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Poll

What do you expect on Wednesday?

Reports of protests are overblown. A few incidents around the country, but nothing major.
- 5 (45.5%)
A few major incidents in capitals, but nothing much in DC.
- 5 (45.5%)
A major incident in DC, but nothing much around the country.
- 0 (0%)
More than 10 capitals have major upheavals, but nothing much in DC.
- 0 (0%)
A major incident in DC plus more than 10 capitals with significant upheavals.
- 1 (9.1%)
More than half the capitals around the country have problems with protesters, but DC is quiet.
- 0 (0%)
DC has major problems, while more than half the capitals around the country also have considerable trouble with protesters.
- 0 (0%)
Huge disruption to the day.
- 0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 9

Voting closed: January 19, 2021, 10:49:21 PM


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Author Topic: Trump Administration  (Read 1583709 times)

Hamilton Samuels

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2880 on: September 19, 2018, 09:06:59 PM »

No. You didn't. You just think you did.

Your perception has been tainted by the assumptions you've made, and the lies and distortions you've both created and been fed.

So, run along and play your role.

Everything I need to know about you is in what you post.

Whatever you say, Larry.

Because rating anyone here by what they post is like judging a fine wine by it's label, only.

Ciao, chump.
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The artist's job is not to succumb to despair but to find an antidote for the emptiness of existence.

Hamilton Samuels

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2881 on: September 19, 2018, 09:10:36 PM »

This is from a classmate of my son who was a year ahead of him at St. Albans... he was also not a scion of Beltway Masters of the Universe.

”The topic of this long post is Rape Culture at all-boys Prep schools in the context of current events.

I've withheld my opinion on the Kavanaugh accusation because it’s salacious at best and terrible at worst--the issue that is, not my opinion. But I've seen many people talk about how hard it is to lend credence to Professor Ford's accusation that she was sexually assaulted by Judge Kavanaugh in high school. Much of this revolves around the fact that Judge Kavanaugh does not appear to be a monster, and did not appear to be a monster back in the day. Unlike Ted Cruz, he was well-liked in school! Since the accusation was made public, people have rushed to throw Kavanaugh or Professor Ford under the bus, and the stakes are high, so I get it. And given how nasty people are in general, I get it. That's why this post isn't a speculation on whether he did it or not.

Instead, I want to try to describe how widespread and socially acceptable monstrous, abusive behavior is in a privileged, all-male learning environment--or was back in the early 2000s. Many of you didn't attend all-boy schools, and many of you didn't attend a school where just about everyone benefitted from generational wealth--old money. And while I won't name names, I'll briefly recount the sexual assaults I witnessed or heard of, none of which have shown consequences for the perpetrators, all of whom I could see on LinkedIn today to confirm that they're professionally successful. Keep in mind, I was in the choir, and had strict parents. I didn't go to parties until junior year--which means, had I been Kavanaugh's classmate, I wasn't even drinking until one year after this alleged assault occurred. But I went to enough parties to know what happened at those parties. A whole lot of sexual assault and bad decisions happened. My small graduating class was finally divided over the conduct of many of my classmates; my friends preferred to party in the park, in small groups, because whether we knew it or not something was deeply wrong with the party culture. In the words of Demitrice Glover, "too many of those dudes treated Lord of the Flies as a How-To."

None of the following instances were reported to authorities. I doubt parents heard either. Most of them involved alcohol. All took place within two years in high school. This is the tip of the iceberg. (Remember, I was only marginally in the blackout-drunk party scene, thanks Mom.)

First off, an incredibly jovial, nice, popular guy rubbed his exposed genitals on a girls' face in front of numerous witnesses at a party.
A friend of mine woke up at a party on a couch, surrounded by people. Her boyfriend was on top of her, pinning her to the couch and trying to get her clothes off. She said people watched and did nothing until she yelled at him to stop, when he got pissy for embarrassing her.
A friend woke up, having passed out drunk, with a girl on top of him, trying to take HIS clothes off.
Another friend got a ride home from a mutual friend as I said goodbye to them. She called the next day because she had been black-out drunk, and did I remember who she got a ride home with, because she's got bruises on her arms and neck, and her shirt was torn.
Two guys I knew, but weren't friends with, were loudly discussing how to roofie a girlfriend so that she wouldn't detect it--discussing how much beer she should have before they sneak the pill. The next day at Sam's Bar there was bragging about the conquest, including that she was passed out so he could do whatever he wanted.
A student slapped another boy with his dick in the middle of the goddamn library.
A friend of a friend asked if she could pass out in the room I was staying in at a friend's party. I took it as flirting, but she clarified that she was drunk and she didn't want to sleep somewhere people thought she'd be alone.
On chorale tour, a group of boy seniors convinced a freshman girl to come drink in their room. Thankfully, one of the seniors--who I have always respected as a truly great guy--sniffed that this was a terrible, no-good, very-bad idea and sent the freshman on her way. Don't know what the outcome would have been otherwise, but it doesn't take much imagination.

In none of these cases were the individuals involved a loner, or a loser, or someone who would typically be considered likely to engage in antisocial, abusive behavior. But at schools like Prep and St. Albans, the hypermasculinity propels the student culture to dizzying heights of brutality. Some of these guys are now quite powerful, successful men. One sent a fundraising letter on behalf of the school a few years ago.

I am not posting this to suggest that we assume Kavanaugh is guilty. Rather, I'm posting it because people seem to immediately dismiss the accuser's story because Bretty was such a cool dude.

Well, I went to school with these cool dudes and I will aver that a good portion of them were rapey as all hell, that the culture afforded them the luxury of no consequences, and that in many cases parents and school officials unwittingly (wittingly?) enabled the culture to thrive. And for you STA parents and alums who may see this, yes I'm talking about that nice young man in your boy's grade. I'm talking about that friend who always had an extra buck for a donut at Sam's. I'm talking about prefects. I'm talking about vestry. I'm talking about artists. I'm talking about nerds. I'm talking about jocks.

Call me out for doing nothing back then. Call me out for contributing to the culture through inaction. But please also, disregard each and every vignette and anecdote that reflects Brett Kavanaugh's goodness as a person in the context of the veracity of Professor Ford's accusation. Because I thought many of the people I've described above were "good," before and in some cases AFTER I'd heard or seen what took place. And a million mitzvahs do not undo rape in any case.

To summarize.
Brett Kavanaugh attended a private boys’ prep school. He was then , and still is, a white man. Also a republican and, most likely, a Christian.
Ergo he was a teen-age alcoholic and certainly would try try to rape a girl.
Fire, ready, aim!

And he'd get away with it, especially because of his "privilege".

The end.

By Larry the Omniscient!
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The artist's job is not to succumb to despair but to find an antidote for the emptiness of existence.

LarryBnDC

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2882 on: September 19, 2018, 09:34:17 PM »

No. You didn't. You just think you did.

Your perception has been tainted by the assumptions you've made, and the lies and distortions you've both created and been fed.

So, run along and play your role.

Everything I need to know about you is in what you post.

Whatever you say, Larry.

Because rating anyone here by what they post is like judging a fine wine by it's label, only.

Ciao, chump.

Um, I’m supposed to “know” you by what you DON’T write?

What, I’m supposed to uncork you and let you breathe before I discover what I already know, you’re rancid vinegar?

Get the fuck out of here with that nonsense!
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If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you.

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LarryBnDC

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2883 on: September 19, 2018, 09:35:29 PM »

This is from a classmate of my son who was a year ahead of him at St. Albans... he was also not a scion of Beltway Masters of the Universe.

”The topic of this long post is Rape Culture at all-boys Prep schools in the context of current events.

I've withheld my opinion on the Kavanaugh accusation because it’s salacious at best and terrible at worst--the issue that is, not my opinion. But I've seen many people talk about how hard it is to lend credence to Professor Ford's accusation that she was sexually assaulted by Judge Kavanaugh in high school. Much of this revolves around the fact that Judge Kavanaugh does not appear to be a monster, and did not appear to be a monster back in the day. Unlike Ted Cruz, he was well-liked in school! Since the accusation was made public, people have rushed to throw Kavanaugh or Professor Ford under the bus, and the stakes are high, so I get it. And given how nasty people are in general, I get it. That's why this post isn't a speculation on whether he did it or not.

Instead, I want to try to describe how widespread and socially acceptable monstrous, abusive behavior is in a privileged, all-male learning environment--or was back in the early 2000s. Many of you didn't attend all-boy schools, and many of you didn't attend a school where just about everyone benefitted from generational wealth--old money. And while I won't name names, I'll briefly recount the sexual assaults I witnessed or heard of, none of which have shown consequences for the perpetrators, all of whom I could see on LinkedIn today to confirm that they're professionally successful. Keep in mind, I was in the choir, and had strict parents. I didn't go to parties until junior year--which means, had I been Kavanaugh's classmate, I wasn't even drinking until one year after this alleged assault occurred. But I went to enough parties to know what happened at those parties. A whole lot of sexual assault and bad decisions happened. My small graduating class was finally divided over the conduct of many of my classmates; my friends preferred to party in the park, in small groups, because whether we knew it or not something was deeply wrong with the party culture. In the words of Demitrice Glover, "too many of those dudes treated Lord of the Flies as a How-To."

None of the following instances were reported to authorities. I doubt parents heard either. Most of them involved alcohol. All took place within two years in high school. This is the tip of the iceberg. (Remember, I was only marginally in the blackout-drunk party scene, thanks Mom.)

First off, an incredibly jovial, nice, popular guy rubbed his exposed genitals on a girls' face in front of numerous witnesses at a party.
A friend of mine woke up at a party on a couch, surrounded by people. Her boyfriend was on top of her, pinning her to the couch and trying to get her clothes off. She said people watched and did nothing until she yelled at him to stop, when he got pissy for embarrassing her.
A friend woke up, having passed out drunk, with a girl on top of him, trying to take HIS clothes off.
Another friend got a ride home from a mutual friend as I said goodbye to them. She called the next day because she had been black-out drunk, and did I remember who she got a ride home with, because she's got bruises on her arms and neck, and her shirt was torn.
Two guys I knew, but weren't friends with, were loudly discussing how to roofie a girlfriend so that she wouldn't detect it--discussing how much beer she should have before they sneak the pill. The next day at Sam's Bar there was bragging about the conquest, including that she was passed out so he could do whatever he wanted.
A student slapped another boy with his dick in the middle of the goddamn library.
A friend of a friend asked if she could pass out in the room I was staying in at a friend's party. I took it as flirting, but she clarified that she was drunk and she didn't want to sleep somewhere people thought she'd be alone.
On chorale tour, a group of boy seniors convinced a freshman girl to come drink in their room. Thankfully, one of the seniors--who I have always respected as a truly great guy--sniffed that this was a terrible, no-good, very-bad idea and sent the freshman on her way. Don't know what the outcome would have been otherwise, but it doesn't take much imagination.

In none of these cases were the individuals involved a loner, or a loser, or someone who would typically be considered likely to engage in antisocial, abusive behavior. But at schools like Prep and St. Albans, the hypermasculinity propels the student culture to dizzying heights of brutality. Some of these guys are now quite powerful, successful men. One sent a fundraising letter on behalf of the school a few years ago.

I am not posting this to suggest that we assume Kavanaugh is guilty. Rather, I'm posting it because people seem to immediately dismiss the accuser's story because Bretty was such a cool dude.

Well, I went to school with these cool dudes and I will aver that a good portion of them were rapey as all hell, that the culture afforded them the luxury of no consequences, and that in many cases parents and school officials unwittingly (wittingly?) enabled the culture to thrive. And for you STA parents and alums who may see this, yes I'm talking about that nice young man in your boy's grade. I'm talking about that friend who always had an extra buck for a donut at Sam's. I'm talking about prefects. I'm talking about vestry. I'm talking about artists. I'm talking about nerds. I'm talking about jocks.

Call me out for doing nothing back then. Call me out for contributing to the culture through inaction. But please also, disregard each and every vignette and anecdote that reflects Brett Kavanaugh's goodness as a person in the context of the veracity of Professor Ford's accusation. Because I thought many of the people I've described above were "good," before and in some cases AFTER I'd heard or seen what took place. And a million mitzvahs do not undo rape in any case.

To summarize.
Brett Kavanaugh attended a private boys’ prep school. He was then , and still is, a white man. Also a republican and, most likely, a Christian.
Ergo he was a teen-age alcoholic and certainly would try try to rape a girl.
Fire, ready, aim!

And he'd get away with it, especially because of his "privilege".

The end.

By Larry the Omniscient!

For the most part... yeah.
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If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you.

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kiidcarter8

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2884 on: September 19, 2018, 09:38:26 PM »

I knew several people who went to Prep and two of my brother's best friends went there. None of them were jerks.

Wow - thanks for sharing.
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kiidcarter8

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2885 on: September 19, 2018, 09:40:10 PM »

"..........especially because of his privilege"

GIRL was privileged as well.
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kiidcarter8

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2886 on: September 19, 2018, 09:41:37 PM »

Does Ms Ford have siblings?

Have to wonder if anyone noticed a change in her after the alleged attack.

I guess we will find out

Or not
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Yankguy1

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2887 on: September 19, 2018, 09:45:28 PM »

I knew several people who went to Prep and two of my brother's best friends went there. None of them were jerks.

Wow - thanks for sharing.
You're welcome.  I kept it under 280 'cause I knew you were lurking.
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kiidcarter8

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2888 on: September 19, 2018, 09:47:22 PM »

a)  I dont think he did it - thus the nomination stands

b)  I think he may have done it - nomination still stands

c)  I think he may have done it.  Whatever they decide is fine

d)  I think he may have done it - nomination thus taken away

e)  I dont care if he did it or not - nomination taken away

f)  I know the fucker did it.   Take away whatever you can from him.


« Last Edit: September 19, 2018, 09:48:59 PM by kiidcarter8 »
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facilitatorn

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2889 on: September 19, 2018, 09:56:25 PM »

G) it’s Merrick Garland’s seat. We don’t need another conservative Justice on the court. They are all pro rape via privilege. At least one more ought to be removed.
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Will the Supreme Court grant trump work release to attend the republican national convention?

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kiidcarter8

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2890 on: September 19, 2018, 09:58:49 PM »

To summarize.
Brett Kavanaugh attended a private boys’ prep school. He was then , and still is, a white man. Also a republican and, most likely, a Christian.
Ergo he was a teen-age alcoholic and certainly would try try to rape a girl.
Fire, ready, aim!


Attempted sexual assault

Rape has never been alleged.
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REDSTATEWARD

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2891 on: September 19, 2018, 10:25:51 PM »

To summarize.
Brett Kavanaugh attended a private boys’ prep school. He was then , and still is, a white man. Also a republican and, most likely, a Christian.
Ergo he was a teen-age alcoholic and certainly would try try to rape a girl.
Fire, ready, aim!


Attempted sexual assault

Rape has never been alleged.
Try to pay attention.
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Hamilton Samuels

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2892 on: September 19, 2018, 10:27:23 PM »

No. You didn't. You just think you did.

Your perception has been tainted by the assumptions you've made, and the lies and distortions you've both created and been fed.

So, run along and play your role.

Everything I need to know about you is in what you post.

Whatever you say, Larry.

Because rating anyone here by what they post is like judging a fine wine by it's label, only.

Ciao, chump.

Um, I’m supposed to “know” you by what you DON’T write?

What, I’m supposed to uncork you and let you breathe before I discover what I already know, you’re rancid vinegar?

Get the fuck out of here with that nonsense!

The point is, dim one, you don't truly know anyone here, anymore than you know George Will or Maureen Dowd or Bret Stephens.

You're delusional, if you think otherwise.
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LarryBnDC

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2893 on: September 19, 2018, 11:14:16 PM »

To summarize.
Brett Kavanaugh attended a private boys’ prep school. He was then , and still is, a white man. Also a republican and, most likely, a Christian.
Ergo he was a teen-age alcoholic and certainly would try try to rape a girl.
Fire, ready, aim!


Attempted sexual assault

Rape has never been alleged.
Try to pay attention.


Ooh!

Conservatives in disarray!
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If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you.

Lyndon Johnson

kiidcarter8

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Re: Trump Administration
« Reply #2894 on: September 19, 2018, 11:16:42 PM »

Yeah.....

I think Red must mean the PRESS, some pols and some of the confused populace of message boards.

Not the alleged victim
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