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2016/05/01 08:27:33
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
Kilkrazy wrote: The USA ratifies some treaties and not others.
The USA signs some treaties, but does not often ratify them. The examples you pointed out are solid, but US instability isn't going to make waves as it used to.
The basic point is that a new President doesn't get to throw all the toys out of the pram, just because wah wah wah. Things don't work like that in the real world outside Trump's groupthink support bubble.
I would agree if US foreign policy wasn't so dictated by the Executive.
Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.
2016/05/01 08:45:40
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
Kilkrazy wrote: The USA ratifies some treaties and not others.
The USA signs some treaties, but does not often ratify them. The examples you pointed out are solid, but US instability isn't going to make waves as it used to.
The basic point is that a new President doesn't get to throw all the toys out of the pram, just because wah wah wah. Things don't work like that in the real world outside Trump's groupthink support bubble.
I would agree if US foreign policy wasn't so dictated by the Executive.
If US foreign policy is so beholden to the executive, why hasn't Congress or the Senate reigned in the Executive? I am assuming of course that they can do this.
Kilkrazy wrote: NATO is a defensive alliance. Neither the Ukraine nor Georgia are members.
This has nothing to do with anything. My statement is a commentary on the current value of US guarantees and/or promises of such.
What guarantees or promises were made towards Ukraine or Georgia?
When Russia annexed the Crimea, Obama said it wasn't a done deal. I remember watching that press conference.
When the Ukraine military asked the USA for heavy weaponry, they got night vision goggles and medical aid. Useful stuff, but not what they wanted.
To be fair, Ukraine doesn't have a shortage of weapons & equipment. In fact, in the mid 90's they had a hundred rifles to each Ukrainian soldier as the Soviet Army retreated through Ukraine after pulling out of Europe and dumped literally hundreds trainloads of weapons and equipment there (though granted, much of it was stolen/sold since then). They have a problem with effectively using what they have in addition to logistical and corruption issues. Simply giving them weapons would have been a silly idea, as there's no guarantee they'd go where they were needed or that they'd be able to effectively use them (or that they wouldn't just end up getting resold halfway down the logistics or command line), and such has been a consistent problem with the Ukrainian army throughout the conflict. Weaponry supply is also made more difficult given that Ukraine uses pretty much entirely Soviet pattern equipment that NATO generally does not have a means to supply & support in large, consistent quantities, and new equipment would be dramatically more expensive and resource intensive to train the Ukrainians on and subsequently supply them.
When the Baltic NATO members asked America for some symbolic backup (one suggestion was to send the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to the region for publicity purposes) they got nothing.
Why just this week it was announced that nearly 4,000 NATO troops from the US, German, and UK militaries would be deployed to Poland and the Baltic states, flew F-22's through there, and the US Navy has been increasing naval patrols and having run-ins with Russian aircraft in the region.
When chemical weapons were used in Syria, Obama talked about red lines...and nothing happened.
Except that Syria turned over a buttload of chemical weapons after the Russians hopped in and explained it would be in their best interests too prevent a US attack, and the OPCW appears to be satisfied at this point that Syria has turned over its stockpiles.
The point that I, and others are making is this: if an American president talks the talk, he has to walk the walk, otherwise he is made to look a chump, and doubts enter the minds of US allies. Can we rely on the USA?
It's a complicated issue when both sides can annihilate each other in a couple of hours with the press of a couple of buttons, particularly when for one side it's pretty much their only meaningful card to play because they're dramatically overmatched in every other measure.
I agree that steps are being taken by the USA in order to rectify the situation in Eastern Europe by bolstering the military presense and reasuring the allies, but in the immediate aftermath of the annexation of the Crimea, not a lot was done. Everybody was running around with their heads up their ass, and my own country was just as bad.
As for the situation in Syria regarding chemical weapons, the USA lost the strategic initiative at the time, because Russian involvement and the bolstering of the Assad regime, by having both involved in the destruction of chemeical weapons, put the USA on the back foot, and entrenched a regime that was on the brink of collapsing. The rest is history...
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/05/01 08:50:53
"Our crops will wither, our children will die piteous
deaths and the sun will be swept from the sky. But is it true?" - Tom Kirby, CEO, Games Workshop Ltd
2016/05/01 14:43:12
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
New Heavy Gear Log! Also...Grey Knights! The correct pronunciation is Imperial Guard and Stormtroopers, "Astra Militarum" and "Tempestus Scions" are something you'll find at Hogwarts.
2016/05/02 04:07:31
Subject: Re:The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
If US foreign policy is so beholden to the executive, why hasn't Congress or the Senate reigned in the Executive? I am assuming of course that they can do this.
The Legislature can do that, but why should any given member of the Legislature support such an initiative?
Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.
2016/05/02 12:39:10
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
If US foreign policy is so beholden to the executive, why hasn't Congress or the Senate reigned in the Executive? I am assuming of course that they can do this.
The Legislature can do that, but why should any given member of the Legislature support such an initiative?
Exactly. Because while the opposing party will bemoan the power of the Executive, they still want that very same power for themselves.
"Through the darkness of future past, the magician longs to see.
One chants out between two worlds: Fire, walk with me." - Twin Peaks
"You listen to me. While I will admit to a certain cynicism, the fact is that I am a naysayer and hatchetman in the fight against violence. I pride myself in taking a punch and I'll gladly take another because I choose to live my life in the company of Gandhi and King. My concerns are global. I reject absolutely revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method... is love. I love you Sheriff Truman." - Twin Peaks
2016/05/02 12:46:49
Subject: Re:The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
I made a mistake here. When I wrote "can we trust the USA?" I should have added that's what Saudi Arabia/Israel/other gulf states will be asking themselves. I wasn't focusing on my own individual view, I was merely speculating on behalf of America's allies.
And the truth is, no, they can't. America's allies cannot trust the USA, and America's enemies cannot trust the USA, either. Any political agreement/treaty/deal we make may only last as long as the next election, if the opposing party even lets it get that far out of pure political spite. I hate to sound like I'm giving an endorsement here, but at least Trump has the balls to say "America First" out loud, when the rest are just putting party first, then America.
And, on the subject of not-endorsements, Whembly, you ought to get a huge kick out of this: It just hit me the other day that, with regards to my severe loathing of Ted Cruz, I realized that the car I drive is...a Chevy Cruze.
This is why there is an oil price war currently. SA is driving the price down as much as possible to impact Iran. Notice the timing of when they started and certain agreement made with Iran.
They are also actively engaged in proxy wars in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen with Iran.
No country should ever trust another country. Thats not a prudent concept.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
2016/05/02 13:43:27
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
Kilkrazy wrote: The USA ratifies some treaties and not others.
The USA signs some treaties, but does not often ratify them. The examples you pointed out are solid, but US instability isn't going to make waves as it used to.
The basic point is that a new President doesn't get to throw all the toys out of the pram, just because wah wah wah. Things don't work like that in the real world outside Trump's groupthink support bubble.
I would agree if US foreign policy wasn't so dictated by the Executive.
If US foreign policy is so beholden to the executive, why hasn't Congress or the Senate reigned in the Executive? I am assuming of course that they can do this.
The constitution already requires that all treaties with foreign governments be ratified by Congress and requires Congress to issue a declaration fo war. Congress holds the most power over foreign policy the President gets to set the agenda but is reliant on Congress to take action to support that agenda.
If Trump were PotUS he could negotiate whatever agreement he wants but he'd still need Congress to sign on the dotted line to make in order to close the deal.
Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur
2016/05/02 18:01:48
Subject: Re:The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
I'm hitting the reset button and taking back what I said about Congress and the Senate, because I've suddenly remembered I sat through Senate and Congressional oversight committes on the Iran nuclear deal!
The less power those two bodies have over US foreign policy, the better!
"Our crops will wither, our children will die piteous
deaths and the sun will be swept from the sky. But is it true?" - Tom Kirby, CEO, Games Workshop Ltd
2016/05/02 23:29:15
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
It's coming up because the Australian confiscation model is being mentioned amongst Democratic circles, and the other side is hopping on trying to make it out like it's being pushed *wayyy* more than it actually is.
I would absolutely not support such a scheme in the US, but it's also not like it's a realistic possibility to have to worry about with the makeup of congress as it is, so mostly it's just push-button issue to energize the base voters.
IRON WITHIN, IRON WITHOUT.
New Heavy Gear Log! Also...Grey Knights! The correct pronunciation is Imperial Guard and Stormtroopers, "Astra Militarum" and "Tempestus Scions" are something you'll find at Hogwarts.
2016/05/03 01:54:00
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
Ahtman wrote: It is hard to believe that Australia still exists, what with the lack of freedom and everything.
And drop-bears, don't forget the drop-bears.
Anything worthwhile in the news right now? Only thing I've seen make the headlines is Cruz getting into a tiff with Caitlyn Jenner.
"Through the darkness of future past, the magician longs to see.
One chants out between two worlds: Fire, walk with me." - Twin Peaks
"You listen to me. While I will admit to a certain cynicism, the fact is that I am a naysayer and hatchetman in the fight against violence. I pride myself in taking a punch and I'll gladly take another because I choose to live my life in the company of Gandhi and King. My concerns are global. I reject absolutely revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method... is love. I love you Sheriff Truman." - Twin Peaks
2016/05/03 03:25:24
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
"Do you really want to go through the next four years with a president who, if your child came home and simply uttered the words coming out of that president's mouth, would make you punish your child, would make you embarrassed for your child?" Cruz asked.
So does that include talk of fornication with rats?
-James
2016/05/03 13:34:15
Subject: Re:The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
"Do you really want to go through the next four years with a president who, if your child came home and simply uttered the words coming out of that president's mouth, would make you punish your child, would make you embarrassed for your child?" Cruz asked.
Another reason not to vote for Cruz. If I had children that acted like him, I would be embarrassed as well
2016/05/03 14:01:26
Subject: Re:The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
Trump accuses Cruz's father of helping JFK's assassin
.... err...
.. nope.
I got nothing.
The poor man really has a stake in the country. The rich man hasn't; he can go away to New Guinea in a yacht. The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all
We love our superheroes because they refuse to give up on us. We can analyze them out of existence, kill them, ban them, mock them, and still they return, patiently reminding us of who we are and what we wish we could be.
"the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king,
2016/05/03 14:10:30
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
You can't make this stuff up can you. How can the Onion compete when reality is even more cray cray.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
2016/05/03 14:21:23
Subject: Re:The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
If you could turns the lights out on your way it'd be appreciated
The poor man really has a stake in the country. The rich man hasn't; he can go away to New Guinea in a yacht. The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all
We love our superheroes because they refuse to give up on us. We can analyze them out of existence, kill them, ban them, mock them, and still they return, patiently reminding us of who we are and what we wish we could be.
"the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king,
2016/05/03 14:33:49
Subject: Re:The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
If you could turns the lights out on your way it'd be appreciated
Its just sort of defeatist nonsense that cost you Hastings. No I say, we shall not go quietly into the night (cue stirring theme music and closeup shot) I say we fight! We will fight them on the beaches in the taquerias in the barbeque joints in the bayous in the kiddie pools in the strip malls in the strip joints I say we fight!
(we will not fight them in the libraries because we don't cotton to no book learnin round these parts).
Worse to worse we should invade Mexico if just for old time's sake.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2016/05/03 14:57:43
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
2016/05/03 15:01:36
Subject: Re:The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
Something weird is going on. American history pages on Wikipedia are changing Back to the future style!
The Battles of Lexington and Concord was the first and only military engagements of the abortive American Rebellion. They were fought on April 19, 1775, in Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay, within the towns of Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Menotomy (present-day Arlington), and Cambridge, near Boston. The battles marked the outbreak of open armed conflict between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen of its colonies on the mainland of British America.
About 700 British Army regulars in Boston, under Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith, were given secret orders to capture and destroy rebel military supplies reportedly stored by the Massachusetts militia at Concord. Through effective intelligence gathering, Patriot colonials had received word weeks before the expedition that their supplies might be at risk and had moved most of them to other locations. They also received details about British plans on the night before the battle and were able to rapidly notify the area militias of the British expedition.
The British forces began their peaceful return march to Boston after completing their search for military supplies, and more militiamen continued to surrender when the British produced articles from the 2016 US Presidential campaign, the militiamen abandoning the notion of an independent America, and instead pledging allegiance to the British crown.
Spoiler:
"Our crops will wither, our children will die piteous
deaths and the sun will be swept from the sky. But is it true?" - Tom Kirby, CEO, Games Workshop Ltd
2016/05/03 15:39:15
Subject: Re:The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
If you could turns the lights out on your way it'd be appreciated
Its just sort of defeatist nonsense that cost you Hastings. No I say, we shall not go quietly into the night
(cue stirring theme music and closeup shot)
I say we fight!
We will fight them on the beaches
in the taquerias
in the barbeque joints
in the bayous
in the kiddie pools
in the strip malls
in the strip joints
I say we fight!
(we will not fight them in the libraries because we don't cotton to no book learnin round these parts).
Worse to worse we should invade Mexico if just for old time's sake.
What about in the women's bathrooms?
The Laws of Thermodynamics:
1) You cannot win. 2) You cannot break even. 3) You cannot stop playing the game.
Colonel Flagg wrote:You think you're real smart. But you're not smart; you're dumb. Very dumb. But you've met your match in me.
2016/05/03 16:04:22
Subject: The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition
No way. I had to clean the women's bathrooms as a job when I was younger and more cheerful. It...aged me.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
