Jump to content

TrickstaPriest

HERO Member
  • Posts

    1,262
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

Reputation Activity

  1. Thanks
    TrickstaPriest reacted to unclevlad in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    The calculus here for Fox has similarities to 2 huge industrial malfeasance cases...the Boeing 737 Max debacle, and going back, the Ford Pinto gas tank problem.  In both cases, the problems were known...and NOT remediated.  Ford felt it would be cheaper to pay off the lawsuits than to redesign to fix the problem, which caused the gas tank to split and catch on fire, in some moderate-speed rear-end collisions.  I don't think I need to recap the 737 Max.  Toyota grossly mishandled a stock-throttle recall issue:

    https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15365427/toyota-settles-with-u-s-for-1-2-billion-over-recalls-feds-will-audit-company-for-three-years/

    VW had the emissions scandal:

    https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15339250/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-vw-diesel-emissions-scandal/
     
    All of these were business decisions to NOT fix a serious issue promptly.  Fox News may make the business decision to retain most of its aggressive, attacking tone to retain as many viewers as possible.
  2. Thanks
    TrickstaPriest reacted to unclevlad in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    That isn't the calculus of the situation.  What costs less?  Moderating tone costs viewers long term, which affects ad rates AND network perceptions.  They might remain the #1 conservative network...but they don't want the gap to everyone else to close.  The cost of this settlement is a one-time cost.
     
    Plus, this was probably a horrible, ridiculous position for them to take.  They don't really have to 'moderate' so much as not stand behind something they knew *from the start* to be absurd.  All the COViD skepticism...that can be retained.  The push for voting 'protections'...those can be retained as measures to *prevent* vote fraud.  And DON'T, DON'T, DON'T accuse a company of improprieties directly!!!  Disinformation is best served when it's not targeted at anything specific...or at least, can fight back.  And can claim serious damage.  

    So it's likely, IMO, that they won't need to change *much* to avoid future liability.  
  3. Like
    TrickstaPriest reacted to unclevlad in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    In many ways, I think he said the worst things he could say.  Throw some people under the bus, but not others?  Suggests no loyalty.  Admitting as much as he did, tho, at least leaves a HUGE crack in any defense, while at the same time, I agree, trying to play both ends against the middle.  "It wasn't Fox."  Uhhhh....yeah, right.
     
    The 64 cent question will be whether this actually changes anything at Fox down the line, even if they lose as badly as the current optics suggest.
  4. Like
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Lord Liaden in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    Carlson, Hannity, and Ingraham are all recorded endorsing the big lie for two years, but they earn more for the network than Dobbs and Bartiromo. It looks like Murdoch is trying to save his profit margin while covering his own ass. But I don't think Rupert would admit to being so senile that he didn't know what his highest-rated commentators were saying all that time.
     
    Murdoch is coming across as pretty pathetic.
  5. Like
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Hermit in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    I'll up one there... earlier this year I went to see "Tootsie" the broadway Musical, live. I was invited by a friend. It was, imo, better than the movie and freaking hilarious! Amazing performance by the cast.
     
    By this law's more extreme take, that might make me an accessory. I feel VERY dangerous now... wooo!
     
     
     
     
  6. Sad
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Ranxerox in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    I've read about this bill. It is unconstitutional AF. Even with our current SCOTUS, I don't see it having a chance.  However, I suspect that the idea is to rile people up more than to pass actual, constitutionally enforceable law.  The numbers of young people who identify as nonbinary or trans has risen significantly, and this is freaking out a lot of people.  So, socially conservative politicians are finding anti-trans stunts a good way to both energize their base and attract new support.  IOWs, laws like this are going to keep on coming.
  7. Sad
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Hermit in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    Well,let's just say our figures of speech include the well known "Bless your heart" which half the time translates to 'You're so stupid that I think you could get run over by a parked car' or something similar, but also mixes in Applachianisms like 'I don't care to' which means 'Sure, I'll do it'
     
    Jokes aside, politically the state is a mess right now as the GOP Dominated State legislature goes after ANY LGBTQ+ folks it can instead of actually tackling issues that would help its citizens...
    for example, Drag Shows will soon be a felony it seems
     
    Yes, state Budget will be spent on enforcing this
     
    EDIT: I Should add, this bill could be used to squelch pride parades. One upcoming in Knoxville has already reported been called off for the fear of arrests.
  8. Like
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Joe Walsh in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    I'd been hearing good things about Matt "We should improve society somewhat" Bors' Justice Warriors comic book and now that I have the trade paperback that includes the first six issues (plus some bonus content) I have to say it really is pretty danged good. It's set in a dystopian future where a small elite hoard all the wealth while they enjoy life removed from the rest of society. The political leader is both stupid and vain, and is surrounded by self-serving and craven political advisors. Obvious pump-and-dump schemes are perpetrated on the populace without any repercussions. Police see it as their job to protect property at all costs, and will kill any member of the teeming masses who steps out of line.
     
    But despite that wildly improbable premise, the story is very good. And the setting would be great for a Champions campaign. It's hard not to take campaign notes as I read it.
     
    Worth checking out if you're into political comics, dystopian settings, and the like.
     
    (Posted here in the Politics thread because the content is very political. If this isn't the appropriate place, let me know.)
  9. Like
    TrickstaPriest reacted to DShomshak in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    Today on All Things Considered, host Ari Shapiro interviewed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about the war in Ukraine. I won't bother providing a link, because the questions and answers were boilerplate I suspect we've all heard before. I just want to grouse about two things I found irritating.
     
    First, Shapiro prefaced a question about Ukraine negotiating with Russia by noting that US General Mark Milley had opined that Ukraine couldn't expel Russia from all its territory. This was misinformation by omission. I checked. Gen'l Milley's actual words, quoted in a VOA article, were that Ukraine couldn't completely expel Russia "anytime soon." Important qualifier, that, if one has resolve and an attention span longer than one season of a TV show. AFAIK Milley never said that Ukraine's goal of reclaiming all its territory was forever hopeless.
     
    Second, Shapiro asked, "How does this end?" Sec'y Austin rightly pointed out (again) that Vladimir Putin is the one who coulod end the war with a word, and the US isn't forcing any resolutions on Ukraine. As the soin of a journalist, I also find it unprofessional to ask questions about future events that the person asked does not control. I hate to say Donald Trump was ever right about anything, but I give him at least mild props for occasionally meeting such questions about the future with a response of, more or less, "I hope it works, let's see what happens." Because that's the best any of us can do.
     
    Dean Shomshak
     
     
  10. Sad
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Cygnia in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    Florida Teacher Is Fired for Posting Viral Video of Empty Classroom Bookshelves
  11. Like
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Lord Liaden in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    Jimmy Carter has done his best to live what the Bible teaches, not just mouth the slogans. I've met a few sincere Christians like that in my life. I often fear that religion does more harm than good, and I hate how it's always been used as an excuse to justify intolerance and hatred. But I can't fault anyone for whom religion is a motivator to treat their fellow humans with respect and compassion.
  12. Haha
    TrickstaPriest reacted to DShomshak in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    All Things Considered reports the latest on the shoot-downs of the latest three "objects". All three reporters express disappointment at the government statement that there was nothing extraterrestrial about the objects. Mostly it's just that people loft a lot of stuff into the stratosphere, and now NORAD is looking for it.
    http://m1.npr.org/2023/02/13/1156610134/the-latest-on-u-s-fighter-jets-shooting-objects-out-of-the-sky
     
    Related:
    http://m1.npr.org/2023/02/13/1156614099/former-norad-leader-on-the-challenges-of-detecting-small-uncrewed-flying-objects
     
    Personally, I would be *so* tempted to troll the conspiranoids: "There is no evidence the objects were in any way extraterrestrial. They were unpowered and drifting. No energy discharges were detected, either directed or broadcast, on any frequencies, including those of human brain-waves. Remember that it is not possible, through electro-radionic technology, to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, or otherwise subvert the human will. There is no cause for alarm, no matter what you may see in the skies. Your government remains vigilant, trustworthy, and in Earthling -- I mean, human -- American-- hands."
     
    It's probably a good thing I'm not in government.
     
    Dean Shomshak
  13. Haha
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Iuz the Evil in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    I am in government, and that would be hilarious.
  14. Like
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Pariah in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    Damn, she brought the heat. I think I like this one.
     
    Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) scorches Washington in brutal roast: 'I love exercising 1st Amendment rights'
     
    Some of her best lines, largely at the expense of her fellow Republicans:
    “I know everyone thinks Republicans aren’t funny. But if you get a bunch of us together, we can be a real riot.” Re: George Santos: “Really, who lies about playing college volleyball? Who does that? If you’re gonna lie, at least make it about something big, like you actually won the 2020 presidential election.” “There’s one reason I was chosen to be the Republican speaker tonight, and it's because Kevin McCarthy couldn't get the votes ... I haven't seen someone assume that many positions to appease crazy Republicans since Stormy Daniels”. “[W]e all knew that Matt Gaetz would never let the vote get to 18”. “C'mon, George, you give Republicans a bad name. And that's Lauren Boebert's job.” [beat] “Just kidding, Lauren, don’t shoot.”
  15. Thanks
  16. Sad
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Pariah in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    Lady P got pretty much all of her nutrition through an IV for about six months the first time around. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
  17. Like
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Simon in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    I've been giving this thread a pretty loose rein for a while...that appears to be something I need to change, unless folks start REMEMBERING THE RULES.

    I don't care what you believe, what you think, or what your opinions are.  This is not the site for that.
  18. Thanks
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Lord Liaden in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    That's the Catch-22. American right-wing politicians loudly proclaim after every mass shooting, that it's an issue of mental health care, not guns. Then they vote against every bill to finance expanded access to mental health care.
  19. Thanks
    TrickstaPriest reacted to archer in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    Bill That Would Allow Inmates to Trade Their Organs for Less Prison Time Introduced in Massachusetts
     
    https://www.complex.com/life/bill-would-inmates-trade-their-organs-less-prison-time-massachusetts
     
    "the controversial legislation is sponsored by two state Democrats, Reps. Judith Garcia, of Chelsea; and Carlos Gonzalez of Springfield...The representatives argued it would be especially beneficial for people of color, who are at higher risk of organ failure, but tend to have trouble finding a match."
     
    I'd be more worried about desperate. impoverished, and poorly-educated prisoners permanently compromising their health by giving away their organs due to pressure by what amounts to "salesmen not making the risks fully transparent"...
  20. Like
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Tom in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    I have a bit of a tangential question here, having recently seen an argument that essentially compared the marketing of sugary cereals to kids with the marketing of rifles like the JR-15.
     
    Now I can see (and remember) the arguments back then. The specific focus was on Saturday morning cartoons.
     
    Yeah, the commercials were on programming aimed at kids with the intent the little darlings tell their parents to buy the product. 
     
    I don’t watch much TV, hardly any in fact, so I’ve got a question.  Can anyone tell me where they’ve seen firearms advertised where they think children/minors could be targeted?
  21. Thanks
    TrickstaPriest reacted to DShomshak in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    A while back, I posted links to Perun Gaming's essays on how corruption and lies destroy armies. He's now dropped the third volume of this trilogy, on how militaries are sabotaged by personalist politics. As he says, the way politics works in autocracies, where personal ambition and CYA inhibits collective competence, is not unique to Russia. Some people might even see familiar elements in Trumpworld.
     
    Dean Shomshak
  22. Sad
    TrickstaPriest reacted to DShomshak in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    According to one of the NPR stories I heard a year or so ago, this is at least sometimes the case. Supposedly, some of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists, in jail pending trial, were given basic civics courses -- and were surprised (and sometimes embarrassed) to learn that American history, government and the Constitution were not what they'd believed. They realized they'd been living in political Fantasy Land. Either nobody told them the truth, or they hadn't listened before.
     
    Dean Shomshak
  23. Sad
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Cygnia in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    Federal appeals court strikes down domestic violence gun law
  24. Like
    TrickstaPriest reacted to Iuz the Evil in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    This “oathbreaker” fellow is an excellent example of why I have been saying in this thread politically motivated violence is not acceptable. Whatever your ostensible motivations, when you riot, assault or murder in the name of your beliefs those who disagree with you society must bring the full force of the law to bear. Someone can always justify their actions by saying “What choice did I have?”
     
     You had lots of other options. He is self admittedly guilty of violent insurrection and public mayhem. 68 months is a very reasonable amount of time, more would have been arguable as well.
  25. Like
    TrickstaPriest reacted to unclevlad in Political Discussion Thread (With Rules)   
    OK, but doesn't that assume he recognizes he's doing, or planning to do, something wrong, such that he needs that protection?  And why didn't even *that* register enough to dissuade him?
     
    The answer there might be simple enough...fear, real or stoked by the far right media types.  Frank Herbert was so right:  fear is the mind-killer.
     
×
×
  • Create New...