Trump Predictions

[Maruzo]

All these brazen looting really works to defeat the spirit of the protests/ demonstrations.

If you don't want the people in charge to treat you like a second class citizen, you should refrain from doing stuff that looks bad for your cause!

Just about every people of color and creed are found in these looting videos.

Human nature has a way of becoming worse when the going gets tough.

A lot of people just give in to their greed and use the opportunity as an excuse to rob others of their hard earned livelihoods.

You get the sense that most of the cops are not putting in real effort to contain the looting.

How can they? One wrong move and you're fired for doing your job.

Not saying the 4 cops are innocent, far from it.

But the demonstrations, while serving a great cause, has also generated many pitfalls.

In a perfect world, there will only be peaceful protests without any of these opportunists tainting the demonstration efforts.

But I think there's almost as many looters as demonstrators this time around.

America has never looked this bad in front of the whole world.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Maruzo

But I think there's almost as many looters as demonstrators this time around.

America has never looked this bad in front of the whole world.

There's no where near as many looters/rioters as protestors/demonstrators. Like 90%+ are law abiding and exercising their right to gather in protest. As you said, certain groups are using the cover of the protests to further their agenda (antifa, etc). Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. I support cops, but have been profiled enough times when I was younger to know the system needs some reform.

And, unfortunately, America has looked this bad or worse before. Looters and rioters should be arrested. Period. Demonstrators should be left alone, excepting those blocking highways. They should be dispersed. Curfews are great where needed. Most organized protests are held during the daylight hours. 10 o'clock curfew allows civil unrest and dissent to be exercised as the Bill of Rights intends. After that you are looking for trouble or are too young/curious and trouble will likely find you.

The most interesting thing in all of this is how quickly CV19 has basically fallen out of the news cycle. Were it not for a few State regulations that are left in place you'd think it was business as usual. Hell, the stock market is only down 3 or 4% YTD depending on the index. Talk about a disconnect between Main Street and Wall Street. Companies and small businesses are failing all over, unemployment is crazy, rioting, etc... But the market continues to rebound? Something is rigged.

[Maruzo]

"if y'all going to loot fontana get north fontana and rancho them white neighborhoods not down here smh"

"DB for sure. And Walnut. Too much middle class white money there. They'd be appalled to see protestors."

Quotes taken from random people on Twitter.

This is how anarchy starts. People who has no regards for civility and thinks that the society owes them and therefore they are right to collect by ways of theft and robberies.

Last time something of this scale happened here was back in the 90s, but that was very localized and was not nearly as bad as what we're seeing now.

Demonstrations are found in nearly all 50 states. Riots and looting are very wide spread. Percentage are small, but they are found everywhere.

This time around, it is not localized.

Trump has the once in the lifetime opportunity to witness 2 rare events in his first term as us president. A global pandemic and massive country wide protests for anti-racism and police brutality.

Any other mediocre president can take these chances and make this year the defining moment of their presidency and leave their legacy behind.

Alas, we have a failed business man, a jersey shore con man, who fxxks up every chance he's had thus far.

My disdain for him goes way behind political leaning. I actually agree with a lot of core Republican values, and will vote republican from time to time.

But this guy..... I have no words to describe what a low life we've got as president.

[crystalworks]

I don't disagree with that.

I think a lot of the blame for it being as widespread can be placed on social media. Society has taken a hit in terms of civility because of those platforms. Shoot even Trump uses it to say the dumbest things that he wouldn't say from the White House press room. The looters will be rounded up (not all unfortunately) as many of them are on video and even self-incriminating themselves by streaming themselves while looting or rioting. Was watching a guy get arrested a couple days ago in Charleston after Facebook living his crimes. Moron.

[Maruzo]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I don't disagree with that.

I think a lot of the blame for it being as widespread can be placed on social media. Society has taken a hit in terms of civility because of those platforms. Shoot even Trump uses it to say the dumbest things that he wouldn't say from the White House press room. The looters will be rounded up (not all unfortunately) as many of them are on video and even self-incriminating themselves by streaming themselves while looting or rioting. Was watching a guy get arrested a couple days ago in Charleston after Facebook living his crimes. Moron.

Social media gives these looters easy access to information, like where the protests are happening and which areas to loot. It doesn’t tell them to loot

Why blame the social media for a persons own judgement?

But you're right. Social media gives like-minded people a platform to voice their own sets of beliefs and values.

[bcredliner]

I think the historical ways of handling a protest need to be addressed. Police and protesters face to face will always escalate tensions.

There should be a clear definition of what constitutes a peaceful demonstration and what police action is appropriate. For instance, at least try to create an X yards zone that neither police or protester can enter- the clear line in the sand. If there are fires or looting peaceful protesters must move to a location to allow those instances to be addressed. Make it clear police will be advancing to make that possible. Those that don't retreat are subject to arrest or removal.

Currently law enforcement is in a lose/lose position if the protest gets out of hand. We have the right to protest but we don't have the right to destroy property or do anything that endangers police.

Social media provides a retribution free platform for the worst of people. Big talkers, bullies, extremists etc. and draws in others of the same character. Human nature is inclined to be negative and when not face to face it is at its worst. That won't go away. It's a new day and we need new ways to stay in step. Otherwise, these divisive methods will continue to widen the gap and increase the intensity of political beliefs, prejudice and what is appropriate behavior.

[ard]

I guess I forgot the last option:

__ He lasts 4 years, is impeached twice, stages a coup against the government AND then runs 4 years later in 2024 and serves a second term.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by ard

I guess I forgot the last option:

__ He lasts 4 years, is impeached twice, stages a coup against the government AND then runs 4 years later in 2024 and serves a second term.

Wouldn't that be a thing to behold?

All politicians are scumbags. If this pandemic (and economy) has taught me anything, it's that blue or red, it doesn't matter. They all want to shrink the middle class, get wealthier off our backs, and satisfy their corporate over lords. Both parties spend us into oblivion, deregulate industries that should not be, and keep up the "us vs. them" mentality to keep us all quibbling amongst ourselves. "My group of rich elites cares about us more than your group of rich elites." GTFOH.

If you vote an incumbent in any election, it's a contribution to the downfall of the Republic.

[ard]

Shocking that someone can look at our democracy and think "yeah, lets just burn it all down".


The thought that it is as simple as 'elites' of one stripe or another just having their way when their guys is in office/power is utterly misguided. It assumes both 'sides' are the same- that is just not the case

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by ard

Shocking that someone can look at our democracy and think "yeah, lets just burn it all down".


The thought that it is as simple as 'elites' of one stripe or another just having their way when their guys is in office/power is utterly misguided. It assumes both 'sides' are the same- that is just not the case

The two political parties have convinced the majority of people of this, but please elaborate on how they are not. You gave a 3 sentence rebuttal, with no information in it, and the incorrect assumption, I think we should "burn it all down."

I'll give a few points on how the parties are the same:

• Both parties have continually increased the national debt (through spending, subsidies, wars, etc) and devalued the dollar
• Both parties have deregulated industries that have contributed to financial crashes, retirement accts being wiped out, and global instability (best example, the financial industry but healthcare/pharma and energy industries apply too)
• Both parties refuse to pass campaign reform
• Both parties have failed to pressure the Fed to raise interested rates before crashes (and resulting inflation)
• Both parties refuse to uphold laws in favor of changing them at the behest of corporations (ie: copyright law, telecoms, etc)
• Both parties refuse to raise wealthy and corporate taxes (and cut spending) or work on tax reform (because H&R Block and others want to be able to collect their pound of flesh during tax season)
• Both parties have failed to legalize marijuana, despite overwhelming majority supporting it (because pharma and alcohol lobbies against it)

If voting every incumbent out of office is considered, "burning it to the ground," I think we have an issue as that is obviously not what I said. Career politicians are tics sucking the life's blood from our Republic (and our middle class). Many items on the above list are a direct product of Citizen's United, lobbying, and the resulting corporate influence.

If you hold "Democratic" ideals, vote another Democrat into office. And if you hold "Republican" ideals, vote another Republican in. But we need to get rid of these career scabs on our society.