Which Side of the Fence?

[rapunzel]

I've determined that I'm both a Republican and a Democrat, but neither. Truthfully, I think I'm really just a semi-conservative Floridian with a penchant toward being a smart-ass...

Me, too! Well, it would probably be more accurate to say semi-liberal -- but me, too! A Democrat that believes that Republicans occasionally are nice people or have a decent idea and are therefore deserving of a modicum of respect.

 

[beachmouse]

As an admitted bleeding heart leftie and former vegetarian (still don't eat mammals) who was just sending off info on Whataburger's free burgers today (Wear orange, and between 5-8pm August 3, 2010) to my coworkers, I was going to shrug and let this all go.

Until I got to the utter hypocracy of this one:

If a Republican is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A Democrat non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.

Where you were just calling for one of the People of the Book to be silenced on another thread, and to ban them from building a place of worship.

 

[Teresa]

All the couplets contrasting Rep/Dem positions in the original EG post are based on strawman arguments. That is, an actual Dem position is not stated, but rather a distortion of a Dem position, or one that some Dem somewhere has is attributed to all Dems. It is easy to make a strawman position look obviously wrong.

yes, and its all completely meaningless. you can't put any of us into such narrowly ridiculous categories - we are so much MORE than Democrat or Republican or whatever label you choose... however, the problem with it, even when its meant as a joke, is that people take it seriously and use such crap to build themselves up so they can feel superior to someone else. who, I don't know. at least they can feel good for a moment sitting in front of their computer feeling superior.

the question on the first part of this "email" is this:
Which side of the fence?
If you ever wondered which side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test!

in my experience and opinion, the answer is - if you sit on either side of the poorly & narrowly written referenced fence, you are a dumbass.

 

[scooterbug44]

They keep us squabbling and stereotyping and 85% of incumbents get reelected.

And you wonder why nothing changes. :roll:

 

[Geo]

Edgy Grammy, I find humor in these things whether the dems are the butt of the joke or it's the repubs. I think it is important that we are able to laugh at ourselves.

That said, as someone who can easily be labeled a "liberal", I went down the list of items in your Which Side of the Fence post and without much thought was able to say "false" to each one of these. So the fact that you're saying you actually believe these things are true about such a large number of people causes me to question your judgement.

Usually you refer to progressive folks as left leaning. You've dropped the "left" and are now going with "leaning". Was this a typo or are you thinking that you are standing straight politically while others are the ones leaning? Here's the thing- it's all relative. Where you are on the political continuum only leans left or right when compared to another reference point. So- depending on who you are addressing- you might very well be the one leaning. And it might not be in the direction you tend to view yourself.

 

[30ashopper]

A dear friend sent me the following little message. I thought it was just funny at first, but then the more I read it ...it started to ring true. I am sure that many of our far leaning posters will not find it funny and will try to put me in my place for sharing it. But it is just too good to ignore.

Which side of the fence?
If you ever wondered which side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test!

If a Republican doesn't like guns, he doesn?t buy one.
If a Democrat doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.

If a Republican is a vegetarian, he doesn?t eat meat.
If a Democrat is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.

If a Republican is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A Democrat wonders who is going to take care of him.

If a Republican doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Democrats demand that those they don't like be shut down.

If a Republican is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A Democrat non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.

If a Republican decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A Democrat demands that the rest of us pay for his.

If a Republican reads this, he'll share, it so his friends can have a good laugh.
A Democrat will delete it because he's "offended".

Since I'm a Republican I had to share.....

Over the last ten years the republican party has done a really lousy job of living up to the principals these comparisons espouse.

I can think of a number of cases where republican in congress went against these principals, I'm sure you can too. I think that's why so many are so disillusioned with our two party system. The political elite have lost all sense of what the honest joes of the country believe in.

 

[happy2Bme]

You Might Be A Republican If...

You think "proletariat" is a type of cheese.
You've named your kids "Deduction one" and "Deduction two".
You've tried to argue that poverty could be abolished if people were just allowed to keep more of their minimum wage.
You've ever referred to someone as "my (insert racial or ethnic minority here) friend".
You've ever tried to prove Jesus was a capitalist and opposed to welfare.
You're a pro-lifer, but support the death penalty.
You think Huey Newton is a cookie.
You think the Theory of Evolution was a liberal propaganda.
The only union you support is the Baseball Players, because heck, they're richer than you.
You drive a Buick with all the chrome options and wired hubcaps.
You think you might remember laughing once as a kid.
You once broke loose at a party and removed your neck tie.
You call mall rent-a-cops "jack-booted thugs."
You've ever referred to the moral fiber of something.
You've ever uttered the phrase, "Why don't we just bomb the sons of *****es."
You've ever said, "I can't wait to get into business school."
You've ever called a secretary or waitress "Tootsie."
You answer to "The Man."
You don't think "The Simpsons" is all that funny, but you watch it because that Flanders fellow makes a lot of sense.
You fax the FBI a list of "Commies in my Neighborhood."
You don't let your kids watch Sesame Street because you accuse Bert and Ernie of "sexual deviance."
You scream "Dit-dit-ditto" while making love.
You've argued that art has a "moral foundation set in Western values."
When people say "Marx," you think "Groucho."
You've ever yelled, "Hey hippie, get a haircut."
You think Birkenstock was that radical rock concert in 1969.
You argue that you need 300 handguns, in case a bear ever attacks your home.
Vietnam makes a lot of sense to you.
You point to Hootie and the Blowfish as evidence of the end of racism in America.
You've ever said civil liberties, schmivil schmiberties.
You've ever said "Clean air? Looks clean to me."
You've ever called education a luxury.
You look down through a glass ceiling and chuckle.
You wonder if donations to the Pentagon are tax-deductible.
You came of age in the '60s and don't remember Bob Dylan.
You own a vehicle with an "Ollie North: American Hero" sticker.
You're afraid of the "liberal media."
You ever based an argument on the phrase, "Well, tradition dictates...."
You ever based an argument on the phrase, "Well, the Bible said...."
You ever told a child that Oscar the Grouch "lives in a trash can because he is lazy and doesn't want to contribute to society."
You've ever urged someone to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, when they don't even have shoes.
You confuse Lenin with Lennon.

All children deserve a chance at Life and living; all those who willingly, maliciously and without remorse take life/Life (murder, rape, child molestation) deserve more than 3 squares and TV/internet/weight rooms/visitation/marriage in custody/etc....

And that's not the Republican/Democrat in me talking. That's the human in me.

 

[Lynnie]

You Might Be A Republican If...

You think "proletariat" is a type of cheese.
You've named your kids "Deduction one" and "Deduction two".
You've tried to argue that poverty could be abolished if people were just allowed to keep more of their minimum wage.
You've ever referred to someone as "my (insert racial or ethnic minority here) friend".
You've ever tried to prove Jesus was a capitalist and opposed to welfare.
You're a pro-lifer, but support the death penalty.
You think Huey Newton is a cookie.
You think the Theory of Evolution was a liberal propaganda.
The only union you support is the Baseball Players, because heck, they're richer than you.
You drive a Buick with all the chrome options and wired hubcaps.
You think you might remember laughing once as a kid.
You once broke loose at a party and removed your neck tie.
You call mall rent-a-cops "jack-booted thugs."
You've ever referred to the moral fiber of something.
You've ever uttered the phrase, "Why don't we just bomb the sons of *****es."
You've ever said, "I can't wait to get into business school."
You've ever called a secretary or waitress "Tootsie."
You answer to "The Man."
You don't think "The Simpsons" is all that funny, but you watch it because that Flanders fellow makes a lot of sense.
You fax the FBI a list of "Commies in my Neighborhood."
You don't let your kids watch Sesame Street because you accuse Bert and Ernie of "sexual deviance."
You scream "Dit-dit-ditto" while making love.
You've argued that art has a "moral foundation set in Western values."
When people say "Marx," you think "Groucho."
You've ever yelled, "Hey hippie, get a haircut."
You think Birkenstock was that radical rock concert in 1969.
You argue that you need 300 handguns, in case a bear ever attacks your home.
Vietnam makes a lot of sense to you.
You point to Hootie and the Blowfish as evidence of the end of racism in America.
You've ever said civil liberties, schmivil schmiberties.
You've ever said "Clean air? Looks clean to me."
You've ever called education a luxury.
You look down through a glass ceiling and chuckle.
You wonder if donations to the Pentagon are tax-deductible.
You came of age in the '60s and don't remember Bob Dylan.
You own a vehicle with an "Ollie North: American Hero" sticker.
You're afraid of the "liberal media."
You ever based an argument on the phrase, "Well, tradition dictates...."
You ever based an argument on the phrase, "Well, the Bible said...."
You ever told a child that Oscar the Grouch "lives in a trash can because he is lazy and doesn't want to contribute to society."
You've ever urged someone to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, when they don't even have shoes.
You confuse Lenin with Lennon.

Yep, consistent inconsistencies.....and, it's on both sides of the fence, but is the quickest, most diplomatic way to discredit your opponent. That phrase about 'glass houses' thing - speaks mountains.....even on sowal.com

 

[Edgy Grammy]

Wow, no sense of humor here. Now ugga's little rant got very little feedback, wonder why that is...as to the comment(or dig) about Republican religion and a post that I made on another thread...that mosque near the 9-11 site is not just a church, it is something totally different. It is going to be a in your face structure that will have a lot of emotional impact on many people. You would think that there would be a little sensitivity here...I feel that they (the group wishing to build here) are giving us the finger and because we have become so politically correct, fair, and downright cowardly in standing up for ourselves, the building is going to be erected. There are times that just because something is right, doesn't mean that it should be done... It mattesr that some of us lost love ones and they were murdered by the same religion that will occupy this mosque... that I can not overlook, and really don't think I ever will be able to forgive, not enough time left in my life to change. I will not say anymore.
I find that it is a constant battle on these forums...I'm doing it too..we no longer
discuss, we take pot shots at each other or hurtful digs...think I will take a week off and regroup..I'm tired of it all.

 

[Rita]

yes, and its all completely meaningless. you can't put any of us into such narrowly ridiculous categories - we are so much MORE than Democrat or Republican or whatever label you choose... however, the problem with it, even when its meant as a joke, is that people take it seriously and use such crap to build themselves up so they can feel superior to someone else. who, I don't know. at least they can feel good for a moment sitting in front of their computer feeling superior.

the question on the first part of this "email" is this:
Which side of the fence?
If you ever wondered which side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test!

in my experience and opinion, the answer is - if you sit on either side of the poorly & narrowly written referenced fence, you are a dumbass.

Spot on!

Wow, no sense of humor here. Now ugga's little rant got very little feedback, wonder why that is...as to the comment(or dig) about Republican religion and a post that I made on another thread...that mosque near the 9-11 site is not just a church, it is something totally different. It is going to be a in your face structure that will have a lot of emotional impact on many people. You would think that there would be a little sensitivity here...I feel that they (the group wishing to build here) are giving us the finger and because we have become so politically correct, fair, and downright cowardly in standing up for ourselves, the building is going to be erected. There are times that just because something is right, doesn't mean that it should be done... It mattesr that some of us lost love ones and they were murdered by the same religion that will occupy this mosque... that I can not overlook, and really don't think I ever will be able to forgive, not enough time left in my life to change. I will not say anymore.
I find that it is a constant battle on these forums...I'm doing it too..we no longer
discuss, we take pot shots at each other or hurtful digs...think I will take a week off and regroup..I'm tired of it all.

.
How many of your posts have been the kind that would stimulate discussion? I may read them wrong but to me way too many have been to inflame, stir the pot, or simply smear - in attempts at humor of course (therefore they are all OK :roll



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