Law School Fucking Sucks

[Bartholomert]

Hello everybody, I finally caved / had time to cave.

What's everyone been up to? How successful has the forum transition been?

[Giggles]

Is Taz in law school?

[Lee]

Alright, mert?

[Lewis]

Yes. :cool:

[Giggles]

Awwww shit.

[Bartholomert]

http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/041/249/d9a.jpg

[Reg]

Why the name change?

[Ian]

I don't get the name.

[Giggles]

I don't get the name.

I presume he'll blow our minds with the reason soon. That picture is good though, means he probably won't be around long.

[Toby]

I don't get the name.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenerbah%C3%A7e_S.K.#Gen.C3.A7_Fenerbah.C3.A7elile r

No idea if 2010 has any particular relevance.

[Bartholomert]

It was my original name on the forum before Henry changed it to Obamert. I thought it would be a cute inside joke throw back for the old timers but I think I might have overestimated how much people actually paid attention to me.

[Bartholomert]

Yes. :cool:

inb4 contributions wildly below inflated expectations.

Anyways good to see John still ruling the forums as a bitter overcompensating tyrant.

[Ian]

Weren't you just Mert when John, I think, changed it to Obamert (which might have been my suggestion)?

I was always pleasantly surprised at you not chimping out about the Obamert thing. This name is shit. Change it.

[Lewis]

I took it as a lame attempt (a la GS) to prevent real people finding your posts.

[Bartholomert]

Weren't you just Mert when John, I think, changed it to Obamert (which might have been my suggestion)?

I was always pleasantly surprised at you not chimping out about the Obamert thing. This name is shit. Change it.

It's also possible that I'm mixing TTH with another forum. Either way I'm not changing my username in response to popular demand / logic / reason like some pussy limp wristed establishment Republican, and anyways it'll make it harder to trace any egregious posts I make back to IRL me.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm pretty sure he was Genc something, then changed to Mertarken, then he shorted it to Mert and then the change to Obamert.

[Boydy]

I remember when you had your full name with middle initial.

Edit: Iwasn't going to post it because I'm nice like that but I see Mahow's done it anyway.

[Bartholomert]

Alright, mert?

Doing okay, picked up a sports gambling habit to cope with the soul crushing workload and lack of social interaction of law school, but I'm good enough that it's not too much of a financial burden. Otherwise happy to be 1/6th of the way done, currently enjoying playing FM 2015 at home and contemplating meeting up with my ex girlfriend later this week.

PS: Got $40 on Baylor +3 over UNC if anybody cares

[Bartholomert]

I remember when you had your full name with middle initial.

Edit: Iwasn't going to post it because I'm nice like that but I see Mahow's done it anyway.

The way I remembered it, I had it as my full name, then I changed it to GencFB2010, then I changed it to Mert (very briefly) after which it was changed to Obamert. But you might be right.

[Ian]

I want you to change it for you, Mert. Partly because this one is shit and partly because we're all going to call you Mert anyway.

[John]

It was 'Mert' for about four years, so not 'very briefly' at all. I won't embarrass you with what it was before that.

[Bartholomert]

It was 'Mert' for about four years, so not 'very briefly' at all. I won't embarrass you with what it was before that.

Yikes. Can you just change it to Mert?

Also you still suck.

[mugbull]

Yesss. One half of the dream team is back. How's DC?

[Bartholomert]

Yesss. One half of the dream team is back. How's DC?

Honestly, couldn't even tell you because I pretty much never leave campus / have any fun. I'm also in a long-distance relationship (ex-girlfriend took me back after I spent a summer banging randos which predictably got old fast) which has lulled me into social complacency. All I know is that I would never ever want to live in a big city, I need open spaces, conservatives, convenient parking and girls who are more easily impressed by my qualifications for my own happiness.

[Pepe]

Lol at showing up just for WDYTOE.

[Spoonsky]

Isn't DC meant to be about the second most liberal city in the country (after SF)?

[Davgooner]

Thank fuck. THANK FUCK.

[Baz]

Hello Mert.

[Bartholomert]

Isn't DC meant to be about the second most liberal city in the country (after SF)?

I wouldn't be surprised at all, it's a dark place, and I've gotten to the point where I just don't bring up politics at all. I'm talking people who openly sympathize with Black Lives Matters / Bernie Sanders / Missouri protestors, etc; totally immune to any reason to the point where pointing out even basic logical flaws is met with a shitstorm of name calling / irrational rage.

[Magic]

I wouldn't be surprised at all, it's a dark place, and I've gotten to the point where I just don't bring up politics at all. I'm talking people who openly sympathize with Black Lives Matters / Bernie Sanders / Missouri protestors, etc; totally immune to any reason to the point where pointing out even basic logical flaws is met with a shitstorm of name calling / irrational rage.

I'm actually bowled over by the irony of this post.

[Bartholomert]

Were you bowled over before or after marrying an obese?

[Magic]

There's a better joke than that in there.

[Toby]

Does it involve you getting whomped at actual bowling?

[Magic]

Does it involve you getting whomped at actual bowling?

Probably. It definitely doesn't involve being swallowed by paranoia and fear because of my own lack of self-esteem having had a girl cheat on me for being an annoying big nosed Turkish cunt.

[mugbull]

Conservatives are just about the worst people to be around. Unfortunately so are liberals these days. Its constant bullshit, from all sides. It wasn't this way 5 years ago, but something changed and now you cant have a political conversation with anybody.

[Pepe]

Weren't you wearing diapers five years ago?

[Bartholomert]

Conservatives are just about the worst people to be around. Unfortunately so are liberals these days. Its constant bullshit, from all sides. It wasn't this way 5 years ago, but something changed and now you cant have a political conversation with anybody.

Things people with no conservative friends say ^^^

Center-Right moderates = GOAT / only sane demographic these days. If they ruled as an technocracy things would be far better (although I'm pretty sure that's what Trump is minus the rhetoric on immigrants).

[mugbull]

You're absolutely right, I'm currently seven years old.

[mugbull]

Things people with no conservative friends say ^^^

Center-Right moderates = GOAT / only sane demographic these days. If they ruled as an technocracy things would be far better (although I'm pretty sure that's what Trump is minus the rhetoric on immigrants).

You're the only conservative friend i need, and thats enough to know i'm fine without conservative friends

[Bartholomert]

It's crazy to think that 5 years ago nobody really blinked an eye at casual racism, sexism, waving the Confederate battle flag, homophobia, etc. Obama fucked up being publicly intolerant / voicing views contrary to liberal NE sensibilities for everyone.

The change in tone on our fraternity email list serve, especially among the younger generation, is a shocking 180.

[Bartholomert]

You're the only conservative friend i need, and thats enough to know i'm fine without conservative friends

Complains about polarized intolerant political climate. Reinforces said status quo.

Liberal logic.

[mugbull]

Your definition of consevative and my definition of conservative are two very different things.

[Pepe]

So who are you voting for on the primaries mert?

[Bartholomert]

So who are you voting for on the primaries mert?

I oscillate between Trump and Rubio depending on how self-hating I'm feeling about my Islamic background (although my mother is Armenian Orthodox and I don't ascribe to much of the dogma, so I'm not really fully 'accepted' by the Muslim community anyways I'm coming to see.)

[Bernanke]

What's wrong with Cruz?

[Bartholomert]

What's wrong with Cruz?

He's hated by pretty much everyone he interacts with and everything he does is minutely calculated for effect to appeal to the base. You can't have a leader like that; he must inspire loyalty and enthusiasm through his personality as well as his policy positions. I'm sick of disingenuous politicians and he represents the Conservative version of the PC police.

[mugbull]

Cruz is by far the worst of them all, the man is absolutely soulless. It's incredible, actually.

[randomlegend]

I'd have thought even you were above voting for Donald Trump. Fucking hell.

[Pepe]

#standwithrand

[Bartholomert]

I'd have thought even you were above voting for Donald Trump. Fucking hell.

Don't buy the biased media narrative. He's actually probably as close as we're going to get to a genuine moderate who will get things done as we've seen in a while.

Tell me one serious policy proposal of his that isn't urgently necessary and wouldn't benefit the US?

[Boydy]

Stopping all Muslims from entering the US.

[phonics]

Building a wall across Mexico that will be built my Mexicans.

[Bartholomert]

Stopping all Muslims from entering the US.

He's in favor of stopping Muslim immigrants, for a short period of time, until reasonable assurances can be made that new protocols are implemented which ensure that new immigrants are properly vetted (LOL at your total ignorance of his policy position; brb blame Trump for being stupid and uninformed, and then you don't even know the proposal that you are criticizing him for). Obama did exactly the same thing with immigrants from Iraq in 2011 due to security concerns and possible infiltration by terrorist elements.

What part of this is unreasonable? ISIS has publicly declared its desire to carry out terrorist attacks in the US / the West, specifically through infiltrating refugee/immigration programs. That is exactly how one of the San Bernadine terrorists got into the country and how some of the Paris attackers managed to re-enter Europe.

Do I agree with the approach? No. But, is there a precedent for comparable action and is it reasonably tailored to achieve the aim of improving the security/safety of American citizens and mitigating terrorist attacks. Absolutely.

[mugbull]

I remember the phrase "narrowly tailored to a compelling state interest" from my Mock Trial days. I almost don't even need to go to law school at this point anymore

[Bartholomert]

Building a wall across Mexico that will be built my Mexicans.

Again, LOL at you and Boydy being totally ignorant as to the actual content of the Trump proposal you are criticizing as unreasonable. Surely you see the irony of dismissing him as a ridiculous buffoon who has no grasp of the issues, and then you completely misrepresent the policy he has come out and supported.

He said that he would build a wall and that it would be paid in part by the Mexican government.

First of all, walls work in stopping illegal immigration. See Israel for evidence; this is a solid proposal with broad Republican support.

Next, it is very feasible to have Mexico contribute in the payment of the wall. Illegal immigration coming through to the US is a consequence of Mexico's failure to properly patrol their borders and detain illegal immigrants coming through Central America (in other words, legitimate justification to make the demand exists). America has outrageous soft bargaining power that it doesn't wield over Mexico. All Trump would need to do is swing America's big dick a little bit in the form of potential economic sanctions and Mexico would do whatever necessary to make the demands were satisfied (thus, America has the capacity to force Mexico to follow through with their demands). All in all, very reasonable.

[Bartholomert]

And more generally, both of these proposals have broad support among the American populace. If you think his proposals are unreasonable, you simply don't believe in democracy.

[mugbull]

Israel's the size of my pantry. A wall there is nothing compared to a wall between the US and Mexico.

[phonics]

The Israeli wall (still under construction) is 400 miles long and can be got round multiple ways as Mossad and co. has mentioned every time they bomb Gaza into the Stone Age. The Mexican border is 2,000 miles long and will be won by the lowest bidder. That guy being the guy who hires the most Mexicans.

[phonics]

And more generally, both of these proposals have broad support among the American populace. If you think his proposals are unreasonable, you simply don't believe in democracy.

Oh so you're cool on gun control these days?

You don't half walk into these things. Two footed. In the first 10 minutes.

[Bartholomert]

Israel's the size of my pantry. A wall there is nothing compared to a wall between the US and Mexico.

You don't think the American government, the people who sent a man to the moon and defeated the Nazis, has the capacity to build a wall if it wanted to? C'mon now.

[Bartholomert]

Oh so you're cool on gun control these days?

You don't half walk into these things. Two footed. In the first 10 minutes.

The Constitution exists as a protection against temporary majoritarian whims which threaten fundamental civil liberties. So no, I'm not in favor of 'gun control' in the way I assume you're using the phrase.

[Boydy]

LOL at you thinking I'd actually bother to read Donald fucking Trump's policies.

[Bartholomert]

The Israeli wall (still under construction) is 400 miles long and can be got round multiple ways as Mossad and co. has mentioned every time they bomb Gaza into the Stone Age. The Mexican border is 2,000 miles long and will be won by the lowest bidder. That guy being the guy who hires the most Mexicans.

America easily has the resources to build a wall. And anyways, nobody said it would have to be perfect, merely a lot more effective than the current arrangement. Israel's experience has exhaustively shown that it IS very much feasible to greatly increase border security through building a wall.

[Bartholomert]

LOL at you thinking I'd actually bother to read Donald fucking Trump's policies.

LOL at you having STRONG self-assured smug opinions about Trump's policies when you don't even know what they are.

[phonics]

The Constitution exists as a protection against temporary majoritarian whims which threaten fundamental civil liberties. So no, I'm not in favor of 'gun control' in the way I assume you're using the phrase.

Yet no-one is arguing for the Right To Privacy in the Fourth Amendment when it comes to the U.S. spying on it's own citizens. Is there a ranking table on the amendments in that matter?

What about the First Amendment when it comes to Freddom Of Religion? IT'S LITERALLY THE FIRST THING ON THE CONSTITUTION YOU'RE ARGUING AGAINST. YOUR COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON THIS INCREDIBLY BASIC FACT.

[Bartholomert]

Yet no-one is arguing for the Right To Privacy in the Fourth Amendment when it comes to the U.S. spying on it's own citizens. Is there a ranking table on the amendments in that matter?

Actually most real conservatives find that the spying is completely unacceptable. Such as myself.

Although, not that I know the intricacies of the US's spying program, but I think they collect the data so that they have the capacity to look into the information if they have probable cause. Otherwise it's still illegal to access (so not an actual violation of the 4th Amendment).

[Boydy]

It was a flippant comment based off the headlines I've seen. Get over yourself, poindexter.

[phonics]

Actually most real conservatives find that the spying is completely unacceptable. Such as myself.

Real conservatives seem to be making an incredibly small dent in comparison to the anti-everyone beige or worse brigade that is carrying Trump to this vote then, no?

[Pepe]

Actually most real conservatives find that the spying is completely unacceptable. Such as myself.

Rubio is all for it yet you seem to support him. How come?

[Spoonsky]

It took two pages to descend into this. :drool:


Conservatives are just about the worst people to be around. Unfortunately so are liberals these days. Its constant bullshit, from all sides. It wasn't this way 5 years ago, but something changed and now you cant have a political conversation with anybody.

Both sides are equally biased, but liberals definitely have more of a sense of humor I think. How many conservative comedians are there?

[mugbull]

I'm not even talking about political bias or anything, I'm just saying that most of the naive social bullshit is coming from the left now. It makes genuine discussion impossible. There was social progress five years ago, but not this air of intolerance. Not really sure what the catalyst for that was.

[Bartholomert]

I'm not even talking about political bias or anything, I'm just saying that most of the naive social bullshit is coming from the left now. It makes genuine discussion impossible. There was social progress five years ago, but not this air of intolerance. Not really sure what the catalyst for that was.

Nah progressives have always been the same, in the past however their fascist anti democratic tendencies were masked/tolerated because their short term goals were roughly overlapping with the abstract academic theory based fantasies of the affluent, 'reasonable', center-left, urbanite educated Democrat elites. The low-IQ low-information rabid masses were commandeered, and served as a convenient vassal for the sensationalist and divisive class, race and gender based politics, necessary to stir up the fanatic popular support (and associated shame based enforcement mechanisms) to wreak democratic change. While the initial goals of the original coalitions have largely been achieved, we're now seeing these groups push ever further, as part of the natural logical extension of the underlying passions which in fact amimates the vast majority of its adherents.

Now progressives are being unmasked for what they are; we are not dealing with a coherent ideology with clear policy aims or consistent moral principals. The movement is based on irrational anger stemming from personal rejection, inadequacy, jealousy and weakness, and it's only concrete goal is the destruction and delegitimization of every institution and social convention which threatens the frail egos of its followers. They simply want to dismantle the society and the associated norms which finds them wanting. Whether or not these values have empirical justification, have popular democratic support, or whether their absence as a social ordering tool may wreck devastating irreversible damage is irrelevant. Just so long as nobody judges them (because changing society and whining is easier than actually having to contend with reality and improving oneself).

Sure there might be some naive, sheltered, well meaning idiots, indoctrinated from birth by the education system to buy into the rhetoric at face value (it does appeal almost universally to our deeper emotional fears and insecurities, while effectively shaming non adherents for their 'lack of empathy'). But for the most part, progressivism is social poison and its true nature is increasingly being exposed. Hopefully Western society will wake up soon enough, and it does seem that even the 'sensible', politically correct intelligentsia responsible for enabling the rise of this brand of destructive radicalism and identity politics is waking up to the illiberal potential and goals of its adherents.

[Magic]

Oh God what a boring cunt you are. Can you fuck off again please?

[Bartholomert]

Oh God what a boring cunt you are. Can you fuck off again please?

Goes into my thread, reads my posts, goes out of his way to respond to them.

Finds me to be boring and wants me to leave.

Choose one.

[Magic]

Is this why you came back on here? Because in real life when people tell you to fuck off for being such a boring obnoxious twat you have no option but to run away?

[leedsrevolution]

I prefer Harold to this shit.

[Lewis]

Both sides are equally biased, but liberals definitely have more of a sense of humor I think. How many conservative comedians are there?

Is liberal/conservative a useful divide for comedy? I'm sure there are plenty of crap comedians making a living out of 'Republicans amirite?', but comedy (political comedy certainly) tends to be about the effects of authority, so the likes of George Carlin and Bill Hicks would be more 'libertarian' than anything these days.

[Davgooner]

LOL at you thinking I'd actually bother to read Donald fucking Trump's policies.

He hasn't got any. His campaign has been run on simple use of rhetoric and statements; the language he's used in debates has been analysed and is 4th grade level. His fans are not concerned about the specifics, it's about the way he makes them feel. He's coming out and stating the racist/fascist views they agree with but have been scared to say. He's completely unapologetic and that's the appeal more so than what he says. He could have suggested killing all muslims, and the reaction still would have been 'say what you like, but at least he has the balls to say it..' He plays the politically-correct card brilliantly and the twats love it. The only fascinating thing about it is that he's anti-establishment, so he's not at the mercy of the corporate donors like the rest. There have been a few times where he's gone off message and attacked George Bush for example, which made Republican heads explode.

Also, hark at spending all that money on an education and then ending up a Trump supporter. He's coming for YOU son.

[Bartholomert]

He hasn't got any. His campaign has been run on simple use of rhetoric and statements; the language he's used in debates has been analysed and is 4th grade level. His fans are not concerned about the specifics, it's about the way he makes them feel. He's coming out and stating the racist/fascist views they agree with but have been scared to say. He's completely unapologetic and that's the appeal more so than what he says. He could have suggested killing all muslims, and the reaction still would have been 'say what you like, but at least he has the balls to say it..' He plays the politically-correct card brilliantly and the twats love it. The only fascinating thing about it is that he's anti-establishment, so he's not at the mercy of the corporate donors like the rest. There have been a few times where he's gone off message and attacked George Bush for example, which made Republican heads explode.

Also, hark at spending all that money on an education and then ending up a Trump supporter. He's coming for YOU son.

Ah yes the old "but he's all talk and hasn't iterated any concrete policies" trope that has long been debunked:

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/428506/donald-trump-good-guy

[Bartholomert]

It took two pages to descend into this. :drool:



Both sides are equally biased, but liberals definitely have more of a sense of humor I think. How many conservative comedians are there?

Comedians tend to be losers, uneducated and lazy failures, so naturally there are less conservatives among their ranks :henn0rz:

But anyways what Lewis said; conservative views represent upholding authority, tradition and the status quo, that doesn't really lend itself well to humor.

[phonics]

I like how Mert swapped the conversation off the constitution as soon as he got rumbled. You'll make a great wanker lawyer some day, son.

[Bartholomert]

Is this why you came back on here? Because in real life when people tell you to fuck off for being such a boring obnoxious twat you have no option but to run away?

I'm sorry your attention span and intelligence is below average.

[Chrissy]

Mert, how in all seriousness can you endorse that moron. Fucking hell lad. I for one take his bid very seriously. I don't think he doesn't have policies, I just think having a xenophobic/sexist prick as president isn't a good call.

His anti Muslim stuff is disgusting. Are you not Muslim? How much do you fucking hate yourself to agree with this cunt? Are you fine being registered and having to carry a card purely because of your faith ala Nazi Germany?

[Boydy]

This guy reckons there's 11 different 'nations' in the US. (http://uk.businessinsider.com/the-11-nations-of-the-united-states-2015-7?r=US&IR=T) Quite interesting.

http://static1.uk.businessinsider.com/image/55b675b3dd089507708b4629-3167-2159/11%20nations.jpg

[Bartholomert]

I like how Mert swapped the conversation off the constitution as soon as he got rumbled. You'll make a great wanker lawyer some day, son.

I mean I agree with you, the Constitution should be upheld at all costs as the Supreme Law of the Land and any conservative worth his salt should feel the same way.

But, there are no candidates who perfectly embody my views, so I choose the guy who comes closest on the most number of issues. And anyways, constitutional issues are largely misrepresented in the media, the Rand Paul textualist interpretational method doesn't actually have much historic precedent or widespread modern support among legal academics, and would lead to pretty undesirable outcomes in certain cases. Social Security, Affirmative Action and the Civil Rights Act are probably unconstitutional for example, but we allow for some flexibility for compelling public interests.

[Magic]

And what about Trump's flagrant disregard for the fourteenth amendment?

[Bartholomert]

Mert, how in all seriousness can you endorse that moron. Fucking hell lad. I for one take his bid very seriously. I don't think he doesn't have policies, I just think having a xenophobic/sexist prick as president isn't a good call.

His anti Muslim stuff is disgusting. Are you not Muslim? How much do you fucking hate yourself to agree with this cunt? Are you fine being registered and having to carry a card purely because of your faith ala Nazi Germany?

Trump's representation in the media is incredibly dishonest, misleading and divorced from his actual positions (because he represents such a threat to the establishments of both parties). No, he doesn't think Muslims should carry identity cards like Jews in Nazi Germany and has never come out in favor of such a policy. If anything the desperate fear mongering by the mainstream media strengthens my resolve that we need someone like Trump who can push back against the manipulation of the American public by leftist media elites.

No, I don't like what he says about Muslims and it makes me very uncomfortable and distressed. But hey guess what, I also hate radical Islam (probably more so than the average American) and I also don't want to live in fear of a terrorist attack. There are more pressing issues that threaten the fundamental identity of the US, I can deal with the rhetoric later on.

[Bartholomert]

And what about Trump's flagrant disregard for the fourteenth amendment?

Gotta be more specific than that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's just their UKIP, but this being America the pork pie and pint is replaced by an enormous array of guns and a fucking ridiculous haircut.

[Magic]

Well before the Republican party became a right-wing, religious zealot harbouring, racist M-16 FTW party, they proposed the 14th amendment which includes the born here = equal protection etc. (How ironic my namesake opposed it :D) To go back on that almost seems like a pre-cursor for second-rate citizens and anyone who supports removing that can be comfortably classed in the absolute cunt category. That includes supporting anyone who questions or wants it revoked.

It is a fundamental part of the constitution.

[Bartholomert]

So are you talking about birthright citizenship? "Subject to the Jurisdiction of thereof" was never meant to include ALL persons born in the United States, otherwise it would be a totally superfluous inclusion following "All persons born or naturalized in the United States" (it was meant to grant citizenship to slaves, not to illegal aliens born in the United States; this is supported by the contemporary Congressional session notes which took place during its passage). Regardless Congress has plenary power to define and establish a "uniform rule of Naturalization" under Article I anyways, and they could pass a statute excluding children of illegal aliens.

[Chrissy]

Trump's representation in the media is incredibly dishonest, misleading and divorced from his actual positions

No, I don't like what he says about Muslims and it makes me very uncomfortable and distressed.

No, he just gets quoted and those quotes are sometimes fucking horrific. If what he says makes you feel uncomfortable and distressed don't vote for him. Fucking hell Mert.

[Bartholomert]

No, he just gets quoted and those quotes are sometimes fucking horrific. If what he says makes you feel uncomfortable and distressed don't vote for him. Fucking hell Mert.

Which quotes?

[Magic]

Do you have figures on how many 'illegal aliens' (that term, though) come to the US just to give birth? What are illegal alien children entitled to? Free healthcare? Free housing? Free benefits? Oh...

[Magic]

It's nothing more than vile rhetoric and an attack on a very, very tiny 'problem' to satisfy rabid lunatics hell bent on establishing a 'pure' American nation and defending values which nobody is really trying to break down.

[Bartholomert]

Do you have figures on how many 'illegal aliens' (that term, though) come to the US just to give birth? What are illegal alien children entitled to? Free healthcare? Free housing? Free benefits? Oh...


It's nothing more than vile rhetoric and an attack on a very, very tiny 'problem' to satisfy rabid lunatics hell bent on establishing a 'pure' American nation and defending values which nobody is really trying to break down.

Estimates put the number of illegal aliens at up to 30 million, or nearly 1/10th of the US population. Real wages have been stagnant for decades (saturation of labor market), work force participation is at record lows, illegal immigrants accounted for nearly 40% of federal sentences in 2014, 62% percent of illegal immigrant families access at least one federal welfare program (compared to 30% of native born Americans), nearly 29% of illegal aliens in the United States possess less than a ninth-grade education compared to 2% of U.S. citizens, and in total the cost of illegal alien immigration costs the US government $346 billion annually.

This is not some made up issue, it is very real and very serious and it is hurting Americans, especially those whom are most vulnerable. I'm happy to provide sources for all those claims.

[Magic]

Who is estimating that?

[Davgooner]

Ah yes the old "but he's all talk and hasn't iterated any concrete policies" trope that has long been debunked:

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/428506/donald-trump-good-guy

Any time he's questioned on the specifics of any of his mental ideas he hasn't got a fucking clue. Invariably it's about having some 'top people' working on it and making things 'great'. Then you've got the 'big beautiful wall'. He's a complete dumbass mate, and the fact he's donning it to such a degree says a lot about 'Murica.

[Chrissy]

Which quotes?

"Complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on" – Trump Campaign press release

"You’ve got to see this guy, 'Ah, I don’t know what I said!'" - jerking his arms in what many interpreted as him mocking a journalist Serge Kovaleski’s disability

"She had blood coming out of her whatever" - About Meghan Kelly the moderator. Fucking facepalm time.

"He's not a war hero. He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured, OK, I hate to tell you." - On John McCain. Who iv'e no love for but ffs.

“A certificate of live birth is not the same thing by any stretch of the imagination as a birth certificate.” - In relation to Obama faking a birth certificate. I mean come on to fuck.

"“The only kind of people I want counting my money are little short guys that wear yamakas every day.” - Yep

"Our great African American President hasn't exactly had a positive impact on the thugs who are so happily and openly destroying Baltimore!" - Blatant cuntery

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending the best. They're not sending you, they're sending people that have lots of problems and they're bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists." - Pretty much complete shite. Mexico isn't "sending" anyone ffs.

"I will build a great wall — and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me —and I’ll build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words.” - Fuck me, this is just moronic.

"The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.” - Ah so the Chinese did it.

Some of those quotes are just utterly moronic. Utterly fucking moronic.

[Bartholomert]

Any time he's questioned on the specifics of any of his mental ideas he hasn't got a fucking clue. Invariably it's about having some 'top people' working on it and making things 'great'. Then you've got the 'big beautiful wall'. He's a complete dumbass mate, and the fact he's donning it to such a degree says a lot about 'Murica.

Yes and other politicians are known for their direct answers to questions posed by the media and articulating very specific, empirically tested, feasible plans as to how to implement their policies, right? In fact, he's been far more specific on issues, releasing very specific tax and immigration plans, than many other politicians. It's all a deliberate misinformation campaign by the media (run by big donors increasingly frantic and unhinged at the possibility of not being able to buy this presidential election).

[phonics]

Mert, aren't you a passport holding American due to birthright citizenship?

[Bartholomert]

"Complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on" – Trump Campaign press release

"You’ve got to see this guy, 'Ah, I don’t know what I said!'" - jerking his arms in what many interpreted as him mocking a journalist Serge Kovaleski’s disability

"She had blood coming out of her whatever" - About Meghan Kelly the moderator. Fucking facepalm time.

"He's not a war hero. He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured, OK, I hate to tell you." - On John McCain. Who iv'e no love for but ffs.

“A certificate of live birth is not the same thing by any stretch of the imagination as a birth certificate.” - In relation to Obama faking a birth certificate. I mean come on to fuck.

"“The only kind of people I want counting my money are little short guys that wear yamakas every day.” - Yep

"Our great African American President hasn't exactly had a positive impact on the thugs who are so happily and openly destroying Baltimore!" - Blatant cuntery

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending the best. They're not sending you, they're sending people that have lots of problems and they're bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists." - Pretty much complete shite. Mexico isn't "sending" anyone ffs.

"I will build a great wall — and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me —and I’ll build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words.” - Fuck me, this is just moronic.

"The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.” - Ah so the Chinese did it.

Some of those quotes are just utterly moronic. Utterly fucking moronic.

So a collection of bad jokes, misspeaking, vague policy statements and somewhat odd views. Pretty sure you could do this about anybody if they were constantly recorded by the media and not speaking from a prompter.

[Bartholomert]

Mert, aren't you a passport holding American due to birthright citizenship?

No my parents were LEGAL immigrants and citizens by the time I was born.

[phonics]

Your parents hold American passports?

[Chrissy]

So a collection of bad jokes, misspeaking, vague policy statements and somewhat odd views. Pretty sure you could do this about anybody if they were constantly recorded by the media and not speaking from a prompter.

He is a fucking presidential candidate. You yourself have admitted his views on Muslims are worrying. If you vote for him you are a toolbox.

I think you are attention seeking now. More than ever. I honest to fuck cannot fathom how an intelligent young guy could vote for that cunt

[Bartholomert]

Your parents hold American passports?

Yep.

[Bartholomert]

He is a fucking presidential candidate. You yourself have admitted his views on Muslims are worrying. If you vote for him you are a toolbox.

I think you are attention seeking now. More than ever. I honest to fuck cannot fathom how an intelligent young guy could vote for that cunt

Because I recognize that he needs to use language and reasoning that appeals to the common voter. He has the strength and competence (you think he's leading by accident? He's a genius marketer) to implement the reforms I think the US URGENTLY needs. We need someone who doesn't give a fuck and doesn't kowtow to the mainstream media/political correctness. I can look past the crass discomforting rhetoric because he's the best chance conservatives got to roll back some of the recent political losses.

[Chrissy]

Oh fucking dear. Just read that back to yourself. The crass discomforting rhetoric is quite possibly his real views and if he's in power it will turn into policy and action.

Have a long hard think about your vote.

[Magic]

Genius marketer = calling all Mexicans rapists and all Muslims terrorists.

[Boydy]

I'm pretty annoyed that nice map I posted just got ignored. I knew I should have started a separate thread for it but I thought it would probably just end up a Mert shitfest too.

[John Arne]

I'm pretty annoyed that nice map I posted just got ignored. I knew I should have started a separate thread for it but I thought it would probably just end up a Mert shitfest too.

I checked the link, and quickly realised that it was a load of tosh. The map is a nice looking map, I'll give you that.

[Bartholomert]

I'm pretty annoyed that nice map I posted just got ignored. I knew I should have started a separate thread for it but I thought it would probably just end up a Mert shitfest too.

Citizen of Tidewater checking in.

[Pepe]

I'm pretty annoyed that nice map I posted just got ignored. I knew I should have started a separate thread for it but I thought it would probably just end up a Mert shitfest too.

Should probably wait for mert to fuck off again for it to be discussed in any sensible manner. I've talked about this before (with people worth discussing with) and it is clear that there are very fundamental differences among large parts of the American population that do not allow for much consensus. I do believe some sort of split would be beneficial to everyone, but it is not going to happen. As for the map, hard to look past the stupid names (Yankeedom mostly) but seems somewhat accurate if extremely simplistic to in my hardly knowledgeable view.

Mert: If as a 'real conservative' you find spying 'completely unacceptable' why do you support Rubio, who is one of the strongest supporters of mass surveillance on the Republican side?

[Bartholomert]

Oh fucking dear. Just read that back to yourself. The crass discomforting rhetoric is quite possibly his real views and if he's in power it will turn into policy and action.

Have a long hard think about your vote.

It's not the policies which I have issue with, it's with the presentation of the policy. I hope he implements his ideas.

[Bartholomert]

Should probably wait for mert to fuck off again for it to be discussed in any sensible manner. I've talked about this before (with people worth discussing with) and it is clear that there are very fundamental differences among large parts of the American population that do not allow for much consensus. I do believe some sort of split would be beneficial to everyone, but it is not going to happen. As for the map, hard to look past the stupid names (Yankeedom mostly) but seems somewhat accurate if extremely simplistic to in my hardly knowledgeable view.

Mert: If as a 'real conservative' you find spying 'completely unacceptable' why do you support Rubio, who is one of the strongest supporters of mass surveillance on the Republican side?

Because choosing a political candidate is about choosing the person whom you agree with the most on the most important issues. I don't agree with Rubio on 100% of the issues.

[Pepe]

Which 'ideas' would you like to see implemented specifically?

[Bartholomert]

Genius marketer = calling all Mexicans rapists and all Muslims terrorists.

He never did that.

[Lewis]

The 'American Nations' overlap with where all the blacks/Mexicans are (other than bits of the 'Far West', but they have enough room not to see any).

[Bartholomert]

Which 'ideas' would you like to see implemented specifically?

Top 6 in order:

1. Fiscal responsibility / balancing the budget / reduction of entitlements
2. Deregulation of industry / labor markets
3. Tax code reform
4. Shrinking federal government / power of federal agencies
5. Immigration reform
6. Healthcare reform

Let's get rich again through economic prosperity, and then we can deal with the details.

[Pepe]

Because choosing a political candidate is about choosing the person whom you agree with the most on the most important issues. I don't agree with Rubio on 100% of the issues.

Then you do not find it 'completely unacceptable' but rather 'would prefer that they didn't do it.' What are, in your opinion, issues that are so pressing that you're willing to lose the personal liberties you claim to cherish so much for? Illegal immigration and terrorism?

[Pepe]

Top 6 in order:

1. Fiscal responsibility / balancing the budget / reduction of entitlements Rubio and Trump are far from fiscally responsible
2. Deregulation of industry / labor markets All Republicans support that
3. Tax code reform All Republicans (and democrats for that matter) promise they'll do this
4. Shrinking federal government / power of federal agencies Rubio does not seem particularly interested in this, or at all. Fuck knows what Trump wants, he probably doesn't even know himself
5. Immigration reform What do you mean by reform? Building a wall?
6. Healthcare reform All Republicans promise that

Let's get rich again through economic prosperity, and then we can deal with the details.

Not that any of this will matter once Bernie is in office.

[Bartholomert]

Not that any of this will matter once Bernie is in office.

Lol. I guess a better way to put it is that I choose to support a candidate based on who is most likely to be able to successfully implement the most policies I would want while President that I also happen to personally like.

There's really no candidate that represents 'my vision' at all except maybe Rand Paul but he's not going to win and isn't charismatic enough anyways to actually implement any of his watered down libertarian ideas. Ron Paul in 2008 was the closest we ever got to really saving America.

[Pepe]

If there is one thing that fucks me off is people that say 'I prefer x but I won't vote for him/her as he has no chance of winning.' You do whatever you want of course.

Rand. :cool:

[Lewis]

Rand! Rand! Rand! Rand! Rand!

[Jimmy Floyd]

Who would win a hypothetical Trump v Bernie presidential run off?

Also, America is nowhere near as diverse as it thinks it is.

[Lewis]

China.

[Pepe]

Trump would get berned.

[Bartholomert]

Who would win a hypothetical Trump v Bernie presidential run off?

Also, America is nowhere near as diverse as it thinks it is.

Bernie seemingly edges it, but I think those numbers would move significantly if they ever got on a debate stage together or once Bernie's proposals were put under strict scrutiny:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_sanders-5565.html

[SvN]

Chrissy, take a look at my post in Scousepig's growing up thread.

[mugbull]

This theead has been incredible. I would just like to say that the Pauls, especially Ron, would be withouta doubt the worst presidents in the history of this country and would drive its economy, as well as the greater world economy, into the ground. The Fed is the most critical organ in America.

[Bartholomert]

This theead has been incredible. I would just like to say that the Pauls, especially Ron, would be withouta doubt the worst presidents in the history of this country and would drive its economy, as well as the greater world economy, into the ground. The Fed is the most critical organ in America.

You mean the Fed that brought the entire world economy to its knees in 2008? That Fed?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterferrara/2011/05/19/how-the-government-created-a-financial-crisis/

[phonics]

Donald "Bankrupt 4 times' Trump a key proponent of fiscal responsibility. At least he'll be experienced when he defaults the country for having too many Merts.

[mugbull]

You mean the Fed that brought the entire world economy to its knees in 2008? That Fed?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterferrara/2011/05/19/how-the-government-created-a-financial-crisis/

Yep, that one. I'm glad you can read

[Lewis]

The United States has never been particularly good with money. The Marshall Plan was about the most 'responsible' thing they've ever done for the world economy (that is to say their own economy), and it's all been a bit rubbish since.

[Bartholomert]

Donald "Bankrupt 4 times' Trump a key proponent of fiscal responsibility. At least he'll be experienced when he defaults the country for having too many Merts.

Donald Trump has never gone bankrupt. Four of his corporations (among the many dozens he has incorporated over the decades) have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (so they were never liquidated, but reorganized) at various times as part of the normal course of doing business and accruing wealth as a multi-billionaire. He has simply used existing law to maximize his income and nobody gets it right every time with every investment. This doesn't detract from the fact that he has been wildly successful in business.

[John Arne]

Did I read somewhere that Trump would have made more money if he had just taken the money his dad gave him and put it in an index fund..??

[Pepe]

Did I read somewhere that Trump would have made more money if he had just taken the money his dad gave him and put it in an index fund..??

Toby said so.

[phonics]

Did I read somewhere that Trump would have made more money if he had just taken the money his dad gave him and put it in an index fund..??

Yeah, around triple the amount.

[Luca]

It's not a terrible article, Mert, but failure to give any mention to the (egregious) mispricing of risk by the major credit-rating agencies doesn't tell the whole story. Sure, there would have been a bog-standard boom just given the amount of money in the market (although I'm unconvinced that smart money automatically seeks rent in residential real estate, because it's historically a pretty awful investment), but the demand for mispriced MBSs (which were demanded in that volume because of their mispricing) 1) goaded smaller credit-lending institutions to churn out more (bad) loans that could be securitized and 2) allocated orders of magnitude more capital into them than their true risk price would bear.

[mugbull]

You always need a lender of last resort, period. You always need it to be powerful and independent. You always need a regulator of money supply. The 2008 shit was entirely down to insufficient information and insufficient regulation, but more than anything a lack of incentives for proper risk analysis. MBS are by definition fucked (though they're here to stay) and if it wasn't for the Fed there would have been no way to stop the rot. The last thing that needs to be regulated is the Fed, and Rand Paul is a fucking tool for trying to propose that, not to mention Ron who wanted to get rid of it entirely (among other shit ideas).

[Luca]

Yep. Regulation of the Fed would be an absolute disaster and contrary to the principle of monetary policy. The article isn't wrong in saying that bad decisions were made down the line, but regulation (or sillier, abolishment) isn't the solution.

Mok has hit the nail on the head with "lack of incentives." I'd argue against lack of information, though: the writing was on the wall, they just wilfully chose to ignore it.

[Bartholomert]

I'm drunk so not tryna good deep, but lack of incentives for self-regulation stem at least in part from companies knowing they'll be bailed out if things get bad. Remove the government from the equation and let the markets really work.

[mugbull]

Yeah, no.

[Bartholomert]

Did I read somewhere that Trump would have made more money if he had just taken the money his dad gave him and put it in an index fund..??

Gunna need to see a link to corroborate that claim.

And would that take into consideration the money he has spent; current assets =/= the amount of money he's made.

[Bartholomert]

Yeah, no.

Except for the current and former executives admit as much in the documentary Too Big to Fail.

[Spoonsky]

Bernie seemingly edges it, but I think those numbers would move significantly if they ever got on a debate stage together or once Bernie's proposals were put under strict scrutiny:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_sanders-5565.html

Mate, Trump has spent the entirety of the Republican debates eating popcorn while Rubio and Cruz duke it out and occasionally heckling Jeb Bush. Bernie has actually had to properly debate because he has a proper opponent (as opposed to nine shit ones).

The answer is that Bernie would win comfortably, far more so than Hillary would.

[Pepe]

Feel the Bern!

[Byron]

Gunna need to see a link to corroborate that claim.

And would that take into consideration the money he has spent; current assets =/= the amount of money he's made.

Here, have some sriracha...

http://www.moneytalksnews.com/why-youre-probably-better-investing-than-donald-trump/

http://www.nationaljournal.com/twentysixteen/2015/09/02/1-easy-way-donald-trump-could-have-been-even-richer-doing-nothing

[Byron]

What I will say is despite his odious character, and despite it almost certainly being his ego, Trump has managed to stumble upon the one thing I imagine Americans want from a candidate, someone who is not beholden to vested interests and wealthy backers. In funding this thing himself, he's got the one card that only Bernie can really play as well.

[Lewis]

https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/682922244843171840

He did this the other day with 'Festivus'. :cool:

[Bartholomert]

Here, have some sriracha...

http://www.moneytalksnews.com/why-youre-probably-better-investing-than-donald-trump/

http://www.nationaljournal.com/twentysixteen/2015/09/02/1-easy-way-donald-trump-could-have-been-even-richer-doing-nothing

Yep I thought so, it doesn't take into account his spending so pretty irrelevant statistic. His current assets don't represent how much he's earned over his life time.

[Bartholomert]

Mate, Trump has spent the entirety of the Republican debates eating popcorn while Rubio and Cruz duke it out and occasionally heckling Jeb Bush. Bernie has actually had to properly debate because he has a proper opponent (as opposed to nine shit ones).

The answer is that Bernie would win comfortably, far more so than Hillary would.

Bernie has spent the debate apologizing for Hillary. He's a pathetic liberal cuckold with no spine.

[Bernanke]

https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/682922244843171840

He did this the other day with 'Festivus'. :cool:

https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/682940928361902080

Rand. :cool:

[Davgooner]

Bernie has spent the debate apologizing for Hillary.

Eh? He's done a pretty good job at highlighting what a corporate fuck she really is. It's a shame the DNC and the media are burying him or he'd had wiped her out by now. Her comment regarding 9/11 when asked about how close she was to Wall St was almost Republican in its stupidity.

[Pepe]

https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/682922244843171840

He did this the other day with 'Festivus'. :cool:


I resolve to not let the mean things people say about my hair bother me. #curlyhairdontcare #newyearsresolution

:D

What a don.

[Luca]

Bernie has spent the debate apologizing for Hillary. He's a pathetic liberal cuckold with no spine.

Say what you want about Bernie, but he's probably got the best track record for having a spine. No SuperPAC to sway his beliefs and pretty flawless voting record vis-a-vis what he says publicly.

[Bartholomert]

Hello everybody, I am back at law school. See you in 4-5 months.

[Pepe]

:drool:

[Shindig]

I look forward to "Law School Fucking Sucks 2"