The Wow I Can't Believe That News Story Thread

[Frownland]

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

^ Except that voting doesn't dictate thinking and that not all ballot papers offer binary decisions. Apart from those reservations, I'm prepared to agree with whatever's left of your statement.

They don't dictate thinking necessarily, no. However, it does dictate what you are allowed to say.

^ If the US system resembles the Brit system, there's nothing to prevent third parties and independent candidates turning up on the ballot.

It doesn't and there is. Third parties have to reach higher poll numbers to appear on the ballot and participate in debates. That's without getting into very-difficult to control factors like the media or financial limitations.

And surely voting is a key example of Americans' liberty?

Maybe if I present it as a non-political analogy it will make more sense: You are allowed to vote for a beating or a cigarette burn. You have the option not to vote, but you will receive a beating or a burn regardless. Sure, we're free to make these choices, but that's not liberty.

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by elphenor

is the reason you don't murder and rape because it's illegal?

There's more to laws than murder and rape. The only thing that stops me taking that new stereo or TV out of a showroom is that I don't want to be caught. That's not quite true; I have morals and guiding principles, and I wouldn't steal. But there are plenty of little laws I would break if I knew for certain I would not be caught, or if they suddenly weren't laws anymore.

Originally Posted by Exo

Santa Rosa wildfires: Fast-moving blazes devour buildings - CNN





This is happening in Santa Rosa right now. I lived right outside of there earlier this year. I just wanted to let everybody know that Steph (WWWP) is safe. Her friends and family are safe. It looks like her apartment has been spared but that isn't the case for a lot of other people. Whole neighborhoods have been burned to the ground. I called this area home for the beginning of this year. I'm heartbroken to say the least.

Find a gofundme charity for both Sonoma and Napa counties right now because they need it.

Thanks for that news, Exo. Glad to hear she's ok.

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

But people who get elected usually act like receiving votes gives them the right to govern. I have written "**** you" on the ballot before.

All you do then is spoil your vote and make someone think, correctly, that you're a ****. If you don't want to vote don't vote, but don't act like a stupid little spoiled kid.

[Lisnaholic]

Originally Posted by Chula Vista

What's illogical is cynical ****s like you who think they are some sort of authoritive voice, and who prop themselves up by dissing on anyone who's actually open to the system and care about the legistlative process in regard to issues like:

Women's rights
Gun control
Social Security
Healthcare
The environment
Taxes
Corporate regulations

Just to name a few.

There are extreme fundamental differences between the two parties (yes, two - who actually have a chance of getting elected) that some people give a **** about.

Perfect example: EPA Announces It Will Repeal Clean Power Plan - Yale E360

^ A lot of commentators mention how partisan US politics has become, which bears out what Chula says; that there are fundamental policy differences about the issues he lists.
I'm not suggesting the election process is fair, I'm not suggesting Democrats are saints, but given the option to vote, I'd vote for a party that supports Obamacare, acknowledges global warming etc. rather than the opposite. It's a small but positive way to demonstrate your opinion.

And even if your vote doesn't result in electoral victory, it's there on record as the popular vote. It's part of a significant figure that haunts Trump as he looks out over his inaugural crowd, that is in the back of senators minds as they contemplate repeal and replace, and now it'll be before the Supreme Court as they discuss gerrymandering. Voting may not send the exact message that you'd like to convey, but not voting sends no message at all.

[OccultHawk]

Voting sends the message that you're officially a sheep.

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by elphenor

anarchy dictates that there's no private property

so it's quite literally impossible to steal

the rest of these little laws equally just become moot in an anarchic society, you may have to deal with 2nd hand smoke or something wahh

How could that possibly work? Wherever you live, someone else can come in and take what you have or stay there or kick you out? Sounds pretty ridiculous, which is probably why there has never been, to my knowledge, any society which existed on that principle. Fine in theory, impossible in practice.

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

Voting sends the message that you're officially a sheep.

I don't believe cattle have yet won the vote.

[Frownland]

private property =/= personal property

So you're both wrong.

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by Frownland

private property =/= personal property

So you're both wrong.

No, cattle have definitely not got the vote. I checked.

[Chula Vista]

Originally Posted by The Batlord

Says the guy willing to vote for fake liberals like Hillary Clinton simply because she actually had a chance at winning. Not voting third-party because they can't win is pretty ****ing cynical.

I normally for for the democratic party for the reasons I listed which Lisn echoes below. And not voting third party is not cynical, it's intelligent. See, it's dumb to throw away your vote.

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

I'm not suggesting the election process is fair, I'm not suggesting Democrats are saints, but given the option to vote, I'd vote for a party that supports Obamacare, acknowledges global warming etc. rather than the opposite. It's a small but positive way to demonstrate your opinion.

And even if your vote doesn't result in electoral victory, it's there on record as the popular vote. It's part of a significant figure that haunts Trump as he looks out over his inaugural crowd, that is in the back of senators minds as they contemplate repeal and replace, and now it'll be before the Supreme Court as they discuss gerrymandering. Voting may not send the exact message that you'd like to convey, but not voting sends no message at all.

[Frownland]

Lol Chula just called himself intelligent. Way off base mate. The word you're looking for is "submissive".