# Are you trying to discourage conservatives from staying at SDMB? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 9, 2007, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259 "2007-01-09T04:25:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/101 "2007-01-09T20:13:42Z")
[QUOTE=BayleDomon] I feel a little silly now for hurling such invective at **Shodan** when everyone else is keeping a fairly good humor. Cathartic, though. [/QUOTE] Oh, not to worry - I know how excitable you knee-jerkers are. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/102 "2007-01-09T20:32:51Z")
As someone who has his own opinions of all hues it seems to me that one of the prime failings of some on the left here is that they fail to respect other members’ right to their own views. There’s a big difference between those views which are factually wrong and those with which you disagree. If someone were to argue one side (no matter which) of abortion, for instance, he, rather than his argument, would be quickly vilified. And that’s sad. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/103 "2007-01-09T20:33:29Z")
I’d have to agree that the performance of the current Administration has a lot to do with the Incredible Shrinking Conservatism we’ve seen around here. Sometime in early November of 2008 (assuming we are still here) the board will inevitably begin a shift toward the right, no matter who’s elected President (I exclude the far-out possibility of someone like Sam Brownback winning the election). Right-wingers who hope for a Renaissance here should be praying for a Democratic win. It’s bound to energize their base like nothing else. Until then, there’s plenty of room for thoughtful conservatives who can avoid rhetorical weaseling and the temptation to take pre-emptive potshots at stereotypical Minions Of The Far Left. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/104 "2007-01-09T20:40:12Z")
[QUOTE=Quartz] As someone who has his own opinions of all hues it seems to me that one of the prime failings of some on the left here is that they fail to respect other members’ right to their own views. There’s a big difference between those views which are factually wrong and those with which you disagree. If someone were to argue one side (no matter which) of abortion, for instance, he, rather than his argument, would be quickly vilified. And that’s sad. [/QUOTE] I know that your specific example is quite untrue. I know specifically that I expressed how supportive I was of **Sarahfeena’s** position on abortion, despite my disagreement, and that **Diogenes the Cynic** , for one, also expressed a similar opinion. I have to say that I don’t recall ever being personally villified for my opinion on abortion, either. Hey wait, _chiquita_! Come back! I’m still a hard-ass! ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/105 "2007-01-09T20:41:33Z")
[QUOTE=Quartz] As someone who has his own opinions of all hues it seems to me that one of the prime failings of some on the left here is that they fail to respect other members’ right to their own views. There’s a big difference between those views which are factually wrong and those with which you disagree. If someone were to argue one side (no matter which) of abortion, for instance, he, rather than his argument, would be quickly vilified. And that’s sad. [/QUOTE] I am not sure this is even true, there is a [very civil debate currently involving abortion on fetuses with Down Syndrome](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=403297) right now. Jim ---
**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:** [January 9, 2007, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/106 "2007-01-09T20:49:07Z")
[QUOTE=rayh] This has just got to be mentioned. From one of the google adds. [Spot the difference.](http://www.collectorsgalleryonline.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CG&Product_Code=GEORGEBUSHDOLL&Category_Code=TALKPRES) [/QUOTE] What are the “twenty-five (25) unique and authentic phrases” that is speaks? ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/107 "2007-01-09T20:57:39Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] Oh, not to worry - I know how excitable you knee-jerkers are. [/QUOTE] Oh, don’t misunderstand me. Just because I regret going off like that doesn’t mean I take any of it back or apologize for it. I’ve lurked in political discussions here ever since I’ve signed up. I’ve found that there are conservatives I respect on this board and liberals I disrespect (such as those who fawn over **Airman Doors** every time he renounces something the GOP did. Makes me ill). Most of those conservatives are able to create cogent arguments and debate from principle, whereas you merely post the intellectual equivalent of a lobotomized chihuahua’s frenzied barking at a potted plant. Honestly (speaking more generally now, you can run along and play, **Shodan** ), if anything results in someone actively being chased off the boards, it’s usually that they’re an unredeemable and contentious idiot. Beliefs and worldviews alone are not sufficient (unless the person doing the chasing is himself a contentious idiot). ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/108 "2007-01-09T21:10:46Z")
[QUOTE=Muffin] What are the “twenty-five (25) unique and authentic phrases” that is speaks? [/QUOTE] At [the manufacturer’s homepage](http://www.talkingpresidents.com/products-af-bush.shtml), you can click and get audio samples. Don’t worry, Pubbies, they’re all very Presidential-sounding. The scary part is that this is one of a series, featuring: > [@TalkingPresidents.com](#): > > **Talking Action Figures** > > George W. Bush > Bill Clinton > George H.W. Bush > Ronald Reagan > Donald Rumsfeld > Dr. Laura > Kinky Friedman > Ann Coulter > Dennis Miller > > \*\*Action Figures \*\* > > Top Gun George W. Bush > Turkey Dinner Bush > Uncle Sam If I wasn’t sick already today, this would have done it. Anybody who just has to have the talking Ann Coulter doll is requested to tell us about it here, though. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/109 "2007-01-09T21:12:13Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] At [the manufacturer’s homepage](http://www.talkingpresidents.com/products-af-bush.shtml), you can click and get audio samples. Don’t worry, Pubbies, they’re all very Presidential-sounding. The scary part is that this is one of a series, featuring: If I wasn’t sick already today, this would have done it. Anybody who just has to have the talking Ann Coulter doll is requested to tell us about it here, though. [/QUOTE] A Kinky Friedman talking doll? Leap sideways!! ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/110 "2007-01-09T21:14:17Z")
[QUOTE=Muffin] What are the “twenty-five (25) unique and authentic phrases” that is speaks? [/QUOTE] As far as i can tell, they include :- “I was not elected to serve one party, but to serve one nation.” “We’re working hard to put food on your family.” “The presidency is more than an honor, it is more than an office, it is a charge to keep and I will give it my all.” “I will not yield, I will not rest, I will not relent in waging the struggle for freedom and security for the American people.” ---
**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:** [January 9, 2007, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/111 "2007-01-09T21:25:43Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] If I wasn’t sick already today, this would have done it. Anybody who just has to have the talking Ann Coulter doll is requested to tell us about it here, though. [/QUOTE] The Laura Schlessinger doll is not nearly as attractive as her real life porn photos. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/112 "2007-01-09T21:54:51Z")
I think the main reason **Bricker** gets more grief than he deserves (and I think that’s a reasonable statement) is simply that he posts a lot. Anybody who posts frequently is going to have a lot of material for someone else to dislike. Reasoned arguments attract especial venom mostly because those arguing most vehemently against him are annoyed that they can’t articulate their thoughts as well. Breaking away from that praise, I also think that since there are more loony liberals here than loony conservatives, prolific conservative posters are going to get bashed more. Doesn’t mean that there is an unfair bias against conservatives by and large, doesn’t mean that the moderators aren’t doing their jobs – it just means that there are more jackasses who complain. Not that everybody who argues is a jackass, but there are more available when attacking a conservative poster. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/113 "2007-01-09T23:01:34Z")
[QUOTE=Quartz] There’s a big difference between those views which are factually wrong and those with which you disagree. [/QUOTE] (pondering this for a moment) No, not really. Very simply, my views are the correct ones and all other views, being _not_ correct, are wrong. Sorry, I don’t make the rules. I just warp them to fit my worldview. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/114 "2007-01-09T23:02:01Z")
I find the hostility and discouragement as a real positive. As a conservative, there are many times when I weaken or lose faith, particularly during busy and trying times. For example, the other day I has driving my Hummer out to the Sawmill to oversea the cutting up of some old growth forests into lumber to build a new Starbucks but was running late and missed an appointment to oppress some minorities. I never did get to that, because I had to speak at a faith based abstinence rally that would stop all the young girls from sex so that when I divorce my aging wife for a young hottie she will be a virging and I won’t suffer by comparison. To make **that** I had to rechannel their sexual energy somehow, so we bombed an abortion clinic. Meanwhile, of course I’m getting upset by the whole quagmire of the war in Iraq. I know it will be worth it once global warming raises the ocean levels enough to turn the Mideast into prime real estate for condos after all the liberals in NYC drown, but sometimes these long range plans get me down. After that I was so depressed I wondered if maybe I should just give up and be nice and just get along and make the world a better place. Being evil is just so much work. I feel like I’m losing the will to hate and destroy goodness. But then I come here and you guys give me a hard time, and it pisses me off… and I’m reenergized! …So thanks. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/115 "2007-01-09T23:20:46Z")
**Scylla** , your exercise in hyperbole would work better if you did not go so far over the top as to make it obvious. Everyone knows that even with global warming much of Iraq and most of Iran will never be prime real estate. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/116 "2007-01-09T23:22:06Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] Conservatives get piled on, sniped at, attacked, vilified, etc., regardless of how smart they are, in a way that liberals don’t. [/QUOTE] This is generally true, and has been for years. Such is life. > [@](#): > > **tomndebb** _as a poster_ isn’t any better (or worse) than many of the Usual Suspects. This is ridiculous bollocks, and says way more about you than it does about Tom. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/117 "2007-01-09T23:45:51Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Carrot] I think the main reason **Bricker** gets more grief than he deserves (and I think that’s a reasonable statement) is simply that he posts a lot. Anybody who posts frequently is going to have a lot of material for someone else to dislike. Reasoned arguments attract especial venom mostly because those arguing most vehemently against him are annoyed that they can’t articulate their thoughts as well. [/QUOTE] So Mom was right? They ARE all just jealous of me? Thanks for the kind words, **Captain Carrot**. I appreciate and am humbled by the praise… ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/118 "2007-01-09T23:51:44Z")
I’m moderately conservative by national standards, which of course makes me a jack-booted fascist by the standards of this Board. (Protestations that the Board is not left-leaning prompt only cynical laughter from me.) I don’t have any problem being conservative on this Board. I think if you can hold your own and defend your position, left or right, then you can do okay around here. And I fail to say how the moderators could make their roles more clear than by signifying which posts are done with “Mod Hat On,” which they already do. To expect them to moderate this freak show without even getting to participate? Ridiculous. Who would sign up for that? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2007, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/119 "2007-01-10T00:09:53Z")
I’ve only been posting here about half a year. Never had a warning. Did have a pit thread locked, but it was one awarding style points for troll-banning on a particularly busy weekend and was locked to avoid putting over the trolls. I think it’s fair to say that I tend to be on the conservative side of the Doper crowd, but I think of myself as a moderate. I’m an outspoken guy. My posts are all over the board, on topics ranging from how to kill a zombie to the finer points of constitutional law. I’ve never had any problems with the mods here–and I have disagreed with several. From what I’ve seen, the mods that chose to particpate in heated threads are pretty good about keeping their opinions distinct from their clearly identified mod actions. I don’t ever recall seeing a mod issue a warning for a poster voicing a different opinion. Warnings get issued when somebody breaks a rule…like flaming in GD or something. That said, yes this place positively reeks of liberalism at times. Certain posters routinely make comments like “All Republicans, and anybody that ever thought about possibly voting for a single Republican, and some people that live too close to Republicans, are evil nazis who torture kitties”. Any dissenting view is shouted down and ridiculed. That’s no way for a board supposedly dedicated to fighting ignorance to be. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2007, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259/120 "2007-01-10T00:10:19Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] Oh, not to worry - I know how excitable you knee-jerkers are… [/QUOTE] See, its just this kind of shrill confrontation is why you guys never win any elections. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-trying-to-discourage-conservatives-from-staying-at-sdmb/387259.md?page=7)