Does anyone realize that discussions centering on political issues have become so mean-spirited that now its just a heated exchange of vile malicious comments?
Why do people seriously think that character assissasination of a figure will help them gain any rational ground, other than having a receptive crowd who agrees with them?
2007-06-12 05:54:41 · 5 answers · asked by ibid 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Sometimes people feed off emotion rather than rationality. The number of "questions" here along the lines of "Why are libtards so stupid...?" proves that. So do the existences and popularity of Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, and worst of all, Ann Coulter. Emotion blinds rationality, and it's much easier to make an emotional argument than a logical one.
Moreover, you don't have to defend an emotional comment. "Liberals hate America" is a ridiculous blanket statement, but it's pretty hard to disprove. 'Well I'm a liberal, and I don't hate America' to which they reply 'Yes you do you damned America hating liberal! If you hate America so much why don't you just leave?!'
Whereas if they say "Liberals undermine American principles because...", well that's easy to argue against, and so it's less effective.
Thus I don't think people consider character assassination a way to gain rational ground, but rather a way to "win" an argument by virtue of making a statement that's very hard to disprove and gets an emotional reaction.
2007-06-12 07:00:20 · answer #1 · answered by Dana1981 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well they are not as bad as the election of 1824 when the campaign of John Quincy Adams put out fliers accusing Andrew Jackson of shooting innocent soldiers for desertion at the Battle of New Orleans.
Or as bad as the Election of 1800 when some of Thomas Jefferson's supporters were prepared to march on Washington if they did not win.
When was the last time we heard threats of marching on Washington if a side did not win?
2007-06-12 12:58:48 · answer #2 · answered by The Stylish One 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that discussing religion and politics just brings out the worst in people, because a person's religious and political views are based on one's core values, and if you disagree with someone's core values, it can really bring out that person's bad side!
2007-06-12 13:00:22 · answer #3 · answered by tangerine 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
some do think insults work in furthering their point.
I hate when people are immature. some people on this board can be very smart and insightful, but the they say something mean and trivial.
its sad
2007-06-12 15:00:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am as dumb as any American can get. So I scream and shout and avoid reading books. As a neocon I believe that's one way of bringing my agenda forward.
2007-06-12 13:00:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋