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

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#261651: Nov 13th 2018 at 2:42:26 PM

Half the time you hear about the Black Bloc, it turns out that its just shitheads showing up to a peaceful protest to smash things.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#261652: Nov 13th 2018 at 2:43:26 PM

And that is not as bad as shootings or the like...

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#261653: Nov 13th 2018 at 2:45:09 PM

Fundamentally Antifa is just a blunt instrument, they serve their purpose but at the end of the day what really matters is who does or doesn't control the halls of power. And they can't really affect that in any meaningful way.

Still, they serve their purpose and thus should be tolerated by anyone who opposes fascism.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Nov 13th 2018 at 5:45:37 AM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#261654: Nov 13th 2018 at 2:47:26 PM

Sure Anti-Fa in Germany is still relevant. It is just sometimes a little bit difficult which leftist organisation is part of Anti-Fa one way or another and which is not. The tendency of the Media to simply call all kind of groups "Autonome" doesn't help.

I am very critical of the German Antifa, but to their credit, the were one of the first standing firm against the Neonazi movement in Dresden. In 2010 the managed to deter their annual march through an illegal protest.

Bottom line, sometimes the Anti-Fa do things which are technically illegal, but I still approve off.

Edited by Swanpride on Nov 13th 2018 at 2:50:54 AM

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#261655: Nov 13th 2018 at 4:26:55 PM

So when is the runoff election in Mississippi?

Gilphon (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#261657: Nov 13th 2018 at 4:48:20 PM

Antifa is attacked as a far bigger issue in America than it is. Republicans use it for "both sides" when it's not remotely as bad as their supporters (if bad at all since I believe it IS okay to punch a Nazi).

Mind you, I have nothing but contempt for the people who believe that only the "Democratic Party can save us now!" I'm a person who believes strongly the Two Party system in America and the "all or nothing" system has caused endless amounts of trouble and we need to go against that.

But I might as well be arguing against gravity.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Nov 13th 2018 at 4:48:45 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#261658: Nov 13th 2018 at 4:52:46 PM

It's literally true that the Democratic Party is the only organization that can save us, in that they're the only people pushing for beneficial change and stopping the Republicans on the national level.

It's more than possible to acknowledge that fact while also wanting to reform our electoral system.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#261659: Nov 13th 2018 at 4:54:19 PM

I think that the fight for the direction of the democratic party belongs in the primaries. After this, you support the democratic candidate, no matter what, because the Republican will nearly always be the worse option.

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#261660: Nov 13th 2018 at 5:01:24 PM

God this is just the best, it's amazing. grin

Edit: Fixed it

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Nov 13th 2018 at 8:03:07 AM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#261662: Nov 13th 2018 at 5:01:49 PM

[up][up][up]If only everyone knew this in 2016.

Edited by kkhohoho on Nov 13th 2018 at 7:02:22 AM

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#261663: Nov 13th 2018 at 5:35:30 PM

[up][up][up] grin

I love it!

Edited by megaeliz on Nov 13th 2018 at 8:39:42 AM

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#261664: Nov 13th 2018 at 5:50:10 PM

It took a week, but as of today Democrat Katie Porter is now in the lead for the CA-45 Congressional seat. Hooray for mail-in ballots!

Swanpride now owes me a cookie.

BlueNinja0 The Mod with the Migraine from Taking a left at Albuquerque Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
The Mod with the Migraine
#261665: Nov 13th 2018 at 6:06:33 PM

I have nothing but contempt for the people who believe that only the "Democratic Party can save us now!" I'm a person who believes strongly the Two Party system in America and the "all or nothing" system has caused endless amounts of trouble and we need to go against that.
So ... you support compromising with Nazis? Because at this current moment in time, that's what a Two Party system is in America. You have the Democrats, and you have a GOP openly embracing Nazi principles. You cannot choose both, morally. When the GOP stops being the party of ethnic cleansing and racial nationalism, we can talk about the two party system again.
If only everyone knew this in 2016.
Plenty of them did, and they voted for the GOP because they think they'll stay in the winner's circle and it's easy.

That’s the epitome of privilege right there, not considering armed nazis a threat to your life. - Silasw
AzurePaladin She/Her Pronouns from Forest of Magic Since: Apr, 2018 Relationship Status: Mu
She/Her Pronouns
#261666: Nov 13th 2018 at 6:11:10 PM

Oh dear, I missed a lot...

[up] You do understand that you can dislike something and still work with it? Charles has made clear that he backs Democrats over Republicans.

Actually, there's a general point to be made here. Y'all do realize that there are ways to oppose the Democrats and still choose them as the lesser evil? The DSA, for instance, does just that.

There is a middle ground between "I wholeheartedly support the Democratic Party" and "They're equally as bad, I'm voting Green"

[down][down] Absolutely no one is saying that.

Edited by AzurePaladin on Nov 13th 2018 at 9:18:10 AM

The awful things he says and does are burned into our cultural consciousness like a CRT display left on the same picture too long. -Fighteer
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#261667: Nov 13th 2018 at 6:11:37 PM

I think that attitude is why the Republicans continue to win and will continue to win because the Democrats are willing to throw people under the bus and have done so continuously.

And people who put their faith in them are wrong to do so.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Nov 13th 2018 at 6:12:45 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#261668: Nov 13th 2018 at 6:16:50 PM

What I'm getting here is that the GOP can be racist, sexist, classist, environment-destroying, Russia-appeasing, literal Nazis, and if a Democrat points that out, they're the ones throwing people under the bus.

It's been fun.
Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#261669: Nov 13th 2018 at 6:21:11 PM

You can't really compromise with the current GOP on much anyways. They're spoiled brats who if given an inch, will take a mile, and give nothing back in return.

The democrats will never be perfect, but even calling them the "lesser evil" at this point feels misleading when they aren't remotely on the same spectrum of open malice that the GOP exists in.

AzurePaladin She/Her Pronouns from Forest of Magic Since: Apr, 2018 Relationship Status: Mu
She/Her Pronouns
#261670: Nov 13th 2018 at 6:24:02 PM

You know, touche. Evil is a bit strong of a word when comparing to the GOP.

Having said that, I think the rest of my point still stands.

Edited by AzurePaladin on Nov 13th 2018 at 9:24:35 AM

The awful things he says and does are burned into our cultural consciousness like a CRT display left on the same picture too long. -Fighteer
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#261671: Nov 13th 2018 at 6:30:07 PM

I think that attitude is why the Republicans continue to win and will continue to win because the Democrats are willing to throw people under the bus and have done so continuously.

And people who put their faith in them are wrong to do so.

The Democratic Party literally just took the House. Also, they have not thrown anyone under the bus, this is nothing more than an unfounded non-sequitur.

Absolutely no one is saying that.

Charles did.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Nov 13th 2018 at 9:34:04 AM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#261672: Nov 13th 2018 at 6:31:03 PM

The thing to keep in mind with 'lesser evils' is that, since good is the polar opposite of evil, it's logically synonymous with 'greater good'.

Leviticus 19:34
TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#261673: Nov 13th 2018 at 6:43:27 PM

It's literally true that the Democratic Party is the only organization that can save us, in that they're the only people pushing for beneficial change and stopping the Republicans on the national level.

It's more than possible to acknowledge that fact while also wanting to reform our electoral system.

This.

It's like tipping. Yes, it's true that the system is f*cked up in a lot of ways, and the many problems with it absolutely warrant criticism and ultimately some reform.

But you're still a total asshole if you don't do it. Desiring something better is all well and good but you also have to deal with the reality of what is.

Edited by TobiasDrake on Nov 13th 2018 at 7:45:33 AM

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
AzurePaladin She/Her Pronouns from Forest of Magic Since: Apr, 2018 Relationship Status: Mu
She/Her Pronouns
#261674: Nov 13th 2018 at 6:48:37 PM

[up] I don't know if Tobias was intending for this, but that basically sums up my opinion on the topic. Well, with more than just a little reform. So, uh, thanks? (^_^;;

Again, my point is farther up the page. There is a place in between wholehearted support and voting Green or whatever.

[down] Oh, if it isn't the white supremacist (and Steven King name user) himself. I'm still p....d that he didn't lose his seat. Like, of all the people I wanted to see out of a job, he's basically at the top of the stack.

As for what he said...Fuck him.

("Incendiary Comment" sure is one way to put "dehumanizing and very racist comment" though)

Edited by AzurePaladin on Nov 13th 2018 at 10:01:46 AM

The awful things he says and does are burned into our cultural consciousness like a CRT display left on the same picture too long. -Fighteer
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#261675: Nov 13th 2018 at 6:56:19 PM

From NPR: Rep. Steve King Denied Comparing Immigrants To 'Dirt' — Audio Says Otherwise

Rep. Steve King, the Iowa Republican known for hard-line stances on immigration and for controversial remarks, challenged a conservative magazine to release audio to prove that he had compared immigrants to "dirt."

So The Weekly Standard did.

The magazine reported last week that King, who won re-election earlier this month despite being called out for his white nationalist views, made the incendiary comment.

On Friday, King tweeted in response that the magazine had joined Huff Post "at the bottom of the lying journalistic gutter." He claimed the article's reporter was lying: "Just release the full tape. Leftists lies exist without original sources because they are false and manufactured accusations," he tweeted.

The Standard on Saturday published a You Tube video containing the audio to the article. "We stand by the story," the magazine's Editor-in-Chief Stephen Hayes said.

The tape was reportedly recorded during a campaign stop on Nov. 5 while King bantered with supporters in a restaurant. King discussed his "patented pheasant noodle soup" that includes a sprinkle of homegrown jalapeño peppers. Talking about those peppers, he said:

KING: I raised a bunch this year, and they didn't have enough bite. So I guess I'm going to have to go get some dirt from Mexico to grow the next batch.

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Trust me, it's on its way.

KING: Well, yeah, there's plenty of dirt. It's coming from West Coast, too, and a lot of other places, besides. This is the most dirt we've ever seen.

The unidentified woman's comments are seemingly about the caravan of Central American migrants currently headed to the U.S. to seek asylum.

As the conservative magazine said (emphasis theirs), "Iowa does have a topsoil depletion problem, but it's hard to imagine that the audience and King were discussing the shipment of soil from out of country or from California."

Edited by M84 on Nov 13th 2018 at 10:56:46 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised

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