"The further left you go, the more the power is diffused." Lost me with that bit of weapons-grade bullshit right there.
The video isn’t about US politics. It’s about where the terms originated. And the Democratic Party isn’t anywhere near the left on that graph. So, if that’s what you’re thinking, then that’s where you’re wrong.
Doesn't matter what country or where someone lands on that spectrum, they seek to consolidate power into a central authority to force others into compliance with their ideals.
Labels mean nothing when you deal with individuals on a personal level. I’ve known the guy since the 6th grade. Long before either of us were remotely interested in politics. I know what kind of person he is and I know his intelligence level. As an adult, he has decided he more aligns with values the Libertarian Party presents. My father and uncle labeled me long before I knew what politics were or what any labels meant. If caring more about other people, caring about the environment, caring about fair and equal treatment for all individuals make me a bleeding heart liberal, then I embrace that label. If my friend’s ideology suggests to him those same values makes him a libertarian, who am I to argue.
Really? So, someone you’ve known and liked and socialized with for decades decides on a label you dislike, will you stop socializing with that person?
Then why comment on the post in the first place? If your only source of human interaction is online, then you have no business commenting on interpersonal relationships.
I think here labels are relevant when they are self applied. "Libetarian" (outside of 'merka) runs a pretty broad spectrum, including the far left/progressive corner I'd tend to fall into. Anarcho capitalists are kind of the other extreme... Both are for minimal government, but what's being governed vs protected differs. I think, especially from a foreign perspective where a US politician like AOC is considered a moderate, most of us see a US capitalist minarchy as the final step off of the cliff into full blown fascism because that's how it has happened throughout modern history.
Had it happen TO me, in fact. For me to choose that path depends on the point of disagreement. It's not labels per se but rather what does that label imply about your views.
I also have had people change their attitude toward me regarding “labels”. But, that comes down to the same way I feel about handing out money to someone standing on a corner asking for money. If I see someone in need and do nothing, that’s on me. If I give someone money and s/he is conning me, that’s on them. If I change my attitude toward someone I’ve known and liked/loved based on a label, that’s on me. If someone I’ve known and liked/loved changes their attitude toward me based on a label, that’s on them. @Spaceturkey, I’m pretty sure very few people, anywhere on the political spectrum, behave as the media-made caricature of that label. Therefore, I take people as they are. I know you are close to my age. Don’t you remember a time when no one paid any attention to other people’s political opinions?
Hmm... usually when I lend money, I don't expect to see it back. At least smaller sums. If I do get it back, then I'll lend to that person again. If not, well, that's them screwing up and I'll be a little more leary next time they ask. I don't ask why they want it or what they're planning to spend it on. ability to help=obligation to act To go that far back would likely be before I was old enough to be politically aware. But yeah, for most of my adult life politics has often come down to where someone stands on a human rights spectrum. I may have cut off or been cut off by folks in my more superficial social scene over some fundamental differences, but in most cases I've uptraded to far better (and I'd daresay, more diverse) friends and relationships. I think we also tend to fall into echo chambers, even before political divisions became so pronounced... 'sfunny... the rivalries I have here are reflections of more than a couple of people IRL that were written off/downgraded. A local guy I used to do construction gigs with went full on right wing nativist/racist a few years back... and yeah, he is a caricature of those labels. A couple others became anti vaxxers during covid. While at least in the latter group they may still have redeeming qualities, there's a basic selfishness there that over 50 me just can't trust.
I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve only lost one friend over politics and .. honestly, the signs were there before the political stuff became an issue. I met her after she and her ex husband separated. She was fun and full of life and wasn’t afraid to be herself. But, she was also a bit too judgmental for my tastes and she could also be overly aware of other people’s opinions. She started dating a guy and became much worse in her judgements and … “appearance” - not so much how she looked, but how she was perceived and how others reflected on her. That’s when I had to cut her loose. But, that was more about her behavior than her politics. I just can’t abide that kind of person. If I disavowed everyone who didn’t agree with me politically, I’d have even fewer friends than I currently have. And no family to speak of. Even my one aunt who is the only other member of my family who identifies as left leaning politically has different opinions on many things I have. My guess is that you base your friendships on other people’s behavior rather than politics. The problem is, mass media wants you to believe they are one and the same. They are not.
Very much so, and I'm also pretty forgiving of most things short of intentionally causing others harm/blocking help. Socially, yeah... half my friendslist are old punks across the country for the most part, and most of'em are left leaning (at least three I know of serving in various levels of government, at least two are clergy). THe rest would be the people in the neighbourhood-but this place has a history of being accepting rather than tolerant. Lost a few anti-vaxxer conspiracy types during pandemic from both camps. Since my dad passed last year, I don't really have any family to concern myself with. Long estranged from the few that may still be alive. Plenty of chosen kin though-two things that are hard to do in Kensington-starve and be alone. I mean, you can choose to. It's jsut difficult if you're not a total fuck wit... and if you are, there are a couple of drop-ins that'll still help you out. Media isn't really a big player in shaping my views or relationships though... I think both are more based on overarching philosophies.
That’s the thing though. Media, in this case a message board, doesn’t convey the biggest part of human interactions - body language, tone of voice, facial expressions. All those things are as much what a person is saying as what comes out of their mouth. Look, I’m not going to tell you to quit arguing with UA. He enjoys it as much as you do. And when I say “enjoy’ I mean, it’s an activity that brings both of you back here. That is a form of entertainment for you both regardless of how you think of it and how you perceive it. Anyway, what I can tell you is that despite the words thrown back and forth here, what I do know of you, and what I know of UA, you both have a lot in common and it’s possible I know a side of him that you do not. All I’m asking is please keep me out of your entertainment.
So long as you continue to play the role of Village Idiot on Wordforge (and you do it well, I may add) you are part of our entertainment.
I sure hope you know another side of him than me (because teh mental image alone :O ). To be fair though, you usually jump in rather than either he or I drag you there (makes sense, you strike me as the type of woman ready and capable of backing up her guy in a bar fight). Much as I get a laugh out of Tererun's antics, it's a real let down the way she goes after you sometimes. Not the fact that she does, but the supercheap shots... Otherwise, my bottom line is I can't abide cruelty. Now that I'm a middleaged white guy with some meagre influence, I won't abide it. All we have to communicate with here are the words on a screen. (I think it was in Sandman that I read "Words are coin in the realm of thought."). on the subject of things he and I do share, we both think you're alright and I know I'm in one of his favourite movies
This is true. But, its not just UA. Over the years, I’ve jumped in when I felt someone was being unfairly piled on. I do try to refrain when it’s UA because I think he doesn’t want anyone to do so and because … well, you guys have all been arguing about the same things for longer than I’ve known any of you guys. Lol. Not these days. I’m old. But probably if I were 20 again. Also, the bar fight was probably my fault anyway. I don’t give a shit about Tererun. I didn’t read her posts before she went off the rails and I don’t read them now. It’s usually someone’s response to her that gets my attention. And neither can UA. This is the part I think you both are alike. He will always be polite and respectful until someone else isn’t. Despite how you guys interpret the words he types on here, he isn’t racist, homophobic, or transphobic. What you should be arguing with him about is how the new law (?) (something about “misgendering” people is going to send people to jail) is different from the “don’t say gay” bill. He won’t either. And neither will I. I’m just as likely to intervene in real life …. Scratch that, I’m much more likely to intervene in real life than on the internet. It’s too easy to have your words misconstrued on the internet than in real life. And all too often my words are misconstrued in real life as well. I’ve recently been reminded that i am very much like Jodi (my coworker for the past 12/- years) and she told me 12 years ago that people dislike people like us because we have no filter. We just say exactly what’s on our mind. And that upsets people. And that’s why I try not to intervene. What is Sandman? That phrase intrigues me and I have to know more. Lol. He did finally make me watch that movie.[/quote]
Nobody is going to jail for misgendering anyone. COntinuing to do so can get you reprimanded in a workplace, maybe even canned... file under "creating a hostile environment". "When somebody tells you your actions are hurtful, you don't get to tell them the actions aren't".-this is one of many bones of contention, re: cruelty. (see also: "no means no") Sandman, the comic. I tried to find it issue and possibly page, but couldn't. It's a Neil Gaiman though... (might've been from "books of magick" though) it completes with an admonition to spend wisely and with care. Heh-I got stories from that month on set.
Or you get a "sentence enhancement" under another bullshit expansion of bullshit "hate crime" law. That's the weasely ratfuck hair split. And it takes people about a nanosecond to realize that this is a way to get attention and secure power over others.
