American Politics

**John83** · 22/11/2024, 3:16 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Trump has long had suspicious links with Russia, going back to suggestions of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Earlier https://thehill.com/homenews/news/33...he-funding-we/

**SkStu** · 02/12/2024, 3:13 PM

What do folks think about Joe pardoning Hunter? Not only does it show Joe up to be a liar, just like his predecessor, and someone who isnt afraid to dish out the same narrative as his predecessor and successor around corruption/politicization (his own justice department), I can only begin imagine the furore if it was Donald and Don (or Donald and Donald!)... I mean, he's done nothing wrong technically, but politically I think it is a massive mistake no matter what side of that particular D/R aisle you land on. The R's will make hay and Trump will be emboldened to do whatever the heck he wants with this privilege. Fun times.

**John83** · 02/12/2024, 4:04 PM

It's bad politics, but I'm sure Biden is past caring. His son's taken a lot of flack for who his dad is - his nude photos have been displayed on the floor of the House for example, something the TV keeps telling me it's a crime to even threaten to do here - for all that he's brought some of it on himself. I haven't read into the detail of what he's accused of, but the high level summaries hardly make him out to be some criminal mastermind: he's evaded some tax (I can't see how much) and bought a gun while he wasn't allowed to because he had a prior drug conviction. Wikipedia says "On September 5, 2024, Hunter Biden entered an Alford plea, acknowledging there was enough evidence to convict while maintaining his innocence.^[44]" That sounds to me like he knew the pardon was coming, perhaps to avoid Republicans from hounding him for sport. Trump will do whatever he wants anyway.

**seanfhear** · 02/12/2024, 4:19 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

What do folks think about Joe pardoning Hunter? Not only does it show Joe up to be a liar, just like his predecessor, and someone who isnt afraid to dish out the same narrative as his predecessor and successor around corruption/politicization (his own justice department), I can only begin imagine the furore if it was Donald and Don (or Donald and Donald!)... I mean, he's done nothing wrong technically, but politically I think it is a massive mistake no matter what side of that particular D/R aisle you land on. The R's will make hay and Trump will be emboldened to do whatever the heck he wants with this privilege. Fun times.

" " Nobody is above the law " "

Except Hunter Biden and all the other People that Joe Biden will pardon before he scurries out of town !

**seanfhear** · 02/12/2024, 4:21 PM

Originally Posted by John83

It's bad politics, but I'm sure Biden is past caring. His son's taken a lot of flack for who his dad is - his nude photos have been displayed on the floor of the House for example, something the TV keeps telling me it's a crime to even threaten to do here - for all that he's brought some of it on himself. I haven't read into the detail of what he's accused of, but the high level summaries hardly make him out to be some criminal mastermind: he's evaded some tax (I can't see how much) and bought a gun while he wasn't allowed to because he had a prior drug conviction. Wikipedia says "On September 5, 2024, Hunter Biden entered an Alford plea, acknowledging there was enough evidence to convict while maintaining his innocence.^[44]" That sounds to me like he knew the pardon was coming, perhaps to avoid Republicans from hounding him for sport. Trump will do whatever he wants anyway.

It will be interesting to see how many more Joe Biden pardons before he goes, and who they are ? !

**pineapple stu** · 02/12/2024, 4:27 PM

Originally Posted by seanfhear

" " Nobody is above the law " "

Except Hunter Biden and all the other People that Joe Biden will pardon before he scurries out of town !

And the 237 people Trump pardoned too, don't forget.

It sounds a stupid, archaic piece of legislation to be honest. Is there anywhere in Europe that has similar?

**seanfhear** · 02/12/2024, 4:45 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

And the 237 people Trump pardoned too, don't forget.

It sounds a stupid, archaic piece of legislation to be honest. Is there anywhere in Europe that has similar?

Its pretty much Emperor stuff !

Which is pretty apt ~ ~ As America behaves like a super-empire around the world.

No point being an, empire / emperor, if you don't behave like one ! !

**SkStu** · 03/12/2024, 2:42 AM

He does look a bit like Sheev Palpatine actually now that you mention it. (Joke!)

**joey B** · 04/12/2024, 11:08 PM

https://nypost.com/2024/12/04/us-new...rgeted-attack/

Not politics per se but this a wild story,CEO of the largest insurance company in America shot dead basically in broad daylight in New York......

**dahamsta** · 06/12/2024, 12:19 PM

Guy was a pro. That wasn't just an assasination, it was a message.

**seanfhear** · 06/12/2024, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

Guy was a pro. That wasn't just an assasination, it was a message.

Some pretty clear photos round now ~ Hard to believe that he won't be caught.

**tetsujin1979** · 06/12/2024, 12:44 PM

that all depends on someone grassing him up. Doubt that'll happen.

**seanfhear** · 06/12/2024, 1:34 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

that all depends on someone grassing him up. Doubt that'll happen.

If he was hired by powerful interests ~ I doubt, he will ever be collecting his pension.

**John83** · 06/12/2024, 8:25 PM

Originally Posted by seanfhear

Some pretty clear photos round now ~ Hard to believe that he won't be caught.

Are there? I saw some of a guy at a hostel earlier but the comments seemed to be sure it was the wrong guy: similar but different jacket and bushier eyebrows were the comments I recall. I haven't cared to compare for myself.

**tetsujin1979** · 07/12/2024, 11:30 PM

The reaction comments are telling

**CraftyToePoke** · 09/12/2024, 2:43 PM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

Guy was a pro. That wasn't just an assasination, it was a message.

They are definitely struggling to put their hand to him.

The small flood of individual horror stories making their way onto my socials ( because I clicked on one ) about the realities of their system are eye opening.

I read one - if anything online can be believed, I fully realise - about court stalling tactics supplying drugs to a sick man who died, he had a case open prior for the cause of his illness, against a third party, which the insurance company sued the widow for 10% to claw back what they did do for him before cutting him off.

No idea if true or possible. But no sympathy for this guy to be seen so far, or his equals in other companies.

**SkStu** · 09/12/2024, 2:48 PM

America is so broken. Like any ideal that is taken to an extreme, this incident and the fallout shows up the worst of capitalism, consumerism and "profit before people". The place is completely devoid of ANY checks and balances, really, and riddled with influence and interference from special interest groups and lobbyists. Absolutely toxic. And that doesnt seem to change meaningfully with whichever side controls the various branches of government. That said, I don't take any joy in some guy getting assassinated for, ultimately, just doing his job and serving his master(s).

**pineapple stu** · 09/12/2024, 3:11 PM

Well this guy seems to have been the master, no? The CEO making the decisions after all.

But I do agree with you in general. I think you can hold that the guy seems to have been an absolute See You Next Tuesday and not celebrate his murder. I don't think the idea of mob rule is a road America - or anywhere - really wants to go down.

The weird thing though is that on balance Americans seem to want this sort of healthcare. They just don't seem to realise it until they have an issue themselves. But until that changes, how much appetite for change is there really?

You could not pay me enough to live and work in America to be quite honest.

**SkStu** · 09/12/2024, 3:34 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Well this guy seems to have been the master, no? The CEO making the decisions after all.

He was the CEO running the operation, of course, but in service to the expectations and demands of shareholders (I assume). That's what I was getting at. Its hardly tackling the root cause. A new CEO wont change things, I dont think.

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

The weird thing though is that on balance Americans seem to want this sort of healthcare. They just don't seem to realise it until they have an issue themselves. But until that changes, how much appetite for change is there really?

Spot on. There is a general arrogance in the USA to their place in the world, their version of democracy and what constitutes "rights". A survival-of-the-fittest / merit / competition type approach to most things that we see as requiring compromise and reason always seems to be the prevailing sentiment. Its rather perverse.