Politics...

Kizzume · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 9:57 pm Post subject: Politics...

I haven't really been on any political forums lately. I've sort-of gotten burned out on politics IN GENERAL for a little while. I primarily go on political forums to try to learn other political perspectives and to try to share mine, and if I constantly see a side not being brought up, I tend to bring them up. Lately, I've seen everyone's side being argued, and I haven't been seeing any new perspective, and things have really been starting to feel like old news everywhere I go. I don't know whether it's burnout or what, but I haven't really felt like arguing about things anymore. I guess I'm at a point now where arguing about things that I really have no control over just seems like a waste of time.

And that's how I pretty much feel about politics--it's something we have no control over. We can talk all we want and it really doesn't mean anything anymore. The only chance people have in making change is in local government and those changes don't really affect the big picture in any significant way--it would take someone's entire lifetime to even see a smijen of change in the bigger picture. Yes, I've become a lot more cynical about things, and I just want to stop worrying or wondering about what the government is doing and focus more on doing something significant with my life while I still can.

Politics in general seems to primarily consist of gossip and unsubstantiated opinions, with loose-sleeved cherrypicked facts thrown in for good measure to prove a point in a similar manner as the Bible used to be thrown in as an argument to continue enforcing slavery, or like me using religious references to make a point right now in this very long run-on sentence. It seems like a waste of time to argue about politics. It's even more of a waste of time to argue about religion.

Over the past couple weeks, I've seen people's friendships come to an end over religious and political issues, and it doesn't have anything to do with things on THIS forum. I guess I've had enough negativity in my life to feel like I'm spreading it around in a negative manner or to be some sort of conduit for negativity--I want to focus most of my energy into my music and my band.

I'm just letting you know that I'm probably going to be switching gears as to what subjects I'm going to be more focused on. Talking about games, music, and entertainment gives me pleasure as well as expands my horizons in the things that I really enjoy. In the past, I really enjoyed arguing, and I don't know why I enjoyed it nor do I fully know why I no longer enjoy it. Anyway, I just wanted to let y'all know--and since this is really very much rant-like, I put this in the Rants and Blogs section.

jq · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1124

Well, it is especially this time of the election season when you just about can't get away from it, and there is a lot of tension between people. After all, we have an election coming up this november, and with the contenders continually trying to one-up another, you can see why if you have a friend lets say who wants McCain big time, and lets say you want Obama big time, it is hard to sit down and have a beer and not feel a little animosity when you're both thinking about it.

One of my closests and best friends is a staunch republican who big time wants McCain and under no circumstance wants hillary or Obama. I have noticed that lately he hasn't wanted to hang out as often. I don't really blame him-- politics IS his career-- he literally works as a campaigner for the Republican party these days, so it may almost seem like a conflict of interest to go drink and get pizza with an old friend who disagrees a lot on politics.

Or to put it another way, since he is immersed in politics, it is hard for him to NOT bring it up after having a beer or two, and since there is a LOT of tension this time around (Because of the polarizing and partisanship our current president has encouraged the past 8 years) it is hard to ignore the tension.

He and I still get along well, and I know our frienship will survive these times. But if McCain wins I will be thoroughly disapointed and discouraged and that will be a hard thing for me not to show on the outside. Nonetheless, I find that the best thing to do with friends is to be smart about how you talk about politics. I talk some politics with him, but different people handle opposition differently.

Like for example, one of my very best friends who is in the military is way more into arguing politics, without taking it personally. Now, we happen to agree on a LOT of stuff-- both of us are democrats with similar philosophies-- BUT, if we disagree we can both argue over it for like an HOUR and when we are done talking about it neither of us feels hurt. My republican friend for whatever reason, takes politics a little more personally, so I tend to not mention the stuff I disagree with him on as often. We still have had our own debates, but when it comes down to it, even with partisan differences, there are still a lot of things in politics we can both agree on. And there are, of course, other subjects to have a beer over BESIDES politics. In fact, of course, that goes highly recommended.

It is really just the time of the election season that is making politics seem so important. Politics will always be in the news and will always seem relatively vital, but we will be getting a big time break from it after November, once the election season is over. In the meantime, some tip-toeing is important to do with family and friends because everyone's got someone they are rooting for and someone they are rooting against.

Viv · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Scotland

We will miss you, Kiz, on the political forums. You have unusual and sometimes unique perspectives on the political issues and I always like to read what you say, even if I don't agree with you. Wink

Kizzume · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 10:55 am Post subject:

Thanks.

I won't be gone forever--I'm sure I'll probably go back to it later, I just think I'll be taking a little break from politics for a little while. I'll still pop by over there for other subjects though. Smile

archangelm · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 49 Location: Ohio

Kizzume · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 4:00 pm Post subject:

I did not. I'm still looking for it but can't locate it....

Kizzume · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 9:59 am Post subject:

I'll be back on the forum on a normal basis soon. Besides the politics thing, my life has taken a very busy turn lately, so I'm sorry for not being around very much the past few days.

Segep · Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 221

I know how you feel about the political thing.

Segep · Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 221

Let me tell you someday about the time I've had trying to admin a support forum for a certain medical condition..... hoo boy. It's enough to make me give up the internet.

archangelm · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 49 Location: Ohio

Kizzume · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 11:03 am Post subject:

Well, times have been really busy again this week. Sorry I haven't been here more.

Hiedi · Joined: 31 Jan 2008 Posts: 97

Arguing on forums (some people like to refer to it as debating) just does not make any logical sense to me at all, and it's not like we actually ever change anyone's mind or make a change in the world. Whatever the subject, the arguing usually gets out of hand, and I have seen very few people that can debate a subject without it getting personal. Real life is complicated enough without me getting on the internet and creating more problems by arguing with people. The way I look at it; the world has enough nastiness in it already without me taking part or adding to it.

technocrat · Joined: 04 Dec 2007 Posts: 216

I think you are correct, hiedi, that most of the time, you aren't going to convince anyone, so a lot of it is pointless. This is especially true on forums with low quality control, such as LiberalForum, where you get swamped by people who get jollies out of trolling. I primarily use forums to vent steam at others from how shitty my day is.

Did I mention I hate kids?

Kizzume · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 10:55 pm Post subject:

You're both so right. But then again, sometimes people really do change each other's minds, I know it has happened to me on numerous occasions.