Play Nice 46th President of the United States: Joe Biden 2: Incidit in scyllam cupiens vitare charybdim

[magpie_marty]

I've ruminated on it since he did it, and I've finally come to a conclusion I'm happy with.

Biden pardoning his son might be understandable, but it constitutes an utter betrayal of everything he purported to have stood for. He now stands not only as a hypocrite of the worst sort, but alongside Trump as someone who used his high office to benefit himself and who used his overwhelming power in his own self interest. By his own actions, he demeans the office he was elected to, and perpetuates the class dichotomies within the American system; money talks.

His party must now reflect on the fact that this man - their elder statesman, their middle of the road candidate, their moderate sop to middle America - has by this choice declared their side of the class divide to be that of the wealthy, the owners, and not the people they say they represent. They have a nigh impossible task to win the next election - beyond their feebleness, beyond any shenanigans Trump or the GOP seek to do - because they are so exposed as similarly opportunistic in this decision.

By this singular act, Joe Biden has disgraced himself and his party potentially beyond repair.

I agree,
But Trump would have done the same thing?
Trump may even pardon himself,
It's a bizarre system.

 

[Gethelred]

I agree,
But Trump would have done the same thing?
Trump may even pardon himself,
It's a bizarre system.

"But Trump" is not an acceptable answer here. Trump has always pretended to be on the side of the worker; it's in his rhetoric, it's in his deeds. We have always known Trump was a liar. This is more or less precisely the problem: we have always known it about Trump, but now we know it of Biden, too.

The Democrats will have this hanging around their necks forever, a millstone there to bear them downwards. The GOP can point to this and say, "See?!! You see? We were right when we told you you couldn't trust them, when they pretended to care for you and what matters to you! We told you they were only in it for themselves, and we were right!"

It is evidence of the highest order that the Dems talk a good game but when the chips fall they're precisely as self interested as the Republicans are. That voting for a wolf in sheep's clothing is just as damaging as voting for the wolf itself. That all the umming and ahhing and agonising over incremental change as though it's ever ****ing helped, that for all the glorification of the democratic process they're more than able to exploit power in their own interests.

They're not the party of the worker, and never were. This was Biden without a mask, seen clearly.

For the first time, we truly met Joe Biden.

 

[Chief]

I agree,
But Trump would have done the same thing?

AND gotten his kid a $2 bil fund investment from Saudi.

Trump may even pardon himself,
It's a bizarre system.

 

[LuvtheKangas]

"But Trump" is not an acceptable answer here. Trump has always pretended to be on the side of the worker; it's in his rhetoric, it's in his deeds. We have always known Trump was a liar. This is more or less precisely the problem: we have always known it about Trump, but now we know it of Biden, too.

Herein lies the problem. The bar is so much lower for Trump because everyone knows he is a garbage human.

I agree with your sentiments on Biden, but it's frustrating that the same standard of behaviour is not imposed upon - or even expected of - Trump, because everyone knows he won't meet it anyway. He has a "get out of jail" card from the public, which he's earned by a lifetime of disgraceful behaviour. It's a paradox.

 

[Gethelred]

Herein lies the problem. The bar is so much lower for Trump because everyone knows he is a garbage human.

I agree with your sentiments on Biden, but it's frustrating that the same standard of behaviour is not imposed upon - or even expected of - Trump, because everyone knows he won't meet it anyway. He has a "get out of jail" card from the public, which he's earned by a lifetime of disgraceful behaviour. It's a paradox.

It's the paradox of honour, of pride, of prestige. It's always been an illusion, but your reputation is the simplest thing to lose and the hardest thing to shake.

A lie from a liar is expected, and thus less damaging than a lie from someone you trusted to tell you the truth. It's the faith shattered, the dream spent, the rabbit in the hat revealed.

It's only a paradox because we believed him.

Now, this reads as a screed of shattered dreams, a bit of a melt. I really didn't have all that much faith in Biden to begin with, but I did think he believed in the system to produce just results. This is why it's taken me so long: a leader should always aspire towards the right choice, no matter the cost on themselves. He has proven himself not a leader by this action, as noble a thing it might be for him as a man or father to do. Weighing his duty as a father versus his duty to his nation in a pivotal time is what has taken so long.

It's a very human weakness, but the GOP have spent their entire existence preying on human weakness.

 

[bourbons]

I've ruminated on it since he did it, and I've finally come to a conclusion I'm happy with.

Biden pardoning his son might be understandable, but it constitutes an utter betrayal of everything he purported to have stood for. He now stands not only as a hypocrite of the worst sort, but alongside Trump as someone who used his high office to benefit himself and who used his overwhelming power in his own self interest. By his own actions, he demeans the office he was elected to, and perpetuates the class dichotomies within the American system; money talks.

His party must now reflect on the fact that this man - their elder statesman, their middle of the road candidate, their moderate sop to middle America - has by this choice declared their side of the class divide to be that of the wealthy, the owners, and not the people they say they represent. They have a nigh impossible task to win the next election - beyond their feebleness, beyond any shenanigans Trump or the GOP seek to do - because they are so exposed as similarly opportunistic in this decision.

By this singular act, Joe Biden has disgraced himself and his party potentially beyond repair.

"But Trump" is not an acceptable answer here. Trump has always pretended to be on the side of the worker; it's in his rhetoric, it's in his deeds. We have always known Trump was a liar. This is more or less precisely the problem: we have always known it about Trump, but now we know it of Biden, too.

The Democrats will have this hanging around their necks forever, a millstone there to bear them downwards. The GOP can point to this and say, "See?!! You see? We were right when we told you you couldn't trust them, when they pretended to care for you and what matters to you! We told you they were only in it for themselves, and we were right!"

It is evidence of the highest order that the Dems talk a good game but when the chips fall they're precisely as self interested as the Republicans are. That voting for a wolf in sheep's clothing is just as damaging as voting for the wolf itself. That all the umming and ahhing and agonising over incremental change as though it's ever ****ing helped, that for all the glorification of the democratic process they're more than able to exploit power in their own interests.

They're not the party of the worker, and never were. This was Biden without a mask, seen clearly.

For the first time, we truly met Joe Biden.

All true.

But the thing is, not doing it and perpetuating the idea that they actually do have some moral high ground over Republicans gains them absolutely nothing.

I don't agree that it will be a millstone moving forward or impact their electoral chances one iota. A majority of US voters have made clear that ethics and morality, or candidates/parties only being in it for themselves are a non factor in their decision making. If anything the takeaway is that Democrats just have to get better at lying about it.

Grim stuff.

 

[Not Important]

if only there were more americans like bernie sanders.

“No matter what the corporate elite tell you, let me make something clear:

Universal health care is not radical.

A living wage is not radical.

Dignity in the workplace is not radical.

Higher education without debt is not radical.

Affordable housing is not radical.”

 

[Saint]

He will go down as the most useless President in US history.

He's truly off his rocker. Trump might be stupid, but Biden has completely lose any sense of self-reflection. As bad as Trump will be, Biden was worse because he actually thought he was doing good. At least Trump knows he's not trying to do good by the earth or people, just whoever pays him the most.

 

[Satan]

1500 commuted

 

[adogsfan5]

He will go down as the most useless President in US history.

He's truly off his rocker. Trump might be stupid, but Biden has completely lose any sense of self-reflection. As bad as Trump will be, Biden was worse because he actually thought he was doing good. At least Trump knows he's not trying to do good by the earth or people, just whoever pays him the most.

I’d rather South Sudan to lead the world.

 

[rank and file]

Hunter is another nothing burger.
Seems like Donald is running the show already from Mar a Lago.

 

[Satan]

The FBI informant accused of lying about the Biden family’s business dealings has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, admitting that he concocted a tale of President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden accepting bribes in exchange for protecting a Ukrainian energy company.
The defendant, Alexander Smirnov, will also plead guilty to multiple tax charges, according to the agreement filed in federal court in Los Angeles on Thursday morning.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/12/12/hunter-biden-smirnov-plea-deal-weiss-burisma/

This was comers star witness

 

[PiCkLeJuiCe]

Pretty dumb to be selling unused pieces of the Wall in Arizona for $5 for five pieces. Seems like a bit of a dummy spit. Losing all faith that the Dems can be the better person here.

(5) 32.91’ X 7.91’ Steel Bollard Wall Sections

The photos in this report are representative photos. The actual item received may vary

www.govplanet.com

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Pretty dumb to be selling unused pieces of the Wall in Arizona for $5 for five pieces. Seems like a bit of a dummy spit. Losing all faith that the Dems can be the better person here.

(5) 32.91’ X 7.91’ Steel Bollard Wall Sections

The photos in this report are representative photos. The actual item received may vary

www.govplanet.com

Being the better person gets you nowhere as the last election showed.

 

[PiCkLeJuiCe]

Being the better person gets you nowhere as the last election showed.

Not sure the Dems can compete in a race to the bottom.

 

[swingdog]

All true.

But the thing is, not doing it and perpetuating the idea that they actually do have some moral high ground over Republicans gains them absolutely nothing.

I don't agree that it will be a millstone moving forward or impact their electoral chances one iota. A majority of US voters have made clear that ethics and morality, or candidates/parties only being in it for themselves are a non factor in their decision making. If anything the takeaway is that Democrats just have to get better at lying about it.

Grim stuff.

This is where I am.

Biden can be lambasted for plenty (hanging on too long, never giving Ukraine more than they need to just survive) but you need to recognise that the US political system is broken.

There's no point playing by rules when those rules don't exist anymore.

 

[Randomizor]

The FBI informant accused of lying about the Biden family’s business dealings has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, admitting that he concocted a tale of President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden accepting bribes in exchange for protecting a Ukrainian energy company.
The defendant, Alexander Smirnov, will also plead guilty to multiple tax charges, according to the agreement filed in federal court in Los Angeles on Thursday morning.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/12/12/hunter-biden-smirnov-plea-deal-weiss-burisma/

This was comers star witness

Biden completely exonerated. Hopefully the republicans can quit their SHAM inquiries. The POLITICAL WITCH HUNT must end.

 

[Todman]

Redistribution of seats from 2030 based on 2020 census. 12 blue seats moving to the red states.

 

[Spearman]

View attachment 2188870

Redistribution of seats from 2030 based on 2020 census. 12 blue seats moving to the red states.

Those blue seats getting absorbed into gerrymandered red districts.
or new ones that will be drawn. (TX, NC being a couple of the worst)

 

[Not Important]

peeps like aoc are what the dems so badly need, and getting rid of ancient relics like pelosi in the process

“AOC was on track to secure the votes to become the next ranking member of the House Oversight Committee.

Then Nancy Pelosi threw her weight around to secure the votes for 74 year-old Gerry Connolly, who announced he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer last month.

Nancy Pelosi needs to retire.”

 

[_Cerberus_]

peeps like aoc are what the dems so badly need, and getting rid of ancient relics like pelosi in the process

“AOC was on track to secure the votes to become the next ranking member of the House Oversight Committee.

Then Nancy Pelosi threw her weight around to secure the votes for 74 year-old Gerry Connolly, who announced he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer last month.

Nancy Pelosi needs to retire.”

Pelosi has been a cancer herself to the Democrat Party for so long. She is one of the biggest reasons for its failures since Obama. She honestly needs to F right off and retire for good.

 

[LuvtheKangas]

Pelosi has been a cancer herself to the Democrat Party for so long. She is one of the biggest reasons for its failures since Obama. She honestly needs to F right off and retire for good.

Agree. Not sure why they haven't gone after her for insider trading.

 

[Satan]

Agree. Not sure why they haven't gone after her for insider trading.

could be cynical to suggest that the timing of this announcement by the DOJ is a mere coincidence the day before Trump left office

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/19/doj-will-not-charge-sen-richard-burr-for-covid-stock-trades.html

 

[Not Important]

the question is, do they have the guts to take trump on?

Democrats look to state legislatures as their anti-Trump ‘firewall’

In an otherwise disappointing election year, Democrats’ wins in state legislatures were a bright spot.

19thnews.org

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

Biden reportedly regrets ending re-election campaign and says he’d have defeated Trump

President also regrets picking Merrick Garland for attorney general, as he was slow to prosecute Trump for January 6

www.theguardian.com

Does anybody think Biden could have won? I don’t.

Even though when pondering policy in the quiet of his office he’s apparently still as sharp as ever (all that actually matters when running a country), in public he’d become an embarrassing dud, and US politics is all about showbiz, more’s the pity.