Crimea votes to secede from Ukraine and join Russia

[LibCampFireClub 635]

I am continually surprised on VJ how people will take up the causes and parrot the talking points of the politicians in the foreign spouse's country.

On the one hand, it's nice that people care about the politics of a country they never lived in, but on the other hand... there are people on here who are American but pretend to be the foreign person to rally for a cause.

Can you be a little more specific, or do you prefer to just take random shots from the sideline without citing specifics? Just who are these VJ people? The one's who agree or disagree with you?

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Can you be a little more specific, or do you prefer to just take random shots from the sideline without citing specifics? Just who are these VJ people? The one's who agree or disagree with you?

I'm pretty sure it's called baiting. When you start name dropping, mods come in and release the hammer.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

I'm pretty sure it's called baiting. When you start name dropping, mods come in and release the hammer.

A child takes bait like that and attacks the person rather than the message. It's not rocket science to tell the difference.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I am continually surprised on VJ how people will take up the causes and parrot the talking points of the politicians in the foreign spouse's country.

On the one hand, it's nice that people care about the politics of a country they never lived in, but on the other hand... there are people on here who are American but pretend to be the foreign person to rally for a cause.

What's also surprising is as Americans, we tend to speak with authority on any matter, foreign or domestic and expect our opinion to be heard and respected, but, if a person not born here, but brought over by their spouse does the same thing on this website, they're told to STFU.

And I'll drop names. I've seen Penny and Papa told straight to their faces their opinions don't matter because they're not USC's, even when they were right.

A child takes bait like that and attacks the person rather than the message. It's not rocket science to tell the difference.

Well then, we have a lot of children on this site.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

What's also surprising is as Americans, we tend to speak with authority on any matter, foreign or domestic and expect our opinion to be heard and respected, but, if a person not born here, but brought over by their spouse does the same thing on this website, they're told to STFU.

And I'll drop names. I've seen Penny and Papa told straight to their faces their opinions don't matter because they're not USC's, even when they were right.

That is truly a shame.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

Well then, we have a lot of children on this site.

So goes the world of political discussion.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

So goes the world of political discussion.

The reason this place is hard pressed to have an actual discussion without delving into mud slinging is because any time a topic is posted, political or not, someone from the other side has to respond with an attack.

Bring Obama up when he's relevant to the conversation, instead of blaming that man when your bread is soggy. It weakens the message and makes the person look foolish.

That is truly a shame.

Yep, it's amazing the folks here who've married someone from a different country have such a narrow mindset.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Su and Marvin

[Dakine10 5,452]

Really?

And they just let him pack up paintings, some other valuables and a dog in the middle of the night? Just like that?

Who cares? He said she said, and beside the point. Leaving Kiev does not constitute resignation under the constitution of Ukraine.

[Sousuke 1,214]

I guess the only thing I really have to say on the subject is this.

It seems odd to me that crimean polls from the past were never solidly for independence or russian annexation. And yet suddenly this month the vote is 96%? I'm sorry but from a sociological perspective its does not seem possible. Therefore I must assume fraud.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

Within limited guidelines, when it comes to politics, the public (in this case VJ) is free to mock, blast, and defame a political message and the person holding office. But, when it comes to attacking the person doing the posting, it's a hard line. It's really easy to get sucked into a low-brow taunting of how the leader or ideology you support wears army boots, is stupid, ignorant, engages in face palms, failed, or whatever. I don't know there is a best way to moderate a political forum because there is so much passion involved. It should be clear however to refrain from making grossly over-the-line accusations toward a poster that have nothing to do with the message. Truly, I don't know that it can be done, as politics and religion are the topics you should not discuss during business luncheons, and holidays spent with a mixed bag of friends. I think we all get a little burnt-out on reading the vitriol expressed, and need to take time off.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I've seen Penny and Papa told straight to their faces their opinions don't matter because they're not USC's, even when they were right.

Why should anybody's opinion matter to me?... right, or wrong! That would be a logical fallacy.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The reason this place is hard pressed to have an actual discussion without delving into mud slinging is because any time a topic is posted, political or not, someone from the other side has to respond with an attack.

Yes, one of the reasons my ignore list gets longer and longer.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I guess the only thing I really have to say on the subject is this.

It seems odd to me that crimean polls from the past were never solidly for independence or russian annexation. And yet suddenly this month the vote is 96%? I'm sorry but from a sociological perspective its does not seem possible. Therefore I must assume fraud.

Hmm. The polls I saw favored the result by more than 85%. 95% is not outside expectations.

[Sousuke 1,214]

Hmm. The polls I saw favored the result by more than 85%. 95% is not outside expectations.

Prior to March?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Prior to March?

Since the story broke, whenever that was. Crimea was not even on my radar before then.