# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![MJinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MJinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MJinks)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/81 "2008-11-06T14:26:07Z")
He’s not even my president and I had tears in my eyes. Look, I’m 25 and I don’t remember any of the ‘big’ events I’m supposed to. I was 13 when Diana died and Labour beat the Conservatives, I don’t remember either of them. I vaguely remember seeing caricatures of Margaret Thatcher on Spitting Image (tv show) but I don’t remember a thing about her. Why should I, I was 7 when she resigned. I don’t remember when we officially declared war on Iraq; though I do remember enough about the run-up to be wary of any claims made by my government about terrorist threats. My first vivid memory of a historic event will probably be Barack Obama being elected as president of the US. He might end up being a shitty president but the day Americans elected a black person, in a landslide against an white American war-hero, will not be forgotten easily. So yeah, I cried. _I’ll_ get over it. ---
**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, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/82 "2008-11-06T14:30:04Z")
> [@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. I think you’re missing the point. Even if nothing changes, and Obama turns out to be a mediocre President, he’s a historic one. If you listened to his speech, you heard him say that his election itself wasn’t change - that it was a chance to make change. It was emblematic, though, of very real change that has already taken place. **A black man** will be POTUS. How many times did you hear people say that it wouldn’t happen in their lifetimes? How many times did _you_ think it wouldn’t happen? Indeed, not just a black man, but the child of an interracial marriage, something that was considered _even more_ foul at one time. White America finally stopped wringing its hands over the idea that some **black man** could be in charge. _That_ is historic, and worth crying over if you’re the crying type. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/83 "2008-11-06T14:54:17Z")
> [@RoOsh](#): > > I think if you just got choked up, it makes you a seedling. Or maybe a sprout. > But keep watering your eyes, little one! And maybe you can grow a beautiful pansy of your own! Thank you! You have given me hope and something to strive for! Does it count if I cry at the end of “Old Yeller”? ---
**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, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/84 "2008-11-06T15:24:10Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > …Even if nothing changes, and Obama turns out to be a mediocre President, he’s \*\*a historic \*\*one… No dog in this fight (it’s full of pansies, my dogs don’t like pansies, they’re allergic to pansies, in fact, pansies make my dogs sneeze and cr…oh, okay, where was I? Ah, yes, but first I need to close with another one of these…\>\>\>), I just wanted to say I applaud your usage (correct in my opinion, and the opinion of my long dead grammar teacher, whose opinion is the only one that matters, fuckers) of “a historic”. Bravo! ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/85 "2008-11-06T15:42:36Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > 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. Sure I have, and I’m not talking about that. But I remember in 2004 on these boards, when Bush won that some people said that it made them physically ill. If you’re that invested in politics that you become physically ill when your candidate loses, you need to take a step back. Be happy when your guy wins, be sad when he loses, but don’t ruin your health over it, because it’s not worth it. ---
**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, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/86 "2008-11-06T15:45:34Z")
> [@Mellivora\_capensis](#): > > No dog in this fight (it’s full of pansies, my dogs don’t like pansies, they’re allergic to pansies, in fact, pansies make my dogs sneeze and cr…oh, okay, where was I? Ah, yes, but first I need to close with another one of these…\>\>\>), I just wanted to say I applaud your usage (correct in my opinion, and the opinion of my long dead grammar teacher, whose opinion is the only one that matters, fuckers) of “a historic”. Bravo! “An historic” just sounds wrong. 🆒 ---
**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, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/87 "2008-11-06T15:46:11Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Sure I have, and I’m not talking about that. But I remember in 2004 on these boards, when Bush won that some people said that it made them physically ill. If you’re that invested in politics that you become physically ill when your candidate loses, you need to take a step back. Be happy when your guy wins, be sad when he loses, but don’t ruin your health over it, because it’s not worth it. I believe the last 8 years more or less confirms the people who were ill over Bush. I have to disagree with the “it’s not worth it” attitude. I can’t understand people who seem to think politics is some sort of spectator sport that doesn’t really affect them. The last 8 years have been disastrous, and anyone who doesn’t feel some emotion at the way Bush has destroyed our reputation internationally and also at home with regard to responsible use of power and dedication to the constitution isn’t paying attention. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/88 "2008-11-06T16:15:24Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > If you’re that invested in politics that you become physically ill when your candidate loses, you need to take a step back. Be happy when your guy wins, be sad when he loses, but don’t ruin your health over it, because it’s not worth it. Right, because there’s absolutely nothing a candidate can do to affect the world, no lives a candidate can ruin, no wars a candidate can start, nothing but feelgood figureheading a candidate can ever do. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/89 "2008-11-06T16:18:35Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > “An historic” just sounds wrong. 🆒 Not to me. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/90 "2008-11-06T16:19:50Z")
I quote myself (from my LJ) regarding watching Obama deliver his victory speech: I haven’t cried like this since the end of _Hoosiers._ Fuck it. Politcics schmolitics … it was moving. ---
**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, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/91 "2008-11-06T16:22:53Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Not to me. Then you also sound wrong. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/92 "2008-11-06T16:23:42Z")
_raises hand_ Pansy here. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/93 "2008-11-06T16:31:27Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Sure I have, and I’m not talking about that. But I remember in 2004 on these boards, when Bush won that some people said that it made them physically ill. If you’re that invested in politics that you become physically ill when your candidate loses, you need to take a step back. Be happy when your guy wins, be sad when he loses, but don’t ruin your health over it, because it’s not worth it. It goes so, so far beyond the moment of winning or losing. I’m the one who has to raise my children in this world. I’m the one who has the explain to them why there’s a war going on and who has to worry that things would ever revert to the point where my son would eventually get drafted. I’m the one who has to lie awake at night worrying about whether my husband and I, despite both pulling down solidly middle-class salaries, will lose all the money in our retirement accounts. I’m the one who has to worry about whether there will even be funding for our jobs, since we both work in nonprofits. I have to walk through my life every day, just as you do yours. When people are elected who pose a threat or a hope to my life, I react with emotion. I don’t think I should have to apologize for that. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/94 "2008-11-06T16:39:27Z")
> [@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. When is the last time you saw people all over the world waiving American flags and expressing heartfelt goodwill and hope for a better tomorow? If that doesn’t bring a tear to your eye then how can you call yourself an American? I too hope Obama lives up to the hype I don’t know if he can but the point is millions of people al over the world once again have hope. ---
**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, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/95 "2008-11-06T16:57:57Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > When is the last time you saw people all over the world waiving American flags and expressing heartfelt goodwill and hope for a better tomorow? If that doesn’t bring a tear to your eye then how can you call yourself an American? I too hope Obama lives up to the hype I don’t know if he can but the point is millions of people al over the world once again have hope. Well, only until the global effigy industy gets their new designs ready, at which time the People of the World can go back to burning the President instead of waving flags. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/96 "2008-11-06T17:04:26Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > When is the last time you saw people all over the world waiving American flags and expressing heartfelt goodwill and hope for a better tomorow? If that doesn’t bring a tear to your eye then how can you call yourself an American? I too hope Obama lives up to the hype I don’t know if he can but the point is millions of people al over the world once again have hope. Well said. Full fledged pansy here. Bet your ass I cried. It’s my country, and I’m completely invested in what happens to it. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/97 "2008-11-06T17:26:32Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I can’t understand people who seem to think politics is some sort of spectator sport that doesn’t really affect them. QFT. Really, do people not understand that politics affects their lives? The people in office have the power to make changes to the way we interact as people, the way we conduct business, the way we make decisions about our futures, everything. I understand that people may feel that decisions in D.C. have little direct impact on their day-to-day existence, since the distance between their homes and Congress appears so vast. But do people not pay attention to how politics creates change, whether it’s change with which they agree, or change that they abhor? ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/98 "2008-11-06T17:32:30Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Right, because there’s absolutely nothing a candidate can do to affect the world, no lives a candidate can ruin, no wars a candidate can start, nothing but feelgood figureheading a candidate can ever do. No, I have to agree with **Captain Amazing** here. Well partially, anyway. I teared up a little watching the reaction at Spellman and elsewhere around the nation. It was an emotional moment and I don’t feel like a pansy for doing so ( though Obama’s election itself wasn’t the issue for me - it was the overflowing emotions of others that triggered it ). But getting sick to your stomach with worry after an election, while it may be human, isn’t terribly healthy. Actually I don’t think anyone should get sick with worry or disgust over _anything_. While the correct response is that it is of course involuntary, I think that people would be best served by working to mimimize such extreme reactions. It does you no good and hardly helps defuse or reduce the problem. Get angry or sad - but don’t let those emotions dominate to the point you feel ill. It’s just self-injury at that point. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/99 "2008-11-06T17:32:31Z")
**Tubes** seems like the kind of sexually self-conscious jock from middle school who pushes people around in the locker room and goes, “I bet you’re _gay._ You’re so _gay_. Which I’m not. Clearly. But you’re so _gay._” But I’m all grown up now and that argument is as stupid as it ever was. Shit, the best part of _Return of the King_ was when Samwise was crying: “I can’t carry it for you, Mr. Frodo, but _I can carry you!_” _sniff_ ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394/100 "2008-11-06T17:40:18Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > But there are plenty of other good reasons to deem you a troll. The wild blue hair is a dead giveaway, for instance. > > People cry. It happens. Deal with it, troll. How do you know it’s not pink? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cry-over-politics-youre-a-pansy/471394.md?page=6)