# I was wrong and you were right. \[Trump-related\] **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 2, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824 "2017-02-02T15:54:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/61 "2017-02-02T23:28:39Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > Please start voting sooner than that. This. There will be elections at the local and state levels, and maybe some Senators too. They all matter and they all count. Just be sure to remember who did and said what. Keep a log or a scorecard if you have to. And vote accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/62 "2017-02-02T23:30:54Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Except it is democracy that is the fairy tale we tell children. From knee-high, we bombard them with images and myths of the Great America. Then they grow up to be Donald Trump. Ya know what? That is a MOST EXCELLENT argument in favor of abortion rights 😉 ---
**Author:** ![groo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecd19e/32.png) [@groo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groo)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/63 "2017-02-03T00:49:29Z")
Even if you’re in a district where your vote would just add to a lopsided victory, your vote would help determine the winner’s mandate or lack thereof. Imagine, if you will, if someone were elected because he won the electoral vote but lost the popular vote. What could that person say about his or her mandate? Some people might not take it well. // Also, you need to vote in your local and state elections, because in those, your vote could absolutely tip a balance. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/64 "2017-02-03T01:19:00Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > it embiggens a man to admit when he’s wrong, i kinda regret not having the opportunity. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/65 "2017-02-03T04:11:01Z")
Congratulations, **Idle Thoughts**. Among the millions of SDMB posts, admissions that poster was wrong are rarer than four-leaf clovers. If it’s any consolation, I think most of those opposed to Trump didn’t imagine things would get _this_ bad _this_ quickly. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ > [@WillFarnaby](#): > > It’s ok, buddy. What you do politically doesn’t matter. One of the bad things about democracy is that it makes people feel like they are a part of the governing body. They aren’t. The government is a small minority of the shittiest people imaginable. **WillFarnaby** isn’t the _stupidest_ Doper. Heck, I’d not be surprised if he has a three-digit IQ! :eek: But he may have the stupidest ideas. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/66 "2017-02-03T06:43:09Z")
> [@groo](#): > > Even if you’re in a district where your vote would just add to a lopsided victory, your vote would help determine the winner’s mandate or lack thereof. Umm, in light of the fuckwad currently occupying the Oval Office, I’d feel more comfortable if you didn’t mention “districts.” ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/67 "2017-02-03T07:36:09Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Then report back to us on your newfound political influence. > > Seriously, the absurdity of thinking that paying attention to the news does anything to influence the government is a bit much even for starry-eyed democracy lovers. Has anyone brought up that the reason two republican senators have changed their vote on Betsy DeVos is, in their words, because they were inundated by feedback from their constituents saying, “Represent us and vote against this fucking terrible person”? This was a nice thread before you shat in it. Good on you, **Idle Thoughts**. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/68 "2017-02-03T11:14:55Z")
OP just sounds like self serving wankery to me. “Oh no, now that Trump is elected I realise that he is dangerous”. What, like it wasn’t fucking obvious long before the election? ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/69 "2017-02-03T11:24:24Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > That is most excellent. Go and sin no more. > > ETA: Yes, vote in the Congressional elections in 2 years, too. Better yet…slip into your best black outfit, grab some pepper spray and hit the streets! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/70 "2017-02-04T15:27:42Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > OP just sounds like self serving wankery to me. “Oh no, now that Trump is elected I realise that he is dangerous”. What, like it wasn’t fucking obvious long before the election? That, and “Now what the fuck are you going to \*do \*about the problem you helped create?” All the praise in this thread sounds just like the praise you give a toddler for learning to wipe himself for the first time. The OP is just trolling for adulation - and only because it works. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/71 "2017-02-04T16:58:51Z")
We have an unhinged madman in the whitehouse, an ally late to the cause is still an ally. Big picture people! ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/72 "2017-02-04T17:18:29Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That, and “Now what the fuck are you going to \*do \*about the problem you helped create?” > > All the praise in this thread sounds just like the praise you give a toddler for learning to wipe himself for the first time. The OP is just trolling for adulation - and only because it works. Better we take the opportunity to shit on someone than take the chance that this might be a legitimate change of heart for the better, right? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/73 "2017-02-04T17:20:10Z")
Credit where due, but not where it isn’t, okay? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/74 "2017-02-04T17:25:39Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Credit where due, but not where it isn’t, okay? This doesn’t work for those of us who aren’t psychic. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/75 "2017-02-04T17:28:37Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > OP just sounds like self serving wankery to me. “Oh no, now that Trump is elected I realise that he is dangerous”. What, like it wasn’t fucking obvious long before the election? > [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That, and “Now what the fuck are you going to \*do \*about the problem you helped create?” > > All the praise in this thread sounds just like the praise you give a toddler for learning to wipe himself for the first time. The OP is just trolling for adulation - and only because it works. Someone has come around to your view of things and admitted their mistake… and you criticize them? That’s not how you win allies! You welcome them with open arms, thus demonstrating to others that they will also be welcome. Save your vitriol for those who still support Trump or who don’t bother to vote. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/76 "2017-02-04T17:46:18Z")
If the OP wanted serious, thoughtful discussion, he’d have put this in Elections or Great Debates. But he put it right in the Pit. Why, d’ya s’pose? I like people who _weren’t_ fooled. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/77 "2017-02-04T17:52:57Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Someone has come around to your view of things and admitted their mistake… and you criticize them? That’s not how you win allies! > You welcome them with open arms, thus demonstrating to others that they will also be welcome. > Save your vitriol for those who still support Trump or who don’t bother to vote. But, keep your open arms ready for those who stop supporting trump, or who decide to be more politically engaged in the future. This reminds me of back in 2006, when my BIL (rather right wing, for the time, fully believing that there were WMD in iraq, and that opposition to the war was treason) came and apologized to me and admitted that he was entirely wrong about bush, and that I was right all along. I wasn’t sure how to react to this. I really wanted to say “I told you so.” I really wanted to say, “Maybe, next time you will listen.”, but I knew that if I did so, that would make him more resistant to changing his POV in the future. We ended up just talking about why he felt at the time that bush was right, and what made him change his mind, and it was a productive conversation from which we both learned some new perspectives. So, yeah, to Idle Thoughts. Your original post about refusing to vote did annoy me quite a bit. It was not just your post, but the fact that it represented the apathy of a much larger cohort, of which you were just a single entity. The fact that you have changed your views on this issue doesn’t make me feel that I need to give out kudos or anything for coming around to what I feel is the right way of thinking about things, but it does give me much more hope that many others who may have had the same thoughts before the election may be having similar thoughts as you now, and for that I certainly could not bring myself to chastise you for your past (in)action. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/78 "2017-02-04T18:52:31Z")
Can’t believe there’s people saying “don’t stop there! Go to rallies/write letters/etc!!!”. I will be shocked if he even follows through on voting in 4 years let alone become super Citizen. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/79 "2017-02-04T19:11:58Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I like people who _weren’t_ fooled. The OP didn’t vote for Trump. The OP didn’t think voting was worthwhile. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/80 "2017-02-04T19:13:42Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > If the OP wanted serious, thoughtful discussion, he’d have put this in Elections or Great Debates. But he put it right in the Pit. Why, d’ya s’pose? I don’t know, but I’ll defer to your psychic powers, which obviously couldn’t possibly be wrong. > [@](#): > > I like people who _weren’t_ fooled. I think I’ve met someone who hasn’t been fooled at some point in their life. Or maybe they just hid it well. You probably would have liked her! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824.md?page=5)