US Politics Thread 2021-24

[Commander Wallace]

Now that the New Year is fast approaching, I'm wondering not only what the next four years will look like. In fact, I'm wondering what the next 4 months will look like. It may be a good time to look at the most pressing Issues that need to be solved.

I think it will take a while to put pieces in place to rebuild the economy. I don't think it is in the best interests of the U.S to sell off U.S Steel. The U.S builds things, at least, we used to build things. The manufacturing base is vital not only to this country but also the Military. I think the U.S people can compete with anyone on a level playing field.

Further, I don't think the U.S has an accurate idea of how many ( Invaders ) Migrants are currently in the U.S right now. The horrible story of an Illegal Guatemala Invader setting a Woman on fire in New York last week highlights the urgency in removing the invaders and criminals as soon as possible. It shows the dangers of allowing people into a host country that does not share it's core values or even respect for life. It's time to take the " kid gloves " off. I think the U.K, Ireland and Germany are experiencing the same problems.

I don't believe that an estimated 11 million Invaders will peacefully board buses and aircraft to be be deported back to their Countries of origin. Many of the Invaders are criminals and are said to be armed. If the invaders harm or kill Law Enforcement and or ICE Officers in the process of deportation, I think the result will end up being a bloodbath and expose migration for what it truly is - an invasion. I'm certain the incoming administration is preparing for that eventuality.

The debacle with Joe Biden Illustrates clearly that he wasn't running the Country in the last four years. It begs the question, who was ?? It shows the Democrats fleeced the the country for Billions over the last four years. Stupid and Ill thought projects have allegedly stolen Billions. I don't think these projects existed at all but rather what the Democrats said the money went for. I think it went into a lot of their ( Democratic ) pockets and bank accounts and I believe a full investigation is warranted. Further, if Joe Biden isn't competent as a President, should not that invalidate the pardons that Joe clearly wasn't capable of writing ?


Let the swamp draining begin.

[mapuc]

For those of you American who can't stand Trump's guts, then I got a proposal if you can afford it.

The residential cruise line Villa Vie Residences announced earlier in November that it was launching a program that will allow travelers to join its ship, the Odyssey, at any port as it traverses around the world for the next several years. The trip is expected to travel to 425 ports across 140 countries, and the program will cost less than $40,000 a year, according to a company statement.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...-escape-cruise

Markus

[Otto Harkaman]

During World War II, the Panama Canal was a critical strategic asset for the United States, as it connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, allowing for the rapid movement of naval forces and supplies. To protect this vital link, the U.S. implemented extensive defensive measures, including fortifications, air defense systems, and naval patrols.
1. Land-Based Defenses

• Fortifications: The U.S. Army fortified key positions on both the Atlantic and Pacific entrances to the canal. These included installations like Fort Sherman (Atlantic side) and Fort Amador (Pacific side).
• Coastal Artillery: Heavy artillery batteries, including 16-inch and 6-inch guns, were installed to defend against enemy ships. These guns were often mounted on swiveling turrets for a wide field of fire.
• Anti-Aircraft Artillery: To counter potential air attacks, numerous anti-aircraft guns were strategically positioned throughout the canal zone.

2. Air Defenses

• Airfields: Several airfields were constructed in the Panama Canal Zone to host fighter and bomber aircraft. Key airbases included Albrook Field and Howard Field.
• Aircraft Patrols: Reconnaissance and patrol missions were flown regularly to monitor for enemy submarines or aircraft approaching the canal.
• Radar Systems: Early radar technology was deployed to detect incoming aircraft and provide early warning of potential attacks.

3. Naval Defenses

• Submarine Nets and Mines: To prevent enemy submarines or ships from entering the canal, underwater nets and minefields were placed at the entrances.
• Patrol Boats: The U.S. Navy maintained a constant presence in nearby waters with patrol boats and destroyers.
• Escort Convoys: Merchant and military ships transiting the canal were often escorted by armed vessels to protect against submarine threats.

4. Jungle Warfare Training and Garrison Troops

• The canal zone housed a significant garrison of U.S. Army troops trained in jungle warfare to counter any potential land-based attacks or sabotage.
• Indigenous workers and U.S. civilian employees also played a role in maintaining operations and infrastructure.

5. Intelligence and Counter-Sabotage Measures

• The U.S. established rigorous security measures to prevent sabotage, including monitoring workers and infrastructure closely.
• Counterintelligence units operated to detect and neutralize potential enemy spies or saboteurs.

6. Allied Cooperation

• The U.S. collaborated with neighboring countries in Central and South America to monitor the broader region for Axis activities, enhancing the canal's security perimeter.

These layered defenses ensured that the Panama Canal remained operational and secure throughout the war, allowing the U.S. to project its military power effectively across both oceans.

[vienna]

Was killing time (chronocide) yesterday and, while flipping through the TV channels, happened upon an episode of the series Bones that I hadn't seen before, or, at least, didn't remember; as part of the episodes subplot, Dr. Brennan talks to her husband, FBI Agent Booth, about her desire to run for President of the US; she compiles a list of pros and cons related to her putative candidacy and Booth critiques her list, trying to dissuade Brennan from trying to run for office; at the end of this clip, Brennan says something that caught me by surprise and gave me a good laugh; remember, this episode aired way back in 2013...





The clip was 2 years before Trump first formally announced his run in 2015; I got a further kick out of the scene since it originally aired on Fox TV, the home of the Bones series...





<O>

[vienna]

Originally Posted by Otto Harkaman

The reality of the Panama Canal situation is that it is an outdated and, for pretty much all strategic and defense intents and purposes, useless; the Canal is way, way too easy to disable; just send a very large ship into the middle of it, sink it, and you'll have the Canal out of commission for who knows how long; don't think its a real possibility? Look up the Suez Canal blockage in 2021 that cost billions in delayed shipping; the only real threat is not to the US strategic and military interests, its to the worldwide trade interests; frankly, the Panama Canal could shut down today indefinitely and the US defense situation would not even feel the difference; the really vital naval assets are already in position in their respective Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and don't need the Canal to get around; and the Canal is so old and low tech that it can't even accommodate the newer vital naval systems like carriers and subs; the idea of shuttling a big carrier or nuclear sub very slowly through the Canal, leaving it vulnerable to easy attack by hostiles, is just not in the cards; ICBMs, stealth technology, hell, even drones, make the Canal virtually useless as a modern defense asset; the US, if it really wants to continue to insist on a canal in the area, would really probably be better served by just building a newer, up-to-date, technologically current canal somewhere else that is far wider, far deeper, and more suited to being supportive of naval needs...





<O>

[Buddahaid]

And that is the whole point of Trump's chitfit over Greenland. Global warming is opening up the area for resources and sea-lanes so don't get the idea Trump doesn't believe in global warming being a thing.

[August]

Jimmy Carter quotes:


When Fidel Castro died: “Rosalynn and I share our sympathies with the Castro family and the Cuban people on the death of Fidel Castro,” he wrote. “We remember fondly our visits with him in Cuba and his love of his country. We wish the Cuban citizens peace and prosperity in the years ahead.”

On Kim Il Sung and North Korea: “I find him to be vigorous, intelligent…and in charge of the decisions about this country...I don’t see that they are an outlaw nation.”

On Marshal Josip Tito: “a man who believes in human rights.”

On Nicolae Ceaușescu: “our goals are the same: to have a just system of economics and politics… We believe in enhancing human rights.”

[Skybird]

^ It's called “diplomatic language” to avoid slamming doors and denying future opportunities.


The opposite position is what Annalena Baerbock usually spouts. She hasn't gotten very far with it, except that everyone shakes their heads or laughs at her blatantly.

[August]

Originally Posted by Skybird

^ It's called “diplomatic language” to avoid slamming doors and denying future opportunities.

So some might claim but when Trump does it you say it's proof that he's a Putin stooge. BTW Castro died 35 years after Carter left office. Whose door was he keeping from slamming again?

[Catfish]

Trump is not a Putin stooge of course, but it is obvious that Putin preferred him before Mrs Harris, no?
Let's simply see what happens.

[JU_88]

The notion that any sitting US president would be a willing 'stooge' for a former superpower which now has the same economic output as spain.... is a little bit silly. BRICS aside, Putin and Russia just dont have a very significant presence on the world stage anymore - unless they pushed the button of course...

[August]

Originally Posted by Catfish

Trump is not a Putin stooge of course, but it is obvious that Putin preferred him before Mrs Harris, no?
Let's simply see what happens.

Doesn't seem so obvious to me. Putin has publicly stated that he preferred first Biden then Harris over Trump.

[Catfish]

Really? I thoiught it was one of Putin's "jokes".
Also it was the Biden administration that has implemented a vast part of US sanctions on Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

[Otto Harkaman]

Judging a president solely based on the endorsement or preference of an authoritarian leader like Vladimir Putin would be misplaced. A president should be evaluated on their record of policies, actions, and outcomes rather than external opinions. By prioritizing facts and outcomes over foreign opinions, we ensure that evaluations are grounded in substance rather than rhetoric or external influence.

[Ostfriese]

Originally Posted by Otto Harkaman;2938631A president should be evaluated on their [B

record of policies, actions, and outcomes[/B]

For Trump's first term that record is abysmally bad.