Show yourselves!

niffycat

I think the phrase 'unbiased news' is an oxymoron.

betrothed123

Do any other conservative-types actually feel their shoulder muscles knot up and heart start to thud in this type of conversation?I very much do, which is why I typically stay out of political discussions.

goheels05

Do any other conservative-types actually feel their shoulder muscles knot up and heart start to thud in this type of conversation?Usually, but less so now that Sarah and I aren't the only two right-leaners around here. 

temerityjane

I am glad I am not the only one. I immediately feel on the defensive, even just watching the conversation.

ricksang

TJ, yes. I am starting to get really sick of the left 1. calling the protesters "Teabaggers" 2.constantly attacking on Fox

bbyckes

I think it became an issue of competence and not experience.  McCain had no executive experience either.  Obviously, Obama is a polarizing figure.  Palin does not seem competent, capable of understanding complex issues.  I don't think the same can be stated about Obama, no matter how much you disagree with him. It's an opinion.

niffycat

In my own defense, I have not called anyone any names. And I commented that all news sources are biased. Some more then others, but who am I to judge which news program is more biased then any other.

carrieoz_76

The original Tea Party was protesting paying tax on tea when they had no say in the Parliament. No taxation without representation. It is a subtle difference to "don't raise my taxes."That was my point.  The current activists held Tea Parties in order to compare themselves to people who literally had no vote on being taxed.  Obviously, it's an inaccurate comparison b/c the current Tea Party activists did have a vote in our republic democratic system.  They just didn't like the outcome.Sarah - I'm actually surprised to hear that you thought Palin was qualified.  To me, she seemed very socially conservative - in fact, I thought that was why she was brough onto the ticket - to make the social conservatives happy (and to be a "maverick").  I'd be interested to hear why you felt the way you did.I can take people seriously when they engage on an issue.  I can't take them seriously when they compare the President to a socialist, thus showing their ignorance on what a socialist actually is; when they compare themselves to those in colonial times, thus showing their ignorance on our political structure; and when they argue that the reason health care reform should fail is b/c there will be death squads.And I liked McCain before he ran for Pres this last time, too.  But something happens when you have to win a primary.

SarahSmile23

eh, i can't take people seriously when they use semi-colons in place of commas.

betrothed123

I can take people seriously when they engage on an issue. I can't take them seriously when they compare the President to a socialist, thus showing their ignorance on what a socialist actually is; when they compare themselves to those in colonial times, thus showing their ignorance on our political structure; and when they argue that the reason health care reform should fail is b/c there will be death squads.I can't take people seriously when they mindlessly regurgitate the liberal media's views, so I guess we're even.

bbyckes

And I liked McCain before he ran for Pres this last time, too.Me too.  I really liked him and then something just changed.  It was disheartening.  I thought this convo was still progressing quite amicably.

SarahSmile23

Me too. I really liked him and then something just changed. It was disheartening. I thought this convo was still progressing quite amicably. Of course something changed. He had to pretend to be a Republican for a few months.And this convo was going just fine until the Huffington Post squad had to come in here with the whole "ZOMG people like you SCARE ME!!!!" and "teabaggers are bad bad people!" attitude. As usual, you guys started with the personal attacks and talking points recaps.

ricksang

That was my point. The current activists held Tea Parties in order to compare themselves to people who literally had no vote on being taxed. Obviously, it's an inaccurate comparison b/c the current Tea Party activists did have a vote in our republic democratic system. They just didn't like the outcome. Thus, they are protesting against the outcome. We will have no say if the president decides to increase our taxes. Why not make your voice heard before the senate passes tax increasing bills? Do you even live in the United States? People protest against issues all the time. Pro-abortion Anti-abortion Gay-rights Anti gay laws Union protests

temerityjane

I don't see why you get to paint the republican party with the extremist brush but don't acknowledge the same factors on the other side, that I outline in my post somewhere up... there.

bbyckes

Am I included in the "you guys"?  I didn't think I was calling anyone names.  Maybe tone was misinterpreted.

bbyckes

It goes without saying there are extremists on both sides.  To that end, both sides can be unfairly characterized by those extremists. Fair?

SarahSmile23

cacoffer, you were lumped in because of this:It always startles me to find people who think Palin is crediblewhile i agree with you that there were better choices for VP, it is disheartening to me that you would say that a successful gov. is not "credible." say you disagree with her, say you hate the way she speaks, but understand that she is credible and intelligent and I am damn proud that the Republican party finally put a female on the ticket! i went to a Palin rally, and MAN can that woman work a crowd into a frenzy. It just frustrates me that you can verbalize on here that you are startled that people can actually believe xy and z and not be surprised that the other side feels the same about the man you voted for. It's all a difference in opinion, and for the purpose of debates we should really focus on facts and on recognizing that people voted they way they did for a reason and that we don't have to agree with or even understand each other but that doesn't make the other side wrong or unintelligent.btw, i like you because i know we can have this heated discussion today and tomorrow we can play nicely on other threads. i like how we can hash it out and then leave it at the door when the conversation is over.

carrieoz_76

OK, I think I've seen the protesters call themselves, and have seen other conservatives pundits call the protesters, Teabaggers in interviews.  Isn't that what they called themselves?  I thought they were sticking with the term.  I wasn't trying to call them names; I legitimately thought that was the name they were going with and didn't care that it has another connotation.Oh, Carrie, on the very day I complimented you in FFF for saying stupid shiit and then being able to backtrack and explain eloquently you go and do this? Sad panda.Meaghan - Yea, I saw that waaay later.  My point has been that if the Rep party was publicly about more than its most extreme positions, then it might have a better chance in the next election.

ricksang

Golf Claps.

SarahSmile23

btw, if any of you conservative ladies ever want to email me and really get into discussions off the board, my email is smgwedding at gmail! (liberal ladies, too, but I know you are probably over debating for a while. lol.)

bbyckes

Sarah, yes, we're cool and I like you very much as well.  In addition, I did say it was my opinion that I didn't find her credible.  Also, I don't know how successful her governship was being that she was at it just a short while and left before her term expired.  

carrieoz_76

And this convo was going just fine until the Huffington Post squad had to come in here with the whole "ZOMG people like you SCARE ME!!!!" and "teabaggers are bad bad people!" attitude. As usual, you guys started with the personal attacks and talking points recaps.You have to admit this is a gross overgeneralization of at least what I said.  I haven't attacked anyone on here or even conservatives in general, and have instead just commented on the Rep party.  This was deliberate - political parties can lean one way or another and that's not always reflective of what ppl who sometimes vote for them think.No, I don't agree that the Rep party is being defined by its extremists because of the "liberal media".  The party chose to adopt some extreme positions largely because it was politically expedient.  For example, it may have been politically expedient to call our President a socialist, but it's also ridiculous and extreme, and to allow it to continue, to raise questions about it, etc. means that you are giving that extreme position lots of airtime and it can end up defining you.TJ - I see your point.  But IMO, at this point, the Rep party seems to be overly focused on what their conservative radio talk show hosts think, where they would probably be better off suggesting solutions to the problems people want solved.It's probably hard to see, but I actually think that you all are reasonable people, and if the Rep party had half a brain, they'd learn to include folks like you at the table instead of the sensationalistic ppl they do now.And with that, I'm ready for a weekend.  Whew.

SarahSmile23

Also, I don't know how successful her governship was being that she was at it just a short while and left before her term expired. very similar to obama's history in the senate, only Palin's job included executive experience, not just legislative.

niffycat

I know there are rumors that Palin will run again for office in the next elections, but I don't think I could get over her leaving her office early. I mean, I don't particularly like her, but if she finished out at least one term as governor, then went into a legislative branch for at least one term, I would be willing to consider her as a potential candidate and might give her my vote. But with her leaving office and pursuing a pundit career, it makes me dislike her even more.

SarahSmile23

I haven't attacked anyone on here or even conservatives in general, and have instead just commented on the Rep party.The Republican party is comprised of your neighbors, your coworkers, your family, and your fellow knotties. How is insulting the Republican party different than attacking us individually when you are, in essence, insulting our core beliefs? In that respect you DID attack us.

smokeybailey

Alaska is pretty socialist too in that it earns taxes from the oil companies and then in turn sets some of that fund aside for all of its residents.  Oh and the residents get an annual check too.  This really helps the lowest income individuals in that state.  This year they get $1305...yet making sure that the everyone has health coverage is communist.Anyway, I don't know Sarah Palin's stance on Alaska's own form of socialism so maybe she disagreed with that too....

ricksang

Haha I abandoned this thread to elf myself! I see it is still going.

SarahSmile23

yet making sure that the everyone has health coverage is communist.yes. that is definitely what we said. thanks for the accurate recap!

niffycat

Sarah, I don't believe she was criticizing this particular conversation. It is something that I have seen referenced to on the more liberal news stations. Does that mean it is correct? No. Does it mean that a minority of people believe that it is true? Unfortunately, yes, there is a minority of people in this society that do believe it is true. However, just because a minority of people believe that something is true, it does not mean that the majority of people in that group agree with the minority.

SarahSmile23

i don't see how quoting an extremist comment referenced by the liberal news stations and not stated by anybody on this board is relevant to this conversation.