Disney Thanks Chinese Labor Camp Authorities in Mulan Credits

Plus: California is burning because of a "gender reveal" party, Irish brothel law backfires, and more...

The new Mulan movie is facing a barrage of criticism—and promises to boycott—for filming near Chinese concentration camps and then thanking the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for the privilege.

The film—a live-action version of the 1998 Disney cartoon by the same name—is based on Chinese folklore about a young woman (Hua Mulan) who pretends to be a boy so that she can fight in her father's place when he is conscripted into the Chinese army. In a sense, it's a tale about cleverness, bravery, and familial love helping to overcome hardships brought about by a violent and overbearing government.

That's makes Disney's filming location—Xinjiang—an extra slap in the face. Xinjiang is where China has been holding Uighurs in concentration camps and subjecting them and other Muslim minorities to horrible human rights abuses.

"The repression of ethnic Uighurs and Kazakhs in the western part of the country has been increasingly brutal and systematic," explained Daniel Drezner at Reason in April. "The erection of a massive network of internment facilities, prisons, and forced labor camps speaks to the regime's ruthlessness and deep illiberalism."

Which brings us back to Mulan. After the movie's Friday release "observers noted [that] in the final credits Disney offers 'special thanks' to eight government entities in Xinjiang, including the public security bureau in Turpan, a city in eastern Xinjiang where several re-education camps have been documented," notes The Guardian. In addition:

The film also expresses thanks to the "publicity department of CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomy Region Committee", the Chinese Communist party's propaganda department in Xinjiang. Disney has been approached for comment. […]

Activists calling for a boycott of the film are now highlighting its links to Xinjiang, while other researchers noted that the public security bureau in Turpan oversees at least 14 internment camps in the area.

https://twitter.com/jeannette_ng/status/1302767969466974208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1302795856786137093%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Ffilm%2F2020%2Fsep%2F07%2Fdisney-remake-of-mulan-criticised-for-filming-in-xinjiang

"It's sufficiently astonishing that it bears repeating: Disney has thanked four propaganda departments and a public security bureau in Xinjiang, a region in northwest China that is the site of one of the world's worst human rights abuses happening today," writes Washington Post contributor Isaac Stone Fish.

"Disney has a long and ongoing relationship with China, where its films often find success in theaters and where its Shanghai Disneyland theme park resides," notes The Verge. And the company is expecting the new Mulan to do well in China where, unlike the U.S., it will actually be shown in theaters.

"Theatrically, Mulan has generated $6 million in limited markets—including Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore—in its first weekend The film is slated to be released in China on September 11th," The Verge adds.

I'm really not a big fan of boycotts, but there's probably a good case to be made for refusing to see Mulan. https://t.co/vlI22IEVjU

— Robby Soave (@robbysoave) September 7, 2020

Disney decided to forgo a U.S. theatrical release and sell the movie directly to Disney+ app users for $30 (plus the price of a Disney+ subscription fee). "Whether or not pressure from protesters to boycott Mulan worked may remain unclear for a while," since "Disney doesn't have to disclose how many digital copies of Mulan it's sold via Disney Plus," The Verge notes.

Mulan's release has already been tied to a huge spike in Disney+ app downloads, suggesting political pressure may do little to dampen the film's U.S. popularity.

---

QUICK HITS

I think any candidate who is on the ballot in enough states to win 270 electoral votes should be included in the presidential debates. Agree? https://t.co/VzwLZQYTo8

— Nick Gillespie (@nickgillespie) September 6, 2020

• The FIRST STEP Act has "resulted in shorter sentences for more than 4,000 drug offenders." But "while that is nothing to sneeze at, it is a modest accomplishment in the context of a federal prison system that keeps more than 150,000 Americans, including more than 68,000 drug offenders, behind bars," notes Reason's Jacob Sullum.

• Out of Ireland, another example of how laws criminalizing sex work in the name of "protecting" vulnerable women almost always end up coming down hardest on those same women: "A new study of brothel keeping convictions in Ireland shows almost all of those convicted are migrant women," reports The Independent.

• How Arizona—"which hasn't been won by a Democratic presidential nominee since 1996"—became a swing state.

• Almost 10,000 acres of California land have been consumed by wildfires sparked by some idiots' pyrotechnic performance to announce the sex of their baby.

• A kid briefly picked up a neon green Nerf gun emblazoned with the words "ZOMBIE HUNTER" during a Zoom school session. The school called the cops.

• The more you know…

https://twitter.com/Nicole_Cliffe/status/1303020704472784896

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

Disney Thanks Chinese Labor Camp Authorities in Mulan Credits

It's normally a thankless job.

[Mother's lament]

It's astonishing how this actual holocaust is being largely ignored by American media and abetted by American companies.

Everyone who squeals about fascists and nazis, and then does business with the CCP needs to get their asses kicked.

[JesseAz]

The one thing I wish Reason would lead on here is showing the similarities between the red guard of China during Mao, the shame walks during the reduction and the commonality of this events with this summer and cultural Marxism in general. The tactics are the same. The local officials allowing the violence is the same. The asking for fealty is the same.

[Cyto]

On the other hand, putting thanks to various agencies that provided support for the project is hardly an endorsement of unrelated policies.

This is like holding Paramount accountable for the beating of Rodney King because they filmed "Terminator 2" in Los Angeles.

Worse than that, actually. Maybe it is like holding Miramax accountable for filming Weekend at Bernies in Mexico because the government of the region is in bed with drug traffickers.

There's colluding with the oppressor, then there's "just being there". The geographic location is not really the point at all, is it? They'd say the same thing if it was filmed in the south China sea.

Their point is "we don't like this China policy, and we demand that everyone else take up our cause as their own."

The fact that I agree with the cause really doesn't make this any more reasonable.

There is a much better case to be made on other Disney properties, like ESPN. They have become overtly political (unlike Disney's family movie division) and comment on "social justice" issues incessantly. Yet they quite carefully toed the party line when covering the NBA in China during the unrest in Hong Kong.

This was a dumb request. Disney family entertainment is kind of the opposite of political. And what did they expect? Instead of thanks for letting them film, a big banner that says "We object to the treatment of the Uighur people and condemn the Chinese government!" A banner that absolutely zero people in china would see, because the film (and all other Disney properties) would be banned immediately?

It is just an absolutely silly argument.

[JesseAz]

They thanked the police force in the regional area of the concentration camps in the credits.

This isn't just filming on location.

This is shit China has global corporations do to claim legitimacy.

Stop white washing it.

[Cyto]

Yeah, that's dumb.

They didn't film in concentration camps, as far as we know. And the national government of china is responsible for those actions, not some regional rogue government. They don't have that over there. The same standards would apply to filming anywhere in china, the government would require various acknowledgements - just like they do when you film in Vancouver or Georgia or New York City.

Being opposed to the government policy is one thing. Pretending that filming Pretty Woman in NYC is an endorsement of "stop and frisk" is silly.

[JesseAz]

The Chinese police force are not local independent forces like we have in the US.

[Cyto]

That was my point.

Filming anywhere in the country, or even with the support of the chinese government is the equivalent of filming in this region. The government/party controls everything from the top down. So making a movie with a Chinese partner would require similar thank you statements no matter where in the world the film was created.

And they do not allow anything that even remotely challenges the party. They even banned Disney's Winnie the Pooh because people said he looked like their leader.

They don't play over there.

So all you could possibly do is get banned. There is no "we stood up to china and let the people see their terrible behavior. " They don't have that over there.

[perlchpr]

They even banned Disney’s Winnie the Pooh because people said he looked like their leader.

Which I find pretty hilarious, because it makes the guy look hella weak.

"I banned a children's cartoon because people compared me to one of the characters" is not a statement of strength.

[Nardz]

Stop saying hella!

[Gray_Jay]

"Why! It's stupid great!" Hair toss optional.

(MFW I talk to anyone under 30)

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[BigT]

You just don't get it, do you.

Remember when the remake of Casablanca was filmed at Auschwiz?

Remember when in the remake of Chariots of Fire they ran around Tiananmen Square?

Remember when Disney filmed Swiss Family Robinson on Robbin's Island?

Remember when LeBron James said to just shut up about China and dribble?

Disney giving the CCP legitimacy, even indirectly, is a coup for the CCP. They need that. They NEED that. It's how they save face for all the nasty shit they do.

BTW, you've seen the BidEn signs where the E looks like a red greek letter Xi. Yeah, just like the premier of the CCP has his prick up Joe's butt. Coincidence? Not likely! (haha)

[Shitlord of the Woodchippers]

China owns Biden. I think Xi made his last payment around the time the Chinese invested a billion dollars in Hunter’s start up company.

[CE]

China considers Taiwan a regional rogue government.

[Shitlord of the Woodchippers]

I suspect they view all countries that are not China that way.

[damikesc]

They also threatened to not film in Georgia over an abortion bill. So it's not like they do not know what they are doing.

[BigT]

That's different. Georgia was part of the Confederacy 160 years ago. We can't give them legitimacy.

[Mother's lament]

The Chinese government is committing genocide right now. This isn't just bad civic policy.
Better analogies:

This is like holding Warner Brothers accountable for the Kristallnacht because they filmed “The Dawn Patrol” in Nuremburg.

Maybe it is like holding Twentieth Century Fox accountable for filming Leave Her to Heaven outside Auschwitz-Birkenau because the government of the region is gassing Jews.

[Cyto]

The "region of china" is nearly the same size as Germany. (the scope of the crime is similar... hmm... good parallel).

[Mother's lament]

The “region of china” is nearly the same size as Germany.

Geography is irrelevant, when the territory belongs to the offending state. Pretending that the argument is about mere proximity is dishonest.

the scope of the crime is similar… hmm… good parallel

The scope of the crime hasn't been more similar to the Holocaust since Pol Pot's killing fields. Maybe more so since it is industrial and systematic.

[Max S.]

This might be alright if you only focus on this one event. However, while they are thanking China for their help, they are telling the state of Georgia that they are being boycotted over their abortion policies. Bob Iger needs to learn about forced abortions in Jingjang along with forced sterilizations of the Muslims there before doing stupid things like not filming in Georgia.

[Punk1981]

Well said. We sometimes stretch too far to find things to disagree with. This argument does nothing to make the world better. Maybe the movie deserves a chance.

[ElvisIsReal]

The New Red Guard turning on Ted Wheeler is the same....

[Earth Skeptic]

Is it really surprising? American companies, especially those that have stuff made in China, or produce stuff that needs eyeballs and clicks, are not likely to mess with the CCP.

And media not only have the same urges as other enterprises, but tend to share ideologies about the role of government, especially in regards to economic control. And labor camps.

[Echospinner]

And Tarzan was actually the brother of Anna and Elsa from Frozen. Their lost at sea parents washed up on the shores of Africa. Everyone knows that.

[BigT]

Cheetah was your nephew.

[Echospinner]

In the Tarzan books cheetah, the chimpanzee animal companion of Tarzan does not exist. I was a big reader as a kid.

In the TV series they did bring in a chimp as an animal character.

Really do not see your point if there is one.

[RabbitHead]

Can we note that the only "Communist" nation that isn't a total economic shitshow is actually Fascist by the left's own definition?

[Cyto]

No.

Because Trump is a fascist dictator. Tweeting is what dictators do. Not ethnic cleansing.

[Don't look at me!]

There’s no proof of this holocaust.
/idiot misek

[Unicorn Abattoir]

I'm sure his conspicuous absence from this thread is merely because he's reinventing physics on another thread.

[Echospinner]

I think everyone here sees right through the attempted deception.

Bigots, racists, antisemites and their relatives often try to pass themselves off as libertarian. They are not. Mostly I ignore them.

[Nardz]

Leftist simps too

[Unicorn Abattoir]

He's not passing himself off as libertarian. From trying to erase 1A to his obvious socialistic views on order, he's not even close.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kuckland]

He is at least as libritarian as kamala

[NashTiger]

Or Kirkland

[Fats of Fury]

I think the whole offensive against Trump, from democrats, republicans , big business, media, sports, etc., boils down to China. All that "Russia Russia Russia" bs and not one peep about China.

[soldiermedic76]

According to various media sources and intelligence agencies, China's attempts at subversing out elections are far more sophisticated larger and have been going on for over two decades. The National Interest had a good story this weekend documenting their efforts. Oh but they support the Democrats so don't expect outrage.

[Gray_Jay]

Back at least to Bill Clinton, and campaign finance shenanigans. Which may or may not have included sending or facilitating the dissemination of special nuclear information to the PRC.

[Jerryskids]

Remember when Obama accidentally left the country field off of his campaign contribution page and instead of having donations acceptable from the US only, his campaign accepted a bunch of donations from China? I remember.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kuckland]

I love all the articles at the time Clinton sold missle tech to the Chinese. All of the Democrat Clinton sucking scum said it didn't count because it was just the processes and guidence chips, and not actual nuclear fissial material.

[Gray_Jay]

Because they didn't have reactors or separation factories of their own, or something. He---allegedly---gave them the W88 design. One point safe, (comparatively) tiny, 475k yield: it's state of the art for the early 80s.

It was what Whitewater and Monica were supposed to ferret out, not some tawdry land scheme that the boiler room men in Glengarry Glen Ross would've thought beneath them. Chinese money, flooding in with the connivance of Malaysia and Indonesia.

My suspicion is that lots of rats besides Bill would've gotten their heads caught in the trap if Starr pushed on.

All whispers, of course.

[Echospinner]

Trump is the very first President in history to face opposition from the media, big money business, and the opposing political party.

Must be China.

[soldiermedic76]

No, it's been well documented China does try to interfere in our elections, but so do several other states. Hell, we do the same.

[Nardz]

Simp harder

[Fats of Fury]

Yes and his own party, you forgot that part.

[Fats of Fury]

By his own party I meant the slimeballs in office, not the ones that voted for him.

[BigT]

You forgot the spies in his campaign from the outgoing president.

[BigT]

BTW, you’ve seen the BidEn signs where the E looks like a red greek letter Xi. Yeah, just like the premier of the CCP has his prick up Joe’s butt. Coincidence? Not likely! (haha)

[Terry Anne Lieber (Don't Feed Tony)]

The actual Holocaust had largely been ignored by American and international media (then mostly newspapers) too so this phenomenon is not new:
The reason is that the American media in general and the New York Times in particular never treated the Holocaust as an important news story. From the start of the war in Europe to its end nearly six years later, the story of the Holocaust made the Times front page only 26 times out of 24,000 front-page stories, and most of those stories referred to the victims as “refugees” or “persecuted minorities.” In only six of those stories were Jews identified on page one as the primary victims.
https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/10903

[soldiermedic76]

The Germans also targeted homosexuals, disabled, religious Christian minorities such as Jehova Witnesses, 7th Day Adventists Mormons, etc and Gypsies. Hitler's plan was to eventually eliminate all churches and replace them with a government ran church dedicated to worshipping the state. He also killed a number of Lutheran and Catholic ministers who refused to toe the line.

[BigT]

As I recall, weren't the Jews just a bit over 50% of those killed?

[soldiermedic76]

Yes the estimate is 12 million killed, six million of them Jewish.

[Echospinner]

Title Beyond Belief: The American Press And The Coming Of The Holocaust, 1933- 1945
Author Deborah E. Lipstadt

She is just amazing. A true scholar. It is all there.

[MVP]

Along with the genocide in Yemen.

America's view on human rights abuses is, shall we say, "denominated in dollars."

[NoVaNick]

So most of the tech and entertainment CEOs and the politicians they support.

[Rufus The Monocled]

Hello.

Disney. And we're surprised because?

[Fats of Fury]

China tanks you.

[Gray_Jay]

They never understood why "Don't Tread On Me," was a popular sentiment here. I mean, why would Americans care so specifically about getting run over by a tank?

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[Fist of Etiquette]

I think any candidate who is on the ballot in enough states to win 270 electoral votes should be included in the presidential debates.

Spoiler alert.

[loveconstitution1789]

Hillary Clinton could not even win 270 electoral votes.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Mulan's release has already been tied to a huge spike in Disney+ app downloads, suggesting political pressure may do little to dampen the film's U.S. popularity.

Did the NBA take a hit domestically? Will Biden? (Partially joking on that one.) China owns us.

[A Thinking Mind]

The NBA is actually taking a huge ratings hit. They scored big on the first day when they started playing games again after the pandemic freeze, and then ratings have gone drastically down. MLB saw the same trend after their opening day was full of BLM prostration.

Bringing politics into an arena where it's likely pissing off a majority of your consumer base is a bad business model.

[Jerryskids]

Bringing politics into an arena where it’s likely pissing off a majority of your consumer base is a bad business model.

Hate to tell you, buddy, but you ain't their consumer base any more. China is.

[A Thinking Mind]

They're losing viewers right now . We'll see if this is a sustainable business practice.

[JWatts]

"Hate to tell you, buddy, but you ain’t their consumer base any more. China is."

The NBA makes the overwhelming amount of their money in the US. They get about $500 million out of their $9 billion from China. It's all about their marginal revenue. The US market isn't growing very much, but there is plenty of growth to be had from China. However, it all falls apart if they piss off their existing US customer base. Losing 10% of their $8 billion + in US Revenue will more than wipe out their entire Chinese revenues.

[soldiermedic76]

It's a sad story, but everyone is always trying to break into the Chinese market, and thus over evaluate it's actual impact. The US agricultural markets are very similar and publications like Reason feed into this narrative. Everyone wants to break into China (even though the Chinese government makes sure that this won't happen). We should be focusing more on other Asian markets. The US beef industry and the USDA has been doing just this with success, increasing exports to South Korea, Taiwan and Japan more than making up for any losses from the Chinese Trade Wars. Wheat markets are also taking advantages of new trade deals struck with these countries. Vietnam should be another target, as they are growing rapidly and aren't friendly with China, while also becoming increasingly friendly to the US.

[soldiermedic76]

In Japan, US produced Kobe beef marketed as Wagyu, is outselling Japanese Kobe beef.

[Gray_Jay]

I'm not surprised. Production of it, Akaushi, and all of the other clones, has to dwarf true Kobe production considerably.

The Chinese food market should be incredibly lucrative this year and next though. They're hurting bad, with their floods and flus.

[soldiermedic76]

It's long been the game to falsely report record breaking crops, to drive down prices world wide and then buy up the cheaper stock. They almost always buy in sprees. So when Reason was reporting decreased farm sales to China in 2019, what they didn't report was that by the end of the year sales of agricultural goods was right around average. It's typical China. They also produce a lot of grain crops but lack the infrastructure to ship them to the population centers, so they store them in open air pits, and claim to have 5 years surplus on hand. But grain doesn't store well exposed to the elements.

[Echospinner]

Appreciate the real stuff from you.

Drove through Ohio to get home this weekend. Corn and soybeans all the way. One field after another. I know nothing about farming. I guess this is second crop. Lot of rain this year.

[Shitlord of the Woodchippers]

We’re experiencing bumper crops of wheat here in WA this harvest.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

American corporations jerk themselves off to the thought of 1.5 billion consooooooooooomers mindlessly consooooooooooooming their crap. It's not a surprise they've been desperately trying to corner the market there since Nixon decided to open relations with them.

Going to China, not Watergate, was Nixon's biggest mistake.

[OpenBordersLiberal-tarian]

"filming near Chinese concentration camps"

I bet those Chinese concentration camps are nowhere near as brutal as the ones Orange Hitler has built. Did you know prisoners in American concentration camps are literally forced to drink from toilets?

#AbolishConcentrationCamps
#OpenBorders

[Earth Skeptic]

And government-mandated low flush toilets don't provide enough water for a typical immigrant family.

[Jerryskids]

Amen!

[Fist of Etiquette]

The FIRST STEP Act has "resulted in shorter sentences for more than 4,000 drug offenders." But "while that is nothing to sneeze at...

I knew it. In addition to letting criminals out to terrorize the children on our playgrounds, the First Step Act has the 'rona.

[Cyto]

I laughed...

[JesseAz]

Publicly funded gyms exclusive to public officials never shut down.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/09/07/san-francisco-gym-owners-irate-after-learning-city-government-gyms-are-open/

[Earth Skeptic]

Upstairs from Pelosi's hair salon?

[Jerryskids]

“It’s shocking, it’s infuriating,” Daniele Rabkin, of Crossfit Golden Gate, told a local NBC station. “Even though they’re getting exposed, there are no repercussions, no ramifications? It’s shocking.”

Yeah, it's "shocking" that there's such a double standard, that your betters live by one when you mundanes live by another. Now fuck off and go eat your shit sandwich like you were told to, you peasant. How long have you been in California that you're just now noticing this shit? How many times have you voted for just this sort of shit? You're planning on voting for them again, aren't you? I've got no sympathy for you, you miserable bastard, you brought this upon yourself and you cheered for it the whole time.

[soldiermedic76]

This folks is the true face of any form of socialism, even Democratic socialism.

[R Mac]

Amen!

[perlchpr]

Yeah, it’s “shocking” that there’s such a double standard, that your betters live by one when you mundanes live by another. Now fuck off and go eat your shit sandwich like you were told to, you peasant. How long have you been in California that you’re just now noticing this shit? How many times have you voted for just this sort of shit? You’re planning on voting for them again, aren’t you? I’ve got no sympathy for you, you miserable bastard, you brought this upon yourself and you cheered for it the whole time.

QFT.

[Shitlord of the Woodchippers]

Just another reason to eradicate progressivism.

[Fist of Etiquette]

A new study of brothel keeping convictions in Ireland shows almost all of those convicted are migrant women...

Irish hammers look for nails, too.

[Jerryskids]

Irish hammers look for Nialls.

[Gray_Jay]

Your puns are bad. So, so, Siobhan...

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

Shamus on both of you.

[soldiermedic76]

Why is it girls names Siobhan always have an exotic sexiness, not always classically sexy but very exotic?

[Gray_Jay]

They're strange, as you mention, but not terribly foreign. You likely don't meet many Siobhans, and consequently, the image that comes to mind is the chick from Bananarama, https://mirror80.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Siobhan-Fahey-performs-Shy-Boy-with-Bananarama.jpg

And not say the ancient cashier down at the corner chemist's. The one who's the other side of 80, and hasn't smiled since U2 were popular.

[soldiermedic76]

Actually, the Siobhan I was thinking of was a girl I worked with and she was very fey and lithe.

[Nardz]

I think of the chick cop in the show Banshee.
She was fine.
Show was awesome

[Shitlord of the Woodchippers]

Yes she was.

[Rat on a train]

218 E 52nd St, New York, NY

[JesseAz]

Just when you think publicly funded NPR can't get worse or more partisan (fresh off the heals of telling us how nazi ghettos can help us)...

https://www.npr.org/2020/09/06/910320018/fascism-scholar-says-u-s-is-losing-its-democratic-status

[Rev. Arthur L. Kuckland]

Wow. His definition of fascism is literally anyone who dislikes socialism and marxism

[Unicorn Abattoir]

So fascists are...anti-fascists?

[Moonrocks]

Yes, now you're getting it. War is peace, freedom is slavery, etc.

[perlchpr]

That was the definition of fascism Antifaschiste Aktion (i.e.: "Antifa") used when they were founded by the Stalinist KPD (Kommunist Partei des Deutschland) in 1932 Germany.

[perlchpr]

That was the definition of fascism Antifaschiste Aktion (i.e.: "Antifa") used when they were founded by the Stalinist KPD (Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands) in 1932 Germany.

[Mother's lament]

I think any candidate who is on the ballot in enough states to win 270 electoral votes should be included in the presidential debates. Agree?

Sorry Nick, the only candidates who should be on the debate stage are Biden and Yeezy.

[JesseAz]

The stage won't have enough room with Biden, his teleprompter team, Trump and the 3 dozen facr checkers needed to check his lies.

[Mother's lament]

Trump would be required to submit every debate statement to WaPo and CNN fact checkers a week before the debate so they could prepare a rebuttal "fact check" his statements.

[Rat on a train]

I thought they were going to tape delay, but that would give them more time.

[Earth Skeptic]

What about the safe-space corner with blankets and puppies?

[Gray_Jay]

That's for the staffers and newsies.

They aren't for the candidates since early testing with the Biden camp. Seems the puppy didn't like it when Biden tried to piss on it to show it he was bigger. Which is still progress over what he tried to do to it before.

[Echospinner]

“Hello this is Amy Anderson reporting from the Joe Biden campaign on the road here in Wisconsin. I was able to interview the democratic candidate on the trail.

Hello Mr. Biden. You just left Kenosha and I would like to get your thoughts on that.”

“ There were bricks and things on the road. We need to get together and clean that up. I also remember the Dog Haus. I heard about it and we had lunch there”

“Mr Biden what do you think about the civil and racial unrest sweeping the country?”

“ They have this one called the junkyard dog. Hot dog with the works. They put it in a basket on top of the fries. Jill does not approve but what the heck. You gotta live a little right? Got mustard on my tie but one one the staffers got me a new one”

[Gray_Jay]

So you're saying this was a good day for Joe.

[MVP]

I'm wondering what kind of drug cocktail they are feeding him to amp him up for the campaign, with the added bonus that it may shorten his life and pave the way for the bitch.

Which proves you can get totally smoked in the primaries and still have a chance to become president. I love democracy in action!

[CE]

Even France lets third party candidates in the debates.

You can't use the "the stage will be too crowded" with 3 or 4 candidates when you have primary debates with 11 candidates.

And it's not really fair to exclude ballot qualified candidates by pre-debate polling, because no one has heard of them yet. It's like naming a college football pre-season All-America team or Top 20 (which of course the sports media do every year, before any games are played.) Let everyone debate in the first round, and then take a poll to see who gets in the 2nd and 3rd debates.

[MVP]

Except the debates aren't even really debates.

Of course, our elections aren't really elections either, so I guess it makes sense in a perverted US politics sort of way.

[MVP]

ALso - it's not about "fair' in US elections - the goal is to have candidates with corporate approval, who will generally ignore the electorate and work on behalf of the donor class.

When Perot garnered 19% of the popular in the 90s, it made the status quo nervous, so Team Red and Team Blue got together and made a deal with the devil that nothing like that would ever happen again.

And fuck the people on both sides of the political spectrum.

[Fist of Etiquette]

How Arizona—"which hasn't been won by a Democratic presidential nominee since 1996″—became a swing state.

GOP incompetence and near-total journalistic bias have finally come home to roost, I suspect.

[Rat on a train]

Don't discount Californication.

[Jerryskids]

That would be my guess - California socialists fleeing the bad effects of socialism and determined to install *real* socialism in their new home. You should welcome California emigrants into your home state with the same enthusiasm you'd welcome radioactive rabid bedbugs.

[CE]

Some of them are refugees. I know I will be fleeing California soon, before they ratchet down the wealth tax to include everyone with a 401k balance.

[Fats of Fury]

Or Atzlaninzation.

[Echospinner]

How could you? RHCP just came back together and released their best album.

Frusciante, Flea, Chad Smith, it was peak work for them.

[Gray_Jay]

+1 Psychic spy from China, stealing your mind's elation.

Stadium Arcadium was great too.

Damn, I'm old. And they've been around forever.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kuckland]

What does right hand circular polarization have to do with anything?

[Echospinner]

It rhymes

[JesseAz]

Pure California assholes. They even admit it if you talk to them. They say it won't be an issue this time for the same policies they fled from.

[Earth Skeptic]

I think you are overestimating their intellectual ability. I bet most cannot relate the choices they make at the ballot box with the fucked up government they fled.

[Rat on a train]

It's the wreckers and kulaks that spoiled their socialist paradise. This time will be different.

[CE]

these are the same people who think bond measures are paid for by the bond investors

[Echo Chamber]

They might be right about that. At least in Illinois, New Jersey, ...

[Gray_Jay]

This really could use Agamammon's input. IIRC, he's around Yuma.

My guess, in addition to yours, is that it's partially an Ag state, and a border state. In addition to bringing us scrumptious tacos, and the trucks in which they're cooked, our Libertarians del Sur also vote D over 2 to 1.

That, and a lot of the snowbird, paleo-Right, has gotten older, and many have shuffled off to the great golf course in the sky.

[Fats of Fury]

I figure the Reason McCain kept getting elected despite his constant backstabbing was some of the old died off, some couldn't remember that far back and a new bunch of oldies moved in.
But don't write off the stupid party. Who else would send McSally to the Senate after being beat by the biggest weirdo in Arizona and she's about to lose again.

[CE]

McCain kept getting reelected because the US Senate has a higher reelection rate than the old Soviet Politburo.

[BigT]

Can't get re-elected when you have been purged.

[Agammamon]

It's because Phoenix is the largest concentration of people in AZ - something like 7/8th of the state lives in Phoenix and Tucson.

Cities trend blue. And nowadays even old people trend blue.

It certainly doesn't help that AZ is poor and tons of people get a check from the government.

[Gray_Jay]

"It certainly doesn’t help that AZ is poor and tons of people get a check from the government."

Laughs in green chile and turquoise... Which reminds me, I've got to finish roasting these Hatchs.

New Mexico, where even the rich people get paid by the Government.

[NJ2AZ]

you also have the issue of a lot of 20/30 somethings who are natives, and having never lived in a blue state don't understand the ramifications of all their virtue signaling.

i learned my lesson from the People's Taxpublic of NJ. If my government is going to be inept, i may as well pay as little for it as possible.

[JesseAz]

1000s of pieces of mail in California dumped in alleys and parking lots. All mail ballots are safe and secure.

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/bags-of-usps-mail-dumped-in-glendale-spa-parking-lot/

[The White Knight]

Say, didn’t Donald Trump vote by mail?

[JesseAz]

Look at the trump cultist.

And no. He warned it could be a disaster since we've had so many recent examples.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/elections-2020/trump-warns-of-mail-in-voting-disaster-predicts-china-russia-will-be-grabbing-plenty-of-ballots/ar-BB17QCQq

Do you even attempt to answer your own inane questions?

[The White Knight]

“And no.”

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-ever-voted-by-mail/

[Gray_Jay]

LOL at Snopes being used as a cite for calling bullshit on Trump. What, had The Young Turks not addressed the question?

Amazing at how far Snopes's reputation fell from their heyday.

[The White Knight]

Does it matter? I can cite hundreds of other sources. Everyone here who hasn’t been living under a rock knows Trump voted by mail.

[Agammamon]

You can cite hundreds of other sources - but your go-to cite is a site that is openly partisan?

[The White Knight]

Maybe slightly biased. Anyway, why does it matter. Are you arguing that Trump didn’t vote by mail? It’s extremely common knowledge.

[Tim Boka]

"It’s extremely common knowledge."

Ok, I like your new standard for not citing things.

[The White Knight]

I did cite it.

[BigT]

I vote absentee, which is 'by mail' but not the same as by mail which means they send out the ballots to EVERY registered voter, alive, dead, moved away, whatever. Hence the concerns.
I have to apply for a ballot each election by sending in a signed affidavit.

[R Mac]

He’s been told this numerous times. He’s being intentionally obtuse.

[The White Knight]

That is a few states. The Republican argument (or at least Trump’s) has not made a distinction between those few states that are mailing ballots, those that are mailing applications, and those who are simply seeing an increase in the number of mail-in ballot requests they have been getting within their existing program.

[The White Knight]

It wasn't a question, by the way. It was pointed sarcasm. Everyone knows that Donald Trump voted by mail.

[NashTiger]

So Californians fleeing California are ruining Arizona by voting for the same stupid shit (Democrats) that ruined California

This is my shocked face

[Cyto]

I live in New York City south. We have all the crap that New York has to offer, right down to the corrupt building inspection rackets. Go 2 counties north and it is still like a normal state.

[Nardz]

Fort Lauderdale?

[Cyto]

Yup.... The main radio coverage of baseball here is of the Yankees network. It is that bad.

[Nardz]

My best friend lives there.
Jew from New Jersey.
He's a Trump fan though

[Echospinner]

“Jew from New Jersey.
He’s a Trump fan though”

So one of the good jews then.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kuckland]

But I'm told by BLM that 1 I am racist, and 2 there are no good jews. (but I'm still the racist not them)

[Jima]

Please encourage everyone from New York to stay the fuck out of Florida, we don't need any more tax and spend idiots here. We already have more than we should.

[Nardz]

This weekend all the Trump signs were stolen off my street.
3rd time it's happened.
The one Biden sign was left up.
I might be setting up a sting for next time

[Gray_Jay]

There was a imgur post where someone mined a row of roadside Trump signs with caltrops in the grass around them. Hilarity ensued when tires had to be replaced on the Democratic Party justice warriormobile.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Almost 10,000 acres of California land have been consumed by wildfires sparked by some idiots' pyrotechnic performance to announce the sex of their baby.

Don't keep us in suspense.

[H. Farnham]

They used neutral color fireworks, as the baby hasn't chosen yet.

[Rat on a train]

The black smoke indicates the baby hasn't chosen yet.

[H. Farnham]

Pfft, what a lame joke.

[Rat on a train]

Truly. Anyone who would make such a joke should retire in shame.

[H. Farnham]

That or go write for Comedy Central.....
(crickets)

[Cyto]

You shoulda gone with SNL for the joke.

[H. Farnham]

Yes, but that would have been funny, thereby rendering me overqualified to go write for SNL... paradox.

[Anomalous]

Black Fumes Matter

[Unicorn Abattoir]

A Californian stupid enough to do this is probably a member of the Sierra Club.

[Square = Circle]

In Yucaipa, more likely a biker club.

[The White Knight]

Gender reveal parties are not a thing in favor among those with “progressive” political views. They are squarely part of conservative culture.

California has tons of conservatives, some of the most hardcore conservatives. They are a minority when it comes to voting, but a very large minority.

[JesseAz]

First. What a fucking stupid statement.

Second. Gender fluidity at birth is almost as fucking stupid.

[The White Knight]

Yes, but the position progressives have staked out on gender fluidity is precisely why you won’t catch any progressives holding a gender reveal party.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kuckland]

How do you know do you aske every sing person doing a gender reveal party to show you their voter registration card?

[The White Knight]

Hi, Tulpa!

[Square = Circle]

"Squarely part of conservative culture" is a strong statement, but Yucaipa is actually a heavily Republican area, and my understanding of a "gender reveal" is that it's the exact opposite of "gender fluidity at birth" - it's announcing gender the moment it's detectable on the ultrasound, often by cutting into a cake that's either blue or pink on the inside. So pretty un-woke, actually.

[H. Farnham]

Meh, I think gender reveal parties transcend any kind of political or ideological boundaries. They're a trendy means for new parents to gain extra attention and facebook likes. You're hard-pressed to find young prospective parents from any demographic that aren't incredibly excited to talk to anybody and everybody about their child.

[Under_Pressure]

This is a dilemma for me... "gender reveals" in general are so incredibly dumb and narcissistic. Several years ago I would have mocked anyone who felt the need to do something like that relentlessly. Now, however, at least the desire to do a gender reveal indicates that the parents are sufficiently un-woketarded that they believe in two genders, and that it is something that is inherent to you at birth. So while I still think they are stupid, from afar I give them the Robert Redford "nod of approval" meme.

[R52]

"Gender reveal parties are not a thing in favor among those with “progressive” political views. "

Cite?

[The White Knight]

Just one example of the dozens of articles that pop up if you google for "gender reveal party progressive criticism"

https://slate.com/human-interest/2016/05/gender-reveal-celebrations-for-babies-help-explain-transphobia.html

[R52]

Ok but you didn't say "some criticize them "

You said "are not a thing in favor among those with “progressive” political views. "

Your link doesn't show that.

So, cite?

[The White Knight]

Fine, I’ll revise my position to gender reveal parties are widely criticized among progressives.

[soldiermedic76]

Among some Progressives, but the trend seems to have also originated with people in the same demographic categories as many progressives. It definitely isn't a thing in rural l, blue collar America.

[R52]

Thank you, I know you have diffuclty admitting you were wrong that was big of you to do so there.

[EISTAU Gree-Vance]

Of course you’ll understand that the self importance of this ritual might have people thinking otherwise.

You’re probably right, tho. Did they demand that someone else pay for their party? That’s the tell, right there.

[Fist of Etiquette]

A kid briefly picked up a neon green Nerf gun emblazoned with the words "ZOMBIE HUNTER" during a Zoom school session. The school called the cops.

The zombies were scared.

[Rat on a train]

He heard about the carnivorous pandemic.

[Earth Skeptic]

Maybe the teacher identifies as a Zombie.

[Unicorn Abattoir]

Union member, zombie, what's the difference?

[Fat Mike's Drug Habit]

Zombies have better PR?

[BigT]

And are more independent thinkers.

[Nardz]

So he's aware of antifa-BLM

[Anomalous]

Nut up or shut up!

[Don't look at me!]

It wasn’t a nerf gun, it was the far more dangerous airsoft gun with the large magazine and the thing that goes up.

[Cyto]

Wait, it had the thing that goes up!!?!? Nobody said anything about that... those things are dangerous. Even over video, they could really do some damage.

[Sarah Palin's Buttplug 2]

‘The last full measure of his disgrace’: Veterans scorn Trump over report that he calls fallen soldiers ‘losers’

In 2016, Army veteran David Weissman was an “unapologetic, red-hat wearing” Donald Trump supporter. The Palm Bay, Fla., resident would regularly join social media mobs attacking liberals, he later wrote, seeking to defend a candidate who he said rightfully prioritized the armed forces.

Four years later, Weissman — who served two tours in Afghanistan — has now sparked a Twitter campaign of former service members against President Trump, over reports that he derided fallen U.S. soldiers as “losers” and “suckers.”

“I recommend all veterans to use their Military pics as a profile pic,” Weissman wrote on Twitter on Thursday evening, “to let Trump know how many people he has offended.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/09/04/trump-veterans-atlantic-military-losers/

You knew that when the Con Man called POWs "losers" along with McCain that more fallout was coming.

[Mother's lament]

Poor Buttplug, Jeffrey Goldberg's "anonymous sources" are falling apart on that story. It's another "Steele Dossier".

[Mother's lament]

Sorry, I realized when dealing with you I need to be clearer.

The "anonymous sources" that said Trump derided fallen U.S. soldiers as “losers” and “suckers” have turned out to be lying... again.

[JesseAz]

Goldberg is promising more anonymously sourced pieces too.

If they try feel trump is detrimental, they wouldn't fear being fired as the process would take them through a biden election. Which makes this even more suspect.

[Rat on a train]

There aren't anonymous to him!

[JesseAz]

He even used lawyer speak. He describes them as people who have first hand knowledge of the rumored statements. Which makes them second hand statements. He never aims they heard trump directly, just they had been told by someone who claims trump said it.

[Rat on a train]

But other reporters have talked with these people and confirmed that they know someone who says they heard something.

[The White Knight]

Can you link to your source for that information?

[Mother's lament]

https://thefederalist.com/2020/09/07/atlantic-editor-concedes-central-claim-of-trump-hit-piece-could-be-wrong/

[Mother's lament]

https://twitter.com/markknoller/status/1303306985505542146

[Mother's lament]

https://twitter.com/SharylAttkisson/status/1303119379027111936

[Mother's lament]

Also, the fact that the Atlantic is owned by a Biden megadonor should be at the bottom of every article.

[The White Knight]

"Sources now say..."? How is that any better than The Atlantic's anonymous sources?

[Nardz]

The dozen plus named sources who've denied the story from the beginning?
Simple logic?

You aren't worthy of life, white knight

[Tim Boka]

I know your clown ass throws in with the math is racist crowd but 20>4

[The White Knight]

20 > 4 is not how one determines the truth of something. Counting up the number of sources doesn’t work for determining the truth of whether Trump called soldiers “losers” or not any better than it works for the truth of climate change.

[Tim Boka]

"20 > 4 is not how one determines the truth of something"

Here you see the math-addled dimwit tell you that he alone decises how you make decisions.

[Mother's lament]

Listen you dishonest shit.
On one side there are a whole bunch of officials who were actually there, publicly saying it's not true.
On the other side you have Jeffrey Goldberg claiming to have an unknown number of anonymous witnesses who could be imaginary for all we know.

Stop being purposefully retarded. You're not even white knighting anymore. You're just shilling.

[The White Knight]

I’d be shilling if I took a position that Trump did call the soldiers “losers”, but my clearly stated position is that I don’t know if he did or not.

[The White Knight]

The White House press secretary, who works for Trump, denied Trump said disparaging things about soldiers. That's kinda her job.

[The White Knight]

First of all, I want to make it clear, I am just following this story and don't believe or disbelieve any of the claims about what Trump said:

https://reason.com/2020/09/04/police-kill-antifa-protester-who-confessed-to-portland-shooting/#comment-8444317

Having said that, the Federalist article doesn't actually refute Goldberg's claim. The quote from Goldberg concedes that the trip to the cemetery may well have been canceled due to bad weather, but Goldberg doesn't retract his claims about what anonymous sources told him.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

Stop lying.

[JesseAz]

Could you educate yourself? I have you very specific information.

[The White Knight]

I've been following the story in the news. I haven't come to any conclusions about whether Trump called the soldiers "losers".

I have not seen any stories that outright contradict The Atlantic's claims, so I would like to Mother's Lament is referring to. Above he linked to two sources that don't refute anything.

[R52]

"that don’t refute anything."

Disagree.

[JesseAz]

Wait. You got me. Up to 21.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/make-it-21-on-the-record-denials-pile-up-against-atlantic-report-claiming-trump-insulted-soldiers/ar-BB18P8wd

Took 5 fucking seconds to find.

This is why everyone laughs at your ignorance.

[The White Knight]

A bunch of people who work in the White House denied that Trump said disparaging things about soldiers. Got it.

"Still, news outlets, including Fox News, have corroborated parts of the report, but not all of it. "

Like I said, I've seen the news stories. I'm withholding judgement. I have seen claims on both sides, but nothing conclusive. Lots of "confirmed anonymous sources" from outlets other than The Atlantic, and lots of denials from people who work in the White House or are otherwise allies of Trump.

Meanwhile, the one fact that is solid is that Trump went on Twitter and denied calling McCain a loser when there is video of Trump calling McCain a loser.

[R Mac]

“A bunch of people who work in the White House denied that Trump said disparaging things about soldiers. Got it.”

Curious you leave out John Bolton you dishonest piece of shit.

[The White Knight]

The problem here is none of these people can prove that the anonymous sources didn’t hear Trump say what they claim he said because no one can proved a negative. So, John Bolton cannot price that Trump didn’t call the soldiers losers when he was not in the room or wasn’t listening.

Like I said, I don’t believe or disbelieve the Atlantic story. I’m withholding judgement.

[R Mac]

So you were still being dishonest because John Bolton doesn’t work for the White House, and even with over 20 witnesses saying otherwise you still don’t accept it because you can’t prove a negative. But you’re withholding judgement until...what exactly?

Pro-Trump evidence means nothing because you can’t prove a negative. So you’re waiting for anti-Trump evidence so you can make a decision.

[The White Knight]

I may we’ll withhold judgement forever. Why do I need to have a belief about something where there isn’t good proof own way or the other.

[The White Knight]

Mother’s lament claimed he has some kind of proof the Atlantic article is wrong, then didn’t come up with it.

[Mother's lament]

It's there you lying fuck. Discounting evidence or redefining it's meaning to fit your argument doesn't make it less accurate.

[Procyon Rotor]

If the correct response is to withhold judgement, then isn't the Atlantic article irresponsible muckraking? They're putting out a hit piece to attack Trump's reputation on evidence that's shaky at best. Can you not denounce that?

[The White Knight]

“They’re putting out a hit piece to attack Trump’s reputation on evidence that’s shaky at best. Can you not denounce that?”

That’s a different question. As I’ve said before, I think The Atlantic publishes some of the most Team Blue biased articles out there. I’m not sure I would go to the level of denouncing it but I don’t give it much weight.

[Agammamon]

But a bunch of people at the White House said Trump said a bad thing is perfectly credible to you.

[The White Knight]

Nope. Like I said, I’m reserving judgement.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kuckland]

There will be no discerning the truth this "story" as with most journalism to day is all about the he said she said bullshit.
I think they better quit letting that shit slip.

[The White Knight]

Agreed. It’s all a bunch of he he said she said.

[R52]

Why is it his job to labor for you?

[The White Knight]

Why was it my job to provide a cite for you:

https://reason.com/2020/09/08/disney-thanks-chinese-labor-camp-authorities-in-mulan-credits/#comment-8447989

We often ask each other for citations around here. You asked me for one, below.

[R52]

"Why was it my job to provide a cite for you:"

Because that is your preferred method of discussion.

And his is you doing your own work.

I'm simply working with each individual.

Now why is it his job to labor for you?

[The White Knight]

So I dictate your actions. You have no personal agency. You don’t think it is proper conversation or debate to ask for citations, but I made you do it.

[R52]

"So I dictate your actions."

If that's what you want to call having a discussion with you on your terms, I guess?

And when I talk to my mom I don't curse.

Now, why is it his job to labor for you?

[R Mac]

This is entertaining watching him squirm.

[The White Knight]

It would be if I were squirming, which I’m not.

[Tim Boka]

Sure.

[Sarah Palin's Buttplug 2]

Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), a former Army Ranger who served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the reports of Trump’s disparaging comments were “the last full measure of his disgrace,” altering a line from the Gettysburg Address.

“When you serve, you do so selflessly. You don’t do it for the paycheck, the medal, or the uniform. You do it because you believe in America,” Crow wrote in a statement. “That’s something Trump will never understand.”

I know Pat Tillman would have hated the Con Man draft-dodger.

[JesseAz]

Seriously fuck yourself. Tilman was an actual patriot. Keep his name out of your child diddling mouth.

[Sarah Palin's Buttplug 2]

You're a lying piece of QAnon shit. Tillman hated con men like Cheney, Bush, and Trump. Tillman was a patriot - something Trump and you are not.

[JesseAz]

you link to child porn. You are a detestable human being. You don't know 2 shits about Tilman. He was outside of your age groups.

[Sarah Palin's Buttplug 2]

Liar. I never linked to child porn.

You Trump trash just want to silence classic liberals. You won't silence me here.

[Mother's lament]

Since when were classic liberals authoritarian socialists?

[Sarah Palin's Buttplug 2]

authoritarian socialists

That would be Trump and yourself and the $3 trillion handout welfare program you and he supported.

[JesseAz]

And you still haven't learned what impoundment is or Congress' role. Too much time looking up your favorite past time.

[Mother's lament]

You mean the Dem controlled house's bill that he couldn't veto?
Oh Buttplug...

[JesseAz]

Everyone here knows you did. Why you try to lie is amazing.

[R52]

"Liar. I never linked to child porn."

"2"

That bannin' says otherwise.

[Jerryskids]

Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), a former Army Ranger who served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the reports of Trump’s disparaging comments were “the last full measure of his disgrace,” altering a line from the Gettysburg Address.

Wow! So unusual finding a Democrat politician talking shit about Trump, I'm sure he was planning on voting for Trump right until he found out Trump was talking bad about our veterans.

[perlchpr]

Heh. 😀

[Agammamon]

So Buttplig, let me clue you in on something. Crow is full of shit. His statement is that self serving holier than though the troops are angels bullshit.

Anyone who's served can tell you that at least 85 percent of us did it for the paycheck.

Sure it's nice that there was a public service component there but pretty much no one serves past their first enlistment if they don't feel the military is their best career option.

We ain't selfish, but we ain't selfless either.

[Agammamon]

So you're saying Tillman would have hated Clinton?

And Obama?

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

Tillman is one of the rare examples of someone enlisting for patriotic reasons; he turned down millions of dollars to sign up.

Most enlistees, though? Yeah, they're definitely doing it for the paycheck. Just look at how many E-2s blow their first year's salary on pussy and new cars.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

“When you serve, you do so selflessly. You don’t do it for the paycheck, the medal, or the uniform. You do it because you believe in America,” Crow wrote in a statement.

AHAHAHAHAHA, is Crow fucking kidding? Most of the doofuses I went through basic with weren't doing it "for America," they were doing it for a paycheck, for three meals a day, for health insurance, for money for college, for job training, for a retirement check at the age of 38. Out of 55 dudes, maybe 4 or 5 of them were real, actual "America, fuck yeah!" types.

I'm glad I served, but I'm also self-aware enough to acknowledge that the military is basically "JobCorps with Guns" for the poor-to-middle class.

Let's not forget this fuckhead helped submarine troop withdrawals from Afghanistan recently, and he wants to talk about selfless service? Eat shit, Jason.

[soldiermedic76]

I did it because I love my country, because my Dad and his dad also served, but also for the college money and the paycheck. I wanted to be a lifer but shit happens and I miss the sense of team, but I also don't miss the mickey mouse bullshit. I earned my BS and MS because of the service and got free job training and would probably do it all over again. However, like you said everyone had their own reasons for being there and I don't know a single one who would have done it for free.

[BigT]

Rachel Madcow had almost a whole hour show reading from all those anonymous sources. She is pathetic, and stupid.

[creech]

My local paper, which hardly ever allows Letters to the Editor, managed to run one today from a local Democrat state legislator that flat out said Trump called those in the military suckers and losers. No "alleged" or "unsubtantiated" or "anonymous" about it.

[Cyto]

And the 6th circuit just ruled in the Covington case that any statement that involves politics in any way, however oblique, is fine when uttered by a federal employee.

They cannot be sued for libel.

Elizabeth Warren's libelous statements about the Covington kids was protected because someone alleged that they chanted "build that wall" - and even though this was a lie, it justified any comment she chose to make about them, even if unrelated in any way to wall building.

Federal employees cannot be sued for libel or slander related to their job duties, and the courts have held that commenting on any issue of public interest, or related to an issue of public interest is part of their job function.

So repeating a lie about a political opponent is absolutely protected from legal action.

Interestingly, their opponents in elections have no such protection. It should be fascinating to watch how this plays out.

[The White Knight]

How is that relevant to something creech’s *state* legislator said?

[JesseAz]

So repeating a lie about a political opponent is absolutely protected from legal action.

[The White Knight]

If you are a Federal employee. creech was talking about a state legislator.

[R Mac]

Being intentionally obtuse is not a good look.

[The White Knight]

Sure thing. Which state does creech live in? What paper was he reading? How am I supposed to google that.

[Tim Boka]

Those questions would have been better asked before not after.

[The White Knight]

Can you link to an article? Or give the name of the state legislator?

[Mother's lament]

You know, asking for a cite when someone is obviously lying and you know that no such cite exists, is one thing.
However, trying to cast doubt on a statement by asking for a cite, in the hope that he doesn't read your request so that you can "win", is shitty behavior.

[JesseAz]

He should be more embarrassed he can't google a specific item and instead asks to be spoonfed something. Then of you do spoon feed him he will deny it and forget you already cited it next time.

[The White Knight]

Actually, I just wanted to know more about this state senator and what he said.

[Agammamon]

Then fucking Google it.

[The White Knight]

Sure thing. Which state does creech live in? What paper was he reading? How am I supposed to google that.

[Mother's lament]

"Actually, I just wanted to know more about this state senator"
The hell you did.

[I, Woodchipper]

no one believes it anyway. Even the breathless reactions from media are faked.

[JesseAz]

So 15 public denouncements, essentially everyone who was there that day, including Bolton... and you're sticking with the anonymous sources? Yeah, you're fucking retarded.

[Earth Skeptic]

Play the game: Anonymous sources say Buttplug is retarded.

[Mother's lament]

His own mom thinks he's retarded, you don't need to source that story anonymously.

[R52]

I'll go on record.

He's retarded.

[Rat on a train]

But the NY Mag said you can't trust the named sources that refute the anonymous sources.

[Cyto]

If Bolton is out, you know it is BS. That guy hates Trump with a purple passion and would say just about anything if he thought it would help advance his career or cause.

[Jerryskids]

I Was A Trump Troll — Here’s Why I Joined The #BlueWave
David WeissmanNovember 12, 2018

I used to be a Trump troll. In the 2018 midterms, for the first time in my life, I voted as a Democrat. Here’s why.

Yep, it's more gaslighting. It took me approximately 12 seconds to find it.

[CE]

So the once venerable The Washington Post has joined the once respected The Atlantic as a mockery of journalistic integrity.

[JesseAz]

This video of Biden asking for his teleprompter to be moved to answer a simple question... can we stop denying his mental fitness?

https://www.redstate.com/nick-arama/2020/09/07/worn-out-biden-short-circuits-yet-again-struggles-to-get-thru-interview-question-during-virtual-event/

[Rat on a train]

I'm sure you know this by now, but the reason ABBA wore those wild costumes was because Swedish tax law would only let you write off costumes/clothes as business expenses on your taxes if you couldn't possibly wear them on the street.
Couldn't or wouldn't? Are the clothes not street legal in Sweden?
The BBC series "The Young Ones" was a comedy that included a musical performance in most episodes so they would be classified as variety and receive a larger budget. The one episode that didn't had a lion tamer.

[CE]

I thought ABBA wore the outlandish costumes to get noticed on the Eurovision Battle of the Bands.

[Mother's lament]

"A new study of brothel keeping convictions in Ireland shows almost all of those convicted are migrant women," reports The Independent.

The study's authors must've been channeling Shikha and ENB.

[JesseAz]

Wait until Reason finds out who 80% of the grooming gangs in England are.

[JesseAz]

Nice to see Reason found acknowledge china's coziness with major corporations here. Weird that this is what it took.

[Fist of Etiquette]

I'm sure you know this by now, but the reason ABBA wore those wild costumes was because Swedish tax law would only let you write off costumes/clothes as business expenses on your taxes if you couldn't possibly wear them on the street.

Skirting tax responsibility? Authorities should have been watching that scene, digging the welfare queen.

[Unicorn Abattoir]

Fun fact - The bass line from the Sex Pistols song "Pretty Vacant" was lifted from ABBA's "S.O.S."

(seriously)

[JesseAz]

more than 4,000 drug offenders." But "while that is nothing to sneeze at, it is a modest accomplishment

Lol. Nice framing.

[Don't look at me!]

*snort*

[Earth Skeptic]

At Disney, black lives matter. And yellow dicks matter, as long as they are attached to ruling authority.

[Fats of Fury]

The yellow dicks must have told Disney "Black Lives Don't Matter" The rumors are Disney's canceling Woke. https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=AwrCwOKPrFdfZncAeSAPxQt.;_ylc=X1MDMjExNDcwMDU1OQRfcgMyBGZyA3locy1oaWRkZW4tZXBpYwRncHJpZANfUWVMYUFIZVNEU1hCaWVBU3EzOEhBBG5fcnNsdAMwBG5fc3VnZwMxBG9yaWdpbgNzZWFyY2gueWFob28uY29tBHBvcwMxBHBxc3RyA2Rpc25leSBnZXRzIHJpZCBvZiBXb2tlBHBxc3RybAMyMwRxc3RybAMyMwRxdWVyeQNkaXNuZXklMjBnZXRzJTIwcmlkJTIwb2YlMjBXb2tlBHRfc3RtcAMxNTk5NTgxNDM4BHVzZV9jYXNlAw--?p=disney+gets+rid+of+Woke&fr2=sa-gp-search&hspart=hidden&hsimp=yhs-epic

[Fats of Fury]

Sorry about the link. Just search "Disney gets rid of Woke"

[R Mac]

Sorry, gonna need a working link, or white knight won’t acknowledge your point.

[The White Knight]

Actually, if Disney is pushing back on “woke” culture, good for them!

[Longtobefree]

Almost 10,000 acres of California land have been consumed by wildfires sparked by some idiots' pyrotechnic performance to announce the sex of their baby.

How stupid; babies don't have a sex. We have to wait until they grow up enough to choose one or more.

[JesseAz]

MSNBC news reporter demands Tim Scott prove he has been called a token, only accepting answers directly from Senator Scott on Twitter and ignoring the easily searchable examples online.

https://twitchy.com/sarahd-313035/2020/09/07/msnbc-analyst-rick-tyler-demands-that-gop-sen-tim-scott-prove-hes-been-attacked-by-dems-for-being-a-proud-black-republican/

[JesseAz]

Journalist from the Atlantic admits she will make shit up.

Jemele Hill
@jemelehill
I’ve been blocked by both James Woods and Travis Tritt. Had anyone asked me about Travis Tritt before today I would have said he was a nice guy based off meeting him at the Kentucky Derby a few years ago. Now I’m going to re-tell that story and make him seem like a huge asshole.

[Earth Skeptic]

How else can she produce Serious Journalism?

[mad.casual]

Not just make shit up, but make defammatory shit up out of spite relatively needlessly. She would've gotten Emmett Till killed.

[Formerly Cynical Asshole]

But first she's going to broadcast to the world in a public forum that she's going to make up defamatory shit. Not too bright is she?

[Gray_Jay]

"Not too bright is she?"

Do you have a job writing for The Atlantic? Me neither. Clearly someone is in favor of her act, and is seeing fit to reward such self-destructive stupidity with jobs that most of the writers here would murder a parent in their bed, if that was what it took.

The incentive structure for the intelligentsia class in our society (I'm including the sciences here) needs to be looked at and likely, largely scrapped. Hill should be begging to be offered an adjunct faculty job, teaching Speech to football players at some MidWest Juco in the middle of nowhere. Instead...

[Moonrocks]

There's a reason they're called useful idiots (though I'm not sure how useful she is).

[Gray_Jay]

She got canned from ESPN for being too much of a SJW, lying racist idiot. Jemele Hill is only slightly more trustworthy than a black bloc rioter being asked about what the cops did.

So naturally, the Atlantic picks up her pieces now. Great incentive structure.

[JesseAz]

Believe she is a full on staff writer. Netflix is also funding a documentary she is heading up.

[Unicorn Abattoir]

You can't write an Atlantic-length article without making stuff up.

[Rufus The Monocled]

You go girl! Wooo!

Remember. The Atlantic has this low-wit on its pay roll.

[CE]

Shouldn't she be canceled herself for attending a public event where animal rights are abused to entertain rednecks and gamblers? Shouldn't she already be boycotting everything in Kentucky if she's woke?

[Fats of Fury]

This is the only job she can get after losing the syrup gig.

[Nardz]

+++!

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

Jemele Hill is basically every Klan stereotype of black people made flesh.

[Troglodyte Rex]

Almost 10,000 acres of California land have been consumed by wildfires sparked by some idiots' pyrotechnic performance to announce the sex of their baby.

#BurnTheMotherFuckerDown

[Jerryskids]

I’m sure you know this by now, but the reason ABBA wore those wild costumes was because Swedish tax law would only let you write off costumes/clothes as business expenses on your taxes if you couldn’t possibly wear them on the street.

This never made any sense to me - wouldn't it be cheaper to just wear street clothes? You've already got the street clothes and you've already paid for them, why buy new clothes you can't wear on the street just because you can write them off? It would be like me finding out I can write off my vehicle as a business expense but only if it's a Trabant, so I go out and buy a Trabant in addition to my other vehicles. Wouldn't it be cheaper to just not buy a Trabant?

[Ken Shultz]

The reason ABBA worse wild costumes was because that was extremely popular at the time. The reason Cher, David Bowie, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Gary Glitter, the Sweet, Tom Jones, and the rest wore those outrageous costumes at the same time ABBA did was not because they were Swedish and they wanted to avoid the tax.

P.S. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" was about LSD--no matter what the band said to the press. "Crimson and Clover" wasn't about Tommy James' two favorite colors--no matter what the band said. And the White Stripes weren't really brother and sister--no matter what they said to journalists either. Because journalists believe what the people they interview say isn't a good reason to believe anything.

[mad.casual]

The reason ABBA worse wild costumes was because that was extremely popular at the time. The reason Cher, David Bowie, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Gary Glitter, the Sweet, Tom Jones, and the rest wore those outrageous costumes at the same time ABBA did was not because they were Swedish and they wanted to avoid the tax.

Liberace did it for the tax breaks.

[Unicorn Abattoir]

He did it for the chicks.

[Fats of Fury]

chicks with dicks

[Ken Shultz]

"Disney has a long and ongoing relationship with China, where its films often find success in theaters and where its Shanghai Disneyland theme park resides," notes The Verge."

The primary target of the film from beginning to end was the Chinese market. The future of Disney is Chinese consumers, which means it's about pleasing Chinese authorities.

Meanwhile, the plot of Mulan is about a girl who risks everything to defend the emperor. I repeat, the plot of Mulan is about a girl who is a hero--because she's willing to sacrifice everything for the emperor.

The biggest scandal here isn't that Disney thanked Chinese officials that run "reeducation" camps in the films credits. The biggest scandal is that Disney made a propaganda film for the CCP and Emperor Xi.

I think it's great that we're so free in this country that we're free to watch Chinese propaganda films, but it seems to me that reviewers should point out that they are propaganda films. Disney made a propaganda film for the CCP and Emperor Xi to help indoctrinate the Chinese people, and they expect you to let your children see it, too. In fact, they're banking on it.

P.S. Hero (2002) is the biggest propaganda film I've seen in a long time. The whole point of the film is that a true hero is someone who sacrifices his individual desires for the emperor because without the emperor, there would be chaos.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_(2002_film)

I think I saw it on Netflix.

[Cyto]

To your point, there are already more middle class chinese citizens than there are human beings living in the USA. That is a really vast market, and it should double in size in a decade or two.

[Ken Shultz]

The purpose of mass media in totalitarian societies is to support the state.--and Disney can't be a big part of that market if they don't make films that help support the emperor and help make opposing the emperor seem socially unacceptable.

The CCP certainly isn't about to let you sell American culture to their masses in the name of free expression. Why would they let an American company sell a project like this to the Chinese people in the middle of an emerging Cold War?

Imagine if Disney were making propaganda films for the Russians during the Cold War--I can see it now: the New Soviet Woman as a Disney princess!

Here's the biggest tell from the article:

"That's makes Disney's filming location—Xinjiang—an extra slap in the face. Xinjiang is where China has been holding Uighurs in concentration camps and subjecting them and other Muslim minorities to horrible human rights abuses."

Um . . . maybe that's not a coincidence--if the point of the film is to propagandize the Chinese people into believing that things, like what is happening in Xinjiang, are necessary and heroic sacrifices for the good of the emperor and the empire. After all, without the emperor, there would be chaos.

[BYODB]

It's absurd to think that Disney wanted to film there because of it's proximity to concentration camps. Maybe the Chinese government wanted them to film there, but more likely that location had the look Disney wanted as a backdrop to their film.

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon filmed partially in the same region, as have many other films. Are they all 'propaganda' films, since they all filmed in approximately the same place?

[Cyto]

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon was propaganda for "Holy crap, there are some amazingly beautiful locations in China".... which was not something I had really seen before, thanks to Mao and his legacy.

[BYODB]

Agreed, and literally one of the filming locations (at least the region) was the same as the one we're talking about so it's not hard to understand why Disney might want to film there.

Hollywood has a long history of not giving many fucks about human rights abuses, as long as they get their shot. Basically this same fucking story played out with NAZI Germany, so if anyone is shocked it's from not paying attention.

[Gray_Jay]

Agreed. We got our answer to the hoary old cliche of, "What would people do if they knew ahead of time about the Holocaust?"

I never knew that the answer would be, "Get filthy fucking rich! Duh..."

[Rev. Arthur L. Kuckland]

Really? You aren't very familiar with history then.

[Echospinner]

“What would people do if they knew ahead of time about the Holocaust?”

Try to escape.

If you could not do that try to hide.

This is what happened. Teach your children and your children’s children. Never forget. Never again.

[Ken Shultz]

If the point of the film is that we need to make sacrifices for the greater good--especially the greater good of the unifying force of the emperor--then conspicuously filming in Xinjiang underscores that point without needing to say anything about it explicitly.

I've seen other films like this where they use Xinjiang and the Silk Road as a metaphor for western cultural incursions--especially when they're set in the ancient world. One of them had a Roman Army coming to take over China by marching up the Silk Road.

The one Matt Damon did had the west (maybe as foreign ideas--anything from American democracy to Islam) personified as a never ending plague of monsters who could only be destroyed by magnets (sticking together).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Wall_(film)

This film wasn't made in a vacuum. It was made primarily for Chinese consumption, and the reference to Xinjiang should probably be understood in that context. China is a totalitarian society that keeps its people under constant surveillance, monitors their online activities including their social media use, and spends an outrageous amount of money "reeducating" millions of people at a time. They're not going to let you make a movie and show it to their people unless you're willing to play ball. Why would they allow this one area of free expression to influence their people--because it's Disney?!

The point is, when we see them include Xinjiang in a propaganda film, the appropriate reaction probably isn't to chastise Disney for their insensitivity. This movie spent years in production hell, they spent $200 million creating it, and they wouldn't have spent that money if the CCP weren't onboard with the way they were making it--every step of the way. The most appropriate reaction to seeing them purposely film it in Xinjiang is ask why Disney is making propaganda for the CCP. They're not ignoring what's happened and is happening in Xinjiang. They're excusing it.

[ElvisIsReal]

Ding ding ding!

[CE]

Imagine if Mulan had dodged the draft and started a resistance movement instead, and fought for freedom. Now that's a version I might actually watch.

[Gray_Jay]

Incredible martial arts set pieces in that movie though, Ken. The arrows scene was shamelessly borrowed from by Snyder in 300.

Then again, Triumph of the Will was an amazing spectacle too.

[Ken Shultz]

Oh, they do a great job with spectacle propaganda, no doubt.

But at some point, somebody really does need to point out that this is propaganda. Disney made a propaganda film for the CCP.

[Cyto]

I have not seen it, so I wouldn't know.

The first one was about girl power.

If this one is really propaganda for the Chinese Communist Party, I think my American eyes wouldn't be able to see it. Too oblique in its cultural references.

When I see it, I'll try to remember to notice anything that screams "bow to the communist state".

And I'll try to parse out how it is different from a western movie about a British king or a Roman emperor.

[Gray_Jay]

Are the Romans in power now? Are there any political figures around in the US or the UK---Manchester's title for his Doug MacArthur biography aside---who possibly could resemble a Roman Emperor in their power or reach? Are there any British monarchs around at the time of those movies with a hundredth of the power of Elizabeth Rex, or, hell, even Vicky?

Xi would turn down being only as well off as a Chinese Emperor of old.

Those are a few differences I can parse.

[Cyto]

They would have to be metaphors. There are no emperors in china, but there is a dictator (with a committee!)

But there are governments in the west. Hollywood definitely put a little spin on some of their leader figures during the clinton, bush and obama years to reflect their views on politics. There are probably similar fluctuations as to whether the BBC makes films about Arthur and the Knights or King John or George III.

[BYODB]

Meanwhile, the plot of Mulan is about a girl who risks everything to defend the emperor.

I'm not so sure that one can say that is the central plot of Mulan, assuming that it's anything like the animated version. She doesn't join the army out of an abundance of loyalty to the emperor, rather she joins because her father would certainly die in any war.

I sure haven't seen the new version, so I can't say how close it tracks with the previous animated version. I recall it being more of a love story than it was a film about the righteous nature of whatever war they were fighting.

The most important question is this: does Eddie Murphy do a voice over for the dragon?

[Ken Shultz]

"On her way, she is confronted by Xian Lang, who reveals that she was an outcast for being a powerful woman, and the only way she can gain power is under Bori Khan's leadership. Additionally, she reveals that the attacks on the outposts have been a diversion, as Bori Khan intends to capture the Emperor, who killed his father. Risking execution, Mulan returns to her battalion to tell them of the impending capture. Tung decides to believe her, and sends a unit to the Imperial City.

Bori Khan kills the Emperor's guards, and prepares to burn the Emperor alive in revenge. Mulan arrives in the city as the Rourans begin their attack, and races to free the Emperor. Bori Khan shoots an arrow at Mulan, but Xian Lang, who admires Mulan for leading her army openly as a woman, transforms into a bird and sacrifices herself by catching the arrow. Mulan fights with Bori Khan and kills him, but loses her father's sword in the process. She frees the Emperor, who offers to let her join his personal guard. She declines the offer and returns to her village, where she is reunited with her family. An emissary from the Emperor, under the leadership of Commander Tung, arrives to present Mulan with a new sword, and offer her another chance to join the Emperor's Guard.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulan_(2020_film)#Plot

She tries to sacrifice her life for the emperor, and ends up losing her heritage from her father. After vacillating because of her Confucian filial piety to go back to her father (and family), she realizes that serving (and defending) the emperor is more important than anything. Oh so heroic!!!

[Cyto]

Is that better or worse than the cartoon version where she goes back to her family and get's the reward of the hunky soldier coming to sweep her off her feet?

[BYODB]

Like I said, I'm sure the newer film isn't exactly like the older one but not taking a guard job and going home to her family isn't exactly screaming propaganda film. And last I checked, China doesn't have an Emperor anymore they have a Communist committee that doesn't take kindly to remembering loyalty to any Emperor of old.

Otherwise, we're going to have to relabel every WW2 film ever produced as propaganda wouldn't you say?

Sure, 'thanking' the police forces that control concentration camps is nasty. Filming there at all is nasty. I won't argue otherwise. But I don't see how being loyal to the Emperor translates into loyalty for Communism. They aren't the same thing, even though they aren't functionally all that different.

Perhaps these are propaganda films...for a Emperor that hasn't been in charge in how many hundreds of years? Do we normally attribute Robin Hood films as being supportive of King Richard and thus propaganda?

[Cyto]

Oh, we did good propaganda WWII films over here in the US.

[Cyto]

Then we did really good subversive propaganda films about Vietnam. After Vietnam was over, of course.

[Ken Shultz]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krLwEYocj7w

[Cyto]

Oh, of course. And really good not at all subversive propaganda films during the war in Vietnam.

[soldiermedic76]

Hell, Top Gun was partially backed by the US Navy Recruiting Division. Naval recruitment shot up tremendously due in part to the success of the movie. And who among us of a certain age can't help but hear Kenny Loggins whenever we watch jet fighters launched out of a catapult? Now I have Danger Zone playing in my head.

[soldiermedic76]

And the F-14 is still my favorite air superioty/interceptor of the teen series fighters designed in the early 70s. It's to bad the Navy grounded her, the SuperHornet just doesn't have the same capabilities as the SuperCat would have had.

[soldiermedic76]

But it is cheaper to maintain and operate and smaller, so you can fit more on a flat top.

[Cyto]

And putting a person in a plane is soooo last century. I'm surprised we still do it.

[Gray_Jay]

The times might be changing on that. There was a DARPA contest between a best of breed AI vs human F-16 drivers, and the AI beat the snot out of them.

Very much a stylized environment---the AI kept winning via ridiculous 9G deflection gun kills, regardlessof whether that left the AI opponent with poor energy or whether it died a half second later---but reminiscent of the news from the first AI Go contests or Chess or Jeopardy. It's not going to get any easier for the pilots after here.

The F-14, even the-D, was just an obnoxious maintenance hog though. That and carrier operations just kill air frames. It was time for it to go. Hell of a capability though, one that's just now getting equalled with whatever is past Link 16, F-35, and the AIM-120 extended range versions.

[soldiermedic76]

I think AI and drones are still decades in the future. However, I believe the intent is not to totally replace the pilots but supplement the pilots with unarmed drones. The pilots will be able to designate drones like other weapon systems and coordinate their attacks. The F-35 is supposed to be able to conduct missions like this.
And yes I admitted the Cat was expensive to maintain. Does the extended range AIM-120 approach the range of the AIM 54? What I can see is the 120 is 86 nm and the 54 was 100 nm, so getting close. But to get the extended range they decreases the warhead by 4 kg (18.6 kg) and the 54 had a 61 kg warhead. The 120 again is another repurposed weapons system and a stop gap until a newer munition comes on line. The 120 was originally designed to replace the unreliable sparrow and wasn't meant as an alternative to the phoenix. The Navy chose the AMRAAM extended range for the SuperHornet because the SuperHornet couldn't carry the Phoenix.

[Gray_Jay]

-54 wasn't very effective on stuff that maneuvered. Did it ever get an A2A kill, either a/c or missile? Maybe from an Iranian model?And I doubt its efficacy when ASMs or SSMs got smaller than Kitchens and Kingfish.

For getting 'Out There, RFN!' though, hard to beat a M2.3 interceptor with the legs to go a ways down the AAW threat axis, and that could start shooting at 125nm and in. I wonder just how much networking everything, increasing the range on SM2+ made it obsolete though? Now, you can stick an F-35 stealthily, 450 nm or more down the axis, shoot, and let it talk to both the AAW DDG/CG and the missiles as it guides them to optimize when they go terminal. With a bunch of stealthy drones to improve the baseline if you're going with purely passive targeting.

Lots of stuff to keep track of as Blue CAP commander, which is another reason I think AI might be here sooner than we think.

[soldiermedic76]

With armed drones not unarmed drones.

[soldiermedic76]

The 54 never had an air to air kill mainly because we didn't really have any conflicts where ROEs allowed it's true nature to be used. I believe most A2A kills since Vietnam were accomplished with Sidewinders as the ROEs have favored shorter range weapons. The standoff capabilities of the 54 were meant as a first strike, and meant as a a surprise weapon or against missiles or bombers at range. In A2A combat the Tomcat was supposed to engage with Phoenix at stand off range, and then move in to use the AIM 9 for closer in work. The new AIM-9X has the ability to IR lock from any aspect, meaning pilots don't have to try and get behind their target.
I think AI will be used in a supplemental role, at least initially. I still think the military will want a human making the final decisions to avoid/diminish any blue on blue situations.

[soldiermedic76]

And yes the Iranians claim to have splashed a few Iraqi fighters with the 54.

[Ken Shultz]

"Like I said, I’m sure the newer film isn’t exactly like the older one but not taking a guard job and going home to her family isn’t exactly screaming propaganda film."

She lost her heritage and purpose by losing her father's sword and was given a new and better purpose sword in serving emperor.

If you don't see that, it's because you don't want to see it.

[Cyto]

But wouldn't the CCP propaganda version be replacing the emperor, not the sword?

I mean, the emperor symbolizes... well, the emperor.

I dunno.. .Chinese films usually substitute "China" and "The Emperor" as synonyms, so you are probably right about how it is meant to be perceived.

Now do IP Man. I love those movies. They aren't communist propaganda, are they? I figured they were just jingoistic pro Chinese war era movies that deal with getting kicked in the teeth but still finding a hero.

[CE]

the plot is she does her duty to the state despite disagreeing with it. which is the moral they are trying to instill.

[Nardz]

http://twitter.com/JackPosobiec/status/1303162673933299713?s=19

Mark Zuckerberg: We must prepare Americans for the presidential election taking weeks to decide

[Earth Skeptic]

Or we could decide the election in 15 minutes with FB Likes.

[BYODB]

I'm sure The Zuck would love that, assuming Congress didn't ask him a bunch of questions about it in committee. It really cuts into his Fortnite time.

[CE]

just take a Twitter poll.

[Rufus The Monocled]

Like Gates says we must prepare for killer viruses.

It's all out of control. We have to hope they just over play their hands (psychopaths generally do) and trust people tune them out at this point.

[Gray_Jay]

Fuck that lizard. Show up and vote. Hell, voting as normal should drive down old fart turnout, which would be good for Democrats.

[Nardz]

http://twitter.com/megynkelly/status/1303291159687704579?s=19

PROUD of him? He’s accused of breaking into a sleeping woman’s house, sexually assaulting her, humiliating her & later returning to harass her. Then the cops she called for help say he resisted arrest, assaulted them & went for his knife. How about a word for his victim, Senator?

[Cyto]

Interesting twist, just a few years ago, she would have been the one aggressively defending the police in court - and that is absent the facts present in this case.

We truly live in bizarro world.

[ElvisIsReal]

So true.

[Alan Vanneman]

Re those "insane" Swedish tax laws. The U.S. has them too. See the famous "Dinah Shore" decision, allowing Dinah to deduct for dresses if they were so tight she couldn't sit down in them. Maybe Swedish laws are even worse.

[Nardz]

http://twitter.com/stillgray/status/1303084877688926210?s=19

Black Lives Matter protesters assaulted a black store manager in Pittsburgh, PA after mobbing his McDonald's.

[JesseAz]

Tons of these this weekend. The Dallas assaults and Rochester assaults were sickening. Throwing tables at customers. Clearing tables by sweeping dishes into customers.

[Mother's lament]

I sometimes wonder if Newt Gingrich is BLM's tactics advisor. They seem so bent on creating a Republican sweep.

[soldiermedic76]

It's interesting that the last couple of polls from Wisconsin seem to show Biden maintaining a comfortable lead, as opposed to polling from the other battleground states (Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida) which show Trump either leading or tied. Arizona is also tightening and Georgia and Texas now look to reverting to the mean, as does Missouri. BTW both Minnesota and Wisconsin have the same number of electoral college votes, thus if Trump loses Wisconsin but wins Minnesota, his victory margin would remain the same as in 2016.

[Gray_Jay]

I had thought either NC or, more likely AZ, flipped this time around.

If Wisconsin cant figure it out after suffering riots in Democrat-run towns in its state, I don't know what to say. I'd believe they'd stay Trump rather than PA.

[Earth Skeptic]

Hey, look, nobody is whiter than Ronald.

[Rufus The Monocled]

These mostly peaceful protests eh?

Hopefully the mostly not destroyed buildings and mostly not dead people are kept low.

[Jerry B.]

More mostly peaceful protest.

[Nardz]

http://twitter.com/drdavidsamadi/status/1303318234544910336?s=19

We’ve now entered Day 177 of 15 Days To Slow The Spread!

[Nardz]

http://twitter.com/paulsperry_/status/1303170472071356418?s=19

DEVELOPING: Investigators have learned that Obama CIA Director John Brennan ran a secret task force out of Langley with its own separate budget to investigate Trump campaign and alleged ties to Russia. Task force set up before FBI officially launched its own probe on 07/31/16

[Jerryskids]

When you say "investigators", does this include Durham? Or is Durham still busily covering all this shit up?

I've said from the beginning this wasn't an FBI operation, Comey was just the designated fall guy. Aside from the fact that Comey is far too stupid to pull it off, the FBI lacks the domestic surveillance capabilities of the NSA and the foreign intelligence capabilities of the CIA, which means both the CIA and the NSA had to be involved. Brennan was the mastermind of this shit.

[Cyto]

Durham buried it. This is over and done.

They had the smoking gun with the altered email. That was the lever to start climbing the ladder.

And instead of doing what they did to completely innocent people to try to get them to lie about Trump (creating process crimes out of thin air and threatening decades of prison time), they offered a plea deal in which he did not even have to do anything. And even then, he made a very important statement at his pea hearing. He said he changed the email in order to make it more correct. That's in his statement to the court.

So it is over. That email can never be used against anyone. He has whitewashed it. He literally claimed in court that saying Page wasn't a CIA operative was more correct that the truth from the CIA, which was that he was in fact an operative. Now, that's a ludicrous thing to say... but there's a good reason to say it. Now everyone above him is absolved. And Durham let it happen. He required nothing in exchange for a get out of jail free card for a pivotal figure in the investigation (the lowest man on the totem pole). They let him go. It is over. There won't be anything else.

Durham and Barr are company men. It is more important to protect the reputation of the agency than it is to do justice. Because justice in this case was going to get really, really messy.

So they buried it.

Done and dusted. It is over.

This investigation is no more. It's pining for the fjords.

This... is an ex - investigation.

[Gray_Jay]

I remember when you first commented here about the plea deal. Laid out a great case for why this would be the end of the line for that scandal.

I agree. It's shameful.

[soldiermedic76]

Par for the course though. Unfortunately.

[Nardz]

The fact that Brennan was the "brain" behind it has been obvious from the beginning.
It's just obfuscated by loyal Party organs like Reason Magazine

[Mother's lament]

Task force set up before FBI officially launched its own probe on 07/31/16

Wow. Brennan really deserves to be sitting in jail right now. That's light years worse than what Nixon's team did.

[soldiermedic76]

In 25 years or so, when all this is declassified, but doesn't mean shit, we'll fully understand how bad this was. But by then the narrative of Obama's presidency being squeaky clean will be set in stone.

[Cyto]

Nick Gillespie with the best point of the day:

All candidates that are on enough ballots to win should be in the debates. (That goes for the primary debates too.... )

Not a new demand. But a reasonable and correct one.

[H. Farnham]

Sounds like a a good policy for making ballot access insurmountably difficult.

[Cyto]

I like the cut of your jib! Want to join our team?

/RNC-DNC operations department

[CE]

it already is

[Weigel's Cock Ring]

He is right, but it’s more than a little ironic considering that Reason has almost completely given up on talking about the libertarian party and its candidates.

[Formerly Cynical Asshole]

After the movie's Friday release "observers noted [that] in the final credits Disney offers 'special thanks' to eight government entities in Xinjiang, including the public security bureau in Turpan, a city in eastern Xinjiang where several re-education camps have been documented,"

A large scale production like Mulan probably required a lot of labor. Where do they think they got it from?

[Fat Mike's Drug Habit]

Why, from union labor making $50/hr w/ benefits. At least that's what the American left tells me will happen under that system.

[Sevo]

It takes shutting down most of the economy before you can (maybe) make money from SJW-investing:

"Investing in Social Good Is Finally Becoming Profitable"
[...]
"Over all, 64 percent of actively managed E.S.G. funds beat their benchmarks versus 49 percent of traditional funds through the first week in August, according to research from RBC Capital Markets...."
https://pe-insights.com/news/2020/08/29/investing-in-social-good-is-finally-becoming-profitable/

No numbers on actual gains, just 'beat expectations'. Yawn.

[mad.casual]

Not to mention that SJW funds, which aren't tied as firmly to reality, did better as reality got shitty. As loosely tied as the economy and the market are to begin with, SJW funds do well when businesses get literally set on fire unexpectedly.

[I, Woodchipper]

California is about to destroy itself. It just keeps pushing the pedal to the medal and won't stop now that it has one party rule.

Latest ballot measures are primarily MOAR SOCIALISM and EAT THE RICH. Over and over. It's going to end in tears.

[Fat Mike's Drug Habit]

I wouldn't mind this if the rats fleeing the sinking ship didn't bring the plague with them.

[I, Woodchipper]

these morons never learn.

[Dillinger]

>>for filming near Chinese concentration camps and then thanking the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for the privilege

be more fun to watch Disney get bent over like LeBron if it wasn't all so fucking pathetic.

[Cyto]

Disney has been largely apolitical. LeBron has spent the last couple of years rebranding himself as the warrior for justice in the mold of Bill Russell or Jim Brown. So the contrast is much more stark for him.

[Mother's lament]

Disney has been largely apolitical

Disney owns ABC, ESPN and Vice. All three hardly apolitical.

[Dillinger]

plus rewriting Pocahontas and everything else since about 1992 but yes I was going for the ABC -> ESPN -> NBA angle.

[Cyto]

Largely.

Surprisingly, out of those 3, I chafe the most at ESPN's constant drumbeat of DNC talking points. Vice was always a creature of the far left - and I loved it before it died and went to mainstream heaven and made a couple of people F.U. rich. ABC is a national station with a news network that hired Stephanopolis before being acquired by Disney. If you hired Stephanopolis as an anchor (and not a partisan pundit), you already forfeited your credibility.

But ESPN was all about sports. ESPN was Chris Berman yelling "Rumblin' bumblin' stumblin'... and he could... go... all... the.... way!" ESPN was Stuart Scott yelling "Tar Heel" every time a former UNC player did something in the highlights.

Now ESPN is Dan LeBatard talking about partisan democrat issues having nothing to do with sports. ESPN is moving a charity event from a golf club because it is a Trump property and having an event at a Trump property is racist, or something.

ABC is a network with a news division. Makes sense.

VIce is a faux alt-news group that used to be extremely edge and alternative. Now they are just lefty and allow left-libertarian-ish people like Moynahan to hang out. Still... makes sense.

But ESPN has become MTV of 20 years ago... when they no longer played any music videos and only did reality TV shows. They forgot that people just want to talk about sports when they talk about sports. They don't want their wife haranguing them about a chore list, they don't want to talk about some drama at work... they just want to talk sports. ESPN forgot that, and it is off-putting. Particularly if you don't share their politics.

Then ESPN is like being a Giants fan and watching the Giants-Patriots game at a Patriots bar. It is worse than watching it alone. You have to watch it with people screaming in your face about how that last holding call was B.S.! (when it was clearly holding, as any Giants fan could tell you)

[Dillinger]

this Cowboys fan still loves David Tyree.

[Muzzled Woodchipper]

ESPN blows chunks.

I can only think of 1 time I’ve actively watched ESPN in the last decade.

The Marlins-Braves game at the army base a couple years ago.

Sure, I’ve seen it in passing, or watched something while at someone else’s house, but I do everything I can to actively avoid that shithole of a network.

[Gray_Jay]

"They forgot that people just want to talk about sports when they talk about sports. They don’t want their wife haranguing them about a chore list, they don’t want to talk about some drama at work… they just want to talk sports. ESPN forgot that, and it is off-putting. Particularly if you don’t share their politics."

Sports forgot that, not just ESPN. Not sure who went first there.

I do know that this long time sports fan has almost zero interest in either, anymore. It felt weird when I thought about it, for the first few months, but it's feeling very natural now to not only never think about sports, but to start getting really pissed at how much public money they suck up.

[EISTAU Gree-Vance]

It’s like when Daniel tosh was ripping on ESPN on his show, but ended with “not you Around the horn and PTI, you guys are cool”.

I liked those shows long after I had given up on sportscenter. Just a few months ago, in fact.

Not even sure if they’re on anymore.

[perlchpr]

How Arizona—"which hasn't been won by a Democratic presidential nominee since 1996″—became a swing state.

Lemme guess, fuck tons of Californians fleeing the shithole they've made of their own state, and then working to recreate the same shit they ran away from once already?

[Dillinger]

maybe ABBA wore what they wore because they liked what they saw.

[Muzzled Woodchipper]

Though in general I think the live Google coverage of MLB games was better than most, what stuck out to me was the token woman commentator, and that shit is ruining sports. She wasn’t overbearing, nor did she appear often (as in other sports broadcasts), but it was more than enough to make a baseball fan (you know, someone actually interested in the game) cringe.

1. She was in front of a fucking green screen, yet tying to convince me she was actually at the stadium. It was worse than horrid.

2. I was getting mostly good commentary from the 3 announcers (Smoltz, Millar, and whoever the play by play guy was). Smoltz and Millar had some great banter and provided great insight. The PbP guy was fine, giving me the info I needed when I needed it, and mostly let them do their thing, which is desirable. Perhaps he would guide them in particular directions, which is great. But mostly I just want to hear those guys because they have real insight. I just want the PbP guy to tell me as succinctly as possible what happens, and when they make substitutions (because in baseball it’s not always evident a substitution has been made).

But the woman announcer’s job was solely to provide information that adds nothing at all to the game. It was how so-and-so did some-such in high school (that had nothing to do with sports). Her job was to give non-baseball fans something on which to bother their baseball fan friends. It was fucking ether. Useless.

But this somehow makes it better because diversity or something. I mean, having only knowledgeable people talk specifically about the thing you’re watching is somehow less desirable than someone who doesn’t know shit about the thing you’re watching because it makes the broadcast team more diverse?

[Fat Mike's Drug Habit]

The soft touch stories are so pointless. If someone isn't watching baseball, a 30 second vignette about the starting pitcher's cat in high school isn't going to convince them. All that does is piss off people who actually want to watch baseball.

it's the worst kind of "diversity" too. There are women out there who can actually be insightful about baseball (or any other sport where this nonsense happens), but instead of having them on we get some twit talking about a somewhat embarrassing incident from the left fielder's time at college.

[Minadin]

"• Almost 10,000 acres of California land have been consumed by wildfires sparked by some idiots' pyrotechnic performance to announce the sex of their baby."

Every single forest fire in California is caused by decades - generations, really - of forestry mismanagement.

[Fat Mike's Drug Habit]

That and you can't trust people to not be stupid.

In Colorado we have fire bans. For months every year we're not allowed to do anything outdoors that might start a fire. No fireworks, no shooting, and definitely no pyrotechnics displays at gender reveal parties. People (usually tourists) do it anyways and we have wildfires.

Smart forestry management helps, but at the end of the day it's just really fucking dry here. Wildfires happened naturally long before people showed up, so it isn't entirely our mismanagement doing it. California would have wildfires regardless of what their forestry department does, they just wouldn't be as bad as what we're seeing now.

On a somewhat unrelated note it was 95 degrees here yesterday and it was smoky because of a wildfire in the northern part of the state. It was 28 degrees and snowing when I woke up this morning.

[Echospinner]

Well you should be more like Finland and listen to the president.

“You’ve got to take care of the floors. You know the floors of the forests, it’s very important,”

Take care of the floor of the forest by “raking”.

[soldiermedic76]

Or control burns to remove underbrush and fuel, which is what we used to do. But that would destroy your narrative.

[Echospinner]

Oh he meant control burns. Aha the floors and raking are really control burns.

How could I have missed that. I really do not know much about forestry fires. Trump does.

[Red Rocks White Privilege]

I really do not know much about forestry fires.

It's important that you recognize how much of a useless idiot you are.

[loveconstitution1789]

With Washington Deadlocked on Aid, States Face Dire Fiscal Crises

Trump is the best president in US history.

[Dillinger]

but but but ... racist pussy grabbing!

[loveconstitution1789]

New book shows how Lt. Col. Alex Vindman was the real instigator of the Ukraine investigation that formed the pretext for Democrats' impeachment of President Trump.

Joe Biden and his son are in real trouble when Trump gets reelected. Bidens know that the indictments will fly.

[Gray_Jay]

I'll believe it when I see it. The Qtards have been yammering on about '15,000 sealed indictments!' on the Internet for the last few years now, and nothing.

No orange jumpsuits & leg shackles? No care.

[Mother's lament]

"Bidens know that the indictments will fly"

I'm not sure Joe knows much of anything anymore.

[loveconstitution1789]

How Refusing To Wisely Manage California’s Resources Led To Incessant Blackouts

Commifornia has rolling backouts...again this year.

I hope Trump hits this point during the debate with Kamala Rouge.

[juffa_emaz]

my last pachback is very highly amount..READ MORE
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[Mother's lament]

Wow!
...what's a pachback?

[Dillinger]

does it matter if it's very highly amount? click the link!

[BigT]

Omega Hypothesis (HΩ) – Is the idea so important or virtuous, that it now stands more important that the methods of science, or science itself. Does the idea leave a trail of dead competent professional bodies behind it?

Höchste Mechanism – when a position or practice, purported to be of scientific basis, is elevated to such importance or virtue that removing the rights of professionals and citizens to dissent, speak, organize or disagree (among other rights) is justified in order to protect the position or the practice inside society.

Constructive Ignorance (Lemming Weisheit or Lemming Doctrine) – a process related to the Lindy Effect and pluralistic ignorance, wherein discipline researchers are rewarded for being productive rather than right, for building ever upward instead of checking the foundations of their research, for promoting doctrine rather than challenging it. These incentives allow weak confirming studies to to be published and untested ideas to proliferate as truth. And once enough critical mass has been achieved, they create a collective perception of strength or consensus.

https://theethicalskeptic.com/tag/omega-hypothesis/

Judith Curry says it is her fav blog!

[Smith_Archer]

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[Hattori Hanzo]

In less than one year China has successfully directed the CDC to refuse Taiwan's existence and get Disney to praise their concentration camps.

[juffa_emaz]

every_person gets dollars in this link....dollars link

[juffa_ema]

I quit working at shoprite to work online and with a little effort I easily bring in around $45 to 85 per/h.READ MORE

[DFG]

"Disney Thanks Chinese Labor Camp Authorities in Mulan Credits"

Where do you think all those free extras came from? They gave them some time off from making Apple watches to appear in the movie.

[jasik_amlisha]

Reason site is very good site and..READ MORE

[swampwiz]

This is almost as outrageous as Disney ruining Star Wars.