American Politics 3.0 - Back to Brunch

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Haha I don't even remember posting that but, while we're on the topic, Bill Maher just had Benny Shaps on his show. Is that not platforming someone with abhorrent views in the name of "both sides?"

Also this idea that discourse is what renders these ideologies obsolete is completely antiquated and not supported by factual evidence. Far-right groups who get platformed almost always see an uptick in membership any time they're debated somewhere, no matter how badly they get owned.

Bill did open the segment with calling Shapiro out for making a big deal over the 'soft power' of the authoritarian left while conveniently forgetting the power by force of the authoritarian right.

Whether you think he got an uptick in membership from that or not is moot, Shapiro looked pretty foolish the whole interview and anyone who may have been on the fence about him got to see that first hand.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by rubecube

The media are also still hyper-focused on Trump's various foibles rather than discussing current policies and legislation. American political media is a complete dumpster fire.

I'm not saying Trump shouldn't be discussed at all (he's still obviously the biggest player in the GOP), but the fact that he's still the main priority of reporting for a lot of outlets 7 months after he's left office is completely absurd.

He generates clicks and subscriptions - which = money. They are struggling to wean themselves off it.

More of a TV/niche online issue than major newspaper/major online news source issue though.

In my bubble at least - its pretty amazing the impact of his twitter/facebook ban has had in basically keeping him out of the limelight.

[Senator Clay Davis]

A couple things here:

1. "I'm staying up here for 72 hours"....and then of course he walked off like five minutes later
2. Saying "I'm staying up here for 72 hours" is not going to convince people you aren't smoking crack again

https://twitter.com/user/status/1425144135703568395

[calumniate]

Meth Lindell

[rubecube]

What an effed up country.

https://theintercept.com/2021/08/10/...-ghostwriting/

PUBLIC RELATIONS EXPERTS working for a mysterious client have been preparing ghostwritten opinion columns set to run in Arizona newspapers.

The columns sharply warn Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema to oppose civil litigation reform legislation designed to prevent Americans from being forced into binding arbitration. If enacted, the legislation would ensure consumers’ and employees’ rights to pursue civil litigation against corporations, rather than going through a private arbitrator.

The catch? The consultants couldn’t find local Arizona residents to author the columns. Instead, they are offering as much as $2,000 to help identify “normal, everyday” people willing to sign their names to prewritten arguments.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by dobbles

I kind of see it in the opposite light. Had Cuomo not stepped down he would have continued to distract from the very issues you mention. He would have been a huge source of whataboutism for conservatives going into election season. Now that he is stepping down everyone can move on.

Cuomo should get away with what he did? Just move on?

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by zamler

Cuomo should get away with what he did? Just move on?

I havent heard he did anything more than be a full on skeazy old man, of course I havent read the report but I didn't think anything got to the Prince Andrew Jeff Epstein level of criminal pervery

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

I havent heard he did anything more than be a full on skeazy old man, of course I havent read the report but I didn't think anything got to the Prince Andrew Jeff Epstein level of criminal pervery

It's not criminal but breaks any enployment ethics. Although I don't know how groping and kissing are not criminal. It more than just a sleazy old man.

The independent investigation found that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, many of whom were young women, by engaging in unwanted groping, kisses, hugging and by making inappropriate comments,” James told a media conference on Tuesday.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

It's not criminal but breaks any enployment ethics. Although I don't know how groping and kissing are not criminal. It more than just a sleazy old man.

I guess technically groping could be classed as an assault but the cops arent going to arrest anyone unless the groping is on a sexual area, I thought he just was hugging and putting his hand on the woman's backs and the like, not straight up grabbing their breasts or the like.

While he seems a pervy and ridiculous old creep I dont think he should be held to a higher standard than the rest of us just because he's famous

[rubecube]

Manchin and Sinema are going f this whole thing up.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1425435209244332032

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Manchin and Sinema are going f this whole thing up.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1425435209244332032

I would assume they factored in the cutbacks they will have to make to get Manchin on board. Something will pass.

[dobbles]

Originally Posted by zamler

Cuomo should get away with what he did? Just move on?

I was responding very directly to what lanny said regarding the media focus. That they can move on and talk about other topics that are important in 2021 and beyond.

Apologies if I came off as dismissive regarding the allegations and the report. That was not my intention. I hope Cuomo is brought to justice in whatever criminal or civil proceedings that take place. Hopefully this case will be another small step in turning the tide against how men have treated women historically.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by dobbles

I hope Cuomo is brought to justice in whatever criminal or civil proceedings that take place. Hopefully this case will be another small step in turning the tide against how men have treated women historically.

Unless Cuomo forced himself on someone and physically assaulted the individual, this is strictly a civil proceeding. There is nothing in the criminal code in regards to sexual harassment. There is for sexual assault and rape, but nothing for being a creepy lecherous old man who makes comments laced with innuendo.

[dobbles]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Unless Cuomo forced himself on someone and physically assaulted the individual, this is strictly a civil proceeding. There is nothing in the criminal code in regards to sexual harassment. There is for sexual assault and rape, but nothing for being a creepy lecherous old man who makes comments laced with innuendo.

For sure, I just hadn't watched close enough to know if there would be additional women coming forward that might have criminal cases. You know this stuff can snowball.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Yeah, but so far it appears he's just a guy that's a dirty old man who has no inner monologue.

[rubecube]

Pretty sure groping can fall under the "sexual contact" element of NY State Law, but IANAL. It also sounds like they are investigating whether to file criminal charges against Cuomo, so I think it's more than just being a creepy old man with no inner monologue.

https://ypdcrime.com/penal.law/article130.php#p130.05

3. "Sexual contact" means any touching of the sexual or other intimate
parts of a person for the purpose of gratifying sexual desire of either
party. It includes the touching of the actor by the victim, as well as
the touching of the victim by the actor, whether directly or through
clothing, as well as the emission of ejaculate by the actor upon any
part of the victim, clothed or unclothed.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Well, you provided a definition but did not point to a specific charge that could be applied here. The definition means nothing if there is no charge that meets the definition. At best you could interpret 130.52 Forcible Touching, based on the details from the complainants, and even then it is a reach. I'm not sure they'd be able to make a criminal case out of this, especially just for a misdemeanor. Most of the complaints are on his lecherous comments and suggestions of cheating.

[rubecube]

She's right of course. Absolutely bonkers that this is legal.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1425790976480657409

[photon]

They should create a fund that members of Congress can invest in that gives a rate of return based on whether the country is improving, not just a company.

Life span increases? Rate of return increases. More women dying in child birth? Rate of return decreases.

Agreeing on the metrics would be impossible of course.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by photon

They should create a fund that members of Congress can invest in that gives a rate of return based on whether the country is improving, not just a company.

Life span increases? Rate of return increases. More women dying in child birth? Rate of return decreases.

Agreeing on the metrics would be impossible of course.

I'm buying puts all day on life span increases until America fixes their healthcare system and sorts out the obesity epidemic.