TDS

[Kishkumen]

Molok, it seems that Trump has taken a good hard look inside you and decided to redecorate with a splash of hatred and a dash of disdain.

I knew it wouldn’t be long before Hound started to apply divine attributes to Trump.

Yikes.

What a loser!

[Molok]

This shocks me.

Interestingly, quite a few post-mortems from left-leaning sources and talking heads attributed Harris' loss to this very thing. I sometimes wonder what it would even look like if America ever had someone left-of-center (from a global perspective, not America's weird bastardized far-right skewed spectrum) as a major Presidential candidate. I don't think we ever will, since it's become too commonplace for culture issues to take place of policy issues.

To be a Democrat, you have to agree with social issues A, B, and C. To be a Republican, you have to agree with social issues D, E, and F. Oh, you want to know the macroeconomic and/or geopolitical ideological stance of a given party, or the nuanced and multi-faceted strategy to tackle a given societal issue? Well, you see "Hey, look over there, a Transgender person is trying to live their life, and a Bible just got read in a school!!!! Aiiieeeee!!!!!" There's one thing that I can definitely credit Trump with, and that's having a political/populist sense as far as what can and can't garner support (example, see him parting ways with Republicans regarding gutting social programs).

As a side note, I can't think of any of my leftist friends who identify as Democrats. They're a mixed bag as far as voter registration goes (some registered Independant, and some Democrat so they can primary), but none of them would ever use "Democrat" as a part of their identity. I think some of the harshest criticisms (or at least, the most well-thought-out) of the Democratic party that I've encountered have come from my leftist friends.

You explain a lot of thoughts I've had for several years much better than I could. I think it's obvious the two party system was a tragic mistake, and I can empathize with your leftist friends, because I too, have zero love for Democrats. I only vote for them because the only other option is pants on head levels of stupid.

[canpakes]

you can't even define what a progressive is, ChatGPT, let's hold off on the mind reading for a while.

The responses do seem to reinforce A.I.’s lack of conscious processing, as opposed to only constructing a response as directed to conform to a certain prefit prejudicial structure. This is weirdly analogous to the MAGA mindset en masse.

[Bret Ripley]

As a side note, I can't think of any of my leftist friends who identify as Democrats. They're a mixed bag as far as voter registration goes (some registered Independant, and some Democrat so they can primary), but none of them would ever use "Democrat" as a part of their identity. I think some of the harshest criticisms (or at least, the most well-thought-out) of the Democratic party that I've encountered have come from my leftist friends.

Same here. My impression is that leftists generally hate the Democratic party. Calling Democrats 'the left' is something that could only happen in America -- I don't think most Americans appreciate just how skewed to the right our politics are.

[canpakes]

… all because Canpakes the moderator gets a kick out of watching Bishop Schmo bend the rules.

Hound, I’m left wondering why you seem to lack the courage to challenge Shades with your complaints. I’m one of several mods and I don’t run the board. You missed your target.

I’d also note that virtually all of your posts strive - at some point within their lengthy content - to insult other posters. Yet, I don’t waste my time micromanaging your or Schmo’s contributions, or Ceeboo’s, because that’s not how Shades operates.

[ceeboo]

Ifyou're willing to answer, I am curious about what you think (as someone who leans politically left) your side ought to do? Who do you see as a potential leader from your camp?

There's something delightfully peculiar happening on this discussion board, and I'm still trying to crack the code.

Perhaps I can help you crack it - This used to be a freaking awesome discussion board - those days are long gone. Long gone! There is very little discussion to speak of these day. There hasn't been much in a long while. Thought provocation has left the building many moons ago - Banter has vanished - Posts that create joy and/or are uplifting, for the most part, have gone extinct.

The far left folks who frequent this place seem to have an uncanny knack for defending progressivism at all costs

If it were simply that, the board would still have enough potential value for most, and it would still allow for differing thoughts/opinions. It's far worse though. It is not simply defending progressivism at all costs (which is accurate) it's a mob of ideological bullies who hate (I mean seething hatred) anyone who might see things differently than the ideological mob here does. It is personal attacks that come in waves - it is a complte and total lack of tolerance and it has completely destroyed this discussion board.

and they do it with a flair for hostility and negativity that’s truly something to behold.

While I agree that it really is something to behold, I am really astounded by the reaction in real time - silence (almost complete silence) - and/or applause - and/or encouragement - and or posts that are made only to defend/deflect from the blatant and unapologetic hostility and arrogance expressed by one of the mob members.

It seems we have a trio of conservative board members making their presence known—namely you, Markk, and Ajax18. The way the progressives engage with the conservatives here is nothing short of absurd.

It is absurd.

It's not just absurd, it's practically a descent into madness.

It is madness.

So, the crux of the matter is, as I've demonstrated, the board's dynamics can shift

Not a chance. The board has been destroyed beyond repair. (I would love to return and offer a mea culpa, but I can't imagine such a thing happening)

When it comes to what my party needs to do to start racking up those election victories again, the answer is refreshingly straightforward. As I've been saying for ages, it's high time we waltz towards the center and cozy up to the Republicans as much as we can. But as you know, convincing the progressives to do that is like herding cats, nearly impossible! It would require them to put a pause on their disdain for conservatives and anyone who dares to disagree with their far-left playbook. Trump has taken their movement and left it as bare as a winter tree, with nothing but hatred, disdain, and contempt hanging from its branches. He pulled that stunt on purpose, fully aware that if he stripped them of all their good qualities and left just the negativity, most Americans would be less than eager to cast their votes for them again.

In my opinion, north of 70% of American citizens have moved to the right of wherever they were a few years ago, and I believe that trend will continue as long as the current atmosphere and climate remains the same.

The biggest conundrum for my party at the moment is the glaring absence of a "Trump." We lack a singular leader with the guts or even the smartst to grasp how Trump was practically handing them a script during his presidential speech, making the entire Democrat party look like a bunch of complete buffoons in the eyes of the American public. We’re on the lookout for a brave soul who isn’t afraid to get a little messy in the political arena, whether it’s from the Republicans or the far-left wing of the party. Trump is ready to throw down with the Democrats and won't hesitate to tussle with Republicans who dare to stray from his vision. And let's not forget, the American people have given him a standing ovation for that—twice, no less!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[Kishkumen]

If it were simply that, the board would still have enough potential value for most, and it would still allow for differing thoughts/opinions. It's far worse though. It is not simply defending progressivism at all costs (which is accurate) it's a mob of ideological bullies who hate (I mean seething hatred) anyone who might see things differently than the ideological mob here does. It is personal attacks that come in waves - it is a complte and total lack of tolerance and it has completely destroyed this discussion board.

I regret that you have this view, ceeboo. If you see intolerance for MAGA, I agree. But you go much further and claim that a “mob” here hates anyone who sees things differently? Untrue. Not everyone here is a Progressive. Not everyone here has the same opinion. If people with a variety of perspectives are united in their dislike of Trump, that is not the result of a mob mentality. It is the result of a broader distaste for MAGA, populist demagoguery.

MAGA finds a way of dismissing the people across the political spectrum who disagree with Trumpism with terms like TDS, RINO (as though MAGA were genuinely Republican) or NeverTrumper. The common threads creating opposition to Trumpism are the movement’s demagoguery, populism, authoritarianism, fear-mongering against immigrants, violation of the Constitution, disregard of the rule of law, etc. These existential issues draw together a lot of people who would otherwise disagree on policy specifics.

I reject your misreading of the board.

[Bret Ripley]

It is not simply defending progressivism at all costs (which is accurate) it's a mob of ideological bullies who hate (I mean seething hatred) anyone who might see things differently than the ideological mob here does.

You and I see things differently, ceeboo, but I don't hate you. Far from it, old friend. And I'm not the only one here who may disagree with you but still sees you as a friend.

There are a few posters who go too far (in my opinion) in their criticisms, but that has always been the case. I don't think I've ever participated in a discussion board where that wasn't the case. Don't let the bastards grind you down.

[canpakes]

I reject your misreading of the board.

.
It is interesting to watch two people who won’t actively engage others on a discussion board, complaining to each other about how unaccepting, intolerant and hateful everyone else on the board is, while labeling all of them as unaccepting, intolerant and hateful.

[Kishkumen]

Trump is ready to throw down with the Democrats and won't hesitate to tussle with Republicans who dare to stray from his vision. And let's not forget, the American people have given him a standing ovation for that—twice, no less!

This language is very revealing in its obvious authoritarian rhetoric and dishonesty. Trump won very narrow victories. His narrow victory in 2024 (~2.3 million over Harris) is, when compared with Biden’s victory in 2020 (~7 million over Trump), pretty lacklustre. It owed a lot more to Democratic stumbling in the campaign than any great love for Trump. The simple fact is that fewer people went to the polls. Democrats weren’t able to motivate their voters to come out to vote for Harris. So Trump scrapes by with a victory over a weak candidate, and people like Hound are howling at the moon in excitement that Trump got a universal standing ovation.

He’s delusional.

There was no standing ovation of the American people. Out of all US citizens who could have voted, only a plurality voted for Trump.

He won’t hesitate to tussle with Republicans who dare stray from his vision? I mean, WTF?!?!?!

This is not the language people use of a US president. It is the language used of an authoritarian thug. I really don’t see the appeal this has for anyone but fellow authoritarians. Politics in a democratic republic are about persuasion, negotiation, and compromise, not intimidation, fear, and bullying. Hound reveals what he is really about in every post. I am saddened that Ceeboo apparently has no problem with this.