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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 07:40:08
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Dwarf High King with New Book of Grudges
United States
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Brother Armiger wrote:
I may have derived my number from murders, rather than violent crime with some bad math/rounding... I found this chart on my computer.
That still indicates that white people committed more murders than black people during the relevant period: 2755 for white people and 2698 for black people. Nowhere near the suspiciously round 65% number you initially produced.
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Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 07:42:21
Subject: Re:The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Proud Triarch Praetorian
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http://taxfoundation.org/article/us-federal-individual-income-tax-rates-history-1913-2013-nominal-and-inflation-adjusted-brackets
Here, scroll down to 1932 and then continue up until 1982. So well beyond WW2, but you know that, right?
You should do some research before attempting to talk about something with some sort of authority.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/28 07:42:39
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 07:42:35
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Newbie Black Templar Neophyte
nope
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dogma wrote: Brother Armiger wrote:
I may have derived my number from murders, rather than violent crime with some bad math/rounding... I found this chart on my computer.
That still indicates that white people committed more murders than black people during the relevant period: 2755 for white people and 2698 for black people. Nowhere near the suspiciously round 65% number you initially produced.
Well, that's to be expected from... what are whites now, 63% to the black 13%? Of course they committed more.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Dreadwinter wrote:http://taxfoundation.org/article/us-federal-individual-income-tax-rates-history-1913-2013-nominal-and-inflation-adjusted-brackets
Here, scroll down to 1932 and then continue up until 1982. So well beyond WW2, but you know that, right?
You should do some research before attempting to talk about something with some sort of authority.
His tax plan, on average, has every single American paying more. I think mine was calculated to be around 10% more.
On the top, he's got 55%.
I mean, I did the research. I double, triple-checked. I like being proven wrong.
But no, our 1% now? Yeah, you're a fool if you think so. Back in 2013, I believe, there was some major stink about the wealthiest people placing their funds in tax shelters and relocating. I wouldn't blame them if they did. If I were that rich, just as soon as that insane tax law hit- I'd up and move it.
I think I could probably do some digging on what tax laws have changed but... that be a monster.
And besides, in my experience most Bernie supporters are worse at math than I am.
And the old coot has been talking about a 90% tax plan in the past- like, way back (the 80's, maybe after? I don't know). When he had more hair that he didn't comb.
Even still, my point stands...
The President cannot change the taxes. He can make all these promises all day long, you're not gonna 'feel the Bern' on this. Empty promises, all of them.
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This message was edited 5 times. Last update was at 2016/03/28 07:59:19
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 07:58:44
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Proud Triarch Praetorian
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Brother Armiger wrote: dogma wrote: Brother Armiger wrote:
I may have derived my number from murders, rather than violent crime with some bad math/rounding... I found this chart on my computer.
That still indicates that white people committed more murders than black people during the relevant period: 2755 for white people and 2698 for black people. Nowhere near the suspiciously round 65% number you initially produced.
Well, that's to be expected from... what are whites now, 63% to the black 13%? Of course they committed more.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Dreadwinter wrote:http://taxfoundation.org/article/us-federal-individual-income-tax-rates-history-1913-2013-nominal-and-inflation-adjusted-brackets
Here, scroll down to 1932 and then continue up until 1982. So well beyond WW2, but you know that, right?
You should do some research before attempting to talk about something with some sort of authority.
His tax plan, on average, has every single American paying more. I think mine was calculated to be around 10% more.
On the top, he's got 55%.
I mean, I did the research. I double, triple-checked. I like being proven wrong.
But no, our 1% now? Yeah, you're a fool if you think so. Back in 2013, I believe, there was some major stink about the wealthiest people placing their funds in tax shelters and relocating. I wouldn't blame them if they did. If I were that rich, just as soon as that insane tax law hit- I'd up and move it.
I think I could probably do some digging on what tax laws have changed but... that be a monster.
And besides, in my experience most Bernie supporters are worse at math than I am.
And the old coot has been talking about a 90% tax plan in the past- like, way back (the 80's, maybe after? I don't know). When he had more hair that he didn't comb.
I have just proven you wrong. It was fun and everything, but you have not proven anything to me yet. All you have said is "Oh, I have done the math. Trust me, the math has been done." Okay, can I see it?
So, anecdote anecdote "bernie cultists!" anecdote anecdote. Come on, give me something.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:01:13
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Newbie Black Templar Neophyte
nope
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Dreadwinter wrote:
So, anecdote anecdote "bernie cultists!" anecdote anecdote. Come on, give me something.
The President doesn't determine the taxes.
There' that's something. I spent 20 minutes of my time, trying to find a solid plan and then realized the old coot couldn't do a damned thing.
You have fun believing he can...
Bernie Cultist.
I gotta give it to you kids, though. I admire your spirit. You're not as insane as other Candidate Cultists.
Also, you didn't prove me wrong.
Our taxes were highest in WW2.
I stated something that hasn't happened yet, unless you can see the future- you can't say I'm 'wrong', you can only say it hasn't happened. If you can see the future, we need to start placing some bets on races and ball games.
You haven't proven anything wrong.
EDIT: EDIT:
Hold on, working with Excel.
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This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2016/03/28 08:08:45
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:08:45
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Proud Triarch Praetorian
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Brother Armiger wrote: Dreadwinter wrote:
So, anecdote anecdote "bernie cultists!" anecdote anecdote. Come on, give me something.
The President doesn't determine the taxes.
There' that's something. I spent 20 minutes of my time, trying to find a solid plan and then realized the old coot couldn't do a damned thing.
You have fun believing he can...
Bernie Cultist.
I gotta give it to you kids, though. I admire your spirit. You're not as insane as other Candidate Cultists.
Also, you didn't prove me wrong.
Our taxes were highest in WW2.
I stated something that hasn't happened yet, unless you can see the future- you can't say I'm 'wrong', you can only say it hasn't happened. If you can see the future, we need to start placing some bets on races and ball games.
You haven't proven anything wrong.
EDIT: EDIT:
Hold on, working with Excel.
You do know that it is a progressive tax rate and you are only paying the higher rate on money you make after 250k, right?
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This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2016/03/28 08:10:10
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:11:05
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Newbie Black Templar Neophyte
nope
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Yeah. 17.2% for me, up from 15%, Doesn't seem like much, but everyone except 'poor' is getting taxes raised.
Hardly 'progressive'...
And when people are paying half their livelihood starting at 250k? That's... wow. Just wow.
And yes, I'm familiar with brackets. But the comparisons are frightening.
I'm scared to start looking at corporate/business rates.
And it's a good thing he is running for President. He can't adjust taxes. Thank God, someone would poison him or something.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/28 08:12:47
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:15:04
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Last Remaining Whole C'Tan
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Brother Armiger wrote:Mr. Sanders has made multiple statements that borderline foolish. I must be honest, at some point I'm waiting for him to come out and state that he was pulling our legs and just wanted to show us how gullible the low-information voters truly are. If you genuinely believe you can tax 'the one percent' and other high-income families an astronomical amount of money... and they'll just sit here and take it? You're delusional. These individuals will relocate themselves or their money to tax shelters, and we will be sitting on programs that have to be funded -somehow-.... so guess who's footing that bill? Also I would respect the man a little more if he could comb his hair.
Why are you avoiding someone pointing out that or top-end tax bracket was 70% in 1982? In fact, they were 91% up until 1963. You expressed the idea that if you raise taxes on the top end by a significant percentage, they would all flee the country, but in fact there was a period of 20 years where taxes were nearly triple what they are now, and that didn't happen, followed by a period of 20 years were they were almost double where they are now, and that didn't happen.
Also, I could be mistaken since you keep pointing out how stupid Bernie Sanders supporters are, but I believe World War 2 was over slightly previous to 1963.
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This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2016/03/28 08:16:32
lord_blackfang wrote:Respect to the guy who subscribed just to post a massive ASCII dong in the chat and immediately get banned.
Flinty wrote:The benefit of slate is that its.actually a.rock with rock like properties. The downside is that it's a rock |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:15:50
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Proud Triarch Praetorian
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Half their lively hood? The $250k to $411,500 is only going up 4 percent from 33% to 37%. What are you on about?
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:17:11
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Newbie Black Templar Neophyte
nope
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Ouze wrote:
Also, I could be mistaken since you keep pointing out how stupid Bernie Sanders supporters are, but I believe World War 2 was over slightly previous to 1963.
I didn't even get that far. But, I'm trying to find comparisons with more adjustment for inflations. Also- what was our economy like then, compared to now? That's what I'm trying to find.
And I don't keep pointing it out, that happens on its own.
Don't feel bad, though. The Trumpet Blowers are worse.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Dreadwinter wrote:Half their lively hood? The $250k to $411,500 is only going up 4 percent from 33% to 37%. What are you on about?
I'm reading them at 62%, I was being generous. Where's yours coming from?
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This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2016/03/28 08:20:00
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:19:38
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Proud Triarch Praetorian
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Brother Armiger wrote: Ouze wrote:
Also, I could be mistaken since you keep pointing out how stupid Bernie Sanders supporters are, but I believe World War 2 was over slightly previous to 1963.
I didn't even get that far. But, I'm trying to find comparisons with more adjustment for inflations.
And I don't keep pointing it out, that happens on its own.
Don't feel bad, though. The Trumpet Blowers are worse.
So wait, you didn't even look at the resources I gave you after asking for a citation? You are the one asking!
I just..... hrrghhhghgrhgh..... my head...... aghgrhrghgrrrghghghghrrghgh someone help me!
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:21:53
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Newbie Black Templar Neophyte
nope
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Dreadwinter wrote:I just..... hrrghhhghgrhgh..... my head...... aghgrhrghgrrrghghghghrrghgh someone help me!
Stop whining. I've got your document. I'm looking for the overall average incomes for households then and now.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:23:03
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Proud Triarch Praetorian
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https://twitter.com/ncforbernie/status/693058636550148097
Also, here is this. If you want to look up his tax rate plan instead of, from what I can assume, making up numbers out of thin air?
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:25:38
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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[MOD]
Not as Good as a Minion
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If we can back off calling one side of the issue cultists, whiners and other terms most certainly not intended to help discussion, that'd be great.
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I wish I had time for all the game systems I own, let alone want to own... |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:26:19
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Newbie Black Templar Neophyte
nope
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Dreadwinter wrote:https://twitter.com/ncforbernie/status/693058636550148097
Also, here is this. If you want to look up his tax rate plan instead of, from what I can assume, making up numbers out of thin air?
At this point I'm still waiting on you to tell me how a President is going to alter our tax plan. Just saying. But I'll give it a look.
OK, looked it over. Is this his most recent? Because I'm looking at 3 of them now, and the one you showed has no change for my bracket, another (from a Progressive outlet) has me going up 2.2%
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/28 08:29:39
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:29:46
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Proud Triarch Praetorian
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Brother Armiger wrote: Dreadwinter wrote:https://twitter.com/ncforbernie/status/693058636550148097
Also, here is this. If you want to look up his tax rate plan instead of, from what I can assume, making up numbers out of thin air?
At this point I'm still waiting on you to tell me how a President is going to alter our tax plan. Just saying. But I'll give it a look.
You do know that the President is able to propose bills and legislation correct? How do you think Obamacare happened? You also know that Presidents have executive orders, right?
Listen, I get that you like moving the goal posts and everything. But really, this is getting absurd.
29, January, 2016. It is the most recent one I am aware of.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/28 08:30:37
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:33:43
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Newbie Black Templar Neophyte
nope
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Dreadwinter wrote:Listen, I get that you like moving the goal posts and everything. But really, this is getting absurd.
29, January, 2016. It is the most recent one I am aware of.
It's fine. It's a very cute little plan that he can't make happen. Wow, taxes, cool. I'll concede completely that this is an 'interesting' plan, and it doesn't look bad on paper (provided it's current, doesn't change, etc.) Will that please you?
Now please explain how he's going to make something happen.
Because he can 'propose', and it'll get shot down. He can do an executive order, and it can also get shot down.
He has very little power.
You call it 'moving the goalposts'. I call it 'how are you going to do this'. Are you more concerned about winning this argument?
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/28 08:34:45
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:37:52
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Dwarf High King with New Book of Grudges
United States
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Brother Armiger wrote:
Well, that's to be expected from... what are whites now, 63% to the black 13%? Of course they committed more.
It didn't seem so obvious to you when you claimed that 15% of the population (read: black people) committed 65% of all violent crime.
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Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:38:52
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Proud Triarch Praetorian
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Brother Armiger wrote: Dreadwinter wrote:Listen, I get that you like moving the goal posts and everything. But really, this is getting absurd.
29, January, 2016. It is the most recent one I am aware of.
It's fine. It's a very cute little plan that he can't make happen. Wow, taxes, cool. I'll concede completely that this is an 'interesting' plan, and it doesn't look bad on paper (provided it's current, doesn't change, etc.) Will that please you?
Now please explain how he's going to make something happen.
Because he can 'propose', and it'll get shot down. He can do an executive order, and it can also get shot down.
He has very little power.
You call it 'moving the goalposts'. I call it 'how are you going to do this'. Are you more concerned about winning this argument?
Not really. I realized a few posts back when you were clearly ignoring information I was giving you that I would never win this argument. However you continued to ask for things so I obliged you with answers. There is no winning this argument with you, but I will provide you with information with hopes that you will use it to stop spreading misinformation.
That is all I want really.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:39:37
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Newbie Black Templar Neophyte
nope
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text removed.
Reds8n
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/28 09:02:57
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:40:41
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Last Remaining Whole C'Tan
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Brother Armiger wrote:It's fine. It's a very cute little plan that he can't make happen. Wow, taxes, cool. I'll concede completely that this is an 'interesting' plan, and it doesn't look bad on paper (provided it's current, doesn't change, etc.) Will that please you?
Now please explain how he's going to make something happen.
Because he can 'propose', and it'll get shot down.
If the Democrats also take the Senate in November, which isn't exactly a longshot, then it would be quite likely he could get tax policy successfully implemented.
He can do an executive order, and it can also get shot down.
It's possible to override an executive order via congressional mandate, then presumably the president will veto it, and it requires a 2/3rd super-majority to override the veto. Bad as math as I am, the numbers are not there to override that veto; an executive order would stand unless ruled unconstitutional.
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lord_blackfang wrote:Respect to the guy who subscribed just to post a massive ASCII dong in the chat and immediately get banned.
Flinty wrote:The benefit of slate is that its.actually a.rock with rock like properties. The downside is that it's a rock |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:42:24
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Newbie Black Templar Neophyte
nope
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Dreadwinter wrote:
Not really. I realized a few posts back when you were clearly ignoring information I was giving you that I would never win this argument. However you continued to ask for things so I obliged you with answers. There is no winning this argument with you, but I will provide you with information with hopes that you will use it to stop spreading misinformation.
That is all I want really.
'Misinformation' - by suggesting that something could happen? Yes, it didn't happen before. At least not that I can find. Could it? Entirely possible. I don't know what tax shelters are available.
I get it. You're dedicated to your candidate, one of whom I think is bad option #3 out of 4 bad options.
A lot of this guy's ideas I liked at one point- he was not a gun-grabber. He was non-interventionist.
I'm still never going to think that a universal $15.00 minimum wage is going to do anything more than drive up prices and just create inflation- worse, before the other jobs have time to catch up. Automatically Appended Next Post: Ouze wrote:It's possible to override an executive order via congressional mandate, then presumably the president will veto it, and it requires a 2/3rd super-majority to override the veto. Bad as math as I am, the numbers are not there to override that veto; an executive order would stand unless ruled unconstitutional.
I'm not worried about it. The last one I saw go through, that I was tracking was the Private Sale Order... and I'm not certain where it is now. I don't think it was opposed.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/28 08:43:54
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:46:02
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Dwarf High King with New Book of Grudges
United States
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Yeah, by legal challenge or legislative action. Both of those things take time, and the latter may never come to pass given the current political climate.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/28 08:47:13
Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:46:20
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Proud Triarch Praetorian
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Brother Armiger wrote:'Misinformation' - by suggesting that something could happen?
Yes! This! Absolutely this! You are the doomsayer on the corner with your board screaming "THE END IS NIGH!" right now.
Well why is the end nigh, dear doomsayer?
"I have seen the signs! It will happen."
I think you may have misinterpreted those signs, let me help you.
"WELL THE END COULD STILL BE NIGH! THE END IS NIGH!"
Edit: FINALLY GOT IT FIXED! Kept trying to quote the whole thing for some reason
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This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at 2016/03/28 08:50:56
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:51:28
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Newbie Black Templar Neophyte
nope
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Dreadwinter wrote:
Yes! This! Absolutely this! You are the doomsayer on the corner with your board screaming "THE END IS NIGH!" right now.
Well why is the end nigh, dear doomsayer?
"I have seen the signs! It will happen."
Oh, I think you might have misinterpreted those signs. Here, let me help you.
"BUT THE END COULD STILL BE COMING DESPITE YOU SHOWING ME THE ERROR OF MY WAYS! THE END IS NIGH!"
You just cannot help some people.....
"Hey, this could happen."
"It didn't happen last time."
"I guess not, maybe things are different now. I don't think it will go that way now."
" LOL CONSPIRACY THEORIST UR RONG I SHOED U! BEHOLD MY COMICAL EXAGERRATION AND SUPERIORISM!"
I'll hold my board. Feel free to hold your tin can and say, "Where's my free stuff?"
EDIT: Yeah, I'm getting that weird quote thing, too. I think this is the only forum I've seen that happen on since Myspace was a thing.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/28 08:52:05
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:53:38
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Proud Triarch Praetorian
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Wow, wait. So because I understand history and I support a candidate that is wanting to do something that has been shown to work historically, I am wanting free stuff now?
Could you sound more like a low information voter right now? "He is a Bernie supporter, all he wants is free things!"
PS: I never called you a conspiracy theorist
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/28 08:55:03
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:53:49
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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[MOD]
Not as Good as a Minion
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Brother Armiger wrote: dogma wrote: Brother Armiger wrote:
Well, that's to be expected from... what are whites now, 63% to the black 13%? Of course they committed more.
It didn't seem so obvious to you when you claimed that 15% of the population (read: black people) committed 65% of all violent crime.
Hey, when you're presented with information you take things into consideration. I was mistaken. Would you prefer I delete it and put my hand down your trousers?
No, I'd prefer politeness in your posts though. This is now, instead of a general thread warning, a very user-specific warning. Cool it mate.
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I wish I had time for all the game systems I own, let alone want to own... |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 08:54:22
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Proud Triarch Praetorian
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This forum hates me tonight, another double post
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/28 08:54:44
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 13:30:43
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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Battlefield Tourist
MN (Currently in WY)
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I love Elections! It really brings out the opinion pieces. You get to know your fellow man in new and interesting ways everyday!
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Support Blood and Spectacles Publishing:
https://www.patreon.com/Bloodandspectaclespublishing |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2016/03/28 15:17:32
Subject: Re:The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
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5th God of Chaos! (Ho-hum)
Curb stomping in the Eye of Terror!
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Breotan wrote: Scrabb wrote:What are Sanders chances of winning the primary? I've heard a lot of conflicting stuff and I guess it changes weekly.
Bernie's chances are pretty low but still in the realm of possibility.
To put it in context a bit...
Bernie is only about 300 delegates away from Clinton... which is not insurmountable, but surely an incredibly difficult challenge.
His best hope is to win enough to make the Super-Delegates *sweat* a bit, and for a Hillary Clinton indictment over emailgate.
Speaking of EmailGate:
Clinton email probe enters new phase as FBI interviews loom
Fderal prosecutors investigating the possible mishandling of classified materials on Hillary Clinton’s private email server have begun the process of setting up formal interviews with some of her longtime and closest aides, according to two people familiar with the probe, an indication that the inquiry is moving into its final phases.
Those interviews and the final review of the case, however, could still take many weeks, all but guaranteeing that the investigation will continue to dog Clinton’s presidential campaign through most, if not all, of the remaining presidential primaries.
No dates have been set for questioning the advisors, but a federal prosecutor in recent weeks has called their lawyers to alert them that he would soon be doing so, the sources said. Prosecutors also are expected to seek an interview with Clinton herself, though the timing remains unclear.
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The interviews by FBI agents and prosecutors will play a significant role in helping them better understand whether Clinton or her aides knowingly or negligently discussed classified government secrets over a non-secure email system when she served as secretary of State.
The meetings also are an indication that much of the investigators' background work – recovering deleted emails, understanding how the server operated and determining whether it was breached – is nearing completion.
“The interviews are critical to understand the volume of information they have accumulated,” said James McJunkin, former head of the FBI's Washington field office. “They are likely nearing the end of the investigation and the agents need to interview these people to put the information in context. They will then spend time aligning these statements with other information, emails, classified documents, etc., to determine whether there is a prosecutable case."
Many legal experts believe that Clinton faces little risk of being prosecuted for using the private email system to conduct official business when she served as secretary of State, though that decision has raised questions among some about her judgment. They noted that using a private email system was not banned at the time, and others in government had used personal email to transact official business.
The bigger question is whether she or her aides distributed classified material in email systems that fell outside of the department’s secure classified system. But even if prosecutors determine that she did, chances she will be found criminally liable are low. U.S. law makes it a crime for someone to knowingly or willfully retain classified information, handle it in a grossly negligent manner or to pass it to someone not entitled to see it.
Clinton has denied using the email account to send or receive materials marked classified. Though some emails have since been deemed to be too sensitive to release publicly, Clinton's campaign has attributed that to overzealous intelligence officials and "over-classification run amok."
Legally it doesn’t matter if the emails were marked as classified or not, since government officials are obligated to recognize sensitive material and guard against its release. But legal experts noted that such labels would be helpful to prosecutors seeking to prove she knew the information was classified, a key element of the law.
“The facts of the case do not fit the law,” said Stephen Vladeck, a law professor at American University. “Reasonable folks may think that federal law ought to prohibit what Hillary did, but it’s just not clear to me that it currently does.”
Even so, her use of the private server, which was based at her home in New York, has become fodder for Clinton’s political foes as she campaigns to secure the Democratic nomination for president.
Though Sen. Bernie Sanders has largely declined to use the email scandal against her in the Democratic primary, Republicans have repeatedly said she should be indicted or disqualified from running for the nation's top office.
At a recent Democratic debate, Clinton grew exasperated when asked what she would do if indicted. “That’s not going to happen,” she said.
Her attorney, David Kendall, declined to comment. Her campaign spokesman, Brian Fallon, said in an email that Clinton is ready to work with investigators to conclude the investigation.
“She first offered last August to meet and answer any questions they might have,” Fallon wrote. “She would welcome the opportunity to help them complete their work.”
Lawyers for her closest aides – Huma Abedin, Jake Sullivan, Cheryl Mills and Philippe Reines – either did not respond to messages or declined to comment.
The Justice Department and FBI began their investigation after receiving what is known as a security referral in July from the inspector general for U.S. intelligence agencies, which at the time were in the midst of reviewing paper copies of nearly 30,500 emails Clinton turned over in 2014 that she said were work-related.
The State Department has since released all 3,871 pages of Clinton’s emails in its possession and has determined that 22 of her emails contained "top secret" information, though they were not marked as such as the time. Hundreds of others contained material that was either secret or confidential, two lower levels of classification.
After stepping down as secretary of State, Clinton, who has said she used her personal email to conduct personal and official business as a matter of convenience, told her staff to delete 31,830 emails on the server that she felt were non-work-related.
In August, the FBI obtained the server and has since recovered most, if not all, of the deleted correspondence, said a person familiar with the investigation.
FBI agents have finished their review of the server and the correspondence turned over by Clinton to the State Department. They have interviewed a number of former aides so they could better understand how the system was used and why Clinton chose to use it, the person said.
Federal prosecutors granted immunity to one of those aides, Bryan Pagliano, who helped set up the server in Clinton’s home. He has cooperated with the federal investigation and provided security logs that revealed no evidence of foreign hacking, according to a law enforcement official.
His lawyer, Mark MacDougall, did not respond to messages seeking comment.
The probe is being closely watched and supervised by the Justice Department’s top officials and prosecutors. FBI Director James B. Comey has said he has been regularly briefed on the investigation, which is being overseen by prosecutors in the Justice Department’s national security division.
The decision on whether to prosecute could be difficult. Vladeck, the law professor noted the differences between Clinton’s email issue and two previous cases involving the mishandling of classified material that resulted in prosecutions and guilty pleas.
In 2005, Sandy Berger, a former national security advisor, pleaded guilty to the unlawful removal and retention of national security information after being caught trying to smuggle classified documents out of the National Archives.
In another case, Gen. David Petraeus, a former CIA director, was investigated for knowingly allowing a mistress to read classified material as she researched a book about him. Petraeus eventually pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of mishandling classified material and was spared prison time.
Legal experts said Petraeus’ actions were far more serious than anything Clinton is accused of doing. Clinton’s emails, even those later deemed classified, were sent to aides cleared to read them, for example, and not private citizens, they said.
Several of the lawyers involved in Clinton’s case are familiar with the differences. Petraeus’ defense lawyer was Kendall, who also represents Clinton. And a prosecutor helping oversee the Clinton email investigation was part of the team that obtained Petraeus’ guilty plea.
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“Those cases are just so different from what Clinton is accused of doing,” Vladeck said. “And the Justice Department lawyers know it.”
While she is not likely to face legal jeopardy, the emails could cause some political heartburn when the aides are questioned. However, short of an indictment or an explosive revelation, the controversy is not likely to alter the overall dynamics of the primary race or general election, political observers said.
"This is clearly disruptive to the campaign,” said Mark Mellman, a Democratic pollster. “It will take her off message and coverage about important aides being questioned is not coverage you'd like to have. However, this issue is largely dismissed by Democratic primary voters and baked into the cake for the general electorate.”
TL;DR: here's the key bit:
No dates have been set for questioning the advisors, but a federal prosecutor in recent weeks has called their lawyers to alert them that he would soon be doing so, the sources said. Prosecutors also are expected to seek an interview with Clinton herself, though the timing remains unclear.
The interviews by FBI agents and prosecutors will play a significant role in helping them better understand whether Clinton or her aides knowingly or negligently discussed classified government secrets over a non-secure email system when she served as secretary of State.
Seems to entail that this FBI investigation is about to wrap up soonish...
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