[amphibian]

 Briar King, on 08 November 2020 - 03:09 AM, said:

I will try Joe I really will. It won’t be easy and your peeps terrify me but come 1/20 12PM ET you got my respect of your chair.

This got overlooked, so I'd like to loop back to this.

What terrifies you about Biden and "his peeps"?

[Puck]

 amphibian, on 08 November 2020 - 07:43 PM, said:

 Briar King, on 08 November 2020 - 03:09 AM, said:

I will try Joe I really will. It won’t be easy and your peeps terrify me but come 1/20 12PM ET you got my respect of your chair.

This got overlooked, so I'd like to loop back to this.

What terrifies you about Biden and "his peeps"?

Yeah, I'm curious as well. I heard the same sentiment from a friend today who couldn't explain to me why, though.

[Slow Ben]

Rampant unchecked SOCIALISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



This isn’t directly at BK. Just the usual crazy shit I’m hearing around me.

Apparently we’ll be Venezuela within 6 months.

This post has been edited by Slow Ben: 08 November 2020 - 09:39 PM

[Malankazooie]

Dang, watching coverage of celebrations around the world, I never grasped how important this was to the planet. Fireworks in London, church bells in Paris (that's supposed to be rare as hell btw). This is tantamount to a major war victory or on that scale.

I am so hopeful and looking forward to improvement of America's image globally. Trump royally destroyed America's image, it will take time to repair.

[Imperial Historian]

Modgod notice of posts deleted. Please do not put words in other members mouths. This is a place for different viewpoints to be aired and discussed.

[Gorefest]

 Slow Ben, on 08 November 2020 - 09:00 PM, said:

Rampant unchecked SOCIALISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



This isn’t directly at BK. Just the usual crazy shit I’m hearing around me.

Apparently we’ll be Venezuela within 6 months.

Genuine question: why do so many Americans hate the concept of socialism? It isnt the same as communism. Socialism basically means looking after your fellow countrymen who are worse off than you are. Is that really such a horrendous distopian concept for Americans?

This post has been edited by Gorefest: 08 November 2020 - 10:17 PM

[Primateus]

 Gorefest, on 08 November 2020 - 10:16 PM, said:

 Slow Ben, on 08 November 2020 - 09:00 PM, said:

Rampant unchecked SOCIALISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



This isn't directly at BK. Just the usual crazy shit I'm hearing around me.

Apparently we'll be Venezuela within 6 months.

Genuine question: why do so many Americans hate the concept of socialism? It isnt the same as communism. Socialism basically means looking after your fellow countrymen who are worse off than you are. Is that really such a horrendous distopian concept for Americans?

I think there is a bit of "I got mine!" involved in it. "I got mine, so why should I pay for others?"

[Terez]

 Gorefest, on 08 November 2020 - 10:16 PM, said:

Genuine question: why do so many Americans hate the concept of socialism? It isnt the same as communism. Socialism basically means looking after your fellow countrymen who are worse off than you are. Is that really such a horrendous distopian concept for Americans?

1. They don't understand the difference and you cannot explain it to them because they will just call your explanations propaganda.
2. The Deep South voted overwhelmingly for FDR 3 times. They loved socialism until its benefits became available to black people after the civil rights era. At that point it became a matter of their tax money going to support black people, who they see as irredeemably lazy, a view that has persisted since slavery.
3. This is not an oversimplification for the vast majority of MAGA voters. Trust me. I grew up white in Mississippi and I know how these people think. Many of them depend on welfare to survive and still vote for Republicans. I moved to Trump country in Illinois about 6 years ago and it's the same here. I've seen Confederate flags in my small town in the middle of a cornfield.

[Malankazooie]

words that end in '-ism' are scary.

[EDIT] Forgot to include that they are partying hard in India due to Kamala Harris connection. That puts the biggest grin on my face, especially for the Trumpers who can't stand her *wink-wink-nudge-nudge

This post has been edited by Malankazooie: 08 November 2020 - 11:27 PM

[Slow Ben]

They dont understand it. And its been drilled into them how bad it is. Its ridiculous.


An easier explanation is these are the same people that think Trump is a Christian and actually gives 2 shits about them. You know, morons.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

'Arkansas Police Chief Resigns After Posting "Death to All Marxist Democrats"

[...] imploring readers to harass and assault Democrats. "Take no prisoners leave no survivors!" He then posted a QAnon-linked meme about re-fighting the Revolutionary War. "The city of Marshall strongly condemns the actions of Mr. Holland in his posts to social media," Marshall mayor Kevin Elliott said. "The Marshall community does not in any way support or condone bullying or threats of violence to anyone of any political persuasion! We condemn it!"'

https://www.thedaily...f=home?ref=home

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 09 November 2020 - 01:46 AM

[QuickTidal]

My sister, in Canada (she’s a die hard conservative) thinks Trudeau is “sliding us into inexorable socialism”...which when I questioned her on it she conflated with communism...because she’s stupid.

She 100% doesn’t understand the difference, and when I tried to explain it to her, her eyes glazed over.

I’ve now begun to call myself “the dirty family socialist” just to annoy her, and I tell her openly that I’ll probably vote for Jagmeet Singh in the next federal election...she gets enraged. It’s amusing.

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 09 November 2020 - 02:16 AM

[HoosierDaddy]

 Gorefest, on 08 November 2020 - 10:16 PM, said:

 Slow Ben, on 08 November 2020 - 09:00 PM, said:

Rampant unchecked SOCIALISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



This isn't directly at BK. Just the usual crazy shit I'm hearing around me.

Apparently we'll be Venezuela within 6 months.

Genuine question: why do so many Americans hate the concept of socialism? It isnt the same as communism. Socialism basically means looking after your fellow countrymen who are worse off than you are. Is that really such a horrendous distopian concept for Americans?

A variety of reasons is of course the true answer. Some have been touched upon by Terez, SB, and others. Primarily what was identified is the... ignorance... on the topic.

1. Ignorance. Whether it is willful ignorance or innocent ignorance, some came be laid to rest in the Cold War and socialism and it's twisted relative Soviet Communism. Just as Nazi'ism has the word "socialist" in its name, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has an irreparable link in many Americans' minds to western socialism as it is currently practiced. From there you have North Korea, China, Cuba etc. and the era of Cold War politics that still wholly stains the cloth of what most Americans think of as "Socialism." They hear that word and think Communism. Not Medicare or the NHS, Medicaid, Social Security heere in the US. They think of tyrannical communism and "enemies of the United States". A lot of that is ignorance.

2. American Exceptionalism. Willful or not, that ignorance is bolstered by the grand idea of American Exceptionalism. You all might need each other but America has, can, and will stand alone if necessary and be just fine in doing so. Just as the USA can stand alone, we as individuals can stand alone as well. We are each exceptional individuals who have the world at our fingertips if we just reach hard enough. Work hard enough. Try hard enough. If we don't get it we obviously didn't try hard enough yet! Socialism is for the weak. American individualism tells us that we can do it on our own! And, if we can't, we definitely not should be proud about relying on one another, but rather hide it away in the attic and not mention it in public.

3. Propoganda! Communism has failed everywhere they've tried it! (Refer back to #1 please, in America Communism = Socialism.) We haven't perfected capitalism yet, and that's the route of why there are so many struggles. The free market will cure everything! (See #2, please.)

4. Greed. This country is bought and paid for on such a fundamental level it is incredible. The US is so far intertwined with corporate interests that it is hard to tell sometimes where there influence is not the most heavy handed in American politics. And, thanks to #1 and #2, #3 can be used ever so more effectively. And there is tons and tons of money to do #3 with because money rules everything and everybody is chasing that paper.

This post has been edited by HoosierDaddy: 09 November 2020 - 02:34 AM

[Gwynn ap Nudd]

Part of the reason is also the right wing media bubble. Fox News, One America, Rush Limbaugh, etc. will all purposefully conflate socialism with communism. You could say that is ignorance on the part of viewers/listeners, but I doubt the label would be as effective without the constant magnification from right wing media.

[HoosierDaddy]

 HoosierDaddy, on 09 November 2020 - 02:33 AM, said:

 Gorefest, on 08 November 2020 - 10:16 PM, said:

 Slow Ben, on 08 November 2020 - 09:00 PM, said:

Rampant unchecked SOCIALISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



This isn't directly at BK. Just the usual crazy shit I'm hearing around me.

Apparently we'll be Venezuela within 6 months.

Genuine question: why do so many Americans hate the concept of socialism? It isnt the same as communism. Socialism basically means looking after your fellow countrymen who are worse off than you are. Is that really such a horrendous distopian concept for Americans?

A variety of reasons is of course the true answer. Some have been touched upon by Terez, SB, and others. Primarily what was identified is the... ignorance... on the topic.

1. Ignorance. Whether it is willful ignorance or innocent ignorance, some came be laid to rest in the Cold War and socialism and it's twisted relative Soviet Communism. Just as Nazi'ism has the word "socialist" in its name, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has an irreparable link in many Americans' minds to western socialism as it is currently practiced. From there you have North Korea, China, Cuba etc. and the era of Cold War politics that still wholly stains the cloth of what most Americans think of as "Socialism." They hear that word and think Communism. Not Medicare or the NHS, Medicaid, Social Security heere in the US. They think of tyrannical communism and "enemies of the United States". A lot of that is ignorance.

2. American Exceptionalism. Willful or not, that ignorance is bolstered by the grand idea of American Exceptionalism. You all might need each other but America has, can, and will stand alone if necessary and be just fine in doing so. Just as the USA can stand alone, we as individuals can stand alone as well. We are each exceptional individuals who have the world at our fingertips if we just reach hard enough. Work hard enough. Try hard enough. If we don't get it we obviously didn't try hard enough yet! Socialism is for the weak. American individualism tells us that we can do it on our own! And, if we can't, we definitely not should be proud about relying on one another, but rather hide it away in the attic and not mention it in public.

3. Propoganda! Communism has failed everywhere they've tried it! (Refer back to #1 please, in America Communism = Socialism.) We haven't perfected capitalism yet, and that's the route of why there are so many struggles. The free market will cure everything! (See #2, please.)

4. Greed. This country is bought and paid for on such a fundamental level it is incredible. The US is so far intertwined with corporate interests that it is hard to tell sometimes where there influence is not the most heavy handed in American politics. And, thanks to #1 and #2, #3 can be used ever so more effectively. And there is tons and tons of money to do #3 with because money rules everything and everybody is chasing that paper.

 Gwynn ap Nudd, on 09 November 2020 - 02:59 AM, said:

Part of the reason is also the right wing media bubble. Fox News, One America, Rush Limbaugh, etc. will all purposefully conflate socialism with communism. You could say that is ignorance on the part of viewers/listeners, but I doubt the label would be as effective without the constant magnification from right wing media.

This is 4 as the motive with 3 as its means of doing so relying on #1 and #2 to make #3 believable.

This post has been edited by HoosierDaddy: 09 November 2020 - 03:46 AM

[Tsundoku]

@MKZ
I thought the fireworks were for the gunpowder plot?

@SB
"You’ve got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. ..."

This post has been edited by Tsundoku: 09 November 2020 - 06:54 AM

[Mezla PigDog]

 Tsundoku, on 09 November 2020 - 06:51 AM, said:

@MKZ
I thought the fireworks were for the gunpowder plot?

Yeah we set off fireworks non-stop the first 2 weeks of November.

Is there a #5 to HDs list - consistently underfund state education to prevent too many people getting smart enough to figure all this out for themselves.

I just had this sudden awful feeling of some new big destabilising event happening just as we are all congratulating ourselves that good sense has prevailed. Call me a pessimist but it is 2020.

[Aptorian]

The Yosemite national park Super Volcano is hearing what you're saying.

[Maark Abbott]

 Mezla PigDog, on 09 November 2020 - 07:10 AM, said:

 Tsundoku, on 09 November 2020 - 06:51 AM, said:

@MKZ
I thought the fireworks were for the gunpowder plot?

Yeah we set off fireworks non-stop the first 2 weeks of November.

Is there a #5 to HDs list - consistently underfund state education to prevent too many people getting smart enough to figure all this out for themselves.

I just had this sudden awful feeling of some new big destabilising event happening just as we are all congratulating ourselves that good sense has prevailed. Call me a pessimist but it is 2020.

I get that Fawkes et al were trying to enforce a theocracy on the UK but why do we still celebrate parliament not being blown up? Surely the last however many years of neoliberal governments have taught us that this is not something to continue celebrating?

Anyway hopefully the fireworks will go away soon, they're deeply irksome at the best of times.

[Aptorian]

I feel like we haven't taken enough time to laugh at the Trump Legal team mistaking a landscaping company for a hotel, as their venue for their counter attack on the rigged election. Could these people embarrass themselves more readily and thoroughly if they tried?