Politics and Religion

[hollodero]

(03-05-2021, 12:22 PM)GMDino Wrote: Again I said "go to".  I might use that if I feel it has merits but that is dependent on the conversation and the poster.  I'm not questioning your perception, just clarifying what I know I do...not how it might be seen by others. 

Years ago had one poster who write long paragraphs about what he thought on a subject...and it turned out he was copying and pasting from right wing sites without linking to them.  As if the thoughts were his alone.  When that was pointed out they took offense.  Felt "bullied" that such plagiarism was even mentioned.  They no longer post here but that is because of what they posted and an inability to follow the board rules not because they felt bullied.

Seems like a case where you were totally justified. Never meant to advocate not calling a spade a spade.
There are instances where I feel things are called a spade just on the grounds they are not distinctly something else, but I leave it at that.

(03-05-2021, 12:22 PM)GMDino Wrote: We all have our flaws.

Yup, that is my take as well.

(03-05-2021, 12:22 PM)GMDino Wrote: Most of us try and change.  Sometimes we fail.  I know I have.  I also know that as I get older (I was in my mid 30's when I joined the original board back in 2005) I care LESS about "arguing" and the back and forth that gets nowhere.  More to the point I took SSF's advice this year and shut up.

I noticed. Didn't think you'd stick to it for too long, such announcements have a tendency to last for five minutes or so, including when I make them. You followed through. Not bad.

(03-05-2021, 12:22 PM)GMDino Wrote: I post a little less.  My posts are (usually) a little shorter.  And I don't "engage" or take the bait just to argue.
I never did care what anyone thought of me because no one here "knows" me...at least in real life.

I know you voted for McCain once. How could you. :)

Well, I care a bit what people think about me, I guess there's always an aspect of narcissism that I can't quite shake off totally. I used to be way way worse in that regard though. At least that's what I claim - I modestly admit a flaw, say I worked on it and it's gotten better, hoping that everyone thinks that's so cool of me...

(03-05-2021, 12:22 PM)GMDino Wrote: I just want to enjoy the back and forth without the drama.  To that end I asked the good cop/bad cop thread to be deleted.  No matter how many times I explained myself it would never be understood or believed.  I was tired of the fighting and ended it.

Never talk to teachers about teachers. Is what I learned. I guess it's similar with police. Some issues are just sensitive.

(03-05-2021, 12:22 PM)GMDino Wrote: Anyway Trump has cult like followers and he has people who are afraid that crossing those followers would be bad for the party so they kiss the ring so to be speak.  Since a lot of religions can be seen as cults that should answer the original question. 

That seems to be the problem with my OP. It's apparently a "well, duh" for many. Which makes me glad there is someone like SSF who challenges it.
But yeah. Trump is a religion for many, there is no breaking through, it is beyond rationality just like religion is. Many many others (maybe more in numbers) just like conservaitve policies and see reality as such, that it needs this Trump base to get a conservative in office to get judges and tax cuts or whatever and that Jeb Bush or whoever won't cut it. Understandable to a point, objectionable when it turns into what it turned into, a dangerous authoritarian shitshow full of lies and hatred. And there's the politicians who just have no spine, no principle, no nothing. In a way, Lindsey Graham disgusts me more than Trump. At least Trump is authentic in his persona and assholery, he always was a lying sack of shit. Lindsey et al. don't even have a persona, zero honor, zero integrity, and if somehow smacking little girls became popular with a critical mass of voters, they'd do that on TV as well.