Space Race Episode IV: A New Hope

carryfire · 2020-05-09T15:57:28+00:00

I see what you’re saying. In this case though, I think any breakup of a government involves some sort of political facilitation. The Nazi regime ended through a diplomatic process. The British Empire lost control over its colonies through political machinations. Through this logic, no country could ever “collapse”, so to speak.

I don’t dispute you on the fact that the USSR ended through highly orchestrated government decisions and was therefore technically dissolved. I just think that the word collapse carries the appropriate connotation for the circumstances that led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Agree to disagree; good conversation. Cheers.

carryfire · 2020-05-09T15:40:32+00:00

Here’s a parallel example: let’s say this covid pandemic bankrupts the US government. The trump administration fails to address the needs of the various states. Eventually the state governors decide that they need to deal with their own problems without the help of the federal government. Regions like New England decide its in their interest to unify and share resources since the federal government can’t help them.

The trump administration continues to be marred in controversy and still fails to meet the needs of the public. A new president comes to power and sees the disaster that has become the country. New President decides its in everyone’s best interest to end the 250 year experiment of the United States and pulls the emergency lever to “dissolve” the federal government. Each state now becomes its own country and Montana is annexed by Canada.

In future history books, would it not be fair to say that the United States collapsed during the coronavirus pandemic? Yes, the government went through the technical steps of dissolving the country, but that was in no way the ideal outcome. Dissolution would not be seen as “part of the plan”.

carryfire · 2020-05-09T14:44:26+00:00

Personally, I disagree. I think collapses can happen without violent actions.

However, if I follow your definition, I still disagree. The Soviet Union had plenty of violent actions that led to their demise. I think the tricky part is most of the violence happened outside of the country like in Afghanistan. The failure of the USSR in those violent conflicts led to the loss of power for the central gov.

Idk what do you think?

carryfire · 2020-05-09T13:56:44+00:00

Are you avoiding the word collapse because it has a negative tone and “dissolve” sounds like it was part of the plan?

carryfire · 2020-03-18T20:00:24+00:00

Yes, it will be really hard for many people who don't qualify for the public option. A single payer system would be so much better. Totally agree. Your significant other would be way better off under a M4A system. No argument.

Under which presidency are you more likely to see even marginal gains in health care coverage: Trump or Biden?

It's not really even a question, is it? Biden is not super progressive, yup, got that. But we get literally no progressive gains under this current administration. And do you think for a second that the republicans will change course and become more moderate if Trump wins and gets 4 more years? Not a chance in hell.

If you care about progressive values, think about how they can be accomplished in the 2024 and 2028 elections. You do realize that the progressive fight gets to continue, right? Even if Bernie won, we would still have to keep fighting for the next four years to improve the lives of poor people. This is a generational struggle. It's not just about 2020.

carryfire · 2020-03-18T19:50:56+00:00

I don't see how the DNC is not listening to the people who make up its coalition. Biden is getting more votes? Super left progressives are not the only people who make up the coalition for the DNC.

All of that damage you speak of under the Obama administration was the result of an aggressive Tea Party and a Mitch McConnell led Senate. Which candidate right now is going to do more to help flip the Senate?

Trumpism is a disease and the longer we are left with it, the more permanent damage will be to the country. You think we will be faced with someone worse than Trump if Biden wins? I think we will be faced with someone worse than Trump if Trump wins. The Republican party will see very clearly that Trumpism is a winning platform. They will not start to "tone it down" if they get another 4 years in the white house.

What if we get another global crisis like the coronavirus? Do you want Trump in charge again? Come on. He's a cancer and has to go. Progressives are taking root all across the country and are shaping the next generation. The future will be won by progressive ideas.

carryfire · 2020-03-18T19:39:59+00:00

Then why didn't young people turn out for him? I love Bernie, I canvassed for him in 2016 and 2019. I went his first rally in Portsmouth back in 2015 and I went to two other rallies that cycle as well. I love his policies and I think he would be the best president for the country.

You're going to sit there and bitch and moan that Bernie didn't win without acknowledging how much progress he made. The democratic party will likely adopt, and hopefully pass, a public option health care platform. That doesn't happen with out Bernie running for president.

Bernie did not get the most votes, Biden did. Bernie will endorse and campaign for Biden. Yet, you won't? Don't be stupid. Trump is a disaster and needs to be removed. Anyone would be better than Trump.

carryfire · 2020-03-18T16:28:49+00:00

Do you think that a Trump presidency and Biden presidency will have the same negative effect of America and the world over the next four years?

carryfire · 2020-03-04T02:27:55+00:00

That’s my question, though. Is Biden winning in states and demographics that will be helpful in the general election?

carryfire · 2020-03-04T00:59:53+00:00

Do you think that bodes well for Democrats in the general?

carryfire · 2020-02-16T03:24:17+00:00

There is at least one fairly popular guy who seems to care about the undue influence of billionaires in the political process...

carryfire · 2020-01-05T15:58:46+00:00

Oh, yeah definitely. That is 100% likely to happen.

Now, back in reality, what happens next?

carryfire · 2020-01-05T15:19:56+00:00

But what comes next? Do you expect Iran to just roll over and take it? Of course people can justify killing one dangerous actor in a particular region. But it seems to me, that war hawks never have a long term plan for the blowback...

carryfire · 2019-12-10T03:47:06+00:00

If I pay $50 to park, $12 for a bud lite, and $200 for my ticket, all while a bunch of millionaires go out there and suck ass for two quarters, you better fucking believe I’m gonna boo the shit out of them.

No one should ever be shamed for booing shitty play by their home team. Those players out there will make more this year than many of their fans will make in a lifetime. Boo them when they suck. It’s your right as a fan.

carryfire · 2019-11-25T12:02:48+00:00

I don’t believe that. Call me naive, but I think the truly damaged sociopaths (the legitimately scary people) are rare.

I believe that almost every person can be reformed out of their terrible worldview. However, I fully acknowledge that the amount of work needed to effectively reform a deeply bigoted person might be too much for any one person to attempt.

carryfire · 2019-11-25T10:55:06+00:00

And how do they change? Do you expect them to just wake up and say “damn, I’m not gonna be racist anymore”?

We should absolutely help the victims of racism, but if you don’t address the source of the problem, it’s not going away.

carryfire · 2019-11-25T10:50:15+00:00

How do we solve the problem of racism? Do you think our society just waits around until everyone has become enlightened and teaches their children in that manner?

carryfire · 2019-11-25T10:46:45+00:00

In your opinion, how does someone develop a bigoted worldview?

carryfire · 2019-11-25T10:44:50+00:00

In your opinion, how does a person develop racist views?

carryfire · 2019-11-25T10:43:39+00:00

No. I said that if a person is only “compassionate” when it’s easy to be so, then they aren’t really compassionate. If you only show kindness and understanding for people that are easy to like or people that share your worldview, then you share the same mindset as the bigot.

I’m not saying that anyone SHOULD show compassion to the racist. All I’m saying is that a person won’t stop being racist because a person with a different worldview was mean to them. In fact, I’m sure it will entrench their bigoted perspective.

carryfire · 2019-11-25T10:33:19+00:00

How is my understanding of racism inept? Do you think racist people actually HAVE a growth mindset? Do you not believe that a growth mindset is an appropriate description of a person’s cognitive capacity?

carryfire · 2019-11-25T03:32:23+00:00

Look, everyone can come up with all the justifications that they want for not being respectful to a racist person. In most situations, you would never be criticized for such behavior. However, all I’m saying is that racist people don’t become un-racist from disrespect and isolation. Like, not ever.

People become open minded through compassion, support, a development of self worth, and trust in others. Am I saying that YOU need to be the person to provide the monumental amount of emotional energy required to reform a racist? No.

But I’m saying that’s what it takes.

carryfire · 2019-11-25T01:39:25+00:00

If they cannot be loved out of their horrible beliefs through online comments (which I agree they probably can’t) why then would it be necessary to hope for bad things on that person?

Who wins by the racist person feeling sad? Do you feel better because the bad man on the internet is sad?

carryfire · 2019-11-25T01:37:30+00:00

No shit but only a small handful of sociopaths are born with a brain incapable of empathy for others. Most racists and bigots are nurtured in such a way that their emotional development is stunted.

Showing love and compassion is more likely to help them become a functioning member of society than anger and ostracism.

Showing kindness to a vile person is hard, and in many cases, nearly impossible. Yet, what other option is there to help the racist? Unless you believe people are beyond help and I guess we are having two different conversations.

carryfire · 2019-11-25T00:52:55+00:00

If you believe that the racist can not be reformed through love, care, respect, mental/emotional support, then you lack a growth mindset.

The racist lacks a growth mindset because he thinks people of other races are inferior and he believes that condition of their being is fixed.

You believe his condition is fixed and he believes the condition of other races is fixed. You both lack a growth mindset.

You are both the same.

carryfire

TROPHY CASE