California Law Enforcement Prepares for Effects of Legal Marijuana on Roadways

"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78) 01/04/2018 at 11:29 • Filed to: Taketheoutsideline, Satire

6

94

As marijuana becomes legal in California for recreational use in 2018, law enforcement agencies across the nation’s most populous state are preparing to address its inevitable effects on vehicle operation.

This San Diego-area stop sign has caused confusion and delay for decades; city planners only expect it to worsen as people begin to endlessly reflect on their own tallness while driving.

“For many years, we’ve had strict and scientific ways to test for alcohol-based impairment, or even the effects of hard narcotics,” states California Highway Patrol (CHP) Lieutenant Commander Kevin Hernandez. “But the often-mild effects of marijuana will also require CHP and its new partner, a citizen-based task force called SALSA.” (State Association of Legalized Smoking Association)

SALSA was formed as part of the agreement with pro-marijuana lobby groups in reaching an agreement with state legislators in mid-2017. Trent Dufresne, Spokesman for NORML (the nation’s largest marijuana lobbyist), has worked diligently to address law enforcement concerns by negotiating for appropriate changes in traffic laws to accommodate up to 10 million drivers per day who may be under the influence of marijuana.

“We funded over a dozen studies and came up with a ‘wishlist’ of sorts,” Mr. Dufresne claims. “We’re just hoping to secure public funding to pay for the projects with moneys from public funds and taxes to fund the infrastructure projects.”

Among SALSA’s recommendations are:

Stop signs that rotate to say “Go” if a car remains stopped for more than 10 seconds.

Drive-thru restaurant windows that can serve both sides of the vehicle at once.

Alternating-length center stripes on freeways to prevent “highway hypnosis.”

Expansion of HOV lanes to allow for broader definition of existing acronym.

Audible velocity indicators to aid in driver speed control.

Feeling hungry?

Low on cash?

One more exit!

Eating well!

Bean Burritos.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !

Law enforcement and state government agencies believe that recreational marijuana’s high taxes should provide sufficient funding to make some incremental improvements, but believe that SALSA’s expectations might have gotten just a little too high for the situation.

Rolling Stock Photo

“On the plus side, we have a whole new revenue source for the state, as well as for a legal, home-grown agricultural product here in California,” Governor Jerry Brown stated in a press conference in Santa Barbara on Wednesday. “However, we also expect substantial disruption in Mexican drug cartels, which could lead to a mini refugee crisis here – people we will naturally welcome with open arms. When opportunity knocks, sometimes it’s just somebody knocking on the door. But then other times, the door is just, like, a heartbeat from that Poe story. Hey, is my heart beating too loud? In conclusion, this issue isn’t just a black cat that we can wall up and expect it not to start meowing as soon as the cops show up to take our stash. Because we’re a cat. And because we’re black.”

California governors have a long history of pro-marijuana positions.

NORML’s Dufresne, who attended the conference, found Gov. Brown’s comments inspiring in his use of literary allusions and anti-racist rhetoric in his comments. “There is so much working against us,” he concludes. “Newspaperman William Randolph Hearst and his political cronies suppressed the use of hemp to protect their empires, also with using racism to characterize weed as something for poor black and Mexican people, which isn’t true. Most of my rich white friends can barely afford $60 for an eighth of the good stuff.”

Just across the border in Arizona, where marijuana is still illegal for recreational use, militia groups have been preparing for overflow of illegal activities that might hope to capitalize on local demand for California’s new cash crop. Colin Breck, Commander of the One Hit Wonder Militia in Kingman, insists “We must protect our borders from this scourge to the west. We’ve already been dealing with the polygamist cults to our north and the lazy illegals to our south,” adding “We already know New Mexico is drug-friendly, between Breaking Bad and Gary Johnson running for president. We plan to keep Arizona the last stronghold of decency in the American Southwest.”

Azrek > Ash78, voting early and often 01/04/2018 at 11:51

4

...not sure if Onion or real....

fintail > Ash78, voting early and often 01/04/2018 at 11:53

0

With this endlessly corrupt regime’s shriveled cheap copy of a Keebler Elf AG trying to fight the wacky tobacky, this is well-played today.

LOREM IPSUM > Ash78, voting early and often 01/04/2018 at 11:55

0

The tv has been inundated with this hard hitting (rolleyes.gif) PSA lately:

This is your brain on Instagram.

Ash78, voting early and often > Azrek 01/04/2018 at 11:57

4

That is a high, high compliment.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Ash78, voting early and often 01/04/2018 at 11:57

0

Also, Jeff Sessions.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/04/2018 at 11:58

0

What is his deal about pot? I don’t get it.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/04/2018 at 12:11

0

Deep and dirty south, so they get excited about it for various reasons. Also, this:

https://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/jeff-sessions-anti-weed-crusader-was-a-shill-for-big-1792831457

Brian, The Life of > Ash78, voting early and often 01/04/2018 at 12:12

0

I love you, man

interstate366, now In The Industry > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/04/2018 at 12:16

0

functionoverfashion > Ash78, voting early and often 01/04/2018 at 12:16

1

Like an episode of Arrested Development, there are so many jokes buried in the language... I love it.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/04/2018 at 12:52

0

I’ve assumed it was some kind of puritanical hangup like who uses which bathroom. I mean, who cares? Wanna watch me wipe my butt?

When I was in the Army, in basic training, we’d have the entire platoon out somewhere and there would be three porta-potties. Turns out three dudes can pee in one porta-potty simultaneously. You get over your stage fright very quickly. In the Navy, I’m told, there are no doors on the stalls. So blokes line up with their backs to the shitters. I’m told.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > interstate366, now In The Industry 01/04/2018 at 13:15

0

Old school puritan.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/04/2018 at 13:44

0

Puritanical and no doubt some racism as well, combined with being bought by a competitive industry. What a drained swamp lol. I live in a place where legalization took place some time ago, society hasn’t collapsed - if anything, it is more prosperous here than ever (of course, still with a huge gap), and probably better off than the places who rabidly go for prohibition.

When you gotta go, you’ll go :)

BigBlock440 > fintail 01/04/2018 at 14:53

1

I live in a place where legalization took place some time ago,

Amsterdam?

fintail > BigBlock440 01/04/2018 at 15:21

0

WA,via a ballot measure in 2012. Even before then it was kind of de facto, as many local authorities realized it was a gross waste of time and resources, and didn’t pay much heed to most cases.

BigBlock440 > fintail 01/04/2018 at 15:30

0

So, America then, and it’s still illegal.

fintail > BigBlock440 01/04/2018 at 15:34

0

Good luck with that. I thought that would be the empty retort.

We’ll see how much success the swamp filling POS little elf, bought out the tobacco industry, has cracking down on it.

BigBlock440 > fintail 01/04/2018 at 15:47

0

My state doesn’t have a law banning RPGs, but I don’t go saying I live where they’re legal either. You want to go on pretending it’s legal, ok, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is not. Or another example, rolling coal is legal basically everywhere but New Jersey by that logic.

fintail > BigBlock440 01/04/2018 at 15:54

0

RPGs compared to something less dangerous than the lobby that funds our swamp-filling cowardly elf appointed by the worst regime in history. Could there be something more apples to oranges? Shameful. Logic? The only logical thing I am seeing is a logical fallacy.

67 in a 65 is illegal, too. Good luck with that enforcement. The first war on drugs was a massive wholesale failure, and this one won’t even get off the ground. More resources wasted by the so-called right.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BigBlock440 01/04/2018 at 16:12

0

Liberals need to elect some more Liberals and change the federal law.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BigBlock440 01/04/2018 at 16:13

1

I think you’ve crossed a line of consistency here and should leave anything weapons-related out of it. The first thing the gun grabbers do is compare weapons to something like driving privileges and get the yellow flag thrown at them for doing it.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/04/2018 at 16:13

0

Need to elect more Liberals and change federal law, seems to me.

BigBlock440 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/04/2018 at 16:15

0

Or libertarians. But I’m all in favor of enforcing the federal law, hopefully it shows previous champions of an all-powerful federal government that maybe it’s not such a good idea. Sometimes people just need to experience it for themselves.

BigBlock440 > fintail 01/04/2018 at 16:18

0

Danger has nothing to do with it, they’re both illegal federally, neither is illegal locally. They are exactly the same thing. But go ahead and keep thinking you’re legal and get pissed at the people actually enforcing the law. Or you could put some effort into changing it, maybe shrink the federal government’s powers a bit. Or keep pushing for a huge federal government and scream into the wind when it actually affects you.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/04/2018 at 16:32

0

Or just have states stand their ground, and see what comes of it.

I think this is more of Dotard’s gang saying “FU” to progressive successful states (the tax con is similar), along with distracting from the insane corruption in this new swamp-filling regime. Quickly becoming the worst in American history.

fintail > BigBlock440 01/04/2018 at 16:38

0

This isn’t about the size of the government, it is about useless laws enacted and/or enforced by mindless puritans and corrupt trash who are beholden to lobbyists of other substances. But it should help the ego and arrogance of the brave praetorian industry and prison-industrial complex. Idiotic prohibition and oversized government don’t go hand in hand. The current gang of treacherous garbage want to deconstruct government, yet launch another failed war, one which will line their pockets.

Again, apples to oranges comparison there, weapons vs weeds, either deceptive, disingenuous, or worse.

“enforcing the law” - they do it selectively already, just keep it up, and don’t bow to the personal issues of Jefferson Beauregard and Dotard, two of the worst men put in their respective positions in history.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/04/2018 at 16:39

0

This one won’t admit to his fallacy.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BigBlock440 01/04/2018 at 18:47

0

I don’t follow you.

“Sometimes people just need to experience it for themselves...”

What is it ?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/04/2018 at 18:49

0

Well, if Congress changed the law(s), then Dotard & Co. couldn’t do much. I’d suggest that ACA is an example of that, though they would have if it hadn’t been for a couple of Rs who said “No.”

My medical insurance is going to be $1,800/mo beginning this month for the cheapest plan available: Kaiser Bronze.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/04/2018 at 18:52

0

Maybe not to you... ;o)

BigBlock440 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/04/2018 at 21:11

0

The government overstepping their bounds....

BigBlock440 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/04/2018 at 21:15

0

I used rolling coal as an example too. But I don’t see how it’s inconsistent. It’s something the federal government has said you can’t have, but not all states do. One is trying to claim it’s legal, even though it’s not.

BigBlock440 > fintail 01/04/2018 at 21:21

0

They only reason they can enforce the laws is because the laws are on the books, and they have the power to do so. I don’t think it should even be a law, but I’m glad to see all the big government champions getting their just desserts.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BigBlock440 01/04/2018 at 21:21

0

I’m not disagreeing with you, just offering a suggestion. I wouldn’t have commented if rolling coal was your example.

It strikes me that Rs have double standards where they push things off into the states when it suits them.

You can argue that Sessions is just enforcing the law of the land, and I think that argument has merit. But like the voter fraud panel, let’s wait and see how much comes of this.

Whereabouts do you live?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BigBlock440 01/04/2018 at 21:22

0

How are you applying that here? Just trying to understand your position...

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BigBlock440 01/04/2018 at 21:23

0

By big government champions, do you mean California Liberals?

BigBlock440 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/04/2018 at 21:25

0

I live in Pennsylvania.

fintail > BigBlock440 01/04/2018 at 21:26

0

But you support this crooked hypocritical cowardly regime anyway, right? I sincerely doubt this is about some hatred of big government, but nice try. You’re probably glad to see a lefty state being targeted by an old shithead from Alabama, and his narcissist boss..

These chucklefucks are going to implement even bigger government than what they’ve been allowed to replace, just with their own corrupt bent. This is a make-work project for DEA warriors who feel neglected, and moronic taker state “law and order” types who preach one thing and practice another. This has nothing at all to do with the size of government.

We’ll see what luck they have enforcing this.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/04/2018 at 21:29

0

Perhaps it shouldn’t be up to Congress all. Going to be some interesting elections in November. I have a relative who is a bit of a Trumpanzee, but also very much in support of the pot industry. Next time I see her, I just might pitch her some shit.

Or maybe it’s just time for a Calexit/Westexit, where the productive states can go their own way.

ACA solution - single payer. There’s really no other answer. Your counterpart in legitimately mature first world countries probably has a better quality of life than you, due to your expenses and worries regarding healthcare. They may pay more in taxes, but what you pay for insurance and out of pocket costs likely more than makes up for it.

BigBlock440 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/04/2018 at 21:31

0

Side X says government is good and always right, side Y says government is generally bad and should be smaller. Government says object A and object B (heck, even action C) are illegal. But since object A is something that Side X likes, suddenly they’re all “states rights” and “government is bad” when the past 8 years they’ve been saying the complete opposite.

My position? A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have. But I can see that point is completely lost on the potheads, as they still seem to think big government is a good idea.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BigBlock440 01/04/2018 at 22:19

0

My family is from Somerset, Somerset County, ten miles or so from Shanksville, where Flight 93 came down on 9/11. My cousin’s husband’s dad was one of the miners rescued from the Que Creek Mine. I was in Somerset in May for a funeral.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/04/2018 at 22:21

0

Yes, good political theatre these days. The reefer thing from DOJ may amount to nothing more than chest thumping.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BigBlock440 01/04/2018 at 22:25

0

A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have.

I like how you put that. Did you coin that phrase?

I think your comment about potheads is a bit of a generalization, and perhaps a bit unfair, though I can see how it would look that way. And not everyone who is in favor of legalization even uses the stuff. (Me, for example; haven’t smoked pot in like thirty years and wouldn’t again unless I had cancer and needed the munchies...)

I think your Side X / Side Y example could cover many flip-flops that politicians make for the sake of convenience.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/04/2018 at 22:56

0

They will run into massive legal action and obstruction from west coast authorities. CA and WA won’t let this cash cow go up in smoke. Not to mention, these are two of the most successful states in the country, in several ways - the reefer madness fear doesn’t have much basis in reality.

It’ll also harm them in the upcoming elections - with changing dempographics, these types are soon going to be on the wrong side of history, just not soon enough. With any luck, November will be a disaster for the Rs and their fascist backers.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/04/2018 at 23:05

0

I’m waiting and watching. My guess is it comes quietly to naught.

What’s your take on the current Trump/Bannon drama?

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/04/2018 at 23:11

0

I suspect you are right. This is more distraction than anything, keep our eyes off the inept corrupt spawn of Dotard and his sketchy associates. The legal challenges will be massive, and west coast potheads will see another day.

Bannon is probably a distraction too - I suspect there is still some behind the scenes communication there. Funny how all this stuff happens at once - is 45 taking loans directly from Russian banks now? Bannon is a driving force behind the batshit crazy branch of the right that did a lot to elect this wonderful president who makes Nixon look like Eisenhower.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/05/2018 at 00:02

0

Or make us yearn for the good ol’ days of Dubya. I suspect there’s some deep, dark doo-doo in Trump’s finances. And he is petrified. Like Trump’s entire dynasty could collapse.

BigBlock440 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/05/2018 at 09:08

0

Yes it’s a generalization, but they just don’t see the irony of it. No, I didn’t coin the phrase, at least I don’t think I did. I’m also for legalization, I don’t think the government has any business banning it, but ignoring a law isn’t legalizing it, it’s ignoring it. Prohibition wasn’t ended because the DOJ just said “eh, I’m just going to ignore it”.

BigBlock440 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/05/2018 at 09:19

0

Not just California, but anybody who in one breath calls for more laws, more regulations enacted by unelected bureaucrats, but in the next breath says that weed laws shouldn’t be enforced and should just be ignored. Like the EPA race car thing banning engine swaps. They’ll cheer an unelected bureaucrat making new regulations, but claim that same unelected bureaucrat deciding to stop ignoring the law is unconstitutional.

BigBlock440 > fintail 01/05/2018 at 09:23

0

You still don’t get it. You’re just one election away from prosecution, always. There could not be a more perfect example for you of why big government is dangerous than we’ve got right now, and you still are blind to it. Well, enjoy it, you’re getting what you asked for.

fintail > BigBlock440 01/05/2018 at 09:36

0

Dangerous, but you voted for these corrupt pieces of garbage, didn’t you? Tired of winning yet? And no, you didn’t coin that phrase, as if, it’s a hilarious cliche.

Who determines what is “too big” and what is just right?

You’ve read too much of Ayn Rand’s BS.

BigBlock440 > fintail 01/05/2018 at 09:37

0

I did, Hillary would have been much worse for me (and the country as a whole), and Johnson didn’t really have a shot. Good luck with the feds, keep giving them power.

fintail > BigBlock440 01/05/2018 at 09:39

0

That’s all I needed to know. Speaks volumes.

In the end, this is just a distraction from the legal and ethical issues of Dotard and his swamp-fillers, along with something to appease puritans from poor backwards areas. The first world will launch such a legal fight against it, that it will be a nothingburger. The imbibers will continue to imbibe.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/05/2018 at 09:42

0

I don’t think Dubya was a terrible person. He had terrible people around him, modern day war criminals like Cheney and Rummy, but maybe like Dotard (who isn’t a good person), I don’t think Dubya really wanted the job - he did it to impress his dad, and to make up for the mis-steps after Iraq.

Dotard is a showman and a promoter - not a real businessman or some kind of genius. This is part of the show, to distract from more serious issues. He knows how to play into what his base wants to hear. I suspect his dynasty is built on a house of cards, one underwritten by dirty money.

BigBlock440 > fintail 01/05/2018 at 09:46

0

Yes, the states are going to waste so much money suing the federal government for actually enforcing the law, blue states are so ass-backwards it’s not even funny how predictable it is.

fintail > BigBlock440 01/05/2018 at 12:37

0

Gotta keep those public sector legal pros busy with something, at least they won’t be sitting around wasting time on oppo...oops.

Blue states, you mean the ones subsidizing the regressive idiotic red states who are on the wrong side of history? Tired of winning yet?

“The law” is the defense of another Randian type who whines against “big government”, hilarious.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BigBlock440 01/05/2018 at 13:01

0

Yup. I think you and I are on the same page here.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BigBlock440 01/05/2018 at 13:03

0

As long as it’s laws they like, it’s good, and that runs in both directions, imho.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/05/2018 at 13:06

1

Mind if I cut in? If the Big Blue States collect lots of state taxes because residents don’t mind paying them — and I probably qualify as one of those — and then deduct that from their federal taxes, doesn’t that create a federal subsidy of sorts for the Blue states? Granted, there are other economic factors that I have zero clue of, but still: What of it?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/05/2018 at 13:08

0

I question whether it’ll even get that far.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/05/2018 at 13:14

0

Dubya had Karl Rove, didn’t he? If Rove was Dubya’s brain, then Bannon would ostensibly be Trump’s brain, I suppose. I’d have a hard time with everything associated with being POTUS except, maybe, the food and riding on Air Force One. Definitely, those two things would be cool and maybe I could even manage them without being POTUS.

I love the liberal media assault that is painting President Trump as being unstable mentally, and watching who is concerned by it and who wants to ignore it. Fascinating stuff. You can say what you want about the goings on in Washington these days, but whatever your view, you’d have to agree that it’s compelling political theatre.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Ash78, voting early and often 01/05/2018 at 13:16

1

So what is the source of this piece?

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/05/2018 at 13:17

0

I live in a prosperous blue state without income tax (and a high minimum wage, lots of regulation, legalized pot, yet things are thriving) which means there’s not much to deduct.

As with everything in life, there are exceptions, but blue tends to subsidize red:

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-states-the-most-and-least-dependent-on-the-federal-government-2015-7

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/05/2018 at 13:22

0

Rove is another slimy creature, I see him as a link between the evil of Cheney and Rummy, and Dubya’s desire to win friends. Definitely a brain when it comes to campaigning during that era. It wasn’t as lowest common denominator as the current gang, though - more like cheerleading vs dirty populism. I wouldn’t want to be in a POTUS style role, due to constant scrutiny, lack of privacy, and inability to drive. 45 on the other hand loves it, I firmly believe there’s at least a bit of narcissistic personality at play, and no attention is negative attention.

In my opinion, it’s not the media painting him as unstable (and there’s not really a “liberal media”, as they are all corporations, and without exception, all failed and fail to call out 45 for his campaign era lies and current misdeeds),but his own actions painting him as unstable. Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. Compelling indeed, this is history - the worst (and crooked, and hypocritical) regime not just in our lifetimes, but ever.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/05/2018 at 13:25

0

“...but blue tends to subsidize red...” I assume as much, but I’d like to see something more substantial than a Business Insider story to support the claim. Rural Red-staters are certainly enjoying Google and Twitter and Amazon on their iPhones and all of that stuff comes out of Blue states, I am assuming.

As to your first paragraph, to which state do you refer? And what “things are thriving?”

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/05/2018 at 13:34

0

As to “not really a liberal media...because corporations...” I have been coming to the same conclusion. After all, hasn’t the NYT come to where it is because people bought their newspapers? I think an interesting question is why Fock Snooze sells more via cable television whilst NYT sells more in print. Who is interested in what and via what medium?

45 is adroit at some things, bullying chief among them. I am genuinely enjoying watching his reaction to a book about to be released that turns his tricks right back on him, by which I mean, a bully pulpit of quasi-truths spun for effect. I am surprised that Steve Bannon has seemed to implode, that he allowed himself to come to this, but perhaps there is a strategy that I cannot see.

Jeff Flake was on NPR yesterday talking about Republican POTUS primaries for 2020. Interesting discussion. Flake is too conservative for me, but he is a decent man and I wish he were POTUS and not Donald Trump.

Ash78, voting early and often > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/05/2018 at 13:38

0

My warped mind...check out all my previous ones, too (click my profile or just look for the tag “taketheoutsideline”)

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Ash78, voting early and often 01/05/2018 at 13:45

0

Nicely done, Sir. Do you write stuff for a living?

Ash78, voting early and often > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/05/2018 at 14:23

0

Hehe, nope, but thanks for the compliment. I’m a financial/database guy for a living, writing just helps me stay sane.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/05/2018 at 15:35

0

I’m in WA. One of the strongest overall economies in the country. Even outlying areas are getting in on it.

There’s gobs of data out there about who subsidizes who. Some of it can vary, as different criteria are used. But with a few exceptions, the intellectual capital has been flocking to blue areas, and the taxes from these people subsidize the programs that benefit red areas, you know, those who voted to cut off their nose to spite their face. I wonder that things are like in Jefferson Beauregard’s home area right now.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/05/2018 at 15:43

0

I think all media tolerates 45 - nobody has really called him out. One big reason - ratings (ad sales). They know his tantrums and chaos bring in viewers. They don’t want this to end. Regarding Faux, they have a devoted demographic much like 45 himself, maybe people who aren’t much into the world outside their county.

I think Bannon is no worse than 45 in terms of bluster - and probably a better strategist, but I suspect there’s not much of a real feud. This is a contrived crisis to distract from Russia, his nepotist family failures, and general financial malfeasance of his empire. Bannon did a lot to win the election, and generally supports the regime.

2020 will be even more interesting than 2018. If the Dems can’t pull it off, they will have proven their ineptitude for eternity. There will not be a worse batch of incumbents than the current gang (given they run again). This is a low point for the country in terms of political leadership.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/05/2018 at 16:16

0

I believe you. And it makes sense. I meant to reference the intellectual property thing when I mentioned Red-staters using Google and Amazon, who will probably replace the RNC and DNC in the coming generation...

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/05/2018 at 16:20

0

Yep that’s a good one. The parties behind those massive firms are generally progressive, and by patronizing them, you contribute to the gradual but persistent change of society.

Also one of a few reasons why 45 likes to whine about Amazon (as usual, none of the whine has a foundation in reality).

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/05/2018 at 16:22

0

My take is a little different. I think 45 has been called out plenty, but he is so adroit at bullying through various media that the media are afraid of him. 45 understands media better than the media do.

Regarding the Bannon/Trump comparison, I honestly believe that Trump is the better man, in that he is more opportunist, egotist than downright racist. Only Steven K. Bannon could be a worse human than Donald Trump.

I’m beginning to think that Trump and the Rs are getting really scared of Mueller and Company. And perhaps some Russians are scared as well.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/05/2018 at 16:35

0

I can’t think of any interviewer ever calling him out, nor calling out any of his minions (like dead-eyed zombie Huckabee-Sanders) when they get out of line. They need to speak up and belt it out when they see the BS. A scathing article here and there doesn’t work. It needs to be verbalized. The media is letting us down in the name of profit.

Bannon is indeed worse on that level - a quasi-fascist instead a mere narcissistic opportunist like 45. Beyond that, it might be similar to Dubya - I don’t think Dubya was a bad person, but some of the people surrounding him were definitely bad people. And I suspect even they have no love for this regime.

I hope they have a lot to be scared about. I suspect there’s at least some low level of treason out there, and definitely some money laundering and other financial issues. It will go far beyond the taxes which he still lies about and won’t release. I don’t think the Russians are scared - they probably hold some evidence to hold for safety. They have been virtually untouchable on the global stage since 1945, if not before - never answered for anything. That’s not going to change.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/05/2018 at 17:27

0

I need to consider your assertion in the first paragraph a bit longer. I think it fits with mine, that they are bullied into submission by a promoter more adroit than they are.

It’s not matter or how much they have to be scared about, but whether any of that gets uncovered.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/05/2018 at 21:59

0

Either bullied by a loudmouth, or maybe afraid of being attacked by the alt-right, who has been allowed a virtually unchecked reign of either mild annoyance or literal terror.

You just know there’s something out there, indeed, whether or not it becomes know. Come on WaPo, find another Watergate.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/06/2018 at 00:15

0

No, I think I think Donald Trump is exceedingly adroit at being a bully. I wouldn’t say genius , but more of a savant bully and self promoter. I have some trouble with your assertion that we are being let down because of the (a) bottom line.

I think with regard to media, people try to apply a sort of yin/yang comparison to conservative and liberal media when the two do not fit together at all. The best example I can think of is Rachel Maddow. She sits there and monologues for thirty minutes and I just can’t get there. Give me a long backgrounder on the Newshour and I’m fine, but one person’s opinion for minutes and hours on end, really? Nope.

But you heard it first from me: Donald Trump is a bully savant.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/06/2018 at 11:49

0

I can’t see how he personally could bully the media though,other than having his alt-right wannanazi lackeys who he claims he doesn’t support, to come after them. I still think the media is complicit in all of this shit, and they do it for the ratings and revenues.

I generally don’t watch much TV news media, preferring to read print (online) material. There’s more justifiable castigation in that medium,but still not enough. IMO, this is easily the worst regime in American history, and needs to be treated as such.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/06/2018 at 16:50

0

He absolutely can — and does, IMHO — bully them by virtue of the office he holds.

This new book is brilliant because it knackers Trump at his own game.

And to your assertion, if you argue that the lack of bona fide challenge to 45 is taking place — or not taking place — in the television media, then I would not know, because I watch none of it. I do listen to the Newshour pretty often, but I do not see that as being anywhere near the cable news media swamp.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/06/2018 at 18:08

0

What can he do though? What real recourse does he have? I know this crooked cowardly regime wants to “lock em up” and tries to get people fired, but he really can’t do much than maybe sic his fascist guard dogs on someone. I bet in an actual physical fight, he’d falter immediately.

I do like the book painting him as a senile, well, dotard, but sometimes it too seems like a distraction, either that or pieces of shit like Sessions are a distraction from the book. The distractions might get evil if the Russians release stuff.

I think it started during the debates. He spewed shit, and nobody called him on it. He’s been doing it nonstop since he was selected, and still just spews shit. Nobody confronts him on it.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/06/2018 at 18:25

0

Well, they do confront him on it, but they’re civilized about it and it doesn’t work. Just like combating terrorism.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/06/2018 at 20:32

0

That’s part of the problem. You can’t be civilized when battling the uncivilized.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/06/2018 at 21:57

0

And that’s why Trump has Liberals by the short hair.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/06/2018 at 22:07

0

I can only hope it mobilizes them to actually act and strike back a little stronger than in the last election, and work around the gerrymandering rather than apparently ignoring it.

It will take a couple generations to recover from two terms of these cons.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/06/2018 at 22:34

0

There are interesting things happening in our society right now. Consider #METOO. When you listen to the really credible people talking about it, they say that it’s really up to men to stand up to other men on behalf of women. “YO!: Quit mansplaining her and let her finish!” A few dudes calling out a few dudes on a consistent basis will get those dudes’ stick figures drawn on the bathroom wall wearing a skirt, but so what? It means the dickheads are listening.

The fighting back you’ve spoken of was tried, briefly and forcefully, by Mitt Romney. Romney figured out immediately that it was Trump’s sandbox and Romney stopped. Now Romney looks to be poised to get elected to the senate from Utah this year. And who knows what Jeff Flake will do? It is for Republicans to actually fight this ghoul while it is for the Ds to offer alternatives. And let 45's Mormon hating begin.

Things are so bad right now that I’d be very happy with a conservative president who had integrity.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/06/2018 at 22:42

0

I think the liberals (as they exist in the US, really just barely left of center, as the US lacks a real leftist movement) need to fight back, not just the actual conservatives. I don’t see Romney as really fighting back. Call out Dotard both personally and professionally. Mention his blessed by nepotism family, and his business/financial concerns. Question the house of cards, and the conmen. Someone like Romney will also be well-advised to not get too deep into social conservatism, as changing demographics are slowly but surely going to make that bent the wrong side of history. Things are changing indeed.

I’d have to look at the people surrounding the president to really judge integrity. Romney wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but teaming up with a douchebag like Ryan made him intolerable.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/07/2018 at 00:27

0

So much name calling in your commentary.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/07/2018 at 00:32

0

But nothing that’s incorrect, right?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/07/2018 at 00:35

0

I am not disagreeing with you. But all the name calling and a sexist moniker like “douchebag” just lowers the quality of your commentary. Steady on there, Friend.

And here are some laughs apropos to our dialogue:

Talk about clowns: THE ROOT.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/07/2018 at 00:44

0

Would “shitbag” be better? It still works :)

That neighborhood of Gawker can be grating, but also sometimes on-point. They had a good blurb about 45's whining about Amazon and postal rates. There’s no limit to his inability.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/07/2018 at 01:25

0

It would be better.

I’m a stable genius, okay? Believe me.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/07/2018 at 13:54

0

Someone declaring themselves a genius is as credible as someone who claims to hate big government voting for fascists.

I see Bannon is apologizing this morning - it’s all theater. These regrettables are joined at the hip.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 01/07/2018 at 17:54

0

There’s a guy I like to listen to on NPR named David Brooks. He and Mark Shields are on Newshour each Friday. You may well be familiar with the segment. For one thing, that weekly dose of Brooks is just the right amount: about five minutes. It’s that way with any commentator for me, one column per week or around five minutes. This is why I cannot understand why people turn on Rush Limbaugh or Rachel Maddow for hours at a time and listen to them monologue.

Anyhow, Brooks’ comment about the Michael Wolff book is that there is no counternarrative, only denial and pushback. That resonates with me.