The Next President is...

[herkbier]

Too lazy to look it up.. how many Americans emigrate to Scandinavian countries? How many Scandinavians immigrate? Wonder which model America should continue with?

[nsplayr]

2 hours ago, Homestar said:

I dunno, man.  At some point it's like spotting the contestant R-S-T-L-N-E.  They just make the puzzle harder so you have to chose three more consonants and another vowel.  If everyone has a degree then the differentiator for the good jobs will be "advanced education" or something.  Before you know it everyone will be in the school system till their thirties and not contributing to the economy.

Two years of technical school (electrician, diesel mechanic, plumber, etc) I can get behind.  Dirty jobs.  I see you.

Tennessee is 37th in terms of percentage of the population with an undergraduate degree and below the overall US average, so we have a ways to go before the "shitter's full" on college degrees in the state.

The (Republican) Governor and (Republican) state legislature have put into place programs to support the stated goal of 55% of the adult population with a degree or technical training certificate by 2025. I like the ambitious goal and I like that technical training is included, as it should be.

I'm also a big believer that education shouldn't be job training, there is inherent value in additional education regardless of employment outcomes. Job training is also great and needed and can be part of a well-rounded education, but you won't find me scolding people for pursuing education regardless of the subject.

"An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people." - not an actual Thomas Jefferson quote, but likely derived from his writings & also true.

[di1630]

Here in my European welfare state country higher education is free so there’s a good chance the guy serving you drinks has a history degree and the girl washing dishes has an art degree after graduating at age 30.

They spend time wishing they had a technical degree or skill so they could emigrate to America and work in an economy not held down by socialism-lite....well until the dems get their way anyhow.


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[brabus]

I have far less personal experience in Europe than many on this site, but in the time I've spent there on various TDYs talking to my counterparts, its loud and clear their system is not great.  What di1630 is saying is on par with what my counterparts have said during those trips.  One example was a Maj who was considering going to school (similar to us going to a civilian school for ACSC), but to even get a basic apartment was nearly unaffordable...on a Major's salary.  Taking his family wasn't even in the equation, they would have to stay on their bum fuck island in the middle of nowhere - no other option was remotely affordable.  Not a single pilot I talked to had much, if anything, to say in terms of, "Yeah that sucks, BUT let me tell you about all of the awesome things I get from my government for paying 69% in taxes!"  There's a reason many of those dudes would love to take an opportunity to teach at ENJPPT or fly F-4s at Holloman.  Seriously, Wichita Falls and Alamogordo are AMAZING opportunities they salivate over...if that doesn't tell you something, I can't help you.

Bottom line, life in Scandinavia is not that great for most people.  Yes they are proud of their country, history, etc. and don't love everything about America (makes sense), but pragmatically opportunity (including better QOL) is significantly greater in America than their home countries.  

To the school debate - I think it makes sense to divert tax money away from bullshit like Welfare and use it to send people to technical schools.  I agree with others here, that is not socialism, and honestly makes sense.  I don't think diverting money to pay for Joe Blow to go to UT, UCLA, etc. makes sense - I have a real problem with higher education costs/the product you get these days anyways.  Up the technical school game - there are very good careers one can have going that route.  For example, my neighbor is a master electrician and lives on par with me as a Maj...so my two degrees aren't doing much for me over his technical training (in terms of purchasing power).  I don't care about that, just pointing out the ridiculous stigma that if you don't go to a 4 yr college, you'll be flipping burgers the rest of our life.

Edited September 8, 2018 by brabus

[Sim]

22 hours ago, Sim said:

Where people have actual rights? 

This part hasn't been addressed. And answer is no. No other nation on earth has same "birth" rights as in USA.  

So socialism doesn't work as intended. People do not have rights. Yet somehow people in free world strive to achieve that state. Weird. 

[Sua Sponte]

On 9/8/2018 at 2:26 AM, di1630 said:

Here in my European welfare state country higher education is free so there’s a good chance the guy serving you drinks has a history degree and the girl washing dishes has an art degree after graduating at age 30.

They spend time wishing they had a technical degree or skill so they could emigrate to America and work in an economy not held down by socialism-lite....well until the dems get their way anyhow.


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So, no different than the history major serving you drinks and the art major washing dishes in the U.S? Wait, the U.S. grads are probably $50K+ in debt due to the private college they attended, unlike their European counterparts.

No one put a gun to their heads either to major in those subjects. They should’ve known exactly what their potential employment prospects looked like before they graduated.

[brabus]

So, no different than the history major serving you drinks and the art major washing dishes in the U.S? Wait, the U.S. grads are probably $50K+ in debt due to the private college they attended, unlike their European counterparts.

But in this specific line of discussion, those U.S. idiots who major it art and are washing dishes screwed themselves and it's their mess to clean up (financially), as it should be.  In Europe those same idiots who chose an art degree and are now washing dishes got a free ride courtesy of the tax payers. As a taxpayer, the hell if I'm paying for an art or history degree, I will however be OK if some of my taxes pay for somebody to become an electrician, plumber, etc.  That's technical training that will directly benefit society and they'll contribute to the work force in a manner consistent with their education (vs. getting an expensive, useless degree and only contributing to the labor market in the same manner a high school student could).

[di1630]

So, no different than the history major serving you drinks and the art major washing dishes in the U.S? Wait, the U.S. grads are probably $50K+ in debt due to the private college they attended, unlike their European counterparts.
No one put a gun to their heads either to major in those subjects. They should’ve known exactly what their potential employment prospects looked like before they graduated.

Yeah but in my welfare state, if you are a garbage man at age 25, you are a garbage man until 65 (age rises yearly to keep up with lack of welfare state pension funds) when you have enough work service to collect your 2,000 euro or less pension per month.

Want to work longer? Too bad, mandatory retirement to make space for new garbage men in the workforce.

Want to get a job on the side to supplement your measly state pension? No way, if you do that you lose your pension because you are double dipping.

So enjoy your retirement in your cozy 800 sq ft European apartment and 100hp $7per gallon diesel car that you can’t afford insurance on. Maybe you can hit the overcrowded beaches and mountains with your fellow Europeans competing for limited resources.

At least you get free sub-par healthcare along with the immigrants.

N/A for the politicians who vote themselves the resources of the people.

Hmmm, sounds a bit like socialism-lite, the democrat dream.




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[17D_guy]

Surprised we haven't had any commentary on the bullshit going on with this Supreme Court pick.

[MooseAg03]

It’s exactly that, bullshit. We can’t have an investigation into Rep Keith Ellison beating his girlfriend, but a 30 year old allegation is held back during all of the confirmation hearings and now she won’t even testify until an FBI investigation is started?

I think this woman probably was assaulted at a party, but she was probably too drunk to remember who it was and it now becomes a convenient piece of political theater. She is a pawn for a group that will stop at nothing to lose their influence on the Supreme Court. This is why judicial overreach is bad for the country, the Supreme Court should not matter this much.


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[Prozac]

It sure seemed to matter a hell of a lot to the Republicans when they slammed the door on Merrick Garland. Setting aside the credibility of the accuser’s claims (a whole other discussion), no one on either side should be surprised at what’s happening. Not saying it’s right.  Just sayin’. 

[brickhistory]

11 hours ago, 17D_guy said:

Surprised we haven't had any commentary on the bullshit going on with this Supreme Court pick.

Hey!  Who's turn to make popcorn?

[waveshaper]

I would recommend this step before moving forward with the SCOTUS confirmation hearings; The Senate confirmation members (both sides of the aisle) and most American citizens need to receive a few days of education to refresh their foggy memories on the life/culture/shenanigans/etc of teenagers circa the 1982 era:<)  I highly doubt things have changed much since back then based on my experience raising 2 teenagers about 10 years ago.

The 1982 movie "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" would be a good starting point for these forgetful folks;  Most of the relevant/good video clips are today considered porn so I wont post those:<)

 

Edited September 21, 2018 by waveshaper

[matmacwc]

8 hours ago, Prozac said:

It sure seemed to matter a hell of a lot to the Republicans when they slammed the door on Merrick Garland.  

It’s all games, I still think the Dems are shooting their wad when we all know if RBG kicks the bucket tomorrow they have nothing left in their quiver to fight.  And they gonna want to fight hat one.

[nsplayr]

I'll take the bait: If these allegations are true, Kavanaugh should not be confirmed. Sexual assault is not ok regardless of what decade it happened in. If the allegations are found to be false after an investigation, press with a vote.

These narratives about how things were different then, it was just rough housing, maybe it was someone else, this is a Dem hit job, etc. are appalling. Kavanaugh is flatly denying this ever happened or that he was even at the party in question, and that's the only defense that should be acceptable. If he didn't do this, sorry that false allegations were made and press with a vote that will almost certainly be in his favor. If he did commit this assault and is lying, that's disqualifying, end of story. Not sure why folks are coming up with all these alternative narratives that build a permission structure to waive this whole situation off regardless when Kavanaugh himself is outright denying everything.

The fact that white, male, conservative justices like Roberts, Alito and Gorsuch were all nominated, confirmed with votes from both parties, and installed on the court without these kind of allegations kind of negates the idea that this is simply a Dem hit job. I mean, anything is possible, but we probably should have come up with this tactic a few justices ago right? Occam's Razor - he did it or Ford is lying and decided to set her seemingly nice life on fire very publically, I doubt very highly there is some conspiracy one way or the other.

To me, the accuser has very, very little to gain here by making this public, and she did not seem to want to back in July before her name leaked out. Kavanaugh has a great deal to lose if this is true. We should hear from them both under oath, as well as other relevant witnesses like Mark Judge, who Ford says was in the room during the alleged assault.

If after an investigation happens the allegations are true, withdraw him, nominate Hardiman or whoever else, and press...the GOP will still hold the WH and the Senate until January at a bare minimum, likely longer. After holding the Scalia seat open for over a year, I don't see any reason whatsoever for hasty speed to confirm Kavanaugh to a lifetime appointment that will likely last 30+ years.

I don't support Kavanaugh for a variety of other reasons, but accusations of sexual assault shouldn't be a partisan issue. I would have voted no on Gorsuch too if I were a Senator, but he seemed upstanding and clean as a whistle, and that's what we should all want in each and every one of our Supreme Court justices.

[MooseAg03]

I'll take the bait: If these allegations are true, Kavanaugh should not be confirmed. Sexual assault is not ok regardless of what decade it happened in. If the allegations are found to be false after an investigation, press with a vote.

Kind of like the never ending Russia investigation? How long would an investigation into Kavanaugh take?

The left is using this to try to prevent losing a swing vote on the court, can you imagine when Ginsberg dies? I feel for whoever is nominated for that seat. They’ll have people crawling out of the woodwork to smear whoever it is.

Kavanaugh is not a great choice, IMO. He was tied to closely to the Bush administration. I would have picked Amy Barret, she’s a career woman with a large family, something the left seems to think can’t exist.


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[nsplayr]

54 minutes ago, MooseAg03 said:

Kind of like the never ending Russia investigation? How long would an investigation into Kavanaugh take?

The left is using this to try to prevent losing a swing vote on the court, can you imagine when Ginsberg dies? I feel for whoever is nominated for that seat. They’ll have people crawling out of the woodwork to smear whoever it is.

Kavanaugh is not a great choice, IMO. He was tied to closely to the Bush administration. I would have picked Amy Barret, she’s a career woman with a large family, something the left seems to think can’t exist.


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I mean the Mueller investigation is short by historical standards and there have been dozens of guilty pleas and indictments but ok...

As of today, Mueller is on day 492 for those keeping score at home, i.e. below the first tick mark on the chart above and just over halfway to the average. Whitewater lasted longer than Bill Clinton's entire two-term presidency FFS and Iran-Contra lasted over six and a half years!

I do agree with you that Kavanaugh wasn't a great choice given his Bush-era baggage and that Barrett would have been better. McConnell seemed to agree before the nomination was made. I maintain that if these allegations are true, Kavanaugh should be withdrawn and someone like Barrett should be nominated in his place. She would almost certainly win confirmation.

Edited September 21, 2018 by nsplayr

[brickhistory]

3 hours ago, nsplayr said:

I'll take the bait:

[Homestar]

4 hours ago, nsplayr said:

justices like Roberts, Alito and Gorsuch

Ah the good old days. Things were different then. Yes. Even Gorsuch. Good times way back then. 

[Lord Ratner]

It sure seemed to matter a hell of a lot to the Republicans when they slammed the door on Merrick Garland. Setting aside the credibility of the accuser’s claims (a whole other discussion), no one on either side should be surprised at what’s happening. Not saying it’s right.  Just sayin’. 

With the rather important distinction that they used their completely lawful power to refuse Garland, and they didn't resort to exploiting a questionable accuser for the purposes of character assassination.

[MooseAg03]

The fact that this lady had 3 decades to bring forward her complaint should throw up some huge red flags. Somehow it wasn’t important enough to bring up when he was a legal advisor to the President (a President the media also hated) or when he was being confirmed to be a federal court judge. The reason you’re seeing this now is because of the environment to believe any allegations brought forth against anyone (or anyone the left/media wants to smear) no matter the evidence, combined with the fact that it’s another Supreme Court seat on the line. This same tactic was used against Clarence Thomas, and I hope conservatives and Republicans have the backbone to dig up every weak thread and allegation and use them to bury future liberal nominees. It’s a shitty tactic, but I compare it to the enemy using mosques for military purposes - the mosque should be erased from the face of the earth.

The only reason the left ate their own with Weinstein and Lauer is that the sheer amount of evidence and occurrences of awful behavior were too much to deny once someone started to publicize it. Kavanaugh has dozens of female classmates and co-workers who have vouched for his professionalism and behavior towards women. But we are supposed to derail his career based on a single allegation from 36 years ago? God help us because this sort of shit is going to be used against every nominee or appointee for high level positions going forward.


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[TreeA10]

Liberals have only advanced their ideas through the courts. They lost state referendums along with 1000+ seats in state legislatures during the last administration. Losing the Supreme Court balance dooms their agenda and they know it and will do absolutely anything to stop this nomination. 

[nsplayr]

1 hour ago, MooseAg03 said:

The fact that this lady...

A good round-up of why more women don't come forward after being abused or assaulted.

Here's my proposal: investigate every allegation and punish those who are guilty, regardless of party or status or anything else. As a man who respects women, I'm happy to have a society rid of men who don't. I loved Al Franken as a Senator, but he groped some women and that's not gonna fly anymore and he resigned. Could have stood for an investigation there perhaps, but he did the right thing if he did what his accusers said.

Like I mentioned before, these type of allegations didn't come up against Roberts, Alito, Sotomayor, Kagan, or Gorsuch. Nor did they come up against McCain or Romney, or Palin or Ryan. Or Bush or Cheney. So rather than a widespread tactic of the left, I'd say credible allegations of sexual assault have come up against far fewer people than you'd think if it's really all just a liberal hit-job.

Come to think of it, I can think of one other high-ranking GOP leader who has been credibly accused of, and even bragged about sexual assault on tape though...humm...weird 🤔 He won his race though, so this rarely-used liberal super-tactic doesn't even appear to be very effective...

Look, I'm not sure what happened with Ford and Kavanaugh, but we should find out before we confirm him to be a Supreme Court Justice for the next 30+ years, don't ya think? Kavanaugh denies it whole-heartedly, which is what an innocent person would do, so let's have him, Dr. Ford, and other relevant witnesses testify to their stories under oath and sort it out; there is no rush. If he didn't do it then by all means have the vote and he will be confirmed.

It's not really about the politics here because if the President pulled him tonight and replaced him with another equally conservative nominee that's an upstanding citizen, I'd still be pissed that they're replacing Kennedy, but I would not fault the GOP-controlled Senate for confirming them because y'all have the votes. Elections matter. Holding hearings and voting on nominees is what the Senate is supposed to do from what I recall in civics class...paging Judge Garland...

"Plowing ahead" with Kavanaugh, as McConnell so articulately said today, is foolish, short-sighted, and an example of exactly what most of us hate in politicians. No regard for the facts, no real effort even made to find them out, just push ahead with your predetermined agenda no matter what and don't let the other side ever "win." The worst case scenario for the country is Kavanaugh is confirmed and then more info comes out about this incident, or other women come forward with additional credible accusations. Why risk that potential debacle?

But none of y'all probably care about my late-night thoughts on all this...I'm basically just shouting into the void here. I hope he didn't do it as he claims, because we don't need someone who committed sexual assault on the Supreme Court. 

Edited September 22, 2018 by nsplayr

[di1630]

I made the mistake of engaging some lovely ladies on social media who were talking about Kavanaugh’s guilt.

I simply asked their process for concluding his guilt and if they accepted he “might” be innocent.

It quickly devolved into a man-hating session and the best they could do is “she must be telling the truth and you are a white-male a-hole if you don’t believe her.”

This is politics as usual from the left...completely reliant in ignorance and emotion to push an agenda.






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[Sua Sponte]

If Kavanaugh was in the military, he’d be going to a General Court Martial based on this complaint. That’s how damaging and scary any sexual assault allegation in the current times we live in.