Trump 2016

[Malcolm]

Ah, Donnie.

First, he went after Ghazala Khan, the mother of U.S. Army Capt. Humayun Khan, who had received a Purple Heart for bravery after being killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. And then stunningly Trump equated his work as a businessman as being a “sacrifice” akin to the sacrifice made by the brave women and men who have served in our nation’s armed forces.

It gets worse from there.

Fellow Reality TV Party members are not amused. Paul Ryan and Bitch McConnell, however, don't even think a slap on the wrist is necessary.

Trump suggested -- first in an interview with New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, then in an interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos aired Sunday on "This Week" -- that Khan's wife wasn't allowed to speak.
...
Then, he told Stephanopoulos: "If you look at his wife, she was standing there. She had nothing to say. She probably -- maybe she wasn't allowed to have anything to say. You tell me. But plenty of people have written that. She was extremely quiet. And it looked like she had nothing to say. A lot of people have said that."

Ghazala Khan, Khizr Khan's wife, hit Trump back hard herself in an op-ed in The Washington Post Sunday, saying she declined to speak because she was emotionally distraught -- and suggested Trump lacks empathy if he fails to understand that decision.

"Donald Trump has children whom he loves. Does he really need to wonder why I did not speak?" she wrote.

[Vince]

This has to be frustrating to the Russians and Wikileaks. They release info and just as it starts to make waves, Trump says something stupid to give the media the excuse they need to shift focus.

[TPRJones]

It's almost like he's running interference...

[Malcolm]

Dead ape polls at 5%.

It's almost like he's running interference...

On the other hand, this live ape is busy waving his hands about wildly and already making excuses for his loss.

The phoney electoral college made a laughing stock out of our nation. The loser one! We can't let this happen. We should march on Washington and stop this travesty. Our nation is totally divided!

Lets fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice! The world is laughing at us. More votes equals a loss ... revolution! This election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy! Our country is now in serious and unprecedented trouble ... like never before. The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy.
...
Trump's assertion that Obama had "lost the popular vote by a lot" was incorrect, though by 11 p.m., the votes had not all been counted yet. In the end, Obama won by about 5 million votes.
...
at a campaign stop on Monday, he warned that he thought the 2016 election might be stolen, too.

Firstly, the electoral college was put there specifically to short circuit the popular vote in the presidential election. Secondly, wtf? How do you end up bitching about an election that hasn't happened? Why isn't it rigged if Agent Orange happens to come out on top?

[Vince]

One of the arguments I keep hearing in favor of Trump is that he will surround himself with smart people. I would assume that everyone with with an ounce of PR sense was telling Donald not to attack a gold star family. It's hard to imagine a world where anyone would think that's a winning idea. Yet he did it anyway. Which kind of kills the "surrounds himself with smart people" angle. You can surround yourself with the best cabinet ever assembled in the history of US politics. It's worthless if you ignore them.

[TheCatt]

Well, at least he's made plenty of excuses for his inevitable loss.

[Malcolm]

Donnie the Douchebag blazes more political trails.

The Republican nominee shattered traditional political boundaries Tuesday when he told The Washington Post he isn't backing House Speaker Paul Ryan or Sen. John McCain as they face primary challenges. The two leading Republicans seemingly angered Trump with their denunciation of his criticism of the family of a slain Muslim US soldier.
Trump's comments -- delivered to a newspaper he's banned from attending his events since mid-June -- capped a bizarre day on the campaign trail that also included asking for a crying baby to be removed from a rally and causing a stir over Purple Heart recipients.
...
A source close to Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus told CNN he was incredibly upset with Trump for refusing to endorse Ryan in his primary.
This source noted that for Priebus it is "personal" because he and Ryan -- both from Wisconsin -- are as close as family and Priebus was the chairman of Ryan's first congressional race.
"He takes this very personally," said the source, especially since "he has taken on a lot of water" for Trump.

But wait, there's more.

Meanwhile, New York Rep. Richard Hanna announced he will vote for Clinton in an editorial on Syracuse.com, saying Trump is "deeply flawed in endless ways."

That'd be Republican Richard Hanna.

McCain went further than virtually any of his colleagues in a statement on Monday.
"While our Party has bestowed upon him the nomination, it is not accompanied by unfettered license to defame those who are the best among us," McCain said. "I cannot emphasize enough how deeply I disagree with Mr. Trump's statement. I hope Americans understand that the remarks do not represent the views of our Republican Party, its officers, or candidates."

Fuck you. You and the rest of the Reality TV Party don't get this both ways. Either he's the choice of the people and they picked him because he DOES represent their views or you're calling the primary voters fucking morons who don't know what their own party's about. Grows some balls and pick one.

[TPRJones]

It sounds like he has picked one. He's called the primary voters fucking morons who don't know what their own party is about. Fortunately they are too stupid to understand that this is what he said so they don't know they should be offended.

[Malcolm]

You need a few leaps in logic to get there. I want one of them to say explicitly, directly, and unequivocally, "If you voted for Trump, you don't understand what 'Republican' or 'conservative' is, and you should get the fuck out because we DO NOT want you. Trump isn't the problem. Trump voters are."

[Malcolm]

Trump's vice presidential running mate Mike Pence meanwhile contradicted Trump in an interview with Fox News and revealed that he had urged the billionaire to back Ryan.
"I strongly support Paul Ryan, endorse his re-election. He is a long time friend, a strong conservative leader," Pence said on Fox News.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

[TPRJones]

You need a few leaps in logic to get there. I want one of them to say explicitly, directly, and unequivocally, "If you voted for Trump, you don't understand what 'Republican' or 'conservative' is, and you should get the fuck out because we DO NOT want you. Trump isn't the problem. Trump voters are."

Well, considering they are going to be relying on those idiots for reelection, I don't expect many of them will do that.

[Leisher]

You need a few leaps in logic to get there. I want one of them to say explicitly, directly, and unequivocally, "If you voted for Trump, you don't understand what 'Republican' or 'conservative' is, and you should get the fuck out because we DO NOT want you. Trump isn't the problem. Trump voters are."

Well, considering they are going to be relying on those idiots for reelection, I don't expect many of them will do that.

One of the big name Republicans suggested Trump voters should leave the party a few months back. I don't think he understands how small the Republican party would be in that scenario. As nuts as Trump is, it's really distracting the Republicans from taking a look in the mirror and realizing how out of touch they are with most Americans.


On a different note, I'm really focusing on your use of the word "idiots" there. In this whole election, are Trump voters the biggest idiots? Really?

Listen, let's take all the ones who listen to him speak and think "Yes, this man has a plan and is right for this country" and set them aside. They're idiots.

Now the folks who just vote for the letter R aren't idiots. Initially as writing this I thought they were, but honestly, they're just conditioned. I know people who HATE Trump, but "have" to vote for him because that's who their party nominated. I'm sure Malcolm will argue that they're idiots, but there is a difference between picking the guy and picking the party. A similar example would be when your favorite team drafts a QB you know is going to suck, but you have to root for him to be successful.

The third group of Trump voters are folks who are just blind with anger and frustration. They're tired of the trend the country is on and are trying to make a statement. I don't think these folks are idiots either, but I do think they'd be better off making a statement by voting for Johnson. The problem is that the vast majority of people I've talked to about the election think they're wasting their vote if they give it to Johnson. By the way, this group includes more Dems than you would believe. From what I've been hearing, while there are R voters who are voting Hillary because Trump, there are Ds voting Trump because Hillary.

There's one more group I do want to point out who are idiots, and that's everyone voting for Hillary (although I will give the same pass to the folks who are voting for the D. They all love the D...). Why? While Trump is a blowhard who says stupid things and has no plan, she's got a track record of crimes, incompetence, and unethical behavior. How the fuck is she the "lesser of two evils"?

If you're mad at the system, you can't change it by voting for the system. If you're mad at your party, you can't change it by voting for your party. You don't have to vote for the douche or the turd sandwich.

Johnson/Weld 2016

[Leisher]

Armed guy arrested outside Trump Tower.

Read the article. It's a non-story. He has a CCW, works across the street as a guard and was drunk and arguing about where he could walk with security.

However, right wing sites are calling it an assassination attempt and trying to shame Dems for "cheering him on" with examples that don't cheer anyone on...

[TPRJones]

In this whole election, are Trump voters the biggest idiots? Really?

Well, technically no. There's Trump, after all.

...there is a difference between picking the guy and picking the party. A similar example would be when your favorite team drafts a QB you know is going to suck, but you have to root for him to be successful.

No! No no no no no, and also, fuck no. This is the entire problem with politics right now. This is not a sports game with a team that you are rooting to win. This is not about picking a winning team and beating up on the other guys. This is about picking individuals that will be in a political office and do a political job. The only reason to vote for the party is because the individuals in that party have a stronger tendency to align with your own political ideals. If one of those individuals does not and you still vote for them just because of "go, team!" then yes, you are the biggest idiot because that makes you exactly the sort of sucker that the party leadership on both sides counts on to keep their shitty two-party system in power forevermore. (that's the generic you not the Leisher you, fyi)

[Leisher]

Well, technically no. There's Trump, after all.

I laughed.

No! No no no no no, and also, fuck no. This is the entire problem with politics right now. This is not a sports game with a team that you are rooting to win. This is not about picking a winning team and beating up on the other guys. This is about picking individuals that will be in a political office and do a political job. The only reason to vote for the party is because the individuals in that party have a stronger tendency to align with your own political ideals. If one of those individuals does not and you still vote for them just because of "go, team!" then yes, you are the biggest idiot because that makes you exactly the sort of sucker that the party leadership on both sides counts on to keep their shitty two-party system in power forevermore.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and also, fuck yes. (Kidding.) I have used the same "this is not a sports game" argument right here myself. Search our political threads and you'll see.

I want to point out that I underlined the part of your statement I'm going to discuss.

I think on this one point, there's some gray area I'm willing to work within, and that's why I give certain folks a pass. Let me explain...

I think people have four options:
1. Don't vote. - Fuck everyone who does this. You're part of the problem. Sorry, but if Jason Vorhees is coming at you with a machete, you can't solve your immediate issue by turning around and pretending he's not there. People died so you could vote. Show some respect and cast a ballot.
2. Vote for the party your political beliefs typically align with even if the candidate is the douchebag. As stated, typically I don't believe in people voting for a letter. However, in the case of this election I'm more willing to forgive it because they're still voting for the party's core values and beliefs, particularly because it's been leaked that Trump will let the VP do most of the policy setting, and that VP is a right wing Republican.
3. Vote against the party your political beliefs typically align with because you disagree with the one individual they want to elect. Vote for the turd sandwich. Let's be honest, this makes zero sense. Your net result will be negative.
4. Vote for a third party candidate. This is the logical move, but one that many people don't want to take for a variety of reasons. Mostly because they believe their vote will be wasted and because they really don't know the candidates, both because the MSM ignores them and people don't know how to get that information.

Clearly the correct answer is #4, but for the argument I was making I put myself in each voters' shoes and tried to use their reasoning based on what I've heard.

Did I explain that better? I still think it's crazy gray area, but again in this one election where both candidates are piles of shit, I get voting your party with fingers crossed hoping they get their platforms pushed. (But obviously it still makes more sense to go with option #4.)

[Malcolm]

I'm sure Malcolm will argue that they're idiots, but there is a difference between picking the guy and picking the party.

The only difference is in how and who is suckering you. If you're voting for Trump, you're of the "we need an outsider" ilk, ANY outsider apparently, no matter how unstable or insane they are. If you're voting the "party", then you're in the "fuck Hillary" set which means you still believe in the Reality TV Party and principles espoused by the spineless, incompetent, hopeless group of clueless old men who pass for leadership around there. In any case, locking in your vote is you giving your overall approval, endorsement, and consent for that candidate to govern you. I think I've been on record before in saying that anyone who votes for either major prez candidate this election has bought into the "there are only two choices" lie.

The third group of Trump voters are folks who are just blind with anger and frustration. They're tired of the trend the country is on and are trying to make a statement. I don't think these folks are idiots either, but I do think they'd be better off making a statement by voting for Johnson. The problem is that the vast majority of people I've talked to about the election think they're wasting their vote if they give it to Johnson. By the way, this group includes more Dems than you would believe. From what I've been hearing, while there are R voters who are voting Hillary because Trump, there are Ds voting Trump because Hillary.

Fucking morons, the lot of them. Anger and frustration do not give you carte blanche to act like a petulant five-year old.

Why? While Trump is a blowhard who says stupid things and has no plan, she's got a track record of crimes, incompetence, and unethical behavior. How the fuck is she the "lesser of two evils"?

Because she generally says less and doesn't go off on twitter rants at the drop of a hat.

Don't vote. - Fuck everyone who does this. You're part of the problem. Sorry, but if Jason Vorhees is coming at you with a machete, you can't solve your immediate issue by turning around and pretending he's not there. People died so you could vote. Show some respect and cast a ballot.

No, fuck you. Give me better choices with a realistic shot at winning. I have a better chance getting accidentally injured or killed on my way to the polls than my vote does of mattering one fucking bit. When someone has a gun to my head and marches me to a ballot, I might pick someone depending how contrary I'm feeling at the time. And don't try to spin not voting into a disrespecting the dead bullshit guilt trip. They died for my right to get saddled with Fucktard A or Fucktard B in a corrupt, badly run, extremist political system that's slowly suffocating itself under its own bloat? I'm not even showing up to the tailgating outside the arena for that game, let alone participating.

[TPRJones]

Technically they also died for my right NOT to vote and by insisting I have to vote you are disrespecting their memory. Freedom includes the freedom to be apathetic.

[Vince]

Technically they also died for my right NOT to vote and by insisting I have to vote you are disrespecting their memory. Freedom includes the freedom to be apathetic.

I agree they died so you could not vote as well. But not so we could have a third world banana republic where a Saddam Hussein gets votes not legally cast for them.

[Vince]

I think people have four options:
1. Don't vote. - Fuck everyone who does this. You're part of the problem. Sorry, but if Jason Vorhees is coming at you with a machete, you can't solve your immediate issue by turning around and pretending he's not there. People died so you could vote. Show some respect and cast a ballot.

This will probably be me this election (though I will vote down ticket). Not sure which third parties will be on the ballot in Nov. Might be able to go Libertarian if they're on the ballot.

This is the worst election ever.

[Malcolm]

If Gary gets on the debate stage, that might be enough to rouse the Godzilla inside me to go to my local polling place.