CaptnStrawberry

I have a copy of Atlas' Dystopia adventure, which might also be worth tracking down - full of moody intrigue!

With that list of tutors, I would be tempted to hand him the keys to the planet!  Certainly more interesting than the typical - 'I am best suited to rule. . . just because!' we usually get from the megalomaniac set.

Insectoid aliens are my fav!  The talents and complications lead me to believe they were inspired in part by the aliens in Clarke's Childhood's End.

I'm not distinctive at all!  I'm an utterly mediocre non-entity.  So leave me alone!!

if it is true that whatever does not kill you makes you stronger I must be as strong as Hercules by this point

Go GIant Meteor!

I'm not thrilled with the direction things have taken over the past few posts, so I'm out.

It is hard to get a complete picture since the evidence of inappropriate influence on journalists was provided in the 'Guccifer' leaks last month as well as the recent Wiki leaks, and it appears to be a relative handful of the thousands of emails.  Sources are scattered all over the web, but from what I can tell the DNC leaned on or changed content to benefit HRC with: Politico, Washington Post, NBC/MSNBC, CBS Polls, CNN, and Wall Street Journal (so far).  With some of the other choice bits, a composite picture is created of a systematically biased DNC.  But this only confirms what I started to suspect a long time ago, and what Sen. Sanders likely knew would be the case even before he launched his campaign.

Coronation is how it feels to me, but that is the wrong word.  Technically, she's already been nominated, and she's simply accepting the nomination tonight (?).
 
I would point out that 1) Sanders won key demographics also, running away with the youth vote http://redalertpolitics.com/2016/06/21/report-sanders-won-young-voters-clinton-trump-combined/and 2) Even if he had somehow edged out his opponent in delegates, it sure seems the superdelegates were always going to tip the balance for the presumptive nominee. 
 
Likely, our country isn't ready for a 'Democratic Socialist' at the present time.  But the idea that political operators and numerous major media outlets were working together to ensure unbalanced coverage is (needless to say) deeply disturbing - in fact, corrosive of our democracy and our founding principles, which rely on a strong and independent fourth estate.  That is worrisome above and beyond this particular race.

I partially agree - obviously there was a build-up of bad blood between the DNC and Sanders over time.  There does not to my knowledge appear to be any evidence of outright bribes.  But there are hundreds of emails disparaging Bernie and/or figuring out how to put Clinton in a positive light.  Again, I listed one example.  Collusion in my book.
 
The DNC did issue a formal apology:
 
"On behalf of everyone at the DNC, we want to offer a deep and sincere apology to Senator Sanders, his supporters and the entire Democratic Party for the inexcusable remarks made over email. These comments do not reflect the values of the DNC or our steadfast commitment to neutrality during the nomination process. The DNC does not — and will not — tolerate disrespectful language exhibited towards our candidates. Individual staffers have also rightfully apologized for their comments, and the DNC is taking appropriate action to ensure it never happens again."  http://www.theverge.com/2016/7/25/12279134/dnc-apology-leaks-bernie-sanders
 
But of course this is complete spin trying to make it sound like a few isolated incidents and not a systemic problem.  When the chair herself was the primary instigator!  Breathtaking duplicity and audacity, imo.

The man definitely has the gift of gab - that's why he's been such a successful politician.  But every four years we go through something like this - warm homilies and witty anecdotes to make the candidate seem personable, workaday, trustworthy; someone you can believe has your best interests at heart.  Sheer manipulation.  Sweetener to make the castor oil go down - continuing regressive tax policies, hollowing out of the middle class, and endless military engagements on the pretense of safety.  The same shell game.  Every. Four. Years.

The man definitely has the gift of gab - that's why he's been such a successful politician.  But every four years we go through something like this - warm homilies and witty anecdotes to make the candidate seem personable, workaday, trustworthy; someone you can believe has your best interests at heart.  Sheer manipulation.  Sweetener to make the castor oil go down - continuing regressive tax policies, hollowing out of the middle class, and endless military engagements on the pretense of safety.  The same shell game.  Every. Four. Years.

The man definitely has the gift of gab - that's why he's been such a successful politician.  But every four years we go through something like this - warm homilies and witty anecdotes to make the candidate seem personable, workaday, trustworthy; someone you can believe has your best interests at heart.  Sheer manipulation.  Sweetener to make the castor oil go down - continuing regressive tax policies, hollowing out of the middle class, and endless military engagements on the pretense of safety.  The same shell game.  Every. Four. Years.

DC  trip last week, two friends went to see the White House.. .I did not.
 
Me when they come back "So, what was the White House like?"
Friend: "Just like what you've seen in the movies."
Me: "It was exploding??!!!!"
Friend: *Eyeroll*

Sanders hasn't formally conceded; of course Clinton won't formally be the nominee until the July convention when the delegates vote.  Bernie just released an op-ed:
 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/06/23/bernie-sanders-heres-what-we-want/#comments
 
It basically reiterates all his campaign's main priorities, and that he expects most/all of these to be present in the party platform.  Some folks are accusing him of being a sore loser; I think it shows a lot of integrity to continue the fight, and not immediately bargain away his grassroots support in some bid to increase his personal cachet of political power. 

Sanders hasn't formally conceded; of course Clinton won't formally be the nominee until the July convention when the delegates vote.  Bernie just released an op-ed:
 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/06/23/bernie-sanders-heres-what-we-want/#comments
 
It basically reiterates all his campaign's main priorities, and that he expects most/all of these to be present in the party platform.  Some folks are accusing him of being a sore loser; I think it shows a lot of integrity to continue the fight, and not immediately bargain away his grassroots support in some bid to increase his personal cachet of political power. 

Sanders hasn't formally conceded; of course Clinton won't formally be the nominee until the July convention when the delegates vote.  Bernie just released an op-ed:
 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/06/23/bernie-sanders-heres-what-we-want/#comments
 
It basically reiterates all his campaign's main priorities, and that he expects most/all of these to be present in the party platform.  Some folks are accusing him of being a sore loser; I think it shows a lot of integrity to continue the fight, and not immediately bargain away his grassroots support in some bid to increase his personal cachet of political power. 

I'm not distinctive at all!  I'm an utterly mediocre non-entity.  So leave me alone!!

We are the Borg. Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own. Resistance is futile.

Exactly, it's now looking like a choice between Greater Evils.   I really don't feel represented by either major party (and haven't for many years).

"Every country has the government it deserves" - Joseph de Maistre

Up.  .  .Up.  .  .And AWAYYY!

Terra Firma is the powerhouse.  Supposedly the victim of repeated and traumatic UFO abductions in her youth, as an adult she became an archaeologist.  True to four-color tradition, this career let to the discovery of a mysterious, ancient Sumerian amulet dedicated to Ki, the Earth Mother.  With the amulet, she can tap into a wellspring of geologic abilities - greatly enhanced mass and strength, at-will formation of a rocky armored crust around her skin, short-range bursts of magma, and the transformation of solid ground to soupy mud.   She has devoted her existence to smashing, pulping, probing and otherwise dismembering any spindly, grey, bulbous-headed being she sees!

Minimum Wage! Yah!

Ah, Freak out!   (Le Freak, c'est Chic)   Have you heard about the new dance craze?
Listen to us, I'm sure you'll be amazed
Big fun to be had by everyone
It's up to you, It surely can be done
Young and old are doing it, I'm told
Just one try, and you too will be sold
It's called Le Freak! They're doing it night and day
Allow us, we'll show you the way   Ah, Freak out!   (Le Freak, c'est Chic)