Trump

[SeaEagleRock8]

OK, open borders.

Don’t even exist?

And maybe some ‘far left’ organisation promotes open borders - but I wouldn’t have a clue. I assume however that most far left, or even left, or even moderate parties probably advocate for relaxing immigration restrictions.

Hence my answer to the Q is a qualified ‘yes’. But more likely just a theoretical yes, in that far left organisations might have an ultimate future vision of no borders for humanity – but it’s not a realistic goal in the current world.

Having said that - I’m guessing, and not at all familiar with any ‘far left’ politics.

To me ...‘left’ means basically pro reforms aimed at improving the lot of the population at large, especially those who are suffering most under the status quo.

To me, right means opposing those reforms, in order to maintain the status quo. And in practice often means supporting measures that actually worsen things for parts of the population, on the grounds that the status quo would be under threat if they didn’t.

So do I support open borders? In theory yes, for our utopian future world wouldn't even need borders. Again, it’s not a realistic issue for anyone, anywhere (so far as I know). And does this mean I’d welcome hostile armies into the country? Of course not.

In Australia open borders would have as much chance of major party backing as gun reform would in the US. Lots of people want some change but neither party would touch it (for fear of electoral backlash).

Am I pro immigration? Yes. And I strongly oppose Australia locking up asylum seekers for 10 years or more while ‘processing their claims’. I think that is horrible

 

[Brookie1973]

OK, open borders.

Don’t even exist?

And maybe some ‘far left’ organisation promotes open borders - but I wouldn’t have a clue. I assume however that most far left, or even left, or even moderate parties probably advocate for relaxing immigration restrictions.

Hence my answer to the Q is a qualified ‘yes’. But more likely just a theoretical yes, in that far left organisations might have an ultimate future vision of no borders for humanity – but it’s not a realistic goal in the current world.

Having said that - I’m guessing, and not at all familiar with any ‘far left’ politics.

To me ...‘left’ means basically pro reforms aimed at improving the lot of the population at large, especially those who are suffering most under the status quo.

To me, right means opposing those reforms, in order to maintain the status quo. And in practice often means supporting measures that actually worsen things for parts of the population, on the grounds that the status quo would be under threat if they didn’t.

So do I support open borders? In theory yes, for our utopian future world wouldn't even need borders. Again, it’s not a realistic issue for anyone, anywhere (so far as I know). And does this mean I’d welcome hostile armies into the country? Of course not.

In Australia open borders would have as much chance of major party backing as gun reform would in the US. Lots of people want some change but neither party would touch it (for fear of electoral backlash).

Am I pro immigration? Yes. And I strongly oppose Australia locking up asylum seekers for 10 years or more while ‘processing their claims’. I think that is horrible

Appreciate you taking the time to put these thoughts together. I fundamentally disagree with how you define left and right, and think that is the crux of many of the issues in the world today. But let’s leave that discussion for another day.

 

[Brookie1973]

Remembering The 100 Million Killed In The Name Of Communism

It is crucial that we pause to remember the millions of lives lost and the millions who have suffered under the darkness of communist regimes.

ipa.org.au

If communism is the ultimate expression of leftism, it’s record to-date at improving the lot of the population at large isn’t great.

 

[Brookie1973]

Fact Check Team: Republican push for citizen only census count sparks debate

A contentious debate is unfolding nationwide as Trump-aligned Republicans advocate for a U.S. Census that counts only American citizens.

thenationaldesk.com

Seems reasonable to only count citizens in the census. Thoughts?

 

[manly al]

Can understand Trump's determination to try and control and instigate some better border controls , especially with the Rio Grande separation area but may have to pull his head in a bit with the threat to take over New York's affairs if an apparent more radical so called leftest major is elected .
Know that he bases a lot of his approach on bluff and bluster but this is in the loopy category if ever he really seriously considers it and the election does not go to his liking .
Tough one naturally in the middle east , pretty much , extremist and war monger elements in both Iran and Israel running the show there now or for some time now .
Harsh as it may be , probably the least - best outcome there right now in terms of Iran and its proxies being degraded but absolutely no excuse or justification for the still ongoing and out of proportion harmful and lethal effects on the civilians of Gaza
Spent 2 weeks in Ukraine in early 2013 and seemed as plain as day even then the divide between the largely Russian speaking and ethnic East and south of the country and the central , western regions
The western section of Ukraine only came into effect after W W 2 , being then part of Poland , Romania and some Austrian influence and a very strong Nazi influence there in parts [ and still
is according to plenty of reports ]
Anyway , just seemed a tragedy that there could not have been a simple ethnic and cultural division , similar to what occurred in Czechoslovakia [ now Czec republic and Slovakia ] in the 90 's
Have a really big river to form some type of a natural separation in a good part of the disputed regions there and would have resulted in roughly a 70 - 30 split Ukraine 's way , pretty much what is going to eventuate on present indications and likely outcome .
Maybe Trump will hopefully soon accept the reality that it has largely been a civil war for the best part of 11 years now and that N A T O and Russia should be able to accommodate the reality of partition if he can use U S influence and his to help facilitate it

 

[lsz]

Fact Check Team: Republican push for citizen only census count sparks debate

A contentious debate is unfolding nationwide as Trump-aligned Republicans advocate for a U.S. Census that counts only American citizens.

thenationaldesk.com

Seems reasonable to only count citizens in the census. Thoughts?

Considering they provide services to non citizens I would think they need to be considered in some way.

Thank god we have an independent electoral commission / census operation that is not partisan.

 

[lsz]

Also re Epstein

I still do not think it is a conspiracy but the way the admin has handled it has been awful. Also it shows why throwing wild conspiracies (like Patel and others did before office) is a classic case of grifting

 

[Brookie1973]

 

[manlyfan76]

I've been following Spidey for years. He has some great videoes if your into mentalist a/ body language

 

[manlyfan76]

Also re Epstein

I still do not think it is a conspiracy but the way the admin has handled it has been awful. Also it shows why throwing wild conspiracies (like Patel and others did before office) is a classic case of grifting

You don't believe Epstein was a criminal who was protected by government?

 

[Brookie1973]

It’s good that the far left is finally getting some long overdue exposure.

 

[lsz]

You don't believe Epstein was a criminal who was protected by government?

I think there were some very dodgy deals involved in his earlier prosecution, but I don't believe it's part of a massive conspiracy.


What I do think is that a bunch of right-wing grifters pushed a conspiracy theory while they were out of office because it was a convenient cash cow. Now that they’re in a position of accountability, they’re being exposed for what many of them, like Patel / DanB truly are: grifters.

 

[manlyfan76]

I think there were some very dodgy deals involved in his earlier prosecution, but I don't believe it's part of a massive conspiracy.


What I do think is that a bunch of right-wing grifters pushed a conspiracy theory while they were out of office because it was a convenient cash cow. Now that they’re in a position of accountability, they’re being exposed for what many of them, like Patel / DanB truly are: grifters.

Ok, but dodgy dealings is conspiring?

Have you looked into the case and the connections involved? Whitney Web would be one I think knows the most about Jeffery.

Just on Patel etc the best explanation I've heard is they are neither right or left but In or Out . And they do anything to be the In.

 

[Brookie1973]

Lucky there are no grifters in the democrats.

 

[lsz]

Lucky there are no grifters in the democrats.

An honest question

Can you ever acknowledge when the right gets it wrong without immediately deflecting to the left?

This question comes up because of the situation that many right-wing grifters have created around conspiracy theories.

Take people like Dan Bongino and Kash Patel. They built careers, and made serious money, by selling conspiracy narratives. But now, when push comes to shove, there’s nothing there.

So was it ever a real conspiracy? Or was it just hollow from the start?

 

[lsz]

Ok, but dodgy dealings is conspiring?

Have you looked into the case and the connections involved? Whitney Web would be one I think knows the most about Jeffery.

Just on Patel etc the best explanation I've heard is they are neither right or left but In or Out . And they do anything to be the In.

Honestly I think it just another case of someone with money using that to get a better deal for themselves. I am sure there are people who have acted improperly but I do not think it is a widespread conspiracy.

All that said I have not looked into it as there is a lack of credible reporting which says to me there is not much in it.

 

[Brookie1973]

An honest question

Can you ever acknowledge when the right gets it wrong without immediately deflecting to the left?

This question comes up because of the situation that many right-wing grifters have created around conspiracy theories.

Take people like Dan Bongino and Kash Patel. They built careers, and made serious money, by selling conspiracy narratives. But now, when push comes to shove, there’s nothing there.

So was it ever a real conspiracy? Or was it just hollow from the start?

I honestly know very little about these guys so I have no idea if what you are alleging is true or not. All I know is that grifters exist on both sides of politics and it is hypocritical to continually call out one side and not the other. I don’t see anyone acknowledging that the democrats I called out in post #628 are grifters.

And again, just because you believe Bongino/Patel are grifters it doesn’t mean it’s factual, so you can’t demand someone agrees with you.

Finally, if we are talking conspiracy narratives, what about the grand daddy of them all, the Russian Collusion Hoax? Are Comey and Brennan grifters?

 

[lsz]

I honestly know very little about these guys so I have no idea if what you are alleging is true or not. All I know is that grifters exist on both sides of politics and it is hypocritical to continually call out one side and not the other. I don’t see anyone acknowledging that the democrats I called out in post #628 are grifters.

And again, just because you believe Bongino/Patel are grifters it doesn’t mean it’s factual, so you can’t demand someone agrees with you.

Finally, if we are talking conspiracy narratives, what about the grand daddy of them all, the Russian Collusion Hoax? Are Comey and Brennan grifters?

Re post 628 I would say lets wait until they have their day in court before leaping to judgement.

As for the russian collusion hoax (your words not mine) are we honestly going down that path again? I am sure we have agreed to disagree on that one

As for Kash take this from him before he was in a position of power

 

[Brookie1973]

Re post 628 I would say lets wait until they have their day in court before leaping to judgement.

As for the russian collusion hoax (your words not mine) are we honestly going down that path again? I am sure we have agreed to disagree on that one

As for Kash take this from him before he was in a position of power

I’ll wait until kash has his day in court before leaping to judgement. What is he charged with again?

 

[Uber Eagle 72]

What a circus the world is/ has become over the next 3 and half years there will be endless drama and scandal whether it is 100% true or not. Most of it will be likely manufactured…Trump is a media tycoons dream! One thing I know is that the US system is completely screwed… especially with the politicisation of judges ( very scary stuff) and the utter grubbiness of it on both sides of the spectrum…in saying this I personally think the other candidate in the election last year was worse. The mind boggles that the democrats could not find/ produce a better candidate… trump only exists because of the incompetence of the Democrats who with the exception of fox had the lion share of media support…and budget…I personally will not be buying into the scandal gravy train that the next few years will bring. Trump has a lot of flaws but he is not the devil he is portrayed as by CNN and alike…..which our main stream media predominantly reflects…yes with the exception of fox…