5 minutes ago, Kwaibill said:

I am somewhat disheartened by the number of near, if not outright, fascist, supremacist, and generally intolerant comments I read in these forums.

I deactivated my account a few years ago because baldly antiSemitic posts went unchallenged.

I have seen a number of unresearched posts here lately, which is disappointing.

Unsupported opinions thinly  asserted as "facts" annoy me, no matter which end of the spectrum. 

 

I agree. Alot of intolerance here. And not only badly researched, but poorly thought out, poorly articulated, and often knee jerk reactions, without a moments thought behind them. My feeling is, if you are going to post, at least devote a few moments thought and contemplation to the post, so that is becomes meaningful for the many intelligent and articulate minds on this forum. We do not need to hear White House, or Fox News, or MSM talking points. We need to hear your own realized and well developed thoughts on a topic. Otherwise, it is like listening to an evangelist, who has no personal realization, perception of truth, or inner development, but has simply gotten some training in conversion therapy. 

7 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I agree. Alot of intolerance here. And not only badly researched, but poorly thought out, poorly articulated, and often knee jerk reactions, without a moments thought behind them. My feeling is, if you are going to post, at least devote a few moments thought and contemplation to the post, so that is becomes meaningful for the many intelligent and articulate minds on this forum. We do not need to hear White House, or Fox News, or MSM talking points. We need to hear your own realized and well developed thoughts on a topic. Otherwise, it is like listening to an evangelist, who has no personal realization, perception of truth, or inner development, but has simply gotten some training in conversion therapy. 

 

Coming from some posters, pretty funny stuff.

5 hours ago, mrfill said:

Of course, the original antifa was the Allies in the Second World War who waged an anti-fascist war against the Third Reich.

 

Interesting point. Although of course the "Western Allies" liberated lands occupied by the Nazis and Fascists whereas the Marxist Soviets enslaved them, applied similar control methods to the Nazis, and forced their political doctrine on them. 

 

See the relevance?

A post with unsupported/unattributed claims re the antifa movement, and replies to it, have been removed.

 

People who are obviously not very bright, openly walking around with guns, claiming they are "in charge" now THAT is scary.

Most wouldn't know a socialist from a social worker.  That bunch that took over the bird sanctuary in Oregon, maybe a quarter-ounce of brain between the lot of them.

 

I hope DT is brought to justice for inciting this army of morons.

 

 

Edited October 10, 20205 yr by bendejo

19 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I agree. Alot of intolerance here.

So do I.

Many TV members who support far left-wing ideology are totally intolerant of conservative ideology.
Many TV members who support far right-wing ideology are totally intolerant of liberal ideology.

Those who are middle-of-the-road don't generally speak up, as to do so will be to invite intolerance by both the far left and far right members. 
A better path forward may to be state your opinion and allow others to state theirs - and then to agree to disagree.  Call me an old codger, but it was that way when I was growing in Post-WWII America.
But instead - we have a lot of entertaining vitriol and finger-pointing.  The intolerant telling the intolerant that they are intolerant.

It is amusing. 

8 hours ago, caligula123 said:

how about the FAKE russia gate stuff? the impeachment BS? From day1 ,dems have been fighting and unwilling to do their job..ONLY thing they thinking  is Trump bad man ...have they done ANYTHING but try undermine and go against current administration????

Trump gave them all the ammo.

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

"I bought an AK-47,"

Sounds like a red under the bed .. 

Edited October 10, 20205 yr by Justgrazing
Sp

12 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Interesting representative comment. A poster expresses several comments, which presumably don't suit your political views. So you try to dismiss him with an insult rather than explain why your views are more correct; or accept there are different views.

 

Bit like losing and election and then doing all you can to cause as much disruption as possible because your intolerance just can't stand losing as your entitled arrogance is so high. Which does seem to have happened as the poster you replied to eludes to.

 

Did you feel the same way when Republicans (and Trump) went through the 'birther' thing? The Benghazi investigations? Obstructionism of legislation? Or are 'disruption', 'intolerance, and the rest associated only with the Democrats?

9 minutes ago, connda said:

So do I.

Many TV members who support far left-wing ideology are totally intolerant of conservative ideology.
Many TV members who support far right-wing ideology are totally intolerant of liberal ideology.

Those who are middle-of-the-road don't generally speak up, as to do so will be to invite intolerance by both the far left and far right members. 
A better path forward may to be state your opinion and allow others to state theirs - and then to agree to disagree.  Call me an old codger, but it was that way when I was growing in Post-WWII America.
But instead - we have a lot of entertaining vitriol and finger-pointing.  The intolerant telling the intolerant that they are intolerant.

It is amusing. 

I agree with you. I am a centrist democrat, which many right wing people consider a communist or marxist. LOL. At least that is a "talking point". For many of them, it seems that they think all democrats are liberals. I have alot of friends and family, that are conservative. We tend not to discuss politics, as it goes around in circles. I realize I will not sway them one iota, and they tend to realize the same with me. We live in different universes, ideologically. But, there is alot of love, and mutual respect there, and most importantly, a mutual tolerance for the fact that we each have a different point of view. 

 

So, I discuss politics here. I am often pleasantly surprised at the number of well articulated, and well thought out replies the post get.

 

But, there are a percentage of guys on here, who just do not take the time to think out a reply, and it tends to come from a place that would be rather emotional, and visceral, rather than intellectual. And occasional very dogmatic. Those are the most boring of all. 

Edited October 10, 20205 yr by spidermike007

7 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

So what? They could ban Antifa members posting on facebook.

White supremacists pose as Antifa online, call for violence ...

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/02/tech/antifa-fake-twitter-account/index.html

 

Twitter suspended the account, which was linked to a white nationalist group, for inciting violence. "Tonight's the night, Comrades," one tweet had said, before encouraging users to "take what's ours. We're taking action proactively on any coordinated attempts to disrupt the public conversation around this issue," the spokesperson told NBC."

https://www.dw.com/en/twitter-suspends-fake-antifa-account-run-by-white-supremacists/a-53656003

Edited October 10, 20205 yr by onthedarkside
source link added

Things like this have been happening around the country

Rightwing vigilantes on armed patrol after fake rumours of antifa threat

 

On the old Twilight Zone series, the one with Rod Serling, there is an episode

The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.

These reports remind me of it.

There's also one called "He's Alive" about an American nazi-wannabe (played by Dennis Hopper).

 

 

17 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I agree with you. I am a centrist democrat, which many right wing people consider a communist or marxist. LOL. At least that is a "talking point". For many of them, it seems that they think all democrats are liberals. I have alot of friends and family, that are conservative. We tend not to discuss politics, as it goes around in circles. I realize I will not sway them one iota, and they tend to realize the same with me. We live in different universes, ideologically. But, there is alot of love, and mutual respect there, and most importantly, a mutual tolerance for the fact that we each have a different point of view. 

 

So, I discuss politics here. I am often pleasantly surprised at the number of well articulated, and well thought out replies the post get.

 

But, there are a percentage of guys on here, who just do not take the time to think out a reply, and it tends to come from a place that would be rather emotional, and visceral, rather than intellectual. And occasional very dogmatic. Those are the most boring of all. 

Agreed. 
I'm a centrist independent.  One side probably thinks I'm a Trump supporter, the other thinks I'm Bernie supporter based on my view of things.  Personally (and figuratively) I'd like to see Washington DC slip into the Potomac, washed out to the Atlantic, and replaced with something that supports the whole of the republic. I was just brought up in a different America than this.  I look at the US and just think sad thoughts.  It should be so much better.
There's quiet a few TV members I'd just like to sit down with over a beer and we'd probably end up having a meeting of minds.
Then there are those few TV members I'd probably not want to be around after they had had more than a couple of beers. <laughs> 

This, I totally agree with:
"But, there are a percentage of guys on here, who just do not take the time to think out a reply, and it tends to come from a place that would be rather emotional, and visceral, rather than intellectual. And occasional very dogmatic. Those are the most boring of all." 

 

Edited October 10, 20205 yr by connda

8 hours ago, Tounge Thaied said:

Social Engineering...

“The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ...We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. ...In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons...who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.”
― Edward Bernays, Propaganda

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/23/leaked-cambridge-analyticas-blueprint-for-trump-victory

Edited October 10, 20205 yr by simple1

3 minutes ago, simple1 said:

In 2016 it was not unnamed people.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/23/leaked-cambridge-analyticas-blueprint-for-trump-victory

Even more insidious was the St Petersburg Troll Farm.

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-us-election-donald-trump-st-petersburg-troll-farm-hillary-clinton-a8005276.html

 

I agree and identify mostly with the centrist guys. I am formerly a Republican going back to the Goldwater days, but today am a centrist, socially liberal Independent.

Not too many strident "lefties" commenting here, except those of us so characterized by far right, largely Trump supporters, who think if we are not also his supporters then we must be... Marxists, Leninists, whatever the current McCarthyism is; yes, I was young, but I do remember those days and see a frightening resurgence in the nationalism and fact ignoring we see becoming so de rigeur in large swaths of the world today.

6 minutes ago, polpott said:

Even more insidious was the St Petersburg Troll Farm.

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-us-election-donald-trump-st-petersburg-troll-farm-hillary-clinton-a8005276.html

 

try and get access to the following link which is only available for a few more days - very informative.

 

https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/dateline

Another post with unsupported/unattributed claims re the U.S. protests has been removed.

Politics in the US is a funny old thing.

 

All the headlines always revolve around Washington DC, and the insanity that goes on there.

 

But in reality for the majority of Americans, domestically at least, DC has little or no influence on their lives, the workings of their local Governor and State House influence their day to day lives far more.

 

Now for non Americans, DC makes at lot of difference for international affairs.

 

But there's the rub. We have a Reality TV Show POTUS, who is just viewed with disbelief by a large part of the globe, yet for most Americans he makes not one jot of difference in their day to day life

Edited October 10, 20205 yr by GinBoy2

42 minutes ago, Kwaibill said:

I agree and identify mostly with the centrist guys. I am formerly a Republican going back to the Goldwater days, but today am a centrist, socially liberal Independent.

Not too many strident "lefties" commenting here, except those of us so characterized by far right, largely Trump supporters, who think if we are not also his supporters then we must be... Marxists, Leninists, whatever the current McCarthyism is; yes, I was young, but I do remember those days and see a frightening resurgence in the nationalism and fact ignoring we see becoming so de rigeur in large swaths of the world today.

Very true. And it a very insular, us vs. them mentality. And an extreme degree of sentimentality. Usually based on an overly romanticized and exaggerated version of how great the past was. And a bunker mentality. 

 

From my point of view, the greatness of America (what remains of it) comes from it's immigrants. Most of my Latino friends work far harder than my white friends, for less money, and do not complain. White people can be extremely soft. And tens of millions of them are absolutely empty suits. Don't accuse me of being racist, because I am a white man. OK? I am just saying it as I am seeing it. As non PC as it sounds. Deal with it. 

11 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Very true. And it a very insular, us vs. them mentality. And an extreme degree of sentimentality. Usually based on an overly romanticized and exaggerated version of how great the past was. And a bunker mentality. 

 

From my point of view, the greatness of America (what remains of it) comes from it's immigrants. Most of my Latino friends work far harder than my white friends, for less money, and do not complain. White people can be extremely soft. And tens of millions of them are absolutely empty suits. Don't accuse me of being racist, because I am a white man. OK? I am just saying it as I am seeing it. As non PC as it sounds. Deal with it. 

Which is the wealthiest ethnicity by country of origin and ethnicity in USA??

It is not Anglo- American 

21 hours ago, Surelynot said:

A whole nation gone mental...thanks to.......????

The mainstream media. 

7 hours ago, Morch said:

 

Yeah, totally different than years of 'birther' nonsense, courtesy of Republicans and Trump. Totally different than endless Benghazi investigations coming up with naught. Totally different than obstructing legislation efforts by the other side. It's only bad when the other side does it, right?

 

I'm not a Biden fan. He's mediocre, unexciting, and past his prime. But, and that's the main selling point (for me, and I think many voters), is that he's normal, ordinary, sane. Embarrassed? Not so much, disappointed maybe. Embarrassed would be something I associated with Trump's presidency.

For me and many many other Americans ( I have my boots on the ground here now) it’s completely embarrassing. Stop sugar coating it. No one but you says it’s disappointing. You are wrong. Get something better to do. 

22 hours ago, Brunolem said:

... 20 years of accelerating decline and decadence...

 

...leading to the following set of equalities:

 

Trump victory on November 3rd = civil war 2

 

Biden (read Harris) victory on November 3rd = economic collapse

 

Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets! 

Fantasy football? 

Really? Are those the only two possibilities? 

Try again a bit more thoughtfully please. 

2 hours ago, alex8912 said:

For me and many many other Americans ( I have my boots on the ground here now) it’s completely embarrassing. Stop sugar coating it. No one but you says it’s disappointing. You are wrong. Get something better to do. 

 

You, and others, might feel Biden is embarrassing (but that somehow, Trump is not). My feeling is that he is disappointing, rather than embarrassing, but then I'm not much of a fan, and my expectations aren't very high. As for your nonsense "no one but you" - there are enough people on this forum alone to make your comment untrue, and that's without taking into account all them people who actually cheer Biden with more enthusiasm, both on here and in the USA. That you deny this is bizarre.

 

Quote

Get something better to do. 

 

What...and miss the intellectual stimulation offered by these 'discussions'?

 

3 hours ago, Starmocihc said:

The mainstream media. 

Sure. It's really that simple. 

 

It has nothing to do with the pandemic, a paralyzed Congress, a faltering economy, record job losses, or a madman president. 

 

So if we close down the American media completely the good times will return to stay? 

 Your reply has such a refreshing simplicity. You should run for president yourself. You could disband the government and end all this political bickering. 

19 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

You, and others, might feel Biden is embarrassing (but that somehow, Trump is not). My feeling is that he is disappointing, rather than embarrassing, but then I'm not much of a fan, and my expectations aren't very high. As for your nonsense "no one but you" - there are enough people on this forum alone to make your comment untrue, and that's without taking into account all them people who actually cheer Biden with more enthusiasm, both on here and in the USA. That you deny this is bizarre.

 

 

What...and miss the intellectual stimulation offered by these 'discussions'?

 

I think that Biden is embarrassing or rather that the USA can only come up with these two inadequates.

 

However!   I think that people should be asking themselves, not how good Biden is likely to be, but just how much more of Trump can the USA take before it falls apart completely.  It is on the edge of anarchy thanks to the bizarre actions of Trump with his ludicrous tweets and statements.

 

Biden doing nothing would be a massive improvement on Trump's lunacy.  And at least he has a decent wingman/woman in Harris.  Slowly but surely the American people are starting to see that Trump is unfit for purpose.

13 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

On 10/9/2020 at 2:51 PM, snoop1130 said:

An illustration of those concerns came in Michigan on Thursday, with the announcement that 13 people had been arrested in alleged plots to kidnap the state's governor and attack the state capitol building.

From what I've seen that has nothing to do with the election. I'm not surprised it was included though.

They specifically mentioned wanting to do it before the election in some of the communications that were reported...

 

I don't remember any coverage hinting at why, but here's a guess: to trigger similar plots by other groups, and paralyze multiple state governments during the elections.

 

I don't know the US political system well enough to predict what effect this might have had; presumably it would at the very least massively delay a definitive result...

 

 

Edited October 10, 20205 yr by onebir

1 hour ago, dunroaming said:

I think that Biden is embarrassing or rather that the USA can only come up with these two inadequates.

 

However!   I think that people should be asking themselves, not how good Biden is likely to be, but just how much more of Trump can the USA take before it falls apart completely.  It is on the edge of anarchy thanks to the bizarre actions of Trump with his ludicrous tweets and statements.

 

Biden doing nothing would be a massive improvement on Trump's lunacy.  And at least he has a decent wingman/woman in Harris.  Slowly but surely the American people are starting to see that Trump is unfit for purpose.

You are missing the point. Truly high caliber and noble souls have no interest in swimming in the sewer of DC. They are simply not attracted to the office, nor do they want to deal with the nonsense associated with it. 

 

So, at this stage you can always expect inferior people like Trump and Pence. By comparison, Biden and Harris are pretty decent choices. Relatively speaking! 

Edward Bernays, (Nephew of Freud.)

Documentary series, "The Century of The Self."

 

To sell products, popularize people or ideas, he changed world views and twisted conventions. With his numerous PR campaigns, Bernays modernized the PR industry and promoted a consumer culture of emotions in which people buy or believe what makes them feel good.

 

To understand modern politics and culture it would be most helpful to view the above mentioned docu.  The Century of The Self."