Joe's chequered voting history is currently out of the limelight - but will soon return with a vengeance, on arrival at the WH.

Some examples - he strongly supported the Iraq war which lost many American lives. The war was later deemed illegal.

After admitting to plagiarism, he had to leave law school - and later exited the 1988 presidential election, having copied JFK speeches.

In addition - to many memorable and odd causes that he championed - his opposition
to integration in schools is significant.

Very soon, the wolves will have Biden in their sights, just like Trump - giving America yet another one term leader.

doubtful. Most of Congress and the Senate supported it along with all US media including the so-called "left" newspaper New York Times

everyone lives in the moment these days.

whether his policies suck or not is what he'll be judged on (if he lives very long)

## Iraq War was a shocker but was never declared illegal in the USA.
George Bush Jnr who waged it won twice and is still popular. Dummy that he is.
### Watched a video recently of Bush giving a speech and I though his delivery was 10 times better than Trump even though he probably had no idea what he was talking about

hedda wrote:
Iraq War was a shocker but was never declared illegal in the USA.
George Bush Jnr who waged it won twice and is still popular. Dummy that he is.

America to admit it sent its citizens to a war - based on lies and false information?

The war was declared illegal by the UN.

Later when America knew (and graphically saw; even in Hollywood movies) the war had been waged on a false premise - it nevertheless reelected Jnr.

Maybe Trump has a political future!

hedda wrote:
doubtful. Most of Congress and the Senate supported it along with all US media including the so-called "left" newspaper New York Times

everyone lives in the moment these days.

whether his policies suck or not is what he'll be judged on (if he lives very long)

## Iraq War was a shocker but was never declared illegal in the USA.
George Bush Jnr who waged it won twice and is still popular. Dummy that he is.
### Watched a video recently of Bush giving a speech and I though his delivery was 10 times better than Trump even though he probably had no idea what he was talking about

I have a gut feeling that Biden and Harris will divide USA more and more.

I always found New York Times to be a centrist newspaper just like me.

If there is a civil war over the horizon (which there won't be)- just remember one side has guns whilst the other side can't decide which restroom to use.

He also has blood on his hands from the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Biden of course is one of those Americans who, because some of his ancestors were Irish, is desperate to be more Irish than people who were actually born in Ireland. That meant that he, like that idiot Ted Kennedy, were very easily duped into supporting the financial assistance of terrorists there.

He famously refused to speak to a BBC reporter a few months ago on the ridiculous grounds that 'I'm Irish'. Yep, that's really mature and sophisticated, Joe.

It's also a bit odd that America will soon have a President who identifies as Irish rather than American. You'd think someone would have a word.

Tom wrote:
He also has blood on his hands from the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Biden of course is one of those Americans who, because some of his ancestors were Irish, is desperate to be more Irish than people who were actually born in Ireland. That meant that he, like that idiot Ted Kennedy, were very easily duped into supporting the financial assistance of terrorists there.

He famously refused to speak to a BBC reporter a few months ago on the ridiculous grounds that 'I'm Irish'. Yep, that's really mature and sophisticated, Joe.

It's also a bit odd that America will soon have a President who identifies as Irish rather than American. You'd think someone would have a word.

Being I'm Irish myself and lived through The Troubles I don't trust Biden to keep things under control. He's no more Irish than I am French.

Any politician with links or supports for the IRA is worrying even Jerermy Corbyn made a lot of people nervous over here.

Yes there's little doubt that Biden will welcome Gerry Adams - and his IRA/Sinn Fein cohorts - to the Oval Office, on St Patrick's Day.

And lend US weight to the prospect of a united Ireland - even though such an alliance would be economic suicide for the island.

The US takes no notice of the UN and cherry picks bits they want.

They did not sign onto the International Criminal Court for example.

Really, for the great masses of Americans, the UN is not on their radar and the Iraq War and even 9/11 are far in the past.

Biden will be judged on whether his policies are successful now that he has no opposition.

First up will be that $2000 stimulus cheque to all which should go down well with even those who stormed the Citidel including those now being dobbed into the FBI by their next door neighbors for the $1000 reward offered.

## An example of why JK should listen to me more often (I mean that in a caring and sharing way and in the best possible taste ): he claimed Trump was being brilliant for demanding Congress agree to $2000 stimulus payments but the Republicans refused..so having set the whole notion up..Biden will now take the credit for delivering it.

He'll probably make big payments to corporations but in a manner they'll be far more successful in stimulating the economy as Donald Trump's largess has always been directed at The Swamp leaders.

But the risks are Covid could get a whole lot worse and Biden will wear that whatever happens..success or failure.

And when Biden gets the economy kicking along..Trump's efforts have been appalling because he had no idea what to do & rather than hire every clever people he hired fools who idolised him (until booted) ..it's that which will be the deciding factor on whether Biden succeeds or not.

## Bill Clinton's success was directly linked to a thriving economy and low unemployment.

Very doubtful Joe Biden could possibly divide the USA any more than it currently is.

I still claim the Trump supporters will turn on him and they already are- he gave a speech to 10,000s who gathered to march on Congress telling them they were off to save America but it was a giant balls up..

...then he gave his "conciliatory" speech telling the very people he encouraged to storm the Capitol (you really must watch his speech where he tells them over and over that they are off to save his presidency and America) that they will be prosecuted to the ends of the Earth ( but didn't mention his Executive Order that anyone destroying Federal property must be jailed for a minimum of 10 years.)

I reckon the majority of his hardcore supporters ( as opposed to the millions of normally Republican voting Middle Class Americans)..like those who congregated in DC on the 6th will splinter ..they all belong to a variety of right wing or outright Fascist groups and now have no leader to follow.

Republicans have to work out how to harness them without delivering another Trump.

Alison wrote:
Yes there's little doubt that Biden will welcome Gerry Adams - and his IRA/Sinn Fein cohorts - to the Oval Office, on St Patrick's Day.

And lend US weight to the prospect of a united Ireland - even though such an alliance would be economic suicide for the island.

I wouldn't rule anything out when Democrats are involved.

Free speech will be a thing in the past.

Biden has appointed Marty Walsh to be Labour Secretary - the son of immigrants from Galway, in the 50s. A frequent visitor to Ireland and a Catholic.

Walsh and Biden will have a major influence in the Irish political situation, placing pressure on Boris to allow Northern Ireland to leave the UK.

The fact that NI costs the UK €1 billion every MONTH will have a bearing on things - and Biden's legacy could well be to unite Ireland.

Alison wrote:
Biden has appointed Marty Walsh to be Labour Secretary - the son of immigrants from Galway, in the 50s. A frequent visitor to Ireland and a Catholic.

Walsh and Biden will have a major influence in the Irish political situation, placing pressure on Boris to allow Northern Ireland to leave the UK.

The fact that NI costs the UK €1 billion every MONTH will have a bearing on things - and Biden's legacy could well be to unite Ireland.

So more chaos and destruction on the way.

I wish religion was separate from politics.

In selecting Walsh, Biden has again illustrated his interest in the Irish political scene - recently, he had commented on the Brexit consequences for the island.

Emphasising his Mayo roots - and Walsh's Galway origins (neighbouring Irish counties) - Biden clearly has distinct plans for Irish involvement.

Walsh is Mayor of Boston and an Irish language speaker; he is an alcoholic, sober for 20 years - and knows both sides of the Irish border.

Although there's no connection to Walsh - the IRA have long used South Boston as their base for American activities; these include the supply of arms to Ireland.

One of their infamous footsoldiers was Whitey Bulger, a habitual killer and criminal - immortalised on the big screen by Johnny Depp.

Green Man wrote:
Alison wrote:
Yes there's little doubt that Biden will welcome Gerry Adams - and his IRA/Sinn Fein cohorts - to the Oval Office, on St Patrick's Day.

And lend US weight to the prospect of a united Ireland - even though such an alliance would be economic suicide for the island.

I wouldn't rule anything out when Democrats are involved.

Free speech will be a thing in the past.

I reckon Biden might be a bit too canny to mingle with ex-IRA figures, unlike HM The Queen.

how will free speech be a "thing in the past" Honey? It's written into the Constitution and numerous court cases have established it's precedence.

I hope you are not referring to Trump's removal from Titter and the current Parler woes ( I reckon the billionaire Mercer family who backed Parler will soon withdraw support).

While there is a real case that Twitter, Facebook etc unfairly dominate social media much in the way in the 1920s US corporations formed monopolies that had eventually to be broken up, no-one can prevent anyone creating their own Twitter or Facebook style forum ( China has it's own Facebook style entity which 100s of millions subscribe to)

But that's how Capitalism rolls and it is unfair as to recreate a new Twitter /Facebook style forum would never be economically feasible.

There's also the real chance that illegalities posted on these forums..and so much has been, could lead to serious criminal charges for the owners.

# Facebook really is for oldies now isn't it. No-one under 30 really bothers with it- Istagram etc are their new forums and are rapidly growing with 100s of millions of subscribers. No guarantee Facebook will be forever.

Anyway never fear, Rudy Giuliani is on the case along with Super Lawyer Sydney Powell (she of The Kraken fame)and are launching a law suit against Twitter for removing Donald Trump.

What could possibly go wrong?

Alison wrote:
In selecting Walsh, Biden has again illustrated his interest in the Irish political scene - recently, he had commented on the Brexit consequences for the island.

Emphasising his Mayo roots - and Walsh's Galway origins (neighbouring Irish counties) - Biden clearly has distinct plans for Irish involvement.

Walsh is Mayor of Boston and an Irish language speaker; he is an alcoholic, sober for 20 years - and knows both sides of the Irish border.

Although there's no connection to Walsh - the IRA have long used South Boston as their base for American activities; these include the supply of arms to Ireland.

One of their infamous footsoldiers was Whitey Bulger, a habitual killer and criminal - immortalised on the big screen by Johnny Depp.

Let both ROI and NI have a referendum, we don’t want anymore foreign interference.

hedda wrote:
I reckon Biden might be a bit too canny to mingle with ex-IRA figures


Maybe, but he's keen to support his fellow Irish-Americans - who contribute financially to the republican cause in Ireland, through organisations like NORAID in Boston.

NORAID (with close IRA affiliations) wants a united Ireland and so does Biden - who panders to the 35 million Irish voters that are primarily located in three swing states.

Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio! If Biden wants a second term, he'll look after the Irish - and that means posturing (at least) for Northern Ireland to reannex itself to the Republic.

Because NI is an economic nightmare - the British won't be unhappy to see it disappear; few know much about it. The new President will certainly raise the province's profile.

Green Man wrote:
Let both ROI and NI have a referendum, we don’t want anymore foreign interference.


Yes, a referendum is likely - although the island now has enough on its plate. With the Republic in the EU, and NI outside - as part of the UK; but in the EU's Single Market!

However the merging of the two jurisdictions would be problematical - as the Republic only avoided bankruptcy, 12 years ago, by being bailed out by the EU and others.

Most of its banks failed there, or almost did - and the country has a €220 billion National Debt, on which it pays €15 million a day in interest.

This Debt is before the pandemic - and before the Republic sees the affects of losing most of its trade with the UK (its biggest trading partner), following Brexit.

NI is propped up only by our €12 billion subsidy, every year. So unless President Biden helps out - a united Ireland seems on the back burner.

I really doubt that the 35 million Irish voters in America care as strongly as you may think Alison about a united Ireland over their own lives and concerns in the US now. This is what will determine their voting in the US.

I suspect Biden will not be all that interested at all in this question when in power.

His position on Ireland will only be an issue if he decides to make it so now.

Why would alienating the UK be of interest as newly elected potus?

Alison wrote:
hedda wrote:
I reckon Biden might be a bit too canny to mingle with ex-IRA figures


Maybe, but he's keen to support his fellow Irish-Americans - who contribute financially to the republican cause in Ireland, through organisations like NORAID in Boston.

NORAID (with close IRA affiliations) wants a united Ireland and so does Biden - who panders to the 35 million Irish voters that are primarily located in three swing states.

Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio! If Biden wants a second term, he'll look after the Irish - and that means posturing (at least) for Northern Ireland to reannex itself to the Republic.

Because NI is an economic nightmare - the British won't be unhappy to see it disappear; few know much about it. The new President will certainly raise the province's profile.

However the residents in NI are proud to be there and live there, if he wants to reunite it with ROI there be trouble like there was in the past. Things are sort of calm but why throw a spanner in to the works ? Unless Democrats want another foreign war which is always on the horizon.

Green Man wrote:
Things are sort of calm but why throw a spanner in to the works ?


Agreed, quite apart from the dire financial implications for the island - exacerbated by the virus.

But the Ireland campaign is never ending, as evidenced by all the troubles - and killings - since 1922.

Together with the eagerness of numerous Presidents to have roles - from JFK to Clinton.


www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/gerry-a...referendum-1.4271472

Wyot wrote:
I really doubt that the 35 million Irish voters in America care as strongly as you may think Alison about a united Ireland over their own lives and concerns in the US now. This is what will determine their voting in the US.

I suspect Biden will not be all that interested at all in this question when in power.

His position on Ireland will only be an issue if he decides to make it so now.

Why would alienating the UK be of interest as newly elected potus?

I recall living in NYC in the 70s and going into Irish owned bars..seemed to be one on every corner..and there was always a donation box passed around for the "Irish Cause"- IRA.

NYC seemed a very Irish influenced city then..so much of the police force were either Irish immigrant or descendants very aware of their background.

It's really changed over the decades..not nearly very "Irish" these days.

I have no idea how Biden will handle this. I reckon he'll tread carefully. Didn't D.Trump want to buy the South and turn it into a giant golf course?

Or was the Greenland?