2016 Election Thread (My God Kill Me Now)

[pioneer98]

The Republican National Convention and the criminalization of politics

There were two genuinely unusual and somewhat shocking dimensions to Christie’s speech. One was the sheer severity of the charges he leveled against Clinton. He didn’t merely accuse her of mishandling Boko Haram. He directly accused her of responsibility for Boko Haram’s schoolgirl kidnappings, calling her an "apologist" for one of the most brutal terrorist groups on the planet. He didn’t merely accuse her of mishandling Syria but also implied she was responsible for every death in the Syrian civil war.

These are truly grave charges for which there is no evidence, yet Christie leveled them casually, like they were any other campaign talking point. That’s a remarkable escalation of rhetoric — even for this bananas election.

The second shocking element of the speech was the ease with which Christie essentially called for the criminalization of political disagreement. You can like or dislike the Iranian nuclear deal. But helping negotiate it, and supporting it, is not a crime. Doing that is participating in statecraft. Christie suggested that bad policy should put you before a jury ready and eager to condemn you for anything they deem mistakes.

[doe_boy]

I do think asking some of the has-been actors/celebrities to talk is ridiculous, but stuff like that happens on both sides. There are always people on both sides that are invited to speak that shouldn't be there. The DNC will have its share, too.

You'd think the return of the $100,000 Pyramid would have thinned the ranks of the C-list unemployed.

Maybe they need to bring back Match Game?

[BW23]

I do think asking some of the has-been actors/celebrities to talk is ridiculous, but stuff like that happens on both sides. There are always people on both sides that are invited to speak that shouldn't be there. The DNC will have its share, too.

You'd think the return of the $100,000 Pyramid would have thinned the ranks of the C-list unemployed.

I don't think these guys were even in the C-list.

[MrCrowesGarden]

I do think asking some of the has-been actors/celebrities to talk is ridiculous, but stuff like that happens on both sides. There are always people on both sides that are invited to speak that shouldn't be there. The DNC will have its share, too.

You'd think the return of the $100,000 Pyramid would have thinned the ranks of the C-list unemployed.

Maybe they need to bring back Match Game?

It's back too! With Alec Baldwin as host!

[doe_boy]

I do think asking some of the has-been actors/celebrities to talk is ridiculous, but stuff like that happens on both sides. There are always people on both sides that are invited to speak that shouldn't be there. The DNC will have its share, too.

You'd think the return of the $100,000 Pyramid would have thinned the ranks of the C-list unemployed.

Maybe they need to bring back Match Game?

It's back too! With Alec Baldwin as host!

Very good!

[redbirdjazzz]

The Republican National Convention and the criminalization of politics

There were two genuinely unusual and somewhat shocking dimensions to Christie’s speech. One was the sheer severity of the charges he leveled against Clinton. He didn’t merely accuse her of mishandling Boko Haram. He directly accused her of responsibility for Boko Haram’s schoolgirl kidnappings, calling her an "apologist" for one of the most brutal terrorist groups on the planet. He didn’t merely accuse her of mishandling Syria but also implied she was responsible for every death in the Syrian civil war.

These are truly grave charges for which there is no evidence, yet Christie leveled them casually, like they were any other campaign talking point. That’s a remarkable escalation of rhetoric — even for this bananas election.

The second shocking element of the speech was the ease with which Christie essentially called for the criminalization of political disagreement. You can like or dislike the Iranian nuclear deal. But helping negotiate it, and supporting it, is not a crime. Doing that is participating in statecraft. Christie suggested that bad policy should put you before a jury ready and eager to condemn you for anything they deem mistakes.

Can they start with posthumously convicting Reagan? Trickle down economics are still screwing us over.

[ghostrunner]

Kasich's aide wasn't kidding. Trump's campaign manager back in May:

The vice presidential pick will also be part of the process of proving he’s ready for the White House, Manafort said. “He needs an experienced person to do the part of the job he doesn’t want to do. He seems himself more as the chairman of the board, than even the CEO, let alone the COO.”

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/ ... y_job.html

[wart57]

Kasich's aide wasn't kidding. Trump's campaign manager back in May:

The vice presidential pick will also be part of the process of proving he’s ready for the White House, Manafort said. “He needs an experienced person to do the part of the job he doesn’t want to do. He seems himself more as the chairman of the board, than even the CEO, let alone the COO.”

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/ ... y_job.html

I have said this all along, Trump just wants to win the popularity contest, I don't think he has any real desire to do the job.

[jim]

I do think asking some of the has-been actors/celebrities to talk is ridiculous, but stuff like that happens on both sides. There are always people on both sides that are invited to speak that shouldn't be there. The DNC will have its share, too.

You'd think the return of the $100,000 Pyramid would have thinned the ranks of the C-list unemployed.

Maybe they need to bring back Match Game?

I loved Match Game.

Charles Nelson Riley. Brett Somers. That was some good television.

[Tim]

No Tic Tac Doe love?