Should we discuss politics on Oppo?

"Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh" (andymcbradleigh) 04/13/2015 at 12:10 • Filed to: None

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Yes? No? Maybe? The thing is, we've got people from all over the world here, we've got Socialists, Liberals, Laissez-faire capitalists, Social-Democrats.. I bet we have Environmentalists, Hard core believers of some kind, maybe even Anarchists..

What brings us together is our love for cars (and anything mechanical really), perhaps we should keep it that way?

I know I have sinned myself, I've posted shit and probably spewed hatred towards people who can't accept gay people and certainly towards overly religious people (although I do think that we should be allowed to tell gay bashers and racists to "FUCK OFF").

What I'm getting at here is that we should probably let this be what it is, a group of friends (even though most of us have never met and probably never will), that have a common interest.. CARS (and music and off topic talk about all and nothing.)

bob and john > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:11

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noooo, politics are the # 2 shit storm causer.

For Sweden > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:12

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The Socialists can't speak until they make a decent car.

E. Julius > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:12

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So what you're saying is that you'd like to infringe on my First Amendment rights?

Honestly I could couldn't (I am an idiot) care less whether politics are discussed here or not.

Leon711 > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:12

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National election in a few weeks. Politics is high on my agenda.

Gamecat235 > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:13

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Behind a jump. Always behind the jump.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/an-open-messag…

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/oppositelock-h…

Political / Sensitive topics are welcome, however it is recommended that you announce such content in the title and that all sensitive material is posted "after the jump."

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > For Sweden 04/13/2015 at 12:13

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There's a Lada truth in that. But I think people should Niva bring up politics in polite company.

Party-vi > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:14

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Policy on Oppo (as I understand it/pull it out of my ass) is that political posts are given with a warning "Achtung! Political Discussion Within!" and then they must keep it civil.

Leon711 > E. Julius 04/13/2015 at 12:14

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AMERICAN IS WRONG If you could care less, then you care somewhat, even minutely.

if you said I couldn't care less (like a brit would) then that confirms that you have no fucks left to give.

Think about it.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > For Sweden 04/13/2015 at 12:15

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Uhm.. Volvo?

E. Julius > Leon711 04/13/2015 at 12:15

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Wow I honestly can't believe I made such a stupid mistake haha

HammerheadFistpunch > Gamecat235 04/13/2015 at 12:15

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Yeah. This. However, I think we all need to understand the social contract that this implies;

If you don't want to engage in politics on Oppo Don't @#$@%! click on the link and rant about politics on OPPO!

For Sweden > E. Julius 04/13/2015 at 12:15

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Norway has no freedom of speech*

*Freedom of speech may be achieved through restoration of Glorious Union.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:15

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I tend to weigh up the candidates properly before voting time, then otherwise completely ignore politics. I just want to vote for the guy who's going to screw me over the least.

Gamecat235 > Gamecat235 04/13/2015 at 12:15

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And for the record, if you want my personal stance on this in more detail. Read the post and comments for the first link above (Open message to all opponauts - re: Ferguson).

For Sweden > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:16

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Sweden

Sweden being socialist

Sweden having a command economy

Sweden not having private property

Sweden not having free markets

This being true

Burnah > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:16

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Burned

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Leon711 04/13/2015 at 12:17

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I understand that, soon regional elections here in Norway.. I may or may not be one of the people that can be elected :P

Frank Grimes > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:17

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this is why it wont work you only want people to express opinions you agree with

I know I have sinned myself, I've posted shit and probably spewed hatred towards people who can't accept gay people and certainly towards overly religious people (although I do think that we should be allowed to tell gay bashers and racists to "FUCK OFF").

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:17

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Sure.

But always, ALWAYS, post it after the jump.

Mattbob > Gamecat235 04/13/2015 at 12:17

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as long as oppo doesn't start mandating "trigger warnings" When that happens, it is a sign of the end.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Gamecat235 04/13/2015 at 12:17

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I'd forgotten about that rule somehow. Sorry.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > HammerheadFistpunch 04/13/2015 at 12:19

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I have no problem with that, but tons of people here would probably hate me if I wen't full on rant about politics :P

Gamecat235 > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:19

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This wasn't directed toward this post. This post is fine, as best as I can tell. It's a hypothetical about a hypothetical situation. But for anyone who wants to post political content? This is a must. =)

EL_ULY > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:19

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only if discussing cookies. Oatmeal..... organic....... plain sugar.... ? I'll eat them, but chocolate chip is clearly the best and so is its versions. Trying to push oatmeal by adding chocolate chips is just not American. Fresh warm and crumbly cold? There is a time and a place for each I suppose. M&M, Kisses, Reese's.... individual yes, united NO!

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > E. Julius 04/13/2015 at 12:20

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Well.. FUCK you and your first Amendment :P

JR1 > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:20

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Laissez-faire capitalists

That is me! And to answer your question I think discussing politics is perfectly acceptable. At the end of the day we all just have to remember to be kind and treat others the way they want to be treated.

450X_FTW > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:21

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Only if the topic of discussion is in some way automotive related. Fuel economy, emissions, safety standards, 25 year bullshit law. Because we all know the people that introduce laws and vote on them can't even explain Suck, Squeeze, Bang, Blow.

E. Julius > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:21

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Nobody can talk about the first amendment that way!

…

…

Wait, shit.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:21

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Also, sorry about bringing the politics in here. I don't really have any friends irl. The cost of selling your innocence and soul to the US government at the impressionable age of 17. I live in that awkward life cycle of being post collegiate age and having no real friends and not being able to make any because I am too weird now.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > JR1 04/13/2015 at 12:21

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We're kinda sworn enemies then :P

JR1 > Leon711 04/13/2015 at 12:21

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I am pulling for David Cameron. Because I was David Cameron in my mock British Politics class

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > For Sweden 04/13/2015 at 12:22

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Sweden doesn;t have private property?????

\Filed under TIL today

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 04/13/2015 at 12:22

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Awwhh.. Come on mate.. don't do that to me :/ If you ever end up in Norway I'll cook you dinner and give you one hell of a party :)

JR1 > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:22

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But we can still share a common interest and I won't hate you for being woefully wrong and misguided. ;)

HammerheadFistpunch > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:22

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Thats the social contract part. You shouldn't be worried about crap. I mean you will get a LOT of interesting discussion, but you shouldn't be getting ANY "mrf mrf this is oppo not politics hours. mrf mrf" crap.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:23

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Go away or our First Amendment will taunt you a second time!

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:24

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i have never been to continental Europe. I soooo want to take the wife on a Viking cruise.

\could afford the cruise

\cannot afford the time off + cruise + airfare = not happening for at least a year or two

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Frank Grimes 04/13/2015 at 12:24

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Not really, I only admitted that I'm not without flaws myself :P

For Sweden > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 04/13/2015 at 12:25

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Nope. All Volvos are communal property.

Chairman Kaga > For Sweden 04/13/2015 at 12:26

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Alfa Romeo.

Oh. Yeah. Right.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 04/13/2015 at 12:26

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You'll find a way, some day ;)

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > JR1 04/13/2015 at 12:27

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Sure, that's kinda the point of all this :P

Frank Grimes > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:27

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No you are perfect.

CalzoneGolem > EL_ULY 04/13/2015 at 12:29

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I feel like oatmeal is made worse by the addition of chocolate chips. Would I still eat them? Hell yeah I would.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Frank Grimes 04/13/2015 at 12:30

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Well... Sure ;)

No but really, I'm an arse.. I truly am. I tell people to be open to other peoples views, but I fucking HATE racists and homophobes.

yamahog > For Sweden 04/13/2015 at 12:37

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bu-bu-but our politicians here in America keep saying that YUROPE = GODLESS SOCIALIST PIGDOGS! It must be true!

EL_ULY > CalzoneGolem 04/13/2015 at 12:39

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I would too but ethics comes into play for sure. Maybe chocolate chips in a granola bar but... it's one of those hot topic issues in Washington at the moment

For Sweden > yamahog 04/13/2015 at 12:41

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Given that Europe is now a whole 15+ years past its last genocide, maybe God is smiling on the continent again.

Jonathan Harper > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:41

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def no

CalzoneGolem > EL_ULY 04/13/2015 at 12:41

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A bar is not a cookie! I really thought we could agree on something here but you're way too liberal here.

Frank Grimes > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 12:41

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No you are amazing in your perfection. You admit your faults and you have an amazing name.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Frank Grimes 04/13/2015 at 12:44

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I may be a narcissist, but not THAT big ;)

But hey, thanks mate.

505Turbeaux > EL_ULY 04/13/2015 at 12:46

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but I seen you on the interwebs...

EL_ULY > CalzoneGolem 04/13/2015 at 12:47

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A granola bar was born that way. Besides, it's what on the inside. Both deserve the right to receive chocolate chips but I feel it might be unethical in an oatmeal cookie. It's like a trap. I like them all oatmeal and made in America

1.21 JIGGA WATTS!!! > EL_ULY 04/13/2015 at 12:47

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Clearly...the only real way to eat cookies...

EL_ULY > 1.21 JIGGA WATTS!!! 04/13/2015 at 12:49

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those are not going to help my 2016 campaign

lol :]

EL_ULY > 505Turbeaux 04/13/2015 at 12:54

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lol perfect. My cookie, I earned it!

Frank Grimes > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 13:05

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I will admit I am over my head here I was hoping we would have a huge internet argument.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Frank Grimes 04/13/2015 at 13:07

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Yeah, I figured that out. Not really in the mood though, CUNT :P

RallyWrench > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 13:19

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Here in 'Murica, we have a presidential election in a YEAR AND A HALF, and it's already been dominating all the news for 6 months. It's annoying as hell, especially considering that all the candidates expected to run with any chance of success are, to be polite, shitheads. So I wouldn't mind not hearing about that here.

Otherwise, given our common ground of automotive enthusiasm and Oppo's openness, which I think can give us a solid foundation of mutual respect, it should be possible to have civil discussions on important topics. I mean, we could turn Formula 1 in Bahrain in to a political discussion real quick.

Politics is nothing more than Ford vs Chevy writ large. It shouldn't be taken as seriously as it is, and Camaro guy can still get a beer with Mustang dude. Our "leaders" may act like petulant children, but we shouldn't, and since when have they actually represented us? Normal people can disagree and remain friends.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > RallyWrench 04/13/2015 at 13:23

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Normal people can disagree and remain friends indeed :) But that's the part I'm somewhat afraid of... I'm rather left wing compared to most Europeans, and A FUCKING COMMIE to most of the US I guess.. :)

Frank Grimes > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/13/2015 at 13:27

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This is the first time I have been called a cunt. I feel like its a milestone as an american.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Frank Grimes 04/13/2015 at 13:30

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Hehe, just to clarify though.. I've got friends from East London.. Cunt is not really a bad word :)

Leon711 > JR1 04/13/2015 at 13:38

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to be honest I don't think any of the other candidates could do the job. I'm voting for Cameron's Party only because it gives the greatest chance of keeping the far right out.

Leon711 > E. Julius 04/13/2015 at 13:39

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it's Ok, the whole of the USA is wrong.

E. Julius > Leon711 04/13/2015 at 13:55

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That's fine, we got one thing right:

JR1 > Leon711 04/13/2015 at 14:00

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Yeah your far right group really is a bunch of crazy people. I can't imagine way the UK would want to leave the collective security of the EU.

Leon711 > E. Julius 04/13/2015 at 14:05

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Do you even?

*2014

Leon711 > JR1 04/13/2015 at 14:09

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Studies suggest our GDP could shrink 3% if we leave or expand 1%. People seem to have this misguided notion that EU Migrants are taking their jobs or coming over here to live off the state when in fact migrants make a net contribution to the UK economy ( http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/n… )

And if someone comes here from overseas, with no connections, that can barely speak English and manages to steal your job, then perhaps, just maybe, you might be fucking shit at your job.

E. Julius > Leon711 04/13/2015 at 14:11

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The only part that matters:

JR1 > Leon711 04/13/2015 at 14:28

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It has always been a popular belief to blame problems on foreign immigrants taking jobs. Unfortunately I don't think that stigma is going anywhere anytime soon. If the UK GDP drops three percent it will hurt. I don't think it is worth the risk.

Axial > Leon711 04/13/2015 at 18:25

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*Gets up on soap-box*

Yeah, but we had to bail you out of the biggest war ever fought, ever. Also, moon buggy > SSC. Nya nya nya nya boo, boo!

[/stereotypicalMurican]

Leon711 > Axial 04/14/2015 at 03:02

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We bailed you out of world war three.

It hasn't happened yet, but you know it will.

Axial > Leon711 04/14/2015 at 03:04

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If anybody bails the USA out of WWIII, it's going to be France. Wouldn't be the first time France bails the USA out of a war, either.

Leon711 > Axial 04/14/2015 at 03:18

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Just speculating, what if WWIII was not with a traditional enemy? What if the swiss decided to not remain Neutral? what if a League of African Nations rose up against Europe?