Dreaded Meta # ? - The Silly Season and Political Websites

Submitted by joe shikspack on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 6:47pm

Greetings folks, and welcome to the start of the silly season.

The silly season has mixed blessings for political website communities. Generally speaking, the silly season creates a spike of traffic and interest, while at the same time, it seems to grow tensions between community members who find themselves at odds with others who either back different horses or who just wish people would get over their attachment to the process that allegedly perpetuates an unacceptably poor system.

This rise of these tensions is terribly unfortunate and arguably counterproductive.

Members of most of these communities can sit down with each other and reach consensus on a viable set of political demands in relatively short order. They have a largely common sense of the world that they would like to create.

Then along comes silly season and arguments arise, manners fail, feelings get hurt, people stop participating or leave - most of us have seen this pattern repeat at some other website. This is horribly counterproductive. The people that you share a largely common understanding of what sort of world you want and how it should operate are the people that you need to organize with. They are your allies, your basis for mutual support in a pretty vile political environment.

Most of us came here to create a different sort of website. A community where people were free to speak their minds, to try out ideas without worry that there was some silly rule that would get them banned for partisan heresy. The sort of freedom that we are looking for doesn't work well when a certain level of kindness and respect for others opinions, intellect and the evolution of their thinking processes can't be maintained.

So, in this special season, let's remember to be kind to others, eh?

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dreaded meta
silly season
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Submitted by QMS on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 6:57pm
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cooler heads will prevail

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question everything

Submitted by thanatokephaloides on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 7:21pm
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Most of us came here to create a different sort of website. A community where people were free to speak their minds, to try out ideas without worry that there was some silly rule that would get them banned for partisan heresy. The sort of freedom that we are looking for doesn't work well when a certain level of kindness and respect for others opinions, intellect and the evolution of their thinking processes can't be maintained.

So, in this special season, let's remember to be kind to others, eh?

Joe, I don't think we have much to worry about regarding the behaviour of our c99 community. The respect and kindness you ask for has been "baked-in" to c99's culture from the beginning, and we're pretty good at opposing and objecting to any breach of the "kindness and respect for others opinions, intellect and the evolution of their thinking processes" which you are rightfully concerned about. This is necessary not just for the Freedom we cherish here, but also the Peace and Love which are necessary to exist between us if our community is to survive and thrive.

It never hurts, however, to be reminded of our obligations in these areas! Thank you! Smile

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

Submitted by joe shikspack on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 8:14pm
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@thanatokephaloides

not worried at all, but we'd like for the slide into the silly season to be as pleasant as possible for everybody and for nobody to have to guard against a thing that doesn't happen because everybody is so cool. Smile

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Submitted by gulfgal98 on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 7:16pm
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IMHO, every one of us needs to be reminded of this every so often. I really appreciate your ability to put it into words that are so clear.

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Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

Submitted by Amanda Matthews on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 6:35pm
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@gulfgal98

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I'm tired of this back-slapping "Isn't humanity neat?" bullshit. We're a virus with shoes, okay? That's all we are. - Bill Hicks

Politics is the entertainment branch of industry. - Frank Zappa

Submitted by Lookout on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 7:28pm
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kindness.jpg

Religion and politics are areas that raise peoples emotional response. For the most part we maintain civil conversation, but when an essay or comment triggers our emotionally based feelings people get aggressive and snippy. I paraphrase one of your comments about elections - sometimes I vote, sometimes I don't it depends on the election.

People can express opinions that contrast with yours. It is possible to respond in an honest but KIND manner. We all preach peace. All we have to do is practice what we preach.

Thanks for your essay Joe.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Submitted by joe shikspack on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 8:17pm
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@Lookout

thanks!

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Submitted by JtC on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 7:28pm

well said brother.

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Submitted by joe shikspack on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 8:21pm
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@JtC

thanks for giving me a place to say it!

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Submitted by snoopydawg on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 8:23pm
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IMG_1664_0.JPG

Wise men, joe and snoopy

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Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.

Submitted by janis b on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 8:38pm
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“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” MLK

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Submitted by joe shikspack on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 8:48pm
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@janis b

for you, i'll even throw in a song...

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Submitted by janis b on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 8:55pm
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@joe shikspack

And in addition it's a wonderful one to sway gracefully with. Thank you.

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Submitted by Unabashed Liberal on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 9:32pm
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words of wisdom.

For now, will leave Everyone with an old adage that I've always liked,

"Everyone is fighting some kind of battle. Be kind."--LCC

Bye

Blue Onyx

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

Submitted by Daenerys on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 9:33pm
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I like that. It never really ends anymore though does it?

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This shit is bananas.

Submitted by joe shikspack on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 9:49pm
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@Daenerys

it never really ends, but it ebbs and flows and it starts in earnest with the traditional ceremony of hats and rings at the beltway bigtop.

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Submitted by Pluto's Republic on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 1:04am
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...drop a community participant a quick note and tell them why you're glad they are part of the discussion.

Every now and then, tip your hat to someone new.

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Carry a burning candle and share the light.

.

Submitted by dkmich on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 7:43am

@Pluto's Republic @Pluto's Republic

There is so much here to appreciate.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

Submitted by joe shikspack on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 8:49pm
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@Pluto's Republic

for a great idea.

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Submitted by hecate on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 8:37am
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[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWa0dZMHYeE]

Nothing anyone says here will make a difference in who the Americans select as their president. So why say it?

Sometimes it can be amusing to track the presidenting, sorta like a sports team, or a soap opera, but it makes no more sense to shriek and rend garments over it, than to kick the dog because the quarterback fell down, or drink all the sherry because on the soap show Mary left Jim for John.

The Americans, in sending The Hairball to the White Power House, proved that at present they are too stupid—also, cruel—to even have a country. So it's best, I think, to move on to other things.

Like: need to get cigarettes now.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v32JdK5jgZ0]

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Submitted by Tall Bald and Ugly on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 9:22am

@hecate how you be, mon?
Hills started sliding yet? Be careful on that side.

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Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .

Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .

If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march

Submitted by Raggedy Ann on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 10:14am
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@hecate
Been wondering how you are. Drop us an essay when you have time - it should be an interesting one if you fill us in on your experience!

Anyway - welcome back to the fold!!! Pleasantry Drinks

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Submitted by janis b on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 11:03pm
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@hecate

[video:https://youtu.be/KDbPYoaAiyc]

I hope you're finding warmth and comfort.

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Submitted by EdMass on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 10:09am
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agrees with me, I will have no problem!

Heh!

PS You must also come to grips with the fact that no one is as impressed with me as I am with myself.

"Come, Watson, come!’ he cried. ‘The game is afoot. Not a word! Into your clothes and come!"

Wink

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Prof: Nancy! I’m going to Greece!
Nancy: And swim the English Channel?
Prof: No. No. To ancient Greece where burning Sapho stood beside the wine dark sea. Wa de do da! Nancy, I’ve invented a time machine!

Firesign Theater

Stop the War!

Submitted by Raggedy Ann on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 10:19am
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we should survive the season. When we don't check our silly - don't take it personally when someone else checks your silly for you - but be kind when you check someone's silly, please!

We are all human beings with feelings - let's remember we all want to live - just live - our lives without crap! Allow that freedom even if you don't agree with every human being that enters your realm (which will happen often).

Learn to listen - really listen. Don't wait for your turn to talk - actually listen - regurgitate back what the person said in order to better understand their point of view before you dump your crap all over them. That goes for me, too!

Keep it lite - learn to laugh - enjoy life! Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Submitted by Tall Bald and Ugly on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 11:08am

@Raggedy Ann eom

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Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .

Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .

If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march

Submitted by Bisbonian on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 2:21pm
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That in itself is silly.

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"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X

Submitted by joe shikspack on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 8:53pm
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@Bisbonian

it's a silly country that needs to be keep its people amused to within an inch of their lives or they will start noticing inconvenient things.

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