Shooting in San Bernadino

[Steelgrave]

If politicians would just stop being asswipes for a moment maybe,

Ah Gus, the idealism of youth shines in you, brother....   8)

Yeah, I think we're in for a long, rough haul. As is Europe.

[Steelgrave]

I'm not so sure he's the crazy uncle, or he sounds like it because we've been undated for so long it the "proper and approved" language to use when speaking. 

I wasn't entirely happy with the wording I chose either. I don't think Trump's crazy. No filter to be sure, but not crazy. I don't see myself ending up in the Trump camp, but I'm certainly reconsidering voting options if it's him versus Hillary.

http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2015/12/07/obamas-terror-speech-perfectly-highlights-reasons-for-trumps-rise/

[Bison]

Yeah that's an interesting article, Steelie.

I think it just comes down to disfranchisement of voters with politicians and the political process.  The polling data is very interesting in several areas when you place it in context with political policies being enacted.  Public opinion is often the opposite of the policy position.  Terrorism.  Immigration.  Federal Deficits. And then there is the other side of the data.  The "as long as it effects them and not me" mentality in particular in regard to entitlement spending.

[BanzaiCat]

The disparity between public opinion and government action usually being 180 degrees opposite of each other, underlines exactly why we are not a democracy anymore.

Put it to a vote, and I'm certain an overwhelming number of Americans would support more restrictive immigration measures, as opposed to the administration wanting to admit thousands of refugees. I'm getting sick of them not being representative.

[bayonetbrant]

I'm getting sick of them not being representative.

at one time interracial marriage was illegal, based in large part on public opinion

My brother and his first wife got married in '96, and had leave St Tammany Parish to find someone willing to perform the courthouse ceremony.

[Bison]

Apples and oranges brant.

[JasonPratt]

Meanwhile, back on less RP&F topics:

http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/news/story/1001/20151210/2526

Lots of interesting information here, but the most intriguing to me is that Farkook's brother (...yeah okay I'm going to let that accidental spelling stand...) is not only a US Navy veteran but earned no less than two anti-terrorism medals.

Raheel Farook, is a Navy veteran, serving from 2003 to 2007 and earning the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, among other awards.

[bayonetbrant]

Apples and oranges brant.

I'm merely bringing out the point that "a majority wants this" isn't always an acceptable reason to do something

[Bison]

Apples and oranges brant.

I'm merely bringing out the point that "a majority wants this" isn't always an acceptable reason to do something

I understand, but context matters.  Also there is also tyranny of the minority just as there can be tyranny of the majority.

[LongBlade]

Meanwhile, back on less RP&F topics:

http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/news/story/1001/20151210/2526

Lots of interesting information here, but the most intriguing to me is that Farkook's brother (...yeah okay I'm going to let that accidental spelling stand...) is not only a US Navy veteran but earned no less than two anti-terrorism medals.

Raheel Farook, is a Navy veteran, serving from 2003 to 2007 and earning the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, among other awards.

Naturally I'm having a problem finding the article...

The other day I ran across an article written by another vet who explained that the brother was not "decorated" in the sense that he had some kind of award for valor. The vet went on to say that he is proud of his own service medals, but that at least one was an award simply for showing up, albeit during wartime. They are service medals, indicating that the brother served aboard a navy ship during wartime.

I'll keep looking for the article. His point wasn't to denigrate service medals, but rather to point out that they aren't what we would commonly think of as "awards" in the sense of the Silver Star.

[LongBlade]

Found it. More info at the link:

Reports indicate Navy records show Farook was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

His highest award — the National Defense Service Medal — is awarded when you sign on the dotted line, enlisting in a time of war. Certainly nothing to shrug about, but to further flesh out how military culture views this award, I'll say my drill instructors referred to it as a "fire watch" ribbon ... meaning I and anyone else who signed with me got it for simply showing up.

I guess we're all decorated then.

Service is tough, there's no two ways about it. Farook did a "combat" deployment with the Navy aboard the USS Enterprise. Certainly, life aboard a ship isn't as comfortable as life in your mom's basement.

Nevertheless, this line up of "awards and decorations," as one military official put it to Buzzfeed, really only amounts to the military version of participation trophies. I don't say that to diminish them — I'm most intensely proud of my Iraqi Campaign Medal (not at all an endorsement of the invasion) — I use the phrase "participation trophies" because we tend to reserve the term "decorated" amongst ourselves to refer to awards earned for valor in combat.

source: http://dailycaller.com/2015/12/08/farook-brother-not-a-decorated-navy-veteran/

[OJsDad]

Apples and oranges brant.

I'm merely bringing out the point that "a majority wants this" isn't always an acceptable reason to do something

Actually, it is a very valid reason.  The worst thing you can do is tell someone their opinion is totally invalid and doesn't count.  The best thing you could do is take step back, and run with what you can where you can, as your brother did.  Given time, a lot of this opinions will change.  Especially when there are alternatives that those that don't like them can pursue.  There are alternatives to bringing all of the refugees to the US and Europe, but for some reason the politicians don't want to admit that there are because it's easier to tell everyone how evil and hateful they are for political points than it is to do the hard work of working with others of different opinions.

[Bison]

My point is that one is a rights issue regarding citizens and existing law and rights and the other is a policy issue involving non-citizens.  There is a major distinction.

[Steelgrave]

When our apologizer-in-chief talks about shipping "innocent" Syrian women and children refugees to your/my neighborhood, I wonder if this little darling is who he's thinking about???

http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2015/12/10/watch-little-palestinian-girl-demonstrates-how-to-stab-israelis/

[JasonPratt]

Not sure why the link wasn't working for you, LB. I tried it again a minute ago and it clicked through fine. It wasn't behind a paywall (so far as I know); I have to sign in to get my mail, but not for this. It ought to have been like going to YahooNews...?  ???

Anyway. Yes I figured they were expedition medals, for serving in an operation or whatever. I would have thought they qualified a bit more than the award given for volunteering to join in a time of war, since they would reflect something done after signing up (even if the something was serving in a region or situation).