I gotta agree with Kid Presentable. This thread was about a innocent/awesome tribute to a band that we love and it immediately gets derailed into the same tired circlejerk.

This shouldn't have been the time or place for that kinda talk.

Far out, Help Me Rhonda is offensively bad. C'mon Mike, you can do better than this.

I suppose its more of an anti trump echo chamber, i worded my post badly

I was trying for weeks to get Sinister Smile to respond to a point but he appears to not be around.

Again, I'm quite happy to have political debate here but it's not a political discussion with multiple sides if one of the sides just throws in a pro-Trump message once every two weeks. And, for the record, I am flabbergasted that you are challenging the echo chamber by finding the bright side in the fact that "Trump hasn't passed a single bill of 10 he promised to pass in his first 100 days" despite Republicans controlling everything. To consider that as anything other than staggering incompetence is not providing an alternative perspective, it's just spinning for the sake of it.

It seems, though, as if Trump has moved away from those issues towards more politically-friendly topics, such as expanding wars.

My batsignal went off. What's good my friend?

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,24566.msg615645.html#msg615645

I said what's 'good' my friend?

I'm glad we had this exchange.

It's been too long

I suppose its more of an anti trump echo chamber, i worded my post badly

I was trying for weeks to get Sinister Smile to respond to a point but he appears to not be around.

Again, I'm quite happy to have political debate here but it's not a political discussion with multiple sides if one of the sides just throws in a pro-Trump message once every two weeks. And, for the record, I am flabbergasted that you are challenging the echo chamber by finding the bright side in the fact that "Trump hasn't passed a single bill of 10 he promised to pass in his first 100 days" despite Republicans controlling everything. To consider that as anything other than staggering incompetence is not providing an alternative perspective, it's just spinning for the sake of it.

It seems, though, as if Trump has moved away from those issues towards more politically-friendly topics, such as expanding wars.

My batsignal went off. What's good my friend?

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,24566.msg615645.html#msg615645

I said what's 'good' my friend?

I suppose its more of an anti trump echo chamber, i worded my post badly

I was trying for weeks to get Sinister Smile to respond to a point but he appears to not be around.

Again, I'm quite happy to have political debate here but it's not a political discussion with multiple sides if one of the sides just throws in a pro-Trump message once every two weeks. And, for the record, I am flabbergasted that you are challenging the echo chamber by finding the bright side in the fact that "Trump hasn't passed a single bill of 10 he promised to pass in his first 100 days" despite Republicans controlling everything. To consider that as anything other than staggering incompetence is not providing an alternative perspective, it's just spinning for the sake of it.

It seems, though, as if Trump has moved away from those issues towards more politically-friendly topics, such as expanding wars.

My batsignal went off. What's good my friend?

Your only "gotcha" is yes, he won. How and why he won, no.
The tortoise and the hare: I don't remember that story being about a close race, with the the tortoise having surprising bursts that pulls him ahead, then jags where he falls way behind, but with him usually close behind, while his friends and others continually try to create roadblocks for the hare, and in the last moments, someone succeeds in tripping the hare, and the hare still crosses the finish line first but, due to a technicality, the tortoise is declared the winner. I thought the moral was "slow and steady wins the race" not "bluster, disinformation, and appeals to the worst in people wins the race." But I haven't read it since I was a child, so maybe I'm not remembering it right.

Regarding your link above, there are polls in there, but they don't support your point.

Bubs - I owe you a communication and it's been eating at me that I haven't done it. I hope everything is glorious. Very good to "see" you.

You believe that Clinton lost due to misogyny, I believe that Trump won due to having a much better campaign.
When I said that it was a good thing Trump was having numerous rallies, you said it gave you heebie jeebies or something along those lines.
I said that Trump did well in the debates, you said I was wrong and pointed me at statistics.
And now it seems that you think Trump won due to a technicality?
I'm not challenging you with this, I'm just pointing out that we have very different ideas and opinions.
I haven't once linked you to RT News or Brietbart, but you insist that I'm an avid reader. That's totally just in your head.

Like I said before, different wavelengths. It feels like you have to be doom and gloom to talk politics around here. There should be room for light hearted banter and without a 'Oh, so you think X?'. My hope is that everyone can understand each other and that becomes a reality.

Thanks man.

Anyway, I feel like me and some users are kinda on some different wavelengths. Feels maybe we're just shooting off 'Gotchas!' that are flying past each other. I honestly respect opposing viewpoints, political leanings and everything else that goes along with it. I also respect the passion behid a lot of these posts and it's a good thing to see.

I'll bow out of these political threads. For me, the internet isn't my strongest method of conversing. If it was in person, we could probably find a good middleground for the other persons point of view.

Anyway, let's hope for a good future. No more gotchas from me, I hope that the country can come together regardless of who's in power and we can understand one another.

Good grief. First, that's not a poll, it's a forecast. Second, it's a single moment, not "ages". Third, Trump's support went up and down but centered around 42% over time. It's gone down now, though.

Good grief, plenty of polls to look at in there. Second, 538 supports my tortoise and hare analogy (which I love). Third, the 42% which you clung to doesn't matter, I told you he would be president aaaaaand he did.

You're allowed to admit that I predicted the outcome of the election Emily, I think that'd look pretty spiffy on that resume you made for me.

Now as for the polls, Clinton was leading pretty strong for ages, right? And then the wheels kinda came off at the end, yeah? Kinda reminds me of the tortoise and the hare, I think I might have mentioned that earlier as well.

No, she wasn't "leading pretty strong" for ages. There were always 8 or so states that were right on the margins and the national polls swung around pretty radically a few times.

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-election-forecast/?ex_cid=rrpromo

Clinton looks like a real strong chance here, right?

Also, remember the 42 percent?

Now as for the polls, Clinton was leading pretty strong for ages, right?

And then millions more people voted for her.

That's true.

You're allowed to admit that I predicted the outcome of the election Emily, I think that'd look pretty spiffy on that resume you made for me.

Now as for the polls, Clinton was leading pretty strong for ages, right? And then the wheels kinda came off at the end, yeah? Kinda reminds me of the tortoise and the hare, I think I might have mentioned that earlier as well.

Exhibit one: Sinister Smile. A nihilist who believed RT-sourced stories about Clinton's health and heaven knows what else.

Could've also went with
Exhibit one: Sinister Smile. A down to earth guy that correctly predicted the outcome of the general election months in advance and managed to see through the fake polls 

I think it's funny that fake news still gets brought up while the same people probably believed the fake polls.

For some people it's a case of confirmation bias, but at the heart of it, I was just making a silly joke.

Well, Happy 100th B'day old man

There hasn't been much in the news about US politics my way so hopefully as the saying goes, no news is good news.

Unfortunately the media tends to stop covering the mundane-seeming but important things once the horse-races are over. There has been a lot going on, actually, as Trump has been nominating people to his Cabinet. (I am among those very, very unimpressed with most of his choices, many of whom are directly opposed to his purported mission to help the working class and "drain the swamp" of typical Wall Street types ... which is not a surprise, just a disappointment.)

Do you mind me asking where you are, country-wise? I know you've said you're outside the US but don't recall you saying where you are.

Over in Australia. Truthfully. there have been some picks that I'm pretty iffy about, but I hope they'll surprise me. What did you think about Gen. James Mattis as a pick? I like the guy.

Thanks captain.

There hasn't been much in the news about US politics my way so hopefully as the saying goes, no news is good news.

Ah, finally back in the saddle after some unexpected health issues. I'll try and get up to speed on what I've missed.

I did catch that Trump won Time's Person Of The Year. I think their might be some media bias, when I won in 2006 everyone was congratulatory, but he wins and people are jumping outta their skin to make a Hitler comparison?  Something is up!

I specifically suggested you use the words "crime" and "taking jobs" in your searches. That might be a tip-off to the oft-repeated, false assertions Trump has made. For the other, https://www.google.com/amp/www.vox.com/platform/amp/2016/6/14/11925278/trump-speech-muslims?client=safari.

The reason why I would have liked direct links from you is due to this fake/real news fiasco. I want to see from your perspective what qualified as real. Before I comment on this article, is it safe to assume that this is a non-fake website?

Regarding losing parents - that's what deportation does.

I thought he was only deporting people staying in the country illegally, right?

It's also what no health insurance does. It's also what poverty does.

Won't lie, the health insurance stuff over there does my head in, I have to look into it more.

It is not at all like survivor in its import in reality or in what qualities matter.

In a very simplified way, the general election is like Survivor. It's an extremely emotional game. If you want to come out on top, you have to defend your gameplay and convince people to vote you as the winner. I'm glad you bought up the Survivor angle, and I'd be happy to delve deeper into it if you wanna.

People have asked multiple times for you to explain why you support Trump other than "he won, so he's got to be good," which to any thinking adult is on it's face absurd.

He won because he was good, and my thinking is more along the lines of 'he earned it, give him a chance and he might surprise you'. There are a lot of reasons why I support him, I repeated them here plenty. Also, I think you'll admit this has been a very absurd election

Based on this and your dodging or ignorance regarding Trump's policies and campaign themes

I think Trump's going to be pretty flexible with his policies, and I don't think the world is going to end with him, I'm not going to get too worked up over it.

Your avoidance of engaging with adult reality

In my reality, I predicted he would win in the face of bad polls and I explained my reasoning for the decision. Also featured in my reality is President Trump, so I'm happy with where I'm at.

Your illogic and your admiration of school yard skills

I like his ability to take a punch and work a situation to his favour, amongst other things.

I've come to the conclusion that you are callow (and extraordinarily callous).

I think optimistic is a better word.

I sincerely hope you are actually very young or very old. Preferably very old because,you are exhibiting a complete lack of empathy and I don't think that can be learned.

Why do you want me to be old, so I die faster or something? I hope not. You can say I lack empathy, but I'm being very patient and trying to get my point of view across. We don't have to agree, but I'd like to have a conversation without being talked down to.

Sinistersmile is Barron Trump!

Same hair, no lie!

People have asked multiple times for you to explain why you support Trump other than "he won, so he's got to be good," which to any thinking adult is on it's face absurd. Based on this, your dodging or ignorance regarding what Trunp has said, your avoidance of engaging with adult reality, your illogic and your admiration of school yard skills, I've come to the conclusion that you are callow (and extraordinarily callous). I sincerely hope you are actually very young or very old.

I'd just like us to find a half way point, if you can answer my questions I think that'd help.

I've added to my above post. There's no half-way point if you won't engage with things that matter.

Sorry, I am trying. I get like 3 or 4 people hitting me with big questions so I do apologize if I miss some or don't delve deep enough.

Truthfully, I'm very interested in what you consider real news. I'll try my best to answer the rest, but if you could list a few real news outlets, I think that'd speed things along.

People have asked multiple times for you to explain why you support Trump other than "he won, so he's got to be good," which to any thinking adult is on it's face absurd. Based on this, your dodging or ignorance regarding what Trunp has said, your avoidance of engaging with adult reality, your illogic and your admiration of school yard skills, I've come to the conclusion that you are callow (and extraordinarily callous). I sincerely hope you are actually very young or very old.

I'd just like us to find a half way point, if you can answer my questions I think that'd help.

I listed some fake news sites and items above in this thread.

I'm asking for what you consider to be real news. I know what you believe fake news to be, like what is real news to you? Please list what you consider factual news so I can understand your view point better.

Regarding illegal immigration - I'm baffled. That was the cornerstone of his campaign and you don't know what he's said? Just search 'Trump illegal immigrants criminals' or 'trump illegal immigrants taking jobs'

I know what he's said about the border, bad people, drugs pouring in. What's the big misinformation that he pushed?

Regarding Muslims first, it's not what Trump said that certain American Muslims protected terrorists. Second, certain American Christians and probably American Jews and possibly American Sikhs and Buddhists have too. There's no evidence that more American Muslims have than anyone else, so singling them out as a group is implying something incorrect and is a dangerous way for a public figure to speak.

This is another one I'm fuzzy on. When did he say it was an entire class?

Regarding his policies,  I know what his policies are; I've studied history and economics; I've consulted with experts. I don't need someone "eloquent" to explain to me why they think that Trump's policies are good policies. Reagan is perfectly eloquent. He's already explained it. And he was wrong, as history shows. If you know someone who is going to explain that history, I and every professional economist not paid by Trump are wrong, I'll listen.

Experts can be wrong, I think this cycle showed that, but that's not the point I want to make. I wanted to say that someone could explain their support for Trump better than I could. I don't think I can change your mind or rock your world, but I don't think my support of him should baffle or shock you.

You seem to think that electing a president is similar to choosing who to root for on Survivor.

The campaign is a lot like Survivor, don't you think? And funnily, plenty of women have won before.

Policy matters. Legal rights matter. This is real sh*t. It is going to mean children lose their parents. It is going to mean ill people lose their health insurance. It is going to mean more poverty. This is real sh*t.[/i]

How are children going to lose parents? I say just wait and see what moves he makes instead of jumping to the worst case scenarios, things change all the time.

And no, I haven't changed my mind about his luck, and I don't think it's extreme. I think it's chance that he's the idiot who was born rich and with a big blowhard personality and 0 ethics or concern for the damage he leaves in his wake (or even an understanding of it) and was constantly trying to run for office for decades and the circumstances came around that his opportunistic, autocratic rage fit neatly with a right-wing machine that's been building over the last few decades. His success has not been due to his skill. Just due to his having the right personality and platform (not policy platform, but media platform) for the right-wing demagogue Bannon and his ilk were waiting for.

So did Hillary lose due to bad luck? I mean, he smashed her in the electoral vote, there are plenty of factors in play. From my point of view, if Hillary can't take down a 'lucky idiot' with no political experience, then it's a good thing she didn't get the top job. Come 2020, if people don't adapt to Trump, he's going to steamroll the competition and it's gonna be a white knuckled 8 years for them.

If the policy means nothing to you, then what is the reason for voting for him (or anybody, for that matter)?

I'm not American, so I didn't vote. This election wasn't won on policy, so that's why I'm not invested that deeply in it, but if he stays as adaptable as he was during the campaign, I think you're country is in good, large hands. He's great at controlling a situation.

Depends on who you mean by "we". Those who aren't in the upper tax brackets may disagree with  you.

The world generally. There's been stacks of gloom and doom, talks about secret nazi factions and general hysteria. I don't think the world is gonna do a 180, 8 years from now most people will wonder what all the fuss was about.

The people who have been chosen for his cabinet,unfortunately, have not been good choices; pretty much across the board, those not in the op 1% will definitely feel the pinch, financially and otherwise.

I won't lie, I've seen some of the baggage that some of his picks have and it's not all good stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if there are stacks of firings down the line, considering who their boss is.

Based on how well he ran his campaign, his persuasion skills and his negotiating skills. For a man with no political experience, he passed the job interview with flying colours and surprised many people. I believe he'll continue to do so. It's all very fluid.

OK, but I'm still a bit confused. His policies suggest disaster. So are you saying that when this disaster inevitably comes, he will be really good at convincing people that he wasn't responsible? Because if that's your argument, I might agree.

No sweat. I'm saying that he'll steer away from any big disaster before it comes. There are more than 2 dimensions at play, it might look inevitable on paper, but so did a Clinton presidency.