Hi joe!

As Monster says - Trump & Farage?
OMG. I hope the billionaire paid him well to stand there and talk about politics and the little people after he (Nigel) took Euros for years and then quit after Brexit.

I never liked him because of his political bent.
Now I feel it's okay not to like him because he lied, manipulated and feathered his own nest and I could stand in Court and say that.

Also, if he had a cunt, I'd punch him in it.

Good morning joe.

Joe!

Glad to see you checking in Joe. Stick around.

We have an explanation...

Funny.

Speaking of absurd, I watched the last twenty, twenty five minutes of his speech in Greenville NC. It was fractured and difficult to follow. But the strangest part was at the end when he finished with "...and we're going to make America great again (tm)!", the music that played as he waved to the crowd and gave two thumbs up was "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by the Rolling Stones.

WTF?

I am baffled as to the reasoning behind such a choice, an obviously deliberate choice, not a random choice. What is the logic?

What logic?

"you'll find you get what you need."

Subtle.

Out of character, possible, but subtle.

Today I drove by a truck with a Trump sign--not a bumper sticker, an actual yard sign duct-taped to the tailgate of the truck... just above a Coexist bumper sticker.

This city is so freaking bipolar.

Okay, that is new. A prank maybe?

There is still one Hillary sign on my daily commute, many Trump signs, and a couple Bernie holdouts.

Yeah, but you live in Pennsyltucky. Here's a pic of me at the Luzerne County Fair

Just got back from Wayne County PA and if yard signs there are any indication, Trump wins by a freaking landslide.

Don't be fooled by Pensyltucky that's not where the majority live/vote. the key is Philly and Pittsburgh.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/...ll-win/497561/

Excellent article. Please read.

I'm only part way through the article but I'm wondering about the idea that an enormous number of people would watch the debates. I suppose reality tv still exists and Trump supporters are likely to tune in for that and Hillary supporters seem to be in a place where they believe the process and their candidate is real so maybe they will watch two horrible people for three evenings. I don't think this will be a Lincoln / Douglas situation. They argued over how to save a Republic. No this is two jackals over a carcass. Car crashes do get rubber necking but when they start pulling out the bodies I think it'll just make people feel sad and slightly guilty that our generation is the one that quit on the American experiment.

Read a couple paragraphs before I remembered I don't give a shit. But that was long enough to dismiss it:

The debates are far different from the past. In 1960 they represented a great deal of the information people would get about the candidates. TV was a fresh medium, 95% of news arrived at the house in print, and most people had not seen the candidates "live" very often, if at all.

Today we have seen and heard them so much we want to puke, a year before they ever set foot on a debate stage.

In 1960 a lot of people would be moved by the debate as to whom they should vote for. Today that is unthinkable. Almost all people are highly polarized, and almost all of them have decided months ago. Most people will watch because they are interested to see how bad the candidate they don't like is.

I wonder if the tv folk realize how irrelevant they are?

It has over 10,000 likes, and over 11,000 retweets...so far.

Well, the three main props of the "Leave" campaign have now been kicked out from under them and exposed as lies.
But people still voted because of those lies. Some intelligent people had their own reasons for wanting Brexit, but many voted because of ridiculous soundbites.

I remember when I was in my early teens, first taking an interest in politics, and it became apparent someone in a very high position of power had lied. I don't even remember who it was or what he'd done. I just remember being so confused. When people were "exposed" in Enid Blyton books, or even on Scooby Doo, no-one ever believed them again and they were officially Bad People. Then I learned how the real world was much more broken than that.

I don't know the facts about the above post re Trump. But I do believe he is a liar. Okay, it helps that his politics are pretty much opposite mine - you always want to believe the worst of those people. But I find him scary.

Bit of British politics:
I do not approve of Theresa May's politics. I would not vote for her as Prime Minister - although we don't vote for party leaders here. But if we have to have a Conservative in Government, she's probably the best of a bad bunch. I don't think she's corrupt. I admire Jeremy Corbyn (Labour) for his vision, but he's the wrong man at the wrong time. Far too divisive. And I'm not sure I trust him either. I think he's been sneaky. I was right about Keith Vaz. Nothing wrong with rent boys and drugs if that's your bag. A lot wrong with lying and hypocrisy. Bring back Tony Benn (RIP).

It's sad that the true visionary MPs are the real constituency MPs and don't make it off the back benches.

And a quick shout out to Greg Mulholland (Liberal Democrat), for whom I voted. He holds a surgery here in the library, which drives me crazy because of the noise, but I see a great many people walking out happier and more reassured than then they walked in.

What is a surgery, in this context? In the US it would mean a doctor in an operating room with blood and scalpels.

In the UK a 'surgery' is where you go to consult your doctor (GP).
It's a somewhat confusing term as surgery isn't carried out there at all, with the possible exception of a small number of very minor procedures.
Members of Parliament make themselves available for constituents to consult them at various locations, and have borrowed the term, so refer to these sessions as 'Constituency Surgeries'.

One has always said "Doctor's Office" in the states, but mine has transformed itself into a "Health Center". I guess I like that? There's more than doctors there, there's a whole slew of labs and stuff my insurance won't let me use.

He's a public pandering, narcissistic, racist jackass who knows nothing about politics, which is about .5% less than me.

I can't add anything to what Carruthers has said re surgery. I have no idea where the connection is - perhaps originally a place of consultation?

I also cannot add anything to what Sellers has said. Except he is doing himself down in that comparison.

Just lower your bonnet and move on. No reason to do any surgery.

How? All I said was that Trumpzilla knows even less about politics than me, and I don't know much about politics myself. Letting the other Dwellars know my lack of an abundance of political knowledge is my choice.

The Economist now (17 Sept 2016) has an expression for wacko extremists that routinely lie - and are respected for lying. Trumplestilskin defines the intelligence level of Trump supporters. These same people also voted for George Jr. But a con-man Trump has out done those lies and "breaks new ground". These same type people became brown shirts in the 1930s.

"Power through"

"Surgery" (UK) = "Office Hours" (USA). Usually only used by medics and politicians, but sometimes by academics (I suspect a tad tongue-in-cheekily). and I think also by people like counsellors (e.g. debt, employments, legal) who offer free advice to those needing help. Neither politicians nor Medical Doctors work in the same way in the two countries, so there really is no direct translation, but I believe this is closest.

Thank you. I hadn't considered the connections - the Citizens Advice Bureau* have surgeries too, visiting libraries and other public places.

*ETA - a volunteer-led agency which help people with things like debt, simple legal advice and legal rights. Free of charge.

Really, dude?

The absurdity of *this* episode is that many (many) people will just consider this part of what they LIKE about Trump. How is this ok? Guys, hm? You've said worse, I have too. I'm ashamed now, and I wouldn't repeat that shit. I haven't and wouldn't say such things in front of my son. And my daughter? Fuck that shit--no fucking way. I KNOW there's no father here that would tolerate anything like this if it involved their daughter. How can it be OK for any other daughter?

Trump will never be President of this nation.

Doesn't seem to have ruffled the religious right much.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...-comments.html

I think after this election we can completely ignore and dismiss the evangelical vote and any moral pretenses they make. If we didn't know they were hypocrites before, their continued support of Trump despite his desire to be Crotch-Grabber-in-Chief has illustrated it with flying colors.

Jon Huntsman called for him to step aside.

I've maybe said worse when I was a youth. Don't really remember. I know I have heard worse, but I was with my adolescent buddies and not making small talk with a freaking stranger on a bus as an adult. If Trump will say this stuff as small talk on a bus with a stranger he is only briefly meeting for business, what does he say to his closest confidante?

I saw an article last week about at least three women who have accused him of rape over the years. The first two, including an ex-wife, dropped their complaints when he paid them hush money. But the third has a court case that is still going forward and there was a witness to that rape.

Safe to say the dude is not like you or I.

You should really watch this video of Ana Navarro if you haven't seen it yet (the important bit is at the end):

http://mediamatters.org/video/2016/1...ell-her/213644

Scary part are the 40% of Americans so easily brainwashed as to love this guy. He can insult everyone like a school yard bully. And they love him. He can promote changes to the laws that only enrich the richest. They love him. He can insult women - and they love him. He can disparage based in race, ethnicity, immigrants, other allied nations, religion - even the handicapped. And they still love him. No wonder so many love the massacre of almost 5000 American troops in Iraq for no useful purpose. It says how many adults are still children. It demonstrates that brainwashing works. Trump could kill anyone in a stadium in front of 50,000 worshipers. And not be convicted. Because so many adults are that much children. Once they *know*, then Trump can say or do anything - and they love him. It is the definition of brainwashing.

George Wills recently rescinded his Republican party affiliation due to people who now dominate the party. Due to the lowest intelligent people who now openly demanded other Republicans support The Donald. George Wills is a lifelong and adamant Republican. He would periodically sponsor dinners attended by all major right wing Republicans. Because their hate and child-like ignorance is so dominant, even George Wills quit his party.

Republicans are doing today what Nazis did in late 1920s and early 1930s. Only more intelligent Republicans see this serious and dangerous problem. And have spoken out publicly.

Scary is how 40% are so easily brainwashed by The Donald's rhetoric. That (and not The Donald) is the scariest part.

I just listened to NPR's Weekend Edition where they were interviewing Mr. Reed...He of the "Family Values" set...

While condemning Trump's remarks as both a Christian and a father, he then immediately defended Trump as the only candidate who would be anti-abortion, appoint conservative Supreme Court judges, and generally support those family values. You get the feeling they'd vote for the Prince of Darkness as long as he aped his support for Family Values well enough.

The cognitive dissonance is scary.

The Donald - I Can Grab That

Can grab that
Can grab that
Can grab that (oh-oh oh oh oh-oh-oh)
Can grab that (oh-oh oh oh oh-oh-oh)

My-my-my-my libido makes me so hard makes me say oh my Lord
Thank you for blessing me with a name for fame and two right brains
It's good when you know your power
A horny rich-boy from the Tower
Oh your bod is fab
And that is a piece uh I can grab

I tell you pretty thing I can grab that
Yeah that's how we're livin' and you know I can grab that
Look in my eyes pretty thing I can grab that
You know let me touch those lovely curves I can grab that

Give them a kiss or a squeezin'
Making 'em want me that's what I'm giving 'em
Now they know when you talk about The Donald
You talk about a man who's hype and trite
Lovelies are struttin' I make passes all night
Or a grope to show 'em what it's gonna take
And now I'm gonna grin
The players either play hard
Or they might as well quit

That's the word because you know
Can grab that (oh-oh oh oh oh-oh-oh)
Can grab that (oh-oh oh oh oh-oh-oh)
Break it down
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh)
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh)
It's Donald time

Every time you see me The Donald's just so hype
I grope all around with magic fingers that they like
Now why would I ever stop doing this
With others makin' small talk they're just twits
I cop feels 'round the world from London to the bank
It's Donald go Donald
It's The Donald yo Donald come with me and play

Can grab that (oh-oh oh oh oh-oh-oh)
Can grab that (oh-oh oh oh oh-oh-oh)
Can grab that (oh-oh oh-oh-oh)
Yeah I can grab that
I told you I can grab that (oh-oh oh-oh-oh)
Too hyped gotta grab that
Get me in there I can grab that
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)

I look forward to looking back at your lyrics, sexobon. I read through, and they're up to your usual high, wry standards. But I just can't laugh at this yet. Perhaps as gallows humor.

I like John Huntsman. He's got some company. Makes me think about the range of tolerance for bullshit slash distaste/hatred/abhorrence of Clinton.

Some people can take a LOT of shit; we all can, to some degree, but jeebus.

Most people have spent their adult life hearing insults of "Hilary". We all know who preached that one word expression - Rush Limbaugh.

Brainwashing works. Over 60% of Americans knew smoking increases health. A classic example of brainwashing. Hearsay that exists for decades creates brainwashing. A majority of Americans will deny a subconscious belief hammered by Limbaugh propaganda. One need not ever listen to Limbaugh to be influenced by his propaganda. Because brainwashing works when repeated constantly for years.

Hold someone to facts about Hilary - they have none. They will recite a mantra. Because brainwashing (since 1990) works. Because a majority unfortunately make decisions from their emotions - not from facts.

Mantra: a repeated word, sound, or chant to facilitate a spiritual power and a transformation of consciousness. Also called brainwashing. It works on people who make conclusions based in their emotions.

Scary are many who still worship The Donald.

Trump is so scary and ignorant that even George Wills resigned from his party. Even John McCain rescinds his support. This week demonstrates who were recruited by Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, Cheney, Ingraham, et al to the Republican party.

Scary is not Trump. Scary are Americans that are so easily manipulated. That should alarm so many Cellar dwellers in Australia, Europe, Canada, and elsewhere. I am surprised how many outside America have remained so silent. Trump supporters are that scary.

Hey, we're down to only 40% brainwashed! That's much better than the British who are at 52% (voted for Brexit). Only in AMERICA! What a great country with such promising people. No one else can pretend to know better than us.

You can put getting it down to 33-1/3 percent on your bucket list. Then we'll have a 2/3 majority who aren't brainwashed and can run the country any way they want right about the time you drop dead.

Ask not what your country can do for you, but ...

It doesn't matter, but 37.44% (17,410,742 of 46,501,241) of those eligible (not all of them British) voted for Brexit.

Yours is the percentage (38) reported here as being for the Scotts. For all British it's been 51.9%. i'm so sorry.

My figures are correct.

Would the "No" side of "Should Scotland be an independent country'? with 2,001,926 (55.3%) voting against independence and 1,617,989 (44.7%) voting in favor; also, be correct?

Yes, that seems accurate.

I'm so sorry.

I think about this thread from time to time. Like on the half hour. . .

I just can't keep up. It would be easier if it were a ticker or the crawl at the bottom of your screen.

My OMFG meter keeps breaking. Words fail me.

The Mooch is gone before SNL even had a chance... Sad!

It is all a little surreal.

It is like some strange sci-fi dystopia come true.

For too long we watched our politicians sitting around doing nothing. We felt that we weren't getting anything for our money. Now we watch them running around like chickens with their heads cut off ... doing nothing. We're still not getting our money's worth; but, if we don't find our politicians enlightening, we should at least find them entertaining. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was closing its doors just as the Trump Whitehouse was opening its. We Americans have impeccable timing.

The idea behind this thread has long ago been swamped by the antics of the thread's subject. Still, he manages to surprise, surpassing his own dubious records with comically juvenile statements like this:

Yes, yes, Mr President. We *know* you have a button, it's the one the leader of the DPRK is jumping up and down on. You can't be shamed, but you damn sure can be baited.

Unfortunately, this is the kind of coocoo horseshit a segment of his base wants. As much as you and I enjoyed No Drama Obama despite his failings some folks prefer bluster constant fucking bullshit. They wanted a disgusting individual and we all get him.

You're shortchanging those who just wanted to see more of Ivanka.

An excellent short read on the Decline of Anti-Trumpism.

David Brooks remains one of the great analysts of his industry. His conclusions routinely include interesting twists in what must always exist to have knowledge - the reasons why.

Having said that, he forgets to mention an example of his first point:
So did Hitler. First impressions (also called emotions) are deceiving. Hitler was popular because he did what Trump does. He was a raving maniac to his less educated supporters. And he carefully manipulated the informed with effective spin and reasoning combined with strategically appropriate and well practiced insults. That has always been a Trump trump card.

George Jr's administration did same. But did not have to learn how to work around their president. George Jr rarely made decisions. He could not even get out of the child's chair in FL as planes were crashing into the WTC. He waited to be told what to do.

Trump would not do that. He would recklessly strike out unless his subordinates told him how to think before he could have an emotion. That is David Brook's second point.

SUCK IT, LIBERALS.

Trump. Doesn't. Literally. Have. Alzheimer's.

signed, Ronny/Ronnie Jackson
and the members of the "low bar-setting" committee