Posts by JamesB

Quote from WOLF

Many self proclaimed "freedom choosing" Americans are very much fighting against freedom of the press. To them, any press outlet that says anything bad about Trump is a fake, hoax, deep state conspiracy promoter that should be shutdown. They openly call for the end to most free press. Heck, they are now starting to call FOX News fake.

Why?

Trump loyalty. Trump told them to, so they do.

It makes total sense to them that every single media outlet is fake rather than one person being flawed.

Many of these same people consider the U.S. Constitution to be a very strict guide set up by our nation's creators, that should be left alone. Except when posed with changing it a little to give Trump a third term. Then they are ok with altering it a little, " for the betterment of the country".

These same "patriots" your we need fair elections, but are ok with voter suppression, gerrymandering of districts as long as it is their party doing it. They are also ok with Trump telling North Carolinians to vote twice, "to test the system"(If you think it will work, volunteer at your local polling station, it won't)

Makes me wonder what they truly consider "freedom".

Do they Consider Russia "free"

Russia has Pro Putin "freedom" of the press.

Russia has "free elections"

I will be looking into Putin's first term.

I wonder if he had a nationalist platform.

I wonder if he bashed the "fake news".

I wonder if he created a more stark party divide.

I wonder if he pulled away from ally countries.

Trump was praising dictators when running for President. He continues to defend Putin on everything(why?). Trump has created a questioning of every U.S. intelligence agency(why?). Trump has removed us from, is removing us from or wants to remove of from almost every international coalition(why?). He bashes almost all our allies, while praising dictators(why?). He seems to be getting dictator advise and a "how to guide" from his pal Putin. It is very suspect and the reason I will be looking into Putin's first term(s) to look for similarities.

I love this country, served this country and always vote for the country over my own enrichment.

Yes, there are socialist on the left. Biden isn't one and is too old and set in his ways to change on that.

Trump might not be a national dictator in training, though he ran his businesses that way. I just implore all freedom loving American Patriots to honestly look for the "why?" in regards to all Trumps questionable activity. P.S. like most in Washington you won't get the real answer from him or his allies.

Trump counts on you believing every Republican that backs Biden is , "Deep State, part of the establishment that he shook up or Never Trumpers". I personally don't remember seeing sooo many people from any party going against their own candidate.

Is it that they simply don't like Trump or that they see and question the same threats to our democracy?

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It's kind of ironic that so much of your post is supported by the very same fake news you claim Trump supporters decry. The MSM in the US has begun parroting DNC talking points. You can see it every time a new talking point is released. Every talking head repeating the exact same phrases. Remember "nobody is above the law", "Russian Collusion", how about "mostly peaceful protests". I am sure it's just coincidence.

Also ironic that Obama and Hillary (and Joe for that matter) make a big deal about talking tough to dictators, but in the end appease them. If Trump is "praising dictators" as you say, at least he deals harshly with them. He is responsible most actions taken against Russia, North Korea, Iran, and others. Not empty threats, not tough talk about red lines, but real actions.

Sorry from my perspective the press has been free but also corrupt. Calling them out on it is the purest form of freedom of speech.

And a welcome rest at the Banff Springs hotel.

Roger's Pass, with a couple artillery pieces in the background. I did avalanche control with these (type guns) back in the distant past.

Even a couple ferry rides along the way. By the way Hwy 6 from Vernon to Needles was an absolutely amazing ride. Plenty of turns, hills and great quality roads.

Beautiful Nakusp

On our way west. Site of the Frank landslide.

Quote from Edward Neal

Virtually all of our gas stations around here are self serve - with very few exceptions people pump their own gas. I have never seen any hand sanitizer at any pump in any station and until just now reading your question I never even thought about the need for it.

Just pour a little gas on your hands....

We keep a small bottle in the vehicle (sanitizer) for just such events.

Quote from billythekidd

Of course I do... apparently the similarity between Live free or Die and Life free or Die hard was missed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_Free_or_Die

Quote from openair

When did Texas and Florida turn blue?

rates not absolute numbers although NY and NJ managed to top both.

Quote from billythekidd

Yes, I was talking about the Peak picture that James B posted. I could not remember that peak. Lake Louise is a beautiful place. That morning I took that picture was during a couple of minutes when there was little or no wind.... beautiful reflection.

Mt Fairview. We hiked up to the glacier too.

Quote from SoCal

JamesB Wow that’s beautiful! Where is it?

Lake Louise in Banff national park.

Could not make it down south this year, but hopefully we can next year. Still not really suffering.

Quote from billythekidd

Funny you should say that... Czechia (formerly the Czech Republic) which has required masks since April as 33 deaths per 1 million people. Germany which does not require masks on a national basis has 109 deaths per million. Is it the face coverings or just that the Czech's are more healthy... Those two countries are neighbors.... There are examples of this all over the world. Like Poland... with about 37 million people have the same number of cases as the State of Colorado with 5 million people... Oh well... Wear one or don't no sweat off of my back... Just please be sure you do not inadvertently move this thing to someone who may not be so lucky.

As with most comparisons there are likely many other factors involved. Here in Canada Quebec with a population of 8 million had 5,650 deaths, New Brunswick population 780,000 and it's neighbour had 2. Both provinces followed similar lock down procedures.

South Dakota didn't even lock down, New York arguably did.

If everyone wore a mask for 2 weeks, very little would change anywhere. As I keep trying to point out, masks serve as a virtue signal only IF they are not worn properly and I see very few people doing things properly. Every time a see a group of people at least 1/3 have the mask over mouth only. Almost every mask wearer I observe repeatedly touches their mask but then does not sanitize their hand before touching other objects. If spittle can transmit the virus, masks are loaded with it as are the hands that touch them. And finally, masks need to be discarded properly, not dropped in parking lots or floors.

Quote from wjfyfe

If I were to find out that I have possibly transmitted the virus to somebody in a situation where I was not wearing a mask, and died, I would be devastated. But then, I guess this is just showing my personal weakness, they still probably would have caught it from somebody else, right?

Oh, and talking with one of my patients yesterday where she shared that most of the employees where she worked got together and decided to voluntarily all wear a mask, that is, all but two. Well, one of those two became ill with the virus and then everybody in the office was checked. Only one other person checked positive!

Bill

My estimate is that about 30% of those with masks on, are not wearing them properly (not over nose). And likely 90% (maybe more) continually touch their masks without disinfecting their hands immediately. It defeats the entire purpose of capturing your spittle if you subsequently handle it and touch objects that others can touch.

It's nice to assume that wearing your mask protects everyone you come in contact with, but the fact remains that you can still transmit the virus, and you defeat much of the benefit of the mask if you touch it without sanitizing your hand immediately afterwards.

Quote from Edward Neal

you do know that the point of covering you face is to restrict the droplets of moisture that come out of your own nose and mouth - right? - - its there to try to keep your sneezes and coughs from shooting across the room so that 6 feet is enough to keep others safe from the person wearing the face covering

they dont want you to cover your face to protect yourself - - they have made that very clear - - around here they have even said the self protecting type of coverings should only be worn by medical personal and first responders so that there are enough

The problem is that there is a proper protocol to wearing masks and discarding them. I am concerned that the improper methods being used are making things worse because people FEEL they are safer and protecting others. It seems like almost every talking head has to adjust or remove their mask (moist with bacteria/viruses) on camera. Then they immediately touch the podium, microphone or paperwork. This sets an incorrect example for viewers. Everyone should immediately wash or disinfect their hands after touching their mask! Everytime I watch mask wearers in a crowd a large percentage have them under their chin or only over their mouth.Wearing it incorrectly defeats the purpose and when they touch it to adjust it, they have contaminated their hands. If they touch anything it is just like they are coughing on whatever they touch, and now there are other contaminated objects that can potentially make others ill. Add to that the current craze of dumping used masks on the ground or floor where children and pets can play with them and I am not sure anyone is safer.

I will also add that constant wearing of masks does indeed increase the chances of lung infections, and breathing disorders. So wearers need to ensure that they are not making themselves sick following poorly thought out guidelines.

It's not so much corporate greed as political corruption and and incompetence. Capitalism only works if everyone plays by the rules. China does not yet for some reason the US and Canada give them preferential treatment on trade.

Quote from Bigdog

I’m talking about the shitholes we ship all our manufacturing to for wages that are pennies on the dollar .....with forced child labor. How good are their benefits....

that’s our middle class jobs....are the “stockholders” pleased with themselves for perpetuating that?

Our country also needs people to make money and have good jobs, that keeps our economy going......are the stockholders worried about American workers.

The baby boomers built this country. Because they got married had good jobs, had kids, bought houses and cars. Had pensions they could count on because they were loyal to the company and the companies were Loyal to the workers.

Today because of the stock holders the employees are expendable at any moment to preserve their profits. Are they ok with wrecking people’s lives...

capitalism works but it also sucks...corporate greed needs to stop. Workers need to be a valuable commodity again. Respected and have good benefits. Not on a tightrope that could be cut any second by some bean counter that gets a percentage of the money they save by costing somebody their job.

CEOs that make millions because they cut the workforce is not a good thing.

stockholders made money before the corporate greed model took over. Before the middle class was sold to the lowest bidder...

corporate greed never was and never will be a good. There is more to life than just worrying about me...me...me...

depending on China for our medications is a disaster waiting to happen...which just did. Losing our heavy manufacturing to India and China is a disaster waiting to happen...which already did.

we don’t have much of an economy if our population can’t make a decent wage....we need people making money and spending money....not worrying about missing a day of work.

that’s capitalism....not just corporate greed.

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I think you have an issue with the current brand of globalism not capitalism. Western countries have abundant workplace safety regulations, fair compensation, and great environmental protection laws. We then compete against third world economies which have none of these. Our governments have sold us out and provide free access of products that should be heavily taxed to equalize the playing field. That is not capitalism. It only become capitalist if all the players play by the same rules. China is not a capitalist country, so how can we compete?

Wait, you say this is outside Toronto, so shouldn't you be blaming Canada?

This is my entry

Quote from WOLF

The saddest thing is actually that half the country didn't care if he was guilty of not and relied on pundits to form "their own opinion".

Anyone that understands how conversations work and listened to the witnesses, would easily see what happened here. People with their head in the sand will continue to beat the, "The perfect call...the whistleblower..." drum. It is akin to arguing that in a murder case everything should hinge on the person that called 911 and reported hearing gun shots. The testimonies went well beyond the whistle blower and the "perfect phone call"( where much like Trump told many witnesses, he told the President of Ukraine to, "talk to Rudy"). Based on at least three direct witnesses, Rudy pressed for the quid pro quo. About 10 witnesses acknowledged they heard of or knew about back channel talks that involved Rudy. Not hard to draw that line back to Trump.

Trumps defense shifted as the evidence piled up.

It went from, "perfect phone call, no there there" to "He can do it because he thought him being President is best for the betterment of the country and his job is to work for the betterment of the country".

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Even more sad that there are people that think asking someone to investigate corruption is wrong because it might personally benefit someone. By that standard every DA is suspect. Furthermore every trade deal, tax break, and policy change he makes that improves the economy, benefits him personally as it makes him more electable. How anyone can expect any President to live up to this strange standard is mind boggling.

There was nothing wrong with the phone call, AND Trump had every right and responsibility to ensure corruption is rooted out. By the way, defense lawyers often offer multiple defenses, I have seen quite a few cases where one defense was offered followed by an "or in the alternative".

Quote from WOLF

On the Impeachment subject:

Facts:

Trump is guilty of "Abuse of Power"

Trump was NOT exonerated.

The House Dems proved their case and had sufficient evidence despite Trump's blocking of info.

Romney is not "smarter" than the other Republican senators as Bill Martin inferred. He only held to his oath, unlike the others.

Several Republican Senators said publicly that the House proved their case, as a defense for not needing more witnesses or documents.

Rubio said, "It was impeachable, but i couldn't vote to impeach in this partisan impeachment". WOW! You're a Republican, it isn't partisan if you vote on the facts and your conclusion, plus...Romney.

Another Republican Senator said the House proved it's case, but he would acquit Trump because he would rather have Trump than Warren. Against his oath, but honest. I believe this is where most non-implicated Republican Senators fell.

One of Trumps lawyers publicly stated he will not vote for Trump again because he believes that Trump is guilty.

Contrary to Trump's defense and many House and Senate Republicans, " The most dangerous precedent this impeachment sets is that impeachments will be used more often to get rid of a President simply because you don't like him", is not the most dangerous precedent.

Trumps defense argued that, "A president can do whatever he wants if they think it is for the betterment of the country. President Trump believes that him being President is for the betterment of the country. Therefore what he did is legal". <THAT is the most dangerous precedence that was set because of this impeachment trial and the Republicans acquittal of President Trump.

I would have voted exactly how Romney did. I too would have acquitted Trump on the " Obstruction of Congress". Both sides made good arguments for and against. Based on the arguments I couldn't figure out from a legal standpoint whether the House or Trump was at fault for the lack of those extra witnesses and documents.

It sure didn't take many of you long to mimic all the Republican pundit's talking points on Romney. I have always liked Romney. If you venture on The Dark Side's "politics suck" thread, you will see where I say that the Romney v Obama election was the toughest for me because I liked them both a lot. I am happy a fellow Mormon (I was raised Mormon) stayed true to his oath, faith and country. It was not a typical political move as he will never get the Republican nomination again, he is in a Republican state and Trump and his base will spread all manner of lies and insults about him. It was a faith based decision as he stated. He is Mormon in a Mormon state and Mormon's don't take kindly to those that turn a blind eye or good men that do nothing.

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As pointed out above, you have not accurately reflected what transpired or what people actually said or did. However I can't help but think that Trump (not a professional politician) is being held to a standard that the previous administration was not. For example if you feel his phone call was inappropriate and criminal in nature, how can you fault him for thinking it would be acceptable after witnessing Biden publicly boast of with holding aid to obtain a desired result? What about the previous administration working together with Russia, Ukraine, UK and Italy to undermine the election and illegally investigate the newly elected president? Surely that would have given Trump the impression that this sort of thing was normal in Washington?