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

Deadbeatloser22 from Disappeared by Space Magic (Great Old One) Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#99402: Aug 26th 2015 at 6:31:48 AM

What were they reporting about?

Oh really when?
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#99403: Aug 26th 2015 at 6:35:28 AM

So far all we know is that it was a live broadcast, shots were fired, they tried to flee, and they were killed.

On the other topic, academic studies of prejudice and bias are entirely appropriate for a university setting, but not open expressions of prejudice and bias.

edited 26th Aug '15 6:36:31 AM by Fighteer

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
RavenWilder Since: Apr, 2009
#99404: Aug 26th 2015 at 6:44:08 AM

Eh, we ask pro-lifers and hardcore animal rights activists to not get offended when they hear people advocate things that they regard as cruel, inhumane, and outright murderous. Is this really that different?

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
#99405: Aug 26th 2015 at 6:51:45 AM

Sure, animals and fetus aren't protected categories.

also nobody calls for a fetus to be destroyed because it's a fetus, that we would let people get offended about, the same way we're okay with people getting offended by people calling for the killing of a black person because they're black. I think all of that applies to animals to, we don't call for the killing of animals because they're animals, if people did I think we'd be okay with people getting upset.

Keep in mind that these rules also lock out anarchist nuts, as veteran status (or lack of) is a protected category, so "all soilders are baby murderes who should die" is a no no the same as "all gays are baby murderes who should die".

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#99406: Aug 26th 2015 at 6:53:46 AM

[up][up] In the public arena, the rules about protection of free speech, right to petition, and so forth apply. The government cannot prevent them from saying those things so long as they don't directly incite violence and don't commit any other crimes while exercising their rights.

However, a college campus does not fall under the First Amendment.

[up] Also, this. Nobody marches around a college campus waving a placard saying, "Abort all the fetuses!" or, "Torture animals!" I hope, anyway. That would be a weird campus.

edited 26th Aug '15 6:57:07 AM by Fighteer

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
RavenWilder Since: Apr, 2009
#99407: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:07:29 AM

Oh, I don't think colleges should be required to let people express bigoted opinions. If they want to ban certain forms of speech, that's their right. I just think that they shouldn't.

And people may not advocate killing all fetuses or all animals, but you will find plenty of folks who don't regard those entities as people, believe they can be owned like property, and think human beings should be able to kill them with impunity. For someone who thinks that a fetus or an animal is entitled to the same human rights as you or me, those opinions are monstrously offensive. Yet we still expect pro-lifers and the more extreme animal rights activists to co-exist peacefully on campus with pro-choicers and people who support recreational hunting.

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#99408: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:09:23 AM

As a human being, you have the inherent ability to find things offensive. That doesn't convey the right to shove your offense into people's faces, as long as those people are not actively infringing on any of your personal rights. "Not being offended" is not one of those rights.

edited 26th Aug '15 7:09:57 AM by Fighteer

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#99409: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:13:05 AM

As much as the animal rights groups would like to tell you otherwise humans and animals are not the same thing.

As for free speech and everyone being entitled to an opinion. It's true that everyone is entitled to an opinion. That doesn't mean every opinion must be seriously considered and given equal weight.

speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#99410: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:16:21 AM

Maybe it's just the pessimist in me, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if the reporter shooting was a premeditated terrorist attack.

edited 26th Aug '15 7:16:47 AM by speedyboris

Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#99411: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:17:25 AM

What's a non-premeditated one?

speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#99412: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:18:44 AM

Probably poor choice of words. What I meant was, I doubt it was just some nut off their meds and who has trouble discerning fantasy from reality.

edited 26th Aug '15 7:20:42 AM by speedyboris

JackOLantern1337 Shameful Display from The Most Miserable Province in the Russian Empir Since: Aug, 2014 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Shameful Display
#99413: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:23:28 AM

[up]You think it's Muslims or right wing nutters?

I Bring Doom,and a bit of gloom, but mostly gloom.
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#99414: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:24:43 AM

It's the deep south, it's going to be right wing nutters. Or someone mentally unsound who bought a gun with no issue.

Do we know what exactly they were reporting yet? That'll probably shed some clues.

Oh really when?
probablyinsane Since: Oct, 2011 Relationship Status: I LOVE THIS DOCTOR!
#99415: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:26:19 AM

A bit more specification is I think warranted.

It's more about allowing or not allowing mothers to terminate their own pregnancies. As for the killing of animals, it's primarily about humane treament, including humane killing of animals.

Animals tend to die in horrible ways. As for abortion, thankfully - current research seems to indicate that it takes more than 7 months before fetuses can feel pain.

imho, women should immediately assume prenancy if they miss a single period.

Plants are aliens, and fungi are nanomachines.
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#99416: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:28:18 AM

We aren't going to have an abortion debate here; it is legal according to the laws of the United States, as is animal experimentation (and consumption, for that matter).

edited 26th Aug '15 7:31:04 AM by Fighteer

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#99417: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:28:27 AM

[up][up]I question that. A lot of the really in your face people that hate eating meat consider it murder.

edited 26th Aug '15 7:28:35 AM by Kostya

Euodiachloris Since: Oct, 2010
#99418: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:28:39 AM

[up]Dude, you have no idea about how cycles shift about, do you? <_<

probablyinsane Since: Oct, 2011 Relationship Status: I LOVE THIS DOCTOR!
#99419: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:34:27 AM

[up][up]. Well, it is technically ending a life. Heck, I murder a lot of insects.

And before meat-lovers get upset with me about how it's their right to scarf down too much carcinogenic protein, I am pro animal euthanasia. Including humane killing of unwanted pets.

Animal experimentation though... depends on the amount of pain.

Plants are aliens, and fungi are nanomachines.
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#99420: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:34:29 AM

[up][up]I don't understand your comment.

edited 26th Aug '15 7:34:49 AM by Kostya

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
#99421: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:36:09 AM

Nobody marches around a college campus waving a placard saying, "Abort all the fetuses!" or, "Torture animals!"
No ... but that kind of makes me ''want'' to.

That’s the epitome of privilege right there, not considering armed nazis a threat to your life. - Silasw
Aszur A nice butterfly from Pagliacci's Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: Don't hug me; I'm scared
A nice butterfly
#99422: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:38:10 AM

I am pretty certain that the circumstances of the definition of Free Speech were very different than the ones they are used on nowadays. I doubt the people who came up with such an idea in the past could have foreseen the many implications it could have nowadays, specially by making it an important part in law.

It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes
Ekuran Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
#99423: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:38:46 AM

[up][up][up]Check the timestamps. The post is probably missing 2[up] symbols.

JackOLantern1337 Shameful Display from The Most Miserable Province in the Russian Empir Since: Aug, 2014 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Shameful Display
#99424: Aug 26th 2015 at 7:42:13 AM

@ Le Garcon, well that recruiting station that got shot up by an ISIS guy was in the South, so it is a possibility.

I Bring Doom,and a bit of gloom, but mostly gloom.

Total posts: 417,856
Top