Political Randomness

[El Guapo]

I enjoyed this. Performed after Biden dropped out but before the election. I'll miss you, Joe Biden.

[Kraken]

Man, I've missed Trevor Noah since he left the Daily Show or the Nightly Show or whatever it was. That videogame bit at the end is great.

And yeah, I bought mirrored aviator sunglasses for a reason.

Sometimes I wonder if Biden could've beaten trump had it not been for that disastrous debate. The worse off night in history.

[El Guapo]

Sometimes I wonder if Biden could've beaten trump had it not been for that disastrous debate. The worse off night in history.

We'll never know, but it's pretty unlikely. He was way behind Trump before that debate (which obviously didn't help). I'm inclined to think that he would have closed the gap a bit as some Democrats who weren't crazy about him or had concerns about his age begrudgingly came around to voting for him over Trump, but odds are he would have done much worse than Harris.

[Pyperkub]

As an aside, Mike Braun won Governorship of Indiana, stepping in from the US Senate. He's a pure Trumpist, supported Trump's position that the 2020 election was rigged, supported Trump's tariffs, has worked hard to limit marriage to a man and woman, and... well, you get the idea. MAGA at the helm.

When one looks at Trump as a Feudal Lord, the wanna be vassals must pay homage.

[Isgrimnur]

Suspected Pentagon leaker was warned multiple times, prosecutors say

The court filing from justice department prosecutors on Wednesday alleged Mr Teixeira's superiors had flagged "concerning actions" around Mr Teixeira's handling of classified information.

Jack Teixeira sentenced to 15 years in prison for sharing military secrets online

Judge Indira Talwani noted the document leak happened after extensive training that covered the consequences for leaks and after Teixeira was warned about the way he handled classified material, according to WJAR.
...
He was able to access the documents because he held a top-secret security clearance since around July 2021 and had received training in the definition of classified information, classification levels and proper handling of the material, according to the indictment.

While the documents were discovered online in March 2023, Teixeira had been sharing them online for more than a year, prosecutors said.

[Unagi]

He'll be pardoned.

[Holman]

In hilarious news, The Onion has just acquired InfoWars.

For real.

[Isgrimnur]

That is an epic-level troll.

[LawBeefaroni]

In hilarious news, The Onion has just acquired InfoWars.

For real.

Jones has been shifting business and assets to "unrelated" entities for a while. He openly admits to it in a wink-wink way on his show all the time. I guess now that he's on rhe winning team, that'll be that.

[Skinypupy]

In hilarious news, The Onion has just acquired InfoWars.

For real.

Somehow not an Onion headline.

[LawBeefaroni]

It's probably a fitting metaphor now though. The alt-right "resistance" is now in power so "Info Wars" changes hands.

[stessier]

On first glance I read it as Infowars buying The Onion and was crushed. Much happier with reality in this case.

[Pyperkub]

Making Infowars Great (not really great again tho).

Maybe friends don't let friends watch infowars rules can be rescinded!

[Pyperkub]

The Māori effing rock!

https://bsky.app/profile/ziibiing.com/p ... w66jmgjk2n

More info:

New Zealand's parliament was brought to a temporary halt by MPs performing a haka, amid anger over a controversial bill seeking to reinterpret the country's founding treaty with Māori people.

Opposition party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke began the traditional ceremonial group dance after being asked whether her party supported the bill, which faced its first vote on Thursday....

...But Act - a minor party in the ruling centre-right coalition - say this has resulted in the country being divided by race, and the bill will allow the treaty to be interpreted more fairly through parliament, rather than the courts. The party's leader, David Seymour, has dismissed opponents as wanting to "stir up" fear and division.

Critics, however, say the legislation will divide the country and lead to the unravelling of much-needed support for many Māori.

given that it was written by the right wing party w/o consulting ANY Māori...

Meanwhile, the Waitangi Tribunal, which was set up in 1975 to investigate alleged breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, notes the bill "purposefully excluded any consultation with Māori, breaching the principle of partnership, the Crown’s good-faith obligations, and the Crown’s duty to actively protect Māori rights and interests".

It also said that the principles of the bill misinterpreted the Treaty of Waitangi and that this "caused significant prejudice to Māori".

The tabling of the Treaty Principles Bill comes following a series of measures introduced by the government that have affected Māori.

[msduncan]

[Punisher]

The Māori effing rock!

https://bsky.app/profile/ziibiing.com/p ... w66jmgjk2n

More info:

New Zealand's parliament was brought to a temporary halt by MPs performing a haka, amid anger over a controversial bill seeking to reinterpret the country's founding treaty with Māori people.

Opposition party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke began the traditional ceremonial group dance after being asked whether her party supported the bill, which faced its first vote on Thursday....

...But Act - a minor party in the ruling centre-right coalition - say this has resulted in the country being divided by race, and the bill will allow the treaty to be interpreted more fairly through parliament, rather than the courts. The party's leader, David Seymour, has dismissed opponents as wanting to "stir up" fear and division.

Critics, however, say the legislation will divide the country and lead to the unravelling of much-needed support for many Māori.

given that it was written by the right wing party w/o consulting ANY Māori...

Meanwhile, the Waitangi Tribunal, which was set up in 1975 to investigate alleged breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, notes the bill "purposefully excluded any consultation with Māori, breaching the principle of partnership, the Crown’s good-faith obligations, and the Crown’s duty to actively protect Māori rights and interests".

It also said that the principles of the bill misinterpreted the Treaty of Waitangi and that this "caused significant prejudice to Māori".

The tabling of the Treaty Principles Bill comes following a series of measures introduced by the government that have affected Māori.

I don't see a problem.
As history has shown, whenever decisions are made for other people's or races without consulting with them it always ends well for those people, right?

[Daehawk]

In hilarious news, The Onion has just acquired InfoWars.

For real.

I just came to post that...wow..I love it.

[Daehawk]

The Māori effing rock!

https://bsky.app/profile/ziibiing.com/p ... w66jmgjk2n

More info:

New Zealand's parliament was brought to a temporary halt by MPs performing a haka, amid anger over a controversial bill seeking to reinterpret the country's founding treaty with Māori people.

Opposition party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke began the traditional ceremonial group dance after being asked whether her party supported the bill, which faced its first vote on Thursday....

...But Act - a minor party in the ruling centre-right coalition - say this has resulted in the country being divided by race, and the bill will allow the treaty to be interpreted more fairly through parliament, rather than the courts. The party's leader, David Seymour, has dismissed opponents as wanting to "stir up" fear and division.

Critics, however, say the legislation will divide the country and lead to the unravelling of much-needed support for many Māori.

given that it was written by the right wing party w/o consulting ANY Māori...

Meanwhile, the Waitangi Tribunal, which was set up in 1975 to investigate alleged breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, notes the bill "purposefully excluded any consultation with Māori, breaching the principle of partnership, the Crown’s good-faith obligations, and the Crown’s duty to actively protect Māori rights and interests".

It also said that the principles of the bill misinterpreted the Treaty of Waitangi and that this "caused significant prejudice to Māori".

The tabling of the Treaty Principles Bill comes following a series of measures introduced by the government that have affected Māori.

Thats just not right man. I thought the US had a lock on being asshats and treating people unfairly.

[Isgrimnur]

We learned it from Mama Britannia

[Skinypupy]

Forced patriotism is best patriotism! It’s right up there with performative Christianity.



Fuck that guy.

[waitingtoconnect]

I was in the UK post Brexit, the nationalist lunatics were completely unhinged there too. What was disturbing was any questioning of their approach they labelled as treason ( even if it was by the grandson of Winston Churchill) and the mainstream just scoffed and said well they have a mandate.

I remember watching a mainstream channel where one lovely girl who was articulate and clearly outlined her argument was allowed to be steam rolled by some entitled a$$hole who said horrible sexist things and said none of what she was saying would come true because she was weak and cowardly. Everything she said would happen, happened. All while the interviewer was saying well it’s what the majority voted for.

Even to this day the excuse from the nationalists is that Britain was not hard core enough even though they got everything they wanted.

[GreenGoo]

Even to this day the excuse from the nationalists is that Britain was not hard core enough even though they got everything they wanted.

This is what is absolutely going to happen, and any faces eaten by leopards are because not enough people are supporting the leopards. It's a trivially simple tactic but it works because the people supporting the leopards eating faces party are trivially simple. This hasn't been about opposing politics for a long time. It's about being "right" at all costs. I love that msd calls himself a libertarian now. Hilarious.

When things start tanking it will be the left's fault and failed policies will be identified as not being hardcore enough so the hammer will come down harder. All the while, people will be cheering them on because positive results are just a matter of hurting the right people and there hasn't been enough pain yet.

There is no win here no matter what happens. The policies themselves are proven failures and any harm that comes from them, the blame will be foisted onto "the others".

I'm so tired of headlines like "possible conflict of interest as so and so is nominated to such and such". YOU FUCKING THINK?? POSSIBLE?? The country is about to be milked for all it's worth by organized corruption on a scale never before seen. Because the people willed it so.

See you on the other side.

[waitingtoconnect]

The Māori effing rock!

https://bsky.app/profile/ziibiing.com/p ... w66jmgjk2n

More info:

New Zealand's parliament was brought to a temporary halt by MPs performing a haka, amid anger over a controversial bill seeking to reinterpret the country's founding treaty with Māori people.

Opposition party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke began the traditional ceremonial group dance after being asked whether her party supported the bill, which faced its first vote on Thursday....

...But Act - a minor party in the ruling centre-right coalition - say this has resulted in the country being divided by race, and the bill will allow the treaty to be interpreted more fairly through parliament, rather than the courts. The party's leader, David Seymour, has dismissed opponents as wanting to "stir up" fear and division.

Critics, however, say the legislation will divide the country and lead to the unravelling of much-needed support for many Māori.

given that it was written by the right wing party w/o consulting ANY Māori...

Meanwhile, the Waitangi Tribunal, which was set up in 1975 to investigate alleged breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, notes the bill "purposefully excluded any consultation with Māori, breaching the principle of partnership, the Crown’s good-faith obligations, and the Crown’s duty to actively protect Māori rights and interests".

It also said that the principles of the bill misinterpreted the Treaty of Waitangi and that this "caused significant prejudice to Māori".

The tabling of the Treaty Principles Bill comes following a series of measures introduced by the government that have affected Māori.

Thats just not right man. I thought the US had a lock on being asshats and treating people unfairly.

New Zealanders aren’t all like Jacinta Adhern. Many are extremely conservative to the point of maga.

[Kraken]

In the course of performing archeology on some old boxes that moved with us, I uncovered my John Anderson for President pin.

[Holman]

In the course of performing archeology on some old boxes that moved with us, I uncovered my John Anderson for President pin.

So this is all your fault!

[Kraken]

In the course of performing archeology on some old boxes that moved with us, I uncovered my John Anderson for President pin.

So this is all your fault!

I have a very long history of voting for third-party and independent candidates. In fact, I didn't support any major party candidates between Mondale and Obama. I have long lived in blue states where I could vote my conscience without affecting anything. I'd forgotten all about Anderson until I found that button tonight, though.

[Holman]

Harrumph. I had suspicions that you were never Ride or Die for Dukakis.

[Kraken]

I will admit that I've considered registering as a Democrat since the GOP went irredeemably off the rails. I don't see myself voting for anything but Democrats from now on, but I do like to vote in Republican primaries. Democratic primaries are snoozefests in MA.

[hepcat]

Thats just not right man. I thought the US had a lock on being asshats and treating people unfairly.

Not in the least. I daresay that the environment that created Trump started well before he descended that escalator like a brain dead Zeus being pushed out of Olympus by the city council. Far right extremism has been on the rise for decades across the globe, I believe. Trump just latched onto it and gave it a uniquely American spin by adding a QVC sales component to it with his guitars, bibles, NFTs and now Trump girdles for men.

[ImLawBoy]

I will admit that I've considered registering as a Democrat since the GOP went irredeemably off the rails. I don't see myself voting for anything but Democrats from now on, but I do like to vote in Republican primaries. Democratic primaries are snoozefests in MA.

In areas that are solid for one party or the other, the primary is where you can actually make a difference. Around here, it doesn't matter who the Rs are running against each other in the primary, because an R isn't going to win the general. The D primary is where my vote might actually have an impact on who is representing me.

[Holman]

I will admit that I've considered registering as a Democrat since the GOP went irredeemably off the rails. I don't see myself voting for anything but Democrats from now on, but I do like to vote in Republican primaries. Democratic primaries are snoozefests in MA.

In areas that are solid for one party or the other, the primary is where you can actually make a difference. Around here, it doesn't matter who the Rs are running against each other in the primary, because an R isn't going to win the general. The D primary is where my vote might actually have an impact on who is representing me.

Yep. In Philadelphia the Dem primary is effectively the mayoral race.

[Kraken]

I will admit that I've considered registering as a Democrat since the GOP went irredeemably off the rails. I don't see myself voting for anything but Democrats from now on, but I do like to vote in Republican primaries. Democratic primaries are snoozefests in MA.

In areas that are solid for one party or the other, the primary is where you can actually make a difference. Around here, it doesn't matter who the Rs are running against each other in the primary, because an R isn't going to win the general. The D primary is where my vote might actually have an impact on who is representing me.

Yep. In Philadelphia the Dem primary is effectively the mayoral race.

Likewise here; most incumbents are unopposed, so you're mostly just rubberstamping them. The state GOP has almost zero power and can't even field candidates for many offices, but there's constant competition between MAGAts and not-MAGAts. MAGA virtually always loses in the general election, so the choice is between backing an opponent that you want easily defeated, or choosing one who might have a chance. Which way I lean is case-by-case, but in general I vote to strengthen their non-MAGA wing.

[LordMortis]

I will admit that I've considered registering as a Democrat since the GOP went irredeemably off the rails. I don't see myself voting for anything but Democrats from now on, but I do like to vote in Republican primaries. Democratic primaries are snoozefests in MA.

In areas that are solid for one party or the other, the primary is where you can actually make a difference. Around here, it doesn't matter who the Rs are running against each other in the primary, because an R isn't going to win the general. The D primary is where my vote might actually have an impact on who is representing me.

That's been my philosophy for over a decade. Not because the area is overly blue but because I have become overly blue even as I am not a democrat. I want to best influence the blue candidate I will be forced to voting for. And honestly, if my blue fed house of rep doesn't have a primary challenger, I will sit out voting for her, in the general, because she needs to go. She found a line on me always caucusing with the democrats that I didn't even think I had and left it far in the distance.

[Max Peck]

Interesting times in South Korea...

South Korean president declares martial law, accusing opposition of anti-state activity

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law Tuesday vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces as he struggles against an opposition that controls the country’s parliament and which he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea.

The surprising move harkens back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and was immediately denounced by the opposition and by the leader of Yoon’s own conservative party.

Following Yoon’s announcement, South Korea’s military proclaimed that parliament and other political gatherings that could cause “social confusion” would be suspended, according to the government-funded Yonhap news agency.

The military also said that the country’s striking doctors should return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap said. Thousands of doctors have been striking for months over government plans to expand the number of students at medical schools.

It wasn’t immediately clear how long Yoon’s martial law declaration could stand. Under South Korean law, martial law can be lifted with a majority vote in the parliament, where the opposition Democratic Party holds a majority. TV footage showed police officers blocking the entrance of the National Assembly.

[Holman]

Interesting times in South Korea...

South Korean president declares martial law, accusing opposition of anti-state activity

It's a weird move since the parliament can simply vote to lift martial law, and the party the president is acting against has a majority.

In fact they just voted to lift it 190-0, meaning the president's own party refused to support him.

EDIT: Now the military is apparently saying that martial law remains in place. Is this a coup or just a muddled mess?

[Isgrimnur]

¿Porque no los dos?

[AWS260]

Interesting times in South Korea...

South Korean president declares martial law, accusing opposition of anti-state activity

Oh, it's nice to get a preview of where American democracy is headed.

[Max Peck]

Yeah, when I initially posted the article it seemed as though the military and police were backing the move and would prevent parliament from gathering to vote down the martial law measure. It didn't play out that way, so I guess we'll see how it goes. I have to think that if Yoon doesn't have the backing of the military, his goose is cooked.

BBC live reporting stream.

[Max Peck]

Interesting times in South Korea...

South Korean president declares martial law, accusing opposition of anti-state activity

Oh, it's nice to get a preview of where American democracy is headed.

Not even close. Congress would never countermand anything Trump does.

[Max Peck]

In fact they just voted to lift it 190-0, meaning the president's own party refused to support him.

Possibly? They held the vote with the 190 members of the National Assembly present, out of a total of 300. Coincidentally, the National Assembly is made up of 192 opposition members and 108 members of the president's party. I haven't seen a break-down of who actually showed up, but it is theoretically possible that nobody from his own party turned up for the vote. Politically, it might be less risky for them to boycott the vote than it would be to show up, vote to overthrow democracy, then lose anyway because they can't command a majority.