couldn’t help exposing she was a lying fraud
The campaign revealed her corruptness and greed
Her speeches insulted deplorables’ votes she’d needOut in the city streets there arose such a clatter
It was Soros-paid protestors…Black Lives Matter
With businesses to pillage and windows to shatter
Looting was their game knowing issues did not matterEight years of Obama had given them plenty of cause
To yearn for a replacement with another Santa Claus
Soon the bottom-feeder criminals will all feel the pain
When the wheels fall right off of their gravy trainAnd now all the snowflakes are riddled with fear
Upset the PC police will soon be out on their ear
The cocoa and crayons will help them for a while
But soon reality will creep in and cramp their styleI would’ve supported any Republican that rose
In the end I would vote for whoever we choose
He wasn’t my first choice, but soon I would concede
The one they call Trump is the one that we needI saw him on TV in front of a very large crowd
He spoke about veterans, it made me feel proud
He spoke about energy safety prosperity and jobs
Taking this country back from the Washington snobsHe was dressed in Armani, all tailored and neat
The Bruno’s he wore made his outfit complete
For a man of his vintage, he seemed rather fit
And he looked presidential, I will have to admitHis eyes glowed like embers, his smile the best
His hair was the color of my old hunting vest
His love for this country was on full display
His actions spoke louder than his words could sayHe thanked all his voters, and before he was off
Saved thousands of jobs while Obama played golf
Fate of this country he leaves nothing to chance
Filled out his superior cabinet weeks in advanceThe men he had chosen were of the same mind
Let’s set the bar high, and not lead from behind
He picked up his phone as he rose from his seat
With a flick of his finger, he sent out this tweet“Now Mattis ‘Now Kelly ‘Now Sessions’ And Pruitt’
On Perry’ On Flynn’ You’re the ones who can do it
Start lifting those restrictions and building that wall
Dash away ‘Mattis ‘Kelly’ and ‘Flynn ‘Dash away all!The roar of his audience rose from the stands
He kissed all their babies and shook all their hands
He answered their questions and calmed all their fears
They knew it was going to be a productive four yearsHe then jumped into his limo, and off to his jet
A fellow that snowflake liberals won’t soon forgetHe sent one more tweet as the evening expired
“Happy Inauguration to all, “OBAMA > YOU’RE FIRED!”
US Politics