Politics

[Ray B]

two dramatically different philosophies with respect to warfare. the art of war was to create the means to bring maximum combat power to bear at the critical point in space and time in the tactical, operational, and strategic environments.

In the post 911 world the application of force became confused with the capabilities of precision strike.

One aspect not mentioned is the general's perception of his/her enemy. My personal involvement with the results of a general underestimating an enemy force was in the TET offensive Hue campaign. Had the Commander 1. recognized the size and ability of the enemy force and 2. not overestimated the psychological effect on the enemy and the physical abilities of his Marines, he would have sent the entire 5th Marines to Hue instead of a couple companies. the amount sent was steadily increased until all three battalions were committed. The result was that the city was reclaimed but the enemy held it long enough to execute hundreds of government supporters and evacuate much of their equipment and personnel. Had the commander recognized the situation and committed forces to the first method of having absolute dominance a lot of civilians would have lived and a lot of the NVA would have either died or spent the rest of the war as a POW.

Appears the piece-meal method of application of force is alive and well in Ukraine.

 

[geoff rath]

People say Biden’s policies are destroying the USA, they are indeed, but they aren’t his policies, he couldn’t make one if he tried. It is plainly the far left and greens feeding through a mush of all sorts of their wish list items. Some of it could be slightly sensible if enacted over ten or twenty years, but they tried to ram it through their puppet in two years because that is what they had. The result of course is a huge mess that common sense just can’t reconcile with and is now rebelling against. Ironically, what is now needed is not a ram-rod drastic swing to the other side, but a smooth, steady steering correction. A strong, sensible, steady leader who quietly puts it all right, because it will need everyone to be on board to fix this. Pendulum swings are hugely wasteful and even the massively powerful USA can’t afford it.

our mate Kevin; the voice of reason??

 

[PARA45]

 

[PARA45]

 

[BSO Dave]

I am curious what you would call a non-fiscal conservative in the republican party.

Any of the 200 House republicans outside of the 8 nay votes.... Take your pick...

One name we could use would be Donald Trump, and I would assume his supporters? While I admit COVID was a significant contributor, our national debt increased by 39% under Trump, and during the first two years of his presidency, when he had both houses, he did nothing to reduce our debt trajectory. Indeed the tax cut accelerated it, at least in the short term. If anyone is mutating the party, it is Trump.

I never claimed Trump to be a fiscal conservative. Far from it actually... I clearly pointed out that Trump was a former democrat and a populist. One of my biggest critiques of Trump is that he is not a fiscal conservative. As far as his base supporters go, I truly believe that the vast majority would prefer Gaetz's brand of fiscal conservatism. They give Trump a pass on certain expenditures because he justifies them by touting his most popular, relatable America-first policies like the necessity to rebuild and restock our military which I believe even you would approve?

As for the rest of the debt, you are not giving Trump a fair analysis of his handling of Covid in terms of the spending, but I am glad that you admit that Covid was a significant contributor... Although I personally did not approve of the second and third rounds of relief checks or the countless billions distributed to businesses who didn't need relief, I feel Trump was backed into a corner on Covid with pressure coming from all sides to spend money. Republicans are just as responsible for mishandling Covid relief as are the democrats. Yet it's no surprise he's getting the blame for all of it from both sides.

I do agree that Trump is mutating the party away from the RINOS and more towards populism. Reagan's "big tent" ideology is being completely rejected by the RINOs and moderates today, and that will likely be their demise. As you will recall, the vast majority of the republican establishment fought Trump at every opportunity, and they are the ones responsible for the squandering of control of both Houses during Trump's first 2 years. It's laughable how Trump is getting the blame for failure to pass legislature like abolishing Obamacare when his own Congress rejected it. Funny how nobody remembers McCain's role in all of this.. And they talk about Trump being petty, and vindictive... LOL..!

That's another problem with the current republican party is that they are quick to eat their own, while the democrats will stick together no matter how ridiculous or insane any fringe member's ideologies are...

With his repeated commitment to the current structure of MEDICARE and Social Security, I am confident fiscal conservatism will not be exactly front and center in his 2024 platform either.

Glad you mentioned SS and Medicare... Two more perfect examples of the reality of fiscal disaster much like the national debt that will go bankrupt sooner than later.. Surely even you must acknowledge that the hole we have dug for ourselves with the failure of the federal government to reform SS and Medicare goes back to their inceptions in 1936 and 1965 respectively. Like every other program where a huge percentage of the electorate becomes dependent, you cannot expect Trump or anyone else for that matter to run on a platform that mentions any real threat to these programs. Of course Trump is going to promise to leave Medicare and SS alone. To do otherwise would be election suicide for anyone. Besides he can afford to kick that can down the road for 4 more years just like the last 15 administrations before him... Where's their accountability?

You know as well as I do, that eventually those big fat fiscally disastrous chickens will come home to roost, and this entire federal government will have to answer for it at the expense of the working middle class as usual... At least there are 8 truly fiscally conservative republicans left willing to tell the American people the truth.

 

[PARA45]

I cannot believe Biden said "She was 12, I was 30" and the people around him laughed about it. Wow, SMH.

MSN

 

[Brent in Az]

Watching the Republican party eat their own, is truly entertaining. They will get what they deserve, with a big shellacking in the election.
For years, the Republican party has stood idly by, as the Democrats have weaponized the system against us.
I despise the Democrat's with every fiber of my being, but I have to hand it to them for being relentless in their mission.
If Republicans had the same resolve, we wouldn't be on this sinking ship.

Thank the RINO'S and establishment players for the demise of the republic.

 

[Brent in Az]

I cannot believe Biden said "She was 12, I was 30" and the people around him laughed about it. Wow, SMH.

MSN

One of the disturbing reasons why the Epstein Island client list has not been revealed.
I would bet that the current President, as well as a former President, are on that list.

 

[Brent in Az]

Not many Presidents can be considered as fiscally conservative.

 

[mdwest]

One of the disturbing reasons why the Epstein Island client list has not been revealed.
I would bet that the current President, as well as a former President, are on that list.

Its a pretty safe bet that Clinton visited the Island..

There are clear records of Clinton flying with Epstien on his plane, on 4 occasions (none of the records for those flights are to the island though)..

There are clear records of Clinton meeting with Epstien both socially and for business purposes several times outside of those 4 flights..

And then you have the testimony of multiple people saying Clinton did in fact visit the island.. (while a few others testify they never saw him there (well... perhaps he wasnt there when you were there... or perhaps you didnt see him while he was there.. that testimony doesnt confirm that he actually was not present))..

 

[Red Leg]

Any of the 200 House republicans outside of the 8 nay votes.... Take your pick...



I never claimed Trump to be a fiscal conservative. Far from it actually... I clearly pointed out that Trump was a former democrat and a populist. One of my biggest critiques of Trump is that he is not a fiscal conservative. As far as his base supporters go, I truly believe that the vast majority would prefer Gaetz's brand of fiscal conservatism. They give Trump a pass on certain expenditures because he justifies them by touting his most popular, relatable America-first policies like the necessity to rebuild and restock our military which I believe even you would approve?

As for the rest of the debt, you are not giving Trump a fair analysis of his handling of Covid in terms of the spending, but I am glad that you admit that Covid was a significant contributor... Although I personally did not approve of the second and third rounds of relief checks or the countless billions distributed to businesses who didn't need relief, I feel Trump was backed into a corner on Covid with pressure coming from all sides to spend money. Republicans are just as responsible for mishandling Covid relief as are the democrats. Yet it's no surprise he's getting the blame for all of it from both sides.

I do agree that Trump is mutating the party away from the RINOS and more towards populism. Reagan's "big tent" ideology is being completely rejected by the RINOs and moderates today, and that will likely be their demise. As you will recall, the vast majority of the republican establishment fought Trump at every opportunity, and they are the ones responsible for the squandering of control of both Houses during Trump's first 2 years. It's laughable how Trump is getting the blame for failure to pass legislature like abolishing Obamacare when his own Congress rejected it. Funny how nobody remembers McCain's role in all of this.. And they talk about Trump being petty, and vindictive... LOL..!

That's another problem with the current republican party is that they are quick to eat their own, while the democrats will stick together no matter how ridiculous or insane any fringe member's ideologies are...



Glad you mentioned SS and Medicare... Two more perfect examples of the reality of fiscal disaster much like the national debt that will go bankrupt sooner than later.. Surely even you must acknowledge that the hole we have dug for ourselves with the failure of the federal government to reform SS and Medicare goes back to their inceptions in 1936 and 1965 respectively. Like every other program where a huge percentage of the electorate becomes dependent, you cannot expect Trump or anyone else for that matter to run on a platform that mentions any real threat to these programs. Of course Trump is going to promise to leave Medicare and SS alone. To do otherwise would be election suicide for anyone. Besides he can afford to kick that can down the road for 4 more years just like the last 15 administrations before him... Where's their accountability?

You know as well as I do, that eventually those big fat fiscally disastrous chickens will come home to roost, and this entire federal government will have to answer for it at the expense of the working middle class as usual... At least there are 8 truly fiscally conservative republicans left willing to tell the American people the truth.

Interesting. I totally agree with your last two paragraphs. I am also certain Donald Trump will be the least likely "republican" to address either of them.

I think this statement is absolutely correct as well. But, at the present time, I put the blame squarely on the shoulders of Gaetz, Roy, and their ilk on any number of issues.

"That's another problem with the current republican party is that they are quick to eat their own, while the democrats will stick together no matter how ridiculous or insane any fringe member's ideologies are..."

One can read it in the posts in this thread. Republicans, conservatives, populists - whatever name we choose are worse ideologues than democrats. We would rather hate each other than find common ground to confront the democrat agenda. Trump has added a new dimension which is a personality cult that is more important than any actual policy positions he may advocate. I hasten to add that not every Trump supporter is blindly following him, but I absolutely believe the vast majority have no clue what his actual policy positions are on anything. They are slogan throwers. The second amendment, abortion, and the budget are just three issues about which they have no idea of Trump's actual position.

So I'll repeat. Taking a position that is supported by every single member of the democrat caucus to do harm to the party leadership in an election year is the height of self-indulgent stupidity. There is no argument that can change my mind with respect to that. I am confident that a large majority of my fellow republicans agree with that assessment. Additionally, the more ideologically driven and less tolerant we become the less electable the party will be in an ever broader swath of congressional districts. As I noted above, whatever remains of the party will be consigned to an ever smaller and shriller place in the electorate bemoaning the deep state, RINOs, and traitors with no means to do a constructive thing about it at all. I hope they are good at passing around bitter angry memes.

 

[Red Leg]

Not many Presidents can be considered as fiscally conservative.
View attachment 561645

On this issue you are actually correct. Both were terrible with respect to the debt - Biden about 20% more so. A Trump supporter can proudly say his guy was slightly less damaging than Biden.

 

[mdwest]

 

[steve white]

Think someone is reading the polling?!?

Mayorkas cites ‘immediate need’ to waive regulations, build border wall in Texas as immigration surges

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is citing an "immediate need" to waive federal laws and build border barriers at the southern border.

www.foxnews.com

Well, if they polled third generation LEGAL hispanics--like my wife, or those she knows all the way to the Rio Grande, they might be shocked. The ones who came legally are MAD about all that is given to the illegals, when average citizens get nada.

 

[steve white]

Any of the 200 House republicans outside of the 8 nay votes.... Take your pick...



I never claimed Trump to be a fiscal conservative. Far from it actually... I clearly pointed out that Trump was a former democrat and a populist. One of my biggest critiques of Trump is that he is not a fiscal conservative. As far as his base supporters go, I truly believe that the vast majority would prefer Gaetz's brand of fiscal conservatism. They give Trump a pass on certain expenditures because he justifies them by touting his most popular, relatable America-first policies like the necessity to rebuild and restock our military which I believe even you would approve?

As for the rest of the debt, you are not giving Trump a fair analysis of his handling of Covid in terms of the spending, but I am glad that you admit that Covid was a significant contributor... Although I personally did not approve of the second and third rounds of relief checks or the countless billions distributed to businesses who didn't need relief, I feel Trump was backed into a corner on Covid with pressure coming from all sides to spend money. Republicans are just as responsible for mishandling Covid relief as are the democrats. Yet it's no surprise he's getting the blame for all of it from both sides.

I do agree that Trump is mutating the party away from the RINOS and more towards populism. Reagan's "big tent" ideology is being completely rejected by the RINOs and moderates today, and that will likely be their demise. As you will recall, the vast majority of the republican establishment fought Trump at every opportunity, and they are the ones responsible for the squandering of control of both Houses during Trump's first 2 years. It's laughable how Trump is getting the blame for failure to pass legislature like abolishing Obamacare when his own Congress rejected it. Funny how nobody remembers McCain's role in all of this.. And they talk about Trump being petty, and vindictive... LOL..!

That's another problem with the current republican party is that they are quick to eat their own, while the democrats will stick together no matter how ridiculous or insane any fringe member's ideologies are...



Glad you mentioned SS and Medicare... Two more perfect examples of the reality of fiscal disaster much like the national debt that will go bankrupt sooner than later.. Surely even you must acknowledge that the hole we have dug for ourselves with the failure of the federal government to reform SS and Medicare goes back to their inceptions in 1936 and 1965 respectively. Like every other program where a huge percentage of the electorate becomes dependent, you cannot expect Trump or anyone else for that matter to run on a platform that mentions any real threat to these programs. Of course Trump is going to promise to leave Medicare and SS alone. To do otherwise would be election suicide for anyone. Besides he can afford to kick that can down the road for 4 more years just like the last 15 administrations before him... Where's their accountability?

You know as well as I do, that eventually those big fat fiscally disastrous chickens will come home to roost, and this entire federal government will have to answer for it at the expense of the working middle class as usual... At least there are 8 truly fiscally conservative republicans left willing to tell the American people the truth.

Not to mention we lost congress largely due to ill-timed retirements of those who thought there would be a swing--there would NOT have been a swing if they had retained their offices!

 

[sestoppelman]

People say Biden’s policies are destroying the USA, they are indeed, but they aren’t his policies, he couldn’t make one if he tried. It is plainly the far left and greens feeding through a mush of all sorts of their wish list items. Some of it could be slightly sensible if enacted over ten or twenty years, but they tried to ram it through their puppet in two years because that is what they had. The result of course is a huge mess that common sense just can’t reconcile with and is now rebelling against. Ironically, what is now needed is not a ram-rod drastic swing to the other side, but a smooth, steady steering correction. A strong, sensible, steady leader who quietly puts it all right, because it will need everyone to be on board to fix this. Pendulum swings are hugely wasteful and even the massively powerful USA can’t afford it.

They most certainly are his policies, dont underestimate his level of commitment to them. He does indeed have his minions work on getting these loony ideas into law, but dont think for a moment he doesnt agree with all of it and push for it to happen.

What is happening is a direct result of him.

He is a dyed in the wool leftist, freedom hating socialist greenie and things are going exactly the way he wants them to.

 

[wesheltonj]

Well, if they polled third generation LEGAL hispanics--like my wife, or those she knows all the way to the Rio Grande, they might be shocked. The ones who came legally are MAD about all that is given to the illegals, when average citizens get nada.

That depends where they live. If they live south of Bexar County to the border you are correct. Bexar not so much.

 

[Newboomer]

View attachment 561604

Hell, that's just demo politics as usual.

 

[geoff rath]

View attachment 561603

A HELL of a lot of them in Australian parliaments ...

 

[jpr9954]

Tyler is the "guy" who handles communications for the Sec. of the Interior. You know the Department which controls hunting access on US public lands.

Jeez!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1709950140939649342