The Democratic National convention is about to start!

[Virgil Showlion]

Jul 28, 2016 0:44:09 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

i am a big fan of optimism.

Truth first. Optimism in subjection to truth.

I have no problem with optimism so long as it's based in reality. I have no use for politicians who preach smooth things simply to make people feel good.

Note that this is a general criticism. I haven't watched any speeches at the DNC.

[Virgil Showlion]

Jul 28, 2016 2:44:10 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Jul 27, 2016 22:03:45 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

That never stopped anybody the last 500 times.

Plus, it has recently come to my attention that "taco bowl outreach" appears in the leaked DNC e-mails. Right-leaning sites are predictably all over it. Surprisingly, breitbart.com admits "It is unclear whether Christopher was referring to ordinary Latino outreach itself as “taco bowl outreach,” or whether she was referring to campaign of outreach based on presumed offense within the Latino community at Trump’s tweet."  That's surprisingly... equivocal... of them.

In any case, I don't think the timing is coincidence. Paul is now on a mission to convince every living soul that "taco bowls and chicken buckets" is what Democrats think of minority races.

Do you really think Dems are the only ones who think that way?

"Will you ever stop beating your wife?"

(Yeah, we noticed. )

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Jul 27, 2016 18:13:05 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Jul 27, 2016 16:30:32 GMT -5 AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP said:

AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP specifically: What is this meme supposed to mean?

It seems to me that "taco bowls" is supposed to refer to Hispanics, and "chicken buckets" to blacks, and you're simultaneously trying to insult both groups as well as make light of their quid pro quo relationship with federal Democrats.

Is it supposed to be funny? Poignant? Deliberately insulting? Satirical?

I'm not doing anything. I never once used those words, and I never insulted anyone. This is how the DNC's own emails reveal that the Democratic party officials refer to blacks and Hispanics.  Please do not lay this language at my feet.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Obama did very well last night. If you completely ignore the substance of what he said, Obama was Obama last night. Complete with 119 mentions of...Obama. But seriously, the man can deliver a speech. That's how he got here. Words. Just words.

[Virgil Showlion]

Jul 28, 2016 6:35:14 GMT -5 deminmaine said:

Even with all the great speechifying this week he still had one of my favorite comments so far, back on day one.  When some of the Bern supporters were raising a ruckus and the reporter asked him about it he shook it right off.  "Aw, come on Man.  Do you know how hard they have worked for this?  Let them let off a little steam!"  (Paraphrased)  What a great empathetic thing to say.

Oh, mercy.

They deserve something for all their hard work, after all. It would be cruel not to let them at least complain about being screwed out of any chance of getting their candidate elected.

But you know, I do agree it's better than "When are they going to realize the game is rigged for their own good?"

Good for you, Mr. Vice President.

Empathy. It's what's important.

[Virgil Showlion]

Jul 28, 2016 7:29:08 GMT -5 AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP said:

Obama did very well last night. If you completely ignore the substance of what he said, Obama was Obama last night. Complete with 119 mentions of...Obama. But seriously, the man can deliver a speech. That's how he got here. Words. Just words.

No man on Earth can talk a better game about hope and change.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Jul 28, 2016 0:42:11 GMT -5 steff said:

Or maybe some of us took Michelle Obama's words to heart..."when they go low, we go high".   and CHOOSE to not take the obvious bait, but instead to rise above it.  

to have a better world, we have to be better people.  Step 1 is to rise above the gutter tactics & ignore the ones that we know have nothing to contribute to a discussion except insults, memes, lies, and hateful words. 

We're better than this. 

I'm sure Wikileaks has some interesting stuff on the RNC, but for now at least that's all speculation. In the mean time, we know for certain that Democrats:

Referred to pandering to Hispanics events as "Taco Bowl Events"

Decided to make Bernie Sander's faith (and/or lack thereof an issue)-- telling Baptists he's a Jew (or, he's an atheist)

Said things like "I love you. No homo. Whew!" 

And that the DNC was essentially directing their allies in the mainstream media.  

The DNC took the low road every chance they had- and there's a record of it. Notice that the focus is on who did it- there has been no denial.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Jul 28, 2016 7:40:51 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Jul 28, 2016 7:29:08 GMT -5 AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP said:

Obama did very well last night. If you completely ignore the substance of what he said, Obama was Obama last night. Complete with 119 mentions of...Obama. But seriously, the man can deliver a speech. That's how he got here. Words. Just words.

No man on Earth can talk a better game about hope and change.

Reagan. The difference being Reagan delivered.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Jul 28, 2016 7:38:11 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Jul 28, 2016 6:35:14 GMT -5 deminmaine said:

Even with all the great speechifying this week he still had one of my favorite comments so far, back on day one.  When some of the Bern supporters were raising a ruckus and the reporter asked him about it he shook it right off.  "Aw, come on Man.  Do you know how hard they have worked for this?  Let them let off a little steam!"  (Paraphrased)  What a great empathetic thing to say.

Oh, mercy.


You know, I do agree it's better than "When are these losers going to realize the game is rigged for their own good?"

Empathy. It's what's important.

The empathy was real. Hillary is just politics. Obama is a communist revolutionary- he is a kindred spirit with Sanders, and he is the father of the full blown socialist / communist movement Sanders led.

[happyhoix]

Jul 27, 2016 19:50:02 GMT -5 Pants said:

Jul 27, 2016 18:31:55 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Why didn't anybody jump on him for using racist stereotypes?

It just seems to me that "taco bowls and chicken buckets" is the kind of thing somebody in Ms. Clinton's camp might say to describe Mr. Trump's view of minorities, at which point the expression is "owned" (for lack of a better word) by the Democrats and free for use by Republicans. The logic being that when memes are circulated and people cry racism, Republicans can proclaim the expression originated in the Democratic camp, which puts Democrats on the defensive.

Both parties use it. Extensively.

I suspected it might be the case here because none of you took the bait and cried racism. But that's just a theory. Hence my question.

Honestly? Because this poster has frequently and gleefully crowed that "you can't use political correctness and call someone racistbigothomophobe anymore because Trump!" So what would calling out this obvious racism do? He would just jump in with "NUH UH ITS NOT AND NOW BECAUSE OF TRUMP I DONT EVEN HAVE TO PRETEND TO LISTEN TO YOU!!!!"
It wouldn't change his mind or even make him blink. So what's the point?
Secondarily I've had a 2 day migraine and spent a large part of the day in the ER and I just don't have the fucking energy to have this unwinabble fight today.

Sorry, Pants.

Imitrex and a hot shower usually does it for my DH. Hope you feel better.

[happyhoix]

Jul 28, 2016 6:35:14 GMT -5 deminmaine said:

Obama was great last night.

I was really looking forward to Biden, but it got to be to late for this old camper. Sigh.  Even with all the great speechifying this week he still had one of my favorite comments so far, back on day one.  When some of the Bern supporters were raising a ruckus and the reporter asked him about it he shook it right off.  "Aw, come on Man.  Do you know how hard they have worked for this?  Let them let off a little steam!"  (Paraphrased)  What a great empathetic thing to say.  Sometimes we forget that most of the people in these convention halls (Dem and Rep) worked their tails off for something they truly believe in, and sacrificed a lot to even be there.

Anyway, what a great three day build up for Hillary. The table is certainly set for her tonight. The mood in the house last night looked electric- even on TV. 

Joe was very high energy last night. I didn't see the whole thing, but what I did see was a hymn to the middle class. Very inspiring.

Also took some good jabs at Trump, in that Trump has no clue about the middle class - in fact, that Trump has NO CLUE.

[Opti]

Jul 27, 2016 8:11:24 GMT -5 Shooby said:

  Trump is a lightweight?  Oh ok, lol.  Obama is the King of Lightweights.  

Trump is a pathological idiot. At least Obama is not stupid enough to invite the most dominant world power besides us to rifle through federal computer systems.

[happyhoix]

Jul 28, 2016 7:40:51 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Jul 28, 2016 7:29:08 GMT -5 AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP said:

Obama did very well last night. If you completely ignore the substance of what he said, Obama was Obama last night. Complete with 119 mentions of...Obama. But seriously, the man can deliver a speech. That's how he got here. Words. Just words.

No man on Earth can talk a better game about hope and change.

Yes, it's all just words, but I'll go with the inspirational words that make me want to be a better citizen rather than the fear mongering Trump and his minions are dishing out.

[happyhoix]

Jul 28, 2016 7:57:57 GMT -5 Opti said:

Jul 27, 2016 8:11:24 GMT -5 Shooby said:

  Trump is a lightweight?  Oh ok, lol.  Obama is the King of Lightweights.  

Trump is a pathological idiot. At least Obama is not stupid enough to invite the most dominant world power besides us to rifle through federal computer systems.

And she didn't claim that the tyrannical ruler of Russia, who murders journalists who piss him off and brutally squashes any opposition,  is a better leader than the leader of our own country.

That seems very close to treason, to me.

[happyhoix]

I thought Bloomberg was good, too. He had guts coming out in front of a whole arena full of democrats and outlining the ways that he disagreed with dems and Hillary in particular, but I agreed with everything he said about why he disagrees with the GOP about some things and with the Dems on some things - which is why I'm an independent like he is.

As a billionaire with way more money than Trump has, I liked his take on Trump as a businessman - doesn't treat his employees, his vendors or his customers right. Is not a man of his word. Pointed out that if Trump runs this country like he runs his business we're screwed. Coming from a business man with a much bigger empire than Trump has, this had to piss of Trump. Especially his comment that he (Bloomberg) wasn't given a million dollars to start a business by his father, like Trump was.

One thing one of the commentators mentioned after Bloomberg talked was how Bloomberg failed to say anything about his education, the size of his business or his personal wealth - which is typical, for very wealthy people. Unlike Trump, who constantly brags about his alma mater, his business empire and his personal wealth (which I suspect is much smaller than he claims, which is why he refuses to release his tax records).

[billisonboard]

Jul 28, 2016 7:41:58 GMT -5 AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP said:

...

Said things like "I love you. No homo. Whew!" 

...

I am not sure what this is about and thus can't figure out why I should be offended\disgusted\?? by it.

From:[e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Date: 2016-05-20 13:35
Subject: Re:


I love you too. No homo.

Phew.

Jordan Kaplan
National Finance Director
Democratic National Committee
[phone] (o) | [phone] (c)
[e-mail]

> On May 20, 2016, at 11:34 AM, Zach Allen <[e-mail]> wrote:
>
> Are we back to the point I can say I love you? Because I’d like to.
>
> No more cash bar at the wedding!
>
> From: Jordan Kaplan <[e-mail]>
> Date: Friday, May 20, 2016 at 11:31 AM
> To: Zachary Allen <[e-mail]>
> Subject: <no subject>
>
> Your contract is fine. Amy is not going to allow them to change it.
>
>
>
> Jordan Kaplan
> National Finance Director
> Democratic National Committee
> [phone] (o) | [phone] (c)
> [e-mail] <mailto:[e-mail]>
>
> <image001.png>
wikileaks.org/dnc-emails/emailid/425

Please help me out here AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP See posting below

[mmhmm]

Jul 27, 2016 19:50:02 GMT -5 Pants said:

Jul 27, 2016 18:31:55 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Why didn't anybody jump on him for using racist stereotypes?

It just seems to me that "taco bowls and chicken buckets" is the kind of thing somebody in Ms. Clinton's camp might say to describe Mr. Trump's view of minorities, at which point the expression is "owned" (for lack of a better word) by the Democrats and free for use by Republicans. The logic being that when memes are circulated and people cry racism, Republicans can proclaim the expression originated in the Democratic camp, which puts Democrats on the defensive.

Both parties use it. Extensively.

I suspected it might be the case here because none of you took the bait and cried racism. But that's just a theory. Hence my question.

Honestly? Because this poster has frequently and gleefully crowed that "you can't use political correctness and call someone racistbigothomophobe anymore because Trump!" So what would calling out this obvious racism do? He would just jump in with "NUH UH ITS NOT AND NOW BECAUSE OF TRUMP I DONT EVEN HAVE TO PRETEND TO LISTEN TO YOU!!!!"
It wouldn't change his mind or even make him blink. So what's the point?
Secondarily I've had a 2 day migraine and spent a large part of the day in the ER and I just don't have the fucking energy to have this unwinabble fight today.

This is definitely off-topic, but I sure hope you're feeling better, Pants. Nothing like a two-day migraine to take one to the floor. Hugs, hon! I'm so sorry!  

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Speaking of the Russians...more Democratic party incompetence on display:

On the last night of the Democratic National Convention, a retired Navy four-star took the stage to pay tribute to veterans. Behind him, on a giant screen, the image of four hulking warships reinforced his patriotic message.

Just one little problem: they're Russian warships...

www.militarytimes.com/story/military/archives/2013/03/20/russian-ships-displayed-at-dnc-tribute-to-vets/78536950/

[billisonboard]

re my posting 244:

I was thinking about it and remembered that "if you are explaining, you are losing".

[Opti]

Jul 28, 2016 10:02:47 GMT -5 AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP said:

Speaking of the Russians...more Democratic party incompetence on display:

On the last night of the Democratic National Convention, a retired Navy four-star took the stage to pay tribute to veterans. Behind him, on a giant screen, the image of four hulking warships reinforced his patriotic message.

Just one little problem: they're Russian warships...

www.militarytimes.com/story/military/archives/2013/03/20/russian-ships-displayed-at-dnc-tribute-to-vets/78536950/

Slight problem my friend, that link is from March 2013. Today is 7/28/16.

[Tennesseer]

Jul 28, 2016 10:21:49 GMT -5 Opti said:

Jul 28, 2016 10:02:47 GMT -5 AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP said:

Speaking of the Russians...more Democratic party incompetence on display:

On the last night of the Democratic National Convention, a retired Navy four-star took the stage to pay tribute to veterans. Behind him, on a giant screen, the image of four hulking warships reinforced his patriotic message.

Just one little problem: they're Russian warships...

www.militarytimes.com/story/military/archives/2013/03/20/russian-ships-displayed-at-dnc-tribute-to-vets/78536950/

Slight problem my friend, that link is from March 2013. Today is 7/28/16.

Additionally, last night is not the last night of the DNC.

[dondub]

Reagan delivered alright: weapons to Radical Islamic Terrorists...check. Tripled the national debt...check. Largest tax increase in history on the backs of the middle class and working poor....check. Most criminal indictments and convictions of any presidential administration...check. Illegal funding of anti-democratic terrorist groups...check.

 Is it any wonder that conservatives that have issues with the truth still worship the B actor.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Jul 28, 2016 9:15:42 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Jul 27, 2016 19:50:02 GMT -5 Pants said:

Honestly? Because this poster has frequently and gleefully crowed that "you can't use political correctness and call someone racistbigothomophobe anymore because Trump!" So what would calling out this obvious racism do? He would just jump in with "NUH UH ITS NOT AND NOW BECAUSE OF TRUMP I DONT EVEN HAVE TO PRETEND TO LISTEN TO YOU!!!!"
It wouldn't change his mind or even make him blink. So what's the point?
Secondarily I've had a 2 day migraine and spent a large part of the day in the ER and I just don't have the fucking energy to have this unwinabble fight today.

This is definitely off-topic, but I sure hope you're feeling better, Pants. Nothing like a two-day migraine to take one to the floor. Hugs, hon! I'm so sorry!  

Ditto. My sister gets them. I have seen how paralyzing they can be. Feel better soon!

[Tennesseer]

Jul 28, 2016 10:02:47 GMT -5 AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP said:

Speaking of the Russians...more Democratic party incompetence on display:

On the last night of the Democratic National Convention, a retired Navy four-star took the stage to pay tribute to veterans. Behind him, on a giant screen, the image of four hulking warships reinforced his patriotic message.

Just one little problem: they're Russian warships...

www.militarytimes.com/story/military/archives/2013/03/20/russian-ships-displayed-at-dnc-tribute-to-vets/78536950/

No worse than the Trump tweet showing what he thought was U.S. soldiers but were in fact, Nazi soldiers.



Donald Trump Nazi Tweet Controversy

And then how about all those illegal immigrants scaling the Mexico/U.S. border wall the Trump campaigned aired on national TV. Except the illegal immigrants filmed were in Africa.

[dondub]

That's desecration of the flag!

[happyhoix]

Jul 28, 2016 11:00:33 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Jul 28, 2016 10:21:49 GMT -5 Opti said:

Slight problem my friend, that link is from March 2013. Today is 7/28/16.

Additionally, last night is not the last night of the DNC.

Well, Paul pointed out incompetence, but maybe not on the part of the DNC.

[billisonboard]

Jul 28, 2016 10:21:49 GMT -5 Opti said:

Jul 28, 2016 10:02:47 GMT -5 AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP said:

Speaking of the Russians...more Democratic party incompetence on display:

On the last night of the Democratic National Convention, a retired Navy four-star took the stage to pay tribute to veterans. Behind him, on a giant screen, the image of four hulking warships reinforced his patriotic message.

Just one little problem: they're Russian warships...

www.militarytimes.com/story/military/archives/2013/03/20/russian-ships-displayed-at-dnc-tribute-to-vets/78536950/

Slight problem my friend, that link is from March 2013. Today is 7/28/16.

The 1860 Republican National Convention

I don't see any American flags on that stage.

[Virgil Showlion]

Jul 28, 2016 7:59:54 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

Jul 28, 2016 7:40:51 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

No man on Earth can talk a better game about hope and change.

Yes, it's all just words, but I'll go with the inspirational words that make me want to be a better citizen rather than the fear mongering Trump and his minions are dishing out.

It's not as simple as "fear is bad; hope is good". History is littered with men crying "prophecy to us smooth things," their charismatic leaders doing so, and nations being led into ruin as a result. It's human nature to crave good news about the future. I can surely sympathize.

While a speech may be designed to evoke hope, fear, and other emotions, this isn't its ultimate purpose. The purpose of a speech is to inform, direct, and motivate. Hope and fear are tools to be used to this end. If a nation is headed towards disaster (and America unfortunately is), fear is an appropriate sentiment to instill in the populace. Fear causes people to wake up and realize they're rapidly approaching a cliff. Fear combined with the hope that disaster can be averted is what inspires people to sacrifice and to repent (i.e. reverse course) in service to a goal.

A leader who prophecies good things out of blind faith that the prophecy will fulfill itself via people's positive attitude is a fraud. He is a demagogue, a blind man leading the blind. There must be recognition of the problems, hazards, necessary sacrifices, and the dire consequences of inaction. There must be a realistic plan to change direction and right the ship. Instilling hope in people is only as useful--and I'll add to this: only as moral--as it truthfully conveys the consequences of action and of inaction.

I didn't listen to Pres. Obama's speech last night, but I did hear him speak in 2008 and 2012. His words rang hollow, especially in 2012. He was a man prophesying smooth things without any idea of how to accomplish them. "Hope and change" was a myth. It certainly got people riled up. Americans were waving little flags. The media were fawning. The Nobel Prize committee was smitten. The world was brimming with energy and hope. All of it, worthless. No electoral reform. No campaign reform. Two new wars. Bigger government. A marginal recovery purchased at a cost of trillions. A healthcare bill selling out to insurers. A trade bill selling out to multinationals. Expansion of the police state.

You got status quo. The talk wasn't worth the breath it carried on.

Yet here you are, once again marveling at how Pres. Obama can warm the cockles of your heart by prophesying smooth things. How Donald Trump is wrong to preach doom and gloom. You haven't learned your lesson.

This isn't an endorsement of Mr. Trump's policies or Mr. Trump himself. I consider the few policies he has to be bad ideas, and the man himself is unstable and unprincipled. But as far as where America is headed, he's telling you the truth.

You should crave brutal honesty, not smooth words. You should concern yourself with whether a speech conveys the status quo honestly, and whether it provides a realistic, actionable way out, not how it makes you feel as a citizen. Be rational, in other words.

[Deleted]

Jul 28, 2016 12:35:28 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Jul 28, 2016 7:59:54 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

Yes, it's all just words, but I'll go with the inspirational words that make me want to be a better citizen rather than the fear mongering Trump and his minions are dishing out.

It's not as simple as "fear is bad; hope is good". History is littered with men crying "prophecy to us smooth things," their charismatic leaders doing so, and nations being led into ruin as a result. It's human nature to crave good news about the future. I can surely sympathize.

While a speech may be designed to evoke hope, fear, and other emotions, this isn't its ultimate purpose. The purpose of a speech is to inform, direct, and motivate. Hope and fear are tools to be used to this end. If a nation is headed towards disaster (and America unfortunately is), fear is an appropriate sentiment to instill in the populace. Fear causes people to wake up and realize they're rapidly approaching a cliff. Fear combined with the hope that disaster can be averted is what inspires people to sacrifice and to repent (i.e. reverse course) in service to a goal.

A leader who prophecies good things out of blind faith that the prophecy will fulfill itself via people's positive attitude is a fraud. He is a demagogue, a blind man leading the blind. There must be recognition of the problems, hazards, necessary sacrifices, and the dire consequences of inaction. There must be a realistic plan to change direction and right the ship. Instilling hope in people is only as useful--and I'll add to this: only as moral--as it truthfully conveys the consequences of action and of inaction.

I didn't listen to Pres. Obama's speech last night, but I did hear him speak in 2008 and 2012. His words rang hollow, especially in 2012. He was a man prophesying smooth things without any idea of how to accomplish them. "Hope and change" was a myth. It certainly got people riled up. Americans were waving little flags. The media were fawning. The Nobel Prize committee was smitten. The world was brimming with energy and hope. All of it, worthless. No electoral reform. No campaign reform. Two new wars. Bigger government. A marginal recovery purchased at a cost of trillions. A healthcare bill selling out to insurers. A trade bill selling out to multinationals. Expansion of the police state.

You got status quo. The talk wasn't worth the breath it carried on.

Yet here you are, once again marveling at how Pres. Obama can warm the cockles of your heart by prophesying smooth things. How Donald Trump is wrong to preach doom and gloom. You haven't learned your lesson.

This isn't an endorsement of Mr. Trump's policies or Mr. Trump himself. I consider the few policies he has to be bad ideas, and the man himself is unstable and unprincipled. But as far as where America is headed, he's telling you the truth.

You should crave brutal honesty, not smooth words. You should concern yourself with whether a speech conveys the status quo honestly, and whether it provides a realistic, actionable way out, not how it makes you feel as a citizen. Be rational, in other words.

[Opti]

Jul 28, 2016 11:35:56 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Jul 28, 2016 10:21:49 GMT -5 Opti said:

Slight problem my friend, that link is from March 2013. Today is 7/28/16.

The 1860 Republican National Convention

I don't see any American flags on that stage.

I don't get why its a big deal or even necessary to have the flag. Are the attendees likely to forget they are Americans?