The United States(!) of A

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factotum started the topic in Thursday, 27 Aug 2020 at 11:12am

Septic Tanks are going to Septic Tank

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blackers Tuesday, 5 Jan 2021 at 9:20am

An interesting read and sad indightment Blowin, good find.
And regarding the current kerfufflein Washington, it is not the first time for the Republicans: https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/groundhog-day-the-republic...

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thermalben Wednesday, 6 Jan 2021 at 3:29pm

Another big moment in US politics unfolding right now - looks like the Democrats have gained control of the US Senate.

Here's a really good explanation as to the current numbers, and how this relates to the claims made arournd the same time period of the Presidential election.

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Westofthelake Wednesday, 6 Jan 2021 at 7:42pm

It does look like the next 2 years will be a bit bluer for the good ol' US of A.

Republican red was getting a bit old anyway...

"Now, not only has Trump become the first GOP presidential nominee to lose Georgia since 1992, but also the apparent loss of two GOP senators from the state will hand control of the upper chamber to Democrats. Sen. Mitch McConnell will no longer be majority leader."

Wow for a 'winner' he really makes a great 'loser'.
And that's how I will remember him.
But still have this dread that he just won't go away.
Like some politicians here in Australia.
But likely much worse,
with a whole 'arsernal' of family members to follow.

Lordy help us all ;)

But it ain't over till its over.

Apparently there's some sort of Trump March tomorrow. A 'final stand stop the steal' kinda shebang.
A plethora of conspiracy theorists, right wing activists, and a few proud boys to boot all in DC, all in a state of angst.
Not to mention the National Guard. Or counter-protestors.

Sounds like a fun day out for all the family eh!

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thermalben Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 6:34am

Far out, it's getting ugly in the US right now.

Trump just spoke at a rally, publically claiming that Pence would "overturn the election".

A few minutes later, Pence issued a statement confirming that he would count the votes of the electoral college.. i.e. defying Trump.

Trump supporters are now marching on buildings in the US Capitol, which is now in lockdown.

Check these scenes (from just minutes ago).

Staggering.

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thermalben Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 6:50am

Far out. 

Remember, this is the US Capitol Building (i.e. the equivalent of Parliament House).

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thermalben Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 6:58am

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simba Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 7:09am

well 2021 ....great start........one gunshot away from doom.......years of pentup frustration bubbling to the surface sparked by there fearless leader ........ democracy possibly gone and a dictator ready to rise.....archtung!

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 7:44am

“ Dictator “

“After protesters stormed the Capitol, Trump tweeted: "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue."

The truth about the vomit inducing “ dictator “ gaslighting which has spewed forth over the past four years https://www.zerohedge.com/political/threat-authoritarianism-us-very-real...

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thermalben Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 7:50am

Here's what Trump tweeted ten minutes before asking everyone to 'stay peaceful', following dozens of tweets over the last few days where he's ramping up the rhetoric. 

Blowin's picture
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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 7:55am

Sure Ben. He’s a dictator mate.

After four years which included massive civil unrest and a pandemic he never declared martial law or abused emergency powers but we are all still supposed to believe he’s a dictator. FFS bloke so what if he claims the election was rigged ....what in Christ’ s name do you think has been repeated ad nauseum by the entire democrat party , the msm and every mental Pygmy since 2016 with the completely unsubstantiated and baseless Russia Stole the Election calls ?

What’s the difference ?

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thermalben Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 8:07am

I didn't call him a Dictator. They're your words.

Do you have any comments on what's happening right now? It's kinda historical.

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 8:17am

What’s happening?

“ Dozens” of people have stormed the capital building. Is this any more historical and important than entire cities being burnt , looted and occupied over many months by thousands of violent and murderous thugs ?

One person yelling in the parliament room.....OMG ! Civilisation must be crumbling !

Simba called him a dictator but it’s a bit disingenuous to act as though it’s not a common and continuous refrain from all the institutions who should place accuracy before partisan politics.

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thermalben Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 8:16am

Dozens of people?

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Ralph Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 8:17am

Trump is such a bad president. He really is an embarrassment imo.

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 8:20am

Yes....dozens.

And what about the headline......” This is a coup attempt !!!!!!!”

FFS

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 8:34am

Here’s a tiny , tiny slice of the bullshit we’ve been fed the last 5 years....Russia rigged the election !!!!!!!!!

Sweet Jesus.

This is Time and the New York Post not even pretending to attempt responsible narrative.


Kamala Harris publicly claimed that Tulsi Gabbard was a Russian operative and you want me to think special thoughts about Trump when he says the same kind of thing ?

And now Twitter would have you believe they’re not partisan fuckwits and that they simply want to protect the American people from misinformation. The whole thing makes me crook. So much bullshit coming at you from every angle.....it’s too much.

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Craig Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 8:33am

Blowin, you need a break. Go surfing, it's looking good out there, enjoy the salt and stability we have here in Australia.

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 8:39am

Broken hand . No surfing . Up all night.

Makes no difference to the shit I’m hearing and seeing. Too much media lies and crap.

I’ve got no idea if the US election was rigged or not. How could I ? But I do know that the MSM couldn’t lie straight in bed and that I immediately doubt pretty much everything they say and that this is mostly justified.

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Craig Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 8:37am

Ah yes, forgot. Well turn off the news, computer and switch off.

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Distracted Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 8:51am

Pretty bizarre that the Feds weren’t more organised to protect Capitol Hill. This protest has been discussed for weeks.

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etarip Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:07am

You’ve gotta be kidding Blowie. whats happening today is nothing less than an assault on democracy by a populist crank, relying on the mob he’s been largely responsible for riling up.

Whats the basis for the claim of fraud? Why does the man lack the humility to accept the will of the people? Why are you his apologist?

Raging against the dying light. Or something.

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JQ Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:17am

Shame on you for defending this would be dictator Blowin. Just because he aligns with some of your (many) personal grievances.

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:23am

Listen to this reporter talking absolute dung about attempted coups and “ nasty “ moods amongst the mob then watch the video she provides. The distinction between the lies she is peddling and the reality witnessed with your own eyes is astounding.

This is a truly peaceful protest as far as I can see. The people inside the building don’t even walk outside the designated velvet rope FFS. Crew outside holding flags and just milling about casually. Check the crowd behind the breathless and fearful shit talking reporter.

This is such outrageous propaganda and hype it’s crazy.

Watch and claim otherwise.....the horror , the horror.

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:25am

JQ .....you can say would be Dictator till you’re blue in the face mate. Doesn’t make it true.

Never was . You’ve been lied to and now you’re repeating the lies . Why ? I’m not sure . That’s a question for you to ask yourself.

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JQ Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:26am

Regarding Blowin's favoured news source:

https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/zero-hedge/

'Overall, we rate Zero Hedge an extreme right biased conspiracy website based on the promotion of false/misleading/debunked information that routinely denigrates the left.'

Mediabias classify this source as 'CONSPIRACY-PSEUDOSCIENCE'. Blowin didn't like what he was seeing in the news, so he shopped around until he found someone saying what he wanted to hear.

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JQ Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:27am

I said would be dictator, but don't let yourself get bogged down in the detail.

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Craig Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:29am

Peaceful, fuck Blowin you're so polarised, go join these lunatics!

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:32am

He had four years and every excuse in the world to become a dictator ( nation wide violence and rioting, pandemic) and he never made a single move towards acting like a dictator.

But sure , you keep acting like he’s just on the verge of being a dictator despite there being absolutely no evidence or even a hint of intent to back up your LIE.

You’re a fake news peddler bloke.

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JQ Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:33am

From news.com.au

Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger was fuming when he spoke to CNN a short time ago. He called the actions of the President's supporters "utterly despicable".

"Anywhere else in the world, we would call this a coup attempt. I think that's what this is," Mr Kinzinger said.

"The guardrails of the democracy the Constitution will hold, and we will succeed, and I think when this is over, we will look back and realise where this cancer has come from, and go after it."

Yes, that was a rather obvious allusion to Donald Trump.

"When you don't tell people the truth, you end up getting people to believe the conspiracies and the false proof, and you get Capitol storms, like the one today," he said.

"This is absolutely, utterly despicable, and every single Republican leader has got to call this out forcefully and be held accountable."

This is a coup attempt. Nothing short of it.

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JQ Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:38am

No Blowin, you're the fake news peddler, that's why you cite pseudo-science crap like zerohedge.

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:41am

I think you need a break Craig.

All I see is a cool people stamping on some equipment. Yet you describe it as “ lunacy “ . Have you ever thought that you be as brainwashed as you are now now mate ? If the media was chased away where is the footage and how come the media is still casually filming this NON EVENT after claiming they are chased away ?

Face it mate. This is confected media hype that you are parroting.

BTW....how’s the quote in your link ....”I’ve never seen anything like it in 20 years of reporting ! “ . This is after half the country was burnt , looted and streets filled with violence for 6 months earlier this year.

It’s media bullshit and your pe swallowing it cause you want to or you’re not smart enough to know the difference.

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:44am

JQ....stop repeating the fake news quotes and show me this violent coup or else admit its fake news.

PS...love your ad hominem re Zerohedge whilst you were referencing news.com. Lol

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JQ Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:48am

What would be the point, there is no threshold of evidence that will convince you.

You live in this carefully constructed reality where every event and every news report is twisted and qualified or disqualified based on how it fits with your paranoid, grievance riddled and hate filled world view.

There is as much chance of convincing you as there is of Trump conceding. Much like Trump and his supporters, everything you don't like is 'fake news'. You're a coward.

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adam12 Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:48am

Ugly scenes have an upside. Trump and his support base are over. Bask in the sedition Blowin, you are in for Democrat/Socialist domination of US and global politics for a long time to come. Real power just shifted with the Democrat takeover of Congress, not the protesters. The next few years are going to really shit you Blowin.

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:58am

JQ said :

“What would be the point, there is no threshold of evidence that will convince you.”

Spare me bloke. You can’t put up a single bit of evidence . None. All you can do is repeat the Trump is a dictator lie over and over and hope no one can tell the difference between your unsubstantiated lie and the opposing truth.

PS Here’s what actual rioting looks like compared to a bunch of people waving flags peacefully. You may have trouble understanding the difference if you are one of the mouth breathers who believed the following to be “ mostly peaceful protests “ during the 6 months of unhinged madness in 2020.

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JQ Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:58am

More from news.com.au

"Meanwhile, Washington D.C.'s police chief Robert Contee has given a statement, revealing 13 people have been arrested.

Three are from the Arlington, Virginia area, while the other 10 are from further afield.

"As the demonstrators approached the Capitol Grounds, there was a noticeable change in their demeanour," he said.

"They breached the fencing and confronted police lines surrounding the building.

"A riot was declared. It was clear that the crowd was intent on causing harm to our officers by declaring chemical irritants on police to force entry to the Capitol Building.

"I can confirm that one civilian was reported to have sustained a gunshot wound inside the Capitol.""

So, 13 have been arrested during the would-be coup, with violent Trump supporters trying to or possibly actually using chemical irritants against police to break and enter the Capitol Building.

Sadly, it also sounds like the woman who was shot early has also died.

All this violence was completely unnecessary and rests on Trump and his enablers shoulders.

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 10:00am

I think you fellas need to take a break.

You’re obviously not thinking clearly because you have a different opinion than my own. I hope that doesn’t sound condescending just because it is condescending.

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JQ Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 10:02am

Condescension is one of your go-to's after all Blowin.

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thermalben Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 10:03am

Jeez, Blowin, your supposed 'peaceful protests' are even being called out by Scott Morrison as 'distressing scenes', and an 'act of violence'.

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 10:04am

JQ....pushing News.com “ truth “.

It must be a coup attempt because Rupert Murdoch said so !

Thirteen people arrested.....whoa ! Sounds like a civil war ! Lol.

Where’s that evidence that Trump is a dictator, JQ ? Defend your LIES bloke.

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mattlock Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 10:04am

How did you break your hand Blowin?
Did you smack it on the ceiling doing the Nazi salute whilst perched upon your high horse?

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 10:06am

Now I’m supposed to give a fuck what Scott Morrison declares -the single least genuine and believable person in Australia - yet it’s all true cause Scotty “ weather vane “ Morrison says so.

FFS.

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JQ Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 10:07am

I said 'would-be dictator' Blowin, but you keep at that strawman all you like buddy.

I know this will go over your head (because it's not in the gutter) but I'm only referencing news.com.au as a source for the other people's statements. I'm not posting their opinion pieces. Are you suggesting that they are fabricating the words of Washington D.C.'s police chief Robert Contee? or the words of Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger?

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Craig Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 10:08am

All hail your new leader..

God Bless.

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Roystein Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 10:08am

It’s a shocking scene but I am hopeful, as you have said adam12, that this will further the resolve of the rational majority in the US, regardless of how they vote, to come together and move forward. Trump will be impeached and there will be acts of lone wolf and vigilante behaviour in his name but I am hopeful a a higher degree of civility can grow

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thermalben Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 10:08am

Blowin, you're supposed to put Scott's comment into perspective.

It's very rare for Prime Ministers or Presidents to comment on domestic matters in other countries - especially in real time - unless it's imperative, and may perhaps assist in solving the problem.

Kinda suggests that there's a bit of a event happening.

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JQ Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 10:09am

Thirteen people isn't a lot blowin, but they stormed the capitol building by force. This is significant.

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lostdoggy Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 10:10am

And Scotty has been Trump's best international bud.

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Blowin Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 10:10am

What is a “ would be dictator “ ??

I’m pretty sure if you’re looking for a dictator who asks permission and seeks democratic outcomes whilst obeying the courts of the land that you won’t find many actual dictators bloke.

In other words .....you’re using semantics to imply a LIE you aren’t able to peddle outright.

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JQ Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 10:11am

Statement from George W Bush:

"Laura and I are watching the scenes of mayhem unfolding at the seat of our nation's government in disbelief and dismay," Mr Bush said.

"It is a sickening and heartbreaking sight. This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic, not our democratic republic.

"I am appalled by the reckless behaviour of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions and our law enforcement.

"The violent assault on the Capitol – and disruption of a constitutionally mandated meeting of Congress – was undertaken by people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes.

"Insurrection could do grave damage to our nation and reputation. In the US, it is the fundamental of every patriotic citizen to support the rule of law.

"To those who are disappointed in the results of the election: Our country is more important than the politics of the moment. Let the officials elected by the people fulfill their duties and represent our voices in peace and safety."

I imagine this all probably fake news though and they are just jumping at shadows.