Politics

[BSO Dave]

In other postings in this thread, I have repeatedly noted that NATO is a creation of the United States to further its national interests in originally containing Soviet power projection and to maintain free access to European markets. It serves that same critical role today with respect to Russia and those markets. Part of my frustration with Trump is that he seems incapable of grasping that basic reality.

Why do you continue to assert that Trump seems incapable of grasping this reality in regard to NATO?

Surely you are far too intelligent to fall for Trump's deliberate provocative rhetoric in regard to NATO...? His rhetoric questioning and criticizing NATO during his term was obviously a tactic to get some of the European members falling short to ante up their fair share which I believe was successful to some degree? Do you seriously believe he would pull the U.S. out of NATO? If so, why didn't he when he had the chance?

We do not need to introduce NATO troops or advisors

Why? What then is the purpose of having this alliance if it's not to be used as the deterrence that is indeed what it was designed to be? Serious question...

I regret that I apparently appear an elitist to you

Not an elitist, but either deliberately or inadvertently, you have absolutely made condescending comments to some here who have posed questions that do not align with your own opinions on Ukraine.

But it does frustrate me that even informed people like you refuse to recognize that support for Ukraine has absolutely nothing to do with the perceived current conditions in this country - whether economic or social. Politically we have devolved to a place where if they are for it, I am against it. So again, we clearly have no grounds for discussion.

I appreciate that you still regard me as informed... LOL...

Please believe that I get the argument you make in regard to policy on Ukraine being a different situation and an unequal comparison to the multitude of other crises we are dealing with in this country. My argument and frustration with you is not that I disagree that they are two separate yet equally important issues that must be simultaneously addressed. You have, in my opinion, unfairly marginalized and demeaned those who have questioned support for Ukraine as ignorant or of low intellect because you assert that they cannot make the distinction. My argument is that making any such distinction is irrelevant to folks who are truly struggling right now. The blame lies with the optics of the priorities of this clown show of an Administration, and not with hard-working folks who you feel are not smart enough to get it...

Getting the average blue collar working American to buy into the concept that sending billions more in aid, be it in tanks or cash, is just as or even more important than their desire to put food on their table and keep a roof overhead is a tough sell especially in this current environment. A competent government would have a hard time selling that to the average blue-collar American people let alone this band of idiots...

I would wager that if the economy was thriving and, we did not just endure 3 years of being lied to, manipulated, and stripped of our personal freedoms, there would likely be overwhelming support of the for Ukraine across every demographic. But, since we do not have this stability and we are being led by the most incompetent and disingenuous Administration in the history of this country, it should be no surprise to anyone that many folks are questioning the priorities, and it doesn't make them ignorant or uniformed by doing so. So yes, they are separate issues, but they are directly related in terms of priorities this government seems to have for the American people.

I'm truly disappointed that you feel we have nothing more to discuss... My questions posed to you in these last few posts were sincere, and I was truly interested in hearing your point of view and/or explanation in regard to NATO etc... If you truly feel that way, why do you reply to my posts?

 

[BSO Dave]

The video is thought provoking.

What video?

 

[Altitude sickness]

The one posted earlier in the thread. He covers topics we never hear our greaseball politicians discuss. They are children playing checkers and working hard to keep us divided so we don’t focus on their incompetence.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

The Axis of Evil, South American Division (Venezuela) is stirring up trouble.

U.S. announces military drills with Guyana amid dispute over oil-rich region with Venezuela

The U.S. said it would conduct joint military flight drills in Guyana on Thursday amid rising tensions with Venezuela over a disputed Guyanese territory that's rich in oil.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[Scott CWO]

Ignorance is bliss.
You have a nice day, too.

552 guns is far too widespread for me and many others.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Peter Zeihan Raises subjects and topics that need to be addressed. As long as they are viewed as opinion. He states many things like they are facts.

Like Biden, and his advisors are geniuses for letting that balloon go over the country
That they gleaned information from where and who it was communicating with.

Are you kidding me?

They have far more sophisticated devices in space, and planted around the world and in this country for such a thing. they don’t need a balloon for that.

That balloon was a test to our response. Do a search on how many M.A.M. Chinese nationals have crossed the southern border lately.

They are spies. Certain subjects still need human intelligence

Military Satellites by Country 2023

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

552 guns is far too widespread for me and many others.

One is too many. 552 is an obscenity. I’m shocked that anyone in the American shooting community could just hand wave it like he did.

And what condition were they returned in? Those that were returned anyway. I’ve known people whose guns were held and then returned in terrible condition months later. Getting your heirlooms back covered in surface rust is poor consolation.

 

[Doug3006]

“He’s incorrect. We do have a theory and example of what happens when countries consumption, production and investment collapse. We see it starting in young males with no purpose or value in US society from leftist. saying they are toxic and not part of the alphabet soup identities. Then they shoot up schools and commit suicide.”

Zeihan is right. Mankind doesn’t have an economic model that will work when consumption, production and investment collapse. Under that scenario, society collapses. The behavior of shiftless men in our country is NOT because consumption, production and investment have collapsed. Far from it. It’s because schools, media, and the left have succeeded in convincing large portions of our population that working to feed oneself is somehow unnecessary…even a suckers move. In the current labor market, anyone not working is doing so voluntarily. There are jobs to be had.

 

[Brent in Az]

Daddy and the flying monkey's will make sure he doesn't serve a day.

But Trump dared to challenge the election results.....G...A ..S....P!

 

[Wheels]

 

[Brent in Az]

swamp speak...

 

[cash_tx]

I'm not sure how many AH members are Texas residents, but our state Attorney General is 1000% on the wrong side of this woman's issue. I live in Ken Paxton's former congressional district (now represented by his wife, Angela), have met him several times, and have observed his political trajectory over the last 20+ years. While I understand the beliefs and motivations of the authors of the Texas anti-abortion bill and the onerous Senate Bill 8, in this particular instance, Paxton is proving himself to be the corrupt and soulless low-life that we locals have seen in the making over the last decade or so. It's bad enough that he is a moral hypocrite and a corrupt fiscal operator, but to use your office's powers to drag out the suffering of this poor woman and her baby for the sake of your extremist minions is about as immoral as it gets. Generally speaking, Texas over-rotated on the abortion issue from a long-term political perspective; and this circumstance only accelerates the flip to a blue state.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/08/us/texas-abortion-ruling-attorney-general-petition/index.html

 

[Newboomer]

Daddy and the flying monkey's will make sure he doesn't serve a day.

But Trump dared to challenge the election results.....G...A ..S....P!

View attachment 573551

He may be indicted but he will not be convicted or get anywhere near imprisonment. Daddy and all the bought and paid for legal eagles won't let it happen. This will quietly fade away in a few days.

 

[wesheltonj]

I'm not sure how many AH members are Texas residents, but our state Attorney General is 1000% on the wrong side of this woman's issue. I live in Ken Paxton's former congressional district (now represented by his wife, Angela), have met him several times, and have observed his political trajectory over the last 20+ years. While I understand the beliefs and motivations of the authors of the Texas anti-abortion bill and the onerous Senate Bill 8, in this particular instance, Paxton is proving himself to be the corrupt and soulless low-life that we locals have seen in the making over the last decade or so. It's bad enough that he is a moral hypocrite and a corrupt fiscal operator, but to use your office's powers to drag out the suffering of this poor woman and her baby for the sake of your extremist minions is about as immoral as it gets. Generally speaking, Texas over-rotated on the abortion issue from a long-term political perspective; and this circumstance only accelerates the flip to a blue state.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/08/us/texas-abortion-ruling-attorney-general-petition/index.html

Unfortunately, Abbott, Patrick & Paxton managed to get passed and signed the most restrictive abortion bill ever. Their plan was to pass it and take it up to the Supreme Court. I don't think they ever expected the SC to overturn Roe and when that happened their bill became law. It's cost lots of R down ballot losses. Paxton is obligated to defend the law no matter how flawed/unflawed the law depending on the readers position and the legislature has not acted to make any changes.

 

[Wheels]

 

[cash_tx]

Unfortunately, Abbott, Patrick & Paxton managed to get passed and signed the most restrictive abortion bill ever. Their plan was to pass it and take it up to the Supreme Court. I don't think they ever expected the SC to overturn Roe and when that happened their bill became law. It's cost lots of R down ballot losses. Paxton is obligated to defend the law no matter how flawed/unflawed the law depending on the readers position and the legislature has not acted to make any changes.

Yep, it's a real mess.

 

[steve white]

“He’s incorrect. We do have a theory and example of what happens when countries consumption, production and investment collapse. We see it starting in young males with no purpose or value in US society from leftist. saying they are toxic and not part of the alphabet soup identities. Then they shoot up schools and commit suicide.”

Zeihan is right. Mankind doesn’t have an economic model that will work when consumption, production and investment collapse. Under that scenario, society collapses. The behavior of shiftless men in our country is NOT because consumption, production and investment have collapsed. Far from it. It’s because schools, media, and the left have succeeded in convincing large portions of our population that working to feed oneself is somehow unnecessary…even a suckers move. In the current labor market, anyone not working is doing so voluntarily. There are jobs to be had.

In Japan they call those guys "grass eaters"....no job, no skills, no completed schooling, basement dwelling gameboys.

 

[steve white]

Daddy and the flying monkey's will make sure he doesn't serve a day.

But Trump dared to challenge the election results.....G...A ..S....P!

View attachment 573551

Yeah we can't prove how much he actually got from China, Ukraine, etc., but he owes the IRS over a million dollars. What was that the big guy said? "everyone pay your fair share"??

 

[Hunt anything]

Yeah we can't prove how much he actually got from China, Ukraine, etc., but he owes the IRS over a million dollars. What was that the big guy said? "everyone pay your fair share"??

If they know he owes over a million dollars in taxes , wouldn’t someone know where the taxable income came from? I really have no faith in the system, I don’t think this will ever go to trial but for the countries sake if it does I hope it’s fair and a just trial.

 

[Red Leg]

If they know he owes over a million dollars in taxes , wouldn’t someone know where the taxable income came from? I really have no faith in the system, I don’t think this will ever go to trial but for the countries sake if it does I hope it’s fair and a just trial.

Hunter can legally earn anything he can convince someone to pay him from a foreign corporation. Just like you can. Yes, even the Chinese. You can even give your father 10% of the proceeds. He does run the risk of running afoul FARA and its registration requirements. To date, they have him on income tax evasion - sort of the Al Capone strategy.

Unless someone can show that Joe Biden benefitted from those payments while Vice President, old Joe may be unethical, but he hasn't broken a law. Not surprisingly, due to Weiss's delays, the two years of returns and thus investigable material while Biden was VP are outside the statute of limitations for tax crimes.