Wondering Aloud............................

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by DarkDefender

Watching the Americans from across the pond, it seems to me as though your news organizations pick and choose silly topics to enrage the public with. Whether it's DADT, NY mosque or Obama-Care, these topics are brought up for a few weeks at a time to let the citizens argue back and forth over an issue that is relatively black or white.
These are the kind of stories that rile up emotions and are used to distract the general American population. It is sad to see so many get riled up over issues, particularly something like DADT, that in the overall scheme of things aren't that big of a deal. The 24/7 news channels have done an excellent job of helping to polarize a nation into left/right viewpoints.

A very astute observation, Sir!

This is why I love to get opinions from folks outside the USA.
As a man much wiser than me, (And all of you, BTW.), once told me, "Oftentimes the view is much more clear, looking from the outside in.".

Dave

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

A very astute observation, Sir!

This is why I love to get opinions from folks outside the USA.
As a man much wiser than me, (And all of you, BTW.), once told me, "Oftentimes the view is much more clear, looking from the outside in.".

Dave

Or as somenoe observed "They can't see the forest for the trees."

[d-ray657]

Mr. Darkdefender, you have identified the essence of wedge issues. Issues that don't affect the day to day lives of most of us, but have the emotional appeal to attract wide spread attention. The one I recall most vividly gave us a second Bush presidency - gay marriage. It's proponents had just enough success to create a reactionary backlash. This led to ballot issues in several states to "preserve the sanctity of marriage." Voters who wouldn't otherwise have been interested in the presidential elections, or whose actual interests would be contrary to those playing upon their prejudices, showed up to make sure "that type of folks" wouldn't spoil marriage for others who have tried it one or two or three times. The type of people who were energized by such measures helped give the election to Bush.

Regards,

D-Ray

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

Mr. Darkdefender, you have identified the essence of wedge issues. Issues that don't affect the day to day lives of most of us, but have the emotional appeal to attract wide spread attention. The one I recall most vividly gave us a second Bush presidency - gay marriage. It's proponents had just enough success to create a reactionary backlash. This led to ballot issues in several states to "preserve the sanctity of marriage." Voters who wouldn't otherwise have been interested in the presidential elections, or whose actual interests would be contrary to those playing upon their prejudices, showed up to make sure "that type of folks" wouldn't spoil marriage for others who have tried it one or two or three times. The type of people who were energized by such measures helped give the election to Bush.

Regards,

D-Ray

I always wondered about the "sanctity of marriage" in a country with possibly the world's highest divorce rate. It is almost like sharia law where you just have to say "I divorce thee" three imes and it's done.

[DarkDefender]

I find it particularly funny that the party that so fervently opposes gay marriage has had a number of married politicians involved in gay extra-marital affairs.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by DarkDefender

I find it particularly funny that the party that so fervently opposes gay marriage has had a number of married politicians involved in gay extra-marital affairs.

Personal belief/behavior doesn't interfere with their need to pander for the vote - independent thinkers, I suppose.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Personal belief/behavior doesn't interfere with their need to pander for the vote - independent stinkers, I suppose.

Fixed it for ya.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by DarkDefender

I find it particularly funny that the party that so fervently opposes gay marriage has had a number of married politicians involved in gay extra-marital affairs.

Yes, many of us have noticed that as well. Republicans also have an alarmingly odd love of buff men in uniform. Any kind of muscular, tough guy with a square jaw and six pack abs, especially if he is displaying some sort of pointy weapon---sword, rifle.....whatever is long, hard and especially if it gets hot and stuff shoots out the end of it.

Methinks they are about the most faggoty lot on the planet. All of that anti-Gay rhetoric appears to be self-loathing, upon examination.

Dave

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

Yes, many of us have noticed that as well. Republicans also have an alarmingly odd love of buff men in uniform. Any kind of muscular, tough guy with a square jaw and six pack abs, especially if he is displaying some sort of pointy weapon---sword, rifle.....whatever is long, hard and especially if it gets hot and stuff shoots out the end of it.

Methinks they are about the most faggoty lot on the planet. All of that anti-Gay rhetoric appears to be self-loathing, upon examination.

Dave

now that's funny

[Charles]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

Yes, many of us have noticed that as well. Republicans also have an alarmingly odd love of buff men in uniform. Any kind of muscular, tough guy with a square jaw and six pack abs, especially if he is displaying some sort of pointy weapon---sword, rifle.....whatever is long, hard and especially if it gets hot and stuff shoots out the end of it.

Methinks they are about the most faggoty lot on the planet. All of that anti-Gay rhetoric appears to be self-loathing, upon examination.

Dave

I realized long ago that I was narrow minded in my view of the faggots.

But I find it repulsive, and I always will. That's just me, and I ain't about to change for nobody, couldn't even do it if I wanted to.

Lesbians, however, are more entertaining to the enlightened part of my mind.

Nothing wrong with a good old fashioned fetish.

Chas