I don't give a fuck about Cuba and figured relations would warm when Castro was out.
As for the racism bullshit, you'll find it 100% of the time if you're always looking for it. How many white people are handed car keys if they're standing by the valet station? I'll bet it's a lot more than black people want to admit.
I don't understand why I'm supposed to be concerned about Obama being tossed some car keys when black people kill far more white people each year than white people kill black people.
Oh sorry, I forgot it's racist to point actual stats like that out.
The second Obama term
I think it's probably too soon still. One more generation and everyone that was there during the revolution would be dead. It was a very brutal time for them. Then we invite them here and offer them a home and offer them the American dream and they take us at our word and do very well for themselves here. These are the sort of immigrants we want.GORDON wrote:I actually remember the cold war, but I never cared about Cuba. US policy regarding them always seemed unduly harsh, to me.Troy wrote:Also, I'm way too young to feel the ill will towards Cuba that older generations and their representatives feel.
I just want another place I can visit in the Caribbean. Sign me up for some tourism dollars and a mojito.
As far as the oil, from what I'm reading and hearing it the Saudis that have more to do with that than anyone. They are bucking OPEC and keeping production up in order to drive down prices. OPEC as a whole did that to the US back in the 80's and pretty much killed off domestic drilling here. It is suspected that the Saudis are doing it this time around to target Russia because of the nuclear (and other) aid they are giving Iran. If they knock out our fracking industry, that's just a happy byproduct for them.
"... and then I was forced to walk the Trail of Tears." - Elizabeth Warren
If they knock out our fracking industry, that's just a happy byproduct for them.
We got all the infrastructure in place now. That cost is paid and done. I don't see it being disassembled or allowed to deteriorate any time soon. Even if we need to drop out for a bit, soon as the price goes up we can turn the faucet back on.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Putin thinks I'm on to something. Saudi Arabia says no.TheCatt wrote:Part of me wants to believe that Obama is behind this awesome collapse of Russia and oil prices, somehow collaborating with OPEC to ruin Russia.
If that's true, then I can finally give Obama some credit for something. And if it's not true, well, no shock.
Saudi Arabia also says it will keep producing lots of oil, so that's good news.
It's not me, it's someone else.
Putin states his theory like the dudes on all the History Channel shows now.
"Is is possible that it could've been aliens?"
Yeah, it could also be aliens.
Edited By Malcolm on 1419270629
"Is is possible that it could've been aliens?"
Could it be the agreement between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to punish Iran and affect the economies of Russia and Venezuela? It could...
Yeah, it could also be aliens.
Edited By Malcolm on 1419270629
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Obama more full of shit than a communal latrine.
13 years and a billion dollars for a place that's going to go down the same toilet as Iraq. Sounds like anything but victory or safety. Also, check your fucking dates. Just come the fuck on.
Edited By Malcolm on 1419705157
“We are safer. It’s not going to be a source of terrorist attacks again.”
Thirteen years and $1 trillion later, the U.S. is preparing to pull the vast majority of its combat troops out of Afghanistan by year’s end, as the U.S. and its partners seek to turn the page on a bloody chapter that started the day that al Qaeda militants struck American soil on Sept. 11, 2011.
13 years and a billion dollars for a place that's going to go down the same toilet as Iraq. Sounds like anything but victory or safety. Also, check your fucking dates. Just come the fuck on.
Edited By Malcolm on 1419705157
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Obama: you ain't getting shit through until I leave. Oh, and fuck your wedding.
Got to fucking halt everything when the American king rolls out.
It wasn't the first time Obama's plans interfered with a wedding this year. In October, a bride was late to her wedding in Chicago thanks to stalled traffic from the president's motorcade.
Got to fucking halt everything when the American king rolls out.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Today in the doublethink news...
More sanctions on North Korea. I've heard this song before, but wait, do I detect a slightly different melody?
That runs directly against what most non-governmental computer security nerds say. But hey, let's trust the feds because they've got a full staff of the best available personnel, sort of. See, they're hiring.
Hear that? The FBI is looking for physically fit computer security specialists in their mid 20s to 30s who are interested making a fraction of what they could in the private sector. I have to wonder who's signing up, then a chill goes down my spine.
Edited By Malcolm on 1420257383
More sanctions on North Korea. I've heard this song before, but wait, do I detect a slightly different melody?
North Korea was hit with more U.S. sanctions on Friday in response to what Washington said was its role in a cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment, the White House said on Friday.
That runs directly against what most non-governmental computer security nerds say. But hey, let's trust the feds because they've got a full staff of the best available personnel, sort of. See, they're hiring.
In addition to the standard age (23-36), fitness and background check requirements, cyber agent candidates must also have "a wealth of experience in computers and technology." That encompasses everything from computer programming to what the FBI describes as "ethical hacking." Applications are being accepted through Jan. 20. New hires can expect a starting salary in the range of $59,000-$76,500.
Hear that? The FBI is looking for physically fit computer security specialists in their mid 20s to 30s who are interested making a fraction of what they could in the private sector. I have to wonder who's signing up, then a chill goes down my spine.
Edited By Malcolm on 1420257383
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Hahahahaha. Feds pissed about federal regulations. Karma, motherfuckers. A reminder that you occasionally swing and miss so hard that the bat comes around and nails you.
Hilarious. Unless you're a brown dude working for the FBI.
The F.B.I. is subjecting hundreds of its employees who were born overseas or have relatives or friends there to an aggressive internal surveillance program that started after Sept. 11, 2001, to prevent foreign spies from coercing newly hired linguists but that has been greatly expanded since then.
...
Some of these employees, including Middle Eastern and Asian personnel who have been hired to fill crucial intelligence and counterterrorism needs, say they are being penalized for possessing the very skills and background that got them hired.
Hilarious. Unless you're a brown dude working for the FBI.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Evil bitch retires.
She'll probably get replaced by someone just as clueless.
California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, a tenacious liberal whose election to the Senate in 1992 heralded a new era for women at the upper reaches of political power, announced Thursday she will not seek re-election to a new term next year.
She'll probably get replaced by someone just as clueless.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Obama proposes tax increases on the rich.
I think the 15% is a mistake in the article. I believe it's actually 20%, plus the 3.8% for the Obama tax. So this would make it 28+3.8% for those making above 500k.
I have no problem with that tax raise, per se. But I would appreciate it if they would use it to reduce the deficit, rather than
Senior White House officials say President Obama will use his state of the union to float several new economic ideas, including tax hikes on capital gains and wealthy inheritances, and new fees on the largest financial firms to pay for more middle class-friendly tax credits and cuts.
The price tag to the wealthiest Americans and those large financial institutions? According to senior White House officials it could be $320 billion over 10 years.
The president will propose raising the capital gains rate to 28 percent, up from 15 percent, which is the maximum most taxpayers pay now.
The president will also call for closing what the officials called "the single biggest loophole in our tax system today: ... the trust fund loophole," which allows portfolios and estates that increase in value to evade certain taxes when passed on to heirs.
What Obama's Proposed Cyber Safeguards Mean for You
Obama Vows to Veto New Iran Sanctions
Obama Sanctions North Korea After Sony Cyberattack
The officials said "hundreds of billions of dollars of capital gains every year go untaxed entirely."
Closing that loophole will mean "every American, even the wealthiest ones, actually pay taxes on the gains," the officials said, adding that 99 percent of the impact of this action would affect only the top 1 percent of taxpayers.
The new proposal would also protect middle class taxpayers by adding exemptions for heirlooms and bequests under $200,000 for couples and property with value under $500,000 for couples.
I think the 15% is a mistake in the article. I believe it's actually 20%, plus the 3.8% for the Obama tax. So this would make it 28+3.8% for those making above 500k.
I have no problem with that tax raise, per se. But I would appreciate it if they would use it to reduce the deficit, rather than
The revenue generated by those changes would fund new tax credits and other cost-saving measures for middle-class taxpayers, officials said.
It's not me, it's someone else.
Or they move to a cheaper place.GORDON wrote:The "rich" already use shelters and loopholes and stuff to hide a good chunk of their money anyway, don't they?
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
State of the Union. I can't stand watching these, but here's my take on what I'm reading:
Taxes: Go ahead and raise taxes on the rich.
Tax breaks: No. Keep the money from the taxes, and work off the deficit.
Cybersecurity: Yes, maybe - depends on details.
Cuba: I find it hard to care, personally, but the people who were screwed by Cuba have a legit gripe.
Iran - Not a fan of his approach.
Free trade - Yes, please.
Internet access (overriding rules against municipal broadband): Hell yes.
Taxes: Go ahead and raise taxes on the rich.
Tax breaks: No. Keep the money from the taxes, and work off the deficit.
Cybersecurity: Yes, maybe - depends on details.
Cuba: I find it hard to care, personally, but the people who were screwed by Cuba have a legit gripe.
Iran - Not a fan of his approach.
Free trade - Yes, please.
Internet access (overriding rules against municipal broadband): Hell yes.
It's not me, it's someone else.
That'll only start to happen when we stop spending more than we're taking in. Don't see that happening ever again until the dollar collapses.TheCatt wrote:Tax breaks: No. Keep the money from the taxes, and work off the deficit.
"... and then I was forced to walk the Trail of Tears." - Elizabeth Warren
Obama proposes curbing 529s
Hell no. Don't change the rules on me after I've already put $ in there.
Hell no. Don't change the rules on me after I've already put $ in there.
It's not me, it's someone else.