Election Thread 2024

[Hydra009]

State department disrupts Russian bot farm being used to manipulate American voters and meddle in our election

two internet domains and searched nearly 1,000 social media accounts that Russian operatives allegedly used to pose as US residents to spread disinformation in the US and abroad.

The elaborate scheme was organized by an employee of RT, the Russian state-owned media outlet, financed by the Kremlin, and aided an officer of Russia's FSB intelligence, the Justice Department alleged.

[Hydra009]

Even real news can be made into fake news

[Unbeliever]

That really chaps my hide! 😠

[SGOS]

There has been much focus on Biden blaming the party elites for the faltering confidence in his leadership. But his idea of the elite is not the same as everyone else's. In my opinion, George Clooney is not part of the elite. Big donors are not part of the elite. But there is an elite within the inner Democratic Party. It includes congressmen, who privately say they want Biden to step down, but are afraid they will be pushed out of the club if they say that out loud. There are also un-elected officials.

The elite have kept Biden's failing mental acuity hidden from view, and now that everyone has had an opportunity to see it, they are arguing that it doesn't matter. If Biden steps down, they will want to appoint his successor, arguing that they don't want to start in fighting in the party, while assuming all the power to select a candidate themselves.

What can we do? Given my invisibility, I don't have a clue.

[Cassia]

There has been much focus on Biden blaming the party elites for the faltering confidence in his leadership. But his idea of the elite is not the same as everyone else's. In my opinion, George Clooney is not part of the elite. Big donors are not part of the elite. But there is an elite within the inner Democratic Party. It includes congressmen, who privately say they want Biden to step down, but are afraid they will be pushed out of the club if they say that out loud. There are also un-elected officials.

The elite have kept Biden's failing mental acuity hidden from view, and now that everyone has had an opportunity to see it, they are arguing that it doesn't matter. If Biden steps down, they will want to appoint his successor, arguing that they don't want to start in fighting in the party, while assuming all the power to select a candidate themselves.

What can we do? Given my invisibility, I don't have a clue.

I don't exactly see it that way. The elite are the international corporations and large private companies who can afford to buy the change they want to see. Biden wants to tax them as they were back in the day, before they ran the country. The choice is a no brainer.

[SGOS]

I don't exactly see it that way. The elite are the international corporations and large private companies who can afford to buy the change they want to see. Biden wants to tax them as they were back in the day, before they ran the country. The choice is a no brainer.

It can be construed your way too, but Biden (I think) is referring to those who oppose him. Sure there are elites by any definition that are asking him to pass the torch, and that includes a lot of little people, the group that I align myself with. But my definition of elite is a much smaller inner party, who at the moment seems frozen in the headlights, even though they surely understand Biden's condition, but are afraid or dragging their feet.

I also want to make it clear that I like Biden. He has done better than expected in my opinion. I thank him for his service, but he now threatens the party's life at the worst possible time.

[Cassia]

It can be construed your way too, but Biden (I think) is referring to those who oppose him. Sure there are elites by any definition that are asking him to pass the torch, and that includes a lot of little people, the group that I align myself with. But my definition of elite is a much smaller inner party, who at the moment seems frozen in the headlights, even though they surely understand Biden's condition, but are afraid or dragging their feet.

I also want to make it clear that I like Biden. He has done better than expected in my opinion. I thank him for his service, but he now threatens the party's life at the worst possible time.

Yes, I see. I do agree that is the case, but unfortunately it may also be the best case right now. IDK, we are in a tight spot.

Interestingly I have watched the power of my own former employer grow. As a maker of avionics, they don't care much for FAA regulations. They supported and encouraged employees to support certain anti-regulation candidates over the years. Eventually the FAA was so weak, they designated employees of the very companies they regulate to represent them. Boeing and the US industry as a whole did the same thing (meanwhile, Airbus was actually self-imposing strict safety rules on itself and suppliers.)

In the US, employees got pressured. Profits soared until planes fell from the skies. People tend to forget why we have all these regulations when things are working. They see them as very wasteful. Most people are generally small thinkers. Can't even predict two moves ahead.

[SGOS]

Yes, I see. I do agree that is the case, but unfortunately it may also be the best case right now. IDK, we are in a tight spot.

Interestingly I have watched the power of my own former employer grow. As a maker of avionics, they don't care much for FAA regulations. They supported and encouraged employees to support certain anti-regulation candidates over the years. Eventually the FAA was so weak, they designated employees of the very companies they regulate to represent them. Boeing and the US industry as a whole did the same thing (meanwhile, Airbus was actually self-imposing strict safety rules on itself and suppliers.)

In the US, employees got pressured. Profits soared until planes fell from the skies. People tend to forget why we have all these regulations when things are working. They see them as very wasteful. Most people are generally small thinkers. Can't even predict two moves ahead.

NPR had a full hour devoted to the Boeing's safety violations, yesterday. They called it fraud, and I believe Boeing was found guilty and charged accordingly. Hard to believe such a beloved Corporation could come to that... or maybe not. Deregulation at work.

I see some Biden insiders are now trying to figure out how to approach Biden to convince him to drop out. The White House officially denies any such activity in the inner circle, but the Times reporting it has verification. So it sounds as if up until now, the inner circle has been protecting Biden's apparent ego issue. This sounds like Trump, although maybe more forgivable of Biden, if not of his inner circle, as I have seen senile relatives become stubborn and unreasonable during a phase of their senility, but then changed to childlike bewilderment with time. Biden looks to be like he is now in that transition phase.

I've been thinking not giving up on his run for reelection may have been an orchestrated trial balloon to see how acceptable it is to constituents before finally throwing in the towel. Maybe it is, or maybe Biden just can't see the problem. In any case, the public would not be privy to such strategies. If Biden is actually incapacitated to the extent that he can't see the problem, then as you say, "IDK, we are in a tight spot." I don't know how you gracefully avoid nominating a candidate that was approved in the primaries. Did anyone even run against him?

[Hydra009]

News Headlines: Biden avoids further gaffes at Detroit rally

Wow, what a low bar!  And largely negative - focusing on gaffes even when they're really aren't any.  What a backhanded compliment.  Note that the article conspicuously lacks coverage of the substance of the rally, apparently completely focused on gaffe-watching.

BBC says it was "a strong speech in front of a friendly audience" which is a slight understatement when he got interrupted by the crowd cheering and chanting "don't you quit"

[SGOS]

After trailing Trump for months in the polls, botching the debate, and fumbling an interview, Biden gains a slight edge over Trump in a recent poll from NPR and NYT. It may be an anomaly, and it is based on the popular vote, not the electoral college. Polls aren't always right. But from this alone, Biden's loss of mental acuity may not have harmed him. However, Trump's camp is hoping he does not pass the torch. This is the craziest election season I have ever seen.

[Hydra009]

This is the craziest election season I have ever seen.

And on that note, Trump was reportedly shot at one of his rallies

Lightly grazed his ear, most likely.  Definitely not life-threatening.

[Unbeliever]

As much as I loathe the guy, I don't want him to be shot. That would simply make him a martyr.

[Hydra009]

As much as I loathe the guy, I don't want him to be shot. That would simply make him a martyr.

The Republicans would certainly replace him with someone almost as bad.  Maybe not Epstein Island bad, but definitely Jesus Camp bad.

[Hydra009]

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/07/13/statement-from-president-joe-biden-6/

Could you imagine Trump's statement if the roles were reversed?

[Dark Lightning]

Biden is also one in the potential line of fire. Open season on politicians can cross party lines.