The Woodshed

Pervnerd48, you did a good job sir.

RedTalon, NPR is as center as news reporting can get. They get attacked from both sides constantly. Furthermore, if NPR biases concern you then don't even bother with CNN, FOX or MSNBC. Just because you dislike to heard something it doesn't make it not true. We need a common truth, it is unacceptable to label every news fake or bias when is not convenient.

Inflation and energy prices. I say get used to it because Putin will never let Ukraine tap into their gas / oil reserves and even less join NATO. I just learned the Donbas is part of those areas home to the new gas reserves and is a coincident the Russians are so adamant about that region.

[QUOTE=RedTalon;5947732]Pulled all that from biased media sources, lots of work for nothing. NPR, seriously? Biden is a walking gas bag on puppet strings.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=BeachDan9999;5943934]Ok I'm all ears. Explain, support and defend record inflation, record gas prices, record homelessness, open borders, criminals not being prosecuted. I have two masters degrees. Please make an intelligent defense using stats. Not emotions. I'll be waiting.[/QUOTE]Tweets are now much kinder.

[QUOTE=MikeEbanks;5947806]Pervnerd48, you did a good job sir.

RedTalon, NPR is as center as news reporting can get. They get attacked from both sides constantly. Furthermore, if NPR biases concern you then don't even bother with CNN, FOX or MSNBC. Just because you dislike to heard something it doesn't make it not true. We need a common truth, it is unacceptable to label every news fake or bias when is not convenient.

Inflation and energy prices. I say get used to it because Putin will never let Ukraine tap into their gas / oil reserves and even less join NATO. I just learned the Donbas is part of those areas home to the new gas reserves and is a coincident the Russians are so adamant about that region.[/QUOTE]Thanks, boss. I appreciate it.

And hey, everyone's entitled to their opinion. If someone read this and went "NPR! It's CLEARLY biased! I mean, there's not much I can do.

I'm just trying my best to point out that the challenges out there are great, and are going to take sophisticated thought and action. And that thought and action will have to be bipartisan.

I know, I'm a MONSTER.

[QUOTE=PervNerd48;5948180]Thanks, boss. I appreciate it.

And hey, everyone's entitled to their opinion. If someone read this and went "NPR! It's CLEARLY biased! I mean, there's not much I can do.

I'm just trying my best to point out that the challenges out there are great, and are going to take sophisticated thought and action. And that thought and action will have to be bipartisan.

I know, I'm a MONSTER.[/QUOTE]It does not take sophisticated thought or action. It does take common sense. I suggest the reading of Milton Friedman or Thomas Sowell. It won't convince you of anything, but I hope you find their points on history, economics, and government interesting.

[QUOTE=PervNerd48;5947370]I'll take inflation. Someone else can take the others. (By the way, you demand stats for verification, but you keep saying "record" without showing your stats. For example, we're nowhere near record inflation- inflation rates in the 70's were far worse. Inflation happens in a capitalist economy.).

There's a number of factors, very little to do with Biden (or rather Biden, a deadlocked Senate that lets him do very little, and a mostly Republican set of governors):

* The war in the Ukraine has jacked up fuel prices, despite Biden releasing barrels from the strategic reserve. This one's going to take a while, and it's not going to end well. And now that Europe has decided to enter a partial embargo against Russian oil, gas prices are probably going to stay high, because there will be increased demand for the non-Russian fuel out there.).

Source: [URL]https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-hungary-european-union-d0d4144c84749f84676a2f41b03b2ad4[/URL].

[URL]https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-pledge-support-ukraine-not-ready-with-new-russia-sanctions-2022-05-30/[/URL]

[URL]https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/31/business/dealbook/russia-embargo-oil-prices.html[/URL]

* We also had a severe supply chain crisis caused by a number of factors-.

The pandemic, shutting down of overseas factories (especially chip factories, and since chip factories cost a fortune to build, and all of the supply lines are overseas, you can't snap your fingers and make it better).

And shifts in demand.

[URL]https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/22/business/shortages-supply-chain.html[/URL]

[URL]https://www.computerworld.com/article/3648349/about-that-alarming-chip-shortage-dont-count-on-new-fab-plants-to-help-quickly.html[/URL]

* Trump's failure to address the Chinese trade deficit (after the 2018 agreement, in which China pledged to increase the purchase of US goods and actually decreased said purchases).

[URL]https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-china-watcher/2022/01/13/from-momentous-to-meh-the-phase-one-trade-deal-letdown-495705[/URL]

[URL]https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2020/08/07/more-pain-than-gain-how-the-us-china-trade-war-hurt-america/[/URL]

[URL]https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/china-stiffed-trump-trade-agreement-exports[/URL]

[URL]https://reason.com/2022/02/09/trumps-phase-one-trade-deal-with-china-was-a-total-failure-just-like-the-trade-war/[/URL]

[URL]https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2022/02/15/1079761270/china-promised-trump-a-better-deal-for-america-it-didnt-actually-deliver[/URL]

(The reason for so many links is that I wanted to show you that Trump's handling of China has been panned by everyone- left-wing sources like NPR, right-wing sources like Brookings and Fox Business, and libertarians like Reason.).

* Housing prices are rising like crazy everywhere for a lot of reasons. Here in Jacksonville, we have a number of factors- rising population as people move away from colder areas of the US due to the increase in remote work, insufficient housing inventory to meet the demand due to not only the pandemic, but the lack of new housing starts since the crash of 2008, and a mostly hands-off local and state government who is more concerned about whether your kids are taught about black mathematicians and Disney not kissing the governor's ass than they are the one-year 30% increase in rents here. And hedge funds owning 25% of all single-family housing here is a big problem, because they're holding out for high rents and high sale prices, artificially driving up housing costs.

And that rent increase doesn't just affect renters. Renters make up one-third of Jacksonville's population. Rent doesn't stay in Jacksonville. Most landlords of apartments and single-family dwellings are out-of-state. Those rent increases mean that more money is leaving Jacksonville, and not being spent in the local economy. Got a local business? You might own your home, but your business may be impacted by the lack of demand caused by the lack of local funds.

[URL]https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2021/08/12/census-jacksonville-added-more-than-100000-residents-in-last-10-years/[/URL]

[URL]https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/2017/03/23/jacksonville-s-population-growth-speeds-third-year-row/15745028007/[/URL]

[URL]https://www.wokv.com/news/investigates/priced-out-jax-25-all-single-family-homes-duval-county-owned-by-investment-companies/24QOZ6HJUNECZKKQ7A5TOC4IJM/[/URL]

[URL]https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/jacksonville-no-5-in-nation-in-rent-increase[/URL]

[URL]https://www.news4jax.com/i-team/2022/01/21/i-team-rent-increases-in-jacksonville-are-among-the-highest-in-the-country/[/URL]

[URL]https://www.npr.org/2022/03/29/1089174630/housing-shortage-new-home-construction-supply-chain[/URL]

[URL]https://www.freddiemac.com/research/insight/20210507-housing-supply[/URL]

Here's the good news: according to economists, the Fed's tightening of the money supply will lead to a drop in inflation over the next few months. Paul Krugman wrote about this here:

[URL]https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/27/opinion/inflation-prices-stagflation.html[/URL]

So there's a lot of factors for inflation, nearly none of which is Biden's fault. In fact, Biden is trying to get Congress to pass a number of initiatives to reduce inflation:

[URL]https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/10/the-biden-harris-inflation-plan-lowering-costs-and-lowering-the-deficit/[/URL]

[URL]https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/10/business/economy/biden-inflation.html?unlocked_article_code=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEIPuomT1JKd6J17Vw1cRCfTTMQmqxCdw_PIxftm3iWka3DIDm8aiO4IGImG9lzWIqdoYN002iXcTt5NPblqRfp8yuZDPktrDQm0p5_O0LI0HxIIk6PhFGUnw8CKGrki7T7hamT-drguyePk4k_DbWLtXLjY1SArOF4xpZZ6dgusjnICz_zGF7R0ycA-ial6fu1yQzsDZCGOtvH6WV4paJjdMEaqukRhUPpZWDrTgdeY97sAFQ1TAl7CR3t0in0uvJIeYJhEefaicGNzPZb2kr4TCWd3LYm2BpZXR4Lck7pisb6lugWV0HnyLwLyvAHukA5zMit1&smid=url-share[/URL]

The right is pressing him to do more. Some of this is pressing him to do things they know he won't or can't do, like busting truck driver unions and reversing some of the environmental policies he put into place:

[URL]https://nypost.com/2022/05/11/what-biden-can-do-to-lower-inflation-but-refuses-to/[/URL]

We'll see what happens. Remember, Biden, despite being painted as a left-winger, isn't really one. He's always been a centrist his entire career. But the Republicans smell blood, and want to see Democrats lose seats in the House and Senate in the midterms (just as Democrats want to gain seats), so they're going to block any efforts Biden takes to address inflation.

So there you go. Did I give you enough sources and information?[/QUOTE]All I can say is outstanding work!

It will take me a bit to digest the sources, but I certainly appreciate the effort in you response. If we all could make our discussions verifiable (by at least something,(news sources, papers, studies etc) as you did, perhaps we can find middle ground and find a path forward for all. We have some complex issues in the country / world.

Thanks again!! I will prepare a rebuttal.

[quote=mikeebanks;5947806]pervnerd48, you did a good job sir.

Redtalon, npr is as center as news reporting can get. [/quote]Rotflmfao.

[QUOTE=BeachDan9999;5943934]Ok I'm all ears. Explain, support and defend record inflation, record gas prices, record homelessness, open borders, criminals not being prosecuted. I have two masters degrees. Please make an intelligent defense using stats. Not emotions. I'll be waiting.[/QUOTE]Hate to jump in during mid debate. One that seems like its surprisingly civil last few posts despite the topic, but its a pet peeve of mine so had to say something: Stating an 'appeal to credentials' fallacy. Or 'False Ethos appeal'. While foreshadowing you expect his reply may be a 'Pathos Appeal'.

I've met, known personally, and worked with people with masters and even doctorate degrees that are pretty dense outside of the field they studied. And can be just as biasedly misinformed (or deeply rooted loyal), to social and political ideologies they have formed.
Some was to a point it was shockingly different than the level of intellect you assumed they must possess to process complex situations. Tribalism in pack mentality for (insert preformed stance here) made them approach it with a [i]Seeking confirmation, not information[/i] when looking into info about things. I. E. Starting from "Here is what I think, now how can I get here from what I can find about it".

[B]Not saying YOU are.[/B]

Just pointing out intellect isn't always an indicator of wisdom, or inherent ability to be unbiased in conclusion.

I mean would me saying this matter in any debate?: "I have a Bachelors in architecture, and masters in a computer science. So when we talk about politics, keep that in mind in such debates. (in other words me declaring I must be a highly intellectual man and I suspect you must not be since we disagree, so try to reach my level when replying if you don't mind)".

[QUOTE=MikeEbanks;5947806]Pervnerd48, you did a good job sir.

RedTalon, NPR is as center as news reporting can get. They get attacked from both sides constantly. Furthermore, if NPR biases concern you then don't even bother with CNN, FOX or MSNBC. Just because you dislike to heard something it doesn't make it not true. We need a common truth, it is unacceptable to label every news fake or bias when is not convenient.

Inflation and energy prices. I say get used to it because Putin will never let Ukraine tap into their gas / oil reserves and even less join NATO. I just learned the Donbas is part of those areas home to the new gas reserves and is a coincident the Russians are so adamant about that region.[/QUOTE]Actually most now list NPR as having a left center bias. It is unacceptable to say this is as center as it gets when that is factually not the case.

[URL]https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/leftcenter/[/URL]

[URL]https://www.allsides.com/news-source/npr-media-bias[/URL]

[URL]https://adfontesmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Media-Bias-Chart-9.0_Jan-2022-Unlicensed-Social-Media_Low-scaled.jpg[/URL]

[QUOTE=Motoyo;5949587]Hate to jump in during mid debate. One that seems like its surprisingly civil last few posts despite the topic, but its a pet peeve of mine so had to say something: Stating an 'appeal to credentials' fallacy. Or 'False Ethos appeal'. While foreshadowing you expect his reply may be a 'Pathos Appeal'.

I've met, known personally, and worked with people with masters and even doctorate degrees that are pretty dense outside of the field they studied. And can be just as biasedly misinformed (or deeply rooted loyal), to social and political ideologies they have formed.
Some was to a point it was shockingly different than the level of intellect you assumed they must possess to process complex situations. Tribalism in pack mentality for (insert preformed stance here) made them approach it with a [i]Seeking confirmation, not information[/i] when looking into info about things. I. E. Starting from "Here is what I think, now how can I get here from what I can find about it".

[B]Not saying YOU are.[/B]

Just pointing out intellect isn't always an indicator of wisdom, or inherent ability to be unbiased in conclusion.

I mean would me saying this matter in any debate?: "I have a Bachelors in architecture, and masters in a computer science. So when we talk about politics, keep that in mind in such debates. (in other words me declaring I must be a highly intellectual man and I suspect you must not be since we disagree, so try to reach my level when replying if you don't mind)".[/QUOTE]Agreeing with this 1000%.

[QUOTE=JZetoro19;5949626]Agreeing with this 1000%.[/QUOTE]The "non-degreed" always appear in this type of discussion. Their inferiority complex raises its head when the degreed mention education. Especially if it's post-graduate work. Say whatever you wish about intellect and wisdom and school of knocks, street smarts, common sense, blah, blah, blah. I will not debate the value of education.

[QUOTE=MovingForward;5948336]It does not take sophisticated thought or action. It does take common sense. I suggest the reading of Milton Friedman or Thomas Sowell. It won't convince you of anything, but I hope you find their points on history, economics, and government interesting.[/QUOTE]See, you don't know that I spent much of my college time as an econ major. (Finished as a mathematician, because I like harder analysis than that of economics, actually.).

[QUOTE=BeachDan9999;5949770]The "non-degreed" always appear in this type of discussion. Their inferiority complex raises its head when the degreed mention education. Especially if it's post-graduate work. Say whatever you wish about intellect and wisdom and school of knocks, street smarts, common sense, blah, blah, blah. I will not debate the value of education.[/QUOTE]I never debated the value of education. I am ALL for the value and principle of higher education for everyone as it lifts the society as a whole up in the long run.

I was debating the validity of it in a totally different field to the subject at hand.

That's like saying the advice of someone with a PhD in biology on the transatlantic economic futures and impact of it on global commerce is just as valid and knowledgeable as someone with a degree in Geopolitical Economics, simple because they both hold higher degrees.

What makes you assume I don't have any degrees? Because I mention yours is not anything special as it relates to the topic? Mine have no bearing on the subject at hand and thus don't matter when I mention I have them.

Many people have many degrees. There is Doctorate PhD from Princeton holding Geo-sciences out there convinced the earth is only 5000 years old and seeking the proof. There is a 3 PhD holder out there now that is pushing that auras, chakras, and reading tea leaves is real. There is famous people with multiple PhD's over the last century that have bigoted, biased, or small minded personal or political beliefs or believed nonsense.

Nothing in doing what 10's of thousands of people do everyday (go to college) negates the chance of being like the above people. Both for me and you.

I am not trying to be snarky here, but just because you got two degrees, means very little in way of clout, it's merely an [I]Appeal to Intellect (another logical fallacy)[/I].

There is people with multiple degrees IN the areas you are talking about that work in govt you fundamentally disagree with.
Does their degrees not bear credit of logical superiority of deduction, while your somehow lends to yours more?
If you can explain how they have multiple degrees and are wrong, yet you having multiple degrees in other areas lends to a probability you are right. Then maybe I can see past the oxymoron of it.

For someone that touts logic, you seem to be unaware of the handful of boiler plate Debating 101 logical fallacies you rebuttable with.

[QUOTE=Motoyo;5949891]I never debated the value of education. I am ALL for the value and principle of higher education for everyone as it lifts the society as a whole up in the long run.

I was debating the validity of it in a totally different field to the subject at hand.

That's like saying you would take the advice of someone with a PhD in biology on the transatlantic economic futures and impact of it on global commerce over someone with a degree in Geopolitical Economics.

What makes you assume I don't have any degrees? Because I mention yours is not anything special as it relates to the topic? Mine have no bearing on the subject at hand and thus don't matter when I mention I have them.

Many people have many degrees. There is Doctorate PhD from Princeton holding Geo-sciences out there convinced the earth is only 5000 years old and seeking the proof.

There is famous people with multiple PhD's over the last century that have bigoted, biased, or small minded personal or political beliefs or believed nonsense.

There is a 3 PhD holder out there now that is pushing that auras, chakras, and reading tea leaves is real.

Nothing in doing what 10's of thousands of people do everyday (go to college) negates the chance of being like the above people. Both for me and you.

I am not trying to be snarky here, but just because you got two degrees, means very little in way of clout, it's merely an [I]Appeal to Intellect (another logical fallacy)[/I].

There is people with multiple degrees IN the areas you are talking about that work in govt you fundamentally disagree with.
Does their degrees not bear credit of logical superiority of deduction, while your somehow lends to 'better grasp of logical thinking than most'?
If you can explain how they have multiple degrees and are wrong, yet you having multiple degrees in other areas lends to a probability you are right. Then maybe I can see past the oxymoron of it.

For someone that touts logic, you seem to be unaware of the handful of boiler plate Debating 101 logical fallacies you rebuttable with.[/QUOTE]I am smart enough to not read your response. Let it be!!

[QUOTE=BeachDan9999;5949899]I am smart enough to not read your response. Let it be!![/QUOTE]Is a grown man resorting to TL : DR?

And smart enough NOT to read something? Thats odd.
I learned you listen to everyone. Its a hallmark of wisdom. Because you may know 99% of something, and someone else only knows 2%. But they might know that 1% you do not. And you don't know until you listen to them to find out.
First time I heard "I am smart enough to know not to listen to someone else"....that's called vanity of ego, not intellect.

[QUOTE=BeachDan9999;5949899]I am smart enough to not read your response. Let it be!![/QUOTE]That's just another way of saying I don't suffer fools. In other words, you are very smart.

The Best comedy is always rooted in truth. It has been said the United States has the finest law enforcement money can buy. It is the biggest publicly funded and privately held law enforcement agency on the planet. With roughly 35,000 employees, and 9. 5 to 10 billion budgets annually. That is the part we know about. Of course, we all know there are a few other pockets on that jacket stuffed to the brim with things we are not allowed to know about. $100 billion seems like a lot of money. I should think the going rate for such an organization should be quite a bit higher.

"Democrats Have Become The Party Of 'No Common Sense'.

Bill Maher.

[QUOTE=VandelayEnt;5949972]That's just another way of saying I don't suffer fools. In other words, you are very smart.[/QUOTE]But how do you know its a fool unless you listen to learn it?

And as Alexander the Great stated "As scholarly as I am, I have learned more about life and our society from fools and beggers, than all the philosophers and members of the senate combined" (Diogenes and Alexander meeting is one such tale "But truly, if I were not Alexander, I wish I were Diogenes.").

[I]Listening the the wizened and the foolish, is how you grow more wise than both...[/I]

And Bill Maher points out the idiocy of both sides, selective cherry picking of quotes about the "Not my tribe" side only, makes it seem more hypocritical to quote him.

[QUOTE=Motoyo;5950033]But how do you know its a fool unless you listen to learn it?

And as Alexander the Great stated "As scholarly as I am, I have learned more about life and our society from fools and beggers, than all the philosophers and members of the senate combined" (Diogenes and Alexander meeting is one such tale "But truly, if I were not Alexander, I wish I were Diogenes.").

[I]Listening the the wizened and the foolish, is how you grow more wise than both...[/I]

And Bill Maher points out the idiocy of both sides, selective cherry picking of quotes about the "Not my tribe" side only, makes it seem more hypocritical to quote him.[/QUOTE]I don't recall saying that he didn't. Perhaps you should listen to the clip and learn from the wizard as well as the foolish.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e16bO5FZ6bc[/URL]

[QUOTE=VandelayEnt;5950079]I don't recall saying that he didn't. Perhaps you should listen to the clip and learn from the wizard as well as the foolish.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e16bO5FZ6bc[/URL][/QUOTE]I assume you think I support Biden, because I disagree with you? Otherwise why would you repeat them same 'checkmate' twice unless you somehow assume your premise on that, relates to my stance? And points out the flaw in that I am with the 'foolish' and here is the wise speaking of such.

My argument was on pointing out the fallacy of: "I R Smarter than allll you, because I gotz college degrees like you..but mines is more betters for making me smarterer"

Never once did I mention my political stance, or my thoughts on Biden/Dems, or my like/dislike of him. I think he is an old man in the park lost and talking to the trees type president. And a wet paper bag with lips drawn on it would have been as effective in the oval office. (as both would be rallied as a savior by the dems, and bull dog blocked by the reps, because of petty tribal discourse on both parties).

So what makes you assume that Bill Maher statement isn't also my stance on them? (I haven't voted democrat since 1992. neither major party since 2000). Because it easier to gross generalize a disagreement on one thing, into a bigger picture of "Must be one of....them" saber rattling?

Easier to throw venom at a mislabeled known enemy, than have discourse with a possible ally I suppose. A "no true Scotsman" mentality.

[QUOTE=CDieselD;5949615]Actually most now list NPR as having a left center bias. It is unacceptable to say this is as center as it gets when that is factually not the case.

[URL]https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/leftcenter/[/URL]

[URL]https://www.allsides.com/news-source/npr-media-bias[/URL]

[URL]https://adfontesmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Media-Bias-Chart-9.0_Jan-2022-Unlicensed-Social-Media_Low-scaled.jpg[/URL][/QUOTE]I cited NPR two times. In the first instance, I also cited right-wing news sources, because I was talking about Trump's failed dealings in China, and I wanted to show a wide range of sources, so I included Reason (a libertarian site) and Fox Business (right-leaning).

The second article talks about why there's a shortage of homes, and interviews local builders. If you think that piece is biased, go for it.

Either way, I find it hilarious that out of the 21 links, since 2 came from NPR, my piece is CLEARLY a biased piece of left-wing propaganda. But then again, I'm not surprised.

My last point on inflation: Is inflation too high? Dear God, yes.

But the idea that inflation is somehow a Democrat thing is a bit ridiculous. Consumer prices were CRAZY under Nixon, hitting a peak of 11% in 1974. They dropped a bit under Ford, down to 5. 74%, before going up to 13.55% under Carter.

Reagan is considered the great inflation fighter, but at the end of his term, inflation was at 4. 08%- a figure that that evil adulterous liberal Bill Clinton never touched in his eight years in office (the highest rate of inflation under Clinton was 3. 38%, and was as low as 1. 55% in 1998). And in fact, inflation has been below 5% every year since 1991, when George Bush wrecked the economy by raising taxes. Or at least that's what Fox News told me at the time.

Anywhere, it's terrible that inflation is running at 8. 5%, with clearly no end in sight. Except that 8. 5% was the rate in March. There's been a slight drop in April to 8. 3%, as gas prices dipped and the Fed's actions are starting.

I don't know if we'll see continued easing of inflation in 2022. The Consumer Price Index is still high, fuel prices are unstable, and there's no chance of bipartisan action that will fix anything. But I think that it's really silly to say everything is Biden's fault. Or Trump's fault. Or liberalism's fault. Or conservatism's fault. The economy does what the economy does, and will continue to do so, and trying to assign a narrative is pure folly. But economists will continue to do that, because that's there job.

Sources for my info:

[URL]https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/inflation-cpi[/URL]

Oh, one more thing on sources- for most news things, I tend to use a combination of sources: AP, Reuters, the NY Times, and NPR are my primary sources. I'd like to use the Wall Street Journal, but the goddamn paywall makes it very difficult. The NY Times has a paywall, too, but it's easy to gift articles as a subscriber.

I don't use Fox News ever, because it makes me laugh too much. In all seriousness, I don't use Fox News, but not because MSNBC or someone in the Secret Handshake Liberal Underground told me. I just did a taste test.

Here's how you do a taste test- when something important happens, open up Fox News. Then open up a few other sources- AP, Reuters, even the NY Times or whatever you think is centrist. Just open the news sections on the NY Times; I'm not asking you to read the editorials, just the news articles.

Then take a look at what Fox News is focusing on, versus the other sites. You will always see more opinion pieces and pieces designed to inflame you or make fun of Biden. And there will be celebrity gossip, too.

For example, it's 12:40 AM on 6/4. Here's the top ten Fox News articles (just the bold parts):

1. Royal observer notices subtle behavior by Meghan and Harry as they are booed at Jubilee celebration (celebrity gossip).

2. President mocks Musk, who quickly hit back with fact about US space program (the story is a bit twisted, because Musk mocked the US economy first, and of course Musk gets the last word in this story).

3. Reaction of future Supreme Court justice to one country's gun ban (Look! The Biden choice likes what New Zealand did!

4. Popular restaurant chain pushing young children to read 'drag kids' book (Pizza Hut has a literacy program with 361 children's books, one of which is about a kid dressing in drag. Boy, it's a good thing FoxNews didn't see that book on Eleanor Roosevelt!

5. Major announcement clears the way for Trump-backed doc in tight Senate race (look at that wording. Meanwhile, here's the AP: McCormick concedes to Oz in Pennsylvania GOP Senate primary. Fox has to make sure it's always about Trump.).

6. STABBING ATTACK: Two nurses and doctor wounded at Los Angeles hospital, suspect in custody (look, it's designed to frighten you with STABBING ATTACK).

7. Bill Maher fears Republicans are 'going to steal the issue' of marijuana from Democrats (celebrity gossip).

8. Box of loaded guns found in Florida school near 2018 Parkland shooting site belong to principal, police say (Honestly, this seems like a story that's not important at all, but GUNS GUNS GUNS).

9. Chevron CEO issues dire warning for future of oil in US (look- it uses "dire". The story isn't mentioned on the AP News site. A search on NPR shows a May story where Chevron reported its highest quarterly profit in a decade. See the priorities?

10. BLOODY LOVE TRIANGLE: Marshals send dire message to fugitive weeks after pro cyclist was found slain (scary story!

If you think I'm wrong, play the game for yourself. The stories will be different by the time you read it, but the biases will still be there. Fox News is all about scaring you by showing you:

1. Biden is ruining America!

2. VIOLENCE!

3. They're making our kids gay!

4. They're taking our guns away!

5. Celebrities! Look at the tits! (They can't scare you all the time.).

Speaking of jobs, can I please have a blow job now? I'm not writing any more inflation stuff. I officially exit the Woodshed. Have fun.

Jordan B. Peterson — 'In order to be able to think, you have to risk being offensive. '.

[QUOTE=Motoyo;5950137]I assume you think I support Biden, because I disagree with you? Otherwise why would you repeat them same 'checkmate' twice unless you somehow assume your premise on that, relates to my stance? And points out the flaw in that I am with the 'foolish' and here is the wise speaking of such.

My argument was on pointing out the fallacy of: "I R Smarter than allll you, because I gotz college degrees like you..but mines is more betters for making me smarterer"

Never once did I mention my political stance, or my thoughts on Biden/Dems, or my like/dislike of him. I think he is an old man in the park lost and talking to the trees type president. And a wet paper bag with lips drawn on it would have been as effective in the oval office. (as both would be rallied as a savior by the dems, and bull dog blocked by the reps, because of petty tribal discourse on both parties).

So what makes you assume that Bill Maher statement isn't also my stance on them? (I haven't voted democrat since 1992. neither major party since 2000). Because it easier to gross generalize a disagreement on one thing, into a bigger picture of "Must be one of....them" saber rattling?

Easier to throw venom at a mislabeled known enemy, than have discourse with a possible ally I suppose. A "no true Scotsman" mentality.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=VandelayEnt;5950537]Jordan B. Peterson 'In order to be able to think, you have to risk being offensive. '.[/QUOTE]But it wasn't offensive, simply misplaced assumptions. What is offensive, at all, about posting a you tube video? I think you are taking that comment WAY out of context and stretching the premise of offensive pretty thin to make it fit.

[QUOTE=PervNerd48;5949772]See, you don't know that I spent much of my college time as an econ major. (Finished as a mathematician, because I like harder analysis than that of economics, actually.).[/QUOTE]I assumed you had a degree or 2. So, I guess I did know. Mathematics was one of the toughest degrees. I suggested 2 of the better economists. These 2 are rarely taught because of their conservative views.

[QUOTE=VandelayEnt;5950537]Jordan B. Peterson 'In order to be able to think, you have to risk being offensive. '.[/QUOTE]Another no degree inferiority complex. Don't bash those that choose formal education. If anything, a university education should enable critical thinking. I don't believe you have the tools.

[QUOTE=WailOnSkydog;5937093]You have no idea what you're talking about. The site you vouch for as a media fact checker is run by Dave Van Zandt. Who is a left-wing loon. He considers the WSJ to be "Right-wing". There's so much wrong with this site that it is comparable to Snopes.

Regarding world-wide inflation. What is your point? When the world's largest energy producer (USA) shuts down production-the impact is worldwide. PMR (price margin realization) is in full effect across all sectors. Raw materials, refining processes, manufacturing, farming, fertilizers, transportation and warehousing all impacted.

I encourage critical thinking. Now, where can I find some good pussy?

Stay safe!

Skydog.[/QUOTE]

You are talking out of your ass. Media Bias Fact Check calls the far left for what it is and the same for the reverse. Yes Wall St Journal has a right center bias with mostly factual data. Yes, Financial Times UK is an excellent source. You can dismiss them as "left wing loons" but it's just monger forum babble. Inflation is worldwide. Gas prices, you name it, worldwide. Actually no source is needed as the information is common knowledge. If you blame it all on the Democrats then that betrays that you are a doofuss with a head full of biased sources. As to "finding pussy," good luck in Jacksonville if P4 P is your angle.

[QUOTE=WailOnSkydog;5938755]So being a capitalist is right wing? Making profits is bad?Skydog.[/QUOTE]Who ever said that? Why not respond to what people actually say rather than erecting straw men and knocking them down? The former requires aptitude, the latter any dumbfuck can do.

[URL]https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/strawman[/URL]

[QUOTE=VandelayEnt;5950537]Jordan B. Peterson 'In order to be able to think, you have to risk being offensive. '.[/QUOTE]That's ironic indeed considering that right wingnuts are so easily offended, and without a doubt sore losers.

That's all tolerable actually but any more coup attempts while murdering cops is not.

[QUOTE=VandelayEnt;5949989]The Best comedy is always rooted in truth. It has been said the United States has the finest law enforcement money can buy. It is the biggest publicly funded and privately held law enforcement agency on the planet. With roughly 35,000 employees, and 9. 5 to 10 billion budgets annually. That is the part we know about. Of course, we all know there are a few other pockets on that jacket stuffed to the brim with things we are not allowed to know about. $100 billion seems like a lot of money. I should think the going rate for such an organization should be quite a bit higher.

"Democrats Have Become The Party Of 'No Common Sense'.

Bill Maher.[/QUOTE]Bill Maher? Plluuzz za LOL.

There's grossly higher rates of police killings in the US compared to other nations. Drastically higher, and why? When you ignore that item in your analysis then we can't help but question your bias. And please, don't do the lightweight, Trump and whine about "fake news. " These are established and hardly disputed facts.

[URL]https://www.statista.com/statistics/1124039/police-killings-rate-selected-countries/[/URL]

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/police-killings-by-country

[QUOTE=BeachDan9999;5953453]Another no degree inferiority complex. Don't bash those that choose formal education. If anything, a university education should enable critical thinking. I don't believe you have the tools.[/QUOTE]I have no idea what Vandalay was trying to say there, but if you don't have critical thinking skills by the time you get to Uni, you're already fucked.

The only thing a degree of any sort demonstrates is the ability to commit to a medium term project, the ability to navigate certain types of social situations, a reasonable base of education, and a nominally functional intellect. To think it signifies anything more is, um, delusional. Now, those are useful skills, but don't necessarily indicate fitness for any particular job.

Also, as others have tried to point out, a masters degree in middle english poetry doesn't qualify one to speak to economic matters, nor does a PhD in quantum physics really qualify one to discuss the intricacies of, say, Middle East politics. This is a variant on "billionaire's disease" - where someone who has had some degree of success in one area believes themselves to be qualified in all areas.

Just like with billionaires not really having anyone around to tell them they're full of shit, people who brag on their degrees tend to get silent eye rolls and "what a pompous prick" whispered behind their backs, but most of the time nobody will bother to confront them, because they're just not worth the time, as they're clearly demonstrating a sense of deep insecurity that they're trying to literally paper over.

(note that at no time in this post am I saying anything remotely negative about education, including higher education).

[QUOTE=PlayTiem;5980276]I have no idea what Vandalay was trying to say there, but if you don't have critical thinking skills by the time you get to Uni, you're already fucked.[/QUOTE]Though I agree with most of your post I consider this an overstatement. It takes a real dipshit to send Trump money to the tune of 250 million then believe Alex Jones and kill cops looking for Pelosi and Pence. It's a real advertisement for what black guys have been calling trailer park trash for decades. What an embarrasement for the white guys in the audience, but that's what a high school diploma gets you. You don't learn much about logic or get inquistive at that level. If you listen in college all is considered BS until proven otherwise. That's what you pay the big bucks for.

[QUOTE=Larciel;5984344]Yeah, my bad, I think that's her but an older number or something because I found one of her listings last year on the site. I thought I put a link to at least like the * Honestly, her channels by which to contact her are so poorly organized, I wish I had realized she had a twitter before looking into things a little more. Didn't even realize that snapchat was a thing. I'll add those in for convenience.

[URL]https://onlyfans.com/valentinadream[/URL]

[URL]https://twitter.com/ValentinaDream8[/URL]

Now for the fellow calling me basically a plant, listen I get you. I understand both how it looks and just the general vibe of this forum.

Like if you want the actual quick takeaways, they would have been.

1. She's real and I didn't die.

2. She didn't rush and generally treats you like people.

3. Her rates aren't all that absurd (least I don't think).

4. I'm certain you wouldn't be disappointed if you gave her a shot.[/QUOTE]Line number 4, telling us mongers we need to give her a shot and he is certain we won't be disappointed sounds totally like a Selfie review.

Re reviews tell us the details of a fellow monger's experience. And as mongers know, some of us like spinner while other like bbw and all the options in between. So a real review does not try to convince us other mongers to go see a provider because the reviewer is sure I or you will have a good time with her. That is advertising and games to get us to prove the review is a selfie, and in the process for us mongers to give Ms Valentina our hard-earned coins!

Mongers this game worked, it made us notice Ms Valentina and think about seeing her. But is is a selfie and clearly we must no see Valentina.

I will never see Valentina!

[QUOTE=LowBaller;5984414]Line number 4, telling us mongers we need to give her a shot and he is certain we won't be disappointed sounds totally like a Selfie review.

Re reviews tell us the details of a fellow monger's experience. And as mongers know, some of us like spinner while other like bbw and all the options in between. So a real review does not try to convince us other mongers to go see a provider because the reviewer is sure I or you will have a good time with her. That is advertising and games to get us to prove the review is a selfie, and in the process for us mongers to give Ms Valentina our hard-earned coins!

Mongers this game worked, it made us notice Ms Valentina and think about seeing her. But is is a selfie and clearly we must no see Valentina.

I will never see Valentina![/QUOTE]All I'm taking away from this is, "Hey, I don't trust positive reviews. The only ones I will trust are the negative ones. ".

And listen, that's you and the other dudes prerogative here, I get that. But here's a very simple thing I do have to correct there in that first line of yours and let's run through my line 4 together with the class:

"4. I'm certain you wouldn't be disappointed if you gave her a shot. ", You said that I said you "need" to give her a shot, you see the word "need" in there? I'm not saying "You need to put stock down on this for it is hot my friends! This ain't no fomo". Now I will admit maybe the whole of that phrasing may be a bit much, but all I wish to convey is "I'm a satisfied customer and if you asked if it was worth it, it was". But I also should have probably left it out. Plus 3 items make for a nicer listlet.

But that'll be the last peep out of me on this subject then, I know defending myself like this to you and any other amounts to me and you both having a pissing contest in the community watering hole that is this board.

I will be back later though after some business later tonight, and hopefully whatever I post someone finds helpful.

[QUOTE=GunIt458;6032365]She ripped me off couple years ago I reported on here. Seems like no one listened. I am not surprised.[/QUOTE]You seem kinda huffy in your post.

Yes, Allie is a thief and yes there will be guys who don't listen. Most, if not all girls, are opportunists and most guys are going to do what they want to do. It's the nature of The Game.

Run along young man. Find more pussy. LOL.

[QUOTE=WailOnSkydog;5937093] Now, where can I find some good pussy?

Stay safe!

Skydog.[/QUOTE]As for inflation, I love it! It reminds me of being a kid in the 70's!. As fake bill clinton said on old SNL, which WAS funny "Inflation isn't all bad, wouldn't you like to own a $500,000 car? I know I would".

Happy Mongering,

Tall.

Clearly, the reason for inflation was stated correctly, see image. O'biden!

What PervNerd48 wrote:

"So this is weird. This is the woman I just reviewed (Ania). My experience was completely different. Strange.

I will add that her room was a bit messy- she was trying to clean it up. I didn't think she was high, but I could be wrong. I had a much better time than you did.

When I asked about donations, she just said 150. She didn't say quick visit or anything. I have a policy of NOT negotiating with providers- you give me your number, and I either take it or decline. Maybe she doesn't like negotiating or short visits.

Just strange how these things go. ".

Before you start white knighting, consider this--would you say there is no such things as YMMV? Just because you had a better experience (your opinion) than me, does not make my review any less truthful! And for your information, I did not mention $80, she did! Now take that! Don't assume anything! Any woman who thinks I am going to pay $80 for 5 minutes, when the norm is for 15 minutes, is out of her damn mind! I didn't negotiate a damn thing! And if that's what she told you, then go ahead and believe her. You said strange?! You said weird! How the hell is it strange / weird because your experience differed from mine?! This happens all the time!

I don't write reviews based on your experience or anyone else; I write them based on my own. And just because she didn't seem high when you seen her, does not make my observation untruthful and because of my work experience, I am pretty sure I can detect drug use better than you! Some of you guys are a hot azz mess! You take up for these girls like you want them to be your woman! And let me say this, based on what I saw, in person, I don't personally see that she is even worth $150, but hey, that's your biz and your money and before you start saying I don't have the means to pay higher, let me tell you something partner, I could drop a grand on a biatch whenever I please, but guess what? I will never drop that kind of money on puss! You see, it's about what we value! I'd drop a grand or more on a trip out of the country for a vacay because it's worth it to me, but to drop this amount on puss, not me!

You must have had some kind of confidence in these reviews because you mentioned how flaky she is and you decided to take care of other biz just because you knew her MO! So you believed this part, but it's too strange or weird for you to believe what I wrote, of which, I care less if you believe me or not. I have seen girls who other guys have had negative experiences with and my time with them was better! But I never come on here telling someone that their experience was untruthful or weird / strange because I know these girls can be better some days and worse other days; it's the nature of the biz. I take the reviews and use them to my advantage. For example, Ronnie started robbing people. Did I condemn the reviewers who noted this, no! But, I did car meets with her to take her away from her criminal element. This is how we use reviews, not condemn others just because we had a fantastic experience! And let's not even talk about the condition of her hotel--that shidd was a mess, but damn, you decided to make that look less messy or in your words, a "bit" messy! And if she does not like qv's, why then did she offer it and the price!? SMDH.

[QUOTE=Tallbert;6033054]Clearly, the reason for inflation was stated correctly, see image. O'biden![/QUOTE]

Many factors are involved in the current worldwide inflation, mostly related to disrupted supply chains, high demand for goods and services as Covid becomes endemic, as well as the war in Ukraine. Not to mention that gas prices in the states have decreased 50 days running. Looks like you need to take a break from the Faux News evening propaganda hours.

PS Regarding O'bama, well did nothing less than lift us out of the worst economic situation since the Great Depression, inherited from the Repubs, plus handed Trump a strong economy. Who fucked it up, crashing the economy bungling and lying about a pandemic, tossing the O'Bama pandemic response playbook aside and this after drastically reducing CDC staff in China in the months prior to the outbreak against all expert advice. It's thus not a wonder that we have the highest per capita Covid death rates among weathly nations with red states of course leading the way.

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/red-blue-america-glaring-divide-covid-19-death/story?id=83649085

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-china-cdc-exclusiv/exclusive-u-s-slashed-cdc-staff-inside-china-prior-to-coronavirus-outbreak-idUSKBN21C3N5

[QUOTE=WailOnSkydog;5937093]
Regarding world-wide inflation. What is your point? [/QUOTE]The point is obvious unless someone is so naive as to think that the current worldwide, pandemic related inflation we are experiencing proceeds from a single cause, a slowing of domestic fossil fuel production in the US. Though the largest single producer we still only represent 18.5% of the world's crude production.

[QUOTE=WailOnSkydog;5937093]When the world's largest energy producer (USA) shuts down production-the impact is worldwide. [/QUOTE]

You are wrong. We have not "shut down production. " In fact decreases have been marginal.

"First, there has not been a shutdown of oil production. The USA Was producing 11.185 million barrels of crude oil per day in 2021, compared with an average of 11.283 million barrels per day in 2020, according to data from the USA Energy Information Administration.

The latest data shows that for the week of March 4, 2022, the USA Is producing 11.6 million barrels per day.

'The USA Remains the world's biggest producer of crude oil, said Mark Finley, a fellow in energy and global oil at Rice University in Houston.

One of the main reasons gasoline prices have pushed higher is because the price of crude oil has been rising over the past year. As more people get on the road after being cooped up during the pandemic, oil and gas suppliers that had scaled back production during the pandemic are struggling to keep up.

Decisions by the OPEC+ oil cartel, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, to only modestly increase the oil they released to the market kept prices high. ' ".

[URL]https://www.oregonlive.com/nation/2022/03/no-gas-prices-are-not-high-because-the-us-shut-down-oil-production.html[/URL]#text=First%2 C%20 there%20 has%20 not%20 been, the%20 USA %20 Energy%20 Information%20 Administration.

Many factors are involved involved in this worldwide phenomenon. At the top of the list is increased demand as a pandemic becomes endemic and people who have been cooped up two years wish to get out, spend, and travel.

[QUOTE=WailOnSkydog;5937093]I encourage critical thinking.[/QUOTE]You could have fooled me. Wink. Your whole angle is a huge non-sequitur. Try cutting off Fox News for a spell, ignore fake, right wing nut graphs that show up in your Facebook feeds, do some valid research, and realize that such complex phenomenons as the current worldwide inflation are typically multi-causal, while plenty difficult to shoehorn into narrow political agendas.

[QUOTE=Tallbert;6033054]

Clearly, the reason for inflation was stated correctly, see image. O'biden![/QUOTE]I double checked your graph from Wolf Richter's website. My question is, how can you blame "O'Biden" for a drop in oil production in May 2020 when he wasn't president? ROFL That's where the graph ends. That's assuming the graph is even valid, a big assumption I know. Wink. Nice try anyway.

Economic issues are a perennial political debate, as witnessed by the preceeding pages of thoughtful analysis & purest bullshit. Why? Because pocketbook issues affect us all, and regardless of the fact that the ship of global economy is not nearly as driven by the political winds as the gasbags running for office & talking about it on TV would have us believe, the Republican Party most assuredly wants us to talk about nothing else--certainly not their on-going coup.

By refusing to honor their constitutional duty and impeaching our Putin-wannabe, "Republicans" have made Donald Trump's assault upon the democratic institutions & ideals of the American republic their own.

The pundits & political class consistently claim that elections are determined by economics. Republicans are counting on it. But norms are shattering as we degenerate into a state of "cold" civil war. On Tuesday, agents of the Republican coup won nominations, while the Dobbs decision produced record turnout in blood-red Kansas. Not so sure it's all about the economy this time.