The VastBoard

Well, now that I have a working computer ... having had 2 hd's crash on me due to 'windows cannot boot from' (conspiracy suspected, blasted Microsoft) ... I am somewhat returned again. But without a decade or so of data. Mostly. Waiting to see if I can pull stuff off the old drives, got the proper tools coming in soon. Huzzah. Now ... to remember how to log in everywhere to everything ... blah. Hope all's well with all of you, and Oz man - you get that writing going and make it work for you! Talented son of a botchie.

Ayzifa wrote:

I'm somewhat worried he'll actually have a shot at the presidency. Maybe I'm just cynical and don't trust the American population.

I wouldn't worry. Look at the way Palin soured McCain's run, made everyone scared that she would be just an old man's heartbeat away from the Oval Office. If Trump secures the Republican nomination (unlikely in the extreme - the Republican party establishment doesn't like Trump any more than anyone else who isn't Trump) he'll be handing the presidency to the Democrats. If he runs as an independent candidate (which he's almost flat-out said he will if he doesn't get the Republican nomination) he'll siphon enough votes from the Republican lunatic fringe to hand the presidency to the Democrats (similar to how Nader drew enough Green votes out of the Democratic Party in 2000 to hand the 2000 election to Bush). Basically, Trump's involvement in the Republican primaries is a godsend to the Democrats. He has no chance to get anywhere near the Presidency himself.

Dread lady nathicana wrote:

I had an odd idea the other day when pondering how in hell Trump can be anywhere in the polls. And I came up with 'Liberal conspiracy', oddly enough. Think about it - the more people think he's ahead, the better off the Democratic party is, for many reasons you've just pointed out. Hell, I even figured that for Fox News, if you can believe it. Half of what goes on there could only be trolling and a total pisstake, really. How better to discredit a group than to continue to encourage them to make a mockery of themselves?

It all fits ...

0_0

It sorta fits, but it disregards the colossal scale of Trump's ego; he's not the sort of man to dance on another's string. He's certainly not the sort of man who can possibly remain silent about it - we've seen just how unfiltered his speech is recently, after all. "He's a fifth column" is a possible explanation for someone within an organization making that organization look bad, but it's not a probable one. "Never attribute to malice what can adequately be explained by stupidity", after all.

Eh ... that's possible I guess ... I imagine Trump's ego makes him fairly easy to manipulate in some ways, so the right person saying the right words could easily have Trump going "Y'know, you're right, I SHOULD run for President!".

To be honest, I think he's genuinely running on his own ideals, and I think to a large extent he genuinely represents the views of the rank-and-file of the party. (In fact, my guess would be that compared to his support, his views are somewhat soft... but then again, I think of American conservatism as more or less a political veneer for personal nastiness.)

The Republican Party has spent decades upon decades stoking inherent mistrust of minorities and large public institutions. Why are we (the country as a whole) so surprised that it's paying a small amount of dividends now?

I think part of the whole problem is that American politics, and the democratic process over here, has become a parody of itself. We look ridiculous, no matter what side of it you support. We have politicians saying utterly stupid things on a regular basis. We have them doing about-faces on issues constantly, and people can't seem to remember one week to the next that they are - they just know that's who they support, or what party they support. Proof? The studies that have been done with people, with two opposite things being said, claimed to be by favored or unfavored party/person, and the subjects agreeing or disagreeing with both points emphatically. We as a people tend to vote with our feels, not our heads anymore. Its problematic.

I have no faith in a system where only the rich and influential have a shot at representing the majority of us - who aren't anything close to that. You'll hear them go on about how 'the rich' ought to do this or that, without so much as batting an eye that its themselves they're talking about. Their supporters don't seem to recognize it either. A great many of the candidates seem to be a joke, we can't seem to get away from the idea of this two-party system, regardless of what party is in control, we don't have a government whose first and foremost consideration and concern is for the citizens of our country, and they all seem to be more worried about their kickbacks, their power, and what the other guys are or aren't doing than getting the goram job done. How many times have we had a government shut-down or threat of it now? How many times has congress sat on its backside while things needed doing? Yeah, sorry - don't buy the 'this party' or 'that party' is at fault. It's the lot of them. Our system is borked.

You've got a good point, Sunset. I haven't been able to take Trump seriously any of the times he's dabbled in politics, and for the life of me, can't understand why he's getting so much 'support' this go 'round. It certainly does make sense, though, doesn't it? If one steps away from this, that, or the other emotional investments and the like. Add to that, as I've mentioned, the largely liberal media and all their coverage, and the inherent sway it has over a lot of the citizenry - don't believe me? Ponder how often you hear 'I saw it on the news/internet/paper' what have you, spoken as if it is gospel. If the media were actually about news, and not about ratings and keeping their viewership up, I'd lend it a bit more credence. Unfortunately, the 'news' has become the most recent entertainment/drama provider, and it has been for some time now. Retractions, corrections, all of that matters little - a thing once seen/heard, and all that. Hard to put it back in the bag.

Anyways, I'm rambling/ranting again. Surprise. And no, I'm not supporting either side in this, as I think they're both whacked, so please no 'you damn conservative' or 'you liberal muckraker' inferences, please. Bastardry, across the board, I say. High time we cleaned house, and got rid of the old school/good old boys regime, and injected some common frickin' sense to it all.

Grr. Argh. *shakes fist*

Sakkra wrote:

And now the cane-throwingest, fist-shakingest codger gets up from his rocking chair, puts down the moonshine and squirrelin' rifle and stands on the soap-box.

I almost hope by all the sinners in heaven and all the saints in hell that Trump wins! And if you ask why, it's because schadenfreude is one of my greatest joys in life. When everything collapses in on itself and the world starts burning, I'll be standing on the tallest rock with the biggest stick yelling 'I voted for C'Thulhu, so you can't pin this on me'. Also because sometimes the poop-pile has to get big enough and smelly enough before the majority decide to do something serious about it. Some folks willl know that of which I speak.

Also, grr. Argh. *shakes fist harder*

You use the German term "schadenfreude" and it is an appropriate term for your position. Pleasure from another person's misfortune. Better that someone else is the victim, eh? So the vicious circle just continues and what comes around keeps going around. We won't solve any of our problems like that except our own petty emotional issues, but only temporarily. Now, it is a German word and it makes me think of all those crazed Germans wanting some form of this in the 1930s. They chose Hitler. Then eventually for them, what they wrought on Europe, Asia and Africa found it's way back to them in 1944-45. Oops. Maybe breaking the cycle is a better idea, but I must warn you it is a liberal idea and one this guy named Jesus had 2000 years ago, minus the church's dogma of course. I am not about religion though, just workable solutions. Stop hating people. Look at yourselves first and see if you really are so perfect as to be judge.

Personally, I hope Biden runs. He's honest to a fault. He hasn't used his position to enrich himself ever. How novel. Then it would be great to see Elizabeth Warren as his running mate. Bernie is nice, but he's a bit too angry. As for Trump's motives, who knows? But one thing is for sure, he is the nemesis of Jeb Bush, from his initial statements announcing his candidacy and right up to the current date. If nothing else, he may be ending the Bush dynasty, which is a positive development.

Schadenfreude.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3_DjiLLDfo

So, one week before the wedding and I go and twist my ankle while helping a friend move. I have it elevated while the Lady goes to pick up an Ace bandage and Icy-Hot, but it's entirely possible that my sword fighting plans will be curtailed. We'll see what happens the rest of the week.

Dread lady nathicana wrote:

Goddammit, Trez - I expect to be entertained out there seeing you get your ass beat by your lovely lady! Not just handing it to her while you gimp around! Look at it this way. At least it isn't a shot to the ass.

:P

Seriously, good luck and hope you get feeling better soon. Wubs to you both!

You should really say Moddammit instead. :)

YEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAW MOST PACIFIST *fires guns into the air wildly*

You? sentimental? Dear lord ... I hope they got that on film. ;) I can't wait to see the vid and pics, and am so glad you were able to have your day. Miss y'all, and again, wish the sudden and unexpected drain in my savings never happened. Was very much looking forward to witnessing and sharing in the fun. Congrats, hot stuff. You two are awesome, and I wish you both all the happiness you can squeeze outta this life.