Re: US strike options on TSP

KJo · Post by **KJo** » 04 Aug 2015 23:54

Republican Presidential debates begin Thursday Aug 6.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republica ... ates,_2016

Trump will be in it.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 05 Aug 2015 00:01

Thanks for the initiative.
This election is crucial for India to watch. Its during the next president's watch that India can breakout of the economic strait jacket.

Mukesh.Kumar · Post by **Mukesh.Kumar** » 05 Aug 2015 00:09

Can we start a GJP Project on the US Elections?

Unlike Indian Lok Sabha elections which were based n seats, maybe we could look at the electoral college math of the US.?

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 05 Aug 2015 00:28

1. John Kaisich
2. Jeb Bush

I don't know much about others... who are boring

Gus · Post by **Gus** » 05 Aug 2015 00:28

crosspost

reg primaries, it will be a replay of last year where every candidate rose to heights before crashing out and the inevitable candidate romney came through in the end.

remember michelle bachman???

herman cain???

so will be trump..but not before he destroys some more candidates...he's already thrown perry out who could be argued as a serious candidate despite his oops moment in last run.

the shallowness of the republican party can be gauged by how quickly the candidates rise and fall..

last time everybody were hankering after christie and now he won't make it to first cut.

in the end jeb bush will stand - he's got money, establishment, connections, name recognition, nothing disastrous about his record, no skeletons, can get latino votes, can pull florida..etc.

in the mean time, it will be fun watching the circus...

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 05 Aug 2015 01:31

This is from Nate Silver

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 05 Aug 2015 01:35

The Declining Marginal Value of Crazy

Several days ago, perennial presidential candidate Mike Huckabee charged that President Obama was ready to lead Israeli Jews "to the ovens." A few days later, he said he might use not only the FBI but even the US military to prevent abortions. And around the same time, Ted Cruz called Obama the world's biggest funder of Islamic terrorism. There was a day when cracks like these would have stopped the political world in its tracks, spurring transgressive glee from supporters and outrage from liberals and normal people. But this summer, they've struggled to break through. And the reason is obvious: Donald Trump has flooded the market with a new, purer brand of Crazy that has left the other candidates scrambling and basically unable to compete.

Trump is now in the lead in virtually every national poll of the Republican primary race. It's easy to overstate what that means since, in such a populous field, he can do that handily with something like a mere 20% support. But it's worth stepping back to see how we got here. Because Trump is in many ways the logical end result of seven years - really two-plus decades - of Republican cultivation of anger and grievance as a method of conducting politics.This is what brought us the 2010 and 2014 election triumphs on the one hand, but also government shut-downs, debt crises based on nothing, and more.

In a crowded field, for almost everyone but Bush, it’s critical to grab hold of the mantle of anger and grievance. But the Huckabees and Cruzes simply cannot compete with Trump, who is not only willing to say truly anything but also has - whatever else you can say about his nonsense - a talent for drama and garnering press attention honed over decades. With a mix of aggression, boffo self-assertion and nonsense, Trump has managed to boil modern Republicanism down to a hard precipitate form, shorn of the final vestiges of interest in actual governing.

In the economics of Crazy, there is purity and volume. Trump has brought to market a purer and more widely deployable product. He has also radically increased volume. Like a high-flying tech start-up or new drug syndicate, he has radically devalued the product, while dominating the transformed market in a way that allows him to make a killing even against reduced prices and margins. Many of us thought that the string of collapsed business deals and partnerships would hurt Trump. And they may have damaged his bottom line. But in the political realm they have only served to confirm his image as a no-nonsense (all nonsense?) truth-teller who is indifferent to how controversy may affect his personal fortunes. In both purity and volume, his competitors simply cannot compete.

Bush's aides appear to think that Trump may actually be helping them in their fight with Scott Walker, drawing away lots of voters who would never have supported Bush and clustering them around a candidate who will never go all the way. That may be true. But the biggest loser is Ted Cruz. Cruz's angle has been to be the one mainstream presidential contender who will take things just a little further than anyone else in the game. You're for the 2nd Amendment? That's great. But Ted is out there saying you need your guns ready in case you need to kill some federal officials who are endangering liberty. While the argument is well-know, few candidates for high office will quite go there. But Trumps do anything, say anything mode of militant nonsense has frozen Cruz out almost entirely. And his dipping poll numbers show it.

There is one additional point to keep in mind. It's not just Trump's willingness to say anything, or his flair for the dramatic. All of his Republican rivals are residents of the CPAC circuit, the annual archipelago of Republican confabs and conventions where top Republicans go to rail about and outdo each other on what is a fairly narrow range of top concerns: Obamacare, immigration, radical Islam and whatever else. Trump is clearly playing on that terrain, too. His entry into presidential quasi-politics in 2012 after all was with a massive embrace of birtherism. In 2016, Trump has focused his ire on illegal immigration. But in some very significant way he comes from outside the professional right-wing presidential, rubber-chicken circuit, bubble.

That novelty and lack of normal political constraints is what is allowing him to run circles around his competitors who had hoped to play in the Crazy space. Showmanship, lack of touch with reality, and a palpable handle on the grievance and unrestrained self-assertion that is at the center of modern Republican base politics have made Trump, for now, almost impossible to outdo in a crowded field.

Interesting phrasing there. So Trump is purer than the pure loons in the GoP and has out-crazied them.....much like how ISIS out-greens other less pure Islamist groups.

Gus · Post by **Gus** » 05 Aug 2015 01:43

and the problem is readily apparent...

no one candidate is in more than two group...

Gus · Post by **Gus** » 05 Aug 2015 01:45

except poor perry and he won't even make it to first debate..

Gagan · Post by **Gagan** » 05 Aug 2015 02:21

What's with all the tamasha.
Hillary will win onlee

Gagan · Post by **Gagan** » 05 Aug 2015 02:23

The longer trump stays, the more republican votes he'll eat up

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 05 Aug 2015 02:25

she and India will never get along!
--
actually
he is a real trump card

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 05 Aug 2015 02:25

I thought you find this boring!

Gagan · Post by **Gagan** » 05 Aug 2015 02:56

Amreeka really needs a wimmen President.
There's too much GI Joe giri. Needs a women's touch to bring some balance and harmony.

Gus · Post by **Gus** » 05 Aug 2015 03:33

Hilary firmly establishment and thus part of MIComplex. Not sure if Bernie is libertarian or isolationist. Only these types can tone down on expenditure and adventures.

RoyG · Post by **RoyG** » 05 Aug 2015 04:22

It would be interesting if Warren ran as VP.

Kashi · Post by **Kashi** » 05 Aug 2015 04:27

Why discuss US presidential election in a standalone thread? Shouldn't this go in the Indo-US relations dhaaga?

Nandu · Post by **Nandu** » 05 Aug 2015 04:38

With eight years of Obama, America should be ready to switch to a Republican president. Last midterm election where Republicans gained congressional seats is an indication of this. Furthermore, the likely Democratic candidate, Mrs. Clinton, has huge unavailability ratings to overcome. She is not a very likable candidate. Her foray into public policy, with a healthcare initiative early in her husband's term, did not go well. She was just average as a senator, and as Secretary of State, she didn't perform well. She has no big successes to show, like Kerry has with Iran. The ousting of Gaddafi seems to have happened on her advice, but it did not end well for America in the region. In fact, her most prominent achievement so far seems to be having come second to Obama in the last Dem primary in 2008.

Nevertheless, it looks very likely that Hilary will win this time because the Republican side is in disarray and the Donald will play spoiler.

And she is not good for India.

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 05 Aug 2015 05:38

Please. BRF is not the thread to discuss US presidential elections that is the most boring and long drawn out thing for the uninterested Indian.

Remember that Indian politics is not encouraged on BRF. Why discuss American politics?

Quote from forum guidelines

The Strategic Issues & International Relations Forum is a venue to discuss issues pertaining to India's security environment, her strategic outlook on global affairs and as well as the effect of international relations in the Indian Subcontinent. We request members to kindly stay within the mandate of this forum and keep their exchanges of views, on a civilised level, however vehemently any disagreement may be felt.

Surely there must be plenty of forums for Indian Americans to discuss whom to elect as their leader in America. Too many news channels and media and blogs are filled with the same Republican Democratic stuff that is incredibly tedious for Indians who have no interest in American politics. For American citizens of Indian origin I admit that this is a very important subject you guys must select your leader well for he will dictate your fortunes for some years to come - but it is a boring imposition on BRF. Have a heart on us poor cousins who are blasted with American Presidential noise very four years, Not on here.

With respect may I point out that the average American citizen thinks that he and his nation are the centre of the world and its interests matter to everyone. Discussion of US elections on here is a manifestation of that phenomenon. I must point out that it is incredibly tedious.

Y. Kanan · Post by **Y. Kanan** » 05 Aug 2015 05:47

Gagan wrote:Amreeka really needs a wimmen President.
There's too much GI Joe giri. Needs a women's touch to bring some balance and harmony.

Hillary's a bigger warmonger than GWBush. What was it they call her?

Dick Cheney in a pantsuit.

Apt description.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 05 Aug 2015 05:53

Perhaps this should be shifted to the GDF and replaced with the Georgia World Championship Fake Wrestling predictions. Or perhaps the Miss Universe contest (no, wait a minute, these days one would also have to discuss the Mr. Miss Universe Context. )

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 05 Aug 2015 06:00

ramana wrote:Thanks for the initiative.
This election is crucial for India to watch. Its during the next president's watch that India can breakout of the economic strait jacket.

Why is an American election "crucial" for India" American elections have been held every 4 years? Are you saying that things that are "crucial for India" happen every 4 years in America guided by American voters?

American elections are crucial for Indian Americans. To the vast majority of Indians they do not matter one bit.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 05 Aug 2015 06:19

I dont see why this couldn't be discussed in the umpteen existing US threads.

will merge it with appropriate thread, possibly understanding US.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 06 Aug 2015 04:15

shiv wrote:
ramana wrote:Thanks for the initiative.
This election is crucial for India to watch. Its during the next president's watch that India can breakout of the economic strait jacket.
Why is an American election "crucial" for India" American elections have been held every 4 years? Are you saying that things that are "crucial for India" happen every 4 years in America guided by American voters?

American elections are crucial for Indian Americans. To the vast majority of Indians they do not matter one bit.

The bolded part. Its crucial due to the timing. Its during this whoever is US P, India will break out.

BTW in 2008 people also objected and some on BRF predicted Ombaba taking the Democratic nomination and the Presidential election. way before the IFS babus.

g.sarkar · Post by **g.sarkar** » 06 Aug 2015 07:07

The US election is in November 2016. I think the new prez takes oath in January 2017, and will stay in power for four years. So, are you saying India will break out during the period of 2017-2021? Which means I will live to see this with my own eyes? You just made my day.
Gautam

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 06 Aug 2015 07:19

Gautam Early Goldman Sachs and other reports estimated this period for India to become # 3 economy. However 2008 collapse accelerated this. Yet MMS passive neglect also halted it.

NaMo is doing everything to speed it up.

Soniaji to slow that.

nash · Post by **nash** » 06 Aug 2015 07:53

ramana wrote:Gautam Early Goldman Sachs and other reports estimated this period for India to become # 3 economy. However 2008 collapse accelerated this. Yet MMS passive neglect also halted it.

NaMo is doing everything to speed it up.

Soniaji to slow that.

Same has been predicted by Standard Chartered November 2010

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_I ... _estimates

but form current situation this cannot be easy.

KJo · Post by **KJo** » 07 Aug 2015 23:06

Gagan wrote:Amreeka really needs a wimmen President.
There's too much GI Joe giri. Needs a women's touch to bring some balance and harmony.

what are you talking man?

Hillary amma is more mard than any of the other politicians on display.
Even Billy Clintoo thinks so.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 08 Aug 2015 05:12

Gagan wrote:Amreeka really needs a wimmen President.
There's too much GI Joe giri. Needs a women's touch to bring some balance and harmony.

Disagree...

U.S. Needs a WASP republican male president who will be a good friend to India. Otherwise US will decay.

chanakyaa · Post by **chanakyaa** » 08 Aug 2015 05:14

ramana wrote:Gautam Early Goldman Sachs and other reports estimated this period for India to become # 3 economy. However 2008 collapse accelerated this. Yet MMS passive neglect also halted it.

NaMo is doing everything to speed it up.

Soniaji to slow that.

If the next P is Dubya III, does that change your opinion? I hope the "breaking out" is not driven by debt.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 08 Aug 2015 19:18

I'm not going to rule trump who can really trump with India.

KJo · Post by **KJo** » 10 Aug 2015 05:00

Trump is making a big mistake of going off message and getting into petty fights with everyone with the name calling. His general ideas might resonate with some people and he should have stuck with that. A lot of people dislike him and they now have their chance.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 11 Aug 2015 01:40

Trump looks more and more like a Manchu for Billary.
A perfect vote splitter for Repubs.

His job is to alienate Hispanics, Women voters from Repubs.

Gus · Post by **Gus** » 11 Aug 2015 01:47

Trump is making a big mistake of going off message and getting into petty fights with everyone with the name calling.

--

That IS his message

nachiket · Post by **nachiket** » 11 Aug 2015 01:55

ramana wrote: His job is to alienate Hispanics, Women voters from Repubs.

The Republicans don't really need any help with that. Although now the others look moderate in comparison to Trump.

Cain Marko · Post by **Cain Marko** » 11 Aug 2015 10:11

ramana wrote: The bolded part. Its crucial due to the timing. Its during this whoever is US P, India will break out.

BTW in 2008 people also objected and some on BRF predicted Ombaba taking the Democratic nomination and the Presidential election. way before the IFS babus.

What is even more crucial i's next indian election...namo and shah better make sure or kiye karaye par pani will happen

Cain Marko · Post by **Cain Marko** » 11 Aug 2015 10:11

ramana wrote:Trump looks more and more like a Manchu for Billary.
A perfect vote splitter for Repubs.

His job is to alienate Hispanics, Women voters from Repubs.

+1 here comes mdm. Clinton...

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 11 Aug 2015 19:16

Last night on CNN a Republican commentator was lamenting how Trump is an ideal punching bag for Hillary amma. Next minute the Democrat spokesman was saying the very things that the Republican was lamenting about!

So soon either Republicans shut Trump up or get their own Manchu in Democrats.

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 11 Aug 2015 22:54

http://www.straitstimes.com/world/unite ... uson-in-us
Heavily armed 'Oath Keepers' inject disquieting element in Ferguson in US

FERGUSON, Missouri (REUTERS) - Four white men carrying military-style rifles and sidearms added a disquieting element to riot-torn Ferguson, Missouri, when they began patrolling the streets before dawn on Tuesday, which police quickly labelled"inflammatory".The men said they were part of a group called "Oath Keepers", which describes itself as a non-partisan association of current and former US soldiers, police and first responders who aim to protect the US Constitution. They told reporters on the street that they were in Ferguson to protect a media organisation.The men attracted immediate attention in the mostly black neighbourhood, which exploded into violence on Sunday night as protesters marked the one-year anniversary of the killing of an unarmed black teen by police.
The Southern Poverty Law Centre, a non-profit civil rights organisation, has described the Oath Keepers as a "fiercely anti-government, militaristic group', and St Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar condemned their appearance in Ferguson."Their presence was both unnecessary and inflammatory," he said, adding that police would work with county prosecutors to see if the men had broken any laws.The men told reporters they were licensed to carry firearms. A voter-backed 2014 amendment to the state constitution cleared the way for open carrying of licensed firearms, so long as they are not used in a threatening manner, legal experts said.
"There is no exception for a state of emergency for these laws not to apply," said Marcia McCormick, a professor of law at St. Louis University Law School.State law prohibits brandishing a weapon in an "angry or threatening manner", McCormick said, but that standard is subject to interpretation.
"Clearly the people who are carrying these weapons are trying to send a message that some might see as threatening but it's probably not a violation of the statute," McCormick said.Many in the crowd questioned the wisdom of openly carrying such heavy weapons into an emotionally charged situation.
"You're going to bring some uncommissioned citizens, white citizens, into a black community like this? It's disrespectful,"said Talal Ahmad, 30, who is black and was a fixture at last year's protests. "Here, in a black neighbourhood, we're already living in a state of terror."The group, led by a man identified only as John, wore bulletproof vests and carried their rifles with barrels pointed downward. They said they were in Ferguson to protect a journalist from the conservative "Infowars.com" website.
"There were problems here, there were people who got hurt. We needed to be prepared for that," said John.Members of the group had patrolled the streets of Ferguson for a time in November, after riots erupted when a grand jury found that a white police officer had broken no laws when he shot dead 18-year-old Michael Brown.
Sunday night's protests were punctuated by gunfire, and police shot and critically wounded a man accused of firing on police.An Infowars representative acknowledged by telephone that the Oath Keeper's had a presence in Ferguson but said it had not asked them for security."We happen to be in some of the same circumstances as they are on occasion and ideologically we may share the same views,"said the representative, who asked not to be named citing security concerns."They are there of their own volition and secondarily they are there to protect anyone who is innocent. Of course, we fall under that because our reporters are reporting."Protests on Monday were less chaotic than they had been on Sunday. Twenty-two people were arrested in nighttime skirmishes with police during which protesters threw rocks and bottles at officers on the block where the Oath Keepers appeared. Another 63 people were arrested earlier in the day after blocking a highway.

chanakyaa · Post by **chanakyaa** » 14 Aug 2015 07:16

Trump looks more and more like a Manchu for Billary.
A perfect vote splitter for Repubs.

His job is to alienate Hispanics, Women voters from Repubs.

Early stage candidates are often *used/propped up* as dummy candidates and kept in the limelight with a hope to keep the focus/criticism *off* the REAL candidate, which is very unlikely to be Trump. Trump may be using this perfect opportunity to build on his asset, his last name "Trump" which goes on many properties and golf course on which Trump collects big royalties.
As far as vote splitting, the *real* republican candidate does not need hispanic votes to win republican primary. Definitely a big factor in the general election.