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
Okay, but if you think that didn't involve quiet disdain and Lies to Children.....
I mean, that is what we do to children. In Babby's First Physics class they teach you things, and then in the very next step up they teach you that everything in your first class was incomplete or outright incorrect, but was taught to you because it was easy to understand.
It's the same thing when dealing with violently racist/xenophobic/misogynistic folks.
For me, I don't have the patience to teach something false that's easy to understand before teaching something less false that's harder to understand before finally teaching the truth.
I just "Why don't you just get it, dammit?!"
edited 9th Feb '17 1:11:42 PM by blkwhtrbbt
Say to the others who did not follow through You're still our brothers, and we will fight for youHe does vote with the party, he's actually for background checks despite being an NRA member, I suspect that he's on side on a number of other things.
But sure, if you'd rather we fail to get full background checks so that you can feel good about hating everyone from West Virginia go ahead. I'm sure you'll sleep soundly come the next mass shooting.
As for Republican students. For a lot of people it comes down to them wanting to hurt racists more than make them less-racist.
“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ CyranIt's probably an issue of convenience. Who wants to actually deal with people like that? It's so much easier just to "Don't bring that shit next to me."
I'm not saying it's more productive, mind you. I'm just saying it's comfortable, and a justifiable position to take, especially if one is a minority of any form that American "Conservatives" have taken as whipping boys.
Say to the others who did not follow through You're still our brothers, and we will fight for youLook, if the alternative to a weak ally is a strong enemy, then I'll take the fair weather friend until the situation changes such that they can be properly replaced, are no longer needed to achieve our goals, or can be effectively whipped
to follow the party line on important issues.
Yeah, you really, really do not want a "whip" to be a major thing in American politics. Our system depends on weak party discipline and cohesion to avoid untenable gridlock and executive-legislative standoffs, otherwise it would completely implode like most Presidential democracies tend to do, and which very much looks to be occurring right now in the US.
sgamer82: Nope. We tried that. For eight years Barack Obama said "We have friends in red states and gay people can be treated nicely in conservative circles." and was met with "Where is your birth certificate you Communist/Islamic Terrorist/Person trying to start a race war". We extend olive branches to them while occasionally getting righteously pissed when they demand to hold off good things like gay marriage just because they hate certain people, while they elect a president who's platform is literally "I'm a big tough guy, and whatever minority you want to blame I'm on your side!!" so no, it doesn't lead to results as long as the enemy has good publicity.
I'm not for picking on them. Though usually when they claimed to be picked on them mean "not bowed down to". I don't support giving death threats to them, (which some conservative christian college students did the day trump was elected on quite a few campuses of them did the day after Trump was elected) or beating them, (unless they beat up someone else) but asking for someone to tolerate your hateful beliefs in their circle of friends? No, you made your bed.
edited 9th Feb '17 1:48:53 PM by Wildcard
Yeah, I don't have a lot of sympathy for Republicans on college campuses. Their actions are literally putting people's lives at risk. If they refuse to understand that and alter their views accordingly then they deserve nothing but scorn.
Having said that, I feel like anyone that genuinely does want to reform and be a better person should be welcomed.
Wait a minute...what's going on with college Republicans right now? I'm a Republican on a college campus.
edited 9th Feb '17 1:52:15 PM by Protagonist506
Leviticus 19:34![]()
![]()
Thought you were older. Anyway Republican Trump supporters are complaining that "people are very quick to yell and not to listen" and "people make fun of me" when they are on a more liberal campus. Sometimes, it was actually bad like some guy apparently going up to the college dorm's door and screaming "fuck you". I don't support that.
But, for most I'm wondering why they expect sympathy when they gave none with the polices they support and the person they voted into office.
edited 9th Feb '17 1:58:55 PM by Wildcard
x4 First world problem compared to what everyone went through because of them.
edited 9th Feb '17 1:59:07 PM by RAlexa21th
Continue writing our story of peace.I dont condone harassment of any kind, but you also cant expect people to take it well when you support bigoted politicians that want to make them and/or their loved ones second class citizens.
I might be slightly more sympathetic if it were anyone but trump. A good faith effort to have a conversation is ideal but not always a good thing to ask feom someone whos getting fucked over.
edited 9th Feb '17 2:03:15 PM by Draghinazzo
I should clarify I don't support bullying people for their private political positions. Nobody is required to be your friend though, so if you complain about safe spaces and immigrants, and shout "Make America Great Again" to a Hispanic or Muslim person don't then cry victim when they don't want to be your friend.
edited 9th Feb '17 2:07:29 PM by Wildcard
Ah. Well, that's nothing new for me and it's probably going to get worse since I've never liked Trump.
Yeah, I'm still in college, though I imagine I sound verbose for someone my age (and I was thinking about politics when I was pretty young).
Leviticus 19:34@Protagonist: I don't think verbose people are that unusual, even among freshmen college students I've seen some that can run verbal and written rings around everyone I know. Were you bullied earlier in life or just isolated or both? Either way, I'm sorry. It happened me to varying degrees until I was about 20. I'm still in college to in a fairly conservative area, (don't have a lot of money for choices). But it does get better/easier.
@Kostya: Basically going out of your way to be a dick to someone. Calling someone "subhuman" if you've seen their fb page that they like Romney or Trump, beating them up, or stuff like that. Like I said, I don't support bullying but don't complain if people don't like you because you support atrocious things against them and their loved ones.

I understand the negative sentiment. However, remember that story about the kid who was raised (or abused...) as a white nationalist? He eventually shifted away from his views because people, including/especially those he was raised to hate, opened up to him.
Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.