O/T Flamewars

[zephyr911]

What's going on this week? We've had nasty arguments in this section about almost every hot-button topic possible, all as a result of random tangents from normally civilized (and hilarious) threads on anti-Mustachianism. I've officially lost track of them now, but I recall gun control, health care, fiscal policy, and plenty of other topics all getting mean. Some even kept going (and worsened) after mod warnings. Is it the heat wave, or are we grumpy over a shit week in the market?

Whatever it is, I'm suggesting a chill pill. Getting ourselves bent out of shape over strangers' opinions on the internet is as anti-Mustachian as it gets. As I was reminded via a couple of conversations today, MMM isn't just a PF hack, it's a focus on happiness itself, and on thinking clearly and strategically to achieve maximum levels thereof.

Let's all try to remember that. We're all doing pretty damn well, and even if we don't agree on every topic of import, we should all be happy. We're winning at life. :D

[ender]

https://xkcd.com/386/

[zephyr911]

Pretty much.

[onehair]

I agree!  While I do come here to vent sometimes and I know I could do better I am doing better than many of my contemporaries.  I applaud all of us who are doing it big or small and getting the job done!

We can argue on many other forums about politics and probably anything else you can name.

[Vertical Mode]

I love a good XKCD reference! Thanks, ender.

I attribute the rise in contentious behavior to the return of the cyclical heat wave. No, not the weather - the hot air emanating from our politicians, stirring up latent tensions with their divisive and occasionally incendiary language broadcasting across the airwaves.

But yeah, people need to calm down.

Good meme, btw.

[zephyr911]

I attribute the rise in contentious behavior to the return of the cyclical heat wave. No, not the weather - the hot air emanating from our politicians, stirring up latent tensions with their divisive and occasionally incendiary language broadcasting across the airwaves.

And to think, only a year and a half until the election. BRB, quitting the internet.

I think/hope cutting cable was enough, but I'm gonna wait and see.

[zephyr911]

I've never had television. It's not.

I don't wanna give up the internet. Maybe I'll think about guided meditation to avoid rage when the debates start ;)

[MgoSam]

I've never had television. It's not.

I don't wanna give up the internet. Maybe I'll think about guided meditation to avoid rage when the debates start ;)

If anyone has enough green to share, it's a great way to avoid rage. :-).

[HairyUpperLip]

Everyone needs to smoke a joint and relax.

[Vertical Mode]

I attribute the rise in contentious behavior to the return of the cyclical heat wave. No, not the weather - the hot air emanating from our politicians, stirring up latent tensions with their divisive and occasionally incendiary language broadcasting across the airwaves.

And to think, only a year and a half until the election. BRB, quitting the internet.

I think/hope cutting cable was enough, but I'm gonna wait and see.

I've never had television. It's not.

Here in Massachusetts, we actually get relatively little of the political crossfire, as we're not a "swing state". The result of our voting is pretty much a foregone conclusion so they don't bother with us. The internet is really the only place I see the ads and the grandstanding.

+1 Basenji :-)

[zephyr911]

Here in Massachusetts, we actually get relatively little of the political crossfire, as we're not a "swing state". The result of our voting is pretty much a foregone conclusion so they don't bother with us. The internet is really the only place I see the ads and the grandstanding.

+1 Basenji :-)

Oddly enough, that is also one of the best things about Bama. It's the one aspect of life where I actually enjoy being taken for granted.
Yet oddly enough, the last time I went to vote, fully intending to cast a symbolic third-party vote, my nerve failed and I suddenly felt compelled to vote for the guy whose policies I slightly preferred. Interesting exercise in psych, that.

[HairyUpperLip]

Oddly enough, that is also one of the best things about Bama. It's the one aspect of life where I actually enjoy being taken for granted.
Yet oddly enough, the last time I went to vote, fully intending to cast a symbolic third-party vote, my nerve failed and I suddenly felt compelled to vote for the guy whose policies I slightly preferred. Interesting exercise in psych, that.

I'm really starting to get tired of politicians preaching about their bs goals and opinions. Everyone knows the most important part about any election is when the politician declares their faith and then we analyze their person of faith (preacher, priest, etc).

Just kidding. As someone that believes in God I really don't understand of the importance of showing politicians and their families attending church. Really bothers me that their choice of faith is a hot topic.

Also, find it really pathetic that people convert to Christianity for the sake of politics.

I think I'm talking to myself here....

[infogoon]

Oh no! Is the cult devolving into factions?!? WWMMMD?

Wink

He wants us to follow the gourd!

[shelivesthedream]

Oh no! Is the cult devolving into factions?!? WWMMMD?

Wink

He wants us to follow the gourd!

No, the sandal, you fool!

(As a contributor to the gun control discussion, I apologise. I have OT tangents... Except when I'm involved! I hope I didn't come across as flamey, though.)

[Philociraptor]

Oddly enough, that is also one of the best things about Bama. It's the one aspect of life where I actually enjoy being taken for granted.
Yet oddly enough, the last time I went to vote, fully intending to cast a symbolic third-party vote, my nerve failed and I suddenly felt compelled to vote for the guy whose policies I slightly preferred. Interesting exercise in psych, that.

I'm really starting to get tired of politicians preaching about their bs goals and opinions. Everyone knows the most important part about any election is when the politician declares their faith and then we analyze their person of faith (preacher, priest, etc).

Just kidding. As someone that believes in God I really don't understand of the importance of showing politicians and their families attending church. Really bothers me that their choice of faith is a hot topic.

Also, find it really pathetic that people convert to Christianity for the sake of politics.

I think I'm talking to myself here....

It's because voters don't trust atheists, so why not present yourself as part of the majority?

[forummm]

I'm really starting to get tired of politicians preaching about their bs goals and opinions. Everyone knows the most important part about any election is when the politician declares their faith and then we analyze their person of faith (preacher, priest, etc).

Just kidding. As someone that believes in God I really don't understand of the importance of showing politicians and their families attending church. Really bothers me that their choice of faith is a hot topic.

Also, find it really pathetic that people convert to Christianity for the sake of politics.

I think I'm talking to myself here....

Unfortunately, many of your theistic fellow citizens are not so enlightened on the subject and will refuse to vote for someone who doesn't share their particular religious outlook. Some of them even go so far as to call them the AntiChrist, etc. The Constitution says there shall be no religious test for public office. But the religiously inclined voters don't feel bound by that.

[G-dog]

I've never had television. It's not.

I don't wanna give up the internet. Maybe I'll think about guided meditation to avoid rage when the debates start ;)

Guided meditation request received and processed:
http://laughingsquid.com/fck-that-a-guided-meditation-for-the-realities-of-todays-world/?utm_content=buffer98b89&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[G-dog]

Oddly enough, that is also one of the best things about Bama. It's the one aspect of life where I actually enjoy being taken for granted.
Yet oddly enough, the last time I went to vote, fully intending to cast a symbolic third-party vote, my nerve failed and I suddenly felt compelled to vote for the guy whose policies I slightly preferred. Interesting exercise in psych, that.

I'm really starting to get tired of politicians preaching about their bs goals and opinions. Everyone knows the most important part about any election is when the politician declares their faith and then we analyze their person of faith (preacher, priest, etc).

Just kidding. As someone that believes in God I really don't understand of the importance of showing politicians and their families attending church. Really bothers me that their choice of faith is a hot topic.

Also, find it really pathetic that people convert to Christianity for the sake of politics.

I think I'm talking to myself here....

Being in Iowa we are freaking soaking in all the political CRAZY, this is where TrumpDump finally cleared up the POW war hero confusion we have suffered from for so many years.
It is nice to have access, but it sucks to be invaded.

[forummm]

Oddly enough, that is also one of the best things about Bama. It's the one aspect of life where I actually enjoy being taken for granted.
Yet oddly enough, the last time I went to vote, fully intending to cast a symbolic third-party vote, my nerve failed and I suddenly felt compelled to vote for the guy whose policies I slightly preferred. Interesting exercise in psych, that.

I'm really starting to get tired of politicians preaching about their bs goals and opinions. Everyone knows the most important part about any election is when the politician declares their faith and then we analyze their person of faith (preacher, priest, etc).

Just kidding. As someone that believes in God I really don't understand of the importance of showing politicians and their families attending church. Really bothers me that their choice of faith is a hot topic.

Also, find it really pathetic that people convert to Christianity for the sake of politics.

I think I'm talking to myself here....

Being in Iowa we are freaking soaking in all the political CRAZY, this is where TrumpDump finally cleared up the POW war hero confusion we have suffered from for so many years.
It is nice to have access, but it sucks to be invaded.

I've never understood why people thought it was a good idea to have 2 states that are so completely unlike the majority of America have the first say at who should be president. I think both states have great things about them, and I've spent time in both. But they are like 97% white, rural, tiny, Iowa is farming, NH is it's own brand of politics, etc. The majority of Americans live in big cities, are much more diverse, etc. The issues that affect most people are just not the same as those in IA and NH.

[G-dog]

Oddly enough, that is also one of the best things about Bama. It's the one aspect of life where I actually enjoy being taken for granted.
Yet oddly enough, the last time I went to vote, fully intending to cast a symbolic third-party vote, my nerve failed and I suddenly felt compelled to vote for the guy whose policies I slightly preferred. Interesting exercise in psych, that.

I'm really starting to get tired of politicians preaching about their bs goals and opinions. Everyone knows the most important part about any election is when the politician declares their faith and then we analyze their person of faith (preacher, priest, etc).

Just kidding. As someone that believes in God I really don't understand of the importance of showing politicians and their families attending church. Really bothers me that their choice of faith is a hot topic.

Also, find it really pathetic that people convert to Christianity for the sake of politics.

I think I'm talking to myself here....

Being in Iowa we are freaking soaking in all the political CRAZY, this is where TrumpDump finally cleared up the POW war hero confusion we have suffered from for so many years.
It is nice to have access, but it sucks to be invaded.

I've never understood why people thought it was a good idea to have 2 states that are so completely unlike the majority of America have the first say at who should be president. I think both states have great things about them, and I've spent time in both. But they are like 97% white, rural, tiny, Iowa is farming, NH is it's own brand of politics, etc. The majority of Americans live in big cities, are much more diverse, etc. The issues that affect most people are just not the same as those in IA and NH.

Trust but verify: (from the U.S. Census) How many people reside in urban or rural areas for the 2010 Census? What percentage of the U.S. population is urban or rural?
The urban areas of the United States for the 2010 Census contain 249,253,271 people, representing 80.7% of the population, and rural areas contain 59,492,276 people, or 19.3% of the population. (Not sure how they define rural vs. urban)

I don't know how the urban vs. rural distribution has changed over the years, or if this has been pretty stable. At some points I think we did a good job separating the wheat from the chaff as the first in country primaries. But now, esp. The Iowa Republican Party over represents the fundamentalist / Christian conservative / tea party element - and we are at serious risk of being perceived as the least qualified to identify the best candidates. Oh well - too many other games being played re : first primary / caucus, or Super Tuesday, etc.
Sadly, if we weren't the first caucus, the candidates wouldn't spend anytime here or address any issues relevant to a rural demographic.

[NorCal]

Agree completely with the original post, while willfully ignoring the political stuff it seemed to have spawned off.

Chill out.  You're not going to change people's opinions on the internet unless they're asking for advice.  And no one asks for advice about politics.

My non-PC (and admittedly insulting) philosophy is that arguing on the internet is like running in the Special Olympics.  Even if you win, you're still retarded.