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This day has been a shock to many people around the globe, me included. I wake up and look at the news and think this must be a joke. But nope, it's official, Donald Trump is the president-elect of the United States.
And first of all I want to take this opportunity to thank all the leftists who worked diligently to push everyone who disagreed with them in one camp.
Over 40% of his voters are women if I'm not mistaken, maybe if the left was a bit less intense with throwing labels around on everyone who disagrees with them - as is once again exemplified in the above post - Trump wouldn't have won, because a huge part of his voters are simply anti PC and tired of being called shit every time they voice an opinion. It's either bigot, or racist, or -phobe, or -ist with you guys, so there you have a backlash, a disgusting one.
You were the one who shut off the dialogue, who used ad-hominems as discussion-stoppers, and so the silent majority voted for the guy who represented what they have lost in your society: the right to speak their mind freely and be heard, to say unpopular things, provocative things, 'triggering' things! Your whiny, perpetually offended, preachy, virtue-signalling self-glorification and demonisation of people with opposing views has fuelled the support for the only candidate who promised a future where you would finally lose! This was aimed at making you feel as powerless as the other side - the bunch of 'bigots, racists, misogynists and islamophobes' - has felt for a long time.
True, this could be not the only reason which drove people to vote for Trump, why, some might have voted because he said Bible was his favorite book, but more likely it's because people don't like being bullied into accepting points of view, they like to get convinced (or emotionally seduced). And name-calling and label-throwing is a form of bullying, of silencing, of shaming people into agreeing with you.
While Gaad Sad was arguing in favor of Trump (on this anti-Muslim basis alone, as I understand), and I still think people shouldn't have voted him in notwithstanding, I'm going to link to his short 'post-election' video (audio) here because he has some good advice to give to both parties.
Another pro-Trump/anti-Hillary argument I've seen was some variant of 'no war with Russia in my name'. This is not the left's fault, this is just simple-minded thinking: "we make Russia happy - there will be no war". Yet wars don't only happen because someone provokes or threatens someone's interests, they also happen because the aggressor can, because there's nothing to stop him from acquiring more power, land, popularity. Appeasing Hitler went so well, when nobody wanted to die for Czech Republic when he annexed part of it. It must have seemed so clear-cut back then: "just give him what he wants, there's ethnic Germans living there, let Hitler just have it and we forget this nighmare". But why would it end on 'Sudetenland'? If the gutsy guy sees you have no teeth, no willingness to fight for your convictions, then why should he abstain from pushing your limits some more? And more? And more? Isn't it what happens when you don't stand up to a bully once that it repeats every day he sees you and also gets worse with time? He does it because he can, you're weak and pathetic and no bully respects weakness. If there's anything Russia and Russians despise is weakness. They're hailing Stalin today, 'man of steel'. Back in 2005 Putin called the breakup of the Soviet Union - the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century. So if your strategy is turning the other cheek in this case - you just might be inviting the bigger war, not stopping it.
Americans seem to believe in owning weapons. Because a criminal with a gun is not so enthusiastic if he knows he can be met with a gun. Why is it suddenly all about showing loving embrace instead of a stick to a Russian bully today? With respect to an ex-KGB Putin they're suddenly tree-hugging hippies wanting to throw flowers at him to cure his anxiety. "We love you, Putin, please stop incorporating more land into Russia, ok?" That's gotta work, right? Especially, seeing how Obama has 'deterred' him. Obama showed himself as a weak leader, he drew lines for Assad which he then crossed and ... nothing happened. And that's when Putin sent his military to Crimea and occupied it. Weakness did it.
Abandoning NATO allies, leaving Ukraine to fend for itself - you do realize these things will change the world, and if US isn't going to act as a superpower any more then Russia will. And then I have a question for you: how far would you tolerate Russia to stretch? If you don't care at all, then carry on. Maybe not only Palin would then see Russia from her window in Alaska.
If at some point you do think you would draw the line then wouldn't it be wiser to give this clear indication now rather than after some aggression has already begun and Putin has more to lose?
Now, there's a chance that Trump won't actually be too friendly with Putin, and that is where the fun might begin, the only possible positive outcome of Trump's winning this election - his unpredictability and impulsivity. The confrontation with Russia could either happen because Trump would find it more advantageous to himself at some point for some reason, or due to him following his advisers insights. But it would be something that goes largely against his voters current aspirations and his promises. BTW, one of the reasons I wouldn't vote for Trump is because he never struck me as a man who would strive hard to keep his promises, but now that he's soon to be in power, I might actually look forward to this trait, hahaha.
Coming back to the despised political correctness, I wish Western world would take notice finally. With Brexit and now ex show man as US president, the rise of the far right in Europe, ruling elites should start asking themselves some hard questions and resist the temptation to blame suddenly popping like mushrooms 'racists', 'far right extremists', nationalists on .... what? what do they think might be the cause for that? I think the answer is in the mirror. Continue excluding people from normal dialogue regarding the issues that concern them by placing labels, continue issuing 'hate speech' laws and you'll have populist extreme demagogues winning elections solely on politically incorrect rhethoric. You're not in North Korea, you're not ruling obedient peasants who don't care what freedoms they have and whether their voice is heard (even though they might spend majority of their time watching movies and playing 'PockemonGo'), people in the West have certain affinity towards free speach, it's a biggie, it provides a sense of dighnity, of certain power even. So please stop pushing for censorship before you divide your countries to the point of a possible civil war.
Finally, of course, life goes on, the Titanic we're on is still floating (though might have just suffered a greater hit), so we keep on watching this crazy world until we are no more. Those who feel scared now because what happens next is largely unpredictable - welcome to my world! :) People in Ukraine can tell you so much about not knowing what happens tomorrow, even not knowing if the war erupts in their very towns the next day. Still, people adapt, we're good at adapting, I wish we weren't, frankly, human race would've put itself out of its misery long time ago but we are, and so you will suck it up and face tomorrow, even if to see how this gigantic gamble will turn out for the world.
P.S. Here's the best selection of reactions to Trump's winning to cheer everybody up http://www.boredpanda.com/funny-reactions-trump-winning-presidential-elections-2016/
More posts from this category: Osama Bin Laden's death, US foreign policy, conspiracy theoriesRussia invades Ukraine. Pessimist's thoughts on war (video) Updated
theMeme
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10-11-2016
As Obama wasn't the reincarnation of christ, saviour of mankind, bringing love and peace into the world, Trump isn't Satan who will burn down the world (or the USA), introduce fascism or whatever. So no need to be hysterical, as some leftists seem to be. Though he has some street smartness that he needs as a business-man. But in general, he just too dump to be truly evil (or least to be able get away with it). But ok, he said, that what's the point of having nuclear weapons if you don't use them. But he said a lot of absolutely ridiculous and absurd things. So I don't worry about that too much. But If were an US-American I would be concerned about his political incompetence and that he is obviously a compulsive liar who is just saying shit, without caring if anything he says is true or not. So it's not entirely clear what he really stands for and what his real positions are, or if he has any plans (I guess he hasn't any) So I think he will have a hard time in global politics, because other politicians wont take him seriously, or to be able to see him as a 'reliable partner'. The irrelevance of the US in global politics will continue, and I don't think that this is a good thing. That doesn't mean that I am a big fan of their current foreign politics. But if they become more irrelevant, or just don't care anymore, the 'eastern block' will dominate world politics (who's politics I don't like either). It's better if there is a kind of balance, keeping each other in check. When it comes too home policy: Things will get more traditionalist, the economic divide will continue as usual,,,running the economy into the ground..and people who voted for him will be very disappointed. All of that is unfortunate, but hardly the end of the world. So secret doomsday-fantasies won't become true (maybe that's the real tragedy )
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Irina |
10-11-2016
Hey theMeme, moved your comment here, to this dedictaed to elections post. Right, I just laugh at the crying meltdowning people, WTF? You lost a loved one, your house being foreclosed, you've been diagnosed with cancer? So this dude won, 4 years of nightmare, that's all But really, I understand people being shocked, disappointed, fearful about the effects on economy etc but the extreme North Korea style grieving? That's too much. You gotta grow up, people, things don't always go your preferred way. Maybe you shouldn't have been creating all those 'safe spaces' in the world where it's one huge turbulent unsafe space, always have been and will always remain that. Grow a thicker skin. But just the same I laugh at those elated, ecstatic, celebrating loonies. You haven't won anything yet, and even if the horse you bet on did come first you're still the same loser you were yesterday so calm the f*ck down People who are more pro than against Trump, who asses his personality more soberly, I can understand them, even though I disagree, they want to take this risk and hope it brings more good than harm, I get that, especially knowing that Clinton wasn't a good choice eaither. People who have serious concerns about Trump and see him as the worst of the worst given his incompetence and ...ehem...intelligence - I understand that too, and I'm in their camp, I wouldn't take the risk with Trump. With another person with similar rhethoric to his - I most likely would, but not this guy. I completely agree, US foreign policy has been very questionable at times, to say the least, but just like in these elections we're left to choose between more and less 'evil', there's no other way, and Russia is far more dangerous if let loose, to quote Donald Trump: "Believe me!" lol |
Brian W.
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10-11-2016
Great essay, Irina. I am completely horrified that Trump will be President. He reminds me of Yanukovich of Ukraine; a big, dumb, thug.
Trump is not smart, don't be mistaken. He is also clearly mentally ill and probably is a sociopath. So, we trod onwards. I live near Washington D.C., so if he has a nuclear war, I won't be posting anymore on your great site So terrible. I went to see a Priest tonight and told him that I was horrified. He said all I can do is pray (I hope that works but doubt it) and do good works. There's nothing I can do other than meditate. I just hope our Democracy has checks and balances to keep this lunatic in check. |
Irina |
10-11-2016
That's exactly what Ukrainians mention since Trump's victory: the electing of our now run-away president, Yanukovich. They say, apparently, every country has to have their own 'yanukovich', been there, done that))) And after that protests started, the 'Orange Revolution'. But we protested because there were numerous evidence of forgery of the vote, so that was justified. But you guys aren't, part of the country chose this person, you have to accept it now. That doesn't mean you shouldn't change your outdated voting system where popular vote is still not a final verdict, I was wondering years ago why the hell aren't you just relying on popular vote? Clinton did win by that one... Oh the last thing I think Trump is is smart. He might be cunning, and business-smart, but not the kind that is required to be involved in international relations, to have strategic thinking and vision of the future, and even business, man, wasn't he going bankrupt once or twice? Yeah, there's actually good chance that your checks and balances will keep this president from doing any great harm. Don't worry so much, nothing you can do to change this, just like me worrying that Russia will attack tomorrow doesn't do shit to prevent it, so I don't (well, almost not, hehe) |
Kirk
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10-11-2016
It was slightly amazing that Trump won, but living here in Texas one is surrounded by people that think religiously, without necessarily being very religious, and haven't pursued much mental exercise to better their rational capacities.
Many do not have college educations and are raised with prejudices instead of facts and compassion. And they need to blame something, immigrants, women, the Chinese, the Mexicans, this chick that does AN videos named Urina (or something like that), big corporations, government, instead of just looking in the mirror to find the real culprit. It is bad, because the environment, which is already very much under siege, will be thrown even more to the dogs. Health care is hugely unaffordable here, especially in Texas, and the half-measure in the ACA that allows at least some people to afford some measure of catastrophic care after they spend $10,000 of their own money up front will be gone. International and multi-national defense and environmental agreements will all be subject to dissolution. Of course, the denigration of minorities, women, atheists, and more is all in the works. But what is interesting to me is the surprise that people have expressed who are used to a particular world view, that life is worth living, that good will be done by good people, that bad things only happen to bad people, etc. etc. Or that an authoritarian strong man can only rise to power in a banana republic or 2nd world European nation. Since effectively *every* election is won by a religious natalist, especially here in Texas, and I see no effort to improve education, for young girls in particular, or the dispensing of religious indoctrination and cults, and the environment is just to be destroyed and turned into dollar bills, this sense of doom and dread is a daily reality for me. And people will argue about who gets to sit in which chair on the deck of the Titanic, but refuse to really look at where the ship is headed, so liberal or conservative effectively follows the same lack of logic in different forms, being procreate as it is your right while other people pay and suffer for it, pursue addictive and unsustainable addictive growth and consumption economics, then complain and wonder why life isn't unicorns defecating rainbows. And you are right, Irina, about self-defense. I was bullied as a child in elementary school for perfect scores on math tests until I ignored the advice of teachers and principal alike and drove the biggest bully into a brick wall like a madman and beat his head against it. From that point on, kids that didn't know me assumed I was crazy. I wasn't bullied again in elementary school. But I learned a lesson. Weakness invites bullying. So I eventually became a 3rd degree black belt and instructor of Combat Shuai Chiao, still empower people today by training, and took seriously my access to firearms on the farm at the age of 8 with my first rifle, and even now as an enjoyable hobby routinely shoot Cowboy Action with shotgun, rifle, and pistols and keep at least one weapon ready in my home because I know the police take at least an hour to respond to any call, far too late to repel two or three armed intruders. My experience here has had me having to face down a man who broke through my kitchen door at 5am, two men that attacked me in front of my apartment, and two thieves who surprised me, one standing within kissing distance. In each encounter I had to quickly assess and react, but each involved either fighting, display of a weapon ready to be used, or confident command to leave the premises. I don't think any flowers or soft talk would have ended well for me in any case. So people's cognitive dissonance and optimism bias has them marching in the streets because reality isn't matching up with their pink smart phone Pokemongo app, where cute characters pop up and are easily dispensed with a cartoon penny ball. But, unfortunately, none of them will consider existence as the real threat, and that they can prevent the suffering they are experiencing needlessly for future generations with rather simple precautions. It's all really very sad and so preventable, but enduring it knowledgeably is problematic nonetheless. |
Irina |
10-11-2016
Yeah, funny thing about Texas. Here in Ukraine, it rhymes perfectly with 'Donbas' [donbAs], so it is funny that people play on these words when they remember the old saying we've had after Yanukovich's victory. Since he was most popular in that pro-Russian region, people started sarcastically saying 'Thanks, people of Donbas' and then 'for the faggot president'. Nobody cares too much about gays but it has been a widely used curse word denoting an asshole, and we still haven't had the onset of political correctness, we could actually use some in such cases, but anyway. Today they're saying 'Thanks, people of Texas!' lol Hahaha. Yeah, well, simple folks are the same everywhere)) I've seen today in one of the Facebook groups the elation about Pence, because he says America needs some Jesus and they agree, that's exactly what's needed, a religious cook. It's so easy to fool people. Pretend to be one of them when you're in fact part of the luckiest few percent who never had anything in common with the average Joe. Great man once said religion has always been regarded by the rulers as useful. It is. Wow, you had real intruders, it's like something from movies for me! Although I have been thinking it;s a good time to take some shooting classes. We're not actually allowed weapons but there's tons of illegal pieces now and cheap and it's still better to know how to shoot, guns can be aquired if really needed... I guess it's some manifestation of ever-pervasing optimism bias indeed. People must see this world is broken, everywhere around the globe there's terrible, unjust, unreasonable, random, unsensible shit happening, but yet before it happens to YOU it's somehow unreal. When it's Ukraine, or it's Syria - yeah, that could be. But trouble in US? 'Not possible! Not my president! Mommy, help!' Shit could hit the fan anywhere. I've had a somewhat similar feeling when the whole Russian aggression started, a disbelief, even though rationally I know that no one is immune or protected in this world. Still, this emotional component, this psychological defense system is always at work trying to soothe us: 'you're ok, things are going fine, nothing to worry about'. Oh well Gotta deal with this with some humour, it always helps More http://www.boredpanda.com/donald-trump-election-caricatures/ |
Kirk
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10-11-2016
I know you tried to help me be able to post images, but something doesn't seem to work or I missed the relevant instruction, so maybe for posterity's sake, you can post one for me!
What I refer to is the mural I saw on some wall, in the states I think, that appeared of Putin and Trump kissing. Google it and I am sure you'll find it. Experimenting with trying to post the address, or an image, will just clutter your blog since I don't have a sandbox to practice in first. If you can explain how to do it, I'd love to post a pic or two of me in my 1800s western outfit, shotgun in hand! I even saw some headlines here, Putin wins US presidency! |
Irina |
11-11-2016
i know the one, gross http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/wwfeatures/wm/live/1280_720/images/live/p0/3v/hv/p03vhvr6.jpg Sorry, I know my site is not perfectly user-friendly. Neither am I for that matter, lol I suggest you upload an image first to any image sharing website, for example when I uploaded to https://postimg.org I was presented with a variaety of ways to link to it. Just grab from the 2nd line (Direct link) and paste that into the window that pops up upon clicking this thing Basically, it will just wrap [image] tags around your image url, that's all that's needed. If you make a mess I'll clean it later, no worries |
Kirk
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10-11-2016
Oh, I forgot, interesting story I heard that was supposedly narrated by one of Trump's wives, being that he went to her plastic surgeon to try and address his male pattern baldness with removal of some scalp but the doctor did a poor job and left him with a great scar across his head, leading to the very bad comb over. He allegedly beat her, telling her that "your doctor destroyed my life!" I assume he can't even shave his head like most men have to when the DHT overwhelms the hair follicles and causes them to eventually die, for having to display this large surgical scar.
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Kirk
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10-11-2016
Also, about the electoral college used in our elections, my best understanding from civics is that since the founding "fathers" feared democracy, the instituted a system whereby supposedly more informed and intelligent electors would cast the real vote, allowing them to vote for who they thought would be the best candidate, to avoid the ignorant tyranny of the masses.
Unfortunately, about half the states now have laws that require the electors to vote exactly as the majority has, and in the other states, which in this case could elect Clinton to become president, don't have the wherewithal to do it. I don't think it has ever been done in US history. And I think that is not what the originators of the US had in mind, for it was to be used in case the people were duped or elected somewhat unfit for office. The second reason is state's rights. Without the college, a state like California or Texas would have more control over the vote, being more slanted in its vote and of larger population. If not, then California and Texas could rule the vote every time, and states feared that is what would happen in the future. So the damage is contained to that one state, state by state. Civics lesson over... |
Irina |
12-11-2016
So there's these 2 opinions on the electoral college, both seem to have some rational pros and cons: And I know there's some petition making rounds on Facebook to end the electoral college and also something about ... i guess... begging (??) the electors to vote Hillary this time, despite the tradition, some even say they're not really required it's just supposed to be so)))) Ah, also this, hahaha: |
Kirk
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11-11-2016
Let's try these…Pistolaros is intentionally misspelled, something to do with the originator of the club's name, Lars, or something. These are just while practicing with a young friend of mine, not a regular shoot nor my more regular black hat and coat getup, it was hot that day and this is my summer hat.
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Irina |
11-11-2016
Woo-hoo! It worked! Ok, ok, I believe you have a black hat and coat! Something like this? hehe Nice smile, looks genuine ;) |
Kirk
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12-11-2016
@Irina Two reasonably good videos, I have to say I generally side with pro electoral college, a compromise but ingenious way to protect states' rights that was needed to encourage states to join the republic, and the other tyrannical safeguards presented in the video. Of course, everyones votes then are not identical, so life isn't fair. We both know that's true and shouldn't be a shock.
I think about half the states have a small penalty for "faithless" electors, the others don't. Either way, the electors were imagined to discuss who to vote for, work out why, before they actually cast their votes. This has only happened a couple of times, I think, in the 1800s. They don't do it these days, but I think this is exactly the situation where they should step up and consider their vote. Clinton only needs a dozen or so flippers and she wins, and seriously Trump is the worst qualified person to ever be elected to office in my lifetime, regardless of his policies good or bad. The founders imagined such a scenario, surely, and would be saddened to see the electors *not* fulfilling their duty and at least discussing the relative worth of their votes. |
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18-11-2016
"maybe if the left was a bit less intense with throwing labels around on everyone who disagrees with them - as is once again exemplified in the above post - Trump wouldn't have won, because a huge part of his voters are simply anti PC and tired of being called shit every time they voice an opinion. It's either bigot, or racist, or -phobe, or -ist with you guys, so there you have a backlash, a disgusting one.
You were the one who shut off the dialogue, who used ad-hominems as discussion-stoppers, and so the silent majority voted for the guy who represented what they have lost in your society: the right to speak their mind freely and be heard, to say unpopular things, provocative things, 'triggering' things! Your whiny, perpetually offended, preachy, virtue-signalling self-glorification and demonisation of people with opposing views has fuelled the support for the only candidate who promised a future where you would finally lose!" Precisely. There's also the fact that Hilary is the most corrupt person in American politics history. |