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Post by Kimby on Dec 29, 2016 14:58:56 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Dec 29, 2016 15:00:53 GMT
Reprising this, as it does not deserve to die at the bottom of a page. Best description of the American political system I've seen.
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Post by mossie on Dec 30, 2016 14:49:12 GMT
A worrying trend, which is apparent over here as well.
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Post by chexbres on Dec 31, 2016 7:50:02 GMT
Can Donald Trump really be as stupid as he seems to be? Yes. Let's hope that the Republicans have some guts and will block some of his stupidity.
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Post by Kimby on Dec 31, 2016 14:23:57 GMT
Taking bets on how soon Mike Pence will become POTUS?
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Post by bixaorellana on Dec 31, 2016 14:39:41 GMT
I'm wondering why I wasted time being an English major and also learning Spanish when it turns out it will be Russian I need.
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Post by chexbres on Jan 1, 2017 8:45:49 GMT
All anyone would need is a high-calibre rifle...and I wouldn't put it past the opiate-addicts if Trump repeals Obamacare.
Pence seems to be content to just sit Buddha-like. Although it's true that Trump is clearly bored out of his skull already by the enormous responsibility of having to tweet more than usual, it's doubtful that he will be able to pass on the Presidential duties to Pence.
Trump wanted the job. He won. Now he has to perform, whether he likes it or not. Tough shit.
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Post by lagatta on Jan 2, 2017 17:10:11 GMT
Bixa, I didn't learn Russian despite love for much Russian literature because I didn't want to study anywhere as cold as here. (Don't get me wrong - I love Montréal - but NOT the winters). By the way, I have a colleague from Mexico who studied Russian language and literature in Moscow, back in the USSR...
Last year, I saw a photo of happy young Russian couples walking by the ice-free Volga in wintertime - no snow either. People here, except skiiers, are also elated when there is a thaw.
I know those attitudes may be counter to the fight against climate change, but they are visceral. I think our actions are more important than our feelings, in that respect.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jan 2, 2017 17:16:40 GMT
start digging your bunker....I'm wondering whether to bother...the instability in world politics is scary as hell
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Post by bixaorellana on Jan 2, 2017 18:00:56 GMT
Yup. This morning I was assaulted online by the visage of N*g*l* F*r*g* -- a face second only to Tr*mp's in inducing nausea and horror.
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Post by Kimby on Jan 11, 2017 1:33:00 GMT
The Internet is on fire today with reports that the Russians have compromising information about Trump (that presumably could be used to blackmail him) and that FBI Director Comey had this information this summer, and that senators knew about it in October, before the election and pressed Comey to act on it. Instead, he reported that he was reopening the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails.
SOMEONE is guilty of treason here!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2017 6:35:19 GMT
Is it time to start preparing a thread named "The United States of President Pence"?
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Post by mich64 on Jan 11, 2017 6:46:54 GMT
I read the 35 page document on Buzz Feed tonight. I was shocked, but yet, not shocked. My goodness if any of that is true, I do not know what happens next. I am sure I will wake tomorrow morning to a flurry of tweets. I did see one tonight from the lawyer, Michael Cohen, a picture of his passport stating he has never been to Prague. Do they stamp your passport or scan it if you arrive by train or drive through their border to visit?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2017 7:13:30 GMT
Passports are very rarely stamped in Europe these days.
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Post by mich64 on Jan 11, 2017 7:37:18 GMT
That is what I thought, but I guess for a few days he might get away with posting his passport before he is made aware that means nothing. He has stated he was in the USA during that period, the investigators will prove or disprove that statement. I think it is past the point where they will just accept his word on that. Warrants are probably being processed or served already to investigate the three men named in the report.
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Post by Kimby on Jan 11, 2017 13:10:00 GMT
President Obama delivered his farewell address last night. It contained something for everyone and appealed to us to turn our negative anger into positive action. Ever the "community organizer!!" I'm going to miss this dignified, humble man and his family. He's been "the only grown-up in the room" for the past 8 years and now he's on his way out the door. To be replaced by the biggest man-child we've ever known... Here's a transcript: www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-obama-farewell-speech-transcript-20170110-story.html
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Post by mickthecactus on Jan 11, 2017 13:41:59 GMT
As a non-American I think that is a very apposite post Kimby.
However, has he really achieved much? It doesn't look like much from here but then I'm not really in a position to judge.
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Post by lagatta on Jan 11, 2017 16:10:18 GMT
President Obama did make some progress towards accessible healthcare. However, it is very difficult for a US President to carry out his programme in the face of a hostile Congress; it is a very different system from the Parliamentary systems we are accustomed to. The PM is by definition the leader either of the majority party or a ruling coalition, though the latter can also be fractious.
I'd like to hear what some any porters from the US, whether living there or in other countries, have to say about that.
Personally I found it a relief to hear someone who is not only coherent but literate. Michelle Obama is just as impressive; of course they are both lawyers to they are articulate, but neither comes across as "slick".
I'm afraid to click onto some of the hashtags associated with the alleged Trump scandal, as I really don't want any pron feeds...
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Post by Kimby on Jan 11, 2017 16:26:44 GMT
As a non-American I think that is a very apposite post Kimby. However, has he really achieved much? It doesn't look like much from here but then I'm not really in a position to judge. I had to google "apposite" and I'm still not sure what your first statement means, Mick. Can you rephrase it, please? Re: accomplishments, look what a mess he was handed by GeeDubya Bush. After "saving the US economy" he didn't have time for much else. His health care plan was cobbled together in an attempt to gain some bipartisan support for health care reform, then the GOP dug in and rejected it, so it passed with only Democrats voting for it. Then, after the 2010 midterm elections shifted the balance in congress, the GOP proceeded to block every action Obama and the Democrats tried to take. It's amazing anything got done. Mostly by Executive Order, but that was all the GOP allowed him. Many think Obama will be regarded by history as one of the US's best presidents. I'm reserving judgment, but I don't expect that Trump will do as well. IF he even serves out a full term.
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Post by chexbres on Jan 12, 2017 8:52:42 GMT
Trump stated in his poor excuse for a press conference that he intends to "repeal and replace Obamacare at the same time...or maybe within a week, or maybe a few days, maybe even the same day." There is obviously no plan - or the Republicans would have suggested something long ago.
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Post by patricklondon on Jan 12, 2017 17:26:32 GMT
had to google "apposite" and I'm still not sure what your first statement means, Mick. It's a compliment. He agrees with you and the way you phrased your comment. As do I. The contrast between Obama and who came before and after him couldn't be stronger. My blog | My photos | My video clips"too literate to be spam"
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Post by Kimby on Jan 12, 2017 22:05:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2017 22:20:14 GMT
Oh, the excerpts on French TV were enough for me. In fact, I am still gagging about some of the things I heard.
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Post by lagatta on Jan 16, 2017 17:03:55 GMT
I pity the interpreters. Boris Yeltsin was as incoherent, but at least he was drunk. I know an interpreter at the European Parliament who had to take him on...
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Post by Kimby on Mar 12, 2017 13:41:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2017 14:05:48 GMT
That's a very interesting take on the subject. There is a lot of the same strange thinking in the EU -- in many cases, the people who claim to be the most opposed to the EU are the ones who have been benefiting from it the most. One of the biggest failures of governments everywhere has been in explaining it to the people. But instead they overplay what they are proud of and try to cover up anything that is not working. That's what leads people to thinking that the people in charge are just a big bunch of liars and they need to be kicked out. There was nothing wrong back in the old days when someone had the courage to promise "blood, sweat and tears" when necessary.
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 28, 2018 5:43:30 GMT
One of the subjects on the French news today was American student debt and how it keeps being swept under the carpet by most candidates. Apparently, the current total of student loans in the United States is $1.5 trillion or almost three times the amount of the defence budget, which apparently is a sexier topic and gets a lot more coverage. The reporters here are saying that it is a time bomb. Barack Obama announced proudly that he finally finished paying off his student loan at age 40.
25% of Americans are paying off student loans, and I'm sure that this money could be used much more effectively if spent otherwise. Of course, those of us who live in countries where university education is free or almost free are astounded that the United States considers the indivudual cost of education normal. This year, tuition in France for undergraduated is 170 euros for the year, 243 euros for a masters degree and 350 euros for a doctorate. Engineering degrees have it worst -- 601 euros. Naturally, scholarships and various dispensations are available. I just looked up tuition for the University of California this year (let's not even think about private schools). Tuition is $13,900 for California residents and $42,900 for non-residents.
Is the cost of education not a political issue in the United States?
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Post by bjd on Aug 28, 2018 11:39:56 GMT
Kerouac, you are not mentioning the cost of engineering school or business school! I don't know what kind of "engineering degree" you get for 601€, tuition in most engineering schools (the kind you get into after a prep and competitive exam) is closer to 8000€. Business schools are even more expensive.
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 28, 2018 12:32:32 GMT
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Post by Kimby on Aug 28, 2018 14:39:48 GMT
The student loan burden is a result of two factors: a reduction in federal and state government support for public universities and colleges (in MT, the state contribution used to be near 70%, now it’s only 38%), causing tuitions to rise, and a shift from grants to loans for student financial aid.
Those who graduate with 10’s of thousands of $$$$ in loans, are not able to get mortgages, so can’t buy a house, a further drag on the economy.
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