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Ethical Philosophy…In PracticeEthical Philosophy…In PracticeEthical Philosophy…In PracticeEthical Philosophy…In Practice http://www.meetup.com/Ethical-Philosophy-Discussion-Group-of-East-Portland/

Thinking Clearly in a World of Nonsense Thinking Clearly in a World of Nonsense Thinking Clearly in a World of Nonsense Thinking Clearly in a World of Nonsense Topic for Examination on March 20, 2016

ELECTIONS: 2016 W T F ?

So what’s with the finger thing?

Summary

This is the most bizarre election in my lifetime. So much so that in Britain, betting on American elections is a big business. There are several scenarios which may play out. Which do you think it will be? You predict the outcome, I’ll record it. By Christmas we’ll have a meetup to review our predictions.

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Hillary Clinton – Lots of people hate her and no body trusts her, they think she just says whatever benefits her in the moment. That may be true but she obviously values something, other than Jesus. She is a professional and isn’t that what professionals do? Would you want a surgeon who is determined to do X no matter what the changing circumstances are?

Hillary’s appeal is greatest to those who feel that she—and they—have been treated unfairly, and it’s time to even the score. See page 8 for comments from supporters. On a patriotic level, she did betray the country and world with (A) her support for Bush’s Iraq invasion and (B) not demanding the prosecution of its war criminals. Those two things make her a traitor and International criminal, along with 76 other Senators. (Clear violations of international law are not something that U. S. Senators get to choose, although they don’t seem to know that.) This latest wave of madness is because the Bushies, CIA, etc. were not brought to justice. For that we have and will all suffer. (Odd how we elect people to high office who have obviously betrayed the country for personal gain. Are we so morally and intellectually lost?) Still, she’s not crazy. Many others are. Some hate her because of Bill. She stayed with him despite his sexual mania, but there were no secrets. It is their marriage after all. Every marriage is bizarre in some way and best kept private. How does that affect us? It doesn’t! Everybody has a kink or two.

Donald Trump – Talk about a womanizer! Nevertheless, lots of

people like him. He appeals to low-information voters who vote with their feelings, which are never happy. He appeals to their prejudices and inflames them. This week he promised riots in Cleveland if he isn’t the nominee. He opens his mouth, something falls out and he calls it a policy. In a world bristling with nuclear weapons and environmental threats, do we really want to play Russian Roulette?

Yes, many voters do. They apparently feel that the situation is desperate and nothing has worked, so let’s just spin the chamber.

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Emotionally disordered since childhood, utterly amoral, narcissistic in the extreme, a bully, a coward, a misogynist and completely ignorant of world affairs; what a basket of possibilities he offers. We don’t know what a President Trump would do. He is neither liberal nor conservative. He used to be a Democrat, now he’s a Republican. He says he won’t violate laws, just change them to allow him to do whatever he wants, like deport minorities, torture people, arrest critics, etc.

All he seems to be for is Donald Trump…and hair.

If elected would he shut up and adopt reasonable policies? That is what they said about Adolf Hitler and we know how that turned out. However Hitler believed in something. That is not the only similarity between the Fuhrer and the Donald.

Violent supporters, wild eyed adoration, mob violence

scapegoating, violent suppression of minorities, Nazi style loyalty oaths,

and walls, he likes walls…to protect us from Mexican rapists.

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Trump supporters say “he tells it like it is.” Like the GOP that they mostly identify with, he uses bigotry, but he doesn’t dog-whistle it. He states it boldly. Although he’s anything but a self-made man, his supporters see him as a guy who made it “doing deals” and who thinks—and talks—just like them. He also acknow-ledges that the game is rigged, and politicians are bought and paid for (he’s bought several, himself), He admits that trade deals harmed average Joes while fattening the wallets of folks like him. So, he seems authentic to his supporters, and to others who aren’t offended by his bigotry. For some FB quotes, see page 8 below.

Bernie Sanders – Who? A previously unheard of tiny state

senator who claims to be a socialist atheist Jew. How will that go over with the libertarian Jesus-loving Christian? Yet he has a huge appeal to folks concerned about wealth inequality and the Wall Street banksters 1 who are getting ready to do it

again. He is old, a one issue guy and completely powerless against congress. Wall Street, the defense industry, big pharma, the gun lobby etc. hold title to congress, in fee simple. What can one old white socialist do with that? What did one young black professor do with it? At least Bernie seems to mean what he says and that’s apparently, more than Barry O. Sanders’ supporters love his integrity and his consistency, over the decades, as a fighter for social justice, civil rights, against foreign adventuring, and especially, for economic opportunity. You can look back to any moment in Bernie’s history and he’s the same Bernie, unlike Hillary who changed a position right before the last debate without telling her spokesperson, so that poor spox wound up defending a position Hillary claimed not to hold a couple of hours later. Bernie is always Bernie and always fighting for the little guy—but against fighting wars without good reason. Many of us voted for “Change we can believe in,” when we marked our ballots for Obama—and were disappointed that not much changed, that those who destroyed the economy made $billions on the recovery from their crimes—and didn’t get so much as a time-out for bad behavior. Bernie promises true change. And, while we know he can’t do it alone, we long for someone who’s at least willing to fight. For quotes from Bernie supporters, see page 9 below.

1 (who wrecked the world in 2008)

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Ted Cruz – Talk about a scary! Evangelical Texas law originalist Ted would make it interesting indeed.

He’s against the federal government, any regulations except on other people’s sex lives, Obamacare, immigrants, climate change, environmentalism, abortion, public schools, the 20th Century (much less the 21st). To him the earth is 6,000 years old and George Soros is

at war with golf. He supports cooking bacon by wrapping it around machine gun barrels and…thinks that’s funny. However, he picks up voters from both the evangelical and libertarian wings of the Republican Party. He’s an extremist, but he’s an establishment extremist. So, some see him as the best hope of the party now that Jeb, Christie, Walker and other establishment Republicans are history. Imagine what his Supreme Court nominees would look like?

Establishment Republicans Are Not Amused – A better word would be terrified. Ok, they rode a tiger to power by appealing to religious crazies, immigrant haters, racists, gun nuts and angry white guys in general, and now the tiger has turned around to eat them. Donald Trump is an

obviously unhinged narcissist loony, and how does that play out in the White House? Reagan and the two Bush’s were good. They could be relied upon to deliver the national cash register over to Republican pocket books. Sure “W” would say nutty things to the crazies and illiterates, but that was OK as long as kept stealing the White House silverware. But Trump? He’s not only embarrassing; he may be uncon-trollable and irrational. He might even bring down the pillars of the money temple. And they can’t stop him because of the very mob they created. Maybe at the convention they can broker a deal and give the nomination to some good, reliable Wall Street millionaire.

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Republican Scenario # 1 – Trump Gets the Nomination – Establishment Republicans leave the party or at least (like Romney) don’t vote. Without those votes, Trump and the up-for-re-election conservative congressmen may lose. Then the insane, socialist, communist, Nazi atheist Democrats destroy America in a giant minority pandering, same-sex marriage fuck fest. (Did I miss anything?) Republican Scenario # 2 – Trump Does Not Get the Nomination – All the Trump supporters feel betrayed (once again) by the establishment insiders; and leave the party or don’t vote. Without their votes, Trump and the up-for-re-election conserva-tive congressmen lose. Then the insane, socialist, communist, Nazi atheist Democrats destroy America in a giant minority pandering, same-sex marriage fuck fest. Republican Scenario # 3 – Trump Gets the Nomination and WINS!

America is Great Again.America is Great Again.America is Great Again.America is Great Again. But the Republican establishment cannot control him. He destabilized world affairs and the economy, which is still reeling from the last Republican president. That is bad for business. Outside of a good war-for-profit, business needs a stable world economic system; e.g. don’t mess with trade, China, the Mexican maquiladoras (factories were cheap labor makes goods for American companies, with any environment regulations), etc. Republican Scenario # 4 – Trump Gets the Nomination and Looses the Election - A Democrat is elected and that’s never good for business. They pass environmental regulations, minimum wage laws, etc. and oh yes the insane, socialist, communist, atheist, Nazi

Democrats destroy America in binge of same-sex marriage debauchery. Trump supporters retreat to their underground bunkers, praise Jesus and stock up on bullets.

No matter what happens, it’s bad news for the Republican Party. Maybe it’s so bad the Republic Party, like the Whig Party, simply disintegrates. Then what?

Does anyone want a one party country?

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Democratic Scenario # 1 – Hillary Gets the Nomination. Those who “feel the Bern” are disenchanted and leave the party or at least don’t vote. Without their votes, Trump wins and just as bad, conservatives take over Congress even more.

Democratic Scenario # 2- Hillary Does NOT Get the Nomination, Bernie Does –

Establishment Democrats don’t hate Bernie, they’re just loyal to Hillary. They’ll support the Bern Man. But he seems too extreme for lots of voters. Democratic Scenario # 3- Hillary Gets the Nomination AND WINS! - More of the same ole milquetoast Obama stuff; Republican lite, timid, lukewarm, teary-eyed, hand wringing helplessness. The nation and world wander down the global warming path to chaos. We finally learn why there are no other intelligent civilizations in the galaxy. They allow special interests to destroy their planet.

or

In a crushing 1964esque Republican defeat, many ultra-conservatives lose office. Then America moves a little towards the 21st Century.

What is the Republican Party collapses altogether and therefore, our political system breaks down? Democratic Scenario # 4 - Hillary Gets the Nomination and LOSES to Trump –

America is Great Again.America is Great Again.America is Great Again.America is Great Again.

I give this election cycle a D because it’s shameful and embarrassing. But, it

reflects the degeneration of our culture.

What do you think?

SebastianSebastianSebastianSebastian Zebadiah Zebadiah Zebadiah Zebadiah Twit, Twit, Twit, Twit, March 16, 2016

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Later Reflections The frontrunners this year are different from those from primaries past because people are fed up. The different segments are fed up with different aspects of the status quo, but the theme is the same for Hillary, Bernie, and Trump supporters: PROFOUND CHANGE.

Hillary Supporters Say Why They Support Her - Hillary’s appeal is greatest to those who feel that she—and they—have been treated unfairly, and it’s time to even the score. I read this over and over again on Facebook. Here are a few samples (I don’t know any of these people; they happened to comment in support of HRC on the thread of a mutual friend/colleague):

>>As a professional woman all I hear from this campaign is that it will

never matter how qualified I am or become, I will always be judged on my likability and appearance, which will always fall short.<< >> I am supporting Hillary--in part I just viscerally cannot bring myself to vote for an old white man when there's a woman I could vote for. It just doesn't sit right.<< >>Kansas Caucus, March 5, 2016...First in line at the historic Lawrence Dem caucus with 3500 in lines, and finding a bleacher seat in the Hillary section with mostly women who were all convinced of Hillary's superior experience and readiness for being President. I have seen Hillary take more trashing and vitriol than any other president since I voted for Ike in 1952, with absolutely no proof of any wrong-doing on her part! To me, this election is personal....no question that all the anti-Hillary lies are totally sexist in nature! Hillary has had to find her way through a minefield for over 30 years.<< >>I wasn't particularly eager to vote for a woman until I saw how much misogyny there was towards a woman candidate...both hidden and plain. Once I saw that, I dug in deep. Hillary is probably not my perfect candidate but I am all in now.<<

Trump Supporters Say Why - Here are a couple of quotes, the first from a Trump

supporter (to show their mindset), the second from a fellow who is on the fence about Trump and is definitely NOT a low-information voter. He’s the former editor of a major literary magazine: 1. >>Btw protesters are just people who don't work but have time to

support....usually nonsense issues. You keep calling people a racist ... but with no substantial proof, only that they’re not empathetic. Keep living in the woods. You

are an outsider to society and out of touch with reality.<<

2. >>For all his flaws, Trump doesn’t need more power to get off. As much as I dislike aspects of the man and

EVERYTHING about his lifestyle, I keep sensing not only sincerity but good arguments.

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Maybe I’m wrong about his arguments. If so, let’s attack the arguments. But don’t let Big Media convince you that

attacking his hair and his tackiness and all his other flaws have anything to do with his specific arguments.

We must reject Big Media’s incessant attempts to dumb us down. Calling Donald Trump an idiot is itself idiotic.

Destroy or improve his ideas--but don’t make this (multi-cultural sophisticates) versus them (racist rabble). <<

>>Trump’s fearless candor and brash energy feel like a great gust of fresh air, sweeping the tedious clichés and constant guilt-tripping of political correctness out to sea. Unlike Hillary Clinton, whose every word and policy statement on the campaign trail are spoon-fed to her by a giant paid staff and army of shadowy advisors, Trump is his own man, with a steely “damn the torpedoes” attitude.<<

Donald Trump’s Supreme Court Nominees >>>

Conflict With The Pope – Ever heard of a politician getting in a pissing match with the God’s infallible emissary on earth? Me neither. But in fair-ness, the question put to the pope was whether it was Christian to build walls. He was not asked about The Don specifically, just anyone who holds his opinions. So it was a gotcha question. Papa Frank says the strangest things, like that business about “who am I to judge?”

Bernie supporters Say Why - Here are a couple of Bernie supporter quotes from FB that will tell you why they (and I [Anita B.]) love him: >>Bernie was right on Iraq, right on Libya, right on the bailout, right on TPP, right on civil rights since the 60s, right on Keystone, right on refugees--I could go on. Hillary's been wrong on all these and is only more qualified in the sense

that Cheney is, due to international experience. She and Dick have been getting it wrong, worldwide for a while. Name something she got right that shows her judgment is what we need to lead the US.<<

>>In this political revolution, Bernie is Commander in Chief! Whether he wins or not, he represents the people who will change the system!<<

>>They should vote for politicians who are willing and able to fight for the changes that need to be made in America. Anyone who votes for Hillary has to realize they are voting for more of the same--more of what Bill Clinton brought us in the 1990s.<< >>Hillary's hubby moved the party so far to the right, just like Blair did in the UK. She has ties to Monsanto, Wall street, is dripping in corporate money, lies though her smile, and will continue the oligarchy, just as she is supposed to. If that's what you like, then vote for her, but if you are a true progressive then Bernie is the only way to save America. This is the new FDR staring you in the face, ready and present for service. For God's sake vote for the guy and forget all the distractions..<<<

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Teddy is Scary - He has a supernatural scariness about him. If

you look closely you can actually see Satan directing his tongue. It’s really Old Testament stuff. (Remember how God directed Moses to talk to Pharaoh?2)

He could actually make this reporter believe the Bible stories.

My Prediction – We’ve seen all this before. It works like this…

A. Somebody is Assassinated – From Julius Caesar to JFK, it’s the same path. Wild talk of an apocalypse from reactionaries (Cato, Pope Urban II, Joe McCarthy, Rush

Limbaugh, Trump, Christian radio3, Fox News, etc.) will unleash the dogs of war. Some “lone gunman4” will shoot a candidate and that will inflame his supporters (and every other marginal head job) to violence. God knows they have enough guns. There will be clashes with police, riots and burning cities. This election feather is so in the air, and with so few players, any death would truly destabilize the election.

B. Assuming No One Is Assassinated, the Republican Party Looses Big Time -

As in 1964, the GOP will have its plow cleaned. But that does not mean those folks change their minds or go away. They just go back to watching NASCAR in bowing alleys until, like zombies, they are summoned back to eat brains.

Differences From the 1960’s – During that mess we could simply get out of Vietnam, pass civil rights laws and adopt PC language. That was no small thing, it costs many lives. But now, we can’t just fix the world economic system. Guns Are Like Slavery, But Worse – Like slaves, guns are very profitable and owned by self-righteous paranoids willing to die for them. But guns are worse because once manufactured, they cannot be freed by passing laws…and they never die. (Gun nuts are told and truly believe that it is a matter of God ordered patriotism, for which they must be willing to die. I have heard it many times on Christian radio, Jesus supports open-carry.)

2 Moses stuttered. So when Got told him to go talk to the Pharaoh, Moses said he couldn’t. So God said that He would direct Moses tongue. That’s just my recollection, somebody check it out. 3 I have already heard Christian Radio call for assassination. They used the same phrases; e.g. “Will no one free of from this menace? You know what I mean, you have the means, you know what to do.” Later followed by “I didn’t mean that!” 4 Only one nut, acting alone, no conspiracy, random act, no conspiracy, nothing to see here, move along, yada yada …

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New Lows in the World’s Oldest Profession (political whoring)

Cruz cooking bacon with a machine gun Trump defending penis Size Fiorina angrily lying about Planned P.

In light of daily deaths and school shootings with automatic weapons, Ted making jokes about cooking with them is in tin-ear bad taste. Don’s discussion of his penis size during a presidential debate, on national television, is incomprehensible. But abortion? It’s an intimately painful subject for millions of women? To angrily lie about the facts is really crude or simply clueless. What a crowd!

Which Senators Voted Against The Iraqi War: 28 Democrats and 1 Republican Akaka, Daniel (D-HI) Bingaman, Jeff (D-NM) Boxer, Barbara (D-CA) Byrd, Robert (D-WV) Conrad, Kent (D-ND) Corzine, Jon (D-NJ) Dayton, Mark (D-MN) Durbin, Dick (D-IL) Feingold, Russ (D-WI) Graham, Bob (D-FL) Inouye, Daniel (D-HI) Kennedy, Edward (D-MA) Leahy, Patrick (D-VT) Levin, Carl (D-MI) Mikulski, Barbara (D-MD) Murray, Patty (D-WA) Reed, Jack (D-RI) Sarbanes, Paul (D-MD) Stabenow, Debbie (D-MI) Wellstone, Paul (D-F-L-MN) Wyden, Ron (D-OR)