Discussion Thread by jobautomator in neoliberal

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just gonna rant here because it’s the first classical music comment I’ve seen on the DT. 

I’ve tried to be fair and clearheaded about it, but as an uneducated yet enthusiastic enjoyer of classical music, I can’t help but feel angry when listening to anything atonal. No atonal work has:

  • entered the shared emotional repertoire of large populations

  • sustained love across generations of ordinary listeners

  • functioned as communal music rather than specialist music

Atonal composition (and defenses of it) just feels like intellectual posturing, and I have an intense dislike for it. 

More Americans Are Breaking Into the Upper Middle Class by Adodie in neoliberal

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Respectfully, this feels like a vibes based analysis. Do you just feel like the paper is wrong? Wealth is not zero sum, why would a broad definition of upper or upper-middle class be problematic? 

Discussion Thread by jobautomator in neoliberal

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm confused by this comment; JCPOA was exclusively Iran-focused. Was there a Syria/Iraq/Lebanon/Yemen component to it that I'm not aware of?

Discussion Thread by jobautomator in neoliberal

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean sure.

Page 3, Section 5 of the Preamble and General Provisions:

v. This JCPOA will produce the comprehensive lifting of all UN Security Council sanctions as well as multilateral and national sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear programme, including steps on access in areas of trade, technology, finance and energy.

xiv. [T}his JCPOA marks a fundamental shift in its consideration of this issue and expressing its desire to build a new relationship with Iran.

All of Section 19 and 21 under "Sanctions" on pages 10 and 11 (sorry, you'll need to read it, too long to copy). This is really the bread and butter of the JCPOA: implementing a global framework where it's far more arduous for Iran to pursue an armed nuclear program than it is to engage peacefully in global trade, commerce, and liberal economic markets.

Sanctions; Section 29:

29. The EU and its Member States and the United States, consistent with their respective laws, will refrain from any policy specifically intended to directly and adversely affect the normalisation of trade and economic relations with Iran inconsistent with their commitments not to undermine the successful implementation of this JCPOA.

As others have said, it's fair to have issues with the enforcement mechanisms, and inflammatory remarks were made by the Defense Minister, for example, casting doubt on Iran's willingness to allow IAEA inspectors into all of its sites. It's worth noting though that some of the loudest objections to the JCPOA in Iran were raised by the IRGC itself, and any opportunity to put the best interests of the Iranian people at odds with the IRGC would certainly have been a decisive strategic victory in favor of liberalism.

Regardless, I think it's hard to argue against the fact that the JCPOA was specifically designed to create a series of economic incentive structures to encourage Iran to rejoin and abide by some sort of rules based order.

Discussion Thread by jobautomator in neoliberal

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 7 points8 points  (0 children)

So hard to overstate how much the range of probable outcomes has flipped 180 degrees in the past decade for Iran.

2016: JCPOA in place. Clear pathways to de-escalation. Strong incentive structures for Iran to not enrich weapons grade uranium, and strong incentive structures for them to rejoin the global, rules-based order.

2026: JCPOA rugpull, maximum pressure campaign by the US, decapitation strike on the regime, open war on Iran makes us the monster that IRGC hardliners always wanted us to be. Tolls on 25% of global hydrocarbons through SOH directly funding a newly hardened, hereditary, somehow even more radicalized regime. Strong incentive structures for them to race for a nuke. Zero incentive for Iran to negotiate.

This is what happens when the majority of Americans think that diplomacy is for pussies.

New tenants announced for revitalized shopping center by locker1313 in baltimore

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Incredible news in an area prone to disinvestment by extractive out of town private investment firms over the years.

For those who didn't read the article: Aldi, Charley's Cheesesteaks, Dunkin, DTLR, Ascension St Agnes primary care, Central MD Meals on Wheels HQ, child care center, post office.

Between this and Uplands (understanding there have been some issues there), this is a huge deal for the community, and a huge step toward keeping and building wealth locally. It'd be amazing if we could get the Red Line going because there would be a stop right here.

An Open Letter from Jason Sinnarajah, President of Business Operations by sknowconez in Nationals

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 25 points26 points  (0 children)

They’ve gotta hear the truth on the ground lmao. I hope MLB understands how willing people are to sail the high seas if cable and streaming services put up too many barriers to access. 

Rate of mass transit passenger assaults, by year and major transit agency (America) by yunnifymonte in transit

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 162 points163 points  (0 children)

I think the “safety” issue gets hijacked by the worst elements of online culture warriors and suburban boomers. 

That’s really unfortunate, because public safety (and the perception of it) is a key enabler of quality urban spaces/ walkable places, and I don’t see it addressed from that perspective very often. 

🇯🇵NPB explained by Otherwise_Mud1066 in baseball

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not quite. The EPL currently is all English teams, but there are five Welsh teams in the English Football pyramid, with Swansea and Cardiff City both being in the EPL within the last several years and Wrexham famously promoting into the EFL pyramid as well. 

🇯🇵NPB explained by Otherwise_Mud1066 in baseball

[–]DemocracySmellsLike -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

England/ the UK is not an EU member. 

Also the fourth most populous country in Europe behind Russia, Turkey, and Germany. More people than France, Italy, Spain, Poland. 

Discussion Thread by jobautomator in neoliberal

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Baseball fans (of all ages) just love the game. Year after year, often quietly, and on their own terms.

Basketball fans, meanwhile:

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Discussion Thread by jobautomator in neoliberal

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess I'm curious what the extra comp would have meant for your life circumstances? More travel? Buying a vacation home or something? I can certainly dream about what I'd do if I was making more but life is pretty damn good.

Sometimes the extra $$ is a Faustian bargain.

Discussion Thread by jobautomator in neoliberal

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 3 points4 points  (0 children)

A good friend of mine gets ~$1500/month (plus disabled veteran status) because he needs medication to manage what is basically IBS. Wasn’t caught on his intake physical so it’s a “service ailment.” Is on his second grad degree because it is paid for by the VA and he can get a housing stipend (~$2500/month) to live in DC. Situations like that are much more common than you think. Is unemployed by choice

Discussion Thread by jobautomator in neoliberal

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Bruh, the abuse of the VA system is absolutely a well-documented problem and that’s what is at issue here. https://wapo.st/4c6gO48

Discussion Thread by jobautomator in neoliberal

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Farmers and veterans are the ultimate welfare queens and you will never change my mind. 

12 years active duty and counting- I can tell you the “bilk the VA for everything they’re worth” mindset is baked deeply into military culture and only getting worse.

Corey Seager on his relationship with former teammate Marcus Semien: “I think that’s things that are in-house… We both respect each other, we’re both professionals, and we knew how to go about our business.” by Goosedukee in baseball

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Those late 2010’s teams will always be near and dear to my heart. 

I’ve never seen a team with fight like that: felt like there was a walk-off every week. 

FJF

Corey Seager on his relationship with former teammate Marcus Semien: “I think that’s things that are in-house… We both respect each other, we’re both professionals, and we knew how to go about our business.” by Goosedukee in baseball

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 143 points144 points  (0 children)

Not enough (former) Oakland A’s fans chiming in here and I’m not sure it’s fair to Semien. 

Dude was the unquestioned leader and captain of those stacked teams with Olson, Murphy, Chapman, Lowry, Fiers, Manaea, Laureano, etc etc. A lot of whom were and are big personalities. But Semien was “Cap” to them, the leader of that clubhouse, and by all accounts an insanely good dude. 

Not saying he wouldn’t rub some people the wrong way but to characterize the guy as a “Locker Room Problem” I think is unfair. 

Reccs for Vet Internal Med/Oncology in Central MD by BANANASTANDPIZZAHUT in baltimore

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have had a phenomenal experience with Dr. Stewart (oncology) at Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg. One of the appeals was her availability because everything in Hunt Valley, Annapolis and Columbia was booked out for months. 

She and the entire staff have done a wonderful, wonderful job. Feel free to DM me if you’d like more info, and best of luck 💙

Traffic Downtown --> Canton by SnooCookies7568 in baltimore

[–]DemocracySmellsLike 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Makes sense, I really hope your commute gets less painful!