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Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

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  • Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

    I was just wondering about this. I seem to notice that the bias on this board is probably more liberal than conservative which probably puts me in a minority. I was wondering if online communities that feature political discussion have the tendency of attracting users of a certain political persuasion and discouraging users of another.

    I don't really know the answer to this, but it would seem that a certain type of user is attracted to this board vs. another type of board where the political bias is different or non-existent at all.

    I also wonder if users in the minority viewpoint feel alienated in an online commmunity that is set up as a place where many topics (news, entertainment, technology, sports, media, culture, etc.) are discussed.

    I guess in the end it is a reflection of that community's publishers as to what the tone of the political discussion will be and how that spills over to other topics.

    Anyone have thoughts on this?
    I'm still here. Are you?

  • #2
    Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

    I think it's pretty darned early to judge how the members of this forum lean on the political spectrum. And even if such an overwhelming demographic trend existed, given the very broad and general nature of the topics discussed - from food to music to transportation - there's definitely no reason why one's politics have to influence how one interacts at all.

    I mean, really. A Republican and Democrat can comfortably debate the merit's of L&L's Chicken Katsu. A Mac user and a PC user can easily have a conversation about the odd people you meet on TheBus.

    Most of my coworkers and a couple of friends are conservatives, and we get along fine. Those that find political rifts uncomfortable don't engage in political discussions. That doesn't mean we still can't talk about "Spiderman 2."

    And when the topic at hand is politics? Well, of course there'll be disagreement. Perhaps sometimes heated. But it's politics. Debate and different viewpoints is the whole point. I'm part of a very, very active bulletin board like this one where the "Politics" section is the scariest of them all. There's lots of other places where fun, civil discussion can take place even if we never wade into those turbulent waters. Yet I still talk politics now and then, because for the most part, smart people can have smart discussions without getting personal.

    Of course, by getting personal, I mean with other users. Certainly you'll have people who irrationally believe Bill Clinton was the Antichrist, or that George W. Bush is a moron.

    Do you feel alienated, Mel? I'd hope not, but if you do, let's talk about it. Sure, not many other folks listen to KHVH, or work so closely with the local Republican party, but speaking at least for myself, that sure as heck doesn't mean it affects how much I appreciate what you've got to say. I'm learning about KHVH after all. And we certainly have some opinions in common as far as mass media is concerned. As for local political parties? We've had a Lingle poll that was split right down the middle. We've certainly harped on our share of goofy local Democrats.

    I'm actually surprised the Mac v. PC thing hasn't been a problem here, come to think of it. Now there'sa parallel "online community" issue that often leads to things getting ugly.

    Basically, if we didn't have people of different persuasions - professional, political, sexual, spiritual, and on and on and on - we wouldn't have much to talk about! Trust me. One "Fahrenheit 9/11" thread does not an enclave of closed-minded liberals make.

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    • #3
      Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

      Ditto to Pzarquon's comment. I find all of the threads here have merit. If I don't find a thread interesting I just move on. If some comment just brings a smile to my face I feel it's worth reading. Some political positions are an eye opener for me, sometimes they bring up points I've never considered...bring them all on!
      Retired Senior Member

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      • #4
        Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

        Originally posted by Mocha
        Ditto to Pzarquon's comment. I find all of the threads here have merit. If I don't find a thread interesting I just move on. If some comment just brings a smile to my face I feel it's worth reading. Some political positions are an eye opener for me, sometimes they bring up points I've never considered...bring them all on!
        Me too. But I'll have you know I'm a completely doctrinaire Liberal and I'll brook no disagreement!
        http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/

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        • #5
          Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

          They could create rifts between people who are friends IRL, IMO.

          But online - it depends how seriously a person would take the words typed out on the screen.

          So... Are people here for the views beng put forward by Michael Moore?

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          • #6
            Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

            If you read the Moore movie thread and some of the political discussion in the other sections of this board, you will find most of the opinions stated to be on the left of center. For example people around here are quick to praise the 2 Johns, Kerry & Edwards but the first chance anyone has, they are Bush bashing. All of the threads that I have so far seen started here about the current President is something negative. I am not going to be the one to start any thread about Bush or other conservative or fiscally prudent issues because the liberal left will just use it as a starting point of attack. There are not enough vocal conservative users here to have at least some equal representation of the conservative viewpoint without inviting the perceived majority on the political left to come after us.

            I hope to be proved wrong if even a few of you who are conservative speak up.
            I'm still here. Are you?

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            • #7
              Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

              Originally posted by mel
              Bush or other conservative or fiscally prudent issues because the liberal left will just use it as a starting point of attack
              Firstly including Bush in any sentence that mentions being fiscally prudent
              is an absolute joke. When Clinton left office the federal government had
              a large surplus. We are nearing the end of Bush's first term in office and
              we have large federal government deficit. None of the baby boomers
              will have to worry about that, it will be our generation that will have
              to pay off that deficit and probably have to forgo our social security.

              Along with the above reason and among other things, I will not be casting
              a vote for Bush in the fall. All I have seen is the country has disintegrated
              into divisive factions and our world standing has taken a big hit under Bush's
              watch.
              Check out my blog on Kona issues :
              The Kona Blog

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              • #8
                Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

                Proves my point right here. Just mentioning Bush brings out an attack. It goes to show that there is an underlying hatred that may be permeating throughout.
                I'm still here. Are you?

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                • #9
                  Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

                  Reminds me of the way some folks would respond to any mention of the name Clinton five years ago.

                  Seriously, Mel, I don't think this proves your point, or that there's some "underlying hatred that may be permeating throughout." In fact, I'm somewhat insulted that you're ready to automatically pigeonhole the complex political views of our diverse membership so narrowly.

                  After all, things have been reasonably level headed in our abortion thread - even though it's the great grandaddy of minefield discussion topics, and even though we've clearly got people on opposite ends of the spectrum.

                  Honestly, I still don't see much of a "rift," or, really, much of an "attack." ("Joke" is a bit strong, maybe... ) Although this particular thread wasn't really the place for Aaron's statement, I don't see Aaron attacking you, Mel, or going anywhere out of bounds for a political conversation. It's just that this thread was for talking about whether such conversations are possible (rather than for the debate itself). So, I maintain the answer is still, "Yes."

                  Though you clearly feel you're in the minority here, Mel, we love you. Really! And if you weren't here, think of all the dumb things all we commie lefty pinko tree-hugging hippies would try to get away with!

                  By the way, Aaron, if you want to take on "Is Bush a True Conservative?" question, head on over to The American Asylum.
                  Last edited by pzarquon; August 7, 2004, 04:17 PM.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

                    OK. I should not have used attack as I know Aaron is not attacking me, but more so the perceived policies of President Bush or perhaps conservatism in general. But still, just the fact that I even mentioned the President was responded with such a post.

                    As for the underlying hatred, IMO there is perhaps an unspoken hatred buried deep within by some liberals of all things conservative, whether it be the current President of the United States, his policies, fiscal conservatism or viewpoints on social issues.

                    And yes, I have to commend everyone in the abortion thread for not turning it into a huge flamefest. That is why I just quickly stated my opinion and pretty much hopefully left the topic for done.

                    As a conservative, I fear a world where a liberal agenda will permeate, where tradtional values long the core of American history and tradition will be changed by liberal policies. We've seen some of this happen in Hawaii over the course of the last 40+ years. I certainly don't want to see it happen even more in my lifetime.

                    Though you clearly feel you're in the minority here, Mel, we love you. Really! And if you weren't here, think of all the dumb things all we commie lefty pinko tree-hugging hippies would try to get away with!
                    Political minority, so far I know I am. That is why I have to force myself to practice restraint in some of those politically charged topics. My responses would only add unnecessary fuels to the fire. I am sure the disc quota has enough of that already.

                    Anyway, just keep trudging along folks. This is still an interesting place.

                    By the way, Aaron, if you want to take on "Is Bush a True Conservative?" question, head on over to The American Asylum.
                    Maybe we should call the whole board "The Hawaii Asylum"....

                    Nah! Only joke!
                    I'm still here. Are you?

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                    • #11
                      Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

                      Originally posted by mel
                      IMO there is perhaps an unspoken hatred buried deep within by some liberals of all things conservative, whether it be the current President of the United States, his policies, fiscal conservatism or viewpoints on social issues.
                      But how does this differ from what might lurk in the heart of conservatives about liberals?
                      I fear a world where a liberal agenda will permeate.
                      Again, though, there's plenty of evidence that liberals today similarly "fear" civil liberties, the environment, and who knows what else are being overrun by conservatives...

                      I guess I'm just confused about the implication that conservatives are endangered or under attack, here or in general, when, frankly, liberals are also pretty convinced the world is going to hell in a handbasket at the hand of the other side. (Journalists often say, come to think of it, that things are going pretty good if neither "side" is happy.) Just as KaneBlues was earnestly surprised at the fairly even split in the presidential poll at HawaiiStories, I think it's often just a matter of perspective, and we all need to take a step back sometimes. Neither liberals or conservatives are an endangered species, as much as we often would like to think so.

                      Boy this is getting off topic. But what the heck.

                      Speaking as just one liberal, I certainly don't hate all things conservative. Hell, my wife accuses me of being a closet Republican. I might support gay marriage, be pro choice, pro environment and generally in favor of social support services... but I also don't like deficits (fiscal conservative), don't believe in "hate crime" legislation, believe in gun rights (to a point!), and don't really mind the death penalty.

                      I guess I'm just asking that you not translate a strong dislike of the president (which, okay, I confess I have) to a closed mind, or to a lock-step subscription to certain positions on a whole range of unrelated issues.

                      Political minority, so far I know I am. That is why I have to force myself to practice restraint in some of those politically charged topics.
                      Back on topic, then, I hope that I can get a "hear hear" when I say, speak up! Don't censor yourself, and don't sell the rest of us short - believe it or not, we canread something we don't agree with without flinging monkey poo.

                      Put in your perspective. What good is a thread where everyone goes "Me Too"? Every time I've engaged someone in debate, I've learned something. A dimension I hadn't considered gets added to my understanding of the issue. And I promise, if you hold firm, and endure the occasional inappropriate rant, you'll find you have allies in the wings, and you'll also teach "the other side" a thing or two... whether they want to learn or not.
                      Maybe we should call the whole board "The Hawaii Asylum"....
                      Then we're definitely going to need more conservatives.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

                        I get along with conservatives just fine; it's just that there seem to be very few left in politics. From what I've seen, most of the people who call themselves conservatives in American politics now are people so enamored of their ideology that they won't even consider its flaws.

                        Example: Deficits. Hey, Reagan proved deficits don't matter (from Ron Suskind's book with Paul O'Neill, quoting Dick Cheney), so let's just spend our way into a debt so large our grandchildren will be paying for it. This will cause real interest rates to be higher than they otherwise should be, meaning every American who borrows money is paying more than he would had a conservative (small c, you'll note) fiscal policy been followed for the past three-plus years.

                        Example: Iraq. A conservative (small c) approach would have been to let the UN inspectors do their job back in the fall of 2002. But no; we knew Saddam was in possession of WMD, so he had to be taken out at once. Now we have 140K soldiers in that country, over 1000 dead and an unknown number severely wounded, and no WMDs. That's adventurism, not conservatism.

                        Nelson Rockefeller and his like were conservatives; the politicians calling themselves that are not.

                        Note also that I've not bashed Bush once in those paragraphs.
                        http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/

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                        • #13
                          Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

                          Hi Mel, et al...

                          I have posted for at least 7yrs. at a couple of online forums that are very political and religious, nothing being off the table, so to speak. You bet there are divisions, but that's modern life. It has never turned into a total fight, etc, but I have even witnessed posts having to be deleted when ad hominem became the rule of the hour.

                          I consider myself to be ultra-conservative, even though that may be an exaggeration. I know for a fact that Kerry will not cut spending, as I saw, but didn't save the list, a list of what promises he has made to people when campaigning, and it was a list of much NEW or increased spending. So Bush spends as badly as any lib, oh well, at least the platform he stands on is conservative. I couldn't in my own conscience vote for any democrat, for the two parties are vastly different.

                          this does NOT mean that heaven will be full of GOPers, and not Dems. It means that the two parties stand for vastly different things, and I am against gay rights, abortion, and pornography of any kind having first amendment protection, just for an example of the differences of the two parties. it is just these type of subjects that are debated day and night, at my favorite forums. Most of the time, these forums hum along without much serious problem, just the typical insults/digs that people make at other people, ad hominem sort of lowkey style.

                          I don't feel in the minority even if and when I am. When one has total confidence in one's beliefs, and has faith in God, one never feels alone, nor feels left out...etc. I am in my eleventh year of living on Oahu, and know I am a minority here politically, yet I know people that puzzle me. They say they are Democrat, then say they hate abortion except in extreme cases, that they know Clinton was dishonorable as a leader, that he embarassed them, and on and on it goes....in other words, they share many of my principles, but they vote Dem. cuz their family has for a hundred years or something.
                          Last edited by Karen; August 7, 2004, 08:36 PM.
                          Stop being lost in thought where our problems thrive.~

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                          • #14
                            Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

                            Originally posted by pzarquon
                            Although this particular thread wasn't really the place for Aaron's statement, I don't see Aaron attacking you, Mel, or going anywhere out of bounds for a political conversation. It's just that this thread was for talking about whether such conversations are possible (rather than for the debate itself). So, I maintain the answer is still, "Yes."
                            Well that is probably true, but I wasn't going to say anything until
                            Mel mentioned fiscally conservative and Bush in the same sentence.
                            The way I look at is most of you won't have to deal with Bush's legacy
                            in the future. Thus I don't like the direction we are going with "W"
                            in office. Frankly the future looks very bleak if "W" gets re-elected.

                            [Enough of my rant]



                            "By the way, Aaron, if you want to take on "Is Bush a True Conservative?" question, head on over to The American Asylum."


                            I checked over there, there was no thread about that there ? No big deal
                            I already made up my mind anyway.
                            Last edited by Aaron S; August 7, 2004, 10:24 PM.
                            Check out my blog on Kona issues :
                            The Kona Blog

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                            • #15
                              Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

                              Most of my rants regarding fiscal responsiblity lies more within the framework of our State government which of course as a topic like Mr. Bush should be on a separate thread away from this one.
                              I'm still here. Are you?

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