The Briefing Room
General Category => Editorial/Opinion/Blogs => Topic started by: mystery-ak on January 19, 2020, 03:38:28 pm
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Is Mike Pence preparing to resign, assume the presidency, or both?
By Douglas MacKinnon, opinion contributor — 01/18/20 12:00 PM EST
Since his selection as Donald Trump’s running mate, many people believe that Mike Pence has been mired in the throes of PTSD — in this case, an acronym for “President Trump Stress Disorder.â€
That is not to say that the vice president does not strongly support the president. He most certainly does. It’s just that Pence also seems to have a terminal case of whiplash as he snaps his head around time and again to witness the next shoe dropping, about or from the president.
Pence is the poster child of a reserved, traditional, button-down politician. Trump at times appears to consider these traits a weakness, counter to the persona he needs to push to protect his name, policies and legacy against the entrenched elites in the mainstream media and political parties who have sought to take him down since day one.
more
https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/478660-is-mike-pence-preparing-to-resign-assume-the-presidency-or-both
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Well, I've never trusted Pence. I had never heard of him until Trump selected him. There's just something about him that just doesn't ring "true". I'd say he's preparing to assume the presidency. Absolutely. I believe that there is a strong possibility that him taking Trump's position has been in the 'works' for quite awhile.
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The Dems had to get rid of Agnew before they could get Nixon.
I expect they will try to get rid of Pence, one way or another (find something to chase him out over).
But first things first, they have yet to prove any High Crimes or Misdemeanors.
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Why on Earth would Pence resign?
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Why on Earth would Pence resign?
I think there's a weed collective operating at The Hill. Not all partake, but some are chain-tokers.
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I think there's a weed collective operating at The Hill. Not all partake, but some are chain-tokers.
Likely relatively low in the spectrum of vices there.
They should have to take pre employment and random drug tests. Democrats, daily, because they exhibit such odd and irrational behaviour.
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Well, I've never trusted Pence. I had never heard of him until Trump selected him.
Ron Paul, Pence and Cruz were inarguably the national face of the TEA Party.
Pence runs more libertarian than Cruz, but had a great record, prior to his election as governor of Indiana.
My personal opinion of Pence: He is a solid Conservative, lacking backbone to some degree. The degree of backbone seems to vary depending upon the 'in group' he's in..
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Ron Paul, Pence and Cruz were inarguably the national face of the TEA Party.
Pence runs more libertarian than Cruz, but had a great record, prior to his election as governor of Indiana.
My personal opinion of Pence: He is a solid Conservative, lacking backbone to some degree. The degree of backbone seems to vary depending upon the 'in group' he's in..
My tends-to-the-left SIL hates Pence more than she does Trump. "Too Religious."
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My tends-to-the-left SIL hates Pence more than she does Trump. "Too Religious."
Pence has avoided the accusations of the honey pot by not going anywhere with a woman other than his wife alone. That bespeaks a degree of wisdom, but really frustrates the crap out of the left. They call him sexist, but they can't trot out some floozy to accuse him of anything.
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My tends-to-the-left SIL hates Pence more than she does Trump. "Too Religious."
He is most solidly a social conservative, glowing with fiscal conservative, and his libertarian bent is something a Western man can understand... Which really leaves me in a quandry since his governorship. I do not believe he would have been reelected, largely due to social issues.
Still and all, I would consider it a bright point were he to ascend. And were he to select Cruz as his VP, Conservatives would line up and fight. Including me...
Successfully impeaching and convicting Tump may be the single most stupid thing that Dems could do.
It is probably about the only thing they could do to slam Conservatives back together, and resurrect the TEA Party to national status.
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Successfully impeaching and convicting Tump may be the single most stupid thing that Dems could do.
It is probably about the only thing they could do to slam Conservatives back together, and resurrect the TEA Party to national status.
In spite of McConnell's best efforts. 9999hair out0000
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In spite of McConnell's best efforts. 9999hair out0000
The moderates need to go. Conservatives in control of the Administration (and the RNC) can make that happen. Like I said, convicting Tump might not go the way they think.
Though no doubt McConnell knows that, and will do all in his power to keep Pence from ascending. That alone pretty much guarantees Tump's acquittal.
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The moderates need to go. Conservatives in control of the Administration (and the RNC) can make that happen. Like I said, convicting Tump might not go the way they think.
Will it ever go in a direction that would encourage you to spell his name correctly? wink777
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Will it ever go in a direction that would encourage you to spell his name correctly? wink777
Not very likely. He IS a Tump... Not many city folk get the joke...
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I guess I'm city people.... :shrug:
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My tends-to-the-left SIL hates Pence more than she does Trump. "Too Religious."
I recall that he's a devout Christian and elder in his Presbyterian church. Oh, the horror!
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I recall that he's a devout Christian and elder in his Presbyterian church. Oh, the horror!
That's like a crucifix to Dracula, in the leftist view.
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I guess I'm city people.... :shrug:
Well, technically, a tump is a small mound of dirt... something about the size of a basketball pushed up out of the ground. That's funny enough, right there.
But in redneck parlance, at least in the west, it is the act of accidentally knocking something (small) over. A combination of 'tip' and 'dump' together. you might tump a salt shaker, or tump it over... You might tump your coffee cup causing a slop out onto the counter.
Get it now?
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Ron Paul, Pence and Cruz were inarguably the national face of the TEA Party.
Pence runs more libertarian than Cruz, but had a great record, prior to his election as governor of Indiana.
My personal opinion of Pence: He is a solid Conservative, lacking backbone to some degree. The degree of backbone seems to vary depending upon the 'in group' he's in..
The last thing the GOP needs is to have someone in the Presidency who lacks backbone. That is a positive quality of this President; he has a spine!
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It's Trump's GOP now. Besides the GOP has given nothing but crumbs to Conservatives since Reagan.
At least we are witnessing the continuation of the dems imploding.
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The last thing the GOP needs is to have someone in the Presidency who lacks backbone. That is a positive quality of this President; he has a spine!
I will take character over backbone any day.
Backbone means nothing at all if it ain't aligned in the right direction.
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I guess I'm city people.... :shrug:
Oddly, I would think most 'city people' would find it utterly hilarious.
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Well, technically, a tump is a small mound of dirt... something about the size of a basketball pushed up out of the ground. That's funny enough, right there.
But in redneck parlance, at least in the west, it is the act of accidentally knocking something (small) over. A combination of 'tip' and 'dump' together. you might tump a salt shaker, or tump it over... You might tump your coffee cup causing a slop out onto the counter.
Get it now?
Yes, thanks!
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I will take character over backbone any day.
Backbone means nothing at all if it ain't aligned in the right direction.
One's character means absolutely nothing if they cannot stand behind their character.
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One's character means absolutely nothing if they cannot stand behind their character.
More of a chance than one without character. At least he knows what's right.
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The two aren't mutually exclusive. Nothing wrong with wanting both.
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The two aren't mutually exclusive. Nothing wrong with wanting both.
Would that it were so!
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Trump has "character" (just not up to par as to what some say his character should be) and he definitely has backbone. Right now, with all the crap going on in VA, the DEM impeachment frenzy and issues over in the Middle East, I am glad he's our President.
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Would that it were so!
I think it can be said that while not mutually exclusive, they are mutually unlikely. It's because of what the ignorant expect politicians to do. If someone is likely to be of good character, they won't get those votes.
It's similar to the concept of bosses who demand yes-men for executives. Bosses like that are rejected by executives who aren't afraid to say "no," because they know they would have no job security. Same for politicians who promise to be straight-shooters.
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Trump has "character" (just not up to par as to what some say his character should be) and he definitely has backbone. Right now, with all the crap going on in VA, the DEM impeachment frenzy and issues over in the Middle East, I am glad he's our President.
I most profoundly disagree.
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I most profoundly disagree.
Allow me to amplify that a little: What if a politician turns on the people who elected him to office moment he becomes a lame duck (The first Wednesday in November '20)? There would be a case of character mattering more than backbone, because the lack of the latter can lead to loss of the former. Trouble is, it's hard to know for sure without electing and reelecting the politician.
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More of a chance than one without character. At least he knows what's right.
Part of character is defending that, too.
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Allow me to amplify that a little: What if a politician turns on the people who elected him to office moment he becomes a lame duck (The first Wednesday in November '20)? There would be a case of character mattering more than backbone, because the lack of the latter can lead to loss of the former. Trouble is, it's hard to know for sure without electing and reelecting the politician.
That is the other shoe to drop - and one I view with deep foreboding. ie: Dubya 2nd term.
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Part of character is defending that, too.
True. And prior to his governorship, I would have no question.
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Allow me to amplify that a little: What if a politician turns on the people who elected him to office moment he becomes a lame duck (The first Wednesday in November '20)? There would be a case of character mattering more than backbone, because the lack of the latter can lead to loss of the former. Trouble is, it's hard to know for sure without electing and reelecting the politician.
What if a politician isn't a lame duck because he has both backbone and character -- the character to do what is right for the country and the backbone to see it through.
Indeed -- in the event that Trump isn't removed from office and he is re-elected, we cannot be sure of what he'll do his second term -- that IS in his character -- and IMHO a deep flaw -- you never can quite predict what he'll do. To his credit, he's usually one step ahead.
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What if a politician isn't a lame duck because he has both backbone and character -- the character to do what is right for the country and the backbone to see it through.
Indeed -- in the event that Trump isn't removed from office and he is re-elected, we cannot be sure of what he'll do his second term -- that IS in his character -- and IMHO a deep flaw -- you never can quite predict what he'll do. To his credit, he's usually one step ahead.
I think him entirely predictable. His history precedes him... Like a fetid stench.
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That is the other shoe to drop - and one I view with deep foreboding. ie: Dubya 2nd term.
Even Ronaldo Maximus delivered a miserable second term, complete with poor tax philosophy, lousy immigration "deals" and and scandals leading to paralysis.
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Even Ronaldo Maximus delivered a miserable second term, complete with poor tax philosophy, lousy immigration "deals" and and scandals leading to paralysis.
Right. But ultra-magnified in Tump. He is appearance minded, and will be seeking to forge a legacy on steroids.
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Right. But ultra-magnified in Tump. He is appearance minded, and will be seeking to forge a legacy on steroids.
While it's not sufficient, I'm entitled to hope the legacy he intends to forge aligns with what I want. It's admittedly a thin reed. The alternatives running in 2020 are all much worse. We're faced with either hoping our guy does what we want him to, or hoping a leftist will break his promises.
The technical term for that choice is "suck-ass."
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I think him entirely predictable. His history precedes him... Like a fetid stench.
Well, no doubt I believe if Trump manages to be re-elected we will see the true President Trump -- he will either find a way to crush the leftists idiots or he will join them.
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Well, no doubt I believe if Trump manages to be re-elected we will see the true President Trump -- he will either find a way to crush the leftists idiots or he will join them.
Trump'll join the left the same day he has Rosie O'Donnell over for dinner.
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Trump'll join the left the same day he has Rosie O'Donnell over for dinner.
:rolling: I do hope you are correct.
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While it's not sufficient, I'm entitled to hope the legacy he intends to forge aligns with what I want. It's admittedly a thin reed. The alternatives running in 2020 are all much worse. We're faced with either hoping our guy does what we want him to, or hoping a leftist will break his promises.
The technical term for that choice is "suck-ass."
Right. The conundrum presents when settling for less...
Were he a Conservative, I might be more inclined to take him on his word, and be content to see a legacy building second term.
But he is not, and without a need to follow the voter's will. I think that legacy will look a whole lot like New York, and resemble his phallic towers found all around the world... With Broadway lights.
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Trump'll join the left the same day he has Rosie O'Donnell over for dinner.
Tump IS the left.
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Well, no doubt I believe if Trump manages to be re-elected we will see the true President Trump -- he will either find a way to crush the leftists idiots or he will join them.
Meh. He cannot crush them. No one man can.
But he certainly can join them.
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Tump IS the left.
Of course he is.
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Of course he is.
Exactly!
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Tump IS the left.
This is where we part ways. He's not "left" nor "right," he's an opportunist who saw opportunity on the right side if the aisle. For now.
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Is Mike Pence preparing to resign, assume the presidency, or both?
Nothing like a made up fake story, for gullible people to fall for.
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Nothing like a made up fake story, for gullible people to fall for.
Indeed.
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This is where we part ways. He's not "left" nor "right," he's an opportunist who saw opportunity on the right side if the aisle. For now.
That's right. But every ounce of him is New York Liberal... It is what he was raised in. That is what sets his defaults. So while you are right, he IS a city boy, and must necessarily react according to his raisin.
(http://img.bidorbuy.co.za/image/upload/v1476376761/user_images/512/2134512/161013183920_california%20raisins%20shopping%20gal%20vintage%20collectable%20raisins%20toys.jpg)
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Nothing like a made up fake story, for gullible people to fall for.
Who is falling for it?
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This is where we part ways. He's not "left" nor "right," he's an opportunist who saw opportunity on the right side if the aisle. For now.
Trump is the guy at the end of the bar who says 'if I were in charge...' He's neither right nor left, he's common sense.
It just so happens that most right wingers ARE right wingers because they also have common sense. If nothing else, Trump and they have that in common.
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This is where we part ways. He's not "left" nor "right," he's an opportunist who saw opportunity on the right side if the aisle. For now.
:beer: Exactly. He saw an opportunity, a void and a very disgruntled voting base and jumped in. I do though believe he is a patriot and I also believe he's not going to do anything that doesn't benefit his pockets. Fortunately, for the most part, lining his pockets will also help this country.
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Nothing like a made up fake story, for gullible people to fall for.
Democrat fantasy. They would LOVE for Pence to resign.
One less person to have to take out to clear the road for a Dem President.
The funniest part was when the Dems/MSM tried to draw Pence into the Stormey scandal.
That made me laugh outloud, literally laugh.
Pence has got to be the most straight Christian White guy in D.C.
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Democrat fantasy. They would LOVE for Pence to resign.
And be replaced by Allen West?
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And be replaced by Allen West?
Batman? I thought he died.
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And be replaced by Allen West?
Thee Rats and RINOs in the Senate would never confirm.
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OTOH, Cocaine Mitch and a few others would gladly approve the exit of Cruz from their CLUB. :whistle:
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OTOH, Cocaine Mitch and a few others would gladly approve the exit of Cruz from their CLUB. :whistle:
`You are hitting the bud early.
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`You are hitting the bud early.
But he's hitting on all eight, just the same.
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So if Pence had to resign for 'little boy' problems or kickbacks from Roberts the Christian or something and Trump appointed Cruz as his VP, McConnell wouldn't make that happen in record time? Regardless of the 'bud' issue which I may add is very perceptive on your part @Wingnut
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Regardless of the 'bud' issue which I may add is very perceptive on your part @Wingnut
a cheap trick... Not so much perceptive as predictive, @corbe ... Like the sun, rising in the morning...
The great swami @Wingnut simply made an educated guess. :laugh:
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It was a cheapshot, that I deserve, more often than not, but it showed a lack of characterbone or something. :smokin:
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It was a cheapshot, that I deserve, more often than not, but it showed a lack of characterbone or something. :smokin:
Well...if the cheap shot ever gets you down, we have the back porch in the Lounge, right? I'll join you any day of the week, and twice on Sunday.
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I've read some of the stuff I post here and it don't make a lot of sense to me either, but I've meet many Stoners in my life and they certainly give me a bad name.
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Well...if the cheap shot ever gets you down, we have the back porch in the Lounge, right? I'll join you any day of the week, and twice on Sunday.
For sweet tea, no doubt, amirite? :whistle:
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For sweet tea, no doubt, amirite? :whistle:
Yup! :whistle:
(@corbe is dying of jealousy. I live inside a 45 minute drive to legal dispensaries in two different states. California is the least hassle, but Nevada is across the Colorado River from me. The customers demand high quality smoke.)
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I smoked my first joint in 65, it was 20~Life then in Texas, it's much better now.
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Yup! :whistle:
(@corbe is dying of jealousy. I live inside a 45 minute drive to legal dispensaries in two different states. California is the least hassle, but Nevada is across the Colorado River from me. The customers demand high quality smoke.)
:shrug: I live 3 houses down from all the good weed I could handle... While I do not partake, it ain't like it's hard to find...
If I were likely to, I would be up in the sticks growing my own.
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I smoked my first joint in 65, it was 20~Life then in Texas, it's much better now.
It was 20-life for freakin' seeds.
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:shrug: I live 3 houses down from all the good weed I could handle... While I do not partake, it ain't like it's hard to find...
If I were likely to, I would be up in the sticks growing my own.
Yeah, I could get really good illegal stuff that was skunk weed back in Phoenix, but I've found really good product in the legal stores, guaranteed no pesticides, and quality that can be measured in a lab. I get these little jars with labels that list all the test results. Sativa buds that are over 20% THC.
Interesting side note, in AZ the legal medical stuff was reading THC at "unacceptably high levels." Even higher than the stuff I can get in CA and NV.
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Yeah, I could get really good illegal stuff that was skunk weed back in Phoenix, but I've found really good product in the legal stores, guaranteed no pesticides, and quality that can be measured in a lab. I get these little jars with labels that list all the test results. Sativa buds that are over 20% THC.
Interesting side note, in AZ the legal medical stuff was reading THC at "unacceptably high levels." Even higher than the stuff I can get in CA and NV.
Good on ya, I guess, But like my beer (PBR, Rainier, Keystone), and most other things (my coffee comes in a large tin can), I find the mundane to be perfectly acceptable - Lest I let my luxuries outpace my realities - Which I have a tendency toward. I now live on less money per month than I used to spend on mochas alone... And I like myself better this way.
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Good on ya, I guess, But like my beer (PBR, Rainier, Keystone), and most other things (my coffee comes in a large tin can), I find the mundane to be perfectly acceptable - Lest I let my luxuries outpace my realities - Which I have a tendency toward. I now live on less money per month than I used to spend on mochas alone... And I like myself better this way.
See, I went the other way. I tolerated the mundane for decades, saving up for the day I can retire, so now I like going upper-crust once in a while (like buying my beer by the keg). When it came to the legalization of weed, I found that I can get top-notch for what ditch weed used to cost. It's the magic of Adam Smith's dead hand on markets. There is a demand for high quality, and a general eschewing of the crap the cartels have been passing off (with the added bonus of knowing the cartels get screwed out of being the middleman).
Win-win.
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He's not resigning.
He may have a contingency plan if he succeeds to the Presidency, but I'm sure all vice presidents have that.
But the rest is just speculation.
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See, I went the other way. I tolerated the mundane for decades, saving up for the day I can retire, so now I like going upper-crust once in a while (like buying my beer by the keg). When it came to the legalization of weed, I found that I can get top-notch for what ditch weed used to cost. It's the magic of Adam Smith's dead hand on markets. There is a demand for high quality, and a general eschewing of the crap the cartels have been passing off (with the added bonus of knowing the cartels get screwed out of being the middleman).
Win-win.
I get that. I now eschew fast food once per week for the delectability of one superior meal at a proper restaraunt once per month - foe about the same output in cash if I am careful.
Still, the hillbilly in me would not give the revenuers the satisfaction, nor the cartels - Not when they normally wind up shipping the seeds right with the product... The solution to me would be clear, if I were so inclined.
I have not had proper whiskey in years... But there's always a couple quarts of shine up on the shelf. And when there was whiskey, it was likely to be black label Canadian, with Uncle Nanny missing his cut.
Suits me fine.
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He's not resigning.
He may have a contingency plan if he succeeds to the Presidency, but I'm sure all vice presidents have that.
But the rest is just speculation.
Agreed. Pence has less than zero reason to resign. Now...he may opt to leave the Trump ticket this year, but he's not going to just leave without a replacement assured. He will serve until 1/20/21 at least.
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I get that. I now eschew fast food once per week for the delectability of one superior meal at a proper restaraunt once per month - foe about the same output in cash if I am careful.
Still, the hillbilly in me would not give the revenuers the satisfaction, nor the cartels - Not when they normally wind up shipping the seeds right with the product... The solution to me would be clear, if I were so inclined.
I have not had proper whiskey in years... But there's always a couple quarts of shine up on the shelf. And when there was whiskey, it was likely to be black label Canadian, with Uncle Nanny missing his cut.
Suits me fine.
Since high quality = Sensimilla, it doesn't have seeds anymore. Fertilization just ruins the weed.
As for Whiskey, I'm a big fan of Canadian. I like it better than Jack. Cheaper, too. I keep both, and more on my bar shelf.
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Trump'll join the left the same day he has Rosie O'Donnell over for dinner.
Well, that'd give anyone indigestion. :smokin: :whistle:
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Neither,Wink.
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My tends-to-the-left SIL hates Pence more than she does Trump. "Too Religious."
@Cyber Liberty
I have to admit I have the same impression of him,but after thinking about it for a minute,I can't honestly give you any specific reason to believe that to be true. When you think about it "Too Religious" is more than a little vague because it is entirely dependent on the POV of whoever happens to be saying it at that instant.
If and when he ever becomes a Presidential candidate I will take a much closer look at him. Until then it's really none of my business.
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That's like a crucifix to Dracula, in the leftist view.
@Cyber Liberty
I think you are confusing Presbyterians with Catholics.
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@Cyber Liberty
I have to admit I have the same impression of him,but after thinking about it for a minute,I can't honestly give you any specific reason to believe that to be true. When you think about it "Too Religious" is more than a little vague because it is entirely dependent on the POV of whoever happens to be saying it at that instant.
If and when he ever becomes a Presidential candidate I will take a much closer look at him. Until then it's really none of my business.
@sneakypete
You are speaking for me, there. I don't care about his soul, that's his business, I just care if he'd be good in office, and he's doing fine.
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My personal opinion of Pence: He is a solid Conservative, lacking backbone to some degree. The degree of backbone seems to vary depending upon the 'in group' he's in..
@roamer_1
IOW,EXACTLY what an ideal VP should be.
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@Cyber Liberty
I think you are confusing Presbyterians with Catholics.
Wise-guy.... rrthree
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The last thing the GOP needs is to have someone in the Presidency who lacks backbone. That is a positive quality of this President; he has a spine!
@libertybele
Pense isn't the President. He is the VP,and "being lacking in backbone" IS HIS JOB DESCRIPTION.
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I will take character over backbone any day.
@roamer_1
The two are inseparable.
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And when there was whiskey, it was likely to be black label Canadian, with Uncle Nanny missing his cut.
Suits me fine.
@roamer_1
Glad to see you admit to being happy about our government not getting any of your tax money,but are find with the leftist loons in Canada getting it.
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@roamer_1
Glad to see you admit to being happy about our government not getting any of your tax money,but are find with the leftist loons in Canada getting it.
@sneakypete
Yeah - Black label tobacco too - Turns out the Canadian government is a whole helluva lot cheaper.