ETA: more data on this that totally destroys the argument that immigrants are more likely to be criminals.
I have not responded because most posts have asked for sources or taken something I have said out of context and turned it into a black or white view.
There are 2 posts I would like to mention however. Thank you for the warm greetings from a few users I appreciate it. I was linked here from another site and can see that despite this being the pit there seems to be a desire for discussion across the user base.
Second the mod. I want to let you know that I put that there on purpose. I knew my post would be addressed the way it has and also knew that the recognition of that word tells me a lot about the person posting.
I do not use the word in question with sexuality in mind, I have a couple gay friends that reminded me I don’t need permission to use a word over the years after watching them use it in the same manner I do. This also has happened with the N word.
I am a staunch defender of our use of language and it’s protections as a God given right. Disrespect is the same regardless of the word being used and I would hope that you don’t ban people for words in a forum dedicated to fighting ignorance.
I have adjusted some of my opinions and how I will present them in the future thanks to some of the ideas discussed here. Thank you.
Your need to use the word “fag” in rational discourse is so strong that you feel an urge to defend yourself? Seems like a lot of work for little gain.
It will always be a hill I’m willing to die on, yes.
OK then. Good luck with that.
Well, I guess we won’t be seeing you around much longer.
“Its not his ignorance that scares me, its all the things he knows for certain that just ain’t so.”
= Mark Twain (attrib.)
Good quote I see it all over conservative forums too in reference to liberals(leftists).
Also yes from what else I have seen here this forum is great for echos. I’m sure I’ll lurk until it gets too repetitive.
I’ve never seen a stronger warning from that mod than the one you received for blatant bigotry in your previous posts. Either you’re a bigot, or you choose to act like a bigot with your post. One way you’re a jerk, the other you’re a troll. Either way, you’re not going to make it.
I am not fit to sharpen his pencils, you are not fit to see them.
First - Welcome to the Straight Dope. Second - This is the Pit. Among other things, it’s not a forum designed for reasoned debate or even civil discourse. If you’d like to engage in more substantive discussion, other forums on the board may be more receptive.
Third - I encourage you to read the rules of the board, as well as each individual forum because they operate differently.
Fourth - There is a board wide rule against hate speech. If you wish to participate on the boards, you will not use hate speech anywhere on the boards. Racial slurs are included in that category, as well as your use of the word “fag”, among others. It’s not about fighting ignorance, it’s about not being a fucking hateful asshole. Don’t do that, and you’ll be fine.
No-one has ever needed permission to use the words: fag, nigger, kike, etc…
But as with so many things in life, context is everything. If you think you’re a hero of free speech by using these terms in a provocative, ‘try and stop me’, sort of way, or worse still - as a slur - well, the rest of us will be quite happy to call you out as a biggotted asshole.
Welcome to the board. Enjoy your stay.
We operate as hopeful monsters, convinced that fighting ignorance will destroy hate. Maybe it ain’t so, but what the Hell, nothing better to do.
Please learn to parse. Ruined asserted that the EPA is a joke. What do you notice about that statement? How about “The EPA is a joke”. Note the present tense, which makes no reference to the condition or effectiveness of the agency at any point in the past. And who, again is currently in control of the administration of the EPA?
I understand that the work of that agency has been vilified by people and the pawns of people who are annoyed at being forced to behave responsibly. People who either fail to understand the larger concerns or just do not give a shit about anything but laziness and/or profitability. Those people are good fodder for manipulation.
This is the only point of debate where I see any resemblance to our recently departed friend: he’s willing to stand and die (or argue and watch us dance) on whether or not some word is bigotted.
Knowing I’m probably going to get flamed, I’ll answer
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) really hurt the middle of the country. Yes any realignment of trade will hurt someone, but it was felt most by those states with heavy emphasis on manufacturing industries like Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and California. They all had major job losses. It’s doesn’t take an accountant to figure out that paying $15 or less is better than $25 or more, even when you factor in the cost of moving the factor. That along with the promised about increased jobs and exports didn’t really appear to those who lost their jobs. And yes I know companies are still leaving even under Trump. (BTW in my posts I don’t say President anyone, since I didn’t use it for any past presidents I won’t use it for Trump as when I refer to The President I mean the office not the person)
The left’s stand on gun control. In the middle of the country that’s a big deal. And I along with many other see it as the elite left trying to make laws without understanding in many cases what a gun can and can’t do. I won’t go into all the misinformed “facts” that the left has spouted, but it’s safe to say many times they have NO idea what they are talking about. That whole “assault” weapon is a prime example. the AR-15 works just like most semi-automatic and it’s basically an 22 with a lot more powder, but the left makes it seem like these guns are the most evil thing ever unleashed. When you look at the facts and the small number of death per year caused by long guns (the AR-15 is a long gun) many, including me, see it as the first step in an all and out gun ban.
Immigration, the fact they are talking about letting people who have broken the law, and in many cases many laws, stay in the country and maybe becoming citizens, while at the same time punishing people who try and follow the law seems unfair. Is it sad that someone was brought into the US illegally when they were young and who is now looking at being deported? Sure, but they only have to look to the people who brought them here illegally or who overstayed their VISA. For anyone who not a citizen to DEMAND we let them stay, who DEMAND they should be become citizen, is to many like a crook demanding they shouldn’t have to follow the law. Remember we were told in the 1980’s that if we gave a ONE time amnesty that our immigration laws would be strictly enforced. And for the record I know people who have lost jobs to illegal aliens.
MAGA, yes many people think that the congress and the president should be putting America first. Deals should be made in the best interest of the US not kissing up to Mexico, EU, or any other country.
In a nut shell many felt the country was going in the wrong direction, then add in the whole Hillary thing, and you have many of the reasons people voted for Trump. That whole e-mail scandal. What many people saw as an elite left getting away with breaking the law, basically one law for “them”, you know the good people, and another law for everyone else. Same with her stand on sexual assault, you know “To every survivor of sexual assault…You have the right to be heard. You have the right to be believed. We’re with you.” Unless you’re talking about Bill. You’ll note she took that down from her web site during the election, after Broaddrick tweeted about her rape.
So a lot of people voted for Trump, partly because he was an outsider, partly because he wasn’t Hillary, partly because he spoke his mind and didn’t seem to care about the fallout, and partly because they felt the country was going the wrong direction.
I can’t say I’ve heard this one associated with Twain. I usually hear it attributed to Will Rogers. It does sound more like his style. That said, I have no definitive source for it. but I do like the quote and the sentiment.
edited to add – according to this site, it was probably originally uttered by Josh Billings, but that Twain later used it, but giving it some attribution as not his own:
http://www.mcall.com/opinion/white/mc-bw-bloopers-20160627-column.html
Americans are a people who demand all undocumented aliens be deported immediately, and when iceberg lettuce is ten dollars a head, they’ll blame Hillary.
Only for your ignorance.
Do you think emigration from Mexico will just crash to a halt? No. We’re a rich country with a poorer neighbor. As long as that is true, people will seek to move here from there. Helping them become better off helps us and solves that problem in the long run. Besides the fact that this whole argument is a bunch of shit when labor had been moving to cheaper countries (see: China) for a long time and the Republicans certainly were not doing anything about that, as most of the rich Republicans were making a killing off of it.
It may shock you to hear/read it, but not all of us Liberals are ignorant about guns. A lot of us own them. We also don’t have any plans to ban them or seize them all, but we would like to put some limits on such things, such as bump-stocks and removing them from mentally ill and dangerous people. A reminder that the 2nd Amendment states “Well regulated militia”, not “complete absence of controls because FREEDOM”.
Then as I will say to the end of time, the way to solve this problem is to treat the people who hire them as criminals and prosecute them. Until your side decides this is a good idea (which they won’t, because rich Republicans hire illegal aliens), then you’re blaming the wrong people and the wrong party.
Because of course we’ve never done that before and freely give away the store.
How’s that going for them so far?