***Official Political Discussion Thread***

[Belgium]

Also, Democrats were leading the effort to get the First Step Act passed and Republicans stonewalled it despite support from some Republicans.
McConnell didn't even allow a vote on it during the Obama administration. When Trump was elected on a 'tough on crime' platform, the Republican Senate confirmed Jeff Sessions as AG with the knowledge that he would implement such policies. Sessions quickly ramped up the war on drugs again and reversed the DOJ's sentencing policy to seek maximum penalties, including mandatory minimums, in non-violent drug cases.
The Sessions sentencing policy is still in effect and Barr has made his preferences clear by repeatedly attacking "so-called 'progressive DA's" for not throwing the book at defendants. Unless you obstructed justice for the president of course, then Barr will intervene for you and cry foul at his own sentencing instructions. Technically Sessions' instructions but he could always reverse them, which Barr has declined to do.

Republicans then continued to stonewall the First Step Act bill for 2 years. When the midterms came knocking and the numbers looked bad for the GOP, McConnell allowed a watered down version to pass.

Results are results at the end of the day but it doesn't change the fact that the GOP desperately tried to prevent that bill from passing.

 

[wavycrocket]

Brhas what's a good single malt whiskey? Srs

I turn 34 today, and given the pandemic and the fact the world is going to ****, I figured it would be a good time to start a long and somewhat problematic relationship with hard liquor.

Turn up like the TRUE would

 

[dacomeup]

Results are results at the end of the day but it doesn't change the fact that the GOP desperately tried to prevent that bill from passing.

He won’t discuss any of this in good faith. His calling card is that “this administration” passed the watered down version of this bill. And that the democratic candidates voted for a crime bill that was popular even across the black community, unfortunately, that the Republicans thought wasn’t far reaching and damaging enough.

 

[dwalk31]

Also, Democrats were leading the effort to get the First Step Act passed and Republicans stonewalled it despite support from some Republicans.
McConnell didn't even allow a vote on it during the Obama administration. When Trump was elected on a 'tough on crime' platform, the Republican Senate confirmed Jeff Sessions as AG with the knowledge that he would implement such policies. Sessions quickly ramped up the war on drugs again and reversed the DOJ's sentencing policy to seek maximum penalties, including mandatory minimums, in non-violent drug cases.
The Sessions sentencing policy is still in effect and Barr has made his preferences clear by repeatedly attacking "so-called 'progressive DA's" for not throwing the book at defendants. Unless you obstructed justice for the president of course, then Barr will intervene for you.

Republicans then continued to stonewall the First Step Act bill for 2 years. When the midterms came knocking and the numbers looked bad for the GOP, McConnell allowed a watered down version to pass.

Results are results at the end of the day but it doesn't change the fact that the GOP desperately tried to prevent that bill from passing.

I applaud the many Democrats that worked hard on the bill.

My comments are in regard to the efforts by the Trump administration.

Because many attempt to make it seem like this, particular, administration has done nothing of note.

 

[RustyShackleford]

I think the welfare reform will help. The Fair Chance Act and First Step Act are helping. The Second Step Act is on its way. I think the record amount of funding for HBCUs helps, to name a few items.

-The Dems want to give more money to HBCUs. The GOP demand it cut from budgets under Obama, they let it in under Trump. Comparatively, the Dems want to give way more.

-Dems want more extensive criminal justice reform. The bills you list for Trump are things Dems routinely brought forward, and want to go way beyond. Unless Cory Booker join the GOP, they are far behind the Dems on criminal justice. The GOP watered down some Dem bills and now you want to give credit for them because they did something for a PR win.


-Unless you are talking about greatly expanding the welfare state, you are wrong to think cutting the social safety net helping black America. Welfare reforms of the 90s had tons of negative effects. Since you turn to me on economics, every economist worth a real damn agrees the bootstraps argument in nonsense in regards to eliminating poverty. The decent policies that good right wing economist have suggested, don't even get mentioned within the GOP nowadays. You know you pushed them instead? The Dems

And it weird you bring up the 90s crime bill to shade Dems, but don't commend them for Welfare reform. If you think cutting welfare benefits helping black America (again it doesn't), then where is the praise for Bill Clinton? Guess being consistent would be too inconvenient for you.

 

[harlemtothebronx]

Brhas what's a good single malt whiskey? Srs

I turn 34 today, and given the pandemic and the fact the world is going to ****, I figured it would be a good time to start a long and somewhat problematic relationship with hard liquor.

I would start with the Macallan. It's very good and not too harsh for rookies like yourself.

Depending on your budget, go for the 12 (~$60), 15 (~$100), or 18-year (>$200) bottles. The 12 is good enough to sip but it will only get better as you go up in price.

I know you're a lib but if you want to be a real man drink them straight with no ice.

Came to say MaCallan as a starter, too. I had a glass the other night and forgot how smooth it is.

Since I'm home for who knows how long, sounds like a good time for another.

I'm not an expert in the classifications by any means, but Basil Hayden and Widow Jane are another two whiskeys I got my eye on when I'm at the bar. A cokehead girl I was dating a few years back put me on.

 

[elpablo21]

Brhas what's a good single malt whiskey? Srs

I turn 34 today, and given the pandemic and the fact the world is going to ****, I figured it would be a good time to start a long and somewhat problematic relationship with hard liquor.

Happy Born Day fam

Enjoy some Glenlivet 18 with that Kale Wrap

 

[biggie62]

Happy Born Day fam

Enjoy some Glenlivet 18 with that Kale Wrap

You mean a porterhouse wrapped in kale to go with the whiskey.

 

[RustyShackleford]

I applaud the many Democrats that worked hard on the bill.

My comments are in regard to the efforts by the Trump administration.

Because many attempt to make it seem like this, particular, administration has done nothing of note.

Tru.p signed into the bill at the last minute, after Kushner convinced him. He didn't push the legislation.

What about Trump not enforcing civil rights policy right now. Stopping consent decrees. And actively supporting policies that will hurt black America like getting rid of the ACA, and voter suppression .

You want people to acknowledge the so called good Trump is doing, when is your insincere self gonna acknowledge the harm.

 

[elpablo21]

You mean a porterhouse wrapped in kale to go with the whiskey.

True

RustyShackleford might as well embrace coal gang today too

 

[dwalk31]

You want people to acknowledge the so called good Trump is doing, when is your insincere self gonna acknowledge the harm.

Same time?

 

[IATT]

 

[RustyShackleford]

The Democratic presidential candidates literally voted for the crime bill. Trump did not.

Biden helped write it and is literally referred to as the architect of modern mass incarceration.

Spare me.

You know nothing of mass incarceration if you think Biden is the architect and the crime bill caused it.

The way the crime bill fueled a problem that already existed. Mass incarceration already exist before Biden. It was disportionately black people before the crime bill. The way the crime bill fueled the problem is that it have states so much money to build new prisons. Then states took that money, put prisons in rural areas to give white people jobs, and swing politicial power to rurual whites. Then to fill those prisons and fuel the prison industrial complex they then over policies and over sentenced people that loved in urban areas. If states, especially red states, where not so committed to white supremacacy, furtive gerrymandering, and the profit motive of exploiting cheap prison labor, the explosions we saw in prison populations we have not happened. When they can't find enough black bodies, Latino and poor white bodies will also do.

The prison industrial complex is a vile mixture of the worst of white suprremacy, and the worst of neoliberal capitalism combined.

Biden is not the arsonist, he just bought the gas for other people to throw on a fire that was already going. And the GOP thought he was being stingy with the gas.

At the same time Trump was cheering those policies on. When Biden had a change of heart and wanted to undo the damage, Trp was critical of him and Obama.

You know nothing about what you are talking about except the BS you think sounds like a good argument to defend Trump's bigoted acts.

Trump was even more tough on crime than Biden during that era. He was the poster boy for Housing discrimination in the USA during the same time too.

So miss me with your BS attempt to act like you give a damn about black people.

You clearly hate us.

 

[dwalk31]

You know nothing of mass incarceration if you think Biden is the architect and the crime bill caused it.

The way the crime bill fueled a problem that already existed. Mass incarceration already exist before Biden. It was disportionately black people before the crime bill. The way the crime bill fueled the problem is that it have states so much money to build new prisons. Then states took that money, put prisons in rural areas to give white people jobs, and swing politicial power to rurual whites. Then to fill those prisons and fuel the prison industrial complex they then over policies and over sentenced people that loved in urban areas. If states, especially red states, where not so committed to white supremacacy, furtive gerrymandering, and the profit motive of exploiting cheap prison labor, the explosions we saw in prison populations we have not happened. When they can't find enough black bodies, Latino and poor white bodies will also do.

The prison industrial complex is a vile mixture of the worst of white suprremacy, and the worst of neoliberal capitalism combined.

Biden is not the arsonist, he just bought the gas for other people to throw on a fire that was already going. And the GOP thought he was being stingy with the gas.

At the same time Trump was cheering those policies on. When Biden had a change of heart and wanted to undo the damage, Trp was critical of him and Obama.

You know nothing about what you are talking about except the BS you think sounds like a good argument to defend Trump's bigoted acts.

Trump was even more tough on crime than Biden during that era. He was the poster boy for Housing discrimination in the USA during the same time too.

So miss me with your BS attempt to act like you give a damn about black people.

You clearly hate us.

You ignored the words "modern" and "referred to"

But don't take my word for it:

Marc Lamont Hill seems to agree. Guess he hates us.



Booker seems to agree as well. I guess he hates us too.

Booker criticizes Biden's criminal justice plan, calls him 'an architect of mass incarceration'

Booker criticizes Biden’s criminal justice plan, calls him ‘an architect of mass incarceration’

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) blamed fellow White House hopeful Joe Biden on Wednesday for contributing to mass incarceration in the United States, criticizing the former vice president’s recently unve…

thehill.com

 

[niketalker23]

Brhas what's a good single malt whiskey? Srs

I turn 34 today, and given the pandemic and the fact the world is going to ****, I figured it would be a good time to start a long and somewhat problematic relationship with hard liquor.

Lagavulin 16

 

[rexanglorum]

Capitalism doesn’t work, just look at America.

Venezuela Suspends Rent Payments, Protects Wages as Coronavirus Cases Rise to 77 - Venezuelanalysis

Mérida, March 23, 2020 (venezuelanalysis.com) – The Venezuelan government announced a series of measures on Sunday in attempts to protect the population from the economic effects of the coronavirus crisis. Speaking on a live televised address, President Nicolas Maduro instructed that all...

venezuelanalysis.com

When the country that bootlickers cite as an abject failure of socialism handles the coronavirus better than the so called land of the free, it feels good, man.

 

[biggie62]

Lagavulin 16

Islay scotches are def not for everyone. Not sure if RustyShackleford would like that one.

 

[whywesteppin]

Happy birth rite fambly.

damn, I read through his post too quickly and missed the part where he said today was his birthday.

RustyShackleford , on this very special day, I want to say something to you that I've always held back until now:

 

[junglejim]

Happy Born Day fam

Enjoy some Glenlivet 18 with that Kale Wrap

This

 

[whywesteppin]

but for real, Happy Birthday RustyShackleford

one of these days I'll buy you a glass of some Macallan 25 to celebrate.

You really hold this thread together and I'm always learning something new from your posts. Sorry for the pandemic but hopefully you can still find a way to enjoy the day.

 

[RustyShackleford]

You ignored the words "modern" and "referred to"

But don't take my word for it:

Marc Lamont Hill seems to agree. Guess he hates us.



Booker seems to agree as well. I guess he hates us too.

Booker criticizes Biden's criminal justice plan, calls him 'an architect of mass incarceration'

Booker criticizes Biden’s criminal justice plan, calls him ‘an architect of mass incarceration’

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) blamed fellow White House hopeful Joe Biden on Wednesday for contributing to mass incarceration in the United States, criticizing the former vice president’s recently unve…

thehill.com

Hill and Booker doesn't support white suprremacy at the ballot like you. They don't defend and support bigots as a vocation.

So of course they don't hate black people, like you do.

And I disagree with them on the characterization of Biden. **** Biden a million times for what he did but putting it all on him let's a **** ton of people off the hook, ignores what got us to the current state of affairs, and ignores the real path forward.

Where is your condemnation for all the Republican bad actors, including Trump, during that era. Because the only reason the party you cape for didn't support the bill was because they felt it was too weak on crime and didn't like the progressive things in the package.

Trump is the fool that was calling for National Stop-n-frisk. So please don't act like he is a friend to the black community.

 

[starfox070]

I've been meaning to try Uncle Nearest. Been searching to find out if it is actually black owned. Pretty interesting back story.

It’s good one of the smoothest sips I had in a long time. Also if ur just starting out wild turkey.

bullet rye is good for old fashions

even better with whisky sour

 

[aepps20]

Happy Birthday to RustyShackleford one of the GOATs to post in here from a Libbie side of things. Wishing you a great day.

 

[niketalker23]

Islay scotches are def not for everyone. Not sure if RustyShackleford would like that one.

He ain’t no conservative snowflake feel me, he can handle the peat.

I'd also recommend Highland Park 18, Glendronach 12, Talisker 10, Redbreast 12.

 

[dwalk31]

Hill and Booker doesn't support white suprremacy at the ballot like you. They don't defend and support bigots as a vocation.

So of course they don't hate black people, like you do.

And I disagree with them on the characterization of Biden. **** Biden a million times for what he did but putting it all on him let's a **** ton of people off the hook, ignores what got us to the current state of affairs, and ignores the real path forward.

Where is your condemnation for all the Republican bad actors, including Trump, during that era. Because the only reason the party you cape for didn't support the bill was because they felt it was too weak on crime and didn't like the progressive things in the package.

Trump is the fool that was calling for National Stop-n-frisk. So please don't act like he is a friend to the black community.

Trump was not an elected official and did not vote for the harmful legislation. Biden was and did.

That is the difference. You like to compare the actions of a then-private citizen to that of an elected official.

Also, I don't cape for the GOP. When I mention things done by the Trump administration, you start talking about the bad acts done by the GOP, generally.

It has been said by many that the party under Trump is different than the traditional GOP. He is disliked by many establishment people in the GOP, including the Bushes and Romney (who this thread laughably capes for because he dislikes Trump).