TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

The General US Politics Thread

Go To

Nov 2023 Mod notice:


There may be other, more specific, threads about some aspects of US politics, but this one tends to act as a hub for all sorts of related news and information, so it's usually one of the busiest OTC threads.

If you're new to OTC, it's worth reading the Introduction to On-Topic Conversations and the On-Topic Conversations debate guidelines before posting here.

Rumor-based, fear-mongering and/or inflammatory statements that damage the quality of the thread will be thumped. Off-topic posts will also be thumped. Repeat offenders may be suspended.

If time spent moderating this thread remains a distraction from moderation of the wiki itself, the thread will need to be locked. We want to avoid that, so please follow the forum rules when posting here.


In line with the general forum rules, 'gravedancing' is prohibited here. If you're celebrating someone's death or hoping that they die, your post will get thumped. This rule applies regardless of what the person you're discussing has said or done.

Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#297951: Jan 7th 2020 at 2:28:14 AM

The point is that Hbarnill trying to claim that Trey and Matt would hate Angrok Va's guts for thinking the Democratic Party is way better than the GOP makes no fucking sense, given that Trey and Matt nowadays kind of agree that the GOP is the worse of the two.

Disgusted, but not surprised
HBarnill Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
#297952: Jan 7th 2020 at 2:29:53 AM

[up][up] *Sigh* They’ve hit the GOP hard, no question, but like I said before, they’ve blamed PC culture and liberals for helping Trump get elected. Kyle’s behavior in Super Hard PCness was an explicit Take That! at liberal victimization. They’ve changed their stance on many things but they still hate both sides of the spectrum equally. They just hate Trump because A) his win disrupted their Season 20 storyline and B) regardless of party, he’s a shitty human being and a clown to boot. Soleimani is a criminal who killed many of his people, Kurds, and Americans and he deserved death. How America killed him was definitely the wrong way to do it, though, since it’s effectively a war crime. Iran threatened to bomb us in 35 different areas, the US threatened to bomb them in 52 areas. It’s called Mutually Assured Destruction. It’s insane but that’s how it is. Both sides have every reason to hate each other and they’re both wrong for wanting war.

Edited by HBarnill on Jan 7th 2020 at 2:32:25 AM

DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#297953: Jan 7th 2020 at 2:42:05 AM

but like I said before, they’ve blamed PC culture and liberals for helping Trump get elected

Which was incredibly stupid and basically amounted to victim-blaming because clearly the appropriate response to demands for social justice is to embrace fascism.

Edited by DrunkenNordmann on Jan 7th 2020 at 11:44:30 AM

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
Kayeka (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#297954: Jan 7th 2020 at 2:44:39 AM

"I think gays should stay in the closet, and brown people out of my neighbourhood"

"That's pretty shitty, dude"

"F*ck you! I'm gonna find the biggest possible asshole, and vote for him!'"

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#297955: Jan 7th 2020 at 2:50:48 AM

Trey and Matt hate that their entire career of "both sides are equally bad" comedy has been ruined by Trump.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Jan 7th 2020 at 2:51:03 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
GoldenKaos Captain of the Dead City from Cirith Ungol Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
Captain of the Dead City
#297956: Jan 7th 2020 at 2:52:38 AM

They just hate Trump because A) his win disrupted their Season 20 storyline

Way to get their priorities in order...


You know, the more I hear about these guys, the more I think this Stephen Colbert quote is applicable as a descriptor:

Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us.

Because it really sounds like they never outgrew that youthful cynicism.

Edited by GoldenKaos on Jan 7th 2020 at 10:57:35 AM

"...in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach."
HBarnill Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
#297957: Jan 7th 2020 at 2:55:18 AM

[up][up] Context always matters. They gave a more nuanced look on Trump supporters, showing that they’re not all racist homophobes. Heidi is an analogy for one of them while Cartman is an analogy for Trump. No matter how wrong he is, she sticks out for him because he makes her feel wanted. He abuses her and she leaves him and instead of being supported, she’s mocked for being with him to begin with, the same way liberals would mock former supporters for liking Trump in the first place, regardless of atoning. Heidi then begins to be like Cartman, being fat and racist, and only does she realize how bad he really is and how she’s been playing the victim. He didn’t make her like that; she did that to herself.

In any other show, they would show a Trump Supporter as an evil monster who needs to be killed. South Park is the only show willing to see both sides of an issue with empathy. And that is also why it was worth bringing up here. You wanna vote? Go ahead but no politician has ever cared about any of you. They just want power. No more, no less. A giant douche and a turd sandwich.

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#297958: Jan 7th 2020 at 2:55:18 AM

I think what irritates them the most about it is that Trump is a character you can't ignore. They don't want to do Trump stories like every other comedian but he's now everywhere and you need to take a stand.

There is no room for Neutral.

It's kind of like a joke a historian made about Assassins Creed 5. "Arno's biggest problem historically is he's a Frenchman with no opinion on the Revolution, which is a bit like a New Yorker with no opinion on 9/11."

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
GoldenKaos Captain of the Dead City from Cirith Ungol Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
Captain of the Dead City
#297959: Jan 7th 2020 at 2:58:12 AM

You wanna vote? Go ahead but no politician has ever cared about any of you. They just want power.

I have no time for opinions like that, "all politicians are the same" smacks of political illiteracy to me.

"...in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach."
DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#297960: Jan 7th 2020 at 3:00:26 AM

You wanna vote? Go ahead but no politician has ever cared about any of you. They just want power. No more, no less. A giant douche and a turd sandwich

Which is exactly how the US ended up with a Cartman-like figure in power in the first place - because people like the South Park writers have been telling people for decades that everyone's the same and it doesn't matter whom you vote for.

Edited by DrunkenNordmann on Jan 7th 2020 at 12:02:09 PM

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
HBarnill Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
#297961: Jan 7th 2020 at 3:01:56 AM

Imagine thinking South Park is “cynical”:

There are many moments like that. You have either never seen the show or you’ve misremembered it. They don’t care about politics. They’ve always cared about what is right to them. Trump is a pathetic dictator who should be seen with scorn by anyone on the spectrum. Being a democrat doesn’t absolve you of any sins or make you a good person automatically. At the end of the day, the show states to not take life so seriously. Have a good laugh. Cherish your loved ones. Don’t force opinions but encourage change. Have faith in people. That’s all it ever was.

Edited by HBarnill on Jan 7th 2020 at 3:03:38 AM

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#297962: Jan 7th 2020 at 3:05:44 AM

Republicans critical of the Iran thing are falling in lockstep behind Trump...again.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Kayeka (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
GoldenKaos Captain of the Dead City from Cirith Ungol Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
Captain of the Dead City
#297964: Jan 7th 2020 at 3:08:19 AM

You know, mass dissatisfaction with the political class is a large part of what made Trump popular.

It could be argued, therefore, that South Park, as an incredibly popular show with a stated preference for mocking liberals over conservatives and a strong and open disdain for the political class, helped Trump into office.

"...in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach."
DrDougsh Since: Jan, 2001
#297965: Jan 7th 2020 at 3:16:26 AM

I take certain issue with the idea that liberals somehow owe it to Trump supporters to show respect or empathy for their shitty opinions.

As far as I'm concerned, there is no way to respect such opinions without simultaneously backstabbing the various people who are openly discriminated against by Trumpism. I have friends and acquaintances who are trans, who are muslim, who are Latin American, who are immigrants, who are young enough to expect to be still alive during the worst effects of climate change. In trying to show respect or empathy to Trumpists, I would be inherently showing disrespect to the various innocent people who Trump supporters treat as subhuman.

So no, quite frankly I have no desire or intention to show courteousy or respect for Trump supporters. There are people far more worthy of my empathy, and I only have so much of it to give.

Edited by DrDougsh on Jan 7th 2020 at 3:19:48 AM

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#297966: Jan 7th 2020 at 3:25:29 AM

I have empathy for Trumpists in the sense that I get what motivates them.

I just have zero sympathy for said motives.

Disgusted, but not surprised
alekos23 Since: Mar, 2013
#297967: Jan 7th 2020 at 3:29:38 AM

I have sympathy for voters, not followers I guess.

FergardStratoavis A Fluff Ringer from Bellveins (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: A gay little love melody
A Fluff Ringer
#297968: Jan 7th 2020 at 3:30:15 AM

Being a democrat doesn’t absolve you of any sins or make you a good person automatically.

Obviously not, which is why no one here defended Al Franken when the allegiations about his misconduct came out, as compared to numerous instances of Republicans defending their peers over things far, far worse.

Frankly, that anyone bothers to entertain discussing with you after you started out with "you liberals" like it was a spat-out insult mystifies me, and shows that there is goodwill to hear you out, at the very least. That kind of intro at, say, /pol/, would get you stigmatized within a minute.

GoldenKaos Captain of the Dead City from Cirith Ungol Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
Captain of the Dead City
#297969: Jan 7th 2020 at 3:34:22 AM

Plus you have Tropers here who are very much to the left of the majority of the Dem party (AOC's recent Biden comments are very timely to that point) so we're hardly of the opinion that Liberals are do no wrong politicians.

"...in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach."
HBarnill Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
#297970: Jan 7th 2020 at 3:41:50 AM

Fair enough. It was that one post that got me thinking you all thought that way. I was wrong and I misjudged you all. Apologies. I just wish to see more objectivity than whether a party is good or bad. Because, and this is true, there are many republicans who despise Trump. Even those who stand by him have criticized him. Lindsey Graham flat out told him to not hit cultural sites, and he’s the same man who said he’d hate it if he found out he had Persian ancestry.

Alycus Since: Apr, 2018
#297971: Jan 7th 2020 at 3:47:50 AM

Republicans who vote with Trump while decrying him in public are still doing exactly as much damage as Republicans who vote with Trump while praising him in public. Their words are completely worthless.

Edited by Alycus on Jan 7th 2020 at 3:50:26 AM

BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#297972: Jan 7th 2020 at 3:57:03 AM

[up]Exactly. Only a few right-wingers have actually dissented, like Justin Amash.

Do not obey in advance.
FergardStratoavis A Fluff Ringer from Bellveins (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: A gay little love melody
A Fluff Ringer
#297973: Jan 7th 2020 at 4:08:45 AM

I just wish to see more objectivity than whether a party is good or bad

The problem with that statement is that Republicans are not doing anything to endear them to anyone but their base (which too seems to be dwindling). Even before he was elected via a dusty old system that was meant to keep people like him from power, Trump said that he could walk out into the street and kill someone - and it wouldn't matter.

That kind of talk would get any political contender, let alone for arguably the most powerful President in the world's seat, sunk faster than you could say "Titanic". And yet, he kept going and going, issuing statements about how dictators and authoritarians of the world are super nice people, about how Mexicans are all rapists and criminals, about how all news is fake etc.

People who would become Trump's supporters - who were always there, but were never truly given the time of day - rolled out into the streets. Neo-Nazis and the KKK, as well as the new Alt-Right, all had an issue with how Republicans weren't quite enough on the right - and once Republican politicians saw the power these people can give them, they went in to fall behind Trump. And they continue to do so, even in spite of Trump getting US out of Paris Accords, getting into another war on the Middle East (after killing a man who was once a staunch ally during the times past 9/11), becoming a laughingstock of the Western world and a puppet of Russia, among many other gaffes, blunders, crimes and offenses.

Edited by FergardStratoavis on Jan 7th 2020 at 1:11:11 PM

Alycus Since: Apr, 2018
#297974: Jan 7th 2020 at 4:43:11 AM

Also, it requires quite a bit of luck and privilege to afford being able to hold a "both sides" view due to not being one of the many groups whose lives have been made worse by Trump and his supporters.

math792d Since: Jun, 2011 Relationship Status: Drift compatible
#297975: Jan 7th 2020 at 4:45:02 AM

I have empathy for Trumpists in the sense that I get what motivates them.

I just have zero sympathy for said motives.

Honestly, if everyone who voted for Trump in 2016 just took a swandive into the Atlantic, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. The best case scenario for these people is that they bought the con, over the protests of millions of their fellow Americans. And the idea that some of them 'have atoned' is nice, but they don't get to decide when they've done their time for voting for that fascist windbag.

The people who got locked in cages, subject to inhumane coniditions, put in concentration camps and taken from their parents to be adopted? The victims of hate crimes, police brutality, reckless escalation in the Middle East or who just plain lost their home because the state would rather leave them to the wolves to enrich their rich buddies?

They get a vote on when that time has come.

Edited by math792d on Jan 7th 2020 at 1:47:29 PM

Still not embarrassing enough to stan billionaires or tech companies.

Total posts: 417,856
Top