# Election Day \[Week\]\[Month\[s\]\] \[Year\] 2020 follow-along thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 3, 2020, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618 "2020-11-03T05:36:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 400
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/7998 "2020-12-16T19:49:47Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > We sold/gave nerve gas to Saddam? Cite? [Your cite, sir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_support_for_Iraq_during_the_Iran%E2%80%93Iraq_War#Dual-use_exports). > [@](#): > > On February 9, 1994, Senator Riegle delivered a report—commonly known as the Riegle Report — in which it was stated that “pathogenic (meaning ‘disease producing’), toxigenic (meaning ‘poisonous’), and other biological research materials were exported to Iraq pursuant to application and licensing by the U.S. Department of Commerce.” It added: "These exported biological materials were not attenuated or weakened and were capable of reproduction. "The report then detailed 70 shipments (including anthrax from the United States to Iraqi government agencies over three years), concluding “It was later learned that these microorganisms exported by the United States were identical to those the UN inspectors found and recovered from the Iraqi biological warfare program.” > > Donald Riegle, Chairman of the Senate committee that authored the aforementioned Riegle Report, said: > > > U.N. inspectors had identified many United States manufactured items that had been exported from the United States to Iraq under licenses issued by the Department of Commerce, and [established] that these items were used to further Iraq’s chemical and nuclear weapons development and its missile delivery system development programs. … The executive branch of our government approved 771 different export licenses for sale of dual-use technology to Iraq. I think that is a devastating record. > > The U.S. Centers for Disease Control sent Iraq 14 separate agents “with biological warfare significance,” according to Riegle’s investigators. That’s mostly about bio weapons but note the reference to chemical weapons as well. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2020, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/7999 "2020-12-16T19:52:08Z")
I see no mention of nerve gas. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2020, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8000 "2020-12-16T20:19:31Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > these items were used to further Iraq’s chemical and nuclear weapons development > these items were used to further Iraq’s chemical and nuclear weapons development What do you think nerve gas is made from? Puppy tears? Do you think that it is shipped directly in large barrels with “NERVE GAS” stencilled on the side? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2020, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8001 "2020-12-16T20:33:34Z")
I suggest that discussion be taken to a new thread. Nice to see Urban Dictionary is keeping up with current events: > **[Urban Dictionary: Voteflake](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Voteflake)** > > Voteflake ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2020, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8002 "2020-12-16T20:37:27Z")
Back in the day, we just called them “mentally ill”. They were not allowed to own guns, and some were hospitalized in the interests of public safety or for their own protection. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2020, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8003 "2020-12-16T23:32:25Z")
It isnt made from microorganisms. Those are normal things to sell/ship for medical research. Yes, they can be weaponized, but this was back in 1985 and later, but before the Gulf war. Iraq was not thought of as a bad guy back then, in fact we considered him a hedge vs Iran. Yes, stuff we sold was used for research and manufacturing of WMD, but we didnt sell any Nerve gas or WMD. The USA wont sell any WMD, but yes, you can use normal over the counter stuff to assist in the making of them, of course. However, this is kinda a hijack, best to be taken to another thread. ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8004 "2020-12-17T01:19:06Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > The first question. > > “State your name for the record” > "“John Barron” > > “No sir, your actual name” > “John Miller” > > “Please sir, this is a serious trial. State your name” > “David Dennison” > > Judge: “Take him away. 30 days in county jail” My name is Individual 1. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8005 "2020-12-17T01:33:01Z")
[Melania Trump, on the other hand, has finally had her maternal instinct kick in while visiting children in the hospital.](https://politics.theonion.com/melania-trump-s-maternal-instincts-kick-in-while-visiti-1845898362) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8006 "2020-12-17T05:04:05Z")
That’s the kind of heartwarming Christmastime story I just love. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8007 "2020-12-17T13:24:58Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > That’s the kind of heartwarming Christmastime story I just love She doesn’t care, why do U? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8008 "2020-12-17T18:15:27Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > If Donnie tries to pull a Grover Cleveland, the rest of the GOP field will drop out instantly or never get in. It’s his party and he’ll try if he wants to. Even if Senior doesn’t go for it, Junior or Ivanka will step in. It’s a family dynasty now. I don’t buy into this, and I’ve had to defend my position steadfastly against my buddy who is CERTAIN one of the offlings will run for office. I get it–we now know he tried to push for Ivanka being his VP early on…but I don’t think this has legs. I maintain they lack the unhinged charisma and mega star-power. Trump was a media fixture for years and years and years. He has cameos in blockbuster movies and tv shows–he was on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air! His kids are…just his kids. None of them have anything else going for them. None of them have their own shtick…no personal niche in life…they are just in his shadow. None of them have particularly fetching personalities. You can make a case that Tramp maybe can’t read (or at least not read well)…you can make a case he’s kind of an idiot…all of that may be true…but he is a maestro when it comes to aggrieved, bitter tirades. When he’s attacking Biden, he’s ELOQUENT and florid in his language. He’s like Buddy Rich ripping into his band after a bad set. He’s lucid when he’s seething. Firing on all cylinders. That “aggrieved old white guy” thing really resonates with all the aggrieved old white guys who make up his victim cult. Jr lacks this…and he’s too young to fake it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8009 "2020-12-17T18:34:50Z")
Regarding the Dominion software scandal upthread (sorry I’m replying to posts from yesterday, this wild-fire thread is hard to keep up with): Did any of the red states use Dominion software? I know MT had pressed that they changed their voting laws ala the swing states in the TX lawsuit (if I’m getting my facts straight, the gov. said “why aren’t we included? We did the same thing except Trump won here” or something along those lines)…so I’m curious if Dominion was used in red states but no one cares because the outcome was favorable…? ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8010 "2020-12-17T18:59:41Z")
The Dominion software is set up so it only changes/creates votes in certain states. It will give just enough votes for the Democrat to win by a small margin That isn’t me… I’m just trying to come up with a “logical” answer that they may come up with. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8011 "2020-12-17T19:22:27Z")
> [@Dr.Colossus](#): > > I don’t buy into this, and I’ve had to defend my position steadfastly against my buddy who is CERTAIN one of the offlings will run for office. I get it–we now know he tried to push for Ivanka being his VP early on…but I don’t think this has legs. > > I maintain they lack the unhinged charisma and mega star-power. You make a good point. They would have to run a substantive campaign. I still wouldn’t rule them out though. The bar for substance is pretty low for the GOP. Look at the past 4 Republican presidents. 3 of the 4 were not known for their presidential qualities. Also, “offlings”? Interesting. Maybe “awflings”? ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8012 "2020-12-17T19:32:27Z")
> [@Author\_Balk](#): > > The Dominion software is set up so it only changes/creates votes in certain states. It will give just enough votes for the Democrat to win by a small margin > > That isn’t me… I’m just trying to come up with a “logical” answer that they may come up with Trump won by such HUUUUGE margins that not even Democratic cheating changed the outcome. That’s the likely train of thought. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8013 "2020-12-17T19:41:51Z")
> [@Dr.Colossus](#): > > Trump was a media fixture for years and years and years. He has cameos in blockbuster movies and tv shows–he was on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air!.. Ahem. I’ve been waiting for the right moment to post this video. The background: [Saint and Greavsie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_and_Greavsie) was a TV football (soccer) show that aired in England a couple of hours before games kicked off on Saturdays. It was very much a matey, old-boys affair - Ian St John was a former Scotland international player, Jimmy Greaves a former England international. The draw for the quarter-final round of the 1992 Rumbelows League Cup took place on their show, live (?) from a secret location in the US… [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/RRMJ3ftUtnw/maxresdefault.jpg "When Donald Trump met Saint and Greavsie") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRMJ3ftUtnw) j ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8014 "2020-12-17T19:44:33Z")
> [@Dr.Colossus](#): > > Did any of the red states use Dominion software? I tracked down my own answer via [Verified Voting](https://verifiedvoting.org/verifier/#mode/search/year/2020/make/Dominion%20Voting%20Systems)… It looks like Trump won Alaska, Kansas, Louisiana, Iowa, Missouri, Florida and Ohio which all use Dominion machines. ^That was kind of a lot of leg work for what should be broadcasted LOUDLY by Dominion in their rebuttals. Instead, they just list “28 states both blue and red” without any breakdown. Also of note: they are threatening lawsuits for defamation, and I for one am ready that some of this BS has consequences. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8015 "2020-12-18T00:02:24Z")
Here’s an interesting article on the betting markets, how the odds progressed through the year and the night of/after the election, and why they differed significantly from prediction models such as 538. > For most of the year, Trump’s short odds to win (requiring bettors to risk more money for smaller winnings) were not a reflection of inside political knowledge, or of the oddsmakers being MAGA guys. Bookmakers were taking on so many Trump bets that they consistently tried to _discourage_ people from betting on him. It’s a good rebuttal to those who think of betting markets are the most accurate predictor because it measures what real people are thinking. Turns out, it’s not so great when the bettors are heavily weighted toward people who aren’t thinking. > **[How Offshore Oddsmakers Made a Killing off Gullible Trump Supporters](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/12/trump-betting-markets-sportsbooks-offshore-2020-election-gambling.html)** > > The emotions and strategies behind record-setting bets on a MAGA victory that never came. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8016 "2020-12-18T01:25:53Z")
Thanks that’s a really interesting article. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/8017 "2020-12-18T07:01:46Z")
Maybe that’s where some of the ire is coming from. These Orange-voting troglodytes are just pissed they lost a few hundred. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618.md?page=399) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618.md?page=401)