Random Politics Thread

[Virtual ghost]

World’s cartoonists on this week’s events

 

[Virtual ghost]

Lots of us saw this coming. That's why states like Michigan added language about IVF to the reproductive rights bill. They're coming for all of it - men and women alike. Contraceptives, no fault divorce, Ogerfeld...every right people have fought and died for in the last 50 years. Once these are done, watch them try to repeal Constitutional amendments. Don't vote for Republicans anywhere - that's not a particularly difficult strategy. Oh and this was from today.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1760764173741326425

It seems that someone said the quiet part loud.

But yes, I am kinda surprised that more people doesn't see where all of this is going. The trend is pretty obvious if you dare to take a look at it. Plus it is almost funny how these people want to undo pretty much all science stuff but they are certain that they can win tech-economic war with China. Logic that just doesn't add up if you know something about the subject. On the other hand democracy is basically the main reason why people all over the world choose US over China in the current situation. Therefore if you destroy that and throw science out of the window you basically have nothing to work with.

 

[SensEye]

Well, Haley got thumped, but she didn't lose quite as bad as I expected. 60-40 vs 70-30 kind of thing. She might as well hang around until super Tuesday IMO. If for no other reason than to annoy Trump. That might help her down the road if (big if) Trump loses in the general.

 

[The Cat]

 

[Virtual ghost]

This result is indeed something that could matter on the long run. In 2020 Trump won South Carolina by 11.7 points against Biden.

However if Haley voters stay home by decent margin in 2024 then the SC as a state would become pretty competitive. What would drain resources even if Trump wins the state. To Trump it really matters that this state doesn't become competitive. Especially since that would have the effect on neighboring NC and Georgia. Which are considerably less red than SC.


This story in the South could get interesting due to possible domino effects.

 

[Totenkindly]

 

[Red Herring]

View attachment 30253

The Catholic church here in Germany just explicitly declared this week that supporting ethnic nationalism and hatred against ethnic or religious groups is incompatable with Christianity.

 

[Totenkindly]

The Catholic church here in Germany just explicitly declared this week that supporting ethnic nationalism and hatred against ethnic or religious groups is incompatable with Christianity.

Thank goodness. I think European Christianity honestly is more sensible and grounded than American Christianity overall -- and I'm pretty sure that graphic was aimed at American Christianity because that's exactly what it is here. Any of the sane denominations or understandings of faith in the USA don't have nearly as much political power or legislative influence.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Thank goodness. I think European Christianity honestly is more sensible and grounded than American Christianity overall -- and I'm pretty sure that graphic was aimed at American Christianity because that's exactly what it is here. Any of the sane denominations or understandings of faith in the USA don't have nearly as much political power or legislative influence.

Probably, however the main reason for that almost certainly has little to do with Christianity itself. The key factor of the difference is that in Europe they put you through genuine education over the years. For example I had to do chemical experiments in a lab, you have to learn at least one foreign language (you can even learn two if you want to). You have to do a fair share of math. I even got some plane tickets from the system in order to go abroad and learn a few things. Plus since the government payed for my college I had much more time to actually study advanced topics.

Therefore in Europe even if people define themselves are Christians that is likely to leave quite different impression than stereotypical Christians in USA. What is because the education system did a much better job in developing critical thinking and making sure that people know the basics. While in some parts of US that evidently isn't the case. Plus having healthcare as a human right really quiets down the whole conspiracy theory culture. So in the end you get two versions of Christianity that have little in common when it comes to general lifestyle. Even my own local far right has it's own environmentalist wing, what is basically unthinkable in US. However that is the work of education system that simply doesn't allow you to be complete idiot. While in US being a complete idiot is basically just another lifestyle that is considered legit.

 

[Totenkindly]

Yes, our educational and health systems also suck, especially depending on where you live.

 

[Coriolis]

Yes, our educational and health systems also suck, especially depending on where you live.

The fact that it does depend so strongly on where you live also is atrocious. What rights and benefits each of us can depend upon simply by virtue of being an American citizen/resident is rapidly dwindling.

As for Christians, they aren't all un-Christ-like. Large segments of progressive Christians still prioritize helping the needy and reaching out to the marginalized. They have never matched fundamentalists in converting their faith into political results, though. Perhaps just too busy doing good.

 

[Totenkindly]

The fact that it does depend so strongly on where you live also is atrocious. What rights and benefits each of us can depend upon simply by virtue of being an American citizen/resident is rapidly dwindling.

As for Christians, they aren't all un-Christ-like. Large segments of progressive Christians still prioritize helping the needy and reaching out to the marginalized. They have never matched fundamentalists in converting their faith into political results, though. Perhaps just too busy doing good.

Yes, of course.

But that isn't stopping the Nationalists from taking over and disenfranchasing/oppressing minority groups. It's nice that the needy can be helped, but it won't matter if they are being run into the ground and/or simply dead.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Brazil: Thousands rally behind Bolsonaro amid coup probe

Bolsonaro is being investigated over his role in an alleged coup attempt on January 8, 2023, when his supporters stormed government buildings in the capital Brasilia after the far-right lawmaker lost the presidential election to leftist Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva at the end of 2022.

This is what happens when you copy-paste in the terms of politics.

 

[Coriolis]

Yes, of course.

But that isn't stopping the Nationalists from taking over and disenfranchasing/oppressing minority groups. It's nice that the needy can be helped, but it won't matter if they are being run into the ground and/or simply dead.

I was pointing out more that progressive Christians dropped the ball in political messaging to match their direct actions, ceding the floor to the reactionaries. We are all paying for that now.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I thought this was interesting.

This is what happens when a wind farm comes to a coal town

Key takeaway: there aren't enough jobs in wind to replace the coal that's being phased out (a process that has been happening since the 1920s). I am sympathetic to those concerns, but I am unsure what should be done about it.

 

[The Cat]

 

[ceecee]

Happy to have voted uncommitted in the Michigan primary.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Senator Mitch McConnell to leave top Republican post

 

[SensEye]

That's a good start. One old fossil gone. Although I shudder to think who might replace him in the Trump era.

 

[The Cat]

Senator Mitch McConnell to leave top Republican post

Be careful what one wishes for. Is a lesson that is soon to be taught. Whether it will be learned...we shall see.