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

Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#341426: Nov 27th 2020 at 10:22:15 AM

We get shades of that, but I stand that it’s wildly exaggerated how bad the problem is within the Democratic Party. Look at Al Franken for proof that just because you’re a Democrat doesn’t mean it’s okay.

As for Trump and LGBT support, the Republican Party generally has a place for anyone with a regressive view of another group, you don’t have to hate city dwellers, Hispanics, poor people, black people, gay people, young people, atheists and women, one or two is enough.

Also I’d note the difference between caring for an individual with certain characteristics and caring for a group as a collective. It’s totally possible to love and care about a gay family member, then vote for Trump because the specific gay person you care about is okay with the trade off of reduced LGBT rights for increased Rural WASP rights.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Alycus Since: Apr, 2018
#341427: Nov 27th 2020 at 10:24:20 AM

To be honest, we here can get away with condemning all Republican voters only because we have a community that allows it and none of us work in politics. Meanwhile, Democratic candidates and staff in swing or red areas don't have that luxury, and it's certainly not something I'd want them to do either.

SteamKnight Since: Jun, 2018
#341428: Nov 27th 2020 at 10:24:40 AM

That is the moment the paradox of tolerance rears its head. A truly tolerant society can't appease the intolerant and merely tolerating them are already risking a lot of things. Of course, building gulags or going exterminatus on their asses isn't the solution. The only thing one can do for now I think is just fighting their effort to push back progress (non-violently preferably) and do things that weaken their position and prove their rhetoric is just crap like improving education, healthcare, immigration policies, and so on. I mean one of the reasons Republicans fight Obamacare so hard is because they know they can't undo it if the Americans already experience. They even go as far as disassociating ACA and Obamacare when they are the same thing.

@Pendrake: Yeah, I question the goodness of good people who vote for the party that put children in cages frankly and that is in America and not some one-party state like China, so yeah... I don't buy it. This isn't a video game where good karma erase the bad karma or something like that.

Edited by SteamKnight on Nov 28th 2020 at 1:28:51 AM

I'm not as witty as I think I am. It's a scientifically-proven fact.
AngrokVa Since: Feb, 2012
#341429: Nov 27th 2020 at 10:24:55 AM

This got buried in the page-turn, bumping this.

Don't know whether to put this in here or the "Israel and Palestine" thread, but... From CNN: Iran's top nuclear scientist killed in apparent assassination, state media reports

Iran's top nuclear scientist was reportedly killed Friday in an apparent assassination that the country's foreign minister linked to Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has not responded to CNN's request for comment.

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was head of the research center of new technology in the elite Revolutionary Guards. He was considered one of the masterminds of Iran's controversial nuclear program.

Iranian state media said the killing appeared to be an assassination. Photographs from the scene showed a car with its windshield blown in, and the road strewn with glass and blood.

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif called the death "cowardice — with serious indications of Israeli role."

"Terrorists murdered an eminent Iranian scientist today," he said in a tweet. "This cowardice—with serious indications of Israeli role—shows desperate warmongering of perpetrators Iran calls on int'l community—and especially EU—to end their shameful double standards & condemn this act of state terror."

US President Donald Trump retweeted prominent Israeli journalist Yossi Melman, who wrote: "Fakhrizadeh-Mahabadi assassinated in Damavand, east of Tehran according to reports in Iran. He was head of Iran's secret military program and wanted for many years by Mossad. His death is a major psychological and professional blow for Iran."

The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri warned of "severe revenge" against "the killers" of Fakhrizadeh, state-news agency IRNA reported.

"The assassination of this capable and worthy manager, although it was a bitter and heavy blow to the country's defense complex, but the enemies know that the path started by the martyr Fakhrizadeh will never be stopped," Bagheri said, according to IRNA.

The Trump administration said it is closely monitoring the apparent assassination. The death "would be a big deal," a US official told CNN.

Trita Parsi, the co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said it was not clear who was behind the apparent assassination, but that "there are not that many candidates."

"At the end of the day the only countries that actually have the intent, the motivation and the capacity — and the capacity is really important — really reduces the number of candidates to no more than Israel and potentially the United States," he told CNN's Becky Anderson.

In April 2018, Netanyahu mentioned Fakhrizadeh by name when he unveiled a nuclear archive he said Mossad agents had taken from Tehran. He called him the head of a secret nuclear project called Project Amad. "Remember that name, Fakhrizadeh," Netanyahu told reporters.

Iran began to withdraw from its commitments to the 2015 landmark nuclear deal in 2019, a year after US President Donald Trump pulled out of the agreement and unleashed crippling sanctions on the country.

In the last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency documented several new breaches of the agreement. Earlier this week, Iran said it had begun injecting Uranium Hexafluoride gas into centrifuges at its Natanz facility.

Pendrake That Guy from "Sweet Something of.... Someplace!" (Canada) Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Betrayed by Delilah
That Guy
#341430: Nov 27th 2020 at 10:25:37 AM

@Silas SW: In other words, sort of a Variation on If It's You, It's Okay.

Edited by Pendrake on Nov 27th 2020 at 10:26:56 AM

Semper Fi. Semper Paratus. Vigilo Confido.
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#341431: Nov 27th 2020 at 10:29:04 AM

[up][up] Probably worth posting in the Iran nuclear program thread.

none of us work in politics.

That we know of, AOC plays Lo L, it really wouldn't be a big jump for either a political staffer or a young local-level political to be a trooper.

Hell I know we’ve got a couple people who’ve worked on political campaigns, and we used to have someone in OTC who’d run for office on their local council.

[up] Sort of, the same things that can get a member of a discriminated group to vote Republican can also get people who care about them to vote Republican.

Edited by Silasw on Nov 27th 2020 at 6:30:20 PM

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#341432: Nov 27th 2020 at 10:29:56 AM

Here's an interesting article about why the polls may have been off: Could Social Alienation Among Some Trump Supporters Help Explain Why Polls Underestimated Trump Again?

The article points to several studies that showed Trump was viewed more favorably by people who were socially disengaged. The civically disengaged, the people who were distrustful of social institutions, even among religious voters he is viewed more favorably by people who were less regular church attendees that people who attended regularly. All these people had small or nonexistent social networks and were more inclined to support Trump. And these kinds of people are also the same kind to avoid participating in polling.

"Biden was heavily favored by registered voters with larger social networks (53 percent to 37 percent), but it was Trump who had the edge among voters without any close social contacts (45 percent to 39 percent)."

"The consequences of this, of course, extend much further than our elections. When Americans are more distanced from society, they become untethered to local and national institutions and are less invested in their continuing function. What’s more, they are more inclined to distrust political processes and believe they are serving illegitimate ends. And they may lose faith in the messy and plodding process of democratic change."

I'm reminded of an earlier article that pointed out Trump's small increase in Black support came largely from younger Black men. The same group that has less direct social ties to the Democratic Party or even the local churches that often acted as go betweens for the party and the Black community. People who are more likely to get their news about Democrats from social media rather than the community organizer lady across the street. In this Atlantic interview with Obama he mentions how door knocking canvassers in the Black neighborhoods of Philadelphia would often find the people they were talking spouting Qanon conspiracies

AngrokVa Since: Feb, 2012
#341433: Nov 27th 2020 at 10:32:30 AM

@SilasW: According to the first page of OTC, we have just a "Iran Discussion" thread. Is that alright?

Edited by AngrokVa on Nov 27th 2020 at 1:32:52 PM

Aszur A nice butterfly from Pagliacci's Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: Don't hug me; I'm scared
A nice butterfly
#341434: Nov 27th 2020 at 10:33:51 AM

I have no doubt people who are socially isolated are more likely to have voted for Trump. I just question whether the number is significant.

[up][up][up]YEAH BUT AOC SUCKS AT AMONG US SHE IS NOT A REAL GAMER

Edited by Aszur on Nov 27th 2020 at 12:34:25 PM

It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#341435: Nov 27th 2020 at 10:39:30 AM

Blaming AOC for not being good at Among Us? Seems like you're trying to divert attention from the article that points out socially disengaged voters have risen almost 10% in less than a decade.

Kinda sus of you, Aszur.

Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#341436: Nov 27th 2020 at 10:41:51 AM

I think the best strategy is to show conservatives why we believe our world view is better for us and for them, and to keep at it, not lowering ourselves to the level of the GOP and Fox. When you want to convince people of your principles, you must stand by then and choose the high road every time. And yes, that is frustrating at times, but once you lose your principles, it is that much harder to get them back and to convince others of their value.

Optimism is a duty.
AngelusNox The law in the night from somewhere around nothing Since: Dec, 2014 Relationship Status: Married to the job
The law in the night
#341437: Nov 27th 2020 at 10:44:52 AM

I worked with conspiracy debunking groups for a few years.

It is mind boggling how fast they can create bullshit. To point we stopped engaging conspiracy theorist but tried to work hard enough to make sure that the pages debunking them were also in the top results on google.

This isn't working that well anymore. There are more bullshit sites and fake and outrage news sites pushing out conspiracy bullshit than there is publicity for fact checkers.

It is literally I can spread bullshit faster than you can fact check and debunk it.

There is also the issue of reaching the people snared by conspiracy theory bullshit, since they don't look to fact check or filter what they are reading.

So far the best solution is to aggressively deplatform bullshiters, specially the hate and bullshit machines like Breitbart, OANN, News Max, Daily Wire and websites promoting conspiracy theories

Inter arma enim silent leges
Aszur A nice butterfly from Pagliacci's Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: Don't hug me; I'm scared
A nice butterfly
#341438: Nov 27th 2020 at 10:45:51 AM

I am merely questioning how many "socially isolated" people are there to consider them a relevant voting bloc. Telling me that alienated people tend to more easily fall prey to predatory theories and that such number is in increase probably due to the easier access there is to technology and the culture that is being created arund it is preaching to the choir.

The only thing I question is where the fuck were you after I saw you in electrical.

It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#341439: Nov 27th 2020 at 10:57:55 AM

I was with Redmess in the cafeteria, along with the other 39% of low socially networked people who supported Biden. I'm not saying this is a large group, the article mentions about 20% of people don't have a social network, but the 45% of that 20% who backed Trump could be enough in some states to skew the polls and help explain the higher than expected support for Trump among certain minority communities.

Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#341440: Nov 27th 2020 at 11:02:45 AM

According to the first page of OTC, we have just a "Iran Discussion" thread. Is that alright?

That or the thread titled The Nuclear Program of Iran[1], would be a good place. I wish the search function worked better, luckily it’s not been inactive for that long.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
SteamKnight Since: Jun, 2018
#341441: Nov 27th 2020 at 11:04:05 AM

[up][up] People with low social networks without any close social contacts feel like a longer and more complicated way of saying members of 4chan, especially pol/ or that new version of the now defunct 8chan. [lol][lol][lol]

Edited by SteamKnight on Nov 28th 2020 at 2:05:03 AM

I'm not as witty as I think I am. It's a scientifically-proven fact.
Aszur A nice butterfly from Pagliacci's Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: Don't hug me; I'm scared
A nice butterfly
#341442: Nov 27th 2020 at 11:09:27 AM

Ok yeah you are claiming you were with other people who were socially un networked. That is an oxymoron and sus as frick I am voting out. I agree that the traits of people who have few relationships with others are at risk to not be helpful in polls and all and I know they are growing. But before yo uare thrown into the vast coldnss of space I just wanna point that a 20 30 or 70% increase is very different if we are increasd 1 to 10, or 2 thousand to 5 thousand...and we don't know that number, me thinks

It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes
clemont107 Carmine at the Beach from A Vacation in Paldea (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
Carmine at the Beach
#341443: Nov 27th 2020 at 11:11:03 AM

[up][up]Could that also include parts of the meme community? I have looked on "Know Your Meme" and found a lot of stuff involving President Pigface. Is it true that a lot of people who post there are more right-leaning, and if so, is it possible that younger internetgoers including those of color are being exposed to this crap?

Edited by clemont107 on Nov 27th 2020 at 2:11:33 PM

"Paldea has a lot of different Pokemon from those in Kitakami." - Carmine
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#341444: Nov 27th 2020 at 11:13:58 AM

Just to clear up, I was not, in fact, in a cafeteria with Parable. Nor do I know them. I'm not sure what that was about.

Optimism is a duty.
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#341445: Nov 27th 2020 at 11:17:05 AM

It’s an extended joke about the game Among Us, with people pretending we’re playing the game, a joke that has perhaps gotten a little to extended...

Edited by Silasw on Nov 27th 2020 at 7:17:36 PM

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Reflextion from a post-sanity world (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
#341446: Nov 27th 2020 at 11:19:16 AM

*votes Redmess for the airlock*

(serious answer: they were meme'ing about Among Us, which is basically The Thing meets Mafia or Werewolf)

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#341447: Nov 27th 2020 at 11:21:29 AM

https://www.dfl3cd.org/tag/u-s-supreme-court-refuses-to-hear-trumps-pennsylvania-appeal/

A reminder that the SCOTUS didn't choose to take up Trump's bullshit regarding the Election. I always consult this as a reminder the Republican Party and its minions never intended to help Don.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Aszur A nice butterfly from Pagliacci's Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: Don't hug me; I'm scared
A nice butterfly
#341448: Nov 27th 2020 at 11:22:59 AM

People with low social networks without any close social contacts feel like a longer and more complicated way of saying members of 4chan, especially pol/ or that new version of the now defunct 8chan.

I would dare say you will find older pople who buy really hard into the local U.S radio host show of angry white man screaming about lib'ruls comin' here to take muh guns, not just the dabbin zoomer yeeting belle delphine simping kind

It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes
SteamKnight Since: Jun, 2018
#341449: Nov 27th 2020 at 11:24:35 AM

@clemont: You have a point there. It isn't wrong to say that Trump is the (I think) the first American president who got carried by meme. He is indeed pretty meme-able I guess. Obama and his "Yes, we can." and all of his unicorn meme aren't as prominent as the Trump ones.

[up] Oh yeah, I forgot about those Far Cry 5 re-enactors. I always thought they are supposed to have close family bonds or something with all the family value first stuff.

Edited by SteamKnight on Nov 28th 2020 at 2:27:46 AM

I'm not as witty as I think I am. It's a scientifically-proven fact.
Galadriel Since: Feb, 2015
#341450: Nov 27th 2020 at 11:25:41 AM

Could someone explains what “sus” means? I keep seeing it and it feels a new slang that I haven’t picked up on.


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