Posts Made By: James Brown

April 17, 2020 03:54 AM Forum: Politics

Tara Reade

Posted By James Brown

Originally Posted by James Lacey


This is true from what I can tell.

I do agree we should read widely, but certain sources like FOX, the Daily Caller, Townhall, etc. can safely be thrown on the trash heap right away.
I see so much less distance between NYT or CNN and Fox than you do!

Of course Fox is primarily TV, and I don't watch the news on TV at all anymore!

Jim

p.s.  I'm talking about hard political content only.  PBS, and the NYT have excellent straight news, science, cultural, and other reporting that I enjoy very much and trust.

April 17, 2020 04:00 AM Forum: Politics

Tara Reade

Posted By James Brown

Originally Posted by Greg Shaffer


Even after both have been caught in BS more times than you can count? smile
Outside of the contentious political topics we all love to discuss, where have the NYT and PBS been caught in BS?

April 17, 2020 04:50 AM Forum: Politics

Tara Reade

Posted By James Brown

Originally Posted by James Lacey


I think we have had this conversation in the past, but it's a myth that we ever had an independent press and media with no bias. In the beginning, all news and media were privately owned by the rich and powerful. Their purpose was to push a particular viewpoint. The idea of an unbiased media is a relatively modern invention. Take the NYPost, for example. In its current form, it's a tabloid. No one should take anything reported in it seriously. However, its founder was Alexander Hamilton in 1801 as the New York Evening Post. Its founding happened mainly because of the election of Thomas Jefferson, and its purpose was to push Federalist views.
Insightful post.  I did not know the bolded part.
Jim

April 17, 2020 05:30 AM Forum: Politics

Wuhan Lab Escape Theory Gains Traction

Posted By James Brown

Originally Posted by Darian Rachal

I'll have to admit, I had to look up the exact meaning of rejoinder. grin 

It's just when I read some of your characterizations of Trump, I really wonder if it's conceivable to you that he may be reelected? You seem to be the poster child for TDS.
Hi Darian:

Often I think James goes pretty far over the top when discussing Trump, I think I've mentioned that before.  More often though, James' posts make me uncomfortable precisely  because James so clearly articulates the President's many real and documented shortcomings.  Those sort of posts make for tough reading because I try and want to support the office of the President whether I admire the occupant of that office or not.  You've been around Astromart long enough to know that respect for the office is how I treated Obama and Bush too.  

In my view, much of the negative stuff posted by a natural moderate (James) or a natural conservative (Russ) who might despise Trump is much more useful and thought provoking than the stuff posted by any reflexive and unwavering Trump apologist.  I don't see James' postings as TDS.  I see his input as a legitimate, often accurate, and certainly thought provoking assessment of Trump, his governance style and his character.

Don't you sometimes feel slimy too, when you try to support Trump and his administration, and Trump rewards you by making it damn near impossible to respect him?

Jim 

April 17, 2020 10:14 AM Forum: Politics

Wuhan Lab Escape Theory Gains Traction

Posted By James Brown

Originally Posted by Darian Rachal

James, I'll answer your question by saying this: If I had the opportunity to snap my fingers and eliminate the Democrat Party from existence, I think I might be inclined to do so, and would consider it the equivalent of scraping dog s**t from the bottom of my shoe. 
I'm surprised at this reply Darian.  I would never eliminate opposing points of view from existence.  We learn so much about validity of our own beliefs by testing them against opposing points of view.  I've been accused of arrogance from time to time, and I suppose it is justified.  But I can never envision myself being so assured of my position that I would snap my fingers to eliminate an opposing point of view.

Jim

April 17, 2020 10:26 AM Forum: Politics

Tara Reade

Posted By James Brown

Originally Posted by Greg Shaffer


So you agree with my point....when it comes to politics neither are unbiased? Both have been and still are guilty of leaning to the left and in some cases publishing outright falsehoods and usually without retractions when called on it.
Of course!  

This was more or less the underlying point of at least my posts #1, #3, and #5 in this thread.  Overt left bias is the only reasonable explanation for the NYT, WaPo, and CNN treatment of Kavanaugh after the Blasey-Ford allegations vs. the near silence or support of Biden by these outlets in view of the Reade allegations.   

Jim

April 17, 2020 08:58 PM Forum: Politics

Wuhan Lab Escape Theory Gains Traction

Posted By James Brown

Originally Posted by Darian Rachal

Jim, it's not so much the ideas I have a problem with, it's the effect of the ideas. I see the devastating effect of Democrat social policies on the black race. The Democrat Party essentially promotes the killing of the unborn. I could go on.

Regarding being assured of my position, you might recall that in one of my posts quite sometime back, I stated that what we essentially know is like a grain of sand on the beach or in a desert. What we are ignorant of is the entire beach or desert.

Last year I was on a "desert safari" in Dubai. While out in the desert, I asked myself if I really believed I know so little; I concluded that I am that ignorant.

FWIW, I think that the grain of sand analogy applies to what we know about ourselves.angel
Thanks for the thoughtful reply!  Jim

April 17, 2020 09:08 PM Forum: Politics

Wuhan Lab Escape Theory Gains Traction

Posted By James Brown

Originally Posted by Greg Shaffer


Opposing points of view are one thing.....perspectives that support socialism and or communism are another animal all together and what was once a valid and respectable party has shifted so far to the left and given the reigns over to the far far left to control the party. What I once saw as a valid choice is a threat to freedom and individuality.....so I get where Darian is coming from.....and pretty much agree with him. Its been a long process for sure but it is in our faces now everyday......and it is obviously accelerating using every underhanded trick in the book
Hi Greg:

I sure do not see it this way.  I personally know tons of liberals and democrats, and with only one or two exceptions, none of them support socialism or communism.   (I have a niece and her husband who are socialists living in Berlin.)   Sure there is tension between the parties, and I would not doubt that the tension is objectively as bad right now a it has been in generations.  I still have confidence that the system we have will protect us from political despots on the left or right who would take away liberty.

Thanks for the thoughtful post, I've been bothered by the coarsened tone seemingly becoming more prevalent here.  I'm guessing that the coarse tone is caused by lock-down stress, and us all having more time on our hands than we're used too! 

Jim

April 17, 2020 09:14 PM Forum: Politics

Wuhan Lab Escape Theory Gains Traction

Posted By James Brown

Originally Posted by James Lacey


Steve,

Where have you been? Have you not listened to Trump recently anoint himself, King? It is hilarious to accuse Biden of wanting to control us and then completely ignore Trump's recent proclamations about how the President has complete authority. He seems to think, for example, that he can force Governors to reopen their states, and that he has the power to adjourn Congress at will, and that he and he alone controls the purse strings of the federal government.

This ad, released by a GOP group called the Republicans for the Rule of Law, that opposes Trump's re-election pretty well sums it up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJuhi4Pg-js
James:

I did not watch the press briefing yesterday, but the summary I read makes it sound like Trump has been properly reminded of the limitations of his office.  It is certainly embarrassing that he spouted off in an authoritarian fashion the other day, but this is a great example of what I just mentioned to Greg.  The system has soft checks and balances, like the staffers who informed DJT that reopening the states was not his sole prerogative, and of course the system has hard checks, like the courts that have stricken down unconstitutional executive orders issued by BO or DT.

Jim

April 17, 2020 09:17 PM Forum: Politics

Wuhan Lab Escape Theory Gains Traction

Posted By James Brown

Originally Posted by James Lacey


would gladly snap your fingers like Thane...
"Thanos"

cool