On A Watchlist, Buying A Gun, And Then What?

We write of missing numbers: here is Eric Lichtblau of the NY Times on the topic of banning gun sales to people on one of the many (and very different - see BURIED TIDBITS below) terror watch lists:

After Orlando, Questions Over Effectiveness of Terrorism Watch Lists

...

From 2005 to 2015, nearly 2,500 people who appeared on the F.B.I.’s terrorism watch list attempted to buy a firearm, and 91 percent of the sales were approved, a study by the Government Accountability Office found.

That data comes from a GAO letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein and I know what you are not thinking, if you are busy promoting the progressive agenda. But I also know what I am thinking - what in the world was the follow-up to those 2,265 sales? Were there 2,265 incidents of mass shootings, bank robberies, and general terror? 200? 20? 2?

Surely the government sources that compiled this data have a clue - we are watching these people, yes? So why not present the follow-up data? Surely that would be helpful in informing our national debate.

Hmm, I am just guessing here, but... per the GAO letter, the first analysis was performed in 2010, with a follow-up in 2015. In other words, during the Obama Administration. So if more data was sought, it could have been. And I can't shake the feeling that if the actual result had been that 2,000 of these sales eventually led to arrests due to gun-related crimes, the GAO would have unearthed and publicized that factoid. Conversely, if these sales culminated in just 2 gun-related arrests, that factoid would have been have been buried by a Democratic Administration promoting its gun control safety agenda.

Of course, there is a third choice, which would amount to, well, it's complicated, what with all these data bases and all. It is a minor caveat, but the FBI data reflects applications to buy guns but the Feds do not record final sales, so some slippage is possible. Still, does the FBI really want to get on record as saying they don't even know when the people they are ostensibly watching get themselves arrested? Geez, I'll be able to drop my premium cable plan and get all the live comedy I want on C-Span.

Well. I am confident that our hard-charging reality-based data-driven press corps will push hard for an answer to this incredibly obvious question, as will progressive stalwarts such as Sen. Feinstein.

No I'm not.

That said, Republican Senators and Congressman are also free to ask questions of the GAO and the Congressional Research Service. The old attorney's rule about avoiding questions when you don't know the answer may be holding them back, but I would be delighted to see someone on either side of this terror watch list debate nut up or shut up.

ERRATA: I L-U-V FiveThirtyEight for the sports and like it for the political analysis, so I am hoping Andrew Flowers is the data guy who can get this done.

BURIED TIDBITS: This is from the 2010 report (summary) that was updated for the 2015 letter to Sen. Feinstein:

According to FBI officials, several of the 272 background checks resulted in matches to watchlist records that—in addition to being in the FBI’s Known or Suspected Terrorist File—were on the Transportation Security Administration’s “No Fly” list.

"Several"?!? What is that, five or ten? There's no way someone said "several" but meant, for example, "fifty". So why are Obama and other Democrats walking around saying "no fly, no buy" and then citing statistics from the much larger watch lists? Could that be ignorance or willful deception? A real headscratcher.

And just to scale this, let's make some guesses. Suppose "several" means eleven. That is 4% of the 272 matches cited during that one year time period. Boldly Extrapolating that over the 2005-2015 time period suggests that roughly 11%  4% of about 2,500 watch list matches were also people on the No-Fly list [Brain-lock - I shoulda stuck with 4%]. So hypothetically, 100 people would have been blocked during the last decade if we had the No-Fly provision Democrats talk about, rather than the larger watch lists they actually employ in their proposed legislation.

As to whether any of those 100 or so people went on to commit gun-related crimes, well, We the People still don't know, although that data is well within the reach of Team Obama.

Comments

[glasater]

Good to see you, TM :-)

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

If it saves even one life it is worth destroying all the rights the left doesn't like....for the children.

Corollary 1; If it costs even one million lives it is worth destroying all the rights the left doesn't like...for the children.

Corollary 2; If it costs even 50 million lives it is worth creating rights the left likes out of whole cloth...for the dead children.

[glasater]

So the D's huffing & puffing on the floor (literally) of the House chamber re the 'watch list' doesn't mean squat..got it..

Re the #Brexit mess..I got a little choked up seeing pictures of the lines of people around banks getting paychecks cashed. They're scared over there in GB and I feel so sad for them..

[henry]

Obviously the preferred response is to allow FBI access to our browser history without a warrant. And back doors to all our encryption. And higher taxes to pay for all the gun confiscators.

[Theo]

Markets seem to think Britain remains in the EU. Anthony Kennedy once more reminds how important it is to have Republicans nominate SCOTUS justices.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

That's a large touche.

[henry]

Odumbo to remark on the sit in at 11:45. Evil Republicans made Dem Senators filibuster common sense gun laws... so Sir Stompy Foot must get on TV.

[Captain Hate]

Boston College law school must cringe every time Marilyn Mosby files charges.

[JM Hanes]

I'm not optimistic about Brexit; Eurocrats & their cronies have too much to lose to allow an unsatisfactory result, IYKWIMAITYD. If I've done my subtraction right, polls close at 4:00 pm EST, with actual numbers being officially reported between 8:00-10:00.

[pagar a bacon, country ham and sausage supporter]

I think the link was on the last thread. As near as I can see, a non US citizen has vowed to spend a hundred million dollars to help the Democrats in the US win. Were the Democrats wanting all money out of the elections or only US money out of the elections? How can non US citizens be allowed to spend money to influence US elections?

http://freebeacon.com/issues/memo-reveals-100-million-effort-by-clinton-foundation-donor/

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Waiting for the breathless reports on the fat ass sit-inners closing down vital government services.
Surely outdoor parks are about to be shuttered cuz Elijah Cummings is scooting his arse across the capitol rug.

[glasater]

Ryan is speaking now and seems to have acquired a spine..somewhat..

[Sue]

Henry,

My breaking news said he was going to address the SC ruling on immigration. But Sir Stompy Foot is about right, either way.

[Sue]

I wish Ryan would have them arrested. Or censored, I guess, for taking pictures on the House floor. It's a no no.

[Beasts of England]

Streaming video, too. Also prohibited.

[henry]

Selfie day Sue.

[henry]

If he's worried about immigration rulings, maybe he should take down the White House fence.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Take down the fence?
I'm surprised Lord Barry hasn't installed crenelations to pour hot oil on the revolting peasants, not to mention trebuchets for launching cows.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Excellent post on today's AA ruling noting that SCOTUS has not only never actually overruled Plessey but that its racial preference rulings constitute a continuation of it and are direct descendants.

[henry]

As noted on twitter by our old friend (and his horse):

"If you would confirm my nominee my Executive Order would have been upheld" undermines Obama's case that Garland is fair and impartial

[MaryD]

Thanks to all for the birthday wishes! I feel ten years younger!

[Porchlight]

Everyone here at UT is celebrating the Texas ruling. Including our new president. Because race matters and how can we educate minorities if we can't allow them in under lowered standards?

[pagar a bacon, country ham and sausage supporter]

The terrible cost of staying, IMO.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-06-23/european-union-government-deception

[derwill]

Theo,

Anthony Kennedy--who votes with the liberal justices more often than not--was nominated to SCOTUS by Ronald Reagan, so I'm not sure what point you were trying to make by using him as an example.

[Porchlight]

Happy birthday, MaryD!

[James D]

Happy birthday, MaryD!

[henry]

Fascinating link pagar. My grandfather worked with Monnet on Lend-Lease... never looked into what Monnet was really up to.

[DebinNC]

Insty: "VETERAN BLOGGER TOM MAGUIRE Destroys The “No Fly, No Buy” Argument."

[Porchlight]

Freddie Gray van driver Caesar Goodson Jr. acquitted. Thank heaven.

News from WashingtonExaminer.com

Freddie Gray case: Van driver acquitted of second-degree murder
June 23, 2016 11:09 AM
By Kelly Cohen

Baltimore police officer Caesar Goodson Jr. was acquitted in his second-degree murder trial, Circuit Judge Barry Williams announced Thursday.

[bah bah bah]

Instalaunch!

Incoming! Oh wait... I just came in.

[Marlene]

Happy Birthday MaryD! Did you have a huge thunderstorm in the mountains this morning? If so,it rolled into Maine with very strong downpours.

[rich@gmu]

Posted by: derwill | June 23, 2016 at 12:25 PM

I think he forgot to close the sarcasm tag.

[/sarcasm]

fixed it?

[henry]

Is the Brexit vote a sham? So it seems.

Plenty of room for the kind of games the #NeverTrump want to play at the Republican convention are available to the #Remain members of Parliament.

[rich@gmu]

happy birthday MaryD.

[DebinNC]

Nothing dims the impact of photo-op Dems sitting-in like people online dressing them up like Christmas trees with pacifiers, clown hats, etc., competing for most ridiculous.

[henry]

That and pics of the same idiots stuffing themselves at their catered buffet line.

[Forbes]

It might be helpful to know the reason why the 9% were declined. Was it the usual disqualification, e.g. domestic offense, drug/alcohol issues, convictions, et al.? Also helpful would be to know the usual disqualification rate.

[Charlie Martin]

Surely the government sources that compiled this data have a clue

Wouldn't it be pretty to think so?

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--Everyone here at UT is celebrating the Texas ruling.--

I'm actually on board with that and thinking of applying for a job there myself.

Oh wait, Porch, I thought you meant because UT researchers have determined some model chicky named Kelly Brook has the perfect body.

Personally I have profound doubts about their conclusions and have applied for a grant for some intensive on-site field studies to replicate their results.
May even go for my PhD.

[glasater]

♥

¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday, Dear MaryD ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸

[rich@gmu]

wow a blast from the past CharlieCo. hope all is well.

[Porchlight]

Ha, Iggy.

Hi Chaco!

[Porchlight]

Reposting Rocco's comment from the last thread:

This election reminds me of the Civil War when brother fought against brother. If Hillary wins this thing because of a coup d'etat, I know I'll lose a few conservative friends, I can feel the anger and hatred building towards those who would let the opposition win out of spite.

I agree. Felt some more rising anger this morning as I head the SCOTUS decisions.

[Old Lurker]

CHACO!

[Charlie Martin]

I wish Ryan would have them arrested. Or censored, I guess, for taking pictures on the House floor. It's a no no.

US Constitution Article 1 section 6:

"The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place."

[Porchlight]

Also reposting this from the last thread. Per Reuters, there appears to be an enormous swing to Trump among gays. I have not had the time to confirm the numbers, however.

http://regated.com/2016/06/gay-supporters-ditching-hillary-moving-trump/

[Charlie Martin]

Hi all. I come around every so often. Real life has been very busy.

[rse]

Hi chaco.

[MaryD]

Thanks to all for the B-day wishes! Marlene, we got drowned yesterday, nothing but ground fog followed by sun this morning.

[Neo]

Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (D-Boston):

Back in August, we did an investigation -- the inspector General did -- of the Department of Homeland Security, and they had 72 individuals that were on the terrorist watch list that were actually working at the Department of Homeland Security.

[rse]

Porch-Red and the Diva were cutting through GCT Saturday and came on the tell-end of the march from there to stonewall. The signs made me sad as if gun control would have prevented the tragedy in orlando.

I think the diva has forgotten that I was the one who called her attention to the significance of the place when we were in greenwich village a few years ago.

[Porchlight]

Anyone listen to the adolescent-in-chief whining about SCOTUS?

[Frau Sicherheitsdienst]

P.S.

Does she see her husband, Secretary of State John Kerry, very much?

"Of course not," she responds immediately, noting that she has not been able to travel at all -- and his trips are exhausting. "His aides say they've never seen anyone work so hard."

[Porchlight]

rse,

The gun-control people will never understand. And I will never understand them.

[Theo]

derwill --

"Anthony Kennedy--who votes with the liberal justices more often than not--was nominated to SCOTUS by Ronald Reagan, so I'm not sure what point you were trying to make..."

I guess the sarcasm did not come through the computer screen.

My point was that a lot of justices that we would not be happy with -- William Brennan, Harry Blackmun, John Paul Stevens, Anthony Kennedy (actually probably the best of the lot) and David Souter -- were all nominated by Republican presidents. I would absolutely prefer than an actual Republican president nominate the next 10 or 12 but given the track record of Republicans and SCOTUS I am not sure how well we would come out even if that happened.

[daddy on the iPad]

Just caught Alaska's congressman Don Young on local talk. He's been in the House for 44 years. Talked about how disgusted he was with the behavior of the Democrats yesterday in the House. Said they violated every rule they themselves voted for about allowed and disallowed behavior on the House Floor.

Was interesting and unusual to hear him sound legitimately angry. I think he actually may have been angry. He also mentioned as a result years back of him having been put on some No Fly sort of list, that under the Law the Dem's were pushing, which Young called Unconstitutional, he would have been prevented from exercising his 2nd Amendment Right to have a firearm.

No comments on Ryan's leadership, but he thinks they may now ban all cellphones in the House, to prevent illegal pictures like what happened from the the House floor yesterday, but I doubt that'll happen. If the House bans cellphones, LawAbiding Reps won't have cellphones, only the House Dem's will have cellphones.

[Porchlight]

I would absolutely prefer than an actual Republican president nominate the next 10 or 12 but given the track record of Republicans and SCOTUS I am not sure how well we would come out even if that happened.

Exactly. But given the track record of Democrats and SCOTUS we absolutely are sure how it will come out if it doesn't happen.

There is literally no excuse for NeverTrump. None.

[rse]

http://city-journal.org/html/unfair-fair-housing-14337.html

[Beasts of England]

Just remember: SCOTUS justices appointed by Dems never transition into conservatives, but the opposite happens to about one-in-five of ours.

[pagar a bacon, country ham and sausage supporter]

Rest in Peace! One of the Greatest Generation.

http://www.weaselzippers.us/278967-montana-icon-and-one-of-the-last-doolittle-raiders-david-thatcher-passes-away/

[Beasts of England]

Better make that two or three-in-five. O'Connor, Souter, Kennedy, Roberts...

[Theo]

The affirmative action decision by SCOTUS today is just maddening. It not only essentially allows university administrators to decide how much racial preference is permissible it also through the side door allows universities to get away with their real agenda -- the admission of the "right kind" of blacks and Hispanics.

Texas passed a law to require the University to accept the top 10% of every high school class in the state. It did so pretty much explicitly to increase minority (well, black and Hispanic; Asian not so much) enrollment. Texas did this! Texas.

And this was not enough for the diversity champions. The problem was that this gave placement to a bunch of black and Hispanic kids from largely poor predominantly black and Hispanic schools. But those were not the kind of students the diversity warriors wanted. Actual poor people? Oh no, they did not want THAT. Their real goal was to give admission to minority students from "good" families that were not smart enough to be in the top 10% of their class or score well enough on placement tests to be admitted on a race neutral basis. They were at first up front about this but later pretended that they had no such goal. Too bad for them they had written these arguments down and filed them.

And SCOTUS let them get away with this. More and more it is the bureaucracy that runs this country, for the benefit of the bureaucracy to be sure.

[Theo]

B o E --

I should have listed O'Connor although she was not as bad as Souter or Stevens. I think that Roberts has been generally good but there have been lapses. But the point remains -- Republican SCOTUS nominees tend to disappoint. Unfortunately the Democrats never seem to be disappointed with their choices.

[Porchlight]

Yes, Theo. The way the scheme was currently being run, Texas had to lower admissions standards on tests and other neutral measures to admit the top 10% (it later became more like top 7-8%). The result is that 25% of the freshman class ENTERS UT enrolled in remedial classes AT UT.

But at least the school could be reasonably assured that it was reaching students who would not otherwise have a chance at a school like Texas, or at college at all.

After this ruling, it will be the worst of both worlds. Underqualified higher-SES minorities will now get preference. We'll have the lower standards, but the deserving lower-income students - both minority and majority - will get screwed.

[Beasts of England]

I should have refreshed before my first comment, Theo - you hit the point before I did. And, dang, I forgot about Stevens.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

The most maddening thing is what Alito notes;

"Something strange has happened since our prior decision in this case," Alito wrote in the dissent. "This is nothing less than the plea for deference that we emphatically rejected in our prior decision. Today, however, the Court inexplicably grants that request."

[henry]

Any Cleveland residents, head for the hills, judges just struck down the city's protest rules for the convention. Expect extended occupooping.

[Theo]

porchlight --

I totally agree.

Apparently what the bureaucrats want are middle and upper class black and Hispanic students who are not objectively qualified for admission. As you point out, they give these slots to the preferred group at the expense of (a) objectively qualified whites and (b) actual poor blacks and Hispanics, who the Democrats always claim to be acting on behalf of.

I am still a bit flummoxed by the fact that this is happening in Texas. This sounds like a "blue hell" system to me.

[Porchlight]

I don't understand why UT gets away with it either, Theo, but it would be a great mistake to imagine that Texas higher educrats are much different than their peers elsewhere.

If I had to guess I would say that I think a big part of it is because Texas lawmakers want their kids, and their families' kids, and their friends' kids, and their wealthy constituents' kids, to get into UT.

[BlueOx]

From our learned betters at the Washington Post.

Addressing reporters in the White House briefing room, Obama said the current deadlock in the Supreme Court, where his nominee would have broken a tie, not only sets the administration back but “takes us further from the country that we aspire to be.”

Bullshit. Garland (or any new justice) would not have had a vote since they didn't hear the case.

[Theo]

Ignatz --

Alito is right.

A short history of this case:

UT: We should be able to decide what degree of racial preference is good and you courts should stay out of it.

Fisher I: No way, UT. You must prove by a strict scrutiny standard that the racial preferences are absolutely necessary and can only be accomplished this way.

UT (on remand): Trust us, these racial preferences are absolutely necessary and can only be accomplished this way and we should not have to do anything more than state this conclusion.

Fisher II: Alright then!

[henry]

“takes us further from the country that we aspire to be

that country is not who we are.

[Porchlight]

Precisely, Theo.

[Lurker Susie]

Wow John Lewis calling out Paul Ryan

Alex Pappas
Alex Pappas – Verified account ‏@AlexPappas

So the implication is that if you oppose the House Democrats tactics on gun control, you're a racist? https://twitter.com/rachelsklar/status/746032090270023680 …

[henry]

I'm amazed Lewis retained the ability to get his fat ass off the House floor to jump that shark.

[Buckeye]

Porchlight

How old are your children, any college age and planning to go to UT?

Just curious, no hidden agenda.

I recall you are in Austin.

[Miss Marple 2]

Here's another swell comment which demonstrates how united Obama has made us (you may infer sarcasm):

http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/06/alabama_city_councilwoman_on_h.html#incart_river_mobile_home_pop

Her comment on a Holocaust memorial vs. fixing up a black cemetery where Michelle's grandfather is buried:

"Dead is dead."

Seriously, you have to read the whole story to get the level of entitled victimization and stupidity.

[Porchlight]

Buckeye,

Nearly 13, nearly 10 and 6. The oldest is interested in UT. Frankly I'm not sure she'd get in, as she isn't a particularly strong student, and there is so much competition in Austin. I like A&M for her. :)

[Porchlight]

....and I work at UT!

[jimmyk]

Better make that two or three-in-five. O'Connor, Souter, Kennedy, Roberts...

But even those (well, not Souter or Stevens, but many of them) do vote conservatively some or most of the time. Dem appointees vote in lockstep.

I knew Theo was being sarcastic because everything is about #NeverTrump. But Porch is right: as with almost everything else, the choice is between at least a crap shoot at a conservative outcome versus absolute certain Venezuela-style disaster.

[Miss Marple 2]

This is hilarious on so many levels:

http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-media/2016/06/corey-lewandowski-to-join-cnn-224733

1. They must be thinking he will draw viewers.
2. They did NOT hire Michelle Fields. (HAHAHAHA)
3. I assume they think he will either dish dirt on Trump (no) or they are trying to curry favor with Trump.
4. This is a guy who they spent a lot of time castigating, so why are they hiring him now?

[Lurker Susie]

Latino's get 185 added. What a crazy world

Jared Wyand
Jared Wyand – ‏@JaredWyand

🚨 #SCOTUS upholds affirmative action at college

Blacks are getting 230pts added to SAT's..Asians -50pts

#Privilege
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-adv-asian-race-tutoring-20150222-story.html …

[centralcal]

Hadas Gold Verified account
‏@Hadas_Gold

BREAK: Corey Lewandowski is joining CNN as a political commentator, it’s a salaried position

Just adding to MM's info.

[Buckeye]

Porchlight

A couple that Mrs. Buckeye and I are close friends with both went to A&M.

They met there while pursuing PhDs in Agricultural Economics, got married, and then he went to Harvard Law. He was in the same class as Obama.

Her father was a professor at A&M, she never went to school anywhere else, ended up teaching at Ohio State which is what brought them to Columbus.

He practices corporate bankruptcy law with Jones Day.

Great people who have nothing but good things to say about A&M. They were disappointed neither of their children choose A&M.

You should hear his stories about Obama and affirmative action. Zero's classmates thought he was a totally worthless POS.

[JM Hanes]

A very Happy Birthday to you, Mary D!

Chaco, how great to see you, even if only for a split second!

[clarice]

Hi, Chaco--good work, ™, Happy Birthday, Mary D

[Buckeye]

Porchlight

2 of my sisters work at Ohio State. Their kids got 50% off tuition, so the decision was easy:)

[JM Hanes]

House Democrats Stand Down After Chaotic Sit-In

“We will be back,” Hoyer said during a middle-of-the-night news conference. “We will come back into session July 5. The Republicans have left in the dead of night with business unfinished.”

LOL

[boatbuilder]

Obama said the current deadlock in the Supreme Court, where his nominee would have broken a tie, not only sets the administration back but “takes us further from the country that we aspire to be.”

What do you mean, "we," Kemosabe?

[boatbuilder]

As far as I can tell if you oppose John Lewis on anything, you're a racist.

[Theo]

Lurker Susie --

It is not "crazy" to add or subtract SAT score points based on race/ethnicity. It is disgusting and appalling racism.

There was a time when the liberals argued that the standardized tests are biased against their favorite groups. Now they have given that up and use those very tests to determine which blacks/Hispanics get chosen.

A color blind system is the only one that is fair to INDIVIDUALS. But the elites care more about GROUPS. It was racist when the Deep South did this in the 1940s/50s. It is racist now.

[lyle]

HB, MaryD!

[Porchlight]

Buckeye,

No discounts for children of employees here. :( However, for me it's not cost but quality. UT is just too big. And my daughter is very attached and could stand to have a little more distance to help her become more independent.

You should hear his stories about Obama and affirmative action. Zero's classmates thought he was a totally worthless POS.

That's awesome, and not remotely surprising. Confirmed elsewhere too - my dad's connections at Chicago, for example.

[Charlie Martin]

It is disgusting and appalling racism.

That's not crazy?

[Porchlight]

New Scott Adams post is hilarious. Sorry, I just have to repost most of it here:

The Humiliation of the American Male in 2016 Posted June 23rd, 2016 @ 11:24am in #Trump #clinton2016 #sexism

Perhaps the biggest unreported story of this presidential election is the humiliation of the American male. Unless I’m blinded by confirmation bias – which is entirely possible – it seems to me that the humiliation of American men is now institutionalized in the media.

Check out this commercial for dishwasher detergent. And take careful note of the American man’s v-neck sweater. That’s the uniform of a man who is owned by a woman.

You’re laughing because you know it’s true. How many of the married men reading this blog have received those same sweaters as “gifts” from women? Personally, I’ve received about 25 over the years. None from men. I received three of those sweaters so far this year. I throw them away. Nice try.

Many of you can’t talk about this topic without being accused of sexism, losing your jobs, and being cast out of your social groups. But I can talk about it because I endorse Hillary Clinton for president. I did that for my personal safety, because I live in California, but still, I’m on the progressive side now. That gives me some extra freedom of speech.

If you are following the election polls, you know that Clinton has greater support from women while Trump has greater support from men. Trump probably can’t win the presidency unless he gets massive voter turnout from American men.

Will that happen?

The dishwasher soap commercial should give you a hint of how big that turnout might be. You might not notice the size of the coming tsunami because American men generally don’t voice their humiliation in public. That would just make it worse.

But in the privacy of the polling booth, the men who don’t talk are free to act.

You can criticize Donald Trump on many dimensions. You can say he’s not really a great businessman. You can say he’s offensive. You can say he lies. You can hate his position on issues. You can say he has insufficient policy details. And lots more. But I think we all agree that Melania never asks Donald to go back to the store because he’s too dumb to buy the right kind of soap on the first try.

I predict you will see the largest male turnout of any presidential election in American history.

[Old Lurker]

Good thing Porch is my friend or I would demand a clarification on this "...an actual Republican..."

[Porchlight]

That's not crazy?

No, because it demonstrably achieves their goals. In that sense it's completely rational, in the way nepotism and cronyism are rational. The thinking goes: "I am helping the people I want to help by giving them a leg up." Totally rational.

[Theo]

OL --

She was quoting me. Porch would never suggest that Trump is not an actual Republican.

[Porchlight]

OL, those were Theo's words, I think, but I did miss the "actual Republican" part. If that was a reference to a preference for some R candidate other than Trump then I apologize for the "Exactly" in my reply. :)

[Porchlight]

Thanks, Theo. :)