Politics As Usual

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop

We spent a lot of money on defense even before Reagan was elected. The question I'm asking is, why do you think the relatively small (relative to the overall budget, not relative to the size of increases in other years) increases in spending under Reagan put "tremendous" pressure on the Soviet Union? Is there some sort of tipping point involved? If so, did Reagan know this, or was it dumb luck?

As for SDI, there were a number of good reasons for the Soviets to want SDI off the table. Doubtless cost is one. But something more needs to be shown to establish that this is what brought the empire down. We made the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan more expensive by supplying Stingers to the mujahedin, but was that the expense that made the difference? Without more, call me skeptical.

My god. Didn't I post a speech by Gorby where he said the arms race help kill the USSR? Wait. Did I forget to post it? Is there no such thing as a point conceded here?

And "before Reagan?" So you think Carter sitting and watching the USSR do what it wanted helped? I get it. Carter being a complete apologist, let the USSR think it could invade Afghanistan w/o consequence. Carter made the USSR forget the Afghans might raise an issue. So Carter deserves the credit for the negative fallout of the Afghan war.

Okay.

[SlaveNoMore]

ltl/fb
Wait, was this a joke based on the proposal to dump Hamilton and replace him with Ronnie on the $10 bill?

The proposal was for Ronnie to replace the socialist FDR on the dime.

IMHO, you have to keep FDR. His legacy, for better or worse, is solid.

No reason we can't bump US Grant from the Fifty though*


* And replace Jackson on the $20 with Scores girls

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
You do realize that by moving from the Bay Area, you would likely escape the draft? Everywhere else it's men 18-25. You all get special treatment because, well, you're special.

My understanding of the law was that the registration requirement was all men 18 to 26. If the SS law as presently drafted says after 26 you're off the hook for actual induction, woo-hoo! However, once you're registered, I'm guessing it's within Congress's power to set that age wherever it likes in pretty short order.

My underwear thanks you for the info.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore

IMHO, you have to keep FDR.

It's more than just his legacy, what with the March of Dimes and polio and all.

Really they should put Reagan on a reissued $500 bill. That way, if people have to use them a lot, they'll be reminded of Reagan's antiinflationary policies, in an ironic way. Of course, a full body portrait of Greenspan on teh back would be appropriate as well.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by sgtclub
Anybody know specifically what is being protested at the biotech conference today?

I saw an article about this in the Chron when I was wrapping some fish the other day. Can't remember exactly -- genetically engineered food?

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
I expect that when Clinton dies you will similarly express scepticism about his connection to the greatest expansion of America's economy.

Yes, and won't you?

Ty isn't claiming that Reagan was not connected to the fall of the USSR, just that he wasn't the driving force. I'll say the same about Clinton and the economic expansion.

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore

No reason we can't bump US Grant from the Fifty though

I think you might run into organized resistance from The Daughters Of American Alchoholics on this one.

[bilmore]

Originally posted by ironweed
I think you might run into organized resistance from The Daughters Of American Alchoholics on this one.

Just so I get this right, are you speaking of your kid or mine?

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
The proposal was for Ronnie to replace the socialist FDR on the dime.

I was stupidly going by an obscure source, a CNN.com poll. Whatever could I have been thinking.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by Sidd Finch
I saw an article about this in the Chron when I was wrapping some fish the other day. Can't remember exactly -- genetically engineered food?

Apparently, the protestors can't quite get on the same page either. Link. {Spree: Protestor feeling conflicted after finding out one of the attendees being haraunged by the crowd was an MS researcher. Oh, and then a bunch of unwashed goons call him a moron and a dupe in the comments.}

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
I expect that when Clinton dies you will similarly express scepticism about his connection to the greatest expansion of America's economy.

I expect that IRL you would be embarrassed to equate Clinton's impact on our economy with Reagan's impact on the Soviet economy. That said, presidents claimed more credit than they deserve when things are good, and take more blame than they deserve when things are bad. But their power to fuck things up is greater than their power to make things right.

Originally posted by bilmore
Just so I get this right, are you speaking of your kid or mine?

Don't rub my nose in your blue-blood credentials. Just because your daughter can trace your family back to that guy who fell off the Mayflower doesn't make you special.

[bilmore]

Originally posted by ironweed
Don't rub my nose in your blue-blood credentials. Just because your daughter can trace your family back to that guy who fell off the Mayflower doesn't make you special.

In his defense, he thought someone yelled "Plymouth-rocks".

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
My understanding of the law was that the registration requirement was all men 18 to 26. If the SS law as presently drafted says after 26 you're off the hook for actual induction, woo-hoo! However, once you're registered, I'm guessing it's within Congress's power to set that age wherever it likes in pretty short order.

My underwear thanks you for the info.

No worries. you're going to have the time of your life. Remember hardly any US citizens have read 1000 pps. on Islam. Just bring this up early, muse on Farsi or some such in your intro interview. You'll be moved in the Intelligence unit, far from trouble, and you'll be able to correct misconceptions and redirect mistakes.

"General Bilmore's plan will fail, as he has taken a personal prejudice of how he thinks women are treated, and relies on this misconception to predict the reaction. This plan will surely fail..."
Shit like that.

You might have a great time. It won't be that different than posting here for you! On the other hand, ultimately you'll be helping the military kill people. On the other hand, I think intelligence service has some really cool ribbons.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
My understanding of the law was that the registration requirement was all men 18 to 26. If the SS law as presently drafted says after 26 you're off the hook for actual induction, woo-hoo! However, once you're registered, I'm guessing it's within Congress's power to set that age wherever it likes in pretty short order.

My underwear thanks you for the info.

Always happy to keep some underwear clean.

My understanding is that you :
a) are obligated to register at 18, and may do so until 26. (I believe there are potential penalties for late registration, but, e.g., immigrants who enter after turning 18 could register at an older age without penalty)
b) must keep selective service apprised of your contact info until you turn 26.
c) are no longer eligible for the draft lottery under current law once you turn 26 (and age 25 is the last group).

of course d) is that Congress can change any of these rules at any time it can muster the votes, so keep a clean pair in your pocket until you die, just in case.