Trump announces 25% tariff on all imported vehicles!

[CRH]

I disagree completely. Most countries do not have the freedoms that Americans enjoy. Ask Brits or the Germans about what is happening to them if their government doesn't agree with what they post on social media....

...... censored......censored...
And that's my opinion

 

[Commodore]

I mentioned free speech as the other 'freedom" that the US "enjoys". Not to debate one county against the other, but I do agree that US libel laws need to be modified in this dawning era of social media. And if social media doesn't direct more of its profits to police itself against libel, bullying and harassment, then it can expect the government to eventually step in and do it for them. For instance, in the old days, I couldn't purchase an ad in the local newspaper and declare "Commodore Is A Scoundrel". But today, I can post it, without repercussion, for thousands of people to see before it gets taken down. I agree with you though - government is definitely not the best arbiter of truth when it comes to social media.

Anyway, maybe massive tariffs on Tik Tok ad revenues and creator payments are next?

Your ad would be true so I'm shit out of luck on that point.

 

[Zimm]

The National Soc...... err... Christian Nationals have entered chat...

I'm feeling a little nostalgic. It's kinda how Expedition Portal evolved over a decade ago. Right before everyone from nations other than the USA said "screw these Americans" and bugged without leaving a forwarding address. It's as if they got tired of every off topic turning into an alt-right chest thumping or something.

 

[DaveB]

Thank you for clarifying. I would have never complied with this. Your country, your laws, and your culture. If that works for y'all then great.

Yes exactly true.
Guns are ingrained in the US history and culture and you have every right to decide what your laws are.
We had an opportunity and cause to remove as many as possible from circulation in one go and it worked well.
The gun culture was nowhere near as strong in Australia as the US so less of a problem.

It is very hard to get guns illegally in Australia, so very few criminals have them, or get to actually practice or train with them.
It is even harder to get ammo.

this is reflected in police attitude as they don't have to worry about civilians having guns when they stop their vehicle etc.

If I lived in the US I would probably have 10 or more guns.

 

[DaveB]

Interesting. My most used shotgun (quail and dove) is my Dickinson 28 gauge side-by-side. Imported from Turkey.

Nice one.
We would have called that a snake gun many years ago.
Before it was made illegal to kill snakes.

 

[DaveB]

I disagree completely. Most countries do not have the freedoms that Americans enjoy. Ask Brits or the Germans about what is happening to them if their government doesn't agree with what they post on social media....

There are over 200 countries in the world and to be honest a lot of what is posted on social media is just crap anyway.
Just because you have a right to do something it doesn't directly relate to freedom.
In Pakistan a husband can have his wife certified as insane and locked in an asylum and she has no say in it. Even if she is perfectly sane.

 

[DaveB]

I mentioned free speech as the other 'freedom" that the US "enjoys". Not to debate one county against the other, but I do agree that US libel laws need to be modified in this dawning era of social media. And if social media doesn't direct more of its profits to police itself against libel, bullying and harassment, then it can expect the government to eventually step in and do it for them. For instance, in the old days, I couldn't purchase an ad in the local newspaper and declare "Commodore Is A Scoundrel". But today, I can post it, without repercussion, for thousands of people to see before it gets taken down. I agree with you though - government is definitely not the best arbiter of truth when it comes to social media.

Anyway, maybe massive tariffs on Tik Tok ad revenues and creator payments are next?

Yes unfortunately some very influential people go on media and just say shit that isn't even close to being true.
Some of it is so crazy that only crazy people would possibly believe it.
But it happens.

 

[bemax]

I disagree completely. Most countries do not have the freedoms that Americans enjoy. Ask Brits or the Germans about what is happening to them if their government doesn't agree with what they post on social media....

You are totally right…
It is insane that we in Germany are not allowed to - for example - denial the German mass murder in WWII and use NAZI symbols. What a better world it would be if we could just do it…
(For safety reasons: IRONY OFF)

 

[Commodore]

You are totally right…
It is insane that we in Germany are not allowed to - for example - denial the German mass murder in WWII and use NAZI symbols. What a better world it would be if we could just do it…
(For safety reasons: IRONY OFF)

This is what is being reported here in the States.

Posting hateful speech online could lead to police raiding your home in this European country

In the U.S., most of what we say online, even if it's hate filled, is protected by the First Amendment as free speech. But in Germany, prosecutors and cops police the internet.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[bigleonski]

This isn't only about tariffs, it is about barriers to entry into a specific market.

Hang on a second.

If you bought a BMW or vehicle made in Japan or China of a similar value in Denmark, would it still be subject to the 25% VAT and 150% LT??
If not then you may have a flimsy argument. If yes, then your logic is farcical.

That’s like saying if you by a camero or F250 in Australia then America is being grossly done by as you have to pay 10% GST and a LCT as well. Heads up - you pay that on every vehicle regardless of where it’s made above a certain value.

The above has nothing to do with tariffs or barriers to entry. It’s akin to saying your tax system is different to ours so that’s not fair to us ffs.

 

[DaveB]

This isn't only about tariffs, it is about barriers to entry into a specific market.

The only barrier to entry for US products is that the EU countries buy locally made often due to freight costs and product suitability.
I am sure it is largely the same with US imports from EU.
US tends to get more from Canada and Mexico because of lower freight costs and easy availability.
Also US electrical products are not compatible with EU.

 

[bikesandguitars]

You are totally right…
It is insane that we in Germany are not allowed to - for example - denial the German mass murder in WWII and use NAZI symbols. What a better world it would be if we could just do it…
(For safety reasons: IRONY OFF)

That is the downside of free speech. In the U.S., we have to let the idiots have their say. No one is required to listen but, there are very few legal limitations on speech outside of direct threats or inciting a riot. But as they say, free speech doesn’t mean free from consequences.

The upside of allowing controversial speech is that the debate of some of our most disputed issues eventually led to some of our most progressive movements in abolition, civil rights, suffrage and same sex marriage. Those were all topics that our government once deemed as dangerous and openly tried to suppress.

 

[DaveB]

That is the downside of free speech. In the U.S., we have to let the idiots have their say. No one is required to listen but, there are very few legal limitations on speech outside of direct threats or inciting a riot. But as they say, free speech doesn’t mean free from consequences.

The upside of allowing controversial speech is that the debate of some of our most disputed issues eventually led to some of our most progressive movements in abolition, civil rights, suffrage and same sex marriage. Those were all topics that our government once deemed as dangerous and openly tried to suppress.

I would be concerned that excessive or inappropriate use of the first amendment may incite some people to use excessive or inappropriate use of the 2nd amendment.

 

[bikesandguitars]

I would be concerned that excessive or inappropriate use of the first amendment may incite some people to use excessive or inappropriate use of the 2nd

I believe that, in a form of inverse strategy, that was the exact intent.
Keep in mind, our Constitution largely exists to limit the power of the Federal government.

 

[holdmybeer]

Yeah, controversial speech is a necessity IMO. Otherwise “free speech” really only means “free speech for the popular majority”.

Uncomfortable and offensive topics need to be discussed or else society will be stuck with blind spots and bad traditions and repeating mistakes.

 

[Jiman01]

I would be concerned that excessive or inappropriate use of the first amendment may incite some people to use excessive or inappropriate use of the 2nd amendment.

Generally speaking most law abiding gun owners don’t use firearms for offensive use.
The vast majority of firearms related deaths and assaults are because of suicide and gang/urban violence by people who aren’t legally able to buy/own any firearms.

 

[DaveB]

Generally speaking most law abiding gun owners don’t use firearms for offensive use.
The vast majority of firearms related deaths and assaults are because of suicide and gang/urban violence by people who aren’t legally able to buy/own any firearms.

Yes .,.. same here.

 

[holdmybeer]

Generally speaking most law abiding gun owners don’t use firearms for offensive use.
The vast majority of firearms related deaths and assaults are because of suicide and gang/urban violence by people who aren’t legally able to buy/own any firearms.

Yeah, ditto in Canada. Restrictions on firearms really only restrict the licensed users who have already jumped through legal hoops to certify and maintain their status -- those folks are provably not responsible for society's firearm violence problem.

Gonna shoot up a rival's house? Well murder is illegal anyways, so a lesser firearm licensing deterrent ain't gonna stop the crime! Where's my .50 BMG?

 

[DaveB]

Yeah, ditto in Canada. Restrictions on firearms really only restrict the licensed users who have already jumped through legal hoops to certify and maintain their status -- those folks are provably not responsible for society's firearm violence problem.

Gonna shoot up a rival's house? Well murder is illegal anyways, so a lesser firearm licensing deterrent ain't gonna stop the crime! Where's my .50 BMG?

Gun violence and suicides were getting out of hand in Australia.
Maybe we should have put a Tariff on them (just to mention the original thread subject) as most were/are imported.
As population and unemployment grew we started to see regular mass shootings.
Then 1996 massacre happened and the vast majority of people realised something had to be done.
Easy for us as we are an isolated island with no shared borders.

 

[Tazzieman]

If I lived in the US I would probably have 10 or more guns.

You'd be OK with just a kevlar lined Belstaff jacket and your collection of old sticks