Ledge Republicans?

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by CarneVaca

I pride myself on being neither. I'm too radical for either party, and there's no way I could ever be a Republican. The way it's been going, there's no way I can be a Democrat either. It makes for interesting conversations, and it certainly gives me an appreciation for the dangers of thinking differently. I don't say that out of self-pity for it doesn't scare me; it just is.

I agree. AND - both sides wind up attacking you when you dare not to tow the party line. But, I am a happy go lucky kind of guy and pretty much an eternal optimist - so I just sort of smile throught it after stating what I think!!!!!

[dissention]

Originally Posted by wondergirl9847

Yep, he is a DIE HARD REPUB!! Aren't ya, Dis?

I should bust out the "ASSHOLE" emoticon for that one, Christy

I'm a registered Democrat, even though I'm too radical even for that party.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by sodascouts

I'm a registered Republican. For a brief time I posted on political threads, but it upset me how quickly people became angry, accusatory, and overtly hostile. I also got tired of hearing the same rhetoric over and over. Encyclopedic posts that were all paraphrases of the same talking points, interspersed with back-slaps and high-fives from various members who thought alike and derision of those who didn't. Tiresome, to say the least.

The futility of it all finally registered during one thread where I tried again and again to get the Democratic party stance on reparations explained to me, but all I got was a bunch of laughing emoticons and disparaging comments. None of the resident Democratic experts were interested in informing me, but you can bet some were interested in mocking me. I realized then no one was really discussing anything, just ping-ponging party lines back and forth with enough vitriol in the mix to sour me on it real quick. I guess I'm too soft to enjoy that kind of "exchange."

I'm sorry you feel that way, but that is a bit unfair and is a good example of raining on the parade. People like to make the conversations lighthearted while still talking about the issues, I apologize if you don't like it. After all, we can't be serious all the time.

As for reparations, if I remember correctly, a lot of us Democrats stated that the Democratic party really hasn't taken a stance on them and that support for reparations varied with each person wildly. Some support them, some do not. The most liberal ones do, the most moderate don't. That's the best we could do to inform you, once again I apologize if it wasn't a good enough answer. We can't make lemonade out of potatoes, after all.

Sure, we ping-pong party lines back and forth, show me someone interested in politics who doesn't. I've seen you and everyone else do it, including me. I was always under the impression that you took everything personally when it came to discussing politics; maybe it's true, maybe it isn't, I don't know. But, those of us who do like these discussions have no issues with how they take place, we just enjoy them. I do know that you're probably the most staunch Republican around these parts and made for a good contributor to the threads, even if the majority of us disagreed all the time. But, I guess not everyone can partake in political discussions.

[CarneVaca]

Originally Posted by dissention

We can't make lemonade out of potatoes, after all.

Hmm... Potatade!

[dissention]

Originally Posted by CarneVaca

Hmm... Potatade!

"Coming soon to a supermarket near you, from the makers of Tang."

[wondergirl9847]

Originally Posted by dissention

I should bust out the "ASSHOLE" emoticon for that one, Christy

I'm a registered Democrat, even though I'm too radical even for that party.

WHY can we not vote on doing away with the parties? It's the biggest whippin anyways listening to 600 year old white men get up and talk about issues that they don't know shiz about anyways.

[Violet]

I avoid political conversations as much as possible, but I will say I'm a registered Republican. But I'm a liberal one, if that makes sense. for example, I don't have a problem with gay marriage or abortion, depending on the circumstances. And I don't know who I'm voting for yet, either. And I agree with Nancy on the tone of some of the political posts on this board. Especially the Reagan-bashing one. That one really upset me. But that's all I'll say. Like I said, I don't like to get involved in political discussions.

Carol

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Violet

And I agree with Nancy on the tone of some of the political posts on this board. Especially the Reagan-bashing one. That one really upset me.

I see what you're saying, but I think the name of the thread speaks for itself:

"I came to bury Caesar, not to praise him."

None of us are glad the man died, far from it. Some of us just didn't like the guy. The fact that he died doesn't erase his hateful policies or the things he did in life. If people want to discuss Reagan, they must be able to take the criticism leveled against him along with the rosy picture painted of him by the media.

Personally, I found Nancy's post to be a bit condescending and meanspirited, to tell you the truth. I didn't see the point to it, but it is what it is.

[Violet]

Originally Posted by dissention

along with the rosy picture painted of him by the media.

Trust me, I know about the media. My husband has worked in television news for 17 years, and I KNOW the media sucks. Even though he feels the need to watch it 24/7, I just can't. Things that happened at the station he worked at in FL just soured me on the whole business...and I actually agree with you about the rosy picture being painted of Reagan. It's too sappy, and even as someone who liked Reagan :ducks and hides: I'd rather see balanced coverage of his life, showing the bad stuff alongside the positive.

Carol

[wondergirl9847]

Originally Posted by sodascouts

The futility of it all finally registered during one thread where I tried again and again to get the Democratic party stance on reparations explained to me, but all I got was a bunch of laughing emoticons and disparaging comments. None of the resident Democratic experts were interested in informing me, but you can bet some were interested in mocking me. I realized then no one was really discussing anything, just ping-ponging party lines back and forth with enough vitriol in the mix to sour me on it real quick. I guess I'm too soft to enjoy that kind of "exchange."

That all sounds like elementary, middle and high school to me. The "cool" kids making fun of the "uncool" (not calling you uncool, Nancy, just using it as an example) kids for being different. Folks, we ALL have opinions and they are ALL valid. This is only ONE reason I'd love to see a NO PARTY America.

FTR, I am not a registered voter. Don't ask me why, I just don't vote. LOL

[Johnny Stew]

I actually like Ron Jr. & Patti... and I always thought Nancy was pretty cool.

I just didn't care for Ronald Reagan as a president.

Anyway, that was off-topc. *lol*

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by wondergirl9847

This is only ONE reason I'd love to see a NO PARTY America.

A friend of mine laughed at me a few years ago, when I said that presidential candidates should run without a running-mate... and whoever the "runner up" in the election is, should then be vice-president. To balance things.

Ok, yeah, I guess it is a ridiculous idea.

[face of glass]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

OK that's like the 4th time this week I've seen Dissention called he. I was always under the impresssion he was a she.

I've also seen Dissention being called "Joe". It's another of those cases where they choose an avatar of the opposite sex in order to confuse some people (including me).

And thanks to Live In Boston, we'll soon see what he looks like too! Obviously the anonymous days for Dissention are over soon.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Violet

Trust me, I know about the media. My husband has worked in television news for 17 years, and I KNOW the media sucks. Even though he feels the need to watch it 24/7, I just can't. Things that happened at the station he worked at in FL just soured me on the whole business...and I actually agree with you about the rosy picture being painted of Reagan. It's too sappy, and even as someone who liked Reagan :ducks and hides: I'd rather see balanced coverage of his life, showing the bad stuff alongside the positive.

Carol

Exactly. Everything is just so homogenized to the point that it's not edible. Just look at local affiliates and the folks who own them. or Faux News and MSNBC. Big business dictates what is presented and in what manner; it's terrible.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by wondergirl9847

That all sounds like elementary, middle and high school to me. The "cool" kids making fun of the "uncool" (not calling you uncool, Nancy, just using it as an example) kids for being different. Folks, we ALL have opinions and they are ALL valid. This is only ONE reason I'd love to see a NO PARTY America.

It does in the way that it was presented. But that simply isn't how it is and it's a bit of a generalization of the political discussions on this board. Liberals disagree with conservatives, conservatives disagree with liberals, etc. Unfortunately, some people just can't be involved in political conversations and feel as if they are being made fun of every time one of their views is challeneged (note: I'm not referring to Nancy, I'm speaking about lots of people.)

Again, if people don't like the conversation, don't join in. Why rain on everyone elses parade?