# The "No, Both Sides Don't Do This" Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 1, 2015, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990 "2015-05-01T13:18:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/21 "2015-05-01T22:41:57Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > … (do states just let the military come in and do whatever they want without any oversight?) … [Yes, they do](http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/27339-navy-plans-electromagnetic-war-games-over-national-park-and-forest-in-washington-state#). ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/22 "2015-05-01T22:45:30Z")
> [@TimeWinder](#): > > What I don’t understand is why Obama waited until the twilight of his time in office to implement all these nefarious plans But you see, that just proves that he doesn’t intend on leaving after his term is up!! It all makes sense now, doesn’t it??? ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/23 "2015-05-01T22:51:19Z")
A forum that is 95% liberal and a thread where you ask people to post negative anecdotes about the GOP, very interesting indeed. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/24 "2015-05-01T23:26:45Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > A forum that is 95% liberal … cite? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/25 "2015-05-01T23:31:39Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > A forum that is 95% liberal A natural consequence of fighting ignorance. > [@](#): > > and a thread where you ask people to post negative anecdotes about the GOP, very interesting indeed. If you have a favorite example or three of comparable Dem craziness, refuting the OP premise that no, they don’t both do it, then please contribute them. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/26 "2015-05-01T23:38:27Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > A forum that is 95% liberal and a thread where you ask people to post negative anecdotes about the GOP, very interesting indeed. Of course a forum dedicated to fighting ignorance is going to be primarily liberal. The Republican party’s recent policy positions are _based on ignorance_. Global warming isn’t real, abstinence only education works, weed is teh devil, cutting taxes raises additional income, punching someone in the face is superior to attempts at diplomacy, Obamacare is shattering the economy, the minimum wage should be repealed, etc. etc. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/27 "2015-05-01T23:40:18Z")
Well, plus the moderating influence of people who weren’t raised in the occasionally astonishingly pseudofascist United States, like me. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/28 "2015-05-01T23:42:40Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > cite? I might be skewing the average, I’m 197% liberal. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/29 "2015-05-02T00:33:54Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > A forum that is 95% liberal and a thread where you ask people to post negative anecdotes about the GOP, very interesting indeed. In all fairness, Dave Hodges, whose site I linked to before and who is the King of All Crazies, isn’t exactly a straight-up Republican. He’s WAY more red than blue but he has a libertarian bent that leads him to sometimes lean across the aisle. He really hates big banks and Wall Street [http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2013/01/09/nuremburg-trials-for-banksters/](http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2013/01/09/nuremburg-trials-for-banksters/) _This article is all over the place and while it references global warming scams and death panels the main drift is the evisceration of Wall Street and the bankers responsible for the financial crisis. (Spoiler alert - he wants them executed )._ and he’s against torture and drones [http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2013/02/05/the-drone-ranger/](http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2013/02/05/the-drone-ranger/) and against GMO’s [http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2015/03/01/gmo-dangers-revealed-former-u-s-government-scientist/](http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2015/03/01/gmo-dangers-revealed-former-u-s-government-scientist/) he’s against militarization of the police and police brutality. He’s all in with citizens filming police encounters. [http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2014/08/19/the-middle-east-or-middle-america-this-is-what-happens-when-ferguson-looks-like-fallujah/](http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2014/08/19/the-middle-east-or-middle-america-this-is-what-happens-when-ferguson-looks-like-fallujah/) [http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2013/04/27/am-i-free-to-go/](http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2013/04/27/am-i-free-to-go/) and against police asset forfeiture [http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2013/09/29/the-new-mafia-wears-a-badge/](http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2013/09/29/the-new-mafia-wears-a-badge/) It’s scary how much crazy he can inject into these topics, I think I need a shower. And the last one isn’t really crazy at all except for the first paragraph and the conclusion. My head hurts. ---
**Author:** ![parkona\_driveway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d26b3c/32.png) [@parkona\_driveway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parkona_driveway)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/30 "2015-05-02T00:42:15Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Of course a forum dedicated to fighting ignorance is going to be primarily liberal. The Republican party’s recent policy positions are _based on ignorance_. Pot kettle. Follow the money: > **[US Budget Deficit by Year Since 1969](https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-us-federal-budget-deficit-3321439)** > > What has the U.S. budget deficit has been every year since 1969? See how much more the government spends than it takes in every year. > [@](#): > > 2013 - $901 billion budget deficit (projected) > 2012 - $1.1 trillion budget deficit > 2011 - $1.3 trillion budget deficit > 2010 - $1.3 trillion budget deficit > 2009 - $1.4 trillion budget deficit For four consecutive years, Obama directed a government that spent a trillion dollars more than its income. Today he brags because the level has been reduced from complete insanity to complete insanity. Excuse me if I look elsewhere for lessons on sustainable behavior. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/31 "2015-05-02T01:18:11Z")
A trillion here, a trillion there, sooner or later you are talking _real_ money. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/32 "2015-05-02T02:03:12Z")
> [@LinusK](#): > > No, you’re totally right. Something or some combination of factors has driven a substantial part of the Republican Party over the edge. I don’t know if it’s having a black president or something else, but the scope of right wing craziness has climbed the walls of the loony bin, and jumped off, and their elected officials have either drank the kook-aid themselves, or feel compelled to go along with it. I’m inclined to agree, that the Republican party has, in the last few years, taken an especially crazy turn. And while the left certainly says/does some stupid things, I can’t think of anything on par with the idea that the government is orchestrating some sort of plan to enslave us all. It really is over the top, as dumb as those stories about the government printing up thousands of “Martial Law” signs. It would be reassuring to have those in positions of leadership point out the absurdity. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/33 "2015-05-02T02:05:01Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > . . . It would be reassuring to have those in positions of leadership point out the absurdity. McCain tried that…and got booed by his own crowd for it. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/34 "2015-05-02T02:11:14Z")
> [@parkona\_driveway](#): > > Pot kettle. Follow the money: > > [US Budget Deficit History](http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/federalbudgetprocess/a/Budget-Deficit-History.htm) > > For four consecutive years, Obama directed a government that spent a trillion dollars more than its income. Today he brags because the level has been reduced from complete insanity to complete insanity. > > Excuse me if I look elsewhere for lessons on sustainable behavior. I think it’s interesting that you left out the deficits, all in the hundreds of billions, that ran back to 2000 with a variety of combinations of party control of the presidency and congress. I agree that the deficits are concerning, but they are clearly not the product of one party or the other. ---
**Author:** ![parkona\_driveway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d26b3c/32.png) [@parkona\_driveway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parkona_driveway)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/35 "2015-05-02T02:29:49Z")
Yes, both parties are irresponsible. Sorry if I appeared to suggest otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/36 "2015-05-02T03:21:35Z")
I don’t know of any Republicans that have stated that [Guam might tip over](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Johnson#Comments_on_Guam_tipping_over). ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/37 "2015-05-02T03:29:37Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > I don’t know of any Republicans that have stated that [Guam might tip over](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Johnson#Comments_on_Guam_tipping_over). However, it did not become part of the party’s platform. ---
**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:** [May 2, 2015, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/38 "2015-05-02T03:30:31Z")
> [@parkona\_driveway](#): > > For four consecutive years, Obama directed a government that spent a trillion dollars more than its income. Today he brags because the level has been reduced from complete insanity to complete insanity. > > Excuse me if I look elsewhere for lessons on sustainable behavior. It depends what you call “sustainable”. I actually like this approach. We could cut 3/4 of the cabinet departments and raise the Social Security retirement age to 80, and balance the budget this year; next year everyone would say “Woo hoo! Problem solved!”, then cut taxes and start spending like drunken sailors again. There are lottery winners who blow through millions of dollars in a few years and go bankrupt, and there are people put some money aside every month, invest it wisely without too much risk, retire comfortably, and leave something to their children. The U.S. didn’t rack up its debt overnight, and we won’t fix it overnight. I’d rather see sustained fiscal discipline than crisis measures. We need to get time working for us. Keep cutting the deficit by $100 billion per year; in a couple decades we might get somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/39 "2015-05-02T03:39:35Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > However, it did not become part of the party’s platform. I thought we were talking about how one side is crazier than the other. Nothing is crazier than that (although it’s fairly harmless). ---
**Author:** ![parkona\_driveway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d26b3c/32.png) [@parkona\_driveway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parkona_driveway)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2015, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990/40 "2015-05-02T03:54:35Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > McCain tried that…and got booed by his own crowd for it. For those of you who think the Republicans have suddenly gone crazy, a lot of the folks may in fact be libertarians, who have always been crazy 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-no-both-sides-dont-do-this-thread/718990.md?page=3)