High Sierra Topix

ERIC wrote:It's allowed so long as the debate is civil.

May we call each other "Deplorable".



Just kidding!

-Russ

SSSdave wrote:During the current period, one would be wise to take mainstream news media reports with considerable suspicion until things have time to settle out as it is quite obvious many sources loath Trump and what he is setting up in his administration, thus are straining to paint anything in the worst possible light sometimes using here say, cherry picking content out of context, and other propaganda methods. Of course Trump himself makes embarrassing tweets and takes questionable actions by himself each day.

It is mainstream media that was most responsible for the Democratic loss because they had been so confident and so blind about attitudes of ordinary Americans about the probable election outcome, that many of their lazier, younger, and minority followers that might have voted in key states, stayed away from voting booths, instead engaging into their usual inane activities like eating chips watching the boob tube, playing video games, watching celebrity garbage on their smartphones, texting their friends, etc. One might expect that those now ranting and raving the most were those that voted least. Now many are desperate as the reality of their fiasco becomes all too real with each new day.

In case any are wondering, on the presidential ballot, I marked the write in field with "The Invisible Man".

Define mainstream media?

Vaca Russ wrote:May we call each other "Deplorable".

Sounds like a code word to me. According to the mayor of Berkeley:

Using speech to silence marginalized communities and promote bigotry is unacceptable. Hate speech isn't welcome in our community.

https://twitter.com/JesseArreguin?ref_s ... r%5Eauthor

I wonder if Eric will accept that standard of conduct for this 'community'?

sambieni wrote:...
Define mainstream media?

Alt media and fake news are any source you do not follow.

Isn't that the new normal, the new acceptable now? Demonize everyone with an opinion different from yours?

What ever happened to 'I may disagree with what you say but I will defend your right to say it'?
Where has we agree to disagree but remain friends gone?

I am disgusted with the whole nation now -- left and right. A pox on both their houses.

dave54 wrote:What ever happened to 'I may disagree with what you say but I will defend your right to say it'?

That presumes a sincere effort towards mutual dialogue and reaching common ground. But what if certain intentions are so beyond the pale of normal discourse that they must be invalidated and banished from the public square?

That's the beauty of labeling a movement as fascist, and thereby justifying its vilification and opposition through any means necessary. Taking that approach, it demonstrates that control of speech through the enforcement of codes provides tremendous political leverage.

Following this logic, once an idea (or its proponent) is labeled as "hate", then it no longer enjoys the protection of equal treatment before the law and rights are therefore forfeit.

I agree. Certain parties are so passionate in their values and beliefs (normally a good thing) that faced with a contrary value their cognitive dissonance degenerates into anger and hostility (not a good thing).

I am reminded of the famous Edward Abbey quote about being a part time zealot and half hearted warrior. We need that philosophy now more than ever.

We all need some serious trail time to escape the insanity.

I think we all need to smoke a bit of pot and chill the F out. Then, perhaps when we stop trying to demonize each other start some dialogue with the sincere intent of finding some mutual ground where we can move forward as a nation with some semblance of common goals, even though we may disagree upon the means.

I'll let you smoke the pot. That is not my thing.

Now make it a couple fingers of good single malt then I am in.

dave54 wrote:

sambieni wrote:...
Define mainstream media?

Alt media and fake news are any source you do not follow.

Isn't that the new normal, the new acceptable now? Demonize everyone with an opinion different from yours?

What ever happened to 'I may disagree with what you say but I will defend your right to say it'?
Where has we agree to disagree but remain friends gone?

I am disgusted with the whole nation now -- left and right. A pox on both their houses.

Did not actually answer the question, but carry on.

sambieni wrote:Define mainstream media?
Alt media and fake news are any source you do not follow.
Did not actually answer the question, but carry on.

I actually thought it was a very clever answer in an oblique kind of way. Defining something in the negative can be characterized as "I know bad art when I see it." Of course, the entire exercise is reduced to the subjective ie the person(s) making the evaluation/claim. However, in order to reach & influence broader audiences, it's first necessary to introduce simpler dogmatic slogans & labels.

So, since we're dealing in a realm that often time lacks objective truth, let's take this definition out for a spin to see how well it works:

Mainstream/alt media is that which one doesn't follow and/or agree with.

The absolute key to making division work is to ensure people are neither exposed nor amenable towards alternative points of view. It really works best if you can agitate a mob that rejects all rationale consideration, and get them running like the bulls @ Pamplona.