PGT: President-Elect Donald J Trump

[ResAlien]

Haha that's awesome. Amazingly Trumpian. "I could respond and say this is why I gave up on you as a person but I'm not going to do that. Such a nasty poster."

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Yeah, because I'm totally the one whose behaviour is out of line here.

[ResAlien]

Oh no you're fine, I just love when people do the old "I could say this about you but I won't" thing.

[Moderator]

I could say that discussers should be discussing the topic of discussion rather than discussing the discussion, but I won't.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

At the same time the Russian's have earned their paranoia honestly, the Russians are never going to trust their border nations or NATO unless they're not a threat. Their history is full of massive invasions and Crusades from the West.

As much as people say that the World has changed, the Russian's have seen this movie before and believe that a strong defense militarily and diplomatically is not only needed but is a moral decision.

I'm sure that is how they see it, but they have been one of the most expansionist nations since the Romans. The fact they are the largest land mass on the planet speaks to that, not to mention that most of their neighbours have been colonized by them and struggle to maintain their identities as a result.

After experiencing the full thrust of Rusification attempts, it is not surprise that countries in their periphery have aligned with the West.

[accord1999]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I'm sure that is how they see it, but they have been one of the most expansionist nations since the Romans. The fact they are the largest land mass on the planet speaks to that, not to mention that most of their neighbours have been colonized by them and struggle to maintain their identities as a result.

After experiencing the full thrust of Rusification attempts, it is not surprise that countries in their periphery have aligned with the West.

True, and it would make perfect sense for the countries of Eastern Europe and the Baltic states to align themselves for mutual protection against Russia and get as many allies as possible. But it didn't make any sense that NATO, which defended Western Europe from a Soviet invasion that no longer was possible with the greatly reduced strength of Russia, to offer a mutual defense alliance with the eastern countries. It clearly signaled to Russia that the NATO countries were not their friends, at a time when long-lasting friendly relations was possible.

[transplant99]

nm

[tripin_billie]

SNL cold open gave me chills. Knocked it out of the park.

[CliffFletcher]

This Atlantic article, written over a year ago, was prescient regarding the identity politics trap the Democrats find themselves in.

No, the main reason why Clinton is a near-lock for the nomination is that Democrats have become the party of identity. They're now dependent on a coalition that relies on exciting less-reliable voters with nontraditional candidates. President Obama proved he could turn out African-American, Hispanic, and young voters to his side in 2012 even as they faced particularly rough economic hardships during a weak recovery. As the first female major-party nominee for president, Clinton hopes to win decisive margins with women voters and is planning to run on that historic message—in sharp contrast to her campaign's argument playing down that uniqueness in 2008...

But while nominating a diverse slate of candidates is a laudable goal, there's great risk when a party becomes obsessed with identity over issues. It fuels racial polarization, where one's party label or positions on issues becomes synonymous with race or ethnicity. There's less coherent connection among their constituents' interests—beyond gender or the color of one's skin. If Clinton runs a biography-focused campaign, it will require her to be more open and authentic—traits she has never demonstrated in her long career in public life.

It turned out Clinton couldn't bring out the African American vote the way Obama did. Nowhere close. And she didn't even win the white woman vote. Turns out breaking the glass ceiling wasn't a compelling enough argument for most women to overlook her flaws.

[GirlySports]

that was the entire flawed strategy. Minorities voting in blocks is ok but whites voting in a block is not.

[Ducay]

Good look back by Scott Adams on why he predicted the Trump landslide. (i.e. Trump's ability to quickly change policy based on public reaction, use of visual words).

http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2...n-bts-lead.cnn

[robbie111]

Watching the media reaction lately and it seems to be fueling protests instead of calling for unity. Just my observation.

Just a quick question to any of our American friends on this board, what happens if the states in the electoral college (December 19th) decide against giving the Presidency to Trump?

[wwkayaker]

We are fragile...screw that with the money you are pulling in.

[accord1999]

Originally Posted by robbie111

Watching the media reaction lately and it seems to be fueling protests instead of calling for unity. Just my observation.

Just a quick question to any of our American friends on this board, what happens if the states in the electoral college (December 19th) decide against giving the Presidency to Trump?

The electoral college voters are selected by the parties themselves.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by robbie111

Just a quick question to any of our American friends on this board, what happens if the states in the electoral college (December 19th) decide against giving the Presidency to Trump?

Originally Posted by accord1999

The electoral college voters are selected by the parties themselves.

They are selected, but ahead of time. I read an article on election day about a Dem college voter from WA who vowed to not vote for her. Basically you can do it, but there are fines and repercussions within the party these people probably don't want to deal with. I don't think there has been a case where a college voter has impacted the outcome of the election, so it may be uncharted waters still.

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by robbie111

Watching the media reaction lately and it seems to be fueling protests instead of calling for unity. Just my observation.

Just a quick question to any of our American friends on this board, what happens if the states in the electoral college (December 19th) decide against giving the Presidency to Trump?

Several states have passed laws requiring their electoral voters to vote as the people do (completely removing the reason for the creation of the college in the first place but whatever). The unbound voters can do as they please, they do not have to vote for Trump but they will.

[getbak]

Bob Woodword gives a run down of all the "deep secrets" that Trump is about to be briefed on: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...492_story.html


Reading that, something occurred to me: A Trump Presidency is going to destroy the whole world of conspiracy theories. The moon landing, UFOs, the JFK assassination... If Trump gets briefed and finds out that one of those conspiracies is actually true, there's no way he'll be able to keep it a secret. So, I figure by June of next year, one way or the other, we'll know the truth about every big government conspiracy. If he hasn't spilled the beans on something by then, we'll know it's not true.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by getbak

Bob Woodword gives a run down of all the "deep secrets" that Trump is about to be briefed on: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...492_story.html


Reading that, something occurred to me: A Trump Presidency is going to destroy the whole world of conspiracy theories. The moon landing, UFOs, the JFK assassination... If Trump gets briefed and finds out that one of those conspiracies is actually true, there's no way he'll be able to keep it a secret. So, I figure by June of next year, one way or the other, we'll know the truth about every big government conspiracy. If he hasn't spilled the beans on something by then, we'll know it's not true.

If anyone really believe in these type of mindless conspiracies a Trump presidency wont change a thing.

crazy is still crazy.

[Acey]

Originally Posted by getbak

I figure by June of next year, one way or the other, we'll know the truth about every big government conspiracy.

I can't imagine he'd want to nuke his presidency though.

In the event the Dems get themselves together, massive public distrust in government seems a perfect thing to leave them with in 2020.

[djsFlames]

Have people watched this video yet? Watch this video. Great thought provoking rant for those that are still dumbfounded by the outcome.

NSFW

Spoiler!

Alienating people that desired change was Clinton's downfall. Too by the script, not enough speaking to the people off of it (ala Trump) and being more ambitious in her platform, rather than sticking to the status quo. Because it wasn't satisfactory to a large amount of people. Her gender hardly played into it.

But beyond that we need to be more tolerant of differing views and open to discussion. We need to choose persuasion over insults. And not accusing people of having low intelligence if they don't agree with us. I agree. And I think the media isn't helping at all, as it is has been firmly on one side all along. And it's only fuelling further isolation of those that voted for Trump's mantra of change (terrifying change, but change nonetheless) in the wake of the results, which appears to have had the support of a lot more people than previously thought.

Some people are suggesting that the creating of a social rift like this where a portion of people have jumped behind a narcissistic leader type preaching change and greatness (inspiring in some, a cult-like following), while the remaining population is strongly opposed, and alienating those who support it is a domino that leads to later large scale conflict, even (eventually) war. And Brexit was another, perhaps one that helped inspire this movement by the american population.

I mean some may laugh at it, but what can we really predict about a future where two men like Trump and Putin are in possession of the reigns of two powerful nations that are relied on for global security?

So how about we do our part and not let things go that way by being open minded and choose discussion over ignorance. Bridging that gap. Maybe, if nothing else, to avoid the sorts of things our predecessors had to go through, why don't we?

Just my thoughts.