# A big middle finger to the people who took advantage to politicize the school shooting **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 19, 2018, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107 "2018-02-19T09:00:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/341 "2018-02-23T00:15:17Z")
Twitterbot got removed eh? ---
**Author:** ![ausqb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@ausqb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ausqb)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/342 "2018-02-23T00:16:09Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > You come across as a conservbative trying to be a liberal. It’s almost faked. It seems fake to you because you’re so bought in to the lie that these two labels encompass the entire universe of possibility. There are more things in heaven and earth, Morgenstern, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. I can see the wisdom in allowing law abiding, sane, responsible adult individuals to arm themselves with rifles if they choose to. I don’t think that makes me “conservative”. I don’t understand why the state should have the power to dictate what substances a person may put into their own body. The drug war is immoral. I don’t think this makes me “liberal”. On the other hand, if you’re still into hard drugs past your twenties, you’re probably a loser. I don’t think this makes me “conservative”, just observant. I can see that capital punishment should not exist in the modern state, because the justice system is not perfect and therefore sometimes the state would be (and has already been) complicit in murdering innocent people. I don’t think this makes me “liberal”. I am unequivocally in favor of a woman’s right to choose whether to carry a pregnancy to term. I don’t think this makes me “liberal”. I am equally unequivocal in my insistence that not a single public tax dollar should pay for an abortion. I am perfectly willing to give my own money to charities to help poor women in need of this type of assistance, but when it comes to public funding, half of those tax dollars come from people who have strong and sincere religious objections to abortion. I don’t think forcing them at gunpoint to pay for it is fair (which is what you’d be doing, because if they refuse to pay eventually IRS agents with guns will show up at their door). I don’t think that makes me “conservative”, just willing to compromise and treat other people decently. I could go on and on; these are just my personal opinions, and I’m only one insignificant person. You don’t need to agree with any of this at all, but the point is that collectively they don’t fit into any mainstream candidate or party platform over the past several decades. And yet they are quite sensible, definitely not out on the lunatic fringe. More than half the people in my own life view these ideas as just plain common sense. So I’m not “trying” to be either of your labels. Why should I have to fit into one of your simplistic preconceived categories? My point is this: even if I take only the top 5 issues I care most deeply about (which are not necessarily these) and ignore all the rest, there is NO mainstream candidate or party that represents my beliefs. Millions of other people are in the same position, in case you hadn’t noticed. It’s only you dittoheads in your pathetic bubble who think your guy or gal has it all right, or even “close enough” to merit strong support. “Lesser of two evils” is a sham to keep you placated while everything is going to crap. I’m not going to participate in that anymore, and neither should you. ---
**Author:** ![ausqb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@ausqb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ausqb)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/343 "2018-02-23T00:36:51Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > All you have to do is spread some shit, muddy the waters with a mix of outright lies and facts so taken out of context they’re effectively lies What specifically do you deem inaccurate? > [@Derleth](#): > > You offer no arguments. You offer no analysis. You just move in, shit, and demand we all look at the shit, and your lies have yet another venue in which to spread. That’s funny because from my perspective partisans have been wallowing in shit for decades, and they get upset when I have the temerity to point it out. I think the “no arguments, no analysis” thing is a wholly inaccurate description of what I’ve said here today. It does characterize what you’ve done above, though. You’ve just claimed “there are lies” without any sufficient detail that could be refuted. Just because I’m not advocating for a specific candidate or party but rather to stop harmful groupthink behavior doesn’t mean I’m insincere, folks. What this guy is doing here is part of the problem. Don’t be fooled. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/344 "2018-02-23T00:41:25Z")
> [@ausqb](#): > > What specifically do you deem inaccurate? > > That’s funny because from my perspective partisans have been wallowing in shit for decades, and they get upset when I have the temerity to point it out. > > I think the “no arguments, no analysis” thing is a wholly inaccurate description of what I’ve said here today. It does characterize what you’ve done above, though. You’ve just claimed “there are lies” without any sufficient detail that could be refuted. > > Just because I’m not advocating for a specific candidate or party but rather to stop harmful groupthink behavior doesn’t mean I’m insincere, folks. What this guy is doing here is part of the problem. Don’t be fooled. We can still repent and be saved folks, listen up! ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/345 "2018-02-23T00:47:18Z")
Good insight I must say @ausqb Thoughts on gun control? Please contribute more to the thread, this country needs more of you. You even admitted the most gun talk is just done for sake of crying like a bitch and not done seriously. Well then what should we do? Add more security? Let me know. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/346 "2018-02-23T00:56:05Z")
Troll Tag Team! Film at 11 ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/347 "2018-02-23T00:58:28Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Good insight I must say > @ausqb > Thoughts on gun control? Please contribute more to the thread, this country needs more of you. > You even admitted the most gun talk is just done for sake of crying like a bitch and not done seriously. Well then what should we do? Add more security? Let me know. We’ll leave you two alone ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/348 "2018-02-23T01:28:18Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > We’ll leave you two alone It’s entirely possible he already is. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/349 "2018-02-23T01:30:29Z")
> [@andros](#): > > It’s entirely possible he already is. My assumption as well. A little too cute with the “fine point, my dear chap, please go on…” ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/350 "2018-02-23T01:36:34Z")
Well is the Pit so I can expect anything. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/351 "2018-02-23T01:38:36Z")
Even a comrade. If one doesn’t come, make one. That’s what I always say. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/352 "2018-02-23T01:40:41Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Well is the Pit so I can expect anything. Not the Spanish Inquisition. No one expects that ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/353 "2018-02-23T01:46:45Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Not the Spanish Inquisition. No one expects that Well… ( Quite Interesting - Spanish Inquisition ) "EVERYBODY expected the Spanish Inquisition; they were legally obliged to give 30 days notice” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/354 "2018-02-23T01:48:34Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Good insight I must say > @ausqb > Thoughts on gun control? Please contribute more to the thread, this country needs more of you. > You even admitted the most gun talk is just done for sake of crying like a bitch and not done seriously. Well then what should we do? Add more security? Let me know. Obvious troll has obvious sock. Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/355 "2018-02-23T01:53:28Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > "EVERYBODY expected the Spanish Inquisition; they were legally obliged to give 30 days notice” I didn’t expect that… ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/356 "2018-02-23T02:02:12Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Ah. So you’re just masturbating. Have fun with that, Sparky. > [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > Isn’t that what socks do? No, socks do the **receiving** in said scenario. ---
**Author:** ![ausqb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@ausqb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ausqb)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/357 "2018-02-23T03:01:26Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > My assumption as well. A little too cute with the “fine point, my dear chap, please go on…” I’ve been a fan of the Straight Dope column for years. I remember reading it in the local weekly while I was in college. I’ve only just today noticed this discussion board, though, and I guess I got a little emotional because I expected more of fellow Straight Dope fans. (if it’s not making too much of an assumption that you are fellow fans?) I would have thought such persons would skew toward a form of discourse that was more even handed and always focused on getting at a more complete understanding. As it turns out, there are a lot of people here that are so fixated on petty partisanship that they’d sooner believe the Kremlin is here arguing with them than that there might be a modicum of rational dissent in their own country. How idiotic. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/358 "2018-02-23T03:06:09Z")
> [@ausqb](#): > > I’ve been a fan of the Straight Dope column for years. I remember reading it in the local weekly while I was in college. I’ve only just today noticed this discussion board, though, and I guess I got a little emotional because I expected more of fellow Straight Dope fans. (if it’s not making too much of an assumption that you are fellow fans?) I would have thought such persons would skew toward a form of discourse that was more even handed and always focused on getting at a more complete understanding. > > As it turns out, there are a lot of people here that are so fixated on petty partisanship that they’d sooner believe the Kremlin is here arguing with them than that there might be a modicum of rational dissent in their own country. How idiotic. Rejecting everything Trump is not petty partisanship. It’s patriotism. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/359 "2018-02-23T03:18:56Z")
> [@ausqb](#): > > I’ve been a fan of the Straight Dope column for years. I remember reading it in the local weekly while I was in college. I’ve only just today noticed this discussion board, though, and I guess I got a little emotional because I expected more of fellow Straight Dope fans. (if it’s not making too much of an assumption that you are fellow fans?) I would have thought such persons would skew toward a form of discourse that was more even handed and always focused on getting at a more complete understanding. > > As it turns out, there are a lot of people here that are so fixated on petty partisanship that they’d sooner believe the Kremlin is here arguing with them than that there might be a modicum of rational dissent in their own country. How idiotic. I’ll take you at your word. _Read the forum descriptions._ You want nuanced discourse, the BBQ Pit is patently not where it’s at.\* Which you’ll understand when you _read the damn forum descriptions._ Arguably, the _internet_ is not the place for it either. . ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107/360 "2018-02-23T03:23:36Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Rejecting everything Trump is not petty partisanship. It’s patriotism. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-middle-finger-to-the-people-who-took-advantage-to-politicize-the-school-shooting/809107.md?page=19)