[Mermaid]

Neutral article and terrific read for both sides of political spectrum:

http://slatestarcodex.com/2016/11/16/you-are-still-crying-wolf/

Interesting article, Thundarr.

[calamity]

The thing is, it takes governments to really effect the changes we need.  And we, in the '1st world' still consume 10 times the resources of people in the 3rd world.

[osb]

Neutral article and terrific read for both sides of political spectrum:

http://slatestarcodex.com/2016/11/16/you-are-still-crying-wolf/

Interesting read. I don't always agree. But as the article below also suggests, perhaps the issue is that we each define these words differently? You're right that labeling creates backlash. Perhaps we all could work toward shared definitions of the words that hurt.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2016/11/the_people_who_look_at_trump_and_don_t_see_a_racist.html

[Roma]

I had a hard time trying to get through that article. Just reminded me of all the cruel things Trump has already said. Does he not think he is offending people with his words? Is it just naivety? or did he really think all Latinos eat at Taco Bell (which they don't of course) etc.?

What about mocking the disabled reporter? Does he really feel that's ok?

[Roma]

The North Pole Is Basically Hot Right Now

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/11/the-north-pole-is-basically-hot-right-now.html?mid=facebook_nymag

[elray]

Elagance,

That was a fantastic article, and you surely can point out that Trump is a weirdo. 

The "disabled reporter" story is yet another perfect example in line with that article which perfectly exemplifies how Trump is attacked for "making fun of a reporter's handicap" when in actuality, he was just being mean and weird -- the authors point is that when people educated themselves and saw thru such nonsense, they stopped believing anything the media said about Donald.

The facts in this case are as follows:

The reporter in question does not have palsy or any form of uncontrolled muscle spasming.  Did you know that?  He has Arthrogryposis which causes restricted movement in the joints but does not cause spasms or uncontrolled moving of the limbs like cerebral palsy does.  Basically, his hand is locked in a curled position.  It would be perfectly reasonable not to know this -- the reporter never gave a video interview, and the media only ever showed STILL shots of him.  In a still shot, his handicap looks like palsy.  Isn't it odd that given the level of play this got, we never saw live video -- almost seems contrived, doesn't it?


If you recall this reporter was the one from NY Times who was publicly debating with Trump that people were seen in Jersey celebrated 911 -- then Trump found reporting from this very reporter talking about the nonexistent celebration.  Do you remember this feud was the background of his comments?

He was making fun of a flustered, back pedaling person.  Its mean.  Its feels like a blood fued, but it wasn't mocking the reporter's disability, which Trump has said over and over again.  The media claimed the handicap issue to redirect from an argument that Trump was clobbering them with.

But the real proof is that Trump has done the same thing towards many people who he's managed to get flustered, who aren't handicapped.  You can go find video of him doing the same routine for other people who aren't disabled -- Ted Cruz, for example:
https://youtu.be/M4604reEqk0

He did a very similiar routine regarding a General in the very same speech -- hardly anybody knows that.
https://youtu.be/LQQq50JWsmY

Given how our media covered these incidence, and the huge ad buy Hillary did on it, I can't blame you if you didn't know, but if you do know this, and continue to make the same claim, it would be very disingenuous of you.

[Phoenix]

Being a mean weirdo as an explanation doesn't make a bit of difference and doesn't put Trump in any better light. Nor do multiple examples of similar juvenile, unprofessional and unpresidential responses/behaviors on his part. And if Trump wanted to begin to allay concerns, especially on the issue of race relations, he would not appoint Jeff Sessions at any point, let alone on the heels of Bannon. Sessions didn't make it through the Senate confirmation for federal judge due to racist comments. Yet Trump names him Attorney General.  Trump doesn't need help explaining his behavior. His actions are loud and clear. He might also want to stop talking to world leaders on his unsecure cell phone and before he's received intelligence briefs, if he's oh so concerned about National Security. Double standards at their best.

Phoenix

[Roma]

Elray, we were discussing Climate Change and what we could do about it. I happened to come across that article to prove Global Warming/ Climate change is REAL. Does anyone have anymore solutions? People have been listing some great ideas.

 

[Phoenix]

This is a good approach, in general, Elegance. We can list the various issues we are concerned about and post ideas about getting involved, advocating, becoming more informed, etc.

Global Warming/Climate Change
Racial Equality and Relations
Women's Rights
LGBTQ Rights
Targeting Immigrants and Muslims
Education
The Economy
Etc.


Phoenix

[elray]

If the essence of the argument against trump was the he was a weirdo, and he's nasty, I think he might not have gotten elected.

Regarding climate change, I believe in global climate change, but I'm not sure everyone is experiencing or predicting warming (hence the name change from global warming to global climate change).

I live in a big house, pay a ridiculous amount in energy bills to run my pool and heat/cool my home, and run a fleet of vehicles, with 4, soon to be 5 drivers in my household. 

I'm somewhat skeptical of the role of CO2; and I'm looking for more evidence of anthropological based theories in general.

Therefore, I unfortunately, I don't think I can contribute to the conversation on global warming.

I do believe in recycling, conservation in general, preserving species, bio diversity, and natural habitats, reduced usage of non biodegradable plastics, leaving the world better than it was when I arrived, and I greatly enjoy the outdoors.  As such, I have no axe to grind against true believers in global warming, or whatever they call it today, as many of their initiatives align with my priorities, except for the ones designed to re-allocate global wealth.

As a technologist, I believe we will be able to terraform the planet before many of these issues become a true threat to survivability of the species.