villakram Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Manafort trial is really heating up with Gates laying it on thick so far. The defense are going to have to get very dirty to get out of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted August 8, 2018 Moderator Share Posted August 8, 2018 15 hours ago, villakram said: Manafort trial is really heating up with Gates laying it on thick so far. The defense are going to have to get very dirty to get out of this. Not sure they can get out of it. Manafort clearly fancies his chances is a US jail more than he fancies his chances against his Russian masters if he spills the beans on them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straggler Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 2 hours ago, bickster said: Not sure they can get out of it. Manafort clearly fancies his chances is a US jail more than he fancies his chances against his Russian masters if he spills the beans on them There is a theory out there that Manafort hasn't even been offered a deal. The idea being that Mueller has enough flipped people for the rest of his work and thinks that Manafort is such a career crook that he wants to send him down for life more than he wants his testimony. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted August 8, 2018 Moderator Share Posted August 8, 2018 26 minutes ago, Straggler said: There is a theory out there that Manafort hasn't even been offered a deal. The idea being that Mueller has enough flipped people for the rest of his work and thinks that Manafort is such a career crook that he wants to send him down for life more than he wants his testimony. Possibly true, only time will tell on that one I guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted August 8, 2018 Moderator Share Posted August 8, 2018 Possibly worth taking a moment to note what's happening in the background while the big orange monkey throws his poo about. Here's the manifesto that the Koch brothers, one of his main backers and beneficiaries ran on for election on in 1980. Their beliefs haven't changed, their aims remain consistent - remove the obstacle of government from the path of private profit. Deregulate, privatise and remove public faith in elected officials. I'd say it's going pretty well. https://www.sanders.senate.gov/koch-brothers Quote Here are just a few excerpts of the Libertarian Party platform that David Koch ran on in 1980: “We urge the repeal of federal campaign finance laws, and the immediate abolition of the despotic Federal Election Commission.” “We favor the abolition of Medicare and Medicaidprograms.” “We oppose any compulsory insurance or tax-supported plan to provide health services, including those which finance abortion services.” “We also favor the deregulation of the medical insurance industry.” “We favor the repeal of the fraudulent, virtually bankrupt, and increasingly oppressive Social Security system. Pending that repeal, participation in Social Security should be made voluntary.” “We propose the abolition of the governmental Postal Service. The present system, in addition to being inefficient, encourages governmental surveillance of private correspondence. Pending abolition, we call for an end to the monopoly system and for allowing free competition in all aspects of postal service.” “We oppose all personal and corporate income taxation, including capital gains taxes.” “We support the eventual repeal of all taxation.” “As an interim measure, all criminal and civil sanctions against tax evasion should be terminated immediately.” “We support repeal of all law which impede the ability of any person to find employment, such as minimum wage laws.” “We advocate the complete separation of education and State. Government schools lead to the indoctrination of children and interfere with the free choice of individuals. Government ownership, operation, regulation, and subsidy of schools and colleges should be ended.” “We condemn compulsory education laws … and we call for the immediate repeal of such laws.” “We support the repeal of all taxes on the income or property of private schools, whether profit or non-profit.” “We support the abolition of the Environmental Protection Agency.” “We support abolition of the Department of Energy.” “We call for the dissolution of all government agencies concerned with transportation, including the Department of Transportation.” “We demand the return of America's railroad system to private ownership. We call for the privatization of the public roads and national highway system.” “We specifically oppose laws requiring an individual to buy or use so-called "self-protection" equipment such as safety belts, air bags, or crash helmets.” “We advocate the abolition of the Federal Aviation Administration.” “We advocate the abolition of the Food and Drug Administration.” “We support an end to all subsidies for child-bearing built into our present laws, including all welfare plans and the provision of tax-supported services for children.” “We oppose all government welfare, relief projects, and ‘aid to the poor’ programs. All these government programs are privacy-invading, paternalistic, demeaning, and inefficient. The proper source of help for such persons is the voluntary efforts of private groups and individuals.” “We call for the privatization of the inland waterways, and of the distribution system that brings water to industry, agriculture and households.” “We call for the repeal of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.” “We call for the abolition of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.” “We support the repeal of all state usury laws.” 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAuthority Posted August 8, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted August 8, 2018 4 hours ago, OutByEaster? said: Here are just a few excerpts of the Libertarian Party platform that David Koch ran on in 1980: “We urge the repeal of federal campaign finance laws, and the immediate abolition of the despotic Federal Election Commission.” “We favor the abolition of Medicare and Medicaidprograms.” “We oppose any compulsory insurance or tax-supported plan to provide health services, including those which finance abortion services.” “We also favor the deregulation of the medical insurance industry.” “We favor the repeal of the fraudulent, virtually bankrupt, and increasingly oppressive Social Security system. Pending that repeal, participation in Social Security should be made voluntary.” “We propose the abolition of the governmental Postal Service. The present system, in addition to being inefficient, encourages governmental surveillance of private correspondence. Pending abolition, we call for an end to the monopoly system and for allowing free competition in all aspects of postal service.” “We oppose all personal and corporate income taxation, including capital gains taxes.” “We support the eventual repeal of all taxation.” “As an interim measure, all criminal and civil sanctions against tax evasion should be terminated immediately.” “We support repeal of all law which impede the ability of any person to find employment, such as minimum wage laws.” “We advocate the complete separation of education and State. Government schools lead to the indoctrination of children and interfere with the free choice of individuals. Government ownership, operation, regulation, and subsidy of schools and colleges should be ended.” “We condemn compulsory education laws … and we call for the immediate repeal of such laws.” “We support the repeal of all taxes on the income or property of private schools, whether profit or non-profit.” “We support the abolition of the Environmental Protection Agency.” “We support abolition of the Department of Energy.” “We call for the dissolution of all government agencies concerned with transportation, including the Department of Transportation.” “We demand the return of America's railroad system to private ownership. We call for the privatization of the public roads and national highway system.” “We specifically oppose laws requiring an individual to buy or use so-called "self-protection" equipment such as safety belts, air bags, or crash helmets.” “We advocate the abolition of the Federal Aviation Administration.” “We advocate the abolition of the Food and Drug Administration.” “We support an end to all subsidies for child-bearing built into our present laws, including all welfare plans and the provision of tax-supported services for children.” “We oppose all government welfare, relief projects, and ‘aid to the poor’ programs. All these government programs are privacy-invading, paternalistic, demeaning, and inefficient. The proper source of help for such persons is the voluntary efforts of private groups and individuals.” “We call for the privatization of the inland waterways, and of the distribution system that brings water to industry, agriculture and households.” “We call for the repeal of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.” “We call for the abolition of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.” “We support the repeal of all state usury laws.” It's the wet dream of "we're rich bastards who've made a ton of money and are so greedy we want to abolish any obstacle to us making as much money as possible even if those obstacles destroy the planet and kill or maim the people working for us." Think that sums it up. American oligarchs. Devos is another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brumerican Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 5 hours ago, OutByEaster? said: “We urge the repeal of federal campaign finance laws, and the immediate abolition of the despotic Federal Election Commission.” “We favor the abolition of Medicare and Medicaidprograms.” “We oppose any compulsory insurance or tax-supported plan to provide health services, including those which finance abortion services.” “We also favor the deregulation of the medical insurance industry.” “We favor the repeal of the fraudulent, virtually bankrupt, and increasingly oppressive Social Security system. Pending that repeal, participation in Social Security should be made voluntary.” “We propose the abolition of the governmental Postal Service. The present system, in addition to being inefficient, encourages governmental surveillance of private correspondence. Pending abolition, we call for an end to the monopoly system and for allowing free competition in all aspects of postal service.” “We oppose all personal and corporate income taxation, including capital gains taxes.” “We support the eventual repeal of all taxation.” “As an interim measure, all criminal and civil sanctions against tax evasion should be terminated immediately.” “We support repeal of all law which impede the ability of any person to find employment, such as minimum wage laws.” “We advocate the complete separation of education and State. Government schools lead to the indoctrination of children and interfere with the free choice of individuals. Government ownership, operation, regulation, and subsidy of schools and colleges should be ended.” “We condemn compulsory education laws … and we call for the immediate repeal of such laws.” “We support the repeal of all taxes on the income or property of private schools, whether profit or non-profit.” “We support the abolition of the Environmental Protection Agency.” “We support abolition of the Department of Energy.” “We call for the dissolution of all government agencies concerned with transportation, including the Department of Transportation.” “We demand the return of America's railroad system to private ownership. We call for the privatization of the public roads and national highway system.” “We specifically oppose laws requiring an individual to buy or use so-called "self-protection" equipment such as safety belts, air bags, or crash helmets.” “We advocate the abolition of the Federal Aviation Administration.” “We advocate the abolition of the Food and Drug Administration.” “We support an end to all subsidies for child-bearing built into our present laws, including all welfare plans and the provision of tax-supported services for children.” “We oppose all government welfare, relief projects, and ‘aid to the poor’ programs. All these government programs are privacy-invading, paternalistic, demeaning, and inefficient. The proper source of help for such persons is the voluntary efforts of private groups and individuals.” “We call for the privatization of the inland waterways, and of the distribution system that brings water to industry, agriculture and households.” “We call for the repeal of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.” “We call for the abolition of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.” “We support the repeal of all state usury laws.” Jesus. Imagine what the chorus is going to be like ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterms Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 4 minutes ago, Brumerican said: Jesus. Imagine what the chorus is going to be like ! Will it involve parading the disinterred corpse of Ayn Rand, to martial music and waving of flags? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brumerican Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 7 minutes ago, peterms said: Will it involve parading the disinterred corpse of Ayn Rand, to martial music and waving of flags? I think they just scream "Pain" over and over again like Cobain does on "You know you're right". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterms Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I wouldn't have expected to find an essay critiquing American exceptionalism in something called "The American Conservative", but here we are. Quote ...These historical and cultural warnings about human nature have since been swept away by acolytes of American exceptionalism. Our moral superiority, they claim, makes us Masters of the Universe, not careful and mindful custodians of our own fallen nature. We have been put on earth to judge other nations, not to be judged. Tossing the legacy of the Framers onto the ash heap of history, George W. Bush declared in his Second Inaugural Address that our exceptionalism creates an obligation to promote democracy “in every nation and culture.” In this endeavor, Bush pronounced, the United States enjoys the sanction of heaven, as “history also has a visible direction, set by liberty and the author of liberty.” Bush’s Second Inaugural was probably better in the original French. Now, the puffed-up American establishment, many of whom supported the bloody Iraq war, drip with moral condescension as they brand Vladimir Putin an existential outlaw and the enemy of democracy, foreclosing the possibility of common ground with Russia on nuclear weapons, China, terrorism, and other issues that matter to the national security of the United States. That Washington has meddled in countless nations’ affairs from Iraq to Russia—and caused untold damage—is of no account to the establishment. Rules do not apply to democracy promoters. After the Iraq war, we should have reconsidered our hubristic American exceptionalism. One can take pride in the American tradition without laying claim to a uniquely beautiful national soul that is exempt from the laws of nature and of nature’s God. The hysterical reaction to Trump’s truthful admission that the United States too has made mistakes in its relationship with Russia is a sign that American exceptionalism is still in full flower among elites. Without the return of a certain humility, there will be more military adventures abroad and political strife at home. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted August 8, 2018 Moderator Share Posted August 8, 2018 2 hours ago, Brumerican said: Jesus. Imagine what the chorus is going to be like ! I would imagine it’s something like the chorus in So What by the Anti Nowhere League Which on the grounds of decency and taste I will not post here 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowychap Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 (edited) 7 minutes ago, bickster said: I would imagine it’s something like the chorus in So What by the Anti Nowhere League Which on the grounds of decency and taste I will not post here I'm quite happy to oblige : So what, so what, you boring little word removed Who cares, who cares about you? Who cares, who cares about you? You, you, you, you Edited August 8, 2018 by snowychap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted August 8, 2018 Moderator Share Posted August 8, 2018 Just now, snowychap said: I'm quite happy to oblige: So what, so what, you boring little word removed Who cares, who cares about you? Who cares, who cares about you? You, you, you, you That's the one 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterms Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Love the Ade Edmondsen lookalkes in the background. 1980 rocks. Or possibly hobbles, now, with a zimmer frame, and a carer in attendance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted August 9, 2018 Author Share Posted August 9, 2018 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAuthority Posted August 9, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted August 9, 2018 Mike Pence making a speech about a f^ck*$g space force. Forget a post-truth era we are in a post-reality era. It's like Monty Python and Spitting Image got together to write the most unbelievably stupid vice-president speech they could think of. What a clearing in the woods c^*t cockwomble sandwich that man is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowychap Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 ^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAuthority Posted August 10, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted August 10, 2018 4 hours ago, snowychap said: ^ Where are we? When are we? Are we in a Gerry Anderson puppet show? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted August 10, 2018 Moderator Share Posted August 10, 2018 7 hours ago, TheAuthority said: Where are we? When are we? Are we in a Gerry Anderson puppet show? It's Gerry Anderson but of the non-puppet kind 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choffer Posted August 10, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted August 10, 2018 1 hour ago, bickster said: It's Gerry Anderson but of the non-puppet kind More like: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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