# If you cry over politics, you're a pansy. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 6, 2008, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394 "2008-11-06T01:47:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/61 "2008-11-06T04:47:22Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > I guess I’m a pansy. I cried when it became more and more clear that my right to be able to get married was being taken away. > > But whatever, for something that dramatically and immediately has a negative effect on my life I’m willing to cry and be thought of as a pansy by some moron on a message board. I’m so sorry, **Antinor01**. I cry every time a gay marriage question passes, and I cry every time one fails. I cry that we even have to have this conversation. I cry that there are so many small-minded, mean people in the world. I cry that these people are so ignorant that they don’t realize that a “right” that is only extended to \*some \*people isn’t a “right” at all, and that we deprive people of their rights at our own peril. Yeah, I cry over “politics”, because I’m not an emotionally stunted asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/62 "2008-11-06T04:58:10Z")
I didn’t cry when Obama walked out onto that stage last night. But I had a few moments of terror when he walked up to the front of the stage and the masses of people. “Get the FUCK back from there! Get behind a shield or something. Somebody’s gonna take a shot at you.”, is what I thought. ---
**Author:** ![Valerieblaise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Valerieblaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valerieblaise)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/63 "2008-11-06T06:09:46Z")
I’m not a pansy. I must be a melodramatic asshole. This explains so much! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/64 "2008-11-06T07:08:13Z")
I thought the assholes were the ones who use the word “pansy.” Seriously, **ISOT** , you sound like a punk. A mature person would realize how important last night was. What, has the election coverage pre-empted the reruns of **Family Guy** that you watch every night? Crying **is** the adult response to the election results. And to Obama’s speech. I wish I remembered the name of the woman I saw interviewed on TV today. She had been a Freedom Rider, and the whole time she was talking about Obama, tears were streaming down her face. If I knew it, I would dare you to tell her she’s a melodramatic asshole who needs to get a life. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/65 "2008-11-06T07:13:06Z")
Pffft. _I’m_ a potato blossom, & I’ll tear up if I want to. Seriously, though, politics includes statecraft & governance. It’s one thing worth getting emotional about. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/66 "2008-11-06T07:16:16Z")
I’m not a pansy! I’m \*not! \\* ---
**Author:** ![T\_SQUARE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@T\_SQUARE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T_SQUARE)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/67 "2008-11-06T07:59:43Z")
I was kind of surprised by the reaction last night. Now, I’m not going to make fun of anybody, but part of me can’t help but think those so emotionally invested in Obama might be in for a let down. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’ll be a pretty good president, but I just don’t think too much will tangibly change. For some reason, I fully understand the emotion displayed when I see video from the Velvet Revolution in Prague. After 40+ years, things had changed very drastically almost overnight. But last night was just an election, not a revolution. We’ll have another election pretty soon. The two people running will be pretty close on the spectrum. Neither will likely do anything that will kill me or drastically improve my life. Maybe I’m off; perhaps for some people Grant Park is their Wenceslas Square, and that’s just fine. (Everything I said goes for people who are very emotionally upset about their candidates defeat) ---
**Author:** ![Mellivora\_capensis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mellivora\_capensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mellivora_capensis)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/68 "2008-11-06T08:20:17Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Some people are just broken. _::bursts into tears::_ ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/69 "2008-11-06T11:55:08Z")
I teared up because I was watching goddamned **history** being made. On top of that, he’s a ‘local’ who did what many thought to be impossible, and this is a chance at redeeming the US’s reputation with the world, after all of that goodwill we’ve squandered in the last several years. I don’t believe that any politician is a miracle worker; they’re as human as the rest of us, and have the system to deal with and compromises to make. ---
**Author:** ![Carson\_O\_Genic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Carson\_O\_Genic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carson_O_Genic)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/70 "2008-11-06T12:15:59Z")
> [@Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](#): > > Or a bullshitter. > > So, either you’re a melodramatic asshole, or you really need to get a life. Maybe both. > > This applies to pansies/melodramatic assholes on political talk shows, in real life, and those posting on message boards. ``` or, ``` you’re different than me. I’m OK with that. Sometimes I’m jealous. Watching people crying and celebrating because they finally felt like a part of the country was very moving. I celebrated not being a block, stone or worse than senseless thing. ---
**Author:** ![leander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/71 "2008-11-06T12:31:22Z")
What the OP fails to realise is that this is not about politics. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/72 "2008-11-06T12:39:13Z")
“Get a life” has got to be one of the most useless phrases I’ve ever seen on this board. What the hell is it supposed to mean? The implication seems to be that, if somebody has different priorities than you do, their life is meaningless. Does that mean you think it’s okay to kill them? I really don’t know what the fuck you’re trying to say. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/73 "2008-11-06T12:39:43Z")
Oh dear - a complete stranger on an Internet messageboard thinks less of me for having an emotional reaction. I will go change my life immediately. **Gorsnak** : 😃 ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/74 "2008-11-06T12:43:38Z")
Politics are never just politics. Politics are not just a sideshow and a distraction. Why do people think that it’s just sports and you cheer because “you” win or cry because “you” lose? Politics have an effect on our lives. People live or die because of decisions the president makes. The quality of their lives is greatly impacted by decisions the president makes. The things we care most about are greatly impacted by decisions the president makes. In short anything that SHOULD make you cry can be gravely affected by who’s in charge. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/75 "2008-11-06T12:49:44Z")
> [@Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](#): > > Deeming me a troll simply because I have a viewpoint you don’t agree with is a load of shit - and you know it. Nah, it’s because your posts show you’re a troll. :rolleyes: > [@Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](#): > > I see inane, generalized and mouth-frothing threads with no substantiation in the Pit all the time. Like this one! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/76 "2008-11-06T13:06:42Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I’m not a pansy! I’m \*not! > > \\* That’s right! You’re only _half_ a pansy! Seriously, **ISOT** …using “pansy” as an insult? Is it 1956 or 2008? Check your calendar, please. I actually AM a “pansy”. I find the speculation about someone’s sexual orientation because of their emotional state to be insulting and, frankly, stupid. I know a whole lot of fellow “pansies” that you most certainly wouldn’t want to use the word as an insult to their face. Try to remember that it’s 2008…not even in popular culture are gays still considered to universally be effeminate, weak people. And, again frankly, some of the most effeminate gay men I know would stomp you into the ground with their size 15 stilletos. Try thinking before you spew next time, idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/77 "2008-11-06T14:08:48Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > But there are plenty of other good reasons to deem you a troll. The wild blue hair is a dead giveaway, for instance. Also, the pencil shoved up your bottom. I didn’t cry last night, and I’ve never cried over anything since I was about 7. That’s because I’m a cold, heartless bastard, though, and I’m pretty sure there’s some middle ground between me and the pansies. ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/78 "2008-11-06T14:12:18Z")
> [@T\_SQUARE](#): > > I was kind of surprised by the reaction last night. Now, I’m not going to make fun of anybody, but part of me can’t help but think those so emotionally invested in Obama might be in for a let down. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’ll be a pretty good president, but I just don’t think too much will tangibly change. This is my thinking on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/79 "2008-11-06T14:16:16Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > I wouldn’t say that if you cry over politics you’re a pansy (although it didn’t help Muskie). If you get choked up over the success or failure of a campaign that you’re not a part of (like some of the people who said they were getting nauseous watching election returns), you’re probably more emotionally invested in the race than is healthy, though. You’ve never gotten emotionally involved enough in a book or movie (which you are clearly not a part of, and in many cases isn’t even real) to cry? If that’s the case, I feel sorry for you. Being able to immerse yourself in something like that makes life a lot richer emotionally. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/80 "2008-11-06T14:22:32Z")
I’m an immigrant to this country. And I’m non-white. I teared up for Obama because it was history. Because it was a wonderful thing. Because this country has put aside so much to do that. Because this is MY country, adopted perhaps, but because my niece who was born here and future nephew who will be born in this country can even aspire to the highest office in the land. Color is even less of a barrier than it was a week ago. I also teared up because on voting day a significant portion of the country moved together again and I no longer feel as divided as we were. I don’t expect Obama to create miracles. I think he will work hard, though, but none of that matters - the sheer fact of him being elected was enough. Oh, and I also cry when gay marriages go through. I don’t cry when they’re rejected, though. I just get mad. None of this means I think anyone else should cry, though. But I don’t understand why people can’t understand other’s differences. Why are we so alien to each other…? precisely because we’re not willing to give each other some leeway that we are, indeed, all different. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394.md?page=5)