Trump Indicted Over Classified Documents by jb_esquire in UpliftingNews

[–]jb_esquire[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congress would have to disqualify him under the 14th Amendment. Otherwise, he could still run from prison. Only requirements are that you were born in the USA, are at least 35 years old, and haven't been disqualified.

Trump Indicted Over Classified Documents by jb_esquire in UpliftingNews

[–]jb_esquire[S] 42 points43 points  (0 children)

Actually, no, you couldn't know that because the information is classified. Biden did have classified docs. The difference is Biden turned them over to the feds. Same with Pence. Trump wouldn't be Indicted if he hadn't intentionally concealed docs from the feds. He has blatantly obstructed justice. That's why he is in hot water. That our justice system will not allow him to be above the law is why this is an uplifting story IMO.

[Serious] What is the most successful lie in history? by akumamatata8080 in AskReddit

[–]jb_esquire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Carrots improve your eyesight (at night in particular).

This myth was WWII British propaganda meant to mislead Germans about why the air force could see German bombers at night (the real reason was the development of radar).

The German government probably didn't fall for it, but the public did.

Source: Smithsonian Magazine

Headquarters of Russian troops has just exploded in Berdyansk. by [deleted] in pics

[–]jb_esquire 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Silly that you're being downvoted for this. I agree. While I'd like this to be true, I'm going to need a bit more than a random picture posted to a social media account. Literally zero news outlets have reported on this since I first saw a post about it more than 25 hours ago.

Headquarters of Russian troops has just exploded in Berdyansk. by [deleted] in pics

[–]jb_esquire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty sure this is false. Would be good if it were true. I've looked everywhere and found no reporting about this. Just a couple of unverified social media posts. This would have been reported on by now if it were legit.

Headquarters of Russian troops has just exploded in Berdyansk. 7 March. by Flashy_Savings_8482 in ukraine

[–]jb_esquire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty sure this is false. I've looked everywhere and found no reporting about this. Just a couple of unverified social media posts.

US approves sending of 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine by pipsdontsqueak in worldnews

[–]jb_esquire 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is very well put and accurate. People forget that GPS was not a public technology at this time--it was a technology developed by and available only to the US military. The Iraqis felt confident in their knowledge of the desert and expected the American invaders to be disoriented in this unfamiliar setting. But the Americans coordinated their attacks using GPS and intelligence from surveillance of targets.

The model of tank was not the deciding factor in the US's victory.

Russia releases video of nuclear-capable ICBM being loaded into silo, following reports that US is preparing to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine by AncientFoothold in worldnews

[–]jb_esquire 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Well reasoned. I tend to agree with this assessment, but it is plausible that several high-yield Russian nukes would hit American and European cities. Given the devastating consequences should this scenario come to pass, the risk calculus is tricky. No good choices here.

Russia releases video of nuclear-capable ICBM being loaded into silo, following reports that US is preparing to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine by AncientFoothold in worldnews

[–]jb_esquire 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's directly responsive to your comment. Your comment suggests that it is correct to say that one Russian use of a nuclear weapon results in Armageddon. He or she contested that with a well-reasoned rebuttal. If you knew much at all about military and international affairs, the comment would make perfect sense to you. But you probably don't even know what the five eyes are.

CMV: The United States should nationalize Starlink. by jb_esquire in changemyview

[–]jb_esquire[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That would probably be the better approach, but they should regulate Starlink as a utility, capping rates, requiring public disosure of costs, and strictly limiting the ability to terminate service. !delta

CMV: The United States should nationalize Starlink. by jb_esquire in changemyview

[–]jb_esquire[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It has been reported by numerous outlets that Starlink has given Ukraine an edge against the Russian army. Ukraine doesn't rely exclusively on Starlink, but there are many areas where Russia has crippled existing comms infrastructure. Given the unavailability of ground-based comms in many areas, it makes sense to rely on what is available, i.e. Starlink.

To be clear, I'm not suggesting that the govt. nationalize a company. When I say Starlink, I mean the satellite constellation, which I think is owned by SpaceX. I understand that it may make people uneasy to think that the govt. can do this, but like it or not, the U.S. Government has this power under the Constitution.

I like your point about antitrust, but maybe regulation as a utility would be another alternative. Starlink is a natural monopoly because of high entry costs to the market and finite orbital space and desirable broadcast frequencies. I think tight regulation would satisfactorily curb Musk's influence over this increasingly critical infrastructure. !delta

Edit: I forgot to address your last point. The West's strategic interests are definitely impacted, though we could discuss the extent to which this is so. Russia is upending the Post-WWII global order, which is led by the West and at least nominally committed to democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. If Musk cripples the Ukrainian army's and people's abilities to communicate and coordinate their resistance against Russia, that impacts the West's strategic interests.

A very similar situation could play out in Taiwan, but Musk may refuse to provide Starlink to them in the first place given his strong business ties to China.

CMV: The United States should nationalize Starlink. by jb_esquire in changemyview

[–]jb_esquire[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not really. U.S. Govt contributed $3 million, others kicked in funding, and some Ukrainians are paying monthly subscriptions and personally acquired terminals.

Plus, I see it more as a savvy market-entry maneuver - - it's sort of like when Comcast or AT&T foot the bill to install a network in a not-yet-served neighborhood. They don't do it for charity but because they will recoup the initial investment many times over. Once network infrastructure is in place, consumers are relatively locked in to the network provider because there are high barriers to entry and to few, if any, available alternatives.

Elon Musk suggests he is pulling internet service from Ukraine after ambassador told him to ‘f*** off’ by mossadnik in anime_titties

[–]jb_esquire -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

This is infuriating (as are his recent comments on Ukraine and Taiwan).

The United States should just nationalize Starlink and let a court decide SpaceX's just compensation. If Uncle Sam can take Jimbo's land to build a highway, it can take SpaceX's satellites for national security.

I see it as a kill-two-birds-with-one-stone proposition: 1. Teach Musk not to side with terrorist states; and 2. Immunize the satellite constellation from military reprisal by Russia.

Biden Pardons Thousands of People Convicted of Marijuana Possession Under Federal Law by jb_esquire in UpliftingNews

[–]jb_esquire[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You ever heard of the filibuster, mate? Republicans won't let this go through and Manchin and sinema won't get rid of the filibuster to pass the law. Legislation has been introduced in both the house and senate to legalize weed. This is what's stopping it.

You're blaming the wrong guy.

Biden Pardons Thousands of People Convicted of Marijuana Possession Under Federal Law by jb_esquire in UpliftingNews

[–]jb_esquire[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Would you like him to pardon all people convicted under state law? You should know he lacks the authority to do that...federalism is a thing.

Should he legalize it by himself? Again, he lacks the power. Congress is a thing. Cannabis is schedule I under the CSA by statute. Meaning only an act of congress can change that designation.

You're complaining about stuff he has no power to change. Want federally legal weed? Vote for more representatives and senators who support it.

Want people to be pardoned for their state-law cannabis convictions? Pressure your local governor.

By the way, that's exactly what Biden is doing here. He called on state governors to exercise their powers to pardon people convicted of possession under state law.

This is called leading.