(June 14, 2017 at 11:33 am)vorlon13 Wrote: Well . . .

we're preparing a probe to drop into the sun, New Horizons is on target to encounter a Kuiper Belt object, Elon Musk is preparing to build gay disco clubs on Mars, and Fibercon has your vorlon's colon working better now than it did when I was a teenager, I'm damn optimistic about the future !!

(June 14, 2017 at 11:36 am)CapnAwesome Wrote: Atheists forums, in its own small way has contributed to this. Look at the politics and news headlines here. Calling people cunts and nazis for their political beliefs. The number one explanation given for why people have different beliefs is that they are stupid. (Ironic) it's very difficult to have political opinions here other than that of the echo chamber without being insulted viciously. So if you want to make a difference in the political discourse in America, you can make a real difference here.

(June 14, 2017 at 12:51 pm)Shell B Wrote:

(June 14, 2017 at 11:36 am)CapnAwesome Wrote: Atheists forums, in its own small way has contributed to this. Look at the politics and news headlines here. Calling people cunts and nazis for their political beliefs. The number one explanation given for why people have different beliefs is that they are stupid. (Ironic) it's very difficult to have political opinions here other than that of the echo chamber without being insulted viciously. So if you want to make a difference in the political discourse in America, you can make a real difference here.

That's not the forums. That's forum members. A small group or even one, in fact. It's not that I don't agree that these people are stupid cunts, just that you can't say the forum contributes to any political leaning. It's not a politically-leaning forum. It's members talk about politics, but we have as many right wingers as left wingers, plenty of centrists, socialists, etc. It's a mixed bag of nuts here.

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OP, it's perfectly relevant to talk about the guy's political affiliation. It looks an awful lot like he was killing people for their political affiliation. Sorry, but left nuts have to get called out as much as right nuts.

(June 14, 2017 at 1:09 pm)CapnAwesome Wrote:

(June 14, 2017 at 12:51 pm)Shell B Wrote: That's not the forums. That's forum members. A small group or even one, in fact. It's not that I don't agree that these people are stupid cunts, just that you can't say the forum contributes to any political leaning. It's not a politically-leaning forum. It's members talk about politics, but we have as many right wingers as left wingers, plenty of centrists, socialists, etc. It's a mixed bag of nuts here.

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OP, it's perfectly relevant to talk about the guy's political affiliation. It looks an awful lot like he was killing people for their political affiliation. Sorry, but left nuts have to get called out as much as right nuts.

It is hardly just one person. Yes, the forum isn't set up to be politically biased, but politically there is very little disagreement on here and the disagreement there is, is viciously attacked routinely. I don't think any sort of conservative sticks around for long because of it, which turns it into an echo chamber. It definitely not just one person who says that people who disagree are stupid. That's probably a majority opinion here. Ironically the religious talk is far more tolerant.

(June 14, 2017 at 1:23 pm)Shell B Wrote:

(June 14, 2017 at 1:09 pm)CapnAwesome Wrote: It is hardly just one person. Yes, the forum isn't set up to be politically biased, but politically there is very little disagreement on here and the disagreement there is, is viciously attacked routinely. I don't think any sort of conservative sticks around for long because of it, which turns it into an echo chamber. It definitely not just one person who says that people who disagree are stupid. That's probably a majority opinion here. Ironically the religious talk is far more tolerant.

I feel like you must not frequent the forum much or only see a part of it. We have a lot of conservative long-time members. Even the guy who formed the forum has some conservative views, though he's socially liberal to some degree. There is a ton of political disagreement here. It's been going on for years. I get into political debates on here quite regularly. They certainly aren't threads filled with people all agreeing and patting each other on the back.

As for it being one person, you were talking about headlines. Those headlines come from a small group of people, possibly even just one.

(June 14, 2017 at 10:30 am)It_Was_me Wrote:

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Maybe it's just me, but I really am just done with following the news cycle anymore. Or at least maybe I won't do it on Facebook. That way I don't have to read through all the vitriol and hate people have. America has seriously reached an incredible new low in my opinion. So, for instance with this heartbreaking news this morning of that congressman getting shot. I have noticed the majority of the comments were regarding his political affiliation. I mean, is that really what we have come to?  Where if it's someone who is a Democrat then it's a chance for those who are Republicans to use it to slam Democrats and vice versa? Maybe it's just me, and the fact I'm fairly young. I'm 23. So I really have only been able to recall the presidencies of 43 and 44. There really just seems to be too much hate going around now. Now, maybe it's because people have bigger platforms to spread their hate, ignorance and fear, but I am really just tired of it. 

What are your thoughts? 

I honestly blame Trump for this. I think he has started sort of a polar shift when it comes to politics in America. People are now starting to be much much more hateful [or at least it seems that way to me] on both sides because of this man.

I'm done, just done. You really seem to not be able to reason with those who disagree with you, either. It's literally turned into an us against them scenario.

Sincerely, 

Very disappointed in my country

But then again, according to those who support Trump this "isn't my country anymore".

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(June 14, 2017 at 10:54 am)pocaracas Wrote: There's this wonderful country, planted on the West Coast.
Marvelous Mediterranean climate, influenced by the Gulf Current, generating lush forests on one side, warm plains on the other, nice beaches, but also allowing some snow to cap the highest mountain(s).
All this generates awesome food, naturally, so people eat well and healthily.
The people... are friendly, but reserved and a bit prude. But once you get to know them, even if just their names and they know your name, too.... it's almost like you've always been best friends!

What are you waiting for, join the Portus Cale.

Great Geography, great climate, great food, great people... what did I miss? doesn't need to be made great again - just never ceased to be!

(June 14, 2017 at 1:36 pm)CapnAwesome Wrote:

(June 14, 2017 at 1:23 pm)Shell B Wrote: I feel like you must not frequent the forum much or only see a part of it. We have a lot of conservative long-time members. Even the guy who formed the forum has some conservative views, though he's socially liberal to some degree. There is a ton of political disagreement here. It's been going on for years. I get into political debates on here quite regularly. They certainly aren't threads filled with people all agreeing and patting each other on the back.

As for it being one person, you were talking about headlines. Those headlines come from a small group of people, possibly even just one.

I lurk here almost every day. What you are saying is just not true. If you look at the political discourse in these forums and see reasoned and rational discussion, then I really have no reply. I could go over the discussion going on in the non- Min created threads on the front page point by point if you want and tell you how I interpret it.

I can also tell you that I am a centrist and personally get attacked on here politically for being right wing (even though that's not even true) viciously enough that it makes me lurk more than participate. I also have privately talked multiple people who either quit talking politics here or quit the forums altogether because of it. I'm not even a conservative, but to be one here you would need a very thick skin.