Political Bashing

[Gravekeeper]

The OP may hate political "bashing", but for the most part people here like it, and may even consider it a civic duty.

Well, I don't like political bashing as in making up silly labels for supporters of each side ( Repubatard, Libtard, Liburals, etc )

I do however see merit in politician "bashing". Or rather "Dishonest Powermongering Asshole" bashing. It just happens to be more concentrated on one side at the moment. Though rest assured it's by no means exclusive.

[DrFaroohk]

I never said I hate political bashing. I just hate people who have to really "reach" for it. Like the ones who get all upset and pissing themselves because Obama's hand was at a slightly different angle than usual when he waved at somebody.

[Gravekeeper]

I never said I hate political bashing. I just hate people who have to really "reach" for it. Like the ones who get all upset and pissing themselves because Obama's hand was at a slightly different angle than usual when he waved at somebody.

Terrorist fist bump?

[Boozy]

I never said I hate political bashing. I just hate people who have to really "reach" for it. Like the ones who get all upset and pissing themselves because Obama's hand was at a slightly different angle than usual when he waved at somebody.

Okay, I see what you mean.

I think people dwell on idiotic things like that instead of the substantive issues because it's easier. If someone wanted to criticize Obama for his policies, they'd actually have to learn something about his policies.

[XCashier]

If someone wanted to criticize Obama for his policies, they'd actually have to learn something about his policies.

QFT. It's so much easier to draw a Hitler mustache on his picture, or question his birthplace, or talk about how Obama is one letter removed from Osama, than to actually read and think about what he endorses.

I have much more respect for those who do read and think about his policies and still disagree with them without resorting to silly catchphrases and name-calling.

[Rapscallion]

At the risk of repeating points above, the average audience member right now for any sort of media has a very short attention span. In order to gain any sort of impact, it does require the short, sharp shock, something instantly recognisable and understandable.

Also, we should bear in mind my old favourite drum to beat - tribalism. People are tribalistic - my lot versus your lot. This can be a natural divide (black vs white, or cultural across a country's borders) or artificial (religion, politics). It's easier to hate a person and their views than to understand them.

Rapscallion

[guywithashovel]

I can't remember, did the republicans have to deal with the same bullshit when bush was president?

Well, just as it is every time a new president gets elected, there were people who were disgruntled with Bush from day one. However, as I have said often before, Bush was a pretty popular president during his first few years in office. If anyone doesn't believe me, simply look up Bush's approval ratings throughout his tenure as president. So it wasn't always like it was during his last few years as president. Some people say that he was only popular because of the rally points that were achieved after 9-11 and during the beginning of the Iraq War. You could make an intelligent case for that. Still, though, at the beginning of Bush's presidency, the Republicans really didn't have to put up with anything beyond the typical partisan jabs.

[Gravekeeper]

At the risk of repeating points above, the average audience member right now for any sort of media has a very short attention span. In order to gain any sort of impact, it does require the short, sharp shock, something instantly recognizable and understandable.

Dunno, from where I stand it seems to be an American thing. Like they've taken all that and dissolved it down to the fundamentals. American media is all about sound bites and stupid little non-issues that can be blown out of proportion and manufactured into faux outrage. It doesn't matter if something is wrong or is proven wrong later, because the retraction or correction is always a muted footnote to the entire song and dance before it. So people only remember and believe the song and dance, not the retraction. American politicians don't have to tell the truth because by the time the lie is exposed everyone will already believe it and most won't hear about the retraction.

Americans seem to treat their political parties like baseball teams, basically. They pick a side and stick with it regardless of how bad the team is or how ridiculous the length they have to go to justify that allegiance or put down opposing teams.

I just vote for whomever is the best option this time around. >.>

[Rapscallion]

Dunno, from where I stand it seems to be an American thing.

Happens in the UK as well, my main frame of reference.

Rapscallion

[Gravekeeper]

Happens in the UK as well, my main frame of reference.

Rapscallion

Really? I can watch the BBC without wanting to reach into the TV and throttle someone. The media there still seems light years ahead of what the American media has become over the last 7-8 years or so.

BBC and CBC are about all I can watch now ><

[Rapscallion]

The BBC is very professional, but the main exponents of this art are the newspapers over here, and the politicians themselves. Newspapers are owned by biased individuals (one this week decided to publicly change its political alleigance), and politicians are always willing to spin things.

Rapscallion

[Gravekeeper]

The BBC is very professional, but the main exponents of this art are the newspapers over here, and the politicians themselves.
Rapscallion

Ahhh, yes, we do not have your newspapers. They are quaint things, I am sometimes surprised they still exist.

[Rapscallion]

Back when I used to read them, the Express kept harping on about how a previous owner of the Mail had met Hitler (NAZI CONNECTIONS!!!OMGWTFBBQELEVENTY!!!11!), and the Mail kept going on about how the owner of the Express group is a porn baron (actually true, but not news).

They did have a meeting of minds during this time and agreed a truce. It lasted about a week, if memory serves.

Rapscallion