PoliticalDiscussion

PoliticalDiscussion https://www.dailykos.com/news/PoliticalDiscussion News Community Action Copyright 2005 - Steal what you want Mon, 27 Jan 2020 17:08:39 +0000 Mon, 27 Jan 2020 17:08:39 +0000 Daily Kos rss@dailykos.com (Daily Kos) Daily Kos rss@dailykos.com (Daily Kos) Could we have civil, informed political forums across this entire country? https://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/8/26/1693506/-Could-we-have-civil-informed-political-forums-across-this-entire-country The nation is under attack under this administration in so many ways it’s hard to keep track. Part of the problem is that people aren’t engaged and aren’t informed. The Internet isn’t enough. Donating isn’t enough. People need face-to-face human interaction and the ability to participate in their system. Here’s a question: what would it take to have every single city and county in America — especially the suburban, exurban, and rural areas — hold civil, educational political forums every week or two? They’d bring in the politically unaffiliated or uninterested, speak to political opponents, make people feel involved… and alarmed! Maybe even knock on doors? What would that take — is it feasible? Would it be useful? And is anyone trying it? rss@dailykos.com (KafkaWest) CivicEngagement PoliticalDiscussion TownHalls _1693506 Sat, 26 Aug 2017 20:55:07 +0000 With new polling data, why even bother trying to reason with Trump supporters? https://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/4/24/1655765/-With-new-polling-data-why-even-bother-trying-to-reason-with-Trump-supporters So I want to pose a question to you all on a topic that may or may not be popular here. I am truly torn by this and would love your opinions on how to proceed. New polling data came out stating that 96% of Trump supporters would vote for him again. My question is why? Are you people freaking blind or just willfully ignorant. The same poll showed that while Comrade Trumputin has a 54% disapproval rating, he has a 40% approval rating. In my best Seinfeld voice, I have to ask, “Who are these people”? So the main question that I have: is it even worth it trying to have a rational discussion with Trump supporters? I honestly think that they are too far gone and either they are not paying attention or are willfully ignorant and will not be responsive to factual evidence as to his incompetence. I say to heck with them and just write them off as a lost cause. I don’t make this statement lightly or without thought. Several high school friends of mine, who are like minded and were in shock from the election, have put together our own Facebook group to have a place for us to vent. Lifelong friendships have been shattered and destroyed with this election. I do believe that at my next high school reunion, their will either be a red reunion and a blue one, or a very tense situation where they two sides will be in different places at the event. That is how bad it has gotten. I have blocked some people and have been unfriended by others. Some I am just shaking my head in disbelief. I had a lesbian friend who was a big Trump supporter. I went after her on Facebook after a stupid anti-Obama, pro-Trump post and she unfriended me. WTF? In a logical rational world, she should be the last person who supported Trump. I truly do not understand these people. I have good Republican friends who I can have rational political debates with, including friends who were in my wedding party. I know that in a rational debate, you are supposed to consider the other person’s opinion and point of view and debate the issues, not attack the person. But in the case of Trump supporters, I cannot. It makes me insane because I cannot even begin to wrap my brain around their support of him. Literally it is like the old pinball Tilt signs in my brain. Debating them is like debating a brick wall. By the same token, I am embarrassed to also say that I truly don’t care if Trump supporters lose things like their healthcare if the ACA goes away. I have no sympathy for them and they should pay a price for their electoral stupidity. And their stupidity gave us Forrest Trump in the White House and they should pay for that too. I am not proud of these statements either. Does all of this make me a jerk? Am I wrong here? Am I the one with the problem? Thanks for letting me vent. I look forward to hearing your opinions. rss@dailykos.com (Slideman) 2016Election 45 Anger LogicalThought politicaldebate PoliticalDiscussion trump _1655765 Mon, 24 Apr 2017 14:45:19 +0000 When liberals undercut the fight for racial equality https://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/1/4/1355499/-When-liberals-undercut-the-fight-for-racial-equality When someone denies that there is such a thing is white privilege, and/or when that person insists that there's no such thing as institutional racism, or that it is a thing of the past, and that now everyone has the same opportunities and access, a lot of us probably think that comes from a conservative or libertarian.  Yes, that's a real problem in America, when you hear talking heads on FOX News rail against "race hustlers" or 'racial ambulance chasers" in their perpetual <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaslighting">gaslighing</a> of what people of color actually experience on a daily basis. But, conservatives don't corner the market on denying that white privilege and institutional racism are (still) issues that need our attention. Follow me past the orange angel hair pasta please. rss@dailykos.com (RockyMtnLib) Gaslighting institutionalracism PoliticalDiscussion Racism Rant White Privilege WhitePrivilege _1355499 Sun, 04 Jan 2015 17:52:59 +0000 Talking to Conservatives https://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/12/20/1172332/-Talking-to-Conservatives How many of us have just given up talking to or arguing with conservatives. Not the fine folks in this community but outside of this community? I Have just unfriended a number of people who think that the answer to an argument is "I don't care what you say I know I am right" and steadfastly refuse to provide links or articles or quotes or sources. rss@dailykos.com (kmackle) Media PoliticalDiscussion _1172332 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:26:53 +0000 Why I am here (Updated) https://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/5/28/1095384/-Why-I-am-here The reasons, broadly, are as follows - in order: + To promote <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/26/1095030/-Civility-My-first-comments">civility</a> and support those who are civil in their discussions + To be part of a group of people who put civility first - whatever our views may be + To promote candidates in the Democratic Party who I feel represent good positions on important issues + To learn about the views and experiences of others + To ask questions in order to see if some of those others agree with me on issues + To provide information about <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/27/1095151/-The-Rule-of-Law-The-Rule-of-Empathy">my views</a> and why I think that they're correct I've done the same at many other political websites - for Republicans, for Democrats, for 3rd Party groups, and for general discussion - under different usernames. I ultimately decided on this one because I think that more people want a limited government than realize it, and mistakenly assume "limited government" to mean something that it doesn't - if they even know the term. Though some have assumed that I'm here to push my worldview and that I want all government to be small, I came here primarily to focus on civility and coalition-building, and <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/26/1095007/-The-meaning-of-limited-government-">do not mean</a> "small government" by my username "LimitedGovernment". That I made my first post  and my username about "limited government" surely would prime many to have a negative reaction to who I am and what I'm doing here, but those who read what I write and have written for the totality of the meaning that I convey will find that I'm not disruptive, and that I am well-written, thoughtful, courteous, and valuable to the causes of this site. If I find that most here refuse to read my posts and comments for their intended meaning, that I'm treated disrespectfully, or that people believe - regardless of whether they are right or wrong - that we have more in conflict than in common, I'll leave the site of my own volition. I would like to discover that the members of this site - or at least of a sub-set of them -  are of better character than those at other places that I've been posting at recently. It seems that at least a few individuals here are. rss@dailykos.com (LimitedGovernment) Candidates Character Civility Coalitions Courtesy PoliticalDiscussion _1095384 Mon, 28 May 2012 18:44:50 +0000 Notes from the Hudson Valley Coffee Party https://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/3/28/851713/-Notes-from-the-Hudson-Valley-Coffee-Party Yesterday, I attended my first Coffee Party in New Paltz. Actually there were several parties going on that day. Here is the notes. I see potential in this movement. rss@dailykos.com (Jamesleo) CivilDiscourse Coffee Party CoffeeParty CoffeePartyUSA PoliticalDiscussion Tea Party TeaParty _851713 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:23:27 +0000 Where I draw the limit on political discourse https://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/3/10/844787/-Where-I-draw-the-limit-on-political-discourse Over the past few months there have been a lot of hurt feelings and bitter back and forths over the topics of HCR, Obama's first year in office, the non-exsistent torture hearings, etc.  Because of this, many GBCW diaries, flat out flame wars and uncessary HRs have spread across the DK and have left some people frustrated about the discourse of the site.   Personally, I think that it is important to have debates about the nuances of public policy and feel that even when our opinions our sacred to us, it is important to note that the person on the other side is looking for the same thing we are:  progressive legislation and D(d)emocratic values in Washington and for our nation.   Therefore, I hope that the lively debates keep up and that people do not leave this site because of hurt feelings or sentiments of slight towards them.  We need this kind of debate to hone our overall message and keep from falling into a trap of political stagnation. That being said, below the fold, for your amusement I hope, is a list of "dealbreakers" that mean I will not be talking politics with that person. rss@dailykos.com (kalspa) hurtfeelings Meta PoliticalDiscussion Snark _844787 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:30:08 +0000 I Don't Care https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/5/12/730689/-I-Don-t-Care It seems political debate seems to be calming down in general.  I know this because of the stupid shit the TV is talking about.  I'll keep this diary short, because my point is pretty straight forward. I don't care what Ms California thinks of gay marriage.  She is a model.  If tomorrow every model was laid off, absolutely nothing would change.  They serve no function in our society, and I have no idea why we give two shits what any one of them thinks. The second big story involves Wanda Sykes.  She is a comedian.  A comedian is someone, who by definition, is not meant to be taken seriously. Then there's Dick Cheney.  I was pretty sure we all pretty much agreed we don't trust that guy.  Yet for some reason we are letting him guide the debate. rss@dailykos.com (Dr Teeth) PoliticalDiscussion _730689 Tue, 12 May 2009 22:13:24 +0000 A Mailman, Me & who is Glenn Beck? https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/3/31/715202/-A-Mailman-Me-who-is-Glenn-Beck So I will start with Glenn Beck...most Americans never heard of him, and never listen to him (including me, although I know his name).  The majority also never listen to Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh, don't know who Bill O'Reilly might be, and of course would offer a "huh" if you asked them about Olbermann, Maddow, Matthews, or even Krugman. I was absolutely surprised when I met my mailman of many years last Thursday.  Typically he is delivering about the time I am getting home, and I just wave and he waves back.  As of the 1st of the year, I don't work on Thursday (or Tuesday), but last Thursday, I connected with my mailman in a personal way. rss@dailykos.com (LtdEdishn) Glenn Beck GlennBeck Mailmen PoliticalDiscussion RadioPersonalities Rescued _715202 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:20:41 +0000 American Dickery https://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/12/27/677722/-American-Dickery Today I had one of the nicest political conversations I've had in years.  I was having a cup of coffee and doing my crossword, when an older lady sat down at the diner counter next to me.  In the course of the conversation I discovered she is a conservative as well as being a devout Baptist. Like most political conversation no one's mind was changed.  We went about laying out our theories on many topics, and providing counterpoints when appropriate.  We did not interrupt each other, and we didn't try to add or subtract from each other's statements.  No words were twisted, and nothing was pulled out of context. I can't tell you how refreshing of an experience this was.  Lately I have began losing faith in civility, as most of my political discussions occur in this or other forums.  The simple thing was that neither of us felt the need to be a dick to get our point across. rss@dailykos.com (Dr Teeth) PoliticalDiscussion _677722 Sun, 28 Dec 2008 00:33:05 +0000 Responding To A Conservative https://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/16/600882/-Responding-To-A-Conservative Many of you responded and recommended my diary <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/10/15218/4307/139/593799">We Are Out Here</a>.  Since I was a dyed in the wool conservative (someone once told me I was to the right of Atilla the Hun), some of you asked me to give more insight into the conservative mindset.  I will do my best. In my experience, these three main points are part of a conservative worldview: Conservatives believe that they are defending certain values against all challenges.  Their view is 'there is an absolute standard of right and wrong, and I am one of its defenders' Conservatives believe that something that challenges a preconception they hold is somehow suspect information and not to be trusted.  Their view is 'I cannot get the straight story from anywhere but a trusted source, and I only trust sources who agree with me' Conservatives believe that the United Stated holds a special place in the world, and that our way of life and policies, are above reproach  Their view is 'I am a citizen of the greatest country in history.  America does very little wrong and it is always justified' More over the fold: rss@dailykos.com (ex VRWC) Conservative Phone Banking PhoneBanking PoliticalDiscussion Republicans _600882 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:49:03 +0000 Live Coverage of SC Primary starts at 6pm https://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/26/443590/-Live-Coverage-of-SC-Primary-starts-at-6pm Sharing a Newsletter with you all. <blockquote> <img width="250" align="left" src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m65/jimstaro/hp_sc.jpg" />Live and progressive, smart and in-depth. Nope, it's not a dream. It's the Brave New Films/Young Turks live coverage of the South Carolina Democratic primary! We're back tonight with the best guests from Firedoglake, Alternet, The Huffington Post, Crooks and Liars, and even a special guest host. BNF's Robert Greenwald will be hosting with Cenk Uygur for the first hour starting at 6pm ET. I'll be liveblogging the pre-game show at 3pm. </blockquote> rss@dailykos.com (jimstaro) Brave New Films BraveNewFilms LiveBroadcast PoliticalDiscussion SouthCarolinaPrimary _443590 Sat, 26 Jan 2008 18:52:25 +0000