Thread: WHO is sending this much cash to Democrats, and what do they hope to buy with it?

Originally Posted by astralis

bluesman,

in the spirit of what the moderators just said, let me try this again without flinging about charges of racism.

from my original posting, i have already told you that i am dealing with a side-issue here and not the original claim. in other words, i'm not trying to befuddle the debate, i'm here to correct your use of facts. had you used katrina leung or any of the other completely legitimate examples of chinese governmental interference with US politics, i would not have said a word.

by the way, i might remind you: when Norman was born, and also in 1992 and 1996, Hong Kong was a British Crown Colony. in other words, that territory was not China's...which again begs the question, past the vaguest of associations (ethnic Han), is there any proof or evidence at all that you can tie Norman Hsu to the PRC.

standing by.

That's as close as we're likely to get, and because I care about the future of this Board, and my pal TopHatter's gastro-intestinal health, FINE. We'll put that part to bed.

Carrying on...

Originally Posted by Bluesman

I know, and I didn't do that. I was informing HIM that he'd better step away from that comment, or I intended to take it up with the mods, and would seek to get him banned. And I will dam' sure do that, too.

Bluesman,
What you did was imply that he'd be banned and that is also in the forum guidelines.

Regardless, the forum guidelines also notes in bold font that interpretation of the rules resides solely with the staff.

Parihaka and I have both determined that you and Astralis were out of line.
I've asked both of you to apologize to each other.

Originally Posted by Bluesman

He couldn't have pushed me where I was any more tender unless he'd insulted my family. There is almost NOTHING of which I'm less tolerant of nor likely to let pass without reaction than a charge that I'm a racist.

I've discussed this with Astralis at length via PM he has indicated that he's sent a PM to you apologizing. I'm asking you to do the same, shake hands and continue with the topic at hand. Good to go?

Originally Posted by Parihaka

Agreed on both counts.
I'd add that tying Norman Hsu to the PRC because he is ethnic Chinese isn't racist (which is all too easy a call to slap down the opposition), it is however sloppy and lazy, using generalities for specific cases.

You're both off mark here, you're both valued here (not least by each other), back down please.

Okay, I'm not prepared to offer a standard of proof that would be acceptable to a legal standard. But for Gawd's SAKE, take a look at all of it together.

And I bet - no, REALLY, I mean I'm proposing a wager, here - that the next few weeks will reveal a tie. I'm prepared to back it up, if anybody wants the action.

All right, MSgt, I will take you up on this. If within 4 weeks, there is no proof or even an allegation from the prosecution side (I want someone credible and not some nut job off the street), you will send me a tin of butter cookies. If there is enough evidence to warrant a charge, I will send you a bottle of Glenlivet - sounds like you need it.

Edit: I mean a link to the PRC of course.

Edit 2: No, Mr Lukins and Tankie, you will NOT come in on this action.

Originally Posted by TopHatter

Bluesman,
What you did was imply that he'd be banned and that is also in the forum guidelines.

Regardless, the forum guidelines also notes in bold font that interpretation of the rules resides solely with the staff.

Parihaka and I have both determined that you and Astralis were out of line.
I've asked both of you to apologize to each other.

I've discussed this with Astralis at length via PM he has indicated that he's sent a PM to you apologizing. I'm asking you to do the same, shake hands and continue with the topic at hand. Good to go?

If you will have it so, here:

I'm sorry I'm too touchy about insults to my honor, and I'm sorry astralis saw fit to interpret what I posted as a racist comment.

I failed once by allowing myself to be mis-interpreted by somebody that is likely to take an opportunity to read me wrong (although that will be hard to avoid with so many diverse members, perhaps I'll just refrain from anything more opinionated or energentic than settled facts.) I failed again in considering my reputation as worth defending even from meritless slander (and I confess I still think even moreso in those cases). And finally, I accept fault for telling an adversary what I thought he should do, and telling him what I'd do about it if he didn't.

All-in-all, I accept my part of the blame.

There.

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

All right, MSgt, I will take you up on this. If within 4 weeks, there is no proof or even an allegation from the prosecution side (I want someone credible and not some nut job off the street), you will send me a tin of butter cookies. If there is enough evidence to warrant a charge, I will send you a bottle of Glenlivet - sounds like you need it.

Edit: I mean a link to the PRC of course.

Edit 2: No Mr Lukins and Tankie, you will NOT come in on this action.

HAH! Okay, it's a bet - virtual handshake.

Originally Posted by Bluesman

If you will have it so, here:

I'm sorry I'm too touchy about insults to my honor, and I'm sorry astralis saw fit to interpret what I posted as a racist comment.

I failed once by allowing myself to be mis-interpreted by somebody that is likely to take an opportunity to read me wrong (although that will be hard to avoid with so many diverse members, perhaps I'll just refrain from anything more opinionated or energentic than settled facts.) I failed again in considering my reputation as worth defending even from meritless slander (and I confess I still think even moreso in those cases). And finally, I accept fault for telling an adversary what I thought he should do, and telling him what I'd do about it if he didn't.

All-in-all, I accept my part of the blame.

There.

I never asked you to apologize for being touchy about slights to your honor, nor for Astralis interpreting your post as racist.

Nor for expressing your opinion (though everybody should know full well by now that expressing a strong or controversial opinion without a truckload of facts immediately backing it up (not unlike your post #14 for example) will be quickly asked to provide them.

Nor for defending your reputation from meritless slander.

Nor for telling Astralis what you think he should do.

I asked you to apologize for implying that he'd be banned. A violation of the rules. Just like his calling you - or implying that you are - a racist.

Originally Posted by TopHatter

I never asked you to apologize for being touchy about slights to your honor, nor for Astralis interpreting your post as racist.

Nor for expressing your opinion (though everybody should know full well by now that expressing a strong or controversial opinion without a truckload of facts immediately backing it up (not unlike your post #14 for example) will be quickly asked to provide them.

Nor for defending your reputation from meritless slander.

Nor for telling Astralis what you think he should do.

I asked you to apologize for implying that he'd be banned. A violation of the rules. Just like his calling you - or implying that you are - a racist.

Okay, alright.

I do apologize.

And to you, too. Truly. You're too nice to have to put up with my crap. Sorry, mate.

If you'd like, I can send you some of my blood pressure meds.

Originally Posted by Bluesman

And I bet - no, REALLY, I mean I'm proposing a wager, here - that the next few weeks will reveal a tie. I'm prepared to back it up, if anybody wants the action.

No takers from me.

Originally Posted by Bluesman

If you'd like, I can send you some of my blood pressure meds.

MSgt,

You have not won the bottle of scotch yet.

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

MSgt,

You have not won the bottle of scotch yet.

HAH!

Originally Posted by Bluesman

Okay, alright.
I do apologize.
And to you, too. Truly. You're too nice to have to put up with my crap. Sorry, mate.
If you'd like, I can send you some of my blood pressure meds.

Thanks...now I can get some dinner.

You guys are enough to drive a person to drink I swear

The title said "WHO" and I thought UN's World Health Organization is sending cash to the dems.

I suppose that would make sense. WHO would like dems in charge here so they can push universal health care paid for by hard working people.

Blues,

Before commenting let me give you some background. Over a 30 year period I've been involved in 4 political campaigns--two congressional campaigns and two presidential campaigns. I also held political jobs in Congress and in the executive branch. I grew up and lived most of my life in DC. and by way of family connections smoozed with a fair number of polticians, diplomats and here-today-gone-tomorrow people with unknown political motivations. Hsu is a common type character in that scene--people with money to give away.

None of this is by way of defending Hsu. He may or may not have Chinese government handlers, just like that other fellow, Abdul Jinnah, the Pakistani contributor to Hillary's campaign who fled the US last year after falsifying FEC reports, may or may not have Pakistani government handlers. Abdul Rehman Jinnah

No. Slap my wrists; I am going to defend Hillary and mind you this is just between us, because out in the real world I relish her every misstep.

In any case, as I said guys like Hsu are common in DC. He fits the classic pattern of a certain type of donor; these are people who are in it mainly to 1) promote themselves as being well connected to Washington insiders to people back home who don't know any better, and 2) to get attention from important people.

The one big reward they get goes on their I-love-me wall back home to impress business associates and so on; it's a photo op with the candidate. The photo is designed to make them look like friends of the candidate. But it's really assembly line stuff. I've watched these happen.

Here's a typical scenario. The campaign hosts a 1-2 hour reception for all big donors over a certain amount. The candidate arrives an hour late and walks thru the assembled guests shaking hands and smiling. Then he or she is coaxed by staff to a position in front of an American flag or other suitable backdrop. The photograpers fumble with their cameras, and then one by one the donors file by for a handshake, a word of thanks from the candidate and a photo of the two of them smiling like old friends--15 seconds of fame. The whole thing is over in 20 minutes, when the candidate pretending he/she wants to stay is mercifully whisked away by a staffer, leaving the donors to finish up the shrimp and dip. The photo arrives in the mail a week or two later with an autopenned greeting and autograph.

I don't want to make this too long, but I thought I might mention another aspect of all this. Behind the scenes staffers are vetting donors all the time looking for anything that will cause a scandal later. Every check is scrutinized, donor's FEC reports are studied, calls are made. Is this guy Mafia; is that guy a front for someone else; and so on? Suspicious donations are returned quietly. But, sooner or later one backfires. Was that what happened with Hsu? Odds are it was, but we don't know yet.

so, let's make some political hay out of this before our turn comes around again.