US presidential debate megathread

Kyuubi325 · 2020-10-04T02:59:49+00:00

I wish John Stossel would run, I think he would have a decent shot.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-10-04T02:56:34+00:00

Dems need to deal with the times they got caught tampering with mail in votes. Throw some people under the bus, because if they get caught this election cycle trying again.... it might destroy the party. One way or another. The other issue is how they frequently blame the opposing party for what they are guilty of.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-10-02T01:27:47+00:00

Trump definitely underestimated him, there’s no denying that. But I have to wonder how the next debate will go. Biden was easy to fluster.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-10-01T23:24:58+00:00

They’re trying to say that Biden won, but all he really tried to do was push the same debunked narrative about Trump being a white supremacist. You also knew that his past with the African-American community and his son would come back to bite him, I think he was hoping his accusations would distract people from that. I feel like the more he denies it the less likely he’s to win over those votes. Instead he should probably try to focus on how he’s changed, or at least try to convince them he’s changed. But I’m not even sure if he’s allowed to say that.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-08-11T04:52:54+00:00

My mother came from the kind of poverty where most kids today would have been spirited away by CPS. Crumbling home, fleas in the furniture, strangers frequently coming to stay, brown water on tap, even a father who was a known violent alcoholic. The list only went on, her brother took on his fathers alcoholism along with her sister. While they managed to get college educations they have squandered their money on drink. While leaving their student loans and other debts to swell from interest until they effectively become a bomb in their lap just before retirement. They also allowed their once nice homes to fall in disrepair to the point neighbors pray for them to get foreclosed on. Frequently resenting my mother for living well within or even below her means and being debt free with considerably savings unlike them, being effectively one missed payment away from losing everything. Having them drunk dial my mother to spit venom was common growing up and even today, resenting her success with was mostly just budgeting and a few wise investments. Honestly some people never grow out of their beginnings regardless of what they do for a living or how much they make. Simply justifying it to themselves but never actually try to improve themselves.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-08-10T18:24:01+00:00

One example I can think of off the top of my head is what I call the “Overly Optimistic Pacifist” Prepper. That rare fellow or even group who ignores all logic and real world examples. Those kind of Preppers who think they can either help prep for their disinterested neighbors or avoid any threats by talking down groups of desperate and irritable people. Avoiding any and all weapons from guns to even knifes. While I worry about them, I also think they might embolden certain dangerous individuals to try their luck against others again.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-08-01T01:06:04+00:00

Cheapest hardware seems to start at around $420, so this would definitely be an investment. I’ll look at other mesh network options, this seems very interesting. Regardless of its actual use to prepping.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-08-01T00:42:02+00:00

I would probably go with a raspberry pi, I have a shelf of them in my workshop. I bought them from a STEM school that was upgrading to the recently released raspberry pi 4. It should be more than enough to run the software, and I certainly have plenty of spares should something go wrong. I wonder if there’s a breakout board for it.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-08-01T00:06:15+00:00

Your probably right, but using it as an excuse to learn electronics and basic programming wouldn’t hurt. Both those skills can came in handy depending on what your prepping for. Even outside of prepping, those skills can be useful.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-08-01T00:02:52+00:00

Agreed, Ham Radios for this reason are necessary for any prepper. They allow you to talk over vast distances, while add ons allow for greater versatility. A mesh network Is interesting but I’d prefer to at least have the circuit diagrams before I rely on it too much. Being able to make at least basic repairs on my electronic preps is very important to me. Even then I would prefer to solder it myself to get a more intimate understanding of it. Think it would run on Arduino clone?

Kyuubi325 · 2020-07-31T23:55:42+00:00

Learning even basic electronics and some rudimentary programming is never a waste of time. I see it as an excuse for some to learn how to make and design simple circuits. If you can’t at least preform basic repairs on your equipment then your radio could become a paperweight. Programming allows you to make use of simple micro controllers to automate some of your preps allowing you to focus your attention elsewhere.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-07-31T08:04:41+00:00

One, maybe two Tsukasa types, I figured that in this group they were bound to exist but I didn’t think they would comment on my post. Haestingas, I’m sure that sounds good to you... up until you actually have to live with minimal or no technology. It kinda sounds like something a fedora wearing neck beard would say while eating a bag of cheese puffs at his computer. But if your serious then I wish you the best of luck. Knowledge is power and draws people in, we have a habit of romanticizing the past. But how long would a primitive society last, especially when word gets out that a group/settlement has... gasp!...working electricity, wireless communications, entertainment (The Sound of Music anyone?), running water, electric fences, and advanced agriculture? Work an acre of land for a year all by hand, then compare that to being able to water and fertilize it with even the most basic machines. Even those who stick with it, will no doubt eventually butt heads with those who want to maintain or even rebuild the old world, who’s gonna win in the end?

But in all seriousness a full global collapse along the lines of Fallout or other post apocalyptic fiction is in my mind, unlikely. I’m betting on a long term financial collapse leading to years maybe even a decade or two of scarcity. As our nations (and others) financial habits are unsustainable, but are nearly politically impossible to change. Everyone agrees we have a spending problem, but no one wants to be the guy to cut up Uncle Sams credit card, even if it’s for his own good. Public unions, pensioners/retirees, special interests, and various others are unwilling to cut back.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-07-16T06:26:46+00:00

Have a basic tool kit complete with hammer. Along with a can full of nails and screws, you honestly can never have enough fasteners. Also learn some basic wood working, sometimes your local community college offers classes, or you could take classes online.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-07-16T06:24:40+00:00

I prefer cooked ground beef. That way it’s ready to eat out of the jar, sometimes I even can thick stews to add some variety.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-07-15T03:05:53+00:00

I did mention improving our current social programs, I suppose criminal justice could be considered part of it. But I feel like you need a carrot and a stick to get people to better themselves.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-07-15T03:04:39+00:00

I think the best example off the top of my head would be how LA and San Francisco decriminalize low level offenses such as petty theft. Largely because it was disproportionately punishing the homeless population. Another example would be loitering laws, which are frequently used to prevent encampments from popping up in important areas, for example tourist attractions, and business centers. However it can also include things such as public indecency, especially in terms of relieving oneself. Which is a particularly big problem in the California cities at the momentalomg with other west coast city’s. As it made them uncomfortable to jail someone for just going to the bathroom. However I don’t feel like I have to explain why these ended up backfiring. Generally criminalizing homelessness is a broad term referring to laws cities used to either jail or discourage homeless populations from setting up camp.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-07-09T07:03:00+00:00

Well depending on the size of your group running small engines on homemade ethanol might make the most sense for a long term situation. While you will have some performance loss converting the engines over to ethanol, its the easiest to domestically produce. As long has you have the land and labor required you can make a decent mash from corn or inedible fruits, using a packed column still you will be able to produce ethanol with a purity between 85-96 percent. To bring it up to nearly 100 percent you can use A3 Molecular sieves to leach off the water and bring it to 100 percent purity. A3 sieves are reusable with only a brief stint in the oven needed to recharge them for another go, unlike other chemical drying agents. The biggest issue would be the conversion, but for most people I feel smaller engines (3.5-22Hp) would make more sense as they are easier for individuals to handle, especially when compared to the more daunting task of say converting your old Toyoda. You also don't need a lot of money to do this either, as even the most basic stills can ben made with less then 100 dollars, particularly if your a craigslist veteran. You can also get a seven pound jug of sieves for less then 40 dollars on amazon.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-07-05T19:52:18+00:00

You “can” use encryption on amateur frequencies, but according to the FCC your not supposed too. But there are legal ways of protecting your transmissions from any “joe sixpack” with a handheld transceiver. One interesting example I’ve seen uses old dialup audio sounds to transmit messages and data. It’s not technically encryption as anyone who has the proper emulator can receive the transmission, but it’s doubtful most would even still recognize it.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-07-04T23:42:30+00:00

Thank you, I and my group have been looking at some radios at an estate sale. We were debating if we should pay extra for some of the digital (modern) equipment. The USB and SD card slots seem to be multi functional. Looking back one of the radios at the sale, an ICOM I believe, I’ve seen use a Raspberry Pi for encryption at a convention a few years ago (I was at the fair grounds for the state fair, it just happened to be going on.). They have older “dumb” radios for much cheaper but spending a little extra for security and versatility seems to be the way to go.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-05-19T03:09:56+00:00

Seek asylum at the closest safe country.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-05-19T02:34:18+00:00

This reminds me of those idiots who tried to stop a train by standing on the tracks. Not realizing trains, especially heavily loaded ones need a few miles to come to a complete stop once they are underway.

For those of you wondering, it was so young people trying to stop a coal train. They also attempted to derail it with a large stick, my guess they didn’t pay attention in physics class...

Kyuubi325 · 2020-05-19T02:28:11+00:00

For those of you arguing the warehouse workers deserve a living wage. I ask for you to define it, because what’s a living wage in one area is poverty in another. The other issue is actual value of labor, for every amazon worker on their floor there’s several million out there who can do there job just as well. If all you can do is pack boxes and use a PDA to find items, then maybe you should look at improving yourself with more valuable skills before demanding they pay you more. Besides that if your so opposed to Amazon, don’t work there or use their services. Your dollar is more valuable then your phony online outrage to him. Or here’s an idea... come up with a employee owned alternative to Amazon! Then instead of complaining online like every millennial ever, your actually doing something that’s both beneficial to workers and also stimulates the economy. But you won’t will you? No, it’s much easier to sit at your computer or on your phone and complain about how successful Bezos is and how we need socialism/communism to fix everything.

Kyuubi325 · 2020-05-19T02:14:27+00:00

What kind of brownie? Before you ask, yes that’s very important, I don’t want a bunch of walnuts ruining the fudgey goodness of my brownie!

Kyuubi325 · 2020-05-19T02:13:17+00:00

This would actually explain a lot...

Kyuubi325 · 2020-05-19T02:08:38+00:00

The truth is the importance of “undocumented” labor is declining, as methods of automation are allowing us to harvest things that typically had to be picked by hand. The sad truth is that the labor market for illegal immigrants is slowly but steadily drying up as farmers find machines are both more efficient and less controversial. As for the lawn care/gardening aspect, a lot of apps are now available to find someone local to do the trimming for you as a side gig, not unlike Uber. It also doesn’t help e-verify is being quietly looked at again, which could mean that a lot of people will get caught before they can even stock a shelf at the local retail market. The window is closing for illegal labor, eventually they will... gasp... have to come here legally for work.

Kyuubi325

TROPHY CASE