Reasons for Posting Political Threads

[no name 1]

Stina-

I think people can't stop themselves from posting what remotely attacks the other side. Op-ed's are the rampant topic of choice.

Even in your thread here, lies are spread with no facts to back them up.

I aim to post facts, not half-truths & lies. I question those who do. Then some call that an 'attack', for daring to question their fluff pieces/opinions. I call it reality.

[HAL 9000 96]

Perhaps dissatisfaction with the current Bush is one reason McCain is trying to distance himself during this campaign on issues he virtually agrees with Bush...

Moving on now?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

only 2% regret voting for Bush

Do you regret voting for George Bush?

Yes - 237 votes (21%), No - 661 votes (59%)

For me, I want people to pay attention this time. We got stuck with W for eight years because people weren't paying attention. Plus this time on the Democratic side we've got a truly exciting and inspiring candidate, and I feel very strongly that he's going to do a great job. Look at the campaign, he talks about issues, the other side talks about lipstick.

I feel this country is going the wrong direction and is headed for much worse unless we, yes, change. Since McCain has shown over the past 8 years that if he can't beat them, he'll join them, he's going to make things worse, not better. And his hockey mom/pit bull waiting for his heart to stop scares me; we'll long for the days of W's competence should she become President.

(bolded) That is simply your opinion, not fact. I am paying attention, and I still don't want to vote for Obama. When people say others aren't paying attention because they aren't supporting who they want, it's just biased in my opinion, more of the same.

Stina, you've always been level headed and nice to everyone on VJ....and I've always admired that.

I think you're right to a certain degree, once people make up their minds about which candidate they are going to vote for, they won't change, but that's not true for everyone, especially going into this election...there are many still undecided voters. Regardless of who people are voting for, I still think people's mind aren't completely made up as to how they feel about each candidate and one of them will be our next president. So if someone posts something that is untrue or a flat out lie about a particular issue and the candidate, I think we owe it to ourselves to get to the bottom of the truth. This is especially important going into this election because so many people who actually did vote for Bush in 2000 and/or 2004 are full of regret. Whatever choice people make in November, I just hope everyone makes an informed choice and not one based on hearsay, misinformation or flat out lies.

Got some facts to back that generalization up?

You can look it up yourself...let's not hijack Stina's thread.

So you don't have any. I figured as much. And no, Duncan's in-laws are not 'most' people.

Dev, you know as well as anyone that I was talking about Bush's approval ratings. Now, this was Stina's thread and the topic was why people post political threads here. Please stay on topic...thank you.

You didn't say that though, did you? You said most regret voting for him, NOTHING about approval ratings. I was interested to see facts, but once again, you take a broad brush & paint those who are unhappy with him now as something completely different. A simple google shows many are not regretful.

Seriously, if you think that using the word regret is not appropriate with interpreting Bush's low approval rating, then there's no point in discussing this further. I think enough people who read what I posted understood my point.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

For me, I want people to pay attention this time. We got stuck with W for eight years because people weren't paying attention. Plus this time on the Democratic side we've got a truly exciting and inspiring candidate, and I feel very strongly that he's going to do a great job. Look at the campaign, he talks about issues, the other side talks about lipstick.

I feel this country is going the wrong direction and is headed for much worse unless we, yes, change. Since McCain has shown over the past 8 years that if he can't beat them, he'll join them, he's going to make things worse, not better. And his hockey mom/pit bull waiting for his heart to stop scares me; we'll long for the days of W's competence should she become President.

(bolded) That is simply your opinion, not fact. I am paying attention, and I still don't want to vote for Obama. When people say others aren't paying attention because they aren't supporting who they want, it's just biased in my opinion, more of the same.

Stina, you've always been level headed and nice to everyone on VJ....and I've always admired that.

I think you're right to a certain degree, once people make up their minds about which candidate they are going to vote for, they won't change, but that's not true for everyone, especially going into this election...there are many still undecided voters. Regardless of who people are voting for, I still think people's mind aren't completely made up as to how they feel about each candidate and one of them will be our next president. So if someone posts something that is untrue or a flat out lie about a particular issue and the candidate, I think we owe it to ourselves to get to the bottom of the truth. This is especially important going into this election because so many people who actually did vote for Bush in 2000 and/or 2004 are full of regret. Whatever choice people make in November, I just hope everyone makes an informed choice and not one based on hearsay, misinformation or flat out lies.

I think the article you posted this morning about the cognitive science study is particularly illuminating in this respect. I've heard my MIL say that she won't vote for Obama because of that lapel pin episode. It wouldn't be difficult to clarify that particular incident - but if you've already made up your mind against a candidate (and I think she has), there's no incentive to alter first impressions in light of the truth.

Given that both the DNC and the RNC failed conclusively to establish a clear policy plan (on at least one major issue) that people can rally behind - I suspect many people will simply vote along party lines based on what they think the parties represent (as opposed to what the candidates themselves represent).

Edited September 22, 2008 by Paul Daniels

[no name 1]

only 2% regret voting for Bush

<a href="http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=419906&mesg_id=419906" target="_blank">Do you regret voting for George Bush?

Yes - 237 votes (21%), No - 661 votes (59%) </a>

For me, I want people to pay attention this time. We got stuck with W for eight years because people weren't paying attention. Plus this time on the Democratic side we've got a truly exciting and inspiring candidate, and I feel very strongly that he's going to do a great job. Look at the campaign, he talks about issues, the other side talks about lipstick.

I feel this country is going the wrong direction and is headed for much worse unless we, yes, change. Since McCain has shown over the past 8 years that if he can't beat them, he'll join them, he's going to make things worse, not better. And his hockey mom/pit bull waiting for his heart to stop scares me; we'll long for the days of W's competence should she become President.

(bolded) That is simply your opinion, not fact. I am paying attention, and I still don't want to vote for Obama. When people say others aren't paying attention because they aren't supporting who they want, it's just biased in my opinion, more of the same.

Stina, you've always been level headed and nice to everyone on VJ....and I've always admired that.

I think you're right to a certain degree, once people make up their minds about which candidate they are going to vote for, they won't change, but that's not true for everyone, especially going into this election...there are many still undecided voters. Regardless of who people are voting for, I still think people's mind aren't completely made up as to how they feel about each candidate and one of them will be our next president. So if someone posts something that is untrue or a flat out lie about a particular issue and the candidate, I think we owe it to ourselves to get to the bottom of the truth. This is especially important going into this election because so many people who actually did vote for Bush in 2000 and/or 2004 are full of regret. Whatever choice people make in November, I just hope everyone makes an informed choice and not one based on hearsay, misinformation or flat out lies.

Got some facts to back that generalization up?

You can look it up yourself...let's not hijack Stina's thread.

So you don't have any. I figured as much. And no, Duncan's in-laws are not 'most' people.

Dev, you know as well as anyone that I was talking about Bush's approval ratings. Now, this was Stina's thread and the topic was why people post political threads here. Please stay on topic...thank you.

You didn't say that though, did you? You said most regret voting for him, NOTHING about approval ratings. I was interested to see facts, but once again, you take a broad brush & paint those who are unhappy with him now as something completely different. A simple google shows many are not regretful.

Seriously, if you think that using the word regret is not appropriate with interpreting Bush's low approval rating, then there's no point in discussing this further. I think enough people who read what I posted understood my point.

People on 'your' side Steven? People who hate Bush as much as you? You cannot twist your earlier words to make them fit your argument. I mean, you have, but it doesn't make it a fact.

And no, regret does not = low approval.

[chri'stina 190]

Well I guess I'll chime in with the regret issue. I don't regret voting for Bush in 2004 even if I am not thrilled with every thing that's happened during his presidency, and I don't hate him. I still don't think Kerry would have been a better choice. So I wouldn't change my vote.

[jom 4]

[no name 1]

43 agonizing days....

[Bootylicious!! 2]

Well I guess I'll chime in with the regret issue. I don't regret voting for Bush in 2004 even if I am not thrilled with every thing that's happened during his presidency, and I don't hate him. I still don't think Kerry would have been a better choice. So I wouldn't change my vote.

I couldn't agree with you more on that one. Same with this year. I think we have ####### choices. It's like choosing the lesser of two evils. At this point, I'd say my vote will go to whoever gets added to the ballot later on, if there is someone. If not, I don't have a clue which one of these numbnuts I'll vote for. I can say none of the ####### that gets posted on here influences me in any way at all.

[no name 1]

Well I guess I'll chime in with the regret issue. I don't regret voting for Bush in 2004 even if I am not thrilled with every thing that's happened during his presidency, and I don't hate him. I still don't think Kerry would have been a better choice. So I wouldn't change my vote.

I couldn't agree with you more on that one. Same with this year. I think we have ####### choices. It's like choosing the lesser of two evils. At this point, I'd say my vote will go to whoever gets added to the ballot later on, if there is someone. If not, I don't have a clue which one of these numbnuts I'll vote for. I can say none of the ####### that gets posted on here influences me in any way at all.

I agree with the ####### on a plate we have this year. Neither one will make or break America.

I'm debating 3rd party on this one - never gone there before.

[nowhereman 1]

I post here to take a mental break from work. I also have no delusions whatsoever that anyone will change their mind based on what I say... as I've said before forums tend to attract the extreme left & extreme right and these polar ends aren't well known for being tolerant of other views or open minded.

[chri'stina 190]

I post here to take a mental break from work. I also have no delusions whatsoever that anyone will change their mind based on what I say... as I've said before forums tend to attract the extreme left & extreme right and these polar ends aren't well known for being tolerant of other views or open minded.

Well VJ is a little different...at least I think so. People come here first for relationship based immigration information, from every political view and all different countries. General Discussion is the place where people can talk about whatever, like politics. Not everyone on VJ cares to participate in off topic for many reasons, some just don't feel like it, some don't have time, some only need the immigration info.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Actually before it used to be that political discussions were considered to be in bad taste on here.

I think people got on better with each other before they were exposed to everyone else's politics.

[rclouse 0]

I set off a little firestorm there, oops.

Here's another reason I post in political threads: if a lie is repeated often enough, people will begin to believe it. I post to refute lies.

For an example of this, people still believe Saddam Hussein was in league with Al Qaeda.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I set off a little firestorm there, oops.

Here's another reason I post in political threads: if a lie is repeated often enough, people will begin to believe it. I post to refute lies.

For an example of this, people still believe Saddam Hussein was in league with Al Qaeda.

You evil person you

Edited September 22, 2008 by Len_and_Bren