The 2016 United States Presidential Election

All true. I have a slightly different take on what's going on.I understand the nefarious appearance, but my somewhat informed impression is that the military appearances are "branding" intended to promote interest in becoming a member of our all volunteer armed forces and are similar to the kind of stuff NASCAR does and the tobacco companies used to do before such advertising became illegal. I remember these military also being very ubiquitous after the first Iraq war. There were other periods where these kinds of appearances were prominent. Perhaps you remember those SNL skits that used to mock the Navy commercials.In short, the appearances are a recruiting tool. If those appearances are prominent it is probably because the folks making military decisions, which might well be military folk are trying to meet recruiting goals. Those folks are not the same ones that make the decisions about the size of the military. Under our system, civilian leadership makes those decisions and currently the civilians appear to be doing more downsizing than ramping up. The current focus for spending money seems to be procuring high tech hardware.The networks are paid, of course, but the Blue Angels, and other similar fly-over guys generate lots of free TV time, because folks generally think they look cool. And of course that is exactly the reason why your taxes are spent on showing off. The military also has marching bans, show off drill squads, and other eye catching assets for similar reasons. No submarine races though... (USNA humor)

Yeah, and guess what. The idea is f'ed up no matter who comes up with it. The issue has been settled for decades. Even Scalia was on the right side of freedom of speech and his crabbed view of the First Amendment is not in any way expansive or 'liberal'.If the best defense you can muster is that Hillary said, it too, you lose. The idea that you can deprive someone of their citizenship because you don't like how they speak is inane. Trump is rightly called on it. Dislike of fascism? Is that a problem for you? We have a president-elect who spends his early morning spewing fascist nonsense, and you think that there is nothing do discuss? What's wrong with you?Beyond the fact that Percy does not speak for anyone but himself, what's your difficulty?Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.

We need a thread covering the pipeline controversy. I'm exhausted today, but if nobody starts one by tomorrow, I'll make an attempt.

Massively understated. Are you British?

It is easy to find this claim with an internet search. What is more of a challenge is finding a good reason to believe it if you are even the least bit skeptical about accepting things simply because you read them on the internet. Why do you give this claim any credence? Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.

That would not be the appropriate comparison. The appropriate comparison is the scapegoating of Jews as the source of Germany's problems, and the blaming of immigrants, legal and otherwise for current woes and placing restrictions, constitutional or otherwise on them.No, not the same thing. But before the Germany got around to putting Jews in camps the Nazi issued hundreds of decrees restriction various phases of their lives including excluding them from certain occupations, admission to schools, placing obstacles to their practicing their dietary requirements, operating a business, etc. You say this based on what exactly?Yikes: I see that you enter full wingnut mode below. No commentary needed:

It appears to be accurate. I'll note that you don't make a single substantive objection to the parallels I've drawn. What stories about Jews do you refer to here as being made up? You don't need me to cast aspersion on you relative to Islamophobia. You somehow manage to cast aspersions on yourself.As has been pointed out, we've been taking in refugees from Iraq and other countries where the predominate religion is Islam for decades. Where are the taken over hotels. I look at lots of sources on a regular basis. What I do not do is assume that any unsubstantiated stuff I see on the internet is correct. I understand my own biases, so when I hear stuff, I try to do some kind of vetting.

Is this really a question you need to ask?Your statements about what leftist might do are your worthless speculations based on your wingnut frame of mind. If you cannot ground your fears in reality other than the xenophobic voices in your head, then your own comments are irrelevant. Just noise.No commentary necessary for this:

Are you drawing a contrast with the sanity and/or intelligence of folks who hate these forums but cannot stay away?

We have them in NC. I used to carry mine in my wallet, but it turns out that those cards are neither required for voting, nor will they allow someone to vote. Your name has to be on the list provided at the voting place.

Faith, what was gleaning as described in the Bible? Was it not required rather than being voluntary?

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You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lord your God.

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The poor and the alien?And of course Jesus answered the question regarding who is your brother in the story of the Good Samaritan.Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.

I just quoted a verse for the Bible telling folks that they shall allow gleaning. That means that God told folks that they shall provide for their neighbor. It is not a voluntary thing at all. It was a commandment with the force of law.You seem to be having a problem taking the Bible at face value. What is the commandment is second only to the greatest commandment?Beyond that, Jesus instructions for Christians are not voluntary. If you call yourself a Christian, then you must follow Jesus example and teachings.Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.Edited by NoNukes, : Fix tag

Yes it was very specific. And it is clear a counter example to your argument that we are not commanded to help our neighbors. That such help is merely voluntary. Perhaps you need more examples? I'll get to that. Jesus describes exactly what he means by love your neighbor throughout the gospel both in direct words and by example. It clearly extends beyond simply not breaking the ten commandments contrary to your suggestion here.Those examples?:

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No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

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Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

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Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

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Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

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Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

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If that is not enough, then perhaps you are not amenable to teaching.Clearly what we are commanded goes far beyond simply not stealing your neighbors ox, or coveting his maidservant. The idea that love and charity is so limited is completely laughable.But now I do fully understand at least one thing that has always puzzled me. Namely why some Christians can embrace selfishness in view of the clear direction from Jesus to do otherwise. I suspect that they read the Bible just as you do; as if Matthew 25 had never been written.Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.

Interestingly enough, so do I. My post was not a defense on the taking of the Italian's hotel, but instead on the whole idea of charity to refugees which are at least in part a group of folks that some folks denigrate based on their religion. If that particular is not commanded to help them, then surely you and I are.

To the first question, surely you remember the lesson of the good Samaritan and surely you also note that some of the verses refer to charity to strangers and aliens.As for why I get to dictate. I do not. Jesus provided the blueprint.In any event, you appear to be writing your posts as if I am speaking to the Italian hotel owner rather than to you.