Politics

[Louis Toadvine]

I apologize if I misinterpreted your initial argument. Based on this comment--

By and large, independent voters ignored inflation and gas prices which were both at historical highs.. Republican strategists counted on these historical trends of voters casting their ballots with their wallets and pocketbooks, but that didn't happen. Independents, and of course dems, rejected the failing economy and still voted emotionally on issues like climate change and abortion.

--I thought we were discussing the differences between economic issues and social/emotional issues (of which abortion is indisputably the latter) and not the merits of emotion vs. logic/reasoning to arrive at a certain social viewpoint. I would agree that logic is superior to raw emotion in formulating opinions, as would most others. But it's still a social issue vs. an economic one (i.e. a middle to upper part of Maslow's pyramid vs. the base of the pyramid).

Hmmm...? So how much worse do you estimate inflation or the failing economy needs to get to motivate the spectrum?

We're definitely not there yet. Inflation is bad but we haven't seen the volume of layoffs and unemployment yet to move the needle, in my opinion. People still have jobs and are affording creature comforts, but I admit it's getting close to a tipping point. I thought the recent bank failures might be the catalyst to move us to full blown recession, but the backstopping of deposits >$250K by regulators and the shotgun marriage of UBS-Credit Suisse seems to have settled things (for now).

If the average person has food, water, shelter, and a base level of comfort (i.e. access to entertainment and material consumables), they're "happy," and most are not willing to rock the boat in a major way if they have these things. I'm not saying that's a good thing, just that a base level of comfort and safety seems to force attentions up to the "aesthetics, morality, emotions" part of the pyramid, which is where people seem to be voting these days.

Furthermore, there is an alternative and opposite outcome that also needs to be recognized. And, that is the more quality of life diminishes, the more the weakest and ill-informed become dependent on government for support. In my assessment, we are more likely to become a full-blown socialist welfare state, then to see a significant referendum from voters across the full spectrum willing to once again vote with their own well-being in mind.

I agree with this last paragraph and recognize that as a very scary and sad outcome, and I really hope we can avoid it. There are so many people who would willingly abandon their autonomy if it meant a bit more immediate comfort or safety, which is a tragedy.

 

[Scott CWO]

While I do agree that none of us are immune to having our point of view influenced by emotion at least to some extent, I am not entirely convinced that it is the norm across the spectrum.. I also wouldn't agree that all social issues decided by any significant portion of the electorate are emotion-based.. The tendency to apply logic and reason when making life altering decisions is one of the main tenets of conservatism, so I reject the idea that the majority voters who identify as conservative vote with the rest of the spectrum in general..

You can have a personal "line in the sand" on any issue, but that doesn't automatically dictate that line was drawn on emotion over logic and fact.. As an example, although it is a highly charged emotional issue for many, I oppose abortion beyond the first 6 weeks of conception simply because I regard it to be murder of an unborn human. My position is not based on my subjective opinion that newborns are cute and cuddly, but on the irrefutable fact of the fetus having a verifiable heartbeat at that stage of pregnancy.



Hmmm...? So how much worse do you estimate inflation or the failing economy needs to get to motivate the spectrum? The Gen Z idiots will live in their parents' basements and work at Starbucks indefinitely. Then they can live in their parents' houses when the parents eventually die off. With the exception of the hispanics, the majority of minorities who are already poor will continue to vote democrat as long as they continue to be convinced they they are victims in need of and entitled to a hand out.. The midterms demonstrated that the working class moderates and conservatives didn't have the voice or the numbers to affect that kind of change, and it was certainly not for the lack of outrage in that demographic.. So, how and when will this revelation of the broad spectrum of the electorate occur in your estimation?

Furthermore, there is an alternative and opposite outcome that also needs to be recognized. And, that is the more quality of life diminishes, the more the weakest and ill-informed become dependent on government for support. In my assessment, we are more likely to become a full-blown socialist welfare state, then to see a significant referendum from voters across the full spectrum willing to once again vote with their own well-being in mind.



There may be a better term for it, but when I refer to "emotion" as the motivation for someone's voting decision, it can certainly apply to any broader set of "beliefs" that are not based in logic and reason. I was simply generalizing that if someone did not make an informed decision based on logic, reason, and fact, then the basis for the decisions was an emotional one.

In any case, you are absolutely right in that getting these groups to shake those beliefs will be a monumental, if not impossible task.




Gender issues don't matter now to anyone with half a brain.. These nonsensical social issues are deliberately being created and exploited by this Administration to provide the much needed distractions for their failed policies. The problem is that for the most part, they seem to be working for them... MSM news is dominated by them.. The real issues are either being ignored or completely inverted by all of the social media platforms and legacy media (with the exception of Twitter).

They’re all just indoctrinated and brainwashed.

 

[cpr0312]

 

[cpr0312]

 

[Alistair]

Heh.

As someone who works for one of their competitors, I'd like to thank the Bud marketing team from the bottom of my heart for paying my bonus this year. You're a class act!

 

[Bigfoot Hunter]

 

[cpr0312]

 

[Doug3006]

I just read that AB has lost $5B in market cap since Monday. That’s gotta make the suits in Anderletch, Belgium take notice.

 

[Jfet]

To bring some sun shine to world events and politics. We have come along ways since the Battle of Princeton.

 

[sgt_zim]

While I do agree that none of us are immune to having our point of view influenced by emotion at least to some extent, I am not entirely convinced that it is the norm across the spectrum.. I also wouldn't agree that all social issues decided by any significant portion of the electorate are emotion-based.. The tendency to apply logic and reason when making life altering decisions is one of the main tenets of conservatism, so I reject the idea that the majority voters who identify as conservative vote with the rest of the spectrum in general..

You can have a personal "line in the sand" on any issue, but that doesn't automatically dictate that line was drawn on emotion over logic and fact.. As an example, although it is a highly charged emotional issue for many, I oppose abortion beyond the first 6 weeks of conception simply because I regard it to be murder of an unborn human. My position is not based on my subjective opinion that newborns are cute and cuddly, but on the irrefutable fact of the fetus having a verifiable heartbeat at that stage of pregnancy.



Hmmm...? So how much worse do you estimate inflation or the failing economy needs to get to motivate the spectrum? The Gen Z idiots will live in their parents' basements and work at Starbucks indefinitely. Then they can live in their parents' houses when the parents eventually die off. With the exception of the hispanics, the majority of minorities who are already poor will continue to vote democrat as long as they continue to be convinced they they are victims in need of and entitled to a hand out.. The midterms demonstrated that the working class moderates and conservatives didn't have the voice or the numbers to affect that kind of change, and it was certainly not for the lack of outrage in that demographic.. So, how and when will this revelation of the broad spectrum of the electorate occur in your estimation?

Furthermore, there is an alternative and opposite outcome that also needs to be recognized. And, that is the more quality of life diminishes, the more the weakest and ill-informed become dependent on government for support. In my assessment, we are more likely to become a full-blown socialist welfare state, then to see a significant referendum from voters across the full spectrum willing to once again vote with their own well-being in mind.



There may be a better term for it, but when I refer to "emotion" as the motivation for someone's voting decision, it can certainly apply to any broader set of "beliefs" that are not based in logic and reason. I was simply generalizing that if someone did not make an informed decision based on logic, reason, and fact, then the basis for the decisions was an emotional one.

In any case, you are absolutely right in that getting these groups to shake those beliefs will be a monumental, if not impossible task.




Gender issues don't matter now to anyone with half a brain.. These nonsensical social issues are deliberately being created and exploited by this Administration to provide the much needed distractions for their failed policies. The problem is that for the most part, they seem to be working for them... MSM news is dominated by them.. The real issues are either being ignored or completely inverted by all of the social media platforms and legacy media (with the exception of Twitter).

How hard do things have to get?

Some people learn vicariously. Others have to touch the hot stove once. Still others have to touch the hot stove 20 or 30 times. There is a group who'll roast off their hands and still deny the stove is hot.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I think your general observation is absolutely correct, but rather than emotionalism, I define it as their "belief" systems. Whether the climate change mantra, omnipresent racism, transitory gender, or the blue mask dead enders, they believe these things in the way others (an ever shrinking minority) look at religion. Logic is irrelevant when it comes to faith - whether Jesus Christ, the rising oceans, or Gaia. Sadly these secular religions are rapidly replacing traditional faith and belief.

They find their catechism in social media where they learn to repeat the same things, believe the same cannons, and receive congregational support and feedback while ostracizing and condemning those who are non-believers.

Unfortunately, I am afraid it will take catastrophic changes to shake any of those beliefs.

A generation(s) of "group thinkers" via social media. Most are unable or unwilling to think through issues for themselves. Perfect voters for the left wing hegemony.

 

[John Wasmuth]

I saw Gen. Jack Keane on fox this morning answering questions on why Special Forces was at the Embassy in Ukraine trying to figure out the accountability issues with U.S. arms going missing………. Where have we seen this before…….

 

[Red Leg]

I saw Gen. Jack Keane on fox this morning answering questions on why Special Forces was at the Embassy in Ukraine trying to figure out the accountability issues with U.S. arms going missing………. Where have we seen this before…….

I'll post it and everyone can draw their own conclusions about what he actually said and the thrust of his comments with respect to the Special Forces likely actual mission (they don't do inventories) and the question of providing arms and support to Ukraine. I'll be interested to read his op-ed appearing in the WSJ tomorrow.

Gen. Jack Keane challenges leaders’ doubts on Ukraine | Fox News Video

Fox News senior strategic analyst Gen. Jack Keane discusses new details on the war in Ukraine revealed through leaked intelligence documents.

www.foxnews.com

 

[mdwest]

I have it on pretty good authority that those guys are FORMER SF…

Both the DOD and DOS have hired contractors to solve known accountability problems…

Unless something has changed recently that I am unaware of, active military SOF have not been deployed to resolve this specific issue…

GEN Keanes speculation that SF may be there for emergency evacuation contingency purposes I’d guess is probably on point… and his observation that SOF isn’t necessary in most cases for accountability is also on point…

 

[Red Leg]

I have it on pretty good authority that those guys are FORMER SF…

Both the DOD and DOS have hired contractors to solve known accountability problems…

Unless something has changed recently that I am unaware of, active military SOF have not been deployed to resolve this specific issue…

GEN Keanes speculation that SF may be there for emergency evacuation contingency purposes I’d guess is probably on point… and his observation that SOF isn’t necessary in most cases for accountability is also on point…

I think that I can state with absolute certainty, we have no operators of any type, former or current, deployed to any embassy doing accountability audits.

 

[Ray B]

I just read that AB has lost $5B in market cap since Monday. That’s gotta make the suits in Anderletch, Belgium take notice.

Before you write-off AB, yes in the last week the stock price dropped about $5 but the stock had gone up $5 the previous week and it had gone up $20 in the prev few months, so holders of stock are still plus unless they bought 8 days ago.

 

[John Wasmuth]

I think that I can state with absolute certainty, we have no operators of any type, former or current, deployed to any embassy doing accountability audits.

I was going to ask since when did SF start doing audits of TOE?

 

[Red Leg]

Wow. This is apparently how the classified material leaked. The whole gen Z cohort may be unsalvageable. We now apparently have gamer groomers.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/04/12/discord-leaked-documents/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJpZCI6IjI5NTk4MTExIiwicmVhc29uIjoiZ2lmdCIsIm5iZiI6MTY4MTI3MjAwMCwiaXNzIjoic3Vic2NyaXB0aW9ucyIsImV4cCI6MTY4MjU2Nzk5OSwiaWF0IjoxNjgxMjcyMDAwLCJqdGkiOiI3OGNiYzdiMy1mZTA5LTQ0YmQtOGI4OS00ZmI1Y2Y3NjQzNTQiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy53YXNoaW5ndG9ucG9zdC5jb20vbmF0aW9uYWwtc2VjdXJpdHkvMjAyMy8wNC8xMi9kaXNjb3JkLWxlYWtlZC1kb2N1bWVudHMvIn0.zCsl2MZsnZdi3LRXT22T4e36S1FkNvIhSQm5St4qQrc

 

[mdwest]

Wow. This is apparently how the classified material leaked. The whole gen Z cohort may be unsalvageable. We now apparently have gamer groomers.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/04/12/discord-leaked-documents/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJpZCI6IjI5NTk4MTExIiwicmVhc29uIjoiZ2lmdCIsIm5iZiI6MTY4MTI3MjAwMCwiaXNzIjoic3Vic2NyaXB0aW9ucyIsImV4cCI6MTY4MjU2Nzk5OSwiaWF0IjoxNjgxMjcyMDAwLCJqdGkiOiI3OGNiYzdiMy1mZTA5LTQ0YmQtOGI4OS00ZmI1Y2Y3NjQzNTQiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy53YXNoaW5ndG9ucG9zdC5jb20vbmF0aW9uYWwtc2VjdXJpdHkvMjAyMy8wNC8xMi9kaXNjb3JkLWxlYWtlZC1kb2N1bWVudHMvIn0.zCsl2MZsnZdi3LRXT22T4e36S1FkNvIhSQm5St4qQrc

I sincerely wish I could say this surprises me... sadly it doesnt..

while I have high hopes that our country is more resilient than most seem to think it is, and that we will recover from our current state of affairs and get back on track as our founding fathers intended at some point..

I have very little hope that it will be the millennials or gen z that get us there..

its going to take a period of pretty substantial pain before the lights come on and people commit themselves to the required course correction..

perhaps Gen A (born between 2010 and 2024) will get it done..

 

[John Wasmuth]

Interesting article. The powers that be are denying it’s of much importance and can’t “verify “ the authenticity of the documents and the appearance of “Ho hum nothing to be interested in” tells me they are truly concerned about it.