Rants, Raves and Opinions AKA "The Octagon"

Additionally my business has secondary commerce with oil companies. The cold hard truth is that the Permean Basin in West Texas / New Mexico has enough oil for the next 100 years with no other source. Fact. Exxon and others are there and their drilling. The caveat is that they need oil prices to be over the $50 range to make good profit. When oil crashed, they stopped most of their drilling and laid people off. They are back ON now. OPEC decides how much of the market they want. We don't need them for one barrel, however if they are going to sell for $25 a barrel we buy.

[QUOTE=DNut;5502315]The data shows that the ICUs are filling up with UNVACCINATED people, with 98% of those people using ICU beds to be unvaxxed. 2% have been vaccinated, which falls within the 95% efficacy rate expected. It's vaccine deniers that are getting sick. So yes, Joe Biden is doing well in making the vaccine available, but you can't make a horse drink the water provided. Unvaxxed dying of COVID is simple Darwinism.

And what happens when the EMERGENCY FEDERAL reserves are empty? The government has to buy fuel to refill the tanks, increasing demand, and raising gas prices even though the population isn't using more. It's not an unlimited supply. The reserves are only good for 3 months of normal use. Using hte federal reserves as a temporary stop gap to temporarily suppress gas prices is not a viable solution.

So you do have a basic understanding of supply and demand. Your statements above led me to believe you didn't have a 101 level understanding of economics. You were just being obstinate on purpose, for the goal of trying a desperate attempt to pin the blame on someone.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=BengalMan;5503284]Additionally my business has secondary commerce with oil companies. The cold hard truth is that the Permean Basin in West Texas / New Mexico has enough oil for the next 100 years with no other source. Fact. Exxon and others are there and their drilling. The caveat is that they need oil prices to be over the $50 range to make good profit. When oil crashed, they stopped most of their drilling and laid people off. They are back ON now. OPEC decides how much of the market they want. We don't need them for one barrel, however if they are going to sell for $25 a barrel we buy.[/QUOTE]You guys realize you aren't allowed to know what you're talking about. It hurts their little dipshit noggins if the lights start coming on.

Actually, "flicker" is probably a better analogy.

[QUOTE=Twisted69;5502295]First off, Thank you for your service Pete.

If you think Biden is doing a great job with the virus, why are hospital ICUs becoming overwhelmed again, why are more counties in each state switching back up to high and very high numbers of infected?

The President does not have the ability to set gas prices! But he does have the ability to curb them from the ability to allow some of the federal reserves to be released for sale to flood the market with more crude to lower crude price, which in turn lowers pump price.

I want to know which of you oil moguls has the biggest share of the oil market? BTW the price of crude will be lower in a few months because of other countries shutting down again, if the offset of turmoil in Afghanistan doesn't freak out the market.[/QUOTE]Are a drop in the bucket and will not move the dial on gas prices one bit.

[QUOTE=DNut;5502315]The data shows that the ICUs are filling up with UNVACCINATED people, with 98% of those people using ICU beds to be unvaxxed. 2% have been vaccinated, which falls within the 95% efficacy rate expected. It's vaccine deniers that are getting sick. So yes, Joe Biden is doing well in making the vaccine available, but you can't make a horse drink the water provided. Unvaxxed dying of COVID is simple Darwinism.

And what happens when the EMERGENCY FEDERAL reserves are empty? The government has to buy fuel to refill the tanks, increasing demand, and raising gas prices even though the population isn't using more. It's not an unlimited supply. The reserves are only good for 3 months of normal use. Using hte federal reserves as a temporary stop gap to temporarily suppress gas prices is not a viable solution.

So you do have a basic understanding of supply and demand. Your statements above led me to believe you didn't have a 101 level understanding of economics. You were just being obstinate on purpose, for the goal of trying a desperate attempt to pin the blame on someone.[/QUOTE]I have respect for you as a senior who has contributed a lot to this board.

Yes Biden has made the vaccines more easily to obtain! In fact some are going to waste because of not being used. I give credit where credit is due! My comment was to the fact we as a country should be enforcing mask mandates again like a month ago, I guess just the Republicans get blamed for shit! Masks help reduce transmission and help reduce the amount of infection. Some studies have shown that the initial "dose" of virus is in part responsible for the level of symptoms a person would encounter, as well as co morbidities etc.

The part with gas prices was to merely point out that the President does in fact have some ability to affect gas prices! Yes short term! I didn't think I was being graded, this is just a blog for crying out loud!

Why don't we start a serious banter about who is going to get USA Out of debt. The last time I checked the debt clock which has been awhile each citizen including the newborn, if divided out would be on the hook for $78,000. And it got worse under Trump, and it's getting much worse under Biden if both of these mega bills pass. Not that it's not needed, just that our kids or grandkids are going to suffer. At what point does China quit footing the bill for our spending and ask for some type of collateral like they are in other foreign countries.

Lighten up Francis!

[QUOTE=Twisted69;5503919]I have respect for you as a senior who has contributed a lot to this board.

Yes Biden has made the vaccines more easily to obtain! In fact some are going to waste because of not being used. I give credit where credit is due! My comment was to the fact we as a country should be enforcing mask mandates again like a month ago, I guess just the Republicans get blamed for shit! Masks help reduce transmission and help reduce the amount of infection. Some studies have shown that the initial "dose" of virus is in part responsible for the level of symptoms a person would encounter, as well as co morbidities etc.

The part with gas prices was to merely point out that the President does in fact have some ability to affect gas prices! Yes short term! I didn't think I was being graded, this is just a blog for crying out loud!

Why don't we start a serious banter about who is going to get USA Out of debt. The last time I checked the debt clock which has been awhile each citizen including the newborn, if divided out would be on the hook for $78,000. And it got worse under Trump, and it's getting much worse under Biden if both of these mega bills pass. Not that it's not needed, just that our kids or grandkids are going to suffer. At what point does China quit footing the bill for our spending and ask for some type of collateral like they are in other foreign countries.

Lighten up Francis![/QUOTE]There are plenty of places to spout your political positions. Most readers are looking for something else.

[QUOTE=Twisted69;5503919]I have respect for you as a senior who has contributed a lot to this board.

Yes Biden has made the vaccines more easily to obtain! In fact some are going to waste because of not being used. I give credit where credit is due! My comment was to the fact we as a country should be enforcing mask mandates again like a month ago, I guess just the Republicans get blamed for shit! Masks help reduce transmission and help reduce the amount of infection. Some studies have shown that the initial "dose" of virus is in part responsible for the level of symptoms a person would encounter, as well as co morbidities etc.

The part with gas prices was to merely point out that the President does in fact have some ability to affect gas prices! Yes short term! I didn't think I was being graded, this is just a blog for crying out loud!

Why don't we start a serious banter about who is going to get USA Out of debt. The last time I checked the debt clock which has been awhile each citizen including the newborn, if divided out would be on the hook for $78,000. And it got worse under Trump, and it's getting much worse under Biden if both of these mega bills pass. Not that it's not needed, just that our kids or grandkids are going to suffer. At what point does China quit footing the bill for our spending and ask for some type of collateral like they are in other foreign countries.

Lighten up Francis![/QUOTE]GDP was growing with Trump. At a slow rate but growing. The shit down of fracking and oil pipelines by Biden. Is what has raised gas prices. We rely once again on foreign oil. Gas was cheap under Trump. Not because of demand, but because he opened our country's oil reserves. The country was too far in debt from Clinton. And every president since. Republicans and Democrats. Then the 2 front war, which I participated in both fronts. Trust me, the money did not go to waste.

Our borders are unprotected. Many illegal immigrants and criminals can now come to our country freely. Need I say more?

Now we let a radical regime take over a slowly growing country. Yes Trump wanted to remove the troops. But I'm. Consider slow manner. Not like Biden. Leave Bagram airbase at night with no knowledge. We left that base abandoned. The Afghanistan government did not even know. It was the largest stronghold in Afghanistan. That was the Coalition's main base and country. Trust me I know. My first experience in combat. Was at this airfield, and it was my home for 2. 5 years.

Yes my military career has left me in doubt. But the people in Afghanistan were far better than Iraq. I did not have to worry about pregnant women acting disoriented, looking for water to drink. Killing my friends with a car bomb.

I do not disrespect others who have served this country. Only those who are blind to the wreck less politicians. Biden take money from China and Russia. His son takes money from Ukrainian businesses. He and Pelosi's son both sit as CEO of Ukrainian businesses. Let's not forget who funds the countries inner terrorist groups. The Clintons. More blood has been shed in silence by them over the past 3 decades. Than in our 2 wars in Middle East. Benghazi ring a bell. Who was the person in charge of that shit show. The same **** who should be on trial as a national traitor.

I'm not trying to strike up the Trump marching band. But many things he did turned his country around for the better. The last time we had a decent president. Was many years ago. He told Gorbechov. Tear down this wall. And it was not some lame Hollywood script. That he was noted for in his younger days. He bankrupted the Soviet Union quietly. Without having to fire a single shot in anger. May I note the fact. REPUBLICAN! Not some sorry ass politician with a jackass for a mascot.

Borders unprotected! Enemy given quarter! What's next our country gets attacked again. In the next 3. 5 years. And all you asshole Biden supporters. Will blame someone else than the direct cause. Joe Biden! Old sleepy Joe and his Alzheimer's has began to show in 6 months. Trump was a asshole. But at least he was American. Not an individual!

This column is for rants raves and arguments. So fuck off when you talk about my "war porn". I have nothing to prove to you. I got plenty of accolades as a soldier to prove my contribution. 8 years in 2 of the US Army's elite units 82nd Airborne and 75th Ranger regiment. I did my share.

What else? It does not matter what else.

I'm not some pathetic war torn G. I. With PTSD. It's called IED. Intermittent Explosive Disorder.

[QUOTE=FatDaddy3750;5503954]There are plenty of places to spout your political positions. Most readers are looking for something else.[/QUOTE]On this site, that place is the Octagon; I. E. This thread. All other threads are devoted to getting sex. This is the one place that is open for whatever users choose to talk about.

OF to ban sexual content in October. Someone else has to jump into the pond to fill this void as OF is processing billions in transactions and keeping 20 percent.

[URL]https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/19/22632797/onlyfans-prohibit-sexually-explicit-content-porn-creators[/URL]

[QUOTE=WanderingAbout;5504199]OF to ban sexual content in October. Someone else has to jump into the pond to fill this void as OF is processing billions in transactions and keeping 20 percent.

[URL]https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/19/22632797/onlyfans-prohibit-sexually-explicit-content-porn-creators[/URL][/QUOTE]Most OF content don't have sexual content. Nudity is not considered sexual content so the vast majority of OF content will not change.

Sexual content would be posts showing sexual acts. People can still monetize sexual content on PornHub or Patreon.

[QUOTE=Twisted69;5503919]

Why don't we start a serious banter about who is going to get USA Out of debt. The last time I checked the debt clock which has been awhile each citizen including the newborn, if divided out would be on the hook for $78,000. And it got worse under Trump, and it's getting much worse under Biden if both of these mega bills pass. Not that it's not needed, just that our kids or grandkids are going to suffer. At what point does China quit footing the bill for our spending and ask for some type of collateral like they are in other foreign countries.
[/QUOTE]Here we go again. Republicans only care about the debt when there is a Democratic President. I'm a Republican and I realize this.

Trump Admin added $7 Trillion to the national debt. $3 T was for tax cuts that mostly rich and corporations benefitted from. I got a small tax cut. I appreciate it. Did I need it? No. Did middle class like many on this board need it more? Yes.

While Trump was pumping up the debt, did anyone in the Republican leadership say anything? No.

$7 Trillion.

And the tax cuts were a large "net negative" on the budget. FAR more expenditures went out than new revenue came in. In fact, LESS revenue came in. And actually this happens EVERY time tax rates for the rich are cut. You can research it, it's all there.

More importantly, however, is the fact that the National Debt is meaningless. It's foolish to even spout off about it. The debt is NEVER getting "paid off", so stop talking about "how we're going to pay it off? We're NOT. Ever. And the Chinese are NEVER coming to us demanding their money. Ever. And they know that we would just say Nope.

Bottom line: we will continue to "service the debt". Big deal. We have since the beginning of time. As long as we have decent GDP over the long run, the percent of budget to service it is manageable and not worth thinking about. It's only a "talking point" when republicans want to constrain a democratic president from spending money in ways that make republicans break into hives, ie. Social programs. As a conservative Republican, I too want to control social programs, but not at the expense of bringing government to a halt, which is what The Tea Party movement was founded on.

[QUOTE=BengalMan;5504439]Here we go again. Republicans only care about the debt when there is a Democratic President. I'm a Republican and I realize this.

Trump Admin added $7 Trillion to the national debt. $3 T was for tax cuts that mostly rich and corporations benefitted from. I got a small tax cut. I appreciate it. Did I need it? No. Did middle class like many on this board need it more? Yes.

While Trump was pumping up the debt, did anyone in the Republican leadership say anything? No.

$7 Trillion.

And the tax cuts were a large "net negative" on the budget. FAR more expenditures went out than new revenue came in. In fact, LESS revenue came in. And actually this happens EVERY time tax rates for the rich are cut. You can research it, it's all there.

More importantly, however, is the fact that the National Debt is meaningless. It's foolish to even spout off about it. The debt is NEVER getting "paid off", so stop talking about "how we're going to pay it off? We're NOT. Ever. And the Chinese are NEVER coming to us demanding their money. Ever. And they know that we would just say Nope.

Bottom line: we will continue to "service the debt". Big deal. We have since the beginning of time. As long as we have decent GDP over the long run, the percent of budget to service it is manageable and not worth thinking about. It's only a "talking point" when republicans want to constrain a democratic president from spending money in ways that make republicans break into hives, ie. Social programs. As a conservative Republican, I too want to control social programs, but not at the expense of bringing government to a halt, which is what The Tea Party movement was founded on.[/QUOTE]Title says it all.

[QUOTE=PeteCastillone;5504092][b]<snipped all the "I'm a superhero" shit>[/b] I'm not trying to strike up the Trump marching band. But many things he did turned his country around for the better. The last time we had a decent president. Was many years ago. He told Gorbechov. Tear down this wall. And it was not some lame Hollywood script. That he was noted for in his younger days. He bankrupted the Soviet Union quietly. Without having to fire a single shot in anger. May I note the fact. REPUBLICAN! Not some sorry ass politician with a jackass for a mascot.[/QUOTE]Funny you mention Reagan. You do realize that guy couldn't fucking win a republican primary nowadays, right?

[QUOTE=RogerOver;5506539]Funny you mention Reagan. You do realize that guy couldn't fucking win a republican primary nowadays, right?[/QUOTE]That guy probably can not win a clean pair of depends. He is older than dirt. But he did what he set out to do. Bankrupt the Soviet Union. Enough said.

[QUOTE=RogerOver;5506539]Funny you mention Reagan. You do realize that guy couldn't fucking win a republican primary nowadays, right?[/QUOTE]Also very funny! Pete loves him some trump. Also interesting that Reagan broke the law like trump, but only once.

[QUOTE=RogerOver;5506539]Funny you mention Reagan. You do realize that guy couldn't fucking win a republican primary nowadays, right?[/QUOTE]What IS funny is that JFK COULD win a Republican primary nowadays. If you think the Republicans have changed, you need to take a harder look at the Dems.