President Biden thread

3 hours ago, subee said:

If we aren't weak or powerless against Putin, does that mean that WE have to use the nuclear option first?  The whole world refuses to use the power they have because they don't want to start WW III.  I would say that we are in the position of weakness and Dr. No has won this war so far.  I wonder what would happen if the oligarchs got together and offered a one billion bounty on Putin.  It would be like a Dr. No movie:) But the collective patience might pay when Putin can't run a war and a failing economy at the same time.  But an awful lot of human suffering had to take place while the world did nothing "powerful" enough to stop this guy.  I still think steroid moon facies when I see his photos so we can only hope that he will die soon.

I have no idea what you're talking about when you so "Dr. No has won this war so far".  Some reference to an old James Bond movie?  

But yes, a lot of human suffering goes into wars.  Sadly Ukraine is not unique. Miramar killed lots of Rohingya while the world watched.  In the Tigray region of Ethiopia the world watches in horror but does nothing about the killings there.   People are starving in Yemen due to war.  On and on war ravages on while we do nothing to stop it.  I suppose you can say that makes us weak.

My point was that the allies that we have treaties with have been relatively peaceful.  Sadly Ukraine isn't one of them and no one wants to go to war with Russia.

5 hours ago, Beerman said:

You're right!  1963 Bond movie.  I'm sure the poster thought everyone knew that reference.

I was 3 years old when it came out and have never seen it.  So it went way over my head.  LOL

2 hours ago, Tweety said:

I was 3 years old when it came out and have never seen it.  So it went way over my head.  LOL

I've seen all of the Bond movies, Dr No was the introduction to this bit of American culture in film.  We often get into the weeds when deviate from precise language in online discussion to make cultural references or try to use sarcasm.  

I'm not certain that Dr No would be the movie villian that I would use...he was a crazy scientist.  

1 hour ago, toomuchbaloney said:

I've seen all of the Bond movies, Dr No was the introduction to this bit of American culture in film.  We often get into the weeds when deviate from precise language in online discussion to make cultural references or try to use sarcasm.  

I'm not certain that Dr No would be the movie villian that I would use...he was a crazy scientist.  

Mea culpa.  But he was a crazy scientists who threatened the world's existence who lived in an impenetrable vault.  But he was also a baseball reference because of his artificial hands and in the early years of the Mets, one team outfielder got the  the name name of Dr. No for fumbling catches.  OK.  Back to the super serious.....

1 hour ago, subee said:

Mea culpa.  But he was a crazy scientists who threatened the world's existence who lived in an impenetrable vault.  But he was also a baseball reference because of his artificial hands and in the early years of the Mets, one team outfielder got the  the name name of Dr. No for fumbling catches.  OK.  Back to the super serious.....

I'm not a baseball fan so I was unaware of that reference...it's funny though. 

I would say that the whole administration has been a poop show, one mess after another.

I will say that journalists like to use words like "revolt' and "confusing messages".  I didn't find the last few days about the mask mandate confusing.  He said that he would go with what the CDC says if it recommends a different direction that the judge,  but in the meantime would allow people their freedoms.  What's so confusing about that?  The judge of course dealt a blow to Biden's mask mandate but people aren't all that bent out of shape about it.

The Title 42 is interesting and it's true he faces much opposition from Democrats.  Republicans who advocate for freedom and no covid restrictions within the borders are interesting in how they react in wanting to keep it.  

I will say the appearance of being directionless is accurate because what direction to you go when there's a war in Ukraine that's affecting us at home, or a supply chain disrupted by things you can't control.  There's no roadmap.  It's easy for Warren and anyone to say "we need to do more" but she doesn't say much because nothing she would propose would help inflation or the border situation.  I think though she understands that if they don't get some of their agenda like student loans relief or other progressive policy they won't be able to come November.

I'm not saying Republicans can't win the house and senate and all kinds of local elections.  Obama's first mid-term had a record number of Republican wins around the country.  But they certainly aren't helping themselves with the "anyone that voted for Brown is pro-pedophile" and some of the other rhetoric.  Independents and moderates don't like that kind of nonsense and they may not swing as expected.  They proved this when Trump lost the election.  They certainly lost any chance whatsoever of getting any LGBT votes (one study showed 93% went for Biden the first time and we're sticking with him), or win over any African Americans.

22 minutes ago, Beerman said:

I guess that is another way to look at it that I don't necessarily disagree with.

I just read a poll that 49% of the public think it's too early to end the mandate.  I find that to be interesting,  as when I go out in public,  far fewer than 49% of folks are wearing them.

Also, planes have proven to be one of, if not the safeist indoor places there is.

The same poll found that 11% said the mandates should have never been in place.  Kinda punches another hole in the theory that Republicans have been anti-mitigation from the beginning.

Those 49% can keep wearing their mask.  No one's stopping them.

Republicans have been more anti-mitigation than democrats, but not necessarily against it.  I said in a post above that it was Republicans that shut down our state last March.  But the rhetoric from DeSantis during Omicron was that we were free and going to stay free, and the most free state in the nation.  He also condemns Biden's termination of Title 42.  I find that interesting.  

I notice here in Florida it depends on the rates.  Rates are extremely low here now and I would say maybe 2% of people are wearing masks.  I went to the dentist the other day and he still has a mask mandate, as does my employer.  My dog's ophthalmologist (yes he has one of those) still makes us wait in the car and I haven't met him in the two years I've been going to him.   His office had a big breakout last Summer so I guess they are still being cautious.  But it's quite rare to see any covid precautions here. There shouldn't be, rates are low and when people do get covid they don't get that sick. 

 I plan on seeing Elton John with about 16,000 other people Sunday and doubtful we'll be in masks.  There is no requirement.

 However, I noticed when Omicron flew through last fall many more people we wearing masks, including me (I went with N95), and I will re-evaluate my behavior based on conditions.  I've mentioned before I do like having the freedom to make my own choices, it's one way I'm pretty libertarian.  

I've also elected not to get a 4th covid shot now just six months after my 3rd.  I'll get it a year after my 3rd if at all.  Again, I like having the freedom of choice.  

I think now we have the benefit of time in that we know now what works and what doesn't.  Surely we've made some mistakes.