tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post1726115205406497679..comments2024-01-05T06:18:18.086-05:00Comments on CommentaramaPolitics: Backward JudgmentAndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-38736793849648081652016-05-02T21:32:12.264-04:002016-05-02T21:32:12.264-04:00Koshcat, Each of those is quite likely actually!Koshcat, Each of those is quite likely actually!AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-34828427983009414452016-05-02T14:54:44.948-04:002016-05-02T14:54:44.948-04:00200 hundred years?
1. They won't understand o...200 hundred years?<br /><br />1. They won't understand our addiction to oil as by that time most of energy will be electric through small community nuclear power devices.<br />2. No one in a large city will own a car. Why when you can get anywhere with with self driving personal devices.<br />3. Farmers will run their whole system from a computer in their home...250 miles away.<br />4. Gunpowder will become obsolete.<br />5. Prison will become obsolete as a criminal will have a personal control chip that disables you with an excruciatingly painful electric shock that is completely harmless because it will be a small shock specifically directed.<br />6. Islamic terrorists will still be around but they will all be child raping assholes...oh, wait...and MSNBC will still be asking us to consider their true underlying feelings.Koshcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00552108950848576633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-10362886961527123542016-05-02T00:39:56.914-04:002016-05-02T00:39:56.914-04:00P.S. Nice takedown of Hillary's counter.P.S. Nice takedown of Hillary's counter.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-9304802230754978332016-05-02T00:39:21.687-04:002016-05-02T00:39:21.687-04:00tryanmax, I saw that they were tied. That's h...tryanmax, I saw that they were tied. That's horrible for Hillary for several reasons.<br /><br />First, throughout my life, the polls have always had a pro-Democratic bias. In every election in my life time, the Democrat started with a huge lead over the Republican and then it tightened. Even in 1984, Reagan and Mondale were tied when the polling started or showed Mondale with a slight lead before Reagan raced ahead and won in a landslide. In every other race, the Republican added to their points and the Democrat lost points. If Hillary and Trump start even, that's disaster for Hillary.<br /><br />Secondly, the reason Trump's numbers aren't better is that the primary isn't over. Right now, almost everyone on the left is choosing Hillary over Trump in those polls, but Cruz's supporters and Kasich's supporters are likely picking Hillary to make Trump appear weak. Once the nomination is over and it is officially Trump v. Hillary, those people will drift back to Hillary or drop out, which means Trump's numbers rise and Hillary's fall. Even the ones who stay with Hillary are already in her support figure. Hence, Trump has an upside in those polls still, Hillary doesn't.<br /><br />Also, the race always changes once the candidates start talking to the public rather than the primary voters. Trump is already starting to pivot and his numbers are growing. Hillary seems to be going the other way with a plan to pander to get her left-flank turnout up. That's a horrible strategy.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-64862364402387741712016-05-02T00:27:58.340-04:002016-05-02T00:27:58.340-04:00Kit, Rasmussen just released a poll showing Trump ...Kit, Rasmussen just released a poll showing Trump and Hillary tied. This comes after a week of the media claiming that Trump's "woman card" comment was a gender based attack and swooning over Hillary's clumsy and transparently focus-grouped response in the way of her "deal me in" punchline and an official woman card available on her website. This is the perfect opportunity to point out that while "playing the woman card" is an obvious allusion to a card game, and "deal me in" is an appropriate response, the woman card available from the Hillary website resembles a credit card. That's a gaffe in itself. But then when you consider the implications of buying something on credit, it suggests taking something not yet earned. Also, what about negative stereotypes of women with credit cards. The whole maneuver was poorly thought out and I hope I'm not the only one pointing it out. tryanmaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09881154741574720094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-22291291289220670242016-05-01T23:23:48.389-04:002016-05-01T23:23:48.389-04:00Maybe a break from politics will give me the persp...Maybe a break from politics will give me the perspective I need. Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-9617626383892077242016-05-01T23:23:17.054-04:002016-05-01T23:23:17.054-04:00You know what?
I need a break. I'm going to t...You know what?<br /><br />I need a break. I'm going to take one. I'll write a review of <i>Wolf Children</i> for Tuesday prior to Mother's Day. Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-57082679117500724492016-05-01T23:18:00.223-04:002016-05-01T23:18:00.223-04:00"I think Trump will actually win by a wide ma..."I think Trump will actually win by a wide margin."<br /><br />First, I think he will get crushed. Every poll, I mean EVERY SINGLE POLL shows him getting clobbered in every demographic except white males. Which means the baseline is not 50-50, it's now more like 60-40 (Dems ahead). And the Senate will be Democratic and the House will be in serious danger.<br /><br />second, re the Trump image. The problem is that asshole Trump <i>is</i> the real Trump. That is who he is. Look at his behavior for the past thirty-plus years. We'll basically elect a Berlusconi as President, which is tolerable if you are a second-rate European country, but a global disaster if you are the world's top superpower. <br /><br />If you want a glimpse of that, look here: <a href="http://thefederalist.com/2016/02/15/donald-trump-is-americas-berlusconi-whose-rhetoric-won-his-country-nothing/" rel="nofollow">LINK</a><br /><br />"In Italy, Berlusconi’s personal drama derailed a center-right movement that had been struggling to recover from devastating corruption scandals. But in America, the tragedy is worse: Trump is derailing a center-right party that had been looking forward to the rise of a whole new generation of promising leaders who are in danger of being cast aside in favor of a media celebrity."Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-49193677837414505752016-05-01T22:53:13.478-04:002016-05-01T22:53:13.478-04:00Daniel, We'll have to see. But I have several...Daniel, We'll have to see. But I have several reason to believe things won't go too poorly.<br /><br />First, I think Trump will actually win by a wide margin. Why? Celebrities win in America... as do the bold. Hillary is worn out and deeply unpopular. Trump has already calmed down some of his worst moves and keeps moving toward sounding more reasonable and acceptable to average people. He's humanizing himself. What's more the GOP will stop trying to destroy him as he pulls ahead of Hillary.<br /><br />Second, our political system is tied 50/50 and turnout matters. Trump has found a replacement for the people who will stay home. Hillary has not.<br /><br />Third, as for the country, our political class has never had less influence with or power over the public. The result is that the election is actually largely irrelevant to the country's future. Our left and right are like whiny children fighting in the back of a minivan driven by the public. They are not driving the bus.<br /><br />Fourth, I do actually believe that Trump is selling an image and the real Trump will be much more normal and less assholish than the campaign Trump.<br /><br />Fifth, the House will remain Republican no matter what, so little will happen unless they allow it.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-22536515725406693832016-05-01T22:44:28.366-04:002016-05-01T22:44:28.366-04:00Bev, Further, you are right that we do air our dir...Bev, Further, you are right that we do air our dirty laundry because Americans are pragmatic do-it-yourselfers who try to fix the problems they find rather than sweeping them under the rug. Airing our problems is the only way to do that.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the fact we say these things often makes people think they are more important than they are or it lets them misinterpret our debate for division.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-33961219253646902752016-05-01T22:42:33.321-04:002016-05-01T22:42:33.321-04:00BTW, I just published tonight's article becaus...BTW, I just published tonight's article because it backs a lot of this up.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-53870214844748461992016-05-01T22:42:17.518-04:002016-05-01T22:42:17.518-04:00Thanks Bev! I really think that's what it is....Thanks Bev! I really think that's what it is. Since 2012, I've tried very hard to take a look at the world beyond our political culture and the things I've found have been amazing: Americans are much more traditional than people get, yet they are very open to new ideas and they are, above all, fair and take a live and let live attitude. Race is no longer a big deal for them. They don't hate anyone. They are remarkably pragmatic even as they maintain a strong belief in their principles. They see the world getting better all the time and America leading the charge. They see their own lives constantly improving. They have tremendous faith in each other, in the police, in the military, in charities, in business, in science, and in education -- they ignore politicians unless one interferes with their lives. They love to work hard, striving for the American dream, and they love to play hard.<br /><br />This is all the exact opposite of what our political class tells us on every poli-news site and program. And it's out there to be seen if you put aside the propaganda and examine the world around us in good faith.<br /><br />The public may not be perfect and may not agree with everything I wish they did, but they are much much better than our ideologues want to believe.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-25109825789799094722016-05-01T21:55:16.852-04:002016-05-01T21:55:16.852-04:00I hope you're right about America going strong...I hope you're right about America going strong, Andrew. My big worry about it all is with conservatism having committed suicide what's going to keep liberalism in check? It's starting to sound to me like the things you saw in Colorado are about to play out nationally with the public being offered a choice between destructive but sane-sounding liberalism and openly toxic, fringe conservatism, choosing liberalism each time, and moving the country farther and farther left. That's one worry I haven't been able to shake.<br /><br /> - DanielArgentGalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01173296751792700318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-26804659083545286222016-05-01T21:21:11.731-04:002016-05-01T21:21:11.731-04:00"The chattering class wants to believe that A..."The chattering class wants to believe that America is failing because it helps then sell their pet peeves as critical to the nation. Basically, they are lying to depress you so you will think their ideas are needed to save us all."<br /><br />Andrew, that is what I was trying to say, but you said it much better. Also remember that Americans are famous for loving to "air our dirty laundry in public" too. BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-11483247475160326172016-05-01T21:00:08.802-04:002016-05-01T21:00:08.802-04:00I made it up. It was that or Poliectomy. :)
Seri...I made it up. It was that or Poliectomy. :)<br /><br />Seriously though, take a step back and take a look around. I think you'll be surprised how great America still remains and how it keeps getting better. The chattering class wants to believe that America is failing because it helps then sell their pet peeves as critical to the nation. Basically, they are lying to depress you so you will think their ideas are needed to save us all.<br /><br />It's not true.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-7329124225674081242016-05-01T20:53:32.705-04:002016-05-01T20:53:32.705-04:00Kit, we have been at this point many times..and we...Kit, we have been at this point many times..and we will survive and be better for it. Sometimes reasonable people need a lesson in how bad it can really get before they come to come back to the middle ground. Oh, don't get me wrong, it's going to get worse before it gets better. After all, it's the 60's all over again (pick any century). But take this to the bank (if they survive), we have a strong foundation in our Constitution. And what you are hearing is the loud fringes, not the rational middle.<br /><br />Btw, the full blame sits squarely on the shoulders of the "Tea Party" movement. What started off as a focused middle aged/middle class fiscal sanity movement turned into a stupid, irrational destructive force with no brain and no direction except to scream "destroy the establishment". And it gave birth to an even more brainless and directionless movement "Occupy Wall Street"...and the politicians and media saw what they had and squeal with delight. A mob for hire anytime they needed one...click bait.<br /><br />But it will get better...<br />BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-33659117430610225022016-05-01T20:45:47.464-04:002016-05-01T20:45:47.464-04:00"Poliotomoy," where is that word from?"Poliotomoy," where is that word from?Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-43235901632969300202016-05-01T20:43:33.085-04:002016-05-01T20:43:33.085-04:00Andrew,
I'm considering it. It just keeps sne...Andrew,<br /><br />I'm considering it. It just keeps sneaking back in.<br /><br />I remember unplugging from the news during Christmas break, some of the happiest days of the past 6 months.Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-76897089242372311842016-05-01T20:37:59.109-04:002016-05-01T20:37:59.109-04:00Kit, Might I suggest a Poliotomoy... a separation ...Kit, Might I suggest a Poliotomoy... a separation from most political news for some time? America is doing quite nicely unless you listen to the politically connected, who want you to believe the end is nigh so they can sell you something.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-27157201960205120782016-05-01T20:28:56.307-04:002016-05-01T20:28:56.307-04:00And, yes, I am starting to earnestly believe Ameri...And, yes, I am starting to earnestly believe America is past the point of no return. Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-88656844112665156022016-05-01T20:28:02.291-04:002016-05-01T20:28:02.291-04:00I also think America is now in terminal decline. I...I also think America is now in terminal decline. If I live 50 more years I will end my days in a country Balkanized along racial and ethnic lines. <br /><br />I think America is now a corpse but, like Bernie, no one quite realizes it yet. But eventually, they will. I think Putin knows it.Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-50426251781895743412016-05-01T20:23:04.309-04:002016-05-01T20:23:04.309-04:00Kit, Yep, pretty much.
The thing is, conservative...Kit, Yep, pretty much.<br /><br />The thing is, conservatives are to blame. They got away from using their ideology to find ways to make life better for people and they became about obsessions (Bill Clinton... RINOS... abortion... gays... Obama... Mexicans) and suicidal gestures. Conservatives haven't been ideologically conservative since before Clinton's impeachment.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-83730096864921827012016-05-01T20:17:59.990-04:002016-05-01T20:17:59.990-04:00Bev, Because I work for Prozac.Bev, Because I work for Prozac.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-2168108183094017002016-05-01T20:13:09.747-04:002016-05-01T20:13:09.747-04:00The GOP, in nominating a big government, isolation...The GOP, in nominating a big government, isolationist, anti-free trade, and pro-abortion leftist, can no longer be called conservative in any sense of the word. <br /><br />As an American ideology, conservatism is dead. Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251675227852122352.post-53581254601322246472016-05-01T16:58:51.910-04:002016-05-01T16:58:51.910-04:00Why do you insist on depressing me, Andrew?? 😢Why do you insist on depressing me, Andrew?? 😢BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.com