alanjjohnstone

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  • in reply to: Prime Example of Junk Science #125703
    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    Vin and Mcolome1, as they say "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge""There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance – that principle is contempt prior to investigation." “He that being robbed misses not that he is robbed of, let him not know it and he’s not robbed at all.” Shakespeare, Othello Act 3I think we can safely say that on all the threads, CP, has participated, those sayings have been proven correct.

    in reply to: PRESIDENT Donald Trump #123032
    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    I resent being called a liar. But i may have exaggerated his inheritance since he has brothers and sisters. The $1 million loan doesn’t include his inheritanceHis father, Fred Sr died in 1999, and the New York Times reported that "his estate has been estimated by the family at $250 million to $300 million." The New York Daily News reported at the time that the estate was worth $100 million to $300 million based on family estimates. From the moment of his birth, Trump was set up for success. If someone were to invest $40 million in a S&P 500 index in August 1974, reinvest all dividends, not cash out and have to pay capital gains, and pay nothing in investment fees, he'd wind up with about $3.4 billion. No brains needed!!! But since you have now lowered yourself to the sewer with your accusations, i now cease any engagement with you…Goodbye 

    in reply to: Republic vs democracy vs anarchy #125139
    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    These are NOT MY conclusions, CP,  but that of those who have studied the topic and are well-read in the field. Promises made to the miners for the sake of their votes simply cannot be kept and again it is not me saying that but people withing the industry saying it.I keep coming back at you with evidence not assertions and all you do is challenge the messenger and not question the statements.  

    in reply to: PRESIDENT Donald Trump #123030
    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    IN 2005 – 12 f###ing yers ago…Sanders released his details voluntarily…an income of $205,000 for him and his wifeThe excerpt from Trump shows he got $153 millionOnce more you seem to have failed to read the VOA report which states he still retains a conflict of interest. Of course getting an inheritance of $200 million from his father contributed to that so-called "building up from the ground"Once more, i have indeed raised many things that he has done, things you wish didn't exist…If you were a Clinton supporter, my attitude would be little different and just as critical…i would be demanding the release of the Goldman Sachs speeches.If you were a Sanders supporter, my attitude would be little different because i would be exposing how a president with opposition in both houses can never achieve his policies.And for jobs advice, now that Milo has slunk away in disgrace, there is an opening in Breitbart for yourself, rose-tinted glasses come with the position

    in reply to: Republic vs democracy vs anarchy #125137
    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    CP, i simply focussed on the topic at hand, your claim that Trump represents the ordinary American and discussing his energy policies would mean exposing his lip-service to climate change policies by continual support for the fossil-fuel industries. But since you insist, try reading all of this articlehttps://qz.com/851080/trumps-promise-to-coal-miners-will-hurt-jobs-in-other-republican-states/or this onehttp://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/12/nifty-map-shows-why-coal-power-struggling-trump-notwithstandingOr thishttps://fee.org/articles/trump-isnt-bringing-coal-back/As you are against government subsidies, i expect you to denounce the money given to the fossil fuel industries.https://www.benzinga.com/news/17/02/9106510/coal-companies-lobby-for-clean-energy-subsidiesThis from the business sector media itself

    Quote:
    During his campaign and after, Trump expressed a commitment to reviving the coal industry. While his America First Energy Plan identifies a focus on clean coal technology, it is otherwise unclear what other specific actions the Trump administration would take to support the coal industry. But given that the implementation of clean coal technology will only add to the cost of using coal as a source fuel, it would be reasonable to expect some sort of subsidy or other incentive that would allow coal to be more competitive in the market. Increases in the price of natural gas could also make coal more cost-attractive and make it possible for coal to reclaim some lost market capacity.

    In other words, CP, "more money spent by the government does not translate into more jobs all of the time."…a lesson you are only so keen to teach us but something yourself don't wish to heed.But lets speak plain. Environmental regulations are not killing the coal industry – the realities of the capitalist energy market and competition from cheaper alternatives  are. And Trump can do little to change that. 

    in reply to: PRESIDENT Donald Trump #123028
    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    As for Rex Tillerson, you as someone who has criticised Obama for being a supporter of Islamists are you purposefully ignoring the head-chopping ISIS financing Saudies was defended by Tillerson during his Secretary of State confirmation hearings when Tillerson declined to label Saudi Arabia as a "human rights violator" plus he defends the Saudi invasion of Yemen.

    in reply to: PRESIDENT Donald Trump #123027
    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

     

    Quote:
    Trump does not own the trump corporation anymore so how can he have financial assets in 2 dozen countries(not that that would be a crime)?

    Again an inaccurate statement. What you should have said as that Trump no longer controls his corporation having placed it in a trust to his two sons, not a blind trust as many would expect and what a UK PM is obliged to do.Voice of America, scarcely a left-leaning source, explained  

    Quote:
    Two months into his presidency, interviews with government watchdogs and a VOA review of state records and documents filed by the Trump Organization show that while Trump has taken some steps he promised in January, he's failed to fully implement his own trust agreement.

    http://www.voanews.com/a/trump-done-enough-fence-off-business-interests/3769432.htmlAnd, of course, we still await his full tax details, not some leaked pagesAs for his new reliance on military advisors, it is an improvement on his previous claim that  "I know more about #ISIS than the generals do, believe me…"

    in reply to: Republic vs democracy vs anarchy #125134
    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    The betrayal of Trump's supporters and voters by him goes on and on and on…Recall the frequency of his claims during the election campaign to be on the side of the miners.Trump has now proposed eliminating funding for economic development programs supporting laid-off coal miners and others in Appalachia, which will would cut funds to the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the U.S. Economic Development Administration. 400 of the 420 counties where ARC operates in voted for Trump.http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-budget-appalachia-idUSKBN16N2VF

    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    Up against that brick wall again, i see CP. Reason is that socialists have a coherent and integrated world-view and not an ad-hoc atomised interpretation of society 

    in reply to: Prime Example of Junk Science #125693
    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    …once more your arguments have been shot down in flames, CP.Don't you think it maybe time to concede that you are on a discussion list that is to be respected for its high standard of discussion and trying to score debating points doesn't work.Why not simply use this site for self-education and then challenge those in your own camp and see if they can reply as eruditely as ALB. 

    in reply to: Republic vs democracy vs anarchy #125131
    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    If anyone has been vague, it has been yourself, CP. You are projecting your own flaws on to me.I have been very specific in my responses to you, expressing a view and then backing them up with supporting statements. That is how honest debate takes place. The reason you find you are hitting your head against a brick wall is because you simply don't know how to answer and it is yourself who is resorting to repeating the same old assertions without back-up justificationsFrom the beginning of this thread you have received forthright and direct answers and because the conclusions are not the ones you wish to hear you grasp at straws in your accusations against my replies to you. Go back to the beginning of this topic and re-read everything that has been posted, perhaps that might enlighten you.

    in reply to: PRESIDENT Donald Trump #123024
    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    I never quite liked the term globalist. I may well be wrong but it derives from the usage of the right-wing conspiracists but the left can also be criticised when they demonise "globalisation"..I'll try in the future to  stick to the tried and trusted old words for Trump…capitalist, oligarch, plutocrat, robber-baron, In the words of our national poet, CP, "Facts are chiels that winnae ding", loosely translated to mean facts are fellows that will not be overturned or cannot be disputed. In the course of our exchanges, Robbo and i and mcolome1 have provided you with an abundance of evidence and ample examples that exposes Trump as simply another run-of-the mill-bourgeoise political leader, a con-artist performing the customary sting operation over his voters. He hasn't even got the excuse of being sincere but misguided which i think Bernie Sanders could be described as. When people such as yourself decline to face the reality and continue to support a politician with blind loyalty, then it is the beginning of the route towards authoritarianism. 

    in reply to: Republic vs democracy vs anarchy #125129
    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    USAID face cuts of 28%. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would lose the most, taking a hit of 31.4% The Superfund program, which manages and attempts to clean up hundreds of sites poisoned with lead, asbestos and dioxins, would see its cash cut by $330m Health and human services would face the biggest cut of all: $12.6bn or 16.2%. Agriculture loses 21% of its budget, Labour 21% and transport 13% But Eisenhower's military/industrial complex where defence department spending would rise by $54bn (£44bn) or 10%, including $2bn for nuclear weapons, while homeland security would get a 6.8% boost. The National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the maintenance of the nuclear arsenal and its research labs, would gain $1.4bn. People not bombs….or do you prefer bullets to butter

    in reply to: UN Anti-racism day demo…. #125717
    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    I agree, james, we have to be there for our voice to be heard. And even if ultimately futile, what is so wrong with an expression of solidarity and support for fellow-workersJon, perhaps the party should seriously consider the Glasgow tactic of a big huge banner saying that this march is a waste of time.

    Quote:
    Just as we were turning round the corner of Sauchiehall Street two grim stalwarts of the Socialist Party of Great Britain were standing heralding the march with a huge banner and slogan which read: "This demonstration is useless—You must first destroy capitalism"

    Book Reviews: ‘The CND Story’

    in reply to: PRESIDENT Donald Trump #123021
    alanjjohnstone
    Keymaster

    Just what has he done?Followed Bernie Sanders policy of dumping TPP and TTIP. Followed the Obama policy of deporting millions.And is appointing a transnational Exxon executive as secretary of state not an endorsement of globalismBut i note you do not address the claims that Trump bullied his neighbours and tried to bully a nation which may well be symbolic of his actual personality and politics as president. 

Viewing 15 posts - 8,401 through 8,415 (of 12,551 total)