The Politics Thread

[Khan]

I don't usually agree with Chris Wallace - and by "don't usually," of course, I mean "hardly ever" - but what he said recently on Colbert was the truth: the news business has become just that - a business.  Corporations and such have figured out how to monetize the news; and in the process, they have crippled this country - politically, socially, ethically and morally.  It's not about delivering a public service anymore; it's about beating "Survivor" or "Big Brother" in the female demographics.

Again, say what you will about Bill and Hillary, but at least they knew how to get in the ring with the GOP and fight.  Now, it seems Democrats stay on "going high" while going nowhere at the same time.

Edited April 7, 2022 by Khan

[DramatistDreamer]

As a tennis fan, I can appreciate the nuanced take on this situation that the tennis governing bodies have instituted in allowing Belarusian and Russian players to compete, but as neutral players. I am beginning to see rumours (British spelling because the origin of the rumour is British) that certain high profile Russian players could be banned from playing Wimbledon unless they publicly disavow Putin but I am dubious as to the validity of this.

 I think it makes more sense to allow the athletes in as neutral competitors and give them access to uncensored news coverage whenever possible.

[Noel]

I see your point because I haven't seen news coverage where athletes are pro-Putin so far. I have watched news stories about nationalism in Russia and how (yet again) false news continues to be posted on social media sites (specifically Facebook). As human beings, we're all products of chance and we're born into a country by chance. Russian athletes shouldn't be barred from participating in sporting events they're completely powerless over unless they're advocates of Putin and nationalism. To me, it doesn't send a good message. After all, be a good sport, right?

Edited April 7, 2022 by Noel

[Vee]

People love to blame this on Obama, but it's been an issue far longer than him. And Obama, though he did make some mistakes, had the right idea on Fox - to freeze them out completely. But Jake Tapper and most of the regular media cried foul and Obama had to walk it back. They should've stuck to it and it should be done again, because Fox is ten times worse today (and it was awful then).

[DramatistDreamer]

MOOD.

[DRW50]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/23/russian-athletes-face-backlash-after-wearing-z-symbol-at-putin-rally

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/07/shocking-behaviour-russian-gymnast-shows-z-symbol-on-podium-next-to-ukrainian-winner

[Noel]

Media Bias Fact Check: The Guardian

Oh, goodness. People are so dumb. Well over here, you've got white supremacists, so ethnocentrism seems to come in all ugly shapes and sizes. Still, that 20-year-old gymnast doesn't speak for all Russian marathon runners. Hell, if I ran miles on end to prepare for a marathon and then to tell me I'm barred from running because of a 20-year-old dumb ass, then I'd be super pissed. That dumb ass clown don't speak for me.

 

Edited April 7, 2022 by Noel

[DramatistDreamer]

As I have said, I can only speak for the sport of tennis, as a fan. I cannot speak for other sports. Tennis has a code of conduct, the chair umpires and officials are multi-lingual, they can tell when someone is cursing in Serbo-Croatian or Greek or Russian, so they are fairly up to date (or learn quickly) whenever a player is participating in offensive speech or behavior. Players get penalized. I have a hard time imagining a tennis player getting away with what that Russian gymnast got away with. The Ukrainian tennis players have been very vocal in what they expect from the governing bodies and those bodies seem to have shown sensitivity. I often have complaints about how  the sport of tennis is run but not on this issue. In a sport where there is a history of bad behavior, systematic doping ins particular sport and/or event, then, I would understand if they banned athletes in those cases.

‘Maybe there are some issues with marathon or long-distance runners? The Boston marathon might have some type of specific concern?

[janea4old]

 

[Khan]

On the one hand, watching Peter Doocy get schooled on just about everything is like the early Christmas present that keeps on giving all year 'round.

Meanwhile, you better BELIEVE I'm happy to see KBJ confirmed to SCOTUS.  If only because Clarence Thomas' worst nightmare - having to work with a Black woman again - has finally come true.

[Wendy]

Love this tweet, too:

 

And...

 

[Vee]

Loath as I am to link Axios, this clip is still instructive for anyone still asking what McConnell believes in: Power, and nothing else.

 

[Vee]

 

[Vee]

 

[Juliajms]

Me too because she was extraordinarily qualified and she deserved to be confirmed. Meanwhile, the Republicans couldn't even bother to clap with the exception of Mitt Romney. What a disgrace.