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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.

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

RTaco Since: Jul, 2009
#32251: Oct 12th 2012 at 4:16:02 PM

Also, say things in a friendly way. If you act antagonistic, then they'll just reenforce their own beliefs no matter what the facts are. Present your info in a way that makes them want to agree with liberal views.

edited 12th Oct '12 4:22:54 PM by RTaco

GlennMagusHarvey Since: Jan, 2001
#32252: Oct 12th 2012 at 4:17:49 PM

Harmonnize your views with so-called American values when possible (though don't overdo this).

Hey, they do it all the time over there, even when it doesn't work.

cutewithoutthe Góðberit Norðling Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Star-crossed
Góðberit Norðling
#32253: Oct 12th 2012 at 4:20:00 PM

Thanks guys. This is extremely helpful. I'll do the research, and force my team to do some as well.

@glenn: I know some of most of these guys personally; they are really immature. Remember, this is high school in an environment that looks down on education and being informed. Honestly, I'm worried they aren't going to be ready for the Debate. Their club president certainly seems kind of wary of it.

GlennMagusHarvey Since: Jan, 2001
#32254: Oct 12th 2012 at 4:28:59 PM

Why are you worried that they won't be ready? You should be worried that they will be!

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#32255: Oct 12th 2012 at 4:36:27 PM

General debate tip: bring notes. Don't read off them but you don't want to screw your facts or forget something core to your message.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#32256: Oct 12th 2012 at 4:56:05 PM

[up]That.

Come up with a list of things you think they'll talk about and make a note card for each one that says why the argument is wrong and what respected sources like the CBO or TPC say on the matter. Try not to stick to them too closely but it will be nice to have a way of checking your info just to make sure.

GameGuruGG Vampire Hunter from Castlevania (Before Recorded History)
Vampire Hunter
#32257: Oct 12th 2012 at 5:10:41 PM

@Sports and Politics comparison:

You'd be surprised just how many things can compare to Sports... Politics, Religion, Geek Fandoms... We all have our teams that we support and disapproval for teams that compete against them. The point is to never let support or disapproval of anything get to the point where it can be seen as condescending to others. At least, that's how I see it.

Wizard Needs Food Badly
Euodiachloris Since: Oct, 2010
#32258: Oct 12th 2012 at 5:12:08 PM

Using business card size is a good move, too. Less bulky than index cards, and also less obvious to the crowd if you don't have a lectern. Plus, they fit into a hand and/or pockets nicely and you can find sleeves and containers for them which can hold a surprising number, should you need that, too. smile

The small size also means you'll stick to facts and memos, not a script. wink

edited 12th Oct '12 5:15:32 PM by Euodiachloris

Yuanchosaan antic disposition from Australia Since: Jan, 2010
antic disposition
#32259: Oct 12th 2012 at 5:30:48 PM

Another reason some countries feel more positively towards Obama is that his views are closer to the average political views in their countries, e.g. in terms of socialised healthcare. The US has a big influence on the world stage, so it's terrifying to think of her sliding further and further to the right and dragging the rest of the world with her as well. Quite literally in the case of military aggression - there was a lot of opposition to the Iraq War in Australia because we felt as if Howard was dragging us into a pointless and unfair war simply to please the US.

"Doctor Who means never having to say you're kidding." - Bocaj
Montegoraon Since: Jan, 2011
#32260: Oct 12th 2012 at 5:35:35 PM

I wish people were more confident in their own ability to reason. A lot of people seem to think they have to take politicians at their word because the issues are too complex. That's why Romney can get away with claiming he'll fix everything wrong with the economy and foreign policy, even though his actual plans are shoddy or never released to the public at all. Listening to him and his campaign, they really promise the moon, when in actuality all they can deliver is a wheel of fetid cheese. People let them get away with it because they conflate having a rainbow-filled goal with having a plan to reach that goal. Even a basic understanding of their proposals, combined with historical knowledge of what those proposals have caused when they were tried in the past, makes it clear what a sham Romney is.

pvtnum11 OMG NO NOSECONES from Kerbin low orbit Since: Nov, 2009 Relationship Status: We finish each other's sandwiches
OMG NO NOSECONES
#32261: Oct 12th 2012 at 5:37:10 PM

A brief commentary about the similiarities of sports and politics, after a quick Google search.

http://host.madison.com/news/opinion/mailbag/frank-mixdorf-similarities-drawn-between-sports-politics/article_4caf309a-09bf-11e2-a22d-001a4bcf887a.html

^ Some people simply refuse to engage their brain, stopping at step one and making up their mind. I admit that I am no less prone to doing that, and I've spent long sleepless nights attempting to reconcile my faith and a wide number of issues.

edited 12th Oct '12 5:39:30 PM by pvtnum11

Happiness is zero-gee with a sinus cold.
Linhasxoc Since: Jun, 2009
#32262: Oct 12th 2012 at 5:45:05 PM

So, extending the sports metaphor, is Citizens United the Fail Mary? McCain did just call it the worst decision ever...

Butterfinger Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: Sinking with my ship
#32263: Oct 12th 2012 at 5:47:08 PM

Huh, I just saw ads for Romney on TV Tropes.

"I will never apologize for America." That doesn't seem like a good thing to boast...

♥ ♦ ♠ ♣
DeviantBraeburn Wandering Jew from Dysfunctional California Since: Aug, 2012
Wandering Jew
#32264: Oct 12th 2012 at 5:53:03 PM

President Obama to appear on 'The Daily Show' on Thursday

This will be his 6th time on the show.

Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016
HilarityEnsues Since: Sep, 2009
#32265: Oct 12th 2012 at 5:54:33 PM

What makes you think that isn't exactly what happens, with "democracy" being about as real as professional wrestling so that the sheeple think they actually matter?

Hence why I said, "much like the wealthy elite do now".

DrunkGirlfriend from Castle Geekhaven Since: Jan, 2011
#32266: Oct 12th 2012 at 5:55:03 PM

Shot fired at Obama campaign headquarters in Denver.

Nobody was injured, thank goodness.

"I don't know how I do it. I'm like the Mr. Bean of sex." -Drunkscriblerian
Joesolo Indiana Solo Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
Indiana Solo
#32267: Oct 12th 2012 at 5:59:52 PM

Oh geez...

I'm baaaaaaack
Blueeyedrat Since: Oct, 2010
#32268: Oct 12th 2012 at 6:48:10 PM

Oh god, so many political advertisements, so little time. (We get Washington channels up here. A bunch of gubernatorial and congressional stuff.) Economy this, jobs that, debt this, taxes that, small business this, private sector that. One (R) candidate who's apparently "tough on criminals", while his (D) opponent has "never prosecuted a criminal case in his life" and fought to help "a convicted cop killer". There is an admittedly clever one, opposing Tea Party politics and ending with "let's give Congress Heck."

pvtnum11 OMG NO NOSECONES from Kerbin low orbit Since: Nov, 2009 Relationship Status: We finish each other's sandwiches
OMG NO NOSECONES
#32269: Oct 12th 2012 at 6:55:46 PM

I can imagine the drudgery of living in DC.

Happiness is zero-gee with a sinus cold.
Enkufka Wandering Student ಠ_ಠ from Bay of White fish Since: Dec, 2009
Wandering Student ಠ_ಠ
#32270: Oct 12th 2012 at 8:02:22 PM

Matt Taibbi nails Ryan over his lack of details last night.

Very big Daydream Believer. "That's not knowledge, that's a crapshoot!" -Al Murray "Welcome to QI" -Stephen Fry
AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#32271: Oct 12th 2012 at 9:04:08 PM

We're getting one here in Texas about how ... Oh, I forget her name, but one of the ads accuses her of having experience in the Senate, while the guy running against here is a licensed physician. Also, she's a Democrat. We're apparently supposed to be appalled that she has experience in working in the kind of job she's running to get elected for, and go for the doctor instead. I mean, seriously, it's just stupid.

Thorn14 Gunpla is amazing! Since: Aug, 2010
Gunpla is amazing!
#32272: Oct 12th 2012 at 9:04:48 PM

Absolutely disgusting. Someone could have been killed.

Joesolo Indiana Solo Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
Indiana Solo
#32273: Oct 12th 2012 at 9:13:08 PM

bob mendez(one of our senators running in new jersey) has an ad out on TV completely in spanish on the normal channels...I don't like this.

I'm baaaaaaack
AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#32274: Oct 12th 2012 at 9:17:28 PM

Why? Because he's speaking in Spanish when our official language is English?

Oh wait, it's not. This country has no official language and it's an accident of history that most of us speak it. What's wrong with him having an ad out in Spanish, if a significant number of people in the state speak it? Seems smart to reach out to people in their preferred language. Or to at least try.

Tangent128 from Virginia Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
#32275: Oct 12th 2012 at 9:22:26 PM

So, my 9-year-old sister was asking us at dinner tonight "who won the election?"

We explained that no, last night was just a debate, and not the last either. And that there would be more political ads in the next few weeks, not less.

She got very dejected. Poor girl already has to sit through enough ads while watching My Little Pony on You Tube. Think of the children!

edited 12th Oct '12 9:22:48 PM by Tangent128

Do you highlight everything looking for secret messages?

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