I turn my laptop on in the morning already knowing that the battle continued raging even while I was asleep. Indeed, shots were fired in the middle of the night.
“You have to ask yourself, are you here for the revolution? Are you a revolutionary or what?”
I’m definitely a “what.” And the correct category is…?
“Are you a patriot? Are you fighting for liberty? We are continuing our fight against the useless bureaucrats in D.C.”
“How can any liberal support Hillary?”
“How can any conservative support Kasich?”
“Bernie will smash the banks…”
“Trump will keep those illegals out…”
Remember when the Internet used to be all about posting pictures of babies, lunches and kittens? Believe it or not, I really miss that time.
“You people are privileged and don’t know what it’s like to struggle…”
Hey, everyone! Here’s a video of Chirpy!
“You people have never had a real job or paid taxes–you don’t what it’s like out there in the adult world…”
“Old and square…”
“Young and dumb…”
Chirpy is a parakeet. He likes to play the synth…
“Racist…”
“Politically correct sheeple…”
“Fascist…”
“Communist…”
Watch him play the Game of Thrones theme!
“You Nazis should get sent to camps…”
He even whistles along!
“You SJWs should get shot into a ditch…”
And isn’t it hilarious how the cat is watching him from below?
Right?
Guys?
“Let’s burn everything down!”
“Let’s burn everything down!”
It’s not too late. We don’t have to burn everything down.
eurobrat 
04/23/2016 at 2:22 pm
“Remember when the Internet used to be all about posting pictures of babies, lunches and kittens? Believe it or not, I really miss that time.”
That’s a sarcastic question, right? Because, aside from porn & celeb bullshit, such pointless wastes of time take up a majority of the space on the Web-pipes. Even if I liked it, I can’t miss “that time” because “that time” is today!
I’ve been on the Web-pipes so long, I actually remember a time when people on it were not completely illiterate, self-involved, imbeciles. I actually remember when most people on the Web-pipes were smart, well-read and wrote intelligent, funny & insightful comments. I miss those days! Because they are all but a fading memory.
Today, most people just “conversate” in pictures, emoticons and, at most, 140 characters of illiterate bile. They all think they’re the centre of the universe and that they’re all going to become the beloved super-stars they deserve to be.
But I get what you’re really saying. The problem you speak of is “huuuuge” (as one of today’s “greatest minds” would say) and is the result of a several factors, including:
1) The Web-pipes became popular. Once it became a General-population thing, quality & civility were shown the door. Every filter society once had disappeared instantly. Any iDiot could use the Web-pipes any way they wanted and every iDiot does exactly that!
A crowded Information-Stuper-Highway is like a crowded highway. People get aggressive, nasty and will crap on each other at the slightest provocation & for the slightest gain. The increased speed of today’s Web-pipes only worsens that. There’s no longer time for anything other than instant reaction. Instant reactions tend to bring out the very worst in us. (See: The Twit Zone)
2) Quality & civility have been increasingly shown the door in the overall culture over the last few decades. (See Reality TV) Stupidity is no longer something to be ashamed of, but proud of. Team Stupid has a place for you.
3) Combat Culture. We’re in Year 15 of permanent global warfare with essentially no rules. Video games are almost universally killing simulations. Politics has become nothing more than pro-wrestling. Capitalism has morphed into an even nastier version of itself where no rules, or laws, apply.
Everywhere you look, “Kill or be killed” is the motto of the day. Everything today, even light-bulbs and vegetable gardens, have become front-page front-lines in the Culture War.
I don’t like it either. And even though things sucked back then, I still wish things were the way they were before the Inter-webs made us even worse.
That said, how can any liberal support Hillary…if given any other option? 😉
04/23/2016 at 5:49 pm
Yeah, that’s it–there’s no civility. I don’t mind people having a different viewpoint, but when things devolve to “You’re an idiot” and “You’re a sheep,” continuing the conversation isn’t worth it anymore. But thank you for reminding me that there is plenty of non-political interaction still happening on social media…I think I’ll have to return to that as part of my grander scheme of becoming more apolitical. Whatever happened to talking to my friends about their daily highs and lows? The Internet needs more positivity.
As far as the answer to your last question goes: Bernie makes supporting Hillary so easy 😉
04/25/2016 at 3:44 pm
I don’t mind people having a differing viewpoint from me. I’m very used to it. I can point to 7 billion people who routinely disagree with me. All it means is that they’re idiots…if only part-time ones. Or mindless sheep. 🙂
Generally speaking, most human communication ain’t worth shit because most people ain’t worth shit. As the saying goes, “if you want to see what people are really like, give them a mask.” The Web-tubes is a giant mask, a safe-place to expose our true selves. That’s why it’s so stupid, vacuous and nasty, even among people who largely agree on stuff.
Throwing poop at each other is what us damn dirty apes do best. Today’s technology has freed us from all pretenses of civility. If you want anything resembling civility, throw away your gadgets and communicate face-to-face, or in handwritten letters delivered by the US Postal Service. Those formats force a more civil tone.
As Canadian media guru, Marshall McLuhan, said “The medium is the message”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_McLuhan The characteristics of media formats drive the behaviour of its users. For example, The Twit Zone is the nastiest place on Earth because it has millions of constantly connected users with only 140 characters to say anything. There’s no time or space to be thoughtful, or polite.
“But thank you for reminding me that there is plenty of non-political interaction still happening on social media…I’ll have to return to that as part of my grander scheme of becoming more apolitical.”
You have a “grander scheme” of trying to stifle part of your personality? Put it “in the closet”, so to speak? Been there! Unless you’re willing to undergo a lobotomy, it doesn’t work for long. Anything beyond short breaks, or finding a “healthier balance”, leaves a big void. Most people fill the void by spending money they don’t have, obsessing about the latest beef between Celeb A & Celeb B, etc. While it may look innocent, “Social Media” is a toxic brain poison. It’s mostly either street fighting, or zombie-town…mental “flat-lining”. Time more productively spent watching ice melt, hosing drunken ho’s off your front lawn….or (yech!) actually talking to the people you live with, or next door to.
But DON’T kid yourself. There is NO such thing as being “apolitical” or avoiding politics. (Apathy itself is a political decision.) First, everything on the planet (even a stop sign) is the direct/indirect result of a political decision. Second, as long as there are other humans on Earth, there will be politics. It might not be capital P, electoral politics. But that doesn’t change the dynamics & nastiness. (Humans + Opinions = politics) People actually get into hair-pulling cat-fights at the PTA, book clubs, on recipe websites and especially “Black Friday” consumer orgies. Where there are humans, there are pecking orders and various forms of competitive combat to determine them. Just like inSoylent Green, “politics…is people!”
So, just like 8 more years of non-liberal “liberals” opening up for Gold Mansacks and fighting perpetual wars….there is NO escape!
(cue ominous thunder, lightning…and laughter)
04/24/2016 at 4:24 am
Right with you.
04/24/2016 at 10:32 am
So glad I’m not the only who feels this way. I’m emotionally worn out from all the bickering and in-fighting between people who are friends and are (mostly) on the same political side. It’s making me want to take a break from writing about politics for a little while.
04/24/2016 at 11:22 am
The Bernie bros are pretty vocal. I’ve got a few of them in my sphere. I love them and understand their passion, but hope they’ll realize that we have to vote blue. Regardless.
04/24/2016 at 3:50 pm
I wouldn’t be too worried. Like all defeated candidates, the vast majority of Bernie voters will vote for the winner, the Hillary-Tron 2016. But they’ll do it with the same enthusiasm they’d have for getting their teeth pulled…ground up and force fed to them…rectally.
However, the concerning part is that Bernie did what very few candidates do. He drew in newbies, the disaffected, the hyper-cynical (who me?). Folks who were giving the Democrats “one last chance” and people who wouldn’t otherwise pay the slightest bit of attention to anything remotely political. Nearly ALL of them will be staying home this fall, or voting Green, even with the prospect of facing Cruz/Trump.
And if Trump is the nominee, (gasp!) I think some Bernie voters will opt for him, mostly due to his trade policies and overall “Fuck the establishment” attitude. Even I’d think about it for 30 seconds and I’ve hated Trump for over 30 years!
This election is probably going to be a battle between the two most hated candidates in Presidential election history. I think even segregationist George Wallace was less hated back in 1968! (Maybe even in 2016!) And one of them is going to win. This will do nothing to promote positivity, or political engagement.
04/24/2016 at 4:23 pm
What we must keep in mind is the number of potential Supreme Court nominees the next president is likely to name. This is no time for sulking or shirking just because one’s hopes were dashed.
04/25/2016 at 11:41 am
Exactly right!
04/25/2016 at 12:35 pm
That’s a VERY good point. Unfortunately, very few of the non-politically-obsessed even realize, or care, Presidents appoint The Supremes. And while 100% true, it’s still uninspiring. Some will even consider the message coercive. People are sick & tired of being forced to vote “against” something instead of “for” something.
But given the current political climate, your point is even more valid. Presidents are “the new Vice-Presidents” these days, mostly just there for decoration. Congress is more constipated than a 90 year old who only eats cheese. Foreign policy has essentially been harmonized across party lines (War! War! War!) So, Supreme Court appointees may be the single biggest difference between Presidents.
But again, unless the Republicans hold a coup and actually anoint somebody who is actually likeable…Hillary will be picking Supremes for the next 8 years.
04/25/2016 at 1:04 pm
We can’t assume anything, though, and in this election, choosing to stay home on Election Day could mean either Trump or Cruz in the White House. That’s a scenario no sane person wants.
04/25/2016 at 11:45 am
Well, we’ll see. I’m still hoping at least some of the Bern supporters will vote for Hil. If they don’t, well, I’m not responsible for other people’s stupid decisions. I survived 8 years of W, so I’ll survive Trump or Cruz too, I just don’t want to hear any whining from morons if this happens.
04/25/2016 at 11:48 am
And, yes, I realize I’m the one doing the name calling now. I guess even I am losing my patience with the insanity that is this year. This election cannot be over too soon for me.
04/25/2016 at 2:42 pm
As a Canuck, I survived 8 years of Bush AND about 10 years of Herr Harper’s soul crushing rule, which you Americans didn’t have to. So, I think I can survive 8 years of Hillary….and Justin. (At least he’s going to legalize my “medicinal brownies”. That will help me make it through.) Just don’t expect me to smile about it….at least non-ironically.
Speaking of Justin, if he and Obama got any more “civil” they’d have to rent a room!
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/gallery/2016/mar/11/obamas-trudeaus-mutual-appreciation-us-visit-in-pictures
Quite the difference between that and shots of Obama & Putin -eh?
04/25/2016 at 3:35 pm
Aw, I love that so much 🙂 Thank you for improving my mood.
04/25/2016 at 3:49 pm
Yeah, just wait for me to finish my other comments. 🙂
04/25/2016 at 5:07 am
What you write about is a universal problem, not just assigned to American politics — I can easily match it to what is happening here in Poland, Eastern Europe. Here is what I think: We have to speak up to protect what we hold dear. We have the right to speak our thoughts publicly and to make our own choices, as long as we don’t trample on the lives and rights of others. We don’t have to agree or to follow the paths others forge. But shouting won’t change a thing. And it is dangerous when the very values we want to hold up in importance – freedom, democracy, etc. – start being forcefully shoved down people’s throats with righteousness and disdain. “The right way” (aka “my way,” “our way” or “the only way”) has always been a step in the direction of dictatorship. Revolutions usually end up in fire and ashes. Shouting doesn’t solve much — as studies have shown, it tends to be counterproductive, because people dig in even more. Or they kill and burn each other en masse. But conversation and analytical thinking is always in high demand — whether it’s about politics, or about babies, kittens and lunches! The more variety, the better!
04/25/2016 at 11:40 am
Yes, it’s happening everywhere! And I’m all for people having the freedom to express their opinion, even Trump and Cruz supporters. It’s when it devolves into name calling that it no longer has a point. I’ve been keeping track of events in Poland and it’s getting even more depressing…hang in there 😦
04/28/2016 at 12:44 pm
Yeah, Poland really should have pleaded to remain part of Germany. 😉
04/30/2016 at 12:33 pm
Too late…they’re not taking us back now.
04/28/2016 at 7:47 am
Dzieki!!! Totally agree. Although after I posted the comment on your blog yesterday, I had a moment of uncertainty about what I wrote! Maybe we need to shout if certain freedoms are in peril, as long as we stop short of name calling?? In other words, shout but keep our civility and respect for others (even if we consider the choices of those others not exactly smart?)… I am not sure about the exact degree of this action. You’ve probably heard of KOD in Poland, they’re having a big demonstration in Poland in May and I’m wondering if I should go and shout a little bit. Or maybe just go and watch (though that feels strangely voyeuristic). On the other hand, I really dislike this type of mass protests, esp. since a bunch of political opposition parties are planning to be there we well. Can’t we just all live on farms and far away from politics?! I’m kidding, but…
04/30/2016 at 12:35 pm
I say go and march, and shout! Nothing intolerant about it–it’s the new Polish gov’t which is forcing its beliefs on its citizens. Poland needs your help right now!