How often do you have political Conversations not in the DnD? Do you talk about it at work. .. among friends. . . etc or is this your primary outlet for those conversations does the semi anomity allow you to be more open? I'm Curious I notice alot of people seem to shun from those type of debates because they would be label this or that Rocket River
Mostly in D&D, but I do it whenever I feel like it. That means I could debate with a total stranger while waiting in the checkout line at a grocery store.
Very rarely outside of here. I have them with some of my family, but almost none of my friends, occasionally at work, and all the time here. I was a none-of-the-above type.
LOL. Maybe in Buddhism, fun and pain are so closely related to each other that without one the other cannot exist.
I don't bother discussing politics in D&D. With friends, sometimes - but I don't enjoy it. Such a quaint thing, politics: acts so self-important and impacts many lives so profoundly.. yet ultimately signifies so little
I generally discuss politics with close friends, because we argue (as in debate) rather than quarrel. I hang out with Lefties and Righties and a few who swing both ways. I tend to be a chain yanker, i.e., I take an opposite position just for the fun of it. However, I learn more that way because I surprise myself with an uncorked, salient viewpoint or glean some factual or theoretical validity from my "opponent."
In the real world I rarely debate political topics, but i do torch my political enemies houses and poison their drinks when they're not looking.
I love starting political and religious discussions. I can't help it! It's usually to bust someone in a contradiction or just simply to see where someone stands on an issue. It's fun at work. I don't push too much because people are sensitive about their politics and religion. We have a few folks here that just simply love the Bush family, but usually not for political reasons. They have simply made up their minds that the people they elect are "good people". It's surprising how many people will support someone just because they "like" them. But if you actually bring up an issue or stance, then they quickly back off. I was once with my wife visiting one of her friends who had moved to Georgia and became "reborn". Well we were at this girl's Mom's house having drinks and sitting by the pool. Out of nowhere she goes off on this tirade about all of the sinners who will be going to Hell. She throws her GrandMa in this group and that kind of rattled her Mom. Well, her Mom is gay and before you know it, this girl tells her Mom that she too is going to Hell. Well that's usually my cue to start throwing out questions concerning their stance or belief. Long story short, she ended the conversation quickly by saying that she "is not able to defend her God while drunk." So it's OK to judge others in the name of her God but she is unable to justify the basis of her judgement. Hilarious. I'm pretty certain that most religions teach all to not judge others, to let Gid take care of that. Ah, politics and religion.... Hipocracy at it's finest!
On the BBS most of the time. It would just create animosity between people in the real world if I ever bothered. Its very rare to change someones view on things I've realized also.
I talk about politics all the time. At home everyday, with my wife, who works in state government, with friends, depending on the friend... some are hysterical, as in funny, which I enjoy, and some are hysterical in their beliefs, warped as they are, and I avoid talking politics with them, unless provoked. Fortunately, I have some friends that enjoy discussing much of what gets discussed here, when the mood strikes them. I remember a Thanksgiving dinner at my mother's, with about a dozen relatives getting ready to chow down on her fantastic cooking, and it was the Thanksgiving right after Clinton was elected the first time. Well, I lifted my wine glass and said I'd like to make a toast. I usually toast the cook, Mom, but I had another toast I wanted to make before that. "To our new president of these United States, Bill Clinton. May he have a successful term in office." Not too radical, was it? My brother-in-law turned red in the face, got up, left the house, crawled into his car and went home. Never said a word. Needless to say, we were all astonished. I asked everyone, and several of my relatives are Reagan Republicans, if I had been out of line. The consensus was that I hadn't been, and we carried on with our dinner. Of course, I never made a political toast in that kind of family situation again, but I'll add that my sister, the one married to the goofus, is voting Democratic this time around. Yes, I enjoy politics... the good, the bad, and the ugly. Just as we live in an imperfect world, so are we governed by imperfect people. I find it amusing that people can take some of the positions they do, and move all over the place in those positions, depending on the latest headline (I'm looking at you, DD! ), but that's just how things are in our system. Don't expect perfection, and you won't be disappointed. Expect at least a minimum of competence from your political leaders, and if you don't get it, vote for someone else. The worst thing anyone can do is not vote, in my opinion. If you don't vote, you have no basis for being angry with the system, because you opted out of it. That's my opinion as well. Keep D&D Civil.
I just read this, SpaceCity. What a riot! That's a great story, and so typical of far too many people. I wish you'd post more in here. We could use it! Keep D&D Civil.
I debate people a lot of the time and would do it almost all the time if not for things like work and sleep getting in the way. One of my favorite hobbies is debating candidates and their staff at public events.
I chose "all the time" even though that is not 100% true. It is just the closest to the truth. I talk about it more in the real world than I do in here. Most often people engage me with various things for who knows what reason. When I am in control I am a little more picky as I don't like talking to annoying people. I prefer people with very different philosophies but who are not too threatened with other views that they cannot speak civily and intelligently. I can get mean if people really try to challenge or impress/intimidate me or if people butcher facts/history/etc.. Religion, politics, and race are usually my most talked about subjects in person.
