quote
follow
|
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 ) |
[ link ] |
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 |
|
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. |
[ link ] |
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) |
|
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. |
[ link ] |
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/ |
|
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! |
[ link ] |
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 |
|
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. |
|
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... |
[ link ] |
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: |
|
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. |
[ link ] |
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 ;) |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
18-11-2016 If were US-citizen I wouldn't have voted for Clinton or Trump. Not for Trump for obvious reasons. A compulsive liar, an antiestablishment billionaire, a men of the people…haha yeah right… His main tactics was to create an obscure show of overzealous crazy dirty talk as a counterpart to the usual smooth and correct talk, that some people are already tired off. His Trolling seems to have worked out for him.And Clinton, the 'great mastermind' behind nutty US foreign politics, that turned out to be pretty disastrous, is also a corrupted asshole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApcqXijVzYU She tried play the gender card, tried to present her as the savior of minorities…and not that many bought that. All in all, most voters voted for someone who the saw as the lesser evil, just to prevent the other one to become president. Though I don't like to talk that way (moralizing and waving my finger), but to vote for the lesser evil is still evil, so I probably would have voted for a third party. I don't get why many of them say, that a third party vote is wasted vote. That's ridiculous. That's exactly the attitude why they are stuck with that retarded 2 party system of Republicans and Democrats (Republicans lite). I don't think very highly of such strategical voting. In most other democratic countries, you have at least 4 or 5 political relevant parties to choose from. And a functional democracy also needs a strong and true opposition, not only a pseudo-opposition. So even if a third party doesn't win, it's in no way a wasted vote. And about this pathetic demonstrations: It's obvious now, that these people don't have a backbone and can't loose with some dignity. Or maybe all of that was too much for them, and they had a psychotic break: Now this bobos and relatively rich kids, imagine themselves as hero's marching against the demonic hordes of a fascist government. Shouting around platitudes and throwing away their hipster shoes …yep you are such heroes…that will definitely teach them… Doesn't look like you are just some hipsters engaged in in-group signaling and moral masturbation. Not at all. See kids, your usual tactics of melodramatic self-victimization and moral shaming (if you don't get what you want), may have worked with your overprotective parents and teachers. But in the real world, people see through that, so it's not that clever as you think it is. That's not how you win back the hearts of your fellow US-citizens. This is not fascist government (so no chance to stage yourself as a revolutionary hero) but a reactionary conservative government (which is bad enough). The US needs an opposition that can be taken seriously and not some whiny crybabies. But true, they are stuck with this retarded government for four years now. But as the optimist that I am, I can say: At least we will get funny Trump-Memes and plenty of soup-opera-style scandals and rumors from 'The Trumps'. If that doesn't compensate for that, then I don't know what --- > Edited 18-11-2016 13:16:13 |
|
13-12-2016 @Irina Ah, worldly nonsense, but this does sorta affect like, the whole world, so I was wondering what you think of this article, especially the quote about the Ukrainian government, since I don't follow the politics there very much, and only have the regular media to tell me about it. But this article is basically what I was suggesting, being that the electoral college was meant to deliberate to avoid a foreign controlled president-elect, or a person unfit for office, from gaining control of the US.quote:
Among the electors’ concerns are allegations that Russian government officials “maintained contact with the Trump campaign during the election,” reports of a propaganda operation to “sway American public opinion in favor of Ukraine’s pro-Putin government” and relationships between Trump associations and Russia President Vladimir Putin. http://www.rawstory.com/2016/12/electors-demand-intelligence-report-on-russian-hacking-before-electoral-college-vote/ |
[ link ] |
13-12-2016
Yep, Ukraine is fucked. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/11/rex-tillerson-secretary-of-state-trump-russia-putin It's kind of that 'walks like a duck, talks like a duck' at this point, I think, because it's not simply Trump's pro-Russian rhethoric before election, but also this new intelligence AND his actions, as this appointment. Also, this FBI 'looking into former Trump campaign manager's Russian ties' It would really be exciting to see electors voting differently this time. Should be a matter of national honour to investigate these ties for a superpower like US. I guarantee you every Russian low-life drunken redneck takes news of Russian possible role in 'electing' US president as a very personal achievement. |
|
17-12-2016 Hi Irina,quote:
Yep, Ukraine is fucked.В And let's not forget that are also elections next year in France and Germany. Merkel is basically the main pusher for sanctions against russia and pushing pressure onto them. Though, Merkel now becomes more restrictive when in comes refugees, I think that this will not be enough. There is a serious chance that she will loose this time. In general I think that Europe will be taken over by the right wingers, which are much more russia-friendly (and they also like Putins authoritarianism) and the political landscape in Europe will change dramaticaly in the next few years (as also John Grey writes: http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2016/12/europes-states-disorder). All of that doesn't seem to be very favourable for the Ukraine (at least when it wants to maintain a 'real' sovereignty from Russia). And even if things won't become too bad in Europe, we still have too many problems on our own to really care. I predict that Putin will use his stronger position and that there will be a renewed enforced 'friendship' between Ukraine and Russia. And if you don't want be friends with Russia (and there's no one who is willing to help you), well ... |
[ link ] |
17-12-2016
Don't know about your prediction per se, but the rest I agree with, that's how things seem to be. Ukraine is a 'funny' place. There's some people who are vehemently anti-Russia, a lot who are rather anti Russia ever since Crimea situation and some who still want to be sort of friends or at least pretend that nothing happened like people do in dysfunctional families after someone broke someone else's ribs in a drunken rage. Given the results of this recent poll I probably agree with this expert on TV who said that for some to stop viewing Russians as brotherly people it's gotta take no less than a nuke thrown on Kyiv. Although others explain this as an inertia, because the trend is a downwards trend but people don't change their opinion to the contrary so quickly. Well, that's dumb though. And polls like these make me want to pack my bags and move the hell out from this place and the 'brotherly people' especially. But it's gonna be a 'fun' time in many places of the world it seems. Still, I'm thinking... Peru :D sunny and it's never on the news and far away from Russia and confused Russia-loving Ukrainians.))) I bet these guys have more wisdom: Also, Chilean wine is delicious and affordable. |
Comments to On Trump winning the election