And we all wonder how on earth Trump got elected

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So, KT, you're in the "thoughts and prayers" camp. Sad.

Diane - how you got that from what I wrote is beyond my ability to comprehend. No where did I say I was praying or thinking about victims. What I said was I am a responsible citizen not contributing to the violence. I am not a policy maker nor a government official. Instead of ad hominem attacks against people you do not know and yet feel qualified to judge, why don't YOU go do something about it? Why don't you run for office? Surely there is a more effective platform for you to promote your ideology than this little chatterbox in Iron Sudoku.

Stewart - Trump got elected like all presidents get elected - by getting a majority of the electoral college votes. I don't see how that is something to "wonder" about.

Stewart - For the record I did not vote for Trump in 2016 because I thought he was too liberal and a RINO. His record has proven otherwise and I will vote for him in 2020.

HK, we do not really have a gang crime problem, although there have been in the past, they are jumped on as soon as they pop up. OMCGs are heavily monitored with anti association laws, no colours in licensed premises etc, and whenever possible they are brought to justice for their many criminal activities, as other forms or organised crime. Gangs too get proscribed when they are involved in criminal activities.

We have also acted on tobacco and alcohol advertising with both declining in usage. Tobacco heavily taxed, all sold in pain packaging with ugly and extensive health warnings plastered on them instead of colourful brands to identify with. No smoking in public buildings, pubs, hotels etc. All welcomed by everyone, even most smokers because most of them wish they could give up.

Alcohol is still by far the worst drug on the planet, resulting in vast majority of deaths, assaults, disorder offences, family and domestic violence incidents and illness. It needs tackling but the political will is not there yet. Getting there, but still most people believe it's a good thing. Needs to be more restrictions and far more importantly, a change in public attitude such that being drunk in public is not acceptable. It is now regarded that drinking and driving is unacceptable, but more needed. Our drink driving limits are 0.00 for Provisional licence holders, truck drivers, bus drivers, taxis, police etc, 0.05 for most citizens.

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I'll give it a 16 for the unique rectangle.

This "little chatterbox" is a perfectly legit forum for us to discuss whatever issues there are at hand.

Stewart - I share your pain.

Phil - As always, thank you for the enlightenment from 1/2 a world away.

No one can deny that smoking has gone down the slippery path like nothing before. When I was growing up, for near on 3 decades, everyone smoked everywhere (except for one place - libraries). Now, no one can smoke hardly anywhere. That is a substantial change. Undeniable. As long as poverty & pain exist, so too will ways for people to escape those situations. It's what we do about the situations that makes a difference. It's simply no longer enough to be accountable only for oneself. Hence the meaning of community. No man is an island.

KT - That you would even consider investigating where a man with zero political or military experience, a game show host & failed businessman, would "stand on the issues" is beyond me. Just because he put his name on the ballot? That is not reason enough. A person holding the position of utmost power needs to have a solid educational background, including political science, world history, world geography, etiquette & protocol . . . Would you go to your mechanic for a heart transplant?

KT - That you would even consider investigating where a man with zero political or military experience, a game show host & failed businessman, would "stand on the issues" is beyond me. Just because he put his name on the ballot? That is not reason enough. A person holding the position of utmost power needs to have a solid educational background, including political science, world history, world geography, etiquette & protocol . . . Would you go to your mechanic for a heart transplant?

Sorry about the double post.

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I am not voting for him because his name is on the ballot. I will vote for him because of his record since he has been in office. I assume you will vote for some candidate based on your own reasons. I will not question your decision. If Trump loses, then someone else we be President and I will adjust. To me, it is not that big of a deal. In the history of this great country we have had good presidents, bad presidents and really bad presidents - and yet we survived, and thrived, and been a force for good in the world.

and yet before now, we managed to do that without putting asylum seekers in cages

Right - Obama never did that??? Except he did.

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