US News & Politics

[Rainberry]

has it hurt our environment?

Over the past three years (no data on 2020) the US has seen emissions drop every year and pollution levels have dropped in major cities across the US.

[Anyponedrawn]

Gonna be away for a moment, but still listening while I make dinner.

[Rainberry]

Enjoy dinner.

[MasterXtreme]

Overall that was a painful debate to watch.  I don't know if anyone walked away with seeing any actual substance.  No new policy, just defending old records.  Poor job at scoring points by both.  But overall, both were on their game if they wanted to look negative on stage.  I guess the positive is for both is that they pulled punches to each other and scored points with their bases.  Maybe more shockingly is Biden saying he doesn't support the Green New Deal, which will be a blow to socialists and the progressive left.  He may further lose support with them as well as them and possible independents who saw no real backbone in his stances with safety in America.  When Biden got flustered, he went to simple name calling.  President Trump came out throwing punches and landing most, but also didn't reveal much in terms of next term policy.  He mentioned some accomplishments and his upcoming Covid-19 plan, but most of that was buried in bloviating between the two of them. Trump's demeanor will definitely turn away women voters even more.

That was our first debate everyone.  Stay tuned for more coming soon and thanks for watching.

[RainySunshine]

That was an appalling and disappointing debate overall.  No one learned anything and it was just two children on a stage.  Both needed a time out.  What a let down.

[MasterXtreme]

BREAKING NEWS: President Trump & First Lady Test Positive For Coronavirus After White House Aide Hope Hicks Tests Positive

President Trump, first lady test positive for coronavirus after aide Hope Hicks tests positive, set to quarantine at White House...

Top Trump aide Hope Hicks tests positive for coronavirus.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump test positive for Covid-19...

[RainySunshine]

This isn't good.  So many things going on, so many people have come in contact.  This happens right during election season's home stretch and a Justice possibly being voted in.  For sure thoughts and prayers.  American is stronger when their leader is healthy.  Hopefully this will allow our government agencies to be more streamline in what they share about guidelines for the virus.  Again, thoughts and prayers to the President and his family, as well as all of those around/came in contact.  This is going to be a worrying few weeks. Let's hope no complications or anything happens to anyone.

[Rainberry]

Very much so, hope and pray it won't be severe and cures fast.  No long lasting effects.

Have you seen the extra toxicity being posted around the web and certain news media sites?  They are so excited it seems to hear this news and posting scenarios if the President can no longer lead the country.  It is sickening.  Then you got people on social media chanting and praising this horrible news and saying they hope he dies.  It is disgusting.  The left is absolutely disgusting.  I'm a centrist with both left and right tendencies, but the left is being absolutely disgusting and their actions are appalling.

You should never wish ill on anyone.

[Silverwing]

(President Trump and the First Lady have tested positive for Coronavirus.)

President Trump Headed to Walter Reed Medical Center 'Out of an Abundance of Caution'.

US President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up as he walks to Marine One.

President Will Work From Walter Reed Medical Center's Presidential Suite.

Trump to be hospitalized at Walter Reed medical center 'for the next few days' out of abundance of caution.

President got Regeneron's experimental antibody drug for his coronavirus symptoms.

Trump's youngest son, Barron, tests negative for coronavirus.

Trump campaign postpones events involving president, family.  Some Events Going Virtual.

National Security Council staff now required to wear masks in all common areas and 'to avoid unnecessary visits' to the West Wing.

World Leaders Wish President Trump A Fast Recovery.

Top Republican Party Leaders Exposed To Coronavirus.

U.S. Economy Adds 661k Jobs in September, Unemployment Falls to 7.9%.

Democratic nominee Joe Biden campaigns in Michigan after testing negative for coronavirus.

Biden pulls negative ads as Trump battles coronavirus.

Another Poll Shows Biden Winning.

Leftwing Media and Social Media Ecstatic At Trump Coronavirus Diagnosis.

CNN Hopes President Too Sick To Continue Leading.

CNN: President is now a symbol of his own failure.

Liberal Reporter Exposes How the Media Uses 'White Supremacists' to 'Manufacture Hysteria'.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) exceeded powers during pandemic, Michigan Supreme Court rules.

[Zracken3]

Very much so, hope and pray it won't be severe and cures fast.  No long lasting effects.

Have you seen the extra toxicity being posted around the web and certain news media sites?  They are so excited it seems to hear this news and posting scenarios if the President can no longer lead the country.  It is sickening.  Then you got people on social media chanting and praising this horrible news and saying they hope he dies.  It is disgusting.  The left is absolutely disgusting.  I'm a centrist with both left and right tendencies, but the left is being absolutely disgusting and their actions are appalling.

You should never wish ill on anyone.

I'm not a very "online" person, so I can't speak to the toxicity that's being posted. I can assume, however, that it'd be pretty bad given how volatile the politics around Trump can be, and that goes for both his supporters and his opponents. I know that I, personally, hope to see the President and his family get through this quickly and safely despite my abhorrence for his politics. I don't think disease and death should be things anyone celebrates no matter who it is that is sick or dying. Even if you believe someone's (like a dictator, a terrorist, etc.) death might result in good things for other people, death itself is never something we should delight in or wish for others. I also don't enjoy turning a person's personal health crisis into a political issue.

However, as an "...absolutely disgusting..." leftist myself, I can't let the latter comments slide without offering some of my thoughts. First -- though this should be obvious -- not everybody on the left is praising this news and hoping that Trump dies. I can't speak to what the majority opinion is, but neither can anyone else really; all evidence one way or another would just be anecdotal (and it's usually those with the strongest, worst opinions who speak the loudest anyway). I agree it's pretty appalling that anyone is praying for the President's death, but the way you've worded your criticism seems to be an attempt to dismiss left-wing politics itself and not the people actually making those remarks. This is particularly bad because you're claiming to speak from a "centrist" position, which -- if true -- would give you a more "objective" opinion.

However, if your opinion was objective, why involve politics in it at all? Why not just call out the people on social media for being bad people? Why try and denigrate "the left" as a whole? By framing this as a moral failure of "the left," you're not being "centrist" at all -- it's a completely right-wing perspective.

I would also like to point out that the right will also hope for the deaths of their opponents. A bunch of people talked about assassinating Barack Obama. I see all the time people saying things like "the only good communist is a dead communist." This is not a unique moral failing of the left. This is a failure of people, in general, who are seemingly unable to empathize with another human being. And that sort of twisted thinking is possible no matter what your politics are.

TL;DR In short, I really hope the President and his family make it through this okay. I also don't want you to feel like I'm attacking you personally, Rainberry. But the comments you made are unfair to people like me. And while I agree that the toxic remarks begging for the President's death are disgusting, you can't use it as an opportunity to label everyone with a left-wing perspective as amoral and unempathetic.

[Rainberry]

I don't think disease and death should be things anyone celebrates no matter who it is that is sick or dying.

I agree.

However, as an "...absolutely disgusting..." leftist myself, I can't let the latter comments slide without offering some of my thoughts. First -- though this should be obvious -- not everybody on the left is praising this news and hoping that Trump dies.

I never called you disgusting and I wasn't grouping all leftwing/democrats/etc. 

I agree it's pretty appalling that anyone is praying for the President's death, but the way you've worded your criticism seems to be an attempt to dismiss left-wing politics itself and not the people actually making those remarks. This is particularly bad because you're claiming to speak from a "centrist" position, which -- if true -- would give you a more "objective" opinion.

However, if your opinion was objective, why involve politics in it at all? Why not just call out the people on social media for being bad people? Why try and denigrate "the left" as a whole? By framing this as a moral failure of "the left," you're not being "centrist" at all -- it's a completely right-wing perspective.

I watch the evening news and various news channels throughout the day.  I read news articles and listen to talk radio.  It's pretty clear from any position, centrist or not, that the left has been behind the majority of the attacks and negative headlines constantly.  Whether it is false (you don't have to agree) narratives on various scandals or what have you.  I am not dismissing the left.  I am pointing out that the current hatred on social media is from them towards the President and his current condition.

I am a centrist.  I don't know your values or what you think, nor do you know mine.  So there is no reason to question where my train of thought is coming from.  I am not "claiming" anything about my positions.  I know what I am. 

When there is something for me to point out at fault with the right, I will do the same thing.  Especially when there was the Obama-birther debate or the rights of certain groups, etc.  But just because I am currently pointing out things from the left, doesn't mean I also have to point something wrong with the right to be fair.  The right isn't cheering for President Trump's diagnosis and hoping something awful happens right now.

I would also like to point out that the right will also hope for the deaths of their opponents. A bunch of people talked about assassinating Barack Obama. I see all the time people saying things like "the only good communist is a dead communist." This is not a unique moral failing of the left. This is a failure of people, in general, who are seemingly unable to empathize with another human being. And that sort of twisted thinking is possible no matter what your politics are.

I also don't want you to feel like I'm attacking you personally, Rainberry. But the comments you made are unfair to people like me.

You are attacking me though, even if you don't want me to feel like you are.  So I guess we are even if you feel my comments were unfair to you.  But I don't come to PSF to debate.  Very rarely do I even come on the Politics thread.  I bet I have posted less than 50 times, lol.  I am not taking this personally at all and I hope you don't either.  I remain friends with all here and I truly do not come here to talk politics or debate.  I just wanted to say what I was seeing and I said it.  Usually people just leave it at that here.  People have never felt attacked by comments like that, so please don't feel attacked.  It was never aimed at you or all left leaning people. The same should go for right wing people too, I am not personally attacking all of them.  Though the right... they don't ever say anything here if they are feeling slighted.  They take it on the chin and just keep chugging along.

I probably won't be responding more than this and I might disappear from politics again.  Nothing personal.  Hope you have a nice week and I am glad we agree on the speedy recovery of the President.  I am sure you and I agree on way more than you think, even though I am a centrist.

[megacycle]

I have had dark thoughts before but I rarely share them with people online. Thoughts that I am not proud of, but I'm human and like all humans, I make mistakes.

I know some of my comments come off as negative comments towards the left. Being part of the furry community sucks because I can't really share my perspective on a topic without getting mud on my face or banned. I've been banned by artists and authors who are clearly on the left just because I value lives, I have family and friends in law enforcement. So seeing all these comments and journals that paint all officers as being the supreme evil of the world or comments that equal all cops should be six feet under. Just simply asking people to not throw the good out with the bad is enough to get an emotional response and a permanent ban. My ability to explain why I feel the way I feel is taken away from me, so I am forced to silence myself or be removed from the community like I'm cancer.

I'm okay with police reform, but people don't like that option. And I don't like the option of having no police or law enforcement at all. I'm not somebody who likes shooting guns but I am ready and willing to go buy one so I can protect myself and my family from God knows what.

[Zracken3]

I never called you disgusting and I wasn't grouping all leftwing/democrats/etc. 

I'm sorry if that wasn't your intention, but you did say in your original comment that "The left is absolutely disgusting," and also "...the left is being absolutely disgusting and their actions are appalling." I realize this might be in reference to a specific group in this specific instance, but it really did sound like a generalized judgement of all left-wing people.

I am a centrist.  I don't know your values or what you think, nor do you know mine.  So there is no reason to question where my train of thought is coming from.  I am not "claiming" anything about my positions.  I know what I am. 

The same should go for right wing people too, I am not personally attacking all of them.  Though the right... they don't ever say anything here if they are feeling slighted.  They take it on the chin and just keep chugging along.

I don't know your values or vice versa, yes. I won't claim to. I wanted to point out how what you're saying, though, is not centrist. I believe your first comment was talking about particular people (on the left) doing something you find disgusting. Here, though, in your reply, you are completely claiming that right-wing people are better than left-wing people, at least in this one thing. Again, I don't know what your values are, but the things you're saying are not from a centrist perspective.

You are attacking me though, even if you don't want me to feel like you are.  So I guess we are even if you feel my comments were unfair to you.

I am not attacking you. I'm not trying to assign any characteristics to you or judge your character. I'm just trying to point out the meaning -- intentional or not -- behind the things you're saying. Meaning you might not have been aware of, even. I also don't feel attacked, personally, by either of your comments. My issue was with what you were saying about "the left" as a whole, and I felt the need to respond for the sake of my ideas, not my ego.

Again, I don't want you to feel like I'm attacking you personally. I'm trying to address the things that you said as I understand them.

I probably won't be responding more than this and I might disappear from politics again.  Nothing personal.  Hope you have a nice week and I am glad we agree on the speedy recovery of the President.  I am sure you and I agree on way more than you think, even though I am a centrist.

I support your decision to forgo politics. But I do hope to see you around again soon. I appreciate your contributions, and I hope we can learn from each other. Have a nice week yourself, Rainberry. 

[Zracken3]

@megacycle

We're all human, and our thoughts are not perfect. I feel for you because I've also experienced the same thing. We can only choose which thoughts we act on and try throughout our lives to train our thoughts to be better.

It breaks my heart to hear what others on the left have done to you, megacycle, especially since the left is supposed to be about freedom and acceptance. A lot of people don't live up to these ideals -- a lot of people fail to live up to any ideals. I just want you to know that those things people have done to you are not rooted in real left-wing ideology. They are rooted in hate, pride, callousness and all the darker aspects of humanity. Calls for the abolition of policing as an institution and calls for all cops to be killed are not the same, even as much as people on both sides might pretend that they are.

I hope you can feel safe to express yourself here, and I would love to hear what you have to say about things. Hopefully everyone will learn more that way.

[FoxTail]

I get where Raine is coming from in her comments about the left being disgusting. That is where the majority of the hatred and anger is coming from right now. Look at our cities falling into chaos with riots and Antifa beating people, looting. Militarization of these radicals in our cities as many videos and outlets report. They carry guns and enforce their own laws in areas they take over like CHAZ. You also had the Republican party shot at by a radical left-wing socialist who injured the one senator. Recently a women was caught sending poison to the President and she was arrested. You got radicalism on the rise from the left right now with extreme views and the rise of the socialist arm from folks like AOC who are toxic themselves in their behaviors and cancel culture. It isn't hard to see as someone not super political where a lot of drama is starting. Russia hoaxes, lying about it in the media and prominent Dems, how Kavanaugh was vetted, constant scandals that turn out to not be true. The Democrats and left have led vicious charges for almost four years non stop. You can't search Trump online without all your search results being negative and anti trump. The rise of the left is becoming Anti American and how students are taught in schools is purely of left-wing mentality, but towards the extreme. I can see this, most people see this. It isn't all on the left doing this but it is a growing vocal group.  What makes it worse is the leaders of the left do not denounce this behavior and in many cases they are promoting it. It was the Republican Party that ended slavery and it was the Democrat party originally who supported the KKK. Back then the Dems didn't condemn those things either. It needs to be nipped.

I shouldn't have to explain the right has faucets of bad too but they aren't doing all of this stuff right now.