Lurker > Suprak the Stud

https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/30/politics/koch-brothers-north-dakota-kevin-cramer/index.html

Thats a pretty big one for them to sit out. Frustrations between them and the current state of the GOP may be real after all.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Corrik is a yinzer confirmed.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

CelesMyUserName posted...

I don't hate Maher but he has a massive persecution complex that makes him personally identify with any controversial figures to the point he's worthlessly incapable of challenging them.

I dont even care about his politics.

Hes just condescending and not funny. Which is kind of a big deal for a comedian.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Also why wouldnt you just quote my post and instead quote the post of someone else quoting my post with their actual post removed?

You are a weird dude sometimes, I swear.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Corrik posted...

UltiXX posted...

@Suprak_the_Stud posted...
Also

New rule: Bill Maher is an untalented humorless hack and any suggestion that references him or his bits in any way should also not be engaged.

That was clearly a joke based on the way I directly reworded Tonys post, and I made that post specifically because I disagreed with his sentiment of do not engage Corriks article. It was literally a defense of the thing you are accusing me of being against.

So.

@Corrik is fake news. SAD!
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Corrik posted...

Suprak unfortunately becoming one of them with the do not engage crap. Was bound to rub off on you eventually. = /

Where did I ever say that?

I was the one that said it was worth discussing!

@Corrik is literally fake news. SAD!
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Sorry I just have an irrational hatred of Bill Maher.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

TheRock1525 posted...

Suprak the Stud posted...

ChaosTonyV4 posted...

New rule: Lets not engage posts with links to opinion articles with zero analysis or attempt for a good faith discussion.

I actually think its worth discussing though.

Except its behind a paywall and I doubt most people here can read it.

Hey, not all of us are illiterate.

Speak for yourself, NERD
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Also

New rule: Bill Maher is an untalented humorless hack and any suggestion that references him or his bits in any way should also not be engaged.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

ChaosTonyV4 posted...

New rule: Lets not engage posts with links to opinion articles with zero analysis or attempt for a good faith discussion.

I actually think its worth discussing though.

Except its behind a paywall and I doubt most people here can read it.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Corrik posted...

https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-is-losing-the-trade-war-with-trump-1532729725

I am opposed to tariffs on general principle.

BUT if he can partner with the EU and stop engaging our allies in antagonistic trade practices, I think singling out China could go very well. It was the same sort of idea Obama had with TPP although the methods were obviously much different.

Also just a reminder to myself to read the full article when Im at work since Ill have access.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

There is zero percent chance he follows through with it because the people around him aren't that dumb. I've been wrong about Trump going Leroy Jenkins before, but this would be too far even for him. I think.

But that's what makes it such a dumb threat. Like...do it. Go ahead. It literally makes you and your party look worse to everyone but your most rabid base.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/29/politics/donald-trump-shutdown-wall/index.html

If you dont buy me this samurai sword I want I will punch myself in the face!
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

pxlated posted...

have they even come to an agreement yet?

trump yesterday came out and acted like they had, and that the EU agreed to back down/give him what he wanted, but then they came out and said that no agreement had been reached yet. trump was just being trump.

did that change?

No. Well, kinda.

They made an agreement to make an agreement at some point. Which could be nothing depending on Trump's mood next week. But it is at least better than where it was at a week prior >_>
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Jakyl25 posted...

https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1022267646119763970?s=21

This is sweet though

That is honestly pretty cute.

I wish he hadnt gone through his whole THREAT TO THE NATION nonsense but as long as he isnt actively pissing off the EU Ill count that as a win.

Until he inevitably walks back the walk back, of course.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Peace___Frog posted...

Articles of impeachment introduced... against Rosenstein.

Not even Gowdy or Goodlatte signed on to this so it is a big old nothingburger.

Jim Jordan did though. If only he was as passionate about stopping men from being molested as he was about stopping federal investigation into election interference.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

TheRock1525 posted...

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/398799-soccer-ball-putin-gave-trump-contains-transmitter-chip-but-for-adidas?__twitter_impression=true

Wait...what?

Theres no way this was intended to spy.

Unless Russian spy technology is literally at Dwight from the Office levels.

Now at least we know to check any wooden mallards Putin sends us.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

kevwaffles posted...

Apparently Trump has just said he's open to making a new deal with Iran. Because of course.

Suprak the Stud posted...

I will say that after North Korea, I can only imagine Trump will be in Iran within a year to give Rohani a very nice handshake and proclaim no one ever needs to worry about Iran again.

Trump is like the anti-Teddy Roosevelt. Speak VERY LOUDLY but forget about the stick all together because hand shakes are cool and better.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

I will say that after North Korea, I can only imagine Trump will be in Iran within a year to give Rohani a very nice handshake and proclaim no one ever needs to worry about Iran again.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Mr Lasastryke posted...

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1021380986452545537

Japan is happy, all of Asia is happy.

i think this deserves a "citation needed"

*source: I know it
second source: you know it
Third source: everybody knows it
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

I got Showtime on Hulu for cheap!

Beyond that...probably nothing legal.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a22486973/sacha-baron-cohen-this-is-america-episode-2-review/

I don't know if anyone else is watching this show but it is exhausting.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

BvS was a decent Superman movie hidden beneath a terrible Batman one.

The only thing I didn't like about WW was the ending. Felt very silly. But overall I thought it was great.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

...WW below BvS?!?!?

Corriks moms name is Martha so that actually makes sense.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Corrik says yinz a lot as a result of an undiagnosed head injury.

You can trust me, Im a doctor.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Trump isn't Putin.

He just wants to be best friends with the guy. Because he is very strong and BIGLY denied all charges brought forth by those QUACK intelligence operatives Trump put in charge.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

First off Russia doesn't have elections it has "elections". Trump's political adversaries don't just wind up dead. There's nothing to rig in Russia because that's already been taken care of.

Russia is a tyrannical state run by a thug who basically is pillaging the country for the benefit of himself and some Russian mobsters. Russia has annexed territory in two sovereign countries just within recent memory, and they are violently oppressive to dissidents. "BUT MAH BOTH SIDES GUYS" is literal Russian propaganda and you can drop it because for all of our faults, we aren't Russia.

Furthermore, they're our adversaries and are trying to undermine western influence, democracy, and all those things Republicans purport to care about. Them doing something to us is "expected" but why the hell I would possibly be ok with it is beyond cuckoo bananas crazy.

It is so weird watching some of the Republican Party go from "HOW DARE YOU SUGGEST WE AREN'T PERFECT" to "Eh, we all make mistake guys and look at how garbage the US is. Why should we care when we do bad things too?"
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

The combo all in one version from Kirby Star Allies that basically breaks the game.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Like, I disagree with his opinions all the time. But there is a consistent logic to his opinions. He's basically a Bush neocon. He isn't hard to predict.

I'm actually surprised he's totally ok with this.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/07/19/dems-erupt-into-usa-chant-on-house-floor-after-hoyer-gives-fiery-anti-putin-speech.html

Look at all those Republicans sitting during a "USA" chant. Why do they hate the troops so much?
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Jakyl25 posted...

Honestly knowing you, Seph, Im surprised you arent advocating boots on the ground in Russia!

This is the first time I've been genuinely surprised in one of Seph's opinions. I get the impression he's being genuine here and not trolling, and it is a little disappointing if that's the case.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Nelson_Mandela posted...

The point is that you can't blame information for an election loss. There is false information from millions of sources floating around. You can't seriously blame one source for an entire presidential loss.

The only thing that really is concerning is hacking voting machines, which has been proven to be negligible.

I am in total agreement that Russian meddling was not the sole factor responsible for Hillary's loss.

Would you agree, however, that it was a contributing factor? One of many that helped lead to a Trump victory?
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

scarletspeed7 posted...

I would vote for Rashida Jones over Andy Samberg as a Democratic candidate, so I must be part of the problem.

Well, she does look corporate.

Those little pantsuits...
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

It worked! Thanks again!
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Deponia Doomsday please!
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Frankie and Joey (Boy Meets World)
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Peace___Frog posted...

CelesMyUserName posted...

damn I have no idea how to fill in those blanks

It might be a guy in a basement

Is he 400 pounds?
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Like he's positioning himself as a moderate (which is strange because just a couple of years ago he would have been "fairly standard republican"), but I don't know if "moderate" beats out Trump even 1 vs 1 right now. His approval is very high with Republicans still, and a lot of them like his more abrasive approach towards immigrants (legal or otherwise). The people that like all the stuff he's highlighting wouldn't vote for him the general (or aren't that likely to, at least) and probably don't vote in the Republican primaries.

Unless things get really bad for Trump I don't think any one has a good shot. And even if things get really bad he'd just say "fake news" and like 65% of his supporters would believe him.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

I don't know for sure, but I think maybe Kasich is gearing up for an actual primary challenge.

https://twitter.com/JohnKasich/status/1017843281684828161
https://twitter.com/JohnKasich/status/1018865695449341959
https://twitter.com/JohnKasich/status/1018920986106912770

I saw his interview on CNN today and then I checked out his Twitter, and he's been going all in against Trump for quite some time now. I don't know if he'd actually do it, but I think there's maybe like a...5% chance? Which is better than the 0% chance I thought there was that anyone would primary Trump last year.

He also has a fully functional site where he's soliciting donations and telling you to join his team which is kind of weird considering he's term limited now. If you check his "take action" tab, it is all positions that break from Trump. There's banning AR-15s, support for DACA and supporting dreamers, something called "this is wrong" about separating families at the border, and "country over party" which boasts the importance of the FBI and American intelligence agencies.

https://petition.johnkasich.com/stand-with-our-allies

And he's been coy about whether or not he'd run against Trump in the past couple months.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/21/kasich-2020-trump-479178
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/381631-kasich-on-2020-uncertainty-its-hard-for-people-to-believe-im-not-plotting

I don't know if he has an actual path forward, but I would say he, out of anyone, might actually be toying with the notion of running against Trump.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

So it would be better to phrase it as while the flu vaccine is extremely important in minimizing the health care burden and mortality rates of the disease, there is no clear scientific consensus whether or not a targeted or general approach is a better solution to this problem.

And dont use the word over vaccinate as that is a favorite of anti-vaccine alarmists.

And due to the way the flu shot is made and the rate of mutation in the disease and the fact they always assess if a new one needs to be made on a year to year basis, vaccine immunity is not a cause for concern.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

metroid composite posted...

LordoftheMorons posted...

Vaccines are actually probably the clearest case of this; diseases like measles are totally wiped out so no one has a frame of reference for what theyre preventing which lets idiots convince themselves that some imaginary downside of vaccines outweighs the real benefit.

Well, sure, although interestingly there is an actual scientific argument to be made that Americans over-vaccinate. (There's no scientific debate about Measles vaccines, but there is debate about flu vaccines--in that Europe doesn't do flu vaccines, and there's arguments that America's yearly attempts at trying to make partial flu vaccines is actually just making flu strains more resistant to vaccines).

This is inaccurate for a couple reasons:

1) Europe absolutely does flu vaccines. The difference is they recommend them to susceptible groups while the US recommends them to everyone. There are science (the flu isnt dangerous to the majority of the population BUT it could increase herd immunity and thus decrease the chances the elderly get it BUT herd immunity when the vaccine is only roughly 40-60% effective based on the year and only a fraction of the people get it anyway is probably not going to decrease the rates of illness significantly) and financial (more expensive to vaccinate everyone BUT the workers in the US are less likely to have paid time off for illness) reasons for this. But Europe does the exact same thing the US does (highly recommends but not requires) for targeted populations.

2) the flu isnt getting more vaccine resistant. That isnt the issue with the disease. The issue is there are multiple strains and scientists basically have to guess which ones will be the predominant strains in any given year well in advance of the disease hitting to have a chance at mass production. The flu strains are never the same year to year so this isnt a concern and vaccines arent something that you typically need to worry about a disease developing resistance to anyway. Antibiotics are a much bigger concern in that regard because the person has to have the disease and then selection can occur based on what survives the treatment. In vaccination that sort of selection doesnt occur because the person doesnt get the disease in the first place.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Dunno but I can confirm that is the exact PM I got from Blade so whatever they were accusing him of was wrong.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

It is because you use fake words like yinz. No one can understand what you're saying.

IfGodCouldDie posted...

Suprak the Stud posted...

Good game scum!

Whoever told Blade to put me in immediately was a jerk tbqh. Ive been ready to replace since day 3 but couldnt because I had to be replaced day 1.

Boo.

I might be to blame for this. If me quoting your "hi" and changing it to "in" then replying "what!?" is what caused you to be put in.

I don't think that was it? The "hi" was an in but then Blade got the game up and going almost the next day, and I knew I wouldn't be even half available until the weened after. I thought it would take like several days to fill up and then a couple more to get posted. "oops"

So then I posted prior to the game started to move me to a replace.

And then when I check back like two days later I have a PM waiting for me and the game is like a day old. >_>
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

The last season of parks is pretty terrible and the season before that is a definite drop off from the others but still okay-ish.

Community has some low points too and it never really recaptures the magic of its first two seasons, but the first two seasons are so good it probably doesnt matter.

Those are my two favorite of the four though!
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/15/elon-musk-spars-with-thai-soccer-team-rescuer-in-blistering-tirade.html

Musk is so damn weird.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Also Im not entirely sure Vlado is well suited to a casual conversation on politics
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Corrik posted...

Jakyl25 posted...

DoomTheGyarados posted...

I am sure it is just a friendly meeting between world leaders.

I honestly cant tell if this is sarcasm or not lol

Why would it be sarcasm

I honestly cant tell if this is sarcasm or not.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

I still dont understand what is so hard about just scrolling past posts you dont want to read.

And it feels like we end up devolving into this kind of discussion once every other topic or so.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

Good game scum!

Whoever told Blade to put me in immediately was a jerk tbqh. Ive been ready to replace since day 3 but couldnt because I had to be replaced day 1.

Boo.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."

The era of US unilaterally invading and destroying countries because there was no-one to stand against them and/or their proxies is over.

Hey, whoa, another thing that Vlado and I agree upon!

The thing is, a strong and unified NATO helps prevent things like this. If NATO was more empowered, maybe Russia just doesn't up and annex Crimea. Maybe they don't use Syria to stage a proxy war. These are Obama's failings - not Trump, but it is a reason why we want a strong international community. Globalism is good in the sense that it keeps the UK and Germany and France and all of Europe breaking out into huge wars since we started forming these international coalitions.

I think you and I are in agreement that we don't want the US engaging in building nation states, right? The disagreement then comes from what is the best way to prevent it.

GuessMyUserName posted...

Suprak the Stud posted...

Now it costs money to have bases there and troops there. But.

THOSE ARE OUR TROOPS. Those bases give us strategic advantage. For us. USA. No one else.

yeah as a Canadian that has also lived abroad (Japan), it completely blows my mind that any americans would complain about this being unfair to them, it's straight-up global power that US controls

I mean if you guys don't wanna be a world leader that's cool I'd love it if a European country stepped up in your place

There is no European power like that, and there won't be unless Europe unifies entirely. The next global power when one surpasses the US is going to be China, and there isn't one close (India maybe? But India has its own problems although not on the scale as China). If you don't like the US, China is worse in just about every regard.

Also, if you're looking for a "good" leader to step up, I'm not sure Europe is really where you want to look based on their history. Canada is probably the "best" I can think of if you're looking for progressive, liberal leadership but they simply do not have the influence, GDP, or power for any of that sadly.
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Moops?
"I thought you were making up diseases? That's spontaneous dental hydroplosion."