The Internet, Republicans VS Democrats and Political Circle Jerks

01
Aug
2012

The Internet, Republicans VS Democrats and Political Circle Jerks

The internet is a vast and complex resource when you can find information on any topic at the touch of a button. It’s also created a global arena where people can voice their opinions, and have intelligent discussion on the issues. In today’s political environment the internet should be a tool in which debates are common place and the masses can be provided with a differing view point from their own to educate and improve their awareness of the issues.

Unfortunately, just like in real life, idiots tend to congregate in groups of like minded individuals, and instead of having civiziled discussions, they tend to speak the same opinions on the same message boards and then pat each other on the back for how smart they are. Unfortunately, this the absolute worst way to approach politics, as being in an insulated environment of like minded people just results in mental stagnation. (Although, don’t tell them that – they’ll claim they aren’t.)

In all my travels around the internet, in the past couple years, I have failed to find a place where civilized political discourse actually happens… besides my own blog. (And, if I’m honest, the blogs of other people out there who dare to even write about their political views for fear the masses will come down on them with the fury of a thousand suns for having an opinion differing from their own.)

Here are the two worst offenders, which, if you’re looking for intelligent debate, should be avoided at all costs:

Townhall (Republican)

Townhall.com was launched in 1995 as the first conservative web community. It was the first major investment in online political activism. Now – it has become a safe haven for all people who are uneducated and just want to fall in lock and step with the republican party line without questioning anything. On this site, you can find some of the most religious, right winged assholes who spread bigotry and hate all congradulating each other for their superior and clearly correct view.

To survive on this site you must retain the knowledge that democrats are evil, Obama is a muslim terrorist bent on destroying the earth, God hates queers, steers, and automobiles, and anyone who tries to tell you differently is clearly the devil in disguise.

Recent Examples:

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/carolplatt%20liebau/2012/07/31/stop_the_bullying

http://townhall.com/columnists/byronyork/2012/07/30/under_a_second_obama_term_a_more_dependent_nation

Fark Politics Tab (“Fark Independents” AKA Liberal)

Fark, in my opinion, is actually one of the worst offenders in this group. The sites claim to fame is “It’s Not News, It’s Fark”. Once a site more akin to News Of The Weird, the politics tab has now denigrated into one of the most liberal circle-jerks there is, the saddest part being that the users on the site are wholly unaware of their status of liberal lemmings. They consider themselves to be independents, and tolerant of opposing views – however, when someone presents an opposing view that they don’t agree with – the new person is automatically jumped upon and assumed to be either the most stupid person on the planet, or clearly has to be a troll which is there to just rile you up.

If you want to have a successful relationship on the Fark.com Politics tab at this time, you must keep the following facts in mind: Republicans are wholly evil and can do absolutely nothing right, Obama is the savior (still) and Romney has absolutely no redeeming qualities. Bonus points for talking about the ridiculousness of Sarah Palin, making fun of people who support Ron Paul, reminding users how you used to be a republican but now you’re an independent, or if you can post a chart or graph with no label to support your point.

Recent Examples:

http://www.fark.com/comments/7240966/John-McCain-Pay-no-mind-to-whatever-Romney-said-about-Israeli-Palestinian-culture-He-has-no-idea-what-hes-talking-about

http://www.fark.com/comments/7240298/While-it-seems-like-election-will-be-close-swing-states-tell-a-different-story

Where are the sites on the internet where you can find civilized, and educated discussion of the issues?

Brandon P.

Mine.
- http://www.howmanyfrogs.com/ Stephanie Dorman
  
  Yeah but your site uses blogger comments.
- http://www.howmanyfrogs.com/ Stephanie Dorman
  
  Which you really need to upgrade so I can comment on your site.
Midnight Ranter

“In all my travels around the internet, in the past couple years, I have
failed to find a place where civilized political discourse actually
happens… besides my own blog.”

Ironic given that you’ve been at center of some of the most acrimonious discussions on MY blog. And you didn’t exactly present an even-handed account, you just present the most personally palatable. Which is, of course, the entire point of blog, but let’s not confuse for high-minded analysis.

-MidnightRanter (http://midnightranter.livejournal.com/)
- http://www.howmanyfrogs.com/ Stephanie Dorman
  
  Any discussions I had on your blog were 7 years ago – at LEAST. People grow up. Check out the blog thread on here about racism in america.
  
  The point is, I at least have debates about other views – and am willing to talk in the comments about them, and hear out other peoples sides. There are very few massive sites where that occurs. Most of the time it is just general asshattery and opinion circlejerk.
  - Midnight Ranter
    
    Actually, the nasty ones were four years ago, but your point is well taken. Yes, I would completely agree that there needs to be a decently moderated, open access political talk site where informed people can talk about things. Then again, I also dropped off facebook because things were getting too nasty with friends discussing things, let alone strangers. I think the internet promotes bad manners in debates. I am certain many of the nasty debates I’ve seen online would have gone a lot better in person.
    - http://www.howmanyfrogs.com/ Stephanie Dorman
      
      Ugh – Facebook is the worst for intelligent debate. Although I will say, my blog posts tend to bring out some intelligent debate if the pose the question right.
      
      I just wish there were more places where that could happen.
Kellie

Hey Stephanie! Just wanted to say I agree with you. I seem to fit in the middle most of the time with my opinions and views leaning left on some, right on some and sometimes I just don’t know. However, this makes vilified by both sides because I’m obviously a fence sitter that has no strong views. Um, no…that means that I’m open minded and vote with my brain and my conscience and not how any one group tells me I’m supposed to. So I usually stay out of most political discussions because as you’ve stated, they usually aren’t discussions at all.
- http://www.howmanyfrogs.com/ Stephanie Dorman
  
  Kellie,
  
  I definitely agree with you. I find myself to be reasonably conservative – which apparently means that I am tea party republican that is tearing the world apart. Hello – just because I have conservative values doesn’t mean I give a shit what you do in your bedroom. And actually, it means I want a smaller federal government that doesn’t give a shit about that stuff at all.
  
  Of course, I’m a horrible, horrible republican bent on destroying the world. Even my boyfriend – who knows I’m conservative to moderate, pulled that bull in an argument yesterday.
  
  Ugh! So frustrating!