Couples' therapy.

[*michaelsean*]

(08-22-2018, 01:03 PM)hollodero Wrote: I agree with freedom of speech, of course. Being able to voice an opinion doesn't contradict campaign finance laws or forbidding media stations to run privately funded political ads though. Or forbidding donating to parties. Still anyone can voice his opinion, just not on any outlet of his choice.
In my opinion, both measures would make sense. That isn't partisan, I find that Tom Steyer ads deeply irritating as well.

They can forbid over the air media stations from airing them I suppose as the government controls the airwaves.  I don't know what authority they would use to stop a cable channel though.  I am by far a minority on this board as far as that is concerned.

[hollodero]

(08-22-2018, 12:58 PM)michaelsean Wrote: Well when you frame it like that it makes me seem a little weird.

Ah, you're just unfulfilled. And it's me, not you, really. I have a very particular taste when it comes to girls, I only like attractive ones. I'm sure you'd be a very nice girl though who certainly could make someone slightly happier for a considerable amount of days.

(08-22-2018, 12:58 PM)michaelsean Wrote: And yes I get used to it.  It's a little over two more years.  Whatever Democrat gets elected will make nice with our allies.  They may trust us a little less, but it won't mean much.

Yeah that stance I rarely get. It will mean much, and it will for centuries. No serious person could take a deal with the US seriously any longer. Even if leaders trust the current administration, they cannot trust you any more. Whoever brought on a Trump can easily bring one on a second time, and all contracts are null and void again.
And we'd be in the fool me twice situation. I think we're smarter than that.

- Everyone will shift his allegiances away from the US a little. Because what else. Plus, we lost a ton of respect for the USA. That doesn't come back easily.

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(08-22-2018, 01:14 PM)michaelsean Wrote: They can forbid over the air media stations from airing them I suppose as the government controls the airwaves.  I don't know what authority they would use to stop a cable channel though.

Well, they also stop them from showing porn in the afternoon. There are laws in the media world.

[*michaelsean*]

(08-22-2018, 01:20 PM)hollodero Wrote: Ah, you're just unfulfilled. And it's me, not you, really. I have a very particular taste when it comes to girls, I only like attractive ones. I'm sure you'd be a very nice girl though who certainly could make someone slightly happier for a considerable amount of days.



Yeah that stance I rarely get. It will mean much, and it will for centuries. No serious person could take a deal with the US seriously any longer. Even if leaders trust the current administration, they cannot trust you any more. Whoever brought on a Trump can easily bring one on a second time, and all contracts are null and void again.
And we'd be in the fool me twice situation. I think we're smarter than that.

- Everyone will shift his allegiances away from the US a little. Because what else. Plus, we lost a ton of respect for the USA. That doesn't come back easily.

We will see.  I mean the respect part I don't really care about.  I know that sounds arrogant, but it's not meant to be.  money and power speak.  They always have and they always will.  Right now that's the US.  When it is no longer the US, then people will head toward the next big guy with nary a thought for their "beloved" friends across the ocean.  Perhaps this could accelerate the next big player.  Germany perhaps?  Fool me three times.  But either way I don't have a problem with that too much either.  You seem rather happy, and all anyone knows of Austria is Von Trapp, Arnold, Salzburg, Vienna, and Tyrol.  (OK i made up the last one.  It was in a crossword puzzle today.)  Maybe if we weren't so concerned about every damn thing in the world, we'd get along with each other better as world politics is also a big divider.  OK enough with the melancholy meandering mumbling.

Downside of course being that I'd have to learn another language so I could watch a lot of TV and movies.  

I never heard of that limitation on cable. Are you sure?

[hollodero]

(08-22-2018, 01:35 PM)michaelsean Wrote: We will see.  I mean the respect part I don't really care about.  I know that sounds arrogant, but it's not meant to be.  money and power speak.  They always have and they always will.  Right now that's the US.

I don't consider that arrogant, I understand the position. There's some things to say - first, it's nice to be liked in the world. There might be a future where on travels, you'd better identify as Canadian so people don't spit in your dinner. That might be a small thing, but still.
In the bigger picture. The US won't lose its might and power, also economically, that early. I think I notice a shift, however. Made in USA used to have a better tone than "made in China". There's a reason why people drink coke, go to McDonalds, think Harleys are cool and go for US entertainment products. We don't need to do that, and getting more unpopular can have an impact on that. A possible demise won't come immediately, but I do think the groundworks are laid. Not just with our current leaders.

About the respect issue. The perception of the US is as lousy as it ever was right now, and I feel Americans don't get that at all. And it's not because we think Trump is an autocrat or opposed to US allies or in bed with Putin or has a distanced relationships to norms and insitution or the press or the judiciary etc. We do think all that as well, sure. But above all else, people here consider Trump to be utterly, totally moronic, a full-blown idiot - and in expansion, Americans. For we see a nation stunned by a complete moron, with no one daring to stand up against his attics, all shell-shocked, extradited to one awful man's moods. It looks awful, it looks weak, it looks helpless. And everyone mentions that, even people who didn't care about any of that in earlier times (even including my weed dea... ah, never mind). It might not matter, and maybe you don't care. I think it matters.

Note, that's what folks say. I happen to agree with them, but this is not about me stating my opinion.

And the leaders... well, they won't trust you any longer, as I said. That can't be a good thing.

(08-22-2018, 01:35 PM)michaelsean Wrote: Downside of course being that I'd have to learn another language so I could watch a lot of TV and movies.  

Don't watch German movies.
Also, Germany... yeah fool me three times. WWI, however... OK. Thing is, most people agree. Germany in a leading role still sends chills down people's spines, and that won't change that soon too. I don't necessarily think a world leader role needs to be filled by a certain country though. The US can lose ground without anyone significantly stepping up.

(08-22-2018, 01:35 PM)michaelsean Wrote: I never heard of that limitation on cable.  Are you sure?

No I just figured.
I don't know how it works in the US. We here can book some channels that sure show porn around the clock. But on those channels I can get for free, there are laws and limitations on what they can show.