@ThunderClap -- I think it would be helpful if you took care, when it comes to using a "sidebar" in your posts, to see that what you quote and what you write yourself are separated in each post.
Too often (in my humble estimation) you (and a few others) seem to run together quotation and separate statement -- all embellished with the SAME sidebar -- and it makes your posts more difficult to interpret accurately.
And that's a shame, since I think it's important that you get to share your opinions and be read.
You raise an interesting point that I intend to investigate myself to a greater extent in the near future. That one pardon is something that might end up puzzling and disappointing me, as well -- and I hope to find some satisfactory explanation for it, although admittedly, I cannot be certain at this point that I shall.
I DO know, however, that Trump's pardons in GENERAL I find MUCH less puzzling than MANY of Joe Biden's comparatively last minute (and vastly numerous) pardons. Aren't you puzzled by some of those, as well?
Nevertheless -- you DID make a point in #50 that I will have to consider in more depth, via research, and I thank you for that!
As for @wowbagger 's request to name names and thereby * out * dog-eating presidents, I shall not! After all, I am kind and am much more interested in defending the wrongly besmirched than in attacking others. I shall note that any dog-eating to which I allude has already been reported -- indeed, reportedly self-reported in a book! -- and so I do not seriously inconvenience anyone who truly wishes to know who might have partaken of pup.
Using a VARIETY of news sources is always a help when attempting to understand the world and its happenings. I recommend doing so! I've noticed that some may be excessively limiting their own news sources when they are not aware of things to which others may, with kindly reservation, allude.
@Noflaps said in #51:
> As for @wowbagger 's request to name names and thereby * out * dog-eating presidents, I shall not !
Well, ladida, thanks for nothing. There's a bit in Obama's memoirs about him being served dog-meat in Indonesia as a kid, I knew that. Don't know about anyone else. I suspect (well it's not a suspicion anymore) that you're the one that uses one-sided news sources.
But hey, you seem to be having fun.
Deck the halls with cocaine smugglers ! fa la la la la lalala trump.
@ThunderClap said in #50:
> > The lack of politics was too good to last, I guess.
> >
> > Too bad.
> >
> > Notice when Trump gets brought into a thread (and not in a complimentary way). Trump lives "rent-free in a lot of heads." I think that's the cliche, isn't it? But it's a cliche that provides a nugget of truth, I guess.
> >
> > America has, in a few short years, lost a HUGE number of people -- hundreds of thousands -- comparable to America's losses in World War II -- because of the importation of illegal drugs.
> ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................> Yes, Pardoning a man who helped bring in 400 TONS of Cocaine just a few hours ago after he served 1 year of a 45 year sentance !! Wow !!
@ThunderClap said in #21:
> > I was pleasantly surprised to find that this thread was pretty non-political. I was not surprised, however, to read some well-written and thoughtful comments within it.
> >
> > This forum is a blessing worth much more than the cost of admission. Via this forum one may encounter, although at a distance, a great many thoughtful, articulate people.
> >
> > The regulation of war is an interesting topic. It's too bad we can't regulate war itself out of existence. But although it is nearly 2026, war still seems to serve a purpose under some circumstances -- but seems morally valid, perhaps and not without fear of contradiction, only to halt a greater evil that cannot, realistically, otherwise be halted.
>
> Yes @Noflaps "Surprised" that no one mentioned the current Administration yet in the USA ? Why so "pleasantly " "surprised"
@ThunderClap said in #24:
> Annoying ????????????? yeah annoying to the 3000+ people in Chicago who are MISSING >>> Annoying to the two people hanging on for dear life on a boat after an air strike & then another air strike to "finish them off" ... "Annoying " "Surprising" conditions at ICE facilities where detainees are having atrocities committed against every day
After reading your #52, I must suggest that it would be easier on both of us -- at least on our fingers -- if you would not ask me to fill in blanks that you don't really need me to fill in, @wowbagger.
Don't you agree?
However, I'm pleased to see you apparently getting into the Christmas spirit! It's cheerful to see you caroling in the forum
Almost, noble @ThunderClap !
Although, with regard to your recent #54, I believe it was I -- noflaps -- not you -- who first wrote (in #12) that:
"I was pleasantly surprised to find that this thread was pretty non-political. I was not surprised, however, to read some well-written and thoughtful comments within it." (etc.)
Admittedly, accurate quotation takes a bit of care -- I often find that by re-reading my own posts, and then editing them a bit where unintended confusion might arise -- I can eventually produce a post that only the disinterested or impatient might struggle to interpret.
But, as I do also with @wowbagger, I wish you a Merry Christmas -- coming right up! I am grateful for all forum posters, since each gives us something of interest to read -- and helps to make the forum the wonderful resource that it is!
@ShaanS1 said in #39:
> aaand here we go...
> let the fireworks begin!
@Noflaps said in #40:
> Nah, it's not the fourth of July, @ShaanS1. Indeed, in many parts of Europe and the U.S. sparklers could be put out ... in the snow!
@Noflaps
still seems like the fireworks show performed quite well...
haha!
"putin ukraine list of war crimes wikipedia"
im not giving a link cos if you give the fraction of a dime to inform yourself about what youre talkin' 'bout youll find it with twothree clicks only!
@DuMussDieUhrDruecken
Yes, exactly...which goes back to the original post here pertaining to weather or not the notion of "war crime" is hypocritical as perhaps war itself is a crime. Putin's war is a reflection of Russia's inability to deal with its neighbors in a way that values human life. The same can be said for Ukraine which does in fact seem to be a "criminal country" that allowed a recent civil war to happen that resulted in the mass killings of ethnic Russians living in Ukraine. This all goes back to underlying Philosophy and Theology pertaining to if you're a "savage" or "civilised."
@Noflaps
I'm unfamiliar with the term "dog-eater." Is that like a 'no kings' thing or something!???
Also, Trump is a horrible human being. He documents that very well in "Art of the Deal," which perhaps should be called, "Hey Everyone, I'm a self-aggrandizing Jackass with no concern for the NEEDS or WELLBEING of others I do business with!"
Good business deals have two winners through compromise. Trump believes a good business deal has one winner!