The Bloggers With The Most To Say
Politics and Blogs
Greetings 20sb Family,
I have a small conundrum. Recently, I've been getting the urge to write more about politics. Thos who read my blog know that, typically, it's a comedy/entertainment/personal blog. I don't know what has happened that I've suddenly felt the urge to write about political topics, but I do. Things like Separation of church and state, gay marriage, abortion. etc. I certainly don't want to offend my readers with differing opinions than mine, but at the same time, it's my blog and it should express my thoughts and feelings. So the ultimate question is, can a blog discuss politics and stay within a friendly, familial scope?
I appreciate your thoughts,
Geophrie
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John B on -
See this is my biggest qualm with this topic and the EXACT reason I stopped blogging politically. You always get those people (no offense, Hannah J, I'm sure you are a wonderful person) who are completely one-sided in their views it ends all conversation or relevant discussion on an issue. You get a flood of stupid comments saying @$^@ democrats or republicans are #@$^ stupid. If and when people want to intelligently discuss an issue and see all sides of it, then send me your URL. But you get a lot of that BS noise from close-minded people. I usually would expect it from the run of the mill person who lacks any grasp of the written word, but from a fellow blogger?! GASP.
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Permalink Reply by Hannah J on -
Why would I bother with 'both sides' of an argument, when I already have formed my opinion? As far as I know, socially conservative positions usually horrify me, and socially liberal positions are usually great. That's my opinion. There's nothing wrong with being 'one-sided' if you have a logical argument to make. Why do you assume that if someone is 'one-sided' it means that they haven't considered the 'other' side? Maybe they've considered it, and think it's stupid.
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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey on -
It's about respect. Respect for other peoples opinions whether or not you agree with them. If you can't respect people enough to refrain from calling other people stupid just because they disagree with you, then you're only doing your own opinions diservice. This is what's wrong with our political system. No one wants to listen, just assume that they're right and everyone else is wrong because they think they've read enough to have an opinion.
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Permalink Reply by Hannah J on
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I don't really hand out respect willy-nilly. If someone's racist, I don't respect that opinion. Similarly, I don't respect sexist opinions, or homophobic opinions, simply by virtue of them being opinions. I find that nonsensical. Somebody who says "black people are inferior" is clearly stupid in the extreme.
Like I said, telling somebody they're wrong and having a discussion about it isn't mutually exclusive. I think you're wrong with this 'respect peoples' opinions' thing, and yet, here we are, discussing it.
BTW; I haven't called anybody stupid. The 'shut up, nobody cares' was largely a joke, actually, but it appears it didn't come across quite that way.
@Coyote (because I can't reply to your post for some reason); I don't think it matters why, or how, you formed your opinion. If you think gay people are 'wrong', then I think you're stupid. That's pretty much all there is to it. Whyfor do I need to know your personal history to make such a judgement?
I said socially conservative, btw, not republican.
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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey on
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It's hard for me to respect someone who says with one breath "I didn't call anyone stupid" and then writes "If you think gay people are 'wrong', then I think you're stupid." I grew up in the south. Many of my friends are Republican. Coyote Rose is one of my best friends and I know that she supports me. I understand why she believes the way she believes and we respectfully agree to disagree on many issues. But at least we're talking, we're engaging each other and we love each other regardless of our differences. You say that telling somebody they're wrong and having a discussion about it isn't mutually exclusive." Well, I hate to tell you this, it is. If you had the audacity to tell me I was wrong without even talking first, I'd punch you in the face and I have a feeling a lot of people would do some variation of the same. If your not willing to respect people, then believe me, they won't respect you. I appreciate your zeal, but you are not doing yourself any favors with your attitudes towards differing opinions. And with that, Coyote Rose and I are off to plan my gay wedding.
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Permalink Reply by Hannah J on
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Ah, I thought you were referring to my original post, my bad.
See, you find it difficult to respect me, right? Presumably because I'm of the opinion that opinions don't deserve respect simply by virtue of being opinions. Do you see the contradiction there?
We're engaging, we're talking, and yet you yourself claim that you find it difficult to respect me.
I think that's a really cowardly way to go about things. If there are bigots around you who are subjugating others, if there are people who hold disgusting opinions that harm others, who are you to say that we should all stand by and play nice? I see that as facilitation of social evils. Beliefs rarely ever just stay beliefs. Beliefs influence actions. I think it's my obligation as a human being to make sure that other human beings (if innocent of any wrongdoing) are not harmed, and are treated fairly. I don't think it's right to be play nice with people who hold bigoted views.
So, if I were to offer you my OPINION that I thought you were stupid, you'd punch me in the face? Yet you're telling me that we should respect peoples' opinions?
I don't quite see how that works for you.
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Permalink Reply by cooper on -
I think in general if you get the right balance of readers you can handle it. I believe that debate is crucial, stimulating even, the problem comes when some people do not seem to understand how to form an argument in which they are attacking the issue and not the individuals.
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Permalink Reply by Coyote Tits on -
The fact that you can't understand how someone's personal history could influence someone's political position shows me exactly how little you respect or understand other people. If you can't understand that, then i think you're stupid.
at this point I'm out because arguing with you is akin to banging my head on a brick wall, and I have wedding favors to tie.
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Permalink Reply by Hannah J on
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On the contrary, I totally understand that peoples' personal histories influence their political positions. I just don't see how it matters. A racist could have been beaten up by gangs of black people in his/her youth, that still doesn't justify racism now, does it? Personal history is not very relevant.
You know, if you're going to give up so easy, you might as well not start.
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Permalink Reply by Sara Nipples on -
Maybe you shouldn't assume all Republicans believe the exact same things.
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Permalink Reply by Hannah J on
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Er, maybe I don't.
Maybe I said 'social conservatives' and not republicans.
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Permalink Reply by Sara Nipples on
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So all 'social conservatives' share the exact same viewpoints as well?
Hm, learn something new every day.
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