Bear Pit: now the sole domicile of politics at LuLa

[digitaldog]

And JD doubles down!  https://thehill.com/policy/technology/4871637-vance-defends-haitian-claims/?tbref=hp

He ought to know better. Isn't this the kind of lame nonsense they used to accuse hillbillies of?

His moron boss had to add dogs to this nonsense at last night's debate. At the same time, he was having his ass handed to him by a strong, smart woman of color.

[marvpelkey]

Speaking of immigration issues, I was watching YouTube (like to watch educational stuff where I can actually learn things) this morning whilst eating breakfast, which coincidently contained a 20 or so minute presentation by Steve Ballmer on the data surrounding US immigration. Not only does he provide numbers (sourced from gov't agencies) but he also gives a pretty decent explanation on the various immigrant statuses. I found it a pretty good watch.

For some who may not know, he is a former(?) CEO of Microsoft and is a self-described data nut. He has a few other data rich videos (also good watches), and the best thing is, he refuses to put his own spin on things, he just presents the data and tells the viewer to draw their own conclusions. He got fed up with numbers being twisted by opposing sides, so started the site USAFacts, to provide the actual data. Can't give a link as I watched on TV, but just search USAFacts and/or his name and you should be able to find.

[Robert Roaldi]

I've seen short clips of Trump's public performances lately, and his cognitive decline is becoming manifest. It's a little uncomfortable to watch, frankly, the way it was with Biden in the end. Time for him to bow out. Unfortunately he won't have a quiet old age but may spend the rest of his days in legal battles of one kind or another, but he made his bed. The GOP have painted themselves into a corner though, with all their best known public figures being clowns. This is not good for the country, but the US does insist on being a 2-party state and so continually runs this risk.

I see that ONCE AGAIN there is talk of a government shut down. There is a bad bug in the country's software that needs fixing. It can't possibly make sense to anyone to repeatedly waste this much expensive personnel and time on this same impasse time and time again. It's laughable.

[Robert Roaldi]

Speaking of immigration issues, I was watching YouTube (like to watch educational stuff where I can actually learn things) this morning whilst eating breakfast, which coincidently contained a 20 or so minute presentation by Steve Ballmer on the data surrounding US immigration. Not only does he provide numbers (sourced from gov't agencies) but he also gives a pretty decent explanation on the various immigrant statuses. I found it a pretty good watch.

For some who may not know, he is a former(?) CEO of Microsoft and is a self-described data nut. He has a few other data rich videos (also good watches), and the best thing is, he refuses to put his own spin on things, he just presents the data and tells the viewer to draw their own conclusions. He got fed up with numbers being twisted by opposing sides, so started the site USAFacts, to provide the actual data. Can't give a link as I watched on TV, but just search USAFacts and/or his name and you should be able to find.

Thanks very much for this.

[digitaldog]

What a patriot:

Trump attends 9/11 event with a far-right activist who pushed a conspiracy theory about the tragedy
Laura Loomer joined the former president at a New York fire station in lower Manhattan. She has promoted a false conspiracy theory that 9/11 was "an inside job."Just last year, Loomer posted a lengthy message on X that included a video that falsely said that "9/11 was an Inside Job!"

[Robert Roaldi]

What a patriot:

If she believed that it was a hoax, then why would she attend any memorial event. What was his calculus in including her.

[digitaldog]

What was his calculus in including her.

Did you watch the debate? Trump has no calculus.

[digitaldog]

JD Vance says he thinks Apple benefits from Chinese slave labor: ‘That’s pretty sick’
PUBLISHED THU, SEP 12 20249:28
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/12/jd-vance-says-he-thinks-apple-benefits-from-chinese-slave-labor.html
So, what kind of phone does this hypocrite use? Of course:

[marvpelkey]

I used to think that Trump was just a run of the mill looney-tunes, with average, at best, intelligence, who wanted to be the "man in charge" who wouldn't listen to anyone (like his generals...) especially when he thought he had a great idea.

However, I now see that the stuff he is spouting seems to be more and more influenced by the nut-bar, conspiracy theorists that he is surrounding himself with. It is like they sense a weak, easily influenced, old man and they are like a bunch of sharks coming in for the kill. Apart from his inherent faults, this alone has to really worry some. One of the most important attributes of a great leader is the ability to properly assess who to seek advice and input from.

I have my finger hovering over the nuclear button and turn to the likes of Laura Loomer for advice....Holy Hannah.

[digitaldog]

I have my finger hovering over the nuclear button and turn to the likes of Laura Loomer for advice....Holy Hannah.

The dear 'lady' is in some part, responsible for this nonsense on the right about immigrants eating pets:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-fringe-online-claim-immigrants-eating-pets-debate-trump-rcna170759

Those looking for someone to blame offered several suspects. Laura Loomer, a right-wing political activist and conspiracy theorist who had been posting about the rumor, traveled with Trump to the debate Tuesday.

[Robert Roaldi]

The dear 'lady' is in some part, responsible for this nonsense on the right about immigrants eating pets:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-fringe-online-claim-immigrants-eating-pets-debate-trump-rcna170759

Very funny video on this topic from The Bulwark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McoiNQ2AaLw.

[digitaldog]

Very funny video on this topic from The Bulwark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McoiNQ2AaLw.

Tim is great. Here's another video and story on this nutjob and Trump:

Far-right activist Laura Loomer's access to Trump reveals a crisis in his campaign
Loomer, who has pushed a number of conspiracy theories, was on Trump's plane to the debate and accompanied him to memorial services on Sept. 11.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/far-right-activist-laura-loomer-access-trump-crisis-campaign-rcna170915

[digitaldog]

This is how stupid Trump and Vance are:
Florida has the highest number of Haitians in the United States, with 487,632 individuals, representing 2.15% of the state's population. In 2021, the U.S. Census estimated that 1,138,855 people of full or partial Haitian descent lived in the United States.

[PeterAit]

Gets right to the point!

[marvpelkey]

It appears a second attempt on Trump occurred earlier today.

While I don't condone violence of any sort, from an outsiders perspective, it is easy to see that a combination of seriously bizarre and negative comments (by both sides), nut cases (on both sides) and a proliferation of weaponry will result in more and more of this sort of stuff. I sure don't want to see the fallout if some nut is actually successful....

[Robert Roaldi]

It appears a second attempt on Trump occurred earlier today.

While I don't condone violence of any sort, from an outsiders perspective, it is easy to see that a combination of seriously bizarre and negative comments (by both sides), nut cases (on both sides) and a proliferation of weaponry will result in more and more of this sort of stuff. I sure don't want to see the fallout if some nut is actually successful....

I was just thinking about the poor guy who was killed during the first attempt on Trump a few weeks ago. I can't remember his name and I can't remember much being said about him at all in the media.

The mass shootings archive continues to accumulate data points https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/reports/mass-shooting.

On another topic, did JD Vance more or less admit that they made up the stories about immigrants eating pets? I listened to parts of that interview and that's how it sounded to me. They should stick to letting the Russian bots say that stuff, they're better at it.

[marvpelkey]

I haven't actually listened to the "admission", as I can't stand hearing the guy talk. However, it seems some news media are reporting such, so your impression sounds correct.

And on the same topic, I understand a pathological liar (met a few when on the job), they just don't have the mental capacity to control themselves. However, I just fail to understand how someone can knowingly and blatantly lie to the people, and even admit it, and seem to have no issues with it. I can't believe they are all pathological liars....are they??

[Robert Roaldi]

...
 I can't believe they are all pathological liars....are they??

I happen to know an histrionic narcissist. She will say anything and fully expects everyone to believe everything she says. I've watched her over the years and she seems to end up believing her own lies. I know that this makes no sense, but there it is.

[Robert Roaldi]

This is how stupid Trump and Vance are:
Florida has the highest number of Haitians in the United States, with 487,632 individuals, representing 2.15% of the state's population. In 2021, the U.S. Census estimated that 1,138,855 people of full or partial Haitian descent lived in the United States.

Best thing might be to laugh at this nonsense https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BrCvZmSnKA.

[Robert Roaldi]

I didn't pay much attention to the Tic Toc controversy when it flared up as I assumed it was just a trade conflict. I got the impression, correct or not, that Tic Toc was doing well in the social media space, and silicone valley tech bros weren't happy about that so they sic'ed their political toadies on them. I freely admit that this is nothing other than cynicism on my part. I don't really know where the Tic Toc issue stands at the moment but this year old clip showed up on my feed the other day, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgLQCfypDLk. I don't know who that politician is, and don't care, but why is he channeling Joe McCarthy?

I know there was also talk about privacy concerns wrt Tic Toc, which are serious enough of course, but I just don't think it's sane to single out Tic Toc on this. Then a friend pointed out this article to me https://driving.ca/column/lorraine/ford-patent-customize-ad-content-invades-privacy. Why would be ok for Ford to do this?

If they want to tap in on audio feeds to sell stuff to us, I wonder if any work is being done to get hold of the video feed from our cars' various cameras.