2024 State of the Union, 8p central, 3/7

[TheStoicPaisano 9904]

They named the girl Bennett? 

[cactusflinthead 27594]

4 hours ago, TexArcher said:

Holy shit.  That looks like a high school play.

1 hour ago, Chuckie Finster said:

Slight correction: They drew in the *white* parts of Sugar Land.  That really precise cutout in the north-northeast part of the map is where all the diversity lives.

He's my rep.  I hate it here.  The part of Katy where I live is actually very demographically similar (and geographically close!) to the part of Sugar Land that they omitted, yet we are grouped with fucking Needville and El Campo.

 

38 minutes ago, The Original Greaser Bob said:

Just checked in to see if someone had posted a secret cache of Katie Britt undergrad photos.

Disappointed.

I can't remember the chubby older guy that did the work on our maps. He died not long after they were submitted. His daughter found the discussions on how to crack districts and where. Turned it all over to someone and well howdy nothing has happened. 

 

More flavor from last night

 

[SimonBolivar 10937]

57 minutes ago, Eastwood said:

Don’t forget Wharton. And Boling. And East Bernard. And (rural area filled with olds). 

I've spent 5-10% of my life in Palacios and I'm not surprised.

[TexasEd 8064]

This is an interesting graph

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/07/politics/tracker-topics-state-of-the-union-dg/index.html

[Js1 85116]

The big thing about this:

Quote

BREAKING A CNN flash poll of those who watched tonight's State of the Union shows that: * 64% had a positive reaction to President Biden's speech. * 62% say Biden's policies will move us in the right direction vs. 42% before the speech.

is that they usually poll a bigger respondent of the President's party.  And that is really big news that Dems who are lukewarm on Biden jumped up that much on the views of his policies

[Brisketexan 104635]

2 minutes ago, TexasEd said:

This is an interesting graph

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/07/politics/tracker-topics-state-of-the-union-dg/index.html

I would love to see a similar chart of the subjects Dotard talks about in his next speech.  There will be big circles for "makes random noises," "talks about the bad job that president Obama is doing," and "misidentifying the person who introduces him, one or more of his children, and at least one foreign leader."

[Make em eat Taco Bell 1549]

49 minutes ago, SydneyCarton said:

Gotta love the 100 yard line connecting things. That happens in multiple spots in Texas, it's so infuriating.

 

So dumb. 

split by race / wealth right?

[Gooby 633]

13 hours ago, Pato del Muerto said:

I heard and abided by the warning about even one night in Bangkok 

It can make the tough guys crumble.

[C-Man 27063]

8 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

I would love to see a similar chart of the subjects Dotard talks about in his next speech.  There will be big circles for "makes random noises," "talks about the bad job that president Obama is doing," and "misidentifying the person who introduces him, one or more of his children, and at least one foreign leader."

Himself and how great he is ...

[SydneyCarton 47889]

43 minutes ago, LCHorn said:

This asshole in particular raises my blood pressure.  His district SHOULD be competitive enough it at least sends someone somewhat moderate. 

You didn't look at the map, obviously. 

17 minutes ago, TexasEd said:

This is an interesting graph

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/07/politics/tracker-topics-state-of-the-union-dg/index.html

Wait, didn't Anastasis say he barely talked about Israel/Hamas at all? Weird, by this metric it was his second largest point of focus.

13 minutes ago, Make em eat Taco Bell said:

split by race / wealth right?

We'll call it "race" and "rural."

[The Original Greaser Bob 2799]

There is lots of room for photoshop on that kitchen set.

[Failed search for shaggybevo "Can you help me with this photoshop" thread.]

 

[Make em eat Taco Bell 1549]

16 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

I would love to see a similar chart of the subjects Dotard talks about in his next speech.  There will be big circles for "makes random noises," "talks about the bad job that president Obama is doing," and "misidentifying the person who introduces him, one or more of his children, and at least one foreign leader."

[Art Vandelay 1710]

1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

Does nobody do political porn parodies?  Because someone should do political porn parodies.  Because....I'm interested....

I mean, except the ones of Lauren Boebert.  Those wouldn't need to be parodies, they could just be documentaries.  Starring Boebert.  As herself.

Don't tell me you missed this masterpiece.

[TexasEd 8064]

21 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

I would love to see a similar chart of the subjects Dotard talks about in his next speech.  There will be big circles for "makes random noises," "talks about the bad job that president Obama is doing," and "misidentifying the person who introduces him, one or more of his children, and at least one foreign leader."

[Hank Kingsley 20713]

when your tradwife catches you beating off again 

 

[Brisketexan 104635]

6 minutes ago, Hank Kingsley said:

when your tradwife catches you beating off again 

 

....to which the only rational response is "go on.....I'm about to finish...."

[troph 24566]

1 hour ago, Goredho said:

Finished the whole Katie Britt thing.  My reaction:

 

I'm watching this show now, it's already getting old in season two but the first few episodes were money.

[speed817 19116]

16 minutes ago, Hank Kingsley said:

when your tradwife catches you beating off again 

 

Damn I got caught again.....

[tokamak 6352]

44 minutes ago, TheStoicPaisano said:

They named the girl Bennett? 

Bro they are suburban white people from Alabama. We should just be thankful it's not Bynnyttleigh.

38 minutes ago, Make em eat Taco Bell said:

split by race / wealth right?

Sometimes they pack a few sympatico demographics together. Looking at this map, 18 is pretty much Blacks and 29 is Latinos. But 38 is a mix of super rich old money whites and exurban aggy whites. 9 is mostly Black but with a sprinkling of both well off and working class whites. 7 is actually quite a mashup of rich whites, yuppie whites, Blacks, and (South) Asians.

[Dnaguy 11777]

1 hour ago, Eastwood said:

Don’t forget Wharton. And Boling. And East Bernard. And (rural area filled with olds). 

Yep… but they do have pretty decent meat markets.

 

Pro tip, if you ever are headed to SW Houston from San Antonio, instead of taking I10 all the way in, head south on 71 in Columbus to 90 and then take that all the way to the spur (I forget which but google maps will tell you) to 59 b/f you hit Richmond / Rosenberg. 
I stop in East Bernard for summer sausage and avoid the traffic in Katy.

Win-win.

But politically I bet they suck.

[tx 3 putt 76414]

 

[Beantown Express 2.0 6555]

Honest question and wondering if this should be its own thread but when the cunt from Alabama was asking if you are better off now or 4 years ago what is your answer?  For me I am better off now and I feel the country is also.  I am curious who on Surly was doing great 4 years ago and now Biden has ruined their life or maybe vice versa.  Or maybe you are better off or worse and it has nothing to do with who is president.  

[Brisketexan 104635]

4 minutes ago, Dnaguy said:

Yep… but they do have pretty decent meat markets.

 

Pro tip, if you ever are headed to SW Houston from San Antonio, instead of taking I10 all the way in, head south on 71 in Columbus to 90 and then take that all the way to the spur (I forget which but google maps will tell you) to 59 b/f you hit Richmond / Rosenberg. 
I stop in East Bernard for summer sausage and avoid the traffic in Katy.

Win-win.

But politically I bet they suck.

That's 100% my route from Austin when going to SW Houston.  It's better time-wise, and you get a stop for smoked meat products.  Perfect.

[Francisco 2.0 32345]

1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

Does nobody do political porn parodies?  Because someone should do political porn parodies.  Because....I'm interested....

Well, back in the day, Lisa Ann portrayed Sarah Palin in a flick.  

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1356820/

 

 

[Nice Guy Eddie 13414]

11 minutes ago, Beantown Express 2.0 said:

Honest question and wondering if this should be its own thread but when the cunt from Alabama was asking if you are better off now or 4 years ago what is your answer?  For me I am better off now and I feel the country is also.  I am curious who on Surly was doing great 4 years ago and now Biden has ruined their life or maybe vice versa.  Or maybe you are better off or worse and it has nothing to do with who is president.  

I've never been better than today. 

I recognize that there are many who are not doing well. These range from the people in their 20s (who truthfully never do well as a group) and those who have limited financial options, who also always struggle as a group.

Finally there are those who intentionally sabotage their own finances due to political beliefs. I guarantee that are a few in DT and the football forum who moved all of their retirement money to cash on Jan 21 2021.  And then subsequently missed out on major gains.

Edited March 8 by Nice Guy Eddie

[hookem2010 2600]

.

Edited March 8 by hookem2010
I'm a dumbass

[South Austin 52152]

16 minutes ago, Beantown Express 2.0 said:

Or maybe you are better off or worse and it has nothing to do with who is president.  

I feel like I'm better off than I was four years ago for a ton of reasons that have nothing to do with Joe Biden, and if I narrow in on just my financial situation, I'm not so sure he has much to do with that either.  By no means do I consider myself wealthy, but on the broader national scale, I'm in the top financial tier of Americans -- like many others on this message board -- and I don't think our situations are drastically impacted by one president or another.

I do believe we are better off as a country in terms of pure presidential leadership, and that has a lot of positive effects on a national and global scale.  But even then, Biden is still driving a train of crazy, and in the foreseeable future we (/he if he gets another four years) will still be saddled with the MAGA movement and its stronghold on American politics and discourse, so I'd say we're collectively only marginally better off than we were four years ago.  

Edited March 8 by South Austin

[Aqua Buddha 14523]

I’d bet my life’s fortune that Katie Britt calls herself a “mama bear.”

[royiv 9168]

20 minutes ago, tokamak said:

Bro they are suburban white people from Alabama. We should just be thankful it's not Bynnyttleigh.

Sometimes they pack a few sympatico demographics together. Looking at this map, 18 is pretty much Blacks and 29 is Latinos. But 38 is a mix of super rich old money whites and exurban aggy whites. 9 is mostly Black but with a sprinkling of both well off and working class whites. 7 is actually quite a mashup of rich whites, yuppie whites, Blacks, and (South) Asians.

They re-drew 7 this cycle to make it more blue and to make Crawford’s district more red. Living in Montrose, my rep was previously Crawford and now it’s Fletcher.

[Pescado_Rojo 19331]

8 minutes ago, South Austin said:

I feel like I'm better off than I was four years ago for a ton of reasons that have nothing to do with Joe Biden, and if I narrow in on just my financial situation, I'm not so sure he has much to do with that either.  By no means do I consider myself wealthy, but on the broader national scale, I'm in the top financial tier of Americans -- like many others on this message board -- and I don't think our situations are drastically impacted by one president or another.

I do believe we are better off as a country in terms of pure presidential leadership, and that has a lot of positive effects on a national and global scale.  But even then, Biden is still driving a train of crazy, and in the foreseeable future we (/he if he gets another four years) will still be saddled with the MAGA movement and its stronghold on American politics and discourse, so I'd say we're collectively only marginally better off than we were four years ago.  

You stole my post. 

[South Austin 52152]

5 minutes ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

You stole my post. 

At least I don’t work at HEB.

[Horn Dog 9674]

[troph 24566]

Better off yes and no. But the no reasons all relate to the Texas legislature and governor. Covid was a train wreck. Inflation was a bitch, but we are doing better. Everything else is better.

Edited March 8 by troph

[Ted Lange 16053]

 

 

[Guest]

18 minutes ago, South Austin said:

I feel like I'm better off than I was four years ago for a ton of reasons that have nothing to do with Joe Biden, and if I narrow in on just my financial situation, I'm not so sure he has much to do with that either.  By no means do I consider myself wealthy, but on the broader national scale, I'm in the top financial tier of Americans -- like many others on this message board -- and I don't think our situations are drastically impacted by one president or another.

I do believe we are better off as a country in terms of pure presidential leadership, and that has a lot of positive effects on a national and global scale.  But even then, Biden is still driving a train of crazy, and in the foreseeable future we (/he if he gets another four years) will still be saddled with the MAGA movement and its stronghold on American politics and discourse, so I'd say we're collectively only marginally better off than we were four years ago.  

As a top lawyer with a focus in classified file and election fraud cases against former presidents, my business is booming under Joe Biden.

[TexasEd 8064]

13 minutes ago, South Austin said:

I feel like I'm better off than I was four years ago for a ton of reasons that have nothing to do with Joe Biden, and if I narrow in on just my financial situation, I'm not so sure he has much to do with that either.  By no means do I consider myself wealthy, but on the broader national scale, I'm in the top financial tier of Americans -- like many others on this message board -- and I don't think our situations are drastically impacted by one president or another.

I do believe we are better off as a country in terms of pure presidential leadership, and that has a lot of positive effects on a national and global scale.  But even then, Biden is still driving a train of crazy, and in the foreseeable future we (/he if he gets another four years) will still be saddled with the MAGA movement and its stronghold on American politics and discourse, so I'd say we're collectively only marginally better off than we were four years ago.  

I feel the real contrast is in what we reasonably could have expected if Trump was president the last 3 years.  

• He would have appointed another USSC Justice
• We would have left NATO instead of building it even stronger
• Putin would be done with Ukraine by now and probably starting in on the Baltic states
• We would be closer to WWIII than we are now
• We would still be 2 weeks away from an infrastructure bill and the effect would be that our landing would probably not be as gentle or we would be in recession

I think the last one is most important.  I have no faith in the economy recovery under Trump

[StassneyHorn 6540]

When Trump loses a second time, the MAGA movement, just like their memories of high school, will be over and their success exaggerated. 

Also, I'd call point of order on the smoked meats since Prasek's is in Hillje before El Campo.

[DaysOff 7853]

Financially...great, but covid broke the simulation and nothing has felt the same since. I'm going to blame that orange orangutan, so Joe's gonna keep my vote.

[chainsaw 9838]

I know I'm better off than I was 4 years ago, and while I could spin that as an example of my individual accomplishments the reality is that I was also fortunate enough to have circumstances that made those opportunities far more likely to have been successful. Those circumstances aren't directly due to Joe Biden but I don't think anyone can say with a straight face that Donald Trump being president would have made things easier.

The biggest reason is that Trump is a destabilizing force. If your success depends on minimally competent people running federal agencies, you aren't guaranteed that with Trump. If your success depends on overcoming a global pandemic, imagine how much longer the deaths and lockdowns would have been if Fauci had been imprisoned for doing his job (after that, what competent person would want to follow in his footsteps?). If your success depends on markets and international trade behaving they way they did for decades before 2016, you aren't guaranteed that with Trump. If your success depends on access to affordable labor, you aren't guaranteed that with Trump. If your success depends on there being a minimal international conflicts, don't forget Trump had an Iranian official killed for no reason at all. If your success depends on the rule of law being taken seriously....I think by now I've made my point.

The question is not only whether you or I are better off than we were 4 years ago. It's also how much worse off we would have been if Biden had lost in 2020.

[troph 24566]

I think typically a president doesn’t have much to do with our situations, but there’s no doubt in this situation Trump would have wreaked chaos in his second term.  The government functioning largely as intended, the climate and infrastructure bill, and general executive leadership I think this time around has made a difference. I think the Ukraine war and NATO expansion are fundamentally critical to our long term success. So this time around I see it a bit different. 

[royiv 9168]

12 minutes ago, Ted Lange said:

 

 

Calling a United States Senator a housewife is cringey AF.

[Js1 85116]

7 minutes ago, TexasEd said:

I feel the real contrast is in what we reasonably could have expected if Trump was president the last 3 years.  

• He would have appointed another USSC Justice
• We would have left NATO instead of building it even stronger
• Putin would be done with Ukraine by now and probably starting in on the Baltic states
• We would be closer to WWIII than we are now
• We would still be 2 weeks away from an infrastructure bill and the effect would be that our landing would probably not be as gentle or we would be in recession

I think the last one is most important.  I have no faith in the economy recovery under Trump

Yeah but Oct 7 wouldn’t have happened bc Bibi would have asked if he could raze Gaza to the ground with US support and Trump would have given it to him

[South Austin 52152]

8 minutes ago, TexasEd said:

I feel the real contrast is in what we reasonably could have expected if Trump was president the last 3 years.  

• He would have appointed another USSC Justice
• We would have left NATO instead of building it even stronger
• Putin would be done with Ukraine by now and probably starting in on the Baltic states
• We would be closer to WWIII than we are now
• We would still be 2 weeks away from an infrastructure bill and the effect would be that our landing would probably not be as gentle or we would be in recession

I think the last one is most important.  I have no faith in the economy recovery under Trump

Very good points.

[Huckleberry 32704]

I'm better off than I was 4 years ago and while I could say it has nothing to do with Biden I can't honestly say it has nothing to do with Trump not being POTUS because who knows where we'd be with COVID or a million other things he would have continued to bungle.

But there are few scenarios where I wouldn't be fine aside from those where almost nobody is fine. I don't vote purely my self-interest which yes I recognize makes me an abnormal American voter. 

[Js1 85116]

1 minute ago, Huckleberry said:

I'm better off than I was 4 years ago and while I could say it has nothing to do with Biden I can't honestly say it has nothing to do with Trump not being POTUS because who knows where we'd be with COVID or a million other things he would have continued to bungle.

But there are few scenarios where I wouldn't be fine aside from those where almost nobody is fine. I don't vote purely my self-interest which yes I recognize makes me an abnormal American voter. 

I’m just fine from a fucking mental health standpoint bc I can stop following American politics for days or weeks at a time and I won’t miss much 

[Huckleberry 32704]

I guess I should have clarified that I'm abnormal in that I realize I'm not voting in my own interest. Plenty of nimrods vote against their best interests when they think they aren't (cough rural white poors cough).

Edited March 8 by Huckleberry

[BrickHorn 18196]

5 minutes ago, Huckleberry said:

I don't vote purely my self-interest which yes I recognize makes me an abnormal American voter. 

Same here. The difference between us and MAGA clowns on that point, however, is we intentionally vote against our interest where doing so benefits others who need more help.

I vote for politicians who are more likely to raise my taxes while reducing the tax burden on the working class, because I think that a progressive tax system is fair. 

The billionaire MAGA set votes with their pocketbooks. But the working Joes are just deluding themselves that Trump has any intention or capability to make their lives better. If working class Americans really wanted to improve their lives, they should be rallying behind someone like Elizabeth Warren. 

[troph 24566]

9 minutes ago, Js1 said:

I’m just fine from a fucking mental health standpoint bc I can stop following American politics for days or weeks at a time and I won’t miss much 

I spent the first two years of Biden detoxing from the doom scroll existential threat he presented. I ignored politics for that whole time.

[Guest]

Question about the rebuttal. I assume this thing done live?

If so, why one earth do they not film it before to make sure it comes out properly? 

[TexasEd 8064]

1 minute ago, FirstTimeCaller said:

Question about the rebuttal. I assume this thing done live?

If so, why one earth do they not film it before to make sure it comes out properly?