I do love an interesting discussion with lively, even animated, differences. But I like adulthood more.
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Ditto that’s why I have a few on ignore. I have never put you on ignore because I enjoy your mindless attacks Oh wait…animated mindless attacks…yeah that’s better.
I was just reading back over your OP and I think you missed an obvious one. He’s a popular celebrity. People for some weird reason tend to give celebrities a lot more leeway than ordinary Joe’s.
For example, Trump calls people names and he’s just being The Donald or he’s just being anti-PC. I call people names and I’m immature or I lack honor.
You should of seen how many people were defending Ray Rice around here even after the video of him laying his girlfriend out surfaced. We put these people up on pedestals and hold them to different standards.
I appreciate it and the feelings are mutual. Same with you @Aragorn . I find that many of the posters here provide interesting opinions about various topics otherwise I wouldn’t be here. Even @countingbeans and I, who probably track the same about 98% of the time, have gotten into vehement debate over that 2%. @smh_23 and I should probably never talk about the Iraq war ever again, lol, yet I respect his opinion very much.
Unfortunately there are a handful that are here just to vomit talking point after talking point.
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What’s the 2%?
Refresh my memory.
The one that pops in my head was the discussion regarding net neutrality and the internet become a Title 2 utility. I think that was more a misunderstand than a disagreement, though.
Yeah okay.
It’s still a shitty idea to give the government any more control over the internet than they already have. 
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Don’t forget the other Ray-Ray!
It’s all ABOUT JEEESUS!
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Muf, I overlooked this a few days ago, my apologies - I feel the same way. Few loved Jeb, but on balance, he checked the most boxes in terms of viability. When the dust settled, I figured Jeb would be the ultimate compromise candidate and the safe play.
And I don’t know that he fell out of favor with the Establishment so much as the voters turned out to give the middle finger to the Establishment and the Establishment lost control of the nomination process. But, I had heard and read that Jeb was lazy and undisciplined and simply wasn’t sharp, even beyond the debate stage. He blew through cash and never got his campaign professionalized. (A buddy of mine was a delegate for Jeb in my state - I’ve heard some of this through him.)
And he’d be a third Bush. With a populist mood, looking like a dynast was a real problem, even if he was otherwise solid on paper.
I wouldn’t go so far as saying it was Jeb’s to lose, but I thought he’d end up with the nomination. Rubio was talented, but too green. Cruz too personally loathesome and vulnerable in a general election. Kasich too unknown and too similar to Bush but with none of Bush’s financial advantages.
So what did the GOP wind up with? A reality television star Democrat who’s never held elective office. You can’t write this stuff.
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I think this is the key. Too much baggage, which I think is short sighted, but unavoidable with the general public.
I agree with what you wrote above, but the taproot of the GOP’s (and America’s) Trump problem comes down to profound ignorance. Those that voted for Trump in the GOP primary are genuinely stupid (at the very least when the matter at hand is statecraft and policy). Those who plan on voting for him in the general election are myopic fools. Principled and prudent Republicans should simply abstain in 2016 or vote 3rd party.
It’s clear that Trunp is neither a Republican nor a Democrat. He has put forth (unsupported) policy prescriptions that are antithetical to core American values and interests. He isn’t a blue wolf in red sheep’s clothing. He’s a danger and a disgrace to the United States writ large.
The democratic right to vote needs to be fundamentally reevaluated. Age and legal qualifications are not enough. As one observer writes, “Never have so many people with so little knowledge made so many consequential decisions for the rest of us . . . If you have no clue what the hell is going on, you also have a civic duty to avoid subjecting the rest of us to your ignorance.” If one can’t pass the citizenship civics test at the very least, one shouldn’t be permitted to perpetuate their ignorance through voting. Preferably, a more intensive test would be required (probably akin to an American political science 101 examination.).
This thread has given me an idea for a game.
All posters are participants. There is a large table where all are seated, with a half gal of Jim beam and a 1911. When you make a statement it is punctuated by taking a shot and slamming the glass on the table. No points are awarded under any circumstance. One point is deducted for swearing. First one to negative 10 is out. The first person to be shot wins, and people who race to the finish by shooting themselves are disqualified.
I’m unsure what you’re referring to. Our current idiots are responsible for the rise of the most unqualified presidential candidate in memory and the devolution of a the Republican Party - a historically valuable and innovative political wing - to a horde of nescient fear-mongers. Trump is seeking to undermine the three pillars of the American made world order that has served the international system so well over the past 70 years. International security, democracy, and the liberal international economy are imperiled because of the sheer stupidly of the electorate.
Voting is a civic duty, but it is a duty that should only be carried out by those that can be bothered to learn the rudimentary basics of American government and domestic and foreign policies. Those who are unwilling or unable to do so have a duty to spare the rest of us of their ignorance. Political idiots can practice self-determination by putting forth the effort to command a 101 grasp of the very basics of civics and policy. Candidates should be required to do the same. Trump certainly wouldn’t be in the position that he’s in if this were the case.
How about 26? Can’t vote until you get off your parents health insurance.
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I can already see the signs, bumper stickers and outcry, guys…
“…I can get killed in (fill-in-the-blank)…but I can’t Vote…”
My county legislature just made the age to buy tobacco 21. I don’t understand how and eighteen year old has enough forethought to pick the leader of the free world but not if they want to drink or smoke.