US Elections 2020 (geopolitics, informed debate, no ad hominems)

Biden

14 (66.7%)

Trump

7 (33.3%)

Total Members Voted: 21

Voting closed: November 02, 2020, 06:25:59 pm

[Craig Lamson]

Enjoy the drive!

I did, thanks.

It was the last drive before I tear the car apart.  During the lockdown I bought the perts to replace the entire suspension - front and rear - but I got busy and I had to put it all away.  Now the last unit of the season has been shot, the post done, the files delivered and the invoice written. I'm a free man until Feb or March.  So now its time to get to work!  The car turns 20 in the srping, its ready for the update.

[faberryman]

This is like saying milk comes from the grocery store, not a cow.

Yeah, but where do cows come from? You are not thinking this all the way through. Some say God created them, just like the bats in China who created coronavirus. It's all God's fault, not China's. Do you believe in an all powerful, all merciful God? Because if you do, like Desi Arnez used to say, you've got some 'splaining to do. Maybe focus on why God didn't create natural antibodies in humans. If God didn't create the cows and bats, where did they come from? You see, this coronavirus blame game is a great big bag of worms. You could have about six PhDs and still not be able to figure it out, which is why you throw your hands up in the air and just say China. It is too much trouble otherwise. Besides it makes you feel better because you don't have acknowledge that it's Trump fault.

[JoeKitchen]

Does it really matter where on the planet the virus jumped from something else to humans? They all start somewhere and they spread quickly, surely that's the important overriding lesson, isn't it. The borders drawn on maps only matter to humans, other life forms don't give a damn. But hey, if you want to keep blaming the Chinese, commie libtards, Hilary or Satan, go nuts if it makes you feel better.

Yes, it does, considering all of the recent new viruses have come out of Asia.  This points to something they are doing wrong, or at the very least, they can make improvements to keep these events less prevalent. 

Otherwise the eventual reaction will be to just boycott all of Asia by the rest of the world. 

We cant afford to go through this every 5 years, and if they cant get their act together, it would cost a less to just shut them off.  That is what the reaction will be eventually. 

[JoeKitchen]

Yeah, but where do cows come from? You are not thinking this all the way through. Some say God created them, just like the bats in China who created coronavirus. It's all God's fault, not China's. Do you believe in an all powerful, all merciful God? Because if you do, like Desi Arnez used to say, you've got some 'splaining to do. If God didn't create the cows and bats, where did they come from? You see, this coronavirus blame game is a big bag of worms. You could have about six PhDs and you still couldn't figure it out, which is why you throw your hands up in the air and just say China.

I'm an atheist, but thanks for trying.  But if you really want to know my opinions on why to keep tract of where it came from, see above. 

[Craig Lamson]

The clouds are breaking here.  I think I'll get out and see how the foliage is doing and shoot some film. What's Fireball?

Fireball....

https://fireballwhisky.com/

We do shots around the fire, its kind of a ritual with my friends.  Sadly we had no friends over last night.  Its a real shame that the social things we took for granted less that a year ago are on hold today.  But my friends are all old too and none of us wants to take the chance. 

If this had been a year ago there would have been racks of ribs in the smoker, Jason Aldean playing and friends laughing and cutting up.  I only hope next year brings us better times.

[Alan Klein]

Fireball....

https://fireballwhisky.com/

We do shots around the fire, its kind of a ritual with my friends.  Sadly we had no friends over last night.  Its a real shame that the social things we took for granted less that a year ago are on hold today.  But my friends are all old too and none of us wants to take the chance. 

If this had been a year ago there would have been racks of ribs in the smoker, Jason Aldean playing and friends laughing and cutting up.  I only hope next year brings us better times.

Yes, let's hope.

[Robert Roaldi]

It didn't happen naturally.  It was created in a Chinese lab. 

Thanks for this, Alan. I was worried that faberryman's posts were bordering on the whimsical lately, thankfully you've returned the thread back to earth. I can go and enjoy a Sunday autumn colours drive with some peace of mind.

[Alan Goldhammer]

It didn't happen naturally.  It was created in a Chinese lab. 

There is no scientific evidence other than from conspiracy fearmongers that this statement is true. 

[Alan Goldhammer]

Yes, it does, considering all of the recent new viruses have come out of Asia.  This points to something they are doing wrong, or at the very least, they can make improvements to keep these events less prevalent. 

Otherwise the eventual reaction will be to just boycott all of Asia by the rest of the world. 

We cant afford to go through this every 5 years, and if they cant get their act together, it would cost a less to just shut them off.  That is what the reaction will be eventually.

Everything is everywhere and you cannot get away from that fundamental principal of nature.  Did you know the US still has cases of Bubonic Plague each year?  Many flu viruses move between pigs, humans, and ducks, swapping genes all the time as well as mutating.  these events are pretty much beyond human control and result in new varieties of influenza each year.  Scientists still don't know where the 1918 'Spanish' influenza strain came from.  Your comment on boycotting Asia is laughable given international commerce.

[Alan Klein]

Thanks for this, Alan. I was worried that faberryman's posts were bordering on the whimsical lately, thankfully you've returned the thread back to earth. I can go and enjoy a Sunday autumn colours drive with some peace of mind.

Yes, I've noticed his whimsy lately too.  Glad he's lightening up.  I wonder if he's smoking anything? 

[faberryman]

I'm an atheist, but thanks for trying.  But if you really want to know my opinions on why to keep tract of where it came from, see above.

If you think the believers have some 'splaining to do, the atheists really have some 'splaining to do. The believers believe so they don't have to 'splain all the extra stuff the atheists have to 'splain. I mean it is just easier to go to church. Besides if you go to church, you get to have a Lent box, and you can give the money in it to Pat Robertson if you can't go to church on Easter because of the coronavirus. I think I have told you all about Pat Robertson and his continuing efforts to talk God out of all the bad stuff God told him was going to happen, so I won't repeat it here.

[Alan Klein]

There is no scientific evidence other than from conspiracy fearmongers that this statement is true. 

What were the Chinese doing in their virus lab in Wuhan where the virus started?  Why does China have it under control and their economy is expanding while the rest of the world's economies are shrinking in recession?  Too many coincidences.  I hope you're right.  I don't think they care about the rest of the world when you consider that their own Communist party killed 20 million of their own people under Mao.  Do you think Xi cares about you or me? If you are correct, they still lied about the nature of it for the first six weeks. That time could have been used by the rest of the world to get started fighting it better. China is a bad actor regardless.

[faberryman]

Thanks for this, Alan. I was worried that faberryman's posts were bordering on the whimsical lately, thankfully you've returned the thread back to earth. I can go and enjoy a Sunday autumn colours drive with some peace of mind.

Don't forget to revel in God's great creation if you are so inclined. Otherwise, just take some photographs of the Fall foliage. Either way you'll come out a winner.

[faberryman]

There is no scientific evidence other than from conspiracy fearmongers that this statement is true.

Who needs scientific evidence? Besides, just because it is a conspiracy theory doesn't mean it's not true.  I deduced that from what Gene Hackman said in Enemy of the State: "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean everyone is not out to get you."  I have surmised this is Alan's thought process.

[faberryman]

What were the Chinese doing in their virus lab in Wuhan where the virus started?

I don't know, do you? Probably most of them were just drinking coffee. Have you been to many scientific labs? I did a survey once, and the fact is there are more coffee machines than bunsen burners in most labs. And a lot of scientists make their coffee with a bunsen burner anyway. Why do you think it takes so long to discover cures?

Why does China have it under control and their economy is expanding while the rest of the world's economies are shrinking in recession?

Because Donald Trump is not President of China?

Too many coincidences.

You can never have too many coincidences.

I hope you're right.

I know I'm right.

I don't think they care about the rest of the world when you consider that their own Communist party killed 20 million of their own people under Mao.

That was a long time ago. They are doing better now. Nobody is perfect. You just have to keep working at it. You need to have a chat with your spiritual advisor about forgiveness. You do seem to be talking to your therapist though. I noticed that you don't seem to be letting all that anger build up inside you. Instead, you are letting it out by posting here. Doesn't mean other people like it especially.

Do you think Xi cares about you or me?

Do you think Trump cares about the Chinese? He certainly doesn't have very many nice things to say about them.

If you are correct, they still lied about the nature of it for the first six weeks. That time could have been used by the rest of the world to get started fighting it better.

It doesn't matter. Trump would have still farted around until mid-March. Why do you need to do anything when there are only fifteen people who have it and it is going down to zero very soon? Not to mention the warm weather was coming. Besides, if had done something earlier, the economy would have gone to hell in a handbasket earlier. It's bad enough as it is. Maybe we should thank the Chinese that we had such good numbers in the first quarter.

China is a bad actor regardless.

A lot of countries think the US is a bad actor.  Even you have said the war in Iraq was a bad idea.

[William Walker]

What were the Chinese doing in their virus lab in Wuhan where the virus started?  Why does China have it under control and their economy is expanding while the rest of the world's economies are shrinking in recession?  Too many coincidences. I hope you're right.  I don't think they care about the rest of the world when you consider that their own Communist party killed 20 million of their own people under Mao.  Do you think Xi cares about you or me? If you are correct, they still lied about the nature of it for the first six weeks. That time could have been used by the rest of the world to get started fighting it better. China is a bad actor regardless.

Alan, unless you are purposely trying to stir things up here I would like to point something out to you.

You stated in your Reply #2297: "It was created in a Chinese lab". To me, that sounds like you are stating a fact.

Here, it is, "I hope you're right" and "(I)f you are correct"...

Why would anyone believe what you say and take your discussion here respectfully and seriously?

[Peter McLennan]

It didn't happen naturally.  It was created in a Chinese lab.

Yet another WAA.*. Verify this with evidence or retract it, please.  Otherwise, you’re deliberately spreading disinformation. 

You can’t weasel out by saying this statement is your “opinion”



* WAA = Wild Ass Assertion.

[Craig Lamson]

Democrats Propose Stopping Coyotes By Distracting Them With Decoy Roadrunners

https://babylonbee.com/news/democrats-propose-stopping-coyotes-by-distracting-them-with-decoy-roadrunners


EL PASO, TX—After Trump brought attention to the coyote epidemic at the southern border during the debates, Democrats on Twitter are offering unique solutions to the problem, such as setting up decoy roadrunners to distract the coyotes.


"Everyone knows that a coyote's greatest nemesis is the roadrunner. That's just science," said AOC to reporters. "Trump has done nothing to stop the scourge of deadly coyotes smuggling innocent children into the concentration camps at the southern border. We need to do something with science to make it stop!"

AOC and The Squad have partnered to promote legislation that would require large cardboard cutouts of the roadrunner from the famous Warner Brothers cartoons to be placed every 8 feet at the southern border.

"Why is this the first I'm even hearing about this?" said AOC. "I, like, literally can't believe Trump hasn't done anything about the coyotes. We need to do something now, like this new and ambitious plan to place a million roadrunner decoys throughout the desert!"

According to progressive legislators, the new plan will cost only 800 trillion dollars and will create infinity jobs.

[Alan Klein]

Democrats Propose Stopping Coyotes By Distracting Them With Decoy Roadrunners

https://babylonbee.com/news/democrats-propose-stopping-coyotes-by-distracting-them-with-decoy-roadrunners


EL PASO, TX—After Trump brought attention to the coyote epidemic at the southern border during the debates, Democrats on Twitter are offering unique solutions to the problem, such as setting up decoy roadrunners to distract the coyotes.


"Everyone knows that a coyote's greatest nemesis is the roadrunner. That's just science," said AOC to reporters. "Trump has done nothing to stop the scourge of deadly coyotes smuggling innocent children into the concentration camps at the southern border. We need to do something with science to make it stop!"

AOC and The Squad have partnered to promote legislation that would require large cardboard cutouts of the roadrunner from the famous Warner Brothers cartoons to be placed every 8 feet at the southern border.

"Why is this the first I'm even hearing about this?" said AOC. "I, like, literally can't believe Trump hasn't done anything about the coyotes. We need to do something now, like this new and ambitious plan to place a million roadrunner decoys throughout the desert!"

According to progressive legislators, the new plan will cost only 800 trillion dollars and will create infinity jobs.

Maybe AOC could order the cutouts from Amazon.

[Craig Lamson]

Yet another WAA.*. Verify this with evidence or retract it, please.  Otherwise, you’re deliberately spreading disinformation. 

You can’t weasel out by saying this statement is your “opinion”



* WAA = Wild Ass Assertion.

Good grief, stop being a dick.  Pretty much everything posted here without a link included is someones opinion.    Deal with it.