And They're Off! The Democratic Candidates for 2020

[71 dB]

I actually doubt that.

The only reason would be Bernie Sanders isn't that well known outside the US. I didn't know him just 3 years ago! You think Finnish media is "pro Bernie"? No. Those lazy reporters think the US is right wing and want Biden or Buttigieg as their president. They don't see a "socialist" being elected. I don't know how they are so clueless, but Finnish news media doesn't understand the left wing movement in the US. That's why I was totally clueless myself just 3 years.

[71 dB]

Is that meant to be a link? If not where are you getting this info?

CO2 capture research in Finland: Food from air!  0:)

https://www.lut.fi/web/en/news/-/asset_publisher/lGh4SAywhcPu/content/food-from-air-with-a-new-process-%E2%80%93-power-to-x-solution-and-pilot-equipment-by-lut-and-vtt

[Florestan]

True but for some reason Americans amongst westerners specialise in geographic ignorance.

As opposed to Hobart, where I'm pretty sure that out of ten people randomly selected in the streets at least eight know the capital of Romania.

[Florestan]

This however takes us to an even more dangerous subject, the question arising from the ignorance and stupidity of a large percentage of any population in relation to the right to vote. Plato's 'Republic' refers.

Is this a critique or an endorsement of Plato's political ideas? From the context it's not clear.

[Madiel]

As opposed to Hobart, where I'm pretty sure that out of ten people randomly selected in the streets at least eight know the capital of Romania.

They would at least have a decent chance of knowing Romania was a country.

Seriously, there are ample studies on the lack of geographical awareness of Americans in comparison to other Western countries. This actually makes sense in some ways. But Americans simply don't travel as much to the rest of the world for several reasons.

[dissily Mordentroge]

Is this a critique or an endorsement of Plato's political ideas? From the context it's not clear.

Neither, simply drawing attention to one alterative to universal democracy.

[dissily Mordentroge]

The Descent of the Bern [my headline ~kh]
I find it improbable he will win, and frankly, I'd give that South Bend mayor, Pete Buttigieg, who's still an unknown to most voters, a better chance of winding up in the top three or four candidates.

Buttigieg's unfortunate history with black voters may bring him undone. Hidden homophobia will also impel intense opposion to his candidacy. Shame, I was looking foward to living long enough to see an openly gay president in the White House and an intelligent one too. My main doubt about Mayor Pete comes from some of his recently made statements about Israel.
Also looks like I'll never discover if Pete or his husband will lead the innaugural dance at that ball and I'll never have the joy of watching Arab leaders squirm at having to kiss him on either cheek.
Still, of all the condenders I think he's the very best option we have.

[Florestan]

Neither, simply drawing attention to one alterative to universal democracy.

Universal democracy has its problems but limiting the franchise to the educated citizens only is far from representing any sort of real-world alternative. It's pure fantasy, and a misguided one for that matter.

[Florestan]

Still, of all the condenders I think he's the very best option we have.

We? 

[Todd]

A piece of no little existential dread from The Graun: 'No one out there': could Democrats' lack of star power see Trump re-elected by default?

Oh noes!  What if Trump gets reelected?!?!  (Aside from an internet explosion of mush-brained lefty righteous indignation, rage, sorrow, and virtue signaling the likes of which the world has never seen, that is.) 

I think it is safe to say Deval Patrick is not gonna be the guy to take on Donaldus Magnus:  Deval Patrick Cancels College Event After Two People Show up, Tells Organizers He Had to Catch Flight

Even if all he is angling for is a leg up in fundraising to fill Goofy Elizabeth Warren's seat should she take all the marbles, Patrick seems to be flailing a bit.  Tee-hee. 

[drogulus]

The only reason would be Bernie Sanders isn't that well known outside the US. I didn't know him just 3 years ago! You think Finnish media is "pro Bernie"? No. Those lazy reporters think the US is right wing and want Biden or Buttigieg as their president. They don't see a "socialist" being elected. I don't know how they are so clueless, but Finnish news media doesn't understand the left wing movement in the US. That's why I was totally clueless myself just 3 years.

     Voters are less "wing" than pundits and party operatives. A large number of them are more interested in what they want to see happen than which "ist" wants to do it.

[Karl Henning]

The only reason would be Bernie Sanders isn't that well known outside the US. I didn't know him just 3 years ago! You think Finnish media is "pro Bernie"? No. Those lazy reporters...

are a good deal less lazy than you.

[71 dB]

     Voters are less "wing" than pundits and party operatives. A large number of them are more interested in what they want to see happen than which "ist" wants to do it.

True and also people don't know what labels mean. A lot of Americans identity themselves as "right wing", but when you go issue by issue it turns out they are not as right wing as they think they are. They may oppose abortion and gay marriage which are right wing position, but they may also support increasing minimum wage to $15 which is left wing position.

[71 dB]

are a good deal less lazy than you.

So you are an expert on Finnish news media now? 

You can call me lazy on many things, but US politics is not one of those things. 

Sorry, but the way Finnish news media handles US politics is naive and slow. Often they seem to "realize" things I have known myself for weeks or even months. For example it wasn't that long ago when they seemed to think Kamala Harris has a change! Jesus Christ! They seem to follow mostly US corporate media when they would have more "up to date" insight from lefty independent outlets.

[drogulus]

True and also people don't know what labels mean.

     You don't know what my mumbo jumbo means.

     I don't think voters are going to choose a candidate the way you think they should. Voters want things to happen, and they want someone who can succeed at getting the things they want. What voters want in terms of health care, the economy and the environment doesn't neatly fit the boxes of political philosophy, and over time what voters have chosen changes what pundits think is radical versus mainstream. Radicals might have a model of revolutionary change in their radical heads. From a more distant perspective change is evolutionary.

     When voters change their behavior, the labels change what they mean. That's why Medicare isn't radical any more. Medicare didn't change, history happened and changed the context.

[Todd]

It's official, there's a turd in the punchbowl: Michael Bloomberg confirms White House run and kicks off $30m ad buy

Congrats to Dems: they've managed to make their 2020 primaries as ridiculous as the Republicans did with their 2016 primaries.

[Christabel]

And a good thing too!  Looking forward to all those Democrats demanding to see his tax returns and complaining about his billions. 

[dissily Mordentroge]

It's official, there's a turd in the punchbowl: Michael Bloomberg confirms White House run and kicks off $30m ad buy

Congrats to Dems: they've managed to make their 2020 primaries as ridiculous as the Republicans did with their 2016 primaries.

Thanks ever so for introducing me to the wonderful expression "There's a turd in the puchbowl' . I've been wracking my brain for a concise description of the occupant of the Whitehouse, now I have it.

[Todd]

Thanks ever so for introducing me to the wonderful expression "There's a turd in the puchbowl' . I've been wracking my brain for a concise description of the occupant of the Whitehouse, now I have it.

Oh, you're new to the internet.  Got it.

[dissily Mordentroge]

Oh, you're new to the internet.  Got it.

I've no idea what you're trying to say but rest assured I was here at the beginning, before forums, before newsgroups. - - - - - - - - - - - -