Fuck the Extremist Partisans.

The BBQ Pit
1

Before I start, let me state that I have seen examples of this kind of activity on this MB, but in few instances, and there is certainly nothing currently occuring which prompts this outburst. This is just a general burn I’ve been doing since '94.

Let me also define my term “Extremist Partisan”. By this, I mean the person- of either party- who defines the actions of, or the possible results of electing, a member of the other party in terms of such exaggeration that it boggles the mind.

Democrats who say that electing Bush will be tantamount to instituting a theocracy, as Pat Robertson and his cronies take over the government, cancel out the First Amendment, and begin holding Inquisitions to burn athiests and agnostics, and start rounding up the Jews for camps.

Republicans who say that electing Gore will be a victory for those who wish to control the common man, and that before Gore’s term is over we will all be living in Big Brother Land, with government approval necessary for every single action a person might take (“Sorry, ma’am, but we feel that cooking a can of Chunky Soup would do serious damage to the environment. Have a granola bar instead.”).

What the fuck, people? What the fuck are you thinking?

Are you thinking that by describing your opponents in apocalyptic terms, you’re actually helping anything? The only thing you’re helping is to poison the atmosphere. I’d like to talk politics with people. I’d like to have a discussion of issues. Maybe I’d learn something to help support my own position. Maybe I’d actually change my point of view. But right now, I tend to keep my big mouth shut because I’m scared to death of stating, “Well, yes, I favor reforming Social Security” only to have someone reply “Then obviously, you’re a heartless bastard who wishes to steal food from the mouths of the elderly. You probably torture cats in your spare time.”
Take a look around at what’s being said about politicians. Take Al Gore. Is he completely forthcoming and honest? Maybe not. Is he having trouble deciding upon which part of his message he wishes to trumpet, and which part he wishes to be quiet about? Definitely. Is he a slimy, conniving weasel who only says what people want to hear, and is just interested in taking over the government so he can outlaw cars? Bullshit, but you’d be amazed at how many people state such an opinion as a fact. Maybe they don’t believe it, but they put it out and let it lie there like it’s God’s honest truth in their opinion.

What the fuck is that supposed to accomplish? If it’s some sort of gauntlet to throw down, some sort of “Here’s my challenge to you- I dislike Gore” bullshit, all you’re doing is asking other people to jump up the hyperbole. Is Bush a Mensa member? No. Does he seem reasonably intelligent? Yes. But somehow, he’s turned into Dan Quayle redux, wandering around with a toothpick in his ear because he’s too stupid to know which orifice to stick it in, and he can’t get through a single interview without a single “hee-yuck” because his two brain molecules have burnt out from trying to hold onto a single idea. And that’s just as much bullshit.

So what the fuck are you trying to prove with this shit? You’re not making your point; you’re just trying to piss off the other side. And as someone who tries to see both sides of an issue, you’re pissing me off twice as much. So take your hyperbole and shove it up your ass. You want to tell me that if Bush is elected, we run the risk of pollution deregulation? Great, let’s debate. You want to tell me that if Bush is elected, Congress will repeal every piece of environmental legislation since 1906, sell off all of the national parks, and start paying companies to dump oil into the sea while raping cute little bunnies on live national TV? Fuck off.

So to sum up- if you want to debate with me, fine. If you just want to say that Democrats or Republicans are inherently evil and malicious, go the fuck away.

2

votes none of the above.

3

An excellent rant, brother. I agree wholeheartedly.

4

But ya gotta love partisan politics, especally the rabid kind. They bring the clown show out front and center for the enjoyment of us all. There’s really little point in arguing with them; they get hysterical so easily, it’s almost no fun. And the best part is yet to come.

filthy

5

How 'bout if I rephrase that last line just a smoodge?
Democrats and Republicans are inherently evil and malicious. That should cover it.

6

9.0 on your well-written rant, John.

I agree 100%. A couple of years ago, I listened to an unbelievably biased rant against the candidate I supported, and lost all respect for a person I otherwise thought was learned and calm. I resolved to calm down my own bile against the other party and try to be more objective about politics and look at issues.

I must say, each of our two main parties are working at toning down those aspects of their respective platforms which chase away some voters. The Democrats have gotten more businesslike, and I just listened to a speech from the GOP convention in which they embraced environmentalism. They are also trying harder to distance themselves from fundies.

Who’d a thunk it?

7

Actually, neither candidate while my 1st pick, is all that bad, at all. You know GW is gonna be “handled” and "advised’, and he is very popular. Gores admin will likely continue the current great economy run we have had. So, altho we could do better, we also could have done WAY worse…some of those Republicans were truly scary.

8

This sort of thing isn’t new, you know–it goes all the way back to the election of 1800. That election, as I recall, featured such things as the Federalists claiming Thomas Jefferson would seize the Bibles from good Christians, and the Democratic-Republicans spreading stories that John Adams had dispatched friends to Europe to procure prostitues. Hell, as a historical matter, the shit that gets thrown nowadays is pretty mild.

9

**

Now John, this would happen to be about the post I made, wouldn’t it? You know, the one where I was playing ahem devil’s advocate and simply making a scenerio that - while plausible, was extremely unlikely?

And I don’t see how terribly remote it is that the difference in an abortion case before the Supreme Court could be changed with the apointing of just one person, given the recent results of a case there.

And, as the thread showed, it was mentioned to bring up the limits of political asylum with a real-life possibility, and it did just that. You do remember my several responses to that thread I hope?

Unless you are talking about something else or someone else, I hope in the interest of clarity and integrity, you mifght soften your stance on this one.

Of course, if it is about something else and not my thread, feel free to… Well, lick my bag anyway you Republican. :smiley:

Yer pal,
Satan

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"Satan is not an unattractive person."-Drain Bead
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10

I feel that the worst legacy of the Reagan years was the polarization of the two parties. The attitude that “If you are not for us, you are against us” has become very toxic to our political system. It makes it very difficult for compromises to be made between the parties in congress. The result is things like the impeachment, budget crisis’, etc.
Just look at the Branch Davidian thing, a Republican investigator states that the Davidians started the fire, but other Republicans still want to investigate because a Democratic AG was involved. (There are examples the other way also, this was most recent)

This country’s government was set up so that compromise was essential to getting things done. We now have a stagnent government because of this. It needs to be fixed before we screw up everything!

11

I was momentarily pleased when I heard George Dubya say how he was going to run a positive campaign. No character attacks, focused on issues, etc…etc… I heard members of the convention say much the same thing. Positive, focused on issues. (at least 2, but there names escape me)

However, these members, in the same interview, warned of how Gore was going to ‘go negative’. He’s so good at going negative, and he’s a mean, nasty, double talking politician.
Hey, don’t be suprised when he goes negative, 'cause that’s the kind of slime-ball he is…

The hope was nice while it lasted. (nearly 20 minutes)

12

Satan said:

As I said earlier Satan, “nothing currently occuring which prompts this outburst.” I understand your reasoning regarding a Republican President and the future of abortion. And while your statements regarding the possible theocrification of the country were aggravating to me, they were not extensive; nor was I extensively aggravated. I will admit I never got the impression that you were calling it an “extremely unlikely” outcome; but that’s probably poor reading comprehension upon my part.

I apologize if you feel that this paragraph was designed in any way to specifically single you out; the sentiment that the Republicans wish to create a theocracy is one I have gotten repeatedly- and in much harsher tones, and in a more direct “if Bush gets elected this will happen”- from friends and aquaintances.

So while your message may have been part of it, its part was- at the worst- the straw which broke the camel’s back and prompted me to rant. But in comparison, what you said was inoffensive compared to most of the things I’ve been hearing; and again, my reaction is just based upon my impression- I may well have misread you. And if so, I apologize.
And thank all of the rest of you for your support.