The USA Politics Thread
#7121
Posted 11 July 2018 - 10:35 PM
I don't think anyone thought it was you PMing Nico. Though I don't think PMing with Nico is a sin or anything either.
Tbh, I think you feel some type of way about voting for Trump. I'm not saying you regret it, since you explained your decision at the time, and you've explained it a few times since...but you haven't really gotten into discussions about his subsequent actions since then, what you agree with and what you don't agree with, and it's been 1-1/2 years of his presidency. There's so much besides the one election. And in a way, an "I voted for him, but I hate what he's doing to these immigrant kids" (for example) is important to the dialogue too.
You don't have to contribute anything if you don't want to, but I'm just saying a lot has happened since November 2016. HRC and DJT were the two most unpopular candidates in modern history. Millions of people on both sides were holding their nose with either one (not all were on either side, though, obv). I won't deny that I think one of those choices was objectively worse than the other, and your sense that most people here feel that way is probably correct, but I really don't think anyone considers you a MAGA poster boy for your vote. There's more to politics and civic engagement than voting anyway. That's my impression of the board, at least (not the whole Internet, mind you). But maybe I'm wrong and there are people just waiting to pounce, who want to make you French kiss the Ottatara sword.
Tbh, I think you feel some type of way about voting for Trump. I'm not saying you regret it, since you explained your decision at the time, and you've explained it a few times since...but you haven't really gotten into discussions about his subsequent actions since then, what you agree with and what you don't agree with, and it's been 1-1/2 years of his presidency. There's so much besides the one election. And in a way, an "I voted for him, but I hate what he's doing to these immigrant kids" (for example) is important to the dialogue too.
You don't have to contribute anything if you don't want to, but I'm just saying a lot has happened since November 2016. HRC and DJT were the two most unpopular candidates in modern history. Millions of people on both sides were holding their nose with either one (not all were on either side, though, obv). I won't deny that I think one of those choices was objectively worse than the other, and your sense that most people here feel that way is probably correct, but I really don't think anyone considers you a MAGA poster boy for your vote. There's more to politics and civic engagement than voting anyway. That's my impression of the board, at least (not the whole Internet, mind you). But maybe I'm wrong and there are people just waiting to pounce, who want to make you French kiss the Ottatara sword.
They came with white hands and left with red hands.
#7122
Posted 11 July 2018 - 10:37 PM
Maybe that's a bunch of armchair analysis though and everyone can ignore it. I just wish you didn't feel so constrained by one thing.
They came with white hands and left with red hands.
#7123
Posted 11 July 2018 - 11:31 PM
Nah, Nico is far too libertarian to be a typical Republican. So, he and his mortal sword and destriant probably don't serve Trump Ascendant.
Doesn't mean citing terrible sources, one of which is blatant government funded propaganda, is going to go without notice.
Doesn't mean citing terrible sources, one of which is blatant government funded propaganda, is going to go without notice.
Trouble arrives when the opponents to such a system institute its extreme opposite, where individualism becomes godlike and sacrosanct, and no greater service to any other ideal (including community) is possible. In such a system rapacious greed thrives behind the guise of freedom, and the worst aspects of human nature come to the fore....
#7124
Posted 11 July 2018 - 11:38 PM
Yah, I'm just saying that's an example of an issue where you'd clearly have an opinion that you hold back here, even though you wouldn't hold back on a kids issue in the Groove thread. It's not that I think you're indifferent, it's that you're holding back. You seem to have the impression that a lot of people here are holding a personal grudge against you for your 2016 vote. I don't have encyclopedic knowledge of all your experiences here, and maybe I'm being naive or forgetful, but I don't know that anyone is holding a grudge (as distinct from an opinion). As far as I know, nobody wants you banned, nobody wants you to shut up, and nobody thinks you're a MAGA dude. So -- and again, maybe I'm wrong, and you remember examples I don't know about -- I think most of the pressure you're feeling to keep quiet is coming from you. And nobody's required to post anywhere they don't want to, of course, but I just wish you didn't feel that pressure or sense of rejection, either way.
They came with white hands and left with red hands.
#7125
Posted 12 July 2018 - 01:28 AM
Fwiw BK, I wish you were more active in here too. I definitely live in a liberal bubble and I like seeing your viewpoints on some of these political topics. You've made me question my stances more than once.
#7126
Posted 12 July 2018 - 08:46 AM
I'm not surprised we all seem like leftist block to right wing americans. I mean, the US is so far to the right of the rest of the world they hardly have any exposure to actual left wing policies. I am a centrist in Norway, which would place me somewhat left of center in most western countries, but by the US standard I am so far to the left I don't even have a spot on the chart. A far right Norwegian would still be hounded out of US politics as a socialist.
When you're on the american right your opinions will seem crazed to most of the west, and I guess being confronted with that can be quite overwhelming. Not to mention the experience of being part of a small minority.
When you're on the american right your opinions will seem crazed to most of the west, and I guess being confronted with that can be quite overwhelming. Not to mention the experience of being part of a small minority.
Take good care to keep relations civil
It's decent in the first of gentlemen
To speak friendly, Even to the devil
It's decent in the first of gentlemen
To speak friendly, Even to the devil
#7127
Posted 12 July 2018 - 09:44 AM
Well, to be fair, if you are American the 'west' is places like North Korea and Russia. We're almost as eastern as you can get from a US perspective.
Yesterday, upon the stair, I saw a man who wasn't there. He wasn't there again today. Oh, how I wish he'd go away.
#7128
Posted 12 July 2018 - 12:02 PM
Morgoth, on 12 July 2018 - 08:46 AM, said:
I'm not surprised we all seem like leftist block to right wing americans. I mean, the US is so far to the right of the rest of the world they hardly have any exposure to actual left wing policies. I am a centrist in Norway, which would place me somewhat left of center in most western countries, but by the US standard I am so far to the left I don't even have a spot on the chart. A far right Norwegian would still be hounded out of US politics as a socialist.
When you're on the american right your opinions will seem crazed to most of the west, and I guess being confronted with that can be quite overwhelming. Not to mention the experience of being part of a small minority.
When you're on the american right your opinions will seem crazed to most of the west, and I guess being confronted with that can be quite overwhelming. Not to mention the experience of being part of a small minority.
I get people mad by telling them the US won't be a Scandanavian Utopia of socialism all the time here by telling simple political truths. The socialized medicine debate a little bit earlier in the thread shows this fact. The US isn't Europe and I don't understand why that's so hard to understand. It's not the philosophy for me, it is the reality of the politics that say so. I guess living in a state that is pretty much red with slight glints of blue have informed my view far more than people completely surrounded by Sanders and Warren fans (who I both really like, but would never, ever be elected here).
Trouble arrives when the opponents to such a system institute its extreme opposite, where individualism becomes godlike and sacrosanct, and no greater service to any other ideal (including community) is possible. In such a system rapacious greed thrives behind the guise of freedom, and the worst aspects of human nature come to the fore....
#7129
Posted 12 July 2018 - 01:50 PM
Gorefest, on 09 July 2018 - 06:32 AM, said:
Nicodimas, on 09 July 2018 - 01:26 AM, said:
Er...it has been happening for a while so it is okay? Not really sure if that is a valid argument or for what. Apart from Trump not being the only horrible person in US government? If that is the case you are trying to make, you are setting the bar worryingly low.
If it's been happening for 18 years then how can it be changed? All the fuss kicked up over Trump and is it doing much to change things? Up thread I see people referring to Twitter as a thing, wow. People throwing fits over social media but I know amongst my friends that quite a high number don't use it and don't give a fuck. I wonder what the actual scope is and what can be done because I don't think Joe Bloggs can change a thing.
People may show outrage that things are happening but they won't "do" anything about it. I'd say more people care about the latest show, the latest game, the latest sport event, basically the latest entertainment that suits them over what's happening hundreds of miles away.
Nico's saying something similar.
Apt is the only one who reads this. Apt is nice.
#7130
Posted 12 July 2018 - 01:57 PM
Just invested like 40 minutes reading the thread and Nico received 7 users abuse/criticism for posting something. We're better than that guys.
Apt is the only one who reads this. Apt is nice.
#7131
Posted 12 July 2018 - 02:00 PM
Morgoth, on 12 July 2018 - 08:46 AM, said:
A far right Norwegian would still be hounded out of US politics as a socialist.
I dunno I feel like the Republican party would welcome Anders Breivik with open arms...
A Haunting Poem
I Scream
You Scream
We all Scream
For I Scream.
I Scream
You Scream
We all Scream
For I Scream.
#7132
Posted 12 July 2018 - 09:28 PM
I'd be interested how the forums secret cabal of Trump worshippers would like to spin this...
https://amp.theguard...ltdown-unfolded
https://amp.theguard...ltdown-unfolded
A Haunting Poem
I Scream
You Scream
We all Scream
For I Scream.
I Scream
You Scream
We all Scream
For I Scream.
#7133
Posted 12 July 2018 - 09:35 PM
whats there to spin.
the man has dementia, and is living in fucking LALA land
the man has dementia, and is living in fucking LALA land
2012
"Imperial Gothos, Imperial"
"Imperial Gothos, Imperial"
#7134
Posted 12 July 2018 - 10:08 PM
Trey Gowdy needs punched in the face. That rat-faced asshole thinks he is far too everything.
Trouble arrives when the opponents to such a system institute its extreme opposite, where individualism becomes godlike and sacrosanct, and no greater service to any other ideal (including community) is possible. In such a system rapacious greed thrives behind the guise of freedom, and the worst aspects of human nature come to the fore....
#7135
Posted 13 July 2018 - 02:24 AM
HoosierDaddy, on 12 July 2018 - 10:08 PM, said:
Trey Gowdy needs punched in the face. That rat-faced asshole thinks he is far too everything.
I had a lot of thoughts today watching that, but this was top of the list
I've always been crazy but its kept me from going insane.
#7136
Posted 13 July 2018 - 07:46 AM
He's visiting bigly, doing some visits, great visits, the best visits. You'll see. China does a visit, it's the worst visit, terrible visit, did you know China never visits?
Debut novel 'Incarnate' now available on Kindle
#7137
Posted 13 July 2018 - 08:11 AM
Maark Abbott, on 13 July 2018 - 07:46 AM, said:
He's visiting bigly, doing some visits, great visits, the best visits. You'll see. China does a visit, it's the worst visit, terrible visit, did you know China never visits?
Is Mexico going to pay for the visits?
- Wyrd bið ful aræd -
#7138
Posted 13 July 2018 - 08:33 AM
Sasha Baron Cohen's new character Billy Wayne Ruddick Jnr, Phd has a website:
https://www.truthbrary.org/
https://www.truthbrary.org/
"Fortune favors the bold, though statistics favor the cautious." - Indomitable Courteous (Icy) Fist, The Palace Job - Patrick Weekes
"Well well well ... if it ain't The Invisible C**t." - Billy Butcher, The Boys
"I have strong views about not tempting providence and, as a wise man once said, the difference between luck and a wheelbarrow is, luck doesn’t work if you push it." - Colonel Orhan, Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City - KJ Parker
"Well well well ... if it ain't The Invisible C**t." - Billy Butcher, The Boys
"I have strong views about not tempting providence and, as a wise man once said, the difference between luck and a wheelbarrow is, luck doesn’t work if you push it." - Colonel Orhan, Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City - KJ Parker
#7140
Posted 13 July 2018 - 11:39 AM
TheRetiredBridgeburner, on 13 July 2018 - 08:11 AM, said:
NATO will. Or else we'll join the Warsaw Pact. Or something.
Trouble arrives when the opponents to such a system institute its extreme opposite, where individualism becomes godlike and sacrosanct, and no greater service to any other ideal (including community) is possible. In such a system rapacious greed thrives behind the guise of freedom, and the worst aspects of human nature come to the fore....