# Smapti is Pitted **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 21, 2014, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907 "2014-05-21T08:14:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 92
**Author:** ![colinfred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colinfred/32/21338_2.png) [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1821 "2024-07-19T13:22:40Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > No, there are other people pushing the “hold the course” agenda. But none of them are being ridiculous and crazy like he is. **DrDeth** is just as monofocused and expressing the same level of ridiculousness. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1822 "2024-07-19T13:28:57Z")
Thats a pretty damning indictment of **Smapti** , isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1823 "2024-07-19T13:53:10Z")
Fair enough, I didn’t think back on who said what exactly – what I meant was that people who were presenting reasonable stay-the-course arguments weren’t being called ridiculous, so it’s not just an “I disagree therefore you’re unreasonable” thing ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1824 "2024-07-19T13:55:45Z")
It’s interesting that this thread, started in 2014, actually died for nearly four years between 2015 and 2019, then again from 2019 until his recent craziness with regard to Gaza and Biden. There seems to be a cyclical character to his insanity, as though some species of psychic cicadas were nested in his brain, emerging only periodically to wreak havoc. ---
**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:** [July 19, 2024, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1825 "2024-07-19T14:05:04Z")
That’s good news, if true - we can expect Smapti to be calm down and return to sanity for 4 years. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1826 "2024-07-20T20:06:25Z")
Since we’re here, if I may ask, I seem to recall a time when you passionately took the side of the police against all criticism of their misdeeds. Then in the recent Biden thread, you refused to vote for Harris because she’s “a cop.” When did you change your mind on the subject? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1827 "2024-07-20T23:26:30Z")
I don’t recall all the details of the incident that caused me to change my mind. It was an incident captured on dash cam where a cop pulled over a black man with his family in the car. The driver told the cop he was wearing a holstered gun, exactly like you’re supposed to do, and the cop immediately shot him dead and then shouted “Drop the weapon!”, which he had never even drawn, AFTER killing him. On top of that, the election of Trump seemed to be a catalyst that made lots of cops believe they could go mask-off and start being openly fascist. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2024, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1828 "2024-07-21T18:10:12Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I don’t recall all the details of the incident that caused me to change my mind. It was an incident captured on dash cam where a cop pulled over a black man with his family in the car. The driver told the cop he was wearing a holstered gun, exactly like you’re supposed to do, and the cop immediately shot him dead and then shouted “Drop the weapon!”, which he had never even drawn, AFTER killing him. [Philando Castile.](https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/20/us/philando-castile-shooting-dashcam/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1829 "2024-07-21T21:01:57Z")
Huh, Biden dropped out without party leadership openly undermining their own election chances by calling for him to drop out. I was told this would never happen, and if Biden was considering dropping out, he’d openly talk about it. And since neither of those things were happening, obviously Biden was the guy. And yet here we are, a surprise, quiet, un-announced Biden drop out. I was told this would never happen. About 200 times. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1830 "2024-07-21T21:53:08Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I don’t recall all the details of the incident that caused me to change my mind. It was an incident captured on dash cam where a cop pulled over a black man with his family in the car. The driver told the cop he was wearing a holstered gun, exactly like you’re supposed to do, and the cop immediately shot him dead and then shouted “Drop the weapon!”, which he had never even drawn, AFTER killing him. Persuasion. For Smapti it occurs on his own terms at his own pace. Also for me. Also for lots of people, maybe most, maybe all. The Iraq War. Subtract opposition from support and net support was a whopping 70% among Republicans during the run-up. Just last week, JD Vance blamed Joe Biden and “elites” for it during the GOP convention, to raucous cheers (or, the same thing, boos directed at Biden). I think and hope that what divides me from them is introspection. > **[Do you remember the Iraq War? I do. - Kevin Drum](https://jabberwocking.com/do-you-remember-the-iraq-war-i-do/)** > > I watched some of J.D. Vance's speech tonight at the Republican convention, and it was full of all the usual red meat about Democrats and Joe Biden. That's pretty normal for a convention speech and nothing to get too riled up about. But there was one... ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1831 "2024-07-21T22:04:48Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > …and if Biden was considering dropping out, he’d openly talk about it. And since neither of those things were happening, obviously Biden was the guy. And yet here we are, a surprise, quiet, un-announced Biden drop out. I was told this would never happen. About 200 times. In politics, never believe anything until it has been officially denied. ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1832 "2024-07-21T23:26:42Z")
Clearly Dubya was a part of the deep state uniparty. The 70% of republicans supporting the war were RINOs. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1833 "2024-07-22T00:31:41Z")
Now after insisting for the last three weeks that Biden would NEVER EVER EVER drop out, he’s pivoting to insisting that the Democrats are DOOMED, I TELL YOU, DOOMED! Let’s hope this prediction is equally accurate! ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1834 "2024-07-22T00:46:55Z")
Wait, I thought the reason that he was in such strong denial about Biden is that he’s going to blindly cheerlead the democrats no matter what? Now, after telling everyone who said they wanted Biden to drop out that they were dooming the party, he’s trying to doom the party? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1835 "2024-07-22T00:53:01Z")
I’ve been saying for three weeks that IF Biden drops out, THEN the Democrats are doomed. I see no reason to change that opinion at this time. Trump is going to win because the media played a dirty trick and people who should’ve known better fell for it. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1836 "2024-07-22T00:59:14Z")
So you thought you were somehow helping when you were loudly in denial about Biden, because you’re so enthusiastic about fighting fascism that there can be no public doubt about the democrats, but now you’re going to completely switch and contradict yourself and preach doom and gloom about the democrats? ---
**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:** [July 22, 2024, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1837 "2024-07-22T00:59:26Z")
Biden disagrees with you. He wouldn’t have dropped out if he thought staying in was the better move. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1838 "2024-07-22T01:02:01Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > you’re so enthusiastic about fighting fascism Our Smapti? Don’t let that mask fool you, Smapti is, and always has been, a fascist. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1839 "2024-07-22T01:07:00Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > but now you’re going to completely switch and contradict yourself and preach doom and gloom about the democrats? I mean, you overestimate my ability to affect the outcome of the election, especially since I live in a state where my vote will mean absolutely nothing. But I don’t intend on “preaching” anything. I still intend to vote straight Democrat this year although I’m undecided on whether to vote for Harris or not because, as I’ve said, I don’t like her record and she’s too right-wing. EDIT: Just saw this. This endorsement means a lot to me. Gonna have some thinking to do. > ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/1840 "2024-07-22T01:13:48Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Gonna have some thinking to do. Why start now? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907.md?page=91) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907.md?page=93)