I've never paid much attention to it before this year. Every election, I do my part by voting but that's about it.
Thus year, I finally understand why many people hate politics. It's toxic and nobody wins.
Check out the politics forum, I dare ya! š
shareOh I did. I think I lost like 52 brain cells from just reading that crap lol
share"Oh I did. I think I lost like 52 brain cells from just reading that crap lol"
That might be just a little disingenuous of you. I've noticed you're quite active in the politics section, which is great, but you certainly seem to be doing more than merely observing that crap as a reader.
I agree with your sentiment though, politics is a toxic game.
Arguing politics is a lot like arguing about outcomes in sporting events... no matter the results both parties will remain true believers in their cause
The rapidity with which civil discussion breaks down into name calling, salacious rumor mongering and outright venomous falsehoods is astonishing!
Barak Obama, a man I have no feelings for or against, was alleged to be a secret Muslim mole born in Kenya who planned on taking away my wealth and weapons...absolutely none of which was true and none of which came to pass
Staunch political leanings, much like the sexual antics one gets up to with their partner or a belief (or non-belief) in some higher power are best kept to oneself
Frankly, arguing about any of it is all just a gigantic waste of time
šMy pops and uncles are from upstate. I grew up listening to loud arguments about Larry bird, Kareem, McEnroe, Gretzky; they all agreed on Bobby Orr though.
My ma said the same. Donāt discuss politics or religion with people. Itās none of their business.
She didnāt say anything about sexual antics though. Speaking of.... šjk
> Staunch political leanings, much like the sexual antics one gets up to with their partner or a belief (or non-belief) in some higher power are best kept to oneself
I'm an atheist living in the Bible Belt. The people who vex me are those who assume that because I'm generally courteous, commit no crimes, keep my word, et cetera, I must -- oh, but of course! -- be a Christian. The sort who might say, "we're both Christians, what do you think of [some news event]?"
I either let those pass or not, depending on my mood. But the ones who really won't keep it to themselves are a different matter. The local proselytizers have long since learned to expect no courtesy from me when they arrive at my door, uninvited and unexpected, to tell me that I am deservedly damned to eternal torment because I do not share their beliefs.
As for politics, I try to steer clear. In my experience, 90+ percent of those who insist on talking politics have their self-esteem invested in their opinions to the extent that a reasonable discussion with them is impossible.
Yes, those topics can become very testy very quickly, it's best to avoid them
I agree with your last point, it all becomes personal to some people and that's when tempers flare
As froggy's Mom told her, keep it inside, it's nobody's business
Well bless your little heart, I feel your pain. I recently moved out of the bible belt and I know the exact type youāre talking about. They used to come into my work place on Sundays with their friendly pamphlets that said things like āyouāre going straight to hellā, or āgod hates sinners.ā Thankfully they never looked at me like I was part of their club. That wouldāve irritated me too.
Next time the door to door salesmen come knocking, you should greet them buttass naked with your wang hanging.
> Next time the door to door salesmen come knocking
That's exactly how I view them. Salesmen. I didn't invite them, and I don't want what they're peddling.
There's a difference, though. Say this to a vacuum cleaner salesman. "Thank you for coming by, but I'm sorry, I really don't think I'm interested." He understands that you're not thankful he came by; you're not sorry you're turning him down; and you're not at all uncertain about not wanting the product. He knows that what you're really saying is, "Nothing personal, I know you're just making a living, good luck with that, but I'm not buying, good-bye."
Say that to some proselytizers, particularly the younger and less experienced ones, and they really will take it at face value. They hear "I don't think I'm interested" as "I'm not sure, I'd like to think it over." And "thank you for coming by" to them really means "I'm truly grateful you visited me." So they think it's OK to come by next week.
The more experienced among them do understand that those are just polite expressions. But they also know that people are supposed to be polite when someone talks to them about religious matters. You're supposed to put a bland smile on your face and nod approvingly, even if you think the speaker is spouting off garbage. It's expected. And many proselytizers, whether they admit it or not, count on this when harassing their victims.
So I give 'em a flat no. I don't shout or put on an angry expression, or even a frown, but I say no in a way that can't be misconstrued. "No, I don't want your pamphlet." Direct eye contact, no expression of discomfort or embarrassment. The reactions can be funny; it's clear some have never been talked to in that way before.
It doesn't happen very often. After I started treating them like that, word got around fast among that crowd, and they generally don't come around here anymore.
It sounds like you are much more polite than I am. I donāt even want my friends coming over unannounced, much less some religious nuts.
I donāt care much for acting the way Iām supposed to, or how Iām expected to. Iād probably just answer the door with a joint hanging out of my mouth and ask if they wanted to partake.
Itās funny the way you describe talking to them. Itās similar to dog training. āNo Baptist, no.ā Lol the word got out about you.š
Me and my co-workers talked about putting together some satanic pamphlets to counter them with, but we never did. I wonder what kind of reaction that would get.
I know theyāre taught to spread the word or whatever, but if your faith is so strong in your religion, why do you need other people to join and agree with you? Iām not at all religious, but I do have certain beliefs that I would stay true to, even if I was the only person in the world that felt that way.
Itās crazy how different the bible belt is. Itās 2020 and people are still considered ābadā for not following the herd. It wasnāt all that long ago that they started allowing you to buy alcohol on sundays where I lived. I guess god finally said it was ok.
Iām glad they finally stopped bothering you at your home. Thatās just so invasive.
I crack my boiled egg on the thin end.
shareYou unhinged lunatic! The musicians I worship taught me about your kind.
shareMy favourite colour is Blue, so...um....so there.
share.... Oh. You aren't so bad after all. You're OK for a thin-sider.
shareWait! What? We have to argue and throw insults, even though it wonāt change our opinion.
shareNope. We're friends now. Here are some gifts that are traditional with my people to cement our new relationship. This sheet of woven beads and feathers is to be worn around the neck and hang in front of your chest. I will be insulted if you don't wear it all the time. Here, we also shake hands with these white-hot caltrops between our hands.
shareWhen the person who recently started the posts:
Trump during the 2020 presidential debate.
To anyone who thinks schools should reopen.
& Anti-vaxxers should all be denied health-care
Says that she does not like politics, it comes across as a bit hypocritical. Whether you like politics or not is your business, but when you constantly begin political rants, you cant credibly claim that you donāt like politics.
š š š
Agree.
Now her political rants are being posted in General Discussion.
THIS thread belongs in Politics.
Yes, it does! And sheās lying in this OP as much as she lies in the Politics board. Sheās one of the worst when it comes to prevaricators! Actually sheās one french fry shy of a Happy Meal or more so...1 Megohm from ear to ear!
sharePolitics = pure evil. I don't talk about it and avoid those who do. What a boring topic!
I feel sorry for someone whose life is so pathetic that they feel the need to insert politics into everything.
I used to be more involved and follow it more closely. Seems like a waste of time, now.
shareIt is my opinion and experience that republicans have created and fostered a toxic atmosphere as a desperate attempt to mask the paucity of their agenda. Because few people would vote for republican policies which don't benefit the average American, they have to lie and smear in order to confuse the easily misled into thinking Democrats are plotting to overthrow American values, which is absurd, disingenuous and insulting to anyone with awareness and intelligence.
Unfortunately, some of us have to remain vigilant as to the direction this country is being led, so I have to take politics seriously. However, in my personal life, I have no inclination to badger others with my perspective.
What a crock!
shareAre you familiar with Newt Gingrich?
"But few figures in modern history have done more than Gingrich to lay the groundwork for Trumpās rise. During his two decades in Congress, he pioneered a style of partisan combatāreplete with name-calling, conspiracy theories, and strategic obstructionismāthat poisoned Americaās political culture and plunged Washington into permanent dysfunction. Gingrichās career can perhaps be best understood as a grand exercise in devolutionāan effort to strip American politics of the civilizing traits it had developed over time and return it to its most primal essence."
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/11/newt-gingrich-says-youre-welcome/570832/
My point is you are saying Republicans are to blame for everything, but at the same time complaining about Republicans blaming Dems for everything. Pot meet kettle.
shareThis isn't the proper place to discuss this further.
I try to respect that a lot of GD people don't want politics as part of this forum.
Yes, I did make a couple of points but I don't want to go further, at least not here.
I'll clarify.
In order for our government to work, both parties need to cooperate with each other.
Newt Gingrich came up with the strategy to no longer cooperate with Democrats hoping it would weaken the democratic party. It weakened our government by creating gridlock, multiple government shutdowns, corruption, national defense problems, extreme bipartisanship, cronyism and populism. A one-party system is a dictatorship. Two parties needs to cooperate in order for our form of government to thrive.
"How Democracies Die" by Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt is an award-winning book which includes what is taken place now in the U.S. and how to end the downward spiral.
Yes , try living in portland during election season, it gets pretty crazy, I'm not a fan of online bullcrap but I'm online a ton . I chilled out a bit but when I left I was upset at my fellow friends on Facebook and wanted somewhere that had different point without of views, well not entirely I tried out new York but after struggling to find an apartment from some gangster wanna bes I choose Portland. Now everyone seems like puppets, like latenite hosts, and stuff. They do have some good things to say sometimes. If I didn't have as much problems as I did I would have stayed. But it was intense, I was just out of my element though because I became accustomed to my lifestyle.
shareDonāt know if you get to travel a lot, but there are some great states in this country that donāt give a fuck what you do or think. People mind their business, have a good time, and donāt expect you to be anything but yourself.
share