[Open thread about Politics]

"Spanfeller is a twat" (theaspiringengineer) 09/24/2018 at 19:09 • Filed to: None

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But first, a nice car.

How are we going to handle the 2018 midterms?

The midterm elections will prove to be a census of how Republicans approve of Trump and the Congressional Leadership on the conservative side, and how Democrats approve of their Congressional Leaders on their side. We might see things going either way with Republicans doubling down on Donald Trump and Democrats seeing a wave of liberalism that had been absent for years if not decades in the party. Both are expected to turn out in higher than average numbers.

As a Mexican Citizen I won’t be able to vote in these elections, but since the politics of the US both carefully predict Mexican politics for years to come and dictate our relationship with the United States I will be keeping a close eye on them, and I will probably have a strong opinion about them. After all the phrase “If the United States sneezes, the world catches a cold” is quite real.

It will be, beyond party affiliation or nationality, a response to what happened in 2016, which regardless of your political leanings was an astounding upset in American politics.

What I wonder is how Oppositelock moderators want to handle the situation. Going back a couple of years into the archive it becomes obvious that the 2016 elections in a sense fractured the site a little. Admittedly it was very different back then, but the question of whether we should voice our opinions, lay low, or outright ignore it comes to mind. I post this because I have no way to DM a moderator and, while the rules are fairly specific about political posts, this is very much a special occasion.

Aaron James > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:21

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Endless places on the internet to discuss politics, why the need to pollute this place as well?

interstate366, now In The Industry > Aaron James 09/24/2018 at 19:22

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Because RABBLE RABBLE THIS IS AN OFF TOPIC BLOG RABBLE RABBLE

(Yeah, I don’t like it either)

DutchieDC2R > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:22

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I do believe we’ve had several discussions on this subject, not very long ago actually. I haven’t really followed those discussions, but I do know a bunch of people were banned in the midst of a very heated political discussion.

This is just my opinion, as I dont know the rules these days, but, I dont think political discussions are banned per se, I just think they need to be held at a certain level, not the ‘snowflake vs racist scum’ level. Again, IMO.

Disclaimer: Im a EurOppo, I have way too little insight on American politics to form a proper argument, I do know that I absolutely dont like Trump, one bit.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Aaron James 09/24/2018 at 19:24

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He had a buffer image

Oppo has always talked politics

Spanfeller is a twat > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 09/24/2018 at 19:25

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AHEM it isn’t just any buffer image, it’s a GT350!

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:27

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My work neighbor has a yellow one with white stripes  and a white R with blue stripes

WilliamsSW > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:28

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Sweet Rogue!

For Sweden > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:28

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As a Mexican Citizen I won’t be able to vote in these elections

Not with that attitude

Aaron James > interstate366, now In The Industry 09/24/2018 at 19:29

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One thing that brings us all together is the love of the automobile, the one thing that will surely drive us apart is politics ( and religion so I guess that makes 2) . I’ve been around a long time and you will not change anyone’s mind on these two topics so you either preach to an echo chamber or argue in earnest.

Spanfeller is a twat > DutchieDC2R 09/24/2018 at 19:30

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I think he had a direct impact on many political leaders around the world: in a sense he proved that the establishment is weaker than they fashion themselves to be . Gert Wilders in Holland, Le Pen in France, UKIP in England, and a variety of politicians across Europe all probably felt emboldened by Trump. I know for a fact that Lopez Obrador owes his victory in large part to Mexicans feeling hopeless about Trump, and also seeing that a person with long odds could still win a national election .

interstate366, now In The Industry > Aaron James 09/24/2018 at 19:31

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Well said.

Spanfeller is a twat > For Sweden 09/24/2018 at 19:31

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Hey, only three million out of one hundred and twenty million could! 

Spanfeller is a twat > WilliamsSW 09/24/2018 at 19:31

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It has a huge ravens sticker. 

Spanfeller is a twat > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 09/24/2018 at 19:32

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Blue stripes ftw! 

The Dummy Gummy > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:32

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“If the United States sneezes, the world catches a cold”

I don’t think this is a good euphemism for what’s happening. That was a good comparison for the 2008 crisis when the US basically took down all the world markets.

I think keeping politics off oPPo is the better move because nothing good can come of it here. There are plenty of outlets to have civil discourse .

The Dummy Gummy > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:32

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Looks like a Lambo to me.

nj959 > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:33

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edit: ehh, I wrote something but it seems like we want to keep it off oppo so I’ll take it down. You s till can’t delete comments though, which is dumb.

Spanfeller is a twat > The Dummy Gummy 09/24/2018 at 19:33

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It has been a common phrase for decades, and I think the US still wields a lot of political power across the world, is it the same amount as directly after WW2? well, no. But it is still significant !

Spanfeller is a twat > The Dummy Gummy 09/24/2018 at 19:34

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Oh sorry, it’s a Veyron.

The Dummy Gummy > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:35

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Right, in terms of monetary policy and fiscal climate not political disruption.

For Sweden > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:35

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If you’re not willing to cheat, you’re not willing to win

WilliamsSW > The Dummy Gummy 09/24/2018 at 19:35

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Who says we want it to be civil?  ;)

Spanfeller is a twat > nj959 09/24/2018 at 19:38

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What I really dislike is that they treat voters as some sort of lost tribe of people that need to be lured in with care and determination, but it happens to be true. Bernie Bros that voted for Trump in spite of Hillary (or how centrist the Democrats have become) do exist and they might cast a huge shadow over the more competitive posts.

WilliamsSW > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:39

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Ugh.  Ban it.

Spanfeller is a twat > The Dummy Gummy 09/24/2018 at 19:40

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Eh, I guess you’re right there. 

The Dummy Gummy > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:41

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You’re also right that this election will have a dramatic impact on how the US operates globally and how it’s citizens are impacted going forward. But anyways, nice Lambo. ;)

Spanfeller is a twat > Aaron James 09/24/2018 at 19:46

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I’ve only been here for nine months... wait.

I’ve been here nine months... Jesus....

Anyway, I don’t know how they handle big world events, which is why I asked. I do have many politics posts and I won’t deny I’ve broken some of the posting rules before, mostly by accident, when posting them. I want to have a clear idea from the moderators whether to post something or not given the scope of these elections . In the end as time goes by I’ve become less eager to discuss politics here anyway  because some users are deeply irritated by those posts, so I will probably refrain from posting and only comment on the posts of those who do!

Aaron James > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:50

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It rarely turns out how you hope. near impossible to have a rational, productive discussion about politics on the internet.

Just Jeepin' > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:58

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There’s one rule that I think if everyone kept in mind would result in far more polite arguments: for virtually any “A” and “B” you can think of, whether party or candidate or policy, A is not unambiguously, universally better than B.

There is nuance everywhere. Forgetting that leads to counterproductive discourse.

Under_Score > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 19:59

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If that’s Mexico, why isn’t the Mustang attached to the back of the Rogue with chains? /s

As for the politics, I cared a lot about it a couple years ago, but now it isn’t as big of a deal for me. Brian Kemp is funny, though. His policies seemed kind of wild, but I’ll probably end up voting for him in November.

Just Jeepin' > The Dummy Gummy 09/24/2018 at 20:00

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I disagree. Trump’s election has normalized a brand of politics that previously was limited to places without a long history of democracy. 

The Dummy Gummy > Just Jeepin' 09/24/2018 at 20:01

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N ot diving into this, but okay.

Mercedes Streeter > DutchieDC2R 09/24/2018 at 20:02

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You would be correct. I’ve been here since 2013 and the rule remains the same: Talk about anything you want, however as soon as you start attacking each other instead of debating you’ll get put in a timeout.

Most people are more or less able to do that. Besides, what value is there in insulting the other person ? This isn’t a schoolyard.

Spanfeller is a twat > Under_Score 09/24/2018 at 20:03

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As in it’s being stolen or it not working because of the poor gasoline/mechanical service we have here?

both are probably correct in many counties, but Mexico City in particular has seen staggering reductions in car theft. License plate theft on the other hand though....

I researched him, he looks like a country club republican of sorts, but it was very light research. I think he’s endorsed by Trump. 

Under_Score > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 20:05

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No;  the cars that are attached in trains and driven to Mexico. And Brian Kemp is so conservative, he blows up government spending!

Spanfeller is a twat > Under_Score 09/24/2018 at 20:06

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Oh. I’ve never heard of stolen US cars being sold here. Well, not at least after the 90s

Mercedes Streeter > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 20:09

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The rules are what they have always been: Talk about just about anything you want. However, if people start attacking each other the mods will come in and clean up the place.

Just keep a level head and you’ll be fine. :) Besides, what good are political debates if you’re just going to call the other person names? Of course, in the heat of the moment it’s easy to snap, I’ve done it myself and have sometimes paid the ultimate price for it.

Spanfeller is a twat > Mercedes Streeter 09/24/2018 at 20:14

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I at times have failed too, specially earlier on in my presence here, but I have been able to have good conversations with conservatives about issues, and we end up finding a compromise many times. (mostly in person, but also here sometimes) 

Just Jeepin' > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 20:23

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It also makes it harder for the Philippines and the international community to put constraints on Duterte’s violent crackdown on crime.

Spanfeller is a twat > Just Jeepin' 09/24/2018 at 20:52

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Or on us. Mexico still has some tough immigration laws (specially if you’re poor or seeking shelter) and enforcement never really mattered to us until Obama came into power. We also have some tough restrictions on drugs but those didn’t matter to us until Bush made his way into the white house back in 2000. 

Spanfeller is a twat > Just Jeepin' 09/24/2018 at 20:52

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Or on us. Mexico still has some tough immigration laws (specially if you’re poor or seeking shelter) and enforcement never really mattered to us until Obama came into power. We also have some tough restrictions on drugs but those didn’t matter to us until Bush made his way into the white house back in 2000. 

Mercedes Streeter > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 21:00

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In my neverending quest to educate the world about who trans people really are I’ve had lots of awesome conversations online and offline. I’m the kind of person who would attend a KKK rally or Milo Yiannopoulos event , meet its members, and find a common ground. I see situations I should run from and run into them.

This sort of “educate, be educated, and befriend everyone” mentality of mine has given me a wacky circle of friends from the diehard C onservative , to the Libertarian , to the Communist (actual Communist, not what passes for one on the Internet). For others, I’ve been told they learned things they otherwise would not have because I gave them a chance.

Consequently, living such a way puts me in danger should I come across someone who really isn't interested in talking.

The majo...okay...all of my falls have been on the Internet, where it’s seemingly easier to lose one’s cool. And sure enough, those conversations were trashed and whatever the original debate was became irrelevant.

Spanfeller is a twat > Mercedes Streeter 09/24/2018 at 21:08

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Yeah, I guess. I once argued for an hour with some girl that thought the best time in Mexico was right before the revolution*

*: if you were white. 

Under_Score > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 21:46

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These!

nermal > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 23:13

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I think the 2018 mid-term elections will be decided by voter turnout.

Sounds kinda dumb on the surface, but much like the 2016 election there will be a large majority of people that don’t vote for whatever reason. Either side has more than enough people that would blindly vote for them to win, but which side gets enough of their people out to actually vote will be the victor.

Personally, I’ll probably be voting R across the board. I like Trump and the direction the country is going, and my state has both a senate seat currently occupied by a D as well as a D governor on the ballot.

Also, this is an off-topic forum. Rules state to be nice to each other, and use a jump and warning for discussing politics. So, fire away with posting discussion topics following the rules.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Spanfeller is a twat 09/24/2018 at 23:54

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Where’s the nice car?

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Mercedes Streeter 09/24/2018 at 23:55

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Speaking truth here: the reason people are shitty on the Internet is almost entirely because you cannot stab them in the face over it (yet.)

I have never met a single bigot or racist or other shitstain that is not a complete chickenshit when there is even the slightest chance they will have to face real consequences  for being a sub-human piece of shit.