After that drunken, whiny dude-bro was expelled for being a proper asshat at UCONN, I was wondering whether there would be some jackass who would take up his cause. Given the way anyone who behaves like a cretin tends to get the support of the Teanderthals, I was worried they would sink further into their sustained tantrum against the modern world and civility.
So I am grateful that this GoFundMe page is for the person who was being berated. Yay UCONN.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Pay Attention To Turkey
Turkey is the only Muslim country in NATO. It has enjoyed decades of stability because of its military's close ties to the West, which has led it to tamp down rampant Islamism.
This bombing in Ankara is still unsettled in terms of what exactly happened. Perhaps it was ISIS. Perhaps it was Erdogan's government. Probably ISIS.
If Turkey is significantly destabilized by ISIS, that takes what is a Syrian tragedy and makes it a problem for the US. I've never felt ISIS was a strategic threat to the US. Barbaric, sure. But not a threat. Turkey could make it a threat.
On the other hand, if Turkey decides to invade Syria, I would think that ISIS would fare pretty poorly.
This bombing in Ankara is still unsettled in terms of what exactly happened. Perhaps it was ISIS. Perhaps it was Erdogan's government. Probably ISIS.
If Turkey is significantly destabilized by ISIS, that takes what is a Syrian tragedy and makes it a problem for the US. I've never felt ISIS was a strategic threat to the US. Barbaric, sure. But not a threat. Turkey could make it a threat.
On the other hand, if Turkey decides to invade Syria, I would think that ISIS would fare pretty poorly.
Friday, October 9, 2015
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Is This A Big Deal?
Russian cruise missiles crash in Iran.
Two things.
First, as the article mentions, Russia's military ain't all that. For all the weird man-crushes that official Washington (especially neo-conservatives) have on Putin, the fact remains that he frequently acts out of weakness. He has engaged in Syria, because Assad is his little puppet and because Ukraine has bogged down into a stalemate. He needs to show he's still an Big Dog, so he bit off a chunk of Syria.
Second, Russia's actions could presage a problem within Russia with terrorism. Unlike the US, which has an ocean to protect it from would-be terrorists, Russia has porous borders and a dysfunctional government (when it comes to things like immigration controls). Let's face it, not many people try to get INTO Russia.
Those young Europeans who are traveling to Syria to enlist with ISIS could easily travel to Moscow. And if there was damage in Iran from these missile strikes, this could drive a real wedge between Moscow and Tehran. Iranians don't have the fondest feelings about the Russians anyway. I'd say Russia ranks below the US but above Britain in Iran's collective estimation.
Keep an eye on what Putin is doing in Syria. I think he's going to get smoked for it somehow.
Two things.
First, as the article mentions, Russia's military ain't all that. For all the weird man-crushes that official Washington (especially neo-conservatives) have on Putin, the fact remains that he frequently acts out of weakness. He has engaged in Syria, because Assad is his little puppet and because Ukraine has bogged down into a stalemate. He needs to show he's still an Big Dog, so he bit off a chunk of Syria.
Second, Russia's actions could presage a problem within Russia with terrorism. Unlike the US, which has an ocean to protect it from would-be terrorists, Russia has porous borders and a dysfunctional government (when it comes to things like immigration controls). Let's face it, not many people try to get INTO Russia.
Those young Europeans who are traveling to Syria to enlist with ISIS could easily travel to Moscow. And if there was damage in Iran from these missile strikes, this could drive a real wedge between Moscow and Tehran. Iranians don't have the fondest feelings about the Russians anyway. I'd say Russia ranks below the US but above Britain in Iran's collective estimation.
Keep an eye on what Putin is doing in Syria. I think he's going to get smoked for it somehow.
Carson
I was worried that Ben Carson could seem just plausible enough - because of his calm demeanor and his personal biography - to win the nomination and then sneak by Clinton in the general. All of this despite some genuinely lunatic ideas.
I am more hopeful that this is not the case.
He's getting ripped on his gun nonsense.
And now he is showing a level of incompetence on a pretty straightforward economic issue that I wouldn't accept from kids finishing a high school government course. Even as Ryssdal tries to correct him and remind him what he's talking about, he has no freaking clue.
The lunatic ideas he has expressed about guns are, frankly, par for the course among GOP candidates. So even though he has a political tin ear, it's unlikely to hurt him with the GOP rank and file.
But if you're a Wall Street mogul, you have to get a little sweaty about the idea of this guy as your standard bearer.
UPDATE: Jon Chait:
You think Carson is bluffing? He is not bluffing. This is a man who thinks“highfalutin scientists” concocted the theories of evolution and the origins of the universe for Satanic reasons. A reminder: Carson is the second-most-popular choice among Republicans to be their party’s nominee for president of the United States, behind the comparatively sober and well-informed Donald Trump.
I am more hopeful that this is not the case.
He's getting ripped on his gun nonsense.
And now he is showing a level of incompetence on a pretty straightforward economic issue that I wouldn't accept from kids finishing a high school government course. Even as Ryssdal tries to correct him and remind him what he's talking about, he has no freaking clue.
The lunatic ideas he has expressed about guns are, frankly, par for the course among GOP candidates. So even though he has a political tin ear, it's unlikely to hurt him with the GOP rank and file.
But if you're a Wall Street mogul, you have to get a little sweaty about the idea of this guy as your standard bearer.
UPDATE: Jon Chait:
You think Carson is bluffing? He is not bluffing. This is a man who thinks“highfalutin scientists” concocted the theories of evolution and the origins of the universe for Satanic reasons. A reminder: Carson is the second-most-popular choice among Republicans to be their party’s nominee for president of the United States, behind the comparatively sober and well-informed Donald Trump.
WHOA
McCarthy drops out.
At this point, you really have to wonder if anyone can be Speaker of a House that has the Freedom Caucus controlling the levers of power.
And if they can't, we are headed for a full year of complete dysfunction in the House. Of course, given the rank dysfunction in both our political media and America's political ignorance, this will likely be blamed on Obama. I'm serious.
At this point, you really have to wonder if anyone can be Speaker of a House that has the Freedom Caucus controlling the levers of power.
And if they can't, we are headed for a full year of complete dysfunction in the House. Of course, given the rank dysfunction in both our political media and America's political ignorance, this will likely be blamed on Obama. I'm serious.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Fuck Ben Carson
Seriously, go fuck yourself.
Pretty impressive speed with which this guy has destroyed his reputation.
Pretty impressive speed with which this guy has destroyed his reputation.
DeRay McKesson
Civil rights activist DeRay McKesson spoke at school today. Over my time here we've had Senators, Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Congressmen, renowned physicists and other important figures.
But this was really special. McKesson did a masterful job of provoking thought without provoking emotion - beyond outrage at how minorities are treated and policed in this country.
But this was really special. McKesson did a masterful job of provoking thought without provoking emotion - beyond outrage at how minorities are treated and policed in this country.
Monday, October 5, 2015
The GOP Is Merely A Sustained, Organized Tantrum
Republicans have become MORE resistant to gun control measures since Obama became President.
Because Obama.
Because Obama.
Chaffetz
Porcine faced, human canker sore, Jason Chaffetz, has decided to challenge McCarthy for the Speakership. Given that Chaffetz has just come off an abrasive, insulting committee hearing with Cecile Richards that culminated with him producing the worst chart in history, I think he's the perfect Speaker for the Konservative Krazy Kaucus.
My question is simply whether he will destroy America before we have a chance to get another Democratic House.
My question is simply whether he will destroy America before we have a chance to get another Democratic House.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
LBJ's Legacy
When LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, he was rumored to say, "We've lost the South for a generation."
Of course, it was more like a permanent loss, as the white South has moved en masse to the Republican party. However, his legacy goes deeper, because the Obama Coalition has it's roots in another LBJ act: the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1964. The reason why Trump and his copy cats are harping on immigration is because the people allowed into America under this act have grown into the voters who have delivered the White House to the Democrats in the last two elections. And smart Republicans know that they have to change this dynamic, yet they are powerless to do so.
You can't embrace white conservatives and ethnic minorities at the same time.
Of course, it was more like a permanent loss, as the white South has moved en masse to the Republican party. However, his legacy goes deeper, because the Obama Coalition has it's roots in another LBJ act: the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1964. The reason why Trump and his copy cats are harping on immigration is because the people allowed into America under this act have grown into the voters who have delivered the White House to the Democrats in the last two elections. And smart Republicans know that they have to change this dynamic, yet they are powerless to do so.
You can't embrace white conservatives and ethnic minorities at the same time.
Friday, October 2, 2015
Would This Work?
A former classmate of mine posted on Facebook that all of us who oppose the gun culture in this country should join the NRA and vote Jon Stewart in as its president. I heard something similar back around the time of Columbine (or was it Stockton, or was it Oklahoma City, or was it...).
It's an interesting idea. I'd worry about giving the NRA a temporary cash infusion from new members, but exactly how could they be any stronger than they are now? Most of their money comes from arms manufacturers, and that money would dry up as soon as the coup was detected. And even if you could orchestrate a swift and decisive coup against Wayne LaPierre, the gun makers would just shift their resources elsewhere.
Absent a Democratic Congress and a fifth Democratic Supreme Court Justice, we are going to continue to drown in the blood of innocents.
It's an interesting idea. I'd worry about giving the NRA a temporary cash infusion from new members, but exactly how could they be any stronger than they are now? Most of their money comes from arms manufacturers, and that money would dry up as soon as the coup was detected. And even if you could orchestrate a swift and decisive coup against Wayne LaPierre, the gun makers would just shift their resources elsewhere.
Absent a Democratic Congress and a fifth Democratic Supreme Court Justice, we are going to continue to drown in the blood of innocents.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
I'm Going To Miss This Guy
Obama's remarks on yet another fucking mass shooting in this sick, sick land.
Days like this are why Joe Biden is wise not to run for President. Who wants to govern a country whose bloodlust exceeds its common sense?
Days like this are why Joe Biden is wise not to run for President. Who wants to govern a country whose bloodlust exceeds its common sense?
This Is A Winner, Run With This
Wall Street is crying and stamping their feet over new rules championed by Elizabeth Warren and implemented by Barack Obama. The rules apply to financial advisors and basically says that they have to put their clients interest ahead of their own. It is being vociferously opposed, as you can imagine.
Every few years, the Missus used to invite a financial advisor over to sit at our table and explain the multitudinous benefits of working with his company. I'd sit through those meetings patiently, but they were basically the same as those guys who want to sell you new windows: long on charm, short on sound financial footing.
It's not that the advisors didn't have correct things to say, it's that they don't work for you and never have. They work for themselves and their companies. They push people into stocks that benefit them and their companies. When they push their clients into Acme Manufacturing, that may help your bottom line, but you can be damned sure that it helps theirs.
While these reforms will no doubt ignite the caterwauling from wealthy lobbyists that we saw with Dodd-Frank, we can also be sure that - like with Dodd-Frank - this will result not in the collapse of capitalism, but in a ever so slightly more even playing field between Wall Street and the rest of us.
Politically, this is precisely the sort of thing for Democrats to win with. By all means, let Republicans defend the idea that financial advisors can sit around your kitchen table and lie to you about investments. Let's see them try.
Every few years, the Missus used to invite a financial advisor over to sit at our table and explain the multitudinous benefits of working with his company. I'd sit through those meetings patiently, but they were basically the same as those guys who want to sell you new windows: long on charm, short on sound financial footing.
It's not that the advisors didn't have correct things to say, it's that they don't work for you and never have. They work for themselves and their companies. They push people into stocks that benefit them and their companies. When they push their clients into Acme Manufacturing, that may help your bottom line, but you can be damned sure that it helps theirs.
While these reforms will no doubt ignite the caterwauling from wealthy lobbyists that we saw with Dodd-Frank, we can also be sure that - like with Dodd-Frank - this will result not in the collapse of capitalism, but in a ever so slightly more even playing field between Wall Street and the rest of us.
Politically, this is precisely the sort of thing for Democrats to win with. By all means, let Republicans defend the idea that financial advisors can sit around your kitchen table and lie to you about investments. Let's see them try.
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