Facebook and Tea Parties
April 25, 2010 – 11:28 amHaving (or had if he won’t continue) and interesting dialogue with self-described “liberal” on Facebook. Seems like a nice guy, “average Joe” type. He sure does seem to have trouble “tolerating” tea party participants and supporters though and appears to “hate” what he believes to be their “intolerance, racism and hate“. He believes this of the entire movement it appears. Why? See below. Here is the Facebook thread that started the conversation. Tell us if it seems or appears differently to YOU.
Liberal generalities presented as facts
Dion please consider participating. We need a smart liberal voice on our blog network
I appreciate your claim to rely on “facts“. I comment below. Your repeated use of a seemingly sophomoric sexual term to describe people you disagree with doesn’t seem very “tolerant” but it appears to me to be common amongst liberals to do so.
Facts aren’t malleable things and “facts” aren’t made up of other people’s opinions that someone happens to agree with. Just FYI, it isn’t *my* tea party or anyone’s. It is being pursued by (factually) a group of people who, demographically, are better educated, more prosperous, self employed or small business owners. They are politically made up of conservatives, libertarians, democrats and independents. While black participation is small it isn’t surprising that a group that voted 95% plus for Obama isn’t participating in protesting government policies. There are black tea party participants however. That is undeniable. Obama is all about big government. Even more so than his big government statist predecessor.
The first one: “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwiKGjM5tHU&feature=related“
Health Care counter demonstration inaccurately portrayed as involving “Tea Party Members”. Tea Parties have participants, not members. Even people with Parkinsons can be “mocked” for their wrong headed politics. That’s equality and freedom.
The second one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsCL6cxbJqk&NR=1
Ah, the claim of a racial epithet that no one can corroborate is presented as a “fact” I presume? Another instance of an opinion video being presented as some fact. In both cases “facts” are lacking but opinion is creatively expressed. How come these fellows (or you) haven’t claimed the $100,000 reward for video or audio of the claimed offense?
The third one: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/21/tea-partiers-in-tax-day-p_n_546909.html
Cherry picking two people out of hundreds is only presenting “fact” about two people, not the hundreds (or thousands) of participants. Should I believe the worst about ALL liberals just because I can cherry pick nutty liberals on Youtube?
The materials you provided don’t provide any “facts“, just strongly held and unsupported (by fact) opinions.
Rather than rely on the *opinion* of internet video bloggers or cherry picked anecdotal and unrepresentative examples here are some actual “facts” Dion. I am including the definition of “fact” for future reference. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fact
Who make up Tea Party supporters and participants – Gallup http://www.gallup.com/poll/127181/Tea-Partiers-Fairly-Mainstream-Demographics.aspx Looks remarkably like America doesn’t it?
What most (or at the least very many) Tea Party activists want:
http://www.thecontract.org/ Please point out which are unreasonable or worse, racist, intolerant etc.
What the Constitution means – By those who wrote it.
http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/ Does the Constitution matter to liberals?
Completely unacceptable levels of deficits (you’ll see that this is true of Obama AND Bush)
http://blog.heritage.org/2009/03/24/bush-deficit-vs-obama-deficit-in-pictures/ The tea party doesn’t oppose Obama, it opposes an unconstitutional and overly large and intrusive federal government. Obama is just currently the face of that government.
My question to you Dion is this. Do you truly think that 25% of Americans (the number who identify as tea party supporters or participants) are “racist” and “intolerant“. Do you think holding such a belief (because it IS your belief not a fact) is conducive to constructive political dialogue? Do you think it demonstrates “tolerance“? It seems and appears (my opinion, not a fact) that the “tolerance” liberals seek is made up of *agree with me and I’ll tolerate you*. If you don’t agree then you *MUST* be “racist“, “intolerant“, etc. Is this your view of people who aren’t liberal?
5 Responses to “Facebook and Tea Parties”
“Cast not your pearls before swine…” This type can only be laughed at, not reasoned with.
By ssgconway on Apr 25, 2010
OK…I’ll play. Out in the open. First, I’d like to know your name. NikMafiaFocus doesn’t cut it. I find it funny that you wish to draw me on to your “Freedom” forum. Do you think drawing me here and sandbagging me with your Tea Bagger friends was going to intimidate me? Well…. it does. LOL. But bring it on. I’ll respond more in depth later, I have a Little League game to manage. Yes, we America hating, liberal demons play baseball too. There are holes in your logic I’m looking forward to driving a truck through. Y’all got my name on your list? I can email my address if you want it too…wouldn’t be the first enemies list I’ve been on.
nik reply on April 26th, 2010 9:53 pm:
Nik Mouser. Why doesn’t my Facebook game profile cut it? I’m not trying to draw you on to anything Dion. I invited you to participate sincerely. Having diverse political opinion is important. Contributing is “if/as”.. if you feel like it and as you have the inclination to. We have simple participation guidelines.
I look forward to your response and to learn the “holes” in my logic. You seem kind of hostile and defensive but that might just be your style of writing. You *seem* (to me) to jump to many conclusions and make a lot of assumptions based on very little knowledge of me or other participants.
“Average Joe” wasn’t meant as an insult. If you took it as so that’s too bad. No one has purported that you aren’t a “proud American” either.
Reasonable people can discuss political differences without hostility and gratuitous insults. For instance, you may find ideas “stupid” or some other pejorative but that doesn’t mean the PERSON holding that opinion is stupid. Just wrong or misguided perhaps from your point of view.
Actually, looking at some of your profiles we have a lot in common. Very much in fact. I don’t need or want your address thanks. I don’t do personal “enemies”. If I have any its of their volition, not mine.
If you are interested in reasoned, fact based debate and aren’t too sensitive about having your strawmen, misperceptions and errors pointed out let’s do so. Of course they are strawmen, misperceptions and errors to ME. I’ll the facts we exchange speak and seek to have others comment as we go along.
Thanks for your comment. If you decide to participate just write to me (nik at amfree dot net). I just got in from coaching (spring football) and need to get ready for tomorrow)
Yes we libertarians coach collectivist activities too. All of OUR collectivism is voluntary not mandated by government LOL!
By Dion on Apr 26, 2010
By the way….I’m not an “Average Joe”. I’m a proud American. No way y’all get to try to co-opt that ideal.
By Dion on Apr 26, 2010
PS to Dion.
I don’t know any “Tea Baggers”. Is that sexual proclivity more common in your neck of the woods than mine?
I do have some Earl Gray tea bags at work though
By nik on Apr 26, 2010