Bear Pit: now the sole domicile of politics at LuLa

[digitaldog]

Where did that amount come from?  $519 million in damage?  Where?  How?

He's blocking me, because ignorance is said to be bliss  , someone who's not blocked, ask him to pay attention:
https://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=136697.msg1206992#msg1206992
The URL he didn't attempt to find using 'the Google Machine"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/cost-trump-election-fraud/

[Alan Klein]

The populists haven't had much influence on legislation, but the Trump Administration used executive authority previously granted by Congress to take actions which would have been anathema to earlier Republican or Democratic administrations:

• Trump's tariffs, imposed even against strategic suppliers and allies, that were predicated on his long-held, simple-minded personal belief that balance-of-trade determined whether a country was "winning" or "losing" economically, and which had considerable resonance among his populist base;
• His Administration's withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a well-crafted international agreement that would have impeded China's neomercantilist trade policies but which was unpopular with supporters of his who believed it was possible for the United States to restore manufacturing jobs if we avoided committing ourselves to multilateral trade regimes;
• The continuous, concerted effort to roll back environmental regulations which were extremely unpopular with Trump's populist base (the bring-back-coal-mining crowd) and, to a lesser extent, with some conservative Republicans;
• The withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate, which was ideologically repugnant to the far right and, again, to some conservatives who had reservations about its terms;
• His attempts (admittedly mostly futile) to pressure companies into relocating their foreign manufacturing operations to the United States.

Some of Trump's arguably populist positions, particularly his disdain for NATO and his demands for withdrawal of U.S. military forces stationed in other countries, may have been motivated by ideology, but given his bizarre attitudes toward Russia and his fawning behavior with respect to Vladimir Putin, there may have been other reasons for them, as well.

Previous administrations complained about the Chinese stealing our intellectual property and imposing trade practices including Chinese tariffs on our goods, that hurt America.  Trump was the first president to really do anything about it. 

He wasn't opposed to NATO.  He was opposed to NATO countries not paying their fair share as they promised.  This also was a situation that the previous administrations complained about, but did nothing. 

He also was not against trade agreements.  After all, he created USMCA after getting rid of NAFTA.  The Trans-Pacific Partnership was just a trade agreement that hurts America.  Why be in it?  If other countries want to get ripped off by China, let them.  They'll learn.  We already have.

Same as the Paris agreement?  China and India, with over one-third of CO2 production on the earth, did not have to do anything until 2030 to reduce their CO2 production.  Even those smaller countries in Europe weren't meeting their promised goals.  Why should America be part of an agreement where everyone else is cheating?  So now, Biden is going back in.  What a dope.  He also shut down carbon fuels development which is going to cause thousands of American jobs to be lost and cost our people more money at the pump.  Also, we'll have to import more risking war again for us in the Middle East.  Another dopey thing to do.  We are better off being oil independent.  Shutting down Canada's XL pipeline hurt Canada, our closest friend.  He did that the first day in office.  It also cost over ten thousand excellent paying American jobs and made shipping oil much more dangerous.  Dopey.

It all has little to do with popularism and more to do what's best for America and Americans, something the president is charged to do.  So far, Biden is doing the opposite.

[LesPalenik]

Where did that amount come from?  $519 million in damage?  Where?  How?  Meanwhile, there were over $2 billion dollars of damage last summer from BLM riots winked at and encouraged by Democrat mayors, congresspeople and other politicians and laypeople and the left that spread across the entire country hurting little people and businesses.  Of course, both sides were wrong.  But comparing the two is a big difference.  In any case, Trump never approved invading the capitol.  The demonstrators got ahead of themselves.  But they didn't burn anything down like the deliberate destruction identity politics encouraged from the left.

Blaming Trump for the virus is nonsense.  The reason I have my first shot already is because of his Warp Speed program.  Democrats were predicting two years or maybe this Spring if we got lucky.  Meanwhile, the current statistics are: 59,307,800 delivered. 41,210,937 Americans got the shot as of today.  That's four times what Canada has given per 100. 11.7/100 USA   vs.    2.8/100 Canada  It seems Trump did better than your PM. 
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/covid-19-vaccine-doses.html
https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations

The $519 million damage estimate bill comes from The White House and it was reported by dozens of publications worldwide. It is only a preliminary estimate, the final bill will be much higher. You can google it. The damage from the BLM riots last summer is inexcusable but that doesn't have anything to do with the January 6 upheaval. A rather inadequate whataboutism response.
 
Trump was never blamed for causing the virus, only for his lame response to it. From his initial reaction in early 2020 that the virus is "under control" to the announcements that USA is "rounding the corner" in the fall, instead of listening to Dr. Fauci and other experts, he made the whole situation much worse than it should have been.

You are right that Canada didn't vaccinate as much yet as USA. The main reason being that Trump blocked export of vaccine to Canada.

[PeterAit]

99.9% of Republicans are not white supremacists

Apparently not

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/08/trumps-bigoted-base-by-the-numbers.html

[Alan Klein]

The $519 million damage estimate bill comes from The White House and it was reported by dozens of publications worldwide. It is only a preliminary estimate, the final bill will be much higher. You can google it. The damage from the BLM riots last summer is inexcusable but that doesn't have anything to do with the January 6 upheaval. A rather inadequate whataboutism response.
 
Trump was never blamed for causing the virus, only for his lame response to it. From his initial reaction in early 2020 that the virus is "under control" to the announcements that USA is "rounding the corner" in the fall, instead of listening to Dr. Fauci and other experts, he made the whole situation much worse than it should have been.

You are right that Canada didn't vaccinate as much yet as USA. The main reason being that Trump blocked export of vaccine to Canada.

I wouldn't believe Biden's White House.  Why are you?  Here's the damage that was reported below.  By the way, the repair bill after 9-11 at the Pentagon that had an airplane crash into it taking down at least the first tier of the building on one side and over a hundred killed was between $500 million and a billion. SO how can the minor damage at the capitol be comparative?  There was hardly any damage at the capitol.  How could it be half a billion for some broken windows and a couple of doors?  Regarding Trump blocking export to Canada, that's Canada's problem.  Trump did what he's supposed to do as an American president. Protect Americans.  Nothing personal. Why didn't your PM work harder to get you the vaccines, especially considering you only have one-tenth our population?  I understand most of the vaccines are coming from outside the US in any case.  So how did we block it?  Maybe Trump just did a better job than your guy.  While Trump was doing his job, your guy was busy wasting his time at parties and making fancy speeches. Next time, hire Trump. 


"The tab for fixing broken glass, doors and furniture, plus cleaning debris left behind, was still unknown.

Senator Jeff Merkley’s office had a door knocked off its hinges and art torn from the wall, according to video the Oregon Democrat posted on Twitter.

Other congressional staffers and journalists posted photos of offices littered with broken glass and debris, as well as a door with “MURDER THE MEDIA” scrawled into it, and a bust of former President Zachary Taylor splashed with red paint."
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2021/01/08/596590.htm

[Alan Klein]

Apparently not

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/08/trumps-bigoted-base-by-the-numbers.html

How many Democrats are Socialists and Communists and believe that the black riots are acceptable?  Does that make you one?

[Manoli]

Previous administrations complained about the Chinese stealing our intellectual property and imposing trade practices including Chinese tariffs on our goods, that hurt America.  Trump was the first president to really do anything about it. 

No, he didn’t. The tariffs ended up hurting America more than China and the Chinese recorded a record trade surplus by the end of Trimp’s administration.

I’ve posted this before, but still you insist ...


https://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=136697.msg1205641#msg1205641

[Manoli]

How many Democrats are Socialists and Communists and believe that the black riots are acceptable? 

The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) analyzed more than 7,750 Black Lives Matter demonstrations in all 50 states and Washington D.C. that took place in the wake of George Floyd’s death between May 26 and August 22.

Their report states that more than 2,400 locations reported peaceful protests, while fewer than 220 reported “violent demonstrations.” The authors define violent demonstrations as including “acts targeting other individuals, property, businesses, other rioting groups or armed actors.” Their definition includes anything from “fighting back against police” to vandalism, property destruction looting, road-blocking using barricades, burning tires or other materials. In cities where protests did turn violent—these demonstrations are “largely confined to specific blocks,” the report says.

https://acleddata.com/2020/09/03/demonstrations-political-violence-in-america-new-data-for-summer-2020/

So, 7,750 demonstrations, fewer than 220 violent demonstrations.

[faberryman]

Same as the Paris agreement?  China and India, with over one-third of CO2 production on the earth, did not have to do anything until 2030 to reduce their CO2 production.  Even those smaller countries in Europe weren't meeting their promised goals.  Why should America be part of an agreement where everyone else is cheating?

I am not sure how you can cheat if the goals are voluntary.

Let's say you were sailing on the Titanic and managed to get into a lifeboat with 20 other people just before the liner went down. So you are paddling around out in the dark and all of a sudden the lifeboat springs a leak. So everyone starts madly bailing water with their hats or whatever except this one guy down at the stern who said he isn't going to bail water because he doesn't want to get his hat wet. According to your logic, everyone should stop bailing.

[LesPalenik]

I wouldn't believe Biden's White House.  Why are you?  Here's the damage that was reported below.  By the way, the repair bill after 9-11 at the Pentagon that had an airplane crash into it taking down at least the first tier of the building on one side and over a hundred killed was between $500 million and a billion. SO how can the minor damage at the capitol be comparative?  There was hardly any damage at the capitol.  How could it be half a billion for some broken windows and a couple of doors? 

Maybe the investigations and rounding up the main rioters were more expensive than the broken doors. Not counting the extra expenses for that shaman clown with the furry hat with horns and his organic meals in the jail. What a circus. One disaster after another.

[Alan Klein]

No, he didn’t. The tariffs ended up hurting America more than China and the Chinese recorded a record trade surplus by the end of Trimp’s administration.

I’ve posted this before, but still you insist ...


https://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=136697.msg1205641#msg1205641

War is not won in a battle or two.  He was the first president who did something.  True, the Chinese have not changed their ways.  But Trump did more than previous presidents did other than their complaints.  He acted.  He tried.  So what is Biden going to do?   If he drops Trump's methods entirely, the Chinese will just double down.  Just like his changes on illegals, ICE, and immigration are now going to create a flood of illegals coming to America.  He's now doing the same with Iran and will embolden them.

[faberryman]

Sounds like we all need to head over to Kevin's site. There's not that much photography stuff here anyway.

[Alan Klein]

The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) analyzed more than 7,750 Black Lives Matter demonstrations in all 50 states and Washington D.C. that took place in the wake of George Floyd’s death between May 26 and August 22.

Their report states that more than 2,400 locations reported peaceful protests, while fewer than 220 reported “violent demonstrations.” The authors define violent demonstrations as including “acts targeting other individuals, property, businesses, other rioting groups or armed actors.” Their definition includes anything from “fighting back against police” to vandalism, property destruction looting, road-blocking using barricades, burning tires or other materials. In cities where protests did turn violent—these demonstrations are “largely confined to specific blocks,” the report says.

https://acleddata.com/2020/09/03/demonstrations-political-violence-in-america-new-data-for-summer-2020/

So, 7,750 demonstrations, fewer than 220 violent demonstrations.

What's 220 violent demonstrations? No big deal.

Widespread vandalism and looting during BLM protests will cost the insurance $2 BILLION after violence erupted in 140 cities in the wake of George Floyd's death
Unrest in wake of George Floyd's death resulted in record insurance payouts
A total of between $1-2billion in claims have been filed due to property damage
Riots, arson, and looting took place in Minneapolis and spread to 140 cities
Six people died in the rioting and National Guard was called up in 21 states
Recent unrest took place in Kenosha, Wisconsin, after police shot Jacob Blake
Kenosha fire chief says rioting and unrest resulted in $11million in damage
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8740609/Rioting-140-cities-George-Floyds-death-cost-insurance-industry-2-BILLION.html

[faberryman]

War is not won in a battle or two.  He was the first president who did something.  True, the Chinese have not changed their ways.  But Trump did more than previous presidents did other than their complaints.  He acted.  He tried. 

Do, or do not. There is no try.

[Alan Klein]

It seems Biden doesn't want to follow the science of his Chief advisor Dr. Fauci.  Like I said previously in another thread before being silenced and sent to the corner for a week, Biden's making political decisions just like Trump did ignoring his main "expert" advisor.  Of course, because a Democrat is doing it, the press whitewashes it digging up less important advisors who think like Biden.

Fauci says US should prioritize administering second vaccine dose over giving out first jabs to more Americans

Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden and longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Sunday that "scientific data" supported prioritizing the administering of both doses of the presently available Pfizer and Moderna vaccines instead of focusing the current supply on administering first shot to as many people as possible.

"What we have right now, and what we must go with, is the scientific data that we've accumulated," Fauci, the top US infectious disease expert, told Chuck Todd during a Sunday morning interview on NBC's "Meet the Press." "And it's really solid."
https://www.businessinsider.com/fauci-us-should-prioritize-second-vaccine-doses-2021-2

[digitaldog]

How many Democrats are Socialists and Communists and believe that the black riots are acceptable? 

The "black riots"? Is that Joe (Peter Boyle) or Archie Bunker posting?

[digitaldog]

Sounds like we all need to head over to Kevin's site. There's not that much photography stuff here anyway.

It's a decent site and forums but the forums really needs more folks over there. The forums are however, nearly totally dedicated solely to the topic Michael Reichmann started here before we ended up in this bear pit; photography. I encourage folks to log in and post there about the subject this site once aimed towards.
 

[Chris Kern]

That really sucks and I respect your final decision.
I don't know Michael's son whatsoever. I did know his dad (we spent nearly two weeks in close quarters on a tiny boat in the Amazon). I don't think Michael would have reacted that way; that guy had class! This is indeed sad news. I guess I know why Schewe isn't around here anymore.

Agree in all respects, except that I only knew Michael from what he posted publicly and an occasional private exchange of messages.

I wouldn't argue that Jeremy was the perfect moderator—it's a thankless function, needless to say—but he did the job for the most part fairly and always intelligently.

[josh.reichmann]

I'll keep this short and sweet (if that is possible)- Jeremy and I went back and forth more than what is posted. There is a background to my taking umbrage with his moderating another site, the site of a man who in the opinion of Michael the founder, his widow, myself, and the legalities of business caused some damage to and us and Lula. The facts did nothing to sway Jeremy. You are welcome to ask him about his take on things. I will not be delving any further publically into it- the extent is that if one wants to moderate here they can't also moderate at Kevin's site and can't disrespect personally the authors or contributors here. I think that's fair. We are a small community, civility especially by those leading by example, is important. I also don't like bullies.

Thanks all.

[digitaldog]

I'll keep this short and sweet (if that is possible)- Jeremy and I went back and forth more than what is posted. There is a background to my taking umbrage with his moderating another site, the site of a man who in the opinion of Michael the founder, his widow, myself, and the legalities of business caused some damage to and us and Lula.

So simple question: Jeremy was an unpaid volunteer moderator right? Further, it's not OK that any member here (some of us paying in the past), are as "guilty" as Jeremy if and when we also venture over to Kevin's site? 
You're going to have to get a new moderator, maybe you will take up that position as we know you'll never venture over to Kevin's site. Or you'll monitor your new moderator(s) as to what sites he/she goes to, as you did not, according to Jeremy until recently, that monitoring will result in a moderator IF he/she ventures over and posts (or dog forbid), moderates on PhotoPXL?
Please make your position clear, now that you and Jeremy are providing the internal dirty laundry as to the forums.
Last question if you will: when did moderation start on LuLa's forums? I've been around (look at the number of posts) since 2004. I don't recall "The Coffee Corner" or moderation back in the day, if I'm wrong, please correct my failed memory.
I will state again, an opinion I've made in the past: if this site was dedicated to just photography as I believe it once was under you father, the need for moderation would drop hugely. But yeah, the Coffee Corner is really necessary.
YES I've posted here a lot. Take it away, I'm absolutely fine with that! In fact, I'd prefer not to have an excuse to be sucked into discussions of politics. If we need to debate and argue, the old "Nikon is better than Canon", Mac's are better than PC's", "Film is better than digital" would at least be ON TOPIC for this site. And I will bet you, far, far less toxic and in need of moderation.