Every six months or so,* I find myself questioning whether it was such a wise move to put SA on my ignore list eight years ago. And then one of you ferschlugginer Dopers (whose quotes of his posts usually annoy me so much) will quote all or part of a post of his that reassures me that it was.
I presume that it’s because it IS possible to intellectually remove the individuals under discussion from the structure of the principles being argued and argue as though the principles are what require our attention.
A little examination of the conversation should reveal why it’s commendable of him to do so.
Mind you, I still find myself perturbed by the fact that the apparent beneficiary of his line of argument is the America-hating fuckstick.
Oh, and do tell your conservative friends to continue to support the POTUS by continuing to not make more forceful moves to tell him to stop his hate agenda. A lot of minorities, women, and people that appreciate justice and science that were misguided in the last elections are learning their mistakes.
Some time back, I read a series of essays, later collected into a book, about how to win at competitive video games. Rather than discussing specific strategy, the author first discussed a mindset he called the “scrub” mindset:
He goes on to give other examples:
I feel there’s a useful analogy here, although clearly not an exact match for th political realm. But I say it’s possible, as Obama did, do win elections without making the election about how awful your opponent and his supporters are. Obama did not sacrifice his duty to uphold noble goals. He didn’t sell his soul to win the White House. It’s possible to stand for what is right without gratuitous attacks on the opposing voters.
You hold up this notion of calling out bigotry as some sort of holy calling, that, win or lose, your candidate must do it. But if the result is a Trump victory, then it seems that the end result is that bigotry GAINS footholds.
I agree that my putative party is more to blame for Trump’s victory. And I admit that part of the reason I’m pushing this theory is that I would rather saddle you (collectively) with the blame than think about the flaws on my side.
But that doesn’t make false anything I said. Republicans are not going to defeat Trump now. We had our chance and fumbled the ball right into out own end zone. I acknowledge this. But as long as your team sneers and condescends to half the Trump voters, they’re not going to budge. That’s something you guys have to adjust.
It’s ok, the national shitshow that is the modern GOP is GOOD. They’re doing GOOD. It’s a GOOD thing.
But then, some still feel the Republican Party is conservative. Not a reactionary party of which 45% prefer a traitorous Confederate to a black President.
Sorry, but in reality it is you and many that are more reasonable that needs to do the adjustments. John McCain and others in Arizona are doing it.
Again, I do say this based on what was seen. More people opposing hate in the protests and the polls showing that the longer it is clear that hate is being cuddled by the Republicans the less support they are getting.
I concede that HRC is no Obama. I thought we learned that in 2008, but it seems some democrats needed to learn that lesson again in 2016.
We hold these truths to be self-evident. Apparently not to everybody.
I wonder if great civil rights activists like MLK and Nelson Mandela thought it worthwhile to tone down their rhetoric? I’m not so arrogant to think I’m anything approaching them, just hoping to take a page out of their book.
I appreciate this. Thank you.
I think the GOP can do some things that would go a long way to repair the damage. Sadly, few politicians on either side would have the courage to commit political suicide for the greater good.
I think the best thing our side can do is elect leaders who can inspire and lead (like the Obamas). If we did that, there would be less need for continued condescension and rhetoric towards Trump supporters because the focus would change to something more positive and forward looking.