(January 12, 2018 at 12:22 pm)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: Fact: in Norway, "Texas" is colloquial for "batshit crazy."

I guess I feel a perverse sort of pride ...?

Purely coincidentally Norway is my favorite country.

(January 12, 2018 at 2:30 pm)Brian37 Wrote:

(January 12, 2018 at 1:10 pm)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: Texas is a lot more purple than people think.

That doesn't mean it's not batshit crazy.

I think I just said virtually the same thing.

You are right, it is turning purple and is not as red as it used to be. But it is still GOP majority controlled and that makes that state bat shit crazy. But it still has it's islands of sanity.

I don't think Republican automatically equals bat-shit crazy. That sort of demonization is a big problem here in America -- who wants to compromise with someone who has such a Manichaean outlook?

(January 13, 2018 at 9:11 am)Thumpalumpacus Wrote:

(January 12, 2018 at 2:30 pm)Brian37 Wrote: I think I just said virtually the same thing.

You are right, it is turning purple and is not as red as it used to be. But it is still GOP majority controlled and that makes that state bat shit crazy. But it still has it's islands of sanity.

I don't think Republican automatically equals bat-shit crazy. That sort of demonization is a big problem here in America -- who wants to compromise with someone who has such a Manichaean outlook?

Yes and no.

My mom was a lifetime mostly voting republican. I didn't think she was "bat shit crazy" and that is a person I loved very deeply. BUT, I did think it was crazy, that when I asked her certain questions about economics and social issues, WE'D AGREE, and it bothered the shit out of me when she agreed, all I could think was, "Then why the hell do you vote for that party?"

This was a common political debate between us.

Mom, "Do you think the workers here at your retirement home make enough?"

Mom, "No, they do not make enough."

Me, "I agree."

Me, "Mom, do you think we make too many firearms and that they are way too easy to get?"

Mom, "Yes, I think we do make too many, and I do think they are too easy to get.'

Me, "Mom, do you agree that gays should be allowed to get married?"

Mom, "Of course they should be allowed to get married."

Me, " Do you think billionaires can afford to pay more in taxes?"

Mom, "Yes."

Me, "Do you agree with the right for females to control their reproduction?"

Mom, "Of course."

Me, "Do you want to keep your Medicare and Social Security?"

Mom, "Yes."

Me, "Ok, great, I agree with all of that, so explain to me why you vote republican."

Mom, "I don't want to talk about it."

^^^^^^ That is IN REALITY how most of our talk on politics went.

No she was not "bat shit crazy"

But, what is insane is allowing one party hold our nation hostage.

The truth is MOST of our population is either center or left, not far right. But one party has managed to, for decades to get otherwise reasonable people to vote against their own self interests.

(January 13, 2018 at 10:15 am)Brian37 Wrote:

(January 13, 2018 at 9:11 am)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: I don't think Republican automatically equals bat-shit crazy. That sort of demonization is a big problem here in America -- who wants to compromise with someone who has such a Manichaean outlook?

Yes and no.

My mom was a lifetime mostly voting republican. I didn't think she was "bat shit crazy" and that is a person I loved very deeply. BUT, I did think it was crazy, that when I asked her certain questions about economics and social issues, WE'D AGREE, and it bothered the shit out of me when she agreed, all I could think was, "Then why the hell do you vote for that party?"

This was a common political debate between us.

Mom, "Do you think the workers here at your retirement home make enough?"

Mom, "No, they do not make enough."

Me, "I agree."

Me, "Mom, do you think we make too many firearms and that they are way too easy to get?"

Mom, "Yes, I think we do make too many, and I do think they are too easy to get.'

Me, "Mom, do you agree that gays should be allowed to get married?"

Mom, "Of course they should be allowed to get married."

Me, " Do you think billionaires can afford to pay more in taxes?"

Mom, "Yes."

Me, "Do you agree with the right for females to control their reproduction?"

Mom, "Of course."

Me, "Do you want to keep your Medicare and Social Security?"

Mom, "Yes."

Me, "Ok, great, I agree with all of that, so explain to me why you vote republican."

Mom, "I don't want to talk about it."

^^^^^^ That is IN REALITY how most of our talk on politics went.

No she was not "bat shit crazy"

But, what is insane is allowing one party hold our nation hostage.

The truth is MOST of our population is either center or left, not far right. But one party has managed to, for decades to get otherwise reasonable people to vote against their own self interests.

There was a time when voting republican was not an insane choice and people have brand loyalty. Now to be a republican you have to ignore an awful lot of terrible things OR like those terrible things.

Remember, horrible people have a vote too.

Quote:I don't think Republican automatically equals bat-shit crazy.

True.  Sometimes it just means racist.

(January 13, 2018 at 2:16 pm)Minimalist Wrote:

Quote:I don't think Republican automatically equals bat-shit crazy.

True.  Sometimes it just means racist.

... or sometimes it just means a more conservative fiscal outlook, or ...

They've really dropped the ball on the above. Almost as if it was a bullshit concern troll all along.

(January 13, 2018 at 4:49 pm)Thumpalumpacus Wrote:

(January 13, 2018 at 2:16 pm)Minimalist Wrote: True.  Sometimes it just means racist.

... or sometimes it just means a more conservative fiscal outlook, or ...

Yes, I've heard a few Republicans say things that ring true for me, especially on fiscal issues. But nowadays, I just can't wrap my head around their social policies and that has stopped me from voting Republican.

-Teresa

(January 12, 2018 at 12:09 pm)Minimalist Wrote: https://www.rawstory.com/2018/01/thanks-...ion-offer/

Quote:“Of course people from #Norway would love to move to a country where people are far more likely to be shot, live in poverty, get no healthcare because they’re poor, get no paid parental leave or subsidized daycare and see fewer women in political power. #Shithole”

Norwayophiles are the weirdest people, who have no idea the downsides to Norway, aside from the obviously horrendous weather. Also the idea that it's fine for Norwegians to call the US a shithole but not okay to call a shithole like Haiti a shithole is fucking insane.

You wouldn't be able to live a week in Haiti, it IS a shithole.

So is Mississippi.