Political Posts

[Cigarbutt]

6 hours ago, nsx5200 said:

Really insightful article with a very high signal to noise ratio, and if the results are accurate, provides another highly predictive tool in the mental toolbox.

Just curious how you came across this article.  Natural articles tends to be fairly technical and only intersect with mass media occasionally.  Unless you are/were a researcher, it's not something that a typical layperson would pick up and read for fun.  I probably should add it to a weekly skim list, but would appreciate if you can share other venues that provide similarly high quality summaries/results.

In general, i value diversity of sources and try to avoid online-induced echo chambers.

The morning routine includes a rapid review and sometimes deeper dive in the RealClear sections, markets, science, investigations, politics, books, culture, sports, investigations etc

Sources also include my children (including three daughters who keep me in check as a privileged quasi baby boomer white male).

To answer your specific question, i also read daily an online paper produced in my area (Montreal). It's slightly left leaning but ranks very high on fact check. I usually don't mind ideological leaning (i guess this can be compensated by the "mental toolbox") but tend to appreciate sources which rank high in fact checking and which provide sources.

To answer specifically your specific question, here's the link to the article (sorry in French) which introduced me to the Nature article last July:

https://www.lapresse.ca/international/etats-unis/2025-07-11/discours-au-congres-americain/le-subjectif-prend-le-dessus-sur-les-faits.php#

Oh and by the way, when i see nsx5200, i tend to pay attention. 

[changegonnacome]

 

@Cigarbutt great chart - QQQ/SPY wealth effects feeding through to the spending of the Top 20% of American's are a very real thing IMO......I cant quite think of another country where the performance of their domestic stock market has quite the same link to marginal spending in the real economy.......Trump instincts are right re: stock market......you keep it elevated and you can keep the top 20% of Americans consuming and by extension the economy keeps humming.

[whiskybravo]

1 hour ago, LC said:

 

Help me here - what does any of that have to do with culture and language?

If the inevitable happens and Russian energy and military advantages results in favorable peace terms for them and the border shifts a little West, is it really the worst outcome that they then govern new predominantly Russian speaking portions of the Donbas.  I understand fears that they won’t stop there, but man there’s a lot of misery going on here.

[whiskybravo]

1 hour ago, dwy000 said:

Find it then. Another problem with assumptions. 

I’ve quoted it several times you’ve ignored it.  

[John Hjorth]

3 hours ago, changegonnacome said:

John can't help but feel that whats happening here ...

 

Sure! - I see certain European leaders, one for one - arrive at the White House, live on Danish tv2.dk, while wondering if there are any snacks and such available for them in their WH waiting room, where they are getting stuffed away, for now. 

 

Then suddenly, in a popping up screen, lower left corner, I see a small pop-up screen over-lay, a Danish reporter there, located somewhere in the streets of Kyiv, telling the existing sound related to the screen overlay transmitted, is of the Ukrainian/Kyiv air alarms in the city of Kyiv, warning about an attack by air on Kyiv, by Russia, is in progress right now! 

 

-Amazing, simply amazing! 

Edited August 18, 2025 by John Hjorth

[cubsfan]

3 minutes ago, whiskybravo said:

If the inevitable happens and Russian energy and military advantages results in favorable peace terms for them and the border shifts a little West, is it really the worst outcome that they then govern new predominantly Russian speaking portions of the Donbas.  I understand fears that they won’t stop there, but man there’s a lot of misery going on here.

 

 

Yes, exactly the issue. At what price peace? 

 

Peace happens when no one will be happy - a compromise based on strength.

 

Unfair?? - of course. Do you wish to send your sons to die in a meatgrinder that has not moved in 3 years???

 

Call it whatever you want: placating the dictator, kissing Putin's ass, whatever..

 

Ending the war means saving millions of lives.

[whiskybravo]

2 minutes ago, cubsfan said:

 

 

Yes, exactly the issue. At what price peace? 

 

Peace happens when no one will be happy - a compromise based on strength.

 

Unfair?? - of course. Do you wish to send your sons to die in a meatgrinder that has not moved in 3 years???

 

Call it whatever you want: placating the dictator, kissing Putin's ass, whatever..

 

Ending the war means saving millions of lives.

Cubs I love you man. I feel like I’ve been left with the crazies!

[cubsfan]

4 minutes ago, whiskybravo said:

Cubs I love you man. I feel like I’ve been left with the crazies!

 

Hahaha - welcome to my world brother!

[John Hjorth]

 

It appears Mike [ @cubsfan ] after posting, shortly after, decided to edit own post, for a good reason. The question at hand right now is actually 'relative strength', but who compared to who?

[Gregmal]

31 minutes ago, whiskybravo said:

I’ve quoted it several times you’ve ignored it.  

LMFAO this is a regular occurrence here. Although I haven't heard "nobody can explain the rationale for the tariffs" in about a week. So I guess we got new material!

[cubsfan]

12 minutes ago, John Hjorth said:

 

It appears Mike [ @cubsfan ] after posting, shortly after, decided to edit own post, for a good reason. The question at hand right now is actually 'relative strength', but who compared to who?

 

@John Hjorth - I'm confused or something is lost in translation. I did not edit my post - so what are you driving at?

 

strength?? -- meaning Russia's military might and willingness to suffer gigantic human losses, as we know Putin does not value lives (even Russian)

 

And strength on the other side as well: A heavily armed Ukraine (forever) that has fought valiantly and above their weight, considering the manpower disadvantage.

Backed by allies willing to supply them with unlimited arms.

[dwy000]

11 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

LMFAO this is a regular occurrence here. Although I haven't heard "nobody can explain the rationale for the tariffs" in about a week. So I guess we got new material!

I like that he thinks I said it but unfortunately my knowledge.of the depths of Ed Koch are limited. Wasn't me. Period. Might have been Parsad. 

 

But if you quoted me multiple times @whiskybravo, surely you can privide the post?  Or.is this another false assumption you once again cant prove despite.claiming?

[cubsfan]

13 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

LMFAO this is a regular occurrence here. Although I haven't heard "nobody can explain the rationale for the tariffs" in about a week. So I guess we got new material!

 

LOL - we'll be back to releasing theEpstein files soon enough!

[dwy000]

14 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

LMFAO this is a regular occurrence here. Although I haven't heard "nobody can explain the rationale for the tariffs" in about a week. So I guess we got new material!

Ah @Gregmal, yes weighing in again on a conversation you arent part of. Despite of course not having time for any of this stuff

[cubsfan]

Just now, dwy000 said:

Ah @Gregmal, yes weighing in again on a conversation you arent part of. Despite of course not having time for any of this stuff

 

Listen to you, the new board moderator....

[whiskybravo]

12 minutes ago, dwy000 said:

I like that he thinks I said it but unfortunately my knowledge.of the depths of Ed Koch are limited. Wasn't me. Period. Might have been Parsad. 

 

But if you quoted me multiple times @whiskybravo, surely you can privide the post?  Or.is this another false assumption you once again cant prove despite.claiming?

You deleted the original post, but I was able to copy from another post where it was responded to:
 

On 8/15/2025 at 1:03 AM,  dwy000 said:

This is very standard for NYC.  Every 3rd or 4th mayor they go extreme. Ed Koch, David Dinkins.  And then they swing back the other way.  The overswing in both directions is the natural course of politics at most levels. 

So just so everyone understands you deleted the post in question, then gaslighted me by saying: surely you can provide the post?  Or is this another false assumption yada yada.  
 

Dishonorable behavior.  
 

 

[LC]

1 hour ago, whiskybravo said:

If the inevitable happens and Russian energy and military advantages results in favorable peace terms for them and the border shifts a little West, is it really the worst outcome that they then govern new predominantly Russian speaking portions of the Donbas.  I understand fears that they won’t stop there, but man there’s a lot of misery going on here.

 

I will say you presented the question as if a common language is justification for an aggressive invasion.
Which it most definitely isn't, as illustrated by the extreme examples (which, by the way, you interpreted as insulting, but were just a response to your poorly worded question) 

But to your real question of "is it the worst outcome"? 
The question more accurate put is, do we as "previous" allies to Ukraine, does NATO and the international community, should we all allow Russia's behavior? Should we assist Ukraine in defending their borders? How strong should that assistance be? 

I think we (the US & Europe) made Ukraine a promise of assistance decades ago, and we should honor that and we should aid them with to unrestricted conventional weapons access (US) and weapons + troops (EU) in repelling Russia from every inch of Ukraine land. 

[John Hjorth]

Now POTUS is on a personal way-off, off-topic rant, talking about US ballots in a carefully orchestrated pre-session [pre-meeting] press conference! - Great, just great! - What a great boutique! - Simply awesome!  - My sincere deepfelt thoughts hereby goes out to the Europeans waiting in a WH waitingroom!

Edited August 18, 2025 by John Hjorth

[dwy000]

6 minutes ago, whiskybravo said:

You deleted the original post, but I was able to copy from another post where it was responded to:
 

On 8/15/2025 at 1:03 AM,  dwy000 said:

This is very standard for NYC.  Every 3rd or 4th mayor they go extreme. Ed Koch, David Dinkins.  And then they swing back the other way.  The overswing in both directions is the natural course of politics at most levels. 

So just so everyone understands you deleted the post in question, then gaslighted me by saying: surely you can provide the post?  Or is this another false assumption yada yada.  
 

Dishonorable behavior.  
 

 

I didn't delete that. Its still there. And you claimed I said Ed Koch was a radical.  I dont see that in the post at all!!  So now you claimed i said something that I didnt, that I deleted a post, I didnt and because you cant find something I never said that I'M dishonorable??????

[whiskybravo]

3 minutes ago, dwy000 said:

I didn't delete that. Its still there. And you claimed I said Ed Koch was a radical.  I dont see that in the post at all!!  So now you claimed i said something that I didnt, that I deleted a post, I didnt and because you cant find something I never said that I'M dishonorable??????

Ok I see it now. I was wrong to call you dishonorable.  I do find you silly and pedantic.  Engaging with you is fruitless.

[cubsfan]

17 minutes ago, John Hjorth said:

Now POTUS is on a personal way-off, off-topic rant, talking about US ballots in a carefully orchestrated pre-session [pre-meeting] press conference! - Great, just great! - What a great boutique! - Simply awesome!  - My sincere deepfelt thoughts hereby goes out to the Europeans waiting in a WH waitingroom!

 

@John Hjorth John - take the good with the bad in regards to POTUS.

Just be happy their is ONE leader in this world with the balls to actually work to solve a extremely important problem without just yapping for months on end like the European leaders!

[cubsfan]

3 minutes ago, whiskybravo said:

 I do find you silly and pedantic.  

 

No doubt about it!

[whiskybravo]

36 minutes ago, LC said:

 

I will say you presented the question as if a common language is justification for an aggressive invasion.

Saying it doesn’t make it true.  I never said anything about justifying the Russian invasion.  Like any moral person I was not only against it, I was horrified.  I always presented it as an option to consider to prevent further misery for  god’s sake.  You’re another obtuse one.  Glad you had your little adventure and then left, as they always do.

 

Great t-shirt I once saw: “You ruined Brooklyn.  Yeah you!”

 

Whiskybravo climbs out of rabbit hole and heads for the piazza.  Ah, Campari spritz will soon be in hand!!

Edited August 18, 2025 by whiskybravo

[LC]

Multiple people called out your poorly worded question, but sure - everyone else is obtuse.

Enjoy your spritz.

[John Hjorth]

32 minutes ago, cubsfan said:

 

@John Hjorth John - take the good with the bad in regards to POTUS.

Just be happy their is ONE leader in this world with the balls to actually work to solve a extremely important problem without just yapping for months on end like the European leaders!

 

Somewhere, you are right, Mike [ @cubsfan ],

 

Thank you,

 

So, to me, me personally, it's nothing less than striking to me, to experience seven European leaders, without even asking in advance for a binding agenda and time schedule, going to Washington, getting out-maneuvered, so to say, in advance ! It's totally ridiculous! - Amateurish!, in political frothy waters, where a lots of stuff are on stake.

 

- - - o 0 o - - -

 

Not so long long ago Sanjeev [ @Parsad ], phrased a carefully thought out post here on CofB&F about beeing '´street smart'. -I'll never forget! 

 

- - - o 0 o - - -

 

I'm personally so frustrated over this, that the only thing, that likely - for me - vill create some kind of relief, is posting a very kinky joke here on CofB&F! -I think, I actually mean, that what we all individually preach here on CofB&F is 'Each to their own!', right? 

Edited August 18, 2025 by John Hjorth