Rant of the day

With today's politics it would be like blowing up fish in a barrel, whichever end of the spectrum you're on.

 

I can't disagree with what you are saying here, and I think most people on this forum could disagree with each other and still go out for a drink and have fun at it. Of course, it would be mask wearers on one side of the room and non-mask wearers on the other.

Sometimes, based on it's all too often occurrence, I do get a little wound up about the hate projected about people for no reason (rather it's President Trump or Elton John, it doesn't matter). We should just all ask, what has this guy done to me? The answer is usually nothing, it's just hate for the sake of hate and sadly there isn't much some people will not do to foment it.

All that said, my apologies if I came across a little brash about the tactics some people use. It is true, as we agree, but it isn't your fault or mine. (insert "cheers" emoji here)

 

Ha! You're right about the masks! "Well we'll just all sit here and see who dies first then, shall we?!" The world's gone mad.

I completely agree - it is really easy to get wound up about stuff. I try to avoid falling in to the trap as well, not always successfully. It's the relentlessness of the divisiveness that wears us down, I think.

Anyway, first beers on me if I find myself in New Mexico.

 

I have to say that I do find it odd that so many non Americans on this side of the pond feel that it is valid to have a go at the leadership of the USA. No-one seems to have the same venom for the President of Nigeria or Mongolia or Whateveria. Personally, as someone who may be distantly related to the Pres of the USA I feel the hackles rise a little when folks start slagging him (In my family tree I am distantly related to an American family called the 'Trump-Fontaineau's' and I am also a MacDonald on my mother's side - His mother was a MacDonald from the Isle of Lewis). As a Brit who has very little to do with the USA and knows nothing of life in America I don't see it as any of my business or right to have any influence over who is President.

 

Having been involved in organising a few things with scouts and other similar groups I agree that is exactly what some people do. Parents who take advantage and are awkward or unhelpful really grind my gears.

On the other hand, I did organise an event with an Air Cadets squadron and cannot remember meeting a more disciplined and respectful bunch of kids.

 

I think it depends on what the comments are. It's undeniable that the US President is an influentual person (whoever is in office) for us in the UK. The tone and political agenda set by him/her (I know...pronouns) can affect the relationship we have on matters such as security, trade, defence etc. I'm not advocating 'having a go' but I don't see anything wrong with informed, reasoned disagreement. Or agreement, for that matter. Not that we see much of either, sadly.
Our country is heavily tied to the US culturally, and they are a superpower, so it's understandable that more press inches are spent on their political landscape than (say) Nigeria's. Trump is a particularly divisive character and polarised opinions are usually vociferous, whether for or against. However, the "you're either for us or against us" that divisiveness fosters is dangerous in my view. You only have to watch the news to see the consequences. I hope society backs down from it at some point.
I'm not related to anyone in the US (that I know of) but I do have friends there, both UK ex-pats and Americans. How their lives are affected, by any aspect of their society, matters to me in that respect. Notably, their country is a bastion of the right to freedom of speech. I believe it's one of their noblest tenets. Surely if they believe in it for themselves, they believe in it for all.

 

You were right, @JtC. The quote I attributed to Trump was incorrect for which I apologize. I don't take quoting someone lightly so looked for what he did say in that particular speech. Trump didn't say that COVID would "magically go away". His exact words were "one day it's like a miracle it will disappear" which is in this video at :27.



Actually, the whole video is a stunning time lapse view of COVID in the U.S. It was produced by The Lincoln Project.

https://lincolnproject.us/team/

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/17/opinion/lincoln-project.html?login=email&auth=login-email

 

The weird thing is that I have distant family and many friends throughout America and they are all in favour of Trump and seem to think that the country is better than it was under Obama and yet the impression you would get from the press is that Trump is a lunatic who no-one supports and who was only elected with skullduggery from the Russki's.

I have to say that, culturally, apart from commonality of language and the fact that we tend to depend on Hollywood for much of our entertainment, we have a lot less in common with the USA than we think. Even on the trade side of things I can look around my house and find very very few things made in America (possibly only some Zippo's, my Rockabilly music collection and a couple of old Fender Strats). My car is French/Japanese, my bikes are British and Thai, the rest of my guitars and Banjo's are from China, Korea and Vietnam and virtually everything else is probably from China. I've never owned a Ford or a Harley and I've only ever worked for one American company. I actually avoid buying anything from America online because of the import duties and shipping levied where stuff from China and Europe can be had for peanuts.

 

I understand what you are saying Marty but don't forget we are in America's pocket for such things like Defence, check out all the latest contracts for equipment we are talking big money

 

Anyway, first beers on me if I find myself in New Mexico.

Sadly, many here fight against freedom of speech. Well, for those who do not agree with them, anyway.

 

No apology needed, Sandi! It's just debate.

That is political rhetoric and what he means by it is that the democrats are using Covid as a political tool and if they win in November it will be of no use to them any longer so it will suddenly not be such a big deal. Rather that is true or not is a different debate. I guess we'll look back from the future and see.

It doesn't make President Trump untrustworthy which is what it seemed to me you meant when you typed something like, "at least Fauci didn't say . . ." after I posted that Fauci is not to be trusted -which is grounded in fact.

Anyway, one of my points is that context is crucial.

 

Judging by the damage you’ve just done to yourself with a relatively harmless bus, is it wise going straight for the Iroquois attack copter? Might it be sensible to transition via an interim weapon like one of these?

 

Who’s Don?

 

Yeah but looks a bit Brokeback to me

 

Riding a horse is probably not a good idea in your current condition mate

 

Indeed, and you'd expect the US to be the last place that happens. It underpins so many other rights and considerations across the one nation. It has to be a fight for everyone's right. I think it appeals to me particularly because it feels morally correct and is, at the same time,apolitcal. Or it should be.

 

And don't forget your avatar, which is also an American idol.

 

I prefer the good old Apache attack helicopters, Duck. Still would be extremely deadly.

 

Never mind helicopters Duck, what you need is:

 

The smell of napalm upgraded to the smell of DU?