# Why is that Covington student able to sue for $250 million when the right lies endlessly **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 21, 2019, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939 "2019-02-21T02:47:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**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:** [February 22, 2019, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/61 "2019-02-22T21:41:44Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Yeah death threats against Christine Ford are bad. Mosque bombings are bad. Usually, running over people is bad as well. That all goes without saying on a predominately nutty left wing board. My voice added to the overwhelming chorus here is unnecessary. If I posted on a neo-Nazi board I probably wouldn’t last long enough to explain their methods are bad. > > I focus on real and insidious threats to freedom that comes from the want to be totalitarian, statist loving leftists. Nazis are obviously bad and rare. The far left, unfortunately, isn’t. These mostly fantasy-people are a giant danger to straw men everywhere. I stand with you against these generally fictional people who reside mostly in your head. As I stand with the vast majority of liberals, progressives, and “the left” who condemn death threats and other threats and acts of violence. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/62 "2019-02-22T22:31:42Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > So, post the facts then. The post I responded to was basing premices and conclusions on an idea that WaPo is the only entity facing any legal action. There are many more entities and persons being put on notice, WaPo is just the first to be taken to court. > **[Sandmann lawyer: Letters sent to New York Times, Today Show, 50 others may...](https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/02/01/sandmanns-lawyer-media-they-know-they-crossed-line/2745272002/)** > > The lawyers representing Nick Sandmann and his family said they have sent letters to media organizations as the first step in possible lawsuits. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/63 "2019-02-22T23:28:36Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > These mostly fantasy-people are a giant danger to straw men everywhere. I stand with you against these generally fictional people who reside mostly in your head. As I stand with the vast majority of liberals, progressives, and “the left” who condemn death threats and other threats and acts of violence. Yes we all know you have a +1 long sword +4 vs straw men and other wizard of oz denizens. Unfortunately, reality is not 1st edition AD&D. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/64 "2019-02-22T23:46:16Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Yes we all know you have a +1 long sword +4 vs straw men and other wizard of oz denizens. Unfortunately, reality is not 1st edition AD&D. I usually see metaphors like that coming from the very same guys that do indeed see reality that way. As pointed already you are not taking into account that you have a very twisted view about the actual numbers of dangerous extreme leftists. ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2019, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/65 "2019-02-23T00:11:19Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Yeah death threats against Christine Ford are bad. Stop virtue signaling. ☹ > [@octopus](#): > > Mosque bombings are bad. Please stop virtue signaling. ☹ > [@octopus](#): > > Usually, running over people is bad as well. Will you please stop virtue signaling… ☹ > [@octopus](#): > > Nazis are obviously bad That’s virtue signaling and its evil beyond comprehension. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2019, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/66 "2019-02-23T00:47:54Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Yes we all know you have a +1 long sword +4 vs straw men and other wizard of oz denizens. Unfortunately, reality is not 1st edition AD&D. Your view of the world is scarcely more realistic than 1st edition D@D. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2019, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/67 "2019-02-23T00:52:45Z")
> [@Covfefe](#): > > Stop virtue signaling. ☹ > > Please stop virtue signaling. ☹ > > Will you please stop virtue signaling… ☹ > > That’s virtue signaling and its evil beyond comprehension. ☹ I’ll try to avoid it in the future. It gave me hives. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2019, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/68 "2019-02-23T01:17:06Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > What would that lesson be? That wearing a hat is sufficient to be threatened with death by loony celebrities and loony nobodies in part due to libelous representation? I think the so-called right is already sufficiently aware of the deranged nature of the easily triggered rabid left. Wow! Less than 20 minutes for the name-calling to start! Lovely. –G ☹ ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2019, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/69 "2019-02-23T03:00:51Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > [Covington Catholic student Nick Sandmann files $250M defamation lawsuit against Washington Post - ABC13 Houston](https://abc13.com/society/covington-catholic-student-sues-washington-post-for-$250m/5147068/) > > All the WaPo did was post a video recording of him acting like a douchebag. > > The right wing media outlets lie endlessly. Why aren’t they sued into nothingness? Fox news, alex jones, etc should have been sued into oblivion by now. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > I don’t think Smirky McSmirkface is going to get a nickel. He was in a public place and has no expectation of privacy. > [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Anyone can sue for anything. > > The purpose of the lawsuit is not to actually win against the Washington Post, but to establish the family as victims and get them on the path to receiving some sweet wingnut welfare. That kid is going to college for free, at the very least. > [@Grestarian](#): > > Wow! Less than 20 minutes for the name-calling to start! > > Lovely. > > –G > ☹ You miss the first three posts of this thread? Lovely myopia. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2019, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/70 "2019-02-23T04:05:53Z")
I think the mollusk has an even bigger problem with what he misses. Again, at the extremes, those who identify themselves nowadays as hard-left Democrats stands at 9 percent compared with 21 percent who are hard-right Republicans. And the results are not pretty. [https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/rise-in-white-supremacy-hits-20-year-high-report-finds?utm\_profile=5a1dd60e3f92a42c662b8dc1&tpcc=email-breaking&utm\_source=Sailthru&utm\_medium=email&utm\_campaign=zCST%20Breaking%20News%20Ver%202%20(Theme%20API%20Only)&utm\_term=BREAKING\_YES](https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/rise-in-white-supremacy-hits-20-year-high-report-finds?utm_profile=5a1dd60e3f92a42c662b8dc1&tpcc=email-breaking&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=zCST%20Breaking%20News%20Ver%202%20%28Theme%20API%20Only%29&utm_term=BREAKING_YES) > [@](#): > > The most significant growth over the past two years has been in white nationalist organizations, up from 193 to 264, said Beirich, who authored the report. It marks a resurgence in the aftermath of the massive 2017 rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that focused attention on the movement. > > “Much of the energy on the radical right this year was concentrated in the white supremacist milieu,” the report reads. ” After a lull that followed the violence in Charlottesville, which brought criminal charges and civil suits that temporarily dampened the radical right’s activism and organizing, newer groups gathered momentum.” > > All are driven by concern about dwindling white power, as seen by Census Bureau projections that Caucasians will lose their majority by 2044, according to the report. After a sharp dropoff in the first half of the decade — Beirich said those groups had been driven underground — they revived as the 2016 election approached. > > Though the U.S. no longer has an African-American president, hate groups became motivated by what they saw as too slow of progress toward their goals, such as President Donald Trump being stymied in his goal of building a wall along the Mexican border, she said. Just last week, Trump declared a national emergency in order to try to build the wall without the approval of Congress. > > When told of the SPLC’s findings, one noted expert on hate groups said he, too, believes the problem is on the rise. > > “It’s depressing but it’s not surprising,” said Jack McDevitt, director Institute on Race and Justice at Northeastern University. Based on recent data, he added that “you got a whole bunch of indications we’re seeing a resurgence in hate activity.” > > In its annual hate-crime report, The FBI in November listed 7,775 criminal incidents for 2017, up from 6,121 in 2016. I guess if they do not call themselves Nazi, they are perfectly kosher for our un-kosher 🙂 sea resident. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2019, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/71 "2019-02-23T04:23:08Z")
**GIGObuster** , thanks to you I learn that cephalopods are mollusks. I had no idea. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2019, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/72 "2019-02-23T07:44:09Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I focus on real and insidious threats to freedom that comes from the want to be totalitarian, statist loving leftists. Nazis are obviously bad and rare. The far left, unfortunately, isn’t. You whine about mean words while people die. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2019, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/73 "2019-02-23T18:29:23Z")
By “history”, I got the impression that people were saying he had one when he was at the March. That was the kid’s first protest, as far as I know. If I’m wrong, I apologize. I still don’t think it meets the definition – since this is just one issue. But I’m not here to argue semantics. > [@k9bfriender](#): > > they do that all the time, and you can see that the reaction is not to sue them for a quarter of a billion dollars. > > Look at the misreporting on the Parkland survivors and their activism by right wing outlets. If the kid’s lawsuit goes through, then Fox is due for a paying out few billion in damages for the death threats that they have received for angry gun owners due to the fabrication of Fox and their ilk. Have they filed a lawsuit? Perhaps they should. The parents of the Sandy Hook victims did to Alex Jones and won. (And good for them) > [@](#): > > Agreed, but I don’t think that this is a case where that is necessary. The trend you > “notice” is only something that exists in the fevered and demented minds of Trump supporters and the far right. Sadly, it’s not, at least from what I’ve observed. Maybe not here, but I’ve seen it, and it sickens me. ☹ Perhaps I hang out on Tumblr too much. > [@](#): > > That you would parrot their talking points without even trying to justify them is why people sometimes confuse you for a trump supporter. I haven’t had anyone confuse me for one, I simply wanted to make that clear up front, however. > [@](#): > > No one has done that. That is a figment that exists in the minds of the right, but it is not something that is reflective of reality. Perhaps I shouldn’t have used the word “harass”, but accuse them of bigotry, compare the hats to KKK uniforms, etc. The hats are stupid, but they’re still not justification to say, “well, of COURSE they must be guilty, look at the HATS!!!” > [@](#): > > I don’t either, but the accusation that democrats are acting as hypocrites comes up every single time that anything at all happens. > > That doesn’t mean that it is a true allegation. It is never backed up, same as this isn’t backed by any facts. I didn’t say democrats, I said the left. As for Democrats acting like hypocrites, if you mean politicians, well, all politicians do. It’s just a fact. It doesn’t make them evil, or nor am I pulling a “both sides do it!”. It’s just the cynic in me. > [@](#): > > You just responded to a message of tolerance with an accusation of hate. I have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about here. I’ll go on record and say – I don’t support the March for Life, I think the kids are probably entitled brats who were only there to get out of class, and the whole thing has become a big shitfest. BUT, they still don’t deserve all the shit they’ve gotten. And it also saddens me that more people here aren’t attacking the Black Hebrew Israelites for THEIR part. Not because of right-wing/left-wing bullshit. But because it upsets me right now, in the growing antisemitic climate, to see such a group getting such little attention, when they’re the ones who started all this shit in the first place. They may be a small group, but…they’re a disturbing one. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2019, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/74 "2019-02-23T22:11:57Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Have they filed a lawsuit? Perhaps they should. The parents of the Sandy Hook victims did to Alex Jones and won. (And good for them) Alex Jones repeatedly and consistently told lies about the people of Sandy Hook. He made claims about their actions and motivations that were demonstrably not true. He did not quote someone else who said these things, he said them himself. If you actually think that that is anywhere on the same level as WaPo publishing the statements of people who were there, then this conversation has no ability to go anywhere. > [@](#): > > Sadly, it’s not, at least from what I’ve observed. Maybe not here, but I’ve seen it, and it sickens me. ☹ > Perhaps I hang out on Tumblr too much. perhaps you are looking for evidence of this trend enough taht you have found evidence of this trend where none exists, due to your confirmation bias that exists when you look for something. > [@](#): > > I haven’t had anyone confuse me for one, I simply wanted to make that clear up front, however. You may say that you are not a trump supporter, but the line of rhetoric that you have chosen to take, and the confirmation bias that you have chosen to believe in both do far more benefit to Trump and the far right than it does anyone else. > [@](#): > > Perhaps I shouldn’t have used the word “harass”, but accuse them of bigotry, compare the hats to KKK uniforms, etc. The hats are stupid, but they’re still not justification to say, “well, of COURSE they must be guilty, look at the HATS!!!” Oh, the WaPo did that? I must have missed the article where the authors accused them of bigotry or compared their hats to KKK uniforms. I even did a search on your quote there, and I didn’t find a single hit. Maybe you are misrepresenting what the authors of the article actually said here? > [@](#): > > I didn’t say democrats, I said the left. As for Democrats acting like hypocrites, if you mean politicians, well, all politicians do. It’s just a fact. It doesn’t make them evil, or nor am I pulling a “both sides do it!”. It’s just the cynic in me. That is exactly what you’re doing. You said that you don’t like when your side is hypocrites, which is either a relevant statement of preference, or an accusation that your side is acting as hypocrites. I don’t mean politicians, I mean whoever it is that you are accusing of being a hypocrite. > [@](#): > > I have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about here. Well, bobot said that we should all get along and put this behind us, and you responded by saying that we shouldn’t become what we hate, accusing him of preaching a message of hate. You seem to be having a problem with understanding what people are actually saying, (given your misunderstandings of the WaPo article, which contained none of the accusations that you claimed it did) and are viewing everything through such a strong lense of negativity that you actually thought hat bobot’s post was a message of hate. > [@](#): > > I’ll go on record and say – I don’t support the March for Life, I think the kids are probably entitled brats who were only there to get out of class, and the whole thing has become a big shitfest. BUT, they still don’t deserve all the shit they’ve gotten. I personally do think that if you go to a protest, then you take the chance that someone may not appreciate what you are protesting. One rule of life, no one gets what they deserve. Wouldn’t it be terrifying if we actually did? The question is, is it the WaPo’s fault, that they, through negligence or malice, caused this kid harm? IMHO, the very obvious answer is a resounding “No.” > [@](#): > > And it also saddens me that more people here aren’t attacking the Black Hebrew Israelites for THEIR part. Not because of right-wing/left-wing bullshit. But because it upsets me right now, in the growing antisemitic climate, to see such a group getting such little attention, when they’re the ones who started all this shit in the first place. They may be a small group, but…they’re a disturbing one. Well, in many of the threads, we have had people attack the black hebrews. I know I have on several occasions in at least two of the threads that have spawned. However there is no interest in those that prefer to cast the blame on WaPo or on Philips, so the black hebrews are less prevalent in these conversations because those wanting to cast the blame onto the left divert the attention from the black hebrews, who, I may point out, were actually there for the same reason as the covington kids, to protest abortion. Not the left that is giving them so little attention, it is those that are on your side in this particular fight who don’t want to talk about them. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2019, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/75 "2019-02-23T23:10:46Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Freedom of the press doesn’t mean freedom from consequences. Speech is consequenced with assault and bike locks? Dangerous press can be consequenced with bankruptcy. So liberals can sue Fox News, Infowars and the like for all of their lies and slander over the years? Is this the door we’re opening here? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/76 "2019-02-24T00:03:48Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > And no, I’m not turning to the right, nor am I becoming a Trump supporter. I’m just noticing a disturbing trend on the left that somehow the ends justify the means. And I don’t think I’m the only one. If the left is going to complain that the right never admits when they screw up, then they shouldn’t be doing the same thing. And they shouldn’t be using the stupid MAGA hats to justify harassment of the kids, either. > . If you aren’t becoming more right wing, then why the fuck are you repeating nonsense from right-wing sources as truth? Nothing was misreported. We keep telling you that, but you keep on claiming it anyways. People will directly point out that what you said is not in the article, but you push on anyways. That’s an alt-right tactic: truth doesn’t matter, just the message. There’s also your little bit going after people for having “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” a concept made up by Trump supporters to attack those upset about Trump being president. You even used it to refer to your own father. You definitely seem like you’re reading more right wing sources and adopting them into your own worldview. You’re adopting their tactics. It sure does seem to me like you’re becoming more right wing. I know this probably won’t mean much from me, since people inherently disbelieve me and call me stupid. But I hope you will at least consider that I might be right. ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/77 "2019-02-24T02:54:46Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > And no, I’m not turning to the right, nor am I becoming a Trump supporter. You are on the right track here and history will be kinder to people like this who police their own side competently. What does not doing that looks like? One could simply review much of the prior Covington Catholic pit thread. I know of a youtube content creator on the left who has lost friendships over that aftermath. Or from another bent: Trump (enablers). Now I also would suggest not using Trump Derangement Syndrome for about 4 different reasons. In your case it fits a pattern of sometimes crude vernacular, but if you can figure out giving the other side ammo is ill advised, TDS usage being ill advised should be within reach. It’s like saying Alex Jones Derangement Syndrome. If I were not familiar with you and that was an early impression, I would be quite surprised to learn of your views. Other than that, you’re not perfect, you’re more than adequate from where I sit. Don’t bother worrying of this canard it seems you’re getting your news from right wing sources. This is just so far off the reservation I hope it’s a phase. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/78 "2019-02-24T03:14:52Z")
Thanks, dude. I just see this “if you’re not with us, you’re against us!” bullshit anymore, and it’s scaring the crap out of me. -I haven’t used any right-wing cites – where have I done so? -Did I say it was the WP specifically that was harassing the kids, comparing the hats to KKK hoods, etc? I don’t believe so. There WAS such an [article](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-maga-hats-matt-sears-ku-klux-klan-racism-1334442) on Newsweek, though. -The Alex Jones/Sandy Hook comparison was not an exact one, but it was the first one to come to mind. I know they’re not necessarily the same thing. -You’re right, TDS probably isn’t a good term to use. Perhaps it’s more people who go completely apeshit and incoherant over politics in general. As for my father, however, **BigT** , I think I know a little more about the guy than you do. If I think he’s gone a wee bit overboard when it comes to Trump, well, perhaps I’m in a better position to say so than you are. It was stupid when people freaked out about Obama, and it’s stupid when people freak out about Trump. WE’LL SURVIVE. We survived Bush. I remember people yelling that he was going to cancel elections over 9-11, declare martial law, etc. If you want to see my own, favorite political [blog](https://stopmakingliberalslookbad.tumblr.com/)? Hardly a bastion of Trump worship. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/79 "2019-02-24T03:38:29Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I just see this “if you’re not with us, you’re against us!” bullshit anymore, and it’s scaring the crap out of me. […] > > It was stupid when people freaked out about Obama, and it’s stupid when people freak out about Trump. Uh, with the minor difference that most of what people “freak out about” concerning Trump is stuff that Trump has actually **done** or **advocated**. Unlike, say, Obama’s being a secret Kenyan Muslim and confiscating all our guns. Sure, I don’t support people giving way to panic or despair over politics in general, and I think an attitude of as-optimistic-as-possible realism is probably best for everybody in the long run. But I think it’s kind of weird that what’s “scaring the crap out of” you is people over-vehemently **opposing** Trumpism rather than people over-vehemently **promoting** Trumpism. I mean, holy shit, ma’am, the President of the United States is literally promulgating lies and slanders in almost every statement he makes, including literally declaring mainstream news organizations the “ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE” (his emphasis), while his virulent supporters are committing [increasing numbers of hate crimes arguably stimulated by his encouragement](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-trump-tweets-spur-hate-crimes1/) and his corrupt cronies and family members are doing their best to loot and incapacitate the government for their own profit, and you say “Eh, we’ll survive, it’s stupid to freak out”. But when a Trump opponent gets a little too melodramatic about a possible worst-case scenario or declares that bipartisan compromise with Trump supporters is a lost cause, **that’s** what scares the crap out of you? I do not think we should be normalizing the current epidemic of conservative dysfunctionality in this way. Yeah, we can urge everybody to take some deep breaths and moderate their rhetoric to a reasonable tone, but we should not pretend that occasional immoderate remarks on the part of liberals are comparable to, much less worse than, the massive cognitive and moral disintegration being promoted by so many conservatives. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939/80 "2019-02-24T04:16:41Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Uh, with the minor difference that most of what people “freak out about” concerning Trump is stuff that Trump has actually **done** or **advocated**. Unlike, say, Obama’s being a secret Kenyan Muslim and confiscating all our guns. > > Sure, I don’t support people giving way to panic or despair over politics in general, and I think an attitude of as-optimistic-as-possible realism is probably best for everybody in the long run. But I think it’s kind of weird that what’s “scaring the crap out of” you is people over-vehemently **opposing** Trumpism rather than people over-vehemently **promoting** Trumpism. That’s not what scares the crap out of me. The “over-the-top” bullshit are people claiming he’s the next Hitler, he’s going to cancel the elections, that he’s going to start WWIII, etc. (I won’t even repeat what my father said – I don’t want him to get a visit from the Secret Service) THAT is not what “scares me”, that makes me roll my eyes. None of what “scares the crap out of me” has to do with Trump. Don’t put words in my mouth. Nor have I ever, EVER praised him. (Again, maybe I hang out on Tumblr too much) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-that-covington-student-able-to-sue-for-250-million-when-the-right-lies-endlessly/829939.md?page=5)