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Post by Phalon on Jan 26, 2017 6:48:48 GMT -6
Thanks for the suggestions and information, Scrappy. BP's plans may be put on hold for a few weeks; the special events office and coordinator are swamped with the town's winter festival (which I completely forgot about - surely it's not almost February already?!).
You forgot the part in which you'd have to shut your eyes very tightly and suspend all disbelief!
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Jan 29, 2017 8:36:41 GMT -6
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Post by Phalon on Jan 30, 2017 0:10:48 GMT -6
Sigh.
It's been a busy week, hasn't it? "Highlights" include threatened international diplomatic relationships, Native American sacred land threatened, the purposeful omission of Jews in the Holocaust on Remembrance Day (smells of Steve Bannon, Holocaust denier), and an immigration ban that left world leaders expressing concern and outrage and airports across the nation in utter chaos.
And we're only one hour into Day 10.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Jan 30, 2017 8:25:44 GMT -6
Man I totally missed the Jews thing. Did you catch the Mexican president cancelling his trip? The German chancellor rescinded their law against insulting foreign dignitaries. It's no longer against the law to say mean things about heads of state or representatives of other counties of you work for their government. The Netherlands instituted a national fund to help women's health world wide in response to the global gag rule being reinstated.
Yep.....welcome to the apocalypse. Bring on the zombies.
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Post by Phalon on Jan 30, 2017 15:12:33 GMT -6
I'm sorry, Scrappy, the zombies are not available. They have a very busy schedule switching back and forth between watching their favorite talk show host who is not a journalist, does not have a degree in political science or any other degree, call every other news source fake news (except the one that employs him), and listening to the president say that it's not a religious ban, but hey, we're going to let in Christians....but not Muslims. But repeat, it's not a religious ban.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Feb 2, 2017 8:39:40 GMT -6
And it doesn't include any country that he has a business in.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Feb 8, 2017 9:18:46 GMT -6
Hey Kat! Fill us in, as an Australian, what is the overall sense in your country about the recent phone call between our *cough president and your prime minister.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 8, 2017 11:46:53 GMT -6
We pretty much know how British citizens feel, (save of course, <gack> Yiannopoulos), as tens of thousands took part in protest, and a petition to disallow the president to visit parliament has nearly 2 million signatures, but I've wondered the same about Australia's citizens.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Feb 8, 2017 23:08:40 GMT -6
I've seen a couple of things stating Australians aren't that fond of their Prime Minister. Makes me wonder who they are less fond of.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Feb 8, 2017 23:15:10 GMT -6
Wondering if it would be a good idea to switch party affiliations. I could then primary the shit out of the assholes that voted today and still vote Democratic.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 10, 2017 11:11:00 GMT -6
Wait a minute....is this like the crow flying upside down northeast by west just to try to make sense out of alternative facts?
The owl hoots twice at midnight.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 12, 2017 8:22:45 GMT -6
Some of the "Ins and Outs of Week Three":
"Travel" ban out; court in, votes in; "travel" ban still out; visa holders, students, professors, professionals, separated family members, vetted refugees back in.
Devos in; public education out.
Warren out; Sessions in; racism, xenophobia, and misogyny in; human and civil rights out.
"Warren" out; "Pocahontas" in. Mockery of a heritage in; presidential behavior out.
Ivanka product line out; POTUS tweets, Conway speaks; conflicts of interest in; ethics out.
Tillerson's advice in; Trump's strong-arm foreign policy out; moderation in; "One China" policy back in, tenuous diplomatic relations in. A tiny ray of hope in?
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Post by Phalon on Feb 14, 2017 7:26:32 GMT -6
Early "In and Out" Week Four, of course...
Flynn fills "in" Russia on sanctions; Flynn out.
Things that make you go "hmmmm".
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Feb 14, 2017 9:11:19 GMT -6
School has been a bit of a bear the last couple weeks so I have had to keep my head down and in a book the last couple weeks but I have managed to catch the highlights. Still shaking my head over all the terrifying baloney afloat.
Was looking a t a story which I can not confirm as true wondering if anyone can help: Dakota Access Pipeline protesters have produced 50 truck loads of trash? That we then had to clean up?
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Post by katina2nd on Feb 15, 2017 6:27:32 GMT -6
Hey Kat! Fill us in, as an Australian, what is the overall sense in your country about the recent phone call between our *cough president and your prime minister. Get back to you tomorrow Scrappy, was writing a rather lengthy reply, hit the wrong button and deleted it, and seeing as how it's almost midnight here I ain't gonna start over again now.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Feb 15, 2017 8:47:54 GMT -6
Oh man! I hate hen that happens!
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Post by katina2nd on Feb 15, 2017 18:53:02 GMT -6
Oh man! I hate hen that happens! Yeah me as well, especially at the speed I write (and think) Anyhoo, I think surprise was the main reaction, certainly was from me (though why anybody should be surprised at anything that clown says or does is, well surprising I guess) that he would be so undiplomatic as to reveal the content of a private conversation, but we got over it pretty quickly, we aussies have pretty thick skins. And you're right in your other post, Turnbull is not very popular down here, but then again not many pollies are to be truthful. Similar to what happened in America that saw Trump win the election, I think many are so fed up with the mainstream politicians (like Clinton) that they're looking for alternatives, which is why someone like this (a female version of Trump) is gaining popularity here ............. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauline_HansonWhat's your take on the Michael Flynn episode (and the Trump administrations alleged ties with Russia) that's a far more interesting (and possibly alarming) development then him berating our PM. Appears more and more like Trump and his administration are in over their heads, for the good of the country (and the world) I just hope they get their act together, maybe they should seek advice from Joe Trudeau or Malcolm Trumball.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 16, 2017 16:02:32 GMT -6
Me too. Roosters as well.
Concerning for sure. What is concerning exactly, depends on whether it's the administration's ties to Russian, or whether it's fake news just cuz you don't like it (eye-roll). Lots to say on that, but later.
Gotta run. Nice you see you again, Katina. You too, Scrappeletta.
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Post by Phalon on Apr 23, 2017 6:46:19 GMT -6
I cannot for the life of me, understand why environmental concerns is a partisan issue. Sigh.
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Post by Phalon on Oct 4, 2017 5:17:18 GMT -6
Five months since I've last posted in this thread. Lots of cr@p has happened during those five months; cr@p that I've discussed nearly daily with people outside of this board. I know Joxie doesn't care for politics, and since it's mostly just her and I here, I haven't expressed my opinion.
But seriously?! Three attempts to ram through a replacement to the ACA as quickly as possible, among other things, but even thinking much less talking about gun control measures after yet another mass shooting is premature?!
WTF?!
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Post by katina2nd on Nov 13, 2017 6:12:53 GMT -6
Five months since I've last posted in this thread. Lots of cr@p has happened during those five months; cr@p that I've discussed nearly daily with people outside of this board. I know Joxie doesn't care for politics, and since it's mostly just her and I here, I haven't expressed my opinion.
But seriously?! Three attempts to ram through a replacement to the ACA as quickly as possible, among other things, but even thinking much less talking about gun control measures after yet another mass shooting is premature?! WTF?! Well I'm here now as well, so unload to your hearts content.
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Post by Phalon on Nov 13, 2017 6:50:23 GMT -6
Oh-my-god, Katina...I wouldn't even know where to start.
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Post by katina2nd on Nov 13, 2017 18:39:23 GMT -6
Can understand that Gams, The Donald has been a colossus on the domestic and world stage so listing all his achievements would take some time for sure. Been a bit happening down here, we look like getting same gender marriage equality, hopefully before the end of the year. Instead of just putting it to a vote in Parliament though they held a postal vote (which cost around one hundred and twenty million dollars) of everybody on the electoral rolls, and if the yes vote wins which looks highly likely, it still has to be voted on in Parliament anyway. It's expected to pass there but you never know with politicians, though it would be hard to ignore the will of the people you'd think, so fingers crossed.
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Post by Phalon on Nov 14, 2017 7:02:22 GMT -6
I nearly just spewed coffee out of my nose.
And extolling all the virtues and above-reproach morality of his administration would take just as long.
Yes, you'd think. <sarcasm> Unfortunately, the will of the people doesn't always translate into the law of the land.
Fingers crossed!
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Post by katina2nd on Nov 14, 2017 19:17:56 GMT -6
I nearly just spewed coffee out of my nose. And extolling all the virtues and above-reproach morality of his administration would take just as long. Sorry about that, hate to see good coffee go to waste. What's happening with health care, the last I saw they were still dilly dallying over repealing "Obamacare" And have any alternative plans been put forward as yet? Yes, you'd think. <sarcasm> Unfortunately, the will of the people doesn't always translate into the law of the land. Fingers crossed! Well the postal vote was carried with a sixty one percent majority, so now it goes before Parliament and "hopefully" will be law before Christmas. www.news.com.au/lifestyle/gay-marriage/australia-decides-live-coverage-of-samesex-marriage-survey/news-story/f03c276c28cc9073fefd92bd9bed7f9d
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Post by Phalon on Nov 15, 2017 6:48:27 GMT -6
Since Trump took office, they've attempted a vote to repeal and replace the ACA three times, I think (I may have lost count) - or perhaps one of those attempts was a repeal with no replacement. It's been voted down in Congress, or abandoned before the vote though, due to the proposed Republican replacement plans being flawed enough to leave millions more citizens without health insurance, or under-insured.
An additional attempt was just announced yesterday, when a repeal of the individual mandate portion of the ACA was slid into the GOP tax plan.
The thing is, in not just my opinion, there are parts of the ACA that work, and parts that don't. Instead of repealing, why not work on a bipartisan plan to fix what is flawed? No new major plan, when first implemented, comes without flaws - even the United States Constitution was amended nearly 30 times, the first ten amendments being the Bill of Rights which was ratified 2 years after the Constitution was signed.
The Republican mindset to undo anything that Obama did though, prevents any bipartisan efforts.
What a wonderful Christmas gift for so many that would be!
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Post by katina2nd on Nov 15, 2017 20:03:04 GMT -6
Since Trump took office, they've attempted a vote to repeal and replace the ACA three times, I think (I may have lost count) - or perhaps one of those attempts was a repeal with no replacement. It's been voted down in Congress, or abandoned before the vote though, due to the proposed Republican replacement plans being flawed enough to leave millions more citizens without health insurance, or under-insured. An additional attempt was just announced yesterday, when a repeal of the individual mandate portion of the ACA was slid into the GOP tax plan. The thing is, in not just my opinion, there are parts of the ACA that work, and parts that don't. Instead of repealing, why not work on a bipartisan plan to fix what is flawed? No new major plan, when first implemented, comes without flaws - even the United States Constitution was amended nearly 30 times, the first ten amendments being the Bill of Rights which was ratified 2 years after the Constitution was signed. The Republican mindset to undo anything that Obama did though, prevents any bipartisan efforts. Seems like a real dogs breakfast to me (like most things with this administration) although to be honest health care in your country has always been woeful from what I understand about it, they apparently spent over seventeen percent of GDP on healthcare (in 2013) which was twice as much as the second highest spending country, yet still rank poorly in performance parameters. So it would appear the monies there, the means of spending it properly isn't though. What a wonderful Christmas gift for so many that would be! It certainly would, was fantastic watching the news last night, people were out in the streets celebrating, crying and hugging one another, really moving scenes.
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Post by Phalon on Nov 16, 2017 6:40:36 GMT -6
I believe you understand it correctly. Part of the problem, but not all, stems from a large part of the population having a general distrust of government, and want less government regulation, not more. Most other developed countries' governments play a larger role in regulating healthcare for their citizens than in the U.S..
It was the same here; I'll never forget it. I have two gay co-workers; one was already married in another state where gay marriage had already been legalized although their marriage was not recognized in our state; the other had been with his partner for close to 30 years. Everyone at work was on pins and needles that morning waiting for the results of the vote, and finally, when they made the announcement, there was not a dry eye in the place. Oh-my-gosh, I'm getting teary-eyed and choked up just remembering it.
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Post by katina2nd on Nov 16, 2017 19:51:35 GMT -6
I believe you understand it correctly. Part of the problem, but not all, stems from a large part of the population having a general distrust of government, and want less government regulation, not more. Most other developed countries' governments play a larger role in regulating healthcare for their citizens than in the U.S.. Whenever I watch Fox (yes I have a masochistic streak in me ) they're always bleating on about that creating a "nanny state" and knocking other countries, but here in Australia we have a damn good, cheap and easily accessible health system, not perfect obviously but streets ahead of what you have to put up with there. It was the same here; I'll never forget it. I have two gay co-workers; one was already married in another state where gay marriage had already been legalized although their marriage was not recognized in our state; the other had been with his partner for close to 30 years. Everyone at work was on pins and needles that morning waiting for the results of the vote, and finally, when they made the announcement, there was not a dry eye in the place. Oh-my-gosh, I'm getting teary-eyed and choked up just remembering it. Could never understand a lot of the objections to it myself, it's legal in something like twenty two countries now, and despite all the prophesies of doom beforehand I haven't heard of any of them imploding; oh well, better late then never I suppose. What's the situation there, is it on a state by state basis or countrywide?
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Post by Phalon on Nov 17, 2017 7:37:56 GMT -6
I agree. That's what the ACA attempted to do, but in some ways it was like taking baby steps - it didn't go far enough in regulating private insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industries, both of which are big business.
Funny thing is, is that the results of a number of surveys conducted over the years show that, for the most part, the people surveyed like benefits granted to them under the ACA...but don't like anything about Obamacare, not even realizing they are one and the same.
Me neither.
It was state by state, sometimes even county by county within some states - I think the first state to legalize it was Massachusetts in mid-2000ish, followed by a number of other states not until around 2013. It wasn't until June 2015 that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states cannot ban gay marriage, making it legal nationwide.
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