Kappy has started his own racist thread. The password is 'yellowvestedgayfrogs'.
- Marwood

It’s (frank)ing nuts that he accuses NYT of being a bias publication and then post links to prove his point to two bottom feeder sites created specifically to push a particular conservative agenda.

NYT has been in existence for 168 years. There’s a reason they are a trusted source for so long. And as soon as this is pointed out, tucks tail and runs.

As I said before, he’s the internets equivalent of a terrorist.

It’s (frank)ing nuts that he accuses NYT of being a bias publication and then post links to prove his point to two bottom feeder sites created specifically to push a particular conservative agenda.

NYT has been in existence for 168 years. There’s a reason they are a trusted source for so long. And as soon as this is pointed out, tucks tail and runs.

As I said before, he’s the internets equivalent of a terrorist.
- bloatedmosquito

It’s nuts, but it’s not surprising.

It’s nuts, but it’s not surprising.
- CubanBuffet

This.

This.
- Marwood

There’s always been a portion of the population that has allowed themselves to be manipulated and misled even though evidence of this is right in front of them.

Trump is a perfect example. Silver spoon trust fund kid who’s never worked a honest day in his life, a person totally lacking in character, is someone to follow and admire. This is the leader they choose? Perfect manifestation of the snake oil salesmen if there ever has been one. Mind boggling.

This is an excellent article and pinpoints all the problems in America. Beware, it’s long but we’ll worth the read.

https://www.theatlantic.c...rlying-conditions/610261/

This is an excellent article and pinpoints all the problems in America. Beware, it’s long but we’ll worth the read.

https://www.theatlantic.c...rlying-conditions/610261/
- bloatedmosquito

Good read.

I've often thought the acceleration of the polarization in American politics is intentional. Karl Rove after (and his strategy during) the 2000 election stated that the conventional wisdom of: During the primaries, the candidate should appeal to the base but once he is the nominee, he should move to the middle to attract the moderates and undecideds was just plain wrong.

Rove said, in not so many words but, fcuk the middle/undecideds because they are wishy washy idiots. His strategy boiled down to energizing the base and demonizing the opposition. You don't need the middle if you can mobilize your base through either negative or positive campaigning. Rove having learned from Lee Atwater who was one of the dirtiest operators in American politics.

That strategy seems to be what works. Paint the opposition as traitors or worse and rile up your base. Facts don't matter so conspiracy theories are great ammunition.

America's problems run deep and many are systemic. However, it's hard to deal with them when your populace is largely anti-introspection.

This is an excellent article and pinpoints all the problems in America. Beware, it’s long but we’ll worth the read.

https://www.theatlantic.c...rlying-conditions/610261/
- bloatedmosquito

Excellent piece. None of it surprising and validates my casual observations of where they may be headed.

This is an excellent article and pinpoints all the problems in America. Beware, it’s long but we’ll worth the read.

https://www.theatlantic.c...rlying-conditions/610261/
- bloatedmosquito

The Atlantic once used a semi colon where a comma would have been more appropriate. I won’t read that illiterate trash.

The Atlantic once used a semi colon where a comma would have been more appropriate. I won’t read that illiterate trash.
- CubanBuffet

Good read.

I've often thought the acceleration of the polarization in American politics is intentional. Karl Rove after (and his strategy during) the 2000 election stated that the conventional wisdom of: During the primaries, the candidate should appeal to the base but once he is the nominee, he should move to the middle to attract the moderates and undecideds was just plain wrong.

Rove said, in not so many words but, fcuk the middle/undecideds because they are wishy washy idiots. His strategy boiled down to energizing the base and demonizing the opposition. You don't need the middle if you can mobilize your base through either negative or positive campaigning. Rove having learned from Lee Atwater who was one of the dirtiest operators in American politics.

That strategy seems to be what works. Paint the opposition as traitors or worse and rile up your base. Facts don't matter so conspiracy theories are great ammunition.

America's problems run deep and many are systemic. However, it's hard to deal with them when your populace is largely anti-introspection.
- RealityChecker

Spot on.

The thing that gets me about Karl Rove and his republican ilk is that they are incredibly intelligent and yet morally corrupt. It's amazing. And that makes them so dangerous. I guess the progressive republican (or Lincoln republican) is now dead forever. Too bad.

Secondly, this anti-introspection issue is also confusing and troubling. I don't understand that either. Is it a case of when you're so ugly you refuse to look into a mirror? After the Vietnam war and the Nixon years you'd think that American introspection would be typical. Guess not.

I can't wait to see the results of the this coming US election. After all that's happened over the past four years the results will tell us the true American psyche.

Excellent piece. None of it surprising and validates my casual observations of where they may be headed.
- Marwood

Yes, me too. Why can't American's see it for themselves?

The Atlantic once used a semi colon where a comma would have been more appropriate. I won’t read that illiterate trash.
- CubanBuffet

So true. Sorry for wasting your time.

Spot on.

The thing that gets me about Karl Rove and his republican ilk is that they are incredibly intelligent and yet morally corrupt. It's amazing. And that makes them so dangerous. I guess the progressive republican (or Lincoln republican) is now dead forever. Too bad.

Secondly, this anti-introspection issue is also confusing and troubling. I don't understand that either. Is it a case of when you're so ugly you refuse to look into a mirror? After the Vietnam war and the Nixon years you'd think that American introspection would be typical. Guess not.

I can't wait to see the results of the this coming US election. After all that's happened over the past four years the results will tell us the true American psyche.
- bloatedmosquito

The Lincoln Republican party died in the early 60's. That was the great turn around. The Democrats had their share (if not more) of racists than the Republicans. The Civil Rights Act under LBJ drew a line of demarcation that forced (through their own 'moral virtue' lol) change from D's to R's and vice versa. Prior to the 60's, the Republicans were as, if not more progressive than the Dems. The Civil Rights Act changed all that. The staunch opposition to civil rights was the biggest recruitment tool that brought the southern (dixie) Democrats into the Republican fold.

As for the anti-introspection angle, I think you're own the right track with the Vietnam War/Nixon timeline. The 70's seem to have been a dark period politically. Mistrust of the government was obviously high. That led to Carter and the Iran hostage crisis. The economy goes down and a real us vs them opportunity presents itself. Reagan provides a feel good about your country campaign ("Morning for America") that gives patriotism an opportunity to grow.

This leads to the 90s and Fox News. That's basically the end of introspection. Media becomes based on market share i.e. more money if we pander to a specific audience. That flows into my view on Karl Rove. And here we are.

The Lincoln Republican party died in the early 60's. That was the great turn around. The Democrats had their share (if not more) of racists than the Republicans. The Civil Rights Act under LBJ drew a line of demarcation that forced (through their own 'moral virtue' lol) change from D's to R's and vice versa. Prior to the 60's, the Republicans were as, if not more progressive than the Dems. The Civil Rights Act changed all that. The staunch opposition to civil rights was the biggest recruitment tool that brought the southern (dixie) Democrats into the Republican fold.

As for the anti-introspection angle, I think you're own the right track with the Vietnam War/Nixon timeline. The 70's seem to have been a dark period politically. Mistrust of the government was obviously high. That led to Carter and the Iran hostage crisis. The economy goes down and a real us vs them opportunity presents itself. Reagan provides a feel good about your country campaign ("Morning for America") that gives patriotism an opportunity to grow.

This leads to the 90s and Fox News. That's basically the end of introspection. Media becomes based on market share i.e. more money if we pander to a specific audience. That flows into my view on Karl Rove. And here we are.
- RealityChecker

The republican message hasn't changed much since Reagan. Just a different talking head.



Just seems more sinister now because of the guy who's saying it.

This is an excellent article and pinpoints all the problems in America. Beware, it’s long but we’ll worth the read.

https://www.theatlantic.c...rlying-conditions/610261/
- bloatedmosquito

You said it was long so I waited until the family was in bed so I could read it without distraction.

It's a good article, well written and very accurate although easy to pass off as media bias if you're a Trump supporter. #fakenews.

We're in the midst of the forming of the 7th party system. What happens next is really crucial to the rest of our lives.

The republican message hasn't changed much since Reagan. Just a different talking head.



Just seems more sinister now because of the guy who's saying it.
- bloatedmosquito

it really is more sinister now.

let's be honest, if the party/media apparatus was the same for nixon as it is now, he would never have resigned.

ask not what you can do for politics, ask what politics can do for you!
*2020 version of the jfk quote

The republican message hasn't changed much since Reagan. Just a different talking head.



Just seems more sinister now because of the guy who's saying it.
- bloatedmosquito

I agree with RC, it is legit more sinister now. It is possible to talk politics all day long without ever having your views challenged. Media has become one big self affirmation loop. “I think this, I frequent outlets that think the same, chat with people who think the same, I must be right, look at how many people agree with me.” That is so dangerous.

Trump is bad, and he legitimizes disrespect, but he’s not the cancer. He’s the symptom that if ignored will lead to the cancer spreading.

Treating politics like a sporting event is not a good idea. Until the US can find common ground, or at least a grudging respect for people who support the opposing party, they’re hooped.

@realDonaldTrump
In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!

I agree with RC, it is legit more sinister now. It is possible to talk politics all day long without ever having your views challenged. Media has become one big self affirmation loop. “I think this, I frequent outlets that think the same, chat with people who think the same, I must be right, look at how many people agree with me.” That is so dangerous.

Trump is bad, and he legitimizes disrespect, but he’s not the cancer. He’s the symptom that if ignored will lead to the cancer spreading.

Treating politics like a sporting event is not a good idea. Until the US can find common ground, or at least a grudging respect for people who support the opposing party, they’re hooped.
- CubanBuffet

The divide is as toxic as it’s ever been, Trump is poisoning things to a new level. The greatest leaders of our countries are all from our founding years. The current state of politics is pathetic.

The divide is as toxic as it’s ever been, Trump is poisoning things to a new level. The greatest leaders of our countries are all from our founding years. The current state of politics is pathetic.
- LeftCoaster

I find it pretty frightening. How do you reel it back in?

@realDonaldTrump
In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!
- LeftCoaster

Shocking.

I find it pretty frightening. How do you reel it back in?
- CubanBuffet

When you look throughout US history they've had defining moments that have shaped politics for decades to come.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Era_of_Good_Feelings

As we transition out of the Reagan Era the last 2 presidencies have been nearly polar opposites. Voter turnout is usually a good thing for progressive politics, but the social media age scares me in this regard.

The scary thing is that many of the Trump supporters vote against their very own basic interests, unless race and religion are involved.

I find it pretty frightening. How do you reel it back in?
- CubanBuffet

I don't think politicians really want to.

The toxicity elevates the money put into politics. It's good business. From the parties to the media, toxicity increases engagement and engagement increases money. It's an industry.


For example, CNN might hate Donald Trump... but they love Donald Trump.

When you look throughout US history they've had defining moments that have shaped politics for decades to come.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Era_of_Good_Feelings

As we transition out of the Reagan Era the last 2 presidencies have been nearly polar opposites. Voter turnout is usually a good thing for progressive politics, but the social media age scares me in this regard.

The scary thing is that many of the Trump supporters vote against their very own basic interests, unless race and religion are involved.
- golfingsince

Wanna read something hilarious and sad at the same time? From December 2016.

https://www.vox.com/2016/...r-health-insurance-repeal

I find it pretty frightening. How do you reel it back in?
- CubanBuffet

I don’t know. Maybe the next generation? Younger, more sophisticated, less tribal, and in-tune with the world around them?

I used to think it was about education (or the lack of) but the divisive message has been created and distributed by very intelligent individuals.

Maybe it never gets reeled in and is forever present.