Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

[mel]

Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

Thanks guys and girls. You all made your points here. I can live with most of the explanations. Mahalo and thank you plenty. Time to move on to your respective topics and chase after the political discussions there. Aloha.

[kamlost]

Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

Ahh.. I missed it.

Well I'm pretty much a conservative. But the views change depending on the way I was raised.

[scrivener]

Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

I missed it too, but I'm jumping in anyway.

I know what you mean, Mel, because I've felt that if I'd spoken up about a few things here or on HawaiiStories, I would automatically be put on the defensive, and that didn't seem fair. Others with more liberal leanings feel free to voice their opinions without worrying that they'll get flamed, but conservatives in places like this--and yes, I'm going to almost agree with you and say that places like this attract more liberals--go out on a limb just about any time they express their conservatism.

This is not to say I feel I've been "attacked" (but boy...if Adam Carolla says something racial in a comedic rant, I've learned you do NOT stick up for him!); rather, I am aware that this worrying is pretty much all on me. People DO want to hear opposing views, else as Ryan says, they wouldn't keep checking back here.

On the other hand, consider this: You call yourself a conservative, and being politically conservative myself, I should feel kinship with you or at least a sense of "Aha! A sympathetic ear!" Yet I feel just as much alienation from conservatives as I do from liberals in places like this. People consider me a nut (at worst) or a rebel (at best) for my libertarian persuasion. I don't like the President because he's not conservative enough for my tastes. The Republicans are as messed up, in my view, as the Democrats.

On yet two other hands, consider this, too: I'm a worshipping evangelical Christian and a social liberal. Man, I don't fit in anywhere. In Christian communities, I'm a radical, while in libertarian communities I'm a socialist.

So if you were feeling discouraged or alienated, believe me: I hear 'ya and feel your pain. But what Ryan said is also right on: if you don't voice alternate opinions, what's the point of having this place?

sign me,
social liberal / political reactionary / borderline anarchist / evangelical moderate

[mel]

Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

I know what you mean, Mel, because I've felt that if I'd spoken up about a few things here or on HawaiiStories, I would automatically be put on the defensive, and that didn't seem fair. Others with more liberal leanings feel free to voice their opinions without worrying that they'll get flamed, but conservatives in places like this--and yes, I'm going to almost agree with you and say that places like this attract more liberals--go out on a limb just about any time they express their conservatism.

It would seem that this place has certainly attracted more liberals, though some conservatives have stood up to be counted at this thread. Still the overwhelming viewpoint is liberal considering that posts started in the American Asylum section are praising liberal viewpoints and dissing the conservative. It will be interesting to see what happens when the Republican convention convenes later this month to see what kind of posts are started. I am NOT going to start any posts about the convention because it will only invite further liberal bashing. (As an aside watching both conventions is almost a total waste of time since we all know what the outcome will be.)

Let the liberals start the posts and bash among themselves I figure. And if conseratives say nothing the threads will run out of steam and just be replaced by something else. That is one reason why I did not jump into the topic of mass transit over here because I have been through it perhaps with some of the people on this board in past online lives. And without my viewpoint there, that thread has pretty much laid dormant.

People DO want to hear opposing views, else as Ryan says, they wouldn't keep checking back here.

Oh yes, people do. I wholeheartedly agree. It makes discussions interesting. However it is somewhat intimidating if there is only one opposing viewpoint against the vocal majority. And if too much people are in the opposite camp and they all post at once it kind of is humbug if you want to address each viewpoint.... you end up spending too much time on one topic or this board. I already spend too much time here.

On the other hand, consider this: You call yourself a conservative, and being politically conservative myself, I should feel kinship with you or at least a sense of "Aha! A sympathetic ear!" Yet I feel just as much alienation from conservatives as I do from liberals in places like this. People consider me a nut (at worst) or a rebel (at best) for my libertarian persuasion. I don't like the President because he's not conservative enough for my tastes. The Republicans are as messed up, in my view, as the Democrats.

Hey I agree that the President is not conservative enough. Even conservative radio talk show hosts Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage have stated this. Sometimes Mr. Bush waffles too much on certain things or is not very direct with his viewpoint (I don't want to get into specifics because that would need to be discussed in another topic).

Perhaps no political party is perfect... you just try to find some kind of ideology and try to have that party or more importantly the person you elect fit in with your idea of what is good and just.

On yet two other hands, consider this, too: I'm a worshipping evangelical Christian and a social liberal. Man, I don't fit in anywhere. In Christian communities, I'm a radical, while in libertarian communities I'm a socialist.

I have a friend who proclaims that he is also a libertarian yet when we have some discussions he too sounds like he could be a socialist.

By the way the Libertarian Party has this neat little "World's Smallest Political Quiz" to gauge where you stand on most issues. Maybe it is rather simplistic, but it is fun to take.

I've taken it before, but I hate the new outsourced version because it does not work with my Macintosh OSX browsers: Safari or MS Explorer. The radio buttons cannot be selected with those browsers. So once again, just by the choice of computer platform I have been marginalized by another organization just because I am in the weee 3% minority.

Anyway, all you PC folks should take this. It is kind of fun when it works.

http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html

But what Ryan said is also right on: if you don't voice alternate opinions, what's the point of having this place?

I can't disagree with that!

[Albert]

Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

I absolutely detest Bush2. Dunno whether that makes me a "liberal" or not. I just think he's a weasel (with excuses to those cute little critters, which Bush2 isn't).

But I think the "other one" is extremely dubious, despite being a 'WAR HERO'.

So I'm not much help in "political discussions in online communities".

If I live that much longer, maybe I'll vote in the next Presidential Election, but this time I am voting by NOT voting.

[Glen Miyashiro]

Re: 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.

It would depend on the degree to which politics enters into non-political discussions. I frequent some boards where the majority appear to be solidly conservative, right-wing, evangelical Christians -- people with whom I would probably never agree on anything political! -- but those board are hobby- and leisure-oriented and we generally are pretty good about sticking on topic, although folks often can't resist a few political barbs, especially in years like this one. And I'm fine with that, and go there a lot.

Do political discussions in online communities create rifts? It depends on whether you can stay civil. Arguing about the merits of the president's tax cut proposal (for example) is one thing; calling the president insulting names is another; calling fellow board participants insulting names is something else entirely.

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

Politics is like religion. It's a very personal issue and should stay that way, however in our democratic society we chose to be represented so we've become a Republic.

My feelings on politics should be that a District Representative should go to all of the town meetings in his/her district. Take that majority vote on whatever issue his/her district wants and moves to the State Legislature and votes on whatever bills his/her district wanted or hates.

Whatever outcome is derived out of the State Legislature goes to the Federal government for further debate.

It should be that simple where legislators act upon the majority of their district they represent. This way even if you as a State Representative is against abortion, if your district is in favor of it, you have to represent that majority voice and vote accordingly.

I'm a Republican and I'm against abortion that's why my wife and I have six kids. However I'm not gonna ram my beliefs down another person's throat. If you want to abort then go ahead, statistics say you'll be sorry for that decision later in life but that's your choice and should remain so.

Why can't we just get along...When my vegetarian friends (Hi Terry) tell me I shouldn't eat meat, I tell them, "Heck if I can eat your food, you can eat mine okay so dig in the prime rib taste better with the grizzle"

We don't have to follow each other's personal belief we just have to respect it. Maybe someone should start a party called, "Get Real" and let's get back to the real issues in life like buy now or wait til the Sunday flyers?

[Glen Miyashiro]

Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

My feelings on politics should be that a District Representative should go to all of the town meetings in his/her district. Take that majority vote on whatever issue his/her district wants and moves to the State Legislature and votes on whatever bills his/her district wanted or hates.

(...)

It should be that simple where legislators act upon the majority of their district they represent. This way even if you as a State Representative is against abortion, if your district is in favor of it, you have to represent that majority voice and vote accordingly.

Now there's an interesting point for discussion. Should an elected official only be the voice of his constituency? The other view is that an elected official got elected because the voters felt that they agreed with his views and positions, and that the official should then go on to champion what he believes in. And if the voters don't like what he's been doing, then they can vote him out of office in the next election.

I'm a Republican and I'm against abortion that's why my wife and I have six kids.

There's one way to get more votes on your side: grow 'em!

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

Hey Glen,

My wife's a Democrat and my kids are all confused now. Maybe I should have a 7th kid and name him "Other". That way when everybody's frustrated at the ballot box they'll elect him by default.

[Karen]

Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

Of course political discussions in online communities cause rifts, occasionally. Human nature being what it is, this cannot be avoided. None of us is forced to join an online community, so the occasional rifts shouldn't be apologized for, except by those involved, and wishing to apologize.

The hardest thing about posting about delicate, passionately held beliefs is that we are NOT in person, talking! If every poster of every online community possibly could be reminded of how void the written word is, it would help a lot. I did a simple experiment once, of rereading the same few posts over more than one time, intentionally putting emphasis on various words, and reading same posts with kind tone in my mind, and same ones with bitchy tone, and it reallly does work, that we can read a person's posts in nice or not ways, often.

The written words has no tone or voice inflection, and we don't know which words the writer had emphasis on in his/her mind, plus we lack the countenance of the writer, their body language, etc.

On top of all of this, we filter the writer's words through our mind and mood of the moment, which we all knows varies. Sigh...I think we should all pat ourselves on the back for the majority of the time that we do this as congenially as we do!

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

Amen! Okay, let's eat!

[Karen]

Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

LOL, say grace first, please. (G) Milk and cookies, or are we eating a full meal?

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

never mind pass the gravy, I'm on my seconds already

[Karen]

Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

LOL you dudes and your gravy! (G) I am, at the moment, enjoying a piece of homemade Lilikoi bread, with a tiny tad of sour cream on it, to moisten it even more. Does that trip yer trigger, or offend your taste buds? A glass of fresh brewed tea next, & I'm set to turn up the Classic Rock, and exercise. amen~

[mel]

Re: Do political discussions in online communities create rifts?

I'm away from this topic for a few days and now we are having an online foodfest? Mmmmm.... I like chocolate.