# Now Halloween turns political! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 2, 2008, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666 "2008-11-02T01:57:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/81 "2008-11-03T23:18:24Z")
> [@RoOsh](#): > > No he didn’t. [Yes, he did](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10390319#post10390319). ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/82 "2008-11-03T23:19:14Z")
> [@RoOsh](#): > > No he didn’t. > He just told a story about his kids, and Frank jumped on him for that. > > Just go back and read the first post by Hentor (#3). It’s anecdotal- there’s no question in it. Frank replies later bringing up this whole issue. > > That wasn’t very nice of you. **RoOsh** , please reread **Hentor** ’s post#12. She said nicely. > [@Hentor](#): > > ETA: Is there really anyone else who regards my children wearing an Obama sticker, or my allowing them to do so, as “ethically questionable”? I’m just curious - I’ll continue to have no problem with it, but I’m really scratching my head that anyone would raise such a pathetically stupid charge. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/83 "2008-11-03T23:20:32Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > [Yes, he did](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10390319#post10390319). So he did. My bad then. I was wondering why everyone was picking on his Kids in this thread. Fair enough then, I retract my comment, **Kimstu**. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/84 "2008-11-03T23:21:20Z")
No prob, **RoOsh** , and thanks. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/85 "2008-11-03T23:24:16Z")
> [@RoOsh](#): > > So he did. > My bad then. I was wondering why everyone was picking on his Kids in this thread. > Fair enough then, I retract my comment, **Kimstu**. I’m actually glad to know you missed his edit on first reading, 'cause I was wondering why you were so mad at us yourself! Now it all makes sense. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/86 "2008-11-03T23:35:58Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Not able to vote, of course, lest they start writing in the Jonas Brothers and the Little Mermaid. I don’t know, Ariel couldn’t do any worse than some of the boobs we’ve had over the past couple of decades. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2008, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/87 "2008-11-04T00:25:32Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Look, jerk (and I say that with regret, because usually I have a lot of respect for your views and your expression of them), you’re the one who came around asking for other posters’ opinions on whether it was appropriate for kids to wear political stickers when out trick-or-treating. I feel the same, too, about you now. I don’t know what thread you were reading, but I did in fact simply offer my anecdote that was related to Guin’s OP, in [post #3](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10390141&postcount=3). I didn’t think much of it - I certainly didn’t expect anyone to call me ethically questionable, and I didn’t ask for anyone’s opinion. But in fact, **Frank** jumped in immediately in [Post #4](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10390171&postcount=4) to express his irritation with me. I responded, and **Frank** offered in Post #5: “Frankly, that’s a failure on your part.” and in Post #7 described my behaviors as “ethically questionable.” It wasn’t until after that that I asked for other’s opinions, since I thought it was outright lunacy to respond so over the top as **Frank** had. So I consider your characterization that I initially solicited opinions to be an outright lie. I don’t know why you would lie about this, or what your problem in particular is, but I really don’t think very much of you anymore, and I consider that to be a real loss. Certainly more than a thread about trick or treating should be. So be it. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/88 "2008-11-04T00:42:40Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > BTW, I just discussed this thread with my son. He said, “Sheesh, it’s not like I went up to anyone and cut a B in their face.” Excellent! A girl wearing a Palin costume came to my door Friday evening. I told her that she was the scariest thing I’d seen all night. She looked confused, so I don’t know if her parents were pro or anti. She got candy anyhow. I got political at 13 and was working for a party at 14, and it didn’t come from my parents, just from reading. I started subscribing to National Review then also. Some kids sneak peeks at Playboy, and some go for the real dirty stuff. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/89 "2008-11-04T00:56:39Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > So I consider your characterization that I initially solicited opinions to be an outright lie. I don’t know why you would lie about this, or what your problem in particular is, but I really don’t think very much of you anymore, and I consider that to be a real loss. Certainly more than a thread about trick or treating should be. > > So be it. Initially? Where did she say anything about you “initially” soliciting opinions, and why should it matter, since you \*did \*ask for other opinions before she offered hers? She’s not lying, you’re the one misrepresenting her post. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/90 "2008-11-04T01:29:33Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Yes? I wouldn’t buy my (hypothetical) children any of those. I know this is a bit late but you would have made and excellent dad, **Frank**. I’m not a very wise person but I would rather have you as a friend than anyone I can think of. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/91 "2008-11-04T02:16:48Z")
> [@Hentor](#): > > It wasn’t until after that that I asked for other’s opinions, since I thought it was outright lunacy to respond so over the top as Frank had. And it wasn’t until after you asked for those opinions that we gave them to you. And not in an “over the top” way, either: politely, temperately, thoughtfully. And then you sneered at us for daring to disagree with you. > [@Hentor](#): > > So I consider your characterization that I initially solicited opinions to be an outright lie. Where did I say that you “initially” solicited opinions? Nowhere. I merely pointed out that you **did** solicit opinions, which is true. As **WhyNot** noted, you’re the one misrepresenting here. > [@Hentor](#): > > I really don’t think very much of you anymore, and I consider that to be a real loss. Your choice, dude, I don’t really care. I don’t think I’ll have a problem continuing to mostly respect you as a poster, but I still think that you’re acting like a jerk in this thread. However, some of it may be due merely to a Papa-Bear protective reaction to perceiving others as criticizing your kids, so I’m considering cutting you some slack for it. (And no, I’m not expecting you to cut me any slack in return: see above remark about not caring.) ---
**Author:** ![Library\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cab0a1/32.png) [@Library\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Library_Boy)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/92 "2008-11-04T04:40:09Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > I feel the same, too, about you now. I don’t know what thread you were reading, but I did in fact simply offer my anecdote that was related to Guin’s OP, in [post #3](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10390141&postcount=3). I didn’t think much of it - I certainly didn’t expect anyone to call me ethically questionable, and I didn’t ask for anyone’s opinion. But in fact, **Frank** jumped in immediately in [Post #4](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10390171&postcount=4) to express his irritation with me. I responded, and **Frank** offered in Post #5: “Frankly, that’s a failure on your part.” and in Post #7 described my behaviors as “ethically questionable.” > > It wasn’t until after that that I asked for other’s opinions, since I thought it was outright lunacy to respond so over the top as **Frank** had. > > So I consider your characterization that I initially solicited opinions to be an outright lie. I don’t know why you would lie about this, or what your problem in particular is, but I really don’t think very much of you anymore, and I consider that to be a real loss. Certainly more than a thread about trick or treating should be. > > So be it. I don’t know you. I have never interacted with you. You are acting like a real douche in this thread. I know you don’t care what I think. But maybe you might care about how you are coming across. Or maybe not. ---
**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 4, 2008, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/93 "2008-11-04T05:34:38Z")
FYI, the woman in the OP was Keith Olberman’s Worst Person in the World tonight. He didn’t identify which candidate was on the woman’s shit list. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/94 "2008-11-04T07:37:39Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > FYI, the woman in the OP was Keith Olberman’s Worst Person in the World tonight. He didn’t identify which candidate was on the woman’s shit list. Damned librul media. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/95 "2008-11-04T11:26:35Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > But in fact, **Frank** jumped in immediately in [Post #4](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10390171&postcount=4) to express his irritation with me. I responded, and **Frank** offered in Post #5: “Frankly, that’s a failure on your part.” and in Post #7 described my behaviors as “ethically questionable.” > > It wasn’t until after that that I asked for other’s opinions, since I thought it was outright lunacy to respond so over the top as **Frank** had. I don’t see how that was over the top. My argument rests on this foundation: Halloween is for kids, and it is not an appropriate time for political expression. I disagree with your action. I think it was a mistake. I managed to make my point without labelling you an idiot or a cunt. Over the top, indeed. I’ll add, since I’ve finally noticed that I never did address the OP, that the old lady was wrong too. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/96 "2008-11-04T12:08:27Z")
> **[If Sales Of Halloween Masks Could Predict The Election, Obama Would Be...](https://techcrunch.com/2008/10/05/if-sales-of-halloween-masks-could-predict-the-election-obama-would-be-president/)** > > Everyone has their favorite way to predict who will win the Presidential election. Amazon likes to keep track of Halloween mask sales. Supporters of either candidate can buy rubber masks of each to wear for Halloween. So far, 57 percent of the masks... If this is a new thing, why have I seen an article like this every four years for as long as I can remember? ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/97 "2008-11-05T14:27:23Z")
My two pennorth,I was 100% behind Obama but I disagree with wearing political stickers on a halloween costume just as I disagree with Stores Santas dishing out presents with political stickers on or carol singers singing politically motivated carols. Theres a place for politics and childrens festivals/partys are not it. ---
**Author:** ![El\_DeLuxo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_deluxo/32/9043_2.png) [@El\_DeLuxo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_DeLuxo)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/98 "2008-11-06T04:47:11Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Halloween is for kids No. No, it isn’t. You are **wrong.** ---
**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:** [November 6, 2008, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/99 "2008-11-06T14:46:16Z")
It was not my intention to attack anyone who offered his or her opinion following my open request. Even though I didn’t name anyone in particular (apart from expressing what I thought was cordial disagreement with **Kimstu** specifically) in my later comments, I did continue to attack the idea generally. I can see where people may have taken this personally, despite my intentions, and I do apologize for that. He may not have intended to, but **Frank’s** recent most might be taken to suggest that I called him a cunt in this thread. To clarify, I did not. This thread suggests to me that I should best make myself scarce. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2008, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666/100 "2008-11-06T14:52:22Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > If this is a new thing, why have I seen an article like this every four years for as long as I can remember? And why wasn’t Richard Nixon reelected several more times? Or Jason Voorhees? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-halloween-turns-political/470666.md?page=6)