# Why do conservatives post here? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 3, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526 "2010-02-03T15:40:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/21 "2010-02-03T17:45:04Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I used to train in jujitsu and judo. I fought a lot of matches. I lost some, I won some. But some of the wins I remember a lot more fondly than others. > > I fought one match against a guy who outweighed me by a little more than a a hundred pounds. I threw him with _[ko-uchi-gari](http://judoinfo.com/images/animations/blue/kouchigari.htm)_ so hard that I knocked him out. > > Winning a fair fight is one thing. Going into a fight at a significant disadvantage - and still winning? Hooo boy. > > Regards, > Shodan i can see that as something worth waiting for. Maybe some day it will come true. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/22 "2010-02-03T17:45:04Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I used to train in jujitsu and judo. I fought a lot of matches. I lost some, I won some. But some of the wins I remember a lot more fondly than others. > > I fought one match against a guy who outweighed me by a little more than a a hundred pounds. I threw him with _[ko-uchi-gari](http://judoinfo.com/images/animations/blue/kouchigari.htm)_ so hard that I knocked him out. > > Winning a fair fight is one thing. Going into a fight at a significant disadvantage - and still winning? Hooo boy. > > Regards, > Shodan With that competitive spirit, I’m confident you will \*win \*an argument here some day! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/23 "2010-02-03T17:45:08Z")
I am a fiscal conservative (small government; do not spend more than you took in the previous year) a foreign policy liberal on Iraq (stupid to go in there) a world-politics conservative (the UN is loaded with incompetent boobs and it’s not the West’s fault that crappy nations have performed crappily), a foreign-aid liberal (we need to help struggling countries with our largesse) a social policy liberal (I don’t care who you play with voluntarily behind closed doors; I am in favor of race-based AA quotas and I favor making all recreational drugs legal and available), and an AGW skeptical Ignoramus… etc etc. Should I be posting here? Mostly I use the Board to get a free education (especially from **Kimstu** ); not to give it. I’d like to think most Dopers are a similarly eclectic mix. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/24 "2010-02-03T17:45:09Z")
Well, as John Mace says, IANAC, but I suppose I DO play one on the SDMB, so… > [@](#): > > I think of the board as a social place. A place where you can go and enjoy conversing with like-minded people. I think most people are like that - we prefer to associate with people we get along with. Personally, I’d rather converse with people who aren’t like-minded occasionally too. It allows me to test my own assumptions and world view against others to see where the flaws are. The problem with only talking to like minded people (or closing one’s ears to anyone who isn’t like minded) is that you get the sense that all your assumptions are always right and your world view is rock solid. ‘Reality has a \ bias’. Heard that before? > [@](#): > > Why not go to some other board which has a conservative majority and where you’d feel more comfortable? Why hang out with liberals? What motivates you to associate with people you dislike and feel dislike you? While I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of people dislike me (massive understatement), I don’t think they do so because I’m a ‘conservative’ by and large, as that I’m, well, really not very like-able. 😛 Taking into account my own nature I have no doubts that were I to go onto a board where everyone was a conservative they would like me even less, considering that I’m only a conservative by SDMB standards. To a conservative board I’d be hopelessly liberal with perhaps a slight tinge of conservatism wrt economics. Even there I’m not exactly a poster child for conservative economics. > [@](#): > > 1. It’s not all about politics - Sure, I argue with the liberals over political issues. But the majority of posts are non-political and I enjoy those. The hostility over politics is just the price I have to pay for all the other stuff I enjoy. If you cut it to ‘I like to argue’ then this is pretty close to my own reasons. The hostility I get is part of the price I pay to have an occasional good argument. > [@](#): > > 1. I enjoy a good fight - No point in hanging out with a bunch of people who agree about everything. I want a challenge. As a conservative, I find this board challenges me on my political views. I find this board challenges me on my own assumptions and world view, and has done a great deal to shape my own changing view points on political and other topics. It helps that, with a few notable exceptions, I actually agree with a lot of posters on a lot of topics, even if I happen to disagree with them on a given topic. It’s interesting to see their view point and the try and both test my own or to see how they arrived at the one they are arguing for. > [@](#): > > 1. I’m a rebel - I don’t run with the crowd. I like to stand out so as a conservative I like to hang out around liberals. Not really. > [@](#): > > 1. I’m on a mission from God - I hate coming here and arguing all the time. But you people need to hear what I have to say. I’m hoping that eventually you’ll realize I’m right and we’ll all be conservatives. 😛 > [@](#): > > Do any of these ring true or is it something else? I like this board a lot more than I’ve ever liked any of the others I’ve participated in before. In general, and with a few exceptions I like the majority of the posters here, and even if I’m arguing with them (as I have with you, Nemo) that doesn’t mean that I dislike them or that I don’t agree with them on many other things (though this always seems to come as a surprise to some). -XT ---
**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:** [February 3, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/25 "2010-02-03T17:46:07Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > i can see that as something worth waiting for. Maybe some day it will come true. You’re pretty fast on the draw, old timer. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/26 "2010-02-03T17:50:16Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > True or not, some people think they are being treated unfairly. Personally, if I was on a board where I felt most of the people were biased against me, I probably wouldn’t spent a lot of time there. But some posters here apparently feel otherwise and I was wondering why. I think one needs to distinguish between bias against you and disagreement with you. While certainly some posters here make it personal there are still a fair few, on both sides, who engage in healthy debate. I think the good stuff is worth wading through some of the muck for. As noted I can think of few better places than the SDMB to sharpen your opinions. On the downside I note that people in real life often find my more rigorous approach to a debate that I picked up here annoying. They are simply outmatched (usually…I certianly know some smart folks who school me in a debate) and that becomes apparent to them quickly and they disengage. I need to practice those skills. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/27 "2010-02-03T17:51:32Z")
As much as I hate it here, the money’s too good to pass up. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/28 "2010-02-03T17:53:08Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > A certain amount of differences of opinions is fine. I can see people going to a football forum and arguing about whether the Colts or the Sanits are going to win the Superbowl. But why go there is all you’re going to do is post that soccer is a better sport than football and everyone in the forum is picking on you because you’re not a football fan. Even if what you say is true and people in the football forum are harassing you, why don’t you just go to a soccer forum instead and talk to other soccer fans? Do you really see that kind of intellectual segregation as desirable? I don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Smashy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mr\_Smashy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Smashy)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/29 "2010-02-03T18:02:49Z")
To get a look at the other team’s playbook ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/30 "2010-02-03T18:04:43Z")
I think there are different levels of disagreement. I think most people can live with _“It’s good to hear different opinions and thrash them out.”_ But there’s also _“You’re all close-minded and won’t even listen to what I’m saying.”_ I can see why people who believe the former want to be here. But the links I posted above seem to indicate some people feel this board tends more towards the latter. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAlecCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SmartAlecCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAlecCat)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/31 "2010-02-03T18:05:38Z")
I used to be Conservative. Then I became a Moderate. Now I am Liberal. And I never changed my views! ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/32 "2010-02-03T18:05:59Z")
As someone more socially progressive, I wish we had more conservatives posting here, as long as they make well reasoned points. As someone who only occasionally posts in GD, I think if you did a poll in IMHO you’d find that a significant percentage of the SMDB could scarcely give a damn about politics and just want to associate with other like intelligent individuals without dragging politics into it. I know that there are plenty of people in MPSIMS, Cafe Society and the Game Room that never set foot in GD or the Pit. And even when I don’t agree with someone’s politics I can certainly appreciate other aspects of their lives. For example, it’s not only conservatives who posted notes of congratulations that [Shodan’s son got home safe](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=542945) from his tour of duty. IRL, my friends run the spectrum of political beliefs. Just because we don’t vote for the same person doesn’t mean we can’t break bread, share a drink, watch a game or whatever together. I guess I’m saying that I find your premise flawed. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/33 "2010-02-03T18:09:48Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > 1. \*Have you ever **seen** a conservative board? \* - They’re all mouth-breathing racists and morons over there. I’d rather be around smarter people of whatever political persuasion, thank you very much. Which raises a question to me. Can someone point me in the direction of a conservative message board with intelligent, good debators? I haven’t found one yet. ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/34 "2010-02-03T18:10:37Z")
Some just don’t like preaching to the choir, it’s something more of a challenge to go outside of your area, and I think some think they are up to it; at least initially. Not sure why some others continue to stick around after going a few rounds, but it makes for a better board when there is a mix, and things are kept civil for the most part. I’m pretty much conservative in mainly one area, and that is fiscal responsibility. I wish somebody could explain to Congress what that means. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/35 "2010-02-03T18:26:32Z")
It seems to me that most of the ‘conservative’ posters in this thread are coming from the same place - we’re not interested in hanging out in an echo chamber, patting each other on the back and telling ourselves how clever we are. We’d rather wade in to a debate with real opponents and attempt to defend our point of view. You’d be surprised how often I change an opinion on something. Sometimes it’s not even due to anything someone else said, but from what I learned in the course of researching my own side. I’ll go look for the raw data, and discover that it doesn’t say what the right-wing pundits claimed it said, and I’ll change my opinion on that particular issue. And I’ll find the same with left-wing beliefs that I accepted as being true until I see the actual data. This kind of introspection only happens when you’re forced to seriously defend your point of view against smart opponents. It helps clear away the chaff in your own beliefs, sharpen your ideas and logic, and it makes you a better political citizen. Plus, there’s the fact that I do think I’m correct on many issues, and therefore it’s sort of a civic responsibility to engage in debate and try to show people why you think they are wrong in hope of getting them to act and vote in the correct way. I assume most people here are motivated by this to some degree. Frankly, what really baffles me is why more liberals don’t attempt to engage the right on their own turf. It’s hard to be a missionary if you never leave the church. I also have to echo was Xtisme said - I’m only ‘conservative’ by the standards of this board. If I were posting at Free Republic, I’d be subject to the same attacks, only there for being a pinko radical. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/36 "2010-02-03T18:27:53Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Which raises a question to me. Can someone point me in the direction of a conservative message board with intelligent, good debators? I haven’t found one yet. I’d like to know this too. The best I’ve found are generally the comment sections at the better blogs like Reason or Marginal Revolution. But the message boards I know of are pretty bad. ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/37 "2010-02-03T18:56:39Z")
I’m certainly not a conservative by this board’s standard; I’m a moderately leftist European 🙂 The reason I read and post in GD is that it’s very interesting to hear the opinions and arguments of people who do not always agree with me. It’s true that the board tends to the left, but there’s plenty of well-argued conservative points of view to go around - not that all debates are that easily split between “liberal” and “conservative” anyway. But a lot of the Great Debates just wouldn’t be interesting without “the conservatives”. ---
**Author:** ![Rafe\_Hollister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/fbc32d/32.png) [@Rafe\_Hollister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rafe_Hollister)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/38 "2010-02-03T19:16:21Z")
I only belong to a few other message boards and politics are occasionally discussed there. They are mostly outdoors-related sites and they are mostly conservatives. When anyone expresses a liberal thought, the discussion is always civil and well-reasoned. I really don’t enjoy talking politics with people who agree with me all the time. What’s the fun in that? When I joined the SDMB 4 or 5 weeks ago I thought the political discussions would be fun. Instead, I was confronted with complete hatred and disrespect. My posts were dismissed out-of-hand and I was berated for being/supporting racist ideology, not to mention being a blooming idiot, though I had only a dozen or so posts at the time. While I enjoy most of the discussion on here, I just learned quickly that there is no point in bringing up much of an opposing viewpoint, as it will not be respected anyway. So the short answer to the OP is #1. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/39 "2010-02-03T19:19:22Z")
[Here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=550636) is poll that is tangentially related to this thread, please vote! ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526/40 "2010-02-03T19:26:20Z")
I like to debate/discuss issues with smart people. To do that I need smart people who don’t agree with me. I enjoy being asked to consider arguments from angles I hadn’t considered. Now if we had fewer _not_ smart people and a few more people who _did_ agree, so much the better. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526.md?page=3)