The GQP Thread: I'm even sick of that fuck's number and, anyway, he's gone (for now)

[rufus]

When is restricting voting rights ever a natural reaction to anything, much less whatever the fuck you’re talking about?

And what "other things going on" is he yammering on about?

Please Hovey, enlighten us on all of these "other things". Would that be stuff like all the voter fraud, and the stolen election, and all that other horseshit that you pay lip service to?

 

[rufus]

Ye olde, “if I pretend the other side is just as extreme then I won’t seem as extreme” tactic.

Hovey, you are on the side of, or at least at peace with (but I repeat myself), actual fascists. How about actually standing up for the principles you say you stand for?

And those 'principles' are what exactly, pray tell? cause I don't see too much standing on any principle, other than the principle that we're all being hysterical, and Hovey in his infinite wisdom is here to school us unwashed masses on the way things are.

Rather elitest of him, one might say.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

This is where Hovey will tell you that everyone else here is already standing for those principles, so he doesn't need to pile on.

Or that we're all hysterical and everything is going to be fine.

As Old Pio would've said, "The Libtard Ladies' Chorale is in fine form today." ;-)

 

[Handyman]

Man you step away from the comp for 45 minutes and you miss all the fun!

I think Hovey is a lot like my Dad...he has the pie in the sky belief that what we are seeing is some sort of loud boisterous chest beating that will go nowhere because for decades that is all this has been. Democrats said every Republican was going to burn Democracy to the ground and every Republican said we are Marxist Communist Socialists who are opening the borders, stealing guns and killing babies. They see people red faced spitting out /bs and liken it to the same political horsebleep they have seen their whole lives.

What they don't see though is that this isn't politics as usual. This is not just gerrymandering to screw the voters this is full on rules to make voting harder. This is not political rivals digging up dirt on their opponents to win an election this is an acting President openly asking for foreign leaders to help. This is not just Democrats saying "Al Gore got screwed!" after he conceded this is the sitting President claiming full on, coordinated voter fraud in multiple states and only acknowledging the transfer of power AFTER his people failed to stop the Electoral Count. (a count that was being challenged by people in his party and overseen by a VP he all but threatened) This is not just a lone nut loser walking around pretending he is President while everyone ignores him the Republican Party embraces his lies, defends them and sweeps any criticism under the rug even AFTER it is shown that supporting him leads to destruction. This is not just some underqualified moron screwing up the Katrina response, this is a man who got dozens of his politicos infected with a deadly virus, got himself infected, watched and lied as 500k Americans died and still never admitted his mistake. Hell he got the vaccine in friggin secret just because he didn't want to have to admit that the disease he downplayed for months was way worse than he had the balls to admit. He pissed on our allies in NATO, he fellated every strongarm dictator out there...I mean come on. Even when he knew he lost, even when he knew he had no shot, and even after Lindsay Graham already broached the subject he called the SOS of a Sovereign State in the Fucking Union and asked him to find enough votes to flip the election back. That is a step beyond even fucking Nixon...

No matter how much you put lipstick on the pig, this is not getting to be any better looking. This is NOT politics as usual because Trump and the Qucumbers are not political animals. They are fascists, they are racists, they are anti-government, anti-democracy and think rules never apply to them. They don't care about the system, they never read the Constitution, and they will do anything to make sure that only their rights matter. And they aren't just in dark corners or bumbphuck towns in the middle of nowhere, they have elected officials in Congress, they have the full backing of the GOP and if they were asked tomorrow by Trump (or someone on behalf of him) they would pull out their guns and wage armed conflict.

Now this is where my Dad or Hovey would say "now aren't you being melodramatic...clutching pearls cause you watch too much CNN?" or something similar in a condescending tone. (I very rarely watch the news these days...a fun side effect of having an adult in charge) To this I would then respond about how Trump and his cronies, whether on purpose or by accident, triggered so many things from these people it is hard to argue against it. Racist rallies, killing protesters, Asian hate, the rise of Antisemitism, the militia movement, an attempted kidnapping of a sitting Governor, an assault on the capitol and the rise of fucking Qanon. If this was politics as usual he would have pivoted away from all that shit as soon as it became clear it was not politically viable. He never did, because what would normally be the caricature is exactly who he is. He is a wannabe thug dictator who will gas citizens for a photo-op, have the National Guard helicopters fly through the Capitol City to ward of protesters, threaten Blue States and Cities, send in the jackboots when needed and beg for military parades in his honor. He doesn't care about America and neither do they. The few who do are being swept out of the party so fast you would think they were soldiers or cops trying to ask them for help.

This is not a mirage, this is not politics as usual or something the system is equipped to handle. America only works if the people buy in, and unfortunately because half the country are spineless, dickless assholes who refuse to think beyond their own needs and wants the system is cracking at the seams. This is nothing new, it happens all the time and it isnt until a decade after the fact that people like Hovey or my Dad, or Chuck Todd or the clowns at Politico look back and go "damnit we should have seen that coming!". Just like we ask how the world devolved so far that a random assassination could trigger something drastic (WWI) or how a depression could lead to a war that involved some of the worst atrocities in modern history (WWII) sometimes it is hard to see as it happens. Students of history though can see the signs a mile away and usually fire off a million warnings until it is too late. That letter from the 100 scholars is a harbinger...

 

[SJHovey]

Ye olde, “if I pretend the other side is just as extreme then I won’t seem as extreme” tactic.

Hovey, you are on the side of, or at least at peace with (but I repeat myself), actual fascists. How about actually standing up for the principles you say you stand for?

We're posting on a college hockey message board. So let's talk about this.

How exactly am I on the "side" of "actual fascists" and how exactly are you standing up for certain principles when at the same time I am not?

I stated that I don't think what Texas is doing is a good idea, or right, or something like that. I then wrote that I understand what proponents in Texas are arguing, that there has been a push from the left to ease or eliminate rules relating to voting. But that makes me a fascist, and apparently makes you and everyone else here an anti-fascist, I guess. Interesting.

 

[Kepler]

However, this assumes you're a good man. I'm not really seeing it, but Kep has hope for you.

What I have concluded from the last decade is that to be good is not enough, you also have to act. You cannot be good and passive. If you see the baby on the train tracks, even if it's too far away, even if you're right in the middle of a really good show, even if you can't tell from your angle whether the train will go on that exact track, you have to try, or you are responsible.

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

We're posting on a college hockey message board. So let's talk about this.

How exactly am I on the "side" of "actual fascists" and how exactly are you standing up for certain principles when at the same time I am not?

I stated that I don't think what Texas is doing is a good idea, or right, or something like that. I then wrote that I understand what proponents in Texas are arguing, that there has been a push from the left to ease or eliminate rules relating to voting. But that makes me a fascist, and apparently makes you and everyone else here an anti-fascist, I guess. Interesting.

Your side is all for elimination rules and making it easier to vote as long as it’s a white rural area.

your side has also repeatedly closed locations, creating 8 hour waits. The left is trying to fix that.

but yes by all means, light it on fire and then complain it’s wet when the other side tries to put out the fire

 

[Kepler]

We're posting on a college hockey message board.

That's doesn't matter. We're talking about what we're talking about, and you have put yourself in the conversation willingly. You have repeated the same bland talking points the GOP uses to hide what they are deliberately doing. You are defending them by saying they are no big deal and nothing to worry about. You are on the continuum, someplace. like the rest of us, but you are a helluva closer to the evil end.

And that's because you don't think it's evil. The Texas GOP is "making more rules." When it's obvious to everyone else that the Texas GOP is disenfranchising people who don't vote for them to steal elections.

What exactly is American democracy if it isn't the person the voters choose wins? This isn't just Dump and his crooks -- the whole GOP has lined up to fellate him, and the GOP voters worship him.

 

[MichVandal]

With respect to things like the voting legislation in Texas, no I'm not a big fan. But they are a natural reaction to other things that are going on.

Other than a handful of people double voting for dumpy, what happened that there would be a "natural" reaction to restrict voting?

How is it "natural" in the US to restrict voting based on no actual facts?

It's very far from "natural" to enact actual anti-democratic actions just because you want power.

The fact that anyone can even pretend that they are "natural reactions" is in support of what they are doing, in spite of you not being a fan of it.

Even "not a big fan" is pretty weak.

 

[rufus]

We're posting on a college hockey message board. So let's talk about this.

How exactly am I on the "side" of "actual fascists" and how exactly are you standing up for certain principles when at the same time I am not?

I stated that I don't think what Texas is doing is a good idea, or right, or something like that. I then wrote that I understand what proponents in Texas are arguing, that there has been a push from the left to ease or eliminate rules relating to voting. But that makes me a fascist, and apparently makes you and everyone else here an anti-fascist, I guess. Interesting.

Yes, the left wants to make it easier to vote. As it should be in a democracy. It should be as easy as buying stamps, or a gallon of milk.

But there are still rules. Rules that everyone who votes abides by, rules that apply to everyone, no matter your race, your ethnicity, or what part of the country you come from. Both Democrats and Republicans, all vote by the same set of rules. Not one set of rules for democrats, and a different set of rules for Republicans.

Now, if you're saying its better that rural folk, or say, maybe white folk, can just walk in to their polling station and walk out ten minutes later, while urban residents, say, especially those of darker pigmentation, have to wait in line for hours in order to do so, but that's fair, and as it should be, because the rules are the same for everyone, that's fine. Just come right out and say it.

 

[Handyman]

These are rules and laws searching for a problem to solve. There isn't even accusations of fraud in many of these states yet they feel the need to go over and above to change the rules to rig the game. If they had ANY proof that there was even attempts at shenanigans it would be one thing but there is more proof that aliens killed JFK and Elvis is still alive. That is why they never even really attempted to say fraud existed when their freedom was on the line. (under oath)

But let's say, for arguments sake, that these laws are benign. Let's say all they are supposed to do is make the voting more "legit" or whatever. Why the sudden need in some of these states to strip the SOS of their power? Why, in at least 2 states (with more to come!) can the State Leg overrule the SOS or strip them of power and declare their own winner? That is not in the fucking Constitution! They don't get to just decide they don't like the outcome and throw it out. Provisions like that are as Anti-Democratic as they come. That isn't about "Election Integrity" that is about "Next Time Raffensburger/[insert SOS here] Will Do the Right Thing Or Else!". No amount of double talk, soft language or both sidesing will change that.

Just because a bunch of fans complain about the refs in a game doesn't mean their opinion is right. It also doesn't mean the league should unilaterally change the rules and allow the losing team to change the outcome if they thought they got screwed. That destroys the integrity of the game. If Gore had pulled this crap it would have been disgusting, and at least in his election he had a case. There were irregularities in FLA and people were playing loose and fast with the rules. That election did come down to one state and a few hundred votes overall. This election was not close and Trump lost by the same landslide he pretended to get when he beat Hillary. He got plenty of audits and recounts and not one of them showed any evidence of anything. His handpicked judges ignored his claims. The Supreme Court refused to hear it. There is zero justification for any of this, except the outright greed and thirst for power of a bunch of dickless fanatics who would rather burn the Constitution than actually live by the guidelines if a Democrat is in charge.

The only thing I will agree with Hovey about is Dems want to make it easier to vote. We do. Voting should be easy and everyone should be encouraged and allowed to do so as long as they qualify. Qualifying should entail being an American Citizen of voting age who is not currently in prison. Taking away someone's right to vote should be one of the hardest things to do in a Democracy. Make election fraud a hardcore felony if it helps you sleep better at night but why make it harder for people to help out those that might have issues getting out and voting? Why force people to wait in line for hours when you could easily accommodate everyone? Those aren't unintended consequences they do it on purpose...and it has been a tactic used by Southern Conservatives (this is where an ignorant fuck will talk about how the Dems were the racists back then to try and make it sound like they understand how history and politics work!) since Reconstruction.

I mean in the space of just a few weeks Texas made it easier to carry guns everywhere but harder to vote. That isn't a fucking coincidence and that is spreading.

 

[LynahFan]

We're posting on a college hockey message board. So let's talk about this.

How exactly am I on the "side" of "actual fascists" and how exactly are you standing up for certain principles when at the same time I am not?

I stated that I don't think what Texas is doing is a good idea, or right, or something like that. I then wrote that I understand what proponents in Texas are arguing, that there has been a push from the left to ease or eliminate rules relating to voting. But that makes me a fascist, and apparently makes you and everyone else here an anti-fascist, I guess. Interesting.

Complete horseshit. You said “not a big fan of.” Than means you’re fine with it. You’re fine with a state legislature awarding itself the power to decide if they want to overturn an election even if all evidence points to that not being the will of the people. You’re fine with the government placing itself ABOVE the people, rather than being in the service OF the people.

Allowing more early voting in more circumstances for more people is not easing or eliminating rules. It increases access to the ballot box - that’s it. It doesn’t allow a single new person to vote and it doesn’t reduce penalties for fraud. It simply provides greater opportunity for people to cast their same legal votes. If voting was from 2-3 pm and I make it 2-4 pm, all I’ve done is increase the likelihood that the polling places will be able to handle more votes more smoothly, should more voters choose to vote. All the “rules” of who can vote are still in place - nothing is being eased or eliminated. Democrats just want to make sure that the process goes smoothly to encourage as much voting as possible. You do agree that voting is a good thing? And that more voting would be a better thing? ‘Cause if not, then I think we found the source of the problem.

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

Of course more voting isn’t a good thing! His party can’t win on ideas or platforms- all they can do is try to limit voting.

I don’t see why it’s so hard to admit. Saying Texas reaction makes sense means you don’t want people voting

 

[MichVandal]

So I was watching a special of the WWII channel that I subscribe to- this about how Hitler convinced Germans to go along with him. Mostly about propaganda and how it was used. So the plan, as laid out in Mein Kamf is pretty much exactly how the Racist party has been run for the past 40 years- they have been using Hitler's play book pretty exactly.

Yea, I'm sure the same message is put out in other books, but Hitler's key points so perfectly align with Racists Party methods, it's not even funny.

Nazis, indeed.

 

[SJHovey]

Complete horse****. You said “not a big fan of.” Than means you’re fine with it. You’re fine with a state legislature awarding itself the power to decide if they want to overturn an election even if all evidence points to that not being the will of the people.

I stopped reading your post after this absurdity.

 

[LynahFan]

I stopped reading your post after this absurdity.

If it's so absurd, then disavow it. Disown it. Proclaim in no uncertain terms that the Texas GOP, among others, is shredding the very fabric of our democracy simply for the objective of staying in power.

Tell us that this disgusts you and has convinced you to vote straight-ticket D in 2022 and 2024.

Let's hear it.

Otherwise, you're in league with traitors.

 

[Slap Shot]

We're posting on a college hockey message board. So let's talk about this.

How exactly am I on the "side" of "actual fascists" and how exactly are you standing up for certain principles when at the same time I am not?

I stated that I don't think what Texas is doing is a good idea, or right, or something like that. I then wrote that I understand what proponents in Texas are arguing....

There you go you again you, "both sides" hawk. You always have a deflection and/or find a way to qualify and justify. For just once condemn an obviously disturbing action without trying to give it justification or understanding. I don't give a fuck that "some people" do one action if it's not the point. Trump could murder a million people and you'd say, "Well Hitler killed 6x as many". Seriously what is your malfunction?

 

[rufus]

You do agree that voting is a good thing? And that more voting would be a better thing?

I'm not so certain that he does.

Voting for certain well-heeled. property-owning, respected men of the community such as himself, sure.

Allowing the rabble and the hoi-polloi to vote is another thing entirely. They might make choices that he doesn't agree with.

 

[rufus]

I stopped reading your post after this absurdity.

Explain the absurdity. Ad homs aren't a rebuttal.

 

[rufus]

There you go you again you, "both sides" hawk. You always have a deflection and/or find a way to qualify and justify. For just once condemn an obviously disturbing action without trying to give it justification or understanding. I don't give a fuck that "some people" do one action if it's not the point. Trump could murder a million people and you'd say, "Well Hitler killed 6x as many". Seriously what is your malfunction?

from Hovey

I stated that I don't think what Texas is doing is a good idea, or right, or something like that. I then wrote that I understand what proponents in Texas are arguing....

"Yes, Trump did murder a million people. but I can understand his reasons for doing so".

Mealy-mouthed platitudes from someone too chicken-shit to actually take a stand on anything.