My rant about political posts.

[Crankyshank]

It's not so much the political aspect of the discussions that are tiresome, it's the fact that some people can't see past someone's political affiliation to see the validity in their point.
The world isn't black or white and a good percentage of the voting population identifies with political Democrat and Republican platforms. That doesn't seem to be taken into account here on the DIS with a good number of political posters. For example: when someone voices frustration with how the federal government is handling the situation, they're dismissed as another Bush hater when in fact a lot of those frustrated posters are normally Bush supporters.

 

[WDWBetsy]

Of course it permeates this board. The lack of appropriate and adequate response and leadership from our elected officials has made this natural human tragedy much, much worse. How can you remove the "politics" from that?

Well said. Just because someone is satisfied with the way things were handled doesn't mean that someone else can't think it should have been handled with more urgency.

Based on some of the news footage I've been seeing about rescue/recovery/supply help being delayed even now by government red tape, it does make me think maybe things weren't handled any differently before, during, and for the 5 days after the disaster either.

Bottom line, I think we all care about our country and its people. It's good to read other points of view.

 

[phisigprincess]

Kathy, that is the reason I stayed away from the DIS during the week of Katrina. I was getting sick to my stomach when I would read all the angry political posts. Bottom line, people are suffering and they are the ones who need the attention. I'm happy there's a new section for this because I really hated staying away from the CB because of some posters and topics.

 

[mamaprincess]

I agree but it will never end. Political debating is also a way that people are trying to make some sense of this thing as odd as that seems. We all are biting off a chunk of this beast, the chunk that riles us most I guess. I just wish that things wouldn't get so mean spirited sometimes. Yes I wish that there was more direct focus on the human tragedy but political focus however removed is still focus because unfortunately this beast has a political side.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Of course it permeates this board. The lack of appropriate and adequate response and leadership from our elected officials has made this natural human tragedy much, much worse. How can you remove the "politics" from that?

Well said. Just because someone is satisfied with the way things were handled doesn't mean that someone else can't think it should have been handled with more urgency.

Based on some of the news footage I've been seeing about rescue/recovery/supply help being delayed even now by government red tape, it does make me think maybe things weren't handled any differently before, during, and for the 5 days after the disaster either.

Bottom line, I think we all care about our country and its people. It's good to read other points of view.

Does it strike anyone else as ironic that a thread ranting about political posts re: Hurricane Katrina has become another political thread?

 

[WDWBetsy]

Does it strike anyone else as ironic that a thread ranting about political posts re: Hurricane Katrina has become another political thread?

I didn't say anything political. There's nothing political about wanting our government to be on track. Now if I made comments about the Democrats, Republicans, left or right - that's political.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I didn't say anything political. There's nothing political about wanting our government to be on track. Now if I made comments about the Democrats, Republicans, left or right - that's political.

Whatever you say... anyway, thanks for the laugh!

 

[Geoff_M]

Of course it permeates this board. The lack of appropriate and adequate response and leadership from our elected officials has made this natural human tragedy much, much worse. How can you remove the "politics" from that?

Sorry, but one doesn't have to be accompanied by the other. It's possible to discuss what worked and what didn't, suggest that certain things should have been done... or done better, who should have done what, who should have known what and acted, etc. without the political "jabbing". But while that's possible to do, it's all but impossible here.

 

[WDWBetsy]

Whatever you say... anyway, thanks for the laugh!

I wasn't trying to be funny. Hmm.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't see this as a political thread at all. I see it as people discussing what is appropriate and what isn't on this board. Of course, the DIS powers that be make the final decision but I hope that we don't completely lose the ability to discuss some of these issues.

 

[KathyTX]

Sorry, but one doesn't have to be accompanied by the other. It's possible to discuss what worked and what didn't, suggest that certain things should have been done... or done better, who should have done what, who should have known what and acted, etc. without the political "jabbing". But while that's possible to do, it's all but impossible here.

Exactly.

Thoughtful discourse is great. But if you find yourself using terms like "the left", "the right", "Bush hater", calling politicians by childish nicknames, etc., that's NOT thoughtful discourse. That's annoying playground behavior.

 

[septbride2002]

I can understand that there are some who tire of political post. I happen to enjoy them, and I usually learn something. But I can understand because I get tired of seeing ABC threads or game threads.

 

[ThAnswr]

But that's kind of hard when it starts to permeate a board... which I think is Kathy's point.

The reason why it's permeated the board is because it was artificially stuck in one place. It's like directing traffic to the same intersection and then wondering why it's crowded with cars.

 

[ThAnswr]

Exactly.

Thoughtful discourse is great. But if you find yourself using terms like "the left", "the right", "Bush hater", calling politicians by childish nicknames, etc., that's NOT thoughtful discourse. That's annoying playground behavior.

"Bush hater" is one thing. But, there is such a thing as the rightwing, the leftwing, and the middle of the bird.

 

[WDWBetsy]

Does it strike anyone else as ironic that a thread ranting about political posts re: Hurricane Katrina has become another political thread?

Actually - here's a thought. If I was hearing things about the American Red Cross (which I'm not - just trying to compare this situation) making mistakes, fumbling in procedures, or not getting supplies to those in need, and I commented on that, that wouldn't be political. To me, if ANY agency, person, or group is making bad choices, I don't care what their political affiliation is - if I'm concerned about it, I'm going to comment that things need to improve.

So it appears to me at least - that someone's trying to make my comments a political statement when they're not.

 

[brerrabbit]

All politics aside I find it interesting that dispite the rants and raves front both sides including Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and all the celebrities that at the root of the whole tragedy what comes shining through is the true humanity I have witnessed. My church is sheltering over seventy people and not once was there any discussion of race or economic status or political views. My company as well as my community has opened their arms and welcomed the people of Louisiana and not seen rich or poor or black or white. They have only seen people in need and done everything they could to help. I greatly appreciate all the donations from across the country and all the millions that celebrities have given. However I am disappointed when I see those giving the millions taking the opportunity to express political views or jabs as they do it. Sean Penn has made an effort to go into New Orleans to help but has also taken a crew to film and take pictures of his efforts. Is he really there to help or to make a political statement? I truely hope it is the former and not the latter. Celine Dion has donated a million dollars to the effort and thats wonderful but then she goes on Larry King and makes some pretty wild statements about how why should it matter that these people are looting and stealing TV's and tennis shoes? She said why should'nt these people be allowed to at least hold these things because they have never had the opportunity to have them before? If you were truely worried about their plight you might want to consider that they were poor before the storm and many did nothing for them then. Finally, I am proud of the faith based community because in Texas they have stepped up and really answered the call. Many are doing so with no expectation of being compensated for their efforts. Many disaster relief organizations have told churches that they will not be given any money. My church realizes this and on Sunday over $23,000 was put in our God Box to aid in taking care of these people. Jobs have already been found for more than twenty of them and they are starting new lifes in my hometown.

In the end changes need to be made to how we as country reacts to disasters there is no doubt about that. However I am greatly moved by the compassion and caring of the people not in positions of authority or in political office. They are everyday people who took it upon themselves to do what had to be done. They did it without anticipation of reward, or recognition, they did it because they saw people in need. They are not making a political statement and are not stopping to admonish the left, the right, the poor or the rich, they are just doing it because it had to be done.

 

[Geoff_M]

The reason why it's permeated the board is because it was artificially stuck in one place. It's like directing traffic to the same intersection and then wondering why it's crowded with cars.

It was moved over here because the behavior was "stinking up the joint" on the general CB. The other 95%, sick of it, said "please move that junk somewhere else!"

 

[gina2000]

Kathy, you may be too close to the tragedy. I found this to be the case for me during 9/11. I stayed off the CB for weeks. I didn't care who was right, who was wrong and whose fault it was. The tragedy was in my backyard and all I could see was death and destruction. These discussions may be affecting you the way the 9/11 ones affected me....total and complete outrage for those who had time to argue while there was disaster in my backyard.

I think political argument is normal during a period such as this one. It's an outlet for rage, dispair and disappointment.

I just wish people would listen more closely to those speaking instead of judging based on past discussions. No matter which side of the fence you're on, you can always learn something new.

 

[ThAnswr]

It was moved over here because the behavior was "stinking up the joint" on the general CB. The other 95%, sick of it, said "please move that junk somewhere else!"

Gee, maybe there should be a debate board?

 

[BuckNaked]

Gee, maybe there should be a debate board?

I take issue with that suggestion!!!