ending the stupid. From my perspective.

I can only speak for myself, but my history at least here, is pretty cut and dry. It’s for all to see. I wasn’t political until 2016. In that, I mean, I didn’t care much about anything Washington DC related, aside from the Obamacare SNAFU that robbed me of my healthcare and money. I didn’t care for Obama, but the world wasn’t going to end because he was president. He spoke well and wore a suit, so pretty much wasn’t something I needed to vent about.

But in 2016, something changed. First, a little about who I am as a person. I make a conscious effort NOT to be a hypocrite in real life. I have 3 grown kids and I tried to teach them about integrity and kindness by example. Didn’t always live up to that lofty goal, but I feel like I tried, so I collected my participation trophy and display it proudly. Now, what changed?

Smug, arrogant assholes. I couldn’t put my finger on what started it, but the attitude of the left, who I wasn’t usually a follower of, was that of douche baggery. I was finding myself wanting to make those who acted like that look foolish whenever possible. Id’ go out of my way to type something snarky if I thought it would rile up those who I really was irritated with. I could have just walked away, went somewhere else, read something different, but I couldn’t. It was like a disease. And it festered and got stronger and uglier, and meaner.

I am now something I really don’t like, and it’s not something I feel I can just turn off. That is, as long as that attitude still exists out there. I don’t know what to do, other than unplugging and walking away, but that wouldn’t change the attitude of others, it would only silence my insignificant voice. I think we need some drastic change. We need an entire paradigm shift. We need for the hate, the divide, the anger, dare I say the Incredible, immense, gargantuan amount of stupid to just stop.
I can’t do what needs to be done as far as I can see. I need to have the other side change. If the smug arrogant asshole attitude was to stop being so prevalent in what seems to be the opposition, I would stop worrying about trying to oppose it with every breath. There would be no need. And I don’t feel as if I’m asking for people to stop being themselves, I think they did that a few years ago. I’d like them to go back to being who they were. People who cared about something other than just trying to twist things to suit their side’s agenda.

It’s a simple kind of request. You stop, and I’ll stop. Trump is president. He will be until the next election, unless we decide not to have any viable people run to oppose him. Just as we who didn’t like Obama, couldn’t do anything about him being the president, you who don’t like Trump can’t do anything about him, other than what you have been doing, and that isn’t really working. It’s just causing what I think is the root of the problem.

I know I am exactly half of the problem we face today. And I know that I can stop that with ease, if the reason for it’s existence was gone. I just wonder if it’s possible for people to remember what they used to be. I cannot imagine how the USA might be after another presidential election. The bar has been set in a very ugly part of town, can you imagine if this was just the beginning? Let’s make it the end.

a reply to: network dude

Well worded. I can also admit I am part of the growing problem. I didn't much care for Obama but he was President and I think he did what he thought was best. I always voted Republican until Trump. I just can't stand the buffoon. Now, I am not one of those people that walk around saying he is not my President. I am an American. He is the President and by proxy he is my president. Now, I am not walking around trying to dethrone him, however, I do feel the need to challenge people that support his actions. I am not against the right or Republicans (I don't agree with everything, but some things). It is just him. What am I really accomplishing though? I am not going to change anyone's mind and I am just stressing myself out.

I jumped in the fray after an extended ATS break because I saw good folk getting called names that I didn't think fit them. Along the way, I saw how reasoned response to the super-twisted spin had value as regards the "silent majority."

Your voice is important. Should we all tone down the rhetoric aspects? Yeah, but at the same time we need not shirk our responsibility because the pen truly is mightier than the sword when it comes to keeping ideas alive and unpacking the spin of the MSM and of those who lap it up and regurgitate it.

Carry on, Dude.

It started as a well written rational plea for discussion... Then by paragraph 3, it became another left bashing, mea culpa, divisive thread, praising trump....

Take the stick out your eyes before noticing specs of dusts in other people' eyes.

These threads pop up every time trump screams the blame on others... The followers follow. Yet never hold the leader of the country accountable for anything.

Isn't it weird how it's always someone else to blame? Always...?

The smug arrogant a holes on the left got worse, whilst the pure noble and virtuous on the right got more 'right'?

What are you talking about? How can someone so blatantly point the blame on 'the left' when the president of the free world spews more trash out of his mouth more than any other?

originally posted by: odzeandennz
It started as a well written rational plea for discussion... Then by paragraph 3, it became another left bashing, mea culpa, divisive thread, praising trump....

Take the stick out your eyes before noticing specs of dusts in other people' eyes.

These threads pop up every time trump screams the blame on others... The followers follow. Yet never hold the leader of the country accountable for anything.

Isn't it weird how it's always someone else to blame? Always...?

The smug arrogant a holes on the left got worse, whilst the pure noble and virtuous on the right got more 'right'?

What are you talking about? How can someone so blatantly point the blame on 'the left' when the president of the free world spews more trash out of his mouth more than any other?

you didn't really understand what I wrote at all. I am a dick. I am that way, because of the smug arrogant assholes I mentioned. Would you like me to offer some whatabotuism, or point to someone else and tell you they are acting worse, so it makes what I say alright?

I may be wrong, but I see my self as a reactionist. If you remove the reason for my reaction, I'm left with nothing. If you want me to stop reacting, I can, but others won't. So who makes the first move? It doesn't sound you it will be you.

ETA: and since you made the claim, point out where Trump was "praised".

True words.

Some call it a gift but I call it a curse. I remember stuff. I remember the avatar-history of the most active members here and some other stuff like conversations / arguments we had.

My overall impression, even though I try to stay unbiased, is that both groups are not innocent but the left is the worst of all. Not only one ATS, but overall.

There are certain members here that are so predictable in their behavior.

I´ve seen them moving goal posts, trying to produce strawmans, distract, lie, ommit facts and spin them and their almighty weapon: whataboutism. How many times did I argue fair and open minded with other people, showing I want to understand their position but what do you get? Whataboutism and strawmans, hatred. This is more obvious in real conversations, when you can see the other face to face.

Now, remind you there are such peope on both sides but the above is the modus operandi for a greater part of the active partisans.

This all gives me the feeling that even starting a conversation or argument with someone will bear no fruit. What sense does it make to talk to each other when one side is trying to be objective, while to other side is deceiveing and won´t spare no drama.

It´s my impression, I value honesty manners and a backbone. Hell, even one of the former most respected members is just now an obvious troll and even admits it.


My 2 cents.

a reply to: verschickter

I don't think the left is any worse or better than the right "politically", it's just the attitude. And I'm biased in that I'm pretty sure I'm right, so that must be factored in.

a reply to: network dude


I still love you, man.

originally posted by: verschickter

Hell, even one of the former most respected members is just now an obvious troll and even admits it.

So shameless I doubt that will phage--I mean "phase"--him at all.

a reply to: network dude

the end of this foolishness will happen when people realize there is no right or left.
our politicians do not represent us. they represent the corporate interests that line their bank accounts.
while the world is screaming "clinton is a crime lord!" or "trump is a rapist!" the real problems will never be addressed.

how long should we continue to have military action in foreign land?
how long should we let the public education system deteriorate before our elected officials act?
how long should we be silent as the manufacturing industry relocates overseas?

i guess all this can wait, i see a kardashian/clinton/trump meme that needs our outrage.

originally posted by: odzeandennz

What are you talking about? How can someone so blatantly point the blame on 'the left' when the president of the free world spews more trash out of his mouth more than any other?

Because what you just said is patently false.

First off, he, as are others on the right, mostly reactionary. We will fight back if picked on.

The idea that the left can say anything they want with no repercussions but if called on it are suddenly "victims" is a stupid idea.

Secondly, there is in no way, shape or form more divisive rhetoric coming from the President then there is coming from the Democratic party leaders and their PR arm, the Media.

So you have an opinion and state it like a fact.

It isn't... and people such as yourself should be called out on it.

Stop lying and we won't have to keep pointing it out.

originally posted by: odzeandennz
It started as a well written rational plea for discussion... Then by paragraph 3, it became another left bashing, mea culpa, divisive thread, praising trump....

Take the stick out your eyes before noticing specs of dusts in other people' eyes.

These threads pop up every time trump screams the blame on others... The followers follow. Yet never hold the leader of the country accountable for anything.

Isn't it weird how it's always someone else to blame? Always...?

The smug arrogant a holes on the left got worse, whilst the pure noble and virtuous on the right got more 'right'?

What are you talking about? How can someone so blatantly point the blame on 'the left' when the president of the free world spews more trash out of his mouth more than any other?

And yet, even with Trump's obvious and well known flaws, he still won the election over Hillary and the left. Why do you think that is? What would cause people to go with the obnoxious guy over your person?

Is it going to be honest discussion or insults?

a reply to: network dude

Like I wrote I try to stay unbiased. I notice this on both sides but the left -from my point of view- does it more often. I´ve also "chimed in" for some more leftist members only to get attacked by both sides then.

I don´t dislike the left per se. I just dislike their modus operandi.

Maybe it has to do that the left is more connected to all -in my eyes- to the abrasing of values in general.

I consider myself a Centrist and even a Liberal at one time. Something in society shifted in the last 2 decades where I once was on the left-center, now I am considered far-right. The way I think of the world remained the same, it seems those on the Left have shifted further towards the radical left. I myself remain Pro Freedom, Pro Free Speech, Pro Choice, Pro Sexual Choice, Pro Religious Freedom and Pro Gun Rights. It seems that the Left no longer have room for people like myself. If we disagree with the Left in any way, we are the Enemy. Where I was once called a Liberal, I now feel ashamed of the label because of how the Democrats and the Left have distorted it. But no matter I now wear the Conservative badge with Pride until the Left again move towards Center. #MAGA

originally posted by: jjkenobi

originally posted by: odzeandennz
It started as a well written rational plea for discussion... Then by paragraph 3, it became another left bashing, mea culpa, divisive thread, praising trump....

Take the stick out your eyes before noticing specs of dusts in other people' eyes.

These threads pop up every time trump screams the blame on others... The followers follow. Yet never hold the leader of the country accountable for anything.

Isn't it weird how it's always someone else to blame? Always...?

The smug arrogant a holes on the left got worse, whilst the pure noble and virtuous on the right got more 'right'?

What are you talking about? How can someone so blatantly point the blame on 'the left' when the president of the free world spews more trash out of his mouth more than any other?

And yet, even with Trump's obvious and well known flaws, he still won the election over Hillary and the left. Why do you think that is? What would cause people to go with the obnoxious guy over your person?

Is it going to be honest discussion or insults?

Insults?
My person?
Any criticism of trump makes anyone the enemy. That's why the country is in the state of affairs its in now.

I'm open to discussion but you're the one who already affiliated me with Hillary because of objective criticism of trump.

I don't think you'll be able to see that, you immediately project as defense... But hey...

Pluto in Capricorn has exposed most of the NWO and Democrat BS and all who go with it.

Get used to it, Pluto in Capricorn stays until 2025.

It ain't over yet.

"and they said I was a dumb bell"

originally posted by: Lumenari
originally posted by: odzeandennz
The idea that the left can say anything they want with no repercussions but if called on it are suddenly "victims" is a stupid idea.

You speak from my heart. This is something I see so often.

-Pulling the victim card, going the easy way.

When they do this, for me it´s simply giving up. Laying in the dust with no will to pull themselfes up on their feet again.

This is something I can not understand because if they had that attitude 100 years ago, they would be dead pretty fast. And this may sound harsh but since we drag such individuals with us as humanity it only got worse.

Now we have grown ups that think they are entitled to something because they exist.

Respect is to be given or earned, not demanded. And the list could go on.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
a reply to: network dude


I still love you, man.

Thanks. you mean in a "man love" kind of way right, and not an "I'd love to have you for dinner", kind of way?

a reply to: network dude

You literally saying trump is president stop the opposition, agree with everything he does and says... Yes he's the president, no need for more Praises.

But you can't expect people to be on the side of trump with no questions?

It's even apparent for conservatives on ats whom dare even hint at a critical analysis of a move by trump; threads which would otherwise get stars and flag galore are uncharacteristically abandoned when an eyebrow is raised at trump.

Your plea is that you're acting the way you do because people are opposing trump? What logic is that?

a reply to: network dude

Just be alarmed if he tells you that you´re going to dine in the basement.