Sega-16 Politics Thread

Personally I don't get why we don't go to Mexico and clean it up? You really don't see anybody from Canada coming down here. But we have no issues going to the middle east and blowing there shit up for a "variety" of reasons. Instead it's either deport them or secure the borders like either of those are going to help out. We had no qualms getting rid of Saddam Hussein and look at what that led to (hello Isis). I mean Hussein was running a SECULAR government for fucks sake and that was one reason my Bin Laden disliked him. But that is another issue.

@negative chill say what you will about the Tea Party but they get shit done. Look at what OWS accomplished compare to them lol not even a fair comparison.

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Originally Posted by Da_Shocker

Personally I don't get why we don't go to Mexico and clean it up? You really don't see anybody from Canada coming down here. But we have no issues going to the middle east and blowing there shit up for a "variety" of reasons. Instead it's either deport them or secure the borders like either of those are going to help out. We had no qualms getting rid of Saddam Hussein and look at what that led to (hello Isis). I mean Hussein was running a SECULAR government for fucks sake and that was one reason my Bin Laden disliked him. But that is another issue.

@negative chill say what you will about the Tea Party but they get shit done. Look at what OWS accomplished compare to them lol not even a fair comparison.

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Saddam was terrible but his terrible kept a lot of other terrible in check. It's kind of hard to say which one is better overall.

But Mexico... we get cheap labor here, just hidden under the table, dirty little secret of so many. Virtual slave labor that can't call a union, can't call the cops, and has almost no protection from the government. They only put up with it because it's still a better life for most than anything they had at home.

The drug trade has it's own beneficiaries as well on both sides of the border.
Those in power and control now are making out like bandits. Keeping things as they are is in their own interests, even if it's terrible in general and for almost everyone involved.

So because there is no "benefit" in changing the way things are more than small tweaks to shut people up... and because there isn't a government there aligned against our interests or pressing national security concerns to deal with it... no one cares, at least not really. It's a political talking point, but neither side makes much progress with it, because too many stand to lose out if it's actually "fixed".


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And OWS was doomed from early on. It was a good idea that had too many others jumping onto it and hurting/muddling the message. It wasn't about race, class, religion, or anything else other than the massive, and growing, disparity between the top earners and literally everyone else.
It might not have turned out any different if it stayed on point, but we'll never know because it didn't.

The tea party has had it's share of screw ups, but they have a much more focused agenda with a more select group that supports them.

Great job Baltimore! Smashing cars, attacking motorists, and robbing people!

Justice for Freddie Gray by doing unjust acts? Freaking fantastic! :roll:

http://www.breitbart.com/big-governm...nzied-protest/

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.2200084

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO4Y2Wipv1c

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Originally Posted by SEGA.GENESIS1989

Great job Baltimore! Smashing cars, attacking motorists, and robbing people!

Justice for Freddie Gray by doing unjust acts? Freaking fantastic! :roll:

http://www.breitbart.com/big-governm...nzied-protest/

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.2200084

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Sadly things like that happen too often. It may have started as a good idea, and with good intentions. But ultimately people used it as an opportunity to be idiots.

I live in Maryland, and honestly despite how stupid that was, I can see why it went the way it did. In PG county there was recently a beat down of a handcuffed teenager by a cop who was not being aggressive, and there have been numerous other instances of idiotic, wrong and illegal actions by police throughout the state, especially in areas like Baltimore.

That isn't to say the whole thing wasn't stupid, but I can understand why it happened. The police don't seem to be capable of ceasing their own idiocy with beat downs and unprovoked shootings (in this state alone, let alone the rest of America), so I don't see the hatred against them by many citizens smoothing over any time soon.

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Originally Posted by Pixelepsy

I live in Maryland, and honestly despite how stupid that was, I can see why it went the way it did. In PG county there was recently a beat down of a handcuffed teenager by a cop who was not being aggressive, and there have been numerous other instances of idiotic, wrong and illegal actions by police throughout the state, especially in areas like Baltimore.

That isn't to say the whole thing wasn't stupid, but I can understand why it happened. The police don't seem to be capable of ceasing their own idiocy with beat downs and unprovoked shootings (in this state alone, let alone the rest of America), so I don't see the hatred against them by many citizens smoothing over any time soon.

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There is no question that protests are not a bad thing. The only unfortunate part is that people will use these protests as a cover/excuse to loot, act like idiots, and often make the initially noble/needed cause look bad with their behavior.

Imagine what would have happened if MLK had tried to give his "I have a dream" speech while people were looting stores and destroying cars all around him. I just gives the wrong element all the reasons they need to either dismiss the message initially being sent, or to come in and crack down hard. (which is admittedly harder now to get away with due to all the social media stuff everywhere).

It'd be nice if all these looters and malcontents realized just how much they hurt the situation for everyone.

It would be, and the living family of Freddie Gray did make public appeals to stop the looting / etc. claiming that isn't what he would have wanted. It's a shame that it ended in the way it did, but what underlies all of it is an ever-growing gap between citizens and law enforcement. I'm honestly surprised more cops haven't been attacked like what happened in New York.

One shouldn't address one injustice with another. What purpose does rioting serve except to legitimize the racist perception of African Americans.

Hitting a little close to home, I came across an article last week about a Torontonian who described the racism he encounters while living in Canada:
http://www.torontolife.com/informer/...lack/?page=all

It's a pretty harrowing read about racism and how society is blind to it.

Not that I disagree with how one injustice shouldn't be answered with another, but I doubt it "legitimizes" racism for anyone but those who are already racist. While this is a matter of semantics I also don't call anyone an African American. Unless their parents or they themselves are from Africa, they're no more African American than I am German American.

That being said, in the area that I live in and work, I'm often the minority. Blacks and hispanics easily outnumber me and for the most part I'm fine with that. The issues come out when someone tries the "white guilt" on me, or claims that I'm part of "white America". There's no denying certain differences of treatment in some circumstances, but to have people assume you've never had any hardship that compares to anything like theirs (year-long or more periods of unemployment, for example) it get's old.

The racial divide exists on both sides, and while many are willing to just toss it aside there are still too many others who either blame blacks / hispanics for issues such as the recent riot here, or they blame all whites for being "oppressors" due to what some of the very wealthy, powerful whites have done when many of them are just facing similar daily struggles for cash.

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Originally Posted by Pixelepsy

Not that I disagree with how one injustice shouldn't be answered with another, but I doubt it "legitimizes" racism for anyone but those who are already racist. While this is a matter of semantics I also don't call anyone an African American. Unless their parents or they themselves are from Africa, they're no more African American than I am German American.

That being said, in the area that I live in and work, I'm often the minority. Blacks and hispanics easily outnumber me and for the most part I'm fine with that. The issues come out when someone tries the "white guilt" on me, or claims that I'm part of "white America". There's no denying certain differences of treatment in some circumstances, but to have people assume you've never had any hardship that compares to anything like theirs (year-long or more periods of unemployment, for example) it get's old.

The racial divide exists on both sides, and while many are willing to just toss it aside there are still too many others who either blame blacks / hispanics for issues such as the recent riot here, or they blame all whites for being "oppressors" due to what some of the very wealthy, powerful whites have done when many of them are just facing similar daily struggles for cash.

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On the rare occasion, the topic of race and racism has popped on the forum but it rarely gets the attention or contribution from members. Only a few people are willing to broach the subject. I think most members are scared to dabble in the topic. to be quite honest, it's not surprising to me since the forums are just a reflection of society. Society rarely gives credence to the topic of race and racism. And even when the topic is brought up, people rarely want to have any kind of meaningful discussion. I'm glad that you at least took the time to consider the topic and offer an opinion.

With respect to the Baltimore riots, the way the events are being portrayed in the media is that it is "blacks against whites". Your essentially in ground zero so you actually see everything at a local level. Your actually getting a more accurate picture of what is happening compared to the rest of the country and world. I was just perusing twitter this evening and a few pictures popped up in my feed:

http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/...psae6fc93l.jpg

The tweet that accompanied that photograph was the following:"Another image you won't see on CNN."

He also tweeted the following photograph with the caption "Because all those black looters are ruining Baltimore.":

http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/...psa14klabs.jpg

The statement that accompanies may be a little off-putting but it speaks volumes in terms of how the media is portraying the Baltimore riots. Although the people in the above picture appear to be caucasian, you can bet that the people that are looting and robbing come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

How the media is portraying the events in Baltimore is affecting how people think about race. It reinforces ideas and perceptions of blacks. And it contributes to You and I and everyone else interact with each other. To some extent it reinforces/justifies structural racism perpetuated by police departments etc. I posted the above article for a very specific reason. Anyone who simply read the title and didn't read the entire article missed out on how structural racism impacts the black community (even here in Toronto).

In my opinion, everyone is a little racist. Doesn't matter if your white or black or yellow or green.

Whether your Indonesian, Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Brazilian, Russian, Pakistani, Arab, Filipino, etc. Doesn't matter what degree of color pigment your skin exhibits, everyone exhibits a level of racism in the way that they think or even act.

Consider your network of friends or associates. Whom are the people you associate with. There is a little doubt that alot of us feel kinship or are more comfortable when we are among people who are from the same cultural background or same ethnic persuasion. But in doing, we consciously or unconsciously develop perceptions about other communities simply because we refuse to intermingle with other communities. It not only affects how we perceive others of a different persuasion but when the topic is brought up, determines whether we are willing to discuss the matter further.

Way back when I thought that racism, like the dodo bird, was about to go extinct. I no longer think that way. Society's refusal to have any meaning discussion on the matter is why racism persists today. Even within a multicultural society like our own!

http://blog.telecom.toshiba.com/wp-c.../Dodo-bird.jpg

Addendum: To give an example of how we all have some measure of racism as part of our line of thinking, I present to you this video. When I heard the term "redneck", I always associated with a racist ideology. I never associated the term with a certain demographic or economic background or lifestyle (country living). This fellow may have been discussing racism but he also illustrated to me that my line of thinking contained a level of racism that I was not aware of. I wonder how many people came to the realization that I did. maybe my perception of rednecks may have something to do with me never interacting with such a person in my whole entire life. Anyways, this was a great video. Enjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYM1o8QIk6c

By sweet Odin's diabetes; a white devil that doesn't speak with a forked tongue has appeared.

As someone living in the deep south where Racism is still somewhat present, here's my two cents: I don't care what color your skin is, what your gender is, what religious or sexual affiliation you aline yourself with, I will judge you on your actions alone and nothing else. But I will say that I do think that a good majority (not all) of people, those of "color" in particular, aren't living up to their potential and are just using the race card as a free ticket to do whatever the hell they want and yes, I am aware that a lot of them are still living in horribly destitute neighborhoods where every day is a struggle to survive, even amongst their own people

That "former racist" is a full of white guilt and condescension. He is trying to establish black people as a permanent underclass with no hope of progressing without government assistance or the "white man's" assistance. He is more than likely pro-affirmative action, pro-welfare, pro-single parents, and pro-abortion. The main ingredients that are oppressing black people.

I'll be back later today to expand on the whole Baltimore "minstrel show" you all are enjoying.

In the meantime this woman nails just about everything I stand for when it comes to the whole white cop kills a black guy scenario.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=190&v=xl7Q36V9pg4

Lol. I don't think many people beyond the media are enjoying the "minstrel show" going on in Bal'moor.

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Originally Posted by Lan Di

That "former racist" is a full of white guilt and condescension. He is trying to establish black people as a permanent underclass with no hope of progressing without government assistance or the "white man's" assistance. He is more than likely pro-affirmative action, pro-welfare, pro-single parents, and pro-abortion. The main ingredients that are oppressing black people.

I'll be back later today to expand on the whole Baltimore "minstrel show" you all are enjoying.

In the meantime this woman nails just about everything I stand for when it comes to the whole white cop kills a black guy scenario.

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I'm not so sure if that's the reason behind his argument. Even so, at least he's come to the realization that (some quarters of) western society treats persons of color differently. Last night I was going to present and example but decided to save the story for another day.

With respect to the events in Baltimore, we're all just onlookers. No one is really enjoying what is happening in that city.

As always i look forward to reading your opinion on the matter.

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Originally Posted by negative chill

As someone living in the deep south where Racism is still somewhat present, here's my two cents: I don't care what color your skin is, what your gender is, what religious or sexual affiliation you aline yourself with, I will judge you on your actions alone and nothing else. But I will say that I do think that a good majority (not all) of people, those of "color" in particular, aren't living up to their potential and are just using the race card as a free ticket to do whatever the hell they want and yes, I am aware that a lot of them are still living in horribly destitute neighborhoods where every day is a struggle to survive, even amongst their own people

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To some extent I agree and disagree. I think what you may be hinting at is this idea of "affirmative action". In Canada it's called "employment equity". I have my views on that program and will disclose it should the discussion move in that direction.