U.S. Presidential Election 2016 (Sponsored by Betty Croker's Hamburger Helper)

[phonics]

Good to see Macho Man's son doing well for himself.

That's 'Baked Alaska' who is up there in the grifter tiers because he's clearly in it to be famous rather than having any soul whatsoever but he's incredibly bad at it. It's endearing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiHftejWSvU

[Shindig]

Guy on the left is Chris Benoit if he failed at wrestling.

[Queenslander]

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/10/us/politics/elizabeth-warren-lgtbq-town-hall.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur


Elizabeth Warren was asked at a forum on LQBTQ issues how she'd respond to a supporter who said marriage is between one man and one woman.

"Well, I’m going to assume it’s a guy who said that. And I’m going to say, then just marry one woman.” she said, then added: "Assuming you can find one."

What a mong.

[phonics]

Who?

[Queenslander]

Sorry I meant Warren. That answer isnt going to be helpful surely?

[phonics]

1) Who cares? It's the right thing to say even if it was a little condescending.

2) I think Gay Marriage is at something like 60-65% approval these days.

edit:



In Pew Research Center polling in 2004, Americans opposed same-sex marriage by a margin of 60% to 31%.


Support for same-sex marriage has steadily grown over the past 15 years. And today, support for same-sex marriage remains near its highest point since Pew Research Center began polling on this issue. Based on polling in 2019, a majority of Americans (61%) support same-sex marriage, while 31% oppose it.


Three-quarters of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (75%) and fewer than half of Republicans and Republican leaners (44%) favor same-sex marriage.

[Pepe]

No way that hurts her in any way. Being sympathetic would have been worse.

[Queenslander]

Outside of her base how many men would have enjoyed that little zinger equating that man X being against same sex marriage might also be an incel?

[phonics]

1) It's a primary, who cares about people outside her base? The whole point is to get your base to vote for you.

2) Only incels are getting annoyed at that little zinger.

[Queenslander]

:D

Her base isnt big enough to win the election.

[phonics]

You realise it's not the election now, right? That's in a year.

You live in a world where a internationally renowned and well connected pedophile was arrested and 'killed himself' a month ago or so and it's forgotten. Who will remember/care about this? Incels.

[Queenslander]

Good point.

[Lewis]

They must have spent ages perfecting that routine with the broadcaster.

[mugbull]

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/13/us/politics/trump-video.html?smtyp=cur&smid=fb-nytimes&fbclid=IwAR2meb_icKvAhqbsNBkg5osgcbmY-roeTglzd6v-FeIKsVzbZqRjbcRGLBg

The screenshot they used at the top of this article is killing me

[bruhnaldo]

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2019/10/13/us/politics/13dc-video1/merlin_162670983_b9f9054b-2adf-412d-a75a-a332b8db3066-jumbo.jpg

[phonics]

1184270312835207169

Perfect.

[Bernanke]

1187878881396703232

[John]

That can't be a real human top left.

[phonics]

That can't be a real human top left.

lol

[Shindig]

'Ben Affleck' near top right looks born to do whatever he's doing.

[Bernanke]

Bernie looks ready for some swirlies during recess.

[Boydy]

Isn't that Spoonsky in the bottom middle?

[John Arne]

Is the bottom right Tulsi? Fit as.

[Bernanke]

Is the bottom right Tulsi? Fit as.

Bottom right of Bernie is Tulsi. Bottom right corner is Marianne Williamson.

[mugbull]

That can't be a real human top left.

lol

[Lewis]

Isn't that Spoonsky in the bottom middle?

I thought that. It will have made his year.

[Spikey M]

Bernie looks ready for some swirlies during recess.

Just link to the tweet fam

1187923598364667904?s=19

[Bernanke]

Ah shit ya got me

[mugbull]

What’s a swirlie

[Disco]

It's flushing someone's head in the toilet isn't it?

[Spikey M]

Yeah

[John]

Trump downplaying America killing Bin Laden while announcing that his boys had done in the ISIS founder is one of the funniest things he's ever done.

'Bin Laden only got big with the World Trade Centre.'

[Disco]

Only.

[phonics]

Him being photographed playing Golf while it happened and then pretending he was in some Situation Room is good but my favourite line has to be the bit about 'Our military canine, I call it a dog'

[Yevrah]

I don't know why him and Obama weren't in the situation rooms at the time, I'd have been all over that shit.

[phonics]

I don't know why him and Obama weren't in the situation rooms at the time, I'd have been all over that shit.

Obama I don't know? (isn't he in that picture)

Trump is a coward, terrified of violence and if it went wrong didn't want to be near it.

[Disco]

Obama is famously in that picture watching it isn't he? Trump just isn't interested.

[John]

Obama I don't know? (isn't he in that picture)

Trump is a coward, terrified of violence and if it went wrong didn't want to be near it.

He might be scared of getting his own head kicked in but he isn't scared of violence in general and certainly not violence going on thousands of miles away. Barely a speech goes past without him saying he wants someone beaten or boasting about something the military has been up to.

[phonics]

He might be scared of getting his own head kicked in but he isn't scared of violence in general and certainly not violence going on thousands of miles away. Barely a speech goes past without him saying he wants someone beaten or boasting about something the military has been up to.

Talking about it and doing it are different things. The mans famous for saying "You're Fired" yet can't actually fire anyone face to face because he's terrified of confrontation. He's an absolute coward, anything he says is pure bragadoccio.

[bruhnaldo]

“Our ‘K-9,’ as they call it,” Mr. Trump said, “I call it a dog. A beautiful dog — a talented dog — was injured and brought back.”

[phonics]

“Our ‘K-9,’ as they call it,” Mr. Trump said, “I call it a dog. A beautiful dog — a talented dog — was injured and brought back.”

That reminded me of that weird thing he kept saying before about people being "Fired like a dog" which I never understood

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CqzGH8gWcAAAqyR.jpg

[bruhnaldo]

Fired like a beautiful, talented K-9.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's always nice to see Lying Ted mentioned in historical excerpts. A true hero.

[phonics]

It's always nice to see Lying Ted mentioned in historical excerpts. A true hero.

Every piece of insanity right up to the moment he genocided the Kurds was worth it for this:
https://i.imgur.com/fSqohpA.png

[bruhnaldo]

i mean how do you even let that picture get snapped of you lmfao

[Lewis]

1188909031403900928

Retaining the name. :lol:

[bruhnaldo]

NAME NOT DECLASSIFIED

Holy fuck I'm crying.

[Yevrah]

Obama I don't know? (isn't he in that picture)

Trump is a coward, terrified of violence and if it went wrong didn't want to be near it.


Obama is famously in that picture watching it isn't he? Trump just isn't interested.

Wasn't the Obama picture staged?

[bruhnaldo]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Obama_and_Biden_await_updates_on_bin_Laden.jpg/400px-Obama_and_Biden_await_updates_on_bin_Laden.jpg

Looks staged as all fuck but I mean I assume 99% of all things are staged so that doesn't really bother me.

[Bernanke]

"Like a dog" is just because he can't say "like a bitch" (on his public Twitter).

[Lewis]

1189601417469841409

Politics will be shit if he loses.

[Shindig]

Bush must've done that a couple of times during his stint.

[Lewis]

1200506968273805312

'Too old, eh?'

[bruhnaldo]

There's no way this guy is gonna win but by God people are going to give him money to drive around the country talking about malarkey.

[Bernanke]

Biden vs. Trump debates will be a glorious display of what dementia does to people.

[Bernanke]

1203427857940307968

:D Legit looking forward to 4 more years of this dude.

[Queenslander]

It appears that most of America have forgotten about the Senates role in this process. Lol

[Disco]

Has Trump picked Bobby Lashley to represent him yet?

[Queenslander]

Vince could fund his first XFL season if he story lined that stipulation.

[Mazuuurk]

This must basically just cement his re-election even more. Even if he was actually stripped of the Presidency, he'd run again anyway and get re-elected.

[bruhnaldo]

I wonder if you could run for President if you've been removed from Office?

[Shindig]

According to the BBC, you absolutely can.

[phonics]

1211763536218730498

This man is about to lose an election to Donald Trump.

[Lewis]

Wasting Qassem Soleimani seems like an odd thing to do when you claim not to want endless conflict in the Middle East.

[Bernanke]

Getting the Qod commander + his right hand man in Iraq, as well as Hezbollahs second in command sounds like a pretty good get to me for one airstrike.

379717298296086529

P R O J E C T I O N

[Kikó]

This is pretty massive.

[Giggles]

The planet probably needs a WW3 at this stage anyway.

[Yevrah]

So I woke up to this today and it seems like a not good thing at all.

Why were the US bombing an airport?

[Spikey M]

Because The Donald would happily throw the whole world under the bus to avoid getting impeached.

[niko_cee]

Because Trump runs foreign policy like a mob boss, which may or may not be a good thing.

[Yevrah]

Because The Donald would happily throw the whole world under the bus to avoid getting impeached.

He's been impeached already and it was already a done deal that he wouldn't be removed from office.

[Spikey M]

I thought it was ongoing?

[Yevrah]

My understanding was he's been impeached and the next step is a trial and the senate then decide if he should leave office. Senate is controlled by Republicans so he's going nowhere, irrespective of who he bombs.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What are Iran going to do in retaliation, level Dubai? Sign me up on Team Ayatollah.

[Mellberg]

My understanding was he's been impeached and the next step is a trial and the senate then decide if he should leave office. Senate is controlled by Republicans so he's going nowhere, irrespective of who he bombs.

That's pretty cozy. I wish my trial had consisted of a jury of my mom, my dad, a few lads from the local and Raj the newsagent.

I'm not sure what Iran themselves can do in retaliation without getting levelled, but it further stokes up anti-US sentiment in a region with form for flying planes into buildings.

[Giggles]

Do the Iranians not have nukes? Not going to be much of a cleanse without them.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I read that the rest of the region (Assad aside) all hate Iran now, to the point where Israel are on the same page as several Arab nations. That may be an over-simplification but this is no time for nuance.

[Mellberg]

Do the Iranians not have nukes? Not going to be much of a cleanse without them.

I think they have the capability to produce, rather than the actual nukes themselves. Either way, if they go firing them off then it'll be (more of a) barren shithole within 20 minutes and they'll be fully aware of that.

[Lewis]

It's odd to see people rationalising this on the basis that he was a tosser who killed x amount of people. Yes, but you can't just go offing government officials from actual countries.

[niko_cee]

Apparently you can.

[Foe]

Great for the oil price which is good because I want to sell some shares. Cheers donny T for putting US nationals in OPEC territory in significant danger.

[phonics]

https://i.imgur.com/itzcvNa.png

[Waffdon]

Twitter has been incredible. We need more instances like this more often.

[Bernanke]

1213238170432819203

One convoy a day keeps the impeachment at bay.

[Kikó]

That's pretty cozy. I wish my trial had consisted of a jury of my mom, my dad, a few lads from the local and Raj the newsagent.

I'm not sure what Iran themselves can do in retaliation without getting levelled, but it further stokes up anti-US sentiment in a region with form for flying planes into buildings.

Saudi rather than Iran in that instance.

[Lewis]

It's one thing offing an Iranian general on the basis that he had too much involvement in Iraq, but moving onto its own militia leaders seems like the sort of thing you would do if you wanted to unify both countries against you.

[phonics]

You know it's serious Joe Bidens abandoned the 'No Malarkey' bus.

[Disco]

Does that mean he's changed his position on malarkey and how much of it is permissible?

[phonics]

I think he's just come to terms that we live in a malarkey-based economy.

[Shindig]

He's went back to the printers with a slight amendment. "No? Malarky!"

[phonics]

No it's been rebranded to 'Battle for the soul of the nation' which I'm not sure quite works alongside his 'Everything will be fine when we get rid of this Trump guy' platform.

[Disco]

That is some change of tone.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Mike Pompeo can do one. If you want us to be supportive, maybe don't fire a series of flaming cheeseburgers into the direct proximity of our troops who are still hanging around there from the last time we were supportive.

[phonics]

Mike Pompeo can do one. If you want us to be supportive, maybe don't fire a series of flaming cheeseburgers into the direct proximity of our troops who are still hanging around there from the last time we were supportive.

If you needed any sign of how badly this admin was going to be on foreign policy. Pompeo going from CIA Director to Sec. of State was it. Imagine making the Director of MI6, the Home Secretary. It's mental.

It's why Biden needs to lose, the GOP are just psychopaths all the way down.

[phonics]

Iraq have just voted to remove US troops from the country. Just 4d chess to bring the boys home.

[Lewis]

That is pretty big. Someone somewhere is writing up how this is all a Russian work.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was going to have beans on toast tonight but the Russian deep state has made me have mushrooms instead.

[phonics]

History is doomed to repeat itself because absolute dumbasses care more about looking cool than doing good.

https://i.imgur.com/ojPjofh.png
https://i.imgur.com/jaabezL.png

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

$80m, hmmm.

[Disco]

Who writes a letter? Get out of the dark ages nerds.

[Bernanke]

1214031169173348352

This thread is a ride and a half.


THREAD: Over the past few days, I've spoken extensively with career U.S. government officials as they've worked around the clock to try and mitigate the damage from Trump's ineptitude on Iran. With their permission, I'm sharing a small taste from our lengthy conversations. Enjoy.

"We have no functional national security decision-making process in place. We have no plan for what comes next. They are woefully unprepared for what's about to pop off, and they're too stupid to realize it. People here are freaking out, and rightfully so."

"We're still trying to dig out from underneath the last war of choice, and now they're trying to start a new one. I finally cracked open the bottle of scotch you gave me that I've been keeping stashed away in my desk drawer."

"I'm gonna call you later tonight to talk through this so I can go into meetings tomorrow armed with some sane talking points to insert into this clusterfuck."

"When did most of us find out about killing Soleimani? After it already happened. Since then, we've been trying to cobble together contingency planning on the fly, but these charlatans ignore most of it, and then Trump does more stupid shit that puts us back at square one."

"All Trump cares about is shitting on Obama's legacy, sucking up to donors, and distracting from impeachment. None of this is about American interests or security. He's surrounded by ideological lunatic sycophants like Pence and Pompeo. But they're far from the only ones."

"So many of Trump's top advisors on Iran are military vets who served multiple tours of duty in our wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. They believe to their core that Iran is the reason why they lost those wars, and they're dead set on payback - no matter what it takes."

"They've been pushing to kill Soleimani for years, and they finally baited Trump into it. They think war with Iran is long overdue, so for them, this was a means to an end. When Iran responds, they'll tell Trump to hit the Iranians harder. You see where this could go."

"They know the Iraqis are gonna kick them out now, so they're gonna try to kill as many as possible on their way out. Iranians, Iraqis, whoever. Some of them are advising Trump to tell the Iraqi government to fuck off and dare them to make us leave. I shit you not. Insanity."

"When I used your points about Soleimani's murder being a catalyst for Iranians to rally around the flag, they said that was 'Obama apologist bullshit,' and the Soviet Union forced people against their will into public displays of support. So apparently Iran is a superpower now."

"Trump is threatening war crimes against Iran, and none of his top advisors have the courage to publicly oppose it. Instead, they act like cowards and go on background with journalists to express their opposition. They should all resign. They don't deserve to serve this country."

"We have friends that are getting deployed into war zones, but for what? Trump has deployed 14,000 troops over the past 6 months, and it didn't prevent the current crisis. At what point do we start asking whether deploying troops is part of the problem rather than the solution?"

"The scariest part is that they're just making shit up to justify their preferred course of action. When we point out inaccuracies or question logic, we're at best yelled at or at worst cut out of the process. Most of the political appointees are paranoid, unqualified, or both."

"Last year, if you would've asked me whether American institutions are durable enough to prevent a Trump-led war with Iran, I would've said absolutely. Today, I'm not so sure. For as bad as it looks to you all on the outside, it's even worse when you see it from the inside."

"One of Trump's top Iran advisors got suckered into a honey trap, had their laptop/iPhone stolen and hacked before they woke up, and the White House refused to take precautionary measures regarding their security clearance. Ladies and gents, I give you the Trump administration."

In conclusion: Yes, folks. It really is that bad. I am but a humble messenger of truth. The voice of the voiceless. That is all. You may now return to your regularly scheduled programming.

[Ian]

Yeah, but, counterpoint, THE FLAG!!!!

[niko_cee]

The counterpoint would be when has US foreign policy in any region not led to or been a complete clusterfuck?

[Jimmy Floyd]

We need to stay well out of this shite. I hope Boris realises that. Trade deal comes second.

Americans have been a nation of gung ho thickos from day one and it won't change. Even Hillary managed to fuck a few countries up during the Obama years.

[Yevrah]

I had a reasonable dose of scepticism where criticism of Trump was concerned (it's easy, isn't it), but this has blown that right out of the water.

Agree with Jim, we should be nowhere near this or anything in the Middle East for that matter.

[Foe]

It’s just mental.

My old bosses boss took a job in Iraq starting 2nd January. Talk about a shit day to have a first day on a 28 day rotational job in a brand new war zone.

I think it’s quite clever that Iran are coming out saying they’re only going to target trumps personal stuff. Obviously he will spin at as “an attack on your president”.

[John]

One of my mates works as an electrician on American military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq on a four month rotational basis, and says the people in charge of such things have been in the process of getting both countries taken off the 'warzone' list, which cuts the money paid to all non military personnel by a third and significantly lessens security protocols on the bases. This despite the base in Afghanistan he just left in December being the target of a massive Taliban suicide attack three days after he left (the official line is apparently that the Taliban never actually got onto the base and merely exchanged gunfire with the perimeter guards, but I've seen videos sent by his workmates and that's a dirty lie).

Essentially, they're making it up as they go along in that region, as they always have done, so as bad as this all is it's far from surprising. The only truly surprising thing would be if they suddenly had a cogent plan.

[phonics]

https://i.imgur.com/niMvh4w.png

It's absolute madness.

[Lewis]

I liked Marco Rubio's suggestion that they respond by partitioning Iraq. Yeah mate. That would calm things down. An independent Kurdish state.

[phonics]

I liked Marco Rubio's suggestion that they respond by partitioning Iraq. Yeah mate. That would calm things down. An independent Kurdish state.

And I'm sure the Kurds are bang up for going into a deal with the US after you let Turkey do a bunch of war-crimes to them... less than 3 months ago?

[Jimmy Floyd]

If the Iranians blow up Doral they'll be doing everyone a favour.

[phonics]

If the Iranians blow up Doral they'll be doing everyone a favour.

Better yet, Drone-striking K Street.

An advert for this popped up on a stream I was watching the other day and I just burst out laughing.

https://i.imgur.com/lUk94CQ.jpg

[phonics]

Also, fucking lol at Netanyahu calling it an assassination and saying 'It was nothing to do with us, gov'.

When even Israel thinks you've gone to far against Iran. :D

[Waffdon]

One of my mates works as an electrician on American military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq on a four month rotational basis, and says the people in charge of such things have been in the process of getting both countries taken off the 'warzone' list, which cuts the money paid to all non military personnel by a third and significantly lessens security protocols on the bases. This despite the base in Afghanistan he just left in December being the target of a massive Taliban suicide attack three days after he left (the official line is apparently that the Taliban never actually got onto the base and merely exchanged gunfire with the perimeter guards, but I've seen videos sent by his workmates and that's a dirty lie).

Essentially, they're making it up as they go along in that region, as they always have done, so as bad as this all is it's far from surprising. The only truly surprising thing would be if they suddenly had a cogent plan.

Get them posted.

[bruhnaldo]

If the Iranians blow up Doral they'll be doing everyone a favour.

What do you have against Doral, lol?

[Bernanke]

Iran dropping cruise missiles at US Iraq-bases. We're off to the races boys.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We might as well do our bit and hand over Taz.

[Lewis]

The stones on them lads.

[Bernanke]

1214702040817061888

The absolute state of it. :D

[Shindig]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-51029994

Crashes 2 minutes after takeoff. Flight data seems to suggest a steady climb. Footage allegedly show the plane on fire and breaking up before it crashes. It was originally delayed for an hour.

[Spikey M]

The stones on them lads.

They bombed an airbase, in Iraq, with no US soldiers about. It's a limp gesture that let's them say to the Iranian people that they replied in kind, whilst giving Trump the opportunity to lol it off.

I wouldn't be surprised if Trump agreed to it ahead of time.

[Mazuuurk]

Teheran need any hotels, mate?

[John Arne]

...Our missiles are big, powerful, accurate, lethal and fast.


What a fucking knobhead.

[Disco]

Fast. Not like all those other slow missiles you see.

[Queenslander]

Im sure Scummo will withdraw troops from the bushfire frontlines to send to Iraq. #4evaneocon

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fast. Not like all those other slow missiles you see.

A slow missile would be pretty effective. You could disguise it as a heron.

[Shindig]

What a fucking salesman.

Fixed that for you. That man is one carpet warehouse short of happiness. As for Iran, they've fucked this up. Even if they didn't shoot the plane down, detaining the black box robs Boeing of data that could potentially affect thousands of commercial aircraft. Not to mention robbing hundreds of families from closure.

[bruhnaldo]

I mean why would they shoot it down though? How do you accidentally do that? I know it's been done before but I mean.... idk in 2020? We just blowing up anything on radar?

[bruhnaldo]

Did anybody post how there was an earthquake like 30 miles from a huge Iranian nuclear power plant last night?

I never really believed in the HAARP shit or w/e but idk man that's a little too coincidental for me, Clive.

[Shindig]

I mean why would they shoot it down though? How do you accidentally do that? I know it's been done before but I mean.... idk in 2020?

Yeah. MH17 was shot down in 2014 by a Ukranian rebel with a rocket launcher. He took one look at Malaysia Airline's colour scheme and thought, "PUTIN!" He couldn't boot up Flight Radar, could he?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Air_Lines_Flight_007 - Looks nowt like something that would cause you trouble but the Soviets scrambled an interceptor to shoot it down because it drifted into Soviet airspace whilst America were also doing reconnaissance.

You can also through MH370 into the mix. That plane goes silent, goes wildly off course and the Malaysian Air Force can't be arsed to give chase. They still haven't found that plane.

[bruhnaldo]

Yeah. MH17 was shot down in 2014 by a Ukranian rebel with a rocket launcher. He took one look at Malaysia Airline's colour scheme and thought, "PUTIN!" He couldn't boot up Flight Radar, could he?

I mean that's a bit different isn't it? i'm seriously asking like... some random dude in the middle of a huge city like Tehran pulling out a rocket launcher like that?

I guess the Ukranian one was just outside Donetsk but they flew over a literal warzone like...idk seems different but I guess idk much about Iran.

[bruhnaldo]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Air_Lines_Flight_007 - Looks nowt like something that would cause you trouble but the Soviets scrambled an interceptor to shoot it down because it drifted into Soviet airspace whilst America were also doing reconnaissance.


I didn't know about this one, much before my time but, okay now that sounds like something a bit more feasible I suppose.

MH370 blows my mind tho... really reminds me how small we all are since no one has apparently found any wreckage at all like u say

[mugbull]

They've found plenty of the wreckage though

[bruhnaldo]

See I thought they did but when he said it like tha tI thought maybe they had debunked it in the meantime my bad

[Shindig]

30 pieces of debris have been found but confirmed only three pieces to be from MH370.

[Giggles]

I zoned out for a while since yer man was killed. Has it all kicked off much yet?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Everyone has shouted a lot and the Persians have fired some rockets at nothing. Otherwise, no.

[Shindig]

And a plane crashed.

[Raoul Duke]

"Crashed", mor elike

[Spikey M]

I zoned out for a while since yer man was killed. Has it all kicked off much yet?

Iran blew up a field and a Russian passenger plane spontaneously combusted. It's all chill.

[Shindig]

Couldn't have been a missile, though. Missiles split planes in half and there's no other conventional way to disable a plane. I mean, what's a gun?


Iran's Civil Aviation Organisation (CAOI) chief Ali Abedzadeh said: "The plane, which was initially headed west to leave the airport zone, turned right following a problem and was headed back to the airport at the moment of the crash."

https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/PS752.jpg

[phonics]

1215319933711724544

Incredible.

[Shindig]

AV Herald seems to support the 'turn the fuck around' theory.


The point of first ground impact is at position N35.5625 E51.1033, the field of debris expands south of that location - which suggests, the aircraft had turned around and was moving in the direction of the airport again. The Iranianian Civil Aviation blokes are apparently meeting with Ukrainian representatives to listen or handover the black box recordings.

[niko_cee]

So Iran's swift and terrible vengeance turned out to be shooting down a plane of Canadians and, presumably, Iranians? Top work.

[Shindig]

Just blame IS on this one, lads.

[Spoonsky]

Looks like the Iranians are back protesting AGAINST the government after they admitted to having accidentally downed the plane. Must be hard to keep up with things in Tehran these days.

I want to say nothing much more is going to happen now, though god knows with Agent Orange in charge.

[randomlegend]

Couldn't have been a missile, though. Missiles split planes in half and there's no other conventional way to disable a plane. I mean, what's a gun?



https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/PS752.jpg

https://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/showthread.php?2574-January-Transfers-2020-Sponsored-by-the-WTAS%99/page5

Think you'll find this is the thread for plane tracking my friend :thbup:

[John Arne]

I mean these demonstrations are clearly arrangd by the CIA. We all know that right? Also Raab complaining that the UK diplomat was arrested - why the fuck was he at the protest in the first place? His excuse... "It was supposed to be a vigil for the victims of the crash".

[niko_cee]

Alright Ho Chi Minh.

[Shindig]

It's still not as daft as the theory I heard about Iran shooting the plane on purpose to tank valuable Boeing stocks.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The CIA must be awfully busy.

[John Arne]

#ItWasTheCIAThatDidIt

[Queenslander]

Liz exposing herself as a liar for a 2nd time is neat.

#refundwarren

[Queenslander]

And now #primarywarren is trending. Lol

[Bernanke]

If I'm understanding this latest development correctly, Rudy has been plotting to kill a US ambassador? This timeline is incredible.

[Bernanke]

Every now and then Donald comes through with an absolutely top tier zinger. On Bolton:

"If I listened to him, we would be in World War Six by now".

[John]

Not much of a zinger, given it's what everyone else was saying when Bolton was appointed.

[Lewis]

I like how this new 'peace plan' is both the most realistic and the most mental proposal possible.

[John Arne]

Can somebody teach the Iowa DNC to count, please?

[mugbull]

Biden probably lost so they’re deciding on the best way to stuff the boxes

[mikem]

I love that this isn’t even the worst Iowa fuck up. They have not declared the wrong winner like in 2012, where they announced Romney, then a week later Santorum, and then finally Paul.

The conspiracy theory that the DNC is something other than a home for 4th rate hacks is so amusing. It’s a shit fundraising outfit that’s sole power is to set the debate schedule.

[Bernanke]

The 2012 one is incredible.

https://i.imgur.com/DtIf6TT.png

[Lewis]

1225174713992990721

:lol:

[John Arne]

Democracy, fuck yeah!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xhNSH5Pns4&t=155s

[Queenslander]

The rat king has the most punchable face.

[Bernanke]

1225957125278617600

Christ.. :D

[Byron]

That's amazing

[Spikey M]

1225968914829434881?s=19

In colour is even better.

[Shindig]

At least photoshop the rest of his tan in.

[mikem]

I’ve never understood why D strategists and ad makers have not just plastered these pics everywhere with a “what else is he lying about?” tagline everywhere.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.buzzfeednews.com/amphtml/davidmack/trump-hair-wind-air-force-one

[Raoul Duke]

I’ve never understood why D strategists and ad makers have not just plastered these pics everywhere with a “what else is he lying about?” tagline everywhere.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.buzzfeednews.com/amphtml/davidmack/trump-hair-wind-air-force-one

It would be stooping to his level, but it'd also wind him up something chronic.

[Disco]

It would be shit because it's just a haircut and you can't even see his bald patch properly.

[Byron]

I’ve never understood why D strategists and ad makers have not just plastered these pics everywhere with a “what else is he lying about?” tagline everywhere.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.buzzfeednews.com/amphtml/davidmack/trump-hair-wind-air-force-one

I initially thought this but I read a piece from Joe Walsh where he attends a MAGA rally (surely KAGA now?) and likened it to a cult. All of his followers were insistent he'd not told a single lie, three people believed he'd not played a single round of golf since becoming president.

You can't reason with people who just run around with their eyes closed.

[mikem]

People obsess about winning Trump voters or finding the new mythical youth vote a la Bernie. Never happening, they’ll be complaining about some version of Iowa forever even though they spent three years knocking on 500,000 doors and got 50,000 votes. They’ll be robbed and never acknowledge the kids never show up.

None of that is ever there but you can still win the 10% of people who cross over. They all live in the suburbs and ex-burbs, don’t care for Trump, and changed their vote in 2018. Just stop trying to sell some utopia nobody but your own base believes in and make it a referendum on Trump and not you. In my state of Arizona we’re going to have two d senators after not winning a statewide election in thirty five years if they don’t fuck it up.

[Bernanke]

1226569873666564096

Inshallarkey

[Shindig]

Gotta get those Muslim voters.

[phonics]

1230260563239940096

1230174235471089666

If Biden was this good on literally any other subject, he'd have the nomination wrapped up.

I cannot wait for the debate tomorrow just to watch 4 people dedicate 2 hours to calling Mike Bloomberg a racist oligarch. Gonna be good.

[Spoonsky]

I hope you were watching phonics? It was better than I could’ve ever hoped.

@mokbull @bruhdinho curious on your thoughts at this point in time?

[Luca]

Tell you what, Amy Klobuchar is an absolutely cringeworthy candidate. She swings and misses with every 'joke'.

[Byron]

If she's actually expanded her repertoire of jokes beyond 'lol his hair' then I'd be surprised.

[mugbull]

I hope you were watching phonics? It was better than I could’ve ever hoped.

@mokbull @bruhdinho curious on your thoughts at this point in time?

I don’t understand why they’re hitting Bloomberg on calling women fat instead of ravaging him for literally purchasing an election like we’re in 15th century Florence.

[mikem]

Bernie has 25-30% of the vote so he can only win a race with four - five candidates.
There are five so he’s likely winning this by Super Tuesday. The myth is the parties are incredibly strong but it seems the opposite to me. Not all that bullish on our chances in the election with a fractional candidate, but if nobody else can get 30% then he’ll be the best choice but bye bye suburbs.

[bruhnaldo]

I hope you were watching phonics? It was better than I could’ve ever hoped.

@mokbull @bruhdinho curious on your thoughts at this point in time?

With all due respect I didn't watch the debate so I won't speak from a place of (further) ignorance (than I already do).

[John Arne]

I mean, is it not completely predictable as to what is going to happen?

Bernie wins the Democratic nomination, then gets murdered in the big one 320-211. Which will be a shame.

[mikem]

I don’t buy Bernie’s argument that he is either going to turn white working class voters out for him or expand the base. I think race is more of an animating feature than class and the young and poor are typically too disaffected to vote. But it’s not crazy because the US is currently so polarized there are really only ten states up for grabs.

[Lewis]

It will be a re-run of our election. Free college hmmm... Wait, open borders? Mandatory sex changes?

[mikem]

The idea that you litigate someone’s record in office is so passé:

They tried to take away your health insurance.
They closed your family’s farm and 10,000 others like them in Wisconsin alone for their tarrifs.
They gave their friends big tax breaks and sprung them from prison.


Nah, let’s tell them how we will take their insurance but we’ve got a nice fancy jet pack for them.

[Pepe]

Open borders. :drool:

[mikem]

It is as American as apple pie.

[phonics]

1230562248201887744

Spending at that rate, surely it would be more effective to just send a 1,000 dollar cheque to every house in America 4 times a year. That was always the thing with Trump, yes he's massively corrupt but he's really fucking shitty at being corrupt. This guys a pro.

[Luca]

Imagine sinking that much money into your campaign and not having a proper answer for any of the skeletons in your closet at your first debate. At least Trump was certain in the knowledge that most of 'THE BASE' wouldn't have cared even if he was a serial rapist or something.

[phonics]

The thing that none of these billionaires trying to pull a Trump haven't realised is why they'll never win.

Trump does not feel shame. He does not feel guilt. That's his super power. You can't turn up at that debate and go 'I'm sorry for being a racist, sexist billionaire vote for me'. You say 'Those crime ridden blacks deserved it, the broad should have had an abortion and I'm so rich I'm the only one willing to tell you the truth, vote for me'.

[Lewis]

Getting 'Mini Mike' all month off of the Donald frazzled his brain.

[phonics]

It's the biggest grift by consultants you've ever seen. They've spent years telling him he could definitely win and then when he finally caves they just give all the money to their other consultant mates in tv advertising.

[Luca]

It's the biggest grift by consultants you've ever seen. They've spent years telling him he could definitely win and then when he finally caves they just give all the money to their other consultant mates in tv advertising.

We love a good narrative :drool:

EDIT: TV Advertising and meme creation (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/13/style/michael-bloomberg-memes-jerry-media.html), apparently. From the guy behind FuckJerry, no less.

[phonics]

I would genuinely consider moving to one of those shitty states they're all forced to go to just for the opportunity of calling them a wanker to their face.

[mikem]

I’m curious for people in other states, but in the swing state of AZ tv is essentially Bloomberg commercials. I’m waiting for smart TVs to start turning on to play them.

He’s done two things: 1. Made Bernie a favorite for the primary 2. Increased costs for political ads, exponentially so for Republicans who typically have to buy at higher rates mandated for PACs.

Skipping the first half of the race is a playbook that had been tried and proven a failure by Rudy, Al Gore, and a couple others. The problem is you collapse your lane, and the votes have to go somewhere. It was never more than a

The idea that you kill off candidates feels like a West Wing thing instead of a real thing. Some candidates just never had a chance.

[phonics]

Speaking to other American friends, it's the same in every state, every other TV ad is Bloomberg, every youtube pre-roll is him too. No idea if it's a photoshop but I did see a funny screengrab of a Bloomberg ad pre-rolling someone trying to watch 'The Internationale' (some soviet/communist anthem for those as non tanky as me)

edit: lol tried to google the story and my former high school was the 3rd highest result? Is my high school a publicly listed company?

https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/4833251Z:SW

[Luca]

Luckily ad-blocking and VPNing into my Canadian cable service has spared me, but I doubt he's spending much here anyways.

[mikem]

The only real cleverness to them seems to be the sheer variety, but I think the whole pre / post narrative is all kinda silly. It was always a long shot and I don’t think the debates matter much.

[bruhnaldo]

TV is entirely Bloomberg here in FLA.

[phonics]

1230940377865183233

This is why TV ads don't win an election. Any exposure of you outside those ads makes people realise you're awful.

[niko_cee]

I must say, from a position of relative ignorance, this whole Bloomberg campaign seems a bit odd. Isn't he a republican in everything but name anyway? In terms of taking the fight to Trump, I'm really not sure the gutter is the best place to try do that. I sense a donning of biblical proportions if 'Mike' somehow gets the democratic nomination. He seems a right arrogant so-and-so anyway so that'd probably be quite funny, and humiliating for him seeing as he has often sought to define himself by how much more of a success he is than Trump.

[Lewis]

1231345462793441280

This stuff shouldn't still be funny, and yet...

[Kikó]

Was HaroldBishop actually Donald Trump?

[Queenslander]

:lol:

"Michael Bloomberg Confirms He Used Prison Labor To Make 2020 Campaign Calls"

https://t.co/dJNGdcEZZs?amp=1

[mikem]

I must say, from a position of relative ignorance, this whole Bloomberg campaign seems a bit odd. Isn't he a republican in everything but name anyway? In terms of taking the fight to Trump, I'm really not sure the gutter is the best place to try do that. I sense a donning of biblical proportions if 'Mike' somehow gets the democratic nomination. He seems a right arrogant so-and-so anyway so that'd probably be quite funny, and humiliating for him seeing as he has often sought to define himself by how much more of a success he is than Trump.

It is all vanity. He’s of whatever party will advance his interest, much like Trump.
People really want there to be this cathartic thing where Trump gets taken down like it is a movie but that’s just Hollywood. Bloomberg was never really anything more than a new narrative in a primary.

I don’t think that anyone is particularly strong on either side in this race, but the country is both demographically sorted and highly partisan so nobody has to be. People confuse that with strong parties, but everyone from Bernie to Bloomberg to Trump to Andrew fucking Yang thinking they can gatecrash the primaries (and be relatively successful) should illustrate that the parties really are not strong. A national media presence is now more important for the primaries than being a Democrat who can win a statewide governor’s race in a conservative state like Montana. But 20 states will vote D and 20 R regardless of the candidates.

I’m likely going to register a protest vote against Bernie in the primary but I don’t really care for any of the other candidates enough to know who I’ll pick for it. I mostly just tired of our new politics of “I’m right and you’re evil.”

[Pepe]

Is that new?

[mikem]

Almost certainly not, but it feels much stronger at the moment. Don’t get me wrong, but everyone seems to think we are on the verge of some civil war / end of times / economic stagnation forever .... because the other side is so .... Supply whichever civil war, other side, and source of all evil suits your political leanings.

[Lewis]

I think most of the stuff you read about DIVISION is largely an academic/media (wanker) NARRATIVE that you wouldn't hear about had a couple of elections not gone against them. Most people just crack on.

[mikem]

Not explaining myself well, I agree with Lewis entirely. People do, but our politics don’t.

I think this is generational as well. I’m in my forties so my formative politics are the 80’s and not the 90’s or 00’s. What isn’t remembered is that US politics weren’t competitive back then. Republicans could win the presidency, but Congress and the Senate were solidly Democratic up to the early 90’s and not slightly competitive. Currently, incumbents have a 3% advantage back then it was 15-18%.

That made US politics different. Republicans couldn’t count on ever passing anything, and Democrats were not even slightly worried about losing either branch of Congress. Democrats passed the Reagan tax bill, not Republicans. Why? Because Reagan had to actually offer them something - funding Medicare and Social Security for 75 years. Then leaders of both parties simply bought off members of Congress with local appropriations. Both then ran on what they got.

Now that both groups can win in November there is no more incentive to negotiate- if you give a political win you invalidate the reason why government should change hands. It is a different form of politics than used to exist.

[phonics]

I have to say, this election is somehow managing to out gaslight the last one.

Just today I've seen that Joe Biden, the guy who's only pro is that him and Obama are one and the same, release a press release dinging Sanders for having said exactly the same things as Obama about Castro.

Followed by Bloomberg claiming that Bernie Sanders must personally apologize because an office of his campaign was graffitid by... leaning a wooden board against a wall and sellotaping a piece of paper to a window.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERj1deoXUAIV2Eh.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERj1cnCXsAEcLq8.jpg

I've got to work with these people in a few months and I'm genuinely worried it's going to end up with me being fired after being overheard for calling someone influential a cunt.

[Shindig]

Perfect time to schedule that rehab.

[Queenslander]

Not explaining myself well, I agree with Lewis entirely. People do, but our politics don’t.

I think this is generational as well. I’m in my forties so my formative politics are the 80’s and not the 90’s or 00’s. What isn’t remembered is that US politics weren’t competitive back then. Republicans could win the presidency, but Congress and the Senate were solidly Democratic up to the early 90’s and not slightly competitive. Currently, incumbents have a 3% advantage back then it was 15-18%.

That made US politics different. Republicans couldn’t count on ever passing anything, and Democrats were not even slightly worried about losing either branch of Congress. Democrats passed the Reagan tax bill, not Republicans. Why? Because Reagan had to actually offer them something - funding Medicare and Social Security for 75 years. Then leaders of both parties simply bought off members of Congress with local appropriations. Both then ran on what they got.

Now that both groups can win in November there is no more incentive to negotiate- if you give a political win you invalidate the reason why government should change hands. It is a different form of politics than used to exist.

Werent the 80's horific for gay people and black people?

[Lewis]

Serves them right for spreading AIDS.

[phonics]

Perfect time to schedule that rehab.

Shindig, genuinely, I can take these digs off some people. Not you. Please stop trying to pretend you’re above me.

[Queenslander]

Serves them right for spreading AIDS.

And smoking THE crack?

[Lewis]

Homophobe. :nono:

[Queenslander]

Fuck.

[Spoonsky]

Bernie's going to be president of the United States, folks. And I feel like Mert in 2016.

[Bernanke]

1232155217547784193

:D

What a dweeb.

[bruhnaldo]

Bernie's going to be president of the United States, folks. And I feel like Mert in 2016.

Surely you don't actually believe this.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Are the people who narrowly went Trump over Hillary last time really going to switch to Bernie?

[bruhnaldo]

Supposedly there were a group of #BernieBros who went Trump the last time in lieu of voting for The Devil Hillary but who knows just how many that was.

[mugbull]

Are the people who narrowly went Trump over Hillary last time really going to switch to Bernie?

I think there are a good number, and not just Bernie Bros. My mom, for one

[Bernanke]

I also think the "switch sides" narrative is incredibly overrated as a deciding factor. It's about getting the turnout from your half of the population to be as high as possible on voting day, not Sean Hannity putting one in for Bernie or Spoonsky voting for the Don.

[Spoonsky]

I also think the "switch sides" narrative is incredibly overrated as a deciding factor. It's about getting the turnout from your half of the population to be as high as possible on voting day, not Sean Hannity putting one in for Bernie or Spoonsky voting for the Don.

:thbup:

Bernie´s base has grown since 2016, he´s winning Latinos easily and is about equal to Biden with blacks.

I think the situation right now is really similar to Trump in 2016 - mainstream Democrats panicking but they can´t unite behind one candidate, so they´re inventing reasons why he´s not electable despite 1) all polls and statistics showing otherwise 2) the idea of ´electability´ taking a pretty big loss of legitimacy considering who our current president is.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We've lived this movie, I hope for your sake that the USA is different.

[Bernanke]

Honestly 2/3 of Bloomberg, Biden, Buttigeig need to drop out ASAP for a moderate alternative to consolidate the lane, but it really won't happen because they all have massive egos.

[Lewis]

It all works out until the first debate when Trump starts his first answer (regardless of subject) with 'Folks, the reason why people call him "Crazy Bernie"...' and then lols his immigration policies into orbit.

[Bernanke]

I can't believe we're actually gonna get this this summer:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGRAonpLeQg

[Spoonsky]

Honestly 2/3 of Bloomberg, Biden, Buttigeig need to drop out ASAP for a moderate alternative to consolidate the lane, but it really won't happen because they all have massive egos.

Interesting article on why it doesn´t necessarily work this way (though personally I agree with you): https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-the-establishment-cant-bank-on-moderate-voters-consolidating-against-sanders/

The media can paint him as radical, socialist, ideologically extremist, etc... but ultimately, when people actually hear the man speak, they hear him decrying corruption and economic inequality. Which isn´t exactly a radical viewpoint:

https://fivethirtyeight.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/skelley-POLLAPALOOZA.0208-0206-1.jpg?w=1150

[phonics]

1232469199936794626

That is really quite good.

[Queenslander]

#Texas Early Voting Counts as per Texas Democrats:

2016: 170,839
2020: 271,377

Turnout Increase: 63%

#Democrats #USA

[Queenslander]

Bernie is on a hot streak criticising Americas foreign polocy. :eek:

[Giggles]

Someday I’m going to sit down and read how all this works. Their whole system sounds mental.

One thing; why do they make such a big thing about Iowa in every vote? It’s just one of fifty, so does it have an extra big population or something?

[Queenslander]

Not having all the states vote on one day seems bizarre.

Iowa was a mess because of some bullshit app they used. Despite Bernie winning the popular vote, Pete won the most state delegates. That is the most I know @spoonksy is needed l.

[John]

Someday I’m going to sit down and read how all this works. Their whole system sounds mental.

One thing; why do they make such a big thing about Iowa in every vote? It’s just one of fifty, so does it have an extra big population or something?

Each state votes separately on who they think the nominee should be but they don't all do it at the same time. I think Iowa goes first, so the winner there gains momentum for the next vote, and so on. Most states only get two options, because the ten no hopers have dropped out after getting three votes each in the first few votes.

[Byron]

You also have candidates like Steyer and Bloomberg who choose to ignore the states that won't win in and pour resources in later states hoping to build late momentum.

[Spoonsky]

Someday I’m going to sit down and read how all this works. Their whole system sounds mental.

One thing; why do they make such a big thing about Iowa in every vote? It’s just one of fifty, so does it have an extra big population or something?

It's a little mental. Each state has a certain number of delegates to distribute, and every state has their own rules of how to distribute them. So some states will be winner takes all, but most give them proportionately - so if Bernie has 40%, Biden 20%, Warren 20% then they'll be distributed as such. States with a bigger population have more delegates, so while Iowa gives something like 20 delegates California gives ~400. Iowa is only important because it's the first state so whoever wins it gets a lot of media coverage and MOMENTUM. They put some random smaller states first - Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada - so that people will pay attention to these states, otherwise candidates would just spend all their time in California, Texas and New York.

If at the end of the primary no candidate has an outright majority of delegates, there could be a brokered convention where they contrive to nominate someone else instead. This is quite possible to happen this year if Bernie has a plurality of votes.

Correct me if I'm wrong mikem

[Jimmy Floyd]

Would the contrived candidate not turn into a laughing stock and get thumped?

[Spoonsky]

Would the contrived candidate not turn into a laughing stock and get thumped?

Absolutely, not to mention the hordes of Bernie bros rioting in the streets of Milwaukee. I don't think it would happen, but I also don't put it past the democratic party.

[Queenslander]

Hillary Clinton is starting a podcast in a few months. :D

Fuck me what rotten lot those running the Dems are it reminds me of the Australian Labour Party.

[Shindig]

Does it have an emails segment?

[Queenslander]

Hopefully.

[Lewis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfl13QyQZKc

:lol:

[Pepe]

That was good stuff. What a fucking legend.

[Luca]

Fucking hell. :D

[Queenslander]

:lol:

Best touring comic atm.

[Shindig]

He's got it sewn up.