WildWop
CAGiversary!
The thing that disturbs me most about the political atmosphere here (and I've seen it elsewhere) is that staunch Republican and Democratic supporters are becoming more and more blind to anything that doesn't directly support their view. They are like fanboys on the GameFaqs boards, they don't present arguments in a manner that provokes thought; rather, they present what they believe as an absolute truth, and the rest be damned.
PS2 IS TEH ROXXXORZ!!!11 GAMCEUBE IZ TEH KIDDIZ!!11
BUSH IS RIGHT!!! KERRY IS SOFT!!
KERRY IS RIGHT!!! BUSH IS A WARMONGER!!!
I've had many animated discussions with a friend of mine that is a hardcore republican. Has been as long as I've known him, and I can remember him sprinting through the frat house banging on people's doors every time they predicted a Bush victory in the 2000 election (he banged on doors quite often that night). Out of these discussions came the prevailiing thought that things are black and white. Good and evil. It permeates a lot of Republican thought these days. There's no perspective on what is good, and what is evil. It is "I am right, I am all that is good, and those who oppose me are wrong, and all that is evil."
I've been a debater at heart for most of my life. I was a Junior Statesman in high school not for the experience, or for the "well rounded" appearance of my resume going into college, but for the fact that I enjoy seeing how people string together their arguments to present a cohesive thought. A good debater acknowledges the arguments of the other side and addresses them in a manner in which no party is offended; they create a comfortable atmosphere for people on both sides to approach the issue with less emotional content.
I don't see this kind of debate raging in this political atmosphere of "I'm right, you are COMPLETELY wrong / don't have a clue." That is sad. It prevents intelligent discussions and progress. Perhaps in a less combative atmosphere, even the people on these boards could have a good discussion about current events. As it stands, this is impossible.
PS2 IS TEH ROXXXORZ!!!11 GAMCEUBE IZ TEH KIDDIZ!!11
BUSH IS RIGHT!!! KERRY IS SOFT!!
KERRY IS RIGHT!!! BUSH IS A WARMONGER!!!
I've had many animated discussions with a friend of mine that is a hardcore republican. Has been as long as I've known him, and I can remember him sprinting through the frat house banging on people's doors every time they predicted a Bush victory in the 2000 election (he banged on doors quite often that night). Out of these discussions came the prevailiing thought that things are black and white. Good and evil. It permeates a lot of Republican thought these days. There's no perspective on what is good, and what is evil. It is "I am right, I am all that is good, and those who oppose me are wrong, and all that is evil."
I've been a debater at heart for most of my life. I was a Junior Statesman in high school not for the experience, or for the "well rounded" appearance of my resume going into college, but for the fact that I enjoy seeing how people string together their arguments to present a cohesive thought. A good debater acknowledges the arguments of the other side and addresses them in a manner in which no party is offended; they create a comfortable atmosphere for people on both sides to approach the issue with less emotional content.
I don't see this kind of debate raging in this political atmosphere of "I'm right, you are COMPLETELY wrong / don't have a clue." That is sad. It prevents intelligent discussions and progress. Perhaps in a less combative atmosphere, even the people on these boards could have a good discussion about current events. As it stands, this is impossible.