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[Antonio the Sixth]

> Implying every single one of these people will actually run.

There were a million people who thought about running in 2012 too, but the list was severely narrowed.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Neither. The most representative American "swing voter" is one who votes in some elections but not others.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Can we not?

[Antonio the Sixth]

I have the feeling that the media wants a semi-competitive Democratic primary for increased viewership and ratings.  But in the end they'll be on Clinton's side.

[Antonio the Sixth]

HP. Getting rid of the death penalty puts prison guards and prisoners in danger.

How does that make any sense?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Had he lived through his full four-year term (sparing us John Tyler's presidency), he would have been accounted perhaps the best Whig president ever to have ascended to the office.  Everything was in place for a transformational Whig agenda with the election of 1840.

This presumes that William Henry Harrison wouldn't have been William Henry Harrison.

But if that were the case, if Harrsion was some great transformational figure in the making I think that he would probably be successful in encouraging a more economically moderate path for that era's Democrats in appealing to voters.  After all the Van Buren's response to the Panic of 1837 was to blame the recently deceased Second Bank of grand conspiracy to bring down the system and pledge that the government would not be involved in bailing out the "corrupt" northern and urban institutions that made the Panic possible (supposedly).  We do know a little bit about his views on slavery, but being an Ohio man might have encouraged him to be more in line with the Whig mainstream by opposing war with Mexico over Texas, thus leaving the Southwest/California in Mexican hands for a little while longer.  Overall he probably wouldn't have been a great friend to the "Slave Power", but Southern Whigs would've likely still backed him as a "sane" alternative to the populist Jacksonians that were the rank and file of the Democratic Party in areas of the Deep South.  The very first thing the Congress might have done is raise tariffs substantially to improve infrascture and roads of the time and maybe even give a much needed boost shot to American industry (though would probably reveal the inherent injustices and crueliities many industrial workers faced under their wealthy owners, which might actually bring in more Democratic support in urban areas).  Really, a comparison to Ronald Reagan would be very appropriate here: A man in his late sixties, conservative politics (for the time) with a populist persona/face to it, won a mandate election, took control of congress from an unpopular liberal (for the time) administration/coalition, whose popularity wildlly varies depending on the demographics (rich industrialists/white protestant middle class would've loved him, poor farmers and lower class ethnic whites would've hated him (compare with non-whites views of Reagan)).

Ironically, this might've made an earlier Buchanan administration possible.  Buchanan after all was very moderate on tariff issues (he started his career as a Federalist), largely due to being a Pennsylvania man.  Of course, his incompetence and moderate heroism would've still made the Civil War very likely.  I have a feeling that the Civil War was pretty much inevitable since the 1820 Missouri Compromise at least.

A really excellent historical analysis, as always.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I fully confess in my time on the forum that I've been rather harsh, perhaps unfairly, when it comes to Evangelicals.

One of the things that really bothers me about so many Evangelicals in America is their utter disregard for modern science.  I know many Evangelicals think the theory of evolution is a "joke" and act as if science can be merely laughed off or disproven with Biblical passages. However, I really want to see what the best possible justifications for young-Earth creationism are.

It would take a mountain of evidence to convince me the Earth isn't billions of years old given scientific consensus, but I am curious what the best non-Biblical arguments are in favor of a young Earth and/or against evolution.  Maybe I'm just missing something (as creationists call, "the missing link") that makes their worldview more reasonable, but I have yet to find it.

[Antonio the Sixth]

OK, the idea that Gay men and Women can't procreate is absurd.  Have you ever heard of Surrogate mothers.  Many gay men are using them to have children of there own.  Gay women are using sperm banks.  So you biggest argument has a huge hole in it.

[Antonio the Sixth]

And here's a little more food for thought
Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’


Let that sink in.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Second.

[Antonio the Sixth]

The use of this particular 'art style' and the 4chan/Reddit format with the 'tiers' and whatnot make it a Horrible Image irrespective of its content.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Both counties in those Republican strongholds have almost always voted Democrat in statewide races since 1992.

[Antonio the Sixth]

What do you have against Kristi Noem?  Anything in particular?

She's a typical right-winger, and I got a bad impression from her campaign in 2010.  Her ads were both negative and stupid, and she had a record of receiving numerous speeding tickets and not showing up in court (resulting in warrants for her arrest) and her good looks helped her get elected.

To be fair, she could be worse.  She's not as bad as Michelle Bachmann, but she's worse than even many South Dakota Republicans.

[Antonio the Sixth]

This is the woman who didn't know who we fought in World War II 7 years ago.

Seriously.

She's quite representative of many Americans on that point, though.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Statement by Baldwin Campaign
After a week of struggling with an ugly case of the flu, Senator Baldwin would like to make it known to all of her supporters that both her and her campaign remain alive and well, and will be back, full speed ahead, in the coming week.

Tammy Baldwin Campaign Schedule, October 15th-21st

"In February of this year, five of my Senate colleagues and I sent a letter to the Department of Education, criticizing its failure to do the right thing when it came to utilizing its Congressionally-authorized tools to cancel out student loan debt. I stand by that position today, because it's common sense. Sucking hundreds of billions of dollars out of the pockets of our young people when there is a legal and sensible alternative available is absolutely immoral, it's bad economics, and it's just plain stupid. This is the future of our country we're talking about. How do we expect our young people to find good-paying jobs, to invent, develop, and invest in America when we won't even allow them an affordable college education? When I'm President, you can bet the Department of Education will be one that utilizes every tool it has to cancel out student loan debt for our young people!"

October 15th, 2015
-Speech in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
-Meet and Greet with Students at University of Iowa, discussing student loan debt
-Barnstorming in Iowa City, Iowa
-Barnstorming in Mount Ayr, Iowa

October 16th, 2015

QUESTION: Senator, how do you feel about the recent passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal?

BALDWIN: Well, I wasn't able to be very vocal about it right when it passed as I was ill, but make no mistake: this is a terrible deal. It's a terrible deal for workers, for the environment, for farmers, for almost everyone except the corporate bigwigs profiting off of it. Any deal negotiated in backrooms and hidden from the public eye so quietly as this one is bound to be harmful to the little guy, plain and simple.

QUESTION: Senator, you've said previously that you support expanding Social Security. Isn't it dangerous to meander around the significant problem of a broken entitlements system?

BALDWIN: Well, when I talk about my plan to expand Social Security, all I'm talking about is eliminating the cap on the payroll tax, which keeps those with incomes of over $250 grand from paying the same share into the system as everybody else. By doing this, we can keep Social Security solvent for at least the next four or five decades, while at the same time increasing benefits for seniors who have earned them. It's the fiscally and morally responsible thing to do.

-Meet and Greet in Greenfield, Iowa
-Meet and Greet in Atlantic, Iowa
-Meet and Greet in Boone, Iowa
-Live Q&A on Google Hangout

October 17th, 2015
-Meet and Greet in Carroll, Iowa
-Meet and Greet in West Des Moines, Iowa
-Appearance on Weekends with Alex Witt, discussing campaign, raising the minimum wage, and student loan debt
-Town Hall in West Des Moines, Iowa
-Meet and Greet in Des Moines, Iowa

October 18th, 2015

"Folks, mine is not a campaign built for the sole purpose of attacking. This is not a campaign against Hillary Clinton, or anybody else. What this is is a positive, issues-based campaign that is focused on policies to bring our economic recovery to those who have yet to see it in action, policies to bring about real fairness for all Americans, whether it be in the wages we earn, the benefits we receive, or the educations we strive for. Things like eliminating student loan debt, expanding Social Security, implementing equal pay for equal work -- no one else on the campaign trail is talking about these issues, yet they are so very crucial to the future of our nation and the American people. The candidates at the top of the polls feel that they'll be safe even if they ignore them. I feel differently, and that's what this campaign is all about!"

-Meet and Greet in Orange City, Iowa
-Speech in Sioux City, Iowa
-Barnstorming in Sioux City, Iowa
-Flight to Duluth, Minnesota

October 19th, 2015
-Town Hall in Duluth, Minnesota
-Meet and Greet in Bemidji, Minnesota
-Meet and Greet in Minnetonka, Minnesota
-Meet and Greet in Minneapolis, Minnesota

October 20th, 2015
-Meet and Greet w/ Students at University of Minnesota
-Speech at University of Minnesota
-Appearance on Now with Alex Wagner, discussing campaign, student loan debt

"Here's my philosophy: if you work hard, you play by the rules, you pay your taxes, you do everything in this country that you're supposed to do, you deserve a fair wage, a wage that isn't determined by your gender. You deserve an affordable education. You deserve job security and retirement security, the promise that what you have worked so hard to build will not be stripped from you with the snap of corporate fingers. You deserve a piece of this economic recovery. We need young people like you folks right here at the University of Minnesota, we need you, the future of this nation, to stand up and fight for these ideals! I need you to join me in this race as we fight for these principles! Mine is a grassroots campaign to move this country forward, and make no mistake: it starts with you!"

October 21st, 2015
-Flight to Manchester, New Hampshire
-Rest Day

[Antonio the Sixth]

What a great thread. That's strange to say because its basis is not great, but the spirit in response is very refreshing. A lot of people have a variation of that memory - crying while they thought no one noticed. And that's why I think so many people want to help, because we know you're never actually alone.

If you're feeling extremely amotivated and look towards each day with dread, I highly highly recommend seeking out help. It is very possible that you could get a change of perspective by getting a professional opinion. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Sometimes the way you feel isn't your fault. Sometimes a little bit of guidance from someone who has seen this a thousand times can mean everything.

Twenty-seven is still totally young, by the way. It's a weird stage where you're half expected to finally have a decent grasp of what the hell you're doing but still just fumbling around like an imbecile. Then again, I'm pretty sure that's what most of our years will lead to being, to varying degrees.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Only if you can describe a Helms/Bowles/Dole/Hagan voter in North Carolina from 1996-2014.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Got to love our poor libertarians thinking that they finally found their messiah only for him to turn out to be another GOPer willing to sell his soul for the nomination.

[Antonio the Sixth]

1/0/0

I feel like I could be doing more to raise this number.

[Antonio the Sixth]

The LibDems have few consistent ideological positions besides being hardcore EU supporters; there 2005 and 2010 levels of support were artificial response to Labour's disastrous foreign policy and economic decline. I don't see them holding more seats than Labour, who were already in the worst place imaginable in 2010 and yet maintained there status as a major party.

[Antonio the Sixth]

What is the meaning of life?

Atlas Forum.

No.  The Atlas Forum is Anti-Life.

Stop with your biased, misleading terms! It's called pro-choice, Ernest.

[Antonio the Sixth]

It's always been Joe Biden.

What the f**k is wrong with this country.

Wait, I thought you were a fan of Bibi?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Yes, R2D2 is the unreasonable and self-righteous one here, not the guy writing a three paragraph screed full of profanity when he is told not to use the word "retard" as a slur or an insult.

No, I want to avoid WWIII if at all possible, or at least survive it . Bibi is the idol of the Israel firsters who I despise.

Ah. Well, good to know!

[Antonio the Sixth]

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[Antonio the Sixth]

it should be noted that over 10% of deaths due to smoking are from secondhand smoke, so the "well i'm just hurting myself, who cares" argument is bullsht.

now, unless you have a different argument than "i have the ｆｒｅｅｄｏｍ to shove tar into my lungs at top speed and ｎｏｂｏｄｙ ｃａｎ ｓｔｏｐ ｍｅ ≧ʍ≦" i'll be leaving this thread