2017 Republican Thread

[EvilMonkey]

Not so fast.

 

Top Judiciary Democrat: "It was clear the FBI was taking its job seriously"

 

"It was clear the FBI was taking its job seriously, and a substantial investigation was underway," Sen. Dianne Feinstein said, referring to the Russia investigation.

 

Feinstein called on a special prosecutor to oversee the Russia probe. She added that, at a minimum, the timing of Comey's firing "could implicate" the administration.

 

CNN.com

“Do you have evidence that there was in fact collusion between Trump associates and Russia during the campaign?” CNN’s Wolf Blitzer asked California Sen. Dianne Feinstein during an interview on Wednesday.

 

“Not at this time,” she responded.

 

“Well, that’s a pretty precise answer,” Blitzer said. (this was end of April)

 

With her being on the intelligence committee, if there is something there, she would have seen it. They can WANT to see it all day long. They will continue to assert that there is somethign there to keep it in the news. At some point you have to move on.

[illinilaw08]

“Do you have evidence that there was in fact collusion between Trump associates and Russia during the campaign?” CNN’s Wolf Blitzer asked California Sen. Dianne Feinstein during an interview on Wednesday.

 

“Not at this time,” she responded.

 

“Well, that’s a pretty precise answer,” Blitzer said. (this was end of April)

 

With her being on the intelligence committee, if there is something there, she would have seen it. They can WANT to see it all day long. They will continue to assert that there is somethign there to keep it in the news. At some point you have to move on.

 

That's not a definitive statement about whether there was in fact collusion. And it's abundantly clear that the FBI is investigating, and the Senate has subpoenaed documents from Stone, and Page at a minimum.

 

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/09/r...as-trump-238173

 

Now, the investigation may not ultimately turn up anything. And if it DOES turn up something, it might not implicate the President at all. But to say that any conclusions can be drawn because the Senate committee lacked evidence in April is... a reach.

[greg775]

It's almost as if they were upset for two different reasons in two completely different situations and you're being deliberately obtuse.

Our country is totally partisan right now with no desire EVER for cooperation from either side to make it a better country. Very sad. To some extent it's always been this way, but never this bad cept for Civil War days which may be ahead. I'd be surprised if Texas and Cali didn't try to start their own countries.

[Reddy]

I don't think anyone posted about Sweden dropping the frivolous "rape" charges against Assange.

This just in. Privileged straight white male calls rape charges "frivolous". In other news, the sky is still blue.

[EvilMonkey]

This just in. Privileged straight white male calls rape charges "frivolous". In other news, the sky is still blue.

This just in Maybe-not-priviledged, I-don't-know-or-care make on message board gets butthurt by bad words.

[Reddy]

This was politically motivated from the start. The court threw the case out. Do you think a country would feel okay letting a highly publicized supposed rapist back into regular population?

 

Why you have to make assumptions about my standing, ethic background, sexual orientation and gender identification, I don't know. Are you racist? Sexist? Gender insensitive? Do you hate straight white males? Are you also a straight white male?

 

If you're not a straight, white, male, could I also make plenty of general assumptions about you - your race, gender choice, background, orientation, etc. - without being referred to as multiple different -ists? Or is your consistent condemnation of a group of people only afforded to non-whites? Or are you also a white male but allowed to attack others based on their predispositions because you hate other white males and you have the guise of being "progressive" to cover you?

 

Seriously though where does your hatred stem from? This has to be a psychologically programmed into. Do you associate straight white males with your childhood? Was it tough growing up? Did you not gett the popular girls or were you bad at sports or just socially awkward? Did white males bully you? Is your father a white male who had certain expectations for you that you rebelled against? How could you hate a group of people so much? You can't even talk about a world renown publisher being politically targeted without voicing your displeasure with ~35% of our country.

I'm a good looking straight white male who does very well with the ladies, was always good at sports, was the best singer/actor/performer in my high school and college, excelled at most things I did, eagle scout, etc etc etc.

 

All of that is thanks to my privilege of being born white, straight and male to upper middle class parents. I didn't have to work very hard at all to accomplish all the things I have, compared to the struggle any non-white, non-male person has to go through to accomplish the same things.

 

It's a simple matter of whether or not you have empathy.

[caulfield12]

Basically, the Swedish HAVE NO WAY TO GO FORWARD WITH THE CASE UNDER THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES

 

 

At a press briefing on Friday, Sweden's top prosecutor Marianne Ny said that by remaining in the embassy in London Mr Assange had evaded the exercise of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) that would have seen him extradited to Sweden.

 

She said that under Swedish law a criminal investigation needed to be conducted "as quickly as possible".

 

Sweden did not expect Ecuador's co-operation in formally notifying Mr Assange of the allegations against him, a necessary step in proceeding with the case, she added.

 

But she said: "If he were to return to Sweden before the statute of limitation on this case expires in August 2020, the preliminary investigation could be resumed."

 

She said it was "regrettable we have not been able to carry out the investigation", and added: "We are not making any pronouncement about guilt."

 

...

 

The plaintiff in the rape case was "shocked" by the decision, her lawyer said, and maintained her accusations against Mr Assange, Agence France-Presse reported.

[Reddy]

I've never met an eagle scout who can act, sing and really just perform way better than the entire high school and on the field and on the stage while picking up girls and getting great grades and still keeping the face pretty. You are just that exceptional Reddy. However, if you could put yourself in someone else's shoes you could understand that not all white guys are excelling at all facets of life and inherently perfect (and good looking) like you are. They also have nothing to do with the lack of a case against Julian Assange.

You've met me!

 

Brother, it doesn't matter how much a white person has or hasn't succeeded. They still started out ahead of those who aren't white. Same with being male. I know that's a hard pill to swallow, because it then means that you - comparatively - did even worse for yourself if you're not successful, but it's reality.

 

Think of it like a marathon. Straight white men get to start a couple miles in, and it staggers back to the start for each group of people depending on how marginalized you are. Everyone's running the same race, and has to work hard, but some just have an inherent leg up or have to work harder due to factors beyond their control. I was fortunate. I was (and am) privileged.

Edited May 23, 2017 by Reddy

[SouthSide2004]

I'm a good looking straight white male who does very well with the ladies, was always good at sports, was the best singer/actor/performer in my high school and college, excelled at most things I did, eagle scout, etc etc etc.

 

All of that is thanks to my privilege of being born white, straight and male to upper middle class parents. I didn't have to work very hard at all to accomplish all the things I have, compared to the struggle any non-white, non-male person has to go through to accomplish the same things.

 

It's a simple matter of whether or not you have empathy.

Good god dude you are one arrogant dude. What does any of that have to do with being a straight white male? The only thing your privilege has allowed you to do is become a full time social justic warrior and part time terrible film maker. The fact you've confused genetically predisposed physical traits like good looks, athletic abilities, & singing voice with privilege shows just how out of touch from reality you are.

 

[caulfield12]

Good god dude you are one arrogant dude. What does any of that have to do with being a straight white male? The only thing your privilege has allowed you to do is become a full time social justic warrior and part time terrible film maker. The fact you've confused genetically predisposed physical traits like good looks, athletic abilities, & singing voice with privilege shows just how out of touch from reality you are.

 

 

I think "Reddy privilege" is just a few notches down from Ivanka and Jared Kushner's brother, who's dating Karlie Kloss and was connected to one of the initial groups attempting to buy the Marlins from Loria.

 

She just snaps her fingers and gets a $100 million donation from Saudia Arabia and UAE for "women's empowerment." Maybe we can send her around the world to woo aytocratic leaders and slowly but surely pay down the Federal deficit.

 

At any rate, White priviledge is pretty much perfectly encapsulated in Ivanka's two books about "working women."

 

Elizabeth Holmes, who tricked investors out of hundreds of millions with her Theranos start-up, would be another.

 

Chelsea Clinton's husband, who lost his hedge fund clients hundreds of millions if not a billion, etc.

Edited May 23, 2017 by caulfield12

[Reddy]

Good god dude you are one arrogant dude. What does any of that have to do with being a straight white male? The only thing your privilege has allowed you to do is become a full time social justic warrior and part time terrible film maker. The fact you've confused genetically predisposed physical traits like good looks, athletic abilities, & singing voice with privilege shows just how out of touch from reality you are.

I mean I was just being honest (and f***ing with Rabbit). I have plenty of shortcomings, flaws and failings I could list, too. I'm pretty clear eyed about my strengths and weaknesses - of which there are many. I was just illustrating a point.

 

Yep. The filmmaking thing didn't pan out (hey look! I failed!), though man - how on earth do you remember that? As far as genetically pre-disposed traits, there are many MANY people who are pre-disposed to be good at something but aren't able to train or practice enough to make themselves competitive in that arena because they don't have the privilege I had. That same privilege you reference that allowed me to dabble in filmmaking and allows me to be the activist I am is what allowed me to devote time and energy to music, acting and sports as a kid, and currently allows me to rock climb and travel.

 

I am in no way out of touch with reality, however. I've held at least one job, usually two or more simultaneously, since I was 15 years old. I grew up in middle America. I've never made more than thirty-some grand a year, and I've supported myself on that income in the most expensive city in America living in a s*** hole of an apartment. I just prioritize the spending of my money differently. I don't party or drink much at all. I don't go out often. I live in a cheap, crappy apartment, and I hardly ever buy new clothes, gadgets, etc. But because of that prioritization, I've traveled to all fifty states and I've spoken with and met people from all walks of life while working on numerous campaigns, and while on performing gigs. Just because your reality and my reality don't look the same, doesn't mean I'm "out of touch".

Edited May 23, 2017 by Reddy

[Bob Sacamano]

Good god dude you are one arrogant dude. What does any of that have to do with being a straight white male? The only thing your privilege has allowed you to do is become a full time social justic warrior and part time terrible film maker. The fact you've confused genetically predisposed physical traits like good looks, athletic abilities, & singing voice with privilege shows just how out of touch from reality you are.

 

I literally thought the same. He can be a "good looking straight black male who does very well with the ladies, was always good at sports, was the best singer/actor/performer in my high school and college, excelled at most things I did, eagle scout, etc etc etc." Good looking straight black males who do very well with ladies and are good at sports or a good singer actor or performer exist lol

Edited May 23, 2017 by soxfan2014

[Reddy]

I literally thought the same. He can be a "good looking straight black male who does very well with the ladies, was always good at sports, was the best singer/actor/performer in my high school and college, excelled at most things I did, eagle scout, etc etc etc." Good looking straight black males who do very well with ladies and are good at sports or a good singer actor or performer exist lol

Want to read my response to that point? It's actually statistically much, much more difficult to do all of the above as a black kid, because black kids are disproportionately from low income areas/households, and parents can't pay for lessons/training/camping trips/etc

 

The responses to that comment actually highlight the white privilege that exists here - because you don't recognize that those things ARE born out of my privilege. Even being "good looking"! The fact that I had access to good clothes that fit me properly and good haircuts, contact lenses, etc etc etc are partially a result of my white privilege.

[Jenksismyhero]

Reddy, the weight of your white guilt must be really tough to carry around on a daily basis.

Edited May 23, 2017 by JenksIsMyHero

[Reddy]

Reddy, the weight of your white guilt must be really tough to carry around on a daily basis.

It's not at all, because I'm actively working to do something about it.

 

Why is the phrase "white guilt" an insult? Doesn't that just mean I have compassion and empathy where you couldn't give two f***s about the way we've treated marginalized communities over the centuries? Go ahead and sling it as an insult. I don't take it as one.

[Reddy]

Reddy is to the left is what Limbaugh to the right. Just awful to see people really believe this stuff.

I'd be so stoked to read data that contradicts what I've suggested. Feel free to give me that information at any time.

[Reddy]

Nope. Only white people can be the best at everything in their school be good looking and get awesome grades. It comes with the territory. You're racist if you can't admit that. White people are better because they're white. Reddy made that clear. That's he why is so awesome himself - because he's white.

If that's seriously what you took away from my posts, then you're a lost cause. If you're trolling, then at least I'd still have some respect for you.

[Reddy]

The inability of white people to grasp that they have an advantage in life due to the color of their skin is part of why I'm so sick and f***ing tired of white people. Haha

[Reddy]

Everybody who read your bs on the last page thinks even less of you than you did before. You're an arrogant clueless narcissist who thinks every good thing about you comes from you being white and the supposed privelege that comes with it. Shows what you think about minorities and how they can't share all these same awesome traits your whiteness gave you.

that is a completely perverted and twisted interpretation of what I wrote.

 

I don't believe all of those things are true BECAUSE I am white. My whiteness does not make me better or worse than anyone else, but my whiteness gives me a specific advantage economically and socially due to people like you having an implicit bias against POC that you don't recognize.

 

Jesus. The fact that I have to even explain this blows my mind. I forget sometimes that my bubble is made up of rational, compassionate, empathetic people who would take the things I posted on the last page as givens in this country.

Edited May 23, 2017 by Reddy

[Reddy]

You people are seriously reading this as me saying "I'm better because I'm white"?

 

I'm saying I have societal advantages because I'm white, which opened doors to me that wouldn't have otherwise opened and allowed me to be able to do XYZ.

 

Is this nuance really that difficult to grasp?

[Reddy]

It's not you Reddy it's everybody else!

I'll fully accept responsibility for not being as clear as I should've. I just didn't realize that it was a difficult concept to articulate/grasp. I now know that outside of New York and LA, it is.

[Reddy]

Black people have affirmative action, scholarship opportunities and hiring preferences in corporate America on account of their background. If I said "I'm so sick and f***ing tired of black people because they can't grasp they have an advantage" you would have the satin panties your daddy bought you in a bunch. Of course I wouldn't say that about a whole group of people because I have respect and compassion for others. Why is it okay for you to rip and generalize A whole sect of people when you run around trying to call others racists for doing the same thing?

 

All white people aren't entitled prisses because you are reddy. Get out of your bubble.

black people getting a leg up to be put on even footing with white people is not "an advantage".

[Reddy]

All white people aren't entitled prisses because you are reddy. Get out of your bubble.

 

Why does this guy get to make continual personal attacks? #snowflake

[southsider2k5]

This entire thread is just absolutely 100% wrong. It couldn't be more wrong and insulting to be honest. As someone who has extensive experience not only working with the types of kids you are looking down on, but also a wife we has 15 years of experience teaching the kids you are looking down on you have it fully wrong. This is not a racial problem. The thought that it is a racial problem only complicates the matter. This is a poverty issue. This is a cycle of kids having people like you telling them that they can't amount of anything because of who they are and what they look like, and that their only hope is more handouts. The work undoing this line of thought is impossible most of the time and condemns kids to repeat the cycle of poverty for their lifetimes. Get out of your shell and actually work with some of these kids and understand them. I couldn't be more disgusted right now.

[Reddy]

This entire thread is just absolutely 100% wrong. It couldn't be more wrong and insulting to be honest. As someone who has extensive experience not only working with the types of kids you are looking down on, but also a wife we has 15 years of experience teaching the kids you are looking down on you have it fully wrong. This is not a racial problem. The thought that it is a racial problem only complicates the matter. This is a poverty issue. This is a cycle of kids having people like you telling them that they can't amount of anything because of who they are and what they look like. The work undoing this line of thought is impossible most of the time and condemns kids to repeat the cycle of poverty for their lifetimes. Get out of your shell and actually work with some of these kids and understand them. I couldn't be more disgusted right now.

Of course it's a poverty issue. Which groups of people are more likely to be in poverty?