Political Randomness

[Kraken]

Combining communism and authoritarianism is surely what Utahns want and need. I kinda hope he wins.

[Alefroth]

I guess apathy is better than whatever the other thing is.

[Tao]

Combining communism and authoritarianism is surely what Utahns want and need. I kinda hope he wins.

And God, don't forget God, who gave Utahns the water...but not the angry immigrants, that wasn't God.

[Carpet_pissr]

Are you sure? Quite certain ‘immigrants with anger issues’ was a plague sent by God in the Bible.

[Isgrimnur]

CNN

Igor Danchenko, a Russian analyst who was a source for the 2016 dossier of allegations about former President Donald Trump, was arrested and indicted Thursday for allegedly lying to the FBI, as part of Special Counsel John Durham's investigation into the origins of the FBI's Russia investigation.

Danchenko was charged with five counts of making false statements to the FBI, according to the indictment that was unsealed Thursday.
...
Durham was appointed special counsel by former Attorney General William Barr in October 2020, but kept it secret so as not to interfere in the 2020 election.

[malchior]

I know what Fed will say. Never talk to the FBI. Especially when you are a small fish in a corrupt land.

Edit: Former FBI weighs in

[Kraken]

Kamala is the worst veep ever.

Less than a year into the Biden administration’s tenure, the first Black woman to hold America’s second-highest office is less popular than a predecessor who once famously shot a hunting companion in the face.

According to a new poll commissioned by USA Today and carried out by Suffolk University, only 28 per cent of Americans approve of how Vice President Kamala Harris has performed in the position voters elected to her one year ago.

That’s a full 10 points lower than the approval rating for President Joe Biden, according to the same poll.

Worse yet for Ms Harris, the poll shows that a majority of Americans — 51 per cent — say they disapprove of the job she’s done as vice president.

Ms Harris’ 28 per cent approval rating is a record low for a modern vice president, and goes even lower than the 30 per cent, according to Gallup tracking polls, who in 2008 said they approved of the performance in office of Vice President Dick Cheney.

Let's see...Cheney architected an unpopular, unsuccessful, unnecessary war that killed a lot of people for no good reason. Harris is guilty of being a Black woman with an abrasive personality and no accomplishments in her new office.

Anyone who thought that Harris would be the heir to Biden's presidency had better think again. Unless she takes office the unfortunate way, she will never be POTUS.

[Blackhawk]

I don't think I've even heard her name since the inauguration.

[Kraken]

I don't think I've even heard her name since the inauguration.

Biden gave her two impossible jobs -- fix immigration at the source, and take point on voter rights. She took one foreign trip that got hostile coverage. I haven't heard anything else about her. I imagine she's front-and-center in the derposphere though.

[Carpet_pissr]

She has seemed awfully quiet, even for a veep.

I get the vague sense that she/they tried to assert (and insert) herself a bit into the immigration issues that were trending in the news right after inauguration.

Not sure if that was to give cover to Biden, or just trying to show leadership/strength. Whatever it was seemed to backfire, and she’s seemingly been holed up ever since.

[Drazzil]

She has seemed awfully quiet, even for a veep.

I get the vague sense that she/they tried to assert (and insert) herself a bit into the immigration issues that were trending in the news right after inauguration.

Not sure if that was to give cover to Biden, or just trying to show leadership/strength. Whatever it was seemed to backfire, and she’s seemingly been holed up ever since.

If I were Vice I'd just do an online cooking show. "HEat VP". Also I'd take people I didn't like "hunting".

[Holman]

Pew Research has just published a deep, survey-driven look at the multiple groups that make up American politics and that divide both parties internally: Beyond Red vs. Blue.



It's 18 pages of charts and explanations. I've only just begun reading through it, but it looks to be meaty stuff.

[malchior]

Awesome stuff. Some hot takes:

If you include the populist right - support for increased taxes on households over $400K is 70%+. The rich are lucky to have Manchinema in their corner.

The hardcore "Conservatives" skew older. We generally know this but it still is holding up. As an aside, Pew categorizes them as Faith and Flag. It is more Blood and Soil but still always sort of a surprise. They grew up in a functional Democracy and should be the least willing to throw it away.

[Zaxxon]

Never change, Republicans. Never change.

[YellowKing]

Yeah I'll never forget the time my mom (in our one and only heated political argument) expressed angry outrage that Hillary Clinton wanted to pay for my kids college tuition.

[El Guapo]

Two parts that I really love: (1) how they break out the $1.75T (look at all the zeroes!!!!), and (2) the WPF estimate of solving world hunger for $6B. Given that apparently it's so cheap to end world hunger, presumably they're clamoring to spend $6B on that, right?

[Zaxxon]

Two parts that I really love: (1) how they break out the $1.75T (look at all the zeroes!!!!), and (2) the WPF estimate of solving world hunger for $6B. Given that apparently it's so cheap to end world hunger, presumably they're clamoring to spend $6B on that, right?

Of course not: that's socialism!

[El Guapo]

Two parts that I really love: (1) how they break out the $1.75T (look at all the zeroes!!!!), and (2) the WPF estimate of solving world hunger for $6B. Given that apparently it's so cheap to end world hunger, presumably they're clamoring to spend $6B on that, right?

Of course not: that's socialism!

Now I'm really curious about this $6B estimate. There's no way that's right, is it? Seems way low. Maybe it's something like "$6B to end world hunger if we had perfect logistics" or something.

[Zaxxon]

Two parts that I really love: (1) how they break out the $1.75T (look at all the zeroes!!!!), and (2) the WPF estimate of solving world hunger for $6B. Given that apparently it's so cheap to end world hunger, presumably they're clamoring to spend $6B on that, right?

Of course not: that's socialism!

Now I'm really curious about this $6B estimate. There's no way that's right, is it? Seems way low. Maybe it's something like "$6B to end world hunger if we had perfect logistics" or something.

The WFP head refuted it in a back-and-forth with Musk.

[Zaxxon]

Although that did make me notice that Mr. GOP up there didn't even get the acronym WFP correct, so I'm sure the rest of his infographic had the utmost care taken to ensure an objective, accurate viewpoint is conveyed.

[malchior]

Edit: BAMMED!

That whole thing makes me a little sad I've sent money to his innovative car company because he is a world-class turd sometimes.

Although that did make me notice that Mr. GOP up there didn't even get the acronym WFP correct, so I'm sure the rest of his infographic had the utmost care taken to ensure an objective, accurate viewpoint is conveyed.

Yep it's the never change part. If they drop some snarky fact into their infographic you can almost be sure it is 100% certified cesspool fueled derp.

[LordMortis]

Two parts that I really love: (1) how they break out the $1.75T (look at all the zeroes!!!!), and (2) the WPF estimate of solving world hunger for $6B. Given that apparently it's so cheap to end world hunger, presumably they're clamoring to spend $6B on that, right?

Of course not: that's socialism!

Now I'm really curious about this $6B estimate. There's no way that's right, is it? Seems way low. Maybe it's something like "$6B to end world hunger if we had perfect logistics" or something.

Or maybe it's the cost to feed the world for a day, so it's ending world hunger for one day. Edit: NM reading the replies....

That whole thing makes me a little sad I've sent money to his innovative car company because he is a world-class turd sometimes.

I feel that way about him a lot. That tweet wasn't one of those times. That was an over the top way to get facts on the table. Imagine if there was a plan. That said, it's not very satisfying to hear of Musk's style at a capacity for philanthropy.

[Alefroth]

Two parts that I really love: (1) how they break out the $1.75T (look at all the zeroes!!!!), and (2) the WPF estimate of solving world hunger for $6B. Given that apparently it's so cheap to end world hunger, presumably they're clamoring to spend $6B on that, right?

Of course not: that's socialism!

Now I'm really curious about this $6B estimate. There's no way that's right, is it? Seems way low. Maybe it's something like "$6B to end world hunger if we had perfect logistics" or something.

Maybe end it for a day.

edit: Like LM said.

[malchior]

Two parts that I really love: (1) how they break out the $1.75T (look at all the zeroes!!!!), and (2) the WPF estimate of solving world hunger for $6B. Given that apparently it's so cheap to end world hunger, presumably they're clamoring to spend $6B on that, right?

Of course not: that's socialism!

Now I'm really curious about this $6B estimate. There's no way that's right, is it? Seems way low. Maybe it's something like "$6B to end world hunger if we had perfect logistics" or something.

Or maybe it's the cost to feed the world for a day, so it's ending world hunger for one day. Edit: NM reading the replies....

That whole thing makes me a little sad I've sent money to his innovative car company because he is a world-class turd sometimes.

I feel that way about him a lot. That tweet wasn't one of those times. That was an over the top way to get facts on the table.

I don't see it that way. The billionaire class were called out so he beat his chest on behalf of the billionaires. He boasted he'd help if they had a "real" plan but notice he set bullshit conditions that they prove it in the Tweet thread. It's crass self-promotion. He often does this act for a certain audience and that's where I'm coming from.

[El Guapo]

Two parts that I really love: (1) how they break out the $1.75T (look at all the zeroes!!!!), and (2) the WPF estimate of solving world hunger for $6B. Given that apparently it's so cheap to end world hunger, presumably they're clamoring to spend $6B on that, right?

Of course not: that's socialism!

Now I'm really curious about this $6B estimate. There's no way that's right, is it? Seems way low. Maybe it's something like "$6B to end world hunger if we had perfect logistics" or something.

Or maybe it's the cost to feed the world for a day, so it's ending world hunger for one day. Edit: NM reading the replies....

That whole thing makes me a little sad I've sent money to his innovative car company because he is a world-class turd sometimes.

I feel that way about him a lot. That tweet wasn't one of those times. That was an over the top way to get facts on the table.

I don't see it that way. The billionaire class were called out so he beat his chest on behalf of the billionaires. He boasted he'd help if they had a "real" plan but notice he set bullshit conditions that they prove it in the Tweet thread. It's crass self-promotion. He often does this act for a certain audience and that's where I'm coming from.

Yup. The WFP guy clarifies that he never said that it would "end world hunger" just that it would make a huge difference on hunger issues. So Musk moves the goalposts and demands detailed information on their spending (which I imagine is available online). I'd be shocked if Musk gives a dime.

Reminds me of this:

[LordMortis]

Yup. The WFP guy clarifies that he never said that it would "end world hunger" just that it would make a huge difference on hunger issues. So Musk moves the goalposts and demands detailed information on their spending (which I imagine is available online). I'd be shocked if Musk gives a dime.

I only read the one tweet. If Musk engage as a douche then I need to walk back not being one of those time.

[Zaxxon]

Yup. The WFP guy clarifies that he never said that it would "end world hunger" just that it would make a huge difference on hunger issues. So Musk moves the goalposts and demands detailed information on their spending (which I imagine is available online). I'd be shocked if Musk gives a dime.

I only read the one tweet. If Musk engage as a douche then I need to walk back not being one of those time.

Yeah, same. Musk is absolutely a douche often, but I didn't read this as that. He was called out as a billionaire who could end world hunger but isn't. 'Man, just donate $6B and end world hunger!'

[El Guapo]

Maybe Musk will follow up and meet with him, but I'm guessing not. I think Musk saw this more as a chance to dunk on what he assumes is a wasteful bloated misguided liberal bureaucracy.

[Zaxxon]

It is notable that Beasley didn't take the opportunity to lay out where a $6B donation would go right in the thread. I understand that's not how things are normally done, and am not insinuating that WFP isn't a good donation source. But Musk's ask was simple, and Beasley declined.

Hate on billionaires, but we don't get to spend their money just because they have a lot. If someone from a reputable charity shows up on my door asking for $10k, I'm not obligated to give it, and I'm not a bad person for directing my charity elsewhere.

The larger issue, I think, is that we have an income inequality problem, combined with a not-great tax setup for billionaires, compounded by silly proposals to fix it (like taxing unrealized gains).

[LordMortis]

It is notable that Beasley didn't take the opportunity to lay out where a $6B donation would go right in the thread. I understand that's not how things are normally done, and am not insinuating that WFP isn't a good donation source. But Musk's ask was simple, and Beasley declined.

Hate on billionaires, but we don't get to spend their money just because they have a lot. If someone from a reputable charity shows up on my door asking for $10k, I'm not obligated to give it, and I'm not a bad person for directing my charity elsewhere.

The larger issue, I think, is that we have an income inequality problem, combined with a not-great tax setup for billionaires, compounded by silly proposals to fix it (like taxing unrealized gains).

You and I thinking similarly on a Musk thing? Crazy. I must be missing something. There has to be a reason to hate on it that I must be missing. Give me some time to think it over. There's gotta be self promotion or red pill message or insider trading or lie in there somewhere.

[malchior]

It is notable that Beasley didn't take the opportunity to lay out where a $6B donation would go right in the thread. I understand that's not how things are normally done, and am not insinuating that WFP isn't a good donation source. But Musk's ask was simple, and Beasley declined.

I don't think it's fair to ask anyone to lay out a plan to spend $6B to help 42-million people on a platform where you can only type out messages at 140 or 280 characters a post.

Hate on billionaires, but we don't get to spend their money just because they have a lot. If someone from a reputable charity shows up on my door asking for $10k, I'm not obligated to give it, and I'm not a bad person for directing my charity elsewhere.

Surely. But I still simply can't see this other than Musk trolling. He does it a lot.

The larger issue, I think, is that we have an income inequality problem, combined with a not-great tax setup for billionaires, compounded by silly proposals to fix it (like taxing unrealized gains).

Right but the massive disconnect here is that people like Musk complain about the silly proposals which are only being thrown around because they have behind the scenes effectively lobbied to completely block every other non-wacky proposal. They are grasping at straws trying to tax these guys. They are untaxable and unaccountable. The situation with billionaires right now is a governance nightmare and is probably heavily part of the why our society is destabilizing.

I'm not going to lie I admire Musk for his technical ability, leadership, etc. but I think he has taken a lot from the public good and bristles when people point out he doesn't give back. And that's what I'm seeing in this.

[Zaxxon]

In this case--being called out to solve an unsolvable problem using a fatuous headline ask--trolling is the only response.

But I've seen Musk make large (granted, not $6B large) donations multiple times when presented compelling arguments via Twitter. I've followed the dude a long time, and there's a non-zero chance he'd have done it given a different tack from Beasley.

[El Guapo]

In this case--being called out to solve an unsolvable problem using a fatuous headline ask--trolling is the only response.

But I've seen Musk make large (granted, not $6B large) donations multiple times when presented compelling arguments via Twitter. I've followed the dude a long time, and there's a non-zero chance he'd have done it given a different tack from Beasley.

Here's the CNN article that started this, by the way.

Musk isn't being asked to solve world hunger, full stop. He's being asked to help. But CNN used a headline that just said "solve world hunger", and Musk is dunking on that misleading headline.

If he's engaging in good faith to figure out how best to use his money, that's great. But I think he's just focused on the dunking.

[Carpet_pissr]

Maybe Musk will follow up and meet with him, but I'm guessing not. I think Musk saw this more as a chance to dunk on what he assumes is a wasteful bloated misguided liberal bureaucracy.

I guess the bureaucracy could be liberal but David Beasley sure is not (or at least was not while Governor of SC) I went out with his niece once many moons ago, and I remember it ending a bit awkwardly bc I was talking shit about her (unbeknownst to me at that time) uncle. :p

[LawBeefaroni]

In this case--being called out to solve an unsolvable problem using a fatuous headline ask--trolling is the only response.

But I've seen Musk make large (granted, not $6B large) donations multiple times when presented compelling arguments via Twitter. I've followed the dude a long time, and there's a non-zero chance he'd have done it given a different tack from Beasley.

Here's the CNN article that started this, by the way.

Musk isn't being asked to solve world hunger, full stop. He's being asked to help. But CNN used a headline that just said "solve world hunger", and Musk is dunking on that misleading headline.

If he's engaging in good faith to figure out how best to use his money, that's great. But I think he's just focused on the dunking.

Of course that's all he's focused on. That's all he's ever focused on. He's an insecure egomaniac.



Says the guy whose PP is a giant phallus and who has more hair transplants than Joe Buck.

[LordMortis]

Now there's a twitter post of obvious douche being an obvious douche nested in twitter post of an obvious douche being an obvious douche after being called on being obvious douche. The world has returned normal.

[Kraken]

I'm not going to lie I admire Musk for his technical ability, leadership, etc.

I also admire what he's accomplished so far and his ambitions for the future. He dreams big and makes it happen. If he has a huge ego...well, he's earned it. But I don't like his politics and he's often an asshole in public. I can respect his achievements while not wanting to smoke a doob with him.

[malchior]

I'm not going to lie I admire Musk for his technical ability, leadership, etc.

I also admire what he's accomplished so far and his ambitions for the future. He dreams big and makes it happen. If he has a huge ego...well, he's earned it. But I don't like his politics and he's often an asshole in public. I can respect his achievements while not wanting to smoke a doob with him.

Right but this is the type of thing that makes me think we need to bleed his finances a bit. I suspect Musk wouldn't be mouthing off is our government wasn't so badly corrupted. If his money was actually at risk I imagine he'd likely shut the fuck up. Still I have to give the ultrawealthy credit. They've managed to enlist of a lot of idiots to focus on made up shit like CRT and ignore them entirely.

[Carpet_pissr]

If his money was actually at risk I imagine he'd likely shut the fuck up.

At first I was nodding my head in agreement when I read that, but then there are lots of people out there that just can’t keep their mouths shut, even when opening it is patently against their interests. I suspect Musk is one of those people.

I’ve worked for one of those people. They just cannot help themselves. Brilliant guy, super wealthy, and probably very likely a real genius, but ran his mouth so much (more importantly the WAY in which he talked, very brash, very arrogant, much like Musk) he pissed off a lot of good allies and clients.

[malchior]

If his money was actually at risk I imagine he'd likely shut the fuck up.

At first I was nodding my head in agreement when I read that, but then there are lots of people out there that just can’t keep their mouths shut, even when opening it is patently against their interests. I suspect Musk is one of those people.

Yep I could see that.