Slowing down online

[Michael Murphy]

I missed the comment about hating trump after the election. I hated him since the early 80's when a friend of mine's family lost their house and business's when trump built the Taj casino in Atlantic City.  They did hundreds of thousands of dollars of work for the crook including for work started after the bankruptcy was filed.  He promised that the bankruptcy would not hurt my friends family.

[Charlie B53]

I can't blame ANY retailer for deciding not to order products and goods that are slow to sell.  Retailers are in business to make a profit.  It only makes good business sense to stock those items that readily sell and make them a profit.

If a line is a poor performer, they do not order.  No discrimination on the Designer or manufacturer, it is the will of the purchasing people that force these decisions.

Here again, there are a number of retailers that WILL Special Order goods with PAID up front orders.  Paid in advance protects that Retailer from ordering an item and getting stuck with it should the potential buyer change their mind.

I've done all of the above while running an independent boat repair shop.  I stocked more common parts and items that moved well. Customers occasionally wanted an item I did not have and I knew rarely sold so those instances I simply had them pay in advance.  Never was a problem.

[Simon Dog]

I thought the "Market" was God.

Part of the "market" is not only "how much of the product sell?" but "what will inclusion of the product have on your reputation and other sales".  This is why you occasionally read about a noted retailer pulling a product off the shelves because it was offensive to a particular interest group.    Yes, the market is the god, and each retailer worships it in its own way.

It's quite reasonable of Nordstrom to pull a product if it feels doing so will enhance its reputation.  It will certainly help Nordstrom in New England, but probably cost sales in red states.    It's their call and their risk.

Fashion and cosmetics ls at least 50% name recognition.    Do you really believe all these celebrities who bring out "their line" are doing anything other than lending their name to designers and marketers for a cut of the action?

[Rerun]

Oh, yeah, Seattle< King County would reject her products just so the crazy left wouldn't burn down the whole store. 

We only have a "Nordstrom's RACK" which are their rejects.  Maybe I'll go there and buy some of her stuff on sale.   

[Rerun]

The difference between old immigrants (Irish, German.... ) and the ones coming from the Middle East is they are not coming here to assimilate or embrace American Culture.  Watch these.  We better let Trump do his job.

Dearborn MI shows what life is like after 8 years of Obama
https://safeshare.tv/x/w5oLoW9jZJc#v

Marine speaks about Trump's Ban
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv1tcVv4ZM8

[MooseMom]

1.  Dearborn, MI is a peculiar place.  It is true that there is a large non-white population there that is resistant to assimilation.  That population seems to consists of both Muslim and Hindu communities.  I don't know what it is about Dearborn that attracts these populations.  If they don't care to assimilate, I'm not sure why the native population would care all that much.  I don't get the impression that the native population is all that keen.  But it all comes down to money, doesn't it.  It all comes down to that perception that someone is getting something that you're not, and that something is being paid for by you.

I walk around my neighborhood and see only one house that is flying an American flag, so I'm not sure what that has to do with anything.

If you go into Chicago, there are whole neighborhoods where signs are in Polish; indeed, Chicago has the largest population of Poles outside of Warsaw.  They've been here for decades so have had time to assimilate.  Maybe the attitudes of those Muslim communities will change over time.  It might be a good idea for the people of Dearborn, if they really care that much, to try to approach the Muslim women.  They are the real agents of change.

It's a pretty sweeping generalization to claim that immigrants don't want to assimilate.  I used to be a part of an organization that taught English literacy to non-English speakers.  There was such a long list of people who wanted our services that we were constantly begging for more volunteers to help us.  Have you ever tried learning a foreign language?  I have, and if you've ever studied another language seriously, you quickly come to realize just how hard it is to learn English.  There is no rhyme or reason to it.  So I take great issue to people who claim, "They won't speak English!"  It's hard, and it takes time. 

2.  I don't care if this soldier guy in Iraq would be hurt by "the locals" if he went out into the streets.  Why would anyone possibly compare the US to Iraq?  I'd like to think we're better than that.  The militaries of several countries have contributed to the destruction of that country that used to be the cradle of civilization, so yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if a US Marine who wandered alone out into the streets would be set upon.  I'm not excusing this behavior at all, but it doesn't surprise me.  What the Marine didn't tell us, and what I'd be fascinated to know, was the response his Iraqi mates gave him when he asked them why he should let them into HIS country. 

We shouldn't base our entire extreme vetting process on one YouTube video.  That's a record of one man's one sit down chat.  It's not a record of the experiences of so many families who have been harmed by the very terrorists who are our enemies.

Why should we let Canadians into our country after that nutcase blew up a mosque in Quebec City?  Why do we go on and on about all of the scary brown people while this administration has lifted the restrictions on mentally ill people being able to buy weapons?  We have a terrible terrorism problem in this country, but it's our own people who are the culprits...the racist nutcases, the people who go "postal", the gangs, the white kid who goes into a black church and guns down religious men and women, the terrorist who kills children in their schools.  We let all of these people own guns without a blink of an eye, but we freak out over the idea of letting in persecuted and terrified Muslim families.

This administration needs to get its priorities straight and identify what the REAL source of terrorism is.  It's the NRA.

[Simon Dog]

Why should we let Canadians into our country after that nutcase blew up a mosque in Quebec City?

Risks need to be evaluated on a per-capita basis.

If the incidents of Candians blowing up people is statistically higher than the risk of Engish or Australians blowing stuff up, the US should reconsider letting them in.

What percentage of Muslims between 20 and 30 in the US have committed terrorist acts?  How does this compare to the percentage of non-Muslims of the same age bracket committing such acts?     Unfortunately, to even ask the question is to be denounced as an Islamaphobe.

[Rerun]

The Fricking "RACE" card just needs to go.  WE don't care what color anyone is.  The Mentally Ill come in all colors.  I have freckles.  There are ugly people and pretty people.  That doesn't matter.  What matters is what is in your heart.  There is hate in a lot of Middle Eastern hearts..and radical leftist hearts. just ask them.  They do not need to come into our country.  Just the good hearts.  Just the ones that want to come here and help make our country good.  In the old days you had to come here with a skill or you didn't get in. 

Coming to America is a privilege not a right.    These leftists are Christian-phobes. 

I do agree.... Who would want to live in Michigan....      It is cold there.

[MooseMom]

What percentage of Muslims between 20 and 30 in the US have committed terrorist acts?  How does this compare to the percentage of non-Muslims of the same age bracket committing such acts?     Unfortunately, to even ask the question is to be denounced as an Islamaphobe.

It depends upon how you define "terrorist act".  Dylan Roof was a terrorist.  Blathering on about "Islamic terrorist" and defying the Constitution accordingly is all a red herring.  Like I've said before, the people we really need to be afraid of are the Dylan Roofs of the world, and they are already here, and they are armed and slavering.

[MooseMom]

The Fricking "RACE" card just needs to go.  WE don't care what color anyone is.  The Mentally Ill come in all colors.  I have freckles.  There are ugly people and pretty people.  That doesn't matter.  What matters is what is in your heart.  There is hate in a lot of Middle Eastern hearts..and radical leftist hearts. just ask them.  They do not need to come into our country.  Just the good hearts.  Just the ones that want to come here and help make our country good.  In the old days you had to come here with a skill or you didn't get in. 

Of course we want only the people with the "good hearts".  That's why people who want to immigrate to the US must go through very arduous vetting!  And it is not true that in the old days, you had to have a skill or you didn't get in.  All of those people who fled Ireland because of the potato famine didn't have "skills", but they were let in.  I'm not sure what you're on about.

Coming to America is a privilege not a right.

No one is arguing that.

These leftists are Christian-phobes. 

Who exactly are "Christian-phobes"?  Who exactly are these radical leftists you keep talking about?

I do agree.... Who would want to live in Michigan....      It is cold there.

Are you afraid of a few snowflakes?   

[Simon Dog]

And it is not true that in the old days, you had to have a skill or you didn't get in.  All of those people who fled Ireland because of the potato famine didn't have "skills", but they were let in.  I'm not sure what you're on about.

Back in those days, the ability to do hard manual labor was a skill - and one which one could earn a living at.   Ditches were dug with shovels, not backhoes.  There was no concept of moving to the US and then immediately signing up for your benefit, free health care, etc.

The Ellis Island screening was not about letting in "wretched masses" but those of good health who could contribute to society.  Show up as an invalid, having TB, etc. and  you got put back on the boat for the return trip (there was a medical exam on the island).  I have no doubt that if dialysis existed way back then, immigrants who needed that level of care would have been returned.

So, by screening for health and the ability to do manual labor, the immigration policy of old was indeed verifying one had marketable skills.

[PrimeTimer]

Some may have forgotten about this but I haven't. There are many many ways for a terrorist organization to operate and be funded in the USA, this story covers only one of those ways.

Operation Smokescreen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Smokescreen


 

[Rerun]

My cousin's wife is Italian.  She has her Grandfather's questionnaire when he came through Ellis Island.  It asks about venereal diseases, eye sight etc.   You had to bring something good (not bad) to this Country to get in. 

Now it is America, the Land of the FREE.... Free this and Free that. 

[Charlie B53]

Who would want to live in Michigan....      It is cold there.

Michigan can't be all bad.  The do grow Apples and there is decent Fishing in places.

Not quite as good as growing up in Yakima, Wa, but I would be willing to bet that many would say it is just fine for the hardy people that continue to live there.

[Rerun]

Remember this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mgQaFlo_p8

After I get elected I'll have more flexibility......     Yes... I will transmit this to Vladimir.....

And we are worried about Flynn?

[Simon Dog]

Not worried - Flynn in gone.

I was not impressed having the US national security adviser be someone who "could not remember what was discussed" when having conversations with our most formidable adversary.

[MooseMom]

Remember this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mgQaFlo_p8

After I get elected I'll have more flexibility......     Yes... I will transmit this to Vladimir.....

And we are worried about Flynn?

False analogy.  Obama was already the president.  At the time of Flynn's many phone calls to Russia regarding the actual policy of revisiting sanctions, Trump was not yet president. 

Trump was obviously worried about Flynn, wasn't he!

[MooseMom]

Not worried - Flynn in gone.

I was not impressed having the US national security adviser be someone who "could not remember what was discussed" when having conversations with our most formidable adversary.

Here's what is not impressing me.  Spicer kept banging on that Flynn's resignation was NOT due to a "legal issue", rather, it was due to a TRUST issue, i.e., the erosion of that trust.  So, if Flynn's conversations with Russia were "legal", then why did he lie to Pence?  Why lie if you have nothing to hide?  Is it really conceivable that Flynn talked to Russia about sanctions without the knowledge of Trump?  Either answer to that question is extremely troubling.

There was so much keening over Hillary Clinton's emails and how she was "reckless" and was a national security risk.  What the hell is going on with Trump?  I mean, it's just bizarre!  This whole administration is so dysfunctional that it is, in and of itself, a national security risk.  There is something very unsavory going on with this Flynn/Trump/Russia trio.  And then N. Korea fires a missile, and Trump communicates with his team about this issue on unsecured phone lines and in full view of EVERYONE at his stupid club in Florida.  AND David Petraeus, who shared confidential information with his lover, is on the shortlist to replace Flynn.  Good God! 

Spicer called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "Joe Trudeau".  LOL.   

The incompetence of this administration is breathtaking.  Trump is WAY over his head.

I notice that STILL no one has offered any emotional balm for those of us who are totally freaked out by this idiot.

OMG...Trump just said, and I quote, "We're bringing back jobs bigly." 

Where is Congress?

[MooseMom]

"Moose lambs!"   

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

[iolaire]

I hope his friends help him seek treatment for his ailment.

Mental health professionals warn Trump is incapable of being president. 

The letter to the editor:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/13/opinion/mental-health-professionals-warn-about-trump.html

Some UK news analysis http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-mental-health-new-york-times-incapable-being-president-warning-open-letter-a7578831.html
The letter continued: “Mr Trump’s speech and actions demonstrate an inability to tolerate views different from his own, leading to rage reactions. His words and behaviour suggest a profound inability to empathise.

“Individuals with these traits distort reality to suit their psychological state, attacking facts and those who convey them [journalists, scientists].

“In a powerful leader, these attacks are likely to increase, as his personal myth of greatness appears to be confirmed. We believe that the grave emotional instability indicated by Mr. Trump’s speech and actions makes him incapable of serving safely as president.”


with quotes at the end from Democrat Al Franken

Minnesota senator Al Franken said there is concern among “a few” Republicans “that we all have this suspicion” that “he lies a lot”. He added: “He says things that aren't true. That's the same as lying, I guess.”

[willowtreewren]

Bill started this thread about slowing down on line. 

I have to admit that now, more than ever, I am keeping up with the news (from a variety of reliable sources - indeed even Fox News is looking more reliable these days!). 

Sometimes I come away with a sense of dread. Sometimes I really don't know whether I should be laughing or crying. Other times I feel like the "real" news reads more like the "Onion." While we should aspire to live in interesting times, when do we consider the times TOO interesting? That was a rhetorical question. 

Aleta

[Michael Murphy]

For those who believe Russia is our friend reports are Russia tested a new land based cruise missle in 2014 and just deployed the missle in western Russia.  Since 1987 there was a treaty banning intermediate missle that were nuclear capable from testing and deployment.  The US will have to roll out new Pershing and land based Tomahawk cruise missles.  Welcome to CWII that's Cold War 2.  Lets see what Drumph the Idiot does with his butt buddy Vlad Putin.

[iolaire]

I identify with this tweet from @peterdaou
QUESTION: How can you call yourself a patriot and support 33 Benghazi hearings but NOT ONE on whether Russia infiltrated the White House?

[Rerun]

There is a drop of blood in the water and the dems are circling and circling the water.  Talking about impeachment.  Really?

They are just hysterical that Hillary didn't win.  Look at all she did to interfere with National Security and nothing happened to her.

Her ass should be in jail. 

Kellyanne Conway is in deep shit now for quipping "go buy Ivonka's line of clothes".  My God you can't even breath wrong before the sharks are nipping at you.  I don't even think Jesus could be president against the whiny Liberals.  They have control issues.

Hate in their hearts. 

[willowtreewren]

There is a drop of blood in the water and the dems are circling and circling the water.  Talking about impeachment.  Really?

They are just hysterical that Hillary didn't win.  Look at all she did to interfere with National Security and nothing happened to her.

Her ass should be in jail. 

Kellyanne Conway is in deep shit now for quipping "go buy Ivonka's line of clothes".  My God you can't even breath wrong before the sharks are nipping at you.  I don't even think Jesus could be president against the whiny Liberals.  They have control issues.

Hate in their hearts.

I have never been hysterical that my candidate did not win. Conway broke standards of ethics if not the law when promoting products sold by the current administration's family. That is a far cry from breathing wrong. How far will you go in turning a blind eye?

So, it now seems that the POTUS may have been involved with colluding with Russia on the sanctions (of course, Flynn took the fall for that). Even the GOP is calling for investigations - three separate ones in one day. Not only to we have Conway's misstep, and Flynn's involvement with Russia, but our POTUS was openly discussing sensitive information in public.

Once again, I ask, how far will you go in turning a blind eye. This is NOT about whining over a "lost" election. This is about SERIOUS breaches. This is your guy trying to dismantle our very government of checks and balances. This is about your guy being in over his head and squandering the good will the rest of the world has had for our country. This is about your guy playing footsie with powers he doesn't understand. This is about your guy following a fascist playbook.

Will you shrug your shoulders all the way to WWIII? You need to get your head out of your echo-chamber bubble. You may not agree with some of the reports that your guy is trying so hard to discredit, just by saying they are "fake" (without any evidence to support that claim). There is no sin in being ignorant of what is happening outside your bubble. But you should, at least, know what the world looks like outside that bubble. Your "let's make America great again" guy is a literal train wreck.

And before you claim that I am in a bubble, rest assured, I stick my head inside yours frequently, because I know how important it is to UNDERSTAND how others come to their conclusions.