People get too damned pissed over politics. Now there has always been some gutter politics throughout the years (Thomas Jefferson was rather handy at it, if you didn't know). And I'm not going to worry about the campaigns themselves, because for them, it's about winning. But I want to talk about all of us. And if you're reading this you're part of the 'us' too.
People have been getting pissed and dishing the hate. Since the unbridled and anonymous Internet exploded, and especially the blogosphere, we've started to see more and more people screaming for the suffering, death and dismemberment of politicians they disagree with or don't like (often for no sane reason). And the worst part is that a lot of this garbage has gone out of the blogosphere and entered the real world.
Let me give you some examples I've read (and therefore led to this blog. First, the ignorant, courtesy of Satyavati's blog [corrected]. There's a difference between facts and angry blather. The woman in question essentially says angry things out of ignorance, but this attitude of attributing general disdain for someone leads to unreasoned anger (can you say Bush Derangement Syndrome?).
Then we go to the downright vile. There's plenty of stories of vandalism (mostly against McCain supporters in this case) out there, but this one I found on Mike's site takes the cake. The quote at the top is vile enough. The story about a robbery turned political beating is truly wrong in so may ways that I can't do it justice here (note: there are some questions raised, and more investigation on this is important). Too often, we're taking things to a personal level and acting like people disagree with us because they want to see us get ass cancer and get backed up with crap until we die.
Now I'll admit I've been there. Back during the Clinton years (which incidentally started the year I gradgitated high school), I got my hate on at times, especially after the extra-creamy affair known (at least in my mind) as Sucklegate. In fact, if you want to see, here's a prior post that quotes my mindset back just prior to Clintons last days (and it's about this very subject, of course). But I've gotten to the point where I do my best not to unleash the vitriol until someone really asks for it and I've tried to be sane.
Now if you think I'm full of shit, maybe you should take a look at your blog, and at your comments section, and see if you are discussing stuff or just insulting people you disagree with.
So, since we're all ramped up to scream at each other, and we have little more than a week left before the election, I'm going to declare this day Hug an Ideologue Day! So whoever's giving you shit in the comments section, just link to this post with a *hug*. (Update: I've posted the html below, just copy and paste it) Try it. It will make them feel better. It will make you feel better. However, if they're still being assholes, then tell them to shit in the middle of the highway in a concrete-colored body suit.
<b><i>*hug*</i></b>
<a href="http://patrickmspeaks.blogspot.com/2008/10/angryangry-people.html">Hug an Ideologue Day</a>
I leave you with a vid for the weekend which served as inspiration for the title of this post. Just play the whole thing. You'll have to smile. Or season the Kool-Aid with arsenic. Your choice:
Damn, I'm such an REM fag sometimes.
50 comments:
Actually, I like that song. I don't have to worry about the whole mean comments thing because so far, I've been blessed with those that agree with me. Of course, this post is just inviting them in, but, oh well!
I think people get so crazy about politics because it means different things to different people. It varies, according to your stage in life. For instance, when I look at the country's future, I think of my boys ages 9 and 11. They are very young, but decisions made now still influence who they are, what they are taught, and who they become. I worry about the security of the country and want my kids to grow up safe and happy. I don't want to imagine another 9-11 happening in mine or their lifetime. I want them to learn and be taught my morals and beliefs (by me), not what the government sees fit to teach them.
Feeling passionate about politics is not necessarily a bad thing. I would much rather encounter someone who disagrees with me strongly that someone that does not gave a crap either way. I think there is a huge difference of debating people and their ideas, and name calling and being downright rude. You don't have to agree with me, but at least be respectful. I don't think that's too much to ask for either liberals or conservatives.
Sadly, I seem to get more personal attacks against me from so-called conservatives because I don't bow at the altar on the GOP and whomever they put up as a candidate and am critical of McCain.
Now a former liberal friend Erik has more recently become more personal in his attacks at me instead of my ideas, so to hell with him.
Let me give you some examples I've read (and therefore led to this blog. First, the ignorant, courtesy of Satyavati.--Patrick
Are you saying Saty is ignorant? Really? Well I don't need to defend her, since she's highly intelligent and can do that herself. But just because you disagree with someone's point of view does NOT make them ignorant.
There's a difference between facts and angry blather. The woman in question essentially says angry things out of ignorance, but this attitude of attributing general disdain for someone leads to unreasoned anger (can you say Bush Derangement Syndrome?).--Patrick
Push-back is a bitch, isn't it Patrick? The country is waaaaaay ahead of you on this.
It has endured 8 friggin' years of being told that anyone who isn't a pistol-packin', jesus lovin', gay-hatin' 'Merkin is scum.
That's the radical right's legacy for America. And it is a failure.
America has turned away from it, and thank Darwin.
Senator Obama is going to surprise all of you.
He will NOT demonize you and your fellow travelers, nor will he encourage the Democrats to do so. That is not in his psychology.
When he was elected the head of the Harvard Review, there was a division in the Law School between liberals and conservatives. When the liberals got one of their own, Obama, into the coveted position, they anticipated that Obama would fill all the open slots on the Review with fellow liberals.
That didn't happen. In fact, Obama put more CONSERVATIVES on board than he did liberals. Why? He chose by merit, not by ideology.
That's a very important insight into the core of his personality.
Patrick, I predict you will have to eat your words--re: calling Sen. Obama a Marxist.
Jennifer: Passion and disagreement are fine. But it's when the attacks become personal, like calling someone an idiot every time they post something that it gets bad.
Beth: Yeah, the wingnuts are as bad as the moonbats on that count. Being I have more right wing blogs in my blogroll than lefties, I see more vitriol from the right. If they comment here, I'll call then on it. Which brings me to...
Shaw: Did you read her post that I linked to? It was ripping some idiot GOP woman in New Mexico who blathering about The Marxist (Obama) being a "Muslim Socialist" and that "Muslims are our enemies." But rereading my text, it can be misconstrued, so I'll make the minor correction right now.
Done. *hug*
It has endured 8 friggin' years of being told that anyone who isn't a pistol-packin', jesus lovin', gay-hatin' 'Merkin is scum.
That's the radical right's legacy for America. And it is a failure.
Let me just ask. Have you looked at the level of vitriol on your blog lately? Thank you.
My point is that this crap happens on both sides, and that to get things straight we need to tone down the assumptions and general condemnations of people.
BTW, if you're wondering, there's blogs on both sides that practice the "attack any opposition personally" mantra. But I'll only address the people that post comments here. So far, you're the only one.
As for referring to The Marxist as such, that will end on election day and I'll get back to my usual tone. But at least I have some facts to back up my namecalling.
Angry,Angry People?
You bet I am one of them. Actually,I came here yesterday due to the fact that I saw another persons link and followed it here.
When I took the time to read your blog, I wrote what you called a rant and said that it was off topic and therefore deleted it.
My time and effort was therefore wasted.
So much for voicing my opion.
And you have made it very clear that this is NOT the place for me.
Thank you, good bye, have a nice day.
As for calling Sen. Obama a Marxist.
I think that half the people here are Marxist Kool Aide drinkers.
Jeff: It's your choice. Although, as I have a few comments that got wiped, I'm looking at a place to put them.
I really started enforcing the rule primarily because people were ignoring the topic and just making speeches. And to be fair, I look at the comment aside of whether I agree or disagree (and if I remember, you fall into the agree category.
Nevertheless, as you did leave a link back to your blog, I can see you just got your start this month. So I'll drop a link at the end of this comment and tell everyone to visit you.
Now as to half the people here being "Marxist Kool-Aid drinkers," I have three regular liberals that comment here. The rest lean conservative and outnumber the libs. But it makes for entertaining arguments.
So here's your: *hug*
VISIT HIM PEOPLE, HE'S A NOOB!
jeffsjotsit.blogspot.com
Shiny Happy People!
I'm so gonna wear my Kate-Pierson-Wannabe ponytail today!!
I love to debate. I'll debate anything. I don't typically get actually pissed off with people, but ignorant people, like the ones who will claim that the woman never really said that or that it was misconstrued or that the Liberal Left made it all up will irritate me. People who you can't argue with because they're not hearin you irritate me. People with preconceptions irritate me. I go into a debate with a conclusion but (generally) IF a point's made I can take the hit and admit I'm wrong.
This election I think is a little different because the country's so polarized over it. There's a lot of (needed imho) change at stake and change=scary. Couple this with the irrational fears and xenophobia that ignorant people have about those who are 'different' and with the dirty campaigns and you've got potential hysteria on your hands.
I've stood behind socialism for 25 years. In practical terms I think a mixed economy would work better in this country, but to me any step in that direction is the right one. And that's just more fodder for my debate mill.
It's possible to be passionate without being emotional in an argument. My father and I used to get into some rip roaring arguments (in which he was branded a fascist and I was told to go on home to Mother Russia) but once the argument was over, that was it, and we could go on peacefully through the day with no hard feelings. Unfortunately my mom isn't like this and is currently not speaking to me because of it.
Anyway, you're right, there's still a line of decency people shouldn't cross. I do have fears of what repercussions may occur after the election regardless of who wins. But we'll just have to take that as it comes.
Now I'm gonna go do the Rock Lobster thing. :)
Saty: The big difference is what kind of change we need. That's where passions get so crazy. Conservatives are particularly frustrated in this because we have a GOP candidate that may be more on board with the Democrat candidate than with us.
As for change, it would be nice to get away from the ever-expanding government for once. That hasn't happened over the past 20+ years, and I don't see it happening in the next four.
Unfortunately my mom isn't like this and is currently not speaking to me because of it.
Go give her a damned hug or something. You'll feel better. letting someone hold onto anger will only make things harder later. Or get her to my blog and I'll give her some shit (in a good way) and get her smiling.
All part of the service.
And since I disagreed with you on something:
*hug*
She's 200 miles away and avoiding my calls. She'll get over it.
Alleged robbery turned political beating. The police says there is nothing to back her claim. Sounds a little Susan Smithish to me.
Wait, you were a Republican even back in High School? I thought people only became Republicans when they had kids and wanted someone else to keep the boobies off TV for them.
Saty: Then Go West (or whatever direction neccessary) Young Lady, Go West! :)
Toad: Here's the story. Started off in a conservative Democrat family, father played the party politics. We got a license bureau out of it for many years. When the GOP took over, we eventually lost that. Parents (and I) went Republican. By high school, I was being filled with basic GOP thoughts. After moving to Dayton for college, I began thinking a little more. And I've really only gotten every view I have now over the last year.
As for boobies on TV, we need more of them. Parental control is turning off the damned TV yourself, not empowering a Nazi organization (the FCC) to control the airwaves.
Now, I'll have to give you a double, because I know you need it. And no, this is not a prelude to man-ass sex. Totally hetero, dude:
*hug*
*hug*
Joe the Plumber single handedly woke up more Americans to what Obama is really about than anything the GOP had done up to that time. In fact, he did such a good job of exposing Obama that almost the entire MSM went on a mission to smear Joe and ruin his reputation.
That is a great achievement. Americans owe Joe the Plumber a great deal since he did on one question what the entire MSM has failed to do in this entire election season; Joe Plumber asked Obama a relevant, hard hitting, and revealing question to which Obama had no pre-written script with which to answer, so he just said what was in his mind. Then, out came the Socialist in him.
You know why cola comes out of a Pepsi bottle when you shake it? Because cola is on the inside. Joe the Plumber gave Obama a good shake and the Socialist inside came out.
Farnsworth:
Palin is the wealth distributing Socialist, not Obama. What do you not get about that?
Hi, Patrick.
I'm not rude to people so I don't allow it on my blog, period. If they want to present a different point of view, fine, but they must do it while being respectful to my commenters and myself. I don't publish comments that aren't civil, so I don't have any problems.
But I'll give you a *hug* because I like you, and I'll give Toad a *hug* because he needs one. :)
Farnsworth:
The vast, vast majority of small business owners aren't making over $250K. The vast majority of school teachers, dental hygenists, plumbers, electricians, painters, framers, trim carpenters, carpet men, siding guys, and the rest of the proletariat are not making over $250K. Even union ironworkers aren't making that much. I'm not making that much.
According to John McCain's plan, he's cutting taxes for the top earners. How this is going to benefit me I have yet to figure out.
If you actually believe that cutting taxes for a company (thereby increasing their profits) is going to make them spend more money, you're on drugs I'd like to get. They're going to keep their extra profits. Hello... Exxon?
So please explain to me, a nurse making well under $250K (in a nonunion state), how John McCain's tax plan is going to benefit me.
I'd like to know.
Thanks!
I don't know why I am even bothering but, I'll give it one more shot.....
If it gets deleted, I'll know I'm not wanted here.
It galls me that there are people who really believe that the American Dream is a handout from the rest of Americans.
In my world it means the opportunity to work your buns off to accomplish great things.
I have a friend who is wheel chair bound who has worked hard and has saved enough to buy a home, drive a specially equipped car and make significant contributions to society. And all that without one dollar of government help.
Your friend doesn't qualify for SSDI?
However, I'm leaving your comments (and responses to them) to highlight something related to this post (ie, people are pissed at people over the election).
We've stopped listening to people when we go to various blogs. Instead, it's simply an exercise in blasting the politicos we don't like and trying to get out whatever message we think is more important than anything. This is why we all have our own blogs. But we also get angry when we go to other people's space and they don't play by the rules.
Gayle: I'll address you now, because you have specific rules against offensiveness. I only ask that people stay on topic. They can be as obscene as all get out if it's funny.
Also, since it's taken off and I'd have to delete 5 comments now, I'm giving up today and letting the off-topics survive. I'll get delete-happy another day.
Now, since I'm in the mood for it:
*BIG-ASSED GROUP HUG*
I'm sorry.
:*
I don't mind a passionate exchange of ideas, but I have had my share of personal attacks. The worst was some guy who went after my wife, that was the first (and hopefully last) person I banned from my blog. I had politely tolerated quiet a bit of senseless blather up until then.
As long as everyone learns something, I don't mind a little yelling.
I have the most awesome recipe for chocolate cake.
But if I post it, Patrick will just delete it.
Really.
It's made with flour, butter, brown sugar, water, unsweetened cocoa--so easy, and moist and soooooooooo fudgily delicious.
Sigh.
New York Guy, I smell a deletion of your comment coming on. Did you miss Patrick's request to stay on topic and not just make random speeches here, you can do that at your blog instead.
Yes, there is free speech, but that doesn't mean there can't be rules established about what can be said. Think of school, if you talked out of turn, you got a detention. So think of Patrick deleting comments as your detention.
btw, ever since yesterday I have had REM stuck in my head, thanks a lot!
Bullfrog: you get it
Shaw: Don't be a dick. :)
New york: What Beth said.
Beth: I let the other comments stand today, that's what keeps me from hitting delete. Next week, though....
WHAT?
WHY Delete it?
Give me a break, do I have to ONLY comment on what YOU want me to?
Is this what we can expect with The King OBAMA?
I'll tell you one thing, delete my caomment and you may as well delete me form ever commenting again!
Patrick M said...
New york: What Beth said.
What is that suposed to mean ....a warning?
do I have to ONLY comment on what YOU want me to?
In a word, yes.
For more details on this, scroll all the way down to the end of this blog.
Beth said...
"In a word, yes.
For more details on this, scroll all the way down to the end of this blog."
Dear author;
Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it, but I choose not to... .... May I suggest where to shove your " RULES FOR THE MASSES" And your ego!
I have NO desire or inclination to either abide by your “RULES” or to continue to comment here on this blog where the author has the desire to be a dictator.
Thank you and Good night.
Thank you for the tip Beth....
Don't let the door hit you on the way out, NY guy.
Patrick......I think a *hug* is in order, so.......
*HUGS*
Thanks, Jennifer.
As you'll notice, though, I draw a line between tolerating people I may disagree with and people who sorely desire some tongue lashing. :)
Matt: Well, obviously you missed something here. I gave the NY guy a choice. He chose to come to my blog and tell me what I can or can't do. So I told him he could either be respectful or do the vile things you seem to have taken issue with.
I do appreciate that you think I'm a wingnut, considering I've deleted more right wing comments than left wing ones and generally don't just tell people I disagree with to go fuck themselves. So try reading for context before you show everyone how ignorant you are about the contents of this blog. It makes you not appear to be the asshat you most desperately wish I was.
Now I know what to do to attract lots of comments - post REM videos.
I love this song because it's one of the few REM tunes where I can actually understand more than just a random word here or there in the lyrics.
Whenever I hear 'Radio Free Europe,' I'm instantly transported back to those simpler times. Great guitar rock.
Saw them live when they were touring for 'Monster.' Outstanding show.
As for sanity and civility in political discourse - I'm probably the last person qualified to speak to that. I've been pretty pissed and dismayed at what's been going down since 5 folks on the Supreme Court picked a president, and I never was one for gentle persuasion.
I suppose I could try to make a better effort at listening, and perhaps I could try to hold my tongue for a moment and think about whether or not I really need to tell somebody that I think their ideas are whack.
Hmmmmm...OK, when I'm at somebody else's place, I'll really, really try, since you went to the effort of giving me that hug.
But the next time, please keep your hand off my ass.
OMG! Radio Free Europe!
I am now like 13 again.
Let's break out the Boones Farm and the nickel bags.
Who's with me?
Snarkle: We should all post more REM videos. Less tension is good.
Hopefully we'll get down to some sane discussions after the election.
As for the hand on ass thing, must have slipped. Channeling Michael Stipe, I guess.
Saty: The nickel bags will work, but I'm more of a whiskey guy.
Last time I had Boone's, I added it to a turkey I was roasting. Yum-o!
If you're having trouble following along (and I know there are a lot of Rightwingers who follow this blog) I'll type slowly, so pay attention please
Now that we are about to make history, by electing the first African American president and the legacy creating on Iraq is in full swing by the Republican Spinmeisters (I actually had one Rightwingnut blogger write a comment to recently with a straight face that he "didn't think Bush actually said anything about nuclear weapons...") we can thank the fine Americans in Rep. Henry Waxman's office for providing a searchable database on Administration lies and misstatements on the threat posed by Iraq.
So next time you hear one of your brain-addled Rightwing friends or family members regurgitate Paul Wolfowitz saying on the radio (as he did on March 16th, 2004) that "We never said there were stockpiles." ...
Or Rumsfeld shows up on Face the Nation (as he did on March 14th, 2004) to say "Well, you're the ... you and a few other critics are the only people I've heard use the phrase 'immediate threat.' I didn't. The president didn't. And it's become kind of folklore that that's... that's what's happened."...
You'll be able to stop by this database, and easily find the time when Rumsfeld said to the Congressional Armed Services Committee on September 19th, 2002:
No terrorist state poses a greater or more immediate threat to the security of our people than the regime of Saddam Hussein and Iraq."
You can only fool some of the people some of the time. Thankfully, it's getting much harder for these bad bad dangerous irresponsible folks to be able to do just that. Is it time to start calling him "Baghdad Bush"?
Because if Barack Obama is elected president with a significant popular mandate, a number of Democrats riding his coattails to the House, and enough senators to scuttle the filibuster of his legislative agenda -- all of which seem entirely possible -- he will inherit a historical opportunity to civilize the United States in ways not seen in a generation. To achieve the change he seeks -- the monumental trio of universal health care, a sustainable energy policy, and a sane and secure internationalism -- he has to completely reverse the way Republicans have been doing business.
Patrick, thank you for the vist to my blog and for the comment you left, BUT please dont use the term, The Marxist Obama.... You clearly don’t know the first thing about Marxism.
You are so off base. Obama is just trying to help the little guy. This has nothing to do with Marxism. There is only so many resources in the world and the corporate fatcats are making a profit off of all of our backs.
You people are scary sick. Starting from a position of “Barack Obama is a black man and must never be elected”, you spin and fabricate all manner of fictional diatribes to make your case.
You guys believe everything you read - as long as it just attacks Obama
my left view: regarding Obama wanting to "help the little guy":
1. Who is the little guy?
If it's the person who works really hard, but still can't afford to pay for their dreams, America is the best place in the world to make decisions to change your path and make something of yourself to achieve your goals.
2. What is the "help" gonna cost, and who is paying?
While the liberal-minded among us are agreeing with the seemingly noble, albeit emotional, premise that "spreading the wealth is good for everybody"; and Obama has stated he doesn't mind getting taxed through the nose to fund these unnecessary social programs, there are a good number of people who would like to make a choice to give to charity and not be forced to do do through taxation.
This is forced compulsion, which is absolutely contrary to the concept of liberty. It has been said that one man's liberty ends at the liberty of the next. Forcibly taking my hard-earned money, effectively limiting my chance at life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, to fund someone else's ability to do so is backwards and descpicable.
Napqueen: Do you have a point related to the original post, or are you just here to make a Pro-Marxist talking points speech?
Lefty: If you've been following me lately, you'll understand that I adopted the term "The Marxist" as shorthand for "Obama, who has skads of radical Marxist associations, seeks wealth redistribution (tenet of Marxism), and has policy positions that lean Marxist and will, with the help pf Pelosi and Reid, damage this country with their agenda." I did so in the name of brevity after one too many off topic speeches about The Marxist (Napqueen's being the most recent)popped up.
Two more points:
1. *hug*
2. Starting from a position of “Barack Obama is a black man and must never be elected”...
I think that constitutes calling every conservative here a racist. If you can't cite where I or any poster (without challenge) have said something along these lines, then I'd suggest you either apologize or find somewhere else to spew bullshit.
I'll find somewhere else to spew my bullshit.
Thank you very much for your short lived hospitality
Whoa Patrick! You really have waded into the deep end of the s#%t pool with your latest!
I realize you like to stir things up, but you've just invited the inmates to come and help run the asylum.
Anyway, we're both having the same influx of what I call moonbats and you always demonstrate a vastly better capacity to tolerate even fools gladly.
P.S. I'm going to head on over to one of these moonbats pages and have some fun....I figure I might as well "spread the wealth around."
Lefty: My hospitality has not changed. But I won't tolerate someone calling me racist. As with everyone, I give you the choice, and you, as that NY guy earlier (a conservative) decide to fire off invectives or stomp away in a fit rather than look at what you have written and correct the record.
Mike: I've been waiting for you.
Me addressing Shaw: BTW, if you're wondering, there's blogs on both sides that practice the "attack any opposition personally" mantra. But I'll only address the people that post comments here. So far, you're the only one.
Mike, it's becoming increasingly hostile on your blog, where even respectful comments appear to be getting shouted down. I'd be remiss if I didn't point that out. Not that I have any sympathies when the moonbats get offensive (and Toad, anytime, just because he's soooo sweet), but sometimes you blast legit stuff by people who have blathered in the past.
Interestingly, the worst person on this post (and he got comments deleted) was actually a wingnut, not a moonbat.
Remember, you should be respectful when you visit their blogs. Lead by example. Reagan called out his political opponents, but he always did so with good humor and cheer. Plus, the worst will be over in a little over a week.
Me addressing Shaw: BTW, if you're wondering, there's blogs on both sides that practice the "attack any opposition personally" mantra. But I'll only address the people that post comments here. So far, you're the only one.
If this is about me, I don't understand what it is in reference to.
Also, I won't be going back to Mike's America. All he does is call me vile names and has hissy fits.
You call me out when I eff up, and that's cool, but generally you don't just throw shit at me just for the hell of it.
It's too bad about Mike's blog. We could have had some interesting back and forth.
He's just not into it.
Crap. I don't know if this comment is even on topic.
Oh wait. I'm talking about being angry. So I guess it is.
PS. At the risk of being delted, please do a recipe post so I can post that delish chocolate cake recipe.
Seriously, your kiddies will love it.
Ooops. Off topic AGAIN!
Shaw: I wanted Mike to know where the quote came from before I clarified that his blog has been getting hostile to opposing opinion.
BTW, before you get a smartassed response up... :)
You can wander off topic and I don't have a problem. My problem is people coming here just to spew venom about the opposing candidate, no matter the topic. You've been guilty, other people have been guilty, and I don't care who they're ripping. You want me to count and see who's been deleted most? Here's a hint, it ain't a liberal.
So quit the whining and post your damned recipe.
I am still so amazed that people take issue with your right to run your blog as you see fit.
Shall I quote a great movie in this context?
"This is not a Goddamned democracy!"
HA! and I got a little political joke in there as well. It's so good when shit like that just works out.
PS. Bonus points, etc.
Have you read Mike's profile?
This is someone who takes himself so seriously that it actually makes you laugh.
'Pompous' is not a strong enough word.
Let me try some more.
Ostentatious? Grandiloquent? Imperious?
I think I like 'orotund' best.
I'm gonna go with that.
Left:
We're all intellectuals here.
Patrick's conservative. I'm socialist. We argue intelligently, coherently, and (usually) rationally.
Don't come blowing in here and just give people another excuse to call liberals idiots.
Okay?
Thanks.
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