Seriously SLS?

Most threads do...

This thread has gone off the rails a million ways from Sunday so it's basically just a "whatever" thread right now.

"For anyone who actually reads what I have t say and doesn't mischaracterize my range of interests with the same degree of contempt, here's why I don't think that's entirely hyperbole"

Current, you have just spent more then a couple of minutes composing your last two entries. Whether I or anyone agrees or not with your views is not relevant to this thread. My reply to you is WTF has any of this have to do with the new policy SLS has implemented for free members???????????????

Take it to where it belongs and maybe you won't come across as brain dead.

You're not very good at using the forum search.

While some have probably been deleted, among the surviving forum posts, I have used the word "pedantic" twice in my 10 years on the fora, and "pedantism" once, but even that was quoting tbr.

You'd figure I would use my "favorite word" more than once a year.

As for "torchy"...

I was overly mean-spirited in writing that, no doubt. But I am not impressed when people do something like set themselves on fire using petroleum products in the name of protesting the continued use of petroleum. To think we are going to stop using them within our lifetime is foolhardy, and no amount of such actions is going to change that.

And it has nothing to do with the evil people that you or Andrew think run the world while dressed as the Monopoly Man, smoking cigars composed of rolled up Benjamins...

It's worth pointing out that I am not actually arguing against the downgrading of US government debt, merely the capricious manner and timing of that down grade by S and P (arguably Moody's holding the threat in reserve). I have no fucking idea why anyone has any confidence in the ability, or even intention, of the US government (and voters) to pay off its long term debt, or to balance its budget. Economists who give a reason usually cite the fact that we still have the world's only reserve currency.

Am I being, to use VA's favorite word, "pedantic"? Is there anyone here that thinks the US even potentially has the political will to keep our debt from becoming unmanageable? How would we do that, theoretically? Rolling back the Trump and Bush Tax cuts along with significant cuts to Medicaid, Medicare veteran's benefits and Social Security? Otherwise the only credible solution (credible budget wise if not politically) is something like Paul Ryan's vision of eliminating Medicare as we know it. Will we do that? I truly think that anyone who believes we have the will to do any of these things is a fool. If you want to call that hyperbole I really don't give a fuck. I call it a realistic view which I can support with forty years of political policy history.

"Every once in a while someone on here makes a statement that puts their position in a place that is so remotely removed from anywhere where anyone can have a reasonable discussion that it becomes clear that a reasonable discussion is never going to possible. "

"Torch away" VA. Meanwhile bite my ass you pompous prick.

For anyone who actually reads what I have t say and doesn't mischaracterize my range of interests with the same degree of contempt, here's why I don't think that's entirely hyperbole.

Isis is a vicious terrorist group bent on acquiring territory, without regard to human decency, to create their utopia, which vision is clearly motivated by hatred of corrupt local regimes as well as the west. Does the US have a good reason to fear them? Given their stated goals and our history of involvement with said corrupt regimes going back to the 1950s, you bet we do. Despite their aspirations, their actual effects inside the US have been limited to inspiring US citizens to acts of terror.

Standard and Poors and Moody's are US companies bent on making money, without regard to ethics or decency. Does the US have a reason to fear them? You bet they do. The debt ratings distributed by these companies have a direct effect on the borrowing costs of the US government, which borrowing costs currently total about 7%, with interest rates BTW, still pretty near zero. If ratings go down, interest rates on debt go up as do borrowing costs as a percent of the budget. The part these companies had in the financial crisis, namely selling fraudulent bond ratings for profit (in my opinion knowingly) represented the most culpable part (again in my sincere view) of clearly the most massive fraud (inarguably) in the history of the world. The result was the near destruction of the US and world economies. When their own existence, or at least power, was threatened by government action, S and P responded by downgrading US government debt, causing the previously mentioned borrowing costs to rise, and having the desired effect of cowing the government ( a government, which I might point out to anyone less pedantic than VA, was not run at the time by Trump).

So how should the government view them? I believe as a corrupt and dangerous existential threat to the security of the country. The Trump administration has suggested the death penalty for drug dealers. Even if I was not opposed to capital punishment, I would view this proposal as absurd. However, I think the management of S and P and Moody's deserve worse than whatever punishment is appropriate for mere drug dealers, who are in relative criminal terms, amateurs.

"very adamant in their beliefs, suddenly vanish. I wonder what the story was"

I wish I'd vanish. This place is a bad habit. It consumes far too much of my time. I don't seem to be able to strike a good balance so I see eventually quitting as the only way.

Every once in a while someone on here makes a statement that puts their position in a place that is so remotely removed from anywhere where anyone can have a reasonable discussion that it becomes clear that a reasonable discussion is never going to possible.

"In my opinion the government should view these people the way they view Isis. "

That's one of them.

If you're going to say that was intended to be hyperbole, I don't really believe you. You are so focused on your searing hatred and rage against the Unholy Trinity of Trump/Republicans/Wall St that you're not reachable.

Enjoy.

"Fjep's profile still exists"

TY VA, I just find it interesting that people who were on here as posters for so long, some going back more then ten years and very adamant in their beliefs, suddenly vanish. I wonder what the story was. I would suppose if someone did pass away, their profile could remain as long as the site lasts., that would happen in my case.

"Not counting your quoting me, in your last 100 posts you have mentioned Trump 34 times."

I'll have to take your word for that one. Sounds about equivalent to the percentage of stories in my news feed that he features in.

BTW I also mentioned the ratings companies along with Wall Street lawyers. These guys were arguably the biggest crooks of the bunch. At best their work involved gross negligence, but I really think that's being charitable. I think it's implausible that they didn't know something about the quality of the bonds they were "negligently" rating. When the government started to get serious about prosecuting them in 2011, Standard and Poors chose that timing to downgrade US government debt. The timing was beyond suspect. It was a threat. In my opinion the government should view these people the way they view Isis.

Fjep's profile still exists. Last online 65 days ago.

Still the same picture. "Alice Spooker", as Z used to call him.

"Maybe he is getting laid.."

TBR, does FJ still have a profile? He blocked me so I cannot find out for myself. I think he was having heart probems. Could be he passed on.

I'm thinking he went to Venezuela to join the revolution.

Oh wait... that would take initiative.....

Maybe he is getting laid...

Nah...

Nope. He gave no indication of his leaving. His SLS profile has not been touched for 669 days now.

Speaking of Robert, does anyone know why he just dropped of the face of the Earth?

Speaking of Robert, does anyone know why he just dropped of the face of the Earth?

'LQQ is a liberal they dont pay for anything"

Speaking of assholes who simply cannot resist bringing politics into every thread no matter what the subject.

You thought of VISTA volunteer and you're just naturally a giving person? Because it makes a great right hand bookend for FOSTA?

I'm not sure why I capitalized "VISTA"....

Glad it works for you.

FOSTA la VISTA baby it is.

JW: Why doesn't this brand new Pixel 2 XL not have a caps lock in the keyboard?

I've been calling it the Panic Purge of 2018, but FOSTA la vista, baby, it is. ;-)

LOL LQQ is a liberal they dont pay for anything, if someone else is not paying they are not interested.

"FOSTA la VISTA, baby."

Lol

Tramp

FOSTA la VISTA, baby.