OT: Current Affairs and Politics

[strider]

Well all you have done here is said that you don’t accept how others have interpreted the situation, and that you prefer to keep the sceptical baloon in the air.

Fine, however what you can’t deny is that the republicans hold congressional power (have the majority in the house) and have done nothing about this supposed crime. So please explain this.

I suspect that the answer is in the detail, but detail is not what suits the whataboutguys.

No, the answer also is not boohoo the system is against us.

FMD. Are you that derranged? Thats the whole f**king point.

No one ever deemed it worthy of pursuing.... but now that its Trump, its the crime of the f**king century.

 

[strider]

The issue with America isn't who is running it but capitalism. As much as it works for a while it eventually breaks. It is like a snowball. Families with money pass it on to the next generation. They give them more support, better education which leads to better jobs and opportunities and at the end of it all huge inheritances. As the cycle continues the gap widens.
And to those who have busted their gut and sold the American dream to see that taken away obviously are restless and have had enough. Australia has always been about 20yrs behind and we are starting to see it now. A child born to a wealthy family starts it's life with huge advantages no matter what bullshit " Equal opportunities " they get sold.
Unfortunately some good, honest and hard working individuals will have to work twice as hard to just manage an ok lifestyle then others who will get fed with a silver spoon.
And as religion weakens which many think is a good thing it's actually quite scary becuase this is one thing that gave many people struggling HOPE. You take that away and what's left? This is when you will start to see some wild shit happen. Crimes,drugs use will increase. People with nothing to lose have nothing to fear.

Eventually all control will.be lost and people will turn. May not happen in our lifetime but it's inevitable. See rules have been made to be broken. At some point people will just say f**k you and over throw the Authorities. And let's face it the rules have been made by the wealthy to keep the poor in line.

I believe people define the fall of capitalism as when the corporates and government join forces. .... which probably always happens to some extent, but is going to new levels. USA politics is sooo compromised because it revolves around donations.

I saw a discussion about the history of empires. Pointing out they only last between 100-200 years. The US empire began around WW2 - which isnt far off 100 years ago ..... they are going through the phases of an empire falling.

 

[Gronk]

FMD. Are you that derranged? Thats the whole f**king point.

No one ever deemed it worthy of pursuing.... but now that its Trump, its the crime of the f**king century.

Derranged ? Pointless getting all shouty mate.

So what you have done here is ignored the details of the two cases and decided that everyone does it or did it, but they just went after trump.

That’s simply not true.

In the state of New York, falsifying private business records is a misdemeanor. It becomes a felony only if, as the jury found here, the actions are used to cover up or conceal a crime.

The falsifying of records at the DNC regarding Steele and marking those payments as legal fees was also a misdemeanour by that party. It was equivalent of our Electoral Commission fining One Nation for small scale dodgy shit.

Five thousand dollars on jigsaw puzzles? How One Nation’s spending caught the electoral commission’s eye

Emails confirm the NSW Electoral Commission is probing potentially illegal spending by Pauline Hanson One Nation’s head office.

www.smh.com.au

He does lots of dumb things. He thinks they are clever, but one of those dumb things that he likes to do is not pay his bills. He likes to look people in the eye and say f**k you, I’m rich so what are you going to do about it ?

The timeline of this whole ego trip with a pornstar is full of dumb shit. Dumb decisions, his dumb decisions, got him into this mess. He upset people and they went after him. It wasn’t Biden that went after him, it was his right hand man who he threw under the bus and had to do jail time for him. And (another) woman in his life who he treated poorly.

Timeline: Donald Trump, Stormy Daniels and the $130,000 payment to buy her silence

The case against former President Donald Trump stems from a "hush money" payment of $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016.

www.cbsnews.com

As former FBI prosecutor Renato Mariotti said this week, legal karma caught up with Trump. He’s done a lot worse in life and never had to face consequences. This time, the law said no.

 

[Bandwagon]

The defense of Trump invariably becomes an exercise in whataboutism, rarely a defense of his actions.

Probably because most people regardless of their allegiances can look at the guys history and see he really is a shit merkin.

 

[hindy111]

JOE BIDENS GOTTA GO

 

[strider]

whataboutism .... is that the cool word of the week?

Derranged ? Pointless getting all shouty mate.

So what you have done here is ignored the details of the two cases and decided that everyone does it or did it, but they just went after trump.

That’s simply not true.

In the state of New York, falsifying private business records is a misdemeanor. It becomes a felony only if, as the jury found here, the actions are used to cover up or conceal a crime.

The falsifying of records at the DNC regarding Steele and marking those payments as legal fees was also a misdemeanour by that party. It was equivalent of our Electoral Commission fining One Nation for small scale dodgy shit.

Five thousand dollars on jigsaw puzzles? How One Nation’s spending caught the electoral commission’s eye

Emails confirm the NSW Electoral Commission is probing potentially illegal spending by Pauline Hanson One Nation’s head office.

www.smh.com.au

He does lots of dumb things. He thinks they are clever, but one of those dumb things that he likes to do is not pay his bills. He likes to look people in the eye and say f**k you, I’m rich so what are you going to do about it ?

The timeline of this whole ego trip with a pornstar is full of dumb shit. Dumb decisions, his dumb decisions, got him into this mess. He upset people and they went after him. It wasn’t Biden that went after him, it was his right hand man who he threw under the bus and had to do jail time for him. And (another) woman in his life who he treated poorly.

Timeline: Donald Trump, Stormy Daniels and the $130,000 payment to buy her silence

The case against former President Donald Trump stems from a "hush money" payment of $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016.

www.cbsnews.com

As former FBI prosecutor Renato Mariotti said this week, legal karma caught up with Trump. He’s done a lot worse in life and never had to face consequences. This time, the law said no.

Yeah, nah ... they both did something they knew was dodgy in an attempt to influence an election, then intentionally misappropriated it to try and hide it .... but end result is one is a felony and one is a $113k fine

Im more than happy to agree Trump is an idiot. Ive said it a million times.

Surrounds himself with other idiots, then has a run in with them and shit ensues .... it wasnt Cohen going after him, he was just a useful dodgy merkin with a grudge for those instigating it. Im sure Choen will be nicely rewarded for his part.
And sure Joey B isnt running it, he is lucky to pull his pants on the right way each day. But im sure he s aware whats going on in his own way.

 

[Gronk]

Yeah, nah ... they both did something they knew was dodgy in an attempt to influence an election, then intentionally misappropriated it to try and hide it .... but end result is one is a felony and one is a $113k fine

It’s ok that you don’t / won’t understand.

 

[strider]

As usual, you are just making stuff up to support your view and claiming it as comprehensive facts. You've shown nothing to explain why hiding the steele dossier payments cant be considered a felony. Just came up with some deflection comparison with a totally different One Nation merchandise scam.

The Steele Dossier has been shown to be a pack of unsubstantiated rumours, which Clinton+DNC organised and peddled as proof of Trump colluding with Russia to smear him in an election.

What was Trump convicted of? Details on the 34 counts and his guilty verdict

Former President Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records. Here's what to know about the charges.

www.cbsnews.com

Why were the charges a felony?​

Under New York law, falsification of business records is a crime when the records are altered with an intent to defraud. To be charged as a felony, prosecutors must also show that the offender intended to "commit another crime" or "aid or conceal" another crime when falsifying records.

In Trump's case, prosecutors said that other crime was a violation of a New York election law that makes it illegal for "any two or more persons" to "conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means," as Justice Juan Merchan explained in his instructions to the jury.

What exactly those "unlawful means" were in this case was up to the jury to decide. Prosecutors put forth three areas that they could consider: a violation of federal campaign finance laws, falsification of other business records or a violation of tax laws.

Jurors did not need to agree on what the underlying "unlawful means" were. But they did have to unanimously conclude that Trump caused the business records to be falsified, and that he "did so with intent to defraud that included an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof."

"conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means" ..... yeah, i would say peddling it as proof of russian conspiracy was done to prevent Trumps election

"a violation of federal campaign finance laws, falsification of other business records" .... did they intentionally falsify the records to rry and hide it - well yeah thats what you'd have to convince a jury of ... they copped a significant fine over it.

The main difference is that in this Trump case they had Cohen playing the role of disgruntled Scott Seward helping prove it.

 

[Bandwagon]

As usual, you are just making stuff up to support your view and claiming it as comprehensive facts. You've shown nothing to explain why hiding the steele dossier payments cant be considered a felony. Just came up with some deflection comparison with a totally different One Nation merchandise scam.

The Steele Dossier has been shown to be a pack of unsubstantiated rumours, which Clinton+DNC organised and peddled as proof of Trump colluding with Russia to smear him in an election.

What was Trump convicted of? Details on the 34 counts and his guilty verdict

Former President Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records. Here's what to know about the charges.

www.cbsnews.com

"conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means" ..... yeah, i would say peddling it as proof of russian conspiracy was done to prevent Trumps election

"a violation of federal campaign finance laws, falsification of other business records" .... did they intentionally falsify the records to rry and hide it - well yeah thats what you'd have to convince a jury of ... they copped a significant fine over it.

The main difference is that in this Trump case they had Cohen playing the role of disgruntled Scott Seward helping prove it.

It's always a bit dodgy to compare shit like this because it's the details that matter, but if you want to name the big difference, and to your point of having to convince a jury, the fact is there was a scheme created to hide the payments, and it was well proven.

Trump, well before the case ( in 2018 ) had already conceded he had repaid Cohen....

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump acknowledged for the first time in an ethics disclosure released on Wednesday that he repaid more than $100,000 to former personal attorney Michael Cohen, renewing questions about Trump's ties to porn star Stormy Daniels.
The disclosure underscored the inconsistency of explanations by Trump and aides about a $130,000 payment made by Cohen to Daniels before the 2016 presidential election to buy her silence over an alleged sexual encounter with Trump in 2006.

https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1IH2J4/

......from there it's just joining the dots, which they did with the paper trail, signed with a sharpie by the Donald.

 

[hindy111]

I'd rather Trump then Biden. Each to their own but I'd vote for him if lived in USA.

 

[Gronk]

I'd rather Trump then Biden. Each to their own but I'd vote for him if lived in USA.

Lucky for you, there is a political ally right here on our shores.

Courtesy of AI political expert, Gloria

Trump vs Pauline Hanson’s One Nation

Shared Themes:

1. Populism: Both use populist rhetoric, claiming to represent the interests of "ordinary" people against a corrupt or out-of-touch elite.

2. Nationalism: They emphasize national pride and prioritize their nation's interests over international considerations.

3. Immigration: Each has advocated for strict immigration controls and has expressed concerns about the cultural and economic impacts of immigration. Their rhetoric and policies have been branded as racially insensitive or discriminatory, violent expansionism.

4. Anti-Establishment: They criticize the political elite and mainstream institutions, positioning themselves as outsiders fighting against a corrupt system.

Identity Politics

Pauline Hanson:

1. Australian Identity: Hanson often emphasizes a specific vision of Australian identity, which includes a preference for traditional Australian cultural norms and values.
2. Immigration and Multiculturalism: She frequently critiques multiculturalism and immigration policies, arguing that they threaten Australian culture and social cohesion. Her rhetoric often focuses on particular groups, such as Muslims, Asians, and Indigenous Australians, which has been viewed as divisive and exclusionary.
3. Victimhood Narrative: Hanson sometimes portrays herself and her supporters as victims of political correctness and an out-of-touch elite, framing her political movement as a defense of ordinary Australians against these forces.

Donald Trump:

1. American Identity: Trump often appeals to a vision of American identity that includes a focus on traditional values, patriotism, and a strong nationalistic sentiment.
2. Immigration: His rhetoric around immigration has been particularly pointed, targeting Mexicans, Muslims, and other groups. He has promoted policies like building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and implementing travel bans on certain countries.
3. Victimhood Narrative: Trump frequently frames himself and his supporters as victims of a biased media, political elites, and a “deep state.” This narrative reinforces a sense of identity and solidarity among his base.
4. Cultural Issues: Trump has engaged in cultural battles on issues such as NFL protests, transgender rights in the military, and more, positioning himself as a defender of traditional American values against progressive changes.

Similarities:

• Both use identity politics to rally their bases by emphasizing a particular national or cultural identity.
• They often portray themselves and their supporters as under siege by external or internal threats (e.g., immigrants, political correctness, the elite).
• Their rhetoric can be polarizing, often framing issues in a way that creates clear in-groups and out-groups.

 

[Gronk]

 

[the phantom menace]

NSW Liberal party now trying to stymie development proposed by Labor - and tearing themselves apart in the process?

Who'd have thought

The former Liberal minister attacking his own party on Sydney’s housing crisis

Stuart Ayres has unleashed on his former colleagues on Wednesday over an attempt to kill off the government’s signature housing policy.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Gronk]

Canada leads the way with a 0.25% rates cut to 4.75%.

AU is currently 4.35%, but we are a little behind them in the churn. Our first rate hike was May 2022. Theirs was March 2022.

USA also raised their cash rate March 2022 and remains at 5.5%.

Canada first major central bank to cut rates ahead of ECB

The move comes ahead of a European Central Bank meeting on Thursday, which is also expected to reduce rates. The Fed is scheduled to meet next week.

www.afr.com

 

[Bandwagon]

I'd rather Trump then Biden. Each to their own but I'd vote for him if lived in USA.

It's a bit too much would you rather herpes or gonorrhea for mine.

 

[hindy111]

It's a bit too much would you rather herpes or gonorrhea for mine.

Gohonerra man. You can get rid of that.
Herpes is for life

 

[strider]

A CNN legal commentator .... someone must have given him the wrong script

 

[Gronk]

A CNN legal commentator .... someone must have given him the wrong script

That guy has lots of opinions. CNN welcomed his commentary throughout.

You won’t find many lawyers that agree with him though.

Anyway keep em coming

 

[the phantom menace]

This isn't looking good.

‘You can’t get lost’: Search resumes for TV doctor Michael Mosley missing in Greece

The British journalist, well known for the 5:2 diet, was last seen setting out on a coastal walk alone on the island of Symi, police said.

www.smh.com.au

 

[strider]

So why did 54 intelligence experts all lie? And all the media jump onboard the bandwagon .... doin' it for the cause ..... he who claims "misinformation/disinformation" the most also spreads it the most