FrankGrimes's recent activity
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Comment on Woman who dated US Senate candidate Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her in ~society
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Comment on Woman who dated US Senate candidate Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her in ~society
FrankGrimes Link ParentThe Fed targets around a 2% inflation rate - of course the spike was due to COVID - that's long been settled. By the end of Biden's term, it was just about right where it was supposed to be. Poor...This graph from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows CPI spiking during Biden's term. I attribute this to COVID, but it doesn't recover by the end and remains at or above 2.4% for the rest of it. Overall, not bad, but I wouldn't call it an improvement. Obama's terms look better, but it's still far from impressing.
The Fed targets around a 2% inflation rate - of course the spike was due to COVID - that's long been settled. By the end of Biden's term, it was just about right where it was supposed to be.
Judging by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics page on unemployment rates, unemployment rose from 3.6% to 4.1% from January 2020 to December 2024, not counting COVID spikes.
Poor wording on my part - I was trying to point out that inflation dropped back down without the major spike in unemployment that many economists predicted - the so called "soft landing" was achieved. But you're right - crediting a president with economic data isn't productive, and often isn't due to many of their policies.
I'd be happy just to get major wins in maybe one or two of these, and I'd be completely fine with them happening slowly, so long as I could trust that they were happening. But the party consistently feels like it has no interest in half of these, and what wins we got were thin on the ground.
But things are happening slowly - you listed a bunch of things yourself, but I think you downplayed how big they are. You don't have to go particularly far back in history before you're in a time when gay marriage was illegal, or before the ACA. Or the Democratic president wasn't pro gay marriage (Obama at first). Additionally, immigrant rights under Democrats were quite strong - the wall was getting built further at the end of Biden's term and asylum was restricted as a political liability - it was an attempt to do what the majority of the country was looking for, and not get completely blown out in elections - this ultimately didn't pan out, but surely you understand why it needed to be done?
But this gets counterbalanced by so many levels of either failure or inaction: A public option was campaigned on for healthcare, then fast dropped once Biden was elected.
This is the whole "happening slowly" thing - it's going to look like 2 steps forward, 1 step back, but if you look at it over decades, it trends in the right direction. Of course, it won't trend in the right direction if Democrats lose elections.
Then with drugs, the most we have is a federal pardon and an "inquiry" into rescheduling marijuana, all while police funding rose considerably despite the death of George Floyd having been so recent.
Marijuana is legal and regulated in plenty of states at this point. Which party do you think accomplished that for the most part?
The worst is the attitude with regard to Gaza though — 2024 saw an egregious amount of arming and support for Israel despite the fact that it was increasingly clear it was committing actual genocide, and when widespread protests happened, they got cracked down on.
The initial support was because Israel was attacked. I won't sit here and try to support their actions beyond what was initially done though - I agree that it obviously went so far beyond the line, it's horrifying. However, there were plenty of Democrats calling for an end to that war. Even Biden began limiting shipments of offensive weapons (a bit late, but still). Israel is also its own country with its own military equipment - Biden and Democratic Senators and Representatives can't just call the shots on what that country does.
With Gaza in mind, I can't even expect to get basic human decency, and I have no idea how I'm supposed to feel represented in an environment like that.
The Democratic Party didn't call Palestinians "human animals" - I don't see how you're making the leap to saying they don't represent human decency.
To get back to the original point, it seems most of what you've described is slow progress, and certainly not "sweeping disappointment". The reality is the U.S is a massive country where the majority sit closer to the center of the political spectrum, and the politicians in the Democratic party can't suddenly shift hard left, otherwise they lose elections, and we go backwards. I completely understand your frustration, and I do appreciate that you understand the need to vote Democratic, even if you get frustrated by them - it shows a maturity and ability to reason logically rather than purely on emotion.
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Comment on Woman who dated US Senate candidate Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her in ~society
FrankGrimes Link ParentAre you referring to the party that fielded the most LGBTQ+ friendly administration in our history, passed multiple major bipartisan pieces of legislation, led the country through the recovery...because the Democrat Party has by-and-large been a sweeping disappointment
Are you referring to the party that fielded the most LGBTQ+ friendly administration in our history, passed multiple major bipartisan pieces of legislation, led the country through the recovery from COVID, saw inflation drop and unemployment rates stay low? That Democratic Party? Stop buying into Republican talking points about Democrats being useless or disappointing and look at which party is actually affecting positive change. And just because Democrats aren't accomplishing someone's personal wish list, or aren't able to completely change the direction of the country in a 4 year window, doesn't mean they're a "sweeping disappointment".
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Comment on Woman who dated US Senate candidate Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her in ~society
FrankGrimes Link ParentGet this message to both wings of the Democratic party - if Platner gets replaced with a 78 year old who doesn't have a Nazi tattoo, you go out and vote for the 78 year old - I don't want to hear...Right now, the only thing that matters is strategy and tactics to ensure a chance at a better future for this country, rather than what's actually right.
Get this message to both wings of the Democratic party - if Platner gets replaced with a 78 year old who doesn't have a Nazi tattoo, you go out and vote for the 78 year old - I don't want to hear about how "I'm not voting for them because they're the same old establishment Democrat, and we want change and fight!".
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of June 29 in ~society
FrankGrimes Link ParentThe Supreme Court lost all legitimacy long ago. Should Democrats take a majority in the Fall, impeachments, court packing, investigation of corruption, and punishment for findings of corruption...The Supreme Court lost all legitimacy long ago. Should Democrats take a majority in the Fall, impeachments, court packing, investigation of corruption, and punishment for findings of corruption need to be at the very top of the list.
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Comment on US Congress clears housing bill, cementing a rare bipartisan feat in ~society
FrankGrimes Link Parent"Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks--no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure..."Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks--no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea." - Madison
They absolutely recognized the futility of trying to maintain a democracy when the the people in charge do stoop to this level, and the people in charge are a reflection of the electorate.
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Comment on SpaceX stock tumbles 23% from its high as average investor sees gains wiped out in ~finance
FrankGrimes Link ParentI'm far from an expert, but companies can still issue new stock after an IPO. If it's a desirable stock that's actively bought and sold where the price goes up, the company is able to issue that...I'm far from an expert, but companies can still issue new stock after an IPO. If it's a desirable stock that's actively bought and sold where the price goes up, the company is able to issue that new stock at a higher price, thus raising more money.
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Comment on Fox is buying Roku in $22 billion deal in ~tv
FrankGrimes LinkWell, who has some good alternatives to a Roku player? We have one that's used for Netflix, HBO, PBS, Jellyfin (for the self hosted movies and TV), and a few other niche video services. I wasn't...Well, who has some good alternatives to a Roku player? We have one that's used for Netflix, HBO, PBS, Jellyfin (for the self hosted movies and TV), and a few other niche video services. I wasn't crazy about Roku having all that access to me, but I'm downright hostile to Fox having it.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of May 25 in ~society
FrankGrimes Link ParentBret Michaels is now out as well -
Comment on What are your personal crackpot conspiracy theories about the world right now? in ~talk
FrankGrimes Link ParentI hope not, but the staggering incompetence of those in charge probably means they'll screw it up/leak it to a reporter in a group chat, and most people will see it for what it is?I hope not, but the staggering incompetence of those in charge probably means they'll screw it up/leak it to a reporter in a group chat, and most people will see it for what it is?
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Comment on Spirit Airlines shutting down after rescue talks collapse in ~transport
FrankGrimes Link ParentJust a brief comment on the market, competition, and the number of airlines - it's tough to use "econ 101" type stuff with airlines, I think - the financial and regulatory hurtles associated with...Just a brief comment on the market, competition, and the number of airlines - it's tough to use "econ 101" type stuff with airlines, I think - the financial and regulatory hurtles associated with starting an airline are just massive - it's not as simple as a few friends noticing the current airline offerings/prices are lacking and seeing an opportunity to start up a competing business. These aren't coffee shops - buying a single airplane for this type of airline will run you something like $50-$100 million dollars, not to mention the money/knowledge needed to actually run an airline that's compliant with FAA regulations after you've bought your airplane.
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Comment on NHTSA tells US Congress: advanced impaired driving detection tech isn't ready in ~transport
FrankGrimes Link ParentI just wanted to toss this out in regards to: There's a pretty big difference between someone dying from their own poor decision making, versus someone getting killed due to another person's bad...I just wanted to toss this out in regards to:
So we can't even argue that we'd be addressing a top cause of death.
There's a pretty big difference between someone dying from their own poor decision making, versus someone getting killed due to another person's bad decisions.
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Comment on Used electric vehicles are a bargain right now in ~transport
FrankGrimes Link ParentI've kind of wondered how much I should care about that. What's the chances the battery life is hurting in a used EV, versus the chances the last owner of a used ICE car only changed the oil every...I've kind of wondered how much I should care about that. What's the chances the battery life is hurting in a used EV, versus the chances the last owner of a used ICE car only changed the oil every 40k miles? Is a used EV actually more risky than a used ICE? Genuine questions coming from someone who will be needing a new vehicle in the next 4ish years, and would like to go all electric.
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Comment on ‘A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms’ just made ‘Breaking Bad’ lose its IMDB score record in ~tv
FrankGrimes LinkHas anyone watched A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms? I was one of many who was burnt by the Game of Thrones ending, and haven't really watched any of the spin offs so far, but I keep hearing about A...Has anyone watched A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms? I was one of many who was burnt by the Game of Thrones ending, and haven't really watched any of the spin offs so far, but I keep hearing about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Worth watching?
I don't really have much to say about the whole "review bombing" thing...I think it's just odd having so much invested in a TV show that you want to go review another show to knock it down for no other reason than getting your show to rank higher.
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Comment on Creative Nomad IIc: When music was still physical in ~tech
FrankGrimes LinkI also very much enjoyed this. A nice hit of nostalgia. Obviously mp3's weren't "physical", but a dedicated device to play them was close enough. It really made the music experience better - not...I also very much enjoyed this. A nice hit of nostalgia. Obviously mp3's weren't "physical", but a dedicated device to play them was close enough. It really made the music experience better - not quite as good as a CD, in my opinion, but close.
Separately, Rick Beato has some videos on YouTube about physical media, and how he thinks the switch to streaming and "on-demand" singles, etc has impacted the industry and the overall experience.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of January 19 in ~society
FrankGrimes Link ParentI don't think the conclusion is fully wrong, yet. I can go out and protest right now, as thousands currently are. The news is actively reporting facts that go against the administration. We still...I don't think the conclusion is fully wrong, yet. I can go out and protest right now, as thousands currently are. The news is actively reporting facts that go against the administration. We still have fair elections lined up for later this year. It's still a democracy - it is slipping though.
So, I guess I'd say I agree with the articles conclusion that the country has clearly not fallen to fascism, but I disagree with their confidence that it won't. I sure hope they're right though.
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Comment on Federal officers kill another citizen in Minneapolis, National Guard activated in ~society
FrankGrimes Link ParentYeah...the only reason I called it "best" case is that it might mean that the country isn't yet full swing fascist - that's the "worst" case. Either way, I certainly wasn't trying to make light or...Yeah...the only reason I called it "best" case is that it might mean that the country isn't yet full swing fascist - that's the "worst" case. Either way, I certainly wasn't trying to make light or diminish the fact that another person was murdered, if it came off like that.
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Comment on Federal officers kill another citizen in Minneapolis, National Guard activated in ~society
FrankGrimes LinkFrom the NYT: Best case, this gets chalked up to poorly trained, inexperienced, trigger happy ICE agents. Worst (and probably more likely) case we just watched yet another US citizen - no - human...From the NYT:
Video footage shows Mr. Pretti stepping between a woman and an agent who is pepper spraying her. Other agents then pepper spray Mr. Pretti, who is holding a phone in one hand and nothing in the other. His concealed weapon is found only after he is restrained on the sidewalk, the videos show, and taken from him before the agents opened fire.
Best case, this gets chalked up to poorly trained, inexperienced, trigger happy ICE agents. Worst (and probably more likely) case we just watched yet another US citizen - no - human being - get murdered in the streets for peacefully protesting. In the U.S. It's shocking, yet somehow not surprising.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of November 10 in ~society
FrankGrimes Link ParentIsn't there something like 40 million people receiving SNAP benefits? They say 186,000 like it's a big number, but it's basically a rounding error. And yes, it also pisses me off that they talk...186,000 deceased men and women and children in this country are receiving a check.
Isn't there something like 40 million people receiving SNAP benefits? They say 186,000 like it's a big number, but it's basically a rounding error.
And yes, it also pisses me off that they talk about blue states like they're the places you'll find the big numbers of fraud. Such assholes.
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Comment on Tips for becoming a tea person in ~food
FrankGrimes Link ParentThis is interesting to me - I've somewhat recently (the last year or so) gotten more into the loose leaf teas - mostly buying stuff from the Steeping Room site, but a lot of standard green teas. I...A tea master does not measure how much tea they use
This is interesting to me - I've somewhat recently (the last year or so) gotten more into the loose leaf teas - mostly buying stuff from the Steeping Room site, but a lot of standard green teas. I tend to follow their recommendations for (g/oz of water), along with temps and steeping times - they seem to be a really good starting point. Having said that, I'm typically just brewing one cup, and I'll usually do 2 or so steeps of the same leaves.
It's all very enjoyable to me - adjusting temperatures and times a little bit and seeing how it comes out. It's relaxing, in a way.
I'd argue a highly-engaged voter anywhere along the Democratic party spectrum would recognize political reality and vote for whichever Democrat is the nominee. Progressive voters win when a moderate Democrat wins, just the same as moderate Democrats win when a progressive Democrat wins. And we all lose if Republicans win. I said to "Get this message to both wings of the Democratic party".