The Unofficial Badmovies.org Political Debate Thread

[Flick James]

I said "Unofficial," since I'm not an administrator. I will not be the least bit hurt if the adminstrators remove this thread.

I started this thread out of respect for Rev. Powell's comment the other day on how much political ranting and debating has been going on of late in the Off Topic forum, and how perhaps there should be a thread devoted to that so that those that aren't interested and are here to just have a good time can avoid it. I've certainly played my part in this development, so I'm trying to take it upon myself to make a change in that regard, for everyone's benefit, including those that wish to engage in open discourse about politics and society. I think we're flirting with disrespecting the site.

So, in that spirit, here you go. I respectfully and earnestly request that all debates and comments and rants of this nature try to find their way here. I have no doubt that this thread, if used for the purpose for which it is intended, will have no problem staying at the top of the board.

With esteem for all members,

Flick James

[Rev. Powell]

I obviously like the idea, in theory.  But frankly it won't work.  People will continue posting news items and they will continue to turn into political debates.

In the past Andrew has mentioned that he's not fond of the political debate threads, because they tend to get out of control and devolve into name calling.  Good posters have left the forum permanently over disagreements in political arguments.  I am afraid there isn't really a solution to the problem; it's just something that comes along with allowing open discussion and debate. 

All I would suggest is that people remember to be civil and keep the arguments friendly disagreements.  I have suggested that posters stop going back and forth once they realize that they're never going to come to a consensus with another poster, but few of the dedicated arguers take my advice. 

[Flick James]

Perhaps, but I'm going to try and encourage using it as much as possible.

[Flick James]

This is in response to 3nmkids's following quote from another thread. I'm trying to see if I can be at all successful at steering these political discussions here. If it fails, it fails, but I'm gonna try anyway.

You dont have any idea what my view on socialism is. None.

I wasn't claiming to. I was simply trying to establish to indianasmith that I was not necessarily taking anyone's position who had been posting in that thread. It was not meant to be insulting, or to misrepresent anything you have posted. That wasn't the point.

[Jack]

Good luck Flick, I hope people move their political arguments into this thread.  I just come here for pleasant conversations (and a little teasing) with friends about bad movies and other such subjects.  Political arguing only serves to make enemies out of friends.

[indianasmith]

Only if you let it.  Lester and I are polar opposites, but I'd still watch Ed Wood movies with him any day.  I obviously have strong opinions and love debate, but I try not to take it to personally.  The only one on here who just really gets me angry is Judge Dread.  I don't expect him to change his positions on anything, I just wish he could state them with a little less vitriol.  The Fox News thread seems to have a life of its own, but if that discussion moves over here, I'll keep it here.  Maybe we could start a parallel "Religious Debate" thread and just keep those two going, without opening a bunch of new ones.  I'm willing to give that a go.

[JaseSF]

Our political system in Canada is quite different from that in the United States. We don't get to vote for our Prime Minister, he's simply the leader of the political party that receives the most seats and acquires his seat by simply winning the seat in the region for which he is a representative. In essence, when voting for an MHA (or Member of the House of Assembly), I usually take into accounts certain factors. One, has the elected individual done a good job that has benefitted the area in which I live, providing jobs, improving roads and health-care facilities - has he/she encouraged economic growth?, etc.. Of course oftentimes, MHAs will have little actual power and may simply be a backbencher - then I look at whether the party he/she represents has provided the above things for the area which the individual represents. If I feel the person or party hasn't done a good job, then I'm likely to look for someone else to vote for and it doesn't matter to me really what party the individual represents. I vote for the person I think will do the best job be they conservative, liberal or new decromat. We vote on both a provincial and federal level and currently we have a Political Conservative representative provincially and a Liberal representative (actually endorsed by the province's PC leadership) federally. To me, our federal representative has done a good job and I'd probably vote for him again but I'm not so certain on the provincial representative. My vote seemingly matters very little in the larger of scope of things but it is my right and I'm glad to have that right.

[Rev. Powell]

I want to give Lester props.  He used to be terrible about starting political debates where they weren't wanted, and in using inflammatory rhetoric when he did.  He's actually improved his posting style over time, so you can learn to be more civil! 

[judge death]

Well, some of what's going on is a reflection of the general levels of poison and hate the right has pumped into american politics recently. The teahadi, the sucessionists,m the afterbirthers, etc. they're really getting on some people's nerves with their hate speech and lies, like claiming the hostility towards bush was anywhere near what was thrown at clinton or is being throw n at obama.

Also, some righty will make a comments that is essentially "All Democrats are commies, all liberals are socialists, of course." ad when someone replies to it the righty complains that politics are being brought up.

Some people are getting sick of the rightwingnuts and are getting hostile in return. When you see people carrying signs like "Forget dogs and cats. Spay and neuter liberals!" it can get you blood up.

[indianasmith]

You are the one bringing the poison to this forum, Judge.  Your rhetoric is hateful and your attitude is constantly negative.  We were able to discuss these things civilly until you came in with your conservative bashing, America hating attitude.  I would enjoy discussing things with you a great deal more if you could be less hateful and more rational.  You bring up (and occasionally make up) all the sins of one side while steadfastly refusing to acknowledge the deplorable excesses of your own.  That myopic attitude is what I can't stand.  Your  being a liberal . . . or, as you proudly like to claim, "beyond liberal"  (I said it but you  acknowledged it, actually) is fine.  But being a liberal doesn't mean you have to be a jerk.

[judge death]

I know you are but what am I?

[wickednick]

I know you are but what am I?

Damn dude, thats immature. You think people are going to agree with you more with that attitude. If you want to talk politics be mature about it, don't act like we are on the playground.

[Mr. DS]

I've been here for a few years now and I can say honestly the only thing political debate threads usually end up in is someone leaving the board out of frustration.   And of course responses like this which aren't needed;

I know you are but what am I?

Conservatives, liberals, its all the same old situation gents.  No one is going ever going to change their ground and everyone is essentially talking to hear themselves speak.  If you want to get on a soapbox by all means start a blog on an outside site.  There are plenty of free ones out there.  This however really isn't the place.  

[Andrew]

Arguing points is fine, but tossing insults only causes more insults.  Political threads have little place on this forum.

This thread is done.