[SkinnyPupp]

OK now that Trump's baby rage has pretty much turned to whimpers, I guess we can stop talking about losers and start talking about the new president. We can still make fun of trump in his own thread now that he's just a harmless loser, or at least will soon be.

US politics are fascinating these days, but I understand if people don't even want to talk about it. I get it

One issue that most American progressive voters have is that their only alternative to Republicans and Trump is pretty might a party that is barely left of center (and in most countries they'd be the right wing party lol). I doubt the Biden and Democrats will actually run a progressive cabinet, despite trying to look that way. Obama didn't either, so we shouldn't be surprised.

It's starting to be more apparent as people talk about his cabinet selections. Here we have Jamaal Bowman criticizing right wing picks, and he just gets cut off by CNN

https://streamable.com/odryvl

:heckno:

https://twitter.com/JamaalBowmanNY/status/1331433366911115266

People are talking about the right splitting off into the conservative GOP and then an ultra conservative nationalist party headed by Trump. I speculate if that happens, would the Dems just take advantage of that vote split? Or would someone take the opportunity to push the Greens or another progressive party as a viable option?

Interesting times ahead, kind of scary too

[donk.]

"fascinating" and "politics" dont mix

[SkinnyPupp]

"fascinating" and "politics" dont mix
They can when you're mostly observing from the outside

Also it's been fascinating to see how things have changed over the years with social media and media in general. Usually not for the better, but in some ways it is. It's so crazy!

[320icar]

Inb4 the regular people come in to this thread

https://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2013/07/see.gif

[punkwax]

Saw Biden’s speech this week and not surprisingly, was less than impressed. He had a tough time with the teleprompter and even had to wipe drool at one point. That said, still better than Trump.

Inb4 Kamala Harris is the first female president.

[Manic!]

It's not over yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06YrWGizc2U

Love how he asks for money in the first 15 seconds.

[stewie]

Saw Biden’s speech this week and not surprisingly, was less than impressed. He had a tough time with the teleprompter and even had to wipe drool at one point. That said, still better than Trump.

Inb4 Kamala Harris is the first female president.

That thought was in my head before I could even finish reading your sentence.
Biden at his worst would probably be better than Trump at his best.

[MG1]

In on page 1.......... of 1.............lol.

[spoon.ek9]

In! Page 1 :awesom:

[Jmac]

Hopefully we can have fewer insane political arguments in this thread.

Page 1!

[68style]

^ Not likely! It’s a nice idea tho :)

I feel regardless of what happens at least there will be some calm and won’t have to read insane lies every day or someone gaslighting / making you doubt reality... maybe they’ll lie about shit I don’t know about but I can deal with that lol, every government in the USA is going to do that.

[TOS'd]

1st page for the street cred

[unit]

i'm in for a boring next 4 years please

[freakshow]

In for 4 years of the nightmare inducing cackle of kamala

[fishCak3s]

Page 1! woot

[Traum]

i'm in for a boring next 4 years please
Results are still pending on the runoff election in GA, but I am expecting the GOP to at least pick up 1 seat in Georgia to give themselves a Senate majority -- that seems to be the more likely outcome. So if that was the case, I'd expect 4 years' worth of lame duck presidency out of the Biden-Harris team. And then somewhere along the line, Biden is gonna croak, and then it'd get really "interesting" with Harris as POTUS...

Oh joy~ FailFish

[pastarocket]

Page 1!

Who thinks that Biden is gonna fall sleep during one of his meetings as POTUS? Sleepy Joe! :lawl:

[Harvey Specter]

RIP cable news ratings. They've had a good 4 year run covering Trump.

[GLOW]

hope things get better...

[SkinnyPupp]

Maybe SNL can be funny again now that they can do jokes about things other than Trump

[murd0c]

The thing I'm most curious about is if Biden is going to actually last the four years

[unit]

trump was the oldest sworn in president at age 70, biden will be 78 :damn:

[RRxtar]

Biden legitimately has no business being president. He was nominated by the DNC because he is the absolute definition of the DNC political system cronyism along with Pelosi etc and the only one from that group dumb enough to run for president. The primaries were a farce and waste of money, everyone knew Biden was the chosen one from the beginning. Trump might be an idiot but Washington is definitely a swamp. He's a 78 year old, old man who clearly is advanced in his age, and hardly has any ideas of his own and clearly won't be a good president. He is the figure head that the DNC put forward that they can easily control.

And people only voted for him because he wast Trump. There's probably not too many people in America who voted for Biden for his policies and actually had a reason that didn't involve trump. And the media and social media obviously had an affect on public opinion. It's also hilarious that Harris was brought on as VP for the black and woman vote. After they tore her apart in the primaries for being horrible for blacks when she was AG and prosecuter in California.

So here we are, it will be interesting to see how America likes what they have in 2 years when the "thank God trumps gone" wears off. Biden isn't suddenly the fix for all of America's problems, and trump wasn't all of America's problems either. American divisision is America's problem and the gap between the 2 sides isn't getting closer together.

[SkinnyPupp]

Biden legitimately has no business being president. He was nominated by the DNC because he is the absolute definition of the DNC political system cronyism along with Pelosi etc and the only one from that group dumb enough to run for president. The primaries were a farce and waste of money, everyone knew Biden was the chosen one from the beginning. Trump might be an idiot but Washington is definitely a swamp. He's a 78 year old, old man who clearly is advanced in his age, and hardly has any ideas of his own and clearly won't be a good president. He is the figure head that the DNC put forward that they can easily control.

And people only voted for him because he wast Trump. There's probably not too many people in America who voted for Biden for his policies and actually had a reason that didn't involve trump. And the media and social media obviously had an affect on public opinion. It's also hilarious that Harris was brought on as VP for the black and woman vote. After they tore her apart in the primaries for being horrible for blacks when she was AG and prosecuter in California.

So here we are, it will be interesting to see how America likes what they have in 2 years when the "thank God trumps gone" wears off. Biden isn't suddenly the fix for all of America's problems, and trump wasn't all of America's problems either. American divisision is America's problem and the gap between the 2 sides isn't getting closer together.
I agree mostly with what you say, but IMO voting for him "because he wasn't Trump" is a very valid reason. Dems took advantage of that, but in the end you have to blame the people who voted for Trump for putting the country where it is now.

[mikemhg]

Biden legitimately has no business being president. He was nominated by the DNC because he is the absolute definition of the DNC political system cronyism along with Pelosi etc and the only one from that group dumb enough to run for president. The primaries were a farce and waste of money, everyone knew Biden was the chosen one from the beginning. Trump might be an idiot but Washington is definitely a swamp. He's a 78 year old, old man who clearly is advanced in his age, and hardly has any ideas of his own and clearly won't be a good president. He is the figure head that the DNC put forward that they can easily control.

And people only voted for him because he wast Trump. There's probably not too many people in America who voted for Biden for his policies and actually had a reason that didn't involve trump. And the media and social media obviously had an affect on public opinion. It's also hilarious that Harris was brought on as VP for the black and woman vote. After they tore her apart in the primaries for being horrible for blacks when she was AG and prosecuter in California.

So here we are, it will be interesting to see how America likes what they have in 2 years when the "thank God trumps gone" wears off. Biden isn't suddenly the fix for all of America's problems, and trump wasn't all of America's problems either. American divisision is America's problem and the gap between the 2 sides isn't getting closer together.

Which is exactly why this archaic two party system needs to be laid to rest.

Perhaps Trump will be the catalyst to make that happen by forming some type of ultra-right party. That could open the door to a alternative version of a left-wing party. I'm probably full of shit though, and it'll never happen.

The main detriment of the Democratic party is it's hierarchical structure, in the party you need to "pay your dues" in order to gain leadership, it's not a meritocracy, almost union-like. Obama was an albatross to that because he was such a proficient candidate. To the Republican's credit, they don't buy into that same structure, a newbie like Trump can come in and gain leadership in an extremely quick manner, they care more about who will simply win, for them power is the utmost precedence, and less tenure.

Listen, Biden isn't the best choice, we all know that. Keep in mind it's about his cabinet, and the people he surrounds himself that matter, given his choices thus far, I'm quite confident he'll do a decent job.

[whitev70r]

The thing I'm most curious about is if Biden is going to actually last the four years

What are the official odds that Harris takes over at some point before the end of the 4 years? I'm thinking 75%.

[Traum]

Listen, Biden isn't the best choice, we all know that. Keep in mind it's about his cabinet, and the people he surrounds himself that matter, given his choices thus far, I'm quite confident he'll do a decent job.
There is a lot of recycled / rehashed Obama-era people among Biden's announced team so far, and I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or not. If we look back at the Obama era, it makes me wonder how much Biden would be able to achieve.

Georgia is going to be important, and it'll determine the fate and effectiveness of the Biden administration.

[SkinnyPupp]

There is a lot of recycled / rehashed Obama-era people among Biden's announced team so far, and I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or not. If we look back at the Obama era, it makes me wonder how much Biden would be able to achieve.

Georgia is going to be important, and it'll determine the fate and effectiveness of the Biden administration.
Obama was a great ambassador for the US, but he did nothing with a democratic senate and house that was really progressive.

That's why nobody should expect Biden to suddenly be the one that does it

[whitev70r]

Started already ... Biden injured, fractured ankle playing with his dog. I'm guessing he lasts 2-3 yrs of his 4 year term.

[Traum]

Started already ... Biden injured, fractured ankle playing with his dog. I'm guessing he lasts 2-3 yrs of his 4 year term.
Not sure if I should LOL or facepalm...

When will POTUS Harris be inaugurated?

[Jmac]

Brent Sopel of the Vancouver Canucks threw out his back picking up a cracker and he only lived another 3 years.

[Traum]

OMG... what have I just seen (and now cannot be unseen!) :lawl:

https://cheesecake.articleassets.meaww.com/396820/uploads/74bd2d60-2539-11ea-9e19-759902aeddbf_800_420.jpeg

https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-biden-ukraine-fundraising.jpg

[whitev70r]

You know those cliches, 'Well that was a hard act to follow!' or, 'Those shoes are going to be hard to fill!' ... well, at least Biden won't have to worry about that.

[danned]

https://assets.bwbx.io/images/users/iqjWHBFdfxIU/ior.DkZV8tgQ/v0/-1x-1.jpg

[meme405]

What are the official odds that Harris takes over at some point before the end of the 4 years? I'm thinking 75%.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to find a line on this anywhere, atleast none o the official online houses, or vegas bookies.

Interestingly enough though, Harris is actually the favorite currently for winning the 2024 election. She is +350. Biden is next best at +400.

I believe this is the first time ever in my memory that the Current POTUS is not the leader so close to being elected. As an example after Trump won, the line opened and Trump was 200 or 300 points ahead of Hillary to be re-elected.

For anyone interested:

https://i.imgur.com/l2IEWyq.png

Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?

[twitchyzero]

How to Vaccinate 100 Million Americans in 100 Days:
The United States needs a vaccination plan that treats the coronavirus less like the seasonal flu and more like an act of bioterrorism.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/opinion/covid-vaccine-biden.html

Joe of Scranton leggo!

so far only 39% of distributed actually administered..convince enough Americans for herd immunity and reopen border within 6-9 mos and not 2028 will be great

[pastarocket]

Watching the Biden and Harris inauguration ceremony now.

A historical moment in the United States! :toot:

The first African American/South Asian (she is half Indian) Vice President.

President Biden. The oldest U.S. President.

Lady Gaga, J. Lo, and Garth Brooks are performing at the Inauguration ceremony.

Lady Gaga sings the Star Spangled Banner! :)

Garth Brooks sings "Amazing Grace".

J. Lo performs songs "This Land is Your Land" and "America the Beautiful!"

quotes from President Biden's speech "Democracy has Prevailed!" :fuckyea:

"White supremacy and extremism that we must confront and will defeat!"

"Bringing America together. Bringing our people together. Uniting this nation. I ask all Americans to join me to confront these forces together".

"We can make America once again the leading force for good in the world"

"We must reject a culture in which facts are manipulated and even manufactured" (Trump's fake news :lawl:)

"Don't tell me that things can't change!"

"To those that did not support us. Hear me out. Hear me clearly. Disagreement must not lead to dis-union. I will be a President for all Americans. I will fight hard for those who did not support me, as well as those did".

“This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages, America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge,” Biden declared, standing alongside his family, supporters, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.


“Today we celebrate the triumph — not of a candidate, but of a cause. The cause of democracy. The people, the will of the people, has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded,” he continued.

“Folks, this is a time of testing. We face an attack on our democracy and in truth. A raging virus, growing inequity, the sting of systemic racism, a climate in crisis, America’s role in the world. Any one of these would be enough to challenge us in profound ways. But the fact is, we faced them all at once, presenting this nation with one of the gravest responsibilities we’ve had. Now, we’re going to be tested. Are we going to step up, all of us? It’s time for boldness for there’s so much to do. And this is certain: I promise you, we will be judged, you and I, by how we resolve these cascading crises of our era,” Biden said.

A great speech for the unity for of America. He called out white supremacy in his speech. A speech with passion, sincerity but also a serious and sombre speech.

Amanda Gorman, the youngest American poet laureate at 22 years old, gave a powerful reading of her poem "The Hill We Climb" during the Inauguration.

[bcedhk]

I wish they brought in Fergie for the national anthem.

[CivicBlues]

Head of Biden's Secret Service is Korean-American. (https://www.dhs.gov/exceptional-service-2019) Of course the MAGA dumbfucks would latch on and claim he's being protected by China

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0UpMantiUE

[pastarocket]

Biden gets to work fast after the inauguration. He and his team are off to a running start:

-from CNN:

President Joe Biden told reporters he is signing "bold" executive actions during his first appearance in the Oval Office.

"There’s no time to start like today," Biden told reporters.

He said these actions are meant to keep his promises to the American people.

"We’re going to need legislation for a lot of the things," Biden said.

Biden plans to take 17 executive actions during his first hours in office, moving faster and more aggressively to dismantle his predecessor's legacy than any other modern president.

Biden will sign a flurry of executive orders, memoranda and directives to agencies, making his first moves to address the coronavirus pandemic and undo some of Donald Trump's signature policies.

[pastarocket]

The Biden administration's agenda for the first month or so as per CNN reporting:

January 21st : Covid,
Jan 22nd: Economic relief,
Jan 25th: Buy America,
January 26th: Equity
January 27th: Climate,
January 28th: Health Care,
Jan 29th: Immigration,

February: Restoring America's position in the world.

[SkinnyPupp]

Biden gets to work fast after the inauguration. He and his team are off to a running start:

-from CNN:

President Joe Biden told reporters he is signing "bold" executive actions during his first appearance in the Oval Office.

"There’s no time to start like today," Biden told reporters.

He said these actions are meant to keep his promises to the American people.

"We’re going to need legislation for a lot of the things," Biden said.

Biden plans to take 17 executive actions during his first hours in office, moving faster and more aggressively to dismantle his predecessor's legacy than any other modern president.

Biden will sign a flurry of executive orders, memoranda and directives to agencies, making his first moves to address the coronavirus pandemic and undo some of Donald Trump's signature policies.
Biden's first 17 executive actions (https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/20/politics/executive-actions-biden/index.html)

Includes rejoining WHO, rejoining Paris Accord, cancelling Keystone pipeline, cancels travel ban from Muslim countries, cancels caging illegal immigrants, cancels construction of "the wall" (Trump declared a national emergency to get it funded)

[pastarocket]

Joe means business in the White House:


President Joe Biden warned new White House employees he would terminate them if he found them trashing one another.

Making explicit he wanted to break with the toxic environment that pervaded the West Wing during the previous administration, Biden said he wanted his staff governed by collegiality and respect.

“If you’re ever working with me and I hear you treating another colleague with disrespect, talking down to someone, I will fire you on the spot," Biden said in the State Dining Room during a ceremony swearing-in officials.

He said he wanted his staff to treat each other with decency, something he said had "been missing a big way the past four years."

Earlier in the ceremony, Biden said he wanted his staff to treat everyone with "dignity."
"History measures us and our fellow Americans…by how decent, honorable and smart we have been in looking out for their interests," he said.

[highfive]

Biden should've asked Tulsi Gabbard to be his VP instead.

I would love to stand behind her. haha

[whitev70r]

Thoughts on Biden cancelling the Keystone XL Pipeline? I wasn't for it or against it but damn, what a waste of time and money, especially for AB. What the hell do you do with a 1/2 built pipeline (or however much it is completed). Obama rejected it. Trump gave the go ahead. Now Biden cancelled it ... can't they find some sort of compromise on that?

[Teriyaki]

Think there's another pipeline thread? Maybe not? Anyhoo, it'll be interesting to see where it all falls. From what I gather, it really was a complete gamble by AB to double down on that pipeline given that they (along with the rest of us) all knew that a Biden administration would mean the cancellation of it. So, they were really just betting on Trump winning like on bet365, but with billions of tax-payer money.

[Traum]

Biden's first 17 executive actions (https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/20/politics/executive-actions-biden/index.html)

Includes rejoining WHO
Re-joining the WHO -- or for that matter, international level organizations where governance system works on a per-country vote with China, Russia, or any of their lackeys around -- is almost completely meaningless. The WHO has proven that it is thoroughly useless, and only served to spread mis-information at the direction of its Chinese masters. The significant consequence of that is -- a lot of idiot countries -- including Canada and Japan -- bought into the WHO narrative and exposed their citizens to the coronavirus risks that could have been entirely avoidable. Sending Fauci as the lead delegate to WHO is also a mistake. He would have served the US and Americans better if he were to focus on his work within the US.

The proper direction in dealing with WHO (and other international institutions like it) should have been to make plans to organize a new body where only allied countries can have veto power, and make that the world's focus and authority to replace WHO. I don't like how a system like that creates a world of 1st and 2nd class nations, but it is one of the most feasible ways to get rid of the constant stalling and sabotaging from unreasonable countries like China and Russia.

I'm kind of surprised that re-establishing ties with Cuba wasn't on the list, but we will see whether anything gets done for that.

[SkinnyPupp]

For people worried about Biden with regards to China

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EsOZJUSVEAIQGCG.jpg

[westopher]

Happy to see the day went off without any violence. Lots of arrests must have scared the freedumb/incel camp back to their parents basements. Hopefully it stays that way.

[Manic!]

Thoughts on Biden cancelling the Keystone XL Pipeline? I wasn't for it or against it but damn, what a waste of time and money, especially for AB. What the hell do you do with a 1/2 built pipeline (or however much it is completed). Obama rejected it. Trump gave the go ahead. Now Biden cancelled it ... can't they find some sort of compromise on that?

jason kenny spend 1.5 billion on keystone xl and now wants JT to put sanctions on the US what an idiot.

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/alberta-investing-us-1-1-billion-in-keystone-xl-pipeline-1.1415107

The Alberta government is investing US$1.1 billion (C$1.5 billion) in the Keystone XL pipeline, TC Energy Corp. said Tuesday, while confirming plans to proceed with the project.

The Calgary-based company said the province’s investment will cover planned construction costs through the end of the year. The remaining investment of US$6.9 billion is expected to be made over the next two years and funded through a US$4.2 billion project level credit facility that’s being guaranteed by the Alberta government, and a US$2.7-billion investment by TC Energy.

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/alberta-biden-keystone


If, however, the U.S. government refuses to open the door to a constructive and respectful dialogue about these issues, then it is clear that the Government of Canada must impose meaningful trade and economic sanctions in response to defend our country’s vital economic interests,” Kenney said at a press conference.

[68style]

Everything Kenney touches turns to complete and utter shit... just a loser no matter you like him or not

[Gumby]

Everything Kenney touches turns to complete and utter shit... just a loser no matter you like him or not
Sounds like a former president in the US...

[Traum]

For people worried about Biden with regards to China

The attitude being presented by the new Secretary of State is encouraging, but ultimately, the litmus test is the actions taken by the new government as a whole, so we will at least have to see how things pan out over the next few months before we can get a good feel on what the Biden government's China policy is really like.

[pastarocket]

Fuck Trump! Fucking orange Cheeto left no vaccine distribution plan for the Biden administration. A parting gift from that piece of shit!

Putting American lives at risk!

I am beyond pissed at this fucker Trump because part of my extended family lives in 3 states that have some of the highest number of Covid cases in the US. California, Arizona, and Florida. Five cousins, an aunt and uncle who have yet to get their vaccine shots because that fucker Trump doesn't care about the lives of ordinary Americans!

FUCK TRUMP!

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/21/politics/biden-covid-vaccination-trump/index.html

-from the article:

Newly sworn in President Joe Biden and his advisers are inheriting no coronavirus vaccine distribution plan to speak of from the Trump administration, sources tell CNN, posing a significant challenge for the new White House.

The Biden administration has promised to try to turn the Covid-19 pandemic around and drastically speed up the pace of vaccinating Americans against the virus. But in the immediate hours following Biden being sworn into office on Wednesday, sources with direct knowledge of the new administration's Covid-related work told CNN one of the biggest shocks that the Biden team had to digest during the transition period was what they saw as a complete lack of a vaccine distribution strategy under former President Donald Trump, even weeks after multiple vaccines were approved for use in the United States.

"There is nothing for us to rework. We are going to have to build everything from scratch," one source said.



-gonna play some World Star Hip Hop songs "Fuck Donald Trump" to help me calm down now. :lawl:

YG & Nipsey Hussle :grin-FU:

[westopher]

Traum, serious question. Why is the treatment of China such a sticking point for the quality of a US administration. I certainly dislike the politics of the Chinese government, but how much of an effect does US foreign policy (to China or other countries we don’t live in) really have on our lives. I understand it’s different for people with family there, who are likely affected by it, but what can the US really do about that? It would be like me basing my interest in US politics with their relationship with the UK being top of mind.
I’m not trying to criticize, just trying to understand.

[Traum]

Traum, serious question. Why is the treatment of China such a sticking point for the quality of a US administration. I certainly dislike the politics of the Chinese government, but how much of an effect does US foreign policy (to China or other countries we don’t live in) really have on our lives. I understand it’s different for people with family there, who are likely affected by it, but what can the US really do about that? It would be like me basing my interest in US politics with their relationship with the UK being top of mind.
I’m not trying to criticize, just trying to understand.
Westopher,

I appreciate the question, and I will do my best to offer my take on it.

At an international level, the biggest problem I see is the "Chinese Dream" / national rejuvenation. China wants to see itself ascending to a world leadership position that has even more influence than the US currently enjoys. And with the way Communist China operates, this is not a good thing for the international community. As a common Chinese saying goes, China wants its international policies to be a win-win situation for the countries involved, but the Chinese definition of a win-win situation means China wins twice.

To fulfill this ascension dream of theirs, infiltration / subversion, state-backed unfair competition in the private sector, and geopolitical control are all part of the plan. Infiltration / subversion is prevalent in a large number of countries, with Australia, New Zealand, and Canada being some of the worst examples, and the US has its fair share of Chinese agents (aka influencial lobbiest). In Canada, google for "Michael Chan" in the Ontario Liberals or the "Hong Guo" Richmond mayoral candidate and you will see some of the things I am talking about. In the US, a recent example is this "Fang Fang" chick, and it is quite a juicy story there.

Huawei and solar panel manufacturing are examples of state-backed unfair competition in the private sector. The standard playbook there is for the state-backed enterprise to gain a controlling market share through state support (vs private sector-only resources), buy out the competition, and direct the bought-out industry to put China's interests ahead of the interests of the others. In Huawei's case, there are economic and privacy concerns. The South China Seas disputes, the Taiwan sovereignty issue (which is really an attempt to break through the First Island Chain), and China's Belt & Road Initiative are examples of gaining geopolitical control worldwide.

So where the US comes in with its foreign policy is, effectively, US is the only body in the world that would stand a chance to stop this madness. The EU could have been an effective body to do this too, but the governance model and the greatly differing interests among its member nations means nothing effective can really come out of the EU.

As an example of how China's ambitions can affect us, the South China Seas is an extremely important international trade route. I don't remember the numbers, but I think it accounts for at least something like 30 - 40% of all internationally traded goods, and over 70% of all Middle East crude oil transports. China has been actively trying to claim the South China Seas as its state-controlled territory, and given what we have seen with the way China operates, if it succeeds with this initiative, they could go as far as blocking all international access to those waters. International trade routes would then have to go around the outside of Indonesia and significantly increasing transportation costs.

As a comparison, it can be said that the US currently controls / maintains international order on (international) sea routes. The difference is, 60+ years of history (since WW2) has shown that the US does not interfere with normal sea route / trade activities. That will not be the same if Communist China is the top dog.

These are just a fraction of the examples that a common person can see, and I feel like I am not doing a good enough job of explaining how our lives can be negatively affected by a China-led world. But this is a superficial explanation of why the US' China policy is important. It really isn't a Trump / Biden or a GOP / Democrat question.

[mikemhg]

Sounds like a former president in the US...

Conservatives...

[sonick]

As a common Chinese saying goes, China wants its international policies to be a win-win situation for the countries involved, but the Chinese definition of a win-win situation means China wins twice.

Huawei and solar panel manufacturing are examples of state-backed unfair competition in the private sector. The standard playbook there is for the state-backed enterprise to gain a controlling market share through state support (vs private sector-only resources), buy out the competition, and direct the bought-out industry to put China's interests ahead of the interests of the others. In Huawei's case, there are economic and privacy concerns. The South China Seas disputes, the Taiwan sovereignty issue (which is really an attempt to break through the First Island Chain), and China's Belt & Road Initiative are examples of gaining geopolitical control worldwide.

Good example with this that directly impacted Canada. Back in the day when Nortel was flying high, the Chinese military hacked Nortel to steal their intellectual property. This resulted in Nortel eventually going bankrupt.

It's reported/speculated that this IP eventually ended up at Huawei and gave them the leg up on 5G technology among others.

Pretty scummy if you ask me.

https://globalnews.ca/news/7275588/inside-the-chinese-military-attack-on-nortel/

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/did-a-chinese-hack-kill-canada-s-greatest-tech-company-1.1459269

[unit]

have you guys read that report on Huawei stealing a robot arm from a phone testing device called Tappy? fucking unbelievable.

https://www.npr.org/2019/01/29/689663720/a-robot-named-tappy-huawei-conspired-to-steal-t-mobile-s-trade-secrets-says-doj

[whitev70r]

^ Ask Channel, NFL, NBA, KFC, Starbucks, Nike, Apple, Gucci, YSL ... China's been stealing secrets forever, I thought everyone knew. What's the news?

[MG1]

I so fucking hate china.......... I go out of my way not to buy/support anything that comes out of there. It doesn't matter how much more buying from elsewhere is.

Dirty tactics, shitty treatment of their workers, human rights violations, cutting corners, putting consumers at risk......... all in the name of making money and taking control of power.

BTW, it's the regime, not the people I dislike. Having said that, when the people in control are ruthless and operate without any moral compass/ethics, it's not going to be long before the people become that way. The CCP has their finger in everything in just about every country. A whole new brand of communism. Where everyone's lives are meaningless except for those in control. They don't even give a rat's ass about their own kind in their own country. Their rich and privileged continue to profit on the backs of those who cannot claw their way out of poverty.

We keep buying their shit and we keep buying their shit. Little by little they are taking over and we keep letting them. I hope world leaders get their shit together and say enough is enough.

Money talks, bullshit walks.......... we're screwed. /rant

[spoon.ek9]

i think that's the important distinction to make. it's the CCP i strongly dislike, not the country and it's people. it's unfortunate that a lot of their citizens are unable to separate national pride from CCP as they are commonly seen as one and the same.

[SnK1800]

i think that's the important distinction to make. it's the CCP i strongly dislike, not the country and it's people. it's unfortunate that a lot of their citizens are unable to separate national pride from CCP as they are commonly seen as one and the same.

mainly due to their brainwashing education system and fake news/media

[winson604]

i think that's the important distinction to make. it's the CCP i strongly dislike, not the country and it's people. it's unfortunate that a lot of their citizens are unable to separate national pride from CCP as they are commonly seen as one and the same.

I'll admit, I sometimes hate the people but I don't generalize the hate to the group as a whole. With that said, sometimes I try to take a step back and think if the hate is warranted. For example things like people cutting lines and spitting in public even inside malls. Is it against the norm here in Canada? Yes, but pretty normal in Mainland and culturally accepted there. Do I hate or think ok this person just doesn't know, it's hard sometimes.

[twitchyzero]

I go out of my way not to buy/support anything that comes out of there. It doesn't matter how much more buying from elsewhere is.

Dirty tactics, shitty treatment of their workers, human rights violations, cutting corners, putting consumers at risk......... all in the name of making money and taking control of power.

BTW, it's the regime, not the people I dislike

lots of disgusting practices in other developing markets too

cbc marketplace did one on PPE from malaysia, promising foreign workers a better life only to find horrible conditions, physical abuse etc.

vietnam condom plant reusing old ones :fuckthatshit:

sry for straying from the scranton joe discussion

[MG1]

What I find interesting is how CBCs who's families have been here for generations view some of the odd (for lack of a nicer word) behaviour of the new immigrants/visitors. How it hurts them to see the hard work of their ancestors, who have toiled to build up a good reputation amongst other Canadians - enduring generations of racism and brunt of jokes, get destroyed in an instant.

I recall one RS member commenting, "Please let it not be Chinese..........." after hearing of someone doing something distasteful. I'm not sure if there are any groups out there that help these people acclimatize to our accepted practices and norms of social behaviour. I was going to say, "culture," but that isn't the right term, is it?

[MG1]

lots of disgusting practices in other developing markets too

cbc marketplace did one on PPE from malaysia, promising foreign workers a better life only to find horrible conditions, physical abuse etc.

vietnam condom plant reusing old ones :fuckthatshit:

sry for straying from the scranton joe discussion

True, but the people from mainland china are travelling abroad with loads of cash along with their crass. Not all, of course, but a noticeable amount. Stories of how some of them desecrate monuments and historical sites for shits and giggles.


Yeah, we should get back to the thread.

[CivicBlues]

The thing is, when white people do something despicable (which in Canada, the vast majority of such acts are) nobody ascribes it to their nationality or ethnicity.

[320icar]

The thing is, when white people do something despicable (which in Canada, the vast majority of such acts are) nobody escribes it to their nationality or ethnicity.

That’s because we live in Canada? So if a Canadian says some weird racist shit, you don’t have to call them a Canadian if they look like white trash from Alberta. But if an American came up here shopping and went on a racist tirade at the outlets, you damn well know they would specify they were American.

The same way when I talk about my focus RS on the focus RS forums, I don’t have to remind people I’m referencing my focus RS.

Edit: unless I misunderstood what you mean. Feel free to correct me/clarify

[CivicBlues]

That’s because we live in Canada? So if a Canadian says some weird racist shit, you don’t have to call them a Canadian if they look like white trash from Alberta. But if an American came up here shopping and went on a racist tirade at the outlets, you damn well know they would specify they were American.

The same way when I talk about my focus RS on the focus RS forums, I don’t have to remind people I’m referencing my focus RS.

Edit: unless I misunderstood what you mean. Feel free to correct me/clarify

so White = Canadian? There are tons of European immigrants in this city, no doubt some involved in crime as well. Not to mention that if a white criminal is apprehended no one speculates on their ethnic origin or cultural proclivities. If a brown gangster is killed it's all "oh it's their culture of spoiling them" even if they were born here and hold citizenship.

[Hondaracer]

Well..the brown thing it’s still that culture that perpetuates that behaviour in many cases.

I know a teacher who used to teach at a predominantly brown school in Surrey and he said there were numerous occasions during parent teacher interviews where the son and mother would come in and the son would actually raise his hand at the mother like he was going to backhand her if he felt the conversation was going the wrong way..lol

[CivicBlues]

Well all I know is no one is going around saying "Downtown Eastside culture" or "Eastern" Canadian/Quebecois culture (where many of our bums are from) is to blame for this shitty happenings Downtown/Strathcona as of late.

[Hondaracer]

Well, given the amount of natives in those situations you could call that true Canadian culture..:troll:

[320icar]

I’m well aware of Canada’s white immigrants, my family is one of them

[MG1]

Well, given the amount of natives in those situations you could call that true Canadian culture..:troll:

Are they truly indigenous, though? I thought they crossed over to NA many moons ago.

[Manic!]

https://i.redd.it/7v0n198cxxc61.jpg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Iw0-U9OknI

[Hondaracer]

Mongols that crossed the Alaskan ice bridge from Russia

[Manic!]

What a title makes it look like he represents the Canadian goverement.

Canadian official slams Biden for nixing Keystone XL pipeline as jobs diminish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RgotCW4Uck

[SkinnyPupp]

The oil in Alberta could have given Canada centuries wealth and stability, if they'd handled it the same way Norway handled theirs.

Instead, they handled it the greediest, most American way possible, and fucked it up for everyone.

[westopher]

We also gave up as much of the profitability as possible by letting American companies take so much control to weather the storm in Harper era economic downturn. He gets the credit from conservatives for keeping us afloat during that time by selling our future (now present) to foreign companies.

[mikemhg]

^You are Skinny are very correct on this.

Had Canada adopted a more of a nationalistic policy on our oil sector such a Norway, I guarantee you Canadians as a whole would've been far more on board in terms of any additional pipelines, and expansions as well.

Canadians as a whole simply do not support the Keystone pipeline as it has literal no direct benefit to the majority of Canadians, hence why this entire project has been so easy to turf from a political standpoint.

[Traum]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-biden/biden-says-us-ready-to-work-with-china-when-it-is-in-americas-interest-idUSKBN2A42RM

President Joe Biden on Thursday called China’s America’s most serious competitor, but said the United States is ready to work with China when it is in its interests to do so.

“We will ... take on directly the challenges posed (to) our prosperity, security and democratic values by our most serious competitor, China,” Biden said in a speech during his first visit to the State Department.

“We will confront China’s economic abuses, counter its aggressive course of action to push back China’s attack on human rights, intellectual property and global governance,” he said. “But we’re ready to work with Beijing, when it’s in America’s interest to do so.”
I am not the least bit surprised by Biden labelling China as the US' most serious competitor when he should have straight up called it an "adversary" instead.

How is someone a "competitor" when it goes by a completely different rule set where every last rule is in his favour? China has repeatedly shown that it does not abide by international treaties and requirements that it has signed on -- I'm referring to the many WTO requirements for opening up its market to WTO members here, though of course there are numerous other examples.

The upcoming so-called "dialogue" and "negotiations" are all just gonna be a total waste of time and lost opportunities while China continues to recover from the damage that Trump has inflicted on it, and there will be a price for US and the western world to pay.
FailFish

[Traum]

If you haven't done so already, see and hear for yourself what Biden is saying about Xi's treatment of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Uyghurs, bearing in mind the Uyghur genocide that is happening right now.

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2021/02/17/china-uyghurs-human-rights-joe-biden-town-hall-vpx.cnn/video/playlists/joe-biden-town-hall/

Biden's understanding of the Chinese emperor mentality is generally correct, but to brush the treatment of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and esp Uyghurs as different cultural norms is ludicrous. Even when you take into account that Biden is no longer able to clearly and effectively express himself, equating genocide and blatant destruction of freedom to cultural norms is as ridiculous as it can be.

[CivicBlues]

No no cares Traum

[mikemhg]

I agree :lol

Such an odd motivation. Biden's approval ratings are higher in just 1 month, then that of Trump's entire time in office.

He's been in office for as long as it takes a fart to leave your ass, and you're already complaining about his stance on China?

Come on guy :lol

[Traum]

No no cares Traum
And that just proves how people hate Trump because he is Trump, instead of actually being concerned about whether his policies are bad.

[westopher]

I mean, Biden should probably worry about the fuckshow in his own country. I'm not saying that international relations isn't important, but somebody being like "fuck you china" is really far down the list when it comes to the measure of their quality of governance.
You also can't really believe that trumps "hardline stance" on china has anything to do with the well being of his country. He was just pandering to the xenophobia and racism of his fanbase.

[underscore]

Leaders do need to stop tiptoeing around China, but they can only really do that if their own country isn't a total dumpster fire.

[westopher]

There is pretty much only one country in the world right now I can think of that isn't a disaster and that's New Zealand. How many fucks do you think they have given about China in the last year? Probably somewhere hovering around zero.

[StylinRed]

I mean, Biden should probably worry about the fuckshow in his own country. I'm not saying that international relations isn't important, but somebody being like "fuck you china" is really far down the list when it comes to the measure of their quality of governance.
You also can't really believe that trumps "hardline stance" on china has anything to do with the well being of his country. He was just pandering to the xenophobia and racism of his fanbase.


Yet he's negotiated peace in much of the middle East, and not gone to war, a xenophobic panderer would do quite the opposite, and that would also serve americas MO of war

all I'm pointing to is that trumps actions aren't/weren't as clear as dismissing him as a racist bigot, a lot of it wasn't, just the opposite even, his actions were a confusing mess of everything... I guess you could define it as a giant clusterfuck

[Teriyaki]

There is pretty much only one country in the world right now I can think of that isn't a disaster and that's New Zealand. How many fucks do you think they have given about China in the last year? Probably somewhere hovering around zero.

Zero fucks about China. Zero fucks about Covid-19. Boss. Now if only they could be printed on more maps.

[SkinnyPupp]

https://twitter.com/DanPriceSeattle/status/1362833448268951557

[MG1]

Zero fucks about China. Zero fucks about Covid-19. Boss. Now if only they could be printed on more maps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiKFYTFJ_kw


LOL @ frenchies........... holding hands like school children 0:46


COVID is scared to be in New Zealand. Kind of like Chuck Norris............. https://www.amazon.com/Chuck-Norris-Quarantine-CoronaVirus-Keychain/dp/B086C2XH9Z

[Bouncing Bettys]

https://twitter.com/stclairashley/status/1363224533759574016
https://youtu.be/WChD50UBCWM

[Bouncing Bettys]

Don't expect the progressives to push the establishment to the left any time soon:
https://youtu.be/fyF1pepEpDE

[Manic!]

https://twitter.com/stclairashley/status/1363224533759574016
https://youtu.be/WChD50UBCWM

Making fun of a persons disability nice! Bidden has had a stuttering problem all of his life.


Just because a person does not know how to use a computer does not mean they should not be allowed to vote. I have costumers that don't have a computer or refuse to use pay at the pump because they hate new technology. Had a 20 year old girl a few days ago who wanted to put her live savings into a bitcoin ATM he have because the RCMP wanted to verify it. Lucky I stopped it.

If you think stupidity should bar people from voting trump would have never been elected. trump supporter and congress women lauren boebert got her ged one month before running for congress.

[Great68]

https://youtu.be/WChD50UBCWM


The way he said "I'm eager to hear" sounded like the N word AHAHAHAH that's Sooooo funny. Good one!

Seriously, what are you? 12?

[westopher]

Is only using YouTube videos to communicate considered a speech impediment?

[mikemhg]

The way he said "I'm eager to hear" sounded like the N word AHAHAHAH that's Sooooo funny. Good one!

Seriously, what are you? 12?

This is the current problem in politics. Rightwing folks lap this kind of garbage "gotcha" propaganda videos up.

The juxtaposition between our complaints about Trump in the Trump thread in relation to this one is quite illuminating to that.

[Great68]

This is the current problem in politics. Rightwing folks

I know but come on, this one wasn't even a "gotcha". Anyone who's not a child can hear he did not actually say the N word there.

[Bouncing Bettys]

Making fun of a persons disability nice! Bidden has had a stuttering problem all of his life.


Just because a person does not know how to use a computer does not mean they should not be allowed to vote. I have costumers that don't have a computer or refuse to use pay at the pump because they hate new technology. Had a 20 year old girl a few days ago who wanted to put her live savings into a bitcoin ATM he have because the RCMP wanted to verify it. Lucky I stopped it.

If you think stupidity should bar people from voting trump would have never been elected. trump supporter and congress women lauren boebert got her ged one month before running for congress.
At least you understood it as humour.
The way he said "I'm eager to hear" sounded like the N word AHAHAHAH that's Sooooo funny. Good one!

Seriously, what are you? 12?
At least I got a laugh out of it. The media and the TDS sufferers would be trying to cancel Trump if it were his slip up.
Is only using YouTube videos to communicate considered a speech impediment?
Guess so.
This is the current problem in politics. Rightwing folks lap this kind of garbage "gotcha" propaganda videos up.

The juxtaposition between our complaints about Trump in the Trump thread in relation to this one is quite illuminating to that.
Right wing? You say this after I share a Jimmy Dore video showing my displeasure with Justice Democrats for selling out to the establishment? No comment on that one?

It was humour. I'm sure I can go through the Trump thread and find posts from you and everyone else, having a laugh at Trump's expense, rather than sticking to politics. The same is not welcome here?
I know but come on, this one wasn't even a "gotcha". Anyone who's not a child can hear he did not actually say the N word there.
You already acknowledged my post as humour so yeah, it was never intended to be a gotcha. Did you see me trying to get him cancelled over it? Even Crowder says he doesn't believe Biden is a racist. I am curious to know how you believe this slip up would have been handled if Trump said it. Just humour?

[Manic!]

Making fun of someones disability. Nice! FailFish

This is how you really make fun of someones disability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdLfkhxIH5Q

[Great68]

You already acknowledged my post as humour

I did?

You sure can't read sarcasm. No, it wasn't funny, it was just stupid.

[mikemhg]

At least you understood it as humour.

At least I got a laugh out of it. The media and the TDS sufferers would be trying to cancel Trump if it were his slip up.

Guess so.

Right wing? You say this after I share a Jimmy Dore video showing my displeasure with Justice Democrats for selling out to the establishment? No comment on that one?

It was humour. I'm sure I can go through the Trump thread and find posts from you and everyone else, having a laugh at Trump's expense, rather than sticking to politics. The same is not welcome here?

You already acknowledged my post as humour so yeah, it was never intended to be a gotcha. Did you see me trying to get him cancelled over it? Even Crowder says he doesn't believe Biden is a racist. I am curious to know how you believe this slip up would have been handled if Trump said it. Just humour?

I can never tell if you're being sarcastic or not. Your politics align with your sarcastic views/comments, so forgive me for blurring that line with you there :lol

As for Jimmy Dore, I'm not going to debate you on his views, as I wouldn't Alex Jones's.

He's got some good takes here and there, but for a guy who was fired from TYT, I wouldn't take his Youtube channel as the gospel or a primary news source.

[twitchyzero]

There is pretty much only one country in the world right now I can think of that isn't a disaster and that's New Zealand. How many fucks do you think they have given about China in the last year? Probably somewhere hovering around zero.

your last statement is likely not wrong but i hope you're half joking

why do you think the globe is in this current mess in the first place

the influence from China here on the west coast/in Canada is a bit more subtle but almost undeniable

and in the Oceania region? it's fucking BLATANT. We're talking police stations, schools, highways funded OPENLY by the chinese party..the debt trapping is real. fakest doctor Tedros of WHO is the only one in recent spotlight but he's just one of an entire army of puppets

https://www.npr.org/2018/10/02/627249909/australia-and-new-zealand-are-ground-zero-for-chinese-influence

yes US should face intense criticisms from once a respected leader in science and tech on a good day to becoming a farce almost overnight..i even argue they're the epitome of hypocrisy having killed however many over all their overseas war tours then claim to champion human rights, freedom and democracy. Still, domestic strife does not discredit their international voice and flexing to stand up against the China problem. Pandemic or not. BLM riots or not. Blue or Red. World Police gotta pohlease ..lesser of the evil.

[Traum]

OK... this is going to be interesting now...

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/25/us-airstrike-syria-iran-militia

US reportedly carried out airstrike against Iran-backed militia in Syria

Strike, which was approved by Joe Biden, comes after a series of attacks against US targets in Iraq

I wonder what the repercussions are gonna be across the board...

[sonick]

I chuckled at this

https://twitter.com/ThreadCrimson/status/1365106722688229378

[Traum]

At this point, I have no ill feelings towards Biden, although I do think it is questionable whether he can clearly express himself and whether he is suitable to fulfill his duties as POTUS. And then we have this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzb-0reGWTo

FailFish

Let's just say I would not at all be surprised to see Harris getting sworn in as POTUS at some point in the next 3+ years.

[westopher]

Man trips - not fit for president
Obese racist man who uses words like “accomplimentshades” - fit for president
Got it.

[twitchyzero]

did we watch the same video?

he did not only trip
that's stumbling big time
questionable gait when he was trying to pick himself back up

[sonick]

Yeah the fact that he had several tries where the ankle didn't seem like it was holding up is concerning.

Alt right social media must be shitting themselves with glee right now, dissecting and diagnosing that video from all angles.

[westopher]

did we watch the same video?

he did not only trip
that's stumbling big time
questionable gait when he was trying to pick himself back up

Well stop the fucking presses a 78 year old man has a hard time getting up. He’s old, he’s brittle, and his balance is bad.
This has nothing to do with anything other than the dipshit angle people are going to play it as.

[Traum]

This isn't about Biden just tripping. It's about whether he is healthy, fit, and potentially lucid enough to fulfill his duties as POTUS. I am not making fun of him or his tripping.

A few days ago, the news was going on about how Biden has only come out for a single public interview / public address 2 months into his term, whereas other past presidents have already had multiple. The POTUS is both the national leader and public face of the US. He needs to lead both with his plans and his presence, meaning he needs to physically be there. As far as the public is concerned so far, he is falling way short of that.

You can't send Harris out as VP to deal with the top leaders of other countries.

[Hondaracer]

Lol he’s fucking 80, of course he’s not fit.

[Teriyaki]

After the last president, the bar has been set so low in terms of acting "Presidential". I think they'll be fine.

[pastarocket]

Although Biden's health is questionable, he's doing a heck of a job so far as POTUS compared to Cheeto No. 45.


Biden and Harris are meeting with Asian American leaders in Atlanta.

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/atlanta-area-spa-shootings-biden-visit/h_848a116608134823d63decaf3f47c010



Biden condemns 'skyrocketing' hate crimes against Asian Americans in wake of deadly shooting

https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/19/politics/biden-harris-atlanta/index.html

Biden is urging Congress to pass the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act.

I have seen racism up close in Canada, and as an observer of the shit show happening in the US in the past year and still happening.

George Floyd's death, Asian Americans being assaulted, a Chinese senior having to use a two by four to defend herself after a fucking idiot punched her in the face without provocation in San Francisco's Chinatown.

Eight people killed in Atlanta. Many of them are Asian women. Hmmm.


-hearing Biden's speech right now condemning verbal and physical attacks on Asian Americans.


This pandemic has brought the best AND the worst in humanity.

Crazy fucked up people who look for people of Asian descent as the scapegoats for Covid 19. Some of these fools are anti-mask and anti-vaxxers.

Silence is complicity. I am not gonna be silent on the racism that has happened and is still happening in North America.


Yeah, Biden is not perfect as a POTUS. Is any person in the world "perfect"??

One piece of US federal legislation doesn't change the racist attitudes and hate in the heart of Americans or any people in any of the country of the world.

Having said that, something has be done to provide more protection for Asian Americans! The US is an extension of my family with five cousins, an aunt, and uncle living in three states.

The stories that my cousins tell me over whatsapp about the racial slurs and other shit that they have to deal with on almost a weekly, if not daily basis is horrific.

In contrast, Cheeto kept saying "China Virus" and "Kung Flu" in his inflammatory rhetoric at his rallies. Cheeto still says "China Virus" on Fox News today. Talk about putting a target on Asian Americans! :facepalm:

[twitchyzero]

anything other than the dipshit angle people are going to play it as.

like how people made a big deal over tp on trump's shoe boarding af1

we're in a pandemic anyways, most of the work can probably be done from the oval office..i agree this is drivel

[68style]

Trump is FOUR years younger than Biden and nobody mentions how old and brittle and mentally unfit he is?

He messed up more than a few words and had trouble navigating numerous gradients of ramps and stairs?

So stupid...

[pastarocket]

Trump is FOUR years younger than Biden and nobody mentions how old and brittle and mentally unfit he is?

He messed up more than a few words and had trouble navigating numerous gradients of ramps and stairs?

So stupid...

-not to mention that Trump loves his well done steaks and hamburgers.

The food of fit Presidents! :lawl:

[CivicBlues]

This isn't about Biden just tripping. It's about whether he is healthy, fit, and potentially lucid enough to fulfill his duties as POTUS.


You listened to 4 years of Trump speeches and thought he was lucid enough to fulfil his duties as POTUS?

[Hondaracer]

The state of American politics - arguing over which senile, feeble, unhealthy, 80 year old is best suited to lead..

[murd0c]

I think the biggest concern about him should be the way he fired a number of his staff today for past cannabis usage even in states that its legal.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/03/19/5-white-house-staffers-fired-over-marijuana-use-psaki-confirms/?sh=4b0edace42db

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Friday five White House staffers were "no longer employed" over their use of marijuana as part of a vetting process for security clearance, as the Biden administration comes under fire over reports that numerous young staffers have been penalized for past marijuana use (including in states where it’s legal) even though they were told they wouldn’t be.

The Daily Beast first reported late Thursday "dozens of young White House staffers" had either been asked to resign, were suspended or put in a remote work program over their past marijuana use, despite earlier assurances past marijuana use wouldn't impact their employment.

Psaki did not directly respond to the report, but claimed in a tweet Friday five firings had come from "hundreds of people hired," and assured Americans the Biden administration had loosened existing policy on marijuana use.

The Biden administration changed the existing marijuana policy by allowing waivers on a case-by-case basis for potential staffers in the Executive Office of the President that wouldn't require them to go through the vetting process for a Top Secret security clearance, according to an NBC News report Psaki shared Friday.

What that did is allowed for the administration to hire staffers who had admitted to "limited" marijuana use, under the agreement they wouldn't use marijuana during their time in government and would agree to random drug testing.

A history of significant marijuana use could still disqualify staffers from a waiver, according to the report, and those hired would be required to work remotely for an unidentified amount of time after their last marijuana use.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW
Psaki didn't specify whether anyone other than the five staffers had been suspended or otherwise penalized in any way as a result of the policy. The White House has not responded to multiple requests for comment from Forbes.

KEY BACKGROUND
The White House reportedly made the change in vetting requirements as it was having difficulty filling positions given the massive number of Americans—and especially young people—who have used marijuana at least at some point in their lives. The Daily Beast reported some staffers were initially told their history of marijuana use would be overlooked only for them to later be asked to resign. Staffers also claimed they were never informed how much past usage the administration qualified as acceptable. It also reportedly did not matter if a staffer came from one of the 14 states where marijuana use is legal. It's also been legalized by the District of Columbia, but the drug officially remains illegal on a federal level.

SURPRISING FACT
President Joe Biden was largely expected to take a much more lenient approach than past administrations when it came to marijuana policy, as many Democrats push to legalize marijuana at the federal level. Biden also said during his campaign he supports decriminalizing marijuana.

BIG NUMBER
52%. According to a 2017 Yahoo News and Marist poll, that's how many American adults have used marijuana at some point in their lives. The number of active users is much lower, though. A 2019 Gallup poll found about 12% of Americans regularly smoke marijuana, but that number jumped among those 18-29 (22%) and liberals (24%).

FURTHER READING
Biden White House Sandbags Staffers, Sidelines Dozens for Pot Use (The Daily Beast)

Past marijuana use won't automatically disqualify Biden White House staff (NBC News)

[whitev70r]

You'd think someone by now would have invented an elevator type of lift or an escalator thingy that would bring the Prez (or anyone actually) to the level of the airplane door.

[SkinnyPupp]

Dude was flying up those stairs, slipped, got back up, and continued flying right back up the stairs. Salutes like nothing happened.

Has nobody ever slipped on some stairs before? Especially wearing those stupid leather shoes with smooth soles on carpet stairs? LUL

Regardless of how good he's doing as president, it is quite a reach trying to make this a thing LUL

[pastarocket]

You'd think someone by now would have invented an elevator type of lift or an escalator thingy that would bring the Prez (or anyone actually) to the level of the airplane door.


You mean a stairlift? Plenty of those products on infomercials now.

I can see Biden using one of these lifts:

:lawl:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210320/b878b758a8decf32711b445b46ab7230.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Manic!]

Theirs a reason why trump used an escalator.

https://i.imgur.com/pyTAQDD.gif

[mikemhg]

:lol arguing about whether a president is fit to preside over him slipping on a staircase.

I'm an extremely fit guy, and I've slipped on stairs, he gathered himself and was fine, who the fuck cares? He walks around better than most old folks his age anyways. The great thing here is we won't have to listen to 6 straight press rallies with Biden proclaiming how he tripped and that he's the most fit dude to ever sit on Air Force 1, like Cheetos did.

The real argument should be why the fuck do both parties keep carting out these old ass fogies as candidates all the time?

As for murd0c's comment, I agree it sucks and is stupid. It's federal clearance, and on a federal level, marijuana is still illegal. Prior to national legalization in Canada, applying fir enhanced security clearance, they would do the same. It's total bullshit, but it is what it is, legalize the shit federally already.

[Great68]

Since he's proving that he's been running a competent government for the past 8 weeks, I can overlook a slip on the staircase.

[whitev70r]

How about something like this but add bit of class, enclosed with bullet proof plexiglass

https://www.gemlift.com/upfiles/10(1).jpg

[punkwax]

You mean a stairlift? Plenty of those products on infomercials now.

I can see Biden using one of these lifts:

:lawl:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210320/b878b758a8decf32711b445b46ab7230.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://media2.giphy.com/media/QWqH7oRfHwVKwb8YDL/200.gif

[MarkyMark]

I'd bet on Biden to win a race up that staircase against majority of Trump voters half his age. Most of them can't conquer a Walmart without hopping in a Rascal.

[SkinnyPupp]

I'd bet on Biden to win a race up that staircase against majority of Trump voters half his age. Most of them can't conquer a Walmart without hopping in a Rascal.
Seriously, he was hauling ass up those stairs! I read the reactions before seeing the video, and then based on the thumbnail I expected him to be barely struggling to make it up some stairs or something. But nope, just slipped and got up.

I just realized we need a shrug emoji

[underscore]

As for murd0c's comment, I agree it sucks and is stupid. It's federal clearance, and on a federal level, marijuana is still illegal. Prior to national legalization in Canada, applying fir enhanced security clearance, they would do the same. It's total bullshit, but it is what it is, legalize the shit federally already.

The way the article is worded is kinda vague, without saying how many other people were let go for various reasons and whether or not that's normal makes it hard to really judge. From the sounds of it they were just hired so I assume they're on some kind of probation period? In which case people can be let go for anything and what they give as the reason may not be the actual reason, they'll just give whatever excuse is easiest.

[Teriyaki]

I think the bigger story here is, if the biggest scandal coming out of the WH lately is that Biden tripped on some stairs then that's a pretty good sign.

Grasping at straws.

[SkinnyPupp]

As much as it sucks, weed is still illegal federally in the US

So if you work a federal job, like for the president, expect to not be able to use illegal drugs Sadge

[Hakkaboy]

I think the bigger story here is, if the biggest scandal coming out of the WH lately is that Biden tripped on some stairs then that's a pretty good sign.

Grasping at straws.

Exactly! Just like when Fox news made a big deal just because Obama wore a tan suit

[twitchyzero]

Biden reportedly considers flying migrants to the Canadian border for processing

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/migrant-families-flights-canadian-border/2021/03/19/7885433c-88da-11eb-8a67-f314e5fcf88d_story.html

[danned]

https://i.redd.it/gtt8hmaz09o61.jpg

[danned]

https://img-comment-fun.9cache.com/media/aGgQmBz/am0901em_700wv_0.mp4

[Traum]

Viewer's discretion is advised on some of those photos LOL~

High living Hunter Biden blew tens of thousands on prostitutes, drugs and luxury cars (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9339527/Hunter-Biden-blew-tens-thousands-prostitutes-drugs-luxury-cars.html)

(But hey, he did have a Raptor and a Porsche...)

[mikemhg]

^Holy fuck that's wild, LOL :lol

[StylinRed]

Talking about trump being in bed with Russia...


https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57180674

Nord Stream 2: Biden waives US sanctions on Russian pipeline

The Biden administration has waived sanctions on a company building a controversial gas pipeline between Russia and Germany.

The US also lifted sanctions on a Russian President Vladimir Putin ally who leads the firm behind the Nord Stream 2 project.

The move came in a report on Russian sanctions delivered to Congress on Wednesday by the Department of State.

Critics say the pipeline is a major geopolitical prize for the Kremlin.

[Alpine]

Talking about trump being in bed with Russia...


https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57180674

The MSM would be having a field day over this if we swapped out Biden for Trump lol.

[68style]

Trump appeases Russia so we don’t see his nudie photos

Biden appeases Russia so we don’t have to see Trump’s nudie photos? :troll:

[underscore]

They had sanctions on Russia because of a pipeline but not because of all the other shit Russia has been doing? Just how bad is that pipeline?

[Manic!]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfnW4epCdAU

kremlin cruz what a fuckin loser.

[StylinRed]

This is why the US military is moving towards an entirely automated force of drones and ai

[Manic!]

https://i.redd.it/cbvqf93yq4171.png

[68style]

^ Wow... mob came for his family? Exaggeration much? More like protestors walked casually by his house on their way to another destination lol

[Bouncing Bettys]

They also just casually walked into their gated community.
https://media1.tenor.com/images/85a67a605602c0e4683cebb3473583e7/tenor.gif?itemid=9794497

[Manic!]

They also just casually walked into their gated community.
https://media1.tenor.com/images/85a67a605602c0e4683cebb3473583e7/tenor.gif?itemid=9794497

Fck gated communities. Neighborhoods should not have gates.

[punkwax]

^disagreed but some fed up neighbours probably let that “angry mob” in.

[underscore]

I dunno about that one, but the gates are usually only closed at night.

[donk.]

https://media.beam.usnews.com/2d/54/0be54ff84190af9dbc437d41c2fb/20210413edsuc-a.jpg

[Traum]

While it is true that Biden's infrastructure bill is extraordinarily expensive, I cannot agree with the suggestion that it is irresponsibly burdening the future American generation with unbearable debts. It is no secret that American road infrastructure -- including and especially the Interstate Highways -- have deteriorated into a very sorry state. There is a reason that the American Society of Civil Engineers has given it an overall C- grade, and I trust their professionalism with that assessment.

Bear in mind that the C- grade is an overall assessment. There are large parts of the country that are obviously doing better, but also tons of places where their local regional scores would fall far lower than that C-.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call the Interstate Highways the circulatory system of America. It transports goods, people, and everything else in between on an day-in, day-out basis. It is going to be money well spent, and the ROI is something that would be enjoyed for years to come.

[68style]

If USA cared about future debt they wouldn’t have spent 778 billion dollars on military last year.

Let that number sink in. One year.

But yah let’s cry about 600 billion over 15 years (40 billion a year, or 5% of the annual military budget?) on infrastructure.

[Bouncing Bettys]

Fck gated communities. Neighborhoods should not have gates.
Neighbourhoods*

From gated communities, to individual homes shouldn't have fences, to they shouldn't have security cameras/alarm systems, to they shouldn't have bars on the windows/doors, to they shouldn't have locks on the doors/windows. Where do you draw the line?

Neighbourhoods shouldn't have a lot of things. Security of any kind shouldn't be necessary, but we don't live in some utopia where no one wrongs another person.

For me, so long as my taxpayer money wasn't spent constructing or maintenance of a gated community, that it was all on their own dime, I could care less. Private roads and properties exist. If a group of likeminded people want to get together and create a community by pooling their money to create security, so they don't have to live side by side each in their own Fort Knox, I see no issue.

Do you believe those CHAZ/CHOP "communities" had a right to build barriers and gatekeep who could enter or reside within?

[Bouncing Bettys]

If USA cared about future debt they wouldn’t have spent 778 billion dollars on military last year.

Let that number sink in. One year.

But yah let’s cry about 600 billion over 15 years (40 billion a year, or 5% of the annual military budget?) on infrastructure.
I can think of at least one candidate who was railroaded by the MSM and her own party, for being against unnecessary regime change wars. They even denigrated her as a "Russian asset" while currently serving as a military officer and veteran. The establishment, to which Biden is an old lap dog, in the pockets of both parties and the legacy media, won't have an end to their gravy train.

[Manic!]

Neighbourhoods*

From gated communities, to individual homes shouldn't have fences, to they shouldn't have security cameras/alarm systems, to they shouldn't have bars on the windows/doors, to they shouldn't have locks on the doors/windows. Where do you draw the line?

Neighbourhoods shouldn't have a lot of things. Security of any kind shouldn't be necessary, but we don't live in some utopia where no one wrongs another person.

For me, so long as my taxpayer money wasn't spent constructing or maintenance of a gated community, that it was all on their own dime, I could care less. Private roads and properties exist. If a group of likeminded people want to get together and create a community by pooling their money to create security, so they don't have to live side by side each in their own Fort Knox, I see no issue.

Do you believe those CHAZ/CHOP "communities" had a right to build barriers and gatekeep who could enter or reside within?

I guess you see no issue with people who have waterfront property trying to keep people off the beach. Instead of building fences to surround your neighborhood, they should use that money to make the area better. But America is pretty much all a shithole now. So I guess they have no choice to arm themselves and live in fear 24/7. Texas now is letting any idiot over 18 carry a gun zero training needed.

[Manic!]

I can think of at least one candidate who was railroaded by the MSM and her own party, for being against unnecessary regime change wars. They even denigrated her as a "Russian asset" while currently serving as a military officer and veteran. The establishment, to which Biden is an old lap dog, in the pockets of both parties and the legacy media, won't have an end to their gravy train.

Are you talking about Tulsi Gabbard. LOL. She was a favorite of the RSS. Look how good India is doing now.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUVvfy0CtM4

[mikemhg]

https://i.redd.it/cbvqf93yq4171.png

:lol

I can't believe this is real. This is some Onion-level fuckery right there.

[68style]

That dude isn’t compensating AT ALL hahahaha

[mikemhg]

I just can't even imagine a politician running an ad like that in Canada, or anywhere in Western Europe, and be taken seriously.

What a fucked up country the US is in terms of its culture.

It's no wonder there's a damn mass shooting every other day there.

[westopher]

One more today in San Jose. 9 dead. Anywhere else in the world would be reeling for months. In US it will be forgotten by the end of the week

[punkwax]

https://i.imgflip.com/5b3g4o.jpg

[StylinRed]

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57383869


Not a surprise, but billionaires aren't paying taxes, including bloomberg and soros

Biden White House yells its illegal to release ppls tax info!

They were all for it with Trump tho

Defenders will say "it's not a surprise we know this is a problem with the tax system"

But this was just another manipulative tactic used to push the masses against Trump, anti trumpers will say "so what cry about it!"

But my point anyway is, omfg look at how easily ppl are being swayed one way or the other smh

[westopher]

Releasing a member of the public’s tax info isn’t the same as the president releasing his own. I think every single president prior has done that, so the hypocrisy you’re looking for isn’t actually here.
Yeah people are hypocrites, but this is totally unrelated.

[mikemhg]

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57383869


Not a surprise, but billionaires aren't paying taxes, including bloomberg and soros

Biden White House yells its illegal to release ppls tax info!

They were all for it with Trump tho

Defenders will say "it's not a surprise we know this is a problem with the tax system"

But this was just another manipulative tactic used to push the masses against Trump, anti trumpers will say "so what cry about it!"

But my point anyway is, omfg look at how easily ppl are being swayed one way or the other smh

I don't quite get your point here. What people would defend this? The Republican party be it through thinktanks and billionaire funded "foundations" have long tried to propagate the idea of Libertarianism, essentially destroying all forms of taxation and social systems.

Trump's first move in office was to ram through a tax break for these very same billionaires :lol

The Democrats to a lesser degree are surely culpable, but such message has never been their focal point or goal.

The reality is this has been a problem for some time now, and should be no surprise to anyone. The same problem exists within Canada as well.

It's no coincidence that government programs and social services have had steady declines over the last decades in terms of quality and accessibility. The rich have essentially systematically strangled the tax system in their favor.

I'll never quite understand how this is not a primary issue for lower/middle class voters on the right -- where as trans people in sports, and critical race theory is.

[68style]

Yah that’s the big thing I don’t understand about the GOP’s base… they’re shooting themselves in the foot and rallying behind guys they would have hated in high school for being preppy or having daddy’s money ??? It’s downright bizarre.

[CivicBlues]

'If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket."

- Lyndon B. Johnson

For today's parlance, "colored man" can be interchanged with "woman", "minority", "foreigner", "non-binary person" etc. to the same effect.

[Traum]

The reality is this has been a problem for some time now, and should be no surprise to anyone. The same problem exists within Canada as well.

It's no coincidence that government programs and social services have had steady declines over the last decades in terms of quality and accessibility. The rich have essentially systematically strangled the tax system in their favor.

I'll never quite understand how this is not a primary issue for lower/middle class voters on the right -- where as trans people in sports, and critical race theory is.
To a certain extent, the recent G7 tax reform to tax multi-national corporations is an attempt to address this issue. But it'll be years -- my guess is easily 5+, if not longer -- before any real action can be put into place. Even then, there are still tons of BVI companies and stuff that will continue to find ways to dodge taxes.

The wealthy have been getting wealthier, and the middle class has been shrinking for quite some time now. How can we possibly get these people to take on a bigger financial responsibility to help those less fortunate than they are?

[Manic!]

How stupid conservatives are.

https://twitter.com/Forbes/status/1402388019420741633

[CivicBlues]

Inb4: OmG Black Lives Matter wants to change the orbit of the moon!! AnTiFa!!!111

p.s. BLM = Bureau of Land Management

[underscore]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EOfoJH4WoAAeM-K?format=jpg&name=small

I don't quite get your point here. What people would defend this?

People who don't understand scale. Even that comic isn't quite right, the guy in the middles pile would fill the entire room behind him. They don't grasp just how rich the uber wealthy truly are and how big the gap is between them and the kind of "rich" person you or I might actually know with a 7 or 8 digit net worth. I put rich in quotes because compared to billionaires they really aren't, they're just fancier members of the lower class, but they mistakenly think they're in the same league as the billionaires.

That makes it even easier to just blame "illegals" or "the left" or whatever else they already hate for it.

[StylinRed]

Releasing a member of the public’s tax info isn’t the same as the president releasing his own. I think every single president prior has done that, so the hypocrisy you’re looking for isn’t actually here.
Yeah people are hypocrites, but this is totally unrelated.

I'm speaking about when trumps tax info was released illegally, not trump not releasing his tax info

[SkinnyPupp]

Maybe once you reach a certain threshold, your tax info becomes public information. Also your tax rate should be like 75% minimum. Nobody needs to be a billionaire, it's absolutely disgusting.

[StylinRed]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57786303


So Bidens son is going to get to auction off his own artwork for several hundred K at least, and the buyers will be kept secret from Biden and the Public, to avoid buyers influencing him :lol: :lol:

[Bouncing Bettys]

Hey shit Libs: Bueller? Bueller?? Medicare For All Pretty Please?!?!
https://youtu.be/8_AnoCUHd7E
https://youtu.be/WPc3n7xb9OY
Still a Left Libertarian according to the political compass, more than a decade and a half later, yet I am labelled as welfare's replacement somehow. Would love to know the thoughts of those labellers when it comes to TYT or the push on the so called "Squad" on Medicare for All.

[SkinnyPupp]

https://i.giphy.com/media/JSueytO5O29yM/200w.webp

[donk.]

:inoutugh:

[punkwax]

https://media2.giphy.com/media/cYRQWBrPipB7aWa4dD/200w.gif?cid=82a1493bf5yid25bvu0vtn463uvg9jshiemh9 rt5hump0my7&rid=200w.gif&ct=g

[Slifer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSiJy3kJzPg

:heckno:

[Manic!]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSiJy3kJzPg

:heckno:

Fake news. It was never trending on witter.

https://twitter.com/whatstrending?lang=en

Only posted by RNC research.

https://twitter.com/search?q=bidden%20man%20on%20the%20moon&src=typed_query

Sky news is owned by the Murdocks who also own fox news.

[Slifer]

Fake news. It was never trending on witter.

https://twitter.com/whatstrending?lang=en

Only posted by RNC research.

https://twitter.com/search?q=bidden%20man%20on%20the%20moon&src=typed_query

Sky news is owned by the Murdocks who also own fox news.

Are you saying that didn't happen and its CGI?

[SkinnyPupp]

Are you saying that didn't happen and its CGI?
He lost his train of thought with the point he was making

What did you think of the rest of that interview?

[Slifer]

He lost his train of thought with the point he was making

What did you think of the rest of that interview?

He sure seems to lose his train of thought A LOT :badpokerface:
There is no way this guy doesn't have dementia. It looks like his condition is deteriorating rapidly and it's becoming very apparent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWhAivENUpE&ab_channel=BidenGaffes

Uhh... what??? lol
There are literally hundreds of videos of him "losing his train of thought" and MSM doesn't even cover it. If it was DT they would be shitting on him non stop.

[MarkyMark]

What would it matter if it was Donald Trump? People were shitting on his fat crazy ass for four years and it didn't result in shit. Enjoy whining about Biden for at least 4 years, and all the YouTube videos you post won't amount to anything.

[Manic!]

Are you saying that didn't happen and its CGI?

They claim twitter is mocking Bidden. I don't think 1 post equals twitter. If they make a video every time someone mocked trump they would have to make like 20 plus channels .

[whitev70r]

Would they ever declare him unfit? Kamala ...get ready.

[68style]

Literally rolling my eyes.

There’s THREE years difference between Trump and Biden in age, they’re both borderline senile old men.

At least this one has a heart and cares about people though, unlike that piece of shitstain on humanity Trump.

[punkwax]

Being three years apart means nothing. People age differently.

I told my wife the day Biden was elected that there’s a good possibility that Kamala finishes the term. We will see.

[mikemhg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSiJy3kJzPg

:heckno:

I don't see anything wrong with this video, you fools have been grasping for straws for years now saying this guy is going to kick the bucket, or run a terrible government because he's "senile".

It hasn't happened yet has it? He seems to be running a pretty decent ship thus far.

All I'm seeing in this video is an elderly man grasping for a good analogy for the efficacy of getting vaccinated.

It's pretty sad how badly you guys try to cling to this false narrative.

[Slifer]

A lot of delusional people in here lol.. I'm not even a Trump supporter. I say it as I see it.
Looks like the guy can shit his pants on live TV and you people will still say its normal.
"Its fine. He probably had food poisoning." KEKW

[Manic!]

Skynews banned form YouTube for 7 days for lying.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-58045787.amp

[StylinRed]

That's their Australia wing, the Australia wing has a completely different tone than the UK one

Also sky is owned by NBC they bought it a couple years ago

[68style]

A lot of delusional people in here lol.. I'm not even a Trump supporter. I say it as I see it.
Looks like the guy can shit his pants on live TV and you people will still say its normal.
"Its fine. He probably had food poisoning." KEKW

Hyperbole much? You call it like you see it, but you’re not seeing anything except what someone else wanted you to see.

Go work with the man for a day and then form your opinion.

You think if there was a serious problem a whole bunch of the administration wouldn’t be raising the alarm? I guess you know more than most high ranking officials in the USA government then. Congratulations on unearthing this massive scandal.

[Manic!]

That's their Australia wing, the Australia wing has a completely different tone than the UK one

Also sky is owned by NBC they bought it a couple years ago

Skynews news Australia is still owned by murdock.

[StylinRed]

Skynews news Australia is still owned by murdock.

Oh no way! Well that explains the difference in tone then :lol

[underscore]

Uhh... what??? lol
There are literally hundreds of videos of him "losing his train of thought" and MSM doesn't even cover it. If it was DT they would be shitting on him non stop.

You mean the ones where he adjusts his sentence because of his stutter?

[CivicBlues]

Hey shit Libs: Bueller? Bueller?? Medicare For All Pretty Please?!?!
https://youtu.be/8_AnoCUHd7E
https://youtu.be/WPc3n7xb9OY
Still a Left Libertarian according to the political compass, more than a decade and a half later, yet I am labelled as welfare's replacement somehow. Would love to know the thoughts of those labellers when it comes to TYT or the push on the so called "Squad" on Medicare for All.

Yikes.

Pro tip for you, when the text on a youtube thumbnail takes up over 80% of the screen run far, far away.

[sdubfid]

I don’t follow politics closely but does anything ever get accomplished or is it just mud slinging and undoing each others work every few years? Seems like an archaic system formed when populations have grown 10x and 100x.

left or right which are stupid terms to begin with. If you want 3 bathrooms or if you target practice with your kids while camping you are given a label and everyone assumes the rest of your views follow the mainstream of the side they associate your opinions with. Tribal mentality. One party could have a great idea but because it’s the opposing tribe for someone it’s terrible. Seems to me like stabbing someone for wearing the opposing teams jersey.

Formula 1 doesn’t go to the Chevy or Toyota dealership and use a cavalier or camry. Everything is cherry picked best of the best. Like drafting an Allstar team.

Leader: the rock
Minister of finance: warren buffet
Minister of defence: gsp
Minister of immigration: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Minister of climate change: Elon musk
Minister of education: Stephen hawking
Minister of women’s stuff: Oprah
Minister of medical: Elizabeth Blackwell
Minister of business: Andy frisella

Is a system where you could vote on the main topics even possible?

[SuperAman]

because of his deadline to pull out of Afghanistan, the Taliban took over in 2 weeks. They are the new government now. The current president took off. After 20 or so years of US occupation, it's like nothing happened

[StylinRed]

Well the only problem the US ever had with the taliban was the claim that the taliban wouldn't give Osama up

The taliban have already allied with China, and they surrounded Kabul peacefully, promised women's rights, are allowing anyone who wants to evacuate kabul to do so, and are allowing the afghan military/police to return to their homes

So far at least, it seems theyre singing a different tune

[Manic!]

Well the only problem the US ever had with the taliban was the claim that the taliban wouldn't give Osama up

The taliban have already allied with China, and they surrounded Kabul peacefully, promised women's rights, are allowing anyone who wants to evacuate kabul to do so, and are allowing the afghan military/police to return to their homes

So far at least, it seems theyre singing a different tune

They banned the covid vaccine, execute surrendering soldiers, and kidnap girls to make them brides.

[StylinRed]

They banned the covid vaccine, execute surrendering soldiers, and kidnap girls to make them brides.
Didn't hear about that until your msg

Maybe a not so different tune then :heckno:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/afghans-tell-of-executions-forced-marriages-in-taliban-held-areas-11628780820

[SnK1800]

Kabul airport under fire

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Afghanistan-turmoil/Taliban-enter-Afghan-capital-president-and-diplomats-flee

[threezero]

Everybody have been wanting USA to stop being the world police. And well here we finally are.

Probabaly going to look back in a decade or so and realize how bad of a move is. Afghanistan Is going to become the playground for everything anti American.


The scariest thing is just letting the next world superpower do as they may with a known terrorist group with a history of hatred towards the west.

Anybody else see this as the beginning of the end for USA’s influence on the world.

[Manic!]

Probabaly going to look back in a decade or so and realize how bad of a move is. Afghanistan Is going to become the playground for everything anti American.



I thought Iran was the playground for everything anti American?

[threezero]

I thought Iran was the playground for everything anti American?

The playground just got much much bigger lol

[Mr.Money]

few soldiers told me Afghanistan was haunted AF, that the whole place was pretty much a mass grave yard from so many empires that've tried to concur it..


def read up on the crazy shit that people seen or experienced.

https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/war-afghanistan-paranormal-experiences/

[SkinnyPupp]

That place is fucked. Whether they pulled out now or another 20 years from now, it's fucked.

Places like Canada and America need to take in as many Afghanis as they can to get out of that. That's the only thing we can do because trying to "make peace" is never going to work.

[SuperAman]

I think the best course is to let a guy like Putin take over...he can rule that place and he will kill if has to, look he has no problems invading other places so why not. at least that might be a stable place.
countries like Afghanistan has too much hate towards Western societies and will always be fucked, unless a ruthless dictator comes in to fuck them over.

US, Canada, Great Britain..too many hippies running the show

[Manic!]

I think the best course is to let a guy like Putin take over...he can rule that place and he will kill if has to, look he has no problems invading other places so why not. at least that might be a stable place.
countries like Afghanistan has too much hate towards Western societies and will always be fucked, unless a ruthless dictator comes in to fuck them over.

US, Canada, Great Britain..too many hippies running the show

The Soviet Union tried and failed. It's hard to beat someone if they don't care if they die. Afghanistan use to be a pretty modern place before the Soviets and the US showed up.

[highfive]

The Soviet Union tried and failed. It's hard to beat someone if they don't care if they die. Afghanistan use to be a pretty modern place before the Soviets and the US showed up.

Exactly. 20 years of war and development. Ppl lives are still poor, they have nothing to lose. They turn to extremism for survival.

Give the people wealth and soemthing to live for and you don’t have the crazies anymore. They be you’re crazy, I’m not going to die for your stupid cause.

[mikemhg]

It's kind of funny watching Republicans cry about this being Biden's Saigon :lol

FFS, as he said, there is never a good time to leave, the mission has long been done, trillions wasted. You can't save a country that doesn't want to be saved. Any withdrawal was going to be messy.

The only thing I think he could be doing better is doing right by their interpreters. These people were promised citizenship for their assistance, fast track them the fuck out of there, that is the least the US can do.

[westopher]

It wasn’t money wasted.
Trillions of dollars injected into military supply and weapons manufactures, which loaded republican campaigns and created high paying lobbyist positions for ex politicians. Profit!

[Hondaracer]

Can’t wait for 9/11 2.0

There was no winning. Even if you flattened the country with international support groups would rise from the ashes

[Great68]

Was outright regime change ever really the USA's goal for Afghanistan?

Like they went in because the Taliban was harbouring Al Queda and wouldn't give up Bin Laden. Booting the Taliban at that time was just a consequence to their goal of destroying Al Queda.

If the Taliban gave up Bin Laden and the other Al Queda people, would the US still have invaded and taken over like they did?

The did at least accomplish heavy destruction of Al Queda. The question is, will something more radical now take its place?

[underscore]

Exactly. 20 years of war and development. Ppl lives are still poor, they have nothing to lose. They turn to extremism for survival.

Give the people wealth and soemthing to live for and you don’t have the crazies anymore. They be you’re crazy, I’m not going to die for your stupid cause.

It was a lot more than 20 years. iirc the Soviets started fucking around back in the 70's.

[Traum]

Instead of it being Biden's Saigon, I'd say it is more of America's Saigon version 2.0.

Despite the assurances that the Taliban has offered, esp when it comes to women rights, I literally have zero trust in what the Taliban representatives have said. When it comes to governments and regimes, I judge them based on what they do, not what they say they'd do. And so far, Taliban's actions when it comes to women rights is anything but convincing.

On the international front, I'd say the international community that relies on the US for "protection" -- Japan, Philippines, and Taiwan readily comes to mind -- would have second guesses about the US' credibility to stand up to its words, and offer the protection and assurances against regional bullies (ie. China). Esp for Taiwan, the biggest backer that they have always thought they had is the US. But Afghanistan has shown that the US can just pull out when it wants to pull out.

It's kind of funny watching Republicans cry about this being Biden's Saigon :lol

FFS, as he said, there is never a good time to leave, the mission has long been done, trillions wasted. You can't save a country that doesn't want to be saved. Any withdrawal was going to be messy.

The only thing I think he could be doing better is doing right by their interpreters. These people were promised citizenship for their assistance, fast track them the fuck out of there, that is the least the US can do.

[inv4zn]

https://i.ibb.co/KzFbtLt/RDT-20210817-2310182012018382015491591.jpg

[mikemhg]

Was outright regime change ever really the USA's goal for Afghanistan?

Like they went in because the Taliban was harbouring Al Queda and wouldn't give up Bin Laden. Booting the Taliban at that time was just a consequence to their goal of destroying Al Queda.

If the Taliban gave up Bin Laden and the other Al Queda people, would the US still have invaded and taken over like they did?

The did at least accomplish heavy destruction of Al Queda. The question is, will something more radical now take its place?

I don't think we'll ever truly know what the goal was for Afghanistan, and Iraq for that matter.

I highly doubt the higher ups ever truly felt that going there would ever fix the problem of "Islamic Terrorism", or win any hearts and minds.

From the myriad of reports and first hand information from officials during the Bush era, this was simply an orchestrated money making project for the defense industry, monied investors/speculators, and the like. Also a means of setting up a larger footprint in the Middle East, notably in Iraq.

This was a major windfall for some industries, which completely destabilized two countries, both of which will never be the same. History will write those decades as a complete waste, and if anything made the Middle East far worse off.

In reality the whole thing is quite sad in many ways.

[mikemhg]

https://i.ibb.co/KzFbtLt/RDT-20210817-2310182012018382015491591.jpg

The same people crying about Biden needing to help these people are the same Trumpers who decried Syrian refugees, Latin-American refugees/immigrants, etc.

How convenient they now have a bleeding heart for Afghanis :lol

People and politics just suck nowadays.

[westopher]

The Rex Murphy article in national post was the perfect example of this bullshit. Saying Trudeau is a monster for calling an election when people are suffering as a result of us all pulling out of Afghanistan. The same Rex Murphy that thinks immigrants ruin Canada.
Just like that, Conservatives care about refugees. The same ones that became pro choice when vaccines came out.

[CivicBlues]

Or all the Conservatives who didn't give a shit about Gitmo/Refugee camps/BuLD a WaLl!! KeEp ThEm oUt!! but are climbing over each other now to bitch about China's treatment of Uyghurs.

Oh so you care about Muslims now?

[Hondaracer]

lets be serious, no one actually cares about anyone. Left or Right

[CivicBlues]

Yup, they really only care about hurting the other side more

[westopher]

lets be serious, no one actually cares about anyone. Left or Right
People do as individuals, but as a generalization of political alliances, absolutely.

[mikemhg]

lets be serious, no one actually cares about anyone. Left or Right

I legitimately care about the language interpreters/translators for sure. These guys and gals put their lives and family lives on the line to do a service in which they were promised an exit plan.

For sure those people should be helped out.

The others? Not so much.

It bothered me seeing all the people at the airport trying to get on the planes were men. Where are these guy's families? Seems they could give a fuck about anyone but themselves.

[whitev70r]

Holy Sh*t! 60 Afgans killed, 12 US Troops by attack at airport! I know this withdrawal isn't on Biden ... Trump negotiated it but the sitting Prez always looks bad.

On the Canadian side, it's looking bad on Trudeau as well although Canada is a smaller player.

[StylinRed]

^^^^ Canada had units working outside of the airport, going into the city, to help people get to the airport though, unlike the US who only operates within the airport grounds

All countries other than the US pulled out last night because of word that some isis linked group was going to carry out attacks

It's definitely on Biden, wth pulls out so quickly and in the middle of the night, without so much as a word to afghan forces and allies, and then blames the unpaid afghan forces for being demoralised and not putting up a fight (the shady us imposed harvard Prof president stole all the money for himself)

[68style]

I don’t even think any of us should comment or theorize on this one.

None of us have any accurate knowledge whatsoever of what’s happening over there. All any of us really know is it’s a clusterfuck and probably still will be when we’re all dead.

[Traum]

Holy Sh*t! 60 Afgans killed, 12 US Troops by attack at airport! I know this withdrawal isn't on Biden ... Trump negotiated it but the sitting Prez always looks bad.

Would you blame Trump or Biden for pulling out of Afghanistan though? I certainly wouldn't. From an American POV, it makes no sense to keep deploying troops and fighting a war that has lasted 20 years with no sign of it ever ending. Someone has to pull the plug, and that someone happened to be Trump.

As far as the execution of withdrawing from Afghanistan though, the responsibility to do it right is totally falling on Biden, and unfortunately, he / the military staff under his directions have done it rather poorly and disorderly. So blaming him for the poor execution is entirely sensible.

One question I have in mind is -- the US never backs out from a fight when their own service members are hurt -- or in this case, killed. So I wonder how the US military will retaliate. Do they just bomb the bejesus out of Taliban targets again? are they going to send troops? (that seems unlikely) Are they going to try for pinpoint assassination strikes of some sort?

[68style]

Seemed like the latter from what we get through media, they mentioned having detailed imagery from multiple planes and helicopters in the area to review and that strikes would be forthcoming once a clear narrative of what transpired had been reached.

[Hondaracer]

So some of you may remember Kevin Newman, he used to be the global national anchor.

He’s since retired and works for a non-profit doing work in war-torn countries. He was on the radio yesterday speaking of Canada’s “attempt” to get people out. He said basically you had to have an internet connection in order to access this secure portal to get your paper work etc. Done. You were then instructed to make your way to the airport

He said he was in contact with Canadians and people who had filed the proper paperwork but they were being turned away at the airport because their papers were not in colour…

He said just over 2000 people had gotten the proper documentation and now Canada is saying barley 1000 people got out. So basically half the people who were eligible did not get out.

He always seemed like a pretty straight forward guy and if he’s working for non-profits I don’t really see him having any reason to lie or make Trudeau etc. Look bad. If what he was saying is true it’s pretty fucking terrible..

[StylinRed]

One question I have in mind is -- the US never backs out from a fight when their own service members are hurt -- or in this case, killed. So I wonder how the US military will retaliate. Do they just bomb the bejesus out of Taliban targets again? are they going to send troops? (that seems unlikely) Are they going to try for pinpoint assassination strikes of some sort?

I doubt they'd hit the taliban, word before the attacks n after wasn't putting the blame on them

[CivicBlues]

Why would the Taliban bomb themselves? They were in control of the airport and the entrances up to it

[Hondaracer]

Radio said wasn't Taliban, was ISIS-K a group that formed on the Pakistan border who think the Taliban aren't extreme enough :S

[mikemhg]

I think if anything this just validates the need to get the fuck outta dodge as soon as possible.

Imagine if the withdrawal is delayed for another month or two. How many suicide attacks do you think the public would put up with, losing American lives, just to extract Afghani's?

This is why politics sucks, there is no right answer. Had they stayed longer, you run into the risk of more bombing attempts such as this one, which the public will freak out over.

The airport itself is only 5 klicks from the city center, it's pretty tough to secure and control that airport in any safe manner without a surge of troops at this point.

What do you do?

[pastarocket]

https://youtu.be/rvEzqdmHsbI

-some quotes from Joe Biden’s speech.

“We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay”.

We will respond with force and precision at our time, at the place we choose and the moment of our choosing," Biden said. "Here's what you need to know: These ISIS terrorists will not win."

My guess is that US Special Forces are going to lead the mission to find ISIS-K to put a big beatdown on them.

Biden said that the mission is still to help as many Americans to get out of Afghanistan.

With that in mind, perhaps a military team that attacks with great precision and force to kill ISIS-K while ensuring Americans leave the country safely.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[whitev70r]

Would you blame Trump or Biden for pulling out of Afghanistan though? I certainly wouldn't. From an American POV, it makes no sense to keep deploying troops and fighting a war that has lasted 20 years with no sign of it ever ending. Someone has to pull the plug, and that someone happened to be Trump.


No ... don't blame US and Allies for getting out at all. Maybe they should have done it a long time ago. But yes, the exit strategy should have been thought out and planned better.

[CRS]

No ... don't blame US and Allies for getting out at all. Maybe they should have done it a long time ago. But yes, the exit strategy should have been thought out and planned better.

The whole invasion was doomed to fail from the get go.

The Afghans know how to beat invading armies. They know they're outgunned and out numbered but they know that they won't be outlasted.

They simply wait for the invading army to leave and retake control. Happened to every single invading force to go into Afghanistan.

[SuperAman]

Biden authorized drone strikes against ISIS K. Killed 2 members that allegedly planned the suicide bombing that killed at the Kabul airport.
Let the war begin again. But with drones and not boots on ground.

[CRS]

Biden authorized drone strikes against ISIS K. Killed 2 members that allegedly planned the suicide bombing that killed at the Kabul airport.
Let the war begin again. But with drones and not boots on ground.

Drones aren't effective without boots on the ground.

[SuperAman]

Drones aren't effective without boots on the ground.

I agree, but he is not going to put boots in the ground after he pulls everyone out. He will look more like an idiot. Unless he finds a guinea pig from another nation do do his dirty work.

[Manic!]

https://vimeo.com/602715850

[underscore]

Biden authorized drone strikes against ISIS K. Killed 2 members that allegedly planned the suicide bombing that killed at the Kabul airport.
Let the war begin again. But with drones and not boots on ground.

The guy who was loading up water for aid work, or was this a different one?

[StylinRed]

https://vimeo.com/602715850

lmao in case ppl don't know, it wasn't actually Paul wolfowitz, it was a fake.. Supposedly lol

[Manic!]

lmao in case ppl don't know, it wasn't actually Paul wolfowitz, it was a fake.. Supposedly lol

You are right. I don't know if Paul had ever been on newsmax but after what they said about him he is never going to be on there again.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/pranksters-dupe-newsmax-into-interviewing-fake-paul-wolfowitztwice

[mikemhg]

:lol figured that was fake.

On that end, the mouth never bites the hand that feeds it...